E-pistle for September 9, 2005
Posted by: info <info@...>
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President
FreeWay Foundation September 9, 2005
"Ivory Soap"
Dr. Curt Scarborough
One of the earliest radio commercials I can recall is:
"ninety-nine and
forty-four one-hundredths percent pure . . . Ivory soap. It floats!"
Presumably,
the other 56 one-hundredths of the bar was impure! I figured - maybe that
tiny fraction was a miniature sponge, which would explain the floating!
Paul recommended that believers should meditate on "whatever
things
are pure." (Philippians 4:8) Pure things are those which are absolutely
clean;
without any extraneous material; free from contamination. He instructs us
to
exercise our moral judgment, refusing to look at or think about "dirty"
things.
In this day, that's a tall order!
The Scriptures speak often of the necessity of having pure
hands, pure
minds, and pure consciences. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of the
blessedness (true happiness) of purity and of its major benefit. "Blessed
are the
pure in heart, for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8) Carefully guarding
the
purity level of our inmost being produces spiritual perception . . . the
ability to
"see beyond physical sight."
The Greek word for "sincere" in the New Testament illustrates
this idea
of purity. It literally translates, "judged by sunlight." Stonecutters in
the First
Century frequently would conceal any cracks in their marble pillars by
filling
them with wax. Such "repairs" only were visible upon close examination in
bright sunlight.
This "shady" practice reminds me of an experience my wife,
Ruthann,
and I had while visiting Haiti. We purchased a beautiful mahogany figurine,
only to discover when we got back home that it was badly marred by cracks in
the wood, cleverly covered up by black shoe polish.
The things we read and see, the things we listen to and talk
about . . . all
must pass the "pure" test. But how can a person remain pure in heart and
mind
in this filthy world? Only one way! "If we confess (our impurity) . . . He
is faithful
and just . . . to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9)
PRAYER FOR THE DAY: Lord, help me to think and live "pure" . .
. without
exhibiting a judgmental
spirit or a "holier-than-
thou" attitude before
others.
"IF YOU ARE WILLING"
(Luke 5:12-26; Mark 1:40-45; 2:1-12)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on Jesus and the leper (Luke 5:12-16;
Mark 1:40-45)
1. The leper: (1) saw and came to Jesus, (2) fell on his knees and
begged, (3) had faith, "You can," (4) questioned, "If You are willing."
2. Jesus: (1) filled with compassion (Mark), (2)
reached out; touched
him, (3) said "I am willing," (4) spoke
words of divine healing. Then
withdrew to pray (Luke).
II. Meditation: on the Lord's willingness to save and
heal (Luke 5:17-26; Mark 2:1-12)
1. Forgiveness and healing are included in the atonement, Isaiah
53:4-5;
Matthew 8:16-17.
2. Jesus linked forgiveness and healing (text).
3. The Lord "forgives all your iniquities . . . heals all your
diseases,"
Psalm 103:3
4. "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be
saved,
for You are my praise," Jeremiah 17:14.
III. Revelation: on knowing the Lord's will
1. Is the Lord willing or unwilling to give what He provided on the
cross to
persons who ask in faith? (Willing!)
2. Since the Lord's purpose in dying was both to save and to heal
those who
believe, is He willing or unwilling to fulfill that purpose if we ask?
(Willing!)
3. How can a person have positive faith while beginning each request
with,
"If it is Your will"? ("If it is Your will" often is an expression of fear
and
doubt, a phrase used to "excuse God of blame" if our faith or His sovereign
purposes do not bring healing, or whatever was requested.) Remember,
we do not pray for salvation with and "IF," because we know GOD IS WILLING
to save those who come to Him.
4. The leper was certain that Jesus was able to heal him; he was not
sure that
healing was the Lord's will. But Jesus' response settled that question: "I
am
willing; be cleansed."
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Know with absolute certainty that Jesus is filled with compassion
for me.
2. Believe absolutely that Jesus has the power to heal me.
3. Understand that His death on the cross provides both forgiveness
and healing
for me, if I ask in faith.
4. Realize that He is willing to heal me; listen for His divine word:
"Be healed."
Faith is believing that what the Lord says (promises) to me is true now . .
. it
Is already an accomplished fact, Mark 11:22-24.
NOTE: I can't intentionally live in violation of God's will and expect His
promises to be fulfilled.
Biblical conditions (confession and forgiveness of sins are
connected with healing,
James 5:13-16) must be met for me to fully participate in God's
covenant blessings. I
may not be healed at all times, but this should not become a
reason for condemnation
(Romans 8:1). God is sovereign, and His thoughts are not my
thoughts. However, I
must never doubt His love not His willingness to save and to
heal . . . this is why Christ
died! See ICorinthians 11:23-30. Properly discerning the
spiritual meaning of the
Lord's broken body (v. 29) provides believers with strength and
healing, as well as
salvation and eternal life. His shed blood provides
forgiveness; His broken body
provides healing. Failure to discern His body results in
sickness and death.
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 Theolory
48 credit hours - $4,320
Terms: $870 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 23 months
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