A Heart Devoted to God -- Part 2

Mary chose the one thing needed -- Because Mary was a woman after God's own heart, she was preoccupied with one thing at all times -- Him!

And isn't this a wonderful place to be! Well, yes, it is, but the question remains: How? How can you and I become women devoted to God, women who love God deeply and live for Him daily? It has to do with the choices we make. Seemingly small decisions that we make every day can position us so that God can impassion our hearts toward Him.

1. Choose God's ways at every opportunity.

Proverbs 3:6, "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

We want to learn to prefer God's way in all things, and so we must ask Him to help us make the right choices. Our quiet prayer during our busy day is, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" When we acknowledge to Him that His ways are better than our ways, He will answer our prayer. When we submit to His instruction, He will direct us in mind, action, and attitude, and will show us the way to go.

2. Commit yourself to God daily.

Our devotion to God is strengthened when we offer Him a fresh commitment each day. One idea is to say the following out loud: "Lord, today I give myself anew to you."

3. Cultivate a hot heart.

Revelation 315, "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."

To have a "hot heart" is to be fervent, to possess a God-given and intense passion for our Lord.

Passion and excitement for the things of God is the fruit of a life that is totally sold out to Him. This fervancy springs from an interactive relationship with our Heavenly Father.

May each of us experience the wonderful presence of the Lord Jesus Christ that we may speak of His mercy and goodness.

A Heart Devoted to God -- Part 1

We are busy women! We are wives and mothers who are family-minded, career-minded, and ministry-minded. Within this framework, each of us wants to be a woman after God's own heart. We want to choose our priorities carefully, because we want to invest our lives into things that will last. But, how do we accomplish this?

The Bible must have the answer. It is life's handbook, God's love letter to His children. By applying its principles and instructions, we are sure to find peace and order for our time here on earth.

Join me as we investigate the question of priorities. As we consult the Scriptures, we find an account of a woman named Mary of Bethany. She is mentioned three different times in the New Testament, but this is the first:

"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."

Notice that the Lord did not condemn Martha's industriousness, but neither would He condemn Mary. In fact, He praised Mary for choosing "that good part." This involved enjoying Christ's presence rather than simply doing things for Him. Mary recognized that Jesus provided a spiritual meal that would satisfy more than a physical meal.

We can learn much from the example of Mary and her worship of the Lord.