Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Aliene

Hope for Depression Part Two

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In part two of our podcast on depression with special guest Dr. Michelle Bengtson, take back your thought life and replace the lies of the enemy with God’s truth. God puts limits on what the enemy is allowed to do to us, and he puts limits on the impact depression has on us. Neither the enemy nor our depression can separate us from the love of God. Amen!

To hear more, listen below. If you want to take the next step in your mental health journey or want to learn more about Michelle, you can visit her website at www.DrMichelleBengtson.com.

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Emotional Strongholds

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Like a strong unforgiving riptide, emotions can carry us in a direction we don’t want to go. Yesterday I faced challenge after challenge. I felt frustrated. I felt overwhelmed. The wheels came off the bus…I cried! My whirling emotions distracted me and resulted in a most unproductive day. Can you relate?

Sometimes feelings are not kind friends. They can steal away our godly girl power if we are driven by our desires instead of directed by the Holy Spirit. 

Nothing makes me feel more powerless than when I face an emotional stronghold. A strong force of emotions welling up in us stirs up a commotion. Fear. Anxiety. Anger. Frustration. Think about those moments when you lose your temper or respond unkindly to someone. 

I want to be a wise woman that walks not under the power of my emotions but by the power of the Holy Spirit. If my emotions are in the driver’s seat, how can I be led by the Holy Spirit?

Paul gives a strong warning to the Ephesians about letting our emotions have control. This is a warning I need remind myself of each day. Emotions can make me feel powerless, but praise be to God because of Jesus I have another choice. I no longer have to live imprisoned by my emotions but empowered by the Holy Spirit!

“All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2:3-5

But let’s get honest. Strong emotions are impossible to avoid, aren’t they? Emotions aren’t bad. You’ll always have them. They make us human. God gave us emotions. They are a part of our soul. God had emotions also. But when our emotions become strongholds in our life, when they are in the driver’s seat of our decisions – that’s when they can create problems. 

Emotions alert us to needs within our soul, but they are never a reliable source of truth.

You see, we serve a God who loves us and wants us to be led by the Holy Spirit so we can fulfill the God-given purpose he planned for us long ago. But we also have an enemy that would love nothing more than to distract us and derail us from doing what God wants us to do. And he loves to create emotional strongholds in our life by using just the right lies to create that current to pull you away from your purpose. I know this. I’ve been there.

The world thinks of power and freedom as the strength to do whatever we want. But in God’s economy, power and freedom come from walking in obedience to God for his glory. Freedom is not following our desires and doing whatever we want to do. It is being a wise woman and being led by the Holy Spirit.

I want to be wise – don’t you? 

The truth is, brave heart, we are not going to stop feeling those emotions—and that is not our goal. Our goal is to find ways we can face those emotions and remain steadfast to do what God has called us to do. The big choice is this: Who will be in the driver’s seat, my feelings or the Holy Spirit?  

  • Bring your emotions before Jesus and get help. You don’t have to hide your emotions and try to handle them on your own. Bring them to God, brave heart, and gain his perspective to walk in the truth. Let’s get wise by learning and choosing God’s way to walk in your God-given destiny and make a difference.
  • Read Psalms. One look into the book of Psalms and we see how David was not afraid to pour out his emotions. He got angry, depressed, overwhelmed, frustrated; all of that and more. The book of Psalms reminds me that God can handle my emotions. He can help me sort through that strong force and get God’s perspective. I am not alone when that storm hits my soul. The Psalms also remind me that God does not condemn me when I have negative emotions or desires. He wants me to bring them to him so I can get his help instead of hiding them or trying to handle them on my own.

Treasured one, don’t let the enemy steal one bit of that godly girl power. When a strong current of emotions hits your heart, reach out to Jesus for clear direction to stay steady on the path of your purpose. ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 2:1-10

Hope for Depression Part One

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In today’s podcast episode, we are kicking off a 2-part interview on finding hope in the midst of depression with special guest Dr. Michelle Bengtson. Dr. Michelle Bengtson is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist, speaker, and award-winning author of Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression, Hope Prevails Bible Study, and Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises.

To hear more, listen below. If you’d like to take the next step in your mental health journey or learn more about Michelle, you can visit her website at www.DrMichelleBengtson.com.

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How to Plug into God’s Power

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Are you frustrated with a sin habit you feel powerless over? It’s not your lack of effort, Treasured One, you must first shift your effort in a new direction. 

Paul began his letter to the Ephesians by reminding those believers of key beliefs about God and their inheritance in Christ Ten years prior to this letter when Paul had founded the church at Ephesus and discipled this church, I am certain he taught these same fundamental truths. I believe Paul knew this truth: renewing our minds is never a one and done deal, and so he went back to those core beliefs. Another beautiful insight is this: Paul addressed belief first, not behavior. This is where we must begin our efforts, Paul started with belief…What do you start with, Treasured One?

Power always comes from a source. Godly girl power comes only from God himself. To plug into God’s power, we must pause and pull into his presence daily to renew our minds.

Having access to God’s power and using this all-surpassing power are two different issues altogether. Our journey to change our source of power, begins with our mind.  While we have godly girl power within us through the Holy Spirit, the old ways we used to find strength when we were far away from God are familiar ruts in our thinking. 

To live differently, place your efforts first in renewing your mind. Renewing our minds is a lifetime process that brings transformation because our faith and action always walk hand in hand. 

Retreat daily to renew your mind through the Word and find the power you need to walk out your purpose.

An expert archer keeps his arrows in his quiver, close to him, so he can sharpen and polish them, releasing them again and again with power, purpose, and precision. Like the expert archer, God is calling his daughters to retreat into his presence to prepare and position their heart to be released for his glory.  

Wherever you are in your walk with God, you are never too far along to retreat inside God’s quiver and share sacred times close to him. It is in his quiver, concealed and sharpened, that we plug into godly girl power and our hearts are released to live for his glory.

Come away in his quiver, brave heart. Live on purpose by pausing from life’s pressures to plug into the limitless power that flows from the presence of Jesus.

Weekly Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-23

Abundance Mentality

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The not-enough mentality can rob us of joy, peace, and generosity, stealing our confidence. But God does not want us to live this way and invites us to think differently—to live differently. In today’s podcast, see your life through a new lens and live in freedom to become the woman God created you to be.

Today’s podcast is from the Treasured Devotion Series called True Confidence. To discover more, click here!

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Godly Girl Power

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For the battle you face today, brave heart, God’s strength is sufficient. His perfect love is a powerful force. His all-surpassing mighty power is much greater than worldly power. Allow God to guard you by letting him guide you. His unfailing love will see you through.

Women make the greatest difference in this world when they experience God’s unconditional love and live confidently, fulfilling God’s purpose for their life. This is not easy. In a world that teaches us to depend on sources other than God, it’s easy to become co-dependent and lose our identity.

I know this—I’ve been there. This is what I’ve learned in my journey of breaking free from co-dependency: to walk in our purpose, we need to plug into Godly girl power.

Godly girl power is God’s all surpassing power. This is different from worldly power. Worldly power is outward control dependent on other people and things and focuses on self. Godly girl power is the inner strength of a woman led confidently by God to walk in love and live for his glory no matter what circumstances she faces. Love is the most powerful force and that is what Godly Girl Power is all about.

Paul taught the Ephesians about God’s all surpassing power.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16)

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20).

When faced with a battle, we can be tempted to put on the armor of the world, to fight with the world’s battle plans. We try to take the reins of life, fighting our way to take power the world provides to fix things. During past battles, we learned those old coping mechanisms for survival like manipulation, control, self-reliance, seeking power from people, people pleasing, performance, anger, and unforgiveness. These are just some of the worldly ways we sought to find power from external sources when we felt powerless. 

But now we belong to Jesus, the Shepherd and overseer of our souls. He invites us to receive his power by standing in his mighty strength (1 Peter 2:18–25). 

Sharing the gospel is our precious privilege but one that the enemy of our souls would love to shut down. If he can get us so wound up and worn out fighting our battles the world’s way, we may become so discouraged, distracted, and directionless that we stop sharing the gospel altogether. 

Christianity that requires courage instead of Christianity that demands comfort calls us to stand in the strength that only God can provide. God is your defender, brave heart. You are not powerless. 

Which will you choose? Will you stand in God’s mighty power . . . or survive by trying to take worldly power? It’s such an important choice. You see, whatever source you see as your strength will control your life. God’s power is agape love—and his unconditional love is the most powerful force in the world.

Today we begin our journey together by starting with the book of Acts when Paul says good-bye to the church at Ephesus.

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Fearless

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Failure is never final. It’s the fear of failure that prevents success and steals TRUE CONFIDENCE. In part two of the True Confidence series, learn how to gain confidence to increase your capacity to recover from catastrophe quickly by relying on Christ completely. Get back up and RUN YOUR RACE!

Today’s podcast is from the Treasured Devotion Series called True Confidence. To discover more, click here!

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What Is the Heart of God?

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God’s heart is that your heart will align with his. Through this divine alignment, you embrace your identity in Christ and become who he created you to be.

Jesus wants to be more than your Savior. Jesus also wants to be the Lord of your heart. When he reigns in your heart, he unlocks the doors that have been closed to your purpose. You become free to live the life God intended. 

This is God’s joy. 

This is the heart of God.  

3 Keys to Unlock the Heart of God 

  1. The Heart of God Is for You to Pray Bold Prayers

Many of us know that we can “boldly approach the throne of our gracious God” (Hebrews 4:16), but how often do we pray bold prayers? Prayer is a beautiful privilege available to you, as a daughter of the King. He is your Abba Father and longs to hear what is on your heart. He also wants to remind you of what is on his—a faithful promise he intends to keep. 

Bold prayers are more than asking for what you need; they boldly proclaim God’s promises over your problems. 

Through a bold prayer life, you can make your requests known. It also opens up your heart and mind to remember and receive the promises of God. 

“For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding ‘Yes!’ And through Christ, our ‘Amen’ (which means ‘Yes’) ascends to God for his glory.”—2 Corinthians 1:20

Bold Prayers Unlock…

  • The hope needed in hopeless situations.
  • The change needed in your thought life to move from oppressed to optimistic. 
  • Faith needed to face your fears.  

The Enemy of Your Bold Prayers

While God calls you to embrace a bold prayer life, the enemy will use any distraction to keep you from coming to Jesus with an authentic heart. Instead of listening to the lies that say, “It is too dangerous to open your heart,” decide today to nourish your soul by watering it with the Word. 

Do This… Find one of God’s promises that speak to your problem and proclaim it!

  1. The Heart of God Is for You to Walk by Faith

You know the verse Isaiah 40:31 that says, “… those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” 

God designed you in a specific way for your faith to grow stronger as you connect with his perfect love.

It is during this season of wait that the seeds of the Word, planted in your heart, are creating an abundant harvest. It’s also during this season you nurture what is possible. 

What does that mean? It means that during the wait, God allows you to walk by faith, displaying his glory and promises to others. Displaying his glory isn’t something you need to strive to do. It supernaturally occurs when you lean into him for strength. 

In this walk, it is the heart of God that others will be nurtured.  

“And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.”—Luke 8:15

Walking by Faith Unlocks…

  • The encouragement you need to keep moving forward in your purpose.
  • God’s glory, displaying it for others to see.
  • The belief in the abundant harvest that is promised to come. 

The Enemy of Your Walk of Faith

Because God wants you to walk by faith, the enemy’s tactic is to create doubt, dwindling your faith little by little. He wants you to see it to believe it. He whispers lies such as, “If God wanted you to overcome this problem, you would have already.”

Instead of listening to the lie, decide today to believe what is waiting for you, a hope and future (Jeremiah 29:11). It is easy to believe in the harvest, but it takes faith to believe it will come when there is no sign. It is in these moments, when we completely surrender, that God’s goodness will overflow in our souls. 

Do This… While you wait, reflect on what God has already fulfilled in your life. Remember, he’s not done with you yet (Philippians 1:6).

  1. The Heart of God Is that You Affirm Your Identity

Who hasn’t questioned their identity? The words from our past often create questions of who we are. From there our minds race to questions about our purpose in life. John 8:36 says that “if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.”

Do you believe you are free? God designed you for a purpose, but that purpose can only be fulfilled once we understand our identity in him. Imagine you have a lamp so powerful it has the potential of illuminating a forest in the dead of night. But unless that lamp is plugged into the proper power source, its full potential is never experienced. 

In the same way, you can plug into the source of your identity. As soon as we “unplug” from God, our light begins to go dim.  

“’You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.’”—Matthew 5:14-16

Affirming Your Identity Unlocks…

  • The heart of God, aligning your desires with his.  
  • The empowerment to become who God created you to be.
  • The spiritual weapons that remind the enemy that you will never be separated from the perfect love of Christ. 

The Enemy of Your Identity

Words have power. God spoke a word of life over you the moment you were born again. But the enemy attempts to pull you back into your past. He says, “You haven’t changed.” Thank God he changes us! 

“Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.”—Psalm 51:10

Do This… The next time the enemy creates doubt, remind him there is no doubt of your identity in Christ.

The Takeaway…

The heart of God is for you to embrace your identity in him, and he will reveal who you were created to be. Your heart matters. You have a purpose that matters. Connecting with God’s heart through his Word unlocks that purpose. The keys are…

  • Bold prayers
  • Walking by faith
  • Affirming your identity

Let’s decide today to change our thought life and have a heart for God’s glory! 

Download the My Heart for His Glory PDF HERE. This PDF helps you identify lies that stand in the way of your purpose and connect you to the heart of God.