Treasured Devotions Archives - Treasured Ministries

In codependency, we view others as powerful and talented, but failed to nurture the gifts that God has bestowed upon us.

Relying on God awakens our individual identity, moves our hearts, and helps us recognize the value that we can bring to others. This takes time when you’ve spent a lifetime seeking validation from others, concealing your true self.

Shame has a way of casting a shadow over our true essence, dimming the light of Christ that should radiate from within us. It whispers lies of unworthiness and incapability, dampening our courage and holding us back from blooming into the beautiful wildflower we were meant to be. 

But as we connect with God, the source of all creation, we can tap into a wellspring of strength and confidence. God can shed the cloak of shame so we can step boldly into our purpose, embracing our full potential becomes not just a possibility, but a joyful journey of building God’s Kingdom.

It’s time to cultivate who God created you to be.

In today’s teaching message release shame and find courage to bloom. It’s time for you to shine!

ONWARD,

Aliene

Watch our teaching message HERE.

The post Can Shame Affect My Purpose? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

Loss is not easy for anyone to face. But when the enemy has attached a stigma to our suffering, the pain intensifies because this adds shame to our loss.

Satan will tell us such lies as:

It’s not ok, to not be okay

You should just get over this, you are not strong in your faith.

This is all your fault.

God must be really disappointed in you.

But by embracing our emotions and seeking God, we can navigate through our loss with courage and resilience. Even in the darkest moments, there is beauty waiting to be born.

Every goodbye paves the way for a fresh start, a new chapter filled with possibilities and growth.

In today’s teaching message navigating through spiritual pain to heal from shame.

ONWARD,

Aliene

Watch our teaching message HERE.

The post How Spiritual Pain Causes Shame appeared first on Treasured Ministries.

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.

There are all kinds of battlefields. 

What is or was your warzone? Where did the enemy of your soul lob his unfair, ferocious, fiery darts relentlessly, one after another – so much so that the crazy became comfortable? 

Perhaps you left your battlefield long ago, but you notice that the battle has not left you.

You still feel anxiety, anger, insecurity, hopelessness, or fear. Often, after a cease-fire, the greatest battle lies ahead – the battle of setting boundaries in your thinking. 

How has the enemy normalized dysfunction so that you settle, instead of setting boundaries to soar? 

Now hear this treasured one – your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. 

In today’s message, see how God can shift your paradigm by painting a new picture of what could be. It’s time to see faith beyond your familiar… with new steps to live in freedom as God intended! 

I am always cheering you on!

ONWARD,

Aliene 

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post Set Boundaries with Yourself by Doing THIS! 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.

You know I am your biggest cheerleader when it comes to setting boundaries. YOU GO GIRL! 

But… have you ever taken a courageous step to set boundaries and experienced frustration instead of freedom, leading to these doubtful thoughts? 

Now, hear this brave soul. Your desire to protect your heart, mind, body, time, and other sacred trusts from the Lord is NOT selfish, wrong, or shameful. 

Sometimes when we set boundaries, the right motive is combined with the wrong methodology, and we wind up wounded instead of free.

The real peace your heart craves comes from setting boundaries, God’s way. 

In our teaching message today, discover and gain the skills you need to set boundaries God’s way and live in freedom as he intended.

ONWARD!

Aliene

To watch today’s teaching message, click HERE.

The post Am I Setting Boundaries Wrong? appeared first on Treasured Ministries.