Now, what is your heart's desire. . . and your heart's temperature toward God?
A Heart Response
Now, what is your heart's desire. . . and your heart's temperature toward God?
Are you there, dear one? Is yours the fiery heart of devotion to God that's just been described? Oh, how I pray that it is! But if you're not there, or if you're unsure how to get there, consider these few actions that will most definitely turn up the heat of your heart.
We covered the prayer for Step 1 in Chapter 59: Being A Child After God's Own Heart in this book-
Step 1- Do you need to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? This is the beginning step, you know, to becoming a woman after God's own heart. Perhaps you need to pray a heartfelt prayer similar to this one below:
God, I want to be Your child, a true woman after Your heart—a woman who lives her life in You, and through You, and for You. I acknowledge my sins and shortcomings, my failure to live up to the standards You have set in Your Word, the Bible, and I receive Your Son, Jesus Christ, into my needy heart, giving thanks that He died on the cross for my sins.
Thank You for giving me Your grace and Your strength so that I can follow after Your heart.
Ps from Lumna10 I altered it in the chapter earlier that I am referencing so that it would be more gender neutral everything else is so simplified by Elizabeth George.
Step Two-Do you need to be more faithful to set aside time each day to listen to God like Mary did by reading your Bible? By praying? This can and must be a first priority each day. That's how you and I, no matter what our age, make the choice Mary made. That's how we choose the one thing, the good part, that can never be taken away from us. As we choose to sit at the Lord's feet regularly, we cease to act like Martha—too busy, too bossy, too distracted to listen to the Master and linger with Him and delight in Him.
Now, what will your choice be today? Tomorrow? Each day? I'm praying for you!
Things You Can Do Today To Develop A Heart Devoted To God Lists:
1. Think of at least three ways you can make time in your busy day for "the most exciting, most fulfilling relationship in life." How can you ensure time for listening to God, for spending time with Him, for letting Him invade your life?
2. Memorize the poem below and put it to use in helping you choose God's way in the situations you confront each day.
Good, better, best,
never let it rest,
until your good is better
and your better best.
3. Make a definite, audible dedication of yourself to God today and every day this week.
Like To Learn More?
Check out The Referenced Story:
Read Mary and Martha's story in Luke 10:38-42 in your Bible. Describe the scene. Note who was there and what was taking place.
"Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
Luke 10:38-42 KJV
"As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.""
Luke 10:38-42 NIV
"Now while they were on their way, Jesus entered a village [called Bethany], and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. [John 11:1] She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was continually listening to His teaching. But Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities; and she approached Him and said, "Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me and do her part." But the Lord replied to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered and anxious about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part [that which is to her advantage], which will not be taken away from her.""
Luke 10:38-42 AMP
Activity Reflectional Bible Study:
Next, do a character study on Martha. Circle or list the words that describe Martha's conduct. Also note her words—who she spoke to and what she said.
b. Then do a character study on Mary noting the words that describe her conduct.
c. Compare the two sisters. What differences do you notice in their words, actions, attitudes, posture and interaction with Jesus?
2a. Then ask yourself, Am I busily "serving" Jesus. . . or sitting at His feet?
Am I lashing out at others. . . or am I listening to my Savior? Am I worrying about life. . . or am I worshiping the Lord? Am I restless. . . or am I resting in God?
What changes must I make to develop A Heart That Is Devoted to God?
What does Proverbs 31:30-31say about the importance of maintaining your relationship with God?
"Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised. Give her of the product of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]. [Phil 4:8]"
Proverbs 31:30-31 AMP
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."
Proverbs 31:30-31 NIV
"Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: But a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her own works praise her in the gates."
Proverbs 31:30-31 KJV
What Do You Think about What She Has Noticed and Has To Say for countless numbers of believers striving to be the true believers from their heart, Skylights? Please, enjoy!
YOU ARE READING
Simple Short Daily Prayer Books Series Book 2
Non-FictionSummary: More of God's promises and lessons listed out and of course the regular day prayers found on the Short Daily Prayer App. And some more simple prayers from my common book of Prayers. And devotional book reviews too A book two of simple praye...
