Stewardship of 2021

December 31, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Stewardship of 2021 SCOTTY SMITH I want to know Christ. Phil. 3:10 To live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil. 1:21 To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood. Rev. 1:6 Heavenly Father, whew! It’s the last day of 2020 (we hope), and our hearts are filled with many emotions. What a fear-fueling, angst-igniting, heaven-longing year it has been. One year ago today, who could have imagined life would become so “viral” and virtual; face-masks would be daily attire and political hot potatoes; and disinfectant wipes and toilet paper would be hoarded? And in all of it, Father, you have never been more sovereign, loving, and at work. Thank you. Whether we’re New-Year’s-resolvers or not, what will good stewardship of 2021 look like? As in any year, nothing will be more important than our relationship with Jesus. For he is our “righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30); “the ruler of the kings of the earth” (Rev. 1:5), and the One who is making “all things new” (Rev. 21:5). As we begin 2021, help us discern between the good and the best, the non-essential and the vital, and the eternal and the fleeting. No matter what else happens in the New Year, please make Jesus more beautiful, irresistible, and compelling to us. Oh that 2021 might be the year you choose to send him back. Until that Day, may we live and love, rejoice and weep, spend and be spent to his glory. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ reigning, righting, and righteous name.   Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

A Glorious Irony and Transforming Gospel

December 30, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH A Glorious Irony and Transforming Gospel SCOTTY SMITH When they [Joseph and Mary] had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him. Luke 2:39–40 Lord Jesus, the irony in this story is most glorious. Eight days into your incarnate life, Joseph and Mary took you the Temple and did “everything by the Law of the Lord,” on your behalf. But you came to fulfill the Law for them, and (hallelujah), for us as well. Our hearts soar, knees bend, and hands rise… as ponder your perfect obedience and completed sacrifice. Before taking the death we deserve, you lived the life we could not live. You were raised for our justification, and will return for our glorification. Hallelujah! Indeed, your last words from the cross, “It is finished!” are our forever words of peace. Our lives are now hidden in you, rooted in your love, and enveloped in your grace—riches beyond calculation. By the same grace you saved us, you’re now changing us. What will this look like in 2021? In what ways are we not as free, holy, and joyful as you intend? The Gospel put an end to all earning, but not all effort. You deserve our obedient love, Jesus, and you call us to Spirit-surrender. What sin and shame, selfishness and resentments, habits and fears will you free us from in the new year? So very Amen we pray, in your most glorious and gracious name. Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Living with Pain, Hope, and Jesus

December 29, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Living with Pain, Hope, and Jesus SCOTTY SMITH She (Anna) never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them (Mary and Joseph) at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child [Jesus] to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36–38 Lord Jesus, by the calendar of your incarnation, you were just 8-days-old when Anna met you in the temple. Her hope was greater than her pain. Worshipping and waiting for decades, Anna longed for your arrival and the salvation you would bring. That day dawned the evening of your birth, and continued on a 33-year path straight to your cross. By your declaration, “It is finished,” we are guaranteed an eternity peace, joy, and wholeness. Presently, we live as objects of Abba’s affection—children under his Fatherly sovereignty. Heartache, loss, and pain continue; but they don’t get the last word. You do, Lord Jesus. On that Day, Lord Jesus, you won’t give us answers, you will give us yourself—which is better by far. Seeing you, and being with you, will be the resolution to our knowing and loving in part; and, at times, vexing over God’s timetable, and doubting his goodness. Until then, Lord Jesus, may the Gospel free us to worship, trust, and hope like Anna. Grant us grace in 2021 to accept our Father’s ways, means, and timetable for all things. So very Amen we pray, in your most wonderful and merciful name.   Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

All Things to Christ, Nothing to Chance

December 28, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH All Things to Christ, Nothing to Chance SCOTTY SMITH Simeon took him [Jesus] in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32 Lord Jesus, this passage records a glorious mystery and profound hope. Eight days after your birth, Simeon took you in his arms. But who was really holding whom? By your arms all things were made, and are sustained. By those same arms, you were nailed to the cross, and now rule supreme. And in a most profound way, those arms embrace us in the Gospel, and will never let go of us. The saints in heaven are more joyful than us, but they’re not more loved or more secure. As we hasten to bid 2020 good riddance, Slow… Us… Down, Lord Jesus. Like Simeon, we want to live thankfully, intentionally, and expectantly. Oh, that in 2021, we might live by the rhythms of peace, at the pace of grace, with the values of eternity, and the hope of heaven. Salvation is coming to “all nations,” because you have come to us. Your glory will fill the earth, “everything sad will come untrue,” and all things will beautiful, because you are coming again. Our Father has left nothing to chance, but all things to you (Heb. 1:2). This is so good; and so very Amen we pray, in your glorious and grace-full name. Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Grudges or Grace?

December 27, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Grudges or Grace? SCOTTY SMITH And he [Jesus] came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. Eph. 2:17–18 Lord Jesus, Christmas is you coming near us though a crib, to make peace for us by your cross. We now live under this grand declaration, “No condemnation for your sin remains” (Rom. 8:1). Robed in your righteousness, we robustly sing, “His banner over me is love!” (Song of Songs 2:4). We are unfathomably, immeasurably beloved. We’re also called. Jesus, you call us to live at peace with all people—”as far as it depends on us” (Rom. 12:18). We can’t control others, and shouldn’t try; but we can take responsibility for our wounds, wishes, and words. You’ve never promised to give us conflict-free relationships; but you have promised we’ll never know a Christ-absent day. You’ve also promised to do a bunch more than we can ask or imagine (Eph. 3:20). You destroy all kinds of hostilities and reconcile all kinds of people (Eph. 2:14-18). None of our relationships are beyond the need or reach of your grace. Forgive us for perpetuating bruised, distanced, chilly relationships. Too many people are dying from a virus. Too many people are dying alone. May your grace, not our grudges, shape the rest of our days.. Help us, Jesus. Free us. Heal us. So very Amen we pray, in your peerless and peace-full name.     Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe

Jesus Came into a Broken World for Broken People

December 26, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus Came into a Broken World for Broken People SCOTTY SMITH “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:20 Heavenly Father, it’s the day after Christmas, and many of us are over-stuffed, under-slept, very-spent. Mostly, however, we’re grateful—thankful Jesus actually came into the world for us. For those of us for whom Christmas Day went really well, we worship you as the God from whom all blessings flow. For those of us for whom the day was virus-disrupted, kinda-messy, or (for those of us in Nashville, TN), explosion-interrupted), we too worship you. The day after Jesus was born, a 5-star bed-n-breakfast didn’t open up for the family. And when the shepherds left Jesus’ manger, they were still shepherds. They didn’t get a TV show, write a book, or start a podcast. As followers of Jesus, we’re grateful we don’t have to pretend about anything. Jesus came into a broken world, full of broken people. Hallelujah, he came to be our Savior, not our concierge—our loving Master, not our personal masseur. May we finish 2020 surrendered to the work of your Spirit, grateful for the riches of the Gospel, loving Jesus and longing for his return. And, with whomever we’re with the rest of the week, help us remember, “the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love” (Gal. 5:6). So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ wonderful and merciful name. Wish you had roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! About Us    |     Council    |     Donate ©2020 The Gospel Coalition, All Rights Reserved. P.O. Box 170346 — Austin, TX 78717 Update Email  |  Unsubscribe