“Be Mine” Is 10,000 Times Better Than “Be My Valentine”

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH "Be Mine" Is 10,000 Times Better Than "Be My Valentine" SCOTTY SMITH    "Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name, I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Ps. 63:3–5    Lord Jesus, Oh, to know and love you with the passion and delight reflected in Psalm 63—in such a heart-thrilling, soul-satisfying, life-liberating way. Praising lips, engaged mind, raised hands, satisfied soul—every aspect of our being captured is designed to be enthralled with your goodness and grace.    Nothing is more compelling, transforming, and counterintuitive than your love for us. Your love isn't "like" anything; it is the meaning, magnificence, and measure of true affection. As Charles Wesley taught us to sing—your loves is "pure, unbounded, divine,"—"excelling all other loves."  Jesus, make us blush with astonishment, for this is the way you love us.    During this weekend when human romance will be in the spotlight (Valentine's Day), may your " better-than-life-love" shatter all comparisons to human loves—even the healthiest and dearest ones. David danced with shame-free joy when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-23)—the symbol of your presence and blessing. How much more so should we live before you with an "inexpressible and glorious joy"? (1Pet.1:8). Not being happy all the time but always being certain of your great love for us and unwavering delight in us.    Jesus, your empty tomb is behind us. Your occupied throne is above us. Your righteousness is wrapped around us. Your everlasting arms are under us (Deut.33:27). Your prayers and intercession never stop for us, and you are fixin' to return for us—passionate Bridegroom for beloved Bride. "Love divine, all loves excelling" indeed! So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

Three Timely “Don’ts” Along with a Grand Vision

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Three Timely "Don'ts" Along with a Grand Vision SCOTTY SMITH    " Don't take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord." Rom. 12:19    " Don't gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice." Prov. 24:17    " Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like the grass, they will soon wilt and be no more." Ps.37:1    Heavenly Father, I'm stilling relishing the taste of the "heavenly gelato" I had earlier this week in Encinitas. I also savor 70% dark chocolate poured over walnuts sitting atop vanilla ice cream. But I'm just as capable of enjoying the flavor and texture of sweet revenge, spiteful payback, and watching the arrogant eat crow and get low. That's a confession, not a boast.    Longing for justice is one thing, but feeding a vengeful spirit like it is a sourdough starter, is in a different category—a category sharing company with anti-grace, rat poison, and Eboli. No matter the provocation—from a personal "dissing" to evil parading its hatred of beauty—you've told us you're greedy with revenge—keeping all of it to yourself and timetable. Help us Abba, for we live in a culture that has mastered and normalized demonizing, weaponizing, and supersizing getting even. It's how cultures in the past self-destructed and became a regrettable footnote in the history of self-idolatry. Have mercy on us, Lord.    Father, I'm so glad you didn't "get even" with us. You didn't get even; you got generous— so generous that you gave our sin to Jesus, gave his righteousness to us, and then you gave us to Jesus "to have and hold forever." Hallelujah… we are more married to Jesus than we'll ever be to a human spouse. May realizing we're the beloved Bride of Jesus—the true and reigning King, humble, gladden, and focus us. May it empower us to work for justice tenaciously and sacrificially, to love your mercy for ourselves and for others, and to walk humbly and gladly with Jesus all the way to the Wedding Feast and the eternal beyond. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

Learn How the Bible Came to Be—and Why it Matters. Join This New Cohort.

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View in browser DISCOVER THE STORY BEHIND THE STORY Thursdays, April 16 - May 21 So many conversations and debates about the Christian faith lead back to the reliability of the Bible. Who wrote it? Can we really trust it? Why does it contain this and not that? Every Christian leader needs a firm grasp of the fundamental principles and arguments for how we got the Bible we hold in our hands today. This will serve both your congregation and the community you're trying to reach.    This new cohort by The Carson Center for Theological Renewal will help you discover the story of history's most important book. Join the directors of the Text & Canon Institute as they demonstrate how a set of books written in three different languages by dozens of authors across thousands of years was copied, canonized, and translated to become the Bible we know today. WHY YOU SHOULD SIGN UP FOR THIS COHORT Learn how to debunk common myths about the Bible Inspire greater love for Scripture Understand the translation process Gain confidence in your understanding of how the Bible came to be REGISTER NOW I hope you'll join us.   Benjamin Gladd Executive Director for The Carson Center   YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN The Gospel Coalition, 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN, 46250 Take control of your inbox Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

A Fresh Infusion of Grace, Love, and Hope in Our Relationships

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH A Fresh Infusion of Grace, Love, and Hope in Our Relationships SCOTTY SMITH "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved…" ( Col.3:12a)      Lord Jesus, these 3 realities define us more than anything else:  We are Chosen—Not accidently yours, but providentially and affectionately yours.  We are Holy—Righteous in you, set apart for you, and destined to be 100% like you.  We are Dearly Loved—Fully known, constantly enjoyed, and forever your treasure.    Jesus, from the overflow of your love for us—infuse our marriages, friendships, parenting, and neighboring with copious portions of these 5 expressions of your relationship with us: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." ( Col.3:12b). Thank you for loving us like this and help us more fully believe that you do.    Until heaven, our commitment to love well will include seasons of conflict, heart-hurt, disconnect, and the need for repentance. So, free us to " bear with each other and forgive one another when we grieve each other. Jesus, may we forgive as the you forgave us." ( Col.3:13).      Gentle our hearts and supersize our forbearance. Free us to forgive grievances (big and little ones) with speed and joy. May your once-and-for-all forgiveness of us, define and fuel our forgiveness of others. Help us Lord, for each of us inhabits complex and challenging relationships—and we ourselves are not always the easiest to love.    So, help us constantly to  "put on love, which binds all these graces together in perfect unity ( Col.3:14) . Not mere external niceness but dressing ourselves with your love, Jesus—the love you have lavished upon us, pray we will experience more fully (Eph.3:18-19), and bid us extend to each other (Jn.13:34-35).    We long for the Day we will only and forever love perfectly (1Jn.4:18), but until then knowing you already love us perfectly is our deep peace, greatest joy, and profound hope. 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 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

Not As Kiss-ups, Give-ins, or Bail-outs

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Not As Kiss-ups, Give-ins, or Bail-outs SCOTTY SMITH    "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession. Live the rest of your lives as a revelation and declaration of God's glory and grace. In his generosity and kindness he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (Paraphrase 1Pet.2:9).    "Live such good lives among the pagans (the "Left," "Right," Other, and Neither) that, though they deride you, they'll see your good deeds and glorify God on the Day he visits us"—the Day Jesus returns to finish making all things new (1Pet.2:12, Rev.21:5).   "Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1Pet. 2:17)    Lord Jesus, it's getting more and more complicated to live as your beloved Bride in this crazy world of ours. We ask you to do the same work in our hearts that you did in the Apostle Peter's. Nothing but the Gospel can explain the change in Peter's life reflected in these verses. He went from being an angry separatist to living as an engaged citizen in your now and coming Kingdom. Faith sabotaged his fear, hope supplanted his despair, and love replaced his unbelief.    When political forces tried to arrest you (Matt.26:53). Peter tried to defend you. But you've could've dispatched "twelve legions of angels" to rescue you. The same angels you could've dispatched then remain at your beckoning call today. You don't need our little knives, but we do ask you to use the sword of your Word on us.    In February 2026 you "control the course of world events—sitting down and setting up kings at your discretion" (Dan.2:21)—just like you always have. Forgive us for ignoring, minimizing, or under-believing this glorious reality. So, very practically, Jesus, show us how to "Respect everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor" (1Pet.2:17).    How was it possible for Peter and his friends to " honor" Nero—a true narcissist and tyrant? By praying for him, and serving you as their present, true, and eternal King. Do the same in and for us, Jesus. Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit. Until you return and finish making all things new, show us how to live as salt and light—not as flame throwers or naïve pacifists—not as kiss-ups, give-ins, or bail-outs.  So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard,  Suite 220 Indianapolis,  IN  46250  United States 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.

Save 40% on Books About Love, Marriage, and Identity

A curated selection of biblically grounded resources—on sale now.

February has a way of putting relationships front and center. Love is everywhere, and so are the questions. Am I doing this right? What does faithfulness look like here? How do I think clearly when every message around me seems to say something different?    Many of us are already navigating these conversations—in our own lives, with friends, and within our churches. Questions about friendship, singleness, marriage, identity, and don't stay theoretical for long. That's why this month we're highlighting a selection of books to help Christians stay grounded in God's good design for relationships. These trusted resources will equip you to think clearly and biblically about relationships in your discipleship, teaching, and everyday ministry. More Than 50 Books at 40% Off For the rest of the month, you can save up to 40% on selected titles on gender, identity, and relationships in the TGC Bookstore with the code TGCFEB BROWSE OUR SELECTION Buying for Your Church or Small Group? Save up to 65% on case-quantity orders to equip your church or ministry Bulk discounts are available all year to support pastors, small-group leaders, and ministry teams. No matter how much you're buying, shipping is always a flat $4.99 for your entire order. You May Also Be Interested In 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.   Taught by leading voices in cultural apologetics. For individuals, groups, or church-wide study. Try a FREE sample lesson today. The Gospel Coalition, 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard, Indianapolis, IN, 46250 Take control of your inbox Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.