Epistle for October 10, 2003

#1 · October 10, 2003, 12:20 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on October 10, 2003, 12:20 pm
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E-pistle

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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 10, 2003

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This fourth quarter of 2003, I shall be sharing with you my "Personal & Practical" notes and applications
on two important books in the Bible. From the Old Testament, we'll be studying all 14 chapters of Hosea,
and from the New Testament, we'll be studying all 13 chapters of II Corinthians
In This Issue:
Hosea 2:1-23
II Corinthians 2:1-17
"Spiritual Mentoring"
God Opens "A Door of Hope"
(Hosea 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "Then she (Israel) will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, for then
it was better for me than now." For she did not know that I (God) gave her
grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold," vv. 7-8.
2. "I will give her . . . the Valley of Achor as a door of hope," v. 15.
3. "It shall be, in that day," says the Lord, "that you will call Me 'My Husband,'
and no longer call me 'My Master,'" v. 16.
4. "' I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness
and justice, in loving-kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
and you shall know the Lord. I shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,'
says the Lord," vv. 19-21. It shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,'
II. Meditation: on the basic truths in these verses
1. Often sinful and wayward persons are blind to the fact that God is the source of all
their blessings.
2. The Lord can transform the "Valley of Achor" ("Valley of Trouble" where Achan was
stoned, Joshua 7:26) into a door of hope . . . an entrance into the realization of one's
expectations and yearned-for blessings.
3. Although God indeed is our Master (Owner; Possessor), He wants our relationship to
Him to be as an accepted member of a loving family.
4. God's marriages vows (covenant) with His chosen people include a number of wonderful
"forever promises" . . .
(1) Permanent assurance (5) Tender mercies
(2) Right standards (6) Faithful security
(3) Fair treatment (7) Spiritual revelations
(4) Unfailing love (8) Answered prayers
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these truths
1. The goodness of God (including His forbearance and long-suffering) is designed to bring
us to repentance and into a right relationship with Him, Romans 2:3.
2. God can and does bring good results out of a bad circumstances, Romans 8:28.
3. God the Father loves us more than our earthly parents ever could love us, John 3:16.
4. God always is faithful to keep His covenant, I Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 10:23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live in a continuing spirit of humble repentance before God.
2. Trust in the Lord to bless my life by bringing good out of bad.
3. Love the Lord, because He first loved me, I John 4:19.
4. Thank God for His unfailing promises, Joshua 23:14.

"Not Ignorant of Satan's Devices"
(II Corinthians 2:1-17)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught the Corinthian church to forgive the repentant offending
brother, whom he had condemned in his first epistle to them, vv. 1-7.
2. Paul urged them to love that forgiven brother; he stated that he also had
forgiven him; he reminded them that failure to forgive opens the door
so Satan's attacks . . . "Lest Satan should take advantage of us;
for we are not ignorant of his devices," vv. 8-11.
3. Paul reviewed his journey to Troas (where he was frustrated in not finding
Titus) and his further travels in Macedonia, vv. 12-13.
4. Paul thanked God "Who always leads us in triumph in Christ"; he taught
that believers are a sweet fragrance to God, but they are the aroma of death
to unbelievers, vv. 14-17.
II. Observations: on Satan's past, present, and future
1. Satan was cast out of heaven, Luke 10:18.
2. He now is being bruised under believers' feet, Romans 16:20; I John 4:4.
3. He will be bound (made powerless) by God, Revelation 20:2.
4. He will be damned to eternal hell, Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10.
III. Meditation: on what Satan does on the earth
1. Tempts toward sin (Jesus), Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4.
2. Removes God's word from hearts (birds), Mark 4:15.
3. Brings oppression and illness (woman), Luke 13:16.
4. Frustrates and irritates (Paul's thorn in the flesh), II Corinthians 12:7.
5. Hinders, obstructs, delays, and prevents spiritual progress, I Thessalonians 2:18.
6. Counterfeits spiritual things; devices even the God's elect, II Thessalonians 2:9;
Matthew 24:24; Revelation 12:9.
7. Steals, kills, and destroys, John 8:44; 10:10.
IV. Revelation: on "Who is sufficient?" (v. 16)
Sufficient = enough to satisfy all needs
1. We are not sufficient of ourselves; to even think we may be the source of
spiritual sufficiency is foolishness, II Corinthians 3:5.
2. God is the source of our sufficiency; He provides enough to supply all our
needs through Christ, II Corinthians 3:6; Philippians 4:19.
3. God makes us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant by His Spirit II Corinthians 3:6.
4. God's grace is sufficient . . . turning our weakness into perfect strength, II Corinthians 12:9.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Stand courageously against Satan, my defeated enemy.
2. Recognize Satan's evil strategies and the tactics he uses against me.
3. Ask for God's help, knowing that without His help, Satan will defeat me.
4. Rely completely on Jesus Christ, the source of all my spiritual sufficiency.

Spiritual Mentoring by Private Tutoring

Dr. Curt Scarborough, president and founder of Pillsbury Institute, is available to mentor a limited number of mid-career Christian ministers on a one-on-one basis. He will personally tutor mature graduate-level students one day per month . . . any day of the week except Sunday.

Here's how this Spiritual Mentoring program works:
1. A minister enrolls in the Spiritual Mentoring track, agreeing to spend a
minimum of 10 hours a week in disciplined private devotions under the
guidance of Dr. Curt Scarborough.
2. The goal is to develop personal and practical notes on selected portions
of Scripture within one year (on all 260 chapters in the New Testament,
for example). The mentoring partner will write on at least five chapters
each week, focusing on a few chosen verses in each chapter and using a
suggested simple outline:
(1) Concentration
(2) Meditation
(3) Revelation
(4) Applications
3. Every four to six weeks, the mentoring partner will meet with Dr. Scarborough
personally (or by telephone or commuter) to review the work, to compare spiritual
insights, to discuss revealed truths, and to sharpen each other's ministry skills.
(See Romans 1:11-12). At each monthly meeting, the previous month's work will
be reviewed and discussed, new assignments will be made, and the next appointment
will be scheduled.
4. At the end of one year, the mentoring partner in this example would have
produced a 260 page personal and practical devotional commentary on the entire
New Testament . . . to use in his preaching and teaching, to publish as a book, to
preserve and pass along to his family, and to serve as a resource for mentoring others.

Degrees Available at Pillsbury Institute:

Associate of Applied Christianity in Biblical Studies
Associate of Applied Christianity in Biblical Counseling

Bachelor of Applied Christianity in Biblical Studies
Bachelor of Applied Christianity in Biblical Counseling

Master of Ministry in Spiritual Mentoring
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling Psychology

Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Mentoring
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling Psychology
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Christian Counseling

For information visit our web-site
www.pillsburyinstitute.org or
call Dr. Curt Scarborough at 1-888-737-3392

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

"People seldom refuse help, if one offers it in the right way." A. C. Benson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 10, 2003

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

This fourth quarter of 2003, I shall be sharing with you my "Personal & Practical" notes and applications
on two important books in the Bible. From the Old Testament, we'll be studying all 14 chapters of Hosea,
and from the New Testament, we'll be studying all 13 chapters of II Corinthians
In This Issue:
Hosea 2:1-23
II Corinthians 2:1-17
"Spiritual Mentoring"
God Opens "A Door of Hope"
(Hosea 2:1-23)

I. Concentration: on some key verses in this chapter
1. "Then she (Israel) will say, 'I will go and return to my first husband, for then
it was better for me than now." For she did not know that I (God) gave her
grain, new wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold," vv. 7-8.
2. "I will give her . . . the Valley of Achor as a door of hope," v. 15.
3. "It shall be, in that day," says the Lord, "that you will call Me 'My Husband,'
and no longer call me 'My Master,'" v. 16.
4. "' I will betroth you to Me forever; yes, I will betroth you to Me in righteousness
and justice, in loving-kindness and mercy; I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness,
and you shall know the Lord. I shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,'
says the Lord," vv. 19-21. It shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,'
II. Meditation: on the basic truths in these verses
1. Often sinful and wayward persons are blind to the fact that God is the source of all
their blessings.
2. The Lord can transform the "Valley of Achor" ("Valley of Trouble" where Achan was
stoned, Joshua 7:26) into a door of hope . . . an entrance into the realization of one's
expectations and yearned-for blessings.
3. Although God indeed is our Master (Owner; Possessor), He wants our relationship to
Him to be as an accepted member of a loving family.
4. God's marriages vows (covenant) with His chosen people include a number of wonderful
"forever promises" . . .
(1) Permanent assurance (5) Tender mercies
(2) Right standards (6) Faithful security
(3) Fair treatment (7) Spiritual revelations
(4) Unfailing love (8) Answered prayers
III. Revelation: on the spiritual implications of these truths
1. The goodness of God (including His forbearance and long-suffering) is designed to bring
us to repentance and into a right relationship with Him, Romans 2:3.
2. God can and does bring good results out of a bad circumstances, Romans 8:28.
3. God the Father loves us more than our earthly parents ever could love us, John 3:16.
4. God always is faithful to keep His covenant, I Corinthians 1:9; Hebrews 10:23.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Live in a continuing spirit of humble repentance before God.
2. Trust in the Lord to bless my life by bringing good out of bad.
3. Love the Lord, because He first loved me, I John 4:19.
4. Thank God for His unfailing promises, Joshua 23:14.

"Not Ignorant of Satan's Devices"
(II Corinthians 2:1-17)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught the Corinthian church to forgive the repentant offending
brother, whom he had condemned in his first epistle to them, vv. 1-7.
2. Paul urged them to love that forgiven brother; he stated that he also had
forgiven him; he reminded them that failure to forgive opens the door
so Satan's attacks . . . "Lest Satan should take advantage of us;
for we are not ignorant of his devices," vv. 8-11.
3. Paul reviewed his journey to Troas (where he was frustrated in not finding
Titus) and his further travels in Macedonia, vv. 12-13.
4. Paul thanked God "Who always leads us in triumph in Christ"; he taught
that believers are a sweet fragrance to God, but they are the aroma of death
to unbelievers, vv. 14-17.
II. Observations: on Satan's past, present, and future
1. Satan was cast out of heaven, Luke 10:18.
2. He now is being bruised under believers' feet, Romans 16:20; I John 4:4.
3. He will be bound (made powerless) by God, Revelation 20:2.
4. He will be damned to eternal hell, Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10.
III. Meditation: on what Satan does on the earth
1. Tempts toward sin (Jesus), Matthew 4; Mark 1; Luke 4.
2. Removes God's word from hearts (birds), Mark 4:15.
3. Brings oppression and illness (woman), Luke 13:16.
4. Frustrates and irritates (Paul's thorn in the flesh), II Corinthians 12:7.
5. Hinders, obstructs, delays, and prevents spiritual progress, I Thessalonians 2:18.
6. Counterfeits spiritual things; devices even the God's elect, II Thessalonians 2:9;
Matthew 24:24; Revelation 12:9.
7. Steals, kills, and destroys, John 8:44; 10:10.
IV. Revelation: on "Who is sufficient?" (v. 16)
Sufficient = enough to satisfy all needs
1. We are not sufficient of ourselves; to even think we may be the source of
spiritual sufficiency is foolishness, II Corinthians 3:5.
2. God is the source of our sufficiency; He provides enough to supply all our
needs through Christ, II Corinthians 3:6; Philippians 4:19.
3. God makes us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant by His Spirit II Corinthians 3:6.
4. God's grace is sufficient . . . turning our weakness into perfect strength, II Corinthians 12:9.
V. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Stand courageously against Satan, my defeated enemy.
2. Recognize Satan's evil strategies and the tactics he uses against me.
3. Ask for God's help, knowing that without His help, Satan will defeat me.
4. Rely completely on Jesus Christ, the source of all my spiritual sufficiency.

Spiritual Mentoring by Private Tutoring

Dr. Curt Scarborough, president and founder of Pillsbury Institute, is available to mentor a limited number of mid-career Christian ministers on a one-on-one basis. He will personally tutor mature graduate-level students one day per month . . . any day of the week except Sunday.

Here's how this Spiritual Mentoring program works:
1. A minister enrolls in the Spiritual Mentoring track, agreeing to spend a
minimum of 10 hours a week in disciplined private devotions under the
guidance of Dr. Curt Scarborough.
2. The goal is to develop personal and practical notes on selected portions
of Scripture within one year (on all 260 chapters in the New Testament,
for example). The mentoring partner will write on at least five chapters
each week, focusing on a few chosen verses in each chapter and using a
suggested simple outline:
(1) Concentration
(2) Meditation
(3) Revelation
(4) Applications
3. Every four to six weeks, the mentoring partner will meet with Dr. Scarborough
personally (or by telephone or commuter) to review the work, to compare spiritual
insights, to discuss revealed truths, and to sharpen each other's ministry skills.
(See Romans 1:11-12). At each monthly meeting, the previous month's work will
be reviewed and discussed, new assignments will be made, and the next appointment
will be scheduled.
4. At the end of one year, the mentoring partner in this example would have
produced a 260 page personal and practical devotional commentary on the entire
New Testament . . . to use in his preaching and teaching, to publish as a book, to
preserve and pass along to his family, and to serve as a resource for mentoring others.

Degrees Available at Pillsbury Institute:

Associate of Applied Christianity in Biblical Studies
Associate of Applied Christianity in Biblical Counseling

Bachelor of Applied Christianity in Biblical Studies
Bachelor of Applied Christianity in Biblical Counseling

Master of Ministry in Spiritual Mentoring
Master of Arts in Christian Counseling Psychology

Doctor of Ministry in Spiritual Mentoring
Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling Psychology
Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Christian Counseling

For information visit our web-site
http://www.pillsburyinstitute.org or
call Dr. Curt Scarborough at 1-888-737-3392

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

"People seldom refuse help, if one offers it in the right way." A. C. Benson
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------