Daily Devotions
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 2 Corinthians 3:2
How often I have been encouraged by a thoughtful note written by someone who cares – an unexpected thank you, an encouraging word in time of trouble, an invitation to a family gathering, a newsy letter and word of wisdom. I would place thoughtful notes high on my list of favorite things.
Paul wrote many letters to Christian congregations in Europe and Asia Minor. No doubt they brought much encouragement and counsel to embattled believers. But in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul makes a startling statement, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” He considers them letters of recommendation, attesting to the validity of his apostolic ministry. In their daily lives of purity and service they witness to Christ and encourage both Paul and others.
In short, thoughtful notes become an extension of the sender. We show thoughtfulness by the way we live for Christ each day. Jesus Christ by His death and resurrection is God’s love letter to us. We receive that love letter in faith and pass it on to others by the life we live and, yes, by the thoughtful notes we send to others. What a privilege for Paul to say of us, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” Thoughtful notes – one of my favorite things!
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for Your love letter to us. Help us to be letters of Your love and to send thoughtful notes to others. Amen
(Devotions from “My Daily Devotion” by Dr. Stephen J. Carter, copyright 1988 CPH. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be printed, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior written permission of Concordia Publishing House. Permission is granted for one-time emailing of this link to a friend. For ordering information, please contact CPH at 800-325-3040 or visit www.cph.org.)