Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

A Life of Service {First 5}

by Leave a Comment

We’re studying 1 and 2 Chronicles in the First 5 app, and today I’m sharing a teaching from 1 Chronicles 9. Here’s a preview:

1 Chronicles 9:2 (ESV) “Now the first to dwell again in their possessions in their cities were Israel, the priests, the Levites, and the temple servants.”

Five years ago, our family got a puppy. Samson is a small but mighty furball who brings much joy to our children’s lives, and I’m grateful. But he can be inconvenient at times. Samson has developed gastrointestinal issues and he often makes a mess that I’d rather not clean up.

When I read about the duties performed by the gatekeepers in 1 Chronicles 9, I wonder if they ever felt the same way. I know they were grateful to return from and be restored as the people of God in Jerusalem. But perhaps disappointment crept in when they realized the service their role required.

Some of the tasks listed in this passage aren’t glamorous jobs. I’m not a morning person, so opening the tent of meeting each morning wouldn’t be my first choice. (1 Chronicles 9:27) Leaving home to fulfill a seven-day shift at the gate had to be inconvenient. (1 Chronicles 9:25) The work of organizing utensils, mixing spices and making flat cakes might have grown monotonous. (1 Chronicles 9:28-31)

And yet, we get a glimpse of the significance of the men’s work as their diligence is recorded in the Word of God. In some instances, such as Mattithiah the baker, we even know their names. (1 Chronicles 9:31) These men served sacrificially so that the people could worship God as He had commanded, and God recognized their efforts.

If you’d like to continue reading, head over to First 5 for the rest of the teaching, or download the First 5 app and join us in our study!

Share

The Victorious Conqueror {First 5}

by Leave a Comment

We’re continuing in our study of Ezekiel over at First 5, and today is my turn to share from Ezekiel 38. Here’s a preview:

Ezekiel 38:23 (ESV) “So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.”

The game was almost over, and it looked like our Lady Bulldogs would repeat as high school basketball state champions. My friends and I stood in the stands, eager to celebrate our classmates’ victory. We held a banner that proclaimed “State Champions 1993” with the end rolled to hide the “and 1994” until it was official.

But just when victory seemed to be in our grasp, our opponents tied the game, and it went into overtime. The score went back and forth for a record-setting eight overtimes. We stood with our rolled banner through each one, thinking seven more times that victory was ours, only to see the game continue. The wait only made our joy that much sweeter when the buzzer sounded and we celebrated our team’s victory by finally unrolling our banner.

Today, as I look at the troubled world around me, I long for God’s victory celebration. In Ezekiel 38, along with another description of this battle in Revelation 20:7-10, we get a glimpse of the moment when God will be revealed as the victorious conqueror over all His enemies. God clearly declares His power, purposes and plans in this prophecy.

If you’d like to continue reading, head over to First 5 for the rest of the teaching, or download the First 5 app and join us in our study!

Share

The Righteous Son {First 5}

by Leave a Comment

I’m sharing a teaching from Ezekiel 18 today in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .

Ezekiel 18:32 (ESV) “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

Though I’ve learned most of what I know about the American legal system from watching crime dramas on television, I know this: In our imperfect world, sometimes the innocent are convicted and the guilty go free. It’s not fair. It’s not impartial. It’s not just.

But in God’s courtroom, the right verdict is always given. We learn in Ezekiel 18 that all souls belong to God, and He gives to each person what they deserve. (Ezekiel 18:4) We also see God’s desire to grant mercy to those who repent of their sin. (Ezekiel 18:21)

God’s Just Judgment

In Ezekiel 18, God responds to the Israelites’ complaints during their exile in Babylon. They accuse God of unfairly punishing them for the sin of previous generations, using a popular proverb of the day. (Ezekiel 18:2) Instead of accepting the consequences for their sin, they blame others and cry, “This isn’t fair!”

God lays out a defense of His justice using three examples: a righteous man, (Ezekiel 18:5-9) the righteous man’s wicked son (Ezekiel 18:10-13) and the wicked man’s righteous son. (Ezekiel 18:14-20) Each man receives what his own righteousness or wickedness deserves, regardless of the behavior of his son or his father. (Ezekiel 18:20)

God is a righteous Judge. And in God’s courtroom, Israel stands convicted of injustice and sin. They questioned God’s character, but it is their character that is found lacking. (Ezekiel 18:29-30) Their guilt deserves a death sentence. (Ezekiel 18:4) And yet, God offers them a chance to repent and pass from death to life. (Ezekiel 18:21; John 5:24)

To read the rest of the teaching and join us for our study of Ezekiel, you can head over to the First 5 website or download the free app! I hope you’ll check it out!

Share

God’s Unfailing Purpose {First 5}

by Leave a Comment

I’m sharing an audio teaching today over at First 5 in our new study of Ezekiel. I told the story of my biggest failure ever at work, when I managed to shut down the internet of an entire university. It was a rough day! But through that failure (and so many others!), God has taught me to trust the One who never fails. I’d love for you to check out the teaching here or download the First 5 app and join us as we continue through Ezekiel!

Share