Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jer. 27:1-28:17; Col. 4:2-18

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24

This verse has been used by God to bring the assurance of salvation to many people. It answers to the question, “Why the cross?” The Lord Jesus in His coming to Calvary dealt with this outstanding need of humanity, their sinfulness. Only He could do it, for no one else was sinless. He bore our sins in His death on the cross that we might “live to righteousness.” He “was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4:25). Is He your Saviour? —Reg. L. Jordan

I have neither grace nor merit-guilty sinner is my name; But,
believing, I inherit life which only Christ could claim. —Wm. Blane

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 15:1-32; Jer. 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

But God, being rich in mercy… Ephesians 2:4

Nicole “Faith” Proctor was born terminally ill as a result of a severe brain disorder. She is blind, cannot talk or walk and must be fed through a tube. Many look upon her with pity. But we thank God who is rich in mercy. What a joy to realize that God loves her and one day she will be with her Saviour. I wonder, do you have the same assurance? In a way our lives parallel Faith’s life. We too are born blind (spiritually) to God’s grace, unable to help ourselves. But Jesus says, “whosoever believeth in [me] should not perish” (John 3:16). Our Faith is unable to make the choice, but you are. Make it today. —Jerry Proctor (Faith’s Grandfather)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I
once was lost but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.—J. Newton

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jer. 24:1-25:38; Col. 2:8-3:4

This people has refused the waters of Shiloah (Siloam) that flow gently. Isaiah 8:6

The ancient pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, today called Birket Silwan, dates back in biblical history almost 3,000 years. Amazingly enough, through repeated droughts, it alone has never gone dry! What a depiction of God’s matchless grace; and yet further, mankind’s continued refusals of our Lord’s soft tones of invitation and salvation. In spite of this, like the subterranean springs which feed Siloam, “he gives more grace” (James 4:6), entrusting the word of reconciliation to those who have drunk to the deepest satisfaction of the wellsprings of His salvation! —Rick Morse

Oh you have been promised grace abundant and free, God’s wonderful
grace is sufficient, sufficient for you and me. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 13:1-32; Jer. 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8

The Times newspaper ran a series of articles on world problems. A letter to the paper was received. Titled “What is wrong with the world”, it said, “Dear Sir, I am. Sincerely yours, G. K. Chesterton.” Chesterton’s letter indicated that the root of all world problems was people—their greed, malice, covetousness, selfishness, and immorality. In short, their sinfulness. In order to address this problem of human sin, Jesus came and said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Come to Him today. —Brian Powlesland

Chief of sinners though I be, Jesus shed His blood for me; Died
that I might live on high, died that I might never die. As the
branch is to the vine, I am His, and He is mine. —W. McComb

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

Then the Lord said to me, “You have seen well, for I am watching over my word to perform it.” Jeremiah 1:12

Matthew’s Gospel confirms Jeremiah’s prophecy. “And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads” (Matthew 27:39). Even today some care not that Jesus, the Son of God was hanging on the cross for them. Sinners who are indifferent will perish in the same way as those who are sinners of the worst kind. Be wise! Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. He died for you! —E. MacLelland

Never more shall God, Jehovah,
Smite the Shepherd with the sword;
Ne’er again shall cruel sinners,
Set at nought our glorious Lord. —Robert C. Chapman

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:18; Philippians 4:2-23

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24

What great news for sinners—spoken by the Son of God Himself! The promise is that through hearing His Word and believing on the One who sent the Lord Jesus, their sins will be forgiven; they will receive the gift of eternal life; they will be placed beyond the possibility of judgment, and will pass from death unto life. Are you one of those who has “heard His Word,” or are you still resisting His voice? Even as you read these words, may you trust the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and pass from death into life. —W. H. Burnett

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Verily, verily, message ever new, He that
believeth on the Son, ‘tis true, hath everlasting life. —J. McGranahan

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

Jesus therefore, being wearied from His journey, sat thus by the well. John 4:6, NKJV

Listening to the conversation of tourists who had come to draw water from the well in a resort village, I recalled that one day Jesus “sat thus by the well.” Think of that the weary Saviour waiting to give a woman a drink of “living water”! Still today, He wants to eternally satisfy the thirst of those who are drinking of the never-satisfying wells of pleasure, fame and wealth. To such He says, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37, NKJV). —Robert Steele

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold I freely give The living waterthirsty
one, stoop down and drink and live.” I came to Jesus and I
drank of that life-giving stream; My thirst was quenched, my soul
revived, and now I live in Him. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain. Hebrews 11:4, NKJV

In order to approach God, Cain brought the fruit of his labour to try to cover his sin! He was rejected. None of our good works, even the best, can ever be good enough for God. He is utterly holy. Because of this the Bible says the soul that sins must die. My sin can be paid for only by death. So by faith Abel offered a lamb, which died in his place and his sacrifice was accepted. The Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, died as our substitute, and for our sin. Depending upon that sacrifice, we can now come to God by faith and find forgiveness and full acceptance. Have you come? —David Croudace

Not the labor of my hands can fulfill Thy laws’ demands, All for sin
could not atone; Thou must save and Thou alone. —A. Toplady

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 8:31-66; Jer. 16:1-21; Phil. 1:21-2:11

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16, KJV

Its estimated that during the average lifetime we will spend about six months waiting at stoplights and two years standing in line. These statistics may be exaggerated, but time is extremely important. In view of the evil days in which we live, we are exhorted to redeem it, that is, to buy up our opportunities to worship, walk and witness. Time is short for all of us, but especially for the individual who has not yet believed on Jesus Christ. If you haven’t done so, while there is yet time, believe now on the Lord Jesus Christ. —W. Ross Rainey

Time is gliding swiftly by, death and judgment draweth nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, be in time. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

No man cared for my soul. Psalm 142:4, KJV

The Son of God…gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20, KJV 

Normally, when appeals for clemency arrived on the desk of President Abraham Lincoln, they were supported by letters from influential people. When one came without the usual documentation, the president exclaimed, “What, has this man no friends?” “No,” replied one of his advisors. “Then,” said Lincoln, “I will be his friend.” When no man cared for our souls, the Lord Jesus died for us. He wants to be your Friend. Will you let Him, by accepting Him as your personal Saviour? —Arnot P. McIntee

I’ve found a Friend, oh, such a Friend! He bled, He died to save me;
And not alone the gift of life, But His own self He gave me.
—James G. Small