Balanced

The End of Your Rope

February 25, 2019 by Aliene

It’s easy to find yourself at the end of a rope you’ve overestimated the length of your capacity. It’s an alarming reality to come to when we run out of ourselves in the face of the responsibilities we have taken on.

The strange thing about reaching the end of ourselves is that we reach that point countless times throughout our lives, yet still, we are caught off guard each time it happens.

I hit the end of my rope again recently, and I learned my lesson all over again. And so I am writing this, not only to share and hopefully encourage, but to hold myself accountable with words to paper.

Burdens Rob Our Hearts of Passion

We take on responsibilities for the things that we are passionate about and then leave the things we put on our shoulders out of check. Before we know it our responsibilities become burdens and the burdens slip from our shoulders and invade our hearts, stealing the passion.

It is when we leave our responsibilities unchecked that they rob our hearts of the joy of the passion we have been given.

When our hearts are re-centered around what is not of God we have made idols of what was given to us to glorify him. Whatever our talents, they are GIVEN to us, we have no right to them. When God gives us these desires and passions, he does not intend for us to take them and run, leaving him behind, he wants to run alongside us.

Because I can promise you this, you will run out, you will fail, and you will hit your wall. Try as we might, there is only so much of ourselves that we have to give, there is only so much space on our shoulders before responsibilities have to take up residence in our heart.

We Are Meant to Follow

When I hit my wall I found myself resenting the role of leadership that I was in, the very role I had created for myself became my burden rather than my delight. I looked at those around me and envied them for being able to follow, for getting to learn and not teach. I was exhausted, and I was heartbroken to feel my heart weighed down, rather than lifted, by my role.

I found myself on my knees, hastily praying for strength before having to go to my next responsibility, when God finally broke through the haze.

It was when I was most tired of leading that I was reminded of the greatest role I have in this life: Follower.

There is no obligation from me in this love of the Father other than to merely follow. I do not have to bring anything but my heart on this journey and I need not worry so long as the footsteps I follow are his. I get to be led my whole life, and whatever I am given to lead in the process of this should never be done ahead of the footsteps of the Father, but rather in line.

Let your passions be spurred on by the Father and ignited by your actions, but do not allow them to rob you of your joy, to rob you of your purpose.

Nourish Scripture: 2 Timothy 1

By Millicent Phillips. Millicent is a student at Liberty University and a member of the Treasured Ministries writing team. © Copyright Treasured Ministries 2019

Divine Disconnect

February 18, 2019 by Aliene

Eve Experiencing a Divine Disconnect in the Garden

A flaming sword closed the entrance to the Garden of Eden.

Adam and Eve stood beyond the angel-guarded gate with no way to return to Eden and the tree of life, a previous provision now severed by a sword strategically placed by God himself. Like bitter mingled with sweet, the flaming weapon stood with the mighty cherubim and created an unbreakable barrier to the bounty in Eden.

God let the sword fall to protect Eve from her previous provision and move her forward to a new and greater provision.

She had sinned. If she ate from the tree of life, she would have lived in a sin-filled state forever instead of experiencing the eternal life provided through a new source that would come—JESUS.

A divine disconnect is often designed to protect us and reconnect us to greater provision.

Trading a Past Provision for a Greater One

Have you been severed from a God given-provision that once fed your soul—and don’t understand why it happened?

Was it a job?
A relationship?
A place or position?

Did you try to recapture your past provision only to experience further rejection?

I’ve been there . . . fist pounding at the door in prayer, desperate to understand why God closed a door in my life. Let me back in! Like being slammed by a fast-moving revolving door, anytime I tried to step back into my past provision—wham—I would experience a slap of pain that would send me swiftly backpedaling.

I was angry and living in regret as I pined over my past provision. I failed to keep my eyes on Jesus and take hold of my future.

But now I’m on the other side—and can see. Now I understand. A divine disconnect is often designed to protect us and reconnect us to greater provision.

Have you experienced a painful severing? Trust God, and invest your energy in moving forward by keeping your eyes on Jesus.

Nourish Scripture: Psalm 91

Holy Hold-Up

February 11, 2019 by Aliene

Have you ever thought of the hold-ups in your life as holy hedges of protection? Consider this—during holy hold-ups, the Holy Spirit is hovering and working on your behalf behind the scenes to build something beautiful.

This is an area where I have to continually renew my mind. But I have learned that in the resting and the waiting—in those times in our lives when prayers don’t seem to be answered and we cannot see God working—the Holy Spirit hovers to bring forth a great work of God.

God’s Timing Is Perfect

God created the world with the precision and order of a Master Planner.

Before there were plants, there had to be light to support the plants.
Before there was man, there had to be plants to nourish man.

Nothing was out of order—one step was completed before the next began. His timing was always perfect. And God hasn’t changed. Just as he was the Master Planner of creation, he is building our lives according to his divine purpose and detail.

Sometimes when the Holy Spirit is hovering, I want to hurry and take matters in my own hands—and I get out of step with the Holy Spirit; worry and anxiety set in.

When there are hold-ups in my life and I don’t see God working just yet—how would my attitude change if I consider these hold-ups to be holy?

The Holy Spirit Has a Plan

The Holy Spirit was hovering over a nothingness blob before it turned into something beautiful (Genesis 1:1). When all I see are blobs, may I remember that the Holy Spirit is hovering and has a plan to create something beautiful. When I want to run ahead of God and make things happen, may I remember that the holdup is often a hedge of protection—a gathering of carefully planned provision from the Master Planner.

Rest and trust give us salvation. Often quietness is our strength (Isaiah 30:15).

God is working his master plan and his timing is perfect. Thanking God today for the provision, planning, protection, and divine purpose that come from a Holy Hold-up!

Nourish Scripture: Genesis 1

Mountains Can Move

February 4, 2019 by Aliene

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

Shine

January 28, 2019 by Aliene

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

Holy Ground

January 21, 2019 by Aliene

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

Guided by Grace

January 14, 2019 by Aliene

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

Divine Filter

January 7, 2019 by Aliene

Prioritize and plan your day focusing on God’s unique direction for your life through the filter of prayer. You were not created to do it all, and Jesus does not expect you to do it all. Live with intention by living led by the Holy Spirit day by day.

Pause treasured one, and pray to find direction and live with intention as you become the woman God created you to be.

Spending Time in Prayer

Jesus knows what it feels like to be pulled in many different directions. While he was here on earth there were so many under his care, so many wanting him and needing him.

People pressed in to meet Jesus. Sick people, broken people, and needy people wanting to find relief. With so many needing him, Jesus still paused to pull away in prayer with the Father.

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. Later Simon and the others went out to find him. When they found him, they said, ‘Everyone is looking for you.’ But Jesus replied, ‘We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.’ So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons.” (Mark 1:35-39)

Jesus received clarity for where to travel after his time in prayer. He depended on God for direction to accomplish sharing the gospel.

Likewise, spending time in prayer gives clarity of direction and next steps for our journey to become the woman God created us to be. God-ordained direction diffuses distractions to make us more productive by living with intention.

Find confidence to say “no” to distractions that can leave you overwhelmed and drawn away from your true course in life.

Pray to find your unique direction for your life and for each day.
Uncover the difference between a “good work” and “God’s work” by seeking God.
Live with intention knowing God has your best intentions for you and those you love.
Guard your time to give yourself fully to God’s work for your life.

Your life’s vision or calling may remain the same, but often the Lord wants to change your direction. Daily time with him is vital to keeping in step with the Spirit. When we find the time to fix our eyes on Jesus, he will keep us on his perfect course for our lives.

Keeping in Step with the Spirit

The Bible tells us it is only after we renew our minds that we can “test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). Keeping in step with the Spirit can save us from striving and taking extra steps that are not part of God’s plan for our lives.

When the Lord brings clear focus into our day, our priorities come into place with his perfect will, and we can let go of any responsibilities he is not asking us to bear (Matthew 11:28-29).

The temptation to get involved in many “good things” can distract us from our calling. As we become sensitive to his leading, simplicity and focus come into our day. Our priorities fall into place, and we learn we can stop and take time for the meaningful relationships in our lives.

Seek the Lord for simplicity and focus.

Ask him to show you his will for your life.

Know that adding anything else to our plate, however good it may be, can rob our joy and rob others of opportunities meant for them.

Jesus knows how much we can handle. Wise women live with intention by living led by the Holy Spirit. Prayer is a filter that helps us determine God’s priorities so that we live with focus each day.

Nourish Scripture: Luke 10:1-20