Quarrelsomeness Isn’t a Fruit of the Holy Spirit

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Quarrelsomeness Isn't a Fruit of the Holy Spirit SCOTTY SMITH "None of us knows exhaustively; we only know in part this side of Jesus' return" (pp 1Cor.13:9)   "The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."  If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Gal. 5:14-15)   Heavenly Father, there are many reasons I'm looking forward to life in the new heaven and new earth. And though it's not at the top of my list, no longer "knowing in part"  and loving in part are way up there. Robust dialogue is one thing; mean-spirited diatribe is quite another. You have clearly told us that "servants of Jesus mustn't quarrel but must be kind to everyone, able to teach and be patient with difficult people—gentle in spirit, knowing only God can give a change of heart" (2Tim.2:24-25). Oh, for the Day when we will no longer label, dismiss, or marginalize one another—only because we don't cross every theological "t" and dot every political "i" the same way, or even agree on the best translation of the Bible. Oh, for the Day when we enjoy both perfect hearing and perfect listening. Father, have mercy on me. Please forgive me for entering any conversation with more "rightness" than kindness. Forgive me for loving my theological tribe in clannish, club-like, cliquey ways. Forgive me for ever thinking to myself, "I get the Gospel better than they do." Forgive me for using Biblical knowledge to put up walls rather than build bridges. Teach me and my friends more about Jesus and the Gospel through those who are quite different from us. Forgive us and free us to live and love to your glory all the way Home. 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.

Abba Does All Things Well

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Abba Does All Things Well SCOTTY SMITH    "Blessed are those who fear the Lord—those who revere Abba with deep affection and unhesitating surrender… They don't fear of bad news, delayed news, or a different outcome than they prayed for. Their hearts are steadfast, trusting and resting in the Lord." (Expanded paraphrase of Psalm 112:1, 7)   Heavenly Father, another day brings with it multiple opportunities to trust you with things we would rather control. The contrast between a trusting heart and an anxious spirit has never been clearer to me. It's the difference between: (1) Resting in your goodness and care—knowing you're at work as my sovereign, loving Father. (2) Vexing in my fear and control idol—anxious for you to do things my way on my schedule. Abba, I really, really want the first of these two options to mark my heart, worship, and life. You know the beginning, middle, and end of all things. My perspective and understanding are limited; and my preferences, druthers, and hopes aren't necessarily your best for my life. We pray and plan, and you order our steps and days—and that's just as it should be. No immediate disappoint is final, and the best is always in front of us. Whether I get "bad news"—or a confusing outcome, more delay, or something way beyond all I can hope or imagine—I want to honor you and always declare, "Abba does all things well."  Father, grant me and my friends trusting hearts, the perspective of eternity, and joy in the journey all the way Home. In our heart of hearts, we DO want you more than we want our way. 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.

Jesus Is Our Whole Armor and Friends Are Our Grace-Cavalry

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus Is Our Whole Armor and Friends Are Our Grace-Cavalry SCOTTY SMITH "This is what the Lord says to you: 'Don't be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle isn't yours, but God's'" (2Chron. 20:15).   Lord Jesus, teach us what this means—that our battles belong to you. Whatever else it means, we are grateful you won the ultimate war being waged for our very destiny. By your life, death, resurrection… two flags now fly over us—our white flag of surrender to the Gospel, and your banner of love flapping in the winds of grace (Song of Songs 2:4)—Hallelujah! But on a very practical basis, what does it mean to relinquish our dust ups, conflicts, fights, and battles to you? Naivete, passivity, and denial are off the table. So, what is on the table of spiritual warfare? Help us trust you when the devil roars seeking to devour us (1Pet.5:8), when our own sinful desires wage war against our souls (1Pet.2:11). Bring us back to Gospel-sanity when we wrongly believe "flesh and blood" (people) are our biggest enemies, not the "spiritual forces of evil" (Eph.6:12). Jesus, first and foremost you are the whole "armor of God" (Eph.6:10-18)—our "righteousness, holiness, and redemption" (1Cor.1:30). Our "in-Christ-ness" is our greatest source of peace, guarantee of victory, and sure hope before the Day of all things new. And our daily communion with you—our life of fellowship, prayer, and intimacy with you gives us wisdom, strength, and joy like nothing else. There is no substitute for a life of active dependence on you and robust delight in you. And today we especially thank you for the "grace–cavalry" you've given us—our Gospel-friends who fight for our hearts, pray for us by the Spirit, bear our burdens, and are committed to travel all the way Home with us. Thank you Jesus, 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.

Active Adoration Not Fearful Consternation

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Active Adoration Not Fearful Consternation SCOTTY SMITH  "'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever:' And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God..." Revelation 11:15-16   Lord Jesus, it's just October 21st but my mind is spinning, heart is soaring, and hope is singing. I'm listening to Handel's "Messiah"—the "Hallelujah Chorus" in particular, as I meditate my way through Revelation 11… one of my favorite passages in my favorite book in the Bible. "And He shall reign forever and ever, King of kings! and Lord of lords! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" It's just 4:29 am Central time, but I am amped and revved up! Hallelujah indeed, Lord Jesus … between your resurrection and return, this should be our song every day, not just during the "Christmas season." For you are already King of kings and Lord of lords—the ruler of the kings of the earth, and of everything else. Of the increase of your government and peace, there won't be any delay, diminishing, or end (Isa. 9:6). If we could see you in this moment as the "twenty-four elders" do, we too would fall down on our faces in wonder, love, and praise. Demons tremble when you draw near and stars sing the wonder of your name. Broken reeds love your appearing and all creation craves your returning. Indeed, Lord Jesus, we're not waiting for your reign to begin, just for it to come in fullness. May this good news impact how we think about current world events, the advancing of the Gospel to the nations, our important meetings on this Tuesday, medical challenges and transitions in front of us—really, how we think about everything.  Because of you, Jesus, active adoration not fearful consternation should fill our hearts. 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.

Relaxing Our Fingers, Loosening Our Grip, Releasing to Jesus

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Relaxing Our Fingers, Loosening Our Grip, Releasing to Jesus SCOTTY SMITH Jesus, "you keep all who trust in you in perfect peace—in a peace that passes all understanding. We will more fully enjoy this peace as we set our gaze and fix their thoughts on you. Help us, Lord." (pp of Isa. 26:3, Phil.4:7, Heb.12:2)   Lord Jesus, there are many important "shifts" in life—movements from one place to another, from a limited perspective to a better one. Today it's time for many of us to shift our focus from the immediacy of our hurts, fears, and unknowns, to the permanency of your redemption, grace, and love. Grant us "shift" grace. It's one thing to be concerned about "stuff," but another to obsess about our "stuff." Vexing without sleeping isn't a helpful substitute for walking by faith (2Cor.5:7) and trusting without seeing (2Cor.4:18). So, with fingers relaxed and palms loosened, we release to you the things over which we have zero control—things which have actually controlled us. Some of these things are so old they've gathered dust and rust. Some are as current as this moment. Some haunt us from the future. Jesus, you are the Alpha and the Omega. You also have gamma, zeta, theta, and sigma covered too—along with every other letter alphabet. "When the cares and anxieties of our hearts multiply, your consolations bring us joy" (Ps. 94:19). Please multiply and manifest your consolations this week, Lord. Without you, your love, and sovereignty—we are rudder-less, sail-less, keel-less, oar-less, windless boats adrift on the sea of fears, hurts, and "What if's?" No matter our zip code, time zone, hemisphere and heart-sphere—we choose to fix our gaze and thoughts on you, Jesus. For you aren't "just" the author and perfecter of our faith, you are our very present Good Shepherd and reigning and returning King. 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.

Those Who Make the Gospel Beautiful and Believable to Us

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Those Who Make the Gospel Beautiful and Believable to Us SCOTTY SMITH "Although I am less than the least of all the Lord's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ." Eph. 3:8   Heavenly Father, on this October Sunday, we want to thank you for those who preach/teach/show/share the Gospel of your grace with us. Performance-ism, legalism, and moralism; self-help, religion and irreligion all failed us miserably. Only the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom.1:16). "Boundless riches" almost seems like an understatement, when we consider every good thing you've given us in Jesus. Our guilt is gone and our shame is shattered. We're rooted in your love and standing in your grace, clothed in Christ's righteousness and citizens of heaven… and that's just for starters. Indeed, thank you for the servants of grace you've placed in our lives—many who serve you vocationally; many are "simply" friends who have faithfully "bugged" and beckoned us to taste and see that you are good. Some of them fill pulpits, some play pickle ball with us, some work where we work, some get chemo where we do… but they all have this in common—they want us to know you and the riches of your grace. Thank you, and increase their tribe, Abba. May the Gospel stay precious and powerful in their hearts. May your love for them grow sweeter, Jesus' beauty more compelling, and the hope of heaven be more certain and tantalizing than ever. On a daily basis, grant them Gospel-sanity and quick repentances. Give them seasons of laughter and joy at just the right time. May we remain a prayerful and encouraging presence in their lives. 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.