Two Are Better Than One

2009-02-10 - VALENTINE'S DAY

“BIBLE VERSES THAT WORK THROUGH A TRUE VALENTINE'S DAY

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (4:7-12) THE REWARD OF A TRUE VALENTINE TEAM

toBIYM [2896] hash-sheNAyim [3426] min - ha-eCHAD [259],

Two are better than one,

aSHER yesh-laHEM saCAR [7939] tob ba-a-maLAM [5899].

because they have a good reward for their labor.

ciy im - yipPOlu [5307],

10For if they fall,

ha-eCHAD yaKIYM[6965] eth - cha-beRO [2272];

the one will lift up his fellow;

veIYloHAeCHAD shey-yipPOL,

but woe to him that is alone when he falls,

veEYN sheNIY la-cha-kiyMO.

and has not another to lift him up.

gam, im - yish-ceBU [7901],

11Again, if two lie together,

sheNAYIM veCHAM [2552] laHEM;

then they have warmth;

vu-le-eCHAD eyc yeCHAM?

but how can one be warm alone?

veIM - yith-ke-PHO[8630]ha-eCHAD,

12And if a man prevail against him that is alone,

hash-sheNAYIM ya-a-meDU [5975]negDO;

two shall withstand him;

ve-haCHUT [2339]HAme-shulLASH lobim-cheRAH [4120]yin-naTHEK [5423].

and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

NOTE: Perhaps the key this this text is the latter part of verse 12 - “And a 3-fold cord is not quickly broken. One very possible interpretation to this involves God's and man's covenant. Visualize a “triangle” with God at the top, and 2 prayer partners at the two lower corners. Let God be “A”, and a husband and wife - “B & C.” God makes a covenant with us individually. We can accept or reject His terms, but we cannot modify them. Should we accept His covenant, we understand that it is based on the “”Atoning, Redemptive work of Christ. Reconciliation with God on a covenant basis is only possible because the LOgos - the Word - became man, and as man undid for us what Adam caused. Christ the man took the penalty of death on our behalf, - for the soul that sins, it must die. Christ's death on our behalf frees us to receive God's offer of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Once this transaction has taken place, we immediately enter into God's Kingdom as babes. As we leave the milk of the Word and become children, youth and then adults, we move from a 10-fold to a 100-fold to a 1000 potential in “God. Then according to Zechariah 12:8, we can press in to a million-fold potential!

So if God is “A” and I am “B”, this is a decided opportunity. But if my wife Marie is “C”, she can progress with God on a parallel path. It is based on blood-covenant, “b'rit” in Hebrew, "di-aTHEke" in Greek. This latter means that we have been thoroughly placed by God in a vital relationship with Himself!

But there is also a human covenant between individuals, not on a vertical, but on a horizontal plane. It is call “sunTHEke" - “sun” meaning “with”. Two on a horizontal level that has first been individually achieved through a vertical relationship with God - now can enter with “Prayer Multiplication”. Instead of each of us remaining in a “1000-fold basis”, we now enter into a 10,000-fold potential! And if we by faith dare to activate under God Zechariah 12:8, and each of us achieve a million-fold potential - then together we become 10 million-fold. 4 couples become a billion-fold - and 8 individuals become like elders in the gate of our city, and God can use us as an “automated laser-telescope”, and remove principalities and powers of Satan over our city, area, state or province or country. Then after God does it by using us, we like David can then go in and “mop-up.+

This triangle set-up based on both vertical and horizontal covenant, become the 3-fold cord that is not easily broken. It is because of an understanding of the above, first submitted to us by Pastor Ern Baxter, that Marie and I call our ministry - “Two are Better than One” Ministries! He that has ears to hear, let him him hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

This is really a Valentine presentation to Marie from me, and you friends have the privilege of sharing in it. - Jim.

Deuteronomy 32:30 (32:1-43) THE SONG OF MOSES

THE VICTORY FOR A TRUE VALENTINE TEAM (An application)

eyCAH yirDOPH [7291] eCHAD Eleph [505],

How should one chase a thousand,

vushNAYIM yaNIYsu [5127] ri-baBAH [7233],

And two put ten thousand to flight,

im - LO ciy - tzuRAM [6697] me-caRAM [4376],

Except their Rock had sold them,

VAYhoVEH his-giyRAM [5462]?

And Jehovah had delivered them up?

NOTE: As you have no doubt noted, God is here warning Covenant-Israel - that if she becomes a covenant-breaker, then her enemies receive this multiplication advantage. But if our enemies can enter this because of failure (such as Israel is experiencing today) - how much more will spiritual covenant-keepers enter into an even greater blessing - even such as promised in Zechariah 12:8!

And in Matthew 18:19, we see God's clear NT Prayer Multiplication promise for the “One New Man”, Jew and Gentile together.

Many of us have experienced the faithfulness of God in these promises. But now He is about to activate the greater promises of Zechariah 12:8!

Matthew 18:19-20 (18:18-20, NNT) CERTAIN PRAYER RESULTS FROM A TRUE VALENTINE TEAM

PAlin, aMEN, LEgo huMIN,

Again, Amen, I say unto you,

HOti eAN DUo sum-phoNEso-sin [4856] ex huMON ePI tes ges

that if two of you shall agree on :earth

peRI panTOS PRAGma-tos [4229] hou eAN aiTEson-tai [154],

as touching anything they shall ask,

geNEse-tai [1096] auTOIS paRA tou paTROS mou tou en ou-ranNOIS.

it shall be done for them of my :Father who isin the heavens.

hou gar ei-sin DUo etreis su-negMEnoi [4863]eis to eMON Ono-ma [3686],

20For where two or three are gathered unto my :name,

eKEI eiMI en MEsoauTON.

there am I in their midst.

Zechariah 12:8-9 (12:1-9, ASV) HIGHER STAKES IN THE LAST DAYS

bayYOM haHUyaGEN [1598]ye-hoVAH beAD yoSHEB[3427]ye-ru-shaLAIM;

In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem;

ve-haYAH han-nicSHAL [3782]baHEM bayYOM haHU

and he that is feeble among them at that day

ce-daVIYD;

shall be as David;

vuBETH daVIYD CEloHIYM,

and the house of David shall be as God,

ce-malAC [4397]ye-hoVAH liph-neyHEM.

as the angel of Jehovah before them.

ve-haYAH bayYOM haHU,

9And it shall come to pass in that day,

a-bakKESH [1245] le-ha-sheMIYD [8045] eth - cal - hagGOYIM [1421]

that I will seek to destroy all the nations

hab-baIYM al - ye-ru-shaLAIM.

that come against Jerusalem.

NOTE Many others have used these first 3 verses: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Deuteronomy 32:20; Matthew 18:19-20 - Dennis Bennett of St Luke's in Seattle among them.

But 60 years ago God quickened these 3 sections to Marie and me following our marriage in 1948. Marie especially had the Ecclesiastes and Deuteronomy passages quickened to her. On the basis of these 3 verses, we named the ministry to which God called us together to share, “Two Are Better then One” Ministries.

In the late 70's we were in Ontario for meetings. I was reading Charles Haddon Spurgeon's daily devotional,
“God's Checkbook.” Marie had given it to me as a birthday present. One of the readings that year was on Zechariah 12:8. God powerfully spoke to my spirit, and seemed to say that about the time of the return of His Son, we would see this promise activated. And because Gentiles - the non-Jewish nations - have been grafted into Israel's olive tree - we too could claim these promises made to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

Note that in thatday the feebleamong us would be as David. Women sang that Saul slew his thousands, but Davidhis ten thousands! Saul was very angry and jealous at these words, and made 21 attempts on the life of David following this revelation.

But see what God's Spirit through Zechariah follows up with - Those of the house of David - who are notfeeble - would be like God- like the Angel of the LORD who went before Israel with Moses and Joshua to give Israel the land of Canaan (present Palestine), as a perpetual inheritance. Any nation or nations who seek to overturn God's will in this, will find themselves fighting God, not Israel! This is difficult for nations who do not honor God and His Word to accept, but it will eventually come to pass and vindicate God's purposes for Israel.

But look at the above 4 passages and their application to prayer partners, especially a married couple. At a recent Presbytery Meeting that Marie and I were asked to share in - Marie prophesied to a couple that “Prayer Multiplication” on the basis of these passages, was a distinct purpose of God for the success of their united ministry. She added: Church couples can honestly witness that thispartnership in successful Prayer Multiplication - is the most difficult to achieve among all prayer couples for the marrieds! The congregation that night heartilyagreed!

So - does it not seem appropriate that these 4 passages are most appropriate for both married couples, and those planning to marry - to offer to each other as a “Valentine's Day” Gift, Challenge and Blessing?

Recently I mailed out an article on the unusual blessing that flows from a minimum of an hour a day to engage in the use of one's “Devotional Prayer Language.”: It is a highly edifying gift from God to one's spirit. When married couples individually give themselves in obedience to God to this privilege and blessing, they will then find that “Prayer Multiplication” becomes a distinct possibility and blessing.

So - from Marie and myself to all of you, “Happy Valentine's Day” - but - why not make every day of this year a Valentine's Day and Gift - and through your “devotional prayer language” enter in the “Halls of Highest Human Happiness” - as Peter Marshall called marriage. If your marriage isn't that today - it can betomorrow, and all of tomorrow's tomorrows!

Your devoted friends on behalf of God's very best for each of you - Jim and Marie Watt