Choice Gleanings

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

God has given us His inspired Word and we must spend time reading and obeying it. Some Chokwe believers knew this and each had a place in the forest where he would read and pray. This made a well beaten path to the place where he would spend time with God. If one got slack, the weeds would grow up on his pathway. A gentle rebuke saying, “I see some weeds on your pathway, brother,” would quickly bring him back. —David Croudace

The Word of God, is hope for the hopeless, strong and true;
The Word of God is a shield, for those who trust in You. —B. Brown

1 Kings 2:1-46; Jeremiah 10:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16

Each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas” (Peter), or “I am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:12 NKJV
Let no one boast in men. For all things are yours. 1 Cor. 3:21 NKJV

The Corinthian Church was struggling with division. They chose one servant of God over another, generating competition. Paul says Apollos (the Bible teacher), Peter (the Shepherd) and himself (the evangelist) were all necessary for their spiritual development, but mere men were not to be placed on the same level as Christ. Rather, we should all be working together in the unity of Christ, to help bring people to the Lord, to teach them and to help them
conform to His likeness! —Jim Paul

Work together, ’til you cross the Lord’s finish line;
Then to glory, to enjoy Heav’n’s reward sublime. —Jim Paul

1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

I will ascend into heaven … I will exalt my throne … I will be like the most High. Isaiah 14:13-14
I will heal … I will love … I will [refresh]. Hosea 14:4-5

There is a stark contrast between the “I will” statements of the Lord in Hosea and the “I will” statements of Lucifer in Isaiah. Rather than being focused on self, the Lord’s concern is for the good of others. Instead of self-promotion, He sought to serve others. When we are tempted to exert our own will or promote our own causes, let us remember the humble example that the Lord set for us, and seek the good of others. —Lynn Shatford

May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing: this is victory. —Kate B. Wilkinson

2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

How are the mighty fallen. 2 Samuel 1:19, 25, 27

When King Saul and his sons died in battle, on many levels, it was a benefit for David. Yet he took no joy in the death of Saul but deeply lamented his demise. In fact, he praised Saul and his sons in glowing terms by saying they were mighty, beloved, gracious, swift, and strong. David had a heart for the Lord and there was no gloating or sense of elation in the death of his enemy, just a deep grief that God’s anointed had been struck down by Israel’s enemies. David was truly surrendered to God’s will and found no satisfaction in the fall of those who had hurt and opposed him. May we be like-minded. —Paul Young

Greater grace, deeper mercy, wider love, higher ways.
Perfect peace, complete forgiveness, it’s all found in You. —C. Bowater

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

I being in the way, the Lord led me … and I bowed down my head, and worshipped the Lord … which had led me in the right way. Genesis 24:27, 48

Abraham’s faithful servant Eliezer offers us a beautiful picture of God’s leading in the lives of those who trust and obey. Eliezer was sent on a critical mission, and sought the Lord’s leading for every step of his journey seeking to fulfill his master’s will. May He find us faithful also, as we acknowledge Him in all our ways and allow Him to direct our paths (Prov. 3:6). Then we can say with Eliezer, “The Lord has prospered my way” (Gen. 24:56). —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way;
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

Those men … said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone. John 6:14-15 NKJV

The Lord holds three offices: Prophet, Priest, and King. The people accepted Him as the Prophet. They wanted to make Him King but they would disregard His priestly work. Jesus would not. He went up on a mountain to pray and on to Calvary to offer Himself as the sacrifice to take away our sins. —Rex Trogdon

Jesus, our Saviour, Shepherd, Friend,
Our Prophet, Priest, and King;
Our Lord, our Life, our Way, our End,
Accept the praise we bring. —John Newton

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth. Isaiah 42:3 NKJV

Our Saviour was a gentle Servant! The bruised reed He would not crush. The dimly burning flax He would not extinguish. How many readers today are weak with illness and age, or bruised by grief and heavy problems? The gentle Servant takes the feeblest into His tender hands and seeks to encourage them. Think of His gentleness with children, with the broken ones of society, and even with you and me! He truly is the gentle Shepherd! —Jim Comte

Saviour like a shepherd lead us,
Much we need Thy tender care;
In Thy pleasant pastures feed us,
For our use, Thy fold prepare. —Dorothy A. Thrupp

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. Acts 8:4

These believers fled to escape persecution. And yet, fear could not silence them or quell their bold witnessing. They continued to preach wherever they went, and so the light of the Gospel shone brightly and spread, even to the “uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). We thank God for their love, faithfulness, and zeal to reach the lost. May He help us to be more like them. If salvation is worth having, it is certainly worth sharing. —Clark Logan

Send the light, the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine from shore to shore!
Send the light the blessed Gospel light;
Let it shine forevermore! —Charles H. Gabriel

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? James 2:14 NKJV

The epistle of James can be hard to understand if we do not pay close attention to the context of his words. James isn’t saying we need to work for salvation but that genuine faith in Christ will naturally produce works. If the Holy Spirit indwells us, there will be good works. So today, let us first thank God that He accomplished a finished work for us on the cross. And let us also be thankful that God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us do good works that will
reflect what He has done for us. —Caleb Riordan

Are you serving Jesus, as you onward go?
Are you leading others, Christ the Lord to know?  —J. Clements

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

Rebekah lifted up her eyes … said unto the servant, What man is this that walketh in the field to meet us? And the servant … said, It is my master. Genesis 24:64-65

For Rebekah, the long journey through the barren desert with the servant was coming to an end, and she would now be united with her bridegroom, Isaac. So it is with ourselves. Our wilderness journey will soon be over, and we will be united with our heavenly Bridegroom, who loved us and gave Himself for us. —Willie H. Burnett

O the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past;
O the wondrous words of greeting, He will speak at last!
He and I together entering, those bright courts above;
He and I together sharing, all the Father’s love.  —P. Gerhardt Tersteegen