Choice Gleanings

Deuteronomy 18:9-19:21; Joel 1:1-20; Luke 11:37-54

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take sweet spices … You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy.” Exodus 30:34-35 NKJV

The preparation of the holy incense for the tabernacle would have taken time and effort. As I thought of the work involved, I was reminded that we, too, should take time to prepare ourselves for worship. Through the week, as we are meditating on the Word, we can gather sweet thoughts of the Lord to share at the remembrance meeting, whether audibly or silently. May our worship of Him be a prepared, fragrant offering! —Marsha Blair

Grateful incense this, ascending, ever to the Father’s throne;
Every knee to Jesus bending, all the mind in heaven is one.  —John Nelson Darby

Deuteronomy 17:1-18:8; Obadiah 1:1-21; Luke 11:14-36

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

To abide, we must rest. To rest, we must trust. To trust, we must exchange our wants, our ways, and our will for God’s alone. As we rest, trust, and abide in Him, we will want what He wants and we will pray accordingly. Much frustration in prayer could be avoided if we simply asked according to His will. Surrender brings peace and an assurance that all is better in His hands than in our own. Know this peace today. Surrender all to Him. —Deborah Manera

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. —Judson Van Deventer

Deuteronomy 16:1-22; Song of Solomon 6:10-8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. 2 Peter 3:11 NKJV

This chapter is the tale of three worlds: the past, prior to the flood; the present age, and the prospect of a new heaven and earth. In light of the ultimate “dissolving” of this world, Peter introduces two practical applications with the word “therefore”. If we really believe what Peter is saying, it will impact our perspective and priorities. This will affect our conduct, our character, and our continuing growth and steadfastness. —Gary McBride

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. —R. Miller

Deuteronomy 14:22-15:23; Song of Solomon 5:2-6:9; Luke 10:25-42

When I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. Micah 7:8

Often life’s circumstances seem oppressive and we are left wondering what the way forward is. There seems to be no light, as we try to reason and scheme our way out of the situation! In such circumstances, we need to rest in the assurance of these words that the Lord will be a light to us. He is always the answer, whatever our situation! His loving care is manifested in our deepest need and He provides the light to guide us through. —Philip A. Kaye

When things are dark and the pathway hidden,
“Look to the Lord” is what we are bidden!
His is the Light which shows us the way,
Each step of the journey to endless day! —P. A. K.

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:21; Song of Solomon 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

Because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29

We didn’t have the privilege of seeing our Saviour live and move in perfection and beauty upon this earth. We never saw one of the miracles He performed nor audibly heard any of the wonderful words which He spoke. But because we believe, the Lord calls us blessed. What a privileged people we are! —John M. Clegg

We saw Thee not when Thou didst come,
To this poor world of sin and death;
Nor yet beheld Thy cottage home,
In that despised Nazareth;
But we believe Thy footsteps trod,
Its streets and plains, thou Son of God —John Gurney

Deuteronomy 12:1-32; Song of Solomon 2:8-3:5; Luke 9:37-62

Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:22

What a wonderful psalm of praise this is! No matter how bad things seem around us, there is always something to give thanks for. We might wonder why thanksgiving is called a sacrifice, but when things are bad, the last thing we want to do is be thankful. But once we have a thankful heart, things start to look better. We can always see God’s goodness if we will only look for it! —Gwenyth Frear

All on earth, from high to low,
Can see His blessings as they flow.
The righteous see them and rejoice,
And sing to Him with heart and voice. —G. F.

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32; Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord … he shall offer it of his own voluntary will. Leviticus 1:2-3

The final overwhelming image of the preceding chapter is, “The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle” (Ex. 40:34) and where the Lord dwells, worship is primary. That applies to church gatherings. But Paul reminds us that, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you … therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Worship is not just for Sunday. Worship is essential in our daily life. Do we appreciate the divine Presence that moves with
us continually? That reality should evoke wonder and worship! —David W. Oliver

Blessed in Thy presence, we worship before Thee,
Own Thou art worthy, and worthy alone. —H. D’Arcy Champney

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