Epistle for October 31, 2003

#1 · October 30, 2003, 6:16 pm

Quote from Forum Archives on October 30, 2003, 6:16 pm
Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 31, 2003

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

In This Issue:
Hosea 5:1-15
II Corinthians 5:1-21
Are you a "Mentor"?
Walking by Human Precepts
(Hosea 5:1-15)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Hosea pronounced impending judgment upon the religious leaders, the royal family, and
the entire nation; he rebuked them for harlotry (spiritual adultery), reminding them that God
sees and knows their defilement, Hosea condemned Israel for stumbling in their inquity.
and for leading Judah also to stumble into sin, vv. 1-5.
2. Hosea spoke of the futility of their pagan worship practices because, no matter how much they
sought the Lord, they would not find Him; the Lord had withdrawn His presence form them, vv. 6-9.
3. Hosea charged the royal family with very serious crimes (like removing a landmark, Deuteronomy
19:14; 27:17), stating that oppression had come upon them because they "willingly walked by
human precept"; God's judgment, he said, would be like a moth and rottenness . . . silently,
surely, and internally bringing total devastation, vv. 10-12.
4. Hosea noted that when the nation finally realized its problems, it sought help from a foreign
power; therefore, God will tear them like a lion mauls its prey, and then he will withdraw to
heaven and allow them to contemplate their plight, vv. 13-15.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen in this chapter
1. Sin against the Lord is very serious; even more serious, however, is the sin of causing
(or influencing) someone else to sin against God, v. 5.
2. Sinful man, even by his most sincere efforts, cannot find God; the Lord must take the initiative
(John 6:44), but when God finally withdraws from dealing with a person, all hope is gone, v. 6.
3. Judgment is most severe upon those persons who deliberately and knowingly forsake God's
ways, and who willingly walk according to human precepts, v. 11; Luke 12:47-48; James 4:17.
4. God may have several reasons for sending (or allowing) adversity . . . to punish, to teach a
spiritual lesson, to strengthen character . . . but always, His purpose includes a desire for
man to reflect upon his life, to repent, and to seek God's face, v. 15; Jeremiah 29:13.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Carefully guard my words and deeds to avoid being a bad influence or leading persons away
from the Lord.
2. Thank the Lord that salvation is entirely His divine work, and that my part is merely to receive
His blood-bought gift.
3. Seek divine guidance for all the decisions of my life, realizing that human reasoning and worldly
wisdom often are opposite from God's divine will and purpose for me.
4. "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider," Ecclesiastes 7:14
. . . in all things, ask for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.

My Aim: TO PLEASE GOD
(II Corinthians 5:1-21)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught about the believer's assurance of the resurrection; he wrote,
"For we walk by faith, not by sight," vv. 1-8.
2. Paul taught that all believers must "appear before the judgment seat
of Christ," vv. 9-11.
3. Paul taught that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold all things have become new," vv. 12-17.
4. "Ambassador" Paul implored people to be reconciled to God, vv. 18-21.
II. Meditation: on Scriptural concepts about pleasing God
1. "We make it our aim . . . to be well PLEASING to Him," II Corinthians 5:9.
2. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still PLEASED men, I would not be a
bondservant of Christ," Galatians 1:10.
3. "We pray . . . that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully PLEASING Him,"
Colossians 1:9-10.
4. "I (Jesus) always do those things that PLEASE Him (Father)," John 8:29.
III. Revelation: on 12 things that please God
1. LOVE - "Love one another," John 13:34-35.
2. HOLINESS - "Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord," Hebrews 12:14.
3. EDIFICATION - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind," Romans 12:2.
4. MOTIVATION - "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts,"
I Thessalonians 2:4.
5. FAITH - "Enoch . . . was commended as one who pleased God," Hebrews 11:5-6.
6. HUMILITY - "Walk humbly with your God," Micah 6:8.
7. OBEDIENCE - "We keep His commandments and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight," I John 3:22.
8. SERVICE - "He who serves Christ . . . is acceptable (pleasing) to God and
approved by men," Romans 14:18.
9. GIVING - "The things sent from you (are) a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable
(pleasing) sacrifice," Philippians 4:18.
10. REVERENCE - "Live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and reverence. This
is good, and pleases our Savior," I Timothy 2:2-3.
11. PRAISE - "Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God . . . for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased," Hebrews 13:15-16.
12. MEDITATION/PRAYER - "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord," Psalm 19:14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Have the right affections: (see #'s 1, 2, and 3 above).
2. Have the right attitudes: (see #'s 4, 5, and 6 above).
3. Have the right actions: (see #'s 7, 8 and 9 above.)
4. Have the right accessibility: (see #'s 10, 11, and 12 above.)

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 computer) 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 PIAC

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.freewayfoundation.org
or call Dr. Curt toll-free
1888-737-3392

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

"There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world.
It is to bend down and lift mankind a little higher." Henry Van Dyke
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by: info <info@...>

E-pistle

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

Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation October 31, 2003

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

In This Issue:
Hosea 5:1-15
II Corinthians 5:1-21
Are you a "Mentor"?
Walking by Human Precepts
(Hosea 5:1-15)
I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Hosea pronounced impending judgment upon the religious leaders, the royal family, and
the entire nation; he rebuked them for harlotry (spiritual adultery), reminding them that God
sees and knows their defilement, Hosea condemned Israel for stumbling in their inquity.
and for leading Judah also to stumble into sin, vv. 1-5.
2. Hosea spoke of the futility of their pagan worship practices because, no matter how much they
sought the Lord, they would not find Him; the Lord had withdrawn His presence form them, vv. 6-9.
3. Hosea charged the royal family with very serious crimes (like removing a landmark, Deuteronomy
19:14; 27:17), stating that oppression had come upon them because they "willingly walked by
human precept"; God's judgment, he said, would be like a moth and rottenness . . . silently,
surely, and internally bringing total devastation, vv. 10-12.
4. Hosea noted that when the nation finally realized its problems, it sought help from a foreign
power; therefore, God will tear them like a lion mauls its prey, and then he will withdraw to
heaven and allow them to contemplate their plight, vv. 13-15.
II. Meditation and Revelation: on the spiritual truths seen in this chapter
1. Sin against the Lord is very serious; even more serious, however, is the sin of causing
(or influencing) someone else to sin against God, v. 5.
2. Sinful man, even by his most sincere efforts, cannot find God; the Lord must take the initiative
(John 6:44), but when God finally withdraws from dealing with a person, all hope is gone, v. 6.
3. Judgment is most severe upon those persons who deliberately and knowingly forsake God's
ways, and who willingly walk according to human precepts, v. 11; Luke 12:47-48; James 4:17.
4. God may have several reasons for sending (or allowing) adversity . . . to punish, to teach a
spiritual lesson, to strengthen character . . . but always, His purpose includes a desire for
man to reflect upon his life, to repent, and to seek God's face, v. 15; Jeremiah 29:13.
III. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Carefully guard my words and deeds to avoid being a bad influence or leading persons away
from the Lord.
2. Thank the Lord that salvation is entirely His divine work, and that my part is merely to receive
His blood-bought gift.
3. Seek divine guidance for all the decisions of my life, realizing that human reasoning and worldly
wisdom often are opposite from God's divine will and purpose for me.
4. "In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider," Ecclesiastes 7:14
. . . in all things, ask for the Holy Spirit's enlightenment.

My Aim: TO PLEASE GOD
(II Corinthians 5:1-21)

I. Concentration: on the contents of this chapter
1. Paul taught about the believer's assurance of the resurrection; he wrote,
"For we walk by faith, not by sight," vv. 1-8.
2. Paul taught that all believers must "appear before the judgment seat
of Christ," vv. 9-11.
3. Paul taught that "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things
have passed away; behold all things have become new," vv. 12-17.
4. "Ambassador" Paul implored people to be reconciled to God, vv. 18-21.
II. Meditation: on Scriptural concepts about pleasing God
1. "We make it our aim . . . to be well PLEASING to Him," II Corinthians 5:9.
2. "Do I seek to please men? For if I still PLEASED men, I would not be a
bondservant of Christ," Galatians 1:10.
3. "We pray . . . that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully PLEASING Him,"
Colossians 1:9-10.
4. "I (Jesus) always do those things that PLEASE Him (Father)," John 8:29.
III. Revelation: on 12 things that please God
1. LOVE - "Love one another," John 13:34-35.
2. HOLINESS - "Holiness, without which no one will see the Lord," Hebrews 12:14.
3. EDIFICATION - "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind," Romans 12:2.
4. MOTIVATION - "We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts,"
I Thessalonians 2:4.
5. FAITH - "Enoch . . . was commended as one who pleased God," Hebrews 11:5-6.
6. HUMILITY - "Walk humbly with your God," Micah 6:8.
7. OBEDIENCE - "We keep His commandments and do those things that are
pleasing in His sight," I John 3:22.
8. SERVICE - "He who serves Christ . . . is acceptable (pleasing) to God and
approved by men," Romans 14:18.
9. GIVING - "The things sent from you (are) a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable
(pleasing) sacrifice," Philippians 4:18.
10. REVERENCE - "Live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and reverence. This
is good, and pleases our Savior," I Timothy 2:2-3.
11. PRAISE - "Continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God . . . for with such sacrifices
God is well pleased," Hebrews 13:15-16.
12. MEDITATION/PRAYER - "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord," Psalm 19:14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Have the right affections: (see #'s 1, 2, and 3 above).
2. Have the right attitudes: (see #'s 4, 5, and 6 above).
3. Have the right actions: (see #'s 7, 8 and 9 above.)
4. Have the right accessibility: (see #'s 10, 11, and 12 above.)

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 computer) 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 PIAC

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.freewayfoundation.org
or call Dr. Curt toll-free
1888-737-3392

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

"There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world.
It is to bend down and lift mankind a little higher." Henry Van Dyke
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------