Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 9:1-10:11; Eccl. 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

The Lord is…patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

God’s judgment is coming. Some may scoff at such a thought. Others are indifferent and live only for the moment. All the while God’s longsuffering continues. Why? Because He is waiting for as many as possible to turn to Him and to repent of their sins. He is waiting for you. But one day, and it could be soon, the door will close. Have you trusted Him? He’s waiting for you, but not for much longer! —L. Richard

What do you hope, dear brother,
To gain by a further delay?
There’s no one to save you but Jesus,
There’s no other way but His way. —G. F. Root

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 7:12-8:20; Eccl. 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5

This chapter starts with a dark description of the lost estate of each one who is outside of Christ. But it ends with God indwelling each one who trusts Christ as Saviour. From start to finish, God’s mercy and love shine forth. Because of His great love toward us, He has saved us. Love is the basis and motivation for everything He has given to us and made us. Thank God for His infinite and unconditional love. —B. Crawford

Hark! the voice of love and mercy, sounds aloud from Calvary;
See, it rends the rocks asunder, shakes the earth, and transforms me.
—Anonymous

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 6:1-7:11; Eccl. 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9

God missed His child. That hour of fellowship meant much to Adam, and it meant more to God. How sad it was when that
beautiful fellowship was broken by sin and disobedience. God did not wait till Adam found his way back to His side, but He
hastened in search of him. God knew the answer to the question, “Where are you?” but Adam didn’t understand that he was lost, condemned, and ready to die—just as many today don’t realize it. Still the good Shepherd is seeking lost sheep to bring them home to the eternal fold. Have you come to Him? —Milton Haack

Seeking the lost, yes, kindly entreating, wanderers on the mountain
astray; Come unto Me, His message repeating, words of the Master
speaking today. —Anonymous

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

To an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:4, NKJV

The story is told of a newly saved man who was sitting on the porch reading his Bible. A friend passing by stopped and asked, ”Tom, what are you reading?” “Oh,” said Tom, “I’m reading a legacy, and I’m so happy to see all to which I am an heir.” “Who died?” asked the friend. The young believer replied, “The one who died was my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, and now His inheritance is mine!” —E. MacLelland

Keep the eye single, the head upward lifted;
Watch for the glory of earth’s coming King;
Lo! o’er the mountain tops light is now breaking;
Heirs of the kingdom, rejoice ye and sing. —Lowell Mason

DAILY READINGS: Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12; Luke 7:30-50

But Barzillai said…“How many years have I still to live, that I should go up with the king to Jerusalem? 2 Samuel 19:34

This question was asked by an old man. Have you asked it yourself? Solomon observed that “Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them” (Ecclesiastes 9:12). God says: “You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Is it any wonder God warns, “behold, now is the day of salvation,” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Trust Christ now, before it’s too late! —R. Surgenor

Think on me as you pass by. As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be. Prepare for death to follow me.
—Thomas Parks (Epitaph of Hanna Cole)

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 3:1-29; Eccl. 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

Through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38

In a quiet and beautiful cemetery outside New York is a grave marked with a simple tombstone with just one word engraved on it—Forgiven. Who is interred there is not revealed. The occupant chose not to reveal an identity but to assure the passerby of what was really important in life and before death—to be forgiven. —Brian Powlesland

Not far from New York, in a cemetery lone, Close guarding its
grave, stands a simple headstone, And all the inscription is one
word alone—Forgiven. The death is unmentioned, the name is
untold, Beneath lies the body, corrupted and cold, Above rests
his spirit, at home in the fold—Forgiven. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 2:1-37; Eccl. 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

…his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

As Copernicus, the great academic, lay dying, a copy of his most recent book, The Revolution of the Heavenly Body, was placed in his hands. At that time, he saw himself not as a great astronomer, but only as a needy sinner. His tombstone in Frauenberg reads in part: “I do not seek kindness equal to that given Paul, nor the grace granted Peter, but that forgiveness granted a robber—that earnestly I crave.” You may have that forgiveness today through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. —Arnot P. McIntee

There is forgiveness, God doth say, through the blood;
Both sin and guilt are put away through the blood.
—J. H. Burridge

DAILY READINGS: Deut. 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6, NKJV

Three essential realities are here brought together in one person—God the Son. He is the right way to go; He is the truth that points the way; and He is the life that is the way. What honest person would not want to know absolute truth, especially in this world of deception? The true way is surely the right way; for truth is the road map for life. And the person who does not have divinely given life is headed for disaster. No one can find God the Father, except through this One who is the truth that points the way to life. —Doug Kazen

Blessed and holy three, glorious Trinity. Wisdom, love, and might,
boundless as oceans’ tide, Rolling in fullest pride, through the
world, far and wide, Let there be light. —J. Marriott

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 35:9-36:13; Prov. 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

“You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17

Why did the Creator introduce a restriction into paradise? The answer is that He required obedience from His creatures. His word was final, and man, as a moral being with a free will, was now being tested. Not only were the circumstances created to test obedience but the consequences of disobedience were clearly stated. The choice to obey or to disobey God’s call to salvation is just as real today as it was in Eden. It will either be eternal life or eternal death! What is your choice? —Drew Craig

Choose now, just now for the Lord is here, and angels your answer await,
Choose, just now, while the call is clear; tomorrow may be too late!
—R. T. Owen

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment. Hebrews 9:27

We were talking to a neighbour recently when he made the comment that he was going to be here forever and ever. He and others may wish it to be so, but that will not make it a reality. The truth is far from it. If there is one thing that is certain, it is that every day we live is a day nearer to when we will leave this earth and pass into eternity. Are you ready to meet God, if that day is today? —J. Fleming

I am walking home to heaven,
Jesus is the only way,
Through His cross I found forgiveness
And I’ll see His face one day. —J. Fleming