Choice Gleanings

Leviticus 13:24-59; Psalm 118:1-29; Mark 4:1-20

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life. John 3:36 NKJV

All of God’s plan of salvation centres in and on His Son (John 3:35). God’s righteousness holds each sinner accountable for their debt of each sin. No sinner can pay the debt of even one sin, because every “good deed” is tainted by sin (Rom. 3:12). A just God must receive full payment. God’s love provided an even greater payment than He required for humanity’s sins. His Son’s sacrifice on the cross, climaxed by His cry, “It is finished,” affirming that full payment had been made. Christ’s resurrection affirms this. The payment is effective only for those who believe in the Son—who paid their debt and gives them everlasting life. Have you come to Him and put your faith in Him? —David W. Oliver

It is finished, loud He cried; oh what love for me He died.
In my stead He bled on Calvary; once for all Christ rescued me. —R. Hamilton

Leviticus 12:1-13:23; Psalms 116:1-117:2; Mark 3:13-35

And he took it down and wrapped it in linen and laid it in a sepulchre. Luke 23:53

Though not one word that Joseph of Arimathaea spoke is recorded, his actions showed that he had a tremendous appreciation of the Saviour. Evil hands had placed the Lord upon a cross and now the loving hands of Joseph took Him down. It was costly for Joseph to do what he did. It cost him his reputation in the eyes of men. It cost him his religious standing, disqualifying him from the upcoming Passover celebration (Num. 9:6). Materially, it cost him
as well, giving up his own tomb. It still is costly to follow the Saviour, but do you think for a moment Joseph  regretted it? Do we?  — John M. Clegg

Jesus, we ne’er can pay, the debt of love we owe;
Yet grant us day by day, our gratitude to show. —S. Stennett

Leviticus 11:1-47; Psalms 113:1-115:18; Mark 2:23-3:12

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:4 NKJV

The standard of righteousness set for us today is just as high. If I am God’s representative in my sphere of influence, my testimony should be no less impressive than Daniel’s was in his day. Suppose determined analysts, with a malicious agenda, carefully combed through my business practices and performance and surveilled my after-hour activities—would they find anything to accuse me of, other than Christ having first place? —Peter Ramsay

By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct, His likeness shall see.  —W. D. Longstaff

Leviticus 10:1-20; Psalms 111:1-112:10; Mark 2:1-22

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It was Charles Spurgeon who said, “It is not the length of our prayers but the strength of our prayers that makes the difference”. It is easy at times to pray with the appropriate cliches and have no connection with Heaven at all. When worshipping it can be more effective saying from the heart, “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift” ( 2 Cor. 9:15) than taking ten minutes revealing your knowledge of the Levitical offerings. —Brian Russell

Lord teach us how to pray aright,
With reverence and with fear.
Though dust and ashes in Your sight,
We may, we must draw near. —James Montgomery

Leviticus 9:1-24; Psalms 109:1-110:7; Mark 1:21-45

And God spake all these words. Exodus 20:1

When we are conscious of God speaking to us through His Word; the only adequate response is to worship and obey Him. There is awe, reverence and respectful fear when the voice of God becomes real to us. To live and walk by the judgments and commands of God enables us to withstand the pressure to compromise. God is honoured when we obey what He says, and apply ourselves to those things that please Him. —Gaius C. Goff

Oh, may it richly dwell within,
And mould our every thought;
And bring our hearts to Thy blest sway,
In full subjection brought.  —Daniel Webley

Leviticus 8:1-36; Psalm 108:1-13; Mark 1:1-20

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1

One day I was preaching in the open air, standing at a place that was surrounded by a low single link chain. I noticed a man coming straight for me, his arms flapping about as he shouted “There’s no God, there’s no God”. As he approached where I was, he tripped over the chain and landed facedown in front of me. I stopped preaching and helped him up. He then said to me “You know who did that to me? God did that to me!” How foolish to pretend
there is no God. Even the atheist will one day acknowledge Him as Lord. —Sid Halsband

Amazing grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.  —John Newton

Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 107:1-43; Acts 28:17-31

He is not here: for he is risen. Matthew 28:6

The Lord is risen indeed! The stone is rolled away and the tomb is empty! There is no stench of death and corruption, just the sweet fragrance of myrrh and aloes. Angels sit at the head and at the feet where His body had lain. No body is found, just the untouched, unmoved grave clothes. “He is not here: for he is risen”. What a victory! —Pete Smith

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;
He arose a victor from the dark domain,
And He lives for ever, with His saints to reign, 
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah, Christ arose!  —Robert Lowry

Leviticus 6:8-7:10; Psalm 106:1-48; Acts 28:1-16

Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham. Romans 4:16

God grants eternal life only through faith in Christ. Salvation is entirely by God’s grace (the gift of God). It is offered to all, both Jews and Gentiles. Its eternal security rests in His sure promise, from the One who cannot lie. Its saving work gives the glory to God. There is no human boasting. Dear reader, if your hands are full with self-effort, you cannot grasp the gift of eternal life. Let go and receive Christ by faith. —George Ferrier

Grace! ’Tis a charming sound, harmonious to the ear;
Heav’n with the echo shall resound, and all the earth shall hear. —P. Doddridge

Leviticus 5:14-6:7; Psalm 105:1-45; Acts 27:27-44

And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Matthew 26:30

The Lord was on the way to Gethsamane and then to Calvary fully knowing the sufferings and atrocities that awaited Him. He knew of the agonizing sorrow He would experience in the garden, the inhumane treatment before the cross. He knew of the betrayal of a friend, the desertion of His followers, the scoffing by those passing by and finally being forsaken by God. And yet He sang. The Passover meal would have ended with Psalm 113-118 known as “the great Hallel” asserting that this was a day to rejoice and be glad. He could still sing despite what lay ahead of Him. What a
Saviour! —K. J. W.

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suffering on the tree: Saviour, we adore Thee. —Samuel T. Francis

Leviticus 4:27-5:13; Psalm 104:1-35; Acts 27:1-26

O Lord, You have searched me and known me. Ps. 139:1 NKJV
Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 NKJV

In an era when data is a valuable commodity, it can be discomfiting that “someone” knows everything about us—our financial activity, exercise routine, interests and opinions. Yet what comfort and security we feel in being fully seen, known and understood by our Lord. His hedge is around us; His loving hand of protection and guidance is on us. What a blessed hope we have that one day we will know Him as fully and deeply as we are known! —Caroline Webb

Face to face! O blissful moment! Face to face—to see and know.
Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so. —Carrie Ellis Breck