As you begin your day, do you desire to be a woman after God’s own heart? Elizabeth White George (better known as Elizabeth George) has touched the lives of millions of women, young women, and girls, encouraging them to pursue this desire through studying the Bible and applying the truths to daily living.
Who Is Elizabeth George?
Between the moment a woman gives her heart to Jesus to the moment she enters His presence in heaven, a woman’s purpose as a Christ follower is to know God’s Word and His principles and apply them to their daily life. Yet every woman’s steps along the pilgrimage will be unique, as God accomplishes this in His time and for His purposes. However, the daily goal is to keep her heart and mind focused on God’s Word and prayer. She is to be a woman after God’s own heart foremost.
The life of Elizabeth George is an excellent example of a woman who has pursued the goal of knowing Christ, applying biblical principles to daily living, and mentoring others personally and through her books.
Elizabeth George is an award-winning best-selling author. Her books have been translated into 16 languages and sold over 12 million copies. Each book offers practical steps regarding daily living. They are creative and challenge the reader to begin each new day by studying the Scriptures and applying them to their daily issues.
Important Events in the life of Elizabeth George
Elizabeth George was born in Granite, Oklahoma, on November 11, 1944. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Oklahoma. Here she met Jim George. They were married on June 1, 1965. After graduation, she taught junior high and high school English.
Later, they moved to California, and their family grew to four when they had two daughters. Their lives radically changed when Elizabeth became a believer at 28. You can learn on her website about her spiritual journey, which she calls part of their “joint journey in Christ.”
Digging deeper into the Scriptures, God showed them His ways and purposes. Their marriage grew stronger. Meeting the challenges of parenting was now based on biblical principles. Individually, they saw new opportunities for them to teach and write.
Jim returned to graduate school and received a Master of Divinity and Master of Theology from Talbot School of Theology. He would serve as pastor and a seminary professor. In the article “Serving Next to Your Husband,” Elizabeth shares what she learned in this new joint adventure. Jim has authored several books for men and young men and has co-authored books on marriage.
A Forerunner in Women’s Ministry
After becoming a Christian, Elizabeth George’s life was heading in a new path: God’s path. She worked as a Logos Bible Institute instructor and curriculum development team member at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California. She worked with the Master’s Seminary Wives’ Discipleship Program. One of her first writing projects was the workbook, Learning to Lead: Ministry Skills for Women, published in 1989. The manual has three sections: Personal Preparation, Practical Preparation, and Public Performance. Elizabeth George was a forerunner in the expansion of women’s ministry.
A new writing and speaking opportunity presented itself when the women’s Bible study coordinator at her church asked her to teach a class. She prayed regarding the topic and thought about how God had worked in her life. What had He taught her, and how could she relate this to the women she would teach? As a new believer, she had memorized Scripture and saw the impact of these verses on her life. She wrote, “The truth of this Scripture has changed my life. Why don’t I share this with the women?” Elizabeth George narrowed the focus to six passages of Scripture she wanted to share with the class. Then, someone suggested she expand her ministry by writing a book. She did, publishing Loving God with All Your Mind in 1994.
Success didn’t come immediately, but her 2001 book, A Woman After God’s Own Heart, launched her writing career. Eventually, this one book would sell over one million copies, be translated into multiple languages, and develop a book for young women.
How did God birth this book? It started with the passing of her mother-in-law, Lois. While walking in her neighborhood, she saw a woman who reminded her of Lois. As she walked, Elizabeth George reflected on where she was at in her life; over age 50, her daughters now grown with families of their own, and her recent losses. Elizabeth evaluated the present, but she also knew she needed to have an eternal view. Scripture came to her mind: Luke 10:42, where Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, chose “the one thing,” sitting at the feet of Jesus.
Reflecting on the life of Lois, Elizabeth saw a woman who emulated “the one thing.” Elizabeth wrote, “She had chosen the one thing, the necessary thing, each day: she had chosen with her whole heart to live every day for God. She loved God, worshiped God, walked with God, served God, and looked forward to being with Him in eternity.” And Elizabeth realized, more than anything else, God desires for women to be whole-heartedly devoted to Him- loving Him deeply and living authentically.
Where are you on your life’s journey? Do you desire to do “the one thing?” Are you a woman after God’s own heart? Start with reading the Scriptures and add Elizabeth George’s books for inspiration and encouragement. It is always good to gain godly wisdom from an older woman!
10 Inspiring Quotes by Elizabeth George
1. “The sustaining power of God is packaged in His grace.” — A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
2. “So why do we worry? Why do we worry about food and clothing About finances and money? About security and the needs of life? We have Jehovah-Rohi! We have the Lord as our caring Shepherd. When fears regarding the cares of this world set in, we need to confidently lean on God’s promise to care for us. Then we can declare to God, ‘Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You’” (Psalm 56:3)’” — Quiet Confidence for a Woman’s Heart
3. “Replace worry with prayer. Make the decision to pray whenever you catch yourself worrying.” — Breaking the Worry Habit…Forever!
4. “Through the Holy Spirit we are empowered to bring hope to the poor, healing to the brokenhearted, and freedom to people who are held captive by any number of things.” — A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
5. “A godly woman is beyond average because she keeps her word. She honors her vows. She exhibits great faith. She overcomes great obstacles. And she affects her family, her community, even the world.” — A Woman’s Daily Walk with God
6. “The soul of a child is the loveliest flower that grows in the garden of God.” — A Mom After God’s Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children
7. “Your tragedy is God’s opportunity to show Himself faithful.” — A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
8. “Do you want to be safe from the influence, ways, and lusts of the world and the flesh (1 John 2:16)? From the sins which so easily entangles us (Hebrews 12:1)? Then delight in yourself in the Lord, in His provision, in His Word. Faithfully feed on the things that possess true substance and real meaning. When you remember that ‘all Scripture is given by inspiration by God and is profitable’ (2 Timothy 3:16) and partake of such divine substance, then you are fed, you are led and you are safe!” — Quiet Confidence for a Woman’s Heart
9. “When your focus is on anything but God, your heart can become hardened and resistant to His leading. You need a soft, flexible heart so you don’t miss God’s message to you.” — A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
10. “It’s not how you start that’s important, but how you finish!” — A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
10 Great Books by Elizabeth George
1. A Woman After God’s Own Heart Bible
2. A Woman’s Guide to Making Right Choices
3. A Woman Who Reflects the Heart of Jesus
5. Finding God’s Path Through Your Trials
6. The Remarkable Women of the Bible
7. Small Changes for a Better Life
8. Breaking the Worry Habit... Forever!
9. The Heart of a Woman Who Prays
10. Prayers for a Woman’s Heart
Photo Credit: Graphic by G. Connor Salter. Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash.
Laura Lee Leathers is a writer and speaker. Imagine Lois Lane, over sixty-five, and living on a farm. Her metropolis is the area of freelance writing. Her primary love interest is the Word of God. She digs for information, interviews fascinating people, offers a cup of biblical hospitalit-tea, encourages, and helps others with the ‘how-to’s’ of life. To sign up for her newsletter, connect with her at http://lauraleeleathers.com - - - “Helping You Flourish in Faith & Finish Well by His Word”
This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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