One Verse That Is So Good and So Hard

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH One Verse That Is So Good and So Hard SCOTTY SMITH "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." Rom. 15:7   Dear Jesus, you know everything about us—all the beautiful, bad, broken, and bruised parts. And you accept us 100%—with all your heart and strength, with your eyes and arms wide open. Your desire for us never wains and your delight in us never wavers. We'll never shock, bore, or grate on your nerves. Hallelujah! and "Oh my!" The "Oh my!" is in response to your call for us to accept others as you accept us. That's hard Jesus, because "one another" you call us to accept in the Body of Christ are really different from us. Right now we consider many of them to be enemies or a threat—theologically too conservative or too liberal—politically and socially, too "left wing" or too "right wing." As Paul wrote the book of Romans, he addressed a growing "kaleidoscopic" community of believers who once lived as self-righteous Jews and pagan Gentiles, Greek stoics and Roman citizens, pantheists and polytheists, the demon possessed and the highly religious, the wealthy and the "worthless," ethnic purists and mixed bloodlines. Few of us would easily, willingly, gladly join the emerging church in Rome. Jesus, you must help us. You must "grace us." Grant us bigger hearts—much bigger hearts. Free us from our prejudices and stereotypes, our tribalism and racism. The Gospel calls us to enjoy and extend your welcoming heart to all. One Day we will celebrate and totally love our every-nation forever-diverse family—as we stream into the New Jerusalem together (Rev. 7:4-10). Free us now to live and love towards that Day. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

How Big Is the Gospel? How Alive Are We to Its Riches?

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH How Big Is the Gospel? How Alive Are We to Its Riches? SCOTTY SMITH "The gospel IS bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God's grace." Col.1:6   Heavenly Father, thank you for a new day, new mercies, and an old verse that frames all of life and history. The Gospel continues to bear fruit and grow "throughout the whole world"—in Ireland, Istanbul, Iraq, Indonesia, Iceland, Iran, India and every other place beginning with every other letter in the alphabet. We don't exaggerate when we sing, "This Is My Father's World"—all of it. There's no greater power guaranteeing the most glorious imaginable than the Gospel of your grace. And 52 years + 5 days into our marriage, when people ask, "How have you guys stayed together that long, and still really seem to enjoy each other?", the answer is the same. The Gospel is the only reason and answer. Your grace continues to humble, re-center, convict, gentle, and gladden our hearts. You began a work in all creation and in our hearts that you will finish. It's not always easy, but it's always better than any other story we could write. Indeed, Father, to "truly understand your grace" isn't merely to gain helpful insight. It's essential reality, the greatest privilege, the treasure of all treasures, the "summum bonum" of life—the one thing alone worthy of the phrase, "This changes everything." Continue to deepen and broaden, nourish and flourish our knowledge and experience of the Gospel of your grace. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

Rediscover This Historic Keller Lecture Series

Course: Preaching Christ in a Postmodern World with Ed Clowney

View in browser Tim Keller talks began to circulate in the 1980s as if they were a rare and precious commodity. Two examples come to mind: cassette tapes of his marriage talks delivered with Kathy (later adapted for The Meaning of Marriage), and mp3s of his lecture series on preaching Christ in a postmodern world with his mentor, Edmund Clowney. I've lost count of the number of aspiring preachers and teachers who told me they downloaded and studied these files in their formative years.   We're delighted to partner with Reformed Theological Seminary to bring this lecture series back online for the first time in years. Whether you're learning of these talks for the first time, or you wondered why they disappeared, you'll be encouraged to learn from one of the first and finest efforts to help Christians preach Christ in a secular age.   Available as an online course through The Gospel Coalition website, this series will equip you to:  Preach Jesus from every part of the Bible Use Scripture to show listeners how they need Christ  Lead the listener to worship and adore God I pray the lectures, which have already shaped a generation of ministers around the world, serve you in the same way. May the Lord Jesus be lifted up as this course continues to ripple throughout the church, now and for years to come.  ACCESS THE LECTURES Collin Hansen Executive Director The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Everything Well

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Everything Well SCOTTY SMITH   People were overwhelmed with amazement. "He (Jesus) has done everything well," they said. (Mark 7:37).   Lord Jesus, you do "everything well"—even when some things you do puzzle, stretch, and exasperate us. We plan, but your purpose will stand (Hallelujah!). You open doors we try to slam shut, and you close doors we keep trying to pry open. We pray, and you always answer with the answer designed to bring you glory, and us (in time) to "wonder, love, and praise." If we knew now what you've eternally known, we'd wring our hands in frustration less, and raise them in worship more. If we could hear what you're praying right now, we'd celebrate your every word, timetable, and planned outcomes. Jesus, you know what is best. You do what is best. Because you are the Best. You feed hungry sparrows and 5K crowds (Matt.10:29-31; Jn.6:1-14). "Impossibilities" (Lk.18:27) and "making all things new" (Rev.21:5) are your specialty. There's never been a mantle cell you can't dismantle, a "thorn in the flesh" for which you can't give sufficient grace, or a tomb so closed you can't open it (Jn.11:1-44). No matter how messy the mess, dire the straights, or hard the storyline—you don't just "have our backs" but also our everything. We believe, help our unbelief. We trust, refuel our trust-tank. We are grateful, supersize our gratitude 70 times 7. Jesus, grant big grace for me and my friends—big, sovereign, situation-shaped grace. Thank you, and So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

Gospel Monologues Not Self-Pity Soliloquies

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Gospel Monologues Not Self-Pity Soliloquies SCOTTY SMITH Soul, your find rest in God alone… your hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5   Dear Father, several images come to mind when I think of King David's "self-speak" captured in this verse. Lonely people with no one to listen, murmuring about life's pains as they walk the mall. Athletes psyching themselves up before an event starts. Children surrounded by stuffed animals telling adventure stories while enjoying imaginary tea and cookies. And then there's me, and most of my praying friends. Some of us talk to ourselves with contempt—heaping blame, shame, and vain regrets. Some of us carry on a self-pity monologue—reminding ourselves of what we deserve, don't have, and who's to blame. Some of us escape of fantasies of what could've, should've, would've been, if only… But as your children, you call us to speak to ourselves like King David did, with you always in the conversation. Life Davie, "Restless soul, find your rest in God alone, for Abba is your ever-flowing fountain of hope." In similar fashion, "Anxious Scotty, find your center and peace in Jesus today. Take your fears and worries to the one who is always present in the storm. Jesus knows your name, and the storm knows his name. Trust him." "Vulnerable Scotty, don't plug your "peace-plug" into people and their opinions of you. Jesus knows you thoroughly and loves you totally. Your greatest need isn't to be celebrated, 20 years younger, or to rebrand yourself. Pass "the torch," or you'll burn yourself with it." "Angry Scotty, do you see how much energy you waste comparing, blaming, and resenting? You're acting like a spiritual orphan—without Abba as your loving and engaged Father. You know better than you're acting." "Contented Scotty, camp out here. Don't rush it. Linger in Abba's welcome and presence. Abide in his love." So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

52 Years Later, “Your Love, (Jesus), Is Better Than Life” Psalm 63:3

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH 52 Years Later, "Your Love, (Jesus), Is Better Than Life" Psalm 63:3 SCOTTY SMITH Lord Jesus, on May 5th, 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French forces at the Battle of Puebla—the origin of what we now call, Cinco de Mayo. And on May 5th, 1972, a "grace-war" began—your tenacious commitment to defeat unbelief in our hearts, and pour the Gospel into our hearts and brand-new marriage. 52 years later, you're still at it. Hallelujah, and thank you. On our first Cinco de Mayo, Darlene and I understood so little about many things, but we were especially deficient in being alive to the riches of your grace, the daily-ness of your mercies and the lavishness of your love. We were also naïve, clueless, and indifferent about the wounds and brokenness we brought into our marriage. In your perfect timing that changed, and your grace, kindness, and love became our oxygen, bread, and hope.   Thank you for rescuing us from the notion that if we "married the right person" it would be easy and enough. Thank you for mentors and models who helped us understand there's only one perfect spouse in our marriage—you, Jesus, our ultimate and eternal Spouse. Thank you for freeing us from trying to be the 4th member of the Trinity in each other's lives. Thank you that we can now weep together and rejoice together—be weak together and hope together—repent quicker and encourage more. Thank you for friends and couples we get to walk with now who are just as grace-needy and dependent on you as we are. One day, one of us will commit the other to the earth and into your presence. Until that day, continue to pour more and more of your grace, gentleness, and kindness into our hearts and marriage. Keep freeing us, growing us, and using us to your glory. Jesus. Thank you, and So Very Amen.     Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.