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Psalm 23 Recap

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We are wrapping up 6 weeks of memorizing Psalm 23 at Crestview this week.  My hope is that some people have chosen to try to memorize that (some for the first time).  Memorization of passages of Scripture like this is helpful because 1) it promotes meditation, 2) encourages us to not sin against God, 3) will be with us to comfort or convict, and 4) allows us to access God’s Word on demand.

We encouraged memorizing this using Stuart Townend’s song, The Lord’s My Shepherd.

The super-talented Elizabeth Wood also created a print for free download.

Psalm+23

Finally, we’re all probably aware of how Psalm 23 encourages us in the here and now as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Elyse Fitzpatrick drew my attention (in her new book Home) to how this relates to a more eternal perspective.  Consider how she directs us to think of Psalm 23:1-3:

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want [there, in the age to come]

He makes me lie down in green pastures [in the New Jerusalem]

He leads me beside still waters [of the River of the Water of Life]

He restores my soul [feeding me from the Tree of Life]

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake [so that I will worship him forever].

(accessed the Kindle edition, locations 2261-2266)

I hope you’ve enjoyed our work in Psalm 23.

 

Good News for Weary Women – 3 Questions with Elyse Fitzpatrick

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I’m very grateful for the work and ministry of Elyse Fitzpatrick.  Our Elders have been helped as she encourages readers to Counsel From The Cross.  As I’m preaching through Romans, her devotional book has brought great Gospel vision to my understanding of God’s heart.  Her latest book Good News for Weary Women helps women find hope in the liberating message of the Gospel.  I had the chance to ask Elyse three questions about her latest book and here’s how she answered…

1) When you are writing for weary women, who are the women you anticipate serving through this particular project?

“In writing to weary women I primarily anticipate serving women who are serious about their faith and who listen very carefully when they hear messages about what they should be doing to fulfill what they believe is their calling. Of course, women who are not terribly concerned about what God wants them to do are weary also, but they aren’t my primary audience. And yes, of course, they need to know about the good news of God’s love for them in Christ, but they aren’t my principle audience.”

2) How can even good, religious activity slowly drive women into a state of weariness (why do church-going women need the Gospel message)?

“Women who go to church are inundated with the message of “do more, try harder,” and although there are commands they should heed in the Bible, what they are to do is not the foremost message of the Bible. The foremost message of the Bible is what Jesus has already done for them. Unfortunately, many women have been taught (and we all by nature believe) that what we need are the three secret steps to happiness, so we listen carefully hoping to find the secret keys that will unlock a life of contented bliss. We know and acknowledge the gospel, but we think it’s for unsaved folks and beginners. We think we’ve matured past it…and it’s that deception that wears us out.”

3) What is the good news for weary women?

“The good news for weary women is that Jesus, in His incarnation, sinless life, shameful death, bodily resurrection and ascension has done everything that needed to be done for his daughters, and that we can rest in this work He’s done and serve our neighbor out of the love that has already been bestowed on us. The good news is that we can finally stop looking at ourselves, seeing if we measure up, and begin to look at Him, knowing that He measured up in our place.”

So, I hope this post and these questions help to deepen your longing for the message of first importance – the glorious Gospel.  And, I hope you’ll take advantage of this amazing resource, Good News for Weary Women, and find encouragement through Elyse’s message.

In Romans with Elyse Fitzpatrick

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I don’t know about you, but I don’t find a more practical writer when it comes to the Gospel and my life than Elyse Fitzpatrick.  So, I would highly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity from Crossway about Elyse’s forthcoming book:

If you never got off the ground with a 2013 Bible reading plan or are so far behind you’ve already thrown in the towel, on every Monday in March at the Crossway blog they will be reading Romans 1-8 together. Elyse Fitzpatrick will share devotional thoughts from Romans, helping us delight in God’s word and rejoice in the gospel in 2013.

So join Crossway in March as Elyse encourages us again from Romans 1-8. We’re invited to bring questions, insights, and interact in the comments section. For more devotional material to accompany Reboot with Romans, check out Elyse’s newest book­—Comforts from Romans: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time.