Epistle for June 20, 2003
Posted by: info <info@...>
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation June 20, 2003
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In This Issue:
Nehemiah 12:1-47
Hebrews 12:1-29
Pillsbury Degree Program Change
Dedication and Celebration!
(Nehemiah 12:1-47)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. The priests and Levities who returned under Zerubbabel and
Joshua are listed, vv. 1-21.
2. This listing is verified from the Persian court records of King
Darius, who released the exiles to return to Jerusalem, vv. 22-26.
3. The wall around Jerusalem was dedicated with a celebration of joyful
singing and the offering of many sacrifices, vv. 27-43.
4. The temple personnel were chosen and organized for the on-going
services of ministry and worship, vv. 44-47.
II. Meditation: on the elements of the dedication service
1. The priests and Levites were selected and purified, vv. 27-30.
2. These religious leaders were organized into two large thanksgiving
choirs, vv. 31-39.
3. Under the music director, Jezrahiah, the two choirs sang loudly and
responsively, accompained by several musical instruments, vv. 40-42.
(See also verse 24.)
4. All the citizens of the nation (including women and children) rejoiced . . .
"so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off," v. 43.
III. Revelation: on who should be leaders of praise and worship (band, choirs. ets.)
1. Persons who have the proper spiritual genealogy . . . who are born-again
children of God through faith in Christ.
2. Persons who have been purified by the Lord . . . who have repented,
confessed, and forsaken their sins.
3. Persons who are submissive and disciplined . . . who are dependable and
who can work together under the direction of God's appointed leader.
4. Persons who themselves worship God enthusiastically and joyfully.
IV. Applications: as a worshipping Christian leader, I need to . . .
1. Rejoice greatly in my spiritual genealogy, Luke 10:20-21.
2. Repent and confess my sins, receiving God's mercy, grace, forgiveness, and
cleansing, I John 1:9.
3. Be submissive to those in spiritual authority over me, Philippians 2:3; Hebrews 13:7.
4. Worship and praise the Lord loudly and enthusiastically . . . both in my private
devotions and in our church services.
Discipline for the Race of Life
(Hebrews 12:1-29)
I. Concentration: on the race of life (vv. 1-2)
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us
run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the
author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God," Hebrews 12:1-2.
II. Observations: on the realities of discipline for the race of life
1. Discipline is hard, difficult, v. 7.
2. Discipline is universal within God's family, v. 8.
3. Discipline is only temporary, v. 10.
4. Discipline is unpleasant, v. 11.
5. Discipline is painful, v. 11.
III. Meditation: on the responses to discipline for the race of life
Wrong Attitudes: Right perspectives:
1. To not even recognize it, v. 7 1. To be encouraged, v. 5
2. To make light of it, v. 5 2. See it as a sign of love, v. 6
3. To lose heart, v. 5 3. See it as a sign of delight, Proverbs 3:12
4. To despise it, Proverbs 3:11 4. See it as a sign of acceptance, v. 6
5. To resent it, Proverbs 3:11 5. See it as a sign of sonship, vv. 6-8
IV. Revelation: on the reasons for the Lord's discipline for the race of life
1. For our own good, v. 10.
2. Produces the family trait of holiness, v. 10.
3. Produces righteousness (right standing with God and man), v. 11.
4. Produces peace, vv. 11, 14.
5. Teaches or trains, vv. 9, 11:
* Respect for the Father.
* Submission to the Father.
* True meaning of spiritual life.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I may expect these results of discipline . . .
1. Strengthened arms to do (carry; work), v. 12.
2. Strengthened knees to walk (serve; follow), v. 12.
3. Guidance to consider my path; to watch my step (see; choose), v. 13.
Compare Proverbs 4:25-27
4. Healing of lameness; disabilities and weaknesses overcome, v. 13.
See Isaiah 35:3:10.
4. "Christ is formed in you," through travail, Galatians 4:19.
Pillsbury Institute Introduces New
M.A., PhD., & Psy.D. Degree Program
M.A. in Christian Counseling Psychology (40 credit hours - $3,000)
Ph.D. in Christian Counseling Psychology (54 credit hours - $4,000)
Psy. D. in Clinical Christian Counseling *(42 credit hours - $3,150)
*(Only available for persons who already hold an earned doctoral degree)
Students at Pillsbury Institute of Applied Christianity (PIAC) now may receive pastoral counseling training using the curriculum and distance learning format developed by the National Christian Counselors Association (NCCA) of Sarasota, Florida. These high quality materials consist of 41 courses in ten academic tracks, and also include advanced studies, clinical supervision (internship), practicum, thesis and examination, plus licensing and certification in eight possible specialty areas.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The successful completion of all academic requirements using NCCA curriculum and the conferring of the MA, PhD, or PsyD degrees by PIAC does not include membership in NCCA, nor does it qualify the graduate to receive any certification or licensing from NCCA.
Upon graduation, the student will be issued a degree diploma (MA, PhD or PsyD) and a complete transcript of the NCCA studies completed at PIAC. The student has the option of presenting this official transcript to NCCA to show the courses completed at PIAC. The student then may choose to apply for membership in NCCA and to apply for acceptance into an advanced program of study designed to qualify him or her for NCCA certification and licensing as a Christian pastoral counselor. Small fees are charged by NCCA for both of these options.
NCCA has several additional requirements for the licensing process, including:
(1) a supervised practicum plus thesis for MA graduates
(dissertation for PhD and PsyD graduates),
(2) the obtaining of ministerial credentials (if the applicant does not have such
documentation already, and
(3) an ethical examination posed by NCCA's National Licensing Board of Examiners.
Each successful candidate receives NCCA Board Certification as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor (LCPC) or as a Licensed Clinical Christian Counselor (LCCC). More than 1,700 persons in the United States have been trained and certified by NCCA as licensed Christian counselors, making it the largest such credentialing agency in the nation.
(Over 4,000 counselors have been licensed world-wide by NCCA.)
The NCCA Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor (LCPC) certification is not the same as a State's Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation.