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Cling to the Better Promises {No Matter What Monday}

October 30, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

When my daughter was two and a half years old, she experienced the best day she’d ever had.

She didn’t understand why I put the butterfly wings and bright, puffy tutu on her. But her older brothers were wearing weird stuff, too, so she didn’t complain. I handed her a bucket and told her to walk up to our neighbors house and ring the doorbell. She timidly followed her brothers to the door.

And then the craziest thing happened. A woman opened the door and gave her candy for no reason at all!

A couple hours later, my little girl sat at our kitchen table with her candy collection spread in front of her. She was enjoying a lollipop and eyeing the rest of her stash when I told her it was time for bed. She looked at me, looked at the abundance before her, and replied, “I need to finish my snack.”

My daughter still loves candy, and Halloween is one of her favorite holidays. But I don’t want her to find her greatest joy in the treats of this world. I want her to know the One who gives life, joy, and pleasures that will never fade or run out. My prayer for her is that one day she will wholeheartedly declare with the psalmist:

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

The Lord has shown you the path of life: His Son, Jesus Christ. Only in His presence will you find true joy that satisfies your weary soul. And one day those who have been redeemed will see Him face-to-face and enjoy pleasures forevermore with Him.

Are you chasing after pleasures that don’t satisfy you? Are you struggling to find joy in difficult or stressful circumstances? Is this life disappointing you with its hardship and heartache? We don’t have to settle for the hollow promises and fleeting pleasures of this world. Instead, we can stand on the better promises of our Savior.

No matter what you face this week, cling to the One who promises you life, joy, and pleasures forevermore.

The Greater One {No Matter What Monday}

October 23, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

Have you ever seen the Who Would Win book series? These children’s books depict a hypothetical battle between two animals and predict the outcome. Could a giant squid defeat a whale? What if a tiger and a lion dueled to the death? What about a tarantula vs. a scorpion? That’s a match I hope I never have to see!

Some days, the world around us might make us wonder, “Who’s gonna win? Will God really come out on top here, or are the forces of evil too great?” It seems like sin, wickedness, and death are winning. We watch violence rage around the world, disease threaten those we love, and sin rips families apart.

The Bible is the ultimate Who Would Win book, and the outcome is not hypothetical. Spoiler alert: Jesus wins. And because we are united to Him by faith, His victory is our victory.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

He who is in you (God the Spirit) is greater than he who is in the world (the devil and the forces of evil). God’s victory has already taken place. Jesus Christ sits at the Father’s right hand and reigns over all powers and dominions (Eph. 1:19-21). His Spirit dwells in us, reminding us to not lose heart because glory is coming (2 Cor. 4:16-18).

If your heart is discouraged today, remember that the One who loves you and gave Himself for you is the same One who has overcome the world. The middle of your story might be messy and hard, but you know how this one ends.

And as you wade through the muck of sin, evil, and life in this fallen world, the One who is in you – the One who will never leave you or forsake you – is greater than your most threatening enemy. You have overcome, because He has overcome.

No matter what you face this week, He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

The Words No One Said to My Son that Night (and Why I’m Grateful)

October 19, 2017 by Marissa 3 Comments

The lights dimmed as I gripped my program and shifted in my seat with anticipation. After driving my son to what felt like 101 rehearsals, I was ready to watch him perform in his school’s junior high musical.

The spotlights followed the young teenagers around the stage, songs filled the air, and my son made the audience roar with laughter. I felt the familiar joy all moms feel as we watch our children do well. I felt relief that he didn’t forget his lines or trip over his own rapidly-growing feet.

I also felt a weight of gratitude that I suspect didn’t cross the other moms’ minds that evening. I was thankful that my son had a great time performing, for friends and relatives who joined us in the audience, and for a school that gives my child these opportunities. But there was one thing I was grateful for above all of these.

I was grateful that no one would say to my son that night, “Your mom sure would’ve loved this. She’d be so proud of you.”

Seven years ago, as I read the dismal survival rates for angiosarcoma, as I traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center to receive months of treatment and participate in a clinical trial, as I walked through the early months and years of survivorship . . . I thought ahead to these moments. I saw my children, a few inches taller and a few years more mature, playing in piano competitions, dancing in ballet recitals, competing in spelling bees, and walking to the stage during school awards assemblies.

No matter how much I squinted and searched, I couldn’t see whether or not I was sitting in the crowd. I feared those normally-happy occasions would be marred by my absence. I imagined the sad half-smiles and the words others would say to console my children: “Your mom would be so proud.”

And by God’s grace, here I am. Not a week goes by that I don’t marvel at my presence here in 2017. I know other children are missing their moms, and it breaks my heart. I don’t take my present or future health for granted.

But as the house lights came up and I made my way to the lobby after the show, it was a joy to hug my son and say, “Wow, I really loved that! I sure am proud of you.”

You Have Nothing to Fear {No Matter What Monday}

October 16, 2017 by Marissa Leave a Comment

I sat in a Bible Study Fellowship lecture in October 2010, taking notes furiously as our teacher unpacked Isaiah 7. When you’re looking for inspirational, life-changing encouragement in God’s Word, Isaiah probably isn’t the first place you turn.

But that week, as I sat in the pew with a lump in my breast and a biopsy on the calendar, this verse was exactly what I needed to hear:

“And say to him, ‘Be careful, be quiet, do not fear, and do not let your heart be faint because of these two smoldering stumps of firebrands, at the fierce anger of Rezin and Syria and the son of Remaliah.” (Isaiah 7:4)

When God sent Isaiah to talk to King Ahaz, the king had a valid reason to be afraid. He had just learned that two threatening armies had a powerful new ally who could help their attack succeed. And yet, the Lord told Ahaz not to fear these powerful enemies.

The notes I took that evening became a source of hope and peace for me when the biopsy results came back. I had a rare and aggressive cancer called angiosarcoma. The prognosis was not good, and I faced a lengthy battle for my life.

I’ll be honest—I was afraid. Cancer is terrifying. But on the cross, Jesus dealt a death blow to my biggest reason to fear: the separation from God my sin deserves. My suffering Savior eliminated the greatest threat against me.

Because of His sacrifice for my salvation, I can walk through suffering with confidence in God’s promises. I can face uncertainty with hope and joy, knowing my faithful Heavenly Father is with me. Because I belong to Christ, my future with Him is secure, and I truly have no reason to fear.

Are you facing a scary situation today? Do your circumstances threaten to overwhelm you? Are you plagued by uncertainty, sadness, or worry? Let not your heart be faint—because of Christ, you have nothing to fear.

No matter what you face this week, those who belong to Christ have no reason to fear.

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