Tag: speaking Bible scriptures

Husband and Wife: Praying God’s Word Together

Posted on by Evangeline

If you’ve read many of my blog posts, you know I’m a big proponent of speaking God’s Word out loud. Our words carry the power of life and death. Jesus said that His words were spirit and life (not about death!). So why not ensure that your words are carriers of life by infusing Scripture in what you say?

“The words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit. They give life.” John 6:63 NIRV

When Jesus was faced with temptation in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), He always answered the taunts of the devil with something from Scripture by saying, “It is written…”. I think we should imitate the example He set!

Husband and Wife Praying

That’s why I want to encourage you to consider including speaking relevant Scripture out loud when you pray with your spouse.  There’s a special power available when God hears a husband and wife praying together–we’re assured that He’s in the midst (Matthew 18:19-20). AND, there’s added power if that couple is incorporating God’s Word– Scripture –in their prayers. Check out my previous post in this series on praying with your spouse.

As you start/build and strengthen the habit of praying with your spouse, here is a sampling of verses you can incorporate in your prayers. Speaking God’s Word is how you apply His promises to your situation. It also increases your faith and empowers you to pray with confidence that He hears your prayers. Another benefit is that it will help you believe that He will follow through on what He said in His Word (Romans 10:17; 1 John 5:14,15).

Praying Scripture

Print and share these verses with your spouse as you prepare to pray together:

[Romans 8:1 ESV]  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

[Psalm 118:1 ESV]  Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!

[Psalm 66:20 ESV]  Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!

[Isaiah 41:10 ESV]  Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

[Jeremiah 32:39 ESV] I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for their own good and the good of their children after them.

[2Corinthians 2:14 ESV] But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession.

[Psalm 84:11 ESV] For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

What other verses would you add to this list?

As you start/build and strengthen the habit of praying with your spouse, here is a sampling of Bible verses you can incorporate in your prayers. Click To Tweet
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!

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?