4 Participles—Words Ending With “Ing”—to Take to Heart

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH 4 Participles—Words Ending With "Ing"—to Take to Heart SCOTTY SMITH "Jesus is standing at God's right hand!", Stephen exclaimed. (Acts 7:56) "Sin is crouching at the door eager to control you." (Gen.4:7). "The devil is prowling like a roaring lion seeking to devour you" (1Pet.5:8). "The world is squeezing the naïve into its own mold…" (Rom.12:2 – Phillips).   Lord Jesus, like every other year, month, and day—2026 will be a year in which we will encounter powerful influences. We don't need to be paranoid but must not be naive. There isn't "a demon under every rock," but there are reasons in every day for us to lock our gaze and set our affections on you. First and foremost, because you are so beautiful, good, and true. Jesus, you alone are worthy of our adoration, affection, and allegiance. You love us extravagant, unwavering, never-ending love. Secondly because… Sin isn't just "crouching at our door," it's living inside us—enticing, tantalizing, lying—seeking to seduce, control, and demolish us. The devil knows his time is short, he's angry, and he wants to "rob, kill, and destroy us" (Jn.10:10). The world—not the earth itself, but the "world system" with its values, idols, and man-centered-me-first allure will "squeeze" us into its mold unless we resist; or better, until you are dazzling and irresistible to us. Jesus, that's why, like Stephen, with eyes of faith, we want to see you standing on our behalf in triumph, tenderness, and tenacity at Abba's right hand. Standing up for us when sin and the devil would accuse and condemn us. Standing to catch every care we cast on you and every burden we offload on you. Standing to give us your peace in our troubles and your rest we in our weariness. Standing as our passionate Bridegroom—fixing to "run down" the isle from heaven," to have and hold us forever. Thank you, "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.

Gasping Jesus’ Grip

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Gasping Jesus' Grip SCOTTY SMITH " I seek to grasp more fully the reasons for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (pp Phil.3:12)    Lord Jesus, I cannot think of a better resolution for 2026 than to make it a year of pondering your grip of us. Hallelujah, yours is a grace-grip; you hold us fast, and no one will ever snatch us from your hand (Jn.10:28). But why did you do all of that for us? And what are the implications of your tender and tenacious grip for us in 2026?    Thank you for holding us as our enthralled Bridegroom. Whatever else you have planned for us in this new year, we can be certain you want us to know more of the height, depth, width, and length of your love (Eph.3:17-19)—so much so you command us to abide in your love (Jn.15:9). For us not to make growth in your love a priority will be seditious, insane, and self-sabotaging.    Thank you for holding us as our mighty and merciful King—for that is who you are, Jesus. Indeed, we are married to the King of the cosmos who is making ALL things new and beautiful. Help us grab that, Jesus. We spent too much of 2025 stressing, vexing, and fearing—under-believing that you really are "ruling the world with your truth and grace."    You're also sovereign over every heartache and hardship we will experience in life. Perhaps 2026 is to be a year in which we embrace both the mystery and mercy of your ways. Growth in humility, trust, and peace can only honor you, free our hearts, and encourage those with whom we live.    Lastly, thank you, Jesus for holding us as the " author and finisher of our faith"—the gracious Storywriter who isn't writing short stories about our personal awesomeness, but a multi-chapter novel about how you are making us more and more like yourself. It's a novel containing drama, joy, hidden subplots, twists-n-turns, tons of grace, and the most redemptive ending imaginable. 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. Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

One of Our Many Prayers for 2026

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH One of Our Many Prayers for 2026 SCOTTY SMITH    " To Jesus who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood…" (Rev.1:6). " I want to know Christ." (Phil.3:10). "More Love to Thee, O Christ, More Love to Thee" (Hymn by Elizabeth Prentiss)    Lord Jesus, you already love us as much as you ever will; but we're mere babes, neophytes, and greenhorns in our love for you—even if we have known your grace and heart for decades. Truly, there's so much more of you to relish and cherish as we enter 2026. And as we often sing, "when we've been there 10,000 years we'll have no less days to sing your praise"—only 10,000 more reasons to do so.   So, here's one of our prayers for 2026. Jesus, take us "further up and further in" to these 7 grand Gospel-realities. These will refuel, renew—even super-charge our love for you.    Us In Christ: Jesus, we affirm we are saved and safe only through our union with you. We bring need to our salvation; you bring over-supply to our need. You are 100% of our "righteousness, holiness, and redemption" (1Cor.1:30). Hallelujah!    Christ Above Us: Jesus, you are sovereign over our pain and joys, every nation and every nanosecond—at work in all things for our good, no exceptions. Make this especially real to us in 2026.    Christ In Us: Because you live in us as "our hope of glory"—heaven and being 100% like you one Day are our guaranteed inheritance. Oh the peace and joy this gives us, Jesus.    Christ For Us: With you "for us," Jesus, nothing and no one can ultimately be against us. They can "mess" with us for a moment, but nothing will separate us from your love. May our fears, anger, and self-pity shrink in 2026.    Christ With Us: Until heaven, we will never experience a Jesus-absent day. Sometimes hidden, sometimes more real than everything else—but you will never leave us.    Christ Under Us: When (not if) we fall, falter, and fall—you will catch us, hold us, and keep us all the way Home. PTL!    Christ Towards Us: Jesus, you are coming back as our joyful, loving Bridegroom. Hallelujah, maybe in 2026? 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.

One Last Invitation Before Year’s End

A final opportunity to support gospel clarity before year's end.

View in browser Dear First,   The clock is ticking and 2025 ends in just a few hours. That means your final opportunity to make a year-end gift is almost over.   Every gift given before midnight helps advance this work—proclaiming the unchanging gospel and strengthening the church as we enter 2026 and beyond.   Please don't wait. Give your year-end gift now and step with us into 2026 ready to renew and unify the church in the ancient gospel. Give Before Midnight Gratefully,   Mark Vroegop President, The Gospel Coalition   P.S. Together, your generosity helps us serve the contemporary church with the ancient gospel—strengthening pastors, encouraging believers, and helping millions hold fast to the truth of God's Word. Please make your year-end gift by midnight tonight to keep this vital work going. The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO,65205   The Gospel Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.   Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

First, let’s Press On—Final Hours of 2025

Would you take one final step of generosity this year?

View in browser Dear First,   We're in the final hours of 2025. And as the clock counts down, I'm reminded of Paul's words in Philippians 3:14: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."   That's the spirit behind this moment.   Tonight isn't just about closing out a year, it's about pressing forward in the calling we share: proclaiming the gospel and equipping the church to hold fast to Christ.   Every gift given before midnight will help carry this mission into the year ahead—supporting pastors, encouraging believers, and keeping churches rooted in God's Word at a time when gospel clarity is urgently needed.   Time is short. But the opportunity is great. Give Before Midnight Let's press on, together.   With joyful anticipation, Mark Vroegop President, The Gospel Coalition   P.S. Your generosity helps us serve the contemporary church with the ancient gospel, equipping pastors and believers around the world to hold fast to the truth of God's Word. Please make your year-end gift by midnight tonight to keep gospel-centered resources reaching millions.   The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO,65205   The Gospel Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.   Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

First, because you gave…

A glimpse of gospel impact—thanks to you.

View in browser Dear First,   Because of your generosity, Jasmine, a young college student wrestling with doubt, found her footing again in Christ.   Jasmine told us, "I was questioning everything. But I kept reading your articles and listening to your podcasts. Slowly, the gospel became clear again. It helped save my faith."   This is why your giving matters.   Right now, confusion is loud, truth is contested, and many believers—especially the next generation—are searching for something solid to stand on. Your support helps ensure they're met not with noise, but with gospel clarity.   As we come to the end of the year, would you consider making a gift to help more people like Jasmine hear the truth of God's Word and hold fast to the gospel?   Your generosity fuels articles, podcasts, training, and resources that strengthen believers around the world.   Thank you for being part of what God is doing through TGC.   With gratitude, Stephen Schindler Vice President of Development The Gospel Coalition Give a Year-End Gift P.S. As a small thank-you for the many ways you support this ministry, please enjoy a free copy of our Advent devotional, Unto Us for you and your family to enjoy next advent season. The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO,65205   The Gospel Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.   Take control of your inbox. Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.