Our Inner GPS

October 23, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Our Inner GPS SCOTTY SMITH   “May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and Christ’s perseverance.” 2 Thess. 3:5  Lord Jesus, of the many “common grace” realities I enjoy, GPS on my iPhone is high on the list. My stories of getting lost—really  lost, are numerable and embarrassing. But I’m grateful this verse is referencing an even greater “Global Positioning System” and destination. As our Good Shepherd, thank you for always directing our hearts into our Father’s love and your perseverance, for we need copious amounts of both. If you’re not directing my heart, it too easily drifts in in faithless, graceless, loveless directions. Some days I wake up right in the middle of a pity-party—when my disappointments loom larger than your delights. Other days the GPS of my heart seems pre-programmed for people’s approval, unbelief, resentment, control (one of my most frequent stops), and way too often—Gospel Amnesia. Lord Jesus, more than just “taking the wheel,” take my mind, will, emotions—my whole being, wherever you choose. I’m grateful the final destination is life in the new heaven and new earth, and complete conformity to your likeness. Hallelujah! But in route there, keep me yielded, trusting, and expectant. Sabotage my every attempt to go anywhere else than where your Word and Spirit direct. So very Amen I 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

God Has Longings Too

October 22, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH God Has Longings Too SCOTTY SMITH “This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it…’ Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you… Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isa. 30:15-18 Heavenly Father, what a tragic, yet glorious contrast. You long to be gracious to your people. Yet, at times, it’s easier to submit to the “lordship” of fear, unbelief, and impatience. This was true in Isaiah’s day. It’s just as true in ours. This call to “repentance and rest,” and “quietness and trust,” comes like a kiss from heaven. Thank you for your unrelenting, pursuing heart, Father. We aren’t facing the enemies Israel confronted in Isaiah’s day. The Assyrian and Babylonian armies aren’t on the horizon of our neighborhoods. But “the roaring lion is prowling” (1 Peter 5:8), and the rage in our culture is threatening, Perhaps our own “unguarded heart” presents the biggest challenge (Proverbs 4:23). If we don’t set our minds, hearts, and affection on “things above” (Colossians 3:1-4), they will be captured by things below, values around us, lies coming at us, and the restlessness inside us. If we don’t make unrushed fellowship with you, and fellow believers, a priority, the outcome is predictable, ugly, and avoidable. Father, in response to everything you have done for us in Jesus, we choose to wait for you and your graciousness. 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

Who Would You Never Intentionally Grieve?

October 21, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Who Would You Never Intentionally Grieve? SCOTTY SMITH “Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Eph. 4:30-32 Heavenly Father, first of all, thank you for the new mercies with which we begin every day, including this October Thursday. And in response to these words from your Word, our gratitude for your kindness, compassion, and forgiveness just got super-charged. Everyone one of us has at least one person we would hate to grieve—whether it’s our grandmother, 3-year-old niece, or a beloved mentor. Intentionally, or indifferently, hurting someone’s heart we love isn’t a small thing. And yet, that’s exacting what we do to you, when we allow “bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice” to settle into our hearts, seep into our attitudes, and seethe in our relationships. When we dismiss your command to “get rid” of these things, help us see that we are simultaneously ignoring, marginalizing—even violating, the truths of the Gospel, the riches of your grace, and the heartbeat of our calling. It’s one thing for us to grieve how rage-filled, bitter, and mean our culture has become. But it’s another thing—a critical thing, to look in the mirror of your Word, and see how much we are becoming like the culture. Forgive us, free us, change us, Father. In Jesus’ name, we cry out and hope.   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

Bringing God’s Servants to the Occupied Throne of Grace

October 20, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Bringing God's Servants to the Occupied Throne of Grace SCOTTY SMITH “(Our Father of mercy and God of all comfort) has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.” 2 Cor. 1:10-11 Heavenly Father, reading this part of Paul’s story compels us to pray for missionaries, church planters, and pastors today. You spoke the world into existence with no assistance. You raise up and set down kings at your bidding. You are sovereign over every nation, nanosecond, and gnat. And you are pleased to use the prayers of your people to execute your sovereignty and benefit your beloved servants. So, hear our prayers for your daughters and sons in various expressions of “deadly peril.” First and foremost, we pray the Gospel will remain precious to them, that your presence will be palpable, and that your peace will rule in their hearts. For those who are weary in well doing, we pray for supernatural strength and encouragement. For those who are encountering demonic opposition and oppression, we submit ourselves to you on their behalf, trusting the devil will be compelled to flee from them (James 4:7). For those who are “worn-down-and-out” by toxic divisiveness in the church, infighting among believers, and a shocking lack of civility and kindness… Father, we pray against despair, cynicism, and giving up. We pray for a powerful work of your Holy Spirit. This would be a perfect time for Jesus’ promise of artesian springs of living water to well up in the hearts and in their midst (John 7:38). Please Father, grant it. 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

Afraid of Getting Old?

October 19, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Afraid of Getting Old? SCOTTY SMITH “I will be your God throughout your lifetime— until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.” Isa. 46:4 “They (our older sisters and brothers in Jesus) still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” Ps. 92:15 “We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” 2 Cor. 4:16 Heavenly Father, thank you for our moms and dads, and peers in the Gospel who give new meaning to the phrase “aging gracefully.” Aging “full of grace” is a better descriptor of who they are. They love Jesus more now than ever—less childish, but more childlike in wonder, love, and praise. Realistic about the challenges that go with “the outer-self wasting away,” their inner heart-renewal is attractive, encouraging, and hope-fueling. Though their “bark” is thinner, and they have less “leaves,” “they are ever full of sap and green”—declaring your truth, goodness, and beauty—still bearing fruit in old age. Increase their tribe. Thank you, Father, for you made us, hid our lives in Christ, care for us, and will carry us all the way into the new heaven and new earth. We choose to worship you more than we whine about getting old. So very Amen, in Jesus’ 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

Grace, Grace… Not, Karma, Karma

October 18, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Grace, Grace… Not, Karma, Karma SCOTTY SMITH “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Eph. 4:32 Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us grace not karma, mercy not judgment, Jesus not a second chance. The only person who got what we deserve is Jesus, who bore our sins on his cross. Now, robed in his righteousness, we enjoy your unwavering favor and never-ending delight. Thank you. Our calling this week is “simply” to love as we are loved—to make grace, not karma, the engine and fuel for our relationships. Help us repay “snarkiness” with kindness, indifference with engagement, defensiveness with humility, and passive aggressiveness with active encouragement. It will take the power of your Holy Spirit, so thank you for placing Him in our hearts. We so look forward to the Day when we will be made perfect in love, and loving well will take zero effort (1 John 3:1-1). But until that Day, grant us quicker repentances when we get annoyed and want to react. Help us assume the best of others, even when their best is hidden in layers of hurts and hardships, we know nothing about. Father, keep us so aware of our union with Christ, the riches of grace, and your abiding presence, that it will be difficult for us to stay cool, withdrawn, or resentful—no matter the provocation or personality. This won’t be denial, but the Gospel. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ 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