Our women's ministry is studying under the general theme "A Woman After God's Own Heart". It will be a series of lesson. This week's lesson in particular is entitled "A Heart Devoted to God". I wanted to share it with you, as the Lord leads. If you would like the remaining lessons on Thursdays, just write back and let me know.

THIS WEEK'S LESSON (Read Luke 10:38-42)

"But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" Luke 10:42

This week's lesson is based on the common story of Mary and Martha. Every one knows that famous story, about the sisters. Jesus and the disciples came to visit these sisters at their home. Martha was working in the kitchen while Mary was sitting with Jesus and the disciples listening to the words of God. So, Martha asked Jesus to make Mary come in the kitchen and help her because she was doing the work all alone. But instead of Jesus doing that, he told Martha that she was troubled about many things, but Mary was doing the right thing.

This is just like some of us. We are so busy doing things FOR the Lord that we forgeth to spend time WITH the Lord. Jesus reminded Martha then, and he reminda us today that we have to lay everything else aside and spend time with him.

Throughout our daily life, we spend time during numerous things. But the most important thing we can do is to seek the Lord. Let us take time today and learn how and why we should have A HEART DEVOTED TO GOD.

A Heart Devoted to God 1. Mary discerned the one thing needed 2. Mary chose the one thing needed

How to I devote my heart to God? 1. CHOOSE GOD'S WAYS AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY There will be opportunities to do many things in our lives. Every day, we have to make the decisions: Am I going to sleep a few minutes longer or am I going to pray? Am I too ashamed to pray at my desk at work, do I decide to wait until I get home? When I am hungry, will I just start munching or will I pause to give God thanks? Will I say a short prayer in attempts to "hurry through" what God wants me to do? At every chance we take, we have to ask: Is this what GOD wants me to do? What can I do to please GOD?

2. COMMIT YOURSELF TO GOD DAILY In our relationships, we tell our children and our mates that we love them often (or at least we should). So, why shouldn't we do likewise with God? Take time every day and let him know that you are his, and he is yours. Take time and tell him that you want him to walk with you, and sup with you all the day long.

3. CULTIVATE A HOT HEART "I know thy works, thou are neither hot nor cold, you are lukewarm and I will spew thee out of my mouth." COLD means that you are unresponsive, unemotional, etc.. Lukewarm is indifferent, you don't really care one way or the other... But, HOT is passionate, fiery, committed! that is what God wants and deserves - someone on fire for him. Let us cultivate hot hearts!!!

HEART EXERCISES As noted in the lesson, Martha was so busy doing things for the Lord that she failed to spend time with the Lord. Mary, however, put God at the top of her to-do list. As a woman after God's own heart, Mary made the choice that indicated a heart of devotion. She knew it was important to cease her busyness, stop all activity, and set aside secondary things in order to focus wholly on the Lord. List at least five actions you can take to put worship on the top of your to-do list.

1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Write out what you will do daily - just for this next week - to …

… cease your busyness

… stop all activity

… set aside secondary things

in order to focus wholly on the Lord.

CHALLENGE: Purpose to actively choose God and his ways in every decision, word, moment, thought and step - today and every day of the week. This is what it means to make God your ultimate Priority, to walk with him moment by moment and step by step. Your heart's desire should be to prefer God and his way in all things. Seek to ask God these questions before you speak or act: Lord, what do you want me to say? Lord, what do you want me to do?

lET US PRAY Prayer of Commitment Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my time, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life, now and forever. Amen. (to be prayed everyday)

Scriptures for the week Sunday "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" Luke 10:42

Monday "Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart" Psalm 37:4

Tuesday "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" Proverbs 3:6

Wednesday "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Psalm 32:8

Thursday "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it" Isaiah 30:21

Friday "I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to the fruit of his doings" Jeremiah 17:10

Saturday "Create in me a clean heart, O God and renew a right spirit within me" Psalm 51:10

Sunday"For you shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river" Jeremiah 17:8

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

Answers

Thank you! Our local women's missionary society is meeting next week and I am going to suggest the the President they do this study. God bless you!

-- Anonymous, December 31, 2001

God bless you as you filter these marvelous truths to God's people. Please include me in your distribution of these timely lessons. As you arm His people for the battle, we shall be praying with you.

Keep looking up.

-- Anonymous, January 04, 2002