Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Prayer

Prayer Breaks Codependency

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Lord, we want more of YOU! Prayer breaks codependency by increasing our God dependency. Inside today’s podcast, discover three steps you can put into action to take your prayer life to the next level. Find strength that only God can provide inside a storm and grow your roots deeper in God’s love.  

Today’s podcast is a She Is Treasured Bible Study called Godly Girl Power. You can gain unlimited access to the Godly Girl Power study as well as all other She Is Treasured Bible Studieswhen you become a Treasured Tribe® Member. Discover Treasured Tribe Membership by visiting www.TreasuredTribe.com.  

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Answering Anxiety Inside COVID-19

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What can I do for my anxiety?

The COVID-19 virus has brought an avalanche of anxiety, and it’s never been more important to answer the attack God’s way. One of the best ways to calm your heart in any storm is by speaking God’s word out loud each day.

But let’s be honest – this helpful habit is not easy to keep.  Life is busy and this discipline, while it is vital for the health of your soul, can get lost in the shuffle especially amidst the storm of uncertainty we are all facing.

But when you stack speaking God’s word on top of another daily habit, you will find that it is much easier to make a part of your day. This process is called habit stacking. Here is how you can do this in three easy steps:

    1. Download and Print the Calm Your Heart Verses we’ve created for you for free.
    2. Tape them to your bathroom mirror.
    3. After you brush your teeth in the morning and at night, take two more minutes and say these verses out loud. Brushing your teeth is already a twice a day habit to care for your teeth. Stacking renewing your mind on top of brushing your teeth is an easy way to making sure you are tending to the care of your soul daily.

When Joshua was headed into battle God told him to meditate on the word day and night. Friends, we are in a battle with a silent enemy. Let’s speak the word of God each day and night to find courage for victory!

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.  (Joshua 1:8).

A Prayer For Worry and Fear

Almighty Father, when worry overcomes me, let me call on the one who is greater than any giant I may face. For greater is the Spirit that lives within me than the one in the world! 

When the enemy attacks with his lies, let that be a trigger that turns me right to you. Help me to reject the thoughts that do not come from you Lord, and replace them with your truth. 

I win over worry with worship.  

Christ Jesus. Messiah. Healer. Defender. The name above every name. The Bread of Life, the Light of the World. My Anchor in the storm. Emmanuel—God with me. Jesus, my Kinsman Redeemer, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and End. My strength!  

I close in prayer today asking you for what I need and thanking you in advance for what you will do today and tomorrow and what you have done in the past.

May your peace that surpasses my understanding of the situation guard my mind. Amen.  

Download the Calm Your Heart Scriptures to battle anxiety God’s Way.

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

The Power of Prayer

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“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!” (Ephesians 3:20–21 NIV, my emphasis)

Immeasurably more. Her eyes ran over those words and then lingered for a while. Immeasurably more. God can do immeasurably more than she could ever ask or imagine, according to HIS POWER.

She pondered on her faded prayers that had once been filled with so much passion.

A season of storms sabotaged her prayer life, making it small. Like the force of hurricane winds loosening the roots of a tall tree, the storms of life shook her faith to the core. The enemy lied to her heart about the storms and told her that God was not powerful . . . and her prayers faded. She felt afraid. She thought about her past year and the loss she had experienced. The loss in her life combined with her fragile faith made her feel powerless. Her insecurity swallowed her confidence. In response, her soul grasped for security by clinging too tightly to the people in her life, and she began to walk under the false illusion of control.

This led to more insecurity and fear because when she tried to control her circumstances, her circumstances began to control her. Worry, fear, and anger surfaced as she tried to control what ultimately, she could not.

And she was weary.

The Lord looked at his treasured one with love. No storm could ever separate them. He nourished her heart with truth and reminded her of the power of prayer. With tears in her eyes, she sank to the floor and let her prayers flow. People were there for her to love, but they could never give the security and life she was looking for.

Godly girl power flows from great expectations laid at the feet of our mighty God, who can do “immeasurably more” than we could ever ask in prayer.

Sometimes we can “self-sabotage” our prayer life because we pray based on what we think we deserve instead of WHO GOD IS.  The enemy can use a storm, or our past, or even our religious traditions to keep our prayers small. Don’t let the enemy fool you, wise woman. Pray prayers based on WHO GOD IS and remain faithful regardless of the outcome. Don’t filter your prayers through what you think you deserve—let your prayers flow like a mighty river and let God filter the results through his pure and perfect will to bring glory to his name.

Hey, treasured one, revitalize your prayer life this week by recapturing the awe of your God.

The God you serve is an “immeasurably more” God. Yahweh is the source of your strength. The Lord is his name. King of kings. Lord of lords. He is a strong tower. A fortress. He is mighty to save. The winds and waves obey his commands. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). He is Lord over all. “For from him and through him and for him are all things.” (Romans 11:36)

Great expectations in our mighty God through prayer gives us the freedom to let go of trying to extract from people what only God can give us. When our expectations rest in the Lord, we can let go of others to truly love them.

Much as a watering can must be filled before it can pour water out and bring nourishment to plants, we must first be filled with his love to give love out. And as the watering can pours out to others, a greater capacity is created to receive even more. When we are trying to extract from people what only God can give us—it is as if we are watering cans going to other watering cans trying to find water.

Think of bold prayer as positioning yourself to fill your watering can to nourish your heart so you can nurture others. To have some understanding of God’s love, we must experience it. To experience it, we must receive it. Each time we experience his power in answered prayer pushes the roots of our soul deeper into his love and makes us strong as we trust in Him. Only when Christ becomes seated at the center of our heart through the humility of prayer and our roots are deep in his love can we truly love others with his love. And that is godly girl power (Ephesians 3:14–21).

Prayer will grow your roots deep in God’s love because you are placing your trust in him. When your roots are deep in God’s love, you will bear the fruit of his love to others.

You have only one life. Pray with great expectation. Live a life worthy of your calling by receiving his love and giving it to others. Fall on your knees in prayer and trust the one who can bless you beyond measure so you can be a blessing to others.

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 3:14–4:6

Healing Past Hurts Through Prayer

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We read in the Bible that prayer is powerful. It has the power to break chains of anxiety, shame, and doubt. But what about healing hurts? Can prayer begin to heal your soul from past hurts? When those prayers are given to God, he will dispel the darkness of your past hurts by the healing hand of Christ. 

Why Past Hurts Won’t Heal

Past pain causes us to suppress our feelings. Satan’s goal is to cast feelings of shame and guilt about the hurt you’ve experienced. Ultimately, he wants you to hide it away, never giving it to God, which keeps you from experiencing the healing that comes from Christ.  

The Bible says that Christ makes all things new…

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”—2 Corinthians 5:17

Shame and guilt are the ways the enemy traps us into remaining voiceless. His whispers motivate us to hide. This can cause us to isolate ourselves even more, preventing the freedom we desperately need. Jesus is the only one who can heal past hurts and provide hope. 

In order to begin healing, we must bring our past hurts into the light of the Lord so he can begin the healing process. 

How to Start Healing Past Hurts though Prayer

In prayer, ask God to reveal what is hidden…

  • You may feel hesitant to ask God to begin revealing past hurts, but remember that Christ fulfilled the law, casting your sin away from you as the east is from the west. Satan cannot use your sin to condemn you or keep you from coming to the Healer of your soul!

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”—Psalm 103:12

… because the enemy wants you to hide.

“Jesus answered them, ‘Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.’”—Luke 5:31-32

“So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”—Romans 8:1

In prayer, confess to God what is on your hurting heart…

  • When you confess, you are declaring your dependence on God and stripping away the lies the enemy has used to hold you down. To confess is to speak openly. I know that it may seem awkward at first to speak openly in prayer, but this declaration announces to Satan that his lies will no longer condemn you.

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”—1 John 1:9

“People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.”—Proverbs 28:13

… because confession disarms the enemy.

  • The enemy wants you to remain quiet. When you announce your dependence on God, it activates his strength within you. Confession breaks the silence of the enemy, taking away his power over you.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”—Philippians 4:13

“He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.”—Colossians 2:14-15

In prayer, surrender your past hurts to God…

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”—James 4:7, 10

“I know, Lord, that our lives are not our own. We are not able to plan our own course.”—Jeremiah 10:23

… because it is there that you will find freedom. 

  • After you have asked the Holy Spirit to reveal the past hurts that are holding you back from your freedom and purpose, you have a choice. You can embrace the freedom you have in Christ or listen to the words of the enemy that attempt to pull you back into hiding. 

The beauty of the Gospel is that God will take all things and use them for your good and his glory. But we must rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18), choosing his way of surrender. 

This may be an hourly or daily choice for some, but over time, God’s Word will prosper in your life. Each moment of praise, prayer, and verse you declare to the Lord is a seed that will produce a great harvest. 

Allow the Spirit to water your soul and watch as God turns your pain into promises—for his glory.

“On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, ‘Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”’”—John 7:37:39

“’You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.’”—Genesis 50:20

Are you looking for a way to use God’s truth every day to counteract the lies of the enemy? Then download My Heart for His Glory for FREE!

It’s a PDF designed for you to use anytime you feel hurtful words of your past try to open wounds that have been healed by Jesus.

Get your FREE download HERE!

She Lives in Freedom

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Lord, when the enemy of my soul causes me to fall back into legalism, which can only complicate my faith, let me breathe the beautiful simplicity of the new commandment: love.

May I remember that I must first receive your love for myself by seeing myself the way you see me.

The self-deprecating thoughts must end. Harsh judgments I throw over myself must hush!

Your love is great, and only when I receive your love for myself can I bring it to others.

Let me look at my life through the lens of the gospel to see myself and others differently. May I deliberately breathe in grace for myself and exhale your grace and love to others. Your love is life-giving, filling my cup to overflowing with joy beyond expression. 

(Pray God’s Word: John 15: 9–11)

Want more? Click here to read the scripture. 

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

Her Advocate Has the Advantage over Her Adversary

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Abba Father, my adversary is creating adversity, and life has become heavy and hard. But I choose to remember this truth today: my advocate, the Holy Spirit, is greater than my adversary, the devil. 

May I remember that the enemy of my soul is at the root of evil in my life.  

When I face what he throws my way, I must take out the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, and speak your truth over my situation.  

The darkness that has cast a shadow over my life is not the end of the story because you have dominion over darkness.

You are the light I see, and as I walk by faith with you through this valley, you will lead me to the other side. Your Word is a lamp to my feet, a light to my path, and gives me power over the enemy of my soul.  

Holy Spirit, give me a truth today that I can cling to and use to speak over and over again when the tempter tries to convince me that my situation is hopeless.  

In this world, I may have trouble, but my God has overcome the world!  

(Pray God’s Word: Matthew 4:1–11, 16, 23–24; John 14:15–21; 16:33; Ephesians 6:17) 

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

She Witnesses This Truth in Her Wilderness: God’s Power Prevails

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Lord, the steps through the wilderness are always the hardest.

The very hardest.

Help me remember there is purpose in this pathway—even when I don’t understand.  

Let me live with hope by remembering my Egypt is behind me and the Promised Land before me.  

All you ask me to do today is to take the next step. Help me to get caught up not in knowing every detail of my God-ordained destiny, but in the sheer delight of a daily adventure of walking by faith. One step at a time.  

Sometimes you lead us into the wilderness for us to witness that your power is all we need. And so, I rejoice today. Though this season is difficult, you are building my faith for my destiny.  

(Pray God’s Word: Deuteronomy 8; Matthew 4:1–11) 

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

Through Her Willingness to Trust, She Trades Watching the Holy Spirit from a Distance for Wading Deep into Those Life-Giving Living Waters

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Father, my comforter, you call me away from the safe shore where I feel in control to soak in the living waters of the Holy Spirit through complete surrender. And I am ready to dive in.

Oh, let me be brave.  

Give me the courage that comes only from your Perfect Love casting out my fear. I confess that for years I have stood back as a spectator by studying the Bible instead of standing on the truth in such a way that it created active steps!  

But now I want to be brave…I see that releasing my resistance to the Holy Spirit by applying my Holy Spirit revelation is truly letting go to live as you intended. 

When John the Baptist called out in the wilderness for all God’s people to be immersed in water through baptism, the Pharisees proudly stood on the shore and watched. They resisted your call because they were resting in their heritage.

May I never forget that there is a difference between being a child of God and living a life led as a child of God!  

And then you, Yeshua, the King of kings and Lord of lords, willingly stepped into the waters of baptism because you willingly followed the Father. What a beautiful display of humble obedience to inspire me to act.  

Oh, Lord, I want to be immersed in the ministry of the Holy Spirit!  

Today I trade watching the ministry of the Holy Spirit for wading deep into those living waters by being willing to trust your still small voice.  

(Pray God’s Word: Matthew 3; James 2:14–26) 

Want more? Click here to read the scriptures.  

Blog written by Aliene Thompson. Aliene Thompson is the founder of Treasured Ministries and the Author of the Nourish Bible Study Series. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019