Between the Most Glorious and Redemptive Bookends Imaginable

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Between the Most Glorious and Redemptive Bookends Imaginable SCOTTY SMITH  “ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” Rev. 22:13    Lord Jesus, though we don’t understand or always like your ways, choices, and timing—this we believe, rest in, and trust: You get the first and last “word” on everything . Hallelujah and make it more real to us than ever—we aren’t living between the bookends of chance and possibilities, randomness and haphazardness, “mother nature’s whims” and “fate’s fancies.”   We live smack-dab between the most glorious and redemptive bookends: The bookends of the Garden of Eden and the Garden-world of the New Heaven and New Earth. Between you as the One who made all things and the One who is making all things new. Between your sovereignty and grace as “ the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”    Jesus, you aren’t going to show up at the end of history just to “clean up our messes,” but to usher in the magnificence of a plan made before the world began. In fact, you’re not just the First and the Last, you’re also the Middle too. On the Day of your return, you won’t have “a lot of explaining to do,” we’ll have a lot of worship to offer. And we will loudly, humbly, and fully proclaim, “Our God has done all things well!”    Jesus, until that magnificent Day: May your peace rule in our hearts. Your beauty fuel our worship. Your love shrink our fears. Your grace   shape our words. Your joy supersize our strength. Your return determine our investments.    Life is so short, you are SO good, and we are so yours. The most Gospel-sane thing we can do is to invest today and the rest of our days in adoring, serving, and trusting you. 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.

Gentleness Isn’t an Add-on, AI Producible, or an Online Course

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Gentleness Isn’t an Add-on, AI Producible, or an Online Course SCOTTY SMITH   “Learn from me, for I (Jesus) am gentle and humble in heart.” Matt. 11:29    Lord Jesus, cutting to the chase—I want to be more like you. I want to be gentle and humble when my first, third, and seventh reaction is often the opposite. To learn from you isn’t me writing things down in a notebook; it’s you writing things into my heart by your grace, Spirit, and time spent with you. So here we go.    Jesus, gentle me when things just don’t work out—when good plans end up in the trash ben. To be disappointed is human; to throw a 30-minute pout-fest is toddler-ish. You never promised to “baptize my plans,” but you have promised to work in all things for my good. You’re not a bit-player in my story; I am a character and carrier of your Story. Hallelujah, and thank you.    Gentle me in this culture of spin, exaggeration, and blatant untruth. Raised blood pressure, hackles, and dander are a sign of caring. But when like Peter I want to pull out my Swiss Army knife and start amputating ears, rebuke me with your kindness, and remind me you’re right here with us in the middle all the mess. You have told us not to fret (Ps.37:1). Today I choose today to obey you.    Jesus, gentle me when I forget names and where I put stuff—when the mirror doesn’t lie and the calendar says I’m closer to heaven than yesterday. To live in denial, vanity, or fear is normal—but I don’t want to settle for normal. To love, trust, and delight in you is to enjoy the freedom of the Gospel, the work of your Spirit, and the power of grace.    Jesus, I want to be more playful, present in relationships, transformed by the Gospel, and hope-saturated —all the way Home. Thank you for friends who make growing older and growing in grace a shared journey, a mutual encouragement-fest, and a life of hope. 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.

None Are Righteous—Blue or Red, Right or Left, Conservative or Liberal

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH None Are Righteous—Blue or Red, Right or Left, Conservative or Liberal SCOTTY SMITH “As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous—not even one. (Rom.3:10). “In the ‘last days’—life between the resurrection and return of Jesus, people will only love themselves and their money” (pp 2Tim.3:2). “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter” (Isa.5:20).   Lord Jesus, have mercy on us Lord, have a lot of mercy on us—on all of us, Jesus. The longer I live, the more I realize that longing for the past is naïve and is never free from selective memory and self-interest. Assuming there ever was a “golden age” and “good ole days” is also qualified by our definition of “gold” and “good.” I didn’t wake up cynical today; I’m just waking up to a lot of stuff that has always been true. Everybody equally needs Jesus, all of the time. Love of self and love of money permeate history, church history, every culture, and every heart. It’s not the only thing that’s true of us; but it is true of all of us. To love “money” isn’t as simple as a love of cash and currency. It’s a love of power, control, comfort, pleasure—a love of not having to need you, of not having to depend on you for anything. It is the essence of self-love. What seems to be “more new” now—scary new, is the way our world has blurred—make that, obliterated the line between good and evil, true and fake, bitter and sweet. I used to believe that was only true in countries and cultures “way over there.” The geography has changed. Now it’s “way over here.” This makes me sad and mad. More than anything it makes me grateful for you and love you, Jesus. I crave your return. I abandon myself to you. Only you are righteous. Only by your righteousness are we saved. Only your righteous reign on earth and in our hearts will fully eradicate our love for self and love for money. Come, Lord Jesus, come. 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.

Don’t Let Your Most Important Muscles Atrophy

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Don’t Let Your Most Important Muscles Atrophy SCOTTY SMITH “Praise the Lord, my soul, and don’t forget a single one of his benefits to you.” (Ps.103:2)    Heavenly Father, working on my balance in recent months, has underscored the importance of regularly working muscles and tendons I didn’t know I had in my feet, ankles, and lower legs. Alas, without exercise they atrophy and lose elasticity. But it’s true of other “muscle-groups” as well—those not made of collagen and protein fibers. Gratitude, joy, and hope need exercise and stretching just as much as our biceps, “quads,” and “hammies.” So, before I go for my morning walk, here’s to a bit of spiritual-heart exercise.    Abba, thank you for an over-the-top glorious  salvation i n Jesus. I’m hidden in Christ, standing in grace, and rooted in your love. I live as an object of your unwavering affection and co-heir of your eternal kingdom. Jesus prays for me, you delight in me, and the Spirit lives in me. Hallelujah!    With Jesus as my righteousness and death as my gain (Phil.1:21), you are shrinking my fears, wilting my whining, taming my triggers. Thank you, Abba. Thank you for my family—each of whom is more precious and in your grip of sovereign grace than I realize. Thank you for dear friends with whom to pray, play, and ponder the beauty of Jesus and the mystery of your ways. Fishing, repenting, encouraging, laughing, cooking, feasting, photography, music and tears are all woven into the tapestry of your love.    The things that hurt the most won’t always hurt this much. The things that weigh my heart down won’t always be this heavy. The Day of no more knowing and loving in part is guaranteed and closer than ever. The Day all things new is circled 7 times on your calendar of grace. Abba, you began a work in history, me, and creation you will complete. Whew! 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.

Did You Know TGC Has a Church Directory?

A new tool to help you find gospel-centered churches near you. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

View in browser Introducing the New-and-Improved  TGC Church Directory Whether you’re relocating, traveling, sending a student off to college, or helping a friend search for a church, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.    That’s why The Gospel Coalition has launched a newly improved Church Directory: a trusted tool designed to help Christians discover gospel-centered churches aligned with TGC’s confessional statement and theological vision for ministry.   For years, the TGC Church Directory has been one of the most-visited resources on our website. After a comprehensive update, the directory is now more reliable, accurate, and helpful than ever before.   What’s new? A more intentional church application and approval process Updated church information and ongoing verification Improved search functionality to help users discover churches near them FIND A LOCAL CHURCH Thanks to our friends at Midwestern Seminary for sponsoring the Church Directory. This resource reflects our shared commitment to live and labor for the Church. If you believe your church aligns with TGC’s beliefs and values, and you would like others to know of that alignment, we encourage you to submit your application so your church can be listed. The Gospel Coalition, 8520 Allison Pointe Boulevard, Suite 220, Indianapolis, IN, 46250 Take control of your inbox Manage your preferences and choose which newsletters you want to receive or unsubscribe from all emails.

Salvation-less Saviors or An Occupied Throne of Grace?

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Salvation-less Saviors or An Occupied Throne of Grace? SCOTTY SMITH   “ Salvation is always found by returning to me, turning from sin, and resting in me. Indeed, true strength is found by getting quiet and trusting  only  in me—  fast horses won’t take you where you need to be; their destination is always ruin.  The Lord  longs   to be gracious to you… wait for him.” (Paraphrase of Isa.3:15-18)   “ Those who wait upon the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isa.40:31).    Heavenly Father, thank you. These Scriptures land on our hearts today like a grace-filled rebuke and a heavenly kiss.  Fear, restlessness, and weariness can do a number on us. Spiritual, emotional, and mental exhaustion lead us to make choices we  always regret.    We run aimlessly to salvation-less saviors, relief-for-a-moment anesthetics, and the current idols of our hearts. We become easy targets for fear-mongers and partisan politics—the new “fast horses” and false prophets of our day. When anger and worry are more prevalent in our hearts than quietness and trust—we are accidents waiting to happen, children playing with matches and gasoline, and addicts given access to their drug of choice. Do an intervention on us, Abba.    Thank you a gazillion times over—in the Gospel, you bid us  come boldly and regularly to the occupied throne of grace. There we find both  you and need-shaped mercy and grace (Heb.4:15). Abba, thank you for your unrelenting, pursuing, kind heart. Right now, in this very moment—with your mercy in view (Rom.12:1-2) and our eyes fixed on Jesus (Heb.12:1), we return, repent, and rest.    We don’t need to soar high like eagles; we’ll settle for your Spirit descending on us bringing dove-like peace (Lk.3:21-22). Abba, be gracious to us today through your Word, Jesus’ intercession, your Spirit’s sovereign work, the ministry of angels (Heb.1:14), praying, encouraging friends…   however you choose. 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.