A Woman After God's Own Heart ~ Chapter 2

A Heart Abiding in God's Word

"Roots make all the difference in the health of a plant, and their presence or absence ultimately becomes known to all.  The plant either flourishes or fails, thrives or dies, blossoms or withers.  The health of anything--whether a garden plant or a heart devoted to God--reflects what is going on (or not going on!) underground."

Roots are unseen --

"If God is going to be first in our hearts and the "Ultimate Priority" of our lives, we must develop a root system anchored deep in Him."

"only one-seventh of an iceberg is visible above the surface, and any wise fisherman knows not to get too close because underneath spreads the other six-sevenths.  What was visible to the eye--only a fraction of the huge, icy mass--was enough to evoke fear, awe, and respect in any sailor. And that's what you and I want for our lives.  We want what other people see of our lives--public portion--to stir up this kind of awe and wonder.  We want our strength in public to be explained by what goes on in private between us and God."

"the truth is that "the greater the proportion of your day -- of your life--spent hidden in quiet, in reflection, in prayer,  [in study,] in scheduling, in preparation, the greater will be the effectiveness, the impact, the power, of the part of your life that shows.""

"The impact of ministry to people will be in direct proportion to the time you spend with God."

Roots are for taking in --

"When we spend time with Christ, He supplies us with strength and encourages us in the pursuit of His ways."

"the great exchange--Away from the world and hidden from public view, I exchange my weariness for His strength, my weakness for His power, my darkness for His light, my problems for His solutions, my burdens for His freedom, my frustrations for His peace, my turmoil for His calm, my hopes for His promises, my afflictions for His balm of comfort, my questions for His answers, my confusion for His knowledge, my doubt for His assurance, my nothingness for His awesomeness, the temporal for the eternal, and the impossible for the possible."

Roots are for storage --

Jeremiah 17:8 ~

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

"Roots deep into God's truth are definitely needed as reserves when times are rough."

Roots are for support --

"Yes, the support of a healthy root system is vital for standing strong in the Lord!"

"When we have a solid root system, we too can gain the strength needed for standing firm in spite of the pressures of life!"

1) Develop the habit of drawing near to God
2) Design a personal time for drawing near to God - When, Where, What aids?
3) Dream of being a woman after God's heart

"God will take you as far as you want to go, as fast as you want to go."

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Dear Lord I pray that I may grow roots firm in you and your word, that I may not be blown away by the trials of life.  Lord may I grow deeper in you as I develop a consistent quiet time spent in your word, in prayer and in song.  May my life be a reflection of you, that when people look at me they don't see me but they see you.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen!