You cannot simultaneously harbor self-hatred and genuine love for others and God.

When we harbor feelings of shame, it can be challenging to fully embrace love for others and for God. By confronting shame, we create space in our hearts to authentically love and connect with others. 

Just like heavy rocks buried beneath the surface of the soil, shame acts as an unseen barrier that hinders our roots from fully experiencing the depths of God’s love, so we can bloom and bring a harvest to others. 

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Luke 12:27

Wildflowers confidently confront stones in their way because they know it is all a part of growth. They bloom fearlessly amidst the challenges, embracing each obstacle as an opportunity to strengthen their roots and reach for the sky.

Wildflowers dance in the wind, their vibrant colors a testament to resilience and beauty in the face of adversity. Like these courageous blooms, let us too face our shame confidently with biblical truth head-on, knowing that with each hurdle we overcome, we grow stronger and more radiant. 

In today’s teaching message, find biblical principles to confront shame and find strength to bloom.

ONWARD,

Aliene

Watch today’s teaching message HERE.

The post Where Does Shame Come From? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Shame is a powerful, painful emotion. Giving rise to a relentless inner critic, shame speaks lies which make it hard to see God’s truth about who we really are.

Our natural instinct is to fight back, relying on our own strength to overcome shame and emerge victorious. We keep pushing, and initially, we may triumph.

However, like a persistent opponent, the inner critic grows louder and that unyielding inner critic makes a comeback.

The truth is, addressing shame without God leads to its multiplication. My codependency set up expectations that resulted in condemnation. Living by my list created a sense of continual failure and inadequacy, breeding more shame. My list-style living extended to relationships, as I felt obligated to meet perceived expectations. 

Trying to resolve shame without God only reinforces it, leading to worry, unbelief, and fear.

Throughout history, self-reliance in combating shame has been prevalent. Just as Adam and Eve tried to cover their shame with fig leaves, humanity has long sought to mask shame independently from God.

BUT GOD! 

Aren’t you so glad Jesus came to take your fig leaves and give you freedom instead? 

In today’s message step into the light, shed those fig leaves and prepare to step into deeper levels of freedom from shame. It’s time for you to shine!

ONWARD,

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How Am I Covering My Shame? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Is your heart thirsty for more?

Today, Lord, I exchange idols for intimacy,
codependency for God dependency,
seeking fulfillment my way for seeking you.
In this divine exchange, I find fulfillment and freedom as you’ve intended.

Codependency, a confusing and exhausting state, ensnares us when we place people at the center of our lives instead of God. In his sneaky ways, the enemy drains us by redirecting our efforts.

We find ourselves cradling the idolatry of others, constantly helping and rescuing, yet never fully quenching our thirst. This perpetual chase creates unhealthy cycles, leading us into bondage instead of God’s freedom, leaving us utterly exhausted.

When we change the rudder of our hearts through our choice to put God first – when we make it a lifestyle declaration – everything changes. Remember, we are all designed to serve something or someone. God wired our hearts this way to lead us to Him.

So, why not choose to serve God with joy? He delights in giving us abundant life.

Serving people, things, or even ourselves will always leave us wanting more. Serving God brings true fulfillment. (Deuteronomy 28:47-48)

It is a daily walk of God dependency that leads us to freedom!

Codependency is not a problem to be solved, but a lifestyle to be replaced with daily God dependency. The antidote for codependency is nourishing your soul daily with God’s spoken Word.

This is why we equip women with the Nourish Bible Study Method in the Treasured Tribe – so they can exchange codependency for God dependency and thrive. 

 “Man does not live by bread alone but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.”
– Matthew 4:4

As Paul David Tripp wisely said, “God uses a picture of physical food to point us to universal, spiritual hunger. Life is all about what we look to fill us”

In today’s message, discover the motivator to turn your heart’s rudder, to seek God first and satisfy your soul. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post What Is the Source of Real Love? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

In past podcasts, I’ve discussed boundaries as beneficial to put God first. But have you ever thought about how boundaries prevent others from trying to make YOU their god? 

Relationships can contain a hidden, unhealthy power struggle, producing unhealthy worship on both ends. 

Walking on eggshells to keep abuse at bay, prevent rejection, or maintain the peace, has the potential to position YOU as their god – holding you responsible for their emotions, actions, and comfort. 

Falsely believing you must never let others down by always being there for them, rescuing or fixing them, steps into God’s shoes. 

Has someone blamed you for their ugly words or actions towards you? Did you shoulder unnecessary shame because you mistakenly thought it was your responsibility? 

While we can appreciate and admire, only the Almighty is worthy of worship.

This spiritual boundary set by God is a vital reason to set boundaries with others. When you don’t communicate limits, others could see you as limitless and lean on you in a way that only God is worthy to bear. 

In today’s teaching message, we are diving into how the blood of Jesus provides spiritual boundaries, inviting us to trust God and lead others to do the same.

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post Setting Boundaries to Live Free appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Codependency led me to live in captivity.  

While no physical prison bars confined me, my controlling tendencies and self-sufficiency robbed me of real freedom and prevented me from walking in God’s power.

All in the name of survival, fear and oppression drove me to develop the faulty defense mechanisms of control and self-sufficiency, instead of walking in God’s power under His protection.

Can you relate? 

One of the enemy’s greatest calling cards is using lies to trigger you to function out of fear, rather than faith – to use your armor to fight and fend for yourself.  

Discovering how to discern God’s voice to set boundaries was a vital part of releasing my armor. I was able to take hold of one of the most powerful parts of God’s spiritual armor – the belt of truth.

God’s discernment will give you guidance to set boundaries His way. 

In today’s message, discover how to grow in your discernment, secure the belt of truth, set boundaries with God’s guidance and confidently live out your calling. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How to Discern God’s Voice when Setting Boundaries appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

God is NOT calling you to be a doormat. 

In a perfect world, people respect boundaries. But we all know that life doesn’t work out neat and tidy. 

People are messy.

Just because we set a boundary does not necessarily mean people will respect that boundary. 

Boundary pushers show up in different ways. They display traits like narcissism, immaturity, entitlement, selfishness, privilege, desperation, cluelessness, or a toxic mix of any of these. 

For the love of Pete! These people pursue their desires regardless of your boundaries, often disregarding them completely!

Has someone blown off a boundary you set and you’re looking for how to navigate the situation with wisdom?  In today’s teaching message, discover Biblical strategies to deal with boundary disrespect, God’s Way. 

Much Love,

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How to Handle Boundary Disrespect appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Saying “no” carries its difficulties for everyone.

If you are a codependent, then saying no is especially challenging.

Codependency causes you to become externally referenced, meaning that you look to outside sources to navigate life, find your identity and validate your worth. Seeking this outside input causes a lot of static that can distract you from the Holy Spirit’s leading in your life.

These distractions are like waves that turn your eyes away from the Way Maker. 

Idolatry creates indecision that can impact your confidence to set boundaries. 

The enemy will use your idolatry of man to create confusion and doubt with these racing thoughts…  

Are you sinking in thinking instead of soaring by putting God first? 

God wants to be first in your life. The real you will SHINE out of that relationship!

In today’s teaching message, discover how idolatry brings indecision. Intimacy with God brings confidence in EVERY area of your life, including your confidence to say “no”, so you can put God first! 

It’s time to put God back in the center and live with the joy that flows from putting Him first and becoming who He created you to be. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post How To Stop Codependency’s Confusion appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

You matter. Your life matters.

And when you own that truth, you can live treasured and walk in the light, to be a light, so that others can live cherished too (Exodus 19:4-5, Peter 2:9).  

God has a perfect boundary system designed to protect what is precious to his heart and this includes YOU! But what is precious to God, Satan loves to attack with his destructive lies.

Do you ever hear thoughts like: 

I have heard all of these lies…and they reinforced my codependency!  Why would I want to depend on God if I believed these lies deep in my heart?  

When I started spending time in God’s Word for myself, I saw everything differently….. because I was looking through the lens of truth with eyes of faith. Here’s what the Holy Spirit has written and sealed so strongly in my heart is that I can live in confidence, security and best of all GOD-DEPENDENCY!

God’s boundary system puts me in the security of his care and protection but most of all, it LIBERATES me to live a fulfilled life and become the woman he created me to be. 

Do you want to live in this freedom too?  

Listen to today’s teaching message and open the gift of God’s boundary system to live in freedom as God intended.

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE

The post What Does God Say About Boundaries? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

We do not have to live our lives stuck in patterns we may not even fully understand. We aren’t alone in the search for the root of our pain, and we don’t have to go into what can be a painful experience alone. 

Christ is before us, behind us, and with us. Ask Him to lead you to the pain of your past to allow for genuine and real healing. As we seek Him, we can understand our own hearts and the triggers they have.

We have a lot to relearn, a lifetime of lies and deep-rooted pain, but the power of the cross transcends through time to right those wrongs and confront those lies. 

God’s love is not afraid of where you’ve come from. 

No matter how toxic, He does not see you as too far gone… 

You are simply and wonderfully HIS. 

In today’s teaching message, discover how to let God’s love reclaim your heart and mind to break generational patterns. One day at a time, one step at a time, you can leave blessings in your wake for generations to come. 

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click here.

The post Breaking Generational Patterns appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

In a world that teaches us to depend on sources other than God, it’s easy to become codependent and lose our identity. I know this… I’ve been there.

 At Treasured Ministries, we’re on a mission to help women conquer codependency God’s way, so they can find their voice, develop healthy relationships and thrive. 

This is what I’ve learned in my journey of breaking free from codependency: To walk in our purpose, we need to plug into Godly girl power.

So, what is Godly girl power? 

Godly girl power is God’s all-surpassing power. This is different from worldly power. 

Paul taught the Ephesians about God’s all surpassing power.

“I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources, He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit” Ephesians 3:16

~

“I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe Him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated Him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the Heavenly realms” Ephesians 1:19-20

Those truths that Paul taught are timeless, but having God’s power through the Holy Spirit and tapping into this all-surpassing power, are two different things.

Listen to today’s teaching message from the book of Ephesians, dive into Godly girl power and live in confidence no matter what you might be facing today. 

You’ve got this! ONWARD!

Love,

Aliene.

To watch today’s teaching message, click here.

The post Godly Girl Power appeared first on Treasured Ministries.