Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

Behold, I am the one who has laid as a foundation in Zion, a stone, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, of a sure foundation: “Whoever believes will not be in haste.” Isaiah 28:16

The building at which I looked was attractive in design and finish. Why then was it to be demolished? The foundation was defective! How important it is to have “a sure foundation” for eternity! Only in Jesus Christ can spiritual security be had. Our “good works” provide no salvation. Whoever trusts in Christ is for ever secure (John 3:16). —George Hall

On Christ salvation rests secure; The Rock of ages must endure;
Nor can that faith be overthrown, Which rests upon the “living Stone.”
—Samuel Medley

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

…but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Romans 5:20

William Wilberforce (1759-1833) waged a long, and stressful campaign to abolish the slave trade throughout the British Empire. When Wilberforce sought counsel from converted slave trader John Newton, Newton summarized his life, your life and mine, and the gospel in one sentence: “I am a great sinner; Christ is a great Saviour.” Have you realized you are a lost sinner, and that Christ is the only Saviour? —W. Ross Rainey

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see. —John Newton

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”…“Lord, I believe.” John 9:35, 38

Jesus had healed the blind man. That his sight was restored was utterly evident. Yet the religious leaders rejected this man and his account of what had happened to him. But Jesus in His love and compassion found him. And, in response to the Saviour’s invitation, he trusted in the Lord. Do you feel rejected, alone, forsaken? Jesus offers Himself to you as Saviour and Lord. Will you believe in Him today? —Bob Cretney

Troubled soul, the Saviour can see, every heartache and tear;
Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Jesus is very near.
—John M. Moore

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

God is a just judge, And God is angry with the wicked every day. Psalm 7:11, NKJV

Most do not like to think of God as ever being angry with sinners. They like to think of Him as an indulgent grandfather. They feel God will overlook their sin and the doors of heaven will welcome them when they die. But God is holy and just; sin must be punished. And this is why Christ came, to bear on the cross the anger and punishment for sin that we all deserved. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If you are a believer remember, God still hates sin. Do not think lightly of it. —Donald L. Norbie

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty! Early in the morning our
song shall rise to Thee; Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty!
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! —R. Heber

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 12:1-13:33; Proverbs 10:1-32; 1 Peter 2:1-25

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. Genesis 6:5-6

These two verses take us to the heart of the matter. Man’s heart and God’s heart. What is the matter with man’s heart? It is the chronic condition called sin—every imagination of its thoughts is only evil continually. At this the Lord was grieved in His heart and moved to stop man’s violence, resulting in the flood. Ultimately the Father sent the Son of His heart into this world to pay the penalty of our sin. —Rex Trogdon

O Jesus, blest Redeemer, sent from the heart of God,
Hold us who wait before Thee, near to the heart of God. —C. B. McAfee

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9:1-18; 1 Peter 1:1-25

“Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Matthew 27:22

“Brothers, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

The Lord Jesus is the great unavoidable. We must have a doing with Him. The Lord said that the Holy Spirit would convict the world of sin (John 16:8). The greatest demonstration of sin was the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus and all are guilty of this heinous act. What shall we do in light of our guilt concerning this? Peter answered that very question by preaching salvation through Christ and the result was 3,000 souls saved (Acts 2:38-41). What will you do? Only believe and you will be saved. —Neil Dougal

Come every soul by sin oppressed, there’s mercy with the Lord,
And He will surely give you rest, by trusting in His Word.
—John Hart Stockton

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 10:11-11:3; Proverbs 8:1-36; Jude 1:1-25

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

The headline read “Mom’s final act saves baby.” The heroic mother was pushing her baby’s stroller across an intersection when a car made an illegal turn. She pushed the buggy out of the way, but could not avoid the vehicle and was killed. The greatest act of love was at Calvary where the Lord Jesus died in your place and mine, paying the price of our sins. The apostle Paul said, “the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians. 2:20). —Arnot P. McIntee

Jesus has saved me—wonderful Saviour! Jesus has saved me—
I cannot tell how; But this I do know, He came, my ransom,
Dying on Calvary with thorns on His brow. —J. W. MacGill

DAILY READINGS: Num. 9:1-10:10; Prov. 6:20-7:27; Mark 16:1-20

Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” John 14:5

Thomas asks a vital question concerning our direction and destiny. There are two ways into eternity, the narrow way that leads to life, and the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7). Be not deceived for there is “a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 16:25). Reformation, religion, good works, and sincerity are some ways that seem right, but are false. There is only one way. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). “And there is salvation in no one else” (Acts 4:12). Have you come to Him? —R. Surgenor

Yes Jesus is the Truth, the Way, that leads you into rest. Believe in
Him without delay, and you are fully blest. —J. H. Sammis

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 8:1-26; Proverbs 5:1-6:19; Mark 15:24-47

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10, NKJV

The Lord Jesus loved to talk about life. In this passage He speaks of the enemies of the sheep—the thief who comes to steal and to kill and to destroy. The wolf has a similar ambition and the hireling is no better. So different is the motive of the Lord the Shepherd. He comes to give His life and, by so doing, He is able to impart life more abundant to those who put their confidence and trust in Him. He said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep,” (John 10:11, NKJV). Have you received life from Him? —R. J.

The least, the feeblest of the sheep, to him the Father gave, Kind is His
heart the charge to keep, and strong His arm to save. —P. Doddridge

DAILY READINGS: Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23

And also say, “Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” Genesis 32:20, NKJV

Jacob feared death at the hand of his brother and so he tried to appease his brother’s anger with gifts. We face the wrath of God and eternal death (Romans 6:23). God is not appeased by our gifts or good works. It is “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5, NKJV). Which method are you counting on—your gifts and works or His gift to you? —P. W.

Thy work alone, my Saviour, can ease this weight of sin; Thy blood
alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within. —Horatius Bonar