The Inexhaustible Riches of Christ

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The Inexhaustible Riches of Christ SCOTTY SMITH    All weekend long, "avoid quarreling, be gentle, show perfect courtesy toward all people… for we ourselves were once foolish… hated by others and hating one another. But then the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared as a sovereign, redemptive epiphany. God saved us 100% by his mercy, the substitutionary work of Jesus, and the washing and renewing work of the Holy Spirit" Therefore, we of all people should love well. (Based on Titus 3:1-6)   Heavenly Father, what a great prepping-passage for this upcoming weekend—and for the rest of our lives. We mustn't take our relational clues from those around us, but from the Gospel of your grace—from Jesus and everything you have given us in him: Christ for us—our perfect salvation. Christ in us—our hope of glory. Christ over us—our peace and sanity in a chaotic cosmos. Christ under us—our safe collapsing zone at the end of the day and the end of life. Us in Christ—our "righteousness, holiness and redemption." Christ with us—our Immanuel, defender, and companion all the way Home. Christ behind us—redeeming our messes and "having our back." Christ in front of us—preparing to return for us, glorious Bridegroom for his most beloved Bride. Father, your "goodness and loving kindness" are 1000 times more worthy of our attention than the "hating one another" going on all around us in our country and world. Because you have generously washed us and are renewing us by the Holy Spirit, free us this whole weekend to "avoid quarreling, be gentle, and show perfect courtesy toward all people." Anybody can repay in kind; we want to repay in kindness. Before long, everything will be put right and made new and beautiful. 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.

Want to Grow More Mature in Christ? My New Cohort Is For You

Learn How to Abide in Him. Sign Up Today.

View in browser DEVELOP A CLEAR, SUSTAINABLE PATH OF GROWTH IN CHRIST Every Christian longs for transformation and wholeness. Many in our world today are also awakening to the need for a connection to the spiritual world. But if our spiritual efforts don't come from a deep understanding of our union in Christ, the only thing we'll grow in is frustratration—not in our flourishing or intimacy with him. In a culture saturated with spiritual options, Christians need clarity about what actually transforms.   In my new cohort, we'll explore formation as God designed it: rooted in Scripture, grounded in the historic practices of the church, and aimed at genuine transformation. Over six, 90-minute sessions, we'll engage disciplines that have shaped Christians for centuries like prayer, Scripture meditation, sabbath, and solitude—not as techniques for self-improvement, but as ways of abiding in Christ and walking in step with his Spirit. By recovering a biblical spiritual formation for today, we will rediscover what makes Christianity distinct and desirable to our secular age.    In each session I'll combine teaching, reflection, and practical direction, helping you see how spiritual formation connects to the gospel itself and our life with Christ. You'll learn to discern cultural counterfeits, recover the heart behind the disciplines, and develop a clear, sustainable path of growth in Christ.  THIS COHORT WILL HELP YOU Grasp the foundation of spiritual formation in our union with Christ—a vision that resists legalism and fuels confidence in a life of sustained growth and maturity. Learn a framework of spiritual renewal that can sustain formation and maturity through every season and stage of life. Understand the purpose of spiritual practices and disciplines—not as ends in themselves, but as pathways to Christ and compelling apologetics for a world hungry for transcendence.  Develop pathways to cultivate a culture of formation within your church community, equipping leaders to nurture maturity and renewal in others. I hope to see you there!   John Starke REGISTER NOW The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Salt and Light, Not Unripe Persimmons and Spite

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Salt and Light, Not Unripe Persimmons and Spite SCOTTY SMITH "Don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom." (Luke 12:32) "Let us be grateful, for we are receiving an unshakable Kingdom." (Heb. 12:28)   Lord Jesus, thank you x's 10,000. For starters, you have cleansed, forgiven, and clothed in your righteousness—made us your bride and the objects of your affection. These grace-riches alone make us incalculably wealthy. But there's more, much more. We're members Abba's family, sealed with the "Spirit of sonship," and heirs of God's Kingdom. Jesus, how do we "wrap" our hearts around all of this? We spend much energy being afraid of what's going on in our world and country—worried about what's to come, and for good reason. Yet in full view of evil's worst,  you say to your Bride in every place and every generation: "Do not be afraid little lambs. It has pleased, overjoyed, delighted our Father to give you the Kingdom." This isn't hypothetical, exaggerated, or spiritual spin. It's more real than anything else. We're not "merely" citizens of heaven; Jesus, we're co-heirs with you of the new heaven and new earth. We really don't have to be afraid of dying or living. Fear, angst, unbelief, and anger don't deserve as much of our head-space as we give them. And thank you for telling us about our Father's happiness and the joy he has in being generous with us. You know more about that than anyone, so we trust you. Keep freeing us from our unbelief/disbelief/semi-belief. We inwardly groan and eagerly await the fullness of the only "unshakable Kingdom." Until that Day, show us what being "salt and light" actually means. 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.

Thank You for Your Support, First — Hold Fast This Holiday Season

Hold fast to the gospel this holiday season

View in browser Dear First,   As we enter the holiday season, all of us at The Gospel Coalition want to pause and say thank you. Your faithful support makes this ministry possible. Because of you, believers around the world are being anchored in the unchanging hope of the gospel.   Our year-end campaign this year is Hold Fast: Anchored in the Gospel. In a world filled with uncertainty, your generosity helps us point people to the steady truth of God's Word, through articles, podcasts, videos, events, and more.   Thank you for standing with us. May this season be a reminder of the hope we share in Christ, our anchor and our joy.   With gratitude, TGC Donor Ministries Team Give to TGC The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

How Much of Your Currency of Choice Do You Need?

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH How Much of Your Currency of Choice Do You Need? SCOTTY SMITH " A tranquil heart gives life to the body" (Prov.14:30). " I say to myself, 'The LORD is my portion—(my inheritance, treasure, 'portfolio,' and future); therefore, I will hopefully  in him!'" (Lam.3:24) " I've learned to be content in every situation—in want and wealth, in leanness and muchness, in economic crises and unexpected windfalls, in a pup tent or a penthouse." (Phil.4:11-12).    Dear Jesus—how much does a " tranquil heart" cost? That's a really good question, because every day we show what we're willing to pay for one by our drivenness, fears, busyness, stressed relationships, and inability to rest.    We foolishly think a day is a coming when we'll kick back and say: " My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!"' (Lk.12:19). But that illusive category of "have enough" is ever changing. "Enough" becomes more, a little more, maybe just a little more—whether our currency of choice is money, romance, people's approval, or vocational success.    Jesus, what will it take to really  believe: All we need—in life and in death, is you plus what you chose to give us? How do you become our whole inheritance, not just one among our many of our treasures? By your kindness and providence, keep showing us how our drivenness, restlessness, and fears are leading to shallow hearts, superficial relationships, and poor health.    You put this rhetorical question "on the table" a long time ago: "What would it profit us to gain everything and lose our soul?" (Mk.8:36). Jesus, we want to say and mean with Paul, "Christ is my life, and death has become my gain" (Phil.1:21). You are worthy of a lot more than simply being the opening and closing prayer of our days and life. 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.

When Illness Reminds Us of Temporality and Eternity

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When Illness Reminds Us of Temporality and Eternity SCOTTY SMITH   "We know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave our earthly body), we will have a 'house' in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies, and we long to put on our heavenly bodies like new clothing." 2 Cor. 5:1-2   Heavenly Father, I didn't see this one coming. It's October 14, 2025, and I have Covid. Vaxxed-up, prayed-up, and now holed-up at home… Rats. Paul's wisdom to the Corinthians about earthly weaknesses making us long for our heavenly body land with sweet meaning and timely encouragement. Indeed, an eternity of perfect health is looking better and better, Father. Our healing will be complete, and never again will we experience sickness and pain in any form. No more cancer or allergies, joint replacements or runny noses; no more "gut" issues or heart disease; no more memory loss or even hiccups—and big Hallelujah, no more caskets and funerals. We are grateful Jesus' first advent secured the resurrection of our body and not just the perfection of our spirit. These "light and momentary troubles" are incredibly inconvenient, bothersome, and at times debilitating; but our rejoicing will be loud and eternal when Jesus returns to finish making all things new. Until that Day, we will steward our health and trust you for healing—whether it comes through the medical community, supernatural means, or home remedies. During times of particular weakness, may we get to know you better as the "Father of mercies and God of all comfort"; and may our compassion grow for fellow sufferers. By the power of the Gospel, help us be the kind of friends from whom the weak and weary find understanding and kindness. 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.