Exciting Announcement for Next Year’s Conference

When we think of contemporary Christian music groups making artistically rich, doctrinally sound worship music from and for the church, we think of CityAlight.  That’s why we’re so excited to announce that the Sydney, Australia-based CityAlight will be making the trek across the pond to lead us in worship at our next conference, TGC23.  Register soon to join us September 25 to 27, 2023, in Indianapolis, as we explore the theme, Hope in the Wilderness: Encouragement for Pilgrims from the Book of Exodus. Register Now CityAlight will lead our corporate singing before the keynote sessions, where speakers like John Piper, David Platt, Andrew Wilson, and Ken Mbugua will teach through Exodus. Many more speakers and breakout session topics will be announced soon! We hope to see you next September! TGC Events Team   Unsubscribe

Freedom and Peace in Our Decision Making

November 12, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Freedom and Peace in Our Decision Making SCOTTY SMITH   “We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” Prov. (16:9).  “What he (Jesus) opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open” (Rev. 3:7).  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6)   Lord Jesus, some decisions before us are “no-brainers,” and some require nothing more than sanctified common sense. Others tie us in knots, rob us of sleep, and keep us second-guessing. These Scriptures remind us that our choices aren’t sovereign, only you are. (Whew… and a big Hallelujah!) We have plenteous reasons to love you and trust you with our whole heart. You created us for your glory, graced-us with full salvation, and are at work in all things for our good. Jesus, you aren’t pulling for us from afar; you’re shepherding us right here and right now. Give us peace—better, be our peace as we make decisions that impact our walk with you, our families, and this next season of life. Help us realize some decisions are more like a circle than a dot—a circle from which we are free to choose from several wise choices. We’re standing in grace, not standing before 3 doors—fearful that two of those doors lead to disaster, and only one leads to delight. Jesus, we are grateful to know life isn’t primarily about making the right decisions, but trusting the right Lord, and that is you. By faith, we lean as fully upon you as we know how. So Very Amen we pray, in your merciful and mighty name.   Wish you had a 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

Get your free copy of The New City Catechism Devotional

Hi First, As we approach the end of one year and the start of another, I am delighted to share a free weekly devotional that I know will strengthen your understanding of the gospel in the new year. Throughout church history, Christians have used catechisms—questions and answers designed for memorization and recitation—to teach core doctrines of the faith.  The New City Catechism Devotional is a modern discipleship tool that follows this ancient method. We’d like to give you free access to this collection of 52 devotionals, so you can explore a central Christian doctrine each week in 2023.  As Timothy Keller puts it, “While our exposition of gospel doctrine must be in line with older catechisms that are true to the Word, culture changes, and so do the errors, temptations, and challenges to the unchanging gospel that people must be equipped to face and answer.” This upcoming year, as our volatile culture continues to change rapidly, I urge you to anchor your life in timeless doctrine.  This free eBook devotional is a great starting place. Here’s a link where you can get your free digital copy of The New City Catechism Devotional now: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/landing/new-city-catechism-devotional/ Grace and peace, Collin Hansen Vice President and Editor in Chief P.S. We’re seeing increasing numbers of Christians deconstructing or de-churching, so we hope this resource is especially helpful for parents or pastors walking alongside someone in a season of doubt.   Unsubscribe

When “Sufficient Grace” Doesn’t Feel Sufficient

November 11, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When "Sufficient Grace" Doesn't Feel Sufficient SCOTTY SMITH “We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. This happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead… Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me… He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” 2 Cor. 1:8-9; 12:8-9   Heavenly Father, these verses are a most precious gift to us. They give us an honest picture of Paul’s humanity, vulnerability, and his abandonment to you as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3). Hallelujah, you are “the God who raises the dead”—not the coach who barks commands, the referee reminding us of the rules, or the distant, disengaged “little-‘d’-deity” who simply doesn’t care. We rarely face deadly perils, like Paul faced; but between Jesus’ resurrection and return, we too experience crises, traumas, and situations that are too much for us. Like Paul, we easily acknowledge they are “far beyond our ability to endure.” And like Paul, we too “plead with you”—three times (and more), to take our “this” away. Father, sometimes “sufficient grace” doesn’t feel very sufficient. What is our “this” that requires reliance on you as the God of resurrection and our grace-gift of praying friends? (2 Cor 1:10-11) Our lists include health challenges, relationship distress, the fear of more loss, the stress of more life than we finance—emotionally and dollar-wise. Father, because of your gift of Jesus to us and for us, we abandon ourselves to you right now. Meet us, and use us in the lives of our hurting friends. So Very Amen, we pray in Jesus’ trustworthy name.   Wish you had a 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

Coming Soon: Early Black Friday Deal

Our Best Deal for the TGC23 Conference Yet ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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Not Streets of Gold, but a Savior of Grace

November 10, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Not Streets of Gold, but a Savior of Grace SCOTTY SMITH   “Who do I have in heaven but you? And compared to you, earth has nothing I desire. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26   Lord Jesus, like Asaph (author of Psalm 73), when we “do the math” nothing and no one compares to you—period,,, conversation over. You are both the Giver and Gift—the quintessential treasure, the pearl of great price (Matt. 13:34-35), the purest gold and gold standard of all “worthiness.” No matter what we lust after, envy, think we deserve, or work hard to get… it’s all rubbish compared to you, and the excellency of knowing you (Phil. 3:8-9). Jesus, by the power of the Spirit, grant us more satisfaction in yourself than in any other story, relationship, or fantasy we might choose for ourselves. Thank you for giving us many gifts to enjoy, but we want you to be our most gratifying heart-feast—our portion, passion, and prize. Forgive us for our ingratitude, Jesus, along with our coveting and lack of contentment. Heal our Gospel-amnesia and “comparison-itis.” We are robbed in your righteousness and sealed with your Spirit—those in whom you delight and co-heirs with you of well…  everything (Rom. 8:17). Such grace-riches mock our whines and gripes. Such belovedness moves us to deep worship and unparalleled freedom. Thank you Jesus. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a 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

Friendship Shaped by Suffering, Grace, and Hope

November 9, 2022 Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Friendship Shaped by Suffering, Grace, and Hope SCOTTY SMITH   “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you” (1 Pet. 5:10).   Heavenly Father, thank you for the weariness-validating, heart-encouraging, perspective-giving voice of the Scriptures—especially this “word” about suffering. I have so many friends who are suffering from a wide spectrum of losses, “crosses,” broken bodies, and overwhelmed hearts. This I believe: to suffer is to be human. This I’ve never believed more: to suffer well is to know you as “the God of all grace”—our “Father of mercies and God of all comfort” (2 Cor 1:3). The Day of no more “death, mourning, crying, or pain” is coming (Rev. 21:4)—for which we are most grateful. Until then, teach us how to ache to your glory, bear each other’s burdens, and work for each other’s joy (2 Cor.1:24). You haven’t given us permission to hoard our heartaches, or ignore one another’s “too-much-ness.” As Peter said, in the matrix of mercy, all suffering is just for a “little while.” Father, so when life hurts the most, deepen our experience of you as the “God of all grace.” When we’d gladly settle for temporal relief, remind us you’ve called us to “eternal glory in Christ.” At just the right time, you will “restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish” us. Thank you, Abba. Make your promises just as real—no, more real than our pain. May your daily mercies define us 7 times more so than our fleeting misery. Free to steward our crucibles as a shared calling—the essence of Gospel-friendship. So Very Amen, we pray in Jesus’ name.   Wish you had a 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