Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 7:11-8:19; Job 9:1-10:22; Matt. 5:21-48

They…hate me without a cause… Psalm 69:4, KJV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Man has the strange capacity to hate for no reason whatever. This is so clearly demonstrated in his treatment of the Lord Jesus. Yet God has the even more remarkable capacity to love without a cause. If God required a reason before He could love us, we all would be utterly without hope. Yet now we can love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19)! —Fred Cameron

Causeless, ceaseless, changeless Love,
How it ought my heart to move;
In the Cross man’s hate we see
O’erwhelmed by Love’s immensity.
—Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 6:1-7:10; Job 8:1-22; Matt. 5:1-20

Father, forgive them… Luke 23:34, KJV

Oh! the magnitude of divine forgiveness! Jesus prayed for Judas, Pilate, the rulers, soldiers, criminals and the rabble mob. But beyond them, He prayed for all mankind; for you and me! Dare any person limit the magnitude of His forgiveness? Yes, all do not receive it, but they can if they will! Have YOU received it? Jesus prayed for YOU! —J. W. Bramhall

“Forgive them, O forgive;” He cried,
And bowed His sacred head.
O Lamb of God, my sacrifice—
For me Thy blood was shed.
—Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 4:1-5:32; Job 6:1-7:21; Matt. 4

How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:3 

There are various ways in which men may respond to the gospel message. To those who reject it, we warn, “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). Then, there are those who neglect the salvation God offers—they are indifferent to it—and according to our verse, “they will not escape” (1 Thessalonians 5:3). Unsaved soul reading these words, we plead with you, neither reject nor neglect God’s offer of salvation, but receive it through our Lord Jesus Christ, before it is too late. —W. H. Burnett

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

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 3; Job 4:1-5:27; Matt. 3

Jesus…said, “It is finished.” John 19:30

A young man, burdened with his sin, cried out, “Sir, please tell me what I must do to be saved.” The answer came back, “You are too late! There is nothing you can do; nearly 2000 years ago everything that was needed for you to be saved was done by the Lord Jesus Christ when He died in your place on the cross.” Yes, He finished the work and is now waiting and ready to save you. Are you trying to earn what Christ has already paid for you? Come to Him and receive eternal life as a gift by putting your faith in Him (Romans 6:23). —David Croudace

Weary, working, burdened one, wherefore toil you so?
Cease your doing; all was done long, long ago.
Cast your deadly “doing” down, down at Jesus’ feet;
Stand in Him, in Him alone, gloriously complete.—J. Proctor

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 2:4-25; Job 2:11-3:26; Matt. 2

Christ died for us. Romans 5:8, KJV

During a political revolution in a South American city, the bullets flew, and frightened bystanders ran for cover. Many fell wounded and dying in the city square. A lad ran for cover behind a large tree just as a bullet embedded itself in the trunk. When the firing ceased and all was safe, he dug the bullet out with his knife, and with deep gratitude carved in the scarred trunk, “God bless this tree.” The tree saved his life; and the death of Christ on Calvary’s tree can save your soul.
—Arnot P. McIntee

It was for me, yes, all for me, O Love of God, so great, so free;
O wondrous love, I’ll shout and sing,
He died for me, my Lord and King! —John M. Whyte

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 1:1-2:3; Job 1:1-2:10; Matt. 1

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
2 Corinthians 5:17

Today, as we were chatting at the table about the tragic circumstances of some children, I made the comment to our visitors that many people don’t have a chance. One of our friends responded, “Some have a poor start, but everyone has a chance.” How true. The day of grace is still upon us and Jesus invites you to come, in repentance, to Him today. Trust Him for salvation and know His forgiveness and cleansing. You will have a new start. —J. Fleming

He died to make the way for you, so you might be forgiven
So you can know that you are on the road that leads to heaven.
—J. Fleming