Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, and Love As Jesus Loves Us

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Oh Come Let Us Adore Him, and Love As Jesus Loves Us SCOTTY SMITH Dear Friends, "if being united to Christ encourages you, and if Jesus' love comforts you, then let these grand grace-realities inform, shape, and fuel your relational style with everybody else. Though Jesus was and is God, he humbled himself—he got lower than anyone ever has. He left the throne of eternity for the womb of a teenager. Jesus created and orchestrates every atom and nanosecond in the universe. He commands every angel and the tidal flow of every ocean. Our hearts beat because of him, beauty exists because of him, and demons quake because of him. Kings are enthroned and dethrone by him, yet Jesus became dependent upon his mother's milk for sustenance and her love for nurture. But he got even lower. Jesus' every thought , word, and action are as pure and beautiful as God is Holy, Holy, Holy. He receives and deserves the worship of angels and all creation. Yet he became sin for us on the cross. Having lived in our place, Jesus died in our place—taking the judgment we deserve. He wore swaddling clothes as a baby, no clothes as our Savior, grave clothes in his tomb, and clothes of linen and grace in his resurrection. Everything he did, Jesus did for us—that he might make us his bride and clothe us with his righteousness. This is servant love. This is the love of God's Servant—the promised Messiah, his beloved Son, Jesus. Love others as Jesus loves you, friends. Bow in grateful awe and unspeakable joy. Bow getting low enough to wash other's feet and enter each other's  brokenness. Bow in hope and eager waiting for the Day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God, our Father." So Very Amen.   (A theological paraphrase based on Philippians 2:1-11)       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.

One Thing Matters Among a Gazillion Lesser Things

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH One Thing Matters Among a Gazillion Lesser Things SCOTTY SMITH Mary treasured and pondered that she would give birth to Jesus" (Lk.2:19). Martha fretted and vexed about supper details for Jesus (Lk.10:40). Jesus declares to each of us, "Only one thing matters. Choose well." (Lk.10:41)      Lord Jesus, choosing between being worried and upset over hospitality details, and treasuring and pondering who you are shouldn't be that difficult for us. But it often is. There is so much more of your beauty, goodness, and truth for us to behold and savor. And yet there are many things that make aggravation easier than adoration. We don't know if Christmas 2024 will feel more like a Hallmark Christmas movie, "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," "It's a Wonderful Life," "The Muppet Christmas Carol," or "Die Hard." But with our gaze transfixed on you and our hearts drinking in your beauty, we will see your heart and hand do more than we can ask or imagine. From eternity through your incarnation—and right now from your position atop your throne of grace—you are near the brokenhearted, patient with the pig-headed, and gentle with the worry-weary. Hallelujah, and thank you. Good Samaritans and bad characters, lepers and liars, tax collectors up a tree (Zacchaeus) and Pharisees in the dark (Nicodemus), "bruised reeds" (Isa.42:3) and "sons of thunder" (Mk.3:17)—you pursue, desire, and welcome each of us. Jesus, you are the "one thing" that really matters—the only treasure worth treasuring, more ponder-worthy than anything else—the only Savior, period. We choose you because you first chose us. We love you because you first loved us. We would delight in you more fully, because you fully delight in us right now. Hallelujah 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.

Making Room for the One Who Fills All Things with Himself

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Making Room for the One Who Fills All Things with Himself SCOTTY SMITH "Mary gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room available for them" (Lk 2:4-7). "Jesus fills all things everywhere with himself" (Eph.1:23)   Lord Jesus, perfect sovereignty, not uncaring inhospitality, determined your less-than-ideal "birthing suite." Nevertheless, the oft-highlighted image of "no room available" for you, deserves our reflection today. In what ways do we fail to "make room" for you, Jesus? To start with, what a paradox—you "fill all things everywhere" with yourself, yet you desire current and robust fellowship with us (Rev.3:20). How could you ever be on the other side of our heart-door knocking? Is it our busyness, Jesus—or our pride, unbelief, or our stubbornness? To whom or what have we given our attention and affection above you—even in the place of you? Show us Jesus. Make it clear. Most glorious and loving Jesus, thank you for making room for us in your heart. The Gospel is the greatest welcome and hospitality we'll ever experience. Indeed, we didn't invite you into our hearts, Jesus, you gave us a new heart. Humbly and expectantly, we welcome you today. Come, Jesus come.   We welcome you into the chaos of our hearts. Bring your centering peace. We welcome you into our fears and vulnerability. Bring the reign of your grace. We welcome you into our chilly, edgy hearts. Bring the flames of renewal. We welcome you into our weaknesses and shame. Bring your kindness.   We welcome you into our unknown future, into our stories with chapters yet to be written—into our health and hopes, regrets and longings. Free us to love, trust, and serve you, Jesus. 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.

A Trusted Voice for Truth: Will You Join Us?

Your support can help equip believers like Lindsay with gospel-centered resources.

View in browser Dear First,   As a TGC editor, I'm always encouraged when we hear testimonials like this:   "I look to TGC as a trusted voice in our culture to guide toward biblical truths in every aspect of life. The content is always Christ-glorifying and edifying for the church." – Lindsay, Phoenix, Arizona   Lindsay is just one of millions of believers who regularly turn to TGC for guidance in a confusing world. And as 2024 comes to an end, your gift can help us continue providing gospel-centered resources for people like Lindsay in 2025.   Contemporary culture is confused. Millions are searching for answers and desperate for truth they can trust. The need for gospel clarity has never been greater. By making a year-end gift today, you'll help build: Resources that equip pastors and leaders with biblical wisdom to navigate today's toughest challenges New, multimedia tools that bring biblical clarity to a rapidly changing culture A global network strengthened by accessible, gospel-centered content Will you help TGC build for a stronger, gospel-centered future? GIVE NOW Thank you for your partnership in this mission. Together, we're building a legacy of truth and hope for generations to come.   Gratefully, Brett McCracken Senior Editor The Gospel Coalition The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

In Praise of the Mercy-Memory of Our Loving Father

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH In Praise of the Mercy-Memory of Our Loving Father SCOTTY SMITH   Mary, upon learning she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah: "God has remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever." Luke 1:51–55   Heavenly Father, we join Mary today in praise of your memory—what you choose to remember, and what you choose to not remember. Both are expressions of how you are "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort" to us (2 Cor.1:3). Mary sang about Jesus' birth as the day you "remembered to be merciful." Not implying you could ever forget to be merciful; or, as the "Ancient of Days," experience a "senior moment." Just the opposite, Abba, for you are faithful to every promise you have made, and every promise you have made is conceived, saturated, and pregnant with your mercy. You promised Abraham that, in time, you would redeem an every-nation family for yourself, as numerous as the stars, sand, and dust (Genesis 12-17; Revelation 7). That's how over-the-top the mathematics of your mercy actually are. And your gift of Jesus underscores that you, literally, spared no expense to be worthy of the name, "Father of mercies." Father, I end my reflection and prayer today with one of my favorite promises of yours. You have promised never to remember our sins against us (Hebrews 8:12; 10:17). Better than amnesia, this is your glorious commitment to remain constant in your acceptance, love, and delight towards us. How can you do this? Because you remember Jesus for us, you will never remember our sins against us. Hallelujah! O Father, as your children of mercy, free us to remember to be merciful too … especially one week out from Christmas Eve. No matter the brokenness we will encounter in our family gatherings, workplace, and our web or relationships, may our first, middle, and last response emit your mercy and the aroma of 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.

We Don’t Put Jesus in Christmas, He Puts Us in Himself

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH We Don't Put Jesus in Christmas, He Puts Us in Himself SCOTTY SMITH   Jesus, the Messiah, grew up "like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. Nothing was beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we didn't care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down… He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins." Isaiah 53:1-5   Lord Jesus, this passage both takes our breath away and gives us eternal life. You aren't the "reason for the season"; you're the meaning of life, history, and the cosmos. You don't need us to put you back into Christmas. You put us where we could never be otherwise be—in Abba's family and favor, in yourself and your unfiltered delight. Our most present, eternal, and glorious address is "in Christ." Because you are the "tender green shoot" of Isaiah's vision—the vital root emerging from the parched earth for the "greening" of our arid hearts and fallen world. Jesus, you created beauty, yet you became the one with "no beauty" for us. You took the vileness and ugliness of our sin to beautify and cherish us forever. Your love for us has no parallels or end. You are the fountain of eternal pleasures and your laughter fills heaven. Yet, to redeem us, you became "the man of sorrows—acquainted with deepest grief." You are the God of love who came near and got low—the lamb of God took our rebellion and sins, and bore our weaknesses and sorrows. Jesus, we don't want a "merry little Christmas"—we want you. 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.

Grow in Your Skill as a Writer

Sign Up for the TGC Writers' Cohort: From Pitch to Published

View in browser JOIN OUR 8-WEEK COHORT WITH TGC'S EDITORIAL TEAM From Pitch to Published WEDNESDAYS, FEBRUARY 19 - APRIL 9 GLORIFY GOD AND SERVE YOUR NEIGHBOR WITH YOUR WRITING In an age of vibes and videos, of AI and Instagram, is writing even worth it? We believe it is.    After all, God is a writer. He's written his glory into creation. Before time began he wrote the story of redemption in his heavenly book. And in these last days, he's spoken to us by his written word and by his Son, the Word.    When Christian writers use and develop their God-given  talents, when they think of their gifts as part of a Christian vocation, they can write in a way that both glorifies God and serves their neighbors.   At TGC, we want to help you grow in this calling. Join us for an 8-week cohort for Christian writers who want to think deeply about writing, develop their craft, and establish God-honoring writing habits. You'll develop your skills through practical training from professional writers and editors, covering all aspects of from the first draft to publication.   WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP TODAY Develop a theological framework that shows the value of writing and cultural analysis in our current age Receive practical guidance on the writing life  Benefit from tips on how to develop a solid argument and craft a good article pitch Undertake workshop assignments to put what you learn into practice Join a bonus 8th session focused on book publishing FIND OUT MORE I hope you'll join us.    Collin Hansen Vice President for Content and Editor in Chief The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO Unsubscribe