Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

God Values and Cares for You {No Matter What Monday}

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I find myself spending more time staring out my windows than I ever have before. (That’s life in 2020, right?!) The other day, I was admiring a beautiful bird with bright, bold colors. Then I noticed an ordinary robin, clad in mostly drab colors with muted red on its chest. It struck me that I looked right past the ordinary bird, not even seeing it as I watched its more intriguing feathered friend.  

Do you ever feel like the robin in my yard, wondering if God has overlooked you? Maybe you look around and see others who are more successful or more spiritual. You feel ordinary—or maybe even worse than ordinary—and think God couldn’t possibly care about someone like you. 

God is not like me—and that is good news! He doesn’t shower the attractive with His attention and ignore the ordinary. Our heavenly Father cares for all of His children. Listen to Jesus’ words in Matthew 10: 

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)

Two for a penny—back in Jesus’ day, sparrows were the cheapest animal you could buy for your sacrifice. Even the poor could afford to buy one or two. And we read in Luke that if you paid two pennies, you could get five sparrows—they were of so little value that they’d throw in an extra for free. You can’t get much more ordinary than that! And yet, these insignificant birds are of great value in the eyes of their Creator. Not one falls to the ground without His knowledge and involvement. 

God’s care for us, His beloved children, is even greater, because we are of even greater value to Him. He knows each and every hair on our heads. God is concerned with and sovereign over even the smallest details of our lives. Nothing touches a hair on your head before passing through the hands of your loving, faithful, and sovereign heavenly Father. 

No matter what you face this week, fear not—God values you and cares for you. 

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Life in the Spirit {First 5 audio teaching}

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I’m sharing an audio teaching today in the First 5 app as we wrap up our study of Galatians. I’d love for you to join us as we discuss “Life in the Spirit” from Galatians 5-6. You can listen or read a transcript in the First 5 app or on their website. I hope it is a blessing to you today!

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Three Reasons to Live Fearless {Guest post for Proverbs 31 Ministries}

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Today I’m sharing a devotional from the book of Revelation for Proverbs 31 Ministries’ Encouragement for Today devotions. Here’s a preview . . .

“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, ‘Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18 (ESV)

I still remember where I was when the question came. We had just started the drive to school when one of my young carpool passengers piped up from the back seat and asked, “Miss Marissa, how old will you be when Christopher graduates from high school?”

Fighting back tears, I struggled to figure out the answer to her question. I had recently finished treatment for a rare cancer called angiosarcoma. I was begging the Lord for another year or two but didn’t dare let myself think about attending my second-grader’s graduation.

We find many reasons for fear in this life, and death is often at the top of the list.

Whether it’s cancer or a contagious new virus, reminders of our mortality can shake our security and peace. Christ’s promise of eternal life soothes our doubts about eternity, but we might fear the process of dying or dread the loss of our loved ones.

In the book of Revelation, God gives us hope as we face all our fears. He pulls back the curtain of heaven to show us the present reality of Christ’s reign and the future consummation of His triumph over the grave. Turning our eyes to victorious Jesus gives us hope and comfort in the face of death.

To finish reading the devotional, head over to the Proverbs 31 website. I hope you’re encouraged to live fearless no matter what you’re facing today!

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Free to Serve {First 5}

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I’m sharing over on the First 5 app today in our study of Galatians. We’d love to have you join us as we wrap up this study! Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Galatians 5:13-15

Galatians 5:13 (ESV) “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

What comes to mind when you think of freedom? Maybe you remember the first time you drove on your own as a new driver, free to go wherever you pleased. Maybe you dream of financial freedom and not agonizing over every expense. Maybe you cherish the liberty Americans enjoy, such as freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

Those who are united to Christ have been given a freedom unlike anything a government, bank account or driver’s license can provide. Paul shared the good news of our freedom in Christ in Galatians 5:1, and in today’s reading, he adds a caution: “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13b). Paul knew that as the Galatians turned away from the legalistic message of the Judaizers, they might be tempted to use their freedom to rationalize sin.

Paul wanted his readers – then and now – to understand that giving yourself over to the desires of your flesh (that is, your sinful nature) isn’t true freedom.

To read the rest of the teaching, head over to the First 5 website or download the app!

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