What “File” Deserves Most of Our Attention?

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH What "File" Deserves Most of Our Attention? SCOTTY SMITH    "Fearing people"—by either being afraid of them or putting too much hope in them, "is a dangerous trap" (Prov.29:25). But "the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life" (Prov.14:27) —for it means God is bigger than mere people to us, alone worthy of our worship, and singularly able to wilt our worries and drive out our fears.    Heavenly Father, we don't understand all your reasons for choosing to seat certain kings, mayors, and leaders—while you unseat others (Dan. 2:21). The "secret things" and the ways of providence belong to you (Deut. 29:29). But we do know you have already installed Jesus as the true and eternal King (Rev.1:5). Hallelujah, yea verily, and Amen!    And we know that one Day "every knee will bow to Jesus and every tongue confess that he is Lord." That Day will bring great glory to you, eternal joy to us, and perfect everything everywhere (Phil.2:10-11; Rev.21:1-5). We also know that peace, joy, and beauty—(not angst, vexation, and doubt), fill the courts of heaven right now (Psalm 2:4-6, Rev.4-5, Heb.12:22). So, as we head into this weekend, Abba, please intensify our " fear of the Lord," shrink our awe of people, and supersize our hope in the Gospel. It's messy and hard down here.    Indeed, we have brothers and sisters in Christ in many different nations who are experiencing suffering, privation, and expressions of darkness—even as we who live in the USA are living in an unsettling, vulnerable, ugly stretch of our own country's history. So today, Abba, we choose afresh the " fountain of life" that comes from fearing you.     Likewise, we choose again to avoid the "dangerous trap" of putting too much confidence in mere men. The main "file" we want to think about this weekend is the "file" of our sin with CANCELED written all over it in huge red letters. 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. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Get Two TGC Advent Devotionals for the Price of One

Tether Your Heart to Christ This Advent

View in browser GET TWO ADVENT DEVOTIONALS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE Buy Unto Us and Get a Free Download of The Weary World Rejoices   Christmas is coming—and with it a season that quickly becomes busy, even exhausting. Before we know it, our schedules are full, our minds are crowded, and our hearts are anxious.    Yet Advent should be a time when we focus on Jesus and seek the true rest we can only have in him. Advent reminds us we're a people who wait with hope, not for one special day each year, but for the day of Jesus's coming to give us an eternity of rest.   Based on the Scripture texts of the Christmas section of Handel's Messiah, TGC's Advent devotional, Unto Us, invites you to refresh your heart every day in the run-up to Christmas. If you're feeling the frantic pace of this time of year, Unto Us will help you slow down and fix your eyes on Christ.    Read by yourself or grab a stack and follow along with a group from church.   10 Minutes. Once a Day. Every Day.  Tether your heart to Christ this Advent. GET BOTH DEVOTIONALS NOW DOWNLOAD A SAMPLE BULK DISCOUNTS FOR CHURCHES Why not grab some copies for yourself and your church? Bulk deals (up to 50 percent off) are available in the TGC Store, so you could even read along with your small group or church congregation.   You won't get these prices on Amazon.  Buy 5 for $10.49 each (saving 19 percent) Buy 10 for $9.99 each (saving 23 percent) Buy 20 for $9.49 each (saving 27 percent) Buy 50 for $8.99 each (saving 31 percent) Buy 92 for $4.55 each (saving 65 percent) RRP $12.99 BUY IN BULK TODAY BROWSE TRUSTED RESOURCES FOR CHRISTMAS Find more resources that point to Christ. The TGC Bookstore offers a carefully curated collection of gospel-centered books and tools that will encourage you and your loved ones this Advent. EXPLORE ADVENT RESOURCES IN THE TGC STORE I hope you'll join us this Advent in contemplating the wonder that a Savior was born unto us.   Andrew Spencer Associate Editor The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO Unsubscribe | Manage Your Email Preferences

First Love, Satisfaction, and Freedoms

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH First Love, Satisfaction, and Freedoms SCOTTY SMITH "This side of heaven, do whatever you personally can to make peace and live at peace with everyone" (pp Rom.12:18). " Abide, linger, marinate in my love for you, for that will impact everything in your life." (pp John 15:9).    Heavenly Father, we who share in this daily prayer community wake up in different time zones of the world, with different weather fronts and breakfast choices, different music filling the airways and different projects in front of us today. But the one thing we ALL have in common is less than perfect relationships requiring ample portions of your mercy and grace.    The most emotionally and spiritually healthy among us still need your mercy and are called to extend your grace. Though it will take heaven to fully heal our relational brokenness, well before heaven we'd love to participate in more stories of your reconciling love and relational healing. What is our place in a lifestyle of mercy-giving, bridge-building, and peacemaking, Abba? Here are a few of our challenges, questions, and "asks." Abba, what's the line between loving others "as unto you," versus putting pressure on anyone to fulfill our dreams for our family, friendship, and working relationships? Help us know when we've moved from good longings to unhealthy obsession. When we don't see eye-to-eye with others about the causes of current relational tensions and disruptions, how can we still love heart-to-heart? After all, since every relationship requires daily mercy and fresh grace, living at peace does not require the absence of conflict or total agreement. Abba, what do we let go of for now, with the sure hope of resolution and restoration later? Time alone does not heal, but "time + grace" can accomplish a lot. Lastly (for today), would you please restore us to our first love for Jesus, our first satisfaction in Jesus, and our first freedoms from Jesus? Seems like that would help most of our relational challenges. 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. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails. Update your email preferences

Rooted in Truth, Transformed by Grace

Your generosity is helping believers hold fast.

View in browser Dear First,   Faced with a difficult pastoral challenge, Andrew didn't know where to turn. He felt like giving up. He was disoriented, questioning, unsure how to move forward in faith. Pastoring is hard; it might be easier to step away from the pulpit altogether.   One night, he found a TGC article about pastoral endurance. Then another. Then a podcast clip.    Later, Andrew wrote us: "TGC helped me feel less alone and more rooted in the truth of the gospel, even when my world was shaking."   Your generosity makes stories like Andrew's possible. Every gift helps us offer trustworthy, Christ-centered resources that meet people in the middle of their storm.    We want to continue helping believers like Andrew—and you—Hold Fast. Would you prayerfully consider making a gift today to help others stay rooted in gospel truth?   With gratitude, Collin Hansen Editor-in-Chief, The Gospel Coalition   P.S. As we hold fast to the gospel, we're stepping boldly into the future God has prepared. Click here to see how your partnership helps anchor more lives in the truth of God's Word.   Give to TGC The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Gentleness Is Not Being Genteel, Casper Milquetoast, or Spineless

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Gentleness Is Not Being Genteel, Casper Milquetoast, or Spineless SCOTTY SMITH "Let your gentleness be evident to everyone in all situations. How is this possible? Because the Lord is near" (pp Phil.4:5). "Your gentleness, (Lord), made me great" (Ps.18:35). "A gentle and quiet spirit is very precious in God's sight" (1Pet. 3:4).   Lord Jesus, as we begin this Wednesday, gentle us. Which isn't to have our passion deflated, but harnessed—not becoming dangerously compliant, but more fully like you. That's what we want and need. At a time when many are fear-full, thinned-skinned, and easily triggered, grant us the calming power of your Spirit. If we could hear how and what you are praying for us right now (John 17); if we could see you see you joyfully ruling from heaven's throne in this very moment (Rev.4); if Romans 8:28 wasn't just a favorite verse but a defining reality to us… We would sleep better and longer. We would second guess less and first-love more (Rev.2:4). We would vex and blame others less, and rest and trust you more. Jesus, as you spoke this world into existence, so speak quietness, peace, and kindness deep into our hearts. Your peace passes and bypasses all understanding—not because it doesn't make sense, but because it frees us from the "need" to have satisfying answers to every heartache, mystery, and hard story this side of heaven. Never let us forget that worrying will not add a single day to our lives (Matt.6:27). In fact, it's more likely to take days, health, and joy from us. By the gold mine and riches of your grace, do a fresh work in our hearts. Jesus may "your gentleness make us great" (Ps.18:35)—not great as in impressive to people, but great as in present, kind, revealers of your goodness and beauty. 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.

Grace Reigns, Not Karma

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Grace Reigns, Not Karma SCOTTY SMITH   "After you have suffered   a little while the God of all grace , who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you" (1 Pet. 5:10).    Heavenly Father, thank you for the weariness-validating, heart-encouraging voice of the Scriptures. I have many friends who are suffering from a wide spectrum of losses and "crosses," broken bodies and overwhelmed hearts. Thank you for being the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2Cor.1:3). And thank you for friends who suffer well and, therefore, know how to love well.    The Day of no more " death, mourning, crying, or pain" is coming (Rev. 21:4)—for which we are most grateful. Until then, teach us how to ache to your glory, bear each other's burdens, and work for each other's joy (2 Cor.1:24). Help us resist these and other lies of the enemy: "My friends must be so tired of me and my same messes. I'm sure they dread seeing my name come up on caller ID." "This must be payback time. I know I can't earn heaven, but I blew it early so God is getting even with me late."    Nonsense—it's the devil's design and delight to rob us of your presence and each other's kindness. As Peter said, by the clock and calendar of mercy, all suffering is just for a " little while"—which means grace reigns, not karma. Father, when life hurts the most deepen our experience of you as the " God of all grace." And keep us moving towards our grace-dripping friends, not from them.    At just the right time, you will " restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish  us"—each and all of us. Thank you, Abba. May your daily mercies define us 7 times more so than our fleeting misery. Free to steward our crucibles as a shared calling —the essence of Gospel-friendship . 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.