Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

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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God Triumphs Over Bad News {No Matter What Monday}

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Some days it feels like the bad news will never end. We have covid-related news, economic news, political news . . . all added on top of the typical bad news of cancer diagnoses, broken relationships, and loss.

Last week I went back to one of my favorite verses from my cancer battle in 2010. My aunt shared this verse with me after my diagnosis because it had encouraged my grandmother during her battle with leukemia. The first time I read it, the first few words stopped me in my tracks:

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries.” (Psalm 112:7-8)

“He is not afraid of bad news?” How can this be? There is so much about bad news to be afraid of! I’ll be honest – I’m terrified of bad news. I struggle with wondering what the next piece of bad news will be. If I could only have a bit of warning, I could prepare myself. But as much as I stretch and strain, I can’t see around the corner and glimpse what’s ahead.

Instead of preparing ourselves for bad news, God wants us to place our trust in Him. We see in these verses, and in many promises in God’s Word, that we can face bad news without fear because we belong to the Lord. We can stand firm, knowing that He is bigger, He is more powerful, and He is the victor over every evil that threatens us. He has already triumphed over every pain, every illness, every sin—even over death itself.

In this world, we will have trouble. There will always be more bad news until the day that Jesus returns. But we can take heart knowing that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33). We don’t trust in our own might, but in the power of the One who holds our future in His hands.

No matter what you face this week, God triumphs over all our bad news.

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Set Your Minds {No Matter What Monday}

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A few weeks ago, I was texting with a friend about how much we’re missing out on this year. I typed the words, “Nothing good is happening right now.” As soon as I saw that sentence, it was like holding up a mirror to my heart. I knew those words reflected my raw attitude but not the heavenly reality. My eyes were set on things of earth rather than the things of heaven. 

When we look at this world and all its challenges and disappointments, it feels like nothing good is happening right now. But if we turn our eyes heavenward to our Heavenly Father, we will see the goodness of all His gifts to us. 

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:1-2)

In these verses, Paul encourages us to focus on Christ and all that we have in Him. He tells us to set our minds on things above rather than the things on earth, because he knows that the earthly treasure is fleeting and capricious. This world may temporarily satisfy us, but it can’t and won’t ultimately fulfill our desires. 

When Paul mentions Christ seated at the right hand of God, he wants us to remember the victorious Lamb of God. Christ has taken the punishment for our sin on the cross. He’s conquered death by rising again. He’s secured our salvation and defeated any enemy that could threaten to take us from Him. 

I’m thankful the whopping disappointment of 2020 isn’t all we have. We have things that are above—namely Christ and all He’s given to us. We have salvation, forgiveness, adoption, and a glorious future with Him. These heavenly treasures are secured by His grace and can never be taken away from those who are in Christ. 

No matter what you face this week, set your minds on things that are above. 

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Abandon Your Back-Up Plan {First 5}

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I’m sharing today at First 5 in our study of Galatians. We’d love to have you join us! Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Galatians 3:15-20

Galatians 3:18 (ESV) “For if the inheritance comes by the law, it no longer comes by promise; but God gave it to Abraham by a promise.”

I’m a planner. In fact, one plan usually isn’t enough – I prefer to have a plan and at least one back-up plan. When my kids were little and my friends planned a girls’ night out, I had a babysitter on stand-by in case my husband couldn’t get home from work in time. When I fly, I like to have a mobile boarding pass and a paper boarding pass. I own two coffee makers so if one malfunctions, I don’t have to go without my all-important morning jolt of caffeine.

As a committed maker of back-up plans, I can identify with the Christians in Galatia. After Paul came to preach salvation by faith alone, the Judaizers spread a false teaching that said Christians needed to be circumcised to be saved. Maybe the Galatians just wanted to cover all their bases. Faith was important, but having the back-up plan of circumcision couldn’t hurt, right?

Paul addressed these issues in Galatians 3:15-20. Through his arguments, we see that our salvation doesn’t depend on our law-keeping but on God’s promise-keeping. And God always keeps His promises.

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

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