Tag: hope

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.… Share on X

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!

An Eye-Opener for Me and a Pledge to You

Posted on by Evangeline

Well, last night was an eye-opener for me. I was with a small group of ladies, talking about my desires for my coaching business in 2019. Little did I know how the conversation would turn.

As I talked about my fears of finally stepping into what I know God is asking me to do…stepping into fertility coaching fully…I expressed how I thought I might not be relevant to younger women who are of childbearing age. But one of the ladies in the group, someone who I had not previously known, surprised me with her response. She shared that she had struggled with infertility for 10 years between her second child and her third child. Her mother was not alive during that time. She longed to speak to someone who had a mother’s heart. She had a real need to speak to someone who had experienced infertility and would share wisdom and encouragement with her from a biblical perspective.

Boy, was I convicted!

Now, I’ve decided that even though I may not be a marketing expert, even though I may not be savvy in using Instagram or other social media, I am putting myself out there. More than I have in the past.

Are You #TTC?

So to those of you who have known me through my blog, my books, or my fertility Facebook Groups, you will begin to see and hear more from me. And to those of you who will discover me in future posts, I pledge to do my best in making your season of infertility one that will not be filled with hopelessness.

If you are trying to conceive, I want to help you to develop and maintain a hope-filled focus so that you are confident in God’s promises of fertility!  ♥

If you are #TTC, I want to help you develop and maintain a hope-filled focus so that you are confident in God's promises of #fertility! Share on X

Is Infertility Too Hard or even Impossible for God to Rectify?

Posted on by Evangeline

Do you know anyone who thinks that infertility is too hard for God to rectify? In both the New Testament and the Old, Scripture details that all things are possible. This should give us hope!

Luke 1:37- For with God nothing shall be impossible.

Genesis 18:14- Is anything too hard for the Lord?

Both of these verses are sandwiched in the accounts about women’s infertility–Sarah’s and Elizabeth’s. They both had been barren and God announced that barrenness would be rectified.

Sarah conceived and bore a son “at the set time” who would become the progenitor of the nation of Israel (Genesis 21:2).

Elizabeth conceived and bore a son who was the forerunner of Jesus.

Also, it’s important to note that the Bible’s first mention of healing is regarding infertility (Genesis 20:17-18).

Time after time, God used the setting/environment of infertility to establish the foundation of truth that all things are possible when you stand with Him. Jesus reinforced this truth for us in Mark 10:27.

“With men it is impossible but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Keep standing on God’s Word, believing that nothing is too hard for God, not even infertility!

Is your hope tank running a bit low?

Need some encouragement to get through the holidays?

Read my latest book, Borrowed Hope. It’s a unique presentation of Sarah’s story of triumph.

Take advantage of the Borrowed Hope Holiday Book Bundle now being offered and also receive the added encouragement of Scripture cards and a bookmark.

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. Share on X

How Do You See and Label Yourself— As an Infertile or an Overcomer?

Posted on by Evangeline

How you see yourself is important in the grand scheme of life. The images that we hold in our minds are typically what we will experience or become.

Do you see yourself as an infertile woman or as an overcomer of infertility? Even if you are currently experiencing infertility, you can choose to hold a positive picture in your mind’s eye of you being an overcomer!

Do you label yourself as an infertile woman when you’re having conversations with your friends or family? Maybe you’ve heard yourself say, “We don’t have kids yet because I’m infertile.” Even in the midst of this difficult season, you can choose to speak words that help you rise above what the Enemy has sent your way.

Yes, your thoughts and your words are really that influential!

One way to tip the images in your mind and the words from your mouth toward more positivity is through gratitude. When you choose to express thankfulness, you begin to think of even more things to be grateful for.

How you see yourself - Be thankful

 

Gratitude is also what brings you into God’s presence (Psalm 100:4).

Being thankful on purpose results in a shift from negativity and fear to positivity and faith.

You can be grateful that He WILL finish what He has started in your life (Philippians 1:6).

Being thankful on purpose results in focusing on the good. What you focus on expands!

As you cast all your anxieties onto Jesus, you will experience more inner peace (1 Peter 1:7).

Being thankful helps you to more easily recognize the gift of GRACE that God has poured out to you.

When  your words carry and reflect more of the power of life instead of death, you’ll find that you think of your circumstances very differently.

How you see yourself is important. It influences your quality of life. Ask God to help you see yourself the way He sees you– whole, victorious, and loved.

Even if you are currently experiencing infertility, you can choose to hold a positive picture in your mind's eye of you being an overcomer! Share on X

Exciting News! The Borrowed Hope Book Bundle is Available!

Posted on by Evangeline

Borrowed Hope bookToday…RIGHT NOW… it’s finally time to pre-order my new book, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story of Triumph Over Infertility. 

Order it now so you can get some great bonuses bundled with the book. My co-author, Angela Williams, and I will personally sign your book and send it along with great bonuses to anyone who orders the book before it comes out at national book sellers.

What’s It About?

 

Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story, is the first book in the Borrowed Hope series. It is a unique presentation of the life of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, who struggled for more than 70 years with infertility.

*Witness Sarah’s honest conversations with God as she longs to understand and experience His faithfulness.

*Peek into her world and hear her frustrations as she deals with seemingly impossible circumstances.

*Walk with her through fear, doubt, anger, hope, faith, and finally, to victory.

Sarah’s infertility experience is living proof that God is true to His word and that He is the final authority in all circumstances.

Sarah experienced victory over infertility.
Borrow hope from her victory so that you are empowered to hope again!

The book bundle is available for a limited time and only when you pre-order the book.

Here’s what you’ll receive when you order the
Borrowed Hope Book Bundle:

  • Your autographed copy of the book, signed by both authors.
  • A set of Borrowed Hope Scripture cards that gives you the “antidote” to negative thinking and helps you focus on God’s Promises.
  • A Borrowed Hope book mark that reminds you to not give up.
  • Membership within our new private Facebook Group so that you can build community with victory-minded women.
  • A FREE ebook– Infertility Sucks: How to Maintain Hope in Your Marriage (PDF format)
  • Regular encouragement in your inbox from Evangeline and Angela
  • FREE Shipping on your book, cards, and book marker!

⇒⇒ Order the Borrowed Hope Book Bundle NOW! ⇐⇐

Borrowed Hope book

Borrowed Hope – How Sarah’s Infertility Story Can Give You Hope

Posted on by Evangeline

Has hearing the story of someone else’s experience in overcoming a challenge you’ve faced ever given you hope? Has it strengthened your belief that you will overcome too?

That’s the purpose of my next book, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story of Triumph Over Infertility, co-authored by Angela Williams.

Sarah’s Infertility Story

The story of Sarah’s season of waiting is well-known primarily because she waited for so long– 70+ years! The Bible’s account about Sarah shows that she was unable to get pregnant from the start of their marriage. Decades of their lives had been filled with monthly disappointments because Sarah was not pregnant. Imagine what her one-on-one conversations with her husband, Abraham, might have sounded like.

You’re invited to witness conversations that Sarah and Abraham likely had in their long season of infertility. Husbands and wives of today may have very similar conversations since the emotions of a fertility struggle remain the same as what Abraham and Sarah experienced. This is their story of how they had hope in the midst of their season of waiting.

In Sarah’s infertility story, you will see how Sarah experienced the same emotions that you are possibly feeling. You will see how she moves through a gamut of emotions… from fear to doubt and anger but then begins to hope and have faith. Eventually, she transitions into a place of victory!

Pre-order Borrowed Hope

If you’ve become hopeless about your fertility, Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story will encourage you and allow you to borrow hope from an overcomer.

Angela and I are so excited to release this book! If you’ve been looking for something that will increase your fertility hope, Borrowed Hope is what you need. Sarah’s Story is the first in a series of Borrowed Hope books that tell the stories of women in the Bible who suffered through infertility. The good news is that EVERY one of them overcame infertility and gave birth to a child.

ALERT: We’re offering a bundle of great bonuses when you pre-order the book! 🙂

The book won’t be available in bookstores until late October. BUT, you can pre-order the book, starting today. By pre-ordering, you can take advantage of getting bonus resources that you’ll absolutely love! Check them out HERE.

 

Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story will encourage you and allow you to borrow hope from an overcomer, especially if you’ve become hopeless about your fertility. Share on X

 

INFERTILITY

What’s Your Favorite Bible Verse that Speaks to Your Fertility?

Posted on by Evangeline

Do you believe the Bible  speaks to your fertility?

Infertility Sucks! But I know from personal experience that it can be overcome. When I dealt with infertility, I found the best source of hope was the Bible. It contains numerous scriptures that pertain directly to infertility. It also gives many accounts of women who were once barren/infertile/childless but became a mother, all because they trusted God to be true to His promises of fertility.

Here are some verses that I meditated on and repeatedly used as verbal affirmations, putting my name in each scripture.  You’ll find them to be great sources of HOPE.

Bible Verses that Speak to Your Fertility

Deuteronomy 7:14 [NKJV] ~ “You shall be blessed above all people; there shall not be male or female barren among you.”

Isaiah 50:7 [NKJV] ~ “For the Lord God will help me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, And I know that I will not be ashamed.”

Leviticus 26:9 [Amplified Bible] ~ “For I will be leaning toward you with favor and regard for you, rendering you fruitful, multiplying you and establishing and ratifying my covenant with you.”

Hebrews 11:11 [NLT] ~ “It was by faith that even Sarah was able to have a child, though she was barren and was too old. She believed that God would keep his promise.”

Luke 1:37 ~ “For with God NOTHING shall be impossible.”

John 17:23 (NLT)- [Jesus said], “You [Father] love them as much as You love me.”

Hebrews 13: 5 (NLT)- “For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

Lamentations 3:26 (NKJV)- “It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”

1 John 5:4 (NLT)- “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith.”

1 John 5:14, 15 (NIV)- “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

What other bible verses do you depend on to give you hope during infertility?

TIP: You can find more verses in my book, A Seed of Hope: God’s Promises of Fertility.

 

Let God Do What Only He Can Do

Posted on by Evangeline

wait with confidence - let go and let God

 

So many times we get stuck. The more we look at our circumstances and our lack of progress, the more we become impatient with God’s plan. Then we feel even more stuck. And being stuck causes us to gradually stop trusting God and stop having any hope that He will keep His promise.

This is a “rerun” of a post from a year ago. My hope is that it will help you see beyond your circumstances. Focus on God’s willingness to do what it takes to help you reach your destiny that He planned for you.

⇒⇒ [Check out the new exciting offer at the end of this post!] ⇐⇐

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.

 

Look Closer

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.

Exciting Offer!

borrowed hope- let God Sarah found herself stuck in infertility for decades. She reached a point where she tried to do what only God could do. That failed miserably and created a whole new set of problems. BUT, she discovered that when she stood on God’s promise to her, she was able to wait with confidence.

If you feel stuck in infertility, I have an exciting new resource that may help you. It’s a book I’ve co-authored with Angela Williams. The title is Borrowed Hope: Sarah’s Story of Triumph Over Infertility. It will be released in September 2018! 🙂 

Don’t miss it!

Want to receive notification of when Borrowed Hope is available? Let me know by filling out the form below.

7 Gifts From God and How to Get Them

Posted on by Evangeline

There are seven power-packed gifts from God that are mentioned in Proverbs 3:16-18. These gifts are available to any believer in Jesus Christ because He performed the finished work on the cross in order to make us eligible to receive them. The exciting news is, according to Jewish traditions, this list of seven gifts includes children!

It amazes me how God has packed so much into a very short passage of Scripture:

She (God’s Wisdom) is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy. – Proverbs 3:16-18 CSB

 

Through God’s written Word, and the Living Word– Jesus, He has given us:

  1. Long life
  2. Wealth
  3. Honor
  4. Wisdom
  5. Children
  6. Favor
  7. Peace

The 7 Gifts From God

Long Life – God’s words have power! Keeping His words in your heart will help you enjoy well-being and live a long and fulfilling life.

“Let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life; and peace they will add to you.” –Proverbs 3:1, 2

Wealth – God desires for believers to prosper. In the midst of famine, God caused Isaac to prosper.

“Let the LORD be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.” -Psalm 35:27 NKJV

Honor – God provides high respect and esteem for those who receive His love and, who love His Son, Jesus.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. -Psalm 91:14, 15

Wisdom – The wisdom of God is delineated in the Word. It is not burdensome. It doesn’t impose difficulties upon the believer. Instead, it shows believers the right path to choose; it’s a road map of life and it always leads to truth and justice.

“Make your ear attentive to wisdom.” – Proverbs 2:2 NASB

“The Lord gives wisdom.” – Proverbs 2:6

“Happy is the man who finds wisdom.” – Proverbs 3:13

Children, Favor and Peace: Gifts from God

Children – Jewish tradition, through the Vilna Gaon, explains that “the tree of life” and its fruit refer to a person’s children. Someone who dies and leaves a son to fill his place is not considered dead; thus they are his tree of life.

“The fruit of a righteous one is a tree of life.” – Proverbs 11:30

“Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 NLT

Favor –  The Lord’s favor is available to surround us and bring grace into our daily lives. His favor never runs out!

“For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” – Psalm 5:12

“Your marvelous favor makes us even stronger, lifting us even higher!” – Psalm 89:17 TPT

“His loving favor lasts a lifetime!” – Psalm 30:5 TPT

Peace – Jesus is our source of peace. When we keep our attention turned toward Him instead of our problems, we experience a deeper and greater tranquillity and contentment.

“For He Himself is our peace.” – Ephesians 2:14

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27

How will you receive and accept these seven gifts from God that are available to you?