Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Treasured Devotions

Her Heart for His Glory

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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 Fought for Mary of Bethany

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?

  • Who treated you harshly?
  • Who demanded you meet their every need?
  • Who was the one who abused you?
  • Who used force to control you?
  • Who used you?
  • Who was the one who wounded your spirit?

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.

Jesus Wants to Be the Lord of Your Heart

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.

Resurrection Hope

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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).

Resurrection Hope from Jesus

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.

Your Journey between the Two Bookends

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.

She Called Him Teacher

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In Jesus’ day, rabbis did not teach women. In fact, a rabbi would not speak to a woman if he passed her on the street. But as we peer into the gospels, we see story after story about how Jesus broke through every cultural barrier and social boundary to reach out to women and nourish their hearts with life-giving truth.

I love that about Jesus – don’t you?

Jesus Was Their Teacher

Mary Magdalene called him “Teacher.”

“Teacher!” Mary Magdalene could have called him Savior, Healer, Lord—but she called him “Teacher.” The gospel of John records that precious moment when Mary Magdalene could not bring herself to leave Jesus’ empty tomb. Weeping, she turned from the angels still in the tomb and saw a man she assumed to be a gardener. But when Mary realized the truth—that her Savior was standing before her—she turned to him and exclaimed, “Rabboni,” which is teacher in Hebrew.

Mary of Bethany also called him Teacher.

Martha pulled her sister, Mary of Bethany, away from the mourners, whispering, “The Teacher is here and He wants to see you” (John 11:28). Mary’s heart, saturated in sorrow, did not understand why Jesus had not come in time to save her brother, Lazarus. “Why” was echoing endlessly in her heart when Martha took her to Jesus, who wept with her. A short time later, Christ resurrected her brother from the dead.

Yes, women in the Bible who held Jesus close to their heart called him “Teacher.” Jesus is the Lamb of God, the Prince of Peace, the Bread of Life, the Good Shepherd, Emmanuel (God with us), the Redeemer, King of kings and Lord of lords, but in these moments of great despair, these women called him “Teacher.”

He Empowered Women

Jesus loved and valued women.

He taught them.

And with his words of truth, women were empowered to walk in a new way—by faith and not by sight. Through eyes of faith, these women began to see themselves differently. They saw their circumstances differently. They saw God differently. Their lives were never again the same because of their Teacher.

Today, women around the world continue to encounter Jesus as their Teacher . . . and their lives are forever changed. Through Jesus, these women have overcome all sorts of obstacles, adversity, and challenges with a strength the world cannot offer them.

Still today, when we allow Christ to redefine our identity and the purpose for which we were created, not only are our lives impacted—but also the lives of those around us. From that place of abundance, we can give to others the way God intended. We will join those who came before us, realizing Jesus laid his life down to fight for our heart, releasing us to live fearlessly for his glory as we look to him as our sole source for life.

Let’s step boldly forward to live out our authentic identity and leave blessings in our wake as we lean into and learn from Jesus. Only the Holy Spirit can teach us truth and package it to make a lasting impact on our hearts.

As we call on our Teacher, we will hold our heads a little higher today. We will walk a little wiser. And we will find direction for our decisions today—as we lean on and look to Jesus as our Teacher.

As we call on our Teacher, we will navigate through this storm today. We will find courage to carry on. And we will understand how to walk through this valley we face today—as we lean on and look to Jesus as our Teacher.

Yes, brave heart, today and every day the Teacher is here to see you. Let us, like women of old, treasure the fact that Jesus wants to teach us as we seek truth through his Word.

ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: Luke 10:38-42

Connect to God’s Word and find the truth you seek. 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.

Knowing Your Forgiveness

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The things we feel ourselves wanting to hide from God are often times the things that should be propelling us into His presence.

What the enemy wants us to keep hidden in our hearts is defeated when we bring it to the feet of Jesus, there is victory found when our knees hit the ground at the throne of God.

The Woman Who Knelt at Jesus’ Feet

In Luke 7 we find Jesus, surrounded once again by the “perfect people” of that time, yet His focus is not on those with their heads held high, it is on the precious daughter that has lowered herself in His presence.

This woman, with the reputation that proceeded her, had nothing to give, yet gave everything she could.

 “A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”

This woman, rather than running from Jesus in fear, was propelled by the darkness she carried, she was drawn to His feet and she brought with her the only thing of value she had. Her name, her reputation, her life had wasted away, she had run out of herself and so she ran to new life. She drew so close to Jesus that her hair was at His feet, and in that place of vulnerability she was not met with condemnation.

When the world around her met her act of love and devotion with judgement, Jesus was quick to affirm her in verses 41:47

“Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”

When she drew near to Him He became her ADVOCATE, He became her DEFENDER.

It was her appreciation and acknowledgement of all her shame and all of His forgiveness that brought her to her knees, fearlessly thankful.

When we are willing to recognize just how dire of a situation our hearts were in before salvation, before Jesus, we are able to rejoice that much more in the freedom of our soul.

Call on Jesus and Cast Your Burdens at His Feet

It is the understanding of how heavy our burdens are that makes the act of casting them at the feet of Jesus so beautiful. Jesus will never be disappointed to find us at His feet, we are never unwelcome at the base of His throne, and our burdens, pain, and shame will never be left on our backs after we stand up.

May our hearts never be fooled into believing that the feet of Jesus are for the perfect, they are for everyone, they are for the weary hearts, they are for the wandering spirit, they are for the hidden pain.

Bring your heart, may the shame that binds it be the pain that propels you to call on Jesus again and again. May the still small call of the Father drown out the screaming lies that tell you to stay hidden, that tell you that you are too far gone.

The truth is, by all understanding of this world, we are too far gone, but that cross reached into the grave, into the “far gone” to pull you out. And no one can take that away from you.

Recognize forgiveness for what it is, the great pardon from death, and live as one who knows they have been pulled from the “far gone” into glorious life with Jesus.

Nourish Scripture: Luke 7:36-50

Enter into a glorious life with Jesus by finding nourishment in God’s Word. Download Nourishing Your Heart to discover the key!

Blog written by Millicent Phillips. Millicent is part of the Treasured Ministries writing team. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.

No More Holding Back

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The Widow Who Didn’t Hold Back

No more holding back.

I wonder if the widow in the temple heard those words whispered in her soul as she clutched the warm coins in her hand. Pressing the precious metal into her perspiring palm, she held them tightly for the last time. They were all she had to live on—dropping the coins would declare her dependence on God.

Was she tempted to pull back?

Did insecurity or intimidation grab her thoughts as she was surrounded by the well-to-do?

Did they even notice her?

Her two tiny copper coins were so small compared with the heaps of money the wealthy religious placed in the offering as they paraded by.

But Jesus noticed and asked his disciples to study this wise woman. Through his eyes—the only eyes that mattered—her offering was far greater than the vast amounts of money given for show.

The widow was getting ready to give her all—no holding back.

As she dropped her coins to be captured by the treasure table, the tapping and clinking must have rang out in heaven like a symphony. Jesus watched and beheld the beauty of a woman giving her heart without reservation to him, for where her treasure was, her heart was also (Matthew 6:21).

The widow’s giving was a picture of the principle Jesus had recently taught to a teacher of the law asking which of the commandments was the most important. Pulling in words spoken to the Israelites in the wilderness on the brink of their Promised Land arrival, Jesus captured the essence of following God: no holding back.

‘”Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29-31, emphasis mine).

Giving Jesus Our All

Jesus said the widow in the temple truly gave because she gave all she had. No holding back. Anyone can give out of abundance, but how much more precious is our offering when we are giving Jesus our all. It’s easy to give out of a harvest, but it takes faith to give our last seed when the harvest is yet to come.

As the Bridegroom beheld this sacrificial offering, notice he did not stand in the way of her giving. He did not run toward her, grab her hand, and say, “Are you crazy? This is your very last—your very last! Hold back some to see you through the coming days!”

This passage has always caused me to pause. If our Bridegroom loved the widow, why would he stand back and watch her give everything she had to the temple treasury?

Christine Cain, founder of A21 Ministries, helped me understand why Jesus did not prevent the widow from giving her all in a podcast she recorded. As I listened I learned that it was not that he did not want her needs to be met. Jesus knew her true needs would be met through her giving. Christine Cain said this “her need was met through her seed.” I love that – don’t you?

If Jesus can make money come from the mouth of a fish, he can provide for us in creative ways when there seems to be no way (Matthew 17:27).

Jesus knew the widow’s giving was not about money. It was about her heart. Jesus did not stand in her way because he knew that those who choose to live for the Lord with no holding back are blessed beyond measure.

Often when we have nothing – we discover He is our everything.

She trusted him with all her heart…her brave heart.

When I am down to my last mite of money, my last mite of strength, my last mite of time – let me not pull back in fear but press in to trust you with everything.

Nourish Scripture: Mark 12:29-40

Connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms your life. Discover how by downloading 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.

Great Lengths for Just One

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He went to great lengths to reach her. Jesus crossed all cultural boundaries and social norms to journey to the well at Samaria and wait to speak with just one woman. He was weary from his long trip, but she was worth his journey (John 4:4-8).

Great lengths just for one. I just love this about Jesus—don’t you?

 “Suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:8–10, emphasis mine).

Going to Great Lengths for Just One

Sometimes when we make great efforts but reach only one, we may become weary from our journey. We might even question if we are really making a difference.

Are all our efforts worth so much time and energy?

The world would say success is found only in the fulfillment of great numbers. However, Jesus found fulfillment in just being faithful to do his Father’s will (John 4:34). Sometimes this meant going to great lengths for just one.

Do you feel defeated because you don’t see the results you expected? Take heart today by considering his heart. Jesus went to great lengths for just one. And now He calls you and me to do the same.

“So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Nothing you do for the Lord is useless, brave heart. Nothing!

Measuring Results According to the Heart of Jesus

If you measure results with the world’s value system of numbers, you may become frustrated and feel defeated. When you are tempted to lose heart, remember the heart of Jesus, who went to great lengths to go after one.

Focus on being faithful and let Jesus take care of the fruit.

Your labor to share his love with others is never wasted—even if it reaches just one. Remain strong and immovable in your calling by remembering the heart of Jesus, who went to great lengths for just one.

In our world where success is measured by amounts and numbers, isn’t it refreshing to look through the heart of Jesus to find fresh wind for our sails?

True success is never determined by numbers but by knowing and fulfilling God’s will for your life.

When you are tempted to lose heart in your labor to share his love, remember the heart of Jesus, who went to great lengths to go after ONE.

Onward!

Nourish Scripture: John 4:4–34

Discover how to dive deeper into God’s Word by downloading 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.

Our Salvation, HIS Delight

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The call that we hear to come to Jesus, to taste freedom, and to lay our burdens down is persistent through every stage of life. Often times the voice of the Father seems drowned out by the burdens we carry, it’s hard to hear the call of freedom when we allow chains, already broken, to hang to us.

The call to Jesus is as persistent as the burdens on our backs, but the call of the Father, when answered, is faithful in breaking the burdens every time.

His Eyes Found Her

In Luke 13:10-17 we see Jesus, surrounded by the “righteous” calling to the woman “crippled by a spirit for eighteen years.” It was a room full of the “perfect” and His eyes found her.

“When Jesus saw her, he called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”  Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and praised God.” Luke 13:12-13

Jesus did not see her, doubled over in darkness, and turn away to rather look to the perfect. He saw her, and he called. This is a perfect God, persistently facing our imperfections throughout His life, and reaching out to them.

He did not stop at calling her and speaking freedom over her life, He reached to her and touched her. He loved with His words, with His deliverance, and with His touch. She had no doubt been left aside by the righteous and abandoned by religion. All too fearful of her burdens, and here she is, being called out to among those who had left her behind, by the King of Kings. 

There was no shame or condemnation attached to the voice that called to her, there was only the intention to see her freed of her pain.

 After healing her, the leader of the synagogue was ready to cast judgement on both Jesus and the woman for the act of healing taking place on the Sabbath.

 “The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water?  Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?” Luke 13:15-16

Saving Us Is His Delight

Notice that Jesus did not see breaking her free as work, but rather as a given. To rescue us is his delight. It’s what He came to do, it’s what He wants to do, to see His beloved free. He freed her and brought her to stand straight and look Him in the face, allowed her to worship freely.

Notice also that Jesus’ FIRST identification of her was not her burdens, but rather her lineage and identity in relation to Abraham. Christ sees through our burdens to who He has created us to be. He calls to the identity that He has placed in our hearts to be free and then deals with the burdens that are covering our hearts.

When our hearts are weighed down with the burdens of the enemy it can be hard to hear his voice calling to us. It takes faith to believe that the call to us from Him is still there. The promise he gave to us is that it is.

The question is not whether we are being called to freedom, but if we are walking toward the voice that is calling us. Are we letting the call reach our ears? Are we letting ourselves be held or are we too burdened to even look him in the face?

Nourish Scripture: Luke 13:10-17

Discover how to connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms the way you live. Download Nourishing Your Heart today!

By Millicent Phillips. Millicent is part of the Treasured Ministries writing team. © 2019 Treasured Ministries.

He Sees You

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You’ll make it through this—oh yes you will. One step of courage at a time.

His eyes are on you. Jesus knows the hairs on your head. He sees the tears fall. He knows the storm in your life.

He knows—his eyes are on you and he will fill you with courage and strength.

His Eyes Are on You

  • They are the eyes that watched Mary when she walked forward to anoint her King.

As the disciples bombarded her with insults and condemnation for her extravagant offering, she continued her focus on Jesus, honoring him above all else. He silenced her accusers and spoke highly of her offering. Her bravery, born from the steady endearing gaze of her Savior, propelled her forward.

  • They are the eyes that waited patiently for the Samaritan woman by the well.

Jesus knew everything about her and loved her anyway. His eyes saw right through her defenses, her cycles of unhealthy relationships—to her heart and soul. He knew everything about her. He understood her and saw great potential in her. Because his eyes looked at her differently, she began to see herself and others through his eyes of love.

  • They are the eyes that saw Hagar in the desert.

Alone. Afraid. Abandoned. No husband to protect and provide for her. One greater was watching with divine protection and provision. He saw her. He knew the whole story. Hagar exclaimed, “You are the God who sees me!” His eyes were enough to prompt her to let go of her past and move into her future.

  • They are the eyes that traced the steady stream of tears that fell from Mary Magdalene’s anxious eyes.

Her heart searched for her security. “Where is my Jesus?” Although he stood before her, at first she did not recognize him. With his words, he wiped those tears away, opening her eyes to see him and gain the security that stilled her soul.

You Must Press On

 Press On when others don’t believe in your calling. . . . His eyes are on your every move and are a conduit of His strength. What you have to offer is needed and necessary to this world.

Press On when you are alone, afraid, and abandoned. . . . His eyes are on your every move. His provision and protection are perfect.

 Press On to see yourself the way he sees you. . . . He wants to direct you into truth to set you and those around you free.

 Press On in trials—better yet, embrace them. . . . Faith trusts when we can’t see and looks for his Word to wipe our tears away.

He sees you, brave heart. He knows you, beloved. He hears your cries, beautiful. Praise his name. The King of Glory sees you. Nothing in all creation is hidden from his sight (Hebrews 4:13). Keep your eyes locked on his through worship and prayer. Keep moving even in trials, one step at a time.

“The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Nourish Scripture:  John 20:1-18

Discover how to connect with 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.