There Is So Much More of Jesus for Us to Experience and Savor

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH There Is So Much More of Jesus for Us to Experience and Savor SCOTTY SMITH    "Though you haven't literally seen Jesus in the flesh, you love him . And even though you do not see him yet as you will one Day, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy" (1Pet.1:8).    Lord Jesus, though we've only seen you with our heart-eyes, that is a profoundly real "seeing"—one that compels us to love you. Knowing you gives us inner joy unlike any other happiness, merriment, and gladness we've ever experienced. For we are saved. We are redeemed. We are beloved. We are yours now and forever.    The astonishing thing is—even if we've known you for decades, we are just babes in the world of your everything. There's so much more of you Jesus—immeasurably more to discover, marvel at, and savor, and enjoy.    So far, we've merely read the preface to the book of your greatness and glory. We've only seen a couple of chalets on the Swiss Alps of your majesty and beauty. We're barely toe deep in the bottomless ocean of your grace—and you bid us swim. You invite us to feast at the banquet of your love, and we're only two bites into the appetizer.    There is so much more to you Jesus. We'll stay in discovery mode throughout eternity. Hallelujah, and thank you. In the coming days and weeks reveal as much of yourself as we can possibly absorb with our unglorified hearts. We're less than 3 weeks from Thanksgiving and 7 from Christmas. We'd love to finish 2025 in "doxological overload"—astonished afresh by the "glories of your righteousness and wonders of your love." Joy to the World, indeed. As your beloved, longing, smitten Bride—we love you, Jesus. But we want to love you exponentially more. 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.

Informed Mind + Inflamed Heart + Invested Life

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Informed Mind + Inflamed Heart + Invested Life SCOTTY SMITH    " In view of who Jesus is and what he has done, things I used to consider valuable are now worthless me. I now see the world's gold as fool's gold compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Gaining Christ through grace is eternally more glorious than accumulating everything else by hard work, family inheritance, or sheer luck." (pp Phil.3:7-8)    Dear Lord Jesus, Paul's story is compelling. His Gospel-informed mind, his Spirit enflamed heart, and his eternity invested life are both attractive and convicting. The things that used to consume him no longer even amused him. Knowing you claimed exclusive rights on the category "infinite value" in his life. Change my price tags too, Jesus.   " I no longer look to my efforts and  'wanna be righteousness' as the basis of my relationship with God. The righteousness we must have only  comes by faith in Christ—who fulfilled the law for us and exhausted all judgment against us. He is 100% of our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." (pp Phil.3:9, 1Cor.1:30)    It's obvious, Jesus, Paul didn't just intellectually and theologically "get" the Gospel. The Gospel—meaning you, possessed his heart. You were never an "add on" to Paul. But the older he got, the more he adored you. He wasn't "balanced"; he was consumed. Give me more of that, Jesus.   "Though I truly know him, I want to know Christ so much more intimately. I want to surrender more fully the Spirit's work and the power that raised Jesus from the dead. I will gladly suffer with Jesus as I go with him into his commitment to redeem his Bride from the nations, make all things new, and put all things right. His death is now my life, and his cross shapes the way I want to live all the way Home." (pp Phil.3:10)    Jesus, none of us merely wants to spend our lives; we want to invest our lives—in knowing you better, serving you more robustly, and loving others as you love us. Grant it Lord. 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.

New Group Study from TGC: Pre-Order Now

'Making Sense of Us: Exploring Six Stories That Shape How We Live'. Available for Pre-Order Now.

View in browser Pre-Order TGC's New Group Study for Discipleship and Evangelism Ships on February 26, 2026 Taught by leading voices in cultural apologetics For individuals, groups, or church-wide study Making Sense of Us is a 7-week video curriculum that helps young and newer Christians, and even non-Christians, explore key narratives that have shaped Western culture. You'll see how these stories fall short, and how the one true story of the gospel fulfills our deepest longings.  Explore key narratives that have shaped Western culture—our stories about self, happiness, science, justice, liberty, and progress. See how the gospel answers common cultural longings. Understand why people in our culture find these stories compelling, and learn to share how the gospel speaks a better word. Learn on your own or with your church. This 7-week video curriculum is suitable for individuals, groups, or church-wide study. Written by Fellows of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics: Rebecca McLaughlin | John Starke | Sam Chan | Trevin Wax | Rachel Gilson | Glen Scrivener | Bob Thune PRE-ORDER TODAY PRE-ORDER FROM TGC STORE (Multi-Buy Discounts Available) PRE-ORDER FROM AMAZON Train your congregation Start gospel conversations Reach your community FIND OUT MORE (and Download a Sample Lesson) The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205 Unsubscribe

Our Heart Treasure Impacts Our Word Flow

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Our Heart Treasure Impacts Our Word Flow SCOTTY SMITH    " It's good to strengthen our hearts with God's grace" (Heb.13:9), and "s et our thinking and affections on things above (Col.3:2). Because " whatever fills our heart will flow through our words" (Lk.6:4).   " Let your interactions always be full   of grace" (Col.4:6). Why? Because " gentle words are a tree of life, but cruel words crush the spirit" (Prov.15:4). " Reckless people speak words that pierce like swords, but wise people speak with a desire to bring healing" (Prov.12:18).    Lord Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit, make this tapestry of Scriptures dear, daily, and determinative for us. In a season of mean-speak and verbal drive-by-shootings, you call us to be different—radically different and grace-fully distinctive.    Since our words flow from whatever captures and fills our hearts—Jesus, dazzle and delight us afresh with your truth, goodness, and beauty. Life has never been about tongue control but heart treasure. The more you matter to us, Lord, the more we will live and love to your glory. What more could we want for the rest of our days? With Thanksgiving just three weeks away, stun us anew with every good thing we have in you, Lord.    Not as a law but as a longing, we'd love to offer 100 helpful and healing words for every thoughtless, uncaring, and hurtful syllable we utter. Even our body language—Jesus, may it be a taste of your welcome, an expression of your kindness, and an extension of your mercy and grace.    In our business meetings, inter-family interactions, difficult discussions, and casual  conversations—help us listen, respond, and speak as those who belong to you, Jesus. You only speak life, love, and liberty to us. Thank you, Lord. Do the same through us this very day. 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 the world shifts, where do you stand?

When the world shifts, where do you stand?

View in browser Dear First,   We are living in a moment marked by uncertainty—morally, culturally, and spiritually. The ground beneath our feet often feels unstable.   And yet we have incredible opportunities because the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and timeless.   At The Gospel Coalition, we exist to help you and churches around the world stand firm on the unshakable foundation of God's Word. Every article, podcast, gathering, and resource is crafted to renew and unify the church around what matters most: Christ crucified, risen, and reigning. Give to TGC   As we step into this season of generosity, I want to invite you to partner with us. Your gift will help TGC's staff to produce timely, gospel-centered resources. Here are a few initiatives we're working on:  Launching an AI Christian Benchmark project Rebuilding and redesigning TGC.org Creating a new faith-and-work podcast and resources Reaching Gen Z with new media Would you consider a gift today to help us continue this vital work?   Let's hold fast together.   In Christ, Mark Vroegop President, The Gospel Coalition Give to TGC The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe