Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

Grace and Peace {First 5}

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Today we’re kicking off our study of Colossians in the First 5 app, and I’m sharing a teaching on the epistle’s first two verses. Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:1-2

Colossians 1:2 (ESV) “To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.”

I have a confession to make: My emails are usually longer than they need to be. In most situations, it seems rude to write only a few business-like sentences. I might start my email with “I hope you’re doing well” and end with “Have a great week!” These sentiments are sincere but not necessarily critical to the message.

Sometimes I’m tempted to skip over the first few verses of Paul’s epistles as if they’re the “Hope your Monday is off to a great start” of biblical times. But there are no insignificant words in God’s Word. (2 Timothy 3:16) Today we’ll consider the importance of the words Paul included in his greeting here and in many of his other letters: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father” (Colossians 1:2).

God’s grace is His undeserved favor freely given to sinners through faith in Christ. By God’s grace, we don’t receive what our sin deserves (God’s wrath), and instead we receive that which we could never earn (God’s gift of salvation and eternal life).

Jesus Christ is our source of God’s grace. John 1:14 tells us that Jesus was “full of grace and truth.” Our salvation is rooted in this free gift of God’s grace in Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app and join us as we study Colossians together!

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Look Full in His Wonderful Face

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Have you ever seen someone and thought they were someone you know? Maybe you even waved or said hello, and then that embarrassing moment came when they turned around, or you got a closer look at their face, and you realized – oops! That’s not my friend! 

For the next few weeks, we’re considering what it means to turn our eyes upon Jesus. The chorus of the hymn by that name says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face . . .” But how can we find comfort in a face we can’t see or even picture in our mind? 

I don’t want to assume too much about what Helen Howarth Lemmel, the writer of the hymn, meant when she wrote this phrase. But when I think of looking into His wonderful face, I think of gazing on all that makes Jesus unique. Just as we distinguish between a stranger and a friend by looking at their face, we look at Jesus and see how different He is than anything else this world has to offer. 

We could study God’s Word for our entire lives and still never grasp all that is wonderful about Jesus. But here are a few verses for you to gaze upon today: 

Jesus is the fullness of God and also our Savior. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” (Colossians 1:19-20)

Jesus is all-powerful and reigning at God’s right hand. “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3) 

Jesus is our living hope. “. . . he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3b)

Jesus is our Shepherd who knows us and gave His life for us. “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (John 10:14-15) 

No matter what you face this week, look full in Jesus’s wonderful face. 

(Click here to read the first devotional in this series.)

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Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

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When I feel stressed or sad, I often find myself at the piano, playing from a book of hymn arrangements that are just perfect for someone who hasn’t had a piano lesson in decades. One of my favorite arrangements in the book is “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus.” I love the hymn, but as the words ran through my head the other day, I thought, What good does it actually do to turn my eyes upon Jesus? I can’t see His face. I don’t even know what He looks like. How can there be real comfort here? I’ve been contemplating these questions ever since. 

In this month’s return of No Matter What Monday devotionals (thanks for allowing me a summer break, y’all!), we are going to look in depth at the concept of turning our eyes upon Jesus. We’ll make our way through the chorus of the hymn, looking at various Scripture as we go. If you’d like to listen to the song, one of my favorite arrangements is by Lauren Daigle – you can find it here (YouTube) or here (Spotify). 

As you may have guessed even if you don’t know the hymn, the chorus begins, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus.” Turning to Jesus means acknowledging that He is the one to save us from the power of sin and sustain us through any struggle we face. 

“So Jesus said to the twelve, ‘Do you want to go away as well?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.’” (John 6:67-69) 

Only Jesus is the Holy One of God. Only Jesus died for my sin and rose again. Only Jesus is the Word, the Truth, and the Life. Why would I turn to other things in my moments of stress or grief? How could a sweet treat, mind-numbing entertainment, or a Target run ever compare to my Savior? And yet, I often look to these counterfeit saviors for comfort and wonder why I still feel empty. 

Let’s turn our eyes to Jesus together, friends. He is so much better than anything else we look to for comfort and peace. 

No matter what you face this week, turn your eyes upon Jesus. 

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God Came to His People {First 5}

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Today I’m sharing over at First 5 about one of my favorite topics – God’s presence with us. Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Habakkuk 3:3-4

Habakkuk 3:3 (ESV) “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran …His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.”

It was 4:55 p. m. when I showed up at the front desk of my oncologist’s office without an appointment. I had just started my fourth round of chemotherapy, and I had symptoms that made me think the treatment wasn’t working. I hoped to leave a message for the on-call nurse, so I was shocked when I found myself face to face with my oncologist. He was a busy physician and researcher with a family at home. And yet, when he heard I was worried, he came to check on me. He listened to my concerns, examined me and reassured me that all was well. His presence calmed my fears.

In today’s verses, Habakkuk’s prayer of praise focused on the Lord’s majestic presence. (Habakkuk 3:3-4) Teman and Mount Paran referred to the region where the Israelites camped after God delivered them from Egypt. Habakkuk’s description communicated the Truth of God’s majesty, power and deliverance. But with these two words, “God came,” Habakkuk emphasized God’s gift of His presence. (Habakkuk 3:3)

Habakkuk’s words recalled an encounter the Israelites had with God at Mount Sinai after their exodus from Egypt. (Exodus 19:16-20) God came down and made covenant promises to be with them and be their God. (Exodus 29:45-46) God could have brought them out of Egypt and then left them on their own. He could have sent one of His angels to deliver the law and point them in the direction of the promised land. But God Himself came to His people and dwelled with them. (Exodus 40:34)

You can head over to First 5 to read the entire teaching, or download the app to continue with us as we continue our study of Habakkuk.

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