Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

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

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

Peter had seen beyond the “Son of Man” (Luke 9:22), to the “Son of the living God.” He had recognized that behind the veil of Christ’s flesh, absolute deity was enshrined in all its fullness. Others had marvelled at the wonderful works the Lord had done, but Peter goes further. It isn’t just that God is “with” Him, but that He Himself “is” God. Many today would be prepared to acknowledge Christ as a historical figure, but anything short of acknowledging His deity will not suffice. Our salvation depends on Him being, not only “Son of Man,” but “Son of the living God.” It is only as such that He could be our Saviour. —W. H. Burnett

Verily God, yet become truly human;
Lower than angels to die in our stead. —H. d’A. Champney

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13

The Apostle looked back on what he had done and then thanked God that He is indeed merciful and willing to pardon.
Dear reader, whatever your past circumstances of life, there is a God who is merciful and willing to forgive. If you have not
done so, may you experience the mercy that only He can give today. —John M. Clegg

Depth of mercy!
Can there be mercy still reserved for me;
Can my God His wrath forbear,
Me, the chief of sinners, spare? —C. Wesley

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 30:1-31:54; Prov. 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” Genesis 50:25 

Joseph’s bones would have constantly reminded the children of Israel of a better day to come. Today we have no mummy case to remind us that the best is yet to be. We have something far better—the empty tomb! What assurance, comfort, joy, and triumph it speaks to the redeemed heart. Have you come to the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life? Are you living in the certainty of His return and the fullness of joy that it brings? —W. Ross Rainey

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth, that grace and pow’r are in His hand.
—Jessie B. Pounds

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 29:1-40; Prov. 25:1- 26:12; Luke 2:22-52

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Psalm 85:10, KJV

Calvary was the ultimate expression of God’s love. To show that love God “he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16, KJV)
for sinners like us. It was also the ultimate expression of God’s holiness. To satisfy His holiness He laid upon His own Son the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6). Christ “Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24, NKJV). Now comes a challenge, “You must love Him very much if He did all that for you!” Do you? Do I? —David Croudace

Do you love the Lord? Are you taking the time to be reading His word?
Do you trust and obey each and every day? Do you love the Lord?
—Keith Lancaster

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36 

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. John 17:3

What exciting words revealing to us Jesus Christ, the Source and Giver of eternal life! Amazing grace available for everyone
irrespective of race, culture, or language! It cannot be earned or attained by merit. It is gained only by faith, receiving the
gift He has provided through His death on the cross. Will you become the possessor of eternal life today? —Jim Paul

Whoever receiveth the crucified one, whoever believeth on
God’s only Son, A free and a perfect salvation shall have,
for He is abundantly able to save. —E. A. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: Num. 26:52-27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV 

As you watch a butterfly lighting on a flower, think of its great transformation from a humble caterpillar to a fluttering creature of brilliant colour. It was once bound in a cocoon made of a silk thread 500 or more yards in length. But in that cocoon it built a valve-like exit door. In the fullness of time, the former caterpillar came out of that one-way door into the fresh air and sunshine, into newness of life. We too have been gloriously changed. Are you a new creation in Christ Jesus? —E. MacLelland

Transformed by grace divine, the glory shall be Thine;
To Thy most holy will, O Lord, we now our all resign.
—F. G. Burroughs

DAILY READINGS: Num. 25:1-26:51; Prov. 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

I will turn to you and make you fruitful and multiply you and will confirm my covenant with you. You shall eat old store long kept, and you shall clear out the old to make way for the new. I will make my dwelling among you, and my soul shall not abhor you. Leviticus 26:9-11 

We find “you” throughout this entire chapter. God wants us to glory in the fact that He loves us and deals with us always as individuals. Thus it is intensely personal. Salvation is offered to the world (John 3:16), but I must make it mine. His  personal interest in me is a wonderful, blessed, comforting thought. —Vernon Markle

I am so glad that our Father in heav’n, tells of His love in the Book
He has giv’n; Wonderful things in the Bible I see, this is the dearest,
that Jesus loves me. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Num. 23:27-24:25; Prov. 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

And Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.” Luke 23:3

Pilate was in a difficult situation. He was being forced to make a decision about who Christ was. In the end he avoided answering and decided on a politically expedient course. He went to the people for their verdict. One day the question will be asked of us, “Who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29). This time the question will come from the very throne of God. The answer we give will determine our eternal fate. Will we be with the Lord in glory or cast from His presence? We cannot rely on others. The answer must come from us. —Brad Dunn

It must be settled tonight, tomorrow may be too late;
The angel of death may come, and seal forever my fate. —C. B. Kendall