Marissa Henley

Encouraging weary women to hope in Christ alone

We have a Reason to Rejoice {No Matter What Monday}

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Romans 5-2

What makes you happy?

A good night’s sleep? A delicious dinner you didn’t have to cook? A new pair of shoes? (Those are all near the top of my list!)

These small blessings bring happiness, but often those feelings are fleeting. We enjoy dinner out with friends and then our mood sours because an inconsiderate driver cuts us off on our way home. We’re ecstatic about our new shoes until we see someone else with a pair we’d rather have. And when we struggle with ongoing, difficult circumstances, happiness can be hard to find—no matter how many pairs of shoes we buy.

Last week, we saw in Romans 5:1 that we have peace with God through faith in Christ. In the next verse, we read that we always have a reason to rejoice:

“Through [Christ] we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:2)

Because of Christ, we have a secure standing before God and a firm hope in eternal life. We stand in the grace of Christ’s righteousness given to us. He gives us the promise that we will share in God’s glory one day in Heaven. This is an unchanging reason to rejoice!

This week as you face difficulties, cling to the promise that you stand secure in God’s grace and the hope of eternity with Him. And as Paul says in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”

No matter what you face this week, God’s promises give you a reason to rejoice.

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Sharing God’s Faithfulness ~ Feathers Podcast

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feathersAs long as I live, I want to share His story of faithfulness with others. This past week, I had the opportunity to talk with Amy J. Bennett on the Feathers: Faith in Flight podcast.

Feathers features stories of people who faced difficult situations and were asked by God to have faith and obey Him. I love listening to it as I drive, exercise, or do housework. Amy’s God-honoring conversations with her guests inspire me, and I enjoyed getting to share my own story with her listeners!

If you’d like to listen or share the podcast episode with others, head on over to Amy’s website. I recommend checking out her other episodes while you’re there!

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Your God Will Hear You {No Matter What Monday}

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Micah 7-7I try not to be a mom who stares at her phone all day. But I remember a time, a few years ago, when my young daughter was trying to tell me something, and I was engrossed in my phone. She gently put her hands on my cheeks, lifted my eyes to look into her eyes, and then started speaking to me.

 

She needed to be heard.

 

That’s one interesting aspect of our current social media age. Anyone can get their message out there. We are all clamoring to be heard. We can instantly tell hundreds of people about our joy, our heartbreak, or our great new purchase at Kohl’s.

 

But is anyone really listening?

 

Micah 7:7 tells us that there is One who hears us: “But as for me, I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”

 

The God of our salvation hears us. The Lord who has the power to rescue us, our Heavenly Father who cares for us, the God who proved His love by saving us . . . He hears our cries. Psalm 34:6 says, “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.”

 

Do you need to be heard? Are you feeling discouraged by your troubles and feel that no one understands? Cry out to the Lord. He will hear you.

 

No matter what, your God will hear you when you cry out to Him.

 

{ Graphic hand-lettered by Amanda J Calligraphy }

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Our Hope is in Our Great God {No Matter What Monday}

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Dale Ralph Davis

For me personally, “No Matter What Monday” was meant for weeks like this.

 

Later this week, I will walk into the oncology clinic where I spent many hours back in 2010-11. I will have imaging tests of my chest and abdomen, and then I’ll wait to hear whether or not the doctors see evidence of a cancer recurrence.

 

I wish I could tell you I’m not afraid. I’d love to inspire you with the strength of my faith in God’s plans, whatever they may be.

 

But the truth is that I’m scared. I struggle to rest in God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. This week I’ll come face-to-face with the reality of my medical history, my mortality, and the weakness of my faith.

 

Maybe this is a big week for you, too. Maybe you’re wrestling with unknowns in your life, unfulfilled longings, or unending struggles. Dear friend, how can we have peace today as we look ahead at a challenging week?

 

I find comfort in these words from seminary professor and author, Dr. Dale Ralph Davis: “It is not so much great faith in God that is required as faith in a great God” (No Falling Words, p. 122).

 

Isn’t that freeing? Nothing depends on the greatness of my faith. It all depends on the greatness of God.

 

The apostle Paul said it this way: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9b).

 

This is great news when my faith falters. God doesn’t require great faith from us. He brings all the greatness that is required. His goodness never falters or fails. His grace covers all the weakness of our faith.

 

No matter what, our hope isn’t in our great faith but in our great God.

 

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