Where’s Your Joy-Wagon Hitched?

September 19, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Where's Your Joy-Wagon Hitched? SCOTTY SMITH You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.  In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:7-8 Heavenly Father, what a timely and timeless passage… sometimes we have to listen to our discontent and grumpiness to discover where we’ve been looking for our joy lately. We’re grateful for the many creature comforts you give us; but what can compare with being totally known and fully loved by you? May the riches of the Gospel enable us to unhitch our joy-wagon from people and politics, wealth and work, health and homes, circumstances and outcomes. Every night we lay down between the sheets of your tender mercies and inexhaustible grace. We rest our heads on a pillow of your Fatherly sovereignty—warmly blanketed in your unwavering love. There’s no safer, select, or sweeter place to be—in life or death, suffering or somersaults, crisis or cartwheels, than to be “in Christ.” Safety isn’t a matter of less pain, but more Jesus. If it’s your pleasure to give us 30 more years, or if we wake up in heaven tomorrow, we will forever proclaim, “Our God has done all things well!” So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ beautiful and bounteous 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

Three “Nothings”

September 18, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Three "Nothings" SCOTTY SMITH You (Simon the Pharisee) neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she (the “sinful” woman) has anointed my feet with rare perfume. I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”  Luke 7:44-47 (NLT) Lord Jesus, nothing is more daily than opportunities to forgive; nothing is more glorious than the way you love us; and nothing is more important than putting the two together. We’re everywhere in this story. We’re Simon, seeing people through the lens of irritation, criticism, and judgment. Forgive us for thinking anybody needs your mercy and grace more than us. We have zero stones to throw, but real situations to steward. We’re the broken and beloved woman at your feet. Our sins are just numerous as hers, just not as obvious to us. Though we believe you’ve forgiven all of our sins—past, present, and future—make it fresh, real, and humbling. How is it possible we ever lose the wonder of our forgiveness? Intensify our love for you, Jesus, in response to your great, unwavering love for us. Precisely because we’ll get irritated, hurt, and offended till heaven, grant us bigger hearts, thicker skin, and quicker repentances. So very Amen we pray, in your kind and powerful 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

The Fear-Expelling Love of God

September 17, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The Fear-Expelling Love of God SCOTTY SMITH There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. 1 John 4:18 Heavenly Father, our hearts need to catch up with heads, especially in matters of grace. There’s a disparity between what we confess as our creed, and possess as our experience. Theologically, we know that when Jesus died on the cross, he exhausted the judgment we deserve; you robed us in his righteousness; and now you pour your love on us copiously and continually. We know this is what the Bible teaches, but make it palpably real in our hearts, Father. By the power of the Holy Spirit, drive out the nefarious, destructive fears that haunt and taunt us. Sometimes, the devil accuses us when we’re weak, and know we’ve “blown it.” Sometimes he attacks us with contempt through those closest to us. Sometimes in our dreams, many times when we’ve haven’t spent time marinating in the Gospel, meditating on the wonders of your love, and fellowshipping with Jesus. May your perfect love drive out everything that contradicts your declaration that we are your beloved children, fully and eternally accepted and acceptable in Jesus. Shut the mouth of the devil with this Jesus’ bold affirmation, “It is finished!” So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ mighty 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

It’s a Command, Not a Suggestion

September 16, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH It's a Command, Not a Suggestion SCOTTY SMITH Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 Heavenly Father, delight ourselves in you? That’s a foreign concept to some of us that were raised to be quiet, mild-mannered, and “reverent” towards you. For others of us, it’s a convicting memory of days when we loved you with abandon and childlike joy. But no matter our story, we take this command to festive delight and healing joy seriously. Turn up the music of the Gospel to 11, and compel us to join you on the dance floor of your kindness, grace, and welcome. Sabotage our every reason for hanging back—whether it’s shame, anger, fear, busyness, our Enneagram #, or some other lame excuse. We are most alive when we are most alive in you, Father. Restore to us the joy of our salvation. Renew in us our first love for Jesus. Release us from the dusty dungeon of our self-pity, self-righteousness, self-preoccupation, self-loathing, and self-justifying ways. By the Spirit with which you sealed us, and now indwell us, fill our hearts with a new song, fresh hope, and Gospel-wonder. So very Amen we pray in Jesus’ beautiful and sufficient 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

Always Coming to Jesus

September 15, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Always Coming to Jesus SCOTTY SMITH Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28 Lord Jesus, no one knows and cares about our weariness, heartaches, and burdens more than you. You beckon us—better, you pursue us when we’re tempted to deny or pretend; withdraw into busyness, or disappear into hopelessness. But, since the Gospel is true, we don’t have to feign sufficiency, medicate foolishly, or blame relentlessly. Thank you for both your invitation and provision. With hearts open and palms up, we trust you for the rest you alone can give. Rest from fear-fatigue and worry-mulling. Rest from taking on more than you’ve given us. Rest from the lies and accusations on the enemy. Rest from the idolatry of capability. Rest from vain regrets, false guilt, and real shame. Rest from the uncertainties of our future. Rest from, like Martha, choosing irritation over adoration. Rest from focusing more on what we don’t get from people, than what we do have in you. Jesus, you are our perfect righteousness and deepest peace, our loving Spouse and reigning King. Thank you for loving us fiercely, tenaciously, and all the way Home. So very Amen we pray, in your mighty 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

Here’s to a Week of Savoring Being This Loved

September 14, 2020 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Here's to a Week of Savoring Being This Loved SCOTTY SMITH I am my beloved’s, and his desire is for me. Song of Sol. 7:10 Dear Lord Jesus, we believe you love us this much, because you say it’s true. But we don’t believe it to the degree you intend. By the power of the Gospel, free us from our unbelief, grace allergies, and general heart-sluggishness. Like every week, this one is likely to be “adorned” with things that vex us, stretch us, allure us, and deplete us. So by your Spirit, cause these grand realities to “bowl us over,” and build us up. We belong to you, Jesus—not by the merit of our efforts, or the measure of our sincerity; not by the tears of our repentance, or the pledge of our faithfulness. We belong to you, because you sought, caught, and bought us with the price of your own life. It’s a 100% grace arrangement, from beginning to forever. Hallelujah! And now you desire us, Jesus—not because we show promise, but because you fulfilled every promise God made on our behalf. Even more amazing, you delight in us, not because we are choice, but because we are chosen; not because of anything in us, but because of everything in you. May this all-consuming, heart-transforming, life-liberating good news free us this to live and to love to your glory, Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your mercy-full 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