Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing
by Aliene
Are you carrying the consequences of someone else’s bad choices and it’s disrupting your peace? It’s not fair, is it? Now hear this —-you are not left alone to pick up the broken pieces. God has your back.
In today’s Podcast, we discuss paving the way for God’s peace in a fractured world you just can’t fix.
Podcast: Play in new window
by Aliene
You’ve been trusted with a task beyond your ability—but it is not beyond his. Your Creator has a limitless supply. It is in rest we find our strength to return to the work God has called us to do.
“In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isaiah 30:15).
God said this to his chosen people long ago, and he says it to every woman today: “Realize that the Sabbath is the Lord’s gift to you” (Exodus 16:29 NLT).
Keep the Sabbath sacred. Find time to Pause. The Sabbath was made for you.
For that challenge you face . . . for those God has placed in your care . . . you will need Christ’s all-surpassing power. His strength will flow to you in those times of Sabbath you set aside.
Sabbath offers a release from self-reliance and an opportunity to trust God with our time.
Pause.
Often God speaks in a whisper (1 Kings 19:11–12). A quiet soul provides fertile soil to nourish seeds he plants through those whispers for an eternal harvest (Mark 4:20).
Come away from the noisy commotion life creates by stopping your work for a while. Let go of self-reliance. Slip away from survival mode.
You are wise and wise women carve out times of input so they can offer output to others.
The Sabbath was a pause God placed in the middle of the Ten Commandments. The first three commandments center on loving God. The fourth commandment is the Sabbath rest, God’s gift to his people. Commands five through ten deal with loving others.
Did you catch the pause? Do you see the pattern?
Just Pause.
Wise women today see the Sabbath as a gift to open and one of the most beneficial actions you can take to bless your family and others in your care. You cannot release what you don’t receive (John 13).
Keep the Sabbath sacred, for it is God’s gift to you. A gift is given, but we must choose to open it. Carve out times of input so you can be available for output.
With all the demands that knock at your door, pausing from life’s pressures can require mountain-moving faith. In a culture that rewards performance and productivity, have faith to pause.
Just Pause, Brave Heart.
Pause . . . to celebrate and give thanks after completing a God–given work (Genesis 2:2–3).
Pause . . . to dedicate time to worship, pray, and rest in his presence (Exodus 20:8–11, Mark 1:35).
Pause . . . to gather with other believers to find encouragement (Leviticus 23:3, Hebrews 10:25).
Pause . . . to rest in Christ by trusting his Word and finished work on the cross (Hebrews 4:1–12).
God’s love and power cannot be reproduced—they can only be received and given out as we carve out time to rest in him. Agape love is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive from our Maker and release to others.
Jesus often healed on the Sabbath. Treasures await those who open the gift of Sabbath by choosing to pause. Indeed, brave heart . . . the Sabbath is God’s gift to you. Choose to open it, for it is in rest we find our strength to return to the work God has called us to do.
Pause!
Nourish Scripture: Mark 3
Your quiet soul requires nourishment. Download Nourishing Your Heart to find out how to gain the nourishment each Bible passage has for your life.
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
Everyone is looking for a place where they feel loved, accepted, and encouraged to become all God has created us to be.
In today’s podcast, Janel Dinley founder of True Daughter’s Ministry shares how to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance to put others at ease. True Daughters provides a genuine and loving community for girls to know the love of Jesus and find their secure identity in Him.
To find out more about True Daughter’s Ministry click on the link http://www.truedaughters.org/shop/
Podcast: Play in new window
by Aliene
Treasured One,
Before you were born . . . even before I created the world . . . I loved you (Ephesians 1:4). Loving you was not something I felt I had to do out of obligation. No, it was my heart’s desire to love you, and loving you brought me great joy (Ephesians 1:5). In fact, I loved you so much that I gave my Son so you could be completely free to love me (Ephesians 1:6–8).
Sin cannot and will never separate us. Nothing you have done or will ever do could take away my love from you . . . therefore, you and I can have a relationship with no barriers (Ephesians 3:12). No pretending. Nothing between you and me. You cannot lose me. Not even death can separate us (Romans 8:38).
Jesus invited her to place her confidence in him and rest from her self-efforts, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform her heart from within. He brought her new wineskins to carry the covenant.
However, she clutched tightly to her old wineskins, afraid of change.
I must pour this new wine into my old wineskins, she thought. I will depend on Jesus, yes . . . and on myself.
Her mix of self-efforts and faith in Jesus gave her a false sense of security. She thought she could control her world . . . but she couldn’t. Eventually, her old wineskins burst, and her new wine spilled out.
Her life had not been easy. She had been wounded long before, but she had determined to survive—alone. I must be strong to protect myself from pain, she vowed, and that vow became her religion. She was so busy trying to be strong and shielding herself from grief that she didn’t give to Jesus what He truly desired: her pain.
That is my story…can you relate?
“No one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins” (Mark 2:22).
The old wineskins represent our efforts to be good enough to win God’s favor. To work things out on our own. To earn love by keeping the law. But the new wineskins represent the new approach by grace brought to us by Jesus and a new way of walking – by faith in his power.
When, in the second chapter of Mark, the men lowered their paralytic friend through the ceiling to Jesus so that he could be healed, Jesus was impressed with their persistent faith—they proved that they would do whatever it took to bring their paralyzed friend to Jesus.
Walking by faith does not mean a lack of action or responsibility on our end. The men took action because of their faith in Jesus. Faith and action always walk hand in hand (James 2:14-26).
We intercept our insecurities through deeper intimacy with Jesus. And deeper intimacy inspires the trust to walk by faith.
We follow Jesus out of love.
We are connected to him through trust and love, not control.
As the Holy Spirit prompts us and we respond, we find ourselves moving away from self-sufficiency towards complete dependence on God. This movement towards him not only impacts our lives but also the lives around us.
We take hold of God’s purpose for our lives by being led by the Holy Spirit to become all he has created us to be. “I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees.” (Ezekiel 36:27)
This is not a call to legalism or fixed formulas but an invitation to follow Jesus so that the greatest story—the gospel of Jesus Christ—can be told.
Nourish Scripture: Mark 2
Download Nourishing Your Heart so you can connect with God’s Word and take hold of his purpose for your life!
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
Leading others out of a place of refreshment instead of resentment happens through God’s abundance. But sometimes our subconscious will resist receiving and argue with abundance, resulting in actions that block the flow of generosity, leaving us worn out and weary instead of rejuvenated by giving.
In today’s Podcast learn how to cultivate courageous generosity God’s way.
Podcast: Play in new window
by Aliene
Jesus and his companions went to the town of Capernaum. When the Sabbath day came, he went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law.
Suddenly, a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, “Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”
But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him. Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened.
“What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders!” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. (Mark 1:21-28)
The presence of Jesus was captivating. Many traveling rabbis came to teach in the synagogues, but this man’s words carried power.
Who was he?
His teaching came with authority.
His presence brought peace and order.
His words pushed evil away, and the people were amazed.
His power was paired with compassion that moved him to heal the hurting and touch the untouchable. People followed Jesus everywhere. His teaching and touch captivated the hearts of those he would save.
Jesus is still captivating hearts today.
As Jesus captures our hearts with his words, we capture the life we were created to live.
Pausing from life’s pressures to spend time with Jesus through prayer is a gift. We learn to trust as we learn more about the one who is trustworthy. Time with Jesus is essential to the health of our souls. Knowing God, seeking him through his Word and prayer – pausing and pulling away to experience his presence is powerful.
The presence of Jesus freed the man controlled by evil spirits in the synagogue at Capernaum (Mark 1:23-26). His testimony must have been amazing to hear. I wonder how many Sabbaths he had sat in the synagogue hoping to be delivered from the demon’s control.
While going to the synagogue was a good thing, it was the power of Jesus’s presence that set him free.
Attending church is a wonderful part of our Christian faith, but only connecting with Jesus can free us from the life-controlling issues we face. Religion has no real power to change us – only by connecting with Jesus through a relationship are we set free. God is not merely a rule maker – he is a heart-changer.
Jesus came to set us free from anything that seeks to control us.
The demon of an unforgiving spirit. Jesus has the power to release whatever is controlling you so can be free to follow him.
That day in Capernaum, Jesus silenced the evil and freed the man with his stern and passionate command to the demon: “Come out of him!” (Mark 1:25). Jesus is as passionate about bringing rest to your soul as he was to free this man. As you sit in the healing presence of Jesus, he will set you free from negative forces with the power of the Holy Spirit
Sometimes rescue is immediate—as it was for the man at Capernaum. Other times, it is a process. We must trust Jesus to transform us in his way and in his time (Philippians 1:6). When we abide in him, we bear fruit that matters (John 15:5).
Find all of this and more as you turn away from your busy schedules to pause, pray and come into the healing presence of Jesus.
Nourish Scripture: Mark 1
Come into the healing presence of Jesus by downloading Nourishing Your Heart and discovering how to THRIVE on God’s Word.
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
Solitude nourishes our souls and creates room to hear God’s still small voice, yet often clutter crowds out this opportunity. Dedicating a space in your home designed for spending time in God’s presence is a solution to a lack of solitude.
Want more? Today’s podcast is an audio message taken from Dream Builder. This six-week study on Joseph and the Patriarchs written by Aliene Thompson is a part of the Nourish Bible Study Series.
Podcast: Play in new window
by Aliene
She was confident and stunning. With lace covering her shoulders and an heirloom tiara precisely positioned in her hair, Kate Middleton reflected a natural beauty on her wedding day. Elegance cascaded effortlessly as she advanced down the lengthy aisle of awe-inspiring Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011. With her father by her side, every step along the royal red carpet brought her closer to being joined to Prince William in holy matrimony.
The royal wedding was not simply a grand affair—it was a global event.
Ladies wearing fashionable hats in many hues and men in their finest, royalty and well-to-do, witnessed history as a young lady became a princess. Besides those present, eyes from around the world connected through television and the Internet to be a part—if only remotely—of a stirring historic wedding.
Relaxing on a comfy couch before the flat-screen, I was one of the billions who set aside time to watch this spectacular occasion.
I know that fairy tales aren’t real; still, I enjoyed lingering in a land of queens, kings, and castles where it’s easy to imagine that fairy tales, as the song lyrics insist, can come true. Lost in the wonder and fanfare of the moment, I found myself forgetting that beyond this enchanting extravagance, marriage is a solemn and spiritual occasion designed by the Creator himself.
The Bishop of London, Dr. Richard Chartres, who officiated that day, reminded me of this. As he stood at the podium, his deep voice filled the hall with a warmth that beckoned my attention and shifted my focus to Jesus, my heavenly Bridegroom.
Like a full moon that provides the brightest light in a star-filled sky, his carefully expressed homily highlighted this simple truth: Only Christ can complete our lives and give us the security we need so we can give to others.
“As the reality of God has faded from so many lives in the West, there has been a corresponding inflation of expectations that personal relations alone will supply meaning and happiness in life. This is to load our partner with too great a burden. We are all incomplete: We all need the love that is secure, rather than oppressive; we need mutual forgiveness to thrive.”
Remarkable truth.
As his words rolled around in my head for a moment, the glamour of this Cinderella day seemed to fade into the background. I realized that even a prince with the world at his fingertips could not provide his bride with enough security.
Even a prince who bestows his bride with the title of princess cannot give her enough significance to satisfy.
Even a deeply devoted husband cannot provide his wife with all the love and acceptance she needs.
Everlasting joy, security, and true rest for our souls come not from belonging to a person or holding a certain position or gaining worldly possessions—but by trusting a Savior.
Welcome to Sweet Sixteen: A Treasured Ministries Weekly Word Series Study on the sixteen chapters in the Gospel According to Mark.
Jesus said that if we seek him, we will find him.
Let’s seek Jesus this summer with an open heart that dares to believe that our he is all we’ll ever need. Here is what you can expect:
Jesus is worthy of our trust. His provision is not simply for the future, for everlasting life in heaven; his name already brings salvation and healing to our souls. Our salvation—our security in Jesus—begins with abundant life here on earth (John 10:10). He loves us unconditionally and wants the best for us.
Let this summer inspire a whole new level of trusting Jesus, one that we can experience together. We belong to Jesus—the only one who can complete our lives and give us the security we need so that we can freely give to others.
Invite a friend to join you! Let’s do this!
Blessings,
Aliene
You’ve been promised a joyous life. Download Nourishing Your Heart to learn how to connect with God’s Word and transform the way you live!
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.
