Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 22:1-33; Psalm 128:1-131:3; Mark 8:11-26

And he had to pass through Samaria. John 4:4

In the previous chapter, Jesus had bluntly told the Pharisee, Nicodemus, about his need for new spiritual birth. In this chapter His conversation is with an outcast woman of Samaria and His interaction is entirely different. The story begins by noting that the Saviour went out of His way to meet her. Their contact at the well was a divine necessity and as the Saviour spoke to her, He drew her to Himself with grace and truth! She believed and was saved along with many of the townsfolk. The Saviour is looking to meet with you today. —Jim Pizzulli

Jesus gave her water, that was not from the well; She went away
singing, and came back bringing, Others to the water, that was not
from the well! —Let’s Sing About Jesus, 49

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 21:1-24; Psalms 124:1-127:5; Mark 7:24-8:10

The One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity. Isaiah 57:15

The place, which is called Calvary. Luke 23:33, KJV

Eternity and Calvary are two profound subjects. Together they are central to the theme of every Gospel message. The idea of Calvary arose in eternity, in the heart of God. Mankind will be divided into two classes in eternity because of Calvary. What you do with the Man of Calvary now determines where you will spend eternity. For the believer, eternity will be spent with the Man of Calvary. For those who reject the love of Calvary, a lost eternity awaits. —Milton Haack

I am redeemed, O praise the Lord; My soul from bondage free,
Has found at last a resting place, In Him who died for me.
—Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 19:1-20:27; Psalms 120:1-123:4; Mark 7:1-23

When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” John 19:30

The story is told of a Christian man who had an unsaved friend who was a cabinet maker. The unsaved friend could not understand how Christ finished the work of redemption and why he could not do something for his own soul’s salvation. One day in the man’s shop, his Christian friend picked up a plane and walked toward a beautiful finished cabinet. As he pretended to make some finishing touches, the cabinet maker let out a yell, “Don’t touch that, it’s finished!” The same is true for Christ’s work; it is finished and cannot be added to. —W. Ross Rainey

Lifted up was He to die, “It is finished”, was His cry; Now in
heaven exalted high! Hallelujah! What a Saviour! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 17:1-18:30; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved. John 10:9a, NKJV

“Lord, Lord, open for us,” and He will answer and say to you, “I do not know you, where you are from,” Luke 13:25, NKJV

There were two doors in the clinic. One was open and the doctor was welcoming new patients. The other door was closed—no more room. Today the door to heaven is open to anyone who will come by faith to God—trusting in the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, NKJV). Tomorrow the door could be closed. How solemn the words, “I do not know you.” Will you not come while the door is open? —Dave Spearing

I am the Door, the Saviour said, the Life-gate of the soul:
All those who enter in, are made complete and whole. —N. Johnson

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 16:1-34; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29

A full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge! Ruth 2:12

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! Luke 13:34

King David had undoubtedly heard of his great-grandmother Ruth, a foreigner, coming to trust the God of Israel and taking shelter under His protecting wings. When the Lord Jesus came, He used the same metaphor, but His perfect shelter was refused. The comfort and shelter of those almighty wings are still offered to all who trust in Him and accept His salvation. May we rejoice today in the peace found there. —Tom Steere

Thy people to Thee ever for grace and help repair, For Thou they
know wilt never refuse their griefs to share. —J. G. Deck

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 15:1-33; Psalm 119:73-112; Mark 5:21-43

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation… Hebrews 2:3a, KJV

The question is unanswerable, because escape is out of the question. Salvation far exceeds what was offered under the Law. The Law pointed out our sins, salvation takes our sins away! We have been offered so great salvation by so great a God delivering us from so great a death (Hebrews 2:3; Psalm 77:13; 2 Corinthians 1:10). Surely this salvation should not be neglected, or rejected, but accepted by all who hear of so great a Savior as Jesus our Lord. —Rex Trogdon

Oh, believe it! Oh, believe it! Christ has died upon the tree, That
from sin you might be free; Oh, believe it! Oh, believe it! Jesus died
for you and me, Oh, believe it! —John Ferguson

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:33-57; Psalm 119:41-72; Mark 5:1-20

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Modern people balk at Christ’s exclusive claims. To affirm that there is only one way to be saved is deemed intolerant. Yet the Saviour, in whom alone is found eternal life, offers Himself freely to all. Only faith in Christ will deliver from sin and the eternal condemnation in the lake of fire that we all deserve. The Bible ends with this inclusive invitation: “’Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Revelation 22:17). —Keith Keyser

His be the Victor’s name, who fought the fight alone;
Triumphant saints no honour claim, His conquest was their own.
—Whitlock Gandy

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 14:1-32; Psalm 119:1-40; Mark 4:21-41

He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names Psalm 147:4

Chapters of genealogies with all their names are recorded forever in God’s Word. Few of us enjoy reading them, yet they are individually important to God. Countless millions, all called by name, will be a part of the coming Kingdom—written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. All this has come to pass only because God in human form came down to earth to link you and me with Him, forever. Will you be a part of this heavenly scene? —Vernon Markle

I would make sure of heaven, I would enter the fold.
In the book of Thy kingdom with its pages so fair,
Tell me, Jesus, my Saviour, is my name written there? —F. M. Davis

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 13:24-59; Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 4:1-20

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 53:1

To be a fool is to be without common sense or wisdom. The wise man will contemplate creation and marvel. He sees that earth orbits the sun at the right distance to sustain life. He delights in the great lakes without which no life would survive. He is amazed at the countless species of plant and animal life. He studies his own body and marvelous brain and stands in awe. All of this proclaims a Creator, infinitely wise and powerful. Only a fool will say that there is no God. Do not be a fool. Come to know God through the Lord Jesus Christ. —Donald L. Norbie

I sing the wisdom that ordained the sun to rule the day,
The moon shines forth at His command and all the stars obey.
—Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Lev. 12:1-13:23; Psalms 116:1-117:2; Mark 3:13-35

Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. Acts 18:8

Here is the pattern desired by God for each of us. What have you heard about the Lord Jesus? He is God’s Son sent to be the Saviour of the world; He is sinless; He died on the cross for our sins and He rose from the grave. Do you believe this? If you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, why not follow His command and be baptized? —Bob Cretney

Oh believe it! Oh believe it! Jesus died on Calvary,
That from sin we might be free, Oh believe it! Oh believe it!
Jesus died for you and me, Oh believe it! —James R. Murray