Inscribed on Human Hearts

You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, NIV)

You show that you are a letter from Christ that He sent through us. This letter is not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God. It is not written on stone tablets but on human hearts. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, ERV)

You are the living letter of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, nurtured by us and inscribed, not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God – a letter too passionate to be chiseled on stone tablets, but emblazoned upon the human heart. – (2 Corinthians 3:3, VOICE)

 

Though this verse is but a portion of Paul’s second letter to the church of Corinth, it applies to all who faithfully pursue the Lord and seek to do His will. Those who invest in the spiritual growth of others, help nurture the truth that Christ engraves upon the hearts of all who follow Him. It is by God’s Spirit that our hearts become more like His. I love the imagery that this presents. We, as followers of Christ, carry the Spirit of God in our heart, and help others discover the same. Our hearts emblazoned with the love, light and truth of the living God… May we ever passionately pursue Christ, as He is the way, the truth and the light, who deposits His heart in ours, so that we may love as He loves.

 

A letter of love,

Inscribed not with ink;

But by God’s Spirit,

Most holy love link.

His Spirit within,

Makes the truth be known;

So as we love well,

His heart shall be shown.

In all that we do,

And all that we say;

May our hearts make known,

God’s goodness and grace.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we pursue You, You inscribe truth, love and light within us, so that we may point others to all that You are. Thank You for the people whom You have placed in our lives to show us what it is to have a heart that has been inscribed by You. Forgive us for the times that we have not pursued Your heart or have failed to represent all that You have deposited within us. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would further seek Your inscription upon our lives, and go forth investing in others around us, so that they too, may know Your nearness. Show us how to love like You. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we allow You to write upon the tablet of our heart. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. – Proverbs 3:3

 

Mutual Encouragement

People need people. We are called to encourage and walk beside one another in love. Paul was well aware of his purpose, and presented multiple reminders to people as he spoke and wrote letters to the various bodies of believers. In Romans 1:11-12, he states it this way: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong – that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”

 

Just like Paul, we all have gifts to give, encouragement to offer, and benefits to receive, by being part of a body of believers. There is strength in numbers that is not found when one stands alone. Additionally, there is power and presence when we gather together, “For where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them.” – (Matthew 18:20) Healing, freedom, hope, and help all rise up in the light of His presence. God imparts to human hearts, good gifts, when we gather together to encourage other believers and honor Him who grants us life.

 

May we invest well,

encourage others;

offer our gifts to

sisters and brothers.

As we give away,

so too we’ll receive;

blessings from the Lord,

strength to trust, believe.

Healing and wholeness,

freedom for the bound;

hope for the hopeless,

sweet safety surrounds.

Let’s be the body,

united as one;

love one another,

as loved by the Son.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to be a body of believers together; investing in each other. Thank You that You created each of us with gifts to offer, and the ability to mutually encourage one another. Help us to learn and grow together, as we are in constant pursuit of You. Forgive us for doubting our capacity to contribute to the body, or for neglecting to encourage those we see in need. Help us to trust You in all things at all times, and to be completely dependant on You for the wisdom and the words, understanding that You will use what we offer when we are willing to step forward in faith. Teach us to love as You love us, and help many to find a forever faith in You. Be glorified in all that we say and do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

I thank and praise You, O God of my fathers: You have given me wisdom and power. – Daniel 2:23