Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing
by Aliene
Are you living out of your past in such a way that limits your future? God can redeem our past. But often the fear of failure will keep us living cautiously not courageously as we cling to our past instead of giving God an opportunity to redeem our past.
In today’s podcast receiving the ministry of the Holy Spirit to find freedom to forge ahead and become the woman God created you to be.
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by Aliene
Brave hearts, the close fellowship you keep will impact your walk with Jesus.
God cares very much about the people we come into a covenant type relationship with.
Proverbs 12:26 says, “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Don’t get me wrong—God wants us to love everyone and minister whom he has called us to, but close fellowship is only for a few.
The Israelites were living in enemy territory, and so they had to be cautious about their relationships. Likewise, this is not our home, believers. We need to be cautious about our close alliances. This is not a call to paranoia—but I am urging you to be wise.
Love everyone, but do not compromise when it comes to choosing your close, binding relationships.
Sometimes discerning those relationships can be deceptive because the appearance people portray on the outside does not reflect the heart. They look for weaknesses in your soul to gain control over and capitalize on you. 2 Timothy 3:5–7 from The Message translation describes these types of people:
“They’ll make a show of religion, but behind the scenes they are animals. Stay clear of these people. These are the kind of people who smooth-talk themselves into the homes of the unstable and needy women and take advantage of them; women who, depressed by their sinfulness, take up with every new religious fad that calls itself “truth.” They get exploited every time and never really learn.
Inside of the church today we have people that are “religious” only on the outside (Acts 20:29, Matthew 7:15, Jude 12–16). They look like innocent “sheep,” but inside, they have ulterior motives. Often their motive is to have control over you in order to gain a following for themselves. The only person you surrender your free will to is the Lord.
The Gibeonites deceived the Israelites by their outward appearance to gain a covenant relationship. Apparently, they found out about God’s command to not leave any survivors (Deuteronomy 20:16–17). Even though they lived only five miles from Jerusalem, they decided to protect themselves by posing as foreigners from outside of Canaan.
The Gibeonites wore tattered and patched clothing and brought food that would suggest they had journeyed a long way.
The Gibeonites cleverly offered themselves as Israel’s servant in exchange for a peace treaty covenant. If they could convince the Israelites they were not neighboring Canaanites, perhaps they could build a lasting safety net by persuading the Israelites to form a covenant relationship with them. The Isrealites examined the evidence, and everything suggested the Gibeonites were foreigners. Based on the outside evidence, the Israelites made a covenant with the Gibeonites.
However, the Bible says that the Israelites made this decision without inquiring of the Lord. While we can see the outside appearance, only the Lord can discern the heart (John 2:24). Furthermore, our hearts can deceive us—especially inside of relationships (Jeremiah 17:7)!
Sometimes we make decisions based only on what we see with our natural eyes. God wants us to see with our spiritual eyes by abiding in him and looking to him for discernment. Just because something looks good and the circumstances line up, it is not necessarily God’s choice for us.
Proverbs 14:12 says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
If Joshua had inquired of the Lord, he would have learned this was not a covenant relationship he needed to form.
At some point in our lives, most of us, like the Israelites, have experienced the devastating effects of a wrong relationship. I have been there and it was the greatest mistake of my life. How about you?
Maybe as soon as three days after your marriage you realized you had made a mistake.
Perhaps you have entered into a business relationship with someone who did not share your values.
Could it be that some of your friends encouraged you to sin instead of helping you make right choices? Or maybe a close friend you trusted betrayed you, and now you see that you never should have trusted this person in the first place?
If you currently feel trapped in a relationship that does not honor God, know that he can redeem anything. God turned the Israelites’ trouble into hope by turning the curse of the Gibeonites into a blessing. When Joshua fought for the Gibeonites, he wiped out five key kings at one time! Many years later, the Gibeonites were still the Israelites’ servants and eventually helped Nehemiah rebuild the temple.
Ultimately, the Israelites were not trapped by entering the wrong relationship—and neither are you.
Cry out to God and watch him deliver you. Moving forward, seek the Lords wisdom with whom you share a close walk.
Love everyone, but choose your covenant relationships wisely. Set boundaries so you can say yes to God. Pray for discernment so that your close relationships will empower you—not devour you!
Nourish Scripture: Joshua 9
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
Success is not found in living without falling, but arising after every fall. Reach out for the hand of Jesus and watch him turn your weeping into something wonderful.
This will take faith in a Savior not a self-help solution.
The Israelites arose out of their defeat at Ai and came back on the scene in full force because they once again relied fully on God. Joshua did not decide how they were going to fight this time around—he allowed the Lord to lead him. This time they followed God’s commands and saw his redemption and victory.
Furthermore, God blessed the Israelites with the livestock and the spoils of the city.
God wants all his children to receive and enjoy their spiritual inheritance. However, the pursuit of the Promised Land does not mean following a formula.
We have witnessed three battles with Joshua, each one involving a different battle plan.
When Christ ministered healing on earth, he told one man to put mud on his eyes, he told another to pick up his mat and walk, and another to return home because his son was healed.
Different instructions, different plans—the same Jesus.
Redemption comes not from a regimen I keep but a redeemer I determine to follow.
There was a time when my shelves were crammed with Christian self-help books; I thought after reading just one more, and then another, I could reach the freedom we sang about in church. On days when I was “good,” I was full of pride and self-righteousness. On days when I “blew it,” I was filled with condemnation and guilt.
In the past, I would sit and listen intently as leaders spoke about their “victories.” I became frustrated because I was trying so hard, but did not see that lasting fruit. Instead of receiving what Christ wanted to give me, I had been trying to get it myself by following another person’s battle plan. Now I am focused more fully on Jesus, being taught as the Holy Spirit led me … and I began to see fruit.
Part of this journey was a change in my perspective on God’s Word, from approaching it solely for information to seeking Holy Spirit revelation. God’s Word changed me and continues to do so as I look to the Holy Spirit to lead me.
This is why we created the Nourish Bible Study Method. The goal of Nourish is to connect with Jesus the source of life and share this experience with others as you live led by him.
Don’t get me wrong—I love and need teaching from my pastor and other Christians. However, they are only part of my spiritual journey. I seek to depend on Christ as my leader. I understand that following Jesus is not a method but a way of life.
Jesus is the only one who can take our broken hearts and make them brave through his perfect love.
Jesus. One name above every name. One answer for us all. Christ is the Savior, the Redeemer, and the Healer. We cannot change people’s lives, but Christ can. Transformation occurs through him. Christ is the answer for a lost world and for your troubles. He is the way, the truth, and the light.
Follow HIM and find true freedom. ARISE!
Nourish Scripture: Joshua 8
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
Desires can become dangerous when they sit in the driver’s seat of our decisions. When desires turn into demands, they can create soul ties that drag us away from God’s purpose for our life.
Inside today’s podcast, cutting soul ties by bringing your desires to Jesus.
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by Aliene
Last December I heard the testimony of a young woman who suffered from an eating disorder. When she came to the end of her rope, she decided to get help.
During her counseling, God revealed that in her past someone sexually abused her. To deal with the pain, she had suppressed those memories until the Lord brought them to the surface. Once the truth came to light, the Lord could deal with her wounded heart, and today she no longer suffers from anorexia.
Our God is a God who restores and redeems. This is just one story among millions about the redemption of God. His light dispels the darkness through the healing hands of Christ.
The young lady suffered from an eating disorder on the outside because of suppressed pain on the inside. When we invite Christ to reveal hidden hurts in our past, the light of the Lord shines in our dark closets and opens doors of hope.
God cannot heal what we hide. Honesty with God and healing walk hand in hand.
Israel suffered defeat because of Achan’s spoils hidden underneath his tent. Perhaps you are like Joshua, and someone else’s hidden sin is causing destruction in your life. Maybe you missed the mark as Achan did, and instead of going to God, you are hiding because of condemnation and shame.
After Joshua cried out in prayer, God uncovered Israel’s hidden sin and reestablished their dominion in the Promised Land, as evidenced by their victory over Ai. God redeemed them from their trouble and restored hope.
Christ is the healer and redeemer from all sin. He makes all things new and restores hope. Under grace, given in the new covenant, there is no sin God cannot redeem.
Satan wants us to remain voiceless and trapped in darkness. His tactics of condemnation motivate us to keep quiet and isolated in our sin. Jesus is the only one who can heal our hurts and turn our trouble into hope. Instead of running to Jesus for help, you will run from him because the enemy will remind you of your faults and condemn you.
Christ fulfilled the law, so Satan cannot use our sin to condemn us! The shame is gone. We can speak freely to God and to one another!
To confess means “to speak out openly.” Do not hide in your shame, let the light of God’s grace shine, and set you free.
Confession disarms the enemy and speaks out the truth. We are announcing to the enemy, I am not afraid to talk to God about this problem because Jesus has paid the price for my sin yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I am completely justified. Your tactics of condemnation to keep me down in my sin do not work anymore.
I can be real and so can you because our righteousness does not depend on following the law.
When you hide, you are trying to deal with your sin through your own efforts. Our pretending, suppressing, and covering up of our sin blocks the healing waters of Jesus from flowing in our lives.
The law promotes sin. Grace frees us from it. Grace through Jesus removes the dividing wall between God and us.
It is time to come out of hiding and go boldly before the throne of grace. Joshua fell on his face and cried out to God to find out why there was so much trouble.
What pain have you suppressed so deeply that it is causing destruction in your life?
It is time to release the pain to God. Follow Joshua’s example and take some time to ask God to shine light into the dark, hidden areas in your life. Light dispels the darkness. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth about your troubles. Take some time to pray, confess and invite Christ in to heal your pain.
You have a choice today. You can continue to wallow in the shame, self-pity, self-hate, and condemnation the enemy feeds you, or you can invite God in to deal with your sin through confession. Hope rests in the power of the gospel message that God will take all things—even trouble we have caused—and use them for his glory.
Nourish Scripture: Joshua 7-8
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
Sometimes you have to let go of the rope to see God make it right. Has a justified tug-a-war taken your joy, focus, and energy? Where do you want to “win”? What are you fighting to make things fair?
In today’s podcast, fighting injustice with God’s battle plan.
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by Aliene
Jericho was a mighty city, a stronghold with securely shut walls reaching toward the sky. In fact, some archeological evidence suggests there were actually two walls around the city.
I wonder if Joshua thought, How are we going to conquer this one, Lord? I am mighty with my sword, and I know you were faithful to pull back those waters of the Jordan as you did in the Red Sea. But walls? This challenge seems bigger than I am.
What walls are before you, brave heart?
What challenge seems beyond your ability?
Is there a challenge in your marriage? Your career? Your children? Your finances? Your purpose?
Sometimes when we face challenges doubt can begin to dance in our head and we might have thoughts of drawing back into our wilderness instead of pressing forward into our Promised Land.
Don’t you dare! Whatever wall you are facing, God will help you tear them down … but you must use spiritual weapons.
It took faith for the Israelites to pick up trumpets instead of weapons when God instructed the Israelites to march around Jericho. But they chose to do it God’s way—and he gave them the victory.
God commanded them to sound the trumpets for six days. On the seventh day, they were to give a shout.
In the Old Testament, trumpets were used to praise God (Numbers 10:2-10; Psalm 98:6, 150:3).
Praise is a spiritual weapon God has given us to face our walls with faith.
Never underestimate the power of praising God BEFORE seeing our walls fall. This biblical principal requires great courage and conviction. In order to lift up our arms in praise, we have to move beyond our feelings and circumstances into the rheum of faith.
Thanking God for past faithfulness is valuable – but it takes mountain moving faith to speak praise in advance of what God will do. Our Nourish Scripture gives us some practical steps to put this powerful spiritual discipline into practice.
Lord, I thank you that while I cannot see the answer to this problem, you promise in your Word you will direct my paths and give me my next steps (Proverbs 3:4-6). God, I want to thank you in advance that while I just don’t see how my marriage will mend that you are the Mountain Mover and will move in mighty ways on my behalf. I praise you that the Holy Spirit is here to counsel me and give me strength beyond my ability. Thank you for this problem that is propelling my purpose forward by pushing me to depend on you. I love how you will use walls to build my faith and prepare me for the next battle.
Often, I am tempted to stop fighting God’s way and take matters into my own hands when I don’t see my walls fall right away. You might find yourself feeling the same way, but I encourage you to be persistent in your praise!
On the seventh day, the harvest came: the walls came down with a shout from the Israelites! God can take down your walls too!
Yes, brave heart, there will be battles in the Promised Land. But praise God! He has given us the spiritual weapons to face them with his strength. ONWARD!
Nourish Scripture: Joshua 5:13-6
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
There is nothing more difficult than watching someone you love fight a battle ….especially when your hands are tied, and you are unable to fix the situation. But in those moments, we can pray boldly and watch our mighty, powerful God accomplish his perfect work. And often we find, the battle helped them reach their full potential and was the very thing that prepared them for their purpose.
More on today’s Podcast live. Listen below.
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