Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

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December 1 Checklist 2012

September 26, 2012 by Marissa Leave a Comment

December 1 Checklist 2012

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Welcome

I write to remind myself of the truth of God's promises. I share my writing here in case you need to be reminded sometimes, too.

Learn more about the book!

Loving Your Friend through Cancer is now available! I'm excited to share this resource with you and pray it equips you to support your friend with compassionate care.

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I'm thrilled to announce that I am working on a de

I'm thrilled to announce that I am working on a devotional book for cancer survivors with P&R Publishing. They have a wonderful series of 31 Day Devotionals for Life, and we expect to add this one to the series in fall 2025. I would cherish your prayers for this project!

I'd also like to get input from other cancer survivors to help me address the wide range of experiences and challenges we face. If you are a cancer survivor, would you take a few minutes to fill out a survey for me? And if you know cancer survivors, please share this with them. There's a link in my bio!

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I can still remember the moment in February 2016 w

I can still remember the moment in February 2016 when I had an idea. Back when I was diagnosed with cancer, the phone call came on a Monday. I knew how quickly a week could change, but God’s promises remain the same. So I decided to write a weekly devotional every Monday about an aspect of God’s character that would be true, no matter what the week might bring.

At first it was a way to provide structure and accountability for my writing life. If I told people I was going to post every Monday, I had to stick with it. And then a handful of people started reading every week, including my grandmother, who was in assisted living in another state. I made a commitment to myself to keep writing the devotionals for her, knowing she looked forward to the email she got from me each Monday morning.

By the time my grandma went to be with the Lord in August 2020, there were more of you reading these Monday devotionals, and it’s been an honor to be welcomed into your inbox or your social media feed each week. I’ve wrestled with this decision for years. But after almost 8 years of “No Matter What Monday,” I think it’s time to bring this season to an end.

I’m still writing, but I’m taking some time to consider what that looks like for me in this new season. I’d be honored if you continue following me here so I can keep you posted as new projects come along. On my website, you can find an archive of the Monday devotionals or you can sign up for my free ebook of 21 devotionals. (Links in my bio!)

Thank you again for reading my words each Monday. It has been a blessing to me to write them for you, and I hope the Lord has been glorified by each one.

The election was still two weeks away, but the lin

The election was still two weeks away, but the line snaked around the building as I stood with other early voters, wearing masks and spaced six feet apart. While a pandemic raged around us, we showed up and waited as long as it took to cast our vote in the 2020 election. We did so because we believed that, especially in times of difficulty, it matters who’s in charge.

This month we’ve been looking at Old Testament prophesies that were fulfilled by Christ. He is the light in the darkness and the suffering Savior. The Old Testament prophets also spoke of the Messiah as the king who would reign on the throne of David forever. This king would be different from the line of kings that followed King David, many of whom were wicked, foolish leaders. Isaiah prophesied about this Messiah-King:

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore . . .” (Isaiah 9:7)

This is the wonder of Christmas: the King of all creation humbled Himself to take on flesh, dwell with us, and suffer for His people. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection demonstrated His sovereignty over this world and His sound defeat of His enemies. Now Christ the King is exalted by the Father and seated in glory at the Father’s right hand (Ephesians 2:20-21, Philippians 2:8-9).

In Revelation 19:16, we find the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy:

“On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.” (Revelation 19:16)

As we look at the chaos and challenges around us, we don’t have to wonder who’s ultimately in charge. Our good and faithful King, our Savior Jesus Christ, reigns now and forever.

This is one of the wonders of Christmas: the infant about whom we sing “Away in a Manger” is also the Savior about whom we sing, “Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.” As we celebrate, our hope is in the righteous, just, eternal kingship of the Lord Jesus Christ.

No matter what you face this week, Jesus Christ reigns as the righteous King of kings and Lord of lords. Merry Christmas, friends!

Years ago at my son’s 4-year-old checkup, his pe

Years ago at my son’s 4-year-old checkup, his pediatrician asked if he had any chores. He replied that he didn’t have any chores, but he had a job and a problem. That got the attention of all of us in the room! He explained that his job was to keep his baby sister awake in the car. His problem was that his grandpa had offered him some pickled beets, and they smelled sour.

In the mind of a 4-year-old boy, stinky vegetables are a serious problem.

Maybe you’ve got problems stinking up your life right now. Difficult relationships. Financial strain. Personal struggles that don’t hit pause just because it’s December.

But God’s Word tells us our most serious problem is our sin. This problem is universal, and it ranks at the top of the Problem List because our sin separates us from our holy God.

If your greatest problem is your bank account balance or the holiday blues, then your solution is a new credit card or some mind-numbing entertainment. If your greatest problem is your sin, you need a Savior. The prophet Isaiah foretold this reason the Messiah would come—to suffer and die for our sin in order to reconcile us to God.

“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

And according to 1 Peter, that is exactly what Christ accomplished on the cross. He provided the way for sinners like you and me to be healed of our greatest problem:

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)

This is why Christ came. He came to live a perfect life in our place. He came to die so that we might live forever. He came to rise again and show His victory over our greatest problem - the one we could never solve for ourselves. We have hope, joy, and peace even in troubling times, because by His wounds, we have been healed.

No matter what you face this week, by Christ’s wounds you have been healed.

My daughter called out as I started to leave her r

My daughter called out as I started to leave her room: “Don’t forget the closet light, Mom!” When she was younger, this part of her bedtime routine was just as important as the kiss on her forehead. She hated being alone in her room at night, and being alone in the dark would be unbearable.

As adults, the darkness we fear is different, but no less real. We struggle with doubts, unanswered questions, and anxiety. We lay awake in the middle of the night as frightening scenarios - both real and imagined - run rampant through our brains. We stumble in the dark, feeling along the wall, trying to find a light switch that will chase the fear away. Where can we find answers, comfort, or hope in our dark moments?

Over the next few weeks, we will look at prophecies from Isaiah that were fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Today we’ll see that Jesus is the light that shines in the darkness.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shone.” (Isaiah 9:2)

God’s people in the Old Testament walked in darkness for centuries. They awaited the Messiah, a Savior who would rescue them from the darkness of sin and death. They clung to a promise without understanding what it meant or how it would be fulfilled. How could God possibly unravel the mess caused by evil and sin?

In John 1, we see that Jesus Christ is the answer to life’s darkness:

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:5, 9)

The true light is here, breaking through the darkness. Because God took on flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14), the world now has the light of Christ. In Him, we have everything we need to battle fear, sin, questions, doubts—even death. The deepest darkness cannot overcome His light.

Jesus gives His blood-bought forgiveness for our sins, His sustaining strength for our struggles, and His incomparable comfort for our troubled hearts. The light of Christ guarantees that the darkness will never win.

No matter what you face this week, the light of Christ shines in the darkness.

When I was a new mom, one of the many aspects of m

When I was a new mom, one of the many aspects of motherhood that felt challenging was that it was always changing. As soon as we settled into a routine, a new tooth or a growth spurt or some other new issue would come along and toss everything I thought I’d figured out right into the trash.

Twenty years later, I still don’t handle change well. My teens are growing up and leaving home, and I feel like I’m grasping these little wisps of family life that vanish so quickly. All these changes can leave me anxious about today and fearful about changes that could come in the future.

What change are you dealing with today? Maybe changes at your job have thrown your life or your finances into a tailspin. Maybe you’re grieving a changed relationship or loss. Or maybe you’re in a steady season, but you worry about change in the future.

This month we’re looking at promises of God to cling to when we’re anxious. Today in Psalm 102, we see that through every change, we can take refuge in our unchanging God:

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end.” (Psalm 102:25-27)

These verses teach us that God has always been and He will aways be—from before the foundation of the earth until it passes away. And through all those ages; through all the changes of civilizations and kingdoms and nations; through the past, present, and future . . . He is the same.

If God remains the same, we know His character and His promises remain the same. All those truths about God that we talk about every Monday—His goodness, His faithfulness, His sovereignty, His mercy—they are the same, now and forever.

We can trust that the same God who has been faithful to us in the past will be steadfastly faithful through all eternity. He is the one constant we can count on through all the changes of life.

No matter what you face this week, when everything changes, God stays the same.

I’ve had some stressful driving experiences, but

I’ve had some stressful driving experiences, but nothing comes close to the time I was lost in Brooklyn, New York, during rush hour on a Friday afternoon. I took the exit into Brooklyn and needed to cross several lanes in a short distance to make a left turn and stay on my predetermined route. (This was in ancient times, before GPS and phones with map apps!)

But it was New York, not Arkansas. Not even the driver with a front license plate identifying him as a clergyman would let me pull in front of him. I didn’t make it to the left turn lane, and I was lost. My surroundings terrified me, and I didn’t know how to find my way to safety. All I had was a paper map, panicked tears, and desperate prayers.

Sometimes life feels similar to those jam-packed streets of Brooklyn. We’re confused and overwhelmed as we struggle to find our way. This month we’re looking at God’s promises that give us peace when we’re anxious, and in Psalm 46, we see that we have a refuge in times of fear:

“‘Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!’ The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” (Psalm 46:10-11)

When I hear the words “be still,” I’m reminded of the relief that washed over me as I finally parked in front of my friend’s Brooklyn apartment. Her knowledge of the city protected me from panic and fear as I blissfully followed her around the city for the weekend.

When life feels chaotic and confusing, we can be still. We know the One who knows all things. He is God—we are not. He is with us, and He is our fortress. He will be exalted as the One who rules and reigns over all things.

Peace comes when we feel safe and protected. With God as our ever-present fortress, we can stop panicking and be still. He is exalted above any enemy that threatens us. We can rest in His presence, protection, and peace.

No matter what you face this week, you can be still because God is with you.

The house is still quiet in the mornings as I open

The house is still quiet in the mornings as I open my Bible and place my coffee mug on the teal coaster that a friend gave me a few years ago. It says, “It’s as if no one in my family appreciates that I stayed up all night overthinking for them.” It’s funny because it’s true. As the mom of three teens, I often lay awake at night doing all the overthinking.

This month we’re looking at promises in Scripture to help us when we’re anxious. As we look at Psalm 63, we see that David had a better approach to his bedtime routine.

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.” (Psalm 63:5-7)

Isn’t it fascinating that David specifically mentioned thinking about God in the watches of the night? He didn’t just praise God during the day - he turned his thoughts to the Lord as he laid down to sleep.

I think God understands that when we’re alone in the dark with our thoughts, we will be tempted to stew over the past or worry about the future. Through David’s words, God shows us another way. Instead of focusing on our troubles and fears, we can meditate on what God has done and remember that we can trust Him.

These verses also tell us that David had a satisfied soul and joy-filled lips. These two things are connected—when we find our satisfaction in the Lord, it leads us to praise. We look at our gracious God, see how He’s been our help in the past, and know that He will be our help in the future.

David was satisfied, joyful, and peaceful because he knew the Lord was his refuge and his help. Rather than running out on his own to fix all the things, David sang for joy in the shadow of God’s wings. The Lord is our refuge and help, too, and as we meditate on His promises, we can rest peacefully and joyfully in Him.

No matter what you face this week, we can rest peacefully because of God’s promises.

Sometimes I wonder if squirrels come to our yard j

Sometimes I wonder if squirrels come to our yard just to torment our dog. They run up and down the tree next to the windows while he goes absolutely bonkers on the other side of the glass. If we open the back door to let him out, he runs at top speed directly for the squirrels, who always scamper up a tree and out of reach. Despite his lack of success for nine years now, he is always consumed by his pursuit.

In Psalm 23 we’ve learned that as God’s beloved sheep, we lack nothing we need as we enjoy quiet waters and green pastures of refreshment. We are not alone as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Our cup overflows with the provision of our Shepherd. And in this final verse of the psalm, we see how God’s good gifts continue to pursue us now and through all our days.

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” (Psalm 23:6)

The Hebrew word for “follow” could also be translated as pursue or chase. God’s goodness and mercy don’t amble behind us like a child who’s been sent to his room. They relentlessly pursue us and never let us out of their sight. We did nothing to earn them—they are a gift of God’s grace—and they can’t be taken away. These amazing gifts of goodness and mercy will follow us all the way to our eternal home, where we will dwell with the Lord forever.

Maybe today it feels like God’s goodness couldn’t possibly keep up with the troubles you face. Maybe you wonder if you’ve out-sinned the riches of His mercy. Or maybe you feel alone and discouraged and can’t see evidence of His presence with you.

Let this truth comfort you: God’s goodness and mercy are following you all the days of your life. He is with you now, and He sent His Son so that you can be with Him forever.

No matter what you face this week, your Shepherd’s goodness and mercy are yours forever.

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