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epistle for February 15, 2002

#1 · February 15, 2002, 3:01 am

Quote from Forum Archives on February 15, 2002, 3:01 am
Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>

e-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 15, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this Issue:
Sermon: Job 1:21
Bible Study: Philippians 3:3-14, 17
Personal Growth of the Minister
Fellowship of Christian Educators Registration Form

"The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away"
(Job 1:21)

This paraphrased text from Job 1:21 may well be applied to the anointing of God upon his servants. Saul is a prime example of this truth.

He was tall, dark, and handsome, this Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. First Samuel, chapter 9 speaks of the circumstances of his anointing. The donkeys of his father, Kish, were lost, and Saul was sent to find them. He and his servant searched everywhere . . . Ephraim, Shalisha, Shaalim, Benjamin, and Zuph.

After several days, he wanted to return home, for by now his father would be worried about the son, rather than about the donkeys. The servant suggested they ask advice from the prophet, Samuel. He even paid for the visit, and some young women pointed the way to where Samuel was.

Meanwhile, Samuel had heard from the Lord that a divine appointment had been arranged with Saul, whom he was to anoint. So it was that Saul met Samuel without knowing him, and received the answer that the donkeys had been found without asking him. Saul and Samuel ate a meal together, with humility. Chapter 10 then tells of Saul's anointing, empowering by the Spirit, and coronation as King of Israel.

LESSONS ABOUT RECEIVING THE ANOINTING

1. If we have discerning eyes of faith, we may be able to see and recognize
God's hand at work in ordinary happenings. (Did God cause the donkeys to
stray? I don't know, but it wouldn't be the only time He used donkeys to
accomplish His purpose.)
2. God chooses people who are faithfully working at their smaller responsibilities
to accomplish His greater purpose.
3. A simple suggestion and/or an insignificant gift to God's service may be used to
alter the entire course of history of a nation. (Credit Saul's servant here!)
4. God places persons across our paths to point the way if and when we need
directions (servants and girls drawing water).
5. Sometimes God reveals our destiny to another godly person who gives us that
call "out of the blue."
6. God takes care of the low priority things that concern us, while He is dealing with
us on a higher level. (The donkeys are found.)
7. Humility is the only proper response to make when someone gives us praise and
honor. The "anointing" is a gift, not something worked for or earned.

LESSONS ABOUT LOSING THE ANOINTING

Samuel was commanded by God to "anoint him commander over My people," I Samuel 9:16. In the first verse of the next chapter, Samuel said, "The Lord has anointed you commander." But after Saul's death, David wrote a funeral song referring to "the shield of Saul not anointed . . ." (II Samuel 1:21.)

The history of Saul's life between receiving the anointing and losing it is a tragic one. At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Saul was an insecure little man. His life is a downhill slide into oblivion. His blunders and shortcomings, his rebellion and stubbornness, his sin and iniquity stand as clear warnings to us who are God's present-day anointed leaders. Notice his downward progression:

1. He took credit for another person's accomplishment, I Samuel 13:1-4.
Jonathan won the victory, but Israel heard that Saul had attacked the
Philistines.
2. He "took matters into his own hands to make it happen." Saul had
announced a sacrifice and everyone except Samuel came. To save
face, Saul sacrificed . . . assuming the position and authority of another
person, I Samuel 13:8-12. Much of Saul's sin was connected with his
self-image problem . . . and his trying to make himself look better.
Here he lost the possibility of permanent influence, v. 14.
3. He made decisions based on human wisdom, not taking time to hear
first from God, I Samuel 14:19, 36-37. Saul felt compelled to do some-
thing, even if it was the wrong thing!
4. He made pious-sounding statements, not based on God's word, but to
make himself look good, I Samuel 14:24. "Cursed is the man who eats
until I take vengeance on my enemies." This foolish pronouncement
caused the people to sin by hungrily eating meat without draining the
blood, I Samuel 14:32. It also prevented them from winning a complete
victory, vv. 28-30.
5. He blamed others for problems caused by his personal failure,
I Samuel 14:33; 15:20-21, 24.
6. He only partially obeyed God's commands, assuming a privileged
exemption from complete obedience, thus enhancing his personal
honor and glory, I Samuel 15:1-9. He spared Agag to march him
through the land in a victory parade.
7. He erected a monument to bring glory and honor to himself,
I Samuel 15:12 . . . motivated by his desire to be remembered.
8. He made his own rules for worshipping God and giving to Him,
I Samuel 15:14, 15. Lying to God about worship and giving is an
act of a fool. Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 did the same thing,
with similar consequences.
9. He denied that anything wrong had been done, I Samuel 15:20-21, 24.
"I have obeyed (except for one little thing), and the other sin wasn't
my fault (I had no choice)." Here he lost his present position, v. 26.
10. Saul's path of rebellion and stubbornness opened his life to demonic
influences . . . witchcraft, I Samuel 15:23. The night before his death,
he involved himself in a seance, I Samuel 28. Finally here he lost
his life (25: 19; 31:4).

Saul lost his anointing little by little. Samuel's warning to him is a vital word to us today: "To obey is better than sacrifice," I Samuel 15:22. Why is it better? Because, if man had obeyed in the Garden of Eden, no sacrifice would have been needed on Calvary.

This One Thing I Do
(Philippians 3:3-14, 17)

I. Concentration: on who are the true Jews (spiritual Israel) . . .

1. Persons who worship God in the Spirit, v. 3.
2. Persons who rejoice in Christ Jesus, v. 3.
3. Persons who have no confidence in the saving power of
their human good works ("in the flesh,") vv. 3-8.
4. Persons who have received Christ's righteousness by
faith in God, v. 9.

II. Meditation: on a growing Christian's heart-felt desires (v. 10)

1. To know Christ intimately . . . "abiding" in Him, John 15.
2. To experience the power of His resurrection (through the Holy Spirit).
3. To share in the fellowship of His sufferings, including being persecuted.
4. To be completely dedicated to Him . . . even unto death.

III. Revelation: on how to accomplish these spiritual goals (vv. 13-14)

1. Face life with humility.
"I do not count myself to have apprehended."
2. Forget past failures and successes.
"Forgetting those things that are behind."
3. Finish the race with perseverance and endurance.
"Reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
4. Focus on Jesus (His will and purpose for me.)
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus."

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .

1. Recognize my position as a member of "spiritual Israel," and claim
the promises God made to His people in the Old Testament.
2. Identify completely with (and participate in) Christ's life, suffering,
death, and resurrection.
3. "Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2.
4. Live a Spirit-filled life so I will be able truly to say with Paul: "Brethern,
join in following my example," Philippians 3:17.

Personal Growth of the Minister
by: Dr. David Claybrook, pastor, Christ Church-St. Louis

Dear JD (Jesus's Disciple)

We can become addicted to anything and all of us are addicted to something. I learned at FreeWay Foundation (subliminal ad) that God has designed our nervous system in such a way that neurons change their chemical makeup in response to repeated actions, especially those actions perceived as beneficial. Now by beneficial, it is meant they give pleasure or create a sense of peace or well-being. Therefore, it seems to me, that God designed us to be addicts. And, as far as I can tell, almost anything in life can be addictive, not just drugs and alcohol, but work, approval, relationships, power, spending money, pets, sex, computers, preaching, reading, sleep, TV, sports, and on and on.

Though the word, addiction, usually carries a negative meaning, I am not using it in that sense. Rather, I am just saying that God has designed us in such a way that we strongly desire to repeat experiences that are beneficial. Why would He do that? I believe it is because He wants us to become addicted to Him. You may take issue with the word. Fine, but the fact is we all have things in our lives that we keep going back to for that sense of pleasure or peace we desire. I believe it is supposed to be God Himself. Compare these commands and declarations from Scripture with well known characteristics of addiction.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He gives peace. How about Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Addictions greatly influence life decisions. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." The addict sacrifices even the best life offers to pursue his addiction. Paul is a great example of this. In Philippians 3:7-8, he describes his life with terms an addict might use. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I might gain Christ . . ." Many have lost all in order to continue their addictive behavior. Paul also said, "For me to live is Christ." He sounds "hooked" to me!

In the sixth chapter of John we have recorded what may be Jesus' strongest words regarding the call to be His disciples. In verse 56, He says, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." After these sayings many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (verse 66) He asked the Twelve, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" "Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"

I don't know about you, JD, but I have to admit I often go to someone or something else for that sense of "life." In fact, there are a few "bad" addictions (the writer of Hebrews calls them "sin that entangles") that I have struggled against all my life. What I have learned is that willpower, rules and good intentions are not enough to overcome them. Instead, I have to replace them with stronger desires and actions. Jesus can be the focus of those new desires and actions. Here is some good news, spending time with Him, reading His word, talking with Him, listening to Him, enjoying Him requires discipline at first, but thankfully, God has designed us so that repeating these actions results in a major addiction. And that is my goal: to become addicted to Jesus, not His work, not His church, but Jesus. The bad news is, "I am not quite there yet!" How about you, JD? To whom or what are you addicted?

IN CHRIST, DM (Disciple Maker)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wit and Wisecrack: Twain said: "Nothing needs so reforming as other people's habits."

Pastors, do you have a member of your church who might be interested in becoming a part of Fellowship of Christian Educators!

We are looking for one active church member who works in each of the 88,000 public schools in the U.S. Here's what we ask that key person to do:

1. Agree to schedule and lead a brief prayer-share time
in your school building every week . . . ideally for 20
minutes before school begins on Monday morning, to pray
for faculty, staff, students, and their families.

2. Gather together two or more of your fellow Christians to form
a FCE group, agreeing to pay the nominal $10 annual fee to
register your group.

Here's what you will receive from FCE for that $10 registration fee:

1. FCE will add your chapter to our closely protected listing to
receive the weekly e-mail newsletter "E-merge" which will
contain an original devotional meditation by Dr. Curt Scarborough,
written especially for public school teachers.

2. "E-merge" also will serve as a means for sharing special, crisis prayer
requests so that Christian teachers in other schools across the nation
may join together with you in simultaneous intercession to the Lord.

3. FCE will send your chapter an official membership certificate, along
with enough membership cards for distribution to those who attend
the weekly meeting in your school.

FCE plans to publish an annual directory of chapters affiliated with this organization, listing only the name of the school and its e-mail address. If you do not wish to be listed, please indicate that on the registration form below.
For further information about FCE, call toll-free 1-888-7FREEWAY.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fellowship of Christian Educators

___I am willing to serve as the FCE leader

___________________________________________________School

___________________________________________________Dictrict

____________________________________________________Name

__________________________________________________Address

______________________________________________________City

____State _________________Zip _____________________Phone

___Do not publish my e-mail address or school name

Posted by: ccfmo <ccfmo@...>

e-pistle

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 15, 2002

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In this Issue:
Sermon: Job 1:21
Bible Study: Philippians 3:3-14, 17
Personal Growth of the Minister
Fellowship of Christian Educators Registration Form

"The Lord Gives and the Lord Takes Away"
(Job 1:21)

This paraphrased text from Job 1:21 may well be applied to the anointing of God upon his servants. Saul is a prime example of this truth.

He was tall, dark, and handsome, this Saul of the tribe of Benjamin. First Samuel, chapter 9 speaks of the circumstances of his anointing. The donkeys of his father, Kish, were lost, and Saul was sent to find them. He and his servant searched everywhere . . . Ephraim, Shalisha, Shaalim, Benjamin, and Zuph.

After several days, he wanted to return home, for by now his father would be worried about the son, rather than about the donkeys. The servant suggested they ask advice from the prophet, Samuel. He even paid for the visit, and some young women pointed the way to where Samuel was.

Meanwhile, Samuel had heard from the Lord that a divine appointment had been arranged with Saul, whom he was to anoint. So it was that Saul met Samuel without knowing him, and received the answer that the donkeys had been found without asking him. Saul and Samuel ate a meal together, with humility. Chapter 10 then tells of Saul's anointing, empowering by the Spirit, and coronation as King of Israel.

LESSONS ABOUT RECEIVING THE ANOINTING

1. If we have discerning eyes of faith, we may be able to see and recognize
God's hand at work in ordinary happenings. (Did God cause the donkeys to
stray? I don't know, but it wouldn't be the only time He used donkeys to
accomplish His purpose.)
2. God chooses people who are faithfully working at their smaller responsibilities
to accomplish His greater purpose.
3. A simple suggestion and/or an insignificant gift to God's service may be used to
alter the entire course of history of a nation. (Credit Saul's servant here!)
4. God places persons across our paths to point the way if and when we need
directions (servants and girls drawing water).
5. Sometimes God reveals our destiny to another godly person who gives us that
call "out of the blue."
6. God takes care of the low priority things that concern us, while He is dealing with
us on a higher level. (The donkeys are found.)
7. Humility is the only proper response to make when someone gives us praise and
honor. The "anointing" is a gift, not something worked for or earned.

LESSONS ABOUT LOSING THE ANOINTING

Samuel was commanded by God to "anoint him commander over My people," I Samuel 9:16. In the first verse of the next chapter, Samuel said, "The Lord has anointed you commander." But after Saul's death, David wrote a funeral song referring to "the shield of Saul not anointed . . ." (II Samuel 1:21.)

The history of Saul's life between receiving the anointing and losing it is a tragic one. At 6 feet, 8 inches tall, Saul was an insecure little man. His life is a downhill slide into oblivion. His blunders and shortcomings, his rebellion and stubbornness, his sin and iniquity stand as clear warnings to us who are God's present-day anointed leaders. Notice his downward progression:

1. He took credit for another person's accomplishment, I Samuel 13:1-4.
Jonathan won the victory, but Israel heard that Saul had attacked the
Philistines.
2. He "took matters into his own hands to make it happen." Saul had
announced a sacrifice and everyone except Samuel came. To save
face, Saul sacrificed . . . assuming the position and authority of another
person, I Samuel 13:8-12. Much of Saul's sin was connected with his
self-image problem . . . and his trying to make himself look better.
Here he lost the possibility of permanent influence, v. 14.
3. He made decisions based on human wisdom, not taking time to hear
first from God, I Samuel 14:19, 36-37. Saul felt compelled to do some-
thing, even if it was the wrong thing!
4. He made pious-sounding statements, not based on God's word, but to
make himself look good, I Samuel 14:24. "Cursed is the man who eats
until I take vengeance on my enemies." This foolish pronouncement
caused the people to sin by hungrily eating meat without draining the
blood, I Samuel 14:32. It also prevented them from winning a complete
victory, vv. 28-30.
5. He blamed others for problems caused by his personal failure,
I Samuel 14:33; 15:20-21, 24.
6. He only partially obeyed God's commands, assuming a privileged
exemption from complete obedience, thus enhancing his personal
honor and glory, I Samuel 15:1-9. He spared Agag to march him
through the land in a victory parade.
7. He erected a monument to bring glory and honor to himself,
I Samuel 15:12 . . . motivated by his desire to be remembered.
8. He made his own rules for worshipping God and giving to Him,
I Samuel 15:14, 15. Lying to God about worship and giving is an
act of a fool. Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 did the same thing,
with similar consequences.
9. He denied that anything wrong had been done, I Samuel 15:20-21, 24.
"I have obeyed (except for one little thing), and the other sin wasn't
my fault (I had no choice)." Here he lost his present position, v. 26.
10. Saul's path of rebellion and stubbornness opened his life to demonic
influences . . . witchcraft, I Samuel 15:23. The night before his death,
he involved himself in a seance, I Samuel 28. Finally here he lost
his life (25: 19; 31:4).

Saul lost his anointing little by little. Samuel's warning to him is a vital word to us today: "To obey is better than sacrifice," I Samuel 15:22. Why is it better? Because, if man had obeyed in the Garden of Eden, no sacrifice would have been needed on Calvary.

This One Thing I Do
(Philippians 3:3-14, 17)

I. Concentration: on who are the true Jews (spiritual Israel) . . .

1. Persons who worship God in the Spirit, v. 3.
2. Persons who rejoice in Christ Jesus, v. 3.
3. Persons who have no confidence in the saving power of
their human good works ("in the flesh,") vv. 3-8.
4. Persons who have received Christ's righteousness by
faith in God, v. 9.

II. Meditation: on a growing Christian's heart-felt desires (v. 10)

1. To know Christ intimately . . . "abiding" in Him, John 15.
2. To experience the power of His resurrection (through the Holy Spirit).
3. To share in the fellowship of His sufferings, including being persecuted.
4. To be completely dedicated to Him . . . even unto death.

III. Revelation: on how to accomplish these spiritual goals (vv. 13-14)

1. Face life with humility.
"I do not count myself to have apprehended."
2. Forget past failures and successes.
"Forgetting those things that are behind."
3. Finish the race with perseverance and endurance.
"Reaching forward to those things which are ahead."
4. Focus on Jesus (His will and purpose for me.)
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus."

IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .

1. Recognize my position as a member of "spiritual Israel," and claim
the promises God made to His people in the Old Testament.
2. Identify completely with (and participate in) Christ's life, suffering,
death, and resurrection.
3. "Run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith." Hebrews 12:1-2.
4. Live a Spirit-filled life so I will be able truly to say with Paul: "Brethern,
join in following my example," Philippians 3:17.

Personal Growth of the Minister
by: Dr. David Claybrook, pastor, Christ Church-St. Louis

Dear JD (Jesus's Disciple)

We can become addicted to anything and all of us are addicted to something. I learned at FreeWay Foundation (subliminal ad) that God has designed our nervous system in such a way that neurons change their chemical makeup in response to repeated actions, especially those actions perceived as beneficial. Now by beneficial, it is meant they give pleasure or create a sense of peace or well-being. Therefore, it seems to me, that God designed us to be addicts. And, as far as I can tell, almost anything in life can be addictive, not just drugs and alcohol, but work, approval, relationships, power, spending money, pets, sex, computers, preaching, reading, sleep, TV, sports, and on and on.

Though the word, addiction, usually carries a negative meaning, I am not using it in that sense. Rather, I am just saying that God has designed us in such a way that we strongly desire to repeat experiences that are beneficial. Why would He do that? I believe it is because He wants us to become addicted to Him. You may take issue with the word. Fine, but the fact is we all have things in our lives that we keep going back to for that sense of pleasure or peace we desire. I believe it is supposed to be God Himself. Compare these commands and declarations from Scripture with well known characteristics of addiction.

In Matthew 11:28, Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." He gives peace. How about Ephesians 5:18, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Addictions greatly influence life decisions. In Luke 14:26, Jesus says, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple." The addict sacrifices even the best life offers to pursue his addiction. Paul is a great example of this. In Philippians 3:7-8, he describes his life with terms an addict might use. "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I might gain Christ . . ." Many have lost all in order to continue their addictive behavior. Paul also said, "For me to live is Christ." He sounds "hooked" to me!

In the sixth chapter of John we have recorded what may be Jesus' strongest words regarding the call to be His disciples. In verse 56, He says, "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him." After these sayings many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. (verse 66) He asked the Twelve, "You do not want to leave too, do you?" "Simon Peter answered Him, 'Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.'"

I don't know about you, JD, but I have to admit I often go to someone or something else for that sense of "life." In fact, there are a few "bad" addictions (the writer of Hebrews calls them "sin that entangles") that I have struggled against all my life. What I have learned is that willpower, rules and good intentions are not enough to overcome them. Instead, I have to replace them with stronger desires and actions. Jesus can be the focus of those new desires and actions. Here is some good news, spending time with Him, reading His word, talking with Him, listening to Him, enjoying Him requires discipline at first, but thankfully, God has designed us so that repeating these actions results in a major addiction. And that is my goal: to become addicted to Jesus, not His work, not His church, but Jesus. The bad news is, "I am not quite there yet!" How about you, JD? To whom or what are you addicted?

IN CHRIST, DM (Disciple Maker)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wit and Wisecrack: Twain said: "Nothing needs so reforming as other people's habits."

Pastors, do you have a member of your church who might be interested in becoming a part of Fellowship of Christian Educators!

We are looking for one active church member who works in each of the 88,000 public schools in the U.S. Here's what we ask that key person to do:

1. Agree to schedule and lead a brief prayer-share time
in your school building every week . . . ideally for 20
minutes before school begins on Monday morning, to pray
for faculty, staff, students, and their families.

2. Gather together two or more of your fellow Christians to form
a FCE group, agreeing to pay the nominal $10 annual fee to
register your group.

Here's what you will receive from FCE for that $10 registration fee:

1. FCE will add your chapter to our closely protected listing to
receive the weekly e-mail newsletter "E-merge" which will
contain an original devotional meditation by Dr. Curt Scarborough,
written especially for public school teachers.

2. "E-merge" also will serve as a means for sharing special, crisis prayer
requests so that Christian teachers in other schools across the nation
may join together with you in simultaneous intercession to the Lord.

3. FCE will send your chapter an official membership certificate, along
with enough membership cards for distribution to those who attend
the weekly meeting in your school.

FCE plans to publish an annual directory of chapters affiliated with this organization, listing only the name of the school and its e-mail address. If you do not wish to be listed, please indicate that on the registration form below.
For further information about FCE, call toll-free 1-888-7FREEWAY.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fellowship of Christian Educators

___I am willing to serve as the FCE leader

___________________________________________________School

___________________________________________________Dictrict

____________________________________________________Name

__________________________________________________Address

______________________________________________________City

____State _________________Zip _____________________Phone

___Do not publish my e-mail address or school name