November 22, 2024

Winning Him Without Words – Heart Tablets

“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 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 human hearts.”

2 Corinthians: 2-3

What is my message to the unbelieving loved ones in my life? What can I communicate with my actions today? Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit make his mark on me for the benefit of my unsaved loved ones?

I re-wrote these questions from the book and only changed them to make them personal for me. I needed to do that so I could ponder them and claim them for my life, so I could examine myself from them. Do I leave a Godly message for my loved ones? Are my actions motivated by my love of the Savior? Or are my actions done with the motivation that I can save them?? I pray not.

In our scripture today, God says we are a letter from Christ to our spouse. That because of our ministry to them they can have the Spirit of God written on their hearts if they accept Him. I’m humbled by that. Not only has the Spirit of God reached down and written on my heart, I can reflect Him in my words and actions. If they, our spouse, see this lived out in us, we could be the vessel God uses to bring them to Him! It is also somewhat daunting as well. But then I remember what Dineen says: “We can find tremendous comfort in the sense that it isn’t up to us to know what to say or how to say it.”  We have the Holy Spirit in us that helps us do that. We don’t have to rely on ourselves and be bogged down with what to do or say. That is a relief, and it gives us more reason to pray and stick close to God.

How many times have I tried to push the issue with them? Nagged and cried and begged?? Or even just sat back and was angry because they wouldn’t listen? Oh Boy!! I can think of many times! Not letting the Holy Spirit guide me, just pushing ahead without any direction at all! I need to stop and think, Would I listen to someone who is hassling me like this? Would I see a loving, caring God in that tone? I’m thinking  NOT!  What I need to remember in that moment is that I leave a permanent impression on my loved one whenever I am speaking to them.

In the story of the prodigal son in Luke, we see the father in this story giving his son free will and an early inheritance. Off goes the son and blows all the money then hires himself out a s slave to someone because of a famine in the land. He ends up feeding PIGS!! Even desiring the food he is feeding them! He finally comes to his senses and remembers that even his father’s hired hands have food to spare. So he goes home and repents, offers himself up to his father as a slave and what does the father do?? He throws his arms around his son and quickly organizes a party for him. How awesome is that? Now, obviously, this is my own interpretation of this Parable but as I read it I’m thinking I don’t hear his father begging him to stay or crying or nagging. No he just gives the son what he wants and let’s him go. I have to believe the son was brought up in a believing household. I’m sure he probably prayed his heart out, like any parent would, that he would return to him. And because the father lived out his faith and wrote on his heart, the son realized what the truth was and returned home to the father.

What I’m trying to get at here is that maybe taking a step back in our marriage. Don’t worry about planning what to say or do next. Let yourself be God’s love letter to them. Let the heart of Christ radiate out of you for them to see. We don’t have to worry about what to say. We just need to be willing vessels, ready to give God’s grace in the moment. God can only use us when we  yield to Him. Give them freedom to choose for themselves because of that reflection.

Purpose in your heart to be God’s message to your husband. Communicate love and grace to them ” letting the Holy Spirit make his mark on you for the benefit of your Husband.” When you do this you are honoring God and your husband. Ask yourself those questions at the beginning of our chapter and make them personal by putting your and your spouses names in them. Then implement that answer and let God shine through you!

Let’s pray:

God thank you for writing on our hearts today. We ask that you would radiate your Spirit through  us and let us have the honor of being your vessel and tool in the salvation of our spouses. May they only see you and not us. Give us willing hearts to be able to do this. Show us and give us the exact words and things to do to make this happen. You are faithful and loving. We praise you today for all that you are doing and will do. In Jesus name I pray – Amen

Your assignment:

I am purposing to do what Dineen says in the first paragraph of our chapter today-speak words of love to my husband and reflect Christ while doing so. What can you do that will speak to your husband today and how will you do it??

God’s blessings on your day,

Donna

__________

If you are interested in joining this “Winning Him Without Words” online bible study, please click HERE to complete the sign-up form.  You will need to purchase the book in order to follow along with us.  You can find details for the book on our sign-up form.

Like Be the first one who likes this post!
About Donna Day

Donna Day, Blog Contributor – Women’s Ministry
Donna lives in Southeast Wisconsin with her husband Ronald. Together they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. She loves to read, sing and listen to some talk-radio. Donna attends Rock Assembly of God, where she is active in coffee ministry, Worship team and heads up their Women’s Ministry, as well.

Comments

  1. Megan Smidt says

    Living in the moment is so important….. and having God right there with you in every moment is a MUST!!! When you try to plan every move and every word, we are trying to control and do things in our own power. Such a great reminder today, Donna… thank you <3

  2. coleen hayden says

    donna, i so agree!! i, too, am always SO humbled by the truth of this verse!!! that the Lord would choose to write HIS LOVE in my heart…and that others could see and read it…and that, perhaps through me, they would be drawn to Him and be saved…!!! only God could make a plan like this!!! praising Him and thanking Him! echoing your prayer, donna…in Jesus' name, amen. <3

  3. I LOVE THIS, Donna!! A message we wives NEED to remember!! "Purpose in your heart to be God’s message to your husband. Communicate love and grace to them ” letting the Holy Spirit make his mark on you for the benefit of your Husband.”

    • That puts it into perspective for me, that I have to remember that I can give them grace and then they will see HIM!! Besides, don't we all respond better to grace and not harsh words? I know I do! Thank you Christi!

  4. This is so beautiful Donna. Thank you, as I really needed to be reminded of this today.
    I will stick close to God.

  5. One comment in the very first paragraph caught my attention – "If I could show him who I love the most, I would show him Christ". Do I love Christ the most? I had to stop and pray. Often times I let other things slip into 1st place in my life instead of keeping Christ foremost. Today I will be intentional in keeping Christ first, loving him the most, so that His love may overflow from me to my husband. I am so thankful that I am equipped with the Holy Spirit and it isn't up to me. So glad God chose me to be Christ's letter to my husband.

    • I'm glad he chose me too, what a privilege! You have the right perspective and God will honor that!

  6. And He will stick close to you!!

  7. Mandi Ware says

    I can speak love to my husband by being respectful of his ideas and opinions without judging or being overly critical.

Trackbacks

  1. […] “Winning Him Without Words” – Heart Tablets (girlfriendscoffeehour.com) […]

  2. […] “Winning Him Without Words” – Heart Tablets (girlfriendscoffeehour.com) […]

  3. […] “Winning Him Without Words” – Heart Tablets (girlfriendscoffeehour.com) […]