Thoughts and Meditations - July Archive

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Thoughts and Meditations

 

Personal comments made by David F. Reagan unless otherwise stated

 

July, 2005

 

 

 

 

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July 28, 2005

 

Another Gospel – Paul was astonished “that the Galatians should have been led to take such a false and perverted view of the gospel. The language of the Apostle is very strong; he characterizes the doctrine of the judaizers as another gospel [Galatians 1:6]; yet we have no reason to believe that they denied any of those great truths taught by the Apostle. They admitted that Jesus was the Christ,--that he died for the sins of his people, and rose again,--that he is the Saviour of the world,--and that sinners are commanded to trust in him for salvation. How then could their doctrine be characterized as another gospel? Because they attempted to blend the Jewish ordinances with the doctrine of Jesus; they withdrew the attention of the disciples from the substance, by directing it to the shadow. Thus they virtually denied that Jesus Christ was come in the flesh [1John 4:2]. They enjoined on their disciples the observance of those carnal ordinances which were only imposed till the time of reformation [Hebrews 9:10], which were intended to bring in a better hope [Hebrews 7:19], and, having answered the purpose which God had in view, had come to an end.” –from An Exposition of the Epistle to the Galatians by James A. Haldane (p.36).

 

Topics: Works Salvation, Judaizers, Another Gospel

 

Soul Prosperity – In 3John 1:2, John says to the wellbeloved Gaius, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.’ Charles Mallary (1801-1864) comments: “Though probably delicate and feeble as to bodily health, he possessed a healthful, prosperous soul. The wish expressed in his behalf by the Apostle John is quite remarkable… The apostle does not seize upon his external, temporal prosperity as the standard by which he measures out his desires for the health and enriching of his soul; but, on the contrary, he desires him to be blessed in bodily health, and other earthly advantages, as God had favored him in spiritual bounties…”  Would such a wish on your prosperity bring with it the advantage that it clearly brought to Gaius? Is your soul prosperous? –from The Nature of Soul Prosperity (p.2).

 

Topics: Spirituality, Health

 

 

July 25, 2005

 

Defining Prayer – “Definition of prayer scarcely belongs to Bible range at any point. Everywhere we are impressed that it is more important and urgent that men pray, than that they be skilled in the homiletic didactics of prayer. That is a thing of the heart, not of the schools. It is more of feeling than of words. Praying is the best school in which to learn to pray, prayer the best dictionary to define the art and nature of praying.” –from The Reality of Prayer by E. M. Bounds (p.20). See Luke 11:1.

 

Topics: Prayer

 

Balancing Knowledge with Fear – Psalm 119:79 states, “Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.” On this verse, Charles Bridges comments: “But let us mark the completeness of the Christian—combining the fear with the knowledge of God. Knowledge without fear would be self-confidence. Fear without knowledge would be bondage. But the knowledge of his testimonies, connected with an acquaintance with his ways, moulds the character of men of God into the spirit of love; and qualifies them, ‘as fathers’ (1John 2:13-14) in the gospel, to counsel the weak and inexperienced.” –from Psalm 119 (p.208).

 

Topics: Knowledge, Fear of God

 

 

July 22, 2005

 

Spread the Gospel to Distant Lands! – John Mason Peck (1789-1858), who would later serve many years as a Baptist home missionary to the lands west of the Mississippi River, made this diary entry on June 25, 1813: “How can Christians in this land of high privileges sit easy and unconcerned, without contributing out of their abundance to spread the gospel in distant pagan lands! My soul is grieved for them in their ignorance. Oh, how I wish I was so circumstanced in life as that I might be able to bear the gospel into some distant pagan lands where it never yet has shined! A large part of the American continent is also involved in darkness. Yes, under the immediate Government of the United States, there is an abundant field for missionary labor. How I should rejoice if Providence would open a door for my usefulness and labors in this way. But alas, how idle and vain are my thoughts! In this place I am too faithless, too prone to wander. Oh, that I might first learn to perform the duties which come within my reach, and not presume to think I should be more faithful in another part of the vineyard!” –from Vanguard of the Caravans by Coe Hayne (p.24-25).

 

Topics: Missions, John Mason Peck

 

Dealing with the Gossipy Tongue – Numbers 11:4 states, “And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat?” “So also when we happen to be in company with those who indulge in the wicked practice of speaking against the Lord’s people, if we cannot succeed in changing the current of the conversation, let us rise and leave the place, thus bearing testimony against that which is so hateful to Christ. Let us never sit by and listen to a backbiter. We may rest assured he is doing the work of the devil, and inflicting positive injury upon three distinct parties, namely, himself, his hearer, and the subject of his censorious remarks.” –from Notes on the Pentateuch by C. H. Mackintosh (p.502).

 

Topics: Gossip, Slander

 

 

July 21, 2005

 

Peace at All Costs – John Robinson (c.1576-1625), one of the founders of the Pilgrims, wrote an answer to an accusation that was written against him and others because they dared separate from the Church of England. How dare these Separatists destroy the peace of the Church! Robinson replied: “The papists press the protestants with the peace of the church, and, for the rent they have made in it, condemn them beyond the heathenish soldiers, which forebore to divide Christ’s garment; as deeply do the bishops charge the ministers refusing conformity and subscription, and both of them us. But the godly wise must not be affrighted either from seeking or embracing the truth with such bugs as these are, but seeing ‘the wisdom which is from above, is first pure, then peaceable,’ [James 3:17] he must make it a great part of his Christian wisdom to discern betwixt godly and gracious peace, and that which is either pretended for advantage, or mistaken by error, and so labor to hold peace in purity…wishing him also well to remember, that peace in disobedience is that old theme of the false prophets, whereby they flattered the mighty, and deceived the simple.” See Jeremiah 6:14; 8:11; Romans 16:18. –taken from A History of New England Baptists: Volume 1 (p.2-3).

 

Topics: Separation, John Robinson

 

Bible Portraits include the Blemishes – “Alexander of Macedon was painted with his hand resting on his face, as if in reverie. But the real purpose was to hide the ugly scar on his cheek. The German emperor was photographed and painted standing in a position so that his withered arm would not appear. But in the Bible men are painted just as they are. No scar, however hideous, no ugly deformity is omitted. When Nathan rebuked the king [David] for his sin, he told him that what he had done would give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme [2Samuel 12:14]. It gave occasion then, and it gives occasion now.” –from The Parables of the Old Testament by Clarence E. Macartney (p.33).

 

Topics: Sin, Faults

 

 

July 20, 2005

 

 Need to Revive the Preachers “Too many who have undertaken the work of the ministry do so obstinately proceed in self-seeking, negligence, pride, and other sins, that it is become our necessary duty to admonish them. If we saw that such would reform without reproof, we would gladly forbear the publishing of their faults. But when reproofs themselves prove so ineffectual, that they are more offended at the reproof than at the sin, and had rather that we should cease reproving than that themselves should cease from sinning, I think it is time to sharpen the remedy. For what else should we do? ...And how can we more effectually further a reformation, than by endeavouring to reform the leaders of the Church?” –from The Reformed Pastor (p.39) by Richard Baxter (1615-1691).

 

Guard Against a Narrow Heart – Journal entry for Friday, January 5, 1739: “Did not find the pity I ought, upon seeing a brother full of self-love. Lord, enlarge my narrow heart, and give me that charity which rejoices not in iniquity, but in the truth. Perceived something a little bordering on envy towards my brother H. I kind more and more that true humility consists in being submissive to those who are a little above, or a little below us. Oh when shall I come to rejoice in others’ gifts and graces as much as in my own. I am resolved to wrestle with Jesus Christ by faith and prayer till He thus blesses me.” –from George Whitefield’s Journals (p.197).

 

 

July 19, 2005

 

Knowledge Begins with God “Nothing can be rightly known, if God be not known; nor is any study well managed, nor to any great purpose, if God is not studied. We know little of the creature, till we know it as it stands related to the Creator.” –from The Reformed Pastor by Richard Baxter (p.56).

 

When Christ Becomes Precious – “There are peculiar circumstances in the believer’s experience when Christ becomes especially precious to the soul. For example: in the deeper ploughings of the heart’s hidden sinfulness—when the Holy Ghost reveals more of the innate corruption of our nature, and gives a more spiritual perception of sin’s exceeding sinfulness, oh, how precious does the finished work of Christ then become!—how precious the blood that cleanseth from all sin! If God is leading you through this stage of Christian experience, beloved, be not alarmed; it is but to build up His dear Son upon the wreck and ruin of your own merit, strength, and sufficiency. He will have us love His Son with a love like His own—a love of divine, supreme, ineffable affection—and this can only be felt in the region of our own nothingness.” –from The Preciousness of Christ by Octavius Winslow (p.20-21)

 

 

July 14, 2005

 

Two-Fold Work of Christ – “The work of Jesus in the world is two-fold. It is a work accomplished for us, destined to effect reconciliation between God and man; it is a work accomplished in us, with the object of effecting our sanctification. By the one, a right relation is established between God and us; by the other is the fruit of the re-established order. By the former the condemned sinner is received into the state of grace: by the latter the pardoned sinner is associated with the life of God… How many express themselves as if when forgiveness, with the peace which it procures has been once obtained, all is finished, and the work of salvation complete. They seem to have no suspicion that salvation consists in the health of the soul, and that the health of the soul consists in holiness. Forgiveness is not the re-establishment of health, it is but the crisis of convalescence. If God thinks fit to declare the sinner righteous, it is in order that He may by that means restore him to holiness.” –by Godet from The Two-Fold Life by A. J. Gordon (p.8).

 

Fear Destroys Faith – In reference to the storm on the Sea of Galilee that so troubled the disciples (Mark 4:35-41), S. Franklin Logsdon in Lest He Faint (p.17-18) states: “That fear paralyses energy is a fact which no one would seriously question, but do we realize that fear destroys faith? Such was the case with the disciples. We might be disposed to feel that they had ample reason to become completely undone, but the Master would not agree with us. He demanded, and that pointedly, ‘Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?’ Fear and faith do not co-exist in the heart. Isaiah said, ‘I will trust and not be afraid’ (Isaiah 12:2). The Psalmist advanced similar testimony. The disciples were afraid but did not trust, and in this respect we bear a resemblance to them. As we travel life’s seas it is eminently essential that we become spiritually equipped to face any eventuality which may arise. His promise is that the waters shall not overflow. We must believe him. Someone has said, ‘If I could see as He sees, I would not be afraid. I cannot see as He sees, but I can hear what He says. And He says, “Be not afraid.”’' 

 

 

July 13, 2005

 

Where are the Tears? “The Bible was written in tears and to tears it will yield its best treasures. God has nothing to say to the frivolous man. It was to Moses, a trembling man, that God spoke on the mount, and that same man later saved the nation when he threw himself before God with the offer to have himself blotted out of God’s book for Israel’s sake. Daniel’s long season of fasting and prayer brought Gabriel from heaven to tell him the secret of the centuries. When the beloved John wept much because no one could be found worthy to open the seven-sealed book, one of the elders comforted him with the joyous news that the Lion of the tribe of Judah had prevailed.

 

“The psalmists often wrote in tears, the prophets could hardly conceal their heavy heartedness, and the apostle Paul in his otherwise joyous epistle to the Philippians broke into tears when he thought of the many who were enemies of the cross of Christ and whose end was destruction. Those Christian leaders who shook the world were one and all men of sorrows whose witness to mankind welled out of heavy hearts.” –from God Tells the Man Who Cares by A. W. Tozer (p.9).

 

 Imitation or Participation – In Bone of His Bone (p.19-20), F. J. Huegel claims that as Christians, “we have been proceeding upon a false basis. We have conceived of the Christian life as an Imitation of Christ. It is not an Imitation of Christ. It is a Participation of Christ. ‘For we are made partakers of Christ’ (Hebrews 3:14). There are good things in Thomas a Kempis’ Imitation of Christ, but the basic idea is false to the principles that underlie the Christian life. To proceed on the basis of Imitation, will plunge us in just the sort of slough of despond Paul found himself in when he wrote Romans 7… We are proceeding upon a false basis. We are attempting to do what the Saviour Himself never expected us to do. The Christian life is not an Imitation… Without Jesus I can do nothing. I must live in Him and, renouncing my own life, find in Him a ‘new life.’ ”

 

 

July 12, 2005

 

Bringing Down the Serpent – Early Tennessee Baptist preacher, Richard Evans (1824-1901), told this story of an incident that occurred in a mountain church. “He was preaching on one occasion in an old and somewhat dilapidated building, from the text, ‘And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up [John 3:14],’ when the sudden scream of a woman interrupted the devotions of the assembly. A black snake had lost its grip on some overhead timber and had fallen into the woman’s lap. The congregation adjourned without the benediction, to chase the fleeing reptile, but reassembled, to finish their devotions.” –from Tennessee Pioneer Baptist Preachers by J. J. Burnett (p.156).

 

Comfort in Creation – “When Mr. Simeon, of Cambridge [Charles Simeon: 1759-1836], was on his dying bed, his biographer relates that, ‘after a short pause, he looked round with one of his bright smiles, and asked, “What do you think especially gives me comfort at this time? The creation! Did Jehovah create the world or did I? I think He did; now if He made the world, He can sufficiently take care of me.”’” –from Anecdotes Illustrative of Old Testament Texts (p.1).

 

 

July 8, 2005

 

One Dream Too Many – In Valley So Wild (p.89-90), Alberta and Carson Brewer tell how land in the Little Tennessee Valley was settled by whites in the early 1800’s. One of the early settlers was John McGhee and he wanted all the rich river-bottom land he could get. “The island land was especially rich. McGhee wanted it too. The Indian owner of one island wanted a very fine rifle McGhee had. One day the Indian told McGhee he had a dream. In the dream the Great Spirit had told him that McGhee gave him the rifle. ‘What the Great Spirit said, John McGhee will do. Here, take the rifle,’ McGhee responded.

 

“A short while later McGhee told the Indian he, too, had dreamed, and the Great Spirit told him the Indian had given him the island. The Indian offered, ‘Here, take gun back.’ McGhee shook his head. ‘Can’t take gun back. Indian dreamed it away. No good to McGhee any more.’ The Indian reflected gloomily. Then he replied: ‘Big chief make you a deed to island, but Indian no dream against white man no more.’ ”

 

He Trusted in God – “The deepest and most fundamental thing in the life and character of Jesus was His trust in God. This was the music and the inspiration of all His life. Even His enemies testified to this, for when He was dying upon the cross they laughed and jeered at Him, saying, ‘Ha, ha, He trusted in God.’ No blacker jeer was ever vomited out of hell, yet it tells us that His whole life was such that it gave the people among whom He moved the impression that He trusted in God. And He always trusted in God. There is no break in the music of His trust anywhere. As a boy He said, ‘Wist ye not that I must be about my My Father’s business?’ And His last words on the cross were, ‘Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.’ ” –from The Victorious Life by Charles F. Weigle (p.11-12).

 

 

July 7, 2005

 

Appearance Does Not Tell All – William Romaine (1714-1795) was known later in life as one of the most powerful evangelistic preachers in England. However, he did not conform to the contemporary standards of fine dress. While he was a young man studying at Oxford University, there is a story “which shows the esteem in which he was held at the university, as well as the disregard he paid to his dress—a disregard that was noticeable in all his future life… ‘Dress was never his foible, his mind was superior to such borrowed ornaments; and, immersed in nobler pursuits of literature, before consecrated to a still more exalted purpose, he paid but little attention to outward decorations. Being observed to pass by rather negligently attired, a visitor enquired of his friend, a master of one of the colleges: “Who is that slovenly person with his stockings down?” The master replied, “That slovenly person, as you call him, is one of the greatest geniuses of the age, and is likely to be one of the greatest men of the kingdom.”’” –from An Iron Pillar by Tim Shelton (p.27).

 

Church Replaced by Schools – In The Gospel Working Up, Beth Barton Schweiger uses the Baptist and Methodists of 19th century Virginia to illustrate the transformation in their approach to changing lives. In reference to their growing emphasis on education she states (p.62): “Their enthusiasm for religious schooling overwhelmed even their vision of the necessity of church congregations. As a Virginia Baptist pastor declared in 1853, the fulcrum at which to stand if one wished to overturn the world was ‘the District School, the Academy, the College. Let me govern them, and I will revolutionize the world.’ It was a telling slip of the tongue. By the 1850’s, leading Baptists and Methodists had committed themselves to turning their world upside down through the school rather than the church.”

 

 

July 6, 2005

 

Muslim Calf Moos – An interesting insight into the way the Koran corrupts the true Bible record can be seen in its account of the making of the golden calf. Compare the biblical record of Exodus, chapter 32, with this translation of the Koran by Ahmed Ali (7:148): “In the absence of Moses his people prepared the image of a calf from their ornaments, which gave out the mooing of a cow.” Later, when Moses descended from Mount Sinai, “he cast aside the tablets” (7:150) and then, when “his anger subsided Moses picked up the tablets. Inscribed on them was guidance and grace for those who fear their Lord” (7:154). Yet, Exodus 32:19 clearly states, “And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.” This is only one of many examples of how the Bible record is changed in the Koran. But Deuteronomy 4:2 warns, “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” [bold emphasis added]

 

Fit For a Special Work – When God calls a man for a specific work, He makes him right for that work in every way. Baptist evangelist Mordecai Ham (early 20th century) was such a man. “God made Mr. Ham a spiritual pioneer; thousands have followed his crystal-clear message into the Kingdom of light—literally thousands of preachers in the South have heard their ‘calling’ through the revivalist’s ministry. His success was also a result of his pouring all his energies into the one pursuit of winning souls to Christ. He has never had a hobby, other than preaching, and has never patronized commercial amusements or sports. He has exercised his body only by the vigorous regimen of preaching five and six times a day and traveling hundreds of miles on every description of conveyance in order to keep appointments. He has had but one purpose, to glorify Christ Jesus, has run but one track, evangelism, and has sought but one station, Heaven, for all those who came within hearing of his message.” –from A Biography of M. F. Ham by E. E. Ham (p.75).

 

 

July 5, 2005

 

Blind to Heaven-Sent Messages – “Our blunders mostly come from letting our wishes interpret our duties, or hide from us plain indications of unwelcome tasks. We are all apt to do like Nelson, and put the telescope to the blind eye when a signal is flying that we dislike.” –from MacLaren’s 1024 Best Illustrations (p.14-15).

 

Will the Real Prisoner Please Step Forward – “These days of war remind us afresh of the man who reported to his commanding officer, ‘I have taken a prisoner.’ His commander said, ‘Bring him along with you.’ ‘He won’t come,’ complained the soldier. ‘Well, then, come yourself,’ replied the officer. ‘I can’t. He won’t let me,’ was the final acknowledgement. I fear there is a great deal of Christian victory that is no deeper than that.” –from Born Crucified by L. E. Maxwell (p.19).

 

 

July 4, 2005

 

Taking Advantage of the Frustrations in Life – “Learn to turn to good advantage the unscheduled twist of events which throws your well-laid plans into confusion. Since even a methodical and careful man cannot always avoid such upsets, he must achieve that maturity which knows how to absorb and exploit them. The finest self-discipline is seen, not in rigidity, but in resiliency. Here are some simple rules:

  1. See that fretting is folly. It will change nothing, excepting as it changes a sunny mood into a sour one. Fretting is the reaction of the small man, whose imagination is stunted, whose stock of ideas is exhausted, and whose life is self-centered. The big man refuses to waste nervous energy in fruitless sputtering.
  2. Thank God for His hidden providence. Claim the ‘all things’ of Romans 8:28. Recognize quite humbly that what seems to you at the moment nothing but human blundering may be the gentle steering of God…
  3. Ask God to show you how to turn your frustration into His fulfillment. Look for the human need which you probably would have missed in your bustling efficiency.” –from The Disciplined Life by Richard S. Taylor (p.88-89).

 

Two Things I Fear – “Having walked the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ on at least two occasions, I think that for me death has lost some of its terror. But there are two things that I am afraid of: one, my lack of faith; the other, the judgment seat of Christ. I am not afraid that I shall get an unjust ‘deal’ there (‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’), but I am afraid that millions who have professed Christ’s name will discover in that awful day that it is a serious business to bury talents.” –from Meat for Men by Leonard Ravenhill (p.117).

 

 

July 1, 2005

 

On the Edge of Eternity – “ ‘I am on the bright side of seventy,’ said an aged man of God; ‘the bright side, because nearer to everlasting glory.’ ‘Nature fails,’ said another, ‘but I am happy.’ ‘My work is done,’ said the Countess of Huntingdon, when eighty-four years old: ‘I have nothing to do but to go to my Father.’ To a humble Christian it was remarked, ‘I fear you are near another world.’ ‘Fear it, sir!’ he replied, ‘I know I am; but, blessed be the Lord! I do not fear it: I hope it.’ ” –from New Encyclopedia of Prose Illustrations (p.20).

 

Into the Hand of God – King George VI of England (reigned 1936-1952) never expected to be king of England but had the job and its duties thrust on him when his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry an American divorcee, Mrs. Ernest Simpson. George VI did not have the commanding presence of his brother and struggled with stuttering. However, he faithfully led his country through the time of the Second World War and reached out to his people through regular radio broadcasts. “His most famous broadcast came at Christmas in 1939, when he made a great effect quoting a little-known poet who had written:

 

            ‘I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year,

            “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’

            And he replied, “Go out into the darkness,

            And put your hand into the Hand of God.

            That shall be better than light, and safer than a known way.”

 

May the Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all.’ ” –from The Lives of the Kings and Queens of England by Antonia Fraser (p.354).

 

 

 

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