Two Sides of a Coin – Open Heaven Daily Devotional | 22 August 2025
Theme: TWO SIDES OF A COIN
Memory Verse:
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Psalms 119:105
Bible Reading:
Philippians 2:12-13
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Open Heaven 21 August 2025 - Technology Cannot Train Them | Pastor E.A. Adeboye
Open Heaven 22 August 2025 Message
Many things in life have two sides or distinct opposites, just like the sides of a coin. For example, there is the sun and the moon, male and female, etc. God Himself has two sides. 1 John 4:8 says that He is Love; however, Hebrews 12:29 also says that He is a Consuming Fire.
God is a wonder; many things about Him attest to this. He is a lamb, and He is a lion. When you talk of a lamb, you immediately think of a tiny little sheep that is so beautiful that you want to hug it, but when you talk of a lion, that is an animal that people do not usually mess around with. The Bible also calls God a sun and a shield (Psalm 84:11). While the sun can be so hot that people run away from it, a shield protects people and makes them safe. We also know God as the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 1:8). He is the beginning and the end, the first and the last (Revelation 22:13).
While He is starting some things, He is putting an end to some others. He is the One who blesses a family with a newborn baby and stands faithfully by the side of a believer who is taking his or her last breath. The same God who is merciful (Psalm 103:8) is also terrible (Deuteronomy 7:21). Our God is unfathomable.
In your relationship with God, there are also two sides: God’s side and your side. As you work out your salvation with fear and trembling, He works in you to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). If you say that because He is working in you, then you can continue to sin, expecting grace to abound, He will forbid that (Romans 6:1-2). Yes, He wants you to be with Him in a mansion in heaven (John 14:2-3), but if you don’t play your part to get to that mansion, you will end up in hell. I agree that Jesus Christ brought grace (John 1:17), but that same verse says that He brought truth along with it. If you reject His truth, which sanctifies you and keeps you holy (John 17:17), then you will not enjoy His grace.
Beloved, the side of God you see and experience will depend on your actions and inactions. Walk in His truth and obey His commandments, and you will experience His favour and mercy abundantly in your life.
OPEN HEAVEN 22 AUGUST KEY POINT
God is Love, but He is also a Consuming Fire. Whichever side of Him you experience is up to you.
Bible in One Year
Lamentations 1-2
Hymn
ALL HAIL THE POWER OF JESUS’ NAME
Commentary
This devotional reminds us that God’s nature is multifaceted. While He is merciful and loving, He is also just and holy. Believers should not misuse grace as a license to sin. God rewards obedience and truth; He disciplines rebellion. Our choices determine which side of God we experience—mercy or judgment. Let this truth guide your daily walk with Christ, encouraging holiness, faithfulness, and reverence for Him.
📣 Call to Action (CTA)
Which side of God are you experiencing today? Share your thoughts in the comments or forward this devotional to someone who needs it.
🙏 Prayer Points
- Thank You, Father, for revealing Yourself as Love and Consuming Fire.
- Help me walk in Your truth and obey Your commandments.
- Grant me favour, mercy, and protection in every area of my life.
- Sanctify me daily through Your Word and Spirit.
- Work in me to will and do Your good pleasure as I pursue my salvation.
✝️ Salvation Call
If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is your day of salvation. Confess with your mouth, “Jesus, forgive me of my sins and come into my life,” believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you shall be saved. Welcome to God’s family!
📝 Open Heaven Quiz – Two Sides of a Coin
📤 Share This Devotional
Original Quiz by OpenHeavens.com.ng. We are the first Christian platform to introduce interactive Open Heavens quizzes online by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, helping readers grow deeper in God’s word daily.
OPEN HEAVEN 21 AUGUST 2025
TECHNOLOGY CANNOT TRAIN THEM
Click HERE for the Previous Open Heaven Devotional
MEMORISE:
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 22:6
READ:
Proverbs 29:15
15 The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame.
TODAY'S MESSAGE
Thank God we can reach countless people around the world with the gospel through various technological devices and the internet.
Two Sides of a Coin – Open Heaven Daily Devotional | 22 August 2025
However, just as we are reaching many people with the gospel using technology, the devil is also using the same technology to reach people, including children. Many children now have access to pornographic sites through phones and tablets, and paedophiles manipulate children into immoral affairs through the internet. This is why, as good as technology is, parents cannot depend on it solely when it comes to raising their children.
When I was younger and there were no computers nor access to calculators, people had to do arithmetic by themselves. Nowadays, a lot of the younger generation cannot even calculate how much they are going to pay at a counter unless they use a calculator. If you are a parent, train your children not to overly rely on technology. Train them to do some things by themselves, and this will further enhance their natural abilities.
These days, some children find it very difficult to relate properly with people they meet physically because they have become addicted to relating with people online. Also, some young children do not greet other people because they are always wearing headphones and engaging with their electronic devices.
You must not allow technology to make your children socially deficient or emotionally handicapped. You must ensure that you encourage them to develop their natural gifts and talents while also teaching them to interact properly with the world around them.
It is really sad that some children are bullied online and are plunged into depression because of what someone online said to them. Parents must be vigilant. They shouldn’t depend on technology to keep their children occupied when they don’t want to be bothered; they just might be handing them over to the devil. Don’t delegate your children’s training and upbringing to technology.
If you don’t know what your children are doing on their electronic devices at every instance, then you are depending on technology to train them for you, and trust me, technology was not developed to be a godly parent. Today’s memory verse says that you should train a child in the way he or she should go. Do the apps your children engage with daily know the way they should go?
Parents, spend time with your children and train them yourself. I pray that God will protect all our children from the devil’s agenda to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), in Jesus’ name.
KEY POINT
Parents should spend quality time with their children and be mindful of what they have access to through technology.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Jeremiah 51-52
HYMN 33:
GUIDE ME, O THOU GREAT JEHOVAH!
1. Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but Thou art mighty;
Hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more;
Feed me till I want no more.
2. Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fiery cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through:
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield;
Be Thou still my strength and shield.
3. When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side:
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to Thee;
I will ever give to Thee.
COMMENTARY
Technology is a powerful tool for communication and education, but it cannot replace a parent’s guidance, love, and training. As Pastor E.A. Adeboye emphasized, parents must actively engage in shaping their children’s character, social skills, and moral compass. Leaving children to be “trained” solely by technology exposes them to spiritual and emotional dangers, including bullying, addiction, and exposure to immorality. Parents should monitor what their children access, teach them practical skills, and cultivate their natural gifts while also nurturing their relationship with God. Your time and guidance are far more valuable than any app or gadget.
INTERACTIVE QUIZ
GIVE YOUR LIFE TO CHRIST TODAY
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal Saviour, today is the perfect day to surrender your life to Him. Pray: "Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You for saving me. Amen."
Commit to guiding your children in godly ways, and spend intentional time with them daily. Your presence and instruction matter more than any technology could provide.
**Original Quiz by OpenHeavens.com.ng**
We are the first Christian platform to introduce interactive Open Heavens quizzes online from open heavens by Pastor E.A. Adeboye, helping readers grow deeper in God’s word daily.
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