Epistle for Nov. 4, 2011
Posted by: info <info@...>
E-pistle
FreeWay Foundation November 4, 2011
Behave wisely in a perfect way
(Psalm 101:1-8)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on the particulars of behaving wisely
1. It means living a blameless life before family members, v. 2.
2. It means avoiding looking at wickedness, which tends to develop a
perverse heat, vv. 3-4.
3. It means shunning slander, arrogance, and pride, v. 5.
4. It means receiving and associating with faithful, God-fearing, blameless people,
while refusing to fellowship with deceitful, lying, wicked evildoers, vv. 6-7.
II. Meditation: on David's personal commitments
1. I will sing of God's mercy, v. 1.
2. I will sing of God's justice, v. 1.
3. I will sing praises to the Lord, v. 1.
4. I will "behave wisely," v. 2. (See "I." above)
III. Revelation: on how King David's life foreshadowed the life of King Jesus
1. He lived in a perfect way with a perfect heart.
2. He openly opposed the arrogant and proud.
3. He watched over his faithful people, taking care of those who served Him.
4. He judged and punished all the wicked evildoers of the land.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Set a godly example of a mature spiritual life before my family members . . .
children and grandchildren.
2. Guard what I look at or read, knowing that meditation on wicked things produces
an ungodly heart.
3. Avoid arrogance and pride, slander and lying.
4. Worship the Lord's mercy and justice; sing praises unto Him; exhibit sincerity by
my righteous living.
Pelican, owl, and sparrow
(Psalm 102:1-7, 11, 18, 24-27)
Dr. Curt Scarborough
I. Concentration: on David's cry to the Lord for help
1. My days are consumed like smoke . . . quickly vanishing like a vapor into
the air, vv. 3, 11.
2. My bones are burned like (logs on) a hearth . . . consumed by heat and
Suffering, v. 3.
3. My heart is stricken and withered like grass . . . dying from discouragement,
vv. 4, 11.
4. My physical health is deteriorating because of my fasting and groaning
(mourning), vv. 4-5, 23.
II. Meditation: on how David's life is like the birds (vv. 6-7)
1. I am like a pelican of the wilderness . . . dry and without the necessary
nourishment to sustain life (no water; therefore no fish to be caught and
eaten by the pelican).
2. I am like an owl of the desert . . . I stay awake in the night (restless and unable
to sleep).
3. I am like a sparrow, alone on the housetop (nobody knows; nobody sees; nobody
cares). (See Matthew 10:29, 31)
4. Whenever I am spiritually dry, worried, and/or lonely . . . Jesus invites me to "rest"
in Him, Matthew 11:28-30.
III. Revelation: on truths to be recorded for the coming generation (v. 8)
1. God is the Creator of the universe, v. 25.
2. God shall endure forever; He is eternal, vv. 12, 24, 26-27.
3. On His timetable, God will arise, bringing mercy and grace upon His people, v. 13.
4. God answers the prayers of his people (vv. 17, 19), and He brings about changes . . .
In the hearts of men, in earthly governments, and into eternity (vv. 18, 22, 26-27)
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Recognize that "My days are like a shadow that lengthens and I wither away like
grass," v. 11 . . . so I must make the most of my time today!
2. When I am weary and tired, spiritually dry, worried, and/or discouraged . . . come to
Jesus to receive His rest, and learn of (and from) Jesus to find His rest, Matthew 11:28-30.
(Rest is both a gift and a discovery.)
3. Praise the eternal God, the Creator of the universe.
4. Thank the Lord for His mercy and grace, for His hearing and answering prayer, and for the
miraculous changes which He brings to pass according to his will and for His glory.
"The spirit, the will to win, and the will to excel are the things that endure.
These qualities are so much more important than the events that occur."
--Vince Lombardi
--
To unsubscribe, send ANY message to: epistle2equip-unsubscribe@welovegod.org