Treasured Ministries

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God’s Love Letter

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Before you were born . . . I loved you (Ephesians 1:4). 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 ever take away my love from you . . . and so you and I can have a relationship with no barriers (Ephesians 1:7; 3:12). No pretending.

You cannot lose me. Not even death can separate us (Ephesians 8:38).

I am a good Father—the perfect father (Ephesians 1:5 & 8). Do not look for an earthly father as an example of me—there is only one God. I am he (Isaiah 45:5).  You can trust my love for you because not only am I loving . . . I AM LOVE (1 John 4:16). Not just any love—but AGAPE love. Perfect (1 John 4:18). Unconditional.

You Are Part of a Family…

You belong (Ephesians 1:3). You are a part of a family (Ephesians 1:5). You are never alone (Hebrews 13:5). Not today. Not ever (Ephesians 1:14). You have complete security in me. I am always here if you need to talk to me. I hope you will get to know me better and understand more every day about the depths of my love for you (Ephesians 1:16-17).

 I am also the master planner (Isaiah 25:1; Ephesians 1:11). You don’t have to worry about your future. And sometimes I am a mysterious planner (Ephesians 1:9) My ways are so much higher than yours (Isaiah 55:8-9).  It is in the mystery of not knowing the full blueprint that you have to use your faith and continue seeking me—which is the best place for you to be (Ephesians 1:16).

 Just trust and follow me. I am full of wisdom (Ephesians 1:8). You can be completely confident in that still small voice that is leading you (1 Kings 19:11-13; John 10:4). Don’t worry about tomorrow I always work out everything according to my plan (Ephesians 1:11). And the plans I have for you are to prosper you and not to harm you.

They are to give you a hope for the future (Jeremiah 29:11).

When this broken world gets hard and bruises your soul, remember I have prepared a place for you in eternity–you have an inheritance beyond your comprehension (Ephesians 1:11). So when life gets hard—look up, find hope and live differently (Ephesians 1:18) 

The Holy Spirit Will Bring You Peace…

The peace the Holy Spirit will bring you amid any storm is like a holy thread connecting you to heaven (Ephesians 1:13).  Let it remind you that I am with you and will never leave you.

I am here as your Father to help you through whatever you face. In the midst of life’s pressures, pause and enjoy the presence of my Holy Spirit and taste of what is yet to come.

 Most of all, I want you to understand that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead, the same power that caused the Red Sea to split, is the power that lives inside you (Ephesians 1:19). So plug into this power simply by pulling away from the chaos and into my presence.

You are my masterpiece and I have a good work I planned for you to do before you were born (Ephesians 2:10). Becoming the woman you were created to be is one of the greatest gifts you can give this world.

 Don’t use your faith just to survive. Use it to surrender and you will find my power is all you need.

 So remember the greatness that is within you.

You are loved and accepted.

You are part of a family. 

So stand tall and rise up. See your very weakness as a doorway to depending on me so you can do great things for my glory.

You are a treasure.

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.

Core Strength

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As you wait and spread the wings of your heart through complete surrender, the very breath of God fills you with quiet strength and lifts your life to soar. And from that eternal perspective, you are carried with strength beyond your understanding for a purpose for beyond yourself.

“But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

You were not made to strive in your limited strength. You were created to soar with godly girl power as you surrender to Christ and live for his glory.

Godly Girl Power Is Your Core Strength

Godly girl power is God’s all-surpassing power. This is different from worldly power. Worldly power is outward control dependent on other people and things and focuses on self. Godly girl power is the inner core strength of a woman led confidently by God to walk in love and live for his glory no matter what circumstances she faces.

Love is the most powerful force, and that is what godly girl power is all about.

Be wise brave heart by letting this core truth anchor you during seasons of waiting.

Disappointments can cause our hearts slowly to drift away as we pull up our self-protective measures. We take over the reins of our life again. Vow to pull ourselves up by our boot straps. Giving our whole heart to God seems risky, so while we might play the part by attending church, our hearts are far away from God. I’ve been there – how about you.

In our Nourish Scripture this week we see that this drift eventually happened to the church of Ephesus. They are reminded to reflect back to rekindle that love into action (Revelation 2:1-7)

Take Time to Pause and Reflect

Today is designed as a pause just for you to reflect and review the lessons we learned together on godly girl power through the book of Ephesians. Each truth is connected back to the respective devotion so you can linger longer on lessons that invite your attention.

What truth was your favorite?

Which one will you share with another that has been hit by a wave in life and needs to be anchored to truth so she won’t drift?

Above all remember you were created and redeemed to love God with all your heart and love others as yourself (Mark 12:30-31).  Love is the most powerful force in the world, and that is what Godly girl power is all about.

  • Power always comes from a source. Godly girl power comes only from God himself. To plug into God’s power, we must pause and pull into his presence daily.
  • God’s perfect love casts out fear. She who is brave is free to live for Him.
  • When a strong current of emotions hits your heart, reach out to Jesus for clear direction to stay steady on the path of your purpose.
  • Godly girl power flows from great expectations laid at the feet of our mighty God, who can do “immeasurably more” that we could ever ask in prayer. EXPAND your prayer life to reflect the greatness of our Almighty God.
  • One of the greatest gifts you can bring to the world is becoming the woman God created you to be. Part of that journey part is to embrace your spiritual gifts and use them to love others and fulfill your God-given purpose.
  • Forgiveness carves a path for the mighty river of his love and power to flow.
  • Light overcomes darkness. Shine brightly. Love Bravely
  • Allowing Christ to redefine our identity and the purpose for which we were created not only impacts our life but the lives of those around us.
  • Wise women train hard for the race of a life that glorifies God by gearing up with God’s Word. Align your life with Godly girl power by putting on the armor of God.

 Nourish Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Want more? Discover the key to connecting with God’s Word in a way that will transform 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.

Got Sword?

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You are God’s child. As his daughter, you can walk in the assurance that He can help you today with whatever battle you face—no matter what it is.

But like an unexpected wave, life’s battles can take us by surprise and we might find ourselves fighting for air instead of forging ahead in our God given-purpose. If that is you today – do not quit! Reach for the armor of God. Putting on the armor is proactive and requires action on your part.

Facing a battle?

You are not alone.

Find inspiration through Brooke McGee’s story to BE PROACTIVE instead of REACTIVE. Gear up for battle with God’s armor to gain godly girl power. Find confidence in the middle of your storm.

Brooke’s Story

“I was 28, married, great job, loved the Lord, had just gotten back from another overseas mission trip, and was at the end of the first trimester of my first and long-awaited pregnancy! Life was great, and it was easy to say “blessed be the name of the Lord.” I meant it with all my heart, but it was easy because my life was easy.  

 A week after seeing my baby move around on the ultrasound, I was completely and utterly devastated when my baby’s heart stopped beating, and I would go in the hospital as a pregnant, hopeful, future mommy and leave empty-handed and heart-broken.  This was my first brutal taste of suffering in a sinful world.  

All of a sudden, I was forced to face what I had been taught, studied, and believed.  Was God really sovereign? How would this be worked into good?

At the same time as this deep sorrow, I also was experiencing the abundant grace of the Lord and the peace that passes all understanding that I had read about and sung about all my life.  I had experienced a valley, and there was no going back to who I was before.  I felt that I was experiencing such an intense growth spurt as well as a new level of attacks from the enemy all at the same time.

When we are walking through suffering with the Light of the World, Satan hates the glory that the Lord receives as we cry blessed be the name of the Lord and show Christ to the world.  The lies of the enemy are crafty.

He would want me to believe this was my fault.

He would want me to withdraw in shame and sorrow without hope and cover my light.

He wouldn’t want me to share with the world the reason for the hope that I have and why I can in my pain lift my hands to my Lord and rejoice.

There was a battle going on and I was a new warrior.

I sought the wisdom of a well-respected friend and asked her to mentor me through this process, and the Lord used this relationship to change my life.  She encouraged me to meditate on scripture and to memorize it.  I had grown up in church and had memorized verses here and there (and of course knew the key gospel verses), but memorizing chunks of scripture at a time was a daunting challenge. She encouraged me to pick of a book of the Bible and just go for it one verse at a time.  

 I, of course, was flooded with excuses of limited time and poor memory, but she said to me,”if I can do it, you can do it”.  Well, I humbly gave it a go.  It took a little bit to figure out what version worked best for my memory and to find a technique that fit me. I was slow, but it got easier and easier.  

 Then, the most amazing thing happened!!!!  As I carried around the sword in my mind and on my heart, it was suddenly relevant all the time!  It was relevant in conversations with friends, coworkers, and it was my weapon in the times when I was alone and the enemy would whisper and seek to discourage.  

About six months later, I found myself back in the hospital toward the end of the first trimester of my second pregnancy.  What appeared to be another devastating miscarriage ended up being a sub chorionic hemorrhage that would resolve, and eventually, I would give birth to my little boy. However, while laying in the hospital waiting for the ultrasound, I thought I had lost him.  I remember so clearly praying that the Lord would give me strength and grace to get through this again.  

This time was different though- I had my sword!

I had the first few chapters of James already in my head and was able to meditate on it while laying there feeling anxious and afraid.  GAME CHANGER! WARRIOR!

For me this was the beginning of a marathon of different trials, but the Lord was teaching me to fuel up with His word and run hard. He is teaching me how to prepare for battle!

My next 7 years would include more miscarriages, an overseas move, the sudden death of my mother, and many other ups and downs.  

No matter the season, whether mountain or valley, studying the Word and memorizing the word will always produce fruit that glorifies God and points others to the Light of the World.

Run hard and carry your sword!  If I can do it, you can do it!”

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil….. take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13 & 17, emphasis mine)

Take the Sword with You

God’s Word is our offensive piece of armor in the battle against the enemy of our soul. Jesus drew from the scriptures to defeat Satan’s manipulative tactics of temptation so he could stand firm (Matthew 4:1-11). You too can walk in victory, as you “take the sword with you” through memory and speak it out loud like Jesus. Memorization allows us to “take the sword with us” by having direct access to life-changing truths anytime and anywhere.

Got sword? Godly girl power flows from a woman geared up with God’s Word.

In this week’s podcast Brooke shares an effective strategy to memorize God’s Word in 7 simple steps. Listen to the podcast, and discover how  to “take your sword” with you to be strong in any battle you face. We will tackle every piece of armor and discuss what it means to “put on” the armor of God in our Facebook Live on Wednesday…. See you there!

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20

Want more? Learn how to apply the Nourish Bible Study Method and develop a deeper connection with God’s Word by downloading Nourishing Your Heart.

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.

7 Steps to Memorize God’s Word

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Memorizing God’s Word allows us to “take the sword with us” by having direct access to life-changing truths anytime and anywhere.  But often we don’t incorporate this discipline because we think scripture memory will be too hard or is something kids should do.  In today’s podcast Brooke McGee shares an effective strategy to memorize God’s Word in 7 simple steps.

Listen to the podcast, and discover how  to “take your sword” with you to be strong in any battle you face. God’s Word is our offensive piece of armor in the battle against the enemy of our soul. Jesus drew from the scriptures to defeat Satan’s manipulative tactics of temptation so he could stand firm (Matthew 4:1-11). You too can walk in victory, as you “take the sword with you” through memory and speak it out loud like Jesus.

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Legacy

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Hey brave heart, leave blessings in your wake for future generations and make a difference. You can spend a lifetime replaying your past or trying to change your family members. You can play the blame game. I know this – I’ve been there. This doesn’t solve things, and it gives power to people who cannot God’s build the dream in your life.

OR Brave heart, you can trust God your Heavenly Father and move forward. I like that better – don’t you?

The Role Women Play in God’s Design for Families

Inside God’s design for family wives are to be loved as Christ loved the church. This love was sacrificial.

It was costly.

It brought beauty.

Daughters are to be valued and raised without anger through unconditional love. Wives are to respect and submit to their husbands. Indeed, inside God’s family framework we find a model of how God intends to relate to us.

The family should be a place of rest, solace, love – a place where we are free to make the mistakes necessary to uncover our true potential – a refuge from the storms of life.

Sadly, under the weight of a broken world, the reality of a perfect family is fractured. Every woman has imperfections in her family. While God’s framework for family is perfect …we are not. The perfect family does not exist because there are no perfect people. But sometimes those fractures are so great, that our hearts can carry deep wounds. I believe this grieves the heart of God.

Be wise brave heart. As much as there is a God that loves us and wants us to have his design for family, there is an enemy of our souls who would love to destroy family. Don’t believe his lies that God’s framework for family doesn’t work – it was fallen humanity that was not there to love you.

The Strength of Family

Never forget that following Paul’s description of God’s family framework in the book of Ephesians, he writes about our war with the enemy. This order in scripture is no accident. The enemy knows that there is strength in family and would love nothing more to destroy God’s design (Ephesians 5:21-6:20).

God in his great redemption has a plan for restoration for our hearts through Jesus. You have a heavenly Father that wants to nourish your heart with truth so you can live the life you were created and redeemed to live. As God’s adopted children through Christ, we can reach out to our true Father and hold on to him.

The key is to turn to God, live by the Spirit, and allow Jesus to have the greatest impact in your life. Researching and analyzing our family can help us understand why we are the way we are, but only the Holy Spirit can change us from the inside out.  This is godly girl power. ONWARD!

This is not easy. No one would question that our background shapes our character. The people in our lives influence the way we are.

All of us have those negative cycles that may feel like inescapable realities. But the reality is we can break the cycles by making new choices.

We can choose new life and new legacies for our children.

Leave a Legacy for Future Generations

God brings a solution that surpasses self-help, self-determination, self-effort: God’s solution is found in sonship. God not only adopts you but longs for you to live “led” as his daughter.

Through Christ, we are adopted into a new family and given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to walk in a new way of life. It’s not an instant change. If you want to live in the freedom of this new family, God will lead you on a slow and deep journey of beautiful internal transformation. This journey is called discipleship. It’s a lifetime process directed by the Holy Spirit. Listen, follow, and watch God unravel cycle after cycle as you surrender to him.

Cutting new paths is not easy and takes time. Cycles, even if they are destructive, feel comfortable, so moving beyond them is a process.

Leave blessings in your wake for future generations and see new legacies continue to emerge. Reestablish God’s framework in YOUR family and leave a legacy. (Be the first if you have to, brave heart. What an honor!)

Could there be any greater blessing in life than that?

While your family background may influence your character, it doesn’t define your God-given destiny. May the gospel of Christ, which brings you into God’s family give you hope to live beyond your broken family by living by the Spirit.

You are a treasure.

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-6:9

Want more? Download Nourishing Your Heart to learn how to connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms 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.

Shine

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Once surrounded by the shadows of shame from her wounded heart, the dark cloud of depression settled above her and hiding light in her life. She felt heavy. Dark thoughts echoed in her head from the way she was treated.  Seeking relief from the pain from shame her temporary fixes only gave short-lived relief and slipped her soul in further darkness.

How the Light of Christ Pierces through Darkness

But then one day, someone shared the light of Christ with her. This Light pierced through the pain to see clearly beyond the words that wounded her heart and eclipsed her thinking. This light was powerful. The darkness could not overcome this light (John 1:4-5, Ephesians 5:8-9 )

Jesus. The light of the world. Jesus carried both grace and truth to the world – to her. She saw herself differently. She saw God differently. He was love and truth.

The life of Christ awakened inside her and changed her completely. She found herself singing songs of praise and her heart found the beat of joy again.

Much like the light of candles that grow in a Christmas candle light service as light is shared from one candle to another…someone brought this light to her, and now she wanted to make the most out of every opportunity to share this light with others.

At first, she was confused because she felt if she held out truth, she had to let go of love. And at other times she felt if she held out love, she had to let go of truth.

However, the Lord showed her truth defined love and love defined truth. It was not truth OR love. It was not one or the other. Both were needed, but in order to create the right balance, instead of hanging onto one or the other…Jesus told her:

Hang onto me by holding on tight to the Holy Spirit. As you are lead by the Holy Spirit you will walk in love and truth so that they intertwine to create just the right current to carry my light to a dark broken world.

Allow the Light of Jesus to Shine in You

And as she was led by the Lord, a pattern of love and truth came so closely together that others saw the light of Jesus shining brightly in her.

Love and truth find perfect balance as we are filled with the Holy Spirit to share the light of Christ.

Light overcomes darkness. That’s godly girl power. Shine brightly. Love bravely.

ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

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.