Jesus Stands, Sin Crouches, the Devil Prowls, the World Squeezes

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus Stands, Sin Crouches, the Devil Prowls, the World Squeezes SCOTTY SMITH "Watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you." (Gen.4:7). "The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1Pet.5:8). "Don't let the world squeeze you into its own mold…" (Rom.12:2 – Phillips). With amazement, Stephen proclaimed, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man—Jesus, is standing at the right hand of God." (Acts 7:56)   Lord Jesus, like every other year, month, and day—2025 will be a year in which we will encounter powerful influences. We don't need to be paranoid, but wise. We don't need to look for "a demon under every rock," rather we need to lock our gaze and set our affections on you—the Author, Treasure, Perfection, and Perfecter of our faith. Because …   Sin isn't just "crouching at our door," it also lives inside us—enticing, tantalizing, lying. It seeks to seduce, control, and obliterate us. The devil—our defeated foe, knows his time is short, and that he's lost us for eternity. So he's always looking for ways to impact us with "larceny, lies, death, and destruction" (Jn.10:10). The world—not the physical creation you made, love, and will redeem. But the "world system"—with its values and idols, Abba-denying illusions and delusions. Unless we resist, it will "squeeze" us into a Jesus-void mold.   Jesus, that's why, like Stephen, we must see you standing in triumph and tenderness at our Father's right hand. You stand as our last Prophet—the "Yes" to every promise God has made. You stand as our wonderful, merciful High Priest—always advocating and interceding for us. You stand as our King—ruler of the kings of the earth, and the one who is making all things new. You stand as our Bridegroom—getting reading to run "down" the isle from heaven, to have and hold us forever. 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.

With a Grateful Heart: Help Us Continue Our Mission into 2025

As 2024 comes to a close, it's with a grateful heart that I continue to reflect on the year we've had.

View in browser Dear First,   As 2024 comes to a close, it's with a grateful heart that I continue to reflect on the year we've had. Because of the generosity of partners around the globe, The Gospel Coalition can remain committed to our mission of renewing and unifying the contemporary church in the truth of the ancient Scriptures. We remain humbled that you've been a part of TGC's ministry, and we hope you've been blessed by our resources.   We look forward to 2025 as we celebrate our 20th anniversary and hope to equip believers and witness to nonbelievers around the globe.    But we need your help to start the year off strong!   We invite you to consider contributing to our ministry and mission as we look to defend, declare, and apply the gospel of Jesus Christ. Give Now Our current cultural moment will continue to change. But the hope we find in the gospel of Jesus Christ remains true yesterday, today, and forevermore.    We would love to have you be a part of this mission to equip the global church.   Blessings in Christ,   Sandy Willson Interim President  The Gospel Coalition The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

‘I Came Out of the Conference Inspired to Spend More Time with the Lord in Prayer’

I Was So Encouraged by This Testimony, I Wanted to Share It with You

View in browser Hi First,   We love receiving messages that remind us why conferences are so important. I was encouraged by this one: "[It] was incredibly encouraging. I loved the opportunity to hear from so many wonderful, passionate people who really know and love the Lord. I came out of the conference inspired to spend more time with the Lord in prayer, and with a renewed sense of awe of God and His Word. . . I'm a team leader with Cru, and we brought our whole staff team to TGC. We got to connect over each keynote and share what we learned in each micro event. The conference was so sweet and much richer because I got to learn alongside those I deeply care about and labor alongside in ministry. I also got to connect with friends from other parts of the country that I hadn't seen in years!"  Two things stand out to me: first, how the conference refreshed love for Christ; and second, how the conference enabled deep connection with other believers. What about you, First? Will you join us for refreshment and deep connection April 22 to 24 in Indianapolis for The Gospel Coalition's 2025 Conference? TGC25 PRICE INCREASES NEXT WEEK The holiday rate for TGC25 ($259) ends next week, then the regular rate ($299) kicks in. That represents a 25 percent savings on the final rate, so make sure you register soon.    If you're also hungry to be "encouraged," "inspired," and "renewed," join us for three days of gospel-centered teaching, worship, learning, and connection. SECURE YOUR SEAT I can't wait to see you there!   Collin Hansen Vice President for Content and Editor in Chief The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205, Unsubscribe

Taking Hold of Why Jesus Took Hold of Us

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Taking Hold of Why Jesus Took Hold of Us SCOTTY SMITH "I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." Phil.3:12   Dear Lord Jesus, I cannot think of a better way to begin 2025 than to make it a year of pondering your grip—of coming alive to the glorious reality and implications of being held in your hand and heart. This isn't a year for "white-knuckling our way through life" or of "barely holding on," but of taking hold of why you took hold of us. Hallelujah, yours is a grip of grace and no one will ever snatch us from your hand (Jn.10:28). Thank you for taking hold of us before we drew our first breath—for you knit us together in our mom's womb (Ps.139:14). Jesus, help us remember this every time we look in a mirror. Thank you for grabbing us in the tomb of our spiritual death and raising us to newness of life in the Gospel. You didn't throw us a life preserver on a rope, for ours was a lifeless grip. From beginning to end, our salvation is totally by your grace. Thank you for holding us now like an enthralled Bridegroom embracing his beloved Bride—for that is the affection with which you love us. You hold us tenderly and tightly, and you will "hold us fast." Thank you for holding us like a mighty and merciful King—for that is who you are, Jesus. Indeed, we are married to the King of the cosmos, who is making all things new and beautiful. Nothing will separate us from your love. No enemy coming against us will prevail. It's not always easy to fathom or like, but you are sovereign over every heartache and hardship we will experience in life. When people mean things for bad and evil against us in this life, you mean them for good—eventually for the blessing of many others (Genesis 50:20). Lastly, thank you, Jesus—not just for holding us but also holding the grace-ink filled pen with which you are writing the rest of our stories. Why have you taken hold of us? Because you love us. What all do you plan for us in 2025? We don't know, but we can trust your nail-scarred hands as you hold us, carry us, and write our stories. 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.

Here’s to a Jesus Saturated 2025

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Here's to a Jesus Saturated 2025 SCOTTY SMITH "To Jesus—who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…" (Rev.1:6). "I want to know Christ." (Phil.3:10). "To live is Christ—to die is gain." (Phil.1:21).   Lord Jesus, I can't think of three better affirmations to make in the waning hours of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. Two aging apostles—John and Paul put words to what we believe, desire, and celebrate: You have freed and love us. We want to know and love you more. You don't just give us life, Jesus, you are our life—eternal life. Hallelujah times 10,000! We'll never over-love you, Jesus. We'll never push the limits of your patience or out-sin the depths of your mercy. We'll never finish mining the riches of your grace, exhaust the wonders of your love, end the banquet of your goodness, or absorb the fullness of your beauty. There's so much more, but as we enter 2025, we affirm these 7 grand Gospel-realities about you and your relationship with us: Christ Above Us: Jesus, you are already King of kings and Lord of lords—sovereign over our pain and joys, every nation and every nanosecond—at work in all things for your glory and our good. Us In Christ: We are saved through our union with you, Jesus, not by our anything for you—good works or salty tears. You are 100% our "righteousness, holiness, and redemption" (1Cor.1:30) Christ In Us: Because you live in us, Jesus, our hope of heaven and being completely like you one Day is certain. Oh the peace and joy this gives us. Christ For Us: Jesus, with you "for us," who or what can be against us? We say to our fears, anger, and self-pity, "Be gone!" Christ With Us: Until heaven, we will never experience a Jesus-absent day. Sometimes hidden, sometimes more real than anything else—but you will never leave us. Christ Under Us: When (not if) we fall, you catch us, hold us, and re-center us. When we cry, "Have mercy! … You always do. Christ Towards Us: Jesus, you are coming back as our joyful, loving Bridegroom. Hallelujah, maybe in 2025, 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.

Final Hours: Help Equip Those Who Equip Others

Midnight deadline: Double your gift to equip pastors and believers worldwide.

View in browser Dear First,   As I reflect on this year, I'm reminded of the incredible difference you've made through The Gospel Coalition. Your faithful support has equipped believers, strengthened churches, and advanced the gospel to reach those hungry for biblical truth.   But the work isn't finished. Countless church leaders and other Christians still need gospel-centered resources to navigate an ever-changing world.   Right now, every dollar you give will be doubled thanks to a $300,000 matching gift—but only until midnight.   Will you make your final gift of 2024 and help us meet this critical match? Together, we can equip those who equip others with the truth of God's Word. Double Your Gift Now Thank you for your faithfulness this year. Let's move into 2025 ready to serve the global church together.   With deep gratitude,   Collin Hansen Vice President of Content & Editor in Chief The Gospel Coalition The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe