Choice Gleanings

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven. Revelation 4:1 NKJV

John was in exile on Patmos. It was a bleak, difficult situation. He had been writing about things he had seen and the condition of seven churches, some of which were in a disappointing spiritual condition. Then he looked and saw a door standing open in heaven! Not just an open door, but also a clear invitation to “Come up here …”. Can you imagine being personally invited into heaven? The good news of the Gospel is that you can because the “Spirit and the bride say, Come … let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Rev. 22:17). —Ray Jones

Jesus is the true, the only living Way:
“Whosoever will may come.” —Philip Bliss

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:20; Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you. 1 Corinthians 1:6

Our testimony for Christ demands faithfulness and holiness. When these qualities are hallmarks of the messenger, then the message will bring glory to God and salvation to sinners. We also need holy love, a tender spirit, genuine concern, and gracious words. They are hard to ignore. Your personal testimony, given with a warm heart and supported by the Scriptures, will make you an effective witness for the Lord Jesus. —Gaius C. Goff

Praying for grace to live as fits a royal race,
We seek to men to give the light of truth and grace:
His name to bear, His will obey,
His steps to follow day by day. —Alexander Stewart

Deuteronomy 6:1-7:11; Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2–3

Recently I spoke on the phone with an elderly friend. His words were, “I just want to go home to the Father’s house”. Perhaps you are feeling the same way, whether through illness or bereavement. Look up, Jesus is coming soon. What a day that will be when we enter heaven and see Him face to face. —Janet Fleming

What will it be to see Jesus?
To look on His wonderful face.
To view the glory of heaven,
And gaze on that beautiful place. —Janet Fleming

Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth”. 1 Kings 17:24 NKJV

Deception, lies, trickery, and scams are common practices in today’s society. So it is critical that the Lord’s truth always be in our mouths. Let’s talk about Him and what He has done for us to everyone we meet. May we let our light so shine that people ask us why we are different. May we always seek opportunities to speak a word for Him, with grace and love, for His glory. —Annette Baal

There is a name I love to hear,
I love to speak its worth;
It sounds like music in mine ear,
The sweetest Name on earth. —Frederick Whitfield

Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12; Luke 7:30-50

Now behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. Jesus Himself drew near and went with them. Luke 24:13, 15 NKJV

On the day of the Lord’s resurrection, a couple were heading home from Jerusalem to their rural village. They were discussing all that had happened over the past few days. Their hearts were heavy, their faces sad, their hopes were dashed. But into their despair and seemingly hopeless situation came the living Lord and what a difference He made! In their own words – “Did not our heart burn within us … while He opened the Scriptures to us?” (v 32). He can encourage you today too! —Pete Smith

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me, along life’s narrow way. —A. Ackley

Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord? 1 Corinthians 9:1

In defense of his apostleship, Paul lays out his qualifications to his critics. His experience of having personally met the Lord Jesus on the Damascus road, along with the Lord’s approval of his service by adding His blessing to Paul’s evangelistic work was proof enough. While there are no longer apostles today, we are now His ambassadors. God’s Word which we proclaim will accomplish the purposes for which He has sent it; we just need to be faithful. —Rick Morse

Ye Christian heralds,
Go proclaim salvation,
Through Emmanuel’s name! —Bourne Draper

Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

This day shall be unto you for a memorial. Exodus 12:14
This do in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24
And the people bowed the head and worshipped. Exodus 12:27

In the United States we celebrate Memorial Day in May each year to remember those who have gone before, especially those who have given their lives for their country. The Lord has ordained each first day of the week as a memorial day for us to remember the cost of our salvation. Let us bow our heads and our hearts in worship and remembrance of Him today. —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Lord Jesus Christ, we would remember Thee,
As, on the table, we the emblems see;
Thy holy body shadowed in the bread,
Thy precious blood is in the cup portrayed. —Alfred P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his  generations. Noah walked with God. Genesis 6:8-9 NKJV 

Noah started where we all must begin — at salvation. Noah found grace. He didn’t earn it, merit it, inherit it, nor deserve it. He found it! Noah was a just man. Justification comes to us by faith — believing, simply taking God at His Word. Noah was perfect; not that he never did anything wrong. He was perfect in that he was complete. Noah walked with God. What starts with grace and lives by faith makes us complete each step of the way home to heaven. —Rex Trogdon

When we walk with the Lord, in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way! —John H. Sammis

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

The sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

When I was a child, my father had a very special way of calling us to himself when were in a shop. He whistled and we all soon learned that we were to find him immediately. I used that whistle sound with our own children, and they also knew what it meant. Jesus tells us that He is our Shepherd. His own unique voice calls us out of the noise and clutter of this world and bring us into His rest. Are we listening for His voice? Do we follow Him when we hear His call? —Virginia Strout

Jesus calls us – by Thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear Thy call,
Give our hearts to Thy obedience,
Serve and love Thee best of all. —Mrs. Cecil Alexander

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NKJV

Where are you? God is directing this question to each one of us. We would do well to take a moment today and ask ourselves; where do I stand before God? Every one of us has been born outside the Garden of Eden. We are all children of Adam and have an inherent natural tendency toward sin and rebellion against God. The Lord Jesus came into this world to seek and to save the lost. Put your faith in Him today. —Sid Halsband

But none of the ransomed ever knew
How deep were the waters crossed;
Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed thro’
Ere He found His sheep that was lost. —Elizabeth C. Clephane