Notes...A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George

CHAPTER 1

Scriptures used in chapter:
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:42, NKJV)

For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7, NKJV)

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42, NKJV)

In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:6, NKJV)

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. (Psalm 32:8, NKJV)

Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” Whenever you turn to the right hand Or whenever you turn to the left. (Isaiah 31:21, NKJV)

...and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:17, NKJV)

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.(Revelation 3:15-16, NKJV)

For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name. (Luke 1:49, NKJV)

Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. (Psalm 96:3, NKJV)

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy... (Psalm 107:2, NKJV)

Key points:
- Every one of us has a body that will someday fail us - and that someday is not necessarily too far off.
- Seek to make life count every day and for eternity.
- Choose with your whole heart to seek to live your life for God, love God, worship God, walk with God, serve God, and look forward to being with Him in eternity.

A Heart Devoted to God
1. Discern the one thing needed
- Make the choice that indicates your heart's devotion: know it is important to cease your busyness, stop all activity, and set aside secondary things in order to focus wholly on the Lord.
2. Choose the one thing needed
- Be preoccupied with one thing at all times - God!
- Choose to spend time worshiping God: nothing can take the place of time in God's presence which fuels and focuses all acts of service, time spent hearing and worshiping God can never be taken away, for it is time spent in eternal pursuits, time that earns permanent and everlasting dividends.

Yes, But How?
1. Choose God's ways at every opportunity
- Commit yourself to actively choose God and His ways in your decisions, words, thoughts, and responses.
- Proverbs 3:6: consult with God regarding our decisions, thoughts, words spoken, or responses. Before we move ahead or merely react, we need to stop and pray first, "God what would you have me do-or think or say-here?"...And then God takes over and does His part-He directs your paths. He guides you in what to do, how to act, and what to say.

- The saying "good, better, best":

Good, better, best
never let it rest,
until your good is better, and your better best.

Strive to make the best choice, choose the best way.
- Standing in awe of God: Don't be robbed of even one of God's riches by not taking time to let Him invade your life, by not listening to what He is telling you, by allowing the routine, pressing matters of your minutes to bankrupt you of time for the most exciting, most fulfilling relationship in life. Stand in awe of God and what He wants to do in you, for you, and through you.
2. Commit yourself to God daily
- Start fresh with God by giving Him all that you are, all that you have...now...forever...and daily.
- Give God your life, your body, your health, your husband, each child, your home, your possessions. Nurture the habit of placing these blessings in God's loving hands to do with them what He will. After all, they are not ours-they are His! A daily prayer of commitment helps us to release what we think are our rights to these gifts.
3. Cultivate a hot heart
- Our heart for God should be like a boiling pot, characterized by God-given and intense passion for our Lord, fiery and excited about God, and God will fuel our fire.
- Overflow with His goodness and praise.
- Speak of the great things He has done for you.
- Tell of His wonders.