Tag: rest

God says - prayer - stand firm

A Prayer To Help You Through the Season of Infertility

Posted on by Evangeline

You can always decide to have a new prayer season, one in which you stand firm on a Scripture that addresses your current problem. Here’s another Scripture-based prayer for you to use during the season of infertility:

Heavenly Father, I know You see me. I know You love me. But it’s difficult to see Your purpose in this season of infertility. Despite that, I know that You’re working, even when I don’t feel like You are. Thank You for that.

Would You please comfort me right now? Open my eyes and my heart so that I can see and receive Your love. Help me to remain focused on the solution (Jesus) and not on the problem (infertility). Show me how to speak Your Word to this mountain. I need wisdom and instruction about how to rest in Your willingness and ability to change my circumstances.

Help me to remain focused on the solution (Jesus) and not on the problem (infertility). Click To Tweet

I pray that I’ll walk in Love daily so that I can see the supernatural take place. Help me live each day in faith, being confident in Your power and in Your love for me. Please give me insight about how to mix faith with patience, so that I will stand strong in Christ for the blessing of children to be manifested in my life. I desire a fresh vision, to see myself with the child(ren) You have planned for me and my husband.  

I ask that You help me dwell in Your presence and that You will show Yourself strong on our behalf.

In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

If you decide to have a new prayer season, how will you use this prayer? Please share in the comments below.

#Don’tStopBelieving! 

God’s Big Shoulders Can Bear the Weight of Your Burden

Posted on by Evangeline

God's big shoulders - no anxietySometimes we think that we can plan and control every facet of our lives and then realize that it’s too much for us to handle. Are you anxious and feeling the heaviness of the challenge you’re facing? You might be in a financial crisis, or feeling like a relationship has lost its zing, or maybe you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one.

No matter the circumstance, it can begin to feel like it is overwhelming. Is it because you have yet to place that burden on God’s big shoulders?

God’s Big Shoulders

Throughout the Bible, God implores us to believe that He loves us so much that He wants to handle every difficulty that we face. No matter how small or how large the issue is, He is always present to deal with it. But sometimes we forget.

We forget that He’s there– walking through life with us to give us guidance.

Your own ears will hear Him. Right behind you a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left. ~ Isaiah 30:21 NLT

We forget that He loves us with a no-matter-what kind of love.

[Jesus said], “You love them as much as you love me.” ~ John 17:23 NLT

We forget that He does not condemn us.

For I will be merciful to their wrongdoing, and I will never again remember their sins. ~ Hebrews 8:12 HCSB

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. ~ Romans 8:1 NLT

We forget that He never runs out of good gifts to give us after we’ve seen how He has already abundantly supplied for others.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. ~ Ephesians 3:20

Our forgetfulness can get us in over our heads, causing us to feel overloaded with despair!

The Simple Solution

The solution is simple yet not always easy to implement:

God's big shoulders - rest

Remember He wants you to rely on Him, to rest in Him, and not rely only on your self-efforts to change your circumstances.

For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works. ~ Hebrews 4:10 NASB

Remember He is right there with you, loving you , not condemning you. And then, make a decision to throw your problems onto God’s big shoulders.

Throw your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you. He will never allow the godly to be upended. ~ Psalm 55:22 NET

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Be sure not to let your struggle be the thing you talk about the most. What you frequently think about and talk about will the thing that expands and manifests in your life.

For as he thinks within himself, so he is. Proverbs 23:7 NASB

Be sure not to let your struggle be the thing you talk about the most. Speak life! Click To Tweet

Most importantly, don’t let your struggle become an idol– the thing that gets your frequent focus and attention. That’s God’s place!

Little children, keep yourselves from idols (false gods)—[from anything and everything that would occupy the place in your heart due to God, from any sort of substitute for Him that would take first place in your life]. Amen (so let it be). ~ 1 John 5:21 AMPC

Offering those shoulders is just one way He shows you that He loves you. No matter what struggle you’re embroiled in, rest assured, God’s big shoulders are strong and broad enough for it.

Will you throw your burden onto Him?

 

 

Fertility Retreat 2015

Posted on by Evangeline

iHope Fertility Retreat

The iHope Fertility Retreat is fast approaching!

Get all the details of this fabulous weekend HERE. 

You’ve struggled long enough…

Feeling like infertility has taken over your life?

Want to address the SPIRITUAL aspect of infertility? 

Pull away from the daily stress of infertility and hear what God has to say about infertility (He doesn’t like it). Receive personalized prayer and encouragement for overcoming infertility.

Get new Word-based tools to help you maintain hope.

Workshops at the iHope Fertility Retreat will be based on the content of my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility. We’ll have discussions that help you with increase your trust in God’s lavish and unending love for YOU, and in His faithfulness to always follow through on His promises. The weekend will be filled with revelation centered on God’s promises of fertility.

This 3-day retreat is tailored to help you nourish your spirit and to draw closer to the One who has the solution to your every problem.

ihope retreat theme - largeYour registration fee includes your lodging, meals, workshop materials, and a signed copy of A Seed of Hope.

It’s time for some R&R … Rest and Receive at the iHope Fertility Retreat!

Enjoy a time of fun, pampering and recreation.

YOU NEED TO JOIN US AND RECEIVE THE BLESSING!

Reserve your place now at  www.EvangelineColbert.com/retreat-registration

Focus Friday-Rest in Hope

Posted on by Evangeline
Rest in Hope
Image courtesy of Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Focus on the following scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for your circumstances because God’s Word is Truth. Act like it is your truth. Speak this Word to yourself as an affirmation throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it. Expect it to manifest in your life!

 

“I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope.”

~ Psalm 16:8,9 NKJV~

Feeling Defeated? Put on Your Armor!

Posted on by Evangeline

I love to study different words and phrases that are in the Bible. Delving into their meaning can bring to light a rich revelation of new ways that I can apply God’s Word in my life. I thought I’d share a few nuggets that I gleaned from studying Ephesians 6. This is not a summary of the entire chapter. It is a capsule of points of enlightenment about the verses that describe the armor of God (Ephesians 6:12-18).

Ephesians 6 - Armor of God

It’s Not Our Armor

The armor we are encouraged to put on is not our own, it’s God’s. When David decided to face Goliath, King Saul wanted David to put on his royal armor for protection against the powerful enemy. But David told Saul that he’d prefer not to put on the king’s armor. It was unfamiliar and uncomfortable. David had no confidence in that armor. But, he was accustomed to God’s protection. God had protected him when he fought against a bear and a lion as he watched his father’s flocks. As he talked with Saul, he recalled how God had come through for him so many times. David had confidence in God.  He chose to trust God as he went out into the field to battle the giant.  David was refusing man’s mode of protection– he didn’t want to fight in his own strength.  Instead he put on God’s armor by his faith in God’s love for him and his confidence that God was willing to protect him  (1 Samuel 17:23-46).

” We must all be aware that our defeats have mainly come from one of two errors– the one being that of fighting in our own strength and the other being that of leaving unused our God-given power.”  

Alexander MacLaren

Putting on the Whole Armor

Putting on God’s armor means having an attitude of dependence on Him. This provides a higher level of confidence in His power. It makes it easier to have an expectation of the fulfillment of His promises. As we draw closer to Him and commune with Him, we rest and receive His power. It’s all about receiving Him. It’s all about receiving His love.

Hear Jesus encouraging us, “Be of good cheer, I have already overcome the world [the troubles that we face].” If He has already overcome whatever we are facing,  why would we try to defeat an enemy who has already been defeated? If He has already finished doing everything it takes for us be more than conquerors, why would we try to complete a work that’s already been completed? He wants us to rest in His victory.

Jesus accomplished the vanquishing of every foe on our behalf (Colossians 2:15). He stripped them and disarmed them, publicly shamed them, and triumphed over them on the cross and through His resurrection. That’s why we can now stand as more than a conqueror– He did all the work in order to let us enjoy the spoils of His victory.

Would it make sense for a soldier to only wear one piece of armor and then expect to enjoy complete protection? No! A soldier can expect complete protection only when wearing the whole/complete armor provided. It is likewise with God. We’re instructed to put on the whole armor of God in its entirety so that we can experience all the blessings He has planned.

  • Put on the helmet that your salvation provides so that your mindset is one of belief in God’s love for you.
  • Put on the breastplate that your righteousness in Christ provides so that your emotions will reflect the knowledge that you have been made “right,” in God’s eyes.
  • Put on  the belt that the Truth provides so that God’s armor is securely fitted on you and you can believe that His Truth is protecting you at all times.
  • Put on the shoes that the peace of God provides through the promises of God, equipping you to stand your ground erectly and to move forward.
  • Pick up the shield that faith provides. Faith believes and speaks the Word of God in order to quench the devil’s fiery tactics. Faith enables you to take hold of God’s strength, so that you can rest from trusting in and using your own strength.
  • Pick up the sword that the Spirit provides so that you can make preemptive strikes and enforce the victory Jesus has given you by telling the enemy what God says about your situation.
  • Pray consistently so that your attention is directed toward the One who is able and willing to dissipate and dispel any fear caused by the enemy.

Photo courtesy of Sattva | FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Monday’s Marinade – Refuse Anxiety

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 refusing anxiety. God desires for you to trust Him and experience the HABIT of resting in Him. 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' Marinade - Anxiety

 

Focus–My “F-Word” for August

Posted on by Evangeline
My "F-word" Rocks
My “F-word” Rocks

Focus: to concentrate; to have a central point of attraction, attention, or activity.

Half of August is officially over. Time for an update on this month’s “F-word” — FOCUS.

I’ve developed the habit going to my special chair every morning soon after I awaken to sit and read a devotional and my Bible. I recently finished Encouragement for Today by Renee Swope and the Proverbs 31 Ministry Team (I highly recommend it). Some word or phrase will usually jump out at me while I’m reading and I’ll spend time finding other scripture passages that broaden my understanding. I feel my best when my day starts focused on the Word. And so I should; after all, the Word is Jesus, right?

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  ~ John 1:1

During these first two weeks of August, there have been days when I’ve seen all the benefits that come from being focused. My To Do List gets whittled down quickly, I’m less stressed, and feel better about myself and what I’m accomplishing. Taking steps toward my goals is getting easier. I feel less burdened and more joyful throughout the day.

F-word, Focus

There have also been a few days when I’ve gone to bed feeling like I haven’t focused on anything at all–work–family–marriage–my health (exercise)—ANYTHING. It seems as if my To Do List has gone virtually unchecked. I’ll ask myself, “What did I do with my time today???!!!” I shouldn’t beat myself up about it. Those are the moments when I should shift my focus back to Jesus’ love for me.

I prod myself to ask Him to be my time and task manager for the next day— to guide my decision-making so I can do what HE needs me to do in my marriage, family, work, etc.  Those days that I make that request are always more productive. 🙂

Here’s what I’ve learned: DISTRACTIONS are the enemy of focus.

When I purposely ignore the distractions and keep my eyes on Jesus, when I look to Him to show me the way throughout my day, I am more productive, less stressed, and live with a more hope-filled focus.

Thanks to all of you who let me know last month that you’re taking this F-Word challenge with me. Let’s see how things improve the rest of this month as we focus and allow Jesus to be at the center of what we do each day.

Here are a few affirmations crafted from passages from the Message Bible about focus that I hope will help you direct your attention to the One who is ultimately able and willing to help you in every situation you’re facing every day.

  • “Give me an uncluttered and focused heart so that I can obey what you tell me and live by Your directions and counsel.” ~ 1 Chronicles 21:19
  • “I shift my focus  from what I do to what Jesus has already done for me.” ~ Romans 3:31
  • “I quit focusing on the handicap/challenge/trouble and begin appreciating and using Your gift of grace.” ~ 2 Corinthians 12:6-8

iHope Fertility Retreat – Save the Date!

Posted on by Evangeline

If you’ve been thinking that you need to get to the iHope Fertility Retreat, you can now put it on your calendar for this fall. Registration details are coming soon but until then, let me know you’re interested by sending an email to Evangeline@EvangelineColbert.com.

And just in case you’ve been wondering what the spring fertility retreat was like, check out the recap.

 

Fertility Retreat-- Save the Date

Countdown!

Posted on by Evangeline

Fertility Retreat

 

The women’s Fertility Retreat is right around the corner! It’s only ONE month away! Woo Hoo!

I am so honored that God is using me as a vessel to bring this special weekend of R&R to those women who battle the daily grind of infertility. The R&R in this instance stands for Rest and Receive. This intimate gathering  starts on Friday, May 30 in Phoenix, AZ.

Join us for a weekend of:

  • spiritual connection through workshops based on my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility
  • pampering
  • good food
  • fun
  • and more!

This will be much more than a “Calgon moment.” You’ll be allowed to turn off all the infertility stressors from your everyday life and plug into God’s promises so you can Rest and Receive.

It’s an all-inclusive weekend—your registration fee covers your lodging, meals, and workshop materials— and I hope you’ll be a part of it.  

If you’re not personally affected by infertility but know someone who is, consider gifting them a weekend away so they can shift their focus from the despair of infertility to being hope-filled in God’s promises of fertility.

Find all the details here.

What’s the one thing you’d want to do/address at this event?

 

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline

Focus on this scripture throughout the day. It’s God’s Word and it’s what He desires us to believe. Believe it is true for you because God’s Word is Truth. Use it as an affirmation. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

Rest