Receiving and Offering Abba’s Comforting Presence

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Receiving and Offering Abba's Comforting Presence SCOTTY SMITH   "When we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn… fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus." 2Cor.7:5-6   Gracious Father, the incidental pictures in the Scriptures are often brimming with providential treasures. This picture of a restless, stressed, downcast Apostle Paul comes like a kiss from heaven on the Saturday morning. It's wrong to assume if we prayed enough, believed enough, had enough of the Spirit's fullness, we'd be doing "cartwheels for Christ" all the time. The Gospel frees us to be human, not Superman or Wonder Woman. Sometimes the most godly thing we can do is take a nap. All work and no play might make "Jack a dull boy," but all work and no rest and restorative friendships will make Jack a workaholic timebomb—destined to burn out, blow up, and possibly finish life walking the mall, mumbling to himself, all alone. Father, thank you for comforting us when we are downcast. You don't deride, chide, or hide from us. You are "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort" (2Cor.1:3). So what does downcast feel like? Finding ourselves somewhere on the 1-10 scale of emotional exhaustion and spiritual depletion, mentally taxed and physically spent. The higher the number, the more likely we are to isolate from others and medicate poorly. So, Abba, thank you for the comforters you send us—not fixers, narrators, busy-bodies, or "spiritualizers"—because sometimes we don't need a verse and sermon. We need unrushed presence and compassionate listening. Titus was just one of many you could have sent to Paul. Paul was a busy man, but not so busy he did have a Gospel Posse pretty much everywhere he went. I think of Barnabas, Epaphras, Philemon, Luke, and Timothy; Lydia and Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, Euodia and Syntyche … to name a few. Thank you for our "Titus's and Tina's," Abba. Make us welcomed comforters too, Abba—even today. 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.

Introducing the New President of TGC

Watch a short video as Ligon Duncan interviews TGC's new president

View in browser Mark Vroegop Selected as Third President of The Gospel Coalition As chairman of The Gospel Coalition's Board, and on behalf of our Council, I am pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Vroegop as The Gospel Coalition's third president. The members of TGC's Council unanimously elected Mark earlier today, January 10.   Mark is currently lead pastor of College Park Church in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he has served since 2008. He has been a valuable TGC Council member since 2018 and a Board member since 2023. I've seen first-hand how much his pastoral wisdom and leadership have already blessed our ministry.    What's most exciting about Mark's appointment is his deep love for the local church and his heart for pastors. Having served many years in his church, Mark understands how to support and encourage pastors and other church leaders in advancing the gospel and glorifying God.   We have compiled more information for you to get to know Mark, including an interview with Ligon Duncan, who served as the chairman of TGC's presidential search committee. Click the image below to learn more.  Mark will assume the title of president on March 3, 2025, as he transitions into the role full-time after completing his responsibilities at College Park Church. His leadership comes at a pivotal time for TGC as we celebrate our 20th anniversary at the upcoming TGC25 Conference, where Mark will be a keynote speaker.    Please join me in praying for Mark Vroegop and welcoming him as the next president of The Gospel Coalition.   Juan Sánchez Board Chairman, The Gospel Coalition Senior Pastor, High Pointe Baptist Church (Austin, Texas) The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Major TGC Announcement Later Today

I wanted to give you a quick heads up, First

View in browser Dear First,   As a valued supporter of TGC I want to give you prior notice of an exciting announcement we'll be making in the next few hours. Please check your inbox again later today. In Christ,   Sandy Willson Interim President The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

“Is It Reliable?”

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH "Is It Reliable?" SCOTTY SMITH "We know and we rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them… There's no fear in love. God's perfect love drives out fear." 1John 4:16-18   Heavenly Father, my love for this passage is impossible to exaggerate—for many reasons, a main one being Jack Miller (my spiritual dad) was always quoting this verse to me. "Is it reliable?"—a question we ask when choosing an insurance company or home pest service, or when we buy a used car, new refrigerator—and especially a parashoot. Dependability and trustworthiness are essential categories of life—especially when it comes to knowing you, and risking full confidence in your love. So thank you for doubling-down on affirming the knowability and reliability of your love for us. You know we how weak, fickle, and doubting we are; and you know that our need for your love is eternally greater than our need for oxygen, blood, and water. So when and how can we rely on your love? For our salvation: From beginning to end, knowing you and your love are by grace alone—the currency of your love spent on the bankruptcy and deadness in our hearts. In our brokenness and sin: You don't love us more when we are neat, tidy, and intact. You give us daily mercies because we need them. Thank you Abba. When we share the Gospel: It's not our smarts but your heart that is most at work in evangelism. None of us can raise the dead. In our difficult and messy relationships: We can rely on your love when the call to forgive is greater than our desire to forgive. And when it'd be easier to give someone "a piece of our mind" rather than the peace of your grace. As we face growing weakness and death: Your love, Abba, expels—drives and casts out all kinds of fears—the fear of death being a "biggie." You will never leave or forsake us. You will hold us fast, all the way Home. So Very   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.

Don’t Forget, First—TGC25 Holiday Rate Ends Tomorrow!

$259 Rate Increases to $299 in a Few Hours

View in browser Hey First,   Happy New Year! Thinking about joining us April 22 to 24 in Indianapolis for The Gospel Coalition's 2025 Conference? The holiday rate of $259 ends TOMORROW, so make sure to register before the price increases to $299. We hope to see you there! SECURE YOUR SEAT The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205, Unsubscribe

Times of Refreshing Coming to Us and through Us

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Times of Refreshing Coming to Us and through Us SCOTTY SMITH "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." Acts 3:19-20   Heavenly Father, what a revolutionary notion: Through our repentance, you bring "times of refreshing" to us—not a season of shame and days of groveling. For repentance isn't about us making promises to you, but you making this grand declaration to us, "Jesus is enough!" Hallelujah, and thank you. We await that glorious Day when you will send Jesus to us one final time. That Day will put an end to all repenting, for we will see Jesus as he is, and we will be made like him (1Jn.3:1-3). But even now you send Jesus to us—anointed and appointed for our complete salvation. Every time we hear the Gospel, feast on the Lord's Supper, worship in Spirit and truth, see Jesus in the pages of the Bible—you are "sending" Jesus to us through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Abba. The Spirit replays and turns up the volume on Jesus' bold and loving declaration, "It is finished!" In this sense, to repent is collapse on Christ—to humbly affirm Jesus as our righteousness, holiness, and redemption (1Cor.1:30). And then we respond appropriately to whatever your Spirit is convicting us about—owning our failures to love you as you deserve, Father—and love others as Jesus loves us. Every sin, ultimately, is a love-failure. The fruit of repentance is delectable, nourishing, and life-giving. We make amends—as opposed to doing penance. We offer repair—as opposed to withdrawing into shame. We take responsibility for what we have done—as opposed to sliding back into excusing, blaming, and minimizing. Indeed, many enjoy "times of refreshing" by our repentance. But mostly, and most importantly—the Gospel is demonstrated and Jesus is exalted. 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.