Woman: Wonderfully Made

Do You Trust in Your Faith or Your Eyes?
Posted by Ayesha on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 11:11pm
READ: Matthew 13:1-23; Hebrews 12:12; Hebrews 11:1 This past Sunday I was listening to a gospel show, and the minister asked, "Is your faith limited by what you can see?" I reflected on this question as I drove to church. The minister continued by comparing a person whose faith was strong even in the midst of an obstacle to a person whose was affected by the tragedy of her situation. Which person are you? Do you have faith that can move mountains or is your faith limited by the simple things your eyes can see? Life is full of distractions: attractive, stimulating, enticing, and often deceitful distractions. Even the good things in life can distract you from having complete faith or devotion to Christ; things like family, husband, church activities, volunteer work, or your child's ballet recital or football game. Hebrew 11:1 says, that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." What do you see? Do you allow what you see to hinder your faith? Faith is a deep certainty that even though you cannot physically touch or see Jesus, you know he exists. You know he died on the cross for you, loves you even though you have never met him face-to-face, and protects, blesses, and provides for you. Click the link to read the rest of the Bible Study posted at: http://divine-princess.com/page/1oao4/Bible_Studies.html struggling
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I Wrestled with My Daughter
Posted by Ayesha on Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 10:19pm
I started a working on a new project in Las Vegas and it is very intense, long hours, and 6 days a week. It is definitely a change for me and my family. Essentially, I have put my life on hold to be a part of this very unique project. I am excited about it, but concerned about how my family will do over the next 3 months. I have to admit, I'm also concerned about me. I am already going through withdraw. We are very close and I've spent less than an hour with my teenager in the past 3 days. However, I got to wrestle with my baby today. My baby is 9, not really a baby anymore. She loves to wrestle with me; her idea of snuggling. So I clearly beat her 3-0. Then I let her wear me out for the last match which was winner takes all. She won! I'm just grateful for the 30 minutes we spent giggling, and "snuggling". I am having no more babies, so I am savoring every moment. I don't want to miss the last 2 years my teenager will spend at home or the next few years before I have another teenager. I keep wishing I had a few years of my 9 year old being 3, my favorite age. Kudos to my husband and mom. My hubby had made me breakfast 2 days in a row and my mom is essentially taking care of my baby everyday. My hubby let me drive his new VW CC, and I loved the speed. It's a good thing I have the base, base, base model of the Dodge Charger - it's a beautiful red, but no speed. If it did I would end up getting a ticket everyday...everyday! But I digress, I pray for the stolen moments with my family and that we can survive the next 3 months, happy and grateful for each other and the blessing of working and having resources. "I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 My new theme Scripture. May it propel me through what is sure to be an exciting, yet challenging next 3 months. Blessings to you, Ayesha LaNique joy
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Spiritual Prostitution: 1 Simple Question
Posted by Ayesha on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 11:49pm
READ: Ezekiel 16: 1-63; Hebrews 12:24; 1 Corinthians 7:22-23; Mark 12:28-31 When I read Ezekiel 16, I was floored and humbled and shameful. It reminded me so much of my past. I felt like, "This is me. This one chapter in the Bible depicts my life." Ezekiel accuses Jerusalem, a city claimed by David for the Israelites, of prostitution for leaving God to worship idols and pagan gods, thereby giving herself away to any and every trend, religion, and man who passed by, holding nothing sacred for the Lord. Ezekiel even goes as far to say that Jerusalem is more sinful than Samaria and Sodom. If you recall, Sodom was destroyed for her sexual immorality, lust, and perverse ways. In the Christian world Sodom is the example of what not to do or be. Yet, God says Jerusalem has become even more perverse than Sodom! That's really bad! Ezekiel 16 says Jerusalem was born naked, alone, wallowing in her own blood, and no one cared enough for her to clean her and take care of her. Then God noticed her and bathed her with water and washed the blood from her, fed her with the best foods, clothed her in fine linens, adorned her with precious jewels and a crown, making her beautiful. The Lord gave his splendor to Jerusalem, making her beauty perfect (Ezekiel 16:9-14). Jerusalem was raised up by the Lord; taken care of when no on else cared. Then Jerusalem became arrogant in her beauty, and pride, independence, and promiscuity followed. She left the Lord who had taken better care of her than any one else ever could, forgetting the Lord's love for her and her promise to the Lord to be his and only his forever. The entire chapter convicted my heart, but there were two passages in this chapter of Ezekiel that struck me deeply. In v. 15 it says, "But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his." Wow! I feel sixteen all over again. When I think about my past, I am ashamed. I used my beauty and sex to get what I wanted from boys which was attention and love, all the while degrading my body, mind, and spirit, and theirs too. Now you're probably getting some picture of a prostitute in your mind: skimpy, even dirty clothes, lots of make-up, filthy mouth, brazen and ugly behavior; something you see in movies and on TV. But I bet very few of the friends and adults I knew back then would say I looked or behaved like that. I was an excellent student, good athlete, well-liked by students and teachers, hardly ever in trouble with my parents, voted best dressed in 8th grade, winner of a regional speech competition, chosen as Salutatorian of my high school class, and received academic and business scholarships to college. I was pretty, smart, and talented, as others would tell me and I believed. Not so much like the picture we see of prostitutes on the street corners in movies. I had a future and I and others considered it very bright. My prostitution was hidden. Sure, my closest friends knew I was sleeping with lots of boys, but that was acceptable in my youth and far too acceptable today. Verse 31-34 of Ezekiel 16, filled me with shame and stupidity: "When you built your mounds at the head of every street and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were unlike a prostitute, because you scorned payment. You adulterous wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband! Every prostitute receives a fee, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. So in your prostitution you are the opposite of others; no one runs after you for your favors. You are the very opposite, for you give payment and none is given to you." That was me! I gave away myself for free. I chased after boys, after sin to fulfill the longing I had in me for love, connection, and safety. You may ask why, but I don't know that I have the answer for that. I do know my story is not unique, and there are millions of girls doing what I've done and millions of women chasing after sinful or temporary things looking for love, connection, safety, purpose, peace, and hope, only to find loneliness, despair, disappointment, temporary fulfillment, twisted love, pain, disease, and lies. I needed help. They need help. We all need the help of the Lord. I share all this, to ask you 1 simple question, "Are you giving yourself away to others and things, and forgotten the true love of your life, the Lord who has cleansed you, saved you, clothed you, fed you, provided for your needs and wants, and lifted you up to receive a crown a glory? Don't be quick to say, "No!" Think about your life today. I shared about my past, but that 1 simple question is relevant in my life and your life Today. Are you spending more time at work than you know is healthy? Do you desire money and prestige more than God? Have you not gone to church because you are too tired or too busy? Are you chasing after worldly things, especially the love of a sinful man, willing to compromise on your convictions about God, love, and relationships? Are you holding a grudge against your sister because she sinned against you, as if you have never sinned against another? Are you neglecting God so you can do something else, even something good like taking your kids to soccer practice, cleaning your house, or helping a friend? Are you pursuing the sinful desires of your heart, turning your back on God, hoping God and others won’t notice? Are you playing the “Good Christian” outwardly, but in your heart seething and desiring selfish gain? In all that, I ask, what about God? Where does he fit into your life, a miniscule place in the dark, faraway corners of your life, or does he fill your heart, mind, body, and soul. Spiritual Prostitution is giving yourself first to someone or something other than God: that could be your husband, kids, ill parent, work, shopping, alcohol, outward beauty, even the poor. I encourage you to examine your heart; is it filled with the Lord? Take a close look at your actions; where is your time spent? Listen to your thoughts; are they captive to the Lord? Have you comprised on your spiritual life convictions, the same convictions you promised to align with God when you confessed him Lord of your life. And if you haven't made him Lord of your life, isn't it time you did that? Ponder this lesson; allow your heart to be examined by the Word and the Holy Spirit. Make the changes you need to, and deep down inside want to make. Align yourself with the Lord of all. For The Powerful and Omnipotent Lord is for you and with you, what simple-minded man can win against you and the Lord? Ayesha LaNique, Divine Princess (If you'd like me to write a lesson about a particular subject, email me at ayeshaglover@divineprincess.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook Page – Woman Wonderfully Made, Blogspot, Author's Den, and my Author Weblog, or Google me.) Copyright (c) Ayesha L. H. Glover 2009. This Bible study lesson, “Spiritual Prostitution: 1 Simple Question”, may be reproduced and used under the following conditions: 1. This Bible study lesson is for non commercial uses only. 2. This Bible study lesson cannot be reproduced in any form, sold, or used for the purposes of individual or corporate financial gain. 3. The text and intent of the lesson cannot be modified or changed in any way. 4. Must state: "This Bible study lesson is taken from the website www.divineprincess.com and used with general permission from Ayesha Glover." 5. If use outside of the aforementioned parameters is desired, you must contact Ayesha Glover at ayeshaglover@divineprincess.com for written authorization to use this Bible study lesson. Christianity
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Book Excerpt - Ch.1 - Woman Wonderfully Made
Posted by Ayesha on Friday, September 11, 2009 at 9:31pm
Woman Wonderfully Made Book
Chapter 1 *Designer Made* I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:14) Women love things that are designer made, whether it’s a Coach purse, Jimmy Choo shoes, a Vera Wang dress, or even diamond jewelry designed by the late Harry Winston. We love designer things. We will do more, work harder, beg, borrow, and steal for authentic goods. Well, I’m here to tell you, Sister, you are Designer Made. And not by any old designer, but created by the best and most innovative and talented designer of all—God, the Creator of the Universe. When I think about the creation of woman, I get goose bumps. I love knowing the Creator of the Universe, who created all things, created you…and me. You are like no other. You have been intricately designed. You are unique and special in the eyes of God. There has never been and never will be another you! When God created the universe, he used his artistic, loving, and omnipotent mind to speak into being the planets, stars, oceans, animals, trees, and plants. He waited until the right moment to create man. Five days he spent creating all the things that he knew would bring peace and joy to your heart and provide you with the sustenance necessary for you to live, not just survive, but to live in abundance. The first chapter of Genesis explains that on the sixth day God created man in his image. God purposefully placed man in charge of all living things because man was designed to be superior to everything else on the Earth (Psalm 8:6-8). The Lord spent time looking for a companion that was perfect for the man he had created. When he found none among all the other animals, God made you…woman. Woman was the final piece of artwork God formed—the finishing touch that brings all else together. You were not an afterthought, but the final masterpiece to the formation of the universe. With you his majestic creation was complete! Excerpted from *Woman Wonderfully Made* © 2009 by Ayesha LaNique Harris Glover. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Ayesha LaNique www.divineprincess.com Book - Woman Wonderfully Made
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Better Not Bitter
Posted by Ayesha on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at 7:23am
I heard a quote yesterday that said: "The Lord allows bad things to happen to you so you become better, not bitter. I am going through a difficult spell right now and I refused to be bitter when it's all said and done. I am looking for what God is trying to teach me. I think I know some of the lesson, but I am still working my way through changing my behaviors and being completely convicted about my sin. I am making progress though. I had a victory 2 weeks ago and last night my hubby and I got with some good friends to talk about communicating better with each other during this difficult time. I heard them, and was convicted, yet I stll felt embarrassed and humiliated. I felt like they didn't really understand since they were not in my shoes. Yet shared about a similar situation they had been in and that did make me feel better. All in all, I'm grateful for their counsel and advice and I know I will push through because the Lord is on my side too. So if you are going through a difficult time, refuse to be bitter. Be determined to grow and be better on the other side of your struggle. Please pray for me. struggling
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