Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

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

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 11:1-47; Psalms 113:1-115:18; Mark 2:23-3:12

But nothing unclean will ever enter it…but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27

…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37, KJV

Present-day English has a counterpart for the Bible’s “in no wise.” We say “no way” to express a strong refusal or a firm denial. Our first verse is telling us emphatically that there is “no way” we can enter heaven if our sins are not forgiven. If, however, we come to the Lord Jesus, in sincere trust, there is “no way” He will turn us away! —George Hall

Enough for me that Jesus saves, This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him, He’ll never cast me out.
—Lidie H. Edmunds

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 10:1-20; Psalms 111:1-112:10; Mark 2:1-22

God whom we serve is able to deliver. Daniel 3:17, KJV

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2, KJV

A large truck was passing through the city of Worcester, MA. On the cab in large letters were the initials, G.O.D. As it passed by, on the side was: G-uaranteed O-vernight D-elivery. We moved on, thanking the Lord that He gives immediate delivery from sin and hell and guarantees unfailing transportation to heaven. To the converted thief, the Lord said, “today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). —Neil Dougal

He is able to deliver thee, He is able to deliver thee; Tho’ by sin
oppressed, Go to Him for rest, Our God is able to deliver thee.
—W. A. Ogden

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 9:1-24; Psalms 109:1-110:7; Mark 1:21-45

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Are you being dragged down by the passions and power of sin? You’ve tried so often to change, to be free from those
lifelong habits, which have made your life such a mess? The Lord Jesus died and rose again, not only to bring you
forgiveness, but to save you from your sins. If you will turn to Him in repentance and faith, you will become a new person in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). —David Croudace

Would you be free from your burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood. —L. E. Jones

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 8:1-36; Psalm 108:1-13; Mark 1:1-20

To you who believe, He is precious. 1 Peter 2:7, NKJV 

This verse doesn’t say what the Lord should be to us, but rather what He is! Love for Christ is a result of having believed and is one of the unmistakable signs of regeneration. John says, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NKJV). Paul declares of anyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, “Let him be Anathema” (1 Corinthians 16:22, KJV), which means “accursed.” Friends, there is no middle ground. The saved love the Lord Jesus and the unsaved do not. The Redeemer is precious to all the redeemed. What does He mean to you? —Carl Knott

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now. —William R. Featherston

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 107:1-43; Acts 28:17-31

Man shall not live by bread alone. Luke 4:4, KJV

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life…” John 6:35 Our forefathers lived without sugar until the 13th century,
without coal fires until the 14th, without potatoes until the 16th, without tea or coffee until the 17th, and without electricity until the 19th. Although mankind may live without such common commodities, we cannot afford to die without Christ who is the Bread of Life and the Living Water. —Arnot P. McIntee

Come, there’s bread in the house of Thy Father, and to spare,
Hear, O hear Him calling, calling now for thee;
Lo, the table is spread and the feast is waiting there,
Hear His loving voice calling still. —Charles H. Gabriel

DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 6:8-7:10; Psalm 106:1-48; Acts 28:1-16

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 2 Kings 5:20 

Gehazi wanted the gifts which Elisha had refused. Greed had overtaken him and he sinned greatly in letting Naaman think he could pay for his healing. God’s gift of grace is free. No amount of money could ever pay for such a gift. We are all afflicted with the spiritual disease of sin. Healing and salvation come to us only as a free gift. Thank God. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). —Robert Gentile

Jesus, the just One, has died on the tree, Died for guilty sinners,
and salvation is free! —Author Unknown