Quotes from Scotty Smith

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thess. 3:5)

And he [Jesus] came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. (Eph. 2:17–18)

Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Heb. 7:24–25 NIV)

When I'm afraid of events in world history—when it seems like evil and terror will triumph—let me hear the laughter of heaven.

You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" See, the Sovereign Lord comes with power, and he rules with a mighty arm. See, his reward is with him, and his recompense accompanies him. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. (Isa. 40:9–11 NIV)

Restore to us the joy of your salvation, Jesus. Bring us back to the childlike wonder of our early days of knowing you. May your welcoming heart once again be extended to stranger and friend alike. Oh, to enjoy the favor of those around us simply because you are so clearly in our midst. I pray in your welcoming and renewing name. Amen.

Our hope is built on nothing less, nothing more, and nothing other than Jesus' blood and his righteousness.

It's one of those days I'm glad the gospel is much more about your grasp of me than my grip on you.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you. (Eph. 1:18 NIV)

In keeping with the way Paul prayed for every church he planted, we ask you to inundate, saturate, and liberate our churches by the gospel of your incomparable grace—new church plants and aging communities alike. There's

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. (Rom. 8:15–16)

The freer we are in acknowledging our messes, the louder our cry will be for God's mercies.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. (2 Cor. 2:14)

God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. (Eph. 2:6–7 NIV)

Because of the gospel, throwing away my idols feels less like a painful sacrifice and more like a liberating dance. For all my "empty nothings" have ever given me is momentary pleasure and lasting regrets. Remind me of this all year long when I'm tempted to think otherwise.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Cor. 10:13)

How can I possibly reveal the magnificence of the gospel when I'm showcasing the arrogance of my annoyance?

For the glory of Jesus alone, I ask you to demonstrate the truth, beauty, and power of the gospel by pouring out the Holy Spirit on our church family in a most tangible and transforming way. My hope is in knowing that you are a far more generous God than we are a desperate people, and we are desperate. We need what you alone can give, Father. Make yourself unmistakably known as the Lord in our midst.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Cor. 7:1 NIV)

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (Rom. 15:7 NIV)

Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. (2 Pet. 1:4 NIV)

I now realize that Daniel is a testimony to your commitment to redeem your people from all the nations, including Babylon.

I so look forward to the day, Jesus, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that you are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. It's going to be a loud and large day. But this Christmas Eve I say to myself, "Be still, my soul . . . behold calm glory, savor mild mercy, worship your newborn King with quiet certainty." I pray in Jesus' great and gracious name. Amen.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, "This was the one I spoke about when I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'") Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. (John 1:14–16 NIV)