Tag: protect

31 PRINCIPLES FOR ETERNAL IMPACTATIONS      

On By Isreal EtangewakIn ImpactationLeave a comment

              
Principle 1
Give Your Heart to God

Text: Proverbs 23:26 “Give me your heart, my son, and let your eyes delight in my ways.”



As we consider a life guided by the principles of God, we must begin by making sure that we have truly given our hearts to God.  Once God has your heart, he is able to guide and direct you in every area of your life.

There are many examples in the Bible of God working through individuals who had surrendered their hearts to him.  David had a heart that was after God, and God used him in a mighty way.  Zaccheaus had a burning desire to see Jesus, and he responded immediately when Jesus called him.  Caleb showed faith in the power of God in the face of what looked like insurmountable odds.  He followed God wholeheartedly and, unlike most of the others who died in the wilderness because of their disobedience, was allowed to enter the Promised Land.  Samuel listened to and obeyed the Lord and as a result was used by God as a prophet and judge to the people of Israel.  When God approached Gideon, who was the least in his father’s household, God recognized a heart that would respond and be obedient to him.  Daniel’s heart was so committed to God that God felt free to reveal secrets to him.

Each one of these individuals had a heart that was fully devoted to God, and all of these people are role models for us today.  Their significance in the Bible narrative begins with their relationship with God.  Likewise, our significance begins with our relationship with God.  When God has your heart, he has everything that relates to you and your life.  All of our giving springs out of the genuine relationship that we have with our heavenly Father.  As we develop and deepen that relationship, God will work in us and through us.

Heart Deposit:
Have you given your heart fully to God?  Ask him to be first in your life.

Impactation begins
with a relationship with God

Related Verses:
“After He had removed him, He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My heart, who will do all My will.’” —Acts 13:22

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”  —Mark 12:30

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

On By Isreal EtangewakIn PrayerLeave a comment

Pray for the day:
Text: Matthew 14:16-21 –    16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

PRAYER

Lord, I thank You for provision. Despite the lack that we have, yet, you miraculously provide for us and be satisfied. We pray for more provision and open doors in Jesus name we pray.  Amen

RED LIGHTS AND GREEN LIGHTS (1)

On By Isreal EtangewakIn MessageLeave a comment

TEXT:  “They tried to go…but the Spirit…would not let them.” Acts 16:7 CEV



WHEN GOD gives you a green light, you must go. And when He gives you a red light, you must stop. *“Paul and his friends went through Phrygia and Galatia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them preach in Asia. After they arrived in Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not let them. So they went on through Mysia until they came to Troas. During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us!’ After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia…sure that God had called us to preach the good news there”* (vv. 6-10 CEV).

After a series of green lights, God gave Paul a red light. Why?
(1) Because the timing wasn’t right. Apollos had to go there first and lay the groundwork.
(2) Because God needed Paul and Barnabas elsewhere.
(3) Because God wanted them to be more seasoned before embarking on such a major mission.

Note the words, *“They tried to go…but the Spirit…would not let them.”* How reassuring! God loves you so much that He will save you from your own misguided plans.
The Canadian preacher A.B. Simpson said: “Often there’s nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.”

Today God may be saying to you, *“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted [in this situation]”* (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). Please pay attention!

FURTHER READING:* 1 John 1:1 – 3:10, John 7:14-24, Ps 104:19-26, Pro 24:28

12 STEPS TO INTERCESSION, Step 1a

On By Isreal EtangewakIn PrayerLeave a comment

12 STEPS TO INTERCESSION
Step 1a – Be Still
Without a doubt the most difficult step in intercessory prayer is this one – keep silence, be still. Learn this step and you will transform your prayer life. Remember, your mind is like an undisciplined child running constantly and refusing to be dominated. It wants it own way. It is like a wild stallion that does not want to be tamed, bridled or ruled. It wanders wherever it wishes. It clamors for its own way. It speeds ahead to its own agenda. It refuses to be brought under control. But God says it must be bridled. Peter urges us to “gird up the loins of your mind.” (1 Peter 1:13) Paul says, “Bring every thought into the captivity of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

A Secret

There is a secret that God reveals to his servants that is hidden from all other men. It is the secret of his presence. He delights to walk and talk with us but he will only do so in the “Secret place of the Most High.” Therefore David exalts the mystery of that secret retreat with God alone where God shadows over his own with his protective presence. Jesus said that the secret place for believers is the “closet of prayer” in Matthew 6:6.  The Greek word translated in KJV is “tameion”  which means a closet, secret or inner chamber, or a storehouse – thus “a closet.” He is very specific about it. “When you have entered into your “tameion” (secret chamber), shut the door…and pray in secret!” God longs to have that romantic secret chamber of interlude with each of us

THOUGHTS ON GIVING

On By Isreal EtangewakIn MessageLeave a comment

TEXT:  “If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. Romans 12:8 NIV (1995)

THE BIBLE says; *“We have different gifts…If a man’s gift is…contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously”* (vv. 6-8 NIV 1995).

Every believer receives grace for giving, but some of us have the gift of giving. Who are these people? They have a gift of making money. Everything they touch turns to gold. They have the Midas touch. They know how to make wise investments and recognize a good deal. Indeed, good deals are drawn to them like iron to a magnet. They know how to get the best return on their money. If you’re one of these people, you must realize that your ability to accumulate wealth is actually a gift from God:
*“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth”* (Deuteronomy 8:18 NKJV).
God also says, *“ I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go”* (Isaiah 48:17 NKJV).
But don’t let prosperity lead you into pride. You’re not wealthy because of your ability to wheel and deal, but because God has blessed you. And He has done it for a reason; so that you can be a blessing to others.

God told Abraham, *“I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing”* (Genesis 12:2 NKJV).
That means when God taps you on the shoulder and tells you to write a check, don’t argue with Him. Just say, “How much?” You say, “Why should I do that?” Because God can not only add, He can subtract.

FURTHER READING: Eph 4:17 – 6:24, John 1:14-28, Ps 29, Pro 22:26-29

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF WHEN YOU’RE ALONE

On By Isreal EtangewakIn MessageLeave a comment

TEXT:  “Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.” Psalm 25:16 NLT

DAVID, WHO committed adultery with another man’s wife, prayed:

*“Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!…See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge. May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you”* (vv. 16-21 NLT).

How can you protect yourself in areas where you’re vulnerable?
(1) By staying close to God. When you’re lonely, distancing from God doesn’t make sense. It just increases your exposure to things like infidelity, pornography, drugs, and alcohol.

(2) By coming out of hiding. Get involved in some aspect of ministry. Be willing to be more transparent by getting to know others and letting them get to know you. Shakespeare said, “Fire that is closest kept burns most of all.” When you spend time around people who truly care about you, loneliness ceases to be such an issue.

(3) By taking the focus off yourself. Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” Victory comes by reaching out to those in need; by giving of yourself, praying for them, loving and serving them.

(4) By forgiving those who’ve hurt you. Isolating yourself when you’ve been hurt just leads to bitterness. Forgive, turn it over to God, let Him deal with your offender—and get on with your life.

FURTHER READING: Thu 1 Sam 20:30 – 23:29, Matt 27:57-66, Ps 60, Pro 22:7-11

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