Not Just Any Peace Will Do

July 10, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Not Just Any Peace Will Do SCOTTY SMITH “My peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled…” John 14:27    Most caring Lord Jesus, you first spoke these words to your disciples on the cusp of their greatest heart-sinking, fear-fueling, hope-dashing day. Within hours, you would be arrested, and they would be scattered—physically, spiritually, and emotionally. But you didn’t exaggerate your promise and provision of peace—to them, or to us. You don’t give just any ole “garden variety” peace. You give us your peace. The peace you have enjoyed forever within the Trinity. The peace you won for us on the cross, and ignited by your resurrection. The peace of knowing you are our perfect righteousness, non-stop Advocate, present Bridegroom, Uber-Good Shepherd, and ruling and returning King. You are all these things, and so much more, Lord Jesus. Our scenarios vary from the first disciples, but we relate to being troubled and scattered. By your Spirit and grace—help us name our heart-troubles, our real and imaginary fears, and our peace-robbers and joy thieves. There’s no shame if our list is real long. But there’s foolishness if we fail to give these things to you. No matter what, we know these two things for sure, Jesus: You are in control of everything associated with our lives, your church, Kingdom and world history. And you intend for your peace to rule in our hearts, this very moment (Col. 3:15). THANK YOU. So very Amen we pray, in your tender and triumphant 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

When Life Is Challenging, “You Are Mine!”

July 9, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When Life Is Challenging, "You Are Mine!" SCOTTY SMITH “You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned… For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isa. 43:1-3 Heavenly Father, there aren’t three more precious words in the entire Bible than these: “You are mine.” They are true, because of the Gospel. Today, we ask you to make them real in our figurative (and literal) “waters,” “rivers,” and “fires.” You don’t say to us “if“ we experience threatening circumstances, fearful encounters, and vulnerability-fueling events—but “when” we do so, you will be with us. “With us”—not as a mere observer, but as a mighty Savior. We’d rather “smell like smoke” with you, than live our lives “Scot-free” without you. (Pun intended). Father, thank you for being upfront with us, about life between the resurrection and return of Jesus. There will be things we didn’t plan for, deliverances we didn’t have faith for; and “grace-stories,” that at the time, felt more like a contradiction of your faithfulness, than an expression of it. We rest in the promise (and mystery) of your sovereign rule over our pleasures and pains, our laughs and our laments, our miracles and our messes. No “rivers,” “waters,” or “fires” are ultimate. Only you are. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant 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

“Convict-ability,” Humility, and “Repent-ability”

July 8, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH "Convict-ability," Humility, and "Repent-ability" SCOTTY SMITH “Whoever hates correction is stupid” (Prov. 12:1). “Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Those who disregard discipline despise themselves” (Prov. 15:31–32). Lord Jesus, scanning through the Book of Proverbs in my old NIV, it’s interesting to see how many verses I’ve underlined about teachability, receiving correction, and loving discipline I wish the sheer number of highlighted verses was a fair indication of how humble, approachable, and non-defensive I always am. Alas, that’s just not the case. I may not be alone. Jesus, help each of us welcome feedback—whether it’s about our attitude, excesses, mistakes, or offenses. You give grace to the humble, but resist the proud. None of us really wants your resistance, and all of us need your grace. May we not just read the Bible; may it read us—exposing the ways we’re not like you in our thoughts, words, and actions. And, lest we despair, continue to show us more and more of the riches of the Gospel, and our firm standing in grace. Even though it may take a “special” work of your Spirit, help us hear your voice in the things our family, friends, and co-workers can share with us. Precisely because we’re already forgiven, robed in your righteousness, and un-condemnable (Rom. 8:1), we can live in the freedom of “convict-ability,” humility, and “repent-ability.” May it be, Lord Jesus. So very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty 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

Hoping and Groaning Well

July 7, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Hoping and Groaning Well SCOTTY SMITH “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Phil. 1:6 “This is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.” Eph. 1:10 Dear Father, the pressure is off. We don’t claim these promises; they claim us. We don’t have to fear anything—dying or living, global turmoil or local chaos, what people think of us or what Satan throws at us. We’re not naïve, we’re yours. Our salvation is a work we didn’t begin, and you alone can finish. We didn’t earn our way into your love, and can’t “foolish” our way out of it.  From beginning to end, our salvation is all by sovereign grace—the whole “redemptive kit-and-caboodle.” And our future is “pregnant with quintuplets”—awaiting the full-term Day of perfection, wholeness, love, truth, and beauty (Rev. 21:1-6). No eye has seen, ear heard, or mind conceived what you’ve prepared for those you love (1 Cor. 2:9). Thank you, Father. In our weariness, “human-ness,” and groaning (Rom. 8:23), we so look forward to the Day when everything, “in heaven and on earth,” will be brought together in Jesus—gathered, healed and reconciled. For so great a salvation we worship you. For so awesome a Savior, we adore you. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ 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

A Moldy Moon Pie or Grace-Manna?

July 6, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH A Moldy Moon Pie or Grace-Manna? SCOTTY SMITH “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 42:11 Lord Jesus, occasionally we feel as emotionally empty as the Grand Canyon. Disconnect, disillusionment, and disappointments add up and dam up, until they can’t be ignored. To be vulnerable is to be human; to be vulnerable, careful, and wise is to be yours. In those moments, we don’t need clichés, chiding, or cheerleading. We need you to be a living Christ when deadly perils lurk. Like Cain angry with Abel (Gen. 4), David glancing, then peering at Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11), a famished Esau smelling home cooking (Gen. 25:29-34), Asaph craving any story but his own (Psalm 73)—we too are capable of making choices we’ll regret, hurting people we love, dishonoring the God we adore. Lord Jesus, you saved us from hell, now save us from ourselves. Save us when we lapse (or leap) into Gospel-amnesia—when we’ll reach for a moldy Moon Pie quicker than we’ll feast on grace-manna. We make King David’s cry-and-choice our own: “O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Jesus, thank you for being 10 times better at finding us than we are at wandering from you. So very Amen, we pray, in your powerful 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

We Can’t Overdo Jesus’ Awe

July 5, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH We Can't Overdo Jesus' Awe SCOTTY SMITH  To us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his (Jesus’) shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. Isa. 9:6 Lord Jesus, there’s no better passage to marinate in on Monday July 5th. These aren’t “Christmas verses,” but everyday truths. We can never overdo it, when it comes to remembering who you, what you’ve accomplished, and what you’re up to today. So here goes… The government of the entire cosmos already rests squarely on your shoulders. You are sovereign over every king, crucible, crocodile, and cloud. You are Wonderful Counselor—that is, our “wisdom from God, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). There is no salvation apart from you. It’s the Gospel or despair, your grace or our nothing. You are Mighty God—distinct, but eternally one with the Father—co-equal, co-glorious, co-worship-worthy; Lamb of God, Lord of Lords, Lamp of the New City (Rev. 21:23). You are Everlasting Father—the Son who makes the Father known. By your finished work, we are Abba’s beloved daughters and sons; his kids destined to become like you. You are Prince of Peace—our perfect peace, Shalom-maker, and peace-giver. Peace with God, and peace for this world, can’t happen without you. Lord Jesus, may we love, adore, trust, and serve you with more joy than ever. So very Amen, period.   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