WEDNESDAY 19TH AUGUST 2026

Topic: Protect Your Heart

Bible Reference

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NKJV)

A Short Story

Ruth began talking to someone she met online. At first, their conversations were simple. They talked about school, work, family, and their plans for the future. He always seemed to know what to say, especially when she was having a difficult day.

After some time, Ruth became emotionally attached to him. She began checking her phone constantly, waiting for his messages. When he did not reply, her mood changed. When he was happy with her, she felt happy too.

Her prayer life slowly began to suffer. She spent more time talking to him than talking to God. She started hiding some of their conversations because she knew her parents and trusted spiritual leaders would not be comfortable with what was happening.

One evening, after an argument between them, Ruth sat on her bed and cried.

She suddenly realized how much control the relationship had gained over her heart.

She remembered something her mother had told her months earlier: “Not everyone who gains access to your heart has the right to remain there.”

Ruth picked up her Bible and began to pray.

She understood that protecting her heart did not mean refusing to love people. It meant being careful about who she allowed to influence her emotions, decisions, values, and relationship with God.

It was difficult, but Ruth decided to create boundaries and step away from the relationship.

Today's Message

Your heart is valuable. What you repeatedly allow into it will eventually influence how you think, what you desire, and the decisions you make.

This is why Proverbs tells us to guard our hearts with diligence. You cannot allow everyone to have unrestricted access to your emotions and expect your spiritual life to remain unaffected.

This applies to friendships, relationships, social media, entertainment, conversations, and even the thoughts you repeatedly entertain.

Someone may make you feel good and still be taking you away from God's purpose for your life. Something may be popular and still be harmful to your spirit.

Guarding your heart is not weakness. It is wisdom.

Ask yourself regularly, “What is this relationship, habit, conversation, or content producing in me?”

If it is consistently drawing you away from God, you need the courage to create boundaries.

What To Do Today

1. Examine the people and influences that have the strongest effect on your decisions.

2. Set boundaries where necessary.

3. Stop entertaining anything that repeatedly weakens your relationship with God.

4. Choose friends who encourage you to become better, not those who constantly pull you backward.

Prayer

Lord, help me to guard my heart wisely. Give me discernment to recognize influences that are not good for me. Help me to establish healthy boundaries and keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Daily Challenge

Examine one relationship or influence in your life today and honestly ask yourself whether it is drawing you closer to God or pulling you away from Him.

Anthony Ijere
Christian Author and Revivalist

https://chat.whatsapp.com/BDs9qaNMQumKTicv7uU7SJ?s=cl&p=a&mlu=0&ilr=0

https://t.me/anthonyijere

TUESDAY MORNING PRAYER FOR OUR FAMILY!

“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15 (KJV)

Heavenly Father, in the mighty and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we come before You on this Tuesday morning with grateful hearts. Thank You for waking us up and giving us another day that we did not earn but received because of Your grace and mercy.
Your Word declares, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” — Psalm 118:24.
Father, before we ask You for anything, we thank You for everything. Thank You for life. Thank You for strength. Thank You for our families. Thank You for keeping us through dangers seen and unseen. Thank You for the doors You opened, the doors You closed, and even the things You protected us from that we never knew were coming.
Lord, as our families begin this Tuesday, go before us. Order our steps, direct our decisions, guard our hearts, protect our homes, and keep Your hand upon every member of our family.
Your Word says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” — Proverbs 3:5–6.
HEAL OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, this morning we bring before You every family member who is battling sickness—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
You know every diagnosis.
You know every symptom.
You know every pain.
You know every sleepless night.
You know every private struggle.
You know every burden that has become too difficult to explain to others.
Father, touch them right now.
Your Word declares, “Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved.” — Jeremiah 17:14.
Lord, stretch forth Your healing hand.
Where there is sickness, bring healing.
Where there is pain, bring relief.
Where there is weakness, bring strength.
Where there is fear, bring faith.
Where there is confusion, bring clarity.
Where there is discouragement, restore hope.
Where there are troubled minds, release Your supernatural peace.
You promised in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”
Father, guard the minds of our family members. Give peace to those overwhelmed by life's pressures. Strengthen those carrying emotional burdens in silence. Remind them that they are seen by You, loved by You, and never beyond the reach of Your hand.
Your Word says, “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” — Psalm 147:3.
So, Lord, heal, deliver, restore, and set free!
We stand upon Psalm 107:20:“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.”
Send Your Word into every hospital room, rehabilitation center, doctor's office, nursing facility, and every home where healing is needed.
Give physicians wisdom. Give nurses compassion. Give caregivers strength. Give families patience. And give those who are sick the courage to keep believing You one day at a time.
SAVE OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, our greatest prayer is not simply that our family will be healthy, prosperous, or successful. Our greatest prayer is that our family will know Jesus Christ.
We lift before You every family member who has not surrendered their life to Christ.
Draw them by Your Spirit.
Let somebody who has been running from You begin running toward You.
Let somebody who has questioned You begin seeking You.
Let somebody who has never prayed begin calling upon Your name.
Let somebody ask the same question asked in Acts 16:30:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
And let the answer ring clearly:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31.
Father, let salvation come into our households!
Your Word declares, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” — Romans 10:13.
And Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” — John 14:6.
Lord, let our children know Jesus.
Let our grandchildren know Jesus.
Let husbands and wives know Jesus.
Let our brothers and sisters know Jesus.
Let our extended families know Jesus.
Break destructive generational patterns and establish a new spiritual legacy—a legacy of faith, prayer, worship, obedience, integrity, forgiveness, and love.
May generations after us be able to say, “Our family served the Lord!”
PROVIDE FOR OUR FAMILY, LORD
Father, we lift every family member who is looking for employment.
You know every application submitted, every résumé sent, every interview completed, and every person waiting for someone to call them back.
Open the right doors.
Give them favor with hiring managers and decision-makers. Lead them to positions where their gifts, abilities, and experience will be appreciated.
For those already employed who need promotion, advancement, better opportunities, increased wages, raises, improved benefits, or greater financial stability, we ask You to make a way.
Your Word declares, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge.” — Psalm 75:6–7.
Bless the work of our hands, Lord.
Let integrity speak for us.
Let excellence distinguish us.
Let favor surround us.
And when You elevate us, keep us humble enough to remember Who opened the door.
PROVIDE FOR THOSE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY
Father, we especially pray for family members facing financial pressure.
Some are trying to stretch a paycheck.
Some are worried about rent or mortgage payments.
Some are facing medical bills.
Some are dealing with debt.
Some need groceries.
Some are facing unexpected expenses.
Some are working but still struggling to make ends meet.
But today we stand upon Philippians 4:19:
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Father, You are our Source.
Provide what our families need.
Give us wisdom to manage what You provide. Teach us to be disciplined, generous, responsible, and faithful stewards.
Give our families creative ideas, opportunities, strategies, and open doors.
Where there has been lack, provide.
Where there has been financial confusion, give wisdom.
Where there has been debt, give us a plan and discipline.
Where there has been financial fear, replace it with faith and responsible action.
Lord, supply every need according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
PROTECT OUR FAMILY THIS TUESDAY
Father, as our family members leave their homes today, cover them.
Protect those driving to work.
Protect those traveling.
Protect our children and grandchildren.
Protect those working long hours.
Protect those caring for loved ones.
Protect those going to medical appointments.
Protect our homes while we are away.
Your Word declares, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” — Psalm 91:11.
Lord, keep us from accidents, danger, violence, and circumstances we cannot see coming.
Bring everyone safely home.
STRENGTHEN THE LOVE IN OUR FAMILY
Father, help us to remember that before careers, money, possessions, accomplishments, titles, and recognition, our greatest responsibility is to love You and love one another.
Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” — Matthew 22:37.
Lord, You come first.
Before our plans—You.
Before our ambitions—You.
Before our possessions—You.
Before everything else—You.
And because we love You, teach us how to love one another.
Your Word declares, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” — 1 John 4:11.
Heal broken relationships within our family.
Remove bitterness.
Destroy unforgiveness.
Break down walls caused by pride.
Help us apologize when we are wrong.
Help us forgive when we have been hurt.
Help us communicate with grace.
Help us stop allowing small disagreements to create permanent separation.
Let husbands and wives love one another.
Let parents and children understand one another.
Let brothers and sisters support one another.
Let generations respect and learn from one another.
Lord, make our families stronger, closer, healthier, and more Christ-centered.

OUR TUESDAY FAMILY DECLARATION...
This Tuesday morning, we declare:
Our family belongs to God!
We declare healing over our sick.
We declare peace over troubled minds.
We declare deliverance for those who are bound.
We declare salvation for those who do not yet know Jesus.
We declare employment for those seeking jobs.
We declare favor and increase for those needing advancement.
We declare provision for those struggling financially.
We declare restoration over broken relationships.
We declare protection over our homes and families.
We declare love where there has been division.
And above everything else, we declare:
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” — Joshua 24:15.

Father, we may not know everything this Tuesday will bring, but we know Who holds this Tuesday in His hands.
Therefore, we trust You.
Order our steps.
Guard our hearts.
Renew our minds.
Strengthen our bodies.
Provide for our needs.
Protect our families.
Save our loved ones.
Restore our relationships.
And let everything we say and do bring glory to Your name.
We seal this prayer with Ephesians 3:20:
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.”
We believe You can do it.
We believe You are working even when we cannot see it.
And we believe that the hand of God is upon our family!
In the mighty, healing, delivering, saving, providing, protecting, and matchless name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
AMEN, AMEN, AND AMEN!

August 18
“WHO GOD IS TO ME”
MY ROCK
Psalm 18:2 (LLV) —
“The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I take refuge; my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold.”
Life
does not always
give us
steady ground.
Circumstances
change.
Plans
collapse.
People
disappoint us.
Things
we thought
were certain
suddenly
are not.
David knew
that kind
of life.
He had known
victory
and danger.
Friendship
and betrayal.
Celebration
and fear.
There were times
when he literally
hid among
the rocks
to escape
those who wanted
to destroy him.
Perhaps that
is why
his words
carry
such confidence.
“The LORD
is my rock.”
Not:
The LORD
might become
my rock
if trouble comes.
Not:
The LORD
was my rock
when things
were difficult.
The LORD
is
my rock.
Right now.
David's security
was not found
in the stability
of his circumstances.
It was found
in the unchanging
character
of his God.
Then David
keeps going.
“My fortress.”
When danger
surrounds me,
God is
my security.
“My deliverer.”
When there seems
to be
no way out,
God is
my rescuer.
“My shield.”
When the battle
comes close,
God stands
between me
and what
would destroy me.
“My stronghold.”
When everything
around me
feels uncertain,
there remains
somewhere
I can stand.
Notice something
beautiful
in David's words.
Again
and again
he says:
“My.”
My rock.
My fortress.
My deliverer.
My God.
My strength.
My shield.
My salvation.
My stronghold.
David was not
describing
a God
he had merely
heard about.
He was describing
the God
he had learned
to trust.
There is
a difference
between knowing
that God
is a rock
and being able
to say,
“He is
my rock.”
That kind
of confidence
is formed
through walking
with Him.
Through storms.
Through uncertainty.
Through prayers
answered
in unexpected ways.
Through discovering,
again
and again,
that when everything
else moves,
God does not.
The storm
may still come.
The ground
around us
may still shake.
But our confidence
does not rest
upon the absence
of trouble.
It rests
upon the presence
of Someone
who cannot
be moved.
A new beginning finds somewhere solid to stand:
when everything around me changes, the Lord remains my rock.
Reflection: What feels uncertain in my life today, and am I trying to find security in changing circumstances or in the unchanging character of God?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for being my rock when everything around me feels uncertain. You are my fortress, my deliverer, my strength, and my refuge. Teach me not merely to know these things about You, but to trust them personally. When circumstances shift beneath my feet, remind me that You have not moved. Help me stand securely in You today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Gibson Battle

Align with Yehusha be with Team Yeshua and will fight your Battle : God Fights for the Remnant of Peace

When you make peace with the true Joshua—Jesus Christ—you enter into a covenant that shifts your battles from your hands into God's hands.

In Joshua 10, the Gibeonites were targets simply because they allied themselves with Israel. Similarly, when you align your life with the Lord, the forces of spiritual darkness may target you.

However, the shadow of Jesus in this text reveals a powerful truth: God assumes your enemies as His own.

He does not leave you to defend yourself. When you call upon Him in times of attack, the Lord responds with swift, supernatural deliverance.

He will disrupt the enemy's plans, cause confusion in their camps, and even move the laws of nature to ensure your complete victory.

Key Bible Verses from Joshua 10

The Call for Help: "The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: 'Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us.'" (Joshua 10:6)


The Divine Assurance: "The Lord said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.'" (Joshua 10:8).


The Divine Intervention: "The Lord threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely... As they fled before Israel... the Lord hurled large hailstones down on them, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." (Joshua 10:10-11)


Warfare PrayerHeavenly Father, Almighty God, and Precious Holy Spirit,I come before You today under the covenant of peace established through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Yeshua).
Because I have surrendered my life to You, I thank You that my battles are no longer mine alone, but they belong to the Lord.

According to Your Word in Joshua 10, when the enemy gathers against me because of my alignment with You, I cry out for Your urgent help.
Do not abandon your servant, Lord! Come quickly to my defense.

I pray that You throw every demonic alliance, every spirit of fear, and every weapon formed against my health, my family, or my destiny into total confusion.

Let Your supernatural power fight on my behalf. Hurl down Your divine judgment against the spiritual forces of wickedness that attempt to steal my peace.

Give me the assurance that not one of my enemies will be able to withstand Your presence.

Let the sun and moon stand still, and let time work in my favor as You fulfill Your promises in my life.
Thank You for complete victory and for being my shield and deliverer.In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray.Amen.

Good evening to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

Today was nothing like I had imagined it would be. Mind you, we did not really have any ‘plans’ for today with the exception of taking the dog to the vet and me helping my brother on the computer. The rest of the day really was not accounted for. HOWEVER … leave it to us to figure out a way to fill out a day without even trying.

Started with hubs getting sick last night and I ended up taking the dog to the vet. Missed my turn and had to turn around on a busy highway. On the way home, I was not really in a hurry, just driving and when I pulled up to the house, there was a random car in my driveway… no clue who or why … except it was my brother … right on time. Brain fart 101. Totally forgot he was coming, even though my stepson and I had just discussed it.

Get inside to help my brother in a computer/tech assistant nightmare for his new job. 2.5 hours later, we think we figured it out. In the middle of that, we get a notice that hubs needs blood work before his appointment tomorrow…we forgot. No worries, plan to go to the new park on the west side, drop kids off, go to get blood work, pick up lunch, have a picnic in the park, then go home after playing. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. What a funny plan. Dropped kids off, no problem. Get to the lab; they were closed. Then they opened the doors, only to tell us that they were still closed. Stopped and got lunch for the kids, drove to the lab’s second office. Get to that lab only to be told, sorry can’t help you; go to the hospital. By now, hubs is starving … haha … go get a sandwich, then the hospital; he gets labs, and I get a cold sandwich. While at the hospital, get notified that the dog is ready to be picked up … the vet is in the opposite direction of the park, and then meds need to be picked up also; fortunately meds and vet are in the same town. By now it is going on 3 p.m.; no time to go back and play at the park. A completely full day…but wait…I am not done yet; we get home and because it is supposed to rain tomorrow…take advantage of the good day and mow. Finish mowing at 9 pm. All of this because I did not make plans. Haha.

But … with all that chaos and nonsense that went along with the chaos, there were plenty of laughs, a few arguments, some severe rolling of the eyes and lots of blessings. Even with the chaos, things got done respectfully; kids got to go to their favorite park and have McDonald's, the dog is now talon-free and clean and we got notified that our appointment was moved up by half an hour. All positives.

Just because something does not roll down the hill the way that you think it will or should, does not make it bad or a negative. There were plenty of negative aspects to today, but not one of them overshadowed a millimeter of the positives. Each day we have a choice to make: see the positive or see the negative. If you see the positive, it is a great day; if you see the negative, you have a choice … focus on the negative or look for a positive in or from the negative. If you focus on the negative, you will have a bad day; however, if you look for a positive within the negative or because of the negative, you will have a good day.

As you prepare for bed tonight, I urge you to look back on your day and see what kind of day you think you had. Look at each component and how many negatives come to mind first…then how many positives? If you are seeing the negatives over the positives, try realigning your sights so that the positives come to mind first. It makes for a much more peaceful mindset. I will confess that it takes some time and practice, but it can be done.

Be blessed and good night.

**You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. – Matthew 5:14-15

Moving Forward After Deception

"And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me." — Genesis 31:7

Jacob did not minimize what happened. He acknowledged the painful reality of deception. It was not a single misunderstanding or isolated disappointment. His wages were changed ten times—a repeated pattern of broken trust, uncertainty, and injustice.

Deception carries weight. It can consume years, alter plans, strain relationships, and leave deep emotional and spiritual wounds. It often raises difficult questions:

How did I not see it?
Could I have done something differently?

Scripture does not pretend these experiences are light or insignificant.

Yet Jacob's testimony does not end with "ten times." It ends with "but God."

"...but God suffered him not to hurt me."

This is the heart of someone who has been previously deceived yet continues to praise the Lord. Such a person does not become defined by the untoward experience, nor remain imprisoned by bitterness or regret. Instead, he recognizes that God's sovereign hand was present even during the season of deception.

The scars may remain, and the lessons may be costly, but God's preserving grace proves greater than the deception itself. What others intended for harm did not ultimately prevent God's purpose from being fulfilled.

Rather than endlessly reliving the interruption, he moves forward to what the Lord had already prepared before that intermission. The enemy may delay, distract, or deceive, but he cannot overturn God's purposes for those who trust in Him.

This does not mean ignoring the lessons of the past. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to test every spirit, examine every teaching, and grow in discernment. But biblical discernment is meant to lead us closer to Christ, not into lifelong suspicion, fear, or despair.

A grateful heart says:

"I was deceived, but the Lord did not abandon me."

A humble heart says:

"I have learned to depend more fully on God's Word."

A hopeful heart says:

"The Lord's purposes for my life are still before me."

Our testimony, then, is not merely that deception existed, but that the Lord Jesus Christ remained faithful through it all. He preserves His people, matures them through trials, and leads them onward in His perfect time.

Like Jacob, we can honestly acknowledge the pain of being deceived—even ten times—while joyfully declaring:

"But God suffered him not to hurt me."

The final word belongs not to deception, but to the faithfulness of God.

A Smith Wigglesworth sermon ...

God's Word Is Sure
Whoever says to this mountain, "Be removed and be cast into the sea," and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
-Mark11:23-24
These are days when we need to have our faith strengthened, when we need to know God. God has designed that the just will live by faith (Rom.1:17), no matter how they may be fettered. I know that God's Word is sufficient. One word from Him can change a nation. His Word is "from everlasting to everlasting". (Ps. 90:2). It is through the entrance of this everlasting Word, this incorruptible seed, that we are born again and come into this wonderful salvation. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matt. 4:4). This is the food of faith. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.10:17).
Everywhere people are trying to discredit the Bible and re[1]move its miracles. One preacher says, "Well, you know, Jesus arranged beforehand to have that colt tied where it was and for the men to say just what they did." (See Matthew 21:2-3.) I tell you, God can arrange everything. He can plan for you, and when He / plans for you, all is peace. All things are possible if you will believe.
Another preacher says, "It was an easy thing for Jesus to feed the people with five loaves. The loaves were so big in those days that it was a simple matter to cut them into a thousand pieces 1 each." (See John 6:5-13.) But he forgets that one little boy brought \ those five loaves all the way in his lunch basket. There is nothing impossible with God.
Read Smith Wigglesworth's other works at http://www.teleiosministries.com/Gifts-of-Healing.html
Free Downloads at www.teleiosministries.com

When the Holy Spirit Says “No”

Sometimes God's protection does not look like an open door.

Sometimes it looks like a closed door.

In Acts 16:6–7, Paul and his companions had plans to preach in certain regions. But Scripture says:

«“They were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia.”
— Acts 16:6»

And again:

«“The Spirit suffered them not.”
— Acts 16:7»

Paul had a plan.

But the Holy Spirit had a different direction.

Then Paul received the vision of a man from Macedonia saying, “Come over into Macedonia, and help us.” Paul understood that God was calling them there, and they changed their direction (Acts 16:9–10).

The lesson is powerful:

The Holy Spirit can protect you by stopping you.

A closed door may not mean that God has forgotten you.

A delay may not mean that God has rejected you.

A change of direction may not be a failure.

Sometimes God sees what we cannot see.

We may think:

“This is the right opportunity.”

But God may say:

“Not this way.”

We may think:

“I must go here.”

But the Holy Spirit may redirect our steps.

This is why Proverbs says:

«“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”
— Proverbs 3:5»

And:

«“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
— Proverbs 3:6»

The Christian life is not simply about asking God to bless our plans.

It is about becoming willing to surrender our plans to God's will.

Don't be afraid of God's “No.”

His “No” may be protection.

His “Wait” may be preparation.

His redirection may be leading you toward something you cannot yet see.

Listen to the Holy Spirit.

Trust God's direction.

Do not lean entirely on your own understanding.

Because sometimes the road God closes is the road He is protecting you from.

And sometimes the path He opens is the path He has prepared for you.

“Lord, direct my steps. Close every door that is not from You, and give me the wisdom and courage to follow where Your Spirit leads. Amen.”