Ask God for your new heart

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

A few months ago I came across a phrase that has stuck with me –

     “For a new start, ask God for a new heart.”

I asked myself if I had asked God for a new heart when he saved me from my sins. After all, I confessed a relationship with Jesus when I was saved, but did I actually ask the great God above for a new heart – a heart devoid of malice and hate and envy and so many other afflictions common to a sinner’s heart?

Perhaps today is the day to take an inventory.

Really cannot say that I hate anyone, although I have come close to feelings of hate many times in the past, especially in dealing with local government “officials.”

Malice? According to the dictionary, malice is the desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness. Cannot say my heart is guilty of that either, although, I, again, have to admit to coming close to feeling this way, but never close enough to act on these malicious impulses. Case(s) in point – Sept. 11, 2001, the Benghazi raid, the Paris bombings…

Then I thought about the envy part. I am not in the habit of coveting others possessions, so that probably does not apply to me either.

Then I thought, maybe asking for a new heart is something else entirely.

Unfortunately, when I look back, I have to admit asking for a new heart was probably the last thing on my mind as a 13-year-old girl making her way to the altar to ultimately ask Jesus to come into my heart.

So why did I make that, supposedly, life-altering journey?

In the 50 years since that encounter at the altar at Patterson Park Brethren Church, I have come to the realization that I did not ask nor did I receive the heart Jesus prepared for me by His sacrifice on the cross so many eons ago.

Why then did I travel to the altar?

I thought I was going to the altar to be liberated from my sin and my sinful ways, but perhaps I was not doing either.

Maybe I made that trip down the aisle to look saved. Maybe I made that trip down the aisle to be a part of something bigger than myself. Maybe I made that trip to make my parents proud of me.

Whatever the reason at the time, I now believe that it definitely was not to take Jesus into my heart. That trip was a self-serving commentary on what I believe is a sinner’s ultimate sin – accepting Jesus, but denying His influence in my life.

Many times since that fateful day, I have professed Jesus as my Lord and Savior, but, again, have I asked Him for a new heart?

Today, I am asking; today, I truly want Jesus to come into my heart; today, I want that new start; today, I want what Christ's death on the cross signified; today, I truly want to be saved; today I want to recommit my life to Jesus; today I pray this Prayer of Salvation and today, I mean it with all my sinner’s heart –

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.
Amen.

Yes, a new heart and a fresh start is a whole lot more than I originally thought. It is, in the words of Rev. Kyle Idleman, 'becoming a follower of Jesus, not [just] a fan.'

Is today the day you ask for your new heart? I sincerely pray that is the case, and invite you to take this journey with me. Ask the good Lord above to put Jesus in your life and the Holy Spirit in your heart.

But, I would caution (borrowing from our church bulletin):

1. The decision to follow Jesus is costly, so it must be carefully considered. Jesus said, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God." Luke 9:62 (NIV)
2. The decision to follow Jesus is urgent, so make it soon. Jesus said, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?" Luke 12:20 (NIV)
3. The decision to follow Jesus is worth it, so you want to make it. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

 

As my prayer today, I offer the Priestly Blessing God used to bless the Israelites. This blessing was given to Moses to share with Aaron and his sons, who were the Jewish priests during the time of Moses and beyond. You can find this blessing in the book of Numbers, chapter 6, verses 24-26 (NKJV):

“[May] The LORD bless you and keep you;
[May] The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
[May] The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’

AMEN