From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Jan 4 13:44:13 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 13:44:13 -0800 Subject: Keep to the Point - Oswald Chambers Message-ID: <625d7240901041344i63dc9a97mbab47d49e712927a@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *"KEEP TO THE POINT" - OC - 2009.01.01* *LET US KEEP TO THE POINT** - Oswald Chambers* *Philippians 1:20 (15-20) "... my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death."* *My Utmost for His Highest. "... my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed...." *We will all feel very much ashamed if we do not yield to Jesus the areas of our lives He has asked us to yield to Him. It's as if Paul were saying, *"My determined purpose is to be my utmost for His highest - my best for His glory." *To reach that level of determination is a matter of the will, not of debate or of reasoning. It is absolute and irrevocable surrender of the will at that point. An undue amount of thought and consideration for ourselves is what keeps us from making that decision, although we cover it up with the pretense that it is others we are considering. When we think seriously about what it will cost others if we obey the call of Jesus, we tell God He doesn't know what our obedience will mean. Keep to the point - He *does* know. Shut out every other thought and keep yourself before God in this one thing only - my utmost for His highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Him and Him alone. *My Unstoppable Determination for His Holiness. "Whether it means life or death - it makes no difference!" (see 1:21). *Paul was determined that nothing would stop him from doing exactly what God wanted. But before we choose to follow God's will, a crisis must develop in our lives. This happens because we tend to be unresponsive to God's gentler nudges. He brings us to the place where He asks us to be our utmost for Him and we begin to debate. He then providentially produces a crisis where we have to decide - for or against. That moment becomes a great crossroads in our lives. If a crisis has come to you on any front, surrender your will to Jesus absolutely and irrevocably. *NOTE**: This book is dedicated to the reader. ("My Utmost for His Highest")* *May you know God better and draw closer to Him as a result of applying the truths of God's Word expressed in this book.* Consider: in 1874 Winston Churchill and Oswald Chambers were born. Both were active in the Dardanelles during World War I. But Churchill outlived OC twice over. Both were patriots in a good sense of the word. *INTRODUCTION: *For over sixty years Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest has been one of the most widely read books in the Christian world. First published in England in 1927,and in the United States in 1935, these daily readings were compiled from shorthand notes of Chambers' lectures and talks by his wife, "Biddy", who was a professional stenographer. Oswald Chambers was a powerful Bible teacher who had lectured widely in Great Britain and abroad. From 1911 to 1915 he served as principal of the Bible Training College in London. Following the outbreak of World War I he offered himself as a chaplain for the YMCA and was assigned to minister to the Australian and New Zealand troops stationed in Zeitoun, Egypt, near Cairo. It was there that he died suddenly on November 15, 1917, following surgery for a ruptured appendix. The story of his life has been chronicled in the recently published work by David McCasland, "*Oswald Chambers: Abandoned to God" (*Discovery House). Because of the numerous changes in the English language over the last several decades, and the desire to reach a new generation of readers, James Reimann has updated the 1935 edition of *My Utmost for His Highest* in today's language. The enthusiastic reception given to this new edition suggests that this goal is being realized. Among the many whose lives have been influenced by this book are contemporary Christian musicians who testify to the impact it has had on their personal walk with God. They have chosen to express their commitment to Christ by issuing a selection of recorded Christian music using the theme of "My Utmost for His Highest." The publisher is releasing this special edition of *My Utmost* to complement this musical production and introduce a new generation to the timeless truths of Scripture as taught through the enduring words of Oswald Chambers. *The Publisher* *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Jan 5 11:14:35 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 11:14:35 -0800 Subject: Exodus 19-40 - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240901051114w212dfb91ub56bc180feaddcf3@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * EXODUS 19-40 - LAW OF THE COVENANT - T0601R - OVERVIEW - 2008-12-31* *1. 19:8 (19-20) THE MORAL LAW: ITS COMMANDMENTS. "And all the people answered together, and said, All that Jehovah has spoken we will do. And Moses reported the words of the people unto Jehovah." *O that Israel had had a heart to have continued in this response! Grant O Father, that this Kingdom principle may be manifested in us both inwardly and outwardly. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 23:32-33 (21-23) THE SOCIAL LIFE: ITS JUDGMENTS. "You shall make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. 33 They shall not dwell in your land, lest they make you sin against me; for if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto you." *Here You spell our Your will, Father. We as New Covenant believers would walk in Your will. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 24:12 (24) THE RELIGIOUS LIFE: ITS ORDINANCES. "And Jehovah said unto Moses, Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give you the tables of stone, and the law and the commandments, which I have written, that you may teach them." *These Your words, are spiritual bread, Father! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 28:29 (25-31) THE TABERNACLE: ITS PLAN. "And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment upon his heart, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before Jehovah continually." *Yes Father, and we bear before You as a memorial the names of our clans and households, that you might forgive their sins and bring salvation. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 34:10 (32-34) THE TABERNACLE: ITS DELAY. "And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been wrought in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which you are shall see the work of Jehovah; for it is a terrible thing that I do with you." *Yes Father, and You will put Jesus the Messiah as our armor upon us! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 39:6-7 (35:1-39:31) THE TABERNACLE: ITS COMPLETION. "And they worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, graven with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7 And he put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel; as Jehovah commanded Moses." *In the strength of the shoulders of Your Son, Father, You bear our names. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 40:14-15 (39:32-40:38) THE TABERNACLE: ITS CONFIRMATION. "And you shall bring his sons, and put coats upon them; 15 and you shall anoint them, as you did anoint their father, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office: and their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations." *Your Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, Father, and so is Your Power and Glory also. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE:* The headings of the above 7 sections are from J. Sidlow Baxter's "Explore the Book." He has since gone to be with the Lord, but his 66 book summaries in his text are rewarding to go through. The Ten Commandments are called "the Covenant" of God on the behalf of Israel. To understand "Covenant" from both God's point of view and its historical usage by ancient empires, is one that is quite different than that held by our Western Civilization. We have lost *much* in the intervening millenia. It is not too difficult to catch up on this however. E. W. Kenyon's "The Blood Covenant" provides a quick catch-up. But the "Tabernacle" as recounted in chapters 25-40 - is one of the most rewarding of studies. In 1944 as a sailor in the Navy, God introduced me to the value of this subject through Lee Ellenwood of California. He came to Port Alberni and Victoria BC to present the practical truths of this study. I can't recall a lecture that he did not draw a diagram of the Tabernacle on a blackboard. He depicted the "Outer Court" with the Brazen Altar and the Laver as an illustration of the human body. Jesus on the Altar of Calvary provided full Atonement for the human race, counteracting Adam's sin, and bringing us back in reconciliation with God through His Redemptive Act. In Romans 12:1-2, the Holy Spirit through Paul shows us our appropriate response! At the Laver through water baptism we present our bodies a "living sacrifice" unto God, our spiritual or reasonable service. The Holy Place represents our soul. Here 3 more pieces of furniture set forth the ongoingness of God's purposes on our behalf. At the Menorah or 7-fold Candlestick, the Holy Spirit brings to believers the 9 gifts of the Spirit (tongues and interpretation = prophecy according to 1 Corinthians 14). At the "Table of Bread of His Presence," we learn to feed on Jesus, the Living Word. There too we drink of the Spirit because of Jesus' blood, which is at the same Table through the wine. But at the Table of Incense, our Praise, Prayers and Intercession rises to God as sweet Incense. We are now 60-fold believers, having first graduated from the Outer Court as 30-fold ones. But God's fullness of purpose on our behalf is to bring us through the Riven Veil into the Holy of Holies, where God dwells above the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat, between the Cherubim. Here our spirit becomes intimately one with our Triune God. Here God's heart desire finds fulfillment. Here He is able to bring many sons unto glory, Hebrews 2:10 (2:5-18) - *"For it became him, for whom are :all things, and through whom are :all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to perfect the author of their :salvation through sufferings." *Here we become 100-fold Christians. Here like Rees Howells, Oswald Chambers, George Muller, H. A. Baker, and many more men and women - we become those *"possessed"* by the Holy Spirit. And how many reach *this* place most pleasing to God? Not too many, according to the 4 mentioned above. But - this place *is* available and open to all of us. For a High School graduation treat, our grade 12 class of the Alberni District High School of Port Alberni set out to climb Mt. Arrowsmith just east of town, at some 6200 foot altitude. Half dropped out 2/3 way up. More further on. Four arrived at the last 200 feet. One made it to the top! Unfortunately, this is an all-too-true picture of our Christian pilgrimage. But here is where our "spirit" becomes one with the Spirit of God. Here we enter into the true "Rest" God desires for us. He has made it all available - but it is our responsibility and privilege to press in and obtain. *"And from the days of John the Baptist unto now the kingdom of the heavens suffers violence, **and men of violence take it by force."* Matthew 11:12 (11:7-19). Read "Rees Howells, Intercessor" by Norman P. Grubb to see the trauma and travail that ushers us into this 3rd stage of *possession* by the Holy Spirit. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Tue Jan 6 10:56:59 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 10:56:59 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 1:1-31 Message-ID: <625d7240901061056l5c803b4se604301f4bb782b2@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 1 CORINTHIANS 1:1-31* *1 CORINTHIANS SUMMARY: IMPLEMENTATION OF NORMAL CHURCH LIFE* *I. 1:1-4:21 TRUE MINISTRY: UNDERCUTS THE FLESH* *A. 1:1-3 PAUL GREETS THE CHURCH OF GOD AT CORINTH* PAUlos, kl*e*TOS [2822] aPOSto-los [652] 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU diA theL*E* ma-tos [2307] TheOU, *Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ through God's will,* kai S*o*sTHEn*e*s ho a-delPHOS, *and Sosthenes the brother,* t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa tou TheOU t*e* OUs*e* en KoRINth*o*, *2 to the church of :God which is at Corinth,* h*e*-gi-asMEnois [37] en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, kl*e*TOIS haGIois [40], *those** sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints,* sun PAsin tois e-pi-ka-louMEnois [1941] to Ono-ma [3686] *with all that call in every place upon the name* tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU en PANti TOp*o*, auT*O*N kai h*e*M*O* N: *of our :Lord Jesus Christ, theirs and ours:* CHAris huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* aPO TheOU paTROS h*e*M*O*N *3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father* kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *and the Lord Jesus Christ.* *B. 1:4-9 GOD: ALWAYS A GOD OF GRACE* *a. 1:4-8 GRACE ENRICHES* Eu-cha-risT*O* [2168] t*o* The*O* PANto-te peRI huM*O*N, *I thank :God alway concerning you,* ePI t*e* CHAri-ti tou TheOU t*e* doTHEIs*e* [1325] huMIN en ChrisT*O* 'I*e* SOU; *for the grace of :God :given you in Christ Jesus;* HOti en panTI e-plouTISth*e*-te [4148] en auT*O*, *5 that in everything you were enriched in him,* en panTI LOg*o* kai PAs*e* GN*O*sei [1108]; *in all utterance and all knowledge;* kaTH*O*S to marTUri-on [3142] tou ChristTOU e-be-bai*O*th*e* [950] en huMIN: *6 even as the testimony of the Christ was confirmed in you:* H*O*Ste huMAS m*e* hus-teREISthai [5302] en m*e*-deNI chaRISma-ti [5485]; *7 so that you are behind in no gift;* a-pek-de-choMEnous [553] t*e*n a-poKAlu-psin [602] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e *SOU ChrisTOU; *awaiting the revelation of our :Lord Jesus Christ;* hos kai be-bai*O*sei huMAS HE*o*s TElous [5056] *8 who shall also confirm you unto the end* a-negKL*E*tous [410] en t*e* h*e*MEra tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *unreprovable in the day of our :Lord Jesus Christ.* *b. 1:9 GOD OF GRACE: CALLS US INTO CHRIST'S FELLOWSHIP* pisTOS ho TheOS, di' hou ek-L*E*th*e*-te [2563] *Faithful the God, through whom you were called* eis koi-n*o*NIan [2842] tou huiOU auTOU 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU tou KuRIou h*e*M*O *N. *into the fellowship of his :Son Jesus Christ our :Lord.* *C. 1:10-17 STRONG PLEA FOR UNITY WHEN CONTENTIONS* *a. 1:10 A STRONG PLEA* Pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] de huMAS, a-delPHOI, *Now I beseech you, brethren,* diA tou oNOma-tos tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *through the name of our :Lord Jesus Christ,* HIna to auTO LEg*e*-te PANtes, kai m*e* *e* en huMIN SCHISma-ta [4978]; *that you all speak the same, and no divisions be among you;* *E*te de ka-t*e*r-tisMEnoi [2675] *but that you be perfected together* en t*o* auT*O* noI kai en t*e* auT*E* GN*O*m*e*. *in the same mind and in the same judgment.* *b. 1:11 PAUL: RECEIVES A REPORT OF CONTENTIONS* e-d*e*L*O*th*e* [1213] gar moi peRI huM*O*N, a-delPHOI mou, *For it has been shown me concerning you, my brethren,* huPO t*o*n CHLO*e*s HOti Eri-des [2054] en huMIN eiSIN. *by them of Chloe's house that contentions are among you.* *c. 1:12 PAUL SPELLS IT OUT* LEg*o* de TOUto, HOti HEkas-tos huM*O*N LEgei, E-G*O* men ei-mi PAUlou; *Now this I say, that each of you says, I indeed am of Paul;* E-G*O* de A-polL*O*; E-G*O* de K*e*PHA, E-G*O* de ChrisTOU. *and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas, and I of Christ.* *d. 1:13 AND AMPLIFIES IT* meMEris-tai [3307] ho ChrisTOS: m*e* PAUlos es-tauR*O*th*e* [4717] huPER huM *O*N? *Christ is divided: was Paul crucified for you?* *e* eis to Ono-ma PAUlou e-bapTISth*e*-te [907]? *or were you baptized into the name of Paul?* *e. 1:14-15 PAUL: DID LITTLE BAPTIZING* eu-cha-risT*O* HOti ouDEna huM*O*N eBAPti-sa, *I give thanks that I baptized none of you,* ei m*e* KRISpon kai GAIon; *save Crispus and Gaius;* HIna m*e* tis EIp*e* HOti eis to eMON Ono-ma e-bapTISth*e*-te. *15 lest any one say that you were baptized into my :name.* *f. 1:16 HE DID ONE HOUSEHOLD* eBAPti-sa de kai ton Ste-phaNA OIkon: *And I baptized also the house of Stephanas:* loiPON, ouk OIda ei ti-na ALlon eBAPti-sa. *for the rest, I know not whether I baptized any other.* *g. 1:17 CHRIST'S MANDATE TO PAUL* ou gar aPEsteiLEN me ChrisTOS bapTIzein, alLA eu-ag-geLIzes-thai [2097]: *For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel:* ouk en soPHIa LOgou, HIna m*e* ke-n*o*TH*E* [2758] ho stauROS [4716] tou ChrisTOU. *not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of the Christ be made void.* *D. 1:18-31 FLESH UNDERCUT BY THE CROSS* *1. 1:18-25 THE WISDOM OF THE CROSS AND ITS MESSAGE* *a. 1:18 GOD'S POWER IN THE CROSS* Ho LOgos gar ho tou stauROU tois men a-pol-luMEnois [622] m*o*RIa [3472]esTIN; *For the word :of the cross is to the perishing foolishness;* tois de s*o*-zoMEnois [4982] h*e*MIN DUna-mis TheOU es-tin. *but to us who are being saved it is God's power.* *b. 1:19 GOD DESTROYS MAN'S WISDOM* GEgrap-tai gar, *For it is written,* A-poL*O* [522] t*e*n soPHIan t*o*n soPH*O*N, *I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,* kai t*e*n SUne-sin t*o*n su-neT*O*N a-theT*E*s*o*. *And annul the discernment of the discerning.* *c. 1:20 WISDOM OF THE WORLD BECOMES FOOLISHNESS* pou soPHOS? pou gram-maTEUS [1122]? *Where is the wise? where the scribe?* pou sun-z*e*-t*e*T*E*S [4804] tou ai*O*nos TOUtou? *where the disputer of this :age?* ouCHI eM*O*ra-nen [3471] ho TheOS t*e*n soPHIan tou KOSmou? *has not :God made foolish the wisdom of the world?* *d. 1:21 GOD'S USE OF THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING* e-peiD*E* gar en t*e* soPHIa tou TheOU *For since in the wisdom of :God* ouk EGn*o* ho KOSmos diA t*e*s soPHIas ton TheON, *the world through :wisdom knew not :God,* euDOk*e*sen [2106] ho TheOS diA t*e*s m*o*RIas [3472] *it was :God's good pleasure through the foolishness* tou k*e*RUGma-tos [2782] S*O*sai tous pisTEUon-tas. *of the preachment to save them that believe.* *e. 1:22-24 CHRIST: GOD'S POWER DEFEATING SIGNS AND WISDOM* e-peiD*E* kai 'I-ouDAIoi s*e*MEIa [4592] aiTOUsin, kai HEL-l*e*nes soPHIan z *e*TOUsin: *Since both Jews ask signs, and Greeks seek wisdom:* h*e*MEIS de k*e*RUSso-men [2784] ChrisTON es-tau-r*o*MEnon [4717], *23 but WE preach Christ crucified,* 'I-ouDAIois men SKANda-lon [4625], ETHne-sin de m*o*RIan [3472]; *a stumbling-block to Jews indeed, but to the nations foolishness;* auTOIS de tois kl*e*TOIS, 'I-ouDAIois te kai HELl*e*-sin, *24 but to the called themselves, both Jews and Greeks,* ChrisTON TheOU DUna-min kai TheOU soPHIan. *Christ God's power and God's wisdom.* *f. 1:25 AN AMAZING CONTRAST* HOti to m*o*RON [3472] tou TheOU soPH*O*te-ron [4680] t*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n es-tin; *Because the foolishness of :God is wiser than :men;* kai to as-theNES [772] tou TheOU is-chuROte-ron [2478] t*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n. *and the weakness of :God is stronger than :men.* *2. 1:26-31 PURPOSE OF THE CROSS: PUT FLESH TO DEATH* *a. 1:26-29 GOD'S CHOICE: TO CONFOUND THE GREAT* BLEpe-te gar t*e*n KL*E*sin [2821] huM*O*N, a-delPHOI, *For look at your :calling, brethren, * HOti ou polLOI soPHOI kaTA SARka [4561], ou polLOI du-naTOI, *that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty,* ou poLOI eu-geNEIS [2104]; *not many noble are chosen;* alLA ta m*o*RA tou KOSmou e-xeLExa-to ho TheOS, *27 but :God chose the foolish things of the world,* HIna ka-taiSCHUn*e* [2617] tous soPHOUS; *that he put to shame the wise;* kai ta as-theN*E* [772] tou KOSmou e-xeLExa-to [1586] ho TheOS, *and :God chose the weak **things** of the world,* HIna ka-taiSCHUn*e* [2617] ta is-cuRA [2478]; *that he put to shame the strong;* kai ta a-geN*E* [36] tou KOSmou, kai ta e-xou-the-n*e*MEna [1848[, *28 **and the ignoble **things** of the world, and the despised,* e-xe-LExa-to ho TheOS, kai ta m*e* ONta, *did :God choose, and the things that are not, * HIna ta ONta ka-tarG*E*s*e** *[2673]: *that he bring to nought those that are:* HOp*o*s m*e* kauCH*E*s*e*-tai [2744] PAsa sarx eN*O*pi-on tou TheOU. *29 that no flesh should glory before :God.* *b. 1:30-31 GOD'S SALVATION: TO MAKE US ALL DEPENDENT ON CHRIST* ex auTOU de huMEIS es-te en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, hos e-geN*E*th*e* *But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who became to us* soPHIa [4678] h*e*MIN aPO TheOU, di-kai-oSUn*e* [1343] te *both wisdom from God, and righteousness* kai ha-gi-asMOS [38] kai a-poLUtr*o*-sis [629]: *and sanctification and redemption:* HIna, kaTH*O*S GEgrap-tai, *31 that, according as it is written,* Ho kauCH*O*me-nos [2605] en KuRI*o* kauCHASth*o* [2744]. *Who glories in the Lord let him glory. * *NOTE:* In 1971 Marie and I pastored a church in Seattle called "Ebenezer - Hitherto the Lord has helped us." We read through the Bible together each year, following a Reading Guide based on that of Dr. J. Vernon McGee, alternating an Old Testament book with a New - e.g. Genesis-Matthew; Exodus-Mark, etc. We used the Hebrew order of Old Testament books, and the Bible Numeric order for the New Testament. We also followed J. Sidlow Baxter's "Explore the Book" for added insights. Each week we chose a key verse for the reading for that week, and someone from the church put it to music. The Sunday School children rehearsed it, and taught the whole church to sing it together. 1 Corinthians 1:10 was the verse we learned to sing together at that time, and by the end of the year the church , especially the children, could sing 52 verses high lighting the 52 weeks of reading for the year. Notice the importance of this verse. Paul not too often adjures the believers of his letters *through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ*! The Holy Spirit is here admonishing all believers of all places and all times - that God highly values *unity* in His people, with the removal of *all divisions*. Not too often does the Holy Spirit lead Paul to use the word "ka-tarTIz*o* - to be perfectly joined together," like a chiropractic adjustment. Ephesians 4:11-12 shows how this same analogy is used for the 5-fold ministry in adjusting believers corporately together for the work of the ministry! Note too the close of this chapter, and how God has made Christ Jesus unto us a 4-fold blessing: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption. These 4 flow from His Finished Work on the Cross - and empowered by the HolySpirit following His Resurrection and Ascension - on the Day of Pentecost. No wonder the Spirit emphasizes that because of this magnificent 4-fold gift of the Son of God, there is *no* room left for glorying by man! - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Jan 7 19:45:21 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 19:45:21 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 2:1-3:2a Message-ID: <625d7240901071945g3c11d8ffp7f84a33b901436c1@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 1 CORINTHIANS 2:1-3:2a - E. SPIRITUAL WISDOM UNDERCUTS THE FLESH* *1. 2:1-5 FAITH: BASED ON THE CROSS AND ITS POWER* *a. 2:1 PAUL'S PREACHING: NOT BASED ON WISE WORDS* Ka' 'G*O* elTH*O*N pros huMAS, a-delPHOI, *And I, brethren, when I came unto you,* *E*Lthon ou kath' hu-pe-roCH*E*N [5247] LOgou *e* soPHIas, *came not with excellency of word or wisdom,* ka-tagGELl*o*n [2605] huMIN to musT*E*ri-on [3142 tou TheOU. *proclaiming to you the mystery of :God.* *b. 2:2 PAUL'S GOAL; TO PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED * ou gar Ekri-na [2919] ti eiDEnai en huMIN, *For I decided to know nothing among you,* ei m*e* 'I*e*SOUN ChrisTON, kai TOUton es-tau-r*o*MEnon [4717]. *save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.* *c. 2:3 PAUL'S ATTITUDE: IN HUMAN WEAKNESS* ka' 'G*O* en as-theNEIa [769], *And I was with you in weakness,* kai en PHOb*o*, kai en TROm*o* [5156] polL*O* e-geNOm*e*n pros huMAS. *and in fear, and in much trembling.* *d. 2:4-5 PAUL'S MESSAGE: A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT AND POWER* kai ho LOgos mou kai to K*E*rugMA [2782] mou *And my :words and my :preachment* ouk en piTHOIS [3981] soPHIas LOgois, *were** not in persuasive words of wisdom,* all' en a-poDEIxei [585] PNEUma-tos kai duNAme-*o*s: *but in demonstration of Spirit and power:* HIna h*e* PIStis huM*O*N m*e* *e* en soPHIa anTHR*O*p*o*n, *5 that your faith be not in men's wisdom,* all' en duNAmei TheOU. *but in God's power.* *2. 2:6-16 SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION THROUGH WISDOM OF THE SPIRIT* *a. 2:6-9 PAUL'S DISCLAIMER: HE HAS WISDOM FOR THE MATURE* SoPHIan de laLOUmen, en tois teLEIois [5046]: *We speak wisdom, however, among the fullgrown:* soPHIan de ou tou ai*O*nos [165] TOUtou, *yet a wisdom not of this :age,* ouDE t*o*n arCHONt*o*n [758] tou ai*O*nos TOUtou, t*o*n ka-tar-gouMEn*o*n [2673]: *nor of the rulers of this :age, who are coming to nought:* alLA laLOUmen TheOU soPHIan en mus-t*e*RI*o* [3466], t*e*n a-po-ke-krumMEn*e *n [612] *7 but we speak God's wisdom in mystery, the hidden wisdom* h*e*n pro*O*ri-sen [4309] ho TheOS pro t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n eis DOxan h*e*M*O*N: *which God foreordained before the ages unto our glory:* h*e*n ouDEIS t*o*n arCHONt*o*n tou ai*O*nos TOUtou EGn*o*-ken: *8 which none of the rulers of this :age have known:* ei gar EGn*o*-san, *for had they known it,* ouk an ton KUri-on t*e*s DOx*e*s esTAUr*o*-san: *they would not have crucified the Lord of :glory:* alLA kaTH*O*S GEgrap-tai, *9 but as it is written,* Ha oph-thalMOS [3788] ouk EIden, kai ous ouk *E*kou-sen, *Things** which eye saw not, and ear heard not,* kai ePI karDIan anTHR*O*pon ouk aNEb*e* [305], *And entered not into heart of man,* HOsa h*e*TOIma-sen [2090] ho TheOS tois a-gaP*O*sin auTON. *Whatever things :God prepared for them that love him.* *b. 2:10 THIS WISDOM: ITS SOURCE IN THE HOLY SPIRIT* h*e*MIN gar a-peKAlu-psen [601] ho TheOS diA tou PNEUma-tos: *For to us :God revealed through the Spirit:* to gar PNEUma PANta e-rauNA, kai, ta BAth*e* [899] tou TheOU. *for the Spirit searches all things, yes, the depths of :God.* *c. 2:11 RELATION OF MAN'S SPIRIT AND GOD'S SPIRIT* tis gar OIden anTHR*O*p*o*n ta tou anTHR*O*pou, *For who among men knows the things of the man,* ei m*e* to PNEUma tou anTHR*O*pou to en auT*O*? *save the spirit of the man :in him?* OUt*o*s kai ta tou TheOU ouDEIS EGn*o*-ken, *even so the things of :God none knows,* ei m*e* to PNEUma tou TheOU. *save the Spirit of :God.* *d. 2:12 UNDERSTAND: GOD'S SPIRIT INSTRUCTS US* h*e*MEIS de, ou to PNEUma tou KOSmou, eLAbo-men, *But WE received, not the spirit of the world,* alLA to PNEUma to ek tou TheOU; *but the spirit which is from :God;* HIna eiD*O*men ta huPO tou TheOU cha-risTHENta [5483] h*e*MIN. *that we might know the things freely given to us of :God.* *e. 2:13 SPIRIT-TAUGHT WORDS: BASIS OF PAUL'S PREACHING* ha kai laLOUmen, ouk en di-dakTOIS [1318] *Which things also we speak, not in words* an-thr*o*PIn*e*s soPHIas LOgois, all' en di-dakTOIS PNEUma-tos [4151]; *taught of man's wisdom, but in Spirit-taught words;* pneu-ma-tiKOIS [4152] pneu-ma-tiKA sunKRInon-tes [4793]. *interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men.* *f. 2:14 THIS IS CLOSED TO NATURAL MAN* psu-chiKOS [5591] de ANthr*o*-pos ou DEche-tai ta tou PNEUma-tos tou TheOU: *Now man natural receives not the **things** of the Spirit of :God:* m*o*RIa [4172] gar auT*O* es-tin; *for they are foolishness to him;* kai ou DUna-tai GN*O*nai, HOti pneu-ma-tiK*O*S [4153] a-naKRIne-tai [350]. *and know he cannot, because they are spiritually judged.* *g. 2:15 THE BENEFITS OF THE SPIRITUAL MAN* ho de pneu-ma-tiKOS a-naKRInei men PANta, *But the spiritual **man** judges indeed all **things**, * auTOS de hup' ou-deNOS a-naKRIne-tai. *but himself is judged of none.* *h. 2:16a QUESTION* tis gar EGn*o* noun KuRIou, *For who has known the Lord's mind, * hos sun-biBAsei [4822] auTON? *that he should instruct him?* *i. 2:16b OUR ADVANTAGE: CHRIST'S MIND* h*e*MEIS de noun ChrisTOU Echo-men. *But we have Christ's mind.* *3. 3:1-2a MILK-FOOD: A SIGN OF CARNAL BABES* *a. 3:1 CARNALITY: A MARK OF BABES* Ka' 'G*O*, a-delPHOI, ouk *e*-duN*E*th*e*n laL*E*sai huMIN h*o*s pneu-ma-tiKOIS [4152], *And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual,* all' h*o*s sarKInois [4559], h*o*s n*e*PIois [3516] en ChrisT*O*. *but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.* *b. 3:2a BABES: NOT WEANED FROM MILK* GAla huMAS ePOti-sa [4222], ou BR*O*ma [1033]; OUp*o* gar eDUnas-the. *I fed you milk, not meat; for you were not yet able to bear it.* *NOTE:* 2:2 (2:1-5) *"For I decided to know nothing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." *This key presentation of Paul is exactly the same emphasis used by Oswald Chambers. It is not "stories", not our experience, not about Christ as a Teacher, the Son of God or the Messiah - but *Christ* the crucified Son of Man on our behalf that the Holy Spirit uses to convict us of sin, and bring us into the Kingdom of God. Paul constantly placed himself and his gifts in the background, lest the great Atoning, Redemptive work of Christ be overshadowed. Yet Paul did speak words of wisdom to those discipled and mature. And he carefully reveals that it is *only* by the indwelling Spirit in a fully yielded and Spirit-possessed life, that understands God and His mysteries and His purposes on our behalf. And - he carefully points out that he - Paul - depends implicitly on the guidance of the Spirit for the words to say. It is absolutely impossible for the natural man to understand these things. A "Deist" has no true understanding of Kingdom mysteries. New-Age people have substituted the simplicity of the Gospel for Knowledge from another source, and likewise fail to have a true intimate relationship with God. Gnosticism is alive and well, still in our day! *Only* the true, pure Spirit of God indwelling a sanctified soul can use the accurate Plumbline of the Word of God, and judge all things and yet be judged by none! This clear teaching of the Word of God in the Gospels, Acts, Epistles and Revelation, is abhorrent to those who want to add to, take away or adjust the Word of God. It *cannot* be done and remain true to God. Our world, and even much of the church, is rife with strange teachings and revelations. Isaiah 8:20 (8:19-22) *"To the teaching and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them." *The prophet some 2500 years ago clearly set forth that which is hated by those who refuse to submit and accept God's clear and plain presentation. The sad state of the Corinthian church was much as it is in America today - churches filled with carnal babes - unable to clearly present the great truths of God's word. A missionary has recently returned to his homeland, and is *appalled* at the immature state of so many professing believers here. Some are beginning to perceive that this Bible Numerics Interlinear Outlined Greek New Testament, is not only simple, but when meditated upon, opens a door for the Holy Spirit to enter in, and as our Divine Teacher, lead us into these marvelous and important truths contained in 1 Corinthians chapters 1 & 2. This was the hope and desire of Ivan Panin. This is why I am pleased to give tens of thousands of hours to aiding his hope and vision to come true. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sat Jan 10 14:53:37 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 14:53:37 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 3:2b-17 Message-ID: <625d7240901101453uc15276aj3f113b3951f1827@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 1 CORINTHIANS 3:2b-17 - F. GOD EVALUATES CHRISTIAN WORKERS* *1. 3:2b-9 GOD'S WORKERS: DIVISIONS INEXCUSABLE* *a. 3:2b-3 CARNAL CHRISTIANS: WALK AS NATURAL MEN* All', ouDE Eti nun DUnas-the; *Nay, even now are you yet unable;* Eti gar sar-kiKOI [4559] es-te: *3 for you are yet carnal:* HOpou gar en huMIN Z*E*los [2205] kai Eris [2054], *for whereas jealousy is among you and strife,* ouCHI sar-kiKOI es-te, kai kaTA ANthr*o*-pon pe-ri-paTEIte? *are you not carnal, and walk you not after man's manner?* *b. 3:4 CARNAL CHRISTIANS: WALK AFTER HUMAN LEADERS* HOtan gar LEg*e* tis, E-G*O* men ei-mi PAUlou; *For when one says, I am of Paul;* HEte-ros de, E-G*O*, A-polL*O*; ouk ANthr*o*POI es-te? *and another, I, of Apollos; are you not men??* *c. 3:5a QUESTION* ti oun es-tin A-polL*O*S? ti de es-tin PAUlos? *What then is Apollos? and what is Paul?* *d. 3:5b ANSWER* diAko-noi [1249] di' h*o*n e-pisTEUsa-te, kai heKASt*o* h*o*s ho KUri-os Ed* o*-ken. *Ministers through whom you believed, and as the Lord gave to each.* *e. 3:6 GOD'S RELATIONSHIP TO HIS WORKERS* eG*O* ePHUteu-sa [5452], Apol-L*O*S ePOti-sen [4222]; all' ho TheOS *E*Uxa-nen [837]. *I planted, Apollos watered; but :God gave increase.* *f. 3:7 GOD SUPERCEDES BOTH PLANTER AND WATERER* H*O*Ste OUte ho phuTEU*o*n esTIN ti OUte ho poTIz*o*n; *So then neither is who plants aught nor who waters;* all' ho auXAn*o*n TheOS. *but God that gives increase.* *g. 3:8 REWARD: ACCORDING TO INDIVIDUAL FAITHFULNESS* ho phuTEU*o*n de kai ho poTIz*o*n hen ei-sin: *Now who plants and who waters are one:* HEkas-tos de ton Idi-on misTHON [3408] L*E*Mpse-tai kaTA ton Idi-on KOpon [2873]. *but each shall receive his own :reward according to his own :toil.* *h. 3:9 REASON: GOD IS PLEASED TO WORK THROUGH AND WITH US* TheOU gar es-men su-nerGOI [4904]: *For we are God's fellow-workers:* TheOU ge*O*Rgi-on [1091], TheOU oi-ko-doM*E* [3619] es-te. *you are God's husbandry, God's building.* *2. 3:10-15 GOD'S BUILDING CODE FOR CHURCH WORKERS* *a. 3:10a PAUL'S BUILDING-SKILL: HIS ACKNOWLEDGED GIFT* KaTA t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU t*e*n doTHEI-SAN moi, *According to the grace of :God :given me,* h*o*s soPHOS ar-chiTEKt*o*n [753] theMEli-on [2310] Eth*e*-ka [5087]; *as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation;* ALlos de e-poi-ko-doMEI [2026]. *and another builds thereon.* *b. 3:10b OUR RESPONSIBILITY: BUILD IN HARMONY WITH THE MASTERBUILDER* HEkas-tos de blePEt*o* p*o*s e-poi-ko-doMEI. *But let each look how he builds thereon. * *c. 3:11 JESUS CHRIST: THE ONLY TRUE FOUNDATION* theMEli-on gar ALlon ouDEIS DUna-tai THEnai paRA ton KEIme-non [2749], *For other foundation can no one lay than what is laid,* hos es-tin 'I*e*SOUS ChrisTOS. *who is Jesus Christ.* *d. 3:12-13 FIRE: WILL MAKE PROOF OF ALL OUR WORKS* ei de tis e-poi-ko-doMEI [2026] ePI ton theMEli-on chruSIon [5557], *But if any builds on the foundation gold,* arGUri-on [696], LIthous [3037] tiMIous [5093], XUla [3586], CHORton [5528], caLAm*e*n [2562]; *silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;* heKAStou to ERgon pha-neRON [5318] geN*E*se-tai: *13 the work of each shall be made manifest:* h*e* gar h*e*MEra d*e*L*O*sei [1213], *for the day shall declare it,* HOti en puRI [4442] a-po-kaLUPte-tai [601]; *because it is being revealed in fire;* kai heKAStou to ERgon hoMOI-ON es-tin to pur auTO do-kiMAsei [1381]. *and the fire itself shall prove the work of each of what sort it is.* *e. 3:14 REWARD: CONDITIONAL UPON THE FIRE TEST* ei ti-nos to ERgon meNEI ho e-poi-koDOm*e*sen, *If the work of any shall abide which he built thereon,* misTHON L*E*Mpse-tai. *he shall receive reward.* *f. 3:15 FIRE: CAN DESTROY ALL THE WORKS OF A TRUE BELIEVER* ei ti-nos to ERgon ka-ta-ka*E*se-tai [2618], z*e*-mi-*o*TH*E*se-tai [2210]: *If the work of any shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:* auTOS de s*o*TH*E*se-tai [4982]; HOUt*o*s de h*o*s diA puROS. *but himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.* *3. 3:16-17 JUDGMENT: UPON DESTROYERS OF GOD'S TEMPLE* *a. 3:16 GOD'S SPIRIT DWELLS IN THE HUMAN SPIRIT* Ouk OIda-te HOti naOS [3485] TheOU esTE, *Know you not that you are God's sanctuary,* kai to PNEUma tou TheOU en huMIN oiKEI [3611]? *and the Spirit of :God dwells in you?* *b. 3:17 GOD'S REQUIREMENT: HOLINESS FOR HIS SANCTUARY* ei tis ton naON tou TheOU PHTHEIrei [5351], phtheREI TOUton ho TheOS; *If any corrupts the sanctuary of :God, him shall :God corrupt;* ho gar naOS tou TheOU HAgiOS es-tin, HOItiNES es-te huMEIS. *for the sanctuary of God is holy, which you are.* *NOTE*: 3:2b-3 (3:2b-9) *"Nay, even now are you yet unable; 3 for you are yet carnal: for whereas jealousy is among you and strife, are you not carnal, and walk you not after man's manner?" *It is very important for leaders especially to understand what the Spirit of God is leading the apostle Paul to write in this section. Carelessness in understanding will be shown up at the Judgment Seat (B*E*ma) of Christ for all believers, following the general resurrection. True local churches in each city should be led in unity with one another in each city church. This was normal in the beginning, though Corinth needed this letter from Paul to come up to standard. This is God's goal for us preceding the return of His Son. It is extremely important that leaders over local churches move in unity apart from strife and jealousy, which are signs of carnality and walking as natural men. 3:10a (3:10-15) *"According to the grace of :God :given, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another builds thereon." *Here we find one of the clear apostolic credentials - founding city churches with Christ the foundation. 3:15 (10-15) *"If the work of any shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive reward." *Our works must be Spirit-led by a Spirit-possessed life - else they will be burnt. See Rees Howells, Intercessor" by Norman P. Grubb for a clear presentation on this. Oswald Chambers, George Muller and H. A. Baker walked in a parallel manner. Galatians 2:20 shows Paul's insight on this. 3:17 (3:16-17) *"If any corrupts the sanctuary of :God, him shall :God corrupt; for the sanctuary of God is holy, which you are." *This is very serious. There are those who either ignorantly or deliberately hurt the organic body of Christ. We see government and political leaders who do this to cities, states and our nation. However, the majority of them are *not* in the Kingdom of God. But professing believers who are leaders of the church have no such excuse. We *shall* be judged by the Plumbline of the Word of God, by Him whose eyes are a flame of fire! The Book of Revelation in the NT is little different from the prophetic teaching books of the OT. *Better* for leaders to be forewarned today, so that we may walk a careful walk in the love of the Spirit. This will surely prepare us for that final day. - JW *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Jan 12 13:09:53 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:09:53 -0800 Subject: The Opened Sight - OC Message-ID: <625d7240901121309k31cae378y646de4fcd478be5c@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-10 - "THE OPENED SIGHT" - Oswald Chambers* *(From - "My Utmost for His Highest")* *Acts 26:17-18 (25:23-26:29) "I now send you, to open their eyes ... that they may receive forgiveness of sins ..."* This verse is the greatest example of the true essence of the message of a disciple of Jesus Christ in all of the New Testament. God's first sovereign work of grace is summed up in the words, "... *that they may receive forgiveness of sins ..." *When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never *received*anything. The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our job as workers for God is to open people's eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion - only the effort of an awakened human being. I do not think it is too broad a statement to say that the majority of so-called Christians are like this. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration. This is a neglected fact in our preaching today. When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, *forgiveness of sins.* This is followed by God's second mighty work of grace: *"... an inheritance among those who are sanctified..." * In sanctification, the one who has been born again *deliberately* gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ, and identifies himself *entirely* with God's ministry to others. *NOTE:* I believe it is possible to have a head-knowledge of the above - possible to preach these principles - possible to con oneself into hoping that he has made the grade, and will be accepted by God - and all the time have entirely missed the point of the above. Oswald Chambers upset many of his hearers and students with his clear presentation of the Gospel. There was *no* evasion of the point with him! He would respond to strong objections with - "Just put it on the back burner for a while - and it will eventually come clear." Often it is a critical life experience that catapults us into making the above two decisions - or a dream. The second is the most difficult, for it rings the death-knell for our self-life. Once we are truly identified with Jesus Christ in His crucifixion - then our life is *His*, and He lives out His victorious, resurrected life through us. Then Paul's verse in Galatians 2:20 becomes ours also, not something we merely quote. Then like Paul Rader we also say that when God truly comes in and takes over, that we begin "Life's Greatest Adventure." It seems that all who enter the second step, it is through a traumatic death-dealing experience. This was *certainly* true for Chambers, Howells, Baker and Muller. It was true for Paul starting on the Damascus Road when he asked, "Who are You, Lord," and received the answer, "I am Jesus, who you are persecuting." "With Eternity's Values in View" - there is then *no* decision too hard! May we each one step up to bat, and count the cost, and follow completely through. - JW. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Jan 14 13:29:21 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 13:29:21 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 3:18-4:21 Message-ID: <625d7240901141329s4b6b728bg6be5d2ea7b390a47@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 2009-01-10 - 1 CORINTHIANS 3:18-4:21 * *G. 3:18-4:17 THE IMPORTANCE OF APOSTOLIC MINISTRY* *1. 3:18-23 GOD'S ESTIMATE OF THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD* *a. 3:18a A WARNING* M*e*DEIS he-auTON e-xa-paTAt*o* [1818]. *Let no one deceive himself.* *b. 3:18b LET NOT PHILOSOPHY HOLD BACK FROM TRUE WISDOM* ei tis doKEI [1380] soPHOS EInai en huMIN en t*o* ai*O*ni TOUt*o*, *If any thinks he is wise among you in this :age,* m*o*ROS [3474] geNESth*o*, HIna GEn*e*-tai soPHOS. *let him become a fool, that he become wise.* *c. 3:19a GOD COUNTS WORLDLY WISDOM FOOLISH* h*e* gar soPHIa tou KOSmou TOUtou m*o*RIa [3472] paRA t*o* The*O* es-tin. *For the wisdom of this :world is foolishness with :God.* *d. 3:19b-20 GOD SEES HUMAN WISDOM AS FUTILE* GEgrap-tai gar, Ho drasSOme-nos [1405] tous soPHOUS en t*e* pa-nourGIa [3834] auT*O*N: *For it is written, Who takes the wise in their :craftiness:* kai PAlin, KUri-os giN*O*Skei tous di-a-lo-gisMOUS [1261] t*o*n soPH*O*N, *20 and again, The Lord knows the reasonings of the wise,* HOti eiSIN MAtai-oi [3152]. *that they are vain.* *e. 3:21a A WARNING* H*O*Ste m*e*DEIS kauCHASth*o* [2744] en anTHR*O*pois. *Wherefore let no one glory in men.* *f. 3:21b-23 ALL MINISTRIES AND TIME ARE GIFTS FROM GOD* PANta gar huM*O*N es-tin; *For all things are yours;* EIte PAUlos, EIte A-polL*O*S, EIte K*e*PHAS, EIte KOSmos, EIte z*o*-*E* [2222], *22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or world, or life,* EIte THAna-tos, EIte e-nesT*O*ta [1764], EIte MELlon-ta [3195]; PANta huM*O* N; *or death, or things present, or coming; all are yours;* huMEIS de ChrisTOU; ChrisTOS de TheOU. *23 and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.* *2. 4:1-5 GOSPEL MINISTERS: STEWARDS OF GOD* *a. 4:1 TRUE MINISTERS ARE TRUSTEES* HOUt*o*s h*e*MAS lo-giZESth*o* [3049] ANthr*o*-pos, h*o*s hu-p*e*REtas [5257] ChrisTOU, *Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ,* kai oi-koNOmous [3623] mus-t*e*RI*o*n [3466] TheOU. *and stewards of God's mysteries.* *b. 4:2 FAITHFULNESS: PRIME REQUISITE OF TRUSTEES * H*O*de, loiPON, z*e*TEItai [2212] en tois oi-koNOmois, *Here, moreover, it is required in the stewards,* HIna pisTOS [4103] tis heu-reTH*E*. *that one be found faithful.* *c. 4:3 PAUL DISREGARDS JUDGMENT OF OTHERS: EVEN HIS OWN* eMOI de eis eLAchisTON [1646] es-tin *But with me it is a very small thing* HIna huph' huM*O*N a-na-kriTH*O* [350], *e* huPO an-thr*o*PIn*e*s h*e* ME-ras: *that I should be judged of you, or of man's day:* alLA, ouDE e-mauTON a-naKRIn*o*. *yea, I judge not my own self.* *d. 4:4 THE LORD, NOT PAUL'S CONSCIENCE, JUSTIFIES HIM* ouDEN gar e-mauT*O* SUnoi-da [4894]; all' ouk en TOUt*o* de-diKAI*o*-mai [1344]: *For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified:* ho de a-naKRIn*o*n me KUriOS es-tin. *but who judges me is the Lord.* *e. 4:5 SEEING THE LORD WILL JUDGE: WE CAN DISPENSE WITH PRESENT JUDGMENT* H*O*Ste m*e* pro kaiROU [2540], ti KRIne-te [2919], *Wherefore judge nothing before the season,* HE*o*s an ELth*e* ho KUri-os, *until the Lord come,* hos kai ph*o*TIsei [5461] ta krupTA [2927] tou SKOtous [4655], *who will both light up the hidden things of the darkness,* kai pha-neR*O*sei [5319] tas bouLAS [1012] t*o*n kar-di*O*N; *and manifest the counsels of the hearts;* kai TOte ho Epai-nos [1868] geN*E*se-tai heKASt*o* aPO tou TheOU. *and then shall each have the praise from :God.* *3. 4:6-13 THE WAY FLESH TREATS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY* *a. 4:6 IN JUDGING, KEEP WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF SCRIPTURE* TAUta de, a-delPHOI, me-te-sch*e*MAti-sa [3345] eis e-mauTON *Now these, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself* kai A-polL*O*N di' huMAS; HIna en huMIN MAth*e*-te [3129] *and Apollos for your sakes; that in us you might learn* to M*e* huPER ha GEgrap-tai; *the Not to go beyond the things written;* HIna m*e* heis huPER tou heNOS phu-siOUSthe [5448] kaTA tou heTErou. *that you be not puffed up for the one against the other.* *b. 4:7 ALL TALENTS COME BY GIFT, NOT SELF-ATTAINMENT* tis gar se di-aKRInei [1252]? *For who makes you to differ?* ti de Echeis ho ouk Ela-bes? *and what have you that you did not receive?* ei de kai Ela-bes, *but if you did receive,* ti kauCHASai [2744] h*o*s m*e* laB*O*N? *why do you glory as if you had not received?* *c. 4:8 A DELUSION: TO THINK WE ARE ALREADY REIGNING* *E*d*e* ke-ko-resMEnoi [2880] esTE? *E*d*e* e-plouT*E*sa-te? [4147]? *Already are you filled? already are you become rich?* ch*o*RIS h*e*M*O*N e-ba-siLEUsa-te [936]? *have you come to reign without us?* kai OpheLON ge e-ba-siLEUsa-te, *yes and I would indeed you did reign,* HIna kai h*e*MEIS huMIN sun-ba-siLEUs*o*-men [4821]. *that we also might reign with you.* *d. 4:9 APOSTLES: THE LAST OF THE ARENA'S PROCESSION, FOR A SPECTACLE* doK*O* [1380], gar, ho TheOS h*e*MAS tous a-poSTOlous [652] esCHAtous [2078] , *For, I think, :God has set forth us the apostles last,* aPEdei-xen [584] h*o*s e-pi-tha-naTIous [1935]: HOti THEa-tron [2302] *as doomed to death: for we are become* a-geN*E*th*e*-men t*o* KOSm*o* kai agGElois kai anTHR*O*pois. *a spectacle unto the world and to angels and men.* *e. 4:10 FOOLS FOR CHRIST'S SAKE* h*e*MEIS m*o*ROI [3474] diA ChrisTON, huMEIS de PHROni-moi [5429] en ChrisT* O*; *We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ;* h*e*MEIS as-theNEIS [772], huMEIS de is-chuROI [2478]; *we are weak, but you strong;* huMEIS ENdo-xoi [1741], h*e*MEIS de Ati-moi [820]. *you have glory, but we dishonor.* *f. 4:11-13 SCUM OF THE EARTH: WORLD'S ESTIMATE OF APOSTLES* ACHri t*e*s ARti H*O*ras kai peiN*O*men [3983], kai diPS*O*men [1372], kai gum-niTEUo-men [2852], *Unto the present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked,* kai ko-la-phiZOme-tha, kai as-taTOUmen ]790]: *and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place:* kai ko-pi*O*men [2872], er-gaZOme-noi [2038] tais iDIais cherSIN: *12 and we toil, working with our :own hands:* loi-doROUme-noi [3058], eu-loGOUmen [2127]; di-*o*KOme-noi [1377], a-neCHOme-tha [430]; *being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;* dus-ph*e*MOUme-noi [987], pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870]: h*o*s pe-ri-kaTHARma-ta [4027] *13 being defamed, we beseech: we are become as filth* tou KOSmou e-geN*E*th*e*-men, PANt*o*n peRIps*e*-ma [4067], HE*o*s ARti. *of the world , offscouring of all things, even until now.* *4. 4:14-17 FOLLOW PAUL AS AN EXAMPLE* *a. 4:14 PAUL'S PURPOSE: TRUE COUNSELLING (nou-theSIa)* Ouk enTREp*o*n [1788] huMAS GRAph*o* TAUta, *I write not these things to shame you,* all' h*o*s TEKna mou a-ga-p*e*TA [27] nou-theT*O*N [3560]. *but to admonish you as my beloved children.* *b. 4:15 PAUL: A CHANNEL FOR SALVATION THROUGH CHRIST* eAN gar muRIous [3463] pai-da-g*o*GOUS [3807] Ech*e*-te en ChrisT*O*, *For though you may have ten thousand tutors in Christ,* all' ou polLOUS paTEras; *yet not many fathers;* en gar ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU diA tou eu-ag-geLIou [2098] eG*O* huMAS eGENn*e*-sa [1080]. *for in Christ Jesus I begat you through the gospel.* *c. 4:16 PAUL'S EXAMPLE TO BE IMITATED* pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] oun huMAS, mi-m*e*TAI [3402] mou GInes-the. *I beseech you therefore, become imitators of me.* *d. 4:17 TIMOTHY: TO REMIND OF PAUL'S METHOD OF TEACHING THE FAITH* diA TOUto Epem-psa huMIN TiMOthe-on, *For this cause have I sent you Timothy,* hos esTIN mou TEKnon a-ga-p*e*TON kai pisTON [4103] en KuRI*o*, *who is my beloved child and faithful in the Lord,* hos huMAS a-namN*E*sei [363] tas hoDOUS mou tas en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, *who shall remind you of my :ways which are in Christ Jesus,* kaTH*O*S pan-taCHOU en PAs*e* ek-kl*e*SIa diDASk*o* [1321]. *even as I teach everywhere in every church.* *H. 4:18-21 APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY CORRECTS KINGDOM MISUNDERSTANDING* *a. 4:18 A REALISTIC APPRAISAL* H*o*s m*e* er-choMEnou de mou pros huMAS, e-phu-si*O*th*e*SAN [5448] ti-nes. *Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.* *b. 4:19 PAUL'S PROMISE* eLEUso-mai de taCHE*o*s [5030] pros huMAS, eAN ho KUri-os theL*E*s*e* [2309]; *But I will come unto you speedily, if the Lord will;* kai GN*O*so-mai, ou ton LOgon [3056] t*o*n pe-phu-si-*o*MEn*o*n [5448], alLA t*e*n DUna-min [1411]. *and I will know, not the word of those puffed up, but the power.* *c. 4:20 A STARTLING DISTINCTION IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD* ou gar en LOg*o* h*e* ba-siLEIa [932] tou TheOU, all' en duNAmei. *For the kingdom of :God is not in word, but in power.* *d. 4:21 TWO POSSIBLE WAYS OF VISITATION* ti THEle-te? en 'RABd*o* [4464] ELth*o* pros huMAS, *What will you? shall I come unto you with a rod,* *e* en aGAp*e* PNEUmaTI te praUt*e*-tos [4236]? *or in love and a spirit of gentleness? * *NOTE*: It is important to see God's estimate of the Wisdom of this world: Statesmen, Politicians, Philosophers, Educators, Psychologists, Scientists, Religionists, etc. For individuals in these groups and others who are not committed disciples to the Lord Jesus Christ - they are bankrupt in the things of the Kingdom of God. Then see 4:1-5. Here we read Spirit-inspired words through God's servant, the apostle Paul. All ministers of the Gospel are *stewards* to God if they would be pleasing to Him. Dead to the self-life - identified with Jesus Christ in His crucifixion - alive to God in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. He like Paul who lives in this state, is *above* the judgment of this world. This is *not* just the ideal! *This* is the state of *normal*Christianity, and normal ministry. *Stewardship* to God is the key. Now look at 4:6-13, and the way the world sees and treats true apostles. Who wants to be an apostle according to this insight? In the aftermath of 1948, a wave of carnal apostles arose, who did not meet the standard set forth by the Holy Spirit through Paul as outlined here. Yet, this is the Plumbline that will be set down beside ministries at the "Judgment Seat (B*E *ma) of Christ" following the resurrection of the first-born. Paul then by revelation, sets himself forth as an example of a true minister and apostle. In another place he says, *"Follow me as I follow Christ!"* God used him to write 14 of the 27 New Testament books. In 1 Corinthians 14:37 (14:37-40). *"If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what **things** I write you, that it is **the** Lord's commandment.**" *- he witnessed that all his words were *not* his words, but the words of the Spirit of Christ through him. Jesus said the same thing about His words as the Son of Man, in the Gospel of John. When you hear individuals say - "O, that's just Paul speaking!" Don't agree or receive it. Rebuke it and correct it by quoting to them 1 Corinthians 14:37. Such individuals are setting themselves up as judges of *God*, not Paul! And lastly, consider 1 Corinthians 4:14. The Spirit has Paul use a most extraordinary word to set forth how he gently corrected and discipled the Corinthian believers. It is the word *admonish* (nou-theSIa). "*Nous"* is the word for the human mind, and "TIth*e*-mi" is the word "to place, establish or set." Paul was bringing the human minds of the Corinthian believers into harmony with the mind of God, the Word of God, and the *ways*of God. He was helping them to fulfill Romans 12:1-2, to *renew* their minds, until they thought God's thoughts after Him, spoke His words, and acted out His ways. There is even a book written entitled "*Nouthetic Counseling*". *This* is what Oswald Chambers, George Muller, Rees Howells, H. A. Baker, Madame Guyon and countless other saints have done. What man *has* done, man *can* do! 1 Corinthians is a basic book to help us renew our minds in line with basic ABC's of the Gospel, the Foundation Truths of Hebrews 6:1-2. Ed Hird of Vancouver BC recently mailed out lecture notes on Carl Jung, that he will be presenting in S. California in the near future. Jung is Gnostic in New Age garb, and his non-Christian teachings are slipping surreptitiously into the church. This is the thinking God saved the Corinthian church out of. Let us not be misled, and be led back into what Paul sought to fully deliver them from. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Fri Jan 16 17:18:03 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:18:03 -0800 Subject: Called by God - Oswald Chambers Message-ID: <625d7240901161718o79be01cfw38a239d2f4268623@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 2009-01-16 - "CALLED BY GOD"* *(From "My Utmost for His Highest" - Oswald Chambers)* *Isaiah 6:8 (6:1-13) "I heard the voice of the Lord saying: 'Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?' Then I said 'Here am I! Send me'"* God did not direct His call to Isaiah - Isaiah overheard God saying, *"... who will go for Us?" *The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God's call or not depends on the condition of my ears and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude. *"Many are called but few are chosen" (Matthew 22:14 - [22:1-14]).* That is few prove that they are the chosen ones. The chosen ones are those who have come into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and have had their spiritual condition changed and their ears opened. Then they hear *"the voice of the Lord" *continually asking *"... who will go for Us?" *However, God doesn't single out someone and say "Now *you *go." He did not force His will on Isaiah, Isaiah was in the presence of God and he overheard the call. His response, performed in complete freedom, could only be to say *"Here am I! Send me."* Remove the thought from your mind of expecting God to come to force you or to plead with you. When our Lord called His disciples, He did it without irresistible pressure from the outside. The quiet, yet passionate insistence of His *"Follow Me"* was spoken to men whose every sense was receptive (Matthew 4:19 [4:18-22]). If we allow the Holy Spirit to bring us face to face with God we too will hear what Isaiah heard - *"the voice of the Lord." *In perfect freedom we too will say, *Here am I! Send me."* *NOTE:* I believe the above reading will be a surprise to a number of our readers! I often hear people say - I'm waiting for God to push me into the ministry He has for me. He will *not* do that. Like Isaiah we must walk close enough to God to overhear His conversation as the Triunity of the Godhead converses together. Then - if we wish - because He will not coerce us - we can say like Isaiah - Here am I Lord - Send me! This happened to King Cyrus of Persia (Iran) some 2400 years ago, following the 70-year captivity of Judah under Nebuchadnezzar. He felt inclined (not knowing it was of God) to have the Jewish Scriptures read to him one night. To his surprise he heard God saying that he, Cyrus, was God's Shepherd, and would restore Judah to their homeland and help rebuild their destroyed Temple through him. The next morning he said to His servants - "Let's do it!" He volunteered. Daniel had interceded according to Jeremiah's prophecy of restoration for Judah following 70 years of captivity. God let Cyrus know this - and he volunteered in line with the purpose of God! In 1942 I overheard God when He was yet unknown to me intimately, speaking of His purposes to answer my heart's desire to know Him. I volunteered to join the Navy according to His suggestion, and in 9 months he ushered me into His Kingdom. I was quite an ordinary seaman the first 9 months I was in the Navy. My fellow sailors thought nothing special about me. Then suddenly God showed me what to do to experience the New Birth from above, and in a moment my life was completely transformed - even I might say "Turned upside down - or right side up." One sailor kept quoting to me - *"Many are called but few are chosen."* Then he would ask me what that meant. Well - I was one of the many like Isaiah called by overhearing God's desire and invitation. When I voluntarily reponded, I was immediately chosen. Anyone who is called can likewise respond and then enter into the *chosen* state. Within months God dropped the unfinished work of Ivan Panin into my lap by a Russian Jew, and I have now over 60 chapters of Panin's Interlinear Greek Outlined New Testament ready to be posted on our Website. Like Cyrus, God let a friend of mine in Canada overhear God's desire to document the world famous Kitsilano Boys' Band and its unique founder and bandmaster Arthur Delamont. He volunteered. I believe he has already written some 10 books on this subject, and hasn't finished yet! God knows our hearts' desires whether we know Him or not, and can help us to volunteer to produce right decisions! So - like Isaiah - let us each one have a heart attitude that keeps us open to the presence of God. Then when He speaks, or intimates His desires, let us be quick to volunteer and answer Him - *"Here am I, Lord - send me or* *use me." * Like Paul Rader of Chicago fame we can then say - *Such will be the beginning of "Life's Greatest Adventure."* - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Jan 18 16:51:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 16:51:09 -0800 Subject: Psalm for the Upright Message-ID: <625d7240901181651m83deb5bxf9bee331fa1c939f@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-18 - PSALM FOR THE UPRIGHT - PSALM 112* *a. 112:1 TWO REASONS WHY GOD BLESSES A MAN* HAle-lu Yah. a-she-rey - IYSH yaRE [3372] eth - Ye-h*o*VAH, *Praise Jehovah. Blessed is the man who fears Jehovah,* be-mi-ts*o*THAIV [4687] chaPH*E*TZ [2654] me*O*D. *Who delights greatly in his commandments.* *b. 112:2 GOD'S PROMISE TO CHILDREN OF COVENANT-KEEPERS* giB*O*R BAa-retz yi-heYEH za-re*O* [2233]; *His seed shall be mighty upon earth;* d*o*r ye-shaRIYM [3477] ye-b*o*RAC. *The generation of the upright shall be blessed.* *c. 112:3 MATERIAL PROMISES TO THE UPRIGHT* Ch*o*n va*O*sher be-b*e*yTH*O*; *Wealth and riches are in his house;* ve-tsi-de-kaTH*O* [6666] *o*MEdeth [5975] la*E*D. *And his righteousness endures for ever.* *d. 112:4 FURTHER BLESSINGS FOR THE UPRIGHT* zaRACH baCH*O*shec *o*r [216] la-ye-shaRIYM; *Unto the upright there arises light in the dariness;* chanNUN [2557], ve-raCHUM [7349], ve-tsaBIYK [6662]. *He is gracious and merciful and righteous.* *e. 112:5 A MOST POWERFUL PROMISE* T*O*B - iysh ch*o*N*E*N [2003] vu-malVETH [3867]; *Well is it with the man that deals graciously and lends;* ye-calC*E*L [3557] de-vaRAYV be-mishP*A*T [4941]. *He shall maintain his cause in judgment.* *f. 112:6 ADDED POWERFUL PROMISES* ciy - le-*o*L*A*M l*o* - yimM*O*T [4131]; *For he shall never be moved;* leZ*E*cer [2143] *o*LAM yi-heYEH tsaDIYK. *The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance.* *g. 112:7 THE STATE OF HEART OF THE UPRIGHT* mish-she-muAH [8052] R*A*-*ah* l*o* yiyR*A*: *He shall not be afraid of evil tidings:* n*a*CON [3559] libB*O*, b*a*TUach [982] bay-h*o*VAH. *His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.* *h. 112:8 JUSTICE FINALLY COMES TO THE UPRIGHT * saMUD [5564] libB*O*, l*o* yiyR*A*, *His heart is established, he shall not be afraid,* ad aSHER - yir*E*H be-tsaR*A*YV. *Until he see his desire upon his adversaries.* *i. 112:9 GENEROSITY: A MARK OF THE UPRIGHT* pizZAR [6340], n*a*THAN la-ev-y*o*NIYM; *He has dispersed, he has given to the needy;* TSI-de-ka-th*o* *o*MEdeth l*a*AD: *His righteousness endures for ever:* karN*O* [7161] t*a*R*O*M [7311] be-c*a*B*O*D [3519]. *His horn shall be exalted with honor.* *j. 112:10 THE END OF THE WICKED VERSUS THE UPRIGHT* raSH*A* yirEH, ve-c*a*-*A*S [3707]; *The wicked shall see it, and be grieved;* shimN*A*YV yachR*O*K, ve-n*a*M*A*S [4549]: *He shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away:* ta-aVATH re-sh*a*IYM [7563] t*o*B*E*D [6] . *The desire of the wicked shall perish.* *NOTE:* For many years - 64 - I have read this Psalm twice a year, and felt - *"I ought to do something special with this Psalm."* Today, Sunday, January 18, 2009, I felt the prompting of the Holy Spirit, *"Make a Hebrew Interlinear presentation of this Psalm, and carefully point out the blessing to the children of Upright, Covenant Parents."* This is not just a Psalm for children, grandchildren and those to the fourth generation. - *No* - this is a Psalm for godly faith-active parents on behalf of their progeny. First, it is a promise to claim salvation for them. Jonathan Edwards saw these promises, and wrote out a covenant before God. He told Him what he had discovered in His promises, and that he was claiming salvation for his progeny down to the 4th generation. Four generations later a Judge was presiding over a criminal case of a man named Doakes. A news reporter was present recording the proceedings, and discovered that the Judge was a 4th generation descendant of Jonathan Edwards and a "believer" because of his preacher-ancestor's covenant claim! Out of curiosity the reporter did a search of their family tree. Out of over 1600 descendants, all but 20 were strongly committed to God. There were doctors, lawyers, teachers, government officials, preachers, etc. among these 1600+. However, when he also did a search on the Doake family tree of some 1400, he found over 1000 with criminal records and jail sentences, at great cost to taxpayers because of this sad heritage. But Psalm 112 is not just for salvation for one's progeny! It has a promise for success, prosperity, overcoming trials, joy, happiness and excellent character. My wife Marie and I have been aware of both of these promises, and have claimed them consistently. She has counted well over 40 of her relatives now in the Kingdom of God - and victory for our own personal family again and again. Daily we pray for each member of our children, grandchildren and next month our first great grandchild, Luke Gabriel Long. We have seen many attacks against our family members. We claim victory in each case, and have seen the exceeding faithfulness of God in these regards also. We also add Clan Salvation to our Household Salvation Target. We take the surnames of the spouses of each of our married children and grandchildren, plus those of our parents and sisters. I have some 18 clan names I regularly pray for and claim. Jack Hayford received this revelation from his father and says - *"If I have but one message to preach - and if neither the host pastor or the Holy Spirit leads otherwise - I **always** preach on Clan Salvation." *This is *well worth* investigating. Marie's oldest half brother at the age of 75 was reached in Quebec, and *all because* of our joint prayers for the Gaudet Clan among others. At the moment Marie and I are earnestly beseeching God on the behalf of one of our close ones who is being maliciously attacked in a financial manner. We are *assured* that God will undertake on his behalf. - Jim Watt PS. The numbers following certain Hebrew transliterated words provide all true parallel passages to this word in "Dr. Strong's Concordance." *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Jan 19 16:22:20 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:22:20 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 Message-ID: <625d7240901191622t5a110cbeof5d7cf06f3256cf6@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-17 - 1 CORINTHIANS 5:1-13 - PURGE ADULTERY OUT FROM CHURCH* *II. 5:1-7:40 - ON ADULTERY AND MARRIAGE RELATIONSHIPS* *A. 5:1-13 PURGE ADULTERY OUT FROM CHURCH* *1. 5:1-8 A WARNING: DEAL WITH ADULTERY* *a. 5:1 EXTREME FORNICATION* HOl*o*s aKOUe-tai en huMIN porNEIa [4202], *Fornication is actually reported among you,* kai toiAUt*e* porNEIa H*E*tis ouDE en tois ETHne-sin [1484], *and such fornication as is not even among the nations,* H*O*Ste guNAI-KA [1135] ti-na tou paTROS Echein. *that one has his :father's wife.* *b. 5:2 LACK OF CONSCIENCE IN THIS* kai huMEIS pe-phu-si-*o*MEnoi [5448] esTE, kai ouCHI MALlon e-penTH*E*sa-te [3996], *And you are puffed up, and did not rather mourn,* HIna arTH*E* [1808] ek MEsou huM*O*N ho to ERgon TOUto PRAxas [4160]. *that who had done this deed be taken away from among you.* *c. 5:3-5 PAUL'S SERIOUS METHOD OF JUDGMENT* E-G*O* men gar, aP*O*N [548] t*o* S*O*ma-ti paR*O*N de t*o* PNEUma-ti, *For I verily, being absent in :body but present in :spirit,* *E*d*e* KEkri-ka [2919] h*o*s pa-R*O*N [3918] ton HOUt*o*s TOUto ka-ter-gaSAme-non [2716], *have already as if present judged him that has so wrought this,* en t*o* oNOma-ti tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU, su-nachTHENt*o*n [4863] huM* O*N, *4 in the name of our :Lord Jesus, you being gathered,* kai tou eMOU PNEUma-tos, sun t*e* duNAmei tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU, *and my :spirit, with the power of our :Lord Jesus,* pa-raDOUnai [3860] ton toiOUton t*o* Sa-taNA [4567] eis Ole-thron [3639] t*e *s sarKOS, *5 to deliver the such to :Satan for destruction of the flesh,* HIna to PNEUma s*o*TH*E* en t*e* h*e*MEra tou KuRIou. *that the spirit be saved in the day of the Lord.* *d. 5:6a PAUL'S COMMENT* Ou kaLON to KAUch*e*-ma [2745] huM*O*N. *Your glorying is not good.* *e. 5:6b PAUL'S SERIOUS INSIGHT* ouk OIda-te HOti mikRA ZUm*e* [2219] HOlon to PHUra-ma [5445] zuMOI? *Know you not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?* *f. 5:7a PAUL'S SOLUTION* ek-kaTHAra-te [1571] t*e*n pa-laiAN [3820] ZUm*e*n, HIna *E*te NEon [3501]PHUra-ma, *Purge out the old leaven, that you be a new lump,* kaTH*O*S es-te Azu-moi [106]. *even as you are unleavened.* *g. 5:7b-8 PROPER OBSERVANCE OF CHRIST'S PASSOVER* kai gar to PAScha [3957] h*e*M*O*N eTUth*e* [2380], ChrisTOS: *For our :passover also has been sacrificed, Christ:* H*O*Ste he-orTAz*o*-men [1858], m*e* en ZUm*e* pa-laiA, *8 wherefore let us keep festival, not with old leaven,* m*e*DE en ZUm*e* kaKIas [2549] kai po-n*e*RIas [4189], *neither with leaven of malice and wickedness,* all' en aZUmois ei-li-kriNIas [1505] kai a-l*e*THEIas [225]. *but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.* *2. 5:9-13 SEPARATE FROM CHRISTIAN FORNICATORS* *a. 5:9-11 TREATMENT OF WORLDLY VERSUS CHRISTIAN FORNICATORS* Egra-psa huMIN en t*e* e-pis-toL*E* m*e* su-na-naMIGnus-thai [4874] porNOIS; *I wrote you in the epistle not to mingle with fornicators;* ou PANt*o*s tois PORnois tou KOSmou TOUtou, *10 not at all meaning with the fornicators of this :world,* *e* tois ple-oNEKtais [4123] kai HARpa-xin [727], *e* ei-d*o*-loLAtrais [1496]; *or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters;* ePEI *o*PHEIle-te [3784] Ara ek tou KOSmou e-xelTHEIN: *since you must then go out of the world:* nun de Egra-psa huMIN m*e* su-na-naMIGnus-thai [4874], *11 but now I write you not to mingle with,* eAN tis a-delPHOS a-no-maZOme-nos [3687] *e* PORnos, *if any that is named a brother be a fornicator,* *e* ple-oNEKt*e*s, *e* ei-d*o*-loLAtr*e*s, *e* LOIdo-ros [3060], *e*MEthu-sos [3183], *or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard,* *e* HARpax [727]; t*o* toiOUt*o* m*e*DE su-nesTHIein [4906]. *or an extortioner; with the such no, not to eat.* *b. 5:12a QUESTION* ti gar moi tous Ex*o* KRInein? *For what have I to do with judging those without?* *c. 5:12b-13a SPHERES OF JUDGMENT* ouCHI tous Es*o* huMEIS KRInete, *Do not YOU judge those within,* tous de Ex*o* ho TheOS KRInei? *13a and those without :God judges?* *d. 5:13b PROPER JUDGMENT FOR CHRISTIANS* eXAra-te [1808] ton po-n*e*RON ex huM*O*N auT*O*N. *Put away the wicked man from among yourselves.* *NOTE:* This section is *so different* from our 20th Century Western Church! We have lowered the bars from God's standards and substituted watered-down worldly standards. No wonder our Western Church is under the Judgment of God! Paul absolutely insisted that God's standards should prevail in the Corinthian church. His analogy of old leaven leavening the pure lump, should motivate church leaders to come together in conference, and pray and plan how to restore and raise the lowered bars! Marie and I pastored the Kostner Avenue Baptist Church of Chicago from 1953-1958. It grew from 16 to 200 during our tenure, and the spirit of growth prevailed following our leaving, until the attendance and membership soon reached 800. But - the growth took place largely because we lowered the bars of God's standards. The leaders and people wanted outer success at the expense of inner spirituality. Israel wanted the same under Samuel, when they insisted on a king, so they could be like the other nations. God told Samuel - *"Go ahead and let them have their way, because they are determined not to go My way! But warn them of the sad results for lowering My standards."* God gave me a similar message. *"Give them their way. Both you and they will see the price to pay for carnal insistence. But I will never ask you to do this again in your ministry."* The above was a valuable lesson for me, and I trust for them also. Just before this time, while I was attending Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago, we had a guest speaker at Chapel, who had seriously let down God's standards in his personal life. He had embraced the modernistic and humanistic standards of that day. One of our doctoral students said, *"I would not allow that man to enter my home and set his feet under my table." *He was referring to 2 John 10-11 (4-11), *"If any comes unto you, and brings not this :teaching, receive him not into **your** house and give him no greeting: **11** for who gives him greeting partakes in his :evil :works." * I believe he was correct in his application of this passage. He took seriously 1 Corinthians 5:9-13, that we as believers are to separate from Christian fornicators. A fornicator (porNOS) who professes to be a believer, must be judged and dealt with. Corinth followed Paul's counsel and did so, following this letter of admonition. A fornicator is one who commits broad sexual sin which includes sex among the unmarried; adultery between the married; homosexuality and lesbian activity; bestiality; and much more. The Bible is explicitly clear on this. And those who seriously regard God's Bible Numerics as unfolded by Ivan Panin, will know how the Lord Jesus will meet us at His Judgment Seat (B*E*ma) following His return again. The Bible in over 12 different passages says that they who habitually commit the above, shall not enter the Kingdom of God. Some feel this is a cruel and mean standard, and that the apostle Paul missed God in this. I strongly disagree and stand against such humanistic and namby-pamby thinking. I prefer to see 1 Corinthians 14:37 (14:37-40) - *"If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what **things** I write you, that it is **the** **Lord's commandment**." *We should understand that this is *God* in Christ Jesus speaking by the Holy Spirit through Paul! Derek Prince used to start each lecture by reviewing the preceding one. Repetition is one of the essential principles of pedagogy. Sometimes we need to hear a truth reiterated and repeated again and again, before it sinks in and leads us to action that glorifies God. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Jan 22 19:57:11 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:57:11 -0800 Subject: Romans 9:4-5 - 8 Blessings Outline Overview Message-ID: <625d7240901221957w98a3e12jfb20e674a4ad0831@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *ROMANS 9:4-5 - OVERVIEW - 8 BLESSINGS OF ISRAEL* *INTRODUCTION: *Because Gentiles have been grafted into the Jewish Roots, we now share with them these 8 blessings. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. In Christ we are together "One New Man." In Christ we are both parts of His Spiritual Body. This is the Mystery of the Gospel which it was given to Paul to share with the Church. As Apostle to the Gentiles, himself a Jew from the Sanhedrin - he held a position altogether unique. 14 of the epistles of the NT were authored by him, over ? the books of the NT. Almost all of these 14 letters were primarily addressed to Gentiles. Hebrews was uniquely directed towards his fellow Jewish believers. It is important for Gentiles to understand that Romans 11 lays out for us our Gospel debt to Jews. Nations who understand and honor this are blessed. The opposite is true. *This* is perhaps the chief of the Gospel *Mysteries* given to Paul, and has yet to find full fulfillment. Note also how these 8 blessings tend to overlap. *1. ADOPTION - huio-theSIa - Strong #5206 - 5x in NT appearance. It comes from 2 Greek words: *huiOS - meaning son - 382x - and TIth*e*-mi meaning a placing. By all means look up this Strong's reference, as it contains rich material. It is *not* a Western concept. See "Our Father Abraham" by Dr. Marvin R. Wilson under his chapter of "Block Thinking." It is just the opposite to Greek Hellenistic Lineal thinking. The Bible is an Eastern book, and its teaching, especially the Parables, center on this concept. Every Jewish boy had to be adopted by his own father when he came to maturity, and then he became a partner with his father. It then would become "Isaac and Son," as it were. Our Western concept of "adoption" is foreign to the Bible. Perhaps "Sanctification" as pertaining to full discipleship, is parallel to Biblical Adoption for Gentiles. Suffice it to say - This great blessing to Israel is now shared with us Gentiles in the "One New Man", the Church, the Body of Christ. *2. GLORY - DOxa - Strong #1391 - 168x.* This is one of the most difficult concepts for Gentiles to grasp as it relates to God. Howbeit - if one goes to the "net" on the "Shekinah glory", as called by the Jews - there are *innumerable* references, but hardly in line with the original Hebrew meaning. Moses prayed to God, *"Show me Your glory," * Exodus 33:18,* *which God did in a 13-fold manner, equating His Glory with the revelation of His Name - Exodus 34:6-7 (34:1-9) *"And Jehovah passed by before him, and proclaimed, Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving-kindness and truth; **7** keeping lovingkindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear **the guilty**, visiting the iniquity of the father's upon the children, upon the third and upon the fourth generation." *This is *THE REVELATION OF GOD'S NATURE IN THE THIRTEEN ATTRIBUTES*. "God's ways" are not proclaimed unto Moses in the thirteen characteristic qualities of the Divine Nature. The Rabbis held that there are thirteen distinct attributes in these two verses; though there are differences as to their precise enumerations. *1 & 2. the LORD, the LORD. *Heb. *Ye-h**o**VAH, Ye-h**o**VAH. *Ye-h*o*VAH denotes God in His attributes of mercy: and the repetition is explained in the Talmud as meaning, 'I am the merciful God before a man commits a sin, and I am the same merciful and forgiving God after a man has sinned. Whatever change has to be wrought, must be in the heart of the sinner; not in the nature of the Deity. He is the same after a man has sinned, as He was before a man has sinned." *3. God. *Heb. *el. *The all-mighty Lord of the Universe, Ruler of Nature and mankind. *4. merciful. *Heb. *raCHUM; *full of affectionate sympathy for the sufferings and miseries of human frailty. *5. and gracious. *Heb. *ve-chanNUN*; assisting and helping; consoling the afflicted and raising up the oppressed. In man these two qualities manifest themselves fitfully and temporarily; It is otherwise with God; in Him, compassion and grace are permanent, inherent and necessary emanations of His nature. Hence, He alone can be spoken of as *raCHUN ve-chanNUN * (Mendelssohn). *6. long-suffering. *Or, 'slow to anger.' Heb. *Erech apPAYim; *not hastening to punish the sinner, but affording him opportunities to retrace his evil courses. *7. abundant in goodness. *Or, plenteous in mercy. Heb. *rav CHEsed; *granting His gifts and blessings beyond the deserts of man. This is the "fulcrum" or middle-point of these 13 attributes. *8. and truth. *Heb. *ve-eMET*; eternally true to Himself, pursuing His inscrutable plans for the salvation of mankind, and rewarding those who are obedient to His will. Note that "CHEsed", lovingkindness, precedes "eMET" truth, both here and generally throughout Scripture; as if to say, "Speak the truth by all means; but be quite sure that you speak the truth in love." *9. keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation. *Heb. *n**o**TZER CHEsed LAe-la-fim;* Remembering the good deeds of the ancestors to the thousandth generation, and reserving reward and recompense to the remotest descendants. *10. forgiving iniquity. *Heb. *n**o**SEH aV**O*N; bearing with indulgence the failings of man, and by forgiveness restoring him to the original purity of his soul. The Heb. for "iniquity" is aV*O*N; sins committed from evil disposition. *YEtzer haRAH - *is a Hebrew term of this difficult human disposition. *11. transgression. *Heb. *PEsha; *evil deeds springing from malice and rebellion against the Divine. *12. sin. *Heb. *chat-taAH;* shortcomings due to heedlessness and error. *13. will by no means clear the guilty. *i.e. He will not allow the guilty to pass unpunished. Heb. *ve-nakKEY lo ye-nakKEY. *The Rabbis explain: *ve-nakKEY *acquitting - the penitent; *lo ye-nakKEY*, but not acquitting - the impenitent. He is merciful and gracious and forgiving; but He will never obliterate the eternal and unbridgeable distinction between light and darkness, between good and evil. God cannot leave repeated wickedness and obstinate persistence in evil entirely unpunished. His goodness cannot destroy His justice. The sinner must suffer the consequences of his misdeeds. The unfailing and impartial consequences of sin help man to perceive that there is no 'chance' in morals. The punishments of sin are thus not vindictive, but remedial. *visiting ... upon the children.* See Ex. 20:5. This law relates only to the consequences of sin. Pardon is not the remission of the *penalty*, but the forgiveness of the guilt and the removal of the sinfulness. The misdeeds of those who are God's enemies are visited only to the third and fourth generation, whereas His mercy to those who love Him is unto a thousand generations. (The above notes are largely taken from "The Pentateuch and Haftorahs" edited by J. H. Hertz, Second Edition, 1971.) *3. COVENANTS - di-aTHEke - Strong's #1242, 33x.* See Genesis 12, 15, 17. Here we see the progression for the key Old Testament Covenant that God made with Abraham. In chapter 12 He issues His call, and the three-fold separation He required of Abraham. In Chapter 15 by laying out the unusual sacrifice, and at sundown having a furnace and a torch pass between the divided pieces, He here assures Abram (whose name is not changed until the true covenant in chapter 17) that his servant Eliezer will not be his heir, but that from Sarai he will have a true heir. Also, Abram was almost asleep when God in Icon form as Father and Son walked through the pieces, not Abram, signifying that this was an unconditional promise that did not depend upon Abram at all. It isn't till we reach Genesis 17 that the Real Covenant is reached - all up to this point is preliminary. The circumcision of Abram and all the males of his family is key that validated the covenant. The change of name from Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah, is most significant. Here God added to their names the letter "cheth", which is associated with "life." When we say Yeshua Chai - Jesus Lives - we are emphasizing this point. It was following the change of names by "Life" being inserted, that the bodies of now Abraham and Sarah, became rejuvenated, and in 9 months Isaac was born when Abraham was 100 and Sarah 91. Not only was this a double miracle, but a triple one, for God revealed the sex of Isaac prior to his birth, and he was one of eight named before his birth. The New Covenant of New Testament, is the Old fulfilled through the birth of Jesus. This Covenant is vastly superior to the Abrahamic, for Jesus inaugurates the Church, the One New Man, His Spiritual Body - and through the now Indwelling Holy Spirit, all promises of the Old Covenant are not viable, and open to Gentiles as well as Jews. Vastly different! *4. GIVING OF THE LAW - no-mo-theSIa - Strong #3548, 1x. The Torah here really means "Teaching."* THIS is a temporary tiding over through types and shadows - until "Grace and Truth" came through the New Covenant in Jesus Christ - to replace the Law of Moses. And yet - all of the moral law under Old Testament Torah is now viable through the Holy Spirit. See Jeremiah 31:31-33 (31:31-34) - *"Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband unto them, says Jehovah. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Jehovah: I will put my law (TOrah, Teaching) in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people." *What Israel could *not* do in keeping the Old Covenant T*O*rah, Teaching, because the Holy Spirit, the Promise of the Father was not given until Jesus provided the "Finished Work" of His Atonement - now under the New Covenant, Jew *and Gentile* can keep the Torah because of the indwelling Spirit. *5. WORSHIP - laTREIa - Strong #2999, 5x.* The tribe of Levi led in this, and is largely laid out in the book of Leviticus, and the Tabernacle Worship as set forth by Moses. Under David and Samuel, Levi again in the Temple built by Solomon, led in this. The book of Psalms, mostly by David, but half by Asaph and other Levites, provided the basis for this wonderful worship. But after Pentecost, an entirely new type of worship arose. We now offer sacrifices to God by the fruit of our lips offering vocal praise and worship, and presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, whether Jew or Gentile. See Romans 12:1-2 for this picture. *"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of :God, **to present your :bodies a living sacrifice;** (a whole burnt offering or holocaust) holy, well-pleasing to God, your **spiritual service**. **2** And be not fashioned according to this age: but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, that you may prove what **is** the good and well-pleasing and perfect will of :God." *"Rees Howells, Intercessor" by Norman P. Grubb, shows what it is like to be *possessed* by the Holy Spirit, and prepared by God for true laTREIa or worship. Again, Gentiles now are grafted into their Jewish Roots, and can equally share with them in this high privilege. *6. PROMISES - e-pag-geLIa - Strong #1860, 53x.* This is closely connected with Covenant, which is the basis. The *great*Promise of the Father is the Holy Spirit, all based on Messiah's Atonement. See Acts 1:4 (1:1-5), *"And, being assembled with **them**, he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait **for the promise of the Father**, which you have heard from me."* Yet - take *all* the Promises of the New Testament, and apply them. Don't settle for a "break-through" - go on to *possess* the land! *Now!* *7. THE FATHERS - paTEres - Strong #3962, 419x* Gentiles can now do research on Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and even Joseph. We are now grafted in with Jews into the blessing that is inherent here. Look at the 12 tribes of Israel that come from Jacob. Here too Gentiles can glean areas of their inheritance. So though the patriarchs at the time were *special* for Israel, all that is involved here, is under the New Covenant, for the One New Man. Look up Embryonic Truths on our Website, and find 12 Restored Truths linked with the 12 Tribes of Israel, rich with insight and blessing for you and me. *8. CHRIST - MESSIAH - ChrisTOS - Strong #5547, 569x.* According to the flesh (SARka), Jesus as the Son of Man is our Messiah. He was born *to die* - for both Jew and Gentile. *This** *is the *Mystery* of the Gospel that God reserved for the Apostle Paul to reveal to the Church through his many epistles. As a Jew with rabbinical background, yet he was the *Apostle to the Gentiles* by the will of God. Jesus as God in the flesh is a hateful concept to Satan, for it spells his eventual and certain doom Christ comes from CHRI*o*, Anointed, Strong #5548, 5x. MaSHIach - Anointed One - *Above* His fellows, is the Hebrew word. The *Fullness* of the Godhead bodily indwelt Jesus. His earthly life as Son of Man started in Nazareth and Bethlehem, but His eternal life was evermore with the Father - Before Abraham was, Jesus said, *"I AM"*. Jesus left His eternal relationship to take on identification with us, and as Son of Man, fulfilled Old Testament Scriptures and brought Redemption to the human race, and reconciliation for us with God. In Gethsemane as Son of Man - He questioned the cup of Calvary passing from Him - but immediately repudiated the thought as impossible, for for that very reason He became man and entered into this world. *CONCLUSION: Romans 9-11 should be mastered by every Gentile. Chapter 11 is often a portion of ignorance for much of the church, but ought not to be. These 8 words of Romans 9 above are so rich for Jews, but equally rich for us Gentiles. Let us master and walk in these truths with increasing understanding and application. * - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Fri Jan 23 21:34:31 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 21:34:31 -0800 Subject: Reward Message-ID: <625d7240901232134m4f2e6cc9g1e0bf454ced56072@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-23 - REWARD - misTHOS - Strong #3408, 29x* *1. Matthew 5:11-12 (5:1-12) THE REWARD FOR REPROACH AND PERSECUTION. "Blessed are you when men shall reproach you and persecute, and say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad, for great is your :reward in the heavens: for so persecuted they the prophets :before you." *God in no wise desires us to miss the significance of this passage. It is the last and eighth of the Beatitudes given by Jesus close to the beginning of His ministry. Again, the law of first reference causes this passage to stand forth! The 7th Beatitude commends those persecuted because of righteousness sake. But the *eighth* commends us for being persecuted because we have openly and clearly identified ourselves with Jesus Himself. *Great* reward in the heavens is God's evaluation of such identification on our part. *2. Matthew 10:40-42 REWARD FOR RECEIVING JESUS' DISCIPLES. "Who receives you receives me, and who receives me receives him that sent me. 41 Who receives a prophet unto a prophet's name shall receive a prophet's reward; and who receives a righteous man unto a righteous man's name shall receive a righteous man's reward. 40 And whoso shall give to drink to one of these :little ones a cup of cold water only, unto a disciple's name, Amen I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his :reward." *See how carefully Jesus regards what we do for fellow believers, for His ministers - even for new converts and very young child converts. He who notices the falling of sparrows - notices what we do for fellow members of the body of Christ, and *rewards* us accordingly. *3. Luke 6:34-35 (6:24-38) GREAT REWARD FOR LOVING ENEMIES. "And if you lend to them of whom you hope to receive, what thank have you? even the sinners do the same, to receive the like again. 35 But love your :enemies, and do good, and lend, never despairing; and your :reward shall be great, and you shall be sons of the Most High: for HE is kind toward the unthankful and evil." *But here is a greater test! Would we be like our Heavenly Father who sends His rain on the just and unjust alike, and *also* show this attitude to *our* enemies? And what to those of other color and race and culture? Brown and yellow, black and white - *all* are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world. May they be in ours also. *4. 2 John 8-9 (4-11) REWARD BASED ON CONTINUING FAITHFULNESS. "Look to yourselves, that you lose not what things we have wrought, but that you receive a full reward. 9 Whoever goes onward and abides not in the teaching of the Christ, has not God: who abides in the teaching, that same has both the Father and the Son." *All of us have received from others. Some have led us to Christ. Some have discipled us. These all are pulling for us that we endure to the end. There is reward for us in our faithful continuance. See the parable of the 4 soils - Jesus' *Key* Parable. Three quarters of all who start out fall away. And - those who make it are on three levels. *5. 1 Corinthians 3:8 (3:3-9) PARTICULAR REWARD FOR PARTICULAR SERVICE. "Now who plants and who waters are one: but each shall receive his own : reward according to his own :toil." *Here is a thought for Ministers. * Faithfulness* in our separate and distinctive callings is the key. *6. 1 Timothy 5:17-18 (5:17-25) REWARD OR HIRE: BASED ON FAITHFUL AND COMPETENT SERVICE. "Let the elders ruling well be counted worthy of double honor, specially those who toil in the word and teaching. 18 For the scripture says, You shall not muzzle the ox when treading out corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his :hire." *Double Honor has the sense of remunerative reward. See God's rule for the tribe of Levi. He was the smallest of the tribes of Israel, but the 12 tribes each gave a tithe to Levi! Twelve-tenths from 12 larger tribes! And then Levi tithed to the "*Priests*," again, a far smaller portion of the smallest tribe. See the analogy Paul uses here, drawing from the Old Testament, concerning the ox. *7. Revelation 22:11-12 (22:10-15) REWARD: ALSO BASED ON RIGHTEOUS LIVING. "Who is unrighteous, let him be unrighteous still: and who is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and who is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and who is holy, let him be made holy still. 12 Lo, I come speedily; and my :reward is with me, to render to each according as his :work is." *And here is the closing thought on *reward* from the above seven selections. Jesus is speaking directly, not through His apostles. He clearly spells out the distinction as He sees it between the righteous and the unrighteous. And He clearly states what He will soon do at His Second Coming in regard to reward - based accurately on our deeds done down here in the flesh. See what this revelation did to William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once he saw the above truths. *NOTE*: "The Judgment Seat of Christ" (BEma) is where saints appear following the resurrection of the first-born, and at that time receive rewards. Some will have all of their works burned up at that time (wood, hay and stubble), which they performed for the Lord according to *their own*ideas. They did *their thing* for the Lord, rather than *His thing.* They will be saved, though as by fire. Gold, silver and precious stones are those works inspired by the Holy Spirit for us to do for God, Evangelism and Fellow-saints. We are no longer our own, but *His*. We have truly been discipled, and the Judgment Seat will manifest the difference between these two types of believers. One might say - "Just as long as I make heaven, I will be satisfied." How selfish! Is *this* all we care about Jesus, and what He has done for us in purchasing Redemption and Reconciliation? Our works led by the Holy Spirit is our way of saying "Thanks" to Him for the incredible Passion of The Christ at Calvary on our behalf! For understanding this, and producing through the Spirit works of gold, silver and precious stones, we receive reward. But - we want this merely to be a reflection of the love and thanksgiving we bear to Him! Saints unfortunately often think too little of the Significance to Jesus concerning our works of love, and how He demonstrates His appreciation by what He does for us at His Judgment Seat. So that you can receive a fuller picture of the New Testament Teaching on * Reward*, here are the rest of the 29 references on it, that are not considered above. - Jim Watt *REWARD - misTHOS - Strong #3408 - 29x* Mat. 5:46. what *reward* have you? 6:1. you have no *reward* of your Father. 6:2. They have their *reward.* 6:5. They have their *reward.* 6:16. They have their *reward.* 20:8 give them (their) *hire,* Mark 9:41. he shall not lose his *reward.* Luke 6:23. your *reward *(is) great in heaven: 10:7. The laborer is worthy of his *hire.* John 4:36. receives *wages, *and gathers Acts 1:18. a field with the *reward* of iniquity; Romans 4:4. that works is the *reward* not 1 Cor. 3:14. he shall receive a *reward*. 9:17. willingly, I have a *reward*: 9:18. What is my *reward* then James 5:4. Behold, the *hire* of the laborers 2 Peter 2:13. receive the *reward* of unrighteousness, 2:15. who loved the *wages* of unrighteousness; Jude 11. after the error of Balaam for *reward,* Rev. 11:18. that you should give *reward* *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Jan 25 17:39:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:39:09 -0800 Subject: Exodus 18 = Outline Message-ID: <625d7240901251739y44e0f3cewa0de945f6618c232@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-25 - EXODUS 18 - GOD CONFIRMS JETHRO'S COUNSEL* *1. 18:5-6 (18:1-6) JETHRO: RE-UNITES MOSES' FAMILY. "And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, came with his two sons and his wife unto Moses into the wilderness where he was encamped, at the mount of God: 6 and he said unto Moses, I, your father-in-law Jethro, am come unto you, and your wife, and her two sons with her." *Jethro knew it was not good for a husband to live alone. We thank You Father, for the sense of duty in Moses' father-in-law, and his obedience to Kingdom Principles! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 18:10-11 (18:7-11) JETHRO: REJOICES OVER MOSES' REPORT. "And Jethro said, Blessed be Jehovah, who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of Pharaoh; who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods; yes, in the thing wherein they dealt proudly against them."* What a wonderful testimony to You, Father! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 18:12 JETHRO: AS PRIEST SACRIFICES TO GOD. "And Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, took a burnt-offering and sacrifices for God: and Aaron came, and all the elders of Israel, to eat bread with Moses' father-in-law before God." *Jethro served here like Melchizedek as priest to You Father, the Most High God! We cannot honor You enough! *Your :will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 18:17-18 (18:13-18) JETHRO: COUNSELS MOSES TO SAVE STRENGTH. "And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that you do is not good. 18You will surely wear away, both you, and this ;people that is with you: for the thing is too heavy for you; you are not able to perform it yourself alone." *How strange that it often takes a stranger to point out to us Father, the impracticality of our ways. When we fall short in wisdom, make us open like Moses to the wise counsel of others. *Our :daily :bread, Give us this day.* *5. 18:19-20 JETHRO: COUNSELS MOSES TO SHARE APPLYING TORAH. "Listen now unto my voice, I will give you counsel, and God be with you: be you for the people to Godward, and bring you the causes unto God: 20 and you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do." *Here is wise counsel indeed, which you Father, later confirmed. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 18:23 (18:21-23) JETHRO: COUNSELFS MOSES TO TRAIN JUDGES. "If you shall do this thing, and God command you so, then you shall be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace." What* a wise word! What deference to You Father, from an outsider. We should learn to walk in truth, no matter from where its source. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 18:24 (18:24-27) THE LORD: CONFIRMS COUNSEL OF JETHRO. "So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said." *You Father, confirmed that Jethro's word was Your Word! And this word acted upon brought blessing to Moses and Israel. We should praise You when Your counsel through others brings blessing. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE:** **CONCLUSION - 18:21 (18:21-23) FOUR QUALIFICATIONS FOR SMALL GROUP LEADERS. "Moreover you shall provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." *We note these four qualifications. All four are needed; but without *ability,* the following three could not function. The early church met in homes, and were small groups not larger than 50-100 at the most. Many homes were larger in those days, and could accommodate a number of families. One elder assisted by his wife looked after these smaller groups. Each of these elders met regularly, representing the elders in the gate of the city, composed of the 5-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11. When Jesus fed the 4000 and 5000 as recorded in the Gospels, He had the disciples seat the men in groups of 50's and 100's, along with their families. There is a church in the SeaTac Metroplex with 10,000 members - but in that church there are 500 groups of some 8-10 in each that meet weekly and under a leader, study the sermon outline given by the pastor the preceding Sunday. Over 60% of the members have entered the Kingdom of God under the ministry of this church, and are discipled through the home groups. The Jethro concept as given to Moses is well-known, and adapted for our times. In John Wesley's day in the 1700's - some 70,000 converts met weekly in groups of 8, and followed a mutual-help time, following a few practical goals, plus 52 sermons outlining the basic theology of the early Methodists through "Wesley's Doctrinal Standards." One British Sociologist said that apart from Wesley's Class Meetings, the French Revolution of 1789 would have leaped the English Channel and brought its devastation to Great Britain. Lenin was so impressed with the still functioning Class Meetings of the early 1900's, that he adapted them and incorporated them into the Cell Groups of Communism. Today - God is about to visit the Church again with Revival and Reformation. To achieve a safety net for these new "fish", churches must prepare to help one another disciple or "clean" their fish. Look again at the 4 points Jethro shared with Moses that equips for good and effective leadership: *"Competent;* God-fearing; honest and incorruptible. Would to God such conditions were required for our political leaders today! But such qualifications are highly important for small home groups today. A returned missionary from Israel has spelled out the low-standard of church members in many of the American and Canadian churches of today. Paul also complained about the believers of his day in Hebrews 5:11 (5:11-6:8) *"For when by reason of the time you ought to be teachers, you have need that some one teach you the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of :God, and are become such as need milk, not solid food." *He then lays out 6 foundation truths that must be solidly laid and understood, before going on to become " *perfect men."* Let us *prepare today* for God's visitation prior to the return of His Son. Jethro and the thoughts above can be helps in this direction. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Tue Jan 27 20:59:34 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:59:34 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Message-ID: <625d7240901272059n139bc408v3056bef010389f75@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-26 - 1 CORINTHIANS 6:1-20* *B. 6:1-11 CHRISTIANS NOT TO GO OUTSIDE CHURCH FOR JUDGMENT* *a. 6:1 QUESTION* TolMA [5111] tis huM*O*N, PRAGma [4229] Ech*o*n pros ton HEte-ron, *Dare any of you, having a matter against the other,* KRInes-thai [2919] ePI t*o*n aDIk*o*n [94], kai ouCHI ePI t*o*n haGI*o*n [40]? *go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints?* *b. 6:2 QUESTIONS* *e* ouk OIda-te HOti hoi HAgi-oi ton KOSmon [2889] kriNOUsin? *Or know you not that the saints shall judge the world?* kai ei en huMIN KRIne-tai ho KOSmos, *and if the world is judged by you,* aNAxiOI [370] es-te kri-t*e*RI*o*n [2922] e-laCHISt*o*n [1646]? *are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?* *c. 6:3 QUESTIONS* ouk OIda-te HOti ag-GElous [32] kriNOUmen? *Know you not that we shall judge angels?* M*E*ti-ge, bi-*o*-tiKA [982]? *how much more, things pertaining to this life?* *d. 6:4-5a APPLICATION* bi-*o*-tiKA men oun kriT*E*ri-a eAN Ech*e*-te, *If then you have to judge things pertaining to this life,* tous e-xou-the-n*e*MEnous [1848] en t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa [1577] TOUtous kaTHIze-te [2523]? *do you set them to judge who are of no account in the church?* pros en-troP*E*N [1791] huMIN LEg*o*. *5a I say this to move you to shame.* *e. 6:5b-6 SOLUTION: USE WISE IN THE CHURCH TO JUDGE* HOUt*o*s ouk HEni en huMIN ouDEIS soPHOS [4680] *Thus is there not among you one wise man* hos duN*E*se-tai [1410] di-aKRInai [1252] aNA MEson tou a-delPHOU auTOU, *who shall be able to decide between his :brothers,* alLA a-delPHOS me-TA a-delPHOU KRIne-tai, kai TOUto ePI aPISt*o*n [571]? *6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers?* *f. 6:7a A DEFECT: FOR CHRISTIAN TO GO TO LAW AGAINST EACH OTHER * *E*d*e* men oun HOl*o*s H*E*Tt*e*-ma [2275] huMIN es-tin, *No, already it is altogether a defect in you, * HOti KRIma-ta [2917] Eche-te meth' he-auT*O*N. *that you have lawsuits one with another.* *g. 6:7b SOLUTION: BE DEFRAUDED* diA ti ouCHI MALlon a-diKEISthe [91]? diA ti ouCHI MALlon a-po-steREISthe [650]? *Why not rather take wrong? why not rather be defrauded?* *h. 6:8 UNFORTUNATE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILURE* alLA huMEIS a-diKEIte kai a-po-steREIte, kai TOUto a-delPHOUS. *But YOU wrong and defraud, and that brethren.* *i. 6:9a A SERIOUS REVELATION* *e* ouk OIda-te HOti Adi-koi *Or know you not that the unrighteous* TheOU ba-siLEIan [932] ou kl*e*-ro-noM*E*sou-sin [2816]? *shall not inherit God's kingdom?* *j. 6:9b-10 NONE SHOULD BE DECEIVED IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS* M*e* plaNASthe [4105]: OUte PORnoi [4205], OUte ei-d*o*-loLAtrai [1496], OUte moiCHOI [3432], *Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,* OUte ma-laKOI 3120], OUte ar-se-noKOItai [733], *nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men,* OUte KLEPtai [2812], OUte ple-oNEKtai [4123], ou MEthu-soi [3183], ou LOIdo-roi [3060], *10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers,* ouch HARpa-ges [727], ba-siLEIan TheOU kl*e*-ro-noM*E*sou-sin. *nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.* *k. 6:11 THE STATE OF CORINTHIANS PRIOR TO SALVATION* kai TAU-TA ti-nes *E*te: alLA a-peLOUsas-the [628], *And such were some of you: but you were washed,* alLA h*e*-giASth*e*-te [37], alLA e-di-kai*O*th*e*te [1344] en t*o* oNOma-ti *but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name* tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, kai en t*o* PNEUma-ti tou TheOU h*e* M*O*N. *of our :Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our :God.* *C. 6:12-20 REASONS FOR FLEEING FORNICATION: HIGH NATURE OF THE BODY* *a. 6:12a EXPEDIENCY: AN ENDANGER TO WHAT IS LAWFUL* PANta moi Exes-tin [1832]; all' ou PANta sumPHErei [4851]. *All things are lawful for me; but not all are expedient.* *b. 6:12b BEING BROUGHT UNDER AUTHORITY: OUTWEIGHS WHAT IS LAWFUL* PANta moi Exes-tin; *All are lawful for me;* all' ouk eG*O* e-xou-si-asTH*E*so-mai [1850] huPO ti-nos. *but I will not be brought under the power of any.* *c. 6:13a FOOD AND THE STOMACH: BUT FOR TIME* ta BR*O*ma-ta [1033] t*e* koiLIa, kai h*e* koiLIa [2836] tois BR*O*ma-sin: *:Meats for the belly, and the belly for :meats:* ho de TheOS kai TAUt*e*n kai TAUta ka-tarG*E*sei [2673]. *but :God shall bring to nought both it and them.* *d. 6:13b-14 OUR BODY: RESERVED FOR THE LORD IN SANCTIFICATION* to de S*O*ma ou t*e* porNEIa, alLA t*o* KuRI*o*; *But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord;* kai ho KUri-os t*o* S*O*ma-ti: *and the Lord for the body:* ho de TheOS kai ton KUri-on *E*gei-ren [1453], *14 and :God both raised the Lord,* kai huMAS e-xe-geREI [1825] diA t*e*s duNAme-*o*s auTOU. *and will raise up us through his :power.* *e. 6:15a OUR BODIES: MEMBERS OF CHRIST!* ouk OIda-te HOti ta S*O*ma-ta [4983] huM*O*N MEl*e* [3196] ChrisTOU es-tin? *Know you not that your :bodies are membes of Christ?* HAras oun ta MEl*e* tou ChrisTOU, *shall I then take away the members of the Christ,* poi*E*s*o* PORn*e*s [4204] MEl*e*? *and make them members of a harlot?* *f. 6:15b Be it not so. *m*e* GEnoi-to. *g. 6:16 HARLOTRY BRINGS US INTO UNION WITH THE HARLOT* *e* ouk OIda-te HOti ho kolL*O*me-nos [2853] t*e* PORn*e* hen S*O*-MA es-tin? *Or do you not know that who is joined to the harlot is one body?* Eson-tai gar, ph*e*SIN, hoi DUo eis SARka [4562] MIan. *for, The two, says he, shall become one flesh. * *h. 6:17 THE CHRISTIAN IS MADE ONE SPIRIT WITH CHRIST* ho de kolL*O*me-nos t*o* KuRI*o* hen PNEU-MA es-tin. *But who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.* *i. 6:18a Flee :fornication. *PHEU-ge-te [5343] t*e*n porNEIan [4202]. *j. 6:18a FORNICATION: A SIN AGAINST THE BODY* pan haMARt*e*-ma [265] ho eAN poi*E*s*e* ANthr*o*-pos ekTOS tou S*O*maTOS es-tin; *Every sin that a man does is without the body;* ho de porNEU*o*n [4203] eis to Idi-on S*O*ma ha-marTAnei. *but who commits fornication sins against his :own body.* *k. 6:19-20 OUR BODY: A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT* *e* ouk OIda-te HOti to S*O*ma huM*O*N naOS [3485] en huMIN HaGIou PNEUmaTOS es-tin, *Or know you not that your :body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you,* hou Eche-te aPO TheOU? kai ouk esTE he-auT*O*N; *whom you have from God? and you are not your own;* *e*-goRASth*e*te [59] gar tiM*E*S [5092]: *20 for you were bought with a price:* doXAsa-te [1392] d*e* ton TheON en t*o* S*O*ma-ti huM*O*N. *glorify :God therefore in your :body.* *NOTE**:* 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 - Christians should not go outside the City Church to settle legal problems before unbelieving attorneys and judges and juries. This is a very serious charge against the Corinthian City Church. But - what of us today? What of the City Churches of America and Canada? Are their Elderships in the Gates of each of these cities, as there was in the case of Boaz in Bethlehem to handle a spiritual matter concerning Ruth? In those days the Elders in the Gate of each city handled *all* matters, both secular and spiritual. We cannot expect that to take place today in the secular field - but *surely* we can heed Paul's exhortation to the City Church of Corinth - and do likewise in the spiritual field! All local churches in the beginning counted themselves as one church of a city. How many in Jerusalem? I have read estimates of from one hundred to five hundred. Could such an exhortation be realized today? I believe so. Numbers of us are even now praying for God to raise up at least 5-8 elders in the Gate of each City Church, not only for the purpose of 1 Corinthians chapter 6 - but to function also as an organic automated laser telescope to take out principalities and powers over their respective cities. *This* is what King David did through Urim and Thummim. See how God took out the Philistines from the Gaza area, and all David had to do was *mop up!* We too could have the 5-fold Eldership of Ephesians 4:11 represented in each City Church, functioning like that of Antioch in Acts 13:1-3 and Jerusalem in Acts 15. Why not? Take Zechariah 12:8, and apply it for the "One New Man" of Jew and Gentile in these last days, with each elder in the City Gate as a * million-fold* effect in the Gate of each city. Why not? According to our faith it will be unto us. We are believing for such a break-through in several Canadian cities this year, and several American cities. So such this way has not been experienced for many a year! But is God limited by time? Who will be so motivated by God - that on behalf of his city church - he will believe for 8 elders of the 5-fold ministry to gather in the gate of * his* city? *Nothing* is impossible to him who believes. Marie and I are dedicated to help as many cities as possible for this worthy goal. If we at 85 can spear-head in this direction, we believe God can raise up many individuals in many cities to believe for such an Eldership in the Gate of * their* cities. By June of this year we will have visited 2 Canadian and 2 American cities for this very purpose of Prayer Multiplication in the Gates of these 4 respective cities. Last September 2008 I sensed the Lord saying - "The Vision of Spiritual Star Wars I gave you in 1967 and confirmed in1985 has not yet been fully activated. But My time to activate this vision is now at hand. Step out in faith, and see My Activation!" God bless each of you who hear His voice, and join with us for the fulfillment of His Last Day Purposes. Jim & Marie Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Jan 28 17:55:35 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:55:35 -0800 Subject: 14-fold Overview Message-ID: <625d7240901281755k375eeb7cx8ef2d8b9a86557a4@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-01-28 - 14-FOLD OVERVIEW* *A HARMONY OF ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH* This fourteen lesson survey constitutes a crash program for training lay Eldership. The twelve sons of Jacob plus the two sons of Joseph each represent a dominant truth that finds a parallel in the natural series contained in the New Testament. Just as there are seven churches of Revelation, so there are seven churches of Paul. The first nine of the surveys are the keys to Paul's seven churches: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse and Thessalonica. Ephesus is the fulcrum of these seven, and is the only church containing more than one of these natural series. Colosse finds its series in John, and Thessalonica in Revelation. *1. BENJAMIN* is the wolf-man desperately needing *Conversion. *King Saul and Saul of Tarsus were of this tribe. *Hebrews 6:1-2 (5:11-6:8)* - the Gospel for the Jews - and Romans (Gospel for the Gentiles) provide the steps that lead to a true conversion experience. Study these twin presentations carefully, for they are *foundations* for all that follows. A vital experience in the Holy Spirit following baptism leads naturally into all further truth. *2. ZEBULUN *represents *Missions.* *1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (12:4-11)*, the *Gifts of the Spirit*, make Missions powerful and apostolic. Christians are to manifest gifts as soon as saved. Missionary Paul justified his apostleship on the basis of powerful gifts (2 Corinthians 12:12). Note that the Church of Corinth, though a carnal church, yet manifested all the gifts of theSpirit. Note that in1 Corinthians 12:28 and Ephesians 4:11, God "set" (aorist tense) and "gave" (aorist tense) gifts and ministries to the church for as long as there would be a church. God did not intend them to cease with the apostolic age, and according to church history, they did not. *3. ISSACHAR* represents *The Wise Soul-Winner.* Qualification for the soul winner is *the Fruit of the Spirit, **Galatians 5:22-23 (5:16-24)*. The fruit of the Spirit is also a guard against returning to legalism, man's traditions, natural man's way of doing things, and walking in lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). Sow to the Spirit that you received after baptism, and you will reap the nature of Christ, and He being lifted up in you, will draw souls to Himself! *4. JOSEPH *is the man of *Fruitfulness and Revelation*: the two go together. See Daniel also. Joseph united all the sons of Jacob for preservation in Egypt. The spirit of Joseph is the spirit of Ephesians 4:3-6 (4:1-16), which will unite Israel and the church in the Millennium. These "*seven unities"* bind together the whole body of Christ, forming the "One New Man." If we are clear on the definitions of this survey, we can fellowship together as Christians in these great essentials, until 1 Corinthians 1:10 and Isaiah 29:24 are fulfilled. *5. EPHRAIM *is also *a Fruitful One.* He is a type of the church, even in her backsliding. The ministry-gifts of Christ in *Ephesians 4:11 (4:1-16); 1 Corinthians 12:28 (12:12-31); Titus 1:5 and 1 Timothy 3:12* lead individual members into obedience and faith unto baptism, and all the glories of Kingdom privileges. This Ephraim ministry will bring forth the goal of Ephesians 4:12-16 for the church. *6. GAD*, a lion, *a troop**,* is he who is overcome, but *overcomes* at last (Revelation 12:11)! He does so through the *Armor of God*, *Ephesians 6:10-20.* Like Gad, we should recognize that we overcome Satan when properly defended and guarded. We may lose a battle, but we shall surely win the war (Ephesians 6:12 and Revelation 12:11). *7. NAPHTALI* is *the wrestling hind. *He enters rest through overcoming the trials of life. Self-denial, reckoning oneself dead through identification with Christ's death, allows the restful beauty of Christ to shine through. The self-denying mind of Christ on behalf of others is seen in *Philippians 4:8 (4:8-9).* *8. JUDAH *means *Praise! *From him descends the Lion of the Tribe of Judah; Colossians sets forth this same truth in the Pre-eminence of Christ! Just as Judah was first among the tribes in order of the march (Numbers 2), so Christ is pre-eminent in all of God's creation. John, the spiritual gospel, whose emblem is the eagle, sets forth the same pre-eminency through *the 7 "I AMS." * Through Christ and Judah, the shout of a king is in the midst of Israel and the Church (Numbers 23:21). Like Wigglesworth we should challenge one another, "Can you shout the shout of joy and faith?" *9. DAN* means *Judge*. Dan finds his New Testament parallel in Thessalonians and the Second Coming. We must through the Holy Spirit have a sanctified and holy work done in our lives, so that as *overcomers*, we might have part in the first resurrection! All God's promises are to overcomers! to disciples! to those who deny themselves, take up their cross daily and follow Christ! The words of the Lord Jesus to* the seven churches of Revelation* *(Revelation 2-3)*, form a composite picture of the conditions for the overcoming life. *10. LEVI *means *Joined*. Though Levi shared a curse (Genesis 34:25-30; 49:5-7) of scattering with Simeon, yet in Numbers 25:7-13 we read that the zeal of Phineas caused God to modify this curse and turn it into a blessing. Through his scattering, Levi became a blessing through teaching the twelve tribes, and leading them in true guidance and worship. Ironically, it was a member of Simeon's tribe that Phineas slew. The wisdom of the priesthood has its counter-part in the *spirit of wisdom* of *James 3:17 (3:13-18).* Clyde Narramore sets forth this passage as the guide for all counselors. *11. MANASSEH* means *Forgetfulness. *Ephraim was set before Manasseh, though the younger, just as the church has pre-eminence above Israel. The greater spiritual blessing came to the church; yet Israel, like Manasseh, has *not been forgotten.* Replacement Theology has forgotten this. 1948 witnessed the return of Israel to her homeland as a nation. June 1967 witnessed the occupancy of Jerusalem by Israel: Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles or non-Jews until the end. Soon the time of Jacob's trouble will commence under a world-wide ruler called the Syrian. *1 Peter 4:7-11* reveals the changes that ought to take place in our lives in the light of the end times, when consummation for both Israel and the Church takes place. Romans 9-11 reveals this coming union. *12. REUBEN*, a man of weakness and indecision, could have prevailed had he availed himself of spiritual resources. Sin, disgrace and great loss came to him because he did not lay a good foundation, could not curb his lust and weakness. Fasting helps to overcome weakness and lust of the flesh. *2 Peter 1:6-8 (1:1-11)* reveals eight virtues, that if diligently built into our lives in a character sense, cause us to abound and be fruitful. Blindness and lack of purging from old sins come upon us if we neglect them. However, though Reuben lost the Kingship, the Blessing and the Priesthood because of sin, yet God reserved for him Simeon and Gad on the South side of the Tabernacle, and identification with the 8* blessings of Israel in Romans 9:4-5 (9:1-13).* *13. SIMEON*, cruel, vindictive and unrestrained, suffered loss in Israel, and eventually became swallowed up in Judah. We have modern counter-parts like Simeon, who fiercely resisted his father's rebuke, and justified himself in a lawless act. He who is truly repentant and believes the gospel, will show a different type of evidence of God's working in his life. *1 John reveals six evidences of a truly converted man.* The new birth reveals itself in unmistakable changes, that should be studied carefully by those who mistake profession and intellectual assent for true possession and transformation. By their fruits you shall know them! *14. ASHER *is the happy man of *true heart religion. **The Lotd's Prayer, Matthew 6:5-15,* leads to the truly blessed life. Only a man of union with God through the true pattern of prayer can evidence *the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12)*, the true fruit of the blessed man. And God is more interested in what we *are* to and *with* Him, that what we do *for* Him! *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Feb 5 10:22:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 5 Feb 2009 10:22:09 -0800 Subject: "A Man Called Peter" Message-ID: <625d7240902051022q77f38478o8d2a15888ed2a3ea@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *Matthew 6:5-15 - OVERVIEW OF 7 MAJOR GREEK WORDS* *(PRAYER PATTERN FOR DISCIPLES)* *1. Hallowed be Your :NAME. Ono-ma* - 229x (Strong #3686)* *The Name of the Father expresses all His attributes. Here we learn of His character. And note, it is a command! We are to set apart God's Name, so that it is not common! And, God is Father only when faith is exercised producing a spiritual relationship!* *2. Your :KINGDOM come. ba-siLEIa - 162x (Strong #932)* *The Kingdom is the sphere in which, at any given time, God's rule is acknowledged. Presently, the Kingdom involves suffering for those entering, 2 Th 1:5. It is associated with future reward and glory, Mt 25:34, 13:43. Its fundamental principle: the Kingdom of God is in the midst of you, Luke 17:21. Christ's rule is in the heart of the believer, and His church, Acts 4:19; 1 Co 12:3. The entrance into the Kingdom is by the new birth, John 3:5. The new nature of the Kingdom is made evident by obedience, Mt 7:21. The coming Kingdom for which we pray is by sudden catastrophe, 2 Th 2:8. Outward observances do not prove the Kingdom, but Ro 14:17.* *3. Your :WILL be done, As in heaven, so on earth. THEle-ma - 64x (Strong #2307)* "*Will" is primarily that which is willed of the will of God, Mt 18:14. The fulfilling of God's will is a major sign of spiritual relationship. The will of the Lord Jesus is a **command! We will do in love the will of the Father, if we are in spiritual relationship with Him! The will of the Father is to be led of the Spirit as Sons, Romans 8:14.* *4. Our :daily :BREAD Give us this day. ARtos - 99x (Strong #740)* *Here, bread represents food in general, plus all the necessities for sustenance of life, 1 Co 9:10.* *5. And FORGIVE us our :debts, As we also have FORGIVEN our :debtors. aphIe-mi - 145x (Strong #863) The debts of Mt 6:12, 18:27 are to be completely cancelled. Forgiveness remits punishment due to sinful conduct, and signifies deliverance of the sinner from the Divinely righteous penalty. Forgiveness is based upon the vicarious and propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. Repentance and Confession are the conditions for forgiveness, Lk 17:3, Mt 18:15-17. Sin is a debt demanding expiation, and payment by way of punishment. Man to be forgiven, must forgive as God forgives! Note: This is the only petition in the Lord's prayer that is repeated!* *6. And bring us not into TEMPTATION. pei-rasMOS - 21x (Strong #3986)* *This concerns forces beyond our control, Mt. 6:13, Lk 11:4). Watch and pray lest carelessness or disobedience cause entrance to temptation, Mt 26:41, Mk 14:38, Lk 22:40, 46. In all such temptation, God provides a way to escape, 1 Co 10:13. Here is help to escape trials designed to lead to wrong-doing or temptation, Lk 4:13. We are to avoid trying or challenging God, He 3:8.* *7. But DELIVER us from the evil one. RHUo* - 18x (Strong #4508)* *This word is largely synonymous with SOzo, to save, preserve from; while RHUo inclines to 'rescue from.' Evil is used as a noun of Satan as the evil one, Mt 5:37, etc. It is used in the moral or ethical sense as evil or wicked.* *A REMARKABLE ANSWER TO PRAYER* *by Catherine Marshall, author of "A Man Called Peter"* It started because of the extraordinary response in the form of fan mail following the publication of her first book. She had already edited "Mr. Jones, Meet the Master," some 24 or so sermons by her late husband Peter Marshall, who passed on to be with the Lord in 1949 at the age of 46. In response to strong encouragement from friends and publishers, out of 600 sermon manuscripts she made her selection, and they were printed in the exact format Peter used to deliver them. Now she had changed from editor of an extremely successful publication - to author. One and a half million copies of this were sold. Through death, Peter - through his wife, reached far more than he could ever have done had he lived. Now with the avalanche of fan mail - between one and two thousand remarkable letters - something more was to come. Of course Catherine could not answer them all. But now that Twentieth Century Fox had sole rights to make a movie from her book - Catherine had a problem. Allow me to let her state it in her own words to Sam Engel of Twentieth Century Fox. *To be sure, moving, inspirational entertainment is not discounted.* *But, Sam, I long for this particular movie to be far more than that.* *And I think you do too.* *I long for this picture to show movie audiences all over America* *what God can do for modern men and women,* *and so change lives and set feet on the right track.* *Now I know that what I'm asking for is virtually a documentary film -* *one that's true to the facts, not of a book but of life -* *only handled with all the artistry of fiction.* *That would not be an easy scenario to write.* *I know that.* *I think I understand some of the difficulties.* *But I'm convinced that it could be done,* *and that it would make movie history...."* Now she goes on with her account from her third book - "To Live Again." *Either God lives - or He doesn't.* *Either He has real power - or it is all a delusion.* *If God could overrule Joseph's brothers and assorted Pharaohs and kings,* *then He could manage modern rulers - and Hollywood.* *At least, I thought, now I have a good chance to find out.* *But the Bible insists that we have to ask for God's help in order to get it.* *That is the point of petitionary prayer.* *And the asking seems to have more power when many join* *their petitions in agreement on "what they shall ask."* *It was out of that background that I decided to write each one of those* *who had sent me letters after reading A Man Called Peter* *to ask for their specific prayer about the movie project.* *I told neither my publisher nor Mr. Engel that I was doing this....* *November 1, 1953 - Dear Friend:* *I remember with gratitude the most thoughtful letter which you wrote me sometime ago,* *in which you shared with me how God spoke to your own life * *through Peter Marshall's story and sermons.* *Now I want to ask a personal favor of you. * *Twentieth Century Fox plans to make a movie of A Man Called Peter.* *This movie could speak to the heart of America.* *It could mean a great deal to our time and generation -* *using this modern movie medium.* *I can visualize movie audiences - made up of whole families -* *alternately laughing and shedding a few tears* *as they relive certain episodes of A Man Called Peter on the screen,* *as they see God Himself shining through one man's life.* *I can see vast audiences streaming out of the theaters onto the sidewalks * *of a hundred thousand Main Streets, * *entertained, uplifted, inspired, with the thought singing, through many a mind...* "*If God could solve Peter Marshall's problems, * *maybe He can solve mine - and my nation's.* *I'm going to given Him a chance...."* *I can see the scenario writer, the producer -* *Mr. Samuel G. Engel, the director, the entire cast* *given by God inspiration and ability quite beyond all natural talent.* *But all this can happen only if this whole project* *is literally floated on a gigantic wave of prayer.* *It is precisely because I well know what a difference prayer can make,* *that I am writing this letter to you and 1800 other choice friends,* *requesting your specific prayer about the movie "A Man Called Peter."* *The next two months will see many crucial decisions made.* *The scenario is not yet completed.* *The move has not been cast.* *The director has not been chosen.* *I leave for Hollywood on November 10 to make what suggestions I can....* Usually most people pay little attention to a form letter. Yet this one drew an amazing response. I heard from almost everyone who received it. Most of the replies were written in longhand. It was evident that my request for prayer was being taken as seriously as I had hoped.... On March 7 Catherine saw the finished production. In Hollywood Sam Engel was awaiting her reaction. On the way back to Washington, she carefully composed a wire to him: *THIS MORNING AT FOX'S NEW YORK OFFICE I SAW A MAN CALLED PETER'S SPIRIT AND PERSONALITY COME THROUGH WITH COMPLETE INTEGRITY. EVEN THE MOST EMOTIONAL SCENES HAVE THE RESTRAINT OF REAL ARTISTRY. MAY THE PICTURE BECOME A MILESTONE BOTH IN MOTION PICTURE HISTORY AND IN THE SPIRITUAL LIFE OF THE NATION.* I could not forget my fan-mail friends. Surely they deserved the next word.... *In November, 1953, I sent a letter to many of my friends* *asking for specific prayer in connection with the making* *of A Man Called Peter into a motion picture.* *Sixteen months have passed since then.* *The movie is finished and in most cities will be released shortly before Easter.* *I wanted to wait until I had seen the finished product to report back to you....* *Out of this experience, I have learned one of the greatest lessons of my life.* *The lesson is that our God is still an Omnipotent God.* *In the two years "A Man Called Peter" was in process,* *I went through some very bad moments.* *At times, those concerned were on the verge of very wrong decisions.* *My faith often wavered and faltered....* *I was Technical Advisor for the screenplay.* *But from the moment that shooting started, I was not Technical Advisor for the movie itself.* *I saw none of it shot.* *Yet God's Hand was on the project, so He did not need mine.* *He still reigns in His World!* *In response to prayer, He can still rule and overrule;* *He can still have His way with His creatures - even in Hollywood.* *It has been an awe-inspiring and humbling experience* *to have this worked out step by step.* *The Lord God Omnipotent still reigns...!* *NOTE:* As you will have noted, A Greek Word Study on "The Lord's Prayer" is the Launching Pad for this remarkable example of how this prayer worked for individuals and a corporate body of 1800 fans to the book, that triggered the production of this Classic Movie - "A Man Called Peter." I trust you will go back again and again to "The Lord's Prayer" and saturate yourself in it. Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Lord, teach us to pray as John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray." And Jesus responded by saying, "After *this* manner *Pray*." The word "pray" in the original language is in the *Imperative Mood*. It is a *Command!* Then 6 of the following petitions are *likewise* commands in the Imperative Mood. This makes the vast part of this prayer a *Double Command*. The only exception is - "And *bring us not* into temptation." *This* is in the Subjunctive Mood. It could be that Jesus was saying, "It is permissible for you to pray that - If I am able to perfect you without undue testing, May it be so! But if testing in my life is the only way that can bring me through to Your purposes for me - then, *So let it be.* But should this be necessary - then let *not* the evil one take advantage of me in this time of testing!" A forgiving spirit is the *only* one of the 7 petitions that is repeated! Father, if I am unwilling to forgive those who have wronged me and trespassed against me, then I fully understand that You will *be unable to forgive me* my trespasses against You and my fellow-man. The above illustration and example of the successful application of "The Lord's Prayer" by Catherine Marshall through the movie *A Man Called Peter*can now take on an even deeper significance! - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Fri Feb 6 22:22:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2009 22:22:09 -0800 Subject: Matthew 6:5-15 - Forgiveness Message-ID: <625d7240902062222y1246ce16v26aed42b3b754e76@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *MATTHEW 6:5-15 - FORGIVENESS, aPHIe-me, 146x, Strong #863, 2009-02-06* *"A FORGIVING SPIRIT: KEY TO SPIRITUAL HEALTH"* *1. Matthew 6:12, 14-15 (6:5-15) FORGIVENESS: THE ONLY DOUBLE COMMAND! And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors. 14 For if you forgive :men their :trespasses your :heavenly :Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you forgive not :men their :trespasses, neither will your :Father forgive your :trespasses.* *2. Matthew 9:2 (9:1-8) FORGIVENESS: FOR THIS, JESUS CHARGED WITH BLASPHEMY.* "*And lo, they brought to him a paralytic, lying on a bed: and :Jesus seeing their :faith said to the paralytic, Be of good cheer, child; your :sins are forgiven."* *3. Matthew 18:21-22 (18:21-25) FORGIVENESS: NOT SEVEN, BUT SEVENTY TIMES AND SEVEN! "Then came :Peter and said to him, Lord, how often shall my :brother sin against me, and I forgive him? until seven times? 22 :Jesus says to him I say not unto you, Until seven times; but, Until seventy times and seven."* *4. Luke 23:34 (23:33-49) FORGIVENESS: ONE OF JESUS ' LAST 7 SAYINGS FROM CROSS. "And Jesus said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And parting his :garments among them, they cast a lot."* *5. John 20:22-23 (20:19-23) FORGIVENESS: FLOWS FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT. "And on saying this, he breathed on them, and says to them, Receive the Holy Spirit; 23 whoever :sins you forgive, they are forgiven them; whoever you retain, they are retained."* *6. Acts 8:22 (8:14-24) FORGIVENESS: A POSSIBLE FRUIT OF REPENTANCE. "Repent therefore of this your :wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of your :heart shall be forgiven you.* *7. James 5:14-16 (5:13-20) FORGIVENESS: ASSOCIATED WITH HEALING. " Is any among you sick? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, having anointed him with oil in the name of the Lord: 15 and the prayer of :faith shall save the weary one, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, it shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess therefore your :sins one to another, and pray one for another, that you be healed. The supplication of a righteous man avails much in its working."* *8. 1 John 1:9 (1:5-10) FORGIVENESS: CONDITIONAL UPON CONFESSION. "If we confess our :sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our :sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."* *NOTE**: *Sometime around 1948-49 (or somewhat before), Peter Marshall preached this sermon in Washington DC in the "Church of Lincoln!" It hits perhaps the key point of the Lord's Prayer. Though it is but an excerpt from Catherine Marshall's book *A Man Called Peter, * I trust you will find it a memorable illustration of the importance of "*Forgiveness*." My wife Marie and followed quite closely the era of Peter Marshall during his time in our national capital, especially his unusual sermon on December 07, 1941. Our daughter Anna noted at our last viewing, that this was the birthplace of their son, Peter John! I hadn't spotted that before. There is no doubt that the Spirit of Jesus shone through the life of this chosen man. Many a time his life was spared from death prior to his final home-going. May we all - upon reading his insights on *forgiveness*, see it operating in our own lives in the spirit of the Lord's Prayer in an ever-increasing way. - Jim Watt *LETTERS IN THE SAND** - Peter Marshall* *. . . I came not to judge the world, but to save the world . . . John 12:47* *The woman has been caught in the very act of adultery.* *Christ looks beyond the woman sobbing at His feet,* *perhaps in search of the man who shares her guilt.* *But the woman alone is accused.* *There is no man sharing her shame.* *It seems to His disciples that Christ does not look at her at all.* *He is watching those men who try to hide the stones they carry in their hands.* *They are ready - her self-appointed judges -* *to throw them at the poor defenseless creature on the ground, * *for it is the law - the sacred law of Moses - that such shall be stoned to death.* *If He chooses to repudiate the law, the priest can accuse Him of being no prophet.* *He had said that he came to fulfill the law, not to destroy it.* *If He permits the woman's stoning, He will clash with the Roman authorities.* *In this little occupied country, Rome alone retains the power of life and death.* *If the Nazarene condemns the women, * *He will lose His popularity with the multitudes who love and follow Him.* "*Be you therefore merciful," He has often said to them, * "*as your Father also is merciful." (Luke 6:36.)* *How can He condemn the woman and still be merciful?* *Every form of sin is repulsive to Him,* *and although at times it seems that He thinks the sins of disposition* *and attitude more to be detested than the sins of the flesh,* *yet He nowhere - at any time - condones evil and the doing of wrong.* *The circle of bearded men wait impatiently for his answer.* *Will His verdict be justice - or mercy?* *It is a clever trap.* *Surely the Nazarene can find no way out of this one!* *But Jesus stands there calmly, quite unruffled by the dilemma so neatly framed.* *He well knows that, in the eyes of the Pharisees, He is the real enemy - not the woman.* *Therefore, He will appeal the case to a Higher Tribunal.* *He will lift the issue from the level of human law to that of Divine law.* *He will appeal to the bar of conscience.* *He does not speak.* *Stooping down, He slowly, deliberately begins to write in the dust at His feet.* *This is the only time we know of His writing anything . . .* *and no one knows what He wrote.* *Some ancient scholars believe that he traced there in the dust a catalog of human sin.* *Perhaps He looks up at a tall man, with graying hair and piercing blue eyes,* *and traces the word "Extortioner" -* *and the man turns and flees into the crowd.* *Christ looks up into the faces of the men standing in the circle,* *and steadily - with eyes that never blink - he speaks to them:* "*He that is without sin among you,* *let him first cast a stone at her." (John 8:7.)* *His keen glance rests upon the woman's accusers one by one.* *Then He writes in the sand at their feet - letter after letter.* *They watch His finger - fascinated, as it travels up and down -* *up and down.* *They cannot watch without trembling.* *The group is thinning now.* *They think of the recording angel.* *They think of judgment.* *They have howled for it.* *Now it has descended on them.* *Looking into their faces, * *Christ sees into the yesterdays that lie deep in the pools of memory and conscience.* *He sees into their very hearts, and that moving finger writes on . . .* *Idolater . . .* *Liar . . .* *Drunkard . . .* *Murderer . . .* *Adulterer . . .* *There is the thud of stone after stone falling on the pavement.* *Not many of the Pharisees are left.* *One by one, they creep away - like animals - slinking into the shadows . . .* *shuffling off into the crowded streets to lose themselves in the multitudes.* "*He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."* *But the adulteress could not have been unfaithful had not a man tempted her.* *There would be no harlots if men had no evil passions.* *Another should have stood with her in condemnation, but she was alone.* *The first lesson Jesus taught that day* *was that only the guiltless have the right to judge.* "*Judge not, and you shall not be judged."* "*Forgive, and you shall be forgiven." (Luke 6:27.)* *But no stones have been thrown.* *They lie around the woman on the pavement.* *They have dropped them where they stood,* *and now she is left alone at the feet of Christ.* *The stillness is broken only by her sobbing.* *She still has not lifted her head . . .* *And now Christ looks at her.* *He does not speak for a long moment.* *Then, with eyes full of understanding, He says softly:* "*Woman, where are those your accusers?* *Has no man condemned you?" (John 8:10.)* *And she answers,* "*No man, Lord."* *That is all the woman says from beginning to end.* *She has no excuse for her conduct.* *She makes no attempt to justify what she has done.* *And Christ looking at her,* *seeing the tear-stained cheeks and her eyes red with weeping,* *seeing further into her heart,* *seeing the contrition there,* *says to her:* "*Neither do I condemn you: go, and sin no more." (John 8:11.)* *What a strange verdict for the Nazarene to pass . . .* *There has been no doubt of her guilt,* *and likewise there is no doubt about His attitude toward it.* *What He here says is not that He acquits the woman,* *but that He forgives her.* *Not that He absolves her from blame, but that He absolves her from guilt.* *Not that He condones the act,* *but that He does not condemn her for it - He forgives her instead.* *His soft voice is like a candle at twilight,* *like a soft angelus at the close of the day . . .* *like the fragrance of a rose in a sickroom . . .* *like the singing of a bird after the storm . . .* *It is healing music for a sin-sick heart.* *All is quiet for a while.* *If she breathes her gratitude, it is so soft that only He hears it.* *Or perhaps it is a silent prayer which He and the angels in heaven alone can interpret.* *Perhaps He smiles upon her, as she slowly raises her eyes, * *a slow, sad smile of one Who knew that He Himself* *has to pay the price of that absolution.* *And it may be that His finger writes again in the dust,* *tracing this time the outline of a cross or the shape of a hill -* *a hill shaped like a skull.* *No, we do not know her name* *nor where she lived* *now who she was.* *But of this we can be sure - she was never the same again.* *She was a changed woman from that moment. Of that we can be sure.* *She has looked into the eyes of Christ.* *She has seen God.* *She has been accused* *convicted* *judged but not condemned.* *She has been forgiven!* *And now her head is up.* *Her eyes are shining like stars, for has she not seen the greatest miracle of all?* *It is more wonderful than the miracles of creation . . .* *more beautiful than the flowers . . .* *more mysterious than the stars . . .* *that God is willing, for Christ's sake, to forgive sinners like you and me. * *For we are all sinners . . . guilty of different kinds of sin, no doubt.* *For there are sins of the heart* *and sins of the mind* *and sins of the disposition* *as well as sins of the body.* *We, too, may be forgiven, no matter what type * *or kind of transgressions we have committed.* *That we may be forgiven is the greatest miracle of them all.* *God is willing to forgive us,* *to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,* *because the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.* *That is the basis and the only basis for our forgiveness.* *Therefore, "be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,* *even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32.)* *We have no greater need today than this - the need of forgiving one another.* *The whole world cries out for forgiveness . . .* *Nations need it.* *Society needs it.* *Business, capital, and labor need it.* *Homes need it.* *Individual human hearts need it.* *Friends need it.* *Aye - and enemies too.* *We need forgiveness - to be forgiven and to forgive -* *for without forgiveness, our troubled hearts can know no peace.* *But there is a stern condition to be met, if you and I are to be forgiven. . . * *There must be no malice in your heart against anyone in the whole world.* *There must be no refusal on your part to forgive anyone else . . .* *whatever he or she may have done . . .* *no matter how wrong they were . . .* *or how innocent you were.* *If you hug to yourself any resentment against anybody else,* *you destroy the bridge by which God would come to you.* *If you do not forgive other people, you yourself can never feel forgiven,* *because you will never be forgiven.* *How can I be so sure about that?* *Simply because Jesus said so . . .* "*But if you forgive not men their trespasses,* *neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." (Matthew 6:15.)* *Jesus was not sentimental about the alternatives.* *He was blunt and honest.* *In other words, if you will forgive others when they offend you,* *then your Heavenly Father will forgive you too.* *But if you refuse to forgive others, then your Heavenly Father will not,* *indeed cannot, forgive you your offenses.* *So - if you would have peace in your heart -* *if you would know the forgiveness of God -* *it is a case of forgive - or else.* *WE CONFESS BEFORE YOU* *Forgive** us, Lord Jesus, for the things we have done* *that make us feel uncomfortable in Your presence.* *All the front that we polish so carefully for men to see,* *does not deceive You.* *For You know every thought that has left its shadow on our memory.* *You have marked every motive that curdled something sweet within us.* *We acknowledge - with bitterness and true repentance -* *that cross and selfish thoughts have entered our minds;* *we acknowledge that we have permitted our minds * *to wander through unclean and forbidden ways;* *we have toyed with that which we knew was not for us;* *we have desired that which we should not have.* *We acknowledge that often we have deceived ourselves* *where our plain duty lay.* *We confess before You that our ears are often deaf* *to the whisper of Your call,* *our eyes often blind to the signs of Your guidance.* *Make us willing to be changed, even though it requires* *surgery of the soul and the therapy of discipline.* *Make our hearts warm and soft that we may receive now* *the blessing of Your forgiveness,* *the benediction of Your "Depart in peace . . .* *and sin no more." AMEN. * *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Feb 8 16:00:43 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2009 16:00:43 -0800 Subject: 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 - Tongues Message-ID: <625d7240902081600l525df012l7ed8373694f19735@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * * *1 COR 12:8-11 - TONGUES, GLOSsa, 50x, Strong #1100* *BENEFITS OF DAILY USE OF PRAYER LANGUAGE - INDIVIDUAL & CORPORATE* *MEDICAL REASON: FOR PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT* Dr. Carl Peterson of O.R.U. in Tulsa, Oklahoma is a brain specialist. He was doing research on the relationship between the brain and praying in the Spirit, or speaking in tongues. Some amazing things were discovered! Through research and testing, Dr. Peterson found that as we pray in the Spirit (our heavenly language), there is activity that begins in the brain. As we engage in our heavenly language, the brain releases two chemical secretions that are directed into our immune system, giving a 35 to 40% boost to our immune system. This promotes healing within our bodies. Amazingly, this secretion is triggered from a part of the brain that has no other apparent activity in humans, and we don't use it. It is only activated by our praying in the Spirit. Therefore, we need to pray in our prayer language more than we ever have before. Acts 2:4 (1-4,Amplified Bible) *"And they were all filled (diffused throughout their souls) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other (different foreign) languages (tongues), as the Spirit kept giving them clear and loud expression [in each tongue in appropriate words]."* Jude 20 (17-23, Amplified Bible) *But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit."* *NOTE**:* Years ago Pastor Dr. David Yonggi Cho of Seoul, South Korea quoted a medical doctor in one of his books. It was not the same as the insights of Dr. Peterson, but it was somewhat parallel. According to the best of my memory, this other doctor scientifically discovered that when believers audibly spoke in their devotional prayer language, a release took place that built up such people in an unusual way in the inward man. This certainly corroborates the Spirit-inspired teaching of the apostle Paul. Mark 16:17-18 (9-18, NNT) *TONGUES: ONE OF THE 5 SIGNS PROMISED BY JESUS TO BELIEVERS. "And these signs shall follow them that have believed: in my :name shall they cast out demons, speak with tongues; 17 and in their hands they shall take up serpents, and if they drink aught deadly, it shall in no wise hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." *Bible Numerics is God's infallible signature. It deftly moves through the conclusions of the "Bible Critics", confirming where they were right, and conversely - correcting where they were wrong. In the 8th portion of the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6, "Thine is the kingdom etc." - Yes - they were right. This was an eager-beaver copyist's addition. But John 8:1-11, the woman caught in the act of adultery - *This* is a bona-fide part of the NT text! And Mark 16:9-20, left out of the NT by the majority of the "Bible Criticism School" - Bible Numerics is so magnified in this portion, that if any part of the NT should be omitted, this would be the very last portion to go! 2 Timothy 2:15 (2:14-26) *RIGHTLY** DIVIDING THE WORD OF TRUTHL "Give diligence to present yourself approved to :God, a workman that needs not to be shamed, rightly dividing the word of the truth." *This verse was chosen by Lance Latham of Chicago years ago for a Boys' Club that he named *AWANA - APPROVED WORKMEN ARE NOT ASHAMED.* He proved that boys who learned to rightly divide the word of truth, succeeded in life percentage wise to an unusual degree. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (12:31b-13:13) *DIVIDE BETWEEN TONGUES OF MEN AND ANGELS. DIVIDE BETWEEN THE GIFT OF TONGUES AND DEVOTIONAL PRAYER LANGUAGE. "If with the tongues of :men I speak, and of :angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal." *All apart from "rightly dividing", whether we speak of the *gift* of tongues or the devotional prayer language, either one, without love, avails little. 1 Corinthians 14:37 14:37-40) *RECOGNIZE THE LORD SPEAKING THROUGH NT WRITERS. "If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what things I write you, that it is the Lord's commandment." *This word needs to be repeated again and again. Many professing believers feel that Paul's words are not on the level with those of Jesus. *False!* It is not just the words of Jesus in the Gospels that should be in red - but all His words through all other writers of the NT. This is a most serious observation, and most upsetting to many who reject the words of Jesus through Paul especially. Paul''s words on worship and tongues in 1 Corinthians 14 are really *not* his words, but the words of Jesus through him. When Israel in the OT rejected the words of Moses, he made the same observation. Israel was not rejecting *his* words, but the words of *Jehovah * through him! 1 Corinthians 7:10-12; 39-40 (7:8-40) *EXCEPTION: PAUL SPEAKS HERE, NOT THE LORD. "But to the married I have charge, not I, but the Lord, That a wife depart not from a husband 11 (but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to the husband); and that a husband leave not his wife. 12 But to the rest say I , not the Lord: If any brother has an unbelieving wife, and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her. 39 A wife is bound for so long time as the husband lives; but if the husband be fallen asleep, she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord. But she is more blessed if she abide as she is after my :judgment: and I think that I also have God's Spirit.* This is the only passage in Scripture where the apostle Paul speaks on his own, apart from a command of the Lord speaking through him. Yet because of his faithfulness in the past, he believes he has her the Lord's confirmation. 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (14:1-19) *PAUL'S TESTIMONY CONCERNING HIS USE OF TONGUES. "I thank :God, I speak with a tongue more than you all: 19 but in church I would rather speak five words with my :understanding that I might instruct others also, then ten thousand words in a tongue. *Here is a very clear illustration where one needs to rightly divide between the *gift of tongues* and *one's devotional prayer language*. 1 Corinthians 14:5 (14:1-19) *PAUL'S DESIRE FOR US CONCERNING THE GIFT. "Now I would you all to speak in tongues, but rather that you prophesy: and greater he that prophesies than who speaks in tongues, except he interpret, that the church receive edification." *Do all have the gift of *tongues* or prophecy? *No!* - Yet all may have devotional tongues. Notice here, that Paul by the Spirit makes tongues and interpretation equal to prophecy. That is why the Menorah in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle of Moses could have but 7 branches, not 9 - like in the hanukkiah Therefore later in this chapter (14:26-33) when Paul gives rules of order for the most edifying way to have the manifestation of tongues and prophecy in a meeting, we can see the close connection in his rulings. Some feel Paul is quenching their spirits when he does so. *Not so* - these are rules of the Lord for edification, not selfish manifestation of the few! Now consider the verse that follows. 1 Corinthians 12:28-31a (14:12-31a) * TONGUES, LIKE APOSTLES,: NOT ALL HAVE THESE GIFTS! "And :God **has set** some in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then powers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, **kinds of tongues**. **29** Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all power workers**? **have all gifts of healings? **speak all in tongues**? do all interpret? **31a **But desire earnestly the greater :gifts." *Consider the above questions by the Spirit through Paul. The Greek construction in each case automatically requires the answer of *No!* Not all are apostles, and *not all* have the *gift of tongues!* Yet, all may have devotional tongues, making the distinctions noted above. Some Bible teachers believe that more Christians may have the gift of prophecy than the gift of tongues. The Gift of tongues is speaking in a language known by men on earth, but unknown to the speaker. It is supernatural. It is therefore a sign to the unbeliever. Stanley Frodsham prior to the '48 Visitation, wrote a book entitled "With Signs Following," in which he recounts over 100 instances of this gift. Many have come to the Lord through this supernatural manifestation. Because of lack of discerning between the gift of tongues and one's devotional prayer language, much misunderstanding has of course followed. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (12:1-11) *THE NINE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT, INCLUDING TONGUES. "But to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit **to :profit* *. **8** For to one is given through the Spirit a word of wisdom; and to another a word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: **9** to another faith, in the same spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; **10** and to another workings of powers; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits; to another kinds of tongues; and to another interpretation of tongues; **11** but all these work the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally **even as he wills**." *Henry Blackaby carefully points out that each of these 9 gifts are *not* for the personal edification of the user, but for the *church*. We are *not* to use any of the gifts of the Spirit for personal edification - they are to profit others. This understanding helps to prevent much abuse. Notice too that the gift of discernings of spirits comes between the gift of prophecy and the gift of tongues. These two gifts of utterance lead easily to pride and self exaltation. This leads to the possibility of demonic entrance. But the discernings of spirits coming between these two, protect the church from abuse of these two gifts. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (1-19) *DEVOTIONAL TONGUES: GIVES DIRECT ACCESS TO GOD. " For who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks myteries." *Again, rightly dividing the word of truth, it is obvious that Paul here is *not* speaking of the *gift*, but of the devotional prayer language. What a blessing to have this direct access to God, Spirit to spirit. The human mind does not have understanding, but the spirit is tremendously edified. Smith Wigglesworth made use of this hours each day, and testified that *this* was the secret of his ministry, with perhaps 2 million coming to Christ, and tens of thousands healed and delivered. Note also that this communication for the believer is speaking * mysteries.* Pray then for the gift of interpretation, and the mind can also be edified. Paul unveiled *many* mysteries, especially the mystery of the "One New Man." No doubt he received this when praying in his devotional prayer language those 3 years in the desert following his conversion, and then receiving the interpretation. 1 Corinthians 14:4 (1-19) *DEVOTIONAL TONGUES: A WAY TO BUILD UP YOUR SPIRIT. "Who speaks in a tongue **builds up himself**; but who prophesies builds up the church." *Pastor Dr. David Yonggi Cho and Smith Wigglesworth are leading exponents of those who availed themselves of this privilege. 1 Corinthians 14:13-19 (1-19) *PRACTICAL TEACHING ON TONGUES, BOTH GIFT & DEVOTIONAL.* Note: The context following each verse is established by Bible Numerics. Ivan Panin believed we can trust it! "*Wherefore let him that speaks in a tongue pray that he interpret. **14**For if I pray in a tongue, my :spirit prays, but my :understanding is unfruitful. **15** What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else if you bless in spirit, how shall who fills the place of the unlearned say the Amen at your :giving of thanks, seeing he knows not what you say? 17 For you truly give thanks well, but the other is not built up. **18** I thank :God,I speak with a tongue more than you all: **19** but in church I would **rather** speak five words with my :understanding that I might instruct others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue." *Yet Paul in his devotional prayer language exceeded all others in its use.* *I personally believe that the total contexts for tongues, encourages us to believe for interpretation for both the *gift* and for * devotional* tongues. Note too the Spirit's exhortation through Paul to both *pray* and *sing* in the Spirit. There are some who, because of lack of understanding the difference between the gift of tongues and ones' devotional prayer language, disallow singing in the Spirit in the church, either individually or corporately, because they require interpretation in all cases. *This is wrong!* "40 Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of Mrs. Marie Woodworth-Etter" abundantly makes this clear. I read this book in 1944, and God made clear to me as a new believer, that in the not too distant future I would see "The Heavenly Choir" restored. This took place in Edmonton in October, 1948. Singing in the spirit, either individually or corporately, is making use of one's devotional prayer language, and *does not* require one to give an interpretation. One man in Western Canada has written a book on this subject erroneously, bringing confusion to individuals and the church. 1 Corinthians 14:21-22 (20-25) *ANOTHER INSIGHT ON TONGUES. "In the law it is written, [that] By strange-tongued and by lips of strangers will I speak to this :people; and not even thus will they listen to me, says **the**Lord. **22** So that the tongues are for a sign, not to the believing, but to the unbelieving: but prophecy is not to the unbelieving, but to the believing." * This hearkens back to Frodsham's book, "With Signs Following." Paul here quotes from Isaiah 28:11-12 (28:9-13,ASV) *"Nay, but by **men of** strange lips and with another tongue will he speak to this people; **12** to whom he said, **This is the rest**, give rest to him that is weary; **and this is the refreshing**: yet they would not hear." *So devotional prayer language is *rest and refreshing* in the spirit for one using it. But the *Gift of tongues* is a sign for the unbelieving, bringing many of them to Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:39-40 14:37-40) *FORBID NOT TO SPEAK IN TONGUES! ** **"So then, my brethren, desire* *earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. **49** But let all **things** be done decently and in order." *Would to God all would hear these dual exhortations. 1 Corinthians 14:26-29 (14:26-33) *EDIFYING: THE RULE FOR ALL GIFTS. "What is it then, brethren? When you come together, **each** has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has **a tongue**, has an interpretation. Let all **things** **be** unto **edifying**. **27** If any speaks in a tongue, **let it be** by two, or at the most three, **and in turn**; and let one interpret: **28** but if **there** be no interpreter, let him be silent in church; and let him speak to himself, and to :God. **29 **And let prophets speak **by** two or three, **and let the others discern."* Ern Baxter in his church in Surrey BC, observed this. And after the church gleaned from the preceding 2 o 3 messages, he would ask - "Now is there anything the Spirit would have us act upon in the light of this Living Word?" Verse 28 then is literally a correction - for every member participating in every service would bring great confusion! Les Pritchard saw it this way. Notice too, that discernings of spirits comes between tongues and interpretation - and prophecy. Many a time a message will come that needs to be corrected, for an evil spirit has inspired the user, *not* the Holy Spirit! This happened in a church in Tacoma years ago. The pastor witnessed that a visitor had brought a false prophecy. He immediately went to the 4 or 5 elders sharing the platform with him, and got their confirmation. Then he waited for the visiting brother to finish. When he was through the pastor said, "Now church, I have checked with the elders, and we do not witness that our brother's prophecy was of the Lord. If he would like, we would be glad to meet with him following the service. But now church - Let's go on with the service." *This* is both a discernings of spirits and a word of wisdom. 1 Thessalonians 5:19-23 (5:12-24) *QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT. "Quench not the Spirit; **20** despise not prophesyings; **21** but prove all **things**; hold fast what is good; **22** abstain from every form of evil. **23** And the God of :peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your :spirit and :soul and :body be preserved entire, without blame at the presence of our :Lord Jesus Christ." *Make no mistake - we are quenching the Spirit if we do not encourage individual and corporate singing in the spirit from a "devotional prayer tongue" sense apart from legal requirement, over against the interpretation requirement for the "gift of tongues." Let us *rightly*divide the Word of Truth! *CONCLUSION*: J. E. Stiles wrote a book entitled "The Gift of the Holy Spirit". This and other writings came out at the same time as the 1948 Northern Canada Visitation. Some called it "The Episcopalian Bible" - it was so used by the Historic Churches at the time of the Charismatic Renewal. One of his studies was over a score of reasons why believers should use their devotional prayer language much every day. The above notes I am sure would confirm what was written by Brother Stiles. He also felt that it was unnecessary to "tarry" for the gift of the Holy Spirit following Pentecost. Indeed, Jesus commanded the disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until that time, but from then on we are to follow Acts 2:38. There in the "Peter Package," we need to have a Scriptural repentance and baptism - and then immediately through the laying on of hands we can receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We saw hundreds receive this way in 1948 in the light of Pastor Stile's exhortation. Can people have an anointing apart from a devotional prayer language? Of course! See John Wesley, George Muller and Oswald Chambers as examples. They were *much* in prayer over the Word, but did not move in tongues. This produces an anointing and release of other gifts of the Spirit, which these 3 shared in abundance. Out of 70,000 Wesleyan members who attended class meetings, fully half faithfully and daily used their devotional prayer language. John Wesley affirmed - "I neither encouraged nor discouraged the speaking in tongues. But of the 50% of my ministers who moved in this favor, I noted that they were amongst my most zealous soul winners." - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Feb 11 20:52:17 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 11 Feb 2009 20:52:17 -0800 Subject: Valentine's Day Message-ID: <625d7240902112052q5f3ffe66o2f1d2a3c570c404e@mail.gmail.com> "*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE" MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *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* t*o*BIYM [2896] hash-sheNAyim [3426] min - ha-*e*CHAD [259], *Two are better than one,* aSHER y*e*sh-laHEM s*a*CAR [7939] t*o*b ba-a-m*a*L*A*M [5899]. *because they have a good reward for their labor.* ciy im - yipP*O*lu [5307], *10 For if they fall, * h*a*-eCHAD y*a*KIYM[6965] eth - cha-b*e*R*O* [2272]; *the one will lift up his fellow;* veIYl*o* H*A*eCH*A*D shey-yipP*O*L, *but woe to him that is alone when he falls,* ve*E*YN sh*e*NIY la-cha-kiyM*O*. *and has not another to lift him up.* gam, im - yish-ceBU [7901], *11 Again, if two lie together,* sheNAYIM veCHAM [2552] laHEM; *then they have warmth;* vu-le-eCHAD *e*yc y*e*CH*A*M? *but how can one be warm alone?* veIM - yith-ke-PH*O* [8630] h*a*-eCH*A*D, *12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone,* hash-sheNAYIM ya-a-meDU [5975] negD*O*; *two shall withstand him;* ve-haCHUT [2339] HAme-shulL*A*SH l*o* bim-ch*e*R*A*H [4120] yin-n*a*TH*E*K [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)* *e*yC*A*H yirD*O*PH [7291] eCH*A*D Eleph [505], *How should one chase a thousand,* vushNAYIM y*a*NIYs*u* [5127] ri-baB*A*H [7233], *And two put ten thousand to flight,* im - L*O* ciy - tz*u*R*A*M [6697] me-c*a*R*A*M [4376], *Except their Rock had sold them,* VAYh*o*VEH his-giyR*A*M [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, aM*E*N, LEg*o* huMIN, *Again, Amen, I say unto you,* HOti eAN DUo sum-ph*o*N*E*s*o*-sin [4856] ex huM*O*N ePI t*e*s g*e*s *that if two of you shall agree on :earth* peRI panTOS PRAGma-tos [4229] hou eAN aiT*E*s*o*n-tai [154], *as touching anything they shall ask, * geN*E*se-tai [1096] auTOIS paRA tou paTROS mou tou en ou-ranNOIS. *it shall be done for them of my :Father who is in the heavens.* hou gar ei-sin DUo *e* treis su-n*e*gMEnoi [4863] eis to eMON Ono-ma [3686], *20 For where two or three are gathered unto my :name,* eKEI eiMI en MEs*o* auT*O*N. *there am I in their midst.* *Zechariah 12:8-9 (12:1-9, ASV) HIGHER STAKES IN THE LAST DAYS* bayY*O*M haH*U* yaG*E*N [1598] ye-h*o*VAH beAD y*o*SH*E*B[3427] ye-r*u* -shaLAIM; *In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem;* ve-h*a*Y*A*H han-nicSH*A*L [3782] b*a*HEM bayY*O*M haH*U* *and he that is feeble among them at that day* ce-d*a*VIYD; *shall be as David;* vuB*E*TH d*a*VIYD C*E*l*o*HIYM, *and the house of David shall be as God,* ce-malAC [4397] ye-h*o*VAH liph-n*e*yHEM. *as the angel of Jehovah before them.* ve-h*a*YAH bayY*O*M haH*U*, *9And it shall come to pass in that day,* a-bakK*E*SH [1245] le-ha-sheMIYD [8045] eth - c*a*l - hagG*O*YIM [1421] *that I will seek to destroy all the nations * hab-b*a*IYM al - ye-r*u*-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 *that* day the *feeble* among us would be as *David*. Women sang that Saul slew his thousands, but *David* his 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 *not* feeble - 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 *this* partnership in successful Prayer Multiplication - is the most difficult to achieve among all prayer couples for the marrieds! The congregation that night *heartily* agreed! 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 be* tomorrow, and all of tomorrow's tomorrows! Your devoted friends on behalf of God's very best for each of you - Jim and Marie Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Feb 26 14:15:01 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:15:01 -0800 Subject: Meditation - Part 1 Message-ID: <625d7240902261415y11158b84h26f300f9edc94c08@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *MEDITATION: A KEY TO WORSHIP AND PRAYER - 1990-10-23 - PART 1* *Strong #1897 - haGAH - (2009-02-20 - Revised)* Joshua 1:8 (1:1-18, ASV) *JOSHUA'S LEADERSHIP: DEPENDENT ON WORD MEDITATION. ?This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall **meditate** *(aloud) *on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.? * Job 27:8 (26-31) *THE TONGUE: NEUTRAL INSTRUMENT FOR MEDITATION* Job 37:2 (33-37) *THUNDER: AN EXPRESSION OF GOD'S MEDITATION* Psalm 1:2 (1-6) *GOD'S BLESSING UPON MAN: THROUGH MEDITATION. ?But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law does he **meditate** day and night.? *- and day and night are always MEDITATING (aloud) on his laws Psalm 2:1 (2:1-12) *PLOTTING AGAINST GOD'S PEOPLE: AN EVIL MEDITATION* Psalm 5:1 (5:1-12) *MEDITATION: EQUALS PRAYER AND VOICE OF OUR CRY. ?Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my **meditation**.* Psalm 9:16 (9:1-20) *MEDITATE ON THIS: GOD DELIVERS FROM THE WICKED* Psalm 19:14 (19:1-14) *MEDITATION AND JEHOVAH'S LAW: RELATED. ?Let the words of my mouth and the **meditation** of my heart Be acceptable in your sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.? * Psalm 35:28 (35:1-28) *VOCAL MEDITATION: FOR MAGNIFYING THE LORD* Psalm 37:30 (37:1-40) *COUNSELLING: HORIZONTAL MEDITATION* Psalm 38:12 (38:1-22) *EVIL MEDITATION: THE WORK OF THE LAWLESS* Psalm 39:3 (39:1-13) *ORAL MEDITATION: SETS THE HEART ON FIRE. ?My heart was hot within me; While I was **musing** the fire burned; **Then** spoke I with my tongue.? *- the fire burned: The more I *mused*, the hotter the fires inside. Psalm 49:3 (1-20) *MEDITATION: THE KEY TO OPEN PARABLES, DREAMS, REVELATION. ?My mouth shall speak wisdom; And the **meditation** of my heart shall be of understanding.?* Psalm 63:6 (63:1-11) *MEDITATION: ENTRANCE TO LEAGUE OF THE BURNING HEART. ?When I remember you upon my bed, **And** **meditate** on you in the night-watches.? *I lie awake at night *thinking* *aloud* of You. Psalm 71:24 (71:1-24) *A TALKING TONGUE ON GOD: CLUE TO MEDITATION* Psalm 77:12 (77:1-20) *GOD'S ACTS AND MIRACLES: A SOURCE OF MEDITATION. ?I will **meditate** also upon all your work, and muse on your doings.?* Psalm 90:9 (1-17) *MEDITATION: STARTS OUT WITH PROBLEMS* Psalm 92:3 (1-15) *SOLEMN MUSIC: HAS ITS PLACE IN MEDITATION* Psalm 115:7 (1-18) *IDOLS: UNABLE TO ENGAGE IN MEDITATION* Psalm 143:5 (1-12) *THE RIGHT USE OF MEDITATION. ?I remember the days of old; I **meditate** on all your doings; I muse on the work of your hands.?* Proverbs 8:7 (1-11) *WISDOM SPEAKS: THE TRUTH OF MEDITATION* Proverbs 15:38 (14:1-15:33) *CAREFUL MEDITATION: HALLMARK OF THE RIGHTEOUS* Proverbs 24:2 (24:1-20) *END OF MEDITATION OF EVIL MEN: DESTRUCTION* Isaiah 8:19 (8:1-9:7) *CHANNELLERS & MEDIUMS: MUTTERING MEDITATIONS OF EVIL * Isaiah 16:7 (16:15-16) * MOURNING: A FORM OF MEDITATION* Isaiah 31:4 (31) *ROARING: GOD'S MEDITATION EXPRESSED ON OUR BEHALF* Isaiah 33:18 (33:13-24) *A MESSIANIC VISION: WORTHY FOR MEDITATION* Isaiah 38:14 (38:4-21) *HEZEKIAH'S MEDITATIVE MOURNING: REWARDED WITH HEALING* Isaiah 59:3 (58:1-59:15)* ISRAEL'S APOSTASY: EVIDENCED BY MEDITATIVE MUTTERINGS * Isaiah 59:11 (58:1-59:15) *FASTING WITH DOVELIKE MOURNING: FRUITFUL MEDITATION* * MOURNFUL MEDITATION WITH FASTING: A HEALTHY ELIXER* Isaiah 59:13 (58:1-59:15) *HEART MEDITATION UTTERED: CAN BE USED IN LYING* Jeremiah 48:31 (48:26-46) *MEDITATIVE MOURNING: JEREMIAH'S RESPONSE TO JUDGMENT* Lamentations 3:62 (3:39-62) *MEDITATIVE DEVICE: AN INSTRUMENT OF EVIL* Ezekiel 2:10 (2:1-3:3) *MOURNING: FORM OF MEDITATION FOR JUDGMENT* *STRONG #7878 - SEEach - MEDITATION* Genesis 2:5 (2:1-25) *A PLANT: PARALLEL TO FRUIT OF GOOD MEDITATION * Genesis 21:15 (21:1-26) *BUSH SHELTERS CHILD: CHRIST IN US PLEASES FATHER* Judges 5:10 (5:1-31) *MEDITATION IN THE GATES: WORK OF RULERS* 1 Samuel 1:16 (1:6-19) *HANNAH: AN EXAMPLE OF MEDITATIVE POURING OUT* 1 Kings 18:27 (18:1-46) *ELIJAH: MOCKINGLY POSITS MEDITATIVE TALKING TO BAAL* 2 Kings 9:11 (9-10) *COMMUNICATION CAN BE FORM OF MEDITATION* 1 Chronicles 16:9 (16:7-43) *MOUTH DECLARATION: FLOWS OUT OF HEART MEDITATION. ?Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk (**meditate**) of all his marvelous works.?* Job 7:11 (6-7) *JOB'S PLEA: THE RIGHT TO POUR FORTH BITTER MEDITATION* Job 7:13 (6-7) *MEDITATION HALTED BY SLEEP: STOPPED BY NIGHTMARES* Job 9:27 (9-10) *JOB: UNABLE TO FOGET HIS MEDITATIVE COMPLAINTS* Job 10:1 (9-10) * JOB BY MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT: CAN'T UNDERSTAND GOD* Job 12:8 (12-13) *THE EARTH CONTAINS MEDITATIVE PARABLES* Job 15:4 (15:1-35) *ELIPHAZ: REBUKES JOB FOR LACK OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER* Job 21:4 (21:1-34) *JOB'S MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT: AGAINST GOD* Job 23:2 (23-24) *JOB'S MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT: AGAINST HIS FRIENDS* Job 30:4 (26-31) *BUSHES: ANALOGY OF MEDITATIVE FRUIT* Job 30:7 (26-31) *BUSHES: A PLACE FOR FOOLS* Psalm 55:2 (55:1-23) *DAVID'S MEDITATION: NOISY AND COMPLAINING* Psalm 55:17 (55:1-23) *DAVID'S VOICE: HEARD IN HIS MEDITATION. ?Evening, morning, and at noonday, will I complain (**meditate**), and moan; And he will hear my voice.?* Psalm 64:1 (64:1-10) *DAVID'S VOICE: HEARD IN HIS MEDITATIVE PRAYER. ?Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint (**meditation**); Preserve my life from fear of the enemy.?* Psalm 69:12 (69:1-36) *FALSE LEADERS IN GATES: HAVE MEDITATIVE SPEECH* Psalm 77:3 (77:1-20) *DAVID: A MAN FAMILIAR WITH MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT* Psalm 77:6 (77:1-20) *MEDITATION: CAN BE A COMMUNING WITH ONE'S OWN HEART. ?I call to remembrance my song in the night; I commune (**meditate**) with my own heart; And my spirit makes diligent search.?* Psalm 77:12 (77:1-20) *MEDITATION: ACT OF WILL BECOMING AN OUTPOURING. ?I will **meditate** also upon all your work, and muse on your doings.? * Psalm 102:title (102:1-28) *FROM MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT TO EXULTANT PRAISE. ?A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and pours out his complaint (**meditation**) before Jehovah.?* Psalm 104:34 (104:1-35) *SWEETNESS UNTO THE LORD IN PRAISE AND MEDITATION. ?Let my **meditation** be sweet unto him: I will rejoice in Jehovah.?* Psalm 105:2 (105:1-45) *HORIZONTAL SHARING FLOWS OUT OF VERTICAL MEDITATION. ?Sing unto him, sing praises unto him; Talk (**meditate**) of all his marvelous works.?* Psalm 119:15 (119:1-24) *PRECEPT MEDITATION: RULE FOR LIVING. ?I will ** meditate** on your precepts, And have respect unto your ways.?* Psalm 119:23 (119:1-24) *JESUS, OUR LIVING STATUTE: MEDITATE ON HIM! ?Princes also sat and talked against me; **But** your servant did **meditate ** on your statutes.?* Psalm 119:27 (25-48) *HORIZONTAL VOCAL MEDITATION: BASED ON PRECEPT ** UNDERSTANDING* ?*Make me to understand the way of your precepts: So shall I **meditate** on your wondrous works.?* Psalm 119:48: (25-48) *STATUTE MEDITATION: A HABIT OF THE PSALMIST. *?*I will lift up my hands also unto your commandments, which I have loved; And I will **meditate** on your statutes.?* Psalm 119:78 (73-96) *PRECEPT MEDITATION VERSUS PERSECUTION OF THE PROUD. ?Let the proud be put to shame; for they have overthrown me wrongfully; ** But** I will **meditate** on your precepts.?* *Psalm 119:97 (97-120) * *LAW MEDITATION: THE LOVE OF THE PSALMIST. ?Oh how I love your law! It is my **meditation** all the day.?* Psalm 119:99 (97-120) *TESTIMONY MEDITATION: SOURCE OF GREAT UNDERSTANDING. ?I have more understanding than all my teachers; For your testimonies are my **meditation**.? * Psalm 119:148 (145-176) *NIGHT MEDITATION: A BLESSED BY-PRODUCT OF SLEEPLESSNESS :My eyes anticipated the night-watches, That I might ** meditate** on your word.?* Psalm 142:2 (1-7) *GOD: HEARS OUR OUTPOURING OF MEDITATIVE COMPLAINT* Psalm 143:5 (1-12) *VOCAL MUSING: EFFECTIVE MEDITATION IN DAY OF TROUBLE. ?I remember the days of old; I **meditate** on all your doings; I muse on the work of your hands.?* Psalm 145:4-5 (1-21) *GOD'S HONOR: MEDITATIVE OUTPOURING OF THE PSALMIST. ?One generation shall laud your works to another, And shall declare your mighty acts, **5** Of the glorious majesty of your honor, And of your wondrous works, will I **meditate**.?* Proverbs 6:20-22 (1-35) *TORAH IN HEART: MEDITATIVELY TALKS WITH US. ?My son, keep the commandment of your father, And forsake not the teaching of your mother: **21** Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them about your neck. **22** When you walk, it shall lead you; When you sleep, it shall watch over you; And when you awake, it **shall talk with you.**?. * This is a direct application of the Urim and Thummim of the High Priest, which King David used *continually*! Proverbs 23:29 (22-35) *DRUNKEN BABBLING: AN ANALOGY TO VOCAL MEDITATION.* Isaiah 53:8 (52:13-53:12) *HORIZONTAL DECLARATION: AN AREA OF VOCAL MEDITATION RESTRICTED TO MAN.* *NOTE**: PART 2 TO FOLLOW, IS A ?TENTATIVE EVALUATION? of the above. PART 3 will be a listing of all New Testament references to ?Meditation.?* *Vocal meditation on God's word was not a habit with George Muller for the first 10 years of his life as a believer. He states in his autobiography the amazing change that started in his life once he committed himself to daily vocal meditation upon the Word of God. In no B ible Commentary nor in any sermon had he run across this discipline. He found it of such value that from the age of 70 to 87, he traveled 200,000 miles in 40 different countries, and this was one of the seven major emphases that he made in each address. It is unfortunate that believers have not dipped into their Jewish Roots, for they they would soon have had this secret that flows out of ?The Living Talmud.? and the practice of davening. - Jim Watt* *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Feb 26 17:46:41 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:46:41 -0800 Subject: Meditation: Tentative Evaluation, Part 2 Message-ID: <625d7240902261746m223c29c1l3866813a90d1e3f3@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-02-24 (Revised) - MEDITATION - PART 2* *TENTATIVE EVALUATION* 1. *MEDITATION *is related to Worship and Prayer. See Girdlestone, ?Old Testament Synonyms,? p. 219. 2. *MEDITATION* is related to Singing and Song. See ?New Englishman's Hebrew and Chaldea Concordance,? A P & A, p. 1206, #7878 SEEagh, and p. 1255 #7891 sheer. 3. Zodhiates states, ?It is possible that the scriptures were read somewhat audibly during the process of *meditation*. See #1897, HaGAH, p. 1587, Hebrew Greek Study Bible, Zodhiates, AMG, 1984. #1897, HaGAH; to murmur, to mutter, to growl, to coo, to sigh, to moan, to roar; to *meditate*, to muse, so speak, to praise; to whisper. The word occurs mostly in poetry, especially in Psalms and Isaiah. It describes a low moaning sound like that of a dove (ISA 38:14; 59:11), or the growling of a lion what has trapped its prey (ISA 31:4). Sometimes it was used to describe the context of mourning (ISA 16:7; JER 48:31) or the whispering of the enemy after the collapse of Jerusalem (LAM 3:62). Wizards made strange noises when they practiced the occult (ISA 8:19). The Psalmist (5:1) cried out to God for help while in distress. Sometimes the term refers to plots (PSA 2:1; PRO 24:2; ISA 59:3, 12); or righteous ponderings (PSA 35:28; 37:30; 71:24; PRO 15:28), or *meditation* (PSA 1:2; 38:12; 63:6; 77:12; 143:5). It is possible that the Scriptures were read somewhat audibly during the process of * meditation.* 1899. Hegah; this mas. noun comes from 1897. It means a murmur, sighing, * meditation*, a thought, growling (used of thunder in Job 37:2, i.e. rumbling). Compare the related term higgayown (1902) which was a musical notation which possibly referred to a harp PSA 92:3). Or, it may have meant that a period of *meditation* was to follow PSA 9:16). 1900. Haguwth; this fem. noun which comes from1897 means *meditation*, it occurs only once (PSA 9:16). 4. *MEDITATION, *#7878 Siyach, Zodhiates, p. 1645. To ponder, to *meditate*, to muse; to speak, to talk, to converse (aloud, or even with oneself), to utter (with the mouth, Job 12:8; PSA 69:13; PRO 6:22); to complain (Job 7:11; PSA 55:18), to talk disparagingly (PSA 69:12); to declare; to pray, to talk with oneself (i.e., to *meditate*, especially upon divine things, PSA 77:4, 7, 13; 119:15, 23, 27, 48, 78, 148); to sing (JUD 5:10; PSA 145:5), to celebrate something in song (PSA 105:2); to consider, to think upon something in song (PSA 105:2); to consider, to think upon something (ISA 53:8). This verb conveys the idea of going over a matter in one's mind, i.e., rehearsing it, whether inwardly or outwardly. 7879. Siyach; this Heb. mas. noun derives from 7878; it is a contemplation, an utterance, a *meditation* (1 K 18:27; PSA 104:34), a thought; a speech, a discourse (2 K 9:11), babbling (PRO 23:29), talking (1 K 18:27); a complaint (1 SAM 1:16; Job 7:13); prayer (PSA 64:1). 7880. Siyach; this Heb. Mas. noun has it origin in 7878. It refers to a shoot (like a word which has been put forth); shrubbery, a shrub, a plant, or a bush. There are only four occurrences (GEN 2:5; 21:15; JOB 30:4, 7). 7881. Siychah; this fem. Heb. noun comes from 7879. It means reflection, devotion, *meditation*, or prayer. There are only three instances in the O.T. (Job 15:4; PS 119:97, 99). ?It is my *meditation* (siychah) all the day!? 5. *MEDITATION. *Present day Jews , especially the Orthodox, use a prayer book while *meditating*, rocking forward and backward; while reading, they usually pray and *meditate* audibly. 6. *David Yonggi Cho *in his ?The Fourth Dimension #2, points out the remarkable effect our *tongue* has upon our psyche (soul) when used, either properly or improperly. Our soul and subconscious is programmed by speech, and when spoken with conviction, triggers the soul and subconscious to bring to pass the expressed thought and conviction. Vocal *meditation* on the Word will trigger 2 PET 1:4, commencing the tendency and train of events to bring it to pass. How important it is that we guard our tongue. How important that we obey Joshua 1:8, by vocal *meditation* upon God's word day and night. Note that when a sheep chews its cud, it brings back stored food to the mouth. When we *meditate*, we bring back the Word memorized to the mouth. When we speak the Word, it is transformed into the Rhema word, and we partake of the Divine Nature (2 PET 1:4). The sheep transform food gathered ahead of time into lamb chops. The analogy is quite exact. 7. *VOCAL MEDITATION* on God's word was not a habit with George Muller for the first 10 years of his life as a believer. He states in his autobiography the amazing change that started in his life once he committed himself to daily vocal *meditation* upon the Word of God. In no Bible Commentary nor in any sermon had he run across this discipline. He found it of such value that from the age of 70 to 87, he traveled 200,000 miles in 40 different countries, and this was one of the seven major emphases that he made in each address. It is unfortunate that believers have not dipped into their Jewish roots, for there they would soon have found this secret that flows out of ?The Living Talmud.? 8. *NOTE *#7880 Siyach. This Heb. masc. noun has its origin in 7878. It refers to a shoot (like a *word* which has been put forth by audible * meditation*). Just as a shoot from a seed takes on visible form, so the word of God in our mind when expressed, drops to our heart, germinates, and tends to form in us the Divine Nature, an actual shining forth of divine manifestation. Vocalization with *meditation* appears to be the key causing germination and growth to take place. 9. *NOTE JOHN 1:1* - and the WORD was GOD. The mind of the Father is perfectly expressed in Jesus, the Living Word. The Written word, given by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, is an exact expression of Him in the letter. When we utilize Joshua 1:8, audibly *meditating* upon the entire Bible, we start the process that can bring us to maturity of sainthood such as is seen in our century in Oswald Chambers, A. E. Tozer, Watchman Nee, Nicholas Bhengu, Smith Wigglesworth, and David Yonggi Cho. Deborah and Anna the prophetess demonstrated this maturity in Bible times. St. Theresa of Avila, Madame Guyon, Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, and Pandita Ramabai of the Mukti Mission outside of Bombay demonstrated this potential in modern times. 10. *JOSHUA 1:8* - perhaps the key verse on *meditation* from all 77 references. Notice that Hebrew parallelism places *meditation* day and night with Torah in the Mouth. This sets the tempo according to the law of first reference for hah-GAH. 11. *PSALM 29* - an expression of God's *meditative* voice in THUNDER. 12. *MEDITATION* finds a parallel between Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:1-3. A lover of the Word, The Torah, is going to walk like George Muller in Vocal * meditation*. His path will be a shining light, shining *more and more* unto the perfect day. 13. *HIGGAION: *A command by the Spirit for us to *meditate*. Milk this truth for all it is worth. Look at it line by line, and word by word. Talk it over with God. Compare this with - SElah. 14. *PSALM 19:7*. This Law of the Lord, this Torah, is the *meditation* of 19:14, and is that which God commanded to be in the mouth of Joshua. 15. *MEDITATION* is vertical toward God, horizontal toward man, and inward toward self. David's spirit communed with his soul in PSA 103:1-5. 16. *ORAL MEDITATION* in the Word: sets the heart on fire! George Muller found this perhaps the most transforming act of his daily life. Jeremiah discovered he could not remain silent when this fire of God in the Word burned in his bones. God's Word is a *fire*. *Meditate* upon it, and you will catch on fire. 17. *MEDITATION: *the key to discover God's hidden secrets (PRO 2:1-12). Kids enjoy an Easter egg hunt, for God has put this desire in the human heart to find things. The saint of God has a continual feast through * meditation*, for all of God's hidden treasures then start to turn up for him. 18. *GOD CALLED DAVID *a man after His own heart. The *meditations* of David upon God and His word transformed him, tending to bring him to God's image. The Psalms reveal David's *meditative* heart. Learn his secret and be transformed. 19. *BE FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT*, and horizontally let the outflow build one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. But, let the LOgos of Christ dwell in you richly through *vocal meditation*, and find fulfillment richly in new worship (JNO 4:23-24; Phil 3:3); God *seeks* such worshipers, and very few things He seeks. 20. *THE WELL OF MEDITATION* dried up? Try counting your blessings; see what God has done; recall His wondrous acts; soon your heart will have a new song. What a wonderful way to prime one's pump! 21. *NOTICE*: David often started a Psalm in the depths of despair. But then he changed gears; took his attention off himself and his circumstances; transferred it upon God, His former faithfulness and His promises. Invariably this ended up one's *meditation* in praise! 22. *THERE IS A SPIRIT* of excellence about David. His music at times commenced with solemn sound, *meditatively*. Even in old age this worked for David, and he assures us that, God being no respecter of persons, it will work for us too. 23. *MOURNING IS A FORM OF MEDITATION*, and can be exercised by the good or the evil. For the righteous, it is a form of intercession in the light of the second beatitude. It takes our eyes off ourselves (being poor in spirit), and takes up a mourning burden for those in need of intercession: to lift them up into Christ. Every need we see is not a call to criticize and condemn, but to mourn and intercede. ROM 8:26-27 is an expression of this. 24. *LEARN FROM THE DOVE* when she is troubled. Then hear the change in the sound of her cooing when deliverance comes. Hezekiah started out with mournful dovelike *meditation*, but ended up with great deliverance. Use Isaiah 1:18 as a basis for fruitful *meditation*. 25. *THERE IS A WRONG USE OF MEDITATION.* We can mutter, grumble and complain against the Lord, expressing our disobedience, rebellion and hard-heartedness. How we need Your mercy and converting power at such times, O Lord. 26. *FROM A SEED* spring up shrubs and bushes. This is a natural analogy what happens when we take the LOgos as a seed and *meditate* upon it. Vocalizing upon the word miraculously causes it to germinate as a seed, find its way from the head to the heart, and there grow, bringing forth the Divine Nature, the Christ within. As the female egg is impregnated and finds its way to the womb, eventually bringing forth a child: even so Christ lives within us as we discipline ourselves daily to walk in the way of scriptural *meditation* (GAL 2:20; 1 PET 1:23). 27. *MINISTERING TO THE LORD *with fasting and prayer ((Acts 13:1-3) is a form of *meditation*. When rulers and leaders accept this responsibility, sitting in the gates of the city; the Lord Himself will build His church through us (MAT 16:18-19). 28. *OUT OF ANGUISH AND DESPERATION* of heart we pour out our utterances unto God. This is *meditation* in one of its highest senses. It ought to be a regular part of the life of a believer. 29. *SHOULD DAVID TRY AND MEDITATE *silently, the fire would soon burn, and out would come a voice utterance exactly paralleling his heart contemplation. Jeremiah and David both experienced this consistently. Here we find David *praying* (a synonym for *meditating*) evening, morning and at noon. 30. *NOTE* the three directions of *meditation*: unto *God*, vertically; unto man, horizontally; unto one's own soul by the spirit, inwardly (PSA 103:1-5). All three can be vocal. At least, if they start out silently, they may well end up vocally. 31. *FEW COMMENTARIES, TRANSLATIONS AND SERMONS* seem to catch the strong underlying vocal aspect of *meditation*. George Muller marveled at this lack in his day. Religious Jews continually practised this; but this started to be lost to the Gentile church from about 500 AD. Messianic Jews became swallowed up during the centuries in the Gentile church, and lost their roots in religious historic Judaism. In 1805 they began to form Messianic congregations in Britain; in 1905 in America; and today Messianic congregations worldwide composed of both Jew and Gentile are beginning to rediscover this ancient Biblical method of vocal *meditation*. It is like life from the dead (ROM 11:15). 32. *JEREMIAH* awoke from dreams from the Lord, and found that his sleep had been *sweet* (JER 31:26). Solomon told his son that rest in the Lord with a heart full of the Living Word brought nightly visitations from the Lord in guidance, safety and communion (PRO 6:20-22); Job 33:14-18). But * David* seemed to surpass them all in his exuberant contemplation of the Lord from the viewpoint of all creation. This *meditation* David found *sweet*. 33. *DAVID* constantly recounts all of God's miraculous workings. He regularly reasoned from them. This took his thoughts off himself, his problems and his circumstances, and transformed him through *vocal meditation* into a *praising saint*. He meditated vertically to God and expressed his insights horizontally to men. 34. *PRECEPTS* are God's rules for living. The book of Proverbs illustrates this point beautifully. It was upon *these* that David and the writer of Psalm 119 *meditated**,* that they might fulfill Joshua 1:8 - namely * meditation* upon God's law, precepts and ways - that *obedience of faith*might flow out of this. Paul was not against this, for it is not contrary to the Gospel of the Kingdom, but part and parcel of it. It was the Judaizing addition of tradition to the law, and the departure from faith to works in keeping the law that he objected to in Galatians, Hebrews, and his other epistles. 35. *STATUTES* are given by God to regulate our way of life. They teach us *how to live*. Statutes are in all the books of the Bible, but *Jesus* is our *Living Statute*. *Meditate on Him!* 36. *THE LOVE OF GOD'S WORD*: An incentive to Torah *meditation* day and night. Joshua had this love, and worked on it till it was habitual. It was in his *mouth*; it was *Vocal Meditation*. It was like a sheep chewing its cud: and bringing the written word back to the mouth again and again, till so transformed into a Rhema word, that it is now ready for assimilation. This is a 30-40 hour process for sheep. All natural law has a parable application in the spiritual world. Let us be like Joshua and the sheep. And for Joshua, it was that he then could be careful to *do* by the *obedience of faith*, *all* that was written in it. 37. *GOD'S TESTIMONIES* are His *way* for us for all blessing and enlightenment. God testified concerning many things, and they all should be the basis for our *meditation*. What God thinks to be important, *we* should consider important. *Jesus* is the chief testimony of God, and He should be paramount in all our *meditation*. 38. *VOCAL COMPLAINT OF MEDITATION* unto God is proper under desperate circumstances. Jonah in the belly of the great fish faced such an emergency. He fervently engaged in this exercise; and God heard him and delivered him. 39. *THE REALIST *is not like the Christian Scientist. He sees both good and evil, and quite aware that God does also. It is not giving a negative confession to be a realist, and acknowledge to God with outpouring of soul and heart one's troubles, extremities, and desolation. *Then* we should *vocally meditate* on God's past mercies, reason from them, and wait on Him until He transforms our situation. The Psalmist David knew and practiced this secret. Let not suffering-saving theologies detract us from this important insight of David. 40. *PROVERBS 6:22* - one of the great verses of the Bible. This is the spiritual counterpart of the High Priest's breastplate of judgment which contained the Urim and Thummim. See Exodus 28:15-30, and note how exactly Proverbs 6:20-22 corresponds in the attaching of the breastplate of judgment with the commandment and law (Torah or teaching). One of the rabbis in ?Pirke Abot? (The Wisdom of the Fathers) comments: And when you walk, it (Torah in your heart through *vocal meditation*) shall lead you, *in this world*; When you lie down, it shall watch over you, *in the grave*; And when you awake, it shall talk (God's *meditative* vertical speech to us in our heart) with you, *in the world to come*. I prefer to see all 3 of these blessings of Torah in the heart as *present tense blessings*. When *it*(Torah in our heart through Joshua 1:8 *meditation* ) keeps us and talks with us during sleep, it is often through dreams, and fulfills God's four-fold purpose of Job 33:14-18. 41. *AS A DOVE* quietly coos in times of distress; and as the drunk babbles in his disorientation; so the saint at all times should speak God's word from his heart to His Maker. This is a transforming exercise. It is the grinding of grain into a form that can be mixed and baked into a loaf of bread. 42. *IN THE PROPIATORY ATONEMENT OF CHRIST, *His humanity and divinity, His purpose in the Father: all these are too much for man of Israel's day. Even angels sought to understand. The Father in the New Covenant unfolding, gives us understanding through the Holy Spirit's inward ministry. It is the Spirit of Christ within us Who allows us today to *meditatively* declare the wonders of God manifest in Christ in His propitiatory sacrifice. 43. *NOTE*: The *context* for each reference in the ?Word Study? is taken from the manuscript of ?Through the Bible in a Year,? daily devotional lessons, using the Lord's Prayer format, The *Title* is like a newspaper headline, describing the use of each Hebrew word in its verse and context. 44. *NOTE: *There are two distinct Hebrew roots translated *meditation*, both translated in a parallel form with all synonyms for all parts of speech. One possible explanation for the Holy Spirit to choose to do this, is that each root is separately related with other words such as ?singing, worship, prayer;? this doubles the number of possible relationships that these two root words have. It would be possible to explore constructively these other words related to *meditation*. 45, *OBSERVATION*: Few commentaries, sermons or translations - touch on the underlying nature of the vocalization that exists in Bible *meditation*. It is true that a few references retain the idea of *meditation* as a silent thought; but the vast majority of references demand *vocal accompaniment*. Religious Jews did and still do practice *meditation* this way. It was the constant wonderment of George Muller that so few in his day perceived the importance of this. Witness Lee encouraged it but his exhortation was little regarded because of his separatist stance. Dr. David Yonggi Cho is a strong present day exponent of this. It would seem that *Vocal Meditation* is a concept whose time has come, and that this will become commonplace in the day ahead. A return to this Biblical concept will greatly increase the potential of spiritual growth in all those who will commit themselves to this simple but powerful practice. 46. *GEORGE MULLER* wrote concerning the importance of how we conduct our personal devotions. The word we read *must* be read *aloud*, and *rephrased*to God, giving room for the Holy Spirit to enlarge on the phrase or passage as He will. Mr Muller by the end of his life was reading the whole Bible back to God on his knees 5 times a year (about 15 chapters a day). Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Rhema word of God. $7,500,000 came in by prayer alone prior to 1890 as a result, helping support 10,000 orphans, as well as 8 other projects. 47. *DR. DAVID YONGGI CHO* says that our prayer time must be *aloud*, within the framework of the Lord's Prayer. Then God will speak in His inaudible voice to our spirit. It is our part to *pray* and *obey*. This is the *obedience of faith*. 48. *BELIEVING JEWS* for 4000 years have *meditated* by praying the Word * aloud* back to God. This is a means of renewing the mind, establishing ourselves in the faith, growing in grace, and finding the ability to persevere through difficulties. This is the way of *joy* that leads to * singing* and *dancing* before the Lord. 49. *PHILIPPIANS 3:3 *tells us about the the mark of those circumcised in heart: they worship, or religiously serve God in the spirit. John 4:23-24 tells us that God *seeks* this (Only 2 things God in the Bible says He seeks). Worshiping audibly from the Word brings the Spirit; the *obedience of faith* brings the *truth*. This is true for *both* Testaments, for *both*Covenants, for our Bible is a *unity*. The *new* is in the *old* contained; the *old* is by the *new*explained. (See ?Gospel and Law: Contrast or Continuum?? by Daniel P. Fuller, Eerdmans, 1980). This verse goes on to describe the heart circumcised believer as one who *boasts* in Christ Jesus, and has *no*confidence in the flesh. This causes us to picture God in an elliptical fashion: *Jesus*, the *Son* (*sun*) of righteousness is in the first of the two foci. The Father is in the darkness of the second focus. The Holy Spirit in us takes us around the Father and the Son in an elliptical pathway, even as our earth rotates around the sun. The Spirit reveals the Son, and speaks from Him. The Son reveals the Father and speaks from Him. It is summer when we are on the Son's side, and winter on the Father's, Who dwells in thick darkness. *Rejoice* in our marvelous Triune God! 50. *VOCAL MEDITATION* is the key to release from the Bible what we hear, read, study and memorize. *Obedience* changes tho LOgos to a RH*E*ma word. Dick Eastman highly recommends *vocal meditation.* Jim Watt, October 23, 1990. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Fri Feb 27 13:54:38 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:54:38 -0800 Subject: Psalm 1 - Meditation, Part 3 Message-ID: <625d7240902271354r76b33baenc44adaa4c7e62156@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *PSALM 1 - MEDITATION - PART 3 - 2009-02-27* *SOUL NOURISHMENT FIRST - GEORGE MULLER - 1841-05-09* (From his Autobiography, p. 152). It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of which I have not lost for more than fourteen years. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to set the truth before the unconverted, I might seek to benefit believers, I might seek to relieve the distresses, I might in other ways seek to behave myself as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord, and not being nourished and strengthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended to in a right spirit. Before this time my practice has been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer after having dressed myself in the morning. Now I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to *meditation* on it, that so my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed; and that thus, by means of the Word of God, while *meditating* on it, my heart be brought into experimental communion with the Lord. I began therefore to *meditate* on the New Testament from the beginning early in the morning. The first thing I did, after having asked in a few words the Lord's blessing upon His precious Word, was to begin to *meditate*on the Word of God, searching as it were into every verse to get blessing out of it; not for the sake of the public ministry of the Word, not for the sake of preaching on what I *meditated* upon, but for the sake of obtaining food for my own soul. The result I have found to be almost invariably this, that after a very few minutes my soul has been led to confession, or to thanksgiving, or to intercession, or to supplication; so that, though I did not, as it were, give myself to prayer, but to *meditation*, yet it turned almost immediately more or less into prayer. When thus I have been for a while making confession or intercession or supplication, or have given thanks, I go on to the next words or verse, turning all as I go into prayer for myself or others, as the Word may lead to it, but still continually keeping before me that food for my own soul is the object of my *meditation*. The result of this is, that there is always a good deal of confession, thanksgiving, supplication, or intercession mingled with my meditation, and that my inner man almost invariably is even sensibly nourished and strengthened, and that by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart. Thus also the Lord is pleased to communicate unto me that which, either very soon after or at a later time, I have found to become food for other believers, though it was not for the sake of the public ministry of the word that I gave myself to *meditation*, but for the profit of my own inner man. With this mode I have likewise combined the being out in the open air for an hour, an hour and a half, or two hours, before breakfast, walking about in the fields, and in the summer sitting for a little on the stiles, if I find it too much to walk all the time, I find it very beneficial to my health to walk thus for *meditation* before breakfast, and am now so in the habit of using the time for that purpose, that when I get into the open air I generally take out a New Testament of good size type, which I carry with me for that purpose, besides my Bible; and I find that I can profitably spend my time in the open air, which formerly was not the case for want of habit. I used to consider the time spent in walking a loss, but now I find it very profitable, not only to my body, but also to my soul. The walking out before breakfast is, of course, not necessarily connected with this matter, and everyone has to judge according to his strength and other circumstances. The difference, then between my former practice and my present one is this: formerly, when I rose, I began to pray as soon as possible, and generally spent all my time till breakfast in prayer, or almost all the time. At all events I almost invariably began with prayer, except when I felt my soul to be more than usually barren, in which case I read the Word of God for food, or for refreshment, or for a revival and renewal of my inner man, before I gave myself to prayer. But what was the result? I often spent a quarter of an hour or half hour, or even one hour, on my knees, before being conscious to myself of having derived comfort, encouragement, humbling of soul, etc., and often after having suffered much from wandering of mind for the first ten minutes, or quarter of an hour, or even half an hour, I only then began really to pray. I scarcely ever suffer now in this way. For my heart being nourished by the truth, being brought in experimental fellowship with God, I *speak* to my Father and to my Friend (vile though I am, and unworthy of it) about the things that He has brought before me in His precious Word. It often astonished me that I did not sooner see this point. In no book did I ever read about it. No public ministry every brought the matter before me. No private intercourse with a brother stirred me up to this matter. And, yet now, since God has taught me this point, it is as plain to mean as anything, that the first thing the child of God has to do morning by morning is, to obtain food for his inner man. As the outward man is not fit for work for any length of time except as we take food, and as this is one of the first things we do in the morning so it should be with the inner man. We should take food for that, as everyone must allow. Now, what is the food for the inner man? Not prayer, but the Word of God; and here again not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water runs through a pipe; but considering what we read, pondering over it, and applying it to our hearts. When we pray, we speak to God. Now, prayer, in order to be continued for any length of time in any other than a formal manner, requires, generally speaking a measure of strength or godly desire; and the season, therefore, when this exercise of the soul can be most effectively performed is after the inner man has been nourished by *meditation* on the Word of God, where we find our Father speaking to us, to encourage us, to comfort us, to instruct us, to humble us, to reprove us. We may therefore profitably *meditate*, with God's blessing, though we are ever so weak spiritually; no, the weaker we are, the more we need *meditation* for the strengthening of our inner man. Thus there is far less to be feared from wandering of mind than if we give ourselves to prayer without having had time previously for *meditation*. I dwell so particularly on this point because of the immense spiritual profit and refreshment I am conscious of having derived from it myself, and I affectionately and solemnly beseech all my fellow believers to ponder this matter. By the blessing of God, I ascribe to this mode the help and strength which I have had from God to pass in peace through deeper trials, in various ways, than I had ever had before; and after having now about fourteen years tried this way, I can most fully, in the fear of God, commend it. In addition to this I generally read, after family prayer larger portions of the Word of God, when I still pursue my practice of reading regularly onward in the Holy Scriptures, sometimes in the New Testament and sometimes in the Old, and for more that twenty-six years I have proved the blessedness of it. I take also, either then or at other part of the day, time more especially for prayer. How different, when the soul is refreshed and made happy early in the morning, from what it is when, without spiritual preparation, the service, the trials, and the temptations of the day come upon me. *HOW TO ASCERTAIN THE WILL OF GOD * *1. HAVE NO PRECONCEIVED IDEAS, *Proverbs 3:5-6. I seek at the beginning to get my heart into such a state that it has no will of its own in regard to a given matter. Nine-tenths of the trouble with people generally is just here. Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord's will, whatever it may be. When one is truly in this state, it is usually but a little way to the knowledge of what His will is. 2. Having done this, I do *not* leave the result to *feeling or simple impression.* If I do so, I make myself liable to great delusions, Genesis 27. *3. I SEEK THE WILL OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD THROUGH, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THE WORD OF GOD, *Romans 8:14. The Spirit and the Word must be combined. If I look to the Spirit alone without the Word, I lay myself open to great delusions also. If the Holy Spirit guides us at all, He will do it according to the Scriptures and *never* contrary to them. 4. Next, *I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT PROVIDENTIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, *Revelation 3:7-8. These often plainly indicate God's will in connection with His Word and Spirit. 5. I *ASK* God in prayer to reveal His Will to me aright, Matthew 7:7. 6. Thus, through prayer to God, the study of the Word, and reflection, I come to a deliberate judgment according to the best of my ability and knowledge, and *if my mind is thus at peace, and continues so after two or three more petitions*, I proceed accordingly, Colossians 3:15. In trivial matters, and in transactions involving most important issues, I have found this method always effective. *NOTE**:* The above, plus the article that follows, came into my hands in 1944 following my conversion at Passover time of that year. It appears in the Preface to ?Answers to Prayer? by George Muller, a Moody Colportage book that at that time cost 29 cents. This I promptly memorized, plus his ?Five Conditions of Prevailing Prayer,m? which appeared in the Appendix of the same book - which I also memorized, practiced, and shared throughout the following years. It was also the beginning of my interest in George Muller. Later I purchased ?George Muller of Bristol? by Dr. A. T. Pierson. Of the many biographies I have read on this man, I have personally found that of Dr. Pierson still to be the best Muller at the time of his conversion desired to be a missionary, but God sovereignly closed the door when he was but 20. But when he was 70, for the next 15 years, God sent him to 40 countries through 200,000 miles, majoring on the 7 Motives for these Tours. In every address for these 15 years, he always included Point 3, involving *Vocal Meditation*. This month Marie and I at 85 have just concluded 2 weekend ministries in Abbotsford and Courtney, BC. Just prior to this, the Spirit most clearly impressed me to take along notes I made in 1990 on Muller's strong exhortation to *Vocal Meditation*. I shared this in both cities. It is my conviction that this must become a ?Present Truth? in 70 cities of Canada and 70 in the US. Each city needs an Eldership of 8 sitting in the Gate of that city, composed of the 5-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11, and united vitally and vertically with God as individuals, and horizontally with one another. As many local churches in each city as possible, should likewise form prayer cells of 8, based much in the manner of John Wesley's ?Class Meetings.? *This* is the true basis for Prayer Multiplication, and Spiritual Star Wars. Evangelicals of all backgrounds and persuasions should be able to unite on the above challenge. - Jim Watt *FIVE CONDITIONS OF PREVAILING PRAYER* - George Muller *1. ATONEMENT. *Entire dependence upon the merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only ground of any claim for blessing, Ephesians 1:3; John 14:13-14; 15:16, etc. *2. NO UNCONFESSED SIN.* Separation from all known sin. If we regard iniquity in our hearts, the Lord will not hear us, for it would be sanctioning sin, Psalm 66:18. *3. COVENANT. *Faith in God's Word of promise as confirmed by His oath. Not to believe Him is to make Him both a liar and a perjurer, John 15:7; Hebrews 11:6; 6:13-20. *4. GOD'S WILL.* Asking in accordance with His will. Our motives must be godly: we must not seek any gift of God to consume it upon our lust, 1 John 5:14-15; James 4:3. *5. IMPORTUNITY. *Importunity in supplication. There must be waiting on God and waiting for God, as the husbandman has long patience to wait for the harvest. James 5:7; Luke 11:5-13;18:1-8; Daniel 10:1-21. *SEVEN MOTIVES FOR GEORGE MULLER'S TOURS* 1. To *preach the gospel *in its simplicity, especially to show how salvation is based, not upon feelings or even upon faith, but upon *the Finished Work of Christ;* that justification is ours the moment we believe, and we are to accept and claim our place as accepted in the Beloved without regard to our inward states of feeling or emotion,. 2. To *lead believers to know their saved state, *and to realize their standing in Christ. There are great numbers not only of disciples, but even preachers and pastors, themselves destitute of any real peace and joy in the Lord, and hence unable to lead others into joy and peace. 3. To *bring believers back to the Scriptures, *To search the Word and find its hidden treasures, to test everything by this divine touchstone and hold fast only what stand this test; to make it the daily subject of *vocal meditative* and prayerful examination in order to translate it into daily obedience. See Joshua 1:8. 4. To *promote among all true believers, brotherly love;* to lead them to make less of those non-essentials in which disciples differ, and to make more of those great essential and foundation truths in which all true believers are united; to help all who love and trust one Lord to rise above narrow sectarian prejudices, and barriers to fellowship. 5. To *strengthen the faith of believers, *encouraging a simpler trust, and a more real and unwavering confidence in God, and particularly in the sure answers to believing prayer, based upon His definite promises. 6. To *promote separation from the world* and deadness to it, and so to increase heavenly-mindedness in children of God; at the same time warning against fanatical extremes and extravagances, such as sinless perfection while in the flesh. 7. And finally to *fix the hope of disciples on the blessed coming of our Lord Jesus;* and, in connection with this, to instruct them as to the true character and object of the present dispensation, and the relation of the church to the world in this period of the outgathering of the Bride of Christ. SUMMARY: These seven objects may be briefly epitomized thus: Mr. Muller's aim was to lead sinners to believe on the Name of the Son of God, and so to have eternal life; to help those who have thus believed, to know that they have this life; to teach them so to build up themselves on their most holy faith, by diligent searching into the word of God, and praying in the Holy Spirit, so that this life shall be more and more a real possession and a conscious possession; to promote among all disciples the unity of the Spirit and the love which is the bond of perfectness, and to help them to exhibit that life before the world; to incite them to cultivate an unworldly and spiritual type of character such as conforms to the life of God in them; to lead them to the prayer of faith which is both the expression and the expansion of the life of faith; and to direct their hope to the final appearance of the Lord,so that they should purify themselves even as He is pure, and occupy till He comes. Mr. Muller was thus giving himself to the double work of evangelization and edification, on a scale commensurate with his love for a dying world, as opportunity afforded doing good unto all men, and especially to them who are of the household of faith. (p. 246, ?George Muller of Bristol,? A. T. Pierson, Revell, 1899). *URIM AND THUMMIM* - Jim Watt Aaron the High Priest wore a breastplate of judgment upon his ephod, which was tied about his neck by two golden chains, and fastened to two shoulder stones. This breastplate was fastened over his heart, and had the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed upon twelve precious stones. Inside this breastplate of judgment was the Urim and Thummim (Lights and Perfection), by which Kings of Israel and Governors could always know God's exact will for their nation. The spiritual interpretation of this marvelous instrument is found in Proverbs 3, especially 3-6. Here Urim and Thummim is *grace* and * truth*, the special characteristics of our Lord Jesus in John 1 and Galatians 2:20. In Proverbs 6:20-23 we see another unusual spiritual counterpart for Urim: *Guidance, Keeping power*, and *Communion*. Both George Muller and Smith Wigglesworth in unusual ways knew this spiritual secret. Each City Church and City Church Presbytery composed of corporate apostles, local pastors, leaders and believers - ought to avail themselves of this powerful help (Acts 13:13; 15) *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sat Feb 28 16:16:28 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 28 Feb 2009 16:16:28 -0800 Subject: 2009-02-28 - One New Man Message-ID: <625d7240902281616t41746481j85b8017523a1f463@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * 2009-02-28 - ?ONE NEW MAN? * Early this morning (2009-02-24) I received 3 Hebrew verses in a dream, one of them the key. It seemed so clear at the time; yet I was unable to recall it when awake. Then I sensed the Spirit saying, ?*As Daniel in answer to prayer recalled Nebuchadnezzar's dream plus the interpretation, ask for the same for yourself.? *I did so, and God answered. In 1955 while pastoring the Kostner Avenue Baptist Church of Chicago, Psalm 127 became very clear to me. I used it to introduce many of our board meetings of some 14 members. See verses 1-2 of this Psalm - *?Except ** Jehovah** build the house, They labor in vain that build it; Except ** Jehovah** keep the city, The watchman wakes but in vain. **2** It is vain for you to rise up early, To take rest late, To eat the bread of toil; **For ** so he gives unto his beloved **in** sleep.?* But the deacons and trustees of the church desired success in numbers like other churches. God spoke to Samuel in his day when Israel desired a king so they could be like other nations. They weren't rejecting Samuel, but *God*! He told Samuel to give them their way, and chose Saul as king to satisfy them, in spite of warnings what this would mean (1 Samuel 8-12). So God said to me - ?Give them the success they want.? Within a short time in 1953 we grew from 16 to 200 members, and then right on to 800. But the spiritual members said - ?The Little Church isn't what it used to be!? God then encouraged me -* ?I will never ask you to let down the bars again for church standards. But you can use the parallel between what Israel wanted, and what certain of your board members wanted.? * In 1999 Marie and I were leading a Messianic Jewish Congregation in Tacoma WA of some 40 members. Just before I left for a missionary trip to Romania, one of 10 board members called a meeting of the board without notifying me. He then presented to 2 of us his plan for the future growth of Congregation Beth Chesed. I rebuked him for being out of order, and on my return from Romania, found the board and myself polarized. At my suggestion and their approval, we called in Pastor Tom Isenhart of Puget Sound Christian Center as a mediator. To the board's dismay, he stood with Marie and myself in not lowering the bars of God's standards so that worldly success might be achieved. 10 board members and their families left. This dropped our attendance from 40 to 20. Later 2 ladies, one a PhD and former leader of a Veteran Hospital, linked up with another family, and again presented a plan for human success. This was done in the 80th birthday year for Marie and myself in 2003 while we were in California. Again I challenged the unscriptural methods employed by this group of 4, who subsequently left. All during this time we had a strong missionary giving project to Israel, and well over $100,000 went to worthy missionaries and national missions, both Jewish and Arab. And again, God enabled us to refrain from lowering the bars of His standards, even as He promised nearly 50 years previously. I see a somewhat parallel danger to the above - in the Messianic Jewish Congregations. Increasingly the safeguards of Acts 15 for Gentile believers in these congregations receive legalistic pressures for Jewish conformity. Circumcision is not required as demanded by Judaizers of old - but details of Jewish law-keeping in connection with the Feasts and general daily living according to the law of Moses keeps cropping up (Acts 15:5). Peter in Acts 15:8-10 clearly points out the *yoke* of the law of Moses that not even Jews could keep - how much less for Gentiles! *?And God, who knows **the** heart, bore witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as to us; **9** and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their :hearts by :faith. **10** Now therefore why do you make trial of :God by putting a **yoke** upon the neck of the disciples which neither our :fathers nor WE were able to bear?? (15:6-21). *The yoke of the New Covenant for Gentiles apart from the law of Moses is outlined by Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 - *?Come unto me, all **you** that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. **29** Take **my :yoke** upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in :heart: and you shall find rest to your :souls. **30* * For **my :yoke** is **easy**, and my :burden **light**? (11:25-30).* The conclusion of this confrontation with the Judaizers is resolved by James in Acts 15:19-21* - ?Wherefore MY judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the nations (Gentiles) turn to :God; **20** but that we enjoin them, to abstain from the pollutions of the idols and :fornication **and what** is strangled and :blood. **21** For Moses from generations of old has in every city them that preach him being read in the synagogues every sabbath? (15:6-21).* Now the ?Interpretation of the above dream? comes through the ?One New Man? in Ephesians 2:14-16 - *?For HE is our :peace, who made :both one, **and**broke down the middle wall of the partition, **15** having abolished in his :flesh the enmity, the law of the commandments **contained** in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two **one new man**, making peace; **16** and might reconcile :both in one body to :God through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby? (2:11-22). *This revelation of the *One New Man* Paul calls a ?mystery? which was revealed to him, God's choice as apostle to the Gentiles. 22 times the word ?mystery? appears in the NT, but this reference is perhaps the key one of all. Under a separate study I will prepare a paper on these 22 NT references. Now notice in Psalm 127 again, that it is *Jehovah*, not man, who will build His *house*. And it is *He* who keeps the city through an Eldership in the Gate, not the watchman himself. It is God who wanted to build Israel, not Saul, and the same for Kostner Avenue Baptist Church and Congregation Beth Chesed. Now turn to Matthew 16:18 (13-20), and Jesus' answer to Peter concerning * His* church. *?And I also say unto you, that you are Peter (PEtros - a little rock), and upon this :rock (PEtra - a **big** rock, Himself), I will build **my** :church and **the** gates of Hades shall **not** prevail against it.?* See how parallel this is to Psalm 127.* **His House* is the mystery *One New Man* composed of Jew and Gentile. Dr. Daniel Juster of Tikkun Ministries is very clear on the relationship of Jew and Gentile in the *One New Man*. They have ?Table Fellowship? together, though the Gentiles are *not* obligated to keep the law of Moses, and Jews must be like Peter in Acts 10 & 11, and eat with Gentiles, according to the 3-fold vision he received in Joppa. In Romans, Paul as apostle to Gentiles lays out the Foundation Truths and obligations for them. In ?Hebrews? he spells out for Jewish believers their role and the Foundation Truths. In ?Acts? Luke harmonizes the two, and clearly outlines the City Church founded and taught by the Apostle Paul. So - it is *not* man that keeps the Gates of the City, but God through *His * Watchmen on the walls. Ezekiel speaks much of this. We need the Issachar spirit (1 Chronicles 12:21 (23-37) *?And of the children of Issachar, men that had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, the heads of them were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their commandment.? *The First Nations People of today have much the same potential as the tribe of Issachar. Just as Israel needed the special gifts of the tribe of Issachar, we today need to draw upon the innate wisdom that is the potential with the present people of this spirit. Now we must note that all the words of the NT are *not* the words of the writers, but of the Lord Jesus *through* these writers by the Holy Spirit. See 1 Corinthians 14:37 (37-40) - *?If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, **let him take knowledge** of what **things** I write you, that it is **the** Lord's commandment**.?* And also 2 Peter 1:20-21 (12-21) *- ?knowing this first, that no prophecy of scripture is of **its** own interpretation. **21** For no prophecy was **ever** **borne by man's will; * *but men spoke from God, being borne **on** by **the** Holy Spirit.?* There is a tendency today in many circles to downplay the words of Jesus through the writers of the epistles thinking they are but the words of Paul or man. *Beware* and realize that such wrongful thinking will be confronted by our Lord at His Judgment Seat when He returns again. The Gospels focus on Jesus as ?Son of Man? by His choice. But following His resurrection, God made this Jesus both Lord (Jehovah) and Christ (Messiah), and He sits at the right hand of the Father. The Gospels also focus not on the birth of Jesus (but 4 chapters) but on His great Redemptive Act through His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and gift of the Holy Spirit. One quarter to one third of all 4 gospels focus on this in the last week of Jesus. This makes the Gospels like Elementary school for us. Then Acts outline how the Epistles fit together as Jesus builds His church. This is like Junior High. James through Jude are like Senior High, and lift especially Jewish believers - into a higher notch. The 14 epistles of Paul are like University, clarifying the nature of the Church as the ?One New Man? and the role of Gentiles and Jews in God's thinking here. The Book of Revelation is for those looking for a Post Graduate Doctorate. Now in February of this year, 2009, Marie and I held seminars on ?Prayer Multiplication? for churches in Abbotsford and Courtney, BC. We experienced a break-through in each area, but much land yet needs to be possessed. One key God led us to major on was ?*Vocal Meditation**?* as set forth by George Muller in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3. Studies on this appear under ?Hebrew? on the top-bar of our Website, *www.2rbetter.org .* Under ?Archives? on our Top-Bar there is a recent article on our ?Prayer Language? the tongues of angels of 1 Corinthians 13:1. These 2 emphases are but the ?milk of the word? of Hebrews 5:11-6:2. Under ?UGWS? - Greek Word Studies on the Top-Bar - 3 of 14 Natural Greek Study Outlines already appear, and all 14 will soon be present: ( Romans 9:3-4; Hebrews 6:1-2; Lord's Prayer, Beatitudes, etc.) My teaching in the future in city churches will cover much of the above studies, and should also help to clarify our understanding of the ?One New Man.? - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Tue Mar 3 13:38:01 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 3 Mar 2009 13:38:01 -0800 Subject: Psalm 1 - Meditation, Part 4 Message-ID: <625d7240903031338o7257fb80q213180703901aa57@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *PSALM 1 (ASV 1901) - HEBREW INTERLINEAR - 2009-03-01* ?*THE RIGHTEOUS AND THE WICKED CONTRASTED?* A-she-r*e*y [835] ha*I*YSH aSHER l*o* haLAC [1980] ba-aTZATH [6098] re-sh*a *-*I*YM [7563], *Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the wicked, * vu-beDErec [1870] CHAt*a*-*i*ym [2400] l*o* *a*M*A*D [5975], *Nor stands in the way of sinners,* v*u*-be-m*o*SHAB [4186] l*e*TZ*I*YM 3887] l*o* y*a*SH*A*B [3427]: *Nor sits in the seat of scoffers:* c*i*y im be-t*o*RATH [8451] Ye-h*o*VAH [3068] CHEphe-tz*o* [2656]; *2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah;* V*U*be-t*a*-ra-t*o* ye-heGEH [1897] y*o*M*A*M [3119] v*a*L*A*Ylah [3915]. *And in his law does he meditate day and night.* ve-haY*A*H ce*E*TZ [6086] sh*a*T*U*L [8362] AL - pal-gh*e*y [6388] MAYim [4325], *3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water,* aSHER pirY*O* [6529] yitT*E*N [5414] be-itT*O* [6256], *That brings forth its fruit in its season,* ve-*a*L*E*h*u* [5929] l*o* - yibB*O*L [5034]; *Whose leaf also does not wither;* veC*O*L aSHER ya-aSEH yatzLIYach [6743]. *And whatever he does shall prosper.* l*o* - C*E*N h*a*r-sh*a*-*I*YM [7563] *4 The wicked are not so* c*i*y im - camM*O*TZ [4671] aSHER - tid-dePENn*u* [5086] r*u*ACH [7307]]. *But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.* al - C*E*N L*O* - y*a*KUm*u* [6966] re-sh*a*-*I*YM [7563] bam-mishP*A*T [4941], *5 Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment,* ve-chit-t*a*-*I*YM [2400] ba-a-DATH [5712] tzad-d*i*yK*I*YM [6662]. *Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.* c*i*y - y*o*D*E*a [3045] Ye-h*o*VAH DErec [1870] tz*a*-d*i*yK*I*YM [6662]; *6 For Jehovah knows the way of the righteous;* veDErec re-sh*a*-*I*YM [7563] t*o*B*E*D [6]. *But the way of the wicked shall perish.* *JOSHUA 1:8 (1:1-9) - ?JEHOVAH'S CHARGE TO JOSHUA?* (Parallel to Psalm 1:2) l*o* - yaM*U*SH [4185] s*e*PHER [5612] ha-t*o*R*A*H [8451] hazZEH mipP*I*Yc *a* [6310], *This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth,* ve-h*a*G*I*Ytha [1847] b*o* y*o*M*A*M veLAYlah, *but you shall meditate on it day and night,* leMAan tishM*O*R [8104] la-aS*O*TH [6213] ce-c*a*l - hac-c*a*TH*U*B [3789] b *o*: *that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it:* c*i*y - *a*z tatzL*I*Yach [6743] eth - de-r*a*CEca [1870], *for then you shall make your way prosperous,* veAZ tasC*I*YL [7919]. *and then you shall have good success.* *JAMES 1:25 BLESSING: TO CONFORM LIFE TO PICTURE SEEN IN WORD* ho de pa-raKUpsas [3979] eis NOmon TEleion [5046], *But who looks into **the **perfect law,* ton t*e*s e-leu-theRIas [1657], kai pa-raMEInas, *the **law** of :liberty, and continues,* ouk a-kro-aT*E*S e-pi-l*e*s-moN*E*S [1953] geNOme-nos alLA poi-*e*T*E*S ERgou, *being not a hearer that forgets but a doer of work,* HOUtos maKAri-os en t*e* poi*E*sei auTOU EStai. *this man shall be blessed in his :doing.* * NOTE**: *A. T. Pierson in his biography ?George Muller of Bristol? p. 94-96 links the above 3 readings - On April 20, 1832 Mr. Muller left for Bristol. On the journey he was dumb, having no liberty in speaking for Christ or even in giving away tracts, and this led him to reflect. He saw that the so-called ?work of the Lord? had tempted him to substitute *action for **meditation** and communion.* He had neglected that ?still hour? with God which supplies to spiritual life alike its breath and its bread. No lesson is more important for us to learn, yet how slow are we to learn it: that for the lack of habitual seasons set apart for devout *meditation* upon the word of God and for prayer, nothing else will compensate. We are prone to think, for example, that converse with Christian brethren, and the general round of Christian activity, especially when we are much busied with preaching the Word and visits to inquiring or needy souls, make up for the loss of aloneness with God in the secret place. We hurry to a public service with but a few minutes of private prayer, allowing precious time to be absorbed in social pleasures, restrained from withdrawing from others by a false delicacy, when to excuse ourselves for needful communion with God and his word would have been perhaps the best witness possible to those whose company was holding us unduly! How often we rush from one public engagement to another without any proper interval for renewing our strength in waiting on the Lord, as though God cared more for the quantity than the quality of our service. Here Mr. Muller had the grace to detect one of the foremost perils of a busy man in this day of insane hurry. He saw that if we are to feed others we must be fed; and that even public and united exercises of praise and prayer can never supply that food which is dealt out to the believer only in the closet - the shut-in place with its closed door and open window, where he meets God alone. In a previous chapter reference has been made to the fact that *three times* in the word of God we find a divine prescription for a true prosperity. God says to Joshua, *?This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written it it: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.?(Joshua 1:8) *Five hundred years later the inspired author of the first Psalm repeats the promise in unmistakable terms. The Spirit there says of him whose delight is in the law of the Lord and who in His law does *meditate* day and night, that *?he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,* *that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and **whatever he does shall prosper.?* Here the devout *meditative *student of the blessed book of God is likened to an evergreen tree planted beside unfailing supplies of moisture; his fruit is perennial, and so is his verdure - and *whatever he does *prospers! More than a thousand years pass away, and, before the New Testament is sealed up as complete, once more the Spirit bears essentially the same blessed witness. *?Whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty and ** continues**? **(**i.e. continues **looking** - **meditating** on what he there sees, lest he forget the impression received through the mirror of the Word), **?this man shall be blessed in his deed.?** (James 1:25.)* Here then we have a threefold witness to the secret of true prosperity and unmingled blessing: devout *meditation* and reflection upon the Scriptures, which are at once a book of law, a river of life, and a mirror of self-transforming power of God. That believer makes a fatal mistake who *for any cause* neglects the prayerful study of the word of God. To read God's holy book, by it search one's self, and turn it into prayer and so into holy living, is the one great secret of growth in grace and godliness. The worker *for* God must first be a worker *with* God: he must have power with God and must prevail with Him in prayer, if he is to have power with men and prevail with men in preaching or in any form of witnessing and serving. At all costs let us make sure of that highest preparation for our work - the preparation of our souls; and for this we must *take time* to be alone with His word and His Spirit, that we may truly meet God, and understand His will and revelation of Himself. If we seek the secrets of the life George Muller lived and the work he did, this is the very key to the whole mystery, and with that key *any believer*can unlock the doors to a prosperous growth in grace and power in service. God's word is His WORD - the expression of His thought, the revealing of His mind and heart. The supreme end of life is to know God and make Him known; and how is this possible so long as we neglect the very means He has chosen for conveying to us that knowledge! Even Christ, the Living Word, is to be found enshrined in the written word. Our knowledge of Christ is dependent upon our acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures which are the reflection of His character and glory - the firmament across the expanse of which He moves as the Sun of righteousness. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Mar 5 15:12:40 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2009 15:12:40 -0800 Subject: Respect our Wishes Message-ID: <625d7240903051512o54739643y8373fc1007d8483f@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *?RESPECT OUR WISHES?** - 2009-03-05* *Secretary of State Clinton* *must accept that most Israelis object to two-state solution* *- Arieh Eldad - a National Union Knesset member of Israel* *Dear Ms. Clinton,* *This letter was originally written in Hebrew, which you would probably have trouble reading. However, I know that more than a language barrier stands between us. More than 3,000 years of history make a difference too. There are historic lessons and perspectives that the Jewish people learned in person. At this time, on the eve of Purim, when again we see a Persian archenemy planning to exterminate us, all the ancient defense mechanisms are emerging within us - the ones that refuse to buy into the false promises of those who view themselves as Israel's friends, and as such tell us what is good for the Jewish people and for the State of Israel.* *You came here from the world's greatest and strongest democracy. You come from the Democratic Party and you know how to recite the familiar mantras, claiming that the United States respects Israel's democracy and will cooperate with any elected Israeli government.* *Well, Israeli democracy has spoken: Most Israeli citizens do not wish to establish an Arab state in our homeland. If your democracy is real, you should of course respect the democracy of others as well.* *However, as we all realize that what guides the US is not democracy in other countries, but rather, what the American Administration perceives as American interests - it would be worthwhile to remind you of Einstein's definition for madness. He said that madness is the attempt to repeat the same action time and again, in the hopes that the result will be different next time.* *The US, while conveniently ignoring the values of democracy, attempted on more than one occasion to appease aggressors, especially by sacrificing the interests of other states. Yet it always ended disastrously. Only when these aggressors attacked the US, its citizens, or its interests, America changed its policy.* *At this time it appears that the US is planning to appease the Iranians, Syrians, and Palestinians by paying with ?Israeli currency.? As you recall, dear Ms. Clinton, we have too much history. We remember what happened when the Free World was willing to sacrifice Czechoslovakia in order to appease Hitler. We are unwilling to risk our very existence in order for the US to buy itself a quiet withdrawal from Iraq.* *ENCOURAGING TERRORISM* *Nobody really thinks that words or economic sanctions will prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. America's declarations that it will destroy Iran should it dare attack Israel with nuclear weapons don't help us, because we are unwilling to be the excuse for attacking Iran after we've already been exterminated. This too is a historical lesson we bear. We are also unwilling to see the desire to appease Sunnis in Iraq to prompt an American payment to the Syrians and Palestinians.* *Don't you understand that pressing Israel to renounce the Golan Heights in order to buy Syrian cooperation with the withdrawal from Iraq will not calm the Mideast, bring peace, or reinforce western democracy? Rather, it will encourage Arabs to continue on the path of terrorism because you will prove to them that terrorism pays off.* *Dozens of bloody conflicts are taking place worldwide. The vast majority pit Muslims against their neighbors. The US is not fighting Jihadist terror in Afghanistan and Iraq because Israel is building houses in the West Bank. One cannot cure a global disease by using a local lotion; however, you may prompt a global Jihad flare-up should you try to sacrifice Israel's interests in order to appease Muslim terror.* *And if everything is no more than a show - hollow words empty of all substance - and the only purpose of your visit was to press the upcoming government to form a cabinet that would be convenient for the US and bring leftist Trojan horses into it - then certainly it would be worthwhile to remind you, Ms. Secretary of State, that Tzipi Livni or Ehud Barak failed to realize your dream or President's Bush's vision - to give the Arabs another state - even when they were in power.* *So why should this suicidal attempt succeed now, after they lost the support of the Israeli people? Ms. Clinton, do you also believe that only Liked can realize the plans of Peace Now?* *Arieh Eldad is a National Union Knesset member* *NOTE*: I have received notices from 2 receivers of my last article concerning ?multiple emails?. Here is a possible explanation + a suggestion of help from our Webmaster. ?It looks like *yahoo.ca* has been dropping a lot of connections. When it drops ?postfix? (my mail server), it does not know if the mail has been sent or not, so it tries again. I think this is a problem on the *yahoo.ca* end of things, so they will hopefully fix it. You might want to ask the people if they are getting multiple emails *from other people* as well, or just your mailing.? Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Mar 9 12:55:45 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 12:55:45 -0700 Subject: Mystery Message-ID: <625d7240903091255m7c3ea1f1n885197b1895e2c7a@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-04 - MYSTERY* (musT*E*ri-on) 27x from MU*o* - ?to shut the mouth? Matthew 13 11 (10-17) *MYSTERIES OF KINGDOM OF HEAVENS: FOR BELIEVERS. ?And he answered **and** said, [that] To you **it** is given to know the ** mysteries** of the heavens, but to them is is not given.? *The parables of Jesus were for those not in His Kingdom. When His disciples asked for understanding, it was immediately given to them. Parables keep unbelievers in safety until they make a decision to enter in. Note that in the Great Commission Jesus commands us to *make disciples*, taking for granted the conversion process. *This* is the great challenge of the church. *Full*understanding of the milk of the word (Hebrews 5:11-6:3). This is what Jesus challenged the rich young ruler with (Mark 10:17-31), and his riches deterred him from following through. Belief in Jesus is *not* enough. Discipleship to Him is Mark 8:34 (8:34-9:1). Oswald Chambers believes that we can be saved without this, but we count little in God's Kingdom until we are disciples. How many church attenders qualify with *this*? Yet, *this* is the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20! Ponder! Mark 4:11-12 (10-20) *THE MYSTERIES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD. ?To you is given the **mystery** of the kingdom of :God: but to th**os**e without, :all ** things** are done in parables: **12** that looking they may look, and not see, and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest by chance they should turn again, and it be forgiven them.? *Jesus explains why disciples hear and understand the *mysteries* of the Kingdom of God plainly - but those not yet in the discipleship state - in parables. Then He shows that the ?Sower and the 4 soils? is the *key* of all parables (Mark 4:13-21) - by this shall one understand *all* parables. Luke 8:10 (9-15) *MYSTERIES OF KINGDOM FOR BELIEVERS: PARABLES FOR OTHERS. ?And he said, To you **it** is given to know the **mysteries** of the kingdom of :God: but to the rest in parables; that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.? *This is parallel to Mark 4:11-12. Romans 11:25-26a (25-33) *THE MYSTERY OF ISRAEL'S TEMPORARY CUT-OFF. ?For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this :**mystery**, lest you be wise in your own **conceits**, that a hardening in part has befallen :Israel, till what **time** the fullness of the nations be come in; **26**and so all Israel shall be saved:? * Paul was entrusted by the Lord to know this mystery above the other apostles. Peter thought he wrote some things hard to be understood, which unstable Christians wrestled with to their own destruction. Still today, because of the false ?Replacement Theology?, many non-Jewish believers do the very thing Paul warned against in this chapter. And let us remember, the unraveling of the *mystery* does *not* originate with Paul, but is revealed to Paul by our Lord Jesus. To miss this truth is the miss the Lord's teaching, not Paul's. Romans 16:25-27 *THE MYSTERY FOR ALL NATIONS TO OBEY. ?Now to the one able to establish you according to my :gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to revelation of **the** **mystery** kept silent through the times of ages, **26** but now is manifested, and through **the** prophetic scriptures, according to commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith: **27** to **the** only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom the glory unto the ages. Amen.? *This benediction closes and seals all that preceded in the book of Romans. What Paul taught by revelation concerning ?The One New Man,? Christ's spiritual body the Church, composed of both Jew and Gentile - in Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians and Colossians - is *all* sealed by this same benediction. Blessed is he who perceives and walks in this revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:7 (6-16) *GOD'S HIDDEN MYSTERY OF WISDOM. ?But we speak God's wisdom in **mystery**, the hidden **wisdom** which God foreordained before the ages unto our glory: **8** which none of the rulers of this :age have known: for had they known **it**, they would not have crucified the Lord of :glory.? * Notice that the wisdom of God in His heart from the beginning was not disclosed during Old Testament times, nor during the life of Jesus on earth. God reserved this disclosure when he had groomed the apostle Paul for this important revelation. 1 Corinthians 4:1 (1-5) *APOSTLES: STEWARDS OF GOD'S MYSTERIES. ?Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of God's ** mysteries**.? *Notice that *being faithful* is a key mark of true stewards of God's *mysteries*. Paul certainly was this. George Muller of the 1800's was a contemporary steward who also qualified. Suffering and humility are other key marks of true apostles. 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:1-2 (13:1-13) *KNOWLEDGE OF MYSTERIES WITHOUT LOVE: WORTHLESS. ?And I show you moreover an excellent way, **13:1** If with the tongues of :men I speak, and of :angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. **2** And if prophecy I have, and all the **mysteries** I know and all knowledge; and if all faith I have, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.? *The humble person like Paul and George Muller qualify here. Jesus said, By their *fruits*shall you know true ministers. If they lack this qualification, they have failed, and we are not to fear them. 1 Corinthians 14:2 (1-19) *PRAYER LANGUAGE TO GOD IS IN MYSTERIES. ?For who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men, but to God; for no one hears; but in spirit he speaks **mysteries**.? *Because testified of using this gift more than any of the Corinthian believers, it would seem that God used Paul to impart to him revelation of the *mysteries* that he later on shared with all the the city churches in his writings. For 3 years following his conversion, he met with God alone in the desert, and most probably this was an enriching time when God prepared His servant in the stewardship that he later so faithfully discharged. 1 Corinthians 15:51 (35-58) *THE MYSTERY OF RESURRECTION PRIOR TO DEATH. ?Lo, I tell you a **mystery**: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.? * Here again we have a revelation uniquely presented by Paul, that previously was unknown. It is a great encouragement to believers. On talk shows we hear leaders confessing they have no authentic understanding on this or the life to come. But *we* understand, for God has revealed this * mystery* to us through His chosen vessel, the apostle Paul. To keep him humble in the light of the many extraordinary revelations, He was required to send Paul a ?thorn in the flesh.? Ephesians 1:9 (3-14) *THE MYSTERY OF GOD'S WILL IN CHRIST. ?Having made known to us the **mystery** of his :will, according to his :good pleasure which he purposed in him (Christ).? *This is a tremendous passage. Numbers have memorized it. Early in the 70's, I led a class of some 60 in preparing word studies on each significant word in it. It was a rich experience. One youth who is a medical doctor today, did excellent work in his research, coming up with valuable insights. *Christ* is the key to all of God's purposes on our behalf. As we keep our focus on Him, the *mysteries* will become part of the warp and woof of our being. *Ephesians 3:1-6 (1-13) THE MYSTERY OF THE ONE NEW MAN. ?For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of the Christ, Jesus, in behalf of you :nations,- 2 if so that you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of :God :given me toward you; 3 how that by revelation was made know to me the mystery, as I wrote afore in few words, 4 whereby, when you read, you can perceive my :understanding in the mystery of the Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of :men as it has now been revealed to his holy :apostles and prophets in Spirit: 6 that the nations are fellow-heirs, and fellow-bodied and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.? I believe we have before us here, the key mystery of all the 27 mysteries mentioned in the New Testament. When I was a very new believer in 1944, Lee Ellenwood from California came up and ministered in Victoria and Port Alberni BC that summer. One of his key verses was *1 Corinthians 12:12 (12-31) *THE NATURE OF CHRIST'S BODY. Think of it! Our body has many members and trillions of cells. But Christ is Head of a spiritual body composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers. The ?Fellowship of the Table? required for this - is clearly set forth by Dr. Daniel Juster of ?Tikkun Ministries.? * Ephesians 3:9-10 (1-13) *THIS DISPENSATION OF GOD'S MYSTERY NO LONGER HID. ?And to bring to light what **is** the dispensation of the **mystery** :hid for the ages in :God who created :all **things**; **10** **in order that**now unto the **principalities and the powers** in the heavenlies be made know through the church the manifold wisdom of :God, **11** according to a plan of the ages which he made in the Christ, Jesus our Lord: **12** in whom we have :boldness and access in confidence through his :faith.? *This is a direct follow-up to the preceding 2 reference to *mystery*. Imagine! God has chosen the Church of Christ through the teaching of his apostles and prophets to reveal to Satan and his high officers their final doom through the wisdom of God through Christ's body - the church! Ephesians 5:31-32 (22-33) *THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST AND HIS CHURCH. ?For this cause shall a man leave :father and :mother, and shall cleave to his :wife; and the two shall be one flesh. **32** This **mystery** is great: but I speak **in regard** to Christ and the church.? *Now this indeed is a * mystery*. Again, God in his wisdom has chosen the marriage of a man and a woman to illustrate His church. Homosexuality and Lesbianism is a *parody*of this, and the day will come when God will make this abundantly clear. How do human marriages show forth this higher spiritual union wherein believers and Christ as Head become one spirit? Let us pray that through *meditation*in the spirit of Joshua 1:8, and the building up of our spirits through praying in the spirit, will enable God to lift many marriages to this true picture of Christ and His Church. Ephesians 6:19 (10-20) *PAUL: PRAYER NEEDED TO DECLARE THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL. **Pray** on my behalf, that utterance be given me in opening my :mouth with boldness to make know the **mystery** of the gospel.? *It should not surprise us to know how much Satan fears the true and clear and bold preaching* *of the Gospel! The Good News of Christ and His Kingdom - both now and soon coming in greater fulfillment - spells his doom! So - he hinders men like Paul so they find it difficult to preach boldly this extraordinary Good News. But - our prayers on behalf of true preachers - enables them to break through for this in a way that glorifies God, saves and delivers souls, and disciples them to the standard that pleases the heart of God. Colossians 1:25-27 (24-29) *THE GLORY OF GOD'S MYSTERY TO THE NATIONS. ?I became minister, according to the dispensation of :God :given me toward you to fulfill the word of :God, **26** the **mystery** :hid from the ages and from the generations: but now has it been manifested to his :saints, **27**to whom :God was pleased to make known what **is** the riches of the glory of this :**mystery** among the nations, which is **Christ in you, the hope of glory**.? *Colosse was close to Ephesus in Asia Minor, present day Turkey, and one of the 7 churches of Revelation. Apparently Paul wrote this special letter to the Colossians, somewhat paralleling the letter he wrote to the Ephesians. They probably shared these 2 letters with each other. The great phrase - ?*Christ in you, the hope of glory*,? however, sets forth this letter in a unique manner, as enlarging on the *mystery* of the Gospel in Christ. Colossians 2:1-3 (1-5) *A MYSTERY CONTAINING ALL WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE. ?For I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my :face in **the** flesh; **2**that their :hearts be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the fullness of the understanding, unto full knowledge of the ** mystery** of :God, Christ, **3** in whom are all the treasures of :wisdom and knowledge hidden.? *This somewhat parallels 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. Notice how the apostle Paul maintains his focus on Christ in all of his letters. And he said, ?Follow me, as I follow Christ.? Colossians 4:2-4 (2-6) *A DOOR NEEDED TO PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF CHRIST. ?Continue steadfastly in :prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; **3**withal praying for us also, that :God open us a door for the word, to speak the **mystery** of the Christ, for which I am also in bonds; **4** that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.? *See the humility of the apostle Paul in this. He knew that the bold proclamation of the *mystery* in Christ was dependent upon the prayers of the saints on his behalf. If we want the results that come form heaven's true anointing upon our lives, we too will humble ourselves and sincerely seek the prayers of our fellow-believers. Note that God opens closed doors in answer to the prayers of others. Charles G. Finney reached a stage where he was unable to break through with his own prayers. In New York he begged the prayers of the saints. They responded, and as great results Finney had ever experienced took place, and one fruit of it was ?Revival Lectures,? that came out of that Crusade. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 (1-12) *THE PRESENT MYSTERY OF LAWLESSNESS. ?For the ** mystery** of :lawlessness does already work: only **there is** :one that restrains now, until he become out of **the** midst.? *The *mystery* of lawlessness was hidden until the preaching and writings of the apostle Paul. This whole epistle majors on this subject, and throws much light on it. Those who master these insights can enter into a higher and more effective form of intercession. 1 Timothy 3:8-9 (1-13) *THE MYSTERY OF THE FAITH. ?Deacons likewise **must be** grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; **9** holding the **mystery** of the faith in a pure conscience.? *Here ?faith? is used to speak of the full teaching of Christianity. And it *is* a *mystery*! It requires faith to press in and understand the *mystery* of the faith. Note that it is not just the city church elders who need this, but the deacons too, who in the beginning waited on tables. Philip and Stephen were two of the 7 original deacons - and their solid understanding of the * mystery* of the faith led God to catapult both of them into the higher function of the evangelist. 1 Timothy 3:16 (14-16) *THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS PERTAINING TO CHRIST. ?And confessedly great is the **mystery** of :godliness; Who was manifested in ** the** flesh, Seen of Angels, Preached among nations, Believed on in **the**world, Received up in glory.? * Here we find Paul grooming his protege, who one day would take his place. He later became the apostolic pastor of the city church of Ephesus, composed of many local churches in the home. All of Asia Minor heard the Gospel from this church. Paul later said that if he sent Timothy on an assignment, and they received him in the right spirit - it would be as good and helpful as if they had Paul himself. What a commendation! So - Timothy understood the above *mystery* of godliness concerning Christ, with all 5 aspects of this truth. Revelation 1:20 (9-20) *THE MYSTERY OF THE SEVEN STARS. ?The **mystery** of the seven stars which you saw in my :right, and the seven :golden lampstands. The seven stars are angels of the seven churches: and the seven :lampstands are seven churches.? *In ?Visions Beyond the Veil? by H. A, Baker, the little former orphans and beggars saw a large angel over a church, as well as a human pastor. Mr. Baker from their coordinated accounts, I believe, rightly assumed that what the children saw was correct. God does deploy an important angel over a city church, just as Satan deploys principalities and powers over cities, regions and nations. Daniel heard from Gabriel that the Prince of the power of Persia held him up until Michael came and routed him. Michael is the angelic prince of God over Israel. These things that were *mysteries* became clarified in New Testament times. Revelation 10:7 (1-11) *THE 7TH TRUMP AND THE MYSTERY OF GOD. ?But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he is about to trump, **then**is also finished the **mystery** of :God, according to **the** good tidings **which** he declared to his :bondmen the prophets.? *This is a significant word. Jesus on the Cross cried out, ?It is Finished,? for He had fulfilled the will of God who sent Him, and His Finished Work on Calvary ushered in a new day for Adam's Race. The 7th Trump in Revelation finished the sequence of events opening up those things revealed in New Testament times, especially to the apostle Paul. What God starts - He finishes. What was hidden in *mysteries* - has been fully revealed in this Gospel Age. Revelation 17:4-5, 7 (1-18) *A MYSTERY: BABYLON THE GREAT - and - THE MYSTERY OF THE WOMAN AND BEAST. ?And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and gilded with gold and precious stone and pearls, having in her :hand a golden cup full of abominations, and the unclean **things** of her :fornication, **5** and upon her :forehead a name written, a **mystery**, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. ... **7** And the angel said to me, Why did you wonder? I will tell you the **mystery** of the woman, and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.? *In the last days, Religion and Politics will unite in an uneasy alliance for the purposes of Satan. The * mystery* of religion is likened to a woman. The beast she rides is the ruler sent by Satan, who in the end destroys the woman. Both the woman and the Beast are *mysteries*. Clues are given here to help identify them. However, Jesus said that Prophecy is not so much to help us understand the future in detail, but more as a confirmation, that *when it comes to pass*, we can look back and say, ?Why that's exactly what Jesus predicted, and its fulfillment *is* confirmation of His rule as true Lord and Christ, even as the Father designated Him.* * * * *NOTE*: The word ?Mystery? is sufficiently defined in the respective notes with the above references. To restate - it seems to me that in Ephesians 3:1-6 - we find the key reference in this Word Study that opens up our full understanding to it. The ?One New Man? concept set forth so clearly by the apostle Paul, was one of the more difficult mysteries for not just normal Jews, but even particularly for Jewish believers in Jesus. Acts 15 is the key New Testament chapter plus the book of Galatians, to show both the unity between Jew and Gentile in the church - but also the differences. Messianic Jewish Congregations still rock back and forth over the revelation of this mystery. At the return of Jesus for His church as King of kings and Lord of lords - soon all these difficulties and misconceptions will be solved and put to rest. - Jim Watt *NOTE: *Several readers of our mailing complained about receiving multiples of an individual email. Our Webmaster checked into this, and discovered that there is a glitch with those of you who are served by "yahoo.ca." Apparently they are failing to respond when they send one of our mailings. As a result, our server keeps resending until finally they respond. Those signed up here might wish to contact your server with this information. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Mar 11 14:50:38 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 14:50:38 -0700 Subject: Meditation - Part 5 Message-ID: <625d7240903111450s58a84c0dwac6c02fae3b1fa65@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-10 - MEDITATION, PART 5, 1 TIMOTHY 4:15* *1 Timothy 4:15 (11-16) MEDITATION FOR TIMOTHY: PARALLEL TO JOSHUA 1:8* *From meleTAo (meLEte, MElomai, MElo*, 32x) - 3 times, Strong # 3191* TAUta meLEta [3191]; ?*Be diligent (meditate) in these; * en TOUtois ISthi [2468]; *give yourself wholly to these; * HIna sou h*e* pro-koP*E* [4297] pha-neRA [5318] *e* PAsin. *that your :progress be manifest to all.?* *1. (Originally recorded Thursday November 22, 1990). ?Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend (Proverbs 27:17). It is dialog with a friend that causes ?spin-offs? in thinking, leading down unexpected vistas of truth! Such dialog does not disturb unity: it is the very essence and proof of unity. The Jewish rabbis of the Great Synagogue and onwards went at it ?hammer and tong? with one another, so that the most accurate understanding of scripture could come forth. They called it ?halaKAH,? the main area of Talmudic investigation.* * This is what a friend (WJEB) did to me the other day. He challenged me: You write about a concept of meditation from the First Covenant that put together Prayer and Torah (Word) vocally in 20/20 vision. How does this carry over into the Second Covenant? Could it be the ?cooing of doves? of the First, as expressed in the devotional prayer language of the New?* * Strangely enough (or Providentially), just before receiving this letter, I wrote down in my Journal: The apostle and rabbi Paul knew true meditationmore in tongues (his devotional prayer language, not the gift of tongues), than any other man. He said so (1 COR 14:18). He added that he mixed this equally with prayer with his understanding. Being a rabbi and a Jew, the Apostle Paul thoroughly understood Joshua 1:8, and literally practiced it. He would also understand that prayer, worship, spiritual songs, praise, and the Davidic dance, flow out of the basic meaning and Hebrew root of meditation. * * So, vocal meditation, or quiet, cooing utterance with a devotional prayer language over the Word to God, was the basic and integral spiritual exercise of the Apostle. It was night and day. It was in the spirit of Joshua, and all that meditation meant to First Covenant saints.* *2. Only one word is rendered ?Meditation? *in the Second Covenant, namely meleTA*o* (#3191), from the root MEl*o*.* It is the exact counterpart to ?hawGAW? (Strong #1897) in the Hebrew, for Acts 4:25 (meleTA*o*) quotes Psalm 2:1 (hawGAW). *3. J. H. Thayer, ?Greek English Lexicon,? *states that it means: to care for, attend, to carefully practice: 1 TIM 4:15, be diligent in; to *meditate *, i.e. to devise, contrive: Acts 4:25 from Psalm 2:1 (this is the linkage between the Hebrew ?hawGAW,? and the Greek ?meleTA*o*." Used by the Greeks of the *meditative* pondering *and the practice of orators and rhetoricians*, which usage seems to have been in the writer's mind in Mark 13:11. * Meditation* is for *speaking*! It is vocal, which parallels the basic Hebrew meaning and thought for *meditation*. *4. MOCKING *or derogatory speaking: a sign of disrespect and evil, with punishment as the just result. Notice that this mocking is verbal; and vocal *meditation*, part of this family of words, impinges upon it. *5. CARING*: in the same family of words as *vocal meditation.* One who cares *says so*! Not only this, but also proofs of *caring* are given to the one loved. If we care about God and His Word, we will not only tell Him so, but we will *keep* His Words, and seek in all ways to please Him. *6. MetaMElomai* is heart sorrow for wrong and sin, and leads to mouth expression and acts of contrition. However, though it is associated with ?metanoia? (change of mind repentance), it does not necessarily lead to this latter. In the case of Judas, the die was cast - the point of no return reached, and this latter Mind-Repentance is no longer available as a gift. Better for this man that he had never been born. Notice again the verbal accompaniment of ?metaMElomai,? which is associated with *verbal meditation*(meleTA *o*). *7. PREMEDITATION*: A vertical and inward vocal exercise leading to outward, horizontal expression. Jesus said that for disciples in danger or persecution, this is *not* the way to go. Rather, He promised a direct conduit from God, prophetically, by revelation, that would be the exact answer needed under the circumstances. Both are verbal, but the latter is on a high supernatural order. *8. GOD'S JEWISH GIFTS AND CALLING: WITHOUT REPENTANCE.* Does this have application for all of God's people? Of course! But it does not exclude the basic ?grammatico-historical? promise of God which is to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 11 should be carefully exegeted in its context to ascertain exactly what God is saying here. Non-Jewish believers are *not* to be proud, arrogant nor nigh minded against Jews and their roots. Our roots are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and by natural descent Jewish believers have precedence over us. We Gentiles are reconciled to God because of their temporary rejection. The grafting back of the Messianic Jewish congregations today will mean *?Life from the dead? (Romans 11:15).* A subtle anti-semitism has been sown in the church by false theologies (Replacement Theology). But look at the *meditation* of God's heart, thoughts and purposes. He does not see such thoughts and purposes. He does not see such thoughts as are too often entertained in the church today. Out of the * meditation* of His heart He has thoughts of good for all. The spawning of the Hitler-type *meditation* comes from the evil one. The conclusion of the matter is that God's *meditation* requires no repentance concerning the eternal covenant God made with Abraham and his seed, both natural and spiritual (Genesis 17). *9. TIMOTHY'S MEDITATION: AMAZING PARALLEL TO JOSHUA 1:8 (1 TIMOTHY 4:15).*All that Paul enjoined upon Timothy is to be *meditated* upon. This *meditation*, by the comparison of the Greek quotation of the Hebrew word for *meditation* requires that it be *vocal*. As Joshua was to keep the Torah in his mouth, *meditating vocally* upon it day and night; so Timothy was to keep the words of his mentor the Apostle Paul, a rabbi. These things in parallel were part of the warp and woof of Paul's being. What Hebrews did in the First Covenant, we are to continue under the Second Covenant. This is a verse and teaching that is *pivotal*. We should thoroughly understand its implications, and walk in them. It ties the two covenants closely together, assuring us that *Jesus* did *not*destroy or remove the old?: He built upon it by *fulfillment*; He wrote the *law* of the First Covenant on our hearts in the Second Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), so that by the power of the Holy Spirit we can see Christ in us living out the Sermon on the Mount. What Israel lacked power to do under the First Covenant, we can attain to by the Spirit of Redemption in the Second. *10. One reason we neglect* God, His redemption, His salvation, His Word: is that we fail to *meditate vocally* day and night on His Word. God's Word is Himself extended (John 1:1). The new birth is found in seed form in His word (James 1:18), producing might, strength, dignity and power (Genesis 49:3). We release the divine nature within us (2 Peter 1:4), growing and maturing in it, as we daily and habitually *meditate* in His Word. *?In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,? John 1:1. *We should never underestimate the privilege, power, and potential of *meditating* upon God's Word day and night. We should not forget Paul's example of how he did it (1 COR 14). We should not forget that he said, ?*Follow me, as I follow Christ? (Phil. 3:17; 2 TIM 2:2; 2:10; 1 COR 11:1). ?To the law and the testimony: if they speak not according to this word? (ISA 8:20) ... ?And as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts? ISA 55:9).* *11. Psalm 110:4 - *one of the most quoted verses in the Second Covenant. God will not *repent* concerning what He has said here. Notice the relationship between *meditation* and *repentance*. What God *purposed*, comes out of the *meditation* of His heart. Our *meditation* should follow *His meditation*. What He has purposed and stated with His mouth, shall not be reversed. As we seek out of His great and basic purposes; as we recognize that we have been created to walk in His purposes; as we *yield* to His will and purposes; then we find His yoke is easy and His burden light; then we enter into true rest of soul; then God makes His face shine upon us, and is gracious unto us; then He lifts up His countenance upon us, and gives us * peace*; then He puts His Name upon us, and blesses us. What a heritage for the godly in Christ Jesus! Honor God in His Son, and all these blessings flow forth upon us. Jesus has this more excellent ministry! *12. GOD'S CARE*: Arises out of His thoughts and purposes for us. He has chosen us because He loved us: not that we had merit or worth; but because it pleased Him to birth the life of His Son in us, mature His Son in us, and bring *many sons* into Glory. The emphasis is not upon the ?manifestation of the sons of God?: rather it is the *manifestation of the Son of God* through us! God's care arises out of *meditation*: our *meditation* causes us to understand His heart, purposes and care. Our prayer is for our *needs*; our thanksgiving is for His *blessing*; our worship is for *Himself*. * Meditation* is the royal road leading to this high revelation. *13. THESE THINGS; *these things; these things (2 PET 1:8; 1:9; 1:10; 1:12; 1:15). Where were *these things* that Peter cared about, and not be * negligent* concerning? The things concerning God's Divine Nature imparted to us through His great and exceeding precious *promises*; and the *meditation*upon the seven virtues to be added with all diligence (2 PET 1:5-7). *Vocal meditation* and obedience to *these things* according to Joshua 1:8 and 1 TIM 4:15 will absolutely revolutionize our lives: leading us into a pathway of spiritual growth with increasing speed, and a pathway shining brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. *Consider* then these truths and exhortations from the Word. Take them for a trial period of 30 days. Associate with those of like desires and goals. Beware of seducing spirits and siren calls. Beware of short cuts that promise much, but lack a high regard for God's Word, the Cross, and the Glorious Redemptive truths and blessings of our Christ through His blood. Refer to the Hebrew counterpart Word Study on *Meditation*, for these two studies are two sides of the same coin. *14. Berry, George R., ?The Interlinear Greek New Testament;? Greek-English NT Lexicon, p. 64, REPENTANCE: *metanoE*o* is the nobler word, the regular expression for thorough repentance; metaMElomai is more loosely used, generally expressing sorrow, regret or remorse. *15. Kittel, G., ?Theological Dictionary of the NT, Vol. IV,? *p. 626. MetanoEIN and metaMElesthai are distinct in class. MetanoEIN means a change of heart either generally or in respect of a specific sin, whereas metaMElesthai means ?to experience remorse.? MetanoEIN implies that one has later arrived at a different view of something (nous); metaMElesthai that one has a differtnt feeling about it (MElei). But it is easy for the two ideas to come together and even merge, since a change of view often carries with it an uncomfortable feeling. When ?remorse? is ascribed to man, there is an obvious difference from repentance metanoEIN, though the LXX does pay tribute to Hellenistic attempt to assimilate metaMElesthai and metanoEIN. Remorse does not have to be pleasing to God. It can be simply a change in mood. It is often the natural result of imprudent and unjust action. In remorse a man sees the bitter end of sin; in repentance (metanoEIN) *he breaks free from it.* Remorse comes of itself at the end of a sinful and foolish way. But a man is called to repentance by the one who brings the divine Word (metanoEIte, Mark 1:15). When Judas saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse (metamel *e*THEIS, Matthew 27:3) and brought back the thirty pieces of silver. The reference here is to remorse, not repentance. Judas sees that his action was guilty, and he gives way under the burden. The remorse of Judas (MAT 27:3) and of Esau (HEB 12:17) does not have the power to overcome the destructive operation of sin. When, therefore, the NT separates the meanings of metaMElesthai and metanoEIN, it displays a clear awareness of the unchangeable substance of both concepts. In contrast, Hellenistic usage often effaced the boundary between the two words. *16. NOTE:* The law was good, and a school master to bring one to Christ. When used lawfully, it brought conviction of sin to unbelievers. But it lacked the power to enable the OT saint to rise to the desire of his heart in God. Only the indwelling power of Christ in the Holy Spirit through the Second Covenant could supply such power. Even so, MetaMElesthai lacked the power to enable one to come to true repentance. Sorrow for sin alone is as frustrating as law alone for the OT saint. But the *gift* of repentance has transforming power (Acts 11:18). *17. The root word* for repentance that is sorrow for sin is MEl*o**, and has the thought of ?taking care,? or ?caring.? Caring can be transformed (meta) into sorrow for sin. MeleTA*o*, to *meditate*, is closely associated with the root word MEl*o**. When one *cares* for a person, he *meditates*upon that person. When that Person is God, it is natural to talk to Him, worship Him, commune with Him, reveal his intimate feelings and thoughts to Him. Sometimes words are insufficient or inadequate to communicate our deep feelings to Him. Then we have the ?d*o*reA? of 1 COR 9:15, the *unspeakable gift of the Holy Spirit*, Who came upon Jesus as a dove at His baptism. *He*enables all believers to speak to God with unutterable words of a devotional prayer language; by this we speak to God (1 COR 14:3), and speak mysteries. We can also speak with our understanding (1 COR 14:15), and follow Paul's example by speaking to God *much* in this manner (1 COR 14:18). The Father understands these words, these groanings, these divinely given cooings by the Holy Spirit, the Heavenly Dove (ROM 8:26-27). He who cares deeply for God and His great Redemptive Work in Christ, will want to worship the Father this way (PHIL 3:3; John 4:23-24). Paul says that when he speaks in a tongue, a devotional prayer language, his spirit prays (1 COR 14:14). And he also said, Follow me as I follow Christ (1 COR 11:1). Smith Wigglesworth, David Yonggi Cho, John G. Lake, Mike Bickle: all these and many more, have used this form of worship *much* daily, and have experienced an intimacy with God that is truly supernatural. Their ministries then became exceptionally enhanced. Millions upon millions of others use this love language of the dove unto the Father in measure. Those who balance ?prayer with the spirit and understanding,? and the Word; obtain 20/20 vision in the Spirit, and move more swiftly in partaking of the Divine Nature. *Meditation* is at the heart of all of this. Note - God initiated this with Joshua (1:8). Some 500 or so years later he repeated it with Psalm 1:1-3. 1000 year later again, God through Paul gave this to Timothy (1 Timothy 4:15). All believers have this privilege and responsibility. Jim Watt - November 25, 1990. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Mar 12 21:56:37 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:56:37 -0700 Subject: Wesley's Class Meetings Message-ID: <625d7240903122156q7f3f3240w775ece57eeb15fbc@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-12 - WESLEY'S CLASS MEETINGS* *John Wesley's Accountability Discipleship Groups* The heart of Methodism during the life of John Wesley was the Methodist Class Meeting. This was a small covenant discipleship support group where members were accountable to each other. They confessed their faults one to another, prayed for each other, and stirred up one another to love and good works. Here the teachings of the Bible were examined in light of actual personal experience. Here leaders were nurtured and equipped. Consider two outside reasons for seriously looking into these groups. The French Revolution took place in 1789, nearing the close of Wesley's life, and completing 51 years of the operation of the Class Meetings. At that time an English Sociologist, himself an unbeliever, made the following remarks: ?Except for Wesley's Class Meetings, the French Revolution and the guillotine would have leaped the English Channel, and devastated Great Britain. At that time Wesley saw 70,000 members in his Class Meetings, composed of some 8 or so members each. They took place in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Wesley traveled over 50,000 miles on horseback to oversee these and the churches. He wrote the majority of his books on horseback. Membership in their churches was dependent upon membership in these groups. Then - prior to the formation of Communism in Russia in 1917, Lenin visited England. He was profoundly impressed with Wesley's Class Meetings. So much so - that he adapted the principle, and formed Communist Cell Meetings. *John Wesley's Rules for the Band-Societies (drawn up Dec. 25, 1738)* *The design of our meeting is, to obey that command of God, ?Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed.? - James 5:16. *To this end, we intend: 1. To meet once a week, at the least. 2. To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason. 3. To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer. 4. To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting. 5. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present. 6. To desire some person among us; to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many and as searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins and temptations. *Some of the questions proposed to every one before he is admitted among us may be to this effect:-* 1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins? 2. Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ? 3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit with your spirit, that you are a child of God? 4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart? 5. Has no sin, inward or outward, dominion over you? 6. Do you desire to be told your faults? 7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and that plain and home? 8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatever is in his heart concerning you? 9. Consider! Do you desire we should tell you whatever we think, whatever we fear, whatever we hear, concerning you? 10. Do you desire that, in doing this, we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom? 11. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak everything that is in your heart without exception, without disguise, and without reserve? ** Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as occasion offers; the four following at every meeting:-* 1. *What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?* 2. *What temptations have you met with?* 3. *How were you delivered?* 4. *What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?* *Conditions of Membership into Methodist Society:* *There is one only condition previously required in those who desire admission into these societies: a desire ?to flee from the wrath to come, to be saved from their sins:?* But, wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation. Thus we say to those who unite with us: *You are supposed to have the faith that ?overcomes the world.? To you, therefore, it is not grievous:* *I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil; in particular:* 1. Neither to *buy nor sell anything at all on the Lord's day.* 2. To taste* no spirituous liquor*, no dram of any kind, unless prescribed by a Physician. 3. To *be at a word both in buying and selling.* 4. To *pawn nothing*, no, not to save life. 5. *Not to mention the fault of any behind his back*, and to *stop those short that do.* 6. To *wear no needless ornaments,* such as *rings*, *earrings*, *necklaces *, *lace*, *ruffles*. 7. To *use no* needless self-indulgence, such as taking *snuff or tobacco*, unless prescribed by a Physician. *II. Zealously to maintain good works; in particular:* 1. To *give alms* of such things as you possess, and that *to the uttermost of your power*. 2. To *reprove all that sin in your sight*, and that in love and meekness of wisdom. 3. To *be patterns* of *diligence* and *frugality*, of *self-denial*, and *taking up the cross daily.* *III. Constantly to attend on all the ordinances of God; in particular:* 1. To *be at church* and at the Lord's table *every week*, and *at every public meeting of the Bands*. 2. To *attend the ministry of the word every morning*, unless distance, business, or sickness prevent. 3. To *use private prayer every day*; and *family prayer*, if you are the head of a family. 4. To *read the Scriptures, and meditate therein, at every vacant hour*. And: 5. To observe, as days of *fasting or abstinence, all Fridays* in the year. *These are the General Rules of our societies;* all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written word, the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these, we know, his Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart. *If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them*, let it be made known unto them who watch over that soul as they that must give an account. *We will admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear with him for a season: But then if he repent not, he has no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls. *- Wesley's Works Vol. 8, pgs 270, 271, 272-274. *Examples of John Wesley's Discipline in Action:* *Detailed account of those who had left the society**: *since Dec. 30 - was 76: 14 (chiefly Dissenters) because otherwise their Minister would not give them the sacrament. 9 because their husbands or wives were not willing they should stay in it. 5 because their master and mistress would not let them come. 7 because their acquaintance persuaded them to leave it. 5 because people said such bad things of the society. 9 because they would be laughed at. 3 because they could not spare time to come. 2 because it was too far off. 1 because she was falling into fits. 1 because people were so rude in the streets. 2 because Thomas Naisbut was in the society. 1 because he would not turn back on his baptism. 1 because it was time enough to serve God yet. *Detailed account of those who were expelled from the society**: *since Dec. 30 - was 64: 2 for cursing and swearing. 2 for habitual Sabbath-breaking. 17 for drunkenness. 2 for retailing spirituous liquors. 3 for quarreling and brawling. 1 for beating his wife. 3 for habitual, willful lying. 4 for railing and evil-speaking. 1 for idleness and laziness. 29 for lightness and carelessness. - Wesley's Works Vol. 1. p. 415 - March 4, 1741 *The Importance of Discipline:* ?Through all Cornwall I find the societies have suffered great loss from want of discipline. Wisely said the ancients, 'The soul and body make a man; *the Spirit and discipline make a Christian.'?* * Wesley's *Works Vol. 2, pg. 204. ?Dear Adam [Clark], *Discipline *is the great want in Guernsey; *without which, the work of God cannot prosper. *You did well to *set upon it without delay, and to be as exact as possible.?* - Wesley's Works Vol. 13, pg. 101. *John Wesley would not employ time on people if they would not meet in the Class Meeting:* * *May 26, 1759 ... ?I found the little society which I had joined two years since had so split in pieces. In the afternoon I met several members of the praying societies: and *showed them what Christian fellowship was, and what need they had of it*. About forty of them met me on Sunday the 27th, in Mr. Gillies's Kirk, immediately after Evening Service. *I left them determined to meet Mr. Gillies weekly, at the same time and place. If this be done, I shall try to see Glasgow again: If not, I can employ my time better.?* - Wesley's Works Vol. 2, pg. 482. ?*Those who will not meet in class cannot stay with us.? *- Wesley's Letters Vol. 7 pg. 154; Dec. 7, 1782 *WESLEY'S COVENANT PRAYER* *I am no longer my own, but Yours.* *Put me to what You will, rank me with whom You will.* *Put me to doing, put me to suffering.* *Let me be employed for You or laid aside for You,* *exalted for You or brought low for You.* *Let me be full, let me be empty.* *Let me have all things, let me have nothing.* *I freely and heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.* *And now, O glorious and blessed God:* *Father, Son and Holy Spirit,* *You are mine, and I am Yours.* *So be it.* *And the covenant which I have made on earth,* *let it be ratified in heaven.* *Amen.* * NOTE:** *Throughout the years people have been interested to see the insight and steps Wesley used, that produced through the Class Meetings such a surging spread of vital results, that continued decade after decade. This with the 100-year Moravian Revival at Herrnhut, are two of the longest-continuing revivals of the church age. It will be clear to readers that our present day and culture would require adaptation of the rules of Wesley's day. Nonetheless, in areas of persecution such as England experienced in Wesley's day, it is remarkable how closely the above rules are followed in deeply persecuted lands of our day. America and Canada are fast losing religious freedom. What will it be like just prior to the soon return of our Lord? - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Mar 15 17:17:01 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 15 Mar 2009 17:17:01 -0700 Subject: Proverbs 31:10-31 - Mother's Day Message-ID: <625d7240903151717y384d1629pabc7b8ad017d59dc@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-05-10 - PROVERBS 31:10-31 (ASV '01) - MOTHER'S DAY* *E*sher - CHAyil m*i*y yimTZ*A*? *A worthy woman who can find?* ve-r*a*CHOK mip-pe-n*i*yN*I*YM micR*A*H. *For her price is far above rubies.* B*A*tach b*a*h l*e*b ba-aL*A*H, *11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,* ve-sh*a*L*A*L l*o* yechS*A*R. *And he shall have no lack of gain.* ge-m*a*LATHhu t*o*b ve-l*o* - R*A* *12 She does him good and not evil* c*o*l yeM*E*Y chayYEYah. *All the days of her life.* D*A*Rsh*a*h TZEmer v*u*-mishT*I*YM *13 She selects wool and flax* vaTAas beCH*E*petz capPEY*a*h. *And works eagerly with her hands.* H*A*ye-th*a*h c*a*-aN*I*Yy*o*th s*o*CH*E*R; *14 She is like the merchant-ships;* mim-merCH*A*K t*a*B*I*Y la-cheM*A*H. *She brings her bread from afar.* vaT*A*k*a*m be*O*D LAYl*a*h, *15 She rises also while it is yet night,* vat-tiT*E*N TErep le-b*e*yTH*A*H, *And gives food to her household,* veCHOK le-na-a-roTHEYah. *And their task to her maidens.* z*a*-meM*A*H S*A*reh, vat-tik-k*a*CH*E*h*u*; *16 She considers a field, and buys it;* mip-peR*I*Y capPEY*a*h N*A*te-*a* C*A*rem. *With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.* CH*A*ge-r*a*h be*O*Z m*a*-theNEY*a*h *17 She girds her loins with strength* vat-te-amM*E*TZ ze-ro-*o*THEY*a*h. *And makes strong her arms.* T*A*a-m*a*h c*i*y - t*o*b sachR*A*H; *18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable;* L*O* - yicBEH baLAYl*a* n*e*R*A*H. *Her lamp goes not out by night.* Y*A*dey-*a*h shil-leCH*A*H bac-c*i*ySH*O*R, *19 She lays her hands to the distaff,* ve-capPEY*a*h T*A*Mc*u* P*A*lec. *And her hands hold the spindle.* CAPp*a*h p*a*rS*A*H le-*a*N*I*Y; *20 She stretches out her hand to the poor;* ve-y*a*DEY*a*h shil-leCH*A*H L*A*ebY*O*N. *Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.* l*o* - th*i*yR*A* le-b*e*yTH*A*H miSH*A*leg; *21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;* c*i*y c*a*l - b*e*yTH*A*H l*a*BUSH sh*a*N*I*YM. *For all her household are clothed with scarlet.* mar-baD*I*YM *A*se-th*a*h - L*A*H; *22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry;* sh*e*sh ve-ar-g*a*M*A*N le-b*u*SH*A*H. *Her clothing is fine linen and purple.* n*o*D*A* bash-she-*a*R*I*YM ba-aL*A*H, *23 Her husband is known in the gates,* be-shibT*O* im - zikN*E*Y *A*retz. *When he sits among the elders of the land.* saD*I*YN *A*sa-th*a*h vat-timCOR, *24 She makes linen garments and sells them,* va-chaG*O*R n*a*-theN*A*H lacCE-na-aN*I*Y. *And delivers girdles unto the merchant.* *o*z - ve-h*a*D*A*R le-b*u*SH*A*H; *25 Strength and dignity are her clothing;* vat-tishCHAK leY*O*M a-chaR*O*N. *And she laughs at the time to come.* P*I*Y*a*h p*a*thCH*A*H be-ch*a*-ceM*A*H; *26 She opens her mouth with wisdom;* veTH*O*rath - CHEsed al - le-sh*o*N*A*H. *And the law of kindness is in her tongue.* TZ*O*p*i*y-yah ha-l*i*yC*O*TH b*e*TH*A*H, *27 She looks well to the ways of her household,* veL*A*chem atzL*U*TH l*o* th*o*CH*E*L. *And eats not the bread of idleness.* K*A*M*u* B*A*ney-*a*h VAye-ash-sheR*U*-*a*h; *28** Her children rise up, and call her blessed;* ba-aL*A*H, VAY-HAleL*A*H, *Her husband **also**, and he praises her, **saying**:* raB*O*TH B*A*n*o*th *A*s*u* CH*A*Yil, *29** Many daughters have done worthily,* veAT *a*L*I*YTH al - culL*A*n*a*h. *But you excel them all.* SHEker HAch*e*n veHEbel hayY*O*p*i*y; *30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;* ishSH*A*H yir-ath - Ye-h*o*V*A*H, h*i* thith-halL*A*H. *But a woman that fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.* te-n*u* - L*A*H mip-peR*I*Y y*a*DEY*a*h; *31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;* V*I*Yha-leL*U*-*a*h bash-she-*a*R*I*YM ma-aSHEY*a*h. *And let her works praise her in the gates.* *NOTES**: *The following remarks are by the widow of Peter Marshall - Catherine Marshall, in her book ?To Live Again.? Here we obtain a glimpse of her role as a wife and widow, and Peter's high picture of ?Woman,? which of course accords with wife and mother. It does agree with Solomon and Proverbs 24:10-31, doesn't it? Just months after the death of Peter at 46 years of age in 1949, Catherine edited 12 of Peter's Sermons in a book entitled ?Mr. Jones, Meet the Master.? It is this book she is autographing, and it is from this book that she quotes an excerpt from his sermon ?*Keepers of the Springs.? * ?It is a rare party, I found, which the average bookseller can handle in orderly fashion. Americans do not like lines; I can't say that I blame them. They would rather crowd around, poking books in all directions, first come, first served. The autographer - sunk down in the middle of the melee, feeling like a target for bow and arrow practice, gasping for a breath of fresh air, her right arm aching, the flowers on her left shoulder tickling her nose, the corsage pin scratching her shoulder - sits there, writing furiously, her signature getting more and more illegible, wondering if the smile on her face looks as mechanical is it began to feel a full hour ago. She meanwhile has one eye on the bookstore clock and the other on the still-unsigned piles of books which must be autographed before an escape can be made back to the hotel room. ?It should not have surprised me that I was finding details of my new life - such as sleepless nights on jerking trains or bumpy plane rides - a hurdle and a challenge. The truth was I couldn't even read a plane or train schedule. During twelve years of marriage, all training and motivation has been in quite the opposite direction. During these years I had stayed in the background - a behind-the-scenes wife. So definitely was this true that there were those in my husband's congregation who did not know whether or not the minister was married, or at best, had never seen me. This was quite in keeping with Peter's ideas and ideals on the subject of marriage. He took a dim view of feminism. But he was able to articulate this in a way that had attracted rather than repelled most of the feminine sex who heard him. His credo of marriage was spelled out - indeed, spread all over the landscape - in his sermon *?Keepers of the Springs.? *Yet during all his years in the ministry, this had been by far the most popular sermon he had ever preached. *The emancipation of womanhood began with Christianity* *and it ends with Christianity . . . .* *When women in this country achieved equality with men,* *it was accomplished only by stepping down from the pedestal* *on which Christianity, chivalry, and idealism had placed her. . . .* *So she copied the vices of men - in the name of progress!* *But it is not progress to go in a downward direction.* *It is not progress to lower moral standards and to lose ideals!* *No woman every became lovelier by losing her essential femininity.* *There is no substitute for goodness . . .* *nothing can take the place of purity.* *To be sweet is far better than to be sophisticated.* *America needs young women who will build true homes,* *whether they live in two rooms - or ten . . .* *whether starched white organdy curtains * *hang at the windows - or silk damask.* *We need homes where harassed husbands may find peace* *understanding* *refreshment of body and soul . . .* *where children may find the warmth of love . . .* *where friends may find hospitality* *graciousness* *and joy.* *Only out of such homes will go men with strength and courage* *to help the United States build a new and a better world.* *To make such homes is therefore,* *any woman's supreme contribution to her country* *and to her generation. . . .* ?There might well have been some conflict between Peter and me over his strong views on the role of women in marriage had I not discovered early in our life together that putting these ideas into practice brought me joy and satisfaction at a deep level. Such nonfeminist ideas meant that I was single-eyed in the marriage relationship. I was not a divided personality. All the talents I possessed, all energy, all creativeness, were poured into the marriage partnership, and no effort was made to channel any part of it in any other directions. ?For any minister - who must preach twice or three times every Sunday and often prepare several weekday talks - a steady stream of new ideas is the breath of life. Therefore, I handed over to Peter any ideas that came to me or that I stumbled across in reading that might be sermon material, as well as any thoughts I might have on the ever-present church organizational or personnel problems. ?Nor was any of this a hardship or a sacrifice. I felt in need of neither credit nor approbation for It. For I was discovering for myself during those years the profound truth of that ancient and inexorable law that *?he that loses his life . . . shall find it.? * *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Mar 19 16:07:35 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:07:35 -0700 Subject: Open Letter Message-ID: <625d7240903191607l4c4c98d9o406d113fa25461eb@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-18 - ?TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* ?*An Open Letter to our President Barack Obama?* *Dear Mr. President -* 1. For the sake of *greater confidence* from all your fellow-Americans, please share your birth certificate. All presidents must be born within one of the 50 states. If you have been, then it would help us to see your proof. Step up to the plate and play the game according to the rules! 2. Make a meaningful shift in your advisors. Your Senate voting record was the most liberal of 100 senators. Your choice of advisors and key officials has been extremely European socialistic in style, some even anti-American, some dishonest in not paying legitimate income tax, some even criminal in their past. Don't bawl those of us out who read these signs and are concerned. Make adjustments. 3. Don't quote George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan, pretending to walk in their train - when the legislation you introduce is so opposite. If Reagan could appear, would you then make your attempts at identification? 4. Do we have in you a Trojan Horse, who has been slipped into us with ulterior motives, and who in the middle of the night will drop down into our midst leaders who will destroy our nation? 5. Tell us, why are the Islamic nations by and large so favorable to you, and pleased with you? 6. It is fine to give lip service to religion, and the Bible, which has had such a part in the history of our nation in the past. But Jesus said it is ? *he who hears and **does** what it says, who will be considered a wise man who builds his house upon a rock.? * Dr. Ivan Panin, a Russian with 3 doctorate degrees, who taught Math to Albert Einstein at Harvard, - through his extraordinary discovery and development of Bible Numerics, has proved that the Bible is *indeed* the very words of God. He consistently demonstrates that the ?Gay Thesis? is completely false and unbiblical. How then can you toady to such false groups, and make decisions that undermine the integrity and history of our nation? How is it you have consistently taken to yourself advisors for over 20 years, who undermine the basic tenets of our nation? Why is it you borrow the bankrupt socialism of Europe to foist it upon us as Americans? 7. Tom Hess of the Middle East says the best way we can pray for you, is to petition God that He will plant in you the spirit of *?The fear of the Lord.? *He who has God's fear walks in the truth of Isaiah 66:2 - *?To ** this** man will I look, says the Lord, to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,* *and that **trembles** at my word!? *Correct our hopefully mistaken judgment of you, as the most liberal voting member of 100 senators. You encourage us to give you a break, and consider your legislative proposals. We will gladly consider seriously your proposals - if *you in turn* can make the above adjustments. 8. Yet, I personally believe that our nation has so slipped from its moorings, that we deserve someone like you. Your socialistic and pro-Islamic policies should shake our people back into common-sense, and to vote in the light of our original moorings. In God's master chess-game on our behalf, may His moves check-mate the foolish and ignorant moves now being made on behalf of our country. Your fellow-citizen, who faithfully prays for you every day - Jim Watt PS. God sent His servants the prophets in both OT and NT times to confront kings and governors in those days. Has He changed? I doubt not. Many of these died martyrs' deaths for their boldness, courage and obedience. It has not changed today. Remember Watchman Nee of China. Nevertheless, I remembered that Solomon advises the use of counsellors in decision making. So, I did not rely on my own judgment in sending out this mailing, but sought the counsel of a few trusted and wise friends. Here is what three of them advised - ?Oh Jim, I trembled as I read your letter to the President. But I witnessed fully to it, and I truly believe you should send it. You spoke exactly what so many praying, Bible-believing Christians have been feeling ever since and before this man got into office. Thank you for being our spokesman.? ?Hi Jim: Both my wife and I came to the same conclusion, and that is that the Lord must have given you some urging to write this letter, and therefore you should send it out. We need to speak out, and you have done a good job of it in this letter. Your friends.? ?Jim - I was pleased to read your open letter and was pondering my send or not send reply. Before deciding I began to read the introduction to Bonhoeffer's book, 'Life Together' for which I wrote the following: - 'The man who felt all the force of the pacifist position weighed the 'cost of discipleship' concluded in the depths of his soul that to withdraw from those who were participating in political and military resistance would be irresponsible cowardice and flight from reality. 'Not,' as his friend Bathge says, 'that he believed that everyone must act as he did, but from where he was standing, he could see no possibility of retreat into any sinless, righteous, pious refuge. The sin of respectable people reveals itself in flight from responsibility. He saw that sin falling upon him and he took his stand.' Here he acted in accord with his fundamental view of ethics that a Christian must accept his responsibility as a citizen of *this* world where God has placed him.' ?With the above quote in mind I believe your most excellent letter should be *SENT.*? King Solomon advises the use of counselors in decision making. *?For by wise guidance you shall make war; And in the multitude of counselors there is safety.? - Proverbs 24:6. And - ?Where no wise guidance is, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.? - Proverbs 11:14. * This is the request I sent out to a few friends - ?This morning (2009-03-18) I was having my devotions at a Retirement Home while my wife Marie was attending a Senior Exercise Class. I had the strongest leading to write down the thoughts coming to me that are contained in the above 'Open Letter.' I have typed it up, but not sent it out. I am sending it to a very few of you. What is your take? Should I send it out? It is fairly serious, and I take it seriously. In 1944 God called me to a prophetic-teaching ministry in the line of Jeremiah. Jeremiah is my devotional for these 2 weeks. Perhaps this is why I felt led to jot down the enclosed thoughts. I would appreciate your witness on this as a condition for me to send it out. Your friend, Jim.? *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Mar 23 15:54:45 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:54:45 -0700 Subject: Identifified or Simply Interested? Message-ID: <625d7240903231554k1e75f8c3l3f999bb8699ec558@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-22 - ?IDENTIFIED OR SIMPLY INTERESTED?* *(From ?My Utmost for His Highest? - Oswald Chambers)* *Galatians 2:20 (2:15-21) ?I have been crucified with Christ? . . .* The inescapable spiritual need each of us has is the need to sign the death certificate of our sin nature. I must take my emotional opinions and intellectual beliefs and be willing to turn them into a moral verdict against the nature of sin; that is, against any claim I have to my right to myself. Paul said, ?*I have been crucified with Christ . . . .?* He did not say, ?*I have made a determination to imitate Jesus Christ,*? or, *?I will really make an effort to follow Him?* - but - ?*I have been **identified**with Him in His death.? * Once I reach this moral decision and act on it, all that Christ accomplished *for* me on the Cross is accomplished *in* me. My unrestrained commitment of myself to God gives the Holy Spirit the opportunity to grant to me the holiness of Jesus Christ. ?*. . . it is no longer I who live . . . .? *My individuality remains, but my primary motivation for living and the nature that rules me are radically changed. I have the same human body, but the old satanic right to myself has been destroyed. ?*. . . and the life which I now live in the flesh,? *not the life which I long to live or even pray that I live; but the life I now live in my mortal flesh - the life which others can see, *?I live by faith in the Son of God . . . .?* This faith was not Paul's own faith in Jesus Christ, but the faith in the Son God had given to him (see Ephesians 2:8). It is no longer a faith in faith, but a faith that transcends all imaginable limits - a faith that comes only from the Son of God. *NOTE*: What helps can one use to *focus* on success for Galatians 2:20? Can one achieve the victory of Oswald Chambers, George Muller, H. A. Baker, Rees Howells today? Yes - a resounding yes! Review and practice the 3 key verses on ?vocal meditation? - in praying audibly over the Scriptures in the spirit of George Whitefield. He spent up to 5 hours daily on his knees reading aloud the Bible, and in turn praying aloud meditatively over what he was reading. Remember Joshua 1:8 - God gave him this verse in the context of 1:1-9. For this book of Teaching, Torah, the law - to be in his *mouth*, it *had* to be meditated upon audibly. Then it had to be *walked in*, and then the two promises could be claimed. With but 2 slips, Joshua was amazingly successful in fulfilling this mandate. 500 years later, David, Samuel and the Levites with Moses produced the Jewish hymn book of the Bible in Psalms, whose 5 sections correspond with Moses' 5 books of the Pentateuch. Psalm 1:2-3 exactly parallels Joshua 1:8. The Hebrew word ?h*a*hG*A*H?, to meditate in connection with one's mouth, is used in both references. Then in 1 Timothy 4:15 (4:11-16), the word ?be diligent? in the teachings of this context, is the Greek equivalent to ?vocally meditate? to Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1:2-3. Paul exhorted Timothy not only to use the Hebraic method of meditation, but to give himself *wholly* to them in doing them! In so doing he would become an example to all the scores of elders leading churches in the home, as well as to all the people. Ephesus was the great and key church of that part of Asia, over which Timothy was the apostolic pastor. And remember, part of the amazing results God achieved through Joshua, was to defeat the 7 nations of Canaan - (see Deuteronomy 7:2), each nation larger than Israel, and through Urim & Thummim, to so wisely divide the conquered land between the 12 tribes of Israel (2 ? already looked after by Moses East of the Jordan) that there was no dissension or murmurings at the decisions! Later on (1000 years later) Jesus wrote letters to the 7 churches of N.E. Asia, linking them with each of the 7 Canaanite nations, which were in turn linked with each of the 7 Capital sins perceived by the Middle Age Contemplative Movement headed up by St. John of the Cross. For those interested in following up on these 3 groups of ?7?, please turn to our Website, *, *click on ?Interlinear? on the Top-Bar, and then to Revelation 2 & 3. David had a 7-fold Preparation for the Temple of Solomon. Though his son got the credit for the building, yet without this 7-fold preparation, it is doubtful if Solomon could have accomplished his part. Some of these acts were - David purchased the site for the temple; received from God by the Spirit the full blueprint for the Temple; with Samuel and the Levites provided the worship for the temple; and provided a remarkable amount of money ahead of time for the Temple. Timothy received a 7-fold Teaching to the 7 major churches of Paul: Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians. The first, 4th and 7th of these - coincide with the 3 great feasts of the Jews. By mastering these, Timothy had a great basis of understanding and teaching for his responsibility as the Apostolic Pastor of Ephesus! When we tie all the above together plus Galatians 2:20 (2:15-21), then we can join with them the example of Oswald Chambers, George Muller, Rees Howells and H. A. Baker. It is time for saints desiring to excel - to consider this. Last Saturday, Marie and I attended a Karate Martial Arts testing, in which one of our grandsons was seeking to gain the 3rd step of his Brown Belt. The Sensei spoke to the Green and Brown Belt contestants very strongly on the need to be ?focused?, if they truly wished to excel. ?Then?, he said, ?you can transfer this focusing achievement to all other areas of goals in life. Those who have succeeded in this 'focusing goal' in Martial Arts in the past, have all without exception been able to make this transfer, and have succeeded in other areas of life.? It is difficult for us as Americans to master the art of ?focusing?! There are so many other interests in our society to cause our gaze to wander: cell phones, TV, computer games etc., etc. but those who are able to focus, even in our society, can still achieve in all other areas, in line with their respective gifts. Remember Jesus - He said that a man is not without honor, except in his own country and household. This was true of Him in His ministry. His family was embarrassed with Him. But following His crucifixion, resurrection and Ascension, His brother James became the Apostolic pastor of Jerusalem and wrote the epistle bearing his name - and Jude likewise - half-brother to Jesus - wrote the letter bearing his name. Reread the insights of Oswald Chambers in his brief remarks at the beginning of this mailing. This is the ?death-knell? to the self-life. Few make the decision to enter this small and elect group. Absolute death to self calling the shots - is the absolutely unavoidable decision to enter this group. Remember Jesus' disciples: first the 12; then the 7; then the 5; then the 3; and finally John, the Beloved disciple. He wanted this position. He paid the price; he received. Some have asked - ?What was the response to your request for counsel concerning your open letter to President Obama? Should I send it?? Some 37 responded. All 37 were positive: ?Send it.? A few had suggestions in rewriting somewhat. Normally out of 850 recipients, I receive no more than 3 responses. One other time I had over 45 responses. Thanks to all of you who prayed, considered, and responded. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Mar 26 15:36:21 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:36:21 -0700 Subject: Apprehension of Truth Message-ID: <625d7240903261536w98ae507h7eddb4235ec9079d@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* ?*APPREHENSION OF TRUTH? - Appendix B* *(From ?George Muller of Bristol? by Dr. A. T. Pierson)* In 1944 while a sailor in the Canadian Navy, someone gave me a copy of George Muller's ?Answers to Prayer.? This hooked me on this most unusual man of God, and led me to memorize his ?6 Ways to Infallibly Ascertain the Will of God? in his Preface, and ?5 Ways How to Prevail in Prayer? in Appendix B. Later I obtained his biography noted in the heading. I suppose out of the 144 who have mentored me either in person or by book, George Muller is one of the top 4 who have most influenced me in my life. The following thoughts came to him when he was 24. ?*APPREHENSION OF TRUTH?* Some points which God began to show Mr. Muller while at Teignmouth, England in 1829: *1. That the word of God alone* is our standard of judgment in spiritual things; that it can be explained *only* by the Holy Spirit; and that in our day, as well as in former times, *He* is the teacher of His people. The office of the Holy Spirit I had not experimentally understood before that time. Indeed, of the office of each of the blessed persons, in what is commonly called the Trinity, I had no experimental apprehension. I had not before seen from the Scriptures that the Father chose us before the foundation of the world; that in Him that wonderful plan of our redemption originated, and that He also appointed all the means by which it was to be brought about. Further, that the Son, to save us, had fulfilled the law, to satisfy its demands, and with it also the holiness of God; that He had borne the punishment due to our sins, and had thus satisfied the justice of God. And further, that the Holy Spirit *alone* can teach us about our state by nature, show us the need of a Savior, enable us to believe in Christ, explain to us the Scriptures, help us in preaching, etc. It was my beginning to understand this latter point in particular, which had a great effect on me; for the Lord enabled me to put it to the test of experience, by laying aside commentaries, and almost every other book, and simply reading the word of God and studying it. The result of this was, that the first evening that I shut myself into my room, to give myself to prayer and *meditation over* the Scriptures, I learned more in a few hours than I had done during a period of several months previously. *But the particular difference was, that I received real strength for my soul in doing so. *I now began to try by the test of Scriptures the things which I had learned and seen, and found that only those principles which stood the test were really of value. *2. Before this period* I had been much opposed to the doctrines of election, particular redemption, and final persevering grace; so much so that, a few days after my arrival at Teignmouth I called election a devilish doctrine. I did not believe that I had brought myself to the Lord, for that was too manifestly false; but yet I held, that I might have resisted finally. And further, I knew nothing about the choice of God's people, and did not believe that the child of God, when once made so, was safe for ever. In my fleshly mind I had repeatedly said, If once I could prove that I am a child of God for ever, I might go back into the world for a year or two, and then return to the Lord, and at last be saved. But now I was brought to examine these precious truths by the word of God. Being made willing to have no glory of my own in the conversion of sinners, but to consider myself merely as an instrument; and being made willing to receive what the Scriptures said; I went to the Word, reading the New Testament from the beginning, with a particular reference to these truths. To my great astonishment I found that the passages which speak decidedly for election and persevering grace were about four times as many as those which speak apparently against these truths; and even those few, shortly after, when I had examined and understood them, served to confirm me in the above doctrines. As to the effect which my belief in these doctrines had on me, I am constrained to state, for God's glory, that though I am still exceedingly weak, and by no means so dead to the lusts of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, as I might and as I ought to be, yet, by the grace of God, I have walked more closely with Him since that period. My life has not been so variable, and I may say that I have lived much more for God than before. And for this I have been strengthened by the Lord, in a great measure, through the instrumentality of these truths. For in the time of temptation, I have been repeatedly led to say: Should I thus sin? I should only bring misery into my soul for a time, and dishonor God; for, being a son of God for ever, I should have to be brought back again, though it might be in the way of severe chastisement. Thus, I say, the electing love of God in Christ (when I have been able to realize it) has often been the means of *producing holiness, instead of leading me into sin.* It is only the notional apprehension of such truths, the want of having them in the heart, while they are in the head, which is dangerous. *3. Another truth*, into which, in a measure, I was led, respected the Lord's coming. My views concerning this point, up to that time, had been completely vague and unscriptural. I had believed what others told me, without trying it by the Word. I thought that things were getting better and better, and that soon the whole world would be converted. But now I found in the Word that we have not the least Scriptural warrant to look for the conversion of the world before the return of our Lord. I found in the Scriptures that that which will usher in the glory of the church, and uninterrupted joy to the saints, *is the return of the Lord Jesus*, and that, till then, things will be more or less in confusion. I found in the Word, that the return of Jesus, and not death, was the hope of the apostolic Christians; and that it became me, therefore, to look for His appearing. And this truth entered so into my heart that, though I went into Devonshire exceedingly weak, scarcely expecting that I should return again to London, yet I was immediately, on seeing this truth, brought off from looking for death, and was made to look for *the return of the Lord*. Having seen this truth, the Lord also graciously enabled me to apply it, in some measure at least, to my own heart, and to put the solemn question to myself - What may I do for the Lord, before He returns, as He may soon come? *4. In addition to these truths*, it pleased the Lord to see *a higher standard of devotedness* than I had seen before. He led me, in a measure, to see what is my true glory in this world, even to be despised, and to be poor and mean with Christ. I saw then, in a measure, though I have seen it more fully since, that it ill becomes the servant to seek to be rich, and great, and honored in that world where his Lord was poor, and mean, and despised. *NOTE:* Some may have noted in the various articles I have posted on our Website, that I include not only writers with a Calvinistic trend such as George Muller, but also men like John Wesley, of an Arminian stance. You may comment - ?Is this not inconsistent from a theological point of view?? My answer to such an objection is Paul's comment in 1 Corinthians 3:3-9 - *?Nay, even now are you yet unable; for you are yet carnal; for whereas jealousy is among you and strife, are you not carnal, and walk you not after man's manner? 4 For when one says, I am of Paul; and another, I, of Apollos; are you not men? 5 What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you believed, and as the Lord gave to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered; but :God gave increase. 7 * *So then neither is who plants anything nor who waters; but God who gives increase. 8 Now who plants and who waters are one: but each shall receive his own :reward according to his own :toil. 9 For we are God's fellow-workers: you are God's husbandry.?* * *And - 1 Corinthians 3:22-23 (3:18-23) - *?For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or world, or life, or death, or things present, or coming; all are yours; and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's.?* * *On One occasion when George Whitefield was visiting America from England, he was asked by a fellow-Calvinist, ?*Do you think that John Wesley as an Arminian, will make it to heaven?? *His reply was, *?My dear sir, when we arrive in heaven, we will scarcely be able to see John Wesley, he will be so close to the Throne of God!?* In Seminary I met some of the same spirit as the above questioner. Our *intimacy with Jesus* down here will weigh more heavily with God on our behalf for our reward in heaven, not our particular theological perspectives. That is not to say that the latter is unimportant - it is merely saying that it is *not*highest on God's agenda! - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sat Mar 28 20:59:02 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2009 20:59:02 -0700 Subject: Self-appointed judges Message-ID: <625d7240903282059p3346d17bs390b026298c2074c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-28 - MRS. ROSALIND ?MIRIAM? FRANKLIN - 38 - England* *aka the end times ?prophetic diva? is allegedly bilking authors* Yesterday I received four phone calls from friends. Some had read my papers on ?Meditation?; some my open letter to President Obama; some had prayer requests. There is however, a common denominator from all four. On Wednesday I was doing a Google Video Search, and came across ?The Coming Perfect Storm, Part 2? by John Paul Jackson. I felt it had distinct value, and my wife Marie agreed with me. On further searching, I discovered ?Blogs? by Mrs. Rosalind ?Miriam? Franklin. I felt her spirit was extremely wrong, critical, judgmental, and pandering to gossip - and altogether fomenting division in the Body of Christ. The next day I did further research, and came up with the following information: Mtyokawonis was alerted to this by Stephen Manning who emailed it to him recently. We don't know one another nor do we have any associates - but he felt that people needed to know how this woman is pulling the wool over Christian's eyes about her real life activities which involve accepting money from authors as a publisher - then not responding to them or being abusive to them, not printing their books, delivering their books and not paying those authors for sold materials. *Basically she is being tried in court for stealing from them. She is being sued in civil court by 17 UK authors for having defrauded them - and has been chastised by the judge for her vicious condemnations against these people. People she is accused of having stolen from. They know of her status as a self described ?prophetess? and her end times prophetic blog here on wordpress.* *This woman who claims to be safeguarding the church from everybody she says is a false prophet - is herself being accused of being an abusive thief.* *?Capital Letters? knows of at least 15 disappointed authors, many now using the legal process to demand refunds from 300 Pounds to more than 5,000 Pounds.* * * * - under ?** biography?**. *The Rev. Dr. John Roddam, Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Seattle chaired as a ?Talk-Show Host? for this recording, and himself arranged the ten thirty-minute segments. He felt that what God did 60 years ago should be carefully documented, while I was yet alive - the last of the 7 elders who convened the 1948 Summer Camp Meeting at North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and the October Convention in Edmonton of that same year. I also taught at the Sharon Bible College a number of occasions at that time. The key section John Roddam set forth - were the ?pros and cons? of that Visitation. There Marie and I deal with the 7 departures from God's Word, some starting within the first year of the Visitation. *However*, God would have us remember His Word to Jeremiah in 15:19-21. *All* is *not* bad! God used an unbelieving King Cyrus of Persia to restore Judah and Israel to their land some 500 years before Christ. Again and again He used unbelievers for His purposes in Bible History. Should He not *also* use believers who have slipped somewhat away from their full moorings? It is not that He condones slipping - but He is out to forgive and restore - *not* completely write-off such - as people like Rosalind ?Miriam? Franklin seemingly delights to do. If George Whitefield could continue to commend John Wesley even though they differed widely in theological perspectives, should not *we* find value in George Hawtin and the Latter Rain Visitation - Dr. Peter Wagner, Pastor David Yonggi Cho, John Paul Jackson - and the multitude more that Rosaline ?Miriam? Franklin and others viciously rake over the coals? I confess that I do not agree altogether with the many I number among my mentors - but I do, like Jeremiah take the ?precious? from the ?vile,? and do not throw all the babies out with the bath-water, as seemingly our ?prophetic diva? and others like her try to do! To help see *God's perspective*? on such self-appointed critics - let us look at some portions of Scripture - as they relate to the problem noted above. *Romans 16:17-18 (17-20, NNT) ?Now I beseech you, brethren, mark those causing the divisions and the stumblings, contrary to the teaching which you learned: and turn away from them. 18 For the such are not bondmen of our :Lord Christ, but of their own :belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they deceive the hearts of the innocent. For your :obedience is come unto all.?* *Philippians 3:17-21 ?Brethren, become imitators together of me, and mark them that so walk even as you have us for an example. 18 For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose :end is destruction, whose :god is the belly and their shame, who mind the earthly things. 20 For our :citizenship is in the heavens, whence also we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 who shall fashion anew the body of our :humiliation, conformed to the body of his :glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject :all things to himself.?* *1 Thessalonians 5:14 (12-24) ?And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the fainthearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all.?* *2 Thessalonians 3:6-16 ?Now we command you, brethren, in the Lord Jesus Christ's name, that you withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which you received of us. 7 For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us: for we were not disorderly among you; 8 neither did we eat bread for nought at any one's hand, but in toil and travail, working night and day, that we might not burden any of you: 9 not because we have not authority, but to make ourselves an example to you, that you imitate us. 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you that, If any will not work, neither let him eat. 11 For we hear that some walk among you disorderly, that work not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now the such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own :bread. 13 But you, brethren, be not weary in well-doing. 14 And if any obey not our :word by this :letter, note that one, that you have no company with him, so that he be ashamed. 15 And count him not as an enemy, but admonish as a brother. 16 Now the Lord of :peace himself give you :peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.?* *2 Timothy 4:14-15 (9-18) ?Alexander the coppersmith displayed toward me many evil things: the Lord will render to him according to his :works: 15 of whom beware YOU also for he greatly withstood our :words.?* (I see Rosalind and others doing this to many others of God's servants.) *1 John 5:16-17 (13-17) ?If any see his :brother sinning a sin not unto death, he shall ask, and shall give him life, to them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: not concerning this I say that he makerequest. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is sin not unto death.? *(Are all those Rosalind ?Miriam? Franklin is berating of this first category? Is truth being *rightly* divided?) *3 John 9-10 ?I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loves pre-eminence among them, receives us not. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will bring to remembrance his :works which he does, prating against us with wicked words: and not content therewith, neither himself receives the brethren, and them that would he forbids and cast out of the church.?* (Is this not what Rosalind is substantially doing to all those she rakes over the coals?) *1 Corinthians 1:10-17 ?Now I beseech you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same, and no divisions be among you; but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been shown me concerning you, my brethren, by them of Chloe's house that contentions are among you. 12 Now this I say, that each of you says, I indeed am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas (Peter), and I of Christ. 13 Christ is divided: was Paul crucified for you? or were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I give thanks that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius; 15 lest any one say that you were baptized into my :name. 16 And I baptized also the house of Stephanas: for the rest, I know not whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of the Christ be made void.? *(Note the care Paul took to ensure that no divisions came into the church through his ministry of the Gospel. Do you sense this spirit in Rosalind ?Miriam? Franklin? I am sorry, but *I do not* .) *Jeremiah 15:19-21 ?Therefore thus says Jehovah, If you return, then will I bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth; they shall return unto you, but you shall not return unto them. 20 And I will make you unto this people a fortified brazen wall; and they shall fight against you, but they shall not prevail against you; for I am with you to save you and to deliver you, says Jehovah. 21 And I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked, and I will redeem you out of the hand of the terrible.? *(Can you note that Rosalind gives no hope to all those she excoriates? But God would draw back unto Him those who slip their moorings. If he can use the unsaved for His Kingdom purposes, can't He still use those who have not been perfected? Now we acknowledge that many professors have not truly been born from above into God's Kingdom, and are deceivers and imposters. Is it not possible that some of this virulent critical class could be of that nature? Selah - Seriously consider this in the light of the above references.) An added note: I was sent by the Lord according to Psalm 107:23-24 to join the Canadian Navy while yet an unbeliever. Nine months later at Passover in 1944, He fulfilled His promise to me, and ushered me into His Kingdom with great power and glory. Strangely enough, it was a backslidden Baptist who faithfully witnessed to some 45 of us sailors concerning the joy and wonder of serving Jesus in a personal way. Initially I was greatly turned off that such a hypocrite would preach to us what he was not living. But God used his words, and I couldn't get away from them until I called on the Name of the Lord, and He faithfully ushered me into the Kingdom Halls of extraordinary joy and peace. Now just think - had I been like Rosalind, and completely rejected the testimony of a backslider - I would have rejected God's provision for His answer to prayer for me! - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Mar 29 18:59:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 29 Mar 2009 18:59:09 -0700 Subject: Job for Father's Day Message-ID: <625d7240903291859u282c5bd8ue75ca75261e646c3@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *JOB 29:1-25 (ASV '01) - JOB RECALLS HIS PAST HAPPINESS* *1. 29:1 INTRODUCTION* vayY*O*seph [3254] IYyob se*E*TH me-sh*a*L*O* [4912], vay-y*o*MAR, *And Job again took up his parable, and said,* *2. 29:2-10 JOB IN A GENERAL WAY RECALLS PAST BLESSINGS* MIY - yit-teN*E*Yniy ce-yarCHEY [3391] - KEdem, *2 Oh that I were as in the months of old,* ciyM*E*Y eL*O*ah [433] yish-meR*E*niy [8104]; *As in the days when God watched over me;* be-hilL*O* [1984] N*E*r*o* [5216] aL*E*Y r*o*SHIY [7218], *3 When his lamp shined upon my head,* le*O*Hr*o* [216] *E*lec CH*O*shec [2822]; *And by his light I walked through darkness;* ca-aSHER hayYIYthiy biyM*E*Y ch*a*rPIY [2779], *4 As I was in the ripeness of my days,* beS*O*D [5475] eL*O*ah aL*E*Y *a*-h*a*LIY [168]; *When the friendship of God was upon my tent;* be*O*D SHADday [7706] im-m*a*DIY, *5 When the Almighty was yet with me,* se-biy-b*o*THAY ne-*a*hR*A*Y [6288]; *And my children were about me;* birCHOTZ [7364] ha-liyCHAY [1978] be-ch*e*M*A*H [2529], *6 When my steps were washed with butter,* veTZ*U*R [6697] y*a*TZ*U*K [694] im-m*a*DIY pa-le-g*e*y [6388] - SH*A*men [8081]! *And the rock poured me out streams if oil!* beTZ*E*thiy SHAar [8179] a-l*e*y - K*A*reth [7176], *7 When I went forth to the gate unto the city,* b*a*rCH*O*B [7339] *a*CIYN m*o*-sh*a*BIY [4186], *When I prepared my seat in the street,* r*a*-*U*niy ne-*a*RIYM [5286] ve-nechB*A*-*u* [2244] *8 The young men saw me and hid themselves* VIYshiy-shiym [3453] K*A*m*u* [6965] *a*M*A*d*u* [5975]; *And the aged rose up and stood;* S*A*riym [8269] *a*-tzeR*U* [6113] be-milLIYM, *9 The princes refrained from talking,* veCAPH y*a*SIYm*u* le-phiyHEM [6310]; *And laid their hand on their mouth;* k*o*l [6963] - ne-giyDIYM [057] nechB*A*-*u* [2244], *10 The voice of the nobles was hushed,* v*u*-le-sh*o*N*A*M [3956] le-chiC*A*M [2441] d*a*-B*E*k*a*h [1692]. *And their tongue cleaved to the roof of their mouth.* *3. 29:11-12 SPECIFIC REASONS FOR BEING BLESSED* ciy *O*zen [241] SH*A*ma-*a*h, VAte-ashR*E*niy [833]; *11 For when the ear heard me, then it blessed me;* veAYN [5869] r*a*-aTH*A*H, va-te-iyD*E*niy [5749]: *And when the eye saw me, it gave witness unto me:* CIY - a-malL*E*T [4422] *a*NIY [6041] me-shavV*E*a [7768], *12 Because I delivered the poor that cried,* ve-y*a*TH*O*M [3490], ve-l*o* - *o*Z*E*R [5826] l*o*. *The fatherless also, that had none to help him.* *4. 29:13 FURTHER REASONS FOR RECEIVING BLESSING* birCATH [1293] *O*v*e*d [6] *a*LAY t*a*V*O*; *13 The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me;* veL*E*V [3820] al-m*a*N*A*H {490] arN*A*N [7442]. *And I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.* *5. 29:14 JOB'S CHARACTER* TZEdek [6664] l*a*-vash-tiy, - vay-yil-baSH*E*niy [3847]: *14 I put on righteousness, and it clothed me:* CIme-iyl [4598] ve-tz*a*NIYPH [6797] mish-p*a*TIY [4941]. *My justice was a a robe and a diadem.* *6. 29:15 FURTHER GOOD DEEDS OF JOB* *e*yNAYim [5869] H*A*yiy-thiy LAivV*E*R [5787], *15 I was eyes to the blind,* ve-ragLAYim [7272] lap-piS*E*ach [6455] *A*niy. *And feet was I to the lame.* *7. 29:16 AND MORE* a*v* *a*-n*o*CHIY L*A*eb-y*o*N*A*M [34]: *16 I was a father to the needy:* veRIB l*o* - y*a*DAtiy [3045] ech-keR*E*h*u* [2713]. *And the cause of him that I knew not I searched out.* *8. 29:17 JOB PROVIDES DELIFERANCE FROM THE WICKED* V*A*a-shab-be-r*a*h [7665] me-thal-le*O*TH [49973 avV*A*L [5767], *17 And I broke the jaws of the unrighteous,* v*u*-mish-shinNIYV [4973] ashLIYC T*A*reph [2964]. *And plucked the prey out of his teeth.* *9. 29:18 -20 jOB'S HOPE FOR HIS FUTURE* V*A*-*o*-mar, im - kinNIY [7064] enV*A* [1478], *18 Then I said, I shall die in my nest,* ve-caCH*O*L [2344] arBEH [7235] y*a*MIYM: *And I shall multiply my days as the sand:* sh*a*rSHIY [8328] PH*A*THv*u*-ach [6605] e-l*e*y - M*A*yim, *19 My root is spread out to the waters,* veTAL [2919] y*a*LIYN bik-tziRIY [7102]: *And the dew lies all night upon my branch:* CEb*o*-diy [3519] ch*a*D*A*SH [2319] im-maDIY, *20 My glory is fresh in me,* ve-kashTIY [7198] be-y*a*DIY tha-chaLIYPH [2498]. *And my bow is renewed in my hand.* *10. 29:21 THE VALUE OF JOB'S COUNSEL* LIY - sh*a*m*U* [8085], ve-yiCH*E*Ll*u* [3176], *21 Unto me men gave ear, and waited,* ve-yid-deM*U* [1826] leM*O* a-tz*a*THIY [6098]. *And kept silence for my counsel.* *11. 29:22 THE RESPECT GIVEN TO HIS COUNSEL* a-chaR*E*Y de-v*a*-riy l*o* yishN*U*; *22 After my words they spoke not again;* ve-*a*L*E*Ym*o* thitTOPH [5197 mil-l*a*THIY [4405]. *And my speech distilled upon them.* *12. 29:23 JOB: AS REFRESHING AS THE RAIN* veYIchaL*U* [3176] cam-m*a*T*A*R [4306] LIY; *23 And they waited for me as for the rain;* v*u*-phiyHEM p*a*-aR*U* [6473] le-malK*O*SH [4456]. *And they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.* *13. 29:24 HIS ENCOURAGEMENT TO OTHERS APPRECIATED* esCHAK [7932] a-l*e*-hem, l*o* ya-aMIYn*u* [539]; *24 I smiled on them, when they had no confidence;* ve*O*R [216] p*a*NAY [6440] l*o* yap-piyL*U*N [5307]. *And the light of my countenance they cast not down.* *14: 29:25 HIS POSITION AMONG OTHER MEN* Eba-char [977] darC*A*M [1870], ve-a-SH*E*B [3427] rosh [7218], *25 I chose out their way, and sat as chief, * ve-eshC*O*N [7931] ceMElech [4428] bag-geD*U*D [1415], *And dwelt as a king in the army,* ca-aSHER a-b*e*LIYM [57] ye-raCH*E*M [5162]. *As one that comforts the mourners.* *NOTE*: This is a ?Father's Day? Passage and Message. I received it sometime around 1979 at the ?Word of God Community,? Ann Arbor, Michigan. Just as Proverbs 31:10-31 is a Mother's Day Message for the honor given the ideal mother by her children and husband - so Job 29:1-25 is for a Father and Husband as honored by his wife, 10 children, and both young and old in the gate of the city. This is the position Boaz held in the city of Bethlehem. Here he became husband of Ruth and great grandfather of King David. Just as it takes children and husband to give honor to a virtuous woman, so it takes children, wife and leaders to give honor to a worthy father, elder and husband. Of course - Job went through one of the most severe testings possible for any man. It fits perfectly into the sixth portion of the Lord's Prayer. Here Jesus taught His disciples to pray - ?Our Father, who art in heaven - if it be possible to perfect me and bring me into the image of Jesus, please let me not suffer undue testing. However, if in Your judgment testing - even severe - is necessary to bring me as a son into Your Glory - then Your will be done. Just please make sure that Satan gains no advantage over me during the time of such testing,? God definitely answered this prayer for Job. He *did* allow Satan to severely test Job in two dimensions. But He brought Job through to a position where a formerly good man was made ?much better!? This is also much in accord with the verb tenses of the Lord's Prayer on our behalf. For of the 7 petitions that Jesus gave us in this prayer, six are commands in the imperative mood. But *not* the sixth request. ?Lead us not into testing,? is in the subjunctive mood, leaving it up to God whether He deems it necessary or not to permit us like Job to go through fiery testing! But - just as He brought Job through to a greater and higher position of intimacy with Him - so - because He is no respecter of persons - He will also protect us from the deep, evil desires of Satan, and safely bring us like Job into His safe haven at last. May wives, children, friends, fellow leaders - be faithful on the behalf of all fathers - to bring us by God through their prayers - into a similar rightful and fruitful result as He did for Job. The only book I ever saw my father read was the book of Job. A worthy choice! One of the first books Oswald Chambers published was the Book of Job - entitled - ?Baffled to Fight Better.? All fathers would do well to read not only the book of Job, but also Oswald Chambers commentary upon it. Testing *is* Baffling! There is no doubt about it. But - in God's inscrutable Wisdom - it is *always* right when He permits it. Here is a further insight from a somewhat similar perspective from George Muller - ?It pleased the Lord to lead me to see a higher standard of devotedness than I had seen before. He led me, in a measure, to see what is my true glory in this world, even to be despised, and to be poor and mean with Christ. I saw then, in a measure, though I have seen it more fully since, that it ill becomes the servant to seek to be rich, and great, and honored in this world where his Lord was poor, and mean, and despised.? The apostle Paul and George Muller saw much alike in this respect. John Wesley also walked in this same spirit. God bless all fathers in this critical upcoming Father's Day of 2009! - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Mar 30 21:12:22 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 21:12:22 -0700 Subject: True Guidance Message-ID: <625d7240903302112u466df53bh7700cab83278c107@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-03-30 - PROVERBS 6:20-23 (6:20-35, ASV-01)* *URIM & THUMMIM - TRUE GUIDANCE* neTZ*O*R beNIY mitzVATH *a*BIYc*a*, *My son, keep the commandment of your father,* veAL - tiTOSH t*o*RATH imMEc*a*: *And forsake not the teaching of your mother:* k*a*shR*E*M al - lib-beC*A* t*a*MIYD; *21 Bind them continually upon your heart;* *a*-ne-D*E*M al - gar-ge-roTHEc*a*. *Tie them about your neck.* be-hith-hal-le-ceC*A*, TANchey oTHAC; *22 When you walk, it shall lead you;* BEshac-be-c*a*, tishMOR *a*LEYc*a*; *When you sleep, it shall watch over you;* va-ha-kiyTZ*O*th*a*, hiy the-siyCHEc*a*. *And when you awake, it shall talk with you.* ciy n*e*r MITZv*a*h; *23 For the commandment is a lamp;* veT*O*r*a*h *O*R; *and the teaching is light;* veDErec chayYIYM t*o*-ceCH*O*TH m*uS*A*R.* *And reproofs of instruction are the way of life.* *NOTE:** *In 1944, between Passover and Pentecost - 50 days - I read the Bible completely through in 6 weeks. It was not a noble endeavor, but mostly out of curiosity. I had joined the Canadian Navy in June of 1943 by direct commandment of the Lord, though at the time I did not know Him personally. He spoke to me in the Fall of 1942 from Psalm 107:23-24, for I did read the Bible because of a Bible Quiz habit. He said, ?Join the Navy, and I'll reveal Myself to you.? So I did, and 9 months later, He did! I had a call to the ministry before I was saved, and now that He had revealed Himself to me, I wanted to know what I had got myself into by promising Him to preach and teach His Son and the Bible. A number of surprises came to me from parts of the Bible I had not read before. One was Exodus 28:6-30. Here God tells Moses how to clothe his brother Aaron as High Priest. One part of his clothing was to attach the Breastplate of Judgment to the Ephod, with 2 gold chains and a blue ribbon. Inside of the rectangular Breastplate folded into a square pocket, was placed the Urim and Thummim (?Lights and Perfection?). By this the High Priest could by God give ?Perfect Guidance? to Kings and leaders of Israel. Joshua and David especially made good use of this supernatural method of ?Perfect Guidance.? Twice just after David became joint king of both Judah and Israel at the age of 37, the Philistines came up against him early in his reign, thinking they could defeat him at this early stage. Both times however he consulted God through Urim and Thummim. The first time God directed him to the successful defeat of the Philistines in battle. The second time He directed David to divide his forces and make an ambush; keep his main force under the mulberry trees; and when he heard God's angels go in to defeat the Philistines, then he was to move and mop up. What a way to win battles! Somehow or other God revealed to me that the Urim and Thummim had a New Testament application for every Christian. I dearly desired to know how to access this gift. Now see the passage in Exodus 28:6-30, ASV '01, that God first quickened to me. *?And they shall make the ephod of gold, of blue, and purple, scarlet and fine twined linen, the work of the skillful workman. **7** It shall have two shoulder-pieces joined to the two ends of it, that it may be joined together. **8** And the skilfully woven band, which is upon it, by which to gird it on, shall be like the work of it **and** of the same piece; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen. **9** And you shall take two onyx stones, and graven on them the names of the children of Israel (Jacob): **10** six of their names on the one stone, and the names of the six that remain on the other stone, **according to their birth**. **11**With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shall you engrave the two stones, according to the names of the children of Israel: you shall make them to be enclosed in settings of gold. **12** And you shall put the two stones upon the shoulder-pieces of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel: and Aaron shall bear their names before Jehovah upon his two shoulders for a memorial. **13** And you shall make settings of gold, **14** and two chains of pure gold; like cords shall you make them, of wreathen work: and you shall put the wreathen chains on the settings.* *15** And you shall make a **breastplate of judgment**, the work of the skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it; of gold, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, shall you make it. ** 16** Foursquare it shall be **and** double; a span shall be the length of it, and a span the breadth of it. **17** And you shall set in it settings of stones, four rows of stones: a row of sardis, topaz, and carbuncle shall be the first row; **18 **and the second row an emerald, a sapphire, and a diamond; **19** and the third row a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; **20 ** and the fourth row a beryl, and an onyx, and a jasper: they shall be enclosed in gold in their settings. **21** And the stones shall be according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, every one according to his name, they shall be **for the twelve tribes.** **22** And you shall make upon the breastplate chains like cords of wreathen work of pure gold. **23** And you shall make upon the breastplate two rings of gold, and shall put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. **24** And you shall put the two wreathen chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. **25** And the **other** two ends of the two wreathen chains you shall put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod in the forepart of it. **26** And you shall make two rings of gold, and you shall put them upon the two ends of the breastplate, upon the edge of it, which is toward the side of the ephod inward. **27** And you shall make two rings of gold, and shall put them on the two shoulder-pieces of the ephod underneath, in the forepart of it, close to the coupling of it, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. **28** And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings of it unto the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be upon the skillfully woven bond of the ephod, and that the breastplate be not loosed from the ephod. **29** And Aaron shall bear the names of the children of Israel in the breastplate of judgment **upon his heart**, when he goes in unto the holy place, for a memorial before Jehovah **continually**. **30**And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment **the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goes in before Jehovah; and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before Jehovah continually.* After understanding that there was a New Testament Application for this unusual gift, I sought preachers and books to help me understand how to enter into this blessing. No dice! Then I remembered that I had been paper boy at 15 for 3 years to Mrs. Mary Bertha Allquist of Port Alberni, BC. Though I was an unbeliever at the time, I understood that she was a Jewish convert to Christianity, and had memorized the entire Bible, much of it in Hebrew also. I sensed that she was the answer to my problem. So the first leave I had from the Navy, I hitch-hiked from Victoria to Port Alberni, visited Mrs. Allquist, and presented to her my problem. With a big smile on her face, she said, ?*Turn with me to Proverbs 6:20-23, and read to me.? *As I read, she quietly quoted from memory along with me. As you can note, this passage at the beginning of this paper, *exactly*corresponds with the Exodus 28:6-30 passage. How Solomon described the father's command to his son, and the mother's teaching - like the Urim and Thummim - is bound over the heart, and tied about the neck like the Breastplate of Judgment on the High Priest. The two opal shoulder stones to which the 2 gold chains were attached record the names of the 12 sons of Jacob according to birth (Genesis 29 & 30). But the 12 stones on the Breastplate recorded the 12 tribes of Israel according to Numbers 1, and their location around the Tabernacle of Moses. Apparently when the High Priest consulted God through Urim & Thummim on behalf of men like Joshua and David, a prophetic word came forth - giving exact guidance for the request made. When you and I follow God's word to Joshua in 1:8, and to David in Psalm 1, and Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15, our *verbal meditation* over the Word transforms it from a written LOgos word into a *living RHEma word*. As we hear and *do* this word, our way to *prosperity*, and all we do, becomes * successful*. That same year, 1944, God put into my hands George Muller's ?Answers to Prayer.? The 6 points of his Preface on how to infallibly attain the will of God - is a parallel passage to Urim & Thummim, and can be successfully accessed by vocally praying over the Scriptures. Here are Muller's 6 points: 1. Have *no* preconceived ideas, Proverbs 3:5-6 (3:1-12). This is the most difficult of all 6 points to achieve, and leads 90% towards success. 2. Do * not* leave the result to feeling or simple impression, for it will lead to sure deception - Remember Isaac feeling Jacob in Genesis 27. 3. Seek the Will of God by the Spirit of God *through* or *in connection with* the Word of God - Romans 8:14 (8:12-17). 4. Providence - Revelation 3:7 (3:7-13). 5. Ask God to reveal His Word aright! - Matthew 7:7 (7:1-12). 6. Let peace be your referee, and let it remain after 2 or 3 askings - Colossians 3:15 (3:12-17). (Praying in the Spirit over the Word of God as well - was Smith Wigglesworth's secret of success.) I have walked this way now for 65 years, and I can assuredly avouch for the unusual insights God gave me that year. Again and again when the enemy has come in like a flood while I have been pastoring churches - God by His Spirit has given a clear word of direction, raised up a standard against the enemy, and given the parallel kind of victories that both Joshua and David as well as others, experienced. God is no respecter of persons. What Joshua, David, myself and others have experienced - is a possibility for you too. When you search for God with * all* your heart - you shall *surely* find Him. I gave myself *fully* to the Lord at Passover 1944 - to preach Him and His Word without compromise. I fear I have not always been as faithful as I would like - but by His grace I have tried to let Him *always* have His perfect way through me. *He* has always been faithful, but unfortunately at times, His channel in me has been somewhat cloudy. Pray for me, as Paul requested prayer in Ephesians 6, that like him I might speak God's word * boldly* at all times as I ought to speak. God asked me at one time - ?Would you be willing, if it were My will, to die a martyr for me?? I assured Him, that by His grace, I would. I do not know if He will ask that of me, but I am willing. My prayer for each of you: that God's NT Urim & Thummim equivalent will be as real for you as it has been for me the last 65 years. And remember - Proverbs 6:20-23 doesn't promise *just guidance*, but also *safety during sleep*, and *communion with God speaking to us during the day!* What a blessing. I have found the 3-fold blessing to be a reality and through dreams and visions have experienced the fullness of this blessing! PS. As an aside, the first Wednesday of August, 1982 at the First Baptist Church of Arcata CA when I was serving for 6 years there as Associate Pastor, Pastor Jack Hayford of Van Nuys CA spoke as our guest speaker. Normally we had maybe 13 in attendance. That night, 600 attended! An overflow room of 120 met downstairs with closed circuit television, and kids sat around the pulpit on the floor beside Pastor Jack. His text was from Exodus 28:17-21. His father from Oakland CA was reading this Scripture portion in 1969. God spoke to him: *?My son - if you will take Judah's name off the red sardius stone, and replace it with your clan name of ?Hayford;? and if you will take Issachar's name off the yellow topaz stone and replace it with your wife's maiden name of ?Smith;? and if you will with your wife pray for these 2 clan names twice daily - I will make an effective witness to every member of these 2 clans world-wide - and those of open heart - I will bring into My Kingdom.?* His wife agreed with him for this challenge. Within 6 months 4 Hayfords and 2 Smiths up till then unknown to them, made contact - and were all found to be newly brought into God's Kingdom in this time-frame. Mr Hayford Sr. died 10 years later, 1979. For 3 years his widow continued the prayer project. Then she shared with her son Jack of their project. *?Why Mom,? *he asked, *did Dad never tell me of this?? ?O you know your Dad, son, as a layman he felt if God showed it to him, how much more would every preacher know of it? Why waste your time, son?? * Pastor Jack had not previously run across such a revelation. He did a careful Bible study on ?Clan Salvation,? and found it entirely scriptural. He determined if he had only a one night stand to preach, and neither the Holy Spirit nor the host pastor asked otherwise, he would *always* preach on ?Clan Salvation.? That was his message for us the first Wednesday of August 1982. I was so impressed, that next morning, as my wife Marie and I knelt in prayer, I prayed for all the ?Watt? clan, and all the ?Gaudet? clan - my wife's maiden name. But I'm Scottish in my background and thought - *?What a shame to leave unused all the other 10 stones on the breastplate!? * So I added my mother's maiden name Mosher, the clan names of the spouses of our 3 children, the spouse clan names of brothers and sisters of my wife and myself - and by the time I ended, I had to add 6 more stones to the Breastplate of Judgment! A few results of this prayer: 16 months later Marie found her heritage back 6 generation in Manitoba on her mother's parents side, and a lost brother of 75 years on her father's side, and some 40 or more of her relatives brought into the Kingdom of God. I had similar results, but not as startling. So - not only *?Perfect Guidance?* through a spiritual ?Urim and Thummim? comes out of this passage - but *?Clan Salvation?* that many times over, eclipses ?Household Salvation!? - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Apr 1 12:19:23 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 1 Apr 2009 12:19:23 -0700 Subject: Hymn Book of the Bible Message-ID: <625d7240904011219u7502bcb8gf33c535adc3470e8@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *PSALMS - OVERVIEW - T0301R* *THE HYMN BOOK OF THE BIBLE* *1. 1:2-3 (1-41, ASV '01) MAN AND GENESIS. ?But his delight is in the teaching of Jehovah; And on his teaching does he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also does not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.? *By Your Spirit and through Your Word, Your Lordship comes through, Father. Be glorified in our lives! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 49:15 (42-72) DELIVERANCE AND EXODUS. ?But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol. For he will receive me. Selah.? *You, O Father, redeemed Israel from Egypt; You redeemed the Church from the world, Satan and the flesh. We will walk in Your Redemption. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 77:13 (73-89) SANCTUARY AND LEVITICUS. ?Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary: Who is a great god like unto God?? *Yes, in your *Sanctuary* we learn Your thinking, and Your purposes, O Father. Here we see the end of the wicked and the transitoriness of our present pilgrim walk. We rest in Your Covenant and promises. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 90:12 (90-106) WANDERING AND NUMBERS. ?So teach us to number our days, That we may get us a heart of wisdom.? *We are mortal, weak, and dependent upon You, Father. In Your mercy you remember our frame, that we are but dust. Because You have been so gracious to us in the Redemption in Christ, from You we find it in our hearts to extend mercy to our fellow man. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 110:3 (107-150) THANKSGIVING AND DEUTERONOMY. ?Your people offer themselves willingly In the day of your power, in holy array: Out of the womb of the morning You have the dew of your youth.? *Daily Father, we put You as our armor upon our spirit and body. We daily present our bodies as living sacrifices and take up our cross, as an act of faith. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 22:1 (22-24) THE LIFE OF MESSIAH. ?My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?? *Father, You delivered Jesus our Messiah from His enemies: Satan, death and evil men. Resurrection transcended crucifixion. You did it for our Head, and you will do it for us! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 119:14 (119:1-176) GLORY AND GOD'S WORD. ?I have rejoiced in the way of your testimonies, As much as in all riches.? *Yes, our hearts are full at Your marvelous workings on our behalf through Messiah, O Father! Your Word outlines Your mind and purpose concerning Your redemption on our behalf. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: Bible students through the years - both Jews and non Jews - have seen the correlation between the 5 books of Moses and the 5 sections of the Psalms as indicated above. It is both our enrichment and a joy to read a Psalm a day for five months, and a chapter of Proverbs a day for the sixth. And then to repeat this for the last half of the year. It is a marvelous way to start the day off early in the morning. Dr. J. Vernon McGee read and taught through the Bible in a year by alternating an Old Testament Book - reading it completely through, and then a New Testament Book. We have adapted his plan, with the innovation of taking Psalms and Proverbs out of the regular order, and inserting one each day as noted above. Our Reading Guide, ?Through the Bible in a Year? sets this forth, with approximately 3 chapter a day for the alternating books. David wrote approximately half of the book of Psalms, and Levites with Moses wrote the rest. Samuel and David led the Levites in using the Psalms for the worship of Israel in the Temple and for the great Feast Days Note how David sometimes started out a Psalm in a somewhat depressed mood - but invariably as he meditated on God and His great mercies - he ended up in victory and praise! May the Book of Psalms be so for us also! May it daily cause us to enter into His Gates with Thanksgiving - and into His Courts with Praise. May it lead us too to be thankful unto Him, and to bless His Name! *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Apr 2 10:20:28 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 2 Apr 2009 10:20:28 -0700 Subject: Proverbs Overview Message-ID: <625d7240904021020p701ff4fap2d8c36ee0e5b6fa2@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *PROVERBS - OVERVIEW - T2701R* *WORDS TO RULE LIFE* *1. 3:5-6 (1-7) A FATHER'S COUNSEL, WARNING AND WISDOM. ?Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, And lean not upon your own understanding: 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.? *Father, we would have You reign over us in Messiah. We would be Your obedient sons and daughters by faith. ?Reign in me! Sovereign Lord, Reign in me. Captivate my heart; Let Your Kingdom come; Establish *there* Your Throne; Let Your will be done! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 9:10 (8-9) WISDOM'S CALL. ?The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.? *Yes Father, You make us clean through Your fear! You hold us back from sin through Your fear! Lord, Your fear is *clean*, enduring forever. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 16:32 (10-20) CONTRASTING PROVERBS. ?He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that rules his spirit, than he that takes a city.? *Father, You reveal that self-control is better than valor! The fruit of the Spirit exceeds in value the gifts of the Spirit. Love is a more excellent way! We choose what You choose. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 22:6 (21-24) MAXIMS AND COUNSELS. ?Train up a child in the way he should go, And even when he is old he will not depart from it.? *Father, let us not be naive concerning this truth: it has a condition within it that requires the best from fathers and mothers. Forgive us as parents wherein we have failed our sons and daughters in this regard, and may they be inclined to forgive us our trespasses and shortcomings. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 25:28 (25-29) SOLOMON: COPIED BY HEZEKIAH. ?He whose spirit is without restraint is like a city that is broken down and without walls.? *Father, let this truth sink down deep into our hearts. An undisciplined person is defenseless against the enemy: - in deception we move without armor! O, help us rectify such deception! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 30:5-6 (30:1-33) WORDS OF AGUR. ?Every word of God is tried: He is a shield unto them that take refuge in him. 6 Add not unto his words, Lest he reprove you, and you be found a liar.?* Father Your Word is complete! It is sufficient for our every need. We cannot add to it, nor take away from it. It is the Sword of the Spirit! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 31:23, 26 (31:1-31) WORDS OF A MOTHER AND THE IDEAL WIFE. ?Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.? *Father, a prudent wife is from You! She is a gift for husband and children. The fruit of her worth is known through her words. She is a gift from You! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: How God has honored us with this book! It is a ++highest gift for parents, especially for fathers and their sons. God used Solomon to write 3 of the books of the Bible. He wrote ?Song of Solomon,? in his young years, illustrating ?Bridal Love?, especially the love of Christ for His Church! He wrote Proverbs in his later years, with all the wisdom fathers need in raising their children. He wrote Ecclesiastes in his latest years, after he had ?blown it.? My oldest son at 7 asked me, ?Dad - how can people say that Solomon was the wisest of men, when he married 700 wives and had 300 concubines?? Solomon indeed was foolish in this regard, and most disobedient to God. His wives led him away from God, and he joined them in worshiping their idols - their false gods. He came to his senses in his last years, and ends up with these two wise verses - Ecclesiastes:12:13-14, *?This is the end of the matter; all has been heard: Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.? *This is a serious concluding word - but absolutely true. We shall *all* appear before the judgment seat of Christ at His return, to answer to Him for the deeds done in our body, whether good or evil. When the apostle Paul reasoned of these things before the Roman governor Felix, he trembled, sensing the truth of Paul's words. I know many fathers who read the book of Proverbs a chapter a day each month. It is distilled wisdom for child-rearing! He who meditates earnestly like Joshua, David, Jeremiah and Timothy on these words of God through Solomon, will benefit in practical matters beyond belief. - But like Joshua, David and Timothy, may all such meditation lead to *doing* what has been read and meditated upon! Jesus said - *?Blessed is the man who hears and does the words you have heard of Me!? Matthew 7:24 (7:24-27). * *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Fri Apr 3 10:44:34 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 3 Apr 2009 10:44:34 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians - Jesus our Passover Message-ID: <625d7240904031044r5a038a5ei5e7e1896d4b1aa66@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *1 CORINTHIANS - OVERVIEW - T3001R* *THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS - OUR PASSOVER* *1. 2:12 (1:1-3:2a) NATURE OF REVELATION. ?But WE received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from :God; that we might know the things :freely given to us of :God.? *Revelation and the Holy Spirit go hand in hand. You have decreed it so, Father. Also You have decreed that Holy Spirit and Blood Atonement work hand in hand. These are unalterable Kingdom principles. * Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 4:1-2 (3:2b-4:21) NATURE OF MINISTRIES. ?Let a man so account of us, as of ministers of Christ, and stewards of God's mysteries. 2 Here, moreover, it is required in the stewards, that one be found faithful.? *Father, Your will be done in us this way as it is in heaven. *Faithfulness* on the part of us all is Your will. We embrace this attribute of You, O God, and this fruit of the Spirit. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 6:18 (5-7) MORAL JUDGMENTS. ?Flee :fornication (all sex sin, including homosexuality).* *Every sin that a man does is without the body; but who commits fornication sins against his :own body.? *You have scored *sexual sin* as being especially hurtful to us, Father. Venereal retribution is but the outward evidence of Your displeasure at the breaking of Your bounds. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 10:20 (8-11) ETHICAL JUDGMENTS. ?But I say, that the things which the nations sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that you should have communion with demons.? *Thank You for this revelation, Father. The occult, satanism, new age entrapments: all lead into deception, delusion, entrapment and demonic enslavement. Forgive us as weak or rebellious believers for dabbling in horoscopes, secret vows and unholy sacrifices. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 14:37 (12-14) CHARISMATIC RULES. ?If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what things I write you, that is is the Lord's commandment.? *Father, we are *not* to think we are above You, *Your Word*, or Your servants. Gifts of the Spirit are but means to an end, are given by You, and give us no merit. They are to be governed *by You*. We accept this status. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 15:3-5 (15:1-58) RESURRECTION UNDERSTANDING. ?For I delivered to you among first things what also I received: that Christ died for our :sins according to the scriptures; 4 and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third :day according to the scriptures; 5 and that he was seen of Cephas (Peter); then of the twelve.? * Father, *this* is the death-knell to Satan. It was settled at Calvary and the empty tomb! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 16:13-14 (16:1-24) ON GIVING - CLOSING WORDS. ?Watch, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 14 Let all you do be in love.? *We receive this closing exhortation, Father. We *delight* to do Your will as spoken through your apostle. You have the right to instruct us through them. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE: *J. Sidlow Baxter some years ago wrote ?Explore the Book,? that takes the reader through a quick survey trip of all 66 books of the Bible. This servant of the Lord has been promoted to the higher plains of Glory with Jesus, the angels and the saints of the last 6000 years. He has an interesting ?take? on the seven churches to which the apostle Paul wrote personal letters. He sees ?Romans? as setting forth the Passover work of Jesus through ?Justification by faith.? This corresponds with the first great Feast of the Jews. The Corinthian church however left their basic moorings, by placing undue - and even mistaken emphasis on emotions and an imbalance of a Holy Spirit emphasis above the Word. Galatians also left the moorings set forth in Romans, and placed a legalistic emphasis on the Old Covenant above Jesus' clear teaching in the New Covenant. Paul's letter to these two City Churches were corrections in the light of Romans. Baxter saw the Book of Ephesians as setting forth God's High Teaching of the church in a 7-fold picture. It is the Holy Spirit through Jesus making this possible, and fulfills the Feast of Pentecost or Shavuot. The Church of Philippi departed from this standard with divisions in the Spirit, especially pointed up by Euodia and Syntyche. Paul's letter to the Philippians was designed to bring this church back to the Ephesian standard. The city church of Colosse departed from Ephesus through a weird emphasis on angels and Gnosticism (our modern New Age doctrine). Paul's letter to the Colossians was designed to correct this. 1 & 2 Thessalonians sets forth the correct understanding concerning the return of our Lord, corresponding with the Feast of Tabernacles. The above is not a ?Thus says the Lord,? but as Paul had the confidence of the Lord to answer marital questions in 1 Corinthians 7, so I believe J. Sidlow Baxter as a world-renowned Bible teacher, had the confidence of the Lord for his insights in ?Explore the Book.? *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sun Apr 5 20:06:06 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 20:06:06 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240904052006g1424c66cxc37423b8c05224ef@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2 CORINTHIANS - OVERVIEW - T3301R* *GOD'S COMFORT THROUGH HIS MINISTER* *1. 1:3-4 (1-2) PAUL'S MINISTRY. ?Blessed the God and Father of our :Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of :mercies and God of all :comfort; 4 who comforts us in all our :affliction, that we be able to comfort those in any :affliction, through the comfort by which we ourselves are comforted of :God.? *Righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit is Your Kingdom, O Father! What a Kingdom of comfort and compassion! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 5:18-19 (3-5) PAUL'S MOTIVE. ?But all the things are of :God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave to us the ministry of :reconciliation; 19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not reckoning to them their :trespasses, and having committed to us the word of :reconciliation.? *Again we see Your heart, O Father! We respond in love to You, because You first loved us. Thank You for Your gift of Reconciliation in Christ. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 6:11-12 (6-7) PAUL'S EXAMPLE. ?Our mouth is open unto you, Corinthians, our :heart enlarged. 12 You are not straitened in us, but you are straitened in your :affections.? *We see Your heart expressed, O Father, through Paul and his fellow workers. We know what You are like through Christ and Paul. You are so compassionate! We respond by enlarging our hearts to You. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 8:5; 9:15 (8-9) PAUL ON GIVING. ?And not as we had hoped, the Macedonians first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us through God's will. 9:15 Thanks to :God for his unspeakable :gift.? *This *gift*, is the ?d*o*-reA?, the artesian well of John 4:10. It is used 11 times in the NT, and 10 times clearly refers to the Holy Spirit. The verse using it here normally refers it to Christ. But if 10 use it for the Spirit, shouldn't we see the Spirit here too? The fact that Paul calls Him ?unspeakable?, is because words can't adequately express the wonder of what He does for us through giving. Our Prayer Language alone can express Him. *Our :daily :bread, Give us this day.* *5. 10:3-5 (10:1-18) PAUL ON WARFARE. ?For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 (for the weapons of our :warfare are not of flesh, but mighty before :God unto casting down of strongholds); 5casting down reasonings, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of :God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Christ.? *Father, we thank You for this warfare truth. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 11:2 (11:1-15) PAUL'S AIM. ?For I am zealous over you with a zeal of God; for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you a pure virgin to the Christ.? *The Zeal of God possessed Paul on behalf of these carnal Corinthians. He knew that if Your people would only serve Christ faithfully in Your fear. that with joy You would perfect them in Him, Father! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 12:8-9a (11:16-13:14) PAUL'S WEAKNESS: FURTHERS THE GOSPEL. ?Concerning this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9a And he said to me, My :grace is sufficient for you: for the power is made perfect in weakness.? *How marvelous and wise Your ways on our behalf, O Father! You do *all* things well! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE: *?The God of All Comfort? is a famous and well-known book that has brought *comfort* to multitudes of God's people. And - it *was* indeed based on this letter by the apostle Paul. Notice how ?gently? Paul treats these weak and carnal Christians. Here is a true servant and apostle at work. There are some self-styled apostles who show anything but this spirit in their ministry. But God has set forth apostles like Paul and Peter as true Plumblines for what true apostles ought to measure up to. Just as God chose George Muller, a profligate candidate for the ministry in Germany - and then brought him into His Kingdom at the age of 20 - and then shaped and molded him for 10 years - and at the same age as Jesus, launched him into one of the most extraordinary examples of faith and prayer that perhaps the world has ever seen. So God chose this persecuting Pharisee - feared by all believers in those days - and transformed him into a suffering servant in the spirit of Jesus - and used him as demonstrated in this epistle, as one of the most extraordinary ministries - measuring up to a Moses, and reminding hearers of Jesus Himself; because Paul was so transformed that he remarkably allowed the full will and Spirit and example of Jesus to shine through him! Imagine! God used Paul to author 14 of the 27 New Testament books, and found 14 City Churches. Seven of these churches, including the City Church of Corinth, he specifically addressed with personal letters. So - let us humbly, searchingly and earnestly search out the Spirit-led writings of this man - *meditate* upon them as he exhorted Timothy (1 Timothy 4:15), and *find* the fruitfulness of ?God's Comfort? promised in this second letter of Paul to Corinth. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Tue Apr 7 10:42:01 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 7 Apr 2009 10:42:01 -0700 Subject: Passover Seder Message-ID: <625d7240904071042t591bef84k2a4ffbd144110d2c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *?PASSOVER SEDER? AT MOUNT VERNON, WASHINGTON* *?WHEELS WITHIN WHEELS?* A week before this event to be led by Ron and Carol Cantrell for the second time, Carol emailed Marie and me and asked if we would be willing to share with three other pastors in prayer for Israel at the close of the service. We agreed that this would be okay. But I remembered that Derek Prince had prepared ?31 Daily Scripture Prayer Proclamations to Bless Israel.? (Download ?Current Prayer Guides? at <* www.ifa-usapray.org> *or for an email version - write <* PrayScriptureNow at aol.com>. *See Day 8 - *?The Lord will **not** forsake his people for his great name's sake, because **it has pleased the Lord to make Israel his people**? *(1 Samuel 12:22). *Congregational Proclamation*: *?God has **not** forsaken His people Israel!? Repeat it three times.* There is not such a thing as *?Replacement Theology?* for Israel. It is true that the Church - The One New Man - composed of Messianic Jews and Believing Gentiles? is special in God's sight. But the ?Remnant of Israel? is yet to be a nation born again in a day at the return of Jesus as Lord! Secondly, Derek Prince prepared *?Proclamations on Behalf of Israel?* which can be arranged for weekly readings starting with Sunday, and doubling up on Tuesday with 2 verses. Then for Wednesday we read, *?The scepter of the wicked **will not remain over the land** **alloted to the righteous...?** *Congregational Proclamation: *?God has given the land of Israel as an eternal inheritance.? *Repeat three times. I read these 2 scripture portions at this time, led the congregation of over 525 in the Proclamations, and closed in prayer confirming these two proclamations, and beseeching God to bring them *both* to pass according to His Word. This is in accord with George Muller's use of Scripture in his prayers. Marie followed this up with another prayer for Israel. Her chief part was for President Obama on behalf of Israel, ?*That the fear of God would enter the life of the President, and that he would understand God's thinking and decrees for Israel as outlined in His Word, and that he would lead our nation to fulfill God's purposes for Israel, the apple of His eye.?* In 1944 a fellow sailor in the Canadian Navy in the Victoria vicinity told me - ?*You must meet and hear Derek Prince. He's your kind of teacher and preacher!? *Little did I know that 20 years later Derek Prince would say to me, *?I have pastored the Broadway Tabernacle of Seattle for 8 months - but my parents in England are ill, and I need to return to them. Should I suggest to Broadway Tabernacle that they call you at my suggestion to replace me as pastor, would you be willing to accept their call?? *I assured him I would, and so it came to pass. For 8 years Marie and I led this congregation. We started this ministry in June of 1964, 20 years after I first heard of Derek Through Hubert Mitchell of ?Go Ye? Fellowship in 1955, I had been praying for one key person on each continent. Nicholas Benghu of Africa was his suggestion for Africa, called the Billy Graham of that continent, Bakht Singh of India for Asia, and Billy Graham for North America. A friend of mine asked me in August of '64 - ?Would you like to have Nicholas Benghu speak at your church?? That Wednesday was our only open date, so I gladly booked him to speak for us in Derek Prince's former church. When I turned the service over to him he said, *?Every city I visit I ask the Lord, 'What does this city mean to you?' I have been in Seattle for a month, and return to Africa tomorrow. Until tonight I have not heard from the Lord. But tonight as I sat on this platform I heard the Lord say, 'I am going to visit this city in the not too distant future, and I am going to use this church to release a significant move of the Spirit.'?* What an encouragement that word was to me! I stood upon it for 7 years, for our church had serious problems that preceded the tenure of Derek Prince. For the next 7 years I was able to go through with the church difficulties, but in June 1971, some 200 pastors responded. For two years God visited us with Seattle I and Seattle II. 70 pastors continued to meet monthly following that time. Together we saw the power of the ?Children of God? broken over Seattle, and later the power of the homosexual ?Metropolitan Church of God? broken. They threatened to take 1000 young people from our Seattle churches. Instead their leader died of AIDS in the not too distant future. Dennis Bennett of St. Luke's Episcopal church courageously led our fellowship for two years in seeing these and many other victories. In February of 1990 I attended a leader's meeting in Seattle addressed by John Dawson of YWAM, emphasizing the need of the unity of one church in each city. Following this challenge, Stan Altaras, grandson of the first Sephardic Rabbi of Seattle, asked me - ?What is your vision for ministry in this city?? I replied - ?In line with John Dawson's challenge - that a nucleus of some 12 to 20 local churches in each city should form an eldership in the gate of each respective city.? He responded, *?Ron Cantrell, one of the Messianic Jewish pastors of Congregation Beth Simcha in Federal Way, I am sure, would respond. This is Friday, and they meet on Saturdays. Here's his phone number - contact him.?* I immediately followed through, and Ron confirmed his interest. *?Come and join us in worship tomorrow on our Sabbath, and make yourself known.?* Marie joined me in attending, and when we experienced this worship of some 400 people under the leadership of Roberta Paulsen, and the challenging message of Murray Silberling the Senior pastor, we made this our home church for 18 months until the Silberlings moved to California, and Ron and Carol Cantrell with their family returned to Israel for their second time. We have visited the Cantrells in Jerusalem in 1992, and again in 2005, and have taken an interest in supporting their work monthly since the Fall of 1991. Last year we attended the Mount Vernon Seder they led with some 400 present. This year they returned, and over 525 attended. Carol led in worship with a distinct anointing upon that part of the service, and Ron led in an authentic type of Seder Supper such as Jesus would have conducted just prior to His crucifixion. He took the part of ?Luke,? author of that Gospel. Ron in a most graphic manner illustrated the 10 plagues God sent upon Egypt at that time, Most graphic of all was the 4th plague visited upon the god represented by the ?Apis? bull. Each plague was a direct judgment on one of the 10 main gods of Egypt. Egyptian priests used the ?Apis Bull? to bring guidance to Egypt and her Pharaohs through a 40 square pattern. Later, when God delivered Israel from Egypt, and when Moses was up in Mount Sinai receiving the covenant of the 10 commandments, Israel pressured Aaron to make a reproduction of the Apis Bull to lead them back to Egypt. God led Moses to destroy this idol - grind the gold to powder - scatter it on water - and force Israel to drink their destroyed idol god! Several churches in Mount Vernon cooperated in assisting the Cantrells to put on this graphic and picturesque presentation of the Passover Seder. Any city of local churches who will have the Cantrells come and present this in their city - or any other of a number of presentation that they make - will *not* be disappointed! - Jim and Marie Watt P.S. Just before the death of Derek Prince in Jerusalem in his late 80's - Carol Cantrell nursed him for his last two years, and as his secretary helped him publish his last 5 books. Indeed then, God worked ?*Wheels Within Wheels? *like in Ezekiel, in bringing together many strands that united in a wonderful way in the recent Mount Vernon Seder presentation.* < www.shalom-shalom-jerusalem.org> *is the vehicle the Cantrells use to continue their unique and God-glorifying ministry. To book them for The Biblical Seder Meal for your congregation, or any other of their Biblical Presentations - *. *J & M. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Apr 8 12:04:19 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 8 Apr 2009 12:04:19 -0700 Subject: Isaiah 1-39 - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240904081204w21d46835gb9b85e3a2d8ea085@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *ISAIAH 1-39 - OVERVIEW - T2801R - ?SALVATION THROUGH JUDGMENT?* *1. 1:18 (1-6, ASV 1901) THE DAY OF JEHOVAH AND JUDAH. ?Come now, and let us reason together, says Jehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.? *O Father, Your love, mercy and grace humble us! You know Your people, both Israel and Church; our backsliding, our proneness to wander. Yet You love us anyway! *Hallowed be Your name!* *2. 10:1; 8:20 (7-12) THE DAY OF JEHOVAH AND ISRAEL. ?Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and to the writers that write perverseness. 8:20To the law (teaching) and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.? *Father, You and Your Word are *one* (John 1:1). And Your Word is Your will, and Your will is Your Word! Therefore like George Muller, we pray back to You Your Word! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 23:9 (13-23) TEN BURDENS ON THE NATIONS. ?Jehovah of hosts has purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth.? *Because You are righteous, we must be humbled, and taught to cease polluting the *land* with violence, bloodshed and rapine. Purify us by Your judgments, O Father! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 24:21 (24-27) THE ?DAY? AND THE WHOLE WORLD. ?And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth upon the earth.? **Righteousness* shall in the end prevail. *Jehovah*, You shall be vindicated! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 28:17-18a. (28-33) SIX WOES UPON JERUSALEM. ?And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. 18a And your covenant with death shall be annulled, and your agreement with Sheol shall not stand.? *Father, we accept You in Christ as our *plumbline*. You and Your Word are one! We are clothed in Your Armor! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 35:10 (34-35) FINAL WRATH: ZION RESTORED! ?And the ransomed of Jehovah shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.? *In the light of *this* revelation, O Father, we recognize that *no* enemy can prevail against us! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 39:6 (36-39) HISTORICAL EXPLANATION. ?Behold, the days are coming, when all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, says Jehovah.? *Father, pride in man refuses to give the Glory that *rightfully*belongs *only* to You. Your Glory You will *not* give to another. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *Judgment *predominates* in Isaiah 1-39. Comfort and mercy predominate in Isaiah 40-66. It is interesting to note that the chapter division of Isaiah that is normally used, has the 39 OT books coincide with the first division, and the 27 NT books coincide with the second division! I have made reference in the comments above that God and His Word are *one*! John 1:1 makes this eminently clear - *?In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God!?* This verse applies to both Old and New Testaments, and it is a *truth* that we need to assimilate! The LOgos is the written word as it were, and does not profit us in that state. We need to transform it into a Living *REma *word. And that is done as we become true disciples according to the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 (28:16-20). As disciples we will like Joshua, David, James and Timothy - walk in the oral, vocal *meditation* of Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-6; James 1:25 and 1 Timothy 4:15. Israel through its entire history has upset God considerably. Yet - according to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - and for His Names sake - He has *not* rejected them, but will in the end fulfill *all* His Covenant promises to them! The Church has not done much better - and according to His promises to His Son - He will in the end fulfill all He has said to the Church, the One New Man, the Bride of Christ. It takes plowing through Isaiah 1-39, and seeing God's faithfulness in Isaiah 40-66 to understand all of this. - Jim Watt. *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Apr 9 17:54:18 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 17:54:18 -0700 Subject: Isaiah 40-66 - Servant Songs Message-ID: <625d7240904091754q6e4cb7d5o8f9805cd52ef710c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *ISAIAH 40-66 - OVERVIEW - T2901R * * SALVATION THROUGH GRACE* *1. 41:4 (40-41, ASV, 1901) JEHOVAH SUPREME IN ATTRIBUTES. ?Who has worked and done it, calling the generations from the beginning? I, Jehovah, the first, and with the last, I am he.? *We listen to Your reasoning, O Father, as Job listened to You in chastened spirit, abhorred himself, and repented in sackcloth and ashes. By this revelation we are absolutely assured of Who You are. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 43:1 (42-45) JEHOVAH SUPREME IN REDEMPTION. ?But now thus says Jehovah that created you, O Jacob, and he that formed you, O Israel; Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are mine.? *This is the way You see us, O Father. And because of Your grace, we are motivated to pray. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 47:6 (46-48) JEHOVAH SUPREME IN REDEMPTION. ?I was angry with my people, I profaned my inheritance, and gave them into your hand (Babylon): you did show them no mercy; upon the aged you have very heavily laid your yoke.? *Thank You, Father, for Your justice, righteousness and holiness. We depend upon Your faithfulness. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 49:5 (49-53) ISRAEL THE TYPE: MESSIAH THE FULFILLMENT. ?And now says Jehovah that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, and that Israel be gathered unto him (for I am honorable in the eyes of Jehovah, and my God is become my strength).? *Father, You formed *Jesus*to be our Savior, our Redeemer our Reconciler, our Justifier, our Friend! You have done so much for us in Christ! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day. * *5. 55:4 (54-55) ISRAEL RESTORED: MESSIAH REIGNS. ?Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples.? *Blessed be Your Name, Father, for giving us Jesus, Jehovah the Savior. You in Jesus worked out plenteous *redemption* for us, and *reconciled* us to Yourself. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 57:15 (56-57) WHERE GOD DWELLS. ?For thus says the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite.? *Father, You reveal Your heart, and purpose and desire to us. If we truly want to please You, *humility* is Your word for us, and we choose to walk in it. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 66:2 (58-66) THE CHALLENGE OF JEHOVAH. ?For all these thing has my hand made, and so all these things came to be, says Jehovah: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and that trembles at my word.? *Father, You have shown us what You require: Humility, Contrition and Tremblers at Your Word. You have the right to demand these conditions. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *Isaiah 66:2 became one of Ivan Panin's favorite verses. See the importance of its ingredients. Beatitude number one of Matthew 5:1-12 is a true parallel to Isaiah's first revelation here. And trembling at His word is a fitting conclusion. But in this section of our ?overview?, four outstanding passages appear, that have been called ?The Servant Songs.? Each of the 4 are Messianic Prophecies - looking forward to the coming of Jesus, who is called ?The Covenant? of God for the people. Isaiah 42:1-9 is the first of these 4, and in verse 6 we find the Father declaring His coming Son to be *The Covenant* of the people. It is not revealed in these 4 passages that the coming Messiah will be the Head of ?The One New Man? composed of both Jews and Gentiles. That ?Mystery? was perhaps the chief of the NT Mysteries that was reserved by God for the apostle Paul to reveal. Isaiah 49:1-13 is the second Servant Song, and in verse 8 - for the second time Jehovah points out the coming Messiah as a covenant to the people. Oftentimes it is difficult to separate Israel as God's chosen people from the Messiah as His chosen servant. The Holy Spirit can help us to see this division, far better than most commentaries. I graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary of Chicago in 1952 with a B.D. degree. A decade or so later they offered those in that category the opportunity to take a special course on the ?4 Servant Songs of Isaiah? and update this degree to an M. Div. (Master of Divinity) I opted for this, but found our professor an extreme ?Modernist.? I volunteered in class that the Catholic Theologians have a doctrine they called the ?Sensus Plenior? - the ?fuller sense.? This enables one to see various layers of truth in Scripture. Israel can be seen as a basic layer as God's servant. But in the ?Servant Songs? Jesus can be seen as a deeper layer looking forward to the Coming Messiah. My professor was very upset with me, and wouldn't permit me to read my final paper to the class, lest I contaminate its members. The final class was held in his home near Wheaton, Illinois, where he promised to give his own personal insights on the ?Servant Songs.? He there and then posed a question: ?What would you think of a man who entered Russia with a suitcase containing a false bottom, in which he hid Bibles to distribute to the Russians?? ?Why, that would be a good thing,? said one student, ?for they would be getting the Word of God.? ?*Not at all*,? snapped the professor, ?It would be like the 'Sensus Plenior' - bringing in something under false pretenses!? So - so much for the openness of a ?Liberal? to allow expression of all truth! Isaiah 50:4-9 is the third Servant Song. I love this insight in the Coming Messiah, Jesus. Jesus was full 'son of man' through Mary, and as a boy of 12 had His Bar Mitzvah in Jerusalem, and dialogued with the Pharisees of His day, answering their question and in turn asking such thoughtful questions that they were amazed! He was about His Father's business! But, as one conceived of the Holy Spirit, not man, He was fully Son of God, too! He said, ?*Before Abraham was, I AM*.? This is no problem to one truly born from above, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and loving God with all his heart. He like Jesus meditates on God's Word, and can accept the straight-forward statements of God's Word, and not argue them away like the ?Modernists and Liberals!? Isaiah 52:13-53:12 is the fourth ?Servant Song,? and perhaps the greatest of all. We almost learn more about Jesus through this Prophecy, than is even revealed in the Gospels! No wonder the Pharisees, who reject that their Messiah has already come - seek to ignore this passage - that so patently puts the lie to their rejection of Jesus as their Messiah. Soon He will come again - and this time Zechariah 12:10-14 will be fulfilled, and the remnant of Israel will acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah they rejected at His first coming 2000 years ago. Remember, it is the *death* of Jesus the Bible emphasizes (? to 1/3 of all 4 Gospels) not His birth (only 4 chapters). Jesus was born to *die*! He came to make Redemption by His blood on our behalf, and make Reconciliation between lost mankind, Jew and Gentile, and bring us back into fellowship with God! *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sat Apr 11 11:44:52 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2009 11:44:52 -0700 Subject: Jeremiah 1-38 - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240904111144s4baec07l96c3a80721e238ac@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *JEREMIAH 1-38 - OVERVIEW - T3101R* *A MAN WITH AN UNWELCOME MESSAGE* *1. 1:4-5 (1) CALL OF THE PROPHET. ?Now the word of Jehovah came unto me, saying, 5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you, and before you came forth out of the womb I sanctified you; I have appointed you a prophet unto the nations.? *O Father, this word strikes the fear of Jehovah into our hearts! Who is a God besides You who can call the end from the beginning? We know of none, and You know of none! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 9:23-24 (2-12) FIVE GENERAL UNDATED PROPHECIES. ?Thus says Jehovah, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; 24 but let him that glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am Jehovah who exercises lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says Jehovah.? **Clearly* you have expressed Your will on earth, Father, which we wholeheartedly embrace! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 15:19 (13-20) FIVE MORE GENERAL UNDATED PROPHECIES. ?Therefore thus says Jehovah, If you return, then will I bring you again, that you may stand before me; and if you take forth the precious from the vile, you shall be as my mouth: you shall return unto you, but you shall not return unto them.? *Father, we claim the wisdom to be as Jeremiah: through the discerning of spirits! Then will our words be pure words. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 23:5 (21-24) DENUNCIATION OF SECULAR AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS. ?Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.? *Yes, the unrighteous and unfaithful leaders *shall be judged* by You, Father. *You* abide faithful and must vindicate the honor of Your Name. *Our :daily :bread, Give us this day.* *5. 29:10 (25-29) JUDGMENT PREDICTED: SEVENTY YEARS! ?For thus says Jehovah, After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.? *We honor You, Father, by acknowledging both Your omniscience and Your omnipotence. No other God is like You! And in mercy You do not chastise us according to our desserts. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 31:33 (30-33) RESTORATION PROMISES. ?But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Jehovah; I will put my law (teaching) in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.? *Praise be unto You, O Jehovah Father! Yes, thanks be unto You for such a promise! There is none other like You. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 34:16 (34-38) PROPHECIES BASED ON SINS OF KINGS. ?But you turned and profaned my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom you had let go free at their pleasure, to return; and you brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids.? *Forgive us Father, for reneging on our word. We promise - and reverse it. We deserve your chastisement. *But deliver us from the evil one. * *NOTE**: *Three thoughts stand out to me in these 38 chapters. The first is the call of Jeremiah. Even *before* his conception, God foreknew and foreordained His prophet! How much *more* then does *conception* establish a new life, and how exceedingly serious does abortion become! We are tampering with the plan, and working of God in the countless millions of souls that have been murdered! No wonder God's judgment is upon our nation, and other like-acting nations throughout the world. Remember - judgment and pay-day *is* coming upon all such nations and individuals. Governor Felix trembled when he heard Paul clearly state this and other truths (Acts 24:24-26). The second thought that impresses itself upon me is God's challenge to Jeremiah in 15:19. It parallels our old hymn, ?Yield not to temptation, for *yielding* is sin,? Being tempted is *not* sin. Jesus was tempted in all points just as we are - but He *didn't yield* - no, not once! Where Adam failed, the last Adam passed every test! He like the Passover Lamb, was *without blemish*. Therefore His Atoning Death was fully acceptable to God on *our*behalf, and brought for us *plenteous* Redemption, and *full* Reconciliation with God! In this world there is both *precious* and *vile*. None of us can escape being confronted with both. But - like Jeremiah - we can *choose* the precious, and reject the vile. Reject pornography on the Internet! Then, like Jeremiah, our words can be like *God's words*! We can be true channels for a pure Gospel - and our *lives* can back up our message. The third thought that stands out for me (and there are many more,) is 31:33. Here God promises to Israel a New Covenant - *much* better than the Old Covenant given through Moses (see the first chapters of the book of Hebrews). *This* covenant has inherent power within it through the Holy Spirit, to enable NT believers to walk victoriously in the promises of God. It also implicitly contains within it the *?Mystery?* of the ?One New Man? - Gentiles grafted into the Root of Israel, and sharing equally in the 8-fold blessings of Romans 9:4-5. And - according to Acts 15 and the Book of Galatians, we Gentiles are free from ?Law-bondage? of the Old Covenant. Beware of those who would bring us as Gentile believers into the Judaizing heresies of legalism as exposed in the Book of Galatians by Paul, the Jewish apostle to Gentiles! *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon Apr 13 11:48:12 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 11:48:12 -0700 Subject: Jeremiah 39-52 - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240904131148u6956ca03t16a8327d3e8423ba@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *JEREMIAH 39-52 - OVERVIEW - T3201R* *FALL OF JERUSALEM: CAPTIVITY* *1. 39:1-2 (39, ASV 1901) JERUSALEM BESIEGED: RIGHTEOUSNESS VINDICATED. ?(in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and he besieged it; 2 in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city).? *You, O God, call the things that are *not*, as though they *were* (Romans 4:17)! You count Jerusalem as fallen, when as yet she was but besieged! You did the same for Samaria, the capital of Israel over 100 years before. *What a God you are*! No other god can do such things! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 42:40 (40-42) HYPOCRISY IN THE REMNANT. ?For you have dealt deceitfully against your own souls; for you sent me unto Jehovah your God, saying, Pray for us unto Jehovah our God; and according unto all that Jehovah our God shall say, so declare unto us, and we will do it.? *Father; turn us from this evil way of lying in our hearts, especially to You. Take the sin of Ananias and Sapphira out of our hearts! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 44:29-30a (43-44) JUDGMENT ON THE REMNANT. ?And this shall be the sign unto you, says Jehovah, that I will punish you in this place, that you may know that my words shall surely stand against you for evil: 30 Thus says Jehovah, Behold, I will give Pharaoh Hophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies.? *Father, Your ways are just, and for our good, even as a father chastises his son! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 45:1a (45) WORD TO BARUCH. ?The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke unto Baruch the son of Neriah, when he wrote these words in a book at the mouth of Jeremiah.? *How gracious Your ways, O Father! Just as You saved Lot from Sodom, so You preserved Baruch in the midst of judgment! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 48:11 (46-48) THREE PROPHECIES UPON GENTILE NATIONS. ?Moab has been at ease from his youth, and he has settled on his lees, and has not been emptied from vessel to vessel, neither has he gone into captivity: therefore his taste remains in him, and his smell is not changed.? *Father, we see the absolute necessity of asking for suffering. Teach us the wisdom of Colossians 1:24. Teach us the wisdom of Job! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 50:34 (49-51) SIX MORE PROPHECIES AGAINST GENTILE NATIONS. ?Their Redeemer is strong; Jehovah of hosts is his name: he will thoroughly plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, and disquiet the inhabitants of Babylon.? *Father, we trust You in Your judgments. You judge us lightly according to Your mercy, using heathen nations to work Your purposes. Then You judge in justice those who over-judge us! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 52:3b-4 (52) JERUSALEM OVERTHROWN. ?And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it round about.? *Father, You are the God who calls the things that are not as though they were! Jerusalem besieged, was as good as Jerusalem fallen! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *What a difficult assignment the LORD gave Jeremiah. No wonder in chapter one he sought to get out of it. He felt like Moses when God called him to deliver Israel from Egypt. But the Lord in both cases was *adamant*! He *knew* His prophet, for as God, His predestinating choices were based on His foreknowledge. Throughout all the Bible prophets, we find our God as the One who knows all things before they come to pass. He is the God of eternity! He and His Son are the *same* yesterday, today and forever. He is the God of the past, the present and the future. His very Name Jehovah is comprised from the three tenses of the verb ?to be.? See Ye-h*o*V*A*H: the ?Ye? stands for He who always will be; ?h*o*? is the present participle, He who always *is**; ?*V*A*H? is the past tense, He who *was*. Yahweh does not express this. (See the introduction of ?Newberry's Reference Bible? for a deeper discussion on this.) Jesus was born Son of Man? by the virgin Mary. Mary is not the mother of God - she is Mary the mother of Jesus as Son of Man after the flesh. It is true, God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. And 3 times God the Father audibly proclaimed from heaven His approval of Jesus the Son of Man. And following His successful Atoning Death for our Redemption, and following His Resurrection and Ascension, God proclaimed Jesus the Son of Man as Lord and Christ. ?Lord? in Greek is ?KUri-os,? and is parallel to Jehovah (Ye-h*o*V*A*H) in Hebrew. Before Abraham was, Jesus as Son of God was ?I AM!? Does any man have full understanding of the ?Mystery? of the Godhead, and the ?Mystery? of Christ's Incarnation?? Probably not. I must confess, I await either arrival in heaven or the Resurrection, to fully understand these ?mysteries.? God reserved for the apostle Paul the privilege of unveiling the ?mystery? of the ?One New Man,? and some 20 other ?mysteries? unveiled in the New Testament. Jeremiah in chapter 31 tells the mystery of the New Covenant, and how greatly it supersedes the Old Covenant. Peter acknowledges that Paul's unveiling of these mysteries was difficult to understand, and the unlearned ?wrested? them to their own destruction. And yet - it was not really Paul unveiling these mysteries. It was the ?Lord Jesus? Himself who used Paul as His channel to finish up what He started through the four Gospels! Joshua in the Old Testament is a ?type? of Jesus to come. His name means ?Jehovah is salvation.? Jesus in Hebrew is ?YeSHUa? - ?Jesus the Savior.? What Joshua did in bringing the 12 tribes into Canaan and conquering 7 nations each greater than Israel, in 7 years, is a ?type? of what Jesus, the *greater* Joshua, has done in fulfilling Jeremiah 31, in the New Covenant. By His Atoning Death, the Holy Spirit came 50 days later, and makes *vital*the Atonement, and fulfills Jeremiah 31. *This* is the Kingdom of God realized. The Kingdom of God is not the law of the Old Covenant. It is ?righteousness, peace and joy in the *Holy Spirit*. Repent, said John the Baptist and Jesus at the beginning of their respective ministries - for ?The Kingdom of God?, the ?New Covenant in the Holy Spirit? - is *at hand*. The ?Mysteries? Jesus unveiled through Paul in the New Covenant, were only mysteries in the Old Testament. God all along intended in the New Testament to reveal these mysteries through His chosen apostle. Soon we will *all*understand these things more clearly. Even Paul confessed that *now*, in these New Testament times, we *still* see through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13) - but at the Resurrection, at the Feast of Tabernacles fulfilled, we will see face to face. I look forward to that day. I too with Paul and you now see through a glass darkly. But *then* - at that day - face to face. *Then* will we *know*, even as we are *known*! Then Jeremiah will fully realize the meaning of those prophesies and mysteries God gave him in his day, that would not be revealed until the Kingdom of God came through Jesus in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension - and with the Father pouring out on His church the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. So - this Kingdom Age of the Church - the One New Man - is *itself* not the final answer. It awaits the return of Jesus the Messiah as Lord of lords and King of kings at the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Millennial resurrection of the earth, with *all* nations coming up to Jerusalem annually at the Feast of Tabernacles to honor God in Jesus, the one of the tribe of Judah - a Jew - and yet the Son of God. And - His 12 apostles shall then sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel. What a shock to the Hitlers, Stalins, Kings and rulers who have said - ?We will not have *this Man to rule over us!*? In that day *every knee* shall bow and *every tongue*confess Jesus as Lord of lords and King of kings to God the Father's glory! Amen! So let it be! *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Apr 15 13:58:55 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:58:55 -0700 Subject: Morning Thoughts Message-ID: <625d7240904151358q1bdb090fy4c9288be07dc958b@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-04-13 - THOUGHTS THIS MORNING FROM 1 TIMOTHY 4:15* *1 Timothy 4:15 (4:11-16) ?Be diligent (meditate) in these; give yourself wholly to these; that your progress may be manifest to all.?* Note the 3 points that Paul makes here. First, ?be diligent? is often translated *meditate*, which may be the more accurate translation for ?* meleTAo*?. It is a parallel passage to Joshua 1:8, using the Hebrew word for *meditate*, hahGAH. God tells Joshua not to let the teaching of the Torah or law to depart from his *mouth*. Hebrew verses are often phrased in parallelisms. The next clause says, but *meditate* (h*a*hG*A*H) upon it day and night, making Hebrew Meditation a vocal exercise. We are to read or pray back to God audibly what we are reading! Then we are to *do* it, as Jesus exhorted in the Sermon on the Mount - he who hears and *does* these saying of Mine - is wise! (He who hears and does not do so - is foolish.) *Then*prosperity and success follows such a person. This is exactly what Paul is saying to Timothy in parallel form to what God said to Joshua. Now Paul exhorts his disciple to give himself *wholly* to his words, just like Joshua 1:8. Lastly, he is to ensure that his profiting in this , is open for all to see! Now the immediate words in this letter to Timothy are first of all to be acted upon. The Pastoral epistles to Timothy and Titus including Philemon, are fitted for those in spiritual Post Graduate College and University. (The Gospels are like Elementary School; Acts - Junior High; James through Jude - High School; Paul's church epistles, College & University; Hebrews and Revelation: like further studies after PhD. work. There's another thought I'm sure Paul had for Timothy: that of *mastering*his 9 letters to the 7 churches of Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colosse and Thessalonia. Paul being a Jew, and Timothy with a Jewish mother, would see the following significant insights. The Book of Romans can be linked with Passover, through Justification by Faith. Corinth is like the Feast of unleavened bread, where the believers of this city needed to purge out the old leaven and ensure Jesus as their Passover. Galatians was to bring these straying believers back to the Word of the Gospel, and not mix up the law of the OT with the teaching of Jesus in the NT. Timothy was to master these insights. Ephesians can be linked with the Feast of Pentecost. The full working of the Holy Spirit in the church through the release that came in Romans through Jesus' atoning work, ties these 2 epistles together. Passover and Pentecost were tied together in both Old and New Testaments by the 50 days between the Resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit 50 days later. The counting of the Omer cemented this connection. 1 & 2 Thessalonians major on the second coming of Jesus as Lord of lords and King of kings. This corresponds with the Feast of Tabernacles, a type and shadow of the OT. There are 4 men whose life and teachings correspond with the 3 Feasts. Oswald Chambers is as it were the Apostle of *Redemption*, that corresonds with Passover and the Book of Romans. Rees Howells is known as ?the man with the Holy Spirit,? and suitably matches the Feast of Pentecost and the Book of Ephesians. George Muller majored on the Second Coming of Jesus. He had to adjust his thinking as a young Christian. He started out listening to the traditions of men in the church, instead of checking out what God in the Bible said about teaching and doctrine. He very soon found out that traditional church leaders led him astray. It is *not* God's intention to save the world before the second coming of Christ. Instead, the Holy Spirit is using evangelists to bring out a *remnant* from every nation, tribe, tongue and people, make * disciples* of them, and set them forth as the Bride of Christ. The majority of the human race today will *not have* Christ to reign over them in the Kingdom of God of the Spirit. H. A. Baker in ?Visions Beyond the Veil? confirms the findings of George Muller. God's Truth comes in threes. It is quite easy to search the Scriptures and find over 100 sets of threes: The Triunity of the Godhead - One God - but 3 persons; man: a trichotomy, not a dichotomy: spirit, soul and body; the divisions of the Tabernacle and Temple: outer court, holy place and Holy of Holies - as 3 examples. Look for such in the Tabernacle of Moses and Temple of Solomon: Outer Court with the Brazen Altar points to Passover and the Finished Work of Christ; The 7-fold Menorah in the Holy Place represents the Holy Spirit and the 7 gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (Tongues and Interpretaion = Prophecy according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 14); the Holy of Holies represents the Feast of Tabernacles, and the consummation of this church age. Or - see the 3 divisions of the Old Testament: Law, associated with Passover; the Prophets - Pentecost (see Jeremiah 31); and the Writings: Feast of Tabernacles. The Book of Psalms in the Writings again and again refers to this, as in Psalm 24. Another way to look at the Tabernacle and Temple: Our body corresponds with the Outer Court, and is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Our soul with the Holy Place, and Jesus redeemed our souls! The Holiest is the goal of our spirits, and there we find intimacy with the Father, revealed by the Son, even as the Spirit reveals the Son. The Feast of Tabernacles comes in 3 divisions: The Blowing of Trumpets on Tishri 1 - can be linked with the Book of Revelation (See all the trumpets there, including the *Last Trump!)*. Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) can be linked with the book of Hebrews. Jesus' death is so wonderfully set forth for us both individually and corporately. Tabernacles, properly starting on Tishri 15, introduces the return of our Lord as King of kings and Lord of lords. So I see Paul's admonition to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15 as encompassing much of this as well as that epistle itself. And - it is to be orally or vocally meditated upon. George Whitefield and George Muller both exercised this method of devotions *hours* each day; I* *am moving increasingly in this direction. Oswald Chambers, Rees Howells and George Muller were *all*early risers - 5 AM for most; 4 AM for Muller. I am heading in that direction, with increasing blessing. I am sure Paul and Timothy followed this pattern. E. Stanley Jones did too. Like Paul, I ask prayer on my behalf that I might be like Timothy, according to the exhortation of Paul. I trust that many of you - in the discipleship spirit, will join me in being one with Timothy in this. Your friend - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Apr 22 14:47:14 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:47:14 -0700 Subject: Amir Haddad Message-ID: <625d7240904221447k59b78e42o46e4ad3143bbf223@mail.gmail.com> * * ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt * *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org** * * 2009-04-14* *Re Amir Haddad of Haifa, Israel -* *Dear Friends -* *Marie and I have been to Israel 4 times starting in 1980, and through our last congregation, Beth Chesed, have sent support to some 10 or more ministries - both Jewish, Arab and Lebanese.* *In 2005 we made our 4th trip to Mount Carmel with David and Karen Davis, led by Phil Israelson. It was perhaps our outstanding trip.* *Previous to making this trip, Marie saw in the magazine put out by Maoz in Tel Aviv, a picture and write-up on Joseph Haddad of Haifa, who leads a Lebanese congregation in Nahariya. Marie had been praying for a contact with someone ministering to the Lebanese refugees in Israel. So she made a transparency of Pastor Joseph, and weekly during our Israel prayer time at our congregation in Tacoma, Beth Chesed, we would pray for him and his ministry.* *His son Amir became very involved in his father's ministry, and also with that of a Arab Pastor, Yousef Dakwar. Pastor Dakwar has an outstanding Haifa Internet radio ministry, ?Altareeq?, (The Way,) and their ?New Covenant? church in Haifa. Amir helped in the former as a technician. Out of this God laid on his heart the call to go to Bible College, and become a full time worker to foster unity between Jewish and Arab believers.* *He has been accepted by a Bible College in Finland. However, because of the world economic recession, they cannot give Amir a scholarship.* *Marie and I have not done this before in the last 10 years, but because we know Amir's father and help support his work, we would like to help his son Amir also.* *We are enclosing information on Amir sent by him and his father, and the wonderful offer of Maoz in Tel Aviv to receipt gifts on Amir's behalf both in the US and Canada.* *We are praying that hearts in our two countries will be touched, and that they will respond to make it possible for Amir to attend and graduate from this Finnish Bible College, and serve out his vision and calling in Israel.* *Your friends - Jim & Marie Watt* *AMIR HADDAD'S RESUME - 2009-04-11* *I was born in Haifa, Israel in June 1984, and was raised up in a believing family. My father has been a pastor for 14 years, and my mom is a worship leader with him. They both shepherd a Lebanese congregation in Nahariya, Israel.* *I committed my life to Jesus since childhood, when I attended children's Sunday school. I graduated from high school in 2002, and enrolled in a 2-year computer's long term course. I graduated in 2004 with a certificate as a computer's technician.* *During that time, I helped my parents through serving with the youth group at the Lebanese congregation in Nahariya. I also volunteered in working for a Christian internet Arabic radio station called Radio Altareeq (The way). It broadcasts to the whole Arabic world. * *Since last year, I felt that our good God is calling me to a full time ministry. I yearn to be a messenger of reconciliation between Jews and Arabs in the land of Israel and the whole Middle East. I believe that in order to be used mightily by God, I need to be equipped and prepared for the ministry by studying in a Spirit-filled Bible school, that teaches the complete truth of God's precious and eternal word.* *I applied to a Pentecostal Bible College in Finland named ?Iso Kirja?, which loves Israel and prays for the peace of Jerusalem. They did accept me, but were not able to afford a scholarship.* *Therefore, I appeal to you to prayerfully consider helping me be able to pay the tuition fee, which is 4600 Euro for the whole year, including food and lodging - and hence help me fulfill God's call on my life.* *I thank you in advance in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.* *Every blessing, * *Amir Haddad,* *P. O. Box 9511, Haifa 31094, Israel* *Jim & Marie Watt - 2009-04-18* *Dear Friends -* *- Re Amir Haddad -* *People come to Stock and Bond experts, * *and ask -* ?*How can I invest to get the best results from my money??* *And we as Christians ask God -* *(and also spiritual investors) -* ?*What individuals and missions can you recommend for us -* *to get the best eternal investments??* *When you look at the qualifications and potential* *of this young Israeli man, Amir Haddad -* *we believe we have the potential here* *to receive eternal dividends from investing in him!* We have an opportunity here to raise up financial support for a future Israeli pastor fluent in Hebrew, Arabic and English. His experience has been in 3 Israeli Congregations, bringing together Jews and Arabs worshiping Yeshua (Jesus). His life training and call for God is to bring Jews and Arabs together (the One New Man of Ephesians 2:15); reconciliation in Yeshua (Jesus). God has already provided Amir with Computer and Internet training. He has been volunteering in a World-Wide Ministry out of Haifa, Israel, called ?Radio Altareeq? (The Way), with Arab Pastor Yousef Dakwar. His church is ?The New Covenant Church? in Haifa, of Arab Christians. Their Radio and Internet ministry receives over 700,000 hits/responses monthly from the Arab world; even from Moslems in the United States. Amir had been accepted by a Bible College in the US, but our government denied him a Visa because he is an Israeli Christian. INS (Immigration Service) was fearful he would not return to Israel upon completion of Bible College; hence, the denial. Unfortunately there was a scholarship waiting for him in the US. Isn't it strange that thousands of Moslem students from all over the Middle East can get U.S. student Visas - i.e. the 9/11 Terrorists who bombed the Pentagon, blew up the World Trade Center, were all Moslem students on Visas - yet Amir can't qualify! But when one door closes, God opens another. Amir has been accepted by a Pentecostal Bible College, ?Iso Kirja? in Finland. However, because of the current world-wide recession, there is no scholarship available there for Amir. So now we have an opportunity to meet his financial needs to attend this Finnish Bible College. Fortunately, classes are in English. Just as Jesus called his 12 disciples, we are trusting God to call forth 12 individuals (or couples) committed to support Amir with $50.00/month (or more) for the next 4 years of Bible College and a world-wide ministry. Though finances are needed, he also needs a prayer base who will faithfully pray for him. Perhaps some may even be willing to write to him. With God all things are possible! The Euro today is $1.33 US. So we need approximately $6200.00 for Amir for this 2-Semester year, beginning in August 2009. Any size gift will be greatly appreciated. Perhaps some could give larger gifts. However, smaller gifts will be greatly appreciated also. For Income Tax receipts, funds can be sent to: *(Very Important**: Also enclose a stick-note designating for: ?Amir's TUITION.?)* From US - *?**Maoz Israel Ministries*,*? Box 535788, Grand Prairie, Texas 75053-5788, USA* From Canada - *?**Maoz Israel Ministries*,*? P.O. Box 81716, Toronto, Ont. M2R 3X1, Canada* Send Pledges to: *?**Two are Better than One? Ministries**, Jim & Marie Watt* *534 SW 326**th** ST., Federal Way WA 98023-5640, USA* Henry Beneda from ?Beth Chesed? helped us write this letter. His heart is very much for Israel, and especially one young Lebanese Israeli, Amir Haddad! *PS. To read Pastor Joseph Haddad's full testimony,* *See - ?A Future for Israel? by Julia Fisher,* *Published 2006 by ?Authentic Media?* *129 Mobilization Drive* *Waynesboro GA, 30830-4575* *ISBN 1 - 86024 - 531 - 5 (British Library)* This book has testimonies of 7 Palestinian, Egyptian and Christian Pastors. Awesome testimonies of God's dealing with these Arab pastors. Jim & Marie Watt *PLEDGE* *I hereby pledge, by the Grace of God,* *to send $50.00 monthly support for Amir Haddad's tuition* *at ?Iso Kirja Bible College?in Finland.* *Funds to be deposited through ?Maoz Israel Ministries?* *in Toronto, Canada,* *or ?Maoz Israel Ministries?* *Grand Prairie, Texas.* *Maoz will issue tax receipts for both countries.* *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Thu Apr 23 12:19:46 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 23 Apr 2009 12:19:46 -0700 Subject: Muller's 7 Motives Message-ID: <625d7240904231219s55da1d22lcc26d525a3e3562f@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* SEVEN MOTIVES FOR GEORGE MULLER?S TOURS (From ?George Muller of Bristol? by Dr. A.T. Pierson, Revell, 1899) Mr. Muller traveled over 200,000 miles when he was over 70, to make known the secrets and principles of faith that God had taught him through the Orphanage in Bristol, and 8 other endeavors of faith. He felt a divine compulsion to share these truths near and far. *1. * *To **preach the gospel **in its simplicity*, especially to show how salvation is based, not upon feelings or even upon faith, but upon the finished work of Christ; that justification is ours the moment we believe, and we are to accept and claim our place as accepted in the Beloved without regard to our inward states of feeling or emotions. *2. To **lead believers to know their saved state**, *and to realize their standing in Christ. Great numbers not only of disciples, but even preachers and pastors are themselves destitute of any real peace and joy in the Lord, and hence unable to lead others into joy and peace. *3. To **bring believers back to the Scriptures**, *to search the Word and find its hidden treasures; to test everything by this divine touchstone and hold fast only what will stand this test; to make it the daily subject of *meditative (vocal) *and prayerful examination in order to translate it into daily obedience. *4. To **promote among all true believers, brotherly love**; *to lead them to make less of those non-essentials in which disciples differ, and to make more of those great essential and foundation truths in which all true believers are united; to help all who love and trust one Lord to rise above narrow sectarian prejudices, and barriers to fellowship. *5. To **strengthen the faith of believers**, *encouraging a simpler trust, and a more real and unwavering confidence in God, and particularly in the sure answers to believing prayer, based upon His definite promises. *6. *T*o **promote separation from the world** *and deadness to it, and so to increase heavenly-mindedness in children of God; at the same time warning against fanatical extremes and extravagances, such as sinless perfection while in the flesh. *7. And finally to **fix the hope of disciples on the blessed coming of our Lord Jesus**; *and, in connection therewith, to instruct them as to the true character and object of the present dispensation, and the relation of the church to the world in this period of the outgathering of the Bride of Christ. *Summary**: *These seven objects may be briefly epitomized thus: Mr. Muller?s aim was to lead sinners to believe on the Name of the Son of God, and so to have* **eternal life**; *to help those who have thus believed, *to **know** *that they have this life; to teach them so *to **build up**themselves * on their most holy faith, by diligent searching into the word of God, and praying in the Holy Spirit, so that this life shall be more and more a real possession and a conscious possession; to promote among all disciples *the * *unity of the Spirit **and the **love** *which is the bond of perfectness, and to help them to exhibit that life before the world; to incite them to cultivate *an **unworldly and spiritual type of character** *such as conforms to the life of God in them; to lead them *to the **prayer of faith* * *which is both the expression and the expansion of the life of faith; and to direct their hope to the *final appearance of the Lord,** *so that they should purify themselves even as He is pure, and occupy till He comes. Mr. Muller was thus giving himself to the double work of evangelization and edification, on a scale commensurate with his love for a dying world, as opportunity afforded doing good unto all men, and especially to them who are of the household of faith. It was laid upon his heart frequently to address his *brethren in the ministry* of the Word and the care of souls. Everywhere, throughout the world, he welcomed opportunities for interviews, whether with many or few, upon whom he could impress his own deep convictions as to the vital secrets of effective service in the pulpit and pastorate. Such meetings with brethren in the ministry numbered hundreds and perhaps thousands in the course of his long life, and as his testimony was essentially the same on all occasions, a single utterance may be taken as the type of all. During his American tours, he gave an hour's address which was reported and published, and the substance of which may therefore be given. *?First* of all he laid great stress upon the *need of conversion*. Until a man is both truly turned unto God and sure of this change in himself he is not fitted to convert others. The ministry is not a human profession, but a divine vocation. The true preacher is both a *herald* and a *witness*, and hence must back up his message by his personal testimony from experience. But even conversion is not enough: there must be an *intimate knowledge of the Lord Jesus. *One must know the Lord as coming near to himself, and know the *joy and strength found in **hourly** access*. However it be done, and at any cost, the minister of Christ must reach this close relationship. *It is an absolute necessity to peace and power.* *Growth in happiness and love* was next made very prominent. It is impossible to set limits to the experience of any believer who casts himself *wholly* on God, surrenders himself *wholly* to God, and cherishes deep love for His word and holy intimacy with Himself. The first business of every morning should be to secure happiness in God, He who is to nourish others must carefully *feed his own soul*. *Daily reading and study of the Scriptures*, *with much prayer*, *especially in the morning hours*, was strenuously urged. Quietness before God should be habitually cultivated, calming the mind and freeing it from pre-occupation. Continuous reading of the Word, in course, will throw light upon the general teaching of the Word, and reveal God's thoughts in their variety and connection, and go far to correct erroneous views. *Holiness* must be the supreme aim: prompt obedience to all known truth, a single eye in serving God, and zeal for His glory. Many a life has been more or less a failure because habits of heart well pleasing to God have been neglected. Nothing is more the crowning grace than the unconscious grace of *humility*. All praise of man robs God of His own honor. Let us therefore be humble and turn all eyes unto God. The *message* must be gotten from God, if it is to be with power. ?Ask God for it,? said Mr. Muller, ?and be not satisfied unto the heart is at rest. When the text is obtained ask further guidance *in meditating upon it*, and keep in constant communion so as to get God's mind in the matter and His help in delivery. Then, after the work is done, pray *much* for blessing, as well as in advance.? He then told some startling facts as to seed sown many years before, but even now yielding fruit in answer to prayer. He laid also sp[ecial emphasis upon *expounding the Scripture*. He laid also special emphasis upon expounding the Scripture. The word of God is the staple of all preaching; Christ and nothing else the center of all true ministry of the Word. Whoever faithfully and constantly preaches Christ will find God's word not returning to him void. Preach simply. Luther's rule was to speak so that an ignorant maid-servant could understand; if she does, the learned professor certainly will; but it does not hold true that the simple understand all that the wise do. Mr. Muller seldom addressed his brethren in the ministry without giving more or less counsel as to *the conduct of church life*, giving plain witness against such hindrances as unconverted singers and choirs, secular methods of raising money, pew-rents and caste distinctions in the house of prayer, etc., and urging such helps as inquirers' meetings, pastoral visits, and, above all else, *believing prayer*. *He urged definite praying and importunate praying*, and remarked that Satan will not mind how we labor in prayer for a few days, weeks, or even months, if he can at last discourage us so that we cease praying, as though it were of no use. As to prayers for past seed-sowing, he told the writer of this memoir how in all supplication to God he looked not only forward but *backward*. He was accustomed to ask that the Lord would be pleased to bless seed long since sown and yet apparently unfruitful; and he said that, in answer to these prayers, he had up to that day evidence of God's loving remembrance of his work of faith and labor of love in years long gone by. He was permitted to know that messages delivered for God, tracts scattered, and other means of service had, after five, ten, twenty, and even sixty years, at last brought forth a harvest Hence his urgency in advising fellow laborers to *pray unceasingly* that God would work mightily in the hearts of those who had once been under their care, bringing to their remembrance the truth which had been set before them. The *humility* Mr. Muller enjoined *he practiced.* He was ever only the * servant* of the Lord. Mr. Spurgeon, in one of his sermons, describes the startling effect on London Bridge when he saw one lamp after another lit up with flame, though in the darkness he could not see the lamp-lighter; and George Muller set many a light burning when he was himself content to be unseen, unnoticed, and unknown. He *honestly* sought not his own glory but had the meek and quiet spirit so becoming a minister of Jesus Christ. This man - from his seventieth to his eight-seventh year - when most men are withdrawing from all activities, had traveled in forty-two countries and over two hundred thousand miles, a distance equivalent to nearly eight journeys round the globe! He estimated that during these seventeen years he had addressed over three million people; and from all that can be gathered from the records of these tours, we estimate that he must have spoken, outside of Bristol, between five thousand and six thousand times. What sort of teaching and testimony occupied these tours, those who have known the preacher and teacher need not be told. While at Berlin in 1891, he gave an address that serves as an example of the vital truths which he was accustomed to press on the attention of *fellow disciples*. We give a brief outline: He first urged that believers should *never, even under the greatest difficulties, be discouraged*, and gave for his position sound scriptural reasons. Then he pointed out to them that *the chief business of every day is first of all to seek to be truly at rest and happy in God.* Then he showed how, from the word of God, *all saved believes may know their true standing in Christ*, and how in circumstances of particular perplexity *they might ascertain the will of God*. He then urged disciples *to seek with intense earnestness* to become acquainted with God Himself as revealed in the Holy Scriptures, and carefully to form and maintain godly habits *of systematic Bible study* and *prayer*, *holy living* and *consecrated giving*. He taught that *God alone* is the one all-satisfying portion of the soul, and that we must determine to possess and enjoy Him as such. He closed by emphasizing it as the *one, single, all-absorbing, daily aim* to glorify God *in a complete surrender to His will and service.* *NOTE*: George Muller was introduced to me in 1944 by some unremembered person who gave to me as a new believer, his book ?Answers to Prayer.? I memorized the 6 points of the Preface How to Ascertain the Will of God, and the 5 points of Appendix A, How to Prevail in Prayer. Later I purchased his biography by Dr. A. T. Pierson, by Revell publishers, 1899, from which appear the quotes from above. I count him as one of the 4 most effective mentors in my life out of 144. I am currently rereading this biography each month, and seeking by God's grace to walk in the same steps of George Muller. Will you join me? - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Sat Apr 25 11:49:10 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2009 11:49:10 -0700 Subject: A Text without a Context Message-ID: <625d7240904251149s14f265e9o3c0ee546abb79923@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* ?*A TEXT WITHOUT A CONTEXT IS A PRETEXT!? - 2009-04-25* It is easy to quote a Bible Verse with little regard to contexts, and hopefully prove a point. The ?Jehovah's Witnesses? love to do this. But if you encourage them to look at the context of the verse they are quoting before they quickly go on to another verse, they will easily see that their application has little validity in the light of the context. A converted Jehovah's Witness successfully wins many of his former friends with this method! In the light of this, let us look at the context for Joshua 1:8; 1 Timothy 4:15 James 1:25 and selected portions from Jeremiah. Verses from these 4 texts only strengthen the applications. When these are studied with regard to Hebrew and Greek Word Studies, this even more confirms the applications. I once called the ?Word Study Method? that of a rifle shot; and the ?context method?, that of buck shot. A newspaper cartoonist felt I would do better by seeing the result of a ?Telescope? as the ?Context? method; and a ?Microscope? as portraying the ?Word Study? method. I will let you choose. Maybe some will see it as ?both/and? - not ?either/or!? Let's look at Joshua 1:8 (1:1-9) first: *?GOD REPLACES MOSES WITH JOSHUA?* *1. 1:1-2 (ASV '01). GOD COMMISSIONS JOSHUA. ?Now it came to pass after the death of Moses the servant of Jehovah, that Jehovah spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, **2** Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, unto **the land** which I do **give to them**, **even to the children of Israel**.? *Note that God gave this land to the people of Israel as an everlasting inheritance, whether they always deserved it or not. God is God! He can do as He wishes with His own. No other people have lived continuously in this land for 3400 years! Not the Palestinian people, who have no continuous history in this area; nor any other people. *2. 1:3 HOW TO POSSESS THE LAND. ?Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, to you have I given it, as I spoke unto Moses.?* Joshua did so, leading Israel of some 2-3 million people against 7 nations each greater than her, and in 7 years conquered the land of Canaan under God, and divided it among 9 ? tribes, 2 ? already having their inheritance East of Jordan under Moses. Churchill gave this latter part to the Kingdom of Jordan, but it was originally designated for Israel! Oil talks! *3. 1:4 GOD LAYS OUT ISRAEL'S BORDER. ?From the wilderness, and this Lebanon, even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea (Mediterranean) toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.? *Under King David and King Solomon his son, 3000 years ago this was literally fulfilled. And at the return of Jesus Christ in the very near future, it shall be established once again. And, Jesus after the flesh is a Jew! And, at that time, every nation, tribe, tongue and people will bow to him and confess that He is Lord of lords and King of kings to God the Father's glory! *4. 1:5 AS GOD WITH MOSES - SO HE WILL BE WITH JOSHUA. ?There shall not be any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you, nor forsake you.? *What a promise! And God completely fulfilled it in the next 30 years, before Joshua died at 110. He started this conquest at the age of 80. Jesus (YeSHUa in Hebrew), is the antitype or fulfillment of Joshua, and will complete in the Kingdom of God what Joshua started. *5. 1:6 CONDITIONS FOR JOSHUA'S LEADERSHIP. ?Be strong, and of good courage; for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them.? *Hitler believed that if you repeat a lie often enough, it will be believed. Ahmandinejad the Iranian, who thinks himself to be a second Hitler, repeats the lie continually of no Holocaust! He faces the same humiliation of Hitler for his lies. Unfortunately the world leaders of today refuse to effectively deal with this liar, just as they refused to deal with Hitler! *6. 1:7 GOD REMINDS JOSHUA OF MOSES' COMMANDMENTS. ?Only be strong and very courageous, to observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you; turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.? *This is a *good* word! *7. 1:8 ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT COMMANDMENTS IN THE BIBLE. ?This book of the law (teaching) shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night*, *that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.? *If we like Joshua memorize this, and practice it, we too can have like results. Hebrew parallelism appears in the OT Poetic books. A second phrase or clause makes clearer the preceding one! Note the first clause of the law in your *mouth!* The Hebrew word ?hahGAH? (meditate) follows in the next clause, and then carries with it the thought of *vocal meditation. *Look at Jews ?davening? at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, and vocally reading their Siddur (Prayer Book) or Scriptures while doing so, as an example. Something is released in our brain that only takes place when we pray or meditate *vocally*. It builds our ?immune system?, contributing to health for body, soul and spirit! Joshua apparently walked in this word from God. I seek to do so also. Why not all of us join Joshua? *8. 1:9 GOD PROMISES HIS PRESENCE FOR JOSHUA'S ENABLEMENT. ?Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed: for Jehovah your God is with you wherever you go.? *I *love* this word! I scripturally meditate upon it *every* morning. It *works*. It did for Joshua, and God being no respecter of persons, it will for you and me. In Christ, we can claim all these promises. *NOTE*: The above is so good, that I am going to let it stand alone as it is, and send it out to you. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Wed Apr 29 19:59:47 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 29 Apr 2009 19:59:47 -0700 Subject: Another "Meditation" Thrust Message-ID: <625d7240904291959k4a9ce16dm50e0b69afd074883@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *1 TIMOTHY 4:15 - ANOTHER ?MEDITATION? THRUST - 2009-04-29* *1 TIM 4:15 (4:11-16) ?THE HEART OF PAUL'S INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY?* *1. 4:11 THE PRECEDING IN 1 TIMOTHY: COMMAND AND TEACH. ?These thingscommand and teach.? * *2. 4:12 THE IMPORTANCE OF CORRECT EXAMPLE AND BEHAVIOR. ?Let no one despise your :youth; but be an example to the faithful, in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in purity.?* *3. 4:13. READING, EXHORTAION, TEACHING: A 3-FOLD WORD! ?Till I come, give heed to the reading, the exhortation, the teaching.?* *4. 4:14. FOLLOW UP ON PRESBYTERY IMPARTATION! ?Neglect not the gift in you, which was given you through prophecy, with laying on of the hands of the presbytery.? *12 Embryonic Revival Principles came together in 1948. Disapprovers nick-named it ?The New Order of Latter Rain.? The first receivers of this Visitation called it ?This Move,? or ?This Revival.? It started in February 11, 1948 with a prophetic word indicating what God was about to do. He was according to His promise of the preceding 13 years, about to restore His church with and on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets, and through the instrumentality of the laying on of hands and prophecy. He would indicate what giftings lay dormant in the hearts of prepared individuals. He would then empower them to start functioning in His body the church to edify - to build up. Paul indicates here how Timothy some 1900 years before - when through this same process, he was to keep such gifts in working order and under the Holy Spirit anointing. Did Paul too? Of course. *5. 4:15. NEED OF DILIGENCE, VOCAL MEDITATION, AND COMPLETE COMMITMENT TO THESE. ?Be diligent (with vocal meditation) in these; give yourself whollyto these; that your :progress be manifest to all.? *The Greek and Hebrew words are quite parallel to each other, especially in Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1. *6. 4:16a. OUR LIVE EXAMPLE AND TEACHING: TO BE PROTECTED! ?Take heed to yourself, and to the teaching.?* *7. 4:16b. PERSONAL AND HEARERS' SALVATION: THE FRUIT. ?Continue in these things; for in doing this you shall save both yourself and your :hearers.?* *NOTE*: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus - a *post graduate* course leading to a spiritual doctorate degree.. It involves specifically wisdom and rules for leading both churches in the home plus the City Church composed of such Churches in the Home. George Muller specifically included this type of teaching in each address to leaders in the 17 years of World Tours that he conducted from the age of 70 to 87. In his case, God had him in a school of faith in the church at Bristol, *plus* the leader in ?The Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad.? Here by God's leading, Muller installed ?Meals for the poor,? Sunday Schools, Adult Schools, Full time Day Schools - especially abroad, Bibles, tracts, Missionary Support and finally Orphanages, starting with 36, and ending up with over 2000. 10,000 orphans went through this latter before the death of its founder. And *never once* was a need made known, nor gifts solicited! For him, the acme of his days, was the opportunity to implant in the minds of leaders around the world what Paul gave Timothy and Titus. There is little doubt that Paul first implanted into the lives of Timothy and Titus the overview of the entire NT. In the 4 Gospels, the ?Good News? for the Evangelist to proclaim - clearly shines forth. George Whitefield marvelously made use of this. It is like Elementary School, and brings hearers and receivers up to their spiritual teens. The Book of Acts takes up where Jesus left off. But really, He is *still*as active as ever - except no longer hindered by a human body. Now in His glorified state - by the Holy Spirit, He empowers apostles to continue what He started. Peter and Paul are the special heroes of the Book of Acts. Smith Wigglesworth majored on what the Book of Acts demonstrates. 5 times in this history by Luke, we witness the reception of the Holy Spirit by believers. The gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy and tongues - find immediate manifestation. After many years of successful evangelism, Wigglesworth sensed the Lord's permission to share his spiritual secret why God used him. It was ?praying in the Spirit, praying with his devotional prayer language up to 4 hours a day. Paul said that he that prays this way, edifies or builds up his spirit, and testified that no one in Corinth used this gift as much as he. This is like Junior High. James through Jude is like High School. There 7 epistles are an important stepping stone to Paul's 14 letters. In some translations, these 7 epistles are placed right after the book of Acts. Ivan Panin discovered through Bible Numerics that this is the correct order. John Wesley made excellent use of these, especially for his class meetings of 70,000 members. But Paul's 7 letter to the 7 city churches addressed here, are of particular importance for the purpose for which they were written. Romans sets forth Justification by Faith, which was realized because Jesus became our Passover at Calvary. *Redemption* is the key-note of this experience. Oswald Chamber's writings among other emphases - zeros in on ?Redemption? as seen in Romans - as an essential key at the beginning of this stage of Christian experience. Apart from this foundation well-laid - what follows will not be truly realized. Ephesians is by many considered the most spiritual and mature of all of Paul's epistles. It shows forth the full manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The Day of Pentecost initiated this. Rees Howells, known as ?The Man with the Holy Ghost?, is a living example of the efficacy of this empowerment. He met the condition of being ?possessed? by the Holy Spirit. By all means read his biography by Norman P. Grubb. 1 & 2 Thessalonians brought forth Paul's keen understanding to clarify all aspects of the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. Much confusion on this subject existed in Thessalonica at this time. To carefully pray over these letters and *meditate* upon them, allows God to enlighten our understanding as well as our spirits. One successful going through the 9 epistles to those seven churches is equivalent to a spiritual university or college course. All who have the desire, will find the help of God in gaining this understanding. Letters to Corinth and Galatia are corrections for those who strayed from the moorings of ?Romans?; and Philippians and Colossians are the same for those departing from Ephesian Truth. I gained these insights from ?Explore the Book? by Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter. George Muller sensed the importance of a correct understanding on the Second Coming, - that the chief purpose of the church age is not to save the world, but to take out a bride for Christ out of the world. Those who today let down the bars and standards to let the world come into the church through ?Seeker-Friendly churches? - water down the church to such an extent that it little resembles the dynamic of the churches illustrated in the book of Acts. Hebrews and Revelation are correctives to those who slip the moorings of the Thessalonian epistles, which give an insight how soon the Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled. This church age is the age of the initial stage of the Kingdom of God within. The Second Coming will show forth the manifestation of that Kingdom under the benign rule of our Lord Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. The letters to Timothy and Titus are like a post graduate course. They are the cream of Paul's epistles. Revelation is like a post-post graduate course. By some it is considered a book by a mystic. No - Jesus *Himself* gave this revelation by an angel to His servant John. Dr. Daniel Juster received a word from God, that to understand Passover and the Exodus from Egypt, is the key to understand the book of Revelation. His teaching on this subject is remarkably clear. H. A. Baker in his book ?Visions Beyond the Veil?, also makes this book remarkably clear from what he learned by carefully checking out the visions of the little Chines beggars and orphans, and then further checking them out with Scripture. By all means add ?this? book to your library also. His grandson and his wife in Mozambique (Gordon and Heidi Baker) have reprinted this book, and through *> *it can be obtained. And the Book of Hebrews? Such controversy over authorship surrounds this epistle! As Romans was a clear presentation of the Gospel of the Kingdom to Gentiles, Hebrews does a parallel presentation to believing Jews. Who better than Paul, a rabbi and former persecutor of the church, to do so. Internal evidence corroborates this. Bible Numerics again settles the controversy, making Paul the author of 14 of the 27 books of the NT, including Hebrews. So - Timothy and Titus received from Paul a clear understanding of ?his? revelation and understanding of the ?mysteries? of the Kingdom of God, which he received by direct revelation from the Lord Jesus in the 3 years following his dramatic conversion, when he went into the desert. Jesus in 40 days of fasting in the wilderness returned in the power of the Holy Spirit, following also his 3-fold temptation by the devil. Paul had 3 years of direct instruction to prepare him as apostle to the Gentiles. The Lord still kept him another 10 years in training school, before with Barnabas, He released him into his great missionary service in NW Asia and Europe. I reread and meditate upon 1 Timothy 4:15 and its context daily - and I think of the entire NT as the fuller context that Paul had no doubt in mind when he had his secretary pen these words from the Lord Jesus to Timothy. - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Mon May 4 21:46:24 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 4 May 2009 21:46:24 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 7:1-24 Message-ID: <625d7240905042146t3a23bd09kd02880bdef88226@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* 2009-05-04 *1 Corinthians 7:1-24 (Numeric Greek & English NT by Ivan Panin)* *D. 7:1-7 RULES OF MARRIAGE: TO AVOID FORNICATION AND DEFRAUDING* *a. 7:1 PAUL ANSWERS QUESTIONS* PeRI de h*o*n eGRApsa-te [1125]: *Now concerning whereof you wrote:* kaLON anTHR*O*p*o* gu-naiKOS [1135] m*e* HAPtes-thai [680]. *It is **good for a man not to touch a woman.* *b. 7:2 PAUL'S SOLUTION FOR FORNICATION* diA de tas porNEIas [4202], HEkas-tos t*e*n he-auTOU guNAIka eCHEt*o*, *But, because of fornications, let each have his own :wife,* kai heKASt*e* ton Idi-on ANdra [435] eCHEt*o*. *and let each have her :own husband.* *c. 7:3 HUSBAND-WIFE OBLIGATIONS* t*e* gu-naiKI ho aN*E*R t*e*n o-pheiL*E*N [3784] a-po-diDOt*o* [591]: *Let the husband render to the wife her :due:* hoMOI*o*s de kai h*e* guN*E* t*o* anDRI [436]. *and likewise also the wife to the husband.* *d. 7:4 THE REASON FOR SUCH OBLIGATIONS* h*e* guN*E* tou iDIou S*O*ma-tos [4983] ouk e-xou-siAzei [1850], alLA ho aN* E*R: *The wife has not power over her own :body, but the husband:* hoMOI*o*s de kai ho aN*E*R tou iDIou S*O*ma-tos ouk e-xou-siAzei, *and likewise also the husband has not power over his own :body,* alLA h*e* guN*E*. *but the wife.* *e. 7:5 WISE EXCEPTIONS* m*e* a-po-steREIte [650] alL*E*lous, ei M*E*ti an ek sumPH*O*nou [4859 pros kaiRON [2540], *Defraud not one the other, except it be by consent for a season,* HIna schoLAs*e*-te [4980] t*e* pro-seuCH*E* [3521], kai PAlin ePI to auTO *E *te, *that you may give yourselves to :prayer, and be together again,* HIna m*e* peiRAz*e* [3985] huMAS ho Sa-taNAS diA t*e*n a-kraSIan [192] huM*O *N. *that :Satan tempt you not because of your incontinency.* *f. 7:6 NOTE THIS EXCEPTION ON PAUL'S PART (SEE 1 COR 14:37)* TOUto de LEg*o* kaTA sunGN*O*m*e*n [4774], ou kat' e-pi-taG*E*N [2003]. *But this I say by way of concession, not of commandment.* *g. 7:7a PAUL'S DESIRE FOR OTHERS IN MARRIAGE* THEl*o* [2309] de PANtas anTHR*O*pous EInai h*o*s kai e-mauTON. *Yet I would all men were even as I myself.* *h. 7:7b PAUL'S UNDERSTANDING OF DIFFERENT NEEDS* alLA HEkas-tos Idi-on Echei CHAris-ma [5486] ek TheOU, *But each has his :own gift from God,* ho men HOUt*o*s, ho de HOUt*o*s. *one this wise, and another thus wise.* *E. 7:8-24 LAWS OF SEPARATION AND PROPRIETY* *1. 7:8-16 LAWS OF MARITAL SEPARATION* *a. 7:8 PAUL MORE CLEARLY SPELLS OUT HIS COUNSEL* LEg*o* de tois aGAmois [22] kai tais CH*E*rais [5503], *But I say to the unmarried and the widows,* kaLON auTOIS eAN MEIn*o*-sin [3306] h*o*s ka' 'G*O*. *It is good for them if they abide even as I.* *b. 7:9 YET HE STILL SHOWS WISDOM FOR EXCEPTIONS* ei de ouk eg-kraTEUon-tai [1467], ga-m*e*SAt*o*san [1060]: *But if they have not continency, let them marry:* KREITton gar es-tin gaMEIN *e* puROUSthai [4408]. *for it is better to marry than to burn.* *c. 7:10-11 THE LORD'S VERY CLEAR COUNSEL* tois de ge-ga-m*e*KOsin [1060] pa-ragGELl*o* [3853], ouk eG*O*, alLA ho KUri-os, *But to the married I give charge, not I, but the Lord,* guNAIka aPO anDROS m*e* ch*o*-risTH*E*nai [5563], *That a wife depart not from a husband,* (eAN de kai ch*o*-risTH*E* [5563], meNEt*o* Aga-mos [22], *11 (but and if she depart, let her remain unmarried,* *e* t*o* anDRI ka-tal-laG*E*t*o* [2644]); *or be reconciled to the husband);* kai ANdra guNAIka m*e* a-phiEnai [863]. *and that a husband leave not his wife.* *d. 7:12 PAUL'S COUNSEL: BY PERMISSION* Tois de loiPOIS LEg*o* eG*O*, ouch ho KUri-os: *But to the rest say I, not the Lord:* ei tis a-delPHOS guNAIka Echei Apis-ton [571], *if any brother has an unbelieving wife,* kai HAUt*e* su-neu-doKEI [4909] oiKEIN [3611] met' auTOU, m*e* a-phiEt*o* [863] auT*E*N. *and she is content to dwell with him, let him not leave her.* *e. 7:13 COUNSEL FOR THE WIFE* kai guN*E* H*E*tis Echei ANdra Apis-ton, *And a woman that has an unbelieving husband,* kai HOUtos su-neu-doKEI oiKEIN met' auT*E*S, *and he is content to dwell with her,* m*e* a-phiEt*o* ton ANdra. *let her not leave the husband.* *f. 7:14 SANCTIFICATION FROM THE LORD IN MIXED MARRIAGES * h*e*GIas-tai [37] gar ho aN*E*R ho Apis-tos en t*e* gu-naiKI, *For the unbelieving :husband is sanctified in the wife,* kai h*e*GIas-tai h*e* guN*E* h*e* Apis-tos en t*o* a-delPH*O:* *and the unbelieving :wife is sanctified in the brother:* ePEI Ara ta TEKna [5043] huM*O*N aKAtharTA [169] es-tin; nun de HAgiA [40]es-tin. *else were your :children unclean; but now are they holy.* *g. 7:15 A CLEAR WORD OF PERMISSION* ei de ho Apis-tos ch*o*RIze-tai [5563], ch*o*riZESth*o*: *Yet if the unbelieving departs, let him depart:* ou deDOUl*o*-tai [1402] ho a-delPHOS *e* h*e* a-delPH*E* en tois toiOUtois: *the brother or the sister is not under bondage in :such cases:* en de eiR*E*n*e* KEkl*e*-ken [2563] huMAS ho TheOS. *but God has called you in peace.* *h. 7:16 YET - A HOPEFUL POSSIBILITY* ti gar OIdas, GUnai, ei ton ANdra S*O*seis [4983]? *For how do you know, O wife, whether you shall save the husband?* *e* ti OIdas, Aner, ei t*e*n guNAIka S*O*seis? *or how do you know, O husband, whether you shall save the wife?* *2. 7: 17-24 PRINCIPLE IN MARRIAGE: DON'T UNTANGLE THE PAST* *a. 7:17a UNDERSTAND THE LORD'S DISTRIBUTIONS AND WALK IN THEM* Ei m*e*, heKASt*o* h*o*s meMEri-ken [3307] ho KUri-os, *Only, as the Lord has distributed to each,* HEkas-ton h*o*s KEkl*e*-ken [2563] ho TheOS, HOUt*o*s pe-ri-paTEIt*o* [4043]. *as :God has called each, thus let him walk.* *b. 7:17b THIS RULING FOR ALL CHURCHES* kai HOUt*o*s en tais ek-kl*e*SIais [1577] PAsais di-aTASso-mai [1299]. *And thus I ordain in all the churches.* *c. 7:18a RULE OF CIRCUMCISION* pe-ri-tet-m*e*MEnos [4059] tis eKL*E*th*e*? m*e* e-pisPASth*o* [4059]. *Was any called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised.* *d. 7:18b RULE FOR UNCIRCUMCISION* en a-kro-busTIa [203] KEkl*e*TAI tis? m*e* pe-ri-temNESth*o*. *Has any been called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.* *e. 7:19 THE TRUE UNDERSTANDING OF CIRCUMCISION* h*e* pe-ri-toM*E* [4061] ouDEN es-tin, kai h*e* a-kro-busTIa ouDEN es-tin; *:Circumcision is nothing, and :uncircumcisionis nothing;* alLA T*E*r*e*-sis [5084] en-toL*O*N [1785] TheOU. *but keeping of God's commandments.* *f. 7:20 THE PRINCIPLE REPEATED* HEkas-tos en t*e* KL*E*sei [2821] h*e* e-KL*E*th*e* [2563] en TAUt*e* meNEt* o* [3306]. *Let each abide in the calling in which he was called.* *g. 7:21 THE RULE FOR SERVITUDE* DOUlos e-KL*E*th*e*s? m*e* soi meLEt*o* [3199]: *Were you called as a bondman? care not for it:* all', ei kai DUna-sai eLEUthe-ros [1658] geNESthai, MALlon CHR*E*sai [5530]. *no, even if you can become free, use it rather.* *h. 7:22 SPIRITUAL UNDERSTANDING BEHIND THIS RULE* ho gar en KuRI*o* kl*e*THEIS DOUlos [1401], *For who was called in the Lord being a bondman,* a-peLEUthe-ros [558] KuRIou esTIN: *is the Lord's freedman:* hoMOI*o*s ho eLEUthe-ros kl*e*THEIS, DOU-LOS [1401] es-tin ChrisTOU. *likewise who was called free, is Christ's bondman.* *i. 7:23 A CLEAR WORD* tiM*E*S [5092] h*e*-goRASth*e*-te [59]; m*e* GInes-the DOUloi anTHR*O*p*o*n. *You were bought with a price; become not bondmen of men.* *j. 7:24 AGAIN - A REPETITION OF THIS PRINCIPLE* Ekas-tos en h*o* eKL*E*th*e*, a-delPHOI, en TOUt*o* MEne-t*o* [3306] paRA The*O*. *Brethren, let each, in which he was called, therein abide with God.* *NOTE:* Imagine! The Lord through the Holy Spirit through Paul, lays out in a whole chapter answers to questions from the church of Corinth concerning difficult problems involved in marriage responsibilities, separation, divorce, state of children when one of the spouses is an unbeliever! But, beyond the wise handling of difficult problems, perhaps the most significant enlightenment that shines through in this chapter is the relationship of the Lord Himself and His servant and apostle in the mutual handling of these problems. The majority of the answers are from the Lord Jesus Himself. The few answers that Paul gives by permission, apart from the commandment of the Lord, are striking! He believes he has the mind of the Lord in these few answers, as a trustworthy servant and writer of 13 other letters to city churches and individuals. He can therefore no doubt be trusted by *us* in these few points. But the outstanding point that emerges from this, and one which I believe God Himself set up, is that everything else in all other 13 letters, is the commandment of the Lord, and is not the thinking of Paul. This should be a * shocker* to those who glibly set aside the writings of Paul in areas they disagree with. The fact is - it is *not* the apostle Paul they are rejecting, but *God and the Lord Jesus Himself*! Consider again 1 Corinthians 14:37 (14:37-40) - *?If any thinks himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him take knowledge of what things I write you, that it is theLord's commandment.? *This includes not just the 14 letters of the apostle Paul, but the *entire*New Testament, plus the entire Old Testament. See Peter's word in 2 Peter 1:21 (1:12-21) - *?For no prophecy was ever borne by man's will; but men spoke from God, being borne on by the Holy Spirit.?* One of the most awesome renderings of Paul in Hebrews is the following, set forth accurately by Dr. David Stern of Israel in his translation of the New Testament. Hebrews 8:6 (8:1-13) - *But now has he ( Jesus) obtained a ministry the more superior (than Moses), by so much as **he** is also mediator of a **better covenant**, which has been enacted (or better, **constituted as Torah**) upon better promises.? * God here is saying to the One New Man - Jew and Gentile alike in the church - that all 66 books of the Bible are *Torah*, Teaching, commandments to be followed. Jesus' words then become the infallible guide to interpret the entire Old Testament in the light of the Sermon on the Mount, and all His teachings through His apostles in the New Testament - especially the apostle Paul! Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:37 abundantly makes clear that he, like all other Bible writers, both Old and New Testament - are *faithfully* recording the true thoughts of *God Himself* through our Lord Jesus! The whole Bible, all 66 books, is *not* the book of man - but the *?Book of God.?* What is recorded here about the *church*, *salvation*, sex sins, abortion, etc., etc., etc - is *all* God's religious thinking on these matters - *not* man, religious thinkers, politicians, etc., etc., etc. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 (28:16-20) - *Jesus said - ?All authority has been given **me in heaven and on :earth**. **19** Go therefore, **and** disciple** all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit; **teaching them to keep ALL **things** **whatever I **commanded** you: **20** and lo, I am with you all the days till the consummation of the age.?* *God's thinking* on church members! They are to be *disciples*, keeping *all* the commands and words of *Jesus*, not mere converts from seeker-friendly churches. We are *not* to let the bars of the church down and receive into it the world, the unconverted, and the unredeemed. *This* was one of the main points and tenets of George Muller that he shared with leaders in 42 countries over a 17 year missionary tour period starting with his 70th year. Don's use as leaders in the church *any* who are not *true disciples*, committed to the fullness of the Bible, God's Word - not man's! There are some in the American government who are seeking to prohibit the declaration of God's Word and thinking on Sex sins - abortion - exposure of sins of politicians: for instance - *why* is it that our President refuses to bring forth a legitimate birth certificate certifying that he has a legal right to be our President, and is not unqualified? Why is it that our government behind the scenes is seeking to shut down conservative ?Talk-Show hosts? who expose the shenanigans of our liberal leaders, media and courts? Remember what Peter and John said in answer to the Jewish Sanhedrin who sought to shut down the 12 apostles of Jesus following His Resurrection: Acts 4:19-20- (4:13-31) - *?But :Peter and John answered **and** said unto them, Whether it is right in **the** sight of :God to **listen to you** **rather than :God**, you judge: **20** for WE **cannot** but **speak** what **things **we saw and heard.?* They were *jailed* and *beaten* for obeying God rather than religious government and leaders. Have we in America come to similar days? Do we have freedom to stand for *God* against sinners and leaders who reject and despise God and *His Word*, the Bible? What has our nation descended to? How far have we departed from the guidelines of our Founding Fathers? - Jim Watt *TO SUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-subscribe at 2rbetter.org * *TO UNSUBSCRIBE -- Please Email: mailing-unsubscribe at 2rbetter.org * *FOR ARCHIVE ARTICLES -- Web: http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/* -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From jmbetter at gmail.com Tue May 12 20:16:17 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 20:16:17 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 Message-ID: <625d7240905122016h3cb5e98fx6a18f2236bb2f716@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.874.4265 -- Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *1 Corinthians 7:25-40* *F. 7:25-40 ADVANTAGES OF SINGLE LIFE, VIRGINITY AND WIDOWHOOD* *1. 7:25-35 ADVANTAGES OF A SINGLE LIFE* *a. 7:25 PAUL WRITES CONCERNING VIRGINS* PeRI de t*o*n parTHEn*o*n [3933] e-pi-taG*E*N [2063] KuRIou ouk Ech*o*: *Now concerning the virgins I have no commandment of the Lord:* GN*O*m*e*n [1106] de DId*o*-mi, h*o*s *e*-le-*e*MEnos [1653] huPO KuRIou, *but I give judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord,* pisTOS [4103] EInai. *to be faithful.* *b. 7:26 RECOMMENDATION: THAT A MAN MAINTAIN HIS STATE* NoMIz*o* [3543] oun TOUto kaLON huPARchein diA t*e*n e-neST*O*san [1764]aNAGk *e*n [318]: *I think therefore that this is good because of the distress :upon us:* HOti kaLON anTHR*O*p*o* to HOUt*o*s EInai. *that it is good for a man to be as he is.* *c. 7:27a A CLEAR PRINCIPLE* DEde-sai [1210] gu-naiKI [1135]? m*e* Z*E*tei [2212] LUsin [3080]. *Are you bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed.* *d. 7:27b THE PRINCIPLE APPLIED IN THE OPPOSITE ARES* LElu-sai [3089] aPO gu-naiKOS? m*e* Z*E*tei guNAIka. *Are you loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.* *e. 7:28a YET NOT A SIN TO MARRY* eAN de kai gaM*E*s*e*s [1060], ouch H*E*mar-tes [264]; *But should you marry, you have not sinned;* kai eAN G*E*m*e* h*e* parTHEnos, ouch H*E*mar-ten. *and if the virgin marry, she has not sinned.* *f. 7:28b TRIBULATION IN THE FLESH: THE RESULT OF MARRIAGE* THLIpsin [2347] de t*e* sarKI [4561] Exou-sin hoi toiOUtoi: *Yet such shall have tribulation in the flesh:* eG*O* de huM*O*N PHEIdo-mai [5339]. *and I am sparing you.* *g. 7:29-31 PROPER GENERAL ATTITUDE IN TROUBLOUS TIMES* Touto de ph*e*-mi, a-delPHOI, ho kaiROS [2540] su-nes-talMEnos [4958] esTIN, *But this I say, brethren, the season is shortened,* to loiPON HIna kai hoi EchonTES guNAIkas h*o*s m*e* Echon-tes *O*sin; *that henceforth both those having wives may be as though not having;* kai hoi KLAIon-tes [2799], h*o*s m*e* KLAIon-tes; *30 and the weeping, as though not weeping;* kai hoi CHAIron-tes, h*o*s m*e* CHAIron-tes; *and the rejoicing, as though not rejoicing;* kai hoi a-goRAzon-tes [59], h*o*s m*e* kaTEchon-tes [2722]; *and the buying, as though not possessing;* kai hoi CHR*O*me-noi [5530] ton KOSmon, h*o*s m*e* ka-taCHR*O*me-noi [2710]: *31 and those using the world, as not using it to the full:* paRAgei [3855] gar to SCH*E*ma [4975] tou KOSmou TOUtou. *for the fashion of this :world passes away.* *h. 7:32a REASON FOR PAUL'S COUNSEL IN THIS AREA* THEl*o* de huMAS a-meRIMnous [275] EInai. *But I would have you to be free from cares.* *i. 7:32b-33 CONTRAST BETWEEN UNMARRIED AND MARRIED MEN* ho Aga-mos [22] me-rimNA [3308] ta tou KuRIou, *The unmarried cares for the things of the Lord,* p*o*s aREs*e* [700] t*o* KuRI*o*: *how he may please the Lord:* ho de gaM*E*sas [1060] me-rimNA ta tou KOSmou, *33 but the married cares for the things of the world,* p*o*s aREs*e* t*e* gu-naiKI, kai meMEris-tai [3307]. *how he may please the wife, and is divided.* *j. 7:34 CONTRAST BETWEEN UNMARRIED AND MARRIED WOMEN* kai h*e* guN*E* h*e* Aga-mos kai h*e* parTHEnos me-rimNA ta tou KuRIou, *Also the unmarried :woman and the virgin cares for the things of the Lord,* HIna *e* haGIa [40] kai t*o* S*O*ma-ti [4983] kai t*o* PNEUma-ti [4151]: *that she be holy both in :body and in :spirit:* h*e* de gaM*E*sa-sa [1060] me-rimNA ta tou KOSmou, *but the married cares for the things of the world,* p*o*s aREs*e* t*o* anDRI. *how she may please the husband.* *k. 7:35 HE THAT IS ABLE TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR* TOUto de pros to huM*O*N auT*O*N SUMpho-ron [4851] LEg*o*; *And this I say for your own :profit;* ouch HIna BROchon [1029] huMIN e-piBAl*o* [1911], alLA pros to EUsch*e*-mon [2158], *not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for what :is seemly,* kai euPAre-dron [2145] t*o* KuRI*o* a-pe-risPAst*o*s [563]. *and assiduous toward the Lord without distraction.* *2. 7:36-38 THE ADVANTAGES OF REMAINING A VIRGIN* *a. 7:36 A CONCESSION ON BEHALF OF VIRGINS* Ei de tis as-ch*e*-moNEIN[807] ePI t*e*n parTHEnon auTOU noMIzei [3543], *But if any thinks he behaves unseemly toward his :virgin,* eAN *e* huPErak-mos [5230], kai HOUt*o*s oPHEIlei [3784] GInes-thai, *if she be past the flower of age, and if need so requires,* ho THElei poiEIt*o*; ouch ha-marTAnei; gaMEIt*o*san [1060]. *let him do what he will; he sins not; let them marry.* *b. 7:37 THE BETTER PART CONCERNING A VIRGIN* hos de HESt*e*-ken [2476] en t*e* karDIa auTOU heDRAIos [1476], m*e* Ech*o*n aNAGk*e*n [318], *But who stands stedfast in his :heart, having no necessity,* e-xouSIan [1849] de Echei peRI tou iDIou theL*E*ma-tos [2307], *but has power as touching his own :will,* kai TOUto KEkri-ken [2919] en t*e* iDIa karDIa, *and has decided this in his own :heart,* t*e*REIN [5083] t*e*n he-auTOU parTHEnon, kaL*O*S poi*E*sei. *to keep his own :virgin, he shall do well.* *c. 7:38 THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE TWO POSSIBILITIES* H*O*Ste kai ho gaMIz*o*n [1547] t*e*n parTHEnon he-auTOU kaL*O*S poiEI; *So then both who gives his own :virgin in marriage does well;* kai ho m*e* gaMIz*o*n KREISson [2908] poi*E*sei. *and who gives not in marriage shall do better.* *3. 7:39-40 ADVANTAGES OF MAINTAINING WIDOWHOOD* *a. 7:39 THE LAW FOR WIDOWS* GuN*E* DEde-tai [1210] eph' HOson CHROnon [5550] z*e* [2198] ho aN*E*R auT*E *S; *A wife is bound for so long time as the husband lives;* eAN de koi-m*e*TH*E* [2537] ho aN*E*R, *but if the husband be fallen asleep,* e-leuTHEra [1658] esTIN h*o* THElei ga-m*e*TH*E*nai; MOnon in KuRI*o*. *she is free to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.* *b. 7:40 THE HIGHER LAW FOR WIDOWS* ma-ka-ri-*o*TEra [3107] de es-tin eAN HOUt*o*s MEIn*e* [3306], *But she is more blessed if she abide as she is,* kaTA t*e*n eM*E*N GN*O*m*e*n [1106]: doK*O* [1380] de ka' 'G*O* PNEUma TheOU Echein. *after my :judgment: and I think that I also have God's Spirit.* *NOTE:** * Some years ago two of our grandsons were in Bible Quiz. That year they were required to memorize the entire book of 1 Corinthians, and enter county, state and national contests. One of our 7 grandchildren progressed to the national level a number of times. But 1 Corinthians 7 for young teen-agers poses a number of challenges: for contestants are not only required to memorize all such, but must also understand what they have memorized! On one occasion my wife (their grandmother) and their mother were in the front seat of a car, and the two boys were in the back seat trying to figure out and understand what Paul was talking about in 7:36, when he refers to his virgin, if she be past the ?flower of age.? It was a little diff