Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing
by Aliene
Has a waiting season made you wonder –Is the dream God put in my heart real? Inside scripture we see this pattern: God PRESENTS a vision, God PREPARES the person during HOLY PAUSE, God PERFORMS the vision. Before God can build his dream, he must build your faith and often the PAUSES in life prepare our hearts to depend completely on the Holy Spirit.
In today’s podcast, the vital necessity of a waiting season to build your faith so God can build his dream through you.
Podcast: Play in new window
by Aliene
God our Dream Builder is a rebuilder. A God-ordained dream never truly dies, but sometimes our hope does when life falls apart.
To every woman out there who has lost hope to dream: I have been there. But I found hope to dream again through Joseph’s story. And you can too.
Joseph lived a life full of trials. But Joseph’s trials were merely the stepping-stones that God used to build his will in Joseph’s life, which ultimately saved hundreds of thousands of lives.
Welcome to Dream Builder, a six-week study on the life of Joseph. Over the next six weeks you will…
God’s dreams were designed before we were born—to bring him glory (Ephesians 2:10). God places those desires in our hearts as seeds to stir our hearts for a harvest. Often it is the adversity in our life that tills the soil of our hearts in such a way as to provide a greater harvest as we are pushed to depend solely on Jesus.
Our pain becomes our purpose.
Our mistake becomes our message.
Our rejection becomes God’s redirection.
Our failure becomes his foundation to build.
However, sometimes when this adversity hits we stop dreaming. Hope fades. God becomes smaller. And then we all lose out because every woman’s purpose matters. She is a part of God’s plan designed to make a difference.
Brave heart, it is time to dream again. Sometimes our dreams have to fall to the ground to create a greater harvest. Like Joseph, you are created for a purpose beyond yourself. Press beyond life’s challenges and move forward with God’s dream for your life to become the woman God created you to be.
Forward this blog to a friend and invite her to join you!
Let’s do this!
Blessings,
Aliene
Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.
by Aliene
Who is your Judas? Who betrayed you? Who is that person that judged you when you stepped out in faith and decided to shine – and did their voice cause you to doubt the dream in your heart? Does that voice still echo deep in your soul creating an impact today even though your Judas’ is no longer around? It doesn’t have to – Judas judgment never stopped Mary’s moment of extravagant worship.
Today you and I are still receiving benefits from her choice to LIVE ALL IN for Jesus.
In today’s podcast, kick the need for validation to the curb and kiss your Judas good-bye.
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by Aliene
She did it. She stood back up again. It happened slowly. One small step of faith at a time she conquered the rock-climbing wall of adversity she faced. She found a source of limitless strength and stability. By clinging to Jesus, she was able to climb.
Daily declaring His truth provided essential nourishment for her journey.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
Only by encountering Jesus and embracing his words through faith will we find true freedom. Finding your core identity and purpose is not about frantically striving to be someone; but surrendering to Jesus by allowing his Word to define who you are and the purpose for which you were created.
Jesus wants you to see yourself the way he sees you. When we receive his love for us, we find a freedom to give truly to others the way God intended.
As we close our Following Jesus Finding Life Weekly Word Series, allow His words to sow seeds of encouragement in your heart. Let this day and every day begin by declaring truth to nourish your heart. Print this and post where you can see and speak His truth. ONWARD!
Through Christ, I am a daughter of God Almighty. He has chosen me to be his child (John 1:12), ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:20), and princess (Galatians 4:7; 1 Peter 2:9).
I am his treasure designed for a unique purpose (Deuteronomy 14:2; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 2:10).
His love for me is unconditional and endless (John 3:16; 1 John 3:1; Ephesians 3:18), and his power is made perfect in all my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9–10).
In Christ, I am completely accepted and in right standing with my Heavenly Father (Galatians 2:21; Ephesians 1:4–5). I praise you for your grace (Ephesians 1:7) and your favor (Psalm 5:12) that surround me. Thank you, God, for the treasure of your resurrection power living inside me (Ephesians 1:19–20; 2 Corinthians 4:7).
I worship you as my healer (Matthew 8:17), my restorer (Psalm 23:3), and my Dream Builder. You alone are God and you are good. You are for me (Romans 8:31), and I can overcome because Christ overcame (1 John 5:4). I am redeemed (1 Peter 1:18–19). I was created for your glory (Ephesians 2:10). I am a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Open my eyes wide to the plan, provision, and purpose you have for my life. I trust your love and surrender my steps, big and small, that Christ may live through me. I choose today to listen to your voice above all others. I am ready to cut new paths—blazing a trail for your glory, resting in your strength. Give me the courage to believe I am your treasure and give me the commitment to follow you so I can be an avenue of your love as I live for you alone. Amen.
Follow Jesus. Find life and live as God intended!
Nourish Scripture: Luke 1:46-55
Do you want to connect to God’s Word in a way that transforms the way you live? Download Nourishing Your Heart today!
Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.
by Aliene
What is your “if only?” What is the suffering you’ve experienced in your life that just does not make sense. What loss suppresses this silent scream inside your soul: “WHERE WERE YOU GOD?!?” IF ONLY my marriage didn’t fall apart. IF ONLY my dream did not die. IF ONLY my father never died. IF ONLY my mother nurtured me instead of leaving me to figure life out on my own. IF ONLY my child would return. What is your “if only?”
In today’s podcast, find courage to lift the sails of your faith catching the winds of the Holy Spirit to begin your journey of redemption. Turn your broken heart into a brave believing heart and see new life emerge out of your loss.
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by Aliene
Jesus didn’t stop her . . . and he won’t stop you.
Mary of Bethany carried her alabaster jar of priceless perfume toward Jesus. The disciples bombarded her with criticism. Even that couldn’t quench her desire to give her all to Jesus. Many believe the perfume, worth a year’s wages, was also her dowry. This offering cost more than money.
Her reputation. Her finances. Her hope for a husband. Her future. Her heart. All in Jesus’ hands . . .
And Jesus didn’t stop her….
Jesus never uttered words of warning to intercept Mary’s costly choice. In fact, He praised her and silenced those who accused her. “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me? . . . I tell you the truth, whenever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.”
Jesus didn’t stop her. In fact, he fought for her.
Many years before, God had fought to free his people from Pharaoh’s power so they could worship Him. “Let my people go so they may worship me.” And he fights for you today.
Who was your Pharaoh brave heart?
Jesus laid down his life to heal this wound and fight for your heart, releasing you to live fearlessly for his glory as you look to him as the sole source of life.
Leave her alone. Let her go so she may worship me.
Worship. Giving your heart to Jesus is a costly choice, brave heart, but one he created you for. Jesus wants to be more than your Savior—he also wants to be Lord of your heart.
Jesus won’t stop you when you, like Mary, place your heart in his hands so you are free to worship him. That is God’s purpose for you and the deepest place of joy. You were created and redeemed to live as God intended . . . your heart for his glory.
Close your eyes. What is your alabaster jar? That costly thing you are trusting for security. Let it go and find real joy that comes only from trusting Jesus as Lord over your life. Jesus will meet your deepest needs at the place of greatest surrender.
Nourish Scripture: Mark 14:3–9
Find joy and nourishment by connecting to God’s Word. Download Nourishing Your Heart today!
Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.
by Aliene
You matter. Your life matters. You are worthy of love. And this revelation matters, because every woman is a part of God’s amazing story. Yet often life speaks a different story to our hearts and our compass to navigate life shifts away from our Creator to outside sources creating insecurity, codependency and a lifestyle of control which slowly pulls us away from living the authentic faith-filled life God created us to live. I know this because it happened to me.
In today’s podcast, breaking free from codependency and control though agape love.
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by Aliene
You are not forgotten.
God is always painting a masterpiece for his glory. We can’t always see the big picture, but we can find hope in any storm by changing the direction of our perception as we, like Jesus focus on resurrection hope (Hebrews 12:1-2). Like a holy thread connecting us to heaven, the presence and power of Jesus within us is a confident hope we could hold onto (Ephesians 1:14).
After the death of their brother Lazarus, Martha and Mary were upset that Jesus hadn’t come to Bethany in time to heal him. When Jesus first arrived at Bethany after Lazarus’s death, Martha came out to see him—but Mary, consumed with despair, stayed home.
Martha, filled with resurrection hope after she had spoken to Jesus (“Your brother will rise again,” Jesus told her in John 11:23), went back and found her sister. “The Teacher is here,” Martha told Mary, “and is asking for you” (John 11:28).
Wise Martha pointed Mary to Jesus. Where do you look when life seems overwhelming?
When Mary came out to meet Jesus, she fell at his feet in grief. “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died” (John 11:32). Jesus’ response? He wept.
For every pain you bear, know that your Bridegroom cries with you! One day he will wipe away all of those tears in glory, but for now he asks us to hold on to hope and trust him when we don’t understand (Revelation 7:17; John 14:1-4).
You and I are living between the two bookends of God’s great story.
Genesis tells us about our world’s beginnings. The picture of God creating the world reflects his heart for mankind. Adam and Eve lived in fellowship with God and each other. Provision and purposeful work flowed from a perfect environment. But sin interrupted this perfect design and the world became broken.
The last part of Revelation offers us a glimpse of our glorious ending. Heaven is God’s home and will be the eternal home of his children. In heaven, our prepared place, every tear will be wiped away. There will be no more sickness or sin. We will eternally worship of our Creator, as this is what he created us to do.
But today, you and I are living between these two perfect bookends. Problems exist between the two perfect bookends. Between the beginning and the end, the world is broken. Life happens and we face challenges.
Never let what happened to you to define God’s heart towards you.
Follow Jesus and find life through any loss as you journey between the two bookends.
Sometimes seeing the glory of the resurrection means walking through a valley. But during that time, know that God has not left you. You are God’s child. As his daughter, you can walk in the assurance that He can help you today with whatever you face—no matter what it is. And he wants to do just that.
Nourish Scripture: John 11:1-43
Continue on your journey by connecting to God’s Word. Download Nourishing Your Heart today.
Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.
