Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 24:1-33; Isaiah 19:1-20:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17, NKJV

My daughter was in a car crash that nearly took her life. When we walked into the room where she lay, a nurse told me to hold her hand and to talk to her. “She’s in a coma but can hear you; it’s the last sense to go,” she said. I didn’t know if Melissa had ever put her faith in the Lord Jesus so I held her hand, leaned close to her ear and whispered the power of salvation to her. Knowing she could still hear gave me hope. How gracious is the Lord. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Have you listened in faith? —Jerry Proctor

His word shall not fail you He promised, believe Him and all will be
well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
—H. Lemmel

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 23:1-16; Isaiah 17:1-18:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Isaiah 1:18a

Come unto me…and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 

He sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come, for everything is now ready.” Luke 14:17

Three invitations are given by the Lord personally and sent to you. The first concerns our sins—though like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. The second call is to rest. We are without peace until we find rest in Christ. The third invitation is in parable form. It’s an invitation to a great supper—God’s great salvation by His grace. All is prepared and ready for you. Don’t pass up God’s gracious invitations. —Rex Trogdon

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night, Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come; Into
Thy freedom, gladness, and light, Jesus, I come to Thee. —W. Sleeper

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 22:1-34; Isaiah 15:1-16:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

They crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. John 19:18, NKJV

For the two thieves, the moment of parting had come. Never again, either in this world, or in that to come, would they be together. Separating them is the final Divider of us all. This division was much more than physical, for one had repented and was forgiven, whereas the other persisted in his impenitence and unbelief (see Luke 23:39-43). All the evidence points to one being “saved” and one being “lost.” On which side of the Saviour will I be in eternity? —George Hall

Because the sinless Saviour died, My sinful soul is counted free,
For God, the Just, is satisfied, To look on Him and pardon me.
—Charitie L. Bancroft

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 20:1-21:45; Isaiah 14:1-32; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28

A third time he said to them, “Why? What evil has he done? I have found in him no guilt deserving death. I will therefore punish and release him.” But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he should be crucified. And their voices prevailed. Luke 23:22-23

Many voices may be calling to you. Perhaps Satan is speaking through your friends or family, while the Holy Spirit is telling
you that Christ died for you and wants to save you. Will you let the wrong voices prevail and so go to a Christless eternity?
Today you move with the crowd but tomorrow you will stand alone before the One who could have been your Saviour. Whose
voice will prevail? —David Croudace

“Almost” cannot avail; “Almost” is but to fail!
Sad, sad, that bitter wail, “Almost” – but lost! —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 18-19; Isaiah 13; 1 Thessalonians 4

The Lord is my Shepherd… Psalm 23:1, KJV

It has been suggested that the most important word in Psalm 23 is “my.” You can know the Lord as a Shepherd, or even the Shepherd, but what really matters is to be able to say the Lord is my Shepherd. Is this Good (John 10:11), Great (Hebrews 13:20), and Chief (1 Peter 5:4) Shepherd your shepherd? —W. Ross Rainey

The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack since I am His,
And He is mine forever.
—Henry W. Baker

DAILY READINGS: Josh. 16:1-17:18; Isaiah 11:1-12:6; 1 Thess. 2:13-3:13

“Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” Amos 4:12

It is a solemn thought to remember that one day we must all face God. There is a moral God in heaven above and we will face Him and give an accounting for our lives. It is wise to prepare before death for that meeting. The sinner needs to repent and receive Christ as his Lord and Saviour. He died to pay for your sin. But the Christian too should prepare to meet God. Whether we die or Christ returns first, each of us shall give an accounting for his life to the Lord. Live then today for Him. Be ready to meet God. —Donald L. Norbie

Must I go and empty handed, thus my dear Redeemer meet,
Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet?
—Charles C. Luther

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 14:1-15:63; Isaiah 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1:1-2:12

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

Each year in Canada some have the privilege of being sworn in as citizens on our national holiday. Coming from many lands they express on their faces the joy that is in their hearts. Canadian citizenship laws contain many rules and restrictions and the number of new citizens is limited. How wonderful that heaven only requires that one come through faith in the Lord Jesus. There is no waiting period, no aptitude or background check, no numerical limits. Heaven’s citizenship is comprised of people from many lands. Are you enrolled? Whoever will may come. —George Ferrier

Whosoever cometh need not delay,
Now the door is open, enter while you may. —Philip P. Bliss

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always here…” John 7:6

The Lord declared that His time had not yet come to accomplish the work of salvation. Eventually it would come, but only according to God’s perfect timing—not before and not after. In contrast, their time was always ready as it is with anyone outside the household of faith. What it takes to make peace in a person’s life is unknown to us (Luke 19:42). But one thing is sure, dear friend, your time is always ready to come to the Saviour since you do not know what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1). Why not settle the issue and come to Him today? —Mark Kolchin

“All things are ready,” come to the feast! Come, for the door is open
wide; A place of honour is reserved, for you at the Master’s side.
—C. Gabriel

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

As an emergency room physician, I saw patients soon after they were injured. “What happened?” I would ask. Commonly they responded: “Well, it was so stupid, I was just…” In other words, they knew better, but did not take the time or care to prevent an injury. How tragic and terrible would it be for one who knew Christ died for their sins, and who knew that accepting Him as Saviour and Lord would mean eternal life; how tragic indeed for such a one to be cast into the lake of fire. Forever. —David Logan

Come to the Saviour, make no delay;
Here in His Word, He’s shown us the way. —George F. Root

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8, NKJV

On September 25, 2008, father of three, Austin Hemmings of Auckland New Zealand was fatally stabbed after going to the aid of a woman who was being assaulted. Austin, a Christian, stepped in to save the life of a stranger and, in doing so, gave his own life. In a vastly greater way that’s what Jesus did! He sacrificed His life for the whole world. When we were unable to help ourselves, Jesus died in our place so that we might live. Have you received Him as your Saviour. Have you thanked Him for taking your place? —J. Fleming

The death He died was mine, His suffering was for me,
The life I live today is His and I’m forever free. —J. F.