Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 9:1-35; Psalm 40:1-41:13; Acts 4:1-31

And a great windstorm arose. Mark 4:37
And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

Many people are going through tumultuous storms. From physical infirmities to financial burdens to family problems, all are overwhelming. The Lord’s fishermen friends learned long ago in the stormy waves, it is only when Christ is allowed to be Captain of our lives that we experience true peace. For, after He took full control of the vessel, “there was a great calm.” Will you put your faith in the Prince of Peace? —Bob Cretney

The raging storms may round us beat, a shelter in the time of storm;
We’ll never leave our safe retreat, a shelter in the time of storm.
—Ira D. Sankey

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26

No one has ascended into heaven… John 3:13

It is impossible for man to make his way up to heaven by climbing a ladder of good works or by attaching oneself to the name of a virtuous person, saint, or church. No, getting us up to heaven required that the only begotten Son come down to earth and die for us. And because Jesus humbled Himself, God has highly exalted Him. In God’s kingdom the way up is always down. He who loses his life for Jesus’s sake shall find it. —D. Pickup

The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows,
The more that I love Him, more love He bestows;
Each day is like heaven, my heart overflows,
The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows. —William J. Gaither

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Joel 2:32

These words were repeated by Peter as he addressed the men of Israel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:21), and the apostle Paul repeats them again as he writes his great doctrinal treatise to the Romans (Romans 9:13). This verse gives us the secret to being saved. It is by calling upon the name of the Lord. As we read through the Gospels, time and again the needy called upon His name and He responded in blessing. So also today, none are excluded, and none who call on His name will be denied. What wondrous grace! —W. H. Burnett

Oh, the precious Name of Jesus! How it thrills our souls with joy,
When His loving arms receive us, and His songs our tongues employ!
—Lydia O. Baxter

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

For he is not a man, as I am…There is no arbiter between us, who might lay his hand on us both. Job 9:32-33
For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 

Job clearly understood that there needed to be someone to mediate between him and God, but he didn’t know who that could be. Unlike Job, we not only know who that Mediator is, but we know He did all that was necessary to mediate the problem of our sins. We were God’s enemies, separated from Him, but that issue has been satisfied and God offers “peace with [Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Have you asked to be right with God? —Ken Gross

God’s almighty arms are round me; peace, peace is mine. Judgment
scenes need not confound me; peace, peace is mine. —J. D. Smith

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

For God so loved the world. John 3:16, KJV
His father saw him, and had compassion. Luke 15:20, KJV

The father in the story of the prodigal son is a beautiful picture of God the Father. He loved his boy in spite of the young man’s selfishness and sin. And when he returned, the father looked past all the boy’s shortcomings and gave him position, authority, and a renewed relationship in his household. When God so loved the world, it was you He loved. He looks past all your sins to Calvary and is ready to forgive and to give you a place as a son of God. Now this is love, is it not? Come to Him today. —Charlie Tempest

Oh love of God how rich and pure, How measureless and strong,
It shall forever more endure, The saints’ and angels’ song.
—F. M. Lehman

DAILY READINGS: Ex. 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matt. 28

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1

No one is foolish enough to think that there is no God. Although in rebellion they may say otherwise, their heart, filled with a God-consciousness, convicts them otherwise. No, the fool in this verse simply says, “No God.” That certainly qualifies them as a fool, for to God’s offer of forgiveness of sins, they say, “No God.” To His desire to fellowship with them and bring purpose to their lives, they say, “No God.” To His prospect of a home in heaven where sorrow and pain have faded forever, they say, “No God.” What do you say today? —S. M.

God will never make you serve Him, never force you to be saved.
You can go to judgment Christless, tho’ your path with prayers
be paved! —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Ex. 1-2:22; Psalm 31:1-24; Matt. 27:45-66

…you have kept the good wine until now. John 2:10

The best wine served at the marriage of Cana was that which Jesus had made. How significant that turning water into wine was the Lord’s first miracle. It was a miracle associated with the coming of joy. A world terribly short of joy ought to consider such a miracle worker, because He is still doing it today. To those who come to Him for true, lasting joy, He gives the joy of sins forgiven; the joy of peace with God; the joy of communion with Him. This is joy far better than any wine this earth can provide. —E. MacLelland

Pleasures of earth, so seemingly sweet, Fail at the last my longings to
meet; Only in Thee my bliss is complete, Only, dear Lord, in Thee!
—T. O. Chisholm

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 50; Psalm 30:1-12; Matt. 27:27-44

But his citizens…sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:14 , KJV
For he must reign. 1 Corinthians 15:25, KJV

It is easy to follow the godless crowd and say, “I will not have this man to reign over me.” Easy, but foolish, for God has said He must reign; He shall reign, and every knee shall bow before Him (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10). Friend you must face Christ one day. Depending on your choice you will face Him either as Judge or Saviour. Why not turn from your sin and rebellion today and trust the One who died for you on the cross? —David Croudace

Jesus shall reign wher e’er the sun,
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
Til moons shall wax and wane no more. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 49; Psalms 28:1-29:11; Matt. 27:1-26

What must I do to be saved? Acts 16:30, KJV

We will no doubt have asked, or will ask many questions today. Some of those questions will be important, some of them less so. Here, however, is the most important question anyone can ever ask. A jailer at Philippi asked this question and what an answer he received from Paul and Silas: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31, KJV). The jailer trusted Christ for salvation that day and was saved from sin and its penalty. If you haven’t asked this question, do it today. —John M. Clegg

Faithful and just Thou art, forgiving all;
Loving and kind Thou art when poor ones call:
Lord, let Thy cleansing blood, blood of the Lamb of God,
Pass o’er my soul. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26:1-27:14; Matt. 26:57-75

And the nations of them that are saved shall walk in the light of it [heaven’s capital city]. Revelation 21:24, KJV

Here we find, in words exceptionally simple, the sole qualification for a human being to be allowed into heaven. No mention here of religion, church, sect, creed, denomination, baptism, confession, good works, charity, philanthropy, character, reputation, name, occupation, or lifestyle. Simply, “saved.” Friend, are you saved? If your answer is “No,” don’t count on being in heaven. But if you, a lost and guilty sinner, accept Christ’s sacrificial work on the cross as having been finished for you, the Bible says you will be “saved” (Acts 16:31-32). —J. Lindsay Parks

Believe it, O sinner, believe it! Receive the glad message—it’s true;
Trust now in the crucified Saviour, salvation He offers to you.
—Samuel M. Sayford