Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

Live Treasured Podcast and Blog

Mountains Can Move

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That overwhelming mountain before you…the one that is unsettling your soul… you don’t have to handle it on your own. 

“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God.’ I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.” Mark 11:22-25 

Mountains Move with Prayer

Sometimes I get distracted and drag doubt like a dark cloud over my eyes of faith by complaining about the mountain instead of speaking to it.

Instead of addressing the mountain through prayer, I choose to just walk around it, grumbling all the way. I may even throw a pity party and invite a friend or two along. But this never solves my problems. Instead, it adds fuel to them because it turns my focus and faith on the problem instead of Jesus.   

Beware, Braveheart, as you behold the mountain before you. Complaining brings doubt into the equation and never equals a good result.  

Reaching out for godly counsel is wise, but be careful that you don’t end up just sharing your complaints with a friend, and end up going around and around the mountain repeatedly. “But she understands me!” you may want to say. This may be true, but she can’t meet your needs.

Only Jesus can do that.  

Mountains move at prayer parties, not pity parties. When girlfriends gather to pray, great things happen for God’s glory.   

Gather your friends, pray together and watch mountains move! Who will you reach out to today? 

Nourish Scripture: Mark 11:12-25

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.

Freedom from Emotional Abuse

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When emotional abuse exists inside marriage, often victims suffer in silence. Hidden scars confuse. With no visible evidence to validate their experience, many women do not find help and shoulder the responsibility alone. My podcast guest Patti carried that weight for years before walking the courageous road of finding freedom from emotional abuse. Today she stands on the other side with one hand reaching back to help other women. Listen to her story today, gain wisdom and please share this podcast. It is time to break the silence!

You can contact Patti through her website at  www.pattiandco.com 

While in the midst of an abusive relationship, it is not uncommon to struggle with the question, “Is it really abuse?” Answers can be found at https://www.calledtopeace.org/understanding-abuse. Called to Peace Ministries is dedicated to offering hope and healing to victims of abuse.

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Shine

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God would not stop until He won the argument—the lives of His chosen people were at stake. God wanted Moses to shepherd the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt into the freedom and blessings of the Promised Land. But Moses continued to argue.

To protest His God-given purpose.

Never mind the burning bush or the promises of the powerful arm of the great I AM. Never mind his brothers and sisters held captive in slavery. 

Moses was focused on himself and his inadequacies.  

God was not impressed with this false humility. In fact, the Bible says God was angry (Exodus 4:14). When God calls – we have a choice: Will I argue with His Word or align my life with His Word? When we align, we rise and shine. 

False Humility Does Not Reflect His Light

Mmm mm mm. Let that one sit inside your soul for a while. False humility does not impress God. It may win the hearts of religious Pharisees, who pull others down to prop themselves up. But to God, false humility is simply self-focus. False humility forgets about God’s power and paralyzes us with fear.  

It is not about my ability—it’s about my willingness to take God at his Word! 

Sometimes, like Moses, I argue with God.

Who am I to serve you? What will people think? Others don’t respect me because of my past failures. Why would anyone listen to me? I am not good enough. I am inadequate. I am afraid of failing! 

Then others times, I stop trying so hard to “be” and just surrender to the power of the GREAT I AM and rest in him. I am not called to create light—I am called to reflect the light of Jesus by listening to and being led by the Holy Spirit. But when my heart is turned inward in false humility, it is not facing the right direction to reflect his light. 

You are a treasure. God created you to shine by reflecting his glory as you turn your heart to his. 

Your ability or His? Argue or align? Your choice today determines your destiny tomorrow. Lean on God, his strength and ability, and power! His plan. When you surrender, you shine by reflecting his glory, and your life creates a path for others to see Jesus.  

Have you argued with God this week about something he wants you to do? Dwell on his promises in the Bible instead of your inadequacies. Dwell on Jesus and his power—and watch your courage rise! 

Nourish Scripture: Exodus 4 

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.

Faith On Fire

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Like a match struck that creates fire, sometimes mighty steps of faith can turn up the heat in our lives and we might wonder – did I do something wrong? BUT FEAR NOT treasured one. What has come against you will not consume you because God stands with you and is for you. Indeed, those very steps of faith that lit up your world are often the very catalyst to cause others to find Perfect Love. ONWARD!   

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Holy Ground

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It was holy ground—the place where God’s spoken words revealed Moses’ purpose to him. The burning bush grabbed Moses’ attention . . . but it was God’s words that captured his heart. Every syllable was sacred. His words were living and active.

  • They became reality.
  • They shaped Moses’ identity.
  • They changed his life and would, in turn, change the lives of others. 

What is your God-given purpose? When you seek God’s plan by approaching him through the Bible—as Moses approached God’s presence in the burning bush—you too are standing on holy ground.

The Holy Spirit will reveal God’s words . . . his plan for you . . .  to your heart. Your purpose brings value to this world and glorifies God. God is the author of your story. He is the only one who can write those words on your heart. 

You are a treasure. God created you to shine by reflecting his glory as you turn your heart to his. 

The words God whispers to your heart are holy, for they are his. Guard them. They are meant to write your story so the greatest story—the gospel of Jesus Christ—can be told by your life.

Stand on Holy Ground   

Don’t ever trample on the holy ground of your God-given purpose by giving more weight to the words of other people than to God’s. Stay close to God by meditating on the Bible so his words are the loudest. So they drown out words from others—and even from yourself—that would contradict God’s Word or distract you from your God-given purpose.

His words are a sacred trust.

They are the framework for the holy ground in which seeds of the gospel may be planted for others to see Christ. Don’t argue with others or defend yourself.   

The great I AM is calling you, dear friend, and that is enough.  

Nourish Scripture: Exodus 3

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.

Spiritual Abuse

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Spiritual abuse comes in shades of subtle to severe, driving many away from God. Treasured one, never let a false shepherd define your relationship with the Good Shepherd.

In today’s Podcast, we are discussing why you should NOT automatically trust everyone who carries a title and how to make a difference leading well by God’s design.

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Guided by Grace

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Jesus’ yoke is easy and his burden is light. His boundaries keep you in his loving plan for your life (Psalm 16:6). His yoke is like a beautiful boundary around your heart, time, finances, and every area of your life. 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30 NIV) 

In biblical times, animals, usually oxen, were yoked together to complete a task such as plowing a field. Each yoke was specifically designed and uniquely handmade for a particular pair of animals.

More importantly, there was always a lead ox that was stronger and smarter. That lead ox would be yoked to a weaker one. The yoke was designed so the stronger ox would carry the weight, and the weaker one would simply follow along to complete the task.  

The Truth in the Yoke

The truth Jesus taught with this picture is as true for us today as it was to the people back then. He is speaking this to us right now:

Come, take my yoke. Follow me and let me carry the weight. You will find the rest your weary soul has been looking for. My yoke is specifically designed just for you, and when you lay down what you think will give you life, I can bring you an abundant life. The rest I provide is not a rest from problems or a rest that the world gives—it is something far greater. You will never be alone. With my strength, I will lead you to accomplish your God-given purpose.  

While Jesus offers you his yoke, you must choose to come to him and wrap it around your life to live in his freedom and find rest for your soul. 

As you walk by his side, you will have limitless strength to do all God has called you to do.

Pause.

Take time to listen and discover his unique yoke for you lest you become distracted carrying yokes that are not yours to bear.

  • Sometimes people will try to throw another yoke on you. Simply say “no”. You can be confident in Jesus’ yoke for you, even though it may be different from the yoke he has for other women. And that is okay.  
  • Sometimes your old nature may feel unnecessary guilt that prods you to shoulder a responsibility that is not yours. The choices others make about their yoke are their own. If you carry their load, they may never learn to find the yoke Jesus has for them.   
  • Sometimes you may shoulder the weight of shame from what others did to you. There will always be others who are jealous or mean-spirited, and they may have hurt you—but that was their choice. Forgive them so you do not have to carry the weight of their choices anymore. 
  • Sometimes when you move too quickly instead of pausing in prayer to discern God’s will, you might pick up a yoke that is not yours. When you become God’s child, you have the freedom to stop operating out of the “shoulds” and can begin to move to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. 

Operating in grace never flows from guilt but from the guiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

A good work may not be your God work. Liberty is released when you listen to and are led by the Holy Spirit.   

“For in him we live and move and exist.” Acts 17:28 

So remember, brave heart, as you plow the fields together with Jesus, take time to pull into his presence and pray to discern his yoke for you—for it fits you like a glove.  

Nourish Scripture: Matthew 11:25-30

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.

When Suffering Doesn’t Make Sense

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God will not fail you. However, when you find yourself faced with suffering that doesn’t make sense – life feels insecure. Our minds seek endlessly to understand why to gain the security our souls seek – but it never feels like we reach that destination. But in the Father’s arms, we experience an unspeakable peace that surpasses understanding, freedom to process our pain, AND the ability to bounce back.

In today’s Podcast, we are talking about bouncing back from a set back by trading understanding why for trusting your Creator with a childlike faith.

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