Treasured Ministries

Offering women a biblical solution for inner healing

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Completing the Circle

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The sky held onto the heavy golden sun for as long as it could. Slipping through the fingertips of the horizon, the globe of golden light retreated for the day but not without leaving a proper parting gift. Writing with of streams of orange and purple against the backdrop of wispy clouds the sun said a glorious goodbye and welcomed the bright moon to take its turn to captivate the sky.

Reveling in the Circle of Life

Sunrise. Sunset. Seasons in life. The circle of life. 

She sat still and quiet on the mountain top and watched the sunset with great intention as tears fell on her face. Seasons in life. Sunset. Sunrise. The circle of life.

The cool mountain air settled in and she pulled her sweater close around her shoulders and wiped her tears. She felt the Lord’s presence so close and leaned into His heart with an honest prayer to her soulmate as her tears flowed. Her relationship with Jesus was authentic and vulnerable. Her deep love for him was simply an echo of his love and forgiveness towards her. Her journey through hurt, hope and then finally healing was beautiful but in this moment the Holy Spirit revealed it not yet a complete circle. She knew Jesus was asking her to comfort others with the same comfort He had given her.

Sunrise. Sunset. Seasons of life. The circle of life.

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (emphasis mine)

The Women Who Followed Jesus

While Jesus was on the earth, a group of women followed him and ministered to his needs out of their own means (Matthew 27:55, Luke 8:1-3).  These women transformed by the healing touch of Jesus, in turn, served Jesus out of their own means.

“After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.” (Luke 8:1-3 NIV)

Because you belong to Jesus, you have a great capacity to love. How has Jesus comforted you with his words? Complete the circle by sharing those words with others.

God’s Word is a seed that creates a harvest to nurture others. And in doing so, the cycle of God’s love continues to fall on the earth for his glory.

Nurture: to care for and encourage the growth or development of someone.

We were created to nurture, to serve and to lead others by leading them to Jesus.  When we equip women to connect with Christ through His Word and ultimately allow him to nourish their hearts with truth, redefine their identity and the purpose for which they were created, they will experience the freedom, healing, and growth that only He can bring.

Nourish Scripture: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Take the next step by downloading Nourishing Your Heart to learn how to connect with God’s Word in a way that transforms 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.

#68 Why Relationships are Important- Discussion with My Nourish Together Group

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What would I do without the women in my Nourish Together Circle? I don’t even want to go there.

Listen to today’s podcast (Episode #68) as we discuss the barriers women face in finding authentic community and the blessings of having a place where you are loved unconditionally and inspired to become all God has created you to be. 

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Nourish Together

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A pearl alone is a beautiful treasure. But when anchored with other treasures on a strong strand, the results are extraordinary. Similarly, when women are walking by faith in Christ and in fellowship with each other, we find strength to live as God intended.

Women anchored together in fellowship as they follow Christ find strength to flourish.

God never intended us to walk alone.

God never intended you to walk alone.

Opening Your Heart to Community

Opening your heart again to community after you have been hurt or betrayed takes a tremendous amount of courage. I know this by personal experience. I know how the fear of rejection can paralyze your heart.  And I also know from experience that stepping back into a healthy biblical community one baby step at a time was a vital part of healing.

I have heard this so many times, and it is so true…. Community can be where we hurt – but it can also be the place we heal.

Healthy interdependent fellowship with other believers is foundational to our walk with Jesus.

God’s family is a gift to help you grow. Enrich your experience in God’s Word by inviting women to gather. Women are looking for community where they can find acceptance and encouragement to live their purpose. We are better together and when you build community, you change the world. 

Joining Together Allows Us to Nourish Together

There is a strength that stems from a circle of women who stand together that is beautiful, quiet, and powerful. Each woman remaining true to her authentic God-given identity yet together in interdependence in a healthy community of love and truth brings a fullness to life and allows our gifts to flourish in greater measure.

Your study of God’s Word grows when you gather with other women. Lead a group. Build community. Change the world.

ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: Acts 2:42-47

Take the next step and 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.

#67 Why Boundaries Equal Agape Love (Luke 17:1-11)

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Sometimes saying “no” and setting boundaries is a struggle because we feel guilty or unloving towards others. But boundaries often equal agape love.

Find the courage to set boundaries in today’s podcast episode #67 on iTunes as we dive into Luke 17:1-11 so that you can walk in confidence and freedom to live and love as God intended.

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Amazing Grace

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Her life story sang the sweet sounds of amazing grace and created a symphony that drew others to God’s precious gift of salvation through Christ.  Much like an artist carefully and creatively plans each note to create a melody, God orchestrated her steps as she learned to walk by faith in His Words. Instead of creating a melody, these steps created moments linked together for a purpose greater than herself. 

The love of Jesus grabbed her attention . . . but it was God’s words that captured her heart. Every syllable was sacred. His words were living and active. They became reality. They shaped her identity. They changed her life and would, in turn, change the lives of others.

She found her authentic God-given voice by turning her heart towards his so she could listen to and be led by His Words.

Your Purpose Brings Value

What is your God-given purpose? When you seek God’s plan by approaching him through the Bible—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.

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

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

Discover the Sweet Sound of Amazing Grace

God is waiting to lead and guide you into life-changing truth. As you respond to the Word and walk out God’s will for your life in faith, you will receive nourishment that will flow to others as you become more and more the woman God created you to be. Find your voice by turning your heart toward his and creating music defined by steps of faith.

Your authentic God–given identity is needed and necessary. 

Make music one moment at a time. One step of faith at a time. One day at a time. ONWARD!

Nourish Scripture: John 8:1-20

Deepen your connection to 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.

Biblical Meditation

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“And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed.” (Joshua 1:8 MSG)

The Importance of Meditating on Truth

God told Joshua to meditate on truth and that same tool is just as effective for us today.

I am not a warrior like Joshua trying to conquer enemies in the Promised Land, but I am a busy wife, mother, friend, and ministry leader with a desire to live in the direction of my God-given purpose. Just like you, I have distractions and disappointments that have the potential to derail me.

In my busy world where my mind is prone to wander, biblical meditation continues to be the tool that gives me the ability to take my thoughts captive so that I can stand firm in my faith.

As an anchor exists to secure a vessel so it ceases to wander, God’s Word secures our heart to Him no matter what waves we may face during the day. In our information age where our minds are processing information beyond capacity, it has never been more important to develop this discipline designed by God to walk in truth.

Biblical meditation is God’s prescription to take your thoughts captive to his truth. Biblical meditation renews our minds, transforms our thoughts, and strengthens our faith so we can stand firm in our God-given purpose.

Changing My Perspective on Biblical Meditation

Meditate “hagah” |Hebrew|: to speak; to imagine; to mutter

The word meditate in Hebrew means to speak, to imagine, or to mutter. So, for our use, meditation means to ponder over God’s truth by reading the Bible during our quiet time. We reflect on truths revealed by prayerfully speaking God’s Word, and return to those truths to remember and renew our minds during the day.

I would like to clarify one important point here: This meditation is not like the kind endorsed by other religions.

We do not empty our minds. On the contrary, we fill our minds with God and his Word by speaking scriptures. This kind of meditation was God’s idea and, when performed according to his prescription, it will renew your mind and transform your relationship with him. In my podcast this week, we will discuss this further.

Taking our thoughts captive to truth sounds simple, but when I first tried to put this discipline into practice I was frustrated. Then the Lord gave me some wonderful insight:

Every time you allow worries to take over your thoughts, you are renewing your mind. Every time you allow your mind to sit and dwell on a past hurt, you are renewing your mind. Every time you replay something in your past repeatedly in your thoughts, you are renewing your mind. Every time your mind churns and churns, overanalyzing, trying to fix or figure things out that only I can control, you are renewing your mind. However, you are not meditating on the truths that will set you free, but on lies that oppress you.

God allowed me to see that instead of renewing my mind on the truths in his Word, I was meditating on lies from the Enemy. I learned I was meditating not only during my Bible study but also during the day. I learned I had the ability to focus, but too often my thoughts were focused in the wrong direction.

Biblical Meditation Is God’s Prescription

Renewing our minds with truth is God’s prescription for shifting our perspective to an eternal focus so we may live a Spirit-led life. Pulling one truth away from my quiet time in God’s Word and allowing it to travel with me during the day has proven to be both doable and life-changing.

Sometimes it is hard to get started on this journey. Our podcast this week on iTunes and the third step in the Nourish Bible Study Method Renew can help start you on that journey.

Jesus drew from the Scriptures to defeat Satan’s manipulative tactics of temptation so that he could stand firm (Matthew 4:1–11). Similarly, God’s Word is our offensive weapon in the battle against the enemy of our soul.

As you face battles during the day, be like Joshua and Jesus. Stand firm by strengthening your mind to the truth in his Word.

Nourish Scripture:  Ephesians 4:17-24

Take the next step in deepening your connection with 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.

#66 Biblical Meditation

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Biblical meditation is God’s prescription to help us “put on Christ” so we can live and give to others the way God intended.

In today’s podcast on iTunes Episode #66 learn more about biblical meditation and how this discipline can make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you.  Just like you, I have distractions and disappointments that have the potential to derail me. In my busy world where my mind is prone to wander, Biblical meditation continues to be the tool that gives me the ability to take my thoughts captive so that I can stand firm in my faith.

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Renew Your Mind. Change Your Life.

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This past summer our family went out to dinner at City Kitchen in Beaufort, North Carolina, to celebrate a special occasion.

Oh my, do I love that place!

We sat outside on a wrap-around porch with creaky, uneven floors on the second story of the home like a marina. Surrounded by water that held fishing boats and a sky emblazoned with a golden sunset, the amazing ambiance played heavy competition with our delicious dinner. Items gracing our plates included barbecued sweet potatoes, shrimp and grits, braised collards, and seared tuna straight from the waters of the Crystal Coast—one of my favorite places on earth.

Memories made around a restaurant table are just as special as those captured at home.

On the way home, my husband asked us to share what stood out to us the most from our experience at dinner. Each of us shared something different. As we paused to identify the special things at the heart of the evening and share our memories with one another, we relived our time together at City Kitchen.

Reflect, Remember, and Renew Your Mind

The Lord who created us tells us over and over again in his Word to reflect, remember and renew our minds to his Word. As he nourishes our heart with truth – our spiritual food, he encourages us to return to that truth over and over again.

Like a canvas covered with brushstrokes of various colors and shapes, our minds are filled with the fears, heartaches, joys, and victories of our life experiences. Each experience adds a new brushstroke, and over time these brushstrokes begin to form a landscape. Our landscape shapes the way we think and then determines how we act.

While some of our brushstrokes are beautiful, others swirl together to build confusion and deception in our minds.

Allow the Word to Transform Your Mind

God’s kingdom operates differently from this world. Rather than being molded by the world, we need to allow the Word to transform our minds.

Jesus knew we would face battles. He taught the truths and kingdom principles that would equip us to navigate through this world. And he commands us to renew and remember because in our daily lives, we are prone to forget and drift from truth.

Past events often shape our thought life—those things we see, hear, and experience in our everyday life.

While those are actual experiences, they may not line up with God’s truth. 

He wants us to live Kingdom minded with his perspective, with our mind set and controlled by His Spirit to experience life and peace (Romans 8:5–8).

Remain Steady on His Truths

Think of renewing your mind this way: every new truth is like a new brushstroke to capture the landscape of his kingdom. By increasing the capacity of our landscape, we live in greater measure in accordance to the truths in his Word.

Just like a boat tied to its anchor, God wants our thoughts to remain steady on His truths for our lives.

God alone is our Anchor of Truth. As an anchor exists to secure a vessel so it ceases to wander, God’s Word secures our minds and hearts to Him no matter what currents or waves we may face during the day.

This is why the third step in the Nourish Bible Study Method called Renew is completely devoted to this discipline.

Want to find your purpose?  Renew your mind.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. -Romans 12:2

Nourish Scripture: Luke 8:1-15 

Take the next step by downloading Nourishing Your Heart to discover the key to connecting 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.