Choice Gleanings: Good News Edition

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 22:1-23:9; Psalms 64:1-65:13; Acts 12:1-25

He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Proverbs 28:13, NKJV 

What good news this is! As sinners, we are guilty before God, and under His condemnation. Yet, His grace is reaching out to us, offering us a complete pardon. We must not think that this offer indicates that God has lowered His standards regarding our guiltiness. The gospel proclaims that the bestowing of mercy on the guilty is entirely consistent with God’s righteous character. The out-flow of mercy to us is the result of the perfect work of Christ who “died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3, KJV). Today, turn from sin, and trust the Saviour. —George Hall

Mercy there was great and grace was free, Pardon there was
multiplied to me, There my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.
—W. R. Newell

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 21:1-36; Psalms 62:1-63:11; Acts 11:19-30

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 

Can you look back to a time when you passed from death into life? March 2, 1938 was when I first heard and understood the gospel. I was a rebellious young man and refused to obey my parents, but I knew I was a sinner. That afternoon a man of God explained the gospel to me. With tears I opened my heart and received Christ as my Lord and Saviour. It was the beginning of a new life. Have you as a broken sinner, repentant and believing, received the Lord Jesus? —Donald L. Norbie

Will you take Jesus to be your guide? His love will brighten the way;
Safe in His keeping you may abide; will you take Jesus today? —W. R.

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 20:1-26; Psalms 60:1-61:8; Acts 11:1-18

For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. Matthew 18:11, NKJV

After thousands of years of prophecy, He who is the Son of God became the Son of man, born of a virgin in Judah. What kindness is this! Man lost everything in Adam, the first man, so God’s salvation could only become a reality through the Second Man, the last Adam. “Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is,  the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage” (Hebrews 2:14-15, NKJV). —Neil Dougal

Jesus, my Saviour, to Bethlehem came, Born in a manger to sorrow and
shame; O it is wonderful blest be His Name, seeking for me, for me.
—Anonymous

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 19:14-25; Psalm 59:1-17; Acts 10:34-48

There came a man full of leprosy…he fell on his face and begged him, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. Luke 5:12-13

A surgeon was asked, “Do you ever fear losing feeling in your fingers so you would be unable to perform surgeries?” “No”, he replied, “but I do fear the day when I lose feeling for my patients.” An outcast of society begged Jesus to touch him. Dr. Luke, in using the term, “full of leprosy” indicates he was beyond human help. But he was never beyond the Saviour’s healing touch. Leprosy is a picture of sin and in that matter we are beyond help. We need the forgiving touch of the Saviour. Trust Him and He will cleanse you today. —Jim Comte

Just one touch! And He makes me whole,
Speaks sweet peace to my sin-sick soul. —B. Bell

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 19:1-13; Psalm 58:1-11; Acts 10:24-33

The sting of death is sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56, KJV

God first created man to enjoy the fullness of His creation and to commune with Him. As a test of his obedience (a necessary condition of faith and love), God said he could eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden where God had placed him except one. To disobey would bring certain death (Genesis 2:16-17). Yet man chose to disobey and sin against God. Consequently death came. The Lord Jesus lived a life of obedience to God and gave His life to take away this sting of death. Now He offers life back to us and a restoration of our relationship with Him. Will you obey and take it? —K. C. Ung

Jesus for sinners undertakes, and died that we may live;
His blood a full atonement makes, and cries aloud, “Forgive.”
—J. Newton

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 18:1-27; Psalms 56:1-57:11; Acts 10:1-23

Owe no one anything… Romans 13:8

When we purchase things on credit, we owe money. When the total amount is paid, our debt is settled. But, the debt of sin, we owe to God! And no matter how hard and how many times we try; we can never settle our debt in full. It is only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood, that our debt can be settled. He alone has the power to wipe our slates clean if we will confess our sins to Him. Have you had your debt paid? —Ken Gunnell

To Him I owe my life and breath, And all the joys I have;
He takes away the sting of death, Gives victory o’er the grave!
—S. Stennett

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 17:1-16; Psalm 55:1-23; Acts 9:32-43

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

There are many proclaiming all kinds of religions and creeds. But none can compare to the preaching of Christ crucified. We join with the apostle when he declared that he gloried in nothing but the cross. It reveals the sinful nature of the human heart and demonstrates the love and grace of God in procuring eternal salvation for those who believe. Are you among those who have put their faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross? —Drew Craig

Nothing in my hand I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling,
Naked come to Thee for dress; helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly, wash me Saviour or I die.—A. M. Toplady

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 16:1-36; Psalm 52:1-54:7; Acts 9:1-31

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:2 

Driving through a town in Pennsylvania, I caught sight of a sign outside a building which said “Christ’s Home.” It was a funeral home and I wondered how many people had found themselves, on their decease, being in that particular home, but not actually arriving in Christ’s eternal home (the Father’s house). To enjoy the comforts and companionship of the Father’s house requires being born into the family of God by accepting Christ by faith. Only then can a place be prepared. —Brian Powlesland

There is a home, a glorious home, a heavenly mansion fair;
And those we loved so fondly here, will bid us welcome there.
—Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 15:1-27; Psalm 51:1-19; Acts 8:5-40

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:36-37 , NKJV

At the end of life all our material possessions will never purchase our admission into Heaven. “Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him—For the redemption of their souls is costly,” (Psalm 49:6-8, NKJV). Jesus paid the price by His death to save us from the eternal consequences of sin. Are you a saved or a lost soul? Are you living for this world at the expense of preparing for eternity? —Jim Paul

Where will you spend eternity? This question comes to you and me!
Tell me, what shall your answer be? Where will you spend eternity?
—Elisha A. Hoffman

DAILY READINGS: Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49:1-50:23; Acts 7:30-8:4

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins. 1 John 1:9, NKJV

A reporter asked a young man convicted of murder, “How do you live with yourself?” He replied: “The Bible says if I confess my sins, I will be forgiven.” “Forgiven!” the reporter cried out. “Do you deserve forgiveness?” My heart went out to that young man. After all, who among us deserves forgiveness? The Bible tells us there is no one righteous, not even one (Romans 3:10). God’s forgiveness can’t be earned or bought. It must be received by confessing our need for Him. There is no crime or sin His saving grace won’t forgive. Come to Him today! —Deborah Manera

I asked the Lord “How much do you love me?” He said “this
much”—opened up His arms—and died. —Author Unknown