Live Treasured Podcast and Blog

Capitol Community Church Retreat

April 19, 2018 by Aliene

Harmony Poem

by Millicent Phillips

Harmony happens when we realize two truths: our voice is valuable and different voices do not COMPETE with our sound they COMPLETE our sound. I was asked to speak on unity this past weekend at a church retreat and I asked Millicent Phillips to write a poem that paints this picture. What she wrote brought me to tears – and I wanted to share it with you.

My Teaching Notes from the Weekend

Please forgive all typos – spelling mistakes and other stuff 🙂 My notes are always in draft form

Session One Notes

Session Two Notes

Pearl Devotion – by Aliene Thompson

Without authenticity, there is no vulnerability. Without vulnerability, there is no intimacy. Without courage to be authentic and release your voice, the connections God created for you cannot happen.

Everything you are—your authentic self, your story, your imperfections, your fears, your dreams, your past—all God has created you to be is a beautiful pearl to treasure and share with those who value your whole heart.

Formed by adversity of sand and surf, true pearls are imperfect, yet they carry great value to those who understand, appreciate, and respect the journey of this jewel. When a pearl comes out of its shell to connect with other treasures, something special happens.

A pearl alone is a beautiful treasure, but when anchored with other treasures on a strong strand, the results are extraordinary. Similarly, when we are authentic with each other, share our voice and held together by God’s agape love, we find the true connection God created us for.

But great courage is required for this true connection. Experience has taught us to fear bringing our real selves and our resources to the table. Perhaps that deep desire for connection deceived our hearts and we made bad decisions to share our treasure with those who had no empathy or because of their own pain could not value our journey.

We shared our story but felt shame from others.
We put ourselves out there and failed.
We loved greatly only to be rejected.
We trusted and were betrayed.
We lived and we were labeled.

And so we falsely believed we were not enough. We stopped really living. We hid. We shut down. We made perfection our goal to shield rejection. We stayed on the surface and had many acquaintances but nothing deep. In our shame, we pulled others down to prop ourselves up. We swung between the two extremes of hiding or trying to hot-wire connection by giving our pearls away to those who trampled on them.

Divine Creation

April 16, 2018 by Aliene

You were designed by God. When he designed you, he was not using a formula. He was flowing with the creativity of his divine nature. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He didn’t overlook any detail. He even knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). He made a masterpiece when he made you. You are “a kind of first fruit” among his creations (James 1:18).

You are a designer’s original.

God was not concerned with worldly standards when he made you. He did not use a mold or cookie cutter. He did not copy you from a magazine cover. He was not concerned with lining you up for perfection. He chose to create and design you so you could fulfill your purpose in life. He put those cracks in you so your life could bring him glory (2 Corinthians 4:7).

Our Gifts Were Given According to God’s Plan

The Lord gave each of us gifts according to his plan for us (1 Corinthians 12:4–12). We are anointed to carry out different callings. When we find our purpose, we are to use our gifts to accomplish God’s plan for us instead of putting ourselves into someone else’s mold, trying to be someone we were not designed to be, desiring someone else’s gifts. Only then are we free to follow the Holy Spirit in fulfilling our calling.

Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”

In this scripture, God says, “I know.” In other words, it is the Lord who knows the most marvelous plan for our lives. Even though God has designed us for his purpose and has plans to prosper us, I am afraid many of us do not know what those plans are because we have not allowed the Lord to define them for us.

The Israelites looked to Joshua to define their boundaries inside the Promised Land. Just as God defined the physical land boundaries for the Israelites, God defines the boundaries of our Promised Land: who we are, what gifts we have, and how we are to use those gifts. After Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he defined each tribe’s allotment in the Land (Joshua 11:23). All Israelites were God’s chosen people, but they lived in different tribes, with different borders.

True success is defined as knowing God’s will and doing it.

The psalmist says, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6).

We Must Pursue Jesus to Reveal God’s Plan

God gives us all different gifts and callings. The boundaries we have are perfect—anything more would be a burden. He has created us and knows what is best for us. Looking beyond your borders prevents you from cultivating your God-given gifts

The Holy Spirit will reveal God’s marvelous plan for our lives if we pursue Jesus.

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him—but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).

Stop allowing the world to set your standards for excellence, and look to Jesus for your boundaries. Value and believe in the divine creation that you are. God does not make mistakes. You are perfectly designed to do what he has called you to do.

True freedom comes when we follow Jesus to be the woman God created us to be.

Jesus is the only one who can bring you into your Promised Land, and Jesus is the only one who can show you your place there. As Christians, we are all God’s children, but we have different allotments and different boundaries—gifts and callings—Jesus gives us through the Holy Spirit. So, take the pen and put it into the Author’s hands by allowing his words to frame your soul. ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: Joshua 13–21

Prayer Warrior

April 9, 2018 by Aliene

Are you are overwhelmed because God has asked you to do something beyond your ability and doubt is starting to build. The next time you catch yourself speaking doubt, quickly choose to exchange those words for a prayer of faith in His unfailing Word.

Childlike faith says, “God, I trust you to answer my prayer in your appointed time by your ability according to your unfailing Word.”

Faith acts like a bridge between God’s promises and the fulfillment of those promises. Prayer is a part of that process. Our prayer life reflects what we believe about God and ourselves. If my prayer life is small what does this say about what I truly believe about God?

Listen to Faith

A religious mindset might lead you to think you must earn God’s answer or even do your own mountain moving, but faith says to stop striving and ask and believe!

Faith says to pray based on who God is not what you think you deserve. Let him sort out your motives, but never pull back in false humility and decide to pray small because the enemy has told you are unworthy to ask. Pray boldly and then leave the results to God.

Joshua was not reluctant to pray boldly. When Joshua fought the five kings of the Amorites, he prayed that the sun would stand still:

On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.” So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies. (Joshua 10:12–13)

Now that was a bold prayer!

Back in biblical times, people believed the sun revolved around the earth. Joshua was asking God to make time stand still. Joshua’s prayer inspires me. The God we serve created the world in six days and invites me to ask him in prayer? For heaven sakes! Pray big and bold!

Joshua’s prayer was not a long one—or even well thought out. It was not a religious prayer, but it was a bold one—and God answered. Never let a Pharisee convince you that prayer has to be a complicated formula with hoops for you to jump through. Prayer is talking to God and he commands us to ask boldly! Because of God’s grace, we can expect God to move mountains for us in his own timing according to his will.

We are blessed to have the King of all creation listening and answering our prayers.

Jesus said, “Ask and you shall receive.”

Ask God for the Impossible

We serve a big God who not only made the sun stand still but can move mountains in our lives. Child of God, pour your heart out to him and ask for the impossible. Brave heart, prayer keeps you dependent on God. When was the last time you poured your heart out to Him in your prayer time and asked for the impossible?

Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.’ Then the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man’s boldness, he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Luke 11:5–10)

Pray boldly and see God answer mightily. So today meditate on these three truths and build childlike faith by rekindling your prayer life.

Your prayer has been heard . . .
Your prayer will be answered in God’s appointed time . . .
Your prayer is always accomplished through God’s ability according to his Word.

In life, it’s only natural for our faith to become fragile. When this happens choose to PRAY! The enemy of your soul would love nothing more than for you to become so frustrated that your prayer life fades. Your prayers are powerful, brave heart. So keep on praying!

Nourish Scripture: Joshua 10–11

Redemption

April 2, 2018 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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Close Connections

April 2, 2018 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.

Be Cautious about Your Alliances

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.

Their wineskins were cracked and mended.
The bread was dry and moldy.

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)!

Look to God for Discernment

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?

Know That God Can Redeem Anything

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

Your Comeback Is Closer Than You Think

March 26, 2018 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.

How the Israelites Arose out of Defeat

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.

In the battle with the Amalekites, the battle plan involved Moses raising his arms in prayer.
In Jericho, the battle plan involved playing trumpets and shouting.
In the battle against Ai, God’s plan involved an ambush and Joshua’s javelin.

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.

Let the Holy Spirit Lead You

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.

The Importance of Changing Your Perspective

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

Soul Ties

March 22, 2018 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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Shutting Out Shame

March 19, 2018 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.

God Restores and Redeems Us

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.

Shutting out Shame Prevents Healing

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.

It’s Time to Confess, Not Hide

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.

Confession brings sin out into the light by bringing it to Jesus.
Confession declares our dependence on God.
Confession keeps us humble and grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice.
Confession allows us to do something to replace our habit of hiding.
Confession to one another builds our compassion.
Confession breaks the silence and the hypocritical pretending because the grace that covers my sin is the same grace that covers yours.

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