A Heart Like Jesus (I do not have)
Is it okay to admit I don’t have a heart like Jesus?
As I type this, I’m drinking from a coffee mug given to me by a dear friend. On it, is the message: Serving with a heart like Jesus. I love this mug! And I LOVE the thought of having a heart like Jesus.
But I don’t.
Have one.
My heart is unreliable, wishy-washy, and sometimes selfish. In fact, the Bible is most accurate when it says the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV)
Isn’t that sobering to read?
But here’s the beauty…
Even knowing our hearts were full of iniquity, Jesus still chose to give His life for us.
For while we were still sinners, Christ died. (Romans 5:8)
Sisters, that is one of my favorite verses in the Bible! And right before it, in Romans 5:6, the Bible says, “While we were without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.”
Oh, sisters of little strength, if you’re like me at all, constantly battling the condition of your heart, be encouraged today! We don’t have to struggle any longer. Jesus has invited us to rest in the gentleness of His heart.
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ~Matthew 11:28-29
It comes down to full dependence on Him, doesn’t it? So, even though (in my flesh) I don’t have a heart like Jesus, I am a girl after God’s own heart! For He lives in me and that means His heart lives in mine. Amen?
With this in mind, let’s make this verse our prayer this week…
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. ~Psalm 51:10-11
No matter what our weaknesses are, God is faithful to renew us by His Spirit and create in us a clean heart – a heart like Jesus. 🩷
Always an email away,
Jennifer
jennifer@encouragementmama.com
Thank you so much for sharing! God bless you, Jennifer
Good Morning Jennifer,
I truly enjoy your work. I know a lot of your work maybe geared to women. I am a man who truly enjoy reading your blog it’s insightful and inspirational. Keep up the amazing work of highlighting the benefits of loving Lord and all he does for us as his children. If you could say a prayer for me regarding my recent health issues it would be appreciated.
Thank you so much for reading. I am praying for you now, in Jesus’ name!
Jennifer
Thank you so much for this lesson on the heart, it was everything I needed to read to understand where I am at this time. God knows the struggle and He is right there all the time with every answer we need. God bless you and thank you for sharing God’s word and helping me at this time in my life.
Aww, I am so glad this helped you! Much love in Christ, Jennifer
Just, THANK YOU!
Such a great article 👏 Thank you I really enjoyed thus
“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed”
I love this. To walk with God and Jesus everyday is living in another world. When others begin to notice your joy and closeness with the Father Son and Holy Spirit the world begins to change around you. A world apart from Him is pain and confusion. Thank you for your wisdom as you share your closeness to, and strength from Him. Ask the great Healer for relief from your pain, for it is said ask and you shall receive.
I thank God with all my heart mind and soul for saving me for a day like today. Life is short. And i’ve found myself dealing with people with little faith and it took me off track from where God had placed me in this earth. But God called me away from two of them last year and two more this year. I love all four of them but they were stopping my growh in the only one who matters so I had to let them Go. Thank you God again
I’ve been up since 3am. I often wake up anxious and feeling lost. I am a struggling Christian mom. I want to protect my kids from this wicked world we live in. I find my self focused on the news and all the negative things happening in the world today. And honestly, I’m scared. Being reminded of Phil 4:8, it’s like reading it for the first time. Before getting out of bed, I prayed to God this morning asking for the Holy Spirit to be in me because I’m feeling overwhelmed with the world and honestly lost.
Thank you for reminding me to focus on Gods formula and not on this worlds.
Shannon Bontemps
I’ve been up since 3am. I often wake up anxious and feeling lost. I am a struggling Christian mom. I want to protect my kids from this wicked world we live in. I find my self focused on the news and all the negative things happening in the world today. And honestly, I’m scared. Being reminded of Phil 4:8, it’s like reading it for the first time. Before getting out of bed, I prayed to God this morning asking for the Holy Spirit to be in me because I’m feeling overwhelmed with the world and honestly lost.
Thank you for reminding me to focus on Gods formula and not on this worlds.
Shannon Bontemps
I really needed to hear these words of encouragement. As a woman who struggles with Strength and Fatigue I found comfort in knowing that I can find strength in Christ.
I am so glad this was encouraging to you! I pray you will continue to find strength and comfort in Jesus!!!
Jennifer
Thank you. Im going to reread and study it deeper because you are right. It’s in God’s strength we get through our life challenges. For me, I have been concerned of not having God’s heart confessing to be his princess. I love the Lord. So thank you again for the reminder of His heart in us and keep loving Him, following Him, best way I can.
You are welcome! I am so glad it was a blessing to you. Thank you for your kind words.
Jennifer
The title of your blog intrigued me – so I opened it.
You speak words of truth and wisdom and comfort.
Not only did you lift my spirits – you enriched my heart to deal with the stress
of being a pastor – you see, even pastors need words of encouragement!
May God richly bless you as you speak to those in need.
Renae, thank you so much for your kind words. And God bless you as you move forward in His work. Anytime I can offer you a dose of encouragement, I will!
Sincerely,
Jennifer
Thank you reminding me that even though i struggle with this “even though I really don’t have a heart like Jesus, I’m a girl after God’s own heart. For He lives in me, and that means His heart lives in mine.”
Thank you
You are welcome, Sandy!
Thank you Jennifer for these encouraging words. What stood out to me is Psalm 50:10-11, Create in me a clean heart, O Lord. I love those verses, because sometimes we fall off the path, and that brings us right back to him. I’ve also told people who question my faith, that I’d rather loose the whole world, then lose my soul.
Thanks for reminding me that my strength comes from God.
You are welcome, lovely lady!