Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

God’s Provision for Every Battle {First 5}

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Today I have the privilege of sharing about the armor of God in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6:13-17

Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

As a mom, I spend much of my mental energy making sure everyone has what they need on their way out the door. I’m constantly thinking through every event on our calendar and what each person needs. In the early days, it meant having plenty of diapers, wipes and a couple of extra pacifiers. Now I’m double-checking that everyone has their homework, lunch and jacket as they leave for school.

In today’s passage, Paul told the Ephesians what they would need as they headed out into the world as God’s redeemed people. When the recipients of Paul’s letter were exhorted to stand firm in a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, they may have felt overwhelmed. (Ephesians 6:12) Maybe you feel overwhelmed, too, as you look at the rampant wickedness and unending problems in our world. Maybe you’re burdened by the weight of personal temptation or past failures.

But as we keep reading in Ephesians 6, we find that God knows exactly what we will face each day and He has already supplied everything our battle requires. In Christ, God gives His children everything we need to stand firm against the devil.

You can read the entire teaching by clicking here or downloading the First 5 app. I’d love for you to join us as we finish our study of Ephesians!

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But God {First 5}

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Today I have the privilege of sharing a teaching for First 5 on one of my favorite passages of Scripture – Ephesians 2:1-7. Here’s a preview . . .

“Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?”

I cringe when I hear this question – I don’t want any bad news! But if I have to choose, I’d rather get the bad news over with first. In Ephesians 2:1-7, Paul shares devastating news followed by the best news imaginable. He starts with the bad news that we were all hopelessly and helplessly dead in our sin.

Paul doesn’t hold back in describing our spiritual condition apart from Christ. We might prefer to say we’re broken, weak, straying or struggling, but Paul says we were walking in sin and spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1) We were following the devil and consumed by our own desires. Apart from Christ, we were sinners who deserved nothing from God but His wrath. (Ephesians 2:2-3)

Dead people can’t do anything to change their situation. They can’t make themselves better or even ask for help. Spiritually dead people have only one hope: a rescuer with the power to raise the dead and give them new life.

Now it’s time for the good news. In Ephesians 2:4, we find these two little words that change everything: “But God.”

I hope you’ll head over to First 5 to read the rest of the teaching, or download the app and join us as we study Ephesians together!

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Are You Blessed? {First 5 Audio Teaching}

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This weekend I had the privilege of sharing an audio teaching for First 5 on one of my favorite passages of Scripture – Ephesians 1. You can listen or read a transcript by clicking here or downloading the First 5 app. I’m excited about this study of Ephesians and would love for you to join us in the app!

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Responding to the Good News {First 5}

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Today I have the privilege of sharing over at First 5 as we continue our Advent study. I hope you’ll head to the First 5 website to read the entire teaching, or download the app to study along with us! Here’s a preview . . .

Today’s Reading: Luke 2:15-20

Luke 2:20 (ESV) “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”

If I told you about a delicious dessert I enjoyed at a new restaurant or a captivating piece of artwork at a nearby museum, would you be satisfied with simply hearing me describe it? Probably not! If you care anything about food or art, you’ll want to head to the restaurant or museum and experience it for yourself.

The shepherds were the same way. A chorus of angels lit up the night sky and brought the news that a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:9-14) But the shepherds didn’t just take the angels’ word for it. They wanted to see it for themselves. After they responded in faith to the angels’ message, they shared the good news and worshipped God.

The shepherds responded in faith. (Luke 2:15-16)

I wonder how long the shepherds sat there in shock after the angels vanished back into heaven. This night of looking after sheep wasn’t turning out at all like they had planned. But in response to the angelic visit, the shepherds “went with haste” to Bethlehem (Luke 2:16). The sight of Mary, Joseph and the baby confirmed the good news: a Savior had been born in Bethlehem. (Luke 2:11)

The good news about Jesus demands a response. Have you responded in faith to the gospel message? When we run in faith to Jesus, we find that He is all that He promises to be.

You can read the rest of this teaching at the First 5 website or by downloading the app. I hope it will encourage you as we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior!

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