Saturday, 11 July 2026

Treasuring the Gospel and Not Despising Our Weakness  

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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Heavenward
SCOTTY SMITH
Treasuring the Gospel and Not Despising Our Weakness  
SCOTTY SMITH
 “We carry the treasure of the Gospel in our fragile jars of clay. This makes it clear that surpassing power belongs to God and not to us … We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; perplexed but not driven to despair. …May Jesus’ truth, goodness, and beauty be revealed through our bodies.” (pp 2 Cor.4:7-10)
   Lord Jesus, the vulnerability and honesty in Paul’s letters is a great gift to all of us. His freedom to acknowledge his weakness and dependence are so encouraging. Posing and pretending were crucified at Calvary. Sucking-it-up got replaced with living low where your grace pools. We only have so many bootstraps we can pull up, but we have unlimited opportunities to rely on the God who raises the dead (2Cor.1:9).
   Jesus, help us be far more enthralled with the treasure inside us than vexed about pressures outside us. If your all-surpassing power will be shown most clearly through our weakness, keep us dependent. If your incomparable beauty will be most clearly revealed through hardships, silence our whines. If your redeeming purposes will be most fully realized through our brokenness, keep us humble. We have all eternity for things to be perfect; but now is the season to showcase your awesomeness.
   With our palms up, we offer you praise for the treasure of the Gospel. The Gospel will win the day, our hearts, the nations, and the entire cosmos. Though there are seasons when throwing in the towel, finding another story, or just running away are quite attractive—where else would we go but to you, Jesus? Only you give words of life, sufficient grace, and living hope. May your voice be ten times louder than the seductions around us and the unbelief inside us. Hallelujah and So Very Amen.
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Friday, 10 July 2026

A 3-Fold Cord of Gospel Beauty

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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Heavenward
SCOTTY SMITH
A 3-Fold Cord of Gospel Beauty
SCOTTY SMITH
   “ I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit.” (1Cor.2:1-4)
     Heavenly Father, Paul’s commitment to make much of Jesus, own his weakness, and rely on the Holy Spirit is how I want to live the rest of my life. It’s a 3-fold cord of Gospel beauty. A trio whose blended voices create magnificent harmony. 3 “piles” (paint) on an artist’s palette, pregnant with beauty.
   Whether we are surgeons or boat captains, landscapers or sourdough bakers, aging artists or young entrepreneurs, pastors or preschool teachers, stay at home moms or continents away missionaries—you call all of us to major in these three things:
   1. Make much of Jesus: We will never over-love, over-do-it, or over-serve Jesus. For he is our righteousness, holiness, and redemption—the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of all things. Father, keep revealing more and more of Jesus’ truth, goodness, and beauty to us.
   2. Own our weakness: Though we’d rather be filled with confidence, swagger, and awesomeness—free us to “put no confidence in our flesh” (Phil.3:3), not be ashamed of our limitations, and choose vulnerability over impressiveness.
   3. Rely on the Holy Spirit: You still say this to us, Abba—whether we’re trying to move mountains or faithfully do the mundane: “Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zech.4:6). Relying on the God who raises the dead beats relying on ourselves a gazillion to one (2Cor.1:9).
   Abba, these are three steps or a formula—but a way of life shaped by the Gospel. Help us with all three. Hallelujah. Thank you. And So Very Amen.
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Wednesday, 8 July 2026

O Love That Will Not Let Us Go

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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Heavenward
SCOTTY SMITH
O Love That Will Not Let Us Go
SCOTTY SMITH
“My sheep hear my voice. I know them. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
   Lord Jesus, this isn’t just a statement of fact; it’s a revelation of grace. These four affirmations are pregnant with new life that greets us every day in every situation all the way Home.
   “ My sheep” – Hallelujah, we are yours, Jesus. We don’t belong to sin and death, our past failures or present messes, the world’s chaos or the devil’s lies. We are beloved, weak, dependent sheep under your watchful, tenacious, and tender care. There’s no place we’d rather be.
   “ Hear my voice” – You never give us the “silent treatment”; and you never shame or berate us. By the Holy Spirit, 24/7/365, you are revealing more of yourself to us and telling us who we are in you (Rom.8:16). Turn up the volume, Jesus, for many other voices clamor for our attention.
   “ I know them” – Far better than anybody “getting us” you know us, Jesus—in the most intimate and caring way. You know our beauty and brokenness, the best and the worse, and everything else. No parent, spouse, or 17 of the healthiest, most committed, emotionally present friends can “know” us the way you do.
   “ They are unsnatchable” – By the very hand you created the cosmos, rule over everything, and are making all things new—you embrace and cherish us. Though the devil tries to pilfer us, the world tries to seduce us, pain tries to suffocate us, false lovers try to woo us… Jesus, you hold us fast, tenderly, and joyfully. Hallelujah! Thank you. And So Very Amen.
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New video from Mark Vroegop, President of TGC

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

Nevertheless Joy

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  
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Heavenward
SCOTTY SMITH
Nevertheless Joy
SCOTTY SMITH
“Nevertheless… rejoice that your names are written in heaven” (From Luke 10:17-20).  
   Lord Jesus, what an amazing story—the 72 disciples you sent out on mission came back with supernatural and irrepressible joy. Yet you cautioned them about anchoring their joy in anything or anyone other than you and the blessings of belonging to you. To have our name “written in heaven” enriches us in ways nothing else can and should gladden us more than all other joys combined.
   Indeed, you wanted them (and us) to know that there is a joy that bests all joys, surpasses all gladness, and redefines happiness itself. It is “ nevertheless-joy” –a joy that puts all other joys into perspective and scales them to their proper size. It’s a joy that anticipates both the ecstasies and agonies of life—and transcends both. Your caution helps me appreciate the prayer of Agur in the Book of Proverbs:
   “Lord, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘ Who is the Lord?’ And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” (Prov.30:7-9)
   Jesus, whether we’re talking stock portfolios, people-approval, ministry success, hot romance, an ice-cold cooler filled with Red Snapper and Grouper we just caught, or personal awesomeness in some other shape and form—it is possible to be so “ blessed” we begin taking you for granted. Gifts become greater than the Giver. Do not let that happen to us, Jesus, and reel in our hearts back to Gospel-sanity if it already has.
   With our names written in heaven, our lives hidden in you, and our future in your hands, we want to rest and rejoice in you plus nothing, Lord Jesus. And if you’ve chosen to give us “so many fish our nets break”—may we be joyfully generous towards others. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.
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Monday, 6 July 2026

New TGC Podcast on AI—‘Silicon Spiritualities’

The Manifold and Multi-Colored Grace of God

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