When Holy Ache and Graceless Attitudes Collide

December 18, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When Holy Ache and Graceless Attitudes Collide SCOTTY SMITH   “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons… You are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Gal. 4:4–7   Lord Jesus, our holy ache for your return often collides with the graceless attitudes we “cop.” This collision takes place at the intersection of our brokenness and our longings. But as with your first coming, so with your second—it will happen at the “fullness of time”—”Abba-time.” Life in our world right now isn’t “a party”; but that’s not something new. The circumstances of your birth were less than ideal, to put it mildly. But providence, not happenstance “called the shots.” Sovereign grace, not the Roman Empire, determined your entrance into the world. The same is true today, and until the Day you return. Your being born under the ceiling of a stable was very “non-Hallmark-Movie-like.” But being born under the weight of the law was… well, only you could bear such a crushing burden. However, you came to redeem us, not convenience yourself. Because you did, we are no longer slaves to sin and death, but are children and heirs of our heavenly Father. Hallelujah! Until your return, may we wait as a betrothed Bride, not complain like spoiled brats. May we welcome the outsider, care for the broken, and serve one another. May we smell more like your grace than our gripes. 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

Jesus’ Eternal and Hospitable Welcome

December 17, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus' Eternal and Hospitable Welcome SCOTTY SMITH “She (Mary) wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them.” Luke 2:4-7 Lord Jesus, no detail of your birth was left to chance, including having a stable for your birthing-room. Nevertheless, the oft-highlighted image of there being “no room available” for you, deserves our reflection today. First of all, thank you for making room for us in your heart. There’s no greater welcome or hospitality than the Gospel. We didn’t invite you into our heart; you gave us a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26)—the cardiac-capacity to know, love, and serve you. Thank you, today and forever. But how are we inhospitable to you? In what ways do we fail to make room for you on a daily basis? Is it by our busyness or indifference; or worse, by our satisfaction with other things? (Rev. 3:14-18) When we fellowship with you, you always give us grace upon grace. You are the “guest” who is the quintessential, eternal host. Forgive us, and please, come on in! Jesus, welcome into our distracted, chilly hearts. Bring the warming fire of your presence. Welcome into our chaos and restlessness. Bring your centering peace, yet again. Welcome into our anger and resentment. Please, humble and gentle us. Welcome into our weaknesses and brokenness. Bring your kindness and healing, as we’re desperate for both. Welcome into our hopes and fears. Bring your story-writing hand and heart, Jesus. 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

Mary Sang and We Sing

December 16, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Mary Sang and We Sing SCOTTY SMITH   Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.” Luke 1:46–50   Lord Jesus, thank you for creating music, and for giving us copious reasons to sing and make music in our hearts to you (Eph. 5:18-19). Mary’s story is quite different from ours, yet we can sing our own version of her song. Through the Gospel, you “took notice” of our condition too, and (hallelujah) you also “took action.” You came to us when we weren’t seeking you, and you are being formed in us as surely as you entered the world through Mary’s womb (Gal. 4:19). From beginning to end, our relationship with you is by grace. We have zero concern for what future generations might say about us; but we want every generation to experience your grace and glory. Whether people call us “blessed, awesome, or wonderful is irrelevant. It is enough to know what you call us. You look at us and say, “Mine!” There is no sweeter sound or greater privilege. We are fully forgiven and dressed in your righteousness, greatly desired and forever loved. Jesus, we greatly rejoice in you, our God and Savior. So very Amen, we sing and pray, in your most glorious and worthy 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 Apostle Paul’s Account of Jesus’ Birth

December 15, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The Apostle Paul's Account of Jesus' Birth SCOTTY SMITH   “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset/attitude as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Phil. 2:5-11   Lord Jesus, in the Apostle Paul’s account of your birth, there’s no harking angels, fearful shepherds, or awe-filled parents; no stable, manger, or straw. There’s “just” you—in the humility of your incarnation, the grace of your servanthood, and the glory of the Gospel. Most holy and glorious mystery… though you never ceased being God, you truly became man—the God-man, the “Yes” to every God-promise (2 Cor. 1:21), the King of the cosmos cradled in a stable, the Bread of life nursing for his nourishment. Living as our law-fulfiller, dying as our guilt-taker, raised as our justifier, ascended as our mediator, reigning as our King, coming again as our Bridegroom… of all people, we are most blessed. How then shall we live? We the “most blessed,” should be the most humble, generous, and kind—the most likely to take the low place of servant love, not the high place of personal gain. By your grace and for your glory, we should be quickest to forgive, repent, and encourage… in every relationship you’ve placed us. Make it so, Lord Jesus, So very Amen we pray, in your 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

Why Jesus Came the 1st Time and Is Coming a 2nd

December 14, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Why Jesus Came the 1st Time and Is Coming a 2nd SCOTTY SMITH   “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor… comfort the brokenhearted…  proclaim freedom for captives… to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.” Isa. 61:1–3 Lord Jesus, your 1st Advent inaugurated everything promised in these hope-saturated words from Isaiah. Your 2nd complete the eternal plan which caused prophets to ponder and angels to rejoice (1 Peter 1:10-12). Though Mary nursed you, she depended on you for her next breath. As a vulnerable babe, needing comfort, you came to comfort all who mourn. Having to be carried as a child, you came to carry the weight or our sin. O, holy and profound mystery—a newborn child came to make all things new, and put all things right. Even as a babe, the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord was on you, for you are the Sovereign Lord—creator, sustainer, redeemer. The One by whom our sins are forgiven, all oppression will cease, and every bondage is broken. Hallelujah, indeed. By you, mourning is transformed into gladness, broken hearts become dancing hearts, the disfavored, become the favored of the Lord. Our dis-grace, void-of-grace, and grace-allergies are all replaced with grace upon grace upon grace. The meekness of your birth was a sure pointer to the weakness of your death. As surely as you were placed in an unlikely crib, you were nailed to an undeserved cross—All. For. Us. We praise, bless, and adore you, Lord Jesus. So very, very Amen.     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

Loving in the Midst of Devastation and Trauma

December 13, 2021 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Loving in the Midst of Devastation and Trauma SCOTTY SMITH “It is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James 2:8 “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 1 John 3:16-18      Lord Jesus, the images in Kentucky (and neighboring states) are surreal, but altogether real. The loss of life is heart-breaking, just two weeks before Christmas. Livelihoods, infrastructures, “normalcy”… all gone, just like that. Many begin this week in distress, shock and trauma. Here our cry for mercy, and free us to love to your glory. During Advent, we celebrate how wide heaven’s heart opened towards us. We will not close our hearts to our neighbors. It’s because of your great love for us, Jesus, that we care. It’s because you laid down your life for us that we will lift up our prayers, load up our cars, and take up our tools to fulfill “the royal law”. It’s the “royal law” because you are the King of glory and grace. To know you is to follow you into this crisis. To love you is to serve our neighbors, to shoulder their burdens and to share our goods, not just our words. Jesus, we especially pray for children and the elderly traumatized by this crisis. Bring your calming presence to bear through parents, friends, and by gifted care-givers. Extend your tear-wiping hand through your servant people. May power, water and communication services be restored quickly. Reveal the sovereign reach of your merciful and mighty hand, as you superintend the events in the coming weeks and months. Jesus, may the Gospel become beautiful and believable to many—as burdens are born, people are loved, tree limbs are cut, trash is hauled off, meals are shared, money is given, homes rebuilt. We long for your 2nd Advent, when heaven and nature will only sing, and never be traumatized again. So very Amen, we pray, in your powerful and tender 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