E-pistle for September 16, 2005
Posted by: info <info@...>
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President Freeway
Foundation September 16, 2005
"Arts and Sciences"
Dr. Curt Scarborough
Just as the two basic disciplines for college degrees are the
Arts and
Sciences, so Philippians 4:8 similarly may be analyzed. "Whatever things
are
true . . . noble . . . right . . . pure . . . lovely . . . admirable . . .
excellent . . .
praiseworthy . . . meditate on these things.
The first four things on which Christians are told to meditate
(true,
noble, right, pure) have an absolute, scientific quality about them. These
things
are either true or false, right or wrong! The second set (lovely,
admirable,
excellent, praiseworthy) have a more subjective, "arty" quality about them.
The word "lovely," for example, is defined as beautiful in mind
or
character; delightful; well-pleasing to the senses. "Lovely" is a little
hard to put
your finger on. It's like the fellow visiting an art museum who said, "I
don't
really understand these paintings, but I know what I like."
The Bible uses the word "lovely" in four ways:
1. Of physical beauty - of face, mouth, form, and features
(Genesis 29:17; Esther 1:11; 2:7; Amos 8:13; and several
times in the Song of Solomon)
2. Of life and character - from David's eulogy for Jonathan
(II Samuel 1:23)
3. Of objects seen - architecture of the place of worship
(Psalm 84:1)
4. Of sounds heard - music sung or played on an instrument
(Ezekiel 33:32)
Paul recommends that Christians meditate on lovely persons,
whose lives
have been a blessing to them personally, or to society in general. He
directs us to
focus on the character of attractive persons whose lives may serve as our
inspiration
and model. His instruction to meditate on lovely things also includes those
which
are beautiful to the eye (natural landscapes or manmade structures), and
those
things which are delightful to the ear (vocal and instrumental music).
Relatively few of us participate in the "arts," but all of us
are involved
regularly with "lovely" things. The emphasis and focus here is that we
ought to
think about beautiful persons and things, rather than about the "ugly stuff"
all around
us. In a sense, we Christians need to take a spiritual course in "Art
Appreciation."
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Lord, beautify my character to radiate Your
loveliness,
and help me appreciate
and enjoy the lovely persons
and things You've put
into my life.
God Always Answers "YES"
(II Corinthians 1:20)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. When the miracle meets these criteria:
1. The miraculous answer will glorify God's name.
2. The miraculous answer will accomplish His divine purpose.
3. The miraculous answer will help needy, hurting people.
4. The miraculous answer will build faith and character.
5. . AND .
II. When the person praying:
1. Is living under the New Covenant (repentance, confession,
forgiveness).
2. Is solely motivated by love for God and for the needy person.
3. Has received a word (revelation) that the miracle is God's will.
(See IV. Below)
4. Speaks in faith a prophetic word "to the mountain."
5. . AND .
III. When the person "receiving" the miracle:
1. Believes that God is ready, able, and willing to perform His work.
2. Is open (yielded; surrendered) to receive God's miraculous
blessing.
3. Is humbly grateful (in advance) for God's poured out mercy and
grace.
4. Is willing to testify immediately and praise the Lord.
IV. Application: take these "first steps"
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives (wisdom) to all
liberally and without reproach, and it (wisdom) will be given to him. But
let him ask in faith, with no doubting," (James 1:5-6)
Pray like this:
1. "Lord, give me wisdom to know whether my prayer meets Your
criteria."
2. "Lord, give me wisdom to know whether I am in a proper spiritual
condition to pray."
3. "Lord, give me wisdom to know whether the person needing the
miracle
is in a proper spiritual position."
4. "Lord, give me wisdom to know Your will and Your willingness in
this
situation."
V. What I can know for certain, without a doubt:
1. It is God's will for me to ask for wisdom.
2. It is God's plan to give me wisdom liberally and without reproach.
3. It is God's will for me to ask for wisdom, fully expecting him to
say "YES."
4. It is God's will for me to receive this wisdom.
"For all the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen,
to the glory of God through us."
II Corinthians 1:20
Pillsbury College & Seminary
Statement of Faith
Pillsbury College & Seminary subscribes to the following
Statements of Faith of the National Association of Evangelicals
WE BELIEVE THE BIBLE TO BE THE INSPIRED, THE ONLY INFALLIBLE,
AUTHORITATIVE WORD OF GOD.
WE BELIEVE THAT THERE IS ONE GOD, ETERNALLY EXISTENT IN THREE
PERSONS: FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.
WE BELIEVE IN THE DEITY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN HIS VIRGIN
BIRTH, IN HIS SINLESS LIFE, AND HIS MIRACLES, IN HIS VICARIOUS AND
ATONING DEATH THROUGH HIS SHED BLOOD, IN HIS BODILY
RESURRECTION, IN HIS ASCENSION TO THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER,
AND IN HIS PERSONAL RETURN IN POWER AND GLORY.
WE BELIEVE THAT FOR SALVATION OF LOST AND SINFUL PEOPLE,
REGENERATION BY THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL.
WE BELIEVE IN THE PRESENT MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BY WHOSE
INDWELLING THE CHRISTIAN IS ENABLED TO LIVE A GODLY LIFE.
WE BELIEVE IN THE RESURRECTION OF BOTH THE SAVED AND THE LOST;
THEY THAT ARE SAVED UNTO RESURRECTION OF LIFE AND THEY THAT
ARE LOST UNTO THE RESURERCTION OF DAMNATION.
WE BELIEVE IN THE SPIRITUAL UNITY OF BELIEVERS IN OUR LORD
JESUS CHRIST.
TUITION FEES FOR 2005
Christian Doctor of Philosophy (C.PH.D.) or Doctor of Christian Counseling
(D.C.C.)
NCCA: 60 credit hours - $5,400
Terms: $900 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 30 months
Christian Master of Arts (C.M.A.) or Master of Christian Counseling (M.C.C.)
or Master of Christian Psychology (C.Psy.M.)
NCCA: 45 credit hours - $4,050
Terms: $750 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 22 months
Doctor of Christian Psychology (C.Psy.D.) (Second Doctorate Only)
NCCA: 48 credit hours - $4,320
Terms: $870 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 23 months
Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.)
in Biblical Counseling, Expository Studies, or Christian Theology
48 credit hours - $4,320
Terms: $870 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 23 months
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY messag