The Heart of Jesus: How He Really Feels about You

This is definitely my book of the year! Clear and easy to read, beautiful and comforting. Each short chapter could be a part of your daily devotions, and the book could be read again and again, as you soak/bathe in its beautiful message. Because of who we are (our natural, sinful pride) we always think of salvation and love as somehow conditioned on what we do. We want to feel loved by Jesus, and so we are always trying to be our best selves, and thinking that we are more attractive and pleasing to him at our best, and so then he'll love us more. That's so backward, and counter-grace, and in the end is not good news. The good news, and Ortlund sets it out so beautifully, is that the Savior's love doesn't change, and that he is actually drawn to love us more and to help and see us through when we stumble in sin. Every chapter will draw you into another aspect of how the Savior sees and loves each of his own, personally. And, another thing that we are prone to think is that God is waiting for us to fail so that he can prove his justice and pounce on us. We think of him as a God who has his finger on the trigger. This is not God! Yes, he's just, but Jesus is the place and the one where that justice has been meted out and satisfied. He does not want to destroy us. He's a tender Father. He is fully of mercy and is ready to cover us in love. This is another part of the beautiful message in this book. Again, his mercy does not depend on our performance. I'll finish with this quote from the book. '"Slow to anger.' He doesn't have his finger on the trigger. It takes a long time to get him angry. Unlike us, who are often emotional dams ready to break, God can put up with a lot. This is why the Old Testament speaks of God being "provoked to anger" by his people dozens of times. But not once are we told that God is "provoked to love" or "provoked to mercy.." His anger requires provocation; his mercy is pent up, ready to gush forth. We tend to think that divine anger is pent up, spring-loaded; while divine mercy is slow to build. But it's just the opposite. Divine mercy is ready to burst forth at the slightest prick." Such a worthwhile read. So life-changing. I'm going to buy a dozen and have them on hand to give to people.

Giving this book away to my kids teachers to encourage them. So thankful for how it speaks the truth about Jesus our hearts need to hear.

Great read! Short and to the point but very thought provoking!

This is a really great book and gave me a great new perspective on scriptures that I have read before but it never truly clicked. It really helped me to understand God’s love for us. I may never fully comprehend as a human but it helped a lot.

This book has been such an encouraging book for me to read as someone recently going through child loss. There can be a lot of misconceptions of who God is that can leave someone feeling hopeless and discouraged when you are in a time of grief. This book has helped to bring me closer to God during this time and has brought me a better view of the heart of Jesus. It's a short and easy enough read and I have already read through it twice and I'm sure I will read it again and again. Highly recommend.

A great book! Although not intended to replace the Bible, this book presents a gentle view of Jesus. The Bible can be unintentionally intimidating to a new believer and this book offers a gentle, clearer view. I would recommend people read it like a devotional, one chapter a day and meditate on what the author says.

Worth it

This is one of the very best books I have read, of hundreds, by great Christian authors! I have given them to my children, grandchildren, friends, and community group. Somewhere over fifty I’m sure!! It is encouraging, backed up with Scripture, and helps develop an amazing view of what Jesus thinks of us and does for us! I believe children, even as young as 12, could enjoy this book and all of us could be amazed at what is in Jesus’ heart for each of us. I would suggest savoring one chapter at a time vs 2-3 together. There are 18 chapters of 4-6 pages such as “His Heart in Action”, “I Will Never Cast Out”, and “To the End”. I read one and then look up more scripture verses, journal, thank God, and just relax in His great care for us. Thank you Dane Ortlund! Well done!

Everyone should get one for book collection

Every Christian should read this book.

This is an easy to read and very helpful book

Great read