Scotty Smith

   Joshua went up to him (the angel of the LORD) and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither!” (Jos.5:13) “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called. (1Pet.3:9) “Love always trusts, always hopes,...

   Of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.” Hebrews 1:8–9    Lord Jesus,...

“Since we are surrounded by so great cloud a of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.” Heb.12:1-2   Lord...

  “God saved you by his grace through the gift of faith he gave you. We can take credit for nothing. Salvation isn’t a wage for the good things we have done; it’s a boast-eradicating gift God freely gives us.” Paraphrase of Ephesians 2:8-9      Lord Jesus, there have...

  “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden...

  “Though outwardly we are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day. That’s why we don’t lose heart.” 2Cor.4:16.   “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26.   “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—...

“Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end.” Isa. 9:7   Lord Jesus your mercy is literally our “wake up call,” and your grace is the air we breathe every day. When you gave us your righteousness we stopped fearing death and when you...

“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” (Ps.32:1-2). “Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.” (Rom.4:7-8)   Heavenly Father, these remarkable affirmations from your Word underscore how the concept of “blessing” has been taken hostage to the lust for creature comforts,...

“I give you my peace” Jn.14:27. Lord Jesus, thank you and Hallelujah! God is at peace with us and we have peace with God because you are our peace. Any doubts we may have about what God thinks of us are beatdown and crushed under the weight of your grace....

Soul, your find rest in God alone… your hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5 Dear Father, several other images come to mind when I think of King David talking to himself in this verse. David did so as a return to Gospel-sanity; but people talk to themselves for all kinds...

“God’s grace has appeared bringing salvation to people from every single nation, tribe, and language, and every sector of life. Grace teaches us to say “No” to everything that contradicts Jesus’ truth, goodness, and beauty; and “Yes” to everything that honors him and brings him glory. Life in the present...

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)   Heavenly Father,...

“May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Thess.5:23)    Heavenly Father, you began a “good work” in us you alone can and will complete. But (Hallelujah!) we’re not your...

“To him who loves us, freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.” Revelation 1:5–6      Lord Jesus, until the Day of all things new, help us...

   Good friends disagree and part company: “Paul and Barnabas strongly disagreed with each other about John Mark’s readiness for missionary service—so much so they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left…” (pp Acts 15:36-41)    12 years later, Paul’s words about Mark:  “Mark, Barnabas’s...