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Do Not Lose Heart, Glory is Coming {No Matter What Monday}

June 20, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

I hate suspense. I’m impatient and can’t wait to know how it ends. Yes, I’m one of those people who turns to the last page of the book to see if the heroine lives or if the couple ends up together. I love binge-watching series on Netflix, because I can look ahead at the episode descriptions and get hints about what’s coming!

I don’t like suspense in my entertainment, and I certainly don’t want suspense in my life. I’m eager to know what’s ahead. What will my children’s lives be like? What challenges will my marriage face? What tragedy is lurking around the corner? What might happen in our nation or our world that will impact our lives? I wish I could turn to the last page and find out these answers!

And yet, God’s Word doesn’t keep us in suspense. We know how all this ends.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

This is the end of the story for those who belong to Christ: an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. Eternal life, resurrected bodies, a new heaven and new earth, living forever in the light of Jesus Christ, seeing God’s final and complete victory over sin and death and evil.

Life is hard. We suffer. Our outer selves are wasting away, and we are afflicted. But glory is coming. And when we see God’s glory someday, all that we are enduring now will seem like light and momentary affliction.

I can’t wait.

No matter what, do not lose heart. Glory is coming!

Sharing God’s Faithfulness ~ Feathers Podcast

June 15, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

As 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!

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

May 23, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

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.

The Lord is Your Light and Your Salvation {No Matter What Monday}

May 16, 2016 by Marissa Leave a Comment

If you’ve read the Bible for more than about 10 minutes, you’ve probably come across the idea that those who belong to the Lord have no reason to fear. Do not fear, do not be anxious, do not be afraid . . . these phrases are all over the Scriptures.

If the Lord repeated this idea so often, it must be important. But at the same time, it seems so impractical. The world is a scary place. It’s filled with uncertainty and suffering and trouble, and sometimes it seems to be getting worse every day.

How can we possibly live without fear?

Psalm 27:1 offers an answer to that question: The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

The Lord is our light. When all feels dark, the Lord’s light shines even brighter. Micah 7:8 says, “When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Isaiah 60:20 refers to the everlasting light of the Lord. Our Heavenly Father promises to always shine His unfailing light into our darkest places.

The Lord is our salvation. Colossians 1:13-14 tells us He’s delivered us from the dominion of darkness, brought us into the kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ, and given us redemption and forgiveness.

I doubt I will completely conquer the temptation to fear this side of heaven. But remembering that the Lord is my light and salvation helps me to face a frightening world with less fear and more confidence in the Lord’s promises.

No matter what you face this week, the Lord is your light and your salvation—you have no reason to fear!

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