Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

“Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6

We try to imagine the scene. A man who has been ill for thirtyeight years lies helpless beside the pool called Bethesda. He was without help, strength, or hope. Is not that a picture of the sinner today? We are all part of Adam’s fallen race (Romans 5:12) and are unable to get to heaven by our own efforts. Thank God for the Man who stood before him that day, the Lord Jesus Christ. A miracle took place and the man who had been unable to walk did exactly that (John 5:9). He would never forget the day he met the Saviour! May you find the Saviour precious today. —John M. Clegg

O Thou art precious to my heart, my portion and my joy;
Forever let Thy boundless grace my sweetest thoughts employ.
—Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10

This text takes in the basics of the gospel and salvation. Sins are mentioned here, our sins. Our former attitude is here—not that we loved God. No, we were not lovers of God at all, yet despite all of that He loved us! “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). The Lord has “laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6). Truly here is love. Have you partaken of it? —Reg. L. Jordan

I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore;
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more;
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I! —James Rowe

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Rom. 15:14-33

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:12

A friend and I visited a neighbour’s home. We talked of heaven and as we were leaving my neighbour turned to my friend and referring to heaven, skeptically asked “Will I be there?” My friend simply stated, “The Bible says, ‘Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.’ Do you have the Son?” —J. Fleming

I am on my way to Heaven where I’ll see my Saviour’s face,
There I’ll sing redemption’s story, blessèd song of saving grace!
—H. J. Lacey

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 8:1-9:13; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Rom. 14:19-15:13

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

Thomas asked a vital question concerning our eternal destiny. There are two ways into eternity, the narrow way that leads to life, and the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7). It is heaven or hell for eternity. A most solemn thought. 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 of the 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). —R. Surgenor

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

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 7:1-29; Nahum 2:1-3:19; Romans 14:1-18

For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day. 2 Timothy 1:12, NKJV

Michael Faraday (1791-1867), the celebrated chemist and physicist, a man of great intellect, as he neared the close of his life was asked, “What are your speculations now?” “Speculations?” he replied, “I have none. I am resting on certainties.” He then quoted today’s verse. How thankful we should be that we know the God of certainties, not speculations. Are you rejoicing in and resting on His certain salvation? —W. Ross Rainey

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory
divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, born of His Spirit,
washed in His blood. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 6:1-23; Nahum 1:1-15; Romans 13:1-14

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Luke 23:33, KJV

The elevated railway serving a large metropolitan area passed, and frequently stopped at, “Calvary Cemetery.” Regular stops were made at University Avenue, Main and Market Streets. Often the conductor called, “Next stop Calvary. Trains stop on signal only. Anybody for Calvary?” Friend, tell the Lord Jesus you desire to stop at Calvary today. Acknowledge your sin, and believe He died for you. —Arnot P. McIntee

Calvary, O Calvary! Mercy’s vast unfathomed sea,
Love, eternal love to me. Saviour, we adore Thee.
—S. T. Francis

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21

The soul who sins shall die. Ezekiel 18:20, NKJV

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23, NKJV

God’s law is definite! All have sinned and thus the verdict is, Guilty. This decree is true of each individual. Punishment is
demanded. But grace has come by Jesus Christ. He, the holy One, fulfilled the law of God. He bore the punishment of sin on Calvary’s cross for every sinner and died for you and me. By faith, believe that he died for you. —E. MacLelland

Marvellous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe;
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?
—Julia H. Johnston

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 3:1-39; Micah 6:1-16; Romans 11:13-36

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Psalm 104:24, KJV

This verse is engraved on a plaque in the information centre at the Grand Canyon. This 300 mile long steep sided canyon, carved out by the Colorado River, draws millions of visitors each year who stand in awe at the spectacle. This is just one example of the power of God in creation. Have we stood in awe at God’s greatest work as seen in the death of Christ at Calvary? —Brian Powlesland

Father Almighty, wonderful Lord,
Wondrous Creator, be ever adored;
Wonders of nature sing praise to You,
Wonder of wonders—I may praise too!
—M. B., a poem, also on the plaque.

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 2:1-32; Micah 4:9-5:15; Romans 11:1-12

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23, NKJV

God created man as a special creature, for His own glory. But all have sinned. In fact, all humans possess a sin nature and thus deprive God of His glory. For this cause God judges sin and sinners. To restore to God His glory, man must be spiritually born again and come forth with a new re-created nature in Christ. After such re-creation, the saved sinner is expected to walk in newness of life, glorifying God. May God help us to walk as we should. —Doug Kazen

The Lord will perfect that which doth concern me,
Expecting me to show Him on my part;
A trust intelligent and full of interest,
In all these purposes of His great heart. —W. A. Iverson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 1:1-27; Micah 3:1-4:8; Romans 9:30-10:21

The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved. Jeremiah 8:20, KJV

God has arranged the seasons for the blessing of mankind. The sun shines warm during summer, bringing forth a bountiful harvest before the onset of winter. God has also made such an arrangement for man in the spiritual sense. The bright sun of God’s Gospel has bathed our planet for over two thousand years now, and the harvest is still being brought in. But the signs are that the day of God’s grace is about to close, and the terrible day of God’s vengeance is about to break. When the harvest has been gathered in, will you be left behind to face the judgment of God for all of eternity? —W. H. Burnett

Then hasten O sinner, whilst He will receive thee,
The harvest is passing, the summer will end. —Anonymous