Category: rest

wait with confidence - let go and let God

Sticky Note Thought #8 – Wait with Confidence

Posted on by Evangeline

Wait= to remain inactive or in a state of repose, as until something expected happens

There are so many things in our daily lives that cause us to wait. We get impatient, causing us to have a bad attitude toward the person that’s causing the delay. Sometimes we end up disappointed because the outcome isn’t what we desired or expected. When we’re waiting on God, we get tempted to give up on Him. Waiting with confidence can almost seem like an impossibility. Fear and doubt get in the way and we’re left wondering, “Is God ever going to come through”?  We wait with a bad attitude toward Him.

While reading Romans 8 today, this verse stood out to me. It gave me an attitude adjustment. It really encouraged me to think about how much (or how little) I patiently and confidently wait on God and I thought you might find it helpful as well.

No matter what you’re going through, no matter what you’re waiting on, remain hopeful. Wait with a patient attitude and a readiness to receive. Wait, knowing that your Father is your source of all good and perfect gifts and that He does not withhold them from His children. And as you maintain your hope by standing on God’s Word, you’ll be able to have a heart and mind that wait patiently and confidently.

 

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

 

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

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

Roller Coaster

Posted on by Evangeline

roller coaster by ponsulakEveryone on a roller coaster is going to the same destination. However, not everyone will get off the ride with smiles on their faces. Everyone won’t  have the same experience.

Some will become afraid as soon as they sit down in the seat. The safety bar being latched in place doesn’t make them feel any better. Their fear keeps them from enjoying the ride. They never want to try it again.

Others will sit relaxed, with great anticipation of an exhilarating ride. They likely will do this many times.

Life is a lot like that.

We all are going to the same destination. We can choose to enjoy getting there by resting in Jesus’ love and His power and enjoy life knowing that we’re in His care, or we can choose to be fearful of the dips and peaks ahead and live a life filled with worry and anxiety.

Which do you choose?

 

Tired of the roller coaster of infertility? "Rest and Receive" at The Retreat.

 

Image courtesy of Ponsulak | Free Digital Photos

 

Rest vs. Work

Posted on by Evangeline

Valorie Burton's bookI recently received an email from business coach, Valorie Burton, that spoke to something that’s been on my heart for a while. Here’s an excerpt from her newsletter:

“While returning from a speaking engagement on an evening flight, the pilot announced that he expected we would land a few minutes early. Instead, as we approached, nearby thunderstorms changed the plan. For more than an hour – as daylight turned to evening – we circled.  At first, I found myself – like many of the passengers – feeling agitated. Then I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and enjoyed a few moments of rest.

I’ve noticed that so often in life, when we encounter a holding pattern, the natural reaction is one of frustration for having to wait. But a holding pattern serves a greater purpose – protecting you until the right conditions unfold that allow you to land at your destination safely. In our fast-paced world, we are tempted to believe that faster is always better. Sometimes, though, pushing for something to happen in the wrong timing can unnecessarily force you into a storm.”  (c) Copyright 2014 Valorie Burton and Inspire Inc.

Valorie encouraged her readers to “take a deep breath, trust God’s timing and calmly embrace the journey.”

I think that’s what God means when He says to rest in Him. He wants us to receive the lavish, unfailing love He has for us and then trust Him to workout whatever the challenge is that we may be facing. That can be hard to do but I have a feeling that it’s the best way to come out on the other side of that challenge with the results that are best for us.

In the Bible, Sarah did not initially trust God’s timing. She had spent years waiting for His promise of a son. In her impatience, she decided to have her husband, Abram, impregnate her maid, Hagar (Genesis 16). She chose not to rest in God’s love for her. She chose not to trust His promise and His timing. Her choice to not wait for the child of promise did not lead to the fulfillment of her hope for a child. What resulted from her “pushing for something to happen,” has been manifested as a centuries-long conflict between the Arab descendants of Ismael (the son of Hagar) and the Jewish descendants of Isaac (the son of Sarah).

So today I encourage you to actively seek that place of rest. Rest in knowing that Jesus finished the work on your behalf on the cross and He desires that you accept it to the fullest extent.

Trust His promises.

Trust His wisdom.

Trust that His effort is better than yours so you can relax and wait expectantly with patience and joy.

Why?

His love for you is unfailing, His timing is impeccable, and the presence of His power in the midst of your challenge will bring the desired results of victory (1 Corinthians 15:57).

Infertility Retreat Update

Posted on by Evangeline

joyoftheLord jpg

 

 

 

To give you the best experience possible, the infertility retreat has been rescheduled for the Spring of 2014.

 

 

Why you need to be there:

  • Gather with a small group of women who are also struggling with infertility but are looking for ways to avoid the pit of despair and some practical applications of HOPE.
  • Enjoy a weekend in an intimate setting at a beautiful location in Arizona.
  • Participate in no-pressure workshops that help you address the spiritual aspect of infertility and develop/maintain a hope-filled focus.
  • Take part in activities that will increase your joy.
  • Spend time being refreshed by God’s love.
  • Take advantage of a low registration fee. The cost of workshop materials, activities and 5 meals would be covered in your registration fee.

This is just the thing you need.

Fill out the form below and we’ll keep you posted with new details.

Focus Friday

Posted on by Evangeline
Image courtesy of Nutdanai Apikhomboonwaroot/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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 you because God’s Word is Truth. Speak this Word to yourself throughout the day. Personalize it by putting your name in it!

 

“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]

He’s Got Your Whole World In His Hands

Posted on by Evangeline

“Photo courtesy of Microsoft Images

“Look, the highest heavens and the earth and everything in it all belong to the LORD your God.” Deuteronomy 10:14 [NLT]

Today, rest in knowing God loves you and will load your day with great benefits.

Expect it—that’s what HOPE is all about!

As you rest in Jesus, enjoy this song by Israel Houghton.