Epistle for February 27, 2004

#1 · February 25, 2004, 4:46 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on February 25, 2004, 4:46 pm
Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 27, 2004

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

This first quarter of 2004, I shall be sharing with you my "Personal & Practical" notes and applications on Genesis 13-24
and Matthew 1-13. (I used the first 12 chapters of Genesis in the "E-pistle" during December, 2001.) I plan to
continue these book studies in the Old and New Testaments for the next several months.
In This Issue:
Genesis 21:1-21
Matthew 9:1-38
Degree Costs UP
The Continuing Story of Hagar
(Genesis 21:1-21)

I. Concentration: on Sarah's maid, Hagar (first introduced in Genesis 16)
1. Upon Sarah's suggestion, Hagar bore Abraham a son, whom they named Ishmael, Genesis 16.
2. Fourteen years later, Sarah finally bore Abraham the son of promise, whom they named Isaac,
Genesis 21:3.
3. The teenager, Ishmael, made fun of the infant, Isaac, which caused Sarah to demand that Abraham
send Hagar and Ishmael away into the desert where, without water, they faced certain death, vv. 9-14.
4. Hagar and Ishmael took some provisions and wandered into the Wilderness of Beersheba, v. 14.
II. Meditation: on the dilemma Abraham faced
1. Abraham loved his first son, Ishmael, and did not want him to come to harm, as Sarah planned,
vv. 10-11.
2. The Lord gave Abraham encouragement, promising him that Ishmael would survive and become a
nation, vv. 12-13.
3. Abraham wanted to maintain domestic peace, so he yielded to Sarah's demands to expel Hagar and
Ishmael, v. 14.
4. Abraham gave Hagar some provisions (bread and water) before sending her and the boy away, v. 14.
III. Revelation: on God's dealings with Hagar
1. Hagar used up their meager provisions, then put Ishmael in the shade and withdrew a distance because
she did not want to see him suffer and die of thirst; both she and the boy cried out in despair, vv. 15-17.
2. Hagar earlier had an experience with the "GOD-WHO-SEES" (Genesis 16:13); now God hears her cries
and sends an angel to aid her and her son, Ishmael, v. 17. ("Ishmael mean "GOD HEARS.")
3. The angel comforted and encouraged her . . . "FEAR NOT . . . GOD HAD HEARD" . . . promising her
that her son would survive and become a great nation, vv. 17-18, 20-21. (Ishamel became the father of
the present-day Arabic nations, which trace their lineage back to Abraham.)
4. God opened Hagar's eyes; she saw a well of waters, v. 19. (It was Hagar, not Sarah, who
personally encountered God . . . twice!)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to know that . . .
1. God sees my troubles, hears my cries, and sends help . . . because He is loving and merciful.
2. God gives His people a message of cheer, comfort, and encouragement . . . just when they need it.
3. God honors parents' concern about their children's welfare, and fulfills His promises to give them hope
for the future.
4. God opens the eyes of hurting persons, allowing them to see His abundant provision for them and His
purposed destiny for their lives.

Critical Reactions to Jesus' Ministry
(Matthew 9:1-38)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus forgave and healed a paralytic man, vv. 1-8.
2. Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, and answered a question about
fasting, vv. 9-17.
3. Jesus restored a dead girl to life and healed a sick woman who touched His
garment; He healed two blind men and a mute, vv. 18-34.
4. Jesus was moved with compassion by the hurting multitudes, and He told His
disciples to pray for more laborers, vv. 35-38.
II. Meditation: on the criticisms leveled at Jesus
1. Jesus forgave a paralytic man's sins, v. 2; the Scribes said, "THIS MAN
BLASPHEMES!" v. 3.
2. Jesus called Matthew and ate a meal in his home, vv. 9-10; the Pharisees
asked, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" v. 11.
3. John the Baptist's disciples resented Jesus' increasing popularity and John's
decreasing popularity (see John 3:30); they asked (critically), "WHY DO WE
AND THE PHARISEES FAST OFTEN, YET YOUR DISCIPLES DO NOT
FAST?" v. 14.
4. Jesus healed a man who was mute and demon-possessed, vv. 32-33; the
Pharisees said, "HE CASTS OUT DEMONS BY THE RULER OF THE
DEMONS." v. 34. BLASPHEMY IS THE "UNPARDONABLE" SIN,
Matthew 12:24-32.
III. Meditation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins; the physical healing revealed
the man's inner spiritual healing, v. 6; GOD IS OMNIPOTENT BOTH IN THE
PHYSICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL REALMS.
2. Jesus purpose and destiny was to call sinners (not the "righteous") to repentance,
v. 13; WE CAN ASSOCIATE WITH SINNERS WITHOUT PARTICIPATING IN
THEIR SINS.
3. "My presence brings JOY," Jesus taught in v. 15, and His absence would bring
sorrow (see Psalm 16:11) "IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY");
CHRISTIANITY, UNIQUELY, IS A JOYOUS RELIGION, Philippians 4:4.
4. In Matthew 12:25, Jesus answered the same question about who gave Him the
power to perform miracles: God or Satan . . . "HOUSE DIVIDED"; JESUS' TEACHINGS
ARE NOT FANTASTIC FABLES OR FAIRY TALES; RATHER, THEY ARE "REASONABLE"
WHEN STUDIED WITH AN OPEN MIND AND A RECEPTIVE HEART.
iv. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Receive from Jesus both spiritual forgiveness and physical healing.
2. Seek out opportunities to associate with and witness to sinners.
3. Rejoice always and in all ways for Christ's abiding presence.
4. Open my mind and heart to really "HEAR" Jesus' teachings.

Earn Your M.A. or Ph.D. at Pillsbury Institute
Become A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor

M.A. in Christian Counseling Psychology (40 credits - $750 down)
Ph.D. in Christian Counseling Psychology (54 credits - $810 down)

Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity, St. Louis, offers pastoral counseling training at only $90 per credit hour. National Christian Counselors Association distance learning format allows completion within 12-16 months. Program includes basic and advanced curriculum, clinical supervision, practicums, thesis, NCCA licensure and board certification in your choice of eight counseling specializations.

For additional information, see www.pillsburyinstitute.org or phone toll-free 1-888-737-3392.

Tuition Fees for 2004

The Board of Directors of the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity has established the following tuition rates, effective January, 2004:
Undergraduate tuition: $60 per credit hour
Graduate-level tuition: $90 per credit hour

Ph.D. in Christian Counseling Psychology (54 credit hours) - $4,860
$810 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 27 months
M.A. in Christian Counseling Psychology (40 credit hours) - $3,600
$750 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 19 months
Psy.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling (42 credit hours) - $3,780
$780 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 20 months (SECOND DEGREE ONLY)
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring (48 credit hours) - $4,320
$720 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 24 months
M.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring (32 credit hours) - $2,880
$630 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 15 months
Bachelor of Biblical Counseling or Biblical Studies (final year: 32 credit hours) - $1,920
$570 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 9 months

Iron-clad Money-back Guarantee

* $50 registration fee will be refunded if the applicant is not accepted as a student.
* Initial payment will be refunded - no questions asked - if the student decides to withdraw
for any reason within 30 days of registration.
* $50 graduation fee will be waived for students who complete their regular tuition payments
ahead of schedule.

NOTICE: Entering students who submit a registration form for a degree program will have 60 days in which to complete the process, including the payment of the initial fee. After 60 days, the entering student who has not completed the process will be placed on inactive status, the registration form will become invalid, and the $50 registration fee will be forfeited.
These tuition fee increases are the first to be implemented since the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity was founded in 1992. However, the costs still remain substantially lower than all other comparable distance learning graduate schools because Pillsbury Institute is owned, controlled, and operated by the FreeWay Foundation.
The FreeWay Foundation is a non-profit ministry which provides "practical teaching and training for successful living." The Foundation pays the salaries and benefits of Pillsbury Institute's administration, staff, and faculty members. The Institute is housed at no charge in FreeWay Foundation's spacious modern building on a beautiful 2-acre campus in northwest St. Louis County. Since the overhead costs of the school are minimal, these substantial savings are passed along to the student in the form of lower tuition rates.

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

"The doors we open and close each day decide the live we live."
- Flora Whittemore
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation February 27, 2004

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

This first quarter of 2004, I shall be sharing with you my "Personal & Practical" notes and applications on Genesis 13-24
and Matthew 1-13. (I used the first 12 chapters of Genesis in the "E-pistle" during December, 2001.) I plan to
continue these book studies in the Old and New Testaments for the next several months.
In This Issue:
Genesis 21:1-21
Matthew 9:1-38
Degree Costs UP
The Continuing Story of Hagar
(Genesis 21:1-21)

I. Concentration: on Sarah's maid, Hagar (first introduced in Genesis 16)
1. Upon Sarah's suggestion, Hagar bore Abraham a son, whom they named Ishmael, Genesis 16.
2. Fourteen years later, Sarah finally bore Abraham the son of promise, whom they named Isaac,
Genesis 21:3.
3. The teenager, Ishmael, made fun of the infant, Isaac, which caused Sarah to demand that Abraham
send Hagar and Ishmael away into the desert where, without water, they faced certain death, vv. 9-14.
4. Hagar and Ishmael took some provisions and wandered into the Wilderness of Beersheba, v. 14.
II. Meditation: on the dilemma Abraham faced
1. Abraham loved his first son, Ishmael, and did not want him to come to harm, as Sarah planned,
vv. 10-11.
2. The Lord gave Abraham encouragement, promising him that Ishmael would survive and become a
nation, vv. 12-13.
3. Abraham wanted to maintain domestic peace, so he yielded to Sarah's demands to expel Hagar and
Ishmael, v. 14.
4. Abraham gave Hagar some provisions (bread and water) before sending her and the boy away, v. 14.
III. Revelation: on God's dealings with Hagar
1. Hagar used up their meager provisions, then put Ishmael in the shade and withdrew a distance because
she did not want to see him suffer and die of thirst; both she and the boy cried out in despair, vv. 15-17.
2. Hagar earlier had an experience with the "GOD-WHO-SEES" (Genesis 16:13); now God hears her cries
and sends an angel to aid her and her son, Ishmael, v. 17. ("Ishmael mean "GOD HEARS.")
3. The angel comforted and encouraged her . . . "FEAR NOT . . . GOD HAD HEARD" . . . promising her
that her son would survive and become a great nation, vv. 17-18, 20-21. (Ishamel became the father of
the present-day Arabic nations, which trace their lineage back to Abraham.)
4. God opened Hagar's eyes; she saw a well of waters, v. 19. (It was Hagar, not Sarah, who
personally encountered God . . . twice!)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to know that . . .
1. God sees my troubles, hears my cries, and sends help . . . because He is loving and merciful.
2. God gives His people a message of cheer, comfort, and encouragement . . . just when they need it.
3. God honors parents' concern about their children's welfare, and fulfills His promises to give them hope
for the future.
4. God opens the eyes of hurting persons, allowing them to see His abundant provision for them and His
purposed destiny for their lives.

Critical Reactions to Jesus' Ministry
(Matthew 9:1-38)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Jesus forgave and healed a paralytic man, vv. 1-8.
2. Jesus called Matthew, the tax collector, and answered a question about
fasting, vv. 9-17.
3. Jesus restored a dead girl to life and healed a sick woman who touched His
garment; He healed two blind men and a mute, vv. 18-34.
4. Jesus was moved with compassion by the hurting multitudes, and He told His
disciples to pray for more laborers, vv. 35-38.
II. Meditation: on the criticisms leveled at Jesus
1. Jesus forgave a paralytic man's sins, v. 2; the Scribes said, "THIS MAN
BLASPHEMES!" v. 3.
2. Jesus called Matthew and ate a meal in his home, vv. 9-10; the Pharisees
asked, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" v. 11.
3. John the Baptist's disciples resented Jesus' increasing popularity and John's
decreasing popularity (see John 3:30); they asked (critically), "WHY DO WE
AND THE PHARISEES FAST OFTEN, YET YOUR DISCIPLES DO NOT
FAST?" v. 14.
4. Jesus healed a man who was mute and demon-possessed, vv. 32-33; the
Pharisees said, "HE CASTS OUT DEMONS BY THE RULER OF THE
DEMONS." v. 34. BLASPHEMY IS THE "UNPARDONABLE" SIN,
Matthew 12:24-32.
III. Meditation: on the spiritual implications seen here
1. Jesus demonstrated His power to forgive sins; the physical healing revealed
the man's inner spiritual healing, v. 6; GOD IS OMNIPOTENT BOTH IN THE
PHYSICAL AND THE SPIRITUAL REALMS.
2. Jesus purpose and destiny was to call sinners (not the "righteous") to repentance,
v. 13; WE CAN ASSOCIATE WITH SINNERS WITHOUT PARTICIPATING IN
THEIR SINS.
3. "My presence brings JOY," Jesus taught in v. 15, and His absence would bring
sorrow (see Psalm 16:11) "IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY");
CHRISTIANITY, UNIQUELY, IS A JOYOUS RELIGION, Philippians 4:4.
4. In Matthew 12:25, Jesus answered the same question about who gave Him the
power to perform miracles: God or Satan . . . "HOUSE DIVIDED"; JESUS' TEACHINGS
ARE NOT FANTASTIC FABLES OR FAIRY TALES; RATHER, THEY ARE "REASONABLE"
WHEN STUDIED WITH AN OPEN MIND AND A RECEPTIVE HEART.
iv. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Receive from Jesus both spiritual forgiveness and physical healing.
2. Seek out opportunities to associate with and witness to sinners.
3. Rejoice always and in all ways for Christ's abiding presence.
4. Open my mind and heart to really "HEAR" Jesus' teachings.

Earn Your M.A. or Ph.D. at Pillsbury Institute
Become A Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor

M.A. in Christian Counseling Psychology (40 credits - $750 down)
Ph.D. in Christian Counseling Psychology (54 credits - $810 down)

Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity, St. Louis, offers pastoral counseling training at only $90 per credit hour. National Christian Counselors Association distance learning format allows completion within 12-16 months. Program includes basic and advanced curriculum, clinical supervision, practicums, thesis, NCCA licensure and board certification in your choice of eight counseling specializations.

For additional information, see http://www.pillsburyinstitute.org or phone toll-free 1-888-737-3392.

Tuition Fees for 2004

The Board of Directors of the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity has established the following tuition rates, effective January, 2004:
Undergraduate tuition: $60 per credit hour
Graduate-level tuition: $90 per credit hour

Ph.D. in Christian Counseling Psychology (54 credit hours) - $4,860
$810 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 27 months
M.A. in Christian Counseling Psychology (40 credit hours) - $3,600
$750 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 19 months
Psy.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling (42 credit hours) - $3,780
$780 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 20 months (SECOND DEGREE ONLY)
D.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring (48 credit hours) - $4,320
$720 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 24 months
M.Min. in Biblical Counseling or Spiritual Mentoring (32 credit hours) - $2,880
$630 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 15 months
Bachelor of Biblical Counseling or Biblical Studies (final year: 32 credit hours) - $1,920
$570 initial payment plus $150 monthly for 9 months

Iron-clad Money-back Guarantee

* $50 registration fee will be refunded if the applicant is not accepted as a student.
* Initial payment will be refunded - no questions asked - if the student decides to withdraw
for any reason within 30 days of registration.
* $50 graduation fee will be waived for students who complete their regular tuition payments
ahead of schedule.

NOTICE: Entering students who submit a registration form for a degree program will have 60 days in which to complete the process, including the payment of the initial fee. After 60 days, the entering student who has not completed the process will be placed on inactive status, the registration form will become invalid, and the $50 registration fee will be forfeited.
These tuition fee increases are the first to be implemented since the Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity was founded in 1992. However, the costs still remain substantially lower than all other comparable distance learning graduate schools because Pillsbury Institute is owned, controlled, and operated by the FreeWay Foundation.
The FreeWay Foundation is a non-profit ministry which provides "practical teaching and training for successful living." The Foundation pays the salaries and benefits of Pillsbury Institute's administration, staff, and faculty members. The Institute is housed at no charge in FreeWay Foundation's spacious modern building on a beautiful 2-acre campus in northwest St. Louis County. Since the overhead costs of the school are minimal, these substantial savings are passed along to the student in the form of lower tuition rates.

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

"The doors we open and close each day decide the live we live."
- Flora Whittemore
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------