My Book Blog

Gi encouraged us to begin blogging about books that we read. I thought this was a great suggestion and have been working on a book. I hope to read the book she suggested one of these days, but also have a bookshelf filled with books that I haven't read. I'm starting there before I buy any new books.

I thought I would share what I've read so far. Oh, by the way, the book is called A Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I have done a couple of her Bible Studies (a book study on Philippians and a character study on Mary the Mother of Jesus) and recommend those as well. Anything in quotes is taken from the book.

Part 1: The Pursuit of God

We are to begin by having a heart devoted to God.

#1. Choosing God's ways at every opportunity

*"Our choices should reflect that God is our Ultimate Priority" and this can be evident "in every decision, word, thought, and response."

*She says that Proverbs 3:6 (In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths) "describes a two step partnership with God: our part is to stop and acknowledge God along the way, and His part is to direct our paths."

*We are to stand in awe of God- we should live remembering what He has done for us as well as what His Word tells us.

#2. Commit yourself to God daily

*We should "offer Him a fresh commitment each day"

*We should begin each day "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!"

#3. Cultivate a hot heart

*"Our heart for God should be like a boiling pot. Our heart should be characterized by God-given and intense emotion and passion for our Lord. After all, when a teakettle is boiling on your stove, you know it!"

Secondly, we should have a heart that abides in God's Word.

*We need to have routine, regular exposure to His Word and just like we plan everything else in our lives, we need to plan for our time with Him. Consider where, when, and what you will need to accomplish this.

*Her husband says, "God will take you as far as you want to go, as fast as you want to go."

*"Purpose in your heart to spend more time near God's heart by spending more time in His Word."

Thirdly, we should have a heart committed to prayer.

#1: A deeper relationship with God

*We should "linger in intimate communion with Him"

*Prayer increases faith, provides a place to unload burdens, teaches us that God is always near, trains us not to panic, and changes our lives.

#2: Greater purity

"Becoming pure is a process of spiritual growth, and taking seriously the confession of sin during prayer time moves that process along, causing us to purge our life of practices that displease God."

#3: Confidence in Making Decisions

* "Make no decision without prayer"

* "A woman after God's own heart is a woman who will do His will (Acts 13:22)- not her own!"

#4: Improved Relationships

*"You cannot think about yourself and others at the same time"

*"You cannot hate the person you are praying for"

*"You cannot neglect the person you are praying for"

#5: Contentment

*God is the one who will meet our needs

*"If He doesn't meet it, you didn't need it!"

#6: God-Confidence

*"God-confidence comes as the Holy Spirit works in us. As we pray and when we make choices that honor God, the Holy Spirit fills us with His power for ministry. When we are filled with God's goodness, we are confidently and effectively able to share His love and joy."

#7: The Ministry of Prayer

*Prayer can change my life and yours!

*Prayer is a privilege not be taken for granted

Finally, we should have a heart that obeys.

Is God's desire your desire?


That was a great review for me :) I hope to share about the next section soon. It is titled "The Pursuit of God's Priorities."