E-pistle for August 31, 2007
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E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation August 31, 2007
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
by: Dr. Curt Scarborough
1. Fasting: at least one meal each week.
Matthew 6:16-18; Matthew 17:20-21; Isaiah 58:3-7
2. Praying: confession and intercession, "without ceasing" . . .
at least three times daily, using the Model Prayer.
Psalm 55:17; I Thessalonians 5:17; Matthew 6:9-13; I John 1:9
3. Singing: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs . . .
making melody in your heart continually.
Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; James 5:13
4. Praising: speaking words to magnify the Lord,
at least seven times daily.
Psalm 119:164; Psalm 150:1-6; Hebrews 13:15; Revelation 19:5
5. Reading: God's word daily . . . through the Bible annually.
II Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12
6. Meditating: daily on the spiritual truths and implications
in each chosen Scripture passage.
Psalm 19:14; Philippians 4:8
7. Receiving: the Holy Spirit's fullness, enlightenment,
revelation, renewal, refreshing, and power daily.
John 14:26; Ephesians 1:17; 5:18; James 1:5; I John 2:27
8. Journaling: daily writing personal reflections, revelations,
experiences, and spiritual applications.
Deuteronomy 17:18-20; Jeremiah 30:2; Habakkuk 2:2
Deep Calls Unto Deep
(Psalm 42:1-11)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I, Concentration: on the needs of my soul
1. My soul pants . . . I need a breath of air, v. 1.
2. My soul thirsts . . . I need a drink of water, vv. 1, 2.
3. My soul is poured out . . . I need to overcome my emptiness
and loneliness by joining with others in joyful praise and
celebration, vv. 3, 4.
4. My soul is cast down . . . I need to hope in God's help, vv. 5, 11.
II. Meditation: on "DEEP"
1. "DEEP" means extending far below the surface; wisdom and
discernment.
2. The Spirit searches . . . the "DEEP" things of God, I Corinthians 2:10, 16.
3. "Oh, the "DEPTH" of the riches both of the wisdom, and knowledge of
God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding
out," Romans 11:33.
4. "That you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
with all the saints what is the width and length and "DEPTH" and height
-to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, Ephesians 3:17-19.
III. Revelation: on verse 6
1. "Land of Jordan" = plain of the Dead Sea, 1,300 feet below sea level.
2. "Height of Hermon" = far away place of God's revelation (Mount of
Transfiguration).
3. "Hill Mizar" = "little" hill, perhaps the rim of a crater of a volcano.
4. I need God . . . when I am down in the valley (depression); when God seems
far away (distance); and when I stand on the brink of hell's fire (danger).
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to know that: (Isaiah 55:6-9)
1. Weariness, dryness, loneliness, and hopelessness (depression, distance,
and danger) are places of the soul which only may be satisfied by God's
"DEEP."
2. The "DEEP THINGS OF GOD." I Corinthians 2:10, include
(1) God's prepared blessings for those who love Him, I Corinthians 2:10.
(2) Wisdom and knowledge, Romans 11:33.
(3) Judgments and ways . . . decisions and providence, Romans 11:33.
(4) The love of Christ, Ephesians 3:17-19.
3. My soul needs God as a choking/drowning man needs oxygen; as a
dehydrated man needs water; as a starving man needs food.
4. In my "DEEP" times, God provides the breath of the Holy Spirit, the water
of life, the fellowship/communion of worship, and the hope for the future.
These are my "songs in the night," Psalm 42:8.
Advice To God's Chosen Leaders
(Deuteronomy 17:1-20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Capital punishment by stoning was required for idolaters on the
testimony of at least two witnesses, vv. 1-7.
2. Local disputes could be appealed to the priests, Levites, and
judges "in the place which the Lord chooses" (later revealed as
Jerusalem, the capitol of the nation), and persons refusing to
accept the judgment of the high court were to be executed, vv. 8-13.
3. The establishment of the monarchy was foreseen, and kings were
forbidden to multiply horses, wives, silver, and gold . . . prohibitions
which were violated by many of the kings of Judah and Israel, vv. 14-17.
4. Kings were ordered by the Lord to write personal copies of God's law
for their own study, meditation, and guidance, vv. 18-20.
II. Meditation: on the advice to God's chosen leaders (vv. 18-19)
1. Write for yourself in a book a copy of God's word.
2. Keep this hand-written copy with you.
3. Read it every day.
4. Record the points of your spiritual journey in a journal, Numbers 33:2.
III. Revelation: on the beneficial results of this discipline (vv. 19-20)
1. God is worshipped reverently.
2. God's word is obeyed carefully.
3. The heart is humbled genuinely.
4. The life is guided righteously.
5. The family is blessed abundantly.
6. Man's service is prolonged significantly.
7. His reputation is remembered eternally.
IV. Applications: as a Christian leader, I need to . . .
1. Daily read, study, meditate, and write God's word, keeping a
spiritual journal of His personal revelations to me.
2. Faithfully obey God's word as an act of worship.
3. Live in a humble, spiritual relationship with God, seeking
and following His divine guidance for my life.
4. Know that such discipline brings spiritual blessings . . . upon
me personally, upon my family, and upon my ministry.
"I lived what most people call the good life. I was happy,
but deep inside I always felt that, with the short
amount of time we are given to live and love
in this world, we spend too much time
loving things instead of people."
-Antonia Brenner
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