Epistle for January 9, 2004

#1 · January 8, 2004, 6:43 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on January 8, 2004, 6:43 pm
Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation January 9, 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 chapter 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 14:1-24
Matthew 2:1-23
Tuition Fees for PIAC
The Kings of Sodom and Salem
(Genesis 14:1-24)
I. Concentration: on Abram as a warrior in battle (vv. 1-16)
1. Abram enlisted 318 servant-warriors; they attacked and defeated a coalition of four hostile
kings who had raided Lot's city.
2. Abram rescued his nephew, Lot, and other hostages; taking much loot from the defeated army.
Then Abram met two strikingly contrasted kings.
3. The king of Sodom is a perfect depiction of Satan, the king of hell. "Sodom" literally means
"burnt" or "scorched." This king was the leader of a hell-bent city, destined to be destroyed
by divine judgment.
4. The King of Salem (Melchizedek) ruled over the ancient city of Salem (Jerusalem). He is a type of
Christ, and his name means "Prince of Peace," Hebrews 7:1-10; Isaiah 9:6.
II. Meditation: on Abram's dealings with the King of Sodom (vv. 17, 21-24)
1. Abram was confronted by Satan's representative, the King of Sodom.
2. Often after winning a great victory, God's people face a new choice in their spiritual priorities,
a real and practical temptation to sin.
3. Such times of testing reveal true priorities; for God's people, no degree of attainment bypasses the
need for godly faithfulness in the basics.
4. The subtlety of the King of Sodom's approach was demonic. He said, "You can have all the plunder,
just give me the people." That's Satan's way: I'll give you anything, just let me control the souls."
III. Revelation: on Abram's dealing with the King of Salem (vv. 18-20)
1. Abram established his relationship with the King of Salem, who gave him bread and wine, v. 18.
(The Hebrews identify Melchizedek with Shem.)
2. Mehchizedek's actions 2,000 years before Christ foreshadowed the priestly ministry of Christ.
3. Melchizedek used the same elements Christ used in the Lord's Supper.
4. Abram worshipped God . . . and he offered tithes.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Resist Satan. Abram confronted the King of Sodom with the words, "I have raised my hand (sworn
allegiance) to the Lord God Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth," v. 22.
2. Reject Sin. Abram rejected Sodom's proposal, saying (in essence), "I don't want anything that
has the smell of your scorched life on it. I don't want you to be able to brag that you made Abram rich."
3. Put God First. Abram's priority was clear: everything is God's. The tithe showed that he is God's,
with no relationship or obligation to Satan.
4. Hear God's Voice. The next chapter (Genesis 15) begins with these words: "After these things the
word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield,
your exceedingly great reward.'"

I Want To Be A Bethlehem Star
(Matthew 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Wise men from the east followed a star to find the newborn King, vv. 1-12.
2. Warned by an angel, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled for safety into Egypt, vv. 13-15.
3. King Herod, trying to kill the newborn king, slaughtered innocent children in
Bethlehem, vv. 16-18.
4. Upon the death of King Herod, the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned
to Nazareth, vv. 19-23.

II. Observations: on the wise men who saw the star
1. Wise men were astronomers and astrologers from Persia, Babylonia, and other
nations east of Judea.
2. Their system of star-gazing divided the heavens into 12 "signs" . . . similar to the
present-day Zodiac.
3. Each nations of the known world was assigned its own sign in the Zodiac.
4. These men were scholars, familiar with literature, including the Jewish Scriptures
(Old Testament).

III. Meditation: on the star which the wise men saw
1. The appearance of a new star in the Hebrew portion of the sky told the wise men
of the birth of a Jewish king.
2. They confirmed this by looking into Jewish prophecy: Numbers 24:17.
3. They searched for a king in the palace of Herod, but this king was born in a humble
stable. (Philippians 2:5-11)
4. As these wise men followed God for one step (going from Persia and Babylon to
Jerusalem), He gave them more guidance from Scripture (Micah 5:2) and from the
star (leading them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem) . . . for which they rejoiced with
exceedingly great joy.

IV. Revelation: on the spiritual significance of this "Star of Bethlehem"
1. The star shined brightly in the darkness.
2. The star alerted men that a king had been born.
3. The star caused them to search the Scriptures.
4. The star led them to the King, whom they worshipped.

V. Applications: as a Christian "STAR", I need to . . .
1. Let my light shine brightly in this dark generation. (Philippians 2:15-16)
2. Witness to people that "God loved us and sent His Son." . . . a KING!
3. Cause people to search the Scriptures for truth and guidance, whatever their
problems may be.
4. Guide people to Jesus, where they'll joyously worship Him.

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, visit 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 1, 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 DOCTORATE 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.

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation January 9, 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 chapter 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 14:1-24
Matthew 2:1-23
Tuition Fees for PIAC
The Kings of Sodom and Salem
(Genesis 14:1-24)
I. Concentration: on Abram as a warrior in battle (vv. 1-16)
1. Abram enlisted 318 servant-warriors; they attacked and defeated a coalition of four hostile
kings who had raided Lot's city.
2. Abram rescued his nephew, Lot, and other hostages; taking much loot from the defeated army.
Then Abram met two strikingly contrasted kings.
3. The king of Sodom is a perfect depiction of Satan, the king of hell. "Sodom" literally means
"burnt" or "scorched." This king was the leader of a hell-bent city, destined to be destroyed
by divine judgment.
4. The King of Salem (Melchizedek) ruled over the ancient city of Salem (Jerusalem). He is a type of
Christ, and his name means "Prince of Peace," Hebrews 7:1-10; Isaiah 9:6.
II. Meditation: on Abram's dealings with the King of Sodom (vv. 17, 21-24)
1. Abram was confronted by Satan's representative, the King of Sodom.
2. Often after winning a great victory, God's people face a new choice in their spiritual priorities,
a real and practical temptation to sin.
3. Such times of testing reveal true priorities; for God's people, no degree of attainment bypasses the
need for godly faithfulness in the basics.
4. The subtlety of the King of Sodom's approach was demonic. He said, "You can have all the plunder,
just give me the people." That's Satan's way: I'll give you anything, just let me control the souls."
III. Revelation: on Abram's dealing with the King of Salem (vv. 18-20)
1. Abram established his relationship with the King of Salem, who gave him bread and wine, v. 18.
(The Hebrews identify Melchizedek with Shem.)
2. Mehchizedek's actions 2,000 years before Christ foreshadowed the priestly ministry of Christ.
3. Melchizedek used the same elements Christ used in the Lord's Supper.
4. Abram worshipped God . . . and he offered tithes.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Resist Satan. Abram confronted the King of Sodom with the words, "I have raised my hand (sworn
allegiance) to the Lord God Most High, the possessor of heaven and earth," v. 22.
2. Reject Sin. Abram rejected Sodom's proposal, saying (in essence), "I don't want anything that
has the smell of your scorched life on it. I don't want you to be able to brag that you made Abram rich."
3. Put God First. Abram's priority was clear: everything is God's. The tithe showed that he is God's,
with no relationship or obligation to Satan.
4. Hear God's Voice. The next chapter (Genesis 15) begins with these words: "After these things the
word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 'Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield,
your exceedingly great reward.'"

I Want To Be A Bethlehem Star
(Matthew 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Wise men from the east followed a star to find the newborn King, vv. 1-12.
2. Warned by an angel, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus fled for safety into Egypt, vv. 13-15.
3. King Herod, trying to kill the newborn king, slaughtered innocent children in
Bethlehem, vv. 16-18.
4. Upon the death of King Herod, the family of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus returned
to Nazareth, vv. 19-23.

II. Observations: on the wise men who saw the star
1. Wise men were astronomers and astrologers from Persia, Babylonia, and other
nations east of Judea.
2. Their system of star-gazing divided the heavens into 12 "signs" . . . similar to the
present-day Zodiac.
3. Each nations of the known world was assigned its own sign in the Zodiac.
4. These men were scholars, familiar with literature, including the Jewish Scriptures
(Old Testament).

III. Meditation: on the star which the wise men saw
1. The appearance of a new star in the Hebrew portion of the sky told the wise men
of the birth of a Jewish king.
2. They confirmed this by looking into Jewish prophecy: Numbers 24:17.
3. They searched for a king in the palace of Herod, but this king was born in a humble
stable. (Philippians 2:5-11)
4. As these wise men followed God for one step (going from Persia and Babylon to
Jerusalem), He gave them more guidance from Scripture (Micah 5:2) and from the
star (leading them from Jerusalem to Bethlehem) . . . for which they rejoiced with
exceedingly great joy.

IV. Revelation: on the spiritual significance of this "Star of Bethlehem"
1. The star shined brightly in the darkness.
2. The star alerted men that a king had been born.
3. The star caused them to search the Scriptures.
4. The star led them to the King, whom they worshipped.

V. Applications: as a Christian "STAR", I need to . . .
1. Let my light shine brightly in this dark generation. (Philippians 2:15-16)
2. Witness to people that "God loved us and sent His Son." . . . a KING!
3. Cause people to search the Scriptures for truth and guidance, whatever their
problems may be.
4. Guide people to Jesus, where they'll joyously worship Him.

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, visit 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 1, 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 DOCTORATE 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.