Lesson 1 - Part 1

A Heart Devoted to God

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. – Luke 10:42

What does it truly mean to be a woman after God’s own heart? It means: To be God’s women, to love Him fervently with whole hearts, is our sole desire.

A Change of Heart
We need to seek to make our life count every day and for eternity. To do this we should love God, worship God, walk with God, serve God and look forward to being with Him in eternity.

For we walk by faith, not by sight: - 2 Corinthians 5:7

God knows the desires of our heart!

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. – Psalm 37:4

God wants our heart…all of it…and our devotion. When we choose to give it to Him, when we choose to live totally for Him, He makes it count. God wants to be #1 in our lives. He should be the priority above all priorities!

Whether you are dealing with pushing a grocery cart or an aluminum walker –
Whether you are single, married, or a widow –
Whether you are challenged with eight children or no children –
Whether you are dealing with a life threatening illness or the common cold –
Your life counts mightily!

And as you face whatever challenges come into your life face those challenges with a heart full of devotion to God.

A Heart Devoted to God
Let us now take a closer look at Mary. Here is a woman who sat at Jesus’ feet and received His praise. This demonstrates again the meaning of a heart devoted to God.

What did Mary do that moved our Savior to praise her?
     • Mary discerned the one thing needed.
         
          Luke 10:38   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.
          Luke 10:39   And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
          Luke 10:40   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.
          Luke 10:41   And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
          Luke 10:42   But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Here we have an example that many of us, I know I can especially, relate to. Martha became wrapped up in the “importance” of playing host to Jesus rather than appreciating the wonderful time to be spent with Jesus. Oh how many times I have found myself running around the house in a flurry trying to make everything perfect for company coming to only obsess over things even after my company arrives.

Mary, being a woman after God’s own heart, made the choice that indicated her heart’s devotion…

She recognized the importance of ceasing her busyness to focus wholly on the Lord. Martha in all her busyness failed to spend time with Him.

     • Mary chose the one thing needed.

Mary chose to do the one thing that mattered most on that day: she chose to spend time worshiping God. Time spent sitting at His feet 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. Mary chose to spend that precious time with Him.