Our Changeless Father and the Flow of Blessings

January 30, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Our Changeless Father and the Flow of Blessings SCOTTY SMITH Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.  James 1:17-18 Heavenly Father, I woke up grateful today. I didn’t get an unexpected “windfall,” but I did suck in a deep breath of Gospel-sanity. No matter what, as your children, we’ll always have more to worship than whine about. On this Saturday, I’m grateful, as James writes, you are our “changeless Father.” You’re never moody, too busy, or needing to second guess anything. You never have to “try” anything; you just do as you please. And it was your “pleasure” to give Jesus to us, and for us. Hallelujah. We’re your grace-adopted children, sovereignly ruled-over kids, eternal-life-gifted family. No stock portfolio can touch that. We sing you’re the Father from whom “all blessings flow.” A part of that “flow” includes: Perspective-giving friends A funny-something happening at just the right time A sunny day in a grey-hearted week Old Bible passages bringing new, perfectly-timed hope Music… ALL kinds of music Our grandkids voices and giggles The welcome and loyalty of our pets A slice of warm, moist lemon-pound cake The Spirit’s voice declaring our sonship, growing louder than all other noise. Indeed, Father, hope and gratitude are the order of this, and every day. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ most 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

I Want More Freedom, Jesus

January 29, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH I Want More Freedom, Jesus SCOTTY SMITH “If the Son (Jesus) sets you free, you are truly free.” Jn 8:36 “Bring me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name!” Ps. 142:7 King Jesus, King David’s prison didn’t have iron bars. He was hiding in a cave, feeling trapped, vulnerable, and helpless. He was wise enough to own his condition, and abandon himself to your provision. I do the same today. You’ve already freed me, (and each of us), from many chains, prisons, and entanglements. We don’t fear final judgment, for you are our forever-righteousness. We don’t fear where we’ll spend eternity, for you have secured heaven for us. THANK YOU! But Jesus, I crave more freedom in other areas of life. Free me from thinking too much about situations and people I can’t change. Sometimes I call it “praying,” but it’s the opposite of prayer. It’s filled with self-referential concerns, not You-centered trust. Free me from quick, irritation-fueled reactions. Over the past 12 months, my anger-fuse has gotten shorter, and my resentment list has gotten longer. Rather than seeing everything through the lens of the Gospel and eternity, my glasses have been overly tinted with the hues of Red and Blue. Free me (and hear my repentance in this, Jesus) from prejudices and bigotries I didn’t realize I carry. Free me to be way more preoccupied and engaged with your every-nation story, Bride, and Kingdom. Mine is merely one among 195 nations you claim and equally love. I’ll stop there, today, Jesus. But we both know there’s more. So very Amen I pray, in your powerful and loving 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

Receiving, not Achieving; Resting, not Vexing

January 28, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Receiving, not Achieving; Resting, not Vexing SCOTTY SMITH “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” John 1:12 Gracious Jesus, I woke up with this song begging for my attention. “Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what thou art; I am finding out the greatness of thy loving heart.” (Jean Pigott). I have a treasured memory of the day these words put me—quite literally, on my face, with joyful tears of release streaming down my cheeks. I was a senior pastor, but a junior in freedom. Much stress, little sleep, and restless struggle finally caught up with me. It felt so good to feel so helpless—helpless enough to receive what you alone can give: Grace, upon grace, upon grace. From beginning to end, the Gospel is about receiving, not achieving. Resting in you, not vexing about yesterday, today, or tomorrow. But we forget. We became children of God by receiving you—not impressing you. We become children of freedom by receiving everything you are—not anguishing over everything we’re not. “Finding out the greatness of your loving heart”… that’s what we need more than anything else, Jesus. More than COVID to be over. More than civility to be restored. More than mere people to “get us.” More than we need oxygen, water, and bread. Help us, free us, heal us. So very Amen we pray, in your great and loving 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

“Nevertheless-Joy” and “Yet-Joy”

January 27, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH "Nevertheless-Joy" and "Yet-Joy" SCOTTY SMITH “Nevertheless… rejoice that your names are written in heaven.“ Luke 10:17-20  “Yet, I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” Hab. 3:18 Lord Jesus, two contrasting stories frame these verses. In the first, 72 disciples returned from a successful mission “high-5-ing” each other with joy, because of their victory over the powers over darkness. In the second, the prophet Habakkuk expresses confusion and heartache, as the armies of Babylon approach Jerusalem to invade and destroy it. The 72 disciples watched the darkness flee, Habakkuk saw the darkness coming. In both stories, we see the call to anchor our joy and hope in you, not in anything or anyone else. Help us, Jesus.      There is a joy that trumps all joys, surpasses all gladness, and redefines happiness itself. It’s “nevertheless-joy.” Sometimes, our dance-worthy circumstances outnumber our whine-worthy ones, 10 to 1. Nevertheless, our joy must be in you, Jesus, and what you’ve done for us, period. Other times, like Habakkuk, we feel confusion, sadness, and fear. Events and circumstances contradict our understanding of what it means to belong to you. In those stretches, our joy has to be “yet-joy.” Life does gets hard—real hard. Yet, (as you give us grace and strength) we will rejoice in you, Lord Jesus—the “God of our salvation.” This side of heaven you don’t and won’t explain everything you’re writing into our “story.” But we do know this, you have written “our names in heaven”—into your “book,” heart, and eternity. Our names are written with the indelible ink of God’s grace in the “Lamb’s book of life.” And that is enough to know for sure, for now. So very Amen we pray, in your generous and grace-full name, Jesus.   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’ Nearness Fuels Our Gentleness

January 26, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus' Nearness Fuels Our Gentleness SCOTTY SMITH Let your gentleness be evident to everyone. The Lord is near. Phil. 4:5 Lord Jesus, no one’s gentleness is more “evident to everyone” than yours. You remain gentle towards us—even when our “humanity” is on full display. It’s your tenderness that exposes our “crustiness,” and your kindness that leads us to repentance. Thank you, and please grow your non-anxious, peace-making heart inside us. Gentle us when our bodies hurt, our hearts ache, and our minds race. Gentle us when defending our “rightness” is easier than extending your kindness. Gentle us when seeking 1st your Kingdom has taken 2nd place to “protecting our turf.” Gentle us when our fears have a louder voice in our hearts than our faith. Gentle us when “saving face” motivates us more than your saving grace. Gentle us when we feel more threatened by people than loved by you. Gentle us when our “buttons” get pushed and our “triggers” get triggered. Jesus, Paul tells us in this verse, you are “near.” I can think of two precious ways. You will never leave us or forsake us, for our lives are hidden in yours. Hallelujah. And your return is also a lot nearer than we realize. Soon, Lord, please. By your “nearness,” turn our irritation into adoration, our worry into worship, and our vexing into trusting. So very Amen we pray, Lord Jesus, in your kind and loving 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

Because Jesus Lives Forever…

January 25, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Because Jesus Lives Forever… SCOTTY SMITH    Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Heb. 7:24-26   Lord Jesus, because you live forever… your banner over us is love, your desire for us is constant, and your delight in us is endless. Hallelujah! We are citizens of heaven and Abba’s beloved children—fully forgiven and robed in your righteousness.  Because you live forever… we don’t have to live this last week of January 2021 in nagging fear, under great stress, with wavering hope. Why? Because your tomb is empty, your throne is occupied, and your return is certain.      Because you live forever…  your prayers for us are perfect, and your presence with us is constant. Though Satan tempts, condemns, and lies to us—your love is greater still, your grace more than sufficient, and your truth will win the Day.      Because you live forever…  you will finish making all things new, the earth will be filled with God’s glory, and your Bride will enjoy eternal life to the fullest.      Because you live forever, if we draw our last breath today, we will draw our first breath in heaven. Thank you, Lord Jesus, thank you so very much. So very Amen we pray, in your righteous, reigning, and righting 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