Choice Gleanings

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

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth”. 1 Kings 17:24 NKJV

Deception, lies, trickery, and scams are common practices in today’s society. So it is critical that the Lord’s truth always be in our mouths. Let’s talk about Him and what He has done for us to everyone we meet. May we let our light so shine that people ask us why we are different. May we always seek opportunities to speak a word for Him, with grace and love, for His glory. —Annette Baal

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to speak its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear,
The sweetest Name on earth. —Frederick Whitfield

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

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. Luke 24:13, 15 NKJV

On the day of the Lord’s resurrection, a couple were heading home from Jerusalem to their rural village. They were discussing all that had happened over the past few days. Their hearts were heavy, their faces sad, their hopes were dashed. But into their despair and seemingly hopeless situation came the living Lord and what a difference He made! In their own words – “Did not our heart burn within us … while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (v 32). He can encourage you today too! —Pete Smith

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way. —A. Ackley

Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? 1 Corinthians 9:1

In defense of his apostleship, Paul lays out his qualifications to his critics. His experience of having personally met the Lord Jesus on the Damascus road, along with the Lord’s approval of his service by adding His blessing to Paul’s evangelistic work was proof enough. While there are no longer apostles today, we are now His ambassadors. God’s Word which we proclaim will accomplish the purposes for which He has sent it; we just need to be faithful. —Rick Morse

Ye Christian heralds,
Go proclaim salvation,
Through Emmanuel’s name! —Bourne Draper

Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

This day shall be unto you for a memorial. Exodus 12:14
This do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24
And the people bowed the head and worshipped. Exodus 12:27

In the United States we celebrate Memorial Day in May each year to remember those who have gone before, especially those who have given their lives for their country. The Lord has ordained each first day of the week as a memorial day for us to remember the cost of our salvation. Let us bow our heads and our hearts in worship and remembrance of Him today. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Lord Jesus Christ, we would remember Thee,
As, on the table, we the emblems see;
Thy holy body shadowed in the bread,
Thy precious blood is in the cup portrayed. —Alfred P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his  generations. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:8-9 NKJV 

Noah started where we all must begin — at salvation. Noah found grace. He didn’t earn it, merit it, inherit it, nor deserve it. He found it! Noah was a just man. Justification comes to us by faith — believing, simply taking God at His Word. Noah was perfect; not that he never did anything wrong. He was perfect in that he was complete. Noah walked with God. What starts with grace and lives by faith makes us complete each step of the way home to heaven. —Rex Trogdon

When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way! —John H. Sammis

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

The sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

When I was a child, my father had a very special way of calling us to himself when were in a shop. He whistled and we all soon learned that we were to find him immediately. I used that whistle sound with our own children, and they also knew what it meant. Jesus tells us that He is our Shepherd. His own unique voice calls us out of the noise and clutter of this world and bring us into His rest. Are we listening for His voice? Do we follow Him when we hear His call? —Virginia Strout

Jesus calls us – by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all. —Mrs. Cecil Alexander

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

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NKJV

Where are you? God is directing this question to each one of us. We would do well to take a moment today and ask ourselves; where do I stand before God? Every one of us has been born outside the Garden of Eden. We are all children of Adam and have an inherent natural tendency toward sin and rebellion against God. The Lord Jesus came into this world to seek and to save the lost. Put your faith in Him today. —Sid Halsband

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed thro’
Ere He found His sheep that was lost. —Elizabeth C. Clephane

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

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee … But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. Mark 2:5, 10-12

This story reveals God’s prerogatives. He alone has jurisdiction over the forgiveness of sins. It also reminds us of the power of God to heal disease. We see also the priorities of God. The spiritual need of forgiveness took precedence over the physical issue. Does this test us as to the priorities in our prayer lives? —Lloyd Cain

O to grace how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!
Let that grace now, like a fetter, bind my wandering heart to Thee.  —Robert Robin

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

All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother … With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother … Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus. Colossians 4:7, 9-10

Do you like getting letters and cards in the mail? Imagine getting an encouraging note from a brother in Christ like Paul, who was currently in prison for his faith in God! We should follow his example and send notes to encourage others in their faith. It is good to let others know that they are in our thoughts and prayers. —Pam Hagey

O happy day! When we shall see, and fix our longing eyes on Thee.
On Thee, our Light, our Life, our Love, our all below, our Heaven above. —James G. Deck

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 NKJV

Joni Eareckson Tada wrote, “Our God is an intentional God brimming over with motive and mission. He never does things capriciously or decides with the flip of a coin”. When my wife’s father was in severe pain, his wife said, “I don’t know why the Lord is allowing you to suffer like this”. He quietly responded, “He’s not finished with me yet. He’s still removing a few rough edges and preparing me for glory.” It was only a few minutes later and his “light affliction” (v 17) was over. —Jim Comte

When by His grace, I shall look on His face,
That will be glory, be glory for me. —Charles H. Gabriel