Comforts from the Cross

Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time

Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

wheaton, illinois

Comforts from the Cross: Celebrating the Gospel One Day at a Time

Copyright © 2009 by Elyse M. Fitzpatrick

Published by Crossway

1300 Crescent Street

Wheaton, Illinois 60187

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher, except as provided for by USA copyright law.

Cover design: Amy Bristow

Cover photo: Bridgeman Art Library

First printing 2009

Reprinted with new cover 2011

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

All emphases in Scripture quotations have been added by the author.

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-4335-2821-7

PDF ISBN: 978-1-4335-0555-3

Mobipocket ISBN: 978-1-4335-0556-0

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Fitzpatrick, Elyse, 1950–

Comforts from the cross: celebrating the gospel on day at a time / Elyse Fitzpatrick.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-1-4335-0283-5 (tpb)

1. Christian women—Religious life. 2. Bible N.T.—Meditations.

I. Title

BV4527.F583 2009

242'.2—dc22

2008053282

Crossway is a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

To Laura

A sweet sister with a Little name

And a great love for our Savior.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Day 1 Celebrate Jesus

Day 2 No More Wrath

Day 3 Presented in Splendor

Day 4 Dead to the Law

Day 5 Cured—and Clean

Day 6 Silencing the Accuser

Day 7 Unfazed by Grace?

Day 8 Jesus, Remember Me

Day 9 Consider Him

Day 10 Not Good Enough

Day 11 Perfected for All Time

Day 12 Motivated by Love

Day 13 The Joy of Obedience

Day 14 Glory to God Alone

Day 15 From Suffering to Glory

Day 16 See Him!

Day 17 Freedom

Day 18 A Broken Heart

Day 19 The World Overcome

Day 20 Abide in the Vine

Day 21 Divestiture

Day 22 The Hope of Righteousness

Day 23 His Appearing

Day 24 Safe in His Care

Day 25 Hope of Glory

Day 26 Rest

Day 27 Controlled by Love

Day 28 Passed Over

Day 29 Draw Near

Day 30 Sit Down and Believe

Day 31 The Tree of Life

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Acknowledgments

This book was originally the idea of my dear friend Laura Little (now Gannon). Thanks, Laura. I hope you’ll find comfort here. I have the great privilege to bask continually in the glowing light of the gospel. I’m blessed to hear strong, Christ-centered preaching every Sunday. Our senior pastor, Mark Lauterbach, along with Dan Wilson and Eric Turbedsky have the earthly care of my soul and regularly drench me with the gospel. Much of what you read here is a result of Mark’s preaching. Thank you, Mark.

My friends love the gospel and remind me of it constantly. Rondi Lauterbach carefully read every “celebration” and offered gentle, helpful correction. My friends Donna, Anita, Cherie, Jessica, Kei, Laura L., Laura H., Chelsea, Aaron and ...