Category: Speak the Word

Make a Decision to Declare — “Enough is Enough!”

Posted on by Evangeline

 

Have you reached the point of saying “Enough!” to a particularly trying circumstance?

I think sometimes it takes reaching a point of where we’re no longer willing to tolerate a negative circumstance before we take faith-rooted action. You know, that “last straw” that makes us decide to firmly speak to that “mountain” (Mark 11:23) so that we begin to experience relief from its oppression. This oppression is part of the curse outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. Yes, over 50 verses speak to the bad stuff that the enemy is waiting for an opportunity to introduce into your life.

Included are:

  • confusion
  • frustration
  • sicknesses
  • inflammation
  • chronic illnesses
  • poverty
  • drought
  • oppressed and robbed continually
  • defeat in wars
  • and sooo much more!

It’s a long litany of various curses found in those verses.

Thankfully, there’s a Holy BUT…

BUT (!), don’t be scared of these things. The good news is that there is a powerful antidote to every curse! Galatians 3:13 assures us that Jesus became cursed for us so that we could be redeemed from all the effects of the curse. He paid the price that set us free from every curse. Jesus bought us so that we can no longer be held captive to defeat, sickness, poverty, etc., when we use the authority He’s given us. What was the price? His life. And once we receive Him as Savior we’re officially released from that captivity and He blesses us by making us kings and priests with Him.

But here’s the deal— using the antidote means you’ve got to speak to that mountain! You’ve been given the authority to do it. So if you’ve never spoken to your “mountain” of infertility, miscarriage, chronic illness, poverty, hopelessness, etc., it’s time to get mad, and be resolute in addressing this mountain and consistently telling it, “Enough!”. Find scriptures that promise what you need. No matter what the doctors, lawyers, bosses, or other authority figures have said, understand what God has said about your situation. His Word is settled and true (Psalm 119:89; John 17:17)!

How to say “Enough”

So how can you say “Enough!” to your circumstances? By consistently saying to your circumstances what God has said in His Word about them.

The passage in Deuteronomy 28:61 gives us an overview of the curse regarding your health:

Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this book of the Law, will the Lord bring upon you until you are destroyed.

And that covers everything that tries to attack your body. But because Jesus has redeemed those that believe in Him, this verse also shows that He has redeemed you from every form of sickness.

Declare Enough is Enough!

Psalm 107:2 CSB encourages you to speak up, to say “Enough!” by saying that you are redeemed from the curse by the Lord God Almighty:

Let the redeemed of the LORD proclaim that He has redeemed them from the power of the foe.

So here’s an affirmation you can speak and believe daily as you confidently wait for the manifestation of your healing:

(Name of the condition), you are from the curse. BUT God’s Word says I am redeemed from the curse because Jesus became cursed on my behalf. I praise God that I am now and forever redeemed from this condition!

No matter how long you’ve dealt with it, the condition must bow to the name and finished work of Jesus!

Because He loves you, you can take God at His Word. So decide to use His Word as your way to say “Enough!”!

silence of lambs

The Silence of Lambs Keeps the Door Open to the Enemy

Posted on by Evangeline

How can the silence of lambs be detrimental to them? When sheep are being attacked, they will make noise to let the other sheep (and the shepherd) know that they are in trouble. If they fail to scream, other sheep can come under attack and the shepherd won’t be aware of the danger the sheep is facing.

Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd and called believers His sheep (John 10:11, 14). He likened Himself to a shepherd saying that He would go after the one that has strayed off and gotten in trouble. Matthew 18:12 AMP reminds us of how much Jesus cares for each one of us:

What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray and gets lost, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountain and go in search of the one that is lost?

It behooves us to remind ourselves of His love and how much He cares. When we are silent lambs, we tend to forget about the amazing ways that He shows up in our lives.

Jesus set the example of not being silent in the midst of trouble, temptation, and struggle. When He was questioned by Satan with words that could fill Him with doubt, Jesus didn’t stay silent…He spoke up! He told His enemy — our enemy — what His Father had already said through the Scriptures (Matthew 4:1-11). That’s the example that we are to follow.

Jesus set the example of not being silent in the midst of trouble, temptation, and struggle. When He was questioned by Satan with words that could fill Him with doubt, Jesus didn't stay silent. He spoke up to His enemy -- our enemy.… Click To Tweet

Speak the Word

Don’t be a Silent Lamb…Speak God’s Promises

When faced with infertility’s opportunities to doubt God’s promises of fertility, we need to speak up! Speak the specific Word of God to your enemy about your fertility! When faced with a health challenge, speak God’s promises of health. If faced with a financial challenge, speak God’s promises of provision. Facing a relationship challenge? Speak God’s promises of loving connection. God has spoken about everything that we face in life and has equipped us well through His Word (2 Peter 1:3). It’s there in the Scriptures. Find what relates to your circumstances and then use it.

In a way, our silence is a means for the devil to keep that door of doubt wide open. Don’t give him that opportunity! Use the Word of God by SPEAKING His Word consistently to remove doubt, to strengthen your faith, and to close the door to the enemy.

God supports you in the midst of your challenges because once you have asked Jesus to be your Savior, He is always right there with you. It’s up to you to not be silent about His presence, His promises, and His power.

So, let this be the last day of your silence!

No Matter the Problem, God’s Answer for it is in His Word

Posted on by Evangeline

God's answer is in the wordGod’s answer to any situation can always be found in His Word.

Do you find that hard to believe? Maybe you’re thinking, “How can an ancient book have the answer to all modern-day problems?” Here’s proof.

I once heard Dr. Bill Winston tell the story of how he had been trying to get an airplane for his growing worldwide ministry.

He had prayed about getting to all the places God was taking him to in a more timely fashion than having to adhere to restrictive commercial airline schedules. He knew that he had the green light from God to pursue a plane for the ministry but nothing seemed to be happening to bring that desire to pass. His prayer practice was to pray Scripture. He knew the word “airplane” was not in the Bible so he didn’t have a specific scripture to stand on. It was beginning to be difficult to have confidence that he had clearly heard from God. But God was giving little nudges as time passed, letting Dr. Winston know that a plane was in his future. One of those nudges included an elderly lady bringing a small airplane part to him! 🙂

God’s Answer

One day during a service at his church, a pastor from a country in Africa was the guest speaker. Right in the middle of the sermon, this pastor took a step back, turned to look at Dr. Winston, and said to him, “Your airplane is in Ecclesiastes 10:20.” He then turned back around and resumed preaching without hesitation or explanation. Dr Winston picked up his Bible and feverishly searched for that passage. He read:

“for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

This was the promise Dr. Winston needed so he could continue to stand in faith for his airplane (bird)! The scripture even pointed to the purpose of the plane…to carry his voice around the world! He continued to believe for the plane until it manifested.

The Power of the Word

Follow Dr. Winston’s example and find a scripture(s) that specifically relates to your circumstances. Stand on that Word. Express gratitude for that Word and the thing it will bring into your life. Choose to praise God in advance of seeing that thing come to pass.

Don’t give up on what God has promised!

God's answer to any situation can always be found in His Word. Click To Tweet

prayer - how to trust

When God Speaks :: His Word Changes Everything

Posted on by Evangeline

When God speaks, do you listen with the expectation that something is about to change?

God’s words contain the power to change everything! That’s why we need to pay attention when God speaks.

Years Decades ago, there was a TV commercial which had the catchy phrase about investing money, “When E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen!” That same thing should be said about God but unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. We get distracted and don’t hear Him, or we hear Him but become afraid of how His words could affect us, or we simply don’t believe what He said could possibly be true for our life.

But the Bible tells us that there is so much positive power contained in God’s words that those words alone can keep us alive!

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” – Matthew 4:4 NIV

When God Speaks

So when we are challenged with diseases/conditions in our bodies, we need to be sure to go to the Word. We can take time to encourage ourselves by finding out what God has said about it. Why? Because there are many references in the Bible that assure us we can receive healing through His words. Here’s an example. It’s from Proverbs 4:20-22 NLT:

My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life to those who find them, and healing to their whole body.

Let Scripture encourage you to LISTEN when God speaks to you, to remember His words, to hide them in your heart, and to acknowledge that His words bring life and healing to your whole body. No part of your body is left out of this promise. There’s a healing word for your entire body.

What words of His will you use to change your circumstances? Please share the scripture below so that we can all be blessed by it. 🙂

God's words contain the power to change anything and everything! That's why we need to pay attention when God speaks. Click To Tweet

 

Are You Willing to Let Go and Let God Do the Work?

Posted on by Evangeline

wait with confidence - let go and let God

 

Have you ever been able to really “let go and let God” do the work that only He can do in your life? Psalm 138 provides motivation to let God do the work– to allow Him to bring to fruition all the good that He planned for you. Here is that Scripture in its entirety:

1 I will praise You with my whole heart; Before the gods I will sing praises to You.

2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.

3 In the day when I cried out, You answered me, [And] made me bold [with] strength in my soul.

4 All the kings of the earth shall praise You, O LORD, When they hear the words of Your mouth.

5 Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the LORD, For great [is] the glory of the LORD.

6 Though the LORD [is] on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.

7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me.

8 The LORD will perfect [that which] concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, [endures] forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

 

Verse 8 is the particular verse I want to call your attention to. As you probably know by now, I enjoy reading various versions/translations of Scripture. Here are some other ways of stating verse 8:

The Lord will work out his plans for my life. (TLB)

Will you trust Him to do so, in His way and His timing?

Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now. (MSG)

Will you decide to not give up on His love for you?

Adonai will fulfill his purpose for me. Your grace, Adonai, continues forever. (CJB)

Will you choose to live enjoying His abundant grace every day?

You will do everything You have promised. (GNT)

Do you believe He’ll keep His promises for you?

Which version resonated with you? It’s clear that God wants to work on your behalf and to bring His promises to fruition in your life, no matter what the obstacles may currently be.

Believe His love. Allow Him to do what He does best.

Faith Speaks God’s Word—Believe It. Speak It. Experience It.

Posted on by Evangeline

Faith speaks. What does it speak? It confidently speaks the words that God has said. How does it speak? Aloud, and not just one time– it speaks by repeatedly and consistently muttering what God has said. That’s what He recommended to Joshua as he was preparing to lead the Israelites after Moses’ death (Joshua 1:8). It also speaks in everyday conversations by being in alignment with what God’s words. When you speak God’s words, it is a demonstration of believing and being in agreement with His Word. This is made clear in 2 Corinthians 4:13 [NASB]:

“But having the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I BELIEVED, THEREFORE I SPOKE,” we also believe, therefore we also speak.”

It is a reference to what the psalmist said in Psalm 116:10, as he expressed his belief in God’s love for him as he cried out to God in his affliction. Do you believe God loves you? Do your words reflect your belief?

The principle of believing and speaking is also shown in Romans 10:4-10. In fact, the very blessing of salvation is based on believing and speaking. Verses 9 and 10 are especially relevant to this:

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;  for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”

It’s important to note that in this passage, the word “salvation” not only means saved from eternal damnation after death. It also means deliverance, preservation, safety, and healing in this life on earth!  God loves you and wants you to have a quality of life filled and overflowing His goodness.

Faith Speaks SalvationFaith Speaks What God Has Said

Therefore, if the greatest gift that God has given us comes through believing and speaking, surely any other blessings are accessible in the same way. God wants us to rest in His love and receive His blessings. He wants us to believe what He has said about our position as a joint heir with Jesus and to speak what He has said in His Word about our position and circumstances.

Be encouraged as you relax in knowing that Father God loves you immensely. He has already made a way out of  life’s difficult circumstances by sending Jesus to meet all your needs of deliverance, preservation, safety, and healing. Find what He has promised you in the Bible. Have faith in that Word–believe it and speak it. As a result, you can then have a confident expectation that God will do what He said.

Continually believe and speak with gratitude until you see His promise manifested.

Remember, faith speaks!

What are you saying about your life right now?

 

 

Photo courtesy of Microsoft Images

The “Holy But” – How Good Grammar Can Bring Godly Results

Posted on by Evangeline

The Holy ButIn elementary school, or in junior high school, you probably learned about the grammatical impact of the word “but” in a sentence. The word “but” is a conjunction, joining two phrases. It is a powerful word to use because  “but” essentially negates the idea in the first phrase and implies that something else should be considered.

Here’s a quick list of what “but” can do:

  • suggests there’s a chance for a different outcome
  • implies there’s something which should not be forgotten
  • serves to redirect your attention
  • implies doubt in the preceding phrase and a more confident expectation in the phrase that follows
  • marks an opposition to the preceding phrase

As I was writing my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility, one of the things that Holy Spirit whispered to me to include was how to use the “Holy But.” I laughed when I heard that– the Holy But. However, I began to understand how using it could bring godly results to our ungodly circumstances. You’re probably wondering what makes the “but” holy. The use of God’s Word following the “but” is what makes it serve a holy purpose in your life.

When you find yourself saying some negative things about yourself that you know you should not have released from your mouth, use the Holy But by stating some truth from God’s Word that addresses the circumstance that you previously stated negatively.

For example, you may have said in a moment of exasperation, “I feel like I’ll never be pregnant!” Quickly follow that up by saying, “BUT, God said that none shall be barren and that includes me” (Exodus 23:26). Maybe you’re experiencing some financial challenges and you might slip and say, “I’m always broke.” When you catch yourself, say something like, “BUT, Jesus is with me and He prospers me (1 Chronicles 22:11). The key is to negate your negative statement by stating what God has said about the matter using the word “but”. You see, good grammar really can bring godly results (Proverbs 18:21)!

God’s Truth is stronger than your fact. It is powerful and never changes. God’s Truth never fails. When you believe it and speak it, it can actually change your facts of life. What’s God’s Truth? It’s His Word of love and grace toward you (John 17:17). God’s Word doesn’t change but it does change– it is eternal. It’s power can change your circumstances. It can change how you see yourself and your circumstances. It is absolute—you can count on it!

Use the Holy But to:

  • Express belief about the outcome God has planned for you
  • Remind yourself of God’s viewpoint of the matter
  • Redirect your attention to Jesus’ love for you
  • Erase doubt and affirm your confidence in God’s words
  • Declare your opposition to the negative thing you’ve previously said

Use what I call the “Holy BUT” in your everyday conversations.

It is applicable in any circumstance. It is a simple exercise that will redirect your focus and strengthen your faith.

In the midst of negative circumstances, what do you do to redirect your focus to Jesus’ words, love, and viewpoint?

 

Monday’s Marinade – Success

Posted on by Evangeline

Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word about allowing God to be the Source of your success. Repeatedly think about this scripture and quietly say it to yourself.  Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!

Here’s your spiritual marinade for this week:

Monday's Marinade-Success

Monday’s Marinade – Power

Posted on by Evangeline

Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word about the power of the words you speak. Repeatedly think about it and quietly say it to yourself.  Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!

Here’s your spiritual marinade for power this week:

monday's marinade - power

Monday’s Marinade-No Condemnation

Posted on by Evangeline

Monday’s Marinade is provided to you as a means of “soaking yourself” in the hope-filled Word of God at the beginning of your week. Start your week by meditating on this Word. Repeatedly think about and quietly say it to yourself.  Marinate and season your week with hope and a confident expectation of good things happening!

 

Here’s your spiritual marinade for this week:

Monday's Marinade