Table of Contents
OPEN HEAVENS 2 JULY 2026 TODAY DEVOTIONAL
TOPIC: MORE AFTER MORE
MEMORISE:
He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
— Luke 1:53 (KJV)
READ: Philippians 3:5-14 (KJV)
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
MESSAGE FOR TODAY
In today’s Bible reading, Paul recounted some of his great achievements. He stated that he was of the stock of Israel, a descendant of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, circumcised on the eighth day, and a Pharisee. After listing his achievements and attributes, he went on to say that he counted them all as loss and dung for Christ.
Paul was clearly one of the most knowledgeable apostles in the Bible. He was a lawyer and a Pharisee who had studied under a renowned teacher, Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). For comparison, we can say that he attended the best university and studied under the most distinguished professor there. He had everything to boast of in terms of knowledge.
However, when he gave his life to Jesus, he laid all his accomplishments at the Master’s feet and allowed the Lord to use them for the advancement of His Kingdom. He humbled himself and submitted to Ananias, a disciple of Christ in Damascus and went on missionary trips with Barnabas, a Levite. Paul didn’t allow his past achievements to stop him from pursuing the Lord wholeheartedly.
The secret to Paul’s achievements in his walk with God can be found in Philippians 3:13:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Paul was always ready to learn more. He never allowed what he had learnt previously to rob him of the things that God wanted to show and teach him. This must be your disposition if you want to walk closely with God and achieve great things in His kingdom.
Lamentations 3:23 says that God’s mercies are new every morning. If you keep holding on to yesterday’s mercies, how will you be able to receive today’s portion? There is always more beyond what you have, and God can always give you more than what you have received from Him already.
However, it is only as you humble yourself to receive from the Lord that you can get more from Him. One of the greatest enemies of growth is an ‘arrival mentality.’ The moment people think that they have ‘arrived’ (gotten to the peak of success), they stop growing immediately.
Beloved, ask God to help you cultivate a heart that is ever hungry for Him and that constantly seeks to achieve greater exploits in His Kingdom. He will supply you with His grace in abundance so that you will keep soaring in Him.
KEY POINT:
Father, please give me a deep hunger to seek You more.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Proverbs 8-11
HYMN 12: ONWARD CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS
Commentary on Today’s Devotional
Memorise: Luke 1:53 – “He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.”
This verse reveals a kingdom principle that operates opposite to the world’s logic. Daddy Adeboye anchors today’s devotional on this text because it establishes that spiritual fullness is not for those who think they have already arrived, but for those who remain hungry.
Bible Reading: Philippians 3:5-14 – In this passage, the apostle Paul lists his impressive religious credentials then he makes a shocking statement: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord… and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” He then declares that he has not yet attained or been perfected, but he forgets what is behind and reaches forward to what is ahead, pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Daddy Adeboye uses this to show that even the most accomplished apostle remained hungry, teachable, and forward-looking.
Paul: The Accomplished Apostle Who Never Arrived
His Impressive Credentials: “In today’s Bible reading, Paul recounted some of his great achievements. He stated that he was of the stock of Israel, a descendant of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, circumcised on the eighth day, and a Pharisee.” Consider Paul’s résumé:
Circumcised on the eighth day: Kept the law perfectly from birth.
Of the stock of Israel: Pure Jewish bloodline.
Tribe of Benjamin: Prestigious tribe (Israel’s first king came from Benjamin).
Hebrew of Hebrews: Strictest adherence to Hebrew culture and language.
Pharisee: The most rigorous religious sect.
Zealous persecutor of the church: Extremely committed to his beliefs.
“For comparison, we can say that he attended the best university and studied under the most distinguished professor there. He had everything to boast of in terms of knowledge.” (Acts 22:3 – Paul studied under Gamaliel).
His Radical Revaluation: “After listing his achievements and attributes, he went on to say that he counted them all as loss and dung for Christ.”
His religious credentials became loss (worthless, a liability).
His righteousness by the law became dung (refuse, garbage, excrement).
His past achievements became things to be forgotten.
His human pride was counted as nothing.
“However, when he gave his life to Jesus, he laid all his accomplishments at the Master’s feet and allowed the Lord to use them for the advancement of His Kingdom. He humbled himself and submitted to Ananias, a disciple of Christ in Damascus and went on missionary trips with Barnabas, a Levite. Paul didn’t allow his past achievements to stop him from pursuing the Lord wholeheartedly.” This is remarkable because Paul had more theological training than Ananias and more social status than Barnabas, yet he submitted, learned, and served.
The Secret of Paul’s Success: Never Arriving
“The secret to Paul’s achievements in his walk with God can be found in Philippians 3:13: ‘Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.’”
Instead of saying “I have arrived,” Paul said, “I count not myself to have apprehended.”
Instead of saying “I know it all,” Paul focused on “forgetting those things which are behind.”
Instead of saying “I can rest on my past,” Paul was “reaching forth unto those things which are before.”
Instead of saying “I have reached the peak,” Paul declared, “I press toward the mark.”
The Danger of the “Arrival Mentality”
“One of the greatest enemies of growth is an ‘arrival mentality.’ The moment people think that they have ‘arrived’ (gotten to the peak of success), they stop growing immediately.”
When you say “I have learned enough,” you stop learning.
When you say “I have experienced enough,” you stop seeking.
When you say “I have achieved enough,” you stop striving.
When you say “I have arrived,” growth stops and decline begins.
“Lamentations 3:23 says that God’s mercies are new every morning. If you keep holding on to yesterday’s mercies, how will you be able to receive today’s portion?” You become full of what God already gave and miss present opportunities. You cannot receive today’s portion if you are still clutching yesterday’s, just as the manna in the wilderness could not be kept overnight (Exodus 16:20).
The Hungry Heart: Filled with Good Things
“There is always more beyond what you have, and God can always give you more than what you have received from Him already. However, it is only as you humble yourself to receive from the Lord that you can get more from Him.”
The proud (rich in their own eyes) think they have no need and are sent away empty (Luke 1:53).
The humble (hungry in their own eyes) know they have desperate need and are filled with good things (Luke 1:53).
How to Cultivate a Hungry Heart (Practical Steps)
Based on Daddy Adeboye’s teaching and Paul’s example, here is how to avoid the arrival mentality and remain perpetually hungry for God:
Regularly Confess: “I Have Not Arrived” – Make this confession part of your daily prayer: “I count not myself to have apprehended.”
Forget What Is Behind – This does not mean losing memory, but refusing to let past achievements become the ceiling for future growth. Stop rehearsing past victories; celebrate them, then move on.
Reach Forth to What Is Before – Growth requires intention. Set new spiritual goals, take on new challenges, seek new mentors, and study new parts of Scripture.
Stay in the Posture of a Learner – Paul, the greatest theologian, submitted to Ananias and traveled with Barnabas. He was never too big to learn. Adopt the posture: “God can speak through anyone” and “Show me what I might have missed.”
Pray for Fresh Hunger Daily – Do not assume your hunger will sustain itself. Pray: “Lord, keep me hungry for You” and “Lord, do not let me become satisfied with past encounters.”
Warning: Yesterday’s Manna Cannot Feed You Today
Daddy Adeboye’s devotional carries a sobering warning: the greatest enemy of your future is your past success. Your spiritual growth must be daily. Your hunger must be daily. Your fresh filling must be daily.
Conclusion: Your Prayer for a Hungry Heart
Daddy Adeboye closes with a prayer that God will cultivate in you a heart that is ever hungry for Him. Do not settle. Do not arrive. Do not rest on past achievements. Keep pressing.
Pray this:
“Lord Jesus, I thank You that You fill the hungry with good things and send the proud away empty. Forgive me for the times I have developed an arrival mentality—thinking I have learned enough, experienced enough, achieved enough. Forgive me for holding onto yesterday’s mercies and missing today’s portion. Give me the spirit of Paul—forgetting what is behind, reaching forth to what is before, and pressing toward the mark. Keep me hungry. Keep me humble. Keep me teachable. I have not arrived. There is more of You to know. There are greater exploits to do. Fill me today with fresh good things. Let me not be satisfied until I am satisfied in You. In Jesus’ mighty name.”
Action Steps:
The Arrival Mentality Check: Ask yourself honestly: In what areas of my spiritual life have I secretly believed that I have “arrived”? (Prayer? Bible knowledge? Ministry experience? Holiness?) Write them down. Then renounce that mentality.
The “Forget and Reach” Exercise: On a piece of paper, write down past achievements you have been tempted to rest on (top half: “What I Am Forgetting”). On the bottom half, write down new goals and fresh areas of growth (“What I Am Reaching For”).
The Daily Hunger Prayer: Every morning this week, pray: “Lord, I am hungry. I have not arrived. Fill me today with fresh good things. Send me not away empty.”
