Choice Gleanings

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” John 21:15 NKJV

After dinner conversation is one thing, but after breakfast? Morning clearly was the best time for this conversation to take place. This is a searching question for us, just as much as it was for Simon Peter. As we set out on our day, we are going to face challenges as to what our motive is in life. Let this question come fresh to our hearts, “Do you love Me more than these?” What are these? These could be people, things, or activities. These could be anything that takes our hearts away from Him. —Rex Trogdon

There is a story ever new, I’ll tell it o’er and o’er,
How Jesus gave His life for me; I want to love Him more. —F. Snyder

1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41

He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. Isaiah 2:4

On this day as we remember the sacrifices made on our behalf in recent and long-past wars, I am filled with a sense of gratitude but also a deep longing for an end. Even as several wars continue today, we long for war to cease. Look up, believer! Our hope is in the Lord and His peace. Even so, come Lord. —Jared D. Fraser

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul. —Horatio Spafford

1 Chronicles 28:1-21; Ezekiel 24:1-25:17; John 9:1-17

Saul disguised himself. 1 Samuel 28:8
I will disguise myself. 1 Kings 22:30

Various Bible characters such as King Saul and King Ahab tried to hide their identity and deceive others by pretending to be someone else. The results were tragic. One of the 12 disciples of Christ, Judas Iscariot, also pretended to be what he was not, a genuine follower of Christ. May the Lord strengthen us each day, simply to be what we are, those who know and sincerely love Him. We should not have to put on an act or pretend. —Clark Logan

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —H. A. Walter

1 Chronicles 26:1-27:34; Ezekiel 23:1-49; John 8:31-59

That ye eat neither fat nor blood. Leviticus 3:17

This law was laid down for Israel nearly 2,000 years before Christ came to earth and was to be a perpetual rule for the people of Israel. The law’s precepts illustrated spiritual principles but also proved to be of benefit physically for the nation. Today with advancements in medical science we see how effective they were in the prevention of diseases. How could Moses, the lawgiver, have known about such benefits? The truth is that he didn’t, but God knew. The divine hand that created the human body also indicated the best way for the body to be kept healthy. The Bible is
truly God’s Word and therefore can be trusted. —Paul Young

Through life it guides our way, in death it is our stay.
Lord, grant while worlds endure, we keep Thy teachings pure. —N. Gruntvig

1 Chronicles 24:1-25:31; Ezekiel 22:1-31; John 8:12-30

As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Psalm 17:15
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied. Isaiah 53:11

When I pass from life to death, not only will I be in His presence, but I will awake in the likeness of the Lord Jesus Himself. The Lord too will be satisfied, as He contemplates all that He went through, the travail of soul He endured; leaving the glories of heaven, making Himself of no reputation and dying on that cross of shame. All in order to make it possible for sinners like you and me to be with Him and like Him, in glory. —David Croudace

And is it so! I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won? —J. N. Darby

1 Chronicles 22:1-23:32; Ezekiel 20:45-21:32; John 7:31-8:11

Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the window … and they departed: and she bound the scarlet line in the window. Joshua 2:18, 21

Jericho faced destruction, but Rahab was given a way to save herself and her family. The token of her salvation was the scarlet cord in her window. She put it there immediately. She did not know when judgment would fall and wanted to be ready. If you do not have Jesus Christ as your Saviour, come to Him today. We do not know when He will return. Are you ready? —K. W.

Come to the Saviour, make no delay:
Here in His Word, He’s shown us the way;
Here in our midst He’s standing today,
Tenderly saying, “Come!” —George Root

1 Chronicles 21:1-30; Ezekiel 20:1-44; John 7:12-30

I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. Psalm 119:15

Meditation makes a difference! There are so many things to occupy our minds that are unprofitable. But nothing is more beneficial than God’s precepts. They direct us in His ways which is critical in our dark world. To contemplate and respect God’s ways frees us from our own poor judgment. David said: “As for God, his way is perfect” (Ps. 18:30). —G. A. Ramsay

To know each day the perfect way, and seek therein to walk,
Will regulate my conduct; give credence to my talk.
For men will judge me solely, by what the eye can see.
The age-old proverb still holds true; “The fruit declares the tree.”  —G. A. Ramsay

1 Chronicles 19:1-20; Ezekiel 18:1-19:14; John 6:41-7:11

And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1 NKJV

We all have heard of people committing great sins and in many instances being caught and punished by society for them. This should not cause us to excuse the sin in our own life. It may be more subtle, but it too is damaging to us and others and offensive to God; lying, selfishly putting our own interests first, being angry or unforgiving. As I struggle with the flesh, I am so thankful that, “If anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous.” Thank you Lord, for standing in the gap. —Laura Fraser

What though the vile accuser roar, of sins that I have done;
I know them well, and thousands more; my God, He knoweth none.  —Samuel Whit

1 Chronicles 17:1-18:17;: Ezekiel 17:1-24; John 6:22-40

In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. Psalm 56:4

Harriet Tubman is quoted as saying, “I don’t know where to go, or what to do, but I expect You to lead me. God, I trust You.” Her unfaltering trust in God grew out of her conviction that she was loved by Him, and resulted in the saving of many lives. I notice that her confidence did not rest totally on her love for the Lord, but also on her trust, her total dependence, and reliance on Him. This total trust was the secret of Mrs. Tubman’s heroic courage. Perhaps
we could pray today, “Lord Jesus, I trust You; help my lack of trust.” For our Father treasures our trust. —Marilyn MacMullen

Trust in Him, ye saints, forever; He is faithful, changing never.
Neither force nor guile can sever, those He loves from Him. —Thomas Kelly

1 Chronicles 16:1-43; Ezekiel 16:35-63; John 6:1-21

For thou hast been … a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat … Isaiah 25:4
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. John 8:7

This woman, brought in judgment to the Lord came to appreciate Him as her refuge from the storm and shadow from the heat. In no way did He condone her sin, but His powerful statement to her accusers caused them to depart, convicted of their own sin rather than condemning hers. Only He had the purity to remain. He did, and subsequently gave her the opportunity to live a transformed life. May His compassion be ours too! —Philip A. Kaye

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save. —Fanny J. Crosby