Epistle for August 17, 2007
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E-pistle
Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation August 17, 2007
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
(Isaiah 58:1-14 & I Chronicles 4:1-43)
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 1:17-19; 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
True Fasting Glorifies God, Helps People
(Isaiah 58:1-14)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on basic background truths about fasting
1. Fasting is scriptural. The Bible makes it clear that fasting is a key to
spiritual power . . . breaking the bonds of evil and receiving God's
counsel.
Mark 9:29; Acts 13:2-3
2. Jesus taught fasting. By work and example, our Lord witnessed to
the benefits of fasting. If Christ needed to fast and profited from
fasting, how much more necessary is it to us?
Matthew 4:2; 6:16; Mark 2:20
3. What fasting is not:
(1) Fasting is not a hunger strike by which we twist God's arm
to make Him do what we want,
(2) Fasting is not an exercise to attract His attention; His eye
is always upon us,
(3) Fasting is not to earn His blessing by tipping the scales of
His grace and mercy in our favor by enduring pain, and
(4) Fasting is totally worthless if it is done to win man's praise,
Matthew 6:16-18.
II. Meditation: on truths about genuine fasting in this chapter
Isaiah 58 reveals these benefits and realities of true fasting:
1. Continual guidance and protection God, vv. 8, 11.
2. Satisfaction of all our needs, v. 11.
3. Healing and strengthening of our physical bodies, vv. 8, 11.
4. Radiance and enhanced reputation, vv. 8, 10, 12.
5. Assurance of God's presence, and answers to our prayers, v. 9.
6. Joy and abundant blessings without ceasing, vv. 11, 14.
7. Purpose in life; a sense of divine destiny, v. 12.
III. Revelation: on what "truly fasting" involves in a believer's life
1. Bringing freedom to the captives and the oppressed, vv. 6, 9.
2. Meeting the physical needs of persons who are hurting, vv. 7, 10.
3. Worshipping God His way (in spirit and in truth), v. 13.
4. Allowing one's good works and godly influence to glorify God, v. 12.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Fast (and pray) to receive all the blessings listed above.
2. Make my actions match my words; practice what I preach, vv. 1-5.
3. Claim, with joy and thanksgiving, God's covenant promises to me.
4. Build my life to fulfill God's purpose and to benefit future generations.
Jabez: "He Will Cause Pain"
(I Chronicles 4:1-43)
I. Concentration: on the family of this man named Jabez
1. This chapter lists the genealogy of the tribes of Judah and Simeon;
Jabez's name appears unattached in the Judah list, vv. 9-10.
2. The names of his father, mother, and brothers are not mentioned.
3. His mother named him Jabez, meaning "He will cause pain" . . .
perhaps because his was a very difficult, painful birth.
4. Because his lineage is kept secret, possibly the pain Jabez "caused"
was emotional: the shame and embarrassment of illegitimate birth.
II. Meditation: on the character of Jabez
1. His name indicates that his mother placed him under a curse when
he was born by giving him a prophetic name: "He will cause pain."
2. This cruelty exhibited by his mother may have damaged his self-esteem,
yet it also may have been a factor in his strong moral character.
3. According to v. 9, Jabez was "more honorable than his brothers."
4. This refers, not to his place in the family which was dishonorable, but
to his spiritual position . . . he "called on the God of Israel," v. 10.
III. Revelation: on the prayer of Jabez
1. He prayed for God to bless him indeed, including an enlarged territory
as his inheritance; as an illegitimate son, he likely would have received
little or no property from his father.
2. He prayed for God's presence and power to be with him.
3. He prayed that God would keep him from evil . . . asking for protection,
deliverance, and guidance, such as Jesus taught the disciples to request
in the Model Prayer, Matthew 6:13.
4. He prayed that he would not CAUSE pain (not that he would not HAVE or
experience pain) . . . asking that his life and influence would be a blessing
rather than a curse.
So God Granted Him What He Requested
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Understand that God is no respecter of persons.
2. Know that God hears those who sincerely call upon Him.
3. Pray for the Lord's providential care and provision, His presence and
power, and His protection, deliverance, and guidance.
4. Be assured that God not only desires to bless His people; He also
desires for us to be a blessing to others, I Peter 3:9.
Although the prayer of Jabez has much to commend it, Christians should not use
it as our model. When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, He did not
point them to Jabez's prayer (although, of course, He was familiar with I Chronicles
4:9-10). Rather, He gave them Luke 11:1-4, which is a restatement of Matthew 6:9-13.
Our prayers, for example, must always include asking God for forgiveness and
offering it to others.
"Remembering Without Ceasing"
(I Thessalonians 1:1-10)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul, accompanied by Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy, sent greetings
to the church of the Thessalonians, v. 1.
2. Paul assured them of his continuing prayers as he thanked God for the
memories of their faithfulness, vv. 2-4.
3. Paul wrote to remind them of the gospel, which he had preached, and
which they had received in much affliction and with joy, vv. 5-7.
4. Paul commended the Thessalonians because their witness for Christ had
permeated the entire region of Macedonia and Achaia, vv. 8-10.
II. Meditation: on Paul's prayer . . . "remembering without ceasing"
1. He remembered their work of faith, v. 3.
2. He remembered their labor of love, v. 3.
3. He remembered their patience of hope, v. 3.
4. He remembered their election by God, v. 4.
III. Observations: on the gospel Paul preached (v. 5)
1. It did not come by word only.
2. It came also with divine power to change lives.
3. It came in the manifested presence of the Holy Spirit.
4. It came producing great assurance of a right standing before God.
IV. Applications: on how the Thessalonians received Paul's message
1. In much affliction (suffering and persecution) v. 6
2. With the inner joy produced by the Holy Spirit, v. 6.
3. As good examples to other believers, v. 7.
4. As faithful proclaimers of the gospel to other nations, v. 8.
5. As committed people of faith, whose reputation needed no letter
of recommendation from Paul, v. 8.
6. As believers committed to serving the living and true God, v. 9.
7. As expectant people, looking for the return of Christ, v. 10.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Labor for the Lord, motivated by the "BIG THREE" . . . FAITH, HOPE
and LOVE, v. 3, because God chose me ("election") v. 4.
2. Do more than merely talk about the Lord; I also need to manifest
His life-changing presence and power in my life . . . living day by
day with "Blessed Assurance."
3. Faithfully serve the true and living God, with joy in spite of affliction,
as good examples for other believers to follow.
4. Always be alert, watching, and prepared for the return of Christ.
"There will be little rubs & disappointments everywhere, & we are
all apt to expect too much; but then, if one scheme of
happiness fails, human man nature turns to another,
if the first calculation is wrong, we make a second
better; we find comfort somewhere."
-Jane Austin
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