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 difficult for mother and grandma up front to keep sober and not let on that they had overheard. One of the many nice things about God is that He remembers our frame, that we are but dust, and speaks by His Spirit through His writers on our level; and also that God and His Bible writers have no false modesty. Some readers have been troubled about the ?Song of Solomon? and its frankness concerning the physical aspects of love. Solomon wrote this book when he was yet young as kingly successor to his father David. Proverbs he wrote, guided by the Spirit, in mid-age for a son; and Ecclesiastes, in old age after he had ?blown it? by disobeying God and marrying a multitude of heathen wives. In all other 13 letters God led and inspired Paul to write, Paul wrote by command. It is *not Paul*, but *the Lord* commanding (1Corinthians 14:37). The one chapter of exception is 1 Corinthians 7: - partly given by the Lord, partly by Paul by the Lord's permission. I have no doubt of the great wisdom of God in permitting this exception. Paul here is answering very practical questions on marriage, directed to him by the Corinthian believers. In their former unsaved state, they had been exceedingly sinful and promiscuous in this area. Now as apostle to the Gentiles, Paul with his high rabbinical background, is answering their questions with a clarity and simplicity, that really no other comment is necessary. Perhaps not even Moses and the other Old Testament writers come up to Paul's level of clarity and simplicity in this area. May we in the 21st Century Church of Jew and Gentile, the ?One New Man? mystery of the book of Ephesians, walk in God's wisdom given here through His servant and apostle Paul. - 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 May 13 21:15:31 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 21:15:31 -0700 Subject: Placerville Report Message-ID: <625d7240905132115s3e8f0542w35e0c5d8253af2f1@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253.517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *TABTO - ?TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt - 2009-05.13* *REPORT ON PLACERVILLE, CALIFORNIA* *New Wine Christian Fellowship* *Pastors John & Cindy Cowper* *Thursday May 7 - Sunday May 10.* *SPECIAL NOTICE** from Jim & Marie - **NEW TELEPHONE # 253-517-9195* *We have had our old one since 1983, but - because of a saving by uniting Computer Service and Telephone with Comcast, the change seems right. Sorry for the inconvenience.* *NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER**, Thursday May 7, 2009* We flew into Sacramento earlier that afternoon, and were able to lead in this special event at 7:00 pm. in a home of one of the New Wine leaders. Some score or so were present. As some of you may remember, Pastor Joe McIntyre of the SeaTac Metroplex introduced me to Al Houghton in the early 90's. Al was interested in my relationship with the 1948 Visitation in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada. Because I am the last living elder of the 7 original elders of the Camp Meeting that summer, he suggested to the Placerville Congregation that they should have me come and share the high points of that time. In the Spring of 2006 they acted upon his suggestion, and we had a very profitable weekend together. Cindy Cowper met Marie at Port Townsend WA last year at a meeting with Rolland Baker, grandson of H.A. Baker, author of ?Visions Beyond the Veil,? and husband of Heidi Baker of Mozambique. Cindy then invited both of us for Mother's Day of this year, with the assigned subject of ?Prayer Multiplication,? the basis for local and city church ?*Break-through?*. God at the last minute helped Marie with a back problem, so that she was able to go too. We majored on Israel at the National Day of Prayer service, showing that there is national blessing for the nation that blesses Israel. President Truman and Nixon did so in their day. The prayer participation was excellent. For our second point we prayed for President Obama. The apostle Paul by the Spirit exhorts us to pray for our rulers, that we may live in peace. Tom Hess of Israel encourages us to pray for our President that the ?Fear of God? may enter his heart and soul. One way to accomplish this is through Job 33:14-18. There Elihu shows how God through dreams and visions does 4 things for a sleeper: ?He *withdraws man* from *his* *purposes*!? ?He *hides pride* from man!? ?He keeps back his soul from the pit,? and - ?his life from perishing.? See how God used dreams for Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar to accomplish His higher purposes through them! He can do the same for our President! One doesn't have to be a ?believer? to have God do so! He has converted whole Muslim villages in one night through dreams and visions. We believe God heard our prayers that night on our President's behalf. Join us in continued prayer until it is fully answered. Through ?Prayer Multiplication? *much* can be accomplished. See Deuteronomy 32:30 - one - 1000; two - 10,000! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - ?*Two are Better than One!? *Matthew 18:19 - *?If **two** of you shall agree (symphonize) concerning **anything** they ask, it **shall** be done for them by my Father in heaven,? *Jesus said! And in Zechariah 12:8 God assures inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Gentiles of the ?One New Man? according to Romans 11, that the feeble will be as David, 10,000 fold in prayer effectuveness; and mature leaders like David will be *as God* - one million fold! Two, 10 million; 4 couples - *one billion*! Satan and his principalities and powers over cities, counties, states and nations will be defeated and cast down just as when Daniel prayed, and had the help of Gabriel and Michael over Iran! ?Meditation,? by vocally praying over select portions of Scripture back to God, enables us to fulfill Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; 1 Timothy 4:15; James 1:25 and portions of Jeremiah. *Then* - whatever we do in ?Prayer Multiplication? will *prosper*; and *then* we shall have *good success*. Friday May 8 at noon in Sacramento we met with a Chinese group, very hungry and thirsty for God. Many were young people. Marie and I shared our testimonies, and many responded for healing and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. We sensed a unity, hunger and earnestness on a very high level. Many received their heart's desire. Oswald Chambers, Rees Howells, John Wesley and George Muller - all were ardent exhorters for disciples to be filled with the Spirit. Friday and Saturday nights we again shared with the leaders of New Wine Christian Fellowship. We majored on the tremendous blessing that comes forth from the practice of Biblical Meditation and the use of our devotional Prayer Language. Paul says he made use of these more than any of the Corinthian believers. Smith Wigglesworth said it was the main secret why God used him. Marie introduced McIntyre's ?Corporate Warfare Prayer?, which fortunately Cindy had copies made ahead of time. Every leader had a copy, and corporately we read it completely through under Marie's leadership. This had a tremendous impact no doubt. Only heaven knows what was accomplished through this. On Saturday morning on the ?Net? I came across Lee Grady's ?*God has Pushed a Great Big Reset Button*.? Cindy had it run off for us, and one of the leaders completely read it at the 3rd Leader's Meeting. It was ?powerful.? 4 key thoughts emerged from this reading: 1, The charismatic movement as we know it has ended. 2. A ?New Generation? church is emerging. 3. God is tearing down the walls that divide us. 4. We face an unprecedented global opportunity for evangelism. By all means ?surf the net? and download the complete article. Marie ended up the Saturday meeting by reading the introduction to Kelley Varner's ?The Corporate Anointing?. The complete book published by ?Destiny Image Publishers? is a vital key for God's purposes in these last days. It's only the Corporate Body Anointing that will break through, loosing God's plan and purposes - His power for today. But the Capstone of our time in Placerville with the New Wine Christian Fellowship folk was Sunday morning - ?Mother's Day.? Cindy Cowper honored Marie as a ?Mother in Israel? like Deborah by an emerald and diamond presentation. She also likened Marie to an Esther, a Ruth, a Rahab, a Hannah (mother of Samuel), a Hulda, Anna the prophetess and Mary the mother of Jesus after the flesh. It was Mary who responded to Gabriel the angel's message with, *?Be it unto me according to your word (R**E**ma}. * Because it was Mother's Day, I read from Proverbs 31:10-31, Solomon's eulogy to an ideal mother - probably his own! I then had Pastor John Cowper and Pastor Bob Gay lead us in a prayer of blessing for all mothers. It was the 25th Anniversary for New Wine Christian Fellowship. To launch this in an effective way, we made use of the 27th marriage anniversary of Pastor John & Cindy Cowper. I read the marriage portion of Ephesians 5:22-33, and pointed out that a husband and wife united as one flesh with each other, and individually one spirit with the Lord Jesus - have a rich basis for ?Prayer Multiplication.? I also pointed out how ?The Marriage Covenant? by Derek Prince sets it out in a very clear and practical manner. We use it all the time in pre-marital counsellings. ?The Border Crossing Sacrifice? practiced by the tribes of N.E. India, including the Hmar tribe of Assam, present a marvelous illustration of what Christ did for us at Calvary. When 2 chiefs in that part of the country want peace, they signal by way of drums or a horn, meet at their respective borders, and if open, cut a sacrifice there, and by doing so say, ?*May my men so cut me, if I break the covenant made at this border!? *How solemn! Marie then showed Ern Baxter's diagram of the triangle representing the individual's *di-aTH**E**k**e*? Covenant with God: a Greater with a lesser; the lesser can accept or reject His terms and conditions; but he *cannot*change them! God is at the apex of the triangle, and the 2 individual believers at the sides, progressing from 10-fold, 100-fold, 1000-fold, 10,000 fold, and in Zechariah 12:8, a million-fold! But these 2 individuals can then make a covenant between 2 equals, a marriage covenant, a *sunTH**E**k**e** *covenant. It is here that ?Prayer Multiplication? commences! One a thousand, but two - ten thousand! 4 couples - a million fold. But for those who *dare*, take Zechariah 12:8, and believe for a billion-fold with 4 couples, elders in the gate of the city. God has indicated that He is about to *activate* this vision! And - one doesn't have to be married to enter into this: 2 prayer partners can be every bit as effective, and sometimes - *more so*! We called the leaders forward, prayed over John and Cindy Cowper for the ?Renewal? of their marriage vows - and also for all other couples, married or prayer couples - who desired to enter into much more of the ?Prayer-Multiplication? potential! John and Cindy could be a leading example of this challenge from God. This would be a worthy ?break-through? for the 25th Anniversary of ?New Wine Christian Fellowship.? When Marie entered the church that morning, Cindy Cowper and Carol Cantrell arranged for Carol with her husband Ron to be there for the honoring of Marie. We have known the Cantrells as a couple since February of 1990, when Ron served as Associate Pastor at Congregation Beth Simcha of Federal Way WA - under Murray Silberling, the Senior Pastor. What a surprise for Marie! The shock and surprise of it brought tears to her eyes. Then at the close of the service, John and Cindy Cowper asked Marie and me to sit in their chairs, so the leaders could bless us. What a blessing! Then Ron & Carol Cantrell shared what our relationship had meant to them through the years, and also prayed for us. You might say - with all that took place in one weekend, what more can happen? Well - Marie and I turn 86 this summer, and what we shared at this time was scarcely ?the tip? of the iceberg! So it looks like we'll be returning sooner than the last time to pick up the unused pieces. But the key to all of this is - *not* what Jim & Marie did, but what *GOD*did through Jim and Marie. Our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ and the Anointing of the Holy Spirit - *here* lies the Key that made this weekend fruitful and blessed. And - plus - the prayers of many of you - especially an intercessory prayer team in Tacoma, and the Placerville Prayer Team. *God* answered their prayers too. So, all in all, only God deserves the glory and the thanksgiving. He says, *?My glory, I will **not** give to another.?* Over 20 times in one short passage in the New Testament, Paul and Barnabas state what *God* did through them. We are merely channels. ?Channels only, blessed Master - But with all Thy wondrous power - flowing through us - Thou canst us us - Every day - and every hour.? - 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 Sat May 16 10:04:16 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 10:04:16 -0700 Subject: Elder Installation Charge Message-ID: <625d7240905161004p58d0781evc9d9da935daf4c0d@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *A SUGGESTED ?CHARGE? FOR AN ?ELDER? INSTALLATION SERVICE* *A General Eldership Charge - See 1 Timothy 3:1-11 and Titus 1:5-9* *For a Specific Apostolic Eldership Charge - See the Following 12 Points* *Note: The 5-fold Epbesian 4:11 Ministries - are All Elders.* *See 1 Peter 5:11 (5:1-5) - Peter an Apostle, calls Himself a fellow-elder.* *According to Acts 20, the following are all synonyms:* *Overseer or bishop - ePISko-pos, Strong #1985, 5x* *Elder - presBUte-ros, Strong #4245, 67x* *Pastor or Shepherd - poiMEN, Strong #4166, 18x* *(All 3 of these words are used in Acts 20 interchangeably)* Paul chose Timothy, mother a Jew, father Greek; had him circumcised, and set apart in a Presbytery service conducted by elders from 3 city churches. Paul then intended to train him as his successor for Ephesus. There were a number of areas in which Paul did train Timothy, and in these specific areas he exhorted Timothy to diligently walk in. I would like to apply these principles as a ?charge? for an installation service. *1. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (1:18-20) GOOD WARFARE: BASED ON A PRESBYTERY INSTALLATION. ?This charge I commit to you, Timothy child, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you war the good warfare; 19 having faith and a good conscience; which some having thrust away made shipwreck concerning the faith.? *This is a most important concept, and was the *first* that God restored in the 1948 Visitation on February 11 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. In line with this is 1 Timothy 4:15 (4:11-16) *PAUL'S CHIEF CHARGE TO TIMOTHY. ?Be diligent (through vocal meditation) in these; give yourself wholly to these; that your :progress be apparent to all. 16 Take heed to yourself, and to the teaching. Continue in it; for in doing this you shall save both yourself and your :hearers.? *1 & 2 Timothy and Titus deal with the ordering of ?City Churches?, and the churches in the home within each city, which were the local churches of those early days. The word ?Be diligent? could equally be translated, ?Vocally meditate? on these concepts - and - give yourself *wholly* to them. The proof of obedience on Timothy's part was that leaders and people in Ephesus could see him progressing in all that Paul stood for. Centuries later, George Muller of Bristol, England, felt the same way about this. *2. Joshua 1:8 (1:1-9) VOCAL MEDITATION: GOD'S CHIEF CHARGE TO JOSHUA. ?This book of the law (Torah: Teaching) shall not depart out of **your mouth **, but you shall **meditate** (vocally, because of Hebrew parallelism) 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.? *With the death of Moses, God Himself takes charge in the final preparation for the ministry of Joshua to complete what Moses started. Just as Joshua represented Jehovah as Salvation in his day, *Jesus*, Jehovah the Savior, followed on from Joshua as a type, and led and founded the Church on Himself as the ?One New Man,? and by the Holy Spirit brought in the Kingdom of God, righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in our hearts. His Second Coming will bring the Kingdom into open manifestation world-wide, starting with Jerusalem and Israel. *3. Psalm 1 (1:1-6) THE BLESSED MAN: A MEDITATION IN TORAH LIKE DAVID - a man after God's own heart, established 500 years after Joshua, the type of the Kingdom that our Lord Jesus would consummate. ?But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law does he meditate day and night.? *All of the NT that directly related to Jesus in the Gospels, and that He spoke through His apostles in the epistles, are the *Teaching* or *Torah of God* just as was the OT to Joshua, David and the Prophets. *See Hebrews 8:6 8:1-13) THE NEW COVENANT: NOW CONSTITUTED AS TORAH! ?But now has he obtained a ministry the more superior, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted* *(or better - **constituted as Torah)** upon better promises.? * The New Covenant is now *constituted as Torah* (Teaching), just as the Old Covenant. Dr. David Stern correctly translates this verse in his translation of the Bible. *4. Romans 1:16 (1:15-17) THE GOSPEL OF PAUL: KEYED HERE IN PASSOVER, AND JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. ?For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is God's power unto salvation to every believer; to Jew first, also to Greek.? *Oswald Chambers, is a leading exponent of ?The Redemption? - the Key Reason why Jesus came. Because of His great love on our behalf before we were born, and while we were yet unsaved, leads us to *?Personal, passionate devotion to Jesus.?* *5. Ephesians 3:3 (3:1-12) THE MYSTERY OF THE CHURCH, THE ?ONE NEW MAN?, EMPOWERED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST.* *?How that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words.? *This whole context deserves careful meditation upon! It is the key to this whole epistle of Paul to the Ephesian city church. We come into the church as converts through the light shed by the prepositions ?eis? into, and ?en? in - but at Pentecost the Holy Spirit comes upon - *Epi* - proving our obedience (Acts 5:32) - and demonstrating that now we are truly *disciples!*?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb excels in making Pentecost a Reality. Note that Passover and Pentecost of the 4 Spring Feasts and Festivals are *intimately* related. In God's eyes, the 50 days between the two are *not* completed until Pentecost is realized on the basis of Passover. First the *blood* - and *then* the ?oil.? The counting of the Omer with its 50 days is but another confirmation of the close linkage of these two. *6. 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 (5:1-11) JESUS' SECOND COMING: AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT. ?But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that anything be written you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that theLord's day comes as a thief at night.? *1 & 2 Thessalonians deal in large measure with the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus - ?The Feast of Tabernacles.? It is important to see the Kingdom of God in 2 aspects: Hidden during the church age of 2000 years; *Open*during the Millennial Rule of our Lord Jesus now at hand. George Muller spent *much time* reading and studying the NT from beginning to end on this subject. He held a Pre-millennial, Post-tribulation position like Tregelles, H. A. Baker, Dr. James R. Graham and many others, by basing his conclusions on the NT alone and forsaking the traditions and teachings of men, movements, churches and denominations. *7. Matthew 24:14 (24:3-31) LAST DAY ORDER OF EVENTS. ?And this :gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole inhabited earth for a witness unto all the nations; and then shall the end come.? *The 4 gospels are unique. They represent the 4 faces of the cherubim in Ezekiel: Matthew the Lion; Mark the Ox; Luke the Man; and John the Eagle. *Jesus* is all 4 in perfect balance. We each represent but a portion of Him as our Head, but in His Body we complement and supplement one another. George Whitefield, evangelist, marvelously brought this Evangel forth in America. He strongly influenced Benjamin Franklin in his part in our Constitution, and was one of the great 3-fold influences in the life of George Muller. Paul wanted Timothy to understand Jesus in the Gospels. Note: It is the *death* of Jesus in the 4 Gospels, comprising ? to 1/3 of each, Not His birth of but 4 Gospel chapters, that the Holy Spirit emphasizes. *8. Acts 1:8 (1:6-12) ONE GREAT PURPOSE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. ?But you shall receive power (dunamis, dynamite), when the Holy Spirit is come upon you: and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all :Judea and Samaria, and unto the uttermost of the earth.? *The book of Acts representing Pentecost is the 50 day fulfillment of Jesus in the Gospels for Passover. Smith Wigglesworth extraordinarily represented and demonstrated the potential of this truth. He averred: ?*The secret of why God uses me, is because I use my devotional prayer language 4-5 hours every day.? Paul had a similar testimony.* *9. Jude 20-21 (17-23) A SPIRIT-FILLED EXHORTATION. ? But you, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy :faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in God's love, looking for the mercy of our :Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.? *James through Jude are like ?High School?, if the Gospels are ?Elementary?, and Acts ?Junior High.? John Wesley is a potent example of this. His cell meetings composed of 70,000 consistent * disciples* - *not* just believers - saved Great Britain from the tragedy of the French Revolution. The 7 letters between Acts and the 14 Pauline epistles, are especially directed to Jewish believers, who predominated in the early church. They were directed not just to Jewish believers in Israel - but to the ?*diaspora*? also, Jews living in other countries, chiefly because of past persecutions. Because Gentiles are grafted into our Jewish Roots, we of course share equally in these blessings, without having recourse or obligation of walking in Jewish law. Acts 15 and the book of Galatians make this abundantly clear. *10. The 7 City Churches of Paul addressed in his first 9 epistles: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi and Thessalonica: *express a maturity here, that Peter acknowledges some immature and undisciplined souls have perverted to their own destruction. See 2 Peter 3:16 (3:14-18) *?as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things; in which are some hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstedfast wrest, as also the other scriptures, unto their own :destruction.?* But Paul nonetheless holds Timothy responsible to diligently *meditate* in these things too. *This* is like being in a College of a University. However - those who give themselves to read, study, pray over, and meditate, by the help of the Holy Spirit, can excel in understanding here also! *11. Hebrews 6:1-2 (5:11-6:8) THE HEART OF THIS EPISTLE! ?Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ, let us be borne on unto the perfection; not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, - 2 the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.?* The book of Hebrews is like the book of Romans. Both letters deal with ?Foundation Truths?: Romans especially for Gentile believers; Hebrews for Jewish believers. Because of Romans 11 truths, Gentiles can make use of all that pertains to Jews. *12. Revelation 1:1 (1:1-3) JESUS' REVELATION: THROUGH AN ANGEL TO JOHN. *If the Pauline epistles are like University - then the Book of Revelation is like a Post-graduate course. Only the Holy Spirit can open this book. Dr. Daniel Juster received a key through *Passover and the Book of Exodus* that in a seven fold manner opens up its secrets. H. A. Baker in his ?Visions Beyond the Veil? - by what little Chinese beggars and orphans received in the home he and his wife provided - also opens its secrets. *CONCLUSION:* But back to the beginning, *1 Timothy 4:15*. For an apostolic-elder like Timothy, Paul's exhortation focuses on an elder's responsibility in a city church like ?Ephesus, and in the churches in the home. I personally from a careful study of the 3 so-called pastoral epistles?, do not see a plurality of elders in the small home church, such as Aquila and Priscilla led in Rome, Corinth and Ephesus. It appears to me that in the beginning, plurality of Eldership was city-wide, not church in the home. But as Paul in 1 Corinthians 7 had the permission of the Lord to give his opinion on marital matters, I believe the Lord gives us permission to make adaptation in local churches, that in one instance has grown to 750,000 members! However, all large local churches such as that of Pastor David Yonggi Cho's of Seoul South Korea, should have many cell groups or churches in the home. There, but one leader, and in the case of Aquila and Priscilla, elder and his wife - should lead. And their leadership should conform to the Lord's directive through Paul in 1 Corinthians 14. George Muller successfully led in such a situation of some 1400 members in Bristol, England, but with many churches in the home. The elder of such churches did not dominate services, but brought discipleship and maturity to all members - yet all had freedom in the Spirit to share in the various functions as indicated in 1 Corinthians 14. They also had communion or ?breaking of bread? each Sunday morning. So though we have permission to adjust - I yet believe the Lord would have us keep to the beginning goal, and believe and seek to return to the simplicity and edifying of that which George Muller experienced as recorded in the New Testament. One added point - the 5-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11 are *all elders*. Peter an apostle, in 2 Peter 5:1 (5:1-5) - *?The elders therefore among you I exhort, the fellow-elder, and witness of the sufferings of the Christ, who am partaker of the glory to be revealed.? - *here calls himself a * fellow-elder* with what I take to be the local elder-leader of each church in the home, who met regularly as a plurality of city elders to sit as it were the Eldership in the gate of the city. I acknowledge that some of the above concepts do not line up with present day practice. However, it is my personal conviction that current world conditions will be, even in our own country, causing us to relook at the concepts practiced in his day by George Muller. And I do believe that above insights do reflect an ideal charge to the installation of elders - either to a local church in the home, or an apostle, prophet, evangelist, teacher - serving in a city church composed of many cooperating local churches - and also in a traveling ministry between city churches and nations - such as the apostle Paul performed. One elder of a church in the home, is there the shepherd or pastor. He may or may not have a strong teaching ministry. Where he lacks the latter, then the Spirit will use those with a teaching ministry to supplement his lack. - 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 18 13:55:51 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 13:55:51 -0700 Subject: Leviticus - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240905181355h5e58102ayc64bf56f45f79fae@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* * LEVITICUS - OVERVIEW - T0801R* *?FELLOWSHIP THROUGH SANCTIFICATION?* *1. 3:17 (1-7) THE OFFERINGS: FOR ABSOLUTION. ?It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that you shall eat neither fat nor blood.? *Father, you have a right as Creator to rule over all the earth, and to establish rules and laws in Your wisdom. *Hallowed be Your :name!* *2. 9:24 (8-10) THE PRIESTHOOD: FOR INTERCESSION. ?And there came forth fire from Jehovah, and consumed upon the altar the burnt-offering and the fat: and when all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.? *When we do your will, Father, You confirm Your word with signs following. *Your :kingdom come!* *3. 16:34 (11-16) THE PEOPLE: THEIR PURIFICATION. ?And this shall be an everlasting statute unto you, to make atonement for the children of Israel because of all their sins once in the year. And he did as Jehovah commanded Moses.? *Father, You meet the needs of Your covenant people. This is Your establishment of Yom Kippur, the annual Day of Atonement. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth!* *4. 17:13 (17) THE ALTAR: FOR RECONCILIATION. ?And whatever man there be of the children of Israel, or of he strangers that sojourn among them, who takes in hunting any beast or bird that may be eaten: he shall pour out the blood of it, and cover it with dust.? *Father, You have put *life* in the * blood*! You were in Messiah reconciling the world to Yourself. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 18:29-30 (18-20) REGULATIONS FOR THE PEOPLE. ?For whoever shall do anyof these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among the people. 30 Therefore shall you keep my charge, that you practice not any of these abominable customs, which were practiced before you, and that you defile not yourselves in them: I am Jehovah your God.? *Father, You who spoke these things, are still holy to us. And - Your word to us is, ?*You be holy too*, for I am holy! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 22:9 (21-22) REGULATIONS FOR THE PRIESTS. ?They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it, and die in it, if they profane it; I am Jehovah who sanctifies them? *Father, Whose Name in in Your Son, and Who are both is us: as Your spiritual Kingdom of Priests, we walk softly before You. Your Spirit in us enables us in Kingdom power to walk in the truths of the types and shadows set forth in this book of Leviticus. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 26:40, 42 (23-27) REGULATIONS FOR FEASTS IN CANAAN. ?And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me, and also that, because they walked contrary unto me. 42 Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob; and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember, and I will remember the land.? *These words prepared the children of Israel, and encouraged them, just prior to their entry under Joshua into the land of Canaan. Canaan land for Israel is a type and shadow for the Church, the One New Man, which is made real in the Kingdom of God through the indwelling Holy Spirit, the promise of God in Jeremiah 31. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: In Leviticus, the blood and fat around organs (not muscles) - must be carefully dealt with according to God's commands. The blood was to be poured out and covered with earth, for *the life* is in the blood. The soul automatically dies as blood is completely shed, and animals have souls, but not spirit like man. Man is made in the image of God, who is *spirit*. The body-organ-fat must be burned in all 4 offerings (whole burnt, peace, trespass and sin). The Book of Leviticus is a type of the priesthood of the New Testament. Here, we *all* are a *Kingdom of Priests*. Because the Old Testament is a type in Israel foreshadowing the church, we in the church under the New Covenant (The One New Man of Jew & Gentile), are not obliged to keep the Old Testament commands to Israel. But, we are to walk in the words of Jesus through His apostles, which give the spiritual counterpart to what Moses gave Israel. Let us remember that the New Testament is in the Old contained, and the Old Testament is by the New explained. George Muller had a heart for Israel, but he remembered Acts 15 and the Book of Galatians, and was not caught up in Old Testament ?legalism.? Even the Jews could not fulfill the above (see Romans chapter 7) - but the Holy Spirit in the New Testament enables believers here to see Him live out the victorious life of Christ through us. - J.A.W. *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 18 15:08:42 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 15:08:42 -0700 Subject: Ezekiel - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240905181508m54aec6e6y8213b1d5e13fb2eb@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *EZEKIEL - OVERVIEW - T3401R* *?GOD'S GLORY: SEEN IN BOTH GOODNESS & SEVERITY?* *1. 3:1 (1-3 ASV '01) PREPARATION AND CALL OF EZEKIEL. ?And he said unto me, Son of man, eat that which you find; eat this roll, and go, speak unto the house of Israel.? *Like Ezekiel Father, we would become one with Your word! We would partake of Your divine nature by acting upon Your great and exceeding precious promises! Cooperation will be our watchword! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 12:25 (4-24) JERUSALEM TO BE JUDGED. ?For I am Jehovah; I will speak, and the word that I speak shall be performed; it shall be no more deferred: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I speak the word and will perform it, says the Lord Jehovah.? *Father, Your awe and fear falls upon us with such words. May we profit from them! May we not fall into the sin of Jerusalem! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 26:14 (25-32) JUDGMENTS ON SEVEN ADJOINING NATIONS. ?And I will make you a bare rock; you shall be a place for the spreading of nets; you shall be built no more: for I Jehovah have spoken it, says the Lord Jehovah.? *Father, Your judgments are just, terrible and complete; if not in this life, they shall surely show up in the next. Yet in justice You remember mercy, and Your judgments actually reveal Your mercy! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 34:2 (33-34) FALSE SHEPHERDS VERSUS GOOD SHEPHERDS. ?Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, even to the shepherds, Thus says the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the sheep?? *Father, forgive us for selfishness, carelessness and professionalism. We are all shepherds, at least to our own families, and then to Your Community, Your extended hand. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* * * *5. 37:10 (35-37) VALLEY OF DRY BONES. ?So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.? *Father, we see each individual soldier as a city church, as the whole body of believers of each local congregation in the city. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 39:2 (38-39) GOD AND MAGOG DESTROYED: ISRAEL EXALTED. ?And I will turn you about, and will lead you on, and will cause you to come up from the uttermost parts of the north; and I will bring you upon the mountains of Israel.? *Just as You brought and will bring judgment upon natural Israel, so You have and will always deliver us and Your Messianic Community from the plans of Satan. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 40:2 (40-48) FINAL TEMPLE, WORSHIP AND CITY. ?In the visions of God he brought me into the land of Israel, and set me down upon a very high mountain, on which was as it were the frame of a city on the south.? *A temple, a city and the land! These were important in the times of Israel. They are even more important to us as antitypes. Because of these visions, we stand yet more solidly in our faith in You! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *This Book of 48 chapters has much in it to consider. But consider Chapter 12 verse 25. This verse became important to me in June 1992, when Marie and I attended a 5 week seminar in Jerusalem. Before we left the USA, the Spirit alerted me: ?*I am going to speak to you when you are in Jerusalem on Shavuot, the Day of :Pentecost.? *Seldom does this happen, but on that year the Solar Feast of Pentecost coincided with the Lunar Feast of Shavuot, the Jewish equivalent for the same event. But - more than that - June 6th of that year was the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Jerusalem back into the hands of Israel! These 3 coinciding events will not coincide again! One million Jews from the Diaspora gathered together at that time to celebrate these three great events. We celebrated it too. I attended a synagogue service till 2:00 AM, as a guest speaker took us through the Book of Ruth. Then at 5:00 AM we went to the Western Wall for the final celebration. Up to ? million Jews gathered by foot from the various synagogues of Jerusalem, each group carrying its respective Torah Scroll. At the close, as all departed, we walked back to our Hotel past the King David Hotel. I had expected God to speak to me as we all gathered at the Western Wall. But when we passed the Gate of Zion He said to me, *?This day My decree has gone forth from My Throne. Time as you know it shall speed up for the next 5 years. That you might know that this is truly My Word, read Ezekiel 12:25.?* In the next 5 years we indeed saw evidence of God's fulfillment of this word. It was in July of this same year that in vision Marie and I had a visitation from George Hawtin of the '48 Revival. He told us that he was too old to lead in another visitation, but because we were with him from 1945-48, we knew the prophecies and principles of that time. He was passing the ?Torch? to us. *?Take it,? *he said,* ?and bring the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of 1948 to maturity. They shall be parameters of safety for the last great revival before the Return of God's Son.?* And - it was Jesus who said at the return of Jerusalem to Israel in 1967 - *?This generation shall not pass away, till all things be fulfilled!?* And - a generation is anywhere from 40 to 100 years. That timing is rapidly coming to a close. If there seems to be a delay here, remember that *?A day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as a day!? *- J.A.W.* * *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 19 14:43:55 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 14:43:55 -0700 Subject: Hos. Joel Amos Obad. - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240905191443q3b1a9bd6x5fa588d176e18e5@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, OBADIAH - OVERVIEW - T3701R* *?THE BACKSLIDER RESTORED?* *1. Hosea 6:1-2 (1-7, ASV '01) ISRAEL'S SINS INTOLERABLE: GOD IS HOLY. ?Come, and let us return unto Jehovah; for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up. 2 After two days will he revive us: on the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live before him.? *O Father, whose name is in Jesus - hear our prayer. We come to you like Israel. We give place to the coming of Your Kingdom. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. Hosea 10:12 (8-10) ISRAEL SHALL BE PUNISHED: GOD IS JUST. ?Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to kindness; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek Jehovah, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.? *We hear Your heart-call to us Father, and we say, Yes, Lord! Yes - we come *fully* to your will and Kingdom. We submit fully to You! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. Hosea 11:1, 4 (11-14) ISRAEL SHALL BE DESTROYED: GOD IS LOVE. ?When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. 4 I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love; and I was to them as they that lift up the yoke on their jaws; and I laid food before them.? *Father, in Your Sovereign love You chose Israel, clothed and fed her. Because You are without respect of persons, You will do likewise with us. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. Joel 2:24-25 (1-3) THE DAY OF JEHOVAH COMES. ?And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the canker-worm, and the caterpillar, and the palmer-worm my great army which I sent among you.? *Father, our hearts overflow with thanksgiving in the light of Your covenant love and faithfulness. Hallowed be Your Name! O forgive us for our slowness to believe; our hardness of heart. Grant us the New Covenant blessing of believing hearts of flesh! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. Amos 5:4 (1-6) JUDGMENT IS DESERVED AND DECREED. ?For thus says Jehovah unto the house of Israel, Seek me, and you shall live.? *Father, we hear Your voice through Your prophets and through Your word. We acknowledge Your righteousness in impending judgment. But we know also You are a God of mercy, and turn when we repent. We turn! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. Amos 9:4 (7-9) FIVE VISIONS. ?And I will bring back the captivity of my people Israel, and they shall build the waste cities, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and drink the wine of them; they shall also make gardens, and eat the fruit of them.? *No power of Satan, Father, can prevent this word of Yours, neither any other word of You, from being fulfilled! Hallelujah! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. Obadiah 17 (1:1-21) OBADIAH: PROPHET OF POETIC JUSTICE. ?But in mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions.? *Deliverance, holiness and full inheritance! You have spelled it out through Your Prophet, Father: *natural*for Israel - *spiritual* for Your church! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE:* From Hosea to Malachi, the 12 books are called the ?Minor Prophets.? However, they are *not* ?minor? in importance, but only in ?length!? Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel only take precedence over these 12 - because of their greater length! In a sense, the first 4 prophetic books above are self-explanatory, and the key verses selected from each tend to emphasize the message. The title does likewise (Several of the titles are from Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter). In all four, the heart of God shines through, and the Spirit of God impels the writer to record the message impressed upon his heart by that same Spirit. Remember the Spirit's word through Peter many centuries later - 2 Peter 1:19-21 (1:12-21) - *?And we have the word of prophecy more sure; whereto you do well to take heed, as to a lamp shining in a murky place, until day dawn, and the day-star arise in your :hearts: 20 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.? *And also remember that all 66 books of the Bible, both OT and NT - are *not* the words of man, but the words of our God and His Christ *through * men - 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.?* Imagine the shock that will come to the wicked, sinners and scoffers when they at the last judgment appear before the Great White Throne, and Jesus - God's appointed Judge - reveals how foolish, sinful and short-sighted they were in their earthly life! The doctrine of soul-sleep is not compatible with the teaching of Scripture! Neither is that of ?Ultimate Reconciliation? or ?Universalism.? See the reaction of one unbeliever when confronted by the apostle Paul on one occasion! Acts 24:24-25 (24:1-27), *?But after certain days, :Felix came with Drusilla, his own :wife, who was a Jewess, **and** sent for :Paul, and heard him concerning the faith unto Christ Jesus. **25 **And as he reasoned of **righteousness*,* and **self-control**, and **the judgment** :to come, :Felix **was terrified**, and answered, Go for :now; and when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.?* - J.A.W. *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 May 21 09:45:03 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 09:45:03 -0700 Subject: Jonah to Habakkuk Message-ID: <625d7240905210945k58a09335t39bd2ba803cd23b4@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *?PRAYER ALERT?** - 2009-05-21* *Thanks to many of you who have subscribed to our mailings. Some of you have particular intercessory giftings, and have indicated your interest in praying for Marie and me. We much appreciate this.* *Today we leave for Vancouver Island, and on Saturday will be conducting a Presbytery Installation Service in Victoria for friends of ours. On Sunday we drive to Port Alberni where many of Marie's relatives live, and probably Tuesday to Cumberland, where Marie's brother next to her in age is in a Rest Home, seriously in need of prayer. We will probably return home next Wednesday.* *On Sunday May 31st I will be speaking at an evening service in Aldergrove on ?Past Revivals of Canada.? * *Later in June we fly to Minnesota for Revival Meetings in line with God's Visitation in Northern Canada in 1948.* *We will much appreciate your prayer support for these, just as many of you prayed for us on Mother's Day Weekend when we were in California.* *Your friends - Jim & Marie Watt* *JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK - Overview - T3901R* *?TO JEW FIRST, BUT ALSO TO GREEK?* *1. Jonah 1:3 (1-2) REBELLION, PRAYER AND DELIVERANCE. ?But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah; and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare for it, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of Jehovah.? *Father, we cannot flee from You, even by going down! David knew this. We acknowledge it too. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. Jonah 4:2b (3-4) OBEDIENCE, COMPLAINT AND REBUKE. ?Therefore I hasted to flee unto Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness, and do repent of the evil.? *Father, we forgive Jonah for fleeing from doing Your will. O may we never fall into the trap of siding against You!? *Your :kingdom come.* *3. Micah 2:3 (1-2) THREATS OF COMING JUDGMENT. ?Therefore thus says Jehovah: Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which you shall not remove your necks, neither shall you walk haughtily; for it is an evil time.? *Judgment is a bitter time. Revelation that reveals a chosen one, not only does not preclude judgment, but actually necessitates it - and is a bitter lesson! Yet, in wrath, remember mercy! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. Micah 4:10 (3-5) PROPHECY OF PROMISED DELIVERANCE. ?Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shall you go forth out of the city, and shall dwell in the field, and shall come even unto Babylon: there shall you be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem you from the hand of your enemies.? *Here is Your powerful word of faithfulness, Father! *Forgive us for ever doubting You, *when the time of purging and judgment seems long. 1000 years is but a day to You! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. Micah 6:8 (6-7) EXHORTATIONS WITH PROMISED RESTORATION. ?He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does Jehovah require of you, but to do justly, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?? *Father, You shall yet visit us with revival. Your faithfulness to Judah and Israel of old shall be reduplicated in Your church. You will visit Your people - both natural and spiritual! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. Nahum 1:2 (1-3) VENGEANCE ON NINEVEH: A CONTRAST. ?Jehovah is a jealous God and avenges; Jehovah avenges and is full of wrath; Jehovah takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath for his enemies.? *You are slow to anger and judgment, Father; but eventually Your day of action comes: *suddenly* you come both to reward and judge. Satan's day of punishment will also come. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. Habakkuk 2:2-3 (1-3) THE MYSTERIES OF PROVIDENCE. ?And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hastes toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.? *Great is Your faithfulness, Father! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE* especially Micah 6:8. Individuals often ask, ?How can I please God?? Here is an answer to this question straight from the heart of God! This is actually God's hope and desire for every individual of mankind, but especially for those who have believed on the Finished Work of God's only begotten Son, and have entered into that realm of discipleship mentioned in the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20. Also let us pay close attention to Habakkuk 2:2-3. Understand clearly by God's Vision for us concerning His Kingdom. And note also the absolute need of *patience* for God's timing. King Saul couldn't wait for Samuel, and * lost* the Kingdom. Let us not *force* ourselves into the work of God's Kingdom ahead of His appointed time. But conversely, let us not lag behind like Israel in the wilderness. They failed to follow up on the good report of 2 of the 12 spies in Canaan land, Joshua and Caleb! As a nation they were then forced by God to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, a year for each day the 12 spies spent in spying out the land. But 2 other verses from Habakkuk could just as easily have found a place in the above 7 entries; Habakkuk 3:3-4 (3:1-15) *THE PROPHET'S STRONG CONFIDENCE IN GOD. ?God came from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. **4** And **his** brightness was as the light; **He had rays **coming forth* * from his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.**? *What an awesome revelation! Notice the *rays that came from his hand*. Compare with Mark 16:17-18 (16:19-18). *?And these signs **shall** follow them that have believed: in my :name shall they cast out demons, speak with tongues; **18** **and in the**ir** hands they shall take up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly it shall in no wise hurt them; **they shall lay hands on ** the** sick, and they shall recover.?* The laying on of hands on the sick brings forth one aspect of ?The Signs Following.? The Holy Spirit within a Spirit-filled person leaps out of his hands to impart healing into needy bodies. Jesus constantly engaged Himself in this in His 3-year earthly ministry. And - by His Spirit - He *indwells us*! Expect these two verses from Habakkuk to increasingly manifest themselves as the end of this age approaches, and the coming of our Lord draws nigh! - J.A.W. *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 May 27 20:24:41 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 20:24:41 -0700 Subject: Zephaniah to Malachi Message-ID: <625d7240905272024q2724b1f2r97d675c46f3cd6df@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-05-27 * *ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, MALACHI - Overview - T4101R* ?*MESSAGE OF THE COVENANT?* *1. Zephaniah 3:20 (1-3) THROUGH JUDGMENT TO BLESSING. ?At that time will I bring you in, and at that time will I gather you; for I will make you a name and a praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I bring back your captivity before your eyes, says Jehovah.?* Yours is a mighty Kingdom, Father, and an everlasting Kingdom! What You decree, You bring to pass! By the power of Your Spirit You accomplish it. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. Haggai 2:8-9 (1-2) HAGGAI: PROPHET OF THE TEMPLE. ?The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says Jehovah of hosts. 9 The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says Jehovah of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, says Jehovah of hosts.? *What is Your will, Father? *Restoration*! City churches as in the days of Paul - restored throughout every nation of earth! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. Zechariah 4:10 (1-6) EIGHT VISIONS. ?For who has despised the day of small things? for these seven shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; these are the eyes of Jehovah, which run to and fro through the whole earth.? **Find* your 300,000 soldiers for Your last day army, Father. *Send forth* the draft notices. Be our Zerubbabel, Lord Jesus. Build Your Church! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. Zech 8:18-19 (7-8) * *FASTS INTO FESTIVALS. ?And the word of Jehovah of hosts came unto me saying, **19** Thus says Jehovah of hosts: The fast of the fourth **month**, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love truth and peace.? * *Forgive us* Father, for not understanding the possibilities in You. Creatively we see You. You are the God who decrees whatever You purpose, and it comes to pass. You call the things that are not as though they were. You make fasting times - times of feasting! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. Zech 9:10 (9-14) ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF GOD'S KINGDOM. ?And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off; and he shall speak peace unto the nations: and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.? *We bless You Father, for the final triumph of Your Kingdom. Satan's day is but a little hour, a moment. But Your dominion in Christ is everlasting! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. Malachi 2:10 (1-2) A PICTURE OF DARKNESS. ?Have we not all one father? has not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, profaning the covenant of our fathers?? *Yes Father, why do we? What form of rebellion is in our heart to sin against You and the wife of our youth? How can we so lightly break Your Covenant of Marriage? *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. Malachi 3:1 (3-4) A PICTURE OF LIGHT. ?Behold, I send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes, says Jehovah of hosts.? *After night comes the morning. Judgment and purging prepare the way for revival. This is Your way, Father! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: Again, we might have put in another text for one of the selections above. Consider Zechariah 12:8 (9-14) *PRAYER MULTIPLICATION: BEYOND OUR WILDEST IMAGINATION. ?In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.? *This text became real to me in Northern Ontario in the late 70's, as I was in the daily reading of ?Faith's Checkbook? by Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Since 1967 and later in 1985, I had been looking for a handle to two visions God had given me at the first date. At the time God said, ?Call it ?Spiritual Star Wars;? - an automated Laser Telescope. What I had seen was featured in the March issue of the 1984 National Geographic. And because we as Gentiles are grafted into our Jewish Roots - we now share equally with Israel in their blessings through ?The One New Man.? See Romans 9:4-5 for further blessings because of this. In Deuteronomy 32:30, one drives 1000 to flight, but two - 10,000-fold; and they of the house of David - as God, as the *angel of Jehovah* before them - one million-fold; a couple: ten million; 4 couples, a billion-fold. The Lord can then take 8 fully submitted disciples, and automatically direct them against principalities and powers over cities, areas, states and nations - and remove them! Then we can like David, go in and mop up! That day will *soon* be upon us. Check out our Website <*www.2rbetter.org**> - *for other articles in ?Embryonics? and ?Archives? on this subject. What a way to end the English Old Testament with these 4 books. (The Hebrew Old Testament ends with 2 Chronicles.) - J.A.W. *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 May 29 09:53:07 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 09:53:07 -0700 Subject: The Name of God Message-ID: <625d7240905290953q4dd0a5b2x5df4d15d8c4bf3ff@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-05-29 * *?THE NAME OF GOD?** - 2009.05.19* *Introduction: * It is only within the last year that I have begun to use the ASV '01 (The American Standard Version, 1901). Originally, British and American Scholars pooled their resources to make a new translation in 1881-1885. They had an agreement that should the American translators not be satisfied with their joint effort, that they would refrain from putting out their independent translation for 14 years. 1901 released them to put out the ASV. One of the American goals was to use ?Jehovah? as their translation for ?LORD?, as it appears in the Authorized King James translation of 1608. Allow me to let them tell this in their own words: *Reasons for the ASV. *There were two rationales for the ASV. One reason was to obviate any justification for the unauthorized copied editions of the RV (The English version) that had been circulating. Another reason was to use more of the suggestions the American team had preferred, since the British team used few of their suggestions in the first place, even in the latter version which they had published incorporating some of them. Interestingly, while many of the suggestions of the American scholars were based on the differences between American and British usage, many others were based on differences in scholarship and what the American revisers felt the best translation to be. Consequently, there were several changes to the KJV text in the ASV that were not present in the RV. *Features of the ASV. *The divine name of the Almighty (the Tetragrammaton) is consistently rendered *Jehovah** *in the ASV Old Testament, rather than * LORD* as it appears in the *King James Bible*. The reason for this change, as the Committee explained in the preface, was that ?...the American Revisers...were brought to the unanimous conviction that a Jewish superstition, which regarded the Divine Name as too sacred to be uttered, ought no longer to dominate in the English or any other version of the Old Testament...? Other changes from the RV to the ASV included (but were not limited to) substituting ?who? and ?that? for ?which? when referring to people, and *Holy Ghost* was dropped in favor of *Holy Spirit*. Page headings were added and footnotes were improved. *Revisions of the ASV. *The ASV was the basis of four revisions. They were the *Revised Standard Version* (1946-1952/1971), the *Amplified Bible*(1965), the *New American Standard Bible* (1963-1971/1995), and the *Recovery Version*(1999). A fifth revision is in the making, the *World English Bible*. The ASV was also the basis for *Kenneth N. Taylor's*Bible paraphrase, *The Living Bible*, which was published in 1971. I have listed my study of this subject for the past 65 years, and the reason for my final decision to use this edition for my OT Outline Studies, and the use of ?Jehovah? for the ?Name of God.? I quite regularly receive objections for my decision, but really no suggestion is given for anything more acceptable to God that I have discovered. For those of you who no doubt have unexpressed doubts concerning the wisdom of my decision, I believe you deserve to hear and know the reasoning behind it. Many among you are correct in believing that numbers of students side with retaining of the translation of the Tetragrammaton to the 4 Hebrew consonants. However, there is also a very large number of students who prefer the choice I have made. Dr. William F. Fouts, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary of Chicago expressed the following when I graduated in 1952. He preferred translating the tratragrammaton ?Ye-h*o*VAH.? We as a class heard him out in his reasoning. Jehovah isn't exactly an English equivalent, but is far closer that ?YAHweh.? Once a year the High Priest of Israel on Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement) went into the Holy of Holies and pronounced the Tetragrammaton, and though that ceased at the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD, numbers believe that is was not ?YAHweh? that he pronounced. In the Newberry Reference Bible by Thomas Newberry published by Kregel Publications of Grand Rapids, Michigan - in his Introduction on p.xx, he deals with the title Jehovah appearing 6000 times in the OT, and demonstrates how it is based upon the 3 tenses of the verb ?to be?, according to Hebrews 13:8 and Revelation 1:8. But - most of all - I believe God would have us settle on the ?Jehovah? translation because of the Orthodox Jewish use of ?Adonai? to replace the Tetragrammaton. This is such a perversion of the true meaning, that it seems to be time to challenge this corruption with what in the days of the ASV answer this challenge so effectively. A number of times in the prophets the combination of ?Sovereign Jehovah? (Adonai Jehovah, Zephaniah 1:7; Zechariah 9:14, two of these) appears. Because the strictest of Religious Jews do not believe in pronouncing the ?Tetragrammaton?, and substitute ?Adonai? for it - they *now* have a problem with this combination of Sovereign LORD, which would be ?Adonai Adonai?. ?Adonai Jehovah? would solve the problem. I studied Theology for a year and a half in a Modernistic Seminary, because I felt God wanted me to thoroughly understand the perversion of Scripture that takes place in these institutions. My forebears are Scottish Presbyterian going back to the inventor James Watt, but Modernism has degraded our early heritage. The Modernists are happy to discard the ASV rendering. Later I graduated after 3 years from NBTS, an Evangelical Seminary. Evangelicals often follow the use of Yahweh, but many of them acknowledge that this solution is really not too satisfactory either. I have considered using the translation ?Jehovah? for many years, but have hesitated. What finally launched me in the last year of my 65 years of ministry was Dr. Ivan Panin. He produced a Numeric Greek Text of the NT at the turn of the 20th Century, and followed up with an English Translation of this text. He later stated - ?The ASV 1901 is closer to the Numeric Hebrew OT than any other translation extant at that time. It was this word that after more than 60 years encouraged me to take the stand to which many object. I of course do not ask any to follow my example - but I do believe it offers more merit than any other I have come across since 1944. One other point. Some are sticklers that the 4 Hebrew consonants of the Tetragrammaton can not be translated. Let me offer a challenge! *The Hebrew language has no vowels!* It wasn't until the days of our A.D., that rabbis recognized many could no longer pronounce their language, so they put in the present vowels we see; but they are not inspired - just the 22 consonants. So what some object to concerning the Tetragrammaton, applies likewise to the entire Hebrew language. To be consistent, we would, if we held the above view, put ourselves into a serious bind. Also, the Jerusalem daily papers have *no* vowels, the way it was at the beginning. For in the beginning all Jews knew the Hebrew pronunciation for their entire language apart from vowels, including Jehovah. Only in the times when Jesus came to earth, the Pharisees and rabbis stopped pronouncing the Sacred Name - but they did permit the High Priest to do so once a year. So - do *we* follow the example of these Jews and *not* pronounce what they *originally* did pronounce? I prefer to follow the reasoning of the ASV translators. I have had but 5 years of Latin, Greek and Hebrew in formal schooling, so see myself as a student, but do not count myself as a scholar. I have however put in well over 40,000 hours on the Bible languages. I love God and His Word. Today this email came to me: ?The name ?Jehovah? isn't in the original text. It's supposed to be ?YHVH?. Jehovah is a name made up by man. It is a transliteration of the true name YHVH.? I have written the above answer to refute this Email. It is true that the writer may not receive my answer, but perhaps some of you may see more sense in my approach than this friend. - J.A.W. *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 May 30 21:00:02 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 21:00:02 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Message-ID: <625d7240905302100s7a8beabfg92c48995730e7c6f@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-05-30 * *1 Corinthians 8:1-13* *III. 8:1-11:34 A TREATISE ON APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY* *A. 8:1-13 LAW CONCERNING IDOL MEAT* *a. 8:1a KNOWLEDGE CONCERNING IDOL OFFERINGS* PeRI de t*o*n ei-d*o*-loTHUt*o*n [1494]: *Now concerning the things sacrificed to idols:* OIda-men [1492] HOti PANtes GN*O*sin [1108] Echo-men. *We know that we all have knowledge.* *b. 8:1b A CONTRAST BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE* h*e* GN*O*sis phu-siOI [5448], h*e* de aGAp*e* oi-ko-doMEI [3618]. *:Knowledge puffs up, but :love builds up.* *c. 8:2-3 KNOWLEDGE APART FROM LOVE - IS ALSO APART FROM GOD* ei tis doKEI [1380] eg-n*o*KEnai ti [1492], *If any thinks he knows anything,* OUp*o* EGn*o* kaTH*O*S dei GN*O*nai [1097]; *he knows not yet as he ought to know;* ei de tis a-gaPA ton TheON, HOUtos EGn*o*s-tai hup' auTOU. *3 but if any loves :God, the same is known by him.* *d. 8:4 A TRUE RECOGNITION OF THE NATURE OF IDOLS* PeRI t*e*s BR*O*se-*o*s [1035] oun t*o*n ei-d*o*-loTHUt*o*n [1494], *Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols,* OIda-men HOti ouDEN EId*o*-lon [1497] en KOSm*o* [2889], *we know that no idol is anything in the world,* kai HOti ouDEIS TheOS ei m*e* heis. *and that there is no God but one.* *e. 8:5-6 CONTRAST BETWEEN TRUE GOD AND SO-CALLED GODS* kai gar EIper ei-sin leGOme-noi TheOI, EIte en ou-raN*O* EIte ePI g*e*s; *For though there be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth;* H*O*Sper eiSIN TheOI polLOI, kai KUri-oi [2962] polLOI; *just as gods are many, and lords many;* all' huMIN heis TheOS, ho paT*E*R [3962], *6 yet to us there is one God, the Father,* ex hou ta PANta, kai huMEIS eis auTON; *of whom are :all things, and we unto him;* kai heis KUri-os, 'I*e*SOUS ChrisTOS, *and one Lord, Jesus Christ,* di' hou ta PANta, kai h*e*MEIS di' auTOU. *through whom are all the things, and we through him.* *f. 8:7 INADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE DEFILES THE CONSCIENCE* All' ouk en PAsin h*e* GN*O*sis: *But not in all is the knowledge:* tiNES de, t*e* su-n*e*THEIa [4893] HE*o*s ARti tou eiD*O*lon, *but some, :being used until now to the idol,* h*o*s ei-d*o*LOthu-ton ESthi-ou-sin [2068]; *eat as of a thing sacrificed to idols;* kai h*e* suNEId*e*-sis auT*O*N as-theN*E*S [772] OUsa moLUne-tai [3435]. *and their :conscience heing weak is defiled.* *g. 8:8 A CLEAR PRINCIPLE* BR*O*ma [1033] de h*e*MAS ou pa-ra-ST*E*sei [3936] t*o* The*O*: *But meat will not present us to :God:* OUte, eAN m*e* PHAg*o*-men [5315], hus-teROUme-tha [4052]; *neither, if we eat not, do we lack;* OUte, eAN PHAg*o*-men, pe-ris-seuOmen [5302]. *nor, if we eat, do we abound.* *h. 8:9 YET - BALANCE IT WITH LOVE* BLEpe-te [992] de m*e* p*o*s h*e* e-xouSIa [1849] huM*O*N HAUt*e* *But look you lest by any means this :power of yours* PROSkom-ma [4348] GEn*e*tai tois as-theNEsin [770]. *become a stumbling-block to the weak.* *i. 8:10 CONSCIENCE WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE* eAN gar tis Id*e* se ton Echon-ta GN*O*sin en ei-d*o*LI*o* [1493] *For if one sees you who has knowledge sitting at meat* ka-taKEIme-non [2621], ouCHI h*e* suNEId*e*-sis [4893] auTOU, as-theNOUS [772] ONtos, *in an idol's temple, will not his :conscience, if he is weak,* oi-ko-do-m*e*TH*E*se-tai [3618] eis to ta ei-d*o*LOthu-ta [1494] esTHIein? *be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?* *j. 8:11 THE DANGER OF UNBALANCED KNOWLEDGE* aPOLlu-tai [622] gar ho as-theN*O*N [770] en t*e* GN*O*sei, *For by your :knowledge the weak perishes,* ho a-delPHOS di' hon ChrisTOS aPEtha-nen [599]. *the brother for whom Christ died.* *k. 8:12 THIS CAN CAUSE SINNING AGAINST CHRIST* HOUt*o*s de, ha-marTAnon-tes [264] eis tous a-delPHOUS, *And thus, sinning against the brethren,* kai TUPton-tes [5180] auT*O*N t*e*n suNEId*e*-sin as-theNOUsan, *and smiting their :conscience when weak,* eis ChrisTON ha-marTAne-te [599]. *you sin against Christ.* *l. 8:13 PAUL'S PERSONAL SOLUTION* diOper, ei BR*O*ma skan-daLIzei [4624] ton a-delPHON mou, *Wherefore, if meat stumbles my :brother,* ou m*e* PHAg*o* KREa [2907] eis ton ai*O*na, *I will eat no flesh unto the age,* HIna m*e* ton a-delPHON mou skan-daLIs*o*. *that I cause not my :brother to stumble.* *NOTE:* We can apply this same principle to the drinking of wine. The Salvation Army withdrew communion from their worship in the beginning, because of the number of believers who had been converted out of alcoholism. This we can understand, because it is the spirit of the Holy Spirit in Paul in this passage. In Israel wine is served at the Passover supper and is greatly diluted for children, - but is used. Many believe alcoholism is at a minimum there because this seems to inoculate children from this later life bondage. In France most Protestant churches use wine in their communion service. In Messianic Jewish congregations a choice is offered of both wine and grape juice. Each should receive one another in their respective choices without being judgmental. Yet when occasion arises such as faced the Salvation Army of England, then Paul's advice with meat in 8:13 should apply. It is possible to become so legal in these decisions that we lose the freedom of the Gospel. And then on the other hand we can become so overbearing in our freedom that we stumble the weak! *The love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) *will *always* lead us aright! Look again at 8:1b - *?:Knowledge puffs up, but :love builds up.? *O that we all would deeply meditate upon this truth, so that we could walk in it! How many problems would be solved! How then unbelievers on the outside of the church would look at us and exclaim, *See how they **love** one another! * In the book of Romans Paul deals with this matter more fully. - J. A. W. *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 Jun 3 21:02:47 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 3 Jun 2009 21:02:47 -0700 Subject: Psalm 19:1-14 Message-ID: <625d7240906032102p3fb664bbp108b289bcca0d661@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org * *2009-06-03 * * * *PSALM 19:1-14 - 2009-05-31 - Day of Pentecost - Book of Ruth - Barley Harvest* *?THE WORKS AND THE WORD OF GOD?* *A. 19:1-6 GOD'S FIRST GOSPEL: HIS WORKS!* *a. 19:l GOD'S GOSPEL IN CREATION* hash-sh*a*MAYyim [8064] me-sap-peRIYM [5608] ceB*O*D [3519] - *e*l; *The heavens declare the glory of God;* vu-ma-aSEH [4639] yaD*A*YN mag-GIYD [5046] h*a*-r*a*KIYa [7549]. *And the firmament shows his handiwork.* *b. 19:2 THE WITNESS OF DAY AND NIGHT* y*o*m leY*O*M yab-biy*A* [5072] Omer [561], *Day unto day utters speech,* veLAYl*a*h leLAYl*a*h ye-chavVEH [2331] - D*A*ath [1847]. *And night unto night shows knowledge.* *c. 19:3 IT IS A SILENT WITNESS* *E*YN - o-mer ve*E*YN de-b*a*RIYM [561]; *There is no speech nor language;* beLIY nashM*A* k*o*L*A*M [6963]. *Their voice is not heard.* *d. 19:4-5 OUR SUN: PICTURES GOD'S SON!* be-c*a*l - ha*A*retz y*a*TZ*A* kavV*A*M [6457], *Their line is gone out through all the earth,* vu-bikTZ*E*H [7097] TH*E*bel [8398] mil-l*e*yHEM. *And their words to the end of the world.* lashSHEmesh [8121] S*A*M - o-hel [3605] b*a*HEM, *In them has he set a tabernacle for the sun,* veHU ce-ch*a*TH*A*N [2860] yoTZ*E* m*e*-chup-p*a*TH*O* [2646], *5 Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,* y*a*SHIYSH [7797] ce-gibB*O*R [1368] l*a*RUTZ *O*rach [734]. *And rejoices as a strong man to run his course* *e. 19:6 THE EXTENT OF THEIR WITNESS* mikTZ*E*H [7097] hash-sh*a*MAYIM, *His going forth is from the end of the heavens,* M*O*tz*a*-*O* vu-the-k*u*-phaTH*O* [8622] al - ke-tz*o*TH*A*M [7098]; *And his circuit unto the ends of it;* ve*E*YN nisT*A*R [5640] M*E*ham-ma-th*o* [2535] . *And there is nothing hid from its heat.* *B. 19:7-14 GOD'S SECOND GOSPEL: HIS WORDS* *a. 19:7 PURPOSE OF JEHOVAH'S LAW AND TESTIMONY* t*o*RATH [8451] Ye-h*o*VAH temiyMAH [8549], meSHIYbath [7725] NEphesh [5315]; *The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul;* *e*DUTH [5715] Ye-h*o*VAH ne-e-m*a*N*A*H [539], machCIYmath [2449] PEthiy [6612]. *The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple.* *b. 19:8 PURPOSE OF JEHOVAH'S PRECEPTS AND COMMANDMENT* pik-kuD*E*Y [4687] Ye-h*o*V*A*H ye-sh*a*RIYM [[3477], me-sam-me-ch*e*y [8056] - LEB; *The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart:* mitzVATH [4487] Ye-h*o*V*A*H b*a*R*A*H [1249], me-iyRATH [215] *e*yN*A*yim [5869]; *The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes.* *c. 19:9 PURPOSE OF JEHOVAH'S FEAR AND ORDINANCES* yirATH [3373] Ye-h*o*V*A*H te-h*o*R*A*H [2889], *o*MEdeth [5975] l*a*AD [5703]: *The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring for ever:* MISHpe-t*e*y [4941] - Ye-h*o*V*A*H eMETH [571], TZ*A*de-ku [6663] yachD*A*V. *The ordinances of Jehovah are true, and righteous altogether.* *d. 19:10 THEIR VALUE* HANnech-m*a*DIYM [2520] MIZz*a*-h*a*b [2091], vu-mipPAZ [6337] r*a*b; *More to be desired are they than gold, yes, than much fine gold;* vu-me-thuKIYM [4966] mid-deBASH [1706] veNOpheth tzuPHIYM [6688]. *Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb.* *e. 19:11 TWO MORE PURPOSES* GAM - ab-be-c*a* [5650] nizH*A*R 2094] b*a*HEM: *Moreover by them is your servant warned:* be-sh*a*mR*A*M [8104] *E*keb [6118] r*a*b. *In keeping them there is great reward.* *f. 19:12 A PRAYER OF CONFESSION* she-giy*O*TH [7691] MIY - ya-biyn [995]? *Who can discern his errors?* MINnis-th*a*-r*o*th [5640] nakK*E*niy [5352]. *Clear me from hidden faults.* *g. 19:13 A PLEA FOR GOD'S PREVENIENT GRACE* gam miz-z*e*DIYM [2086] chaSOC [2820] abDEc*a*; *Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;* AL - yim-she-lu [4910] - BIY:* * *Let them not have dominion over me:* *a*z *e*yTH*A*M [8552], *Then shall I be upright,* ve-nikK*E*Ythi [5352] mip-peSHA [6588] R*A*B. *And I shall be clear from great transgression.* *h. 19:14 THE CAPSTONE OF THIS PSALM* YIhe-yu le-r*a*TZ*O*N [7522] im-r*e*y - PIY [6310] *Let the words of my mouth * ve-hegY*O*N ]1902] libBIY *and the meditation of my heart* le-ph*a*NEYc*a* *Be acceptable in your sight,* Ye-h*o*V*A*H, tzuRI [6697], ve-go-aLIY [1350]. *O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer.* *NOTE**: According to His promise to me at the University of British Columbia in the Fall of 1942, God revealed Himself to me at Passover of 1944. Shortly after His revelation, I was on a Navy ?Make and Mend? somewhere outside of HMCS Naden at Esquimalt, BC, just outside of Victoria. A few of us wee visiting an old Tavern, and inscribed above its door were the words and reference of Psalm 19:14! This made a deep impression upon me as a new believer, and I immediately put it to memory. Later God impressed upon me the importance of having **His Words in my mouth, praying the Bible, especially Psalms, Proverbs and the New Testament back to Him orally. I later discovered also that Jewish believers meditated from the heart vocally back to God, as they davened before Him. Their Prayer Book (Siddur) which they use, is mostly a collection of Scripture verses for this purpose. One can still see them doing this today before the Western Wall and in their synagogues.* *Oral meditation, praying back to God His Word both with understanding and in the Spirit, releases revelation from the Lord, understanding and insights in His Word, strengthening of one's person: body, soul and spirit. It greatly enhances the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) and grants victory in our thought life (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).* *I link this verse (Psalm 19:14) and this Psalm with Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1; and 1 Timothy 4:15.* *I believe these insights that God planted in my heart and mind the first few months of my conversion, have been the secret of the revelations I have received the last 65 years.* I am preparing this Psalm and NOTE on the Day of Pentecost, Solar year (Shavuot is the equivalent in the Jewish Lunar Year). In 1992 my wife Marie and I were in Jerusalem for a 5 week seminar course on our Jewish Roots. Before flying to Israel, God spoke to me in my spirit that He would speak to me a special message on June 6, 1992, the Day of Pentecost and Shavuot of that year. Seldom do these two Solar and Lunar Feasts come on the same day. But - not only these two - but also the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Jerusalem back into the hands of Israel in 1967 at the Six Days' War -* fell on this day!*These 3 events will never coincide again! Jesus said in Matthew 24 that when Jerusalem is again restored to Israel, that generation would not pass away 'till He would return! A generation may be between 40 and 100 years. God told Abraham that his descendants would be in Egypt 4 generation of 400 years. *I attended a celebration of Shavuot, the Day of Pentecost on June 6, 1992 in a Jerusalem Synagogue unto 2:00 AM. Then Marie and I went to the Western Wall where close to one quarter of a million Jews met there, walking from some 40 synagogue groups, and with their respective Torah Scrolls, consummated the Feast of Weeks following the full reading of the Book of Ruth. Barley Harvest takes place at this time, 50 days after the Feast of Firstfruits connected with Passover - tying the two Feasts together. Passover is not consummated until Pentecost takes place with the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is incomplete to have but ?Justification by Faith? in the Book of Romans. We need empowerment and the fire of holiness as revealed in the Book of Ephesians!* *As we left the Western Wall about 7:00 AM of June 6, 1992, and as we walked opposite to the Gate of Zion on the return to our hotel - the Word of the Lord came to me - ?This day My decree has gone forth from My Throne. From now on, 'time' from your vantage point will speed up for the next five years. That you may know that this is My Word through you, read Ezekiel 12:21-28.?* *What happened at Whistler, BC, July 1st 1995 was much of the fulfillment of this word. Freda Cooper led many of her tribal people in confessing their sin of departure from God on their part. As they made reconciliation with God, then representatives from Canada, Great Britain and the United States came and knelt and asked forgiveness on behalf of their people - for their mistreatment of the First Nations People of North America. But not until the First Nations People under the leadership of Freda Cooper first made reconciliation with God for their past transgressions.* *David Mainse of Toronto witnessed that this day - July 1st 1995, was the outstanding day to him in his history of all of God's dealing up to that time!* *It is interesting to note that July 1st 1995 is the 128th anniversary of the British North America Act of 1867, declaring the Dominion of Canada a separate and independent entity from Great Britain; while at the same time retaining a position within the British Commonwealth of Nations. 128 is ?2? to the 7th power! God makes no mistakes in His numbering! By some He is called ?The Mighty Numberer!? Through Ivan Panin God has reestablished the original Numeric Greek Text of the New Testament, and its English Numeric New Testament translation. God has commissioned me to put these two texts into an Interlinear Format, transliterating the Greek text into English to facilitate its use by laymen; outlining it according to the Numeric ?sentence?, ?sub-paragraph?, ?paragraph?, and ?section? divisions - and inserting Strong's numbers following the significant Greek words.* *My grandson Keelan Long is preparing a Website for this work, plus Greek Numeric Word Studies, plus Bible Book Outlines based on Numerics, plus selected Hebrew Interlinear chapters, plus Archives. Check out our Website < * *www.2rbetter.org> for the beginning of these postings. Keelan hopes to develop a method of posting for me (soon age 86), so that I can complete this assignment.* *In Conclusion**: - God is **no respecter of persons. He will use any of us as He used George Muller or me. Vocal Meditation, prayer in the Spirit, devotionally praying back God's word to Him in prayer format - these are the secrets that enable each of us to move up to the level where God's individual calling for each of us can then be achieved. Of course, it requires full discipleship (Matthew 28:18-20); full committal (Mark 8:34) and full renewal of mind (Romans 12:1-2). Then there is no way Satan can hinder God from fulfilling His full and perfect will through each one of us. - J.A.W.* *P.S. In the above paragraph commemorating the 128th birthday of Canada on July 1st 1995, I initially made an error by stating it as 132 years, though it is actually ?2? to the 7th power. On Sunday March 31st, the Day of Pentecost at Aldergrove, BC, I repeated this error in a public service, and was corrected by a man, but failed to catch it. My apologies: ?To err is human - to forgive is divine!? - J.A.W.* *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 Jun 9 19:30:38 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 9 Jun 2009 19:30:38 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 Message-ID: <625d7240906091930p23255f18x92916989efc2a557@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-06-09 * *B. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:1-27 - RESTRAINTS TO APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY* *1. 9:1-2 PROOF OF APOSTLESHIP: A NEW CITY CHURCH* *a. 9:1 QUESTIONS* Ouk eiMI eLEUthe-ros [652]? ouk eiMI aPOsto-los [652]? *Am I not free? am I not an apostle?* ouCHI 'I*e*SOUN ton KUri-on h*e*M*O*N he*O*ra-ka [3708]? *have I not seen Jesus our :Lord?* ou to ERgon [2041] mou huMEIS es-te en KuRI*o*? *are not you my work in the Lord?* *b. 9:2 THE SEAL OF PAUL'S APOSTLESHIP* ei ALlois ouk eiMI aPOsto-los, alLA ge huMIN ei-mi; *If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you;* h*e* gar sphraGIS [4973] mou t*e*s apo-stoL*E*S [651] huMEIS es-te en KuRI*o *. *for the seal of my :apostleship are YOU in the Lord.* *2. 9:3-18 REASONS FOR RELINQUISHING APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY* *a. 9:3 PAUL'S DEFENCE* H*e* eM*E* a-po-loGIa [627] tois eME a-naKRInouSIN [350] es-tin HAUt*e*. *My :defence to them that examine me is this.* *b. 9:4 QUESTION* m*e* ouk Echo-men e-xouSIan [1849] phaGEIN [5315] kai pein [4095]? *Have we not authority to eat and to drink?* *c. 9:5 PAUL'S RIGHT* m*e* ouk Echo-men e-xouSIan a-delPH*E*N [79] guNAIka [1135] pe-riAgein [4013], *Have we not authority to lead about a wife that is a sister,* h*o*s kai hoi loiPOI aPOsto-loi, *even as the rest of the apostles,* kai hoi a-delPHOI [80] tou KuRIou, kai K*e*PHAS? *and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?* *d. 9:6 QUESTION* *e* MOnos eG*O* kai BarNAbas, ouk Echo-men e-xouSIan m*e* erGAzes-thai [1849]? *Or I only and Barnabas, have we not authority to forbear working?* *e. 9:7 QUESTIONS* tis straTEUe-tai [4754] iDIois o-ps*o*NIois [3800] poTE? *Who is ever a soldier at his own charges?* tis puTEUei [5452] am-peL*O*na [290], kai ton karPON [2590] auTOU ouk esTHIei [2068]? *who plants a vineyeard, and eats not its fruit?* *e* tis poiMAInei [4166] POIMn*e*n [4167], kai ek tou GAlak-tos [1051] t*e*s POIMn*e*s ouk esTHIei? *or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?* *f. 9:8 QUESTIONS* M*e* kaTA ANthr*o*-pon TAUta laL*O*? *Do I speak these things after man's manner? * *e* kai ho NOmos [3551] TAUta ou LEgei? *or says not the law also the same?* *g. 9:9a PRINCIPLES OF RIGHT FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT* en gar t*o* M*o*-uSE*o*s NOm*o* GEgrap-tai, *For it is written in the law of Moses,* Ou phiM*O*seis [5392] boUN [1016] a-lo*O*Nta [248]. *You shall not muzzle an ox threshing.* *h. 9:9b-10a QUESTIONS* m*e* t*o*n bo*o*n MElei t*o* The*O*, *Or cares God for the oxen, * *e* di' h*e*MAS PANt*o*s LEgei? *10a or says he it altogether for us?* *i. 9:10b APPLICATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PRINCIPLE* di' h*e*MAS gar eGRAph*e*; *Yes, for us it was written:* HOti oPHEIlei [3784] ep' elPIdi [1680] ho a-ro-tri*O*N [722] a-ro-triAN; *because who plows ought to plow in hope;* kai ho a-lo*O*N [248], ep' elPIdi tou meTEchein [3348]. *and who threshes, to thresh in hope of partaking.* *j. 9:11 QUESTION* Ei' h*e*MEIS huMIN ta pneu-ma-tiKA [4152] esPEIra-men [4687], *If we sowed for you :spiritual things,* MEga ei h*e*MEIS huM*O*N ta sar-kiKA [4559] theRIso-men [2325]? *is it a great matter if we shall reap your :carnal things?* *k. 9:12a QUESTION* ei ALloi t*e*s huM*O*N e-xouSIas meTEchou-sin [3348], ou MALlon h*e*MEIS? *If others partake of this :authority over you, do not we yet more?* *l. 9:12b PAUL'S REASON FOR REFRAINING FROM USE OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY* all' ouk ech-r*e*SAme-tha [5330] t*e* e-xouSIa TAUt*e*; alLA PANta STEgo-men [4722], *But we did not use this :authority; but we bear all things,* HIna m*e* ti-na en-koP*E*N [1464] D*O*men [1325] t*o* eu-an-geLI*o* tou ChrisTOU. *that we may cause no hindrance to the gospel of the Christ.* *m. 9:13 QUESTION* ouk OIda-te HOti hoi ta hi-eRA [2413] er-gaZOme-noi [2038] *Do you not know that who minister about the holy things* ta ek tou hi-eROU esTHIou-sin [2068]; *eat of the things of the holy place;* hoi t*o* thu-si-a-st*e*RI*o* [2379] pa-reDREUon-tes [4332] t*o* thu-si-a-st* e*RI*o* sun-meRIzon-tai [4829]? *they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar?* *n. 9:14 THE LORD'S ORDAINED PRINCIPLE* HOUt*o*s kai ho KUri-os diEta-xen [1299] *Thus also the Lord ordained* tois to eu-agGELli-on ka-tagGELlou-sin [2605] ek tou eu-ag-geLIou z*e*n [2605]. *those proclaiming the gospel to live of the gospel.* *o. 9:15 PAUL'S REASON FOR REFRAINING FROM THIS RIGHT* eG*O* de ou KEchr*e*-mai [5530] ou-deNI TOUt*o*n: *But I have used none of these things:* ouk Egra-psa de TAUta HIna HOUt*o*s GEn*e*tai en eMOI; *and I write not these that it be so done in my case;* kaLON gar moi MALlon a-po-thaNEIN [599], *e* - *for it were good for me rather to die, than -* to KAUch*e*MA [2745] mou ouDEIS keN*O*sei [2758]. *none shall make my :glorying void.* *p. 9:16 PAUL'S OBLIGATION CONCERNING THE GOSPEL* eAN gar eu-ag-geLIz*o*-mai [2097], ouk EStin moi KAUch*e*-ma; *For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of;* aNAGk*e* [318] gar moi ePIkei-tai [1945]; *for necessity is laid upon me;* ouAI gar MOI es-tin, eAN m*e* eu-ag-geLIs*o*-mai. *for woe is me, if I should not preach the gospel.* *q. 9:17 REWARD VERSUS STEWARDSHIP* ei gar heK*O*N [1635] TOUto PRASs*o* [4238], misTHON [3408] Ech*o*: *For if I do this of my will, I have reward:* ei de Ak*o*n [210], oi-ko-noMIan [3622] pePISteu-mai [4100]. *but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me.* *r. 9:18a QUESTION* tis oun moi esTIN ho misTHOS?? *What then is my :reward?* *s. 9:18b PAUL'S SOLUTION: PREACHING WITHOUT CHARGE* HIna, eu-ag-ge-liZOme-nos, aDApa-non [77] TH*E*s*o* [5087] to eu-anGEli-on, *That, when I preach the gospel, I may give the gospel without charge,* eis to m*e* ka-taCHR*E*sas-thai [2097] t*e* e-xouSIa mou en t*o* eu-ag-geLI* o*. *so as not to use to the full my :authority in the gospel.* *3. 9:19-23 EMPATHY: PAUL'S ADAPTATION OF AUTHORITY TO WIN ALL* *a. 9:19 PAUL'S METHOD OF REACHING THE LOST* E-LEUthe-ros [1658] gar h*o*n ek PANt*o*n, *For though I was free from all, * PAsin a-mauTON eDOUl*o*-sa [1402], HIna tous PLEIo-nas kerDEs*o* [2770]. *I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.* *b. 9:20-21 PAUL ILLUSTRATES THIS* kai e-geNOm*e*n [1096] tois 'IouDAIois h*o*s 'IouDAIos, HIna 'IouDAIous kerD *E*s*o*; *And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews;* tois huPO NOmon [3551], h*o*s huPO NOmon, *to those under law, as under law,* m*e* *o*n auTOS huPO NOmon, HIna tous NOmon kerD*E*s*o*; *not being myself under law, that I might gain those under law;* tois aNOmois [459], h*o*s Ano-mos, *21 to those without law, as without law, * m*e* *o*n Ano-mos TheOU, all' ENno-mos [1772] ChrisTOU, *not being without law to God, but under law to Christ,* HIna kerDAn*o* [2770] tous aNOmous. *that I might gain those without law.* *c. 9:22 HE CONTINUES HIS ILLUSTRATION* e-geNOm*e*n tois as-theNEsin [772] as-theN*E*S, HIna tous as-theNEIS kerD*E* s*o*: *To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak:* tois PAsin GEgo-na PANta, *I am become all things to :all men,* HIna PANt*o*s tiNAS S*O*s*o* [4982]. *that I may by all means save some.* *d. 9:23 THE BENEFIT PAUL SEEKS* PANta de poi*O* diA to eu-agGEli-on, *And I do all things for the gospel,* HIna sun-koi-n*o*NOS [4792] auTOU GEn*o*-mai. *that I may become joint partaker of it.* *4. 9:24-27. AUTHORITY WITHOUT SELF-CONTROL BRINGS DISAPPROVAL* *a. 9:24a PAUL USES THE MARATHON AS AN ILLUSTRATION* Ouk OIda-te HOti hoi en staDI*o* [4712] TREchon-tes [5143] PANtes men TREcou-sin, *Do you not know that who run in a racecourse run all,* heis de lamBAnei to braBEIon [1017]? *but one receives the prize?* *b. 9:24b THE GOAL IN RUNNING* HOUt*o*s TREche-te HIna ka-taLAb*e*-te [2638]. *So run that you may apprehend.* *c. 9:25a THE CONDITION OF SELF-CONTROL* pas de ho a-g*o*-niZOme-nos [75] PANta eg-kraTEUe-tai [1467]. *And every one that strives in games exercises self-control in all things.* *d. 9:25b CONTRAST BETWEEN TWO TYPES OF CROWNS* eKEInoi men oun HIna phtharTON [5349] STEphe-non [4735] LAb*o*-sin; *Now they do it therefore to receive a corruptible crown;* h*e*MEIS de APHthar-ton [862]. *but we an incorruptible.* *e. 9:26-27 PAUL'S MOST SERIOUS SELF-DISCIPLINE IN THE CHRISTIAN RACE* eG*O* TOInun HOUt*o*s TREch*o* [5143], h*o*s ouk aD*E*l*o*s [84]; *I accordingly so run, as not uncertainly;* HOUt*o*s pukTEU*o* [4438], h*o*s ouk aEra [109] DEr*o*n [1194]: *so fight I, as not beating air:* alLA hu-p*o*-piAz*o* [5299] mou to S*O*ma [4983], kai dou-la-g*o*G*O* [1396] : *27 but I bruise my :body, and bring it into bondage:* m*e* p*o*s, ALlois k*e*RUxas [2784], *lest by any means, after that I have preached to others,* auTOS aDOki-mos [96] GEn*o*-mai. *I mayself should be disapproved.* *NOTE*: There are many words of the Lord through Paul in this 4-fold section, that are worthy of our close attention and meditation. But as I prepared the above Interlinear section based on the work of Ivan Panin, two verses stood out to me - namely - 9:20-21. We know that Paul as a rabbi was mentored by Gamaliel, and sat at his feet. We know also that for the first 3 years of his life as a new believer, he was sent by the Spirit into the desert of Arabia, and was there personally mentored by our Lord Jesus through the Spirit. There the 27 ?Mysteries? of the New Testament were unfolded to him, many for the very first time. Old Testament prophets could not understand what the Spirit spoke and wrote through them concerning the coming church, including Gentiles. *But to Paul*was this mystery made clear. In Ephesians 2 and 3 he went into some detail on this mystery of the ?One New Man.? He believed that those who read his letter to this church, would understand this unusual revelation God had given him on this subject. Nor was this the *only* mystery God unfolded to him, that had in the past been unclear. Then Jesus appointed Paul as his apostle unto the Gentiles, just as Peter was the chief apostle to Jewish believers - the circumcision. And how did Paul conduct himself among the 14 city churches that God raised up through him, chiefly composed of Gentile believers? Well, these two verses throw light on his personal understanding of his own ministry. Many have attempted to explain Paul's ministry. Isn't it better that we let him speak for himself? What he says may not always correspond with present day church doctrine, understanding and conduct - but it *is*significant to hear Paul's understanding on these matters from his own lips. See his words on 9:20-21 again - ?*And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those under law, as under law, not being myself under law, that I might gain those under law; 21 to those without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain those without law.?* First - *why* did Paul have to become as a Jew to Jews, when his entire background was Jewish? He says it was so that he could win Jews. Then we can assume that as a believer in Christ, he was not bound by the Old Covenant or Testament as the Apostle to Gentiles, but moved in the New Testament and Covenant words of Jesus. But every new city he visited, he first shared the Gospel with his fellow Jews, as he reports in Romans 1:16-17, *For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is God's power unto salvation to every :believer; to Jew first, also to Greek. 17 For herein is being revealed God's righteousness from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous man shall live by faith.? *As these Jews invariably as a majority rejected his Gospel, he then with the small Jewish remnant who believed - turned to the Gentiles. But in his initial presentation of the Gospel to Jews, *he became* as a Jew for their sakes, living in their traditions so that it would be easier for them to receive. But for those Gentiles without law, he became without the Old Covenant law of ordinances, so as to make it easier to Gentiles, and not be a hindrance to them with the yoke of bondage of the 613 Torah laws. He then walked in the spirit of Galatians and Acts 15. Was he then without law? He avers that *he was not* - *Not* the law of Old Testament commandments, but the law of the words of Christ under the New Covenant and Testament. Isn't this what he is saying in this portion of Scripture? He *refused* to bring Gentile believers into bondage of circumcision. He refused to allow Titus as a Gentile to be circumcised. Yet he did command Timothy to be circumcised, for his mother and grandmother were Jewish, and he would need to be as Paul, when meeting with Jews in new cities. I realize that this is *not* the interpretation of this passage that one hears in many Messianic Jewish Congregations - but - *is it* what Paul is truly saying here? It is also Paul who says, When we pray in our devotional prayer language - that we are praying to God - and these prayers are in line with the 27 ?mysteries? of the New Covenant that God revealed to him in Arabia. I am not saying a ?Thus says the Lord? for the above, but I am saying - Let us be good Bereans (Acts 17:11) and like them search the Scriptures, and *let them* speak to us as we meditate over them. - J.A.W. *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 Jun 12 21:36:01 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:36:01 -0700 Subject: Dreams & Visions Message-ID: <625d7240906122136w28abe966m15b0d4e0432b9a30@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *?DREAMS & VISIONS?* *(AMONG SOME PARAMETERS OF SAFETY) - 2009-06-12* In July 1992 following a 5 week trip to Jerusalem and Israel, I received a vision. In it God appeared to me in the person of one of His departed servants. He referred to the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of the 1948 Visitation in North Battleford, Saskatchewan. He said, ?Take the torch of that time, and bring to maturity these 12 principles, as linked with the 12 tribes of Israel. *They shall be parameters of safety for the last Revival preceding the return of My Son.?* One of these principles relates to the tribe of Zebulun (Dwelling), and the Gifts of the Spirit of 1 Corinthians 12:8-11, that follow and confirm the preaching of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. The gifts of the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge and the Discernings of spirits, come under the category of Revelatory Gifts. Dreams and Visions are one of the normal channels God uses to make this confirmation. When we disobey God like King Saul through rebellion and consulting the occult, mediums and demonic spirits - then God refuses to answer us through Prophets, Urim and Thummim, and Dreams and Visions. Saul ended up in the wrong part of the unseen world. But if like Caleb and Joshua we believe God, and pay attention to His promises and His Word - then He rewards us by not only letting us *see* the Kingdom of God, but allowing us to *enter* His Kingdom! Moses saw it, but because of disobedience in striking the Rock (Christ) instead of speaking to it, God refused his request to enter. Since 1985 I have profited from Dreams and Visions like Joseph and Daniel, and have been able to interpret them. But unfortunately, the best 10 text books on this subject that I could find at that time, were all tinctured with the ?occult? through Carl Jung. To safeguard my friends, I ceased after 1996 to teach in this area. But on May 31st of this year, the Day of Pentecost, following a word of ministry I gave on the importance of ?Meditation? based on the Word of God - a fellow pastor from Canada gave me a gift of ?Dreams: The Divinity Code? - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions by Adrian Beale and Adam F. Thompson of Australia. They like myself realized the importance of listening to the voice of God today through Dreams and Visions; but also like myself - were unable to obtain a textbook untainted apart from an occult background. God led them to prepare the above text over a 4 year period, based on true Evangelical and Bible-grounded background, and made it available in 2008. Following a 10 chapter ?help? in dream and vision interpretation, they have then added 101 Sample Dream and Vision Interpretations, based on a Metaphor Dictionary of some 2000 most common Biblically based Metaphors, and also a People and Place Name Dictionary. I have very thoroughly studied the 10 initial chapters of 124 pages, and spent some time also in their other helps. It is my conviction that God has raised up these two brothers in these last days for a most helpful enlargement upon the tribe of Zebulun, and for evangelism strengthened by ?signs following? through a correct method of interpreting dreams and visions. They like myself do not see Dreams and Visions alone as a cure-all - but part of a package of a number of powerful Revival Principles. I see the tribe of Levi as representing the 5-fold ministry of Ephesians 4:11-12, sitting in the gate of each city composed of many local churches - just as in Acts 13:1-3, and Acts 15. The Holy Spirit used this group in Antioch to launch the first great missionary outreach. He used the Jerusalem Eldership of the 5-fold to settle the Judaizing controversy. The North Battleford Visitation of 1948 brought a powerful Restoration Impetus to these two principles. A third restoration principle brought Worship back to a new dimension through the Heavenly Choir. ?Forty Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of Mrs. Maria Woodworth-Etter? triggered further to see this Restoration take place 61 years ago in Edmonton, Alberta. Biblical Meditation along the line of Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1 and 1 Timothy 4:15 - was triggered by George Whitefield and George Muller in past centuries, but is still relevant and necessary today. Paul and Smith Wigglesworth both experienced and witnessed to the release that comes by much use of one's devotional prayer language (praying in tongues). It is as a launching pad or space platform that launches the other gifts of the Spirit. Much of the above and more can be seen on our Website **. It is in the progress of being completed - but rather than hold up to full completion, we have opened it up in a yet unperfected stage. Please overlook this, so that you can see the full 12-fold Embryonic Revival Principles both in Teaching and Prayer Format - even in this incomplete stage. It is true that like most revivals, the 1948 Canadian Visitation had man-made teachings added to what God initiated in purity. I was one of the 7 elders in the July Camp Meeting that summer, but withdrew with my wife Marie in March 1949, because of an extreme teaching on the ?Manifestation of the Sons of God? that gained entrance in October '48. Following that, Ultimate Reconciliation crept in (successfully confronted by Derek Prince and George Muller of Bristol, England) plus 5 more aberrations including Replacement Theology through the teaching of ?British Israel.? Nonetheless, the initial ?baby? of this visitation is Scriptural, and blessed of God. *Don't* throw the baby out with the bathwater - but *do* take the ?precious from the vile? (Jeremiah 15:19), and *then* you shall be as God's mouth. To see the pros and cons of this Visitation, the Precious and the Vile, you can order 3 DVD's produced by Dr. John Roddam of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Seattle (the church of Dennis Bennett fame) and Stuart Spani of N. Vancouver BC. John interviews Marie and myself in 10 thirty minute segments, documenting our insights on that visitation. To obtain this, see *< www.reason-for-hope.com>* and click on ?Catalogue? and then ?Biographies?. Many have testified to the help they have received from God's insights through us . It was produced in our home, so you can also enjoy some of Marie's cuckoo clocks! At the beginning of this article I mentioned that the 12 Embryonics of 1948 brought to maturity - would serve as ?parameters of safety? for the last great move preceding the return of Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords. In saying this, God knew how important and necessary these parameters would be. Recently I received a phone call from Montana. A believer here has teamed up with a friend in Alberta, and together they have constructed a Website that will effectively lead any astray who swallow the legalistic and unscriptural positions set forth. So many sound teachers such as Derek Prince are raked over the coals by these two brothers. They unfortunately have latched unto the majority of the 7 aberrations that slowly moved into and killed the 1948 Visitation: Ultimate Reconciliation and Replacement Theology being but two of them. *Beware* of * *the Website of these two deceived brothers. Concerning Ultimate Reconciliation or Universalism: a lady approached Dr. Thayer of Greek Lexicon fame and asked him, ?Dr. Thayer, I am confused over the nature of hell and its duration. Could you help me on this?? His answer was, ?There are 4 adjectives relating to hell or Gehenna, the Lake of Fire. One is AIon, age; next ai*O*N, ages; then AIon of ai*O*N, age of ages; and lastly ai*O*N of ai*O*N, ages of the ages. These same 4 adjectives are also applied to God in the Greek New Testament. So however long God exists, so will hell.? ?Why Dr. Thayer,? she replied, ?that makes it so simple and understandable. Why don't you preach and teach it?? My dear lady?, he responded, ?I am a Unitarian, and do not believe the Bible. But if you are a God and Bible believer, then you have no choice but to believe it and present it in the same clarity as God through His Spirit has presented it here.? I personally believe that sometimes the testimony of enemies is even more powerful than that of our friends! This is an example. Now hear the position of George Muller, one who before the 20th Century prayed in $8 million to support 10,000 orphans; over 170 missionaries; Bible, Book and tract distribution in large numbers; Sunday schools, Day schools, Adult Schools both in England and abroad; a church of over 1200 members in 5 locations in Bristol, and many others started from these - and untold numbers of souls saved, including 1000's of his orphans - and *all this* without ever telling one soul of his needs, nor ever asking for a penny! Over 50,000 specific answers to prayer are recorded in his Journal of over one million words. Tell me, would God have honored such a man as this if he was in error like my 2 friends mentioned above? Besides this, Muller was fluent in English, German and French, and during his World Tours from the age of 70 to 87, he ministered either in these 3 languages, or through interpreters. He was an excellent scholar in Latin, Hebrew and Greek, and had memorized much of the Old Testament in Hebrew. He used both Hebrew and Greek in his devotions much of the time. Tell me again - is such a man as this, who was reading the Bible through 4 to 5 times a year on his knees his last 15 years - going to be mistaken in such doctrines as Universalism - with such a background? I think not. Hear: - let not your life be led astray by those who think they are scholars and teachers - but are not. 2 Peter and Jude warn us of false teachers and prophets in the last days - open to doctrine of demons - and leading *many* astray. Such are the two I mentioned above. I have shared their Website and teaching with sober, spiritual, Word-oriented friends, and their unanimous conclusion is - ?Don't waste your time with such mistaken, proud and arrogant would-be and so-called teachers! I have personally copied out by hand the Greek New Testament, and typed in a good English translation by Ivan Panin. I have spent well over 60,000 hours in outlining God's Numeric Interlinear Greek and English New Testament, and have led in over 40,000 hours of Greek Word studies of the major NT words, based on the same, plus Englishman's Greek Concordance and John Stegenga's Greek Lexicon. George Hawtin of North Battleford looked over my shoulder in 1948 when at the age of 25 I was already involved in this, 61 years ago - and said, ?I wish to God, Jimmy, that I could do what you do.? I thought - ?What will happen to this movement if you don't?? The 3 DVD's mentioned above tell this sad part of the story. In 1844 at the age of 39, George Muller visited Stuttgart, Germany and there ran into Universalism. Here I quote from page 190 of ?George Muller of Bristol? by Dr. A. T. Pierson - ?A more serious and dangerous doctrine which it was needful to confront and confute was what Mr. Muller calls that ?awful error,? spread almost universally among believers in that land, that at last ?all will be saved,? not sinful men only, but ?even the devils themselves.? ?Calmly and courteously, but firmly and courageously, these and kindred errors were met with the plain witness of the Word. Refutation of false teaching aroused a spirit of bitterness in opposers of the truth, and, as is too often the case, faithful testimony was the occasion of acrimony; but the Lord stood by His servant and so strengthened him that he was kept both faithful and peaceful.? Then on page 461 he has a further word on ?Universalism? or ?Ultimate Reconciliation?, just as clear as the late Derek Prince ably wrote on it. ?In reference to universal salvation, I found that they had been led into this error because (1) They did not see the difference between the earthly calling of the Jews, and the heavenly calling of the believers in the Lord Jesus in the present dispensation, and therefore they said that, because the words ?everlasting,? etc., are applied to ?the possession of the land of Canaan? and the ?priesthood of Aaron,? therefore, the punishment of the wicked cannot be without end, seeing that the possession of Canaan and the priesthood of Aaron are not without end. My endeavor, therefore, was to show the brethren the difference between the *earthly* calling of Israel and our *heavenly* one, and to prove from Scripture that, whenever the word ?everlasting? is used with reference to things purely not of the earth, but beyond time, it denotes a period without end. (2) They had laid exceeding great stress upon a few passages where, in Luther's translation of the German Bible, the word hell occurs, and where it ought to have been translated either ?hades? in some passages, or ?grave? in others, and where they saw a *deliverance out of hell*, and a *being brought up out of hell,*instead of *out of the grave.*? I bring out the above as an illustration of the Word of the Lord to me in 1992 - ?The maturation of the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of 1948 will be *Parameters of Safety* prior to the last Visitation before My Son returns.? The Soundness of the text on Dreams mentioned at the beginning, plus the principles referred to on our Website, will guard and protect from the many false voices in our world today! - J.A.W. *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 Jun 14 15:56:55 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:56:55 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Message-ID: <625d7240906141556i75bc5db0rbedb23db01f2674b@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *2009-06-14 * *C. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:1-13 ISRAEL'S FAILURES: WARNING TO CHURCH* *1. 10:1-5 CHURCH: UNDERSTAND ISRAEL'S WILDERNESS WANDERINGS* *a. 10:1-4 BAPTISM, CIRCUMCISION, HOLY SPIRIT & NAME: ALL TYPIFIED HERE* Ou THEl*o* gar huMAS ag-noEIN [50], a-delPHOI, *For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant,* HOti hoi paTEras h*e*M*O*N PANtes huPO t*e*n nePHEl*e*n [3507] *E*san, *that our :fathers were all under the cloud,* kai PANtes diA t*e*s thaLASs*e*s [2281] di*E*Lthon; *and all passed through the sea;* kai PANtes eis ton M*o*-uS*E*N e-bapTIsan-to [907] en t*e* nePHEl*e* kai en t*e* thaLASs*e*; *2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;* kai PANtes to auTO pneu-ma-tiKON [4152] BR*O*ma [1033] Epha-gon; *3 and did all eat the same spiritual meat;* kai PANtes to auTO pneu-ma-tiKON Epi-on POma [4188]: *4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink:* Epi-non gar ek pneu-ma-tiK*E*S a-ko-louTHOUs*e*s [190] PEtras [4073]: *for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them:* h*e* PEtra de *e*n ho ChrisTOS.* * *now the rock was the Christ.* *b. 10:5 SPIRITUAL BLESSINGS WILL NOT SPARE US FROM JUDGMENT* all' ouk en tois PLEIo-sin [4119] auT*O*N *e*uDOk*e*sen [2106] ho TheOS: *But with the greater part of them :God was not well pleased:* ka-tesTR*O*th*e*-san [2693] gar en t*e* eR*E*m*o* [2048]. *for they were overthrown in the wilderness.* *2. 10:6-11 ISRAEL'S EXPERIENCES: ?TYPICAL? WARNINGS TO CHURCH* *a. 10:6 40 YEARS WANDERING: A TYPE AGAINST LUST* TAUta de TUpoi [5179] h*e*M*O*N e-geN*E*th*e*-san, *Now these things were our examples,* eis to m*e* EInai h*e*MAS e-pi-thu-m*e*TAS [1937] kaK*O*N [2556], *to the intent we should not lust after evils,* kaTH*O*S ka' 'KEInoi e-peTHUm*e*-san [1938]. *as they also lusted.* *b. 10:7 A TYPE AGAINST IDOLATRY AND LUST* m*e*DE ei-d*o*-loLAtrai [1496] GInes-the kaTH*O*S ti-nes auT*O*N; H*O*Sper GEgrap-tai, *Neither be idolaters as some of them; as it is written,* E-KAthi-sen ho laOS [2992] PHAgein kai pein, kai aNESt*e*san PAIzein [3815]. *The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose to play.* *c. 10:8 A TYPE AGAINST FORNICATION* m*e*DE porNEU*o*men [4203], kaTH*O*S ti-nes auT*O*N ePORneu-san, *Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed,* kai Epe-sen miA h*e*MEra EIko-si treis chi-liAdes. *and fell in one day twenty-three thousand.* *d. 10:9 A TYPE AGAINST TEMPTING GOD* m*e*DE ek-peiRAz*o*-men [1598] ton KUri-on, *Neither let us make severe trial of the Lord,* kaTH*O*S ti-nes auT*O*N ePEIra-san [3985], kai huPO t*o*n Ophe-*o*n [3789]aP *O*Llun-to [622]. *as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.* *e. 10:10 A TYPE AGAINST MURMURING* m*e*DE gogGUze-te [1111], kaTHAper tiNES auT*O*N eGOGgu-san, *Neither murmur, as some of them murmured,* kai aP*O*lon-to [622] huPO tou o-lo-threuTOU [3644]. *and perished by the destroyer.* *f. 10:11 ISRAEL'S JUDGMENT: A TYPE TO WARN SPIRITUAL ISRAEL* TAUta de tu-piK*O*S [5179] suNEbai-non eKEInois; *Now these happened to them as a figure;* eGRAph*e* de pros nou-theSIan [3559] h*e*M*O*N, *and were written for our admonition,* eis hous ta TEl*e* [5056] t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n [165] kaT*E*Nt*e*-ken [2658]. *upon whom the ends of the ages are come.* *3. 10:12-13 WARNINGS HEEDED: SPARE MANY A PITFALL.* *a. 10:12 APPLICATION: A FALSE STAND WILL NOT HINDER US FROM FALLING* H*O*ste ho doK*O*N [1380] hesTAnai [2476] blePEt*o* m*e* PEs*e* [4098]. *Wherefore let him that thinks he stands look lest he fall.* *b. 10:13 THE WILLING: ARE DELIVERED FROM EVERY TRIAL* pei-rasMOS [3986] huMAS ouk EIl*e*-phen [2983] ei m*e* anTHR*O*pi-nos: *Only human temptation has overtaken you:* pisTOS [4103] de ho TheOS, *but :God is faithful,* hos ouk eAsei [1439] huMAS pei-rasTH*E*nai [3985] huPER ho DUnas-the; *who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able;* alLA poi*E*sei sun t*o* pei-rasM*O* [3986] kai t*e*n EKba-sin [1545], *but will with the temptation make also the way out,* tou DUnas-thai [1410] hu-pe-negKEIN [4297] . *that you be able to endure it.* *NOTE**: *It is important to note that the entire Old Testament and Covenant, is intended by God as *types*, *shadows*, and *examples* for the church. The moral and ethical aspects of the Torah (law), of course carry over into the New Testament or Covenant. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) points out that what Moses gave in the 10 commandments for outward obedience - now - by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit in believers, is to be lived out through us from *the heart*. Few people make this clearer in their writings than Oswald Chambers. Yet, it is so easy to read his ?My Utmost for His Highest,? and not perceive what he sees in Galatians 2:20 (2:15-21) - *?I have been crucified with Christ; and no longer I live, but Christ lives in me: and what I now live in the flesh I live by faith which is in the Son of :God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.?* But the outward laws of the Old Testament for Israel such as circumcision, etc., - do *not* apply for us today - all such leads to legalism. As Paul points out, the OT law is a Schoolmaster to show Israel and us, that apart from Christ, *none* can keep OT Law! Only the law of the Spirit in Christ Jesus living through us can please the Father. The Scribes and Pharisees rejected Jesus' teaching on this, and after 3 years of His ministry, *crucified* Him through Rome. But what Israel did in the wilderness for 40 years: rebelling, disobeying and murmuring against God and His servant Moses - must not once be named amongst us as saints! The righteousness of the Law of Moses was in the letter or the flesh: - the righteousness God demands of NT saints, is of the *heart* - of the *Spirit*! It is *Christ* living out His life through us by the power of the indwelling Spirit, that pleases the heart of God! Finally, consider 1 Corinthians 10:13 above. In the ?Topical Memory System? of the Navigators, this was one of the 108 selected verses. What a wonderful promise of grace! Again, let us return to Galatians 2:20. It lines up with Romans 12:1-2 and Mark 8:34. Here are secrets in the Spirit - that set saints walking in the Spirit apart from all unbelievers, and also all carnal believers who are yet babes walking in the flesh. This is a normal walk for babes and little children. But let us go on and grow into ?young men in Christ: - who are *strong*; the Word of God *abides* in us; and we have * overcome* the evil one! 1 John 2:14 (2:12-17). In the light of these words, then God's words through Paul in the above 13 verses take on a characteristic all their own! The Kingdom of God in us - righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit - make it all possible! All praise to our God, and our Risen Savior and enthroned Lord, Jesus Christ! - J.A.W. *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 Jun 18 09:10:28 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:10:28 -0700 Subject: Billy Graham's Prayer Message-ID: <625d7240906180910m56a4a571p7ee61752b8da78eb@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 18, 2009 * *Billy Graham's Prayer For Our Country * * * *THIS MAN SURE HAS A GOOD VIEW OF WHAT'S HAPPENING TO OUR COUNTRY!* * **'Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. We have killed our unborn and called it choice. We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem. We have abused power and called it politics. We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. Amen!'* * Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, 'The Rest of the Story,' and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired. With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called 'One nation under God.'* *NOTE: In 1949 a delegate was sent to Minneapolis from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary of Chicago to evaluate the reports coming in concerning the rising star of Billy Graham. What was the key to explain this? This student thought that the Holy Spirit through the answer to much prayer at the time at the time of the invitation seemed to be the key point raised.* *The trio of Beverly Shea, Cliff Barrows and Billy Graham coming first out of Wheaton, Illinois, then throughout the country, and then throughout the world - was news attended to in those years.* *I personally attended and participated as a counselor and advisor in 3 of his crusades: Chicago, Wheaton and Seattle. The follow-up through Dawson Trotman and the Navigators was one of the shining lights of these Crusades.* *In the mid 60's, Hubert Mitchell of "Go Ye" Fellowship encouraged me to pray every day for Bakht Singh of India representing Asia; Nicholas Bhengu of S. Africa representing his continent, and Billy Graham of America for our Western World.* *The short prayer of Billy's in this mailing may indeed be short - but it is powerful, and well worth our time in praying it along with him. J.A.W. * *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 Jun 22 20:24:30 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2009 20:24:30 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:l Message-ID: <625d7240906222024s4786dd4pf76b4067fe2d5a68@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 22, 2009 * *D. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:14-11:1* *LAW OF LOVE: HIGHER AUTHORITY THAN SELF-LIBERTY* *1. 10:14-22 LINKAGE WITH DEMONISM: RESULT OF IDOLATRY* *a. 10:14 A CLEAR CHARGE* DiOper, a-ga-p*e*TOI [27] mou, PHEUge-te [5343] aPO t*e*s ei-d*o*-lo-laTRIas [1495]. *Wherefore, my beloved, flee from :idolatry.* *b. 10:15 WISE MEN CAN UNDERSTAND* h*o*s phroNImois [5429] LEg*o*; KRIna-te [2919] huMEIS HO ph*e*-mi. *I speak as to wise men; judge what I say.* *c. 10:16a THE TRUE NATURE OF THE CUP OF BLESSING* To poT*E*ri-on [4221] t*e*s eu-loGIas [2129] ho eu-loGOUmen, *The cup of the blessing which we bless,* ouCHI koi-n*o*NIa [2842] es-tin tou HAIma-tos [129] tou ChrisTOU? *is it not communion of the blood of the Christ?* *d. 10:16b THE TRUE MEANING OF THE BREAD AT COMMUNION* ton ARton [740] hon KL*O*men [2806], *The bread which we break,* ouCHI koi-n*o*NIa tou S*O*ma-tos [4983] tou ChrisTOU es-tin? *is it not communion of the body of the Christ?* *e. 10:17 ONE LOAF POINTS TO THE ONE BODY OF CHRIST* HOti heis ARtos, hen S*O*ma hoi polLOI es-men: *Because we the many are one loaf, one body:* hoi gar PANtes ek tou heNOS ARtou meTEcho-men [3348]. *for we all partake of the one bread.* *f. 10:18 ISRAEL AND HER SACRIFICES AT THE ALTAR* BLEpe-te [991] ton Is-ra*E*L kaTA SARka [4561]: *Observe the Israel after the flesh:* ouch hoi esTHIon-tes [2068] tas thuSIas [2378] koi-n*o*NOI tou thu-si-as-t*e *RIou [2379] eiSIN? *have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?* *g. 10:19 QUESTIONS* ti OUN ph*e*-mi? HOti ei-d*o*LOthuTON [1497] ti esTIN, *What say I then? that aught sacrificed to idols is anything,* *e* HOti EId*o*LON [1494] ti esTIN? *or that an idol is anything?* *h. 10:20 A CLEAR WORD ON GENTILE WORSHIP* all', HOti ha THUou-sin ta ETHn*e*, *But I say, that the things which the nations sacrifice,* dai-moNIois [1140], kai ou The*O* THUou-sin [2380]: *they sacrifice to demons, and not to God:* ou THEl*o* de huMAS koi-n*o*NOUS t*o*n dai-moNI*o*n GInes-thai. *and I would not that you should have communion with demons.* *i. 10:21 BELIEVERS NO LONGER CAN HAVE BOTH* ou DUnas-the poT*E*ri-on [4221] KuRIou PInein [4095] kai poT*E*ri-on dai-moNI*o*n: *You cannot drink the Lord's cup and a cup of demons:* ou DUnas-the traPEz*e*s [5132] KuRIou meTEchein kai traPEz*e*s dai-moNI*o*n [1140]. *you cannot partake of the Lord's table and of a table of demons.* *j. 10:22 QUESTION* *e* pa-ra-z*e*LOUmen [3863] ton KUri-on: m*e* is-chuROte-roi [2478] auTOU es-men? *Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy: are we stronger than he?* *2. 10:23-24 LAW OF LOVE SUPERCEDES SELF-PLEASING* *a. 10:23a LAWFULNESS AND EXPEDIENCY ARE NOT SYNONYMOUS* PANta Exes-tin [1832]; all' ou PANta sumPHErei [4851]. *All things are lawful; but not all are expedient.* *b. 10:23b EDIFICATION TAKES PRIORITY OVER WHAT IS LAWFUL* PANta Exes-tin; all' ou PANta oi-ko-doMEI [3618]. *All are lawful; but not all build up.* *c. 10:24 PRINCIPLE: SEEK THE GOOD OF OTHERS BEFORE SELF* m*e*DEIS to he-auTOU z*e*TEIt*o* [2212], alLA to tou heTErou. *Let no man seek his own, but the good of the other.* *3. 10:25-30 IDOL MEAT: LEGITIMATE EXCEPT WHEN OTHERS STUMBLED* *a. 10:25-26 RULE FOR BELIEVERS* Pan to en maKELl*o* p*o*LOUme-non [4453], esTHIe-te, *Everything :sold in shambles, eat, * m*e*DEN a-na-KRInon-tes [350] diA t*e*n suNEId*e*-sin [4893]; *asking no question for :conscience' sake;* tou KuRIou gar h*e* g*e*, kai to PL*E*r*o*-ma [4138] auT*E*S. *26 for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.* *b. 10:27 FURTHER INSIGHT* ei tis kaLEI huMAS t*o*n aPISt*o*n [571], *if one of the unbelieving invite you to a feast, * kai THEle-te poREUes-thai; pan to pa-ra-tiTHEme-non [3908] huMIN esTHIe-te, *and you wish to go; eat whatever is :set before you,* m*e*DEN a-naKRInon-tes [350] diA t*e*n suNEId*e*-sin [4893]. *asking no question for :conscience' sake.* *c. 10:28-29 EXCEPTION FOR CONSCIENCE' SAKE* eAN de tis huMIN EIp*e*, TOUto hi-eROthuTON [1494] es-tin, *But if any one say to you, This has been offered in sacrifice,* m*e* esTHIe-te, di' eKEInon ton m*e*NUsan-ta [3377], kai t*e*n suNEId*e* -sin: *eat not, for :his sake that showed it, and for :conscience:* suNEId*e*-sin, de LEg*o*, ouCHI t*e*n he-auTOU, alLA t*e*n tou heTErou; *29 conscience, I say, however, not :your own, but the :other's;* HIna ti gar h*e* e-leu-theRIa [1657] mou KRIne-tai [2919] huPO ALl*e*s su-neiD*E*se-*o*s? *for why is my :liberty judged by another conscience?* *d. 10:30 QUESTION* ei eG*O* CHAri-ti meTEch*o*, *If I partake with thankfulness,* ti blas-ph*e*MOUmai [987] huPER hou eG*O* eu-cha-risT*O* [2168]? *why am I evil spoken of for what I give thanks?* *4. 10:31-11:1 FOLLOW PAUL'S EXAMPLE IN THE LAW OF LOVE* *a. 10:31 THE GLORY OF GOD: THE PLUMBLINE FOR ALL WE DO!* EIte oun esTHIe-te, EIte PIne-te, EIte ti poiEIte, *Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do,* PANta eis DOxan TheOU poiEIte. *do all to the glory of God.* *b. 10:32-33 THREE AREAS IN WHICH WE ARE TO GIVE NO OFFENCE* aPROSko-poi [677] kai 'IouDAIois GInes-the, *Give no occasion of stumbling,* kai HELl*e*-sin, kai t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa [1577] tou TheOU: *either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of :God:* kaTH*O*S ka' 'G*O* PANta PAsin aRESk*o* [700], *33 even as I also please all in all things,* m*e* z*e*T*O*N [2212] to e-mauTOU SUMphe-ron [4851], alLA to t*o*n polL*O*N, *not seeking my own :profit, but that of the many,* HIna s*o*TH*O*sin [4982]. *that they may be saved.* *c. 11:1 PAUL: OUR EXAMPLE TO IMITATE* mi-m*e*TAI [3402] mou GInes-the, kaTH*O*S ka' 'G*O* ChrisTOU. *Become imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.* *NOTE**: The numeric scripture structure here in 11:1 - belongs to the preceding portion! And - this Numeric Interlinear Greek New Testament is extremely **attention consuming. My goal for this - is - not one error! My mother, long with the Lord now - had a part in this. Her saying was, ?If a thing is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well!? Of course, there aretypos and errors. Thanks to you who note them, and let me know. The corrections are made! God deserves the very best in all of this, for it is HIS Numeric Interlinear Greek New Testament. Ivan Panin under God took 10 years in perfecting a Numeric Greek Lexicon before he commenced applying Numerics to Westcott and Hort's Greek NT text. It was this tool that enabled him to test the 3000 alternate readings mainly from the 7 complete Greek manuscripts, and produce the Numeric Greek text with no alternate readings!His English translation with it, provides an accurate context for every NT verse and word! It is this corrected text that appears in this Interlinear NT, only transliterated, to make it easier for laymen without knowledge of Greek. The presentation of his English translation has been inserted into the Greek text, again to make it easier for laymen to use. The Strong's numbers have been inserted following each significant Greek word, not above it - again to make it easier for the use of laymen.* *The summary of each sentence occurred to me as a possibility in 1945, when I read the introduction to Panin's Numeric Greek NT, and noted his discovery that even the sentence structure, sub-paragraphs, paragraphs and sections (chapter equivalents) are established by Bible Numerics. I thought - What if I summarized each sentence; gathered the summaries into sub-paragraphs; the sub-paragraphs into paragraphs; the paragraphs into sections - What would I discover?* *I tried it out first with Ephesians, and discovered such a clarity and understanding that came to this book, that I did it for the entire Numeric Greek NT! It is transforming! It sheds light on every Commentary!* *One white preacher gave a commentary to a black preacher, and couldn't wait to get his comments on it! Finally this is what he heard - ?Well, boss, it's just amazing how much light the Bible throws on that Commentary-book!?* *That's the way I feel about Bible Numerics through Panin - and the multitude of Commentaries on the Bible! * *I hope in the not too distant future to have completed the 21 apostolical epistles of the NT - plus the Book of Revelation; - then Acts, John, Matthew, Mark and Luke. Bear with me; pray for me! I turn 86 in less than 2 weeks - and there's much land yet to possess!* *P.S. I am sure you have noted the blank space above my titles. These are not inspired. They are mine! The space is to encourage you to cross out any of my titles that do not appeal to you, and substitute them with your own. I am not going to take your suggestions and replace mine with them! I am too old and time is at a premium. You have the privilege of producing your ownNumeric Interlinear Greek NT with your own summaries. Right? Of course - right! J.A.W.* *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 Jun 23 14:47:17 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:47:17 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 Message-ID: <625d7240906231447m34bcd42coddc87713d722ad1@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 23, 2009 * *E. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:2-16* *APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY IN THE REALM OF HEADSHIP* *a. 11:2 WHERE PAUL CAN PRAISE* E-paiN*O* [1867] de huMAS HOti PANta mou MEMn*e*s-the [3415], *Now I praise you that you remember me in all things,* kai kaTH*O*S paREd*o*-ka [3860] huMIN, tas pa-raDOseis [3862] kaTEche-te [2722]. *and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered to you.* *b. 11:3 HEADSHIP PRINCIPLES* THEl*o* de huMAS eiDEnai, *But I would have you know,* HOti panTOS anDROS h*e* ke-phaL*E* [2776] ho ChrisTOS es-tin; *that the head of every man is :Christ;* ke-phaL*E* de gu-naiKOS [1135] ho aN*E*R [435]; *and the head of woman is the man;* ke-phaL*E* de tou ChrisTOU ho TheOS. *and the head of the Christ is :God.* *c. 11:4 MAN'S COVERING AND HEADSHIP* pas aN*E*R pro-seuCHOme-nos [4336] *e* pro-ph*e*TEU*o*n [4395], kaTA ke-phaL *E*S Ech*o*n, *Every man praying or prophesying, with head covered,* ka-taisCHUnei [2617] t*e*n ke-phaL*E*N auTOU. *dishonors his :head.* *d. 11:5 WOMAN'S COVERING AND HEADSHIP* PAsa de guN*E* pro-seu-choMEn*e* *e* pro-ph*e*TEUou-sa *But every woman praying or prophesying* a-ka-ta-kaLUPt*o* [177] t*e* ke-phaL*E* ka-taisCHUnei t*e*n ke-phaL*E*N auT* E*S; *with :head unveiled dishonors her :head;* hen GAR es-tin kai to auTO t*e* e-xu-reMEn*e* [3687]. *for it is one and the same as if :shaven.* *e. 11:6 A WOMAN AND VEIL* ei gar ou ka-ta-kaLUPte-tai [2619] guN*E*, kai keiRASth*o* [2751]: *For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn:* ei de aisCHRON [149] gu-naiKI to KEIras-thai *e* xuRASthai, *but if it is a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven,* ka-ta-ka-lupTESth*o* [2619]. *let her be veiled.* *f. 11:7 CONTRAST BETWEEN MAN AND WOMAN* aN*E*R men gar ouk oPHEIlei ka-ta-kaLUPtes-thai t*e*n ke-phaL*E*N, *For a man ought not indeed to have the head veiled,* eiK*O*N [1504] kai DOxa [1391] TheOU huPARch*o*n: *he being God's image and glory:* h*e* guN*E* de DOxa anDROS es-tin. *but the woman is the man's glory.* *g. 11:8-10 HEADSHIP GOES BACK TO CREATION* ou gar es-tin aN*E*R ek gu-naiKOS; alLA guN*E* ex anDROS: *For man is not of woman; but woman is of man:* kai gar ouk ekTISth*e* [2936] aN*E*R diA t*e*n guNAIka; *9 for neither was man created for the woman;* alLA guN*E* diA ton ANdra: *but woman for the man:* diA TOUto oPHEIlei h*e* guN*E* e-xouSIan [1849] Echein ePI t*e*s ke-phaL*E* S, *10 for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on the head,* diA tous agGElous [32]. *because of the angels.* *h. 11:11 IN THE LORD: DISTINCTIONS ERASED* pl*e*n, OUte guN*E* ch*o*RIS anDROS, *Nevertheless, neither is woman without man,* OUte aN*E*R ch*o*RIS gu-naiKOS en KuRI*o*. *nor man without woman in the Lord.* *i. 11:12 PAUL GIVES A FULLER EXPLANATION* H*O*Sper gar h*e* guN*E* ek tou anDROS, *For just as the woman is of the man,* HOUt*o*s kai ho aN*E*R diA t*e*s gu-naiKOS; *so is the man also by the woman;* to de PANta ek tou TheOU. *but :all things are of :God.* *j. 11:13 PAUL RESORTS TO NATURAL JUDGMENT* en huMIN auTOIS KRInate [2919]: *Judge in yourselves: * PREpon esTIN guNAIka a-ka-taKAlup-ton t*o* The*O* proSEUches-thai? *is it seemly that a woman pray to :God unveiled?* *k. 11:14 THE TEACHING OF NATURE WITH MAN'S HAIR* ouDE h*e* PHUsis [5449] auT*E* diDASkei [1321] huMAS, *Does not even nature itself teach you,* HOti, aN*E*R men eAN koMA, a-tiMIa [819] auT*O* es-tin? *that, if a man have long hair, it is dishonor to him?* *l. 11:15 AND FOR WOMAN* guN*E* de eAN koMA [2863], DOxa auT*E* es-tin: *But if a woman have long hair, it is glory to her:* HOti h*e* KOm*e* anTI pe-ri-boLAIou [4018] DEdo-tai auT*E*. *for the hair is given her for a covering.* *m. 11:16 APOSTLES AND CHURCHES VERSUS OPPOSERS* ei de tis doKEI [1380] phiLOnei-kos [5380] EInai, *But if any seems to be contentious,* h*e*MEIS toiAUt*e*n suN*E*thei-an [4914] ouk Echo-men, *WE have no such custom, * ouDE hai ek-kl*e*SIai [1577] tou TheOU. *neither the churches of :God.* *NOTE:* There are two types of ?traditions? (11:2) mentioned in the NT: that of ?man?, that *makes void* the word of God; and that of God through a man like Paul, that is *to be obeyed*. Rightly dividing the word of truth by the inward witness of the Holy Spirit, enables mature believers to make this distinction. Men like George Muller were always accurately moving in this direction. But we also, who will learn to *meditate* on the word like Joshua and David (Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 19:14), will with the help of God - join their ranks! The passage before us has brought much soul travail, as earnest believers have sought to walk in all the word of God - *blameless*! Then there are non-committed believers who think this is *just Paul* talking, and that they are not obligated to pay attention to him. *Nothing could be further from the truth*. Read again Paul's remarks 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.? *Except for a few verses in the 7th chapter of this letter, *all* the teaching is straight from our Lord Jesus through the apostle Paul. And not only are Paul's words on this level, but all the rest of Bible writers, including both OT & NT. Consider Peter's words in 2 Peter 1:19-21 (1:12-21) *?And we have the word of prophecy more sure; to which you do well to take heed, as to a lamp shining in a murky place, until day dawn, and theday-star arise in your hearts: 20 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 for God, being borne on by the Holy Spirit.?* People like Oswald Chambers, Rees Howells, Derek Prince, H.A. Baker, Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, and countless other great saints of God, *all* join the ranks of George Muller. The *very nature* of this Numeric Interlinear Greek NT through Dr. Ivan Panin - *clinches* this argument completely, - for all sincere and earnest professing believers. Now it is true that once the above is settled, there yet lies the responsibility of arriving at clear and applicable interpretation. In the light of this, the church world-wide under the guidance of our Lord through the Holy Spirit, is even now pursuing this task. - J.A.W. *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 Jun 25 10:44:58 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:44:58 -0700 Subject: Fires of Sorrow Message-ID: <625d7240906251044s4c83086enf461601071df2f8d@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 25, 2009 * *2009-06-25 - ?RECEIVING YOURSELF IN THE FIRES OF SORROW?* *(From ?My Utmost for His Highest? - Oswald Chambers)* ?*... what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 'Father, glorify Your name' ? - John 12:27-28 (12:20-36). * *As a saint of God, my attitude toward sorrow and difficulty should not be to ask that they be prevented, but to ask that God protect me so that I may remain what He created me to be, in spite of all my fires of sorrow. Our Lord received Himself, accepting His position and realizing His purpose, in the midst of the fire of sorrow. He was saved not from the hour, but out of the hour.* *We say that there ought to be no sorrow, but there is sorrow, and we have to accept and receive ourselves in its fires. If we try to evade sorrow, refusing to deal with it, we are foolish. Sorrow is one of the biggest facts in life, and there is no use in saying it should not be. Sin, sorrow, and suffering are, and it is not for us to say that God has made a mistake in allowing them.* *Sorrow removes a great deal of a person's shallowness, but it does not always make the person better. Suffering either gives me to myself or it destroys me. You cannot find or receive yourself through success, because you lose your head over pride. And you cannot receive yourself through the monotony of your daily life, because you give in to complaining. The only way to find yourself is in the fires of sorrow. Why it should be this way is immaterial. The fact is that it is true in the Scriptures and in human experience. You can always recognize who has been through the fires of sorrow and received himself, and you know that you can go to him in your moment of trouble and find that he has plenty of time for you. But if a person has not been through the fires of sorrow, he is apt to be contemptuous, having no respect or time for you, only turning you away. If you will receive yourself in the fires of sorrow, God will make you nourishment for other people.* *NOTE**: *Brother Yun, ?The Heavenly Man?, experienced tremendous suffering in China for his bold witness for Jesus Christ. He was persecuted, beaten, jailed, brought to the very point of death - as well as those associated with him - including his family. In the beginning he complained to God, until the Lord Himself clearly pointed out the truth in the above message by Chambers. Paul Hattaway wrote the biography on the remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun published by Monarch Books, 2002, in the US. (Distributed by Kregel Publications, PO Box 2607, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49501) The book of Job in the Bible deals with this same subject. Oswald Chambers wrote ?Baffled to Fight Better,? a series of sermons to British troops in World War I - in this book showing how suffering made a good man better. Young or old, those who are serious for life and God, all are appointed to suffering. The above reading on ?Receiving Yourself in the Fires of Suffering? is an absolute necessity for such. There are *no* exceptions. Understand, accept and live through this insight, and you are destined to become profitable both in life and the Kingdom of God. - J.A.W. *NOTE TWO**: **Correction - On Thursday June 18th, I mailed out a prayer purported to be given by Billy Graham. Several friends alerted me to the fact that this is a misnomer. It was delivered by a preacher to the House of Representatives some 10 years previously, and several Democrats walked out of the meeting to express their disapproval. Actually, the true story is perhaps more startling than the fiction. gives the full and true story. Please accept my apologies and forgive me for failing to check with ?Snopes? first. This is perhaps the 3rd or 4th time I have been caught in this type of error. Again - ?To err is human; - to forgive is divine.?* *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 Jun 26 11:17:28 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:17:28 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 11:17-24 Message-ID: <625d7240906261117nde4f4fbq5e4e38c8a741f143@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 26, 2009 * *F. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:17-34* *A CHARGE CONCERNING THE LORD'S SUPPER* *a. 11:17 PAUL'S CHARGE COMES IN THE LIGHT OF GRAVE PROBLEMS* TOUto de pa-ragGELl*o* [3853], ouk e-paiN*O*N [1867] *But in giving this charge, I praise not* HOti ouk eis to KREISson alLA eis to H*E*Sson suNERches-the. *because you come together not for the better but for the worse.* *b. 11:18 THE ASSEMBLY OF CHRISTIANS HAD DIVISIONS* PR*O*ton men gar, su-ner-choMEn*o*n huM*O*N en ek-kl*e*SIa [1577], *For first, when you come together in church,* aKOU*o* SCHISma-ta [4678] en huMIN huPARchein [5225]; *I hear divisions exist among you;* kai MEros [3317] ti pisTEU*o*. *and I partly believe it.* *c. 11:19 THIS MERELY CAUSES THE APPROVAL TO SHINE OUT MORE CLEARLY* dei gar kai haiREseis [139] en huMIN EInai, *For factions must be also among you,* HIna kai hoi DOki-moi [1384] pha-neROI [5318] GEn*o*n-tai en huMIN. *that the approved be also manifest among you.* *d. 11:20-21 THE LORD'S SUPPER CANNOT BE EATEN IF IT IS NOT SHARED* Su-ner-choMEn*o*n [4905] oun huM*O*N ePI to auTO, *When therefore you come together in meeting,* ouk EStin Ku-ri-aKON DEIPnon [1173] phaGEIN [5315]: *it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper:* HEkas-tos gar to Idi-on DEIPnon pro-lamBAnei [4301] en t*o* phaGEIN; *21 for in :eating each takes his :own supper before;* kai hos men peiNA [3983], hos de meTHUei [3184]. *and one is hungry, and another is drunken.* *e. 11:22a IT IS BETTER TO EAT AT HOME THAN TO BE SELFISH IN CHURCH* m*e* gar, oiKIas ouk Eche-te eis to esTHIein kai PInein? *What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in?* *e* t*e*s ek-kl*e*SIas tou TheOU ka-ta-phroNEIte [2706], *or do you despise the church of :God,* kai ka-taiSCHUne-te [2617] tous m*e* Echon-tas? *and put them to shame that have nothing?* *f. 11:22b QUESTIONS* ti EIp*o* huMIN? e-paiNEs*o* [1867] huMAS? *What shall I say to you? shall I praise you?* *g. 11:22c ANSWER* en TOUt*o* ouk e-paiN*O*. *In this I praise you not.* *h. 11:23-24 PAUL REMINDS THEM THAT THE BREAD IS CHRIST'S BODY* eG*O* gar paREla-bon [3880] aPO tou KuRIou ho kai paREd*o*-ka [3860] huMIN, *For I received of the Lord what also I delivered to you,* HOti ho KUri-os 'I*e*SOUS en t*e* nukTI h*e* pa-reDIde-to [3860] Ela-ben ARton; *that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was delivered up took bread;* kai eu-cha-risT*E*sas [2168] EKla-sen [2806], kai EIpen, *24 and when he gave thanks he broke it, and said,* TOU-TO mou esTIN to S*O*ma [4983], to huPER huM*O*N: *This is my :body, which is for you:* TOUto poiEIte eis t*e*n eM*E*N aNAMn*e*-sin [364]. *this do in :remembrance of me.* *i. 11:25 THE CUP IS THE NEW COVENANT IN HIS BLOOD* h*o*SAUt*o*s kai to poT*E*ri-on [4221], meTA to deipN*E*sai [1172], LEg*o*n, *In like manner also the cup, after :supper, saying,* TOUto to poT*E*ri-on h*e* kaiN*E* di-aTH*E*k*e* [1242] esTIN en t*o* eM*O*HAIma-ti [129]: *This :cup is the new covenant in my :blood:* TOUto poiEIte, hoSAkis eAN PIn*e*te [4095], eis t*e*n eM*E*N aNAMn*e*-sin [364]. *this do, as oft as you drink it, in :remembrance of me. * *j. 11:26 CHRIST'S DEATH TILL HE RETURNS IS PROCLAIMED THROUGH THE SUPPER* hoSAkis gar eAN esTHI*e*-te ton ARton TOUton, kai to poT*E*ri-on PIn*e*-te, *For as oft as you eat this :bread, and drink the cup,* ton THAna-ton [2288] tou KuRIou ka-tagGELle-te [2605] Achri hou ELth*e*. *you proclaim the death of the Lord till he come.* *k. 11:27 GUILT: THE RESULT OF EATING THE SUPPER UNWORTHILY* H*O*Ste hos an esTHI*e* ton ARton *e* PIn*e* to poT*E*ri-on tou KuRIou a-naXI*o*s [371], *So that whoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord unworthily,* HEno-chos [1777] EStai tou S*O*ma-tos kai tou HAIma-tos tou KuRIou. *shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.* *l. 11:28 PROVE YOUR MOTIVE BEFORE PARTAKING* do-ki-maZEt*o* [1381] de ANthr*o*-pos he-auTON, *But let a man prove himself,* kai HOUt*o*s ek tou ARtou es-thiEt*o*, *and thus let him eat of the bread,* kai ek tou po-t*e*RIou piNEt*o*. *and drink of the cup.* *m. 11:29 JUDGMENT: THE RESULT OF EATING WITHOUT DISCERNING CHRIST'S BODY* ho gar esTHI*o*n kai PIn*o*n, KRIma [2917] he-auT*O* esTHIei kai PInei, *For who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself,* m*e* di-aKRIn*o*n [1252] to S*O*ma. *if he discern not the body.* *n. 11:30 SICKNESS AND PREMATURE DEATH: THE FORM OF THIS JUDGMENT* diA TOUto en huMIN polLOI as-theNEIS [772] kai ARr*o*s-toi [732], *For this cause many among you are weak and sickly,* kai koiM*O*Ntai [1837] hi-kaNOI. *and not a few sleep.* *o. 11:31 SAFETY IN DISCERNMENT* ei de he-auTOUS di-eKRIno-men [1252], ouk an e-kriNOme-tha [2919]. *But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged.* *p. 11:32 CHASTENING SPARES US FROM THE WORLD'S CONDEMNATION* kriNOme-noi de huPO tou KuRIou, pai-deuOme-tha [3811], *But when judged of the Lord, we are chastened,* HIna m*e* sun t*o* KOSm*o* ka-ta-kriTH*O*men [2632]. *that we be not condemned with the world.* *q. 11:33 WE ARE TO CONSIDER ONE ANOTHER WHEN EATING THE LORD'S SUPPER* H*O*Ste, a-delPHOI mou, su-nerCHOme-noi eis to phaGEIN, *So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat,* alL*E*lous ekDEches-the [1551]. *wait one for another.* *r. 11:34a DO NOT EAT THE LORD'S SUPPER TO SATISFY HUNGER* ei tis peiNA, en OIk*o* es-thiEt*o*; *If any is hungry let him eat at home;* HIna m*e* eis KRIma [2917] suNERch*e*s-the. *that you come not together unto judgment.* *s. 11:34b PAUL PROMISES LATER TO COMPLETE INSTRUCTION* Ta de loiPA h*o*s an ELth*o* di-aTAxo-mai [1299]. *And the rest will I set in order whenever I come.* *NOTE**: *This is one of the clearest accounts of the Lord's Supper in the Word of God. As in all the sections of Paul's letters to the Corinthian Church, he is primarily using the opportunity as a time of correction. The book of Romans is his plumbline, and he would have Corinth rise up to full understanding in ?Justification by Faith.? In the early church, the Lord's Supper was commonly associated with the ?Agape? (Love) Feast portion Because of excesses on the part of the Corinthian believers at this time, Paul eliminated it to just the elements of the Lord's Supper itself, and dismissed the Love Feast portion. It is a great blessing when the two can be combined together; in the Passover Seder the Lord's Supper is made an integral part, which Jews commemorated from the time of the Exodus out of Egypt under Moses, approximately 3400 years ago, on an annual basis. Jesus took this, and made the Lord's Supper an integral part of the Passover Supper, and opened the way for it to be observed at least weekly. Note how Paul makes use of the problem at Corinth concerning this event, by pointing out that the very divisive problem by some, raised a contrast, so that those who retained a right understanding and procedure, stood out in their correctness (11:19). Paul also quotes Jesus when He said, ?*This :cup is **the new covenant** **in my :blood**.? *Apart from the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin, we read in the book of Hebrews. And so many of the Old Testament types and shadows all point to the coming of Jesus, and how *He fulfilled* all the past, so that it was proper for the Temple to be destroyed in 70 AD. It had served its purpose. Jesus Himself is now the Temple, and we His body are members of it - *living stones*. Should we still be careful and diligent in our observance of the Lord's Supper? Of course! George Muller felt it was proper to observe it each week. It was the *central* part of their service! And each time it is is observed, we do proclaim *the Lord's death*, till H e come. So - although this is a corrective portion of Scripture, what valuable lessons emerge! ?*Covenant*? is the very basis of the Bible. The Old Testament = the Old Covenant, and the New Testament is the New Covenant. Apart from understanding of Covenant in the Lord's Supper, we see but faintly the lessons God would have us understand. Read ?Marriage Covenant? by Derek Prince to gain an extremely valuable insight on this great background to the Lord's Supper. J.A.W. *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 Jun 28 09:11:53 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 28 Jun 2009 09:11:53 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Message-ID: <625d7240906280911j4a0cb7f9ldfa9db754ea40997@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 28, 2009 * *V. 15:1-58 ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON THE RESURRECTION* *A. 15:1-11 THE ESSENCE OF THE GOSPEL WITH WITNESSES* *a. 15:1-2 THE GOSPEL: SALVATION'S BASIS WHEN CONTINUED IN* Gn*o*RIz*o* [1107] de huMIN, a-delPHOI, *Now I make known to you, brethren,* to eu-agGEli-on [2098] ho eu-*e*g-ge-liSAm*e*n [2097] huMIN, *the gospel which I preached to you,* ho kai pa-reLAbe-te, en h*o* kai hesT*E*ka-te [2476], *which also you received, in which also you stand,* di' hou kai S*O*zes-the [4982], *2 by which also you are being saved, * TIni LOg*o* eu-*e*g-ge-liSAm*e*n huMIN ei kaTEche-te [2476], *if you hold fast to the word which I preached to you,* ei m*e* eiK*E* [1500] e-pisTEUsa-te. *except you believed to no purpose.* *b. 15:3-8 THE ELEMENTS AND WITNESSES OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST* paREd*o*-ka [3860] gar huMIN en PR*O*tois ho kai paREla-bon: *For I delivered to you among first things what also I received:* HOti ChrisTOS aPEtha-nen [599] huPER t*o*n ha-mar-ti*O*N [266] h*e*M*O*N kaTA tas graPHAS [1124]; *that Christ died for our :sins according to the scriptures;* kai HOti eTAph*e* [2290]; kai HOti eG*E*ger-tai [1453] *4 and that he was buried; and that he has been raised* t*e* h*e*MEra t*e* TRIt*e* kaTA tas graPHAS; *on the third :day according to the scriptures;* kai HOti *O*PHth*e* [3700] K*e*PHA; EIta tois D*O*de-ka; *5 and that he was seen of Cephas; then of the twelve;* Epei-ta *O*PHth*e* ePAn*o* pen-ta-koSIois a-delPHOIS ePHApax, *6 thereupon was seen of above five hundred brethren at once,* ex h*o*n hoi PLEIon-es MEnou-sin HE*o*s ARti, *of whom the more remain until now,* tiNES de e-koiM*E*th*e*-san [3306]; *but some are fallen asleep;* Epei-ta *O*PHth*e* 'IaK*O*b*o*; EIta tois a-poSTOlois PAsin; *7 thereupon was seen of James; then of all the apostles;* EScha-ton PANt*o*n, h*o*s-peREI t*o* ekTR*O*ma-ti [1626], *8 and last of all, as of the untimely birth,* *O*PHth*e* ka' 'MOI. *he was seen of me also.* *c. 15:9 THE UNWORTHY ASPECT OF PAUL, THE LAST OF CHRIST'S WITNESSES* E-G*O* gar ei-mi ho eLAchis-tos [1646] t*o*n a-poSTOl*o*n, *For I am the least of the apostles,* hos ouk eiMI hi-kaNOS [2425] kaLEISthai aPOsto-los [652], *that am not worthy to be called apostle, * di' HOti eDI*o*-xa [1377] t*e*n ek-kl*e*SIan [1577] tou TheOU. *because I persecuted the church of :God.* *d. 15:10 HOW GOD'S GRACE OVERCAME PAUL'S UINWORTHINESS* CHAri-ti [5485] de TheOU ei-mi HO ei-mi: *But by God's grace I am what I am:* kai h*e* CHAris auTOU h*e* eis eME ou keN*E* [2756] e-geN*E*th*e*; *and his :grace :unto me was not found void;* alLA pe-risSOte-ron [4054] auT*O*N PANt*o*n e-koPIa-sa [2872]: *but I toiled more abundantly than they all:* ouk eG*O* de, alLA h*e* CHAris tou TheOU sun eMOI. *yet not I, but the grace of :God with me.* *e. 15:11 CONCLUSION* EIte oun eG*O* EIte eKEInoi, HOUt*o*s k*e*RUSso-men [2784], *Whether then I or they, so we preach, * kai HOUt*o*s e-pisTEUsa-te [4100]+ . *and so you believed.* *+ NOTE**: *Paul is very explicit about four basic points of the Gospel,. These he had made known to the Corinthians, which no doubt had a great deal to do with their belief in and reception of Christ. Note them again: *Christ died for our :sins according to the scriptures;* *he was buried;* *he has been raised the third day according to the scriptures;* *that he was seen of many witnesses,* *including Paul as of the untimely birth.* Why is Paul so insistent concerning the beginning of the Gospel for the Corinthians? Could it be because God Himself is insistent that His Gospel of the Kingdom must be based on solid historical fact? *This* cuts the legs from under false cults such as the New Age, and all present day Gnostic Movements! The Gospel of God is not just ethereal! It *is* based on solid historical fact. It is based on an absolute balance between Spirit revelation and the written Word. Jesus and the Word are *one*. See John 1:1 (1:1-18) ?*In the beginning the Word was, and the Word was with :God, and the Word **was God.* *? * The R*e*ma word (spiritual gifts) and the LOgos word (the written word) must always be in balance. 70 times R*E*ma appears in the NT to LOgos 330x - *4 ? to one*! We ought to spend *this proportion* of time between these two! George Muller, Oswald Chambers and all fruitful and balanced teachers have. Paul as apostle to the Gentiles was specifically chosen by God for this office. He said, *?Follow **me**, as **I** follow Christ!? *How many of us can say *this* in all honesty and truthfulness? So these 11 verses are a fitting introduction to the greatest chapter in the Bible on Resurrection! Resurrection is one of the four integral, basic, foundation truths for the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. - J.A.W. *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 Jun 29 22:33:08 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:33:08 -0700 Subject: Revival Principles Message-ID: <625d7240906292233i4a771820s23a14e019583afea@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *June 29, 2009 * *REVIVAL PRINCIPLES - 2009-06-29* *1933. ?If a thing is worth doing at all - it is worth doing well.? My Mother *often embedded these words into my life. They stuck. They stuck for me as a lumber clerk at the Alberni Pacific Lumber Company in 1941. They stuck as I have been working on God's Commission for the Numeric Interlinear Greek NT by Ivan Panin. *1925. ?Intra Muros? (Within Heaven's Gates) by Agnes R. Springer. My step-grandfather, G. R. Gordon *gave this to our family in Great Depression Days on a farm in Murrayville, B.C. It, along with 48 copies of the Lily Series from him, strongly awakened in me a desire to know God intimately. Modernism and Humanism strongly infiltrated our Canadian church denomination, and I received little from this area. *1938. Mrs. Mary Bertha Allquist, Port Alberni, B.C. *I became her paper boy for the Vancouver Daily Province for 3 years. She was a Jewish Missionary to her Jewish people. Six years later in 1944, God revealed Himself to me according to his promise to me as a sailor now in Victoria B.C. - at *Passover*. Mrs. Allquist was my first true Mentor. In summer of that year she opened Leviticus 23 to me, and the 7 Jewish Feasts and their significance for us today. I taught these in 1948 at North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to some 70 students of the Sharon Bible College. George Warnock audited the class, and though he knew Leviticus 23, yet the Spirit of God in Mrs. Allquist through me gripped him, until he wrote ?The Feast of Tabernacles.? *1944. George Muller. * His book ?Answers to Prayer? came into my hands, and made a profound impression upon me. I memorized his Preface on ?How to Ascertain the Will of God?, and Appendix A, ?How to Prevail in Prayer.? Later I read his biography by Dr. A.T. Pierson, ?George Muller of Bristol?. His emphasis on Bible Meditation gained from George Whitefield, along with his insights on conducting church service, took root in me. *1944. H. A. Baker, ?Visions Beyond the Veil? *was given to me the first year of my conversion. It too made a profound impression upon me. God had given me a Vision based on Psalm 107:23-24 (23-32) *?They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of Jehovah, and his wonders in the deep.? *while I was yet unconverted. He said, ?Join the Navy, and I'll reveal Myself to you.? I did, and *He did*! In 1985 He gave me a Destiny Dream based on ?Cervantes?, that has helped me fulfill His will for me. In 2009 in Aldergrove B.C. He placed in my hands ?*Dreams, the Divinity Code? - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions? by Adrian Beale and Adam Thompson of Australia, www.thedivinitycode.org>. This removes the occult influence of Carl Jung from dream text books that I contacted in 1985.* *1944. Smith Wigglesworth, ?Ever Increasing Faith? came into my hands at this time. It had a profound effect upon me. Wigglesworth accurately memorized the entire NT, and daily prayed over it in tongues and meditation, at least up to 4 hours a day. He claimed this was the secret why God used him in winning some two million souls to Christ, and countless thousands healed, delivered, and filled with the Spirit. *One Modernistic Theologian in Saskatoon looked over my library, and proclaimed it to be perhaps the strangest one he had ever seen! But - it was *God's* choice for me for the work He had called me to do. And Wigglesworth was one ingredient He didn't want to be missing! *1944. J. Edwin Orr, ?Times of Refreshing? *came into my hands. Dr. Orr tells of his trip as a young man across Canada in the 30's in this book. In Victoria he records his belief that God would one day use Canada in an unusual way for its first *National Revival*. *Dr. David Yonggi Cho* in 1975 in B.C., 1979 in Toronto and 1984 in Halifax, powerfully confirmed these words. *Charles G. Finney* refers to the 3-fold diary of a New Brunswick, Canada man, who mightily changed that part of his province through such prayers. *1944. ?40 Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of Mrs. Maria Woodworth-Etter.? *This book was loaned to me as a new naval convert. God quickened to me her account of ?The Heavenly Choir? in her meetings and God promised me that in the not too distant future, I would see this manifestation of the Spirit restored. *1944. *A Russian Jew that summer introduced me to the works of *Ivan Panin *. He promised to teach me Greek, but didn't show up for lessons. In Saskatoon Saskatchewan I was given Greek free, but from the 2 pamphlets by Panin given to me by Dr. Jewel, I ordered all available writings by and on Panin listed in these pamphlets. They came in the Fall of 1945. When I read the Introduction to Panin's Numeric Greek NT, and discovered that even the NT sentence structure, sub-paragraphs, paragraphs and sections are established by Bible Numerics, I was hooked. I love outlining books and articles. I outlined the book of Ephesians to test this revelation. The results were so outstanding that I outlined the entire NT. Then I learned that the Jehovah's Witnesses offered to take Panin's Numeric Greek and English translation and put them into an Interlinear Greek format. He could not allow them to do so, because they are a ?cult?. So he died in Aldershot, :Ontario in 1942, failing to see this project come to fruition. In 1967 God commissioned me to do for Panin what he failed to see come to pass in his 50 years of 100,000 hours of labor, dying at 87. I have some 70 chapters completed, some of them already posted on our Website. Hopefully I can finish 175 of the 260 NT chapters by 2010, leaving but the Gospels to complete. It is an arduous labor, but at the same time, most blessed. I believe it will help laymen to more accurately teach and preach the Word of God. *This* is a critical basis for revival. *1945. George R. Hawtin, Bethel Bible Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.*World War II ended the summer of this year with the fall of Hitler and Nazi Germany, and then the fall of Japan, quickened by the atomic bombs. A sailor could get out of the Canadian Navy if he had a school or a job to go to. I had neither. I desperately fasted and prayed all one night in August for an answer. At 5:00 am God showed me a vision, and told me that I would stay in the Navy an extra year unless I made right something wrong in my past. When I offered suitable conditions, I received the word: *?Write George R. Hawtin, Bethel Bible Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and apply as a student.?* No address. I did so, and shortly received application papers, filled them out and returned them. Soon I received a successful reply. All went through, and by October I was enrolled as a student in Saskatoon. I spent one year here, then enrolled and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan as a pre-seminary student. I graduated with honors in 1948, along with a year and a half of seminary. In the meantime George Hawtin and BBI in 1947 moved up to North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and changed its name to Sharon Orphanages and Schools. In 1948 I began to hear rumors of a Visitation by God on this new Campus. In April, Ern Hawtin, younger brother to George, came to the Princess Elizabeth High School auditorium in Saskatoon, and gave a report on how God was restoring the Presbytery concept with powerful gifts of prophecy; and the 5-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11-12, especially apostles and prophets. Ern ministered to me at the close of this service, and I entered into a new dimension of prophecy and anointing that hasn't left me to this day. When George heard Ern's report on God's Visitation to me, he asked if I would serve as one of the 7 elders at the Summer Camp Meeting in North Battleford. I served along with the two Hawtin brothers, P.G. Hunt, Pastor H. Holt, Pastor Reg Layzell of Vancouver. and A.W. Rasmussen. In October of '48 at Edmonton, God restored the functioning of the Heavenly Choir according to His promise 4 years previously. In 1992 I received a vision after returning from Israel. George Hawtin appeared to me and said, ?*I am too old to lead in another Visitation. You and Marie have been with us from the beginning. I pass the ?Torch? to you. Take the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles that came together in '48, and bring them to maturity. They will be parameters of safety for the last great Visitation preceding the return of My Son.?* On our Website *< www.2rbetter.org> *you can find under ?Embryonics?, these 12 revival principles; and placed under ?Interlinear?, the beginning of postings of the Numeric Interlinear Greek NT by Ivan Panin. *1947. John Wesley. *The Seminary I was attending in Saskatoon, St. Andrews College, was very modernistic and humanistic. I left it after 1 ? years. The librarian was getting rid of volumes too sound and Evangelical for them. He put them outside the library door and told us seminary students - ?Help yourselves.? I gained *?Wesley's doctrinal standards? by Burwash, *52 of his chief sermons that he had all candidates for the ministry memorize. One of these would be selected by the ordination committee, before which the candidate would be asked to reproduce it. George Whitefield, who moved to a strong Calvinistic position over against Wesley's Arminianism, was asked, Do you think Wesley will make heaven?? (because of his Arminianism) ?*My dear sir,? responded Whitefield, ?John Wesley in heaven will be so close to the throne of God, that we shall scarcely be able to see him!?* What a gracious Christian spirit! Remember Paul's word of rebuke to the Corinthians because of their divisions - ?*All** things are yours: Peter, Apollos, Paul, Christ, Wesley, Calvin, Knox, Finney, etc.? *O may we hear this wise word, and stop making denominational differences after human leaders - points of division! Later Wesley put forth a ?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.* Examine lines 1, 2 and 8 especially! This is much in line with the spirit of Rees Howells. John Wesley's home Cell Groups have much that can be adapted for our day. The 70,000 members of his cell groups saved England from the French Revolution! *1948. June 30 - Marie C. Gaudet. *Marie and I met in grade 9 at Alberni District High School, Port Alberni, B.C., 1937, and became good friends. She started writing me from Vancouver to Saskatoon concerning questions that arose in her Bible reading, and in a sense I became her Bible School. Then in June of '48 I offered myself to God in ?the gift of singleness,? as I was studying Arabic, and tentatively planning to go to an Islamic country in North Africa as a missionary. God interjected: ?*But if I could link you with one where together you would count more in My Kingdom that either of you would alone - would you consider that?? ?Yes? I replied,? but there's only one girl like that, Marie Gaudet, and she's a Roman Catholic and her life style is far more flamboyant than mine.? *However in 3 days I received a letter from her, telling how she was reading the Bible 8 hours and 12 hours a day without stopping. I was shocked. I answered her Bible questions, and on the basis of God's revelation to me, suggested that I believed it was God's will that we should marry. I brought her to the North Battleford Camp Meeting in July, and when the Hawtin Team went to Vancouver November and December, Marie attended every meeting for 6 weeks, accepted the Lord, received the Holy Spirit, and accepted the Lord's word to her that she should marry me. We were married December 27, 1948, the year Israel became a nation again after 2400 years. In 1989 Marie received a strong call to pray for Israel, *and* *we together believe* it is *one of the key conditions* *to seeing true revival.* God gave us together Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (4:7-12) ?*Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up. 11 Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? 12 And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.? *Deuteronomy 32:30* (1-43) ?How should one chase a thousand, And two put ten thousand to flight, Except their Rock had sold them, And Jehovah had delivered them up?? *Matthew 18:19 *(18-20) ?Again, Amen, I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my :Father who is in the heavens.? *We started our married life together on a strong prayer basis on the above 3 verses. *Covenant* and *Prayer Multiplication* are intimately linked with this, and couples who understand and move in it, are going to see God move through their lives! *1948. Pastor W. J. Ern Baxter* gave us as a wedding present ?*Identification? by E. W. Kenyon*. Later I purchased all of Kenyon's writings (24 books). His book on *?The Blood Covenant? *had a powerful impact upon me. In 1973 Pastor Baxter invited me to join him as Associate Pastor at Surrey Christian Centre, B.C. There with the help of a team, I supplied him with all the major NT Greek Word Studies based on the works of Ivan Panin, Englishman's Greek Concordance and John Stegenga's ?Greek Lexicon?. Some of these studies I am reworking, and posting on our Website. Baxter took the word ?covenant?, and showed the necessity of each believer being discipled, to have a ?di-aTH*E*k*e*? covenant relationship in Him. Here the *Greater* sets the terms; we have the choice of accepting or rejecting them, but not to change the terms; The Ecclesiastes, Deuteronomy and Matthew verses above show the power of *Prayer Multiplication* when two unite on a SUNth*e*-k*e* covenant basis between two equals. Then, one couple = 10,000; 4 couples = one million. There is much more to this, but this is a good start. *1955. ?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb* is one of the classic books on Intercession: number *one* for many! A Scottish preacher, Robert Burrows, gave Marie and me our copy in the mid '50's. What a life-shattering book! Full commitment to the Holy Spirit is its central theme! Every believer needs to read this biography and let the Spirit of Rees Howells, the Holy Spirit, possess him for Jesus' sake! *1963. Oswald Chambers. I was introduced to the writings of Oswald Chambers by the Pastor's wife of Broadway Tabernacle in Seattle.* They didn't catch on for awhile, but *?My Utmost for His Highest?* became a daily devotional for me for over 10 years. Lately I have picked this up again. Many of his other 50 or so books and booklets published by his wife Biddy, are exceptional. *1963. Derek Prince. *I had heard of Derek Prince through a friend of mine in Vancouver, BC. He felt we had some things in common, and that I would appreciate his ministry. On the strength of that recommendation, I got up very early on a January morning, and drove up from Portland to Seattle to hear Derek's testimony at a FGBMF breakfast meeting at the Hotel Meany. It was well worth while! Derek later took a call to pastor Broadway Tabernacle, Seattle, but had to return to England after 8 months because of the illness of his parents. He asked if I would take his place if the invitation were offered. I agreed. Later on he wrote the book ?*Marriage Covenant?*, which both my wife Marie and I highly recommend. It adds to Ern Baxter's insights on ?*Covenant*?. To vertical covenant with God, and horizontal covenant with one's spouse, Derek strongly recommends a second horizontal covenant with the *body of Christ* - especially with the local fellowship that God adds one to. We put this book at the top of the list of the many he has written. Next to it we place ?Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting.? *1967. Samuel's 4 Cities: Rama*, Bethel, Mizpeh and Gilgal. As long as Samuel lived and judged Israel from these 4 cities, by and large things went well. When he died and King Saul took over, it was a different story. In 1962 God said to me, ?You have been faithful to My commission to you in 1944. Now resign the pastorate of First Baptist Church of Round Lake, Illinois, and move to the Pacific Northwest. I am about to start restoring my church with apostles and prophets, and you may have part in this. He showed me that Seattle would be like Rama where Samuel lived. The other 3 cities would be Vancouver, BC, Portland OR and Spokane WA. When these 4 cities come to maturity with an Eldership in the Gate of each of these cities, then He would send fire on Cascadia, the Pacific Northwest, which would like wildfire race across Canada and the United States, leaping the Atlantic, bringing blessing to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Islands of the Sea, and then My Son will return. At the same time God's bow would be the 3 Western cities. His string would pull back to Spokane to release arrows to the Pacific Rim cities. *1967. *My wife Marie asked me, ?What was God's mind and thinking when He led us both to marry?? I asked Him that night for His answer, and He gave me 2 visions. In the first we were in an Observatory. Marie was at my right, and a member of our congregation at my left. The Observatory Director in front of us explained ?Because you have been instrumental in preparing 2 of the 7 components of this instrument, you have the privilege to be in attendance for its assemblage, and also to see what it will do.? He then pulled a lever, and a large, round globe of about 400 pounds, containing many dials, moved out and became stationary above the floor. In my mind I wondered, How could that be? Immediately an angel behind us said, ?Antigravity.? The next day I phoned the church member who had been at my left, and told him. ?Last night I had a vision, and you were in it.? ?Tell me,? he said. When I came to ?Antigravity? he asked - ?Don't you know what that means?? and when I told him, ?No,? he explained how our military in Washington DC had developed an antigravity device that could successfully suspend up to 4 tons like that! The Director then said - ?This first component represents the Bible Numeric works of Ivan Panin: the Interlinear Greek NT; Greek word studies based on numerics; Bible book outlines based on Numerics; and a Bible Chronology again finding confirmation in Bible numerics. Next the Director pulled a second lever, and when a ?stand? came out to support the first component - He explained that this stand represented the ?City Church? with an Eldership of the 5-fold ministries sitting in the Gate of that City. He then pulled 5 more levers without explaining the purpose of their components, as it was only with the first 2 that we had a commission. Then when the assembly of the components was complete, He said,?Came and see!? I lay down to look through the eye-piece, and as I looked at the heavens through what I took to be a telescope, I saw the majesty of God's awesome handiwork in a manner I had never expected to see! I noticed also a black cloud in one area. Immediately there was a blinding flash, and the black spot disappeared, I was stunned, and wondered what on earth kind of telescope I was looking through. Some years later, apart from an instrument, I saw some 60 leaders used as a similar organic instrument, and again a black cloud disappeared through a blinding flash. In answer to my insistent pleadings, God directed me to the April 1984 issue of National Geographic, in which for 1/3 of its space, majored on an ?Automated Laser Telescope. It pictured practically what I had seen in vision in 1967. The vision then switched to Canada and a large parade square. Behind Marie and myself were 7 elders, and behind them 490 men. 3 generals stood some distance in front of us, and to our left, as far as eye could see, were battalion after battalion of soldiers. One of the generals approached us, and I perceived that He was the same as the Observatory Director. He explained that we had satisfactorily completed our last assignment, and that now we were to share with His battalions the principles we had successfully proven. We recognized that the 70 elders, each with 7 men, represented teams of 8 of 5-fold ministries, for the Gates of 70 Canadian cities, and 70 US cities, with hands across the border. *1979. Charles H. Spurgeon, ?Faith's Checkbook.? *In 1979 Marie and I were in Northern Ontario for a Conference. One morning for my devotions I was reading from the above. For that day Spurgeon had selected Zechariah 12:8 (12:1-9) *?In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David*; *and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them.? *As I pondered and meditated upon this text, I was able to connect this with Deuteronomy 32:20. Here the Spirit through Moses showed how when Israel would sin, one of her enemies could drive 1000 to flight; two, 10,000! But here in Zechariah God was promising Israelis that in the last days, a feeble one would be like David, and drive 10,000 to flight; while those who are of the house of David, *not* wimpy, are like *God, the angel of Jehovah*, one million-fold; two, ten million; 8 individuals or 4 couples - *one billion*. When Jesus by the Spirit directs such a group, fully united and submissive in a *corporate* manner under His direction; - then - *Spiritual Star Wars takes place*! Principalities and ;powers are knocked out as a cloud over cities, areas, states, and nations. Then like David, we can go in and mop up the defeated Philistines.And if one questions the church using this verse, we need but remember that in the ?One New Man? - Jews and Gentiles share equally in these promises under the New Covenant! *2005, ?The Heavenly Man? - the remarkable true story of Chinese Christian Brother Yun - with Paul Hattaway. *The chapter ?*Back to Jerusalem? on page 278 - gives the story of 100,000 Chinese wanting to reach and witness to Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists - all the way to Jerusalem, where it all started!* This too, is a book that should be read by all believers! I don't have a recollection who gave it to me, or when. Yet I treasure it highly as one of the outstanding books that has come out of China. *NOTE: * *I have been asked in August to share in Portland some of the above with city leaders from Vancouver, BC; Seattle/Tacoma; Spokane and Portland/Vancouver WA. Would these leaders who have been invited, look over the above Revival Principles. Those that you feel are particularly appropriate for our time - let me know - and I will be glad to major on your selections. I will make short presentations, and then open each area up for a more open time. - 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 Jul 1 18:36:00 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 1 Jul 2009 18:36:00 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 Message-ID: <625d7240907011836o5d6e8abau24370fa34afee574@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 1, 2009 * *B. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:12-34* *RESURRECTION: AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF THE GOSPEL* *1. 15:12-19 CHRIST'S RESURRECTON: BASIS FOR OUR RESURRECTION* *a. 15:12 CHRIST'S RESURRECTION: PROOF THAT WE TOO SHALL RISE* Ei de ChrisTOS k*e*RUSse-tai [2784] HOti ek neKR*O*N [3498] eG*E*ger-tai [1453], *Now if Christ is preached that he has been raised from the dead,* p*o*s LEgou-sin en huMIN tiNES HOti aNASta-sis [386] neKR*O*N ouk EStin? *how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?* *b. 15:13-14 CHRIST'S RESURRECTION: ESSENTIAL LEST GOSPEL IN VAIN* ei de aNAsta-sis neKR*O*N ouk EStin, *But if there is no resurrection of the dead,* ouDE ChrisTOS eG*E*ger-tai: *neither has Christ been raised:* ei de ChrisTOS ouk eG*E*ger-tai, *14 and if Christ has not been raised,* keNON Ara to K*E*rug-ma [2782] h*e*M*O*N, keN*E* kai h*e* PIStis h*e*M*O*N. *then is our preaching void, and our faith also is void.* *c. 15:15 APOSTLES: FALSE WITNESSES IF CHRIST ROSE NOT* heu-risKOme-tha de kai pseu-doMARtu-res [5575] tou TheOU; *Yes, we are found false witnesses of :God;* HOti e-mar-tuR*E*sa-men [3140] kaTA tou TheOU HOti *E*gei-ren ton ChrisTON: *because we witnessed for :God that he raised the Christ:* hon ouk *E*gei-ren, EIper Ara neKROI ouk eGEIron-tai. *whom he raised not, if so be that the dead are not raised.* *d. 15:16-17 VANITY OF FAITH: IF CHRIST ROSE NOT* ei gar neKROI ouk eGEIron-tai, ouDE ChrisTOS eG*E*ger-tai: *For if the dead are not raised, neither has Christ been raised: * ei de ChrisTOS ouk eG*E*ger-tai, maTAIa [3152] h*e* PIStis huM*O*N esTIN; *17 and if Christ has not been raised, your :faith is vain;* Eti esTE en tais ha-marTIais [266] huM*O*N. *you are yet in your :sins.* *e. 15:18 A SAD CONCLUSION* Ara kai hoi koi-m*e*THENtes [2837] en ChrisT*O* aP*O*lon-to [622]. *Then also those fallen asleep in Christ have perished.* *f. 15:19 CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR OUR FUTURE* ei en t*e* z*o*-*E* [2222] PAUt*e* en ChrisT*O* *e*l-piKOtes [1679] esMEN MOnon, *If we have in this :life only hoped in Christ,* e-le-eiNOte-roi [1652] PANt*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n esMEN. *we are of all men rather pitiable.* *2. 15:20-28 ORDER OF EVENTS PRIOR TO AND AFTER RESURRECTION* *a. 15:20 THE RESURRECTED CHRIST: FIRSTFRUIT FOR ALL DEAD IN HIM* NuNI de ChrisTOS eG*E*ger-tai ek neKR*O*N, *But now has Christ been raised from the dead,* a-parCH*E* [536] t*o*n ke-koi-m*e*MEn*o*n [2837]. *first fruit of those asleep.* *b. 15:21 A MAN BROUGHT DEATH: A MAN BROUGHT RESURRECTION* e-peiD*E* gar di' anTHR*O*pou THAna-tos, *For since by man is death,* kai di' anTHR*O*pou aNAsta-sis neKR*O*N. *by man is also resurrection of the dead.* *c. 15:22 ADAM BROUGHT DEATH: CHRIST BRINGS LIFE* H*O*Sper gar en t*o* A-DAM PANtes a-poTHN*E*Skou-sin [599], *For as in :Adam all die,* HOUt*o*s kai en t*o* ChrisT*O* PANtes z*o*-o-poi-*e*THN*E*son-tai [2227]. *so also in the Christ shall all be made alive.* *d. 15:23 CHRIST'S RESURRECTION IS FIRST IN ORDER: THEN OURS* HEkas-tos de en t*o* iDI*o* TAGma-ti [5001]: a-parCH*E* [536] ChrisTOS; *But each in his :own order: Christ a first fruit;* Epei-ta hoi tou ChrisTOU, en t*e* pa-rouSIa [3952] auTOU. *then they that are the Christ's, at his :presence.* *e. 15:24 AFTER OUR RESURRECTION, GOD BECOMES ALL IN ALL* EIta to TElos [5056], HOtan pa-ra-diD*O* [3860] t*e*n ba-siLEIan [932] *Then the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom* t*o* The*O* kai paTRI; *to the God and Father;* HOtan ka-tarG*E*s*e* [2673] PAsan arCH*E*N [746] kai PAsan e-xouSIan [1849]kai DUna-min [1411]. *when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.* *f. 15:25 GOD'S PURPOSE FOR CHRIST* dei gar auTON ba-siLEUein [935], *For he must reign,* Achri hou th*e* PANtas tous echTHROUS [2190] huPO tous POdas [4228] auTOU. *till he put all his :enemies under his :feet.* *g. 15:26 A REVELATION* EScha-tos echTHROS [2190] ka-tarGEItai [2673] ho THAna-tos [2288]. *The** enemy to be abolished last **is :death.* *h. 15:27a. GOD'S WILL FOR CHRIST* PANta gar huPEta-xen [5293] huPO tous POdas auTOU. *For, He subjected all things under his :feet.* *i.. 15:27b CHRIST IS NOT SUBJECT TO ANYTHING* HOtan de EIp*e* HOti PANta hu-poTEtak-tai [5293], *But when he says that all the things are subjected, * D*E*lon HOti ekTOS tou hu-poTAxan-tos auT*O* ta PANta. *it is** evident that he is excepted who did subject :all **things to him.* *j. 15:28 AFTER OUR RESURRECTION, CHRIST WILL SUBJECT HIMSELF TO GOD* HOtan de hu-po-taG*E* auT*O* ta PANta, *And when all the things have been subjected to him,* TOte kai auTOS ho huiOS hu-po-taG*E*se-tai *then also the Son shall himself be subjected to him* t*o* hu-poTAxan-ti auT*O* ta PANta, HIna *e* ho TheOS PANta en PAsin. *that did subject all the things to him, that :God be all in all.* *3. 15:29-34 APART FROM RESURRECTION, HOLY LIVING IS FUTILE* *a. 15:29a QUESTION* E-PEI ti poi*E*sou-sin hoi bap-tiZOme-noi [907] huPER t*o*n neKR*O*N? *Else what shall they do that are baptized for the dead?* *b. 15:29b-30 IF NO RESURRECTION, BAPTISM IS MEANINGLESS* ei HOl*o*s neKROI ouk eGEIron-tai [1453], *If the dead are not raised at all,* ti kai bapTIzon-tai huPER auT*O*N? *why then are they baptized for them?* ti kai h*e*MEIS kin-duNEUo-men [2793] PAsan H*O*ran [5610]? *30 why are WE also in peril every hour?* *c. 15:31 PAUL MAKES HIS BAPTISM VALID DAILY* kath' h*e*MEran a-poTHN*E*Sk*o* [599], n*e* t*e*n hu-meTEran KAUch*e*-sin [2746], a-delPHOI, *I protest by your glorying, brethren,* h*e*n Ech*o* en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU t*o* KuRI*o* h*e*M*O*N. *which I have in Christ Jesus our :Lord, I die daily.* *d. 15:32a IF NO RESURRECTION, NO PROFIT TO RISK OUR PRESENT LIFE* ei kaTA ANthr*o*-pon e-th*e*-ri-oMAch*e*-sa [2341] en E-PHEs*o*, *If :after man's manner I fought beasts at Ephesus,* ti moi to Ophe-los [3786]? *what does it profit me?* *e. 15:32b IF NO RESURRECTION, PLEASURE IN THIS LIFE IS OUR ONLY HOPE* ei neKROI ouk eGEIron-tai, PHAg*o*-men [5315] kai PI*o*-men [4095], *If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink,* AUri-on gar a-poTH*E*Sko-men [599]. *for to-morrow we die.* *f. 15:33 PICK YOUR FRIENDS CAREFULLY* m*e* plaNASthe [4105]: PHTHEIrou-sin [5351] *E*th*e* chr*e*sTA ho-miLIai [3657] kaKAI. *Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.* *g. 15:34 WITHOUT RESURRECTION KNOWLEDGE, WE ARE TEMPTED TO SIN* ekN*E*psa-te [1594] diKAI*o*s [1345], kai m*e* ha-marTAne-te [264]; *Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not;* ag-n*o*SIan [56] gar TheOU tiNES Echou-sin: *for some have no knowledge of God:* pros en-troP*E*N [1791] huMIN laL*O*. *I speak to shame you.* *NOTE**:* 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Our Lord Jesus knew what He was doing when He chose Paul to be His apostle to the Gentiles. For though He was able through the fully submitted Paul to say exactly what He wanted this primarily Gentile church to hear - yet at the same time He was able to use all the natural giftings of Paul to say His word through him! *This* is the miracle of the infallible inspiration of the 66 books of our Bible. It is * God* using *men* to infallibly set forth *His thinking* on all subjects expressed. Bible Numerics undergirds and confirms this great miracle. This particular passage shows forth this rare combination of God speaking through man to express the tremendous importance of Christ's resurrection as the basis of ours to follow. 15:22 became a rare verse to answer George Hawtin's dilemma. *How* could *one man* answer the need of every man of the human race? But if *one man*, Adam, brought sin's contamination into the entire human race, then God could use one man, His only begotten Son, to atone for all what Adam introduced into our human race! Scriptures clearly teach that God is the Father of the *spirits* of all men. It matters not our racial background as human beings - we are *all* of one family. We are all of one blood. Each individual can safely receive blood transfusions from any other individual of the human race. (Of course, differences in blood types must still be considered.) According to *spirit* and according to *blood*, I am brother to every other member of the human race. Then when we enter the Kingdom of God by justification by faith, we enter into another and higher dimension. 15:29-34. The Lord's final concluding thought here through Paul is clear. The resurrection of Christ and His Ascension, and the Father sending the Holy Spirit through the Son, successfully erases the futility that otherwise would render holy living impossible. And of course, the difficult passage of 15:L29-30 and baptism for the dead - finds answer through the above. Various commentators have clearly seen how to make clear and simple this passage, and it is *not* the Mormon answer. Then 15:33-34 shows that we must fellowship with friends who are vertically related with God and Christ - and horizontally one with another - in the light of this passage. Friends *not* related by *vertical* covenant with God, and *horizontal* covenant with one another - will have their morals in jeopardy. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 2 16:42:09 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:42:09 -0700 Subject: The Conditions of Discipleship Message-ID: <625d7240907021642y642af78fo90a5b33a4773dedf@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 2, 2009 * *2009-07-02 - THE CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP* *(From: ?My Utmost for His Highest? - Oswald Chambers)* *Luke 14:26-27; 33 (14:25-35) ?If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also . . . . And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me . . . . So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.?* *If the closest relationships of a disciple's life conflict with the claims of Jesus Christ, then our Lord requires instant obedience to Himself. Discipleship means personal, passionate devotion to a Person - our Lord Jesus Christ. There is a vast difference between devotion to a person and devotion to principles or to a cause. Our Lord never proclaimed a cause - He proclaimed personal devotion to Himself. To be a disciple is to be a devoted bondservant motivated by love for the Lord Jesus. Many of us who call ourselves Christians are not truly devoted to Jesus Christ. No one on earth has this passionate love for the Lord Jesus unless the Holy Spirit has given it to him. We may admire, respect, and revere Him, but we cannot love Him on our own. The only One who truly loves the Lord Jesus is the Holy Spirit, and it is He who has ?poured out in our hearts? the very ?love of God? (Romans 5:5 - 5:1-11). Whenever the Holy Spirit sees an opportunity to glorify Jesus through you, He will take your entire being and set you ablaze with glowing devotion to Jesus Christ.* *The Christian life is a life characterized by true and spontaneous creativity. Consequently, a disciple is subject to the same charge that was leveled against Jesus Christ, namely, the charge of inconsistency. But Jesus Christ was always consistent in His relationship to God, and a Christian must be consistent in his relationship to the life of the Son of God in him, not consistent to strict, unyielding doctrines. People pour themselves into their own doctrines, and God has to blast them out of their preconceived ideas before they can become devoted to Jesus Christ.* Wednesday, June 14, 2006 *The Holy Spirit as the Dynamic of the New Covenant.* *I actually came across this particular manuscript quite by chance. It wasn't in Ern Baxter's section on the Holy Spirit - it was in a very detailed unpublished book he wrote on Israel. However it couldn't be more relevant (I would argue) for this series I am putting together on; "The Kingdom of God only becomes reality through the Holy Spirit". Here he examines the foundation for everything we believe in - the Cross but moves on to argue that we need desperately the vitality that the Holy Spirit brings to make it life. It is a short but powerful piece.* *The Holy Spirit - the Dynamic of the Covenant.* That is another of my present emphases: the manner in which we treat the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit, not the blood, is the dynamic of the New Covenant. I am legally saved by the blood but I am functionally saved by the Spirit. I think we have become side-tracked on the blood. Whoever said that there is power in the blood? I don?t want to be irreverent here. I want to be drastic. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ does not have an active ingredient but the blood releases the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who convicts me, converts me, regenerates me, illuminates me, heals me, leads me, guides me, quickens me and eventually will translate me, all on the basis of the blood. But if we talk about the power in the blood and are all taken with the blood, we are taken up with our legal release but we haven?t entered into our vital release. The vital release comes by the Spirit. The Spirit is the dynamic of the New Covenant. When He promised the New Covenant, He said, ?I will put My Spirit in you; I will write My laws in your heart?. Many people who are theoretically correct on the New Covenant are dynamically impotent because they have rejected or neglected or ruled out the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes the Covenant work and it is in the blood. In the New Order, the New Covenant replaces the Old. *DREAM: RE ?THE LOST CHORD? - Thursday July 2, 2009* My daughter Anna was going to accompany me on the piano as I played the above piece on the trombone. But - a woman tried to steal the book that contained the music score, so she could know ahead of time what I intended to do. I finally discovered it hidden in her sweater, and recovered it. *Interpretation: TTAQ. Title: ?The Lost Chord?; Theme: ?A Frustrating Preparation?; Affection or Feeling: ?Frustration and Difficulty?; Question to Holy Spirit: ?What was God's purpose and thinking in giving me this dream??* I am to link it with the above reading by Oswald Chambers for today, and with W. J. Ern Baxter on the Holy Spirit and Covenant Versus Blood and Covenant, for they have a common denominator. Can you find it? Bill Allan in Port Alberni prepared me to enter the Vancouver Music Festival in 1940 for the Province of BC. He selected ?The Lost Chord? for me to enter the competition of brass instruments: trombone in my case. He had been a Salvation Army Band Conductor in his past, and because of his able help, I came off first in the Province for trombone, and second for all of brass. Arthur Delamont, conductor of the World famous Vancouver Kitsilano Boys Band was quite upset, because I came ahead of his first trombone player, who had not received the excellent preparation that Bill Allan had given me. ?The Lost Chord? was the favorite solo piece that Arthur Delamont used with his trumpet on many occasions. In 1942 when I attended the UBC (the University of British Columbia), I played in the Varsity band under the leadership of Arthur Delamont. Later in the Spring of 1943, because he was short 3 players in the Kitsilano Boys Band, he invited me with 2 other ex-Kitsies in the Varsity band to join them in their Spring Tour of Vancouver Island. This fulfilled a boyhood dream for me. I had since 10 years of age always wanted to play with the Kitsilano Boys Band, and here this desire of my heart was fulfilled for me at the age of 19. *NOTE*: Now - how do the above 3 events tie together? Shortly after Oswald Chambers made a full surrender of his life to God in Dunoon, Scotland, and after a 6-year death-like struggle for full surrender and commitment to God, he made a round the world trip with a Japanese believer being at the time temporarily in Britain. They passed through Seattle, Washington on the way, which meant a great deal to him. Ivan Panin by insight, discerned the reality of ?Neighborhoods? in Bible Numerics. I felt the Spirit nudging me last night to apply this ?Neighborhood principle? to the 4 major Pacific Northwest cities of Cascadia. Seattle is but 3 hours south of Vancouver, BC, linking Chamber's World travels to ?Seattle's neighbor to the north. Also by ?neighborhoods?, I am now 86 by taking my birthday on July 5, 1923, -3. A Russian lady had a vision following 1962, and saw a sign-post with the name of a city on it pointing West. When she was asked what it was, she could spell it, but not pronounce it. It spelled out ?SEATTLE?, but she pronounced it "SEEtle". She said that God revealed to her that in the future, He would bring a remarkable Visitation to earth preceding the return of His Son, and its organization would have much to do with Seattle and its 3 surrounding cities! See my mailing under ?Archives? on our Website *< www.2rbetter.org>* entitled ?Revival Principles?, 2009-06-29. One of the items touches on a revival principle concerning Samuel's 4 cities linked with ?Cascadia. Quite by chance last night I discovered a new Website directed to W. J. Ern Baxter of Vancouver. For a number of years he pastored ?Evangelistic Tabernacle? of Vancouver, perhaps the largest congregation of the city at that time. Within this website I came across an article he wrote concerning the difference between God's covenant and blood, and His covenant and the Holy Spirit. Baxter pointed out that the blood aspect high-lighted the ?legal? aspect of covenant, but the Holy Spirit aspect, the *?vital?*. He felt the average believer who recognized the importance of God's New Covenant, was yet powerless, because he stayed with the blood aspect of the Tabernacle's ?Outer Court?, instead of going into the Holy Place, where the Holy Spirit *vitally* brings forth ?signs following? through the Gifts of the Spirit in that Holy Place! Do you agree with his insight? I do. So these 32 events noted above, have the common denominator of ?*Vancouver, BC*?,- linking it with Seattle, Portland and Spokane. In August of this year, key leaders committed to Revival, will be meeting in Portland to consider God's present-day Revival Principles that will usher in His last day Visitation to this region prior to the return of His Son. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 3 19:22:39 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2009 19:22:39 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 Message-ID: <625d7240907031922g601156dakcfc550306bf1b844@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 3, 2009 * * C. 1 CORINTHIANS 15:35-58 * *THE NATURE AND ORDER OF THE RESURRECTION BODY * *a. 15:35 QUESTIONS * AlLA eREI tis, P*o*s eGEIron-tai [1453] hoi neKROI [3498]? *But some one will say, How are the dead raised? * POI*o* de S*O*ma-ti [4983] ERchon-tai? *and with what sort of body do they come? * * * *b. 15:36-38 THE ORDER OF GRAIN TEACHES THE CHANGE IN RESURRECTION BODY * APHr*o*n [878], su ho SPEIreis [4687] ou z*o*-o-poiEItai [2227] eAN m*e*a-poTHAn *e* [599]: *Foolish one, what YOU sow is not made alive except it die: * kai ho SPEIreis, ou to S*O*ma to ge-n*e*SOme-non SPEIreis, *37 and what you sow, you sow not the body that shall be, * alLA gumNON [1131] KOKkon [2848], ei TUchoi SItou, *e* ti-nos t*o*n loiP*O*N; *but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some of the rest; * ho de TheOS DIdo-sin auT*O* S*O*ma kaTH*O*S *e*THEl*e*-sen [2309], *38 but :God gives it a body even as he would, * kai heKASt*o* t*o*n sperMAt*o*n [4690] Idi-on S*O*ma. *and to each of the seeds its own body. * * * *c. 15:39 DIFFERENCES IN LIVING FLESH: ARGUES FOR RESURRECTION * ou PAsa sarx h*e* auT*E* sarx, alLA ALl*e *men anTHR*O*p*o*n, *All flesh is not the same flesh, but one is of men, * ALl*e *de sarx kt*e*N*O*N [2934], ALl*e *de sarx pt*e*N*O*N [4421], *and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, * ALl*e* de ichTHU*o*n [2486]. *and another of fishes. * * * *d. 15:40 HEAVENLY AND EARTHLY BODIES DIFFER * kai S*O*ma-ta e-pouRAni-a, kai S*O*ma-ta ePIgei-a [1919]: *There are also bodies heavenly, and bodies earthly: * alLA heTEra men h*e* t*o*n e-pou-raNI*o*n DOxa [1391], *but the glory of the heavenly is one, * heTEra de h*e* t*o*n e-piGEI*o*n. *and the glory of the earthly is another. * * * *e. 15:41 HEAVENLY BODIES DIFFER AMONG THEMSELVES IN GLORY * ALl*e *DOxa h*e*LIou [2246], kai ALl*e* DOxa seL*E*n*e*s [4582], *One glory of sun, and another glory of moon, * kai ALl*e* DOxa asTEr*o*n [792]; *and another glory of stars; * asT*E*R gar asTEros di-aPHErei [1308] en DOx*e*. *for star differs from star in glory. * * * *f. 15:42a AN OBVIOUS FACT* HOUt*o*s kai h*e* aNASta-sis [386] t*o*n NEkr*o*n. *So also the resurection of he dead. * * * *g. 15:42b-44a THE ORDER OF OUR BODY: FROM LOWER TO HIGHER * SPEIre-tai en psthoRA [5356]; eGEIre-tai en aph-tharSIa [861]: *It is sown in corruption; raised in incorruption: * SPEIre-tai en a-tiMIa [819]; eGEIre-tai in DOx*e*: *43 sown in dishonor; raised in glory: * SPEIre-tai en as-theNEIa [769]; eGEIre-tai en duNAmei [1411]: *sown in weakness; raised in power: * SPEIre-tai S*O*ma psu-chiKON [5591], eGEIre-tai S*O*ma pneu-ma-tiKON [4152]. *44a sown a natural body, raised a spiritual. * * * *h. 15:44b ANOTHER REVELATION * Ei EStin S*O*ma psu-chiKON, EStin kai pneu-ma-tiKON. *If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual. * * * *i. 15:45a. AN APPLICATION * HOUt*o*s kai GEgrap-tai, *So also it is written, * E-GEne-to ho PR*O*tos ANthr*o*-pos A-DAM eis psuCH*E*N Z*O*san [2198]. *The first man Adam became a living soul. * * * *j. 15:45b A CONTRAST * ho EScha-tos A-DAM eis PNEUma z*o*-o-poiOUN [2227]. *The last Adam a lifegiving spirit. * * * *k. 15:46 GOD'S ORDER! * all' ou PR*O*ton to pneu-ma-tiKON, alLA to psu-chiKON; *Howbeit not the spiritual is first, but the natural; * Epei-ta to pneu-ma-tiKON. *then the spiritual. * * * *l. 15:47 AN IMPORTANT ORDER! * ho PR*O*tos ANthr*o*-pos ek g*e*s, cho-iKOS [5517]; *The first man is of earth, of dust; * ho DEUte-ros ANthr*o*-pos ex ou-raNOU. *the second man is of heaven. * * * *m. 15:48 EACH BODY PARTAKES OF THE NATURE OF ITS SOURCE * HOIos ho cho-iKOS, toiOUtoi kai hoi cho-iKOI: *As is the earthy, such are also the earthy ones: * kai HOIos ho e-pouRAni-os, toiOUtoi kai hoi e-pouRAni-oi. *and as is the heavenly, such are also the heavenly. * * * *n. 15:49 WE ARE TO PROGRESS IN THE ORDER OF THE IMAGE WE BEAR * kai kaTH*O*S e-phoREsa-men [5409] t*e*n eiKOna [1504] tou cho-iKOU, *And as we have borne the image of the dust, * phoREs*o*-men kai t*e*n eiKOna tou e-pou-raNIou. *let us also bear the image of the heavenly. * * * *o. 15:50 A TRUTH: NATURAL MAN SHALL NOT INHERIT GOD'S KINGDOM * TOUto DE ph*e*-mi, a-delPHOI, *Now this I say, brethren, * HOti sarx kai HAIma ba-siLEIan [932] TheOU kl*e*-ro-noM*E*sai [2816] ou DUnan-tai; *that flesh and blood cannot inherit God's kingdom; * ouDE he phthoRA [5356] t*e*n aph-tharSIan [861] kl*e*-ro-noMEI [2816]. *neither does corruption inherit incorruption. * *p. 15:51-52 A MYSTERY: ALL BELIEVERS SHALL BE TRANSFORMED* iDOU, mus-t*e*RIon [3466] huMIN LEg*o*: *Lo, I tell you a mystery: * PANtes ou koi-m*e*-th*e*SOme-tha [2837], PANtes de al-la-g*e*SOme-tha [236], *We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, * en aTOm*o* [823], en 'riP*E* [4493] oph-thalMOU, en t*e* esCHAt*e* salPIGgi [4536]: *52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: * salPIsei [4537] gar, kai hoi neKROI e-gerTH*E*son-tai [1453] APHthar-toi [862], *for a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, * kai h*e*MEIS al-la-g*e*SOme-tha [236]. *and WE shall be changed. * * * *q. 15:53 A NECESSITY: TO PUT ON INCORRUPTION AND IMMORTALITY * dei gar to phtharTON TOUto enDUsas-thai aph-tharSIan [861], *For this :corruptible must put on incorruption,* kai to thn*e*TON [2349] TOUto enDUsas-thai [1746] a-tha-naSIan [110]. *and this :mortal must put on immortality.* *r. 15:54 RESURRECTION SHALL DEFEAT DEATH* HOtan de to thn*e*TON TOUto enDUs*e*-tai t*e*n a-tha-naSIan, *But when this :mortal shall have put on :immortality,* TOte geN*E*se-tai ho LOgos ho ge-gramMEnos, *then shall come to pass the saying :written,* Ka-tePOth*e* [2666] ho THAna-tos eis NIkos [3534]. *:Death is swallowed up unto victory.* *s. 15:55 QUESTIONS* POU sou, THAna-te, to NIkos? POU sou, THAna-te, to KENtron [2759]? *O** death, where **is your :victory? O death, where your :sting?* *t. 15:56-57 JESUS CHRIST GIVES VICTORY OVER SIN AND DEATH* to de KENtron tou thaNAtou h*e* ha-marTIa [266]; *Now the sting of :death is :sin;* h*e* de DUna-mis t*e*s ha-marTIas ho NOmos [3551]: *and the power of :sin is the law:* t*o* de The*O* CHAris [5485], t*o* diDONti h*e*MIN to NIkos *57 but thanks be to :God, who gives us the victory* diA tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *through our :Lord Jesus Christ.* *u. 15:58 BECAUSE OF RESURRECTION, OUR PRESENT LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN* H*O*Ste, a-delPHOI mou a-ga-p*e*TOI, heDRAIoi [1476] GInes-the, a-me-taKIn*e *-toi [277], *Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmovable,* pe-risSEUon-tes [4052] en t*o* ERg*o* [2041] tou KuRIou PANto-te, *always abounding in the work of the Lord,* eiDOtes HOti ho KOpos [2873] huM*O*N ouk EStin keNOS [2756] en KuRI*o*. *knowing that your :toil is not vain in the Lord.* *NOTE*: *The Holy Spirit through Paul is very careful to point out the order in resurrection: first the natural; then the spiritual. Gnostics and many others are not careful at this point. Louis Markos in his biography of C. S. Lewis, ?Lewis Agonistes?, notes with approval how clearly his hero sees the strong desire in mankind to eliminate God and Jesus Christ completely from its thinking. Just look at the nation of the U.S. today for an illustration of this! Persecution of Evangelicals and those like Joshua committed to meditation of and obedience to God's Word, the Bible, increasesyear by year in intensity. * *Lewis points out the 4 leading thinkers of the past 200 years who have laid the foundation for this: Darwin, Freud, Marx and Nietzsche. ?Mother Nature? has replaced God in their thinking. Modernism has entered and taken over much in the church through these four - not so much perhaps with Freud and Marx - but definitely with Darwin. I know. I took classes in one of Canada's leading Modernistic Seminaries, and with a number of professors - sometimes twice in one class - you would hear the thrown out challenge - ?Where does that put your inspiration of Scripture??* *Anyone who truly desires truth in the areas of ?Science?, ?New Age? thinking; Evil and Suffering; the Arts: and Heaven and Hell'; - will find that not only does Lewis meet these shallow thinkers on their own ground - but successfully undercuts their arguments point by point!* *During World War II days in England, Lewis through ?Mere Christianity? and Churchill through those fiery and positive speeches of his - put heart back into Britain and their allies - and overturned the weak and namby-pamby foolishness of the Chamberlains.* *A ?Wrestling Lewis? is needed again to overturn the foolish present day religionists concerning resurrection, and restore the ?right thinking? of this passage to us once again!* *I love especially the last verse of this passage: ?Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord!? Thank God for the apostle Paul! Thank God that He allowed the Lord through the Holy Spirit to saturate his thinking and possess him for their purposes! Thank God for this verse to close this marvelous passage on the nature and order of Resurrection! - J.A.W.* * * *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 Jul 7 17:46:38 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 17:46:38 -0700 Subject: 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 Message-ID: <625d7240907071746o44489e7dkd513986dfdfe1664@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* July 7, 2009 *VI. 1 CORINTHIANS 16:1-24* *PRACTICAL WISDOM AND BENEDICTION* *A. 16:1-18 PRACTICAL DETAILS CONCERNING NORMAL CHURCH LIFE* *1. 16:1-4 HOW TO AVOID REPERCUSSIONS IN MONEY MATTERS* *a. 16:1 PAUL'S ORDER RE COLLECTIONS* PeRI de t*e*s loGIas t*e*s eis tous haGIous, *Now concerning the collection :for the saints,* H*O*Sper diEta-xa [1299] tais ek-kl*e*SIais t*e*s Ga-laTIas, *as I gave order to the churches of :Galatia,* HOUt*o* kai huMEIS poi*E*sa-te. *so also do you.* *b. 16:2 THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK* kaTA MIan sabBAtou HEkas-tos huM*O*N par' he-auT*O* tiTHEt*o* th*e*-sauRIz*o *n [2343], *Upon the first day of the week let each of you lay by him in store,* HOti eAN eu-oD*O*tai [2137], HIna m*e* HOtan ELth*o* TOte loGIai [3048] GIn* o*n-tai. *as he may prosper, that when I come no collections be then made.* *c. 16:3-4 COURIERS FOR OFFERINGS* HOtan de pa-raGEn*o*-mai [[3854] hous eAN do-kiMAs*e*-te [1381] di' e-pis-toL*O*N, *And when I arrive whoever you shall approve with letters,* TOUtous PEMps*o* a-pe-negKEIN [667] t*e*n CHArin huM*O*N eis 'Ie-rou-saL*E* M: *them will I send to carry your :bounty to Jerusalem:* eAN de Axi-on *e* tou ka' 'ME poREUes-thai, *4 and if it be proper for me to go also,* sun eMOI poREUson-tai. *they shall go with me. * *2. 16:5-9 HELPS THAT GOVERN MINISTRIES* *a. 16:5-6 SAINTS CAN HELP MINISTRIES FORWARD IN THEIR CALLING* E-LEUso-mai de pros huMAS, HOtan Ma-ke-doNIan diELth*o*; *But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia;* Ma-ke-doNIan gar diERcho-mai; *for I pass through Macedonia;* pros huMAS de tuCHON ka-ta-meN*O* [3887]; *e* pa-ra-cheiMAs*o* [3914], *6 but it may be that I shall abide with you; or winter,* HIna huMEIS me proPEMps*e*-te [4311] hou eAN poREU*o*-mai. *that you may set me forward on my journey wherever I go.* *b. 16:7 VISITING OTHERS MUST BE IN THE LORD'S PERMISSION* ou THEl*o* gar huMAS ARti en paROd*o* [3938] iDEIN; *for I do not wish to see you now by the way;* elPIz*o* gar CHROnon tiNA e-piMEInai [1961] pros huMAS, *for I hope to tarry some time with you,* eAN ho KUri-os e-piTREps*e* [2010] . *if the Lord permit.* *c. 16:8-9 ADVERSARIES DO NOT SHUT OPEN DOORS* e-pi-meN*O* de en E-PHEs*o* HE*o*s t*e*s pen-t*e*-kosT*E*S [4005]; *But I will tarry at Ephesus until :Pentecost;* THUra [2374] gar moi aNE*o*-gen [455] meGAl*e* kai e-nerG*E*S [1756], *9 for a grat door and effectual is opened to me,* kai an-tiKEIme-noi [480] polLOI. *and adversaries are many.* *3. 16:10-11 HOW TO HELP A LESSER CHURCH MINISTRY* *a. 16:10-11a PAUL'S COMMENDATION FOR TIMOTHY* E-AN de ELth*e* TiMOthe-os, BLEpe-te HIna aPHOb*o*s [870] GEn*e*-tai pros huMAS; *Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without fear;* to gar ERgon KuRIou erGAze-tai [2036], h*o*s eG*O*: *for he works the Lord's work, as I also:* m*e* tis oun auTON e-xou-theNEs*e* [1848] . *11 let no one therefore despise him.* *b. 16:11b TIMOTHY AND PAUL* proPEMpsa-te [4311] de auTON en eiR*E*n*e* [1515], *But set him forward on his journey in peace,* HIna ELth*e* pros me: ekDEcho-mai gar auTON meTA t*o*n a-delPH*O*N. *that he come unto me: for I expect him with the brethren.* *4. 16:12 NEWS ON A POSSIBLE VISIT BY APOLLOS* PeRI de A-polL*O* tou a-delPHOU, *But as touching Apollos the brother,* polLA pa-reKAle-sa [3870] auTON HIna ELth*e* pros huMAS meTA t*o*n a-delPH*O *N: *I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren:* kai PANt*o*s ouk *e*n THEl*e*-ma [2307] HIna nun ELth*e*; *and it was not at all the will to come now;* eLEUse-tai de HOtan eu-kaiR*E*s*e* [2119]. *but he will come when he shall have opportunity. * *5. 16:13-14 MANLY EXHORTATIONS ON THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE* *a. 16:13 A 4-FOLD EXHORTATION* Gr*e*-goREIte [1127], ST*E*ke-te [4739] en t*e* PIStei, anDRIzes-the [407], kra-taiOUSthe [2901], *Watch, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.* *b. 16:14 AND A FIFTH!* PANta huM*O*N en aGAp*e* [26] giNESth*o*. *Let all you do be in love. * *6. 16:15-18 HOW TO RECEIVE OTHER GOSPEL WORKERS* *a. 16:15-16 PROPER TREATMENT FOR GOSPEL MINISTRIES* Pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] de huMAS, a-delPHOI (OIda-te t*e*n oiKIan Ste-phaNA, *Now I beseech you, brethren (you know the house of Stephanas,* HOti esTIN a-parCH*E* [536] t*e*s A-CHAIas, *that it is a first fruit of Achaia,* kai eis di-a-koNIan [1248] tois haGIois [40] Eta-xan he-auTOUS), *and they have set themselves to minister to the saints),* HIna kai huMEIS hu-poTASs*e*s-the [5293] tois toiOUtois, *16 that you also submit to :such,* kai panTI t*o* su-nerGOUNti [4903] kai ko-pi*O*Nti [2872]. *and to every one tht helps in the work and toils.* *b. 16:17 THREE HELPFUL MINISTRIES* CHAIr*o* [5463] de ePI t*e* pa-rouSIa Ste-phaNA kai Phor-touNAtou kai Acha-iKOU: *And I rejoice at the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus:* HOti to huMEte-ron husTEr*e*-ma [5303] HOUtoi a-nePL*E*r*o*-san [378]. *for what was lacking on your* *:part THEY supplied.* *c. 16:18 PAUL COMMENDS PROPER TREATMENT FOR SUCH* aNEpau-san [373] gar to eMON PNEUma kai to huM*O*N: *For they refreshed my :spirit and :yours:* e-pi-giN*O*Ske-te [1921] oun tous toiOUtous. *acknowledge you therefore :such.* *B. 16:19-24 CLOSING GREETINGS* *1. 16:19-20 SALUTATIONS AND GREETINGS* *a. 16:19a FROM CHURCHES OF ASIA* AsPAzon-tai [782] huMAS hai ek-kl*e*SIai t*e*s A-SIas. *The churches of :Asia salute you.* *b. 16:19b FROM AQUILA AND PRISCILLA* asPAze-tai huMAS en KuRI*o* polLA A-KUlas kai PRISka, *Aquila and Prisca salute you much in the Lord,* sun t*e* kat' OIkon auT*O*N ek-kl*e*SIa. *with the church in their house.* *c. 16:20a GREETINGS FROM BRETHREN* asPAzon-tai huMAS hoi a-delPHOI PANtes. *All the brethren salute you.* *d. 16:20b THE HOLY KISS* AsPAzon-tai alL*E*lous en phiL*E*ma-ti [5370] haGI*o* [40]. *Greet one another with a holy kiss.* *2. 16:21-24 VERY STRONG CLOSING* *a. 16:21 PAUL'S GREETING* Ho as-pasMOS t*e* eM*E* cheiRI PAUlou. *The greeting of me Paul with my :hand.* *b. 16:22a. A STRONG EXHORTATION* ei tis ou phiLEI [5388] ton KUri-on, *E*t*o* aNAthe-ma [331]. *If any loves not the Lord, let him be anathema* *c. 16:22b. Maranatha. *MaRAN aTHA. *d. 16:23 THE LORD'S GRACE* h*e* CHAris tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU meth' huM*O*N. *The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.* *e. 16:24 PAUL GRANTS AGAPE* h*e* aGAp*e* [24] mou meTA PANt*o*n huM*O*N en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *My :love with you all in Christ Jesus.* NOTE: The Church of Corinth failed to come up to the standard of Romans' understanding of ?Justification by Faith,? and how the ?Passover? in Christ sets it forth in His ?Finished Work.? Just to have the Spirit manifestation through all of the gifts of the Spirit - *is not enough.* We also need understanding of and commitment to Christ - the ?Truth!? Now see how the Holy Spirit through Paul seals this corrective letter! How we handle *finances* is most important. Much in the Charismatic field of last century has fallen woefully below Gospel standards in this regard. Oral Roberts came to Billy Graham and asked for help in this area. Billy opened all their records in Minneapolis to Oral, and invited him to look through them all, and adapt all he wanted as a help. He did, and it made a difference! Then consider how Paul protected Timothy when he sent him to Corinth (16:10-11). Paul made Timothy equal to himself! What a high commendation for the result of mentoring that Paul had put into his chosen, spiritual son! Then see Paul's treatment of a fellow leader and apostle (16:12). He did * not* seek to force his will on Apollos. He shared how he saw Apollos could be a help in Corinth - but left the *timing* of his going there up to him! Next look at 16:13-14. We *all* should pay careful attention to these 5. As we meditate on them, and seek the Lord's grace to work them into our normal habit patterns - what a blessing this can be. Chapter 16 of 1 Corinthians is a peculiar chapter. It could easily be passed over. But let us not do so. It has indeed rich and practical lessons here, given by the Holy Spirit through Paul, that if missed, would make us but the losers. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 9 17:11:03 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 9 Jul 2009 17:11:03 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 1:1-14 Message-ID: <625d7240907091711s1f23747fw6f34a183f4f1e37@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 9, 2009 * *2 CORINTHIANS 1-13 - SUMMARY:* *?PAUL'S DEFENSE OF HIS APOSTOLIC MINISTRY?* *A. 1:1-2 APOSTOLIC GREETINGS* PAUlos, aPOSto-los [652] ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU diA theL*E*ma-tos [2307] TheOU, *Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through God's will,* kai TiMOthe-os ho a-delPHOS, *and Timothy the brother,* t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa tou TheOU t*e* OUs*e* en KoRINth*o*, *to the church of :God which is in Corinth,* sun tois haGIois [40] PAsin tois OUsin en HOl*e* t*e* A-CHAIa: *with all the saints that are in the whole of Achaia:* CHAris [5485] huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* [1515] *2 Grace to you and peace* aPO TheOU paTROS h*e*M*O*N kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.* *B. 1:3-11 WHO COMFORTS - MUST FIRST BE COMFORTED* *a. 1:3-4 GOD: THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT* Eu-lo-g*e*TOS [2128] ho TheOS kai paT*E*R tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *Blessed the God and Father of our :Lord Jesus Christ,* ho paT*E*R t*o*n oik-tirM*O*N [3628] kai TheOS PAs*e*s pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s [3874]; *the Father of :mercies and God of all comfort;* ho pa-ra-kaL*O*N [3870] h*e*MAS ePI PAs*e* t*e* THLIpsei [2347] h*e*M*O*N, *4 who comforts us in all our :affliction,* eis to DUnas-thai *h*eMAS pa-ra-kaLEIN tous en PAs*e* THLIpsei, *that we be able to comfort those in any :affliction,* diA t*e*s pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s h*e*s pa-ra-kaLOUme-tha auTOI huPO tou TheOU. *through the comfort by which we ourselves are comforted of :God.* *b. 1:5 SUFFERING AND COMFORT: ALL THROUGH CHRIST* HOti kaTH*O*S pe-risSEUei [4052] ta paTH*E*ma-ta [3804] tou ChrisTOU eis h*e *MAS, *Because as the sufferings of the Christ abound unto us,* HOUt*o*s diA tou ChrisTOU pe-risSEUei kai h*e* paRAkl*e*-sis [3804] h*e*M*O* N. *even so our :comfort also abounds through the Christ.* *c. 1:6-7. SUFFERING OF LEADERS: FOR COMFORT OF HEARERS* EIte de thliBOme-tha [2346], huPER t*e*s huM*O*N pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s kai s*o* -t*e*RIas [4992]; *But whether we are afflicted, it is for your :comfort and salvation;* EIte pa-ra-kaLOUme-tha, huPER t*e*s huM*O*N pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s, *whether we are comforted, it is for your comfort,* t*e*s e-ner-gouMEn*e*s [1754] en hu-po-moN*E* [5281] *which works in endurance* t*o*n auT*O*N pa-th*e*MAt*o*n [3804] h*o*n kai h*e*MEIS PAScho-men [3958]: *of the same sufferings which we also suffer:* kai h*e* elPIS [1680] h*e*M*O*N beBAIa [949] huPER huM*O*N; eiDOtes HOti, *7 and our :hope for you is stedfast; knowing that,* h*o*s koi-n*o*NOI [2844] es-te t*o*n pa-th*e*MAt*o*n [3804], *as you are partakers of the sufferings,* HOUt*o*s kai t*e*s pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s. *so also of the comfort.* *d. 1:8-11 SUFFERING OF PAUL AND FELLOW-LEADERS: ALMOST UNTO DEATH* Ou gar THElo-men huMAS ag-noEIN [50], a-delPHOI, *For we would not have you ignorant, brethren,* huPER t*e*s THLIpse-*o*s [2347] h*e*M*O*N t*e*s ge-noMEn*e*s en t*e* A-SIa, *concerning our :affliction which befell us in :Asia,* HOti kath' hu-per-boL*E*N [5236], huPER DUna-min, e-baR*E*th*e*-men [1820], *that we were weighed down exceedingly, beyond our power,* H*O*Ste e-xa-po-r*e*TH*E*nai h*e*MAS kai tou z*e*n: *insomuch that we despaired even of life:* alLA auTOI en he-auTOIS to aPOkri-ma [610] tou thaNAtou [2288] esCH*E* ka-men, *9 but ourselves have had the sentence of :death within ourselves,* HIna m*e* pe-poiTHOtes [3962] *O*men eph' he-auTOIS, *that we should not be trusting in ourselves,* all' ePI t*o* The*O* t*o* eGEIron-ti [1453] tous neKROUS [3498]: *but in :God who raises the dead:* hos ek t*e*liKOUtou [5082] thaNAtou [2288] eRUsa-to [4506] h*e*MAS, kai 'RUse-tai: *10 who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver:* eis hon elPIka-men [1679] HOti kai Eti 'RUse-tai; *on whom we have hoped that he will also still deliver us;* su-nu-pourGOUNt*o*n [4943] kai huM*O*N huPER h*e*M*O*N t*e* de*E*sei [1162]; *11YOU also helping together on our behalf by the supplication;* HIna, ek polL*O*N proS*O*p*o*n [4383] to eis h*e*MAS CHAris-ma [5486], *that, for the gift bestowed upon us by means of many,* diA polL*O*N eu-cha-ris-t*e*TH*E* [2168] huPER h*e*M*O*N. *thanks be given by many persons on our behalf.* *C. 1:12-14 THE AGREEMENT OF TEACHING AND BEHAVIOR IN PAUL* *a. 1:12 PAUL'S BEHAVIOR: FLOWED FORTH FROM GOD'S GRACE* H*e* gar KAUch*e*-sis [2746] h*e*M*O*N HAUt*e* esTIN, *For our :glorying is this,* to marTUri-on [3142] t*e*s su-neiD*E*se-*o*s [4893] h*e*M*O*N, *the testimony of our conscience,* HOti en ha-giOt*e*-ti [572] kai ei-li-kriNIa [1505] tou TheOU, *that in holiness and sincerity of :God,* kai ouk en soPHIa [4678] sar-kiK*E* [4559] all' en CHAri-ti TheOU, *and not in fleshly wisdom but in God's grace,* a-neSTRAph*e*-men en t*o* KOSm*o*, pe-ris-soTEr*o*s de pros huMAS. *we behaved in the world, and more abundantly toward you.* *b. 1:13-14 LEADERS: INTENDED FOR THE GLORYING OF THE SAINTS* ou gar ALla GRApho-men huMIN, *For we write you no other things,* all' *e* ha a-na-giN*O*Ske-te [314] *e* kai e-pi-giN*O*Ske-te [1921], *than what you read or even acknowledge,* elPIz*o* de HOti HE*o*s TElous [5056] e-pigN*O*ses-the: *and I hope you will acknowledge unto the end:* kaTH*O*S kai ePEGn*o*-te h*e*MAS aPO MErous, *14 even as also you did acknowledge us in part,* HOti KAUch*e*-ma [2745] huM*O*N es-men, kaTHAper kai huMEIS h*e*M*O*N, *that we are your glorying, just as you also are ours,* en t*e* h*e*MEra tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU. *in the day of our :Lord Jesus.* *NOTE*: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 is perhaps the greatest portion of Scripture on ?Comfort? that we can find. By the Spirit, Paul places God the Father as the Father of *mercies* and God of *all comfort*! And, He comforts *us* - that we may in turn be able to comfort others. Comfort - is to be *passed along*. It is not to be hoarded. There is nothing we possess so fully, as that which we share and give away. Jesus *is* correct - *?It is more blessed to give than to receive!?* We all know of that blessed book, *?The God of All Comfort.? * How it has ministered to so many through the years. For me, the whole letter of 2 Corinthians has opened up to me because of these opening nine verses. And - it is *all* because of Christ's ?*Finished Work? *on the Cross, that this great comfort flows out to all of the Redeemed. Oswald Chambers sees the ?*Redemption?* of the Christ as the key doctrine to understand - for out of *it* flows all the blessings of Grace. In this passage we learn that all true ministers of Christ, according to His example, also follow in a train almost unto death. This whole epistle points out how futile it is for false apostles, prophets and teachers to set themselves up in a non-suffering life! It is good for all saints to understand what they owe to true ministers and followers of Christ. They can glory in such ministers, even as these same ministers find such converts their glorying! - J.A.W. *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 Jul 18 09:49:10 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 18 Jul 2009 09:49:10 -0700 Subject: Seven "I AM's" Message-ID: <625d7240907180949y282f6671sc1020b1c9023fef9@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 18, 2009 * *?THE SEVEN I AM's OF JESUS?* *(RESULT: OVERCOMERS THROUGH THE PRE-EMINENT ONE)* *NOTE**: *It is important to see Jesus as God sees Him for us. Jesus of course understands the high calling and privilege God has given Him as the Son of Man. But - He is also - Son of God! And at His Resurrection and Ascension, the Father *proclaimed* Him as Lord (Jehovah) and Christ (Messiah)! There is a *man* upon the Throne, at the right hand of the Father. He is both Son of Man and Son of God. The fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily in Him! When He has completed His Millennial reign as Lord of lords and King of kings, He will as Son of Man turn all things back to the Father, that God might be all things in all. Jesus said - Before Abraham was, *?I AM.?** *The seven I AM's of Jesus in the Gospel of John make this point abundantly clear. It is because of this that He makes the statement recorded in Matthew 23:39 (37-39) *?You (Jerusalem) shall in no wise see me henceforth, till you shall say, 'Blessed who comes in the Lord's (Jehovah's) name.'?* Check our Archives July 14, 2009, Numbers 6:22-27 (It will later be posted on our Website under ?Hebrew.?) Here we see how the Holy Spirit links *?I AM? *with the 7 areas in which He serves as Son of Man, He is recognizing His pre-incarnate state with the Father. At His Bar Mitzvah at the age of 12, He was presented by His parents at the Temple, and 3 days after being missing asked, ?Didn't you know I had to be about My Father's business?? Joseph was His step-father. His true Father was His Heavenly Father, making Him both Son of Man and Son of God. Then He was born to die! Where Adam as the first man failed and brought the whole human race into a fallen state and separated from God - Jesus, the last Adam - yielded *not* to temptation, and as a perfect, sinless sacrifice, died on the Cross at Calvary, and reconciled by His Redemption, all who would believe on Him and receive Him - back to God! No wonder the theme of Oswald Chambers for both himself and us is: *?Personal, Passionate Devotion to Jesus!* I wrote the following ?Seven I Am's of Jesus? back in 1967. With but slight editing, I present them to you again! May we by them become *?Overcomers through the Pre-Eminent One!? - J*.A.W. *SURVEY VIII*. *OVERCOMERS THROUGH THE PRE-EMINENT ONE* *1. John 6:35 (22-40) THE BREAD OF LIFE. ?:Jesus said to them, I AM the bread of ;life: who comes unto me shall in nowise hunger, and who believes unto me shall in nowise ever thirst.?* - The Bread, ARtos, 100x, Strong 740. - The 'breaking of bread' became the name for the institution breaking (not cutting) the loaf at Lord's Supper, Acts 2:43, 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:23. - Metaphorically, Christ is known as the bread of God, John 6:33, 35. - George Muller partook of the Word as Soul-food before he prayed. - Priests ate this bread in type, Bread of Presence, Lev. 24:9. - We minister the living Word by revelation, Romans 8:14. *2. John 9:5 (1-7) THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. ?While I am in the world, I AM Light of the world.?* - Light, ph*o*s, 70x - (from PHA*o*, to shine, Strong 5457. - Metaphorically, the truth in Christ reaching the mind. - Natural man is incapable of receiving spiritual light, 1 Co 1:14. - Believers become 'sons of light' through the New Birth, receiving spiritual capacity for revelation from God, Luke 16:8. - See Candlestick (Menorah) in Tabernacle: gifts of Spirit for light, 1 Co 12:8-11. (Tongues and Interpretation = Prophecy, explaining the 7-fold light. *3. John 10:9 (7-18) THE DOOR. ?I AM the door; by me if any enter, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and find pasture.?* - The Door, THUra, 39x, Strong 2374. - Metaphorically, of Christ, John 10:7, 9. - Metaphorically of faith, by acceptance of the Gospel, Acts 14:27. - Also of entrance into the Kingdom of God, Mt 25:10, Lu 13:24-25. - Christ's entrance into a repentant believer's heart, Re 3:20. - Access to behold visions relative to purposes of God, Re 4:1. *4. John 10:11 (7-18) THE SHEPHERD. ?I AM the good :shepherd: the good :shepherd lays down his :life for the sheep.?* - The Shepherd, poiM*E*N, 18x, Strong 4166. See Strong 4165, poiMAIn*o*, 11x, to feed or rule. - Metaphorically of Christ, Mt 26:31, Mk 14:27, Jn 10:11, 14, 16, He 13:20, 1 Pe 2:25. - Pastors tend (guide and oversee) as well as feed flock, Acts 10:17, 28. - It was this service committed to elders (overseers or bishops). - Jesus Christ alone is the chief shepherd, 1 Pe 5:4. - Aaron, a type of Christ, faithful over Tabernacle. - King David shepherded God's people Israel, Ps 23. *5. John 11:25-26 (17-44) THE RESURRECTION. ?:Jesus said to her, I AM the resurrection , and the life: who believes unto me shall live, even if he die; 26 and every one who lives and believes unto me shall nowise die unto the age.?* - The Resurrection, aNASta-sis, 42x, Strong 386. - By metonymy, of Christ as the Author of resurrection. - Many found in Christ strength and firmness, a means of their salvation and spiritual life, Lu 2:34; but also a stone of offense, causing many in Israel to stumble. - God made Aaron's budding rod bring forth almonds, symbol of resurrection. - Christ Jesus raised Lazarus, and will raise us too, 2 Thess 4:13-18. *6. John 14:6 (5-7) THE WAY. ?Jesus says to him, I AM the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes unto the Father, but through me.? (Some, ?I AM the true and living way.)* - The Way, hoDOS, 102x, Strong 3598. - Metaphorically, a course of conduct, or way of thinking. - The way instructed and approved of God, Ac 18:26, He 3:10. - Paul's ways in Christ, 1 Co 4:17. - The more excellent way of love, 1 Co 12:31. - Personified of Christ as means of access to the Father, Jn 14:6. - The course followed and characterized by followers of Christ, Ac 9:2, 19:9, 23; 24:22. - Christ in Tabernacle: Blood-sprinkled mercy seat on the Ark, which led Israel in her goings. *7. John 15:1 (1-16) THE VINE. ?I AM the true :vine, and my :Father is the husbandman.?* - The Vine, AMpe-los, 8x, Strong 288. - Used figuratively of Christ, Jn 15:1, 4, 5. - A true vine shelters, as 4-fold covering of Tabernacle: badger skins, rams dyed red, goat hairs (humanity), white linen. - Father prunes branches, as they receive life from the true vine. *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 Jul 20 16:50:54 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:50:54 -0700 Subject: Numbers - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907201650x32bb0f6al97bb62746a2ca52@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 20, 2009 * *T1101R - NUMBERS - OVERVIEW - A HANDBOOK FOR PILGRIMS* *1. 1:1-4 (1-4) THE NUMBERING. ?And Jehovah spoke unto Moses ... 2 Take ... the number of the names, every male, by their polls; 3 from twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel, you and Aaron shall number them by their hosts. 4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of his fathers' house.? *You know every one in Your army, Father. There is *none* unimportant with you. You do *all things*decently and in order. It is *Your* Son Jesus who builds His Messianic Community, and manifests Your Kingdom through it! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 9:23 (5-9) THE INSTRUCTION. ?At the commandment of Jehovah they encamped, and at the commandment of Jehovah they journeyed: they kept the charge of Jehovah at the commandment of Jehovah by Moses? *We like Moses delight to do Your will according to Your command, Father. And who you set forth like Judah in front of us, we will follow in his train. *Your :kingdom come.* *3, 14:20-21 (10-14) THE JOURNEYING. ?And Jehovah said, I have pardoned according to your word: 21 but in very deed, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of Jehovah.? *How close Israel came to judgment here, Father! And yet the first generation did not escape. Yet in the midst of their rebellion, still in mercy You fed them! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 18:8 (15-20) THE WANDERING. ?And Jehovah spoke unto Aaron, And I, behold, I have given you the charge of my heave-offerings, even all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto you have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, as a portion for ever.? *A special anointing rests upon those called to special service. You have done this, Father, and it is good in our eyes. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 24:13 (21-25) THE NEW JOURNEYING. And Balaam said, ?If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of Jehovah, to do either good or bad of my own mind; what Jehovah speaks, that will I speak.? *This should always be our mind concerning Your words, Father! Write this truth upon our hears. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 27:21 (26-27) THE NEW NUMBERING. ?And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.? *By Urim and Thummim through the High Priest would Joshua have good success. By failing to inquire at Ai and with the Gibeonites, he was chagrined. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 33:55 (28-36) THE NEW INSTRUCTION. ?But if you will not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then shall those that you let remain of them be as pricks in your eyes, and as thorns in your sides, and they shall vex you in the land in which you live.? *We hear this word, Father. Procrastination, disobedience and rebellion concerning our inward Canaanites will vex us too! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *The titles for these 7 sections came from J. Sidlow Baxter's ?Explore the Book.? He was generous in giving permission to use these limited quotations. By all means, dip into this useful store-house. God provided Israel a cloud by day, and a fiery pillar by night for their guidance, protection and warmth. What is our New Testament equivalent for this marvelous type? The Holy Spirit in our hearts is God's greater than an equivalent. It is a most unusual lesson for us concerning Balaam. He was really a false prophet immersed in the occult. But when it came to words concerning Israel, God imposed on Balaam such a restraint, that all he could do was bless her, much to Balak's chagrin. Balaam coveted Balak's promised reward, but could * not* go beyond God's word. Even his female donkey cooperated with God. Yet in his private suggestions to Balak later on - how to get the young men of Israel to sin with Balak's young women, this brought about the hidden desires of his heart. However, in the end he died in battle with the Moabites for his sin! The Urim and Thummim is mentioned in Numbers, as well as Exodus. Men like Joshua and King David depended on the guidance of Urim. They never missed, as long as they remembered to consult God through Urim. Proverbs 6:20-22 indicates the New Testament equivalent to Urim. It is the Word of God in our hearts, anointed and meditated upon. George Muller faithfully walked in this truth, and like David and Joshua, never missed God as long as he applied this principle. 50,000 answers to prayer are testimony by Muller of this infallible New Testament equivalent. And lastly, disobedience on the part of the 12 tribes of Israel in failing to drive out the 7 Canaanitish nations, each one larger than Israel, brought about the fulfillment of God's warning not to do so. Idolatry, forsaking the God of their fathers, and the falling into deep immorality - these were the evils that befell Israel for their initial failure to drive out these 7 bankrupt nations. One pastor in Alberta, Canada many decades ago, found ?Numbers? to be his favorite book. It *does* have most valuable typical lessons for us. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 21 11:45:59 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:45:59 -0700 Subject: Deuteronomy - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907211145l2dae8377h1272c85a60f038d4@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *T1401R - DEUTERONOMY - OVERVIEW - EXPERIENCE & OBEDIENCE* *1. 4:2 (1-4) REHEARSAL OF GOD'S DEALINGS. ?You shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall you diminish from it, that you may keep the commandments of Jehovah your God which I command you.? *Here is a secret and a Kingdom principle whereby we may inherit our spiritual land. Father, show us the importance of knowing Your Word and keeping it! This is our wisdom (Matthew 7:21-27). *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 11:14 (5-11) REPETITION OF DECALOGUE. Jehovah's promise to Israel for keeping His commandments: ?Then I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in the grain, and your new wine, and your oil.? *If we recognize Your* *Kingdom Father, and You as King, we will be blessed in the land. Help us to understand the importance of this concept. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 18:22 (12-20) REVIEW OF INSTRUCTIONS. ?When a prophet speaks in the name of Jehovah, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which Jehovah has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.? *This is a wise word, and frees us from confusion, doubt and condemnation. Thank You, Father! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 23:21-22 (21-26) REVIEW OF LAWS. ?When you shall vow a vow unto Jehovah your God, you shall not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah your God will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. 22 But if you shall forbear to vow, it shall be no sin in you.? *O forgive us Father, that we are so lax and careless about our promises! This is not Your way. Your promises are backed by *all the honor of Your Name* (Psalm 138:2). You lead us in the paths of righteousness *for Your Name's sake*! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 30:6 (27-30) RENEWAL OF COVENANT. ?And Jehovah your God will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your seed, to love Jehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, that you may live.? *Father, You knew that Israel could not keep Your Covenant apart from the New Covenant. But You knew Jesus and Pentecost was planned from the beginning. Now we on this side of that, share its blessing through the One New Man! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 32:3-4 (31-33) REFORMS THROUGH SONG. ?For I will proclaim the name of Jehovah: Ascribe greatness unto our God. 4 The Rock, his work is perfect; For all his ways are justice; A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just and right is he.? *Father, You are justified in all You say and all You do concerning us; there is no other God like You! Though we fail, yet You remain faithful. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 34:1a (34) REQUIEM FOR MOSES. ?And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And Jehovah showed him all the land.? *What graciousness on Your part, O Father! Yes, You loved Your servant Moses for His faithfulness, and even in judgment showed him Your favor. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *Three times in the Bible, God gives this warning about adding or taking away from His Word: once in the beginning here; once in the middle, Proverbs 30:6; and once at the end, Revelation 22:18-19. In the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall every word be confirmed. We must remember that these 66 books written by 33 known writers at the hands of the Holy Spirit, are all the words of God through human writers (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Peter 1:21). And if this is not enough, then God raised up His Russian servant Ivan Panin, to confirm this through Bible Numerics. And of course in Deut 18:22, we have helpful words of comfort concerning false prophets. Many false prophets and teachers are abroad in the church in these last days, just as in the days of Israel and the early church. They bring great confusion. But the words of God through Moses here, can settle all such confusion. Then this promise in Deut 30:6 confirming the words of God through Jeremiah in chapter 31, bring great hope in the coming of the New Covenant for the One New Man. The Book of Hebrews lays this out with amazing clarity. We should thank God every day that we are privileged to live and partake of this New Covenant. Israel looked forward for 1400 years for our days. And then most Jews rejected Jesus who came in the Name of Jehovah, and according to Isaiah on 2 occasions, was set forth as *God's Covenant*! Deuteronomy is a special book of the Bible. It closes the Torah for Jews, and the Pentateuch for Gentiles. It seals the first 5 books of the Bible. Not only Genesis, but these 5 books are the Seed-plot of the Bible. By Promise, Prophecy and Type, the New Testament has its roots; and by the New Testament we find God's true thinking for all ages. Blessed be the Name of our Triune God, whose Name is Jehovah. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 22 07:27:16 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 07:27:16 -0700 Subject: Job - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907220727i7808dc8eh2d5b676d6a334d46@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *T4201R - JOB - OVERVIEW - THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING* *1. 1:1 (1-2) PROLOGUE. ?There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and turned away from evil.? *Father, like Job we who live godly in Christ Jesus, do suffer persecution. But Kingdom principles are in this realized, for we are then identified with Christ in His suffering (Colossians 1:24). *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 3:11, 16 (3) JOB'S OPENING LAMENTATION. ?Why did I not die from the womb? Why did I not give up the spirit when my mother bore me? 16 Or as a hidden untimely birth I had not been, As infants that never saw light.? *O Father, our hearts go out to Job, for we know the true nature of his testing, and the end from the beginning. In the dumbness and mystery of suffering, may we accept Your will. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 13:15; 14:14 (4-14) FIRST TRIAD. ?Behold, he will slay me; I have no hope; Nevertheless I will maintain my ways before him. 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, Till my release should come.? *Father, we are strengthened immeasurably by the example of Job. He clawed his way to faith and trust! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 19:25-27 (15-21) SECOND TRIAD. ?But as for me I know that my Redeemer lives, And at last he will stand up upon the earth: 26 And after my skin, even this body, is destroyed, Then without my flesh shall I see God; 27 Whom I, even I, shall see, on my side, And my eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger, My heart is consumed within me.? *What a testimony of revelation-faith! Father, we bless You for such revelation to Job and man. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 23:10, 12 (22-37) THIRD TRIAD. ?But he knows the way that I take; When he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 12 I have not gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.? *Yes Father, trial and temptation is the way of man in this life. Always be with us in them, that we may come forth as gold. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 38:1-2 (38-41) GOD'S CLOSING INTERVENTION. ?Then Jehovah answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? *O Father, restrain us from foolish words! Hold us back from speaking during the throes of testing! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 42:5-6 (42) EPILOGUE. ?I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees you; 6 Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes.?* Yes, this is as it should be. A revelation of You, Jehovah Father, puts us in right understanding and relationship. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE: First Quote, p.10: *There are things in our heavenly Father's dealings with us which have no immediate explanation. There are * inexplicable* providences which test us to the limit, and prove that rationalism is a mere mental pose. The Bible and our common sense agree *that the basis of human life is tragic*, not rational, and the whole problem is focused for us in this Book of Job. Chapter 13:15 is the utterance of a man who has lost his explicit hold on God, but not his implicit hold - ?Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him? (R.V., ?wait for Him?). That is the last reach of the faith of a man. Job's creed is gone; all he believed about God has been disproved by his own experiences, and his friends when they come say, in effect, 'You are a hypocrite, Job, we can prove it from your own creed'. But Job sticks to it - 'I am not a hypocrite, I do not know what accounts for all that has happened, but I will hold to it that God is just and that I shall yet see Him vindicated in it all'. *Second Quote, p.103: *Because a man has altered his life it does not necessarily mean that he has repented. A man may have lived a bad life and suddenly stop being bad, not because he has repented, but because he is like an exhausted volcano. The fact that he has become good is no sign of his having become a Christian. The bedrock of Christianity is repentance. The apostle Paul never forgot what he had been; when he speaks of 'forgetting those tings which are behind', he is referring to what he has attained to; the Holy Spirit never allowed him to forget what he had been (*see* 1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:13-15). Repentance means that I estimate exactly what I am in God's sight and I am sorry for it, and on the basis of the Redemption I become the opposite. The only repentant man is the holy man, i.e., the one who becomes the opposite of what he was because something has entered into him. Any man who knows himself knows that he cannot be holy, therefore if he does become holy, it is because God has 'shipped' something into him; he is now 'presenced with Divinity', and can begin to bring forth 'fruits meet for repentance'. A man may know the plan of salvation, and preach like an archangel, and yet not be a Christian (cf. Matthew 7:21-22.) The test of Christianity is that a man lives better than he preaches. The reality of the heredity of Jesus Christ comes into us through regeneration, and if ever we are to exhibit a family likeness to Him it must be because we have entered into repentance and have received something from God. If the disposition of meanness and lust and spite shows itself through my bodily life, when the disposition of Jesus Christ is there, it will show through my bodily life too, and one need never be afraid that he will be credited with the holiness he exhibits. ?Now my eye sees You,? said Job, ?wherefore *I* abhor myself? (?*I *loathe my words?, R.V. marg.) ?and repent in dust and ashes.? When I enthrone Jesus Christ I say the thing that is violently opposed to the old rule. I deny my old ways as entirely as Peter denied his Lord. Jesus Christ's claim is that He can put a new disposition, His own disposition, Holy Spirit, into any man, and it will be manifested in all that he does. But the disposition of the Son of God can only enter my life by the way of repentance. (The above quotes are taken from ?Baffled to Fight Better,? Oswald Chamber's Commentary on the book of Job. The book is well worth while procuring and reading. - J.A.W.) *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 Jul 22 17:36:56 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:36:56 -0700 Subject: Song of Solomon & Ruth Message-ID: <625d7240907221736t2d8d8c92g5a8bc1ecd877bdb9@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *T4401R - SONG OF SOLOMON & RUTH - OVERVIEW* ?*REST THROUGH REDEMPTION AND UNION?* *1. 2:4 (1:1-2:7) SONG OF SOLOMON: SPIRITUAL COMMUNION. ?He brought me to the banqueting-house, and his banner over me was love.? * O Your Kingdom of love and peace, Father! The Government has been placed on Jesus' shoulders. We submit to His mild rule and benign reign. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 3:1 (2:8-3:5) SPIRITUAL LONELINESS. ?By night on my bed I sought him whom my soul loves: I sought him, but I found him not.? *O Lord Jesus, let us not play games with You when You want us. For *Your pleasure* we are created, Father, and we give ourselves *fully* to Your Son. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 6:3; 7:10 (3:6-8:14) SPIRITUAL MUTUAL RESPECT. ?I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: He feeds his flock among the lilies. 7:10 I am my beloved's; And his desire is toward me.?* *Always* You seek to possess us fully, Father, for this is the way Your Son *Jesus* was toward You. You would have a people *fully* given to Your Son! Then with joy You will give to us! * Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 1:16-17 (1) RUTH: LOVE'S RESOLVE: FAITHFUL DAUGHTER. ?And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave you, and to return from following after you; for where you go, I will go; and where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God; 17 where you die, will I die, and there will I be buried; Jehovah do so to me, and more also, if anything but death part you and me.? *Father, forgive us for so often selling You short! Ruth vindicated You at this point more than Naomi did. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 2:3 (2) LOVE'S RESPONSE: MOABITESS GLEANER. ?And she went, and came and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her chance was to light on the portion of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.? *When we read such an instance of Your faithfulness, O Father, our hearts tremble that we could ever doubt You. Evermore help us be sensitive and discerning lest we fail to do Your perfect will! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 3:18 (3) LOVE'S REQUEST: VIRTUOUS SUPPLIANT. ?Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will fall; for the man will not rest, until he have finished the thing this day.?* Here is faith! Such faith will *always* triumph. When we exercise such faith, Satan will be unable to hinder Your perfect will, Father! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 4:13 (4) LOVE'S REWARD: BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER. ?So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife; and he went in unto her, and Jehovah gave her conception, and she bore a son.? **Faithfulness*! This is all *Your* doing, Father, and highly glorifies Your Name. Here is a Moabitess woman brought into the house of Israel. King David in a few generations becomes her descendant, and soon, David's greater son, our Lord Jesus! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE: *Again, the 7 section titles are from J. Sidlow Baxter's ?Explore the Book?. He is with the Lord now - but his insights in the Word were above average. God and Jews in the Old Testament (and the New as well), are not squeamish about discussing certain matters of marriage and love that often embarrass some of us in our Western culture. It was considered quite normal and natural to talk of these things in their day. One Western leader said, ?I wish the Song of Solomon had *not* been included in the Canon of Scripture!? Well, let us look at it this way! The joys of married life are but a picture of our spiritual union with our Lord Jesus, according to Ephesians 5:22-33! Many books have been written on these 8 chapters. That of Watchman Nee is one of the most helpful. But now consider the lessons of Redemption in the book of Ruth, as portrayed though Boaz, a Kinsman Redeemer. As Song of Songs by Solomon is read each year in Jewish circles at the time of the Passover Festival, so the Book of Ruth is read annually at the Feast of Pentecost, ?Shavuot, or Weeks?, in Jewish circles. In the Megilloth, the 5 books in one scroll in Hebrew Scriptures, are linked with the other 3 special Festivals in Jewish History. Just look at Ruth chapter 1, to see one of the most touching of Bible examples of a deep relationship between a young widow and her mother-in-law. How Ruth was rewarded for her attachment to Naomi! ?The Gleaners? is a famous painting recording this event. My mother had it as a picture in our home when I grew up as a boy. Then see the wisdom of Naomi as she guided her daughter-in-law Ruth in seeing her dead husband replaced! Boaz is a Type of Christ, our spiritual Kinsman-Redeemer, who has redeemed Jew and Gentile into One New Man; and in the church - made us His Spiritual Bride! The book of Ruth took place at the time of the Barley Harvest, which coincides with the spiritual Feast of Pentecost. Marie and I were in Israel on Jun 6, 1992, Shavuot or Pentecost - when these two feast dates coincided, a rare event, because of the divergence in celebrating solar and lunar events. But it was *also* the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Jerusalem back into the hand of Israel! Jesus said in Matthew 24: ?The generation when this takes place, shall *not* pass away until *all things* be fulfilled.? If a generation be 100 years - then it will very soon be half way toward the fulfillment of that time! - J.A.W. *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 Jul 23 15:32:52 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2009 15:32:52 -0700 Subject: Phil/Col - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907231532j1ca4b3ecy4a7123b7099b97d3@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 23, 2009 * *PHILIPPIANS-COLOSSIANS - OVERVIEW ? T3801R* *CHRISTIAN LIVING: CHRIST THE CENTER* *1. Phil 1:29 (1) RELATIONSHIP OF GOSPEL TO SUFFERING. ?Because to you it has been granted in the behalf of Christ, not only :to believe unto him, but also :to suffer in his behalf.? **Hallowed be your :name.** * *2. Phil 2:1-4 (2-3) EXAMPLE OF CHRIST?S SUFFERINGS. ?If therefore any exhortation **is** in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, **2** make full my joy, that you think the same, having the same love, being of one soul, of :one mind; **3** **doing** nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in :lowliness of mind counting one another better than themselves; **4** not looking each severally to his :own **things**, but each severally also to th **os**e of others.? **Your :kingdom come.* *3. Phil 4:4, 9 (4) JOY AND PEACE: FRUIT OF THE GOSPEL. ?Rejoice in **the**Lord always: again I will say, Rejoice. **9** What **things** you both learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do: and the God of :peace shall be :with you.? *Joy comes from obedience. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. Col 1:9-11(1:1-2:5) PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST: WORTHY OF SUFFERING. ?For this **cause** we also, from the day we heard **it**, do not cease to pray and ask for you, that you be filled with the knowledge of his :will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, **10** to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing in every good work bearing fruit, and increasing in :knowledge of :God; **11** strengthened with all power, according to the might of his :glory, unto all patience and longsuffering with joy.? **Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. Col 2:8-19 (2:6-3:4) PRE-EMINENT CHRIST: REASONS FOR THIS. ?Look out, lest any shall be that makes spoil of you through the philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of :men, after the elements of the world, and not after Christ: **9** for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, **10 **and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power.? *Save us Father, from speculative philosophy and theology. Keep us in Christ. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. Col 3:16 (3:5-17) RESURRECTION: LEADS US TO PUT ON CHRIST. ?Let the word of the Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing yourselves with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, with :grace singing in your :hearts unto :God.? *Yes, we immerse ourselves in the Word of Christ, and drink it in. We know that You then Father, make us strong overcomers in Christ, and give us a new and joyful song. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. Col 4:5-6 (3:18-4:18) RELATIVE DUTIES FOR CHRIST?S SAKE. ?Walk in wisdom toward th**os**e without, redeeming the season. **6** Let your :speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.? **But deliver us from the evil **one.* *NOTE**: *There are some students of the Word who think Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, the 4 Prison Epistles of Paul, are the acme of all his writings. There is no doubt that the lessons, teaching and insights in these 4 are so valuable, that if missing from the Canon of Scripture, would leave a great hole. Nonetheless, I doubt if the Holy Spirit Himself would make this judgment. Romans is the very basis of all that Paul has written under His guidance, and here we understand the great blessing of ?Justification by Faith? that comes from the Finished Work of Christ. But Paul well understood that apart from *suffering* in this present life, we would fail to enter the insights and blessing that came to Job because of suffering! And then Paul discovered that it is possible to live in *joy* in this life even in the midst of suffering and persecution. What a state to achieve! If we fail to walk in the Joy of the Lord in this present life, we have emotionally fallen from the high state of church revelation in Ephesians. And if we fail like the Colossians and slip into speculative philosophy and theology, then doctrinally we have lost out from that same high standing. Both Philippians and Colossians are correctives to restore these believers to the goal as revealed in Ephesians. Many a revival has lost out by falling into either of these two traps. Ultimate Reconciliation and failure to understand the extremes in the ?Manifestation of the Sons of God,? led God to lift His blessing from the 1948 Northern Canada Visitation. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 24 13:26:25 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 24 Jul 2009 13:26:25 -0700 Subject: Lam, Eccl, Esther Message-ID: <625d7240907241326q38da211dyed44f25e1a364c68@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 24, 2009 * *T4501R - LAMENTATIONS, ECCLESIASTES, ESTHER - OVERVIEW* *'THE REALITY OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE'* *1. LAM 1:12 (1-5) LAMENTATIONS: FOR DESTRUCTION AND HUMILIATION OF JERUSALEM. ?Is it nothing to you, all you that pass by? Behold, and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow, which is brought upon me, By which Jehovah has afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger.? *The Holocaust is this written all over again. But like Nebuchadnezzar, Hitler went too far, and both were themselves judged! How faithful You are, Father! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. ECCL 1:12-13 (1-2) QUEST BY PERSONAL EXPERIMENT. ?I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. 13 And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven: it is a sore travail that God has given to the sons of men to be exercised in.? *Yes, and we too are driven to do it! And until we find wisdom and rest and peace in Jesus, Father, we remain restless, dissatisfied and frustrated! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 3:11 (3-5) QUEST BY GENERAL OBSERVATION. ?He has made everything beautiful in its time: also he has set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God has done from the beginning even to the end.? *Father, it is *Your* image and likeness in which You have made us. That gives us understanding of Your creation and Kingdom. We rest in You and trust You concerning these things.* Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 7:29 (6-8) QUEST BY PRACTICAL MORALITY. ?Behold, this only have I found: that God made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions.? *You started us out right Father, but through Adam we have now a bent or trend to do our own thing. But You provided redemption and reconciliation in Messiah. We need intercessors to walk Your way. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 12:13-14 (9-12) QUEST REVIEWED AND CONCLUDED. ?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.? *These are some of the wisest words written in Your book, Father. Thank God they are included. Grant us grace to heed them. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. ESTHER 3:6 (1-5) CRISIS ANTICIPATED. ?But he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of Mordecai; wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.? *Father, we see Your Providential hand at work. Every detail is seen and planned aforetime by You, the Master Chess-player. You move, and the enemy is powerless to respond. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 9:25 (6-10) CRISIS OVERRULED. ?But when the matter came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he had devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows.? *Here is poetic justice! Here You watch from heaven Father, and mastermind justice for Your people and throughout the earth! You are Sovereign! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: Megillot: (Hebrew - scrolls) The name given the five books - Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, and Esther, included in the Hebrew Bible among the Hagiographa, and read in the Synagogue on Passover, Pentecost, the Ninth of Ab, Tabernacles and Purim, respectively. *This note is somewhat technical, and appears in ?An Encyclopedia of Religion?, edited by Vergilius Ferm, Published by the Philosophical Library of New York, 1945. Note especially the Book of Lamentations as it falls on the 9th of Av, this year of 2009 on July 30th. Many tragedies happened to Israel on this date. Hitler planned the Holocaust; and both temples, that of Solomon approximately 1000 BC, and Herod's Temple, 70 AD, were destroyed on this date. Psalm 122 says, ?Pray for the peace of Jerusalem - they shall *prosper * that love you!? We as Gentile believers have the privilege of praying for Israel according to Romans chapter 11. Solomon wrote 3 books of the Bible: Song of Songs he wrote as a young man, while he followed the advice of his father David, and was Beloved of God. Later he married 700 wives and had 300 concubines, who led him away into idolatry by forsaking God. Can a human being find peace apart from God? *NO! * This is the 3rd book he wrote, and ought to be carefully looked at by all human beings, young and old, but especially young! But in his mid years he wrote his second book, the Book of Proverbs, for his son (really his sons and daughters!) This is a treasure book, and should be read by *all* ages. We never grow too old to benefit from these wise sayings. Too bad that the humanists and liberals of our day have forsaken these wise counsels! The book of Esther is one of the encouraging books for Israel in all time, but can be applied to any people and nation who love God. May our United States not forsake the wisdom and guidance of our Founding Fathers and their Constitution in these last days. How Satan would love to have our leaders forsake the wisdom herein contained! Pray that the fear of God will come into the hearts of our leaders, from President on down. May He grant dreams and visions of the night to them, as we read in the book of Job, 33:13-18. Such are designed to *change* the course of leaders. God did this for Pharaoh under Joseph, and Nebuchadnezzar under Daniel. The above 5 books may be small - but they are treasures indeed! Blessed the individual who reads and profits by obedience through the wonderful lessons in each one of them. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 25 10:10:14 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 25 Jul 2009 10:10:14 -0700 Subject: 1 & 2 Thessalonians - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907251010j1f355e82x355d159a9481d0f8@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *T4001R - 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS - OVERVIEW* ?*NATURE OF CHRIST'S RETURN?* *1. 1 Thess. 2:19-20 (1-3) SAVED BY CONVERSION, EVANGELISM AND WATCHCARE. ?For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you, before our :Lord Jesus at his :presence? 20 For you are our :glory and our :joy.? *Converts who stand! This is the soul-winners joy! This is evidence of the power of Your Kingdom at work, Father! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 4:1 (4:1-12) A LIFE OF CONDUCT AND CALLING. ?For the rest, brethren, I ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received of us :how you ought to walk and to please God, even as you do walk, - that you abound more.? *We thank You Father, for apostolic example of conduct and God-pleasing toward converts! How zealously Paul fulfills Your will this way. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 4:17-18 (4:13-5:11) A LIFE OF COMFORT AND CHALLENGE. ?Then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in clouds, to meet the Lord into the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these :words.? *Father, what faithful words of comfort and security! We receive these Spirit-given words of exhortation. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 5:12-13 (5:12-18) A LIFE OF CONCORD AND CONSTANCY. ?But we ask you, brethren, to know them that labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their :work. Be at peace among yourselves.?* Forgive us Father, for the sin of murmuring and complaining against the leaders that You gave us. Show us we are really reproaching You! O teach us to pray for and thank You for Your gifts. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 2 Thess. 1:7-8 (1) COMFORT: FROM THE HOPE OF CHRIST'S RETURN. ?And to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with angels of his power in flaming fire, 8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our :Lord Jesus:? *Father, these light afflictions down here are not worthy to be compared with the Glory about to be revealed in Jesus! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 2:3-4 (2) CAUTION: ON THE TIME OF CHRIST'S RETURN. ?Let no one beguile you in any wise: for not unless the falling away come first, and the man of :lawlessness be revealed, the son of :destruction, 4 he that opposes and exalts himself against every one called God or an object of worship; so that he sits in the temple of :God, setting himself forth as being God.? *Father, You not only reveal this plan of Satan through this man of sin, but You deliver us from him! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 3:6 (3) COMMAND: IN THE LIGHT OF CHRIST'S RETURN. ?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.? *We will not be contaminated Father, by the traditions of man. We walk in *Your* ways!* But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE: *The apostle Paul in these two epistles gives us a clearer understanding of end-time events than appear in any other of his letters. Jesus Himself by the Spirit speaks through Paul in these matters. In the Gospels He said that He had many things to share with His disciples, but they were not at that time able to receive them, for the Holy Spirit was not yet given. But *now* disciples had the Holy Spirit. Now they had the inward Teacher. Now Jesus by the Spirit was able to impart through Paul, clarity of understanding concerning eschatology and end-time events, that were just not appropriate to share prior to Calvary, His Resurrection and Ascension and the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Let us remember again Paul's clear teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:37 as an added confirmation to this. Not only does Paul more clearly than the Gospels set forth these events, but also the need for believers to respect the right of our Risen Lord to set in place leaders suitable for us acccoding to His choice. We must remember how upset God was with Israel, especially in the 40 year Wilderness sojourning, at the rebellion, murmuring and complaining against His choice of leadership, especially against Moses and Aaron. Remember Korah and his open rebellion, and the tragic aftermath that overtook him and those that joined in his rebellion. It is *not* that our leaders who God sets over us are perfect. They have * not* been perfected. We are *all* on the way to God's timing for perfection. But God asks us to obey those that have the rule over us - even in their unperfected state - and ours! And Paul in Romans points out that this applied to secular governments as well as the church. Difficult? Of course! But there are areas in prayer open to us that can change situations - especially as we patiently await the timing of God's solutions. And as Romans sets forth the benefits of ?Passover?, and Ephesians those of ?Pentecost? - so 1 & 2 Thessalonians set forth the blessings of ?Tabernacles?. Revelation is like the ?Feast of Trumpets? alerting us to God's latter day timing ; and Hebrews sets forth the work of Jesus for the ?Day of Atonement?, Yom Kippur. Are we closer to the final fulfillment of all these things? Indeed we are. Jesus prophesied that the generation of 1967 seeing Jerusalem restored to Israel, would not pass away till *all things* be fulfilled! - J.A.W.* * * * *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 Jul 26 10:43:37 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 26 Jul 2009 10:43:37 -0700 Subject: Daniel - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907261043x2e4a7c0fq32ad693b4c28bb58@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* July 26, 2009 *T4701R - DANIEL - OVERVIEW* ?*THE UNIVERSAL SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD?* *1. 2:44 (1-4) DANIEL: UNDER NEBUCHADNEZZAR. ?And in the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed nor shall the sovereignty of it be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.? *This is Your word O Father, through Daniel to Nebuchadnezzar. It pertains to the kingdoms of man versus the Kingdom of God! There is no earthly kingdom like Your Kingdom. *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 5:16 (5) DANIEL: UNDER BELSHAZZAR. ?But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, and dissolve doubts: now if you can read the writing, and make known to me the interpretation of it, you shall be clothed with purple, and have a chain of gold about your neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom.? *Father, raise up from our midst the Daniels to meet the need in the nick of time! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 6:26 (6) DANIEL UNDER DARIUS. ?I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even unto the end.? *We marvel at such a testimony from a mighty heathen king, O Father! In the light of this, how easy it is for us to believe You for anything! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 7:2-3 (7) VISION OF THE FOUR BEASTS. ?Daniel spoke and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of heaven broke forth upon the great sea. 3 And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from another.? *Thank God for Your analysis of things Father, and Your supreme authority to effect on earth and in heaven whatever is according to Your own counsel. Forgive us for ever doubting Your *Sovereignty*! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 8:20-21 (8) VISION OF RAM AND GOAT. ?The ram which you saw, that had the two horns, they are the kings of Media and Persia. 21 And the rough he-goat is the king of Greece: and the great horn that is between his eyes is the first king.? *We bless You Father, for visions and their interpretation! How powerful and *Sovereign* You are! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 9:24 (9) INTERCESSION: THE SEVENTY WEEKS. ?Seventy weeks are decreed upon your people and upon the holy city, to finish transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.? *This is an amazing insight, Father! It shows Your Omnipotence. It confirms Your ability to do anything You want! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 12:4 (10-12) VISIONS UNDER CYRUS. ?But you, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.? *Who else is a God like You Father, telling us of things to come as if they already were? We know of none! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *Peoples and nations tend to forget the wonders and *Sovereignty*of our God. See Israel in the 40 years of her Wilderness sojourneying. See how history in the Book of Judges, and Israel's 7 lapses, were followed by God's mercy in raising up 7 judges for deliverance! And, see the church and her amazing lapses through the past 2 millennia, temporarily corrected by * Sovereign* Revivals sent by our *Sovereign* God. It will be during the Millennium following the return of our Lord, that we will see the greatest acknowledgment to our *Sovereign* God and His glorious Son! All of the above is superbly illustrated by the Book of Daniel, and the working of our *Sovereign* God! Imagine how God raised up and used Daniel under 3 Empire rulers: Nebuchadnezzar, Darius and Cyrus! The wisdom, dream interpretation and faithfulness of Daniel places him among the 3 great Prime Ministers in the Old Testament. This book is closely linked with the Book of Revelation. These two books are apart from the rest of the Bible in allegorical and symbolical form. Dreams and visions are primarily of this nature. ?Dreams: The Divinity Code - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions? by Adrian Beale and Adam F. Thompson of Australia - is an aid in this area. It is also a corrective concerning previous books on dreams, which were too greatly influenced by the occultic influence of Carl Jung. In the Book of Daniel, God through His servant, gives a sweeping panorama of human history through 4 great empires of that day, plus a fifth empire yet to arise, which even now comes into existence. Our world gets worse and worse. *Only* upon the return of our Lord Jesus can we expect a solution to the sin of mankind. And even then, this will not be fully decided, till the end of the Millennium! - J.A.W. *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 Jul 27 14:19:38 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 27 Jul 2009 14:19:38 -0700 Subject: Hebrews - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907271419y3daf8a08s731b4d327fde23bd@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 27, 2009 * *T4301R. HEBREWS - OVERVIEW* ?*SUPERIORITY OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH?* *1. 1:13-14 (1-2) NEW COVENANT: SUPERIOR TO OLD. ?But of which of the angels has he ever said, Sit on my right **hand**, Till I make your :enemies footstool of your :feet? **14 **Are **they** not all ministering spirits, sent forth unto service for them that shall inherit salvation?? *Who is like unto You, Father? Who is like unto Your Son Jesus? * **Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 3:1-2 ( 3-4) MESSIAH: SUPERIOR TO MOSES. ?Whence, holy brothers, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our :confession, Jesus; **2 **who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also was Moses in all his :house.? *What an example You have given us here, Father: Jesus and Moses; but the greater is Jesus! We too would be faithful. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 6:17-18 ( 5-6) COVENANT: LEADS US INTO SPIRITUAL CANAAN. ?Wherein :God, intending to show more abundantly to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his :counsel, mediated with an oath; **18 **that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before **us.?** *Father, You have made Jesus our six refuge cities! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 8:6 (7-10) MELCHIZEDEK: SUPERIOR TO AARON. ?But now has he obtained a ministry the more superior, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted upon better promises.? *This is Your Son Jesus, Father. We rejoice in His 8-fold ministry. Work it into us. Show us that You have made the whole Bible to be as *Torah*. *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.** * *5. 11:6 (11) FAITH: SWALLOWS UP DOUBT. ?And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing; for who comes to :God must believe that he is, and is rewarder of them that seek after him.? * Faith is the tap that opens up the stream of Your promises, Father! The supply is always at hand, made available through Calvary! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors. * *6. 12:1 (12) ENDURANCE: BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE ARENA. ?Therefore now we also, having so great a cloud of witnesses encompassing us, let us lay aside every weight, and the easily besetting sin, **and** let us run with patience the race set before us.? *Angels and saints watch us in the arena, Father. They encourage us to complete our race. *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 13:17 (13) LEADERSHIP: APPOINTMENT DEFEATING ANARCHY. ?Obey th**os**e ruling over you, and submit: for THEY watch in behalf of your :souls, as they that shall give account; that they may do this with joy, and not groaning: for this **is** unprofitable for you.? *You have the right Father, to give us our marching orders concerning Your appointed leaders! *But deliver us from the evil** one.* *NOTE**: *Probably few of the 66 books accepted in the Canon of Scripture, have suffered more controversy over its authorship, than the book of Hebrews. However, no one was closer to Timothy than the apostle Paul, and inasmuch as he mentions this young man he chose to mentor following his first missionary trip in Hebrews 13:23, it provides strong internal evidence that Paul is the author. For those who are persuaded that God provided the Russian Ivan Panin and his Bible Numeric Greek and English New Testament, then a mathematical objective proof is added for confirmation. Of the 66 books of the Bible in the Canon of Scripture, the author 33 of them are confirmed and ratified by Bible Numerics, including this book under review and consideration. Another interesting point arises in this book. Dr. David Stern, author of the Jewish New Testament and Commentary, comes up with a new insight in Hebrews 8:6, *?But now has He**, Jesus, ** obtained a ministry the more superior **than Aaron**, by so much as he is also mediator of a better covenant, which has been **constituted as Torah** upon better promises.? *The Greek word here is ?ne-no-moTHEt*e*-tai, which translates, ?to be *established* as *Torah* or law.. In God's sight then, the New Testament is on the same level of authority to Jews, as the Old Covenant! This is *indeed* an insight! As the Book of Romans by the Holy Spirit through Paul establishes ?Foundation Truths? for Gentiles, so then the Book of Hebrews by the Holy Spirit through Paul establishes ?Foundation Truths? for Jews! See Hebrews 6:1-2 for a list of the 6 basic foundations, plus the seventh: *going on*unto perfection - or, splitting ?doctrine of baptisms,? into two: baptism into water following repentance from dead works and faith unto God - by a preacher; and then baptism by the Holy Spirit into Christ for the New Birth, and baptism by Jesus into the Holy Spirit to fulfill the ?Peter Package? of Acts 2:38! Much more could be said concerning this remarkable book of ?much better.? But look at the 7 above divisions, and then over a period of time, vocally meditate these truths back to God in prayer, and let the Lord through the Holy Spirit set your heart aflame! - J.A.W. *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 Jul 28 10:41:28 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:41:28 -0700 Subject: Ezra-Nehemiah - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907281041u3ed50c75u424ee41394f62017@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 28, 2009 * *T4801R - EZRA-NEHEMIAH - OVERVIEW* ?*THE BIBLE AND COVENANT RENEWED?* *1. EZRA 2:1-2a (1-2) RESTORATION AND RETURN UNDER ZERUBBABEL. ?Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city; 2 who came with Zerubbabel.? *Jeremiah's prophecy; Daniel's prayer; Your response, Father! You worked them altogether for good! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 6:14 (3-6) TEMPLE REBUILT. ?And the elders of the Jews built and prospered, through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the decree of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.? *We bless You Father, for the ministry of Your prophets. We thank You for restoring them again to the church at the end of this age. O may we hear Your voice through them as You would speak through them! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 9:9 (7-10) RETURN UNDER EZRA. ?For we are bondmen; yet our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but has extended lovingkindness unto us in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving to set up the house of our God, and to repair its ruins, and to give us a wall in Judah and in Jerusalem.? *Fresh grace following revival can be so swiftly sinned away! Forgive us in our day as You forgave Israel in the days of Daniel and Ezra! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth. * *4. NEH 2:17 (1-2) RECONSTRUCTION OF WALL PLANNED. ?Then said I unto them, You see the evil case that we are in, how Jerusalem lies waste, and the gates of it are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach.? *Forgive us Father, that the spirit of Nehemiah is not more often among us! We need to *meditate* upon Your word concerning Your servant, until he rubs off on us; until You put this same spirit and determination in us also! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 6:15-16 (3-6) RECONSTRUCTION OF WALL COMPLETED. ?So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days. 16 And it came to pass, when all our enemies heard of it, that all the nations that were about us feared, and were much cast down in their own eyes; for they perceived that this work was worked of our God.? *Hallelujah! Victory for the forces of Righteousness! Right triumphs over might through our God! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 9:3 (7-10) RECONSTRUCTION OF PEOPLE THROUGH WORD. ?And they stood up in their place, and read in the book of the law (Torah or Teaching) of Jehovah their God a fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshiped Jehovah their God.? *Three principles walked in Father, enable You always to deliver Your people from backsliding. We pledge to walk likewise! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 12:30 (11-13) RECONSTRUCTION OF PEOPLE COMPLETED. ?And the priests and the Levites purified themselves; and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.? *O the lessons and principles we learn from this, Father! All things are Yours. All we are and all we do is *for Your pleasure *! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: Alan Redpath from England came to lead the Moody Memorial Church of Chicago in the '50's. He also introduced English Keswick to Mid-America in 1955. But perhaps most significantly, he wrote books on Ezra and Nehemiah, and pointed out the principles of success used by these two leaders, and how we today can profit wonderfully by them.! I served on the Africa Inland Mission Board of Mid-America under Redpath for two years. I learned *much* from this man of courage, integrity and humility. On one occasion he said ?I find vital morning devotions the most difficult discipline to maintain in my life.? This encouraged me! He also said, ?A person can be *orthodox* in doctrine - but *heretical* in spirit!? This latter has resonated with me strongly through the years! The Rebuilding of the Temple under Ezra, and the Rebuilding of the Walls of Jerusalem under Nehemiah, are most unusual feats of history in the Old Testament. Consider the tremendous opposition of enemies they *both* faced in these two projects. Count on it - any great project assigned by God, will raise up fierce opposition from Satan and his minions! Consider the restoration of Israel to her land in 1948 after 2000 years, and what she has faced *every* year since! It pays to reread these two books again and again - to *meditate* upon them, and to draw on God's grace to walk in the principles they set forth by example before us. - J.A.W. *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 Jul 29 08:25:56 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 29 Jul 2009 08:25:56 -0700 Subject: 1 & 2 Timothy - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240907290825q46bd3ad0l46abd54de6265171@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *July 29, 2009 * *T4601R - 1 & 2 TIMOTHY - OVERVIEW* ?*LETTERS TO YOUNG APOSTOLIC PASTORS?* *1. 1 TIM 1:18-19a (1) COUNSELS AND PERSONAL EXPERIENCES. ?This :charge I commit to you, Timothy child, according to the prophecies which led the way to you, that by them you war the good warfare; 19a having faith and a good conscience;? *Here You give us a kingdom principle Father, that should specially bless each minister at the time of his ordination. May we guard the ministry of ?presbytery? for this high calling (Acts 13:1-3). *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 2:5-6a (2-3) COUNSELS TO MEN, WOMEN AND LEADERS. ?For one is God, one is also mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus, 6a who gave himself a ransom for all.? **I am* the true and living *way*, said Jesus, and no man comes unto the Father but through Me. This is a narrow and straitened way, but we rejoice in it Father, for Your Son is indeed *the way *. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 4:12 (4) COUNSELS AND PREDICTIONS. ?Let no one despise your :youth; but be an example to the faithful, in word, in behavior, in love, in faith, in purity.? *In Your Sovereignty Father, You often choose youth for leadership. William Pitt the younger was Prime Minister of Great Britain at 24! Help us who are older to receive Your choice of those who are younger! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 5:21 (5-6) COUNSELS RE MINISTERIAL ADMINISTRATION. ?I charge before :God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that you observe these thingswithout prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.? *No respect of persons! This is the way of Your Kingdom! No favoritism to the rich or those we like. *All* in Your body are important, Father! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 2 TIM 1:12 (1) FAITHFULNESS TO THE GOSPEL. ?For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to guard my :deposit against that day.? *To know You deeply Father, is to talk like :Paul. Yes, we would move fully in the same direction. Yet please do not suffer us to be tested above what we are able to bear! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 2:2 (2:1-4:8) FAITHFULNESS TO THE MINISTRY. ?And what things you have heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.? *Here is the key! Here is Your mind concerning the multiplication of leadership, Father, may we understand thoroughly this Kingdom principle, and heed it! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 4:18 (4:9-22) FAITHFULNESS IN PRIVATIONS. ?The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly :kingdom: to whom be the glory unto the ages of the ages. Amen.? *We bless You Father, for Your omnipotent ability; You can do whatever You plan or say. Our trust is not misplaced, but complete in You! We declare this with *full* heart assurance! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: See the solicitousness that Paul had for Timothy! He remembered his tears! He was as a spiritual son to this great apostle. But what Paul shares with Timothy is equally applicable to all young leaders of the 5-fold ministry, especially those who have been placed as an apostolic pastor over a city church such as Ephesus, composed of *many* local churches. All of Asia Minor (modern Turkey) heard the word through this city church. And Ephesus, along with the other 6 city churches of this area, were all addressed by our Lord Jesus in Revelation 2 and 3! In a very real sense 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus are like a post-graduate spiritual university course! These 3 epistles are indeed high caliber teaching for a more limited circle of leaders. As Timothy was placed by Paul to oversee the great city church of Ephesus; Titus was placed by him to oversee the church of Crete, with its various local churches in the home. But Paul did not intend these two young men to be content with mastering these 3 epistles! No sir, indeed! They were to be imbued with the 4 Gospels, the equivalent to spiritual elementary school! Acts is like Junior High, and James through Jude like High School. The 9 epistles of Paul to the 7 churches addressed by him - like university. Romans, Ephesus and 1 & 2 Thessalonians represent Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. For me, perhaps the key Paul shares with Timothy is found in 1 Timothy 4:14-15 (11-16) - *?Neglect not the gift in you, which was given you through prophecy, with laying on of hands of the presbytery. 15 Be diligent in these; - with vocal meditation in praying back as a prayer - these words to God; give yourself wholly to these; that your progress may be evident to all.?* This is a weighty portion of Scripture. Link it with God's word in Joshua 1:8 (1-9) - *?This book of the law shall not depart out of **your mouth**, but you shall **meditate** on it day and night, that you may be careful 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.? *Note that these words are a double exhortation to orally proclaim God's word. It is * not* intended in our worship that we do so *silently in our heart*! No, indeed. These words are to be *in our mouth*. And the word *meditate*, Hebrew ?hah-GAH? has the sense of the cooing of doves - rephrasing God's word, reasoning from it, and praying it back to God in the spirit of Daniel in chapter 9, and Ezra in chapter 9. See also Psalm 19:14, where David the Psalmist says, ?Let the *words of my mouth*, and *the meditation of my heart*, (a vocal prayer), be acceptable in your sight, O Jehovah, my Strength, and my Redeemer!? Add to this Psalm one, which is remarkably parallel to these 3 passages. Here the Psalmist says his *delight* is in the *Torah*, *law*, *Teaching*? of Jehovah, and in His teaching does he meditate (orally praying back to God in his own words) day and night. Then see the *fruitfulness* he achieves as a Tree of Jehovah! I realize that the ?City Church? application to Timothy and Titus is not a present day concept. But consider the Word Study usage of *Church*, ek-kl*e*SIa. and how it tends to support this interpretation. Once it refers to Israel as the *church* in the wilderness, Acts 7; 3 x the secular ek-kl*e*SIa of Ephesus, Acts 19:23-44; 14 x a local church in the home in a city; 15 x the Universal church; *but* - 81 x the church of a city. Timothy and Titus thoroughly understood this concept. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 2 20:05:58 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2009 20:05:58 -0700 Subject: Titus, Philemon - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240908022005r306f2ae4ka19d748701e6b77a@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 2, 2009 * *T4901R - TITUS, PHILEMON - OVERVIEW* ?*GOOD WORKS: SIGN OF MATURITY?* *1. Titus 1:4 (1:1-4) PAUL TO TITUS. ?To Titus, my genuine child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our :Savior.? *This is the way Your Kingdom comes, Father! It is a way of Your Spirit coming from You and proceeding through Jesus, because of His atoning blood. First the blood - then the oil! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 1:5 (1:5-9) ELDERS: CITY PLURALITY AND QUALIFICATIONS. ?For this cause I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave you charge.? *Note that in the beginning each church in the home required but one elder; plurality of Eldership was for the *city* church, containing many churches in the home (or local churches). Seven deacons served the *entire city church* of Jerusalem. Denominational tradition makes it difficult for us to see this. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 1:13b-14 (1:10-16) GAINSAYERS: TO BE REBUKED. ?For which cause reprove them sharply, that they be sound in the faith, 14 not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of* *men who turn away from the truth.? *This hardly sounds like Your apostle, Father; but his love for Your true sheep causes him to protect them vigorously. Paul is a true shepherd, defends Your sheep, and finds You faithful in Your part. *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 2:7-8 (2:1-14) VARIOUS CLASSES: THEIR STANDARDS. ?In all things showing yourself an example of good works; in the teaching showing uncorruptness, gravity, **8** sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part be ashamed, having no evil to say of us.? *Here is Your standard for the apostolic city pastor, Father. May we petition You for such a leader in each city: a James; a Timothy; a Titus! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 3:4-5 (2:15-3:11) GOOD WORKS: TEST OF GRACE. ?But when the kindness of :God our Savior, and his :love to man, appeared, 5 not by :works which WE did in righteousness, but according to his :mercy he saved us, through a washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.? *Justification by grace through faith: this is the basis of salvation. From this flows good works, a way for us to say, Thank You for Jesus, Father. May we not depart from this clear position. *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 3:14 (3:12-15) SELF-SUPPORT AND WORKS OF LOVE. ?And let :our peoplealso learn to maintain good works for the necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.? *All fellow believers are to be wise in the use of stewardship. You have not made us to be spiritual spongers Father, but Jubilant Givers! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. Philemon 9-10 (1-25) PHILEMON: PAUL PLEADS FOR ONESIMUS. ?For :love's sake I rather beseech, being such as Paul, an old man and now also prisoner of Jesus Christ: 10 - I beseech you for my :child, whom I have begotten in my :bonds, Onesimus.? *Father, we are sure Philemon shed tears at this petition; learning of the salvation of his run-away slave; hearing of the joy Onesimus brought to Paul; receiving this earnest petition for forgiveness! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: Titus is as it were a short synopsis of 1 & 2 Timothy. It was essentially the same material, but in an abbreviated form. And of course, the Holy Spirit through Paul applies it personally to Titus as an individual. Like the letters to Timothy, this also has direct application to all apostolic pastors over cities. Believers in Crete had special problems that Paul knew required Titus to exercise strictness concerning their besetting sins. Then, just as he held up the importance of example in Timothy, he repeats this exhortation to Titus. And this applies to all of us as believers. Our example often - and usually - speaks louder than words. Oswald Chambers in all of his various writings, strongly makes this same point. But the last epistle in order by Paul in the New Testament, is Philemon. It is fitting that the Holy Spirit chose to have this placed in this position in the Canon of Scripture. (Note that Bible Numerics established the order of New Testament books, which varies from the normal order.) Many Commentators feel that this short epistle is a true commentary on 1 Corinthians 13. Here we see the wisdom and love and sensitivity of Paul to a fellow-believer, when he is asking a difficult favor. We can all learn from Paul through his example here. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 3 14:09:51 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 3 Aug 2009 14:09:51 -0700 Subject: 1 Chronicles - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240908031409r1517935cq64439a580164f93@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 3, 2009 * *T5001R - 1 CHRONICLES - OVERVIEW* ?*HISTORY FROM GOD'S VIEWPOINT'* *1. 9:22 (1-9) FAMILY TREES: ADAM TO TRIBES OF ISRAEL. ?All these that were chosen to be porters in the thresholds were two hundred and twelve. These were reckoned by genealogy in their villages, whom David and Samuel the seer did ordain in their office of trust.? *What a significant verse! You established correct worship Father, through a godly king and an exemplary prophet. Help us to perceive this! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 10:13-14 (10) OVERTHROW AND DEATH OF SAUL. ?So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he kept not; and also because he asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire by it, 14 and inquired not of Jehovah: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.? *What a solemn warning! Father, we would avoid Saul's rebellion by obeying You! *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 12:38 (11-12) THE ANOINTED OF THE LORD. ?All these, being men of war, that could order the battle array, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king.? *This response of Israel is of You Father, and reveals Your great Omnipotence and Sovereignty! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 13:2a-3 (13-16) THE ARK OF THE LORD. ?And David said unto all the assembly of Israel, 3 Let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we did not seek it in the days of Saul.? *The ark was the center of Israel's worship in David's day, the symbol of Your throne Father, and Your Kingdom. O may we like David return to You and Your Kingdom! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 17:10b (17-21) THE COVENANT OF THE LORD. ?I will subdue all your enemies. Moreover I tell you that Jehovah will build you a house.? *Here is a switch! David wanted to bless You Father, with a house for the ark, but You blessed him with a Kingdom house unto Messiah and eternity! May we wisely submit and make appropriate response to You too, as did David! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 28:19 (22:1-29:25) THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD. ?All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Jehovah, even all the works of this pattern.? *Father, by Your Spirit You circumcise our heart, and give us a united heart. And by Your Spirit You write revelation upon our heart, even Your high will and purpose. *And bring us not into temptation,* *7. 29:28 (29:26-30) DEATH OF KING DAVID. ?And David died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor; and Solomon his son reigned in his stead.? *David stands out in the annals of history, and it was of You Father, that it was so! You used him as a type of Your Coming Son! David's greater Son outshines him as the sun outshines the moon. *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: *A whole book* was written on Jabez. In 9 chapters of genealogical names, these two verses suddenly appear, that have a depth of meaning and insight so great, that it is worth going through the first 9 chapters to find them. Here they are: 4:9-10 - *?And Jabez was more honorable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bore him with sorrow. 10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that it be not to my sorrow! And God granted him that which he requested.? *Jabez makes 4 requests of the LORD here. For those looking for small portions of Scripture to meditate upon - here you have one! The circumstances surrounding the death of King Saul are so important, that none of us should pass them by, without paying special heed to them. And then, the history around the rise of King David to the united Kingdom of Israel! Only God could have orchestrated this. And should we not believe for the Holy Spirit to teach us proper application of these truths for each one of us? And what of the lessons that surround David's return of the ark back to Jerusalem? Is it possible that any of us would pass by what God would unveil to searching hearts? But God's establishment of the house of David to this former shepherd boy, the sweet Psalmist of Israel! God would not allow David to build Him a house, for David was a man of blood and war. But yet the House of David God built for him - and out of it came Jesus after the flesh! Though God did not allow David to build a house for Him - yet He did allow him to have part in the 7-fold preparation for the Temple, to make it easier for Solomon to build. And in 22:1 is perhaps the outstanding step God allowed David to make in this preparation: the *blueprint* of the Temple to the minutest detail was written by the Spirit upon his heart! Search out the other 6 preparation steps. They are equally arresting! David and Samuel teamed up for much of the Temple preparation, and the Priests and Levites did much of the follow-up on this. So - 1 Chronicles is well-worth our time in seeking insights and blessings from God, hidden away in its chapters. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 4 10:15:02 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 10:15:02 -0700 Subject: 2 Chronicles - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240908041015v2da41535x42ea1455547024d1@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 4, 2009 * *T5101 - 2 CHRONICLES - OVERVIEW* ?*LESSONS FROM THE HOUSE OF DAVID?* *1. 1:1 (1) SOLOMON'S EARLY ESTABLISHMENT. ?And Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and Jehovah his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly.? *Such splendor, such majesty, such magnificence has never been seen before or since. Only the Majesty of Your Kingdom Father, of which Solomon is but a faint type, eclipses it! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 7:14 (2-7) SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE. ?If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.? *Whenever we forsake You Father, whenever we lose that Personal, Passionate devotion to Jesus; recall us to this Word, obedience to it, that Your will be restored to us in prominence. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 9:22-23 (8-9) SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY. ?So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23 And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.? *All this abundant provision and wisdom came from Your hand, Father. You are the one who gave it all! *Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 10:19 (10) DISRUPTION? OF THE KINGDOM. ?So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.? *Still, all things work together for good, to them who love You Father, who are called for Your purpose! Today we look back, and the lessons we learn, save us from similar error. O forgive us that so often we fail to learn from history, and are destined to repeat the sins of our fathers! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 21:7 (11-26) FIRST NINE KINGS OF JUDAH. ?However Jehovah would not destroy the house of David, because of the covenant that he had made with David, and as he promised to give a lamp to him and to his children alway.? *May we never underestimate the importance of Covenant from Your point of view, Father! For even when we break Covenant with You, You remember Your Covenant with us! *And forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 31:1b (27:1-36:13) LAST TEN KINGS OF JUDAH. ?All Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.? *This is the way to treat the works of the enemy! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 36:22 (36:14-23) DEPORTATION-EDICT OF CYRUS. ?Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Jehovah by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Jehovah stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing.? *This is as amazing as the birth of Israel again as a nation in 1948. May we never limit You in our thinking, Father - as the Holy One of Israel! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE**: *It was the ?High Places? that God particularly hated! Out of some 19 kings of Judah, 9 were good, but two were *very* good: Hezekiah and Josiah - *they* removed the ?high places?! And what are the comparable high places in New Covenant times? ?High Thoughts? in our minds, that we haven't brought under the control of Christ! See 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (10:1-18) - *?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); 5 casting down reasonings, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of :God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.? *Here it is! The Holy Spirit through Paul spells it out! Then look at 2 Chronicles 7:14 - *?If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.? *This is a favorite of many, and many have memorized it. Notice that there are 4 conditions, and then 3 promises. Many teachings in the Old Testament are not just types and shadows. They are moral and ethical teachings for *all* time. We need to *rightly* divide the Word of Truth. And we need to remember - for the first few decades of the early church, all they had were the books of the Old Covenant: the Torah; the Prophets and the Writings. Until the Canon of the New Testament was added to the Old and constituted as Torah (Hebrews 8:6) - the traditions of the spoken word were the key to interpret and apply the Old Covenant. Now the 27 books of the New Testament are the key to understand, interpret and apply the Old Testament. After Solomon ?blew it? and God in judgment gave 10 of his tribes to Jeroboam, and left but Judah and Benjamin to Solomon's son Rehoboam - then idolatry and rebellion on a tremendous scale entered the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Soon this spread to Judah, especially under King Manasseh. This caused God to let Judah go into captivity - some 133 years after Israel. But under Cyrus, in answer to prophecy and the extraordinary intercession of Daniel, God returned 50,000 Jews (and numbers of Israel's 10 tribes) to their Promised Land, rebuilt their Temple under Ezra, and the Wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah. This set the nation up to receive Jesus the Messiah, with Redemption and Reconciliation as His contribution as Son of Man, the second Adam. The rest is recounted in detail in the New Testament. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 4 13:20:52 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2009 13:20:52 -0700 Subject: Baalzphon Message-ID: <625d7240908041320w638829eag651f6d4bbe8bd03a@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *BAALZPHON: LORD OF THE NORTH** - 2009-08-04* I sometimes get questions concerning Bible passages, dreams, prophecy, etc. Some of these take time to research and answer, and have application for all our readers. When this happens, I write up the answer as an article, and send out as a mailing, so all can benefit from the answer. This is one of these. Here is the question that recently came to me. ?I have received your overviews, lessons and comments for several years and have enjoyed them. If anyone could help me with the following, I believe it is you. Feel free to help only if you have the time or are open to it. ?Waking up out of a sound sleep the other morning at 5:15 am. the word * Baalzphon* was clearly spoken as if someone was in the room speaking in a voice. Searching, I find that a simple definition means ?lord of the north?, and Lord of the Hidden. Exodus 14:14 Moses caps it with his mandate to Israel. I need to know what this word could possibly mean to do or what God is trying to say. Do you have any knowledge of what this word could mean in one's life or with my organization which ministers to the weak, poor and the orphans in Asia and Israel? What help you can give would be much appreciated and with thanksgiving. I know sometimes things can be warnings as well as good things. With much appreciation, ... ? I have found in the past that the best way to find an answer to dreams is if possible to let Scripture do this. Some dreams and visions require a direct word from God through the Holy Spirit. When this is necessary as it was in the case of Daniel in chapter 2 in interpreting the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, then I use what I call my ?TTAQ? formula. I put down ?T? for Title first; then ?T? for Theme; next ?A? for Affection or Feeling; and lastly ?Q? for Question to the Holy Spirit. God answered Daniel this way, along with fasting and prayer with his 3 friends. God not only gave the interpretation here, but he recalled to Daniel first the dream that came to the king. This is most unusual. But in the word that came above, ?Baalzphon?, it would seem that God here is inviting ?Scriptural Research.? Why should God answer directly when we first can find insights by praying over the Scriptures? The Enquirer here started to do this kind of research, and came up with some good insights. However, she came to a dead end, and started looking for outside help. Notice that she found the meaning of the word ?Baalzphon? that came to her softly and audibly spoken as she came out of a deep sleep. Upon research she found the primary meaning to be ?Lord of the North, or Hidden?. This is correct, and various Bible Dictionaries I researched confirmed this. The context of this word is in Exodus 14, twice used in this chapter, concerning the Exodus of Israel from Egypt following the Passover Supper, and the 10 Judgment Plagues on Pharaoh and his people. The ?Lord of the North? brought the Cloud by Day and the Fiery Pillar by Night to separate Israel from the pursuing Egyptians. Next He commanded Moses to hold out his rod over the Red Sea, whereupon He sent a wind and opened up a way for Israel to escape, but which then drowned the entire Egyptian army. The report of this brought consternation to all the nations of the East, and prepared the way for Israel to eventually possess the 7 nations of Canaan under Joshua. But back to ?Lord of the North.? Here is where the Holy Spirit loves to link Scripture with Scripture to give us sound interpretation. I was mentored in 1944 by a Jewish missionary to the Jews, who had literally worn out 4 Bibles completely, and in the process memorized it in its entirety in English, and much in Hebrew. She pointed out to me unusual verses in Isaiah 34:16-17, *?**Seek** out of the book of Jehovah, and read: **no one of these** shall be missing, **none** shall want her **mate**; for my mouth, it has commanded, and his Spirit, it has gathered them. **17** And he has cast the lot for them, and his hand has divided it unto them **by line**: they shall possess it for ever; from generation to generation shall they dwell in it.?* Just as many animals and birds *mate* for life, and are faithful in that relationship (often more so than we human beings!), so God has designed the Scriptures should ?mate? with one another, unlocking their secrets. My mentor Mrs. Allquist over a period of 7 years had the Lord awaken her each night twice, with a scripture verse on her lips. She would light a candle, and copied them both out. In the morning she then searched the Scriptures until she had located both. She then copied them into a special book, and at the end of the 7 years, had 7 books of 365 *unlocking* pairs of verses for each day of each of the years. By the time she discovered concordances, it was too late - she had *memorized* the entire Bible! Here is an example. On one morning she was given Matthew 7:7, *?Ask, and it shall be given you; **seek**, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you: **8** for every **one** that asks receives; and who **seeks**finds; and to him that knocks it is being opened.? *That same morning the second verse quickened to her was Isaiah 34:16-17, Here God gave her what to *seek* for! She was able to answer my questions on the *true nature* of Urim and Thummim for New Covenant believers, and give me the true understanding of the Feasts of the Lord in Leviticus 23. So I asked the Lord concerning our friend's request - What can I understand by ?Baalzphon?? Immediately there came to me Psalm 75:4-8, *?I said unto the arrogant, Deal not arrogantly; And to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: **5* * Lift not up your horn on high; Speak not with a stiff neck. **6** For **neither from the east**, **nor from the west**, **Nor yet from the south**, **come**lifting up. **7** But **God** is the judge (from the north): He puts down one, and lifts up another. **8** For in the hand of Jehovah there is a cup, and the wine foams; It is full of mixture, and **he** pours out the same!? * Man looks for answers from the East, West and South - but *only* from the North where God dwells do true answers come! *He* is the *?Lord of the North?*, Baalzphon! And He especially brings judgment from the North to humble the proud. *This* He did to humble Pharaoh and make His Name great in the then known world through the 10 plagues, Exodus, and defeat of the 7 nations of Canaan. We must *not* look to ourselves for answers, nor to others in the 3 above-mentioned directions - but only to God Himself, the Lord of the North. A parallel passage to Psalm 75 can be found in Job 33:13-18, *?Why do you strive against him, For that he gives not account of any of his matters? ** 14** For God speaks once, Yes twice, **though man** regards it not. **15**In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; **16** **then** he opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction, **17** That **he may withdraw man from his purpose* *, **And hide pride from man**; **18** He keeps back his soul from the pit, And his life from perishing by the sword.?* It is God, the Lord of the North, who can humble the arrogant in a dream, or to get his attention. See how Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's 2 dreams and saved nations and lives and his own people for God's sake. See Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar, and how God's purposes through that book (and later Revelation), brought forth the sweep of history right up to Jesus as Messiah breaking up all human empires and replacing them with the Kingdom of God in His soon coming Millennial reign! I have been interested in our Solar System. The earth does *not* rotate around the sun in a circle, but in an ellipse. The sun part is our summer, late spring and early fall; but winter we rotate around a second ?focus? of a great dark place. *This* is as it were the north and ?hidden? place of God. Here He dwells in darkness and in secret. Here it is winter for us as we make this part of our orbit. Jesus is as the SON of Righteousness, and God the Father is our loving but hidden Father, until Jesus yet more fully reveals Him. *He* is the *Lord of the North*. He is the One who humbles man and infallibly brings His purposes to pass. *He* is Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent! So my word to my friend as I see it is - that God is warning her not to look to man, or either herself for answers. God, the ?Lord of the North? is all she needs for herself and her ministry to which God has called her. Gently but firmly, He is weaning her from *all* human wisdom, and unto Himself *alone*, for *His* is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory for ever. Amen! Dr. A.T. Pierson's biography of ?George Muller of Bristol? brings out this thought of God as Baalzphon, ?Lord of the North? superbly! Also Oswald Chambers in his writings, and ?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb. Most dream books are tinctured by the occult through Carl Jung. A recent one I can recommend is from Australia - *?Dreams: The Divinity Code: - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions - By Adrian Beale and Adam F. Thompson. For book orders log on to: www.thedivinitycode.org - J.A.W.* *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 Aug 5 14:54:08 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2009 14:54:08 -0700 Subject: Revelation - Overview Message-ID: <625d7240908051454v334d3f5dg537cc4161cd6fb18@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 5, 2009 * *T5201R - REVELATION - OVERVIEW* ?*THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST?* *1. 1:1-2 (1) THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST. ?Jesus Christ's revelation which :God gave him to show to his :bondmen things which must come to pass with speed: and he sent and signified it through his :angel to his :bondman John: 2 who witnessed the word of :God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, all things that he saw.? *Majesty! We worship Your Majesty in Your Son Jesus, Father! *Hallowed be your :name.* *2. 3:8 (2-3) JESUS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. ?I know your:works (lo, I have set before you a door opened, which none can shut it), that you have a little power, and did keep my :word, and did not deny my :name.? *We magnify You Father for Hezekiah and Josiah, for in their day they were as the church of Philadelphia. We too would lean on You for strength in the last titanic struggle of the ages. *Your :kingdom come.* *3. 4:11 (4) THE DOOR INTO HEAVEN. ?You are worthy, our :Lord and :God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power: because you did create :all things, and because of your :will they were, and were created.? *O Father, our hearts and lips are silenced before You in the Presence of Your Majesty. This revelation You gave Your Son for us is almost more than human flesh can stand!* Your :will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.* *4. 11:15 (5-11) SEVEN SEALS AND SEVEN TRUMPS. ?And the seventh angel trumped: and great voices in heaven came, saying, The kingdom of the world is become our :Lord's and his :Christ's, and he shall reign unto the ages of the ages.? *What Majesty for Your Name's sake is expressed here, O Father of all grace! O forgive us for failing so often to understand You and Your works as we should, and for failing to magnify You as You deserve! *Our :daily :bread Give us this day.* *5. 12:9 (12-14) THE WOMAN, THE BEAST AND THE LAMB! ?And the great :dragon was cast down, the old :serpent, the one called Devil and :Satan, who deceives the whole inhabited earth; he was cast down to the earth, and his :angels were cast down with him.? *What a triumph! And Your Son does it Father through His many-membered body. We rejoice in the triumph of Christ over all things, and that as we rest in Him, He can do whatever He will. *And forgive us our :debts, as we also have forgiven our :debtors.* *6. 17:14 (15-20) SEVEN PLAGUES, BABYLON AND THE LAMB. ?These shall war against the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them, for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they with him called and chosen and faithful.? *Hallelujah! This is Your revelation Father upon things that we must know. Indeed, the seals are off. Indeed we see! *And bring us not into temptation.* *7. 21:1 (21-22) NEW HEAVEN AND EARTH. ?And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are gone; and the sea is no more.? *This Father is the bride of Your Son (21:9-10). O may we never forget how You see us! *But deliver us from the evil one.* *NOTE*: This book is most closely related with the Book of Daniel in the Old Testament. There are those who would prefer if neither of these appeared in the Bible. Both books are like dreams or visions - they are largely symbolical, and not to be taken literally. In some areas the correct interpretation of symbols is given - in other places - not. They both have much to do with the future as it pertains to nations and empires. Huge sweeps of history are involved. In theological terms, they both deal with ?Eschatology? - the subject of ?Last Things?! Chapter 1:3 is different. Revelation is the only Bible book that promises a blessing to those *reading it*! To meditate upon it allows the Holy Spirit entrance to bring His teaching-promises to bear for the individual. John Wesley said in his earlier years that he despaired of ever understanding this Book, until he read the works of the great Bengel! Dr. Daniel Juster felt the same way until God opened up to him the 7 parts of the Passover and the Exodus of the Book of Exodus. I heartily endorse the understanding he received, associated with his ?Tikkun Ministries? of Israel. Then look at the 7 churches of Asia as recorded in Chapters 2 and 3. Some feel this is the easiest part of the whole book to understand - yet even here 4 major interpretations exist! So as individuals in obedience, as we read and meditate upon this last book of the Bible, God continually fulfills His promise, and *blesses* the reader of it! Continue reading! Continue meditating! The Holy Spirit loves to open up such scriptures! And remember - a ?mystery? is that which in the past was sealed - but *now* it is open to those who wait upon God. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 7 14:34:57 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 7 Aug 2009 14:34:57 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 1:15-2:17 Interlinear Message-ID: <625d7240908071434h64dc5a05md999d8841f247223@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 08, 2009 * *D. 2 CORINTHIANS 1:15-2:17* ?*FAITHFULNESS TO THE WORD: PAUL'S EXAMPLE?* *1. 1:15-22 GOD MAKES PAUL'S 'YES', AND 'AMEN'* *a. 1:15-16 PAUL'S IMMEDIATE PLAN* Kai TAUt*e* t*e* pe-poiTH*E*sei [4006] e-bouLOm*e*n [1014] PROte-ron pros huMAS elTHEIN, *And in this :confidence I intended to come first unto you,* HIna deuTEran CHAran SCH*E*te; *that you might have a second joy;* kai di' huM*O*N di-elTHEIN eis Ma-ke-doNIan, *16 and by you to pass into Macedonia,* kai PAlin aPO Ma-ke-doNIas elTHEIN pros huMAS, *and again from Macedonia to come unto you,* kai huph' huM*O*N pro-pemphTH*E*nai [4311] eis t*e*n 'IouDAIan. *and of you to be set forward unto :Judaea.* *b. 1:17 PAUL QUESTIONS HIS OWN INTEGRITY* TOUto oun bouLOme-nos, M*E*ti Ara t*e* e-laphRIa [1644] ech-r*e*SAm*e*n [5530]? *When I therefore intended thus, did I show :fickleness?* *e* ha bouLEUo-mai, kaTA SARka [4561] bouLEUo-mai, *or the things I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh,* HIna *e* par' eMOI to Nai nai kai to Ou ou? *that with me the yea should be yea and the nay nay?* *c. 1:18 PAUL'S INTEGRITY: ROOTED IN GOD'S WORD* pisTOS de ho TheOS *But :God is faithful* HOti ho LOgos h*e*M*O*N ho pros huMAS ouk EStin Nai kai Ou. *that our :word :unto you is not yea and nay.* *d. 1:19 CHRIST: THE BASIS OF PAUL'S INTEGRITY* ho tou TheOU gar huiOS, ChrisTOS 'I*e*SOUS, *For the Son of :God, Jesus Christ,* ho en huMIN di' h*e*M*O*N k*e*-ruchTHEIS [2784], *who was preached among you through us,* di eMOU kai Si-lou-aNOU kai Ti-moTHEou, *through me and Silvanus and Timothy,* ouk eGEne-to Nai kai Ou, alLA Nai en auT*O* GEgo-nen. *was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.* *e. 1:20 CHRIST SUPERCEDES ALL OTHER OF GOD'S PROMISES* HOsai gar e-pag-geLIai [1860] TheOU, *For however many the promises of God,* en auT*O* to Nai: di' ho kai di' auTOU to A-M*E*N. *in him is the yea: wherefore also through him is the Amen,* t*o* The*O* pros DOxan di' h*e*M*O*N. *unto glory to :God through us.* *f. 1:21-22 GOD: ESTABLISHES AND SEALS THE APOSTLES* ho de be-bai*O*N [950] h*e*MAS sun huMIN eis ChrisTON, *Now who stablishes us with you unto Christ,* kai CHRIsas [5548] h*e*MAS, TheOS; *and anointed us, is God;* ho kai sphra-giSAme-nos [4972] h*e*MAS, *22 who also sealed us, * kai dous ton ar-raB*O*na [728] tou PNEUma-tos en tais karDIais h*e*M*O*N. *and gave the earnest of the Spirit in our :hearts.* *2. 1:23-2:4 PAUL'S DESIRE: TO COME IN JOY, NOT IN GRIEF* *a. 1:23 REASON FOR PAUL'S DELAY* E-G*O* de MARtu-ra [3144] ton TheON e-pi-kaLOUmai ePI t*e*n eM*E*N psuCH*E*N [5590], *But I call God for a witness upon my :soul,* HOti pheiDOme-nos [5339] huM*O*N ouKEti *E*Lthon eis KOrin-thon. *that to spare you I came not yet unto Corinth.* *b. 1:24 PAUL: FELLOW-LABORER IN FAITH* ouch HOti ku-riEUo-men [2961] huM*O*N t*e*s PISte-*o*s, *Not that we lord it over your :faith,* alLA su-nerGOI [4904] es-men t*e*s chaRAS huM*O*N: t*e* gar PIStei hesT*E*ka-te [2476]. *but are fellow-laborers of your :joy: for by :faith you stand fast.* *c. 2:1 PAUL'S DECISION* EKri-na [2919] gar e-mauT*O* TOUto: *For I determined this for myself:* to m*e* PAlin en LUp*e* [3077] pros huMAS elTHEIN. *not to come again to you with sorrow.* *d. 2:2 THE CORRECTED MAKE GLAD THE CORRECTER* ei gar eG*O* luP*O* huMAS, kai tis ho euPHRAIn*o*n [2165] me *For if I make you sorry, who then is he that makes me glad* ei m*e* ho luPOUme-nos [3076] ex eMOU? *but he that is made sorry by me?* *e. 2:3 PAUL'S CONVERTS: HIS SOURCE OF JOY* kai Egra-psa TOUto auTO, HIna m*e*, elTH*O*N, *And I wrote this very thing, lest, when I came,* LUp*e*n sch*o* aph' h*o*n Edei me CHAIrein; *I should have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice;* pe-poiTH*O*S [3982] ePI PANtas huMAS, HOti h*e* eM*E* chaRA PANt*o*n huM*O*N es-tin. *trusting you all, that my :joy is that of you all.* *f. 2:4 SORROW: BASIS OF FORMER LETTER* ek gar polL*E*S THLIpse-*o*s [2347] kai su-noCH*E*S [4928] karDIas *For out of much tribulation and anguish of heart* Egra-psa huMIN diA polL*O*N daKRU*o*n [1144]; ouch HIna lu-p*e*TH*E*te, *I wrote you with many tears; not that you be made sorry,* alLA t*e*n aGAp*e*n HIna GN*O*te h*e*n Ech*o* pe-ris-soTEr*o*s eis huMAS. *but that you might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.* *3. 2:5-11 FORGIVENESS: THE TEST OF OBEDIENCE AND LOVE* *a. 2:5 THE DIRECTION OF SORROW* Ei de tis leLUp*e*-ken, ouk eME leLUp*e*ken, *But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorow, not to me,* alLA aPO MErous (HIna m*e* e-pi-baR*O*) PANtas huMAS. *but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all.* *b. 2:6-7 THE NECESSITY OF COMFORT* hi-kaNON t*o* toiOUt*o* h*e* e-pi-tiMIa [2009] HAUt*e* h*e* huPO t*o*n pleiOn*o*n; *Sufficient to the such is the punishment which was by the many;* tou'nanTIon MALlon huMAS chaRIsas-thai [5483] kai pa-ra-kaLEsai [3870], *7 so that contrariwise you should rather forgive and comfort,* m*e* p*o*s t*e* pe-ris-soTEra LUp*e* ka-ta-poTH*E* [2666] ho toiOUtos. *lest the such be swallowed up with overmuch :sorrow.* *c. 2:8 LOVE: NEEDS TO BE CONFIRMED TO SINNERS* di' ho pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] huMAS kuR*O*sai [2964] eis auTON aGAp*e*n. *Wherefore I beseech you to confirm love toward him.* *d. 2:9 PROOF OF OBEDIENCE: BASED ON HIS FIRST LETTER* eis TOUto gar kai Egra-psa, HIna gn*o* t*e*n do-kiM*E*N [1382] huM*O*N, *For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you,* ei eis PANta huP*E*koOI [5255] es-te. *whether you are obedienct in all things.* *e. 2:10-11 SATAN AND FORGIVENESS* h*o* de ti chaRIzes-the [5483], ka' 'G*O*: *But to whom you forgive anything, I also:* kai gar eG*O* ho keCHAris-mai, ei ti keCHAris-mai, *for what I also have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything,* di' huMAS en proS*O*p*o* [4383] ChrisTOU; *it is **for your sakes in Christ's person;* HIna m*e* ple-o-nek-t*e*TH*O*men [4122] huPO tou Sa-taNA: *11 that no advantage be gained over us by :Satan:* ou gar auTOU ta vo*E*ma-ta [3540] ag-noOUmen [50]. *for we are not ignorant of his :devices.* *4. 2:12-17 LIFE OR DEATH: THE RESULT OF GOSPEL MINISTRY* *a. 2:12-13 OPEN DOORS: REQUIRE BACKING OF FELLOW-WORKERS* ElTH*O*N de eis t*e*n Tr*o*Ada eis to eu-agGEli-on [2098] tou ChrisTOU, *Now when I came to :Troas for the gospel of the Christ,* kai THUras [2374] moi a-ne-*o*gMEn*e*s [455] en KuRI*o*, *and a door was opened to me in the Lord,* ouk ESch*e*-ka Ane-sin t*o* PNEUmaTI mou t*o* m*e* heuREIN me TIton ton a-delPHON mou: *13 I had no relief for my :spirit in not finding Titus my :brother:* alLA a-po-taXAme-nos [657] auTOIS, eX*E*Lthon eis Ma-ke-doNIan. *but taking leave of them, I went forth into Macedonia.* *b. 2:14 THE TRIUMPH OF CHRIST* T*o* de The*O* CHAris, *But thanks to :God,* t*o* PANto-te thri-amBEUon-ti [2358] h*e*MAS en t*o* ChrisT*O*, *who always leads us in triumph in the Christ,* kai t*e*n osM*E*N 3744] t*e*s GN*O*se-*o*s auTOU pha-neROUNti [5319] di' h*e *M*O*N en panTI TOp*o*. *and makes manifest through us the savor of his :knowledge in every place.* *c. 2:15-16a APOSTLES: SAVOR OF EITHER LIFE OR DEATH* HOti ChrisTOU eu-*o*DIa [2175] esMEN t*o* The*O*, *For we are a sweet savor of Christ to God,* en tois s*o*-zoMEnois [4982], kai en tois a-po-luMEnois [622]; *in those being saved, and in those perishing;* hois men osM*E* ek thaNAtou [2288] eis THAna-ton; *16a to the one a savor from death unto death;* hois de osM*E* ek z*o*-*E*S [2222] eis z*o*-*E*N. *to the other a savor from life unto life.* *d. 2:16b QUESTION* kai pros TAUta tis hi-kaNOS? *And who is sufficient for these?* *e. 2:17 PAUL'S DEFENCE OF SELF* ou gar es-men h*o*s hoi polLOI, ka-p*e*LEUon-tes [2585] ton LOgon tou TheOU: *For we are not as the many, bartering the word of :God:* all' h*o*s ex ei-li-kriNIas [1505], all' h*o*s ek TheOU kaTEnan-ti TheOU en ChrisT*O* laLOUmen. *but as of sincerity, but as of God in God's sight speak we in Christ.* *NOTE*: In this passage we see the *faithfulness* of the apostle Paul to the Word of God! How different from the attitude of the world - and sadly- ofttimes to that of professing believers! This attitude is pre-eminent with Paul - for he sees Christ and His Word as being *one*! Therefore he is being faithful to *Christ* when he is faithful to His Word. He sets this forth in 1:19. Notice: Paul saw himself and all *true* apostles as chosen, anointed, sealed and given the *earnest* (ar-raB*O*na) of the Spirit. This latter is as it were God's down-payment for His final purchased possession of us at the time of the resurrection of our bodies. *This* is what the indwelling Holy Spirit meant to Rees Howells. *This* is what He means to all those who walk submissively and joyfully in Him down here prior to our Graduation! In 1:23-2:4 Paul reveals his heart when it was necessary to mete out discipline! It is like parents having to corporally discipline their children! Yet in true love God does that for us, and in true love parents realize that they *must* do this for their own. The world rejects this! Liberals reject it. But the mess the world is in today, especially our Western Culture, reveals the tragedy when God and His Bible are rejected! Again - if only intelligent people would look at the life-work of Ivan Panin in Bible Numerics, and understand that the Bible is *not* the work of man, but the work of *God* *through* man! This applies to every type of teaching in the bible, including abortion, homosexuality, euthanasia, governmental socialism, etc., etc., etc. See how deep was Paul's anguish when having to mete out discipline! But see here another aspect of discipline: Following the reception of discipline by the erring one, such must *now* be forgiven and received back, *just like*parents do with their kids. Note also - where fellow believers in a church discipline and then forgive, *so also* *does* the *apostle Paul*! This is so important to see and understand. It is much like grandparents do for their grandchildren, when the parents have done right in this regard. But apostles and grandparents *must* stand by churches and parents during the time of this sequence. One father had to deal with his kids' grandfather on his wife's side. It was *very* painful. But it worked out a relationship with all concerned that truly glorified God! 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 for me is the key to this passage. For *if* the above sequence is *not* followed through, then Satan has an advantage. See how Job *had* to forgive his 3 friends *after* they repented! Job's restoration of double what he had lost, did not take place until *he* had forgiven them! Pause and consider this truth. And finally, in 2:14, we see the amazing positive outlook of the apostle Paul in this and *all other* trials of faith! Through *every* trial, God * always* leads us triumphantly through them in *Christ*! - See how he did this for Joshua in the conquest and distribution of Canaan-land on behalf of Israel! And - in these victories - sometimes for blessing and sometimes for judgment - yet *always* there is an appropriate savor of death unto death, or life unto life! Much in this passage merits time spent in *meditation* and a prayerful outpouring of thanksgiving to God. J.A.W. *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 Aug 9 14:05:30 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2009 14:05:30 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6 Message-ID: <625d7240908091405o6c3ebbe4w8538198ace4132fa@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 9, 2009 * *2 CORINTHIANS 3:1-4:6* *E. 3:1-3 ?CONVERTS: APOSTOLIC LETTERS OF CREDENTIALS?* *a. 3:1 PAUL DIDN'T REQUIRE LETTERS OF COMMENDATION* ArCHOme-tha [756] PAlin he-auTOUS su-nisTAnein [4921]? *Are we beginning again to commend ourselves?* *e* m*e* CHR*E*zo-men [5535], H*O*S ti-nes, *or need we, as do some,* sus-ta-tiK*O*N [4958] e-pis-toL*O*N [1992] pros huMAS *e* ex huM*O*N? *epistles of commendation unto you or from you?* *b. 3:2-3 CONVERTS WERE PAUL'S LETTERS OF COMMENDATION* h*e* e-pis-toL*E* h*e*M*O*N huMEIS es-te, en-ge-gramMEn*e* [1449] en tais karDIais [2558] h*e*M*O*N, *YOU are our :epistle, written in our :hearts,* gi-n*o*s-koMEn*e* [1097] kai a-na-gi-n*o*s-koMEn*e* [314] huPO PANt*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n; *known and read of all men;* pha-neROUme-noi [5319] HOti esTE e-pis-toL*E* ChrisTOU, *3 being made manifest that you are Christ's Epistle,* di-a-ko-n*e*THEIsa [1247] huph' h*e*M*O*N, kai en-ge-gramMEn*e* [1449] ou MEla-ni, *ministered by us, and written not with ink,* alLA PNEUma-ti [4151] TheOU Z*O*Ntos [2198]; *but with the living God's Spirit;* ouk en plaXIN [4109] liTHInais [3035], all' en plaXIN karDIais sarKInais [4560]. *not in tables of stone, but on tables of hearts of flesh.* *F. 3:4-4:6 THE MINISTRY OF THE SPIRIT* *1. 3:4-6 THE SPIRIT: MAKES MINISTERS OF NEW COVENANT EFFECTIVE!* PePOIth*e*sin [4006] de toiAUt*e*n Echo-men diA tou ChrisTOU pros ton TheON: *And such confidence have we through the Christ toward God:* ouch HOti aph' he-auT*O*N hi-kaNOI es-men, *5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves,* lo-GIsasTHAI [3049] ti h*o*s ex he-auT*O*N; *to account anything as from ourselves;* all' h*e* hi-kaNOt*e*s h*e*M*O*N ek tou TheOU; *but our :sufficiency is from :God;* hos kai hiKAn*o*-sen h*e*MAS di-aKOnous [1249] kaiN*E*S [2537] di-aTH*E*k*e*s [1242]; *6 who also made us sufficient as ministers of a new covenant;* ou GRAMma-tos [1124], alLA PNEUma-tos: *not of the letter, but of the spirit:* to gar GRAMma [1121] a-pokTEInei [615], to de PNEUma z*o*-o-poiEI [2226]. *for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.* *2. 3:7-11 MINISTRY OF SPIRIT OUTSHINES GLORY OF MOSES!* *a. 3:7-8 SPIRIT MINISTRATION SURPASSES THAT OF LAW* Ei de h*e* di-a-koNIa [1248] tou thaNAtou *But if the ministration of :death* en GRAMma-sin en-te-tu-p*o*MEn*e* [1795] LIthois e-geN*E*th*e* en DOx*e* [1391], *in letters engraven on stones came to be in glory,* H*O*Ste m*e* DUnas-thai a-teNIsai [816] tous huiOUS [5207] 'Is-ra*E*L *so that the children of Israel could not look stedfastly* eis to PROs*o*-pon [4383] M*o*-uSE*o*s diA t*e*n DOxan tou proS*O*pou auTOU; *upon the face of Moses for the glory of his :face;* t*e*n ka-tar-gouMEn*e*n [2673]: *which was being done away:* p*o*s ouCHI MALlon h*e* di-a-koNIa tou PNEUma-tos EStai en DOx*e*?? *8 how shall not rather the ministration of the spirit be with glory?* *b. 3:9 IT EXCEEDS THE GLORY OF THE LAW* ei gar h*e* di-a-koNIa t*e*s ka-taKRIse-*o*s [2633] DOxa, *For if the ministration of :condemnation is glory,* polL*O* MALlon pe-risSEUei [4052] h*e* di-a-koNIa t*e*s di-kai-oSUn*e*s [1343] DOx*e*. *much rather does the ministration of :righteousness exceed in glory.* *c. 3:10 IT EVEN SURPASSES GLORY OF LAW IN ALL RESPECTES* kai gar ou deDOxas-tai [1392] to *For verily what has been made glorious* de-do-xasMEnon en TOUt*o* t*o* MErei [3313], *has not been made glorious in this :part,* EIne-ken t*e*s hu-per-balLOUs*e*s [5235] DOx*e*s. *by reason of the surpassing glory.* *d. 3:11 THE GLORY OF THE SPIRIT SURPASSES BECAUSE IT IS PERMANENT* ei gar to ka-tarGOUme-non [2673] diA DOx*e*s, *For if what was being done away was through glory,* polL*O* MALlon to MEnon en DOx*e*. *much more what remains is in glory.* *3. 3:12-18 PURPOSE OF SPIRIT: REVEAL CHRIST APART FROM A VEIL* *a. 3:12-14 CHRIST REMOVES THE VEIL OF MOSES* Echon-tes oun toiAUt*e*n elPIda [1680], polL*E* par-r*e*SIa [3954] CHR*O*me-tha [5530], *Having therefore such hope, we use great boldness,* kai ou kaTHAper M*o*-uS*E*S eTIthei KAlum-ma [2571] ePI to PROs*o*-pon auTOU, *13 and not just as Moses put a veil upon his :face,* pros to m*e* a-teNIsai [816] tou huiOUS 'Is-ra*E*L *that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly* eis to TElos [5056] tou ka-tar-gouMEnou [2673]: *on the end of what was being done away:* alLA e-p*o*R*O*th*e* [4456] ta no*E*ma-ta [3540] auT*O*N: ACHri gar t*e*s S* E*me-ron h*e*MEras *14 but their thoughts were hardened: for until this very :day* to auTO KAlum-ma ePI t*e* a-nagN*O*sei [320] t*e*s pa-laiAS [3820] di-aTH*E* k*e*s [1242] MEnei, *at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains,* m*e* a-na-ka-lupTOme-non [343] HOti en ChrisT*O* ka-tarGEItai [2673]. *it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Christ.* *b. 3:15 JEWS STILL HAVE MOSES' VEIL ON THEIR HEARTS* all' HE*o*s S*E*me-ron, h*e*NIka an a-na-giN*O*Sk*e*-tai [314] M*o*-uS*E*S, *But unto this day, whenever Moses is read,* KAlum-ma ePI t*e*n karDIan auT*O*N KEItai [2749]. *a veil lies upon their :heart.* *c. 3:16 CONVERSION TO CHRIST REMOVES THE VEIL* h*e*NIka de eAN e-piSTREps*e* pros KUri-on, pe-ri-aiREItai [4014 to KAlum-ma. *But whenever one shall turn to the Lord, the veil is taken away.* *d. 3:17 THE SPIRIT GIVES LIBERTY FROM THE VEIL* ho de KUri-os to PNEU-MA es-tin: *Now the Lord is the Spirit:* hou de to PNEUma KuRIou, e-leu-theRIa [1657]. *and where the Spirit of the Lord is, is liberty.* *e. 3:18 GAZING AT CHRIST'S GLORY - TRANSFORMS!* huMEIS de PANtes, a-na-ke-ka-lumMEn*o* [343] proS*O*pou [4383] *But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror* t*e*n DOxan KuRIou ka-top-triZOme-noi [2734], *the glory of the Lord,* t*e*n auT*E*N eiKOna [1504] me-ta-morPHOUme-tha [3339] aPO DOx*e*s eis DOxan, *are transformed into the same image from glory to glory,* kaTHAper aPO KuRIou PNEUma-tos. *even as from the Lord the Spirit.* *4. 4:1-6 ONE PURPOSE OF SPIRIT: TO ENLIGHTEN MINDS* *a. 4:1-2 A MINISTRY OF TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY* DiA TOUto Echon-tes t*e*n di-a-ko-NIan [1248] TAUt*e*n, *Having therefore this :ministry,* kaTH*O*S *e*le*E*th*e*men [1653], ouk eg-kaKOUmen [1573]: *even as we obtained mercy, we faint not:* alLA a-peiPAme-tha [550] ta krupTA [2927] t*e*s aisCHUn*e*s [152], *2 but we have renounced the hidden things of the shame,* m*e* pe-ripaTOUNtes en pa-nourGIa [3834], m*e*DE doLOUNtes [1389] ton LOgon tou TheOU; *not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of :God deceitfully;* alLA t*e* pha-neR*O*sei [5321] t*e*s a-l*e*THEIas [225] *but by the manifestation of the truth* su-nisTAnon-tes [4921] he-auTOUS pros PAsan suNEId*e*-sin [4893] anTHR*O*p*o *n eN*O*pi-on tou TheOU. *commending ourselves to every conscience of men in God's sight.* *b. 4:3-4 THE VEIL OF SATAN ON HEARTS: OF HIS DOING* ei de kai EStin ke-ka-lumMEnon [2572] to eu-agGEli-on [2098] h*e*M*O*N, *And if our :gospel is veiled, * en tois a-pol-luMEnois [622] esTIN ke-ka-lumMEnon [2572]: *it is veiled in the perishing:* en hois ho TheOS tou ai*O*nos [165] TOUtou, *4 in whom the god of this :age,* eTUPHl*o*-sen [5186] ta no*E*ma-ta [3540] t*o*n aPISt*o*n [571], *has blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving,* eis to m*e* auGAsai [826] ton ph*o*-tisMON [5462] tou eu-ag-geLIou t*e*s DOx *e*s tou ChrisTOU, *that the enlightenment of the gospel of the glory of the Christ,* HOS es-tin eiK*O*N [1504] tou TheOU. *who is God's image, should not dawn upon them.* *c. 4:5 JESUS - NOT HIS MINISTERS - IS LORD!* ou gar he-auTOUS k*e*RUSso-men [2784], alLA ChrisTON 'I*e*SOUN KUri-on, *For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as Lord,* he-auTOUS de DOUlous [1401] huM*O*N diA 'I*e*SOUN. *and ourselves as your bondmen for Jesus' sake.* *d. 4:6 CHRIST'S GLORY IN SPIRIT: ENLIGHTENS HEARTS* HOti ho TheOS ho eiP*O*N, Ek SKOtous [4655] ph*o*s [5457] LAMpsei [2989], *Because it is :God that said, Light shall shine out of darkness,* hos Elam-psen en tais karDIais h*e*M*O*N, pros ph*o*-tisMON [5462] *who shined in our :hearts, unto enlightenment* t*e*s GN*O*se-*o*s [1108] t*e*s DOx*e*s tou TheOU en proS*O*p*o* [4383]ChrisTOU. *of the knowledge of the glory of :God in Christ's face.* *NOTE*: 3:2-3 - See this - Converts become our letter of recommendation - we need *none other*. Paul showed up false apostles by this contrast. The supernatural work of God's Spirit on human hearts is all we need! 3:4-6 - It is *this* that makes effective ministers of this New Covenant! It is of the *spirit*, not of the *letter*. 3:7-11 - Then Paul contrasts the glory of the law (Torah, teaching, NOmos) in Moses' face with the glory of the Lord in the New Covenant. But belief in Jesus is the key to remove the veil of Moses. Transformation only begins at this point. 3:12-18 - In Christ the veil is removed. Until Israel sees Jesus as God's Messiah, the veil remains. As soon as a Paul-type conversion takes place, this ?liberty? of the Spirit is unknown. Then as we like Rees Howells yield to that Spirit, remarkable transformation takes place, conforming us into the image of Jesus. *Then* God is able to bring *many sons* into glory. 4:1-6 - The blindness upon Israel is a sovereign act of God, that we as Gentiles would have free access into our Jewish Roots. And as soon as our number is complete, just then God will return to His Chosen People, and a Nation will be born in a day! What a shock to Israel's enemies *that* will be. Then these enemies will know as the enemies of Nehemiah found out, that the work of the rebuilding of Jerusalem's Walls was of God, not of man! My background is the United Church of Canada. I left it in 1948 when I discovered how deep is their apostasy and error - and how they use ignorant believers like myself as decoy ducks to ensnare innocent young men into the ministry. August 9, 2009, they are planning to proclaim decisions to work against Israel both nationally and internationally, counting her as an enemy of mankind! Imagine the judgment due to come upon her and all other nations and denominations who adopt a similar posture! God has promised Abraham that He will bless all nations and people who bless Israel, and curse those who curse her. The Jimmy Carters and all those of his ilk will soon learn this! - J.A.W. *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 Aug 10 16:36:42 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:36:42 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10 Message-ID: <625d7240908101636k51ebfa2ck5dc771e9b3a40c85@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 10, 2009 * *G. 4:7-5:10 GOD'S MOTIVATIONS FOR MINISTERS* *1. 4:7-15 GRACE TRIUMPHS THROUGH VESSELS OF WEAKNESS* *a. 4:7-10 LIFE IN MIDST OF PRESSURES* Echo-men de ton th*e*-sauRON [2344] TOUton en os-traKInois [3749] SKEUe-sin [4632], *But we have this :treasure in earthen vessels,* HIna h*e* hu-per-boL*E* [5236] t*e*s duNAme-*o*s *e* tou TheOU, *that the exceeding greatness of the power be of :God,* kai m*e* ex h*e*M*O*N; *and not from us;* en panTI thliBOme-noi [2346], all' ou ste-no-ch*o*ROUme-noi [4729]; *8 we are pressed on every side, yet not straitened;* a-poROUme-noi [639], all' ouk e-xa-poROUme-noi [1820]; *perplexed, yet not over-perplexed;* di-*o*KOme-noi [1377], all' ouk eg-ka-ta-leiPOme-noi [1459]; *9 pursued, yet not left behind;* ka-ta-balLOme-noi [2598], all' ouk a-polLUme-noi [622]; *smitten down, yet not destroyed;* PANto-te t*e*n NEkr*o*-sin [3500] tou 'I*e*SOU en t*o* S*O*ma-ti [4983]pe-riPHEron-tes [4064], *10 always bearing about in the body the dying of :Jesus,* HIna kai h*e* z*o*-*E* [2222] tou 'I*e*SOU en t*o* S*O*ma-ti h*e*M*O*N pha-ne-roTH*E* [5319]. *that the life also of :Jesus be manifested in our :body.* *b. 4:11 LIFE FLOWS OUT OF DEATH WITH JESUS* aEI gar h*e*MEIS hoi Z*O*Ntes eis THAna-ton [2288] pa-ra-diDOme-tha [3860]diA 'I *e*SOUN, *For we who live are always deliveed unto death for Jesus,* HIna kai h*e* z*o*-*E* [2222] tou 'I*e*SOU pha-ne-r*o*TH*E* [5319] en t*e*thn *e*T*E* sarKI h*e*M*O*N. *that the life also of :Jesus be manifested in our mortal :flesh.* *c. 4:12 BUT - MENTORS RELEASE LIFE FOR DISICIPLES* H*O*Ste ho THAna-tos en h*e*MIN e-nerGEItai [1754], h*e* de z*o*-*E* en huMIN. *So that :death works in us, but :life in you.* *d. 4:13-14 FAITH: BASIS FOR BOTH MINISTRY AND COMING RESURRECTION* Echon-tes de to auTO PNEUma t*e*s PISte-*o*s, *But having the same spirit of :faith,* kaTA to ge-gramMEnon, E-PISteu-sa, di' ho eLAl*e*-sa; *according to what is written, I believed, wherefore I spoke;* kai h*e*MEIS pisTEUo-men [4100], di' ho kai laLOUmen; *we also believe, wherefore also we speak;* eiDOtes HOti ho eGEIras [1453] ton KUri-on 'I*e*SOUN *14 knowing that who raised up the Lord Jesus* kai h*e*MAS sun 'I*e*SOU e-geREI, kai pa-rasT*E*sei [3936] sun huMIN. *shall raise up us also with Jesus, and shall present us with you.* *e. 4:15 MULTIPLICATION AND ABOUNDING* ta gar PANta di' huMAS, *For all the things are for you,* HIna h*e* CHAris, ple-oNAsa-sa [4121] diA t*o*n pleiOn*o*n, *that the grace, being multiplied through the many,* t*e*n eu-cha-risTIan [2169] pe-risSEUs*e* eis [4052] t*e*n DOxan tou TheOU. *may cause the thanksgiving to abound unto the glory of :God.* *2. 4:16-5:5 BECAUSE OF AN ENDURING BODY THROUGH THE SPIRIT* *a. 4:16 INWARD MAN VERSUS OUTWARD MAN* Di' ho ouk eg-kaKOUmen [1573]; all' ei kai ho Ex*o* h*e*M*O*N ANthr*o*-pos di-aphTHEIre-tai [1311], *Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward :man is decaying,* all' ho Es*o* h*e*M*O*N a-na-kaiNOUtai [341] h*e*ME-ra kai h*e*MEra. *yet our :inward man is renewed day by day.* *b. 4:17-18 TRUE PERSPECTIVE ON PRESENT AFFLICTIONS* to gar pa-rauTIka [3910] e-laPHRON [1845] t*e*s THLIpse-*o*s [2347] kath' hu-per-boL*E*N [5236] *For the light momentary :affliction works for us* eis hu-per-boL*E*N ai*O*ni-on BAros [922] DOx*e*s ka-terGAze-tai [2716] h*e* MIN; *more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;* m*e* skoPOUNt*o*n [4648 h*e*M*O*N ta blePOme-na [991], alLA ta m*e*blePOme-na: *18 while WE look not at what are seen, but at what are not seen:* ta gar blePOme-na PROSkai-ra [4340]; ta de m*e* blePOme-na ai*O*ni-a. *for what are seen are temporal; but what are not seen are eternal.* *c. 5:1 OUR FUTURE BODY* OIda-men gar HOti eAN h*e* ePIgei-os [1919] h*e*M*O*N oiKIa tou SK*E*nous [4636] ka-ta-luTH*E* [2647], *For we know that if the earthly house of our :tabernacle be dissoloved,* oi-ko-doM*E*N ek TheOU Echo-men, *we have a building from God,* oiKIan a-chei-roPOI*e*ton [886], ai*O*ni-on [166], en tois ou-raNOIS. *a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.* *d. 5:2-3 UNDERSTANDING THIS PRESENT CONFLICT* kai gar en TOUt*o** *steNAzo-men [4727], to oi-k*e*T*E*ri-on [3613] h*e*M*O* N *For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon* to ex ou-raNOU e-penDUsas-thai [1902] e-pi-poTHOUNtes [1971]: *with our :habitation which is from heaven:* ei ge kai en-duSAme-noi [1746] ou gumNOI 1131] heu-re-th*e*SOme-tha [2147]. *3 if so be that clothed we shall not be found naked.* *e. 5:4 OUR HOPE: OUR RESURRECTED BODY* kai gar hoi ONtes en t*o* SK*E*nei [4636] steNAzo-men [4727], baROUme-noi [916]; *For verily we that are in the tabernacle groan, being burdened;* eph' h*o* ou THElo-men ekDUsas-thai [1562], *not for that we would be unclothed,* all' e-penDUsas-thai [1902], *but that we would be clothed upon,* HIna ka-ta-poTH*E* [2666] to thn*e*TON [2349] huPO t*e*s z*o*-*E*S. *that the mortal be swallowed up of the life.* *f. 5:5 GOD'S PLAN UNDERGIRDED BY THE DOWN-PAYMENT OF SPIRIT* ho de ka-ter-gaSAme-nos [1716] h*e*MAS eis auTO TOUto TheOS, *Now who wrought us for this very thing is God,* ho dous h*e*MIN ton ar-raB*O*na [728] tou PNEUma-tos. *who gave us the earnest of the Spirit.* *3. 5:6-10 A COURAGEOUS MINISTRY BECAUSE OF FAITH* *a. 5:6-8 CONTRAST: PRESENT BODY VERSUS FUTURE STATE* TharROUNtes [2292] oun PANto-te, kai eiDOtes HOti, *Always therefore of good courage, and knowing that,* en-d*e*MOUNtes [1736] en t*o* S*O*ma-ti, *while we are at home in the body,* ek-d*e*MOUmen [1553] aPO tou KuRIou *we are away from home from the Lord* (diA PISte-*o*s gar pe-ri-paTOUmen, ou diA EIdous [1491]) - *7 (for we walk through faith, not through sight) -* tharROUmen [2292] de, kai eu-doKOUmen [2106] *8 we are of good courage, and are pleased* MALlon ek-d*e*M*E*sai [1553] ek tou S*O*ma-tos, *rather to be away from home from the body,* kai en-d*e*M*E*sai pros ton KUri-on. *and to be at home with the Lord.* *b. 5:9 YET: PLEASING TO LORD IN WHATEVER STATE* di' ho kai phi-lo-tiMOUme-tha [5389], *Wherefore also we are ambitious,* EIte en-d*e*MOUNtes [1736] EIte ek-d*e*MOUNtes [1553], euAres-toi [2102] auT *O* EInai. *whether at home or away from home, to be well-pleasing to him.* *c. 5:10 A SOBER REALITY: CHRIST'S COMING JUDGMENT SEAT!* tous gar PANtas h*e*MAS pha-ne-r*o*TH*E*nai [5319] dei EMpros-then tou B*E*ma-tos [968] tou ChrisTOU; *For we must all be manifested before the judgment-seat of the Christ;* HIna koMIs*e*-tai [2865] HEkas-tos ta diA tou S*O*ma-tos, *that each receive the things done through the body,* pros ha Epra-xen [4238], EIte a-gaTHON [18] EIte PHAUlon [2556]. *according to what he has done, whether good or bad.* *NOTE**: *God is a *Jealous* God, and will have *no other gods* before Him. He moves to keep us as His people - *humble* and *submissive*, that His power and glory might be manifested through us. Brother Yun of China, Oswald Chambers, Rees Howells and George Muller of Bristol, are but 4 who learned the liberating secret of letting God completely loose in their lives. By all means procure the biography of ?Brother Yun, the Heavenly Man? by Paul Hattaway. It can transform the life of any reader. *This* is the reason God allows us to have this treasure in earthen vessels. This whole passage before us is but an unfolding of the supreme purpose of God on our behalf. By and large, our Western Church has failed to grasp this secret, that the persecuted Asian and African churches are all too familiar with. Did you know that our Western World is the chief prayer target for revival in the persecuted churches? They feel we are more desperately in need of revival than any other part of the world. We have a lightness in our worship, and an attitude to the gifts of the Spirit, that must deeply grieve the heart of God. In the light of this, can He yet send us revival? Most certainly. But it might come from the fruit of intercessors in other parts of the world more than from our homeland. I have been in 4 revivals in the last 65 years. I treasure all 4. I have learned much from each one. When I read a passage as the above, 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10, my spirit mourns in the light of what I hear and see in our conferences, church services, and Christian lives. God have mercy on us! And God *will* have mercy on us! We deserve not the *least* of His mercies. They are *all* of grace based on the finished work of Christ. God's call to us is to be identified with His suffering Son in His life down here: His death, burial, resurrection, ascension and soon coming again. It is difficult to see God's Christ and Son in much taking place in our church today. *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 Aug 11 09:59:15 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:59:15 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 Message-ID: <625d7240908110959j3b22622t35456236e9c4a0b5@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 11, 2009 * *H. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:11-21 * *FURTHER MOTIVATION TO MINISTER* *1. 5:11-15 CONSTRAINT: BY FEAR OF LORD AND LOVE OF SOULS* *a. 5:11 THE FEAR OF THE LORD AND SOUL-WINNERS* EiDOtes oun ton PHObon [5401] tou KuRIou, *Knowing therefore the fear of the Lord,* anTHR*O*pous PEItho-men [3982], The*O* de pe-pha-neR*O*me-tha [5319]; *we persuade men, but we are manifested to God;* elPIz*o* [1679] de kai en tais su-neiD*E*se-sin [4893] huM*O*N pe-pha-neR*O*Sthai [5319]. *and I hope that we are manifested also in your :consciences.* *b. 5:12 CONTRAST OF TWO TYPES OF SOUL-WINNERS* ou PAlin he-auTOUS su-nisTAno-men [4921] huMIN, *We are not again commending ourselves to you,* alLA a-phorM*E*N [874] diDONtes huMIN kauCH*E*ma-tos [2745] huPER h*e*M*O*N, *but as giving you occasion of glorying on our behalf,* HIna Ech*e*te pros tous en proS*O*p*o* [4383] kau-ch*o*MEnous [2744], kai m* e* en karDIa. *that you may have toward those glorying in face, and not in heart.* *c. 5:13 PAUL'S EXPLANATION OF EMOTIONAL CONTROL* EIte gar eXESt*e*-men [1839], The*O*; *For whether we were beside ourselves, it is to God;* EIte s*o*-phroNOUmen [4993], huMIN. *whether we are of sober mind, it is to you.* *d. 5:14-15 LOVE OF CHRIST: CONSTRAINT FOR PAUL* h*e* gar aGAp*e* tou ChrisTOU suNEchei [4912] h*e*MAS; *For the love of the Christ constrains us;* KRInan-tas [2919] TOUto, HOti eis huPER PANt*o*n aPEtha-nen [599] , Ara hoi PANtes aPEtha-non; *having thus judged, that one died for all, therefore :all died;* kai huPER panT*O*N aPEtha-nen, *15 and he died for all,* HIna hoi Z*O*Ntes m*e*KEti he-auTOIS Z*O*sin, *that they that live should no longer live to themselves,* alLA t*o* huPER auT*O*N a-po-thaNONti kai e-gerTHENti [1453]. *but to him who for their sakes died and rose again.* *2. 5:16-19 FOR THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION* *a. 5:16 EVEN CHRIST AFTER THE FLESH: NOT KNOWN* H*O*Ste h*e*MEIS aPO tou nun ouDEna OIda-men kaTA SARka [4561]: *So that we from :now on know no one after the flesh:* ei kai egN*O*ka-men [1097] kaTA SARka ChrisTON, *even though we have known Christ after the flesh,* alLA nun ouKEti giN*O*Sko-men. *yet now we know him so no more.* *b. 5:17 A NEW CREATION: RESULT OF BEING IN CHRIST* H*O*Ste ei tis en ChrisT*O*, kaiN*E* [2537] KTIsis [2937]: *So that if any is in Christ, he is a new creature:* ta arCHAIa [744] paR*E*Lthen [3928]; iDOU, GEgo-nen kaiNA. *the old are passed away; lo, they are become new.* *c. 5:18-19 GOD: THE BASIS OF CHRIST'S RECONCILIATION* ta de PANta ek tou TheOU, *But all the things are of :God,* tou ka-talLAxan-tos [2644] h*e*MAS he-auT*O* diA ChrisTOU, *who reconciled us to himself through Christ, * kai DONtos h*e*MIN t*e*n di-a-koNIan [1248] t*e*s ka-tal-laG*E*S [2643]; *and gave to us the ministry of :reconciliation;* h*o*s, HOti TheOS *e*n en ChrisT*O* KOSmon ka-talLASs*o*n [2644] he-auT*O*, *19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself,* m*e* lo-giZOme-nous [3049] auTOIS ta pa-rapT*O*ma-ta [3900] auT*O*N, *not reckoning to them their :trespasses,* kai THEme-nos [5087] en h*e*MIN ton LOgon t*e*s ka-tal-laG*E*S. *and having committed to us the word of :reconciliation.* *3. 5:20-21 BECAUSE OF HIGH CALLING: AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST* *a. 5:20 GOD WORKS RECONCILIATION THROUGH MEN* HuPER ChrisTOU oun presBEUo-men [4243], *We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ,* h*o*s tou TheOU pa-ra-kaLOUNtos [3870] di' h*e*M*O*N: *as though :God were entreating by us:* deOme-tha [1189] huPER ChrisTOU, ka-talLAg*e*-te [2644] t*o* The*O*. *we beseech on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to :God.* *b. 5:21 CHRIST OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS: THE MESSAGE OF RECONCILIATION* ton m*e* GNONta ha-marTIan huPER h*e*M*O*N ha-marTIan ePOI*e*-sen; *Him who knew no sin he made sin on our behalf;* HIna h*e*MEIS geN*O*me-tha [1096] di-kai-oSUn*e* [1343] TheOU en auT*O*. *that WE might become righteousness of God in him.* *NOTE**:* There are 3 verses in this passage that stand out to me: 5:13 - For the sake of winning souls, Paul restrained himself before them, lest they be turned off by his exorbitant love to God. When alone with God, he showed no restraints. To me, this is a good example for us today. In revivals, some seem to be unaware of Paul's wisdom at this point, and turn off unbelievers with their unrestrained emotional joy. God loves us to be as little children before Him - but for the sake of souls - He desires us to restrain ourselves before them, but give Him their unrestrained love in private. Are we willing to walk in this wisdom of the Spirit through the apostle Paul? Then consider 5:17. I memorized this soon after my conversion 65 years ago, and have blessed God for the truth and reality found here. It is difficult to plumb the depths of this verse; but as we meditate upon it, and pray it back to God in our own words with thanksgiving, then the Spirit opens it up like a rose bud, or peels it back layer by layer as in an onion. Lastly there is 5:21. It is *God* who made Jesus His only begotten Son *sin * on our behalf. Jesus was born to die! Had Satan insight on this beforehand, he would never have permitted Calvary to take place! It was his undoing. He is an entirely defeated foe since the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus! Peter's sermon in Acts 2 at Pentecost is evident proof of this. God as the Master chess-player effectively defeated the devil. Oswald Chambers in his various writings, especially ?My Utmost for His Highest?, points out that Jesus at Calvary effected the right for Him from the throne of God following His Ascension, to place His very nature into us by the Holy Spirit. We are a *new creation*. Christ in us, according to Galatians 2:20, was the sublime secret of Paul's effectiveness. It really wasn't Paul - it was *Christ* living out *His Life* through Paul! Rees Howells in his biography by Norman P. Grubb effectively points out this same truth! What nuggets of almighty revelation lie in the Bible, God's Word! Let us not leave it to remain as the *letter*, but through faith, obedience and full discipleship in meditation, let us permit God to make His Son *supreme*in us, to the pulling down of strongholds! - J.A.W. *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 Aug 13 19:39:02 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:39:02 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 6:1-18 Message-ID: <625d7240908131939i5646a5c1qe6dafbeb9755057e@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 13, 2009 * *2 CORINTHIANS 6:1-18* *I. 6:1-10 THE APOSTOLIC PATTERN FOR MINISTRY* Su-nerGOUNtes [4903] de kai pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870] *And working together with him we entreat also* m*e* eis keNON [2756] t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU DExas-thai [1209] huMAS, *that you receive not the grace of :God in vain,* LEgei gar, KaiR*O* [2540] dekT*O* [1184] eP*E*kouSA [1873] sou, *2 for he says, At an acceptable season I hearkened to you,* kai en h*e*MEra s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991] e-bo*E*th*e*SA [997] soi: *And in a day of salvation I succoured you:* iDOU, nun kaiROS euPROSdek-tos [2144]; iDOU nun h*e*MEra s*o*t*e*RIas: *lo, now is an acceptable season; lo, now is a day of salvation:* m*e*deMIan en m*e*deNI diDONtes pros-koP*E*N [4349], *3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything,* HIna m*e* m*o*m*e*TH*E* [3469] h*e* di-a-koNIa [1248]; *that the ministration be not blamed;* all' en panTI su-nisTAnon-tes [4921] he-auTOUS, h*o*s TheOU diAko-noi, *4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God,* en hu-po-moN*E* [5281] polL*E*, en THLIpse-sin [2347], en aNAGkais [318], en ste-no-ch*o*RIais [4730], *in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses,* en pl*e*GAIS [4127], en phu-laKAIS [5438], en a-ka-tas-taSIais [181], en KOpois [2873], *5 in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in toils,* en ag-rupNIais [70], en n*e*sTEIais [3521]; *in watchings, in fastings;* en hagNOt*e*-ti [54], en GN*O*sei [1108], en ma-kro-thuMIa [3115], *6 in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering,* en chr*e*sTOt*e*-ti [5544], en PNEUma-ti HaGI*o*, en aGAp*e* a-nu-poKRIt*o* [505], *in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned,* en LOg*o* a-l*e*THEIas [225], en duNAmei TheOU; *7 in the word of truth, in God's power;* diA t*o*n HOPl*o*n [3696] t*e*s di-kai-oSUn*e*s [1343] t*o*n de-xi*O*N [1188] kai a-ris-teR*O*N [710], *through the armor of :righteousness on the right and left,* diA DOx*e*s [1391] kai a-tiMIas [819], diA dus-ph*e*MIas [1426] kai eu-ph*e*MIas [2162]'; *8 through glory and dishonor, through evil report and good report;* h*o*s PLAnoi [4108], kai a-l*e*THEIS: *as deceivers, and true:* h*o*s ag-noOUme-noi [50], kai e-pi-gi-n*o*sKOme-noi [1921]; *9 as unknown, and well known;* h*o*s a-poTHN*E*Skos-tes [599], kai iDOU, Z*O*men [2198]; *as dying, and lo, we live;* h*o*s pai-deuOme-nos [3811], kai m*e* tha-naTOUme-noi [2289]; *as chastened, and not killed;* h*o*s luROUme-noi [3076], aEI de CHAIron-tes [5463]; *10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing;* h*o*s pt*o*CHOI [4434], polLOUS de plouTIzon-tes [4148]; *as poor, yet making many rich;* h*o*s m*e*DEN Echon-tes kai PANta kaTEchon-tes [2722]. *as having nothing and possessing all.* *J. 6:11-18 PAUL GIVES AN EXAMPLE OF AFFECTION AND SEPARATION* *1. 6:11-13 EXAMPLE OF APOSTOLIC AFFECTION* *a. 6:11 PAUL'S OPENNESS TO CONVERTS* To STOma [4750] h*e*M*O*N aNE*o*-gen [455] pros huMAS, *Our mouth is open unto you,* KoRINthi-oi, h*e* karDIa h*e*M*O*N pePLAtun-tai [4115]. *Corinthians, our :heart enlarged.* *b. 6:12 YET CONVERTS CAN REFUSE SUCH LOVE* ou ste-no-ch*o*REISthe [4729] en h*e*MIN, *You are not straitened in us,* ste-no-ch*o*REISthe de en tois SPLAGCHnois [4698] huM*O*N. *but you are straitened in your :affections.* *c. 6:13 PAUL EXHORTS THEM TO BE LIKE HIM* t*e*n de auT*E*N an-ti-misTHIan [489] h*o*s TEKnois [5043] LEg*o*, *Now for a recompense in :kind I speak as to children,* plaTUNth*e*-te [4115] kai huMEIS. *be YOU also enlarged.* *2. 6:14-18 EXHORTATION: HAVE SEPARATED MINISTRY AND WALK* *a. 6:14 A VERY CLEAR CALL TO SEPARATION!* M*e* GInes-the [1096] he-te-ro-zuGOUNtes [3087] aPIStois [571]: *Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers:* tis gar me-toCH*E* [3352] di-kai-oSUn*e* kai a-noMIa [458]? *for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity?* *e* tis koi-n*o*NIa [2842] ph*o*TI [5457] pros SKOtos [4655]? *or what communion has light with darkness?* *b. 6:15 QUESTIONS* tis de sumPH*O*n*e*-sis [4857] ChrisTOU pros BeLIar [955]? *And what concord has Christ with Beliar?* *e* tis meRIS pisT*O* meTA aPIStou? *or what portion has believer with unbeliever?* *c. 6:16 GOD'S SANCTUARY - FOR HIMSELF, NOT IDOLS* tis de sun-kaTAthe-sis [4783] na*O* [3485] TheOU meTA eiD*O*l*o*n [1497]? *And what agreement has God's sanctuary with idols?* h*e*MEIS gar naOS TheOU es-men Z*O*Ntos; *for we are the living God's sanctuary;* kaTH*O*S EIpen ho TheOS [HOti] e-noiK*E*s*o* [1774] en auTOIS, kai en-pe-ri-paT*E*s*o* [1704]; *even as :God said [that] I will dwell in them, and walk;* kai Eso-mai auT*O*N TheOS, kai auTOI EsonTAI mou laOS [2992]. *And be their :God, and they shall be my people.* *d. 6:17-18 GOD'S EMPHASIS ON THE SEPARATION PRINCIPLE* di' ho E-XELtha-te [1831] ek MEsou [3319] auT*O*N, *Wherefore come out from their midst,* kai a-phoRISth*e*-te [873], LEgei KUri-os, *And be separate, says the Lord,* kai a-kaTHARtou [169] m*e* HAPtes-the [680]; *And touch no unclean thing;* ka' 'G*O* eisDExo-mai [1523] huMAS, *And I will receive you, * kai Eso-mai huMIN eis paTEra [3962], *18 And will be Father to you,* kai huMEIS EsesTHE moi eis huiOUS [5207] kai thu-gaTEras [2364], *And you shall be to me sons and daughters,* LEgei KUri-os pan-toKRAt*o*r [3841] . *Says the Lord Almighty.* *NOTE**: *It is *always* the right time to make a decision for Christ. Don't allow excuses to keep you from making the right decision *now*! It is the enemy of our souls who would hold us back from saying a complete ?Yes? to the Lord, right now. While He is speaking through the soul-winner, or at invitation-time in a service, or by direct working of the Holy Spirit in your heart - Be wise! Say Yes! Believe on the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross, and on Him. Personal, passionate devotion to Jesus is the key. Turn your life over to Him! This is *the* one wisest decision you will ever make! The next is the one you marry. The third is your life's vocation and where. Now see the example of Paul and his fellow workers as soul-sinners. What an amazing price they were willing to pay that there would be *no* hindrance in their lives as soul-winners. I have met a few like them . What a joy to meet such, and how humbling to see their amazing self-sacrificing examples. These 10 verses here would be well-worthwhile memorizing, and asking the Lord through His Spirit to make them a reality in our lives. But this next portion, 6:11-18, is one of the clearest New Testament words directing us to a complete separation from the spirit of this world. We as believers can accept invitations by unbelievers into their homes, and can invite them also into ours - but - we *cannot* intermarry with them, nor enter into business relations with them. We know! We as believers are not to dabble with any of the practices of the world such as the occult, Ouija boards, seances, New Age, horoscopes, etc., etc. These are ?verboten? for God's people. It is a witness to the world when they see that our love for the Lord precludes our association in these other things. May the two passages above be our guide in the way we seek to please the Lord. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 14 18:27:14 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2009 18:27:14 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 7:1-16 Message-ID: <625d7240908141827k66f037eanb242252381193c14@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 14, 2009 * *K. 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1-16* *THE HUMANITY OF PAUL'S MINISTRY* *1. 7:1 A CLEAN MINISTRY* TAUtas oun Echon-tes tas e-pag-geLIas [2860], a-ga-p*e*TOI [27], *Having therefore these :promises, beloved,* ka-thaRIs*o*-men [2511] he-auTOUS aPO panTOS mo-lusMOU [3436] sarKOS [4561]kai PNEUma-tos [4151], *let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit,* e-pi-teLOUNtes [2005] ha-gi-*o*SUn*e*n [42] en PHOb*o* [5401] TheOU. *perfecting holiness in fear of God.* *2. 7:2-4 PAUL DESIRES TO BE RECEIVED* *a. 7:2 REASONS FOR RECEIVING PAUL* Ch*o*R*E*sa-te [5562] h*e*MAS: ouDEna *e*-diK*E*sa-men [91], *Make room for us: we wronged none,* ouDEna ephTHEIra-men [5351], ouDEna e-ple-o-nekT*E*sa-men [4122]. *corrupted none, took advantage of none.* *b. 7:3 WHY PAUL DOESN'T CONDEMN* pros kaTAkri-sin [2633] ou LEg*o*: proEIr*e*-ka [4280] gar, *I say it not to condemn: for I have said before,* HOti en tais karDIais [2588] h*e*M*O*N es-te eis to su-na-po-thaNEIN [4880]kai sunZ *E*N. *that you are in our :hearts :to die together and live together.* *c. 7:4a PAUL'S ATTITUDE TO CORINTHIANS* polL*E* moi par-r*e*SIa [3954] pros huMAS, *Great my boldness toward you,* polL*E* moi KAUch*e*sis [2746] huPER huM*O*N. *great my glorying on your behalf.* *d. 7:4b HOW THIS BRINGS HIM THROUGH TRIBULATION* pepL*E*r*o*-mai [4137] t*e* pa-raKL*E*sei [3874], *Am filled with :comfort,* hu-per-pe-risSEUo-mai [5248] t*e* chaRA [5479] ePI PAs*e* t*e* THLIpsei [2347] h*e*M*O*N. *overflowed with :joy in all our :tribulation.* *3. 7:5-13a PAUL REJOICES BECAUSE HIS EXHORTATION ACCEPTED* *a. 7:5 PAUL'S STATE IN MACEDONIA* Kai gar elTHONt*o*n h*e*M*O*N eis Ma-ke-doNIan *For even when we were come into Macedonia* ou-deMIan ESch*e*-ken [2192] Ane-sin [425] h*e* sarx [4561] h*e*M*O*N, *our :flesh had no relief, * all' en panTI thliBOme-noi [2346]; *but we were afflicted on every side;* Ex*o*-then MAchai [3163], Es*o*-then PHOboi [5401]. *fightings without, fears within.* *b. 7 6-7 TWO-FOLD CAUSE FOR PAUL'S COMFORT* all' ho pa-ra-kaL*O*N [3870] tous ta-peiNOUS [5011] *But the God who comforts the lowly* pa-reKAle-sen [3870] h*e*MAS ho TheOS en t*e* pa-rouSIa [3952] TItou; *comforted us with the presence of Titus;* ou MOnon de en t*e* pa-rouSIa auTOU, *7 and not with his :presence only,* alLA kai en t*e* pa-raKL*E*sei [3874] h*e* pa-reKL*E*th*e* eph' huMIN, *but also with the comfort with which he was comforted in you,* a-nagGELl*o*n [312] h*e*MIN t*e*n huM*O*N e-piPOth*e*-sin [1972], ton huM*O*N o-durMON [3602], *telling us your :longing, your :mourning,* ton huM*O*N Z*E*lon [2205] huPER eMOU; H*O*Ste me MALlon chaR*E*nai [5463]. *your :zeal for me; so that I rejoiced yet more. * *c. 7:8-9 THE EFFECT OF THE FIRST CORINTHIAN LETTER* HOti ei kai eLUp*e*-sa [3076] huMAS en t*e* e-pis-toL*E* [1992], ou me-taMElo-mai [3338]: *Because though I made you sorry with the letter, I do not regret:* ei kai me-te-meLOm*e*n [3338] (BLEp*o* HOti h*e* e-pis-toL*E* eKEIn*e* ei kai pros H*O*ran [5610], *though I did regret (I see that that :letter made you sorry,* eLUp*e*-sen huMAS), *though but for an hour),* nun CHAIr*o* [5463], ouch HOti e-luP*E*th*e*-te, *9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry,* all' HOti e-luP*E*th*e*-te eis meTAnoi-an [3341]; *but that you were made sorry unto repentance;* e-luP*E*th*e*-te gar kaTA TheON, *for you were made sorry according to God,* HIna en m*e*-deNI z*e*-mi-*o*TH*E*te [2210] ex h*e*M*O*N. *that you might suffer loss from us in nothing.* *d. 7:10 TWO KINDS OF REPENTANCE* h*e* gar kaTA TheON LUp*e* [3077], *For the sorrow, according to God,* meTAnoi-an [3341] eis s*o*-t*e*RIan [4991] a-me-taMEl*e*-ton [276] erGAze-ta [2716]: *works a regretless repentance unto salvation:* h*e* de tou KOSmou [2889] LUp*e* THAna-ton ka-terGAze-tai [2716]. *but the sorrow of the world works death.* *e. 7:11a PAUL DESCRIBES THEIR SORROW AND REPENTANCE* iDOU gar, auTO TOUto, *For lo, this self-same thing,* to kaTA TheON lu-p*e*TH*E*nai [3076], *that you were made sorry according to God,* POsen ka-teirGAsa-to [2716] huMIN spouD*E*N [4710], *what diligence it wrought in you,* alLA apo-loGIan [627], alLA a-gaNAKt*e*-sin [24], alLA PHObon [5401], *yes clearing, yes indignation, yes fear,* alLA e-piPOth*e*-sin [1972], alLA Z*E*lon [2205], alLA ekDIk*e*-sin [1557]! *yes longing, yes zeal, yes avenging!* *f. 7:11b THIS JUSTIFIED THEM* en panTI su-nesT*E*sa-te [4921] he-auTOUS hagNOUS [53] EInai t*o* PRAGma-ti [4229]. *In everything you approved yourselves to be pure in the matter.* *g. 7:12 PAUL'S BASIC REASON FOR WRITING* Ara ei kai Egra-psa huMIN, ouch Ene-ken tou a-diK*E*san-tos [91], *So although I wrote you, not for his sake that has wronged,* all' ouDE HEne-ken tou a-di-k*e*THENtos [91], *yet not for his sake that was wronged,* all' HEne-ken tou pha-ne-r*o*TH*E*nai [5319] t*e*n spouD*E*N [4710] huM*O*N t*e*n huPER huM*O*N *but for the sake of your diligence for us being manifested* pros huMAS eN*O*pi-on tou TheOU. *unto you in God's sight.* *h. 7:13a CONCLUSION OF THE MATTER* diA TOUto pa-ra-kekL*E*me-tha [3870]. *Therefore we have been comforted.* *4. 7:13b-16 THE TREATMENT OF TITUS: CAUSES CHEER TO PAUL* *a. 7:13b GOOD TREATMENT OF FELLOW-WORKERS CAUSES COMFORT* E-PI de t*e* pa-raKL*E*sei [3874] h*e*M*O*N *Now in our :comfort we joyed* pe-ris-soTEr*o* [4056] MALlon eCHAr*e*-men [5463] ePI t*e* chaRA [5479]TItou, *the more exceedingly for the joy of Titus,* HOti a-naPEpau-tai [373] to PNEUma auTOU aPO PANt*o*n huM*O*N. *because his :spirit has been refreshed by you all.* *b. 7:14 PAUL'S TESTIMONY AT CORINTH VINDICATED* HOti ei ti auT*O* huPER huM*O*N keKAUch*e*-mai [2744], *For if in anything I have gloried to him on your behalf,* ou ka-t*e*sCHUN-th*e*n [2617]; *I was not shamed;* all' h*o*s PANta en a-l*e*THEIa [225] e-laL*E*sa-men huMIN, *but as we spoke all things to you in truth,* HOUt*o*s kai h*e* KAUch*e*-sis [2746] h*e*M*O*N ePI TItou aL*E*thei-a a-geN* E*th*e*. *so our glorying also beforeTitus came to be in truth.* *c. 7:15 THE GOOD EFFECT OF CORINTH TO TITUS* kai ta SPLAGCHna [4698] auTOU pe-ris-soTEr*o*s [4056] eis huMAS es-tin, *And his :affection is more abundantly toward you,* a-na-mim-n*e*s-koMEnou [363] t*e*n PANt*o*n huM*O*N hu-pa-ko*E*N [5218], *while he remembers the obedience of you all,* h*o*s meTA PHObou kai TROmou [5156] eDExas-the auTON. *how with fear and trembling you received him.* *d. 7:16 REJOICING: FINAL END OF THE MATTER* CHAIr*o* HOti en panTI tharR*O* [2292] en huMIN. *I rejoice that in everything I am of good cheer concerning you.* *NOTE:** *There is no portion of Scripture that does not have nuggets to be found - if only we take the time to first enter into the presence of God - then to meditate over a portion verse by verse - then to pray it back to God in our own words with thanksgiving - and lastly to allow the Holy Spirit as our Teacher to speak to our hearts. This is mixing the Word of God with * faith*. This is the pathway to constant intimacy with God. To master Oswald Chambers' ?My Utmost for His Highest?, is to enter into that place of ?Personal, Passionate devotion to Jesus!? No one will ever regret the discipline that brings him into this relationship. Then look at 7:8-13a. Here we find the holy Spirit through Paul clearly contrasting the two types of repentance. ?I'm sorry I got caught, found out and exposed,? works *no change* in character or temperament. But the repentance that leads to a ?change of mind? that is set forth in Romans 12:1-2 - *that* kind of repentance leads to a renewing of mind that brings us into ?thinking God's thoughts? after Him. This is the repentance that came to David in Psalm 51, after Nathan confronted him. *This* is the kind of repentance that made David ?a man after God's own heart!? Was he sinlessly perfect? Of course not, and neither are we! But his repentance when confronted in his sin, brought him into this high testimony which he received from God. This morning, Friday, August 14, 2009, this thought came to me in my devotional time with God: ?Could we have in the US an illegal President who is willing to spend trillions of our dollars on the illegals of our country? My wife Marie and I went through severe testings to enter the U.S. and become citizens of this country. Should the barriers now be removed? Is this fair? Is it right? This man certainly does not walk in the spirit of our Founding Fathers! Look into ?The Teaching Company? and those dealing with our history to see the spirit of our founders. He does not walk in the spirit of our Constitution. His associates of the past and present do not generate confidence in us. My mother often said, ?Birds of a feather, flock together.? I personally have deep concern with all of the above. It seems to me that we might have voted in a ?Trojan Horse,? and in secret at night the belly will be opened up to let loose men who will be set on the destruction of our nation. Do I yet pray for him? Of course! Paul by the Spirit exhorts us to! I pray Job 33:13-18, that God will give him dreams and visions such as He gave Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar, and plant ?the fear of God? in his heart. His pressure upon Israel is a most fearful thing. He needs God, the Living God, desperately. Join with me in praying for our President, the U.S. president. It would seem that we have him as the merciful judgment of God, to waken the professing Christians of our nation, to waken to God and His purposes and thinking for us. Then a man like Titus can be encouraged and comforted in America in these last days. For new readers: Please turn to our Website * - *Click on *?Interlinear? * on the Top Bar, and you will find an introduction to the above Interlinear Numeric Greek NT. entitled *?Notes on the Numeric Interlinear Greek NT by Ivan Panin.? *This in 12 parts will explain the uniqueness of the text above. For those yet more interested, click on the *URL *at the end of this article, and you will find my aritcle *?Reaching Unbelievers by Bible Numerics,? *published by the ?Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.? - J.A.W. *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 Aug 17 11:53:37 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:53:37 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 8-9 Message-ID: <625d7240908171153h4ced7371g94b73d2428b846b3@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 17, 2009 * *L. 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9* *TEACHING ON THE MINISTRY OF GIVING.* *1. 8:1-7 THE EXAMPLE OF THE MACEDONIANS IN GIVING* *a. 8:1-2 GIVING OUT OF POVERTY* Gn*o*RIzo-men [1107] de huMIN, a-delPHOI, *Moreover, brethren, we make known to you* t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU t*e*n de-doMEn*e*n en tais ek-kl*e*SIais t*e*s Ma-ke-doNIas; *the grace of :God :given in the churches of :Macedonia;* HOti en polL*E* do-kiM*E* [1382] THLIpse-*o*s [2347] *2 how that in much proof of tribulation* h*e* pe-risSEIa [4050] t*e*s chaRAS auT*O*N kai h*e* kaTA BAthous [899] pt*o *CHEIa [4432] auT*O*N *the abundance of their :joy and their deep :poverty* e-peRISseu-sen [4052] eis to PLOUtos [4149] t*e*s haPLOt*e*-tos [572] auT*O* N. *abounded unto the riches even of their :liberality.* *b. 8:3-5 GIVING: STARTS WITH GIVING OF SELF* HOti kaTA DUna-min, mar-tuR*O* [3140], *For according to their power, I bear witness,* kai paRA DUna-min, auTHAIre-toi [830], *yes and beyond power, they gave of their own accord,* meTA polL*E*S pa-raKL*E*se-*o*s [3874] deOme-noi [1189] h*e*M*O*N t*e*n CHArin *4 beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of the grace* kai t*e*n koi-n*o*NIan [2842] t*e*s di-a-koNIas [1248] t*e*s eis tous haGIous [40]: *and the fellowship in the ministry to the saints:* kai, ou kaTH*O*S *e*lPIsa-men [1679], all' he-auTOUS Ed*o*kan [1325] PR*O* ton *5 and, not as we had hoped, but first they gave* t*o* KuRI*o*, kai huMIN diA theL*E*ma-tos [2307] TheOU. *their own selves to the Lord, and to us through God's will.* *c. 8:6 TITUS: AIDS THE CORINTHIANS IN GIVING* eis to pa-ra-kaLEsai [3870] h*e*MAS TIton, HIna kaTH*O*S pro-eN*E*Rxa-to [4278], *Insomuch that we exhorted Titus, that as he had begun afore,* HOUt*o*s kai e-pi-teLEs*e* [2005] eis huMAS kai t*e*n CHArin TAUt*e*n. *so he would also complete unto you this grace also.* *d. 8:7 GIVING: MONEY AS WELL AS ALL ELSE* all' H*O*Sper en panTI pe-risSEUe-te [4052], PIStei, *But just as you abound in everything, in faith,* kai LOg*o* kai GN*O*sei, kai PAs*e* spouD*E* [4710] kai t*e* ex huM*O*N en huMIN aGAp*e*, *and word and knowledge, and all diligence and our :love in you,* HIna kai en TAUt*e* t*e* CHAri-ti pe-risSEU*e*-te. *see** that you abound in this :grace also.* *2. 8:8-15 A PRINCIPLE: LET THERE BE EQUALITY AMONG CHURCHES* *a. 8:8 LOVE: NOT COMMANDMENTS - OUR MOTIVATION* Ou kat' e-pi-taG*E*N [2003] LEg*o*, alLA diA t*e*s heTEr*o*n *I speak not by commandment, but as proving through* spouD*E*S [4710] kai to t*e*s hu-meTEras aGAp*e*s GN*E*si-on do-kiMAz*o*n [1381]. *the earnestness of others the sincerity also of your :love.* *b. 8:9 JESUS CHRIST: OUR GREAT EXAMPLE IN GIVING* giN*O*Ske-te gar t*e*n CHArin tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *For you know the grace of our :Lord Jesus Christ,* HOti, di' huMAS epT*O*cheu-sen [4433], PLOUsi-os [4145] *o*n, *that, being rich, for you he became poor,* HIna huMEIS t*e* eKEInou pt*o*CHEIa [4432] plouT*E*s*e*-te [4147]. *that you by his :poverty might become rich.* *c. 8:10 GIVING: STARTS WITH THE WILL* kai GN*O*m*e*n en TOUt*o* DId*o*-mi: *And herein I give my judgment:* TOUto gar huMIN sumPHErei [4851], HOti-nes ou MOnon to poi*E*sai, *for this is expedient for you, who began afore a year ago,* alLA kai to THElein, pro-eN*E*Rxas-the [4278] aPO PEru-si [4070]. *not only :to do, but also :to will.* *d. 8:11 GIVING: ONLY COMPLETE WHEN THE DOING COMPLETE* nuNI de kai to poi*E*sai e-pi-teLEsa-te [2005]; *But now complete the doing also;* HOp*o*s kaTHAper h*e* pro-thuMIa [4288] tou THElein, *so that as the readiness :to will,* HOUt*o*s kai to e-pi-teLEsai ek tou Echein. *so be the completion also out of what you have.* *e. 8:12 READINESS: BASED ON POSSESSION* ei gar h*e* pro-thuMIa [4288] PROkei-tai [4295], *For if the readiness is there,* kaTHO eAN Ech*e* euPROSdek-tos [2144], ou kaTHO ouk Echei. *it is **acceptable according as one has, not according as he has not.* *f. 8:13-15 MANNA: AN ILLUSTRATION OF EQUALITY IN GIVING* ou gar HIna ALlois Ane-sis 425] huMIN THLIpsis [2347]; *For I speak not that others have ease and you tribulation;* all' ex iSOt*e*-tos [2471]: *14 but by equality: * en t*o* nun kaiR*O* [2540] to huM*O*N peRISseu-ma [4051] eis to eKEIn*o*n husTEr*e*-ma [5303], *your :abundance being at this present :season for their :want,* HIna kai to eKEIn*o*n peRISseu-ma [4051] GEn*e*-tai eis to huM*O*N husTEr*e*-ma [5303]; *that their :abundance also be unto your :want;* HOp*o*s GEn*e*-tai iSOt*e*s [2471]: *that there be equality:* kaTH*O*S GEgrap-tai, Ho to poLU ouk e-pleOna-sen [4121]; *15 as it is written, He with much had nothing over;* kai ho to oLIgon [3641] ouk *e*latTOn*e*-sen [1641]. *and he with the little had no lack.* *3. 8:16-24 GIVING: A PROOF OF LOVE* *a. 8:16 TITUS: SHARES IN THE CORINTHIAN DILIGENCE* CHAris de t*o* The*O*, *But thank**s** be to :God,* t*o* diDONti t*e*n auT*E*N spouD*E*N [4710] huPER huM*O*N en t*e* karDIa TItou. *who puts the same diligence for you into the heart of Titus.* *b. 8:17 TITUS: HIS GIVING VOLUNTARY* HOti t*e*n men paRAkl*e*-sin [3874] eDExa-to; *For he accepted indeed the exhortation;* spou-daiOte-ros [4707] de huPARch*o*n, *but being himself more diligent,* auTHAIre-tos [830] eX*E*Lthen pros huMAS. *he went forth unto you of his own accord.* *c. 8:18-21 PAUL'S COMPANION: APPOINTED BY THE CHURCHES* su-nePEMpsa-men de met' auTOU ton a-delPHON *And we have sent along with him the brother* hou ho Epai-nos [1868] en t*o* eu-ag-geLI*o* [2008] diA paS*O*N t*o*n ek-kl* e*-si*O*N; *whose :praise in the gospel is through all the churches;* ou MOnon de, alLA kai chei-ro-to-n*e*THEIS [5500] *19 and not only so, but who was also appointed* huPO t*o*n ek-kl*e*si*O*N suNEKd*e*-mos [4898] h*e*M*O*N en t*e* CHAri-ti TAUt*e*, *by the churches as our fellow-traveller in this :grace,* t*e* di-a-ko-nouMEn*e* [1247] huph' h*e*M*O*N pros t*e*n tou KuRIou DOxan, *which is ministered by us unto the glory of the Lord,* kai pro-thuMIan [4288] h*e*M*O*N: *and showing our readiness:* stelLOme-noi [[4724] TOUto, m*e* tis h*e*MAS m*o*M*E*s*e*-tai [3469] *20 avoiding this, that any man should blame us* en t*e* haDROt*e*-ti [100] TAUt*e* t*e* di-a-ko-nouMEn*e* [1247] huph' h*e*M *O*N: *in this :bounty :ministered by us:* pro-noOUmen [4306] gar kaLA, *21 for we take thought for things honorable,* ou MOnon eN*O*pi-on KuRIou, alLA kai eN*O*pi-on anTHR*O*p*o*n. *not only in the Lord's sight, but also in men's sight.* *d. 8:22 PAUL'S TESTIMONY FOR THIS BROTHER* su-nePEMpsa-men [4842] de auTOIS ton a-delPHON h*e*M*O*N, *And we have sent with them our :brother,* hon e-do-kiMAsa-men [1381] en polLOIS polLAkis spouDAIon [4706] ONta, *whom we have oft proved to be diligent in many things,* nuNI de poLU spou-daiOte-ron [4707] pe-poiTH*E*sei [4006] polL*E* t*e* eis huMAS. *but now more diligent by the great confidence unto you.* *e. 8:23 PAUL'S HIGH ENDORSEMENT OF TITUS* EIte huPER TItou, koi-n*o*NOS [2844] eMOS kai eis huMAS su-nerGOS [4904]; *Whether any inquire about Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker toward you;* EIte a-delPHOI h*e*M*O*N, aPOSto-loi [652] ek-kl*e*SI*o*n, DOxa ChrisTOU. *or our :brethren, they are messengers of the churches, Christ's glory.* *f. 8:24 PAUL: DESIRES PROOF OF HIS GLORYING IN TITUS* T*e*n oun ENdei-xin [1732] t*e*s aGAp*e*s huM*O*N, kai h*e*M*O*N kauCH*E*se- *o*s [2746] huPER huM*O*N, *Show therefore unto them in face of the churches the proof of your :love,* eis auTOUS enDEIxas-the [1731] eis PROs*o*-pon t*o*n ek-kl*e*-si*O*N. *and of our glorying on your behalf.* *4. 9:1-5 THE VALUE OF A GIFT WHEN UNCOERCED* *a. 9:1-2 PAUL: USES THE CORINTHIANS AS A WORTHY EXAMPLE* PeRI men gar t*e*s di-a-koNIas t*e*s [1248] eis tous haGIous [40] *For as touching the ministry :unto the saints* pe-risSON [4053] MOI es-tin to GRAphein huMIN: *it is superfluous for me :to write you:* OIda gar t*e*n pro-thuMIan [4288] huM*O*N, *2 for I know your :readiness,* h*e*n huPER huM*O*N kauCH*O*mai [2744] Ma-keDOsin, *of which I glory on your behalf to the Macedonians,* HOti A-chaIa pa-resKEUas-tai [3903] aPO PEru-si [4070]; *that Achaia has been prepared for a year;* kai ho huM*O*N Z*E*los [2205] *e*REthi-se [2042] tous PLEIo-nas [4119]. *and your :zeal has stirred up their more part.* *b. 9:3-4 PAUL; HELPS CORINTHIANS TO FOLLOW THROUGH* Epem-psa de tous a-delPHOUS, HIna m*e* to KAUch*e*-ma [2745] h*e*M*O*N *But I have sent the brethren, that our :glorying* to huPER huM*O*N ke-n*o*TH*E* [2758] en t*o* MErei TOUt*o*; *:on your behalf be not made void in this :respect;* HIna, kaTH*O*S Ele-gon, pa-res-keu-asMEnoi [532] *E*te: *that, even as I said, you may be prepared:* m*e* p*o*s, eAN ELth*o*-sin sun eMOI Ma-keDOnes *4 lest somehow, if Macedonians come with me* kai HEUr*o*-sin huMAS a-pa-ra-skeuAStous [532], ka-tais-chunTH*O*men [2617]h *e*MEIS *and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you)* (HIna m*e* LEg*o*-men, huMEIS) en t*e* hu-posTAsei [5287] TAUt*e*. *be put to shame in this :confidence.* *c. 9:5 PAUL: PROTECTS HIS GLORYING ON THEIR BEHALF* a-nagKAIon [316] oun h*e*-g*e*SAm*e*n [2233] pa-ra-kaLEsai [3870] tous a-delPHOUS, *I thought it necessary therefore to exhort the brethren,* HIna proELth*o*-sin [4281] eis huMAS, *that they would go before unto you,* kai pro-ka-tarTIs*o*-si [4294] t*e*n pro-e-p*e*g-gelMEn*e*n [4293] eu-loGIan [2129] huM*O*N, *and make up beforehand your aforepromised :bounty,* TAUt*e*n heTOIm*e*n [2092] EInai HOUt*o*s h*o*s eu-loGIan [2129], kai m*e* h *o*s ple-o-neXIan [4124]. *that the same might thus be ready as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.* *5. 9:6-15 PRINCIPLES OF GIVING* *a. 9:6 A PRINCIPLE ON GIVING* TOUto de, ho SPEIr*o*n [4687] phei-doMEn*o*s [5340] phei-doMEn*o*s kai theRIsei [2325]; *But this I say, Who sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly;* kai ho SPEIr*o*n ep' eu-loGIais [2129] ep' eu-loGIais kai theRIsei. *and who sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.* *b. 9:7 CHEERFULNESS: THE RIGHT SPIRIT IN GIVING* HEkas-tos kaTH*O*S pro*E*r*e*-tai [4255] t*e* karDIa: *Let** each **do according as he has purposed in his :heart:* m*e* ek LUp*e*s [3077], *e* ex aNAGk*e*s [318]: hi-laRON [2431] gar DOt*e*n [1395] a-gaPA ho TheOS. *not grudgingly, or of necessity: for :God loves a cheerful giver.* *c. 9:8-9 GOD'S GRACE IS BEHIND ALL GOOD GIVING* du-naTEI de ho TheOS PAsan CHArin pe-risSEUsai [4052] eis huMAS; *And :God is able to make all grace abound unto you;* HIna, en panTI PANto-te PAsan auTARkei-an [841] Echon-tes, *that you, having always all sufficiency in everything,* pe-risSEU*e*-te eis pan ERgon a-gaTHON: kaTH*O*S GEgrap-tai, *may abound unto every good work: 9 as it is written,* EsKORpi-sen [4550], Ed*o*ken tois PEn*e*-sin [3993]; *He has scattered abroad, he has given to the poor;* h*e* di-kai-oSUn*e* auTOU MEnei eis ton ai*O*na. *His :righteousness abides unto the age.* *d. 9:10-11 GOD BLESSES THE LIBERAL SOUL* ho de e-pi-cho-r*e*G*O*N [2023] SPERma [4690] t*o* SPEIron-ti [4687] kai ARton [740] eis BR*O*sin [1035], *And he that supplies seed to the sower and bread for food,* cho-r*e*G*E*sei [5524] kai pl*e*-thuNEI [4129] ton SPOron [4703] huM*O*N, *shall supply and multiply your :seed for sowing,* kai auX*E*sei [837] ta geN*E*ma-ta [[1081] t*e*s di-kai-oSUn*e*s huM*O*N: *and increase the fruits of your :righteousness:* en panTI plou-tiZOme-noi [4148] eis PAsan haPLOt*e*-ta [572], *11 you being enriched in everything unto all liberality,* H*E*tis ka-terGAze-tai [2716] di' h*e*M*O*N eu-cha-risTIan [2169] t*o* The*O *. - *which works through us thanksgiving to :God. -* *e. 9:12-14 THE GRACE OF GIVING: A MOST EFFECTIVE WITNESS* - HOti h*e* di-a-koNIa t*e*s lei-tourGIas [3009] TAUt*e*s *- Because the ministration of this :service* ou MOnon esTIN pro-sa-na-pl*e*ROUsa [4322] ta hus-teR*E*ma-ta [5303] t*o*n haGI*o*n, *is not only fully supplying the wants of the saints,* alLA kai pe-risSEUou-sa [4052] diA polL*O*N eu-cha-ris-ti*O*N [2169] t*o*The *O* - *but is abounding also through many thanksgivings to :God -* diA t*e*s do-kiM*E*S [1382] t*e*s di-a-koNIas TAUt*e*s, *13 through the proving of you by this :ministration,* doXAzon-tes [1392] ton TheON ePI t*e* hu-po-taG*E* [5292] t*e*s ho-mo-loGIas [3671] huM*O*N *they glorifying :God for the obedience of your :confession* eis to eu-agGEli-on [2098] tou ChrisTOU, kai haPLOt*e*ti [572] *unto the gospel of the Christ, and for the liberality* t*e*s koi-n*o*NIas [2842] eis auTOUS kai eis PANtas; *of the contribution unto them and unto all;* kai auT*O*N, de*E*sei [1162] huPER huM*O*N, e-pi-poTHOUNt*o*n [1971] huMAS *14 while they themselves also, with supplication for you,* diA t*e*n hu-perBALlou-san [5236] chaRIN tou TheOU eph' huMIN. *long after you by reason of the exceeding grace of :God upon you.* *f. 9:15 AN AMAZING CONCLUSION* CHAris [5485] t*o* The*O* ePI t*e* a-nek-di-*e*G*E*t*o* [411] auTOU d*o*-reA [1431]++. *Thanks to :God for his unspeakable :gift.* *NOTE**: *Attn. Dave Loewen - You requested information on Bible Numerics. I wrote up an answer and explanation for you- but it was rejected by your recipient domain. I am unable to contact your other email provider. Send me your Canadian address, and I'll send you your answer by mail - or help me send this to you by email. (In case this mailing also is rejected, if any of you readers have Dave's phone # and address, I would appreciate receiving them from you.) 2 Corinthians 8-9, according to Bible Numerics, is one integral section divided into 5 sub-paragraphs. It is important to see this and read it as a unit, to gain the Holy Spirit's message through Paul. Some present day believers do not receive God's message on giving, and reserve His tithe and offerings for themselves. It is odd how often God seeks to let them understand their error and disobedience. An accident, permitted by Him, or a theft, takes from them all they wrongfully withheld from God! George Muller gave 90% of all of his income to God, and faithfully taught and set the example of giving way beyond the tithe! He literally prayed in $8 million dollars in some 60 years for the support of 10,000 orphans and over 150 missionaries plus much more. 50,000 prayers were exactly answered by God to achieve this, with no man having any request made to him - just God. He *firmly* believed in NT tithing and giving. Cindy Jacobs claims there is a curse upon those who refuse to tithe. They leave a door for the enemy to come in and get the tithe from them in another way. Consider this. Derek Prince wrote about breaking curses that often come from disobedience. My wife and I over 60 years together have proven the blessing of giving tithes and offerings, especially to mission work and Israel. One last word: See 2 Cor. 9:15 - *?Thanks to :God for his unspeakable gift.? *The word ?unspeakable? is only used this once in the NT. The word gift - ?d*o*-reA? is used 11 times. 10 out of the 11 times by most commentaries and Bible teachers, it is acknowledged to refer to the Holy Spirit. However - in this one reference, it is invariably associated with our Lord Jesus. I do not believe this to be an accurate application of a Greek Word Study. It is the *Holy Spirit* here who undergirds such unusual giving out of poverty, so that words cannot describe this amazing Holy Spirit gift! - J.A.W. *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 Aug 18 18:38:30 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:38:30 -0700 Subject: Cascadia Summit Message-ID: <625d7240908181838i718f6b4pe54aa6d28f054e0c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *August 18, 2009 * *CASCADIA SUMMIT - PORTLAND/VANCOUVER* *August 20-21 2009* *GOAL*: To connect well with the Lord and each other - under Holy Spirit leadership *SPEAKER*: Jim Watt: History of God's leading till now - and releasing us into His present day truth. *PRELIMINARIES*: *A*. A present day answer for the prophetic in ?Dreams and Visions?. The majority of past ?dream books? have been tinctured and tainted with the occult through Carl Jung. Two Australians recognized this problem, and from 2005-08 in Australia, have produced ?Dreams: The Divinity Code? - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions - by Adrian Beale and Adam F. Thompson. A copy was presented to me Pentecost Sunday in Canada, May 31, 2009. I have contacted Adrian Beale, and he has graciously made copies available to leaders of the Cascadia Conference at reduced price through Russ Snyder. If this opportunity resonates with you, see Russ. *B*. Russ and Bonnie Snyder this year have come out with an ongoing answer to ?How maintain Revival Principles such as of 1948. Their book ?Are These the Missing Pieces? - To Sustaining a Move of God,? can be obtained through ?Rusbon Resources? *www.rushbonresources.com* - will be an unusual help to those looking for answers for *revival* and *reformation*. It is based on ?The Five Equipping Gifts? of Ephesians 4:11-12, and will well serve the leaders of the 12 Washington sections raised up through Russell and Bonnie. *C*. Bill & Delight Petersen from the Portland area made available to me 3 DVD's made in Dan Hammer's church in Everett, WA on August 1st. The second DVD by Cindy Jacobs on the growth of the occult and paganism in our land, aided and abetted by the ?Harry Potter? series - is a ?must? series. It is followed up by Chuck Pierce. Many of the answers to this challenge will be found in the above book by Russ & Bonnie Snyder. *D*. John Roddam with Stuart Spani of Canada, came to our home in late 2007, and in 10 thirty minute segments documented the pros and cons of the 1948 Visitation at North Battleford, Saskatchewan. As a talk-show host, he interviewed Marie and myself in a 3 DVD series. I am the last of the 7 Summer Camp elders of that time, and John felt it was important to document it seeing we were both 84 at that time. For any interested in purchasing these videos, here's the link that directs you for this: Here is the link to buy the video. *http://**www.reason-for-hope.com/gen/index.html#bio* *GOD'S THRUST TO ME IN THE ABOVE CONTEXT -* *1944 *- My question to God following my conversion in the Canadian Navy - ?Why did You choose to reveal Yourself to me out of all my friends? Answer: ?Because I am going to restore My Church with Apostles and Prophets in the last days, and if you are faithful, you may have part in this.? *1945* - August, HMCS Cornwallis, Digby, NS - ?Write George R. Hawtin, Bethel Bible Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and apply as a student.? There was no address provided, but shortly I received application papers in the mail. Following my application I received registration permission, and the Captain of my Naval Base sent me to Victoria for honorable discharge. *1948* - from George Hawtin - ?Will you stand with us at the Summer Camp Meeting in July here in North Battleford as one of the 7 elders?? I was but 24 at the time, but agreed to do so, and because I was so young, I am now the last surviving elder of that summer. -* 1992* - July - In a vision, George Hawtin (then deceased) appeared to me with this word. ?I am too old to lead in another Visitation. You and Marie were with us from the beginning. You know the revival principles God brought together for that time. I pass the torch on to you. Take it, and bring to maturity the 12 Embryonic Revival principles that came together in 1948. They shall be parameters of safety for the last great move that shall precede the return of God's Son.? I linked these 12 with the 12 tribes of Israel for memory purposes, and they appear on our Website, *www.2better.org * - under ?Embryonics? on the Top Bar. *1944*. ?In the not too distant future I will restore ?The Heavenly Choir? that you have just read about in ?40 Years of Signs and Wonders in the Life of Mrs. Maria Woodworth-Etter.? I shared this word from God with Ern Hawtin, younger brother to George, in 1945. In 1948, October, in Edmonton AB, he asked at a Conference there if I would share Scripture on ?The Heavenly Choir? and what God had spoken to me. At the close, within 5 minutes, God faithfully fulfilled His promise, and some 600 of us heard worship orchestrated from heaven such as none of us had ever heard before. There are still some of those alive from that meeting that tell what God supernaturally did, and what it meant to them. Two business men followed their ears from blocks away, and both entered God's Kingdom! *1967* - My wife Marie asked me - ?What was God's hidden purpose in leading to our marriage in 1948?? Like Isaac did for Rebecca, I sought the face of the Lord, and that night He gave me 2 visions. In the first we were in an Observatory: Marie at my right hand, and a member of our Seattle Church at my left. The leader informed us, that because we had been instrumental in preparing 2 of the 7 components about to be assembled, that we had the privilege to attend this time of assemblage, and to see the *effect* it would have. He then pulled a lever, and a large entity, round, full of dials, weighing approximately 400 pounds, came to the center of the Observatory, and rested above the floor. I wondered how this could happen, but an angel behind us said, ?Antigravity.? The member from our church to the left, confirmed this the next day. The Observatory Overseer said - this component represents God's Bible Numerics represented in the Interlinear Greek NT prepared by Ivan Panin, that you are working on. The next component was a stand supporting the first component, and the Overseer said that it represented the ?City Church? composed of many local churches. There are 114 Greek references to ?church?. The first is in Acts 7, and alludes to Israel in the wilderness. 3 are in Acts 19, and refer to the City Ekklesia of Ephesus. 14 refer to a church in the home. 15 refer to God's ?Universal Church.? *But* *81* refer to the ?City Church?. The Overseer then pulled 5 more levers but said nothing about the components they represented, because others had been assigned for their preparation. When all 7 were assembled, He said to me - Come - look through the eye-piece, and see what it can do. It looked like a telescope. But when I looked at the heavens through it, I saw marvels I had never expected to see in this life. I noticed a dark spot in the heavens. Suddenly there was a blinding flash through this instrument, and the spot disappeared. Later I was shown that the instrument I looked through was a Laser-Telescope. I believe it was in the April issue of the 1984 National Geographic, that a description of this instrument is given in detail. Apparently God controls this instrument, and it removes principalities and powers over cities. He said, ?Call this 'Spiritual Star Wars'.? Then the vision shifted to Canada. There 3 generals were in front of Marie and myself on a parade square. Behind us were 70 elders, and one we recognized from our church. Behind them were 490 men, making up 70 teams of 8 each, with a key leader for each. One of the generals approached us and said, ?Your last assignment has been successfully completed. Now you are to release these 70 teams to share with my troops to the left the result of your lessons. I understood that the general who approached us was the same overseer of the Observatory. I also understood that the 70 teams of 8 represented elders in the Gate of cities, who would be as organic Laser-Telescopes, that the Lord Himself would direct at Satanic overlords over cities, and then the people could go in and mop up, much as David did after God sent angels to first deliver a knock-out blow to the Philistines. I believe the 2 above visions are one. They represent 2 aspects of the same truth. There will be 70 groups of 8 for the US, just as in Canada. There will be hands across the border for the work of God. The 5-fold ministry is represented in these teams of 8, much as in Acts 13:1-3 in Antioch, and Acts 15 in Jerusalem. What Russ and Bonnie have in their book, is a practical illustration of how the City Church can function with all 5 Equipping Gifts working in harmony with the total City church. *1967* - Samuel had 4 cities that he constantly rotated in during his lifetime. It was given to me that the 4 major Metroplexes of Cascadia, the Pacific Northwest, have a parallel position with these 4. When each of these have a unified 5-fold ministry operating in their respective Gates, and internetting with each other in both victories and prayer needs, then God will pour fire from heaven upon the area. Like wildfire in will quickly spread Eastward across both Canada and the US, leaping the Atlantic, spreading its message to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Islands of the Sea, and then Jesus will return as Lord of lords and King of kings. At the same time SeaTac (Rama), Vancouver BC (Bethel), Portland/Vancouver WA (Mizpeh - a Prayer Tower) and Spokane (Gilgal) will have a Westward thrust. The 3 western cities like a bow, will have the string drawn back to Spokane, and God will unleash His arrows to the Pacific Rim cities and nations. It is a volcanic rim, so will have added significance. *2008* - ?What I gave you in 1967 concerning Spiritual Star Wars, I have not yet fully activated. But *now* is My time, and swiftly you will see *these visions* and *words* come into actuality. *CONCLUSION*: The book by Russ & Bonnie Snyder I sense will be a key to help speed up the above. Likewise the Dream Book from Australia will be significant in activating a Joseph/Daniel ministry of dream interpretation that is accurate. I am sending this challenge out as a mailing, because so many of the readers are involved in prayer and intercessory ministries. I know we can count on many of you to undergird in prayer this Cascadia Summit. The 4 parallel cities to Samuel, will have key leaders at this summit. All are open to God's leadership in revealing His Strategy, Tactics, and Logistics to fulfill Biblical Prophecy in these last days. Your part will be as vital as those present at the conference. David reveals that those who stay by the stuff, will share equally with those who go to war. - J.A.W. *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 Aug 26 22:29:10 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:29:10 -0700 Subject: Analogy Message-ID: <625d7240908262229l1033272cmaf0c20a825720795@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* ?*ANALOGY: CASCADIA & SPINAL COLUMN? - 2009-08-26* *INTRODUCTION -* Darrell Dahlman and Jerry Thurston asked if I would come August 20-21 to their area. Purpose: to fill in fuller details on Samuel's 4 cities of 1 Samuel 7:15-17, and their spiritual relationship to the 4 major cities of Cascadia. This relationship came to me in the Spirit as a revelation in 1967. I shared it in 1980 in Israel. I saw the 3 Western Cascadia cities as a bow, with the string drawn back to Spokane, and God shooting arrows to the Pacific Rim cities and nations. This is also a volcanic area. I also saw the 5-fold adjusting ministries of Ephesians 4:11-12 as an Eldership in the gate of each city, functioning as the 5 in Acts 13:1-3, and the the Eldership and Apostles in Acts 15 that ruled on the Judaizing controversy. When these 4 cities move in this dimension, then God will pour His fire upon Cascadia, which will travel like wild-fire across Canada and the US, leaping the Atlantic, and bringing its message to Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and the Islands of the Sea. Then God will return His Son as Lord of lords and King of kings. It is interesting to note that just as Spokane serves as the city to which the string of the bow is drawn back before releasing God's arrows to Pacific Rim cities and nations, so Spokane representing the sacral area of the spine, enables a man to walk! Each of the 4 cities of Cascadia is unique. Each needs it own respective and functioning Eldership in its Gate. When unity and effectiveness operates in each, and the whole Pacific Northwest moves in its integral unity, then the above effects will take place. The Elderships in the Gates of each city will become like an organic automatic Laser-Telescope in the hands of the Lord. He will point it at Satanic targets over cities, regions, States and Provinces, and nations. He will *activate* small groups of 8 in a spiritual star wars effect, eliminating His enemies over His people as He did with the Philistines against Israel. Then David needed but to go in and *mop up*. Then we in these cities and cooperating local churches, will but need to go in and *mop up* against spiritual Philistines. Beware of individuals or even single local churches moving in such spiritual warfare unilaterally. The Lord reserves this right for Himself through His appointed Eldership in the Gates of such cities. It would seem that some 90 representatives of these 4 key Cascadia Cities took definite steps forward in God in this conference to achieve His goal on their behalf. *HELPFUL BOOKS* I personally believe that the recent book by Russ & Bonnie Snyder, ?Are These the Missing Pieces,? (To Sustaining a Move of God) - and ?Dreams: The Divinity Code? - The Keys to Decoding Your Dreams & Visions - by Adrian Beale & Adam F. Thompson - are keys indeed to help safeguard and direct us in this path. See *<*www.rusbonresources.com*> *and *<* www.thedivinitycode.org*> - *Both books can be purchased through the former. *BILL WALTZ & OUR SPINAL COLUMN* 4:00 AM - Friday August 21, Portland/Vancouver WA Metroplex. The Word of the Lord came to me in a new way, relating the 4 cities of Samuel and the 4 cities of Cascadia to the 4 segments of the Spinal column of 33 vertebrae. In 1965 Bill Waltz presented this insight to us at Broadway Tabernacle of Seattle. He pointed out that just as the human body has 33 vertebrae, so Jesus Christ lived on earth as Son of Man for 33 years. He directs His spiritual body of the One New Man through the Spinal cord, which is protected by the 4 sections of the Spinal Column. The first section, the 7 Cervical Vertebrae, attach the body to the Head! Ephesians 4:4-6 lay out the 7 Unities: one Body; one Spirit; one Hope; one Lord; one Faith; one Baptism; one Father of all. These 7 unities tend to bypass doctrinal divisiveness in denominations and fellowships. They foster unity between various local, denominational and city churches. Thank God for His wisdom in presenting these 7 by His Spirit through the apostle Paul. Samuel's city of Mizpeh was among the 4 he judged Israel, and is one of several cities by this name in the land. However, the one in Gilead is about 40 miles from Jerusalem on the East of Jordan, where the 2 ? Eastern tribes could come to be judged in their own territory, just as 3 of the 6 Cities of Refuge were East of Jordan. I see the influence of this city reaching down to Redding, Sacramento, Placerville and North of San Francisco. It was at Mizpeh that Jacob and Laban made a covenant of mutual peace. Pray for Portland/Vancouver, that they may go to their Watch Tower, and like Habakkuk receive God's Vision Then we find the 12 Thoracic Vertebrae, to which are attached our 12 ribs, protecting the Heart and Circulatory System, and the Lungs and Respiratory System. It was during the 1948 Visitation in Northern Canada that the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles came together. They are indeed just as important to Christ's spiritual body, as they are to our human bodies. As we ponder and meditate upon this relationship, God can speak to us in confirmation. Link this with Ramah, which Samuel made as his headquarters. Here he was born - here he died. It means ?high place? and is located in Ephraim, about 30 miles SW of Jerusalem. It is called Arimathea in the NT. Seattle is built upon 7 hills, and moves with Tacoma. But the 5 Lumbar Vertebrae give lifting power to the whole body. Without these, we would indeed be in bad shape. They are linked with the 5 equipping or adjusting ministries of Ephesians 4:11-12. It was in Northern Canada in 1948 that this truth was restored, and in Vancouver, BC, will be brought to maturity, and function for the good of the other 3 cities of Cascadia. Bethel was in Ephraim, about 12 miles north of Jerusalem, and means ?House of God? in Hebrew. It was here that Jacob had the vision of angels ascending and descending on the stairway to heaven, and it was to Nathanael that Jesus gave the promise that he would see angels ascending and descending upon the head of the Son of Man (John 1:47-51). After Jacob returned to Bethel 20 years after departing, he fulfilled his promise by tithing to God from the abundance of His blessing. The 9 Sacral vertebrae are linked with Gilgal, ?rolling?, where God rolled away the reproach of Israel in Egypt, by having Joshua lead in circumcising the new generation of 600,000 fighting men, and thus bringing them into true covenant relationship with God prior to the conquest of the 7 nations of Canaan. Link Gilgal with Spokane, for here too Covenant will be re-established. These 9 vertebrae represent the 9-fold fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5:22-23), and the 9-fold gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:8-11). One who is associated with equipment for chiropractors, pointed out that the human body only walks because of these 9 vertebrae. Pray for the unique individual role for the leaders of these 4 cities. Then pray that just as Jesus as Head of His church can only effectively operate His body when each of the 4 sections of the 33 vertebrae are perfectly adjusted together, so the maturing 5-fold adjusting ministries may operate to give spiritual chiropractic adjustments to this end. Note: In Embryonic status on February 11, 1948 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, this concept began to be restored. Now 60 years later God has promised that He is about to activate these concepts, bring them into maturity, and prepare a body for His Son that will set in motion the last great Visitation prior to His Son's return. *CASCADIA AND PROTOCOL* Thursday evening August 20 in Vancouver WA, Jerry Chatham set in motion the Protocol of the First Nations People to welcome on their land this conference of the 4 cities of Cascadia. Jerry received the authority from a tribe of his people to extend their welcome of Protocol. 14 years before on July 1, 1995, Freda Cooper of the Coast Salish did the same for delegates of 39 nations at Whistler, BC. To signify this welcome according to Protocol, Jerry presented to me as the Key Note speaker at this Conference, with a native crafted necklace of beads and a tooth, plus a book - ?Dancing Our Prayers? by Richard Twiss, which I am carefully reading. *www.wiconi.com * My wife Marie is French Canadian with roots in Manitoba through the Chartrands and Lacerts. But inasmuch as there were no white women there for a number of generations, the greater number are Metis, joined with Cree and Lake Winnipeg Saulteaux. The First Nations People of the largest Reservation in Canada at Hobbema, South of Wetaskiwin, honored me in 1987 through a peace-making decision through Nick Adams, an honorary chieftain. He approached the leaders of their 5 nations at my request to have 4 white men come and apologize and ask forgiveness for the death of an Indian in 1977 in an altercation where drinking was taking place with whites 10 years previous. Because of their high regard for Nick and his integrity, they said it was unnecessary for the 4 whites to come. They accepted the apology by faith. ?However,? they said, ?perhaps sometime in the future we will have Jim Watt as their leader come and meet with us. Any man with enough wisdom to marry into Metis blood is a worthy man, and it is possible we would someday meet with him.? As a result the weather and climate pattern so changed in Northern Alberta, that meteorologists across Canada wondered about the explanation of the cessation of excessive rainfall springtime and harvest for the previous 10 years. Then to my surprise, quite recently my brother from Ontario was meeting with relatives of our mother in Nova Scotia north of Halifax. Quite by chance, one mentioned that one of our Moser forebears married a Micmac, making us Metis also. My brother remonstrated with her as to the improbability of this. She responded, ?George, just go and look at yourself in a mirror!? Of course, this was a surprise to me when I learned of it - but just as I was proud to learn that my wife Marie was Metis - so I was proud to learn of my similar background. It is my profound conviction that apart from the North American First Nations People having an integral part in the Restoration of God's purpose in Canada, the US and the rest of the world, we will not attain unto the fullness of God'[s purposes in this last day move of God preceding the return of His Son. I received from God in 1992 a mandate to take the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of 1948 in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, and with others pray to bring them into maturity. ?They,? God said, ?will be parameters of safety for the last great Visitation prior to the soon return of Jesus Christ as Lord of lords and King of kings.? The 11 tribes of Israel in the book of Judges mourned when Benjamin, under judgment, was reduced to but 600 men - and arranged for 600 virgins to be given them as wives to start up the tribe again. (For they knew all 12 tribes had to be functioning in unity for God's purposes to be fulfilled.) So we today need the First Nations People as representing the Israeli tribe of Asher - to function today in unity and harmony with the other 11, if God's purposes are to be realized preceding the return of His Son. Asher is represented by the wisdom of the donkey, considered of great value in the Middle East. See the book of Job. Jesus on Palm Sunday rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Faithfulness, discernment and obedience are the key marks of Asher, and also of the First Nations People. Several of their people have confirmed this to me. Also, the name of Asher on Aaron's Breastplate of Judgment is inscribed on the beautiful yellow Topaz stone, the symbol or emblem of Wisdom. (Had this not been done, 14 of the 27 NT books written by Paul a *Benjamite*, would have been missing!) It is for these insights of the above that I appreciated the welcome to the land according to Protocol - extended to me as a representative of our Gathering Thursday August 20 in Vancouver WA, as their representative. It was indeed parallel to Whistler BC 14 years before in 1995, when Freda Cooper, granddaughter of the great chieftain of the Coast Salish tribe of that area - according to Protocol, welcomed us to that land for that unique conference of 2200. So it is important for us to understand the significance of these 2 events, as illustrating God's thinking in this area. In the light of this we can see the significance of SeaTac, representing Samuel's Ramah and the 12 tribes of Israel according to the 12 Thoracic Vertebrae of the human spinal column. Jesus did die for our sins and return to heaven as Son of Man at the age of 33. All 12 vertebrae *must* be in place with the 12 ribs attached, to protect the heart, the circulatory center; and the lungs - the respiratory center - for our human body to function according to the wisdom and purpose of God. It was a Russian lady who received the vision of God's purpose for Seattle (she pronounced it SEEtul), God's ?Ramah?, as being centrally significant for His last day Visitation prior to the return of His Son! And - He has placed the First Nations People as one of His 12 integral Revival Principles for this event. Just as God restored Israel the *people* to her *land* in 1948, with her * language* also - so He is restoring His 12-fold ?One New Man? to a mature, functioning church of Jew and Gentile serving as one. And - His First Nations People? like Benjamin, have a 1/12th integral place of necessity for the fullness of His purposes. I personally find it interesting to note that though I am American born (Arkansas), yet it is by Canadian parents: my father from Ontario, descendant of James Watt from Greenock, Scotland of steam-engine fame, and my mother from Nova Scotia, a Mosher, with a change of name from Moser. One third of the Mosers of Halifax, former Huguenots from Europe who fled persecution to the New World, openly acknowledge themselves as Jews. The other 2/3rds quite possibly are also, but because of Jewish persecution and things like the Holocaust, prefer not to make their origins known. When my wife Marie and I were in Poland for the ?March of the Living? in the early 2000's, we visited Prague of the Czech Republic also. I went to the 2ndfloor of a Jewish Museum there which once was a Sephardic Temple. But because of Hitler and the Holocaust, but a score or so of Jews were left from tens of thousands. I found Jewish Moser Glass Works recorded in this museum from past days, and many other Moser connections. This confirms what a Jewish rabbi informed me about all the Mosers (or Moshers) of Halifax. So - not only could I have Metis blood along with my wife Marie - but I may be even ? Jewish, enough to have sent me to the gas chambers in Hitler's days. *CASCADIA & MY CONNECTION* I also have a close connection with the 4 cities of Cascadia. My mother followed my father from Texas in 1927: first to Portland, where we stayed a while with a Mrs. Gorton. Then we came to Vancouver BC when I was 4, and stayed with my grandparents on my father's side temporarily at 1109 Barclay Street, just west of Burrard. We moved 20 times before I was 10, as my father was not only a steam and electrical operating chief engineer of power plants, but also was engaged in repairs following serious breakdowns; plus the construction of new power houses. His last power house construction job was for the University of Washington in 1929. In 1963 I spent some 6 months in the Portland/Vancouver WA ministering in various churches and conferences concerning the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of the 1948 Canadian Visitation. I did the same in the Spokane area for some 3 months; and even more in the Seattle/Tacoma and Vancouver/Victoria BC area. When God sovereignly revealed Himself to me according to His promises at Passover 1944, 9 months after I had joined the Canadian Navy, I asked Him, ?Why?? He responded, ?Because I am going to restore My church in the latter days with Apostles and Prophets, and if you are faithful, you may have part in this.? 18 years later in Round Lake, Illinois where I was pastoring a Baptist church, He said, ?You have been faithful these past 18 years. Resign your church here and move to the Pacific Northwest. There I am laying down roots of restoration which will bring to pass my last day purposes. There you may have part in them.? In 1945 He had sovereignly led me out of the Navy at the close of World War II, and and directed me to George Hawtin of Bethel Bible Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; through whom 3 years later in North Battleford, 90 miles NW of Saskatoon on February 11, the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles came together, which now in Cascadia He would begin to bring to maturity. I am Presbyterian in my first roots. Here God is His Sovereignty is well known. Into this I was born. Then in 1925 the Presbyterians with the Methodists and Congregationalists united to form the United Church of Canada. When my parents returned to Canada in 1927, it was here that I attended. In 1942 God called me into the Navy to reveal Himself to me, and for a time I first attended a Baptist Church, and then a Pentecostal church. Then I took part in the Latter Rain Revival visitation, and afterwards back into a Baptist Fellowship. Much later He had Marie and me lead a Messianic Jewish Congregation for 10 years, till they could find a Messianic Jewish Rabbi. It was from this at the age of 84 we retired. Retired? We have never been so busy! I am sorry that this report is somewhat skipping around historically speaking. But what happened August 20-21 this year in Vancouver WA/Portland, can only really be understood in the context of God's dealings and leadings with me throughout my life time. And really, 86 years for Marie and me is not that much in the light of some of our older friends. So - keep in mind, that the relationship of the 4 key cities of Cascadia to the 4 segments of the spinal column is the key to grasp. - J.A.W. *ADDENDUM*: The above message I gave Friday morning in Vancouver WA. It was recorded and the CD is available through Shiloh Fellowship, *< machelesheddy at msn.com> . *Shiloh asked me to stay over for Saturday service at 6 PM and Sunday at 10 AM. At the former I spoke on *?Meditation?* the key to the outstanding ministry of George Muller, who received faith through this revelation to meet every need of 10,000 orphans through 50,000 distinct answers to prayer - without ever asking a single human being for one penny - besides many other challenging projects. This is also available at Shiloh on CD. On Sunday morning I spoke on ?*Clan & Household Salvation*?. My wife Marie and I have seen over 3000 come to the Lord through the latter before we stopped counting. For Clan Salvation, initiated through Jack Hayford's father in Oakland CA, only eternity will reveal the results. That message also is available on a CD from Shiloh. *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 Aug 30 17:52:14 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 17:52:14 -0700 Subject: 2 CORINTHIANS 10 Message-ID: <625d7240908301752h6615b1acx9ac6bafa3576ce57@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* August 30th 2009 *M. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:1-18* *PAUL'S DEFENSE AGAINST FALSE APOSTLES* *a. 10:1-2 PAUL: PREFERS TO BE GENTLE* AuTOS de eG*O* PAUlos pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] huMAS *Now I Paul myself entreat you* diA t*e*s praUt*e*-tos [4236] kai e-pi-eiKIas [1932] tou ChrisTOU, *by the meekness and gentleness of the Christ,* hos kaTA PROs*o*-pon [4383] men ta-peiNOS [5011] en huMIN, *who in person is lowly among you,* aP*O*N de tharR*O* [2292] eis huMAS: *but absent show courage toward you:* DEo-mai [1189], de, to m*e* paR*O*N tharR*E*sai [2292] *2 yes, I beseech you, that I may not when present show courage* t*e* pe-poiTH*E*sei [4006] h*e* loGIzo-mai [3049] tolM*E*sai ]5111] ePI ti-nas, *with the confidence with which I count to be bold against some,* tous lo-gi-zoMEnous huMAS h*o*s kaTA SARka pe-ri-paTOUNtas [4043]. *who count of us as if we walked according to the flesh.* *b. 10:3-6 PAUL: THE STRENGTH IN HIS WEAPONS* En sarKI gar pe-ri-paTOUNtes, ou kaTA SARka stra-teuOme-tha [4754] *For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh* (ta gar HOPla [3696] t*e*s straTEIas [4752] h*e*M*O*N ou sar-kiKA [4559], *4 (for the weapons of our :warfare are not of flesh,* alLA du-naTA [1415] t*o* The*O* pros kaTHAIre-sin [2506] o-chu-r*o*MAt*o*n [3794]); *but mighty before :God unto casting down of strongholds); * lo-gisMOUS ka-thaiROUNtes [2507], *5 casting down reasonings, * kai pan HUps*o*-ma [5313] e-paiROme-non [1869] kaTA t*e*s GN*O*se-*o*s tou TheOU, *and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of :God,* kai aich-ma-l*o*TIzon-tes [163] pan NO*e*-ma [3540] eis t*e*n hu-pa-ko*E*N [5218] tou ChrisTOU; *and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of the Christ;* kai en heTOIm*o* [2092] Echon-tes ek-diK*E*sai [1556] PAsan pa-ra-ko*E*N [3876], *6 and being in readiness to avenge all disobedience,* HOtan pl*e*-r*o*TH*E* [4137] huM*O*N h*e* hu-pa-ko*E*. *when your :obedience shall be made full.* *c. 10:7a QUESTION* Ta kaTA PROs*o*-pon [4383] BLEpe-te? *Do you look at the things pertaining to appearance?* *d. 10:7b PAUL: BELONGS TO CHRIST* ei tis PEpoi-then [3982] he-auT*O* ChrisTOU EInai, *If any trusts in himself that he is Christ's,* TOUto lo-giZESth*o* [3049] PAlin eph' he-auTOU, *let him consider this again with himself,* HOti, kaTH*O*S auTOS ChrisTOU, HOUt*o*s kai h*e*MEIS. *that, even as he is Christ's, so also we. * *e. 10:8-9 PAUL'S AUTHORITY* eAN te gar pe-ris-SOteRON [4055] ti kauCH*E*s*o*-mai [2744] *For though I should glory somewhat more abundantly* peRI t*e*s e-xouSIas [1849] h*e*M*O*N (h*e*s Ed*o*-ken ho KUri-os eis oi-ko-doM*E*N [3619], *concerning our :authority (which the Lord gave for building up,* kai ouk eis kaTHAIre-sin [2506] huM*O*N), ouk ais-chunTH*E*so-mai [153]: *and not for casting you down), I shall not be shamed:* HIna m*e* DOx*o* h*o*s an ek-phoBEIN [1629] huMAS diA t*o*n e-pis-toL*O*N [1992]. *9 that I seem not as if I would terrify you by the letters.* *f. 10:10 PAUL'S LETTERS VERSUS HIS PRESENCE* HOti Hai e-pis-toLAI men, ph*e*SIN, baREIai [926] kai is-chuRAI [2478]; *Because the letters, they say, are weighty and strong;* h*e* de pa-rouSIa tou S*O*ma-tos as-theN*E*S [772], kai ho LOgos e-xou-the-n *e*MEnos [1848]. *but the bodily :presence is weak, and his speech of no account.* *g. 10:11 BUT - THE TWO ARE ONE* TOUto lo-giZESth*o* [3049] ho toiOUtos, *Let such a one reckon this,* HOti, HOI-OI es-men t*o* LOg*o* di' e-pis-toL*O*N aPONtes [548], *that, what we are in word by letters when absent,* toiOUtoi kai paRONtes t*o* ERg*o*. *such are we also in deed when present.* *h. 10:12 SELF-COMMENDATION: SIGN OF WEAKNESS* ou gar tolM*O*men [5111] enKRInai [1469], *For we are not bold to judge among,* *e* sunKRInai [4793] he-auTOUS ti-sin t*o*n he-auTOUS su-nis-taNONt*o*n [4921]: *or to judge ourselves with certain of the them that commend themselves:* alLA auTOI en he-auTOUS meTROUNtes [3354], *but themselves measuring themselves by themselves,* kai sunKRInon-tes [4793] he-auTOUS he-auTOIS, ou su-niAsin [4920]. *and judging themselves with themselves, are without understanding.* *i. 10:13 THE CANON THAT VALIDATES A MINISTRY* huMEIS de ouk eis ta Ame-tra [280] kau-ch*e*SOme-tha [2744], alLA kaTA to MEtron [3358] *But WE will not glory beyond :measure, but according to the measure * tou kaNOnos [2583] hou eMEri-sen [3307] h*e*MIN ho TheOS MEtrou, *of the measuring-rod which God apportioned to us as a measure,* e-phiKESthai [2185] ACHri kai huM*O*N. - *to reach even unto you. -* *j. 10:14-16 APOSTOLIC CHURCHES: THE PROOF OF PAUL'S APOSTLESHIP* ou gar h*o*s m*e* e-phikNOUme-nos [2185] eis huMAS, *For we stretch not ourselves overmuch,* hu-pe-rekTEIno-men [5239] he-auTOUS: *as though we reached not unto you:* Achri gar kai huM*O*N ephTHAsa-men [5348] en t*o* eu-ag-geLI*o* [2098] tou ChrisTOU: *for we came even as far as unto you in the gospel of the Christ:* ouk eis ta Ame-tra kauCH*O*me-noi, en al-loTRIois KOpois [2873]; *15 not glorying beyond :measure, that is, in other's labors;* elPIda de Echon-tes, au-xa-noMEn*e*s [837] t*e*s PISte-*o*s huM*O*N, *but having hope that, as your :faith grows,* en huMIN me-ga-lunTH*E*nai [3170] kaTA ton kaNOna h*e*M*O*N eis pe-risSEIan [4050], *we shall be magnified in you according to our :measuring-rod unto abundance,* eis ta hu-peREkei-na huM*O*N eu-ag-geLIsas-thai [2097], *16 so as to preach the gospel even unto the parts beyond you,* ouk en al-loTRI*o* kaNOni eis ta HEtoi-ma kauCH*E*sas-thai. *and** not to glory in another's measuring-rod in regard of the **thingsready. * *k. 10:17 A TRUE MAXIM* ho de kauCH*O*me-nos en KuRI*o* kauCHASth*o*. *But who glories in the Lord let him glory.* *l. 10:18 SELF-COMMENDATION VERSUS THE LORD'S COMMENDATION* ou gar ho he-auTON su-nisTAn*o*n [4921] eKEI-NOS es-tin DOki-mos [1384] *For not that man is approved who commends himself* alLA hon ho KUri-os suNISt*e*-sin [4921]. *but he whom the Lord commends.* *NOTE**: *For me, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 is the key sentence in this chapter. I memorized it many years ago, and it has served me well. It seems that the last bastions against God to fall in our lives - are our *thoughts* and *thinking processes*. There is an analogy from the OT that tends to clarify the seriousness of this omission in the eyes of God. Out of some 20 kings of Judah after the disruption of the kingdom of Israel following Solomon's serious lapse, *only 9* were good. And of these 9, only 2 removed the *High Places*: Hezekiah and Josiah! *This* pleased God! And when *we* remove *our* high places, and think *God's* thoughts after Him instead of our own - this is the transformation that God is looking forward to in *us*, by the *renewing of our mind*, Romans 12:2. *This* is the way of thinking that was in Paul! *This* is the secret of the unfolding of the whole of 2 Corinthians 10. Let us too bring *every* thought into captivity to Christ! - J.A.W. *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 Sep 1 09:35:18 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 1 Sep 2009 09:35:18 -0700 Subject: Usefulness or Relationship Message-ID: <625d7240909010935pc45ddefk725ce01e8b2acf6b@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 1, 2009 * ?*USEFULNESS OR RELATIONSHIP?? * *(From ?My Utmost for His Highest? - OC - 2009.08.30)* ?*Do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven? - Luke 10:20 (17-20).* Jesus Christ is saying here, ?Don't rejoice in your successful service *for * Me, but rejoice because of your right relationship *with* Me.? The trap you may fall into in Christian work is to rejoice in successful service - rejoicing in the fact that God has used you. Yet you will never be able to measure fully what God will do through you if you do not have a right-standing relationship with Jesus Christ. If you keep your relationship right with Him, then regardless of your circumstances or whoever you encounter each day, He will continue to pour ?rivers of living water? through you (John 7:38). And it is actually by His mercy that He does not let you know it. Once you have the right relationship with God through salvation and sanctification, remember that whatever your circumstances may be, you have been placed in them by God. And God uses the reaction of your life to your circumstances to fulfill His purpose, as long as you continue to ?walk in the light as He is in the light? (1 John 1:7). Our tendency today is to put the emphasis on service. Beware of the people who make their request for help on the basis of someone's usefulness. If you make usefulness the test, then Jesus Christ was the greatest failure who ever lived. For the saint, direction and guidance come from God Himself, not some measure of that saint's usefulness. It is the work that God does * through* us that counts, not what we do for Him. All that our Lord gives His attention to in a person's life is that person's relationship with God - something of great value to His Father. Jesus is ?bringing many *sons* to glory . . .? (Hebrews 2:10). *NOTE: * To have ?relationship? with God, we must become like Him: think like Him; talk like Him; act like Him; be like Him. David was a man after God's own heart, because he sought to be all of this for God. Look what he says in Psalm 101 - *I will sing of lovingkindness and justice:* *Unto you, O Jehovah, will I sing praises.* *2 I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way;* *Oh when will you come unto me?* *I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.* *3 I will set no base thing before my eyes:* *I hate the work of them that turn aside;* *It shall not cleave unto me.* *4 A perverse heart shall depart from me:* *I will know no evil thing.* *5** Whoever privately slanders his neighbor, him will I destroy:* *Him who has a high look and a proud heart will I not suffer.* *6** My eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land,* *that they may live with me:* *He who walks in a perfect way,* *he shall minister unto me.* *7** He who works deceit shall not live in my house:* *He who speaks falsehood* *shall not be established before my eyes.* *8** Morning by morning will I destroy all the wicked of the land;* *To cut off all the workers of iniquity from the city of Jehovah.* *Imagine* having a political leader like King David! Perfect? No - but when confronted with failure or sin, he repented and returned to right relationship once again! Now consider what our political leaders of the US have done with God! No longer do they want ?We trust in God.? They have taken ?In God We Trust? off of our new coin. King David did *not* bow to the godless, atheists, the tyranny of the minority! *See* what *he* said above! *REFUSE NEW COINS --- It has begun!* This simple action will make a strong statement *Please help do this ...* *Refuse** to accept these when they are handed to you.* *I received one from the Post Office as change* *and I asked for a dollar bill instead.* *The lady just smiled and said 'way to go';* *so she had read this e-mail.* *Please help out ... our world is in enough trouble without this too!!!!!* *U.S. Government to Release New Dollar Coins* *You guessed it -* *'IN GOD WE TRUST' IS GONE!!!* *If ever there was a reason to boycott something,* *THIS IS IT!!!!* *DO NOT ACCEPT THE NEW DOLLAR COINS AS CHANGE* *Together we can force them out of circulation ...* *(My wife Marie asked if I would send this out to you -* *Author unknown - * *Ended up by saying - ?WE TRUST IN GOD!?* *WAR VETERANS* *Should War Veterans, who have risked their lives for us and our nation,* *be required to carry private health insurance * *to cover the estimated $540 million annual cost to the federal government* *of treatment for injuries to military personnel* *received during their tours on active duty?* *Our Leader admitted that he was puzzled * *by the magnitude of the opposition to his proposal.* ?*Look, it's an all-volunteer force,? he complained.* ?*Nobody made these guys go to war.* *They had to have known and accepted the risks.* *Now they whine about bearing the costs of their choice?* *It doesn't compute.?* ?*I thought these people who were proud to sacrifice for their country,? * *he continued, ?that the patriotic thing to do* *would be to try to help reduce the nation's deficit,* *with the country facing the worst financial crisis in its history.* *I wasn't asking for blood, just money.* *I guess I underestimated the selfishness of some of my fellow Americans.?* *NOTE**: *Reserve, National Guard service members or Veterans of a military service ought to think it over. When our leader and his cohorts lead us into trillions of dollars of debt, will he then ask for half a billion dollars a year from our Veterans? Is this the mind-set of our leader - understandable? Apparently he doesn't understand why our veterans cannot understand him who is not a veteran. The above is his thinking. Is this man the hope of our nation? Is he the one to protect the heritage of our Founding Fathers? Is he committed to the oath of office to protect the spirit of our Constitution? Is it possible he is an illegal committed to selling us down the river for a socialist state, and a health plan for fellow illegals, so patently a failure as so clearly revealed in Canada and Great Britain? Is *this* the change we voted for? Even members of both parties are becoming concerned about one who is uncommitted to live within one's budget, and appointing tsarist leaders unaccountable to no one but himself. Food for thought. Ideas to ponder. Basis for decision for the future. *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 Sep 4 11:27:56 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:27:56 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 Message-ID: <625d7240909041127p55f0eee8ib13044090986e84c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 4, 2009 * *N. 2 CORINTHIANS 11:1-15* *PAUL'S METHOD OF PROTECTING HIS CONVERTS* *1. 11:1-6 PAUL'S GOAL: PRESENT CORINTHIANS IN PURITY TO CHRIST* *a. 11:1 PAUL REASONS IN THE REALM OF FOOLISHNESS* Ophe-lon [3785] aNEIchesTHE [430] mou miKRON ti a-phroSUn*e*s [877]: *Would that you could bear with me in a little foolishness:* alLA kai aNEchesTHE mou. *but you indeed bear with me.* *b. 11:2 PAUL'S GOAL: TO PRESENT A PURE CHURCH TO CHRIST* z*e*L*O* [2206] gar huMAS TheOU Z*E*l*o*; *For I am zealous over you with a zeal of God;* h*e*r-moSAm*e*n [718] gar huMAS heNI anDRI, *for I espoused you to one husband,* parTHEnon [3933] hagN*E*N pa-raST*E*sai [3936] t*o* ChrisT*O*. *that I might present you a pure virgin to the Christ.* *c. 11:3 SATAN'S GOAL: TO CORRUPT THE CHURCH AS HE DID EVE* phoBOUmai [5399] de, m*e* p*o*s, *But I fear, lest somehow,* h*o*s ho Ophis [3789] e-x*e*PAt*e*-sen [1816] HEUan en t*e* pa-nourGIa [3834] auTOU, *as the serpent beguiled Eve in his :craftiness,* phthaR*E* [5351] ta no*E*ma-ta [3540] huM*O*N aPO t*e*s haPLOt*e*-tos [572] *your :thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity* kai t*e*s hagNOt*e*-tos [53] t*e*s eis ton ChrisTON. *and the purity that is toward the Christ.* *d. 11:4 DANGER: TO ACCEPT ANOTHER GOSPEL THAN PAUL'S* ei men gar ho erCHOme-nos ALlon 'I*e*SOUN k*e*RUSsei [2784], *For if he who comes preaches another Jesus, * hon ouk e-k*e*RUxa-men, *e* PNEUma HEte-ron lamBAne-te, *whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit,* ho ouk eLAbe-te, *e* eu-agGEli-on [2098] HEte-ron, *which you did not receive, or a different gospel,* ho ouk eDExas-the [1209], kaL*O*S aNEches-the [430]. *which you did not accept, you bear well with him. * *e. 11:5 PAUL'S PERSONAL TESTIMONY* loGIzo-mai [3049] gar m*e*DEN hus-te-r*e*KEnai [5302] t*o*n hu-perLIan a-poSTOl*o*n. *For I reckon that I am behind the chief apostles in nothing.* *f. 11:6 PAUL'S MANIFESTATION: KNOWLEDGEABLE IN ALL THINGS* ei de kai i-di*O*t*e*s [2399] t*o* LOg*o*, all' ou t*e* GN*O*sei [1108]; *But though rude in :speech, yet am I not in :knowledge;* all', en panTI pha-neR*O*san-tes [5319] en PAsin eis huMAS. *no, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.* *2. 11:7-11 CONVERTS: PURPOSE FOR MAKING NO CHARGE FOR GOSPEL* *a. 11:7 PAUL'S SERVICE TO CORINTH: WITHOUT CHARGE* *E* ha-marTIan ePOI*e*-sa e-mauTON ta-peiN*O*N [5013] HIna huMEIS hu-ps*o*TH *E*te [5312], *Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that you be exalted,* HOti d*o*-reAN [1432] to tou TheOU eu-agGEli-on eu-*e*g-ge-liSAm*e*n [2097]huMIN? *because I preached to you the gospel of :God for nothing?* *b. 11:8-9 THE MINISTRY TO CORINTH: UNDERWRITTEN BY OTHER CHURCHES* ALlas ek-kl*e*SIas eSUl*e*-sa [4813], *I robbed other churches,* laB*O*N oPS*O*ni-on [3800] pros t*e*n huM*O*N di-a-koNIan [1248]; *taking wage of them for ministering to you;* kai paR*O*N pros huMAS hus-te-r*e*THEIS [5302], ou ka-teNARk*e*-sa [2655]ou-theNOS; *9 and when present with you and in want, I was a burden to none;* to gar husTEr*e*MA [5303] mou pro-sa-nePL*E*r*o*-san [4322] hoi a-delPHOI, *for the brethren, when they came from Macedonia,* elTHONtes aPO Ma-ke-doNIas; kai en panTI *fully supplied my :want; and in everything* a-baR*E* [4] e-mauTON huMIN eT*E*r*e*-sa [5083], kai t*e*R*E*s*o*. *I kept myself without burden to you, and will keep.* *c. 11:10 PAUL AND GLORYING* EStin aL*E*thei-a [225] ChrisTOU en eMOI, HOti h*e* KAUch*e*-sis [2746] HAUt *e* *Christ's truth is in me, that this :glorying* ou phraG*E*se-tai [4972] eis eME en tois KLIma-si [2824] t*e*s A-CHAIas. *in the regions of :Achaia shall not be closed against me.* *e. 11:11a QUESTIONS* diA ti? HOti ouk a-gaP*O* HUmas? *Wherefore? because I love you not?* *f. 11:11b ANSWER* ho TheOS OIden. *God knows.* *3. 11:12-15 PAUL'S FREE GOSPEL UNMASKS FALSE APOSTLES* *a. 11:12 PAUL'S STRATEGY* Ho de poi*O*, kai poi*E*s*o*, *But what I do, I also will do,* HIna ekKOps*o* [1581] t*e*n a-phorM*E*N [874] t*o*n theLONt*o*n a-phorM*E*N *that I may cut off the occasion of them that desire occasion* HIna en h*o* kauCH*O*Ntai [2744], heu-reTH*O*sin [2147] kaTH*O*S kai h*e* MEIS. *that wherein they glory, they be found even as we.* *b. 11:13 PAUL'S EVALUATION* hoi gar toiOUtoi pseu-daPOSto-loi [5570], erGAtai [2040] DOli-oi [1386], *For :such are false apostles, deceitful workers,* me-ta-sch*e*-ma-tiZOme-noi [3345] eis a-poSTOlous ChrisTOU. *fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.* *c. 11:14 PAUL'S CONTRAST* kai ou THAUma [2298]; *And no marvel;* auTOS gar ho Sa-taNAS me-ta-sch*e*-maTIze-tai [3345] eis AGge-lon [32] ph*o*TOS [5407]. *for the very Satan fashions himself into an angel of light.* *d. 11:15 PAUL'S CONCLUSION* ou MEga oun ei kai hoi diAko-noi auTOU *No great thing therefore if his :ministers also* me-ta-sch*e*-maTIzon-tai [3345] h*o*s diAko-nos di-kai-oSUn*e*s [1343]; *fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness;* h*o*n to TElos [5056] EStai kaTA ta ERga [2041] auT*O*N. *whose :end shall be according to their :works.* *ARGUMENTS OR OBEDIENCE?* *(From ?My Utmost for His Highest? - by Oswald Chambers)* *2 Corinthians 11:3 (1-15) ? ... the simplicity that is in Christ?* *Simplicity (purity) is the secret of seeing things clearly. A saint does not think clearly until a long time passes, but a saint ought to see clearly without any difficulty. You cannot think through spiritual confusion to make things clear; to make things clear, you must obey. In intellectual matters you will only think yourself into further wandering thoughts and more confusion. If there is something in your life upon which God has put His pressure then obey Him in that matter. Bring all your ?arguments and ...every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ? regarding the matter, and everything will become as clear as daylight to you (2 Corinthians 10:5). Your reasoning capacity will come later, but reasoning is not how we see. We see like children, and when we try to be wise we see nothing (see Matthew 11:25).* *Even the very smallest thing that we allow in our lives that is not under the control of the Holy Spirit is completely sufficient to account for spiritual confusion, and spending all of our time thinking about it will still never make it clear. Spiritual confusion can only be conquered through obedience. As soon as we obey, we have discernment. This is humiliating, because when we are confused we know that the reason lies in the state of our mind. But when our natural power of sight is devoted and submitted in obedience to the Holy Spirit, it becomes the very power by which we perceive God's will, and our entire life is kept in simplicity.* *NOTE:* I discovered OC's word on 2 Corinthians 11:3, and thought it most appropriate for this passage. Trust it will be as much a challenge and blessing to you as it was to me. J.A.W *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 Sep 7 10:27:57 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 7 Sep 2009 10:27:57 -0700 Subject: 2 Corinthians 11:16-12:10 Message-ID: <625d7240909071027t205acbbahb75e1c33e5068ad4@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 7, 2009 * *O. 2 CORINTHIANS 11:16-12:10* *WEAKNESS: PAUL'S SECRET OF POWER AND BOASTING* *1. 11:16-33 PAUL'S UNUSUAL SUFFERING IN THE FLESH* *a. 11:16 PAUL: PREPARES FOR A FOOLISH DEFENCE* PAlin LEg*o*, m*e* tis me DOx*e* [1380] Aphro-na [878] EInai; ei de M*E*ge, *I say again, Let no one think me foolish; but if you do, * ka' 'n hos Aphro-na DExasTHE me, HIna ka' 'GO miKRON te kauCHEso-mai [2744]. *yet as foolish receive me, that I also my glory a little. * *b. 11:17 PAUL'S GLORYING OUT OF FOOLISHNESS* ho laL*O*, ou kaTA KUri-on laL*O*, *What I speak, I speak not after the Lord,* all' h*o*s en a-phroSUn*e* [877], en TAUt*e* t*e* hu-poSTAsei [5287] t*e*s kauCH*E*se-*o*s [2746]. *but as in foolishness, in this :confidence of the glorying.* *c. 11:18 PAUL: GLORIES OUT OF FLESH* ePEI polLOI kauCH*O*Ntai kaTA t*e*n SARka [4561], ka' 'G*O* kauCH*E*so-mai. *Since many glory after the flesh, I will glory also.* *d. 11:19 PAUL INDIRECTLY REBUKES THE CORINTHIANS* h*e*DE*o*s gar aNEches-the [430] t*o*n aPHROn*o*n, PHROni-moi [5429] ONtes. *For you bear with the foolish gladly, being wise.* *e. 11:20 THE FOOLISHNESS OF THE CORINTHIANS* aNEches-the [430] gar, ei tis huMAS ka-ta-douLOI [2615], *For you bear with one, if he enslave you,* ei tis ka-tesTHIei [2719], ei tis lamBAnei [2983], *if he devours, if he takes you,* ei tis ePAIre-tai [1869], ei tis eis PROs*o*-pon [4383] huMAS DErei [1184]. *if he exalts himself, if he smites you on the face.* *f. 11:21a PAUL EXCUSES HIS REBUKE* kaTA a-tiMIan [819] LEg*o*, h*o*s HOti h*e*MEIS *e*s-theN*E*ka-men [770]. *I speak by disparagement, as though WE had been weak. * *g. 11:21b PAUL'S BOLDNESS OUT OF FOOLISHNESS* en h*o* d' an tis tolMA [5111] (en a-phroSUn*e* [877] LEg*o*), tolM*O* ka' 'G*O*. *Yet wherein any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also.* *h. 11:22a QUESTION* E-BRAI-OI ei-sin? ka' 'G*O*. *Are they Hebrews? I also.* *i. 11:22b QUESTION* Is-ra-*e*LEI-TAI ei-sin? ka' 'G*O*. *Are they Israelites? I also.* *j. 11:22c QUESTION* SPERma [4690] A-braAM ei-sin? ka' 'G*O*. *Are they Abraham's seed? I also.* *k. 11:23 QUESTION* diAko-noi [1249] ChrisTOU ei-sin? (pa-ra-phroN*O*N [3912] laL*O*) huPER eG*O *; *Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as one beside himself) I more;* en KOpois [2873] pe-ris-soTEr*o*s [4056], en phu-laKAIS [5438] pe-ris-soTEr* o*s, *in toils more abundantly, in prisons more abundantly,* en pl*e*GAIS [4127] hu-per-balLONt*o*s [5234], en thaNAtois [2288] polLAkis [4178]. *in stripes above measure, in deaths often.* *l. 11:24-27 PAUL LISTS HIS PAST SUFFERINGS* huPO 'IouDAI*o*n penTAkis tes-seRAkon-ta [5062] paRA MIan Ela-bon; *Of the Jews I received forty stripes save one five times;* tris e-rabDISth*e*n [4463], HApax e-liTHASth*e*n [3034], *25 was beaten thrice, was stoned once, * tris e-nauAg*e*-sa [3489], nuchTH*E*me-ron [3574] en t*o* buTH*O* pePOI*e*-ka [4160]; *suffered shipwreck thrice, a night and a day have I been in the deep;* ho-doi-poRIais [2794] polLAkis, kinDUnois po-taM*O*N, *26 in journeyings often, in perils of rivers,* kinDUnois l*e*s-T*O*N [3027], kinDUnois [2794] ek GEnous [1083],* *kinDUnois ex ethN*O*N [1484], *perils of robbers, perils from my race, perils from the nations,* kinDUnois en POlei [4172], kinDUnois en e-r*e*MIa [2047], *perils in city, perils in wilderness,* kinDUnois en thaLASs*e* [2281], kinDUnois en pseu-daDELphois [5569]; *perils at sea, perils among false brethren;* KOp*o* [2873] kai MOCHth*o* [3449], en a-grupNIais [70] polLAkis, en liM*O* [3042] kai DIpsei [1372], *27 in toil and travail, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst,* en n*e*STEIais [3521] polLAkis, en PSUchei [5592] kai gumNOt*e*ti [1132]. *in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.* *m. 11:28 PRESSURE FROM CHURCH NEEDS* ch*o*RIS t*o*n pa-rekTOS, h*e* ePIstaSIS [1999] moi h*e* kath' h*e*MEran, *Besides the things without, there is :what presses upon me :daily,* h*e* MErim-na [3308] paS*O*N t*o*n ek-kl*e*-si*O*N 1577]. *the anxiety for all the churches.* *n. 11:29 QUESTIONS* tis as-theNEI [770], kai ouk as-theN*O*? *Who is weak, and I am not weak?* tis skan-daLIze-tai [4624], kai ouk eG*O* puROUmai [4448]? *who is stumbled, and I burn not?* *o. 11:30 PAUL: WILL GLORY ONLY IN HIS WEAKNESS* ei kauCHASthai [2744] dei, ta t*e*s as-theNEIas [769] mou kauCH*E*so-mai. *if I must glory, I will glory of the things of my :weakness.* *p. 11:31 GOD: HIS WITNESS TO HIS TRUTHFULNESS* ho TheOS kai paT*E*R tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU OIden, *The God and Father of the Lord Jesus,* ho *o*n eu-lo-g*e*TOS [2128] eis tous ai*O*nas, HOti ou PSEUdo-mai [5574]. *who is blessed unto the ages, knows that I lie not.* *q. 11:32-33 PAUL'S ESCAPE FROM DAMASCUS* en Da-masK*O* ho ethNARch*e*s [1481] A-REta tou ba-siLE*o*s [935] *In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king* ePHROUrei [5432] t*e*n POlin Da-mas-k*e*N*O*N piAsai [4084] me: *guarded the city of the Damascenes to take me:* kai diA thuRIdos [2376] en sarGAn*e* [4553] e-chaLASth*e*n [5465] *33 and through a window was I let down in a basket* diA tou TEIchous [5038], kai eXEphu-gon [1628] tas CHEIras [5495] auTOU. *through the wall, and escaped his :hands.* *2. 12:1-9a PAUL REVEALS HIS UNUSUAL REVELATIONS* *a. 12:1 VISIONS AND REVELATIONS* KauCHASthai deI, ou sumPHEron [4851] men; *I must glory, though it is not expedient;* eLEUso-mai de eis op-taSIas [3701] kai a-po-kaLUpseis [602] KuRIou. *but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.* *b. 12:2 A VISION OF THE THIRD HEAVEN* OIda ANthr*o*-pon en ChrisT*O*, pro eT*O*N DEka TESsa-r*o*n *I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago* (EIte en S*O*ma-ti, ouk OIda; *(whether in the body, I know not;* EIte ekTOS tou S*O*ma-tos, ouk OIda; ho TheOS OIden), *whether out of the body, I know not; :God knows),* har-paGENta [726] ton toiOUton HE*o*s TRItou ou-raNOU. *:such a one caught up even to the third heaven.* *c. 12:3-4 A VISION OF PARADISE* kai OIda ton toiOUton ANthr*o*-pon (EIte en S*O*ma-ti, *And I know :such a man (whether in the body,* EIte ch*o*RIS tou S*O*ma-tos, ouk OIda; ho TheOS OIden), *or apart from the body, I know not; :God knows),* HOti h*e*rPAg*e* eis ton paRAdei-son [3857], kai *E*kou-sen *4 how that he was caught up into :Paradise, and heard* ARr*e*-ta [731] 'R*E*ma-ta [4487], ha ouk eXON anTHR*O*p*o* laL*E*sai. *unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for man to speak.* *d. 12:5 PAUL GLORIES IN HIS WEAKNESSES, NOT HIS REVELATIONS* huPER tou toiOUtou kauCH*E*so-mai [2744]: *On behalf of the such I will glory:* huPER de e-mauTOU ou kauCH*E*so-mai, ei m*e* en tais as-theNEIais [769]. *but on my own behalf I will not glory, save in :weaknesses.* *e. 12:6-7a PAUL'S REVELATIONS, THOUGH TRUE, ARE NOT TO BE GLORIED IN* eAN gar theL*E*s*o* kauCH*E*sas-thai, ouk Eso-mai Aphr*o*n [878]; *For if I should desire to glory, I shall not be foolish;* aL*E*thei-an [225] gar eR*O*: PHEIdo-mai [5339] de, m*e* tis eis eME loGIs*e *-tai [3049] *for I shall speak truth: but I forbear, lest any one should account* huPER ho BLEpei [991] me, *e* aKOUei [191] ex eMOU, *of me above what he sees me to be, or hears from me,* kai t*e* hu-per-boL*E* [5236] t*o*n a-po-kaLUpse-*o*n [602]. *7 and by reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations.* *f. 12:7b THE PURPOSE OF PAUL'S THORN IN THE FLESH* di' ho m*e* hu-peRAIr*o*-mai [5229], *Wherefore that I be not exalted overmuch,* eDOth*e* moi SKOlops [4647] t*e* sarKI, AGge-los [32] Sa-taNA [4566] HIna me ko-laPHIz*e* [2852], *a thorn in the flesh was given me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me,* HIna m*e* hu-peRAIr*o*-mai [5229]. *that I be not exalted overmuch.* *g. 12:8 PAUL'S REQUEST* huPER TOUtou tris ton KUri-on pa-reKAle-sa [3870], *Concerning this I besought the Lord thrice,* HIna a-poST*E* [868] ap' eMOU. *that it might depart from me.* *h. 12:9a THE LORD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS A THORN IN THE FLESH* kai EIr*e*KEN moi, ArKEI [714] soi h*e* CHAris mou: *And he said to me, My :grace is sufficient for you:* h*e* gar DUna-mis en as-theNEIa [769] teLEItai [5048]. *for the power is made perfect in weakness.* *3. 12:9b-10 THE RELATIONSHIP OF WEAKNESS AND CHRIST'S POWER* *a. 12:9b POWER OF CHRIST SUPERCEDES OUR WEAKNESSES* H*E*dis-ta [2236] oun MALlon kauCH*E*so-mai [2744] en tais as-theNEIais [769], *Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in :weaknesses,* HIna ePI sk*e*N*O*s*e* [1981] ep' h*e* DUna-mis [1411] tou ChrisTOU. *that the :power of the Christ may spread a tabernacle over me.* *b. 12:10 PAUL'S WISE APPLICATION OF THE ABOVE* di' ho eu-doK*O* [2106] en as-theNEIais [769], en HUbre-sin [5196], *Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries,* en aNAGkais [318], en di-*o*gMOIS [1375], kai ste-no-ch*o*RIais [4730], huPER ChrisTOU: *in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake:* HOtan gar as-theN*O* [770], TOte du-naTOS [1415] ei-mi. *for when I am weak, then am I strong.* *PARTAKERS OF HIS SUFFERINGS* *(From ?My Utmost for His Highest? - Oswald Chambers)* *1 Peter 4:13 (12-19) ?. . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings . . .?* If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in his hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, ?Oh, I can't deal with that person.? Why can't you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding that lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way. The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered ?*according to the will of God? *(1 Peter 4:19, having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God's purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God's orders through a shortcut of their own. God's way is always the way of suffering - the way of the ?Long road home.? Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through - we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize - ?God has strengthened me and I didn't even know it!? *NOTE**:* From Paul's understanding in this portion of 2 Corinthians, we can see that even he did not understand the wisdom of God in the ?thorn in his flesh.? It was to ensure that his extraordinary visions concerning the ?mysteries? of God would not cause him to have pride. And do we want to be used of God? Then the wisdom given to Oswald Chambers concerning the necessity of suffering to prepare us as channels of God - cannot in any way be by-passed. May God bless us each one as we determine to press in on this pathway. J.A.W. *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 Sep 9 12:54:57 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 9 Sep 2009 12:54:57 -0700 Subject: Galatians 1:1-9 Message-ID: <625d7240909091254r269a0a4n143996bb72c3023f@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 9, 2009 * *GALATIANS 1-6* *SUMMARY - A PLEA: MAINTAIN THE WALK IN THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST* *I. 1:1-6:10 JUSTIFICATION IS BY FAITH IN CHRIST, NOT WORKS OF LAW* *A. 1:1-5 PAUL VALIDATES APOSTLESHIP AND GIVES GREETINGS* *a. 1:1-5a PAUL'S APOSTLESHIP* PAUlos, aPOsto-los [652] (ouk ap' anTHR*O*p*o*n, ouDE di' anTHR*O*pou, *Paul, apostle (not from men, neither through man,* alLA diA 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, kai TheOU paTROS, *but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father,* tou eGEIran-tos [1453] auTON ek neKR*O*N [3498]), *who raised him from the dead),* kai hoi sun eMOI PANtes a-delPHOI, tais ek-kl*e*SIais t*e*s [1577]Ga-laTIas: *2 **and all the brethren with me, to the churches of :Galatia:* CHAris [5485] huMIN* *kai eiR*E*n*e* [1515] aPO TheOU paTROS, *3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father,* h*e*M*O*N kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *and our Lord Jesus Christ,* tou DONtos [1325] he-auTON huPER t*o*n ha-mar-ti*O*N [266] h*e*M*O*N, *4 who gave himself for our :sins,* HOp*o*s eXEl*e*-tai [1807] h*e*MAS ek tou ai*O*nos [165] tou e-neST*O*tos [1764] po-n*e*ROU [4190], *that he deliver us from the present evil :age,* kaTA to THEl*e*-ma [2307] tou TheOU kai paTROS h*e*M*O*N: *according to the will of :God and our Father:* h*o* h*e* DOxa [1391] eis tous ai*O*nas t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n. *5 to whom the glory unto the ages of the ages.* *b. 1:5b Amen. *a-M*E*N. *B. 1:6-9 PAUL WARNS GOSPEL-PERVERTERS* *a. 1:6-7 WARNING: WE CAN BE REMOVED FROM GOSPEL-GRACE* ThauMAz*o* [2296] HOti HOUt*o*s taCHE*o*s [5030] me-taTIthes-the [3346] aPO tou *I marvel that you are so quickly removing from him* kaLEsan-tos huMAS en CHAri-ti ChrisTOU eis HEte-ron eu-agGEli-on [2098]; *that called you in Christ's grace unto a different gospel;* ho ouk EStin ALlo: ei m*e* tiNES ei-sin hoi taRASson-tes [5015] huMAS, *7 which is not another: only there are some that trouble you,* kai THElon-tes [2309] me-tasTREpsai [3344] to eu-agGELli-on tou ChrisTOU. *and wish to pervert the gospel of the Christ.* *b. 1:8 ANATHEMA: PENALTY FOR PERVERTING THE GOSPEL* alLA, kai eAN h*o*MEIS, *e* AGge-los [32] ex ou-raNOU, *But, though we, or an angel from heaven,* eu-ag-geLIs*e*-tai [2097] HUmin par' ho eu-*e*g-ge-liSAme-tha huMIN, *should preach to you a gospel other than what we preached to you,* aNAthe-ma [331] ESt*o*. *let him be anathema.* *c. 1:9 THE WARNING INTENSIFIED BY REPETITION* h*o*s pro-eiR*E*ka-men [4280], kai ARti PAlin LEg*o*, *As we have said before, so say I now again,* ei tis huMAS eu-ag-geLIze-tai par' ho pa-reLAbe-te [3880] , *If any preaches to you a gospel other than what you received,* aNAthe-ma ESt*o*. *let him be anathema.* *THE SERVICE OF PASSIONATE DEVOTION** - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *John 21:16 (15-19) ?, , , do you love Me? . . . Tend My sheep.?* Jesus did not say to make converts to your way of thinking, but He said to look after His sheep, to see that they get nourished in the knowledge of Him. We consider what we do in the way of Christian work as service; yet Jesus Christ calls service to be what we *are* to Him, not what we *do* for Him. Discipleship is based solely on devotion to Jesus Christ, not on following after a particular belief or doctrine. ?*If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . ., he cannot be My disciple? (Luke 14:26). *In this verse, there is no argument and no pressure from Jesus to follow Him; He is simply saying in effect, *?If you want to be My disciple, you must be devoted solely to Me.? *A person touched by the Spirit of God suddenly says, ?*Now I see who Jesus is!? *- that is the source of devotion. Today we have substituted doctrinal belief for personal belief, and that is why so many people are devoted to causes and so few are devoted to Jesus Christ. People do not really want to be devoted to Jesus, but only to the cause He started. Jesus Christ is deeply offensive to the educated minds of today, to those who only want Him to be their Friend, and who are unwilling to accept Him in any other way. Our Lord's primary obedience was to the will of His Father, not to the needs of people - the saving of people was the natural outcome of His obedience to the Father. If I am devoted solely to the cause of humanity, I will soon be exhausted and come to the point where my love will waver and stumble. But if I love Jesus Christ personally and passionately, I can serve humanity, even though people may treat me like a ?doormat.? The secret of a disciple's life is devotion to Jesus Christ, and the characteristic of that life is its seeming insignificance and its meekness. Yet it is like a grain of wheat that ?*falls into the ground and dies?* - it will spring up and change the entire landscape (John 12:24). *NOTE:* What Paul says in the first 9 verses of Galatians is in direct contrast to what Oswald Chambers is saying above. If we have ?Personal, Passionate Devotion to Jesus? as a disciple, there will be no danger of us perverting the Gospel of Jesus, and coming under the severe rebuke of the Holy Spirit through Paul. - J.A.W. *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 Sep 11 13:48:45 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:48:45 -0700 Subject: Galatians 1:10-2:21 Message-ID: <625d7240909111348h3f603fdfq7a15bf3886946dff@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* September 09-11 *C. GALATIANS 1:10-2:21* *PAUL JUSTIFIES HIS STEWARDSHIP OF THE GOSPEL* *1. 1:10-12 PAUL'S GOSPEL MEETS REVELATION STANDARDS* *a. 1:10 MARK OF A TRUE SERVANT: OBEYS CHRIST* ARti gar anTHR*O*pous PEIth*o* [3982], *e* ton TheON? *For am I now seeking men's favor, or :God's?* *e* z*e*T*O* [2212] anTHR*O*pois aRESkein [700]? *or am I seeking to please men?* ei Eti anTHR*O*pois *E*res-kon [700], ChrisTOU DOUlos [1401] ouk an *E*m*e* n. *if I were pleasing men, I should not be Christ's bondman.* *b. 1:11 THE TRUE GOSPEL DOES NOT ORIGINATE WITH MEN* gn*o*RIz*o* [1107] gar huMIN, a-delPHOI, *But I make known to you, brethren,* to eu-agGEli-on [2098] to eu-ag-ge-lisTHEN [2097] hup' eMOU, *as to the gospel which was preached by me,* HOti ouk EStin kaTA ANthr*o*-pon. *that it is not after man.* *c. 1:12 THE TRUE GOSPEL COMES BY REVELATION FROM JESUS* ouDE gar eG*O* paRA anTHR*O*pou paREla-bon [3880] auTO, *For neither did I receive it from man,* OUte e-diDACHth*e*n [1321], alLA di' a-po-kaLUpse-*o*s [602] 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *nor was I taught it, but through revelationof Jesus Christ.* *2. 1:13-2:14 PAUL'S CONSISTENCY TO REVELATION VERSUS JUDAIZING HYPOCRISY* *a. 1:13-14 PAUL'S UNREGENERATE BACKGROUND: A JUDAIZING PERSECUTOR* *E*-KOU-sa-te gar t*e*n eM*E*N a-na-stroPH*E*N [391] po-te en t*o*'Iou-da-isM *O* [2454], *For you have heard of my former conduct in :Judaism,* HOti kath' hu-per-boL*E*N [2596] eDI*o*kon [1377] t*e*n ek-kl*e*SIan tou TheOU, *how that beyond measure, I persecuted the church of :God,* kai ePORthoun [4199] auT*E*N: *and made havoc of it:* kai proEkop-ton [4298] en t*o* 'Iou-da-isM*O* huPER POLlous *14 and I advanced in Judaism beyond many * su-n*e*-li-ki*O*tas [4915] en t*o* GEnei [1085] mou, *of my own age among my :race,* pe-ris-soTEr*o*s z*e*-l*o*T*E*S [2207] huPARch*o*n t*o*n pa-triK*O*N [3967]mou pa-raDOse- *o*n [3862]. *being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.* *b. 1:15-17 GOD SOVEREIGNLY RESERVED PAUL FOR REVELATION-TEACHING ONLY* HOte de euDOk*e*-sen ]2106] ho TheOS ho a-phoRIsas [873] me *But when it was God's good pleasure who separated me* ek koiLIas [2836] maTROS mou kai kaLEsas [2564] diA t*e*s CHAri-tas auTOU, *from my mother's womb and called me through his :grace,* a-po-kaLUpsai [601] ton huiON auTOU en eMOI, *16 to reveal his :Son in me,* HIna eu-ag-geLIz*o*-mai [2097] auTON en tois ETHne-sin [1484]; *that I preach him among the nations;* euTHE*o*s ou pro-sa-neTHEm*e*n [4323] sarKI [4561] kai HAIma-ti [129]: *straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood:* ouDE aN*E*Lthon eis 'Ie-roSOlu-ma pros tous pro eMOU a-poSTOlous [652], *17 neither went I up to Jerusalem unto the apostles before me,* alLA aP*E*Lthon eis A-raBIan, *but went away into Arabia,* kai PAlin huPEstre-psa [5290] eis Da-masKON. *and again returned unto Damascus.* *c. 1:18 PAUL'S FIRST CONTACT WITH THE TEACHING OF OTHERS* Epei-ta meTA TRIa Et*e* aN*E*Lthon [424] eis 'Ie-roSOlu-ma his-toR*E*sai [2477] K*e*PHAN, *Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas,* kai aPEmei-na [1961] pros auTON h*e*MEras DEka PENte. *and tarried with him fifteen days.* *d. 1:19 ONE OTHER CONTACT: JAMES* HEte-ron de t*o*n a-poSTOl*o*n ouk EIdon, *But other of the apostles saw I none,* ei m*e* 'IA-k*o*-bon ton a-delPHON tou KuRIou. *but only James the brother of the Lord.* *e. 1:20 PAUL CALLS ON GOD FOR THE ACCURACY OF HIS TESTIMONY* ha de GRAph*o* huMIN, *Now touching the things which I write you,* iDOU, eN*O*pi-on tou TheOU, HOti ou PSEUdo-mai [5674]. *lo, before :God, that I lie not.* *f. 1:21 HIS MOVEMENT INTO SYRIA AND CILICIA* Epei-ta ELthon eis ta KLIma-ta [2824] t*e*s SuRIas kai t*e*s Ki-liKIas. *Then I came into the regions of :Syria and :Cilicia.* *g. 1:22-24 JUDEA REJOICED IN THE REPORTS OF THIS PAUL* *E*m*e*n de ag-noOUme-nos [50] t*o* proS*O*p*o* [4383] tais ek-kl*e*SIais t* e*s 'IouDAIas *And I was unknown by :face to the churches of :Judaea* tais en ChrisT*O*: *which were in Christ:* MOnon de aKOUon-tes *E*san [HOti], *23 but they had only been hearing [that],* Ho di*O*k*o*n [1377] h*e*MAS poTE nun eu-ag-geLIze-tai t*e*n PIStin *Who once persecuted us now preaches the faith* h*e*n po-te ePORthei [4199]; *of which he once made havoc;* kai eDOxa-zon [1392] en eMOI ton TheON. *24 and they glorified :God in me.* *h. 2:1 FOURTEEN YEARS LATER PAUL RETURNS TO JERUSALEM* Epei-ta diA DEka tesSAr*o*n eT*O*n PAlin aNEb*e*n eis 'Ie-roSOlu-ma *Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem* meTA BarNAba, sun-pa-ra-laB*O*N [4838] kai TIton. *with Barnabas, taking also Titus along with me.* *i. 2:2 THE WISDOM IN PAUL'S GUIDED TRIP TO JERUSALEM* aNEb*e*n [305] de kaTA a-poKAlu-psin [602]; *And I went up by revelation;* kai a-neTHEm*e*n [394] auTOIS to eu-agGEli-on ho k*e*RUSs*o* [2784] *and I laid before them the gospel which I preach* en tois ETHne-sin [1484] kat' iDIan de tois doKOUsin [1380], *among the nations but privately before those of repute,* m*e* p*o*s eis keNON [2756] TREch*o* [5143], *e* Edra-mon. *lest I somehow be running, or had run, in vain.* *j. 2:3-5 PAUL'S REFUSAL TO COMPROMISE WITH CIRCUMCISING JUDAIZERS* all' ouDE TItos ho sun eMOI, HELl*e*n *o*n, *But not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek,* a-nagKASth*e* [314] pe-rit-m*e*TH*E*nai [4059]: *was compelled to be circumcised:* diA de tous pa-reiSAKtous [3920] pseu-daDELphous [5569], *4 and that because of the false brethren privately brought in,* HOIti-nes pa-reiS*E*Lthon [3922] ka-ta-skoP*E*sai [2615] t*e*n e-leu-theRIan [1657] h*e*M*O*N *who came in privately to spy out :our liberty* h*e*n Echo-men en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, *which we have in Christ Jesus,* HIna h*e*MAS ka-ta-douL*O*sou-sin [2614]: *that they might bring us into bondage:* hois, ouDE pros H*O*ran, EIxa-men [1502] t*e* hu-po-taG*E* [5992]; *5 to whom we yielded in subjection, no, not for an hour;* HIna h*e* aL*E*thei-a tou eu-ag-geLIou di-aMEIn*e* [1265] pros huMAS. *that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.* *k. 2:6-10 PAUL'S MINISTRY ACCEPTED BY THE OTHER APOSTLES* aPO de t*o*n doKOUNt*o*n [1380] EI-NAI ti *But from those of some repute* (hoPOI-OI po-te *E*san, OUden moi di-aPHErei [1308]: *(whatever they were, it makes no difference to me:* PROs*o*-pon ho TheOS anTHR*O*pou ou lamBAnei [2983]) - *:God accepts not man's person) -* eMOI gar hoi doKOUNtes [1380] ouDEN pro-sa-neTHENto [4323]: *those of repute imparted nothing to me:* alLA tou'-nanTIon [5121], iDONtes *7 but contrariwise, when they saw* HOti pePIsteu-mai [4100] to eu-agGEli-on t*e*s a-kro-buSTIas [203], *that I had been intrusted with the gospel of the :uncircumcision,* kaTH*O*S PEtros t*e*s pe-ri-toM*E*S [4061] *even as Peter with that of the circumcision* (ho gar e-nerG*E*sas [1754] PEtr*o* eis a-po-stoL*E*N [651] *8 (for who wrought for Peter unto apostleship* t*e*s pe-ri-toM*E*S eN*E*Rg*e*-sen kai eMOI eis ta ETHn*e*); *of the circumcision wrought for me also unto the nations);* kai GNONtes t*e*n CHArin t*e*n doTHEI-SAN moi, *9 and perceiving the grace :given me,* IAk*o*-bos kai K*e*PHAS kai 'I*o*An*e*s, hoi doKOUNtes [1380] STUloi [4769]EInai, *James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars,* de-xiAS [1188] Ed*o*-ken eMOI kai BarNAba koi-n*o*NIas [2842], *gave me and Barnabas right hands of fellowship,* HIna h*e*MEIS eis to ETHn*e*, *that we go unto the nations,* auTOI de eis t*e*n pe-ri-toM*E*N [4062]; *and they unto the circumcision;* MOnon t*o*n pt*o*CH*O*N [4434] HIna mn*e*-moNEU*o*-men [3421]; *10 only they would that we remember the poor;* ho kai eSPOUda-sa [4704] auTO TOUto poi*E*sai. *which selfsame thing I also gave diligence to do.* *l. 2:11 PAUL WITHSTANDS PETER* HOte de *E*Lthen K*e*PHAS eis An-tiOchei-an, *But when Cephas came to Antioch,* kaTA PROs*o*-pon auT*O* anTESt*e*n [436], HOti ka-teg-n*o*sMEnos [2607] *e* n. *I withstood him to the face, because he was condemned.* *m. 2:12 PETER'S VACILLATION ON THE JUDAIZING PRINCIPLE* pro tou gar elTHEIN tiNAS aPO 'IaK*O*bou, *For before that certain came from James,* meTA t*o*n ethN*O*N suN*E*Sthi-en [4906]; *he ate with the nations;* HOte de *E*Lthon, huPEstel-len [5288 kai aPH*O*ri-zen [873] he-auTON, *but when they came, he drew back and separated himself,* phoBOUme-nos [5399] tous ek pe-ri-toM*E*S [4061]. *fearing them of the circumcision.* *n. 2:13 RESULT OF PETER'S EXAMPLE: MORE VACILLATION* kai su-nu-peKRIth*e*san [4942] auT*O* kai hoi loiPOI 'IouDAIoi; *And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him;* H*O*Ste kai BarNAbas su-naP*E*CHth*e* [4879] auT*O*N t*e* hu-poKRIsei [5272] . *so that Barnabas also was carried away with the dissimulation.* *o. 2:14 PAUL CONFRONTS PETER'S HYPOCRISY ON THE JUDAIZING QUESTION* all' HOte EIdon HOti ouk or-tho-poDOUsin [3716] *But when I saw that they walked not uprightly* pros t*e*n aL*E*thei-on tou eu-ag-geLIou, *according to the truth of the gospel,* EIpon t*o* K*e*PHA EMpros-then [1715] PANt*o*n, Ei su, 'IouDAIos huPARch*o* n, *I said to :Cephas before all, If you, being a Jew,* eth-niK*O*S, kai ouk 'Iou-da-iK*O*S z*e*s 2198], *live as Gentiles, and live not as Jews,* p*o*s ta ETHn*e* a-nagKAzeis [314] 'Iou-daIzein? *how do you compel the nations to be as Jews?* *3. 2:15-21 BASIS OF JUSTIFICATION: FAITH - NOT WORKS OF LAW* *a. 2:15-16 PAUL DEFENDS FAITH - NOT WORKS - AS BASIS OF JUSTIFICATION* H*e*MEIS PHUsei [5449] 'Iou-daIoi, kai ouk ex ethN*O*N ha-mar-t*o*LOI 268], *We Jews by nature, and not sinners of the nations,* eiDOtes de HOti ou di-kaiOUtai [1344] ANthr*o*-pos ex ERg*o*n [2041] NOmou [3551] *16 yet knowing that a man is not justified by works of law* eAN m*e* diA PIste-*o*s 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *except through faith in Jesus Christ,* kai h*e*MEIS eis 'I*e*SOUN ChrisTON e-pisTEUsa-men [4100], *even we :believed unto Christ Jesus,* HIna di-kai-*o*TH*O*men [1344] ek PIste-*o*s ChrisTOU, *that we might be justified by faith in Christ,* kai ouk ex ERg*o*n NOmou: *and not by works of law:* HOti ex ERg*o*n NOmou ou di-kai-*o*TH*E*se-tai PAsa sarx. *because by works of law shall no flesh be justified.* *b 2:17a THAT CHRIST JUSTIFIES SINNERS IS NO REFLECTION ON CHRIST* ei de, z*e*TOUNtes [2212] di-kai-*o*TH*E*nai en ChrisT*O*, *But if, seeking to be justified in Christ,* heuREth*e*-men [2147] kai auTOI ha-mar-t*o*LOI [268], *we ourselves also were found sinners,* Ara ChrisTOS ha-marTIas diAko-nos [1249]? *is Christ then minister of sin?* *c. 2:17b Be it not so. *m*e* GEnoi-to [1096]. *d. 2:18 A TRANSGRESSOR: ONE WHO REVERTS BACK TO JUSTIFICATION BY LAW* ei gar ha kaTElu-sa [2647] TAUta PAlin oi-ko-doM*O* [3618], *For if I build up again what things I destroyed,* pa-raBAt*e*n [3848] e-mauTON su-niSTAno [4921]. *I prove myself transgressor.* *e. 2:19 POWER OF LAW OVER US DIED WHEN CHRIST DIED AND ROSE AGAIN* eG*O* gar diA NOmou aPEtha-non [599], HIna The*O* Z*E*s*o* [2198]. *For I through law died to law, that I might live to God.* *f. 2:20 CHRIST LIVING IN US: A LAW THAT SUPERCEDES LAW OF MOSES!* ChrisT*O* su-neSTAUr*o*-mai [4957]; *I have been crucified with Christ;* z*o* [2198] de ouKEti eG*O*, z*e* de en eMOI ChrisTOS: *and no longer I live, but Christ lives in me:* ho de nun z*o* en sarKI [4561] *and what I now live in the flesh* en PIStei z*o* t*e* tou huiOU tou TheOU, *I live by faith which is in the Son of :God,* tou a-gaP*E*sanTOS [25] me, kai pa-raDONtos [3860] he-auTON huPER eMOU. *who loved me, and gave himself up for me.* *g. 2:21 PAUL HONORS CHRIST BY REJECTING JUSTIFICATION THROUGH LAW OF MOSES * ouk a-theT*O* [114] t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU: *I make not void the grace of :God:* ei gar diA NOmou di-kai-oSUn*e* [1343], *for if righteousness is through law,* Ara ChrisTOS d*o*-reAN [1432] aPEtha-nen [599]. *then Christ died for nought.* *?THE NATURE OF REGENERATION?** - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Galatians 1:15-16 - ?When it pleased God ... to reveal His Son in me...?* If Jesus Christ is going to regenerate me, what is the problem He faces? It is simply this - I have a heredity in which I had no say or decision; I am not holy, nor am I likely to be; and if all Jesus Christ can do is tell me that I must be holy, His teaching only causes me to despair. But if Jesus Christ is truly a regenerator, someone who can put His own heredity of holiness into me, then I can begin to see what He means when He says that I have to be holy. Redemption means that Jesus Christ can put into anyone the hereditary nature that was in Himself, and all the standards He gives us are based on that nature - *His teaching is meant to be applied to the life which He puts within us*. The proper action on my part is simply to agree with God's verdict on sin as judged on the Cross of Christ. The New Testament teaching about regeneration is that when a person is hit by his own sense of need, God will put the Holy Spirit into his spirit, and his personal spirit will be energized by the Spirit of the Son of God - ?... *until Christ is formed in you.? (Galatians 4:19). *The moral miracle of redemption is that God can put a new nature into me through which I can live a totally new life. When I finally reach the edge of my need and know my own limitations, then Jesus says, ?*Blessed are you ...? (Matthew 5:11).* But I must get to that point. God cannot put into me, the responsible moral person that I am, the nature that was in Jesus Christ, unless I am aware of my need for it. Just as the nature of sin entered into the human race through one man, the Holy Spirit entered into the human race through another Man (see Romans 5:12-19). And redemption means that I can be delivered from the heredity of sin, and that through Jesus Christ I can receive a pure and spotless heredity, namely, the Holy Spirit. *?A BONDSERVANT OF JESUS?** - OC - MUFHH* *Galatians 2:20 - ?I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me ...?* These words mean the breaking and collapse of my independence brought about by my own hands, and the surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus. No one can do this for me; I must do it myself. God may bring me up to this point three hundred and sixty-five times a year, but He cannot push me through it. It means breaking the hard outer layer of my individual independence from God, and the liberating of myself and my nature into oneness with Him; not following my own ideas, but choosing absolute loyalty to Jesus. Once I am at that point, there is no possibility of misunderstanding. Very few of us know anything about loyalty to Christ or understand what He meant when He said ?... *for My sake? (Matthew 5:11).*That is what makes a strong saint. Has that breaking of my independence come? All the rest is religious fraud. The one point to decide is - will I give up? Will I surrender to Jesus Christ, placing no conditions whatsoever as to how the brokenness will come? I must be broken from my own understanding of myself. When I reach that point, immediately the reality of the supernatural identification with Jesus Christ takes place. And the witness of the Spirit of God is unmistakable - *?I have been crucified with Christ ....?* The passion of Christianity comes from deliberately signing away my own rights and becoming a *bondservant* of Jesus Christ. Until I do that, I will not begin to be a saint. Will we allow Him to help Himself to us, or are we more concerned with our own ideas of what we are going to 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 Sun Sep 13 17:45:58 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 17:45:58 -0700 Subject: Galatians 3:1-22 Message-ID: <625d7240909131745m7d00f72ek7f80df3e61b79964@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 13, 2009 * *D. GALATIANS 3:1-6* *A DEFENSE FOR THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH ALONE* *a. 3:1 DECEPTION LEADS US FROM BASIS OF CHRIST'S DEATH* *O* aNO*e*-toi [453] GaLAtai, tis huMAS eBASka-nen [940], *O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you,* hois kat' oph-thalMOUS 'I*e*SOUS ChrisTOS pro-eGRAph*e* [3788] es-tau-r*o*MEnos [4717]? *before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?* *b. 3:2 THE GIFT OF THE SPIRIT: ON BASIS OF FAITH, NOT WORKS OF LAW* TOUto MOnon THEl*o* maTHEIN [3129] aph' huM*O*N, *This only would I learn from you,* ex ERg*o*n NOmou to PNEUma eLAbete, *Did you receive the Spirit from works of law,* *e* ex a-ko*E*S [189] PISte-*o*s [4102]? *or from hearing of faith?* *c. 3:3 A FOOLISH MOVE: TO PERFECT IN FLESH WHAT STARTED IN SPIRIT* HOUt*o*s aNO*e*-toi [453] es-te? *Are you so foolish?* e-narXAme-noi p1728] PNEUma-ti, nun sarKI [4861] e-pi-teLEISthe [2006]? *having begun in Spirit, are you now perfected in flesh?* *d. 3:4 VANITY: TO DEPART FROM BEGINNINGS OF GOSPEL* toSAUta ePAthe-te [3958] eiK*E* [1500]? ei ge kai eiK*E*. *Did you suffer so many **things** in vain? if indeed in vain.* *e. 3:5 MIRACLES ARE WROUGHT BY FAITH, NOT BY WORKS* ho oun e-pi-cho-r*e*G*O*N [2023] huMIN to PNEUma, *Who therefore supplies you the Spirit,* kai e-nerG*O*N [1754] duNAmeis [1411] en huMIN, *and works miracles among you,* ex ERg*o*n NOmou, *e* ex a-ko*E*S [180] PIS-te-*o*s [4102]? *is it **from works of law, or from **the** hearing of faith?* *f. 3:6 A LAST POINT: ABRAHAM OUR FATHER WAS JUSTIFIED BY FAITH* kaTH*O*S A-braAM ePIsteu-sen t*o* The*O*, *Even as Abraham believed :God,** ** * kai e-loGISth*e* [3049] auT*O* eis di-kai-oSUn*e*n [1343]. *and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.* *E. 3:7-22 BLESSING OF FAITH AND PURPOSE OF LAW HARMONIZED* *1. 3:7-9 FAITH: THE BASIS OF SPIRITUAL SONSHIP WITH ABRAHAM* *a. 3:7 ABRAHAM'S TRUE POSTERITY IS FROM FAITH!* GiN*O*Ske-te [1097] Ara HOti hoi ek PIS-te-*o*s, *Know then that who are from faith,* HOU-TOI huiOI ei-sin A-braAM. *these are sons of Abraham.* *b. 3:8 GOD FORESAW GENTILES IN THE CHURCH BY FAITH* pro-iDOUsa [4275] de h*e* graPH*E* HOti ek PISte-*o*s di-kaiOI [1344] ta ETHn*e* [1484] ho TheOS, *And the scripture, foreseeing that :God justifies the nations by faith,* pro-eu-*e*g-geLIsa-to [4283] t*o* A-braAM, *preached the gospel afore to Abraham, saying,* [HOti] Eneu-lo-g*e*TH*E*son-tai [1757] en soi PANta ta ETHn*e*. *[that] In you shall all the nations be blessed.* *c. 3:9 FAITH LINKS US WITH THE BLESSINGS OF ABRAHAM* H*O*Ste hoi ek PISte-*o*s *So then who are from faith* eu-loGOUNtai [2127] sun t*o* pisT*O* A-braAM.* * *are blessed with the faithful Abraham.* *2. 3:10-14 FAITH IN CHRIST: THE ONLY WAY OF DELIVERANCE FROM THE LAW* *a. 3:10 SCRIPTURES PRONOUNCE A CURSE UPON LAW-KEEPERS* HOsoi gar ex ERg*o*n NOmou eiSIN huPO kaTAran [2671] EIsin: *For as many as are of works of law are under a curse:* GEgrap-tai gar [HOti], *for it is written [that],* Epi-kaTAra-tos [1944] pas hos ouk emMEnei [1696] PAsin tois *Cursed every one who continues not in all the things* ge-gramMEnois en t*o* bibLI*o* [975] tou NOmou, tou poi*E*sai [4160] auTA. *written in the book of the law, to do them.* *b. 3:11-12 CONTRAST BETWEEN FAITH WAY AND LAW WAY OF JUSTIFICATION* HOti de en NOm*o* ouDEIS di-kaiOUtai [1344] paRA t*o* The*O*, D*E*lon [1212] : *Now that no one is justified by law before :God, is evident:* HOti, Ho DIkai-os [1342] ek PISte-*o*s [4102] Z*E*se-tai [2198]; *because, The righteous shall live by faith;* ho de NOmos ouk EStin ek PISte-*o*s: *12 and the law is not of faith:* all', Ho poi*E*sas auTA Z*E*se-tai en auTOIS. *but, Who does them shall live in them.* *c. 3:13-14 CHRIST'S REDEMPTION PROVIDES THE PROMISE OF THE SPIRIT* ChrisTOS h*e*MAS e-x*e*GOra-sen [1805] ek t*e*s kaTAras [2671] tou NOmou, *Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law,* geNOme-nos [1096] huPER h*e*M*O*N kaTAra; HOti GEgrap-tai, *having become a curse for us; because it is written,* E-pi-kaTAra-tos [1944] pas ho kreMAme-nos [2910] ePI XUlou [3586]: *Accursed every one hanging on a tree:* HIna eis ta ETHn*e* *14 that unto the nations might come* h*e* eu-loGIa [2129] tou A-braAM GEn*e*-tai en 'I*e*SOU ChrisT*O*; *the blessing of Abraham in Christ Jesus;'* HIna t*e*n e-pag-geLIan [1860] tou PNEUma-tos LAb*o*-men diA t*e*s PIste-*o* s. *that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through :faith.* *3. 3:15-18 BASIS OF PROMISE: ABRAHAMIC COVENANT, NOT LAW* *a.. 3:15a A HUMAN ANALOGY* A-delPHOI, kaTA ANthr*o*-pon LEg*o*. *Brethren, I speak after man's manner.* *b. 3:15b A COVENANT PROPERLY ENACTED CANNOT BE VOIDED* HOm*o*s anTHR*O*pou ke-ku-r*o*MEn*e*n[2964] di-aTH*E*k*e*n [1242], ouDEIS a-theTEI [114], *Though but man's covenant, no one makes it void,* *e* e-pi-di-aTASse-tai [1928]. *or adds to it when confirmed.* *c. 3:16a GOD'S PROMISES TO ABRAHAM AND HIS SEED* t*o* de A-braAM erR*E*th*e*-san [4483] hai e-pag-geLIai [1860], kai t*o*SPERma-ti [4690] auTOU. *Now to :Abraham were the promises spoken, and to his :seed.* *d. 3:16b THE PROMISE TO BE VALIDATED THROUGH THE DEATH OF ONE SEED: CHRIST * ou LEgei, Kai tois SPERma-sin, h*o*s ePI polL*O*N; *He says not, And to seeds, as of many;* all' h*o*s eph' heNOS, Kai t*o* SPERmaTI sou, hos es-tin ChrisTOS. *but as of one, And to your :seed, which is Christ.* *e. 3:17 THE LAW, FOLLOWING ABRAHAMIC COVENANT, DID NOT VOID IT* TOUto de LEg*o*: di-aTH*E*k*e*n [1242] pro-ke-ku-r*o*MEn*e*n [4300] huPO tou TheOU, *Now this I say: A covenant confirmed before by :God, the law,* ho meTA te-traKOsi-a kai triAkon-ta Et*e* ge-goN*O*S, *which came to be four hundred and thirty years after,* NOmos [3551] ouk a-kuROI [208], eis to ka-tarG*E*sai [2673] t*e*n e-pag-geLIan. *does not disannul, to make the promise void.* *f. 3:18 THEREFORE INHERITANCE DEPENDENT ON PROMISE, NOT LAW* ei gar ek NOmou h*e* kl*e*-ro-noMIa [2817], ouKEti ex e-pag-geLIas: *For if the inheritance is of law, it is no more of promise:* t*o* de A-braAM di' e-pag-geLIas keCHAris-tai [5483] ho TheOS. *but :God has granted it to :Abraham by promise.* *4. 3:19-22 PURPOSE OF LAW: TO SHUT UP TO FAITH IN CHRIST ALONE* *a. 3:19a PURPOSE OF LAW* Ti oun ho NOmos? *What therefore is the law?* *b. 3:19b TO HOLD TRANSGRESSORS DOWN TILL THE PROMISE FULFILLED* t*o*n pa-raBAse-*o*n [3847] CHArin pro-seTEth*e* [4369], *It was added because of transgressions,* Achris an ELth*e* to SPERma h*o* eP*E*Ggel-tai[1861]: *till the seed come to whom the promise has been made:* di-a-taGEIS [1299] di' agGEl*o*n [32] en cheiRI meSItou [3316]. *ordained through angels by a mediator's hand.* *c. 3:20 LAW, NOT THE COVENANT, HAD A MEDIATOR* ho de meSIt*e*s heNOS ouk EStin; ho de TheOS heis es-tin. *Now not of one is the mediator; but :God is one.* *d. 3:21a IS LAW CONTRARY TO PROMISE?* ho ouv NOmos kaTA t*o*n e-pag-ge-li*O*N tou TheOU? *Is the law then against the promises of God?* *e. 3:21b LAW A TEMPORARY NECESSITY THAT CANNOT MAKE PERFECT* m*e* GEnoi-to: *Be it not so:* ei gar eDOth*e* NOmos ho duNAme-nos [1410] z*o*-o-poi*E*sai [2227], *for if a law had been given which could make alive,* ONt*o*s en NOm*o* an *e*n h*e* di-kai-oSUn*e*n. *truly :righteousness would have been by law.* *f. 3:22 LAW SHUTS UP HOPELESS MAN TO CHRIST ALONE* alLA suNEklei-sen [4788] h*e* graPH*E* [1124] ta PANta huPO ha-marTIan [266], *But the scripture shut up :all things under sin,* HIna h*e* e-pag-geLIa [1860] ek PIste-*o*s 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU *that the promise from faith in Jesus Christ* doTH*E* tois piSTEUou-sin [4102]. *might be given to the believing.* *NOTE*: Do you have friends who have strayed from the straight and narrow way, and ended up in a cult, etc.? We all have. What do you then do? Pray? More? Paul did. When the Galatians were bewitched with the Judaizers, and forsook ?grace? and returned to ?law? - he was heart-broken. He prayed. But he also wrote. Galatians is one of the finest letters written in an attempt to reclaim wandering souls. Note what he says to them first, *?O foolish Galatians, who bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified? (3:1)?* The ?cults? do not know Jesus Christ *crucified*! They are bloodless cults. With them there is no atonement - no redemption. Their leaders are dedicated to the self-life, self-pleasure, self-enrichment - without seeking to please God the Father, Christ His Son, or Their teachings in the Bible, God's Word. Sure - they quote verses here and there, taken out of context, and in line with their life lacking self-denial, taking up their cross in identification with Christ crucified - and failing to follow Him (Mark 8:34). The day will come, that with a bitter cry, they will confess that they were ?deceived - bewitched,? by false teachers of ?another Gospel.? In the ?Unity Cult,? and many others of like ilk - the teachers number in women up to 80% - hardly the proportion we find in either the *Old* or NT. Then see what Paul repeats twice concerning such false teachers - Galatians 1:6-9 - *?I marvel that you are so quickly removing from him that called you in Christ's grace unto a different gospel. 7 which is not another: only there are some that trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of the Christ. 8 But though we, an an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel other than what we preached to you, let him be anathema. 9 As we have said before, so say I now again, if any preaches to you a gospel other than what you received, let him be anathema.? *This must be our attitude also towards all false teachers who depart from Paul's Gospel, as he so clearly set forth in his 14 letters. God made Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, the nations - all non Jews. Indeed, he saw God's *mystery* of Jew and Gentile together as the *One New Man*, and the relationship of both in Romans 11. He is adamant in protecting us non-Jews from the Judaizers. We should be equally protective in defending all believers from the false cults, who all teach ?another? Gospel, and bring down upon themselves the ?curse? of God. Does this sound too strong? *Not* if you consider the value of souls in God's sight! For is it worth it to play fast and loose with your soul under false teachers, when the end is to end up under a curse with them? Hardly! The heart of Paul and the heart of God clearly shines through in this letter to the Galatians. Here Paul clearly sets forth the stark division between law and grace, and the danger and penalty of following teachers who have departed from the latter. It is good to remember that in the Greek and English NT texts I have chosen above, they form God's Bible Numeric Greek Interlinear NT. God's signature is *numbers*. He chose the only 2 languages in the world (Greek and Hebrew) with no numerical equivalents - to write His Bible in - 66 books through 33 spelled-out writers. It can be mathematically proven that this Greek Text set forth by God through Ivan Panin, is the ?original? Greek text, and the English translation of it is based on a 10-year production of a Numeric Greek Lexicon, before Panin ever started producing the Greek text. Those who hate God and His Bible standards, don't have a leg to stand upon in the light of this extraordinary text. Those who hate what the Bible says about them - again - haven't a leg to stand upon. This should give courage - encourage all believers, to stand boldly but lovingly with God in His Word. Speak the truth in love. Persecuted for this? Of course! But with ?Eternity's Values in View? - who could then hesitate? I am committed to proclaim God's Word like Paul. Read 2 Corinthians 6 to see what it caused him. But from his lips - *?These light afflictions are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed!?* I join Paul in glorifying the Father through Jesus and His Word! Will you join me? Brother Yun, ?The Heavenly Man? of China, certainly has! - J.A.W. *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 Sep 15 09:26:42 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 15 Sep 2009 09:26:42 -0700 Subject: Galatians 3:23-4:7 Message-ID: <625d7240909150926g14ab3d97p8871f4c41d0e4269@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 15, 2009 * *F. GALATIANS 3:23-4:7* *CONTRAST OF LAW AND BLESSING OF FAITH IN CHRIST* *1. 3:23-25 TEMPORARY SERVICE AND NATURE OF LAW* *a. 3:23 LAW RULED TILL FAITH CAME* Pro tou de elTHEIN t*e*n PIstin [4102], huPO NOmon [3551] eph-rouROUme-tha [5432], *But before the faith came, we were kept in ward under law,* sun-kleiOme-noi [4788] eis t*e*n MELlou-san [3195] PIstin a-po-ka-luphTH*E*nai [601]. *shut up unto the faith to be revealed.* *b. 3:24 LAW SERVES AS A GUIDE TO CHRIST* H*O*Ste ho NOmos pai-da-g*o*GOS [3807] h*e*M*O*N GEgo-nen eis ChrisTON, *So that the law is become our tutor unto Christ,* HIna ek PIste-*o*s di-kai-*o*TH*O*men [1344]. *that we be justified from faith.* *c. 3:25 THE FAITH REPLACES LAW* exTHOUs*e*s de t*e*s PIste-*o*s, ouKEti huPO pai-da-g*o*GON [3807] es-men. *But the faith having come, we are no more under a tutor.* *2. 3:26-29 FAITH IN CHRIST GIVES US ABRAHAM'S PROMISE OF HEIRSHIP* *a. 3:26 FAITH IN CHRIST MAKES SONS OF GOD* PANtes gar huiOI [5207] TheOU es-te, *For you are all sons of God,* diA t*e*s PIste-*o*s en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *through the faith, in Christ Jesus.* *b. 3:27 CHRIST'S BAPTISM GIVES CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS AS CLOTHING* HOsoi gar eis ChrisTON e-bapTISth*e*-te [907] ChrisTON e-neDUsas-the [1746]. *For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ.* *c. 3:28 ALL DISTINCTIONS ARE ERASED IN CHRIST* ouk Eni 'IouDAIos ouDE HELl*e*n, ouk Eni DOUlos [1401] ouDE eLEUthe-ros [1658], *There** is neither Jew nor Greek, **there is neither bond nor free.* ouk Eni ARsen [730] kai TH*E*lu [2338]; *there **is no male and female;* PANtes gar huMEIS HEIS es-te en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *for you all are one man in Christ Jesus.* *d. 3:29 OUR INHERITANCE FLOWS FROM ABRAHAM IN CHRIST* ei de huMEIS ChrisTOU, Ara tou A-braAM SPERma [4690] esTE, *And if you are Christ's, then are you :Abraham's seed,* kat' e-pag-geLIan [1860] kl*e*-roNOmoi [2818]. *heirs according to promise.* *3. 4:1-5 NATURE OF SONS UNDER LAW BEFORE ADOPTION* *a. 4:1-2 NATURE OF A BABE BEFORE ADOPTION: AS A SERVANT* LEg*o* de eph' HOson CHROnon [5550] ho kl*e*-roNOmos [2818] N*E*piOS [3516]es-tin, *But I say that so long time as the heir is a babe,* ouDEN di-aPHErei [1308] DOUlou [1401], KUri-os [2962] PANt*o*n *o*n; *he differs nothing from a bondman, though lord of all;* alLA huPO e-piTROpous [2012] esTI kai oi-koNOmous [3623] *2 but is under guardians and stewards* Achri t*e*s pro-thesMIas [4287] tou paTROS. *until the father's appointed day.* *b. 4:3-5 GOD'S METHOD OF ADOPTING SONS: THROUGH CHRIST* HOUt*o*s kai h*e*MEIS, HOte *E*men N*E*pi-oi [3516], *So we also, when we were babes, * huPO ta stoiCHEIa [4747] tou KOSmou [2889] *E*me-tha de-dou-l*o*MEnoi [1402]: *were in bondage under the rudiments of the world:* HOte de *E*Lthen to PL*E*r*o*-ma [4138] tou CHROnou, *4 but when the fulness of the time came,* e-xaPEStei-len [2064] ho TheOS ton huiON auTOU, *:God sent forth his :Son,* geNOme-non ek gu-naiKOS [1135], geNOme-non huPO NOmon, *born of woman, born under law,* HIna tous huPO NOmon e-xa-goRAs*e* [1805], *5 that he might redeem those under law,* HIna t*e*n hui-o-theSIan [5206] a-poLAb*o*-men [618]. *that he might receive the adoption of sons.* *4. 4:6-7 PROOF OF SONSHIP AND HEIRSHIP* *a. 4:6 PROOF OF SONSHIP: THE WITNESSING SPIRIT OF ADOPTION* HOti de es-te huiOI, *And because you are sons,* e-xaPEStei-len [1821] ho TheOS to PNEUma [4151] tou huiOU [5207] auTOU eis tas karDIas [2588] h*e*M*O*N, *:God sent forth the Spirit of his :Son into our :hearts,* KRAzon, AbBA, ho paT*E*R. *crying, Abba, the Father.* *b. 4:7 SONSHIP RECEIVED - PRODUCES HEIRSHIP* H*O*Ste ouKEti ei DOUlos [1401], alLA huiOS; *So that you are no longer bondman, but son;* ei de huiOS, kai kl*e*-roNOmos [2818] diA TheOU. *and if son, then heir through God.* *G. 4:8-11 TO RETURN TO LAW-KEEPING IS TO RETURN TO BONDAGE* *a. 4:8-9 ILLOGICAL DECISION: TO RETURN TO A BONDAGE FROM WHICH NOW FREED!* AlLA, TOte men ouk eiDOtes [1492] TheON *However, then indeed not knowing God* e-douLEUsa-te [1398] tois PHUsei [5449] m*e* OUsi theOIS: *you were in bondage to them that by nature are no gods:* nun de GNONtes TheON, MALlon de gn*o*sTHENtes [1097] huPO TheOU, *9 but now knowing God, or rather being known by God,* p*o*s e-piSTREphe-te [1994] PAlin ePI ta as-theN*E* [772] kai pt*o*CHA [4434] stoiCHEIa [4747], *how turn you back again to the weak and poor elements,* hois PAlin An*o*-then [509] douLEUsai [1398] THEle-te? *in which you desire to be in bondage over again?* *b. 4:10 SLAVERY TO OBSERVANCES OF TIMES* h*e*MEras pa-ra-t*e*REISthe [3906] kai M*E*nas [3376] kai kaiROUS [2540] kai e-ni-auTOUS [1763]. *You observe days and months and seasons and years.* *c. 4:11 RESULT: THE LABORS OF THE APOSTLE COME TO VANITY* phoBOUmai [5399] huMAS, m*e* p*o*s eiK*E* [1500] ke-koPIa-ka [2872] I eis huMAS. *I am afraid of you, lest somehow I have toiled over you in vain.* *NOTE**: *In Galatians 2:23-25 we have a clear word, revealing the relationship between law and faith. Just as a plant like a potato sheds the seed potato before harvest, so we need to shed *law*, once we enter into God's Kingdom of faith! 3:26-29. The Holy Spirit baptizes us into Christ, and then Christ baptizes us into the Spirit. The preacher baptizes us into water, usually between these two. Dr. J. Edwin Orr illustrates it this way: Plug up the sink; place an empty glass under the tap. Keep the tap running after the glass is full, till the sink is also full. Then the full glass is immersed in the full sink. *This* is being baptized in the Spirit! 4:1-5 is most important to understand. It merely enlarges on this above thought. It centers around the understanding of ?adoption? as practiced in the Middle East, particularly in Israel. The procedure of adoption in our Western Culture does not help us to understand the Biblical procedure. First of all, it does not relate to adopting someone outside the family to take place legally as if the child adopted had not been *born* into that family. Rather, it describes how a youth of Israel born into the family is trained by the servants of his father to become a partner with his father, and eventually take over the business. When the servants are satisfied that they have trained the father's son to this point, *then* they announce to him that ?his son? is ready to be ?adopted?. *Adoption* is a ceremony for one born into the family, but passes on from under the control and training of servants, and *now* takes his place *beside* his father, and *over* the servants who trained him. The servants represent the law. *It* brought Israel to the point of ?adoption.? Now that faith has come through Christ, we in the church, the ?One New Man?, are now *over* the law. It has served its purpose. We have moved on! Let us *not* turn back and place ourselves again under tutors! Jesus as a boy and young man was under his father and mother. His Bar Mitzvah at the age of 12 did not remove Him from this position. But at the age of 30 when He was baptized, He was ?adopted?, became one with His Father in *Ministry*, and no longer returned to His former position. When His mother suggested He help out at a wedding when the wine failed, He said, ?Woman - what have I to do with you? My hour has not yet come.?' I have graduated. I have been Adopted. It is now only what My Heavenly Father commands - that I obey. His Heavenly Father did show Jesus that this was His will! He then performed His first miracle by turning water into wine! *This* illustrates the Biblical and Middle East understanding of ?Adoption?. 5 times this word is used in the NT. Each reference has rich insights in its meaning. 4:8-11. In the light of 3:23-4:7 - the Holy Spirit through Paul then makes a resounding conclusion. How can a son who has been *freed* from the tutelage of the law return there again? Inconceivable. Unbelievable. But the ?Judaizers? would bring both Jew and Gentile back into law-bondage! Now Jewish Culture for Jews is *not* to be taken from them in this light. But ?law-bondage? is! A similar illustration can be seen in what white missionaries have often taught our ?First Nations People?, the aborigines of America. They have often taken *all* their culture from them. This is wrong. What is not under a curse and condemned by the Bible, can be redeemed and lived in as their culture, just as we live in our culture. *Some* things in *our* culture should be put out, just as we have required our Indian friends to put aside even legitimate cultural customs. See ?Dancing our Prayers? by Richard Twiss. He makes this point abundantly clear. - *www.wiconi.com** - Phone 360-546-1867* So while we take care not to fall back into law-bondage following our ?spiritual adoption?, let us not fall into the opposite ditch, and judge legitimate cultural customs that do not fall under Biblical condemnation. - J.A.W. *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 Sep 17 11:03:32 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:03:32 -0700 Subject: Galatians 4:12-31 Message-ID: <625d7240909171103o3302a08es88cbfb96f15ef88d@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 17, 2009 * *H. GALATIANS 4:12-20 * *A PERSONAL APPEAL TO RETURN TO FAITH IN CHRIST* *a. 4:12a PAUL'S EXHORTATION: FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE - STAY A FREE JEW* GInes-the h*o*s eG*O*, HOti ka' 'G*O* h*o*s huMEIS, *I beseech you brethren, become as I;* a-delPHOI, DEo-mai [1189] huM*O*N. *for I also am as you.* *b. 4:12b-14 REMINDER: THEY RECEIVED HIS TEACHING PREVIOUSLY!* ouDEN me *e*-diK*E*sa-te [91]: *You did me no wrong:* OIda-te de HOti di' asTHEnei-an [769] t*e*s sarKOS [4561] *13 but you know that because of infirmity of the flesh* eu-*e*g-ge-liSAm*e*n [2097] huMIN to PROte-ron: *I preached the gospel to you the former time:* kai ton pei-rasMON [3906] huM*O*N en t*e* sarKI mou *14 and the temptation to you in my :flesh* ouk e-xou-theN*E*sa-te [1848], ouDE e-xepTUsa-te [1609]; *you despised not, nor rejected;* alLA h*o*s AGge-lon TheOU eDExasTHE me, h*o*s ChrisTON 'I*e*SOUN. *but you received me as God's angel, as Christ Jesus.* *c. 4:15 THE SPIRIT IN WHICH PAUL'S TEACHING PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED* pou oun ho ma-ka-risMOS [3107] huM*O*N? *Where then is your :congratulation?* mar-tuR*O* [3140] gar huMIN, HOti, ei du-naTON, *for I bear you witness, that, if possible,* tous oph-thalMOUS huM*O*N e-xoRUxan-tes [1846] eD*O*kaTE [1325] moi. *you would have plucked out your :eyes and given them to me.* *d. 4:16 REVERSAL: REMINDER OF FIRST TRUTH, NOW MAKES THEM ENEMIES?* H*O*Ste echTHROS [2190] huM*O*N GEgo-na, a-l*e*THEU*o*n [226] huMIN? *So then am I become your enemy, by telling you truth?* *e. 4:17 PURPOSE OF JUDAIZERS: WIN PAUL'S CONVERTS FROM HIM* z*e*LOUsin [2206] huMAS ou kaL*O*S; *They are zealous for you in no good way;* alLA ekKLEIsai [1576] huMAS THElou-sin, HIna auTOUS z*e*LOUte [2206]. *but desire to shut you out, that you be zealous for them.* *f. 4:18 PAUL'S DESIRE FOR THEM: ONLY GOOD* kaLON de z*e*LOUSthai en kaL*O* PANto-te, *But it is good to be zealously sought in a good matter always,* kai m*e* MOnon en t*o* paREI-NAI [3918] me pros huMAS. *and not only when I am present with you.* *g. 4:19-20 PAUL'S REACTION: BIRTH PANGS AGAIN FOR CHRIST'S FULLNESS* TEKna [5040] mou, hous PAlin *o*DIn*o* [5605] *My little children, of whom I am again in travail* MEchris mou mor-ph*o*TH*E* [3445] ChrisTOS en huMIN - *until Christ be formed in you -* *E*the-lon de paREInai [3918] pros huMAS ARti, *20 but I could wish to be present with you now,* kai alLAxai [236] t*e*n ph*o*N*E*N [5456] mou; HOti a-poROUmai [639] en huMIN. *and to change my :voice; for I am perplexed about you.* *I. 4:21-31 ALLEGORICAL APPEAL: LAW AND FAITH CANNOT CO-EXIST!* *a. 4:21 IF WE MARRY LAW, WE MUST UNDERSTAND ITS CONDITIONS* LEgeTE moi, hoi huPO NOmon [3551] THElon-tes EInai, *Tell me, you that desire to be under law,* ton NOmon ouk aKOUete? *do you not hear the law?* *b. 4:22 ABRAHAM'S TWO SONS* GEgrap-tai gar, HOti A-braAM DUo huiOUS ESchen, *For it is written, that Abraham had two sons,* HEna ek t*e*s paiDISk*e*s [3814], kai HEna ek t*e*s e-leuTHEras [1658]. *one by the maid, and one by the freewoman.* *c. 4:23 CHILD OF FLESH VERSUS CHILD OF PROMISE* all' ho men ek t*e*s paiDISk*e*s kaTA SARka geGENn*e*-tai; *But he of the maid is born after the flesh;* ho de ek t*e*s e-leuTHEras [1658], di' e-pag-geLIas [1860]. *and he of the freewoman, through promise.* *d. 4:24 ALLEGORY OF TWO COVENANTS* HAtiNA es-tin al-l*e*-goROUme-na [238]: *Which things contain an allegory:* HAUtai gar ei-sin DUo di-aTH*E*kai [1242]: MIa men aPO Orous SiNA, *for these are two covenants: the one from mount Sinai,* eis douLEIan [1397] genN*O*sa, H*E*tis esTIN HAgar. *bearing unto bondage, which is Hagar.* *e. 4:25 HAGAR AND EARTHLY JERUSALEM: MOTHERS OF BONDAGE* to de, HAgar, SiNA Oros esTIN t*e* A-raBIa, *Now this, Hagar, is mount Sinai in :Arabia,* sun-stoiCHEI [4960] de t*e* nun 'Ie-rou-saL*E*M: *and answers to the Jerusalem that now is:* douLEUei [1398] gar meTA t*o*n TEKn*o*n auT*E*S. *for she is in bondage with her :children.* *f. 4:26-27 HEAVENLY JERUSALEM ALONE BEARS SPIRITUAL CHILDREN* h*e* de An*o* 'Ie-rou-saL*E*M e-leuTHEra [1658] EStin, H*E*tis esTIN M*E*t*e *r [3384] h*e*M*O*N, *But the Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother,* GEgrap-tai gar, *27 For it is written,* EuPHRANth*e*-ti [2165], STEIra [4723] h*e* ou TIKtou-sa [5088]; *Rejoice, you barren that does not bear;* 'R*E*xon [4486] kai BO*e*-son [994], h*e* ouk *o*DInou-sa [5605]: *Break forth and cry, you that do not travail:* HOti polLA ta TEKna t*e*s eR*E*mou [2048] MALlon *For more are the children of the desolate* *e* t*e*s eCHOUs*e*s ton ANdra. *than of her that has the husband.* *g. 4:28 CHRISTIANS ARE CHILDREN OF PROMISE* h*e*MEIS de, a-delPHOI, kaTA I-saAK e-pag-geLIas TEKna esMEN. *Now we, brethren, are as Isaac children of promise.* *h. 4:29 CHILDREN OF FLESH PERSECUTE CHILDREN OF PROMISE* all' H*O*Sper TOte ho kaTA SARka gen-n*e*THEIS *But just as then who was born after the flesh* eDI*o*-ke ton kaTA PNEUma, HOUt*o*s kai nun. *persecuted the one after the Spirit, so also now.* *i. 4:30a TESTIMONY OF SCRIPTURE* alLA ti LEgei h*e* graPH*E*? *But what says the scripture?* *j. 4:30b CAST OUT BONDWOMAN AND SON FROM INHERITANCE* EKba-le [1544] t*e*n paiDISk*e*n [3814] kai ton huiON auT*E*S: *Cast out the maid and her :son: * ou gar m*e* kl*e*-ro-noM*E*sei [2818] *for the son of the maid* ho huiOS t*e*s paiDISk*e*s meTA tou huiOU t*e*s e-leuTHEras [1668]. *shall not inherit with the son of the freewoman.* *k. 4:31 CONCLUSION: CHRISTIANS ARE BORN FREE!* di' HO, a-delPHOI, ouk esMEN paiDISk*e*s [3814] TEKna [5043], *Wherefore, brethren, we are not a maid's children,* alLA t*e*s e-leuTHEras [1658]. *but the freewoman's.* *NOTE*: In 2005 my wife Marie and I attended a 2 week conference on Mount Carmel, Israel. Out of the 4 times we've been there, this in our estimation was the most fruitful and challenging. One of the teachers laid a foundation for understanding the present tension in the Middle East between Isaac and Ishmael, between the Jews and Arabs. It all goes back to the problem Abraham created by listening to his wife. God told Abraham that his heir would come through Sarah. He waited 13 years, and by that time both Sarah and he were past the age of child-bearing. It would take a triple miracle to fulfill God's promise to Abraham: barrenness reversed for both him and his wife, and a boy - not a girl. (It is interesting to note that there are but 8 people in the Bible named prior to birth. Ishmael was the first; Isaac the second; John the Baptist and Jesus the 7th and 8th.) Sarah gave up in the interval, and invited her husband to take her Egyptian maid Hagar to fulfill the promise. But God said, ?No, not Ishmael through Hagar, but Isaac through Sarah.? Ishmael started persecuting his brother Isaac when the latter was weaned at 2. Sarah responded by telling Abraham to get rid of Hagar and Ishmael, which he reluctantly did, for he loved Ishmael, his firstborn. The persecution that commenced way back then (4000 years ago), continues yet today between the descendants: Israel and the Muslims. But Paul then takes this account and makes it into an allegory, to set forth the enmity between the worldly people, and those born of the Spirit into God's Kingdom. Just as the non-believer in Jesus' day hated Him and persecuted Him, so all those of us in Christ, who have been born of the New Jerusalem above, suffer persecution. The Judaizers are represented by Hagar and Ishmael. The ?One New Man? - Jew and Gentile born into God's Kingdom through Jesus - are persecuted by those on the other side. Paul's letter to the Galatians opens up many vistas, not just one. But in 4:12-20, Paul is showing the danger Gentile believers were facing in his day because of the Judaizers. Those becoming first interested in their position, were now beginning to turn on Paul - the one God used to bring them initially into His Kingdom. And let us remember, the Gospel, the Good News, is the ?Good News of the Kingdom of God? from Heaven! Some 100 times ?the Kingdom? is mentioned in the NT, and always as ?Good News?. It is ?Good News? to confess with your mouth Jesus as your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, following His great act of working out perfect redemption for us through His blood. Is this ?Good News? to Modernistic and unbelieving preachers? They *hate*it; and they likewise hate those of us who embrace it. So - our Bible recounts a battlefield between God and Satan; believer and unbeliever; those in the Kingdom of God, and those yet in the world. Look at the nation of America - the US today. We too are in a battlefield. Many want to take from us the foundations in God laid by our Founding Fathers! Islam would like to replace Christianity as the world's religion. If we cannot see this conflict, it is most likely that we are not yet in God's Kingdom - have not been born from above; have not confessed and made Jesus as Lord! What an opportunity through this letter to the Galatians and reading, to rectify such a situation, and *choose* to go God's way according to the Bible, not some esoteric false road. There *is* a way that seems right unto a man (New Age, bloodless cults, man-concocted religions) - but the *end* of them is *death*! I know. For 20 years I lived in such a church, never hearing the Gospel of God's Kingdom till God took hold of my life in answer to the prayers of others, and into a situation where He could reveal Himself to me through His Son, Jesus Christ! - J.A.W. *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 Sep 19 16:12:05 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 16:12:05 -0700 Subject: Galatians 5:1-12 Message-ID: <625d7240909191612v7813c497mc88e1286c78a00bb@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 19, 2009 * *J. GALATIANS 5:1 IF FREE: STAY FREE!* T*e* e-leu-theRIa [1658] h*e*MAS ChrisTOS *e*-leuTHEr*o*-sen [1659]: *For :freedom did Christ set us free:* ST*E*ke-te [4739] oun, kai m*e* PAlin zuG*O* douLEIas [1397] eNEches-the [1758]. *stand fast therefore, and be not entangled again in a yoke of bondage.* *K. 5:2-12 THE DEADLY LEAVEN OF THE JUDAIZERS* *1. 5:2-6 CHRIST CANNOT WORK THROUGH LAW: ONLY BY FAITH* *a. 5:2 CIRCUMCISION RELEASES ONE FROM CHRIST* Ide, eG*O* PAUlos LEg*o* huMIN, HOti,* * *Behold, I Paul say to you, that,* eAN pe-riTEMn*e*s-the [4059], ChrisTOS huMAS ouDEN *o*-pheL*E*sei [5623]. *if you receive circumcision, Christ will profit you nothing.* *b. 5:3 CIRCUMCISION REQUIRES FULL OBEDIENCE TO THE LAW* marTUro-mai [3143] de PAlin panTI anTHR*O*p*o* pe-ri-tem-noMEn*o*, *And I testify again to every man circumcised,* HOti o-pheiLEt*e*s [3781] esTIN HOlon ton NOmon poi*E*sai. *that he is debtor to do the whole law.* *c. 5:4 KEEPING LAW CAUSES A FALL FROM GRACE* ka-t*e*rG*E*th*e*-te [2673] aPO ChrisTOU, HOIti-nes en NOm*o* di-kaiOUSthe [1344]; *You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by law;* t*e*s CHAri-tos e-xePEsa-te [1601]. *You are fallen from :grace.* *d. 5:5 ONLY THE SPIRIT BY FAITH - GIVES A TRUE HOPE* h*e*MEIS gar PNEUma-ti ek PIste-*o*s *For we through the Spirit by faith* elPIda [1680] di-kai-oSUn*e*s a-pek-deCHOme-tha [553]. *wait for the hope of righteousness.* *e. 5:6 CHRIST DEPENDS ON FAITH ALONE WORKING BY LOVE* en gar ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU OUte pe-ri-toM*E* [4061] ti isCHUei [2480], *For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything,* OUte a-kro-buSTIa [203]; alLA PIstis di' aGAp*e*s e-ner-gouMEn*e* [1754] . *nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.* *2. 5:7-12 A WARNING TO HINDERERS OF THE GOSPEL* *a. 5:7 PAUL SEEKS OUT THE HINDERERS TO THEIR RACE* E-TREche-te [5143] kaL*O*S; *You were running well;* tis huMAS eNEko-psen [348] t*e* a-l*e*THEIa [225] m*e* PEIthes-thai [3982]? *who hindered you that you should not obey truth?* *b. 5:8 THEIR EVIL HINDRANCE IS NOT FROM GOD* h*e* pei-smoN*E* [3988] ouk ek tou kaLOUNtos [2564] huMAS. *The persuasion is not of him that calls you.* *c. 5:9 LEAVENED TEACHING SPREADS* miKRA ZUm*e* [2219] HOlon to PHUra-ma [2219] zuMOI [2220]. *A little leaven leavens the whole lump.* *d. 5:10 PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IN THEM, AND WARNING TO JUDAIZERS* eG*O* PEpoi-tha [3982] eis huMAS en KuRI*o*, *I have confidence toward you in the Lord,* HOti ouDEN ALlo phroN*E*se-te: *that you will not be otherwise minded:* ho de taRASs*o*n [5015] huMAS baSTAsei [941] to KRIma [2917], HOstis an *e*. *but who troubles you shall bear the judgment, whoever he is.* *e. 5:11 CROSS, NOT CIRCUMCISION, CAUSES PERSECUTION* E-G*O* de, a-delPHOI, ei pe-ri-toM*E*N [4061] Eti k*e*RUSs*o* [2784], *But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision,* ti Eti di*O*ko-mai [1377]? *why am I still persecuted?* Ara kaT*E*Rg*e*-tai [2673] to SKAN-da-lon [4625] tou stauROU [4716]. *then has the stumblingblock of the cross been done away.* *f. 5:12 EXCOMMUNICATION FOR TROUBLERS* Ophe-lon [3785] kai a-poKOpson-tai [609] hoi a-na-staTOUNtes [387] huMAS. *I would that they that uusettle you would even mutilate themselves.* *?LIBERTY AND THE STANDARDS OF JESUS?** - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Galatians 5:1 - ?Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free ...?* A spiritually-minded person will never come to you with the demand - ?Believe this and that?; a spiritually-minded person will demand that you align your life with the standards of Jesus. We are not asked to believe the Bible, but to believe the One whom the Bible reveals (see John 5:39-40). We are called to present liberty for the conscience of others, not to bring them liberty for their thoughts and opinions. And if we ourselves are free with the liberty of Christ, others will be brought into that same liberty - the liberty that comes from realizing the absolute control and authority of Jesus Christ. Always measure your life solely by the standards of Jesus. Submit yourself to His yoke, and His alone; and always be careful never to place a yoke on others that is not of Jesus Christ. It takes God a long time to get us to stop thinking that unless everyone sees things exactly as we do, they must be wrong. That is never God's view. There is only one true liberty - the liberty of Jesus at work in our conscience enabling us to do what is right. Don't get impatient with others. Remember how God dealt with you - with patience and with gentleness. But never water down the truth of God. Let it have its way and never apologize for it. Jesus said, *?Go . . . and make **disciples ...?** *(Matthew 28:19), not, ?*Make converts to your own thoughts and opinions.?* *NOTE*: Galatians 5:1 is really the introduction to 5:2-11. What Oswald Chambers has noted here, is also apropos to this passage. - J.A.W. *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 Sep 20 17:10:45 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 17:10:45 -0700 Subject: Canadian Revivals Message-ID: <625d7240909201710l4cfa5d0em8fbc1271fa1ee92@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 20, 2009 * ?*FROM THE RIVER UNTO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH?* *Canadian Revival Documentary - Marney Blom* *Psalm 72:8 (1-20) ?He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,* *And from the River unto the ends of the earth.?* This verse was given to the Premier of New Brunswick after much prayer, as he with other Canadian leaders in 1867 sought for a name for Canada under the British North America Act, as they gained their sovereignty from Great Britain as a Commonwealth member. It was ?The Dominion of Canada?, and this is brought out in a creative way in the above Documentary. Of course, the Holy Spirit gave this verse to King David originally for Israel, but it has relevant application to Canada also. It is a record of Past Revivals in Canada: Those led by the First Nations People, Eskimos and Inuits; the 1948 Latter Rain Visitation in North Battleford, Saskatchewan; the 1971 Visitation in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan with the Sutera twins; the 1994 Visitation in Toronto under John Arnott. Following the original Premier showing in Toronto in 2005, the documentary has been enlarged, and includes the prophetic word for Canada, October 31st1975 in Kelowna, BC by Pastor David Yonggi Cho of Seoul, S. Korea. For information on this production - see ** There is a tie-in between what God intends to do in Canada prior to the return of His Son, and what He is about to do in Cascadia, the Pacific Northwest: Vancouver/Victoria BC; Seattle/Tacoma; Portland/Vancouver WA and Spokane WA. These 4 cities are like the 4 cities of Samuel that he covered during his life-time in judging Israel. Recently some 90 delegates of the 4 Cascadia cities met in Vancouver WA. Interestingly, the First Nations People welcomed us to the land in a Protocol ceremony commencing the Convention. They presented me as the key-note speaker, with an Indian necklace and a book by Richard Twiss, ?Dancing our Prayers?, *www.wiconi.com * I am the last of the Living Elders from the 1948 Summer Camp Meeting of the Latter Rain Visitation. In 1992 God commissioned me to take the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles that came together in 1948 - Link them with the 12 tribes of Israel, and with the 12 world cultural groups. ?Sensitivity, Faithfulness & Obedience? was one of the 12. To this I linked the Tribe of Issachar, and the ?First Nations People?. John Roddam, Rector of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Seattle, helped Marie and me to record these 12 on 3 DVD's. There are ten 30 minute segments available at *www.reason-for-hope.com - *under Biography. I gathered from God that without the function of the ?First Nations People?, arising from their embryonic State to full Maturity, that the ?One New Man? of Ephesians 3 would be missing one twelfth of its potential. In this case it would be like a 12 cylinder Daimler car missing the firing of one of its cylinders, which would be exceedingly serious. Remember Benjamin in the last few chapters of the Book of Judges. When as a tribe of Israel he was nearly wiped out because of sin, and reduced to but 600 young men; the other 11 tribes recognized that without the functioning of all 12 tribes, Israel could not achieve the goals God had set for her. They then contrived to supply wives for these 600, and the nation then followed on in God. Without the responsible action of the surviving 11 tribes, we would have been missing the apostle Paul, a *Benjamite*, who wrote 14 of the 27 letters of the NT! I believe we stand in a parallel situation today. The other 11 cultural world groups much like the 11 remaining tribes of Israel, must stand with the ?First Nations People? until they come up to their potential of release that God has designed for them. As a matter of fact - all 12 cultural world groups need to unselfishly enable one another to achieve God's designated potential for each other! See our Website *<*www.2rbetter.org*> *under ?Embryonics?, and there you will see the 12 Revival Principles of 1948, the linkage of the 12 tribes, and the linkage of the 12 world cultural groups. I am committed to stand with the ?First Nations People? until they achieve God's destiny for them and for us. We must *not* disallow them from attaining legitimate parts of their culture. True, each world culture has areas to be set aside as being unredeemable - but that which *can be*redeemed - let us encourage them to redeem. See ?Dances with Wolves? with Kevin Costner. There we can see areas that can be and should be redeemed. See Don Richardson, Missiologist and author and his comments on ?Dancing Our Prayers?: ?Richard, I believe in you and in your pursuit of better approaches to Native North Americans and others. God bless you and all your team!? Also consider the words of *Volkhard Graf*, Missionary from Germany, Director, Youth With A Mission, Native Ministries (Nez Perce Reservation) - ?I have read with interest and I am grateful that you and other First Nations leaders continue to wrestle with this thematic, even while some other First Nations leaders take a decidedly different stand on the issue. You engage their arguments respectfully, humbly and with integrity, using the Word of God as your measuring stick.? Recently Darrell Dahlman, Troubadour Worship Leader for us, Korea, Mongolia and others. has this to say about the lifting up of the Mongolian believers into God's plan for them. Through Genghis Khan and his descendants a mighty empire was carved out in Asia and Europe. A key was the excellent horsemanship of the Mongols. ?Bits? for the bridle of their horses were developed in his day, and with this advantage, other nations fell. Through their empire building, ?The Silk road? for trade was established into China and the Orient. This is about to be used again in the ?Back to Jerusalem? vision that was revived through Brother Yun, ?The Heavenly Man.? It has been discovered that there is a DNA connection between the Mongols and the ?First Nations People? of North America. They both have excellent horsemanship, and may have other gifts in common such as a fierceness in warfare. Here are some quotations corroborating these insights: ?Mongol People of the Middle Ages: Lands, Personality, Beliefs, and Way of Life? - Author Steve DeVault, April 23, 2007 - The religion of the Mongols was similar in concept to that of the Native Americans. Nature, both an admiration and fear of, held the center of the religious beliefs. The number of Mongol gods was infinite. They worshiped fire as a cleansing element and would not pass a knife through the flames for fear of beheading the flames and taking away the power fire projected.? The following is an excerpt from Volume 1 of *The Great Republic by the Master Historians.* The book was published in the early1900's and edited by renowned American historian Hubert H. Bancroft. It covers United States history from the period before Columbus' arrival through the French and Indian War. Within the book Bancroft comments on each historical event as well as includes more detailed accounts by other historians. The origin of Native Americans - ?Beginning with eastern Asia, we find that the Americans, or in some instances their civilization only, are supposed to have come originally from China, Japan, India, Tartary, Polynesia. Three principal routes are proposed by which they may have come, - namely, Bering Strait, the Aleutian Islands, and Polynesia. The route taken by no means depends upon the original habitat of the immigrants: thus, the people of India may have immigrated to the north of Asia and crossed Bering Strait, or the Chinese may have passed from one to the other of the Aleutian Islands until they reached the western continent. Bering Strait is, however, the most widely advocated, and perhaps most probable, line of communication. The narrow strait would hardly hinder any migration either east or west, especially as it is frequently frozen over in winter. At all events, it is certain that from time immemorial constant intercourse has been kept up between the natives on either side of the strait; indeed, there can be no doubt that they are one and the same people. ?The theory that America was peopled, or at leas partly peopled, from eastern Asia, is certainly more widely advocated than any other, and, is moreover based upon a more reasonable and logical foundation than any other. It is true, the Old World may have been originally peopled from the New, and it is also true that the Americans may have had an autochthonic origin; but, if we must suppose that they have originated on another continent, then it is to Asia that we must first look for proofs of such an origin, at least so far as the people of northwestern America are concerned. ?In addition to the theory of a Chinese settlement in the fifth century, which we shall consider subsequently, there are theories of Mongol and Japanese settlement. ?In the thirteenth century the Mongol emperor Kublai Khan sent a formidable armament against Japan. The expedition failed, and the fleet was scattered by a violent tempest. Some of the ships, it is said, were cast upon the coast of Peru, and their crews are supposed to have founded the mighty empire of the Incas, conquered three centuries later by Pizarro. Mr. John Ranking, who leads the van of theorists in this direction, has written a goodly volume upon this subject, which certainly, if read by itself, ought to convince the reader as satisfactorily that America was settled by Mongols, as Kingsborough's work that it was reached by the Jews, or Jones's argument that the Tyrians had a hand in its civilization. That a Mongol fleet was sent against Japan, and that it was dispersed by a storm, is matter of history; but that any of the distressed ships were driven up the coast of Peru can be but mere conjecture, since no news of such an arrival ever reached Asia. ?A Japanese origin, or at least a strong infusion of Japanese blood, has been attributed to the tribes of the northwest coast. There is nothing improbable in this; indeed, there is every reason to believe that on various occasions small parties of Japanese have reached the American continent, have married the women of the country, and necessarily left the impress of their ideas and physical peculiarities upon their descendants. Probably these visits were all, without exception, accidental; but that they have occurred in great numbers is certain. There have been a great many instances of Japanese junks drifting upon the American coast, many of them after having floated helplessly about for many months. Mr. Brooks gives forty-one particular instances of such wrecks, beginning in 1782, twenty-eight of which date since 1850. Only twelve of the whole number were deserted. In a majority of cases the survivors remained permanently at the place where the waves had brought them. There is no record in existence of a Japanese woman having been saved from a wreck. The reasons for the presence of Japanese and the absence of Chinese junks are simple. There is a current of cold water setting from the Arctic Ocean south along the east coast of Asia, which drives all the Chines wrecks south. The Kuro Siwo, or ?black stream,? commonly known as the Japan current, runs northward past the eastern coast of the Japan Islands, then curves about to the east and south, sweeping the whole west coast of North America, a branch, or eddy, moving toward the Sandwich Islands. A drifting wreck would be carried towards the American coast at at average rate of ten miles a day by this current.? *CONCLUSION?* We have some 500 Native Tribes in North America. Much in common, yet divergences. Still, they have much in their culture redeemable and worthy. With discernment and concern, we should seek to encourage them in their goal of redeeming all truly redeemable, and believe that God's destiny and purpose for them will be fully realized, so that their valuable contribution to the ?One New Man? - as one of earth's 12 great cultural people - will take place. - J.A.W. *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 Sep 23 13:53:11 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 23 Sep 2009 13:53:11 -0700 Subject: Galatians 6:11-18 Message-ID: <625d7240909231353w589f42a0oc3fbc0fd8ff0b568@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *II. GALATIANS 6:11-18* *FINAL APPEAL: HOLD INTERNAL CHRIST ABOVE EXTERNAL RITES* *A. 6:11-16 FINAL IMPORTANT WORD ON CROSS VERSUS RITES* *a. 6:11 PAUL EMPHASIZES THIS CONCLUSION WITH HIS OWN HAND* Ide-te h*e*LIkois [4018] huMIN GRAMma-sin [1121] Egra-psa [1125] t*e* eM*E*cheiRI [5495]. *See with how large letters I have written you with my own hand.* *b. 6:12 REASON FOR CIRCUMCISION: TO ESCAPE REPROACH OF CROSS* HOsoi THElou-sin eu-pro-s*o*P*E*sai [2146] en sarKI [4561], *As many as desire to make a fair show in **the** flesh,* HOUtoi a-nagKAzou-sin [314] huMAS pe-riTEMnes-thai [4059]; *compel you to be circumcised;* MOnon HIna t*o* stauR*O* [4716] tou ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU m*e* di*O*k*o*n-tai [1377]. *only that they be not persecuted for the cross of :Christ Jesus.* *c. 6:13 CIRCUMCISION: A GLORYING IN EXTERNAL RITES ONLY* ouDE gar hoi pe-ri-temNOme-noi auTOI NOmon phuLASsou-sin [5442]; *For not even who receive circumcision keep the law themselves;* alLA THElou-sin huMAS pe-riTEMnes-thai, *but they desire to have you circumcised,* HIna en t*e* hu-meTEra sarKI kauCH*E*s*o*n-tai [2744]. *that they may glory in your :flesh.* *d. 6:14 ONLY REASON FOR GLORYING: THE CROSS WHICH CRUCIFIES* eMOI de m*e* GEnoi-to kauCHASthai, *But **far** be it from me to glory,* ei m*e* en t*o* stauR*O* tou [4716] KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *save in the cross of our :Lord Jesus Christ,* di' hou eMOI KOSmos [2889] eSTAUr*o*-tai [4717], ka' 'G*O* KOSm*o*. *through which **the **world has been crucified to me, and I to **the**world. * *e. 6:15 CHRIST IN US SURPASSES ALL EARTHLY RITES* OUte gar pe-ri-toM*E* [4061] ti EStin, OUte a-kro-busTIa [203], *For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision,* alLA kaiN*E* [2537] KTIsis [2937]. *but a new creation.* *f. 6:16 PEACE AND MERCY FOR THOSE WHO WALK IN THIS TRUTH* kai HOsoi t*o* kaNOni [2583] TOUt*o* stoiCH*E*sou-sin [4748], *And as many as shall walk by this :rule,* eiR*E*n*e* [1515] ep' auTOUS, kai Ele-os [1656], kai ePI ton 'Is-ra*E*L tou TheOU. *peace upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of :God.* *B. 6:17 PAUL'S SCARS PROVE APOSTOLIC OWNERSHIP OF CHRIST* Tou loiPOU KOpous [2873] moi m*e*DEIS pa-reCHEt*o* [3930]; *Henceforth let no one trouble me;* eG*O* gar ta STIGma-ta [2742] tou 'I*e*SOU en t*o* S*O*maTI [4983] mou basTAz*o* [941]. *for I bear on my :body the marks of :Jesus.* *C. 6:18a. APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION OF GRACE* H*e* CHAris [5485] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU *The grace of our :Lord Jesus Christ* meTA tou PNEUma-tos [4151] huM*O*N, a-delPHOI. *be **with your :spirit, brethren.* *b. 18b Amen. *aM*E*N. *?THE SECRET OF SPIRITUAL CONSISTENCY?** - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Galatians 6:14 - ?God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ ...?* When a person is newly born again, he seems inconsistent due to his unrelated emotions and the state of the external things or circumstances in his life. The apostle Paul had a strong and steady underlying consistency in his life. Consequently, he could let his external life change without internal distress because he was rooted and grounded in God. Most of us are not consistent spiritually because we are more concerned about being consistent externally. In the external expression of things, Paul lived in the basement, while his critics lived on the upper level. And these two levels do not begin to touch each other. But Paul's consistency was down deep in the fundamentals. The great basis of his consistency was the agony of God in the redemption of the world, namely, the Cross of Christ. State your beliefs to yourself again. Get back to the foundation of the Cross of Christ, doing away with any belief not based on it. In secular history the Cross is an infinitesimally small thing, but from the biblical perspective it is of more importance than all the empires of the world. If we get away from dwelling on the tragedy of God on the Cross in our preaching, our preaching produces nothing. It will not transmit the energy of God to man; it may be interesting, but it will have no power. However, when we preach the Cross, the energy of God is released. ?... *it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe....we preach Christ crucified...? (1 Corinthians 1:21, 23).* *?THE FOCAL POINT OF SPIRITUAL POWER?** - OC - MUFHH* *Galatians 6:14 - ?... except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ...?* If you want to know the power of God (that is, the resurrection life of Jesus) in your human flesh, you must dwell on the tragedy of God. Break away from your personal concern over your own spiritual condition, and with a completely open spirit consider the tragedy of God. Instantly the power of God will be in you. *?Look to Me . . .? (Isaiah 45:22).* Pay attention to the external Source and the internal power will be there. We lose power because we don't focus on the right thing.. The effect of the Cross is salvation, sanctification, healing, etc., but we are not to preach any of these. We are to preach *?Jesus Christ and Him crucified? (1 Corinthians 2:2).* The proclaiming of Jesus will do its own work. Concentrate on God's focal point in your preaching, and even if your listeners seem to pay it no attention, they will never be the same again. If I share my own words, they are of no more importance than your words are to me. But if we share the truth of God with one another, we will encounter it again and again. We have to focus on the great point of spiritual power - the Cross. If we stay in contact with that center of power, its energy is released in our lives. In holiness movements and spiritual experience meetings, the focus tends to be put not on the Cross of Christ but on the effects of the Cross. The feebleness of the church is being criticized today, and the criticism is justified. One reason for the feebleness is that there has not been this focus on the true center of spiritual power. We have not dwelt enough on the tragedy of Calvary or on the meaning of redemption.? *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 Sep 27 18:54:37 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 18:54:37 -0700 Subject: Philippians 1:1-11 Message-ID: <625d7240909271854h145604e9n799f16b38e8f15fb@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 27, 2009 * \ *PHILIPPIANS 1-4 - SUMMARY* ?*AN APOSTOLIC BEQUEATHMENT: JOY AND REJOICING?* *PHILIPPIANS 1:1-11* *A. 1:1-2 APOSTOLIC GREETINGS* PAUlos kai TiMOtheos DOUloi [1401] ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU, *Paul and Timothy bondmen of Christ Jesus,* PAsin tois haGIois [40] en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU tois OUsin en PhiLIPpois, *to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi,* sun e-piSKOpois [1985] kai di-aKOnois [1249]; *with overseers and deacons;* CHAris huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* aPO TheOU paTROS huM*O*N *2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father* kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *and the Lord Jesus Christ.* *B. 1:3-11 PAUL'S 3-FOLD DESIRE* *a. 1:3-7 PAUL'S GOAL: JESUS' PERFECTION OF THESE SAINTS* Eu-cha-risT*O* [2168] t*o* The*O* mou ePI PAs*e* t*e* MNEIa [3417] huM*O*N *I thank my :God upon all my :remembrance of you* PANto-te en PAs*e* de*E*sei [1162] mou *4 always in every supplication of mine* huPER PANt*o*n huM*O*N meTA chaRAS t*e*n de*E*sin poiOUme-nos, *on behalf of you all making my supplication with joy,* ePI t*e* koi-n*o*NIa [2842] huM*O*N eis to eu-agGEli-on [2098] *5 for your :fellowship unto the gospel* aPO t*e*s PR*O*t*e*s h*e*MEras Achri tou nun; *from the first day until :now;* pe-poiTH*O*S [3982] auTO TOUto, *6 confident of this very thing, * HOti ho e-narXAme-nos [1728] en huMIN ERgon [2041] a-gaTHON *that he who began a good work in you* e-pi-teLEsei [2005] Achri h*e*MEras 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU: *will perfect it until Jesus Christ's day:* kaTH*O*S es-tin DIkai-on [1342] eMOI TOUto phroNEIN [5426] huPER PANt*o*n huM*O*N, *7 even as it right for me to think thus on behalf of you all,* diA to Echein me en t*e* karDIa [2588] huMAS; *because I have you in my :heart;* en te tois desMOIS [1199] mou *as, both in in my :bonds* kai en t*e* a-po-loGIa [627] kai be-bai*O*sei [951] tou eu-ag-geLIou, *and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel,* sun-koi-n*o*NOUS [4791] mou t*e*s CHAri-tos PANtas huMAS ONtas. *you all are partakers with me of :grace.* *b. 1:8 PAUL'S LONGING ON THEIR BEHALF* MARtus [3144] gar mou ho TheOS, *For :God is my witness, * h*o*s e-pi-poTH*O* [1971] PANtas huMAS en SPLAGCHnous [4698] ChrisTOU 'I*e* SOU. *how I long after you all in tender mercies of Christ Jesus.* *c. 1:9-11 PAUL'S PRAYER: ABOUNDING LOVE ON THEIR BEHALF* kai TOUto proSEUcho-mai [4336], HIna h*e* aGAp*e* [26] huM*O*N *And this I pray, that your :love abound* eTI malLON kai MALlon pe-risSEU*e* [4052] en e-pigN*O*sei [1922] kai PAs*e*aisTH *E*sei [144]; *yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;* eis to do-kiMAzein [1381] huMAS ta di-aPHEron-ta [1308]; *10 so that you may approve the things excellent;* HIna *E*te ei-li-kriNEIS [1506] kai aPROsko-poi [677] eis h*e*MEran ChrisTOU; *that you be sincere and void of offence unto Christ's day;* pe-pl*e*-r*o*MEnoi [4137] karPON [2590] di-kai-oSUn*e*s [1343], *11 filled with fruit of righteousness, * diA 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, eis DOxan [1391] kai Epai-non [1868] TheOU. *which is through Jesus Christ, unto God's praise and glory.* *NOTE**: *A ?DOUlos? is a bondman; a voluntary total servant; a love-slave. In the Old Testament under the Mosaic Law - when a slave didn't wish to leave his master at the end of his tenure, and chose to remain with him because of his wife and family - then the master took him to the doorpost, and hammered an awl through the lobe of his ear into the post - thus signifying his desire to remain under subjection. *This* is what Paul and Timothy were to the Lord by voluntary choice. *This * is the mark of every true disciple. *This* is what Jesus commanded us to make: not mere converts - but disciples - voluntary love-slaves. Have you made *this* your desire and decision unto Jesus? *?If any man would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.? Mark 8:34 (8:34-9:1).* Then this man Paul, ?DOUlos? in every sense of the word, has this marvelous prayer in the succeeding verses on behalf of the Philippian believers. And if they - like Paul and Timothy - volunteer to become love-slaves, bondmen if you please - also - then Jesus' commission according to Matthew 28:18-20 will be fulfilled, and the heart of Paul gratified. And if we of today likewise voluntarily choose to make *this* our mark - how doubly gratified will our Lord be on our behalf! And joy and rejocing is the fruit of such a decision and relationship! - J.A.W. *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 Sep 29 18:16:33 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 18:16:33 -0700 Subject: Philippians 1:12-30 Message-ID: <625d7240909291816x41236d7p4bd046dc922cead@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *September 29, 2009 * *C. PHILIPPIANS 1:12-30* *NEW LIGHT ON SUFFERINGS OF IMPRISONMENT* *1. 1:12-14 PAUL'S IMPRISONMENT: CAN EMBOLDEN SAINTS* GiN*O*skein [1097] de huMAS BOUlo-mai [1014], a-delPHOI, *Now I would have you know, brethren,* HOti ta kat' eME *that the happenings unto me* MALlon eis pro-koP*E*N [4297] tou eu-ag-geLIou [2098] eL*E*lu-then [2064]; *have come out rather unto progress of the gospel;* H*O*Ste tous desMOUS [1199] mou pha-neROUS [5318] en ChrisT*O* geNESthai *13 so that my bonds became manifest in Christ* en HOl*o* t*o* prai-t*o*RI*o*, kai tois loiPOIS PAsin; *in the whole praetorium, and to all the rest;* kai tous PLEIo-nas t*o*n a-delPH*O*N en KuRI*o*, *14 and that the more part of the brethren in the Lord,* pe-poiTHOtas [3982] tois desMOIS mou, *confident through my bonds, * pe-ris-soTEr*o*s [4056] tolMAN [5111] aPHOb*o*s ton LOgon tou TheOU laLEIN. *are more abundantly bold to speak the word of :God without fear.* *2. 1:15-20 IMPRISONMENT IN THIS LIFE: CAN FURTHER THE GOSPEL* *a. 1:15-17 PAUL'S BONDS: VARIOUSLY REACTED TO* TiNES men kai diA PHTHOnon [5355] kai Erin [2054]; *Some indeed preach the Christ even of envy and strife;* tiNES de kai di' eu-doKIan [2509] ton ChrisTON k*e*RUSsou-sin [2784]; *and some also of good will;* hoi men ex aGAp*e*s, *16 the ones do it of love,* eiDOtes HOti eis a-po-loGIan [627] tou eu-ag-geLIou KEImai [2249]; *knowing that I am set for the gospel's defense;* hoi de ex e-riTHIas [2052] ton ChristTON ka-tagGELlou-sin [2605], ouch hagN* O*S [56], *17 but the others proclaim the Christ of faction, not sincerely,* oiOme-noi [3363] THLIpsin [2347] e-geiREIN tois desMOIS mou. *thinking to raise up affliction for me in my :bonds.* *b. 1:18-20 PAUL'S GOAL: THAT HIS CIRCUMSTANCES RELEASE CHRIST TO BE PREACHED* ti gar? pl*e*n HOti panTI TROp*o* [5158], *What then? only that in every way,* EIte proPHAsei [4392] EIte a-l*e*THEIa, ChrisTOS ka-tagGELle-tai [2605]; *whether in presence or in truth, Christ is proclaimed;* kai en TOUt*o* CHAIr*o* [5463], alLA, kai chaR*E*so-mai; *and therein I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice;* OIda gar HOti TOU-TO moi a-poB*E*se-tai [576] eis s*o*-t*e*RIan *19** for I know that this shall turn out to my salvation * diA t*e*s huM*O*N de*E*se-*o*s [1162] kai e-pi-cho-r*e*GIas [2024] tou PNEUma-tos 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *through your supplication and supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,* kaTA t*e*n a-po-ka-ra-doKIan [603] kai elPIda mou, *20** according to my earnest :expectation and hope, * HOti en ou-deNI ais-chunTH*E*so-mai [153], *that in nothing shall I be shamed, * all' en PAs*e* par-r*e*SIa [3054], h*o*s PANto-te, *but with all boldness, as always, * kai nun me-ga-lunTH*E*se-tai [3170] ChrisTOS en t*o* S*O*maTI mou, *now also Christ shall be magnified in my :body, * EIte diA z*o*-*E*S, EIte diA thaNAtou. *whether by life, or by death.* *3. 1:21-26 CHOICES IN THIS LIFE* *a. 1:21 PAUL'S PHILOSOPHY* E-MOI gar to z*e*n ChrisTOS, kai to a-po-thaNEIN [599] KERdos [2771]. *For to me :to live is Christ, and to :die gain.* *b. 1:22 PAUL'S PERPLEXING CHOICES* ei de to z*e*n en sarKI, - *But if :to live in the flesh, -* TOU-TO moi karPOS [2590] ERgou [2041], - *if** this **bring fruit from my work, -* kai ti haiR*E*so-mai [138] ou gnoRIz*o* [1107]. *and what I shall choose I know not.* *c. 1:23-24 TWO WORTHY CHOICES* suNEcho-mai [4912] de ek t*o*n DUo, *But I am in a strait between the two, * t*e*n a-pi-thuMIan 1939] Ech*o*n eis to a-naLUsai [360] kai sun ChrisT*O*EInai; *having the desire :to depart and be with Christ;* polL*O* gar MALlon KREISson: *for it is very far better:* to de e-piMEnein [1961] t*e* sarKI a-nag-kaiOte-ron [316] di huMAS. *24 yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.* *d. 1:25-26 PAUL'S CHOICE: THE GOOD OF THE SAINTS* kai TOUto pe-poiTH*O*S [3982], OIda HOti meN*O*, *And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, * kai, pa-ra-meN*O* [4893] PAsin huMIN, *yes, and abide with you all,* eis t*e*n huM*O*N pro-koP*E*N [4297] kai chaRAN t*e*s PIste-*o*s; *for your :progress and joy of the faith;* HIna to KAUch*e*-ma [2745] huM*O*N pe-risSEU*e* [4052] en ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU en eMOI *26 that your :glorying abound in Christ Jesus in me* diA t*e*s eM*E*S pa-rouSIas [3952] PAlin pros huMAS. *through my :presence with you again.* *4. 1:27-30 SUFFERING FOR CHRIST IN THIS LIFE: A PRIVILEGE* MOnon aXI*o*s [516] tou eu-ag-geLIou tou ChrisTOU po-liTEUes-the [4176]: *Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of the Christ:* HIna, EIta elTH*O*N kai iD*O*N huMAS EIte aP*O*N [548], *that, whether I come and see you or be absent,* aKOUs*o* ta peRI huM*O*N, HOti ST*E*ke-te [4739 en heNI PNEUma-ti, *I may hear of your state, that you stand fast in one spirit,* miA psuCH*E* su-naTHLOUNtes [4816] t*e* PIstei tou eu-ag-geLIou; *with one soul striving together for the faith of the gospel;* kai m*e* ptuROme-noi [4426] en m*e*-deNI huPO t*o*n an-ti-keiMEn*o*n [480]: *28 and in nothing frightened by the adversaries:* (H*E*tis esTIN auTOIS ENdei-xis [1232] a-p*o*LEIas [684], *(which is for them evidence of destruction,* huM*O*N de s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991], kai TOUto aPO TheOU;* * *but of your salvation, and that from God;* HOti huMIN e-chaRISth*e* [5483] to huPER ChrisTOU, *29 because to you it has been granted in the behalf of Christ,* ou MOnon to eis auTON piSTEUein, *not only :to believe unto him,* alLA kai to huPER auTOU PASchein) [3958]: *but also :to suffer in his behalf):* ton auTON aG*O*na [73] Echon-tes, *30 having the same conflict,* HOIon EIde-te en eMOI, kai nun aKOUe-te en eMOI. *such as you saw in me, and now hear in me.* *?LET US KEEP TO THE POINT?** - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Philippians 1:20 (1:12-30) ? . . . 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 crises 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. *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 Sep 30 18:56:19 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:56:19 -0700 Subject: Here are Your Czars Message-ID: <625d7240909301856j4776c9b8u46e49ab0be4e9e2d@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* ?*Here Are Your Czars?* *Dear Friends - 2009-09-30. I believe one needs to be very careful in what he mails out. So much on the ?net? proves to be false, and in this area, ?Snopes? is a help.* *I first sent the following mailing to a limited ?Family & Friends? list. Here is the response to date:* *9 say: Definitely send it to your broader mailing.* *2 say: Not sure - pray about it.* *1 says: Definitely do not send.* *Of the 9, I judge them to be most mature responders, and with my wife Marie also strongly joining the 9, I am sending it out to you also.* *As you can note by our previous mailings - we are happy to join the Scripture admonition to pray for those who have rule over us, including our present President and his administration. Brother Yun of China does so also for his ?Communist? government there. Does that mean we necessarily agree with our leaders for whom we pray? No - but we recognize that leaders are either appointed or permitted by God. According to the history of Israel, when she sinned, God permitted unsavory leaders to bring her back to her moorings. I believe we in America deserve what we have today. God in His mercy has permitted what we have to bring us to our senses. In the book of Judges - God 7 times permitted cruel leaders to come over Israel. When she came to her senses and cried out to God, He then raised up judges and delivered them. In some 40-80 years they fell back into sin, and again God in mercy permitted cruel leaders to take over.* *Certainly we in America should recognize God's judgment, cry out to Him and see His deliverance. But in the meantime - let us permit what God has permitted, to refine us and to bring us to our senses.* *Here is the letter I sent to Family & Friends, and then the article on the 31 Presidentially appointed Czars:* *Hi Friends - 2009-09-28* *You are part of our ?Family and Friends? list. What I'm sending out to you on ?Here Are Your Czars? is only going out to you as a limited list of some 100 or so - not to our larger list of over 870. I thought I'd try this out on you folk first. What's your take? Should it go out to the larger mailing also? You can let us know.* *We know all of you - while many of those on the longer list have subscribed themselves, and we don't know them. This will help you to advise us. Your friends - Jim & Marie.* *PS. As most of you will know, these 31 Czars have been appointed by our President, not elected, and responsible to him alone. Much of what is thought to be from President Obama couldn't possibly be, especially on educational policies to our kids without parental consent.* *George Soros has poured billions into taking ?America? over by radical liberals for years, and our President is more their ?Point Man? to help them achieve their goals. These 31 Czars are fully in line with ?The Soros Foundation? (see Wikipedia) and the Radical Liberals in our country - far more liberal than the Democrats. Glen Beck is very successfully exposing by his teaching charts, the unsavory connections of our President and his administration. It goes far beyond ?Acorn?. - J & M.* *PPS. * Regarding the Czars: It would be fine for you to include the link to Glen Beck--then it puts the info right in peoples hands about where you got your info, etc. This is where I found it. http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/29391/?ck=1 Here's a pretty impressive list of "boobs" *Subject: **Fw: Here Are Your Czars* - Subject: Here are you czars Afghanistan Czar: Richard Holbrooke- Ultra liberal anti gun former Gov.of New Mexico . Pro Abortion and legal drug use. AIDS Czar: Jeffrey Crowley Homosexual. A Gay Rights activist. Believes in Gay Marriage and Special Status, including free health care for gays. Autorecovery Czar: Ed Montgomery- Black radical anti business activist. Affirmative Action and Job Preference for blacks. Univ of Mary land Business School Dean teaches US business has caused world poverty. ACORN board member. Communist DuBois Club member. Border Czar: Alan Bersin- former failed superintendent of San Diego . Ultra Liberal friend of Hilary Clinton. Served as Border Czar under Janet Reno - to keep borders open to illegals. California Water Czar: David J. Hayes Sr. Fellow of radical environmentalist group, "Progress Policy". No training or experience in water management. Car Czar: Ron Bloom- Auto Union worker. Anti business & anti nuclear. Has worked hard to force US auto makers out of business. Sits on the Board of Chrysler which is now Auto Union owned. How did this happen? Central Region Czar: Dennis Ross- Believes US policy has caused Mid East wars. Obama apologist to the world. Anti gun and pro abortion. Domestic Violence Czar: Lynn Rosenthal- Director of the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Vicious anti male feminist. Supported male castration. Drug Czar: Gil Kerlikowske- devoted lobbyist for every restrictive gun law proposal, Former Chief of Police in Liberal Seattle . Believes no American should own a firearm. Supports legalization of drugs. Economic Czar: Paul Volcker -Head of Fed Reserve under Jimmy Carter when US economy nearly failed. Obama appointed head of the Economic Recovery Advisory Board which engineered the Obama economic disaster to US economy. Member of anti business "Progressive Policy" organization. Energy and Environment Czar: Carol Brower- Political Radical -Former head of EPA -- known for anti-business activism. Strong anti-gun ownership. Faith-Based Czar: Joshua DuBois -Political Black activist-Degree in Black Nationalism. Anti gun ownership lobbyist. Great Lakes Czar: Cameron Davis- Chicago radical anti business environmentalist. Blames George Bush for "Poisoning the water that minorities have to drink." No experience or training in water management. Former ACORN Board member. Green Jobs Czar: Van Jones- (since resigned). Black activist Member of American communist Party and San Francisco Communist Party who said Geo Bush caused the 911 attack and wanted Bush investigated by the World Court for war crimes. Black activist with strong anti-white views. Guantanamo Closure Czar: Daniel Fried - Rights activist for Foreign Terrorists. Believes America has caused the war on terrorism. Health Czar: Nancy-Ann DeParle. Former head of Medicare / Medicaid. Strong Health Care Rationing proponent. She is married to a reporter for The New York Times. Information Czar: Vivek Kundra- born in New Delhi, India. Controls all public information, including labels and news releases. Monitors all private Internet emails. International Climate Czar: Todd Stern- Anti business former White House chief of Staff- Strong supporter of the Kyoto Accord. Pushing hard for Cap and Trade. Blames US business for Global warming. Intelligence Czar: Dennis Blair- Ret Navy. Stopped US guided missile program as "provocative". Chair of ultra liberal "Council on Foreign Relations" which blames American organizations for regional wars. Mideast Peace Czar: George Mitchell Fmr. Sen from Maine - Left wing radical. Has said Israel should be split up into "2 or 3 " smaller more manageable plots". Anti-nuclear anti-gun & pro homosexual. Pay Czar: Kenneth Feinberg- Chief of Staff to TED KENNEDY. Lawyer who got rich off the 911 victims payoffs. Regulatory Czar: Cass Sunstein- Liberal activist judge-believes free speech needs to be limited for the "common good". Rules against personal freedoms many times -like private gun ownership. Science Czar: John Holdren- Fierce ideological environmentalist, Sierra Club, Anti business activist. Claims US business has caused world poverty. No Science training. Stimulus Accountability Czar: Earl Devaney- spent career trying to take guns away from American citizens. Believes in Open Borders to Mexico . Author of statement blaming US gun stores for drug war in Mexico. Sudan Czar: J. Scott Gration- Native of Democratic Republic of Congo. Believes US does little to help Third World countries. Council of foreign relations, asking for higher US taxes to support United Nations. TARP Czar: Herb Allison- Fannie May CEO responsible for the US recession by using real estate mortgages to back up the US stock market. Caused millions of people to lose their life savings. Terrorism Czar: John Brennan- Anti CIA activist. No training in diplomatic or gov. affairs. Believes Open Borders to Mexico and a dialog with terrorists and has suggested Obama disband US military. Technology Czar: Aneesh Chopra- No Technology training. Worked for the Advisory Board Company, a health care think tank for hospitals. Anti doctor activist. Supports Obama Health care Rationing and salaried doctors working exclusively for the Gov. healthcare plan. Urban Affairs Czar: Adolfo Carrion Jr.- Puerto Rican. Anti American activist and leftist group member in Latin America. Millionaire "slum lord" of the Bronx , NY. Owns many lavish homes and condos which he got from "sweetheart" deals with labor unions. Wants higher taxes to pay for minority housing and healthcare. Weapons Czar: Ashton Carter- Leftist. Wants all private weapons in US destroyed. Supports UN ban on firearms ownership in America . No Other "policy" WMD Policy Czar: Gary Samore- Former US Communist. Wants US to destroy all WMD unilaterally as a show of good faith. Has no other "policy". *"I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing* *in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." * Winston Churchill *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 Oct 3 11:40:59 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 11:40:59 -0700 Subject: Philippians 2:1-30 Message-ID: <625d7240910031140j617c52atb9abb0c6432d2dc3@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 3, 2009 * *PHILIPPIANS 2:1-30* *D. 2:1-11 A VERY SOBER EXHORTATION AND EXAMPLE* *a. 2:1-4 PAUL'S EXHORTATION: BE A SERVANT TO OTHERS* Ei tis oun paRAkl*e*-sis [3874] en ChrisT*O*, *If therefore any exhortation is in Christ,* ei ti pa-raMUthi-on [3890] aGAp*e*s, *if any consolation of love,* ei tis koi-n*o*NIa [2842] PNEUma-tos, *if any fellowship of Spirit,* ei tis SPLAGCHna [4698] kai oik-tirMOI [3628], *if any tender mercies and compassions,* pl*e*R*O*saTE [4137] mou t*e*n chaRAN , HIna to auTO phroN*E*te [5426], *2 make full my joy, that you think the same,* t*e*n auT*E*N aGAp*e*n Echon-tes, SUNpsu-choi [4861], to en phroNOUNtes [5426]; *having the same love, being of one soul, of :one mind;* m*e*DEN kat' e-riTHIan [2052] m*e*DE kaTA ke-no-doXIan [2754], *3 doing nothing through faction or through vainglory,* alLA t*e* ta-pei-no-phroSUn*e* [5012] *but in :lowliness of mind * alL*E*lous h*e*GOUme-noi [2233] hu-peREchon-tas [5242] he-auT*O*N; *counting one another better than themselves;* m*e* ta he-auT*O*N HEkas-toi skoPOUNtes [4648], *4 not looking each severally to his :own things,* alLA kai ta heTEron HEkas-toi. *but each severally also to th**os**e of others.* *b. 2:5-8 JESUS' EXAMPLE TO US* TOUto phroNEIte [5426] en huMIN, ho kai en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU: *Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:* hos, en morPH*E* [3444] TheOU huPARch*o*n [5225], *6 who, existing in God's form,* ouch ar-pagMON [725] *e*G*E*sa-to [2233] to EInai Isa [2470] The*O*, *counted not the being on an equality with God anything to be grasped at,* alLA he-auTON eKEn*o*-sen [2758], morPH*E*N [3444] DOUlou [1401] laB*O*N, *7 but emptied himself, taking a bondman's form,* en ho-moi*O*ma-ti [3667] anTHR*O*p*o*n geNO-me-nos [1096]; *being made in likeness of men;* kai SCH*E*ma-ti [4976] heu-reTHEIS [2147] h*o*s ANthr*o*-pos, e-taPEIn*o*-sen [5013] he-auTON, *8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,* geNOme-nos huP*E*ko-os [5255] MEchri thaNAtou [2288], thaNAtou de stauROU [4718]. *becoming obedient unto death, yes, death of the cross.* *c. 2:9-11 GOD'S RESPONSE AND REWARD TO JESUS* di' ho kai ho TheOS auTON hu-peRUps*o*-sen [5251], *Wherefore also :God highly exalted him,* kai e-chaRIsa-to [5483] auT*O* to Ono-ma [3686] to huPER pan Ono-ma; *and endowed him with the name :above every name;* HIna en t*o* oNOma-ti 'I*e*SOU pan GOnu [1063] KAMps*e* [2578], *10 that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, * e-pou-raNI*o*n [2032] kai e-piGEI*o*n [1919] kai ka-tach-thoNI*o*n [2709], *of things in heaven and on earth and under the earth,* kai PAsa GL*O*Ssa e-xo-mo-loG*E*s*e*-tai [1843] HOti KUri-os 'I*e*SOUS ChrisTOS, *11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,* eis DOxan [1391] TheOU paTROS. *to God the Father's glory.* *E. 2:12-18 A DEEPER APPLICATION TO THE ABOVE* *a. 2:12-13 OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR SALVATION* H*O*Ste, a-ga-p*e*TOI mou, kaTH*O*S PANto-te hu-p*e*KOUsa-te [5219], *So that, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed,* m*e* h*o*s en t*e* pa-rouSIa [3952] mou MOnon, *not as in my :presence only,* alLA nun polL*O* MALlon en t*e* a-pouSIa [666] mou, *but now much rather in my :absence,* meTA PHObou [5401] kai TROmou [5156] t*e*n he-auT*O*N s*o*-t*e*RIan [4991]ka-terGAzes-the [2716]; *work out your own :salvation with fear and trembling;* TheOS gar es-tin ho e-nerG*O*N [1754] en huMIN kai to THElein [2309] kai to e-nerGEIN [1754], *13 for it is God who works in you both :to will and :to work,* huPER t*e*s eu-doKIas [2107]. *for his good :pleasure.* *b. 2:14-16 NOT LIKE ISRAEL IN THE WILDERNESS* PANta poiEIte ch*o*RIS gog-gusM*O*N [1112 kai di-a-lo-gisM*O*N [1261]; *Do all things without murmurings and questionings;* HIna GEn*e*s-the Amemp-toi [273] kai aKErai-oi [185], *15 that you may become blameless and harmless, * TEKna TheOU Am*o*-ma [298] *children of God without blemish* MEson ge-neAS [1074] sko-liAS [4646] kai di-es-tramMEn*e*s [1294], *in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,* en hois PHAInes-the [5316] h*o*s ph*o*ST*E*res [5458] en KOSm*o*, *among whom you are seen as luminaries in the world,* LOgon z*o*-*E*S ePEchon-tes [1907]; *16 holding forth the word of life;* eis KAUch*e*-ma [2745] eMOI eis h*e*ME-ran ChrisTOU, *that I may have whereof to glory in Christ's day, * HOti ouk eis keNON [2756] Edra-mon [5143] ouDE eis keNON e-koPIa-sa [2872]. *that I did not run in vain neither toil in vain.* *c. 2:17-18 PAUL'S DEDICATION TO OTHERS* alLA, ei kai SPENdo-mai [4689] ePI t*e* thuSIa [2378] kai lei-tourGIa [3009]t *e*s PIste-*o*s huM*O*N, *Yes, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your :faith,* CHAIr*o*, kai sunCHAIr*o* [4796] PAsin huMIN: *I rejoice, and rejoice with you all:* to de auTO kai huMEIS CHAIre-te kai sunCHAIreTE [4796] moi. *18 and in the same manner you rejoice and rejoice with me.* *F. 2:19-30 PAUL HONORS FELLOW-WORKERS* *a. 2:19 TIMOTHY; TO GIVE PAUL THE PHILIPPIAN STATE* ElPIz*o* [1679] de en KuRI*o* 'I*e*SOU TiMOthe-on taCHE*o*s [5030] PEMpsai huMIN, *But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send you Timothy shortly,* HIna ka' 'G*O* eu-psuCH*O* [2174], gnous [1097] ta peRI huM*O*N. *that I also be of good comfort, when I know your state.* *b. 2:20 PAUL'S HIGH WORD ON TIMOTHY'S BEHALF* ouDEna gar Ech*o* iSOpsu-chon [2473], *For I have no one likeminded,* HOstis gn*e*SI*o*s [1104] ta peRI huM*O*N me-rimN*E*sei [3309]. *who will genuinely care for your state.* *c. 2:21 CONTRAST THIS WITH THE STATE OF OTHER WORKERS* hoi PANtes gar ta he-auT*O*N z*e*TOUsin [2212], ou ta 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *For they all seek their :own, not the things of Jesus Christ.* *d. 2:22 TIMOTHY: KNOWN THROUGH HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH PAUL* t*e*n de do-kiM*E*N [1382] auTOU giN*O*ske-te [1097], HOti, *But you know the proof of him, that,* h*o*s paTRI TEKnon sun eMOI eDOUleu-sen [1398] eis to eu-agGEli-on [2098]. *as a child to a father he served with me in the gospel.* *e. 2:23-24 PAUL: ENCOURAGES THE PHILIPPIANS * TOUton men oun elPIz*o* PEMpsai, *HIM therefore I hope to send right away,* h*o*s an aPHId*o* [872] ta peRI eME e-xauT*E*S [1824]: *so soon as I shall see how it will go with me:* PEpoi-tha [3982] de en KuRI*o* HOti kai auTOS taCHE*o*s [5030] eLEUso-mai. *24 but I trust in the Lord that myself also shall come shortly.* *f. 2:25-27 EPAPHRODITUS: WHY HIS PRESENCE WILL HELP* a-nagKAIon [316] de h*e*-g*e*SAm*e*n [2233] E-paphROdi-ton, *But I counted it necessary to send unto you Epaphroditus, * ton a-delPHON kai su-nerGON [4904] kai sun-stra-ti*O*t*e*n [4961] mou, *the brother and :fellow-worker and my fellow-soldier,* huM*O*N de aPOsto-lon [652] kai lei-tourGON [3011] t*e*s CHREIas [5532] mou; *and your messenger and minister to my :need;* PEMpsai pron huMAS, e-peiD*E* e-pi-poTH*O*N [1971] *e*n PANtas huMAS iDEIN, *26 since he was longing to see you all, * kai a-d*e*-moN*O*N [85], di' HOti *e*KOUsa-te HOti *e*sTHEn*e*-sen [770]: *and was sore troubled, because you had heard that he was sick:* kai gar *e*sTHEn*e*-sen pa-raPL*E*si-on [3997] thaNAtou: *27 for indeed he was sick nigh unto death:* alLA ho TheOS *e*LE*e*-sen [1653] auTON; *but :God had mercy on him;* ouk auTON de MOnon, alLA kai eME, *and not on him only, but on me also,* HIna m*e* LUp*e*n [3077] ePI LUp*e*n sch*o* [2192] . *that I might not have sorrow upon sorrow.* *g. 2:28 REJOICING: THE RESPONSE TO HIS PRESENCE* spou-dai-oTEr*o*s [4708] oun Emem-psa auTON, *I have sent him therefore the more diligently, * HIna, iDONtes auTON PAlin, chaR*E*te [5463], *that, seeing him again, you may rejoice,* ka' 'G*O* a-luPOte-ros [253] *o*. *and I be less sorrowful.* *h. 2:29-30 EPAPHRODITUS: MADE UP TO PAUL THE PHILIPPIAN LACK* prosDEches-the [4327] oun auTON en KuRI*o* meTA PAs*e*s chaRAS; *Receive him therefore in the Lord with all joy;* kai tous toiOUtous enTImous [1784] Eche-te: *and hold the such in honor:* HOti diA to ERgon KuRIou MEchri thaNAtou *E*Ggi-sen [1448], *30 because for the work of the Lord he came nigh unto death, * pa-ra-bo-leuSAme-nos [3851] t*e* psuCH*E* *hazarding his :life* HIna a-na-pl*e*R*O*s*e* [378] to huM*O*N huSTEr*e*-ma [5303] t*e*s pros me lei-tourGIas [3009]. *to supply your :lack in the service toward me.* ?*WORK OUT? WHAT GOD ?WORKS IN? YOU - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Philippians 2:12-13 - ?. . . work out your own salvation ... for it is God who works in you ...?* Your will agrees with God, but in your flesh there is a nature that renders you powerless to do what you know you ought to do. When the Lord initially comes in contact with our conscience, the first thing our conscience does is awaken our will, and our will always agrees with God. Yet you say,?But I don't know if my will is in agreement with God.? Look to Jesus and you will find that your will and your conscience are in agreement with Him every time. What causes you to say, ?I will not obey? is something less deep and penetrating than your will. It is perversity or stubbornness, and they are never in agreement with God. The most profound thing in a person is his will, not sin. The will is the essential element in God's creation of human beings - sin is a perverse nature which entered into people. In someone who has been born again, the source of the will is Almighty God. *?. . . for it is God who works in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.? *With focused attention and great care you have to *?work out? *what God *?works in?* you - not *work* to accomplish or earn *?your own salvation,?* but *work it out*so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord. As you do this, you do not bring an opposing will up against God's will - God's will *is*your will. Your natural choices will be in accordance with God's will, and living this life will be as natural as breathing. Stubbornness is an unintelligent barrier, refusing enlightenment and blocking its flow. The only thing to do with this barrier of stubbornness is to blow it up with ?dynamite,? and the ?dynamite? is obedience to the Holy Spirit. Do I believe the Almighty God is the Source of my will? God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it. *ARE YOU READY TO BE POURED OUT AS AN OFFERING? - OC - MUFHH* *Philippians 2:17 - ?If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.?* Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer - to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, ?I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don't want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, 'Well done.'? It is one thing to follow God's way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a ?doormat? under other people's feet. God's purpose may be to teach you to say, *?I know how to be abased ...? (Philippians 4:12). *Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket - to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted - not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity. *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 Oct 5 13:26:21 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 5 Oct 2009 13:26:21 -0700 Subject: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Message-ID: <625d7240910051326u62b3befbrae1b25d333bf6703@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 5, 2009 * ?*OBAMA PICKS RADICAL WORKPLACE HOMOSEXUAL CZAR?* *October 4, 2009* *The article that follows with the above title is a sign of the beginning of the end. The legitimacy of Sodom and Gomorrah over the rights of Bible-believing Christians is at stake. Some believers believe we are wrong in pointing out the evil and wrong decisions being made in Washington in appointing such a Czar as the above. They feel they would rather remain underground and avoid the possibility of persecution, imprisonment and martyrdom.* *But - Is this the line that God would lead us to take? Think of the prophets of old - how Nathan stood against David in his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah (2 Samuel 12:1-23); or Elijah who withstood King Ahab (1 Kings 18:16-40); Hanani's rebuke to King Jehoshaphat for his alliance with the wicked (2 Chronicles 19:1-3); Zechariah the son of Jehoiada's rebuke to King Joash for departing from God and His Word (2 Chronicles 24:20-22); God sent a prophet to rebuke King Amaziah for falling into idolatry (2 Chronicles 25:14-16); Azariah the priest rebuked King Uzziah for usurping the priest's position, confirmed by God's judgment of leprosy (2 Chronicles 26:16-21); John the Baptist's rebuke to King Herod for his unlawful marriage, and is imprisoned and then assassinated (Luke 3:7-20); Jesus' rebuke to the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, and later crucified for His outspoken rebuke (Matthew 23); Peter's scathing rebuke to the Jewish leaders who led in the crucifixion of Jesus, and who himself was later crucified (Acts 2:36-43); Stephen's scathing rebuke to the stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart Jews who throughout history killed God's prophets (Acts 7); Paul's scathing uncovering of the blind and dull of hearing Jewish leaders in Rome (Acts 28:23-28).* *Does God want us to go under the radar and save our lives, when prophets of the past including Jesus Himself - boldly spoke out and openly rebuked Kings and leaders who transgressed against God and His Word, the Bible? Remember - God's Numeric Hebrew and Greek texts prove by Ivan Panin that only the Bible has this mathematical proof of the absolute integrity of God's Word! Therefore no other holy writing can stand in the light of this. Therefore leaders and Presidents and Czars who rule against the clear teaching of this Book - face the same right to be boldly rebuked - just as by all prophets of the past. Many were imprisoned and killed - but God keeps the accounts. God's Martyrs are highly acclaimed in heaven. See the book of Revelation.* *We sent out recently an article outlining the Czars appointed by our President, non-elected, non-checked out by Congress - accountable only to him alone or those he appointed over them. I asked - What is ?your take? on sending this out? Here are a few replies:* *Dear Jim - I believe Jeremiah 17:19-27 and 18:1-10 will bring much insight. If we don't know what the problem is, then how can we correct it? Exposure may be difficult, but it is always the road to correction and healing. Jeremiah was asked by the Lord to tell the people what to do for change. Even in the midst of all the evil they are doing, God has plans for good in which the people would benefit. What a great God, always wanting the best for us individually or as a nation, if we will just turn to Him right from where we are at. God just wants the people listed, to do what is right for the people of the United States of America. In that, it would have global effect. This is why as you have stated that we are to pray for them. With direction by you, a man anointed by God and a highly respected elder in our nation, in what to do with this email when it is received - I might be one or more of the 870 people on your email list that through this email, with prayer and direction, may turn our God to speak concerning our nation and concerning His kingdom, ?to build and to plant it.? May God Bless You and Marie Both, Abundantly and Exceedingly.* *Well, my friend - Here's my 2 cents for what it's worth. I don't think you can send enough stuff to discredit this current president. I wrote to you several months earlier that it is my contention that Obama is a closet Muslim, and I believe we will observe this before his term is over. I am absolutely not surprised to see his appointments. In September before the election, I had a word in our church, that because of the hardness of the hearts, God was going to allow this to happen. However, it is also my contention that simply because God says something like that, does not mean, in my opinion, that He wants His people to stand idly by and watch, as it were, the raping of the land and the people of the land. I am convinced that messages like this - it is imperative to get out - and in fact, the one who keeps this information to himself or herself is abetting the abuse of the office. So, my advice is to keep this stuff coming. As you so succinctly stated, it's hard to know the veracity from what you read on the internet. >From me, thanks for sending this out.* *Dear Jim and Marie, Love you both. You have been brought into the Kingdom for such a time as this. Yes, Yes - sent it out. How will they know unless they be shown? Bless you both - from Canada.* *Hi Sir: This is absolutely good, and we do think more people should be able to read this, so they can understand times and seasons, and what to pray for - Africa.* *Dear Jim and Marie - Thanks for doing this homework. It is shocking and astounding. What a mess the world is in. Be well and keep up the good work. You too are a real blessing. Oklahoma.* *Dear Jim - That was interesting to read. Obama and his power is a very scary thing. Don't know what to tell you other than pray about it. God's blessings - Europe.* *Jim & Marie - We agree - send it to everyone! - Former Middle-East missionaries.* *To Jim - Thank you for the article. It is good to know what is going on - keeping in mind that we are not to fear man, only God. Our daily reading today was Psalm 91, and that helped me to keep things in perspective. Thank you for your work in Christ -* *Shocking! - Near East* *Hi Jim - Here's some further commentary on the czars that you might find helpful. I also looked at the White House response to the subject and found it rather defensive, but none the less interesting.* *Jim & Marie - Thank you. This list should be posted on the walls of every Post Office.* *Oh Jim and Marie - I tell you, you two are such a blessing! We so love your input and Godly wisdom. You just have no idea. * *Jim - We no longer research any antigovernment sites on the internet, as we firmly believe the true antigovernment activists will be first to ?go?. Under the radar, we wish to continue ?coming and going? in the Name of Jesus Christ to the underground Church both in the Americas and around the World. We have no other Name than the Name of Jesus, no other King, no other Kingdom, no other Powers, and no other Authority. Let us continue to pray for the government of czars (or 'Caesars') that we may live in peace and consider God's delay in judgments as His patience, for He is not willing that any man perish (as Godless and without Christ). May He ever bless and keep you in the center of His perfect Will!* *Received your very damning 'photo op' in writing of your President, not mine. As I imagine you might guess, I'm not tuned into your channel. The outright lies that the active right Republicans have been parroting is not my 'cup of tea'! Further, in seeing the condition of your country after 8 years of the Bush Republican reign, things were so grim financially, that one would need a 'miracle worker' to even start turning things around. And with the recession (depression?) that was, and is, global, the present Administration's hole is quite large. Isn't that what the Democrats under Obama inherited? So, from my thought, do as you feel led, but your rather slanted approach is not for me - nor do I embrace such an over-stated diatribe. Sorry about that, but .... Your present approach is not for me, and Spiritually, such lacks the common Christian grace that our Lord's role modeled. Blessings and love - * *(from a retired Canadian pastor). (One response: My - my - pretty harsh reply - I do believe it masks a spirit of deep anger which convinces me more and more that we cannot hide from the Lord in any of our posturing, however elegant intellectually it may appear. I am so impacted as to how fathers impact their children - it is stunning to see these patterns walked out over the years. God will not be mocked.)* *BACK TO OBAMA'S LATEST PICK* *(by Mathew Staver, Founder and Chairman, Liberty Counsel)* *What I am about to share caused me to gasp! Barack Obama has nominated far-left homosexual rights advocate Chai Feldblum to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission EEOC - a move that makes Congress' new push to pass the anti-faith ENDA bill even more dangerous to the rights of Christians.* *Consider this ... Not only is Feldblum a former legal counsel for the ACLU and the pre-homosexual Human Rights campaign, she is a Co-author of the ENDA bill that she could soon be enforcing!* *And what is Feldblum's agenda? Incredibly, Feldblum says that when there is a conflict between religious freedom and homosexual rights, ?... society should come down on the side of protecting identity liberty of LCBT people?. (LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered).* *In this view, your religious beliefs will take second place to someone else's desire for aberrant sexual activities or gender changes!* *She opposed Liberty Counsel's case in which we represented a Christian couple who owned a bed and breakfast in Vermont and who refused to participate in a same-sex union ceremony in their own home.* *Feldblum stated: ?Thus, for all my sympathy for the evangelical Christian couple who wish to run a bed and breakfast from which they can exclude unmarried straight couples and all gay couples, this is a point where I believe an inevitable choice between liberties must come into play. In making that choice, I believe society should come down on the side of protecting identity liberty of LGBT people.? Unbelievable!* *In Feldblum's desired workplace, Bob the receptionist can wear a dress and lipstick to work and designate his restroom of choice, yet the owner of the business - even a Christian business owner - will not be able to say a thing about it!* *If this latest Obama nominee has her way, even the boy Scouts would not be able to protect its young members from contact with openly homosexual leaders ...* *Feldblum is on record as saying that the Boy Scouts should not have won their case at the United States Supreme Court that affirmed their right to free association.* *Feldblum and ENDA will put every employee, business owners and even churches and non-profit ministries on the wrong side of the law.* *The nomination of Chai Feldblum makes the ENDA battle in Congress even more critical. If she is confirmed and ENDA is passed, we should brace ourselves for the most radical, anti-faith interpretation of this bill that is even possible.* *Here's what Liberty Counsel is doing - We just crossed 125,000 petitions and I want to reach 150,000 before ENDA comes to a vote in the House - quite possibly in the next two Weeks.* *The petition delivery is a key component to our overall grassroots and education strategy to mobilize hundreds of thousands of citizens in the coming weeks. But the first, crucial step is the petition. Please go here to sign right now:* *http://www.libertyaction.org/r.asp?u=21771&RID=21400759 * *President Obama's nomination of Chai Feldblum is no accident. This is all part of a strategic plan to advance a radical, anti-faith, anti-marriage agenda. Only the Left would even attempt to pass such a radical law and then give the architect of that law enforcement powers! We have exposed their strategy. Now, we must stand. Thank you in advance, and may God bless you!* *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 Oct 7 19:12:58 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 19:12:58 -0700 Subject: Colossians 1:24-2:19 Message-ID: <625d7240910071912h121cc3deu648eb9ee2ccfedf4@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 7, 2009 * *Part 2 - COLOSSIANS 1:24-2:19* *C. 1:24-2:5 JESUS CHRIST: KEY TO THE GOSPEL MYSTERY* *1. 1:24-29 PAUL'S APOSTOLIC RELATIONSHIP TO THE GOSPEL FOR GENTILES* Nun CHAIr*o* [5463] en tois paTH*E*ma-sin [3804] huPER huM*O*N, *Now I rejoice in my :sufferings for you,* kai an-ta-na-pl*e*R*O* [466] ta hus-teR*E*ma-ta [5303 t*o*n THLIpse-*o*n [2347] *and fill up on my part what are lacking of the afflictions* tou ChrisTOU en t*o* sarKI mou huPER tou S*O*ma-tos auTOU, *of the Christ in my :flesh for his :body,* HO es-tin h*e* ek-kl*e*SIa; *which is the church;* h*e*s e-geNOm*e*n eG*O* diAko-nos, *25 for which I became minister,* kaTA t*e*n oi-ko-noMIan [3622] tou TheOU t*e*n doTHEI-SAN moi eis huMAS, *according to the dispensation of :God :given me toward you,* pl*e*R*O*sai [4137] ton LOgon tou TheOU, *to fulfill the word of :God,* to musT*E*ri-on [3466] to a-po-ke-krumMEnon [613] aPO t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n [165]kai aPO t *o*n ge-ne*O*N [1074]: *26 the mystery :hid from the ages and from the generations:* nun de e-pha-neR*O*th*e* [5319] tois haGIois auTOU, *but now has it been manifested to his :saints,* hois *e*THEl*e*-sen ho TheOS gn*o*RIsai [1107] *27 to whom :God was pleased to make known* ti to PLOUtos t*e*s DOx*e*s tou mu-st*e*RIou [3466] TOUtou en tois ETHne-sin [1484], *what is the riches of the glory of this :mystery among the nations,* HOS es-tin ChrisTOS en huMIN, h*e* elPIS t*e*s DOx*e*s: *which is Christ in you, the hope of :glory:* hon h*e*MEIS ka-tagGELlo-men [2606], *28 whom we proclaim,* nou-theTOUNtes [3560] PANta ANthr*o*-pon kai diDASkon-tes [1321] PANta ANthr *o*-pon en PAs*e* soPHIa [4678], *admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom,* HIna pa-raST*E*s*o*-men [3936] PANta ANthr*o*-pon TElei-on [5046] en ChrisT* O*; *that we may present every man perfect in Christ;* eis ho kai ko-pi*O* [2972], a-g*o*-niZOme-nos [75] kaTA t*e*n eNERgei-an [1753] auTOU, *29 unto which I also toil, striving according to his :working,* t*e*n e-ner-gouMEn*e*n [1754] en eMOI en duNAmei. *which works in me with power. * *2. 2:1-5 APOSTOLIC CONCERN FOR FULL GOSPEL APPREHENSION* *a. 2:1-3 PAUL'S DESIRE: FULL REVELATION OF CHRIST IN THE CHURCH* THEl*o* gar huMAS eiDEnai [1492] h*e*LIkon [2245] aG*O*na [73] Ech*o* huPER huM*O*N, *For I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you,* kai t*o*n en La-o-diKIa, *and for them at Laodicea,* kai HOsoi ouch heOra-kan [3708] to PROs*o*PON [4383] mou en sarKI; *and for as many as have not seen my :face in the flesh;* HIna pa-ra-kl*e*TH*O*sin [3870] hai karDIai auT*O*N, sun-bi-basTHENtes [4822] en aGAp*e*, *2 that their :hearts be comforted, being knit together in love,* kai eis pan PLOUtos t*e*s pl*e*-ro-phoRIas [4136] t*e*s suNEse-*o*s [4907], *and unto all riches of the fullness of the understanding,* eis ePIGn*o*-sin [1922] tou mu-st*e*RIou [3466] tou TheOU, ChrisTOU, *unto full knowledge of the mystery of :God, Christ,* en H*O* ei-sin PANtes hoi th*e*-sauROI [2344] t*e*s soPHIas [4678], kai GN*O *se-*o*s [1108] aPOkru-phoi [614]. *3 in whom are all the treasures of :wisdom, and knowledge hidden.* *b. 2:4 WARNING: FALSE SPEECH CAN DELUDE* TOUto LEg*o* HIna m*e*DEIS huMAS pa-ra-loGIz*e*-tai [3884] en pi-tha-no-loGIa [4086]. *This I say that no one delude you with persuasive speech.* *c. 2:5 PAUL'S JOY: ORDER AND FAITH IN CONVERTS* ei gar kai t*e* sarKI Apei-mi [548], *For even if I am absent in the flesh,* alLA t*o* PNEUma-ti sun huMIN ei-mi, *yet am I with you in the spirit,* chaiR*O*N [5463] kai BLEp*o*n huM*O*N t*e*n TAxin [5010], *joying and looking at your :order,* kai to steRE*o*-ma [4733] t*e*s eis ChrisTON PIste-*o*s huM*O*N. *and the steadfastness of your :faith unto Christ.* *D. 2:6-19 REASONS FOR MAINTAINING CHRIST'S SUPREMACY* *1. 2:6-7 FOR CHRIST IS THE ROOT AND GROUND OF THE GOSPEL* H*o*s oun pa-reLAbe-te ton ChrisTON, *As therefore you received the Christ, * 'I*e*SOUN ton KUri-on, en auT*O* pe-ri-paTEIte, *Jesus the Lord, walk in him,* er-ri-z*o*MEnoi [4492] kai e-poi-ko-doMOUme-noi [2026] en auT*O*, kai be-baiOUme-noi [950] t*e* PIstei, *7 rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith,* kaTH*O*S e-diDACHth*e*-te [1321], pe-risSEUon-tes [4052] en auT*E* en eu-cha-riSTIa [2169]. *even as you were taught, abounding therein in thanksgiving.* *2. 2:8-15 FOR CHRIST ALONE FULLY MEETS HUMAN NEED* *a. 2:8-12 JUDAISTIC TRADITION AND PHILOSOPHY: ROBS OF TRUE CIRCUMCISION* BLEpe-te, M*E* tis EStai huMAS ho su-la-g*o*G*O*N [5209] *Look out, lest any shall be that makes spoil of you* diA t*e*s phi-lo-soPHIas [5383] kai keN*E*S [2756] aPAt*e*s [539], *through the philosophy and vain deceit,* kaTA t*e*n paRAdo-sin [3862] t*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n, *after the tradition of :men,* kaTA ta stoiCHEIa [4747] tou KOSmou, kai ou kaTA ChrisTON: *after the elements of the world, and not after Christ:* HOti en auT*O* ka-toiKEI[2730] pan to PL*E*r*o*-ma [4138] t*e*s theOt*e*-tos [2320] s*o*-ma-tiK*O*S [4985], *9 for in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily,* KAI es-te en auT*O* pe-pl*e*-r*o*MEnoi [4137], *10 and in him you are made full,* HOS es-tin h*e* ke-phaL*E* PAs*e*s arCH*E*S kai e-xouSIas [1849]: *who is the head of all principality and power:* en h*o* kai pe-ri-etM*E*th*e*-te [4059] peri-toM*E* [4061] a-chei-ro-poi*E*t *o* [886], *11 in whom you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands,* en t*e* a-pekDUsei tou S*O*ma-tos [4983] t*e*s sarKOS, *in the putting off of the body of the flesh,* en t*e* pe-ri-toM*E* tou ChrisTOU; *in the circumcision of the Christ;* sun-taPHENtes [4916] auT*O* en t*o* bapTISma-ti [908], *12 having been buried with him in :baptism,* en h*o* kai su-n*e*GERth*e*-te [4891] diA t*e*s PIste-*o*s *wherein you were also raised with him through the faith* t*e*s enerGEIas [1753] tou TheOU, tou eGEIran-tos [1453] auTON ek neKR*O*N. *of the working of :God, who raised him from the dead.* *b. 2:13-15 SPIRITUAL RESURRECTION: THE SEAL OF CHRIST'S VICTORY FOR US* kai huMAS, neKROUS [3498] ONtas tois pa-rapT*O*ma-sin [3900] *And you, being dead by the trespasses * kai t*e* a-kro-busTIa [203] t*e*s sarKOS huM*O*N, *and the uncircumcision of your :flesh,* su-ne-z*o*-oPOI*e*-sen [4806] h*e*MAS sun auT*O*, *you did he make alive together with him,* cha-riSAme-nos [5483] huMIN PANta ta pa-rapT*O*ma-ta; *having forgiven us all :trespasses;* e-xaLEIpsas [1813] to kath' h*e*M*O*N cheiROgra-phon [5498], *14 having blotted out the handwriting against us,* tois DOGma-sin [1378], ho *e*n hu-pe-nanTIon [5227] h*e*MIN: *in :ordinances, which was contrary to us:* kai auTO *E*Rken ek tou MEsou, pro-s*e*L*O*sas [4338] auTO t*o* stauR*O* [4716]; *and he has taken it out of the midst, nailing it to the cross;* a-pek-duSAme-nos [554] tas arCHAS [746] kai tas e-xouSIas [1849], *15 having despoiled the principalities and the powers,* e-deigMAti-sen [1165] en par-r*e*SIa [3954], thri-amBEUsas [2358] auTOUS en auT*O*. *he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.* *3. 2:16-19 FOR CHRIST SUPERCEDES TYPES AND ANGELS* *a. 2:16-17 DISCARD THE TYPE WHEN ITS FULFILLMENT APPEARS!* M*e* OUN tis huMAS kriNEt*o* [2919] en BR*O*sei [1035], kai en POsei [4213], *Let no one therefore judge you in meat, and in drink,* *e* en MErei he-orT*E*S [1859] *e* ne-o-m*e*NIas [3561] *e* sabBAt*o*n [4521]: *or in respect of a feast day or new moon or sabbaths:* HA es-tin skiA t*o*n melLONt*o*n [3195]: *17** which are a shadow of the **things** to come:* to de S*O*ma tou ChrisTOU. *but the body **is** of the Christ's.* *b. 2:18-19 LESSER DIGNITIES: A COMPROMISE WHEN CHRIST CAN BE HAD* m*e*DEIS huMAS ka-ta-bra-beuEt*o* [2603] THEl*o*n en ta-pei-no-phroSUn*e* [5012] kai Thr*e*SKEIa [2356] *Let no one rob you of a prize by voluntary humility and worship* t*o*n agGEl*o*n [32], ha he*O*ra-ken [3708] em-baTEU*o*n [1687], *of the angels, dwelling in what **things **he has seen,* eiK*E* [1500] phu-siOUme-nos [5448] huPO tou noOS [3563] t*e*s sarKOS auTOU *vainly puffed up by the mind of his :flesh* kai ou kraT*O*N [2902] t*e*n ke-phaL*E*N [2776], ex hou pan to S*O*ma, *19** and not holding to the Head, from whom all the body,* diA t*o*n aPH*O*N [860] kai sunDESm*o*n [4886] e-pi-cho-r*e*GOUme-non [4822]kai sun-bi-baZOme-non [4822], *being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands,* AUxei [837] t*e*n AUx*e*-sin [838] tou TheOU. *increases **with** the increase of :God.* *NOTE*: As many of you readers will have seen, I receive much insight and blessing from the writings of Oswald Chambers. All of his collected writings can be obtained. They have been collected by David McCasland, who also has written his third biography, ?OC - Abandoned to God?, published by ?Discovery House Press,? Grand Rapids MI, 1993). It is one of the most enlightening biographies I have read, and will enable the reader to understand and appreciate yet more ?My Utmost for His Highest.? However, I was fellowshipping with a friend, and he mentioned that he appreciated my notes on those portions of God's Interlinear Numeric Greek NT, the two texts used in these mailings by Russian Ivan Panin. It is true I have spent well over 40,000 hours on the preparation of this Interlinear text, and receive many ?spin-offs? from the Spirit directly related to the portion I am working on. My question: Though I love to put an ?OC? note with the relevant portion, I am of course open to putting what I'm sensing the Spirit is saying to me in the preparation. Have any of you any thoughts to guide me in this choice? As I was having my devotions this morning (2009-10-03) - a new insight came to me. It was as if the Holy Spirit nudged me and said: ?Look at the 5 men I have specifically given you as mentors: Brother Yun representing the Apostle H. A. Baker - the Prophet Rees Howells - the Evangelist George Muller - the Pastor Oswald Chambers - the Teacher These 5 men have overlapping gifts with each other; but for me, I have sensed the 5-fold ?chiropractic spiritual adjusting? (ka-tarTIz*o*) taking place on my behalf. For 4 of them, they being dead - yet speak! *?Mystery?* - one of the unusual words in the NT. It refers to a truth that was hidden in the OT, but especially the apostle Paul in the NT was given the privilege of explaining over a dozen of these ?mysteries.? ?Christ in you, the Hope of Glory? - is one of these chief mysteries. (1:28) In 2:3, Paul points out that God comforts our hearts by revealing to us his :mystery - which is ?*Christ, in whom are all the treasures of :wisdom, and knowledge hidden.?* Match this truth with Galatians 2:20 - *?I have been crucified with Christ; and **no longer I live**, but **Christ lives in me**: and what I now live in **the** flesh I live by faith which is in the Son of :God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.? * What an insight! And if He lives His life through us, then *all that He is* according to the mystery recorded above - then *He lives that mystery* through us! God told Rees Howells - ?Two cannot live in the same body - If I come in, *you* go out.? * That* is the explanation for the lives of the 5 mentors mentioned above. 2:6 - This was a key verse for Bob Cook of Chicago back in the '50's. See the first love we as new believers have for Christ. So - not like the Ephesians who left this first love - let us keep walking in this love. ?*As therefore you received the Christ, Jesus the Lord, *(by grace through faith), *so walk in him.? *Alan Redpath, former pastor of ?Moody Memorial Church? of Chicago, once said, ?To maintain vital daily devotions with Christ, is the most difficult assignment I have.? The above 5 mentors all said the same thing - but they never relinquished their dedication to maintain it. 2:8-15 - *Circumcision of Heart* - the fulfillment of the type, circumcision of the flesh. The *big* thing with God for us - is that we do not allow Judaistic traditions to *rob* us of true circumcision of the heart. 2:15 - *Very significant* - We need to see Satan as an eternally defeated foe. His head is crushed! Since Calvary, the Resurrection, the Ascension and Christ's seating on God's Throne at His right hand; - *Jesus* - in just a matter of time - will consummate on Satan what He *started* 2000 years ago! And finally, 2:18-19 - We should *never* miss the import of these 2 verses. May we together let *nothing* come between us and our Head - Jesus! - J.A.W. *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 Oct 11 10:18:30 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 10:18:30 -0700 Subject: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12 Message-ID: <625d7240910111018y3d8d0da3vf20c2cb702fa1d26@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 11, 2009 * *Part 1. 1 THESSALONIANS 1:1-2:12* *SUMMARY: PREPARING CONVERTS FOR THE DAY OF THE LORD - 1-5* *A. 1:1 APOSTOLIC GREETING* PAUlos kai Si-lou-aNOS, kai TiMOthe-os, t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa Thes-sa-lo-niKE*o*n *Paul and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of Thessalonians * en The*O* paTRI, kai KuRI*o* 'I*e*SOU ChrisT*O*: *in God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ: * CHAris [5485] huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* [1515]. *Grace to you and peace.* *B. 1:2-10 APOSTOLIC COMMENDATION* *a. 1:2-5 EVIDENCES OF FAITH* Eu-cha-riSTOUmen [2188] t*o* The*O* PANto-te peRI PANt*o*n huM*O*N, *We thank :God alway for you all, * MNEIan [3417] poiOUme-noi ePI t*o*n pro-seuCH*O*N [4335] h*e*M*O*N; *making mention in our :prayers;* a-di-aLEIPt*o*s [89] mn*e*-moNEUon-tes [3421] huM*O*N tou ERgou [2041] t*e*s PIste-*o*s *3 remembering without ceasing your :work of :faith* kai tou KOpou [2873] t*e*s aGAp*e*s kai t*e*s hu-po-moN*E*S [5281] t*e*s elPIdos [1680] *and :toil of :love and :patience of :hope* tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, EMpros-then tou TheOU kai paTROS h*e *M*O*N, *in our :Lord Jesus Christ, before our :God and Father; * eiDOtes [1492], a-delPHOI *e*-ga-p*e*MEnoi [25] huPO tou TheOU, t*e*n e-kloG *E*N [1589] huM*O*N, *4 knowing, brethren beloved of :God, your :election,* HOti to eu-agGEli-on [2098] huM*O*N ouk e-geN*E*th*e* eis huMAS en LOg*o*MOnon, *5 because our :gospel came not unto you in word only, * alLA kai en duNAmei [1411], kai en PNEUma-ti HaGI*o*, kai pl*e*-ro-phoRIa [4136] polL*E*; *but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and much assurance;* kaTH*O*S OIda-te HOIoi e-geN*E*th*e*-men en huMIN di' huMAS. *even as you know what manner of men we became among you for your sake.* *b. 1:6-7 EXAMPLE OF APOSTLES* kai huMEIS mi-m*e*TAI [3402] h*e*M*O*N e-geN*E*th*e*-te, kai tou KuRIou, *And you became imitators of us, and of the Lord,* deXAme-noi [1209] ton LOgon en THLIpsei [2347] polL*E*, *having received the word in much tribulation,* meTA CHAras [5479] PNEUma-tos HaGIou; *with joy of the Holy Spirit;* H*O*ste geNESthai huMAS TUpon [5179] PAsin tois piSTEUou-sin *7 so that you became an example to all that believe* en t*e* Ma-ka-doNIa kai en t*e* A-CHAIa. *in :Macedonia and in :Achaia.* *c. 1:8 WITNESS: PROOF OF FAITH* aph' huM*O*N gar eX*E*ch*e*-tai [1837] ho LOgos tou KuRIou *For from you has sounded forth the word of the Lord* ou MOnon en t*e* Ma-ke-doNIa kai A-CHAIa, *not only in :Macedonia and Achaia,* all' en panTI TOp*o* h*e* PIstis huM*O*N h*e* pros ton TheON e-xeL*E*lu-then [1831]; *but in every place your :faith :unto God is gone forth;* H*O*ste m*e* CHREIan [5532] Echein h*e*MAS laLEIN ti. *so that we have no need to speak anything.* *d. 1:9-10 WAITING FOR THE SON FROM HEAVE N* auTOI gar peRI h*e*M*O*N a-pagGELlou-sin [518] hoPOIan EIso-don [1529]EScho-men pros huMAS; *For THEY report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you;* kai p*o*s e-peSTREpsa-te [1994] pros ton TheON aPO t*o*n eiD*O*l*o*n [1497], *and how you turned unto :God from :idols,* douLEUein [1398] The*O* Z*O*Nti [2198] kai a-l*e*-thiN*O* [228], *to be bondmen of a living and true God,* kai a-naMEnein [362] ton huiON auTOU ek t*o*n ou-raN*O*N, *10 and to wait for his :Son from the heavens,* hon *E*gei-ren [1453] ek t*o*n neKR*O*N [3498]: *whom he raised from the dead:* 'I*e*SOUN, ton 'ruOme-non [4506] h*e*MAS ek t*e*s orG*E*S [3709] t*e*s er-choMEn*e*s. *Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath :to come.* *C. 2:1-12 PROOF OF GOD'S GOSPEL AUTHORSHIP* *a. 2:1-2 CONDUCT OF PAUL AND HIS COMPANIONS* AuTOI gar OIda-te, a-delPHOI, t*e*n EIso-don [1529] h*e*M*O*N t*e*n pros huMAS, *For yourselves, brethren, know our :entering in unto you,* HOti ou keN*E* [2756] GEgo-nen: *that it has not become vain:* alLA pro-paTHONtes [4310] kai hu-brisTHENtes [5195], kaTH*O*S OIda-te, en PhiLIPpois, *2 but having suffered before and been shamefully treated, as you know, at Philippi,* e-par-r*e*-si-aSAme-tha [3955] en t*o* The*O* h*e*M*O*N laL*E*sai pros huMAS *we waxed bold in our :God to speak unto you* to eu-agGEli-on tou TheOU en polL*O* aG*O*ni [73]. *the gospel of :God in much conflict.* *b. 2:3-4 HOW TO PLEASE GOD* h*e* gar paRAkl*e*-sis [3874] h*e*M*O*N ouk en PLAn*e*s [4106], *For our :exhortation is not of error,* ouDE ex a-ka-tharSIas [167], ouDE en DOl*o* [1388]: *nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:* alLA kaTH*O*S de-do-kiMASme-tha [1381] HUpo tou TheOU pi-steuTH*E*nai [4100]to eu-agGEli-on, *4 but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, * HOUt*o*s laLOUmen; *so we speak;* ouch h*o*s anTHR*O*pois aRESkon-tes [700], alLA The*O* t*o* do-kiMAzon-ti [1381] tas karDIas h*e*M*O*N. *not as pleasing men, but God who proves our :hearts.* *c. 2:5-6 BY OPENNESS* OUte GAR po-te en LOg*o* ko-laKIas [2850] e-geN*E*th*e*-men, kaTH*O*S OIda-te, *For neither were we ever using words of flattery, as you know,* OUte proPHAsei [4392] ple-o-neXIas [4124], TheOS MARtus [3144]; *nor a cloak of covetousness, God is witness;* OUte z*e*TOUNtes [2212] ex anTHR*O*p*o*n DOxan [1391], OUte aph' huM*O*N OUte ap' ALl*o*n, *6 nor seeking glory of men, neither from you nor from others,* duNAme-noi en BArei [922] EInai h*o*s ChrisTOU aPOsto-loi [652]. *though able to be a burden as apostles of Christ.* *d. 2:7-8 BY GENTLENESS* alLA e-geN*E*th*e*-men N*E*pi-oi [2261] en MEs*o* huM*O*N, *But we became babes in your midst,* h*o*s eAN troPHOS [5162] THALp*e* [2282] ta he-auT*E*S TEKna [5043]: *as when a nurse cherishes her own :children:* HOUt*o*s ho-meiROme-noi [2442] huM*O*N, *e*u-doKOUmen [2206] me-taDOUnai [3330] huMIN, *8 thus longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you,* ou MOnon to eu-agGEli-on tou TheOU, alLA kai tas he-auT*O*N psuCHAS, *not the gospel of :God only, but also our own :souls,* di' HOti a-ga-p*e*TOI h*e*MIN e-geN*E*th*e*-te. *because you were become very dear to us.* *e. 2:9 NOT CHARGEABLE* mn*e*-moNEUe-te [3421] gar, a-delPHOI, ton KOpon [2873] h*e*M*O*N kai ton MOCHthon [3449]: *For you remember, brethren, our :toil and :travail:* nukTOS kai h*e*MEras er-gaZOme-noi [2036], pros to m*e* e-pi-baR*E*-SAI [1912] ti-na huM*O*N, *working night and day, that we burden not any of you,* e-k*e*RUxa-men [2784] eis huMAS to eu-agGEli-on tou TheOU. *we preached unto you the gospel of :God.* *f. 2:10-12 EXHORTING THEM* huMEIS MARtu-res [3144], kai ho TheOS, *You are witnesses, :God also, * h*o*s hoSI*o*s [3743] kai diKAI*o*s [1346] kai aMEMP-t*o*s [274] huMIN tois piSTEUou-sin e-geN*E*th*e*men: *how holily and righteously and unblamably we became toward you that believe:* kaTHAper OIda-te h*o*s, HEna HEka-ston huM*O*N, h*o*s paT*E*R TEKna he-auTOU, *11 as you know how we were exhorting you, each of you,* pa-ra-kaLOUNtes [3870] huMAS, kai pa-ra-muTHOUme-noi [3888], kai mar-tuROme-nos [3140], *as a father his own children, and encouraging, and testifying,* eis to pe-ri-paTEIN huMAS aXI*o*s [516] tou TheOU *12 that you should walk worthily of the God* tou kaLOUNtos huMAS eis t*e*n he-auTOU ba-siLEIan [932] kai DOxan [1391] . *that calls you into his own :kingdom and glory.* *NOTE**: *1 & 2 Thessalonians are special letters from Jesus through the Apostle Paul, majoring on His Second Coming. These two letters, carefully read and studied, can clear up much of the eschatology (Last Day occurrences) controversy in the church today. But over and above all this, *Jesus is coming again* - this time not as the Redeeming Savior, but now as the all-conquering Judge and King. Yet it is important to see the sequence of our Lord and Savior's work. In the Book of Romans, Paul sets Him forth as the great author of ?Justification by Faith?. Link this with the Feast of Passover. In the Book of Ephesians the high water-mark of the Church - the ?One New Man? of Jew and Gentile with Jesus as the Head, is set forth. Link this with the Feast of Pentecost. But 1 & 2 Thessalonians major on the Return of our Lord; and therefore can be linked with the Feast of Tabernacles. These letters of Paul from Romans to 1 & 2 Thessalonians are like a University Course. Only a life of full commitment and obedience to Christ allows the Holy Spirit to enlighten us as to their true meaning. Even Peter said that Paul wrote many things difficult to understand, which the * unstable* *wrest* to their own destruction. I see 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus as letters for the Post Graduate School. And how do we categorize the Book of Revelation? The only Bible book that has promises of blessing for its reading? I leave it up to you! Now let us highlight a few of the verses of Part 1, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:12. 1:5 - *?because our :gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in ** power**, and in **the** **Holy Spirit**, and **much assurance**.? *The Gospel in *Word*? Yes! But also in the 3-fold manner brought forth by Paul here. 1:6-7 - Paul commends these believers for becoming *imitators* of him and his fellow-workers! Just as they suffered tribulation in this life, so these Thessalonian believers likewise. Read ?Brother Yun - The Heavenly Man? by Paul Hattaway. Here we find the *same* outlook clearly spelled out. 1:10 - Here begins Paul's key emphasis of these two letters - the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus. *This* is the hope that purifies. This is the emphasis every time we celebrate the Lord's Supper. *?Do this as often as you do it - in remembrance of Me - till I come!? * 2:2 - *?we waxed bold in our :God to speak unto you the gospel of :God in much **conflict** (aG**O**ni).?* Milton wrote a book ?Samson Agonistes.? Professor Louis Markos wrote a book on C. S. Lewis - ?Lewis Agonistes,? showing the 5-fold area in which Lewis agonized in bringing the church back to truth - its original moorings. Norman P. Grubb in his biography ?Rees Howells, Intercessor?, points out that there are 3 qualification for the true intercessor. 1. *Identification* - he must be identified with the Lord, and with the one for whom he intercedes. 2. Then there is the *agony* of the intercessor. The Spirit prays through us with groanings that cannot be uttered. Have we made ourselves available to Him for this? 3. Lastly comes the *authority* of the intercessor. This comes when we have gained ?the position of intercession?. These 3 points are clearly explained in chapter 12, ?What is an Intercessor?? of the above book. 2:4 - God could entrust the Gospel to Paul, because he sought to please God, not man - neither his Thessalonian hearers, *or* others. 2:9-12 - See here the spirit of service by Paul and his band. There are 9 points of service he mentions here. Can you find and identify them? - J.A.W. *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 Oct 14 18:37:15 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 18:37:15 -0700 Subject: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-3:13 Message-ID: <625d7240910141837i2db224f3xad7eb957e78612df@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 14, 2009 * *Part 2 - 1 THESSALONIANS 2:13-3:13 * *D. 2:13-16 CONVERSION AND ENDURANCE: BECAUSE OF CONFIRMED WORD * *a. 2:13 HOW THEY RECEIVED THE WORD * Kai diA TOUto kai h*e*MEIS eu-cha-riSTOUmen [2168] t*o* The*O* a-di-aLEIPt*o *s [89], *And for this we also thank :God without ceasing, * HOti, pa-ra-laBONtes [3880] LOgon a-ko*E*S [182] par' h*e*M*O*N tou TheOU, *that, when you received from us the word of :God's message, * eDExas-the ou LOgon anTHR*O*p*o*n, *you accepted it not as men's word, * alLA, kaTH*O*S a-l*e*TH*O*S es-tin, LOgon TheOU, *but, as it is in truth, God's word, * hos kai e-nerGEItai [1754] en huMIN tois piSTEUou-sin. *which also works in you that believe. * *b. 2:14-16 BECOMING FOLLOWERS OF THE CHURCHES * huMEIS gar mi-m*e*TAI [3402] e-geN*E*th*e*-te, a-delPHOI, t*o*n ek-kl*e*-si* O*N tou TheOU *For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of :God * t*o*n ouS*O*N en t*e* 'IouDAIa en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU: *which are in :Judaea in Christ Jesus: * HOti ta auTA ePAthe-te [3958] kai huMEIS huPO t*o*n iDI*o*n sum-phu-leT*O*N [4853], *because you also suffered the same things of your :own countrymen, * kaTH*O*S kai auTOI huPO t*o*n 'IouDAI*o*n; *even as THEY did of the Jews; * t*o*n kai ton KUri-on a-pok-teiNANt*o*n [615] 'I*e*SOUN kai tous proPH*E*tas [4396], *15 who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, * kai h*e*MAS ek-di-*o*XANt*o*n [1559], kai The*O* m*e* a-reSKONt*o*n [700], *and drove out us, and please not God, * kai PAsin anTHR*O*pois e-nanTI*o*n [1727]; *and are contrary to all men; * k*o*-luONt*o*n [2967] h*e*MAS tois ETHne-sin [1484] laL*E*sai HIna s*o*TH*O*sin [4982]; *16 hindering us from speaking to the nations that they may be saved; * eis to a-na-pl*e*R*O*sai [378] auT*O*N tas ha-marTIas [266] PANto-te: *to fill up their :sins always: * EPHtha-sen de ep' auTOUS h*e* orG*E* [3709] eis TElos [5056]. *but the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. * *E. 2:17-3:13 THE HEART OF PAUL * *1. 2:17-20 PAUL'S DESIRE * *a. 2:17-18 PAULS' DESIRE TO SEE THEM * H*e*MEIS de, a-delPHOI, a-por-pha-nisTHENtes [642] aph' huM*O*N pros kaiRON [2540] H*O*ras [5610] *But we, brethren, bereaved of you for the season of an hour * proS*O*p*o* ou karDIa, *in presence not in heart, * pe-ris-soTEr*o*s [4056] es-pouDAsa-men [4704] to PROs*o*-pon huM*O*N iDEIN en polL*E* e-pi-thuMIa [1939]: *endeavored the more exceedingly to see your :face with great desire: * di' HOti *e*theL*E*sa-men [2309] elTHEIN pros huMAS, *18 because we would fain have come unto you,* eG*O* men PAUlos kai HApax kai dis, kai eNEko-psen [1465] h*e*MAS ho Sa-taNAS [4567]. *I Paul both once and twice, and :Satan hindered us.* *b. 2:19a HOW PAUL SAW THEIR CONVERTS* tis gar h*e*M*O*N elPIS [1680], *e* chaRA [5479], *e* STEpha-nos [4735]kauCH *E*se-*o*s [2746]? *For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying?* *c. 2:19b HIS CROWN* *e* kai ouCHI huMEIS, EMpros-then tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*sou en t*e*auTOU pa-rouSIa [3952]? *Are not even you, before our :Lord Jesus at his :presence?* *d. 2:20 HIS GLORY AND JOY* huMEIS gar es-te h*e* DOxa [1391] h*e*M*O*N kai h*e* chaRA [5479]. *For you are our :glory and our :joy.* *2. 3:1-10 PAUL'S CONCERN* *a. 3:1-3 TIMOTHY SENT TO THEM* Di' ho m*e*KEti STEgon-tes [4722], *Wherefore when we could not longer forbear,* *e*u-doK*E*sa-men [2106] ka-ta-leiphTH*E*nai [2641] en A-TH*E*nais MOnoi; *we thought it good to be left behind at Athens alone;* kai ePEMpsa-men TiMOthe-on, *2 and sent Timothy,* ton a-delPHON h*e*MON kai diAko-non [1249] tou TheOU en t*o* eu-ag-geLI*o*tou ChrisTOU, *our :brother and :God's minister in the gospel of the Christ,* eis to st*e*RIxai [4741] huMAS, kai pa-ra-kaLEsai [3870] huPER t*e*s PIste-* o*s huM*O*N; *to stablish you, and to comfort concerning your :faith;* to m*e*DEna SAInes-thai [4525] en tais THLIpse-sin [2347] TAUtais; *3 that no one be moved by these :afflisctions;* auTOI gar OIda-te eis TOUto KEIme-tha [2749]. *for yourselves know that to this we are appointed.* *b. 3:4 AFFLICTION FORETOLD* kai gar, HOte pros huMAS *E*men, *For truly, when we were with you,* pro-eLEgo-men huMIN HOti MELlo-men THLIbes-thai [2345]; *we told you afore that we are to be afflicted;* kaTH*O*S kai eGEne-to, kai OIda-te. *even as it came to pass, and you know.* *c. 3:5 POSSIBILITY OF DEFEAT* diA touTO ka' 'G*O*, m*e*KEti STEg*o*n [4722], *For this cause I also, when I could no long forbear,* Epem-psa eis to GN*O*nai t*e*n PIstin huM*O*N, *sent :to know your :faith, * m*e* p*o*s ePEIra-sen [3984] huMAS ho peiRAz*o*n [3985], *lest somehow the tempter had tempted you,* kai eis keNON [2756] GEn*e*tai ho KOpos [2873] h*e*M*O*N. *and our :labor be in vain.* *d. 3:6-8 TIMOTHY'S RETURN* ARti de elTHONtos Ti-moTHEou pros h*e*MAS aph' huM*O*N, *But when Timothy came even now unto us from you,* kai eu-ag-ge-li-saMEnou [2097] huMIN t*e*n PIstin kai t*e*n aGAp*e*n huM*O* N, *and brought us glad tidings of your :faith and :love,* kai HOti Eche-te MNEIan [3417] h*e*M*O*N a-gaTH*E*N PANto-te, *and that you have good remembrance of us always,* e-pi-poTHOUNtes [1971] h*e*MAS iDEIN, kaTHAper kai h*e*MEIS huMAS; *longing to see us, even as we also to see you;* diA TOUto pa-raKL*E*th*e*-men [3870], a-delPHOI, eph' huMIN *7 for this cause, brethren, we were comforted over you* ePI PAs*e* t*e* aNAGk*e* [318] kai THLIpsei [2341] h*e*M*O*N diA t*e*s huM*O *N PIste*-*o*s*: *in all our :distress and affliction through your :faith:* HOti nun Z*O*men [2198], eAN huMEIS ST*E*k*e*-te [4739] en KuRI*o*. *8 for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.* *e. 3:9-10 PAUL'S JOY* TIna gar eu-cha-risTIan [2169] duNAme-tha t*o* The*O* an-ta-poDOUnai [467]peRI huM *O*N, *For what thanksgiving can we render again to God for you,* ePI PAs*e* t*e* chaRA h*e* CHAIro-men [5463] di' huMAS EMpros-then tou TheOU h*e*M*O*N; *for all the joy in which we joy for you before our :God;* nukTOS kai h*e*MEras hu-pe-rek-pe-risSOU [4053] deOme-noi [1189] *10 night and day praying exceedingly * eis to iDEIN huM*O*N to PROs*o*-pon, *that we may see your :face,* kai ka-tarTIsai [2675] ta hus-teR*E*ma-ta [5303] t*e*s PIste-*o*s huM*O*N? *and may perfect what are lacking in your :faith?* *3. 3:11-13 PAUL'S PRAYER* AuTOS de ho TheOS kai paT*E*R h*e*M*O*N, kai ho KUri-os h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOUS, *Now may :God himself and our Father, and our :Lord Jesus,* ka-teuTHUnai [2720] t*e*n hoDON3598] h*e*M*O*N pros huMAS: *direct our :way unto you:* huMAS de ho KUri-os ple-oNAsai [4121] kai pe-risSEUsai [4052] t*e* aGAp*e*eis alL *E*lous, *12 and the Lord make you to increase and abound in :love one toward another,* kai eis PANtas, kaTHAper kai h*e*MEIS eis huMAS; *and toward all, even as we also do toward you;* eis to st*e*RIxai [4741] huM*O*N tas karDIas *13 to the stablishing of your :hearts* aMEMPtous [273] en ha-gi-*o*SUn*e* [273] EMprosthen tou TheOU kai paTROS h*e *M*O*N, *unblamable in holiness before our :God and Father,* en t*e* pa-rouSIa [3952]0 tou KuRIou H*e*M*O*N 'IeSOU meTA PANt*o*n t*o*n haGI*o*n auTOU. *at the presence of our :Lord Jesus with all his :saints.* *NOTE**:* 2:13-16 - In Mark 16 we read that *God* confirmed the word of the apostles with *signs following*. Paul reminded the Corinthians that they saw his apostolic ministry to them thus confirmed. The Thessalonians before them had the same confirmation of the Word of God, and indeed saw it *not* as the word of man, but the word of God. Paul spelled this out to the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 14:37, by declaring that his words were *not* his, but the Lord commanding through him. Then Paul contrasted the attitude of the Thessalonian believers with that of the unbelieving Jews, who rejected God's word through Jesus and the prophets, and killed them. 2:17-20 - The heart of Paul is not understood by some, but passages such as this more than show his yearning and longing over the new converts that came to the Lord through his word. He knew his presence with them could result in a deeper discipleship and intimacy with the Lord as a result of his heart-ministry for them. No wonder Satan opposed and hindered his desire! And again in 2:19 he declares the importance for believers to stand firm until the Lord returns, whether through sleep (death) prior to His return - or at His coming again - the hope that purifies. Paul again returns to the great theme of Christ's Second Coming. 3:1-10. It is because of Paul's great concern for the growth and establishment of the Thessalonian believers that he denied himself the help of Timothy, and sent him to take his place with them. He knew the temptation to fall back from the Lord, under hardships and fiery persecution. The Thessalonians knew this fiery trial, both from the Jews, and from the Gentiles that the Jews influenced. Paul had forewarned them of such afflictions. Many missionaries failed to clearly warn new Chinese believers of such persecution, and as a result multitudes fell away. Mao's wife said, Soon there will be no more church and no Christians.? She was *wrong*! Brother Yun, the Heavenly Man, confirmed that the blood of martyrs is the seed of the church. Tens of millions came to the Lord starting in the 1970's to the present in the underground church of China, composed of small churches in homes. It is a parallel situation to what the Thessalonians faced. They experienced the 7th and 8th Beatitudes of Matthew 5. They were persecuted for living righteous lives! And - they were persecuted for being identified with Jesus, and not being ashamed of Him, even under heavy persecution. *He that endures to the end shall be saved. *The underground church of China should shame and humble us for our materialism and easy-believism in America! In 3:11-13 - Paul continues in lifting up these dear and beloved new converts. ?*Unblamable in holiness? * is the way hearts are established! ?Through tribulation to Glory? is the example of today's Underground Church in China. God in His mercy is raising up trouble and persecution for the church of the Western World to humble us and direct us back to Jesus and the early church, and the church of suffering in other lands such as China. Materialism can be a curse. God through Solomon wisely said - *?Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me: 9Lest I be full, and deny you, and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God? (Proverbs 30:8b-9).* *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 Oct 18 21:35:11 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 18 Oct 2009 21:35:11 -0700 Subject: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18 Message-ID: <625d7240910182135u56e064b3hd9c07b513a23e7a5@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 18, 2009 * *Part 3 - 1 THESSALONIANS 4:1-18* *F. 4:1-12 A PRACTICAL WALK* *1. 4:1-2 EXHORTATIONS PLEASING TO GOD* *a. 4:1 EXHORTATION* LoiPON, a-delPHOI, e-r*o*T*O*men [2065] huMAS kai pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870] en KuRI*o* 'I*e*SOU, *For the rest, brethren, I ask and exhort you in the Lord Jesus,* HIna, kaTH*O*S pa-reLAbe-te par' h*e*M*O*N to p*o*s dei huMAS pe-ri-paTEIN [4043] kai aRESkein [700] The*O*, *that, as you received of us :how you ought to walk and to please God,* kaL*O*S kai pe-ri-paTEIte, - HIna pe-risSEU*e*-te [4052] MALlon. *even as you do walk, - that you abound more.* *b. 4:2 PAUL'S CHARGES* OIda-te gar TInas pa-rag-geLIas [3852] eD*O*ka-men [1325] huMIN diA tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU. *For you know what charges we gave you through the Lord Jesus.* *2. 4:3-8 SANCTIFICATION* *a. 4:3-6 SANCTIFICATION AND FORNICATION* TOUto gar es-tin THEl*e*-ma [2307] tou TheOU, ho ha-gi-asMOS [38] huM*O*N; *For this is the will of :God, your sanctification;* aPEches-thai [567] huMAS aPO t*e*s porNEIas [4202]; *that you abstain from :fornication;* eiDEnai HEkas-ton huM*O*N to he-auTOU SKEUos [4632] KTASthai [2932] *4 that each of you know how to possess himself of his own :vessel* en ha-gi-asM*O* [38] kai tiM*E* [5092], *in sanctification and honor, * m*e* en PAthei [3806] e-pi-thuMIas [1939], *5 not in passion of lust, * kaTHAper kai ta ETHn*e* ta m*e* eiDOta ton TheON; *even as the nations who know not :God;* to m*e* hu-perBAInein [5233], kai ple-o-nekTEIN [4122] en t*o* PRAGma-ti [4229] to a-delPHON auTOU: *6 that no one transgress, and wrong his :brother in the matter:* di' HOti EKdi-kos [1558] KUri-os peRI PANt*o*n TOUt*o*n, *because the Lord is avenger in all these,* kaTH*O*S kai proEIpa-men [4277] huMIN kai di-e-mar-tuRAme-tha [1263]. *as also we forewarned you and testified.* *b. 4:7 SANCTIFICATION AND UNCLEANNESS* ou gar eKAle-sen huMAS ho TheOS ePI a-ka-tharSIa [167], alLA en ha-gi-asM*O* [38]. *For :God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification.* *c. 4:8 SANCTIFICATION AND GOD'S COMMAND* toi-gaROUN ho a-theT*O*N [114], ouk ANthr*o*-pon a-theTEI [114], alLA ton TheON, *Therefore who rejects, rejects not man, but :God,* ton diDONta to PNEUma auTOU to HAgi-on eis huMAS. *who gives his :Holy :Spirit unto you.* *3. 4:9-10a BROTHERLY LOVE* PeRI de t*e*s phi-la-delPHIas [5360] ou CHREIan [5532] Eche-te GRAphein huMIN: *But concerning brotherly :love you have no need that one write you:* auTOI gar huMEIS The-oDIdakTOI [2312] es-te eis to a-gaPAN alL*E*lous; *for you yourselves are taught of God :to love one another;* kai gar poiEIte auTO eis PANtas tous a-delPHOUS tous en hoL*E* t*e*Ma-ke-doNIa. *10a for indeed you do it toward all the brethren :in all :Macedonia.* *4. 4:10b-12 INDUSTRY* Pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870] de huMAS, a-delPHOI, pe-risSEUein [4052] MALlon; *But we exhort you, brethren, that you abound more;* kai phi-la-tiMEISthai [5389] h*e*-suCHAzein [2270], kai PRASsein [4238] ta Idi-a, *11 and that you be ambitious to be quiet, and to do your :own business,* kai erGAzes-thai [3026] tais cherSIN huM*O*N, kaTH*O*S huMIN pa-r*e*gGEIla-men [3853]; *and to work with your :hands, even as we charged you;* HIna pe-ri-paT*E*te [4043] eu-sch*e*MOn*o*s [2156] pros tous Ex*o*, *12 that you may walk becomingly toward them without,* kai m*e*-deNOS CHREIan Ech*e*-te. *and have need of nothing.* *G. 4:13-18 RESURRECTION CLARIFICATION* *a. 4:13 CONCERNING THOSE WHO SLEEP* Ou THElo-men de huMAS ag-noEIN [50], a-delPHOI, *But we would not have you ignorant, brethren,* peRI t*o*n koi-m*o*MEn*o*n [2837]; *concerning them that are asleep;* HIna m*e* luP*E*Sthe [3076], kaTH*O*S kai hoi loiPOI, hoi m*e* Echon-tes elPIda. *that you sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope.* *b. 4:14 JESUS' RESURRECTION: GROUND FOR RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD* ei gar piSTEUo-men HOti 'I*e*SOUS aPEtha-nen [599] kai aNESt*e* [450], *For if we believe that Jesus died and rose,* HOUt*o*s kai ho TheOS tous koi-m*e*THENtas [2837] *even so them also that are fallen asleep* diA tou 'I*e*SOU Axei sun auT*O*. *will :God through :Jesus bring with him.* *c, 4:15 ORDER OF THE RESURRECTION* TOUto gar huMIN LEgo-men en LOg*o* KuRIou, *For this we say to you by the Lord's word,* HOti h*e*MEIS hoi Z*O*Ntes [2198], hoi pe-ri-leiPOme-noi [4035] eis t*e*n pa-rouSIan [3952] tou KuRIou, *that we that are alive, that are left unto the presence of the Lord,* ou m*e* PHTHAs*o*-men [5348] tous koi-m*e*THENtas [2837]. *shall in no wise precede them that are fallen asleep.* *d. 4:16-17 TIMETABLE OF THE RESURRECTION* HOti auTOS ho KUri-os en keLEUSma-ti [2752], en ph*o*N*E* ar-chagGElou [743] , *For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout,* kai en SALpig-gi [4533] TheOU, ka-taB*E*se-tai [2597] ap' ou-raNOU: *with an archangel's voice, and with God's trump:* kai hoi neKROI en ChrisT*O* a-nasT*E*son-tai [450] PR*O*ton; *and the dead in Christ shall rise first;* Epei-ta h*e*MEIS hoi Z*O*Ntes [2198], hoi pe-ri-leiPOme-noi [4035], *17 then we that are alive, that are left,* HAma sun auTOIS har-pa-g*e*SOme-tha [726] en* *nePHElais [3507], *shall together with them be caught up in clouds,* eis aPANt*e*-sin [529] tou KuRIou eis aEra: *to meet the Lord into the air:* kai HOUt*o*s PANto-te sun KuRI*o* eSOme-tha. *and so shall we ever be with the Lord.* *e. 4:18 COMFORT THROUGH THE RESURRECTION* H*O*Ste pa-ra-kaLEIte [3870] alL*E*lous en tois LOgois TOUtois. *Wherefore comfort one another with these :words.* *NOTE**:* This is a most serious passage, which many professing believers completely ignore. Many parents have children who practice pre-marital sex, and little is thought of it. More - if the parents are rebuked for overlooking their laxity in rearing their children in this area, those who dare challenge them are labeled ?*cruel*?. Sex out of Biblical bounds is called by the Lord through Paul ?*fornication *?, and *uncleanness*. My wife and I know of instances where adults practice *adultery* against their mate, and think little of it. They are like the woman in Proverbs, who also commits adultery against her mate, wipes her mouth, and says, ?I have done nothing wrong!? Adultery in the Bible is often linked under the heading of *fornication*, which encompasses *any type* of sexual sin. Often such practicers feel they are spiritually superior to others, according to *their* standards. But the Lord through Bible writers says - ?As I have told you before, so I tell you again - they who do such things (habitually, and without conviction) shall *not* enter the Kingdom of Heaven.? Be not deceived - God is *not* mocked - and whoever is deceived in this area *is not wise*! Paul in the Lord ends up this passage by assuring us that the person rejecting the above teaching is not rejecting man - but God! We mustremember that the day is coming, when we all as professing believers will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ - and there answer for the deeds done in our body down here! If we have a conscience that responds to sin, and confess these sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Then we can safely appear before Christ's BEma (Judgment Seat) and *not* be rejected. When the apostle Paul reasoned of these things to Felix - he *trembled*! He *knew* that what Paul taught was truth, and unbelievers immediately receive the judgment of eternal separation from God - and believers will indeed answer for their life down here following conversion. 4:9-10b is a *must* for believers. We can't do this on our own, for no good thing dwells in us. But Galatians 2:20 allows Christ to live out His life of love through us. *That* will do it, for then *love* is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). And what of 4:10b-12? Are there some professing believers yet today who are moochers? Indeed, yes. If the church again agrees to walk in this word from God, then we will *fix* the moochers! If a man does not work, neither should he eat! And finally, we come to 4:13-18. The Second Coming of Jesus is indeed the major theme of 1 & 2 Thessalonians, linking up with the Feast of Tabernacles. I like to use this portion of Scripture at funerals. What a comfort to those who have just lost a loved one. *He* is better off, but we who are left are allowed by Christ to mourn, though *not* in an unseemly, worldly way. And will we know one another over there? Indeed we will. Agnes Springer wrote a book years ago entitled ?Intra Muros?, (Within the Walls). It has been reprinted under a new title, ?Within Heaven's Gates?, and answers two questions specifically - we *shall* know one another over there, and, the two lives are *one*. What starts out down here is but a continuation over there. We give out this book to those who have recently lost a loved one, and they again and again confirm what a comfort they received through this book. - J.A.W. *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 Oct 20 10:32:16 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:32:16 -0700 Subject: Russia's Gift to Christianity Message-ID: <625d7240910201032r1fda6e48wa404234cbeb0cfb7@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 20, 2009 * *RUSSIA'S GIFT TO CHRISTIANITY** - 2009-10-19* I recently received the following note on Galatians 3:14 (1-22) concerning the Interlinear Bible Numeric Greek NT that I am putting together based on Ivan Panin's Greek and English Bible Numeric text publications by Oxford Press, England. Here is the notation and here is my brief answer plus a fuller addition. Because it took some time to find this I Internet Article, I felt some of you would also be interested in the answer, so am sending it out as a mailing. ?Dear Brother Jim - Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised. Over the years I've noted how Paul at times transposes the names/titles Christ and Jesus, sometimes writing Christ Jesus and elsewhere Jesus Christ. I have also heard teaching on this and its possible meaning. I do note that in verse 14 you have switched what appears to be Jesus Christ in the Greek text to Christ Jesus. Was this on purpose or was it a transcription error? I must say that I have not been paying attention to these when reading your text, but I happened to note it this time. ?Continue in His grace and Peace. - Love, W.M.? The gist of the article I am sending entitled ?Russia's Gift to Christianity? concerns the 10 years of ?Concordance? preparation on Panin's part before he could commence the actual putting together of the Greek N.T. As you will note, Bible Numerics establishes the original Greek text, the order of the books, the authors, and even the sentence, sub-paragraph, paragraph and sections (chapter equivalents). Even the word order is established, so that my friend's note as to whether ?Jesus Christ? or ?Christ Jesus? - has its answer here. I discovered the works of Panin the Summer of 1944, two years after his death in Aldershot, Ontario, and upon purchase of all of his available books in 1945, discovered the proper context for each Greek word in the entire NT. I started summarizing the NT then, and doing Greek Word Studies, and by 1967 had the first rough MS in place. I had typed up the entire NT in English, and copied out by hand the entire Greek NT under each phrase and clause of the English. I titled each sentence, gathering up these titles into sub-paragraph, paragraph, section and finally Book Summaries. The actual format didn't come clear until 2 years ago. My grandson Keelan felt I should have a place to record any mailings in an Archive section, and volunteered to completely revise my Website to make this possible. This turned out to be a major project. As it required that it be ?User Friendly?, everything had to be undergirded with ?Data Processing.? He then helped me develop the present format for the Interlinear text, by putting Panin's English text in heavy black, the Greek text in ordinary print, Strong's numbers in brackets behind each significant Greek word, and the titles summarized in heavy black. Once this decision was made, I now have over 100 out of the 260 NT chapters ready to post. The next 80 will be complete the Lord willing by the beginning of next year, and the last 80 chaptera as soon as possible following. Like Panin, what we do is a gift to the Body of Christ. There are some who have been led to send gifts to help in this, but there have been no suggestions or requests for such help. Now - so you understand that my part, though demanding - yet compared with the brilliancy and gifting of Panin, is but putting together his outstanding life's accomplishment into the Interlinear format. Jehovah's Witnesses offered to do this for him, which he had to refuse because of their Cultic orientation. We trust that the Completed Interlinear first posted on the Website and then perhaps published should God so lead, will fulfill the Title - *?RUSSIA'S GIFT TO CHRISTIANITY?* Title: *BIBLE NUMERICS EXAMINED -- PART 2* Subtitle: The Bible is proven to be Divinely Inspired By Mathematics -- Story of Panin and his life's work. Your faith will be dramatically strenghtened, just in time of the End of the Age trials! The New World Order is coming! Are you ready? Once you understand what this New World Order really is, and how it is being gradually implemented, you will be able to see it progressing in your daily news!! Learn how to protect yourself, your loved ones! Stand by for insights so startling you will never look at the news the same way again. *DR. IVAN PANIN-* *RUSSIA'S GIFT TO CHRISTIANITY* As we attempt to capture the essence of this remarkable man and his enormous contribution to the cause of Christ, a sense of frustration is immediately encountered because of unyielding constraints the need for brevity forces upon us. Many books have been devoted to what we must condense, but we encourage the reader to further investigate the discoveries of Dr. Panin through that which has been written by him and about him. (Book list and ordering information available in the appendix) Ivan Panin was born in Russia on December 12, 1855 and as a young man he was an active Nihilist. one who was so "turned off" by the inane circumstances surrounding him that he adopted the attitude that all values were worthless and nothing was knowable or communicable. He apparently detested the Czarist government so much that he participated in various plots against it and eventually was forced into political exile. From there he moved to Germany where he spent a number of years furthering his education. When he left Germany he immigrated to the United States and soon entered Harvard University where he became the personal friend of both the famous professor William James and the University. s President Eliot. Mr. Panin was a brilliant scholar and a Master of Literary Criticism. After graduating from college he became an outstanding lecturer on the subject of literary criticism and toured the country speaking on Carlyle, Emerson, Tolstoy, Russian literature, etc.. receiving up "top dollar" for each address, which shows us the caliber of his talent. His lectures were delivered on college campuses and to exclusive literary clubs in many cities of the United States and Canada. And during those years of travel and exposure to the public, Mr. Panin became widely known as a confirmed agnostic. so well known, in fact, that when he renounced agnosticism and embraced Jesus Christ, several newspapers carried banner headlines announcing his conversion! Upon hearing of this remarkable turn of events, Professor James, who was reputed to be the greatest Metaphysician of his day remarked, "What a pity that Mr. Panin is cracked on religion. A great philosopher was spoiled in him." Prior to his life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ, Mr. Panin wrote some three thousand aphorisms (brief statements of principle) and many outstanding essays, which stand today as a memorial to his days as a Master of Literary Criticism. He also was an editor of two daily newspapers, a gifted writer, and an eloquent speaker. What event made this brilliant and gifted man. one firmly convinced that absolute truth ("God") was unknowable. change his mind? What so challenged his intellect and shook him to the very core of his being, that he was left with no alternative but belief in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior? The answer is this: He made *THE* SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY THAT SHOULD HAVE SHAKEN THE ENTIRE WORLD! (The fact that it has not yet done so and has been quietly disregarded by those who should have been its greatest advocates, is one of the great mysteries of our time!) One day in 1890, Mr. Panin was casually reading the first verse of the Gospel of John in the original Koine Greek. This verse, in the original, says: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with the God, and the Word was God." And as he read this sentence, his curiosity was stirred by the fact that the definite article "the" preceded "God" in the first instance, but not the second. Why the difference? To analyze this apparent discrepancy, he made a parallel list of all verses in the New Testament in which the word "God" occurs with the article "the" and all those without it. Then when he compared the two lists he noted that there was a *mathematical relationship* between the two sums. Next, he went through the same procedure for the word "Christ" and on through several other words. each time taking note of the *amazing numeric relationships* hidden beneath the surface of the text. This "chance" observation would later prove to have been a life-changing event as Ivan Panin enthusiastically pursued the newly-found and exciting discovery he later named "*Bible Numerics*." As these discoveries began to unfold, one after another, Mr. Panin quickly came to the realization that they were far more than just coincidence. There was a *mathematical* *precision inherent to the entire Bible* that no mere mortal could have devised and his intellectual objections relative to an unknowable God were overruled! Jesus Christ revealed Himself through His Word to this "chosen vessel" and, like the apostle Paul and a host of others, Ivan Panin was never the same man again. >From that day in 1890 until he died on October 30, 1942, Ivan Panin literally devoted his life (over 50 years) to fully developing this discovery and preserving it for the world. It is said of him that he worked tirelessly for 12-18 hours each day counting letters and words, compiling hand-written concordances, and working out mathematical problems. He worked with such zeal that on several occasions his health completely failed. But in spite of the tremendous mental and physical strain this placed upon him, he labored *without pay*, giving himself entirely to this labor of love. At one point he was offered the very tempting position as president of a college, but he turned it down trusting God to provide for his needs. This man whom the world would gladly pay "top dollar" for a lecture, chose a life of frugality in order to serve his Master by counting words, letters, syllables, and Bible numbers. preserving his findings in neat, hand-written notes now yellowed with age. all *40,000+ pages* of them! The following is a description of Dr. Panin by Mr. Karl Sabiers, in his book "Mathematics Prove Holy Scriptures." It was originally published in 1941, while Mr. Panin was still alive: "This distinguished person is a man of extra-ordinary resources in scholarship. He is keen-minded and alert and possesses amazing analytical and dissecting ability. He is eminently open and scientific. He assumes nothing, but bases all on observed facts. facts of a positive, irrefutable, unparalleled sort. He pursues his way with calmness and is positive of the ground he covers. He is a complete master of himself and of the facts at his command. "Mr. Panin is an ardent and devout Christian. a 'born again' child of God. His pleasing personality radiates the abiding presence of the Christ within. This refined gentleman and his lovely wife live quiet, humble lives on a small Canadian farm, far removed from the busy city activities. Mr. Panin is very modest and conservative. He prefers to be called Mr. Panin rather than Dr. Panin, and is reluctant about publicizing facts concerning his own life story. He points out that the Apostles left little or no life stories of themselves, but exalted Christ instead. Incidentally, Mr. Panin is a citizen of the United States." GETTING STARTED In order to gain a proper understanding of the enormity of Dr. Panin's work, we must realize that he "started from scratch", so to speak. The mathematical precision required of his labors necessitated reference works that for all intents and purposes were non-existent! The first thing he had to do was compile a library of "tools" with which to work and he had to make them himself. Try to imagine if you can, the extreme difficulty that Dr. James Strong encountered in compiling his "Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible," where each and every word of consequence in the entire Bible was carefully noted, recorded, collated, etc., while corresponding Hebrew and Greek definitions (with assigned numbers) were given as well. Yet, this Herculean task does not measure up to that task which confronted Dr. Panin! He had to compile his own unique concordance *before* he could begin work! Not only did the words of the original Greek texts have to be arranged into a systematic and workable concordance, but a very special concordance at that one in which each letter of the respective language was meticulously recorded, along with its numerical equivalent. The Hebrew and Greek cultures did not have a separate alphabet and numbering system as we do today. Their alphabet was also their numbering system each letter having a corresponding number associated with it. So their calculations were actually manipulations of the various letters of the alphabet. (We will not attempt to give illustrations of these alphabets, or tables reflecting their respective values, deferring instead to the various authors' books which list them.) Additonally, vocabularies and other Bible analyses had to be compiled with a special view to absolute accuracy, down to the smallest detail. The first result was a thousand-page concordance listing every one of the 137,903 occurrences of the New Testament Koine Greek words. They are all in alphabetical order and every reference to chapter and verse is neatly listed beneath each word in hand-written entries. The reason this was made necessary was the fact that the very best Greek concordances in print at that time were just too inaccurate for Dr. Panin' s purposes! Next, Dr. Panin felt the need for a concordance listing all of the various forms of the Greek words, so he created another concordance of 2000 pages. twice as large as the first! Six years of tedious and time-consuming labor were required for these two "tools". After that, other books containing the vocabulary words of the Greek New Testament were also compiled, in which each word was listed along with 16 columns of numeric data related to that word. Four columns containing the order number, place value, numeric value, etc. precede each word. Behind each word are 12 columns containing the number of occurrences, number of forms, syllables, letters, writers, books, diphthongs, etc. The completion of the vocabulary required an additional two years. But through all of the years of tedious and mentally taxing labor, Dr. Panin was not the only one who did not receive a salary. all of the secretarial assistance he received was done voluntarily as well. The result of this lifetime of effort was a "NUMERIC GREEK NEW TESTAMENT" and a "NUMERIC ENGLISH NEW TESTAMENT", both of which are commendable and scholarly pieces of work. The concise text of both testaments were established by means of the numeric designs discovered by Dr. Panin. designs that completely and literally permeate the whole of Scripture. THE STORY OF THE TWO TESTAMENTS At this point we probably need to explain why this would have been deemed necessary in the first place. And why just the New Testament? Wouldn' t the Old Testament require this same type of revision as well? Let's answer the question about the Old Testament first. The Old Testament Scriptures were given by God through the pens of various men chosen by Him and were confined to the nation of Israel. The copying and transmission of these writings were handled, for the most part, by *religious professionals* and done under the most rigorous rules imaginable. Each line and each page had a numerical equivalent attached to it, the sum of the individual letters, and absolutely no mistakes were tolerated. If, for any reason a single line or page did not "add up" properly, it was discarded and burned. The task was approached with the greatest of reverence and it has been said that if the scribe encountered any of the numerous names of God, he would put down his pen, take a bath, change clothes, get a new quill pen and then very reverently write down the name. If the name of God came up in the same verse, he would go through the whole procedure again! With such scrupulous and meticulous care taken by professional scribes, we can see how the Old Testament was passed down to us with only a very few, and relatively minor, errors. However, the New Testament is another matter entirely. Most of the original manuscripts were sent as letters to various individuals and churches, where copies were often made and passed on to others. Those who wished to have copies for their own use, either paid semi-professional copyists to do it, or often did it themselves. Little care was taken to maintain strict accuracy and many times just the kernel of the information was recorded. Persecution of Christians was commonplace and therefore any copying done had to be done quickly. Some copies were the result of personal recollection being written down, while others were made from the recitations of those who had heard the words spoken by a preacher. Because of this desire for and love of the Word, over a period of time quite a hodge-podge of manuscripts were floating around the Christian world. And at some point along the way, the original "autographs" the actual documents penned by the apostles and others were lost entirely. This was obviously God's intent, because depraved men would doubtless have given an inordinate amount of attention to them (bordering on worship)! They would have worshipped a version of the Bible, rather than the Creator! To determine the exact wording of the originals, their chronology, and even if they were Scripture or not, educated and godly men had to compare the available texts with each other and against the Old Testament Scriptures quoted by them, to determine authenticity as well as accuracy of text. They did such a wonderful job, that over the years the New Testament Scriptures were settled with a very high degree of confidence and no doctrine left in doubt. Yet, the scholars still could not come to 100% agreement and a few relatively minor places in the Old Testament were debatable. To a certain degree this problem still exists today, but according to the findings of Dr. Panin, all question has been removed and the bickering should cease immediately! The whole of Scripture, down to the last "*jot and tittle*" has been determined through Bible numerics and as it turns out, precious little needed to be changed anyway! What is so amazing is that this final determining factor was published nearly sixty years ago, but Protestant leadership have ignored it. Yes, I know that "the powers that be are ordained of God" and God can certainly open their eyes any time He chooses to do so. Perhaps this is the time? *What is the so-called "heptadic" structure that Dr. Panin discovered? Simply stated it is this: *genuine *Scripture**, both Hebrew and Greek. where the numbers equivalent with the letters are added up properly. at some point: word, sentence, paragraph, or chapter, will *always be divisible by the number seven*! And, beyond this, utilization of "place numbers" determines punctuation as well as proper chronology of the various books. This mathematical phenomena occurs and reoccurs *only* **in Holy Scripture and thus rules out all that is spurious. For instance, the "Apocrypha", the fourteen books written during the 400 year "inter-testament" period between Malachi of the Old Testament and Matthew of the New, have no numerics whatsoever and are thereby revealed as being merely of man. Numerous Greek classical writings have also been checked with no evidence of Bible numerics found. Thus Dr. Panin determined that Scripture and only Scripture has this numeric "signature of Divinity" within it. * RE-ISSUING PANIN'S CHALLENGE To his credit, Dr. Panin actively sought men whose academic credentials would qualify them to serve as his critics, but few even bothered to respond and those who did offered no rebuttal whatever. To this day, no one has come forward with any substantive rebuttal arguments and if any were possible, we feel that Satan would have rolled them out long before now! For that reason we are constrained to *re-issue the challenge* made by Dr. Panin three quarters of a century ago. The importance of thIS subject dictates that it should be totally acknowledged by the Christian academic community or else conclusively proven false and discarded. If it is valid, (and we believe that it is) to continue to ignore it would be unthinkable because the harmful division now taking place in the body of Christ over textual issues has gone on entirely too long. WESTCOTT AND HORT -- "Without the aid of Wescott and Hort I could not have really done my work, because the text of the Authorized Version from my point of view -- not from the point of view of salvation or doctrine even, but from the textual point of view -- the text of the Authorized Version was useless to me, and for this reason: it has too many inaccuracies for my special purpose. Erasmus, for example, who was the Editor of the first Greek text in print was very anxious to get ahead of the Roman Catholic scholars who were issuing a Bible of their own; and he was in such a hurry that he used one MS. [manuscript] for the Book of Revelation and the last page of Revelation was missing in that MS. So what do you suppose Erasmus did? He simply concocted his own Greek for that page; he took the Latin Vulgate and translated it into his own Greek! So that the last page of the Authorized Version is a translation of Erasmus into Greek of a Latin inaccurate translation itself! Now, you and I wish to have an inspired page of the Bible, not one man's mere guessage. The Received Text has a great many suspicious readings of that kind. They do not affect doctrine or conduct seriously, because the great blessing of the Word of God is like the Lord Himself. if you only touch the hem of His garment, you can be made whole. God has seen to it that His blessed Book, no matter how distorted it is in any language sometimes the missionaries are at their wits end to know how to translate the word "God" nevertheless, the Word of God is so full of spiritual power, that if we only get the fringe of it to them, those dear heathen can be converted by it. But you and I wish to have the last page of Revelation as it was truly the inspired Word of God. Wescott and Hort based all their work largely on the Vatican and Sinai MSS., and decided that wherever the two MSS. agreed, that should generally settle the reading. Well, you know, there has been some doubt cast upon the Sinai MSS., because a very shrewd Greek copied a great many MSS. and tried to foist his own MSS. on the folk, so that has left a cloud on the Sinai MSS., and some people see fit to cast doubt on it even now, when there is the question as to whether the British Government did wisely to take part in its acquisition ... I have analysed the Greek words for the Sinai and Vatican Codexes. I have here page after page of the numerics of those words in Greek. Whenever we wish to study numerics relating to our own affairs or life or anything else, we must always remember that the language in which God wishes us to count is Greek, because He left the name of the anti-christ in Greek. You and I will have to stand the test when anti-christ comes. The Holy Spirit has given us warning. "Be sure not to receive this mark of the beast upon you," because it will be the number of the beast upon ourselves. The Holy Spirit warns us that he is 666, that is, in Greek. You and I have to go to numerics in Greek when we wish to prove the correctness of a passage. The three words show striking numerics. There is a system there of sevens and nines at once on the blackboard. I have here page after page of the numerics of those three words. The Sinai Codex has a separate scheme of its own and the Vatican Codex has a separate scheme of its own." "That is how God has set His seal on His book; so that by the aid of the text presented to us by Wescott and Hort, I was able to verify everything they stated, and verify all the doubtful readings, so that those two great MSS. can be established in such a way that no one can attack their authenticity. This is the testimony of numerics as to any aspersion on the Sinai Codex." "My prayer is simply this. That God may make that blessed Book of His as precious to you as He has made it to me. It has been an inexpressible joy in my life to work these things out, simply because of the testimony of the majesty and the marvel of the loving-kindness of God vouchsafed in this Book unto our charge. Pray for me, and may the Lord bless you." (Ivan Panin, "Bible Numerics", pp.25-27, emphasis in the original). >From these statements made by Dr. Panin himself, he expresses an indebtedness to Messrs. Wescott and Hort for their work in editing a Greek text that, for the most part, stands up to the test of Bible numerics. However guilty these two men may have been in their involvement with the occult, that involvement should not. in and of itself. mean that the Greek texts they edited were thus rendered unacceptable. "The proof of the pudding is in the eating" and Dr. Panin testifies that their work stands the numeric test! A diamond is still a diamond even if it is found in a mud-hole. *ADDENDUM:* If you are interested in more confirmation, do an Internet Search under ?Ivan Panin?. There you will find an article from ?Elijah List?, - Rick Joyner Endorses ?Knowing God by Numbers?. Dr Michael Brown, a Hebrew Scholar is quoted here, just before August 8, 2008. Larry Jackson refers to him - ?Dr. Brown introduced me to another person I had never heard of named Dr. Ivan Panin. *He told me how Dr. Panin had discovered mathematic sequences in the Bible in the late 1800s and had given his life to Jesus as a result of his findings.* Panin was known as a firm agnostic - so well known, that when he discarded his agnosticism and accepted the Christ faith, the newspapers carried headlines telling of his conversion!? - J.A.W. *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 Oct 23 14:14:36 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:14:36 -0700 Subject: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 Message-ID: <625d7240910231414m6ad3e45cy800829a5c1bb69de@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 * *Part 4 - 1 THESSALONIANS 5:1-28* *H. 5:1-11 DUTIES IN LIGHT OF FUTURE UNCERTAINTIES* *a. 5:1 TIMES AND SEASONS* PeRI de t*o*n CHROn*o*n [5550] kai t*o*n kaiR*O*N [2540], a-delPHOI, *Now concerning the times and the seasons, brethren,* ou CHREIan [5532] Eche-te huMIN GRAphes-thai [1125]. *you have no need that anything be written you.* *b. 5:2 AN UNEXPECTED SURPRISE* auTOI gar a-kriB*O*S [199] OIda-te HOti h*e*MEra KuRIou *For yourselves know perfectly that the Lord's day* h*o*s KLEPt*e*s [2812] en nukTI HOUt*o*s ERche-tai. *comes as a thief at night.* *c. 5:3 A TERRIBLE SURPRISE* HOtan de LEg*o*sin, EiR*E*n*e* [1515] kai asPHAlei-a [803], *But when they are saying, Peace and safety,* TOte aiphNIdi-os [160] auTOIS ePISta-tai [2186] Ole-thros [3629], *then sudden destruction comes upon them,* H*O*Sper h*e* *o*DIN [5604] t*e* en gasTRI eCHOUs*e*; *as the travail upon the one with child;* kai ou m*e* ekPHUg*o*sin [1628]. *and they shall in no wise escape.* *d. 5:4-6 SONS OF LIGHT* huMEIS de, a-delPHOI, ouk esTE en SKOtei [4655], *But you, brethren, are not in darkness,* HIna h*e* h*e*MEra huMAS h*o*s KLEPtas [2812] ka-taLAb*e* [2638], *that the day should overtake you as thieves,* PANtes gar huMEIS huiOI ph*o*TOS [5457] es-te, kai huiOI h*e*MEras: *5 for you are all sons of light, and sons of day:* Ouk esMEN nukTOS, ouDE SKOtous [4655]; *we are not of night, nor of darkness;* Ara oun m*e* kaTHEUd*o*-men [2518], h*o*s hoi loiPOI, *6 so then let us not sleep, as the rest,* alLA gr*e*-goR*O*men [1127] kai N*E*ph*o*-men [3525]. *but let us watch and be sober.* *e. 5:7 SONS OF NIGHT* hoi gar kaTHEUdon-tes [2518] nukTOS kaDEUdou-sin; *For who sleep sleep at night;* kai hoi me-thuSKOme-noi [3184] nukTOS meTHUou-sin [3182]. *and who are drunken are drunken at night.* *f. 5:8 SPIRITUAL ARMOR* h*e*MEIS de, h*e*MEras ONtes, N*E*ph*o*-men [3525], *But let us, since we are of the day, be sober,* en-duSAme-noi [1746] TH*O*ra-ka [2382] PIste-*o*s kai aGAp*e*s; *putting on a breastplate of faith and love;* kai pe-ri-ke-phaLAIan [4030], elPIda [1680] s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991]. *and for a helmet, salvation's hope.* *g. 5:9-10 SALVATION* HOti ouk Ethe-to [5087] h*e*MAS ho TheOS eis orG*E*N [3709], *For :God appointed us not unto wrath,* alLA tis pe-riPOI*e*-sin [4047] s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991] diA tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *but unto the obtaining of salvation through our :Lord Jesus Christ,* tou a-po-thaNONtos [599] peRI h*e*M*O*N, HIna, EIte gr*e*-goR*O*men [1127]EIte kaTHEUd *o*-men [2518], *10 who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep,* HAma sun auT*O* Z*E*s*o*-men [2198]. *we should live together with him.* *h. 5:11 EXHORTATION* Di' HO pa-ra-kaLEIte [3870] alL*E*lous, kai oi-ko-doMEIte [3618] heis ton HEna, *Wherefore exhort one another, and build each other up,* kaTH*O*S kai poiEIte. *even as also you do.* *I. 5:12-24 SHORT EXHORTATIONS* *a. 5:12-13a THOSE WHO LABOR* E-r*o*T*O*men de huMAS, a-delPHOI, eiDEnai tous ko-pi*O*Ntas [2872] en huMIN, *But we ask you, brethren, to know them that labor among you,* kai pro-i-staMEnous [4291] huM*O*N en KuRI*o*, kai nou-theTOUNtas [3560]HUmas; *and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;* kai h*e*GEISthai [2233] auTOUS hu-pe-rek-pe-risSOU [4053] en aGAp*e* diA to ERgon auT*O*N. *13a and to esteem them exceeding highly in love for their :work.* *b. 5:13b THE DUTY OF PEACE* ei-r*e*NEUe-te [1514] en he-auTOIS. *Be at peace among yourselves.* *c. 5:14 EXHORTATION* Pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870] de huMAS, a-delPHOI, nou-theTEIte [3560] tous aTAKtous [813], *And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly,* pa-ra-muTHEISthe [3888] tous o-li-goPSUchous [3642], anTEches-the [472] t*o*n as-theN*O*N [772], *encourage the fainthearted, support the weak,* ma-kro-thuMEIte [3114] pros PANtas. *be longsuffering toward all.* *d. 5:15 THE DUTY OF BEARING AND FORBEARING* hoRAte [3708] m*e* tis kaKON anTI kaKOU tiNI a-poD*O* [591]; *See that none render unto any one evil for evil;* alLA PANto-te to a-gaTHON di*O*ke-te [1377], *but always follow after what is good,* kai eis alL*E*lous, kai eis PANtas. *one toward another, and toward all.* *e. 5:16-18 PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING* PANto-te CHAIre-te [5463]; a-di-aLEIPt*o*s [89] proSEUches-the [4336]; *Rejoice alway; 17 pray without ceasing;* en panTI eu-cha-risTEIte [2168]: *18 in everything give thanks:* TOUto gar THEl*e*-ma [2307] TheOU en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU eis huMAS. *for this is God's will in Christ Jesus toward you.* *f. 5:19-22 PRECEPTS* to PNEUma m*e* SBENnu-te [4570]; *Quench not the Spirit;* pro-ph*e*TEIas [4394] m*e* e-xou-theNEIte [1848]; *20 despise not prophesyings;* PANta de do-kiMAze-te [1381]; to kaLON kaTEche-te [2722]; *21 but prove all things; hold fast what is good;* aPO panTOS EIdous [1491] po-n*e*ROU [4190] aPEches-the [567]. *22 abstain from every form of evil.* *g. 5:23 SANCTIFICATION* AuTOS de ho TheOS t*e*s eiR*E*n*e*s ha-giAsai [37] huMAS ho-lo-teLEIS [3651] ; *And the God of :peace himself sanctify you wholly;* kai hoLOkl*e*-ron [3648] huM*O*N to PNEUma [4151] kai h*e* psuCH*E* [5590]kai to S *O*ma [4983], *and may your :spirit and :soul and :body be preserved entire,* aMEMPt*o*s [274] en t*e* pa-rouSIa [3952] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU t*e*-r*e*THEIN [5083]. *without blame at the presence of our :Lord Jesus Christ.* *h. 5:24 COMFORTABLE ASSURANCE* piSTOS [4102] ho kaL*O*N huMAS, hos kai poi*E*sei. *Faithful he that calls you, who will also do it.* *J. 5:25 REQUEST FOR PRAYER* A-delPHOI, proSEUches-the [4336] kai peRI h*e*M*O*N. *Brethren, pray for us also.* *K. 5:26-27 CONCLUSION* *a. 5:26 PAUL'S SALUTATION* AsPAsas-the [782] tous a-delPHOUS PANtas en phiL*E*ma-ti [5370] haGI*o* [40] . *Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss.* *b. 5:27 SOLEMN CHARGE* EnorKIz*o* [3726] huMAS ton KuRIon a-nag-n*o*sTH*E*nai [314] t*e*n a-pi-stoL *E*N [1992] *I adjure you by the Lord that the letter be read* PAsin tois a-delPHOIS. *to all the brethren.* *L. 5:28 APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION* H*e* CHAris [5485] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU meth' huM*O*N. *The grace of our :Lord Jesus Christ be with you.* *NOTE**: *It was Paul's firm conviction that his teaching concerning the time and circumstances of the Lord's return were so clear - that none of these new believers would be in any doubt or confusion concerning these things. I agree. Dr. James R. Graham, Presbyterian missionary to China many years ago, was asked to translate the Schofield Bible notes for the Chinese Bible. In the midst of his translation process, he discovered so many scriptural inaccuracies that he refused to complete the assignment. Rowland V. Bingham, author of ?Matthew the Publican?, had a similar ?conversion? experience. Tregelles, outstanding Jewish Greek and Hebrew Theologian, wrote a book the the Second Coming of Christ that fully accords with these 2 letters of Paul to the Thessalonians, plus the conclusions of the above teachers. Why then do so many Western Theologians go along with the easy way out through the Schofield notes? Because these notes go along with our Western social pattern. Scriptural? No. Confusion causing? Yes. H. A. Baker wrote two books in the light of the millions of martyrs in the Chines church: ?Through Tribulation?, and ?Tribulation to Glory?. Many of the Chinese believers forsook the Gospel in the midst of their fiery persecutions. They said, ?You missionaries have deceived us. You taught us that we would be raptured and escape all of this. How can we believe the rest of your teachings when you have been so drastically wrong here?? Read again 1 & 2 Thessalonians as if you had never read them before. Forget all previous interpretations you have heard. Let the Bible mean what it wants to mean, and let God say what He wants to say. Remember James 3:1 (1-12) - *?Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater condemnation.?* All teachers especially must one day appear before Christ at His Judgment Seat (B*E*ma), and answer for our teaching down here! I teach soberly with this thought in mind at all times. I don't want Christ's rebuke in that day. I'd rather have *man* upset with me today, than Christ's judgment against me tomorrow! 5:12-24. This is an amazing passage of ?aphorisms, pithy sayings, proverbs?. It will do us all much good to ponder thoughtfully and prayerfully over these 8 words. Do not such sayings of Christ's Spirit through Paul cause us to love the Lord more and more? It did for Oswald Chambers. He boiled it down to ?*personal, passionate devotion to Jesus?! *Yes, Lord Jesus, *You* are faithful and true, and we hide ourselves in You, Your Word, and Your Spirit. ? J.A.W. *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 Oct 25 19:01:49 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:01:49 -0700 Subject: Visitation of the Spirit Message-ID: <625d7240910251901i57bd2e62l68deef7e718ba0f@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 25, 2009 * *'REES HOWELLS, INTERCESSOR **- Norman P. Grubb, CLC, 1952* *''VISITATION OF THE SPIRIT?, Chapter 32* From the time of special dedication on March 29, 1936, when so many of the College, both staff and students, laid their lives on the altar as intercessors, the summation came in the New Year of 1937. It was the ?Pentecost? of the College, from which they emerged not a loosely-linked company of consecrated individuals, but a body in the full sense of the term, a living integrated organism, instinct with one life and one purpose. Dr. Kingsley C. Priddy, M.B., B.S., D.T.M. & H., a member of the staff and now Headmaster of the School, gives the following account of those days: ?In the Christmas vacation of 1936 much time was given to prayer. As we approached the New Year of 1937 there was an increasing consciousness of God's presence. The first outward sign that He was working in a new way was when one of the staff broke down in prayer, confessing her sense of need and crying to the Holy Spirit to meet her. Then we heard how the Holy Ghost had so manifested Himself in the glory of His Divine Person to some of the girl students, that they wept before Him for hours - broken at the corruption of their own hearts revealed in the light of His holiness. ?An awful sense of God's nearness began to steal over the whole College. There was a solemn expectancy. We were reminded of the 120 in the Upper Room before the day of Pentecost. Like them, we only wanted to spend our time 'in prayer and supplication' - conscious that God's hand was upon us - conscious that He was about to do something. God was there; yet we felt we were still waiting for Him to come. And in the day that followed, He came. ?*He did not come like a rushing mighty wind. But gradually the Person of the Holy Ghost filled all our thoughts, His Presence filled all the place, and His light seemed to penetrate all the hidden recesses of our hearts. He was speaking through the Director in every meeting, but it was in the quiet of our own rooms that He revealed Himself to many of us. We felt the Holy Spirit had been a real Person to us before; as far as we knew we had received Him; and some of us had known much of His operations in and through our lives. But now the revelation of His Person was so tremendous that all our previous experiences seemed as nothing. There was no visible apparition, but He made Himself so real to our spiritual eyes that it was a 'face to face' experience. And when we saw Him, we knew we had never really seen Him before. We said like Job, 'I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee'; and like him we cried, 'Wherefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.'* ?*In the light of His purity, it was not so much sin we saw as **self. We saw pride and self-motives underlying everything we had ever done. Lust and self-pity were discovered in places where we had never suspected them. And we had to confess we knew nothing of the Holy Ghost as an indwelling Person. That our bodies were meant to be the temples of the Holy Ghost we knew, but when He pressed the question, 'Who is living in your body?' we could not say that HE was. We would have done so once, but now we had seen Him. In His nature He was just like Jesus - He would never live for self, but always for others. We were people who had left all to follow the Savior, and had forsaken all we had of this world's goods to enter a life of faith, and as far as we knew we had surrendered our lives entirely to the One who died for us. But He showed us, 'There is all the difference in the world between yoursurrendered life in my hands, and I living My life in your body.' We read the Acts afresh, and found we were reading, not the acts of the apostles, but the acts of the Holy Ghost. The bodies of Peter and the others had become His temples. The Holy Ghost as a divine Person lived in the bodies of the apostles, even as the Savior had lived His earthly life in the body that was born in Bethlehem. And all the Holy Spirit asked of us was our wills and our bodies. 'I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice . . .' Romans 12:1. It seemed as though we had never seen that Scripture before. He made it clear that He was not asking for service, but for a sacrifice. 'Our God is a consuming fire', and if God the Holy Ghost took possession of these bodies, then His life was going to consume all that there was of ours. We had often sung 'I want to be like Jesus', but when we had the offer from a Person who is just like the Savior to come and live that life daily and hourly in us, we found how unreal we had been. How much there was in us that still wanted to live our own lives - that shrank from this 'sentence of death'! We now began to see the meaning of the Savior's words in Luke 9:24, 'For whoever will save his life shall lose it: but whoever will lose his life for My sake, the same shall save it.'* ?Why had He manifested Himself to us in this way? He made that quite clear. It was because there was a work to be done in the world today that only He could do (John 16:8). No wonder the Master told His disciples not to move from Jerusalem until they had received 'the promise of the Father'. But when He had come, they would be His witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. ?Many of us on the previous March 29 had put our all on the altar for the sake of giving the Gospel to every creature. We had become willing to be any cog in the machinery that God needed to put that through in our generation. But now the Holy Ghost said, as Jehovah had said to Moses, 'I am come down to do it.' And we knew that He was as almighty as He was holy. ?*As these days of visitation went on, we were just prostrate at His feet. We had thought that there was some virtue in our surrender, that we, with thousands of others, would be the people to evangelize the world in this generation. But now HE had come, and we were out of it - except in so far as our bodies would become the temples in which He would dwell and through which He would work. He said, I have not come to give you joy, or peace, or victory. I have not come to give you any blessing at all. You will find all that you need in Jesus. But I have come to put **you to the cross, so that I may live in your body for the sake of a lost world' (Col.3:3; 2 Cor. 4:10; Gal. 2:20).* ?*He warned us that the trials before this task was through would be so great, and the attacks of Satan so fierce, that 'flesh and blood' would never be able to hold out. He showed us that on the eve of the Crucifixion, when the real clash came with the powers of darkness, it was only the Savior who stood. We saw every one of the disciples fail in that hour - in spite of all their surrenders, their vows and their devotion to the Master. And looking into the future years - the darkness of the last days of this age, the final contest between heaven and hell for the kingdoms of this world - we could see only One Person who was 'sufficient for these things', and He was the glorious Third Person of the Godhead in those whom He was able to indwell.* ?One by one He met us. One by one we broke in tears and contrition before Him. From one after another rose the cry as it did from Isaiah, when he too 'saw the Lord', 'Woe is me for I am undone . . . unclean . . .' One by one our wills were broken; we yielded on His own unconditional terms. To one by one there came the glorious realization - He had entered; and the wonder of our privilege just overwhelmed us. ?*The personal experience was great - we were new people. His word became new. So often we had had to water down the Word to the level of our experience. But now the Person in us would insist on bringing our experience up to the level of His Word. We understood that crucifixion was a slow death, and that He would have much to deal with in us before He would really be free to do His work through us. - But one thing we knew - He had come and He could never fail.* ?But far greater than anything His visitation could mean to us personally, was what it was going to mean to the work. We saw Him as the One to whom 'the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance.' On our faces before Him we could say from awed hearts, 'Holy Ghost, You have come to rock the world.' There was no excitement or enthusiasm of the flesh in those days. When His power had come upon us after March 29 we had been carried away, and were singing and shouting our praises. But in these days we were so awed by the holy majesty of His Person that we hardly dared raise our voices in the meetings. Even the grounds outside seemed filled with His presence. Walking around together we would suddenly be conscious that we were speaking in whispers. The late hours came, but no one thought of bed - but God was there. It seemed to be a foretaste of the Holy City - 'There shall be no night there.' 2:00 and 3:00 a.m. often seemed just like midday as we communed together, prayed with some who were 'coming through', or waited before God in the quietness of our hearts. ?His visitation lasted for some three weeks in this special sense, although, praise God, He came to 'abide', and has continued with us ever since. But no one has a monopoly of the Holy Ghost. He is God, and whatever our experience of Him, He is far greater that all we can know of Him. Whatever we know of His gifts, His manifestations and His anointings, He is greater than all those. In whatever way He has manifested Himself to us, we also recognize His mighty working in and through others. Increasingly we look to the Holy Ghost Himself, poured out on all flesh, as Joel prophesied, as the only One by whom the Vision He has shown us can be fulfilled, through His prepared channels in all parts of the world.? ?*Through this falling of the fire upon the sacrifice, the Spirit had sealed to Himself a company of intercessors for every creature. Tutors and school teachers, doctors and nurses, domestic and office workers, gardeners and mechanics, the duties were varied, but the commission one. Many of the students themselves remained on as part of this praying and working company. There are times in God's dealings with His servants when He sets apart for Himself, not just individuals, but companies, baptized, as it were by one Spirit into one body for one God-appointed purpose, and this was now one of them.?* *NOTE**: *Many years ago I sent out in a mailing - Chapter 5 of this same book - *?The Holy Ghost takes Possession.? *This was the personal testimony of Rees Howells himself, sharing with us how this ?Possession? took place, and the struggle on his part to come up to paying the price. He lost pounds in a few days, with much weeping and personal agony. But - he came through, and from that day forward it was not *his* life outlived, but the life of the Holy Spirit through him. That was in 1906. Now 31 years late the Bible College God led him to found - primarily the staff, but with many of the students joining in, corporately entered into the same possession - 120 in all. *This* corporate body God used under the guidance of the Holy Spirit-guided Director. They saw victory after victory during World War II as the Holy Spirit led in the full defeat of Hitler, and Naziism. Instead of a 1000 year 3rd Reich, it was all over in 12 years! In 1967 God gave me 2 visions one night in answer to my wife Marie's request. The first one had to do with an automated Laser-Telescope - to blast out principalities and powers over cities, regions, provinces and states, and nations. He said, ?Call this 'Spiritual Star Wars.'? The second vision showed 70 teams of 8 each to sit in the gates of 70 significant cities in Canada and 70 in the United States. These under the corporate control of the Holy Spirit would become ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescopes? under the direction the Holy Spirit. In September of 2008 I sensed the Lord saying - ?The visions I gave you in 1967 and confirmed in 1985 have not yet been activated. I have given you minor examples through the years of what I can do through such groups. But now I am about to 'activate' these visions.? I believe that time one year later, is at hand. A group is going to meet soon in the Sea-Tac Metroplex. Pray that God might find in us what can be a demonstration that will multiply through upper North America in 140 cities, and then throughout the world. God bless each of you led by the Holy Spirit to undergird His working in this area through us. - J.A.W. *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 Oct 27 16:00:41 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:00:41 -0700 Subject: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 Message-ID: <625d7240910271600x4d5bda1fn169cb621af49d54@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 27, 2009 * *2 THESSALONIANS 1-3 * *A PRACTICAL REVELATION: PREPARATION FOR THE LORD'S DAY* *A. 1:1-2 A GREETING OF GRACE AND PEACE* PAUlos, kai Si-lou-aNOS, kai TiMOthe-os, *Paul, and Silvanus, and Timothy,* t*e* ek-kl*e*SIa Thes-sa-lo-niKE*o*n en The*O* paTRI h*e*M*O*N *to the church of Thessalonians in God our Father* kai KuRI*o* 'I*e*SOU ChrisT*O*; *and the Lord Jesus Christ;* CHAris huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* aPO TheOU paTROS *2 Grace to you and peace from God the Father* kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *and the Lord Jesus Christ. * *B. 1:3-12 THE PURPOSE AND RESULTS OF TRIBULATION* *a. 1:3-10 TRIBULATION: GLORY FOR SAINTS - WRATH FOR THE WICKED* Eu-cha-riSTEIN [2168] oPHEIlo-men [3784] t*o* The*O* PANto-te peRI huM*O*N, a-delPHOI, *We ought to thank :God alway for you, brethren,* kaTH*O*S AxiON [514] es-tin, HOti hu-pe-rouXAnei [5232] h*e* PIstis huM*O*N, *even as it is meet, because your :faith grows exceedingly,* kai ple-oNAzei [4121] h*e* aGAp*e* heNOS heKAstou PANt*o*n huM*O*N eis alL*E *lous; *and the love of each of you all toward one another abounds;* H*O*ste auTOUS h*e*MAS en huMIN en-kauCHASthai [2744] en tais ek-kl*e*SIais tou TheOU *4 so that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of :God* huPER t*e*s hu-po-moN*E*S [5281] huM*O*N kai PIste-*o*s en PAsin tois di-*o*gMOIS [1375] huM*O*N *for your :patience and faith in all your :persecutions* kai tais THLIpse-sin [2347] hais aNEches-the [430]: *and the afflictions which you endure:* ENdeig-ma [1370] t*e*s diKAIas KRIse-*o*s [2920] tou TheOU; *5 a manifestation of the righteous judgment of :God;* eis to ka-ta-xi-*o*TH*E*nai [2661] huMAS t*e*s ba-siLEIas [932] tou TheOU, *that you be counted worthy of the kingdom of :God,* huPER h*e*s kai PAske-te [3958]: *for which you also suffer:* EIper DIkai-on paRA The*O* an-ta-poDOUnai [467] *6 if so that it is righteous with God to recompense affliction* tois THLIbou-sin [2346] huMAS THLIpsin [2347], *to those afflicting you,* kai huMIN tois thli-boMEnois [2346] Ane-sin [425] meth' huM*O*N, *7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us,* en t*e* a-po-kaLUpsei [602] tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ap' ou-raNOU *at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven* met' anGEl*o*n [32] duNAme-*o*s [1411] auTOU *with angels of his power* en puRI [4442] phloGOS [5395], diDONtos ekDIk*e*-sin [1557] tois m*e* eiDOsi TheON, *8 in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God,* kai tois m*e* hu-paKOUou-sin [5219] t*o* eu-ag-geLI*o* tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU: *and to them that obey not the gospel of our :Lord Jesus:* HOIti-nes DIk*e*n [1349] TIsou-sin [5099], Ole-thron [3639] ai*O*ni-on [166] *9 who shall suffer punishment, eternal destruction* aPO proS*O*pou tou KuRIou kai aPO t*e*s DOx*e*s isCHUos [2479] auTOU, *from the Lord's face and from the glory of his :might,* HOtan ELth*e* en-do-xasTH*E*nai [1740] en tois haGIois [40] auTOU, *10 when he shall come to be glorified in his :saints,* kai thau-masTH*E*nai [2296] en PAsin tois piSTEUsa-sin *and to be marveled at in all that believed* (HOti e-piSTEUth*e* to marTUri-on [3142] h*e*M*O*N eph' huMAS) en t*e* h*e*MEra eKEIn*e*. *(because our :testimony unto you was believed) in that :day.* *b. 1:11-12 PRAYER ENABLES TRIBULATION TO HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK* Eis ho kai pro-seuCHOme-tha [4336] PANto-te peRI huM*O*N, *To which end also we pray alway for you,* HIna huMAS a-xi*O*s*e* [515] t*e*s KL*E*se-*o*s [2821] ho TheOS h*e*M*O*N, *that our :God count you worthy of the calling,* kai pl*e*R*O*s*e* [4137] PAsan eu-doKIan [2107] a-ga-th*o*SUn*e*s [19] *and fulfill every good pleasure of goodness* kai ERgon [2041] PIste-*o*s, en duNAmei; *and work of faith, with power;* HOp*o*s en-do-xasTH*E* [1740] to Ono-ma [3686] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU en huMIN, *12 that the name of our :Lord Jesus be glorified in you,* kai huMEIS en auT*O*, *and you in him, * kaTA t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU h*e*M*O*N kai KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *according to the grace of our :God and the Lord Jesus Christ.* *NOTE**: *Tribulation; Persecution; Suffering; Trials; Affliction: these and others are all synonyms of blessing from God to perfect us the saints. None of these are blessings at the time, but *afterwards* they bring forth in us the fruit of righteousness, and enable us to pass God's test for His Kingdom! We are *not* appointed to God's wrath; for that is reserved for those who don't know God, and have rejected or ignored His way of salvation in Jesus; of Whom He said - *?This is My beloved Son in Whom I am wellpleased! Hear and Obey Him!? * The context here is between sheep and goats. Jesus patiently waits for the Father's timing to make His enemies His footstool. Then - suddenly - His revelation from heaven will take place. What the Holy Spirit through Paul commenced in setting forth an understanding and timing of Christ's Second coming in 1 Thessalonians, *now*in 2 Thessalonians He intensifies these truths. And let us remember - with the Lord 1000 years is as a day - and a day as 1000 years. So from the time of Jesus on earth as our atoning and redeeming Savior - until He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords - is but two days - two blinks of the eye. How foolish for man to live apart from God in our very brief time down here - when all eternity stretches before us. There is an old chorus with the phrase, *?With eternity's values in view!? *- *this* is the way we all should live - for soon is coming upon earth the wrap-up of all past prophecies. Think of all the prophecies exactly fulfilled at Christ's First Coming. It will be equally amazing to see all the prophecies about to be fulfilled for His return! The majority of the human race rejects God, His Son and His Bible. The Bible is *God's Word* to us through man. *No other* religious book comes close to its authenticity! Ivan Panin with his discoveries in Bible Numerics attests to this authenticity. Here God spells out *His* outlook on sexual perversion and sin. It matters not what man does in setting His truth apart today. Remember Sodom and Gomorrah. And take hold of 1:7-9 above - *?in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our :Lord Jesus; 9 who shall suffer punishment, eternal destruction from the Lord's face and from the glory of his :might, 10 when he shall come to be glorified in his :saints, and to be marveled at in all that believed in that :day.?* Is this not a parallel to Sodom and Gomorrah? Be *not* deceived - God is * not* mocked. What is recorded in His Word, inspired by God's Holy Spirit through apostles and prophets, will *all* come to pass with the same exactitude as the fulfilled prophecies at Christ's first coming. - J.A.W. *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 Oct 29 11:49:21 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:49:21 -0700 Subject: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 Message-ID: <625d7240910291149r1248e605pf08864aa5b10349b@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 29, 2009 * *Part 2 - 2 THESSALONIANS 2:1-17* *C. 2:1-12 PROGRAM FOR THE MYSTERY OF INIQUITY* *a. 2:1-4 THE ORDER OF TARES FIRST - THEN WHEAT* E-r*o*T*O*men [2065] de huMAS, a-delPHOI, huPER t*e*s pa-rouSIas [3952] tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU, *Now we ask you, brethren, as to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ,* kai h*e*M*O*N e-pi-su-na-g*o*G*E*S [1997] ep' auTON; *and our gathering together unto him;* eis to m*e* taCHE*o*s [5030] sa-leuTH*E*nai [4531] huMAS aPO tou noOS, *2 that you be not quickly shaken from your :mind,* m*e*DE throEISthai [2360], M*E*te diA PNEUma-tos, *nor be troubled, either by spirit,* M*E*te diA LOgou, M*E*te di' e-pi-stoL*E*S [1992] h*o*s di' h*e*M*O*N, *or by word, or by epistle as from us,* h*o*s HOti eNESt*e*-ken [1754] h*e* h*e*MEra tou KuRIou; *as that the day of the Lord is on;* m*e* tis huMAS e-xa-paT*E*s*e* [1818] kaTA m*e*DEna TROpon [5158]: *3 let no one beguile you in any wise:* HOti eAN m*e* ELth*e* h*e* a-po-staSIa [646] PROton, *for not unless the falling away come first,* kai a-po-ka-luphTH*E* [601] ho ANthr*o*-pos t*e*s a-noMIas [266], ho huiOS t *e*s a-p*o*LEIas [684], *and the man of :lawlessness be revealed, the son of :destruction,* ho an-tiKEIme-nos [480] kai hu-pe-raiROme-nos [5229] ePI PANta leGOme-non TheON *4 he that opposes and exalts himself against every one called God* *e* SEbas-ma [4574]; *or an object of worship;* H*O*Ste auTON eis ton naON [3485] tou TheOU kaTHIsai [2523], *so that he sits in the temple of :God,* a-po-deikNUNta [584] he-auTON HOti esTIN TheOS. *setting himself forth as being God.* *b. 2:5 AN ORDER SET FORTH FOR NEW CONVERTS* Ou mn*e*-moNEUe-te [3421], HOti, Eti *o*n pros huMAS, *Do you not remember, that, when I was yet with you,* TAUta Ele-gon huMIN? *I told you these things?* *c. 2:6 AN ORDER OF RESTRAINT ON INIQUITY UNTIL GOD'S TIME* kai nun to kaTEchon [2722] OIda-te, *And now you know what restrains,* eis to apo-ka-luphTH*E*nai [601] auTON en t*o* auTOU kaiR*O* [2540]. *so that he be revealed in his own :season.* *d. 2:7 AN ORDER OF INWARD WORKING: THEN OPEN MANIFESTATION* to gar muST*E*ri-on [3466] *E*d*e* e-nerGEItai [1754] t*e*s a-noMIas [458]: *For the mystery of :lawlessness does already work:* MOnon ho kaTEch*o*n [2722] ARti, *only there is :one that restrains now,* HE*o*s ek MEsou [3319] GEn*e*-tai [1096]. *until he become out of the midst.* *e. 2:8-10 AN ORDER OF DESTRUCTION AT MANIFESTATION OF JESUS' PRSENCE!* kai TOte a-po-ka-luphTH*E*se-tai [601] ho Ano-mos [459], *And then shall be revealed the lawless one,* hon ho KUri-os 'I*e*SOUS a-neLEI [355] t*o* PNEUma-ti [4151] tou STOma-tos [4750] auTOU, *whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the spirit of his :mouth,* kai ka-tarG*E*sei [2673] t*e* e-pi-phaNEIa [2015] t*e*s pa-rouSIas [3952]auTOU: *and bring to naught by the manifestation of his :presence:* HOU es-tin h*e* pa-rouSIa kat' eNERgei-an [1753] tou Sa-taNA [4567] *9 him whose :presence is according to :Satan's working* en PAs*e* duNAmei [1411] kai s*e*MEIois [4592] kai TEra-sin [5059] PSEUdous [5579], *with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood,* kai en PAs*e* aPAt*e* [539] a-diKIas [93] tois a-pol-luMEnois [622]; *10 and with all deceit of unrighteousness for the perishing;* anth' h*o*n t*e*n aGAp*e*n t*e*s a-l*e*THEIas [225] ouk eDExan-to [1209], eis to s*o*TH*E*nai [4982] auTOUS. *in that they received not the love of the truth, that they be saved.* *f. 2:11-12 AN ORDER OF DECEPTION FOR THE WICKED* kai diA TOUto PEMpei [3992] auTOIS ho TheOS eNERgei-an [1753] PLAn*e*s [4106], *And for this cause :God sends them a working of error,* eis to piSTEUsai [4100] auTOUS t*o* PSEUdei [5579]: *that they should believe the lie:* HIna kriTH*O*sin [2919] HApan-tes hoi m*e* piSTEUsan-tes [4100] t*e* a-l*e*THEIa [225], *12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth,* alLA eu-doK*E*san-tes [2106] t*e* a-diKIa [93]. *but had pleasure in :unrighteousness.* *D. 2:13-17 THE PLAN OF GOD'S SALVATION* *a. 2:13-14 GOAL OF GLORY: THROUGH PATH OF SANCTIFICATION * H*e*MEIS de oPHEIlo-men [3784] eu-cha-riSTEIN [2168] t*o* The*O* PANto-te peRI huM*O*N, *But WE are bound to thank :God alway for you,* a-delPHOI *e*-ga-p*e*MEnoi [25] huPO KuRIou, *brethren beloved of the Lord,* HOti EIla-to [138] huMAS ho TheOS ap' arCH*E*S [746] eis s*o*-t*e*RIan [4991] *because :God chose you from the beginning unto salvation* en ha-gi-asM*O* [38] PNEUmatos [4151] kai PIstei a-l*e*THEIas: *in sanctification of the Spirit and by belief of the truth:* eis ho eKAle-sen [2563] huMAS diA tou eu-ag-geLIou h*e*M*O*N, *14 unto which he called you through our :gospel,* eis pe-riPOI*e*-sin [4047] DOx*e*s [1391] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU. *to the obtaining of our :Lord Jesus Christ's glory.* *b. 2:15 A PLAN ACCOMPLISHED BY A REVELATION OF TRUTH* Ara oun, a-delPHOI, ST*E*ke-te [4739], *So then, brethren, stand fast,* kai kraTEIte [2902] tas pa-raDOseis [3862] has e-diDACHth*e*-te [1321], *and hold the traditions which you were taught,* EIte diA LOgou, EIte di' e-pi-stoL*E*S [1992] h*e*M*O*N. *whether by word, or by letter of ours.* *c. 2:16-17 A STABLISHMENT BY GOD UNTO GOOD WORKS* AuTOS de ho KUri-os h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOUS ChrisTOS, *Now our :Lord Jesus Christ himself,* kai TheOS ho paT*E*R h*e*M*O*N ho a-gaP*E*sas [29] h*e*MAS kai dous paRAkl*e *-sin [3874] ai-*o*NIan [166] *and God our :Father who loved us and gave eternal comfort* kai elPIda [1680] a-gaTH*E*N en CHAri-te [5485], *and good hope in grace,* pa-ra-kaLEsai [3870] huM*O*N tas karDIas kai st*e*RIxai [4741] en panTI ERg* o* kai LOg*o* a-gaTH*O*. *17 comfort your :hearts and stablish in every good work and word.* *NOTE**: *?Mysteries? in the Bible, especially when mentioned in the NT, have the sense of what was hidden in OT times, but now, especially through the Apostle Paul, have been made clear in NT times. Perhaps one of these outstanding mysteries concerns the ?One New Man' of Ephesians 2 and 3. The Lord by His Spirit through Paul lays out God's eternal purposes to save Gentiles on the same basis as Jews - *?by grace through faith.? *- and allows them to share in the same blessings originally given to Jews. The riches of Romans 9:4-5 - 8 points - are now for both Jews and Gentiles - only the latter need *not* be circumcised and keep the Jewish laws. As a matter of fact, not even Jews can be completely ?Torah Observant? for 200 of the 613 Torah laws are connected with the Temple, and since its destruction in 70 AD, it has no longer been possible for Jews to be 100% observant. Jesus has fulfilled the types and shadows of the OT, and *in Him* we now have all that they pointed to. The book of Galatians and Acts 15 make this eminently clear. But the ?mystery? that Paul unfolds in this chapter is also most important for both Jews and Gentiles to fully understand. 2:7 tells us that the ?mystery of lawlessness? already works. However the Holy Spirit restrains Satan from revealing the manifestation of this spirit in the Antichrist until God's appointed time. Jesus said in Luke 21:24 that Jerusalem would be trodden down of the nations until the seasons of the nations are fulfilled. In 1967, though Israel pleaded with Jordan not to join the other Arab nations in attacking them, they would not listen. In 6 days Jerusalem fell back to Israel from the nations after 1900 years. In Luke 21:32, Jesus tells us that the generation of 1967 will not pass away till *all things* be accomplished concerning the Second Advent. *We* are that generation. God told Moses that His people Israel from the time of the Abrahamic Covenant, 1996 BC to the Exodus - 1466 BC, would be 4 generations, making a generation 100 years. So *we* are of the generation that will see the return of Jesus, which could take place anytime between now and past our mid-century. Times? Jesus said we won't know the day or hour. But the mystery of iniquity is about to be manifested. When it is, we will *know* the time is getting short. Is it here yet? No. Are there deceivers to confuse us? Yes. Therefore let us stick with God's Word, especially *this* chapter, and we won't be deceived or in confusion. George Muller is very helpful at this point. See what Jesus said about Jewish tradition in Matthew 15. One dear brother was asked, ?Are you pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib - pre-mill, post-mill, a-mill?? He answered, - ?I'm Pan-mill - I believe everything will pan out okay in the end!? Though this is a bit facetious - yet it has wisdom in it. I sensed the Spirit speaking to me years ago, - ?You are interested in end-time events in the Book of Daniel and Revelation, aren't you?? I agreed with Him that I was. ?But?, He continued, ?What progress have you made in letting Christ live out the Sermon on the Mount and other NT teachings through your life?? I confessed that I lacked here. ?When Galatians 2:20 is a reality in your life, then I will enlighten you clearly on end-time events,? He said. It is only now at 86 that I see more clearly the meaning of Scripture on this subject. Please then, let none of us pass lightly over 1 & 2 Thessalonians, and especially *this* chapter. Let this be our Plumbline for end-time events. Let not *any* voice or writing lead us away from *this plumbline*. *Then*the smile of God will rest upon us, and *His peace* will rule in our hearts! Finally note 2:15 - *?hold the traditions which you were taught whether by word, or by letter of ours.? *The Jews had traditions - the Oral tradition of Talmud and Mishneh. They are interesting, but are *not* on the level of Paul's letters and traditions. Let us be wise and discerning. Let us choose the right Plumbline of tradition, the one *God* endorses. The NT *He*endorses. It is the key to interpret the OT. None other will do. Let the NT word mean what *it* wants to mean - not what many interpreters and commentaries suggest it means. One minister gave a Commentary to a black preacher friend. He couldn't wait for his reaction. Finally he received this word, ?Well, it's just amazing how much light the Bible shed on that Commentary!? - J.A.W. *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 Oct 31 10:35:57 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:35:57 -0700 Subject: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18 Message-ID: <625d7240910311035w1425ea09qb515a734b686dcf0@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *October 31, 2009 * *Part 3 - 2 THESSALONIANS 3:1-18* *E. 3:1-5 PROTECTION & DELIVERANCE: A NEED FOR PREACHER & CONVERTS* *1. 3:1-2 A PLEA: PRAY FOR DELIVERANCE* to loiPON proSEUches-the [4336], a-delPHOI, peRI h*e*M*O*N, *For **the rest, brethren, pray for us,* HIna ho LOgos tou KuRIou TREch*e* [5143] kai doXAz*e*-tai [1392], *that the word of the Lord run and be glorified,* kaTH*O*S kai pros huMAS; *even as also it is unto you;* kai HIna 'rusTH*O*men [4506] aPO t*o*n aTOp*o*n [824] kai po-n*e*R*O*N [4190] anTHR*O*p*o*n; *2 and that we be delivered from the unreasonable and evil men;* ou gar PANt*o*n h*e* PIstis. *for all have not the faith.* *2. 3:3-5 STABLISHMENT IN THE FAITH: A WORK OF GOD THROUGH FAITH* *a. 3:3 PROTECTION AND STABLISHMENT: A WORK OF GOD* PiSTOS DE es-tin ho KUrios, hos st*e*RIxei [4741] huMAS, *But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you,* kai phuLAxei [5442] aPO tou pon*e*ROU. *and guard from the evil one.* *b. 3:4 PROPER DOING AND WILLING: A LEGITIMATE EXPECTATION* pePOItha-men [3982] de en KuRI*o* eph' huMAS, *And we have confidence in the Lord as to you,* HOti ha pa-ragGELlo-men [3853] kai poiEIte [4160] kai poi*E*se-te. *that you both do and will do what things we command.* *c. 3:5 PATIENCE AND LOVE: A DIRECTION THE LORD GIVES* Ho de KUri-os ka-teuTHUnai [2720] huM*O*N tas karDIas eis t*e*n aGAp*e*n tou TheOU, *And the Lord direct your :hearts unto the love of :God,* kai eis t*e*n hu-po-moN*E*N [5281] tou ChrisTOU. *and unto the patience of the Christ.* *F. 3:6-16 CONDUCT IN LIGHT OF THE SECOND COMING* *a. 3:6 DISORDERLY WALK* Pa-ragGELlo-men [3852] de huMIN, a-delPHOI, en oNOma-ti [3686] tou KuRIou 'I *e*SOU ChrisTOU, *Now we command you, brethren, in the Lord Jesus Christ's name,* STELles-thai [4724] huMAS aPO panTOS a-delPHOU aTAKt*o*s [814]pe-ri-paTOUNtos [4043], *that** you withdraw from every brother that walks disorderly,* kai m*e* kaTA t*e*n paRAdo-sin [3862] h*e*n pa-reLAbe-te [3880] par' h*e*M*O *N. *and not after the tradition which you received of us.* *b. 3:7-9 PAUL'S EXAMPLE* auTOI gar OIda-te p*o*s dei miMEISthai [3401] h*e*MAS: *For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us:* HOti ouk *e*-takT*E*sa-men [812] en huMIN; *for we were not disorderly among you;* ouDE d*o*-reAN [1432] ARton ePHAgo-men [5315] paRA tin-os, *8 neither did we eat bread for nothing at any one's hand,* all' en KOp*o* [2873] kai MOCHth*o*, [3449] nukTOS kai h*e*MEras er-gaZOme-noi [2036], *but in toil and travail, working night and day,* pros to m*e* e-pi-baR*E*-SAI [1912] ti-na HUm*o*n: *that we might not burden any of you:* ouch HOti ouk Echo-men e-xouSIan [1849], *9 not because we have not authority,* all' HIna he-auTOUS TUpon [5179] D*O*men [1325] huMIN, eis to miMEISthai [3401] h*e*MAS. *but to make ourselves an example to you, that you imitate us.* *c. 3:10 REMOVE FOOD FROM DRONES* kai gar HOte *E*men pros huMAS, TOUto pa-r*e*gGELlo-men [3853] huMIN HOti, *For even when we were with you, this we commanded you that,* ei tis ou THElei erGAzes-thai [2036], m*e*DE es-thiEt*o* [2068]. *If any will not work, neither let him eat.* *d. 3:11 REBUKE FOR THE DISORDERLY* aKOUo-men GAR ti-nas pe-ri-paTOUNtas en huMIN aTAKt*o*s [814], *For we hear that some walk among you disorderly,* m*e*DEN er-ga-zoMEnous [2038], alLA pe-ri-er-ga-zoMEnous [4020]. *that work not at all, but are busybodies.* *e. 3:12 *ADMONITION tois de toiOUtois pa-ragGELlo-men [3853] kai pa-ra-kaLOUmen [3870] en KuRI*o * 'I*e*SOU ChrisT*O*, *Now the such we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ,* HIna meTA h*e*-suCHIas [2271] er-gaZOme-noi [2036], ton he-auT*O*N ARton esTHI*o*-sin [2068]. *that with quietness they work, and eat their own :bread.* *f. 3:13 PERSEVERANCE* HuMEIS de, a-delPHOI, m*e* en-kaK*E*s*e*-te [1573] ka-lo-poiOUNtes [2569]. *But you, brethren, be not weary in well-doing.* *g. 3:14 BROTHERLY FIDELITY* ei DE tis ouch hu-paKOUei [5219] t*o* LOg*o* h*e*M*O*N diA t*e*s e-pi-stoL*E *S [1992], *And if any obeys not our :word by this :letter, * TOUton s*e*-meiOUSthe [4593], m*e* su-na-naMIGnus-thai [4874] auT*O*, *note that one, that you have no company with him, * HIna en-traP*E* [1788]. *so that he be ashamed.* *h. 3:15 ADMONISH THE DISOBEDIENT* ` kai m*e* h*o*s echTHRON [2190] h*e*GEISthe [2233], alLA nou-theTEIte [3560] h*o*s a-delPHON. *And count him not as an enemy, but admonish as a brother.* *i. 3:16a PEACE FROM THE LORD* AuTOS de ho KUri-os t*e*s eiR*E*n*e*s [1515] D*O*-*e* huMIN t*e*n eiR*E*n*e* n *Now the Lord of :peace himself give you :peace* diA panTOS en panTI TROp*o* [5158]. *at all times in every way.* *j. 3:16b PRESENCE FROM THE LORD* ho KUri-os meTA PANt*o*n huM*O*N. *The Lord be with you all. * *G. 3:17-18 SALUTATIONS & BENEDICTION* *a. 3:17 PAUL'S SIGNATURE* Ho as-pasMOS [783] t*e* eM*E* cheiRI PAUlou, *The greeting of me Paul with my hand,* HO es-tin s*e*MEIon [4592] en PAs*e* e-pi-stoL*E*: HOUt*o*s GRAph*o*. *which is a token in every epistle: so I write.* *b. 3:18 THE LORD'S GRACE* h*e* CHAris [5485] tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU meTA PANt*o*n huM* O*N. *The grace of our :Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.* *NOTE**:* 3:1-2 - Both leaders and people need the above 2-fold prayer. Today, October 23, 2009, we need this prayer for our nation. We have had leaders appointed - czars - not responsible to people or government, who are seeking to remove our freedoms. How different from George Washington and Abraham Lincoln! We indeed pray for our leaders, as we are exhorted in Scriptures; and God hears. But He Himself permits such a chain of events - so that we - His people - may come alive! We have been asleep. Or like the frog in heating water, are unaware of our danger, until we have been boiled. God would spare us this, and present governments such as ours can awaken us and send us back to 2 Chronicles 7:14. 3:3-5 is the assurance in the heart of Paul that God will indeed answer the above two requests. 3:6-16 - These 2 special letters to the church of the Thessalonians are extremely practical. Paul points to himself and his team as an example to them. Laziness and being busybodies was *no part* of their life-style. And professing believers need to consider their example, and walk in it. These 2 letters major on the Return of our Lord. This section is a practical word in the light of this emphasis. Lewi Pethrus of Stockholm, Sweden in his great Filadelfia church, practiced the truth of this section. In a congregation of some 6000 composed even of members of the royal family and government, often 50-100 members would be seated on a raised platform at the back of the sanctuary, until they had paid the penalty for infractions such as the above. ?Christian Church Discipline? was the title of a book written by Pastor Pethrus, outlining the reason for and methods of - ministering this subject. It brought the presence of the Lord, and made this church one of Smith Wigglesworth's favorite in ministering to. God is pleased when we obey His word in disciplining either our children, or church members. On one occasion one of our children said, ?Dad, I know why you spank us when we need it - it's so we don't turn out to be brats like kids whose parents won't spank them!? Well said, Dr, Spock not withstanding! 3:17-18 - Isn't it sad that Paul had to personally sign letters his secretaries recorded, because of dishonest writers who sought to get their writings read by appending Paul's name to them! Dishonesty is still prevalent in our day, 2000 years later! As a matter of fact, God's word records that just prior to Christ's return, world standards will be at their lowest ebb! How many can testify to the truth of God's prophetic word in this regard? - J.A.W. *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 Nov 2 19:23:29 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 2 Nov 2009 19:23:29 -0800 Subject: Philippians 3:1-21 Message-ID: <625d7240911021923w434d4a9ejbad49d6b9a448418@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *G. PHILIPPIANS 3:1-21* *REJOICING IN CHRIST: PAUL'S SUPREME EMPHASIS* *1. 3:1 REJOICING: THE KEY TO THIS LETTER* *a.. 3:1a REJOICING IN THE LORD: A SUMMING UP* To loiPON, a-delPHOI mou, CHAIre-te [5463] en KuRI*o*. *For **the rest, my brethren, rejoice in **the** Lord.* *b. 3:1b A SAFE SUMMING UP* ta auTA GRAphein huMIN, *To write the same **things** to you,* eMOI men ouk ok-n*e*RON [3636], huMIN de as-phaLES [804]. *to me indeed is not irksome, but for you is safe.* *2. 3:2-4a DANGERS THAT ROB ONE OF REJOICING* BLEpe-te [991] tous KUnas [2965], *Look out for the dogs,* BLEpe-te tous kaKOUS erGAtas [2040], *look out for the evil workers,* BLEpe-te t*e*n ka-ta-toM*E*N [2699]: *look out for the concision:* h*e*MEIS gar es-men h*e* pe-ri-toM*E* [4061], *3** for we are the circumcision, * hoi PNEUma-ti TheOU laTREUon-tes [3000], *who worship by God's Spirit,* kai kauCH*O*me-noi [2744] en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, *and glory in Christ Jesus,* kai ouk en sarKI [4561] pe-poiTHOtes [3982]: *and have no confidence in flesh:* KAIper eG*O* Ech*o*n pePOIth*e*sin kai en sarKI. *4a** though I myself **might **have confidence even in flesh.* *3. 3:4b-16 JOY IN CHRIST: PAUL'S SUPREME GOAL* *a. 3:4b-6 THE POTENTIAL TO ROB PAUL OF REJOICING* Ei tis doKEI [1380] ALlos pe-poiTHEnai en sarKI, eG*O* MALlon: *If any other thinks to have confidence in flesh, I yet more:* pe-ri-toM*E* ok-ta*E*me-ros, ek GEnous [1085] 'Is-ra*E*L, *5 **circumcised **the **eighth day, of Israel's race,* phuL*E*S [5443] Ben-iaMEIN, EbRAIos [1445] ex EbRAI*o*n; *of Benjamin's tribe, Hebrew of Hebrews;* kaTA NOmon [3551], Pha-riSAIos; *as touching law, a Pharisee;* kaTA Z*E*los [2205], di*O*k*o*n [1377] t*e*n ek-kl*e*SIan [1577]; *6 **as touching zeal, persecuting the church;* kaTA di-kai-oSUn*e*n [1343] t*e*n en NOm*o*, geNOme-nos Amemp-tos [273]. *as touching righteousness which **is** by law, become blameless.* *b. 3:7 HOW PAUL SAFEGUARDS HIMSELF * AlLA Ati-na *e*n moi KERd*e* [2771], *But what **things** were gains to me,* TAUta H*E*g*e*-mai [2233] diA ton ChrisTON z*e*MIan [2209]. *these have I counted loss for the Christ.* *c. 3:8-11 CHRIST SUPERCEDES ALL OTHER POSSIBILITIES* alLA meNOUNge, kai h*e*GOUmai [2233] PANta z*e*MIan [2209] EInai *Yes truly, and I count all **things** to be loss* diA to hu-peREchon [5242] t*e*s GN*O*se-*o*s [1108] ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU tou KuRIou mou: *for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my :Lord:* di' hon ta PANta e-z*e*-mi*O*th*e*n [2210], *for whom I suffered loss of :all **things,* kai h*e*GOUmai [2233] SKUba-la [4657], HIna ChrisTON kerD*E*s*o* [2770], *and count **them** refuse, that I may gain Christ,* kai heu-reTH*O* [2147] en auT*O*, m*e* Ech*o*n eM*E*N di-kai-oSUn*e*n, *9** and be found in him, not having MY righteousness,* t*e*n ek NOmou, alLA t*e*n diA PIste-*o*s [4102] ChrisTOU, *which **is** of **the** law, but which is through faith of Christ,* t*e*n ek TheOU di-kai-oSUn*e*n ePI t*e* PIstei: *the righteousness from God upon the faith:* tou GN*O*nai auTON, kai t*e*n DUna-min [1411] t*e*s a-naSTAse-*o*s [386]auTOU, *10** that I may know him, and the power of his :resurrection,* kai koi-n*o*NIan [2942] pa-th*e*MAt*o*n [3804] auTOU, *and fellowship of his sufferings, * sum-mor-phiZOme-nos [4833] t*o* thaNAt*o* [2288] auTOU; *be**com**ing conformed to his :death;* ei p*o*s ka-tanT*E*s*o* [2658] eis t*e*n e-xaNAsta-sin [1815] t*e*n ek neKR* O*N. *11** if somehow I may attain unto the out-resurrection :from **the** dead.* *d. 3:12 PAUL'S GOAL: NOT YET ACHIEVED* ouch HOti *E*d*e* Ela-bon, *e* *E*d*e* te-teLEI*o*-mai [50480: *Not that I have already received, or am already made perfect:* di*O*k*o* [1377] de, ei kai ka-taLAb*o* [2638] *but I follow on, if so be that I may apprehend* eph' h*o* kai ka-teL*E*MPHth*e*n [2638] huPO ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU. *that for which also I was apprehended by Christ Jesus.** * *e. 3:13-14 CHRIST: STILL PAUL'S SUPREME GOAL* a-delPHOI, eG*O* e-mauTON OUp*o* loGIzo-mai [3049] ka-tei-l*e*PHEnai: *Brethren, I reckon not myself yet to have apprehended:* hen de, ta men oPIs*o* e-pi-lan-thaNOme-nos [1960], *but one thing, forgetting the **things** behind,* tois de EMpros-then e-pek-teiNOme-nos [1901], *and stretching forward to th**os**e before,* kaTA skoPON [4549] di*O*k*o* [1377] eis to braBEIon [1017]* * *14** I follow on toward **the** mark unto the prize* t*e*s An*o* KL*E*se-*o*s [2821] tou TheOU en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *of the upward calling of :God in Christ Jesus.* *f. 3:15-16 PAUL'S EXAMPLE: GOOD FOR US ALL* HOsoi oun, TElei-oi [5046], touTO phroN*O*men [5426]: *Let us therefore, as many **as are **perfect, be thus minded:* kai ei ti heTEr*o*s phroNEIte [5426], *and if in any**thing** you are otherwise minded,* kai TOUto ho TheOS huMIN a-po-kaLUpsei [601]: *this also shall :God reveal to you:* pl*e*n, eis ho ephTHAsa-men [5348], *16** only, unto where we have attained,* t*o* auT*O* stoiCHEIN [4748]. *by that same **rule** let us walk.* *4. 3:17-21 CHRIST AND HIS CROSS: FOUNDATION FOR ALL JOY* *a. 3:17 PAUL EMPHASIZES HIS EXAMPLE* Sun-mi-m*e*TAI [4831] mou GInes-the, a-delPHOI, kai skoPEIte [4648] tous *Brethren, become imitators together of me, and mark them* HOUt*o* pe-ri-paTOUNtas kaTH*O*S Eche-te TUpon [5179] h*e*MAS. *that so walk even as you have us for an example.* *b. 3:18-19 FALSE LEADERS: CONTRAST TO PAUL'S EXAMPLE* polLOI gar HOUt*o* pe-ri-paTOUNtas, hous polLAkis Ele-gon huMIN, *For many walk, of whom I told you often,* nun de kai KLAI*o*n [2799] LEg*o*, *and now tell you even weeping,* tous echTHROUS [2190] tou stauROU [2716] tou ChrisTOU: *they are** the enemies of the cross of the Christ:* h*o*n to TElos [5056] aP*O*lei-a [684], h*o*n ho theOS h*e* koiLIa [2836], *19** whose :end is destruction, whose :god **is **the belly,* kai h*e* DOxa [1391] en t*e* aisCHUn*e* [152] auT*O*N, *and the**ir** glory **is** in their :shame, * hoi to ePIgei-a [1919] phroNOUNtes [5426]. *who mind the earthly **things**.* *c. 3:20-21 OUR HIGH CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS* h*e*M*O*N gar to poLIteu-ma [4175] en ou-raNOIS [3772] huPARchei, *For our :citizenship is in **the** heavens,* ex hou kai s*o*T*E*ra [4990] a-pek-deCHOme-tha [553], KUri-on 'I*e*SOUN ChrisTON: *whence also we wait for a Savior, **the** Lord Jesus Christ:* hos me-ta-sch*e*-maTIsei [3345] to S*O*ma [4983] t*e*s ta-peiN*O*se-*o*s [5014] h*e*M*O*N, *21** who shall fashion anew the body of our :humiliation,* SUMmor-phon [4832] t*o* S*O*ma-ti t*e*s DOx*e*s auTOU, kaTA t*e*n aNERgei-an [1753] *conformed to the body of his :glory, according to the working* tou DUnas-thai [1410] auTON kai hu-paTAxai [5293] auT*O* ta PANta. *by which he is able even to subject :all **things** to himself.* ?*THE SPIRITUALLY VIGOROUS SAINT? - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Philippians 3:10 - ?. . . that I may know Him . . .?* A saint is not to take the initiative toward self-realization, but toward knowing Jesus Christ. A spiritually vigorous saint never believes that his circumstances simply happen at random, nor does he ever think of his life as being divided into the secular and the sacred. He sees every situation in which he finds himself as the means of obtaining a greater knowledge of Jesus Christ, and he has an attitude of unrestrained abandon and total surrender about him. The Holy Spirit is determined that we will have the realization of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives, and He will bring us back to the same point over and over again until we do. Self-realization only leads to the glorification of good works, whereas a saint of God glorifies Jesus Christ through his good works. Whatever we may be doing - even eating, drinking, or washing disciples' feet - we have to take the initiative of realizing and recognizing Jesus Christ in it. Every phase of our life has its counterpart in the life of Jesus. Our Lord realized His relationship to the Father even in the most menial task. *?Jesus, knowing . . . that He had come from God and was going to God, . . . took a towel . . . and began to wash the disciples' feet . . .? (John 13:3-5).* The aim of a spiritually vigorous saint is *?that I may know Him . . .? *Do I know Him where I am today? If not I am failing Him. I am not here for self-realization, but to know Jesus Christ. In Christian work our initiative and motivation are too often simply the result of realizing that there is work to be done and that we must do it. Yet that is never the attitude of a spiritually vigorous saint. His aim is to achieve the realization of Jesus Christ in every set of circumstances. ?*HELD BY THE GRIP OF GOD? - Oswald Chambers - MUFHH* *Philippians 3:12 - ?I press on that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.?* Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you *?turn aside to the right hand or to the left? (Deuteronomy 5:32).* We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has ?laid hold of? us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, ?Well, I'm really not suited for this.? What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God, but when it comes to the call to preach, there must be the agonizing grip of God's hand on you - your life is in the grip of God for that very purpose. How many of us are held like that? Never water down the Word of God, but preach it in its undiluted sternness. There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are - you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace. ?*Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do ... I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus? (Philippians 3:13-14).* *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 Nov 3 21:02:25 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 3 Nov 2009 21:02:25 -0800 Subject: Pilot Prayer Team Report Message-ID: <625d7240911032102r3581dda4q96acddd1e6bcbca6@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 3, 2009 * *PILOT PRAYER TEAM REPORT - 2009-11-02* This is our first report on the SeaTac Metroplex Pilot prayer Team. It is as it were Elders sitting in the Gate of the City. Aim: to see God form from it an ?Organic Automatic Laser-Telescope? for the Lord to use as a Corporate Entity - which when possessed by Himself through the Holy Spirit - He can then use at His will and discretion in removing Principalities and Powers over Cities, Regions, States and Provinces, and Nations. He said in 1985 - ?Call it Spiritual Star Wars.? Such cell prayer groups were raised up by John Wesley in Great Britain during the mid and late 1700's. 70,000 met once or twice weekly in groups of 8. A Sociologist, himself an unbeliever - yet reported in a book that apart from these, the French Revolution of 1789 would have leaped the English Channel with its guillotine, and wrought like destruction as it did in France. In 1937 Rees Howells saw 120 of his staff-disciples that he had led to the Lord - find the Holy Spirit at their invitation, possessing them corporately over a 3-week period. The Lord used them in a number of critical victories to defeat Hitler and Naziism during World War II. Rees Howells himself had this same experience, but individually in 1906, 31 years previously. Later Rees said, ?I can tell the *exact time* in 1936 when Satan possessed Hitler. Through the Spirit-directed prayers of the Welsh 120, Hitler bitterly said, ?This is the *first* time I have disobeyed my 'voice'.? This repeatedly happened through the Spirit-directed prayers of this Welsh company during World War II. They would get the newspaper the following day to read the result of their intercessions. Read ?Rees Howells, Intercessor,? by Norman P. Grubb for confirmation and fuller details. Chapter 5 and 32 record this individual and corporate possession. Now - just as it was revealed of Satanic possession of Hitler just prior to World War II, so it is clear that we face a leader possessed of the spirit of Islam in the United States. Again and again he has personally witnessed to his faith and commitment in this direction. Just as people and the Press would not believe Hitler's statements in Mein Kampf - today people and the Press are silent concerning the ?Mein Kampf-like testimony of Barack Obama. A close friend of mine from Romania, Medical Doctor from Bucharest, graduate from a Baptist Seminary in Portland with an M. Div. degree - fluent in 7 languages, founder of over 7 churches in Romania, Israel and the US., member of the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), relative of Richard Wurmbrand - and much more. He has shared documentary testimony underlining the true danger we face today. We must pray for our President as God exhorts us in Scripture, yet at the same time we can see how He has permitted this situation to wake up the sleeping church of America. Perhaps God has called for this ?Pilot Program? as mentioned in the Introduction - as an answer for our day - as was Rees Howells Team of 120 in his day. Dr. Theo Smilovici Ben Abraham of Romania recommends the following documentary, which you can click on and listen: ?The real Obama is revealed. He is a Moslem and we refuse to believe it. How many ways does he have to prove it?? *Please click below..* http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=tCAffMSWSzY#t=28 If something being birthed today is indeed of God, then He will give a witness of confirmation for encouragement. On Saturday October 31, 2009 - a Pilot Group met to obey God in His call. One of the members during prayer time, while yet on his knees, reported a vision he had received in Moses Lake WA the night before during the worship time. He sensed God saying, ?You need to have clean ears.? As he literally twice sought to obey God with his physical ears - the Lord said - ?*Not* your physical ears - but your * spiritual* ears.? He sought to be silent before the Lord, and listen. He saw a ?portal? in heaven opening, and out of heaven through the portal the Lord started communing with him. He could not even move his head and had to remain completely still in order to hear the clear sound of God's voice. It was not just in the room, but the voice of the Lord was penetrating the entire atmosphere. The the Lord said, ?Allow nothing, even moving your head, to be a disturbance so that you cannot hear My voice.? People sitting behind him in the meeting during this time were aware that something unusual was taking place. They questioned him later, but had no idea as to what actually took place. He reported none of this to the meeting. As he was recounting this to the rest of us of the Pilot Team, he said, ?I believe this vision and revelation was for tonight. God wants ?us? here corporately to cleanse our spiritual ears - learn to be very quiet and still - so we can hear His message to the church of Seattle. Then he reminded me of Pastor Bob Birch of Vancouver, BC, Canada. Didn't he move in this spirit? ?Yes?, I replied, ?he was known as the apostle of prayer and love in Canada - and passed on recently at 99, just a few weeks short of his 100th birthday. Verses he lived in and constantly passed on to all hearers at all times as a regular exhortation were, 'Who has *an ear*, *let him hear* what the Spirit says to the churches.'? Jesus spoke 7 specific messages to 7 specific city churches in Revelation 2 and 3. Could it not be that today He wants Prayer Teams of 8 members each like John Wesley's Cell Groups, and each team, corporately controlled by His Spirit, to hear *His* word through the heavenly ?portal? or door concerning things soon to come to pass, and specific prayers for each of these 140 prayer teams for their respective City Churches? It is interesting to note that immediately following Jesus' prophecies to the 7 City Churches, a ?Portal? or *door* into heaven opened for John to enter. Today the Lord would speak to us, rather than for us to enter - through the heavenly Portal or Door! The insights for such a Pilot Team are the reason for this report. Pastor Bob Birch not only lived in this 7-fold exhortation of Revelation 2 & 3, but also in Hebrews 4:12 - *?For **living** is the word of :God, and ** active**, and **sharper** than any two-edged sword, and **piercing** even to the dividing of **soul** and **spirit**; of both joints and marrow, and a discerner of **thoughts** and **intents** of the heart.? *As we *meditate*vocally on the Word of God - the above action begins to take place. The written word must take precedence over the R*E*ma word of dreams and visions, etc. 4 ? times to one, the LOgos, written word, appears in the NT * above* the R*E*ma word. (330 : 70). Yet many dwell continually in the latter, even when ofttimes it contradicts the written word. And *above* the written LOgos and spoken R*E*ma, we should focus on the Living Christ Himself, of which the above two are but reflections of Himself! I met Pastor Bob Birch in the mid 60's, and spent 3 years of regular weekly group prayer with him in the mid '70's. I spoke for him occasionally at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church of Vancouver, and highly treasured the time of fellowship I had with him. In 1994, David Demian, the successor whom Pastor Bob himself appointed as leader of ?Watchmen of the Nations?, asked if Pastor Bob, Dr. John White and myself would serve as a team of 3 ?fathers? to stand with and for him, especially at the Whistler BC meeting of July 1, 1995. David felt because of my relationship as one of the 7 elders of the 1948 North Battleford Visitation, this would qualify me as being one of the 3. At the close of the October 31st Pilot meeting, one of the members asked Elvin Gladney concerning his church on Capitol Hill. I had been introduced to Elvin and his wife Wanda in the early '90's. I had spoken for him at a Passover Seder in his first location, and then when they moved following a drastic reorganization of their fellowship, I spoke to this smaller group in their new location. Elvin had been taught by teachers who considered themselves pastors - yet they did not have a father's heart; so as a new Christian, he was not fathered. The teaching spirit often times corrects like a teacher, not a father, and can often be harsh. This was a pretty discouraging introduction. Then he was led to be a part of an apostolic network who has fathered him, and passed on to him the mandate they held. My wife and I have confirmed this call. Now like Rees Howells in all aspects of their church, they put themselves under the *Holy Spirit* direction. They find He leads them to sing ?New Songs? as proclamations over the city of Seattle. Worship, testimonies, prayers, messages - all are under *His* control. This is the result of obeying a prophetic assignment for the city and region given by God. Focusing on Jesus' agenda to build His church and not their own. It is different. Some outside key leaders confirm that this is of God. This is one of the key reason I invited Elvin to be one of the 8 members of the Pilot Team. A few verses we looked at in the realm of Prayer Multiplication were - Deuteronomy 32:30 -* ?One shall drive* *1000 to flight, but two - 10,000.?*This was spoken by God concerning the enemies of Israel. If this principle operates for enemies, *how much more* for God's people walking with Him? Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 tells us - *?**Two** are better than one, for they shall receive a **good** reward for their labor.? *And in verse 12, - *?a three-fold cord is not quickly broken.?* When Jesus is added to *two*, then how strengthened they are when they recognize Jesus as being with them (Matthew 18:20)! Then consider Matthew 18:19 - *?Again, Amen, I say unto you, that if **two** of you shall agree (symphonize) on :earth as touching * *anything** they shall ask, it **shall** be done for them of my :Father who is in the heavens.? *But in Canada in the early '80's, God quickened Zechariah 12:8 - *?In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is **feeble** among them at that day shall be as David (10,000); and the house of David (mature soldiers) shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah before them? (a million-fold). *Most believers recognize that we indeed live in the last days, and that the promises of God to Israel are now shared with Gentiles through the ?One New Man? - a mystery now revealed through the apostle Paul. A team of 8 praying by faith in this high Prayer Multiplication insight, can as 4 couples claim the ?billion-fold? results as the Lord uses such a corporately possessed team by the Holy Spirit. Our assignment as a team, until we meet again, is to search the scriptures for instances where God directs us to have spiritual ears - *clear* - to hear His voice for us as individuals - and *then* corporately. Many of you who read the announcement prior to this first meeting, have asked to be kept up to date as to how the Lord has been pleased to lead and speak. Our prayer is - that when the Lord is effectively using us as a Pilot Team, as an ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescope?, - that soon He will multiply this with 139 other City Pilot Teams for their respective City Churches. They will be different from the Rees Howells World War II Welsh Team. They will be different from the 70,00 cell group members of 8 - in John Wesley's day. God doesn't repeat Himself in detail. He moves and marches on. Today He is forming City Prayer Teams in answer to the Global designs of Socialism, Islam, Humanism, Liberalism - all seeking to rob God's people - and any peoples - of their God-given freedoms. ?Freedom? was a Watch-word of our ?Founding Fathers?. They said we ?couldn't? be passive when these freedoms would be challenged. They *are* being challenged. What will *you* do? What will *I* do? What will *we* do? We invite you to join with us that 140 cities in Canada and the US will soon be equipped with effective Elderships sitting in the Gate of each of these cities. And that these Elderships will be Spirit-possessed and controlled for the Lord's will and pleasure. And that we will join with Rees Howells in his 3-fold vision: 1. *Every Creature Evangelism*. (which requires a *free* church to move in this direction without government restrictions.) 2. Israel back in their land (which they indeed are after 1900 years) - but - with *peace* with her Arab neighbors; and 3. The Return of our King - Jesus, Lord of lords and King of kings, making Israel the chief of nations for His praise and glory - for after all - after the flesh - Jesus *is* a *Jew*! Your continued prayers on our behalf are deeply appreciated and coveted - and for your obedience with us to the Lord and His Spirit for the part He would have *you* play. Thank you for your interest in Him - in all of this - and your desire for His glory through us - not for our own selves. - J.A.W. *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 Nov 6 15:13:51 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 6 Nov 2009 15:13:51 -0800 Subject: Philippians 4:1-23 Message-ID: <625d7240911061513j30c8c940j27b723b4067fd684@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 6, 2009 * *PHILIPPIANS 4:1-23* *K. 4:1-9 PAUL'S 4-FOLD HEART FOR FELLOW-WORKERS AND BELIEVERS* *1. 4:1 A HIGH EXHORTAION* H*O*Ste, a-delPHOI mou a-ga-p*e*TOI [27] kai e-piPOth*e*-toi [1973], *So that, my brethren beloved and longed for,* chaRA [5479] kai STEpaNOS mou, HOUt*o*s ST*E*ke-te [4739] en KuRI*o*, a-ga-p *e*TOI. *my joy and crown, thus stand fast in the Lord, beloved.* *2. 4:2-3 PAUL'S HEART FOR FELLOW-WORKERS* *a. 4:2 A WORD FOR TWO WOMEN* Eu-*o*DIan pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870], kai SunTUch*e*n pa-ra-kaL*O*,* * *I exhort Euodia, and exhort Syntyche,* auTO phroNEIN [5426] en KurRI*o*. *to be of the same mind in the Lord.* *b. 4:3 A REQUEST TO HELP WORTHY FELLOW-WORKERS * nai, e-r*o*T*O* [2065] kai se, GN*E*si-e [1103] SUNzu-ge [4805], sun-lamBAnou [4815] auTAIS, *Yes, I ask you also, genuine yokefellow, help them,* HAIti-nes en t*o* eu-ag-geLI*o* suN*E*THl*e*-SAN [4866] moi, *who have shared my struggles with me in the gospel, * meTA KL*E*men-tos, kai t*o*n loiP*O*N su-nerG*O*N [4904] mou, *with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow-workers,* h*o*n ta oNOma-ta en BIBl*o* z*o*-*E*S. *whose names are in the book of life.* *3. 4:4-7 WORTHY EXHORTATIONS FROM PAUL* *a. 4:4 REJOICING: PAUL'S HIGH EXHORTATION * CHAIre-te [5463] en KuRI*o* PANto-te: *Rejoice in the Lord alway:* PAlin eR*O*, CHAIre-te. *again I will say, Rejoice.* *b. 4:5a ALSO FOR GENTLENESS* to e-pi-eiKES [1933] huM*O*N gn*o*sTH*E*t*o* [1097] PAsin anTHR*O*pois. *Let your gentleness be known to all men.* *c. 4:5b ALSO FOR AWARENESS OF THE LORD'S PRESENCE* ho KUri-os egGUS. *The Lord is near.* *d. 4:6 ALSO FOR PRAYER FOR ALL THINGS* m*e*DEN me-rimNAte [3309]; all' en panTI t*e* pro-seuCH*E* [4335] *In nothing be anxious; but in everything by :prayer* kai t*e* de*E*sei [1162] met' eu-cha-risTIas [2169] *and supplication with thanksgiving* ta aiT*E*ma-ta [155] huM*O*N gn*o*-riZESth*o* [1107] pros ton TheON. *let your :requests be made known unto :God.* *e. 4:7 THE PROMISE: GOD'S GUARDIANSHIP THROUGH PEACE* kai h*e* eiR*E*n*e* tou TheOU, h*e* hu-peREchou-sa [5242] panTA noun, *And the peace of :God, which passes all understanding,* phrouR*E*sei [5432] tas karDIas huM*O*N kai ta no*E*ma-ta [3540] huM*O*N en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *shall guard your :hearts and your :thoughts in Christ Jesus.* *4. 4:8-9 A CLOSING WORD* *a. 4:8 FINALLY: EIGHT THINGS TO RECKON* To loiPON, a-delPHOI, *For the rest, brethren, * HOsa esTIN a-l*e*TH*E* [227], HOsa semNA [4586], *whatever things are true, whatever are honorable,* HOsa DIkai-a [1342], HOsa hagNA [53], *whatever are just, whatever are pure,* HOsa pros-phiL*E* [4375], HOsa EUph*e*ma [2163]; *whatever are lovely, whatever are of good report;* ei a-reT*E* [703], kai ei tis Epai-nos [1868], *if there be any virtue, and if any praise,* TAUta loGIzes-the [3049]. *take account thereof.* *b. 4:9 GOD'S PEACE: REWARD FOR FOLLOWING PAUL'S EXAMPLE* ha kai eMAthe-te [3129] kai pa-reLAbe-te [3880] *What things you both learned and received* kai *e*KOUsa-te [191] kai EIde-te [1492] en eMOI, TAUta PRASse-te [4328]: *and heard and saw in me, these do:* kai ho TheOS t*e*s eiR*E*n*e*s EStai meth' huM*O*N. *and the God of :peace shall be :with you.* *I. 4:10-20 A REMARKABLE INSIGHT FROM PAUL ON GIFTS* *a. 4:10 COMMENDATION FOR HELP RECEIVED * E-CHAr*e*n [5463] de en KuRI*o* meGAl*o*s [3171], *But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly,* HOti *E*d*e* poTE a-neTHAle-te [330] to huPER eMOU phroNEIN [5426]; *that now at length you have revived your :thought for me;* eph' h*o* kai e-phroNEIte, *in which you did indeed take thought,* *e*-kaiREISthe [170] de. *but you lacked opportunity.* *b. 4:11 YET: - PAUL'S POSITION OF VICTORY * ouch HOti kath' husTEr*e*-sin [5304] LEg*o*: *Not that I speak in respect of want:* eG*O* gar Ema-thon [3129], en HOIS ei-mi, auTARk*e*s [842] EInai. *for I have learned, in whatever state I am, to be content.* *c. 4:12 PAUL'S SECRET IN MIDST OF CONTRASTS* OIda kai ta-peiNOUSthai [5013], *I know how to be abased,* OIda kai pe-risSEUein [4052]: *and I know also how to abound:* en panTI kai en PAsin meMU*e*-mai [3453] *in everything and in all things have I leaned the secret* kai chorTAzes-thai [5526] kai peiNAN [3983], *both to be filled and to be hungry,* kai pe-risSEUein [4052] kai hu-steREISthai [5302]. *both to abound and to be in want.* *d. 4:13 CHRIST'S INWARD SPIRIT: PAUL'S SECRET* PANta isCHU*o* [2480] en t*o* en-du-naMOUN-TI [1743] me. *I can do all things in him that strengthens me.* *e. 4:14 STILL: - THANKS FOR HELP IN TIME OF NEED * pl*e*n kaL*O*S e-poi*E*sa-te sun-koi-n*o*N*E*sanTES [4790] mou t*e* THLIpsei [2347]. *Howbeit you did well that you had fellowship with my :affliction.* *f. 4:15-16 CHURCH OF PHILIPPI: ONLY ONE HELPING PAUL* OIda-te de kai huMEIS Phi-lipP*E*si-oi HOti en arCH*E* tou eu-ag-geLIou, *And you Philippians also know that in the beginning of the gospel,* HOte eX*E*Lthon aPO Ma-ke-doNIas, *when I departed from Macedonia,* ou-deMIa moi ek-kl*e*SIa e-koiN*O*n*e*-sen [2841] *no church had fellowship with me* eis LOgon DOse-*o*s [1394] kai L*E*Mpse-*o*s [3028] ei m*e* huMEIS MOnoi; *in the matter of giving and receiving but you only;* HOti kai en Thes-sa-loNIk*e* *16 for even in Thessalonica* kai HApax kai dis eis t*e*n CHREIan [5532] moi ePEMpsa-te. *you sent both once and twice unto my :need.* *g. 4:17 PAUL'S DESIRE: NOT GIFTS FOR SELF - BUT FRUIT FOR BELIEVERS* ouch HOti e-pi-z*e*T*O* [1934] to DOma [1390]; *Not that I seek for the gift;* alLA e-pi-z*e*T*O* ton karPON ton ple-oNAzon-ta [4121] eis LOgon huM*O*N. *but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account.* *h. 4:18 GIFT FROM PHILIPPI: MOST ACCEPTABLE TO GOD* aPEch*o* [588] de PANta, kai pe-risSEU*o* [4052]: pePL*E*r*o*-mai [4137], *But I have all things, and abound: I am filled,* deXAme-nos paRA E-pa-phroDItou ta par' huM*O*N, *having received from Epaphroditus the things from you,* osM*E*N [3744] eu-*o*DIas [2175], thuSIan [2378] dekT*E*N, *an odor of sweet smell, sacrifice acceptable,* euAres-ton [2102] t*o* The*O*. *well-pleasing to :God. * *i. 4:19 RECOMPENSE IN SUPPLY COMES FROM GOD* ho de TheOS mou pl*e*R*O*sei [4137] PAsan CHREIan [5532] huM*O*N *And my :God shall supply your every need* kaTA to PLOUtos [4149] auTOU en DOx*e* [1391] en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *according to his :riches in glory in Christ Jesus.* *j. 4:20a ENSURE THAT GOD GETS ALL THE GLORY * t*o* de The*O* kai paTRI h*e*M*O*N *Now to our :God and Father* h*e* DOxa eis tous ai*O*nas [165] t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n. *the glory unto the ages of the ages.* *k. 4:20b Amen. *aM*E*N. *J. 4:21-22 THE IMPORTANCE OF GREETINGS* *a. 4:21a SAINTS TO BE GREETED* AsPAsas-the [782] PANta HAgi-on [40] en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.* *b. 4:21b EVEN FROM BRETHREN AFAR* AsPAzon-tai huMAS hoi sun eMOI a-delPHOI. *The brethren :with me salute you.* *c. 4:22 GREETINGS FROM ALL SAINTS, EVEN CAESAR'S HOUSEHOLD* asPAzon-tai huMAS panTES hoi HAgi-oi, *All the saints salute you,* MAlis-ta [3614] de hoi ek t*e*s KAIsa-ros oiKIas. *and specially they of the household of Caesar.* *K. 4:23 CLOSING APOSTOLIC BENEDICTION* H*e* CHAris tou KuRIou 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU meTA tou PNEUma-tos huM*O*N. *The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your :spirit.* *NOTE**: *From 1953 to 1958 we pastored the Kostner Avenue Baptist Church of Chicago, a year after I graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. This church was founded by Dad Crittenton, former Superintendent of ?Pacific Garden Mission? of Chicago, and Kimball Piano CEO. His picture was at the back of the church, and under it a caption, ?Just a Little word for Jesus.? He was a *faithful* witness to the wonder of having Jesus as one's Savior and Lord. He was also noted for being one of whom no one had ever heard a critical word pass from his lips concerning a fellow-believer. One man challenged him - ?I'll bet you've even got a good word for the devil.? That temporarily stopped him. But soon he brightened and responded, ?Well, we *could* emulate *his zeal*!? This church had seen better days prior to our coming to it in 1953. One of the first things we inaugurated was a ?Through the Bible in a Year? reading program. It was the first time the majority of the members had ever read the Bible through. Very soon we had 90% or more of the membership do so. It grew from 16 members in 1953 to 200 in 1958, and in a few years went right on to 800 members. Our members learned to fast, and before Revival came, we were having 13 prayer meetings a week. In 1957 we had Dutchie Booth of Bogalusa, Louisiana come and minister for 8 days. 8 souls came to Jesus at that time, and within 9 months 92 more came, and all stuck! Many members started not only reading the Bible through in a year, but started memorizing it by chapters and books. My wife Marie memorized the entire book of Philippians at the time our 3 children came! Quite an accomplishment, and quite a book. On September 27th, one day after our oldest son Jim's birthday, we mailed one of the first of the 5 Greek Interlinear Numeric NT readings on this book. Some 30 years ago, Bob Mumford spoke at the Seattle Arena to some 6000 attendees. When he came to Philippians 4:2, he mentioned that these two ladies were obviously having a somewhat major difference that needed settling. He said, ?If you have a church with only two members - these two will be there. 'Euodia? tends to see some others as 'You are odious', and 'Syntyche' tends to be 'Soon Touchy'.? Of course this is a play on words, but what a challenge for us to bring peace between two such personalities. And Bob added - ?If you have only two members in your church, you will be one of these two!? Well - Paul helps us solve such problems, and chapter 4 of Philippians - and the whole book - is a marvelous problem-solving letter! - J.A.W. *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 Nov 9 13:56:52 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 9 Nov 2009 13:56:52 -0800 Subject: Colossians 1:1-23 Message-ID: <625d7240911091356y26046125mfc024e48a5f208f4@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 9, 2009 * *COLOSSIANS 1-4* *CHRIST'S PRE-EMINENCE CORRECTS ERROR AND STABILIZES THE CHURCH* *Part 1. 1:1-23* *A. 1:1-2 SALUTATIONS* PAUlos, aPOsto-los [652] ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU diA theL*E*ma-tos [2307] TheOU, *Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus through God's will,* kai TiMOthe-os ho a-delPHOS, *and Timothy the brother,* tois en Ko-losSAIS haGIois kai piSTOIS a-delPHOIS en ChrisT*O*: *2 to the saints at Colossae and faithful brethren in Christ:* CHAris huMIN kai eiR*E*n*e* aPO TheOU paTROS h*e*M*O*N. *Grace to you and peace from God our Father.* *B. 1:3-23 JESUS CHRIST: HIS HIGH ESTATE COUNTERS ALL ERROR* *a. 1:3-8 STATE OF COLOSSE COMMENDED* Eu-cha-riSTOUmen [2168] t*o* The*O* paTRI tou KuRIou h*e*M*O*N 'I*e*SOU ChrisTOU *We thank :God the Father of our :Lord Jesus Christ* PANto-te peRI huM*O*N pro-seuCHOme-noi [4336], *alway praying for you,* aKOUsan-tes t*e*n PIstin huM*O*N en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU, *4 having heard of your :faith in Christ Jesus,* kai t*e*n aGAp*e*n h*e*n Eche-te eis PANtas tous haGIous, *and the love which you have toward all the saints,* diA t*e*n elPIda t*e*n a-po-keiMEn*e*n [606] huMIN en tais ou-raNOIS, *5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens,* h*e*n pro-*e*KOUsa-te [4257] en t*o* LOg*o* t*e*s a-l*e*THEIas [225] tou eu-ag-geLIou, *of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel,* tou paRONtos eis huMAS; *6 which is come unto you; * kaTH*O*S kai en panTI t*o* KOSm*o* esTIN kar-po-phoROUme-non [2592] kai auxaNOme-non [837], *even as it is also in all the world bearing fruit and increasing,* kaTH*O*S kai en huMIN, aph' h*e*s h*e*MEras *e*KOUsa-te *as in you also, from the day you heard* kai ePEGn*o*te [3129] t*e*n CHArin tou TheOU en a-l*e*THEIa; *and knew the grace of :God in truth;* kaTH*O*S eMAthe-te [3129] aPO E-paPHRA tou a-ga-p*e*TOU sunDOUlou [4889] h*e *M*O*N, *7 even as you learned from Epaphras our :beloved fellow-bondman,* HOS es-tin piSTOS huPER huM*O*N diAko-nos [1249] tou ChrisTOU, *who is a faithful minister of the Christ on your behalf,* ho kai d*e*L*O*sas [1213] huMIN t*e*n huM*O*N aGAp*e*n en PNEUma-ti. *8 who also declared to us your :love in Spirit.* *b. 1:9-17 EXHORTATION: RISE YET HIGHER INTO THE HIGH CHRIST* DiA TOUto kai h*e*MEIS, aph' h*e*s h*e*MEras *e*KOUsa-men, *For this cause we also, from the day we heard it,* ou pauOme-tha [3973] huPER huM*O*N pro-seuCHOme-noi [4336] kai aiTOUme-noi [154], *do not cease to pray and ask for you,* HIna pl*e*-r*o*TH*E*te [4137] t*e*n ePIGn*o*-sin [1922] tou theL*E*ma-tos [2307] auTOU *that you be filled with the knowledge of his :will* en PAs*e* soPHIa [4678] kai suNEsei [4907] pneu-ma-tiK*E*, *in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,* pe-ri-paT*E*sai aXI*o*s [516] tou KuRIou eis PAsan aRESki-an [699] *10 to walk worthily of the Lord unto all pleasing* en panTI ERg*o* a-gaTH*O* kar-po-phoROUNtes [2592], *in every good work bearing fruit,* kai au-xaNOme-noi [837] t*e* e-pigN*O*sei tou TheOU; *and increasing in :knowledge of :God;* en PAs*e* duNAmei du-naMOUme-noi [1412], *11 strengthened with all power,* kaTA to KRAtos [2904] t*e*s DOx*e*s [1391] auTOU, *according to the might of his :glory,* eis PAsan hu-po-moN*E*N [5281] kai ma-kro-thuMIan [3115] meTA chaRAS; *unto all patience and longsuffering with joy;* eu-cha-riSTOUNtes [2168] t*o* paTRI, t*o* hi-kaN*O*san-ti [2427] huMAS *12 giving thanks to the Father, who fitted you * eis t*e*n meRIda [3310] tou KL*E*rou [2819] t*o*n haGI*o*n en t*o* ph*o*TI [5457]; *to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in :light;* hos eRUsa-to [4506] h*e*MAS ek t*e*s e-xouSIas tou SKOtous, *13 who delivered us out of the power of :darkness,* kai meTEst*e*-sen [3179] eis t*e*n ba-siLEIan [932] tou huiOU t*e*s aGAp*e*s auTOU; *and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his :love;* en h*o* Echo-men t*e*n a-poLUtr*o*-sin [629], *14 in whom we have the redemption, * t*e*n Aphe-sin [859] t*o*n ha-mar-ti*O*N: *the forgiveness of :sins:* hos es-tin eiK*O*N [1504] tou TheOU tou a-oRAtou [517], *15 who is the invisible God's image, * pr*o*TOto-kos [4416] PAs*e*s KTIse-*o*s [2937]; *firstborn of all creation;* HOti en auT*O* ekTISth*e* [2936] ta PANta, *16 for in him were :all things created,* en tois ou-raNOIS kai ePI t*e*s g*e*s, *in the heavens and upon the earth,* ta ho-raTA [3707] kai ta aOra-ta [517], *the visible and the invisible,* EIte THROnoi [2362] EIte ku-riOt*e*-tes [2963] EIte arCHAI [746] EIte e-xouSIai [1849]; *whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers;* ta PANta di' auTOU, kai eis auTON, EKtis-tai [2936]; *:all things have been created through him, and unto him;* kai auTOS es-tin pro PANt*o*n, *17 and HE is before all, * kai ta PANta en auT*O* suNESt*e*-ken [4921]. *and in him :all things consist.* *c. 1:18 CHRIST'S HIGH PRE-EMINENCE IS IN ALL, INCLUDING THE CHURCH* kai auTOS es-tin h*e* ke-phaL*E* [2776] tou S*O*ma-tos [4983], t*e*s ek-kl*e *SIas [1577]: *And HE is the head of the body, the church:* HOS es-tin h*e* arCH*E*, pr*o*TOto-kos [4416] ek t*o*n neKR*O*N [3498]; *who is the beginning, firstborn from the dead;* HIna GEn*e*tai en PAsin auTOS pr*o*TEU*o*n [4409]. *that in all HE might have pre-eminence.* *d. 1:19-20 FATHER'S WILL: RECONCILIATION OF ALL IN CHRIST* HOti en auT*O* euDOk*e*-sen [2106] pan to PL*E*r*o*-ma [4138] ka-toiK*E*sai [2730]; *For the whole fullness was pleased to dwell in him;* kai di' auTOU a-po-ka-talLAxai [604] ta PANta eis auTON, *20 and through him to reconcile :all things unto him, * ei-r*e*-no-poi*E*sas [1517] diA tou HAIma-tos [129] tou stauROU [4716]auTOU: *having made peace through the blood of his :cross:* di' auTOU, EIte ta ePI t*e*s g*e*s, *through him, whether the things upon the earth,* EIte ta en tois ou-raNOIS. *or those in the heavens.* *e. 1:21-23 THE GENTILE PLACE IN CHRIST* kai huMAS, poTE ONtas a-p*e*l-lo-tri-*o*MEnous [526] kai echTHROUS [2190] *And you, being alienated before and enemies * t*e* di-aNOIa [1271] en tois ERgois tois po-n*e*ROIS, nuNI de a-po-kaT*E*Lla-xen [604] *in :mind in the evil :works, yet now has he reconciled* en t*o* S*O*ma-ti [4983] t*e*s sarKOS [4561] auTOU diA tou thaNAtou, *22 in the body of his :flesh through :death,* pa-raST*E*sai [3936] huMAS haGIous [40] kai aM*O*mous [299] *to present you holy and without blemish* kai a-negKL*E*tous [410] ka-teN*O*pi-on auTOU; *and unreprovable before him;* EI ge e-piMEne-te [1961] t*e* PIStei, te-the-me-li-*o*MEnoi [2311] kai heDRAIoi [1476], *23 if so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,* kai m*e* me-ta-kiNOUme-noi [3334] aPO t*e*s elPIdos tou eu-ag-geLIou *and not moved away from the hope of the gospel* hou *e*KOUsa-te tou k*e*-ruchTHENtos [2784] en PAs*e* KTIsei [2937] t*e*huPO ton ou-raNON; *which you heard :preached in all creation :under the heaven;* hou e-geNOm*e*n eG*O* PAULlos diAko-nos [1249]. *of which I Paul became minister.* *NOTE**: *This passage from Colossians 1, in my estimation, is one of the most powerful passages in Scripture. The believers from Colosse were tempted to depart from the high standards of the ?One New Man? set forth in Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Many consider this to be basic, and the fulcrum to full understanding of the nature of the church from God's perspective, plus the underlying empowerment coming to the church from the Feast of Pentecost. Dr. J. Sidlow Baxter saw Ephesians from this standpoint, and Colossians as the Holy Spirit's corrective through Paul - to bring them back to the moorings of the teaching in Ephesians. Gnosticism was one of the main errors in teaching coming to Colosse to tempt them to depart doctrinally from the standards set in this letter to the church of ?Ephesus?. Sadly though, even Ephesus had to be rebuked by Jesus in the book of Revelation, for having departed from their first love. Paul's letter to Philippi was to bring them back to the standard of Ephesus, because of their departure in the realm of the Spirit. To hold steadily in Christ as Head of the Church - *all* City Churches - is to be able to withstand all types of the enemy's attacks. Christ is *Pre-eminent*! He deserves to have our ?personal, passionate devotion? at all times and in all circumstances. Men like George Muller, H. A. Baker, Rees Howells, Oswald Chamber and Brother Yun of China - set forth for us wonderful examples in this intimate relationship! From Colossians 1:18-22 we find 10 wonderful actions and essentials in Christ Jesus. As we meditate upon them and memorize this portion, we will find the Holy Spirit lifting us up to the level of the 5 brothers listed above. And see the level to which Jesus wishes to lift us: so that we are *holy*, *without blemish* and *unprovable* before Him. And it is *all* based upon ?His finished Work? on Calvary. Indeed we should ?feed on the merits of Calvary.? This latter phrase was given to me in the Spirit many years ago. I sing it regularly - ?I feed on the merits of Calvary - through You - Christ Jesus my Lord!? Look now at Colossians 1:12-15 and what our Worthy Lord has accomplished for us! - He *fitted* us to become partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; He *delivered* us from the powers of darkness: and God *translated us* into the kingdom of the Son of His love; And what do we learn of Jesus as a result of this act of the Father? We have the ?*redemption*? - the forgiveness of sins! No other founder of *any* religion can offer an equality here! And Jesus, the One who accomplished this - is ?the invisible God's image? - the ?firstborn of all creation.? We are born again sons of God, but by adoption; while *Jesus* is the *Firstborn* of all creation. No wonder Satan wanted to destroy Him. *But* - by contriving His death on Calvary - he made the greatest mistake of his career. For *Jesus* had *no sin*, and death could not hold Him! So on the 3rd day God *raised Him from the dead*. Satan wounded His heel at Calvary, but Jesus *crushed Satan's head*! Satan's power is decidedly limited from that day on! Read the book of Revelation to see his continual falls, until the Lake of Fire eternally receives him! As we learn to imbibe these truths, we will find them transforming! As we gaze on Him who died for us, but is now resurrected, ascended and seated at God's right hand on His Throne in heaven - we become transformed from glory to glory, even by the Presence of our Lord! - J.A.W. *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 Nov 11 11:38:16 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:38:16 -0800 Subject: Colossians 2:20-3:17 Message-ID: <625d7240911111138q558a7dcfs3bc19576e594dc24@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 11, 2009 * *Part 3. COLOSSIANS 2:20-3:17* *E. 2:20-3:4 ARGUMENT FROM BAPTISMS FOR CLEAVING TO CHRIST* *1. 2:20-23 SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST OVER HUMAN TRADITIONS* *a. 2:20-22 BAPTISM IN CHRIST: FREES FROM MEN'S TRADITIONS* Ei a-peTHAne-te [599] sun ChrisT*O* aPO t*o*n stoiCHEI*o*n [4747] tou KOSmou, *If you died with Christ from the elements of the world,* ti, h*o*s Z*O*Ntes [2198] en KOSm*o*, dog-maTIzes-the [1379], *why, as though living in the world, do you submit to ordinances,* M*e* HAps*e* [680], m*e*DE GEUs*e* [1089], m*e*DE THIg*e*s [2345] *21 Handle not, nor taste, nor touch* (HA es-tin PANta eis phthoRAN [5356] t*e* a-poCHR*E*sei [671]), *22** (**all which **are** to perish with the using), * kaTA ta enTALma-ta [1778] kai di-da-skaLIas t*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n? *after the precepts and teachings of :men?* *b. 2:23 HUMAN ORDINANCES: POWERLESS TO CONTROL THE FLESH* AtiNA es-tin LOgon men Echon-ta soPHIas [4678] *Which things are **such as** have indeed a show of wisdom* en e-the-lo-thr*e*SKIa [1479], kai ta-pei-no-phroSUn*e* [5012], kai a-pheiDIa [857] S*O*ma-tos; *in will-worship, and humility, and severity to **the** body;* ouk en tiM*E* [5092] tiNI pros pl*e*s-moN*E*N[4140] t*e*s sarKOS. *but of no value against indulgence of the flesh.* *2. 3:1-4 SPIRITUAL BAPTISM FREES FROM EARTH TIES: RELEASES TO LIFE* *a. 3:1 BAPTISM: AN INCENTIVE TO SEEK HEAVENLY BLESSING* Ei oun su-n*e*GERth*e*-te [4891] t*o* ChrisT*O*, *If then you were raised together with the Christ,* ta An*o* z*e*TEIte [2212], hou ho ChrisTOS es-tin, *seek the **things** above, where the Christ is,* en de-xiA [1188] tou TheOU kaTH*E*me-nos [2521]. *seated at God's right .* *b. 3:2 A COMMAND: MOVE MIND FROM EARTHLY TO HEAVENLY CONSIDERATIONS* ta An*o* phroNEIte [5426], m*e* ta ePI t*e*s g*e*s. *Set your mind on the **things** above, not on th**os**e upon the earth.* *c. 3:3 REASON: SPIRITUAL BAPTISM IS TRUE DEATH UNTO LIFE* a-peTHAne-te [599] gar, kai h*e* z*o*-*E* huM*O*N KEkrup-tai [2928] sun t*o*ChrisT *O* en t*o* The*O*. *For you died, and your :life is hid with the Christ in :God.* *d. 3:4 MANIFESTATION OF THIS TRUTH: AT CHRIST'S COMING* HOtan ho ChrisTOS pha-ne-r*o*TH*E* [5319], h*e* z*o*-*E* h*e*M*O*N, *When the Christ, our :life, shall be manifested,* TOte kai huMEIS sun auT*O* pha-ne-r*o*TH*E*ses-the [5318] en DOx*e* [1391]. *then shall you also with him be manifested in glory.* *F. 3:5-17 CHRIST: CAUSES CONTRAST BETWEEN EARTHLY AND TRUE BELIEVERS* *1. 3:5-11 RECKONING: MEANS OF POINTING UP CONTRAST BETWEEN OLD MAN & NEW* NeKR*O*sa-te [3499] oun ta MEl*e* ta ePI t*e*s g*e*s: *Put to death therefore the members which **are** upon the earth:* porNEIan [4202], a-ka-tharSIan [167], PAthos [3806], *fornication, uncleanness, passion,* e-pi-thuMIan [1939] kaK*E*N [2556], kai t*e*n ple-o-neXIan [4124], H*E*tis esTIN ei-d*o*-lo-laTRIa [1496]; *evil desire, and :covetousness, which is idolatry;* di' ha ERche-tai h*e* orG*E* [3709] tou TheOU: *6** for which comes the wrath of :God:* en hois kai huMEIS pe-ri-paT*E*saTE [4043], po-te HOte eZ*E*te [2198] en TOUtois; *7** in which you also once walked, when you lived in these;* nuNI de aPOthes-the [659] kai huMEIS ta PANta: *8** but now do you also put the**m** all away:* orG*E*N [3709], thuMON [2372], kaKIan [2549], blas-ph*e*MIan [988], *anger, wrath, malice, railing,* ais-chro-loGIan [148] ek tou STOma-tos [4750] huM*O*N: *shameful speaking out of your :mouth:* m*e* PSEUdes-the [5574] eis alL*E*lous; *9** lie not one to another;* a-pek-duSAme-noi [554] ton pa-laiON ANthr*o*-pon sun tais PRAxe-sin [4234]auTOU, *seeing** you have put off the old man with his :doings,* kai en-duSAme-noi [1746] ton NEon, *10** and have put on the new,* ton a-na-kaiNOUme-non [341] eis ePIGn*o*-sin [1922] *who **is** being renewed unto knowledge* kat' eiKOna [1504] tou KTIsan-tos [2936] auTON: *after **the** image of him that created him:* HOpou ouk HEni HELl*e*n kai 'IouDAIos, pe-ri-toM*E* [4061] kai a-kro-buSTIa [203], *11** where is no Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision,* BARba-ros [915], SKUth*e*s, DOUlos [1401], eLEUthe-ros [1658]; *barbarian, Scythian, bond, free;* alLA PANta,* *kai en PAsin, ChrisTOS. *but Christ is all, and in all.* *2. 3:12-17 FOUR EVIDENCES OF THE TRUE CHRISTIAN* *a. 3:12-14 THE SPIRITUAL GARMENTS OF THE CHRISTIAN* EnDUsas-the [1746] oun, h*o*s e-klekTOI [1588] tou TheOU, HAgi-oi [40] kai * e*-ga-p*e*MEnoi [25], *Put on therefore, as chosen of :God, holy and beloved,* SPLAGCHna [4698] oik-tirMOU [3628], chr*e*sTOt*e*-ta [5544], ta-pei-no-phroSUn*e*n [5012], *bowels of compassion, kindness, lowliness, * praUt*e*-ta [4236], ma-kro-thuMIan [3115]; *meekness, longsuffering;* a-neCHOme-noi [430] alL*E*l*o*n, kai cha-riZOme-noi [5483] he-auTOIS, *13 **forbearing one another, and forgiving each other,* eAN tis PROS ti-na Ech*e* momPH*E*N [3437]; *if any one have a complaint against any;* kaTH*O*S kai ho KUri-os e-chaRIsa-to [5483] huMIN, HOUt*o*s kai huMEIS: *even as the Lord forgave you, so also **do** you:* ePI PAsi de TOUtois t*e*n aGAp*e*n, *14** and above all these **things put on** :love, * HO es-tin SUNdes-mos [4886] t*e*s te-leiOt*e*-tos [5047]. *which is **the** bond of perfectness.* *b. 3:15 PEACE: THE CHRISTIAN'S REFEREE FOR GUIDANCE* kai h*e* eiR*E*n*e* tou ChrisTOU bra-beuEt*o* [1018] en tais karDIais huM*O* N, *And let the peace of the Christ arbitrate in your :hearts,* eis h*e*n kai eKL*E*th*e*-te [2564] en heNI S*O*ma-ti [4983]; *to which also you were called in one body; * kai euCHAri-stoi [2170] GInes-the. *and be you thankful.* *c. 3:16 SPIRITUAL SINGING: THE RESULT OF THE ANOINTED WORD* ho LOgos tou KuRIou e-noiKEIt*o* [1774] en huMIN plouSI*o*s [4146] en PAs*e*soPHIa [4678], *Let the word of the Lord dwell in you richly in all wisdom,* diDAskon-tes [1321] kai nou-theTOUNtes [3560] he-auTOUS psalMOIS [5568], *teaching and admonishing yourselves with psalms,* HUMnois [5215], *o*DAIS [5603] pneu-ma-tiKAIS [4152], *hymns, spiritual songs,* en t*e* CHAri-ti [5485] Adon-tes [103] en tais karDIais huM*O*N t*o* The*O*. *with grace singing in your :hearts unto :God.* *d. 3:17 THE LORD JESUS' NAME: THE KEY IN EVERY WORD AND DEED* kai pan HOti eAN poi*E*te, en LOg*o* [3056] *e* en ERg*o* [2041], *And whatever you do, in word or in deed,* PANta en oNOma-ti [3686] KuRIou 'I*e*SOU, *do** all in **the** Lord Jesus' name,* eu-cha-ri-STOUNtes [2168] t*o* The*O* paTRI di' auTOU. *thanking :God **the** Father through him. * *NOTE*: 2:20-23 - The majority of professing believers slip into this false syndrome. It is not what we do for Christ that counts for Him - it's what we allow Him to do through us because of of our intimate, constant relationship with Him. It is *personal*, *passionate* devotion to Jesus! 3:1-4. As we meditate much - vocally - over this passage, the Holy Spirit will enlighten our understanding, and lift us to the level of this - our confession. Will-worship will *not* cut the mustard. It is only the life of Christ lived out through us by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit - that makes this possible. Full surrender and complete obedience to Him is the key! 3:5-11. Like David, let us fully confess in the spirit of Psalm 51 that there is no good thing dwelling in our flesh. Paul echoed these words. Until Galatians 2:20 becomes an absolute reality in our lives, the Christ-life is but a mockery. The NT is a picture of what our life can become when it is Christ living out His life through us. Let His ?new heredity? take full possession of us through the gift (do-reA) of the Holy Spirit - and then people will see the reality of the NT being manifested through us! 3:12-14. God has designed for us new spiritual clothing. New garments for old! What a marvelous exchange! This is the first of the 4 evidences in this passage. 3:15 - Number 2 - The wonder of learning to let ?peace? be our complete guide. When we foul - the Holy Spirit blows His referee whistle, and peace departs. Stop the game! Pay the penalty for the foul! When peace returns, then take up the game of life again. 3:16 - Number 3. The New song of the Lord should constantly spring up out of our lives through our meditation upon the Word. See Psalm 19:14; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1. Joshua, David, Jeremiah, Paul, Timothy and all spiritual ?Bible saints? experienced this. But as in Acts 2:38-39 - it is *for us too*. Note the word *admonish* - nou-theTE*o*! This is Nouthetic counseling! We sing the new song of the Lord to one another, that springs from our meditation on the Word. Brother Yun ?The Heavenly Man?, constantly builds up his fellow saints with the New Song of the Lord! In Ephesians 5 this song springs from the Holy Spirit. Here it is from the Word. Actually it is through the combination of both. Fourthly and finally, it is the *Name of Jesus* used with understanding and faith - that releases all we say and do to form an anointed gift for others. Then all of this is wrapped and presented through our thanksgiving to the Father in Jesus' Name! - J.A.W. *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 Nov 13 18:38:42 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:38:42 -0800 Subject: Colossians 3:18-4:18 Message-ID: <625d7240911131838g14331b52sb48c6e4d67b68f17@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 13, 2009 * *Part 4. COLOSSIANS 3:18-4:18* *G. 3:18-4:1 CHRIST IN DOMESTIC RELATIONS* *1. 3:18-19 CHRIST IN MARRIAGE* *a. 3:18 THE SUBJECTION OF WIVES* Hai guNAIkes [1135], hu-poTASses-the [5293] tois anDRAsin [435], h*o*s aN*E*ken [433] en KuRI*o*. *:Wives, be subject to your :husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.* *b. 3:19 THE LOVE OF HUSBANDS FOR WIVES* hoi ANdres, a-gaPAte [25] tas guNAIkas kai m*e* piKRAInes-the [4087] pros auTAS. *:Husbands, love your :wives and be not bitter against them.* *2. 3:20-21 CHRIST IN THE HOME* *a. 3:20 THE OBEDIENCE OF CHILDREN* Ta TEKna [5043], hu-paKOUe-te [5219] tois goNEUsin [1118] kaTA PANta, *:Children, obey the parents in all things,* TOUto gar euAreSTON [2101] es-tin en KuRI*o*. *for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.* *b. 3:21 THE RESPONSIBILITY OF FATHERS* hoi paTEres, m*e* e-reTHIze-te [2042] ta TEKna huM*O*N, *:Fathers, provoke not your :children,* HIna m*e* a-thuM*O*sin [120]. *that they be not discouraged.* *3. 3:22-4:1 RESPONSIBILITY TO CHRIST OF BOTH SERVANTS AND MASTERS* *a. 3:22-24 THE HEART ATTITUDE OF SERVANTS TO MASTERS* Hoi DOUloi [1401], hu-paKOUe-te [5219] kaTA PANta tois kaTA SARka [4561]kuRIois; *:Bondmen, obey in all things the lords according to the flesh;* m*e* en oph-thal-mo-douLIais [3787-1397], h*o*s an-thr*o*PAre-skoi [441], *not with eye-services, as men-pleasers,* all' en haPLOt*e*ti [572] karDIas, phoBOUme-noi [5399] ton KUri-on; *but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord;* ho eAN poi*E*te, ek psuCH*E*S erGAzes-the, *23 whatever you do, work from the soul,* h*o*s t*o* KuRI*o*, kai ouk anTHR*O*pois; *as to the Lord, and not to men;* eiDOtes HOti aPO KuRIou *24 knowing that from the Lord* a-poL*E*Mpses-the [618] t*e*n an-taPOdo-sin [469] t*e*s kl*e*-ro-noMIas [2817]; *you shall receive the recompense of the inheritance;* t*o* KuRI*o* ChrisT*O* douLEUe-te [1398]. *you are bondmen of the Lord Christ.* *b. 3:25 THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING* ho gar a-diK*O*N [91] koMIse-tai [2865] ho *e*DIk*e*sen: *For who does wrong shall receive again the wrong he has done:* kai ouk EStin pro-s*o*-po-l*e*mPSIa [4382]. *and there is no respect of persons.* *c. 4:1 RESPONSIBILITY OF MASTERS TO SERVANTS* hoi KUri-oi, to DIkai-on kai t*e*n iSOt*e*ta [2471] tois DOUlois paREches-the [3930]; *:Lords, render to the bondmen what is just and equal;* eiDOtes HOti kai huMEIS Eche-te KUri-on en ou-raN*O*. *knowing that you also have a lord in heaven.* *H. 4:2-6 PRACTICAL RELATIONSHIPS* *a. 4:2-4 RELATIONSHIP OF PRAYER AND PREACHING * T*e* pro-seuCH*E* [4335] pro-skar-teREIte [4342], *Continue steadfastly in :prayer,* gr*e*-goROUNtes [1127] en auT*E* en eu-cha-risTIa [2169]; *watching therein with thanksgiving;* pro-seuCHOme-noi [4336] HAma kai peRI h*e*M*O*N, *3 withal praying for us also, * HIna ho TheOS aNOIx*e* [455] h*e*MIN THUran [2374] tou LOgou, *that :God open us a door for the word,* laL*E*sai to musT*E*ri-on [3466] tou ChrisTOU, di' ho kai DEde-mai [1210]; *to speak the mystery of the Christ, for which I am also in bonds;* HIna pha-neR*O*s*o* [5319] auTO, h*o*s DEI me laL*E*sai. *4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.* *b. 4:5 RELATIONSHIP OF WISDOM AND LIVING* En soPHIa [4678] pe-ri-paTEIte pros tous Ex*o*, ton kaiRON [2540]e-xa-go-raZOme-noi [1805]. *Walk in wisdom toward those without, redeeming the season.* *c. 4:6 RELATIONSHIP OF GRACE AND WITNESSING* ho LOgos huM*O*N PANto-te en CHAri-ti [5485], Ala-ti [217] *e*r-tuMEnos [741], *Let your :speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,* eiDEnai p*o*s dei huMAS heNI heKASt*o* a-poKRInes-thai [611]. *that you may know how you ought to answer each one.* *I. 4:7-9 COMMENDATION TO THE FAITHFUL BEARERS OF GOOD NEWS* *a. 4:7-9a GOOD NEWS SHOULD BE SHARED* Ta kat' eME PANta gn*o*RIsei [1107] huMIN Tu-chiKOS, ho a-ga-p*e*TOS a-delPHOS *:All my affairs shall Tychicus make known to you, the beloved brother* kai piSTOS diAko-nos [1249] kai SUNdou-los [4889] en KuRI*o*: *and faithful minister and fellow-bondman in the Lord:* hon Epem-psa pros huMAS eis auTO TOUto, *8 whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose,* HIna GN*O*te ta peRI h*e*M*O*N, *that you may know :concerning us,* kai pa-ra-kaLEs*e* [3870] tas karDIas huM*O*N; *and that he may comfort your :hearts;* sun On*e*SIm*o*, t*o* piST*O* kai a-ga-p*e*T*O* a-delPH*O*, HOS es-tin ex huM*O*N. *9a with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you.* *b. 4:9b PAUL'S PROVISION TO SHARE GOOD NEWS* PANta huMIN gn*o*RIsou-sin [1107] ta H*O*de. *They shall make known unto you all the affairs here.* *J. 4:10-17 INSTRUCTIVE GREETINGS* *a. 4:10-11 GREETINGS* AsPAze-tai [782] huMAS A-RIStar-chos ho su-naichMAl*o*TOS [4869] mou, kai MARkos, *Aristarchus my :fellow-prisoner greets you, and Mark,* ho a-ne-psiOS BarNAba (peRI hou eLAbe-te en-toLAS [1785]; *the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received commandments;* eAN ELth*e* pros huMAS, DExas-the [1209] auTON), *if he come unto you, receive him),* kai 'I*e*SOUS ho leGOme-nos 'IOUStos, hoi ONtes ek pe-ri-toM*E*S [4061]: *11 and Jesus :called Justus, who are from the circumcision:* HOUtoi MOnoi su-nerGOI [4904] eis t*e*n ba-siLEIan [932] tou TheOU, *these my only fellow-workers unto the kingdom of :God,* HOIti-nes e-geN*E*th*e*SAN moi pa-r*e*-goRIa [3931]. *who have been a comfort to me.* *b. 4:12 FULLNESS OF GOD'S WILL: PRAYER DESIRE OF EPAPHRAS* asPAze-tai huMAS E-paPHRAS, ho ex huM*O*N, DOUlos [1401] ChrisTOU 'I*e*SOU, *Epaphras who is one of you, bondman of Christ Jesus, greets you, * PANto-te a-g*o*-niZOme-nos [75] huPER huM*O*N en tais pro-seuCHAIS [4335], *always striving for you in his :prayers,* HIna staTH*E*te [2476] TElei-oi [5046] kai pe-pl*e*-ro-pho-r*e*MEnoi [4137]en panTI theL *E*ma-ti tou TheOU, *that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all of :God's will.* *c. 4:13 PAUL'S COMMENDATION FOR THE LABORS OF EPAPHRAS* mar-tuR*O* [3140] gar auT*O*, *For I bear him witness,* HOti Echei poLUN POnon [2205] huPER huM*O*N kai t*o*n en La-o-diKIa, *that he has much labor for you and those in Laodicea,* kai t*o*n en Hi-e-raPOlei. *and those in Hierapolis.* *d. 4:14 GREETINGS FROM LUKE AND DEMAS* asPAze-tai huMAS LouKAS, ho i-aTROS [2395] ho a-ga-p*e*TOS, kai D*e*MAS. *Luke, the beloved :physician, and Demas greet you.* *e. 4:15 PAUL SENDS GREETINGS TO OTHER CHURCHES* asPAsas-the tous en La-o-diKIa a-delPHOUS, *Greet the brethren in Laodicea,* kai NumPHAN, kai t*e*n kat' OIkon [3624] auT*E*S ek-kl*e*SIan [1577]. *and Nympha, and the church in her house.* f. 4:16 CHURCH LETTERS ARE TO BE SHARED kai HOtan a-nag-k*o*sTH*E* [314] par' huMIN h*e* e-pis-toL*E* [1902], *And when the letter has been read among you,* poi*E*sa-te [4160] HIna kai en t*e* La-o-diKE*o*n ek-kl*e*SIa a-nag-n*o*sTH* E*; *cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans;* kai t*e*n ek La-o-diKIas HIna kai huMEIS a-nagN*O*te. *and that you also read the one from Laodicea.* *g. 4:17 PAUL'S CONCERN: EACH ONE'S MINISTRY IS TO BE FULFILLED* kai EIpa-te ArCHIPp*o*, *And say to Archippus,* BLEpe [991] t*e*n di-a-koNIan h*e*n paREla-bes [3380] en KuRI*o*, HIna auT*E *N pl*e*ROIS [4137]. *Look to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you fulfill it.* *K. 4:18 PAUL'S CLOSING GREETINGS* *a. 4:18a PAUL'S GREETINGS* Ho as-pasMOS t*e* eM*E* cheiRI PAUlou. *The greeting of me Paul with my :hand.* *b. 4:18b PAUL'S JAIL PRESENCE TO BE REMEMBERED* mn*e*-moNEUeTE [3421] mou t*o*n desM*O*N [1199] . *Remember my :bonds.* *c. 4:18c PAUL'S PRAYER FOR GRACE ON THEIR BEHALF* h*e* CHAris meth' huM*O*N. *:Grace be with you.* *NOTE*: 3:18-19 - G. Campbell Morgan of England many years ago said: ?Watch what takes precedence in the world. In a decade it will have come into the church!? True? Yes, true. Jesus through the Gospel brought great liberty to women in the church. But balance is difficult to maintain. Through ?The Women's Liberation Movement? an extreme form of liberty took place, and the relationship to husbands was disdained and rejected. One early woman of this move said: ?I could knock Paul's head off with a rolling-pin for saying it isn't 50/50!? But *was* this Paul speaking here and in his other letters - or Jesus the Lord *through* Paul? See 1 Corinthians 14:37 - Paul believed it was the * Lord* commanding *through* him. Whenever he a few times spoke apart from the Lord, he *always* alerted his readers to this fact. But also consider God's Bible Numerics, His signature to validate His *true * text in the Word. Here is an absolute mathematical proof that our 66 Bible books are *truly* God's books. It is therefore impossible to say - ?Oh - that's just *Paul* speaking. I am under no obligation to pay attention to * that*!? Really? One day we will all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (His B *E*ma), if we are professing believers, and give account for our deeds done while in the body, including our attitude as disciples to *His* Word! 3:21 - Children are commanded to obey their parents in all things, even though parents are not perfect like God. This is the first command with promise. Children who dishonor their parents will give answer for this one day. Are then the 10 commandments God gave Israel through Moses still for us today? Certainly! They are repeated in the NT by Jesus and His apostles. As a matter of fact, Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount enlarges upon them, giving them *not only* the outward meaning of the OT, but an inner spiritual meaning for the New Covenant! However - fathers are *not* to overdo discipline, but speak and do the truth in love with their children according to this passage. 3:22-4:1 - And what of the relationship of Management and Labor? Andrew Carnegie did not understand his role in this. Taking legitimate wages from laborers and giving philanthropy like libraries - is an infringement on labor rights. But labor unions insisting on favors that kill the goose that lays the golden egg - is also an infringement or lack of balance. Balance is the most difficult goal to achieve - but this scripture portion demands that we retain it as a goal and seek by the grace of God and the inner control of Christ's Spirit - to achieve this goal. 4:10-17 - Here is a picture of a spiritual leader, and his care for his fellow-workers, and for the people to whom they minister. Paul's prayer-life must have been extraordinary. See how he remembers the names of all his fellow-laborers! He saw each one as a member of Christ's spiritual body in the Church - Jew and Gentile alike - the One New Man! 4:18b - Why did Paul want the Colossians and Laodiceans and all other of the 14 city churches he founded - to remember ?his bonds?? Because it would keep them humble as they remembered the price he paid to bring them the Gospel. And then it would be easier to perpetually remember the Redeeming Death of Jesus on our behalf as we partake of the bread and cup, symbols of His body and blood. As often as we partake of these symbols, let us remember His death till He returns. 1 & 2 Thessalonians center on the Return of Jesus again - *this* time as Lord of lords and King of kings - this time as Judge of all the earth. Following is a prayer by Peter Marshall that my wife Marie found in ?Hymns for the Family of God? - The PTL Club Special Edition, 1976. She felt it would be a challenge and blessing to all of us. - J.A.W. *LIBERATION FROM MATERIALISM* *Forbid it, Lord,* *that our roots become too firmly attached to this earth,* *that we should fall in love with things.* *Help us to understand that the pilgrimage of this life is but an introduction,* *a preface, a training school for what is to come.* *Then shall we see all of life in its true perspective.* *Then shall we not fall in love with the things of time,* *but come to love the things that endure.* *Then shall we be saved from the tyranny of possessions which we have no leisure to enjoy,* *of property whose care becomes a burden.* *Give us, we pray, the courage to simplify our lives.* *So may we be mature in our faith, * *childlike but never childish,* *humble but never cringing,* *understanding but never conceited.* *So help us, O God, to live and not merely to exist,* *that we may have joy in our work,* *In Thy name, who alone can give us moderation and balance and zest for living,* *we pray. 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 Thu Nov 19 20:34:56 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:34:56 -0800 Subject: November 19, 2009 Message-ID: <625d7240911192034s5fd860dco2aa1021596b5ebfc@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 19, 2009 * *DECLARATION FOR HANNAKUH* The following is a Declaration for Hannakuh December 11th sundown to sundown the 19th, 2009. This Declaration is the Song the Lord is giving His Body as written in Isaiah 20:29. Let's stand on this word in agreement together. The National Day of Prayer organization has contacted Sheri Carbone, and will be using it, which will give it international scope. To Him alone all Honor and Glory. DECLARATION OF DEPENDENCE WE the PEOPLE of the United States of America in order to form a more Perfect Union *DECLARE DEPENDENCE upon the GOD of the BIBLE,* *and Confirm before the World* *that we are a CHRISTIAN NATION.* *Whereas, on December 12, 1800, WASHINGTON DC * *was established as the Capital City and Home* *of the Federal Government of the United States of America,* *and Whereas, This Nation's Government seat in WASHINGTON DC,* *was built upon THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE,* *THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND THE BILL OF RIGHTS,* *all of which have their FOUNDATION in the BIBLE,* *and Whereas, The United States Government knew the GOD of the BIBLE* *and recognized HIM as GOD,* *but, in time, chose not to honor and glorify HIM as God, ** *and Whereas, This Government in WASHINGTON DC* *has not been thankful to HIM as GOD* *nor honored HIM for HIS Abundant Blessings and Protection* *nor obeyed HIS LAW, ** *and Whereas, This Nation's Government has instead* *become futile and Godless in their thinking* *[with vain imagining, foolish reasoning, and stupid speculations], ** *and Whereas, The Government, because of their pride and self exaltation,* *has become darkened and senseless in their minds, * *calling on man's wisdom* *rather than the Wisdom of the GOD who created them, ** *and Whereas, Because they claim to be wise,* *they became fools [professing to be smart,* *they made simpletons of themselves], ** *and Whereas, The Government of the United States* *has exchanged the Glory and the Majesty and Excellency* *of the Immortal GOD, for themselves, (mere humans)* *and for the things in this earth,* *ALL of which were created by the GOD they reject, ** *and Whereas, This Nation's Government seated in WASHINGTON DC* *has exchanged the truth of GOD for a lie* *and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator,* *Who is BLESSED FOREVER!!!... ** *LET IT BE KNOWN,* *THAT ON DECEMBER 12, 2009,* *THE 209th ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WASHINGTON DC,* *AS CAPITAL OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,* *WE THE PEOPLE* *CHOOSE THIS DAY TO SUBMIT THIS NATION,* *ONCE AGAIN TO ALMIGHTY GOD* *AND RE-AFFIRM OUR JUDEO/CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION.* *LET THIS DAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009 BE A DAY* *WHEN EVERY AMERICAN HOME BECOMES A PLACE OF REPENTANCE* *BEFORE ALMIGHTY GOD (YHWH). ROMANS 1:28-32; ISAIAH 55* *LET THIS DAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009 BE A DAY* *OF RE-DEDICATION OF OUR LIVES AND NATION,* *TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST (YESHUA),* *WHOM WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND GLORIFY AS GOD,* *UNDER WHOM WE AS INDIVIDUALS, FAMILY AND NATION* *WILLINGLY SUBMIT. 1 Chronicles 16:8-36; Psalm 132* *LET THIS DAY, DECEMBER 12, 2009, BE A DAY OF THANKSGIVING* *FOR HIS FORGIVENESS AND LOVE, * *ACKNOWLEDGING HIS ABUNDANT BLESSINGS, PROVISION, PROTECTION* *AND HIS ABOUNDING FAITHFULNESS.* *HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. Psalm 136; Psalm 118; Psalm 150* *LET DECEMBER 12, 2009, BE RECORDED IN HISTORY,* *AS THE DAY THE UN ITED STATES OF AMERICA ... * *RETURNED TO HER GOD! Amen* *If you agree, please send this on to Friends and Family ... Thank You.* ** Primarily taken from Romans 1:21-25 Amplified Version of the Bible* *shericarbone at net-venture.com * *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 Nov 21 19:05:31 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:05:31 -0800 Subject: 1 Timothy 2:1-3:16 Message-ID: <625d7240911211905s434212fbg393bd8fac665ef92@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 21, 2009 * *C. 1 TIMOTHY 2:1-3:16* *REGULATION OF WORSHIP AND ORDINATION OF LEADERS* *1. 2:1-7 THE PURPOSE OF GENERAL PRAYER* *a. 2:1-2 PRAYER TO BE MADE FOR ALL* Pa-ra-kaL*O* [3870] oun PR*O*ton PANt*o*n poiEISthai de*E*seis [1162], *I exhort therefore first of all to make supplications,* pro-seuCHAS [4335], enTEUxeis [1783], eu-cha-riSTIas [2169], huPER PANt*o*n anTHR*O*p*o*n; *prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings, for all men;* huPER ba-siLE*o*n [935] kai PANt*o*n t*o*n en hu-pe-roCH*E* [5247] ONt*o*n; *2 for kings and all that are in high places;* HIna *E*re-mon [2263] kai h*e*SUchi-on [2272] BIon [979] diAg*o*-men [1236] *that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life* en PAs*e* eu-seBEIa [2150] kai semNOt*e*-ti [4587]. *in all godliness and gravity.* *b. 2:3-4 SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF PRAYER* TOUto kaLON kai aPOdek-ton [587] eN*O*pi-on tou s*o*T*E*ros [4990] h*e*M*O*N TheOU; *This is good and acceptable before God our :Savior;* hos PANtas anTHR*O*pous THElei s*o*TH*E*nai [4982] *4 who wills all men to be saved * kai eis ePIGn*o*-sin [1922] a-l*e*THEIas elTHEIN. *and to come to a knowledge of truth.* *c. 2:5-7 PAUL: HERALD OF THE ONE MEDIATOR!* Heis gar TheOS, heis kai meSIt*e*s [3316] TheOU kai anTHR*O*p*o*n, ANthr*o*-pos, ChrisTOS 'I*e*SOUS, *For one is God, one is also mediator between God and men, a man, Christ Jesus,* ho dous he-auTON anTIlu-tron [487] huPER PANt*o*n; *6 who gave himself a ransom for all;* to marTUri-on [3142] kaiROIS [2540] iDIois; *the testimony to be in its own seasons;* eis ho eTEth*e*n [5087] eG*O* K*E*rux [2783] kai aPOsto-los [652] *7 whereunto I was appointed preacher and apostle* (aL*E*thei-an LEg*o*, ou PSEUdo-mai [5574]), *(I speak truth, I lie not),* diDAska-los [1320] ethN*O*N [1484] en PIstei kai a-l*e*THEIa. *a teacher of the nations in faith and truth.* *2. 2:8-3:1a MAN: THE LEADER OF WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH* *a. 2:8 QUALIFICATION FOR PRAYER* BOUlo-mai [1014] oun proSEUches-thai [4336] tous ANdras en panTI TOp*o* [5117], *I desire therefore the men to pray in every place,* aPAIron-tas [1869] hoSIous [3741] CHEIras, ch*o*RIS orG*E*S [3709] kai di-a-lo-gisM*O*N [1261]. *lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputings.* *b. 2:9-10 THE DRESS OF WOMEN* h*o*SAUt*o*s, guNAIkas [1135] en ka-taSTOl*e* [2689] kosMI*o* [2887], *Likewise, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,* meTA aiDOUS [127] kai s*o*-phroSUn*e*s [4997], kosMEIN [2885] he-auTAS; *with modesty and sobriety;* m*e* en PLEGma-sin [4117], kai chruSI*o* [5557] *e* mar-gaRItais *e*hi-ma-tisM *O* [2441] po-lu-teLEI [4185]; *not with braids, and gold or pearls or costly raiment;* all' (ho PREpei [4241] gu-naiXIN e-pag-gel-loMEnais [1861] the-oSEbei-an [2317]) di' ERg*o*n a-gaTH*O*N. *10 but (which becomes women professing godliness) through good works.* *c. 2:11 SUBJECTION OF WOMEN* GuN*E* en h*e*-suCHIa [2271] man-thaNEt*o* [3129] en PAs*e* hu-po-taG*E* [5292]. *Let a woman learn in quietness with all subjection.* *d. 2:12 THE RELATIONSHIP OF WOMAN AND MAN* diDASkein [1321] de gu-naiKI [1135] ouk e-piTREp*o* [2010], *But I permit not a woman to teach,* ouDE au-thenTEIN [831] anDROS, all' EInai en h*e*-suCHIa [2271]. *nor to have dominion over a man, but to be in quietness.* *e. 2:13-15 THE REASON FOR WOMAN'S SUBJECTION* A-DAM gar PR*O*tos ePLASth*e* [4111], EIte E-UA; *For Adam was first formed, then Eve;* kai A-DAM ouk *e*-paT*E*th*e* [538], h*e* de guN*E* *14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman* e-xa-pa-t*e*THEIsa [538] en pa-raBAsei [3847] GEgo-nen: *being much deceived has fallen into transgression:* s*o*TH*E*se-tai [4982] de diA t*e*s tek-no-goNIas [5042], *15 but she shall be saved through the childbearing,* eAN MEIn*o*-sin [3306] en PIstei kai aGAp*e* kai ha-gi-asM*O* [38] meTA s*o* -phroSUn*e*s [4997]. *if they continue in faith and love and sanctification with sobriety.* *f. 3:1a Faithful the saying. *PiSTOS [4103] ho LOgos. *3. 3:1b-13 QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS, DEACONS & WIVES OF OFFICERS* *a. 3:1b-6 QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS IN THE CHURCH & HOME* Ei tis e-pi-skoP*E*S [1984] oREge-tai [3713], kaLOU ERgou e-pi-thuMEI [1937] : *If one seeks an overseership, he disires a good work:* dei oun ton ePIsko-pon [1985] a-nePIl*e*mp-ton [423] EInai, *2 the overseer therefore must be without reproach,* miAS gu-naiKOS ANdra, n*e*PHAli-on [3524], S*O*phro-na [4998], *husband of one wife, temperate, soberminded,* KOSmi-on [2887], phiLOxe-non [5382], di-dak-tiKON [1317]; *orderly, hospitality-lover, apt to teach;* m*e* PAroi-non [3943], m*e* PL*E*Kt*e*n [4131]; *3 no brawler, no striker, * alLA e-pi-eiK*E* [1933], Ama-chon [269], a-phiLARgu-ron [866]; *but gentle, not contentious, no money-lover;* tou iDIou OIkou kaL*O*S pro-iSTAme-non [4291], *4 ruling well his own :house,* TEKna [5043] Echon-ta en hu-po-taG*E* [5292] meTA PAs*e*s semNOt*e*-tos [4587]; *having childen in subjection with all gravity;* (ei de tis tou iDIou OIkou proST*E*nai [4291] ouk OIden, *5 (but if one knows not how to rule his own :house,* p*o*s ek-kl*e*SIas [1577] TheOU e-pi-meL*E*se-tai [1959]?) *how shall he care for God's church?)* m*e* neOphu-ton [3504], HIna m*e* tu-ph*o*THEIS [5187] eis KRIma [2917]emPEs *e* [1706] tou di-aBOlou [1228]. *6 not a novice, lest puffed up he fall into condemnation of the devil.* *b. 3:7 QUALIFICATION FOR OVERSEERS: OUTSIDE TESTIMONY* dei de kai mar-tuRIan [3141] kaL*E*N Echein aPO t*o*n Ex*o*-then: *Moreover he must have good testimony from them without:* HIna m*e* eis o-nei-disMON [3680] emPEs*e* [1706] kai paGIda [3803] tou di-aBOlou [1228]. *lest he fall into reproach and the devil's snare.* *c. 3:8-9 QUALIFICATION OF DEACONS* Di-aKOnous [1249] h*o*SAUt*o*s semNOUS [4586], m*e* diLOgous [1351], *Deacons likewise must be grave, not double-tongued,* m*e* OIn*o* [3631] polL*O* proSEchon-tas [4337], m*e* ais-chro-kerDEIS [146] ; *not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;* Echon-tas to muST*E*ri-on [3466] t*e*s PIste-*o*s en ka-thaRA [2513] su-neiD *E*sei [4893]. *9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.* *d. 3:10 PROVING OF DEACONS* kai HOUtoi de do-ki-maZESth*o*-san [1381] PR*O*ton; *And let these also first be proved;* EIta di-a-koNEIt*o*-san [1247], aNEGkl*e*-toi [410] ONtes. *then let them serve as deacons, if they be blameless.* *e. 3:11 QUALIFICATION FOR WIVES OF OVERSEERS AND DEACONS* guNAIkas [1135] h*o*SAUt*o*s semNAS [4586], m*e* di-aBOlous [1228], *Women likewise must be grave, not slanderers,* n*e*-phaLIous [3524], piSTAS [4103] en PAsin. *temperate, faithful in all things.* *f. 3:12 HOME QUALIFICATION OF DEACONS* diAko-noi [1249] Est*o*-san miAS gu-naiKOS ANdres, *Let deacons be husbands of one wife,* TEKn*o*n [5043] kaL*O*S pro-iSTAme-nos [4291] kai t*o*n iDI*o*n OIk*o*n. *ruling the children and their own :houses well.* *g. 3:13 REWARD OF DEACONS* hoi gar kaL*O*S di-a-koN*E*san-tes [1247] bathMON [898] he-auTOIS kaLON pe-ri-poiOUNtai [4046], *For who have served well as deacons gain to themselves a good standing,* kai polL*E*N par-r*e*SIan [3954] en PIstei t*e* en ChrisT*O* 'I*e*SOU. *and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.* *4. 3:14-16 THE NATURE OF GOD'S HOUSE* *a. 3:14-15 BEHAVIOR IN HOUSE OF GOD* TAU-TA soi GRAph*o*, elPIz*o*n [1679] elTHEIN PROS se en TAchei [5032]; *These things write I to you, hoping to come unto your shortly;* eAN de braDUn*o* [1019] HIna eiD*E*S [1492] p*o*s dei en OIk*o* TheOU a-naSTREphes-thai [90], *15 but if I delay that you know how one should behave in God's house,* H*E*tis esTIN ek-kl*e*SIa [1577] TheOU Z*O*Ntos [2198], STUlos [4769] kai eDRAI*o*-ma [1477] t*e*s a-l*e*THEIas, *the which is the living God's church, pillar and ground of the truth.* *b. 3:16 MYSTERY OF GODLINESS* kai ho-mo-lo-gouMEn*o*s [3672] MEga esTIN to t*e*s eu-seBEIas [2150] muST*E*ri-on [3466]; *And confessedly great is the mystery of :godliness;* Hos e-pha-neR*O*th*e* [5319] en sarKI [4561], *Who was manifested in the flesh,* e-di-kai*O*th*e* [1344] en PNEUma-ti [4151], *Justified in the spirit,* *O*PHth*e* [3700] agGElois [32], *Seen of angels,* e-k*e*RUCHth*e* [2784] en ETHne-sin [1484], *Preached among nations,* e-piSTEUth*e* [4100] en KOSm*o* [2889], *Believed on in the world,* a-neL*E*MPHth*e* [353] en DOx*e* [1391] . *Received up in glory.* *NOTE**: *Of the first 130 chapters of this Greek Interlinear Bible Numerics NT, the texts of which were finished by Ivan Panin in 1941 - the notes on these 2 chapters are probably the most controversial so far. Perhaps the first item we should consider is 1 Timothy 3:1a, *?Faithful the saying.*? Bible Numerics clearly places this sentence with the preceding section, 2:8-3:1a, not with 3:1b-13. By recognition of the change of context here, we are noting that the Lord Jesus by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul, is asking us to be very clear in our understanding of this portion of Scripture. It is not just an insight on God's thinking on the role of women, but also the qualification for men in the role of Eldership or Overseership. How many ?pastors? have seriously considered in the light of this passage, whether they should be serving in the role of pastor? Their children and household are ?anything? but in line with the qualifications set forth here. One pastor's rebellious daughter married an unbeliever, who murdered her and cut her body into little pieces. And this pastor's wife was anything but one with him in the ministry. To help many of you, men and women, to hear clearly what God in His Word is really saying here - let me share with you my confession. I became a student minister or pastor in 1946 in Saskatchewan, Canada. This decision was partly in the light of the low standards of the church at large in those days. Guidelines seldom even referred to God and His Bible. We were much like Israel in the last verse of the book of Judges - *?In those days, there was no king in Israel - every man did what was right in his own eyes.? * After my marriage in 1948 and the arrival of children, I entered more fully into the role of pastor. However, I confess that my role as father and husband really did not qualify me to pastor a church. I do believe God has called me to the ministry, but not as a pastor. There are 5 ministries in Ephesians 4:11-12, including the prophet and the teacher. I see myself more as a ?prophetic teacher,? or a ?teaching prophet.? I believe many men serving in the role of pastor today - are like myself. They fit more as an Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist or Teacher - than a pastor, serving as overseer and shepherd. Think of it this way. When our Lord Jesus soon returns and sets up His Millennial Kingdom, ruling from Jerusalem, what do you suppose He will change in the present role of His Church? His Body? Will it be much more like He laid out 2000 years ago through the apostle Paul? I personally believe so! The church has been like Israel, and departed as much from apostolic guidelines, as Israel did from the law. I place the above first, to make it easier for women to anticipate their adjustments in returning to God's standards for them too. I have heard those of the ?Women's Lib spirit? say - *?I could knock Paul's head off with a rolling -pin for saying it isn't 50-50!? * But what if it wasn't Paul directly speaking in his 14 letters of the NT - but Jesus by His Spirit speaking through Paul? Paul clearly averred that what he spoke was *not* him speaking, but the Lord *through him*. (1 Corinthians 14:37). Peter claimed the same thing (2 Peter 1:21 (12-21)). Mary Slessor of Calabar, Africa, missionary from Scotland, served apostolically in founding churches composed of her own converts to Jesus. She would then call her bishop and elders from the mouth of the Congo to come up and ordain those men she deemed qualified to be elders. When her bishop said - ?Ma, you do all this tremendous work, and then we come in and take the glory. It isn't right!? ?Hush, boys?, she would reply. ?We know what the Word says. You do your role, and I'll do mine!. And the Lord will give the right rewards out in the end! ? Sophie Muller of New Tribes Mission in South America took the same position. She functioned apostolically, but would not take the title. She like Ma Slessor founded churches from raw paganism in 3 Sound American countries: Ecuador, Venezuela and Columbia. Her overseers would come in and ordain elders she deemed qualified. She like Ma Slessor would serve under these elders for a while until she was satisfied that they were functioning adequately - then pushed on to found another church. And what of deacons in a local church? In the church of Jerusalem there were but 7 deacons serving a City Church of at least 10,000 members, and perhaps 300 churches in the home of 50-100 each. Plurality of Eldership was in the city church, not the local church. Deacons were for the city church, not the local church. Local churches were in the home, not in special buildings. In a sense, the 7 city deacons of Jerusalem were probably chosen from 7 of the individual local elders from churches in the home. Two of them soon were promoted by God to the office of the Evangelist: Philip and Stephen. Stephen became probably the first Jerusalem martyr. Does this all sound strange? *It is*. But is *this* probably what took place in the City Churches of Paul's day? I believe Timothy and Titus walked in these truths. As you have probably surmised, I am leaving it to you to look over my Interlinear summaries to these two chapters. I leave it to you to make notes on these two chapters as you feel our Lord Jesus was thinking as He gave them to Paul for Timothy. I acknowledge that this is not a sermonette by a preacherette for Christianettes. *This* is solid food, not milk. This is post-graduate study. But - ask the Spirit to help you, and He will indeed make sense out of these 2 chapters on your behalf. J.A.W. *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 Nov 29 20:26:17 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:26:17 -0800 Subject: Hebrews 1:1-2:4 Message-ID: <625d7240911292026v775ed2ceu30694890f1202ff7@mail.gmail.com> Friends - 2009-11-29 - I have completed the Interlinear for Panin's two texts for Hebrews. I have already sent these sections to a select group,who have in most part quite a strong interest in Panin's Bible Numerics. They will be receiving this a second time, so this explanation is primarily for them. But for all readers - I believe the paragraphing structure of this book according to Bible Numerics, will hold a special interest for you also - Jim Watt ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *November 29, 2009 * * UNTO THE HEBREWS 1-13 - SUMMARY* "*THE ABSOLUTE PRE-EMINENCE OF CHRIST"* *A. 1:1-2:4 THE SOBER IMPORTANCE OF THE WORDS OF GOD'S SON* *1. 1:1-4 GOD FULLY BACKS UP HIS SON'S WORD TO US* Po-lu-meR*O*S [4181] kai po-luTROp*o*s [4187] PAlai [3819] ho TheOS, *:God, having spoken of old to the fathers in the prophets* laL*E*sas tois paTRAsin en tois proPH*E*tais [4396], *by different portions and in different manners,* ep' eSCHAtou [2078] t*o*n h*e*-meR*O*N TOUt*o*n eLAl*e*-sen h*e*MIN en hui*O *, *2 has at the end of these :days spoken to us in a Son,* hon Eth*e*-ken [5087] kl*e*-roNOmon [2818] PANt*o*n, *whom he appointed heir of all,* di' hou kai ePOI*e*-sen [4160] tous ai*O*nas [165]; *through whom also he made the ages;* hos *o*n aPAUgas-ma [541] t*e*s DOx*e*s [1391], *3 who being the Glory's radiant brightness,* kai cha-rakT*E*R [5480] t*e*s hu-poSTAse-*o*s [5287] auTOU, *and the very image of his :substance,* PHEr*o*n [5342] te ta PANta t*o* 'R*E*ma-ti [4487] t*e*s duNAme-*o*s [1411]auTOU, *and upholding :all things by the word of his :power,* ka-tha-risMON [2512] t*o*n ha-mar-ti*O*N [266] poi-*e*SAme-nos, *when he had made purification of :sins,* eKAthi-sen [2523] en de-xiA t*e*s me-ga-l*o*SUn*e*s [3172] en hu-ps*e*LAIS [5308]; *sat down on the right of the Majesty on high;* toSOUt*o* KREITt*o*n [2909] geNOme-nos t*o*n agGEl*o*n [32], *4 having become by so much better than the angels,* HOs*o* di-a-phroR*O*te-ron [1313] par' auTOUS ke-kl*e*-roNOm*e*-ken [2816]Ono-ma [3686]. *as he has inherited a more superior name than they.* *2. 1:5-14 GOD CONTRASTS ANGELS' WORD WITH HIS SON* *a. 1:5 GOD'S EVALUATION OF HIS SON* TIni gar EI-PEN po-te t*o*n agGEl*o*n, HuiOS mou ei su, *For to which of the angels did he ever say, You are my Son,* eG*O* S*E*me-ron geGENn*e*KA se? *I today have begotten you?* kai PAlin E-G*O* Eso-mai auT*O* eis paTEra, *and again, I will be to him a Father,* kai auTOS EStai moi eis huiON? *And he shall be to me a Son?* *b. 1:6 GOD HAS ALL ANGELS WORSHIP HIS SON* HOtan de PAlin ei-saGAg*e* ton pr*o*TOto-kon [4416] eis t*e*n oi-kouMEn*e*n [3625] *And when again he brings in the firstborn into the inhabited earth* LEgei, Kai pro-sku-n*e*SAt*o*-san [4314] auT*O* PANtes AGge-loi TheOU. *he says, And let all the angels of God worship him.* *c. 1:7-8 GOD CONTRASTS ANGELS WITH HIS SON* kai pros men tous agGElous LEgei, *And of the angels he says, * Ho poi*O*N tous agGElous auTOU PNEUma-ta [4151], *Who makes his :angels spirits, * kai tous lei-tourGOUS [3011] auTOU puROS [4442] PHLOga [5395]: *And his :ministers a flame of fire:* pros de ton huiON, *8 but of the Son,* Ho THROnos [2262] sou, ho TheOS, eis ton ai*O*na [165] tou ai*O*nos; *Your :throne, O :God, is unto the age of the age;* kai h*e* 'RABdos [4464] t*e*s euTHUt*e*-tos [2118 'RABdos t*e*s ba-siLEIas [932] auTOU. *And the scepter of uprightness is scepter of his kingdom.* *d. 1:9 GOD'S REWARD FOR HIS SON* *e*GAp*e*-sas [26] di-kai-oSUn*e*n [1343], kai eMIs*e*-sas [3404] a-noMIan [458]; *You have loved righteousness, and hated lawlessness;* diA TOUto EchriSEN [5548] se ho TheOS, ho TheOS sou, *Therefore :God, your :God, has anointed you* Elai-on [1637] a-gal-liAse-*o*s [20] paRA tous meTOchous [3353] sou. *With oil of gladness above your :fellows.* *e. 1:10-12 GOD USED HIS SON TO CREATE THE EARTH* kai, Su, kat' arCHAS [746], KUri-e, t*e*n g*e*n e-the-meLI*o*-sas [2311], *And, You, Lord, in the beginnings did found the earth,* kai ERga [2041] t*o*n cheiR*O*N [5495] sou eiSIN hoi ou-raNOI; *And the heavens are works of your :hands:* auTOI a-poLOUNtai [622]; (su de di-aMEneis [1265]:) *11 **They shall perish; (but you continue:)* kai PANtes h*o*s hiMAti-on [2440] pa-lai-*o*TH*E*son-tai [3822]; *And shall all grow old as a garment;* kai h*o*SEI pe-riBOlai-on [4018] eLIxeis [1667] auTOUS, *12 And as a mantle shall you roll them up,* h*o*s hiMAti-on [2440], kai al-laG*E*son-tai [236]: *As if a garment, and they shall be changed:* su de ho auTOS ei, *But you are the same,* kai ta Et*e* [2094] sou ouk eKLEIpsou-sin [1587]. *And your :years shall not fail.* *f. 1:13 GOD EXALTS HIS SON ABOVE ANGELS* pros TIna de t*o*n agGEl*o*n EIr*e*KEN po-te, *But of which of the angels has he ever said,* KAthou ek de-xi*O*N mou, *Sit on my right hand,* HE*o*s an th*o* [5087] tous echTHROUS [2190] sou hu-poPOdi-on [5286] t*o*n poD*O*N [4228] sou? *Till I make your :enemies footstool of your :feet?* *g. 1:14 GOD'S CREATIVE PURPOSE FOR ANGELS: FOR US* ouCHI PANtes eiSIN lei-tour-giKA [3010 PNEUma-ta [4151], *Are they not all ministering spirits, * eis di-a-koNIan [1248] a-po-stelLOme-na [649] diA tous MELlon-tas kl*e*ro-noMEIN [2818] s*o*-t*e*RIan? *sent forth unto service for them that shall inherit salvation?* *3. 2:1-4 GOD UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF HIS SON'S WORDS* *a. 2:1 THE ?THEREFORE? POINTS US TO 1:1-14 * Di-A TOUto dei pe-ris-soTEr*o*s [4056] proSEchein [4337] h*e*MAS *Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed* tois a-kousTHEIsin [191], M*E* po-te pa-ra-ru*O*men [3901]. *to the things heard, lest by chance we drift away.* *b. 2:2-4 GOD'S WORD MORE SERIOUS THAN ANGELIC WORDS* ei gar ho di' agGEl*o*n la-l*e*THEIS LOgos *For if the word spoken through angels* eGEne-to BEbai-os [949] kai PAsa paRAba-sis [3847] kai pa-ra-ko*E* [3876] *became firm and every transgression and disobedience* Ela-ben ENdi-kon [1738] mis-tha-po-doSIan [3405]; *received a just recompense of reward;* p*o*s h*e*MEIS ek-pheuXOme-tha [1628], t*e*liKAUt*e*s [5082] a-meL*E*san-tes [272] s*o*t*e*RIas [4991]? *3 how shall WE escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? * H*E*tis arCH*E*N [746] laBOUsa [2983] laLEISthai [2980] diA tou KuRIou, *which having at first been spoken through the Lord,* huPO t*o*n a-kouSANt*o*n [191] eis h*e*MAS e-be-bai*O*th*e* [950]; *was confirmed unto us by them that heard;* su-ne-pi-mar-tuROUNtos [4901] tou TheOU, s*e*MEIois [4592] te kai TEra-sin [5059], *4 :God bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders,* kai poiKIlais [4164] duNAme-sin [1411], kai PNEUma-tos [4151] HaGIou me-risMOIS [3311], *and manifold powers, and distributions of the Holy Spirit,* kaTA t*e*n auTOU THEl*e*-sin [2308]. *according to his :will. * *NOTE**: * We cannot fail to receive God's thinking and position concerning His Word through His Son in the above passage. What an introduction to this letter to the Hebrews! Jewish leaders by and large rejected Jesus' words during His 33 years on earth at His first coming. Today their eyes are still largely blinded to God's evaluation upon His only-begotten Son. Paul in Romans 9-11 shows us the extraordinary wisdom of God in this. The by and large rejection of Jesus as God's Messiah both then and now - has enabled Him to reach the non-Jewish nations - the Gentiles - with the Gospel. We are the favored recipients of this unusual wisdom of God on our behalf. But just as soon as the Gentile number has been fulfilled, then God will lift the blindness of the past two millenia from Israel's eyes. She will then be born from above in a day! However, there was and has been a remnant of them open to Jesus throughout the church age. There has been a small portion of Gentile believers who have seen and understood this. Men like Dr. Daniel Juster and Mike Bickle have been moving to make possible the functioning of the ?One New Man?. In the Millennial Age following the return of God's Son as King of kings and Lord of lords, we will see this fulfilled tremendously. Then at the end of the Millennium, Jesus as Son of Man will turn all things over to God, that HE might be all in all. Jesus is already Son of God as well as Son of Man, so He indeed will have His part in this exchange also! Hebrews 1:1-2:4 must be kept in mind while reading the remainder of this letter, for it is God's key that unlocks all that is to follow. - J.A.W. *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 Dec 2 19:16:17 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 2 Dec 2009 19:16:17 -0800 Subject: #2 Pilot Prayer Team Meeting Message-ID: <625d7240912021916y63dcaff2q8f55e16611690041@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 2, 2009 * ?*WHAT IS AN INTERCESSOR? - 2009-11-13* *(From ?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb)* The Central truth, which the Holy Ghost gradually revealed to Mr. Howells, and which was the mainspring of his whole life's ministry, was that of intercession. The Spirit can be seen leading him into this in all His dealings with him, from the time He took full possession of him in the Llandrindod Convention, until in his dealings with the consumptive woman, the meaning of intercession became fully clear. From then onward the Spirit was constantly leading him both to gain new positions as an intercessor, and to reveal the precious truths he had learned to others able to bear them. It will be useful, therefore, to stop a moment and to look a little more carefully into what is meant by being an intercessor. That God seeks intercessors, but seldom finds them, is plain from the pain of His exclamation through Isaiah: *?He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor?*; and His protest of disappointment through Ezekiel: *?I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land . . . but I found none.?* Perhaps believers in general have regarded intercession as just some form of rather intensified prayer. It is, so long as there is great emphasis on the word ?intensified?; for there are three things to be seen in an intercessor, which are not necessarily found in ordinary prayer: identification, agony and authority. The* identification *of the intercessor with the ones for whom he intercedes is perfectly seen in the Savior. Of Him it was said that He poured out His soul unto death: and He was numbered with the transgressors; and He bore the sin of many, and *made intercession* for the transgressors. As the Divine Intercessor, interceding for a lost world, He drained the cup of our lost condition to its last drop, He *?tasted death for every man?. *To do that, in the fullest possible sense, He sat where we sit. By taking our nature upon Himself, by learning obedience through the things which He suffered, by being tempted in all points like as we are, by becoming poor for our sakes, and finally by being made sin for us, He gained the position in which, with the fullest authority as the captain of our salvation made perfect through sufferings, and the fullest understanding of all we go through, He can ever live to make intercession for us, and by effective pleadings with the Father *?is able to save to the uttermost them that come unto God by Him.? Identification* is thus the first law of the intercessor. He pleads effectively because he gives his life for those he pleads for; he is their genuine representative; he has submerged his self-interest in their needs and sufferings, and as far as possible has literally taken their place. There is another Intercessor, and in Him we see the *agony* of this ministry; for He, the Holy Spirit, *?makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.?* This One, the only present Intercessor on earth, has no hearts upon which He can lay His burdens, and no bodies through which He can suffer and work, except the hearts and bodies of those who are His dwelling place. Through them He does His intercessory work on earth, and they become intercessors by reason of the Intercessor within them. It is a real life to which He calls them, the very same kind of life, in lesser measure, which the Savior Himself lived on earth. But before He can lead a chosen vessel into such a life of intercession, He first has to deal to the bottom with all that is natural. Love of money, personal ambition, natural affection for parents and loved ones, the appetites of the body, the love of life itself, all that makes even a converted man live unto himself, for his own comfort or advantage, for his own advancement, even for his own circle of friends, has to go to the cross. It is no theoretical death, but a real crucifixion with Christ, such as only the Holy Ghost Himself can make actual in the experience of His servant. Both as a crisis and process, Paul's testimony must be made ours: *?I have been and still am crucified with Christ.?* The self must be released from itself to become the agent of the Holy Ghost. As crucifixion proceeds, intercession begins. By inner burdens, by calls to outward obediences, the Spirit begins to live His own life of love and sacrifice for a lost world through His cleansed channel. We see it in Rees Howell's life. We see it at its greatest height in the Scriptures. Watch Moses, the young intercessor, leaving the palace by free choice to identify himself with his slave-brethren. See him accompanying them through *?the waste and howling wilderness?*. See him reach the very summit of intercession, when the wrath of God was upon them for their idolatry, and their destruction was imminent. It is not his body he now offers for them as intercessor, but his immortal soul: *?If You will forgive their sin -; and if not, blot me, I pray You, out of Your Book?; *and he actually called this *?making an atonement?* for them. See the Apostle Paul, the greatest man of the new dispensation as Moses was of the old. For years his body, through the Holy Ghost, is a living sacrifice, that the Gentiles might have the Gospel; finally, his immortal soul is offered on the altar. The very one who was just rejoicing with the Romans that nothing could separate him and them from the love of God (Rom. 8), says a moment later, the Spirit bearing him witness, that he could wish himself *?accursed (separated) from Christ for my brethren my kinsmen according to the flesh? (*Rom. 9). This is the intercessor in action. When the Holy Ghost really lives His life in a chosen vessel, there is no limit to the extremes to which He will take him, in His passion to warn and save the lost. Isaiah, that aristocrat, had to go *?naked and bare-footed?* for three years as a warning to Israel. We can hardly credit such a thing! Hosea had to marry a harlot, to show his people that the heavenly Husband was willing to take back His adulterous bride. Jeremiah was not allowed to marry, as a warning to Israel against the terrors and tragedies of captivity. Ezekiel was not allowed to shed one tear for the death of his wife, *?the desire of his eyes?*. And so the list might be continued. Every greatly used instrument of God has been, in his measure, an intercessor: Wesley for back-sliding England; Booth for the down-and-outs; Hudson Taylor for China; C. T. Studd for the unevangelized world. But intercession is more than the Spirit sharing His groanings with us, and living His life of sacrifice for the world through us. It is the Spirit gaining His ends of abundant grace. If the intercessor knows identification and agony, he also knows *authority*. It is the law of the corn of wheat and the harvest: *?if it die, it brings forth much fruit?*. Intercession is not substitution for sin. There has only ever been one substitute for a world of sinners, Jesus the Son of God. But intercession so identifies the intercessor with the sufferer that it gives him a prevailing place with God. He moves God. He even causes Him to change His mind. He gains his objective, or rather the Spirit gains it through him. Thus Moses, by intercession, became the savior of Israel and prevented their destruction; and we can have little doubt that Paul's supreme act of intercession for God's chosen people resulted in the great revelation given him at that time, of world-wide evangelization and the final salvation of Israel (Romans 10 and 11), and is enabling God to bring it about. Mr. Howells would often speak of ?the gained position of intercession?, and the truth of it is obvious on many occasions in his life. It is a fact of experience. The price is paid, the obedience is fulfilled, the inner wrestlings and groanings take their full course, and then *?the word of the Lord comes?*. The weak channel is clothed with *authority* by the Holy Ghost and can speak the word of deliverance. *?Greater works?* are done. Not only this, but a new position in grace is gained and maintained, although, even then, that grace can only be appropriated and applied in each instance under the direct guidance of the Spirit. Mr. Howells used to speak of it, in Mr. Muller's phrases, as entering *?the grace of faith?*, in contrast to receiving *?the gifts of faith?*. What he meant was that, when we pray in a normal way, we may hope that God of His goodness will give us the thing. If He does, we rejoice; it is His gift to us; but we have no power or authority to say that we can always get that same answer at any time. Such are the gifts of faith. But when an intercessor has gained the place of intercession in a certain realm, then he has entered into *?the grace of faith?*; along that special line the measureless sea of God's grace is open to him. That is the gained place of intercession. Mr. Howells referred to George Muller's experience. Mr. Muller had never gained a place of intercession over sickness, but on one occasion God raised up a sick person for whom he had prayed. On another occasion he prayed for another sick person, but there was no healing. Mr. Muller, however, said that this was not a failure in prayer, because he had never gained a place of intercession over sickness, and therefore the answer to the first prayer was merely *?a gift of faith?*, which would not necessarily be repeated. On the other hand, he had gained a place of intercession for the orphans. He was always ready to be the first sufferer on their behalf; if there was enough food for all except one, he would be the one to go without; and in the realm of supply, God held him responsible to see that the needs were always met, for the doors of God's Treasury had been permanently opened to him, and he could take as much as he needed. Pastor Blumhardt of Germany, on the other hand, was a man who had gained a place of intercession for the sick. In his first struggles with evil spirits, it took him more than eighteen months of prayer and fasting, before he gained the final victory. Complaints were lodged against him of neglecting his work as a minister and devoting himself to the healing of the sick, but he said the Lord had given the parable of the friend at midnight and the three loaves, and, though unworthy, he was going on knocking. He prayed through, and God did open. Not only were hundreds blessed, but he raised a standard for the church. After the final victory he gained such ease of access to the Throne that often, when letters came asking for prayer for sick people, after just looking up for a single moment, he could find God's will as to whether they were to be healed or not. The sufferings of others became so painful to him that he was pleading for them as if for himself. That was intercession. *NOTE**: Report on #2 ?Pilot Prayer Team? Meeting* We prayed through the chapter on Intercession above from the Biography on Rees Howells. According tho this, few of us who see ourselves as intercessors - truly understand how *God* looks on intercession We probably for the most part are in the ?Prayer Warrior? Camp, but are really not intercessors. We prayed for ourselves in the light of this chapter, that individually and corporately God would lead us into this realm. One of our number reported that outside of our ranks, a misunderstanding has developed. A pastor in the area feels we are trying to usurp the role of existing prayer meetings. Our member reported that this was not so, and queried whether the upset brother had contacted us in the light of Matthew 18:15-17. This was the major covenant condition that Derek Prince gave ?Pastor Prayer Meetings? in 1971. The various scriptural steps to retain proper relationships with one another were agreed upon and accepted at that time. As long as they were adhered to, an unusual blessing was present. After 2 years, in the light of the ?Disciple-Shepherding? Controversy, this Covenant was dropped. Perhaps it needs to be re-instated. These are the goals we have for the ?Pilot Prayer Team?. We desire to have God possess us individually as God did for Rees Howells in 1906 in Wales. Then corporately we desire God to possess us as He did 31 years later in 1937 for 120 of those open to follow God with Rees Howells. Sam Matthews of Shawnee, Oklahoma has been following this same challenge since 1975 with rather amazing results. God has indicated to me in 1966 and confirmed it in 1985 - that He would like to find and use Pilot Teams of 8 - as His Automated Laser-Telescope.s Through them He could eliminate principalities and powers over cities, counties and municipalities, states and provinces - and countries. Teams of this nature in key cities in Canada and the United States could count in these last day prior to the return of our Lord Jesus. Such teams should not interfere with any other existing Groups, but should rather complement and undergird them. This was certainly true with the Intercessory Prayer Team of Wales just preceding - and during World War II. We of course, will appreciate any prayer undergirding on our behalf as we move out to be available to the Lord. I am personally hopeful that the 3 major assignments the Lord has given me might come to fruition and completion through this Team. I am at the half-way mark of the Interlinear Greek NT - using the two Bible Numeric NT texts of Ivan Panin. I have also made a good start on 14 major Greek Word Study Outlines that undergird the Embryonic Revival Principles of 1948. And lastly, we would like to see these Embryonic Revival Principles brought to maturity in our day. They are listed on our Website at the instigation of Richard Long of Ottawa, Canada. One of our Pilot Team members has submitted an article by David Wilkerson, which he felt confirmed the way God is leading us. I am including this as a conclusion. Thanks again to the many of you who have encouraged us to persevere on this project. - Jim Watt ?*Peace and the Holy Spirit? - David Wilkerson* On whom does Jesus bestow his peace? You may think, ?I'm not worthy of living in Christ's peace. I have too many struggles in my life. My faith is so weak.? You may do well to consider the men to whom Jesus first gave his peace. None of them was worthy, and none had a right to it. Think about Peter. Jesus was about to bestow his peace on a minister of the gospel who would soon be spewing out cursings. Peter was zealous in his love for Christ, but he was also going to deny him. Then there was James and his brother John, men with a competitive spirit, always seeking to be recognized. They asked to sit at Jesus' right and left hand when he ascended to his throne in glory. The other disciples were no more righteous. They simmered with anger at James and John for trying to upstage them. There was Thomas, a man of God who was given to doubt. All of the disciples were so lacking in faith, it amazed and stressed Jesus. Indeed, in Christ's most troubling hour, they would all forsake him and flee. Even after the Resurrection, when the word spread that ?Jesus is risen,? the disciples were slow to believe. But there's even more. These were also confused men. They did not understand the ways of the Lord. His parables confused them. After the Crucifixion, they lost any sense of unity they had, scattering in all directions. What a picture: These men were full of fear, unbelief, disunity, sorrow, confusion, competitiveness, pride. Yet it was to these same troubled servants that Jesus said, ?I am going to give you my peace.? The disciples weren't chosen because they were good or righteous; that much is clear. Nor was it because they had talent or abilities. They were fishermen and day laborers, meek and lowly. Christ called and chose the disciples because he saw something in their hearts. As he looked into them, he knew each one *would submit to the Holy Spirit*. At this point, all that the disciples had was a promise from Christ of his peace. The fullness of that peace was yet to be given to them, at Pentecost. That's when the Holy Spirit would come and dwell in them. We receive the peace of Christ from the Holy Spirit. This peace comes to us as the Spirit reveals Christ to us. The more of Jesus you want, the more the Spirit will show you of him - and the more of Christ's actual peace you will have. *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 Dec 7 19:09:18 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 7 Dec 2009 19:09:18 -0800 Subject: Christmas Greetings Message-ID: <625d7240912071909t222bcdb9y4e27b4307ad8712a@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 7, 2009 * *Jim & Marie Watt* *534 SW 326 ST - Federal Way WA 98023* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *December 4, 2009* *Dear Relatives and Friends - Another Blessed Christmas Season! - to be able to greet you! We so enjoy your cards and letters, and E-Mails and phone calls - Bless you for this.* *Marie and I celebrated our 86th birthdays this summer. Our health continues pretty good, and actually above average. Marie is able to entertain and cook far above average. She is a surprise to many far younger, both in her family and among friends. I have reached the half way point in the production of the Interlinear Greek NT, using the Bible Numeric texts of Ivan Panin, which will be a dream fulfilled for him. He died in his 87thyear in 1942 in Aldershot, Ontario, unable at the time to see his vision fulfilled in his lifetime. * *Marie felt I was getting too old to keep wheeling wood for our wood fireplace insert. I have been doing so for 26 years, but this year we now have a gas fireplace insert. What a blessing! How much cleaner! How much more efficient, and it provides for us great ?animal? comfort. Praise God.* *This month we also celebrate our 61st wedding anniversary on December 27th. We were married in Port Alberni those many years ago. It is ?Covenant? that is the glue that has held it all together. Read Derek Prince's, ?The Marriage Covenant? to see how this works under God's guidance. It truly works! - and it can work for you!* *On Thanksgiving - 8 of our family members attended our special Dinner for this day. Without Madeleine's help - it wouldn't have happened. Two of her boys, Paul and William, were able to make it; our oldest son Jim with his two, James and Chelsea, and Marie and me. Seth, our oldest grandson with his wife Jennifer and 8 ? month old son - Luke Gabriel - from Pullman, Washington, made it up to Mount Vernon with Anna, Garl and Keelan, his family. And mentioning Luke, brings us to the big event of 2009 - his coming has made Marie and me great grandparents for the first time! Our grandson Seth said to Marie - ?Grandma, you don't need a great grandson to be a great grandmother - you've always been a GREAT GRANDMA!? What a gracious word!* *We celebrated a wonderful Mother's Day week-end in Placerville, California for Leadership Meetings. We also had the joy of ministering to a very interested group of Chinese in Sacramento. Both these groups are earnestly seeking God for Renewal and Revival in their areas. Praise God. He hears and answers these prayers. It was a most blessed time for us.* *Father's Day week-end found us ministering in Minnesota at a church commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the 1948 Visitation at North Battleford, Saskatchewan. Before our coming they had had prayer every night since January 1st, 2009, crying out to God for a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - God faithfully fulfills His Word. * *We continually hear of hundreds of groups across our nation, seeking God, for the promised Latter Rain.* *Our oldest grandson Seth (Anna's son), was accepted this year into the doctoral program in Computer Science at WASU in Pullman, Washington. He is making great progress, and in three years should have reached his immediate goal. Winter Semester he'll be teaching all his Mentor's classes.* *His younger brother Keelan (now 21 years old), is doing well in College in a related Computer Science area - but - the key for him - he won his ?black belt? in karate! His ?Sensei? says - ?Now, you are ready to begin!? How encouraging! Keelan keeps my laptop going so that I can continue on the Interlinear Assignment. Because a year ago June he transferred me to Linux, I have been able to make faster and more efficient progress. One reason: he also is on Linux, and through tapping in on my ?IP? address, is able from Mt Vernon to look over my shoulder as it were, and solve problems 90 miles away just as if he were present! He even takes my picture from my laptop while he does it! I'm not sure that this is that high an advantage! Marie for my birthday last year made this wonderful gift, the new Laptop, available to me.* *One sad, yet triumphant note. Marie's oldest brother Gerard, who she found when he was 75 years of age in 1996 back in Quebec, went home to be with the Lord this year, short of his 89th birthday. We miss him, but there is great peace to know that he was ready to go. Marie's sister Yvonne's husband John, went into hospital with a heart problem. It was satisfactorily looked after in a hospital in Victoria, but a staff infection caught him, and he too went home to be with the Lord at 80 years of age.* *Things like this fill our lives - and we all not only need to be ready, but also to help ensure each of our loved ones that they are ready too! Marie especially has been very faithful in praying for all of her many relatives in the area - well over 200.* *One of Marie's great nieces took on a fine husband, and we had the privilege of officiating at their wedding in August in the middle of a heat-wave - over 100 degrees every day. Have you ever been at a Canadian wedding? They have a few wrinkles different than we do down in the States. Whenever the guests clink their glasses, the groom must cooperate by kissing his new bride. Interesting. Kati was an awesome bride, and Charles the perfect groom. Very Handsome.* *While Marie is in Exercise Class (Lifetime Fitness) for one hour three times a week, Jim walks the perimeter of the beautiful grounds of Village Green. This is an awesome Retirement Campus about 3 miles from our home. Marie has been with this same Exercise Group going on 8 years. It really keeps her going! PTL.* *At this so important time of the year - Hanukkah and Christmas - let's celebrate with the Angels as they sing ?Glory to God for the New Born King!? This is a time of giving, of ourselves to Jesus, and to others. It is also a time of remembering, with gratitude and much affection, our families and our friends. How blessed we are with these relationships. We pray this will be the best Christmas you've ever had. May God's blessings shower upon each of you.* *With much love and prayers,* *Jim and Marie. (We both wrote this - can you tell which is which?)* *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 Dec 8 17:42:00 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Tue, 8 Dec 2009 17:42:00 -0800 Subject: "Spirit" - Greek Word Study Message-ID: <625d7240912081742x6f410db1pd253f3eca3b2a668@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 8, 2009 * ?*SPIRIT? - PNEUma - 385x - Strong #4151 * *(from PNEo* 7x - Strong #4154 + 7 cognates or derivatives = 402x)* *UNDERSTANDING THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM SELECTIVE REFERENCES* *1. Luke 11:13 (14-26) HOLY SPIRIT: MUST BE ASKED FOR. ?If you therefore, being evil, know how to give gifts to your :children, how much more shall the Father who is from heaven give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?? *This was a key verse that Oswald Chambers used in soul-winning. As soon as he established to the mind of the seeker that he was a sinner - not just because he had sinned - but that through Adam he had inherited a ?sin nature? - *then* he led them to pray for the Holy Spirit as He is set forth in the ?Peter Package? - Acts 2:38. *2. John 4:24 (1-26) HOLY SPIRIT: KEY TO TRUE WORSHIP! ?:God is Spirit: and who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.? * In the preceding immediate context, we learn that God seeks those in *spirit* and in truth to worship him. We cannot worship God from our human *spirit*, until *first* we have received the *Holy Spirit* of Christ. And as we go on like Rees Howells to let Him *possess* us, *then* our worship reaches into a dimension truly pleasing to God. The Holy Spirit here is likened to an ?artesian well?! *3. Acts 5:32 (17-42) HOLY SPIRIT: GIVEN ON BASIS OF OBEDIENCE. ?And WE are witnesses of these :sayings; also the Holy :Spirit, whom :God has given to them that obey him.? *This is a key to successful marriage. For those who have this as the basis of receiving the Holy Spirit, have *already* entered into ?The Marriage Covenant?, by Derek Prince. This book, along with ?Shaping History through Prayer and Fasting?, I count as two of his outstanding books. My wife Marie and I married on this basis, and God has kept us for 61 years this month. *This* is the glue that holds a marriage together. Marriage is a Covenant in the sight of God, and *not* to be broken, apart from fornication. We have as many divorces inside the church today as the world does outside. This *ought not to be so*! And it is the Holy Spirit moving in The Marriage Covenant that ensures that it can change! *4. Acts 13:2 (1-3) HOLY SPIRIT: CHIEF AGENT IN MISSIONS. ?And as they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy :Spirit said, Separate me then :Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.? *Consider the work of ?The Presbytery?. Ordination through ?laying on of hands and Prophecy?, as important as this function is, is but one of *many* functions that the Holy Spirit is pleased to perform through ?The Presbytery?. Commissioning missionaries and sending them forth is another. *5. Acts 15:28 (22-29) HOLY SPIRIT: JOINS WITH ELDERSHIP FOR CHURCH SOLUTIONS. ?For it seemed good to the Holy :Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these :necessary things.? **This* is one of the most important functions of the *Holy Spirit* in linking up with the Presbytery or Eldership - to *solve* church problems. The Judaizing controversy in the early church was one of the *chief* of these problems. And the *Holy Spirit* takes precedence over the Presbytery in solving this problem. Gentiles do *not* have to become Jews and be circumcised for full salvation, but just keep the 4 conditions noted here, to have table-fellowship with Jews. What a serious problem, which still continues to this day, in spite of the *Holy Spirit's* letter through Paul to the Galatians. *6. 1 Peter 1:12 (3-12) HOLY SPIRIT: CHIEF AGENT IN OT PREACHERS. ?To whom it was revealed, that not to themselves, but to you, did they minister thevery things which now have been announced to you through them that preached thegospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into.? *In 1952 in Chicago I wrote my M. Div. (Master of Divinity) dissertation on this verse. I stated: ?In Homiletics here at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary we are taught how to preach with notes, by outline, by manuscript, extemporaneously, but not with the *Holy Spirit*sent forth from heaven.? It was on this 5 th point that I wrote my thesis, and for a while, wondered if it would be accepted so I could graduate! It was, and is in the Archive files yet at my Alma Mater. If OT prophets all preached this way, how much more need we as NT preachers - preach with the *Holy Spirit* sent forth from heaven! *7. 2 Peter 1:21 (12-21) HOLY SPIRIT: BEHIND ALL BIBLE PROPHECY. ?For no prophecy was ever borne by man's will: but men spoke from God, being borne on by the Holy Spirit.? *It is important to see that the *Holy Spirit* - not man - is behind all Scripture. We are aware of the 33 known Bible writers of the 66 books, but we often fail to see that shining far above all of them - is the *Holy Spirit!* Our Bible is *not* primarily the work of man - but *the Word of God*! How disconcerting once this dawns on us. One prominent preacher-evangelist of yester-year - an Episcopalian - started out as a Modernist. But when he received the *Holy Spirit* and Jesus as *Lord* - the *Holy Spirit* changed his entire theology, and conformed it to a Bible-based state! *8. Romans 5:5 (1-11) HOLY SPIRIT: THE ONE WHO SHEDS GOD'S LOVE IN OUR HEARTS. ?And hope puts not to shame; because the love of :God has been shed abroad in our :hearts through the Holy Spirit :given us.? *Each of these verses with context, has been established by Bible Numerics through the 50 years of labor of Russian Dr. Ivan Panin. He is called by one, ?Russia's Gift to Christianity!? An English Plumber by the name of Smith Wigglesworth found this verse to be extremely helpful. When he found it impossible to forgive a brother unexpectedly met, he would rush down an alley, and call on God - ?Quick God, give me a heavenly ?love? transfusion! It worked! *9. Romans 8:26-27 (26-39) HOLY SPIRIT: CHIEF AGENT IN EARTHLY INTERCESSION. ?And in like manner the Spirit also helps our :infirmity: for we know not how to pray as we ought; but the Spirit himself intercedes mightily for us with groanings unutterable; 27 and who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for the saints according to God.? *This is one of the chief teaching verses of Rees Howells. He understood thoroughly the help he received this way. *10. 1 Corinthians 12:4 (4-11) HOLY SPIRIT: RESPONSIBLE FOR GIFTS OF ** SPIRIT** THROUGH US. ?Now **there** are diversities of gifts, but the same * *Spirit**.?* The 9 gifts of the Spirit from here, and the 9-fold fruit (one fruit, 9 sections, like an orange) - I link with the 9 Sacral Vertebrae. They control our walking, Reproduction and Elimination. The Gifts of the Spirit are balanced by the Fruit of the Spirit, and in this way are aided in being for edification for other members of the body of Christ. *11. Galatians 5:22-23 (16-24) HOLY SPIRIT: AGENT OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. ?But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against :such there is no law.? *See notes on the Gifts of the *Spirit*. *12. Ephesians 4:4-6 (1-16) HOLY SPIRIT: A KEY IN THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT. ?There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your :calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.? *If the 9 Sacral vertebrae are important as the Conclusive part of the container for the Spinal Cord - then the 7 Cervical Vertebrae at the top are especially important, for they connect the body with *the Head, Christ*! Notice the order from the bottom to the top. The 7 Unities start out with us at the bottom, and immediately the 6th vertebra is the *Spirit*. All our life as individuals and corporately commence with *Him*. Conversion itself doesn't cut the mustard. By Repentance and Faith, we are just ready to start. In Acts 2:38, the Gift - d*o*-reA of the Holy Spirit follows Repentance and Baptism. He is an Artesian Well, evermore flowing up into eternal life. Follow through in the book of Acts each time this sequence is mentioned, and it is impossible to miss the importance* *of this. The 7 Unities mentioned here in the passage we are considering can't be underestimated in importance. *13. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (12-24) HOLY SPIRIT: CAN BE QUENCHED. ?Quench not the Spirit.? *As we carefully read the biography of ?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb, we find a number of times during his lifetime when he quenched the Spirit. Disobedience is the chief culprit. Unforgiveness is another. Jesus said, *?For if you forgive not men their trespasses - neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses!? *The grieving takes place here. Out of the 7 requests in the Lord's Prayer for us in the Sermon on the Mount, this is the *only* one that is repeated. God knows how easily it is for us to fall short here. *14. Revelation 2:7a (1-7) HOLY SPIRIT: MUST BE LISTENED TO IN THE CHURCH. ?Who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.? *Pastor Bob Birch of Vancouver, Canada, scarcely preached a sermon, without mentioning these 7 verses in Revelation 2 and 3. He knew how important it was for each one of us to have *hearing* ears. *Meditation* in prayer over the Word, helps to tune in our hearing. Obedience is of absolute importance. Jesus said, *?He who hears* *these sayings of mine, and does them - shall be likened unto a wise man who built his house upon a rock.? *One builds on the sand otherwise, and has a terrible disaster looming up ahead. And when we * hear* the *Spirit* speaking to the churches, then we are able to discern between soul and spirit, and choose spiritual words rather than those of the soul or flesh. *CONCLUSION**:* The above selection of 14, represent the 385 total, and give a window in a small way to what the complete Word Study would totally represent. *That* is the definition. Our 14 but give a window. However, I believe it is a true window into the thinking of God. You could in turn pick out your own 14 references, and they likewise would give a valid window, but would *not* be the total definition. To thoroughly know God and His Word, requires a lifetime of praying over and meditating upon the Bible, and *then * acting upon it. This is what God through Moses commanded Joshua to do (1:8). May God bless us all, individually and corporately, as we seriously seek to be well-pleasing to Him, having a ?*personal, passionate devotion to Jesus,? *and a life of *fruitfully* doing His Word! *NOTE*: Numbers have asked to kept up to date on the progress of the Lord's leading for our Pilot Prayer Team, leading to the fulfillment of manifesting ?Spiritual Star Wars? through an ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescope.? The above Greek Word Study on ?Spirit?, is a window to see what Rees Howells in a measure experienced when he submitted himself during the Welsh Revival at the turn of the last Century - to be ?possessed? by the Holy Spirit. *This*, as reduplicated in a corporate sense in 1937, 31 years later, is a true picture of what God can do through a Team fully yielded to His Spirit. This article for the ?Word Study? section of our Website, will shortly be followed by one on the ?History, Vision and Development? of this concept. We received a request from ?Prayer Canada? and its founder and president to simply and clearly lay out how other Prayer Teams can have God lift them to Higher Ground - and so walk in this concept. Our Seattle area Team went through the first 3 of the above 14 points on Saturday December 5, and then spent our time in prayer for this Canadian request, and how to write a suitable answer to their request. Later we discovered that a Prayer Team north of Minneapolis prayed that God would do something on Monday December 7th, to offset what happened on that date in 1941, ?A Day of Infamy? according to our President. Hopefully - the article given by the Lord on that day - will answer both the Canadian request, and the prayer from Minnesota. - J.A.W. *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 Dec 12 10:36:11 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 12 Dec 2009 10:36:11 -0800 Subject: Elevating Prayer Teams Message-ID: <625d7240912121036g17413b7cya00b2fce5c8c2a94@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 12, 2009 * *?ACTIVATING PILOT PRAYER TEAMS? For Spiritual Star Wars* *- HISTORY - VISION - DEVELOPMENT - December 7, 2009* *Lord, Lift us up, and let us stand,* *By faith on Heaven's Table-land.* *A higher plain that we have found,* *Lord, plant our feet on higher ground!* *We held our second ?Pilot Prayer Team? meeting in November, and mailed out its #2 Report early this month. On Thursday of last week I received a call from ?Prayer Canada? through Arnie Bryan, its Founder and present leader. Its goal: to lift the scores and hundreds of City and Village Hall prayer meetings throughout the Dominion of Canada from their present good status of praying for the leaders above them - to the higher status of ?Spiritual Star Wars?. Arnie asked if I would write out the ?History. Vision and Development? for this. We met here in the Seattle area last Saturday for our 3rd Pilot Prayer Team meeting, and made this request the main basis for our prayers. What follows we hope and trust can be used by any present prayer team for whatever purpose, to lift them to this higher level as illustrated by the above chorus.* *HISTORY & VISION* *A. 1933-37 - G. R. Gordon - my step grandfather. For these years during the Great Depression, he came out monthly to the farm he was leasing to us East of Langley, BC, at Murrayville. Each month for 48 months he left a ?Lily Series? booklet of 32 pages on the farm, recounting the conversion story of someone in England. I read each of them, and not meeting any in my denomination who seemed to have this type of experience, I determined to go to England when old enough and receive this transforming experience in Christ.* *B. 1942. While attending UBC (University of British Columbia) in the field of Commerce, I received a definite call to the ministry, though I did not yet know God. Then that Fall, as I was reading Psalm 107:23-24, God spoke by His Spirit as clearly as He ever has since. He said, ?If you join the Navy, I will reveal Myself to you.? At the end of the 1942-43 session, in June I joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a Volunteer Seaman/Bandsman. Within 9 months at Passover, 1944, God revealed Himself to me as I was reading the book of Romans.* *During that Spring, I read J. Edwin Orr's book on ?Times of Refreshing?. It told of the author's trip as a young man in the 30's across Canada, and his prophetic word of a national revival that one day would come to this dominion, featuring Victoria in a special way. Victoria was my spiritual Bethlehem as it were, the scene of a tremendous revival among the Chinese through Dr. Charles S. Price, and more yet to come.* *I dedicated myself then and there to be available to God in any way to see this vision by Dr. Orr come to pass. * *C. 1945. I was now stationed in HMCS Cornwallis, Digby, Nova Scotia as the European War closed, and soon that of Japan also. If one had either a School or Job to go to, discharge could be obtained right away. Otherwise, an extra year in the service. I fasted and prayed all one night in August in the Ship's Laundry, to find a word from God. At 5:00 AM he showed me a vision that needed to be righted. As soon as I promised to make it right, immediately the Spirit said, ?Write George R. Hawtin, Bethel Bible Institute, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and apply as a student. No address. I did so, and shortly received application papers. Shortly after I had filled them out and sent them in, I received notification that I had been received. I applied to my Captain, who granted my request to be discharged in Victoria. Shortly following a visit to my parents in Port Alberni, I traveled to Saskatoon, and arrived at the School 2 hours before registration closed, and saved a $5.00 late registration fee! Good for a Scotsman!* *D. 1948. BBI moved to North Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1947, and in February 11, 1948, the now World famous Visitation took place, restoring so many dormant early church practices. Because of my good relationship with the Hawtins, I was asked to serve as one of the 7 elders at the Summer Camp Meeting that year.* *In June of that year, Marie Gaudet, who went through the Alberni District High School with me 1937-41, and who is now my wife, moved on her way into God by reading the Bible hours every day. God led us both to enter the covenant of marriage on December 27, 1948 in Port Alberni, BC. ?The Marriage Covenant? by Derek Prince shows how covenant is the glue that holds marriages together, ours for 61 years this month.* *E. 1967. Marie asked me for the wisdom behind God's request to have us marry. Like Isaac I sought the face of the Lord for His answer for her. He showed me two visions. One was the ?Automated Laser Telescope? that appears in the National Geographic later on in 1984, March issue I believe. He showed that ?Bible Numerics? of Ivan Panin was one of the 7 integral components of this instrument. The ?City Church concept? was another. When the 7 parts were placed together, the Observatory Head invited me to look and see. Never had I imagined a view of the heavens like I saw. But then a blinding flash came out of this instrument and removed a black place in the heavens, which I knew represented the principalities and powers of Satan over that city, that God had just removed. * *Then a second vision followed: Marie and I were in a large parade square with 3 generals in front of us, one the same as the former Observatory Head. He came to us and told us that we were about to enter into a new type of ministry. Behind us were 70 elders, and behind them 490 soldiers, representing together 70 teams of 8. We were told that because they had been successful, they would now move out through the other armies to our left, and train them to operate successfully in removing principalities and powers over their respective cities. ?Two Are Better than One? is the name God gave us for Marie and myself for our Ministry. We understood that the above 2 visions would be activated because of our obedience in marrying under covenant basis.* *F. l974. Providentially Marie and I met Dr. David Yonggi Cho of Seoul, S. Korea, while flying to Toronto.* *God sovereignly revealed who he was ahead of us while flying over Winnipeg. At Marie's suggestion, I approached him and asked if he remembered the unusual prophecy he gave for Canada October 31, 1975 in Kelowna, BC. He assured me he did, and that it was closer to fulfillment then, than previously. He gave a similar word in Toronto in 1979, and when in the Halifax area in 1984, referred to our meeting in the air, and confirmed his word for Canada from 1975, adding to it.* *G. 1985. God confirmed the vision of 1967 with the Automated Laser-Telescope, and directed me downstairs to find the 1984 National Geographic explaining the workings of this instrument. He also said, ?Call it 'Spiritual Star Wars'?. * *This same year God opened to me the secret of sound ?dream? and ?vision? interpretation. He gave me a ?destiny? dream to confirm this. Yet, almost all dream books of that day were tinctured with occultic overtones of Carl Jung. However, 2 Australian brothers recognized the same problem, and came out with a new book on this. A brother from Cloverdale BC, while I was speaking in Aldergrove on the Day of Pentecost this year, presented me with a copy of ?The Divinity Code - The Keys to Decoding your Dreams and Visions? by Adrian Beale and Adam F. Thompson. These 2 brothers recognized this problem and lack, and spent 4 years producing a text true to the Bible and Evangelical thought. I highly recommend this text. (See www.thedivinitycode.org) * *H. 1992. God gave me a vision in Jerusalem at the Zion Gate on Pentecost Sunday, which also fell on Shavuot, the Lunar day for the same holiday, plus the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Jerusalem to Israel. Never again will these 3 events fall on the same day, as they did this June 6th. Then in July of that year, He said that the 1948 Torch of the North Battleford Visitation was being passed on to me. I was to take it and bring to maturity the 12 Embryonic Revival Principles, and that they would be parameters of safety for the last great Visitation just prior to the return of His Son.* *I. 1994. Emile Abadir from Cairo, Egypt, gave a word over me that none but God and I were aware of, for it was a confirmation. These were fulfilled on July 1st 1995 at Whistler BC. David Demian, Pastor Bob Birch's appointed successor to ?Watchmen of the Nations?, led in this Conference of 37 nations that came together for a unifying purpose. Freda Cooper, granddaughter of the great Coast Salish chieftain, led in leading some 20 tribes of her 1stNations People, and making themselves right with God, and then receiving from Canada, Great Britain and the US, apologies and requests for forgiveness for past sins against them by these people. David Mainse of 100 Huntley Street, Toronto, said that this day was the outstanding day he had taken part in at any time. God was present! I along with Pastor Bob Birch and Dr. John White, at the invitation of David Demian, served as fathers and advisors to him during this period.* *July 1, 1995 was the 128th Anniversary of Canada becoming an independent member of the British Commonwealth of nations - which is 2 to the 7th power! * *J. 2008. Just before I went to Abbotsford BC for meetings with David Rathnam, I received a word from the Lord. ?What I gave you at the request of your wife in 1967, and confirmed in 1985, I am about to activate.? In the light of this, I called a Pilot Prayer Team meeting this Fall, of which we have just completed the 3rd, The response we have received from Canada on Thursday, could link what they have laid the foundation for in City Halls, and what God is about to activate now, into a new type of union. Pray for a successful union of these two visions, and that Canada is about to reap the unusual prophecies Pastor Cho started to give nearly 35 years ago. * *DEVELOPMENT* *A. The Interlinear Greek New Testament, and the Greek Word Studies, based primarily upon the two Bible Numeric NT Greek and English Texts prepared by Russian Ivan Panin over a period of 50 intense years of some 100,000 hours. See our Website for some preliminary postings of these works. This was the first component God revealed to make the ?Spiritual Star Wars? operate through the Automated Laser-Telescope.* *B. The City Church Concept, that He revealed would act as the Pedestal to support A. above. John Dawson and Watchman Nee are but two who delve into this concept. Roland Alan, Anglican from England, did much research on this, and tested it satisfactorily in China and Africa.* *C. The 12 Embryonic Revival Principles that came together in 1948 in North Battleford. These are laid out also in our Website under ?Embryonics?. C.1. - the 5-fold Ministries of Ephesians 4:11-12. Russ and Bonnie Snyder's book, ?Are These The Missing Pieces? - To Sustaining a Move of God? published this year, and available through ?Rusbon Resources?, is one of the clearest and simplest explanations on these 5 equipping ministries that I have come across. I believe this book will be a key in helping hungry groups see the Spiritual Star Wars concept realized. It is true that no revival is entirely pure, and this is true for the '48 Visitation. Through Dr. John Roddam of St. Luke's Episcopal Church of Seattle, he has interviewed Marie and myself and produced 10 thirty minute segments on the pros and cons of this visitation. It will pay you to procure this, and see this helpful Plumbline. Go to Stuart Spani's ?Norlynn Audio Visual Services, and look for ?The Fire Continues - 60 Years Later? Jim & Marie Watt; I believe it is listed under ?Biographies?. The Second Embryonic Principle is ?Simeon: The Gift of the Holy Spirit?; look at the fourth point, ?The Importance of the Gift of the Holy Spirit in the light of the Greek Word ?do-reA?. Here we find the wonderful lessons of Jesus to the Woman of Samaria in John 4:1-42. Two of these lessons came with power to us Saturday, December 5th for the third meeting of our Pilot Prayer Team. Jesus said to her in the 10th verse: ?If you knew the gift of :God, and who it is says to you, Give me to drink; you would have asked of him, and he would have given You living water.? So manypeople are still thirsty, because they have not drank of this living water, which takes place after coming into an encounter with and knowing the ?gift of God? and the Giver of that gift. These are the words of Jesus. We specifically prayed that all of the individuals involved in these 2-300 meetings in Canada, would have a fresh life-changing encounter with Jesus, and come into a fresh revelation of ?knowing him?. The next point that strongly registered on one of the brothers was thay this well that Jesus said we are supposed to be is an artesian well! A well that once the layer of rock is penetrated, produces an endless supply of fresh water flowing continually. We also prayed that all the individuals in ?Prayer Canada? would immediately become artesian wells of God. This means being wells of the life of God, his will, mind, authority, love and power, for Him to act through us.* *C.2. Dreams - through ?Joseph? - found under ?Embryonics? on our Website. The Dream book by the 2 Australian brothers I believe is also a vital key to help bring into operation this vision and concept. See ?G? above under ?History and Vision.?* *D. Prayer Multiplication. God gave Marie and myself Deuteronomy 32:30 as the first verse for our ?Two Are Better than One? Ministries following our marriage in 1948. (The year Israel became a nation after 1900 years, and in June 6 of 1967 received Jerusalem back as her capital, though contested strongly by her neighbors, the United Nations, and most every other world nation, just as the Bible prophesied would happen!) Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - Two Are Better than One - for they shall receive a good reward for their labor. And Matthew 18:19 - if any two of you shall agree - symphonize - then! And finally Zechariah 12:8 - ?In that day shall Jehovah defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David (10,000 fold) - and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of Jehovah (the pre-incarnate Christ) before them? - that would be one million-fold; two, 10 million - 4 couples, a billion-fold. And of course we know that the Gentiles have been grafted into Israel, and we can press in and realize these same blessings. This truth is indeed an integral key among the 7 component parts of this instrument.* *E. Meditation! Joshua 1:8 and Psalm 1 show the power of Bible Meditation, and praying over the Word of God. George Muller's first 10 years of his conversion were like a yo-yo - up and down. But then through George Whitfield he learned the secret of meditation, and the amazing life and orphanage of George Muller vindicates beyond doubt the tremendous power and effectiveness of Bible meditation.* *F. Possession by the Holy Spirit - Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb. Not one of these 7 component parts can be missing for a successful demonstration of Spiritual Star Wars, and the Pilot Prayer Team Concept. Individual Possession - and then Corporate Possession of the small prayer Group is an absolute essential.* *G. Personal, Passionate Devotion to the Lord Jesus - Oswald Chambers - ?My Utmost for His Highest.? * *The Holy Spirit always exalts the Lord Jesus high for our lives, both individually and corporately. As we maintain this posture, we will not fail to see, along with the above 6 component parts - a successful demonstration of the power of Spiritual Star Wars.* *POWER TO CREATE THE LASER EFFECT* *1. Prayer Multiplication, Matt. 18:19; Zech. 8:12; Josh. 2:5; Ex. 24:4, 9-11* *2. LOgos to REma, Joshua 1:8, through Meditation* *3. Dreams and Visions, Luke 1:37-38; Urim & Thummim, Proverbs 6:20-22; Job 33:14-18* *4. Incubation, Hebrews 11:1* *5. Gift of the Spirit, Acts 1:8* *6. Presbytery, 1 Timothy 1:18; Romans 1:11; 12:6-8* *7. Laying on of Hands, Habakkuk 3:4; Hebrews 6:1-2; Mark 16:17-18* *8. Joy, Nehemiah 8:10* *9. Beatitudes, Matthew 5:1-12* * In the Automated Laser-Telescope, Atoms and Molecules are bombarded by the power of electrons. From the bombarded atoms and molecules by the above 9 power sources, spiritual ?photons? are released into the Laser Chamber, with great speed and power, until the are ejected in a straight line towards the target. An illustration depicting this process appears in the National Geographic of 1984, March or April.* *CONCLUSION: When God gives a vision, it can indeed be received by others by Bible Meditation, and asking God to make it real by transferring that which is truly from Him. We don't want to receive anything from anyone else that has not truly been given by God, and that goes for me too. Prove all things. Hold fast that which is good. God won't let you down or allow you to be led into deceit, when you have an open heart to receive only His Truth. I believe this, because I have proven it from my own mentors. God is norespecter of persons, and will do the same for you too. Our Pilot Team here will be praying for our brother in Canada, that his heart's desire will be realized for all his city-hall prayer groups, that each one will be corporately lifted up by God to Higher Ground. He will do the same for you! * * Your brother, Jim Watt* *ADDENDUM!** - One of the 2 to 300 leaders of the Canadian City Hall Prayer Groups suggested boiling down all the above into a short and simple ?Betty Crocker? Recipe Formula. Here it is:* *A SIMPLE FORMULA TO ACTIVATE ?SPIRITUAL STAR WARS?* *(THROUGH AN ORGANIC AUTOMATED 7-FOLD LASER-TELESCOPE)* *1. Ivan Panin's Interlinear Greek Bible Numeric New Testament. Go to our Website and click on ?Interlinear?; make use of our ?postings? there. God revealed in a vision that this is the Key and First of the 7 above components!* *2. ?The City Church Concept?. God sees but one church per city, with all local churches moving as one for His purposes. However, believe for a ?Remnant? of individuals from any church in each city to man ?City Halls? for prayer. This is the ?Pedestal? to uphold the Interlinear NT.* *3. The 12 Embryonic Revival Principles of 1948. Click on ?Embryonics? on our website. Believe to bring these 12 Embryonic Revival Principles to ? Maturity?. They will be parameters of safety for the last great Visitation prior to the Return of Jesus.* *4. Prayer Multiplication. Deuteronomy: 32:30; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Matthew 18:19; and especially Zechariah 12:8. Each City Hall Prayer Group should claim that 2 will start out driving 10,000 to flight; but go on to Zechariah 12:8 and believe for each couple to drive 10 million; and 4 couples 1 billion! Why not?* *5. Meditation. As George Muller used this from George Whitefield; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; and Psalm 19:14 - Let us learn this amazing Spiritual Secret!* *6. Possessed by the Holy Spirit. As Rees Howells experienced this with a team of 120 and defeated Hitler in World War II, let us multiply this effectively with 200 to 300 teams!* *7. Personal, Passionate Devotion to Jesus as Oswald Chambers experienced and laid out in ?My Utmost for His Highest?.* *CONCLUSION: The above 7 principles represent the 7 Component parts of God's Vision for ?Spiritual Star Wars.? Each City Hall Prayer Group across Canada should claim to become this ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescope!?* *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 Dec 14 14:52:22 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:52:22 -0800 Subject: Revelation 4:1-11 Message-ID: <625d7240912141452h1bdc193cq8bcc1c17481ae9f7@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 14, 2009 * *III. REVELATION 4:1-11:19* ?*MYSTERY JUDGMENTS UNVEILED BY THE LAMB?* *A. 4:1-8 HEAVENLY VISION OF THRONE, ELDERS AND LIVING BEINGS* *a. 4:1 HEAVEN'S PORTAL FOR JOHN* MeTA TAUta EIdon, kai iDOU, THUra [2374] *e*-ne-*o*gMEn*e* [455] en t*o*ou-raN *O* [3772], *After these things I saw, and lo, a door opened in the heaven,* kai h*e* ph*o*N*E* [5456] h*e* PR*O*t*e* h*e*n *E*kou-sa, *and the first :voice that I heard, * h*o*s SALpig-gos [4536] laLOUs*e*s met' eMOU, LEg*o*n, A-NAba [305] H*O*de, *as a trump speaking with me, one saying, Come up here,* kai DEIx*o* [1136] soi ha dei geNESthai [1096]. *and I will show you what things must come to pass.* *b. 4:2-3 JOHN TRANSPORTED BEFORE HEAVEN'S THRONE* meTA TAUta euTHE*o*s e-geNOm*e*n [1096] en PNEUma-ti [4151]: *After these things I was straightway in the Spirit:* kai iDOU, THROnos [2362] Ekei-to en t*o* ou-raN*O*, *and lo, a throne was set in the heaven,* kai ePI ton THROnon kaTH*E*me-nos [2521]; *and one sitting upon the throne;* kai ho kaTH*E*me-nos HOmoi-os hoRAsei [3706] LIth*o* [3037] iAspi-di [2393]kai sarDI *o* [4555]: *3 and who sat was to look upon like a jasper stone and a sardius:* kai Iris kuKLOthen [2943] tou THROnou, HOmoi-os hoRAsei [3664] sma-ragDIn*o* [3706] . *and a rainbow round the throne, like an emerald to look upon. * *c. 4:4 THE FOUR AND TWENTY ELDERS* kai kuKLOthen tou THROnou THROnoi EIko-si TESsa-res: *And round the throne four and twenty thrones:* kai ePI tous THROnous EIko-si TESsa-ras pres-buTErous [4245] ka-th*e*MEnous, *and upon the thrones I saw four and twenty elders sitting, * pe-ri-be-bl*e*MEnous [4016] hi-maTIois [2440] leuKOIS [3022]; *arrayed in white garments;* kai ePI tas ke-phaLAS [2776] auT*O*N stePHAnous [4735] chruSOUS [5552]. *and upon their :heads golden crowns.* *d. 4:5a THE THRONE: EMITS LIGHTNINGS, VOICES AND THUNDERS* kai ek tou THROnou ek-poREUontai [1607] a-straPAI [796] kai ph*o*NAI [5456]kai bronTAI [1027]. *And out of the throne proceed lightnings and voices and thunders.* *e. 4:5b-6 SEVEN LAMPS AND FOUR LIVING BEINGS* kai hepTA lamPAdes [2985] puROS [4442] kaiOme-nai eN*O*pi-on tou THROnou, *And seven lamps of fire were burning before the throne,* HAI ei-sin ta hepTA PNEUma-ta tou TheOU; *which are the seven Spirits of :God;* kai eN*O*pi-on tou THROnou [2362], h*o*s THAlas-sa [2281] hu-aLIn*e* [5193]hoMOIa kruSTALl *o* [2930]; *6 and before the throne as if a glassy sea like crystal;* kai en MEs*o* tou THROnou, kai KUkl*o* tou THROnou, *and midst the throne, and round the throne,* TESse-ra Z*O*a [2226] GEmon-ta [1073] oph-thalM*O*N [3788] EMpros-then kai Opis-then. *four living beings full of eyes before and behind.* *f. 4:7 THE CHARACTERIZATION OF THE FOUR LIVING BEINGS* kai to Z*O*on to PR*O*ton HOmoi-on LEon-ti [3023], *And the first :living being was like a lion,* kai to DEUte-ron Z*O*on HOmoi-on MOSch*o* [3448], *and the second living being like a calf,* kai to TRIton Z*O*on [2226] Ech*o*n to PROs*o*-pon [4383] h*o*s anTHR*O*pou [444], *and the third living being had a face as of a man,* kai to TEtar-ton Z*O*on HOmoi-on a-eT*O* [105] te-toMEn*o* [4072]. *and the fourth living being was like a flying eagle.* *g. 4:8 THE WINGS, EYES AND WORDS OF THE FOUR LIVING BEINGS* kai ta TESse-ra Z*O*a hen kath' hen auT*O*N Ech*o*n aNA PTEru-gas [4420]hex, *And the four living beings having each one of them six wings,* kuKLOthen kai Es*o*-then GEmou-sin [1073] oph-thalM*O*N [3788]; *are full of eyes around and within:* kai aNApau-sin [372] ouk Echou-sin h*e*MEras kai nukTOS, LEgon-tes, *and they have no rest day and night, saying,* HAgi-os [40], HAgi-os, HAgi-os, KUri-os ho TheOS, ho pan-toKRAt*o*r [3841], *Holy, holy, holy, Lord: God, :Almighty,* ho *e*n kai ho *o*n kai ho erCHOme-nos. *who was and who is and who is coming.* *B. 4:9-11 THE DUTIES OF THE TWENTY-FOUR ELDERS* Kai HOtan D*O*sou-sin [1325] ta Z*O*a [2226] DOxan [1391] kai tiM*E*N [5092] *And whenever the living beings shall give glory and honor* kai en-cha-riSTIan [2169] t*o* ka-th*e*MEn*o* ePI tou THROnou, *and thanks to him that sits on the throne,* t*o* Z*O*Nti eis tous ai*O*nas t*o*n ai*O*n*o*n, *to him that lives unto the ages of the ages,* peSOUNtai [4098] hoi EIko-si TESsa-res presBUte-roi [4245] eN*O*pi-on *10 the twenty-four elders shall fall down before him* tou ka-th*e*MEnou ePI tou THROnou, *that sits on the throne,* kai pro-skuN*E*sou-sin [4352] t*o* Z*O*N ti eis tous ai*O*nas t*o*n ai*O*n*o *n, *and shall worship him that lives unto the ages of the ages,* kai baLOUsin [906] tous stePHAnous [4735] auT*O*N eN*O*pi-on tou THROnou, LEgon-tes, *and shall cast their :crowns before the throne, saying,* Axi-os [514] ei, ho KUri-os kai ho TheOS h*e*M*O*N, *11 Worthy are you, our :Lord and :God,* laBEIN [2983] t*e*n DOxan kai t*e*n tiM*E*N kai t*e*n DUna-min [1411]: *to receive the glory and the honor and the power:* HOti su EKti-sas [2936] ta PANta, *because you did create :all things,* kai diA to THEl*e*MA [2307] sou *E*san, kai ekTISth*e*-san [2936]. *and because of your :will they were, and were created. * *NOTE**: *During our first ?Pilot Prayer Team? meeting on October 31st, this word ?portal? or ?door? for ?THUra? came to us. It was because of a vision from the preceding night in Moses Lake. God came down to reveal His word in a special way from heaven. However, in Revelation 4:1, the Lord is inviting John to come up through this door or portal, to receive the revelation given to Him concerning things to come, which He signified to John through His angel. We all need to be sensitive to the unseen world in which God and His angels and saints dwell. To read H. A. Baker's ?Visions Beyond the Veil?, is to become very much aware of the reality of this unseen world. As we follow the principles of ?meditation? as revealed in Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3 and Psalm 19:14, this world can open to us, and the door between the two worlds can become clear. God indicated in September of 2008 that He was about to ?activate? the vision of ?Spiritual Star Wars? through the ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescope? that He gave in answer to prayer in 1967, and confirmed in 1985. He followed this vision up with a second, revealing 70 Pilot Prayer Teams of 8 individuals for 70 major cities in Canada, and 70 in the US. There are now some 2-300 prayer teams in Canadian ?City and Village Halls? throughout the Dominion. To activate the above 2 visions on behalf of these 2-300 prayer groups, and see God ?plant their feet on higher ground? - is our prayer through the Pilot Prayer Team in the Seattle area that was activated October 31st of this year. We have had but 3 meetings, and already God is so activating what we are doing, that we can scarcely keep up with Him. On December 7, 68 years after Pearl Harbor, God brought together clearly the 7 component parts of His ?Automated Laser-Telescope?. Then we learned from a prayer group in Minnesota, that they had claimed that what happened as a Day of Infamy December 7, 1941, would be compensated for by a spiritual breakthrough this same date this year. We believe that the revelation of the 7 component parts of His ?Organic Automated Laser-Telescope? is an answer to their prayer. Chapter 4 of the Book of Revelation is a key chapter to open up our understanding of the full Revelation given to our Lord Jesus on our behalf. Years ago John Wesley despaired of every understanding this book, until he read the works of the ?great Bengel?. Recently Dr. Daniel Juster, a Messianic Jewish Leader and Theologian, felt the same as John Wesley in his early days. Since the early 1990's - he and Mike Bickle have been presenting the ?One New Man? - through these two movements - on the basis of ?Covenant? understanding. While Dr. Juster was meditating recently, God drew near, and said He was about to open to him the 7-fold key to understand the Book of Revelation. Understand the first Passover in Egypt under Moses, and the subsequent crossing of the Red Sea, and here you will find the 7-fold Key to understand this Revelation. Turn to our Website (*www.2rbetter.org* ), and click on ?Interlinear?. - Then click on the notes under the 5 sections of Revelation 1-3, which give an introductory understanding of Dr. Daniel Juster's 7-fold Key. 1. *Preparation for God's people* - Revelation 2-3 - Letters to the 7 churches! Jesus words to these 7 churches only are a help to those who have ears to hear what His Spirit is saying to these seven churches. These words will prepare God's people for His Revelation to follow. Just as Joseph protected Israel in Egypt while he was alive. 2. *God's People Protected*! Just as God protected Israel in *Goshen* from the plague of ?flies? to the end of the plagues, so He will raise up *little Goshens* for His people in these last days. See Revelation 4;7; 10-11 3. *Plagues - on World-wide Egypt* - a picture of our world - world-wide - Revelation 5-6; 8-9; 15-18 4. *Antichrist - the Last-day Pharaoh!* - Revelation 12-13 5. * Exodus through the Glory-cloud* - Revelation 14:14-16 - for us - just as God delivered Israel through the Red Sea by Moses, a picture of Christ, and His rescue of His people through this supernatural way. 6. *Antichrist - drowned in the wrath of God* - 19:11-21-20:3; 2l-22, just as Pharaoh and his hosts were drowned in the Red Sea. 7. *Entrance into the Promised Land* - 19:;1-10; 20:4; 21-22; just as God through Moses, and then Joshua (another type of Christ) drove out the 7 Canaanite nations, and planted Israel there according to His faithful promise. IHOP at Kansas City has both CD and DVD copies of this unusual prophetic teaching. - J.A.W. *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 Dec 16 19:23:18 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:23:18 -0800 Subject: Hebrews 2:5-18 Message-ID: <625d7240912161923w213222cbn1eaf065cea92336c@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 16, 2009 * *B. HEBREWS 2:5-18 CONTRAST BETWEEN JESUS AND ANGELS* *a. 2:5 ANGELS: WHAT NOT THEIR COMMISSION* Ou gar agGElois [32] huPEta-xen [5293] t*e*n oi-kouMEn*e*n [3625] t*e*n MELlou-san [3195], *For not to angels did he subject the inhabited earth to come,* peRI h*e*s laLOUmen. *of which we speak.* *b. 2:6-8a JESUS: THE FATHER'S COMMISSION TO HIS SON* di-e-marTUra-to [1263] de POU tis, LEg*o*n, *But one has somewhere testified, saying,* TI es-tin ANthr*o*-pos, HOti mimN*E*sk*e* [3403] auTOU? *What is man, that you remember him?* *e* huiOS anTHR*O*pou, HOti e-piSKEPt*e* [1980] auTON? *Or the son of man, that you visit him?* *e*LATt*o*-sas [1642] auTON braCHU [1024] ti par' agGElous; 7 You made him a little lower than angels; DOx*e* [1391] kai tiM*E* [5092] e-stePHAn*o*-sas [4737] auTON, *You crowned him with glory and honor,* kai kaTEst*e*-sas [2525] auTON ePI ta ERga t*o*n cheiR*O*N sou: *And did set him over the works of your :hands:* PANta huPEta-xas [5293] hu-poKAt*o* [5270] t*o*n poD*O*N [4228] auTOU. *8a You did subject :all things under his feet.* *c. 2:8b JESUS: THE EXTENT OF HIS COMMISSION* en t*o* gar hu-poTAxai [5293] auT*O* ta PANta, *For in that he subjected :all things to him,* ouDEN aPH*E*ken [863] auT*O* a-nuPOtak-ton [506]. *he left nothing not subject to him.* *d. 2:8c JESUS: UNDERSTAND GOD'S FULL TIMING FOR HIM* nun de OUp*o* hoR*O*men [3708] auT*O* to PANta hu-po-te-tagMEna [5293]. *But now we see not yet all things subjected to him.* *e. 2:9 JESUS: HIS PURPOSE IN BECOMING MAN* ton de braCHU [1024] ti par' agGElous *e*-lat-t*o*MEnon [1642] BLEpo-men [991], 'I*e*SOUN, *But we behold him who has been made a little lower than angels, Jesus,* diA to PAth*e*-ma [3804] tou thaNAtou [2288] DOx*e* kai tiM*E* es-te-pha-n*o *MEnon [4737], *because of the suffering of :death crowned with glory and honor, * HOp*o*s CHAri-ti TheOU huPER panTOS GEUs*e*-tai [1089] thaNAtou [2288]. *that by God's grace he should taste of death for every one.* *f. 2:10 JESUS: HIS UNUSUAL GOAL* Epre-pen [4241] gar auT*O*, di' hon ta PANta, *For it became him, for whom are :all things, * kai di' hou ta PANta, polLOUS huiOUS eis DOxan a-gaGONta [71], *and through whom are :all things, in bringing many sons unto glory,* ton ar-ch*e*GON [747] t*e*s s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991] auT*O*N diA pa-th*e*MAt*o*n [3804] te-lei*O*sai [5048]. *to perfect the author of their :salvation through sufferings.* *g. 2:11-12 JESUS: HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHURCH* HO te gar ha-giAz*o*n [37] kai hoi ha-gi-aZOme-noi [37] ex heNOS PANtes: *For both the sanctifier and sanctified are all of one:* di' h*e*n aiTIan [156] ouk e-paiSCHUne-tai [1870] a-delPHOUS auTOUS kaLEIN, *for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, * LEg*o*n, A-pag-geL*O* [518] to OnoMA [3686] sou tois a-delPHOIS mou, *12 saying, I will declare your :name to my :brethren,* en MEs*o* ek-kl*e*SIas [1577] humN*E*s*o* [5214] se. *In midst of the church will I sing your praise.* *h. 2:13a JESUS: HIS RELATIONSHIP TO THE FATHER * kai PAlin, E-G*O* Eso-mai pe-poiTH*O*S [3982] ep' auT*O*. *And again, I will be trusting in him.* *i. 2:13b JESUS: GOD'S ELECTION OF US FOR HIM* kai PAlin, I-DOU, eG*O* kai to paiDIa [3813] ha moi Ed*o*-ken [1325] ho TheOS. *And again, Lo, I and the little children whom :God has given me.* *j. 2:14-15 JESUS: AS SON OF MAN - REDEEMED MAN* ePEI oun ta paiDIa ke-koiN*O*n*e*-ken [2841] HAIma-tos [129] kai sarKOS [4561], *Since then the little children are sharers in blood and flesh,* kai auTOS pa-ra-pliSI*o*s [3898] meTESchen [3348] t*o*n auT*O*N; *himself also in like manner partook of the same;* HIna diA tou thaNAtou ka-tarG*E*s*e* [2673] *that through :death he might bring to naught* ton to KRAtos [2904] Echon-ta tou thaNAton, tout' ESti, ton diAbo-lon [1228] ; *him that had the power of :death, that is, the devil;* kai a-palLAx*e* [525] TOUtous HOsoi PHOb*o* [5401] thaNAtou *15 and might deliver all these who from fear of death* diA panTOS tou z*e*n [2198] Eno-choi [1777] *E*san douLEIas [1397]. *were all their :lifetime subject to bondage.* *k. 2:16 JESUS: HIS HELP IS TO US - NOT ANGELS* ou gar D*E* pou agGEl*o*n e-pi-lamBAne-tai [1949], *For truly not to angels does he give help, * alLA SPERma-tos [4690] A-braAM e-pi-lamBAne-tai [1949]. *but he gives help to the seed of Abraham.* *l. 2:17 JESUS: AS SON OF MAN - COULD BE OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST* HOthen *O*phei-len [3784] kaTA PANta tois a-delPHOIS ho-moi-*o*TH*E*nai [3666], *Whence it behooved him in all things to be made like his brethren,* HIna e-le*E*m*o*n [1655] GEn*e*-tai kai piSTOS [4103] ar-chi-eREUS [749] *that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest* to pros ton TheON, *in the things pertaining to :God, * eis to hiLAskes-thai [2433] tas ha-marTIas [266] tou laOU. *to make propitiation for the sins of the people.* *m. 2:18 JESUS: HIS IDENTIFICATION WITH US ENABLES HIM TO FREE US* en h*o* gar PEpon-then [3958] auTOS pei-rasTHEIS [3985], *For wherein himself has suffered being tempted, * DUna-tai [1410] tois pei-ra-zoMEnois [3985] bo-*e*TH*E*sai [997]. *he is able to help those being tempted.* *NOTE**: *2:5-9 - See the contrast here between men and angels. And according to Philippians 2, Jesus humbled himself and lived on our level below angels, so that through ?Identification?, He might through His death, resurrection and ascension, lift us to His former level - above angels. That is why in the end we stand with Jesus in the ?One New Man? to judge angels. So if this is so - and it is - then we should not turn church matters requiring judgment over to secular courts. How dishonoring to God's ways - and how carnal on our part. 2:8c - Jesus is still waiting for His Father to make His enemies His footstool. The *timing* of all of God's events is perfect, and in His perfect time this *will* take place. 2:10 - God perfected Jesus in His humanity through suffering, so that through identification with us - His great goal would be accomplished - bringing *many sons* into glory! Nothing will stop our Lord from achieving His goal on our behalf. It is *not* salvation to give us a fire-escape to heaven. It is making us *like Himself* - true and full disciples - for God the Father's glory - so that He may say of us as He did of His only begotten Son and Job - ?Behold my beloved Son in whom I am *well* pleased. Hear and obey *Him*! It is *not* what we do for God that counts - it is what we let * Him* do through us in the great goal of conforming us to the image of His Son. He wants to boast over us as He did over Job and Jesus. 2:11-12 is a wonderful insight. Jesus in the One New Man with *Himself* as the Head - and we in the church as members of His body - are *one*! It is in *this context* that Jesus can sing to the Father through us. Psalm 22 talks of this. This is what Maria Woodworth-Etter experienced in her meetings following 1906 - that she called ?The Heavenly Choir.? This is what God restored to the church in October 1948 in Edmonton, Canada. In 2:14-15 Jesus shares our humanity, that as son of man He would destroy the works of the devil over the human race through Adam's sin. As through one man - Adam - sin entered the world; - so through one man, Jesus Christ - that heritage of sin was broken, and a new heritage entered the human race - namely the ?Promise of the Father?, the ?Gift (do-reA) of the Holy Spirit?. The Holy Spirit possessed Jesus in His 33 years on earth. Now because of His Atonement, the Father through Christ Jesus now gives us the same heritage Jesus had on earth. Can we see the potential in this? Individual leaders throughout church history have seen the potential in this, met the conditions, and paid the price. Men like George Muller, Oswald Chamber and Rees Howells understood this, and with their followers came into this extraordinary privilege. But God is no respecter of persons. You and I today have the same privilege. The conditions and the sacrifice on our part is unchanged. Therefore let us exhort one another to enter in. Let us delight the heart of God and Jesus - by letting Him bring us as the many sons into glory! And let us not fail. For 2:18 assures us that Jesus by partaking of our full humanity - yet apart from sin (God being His Father, Adam's sin did * not* enter Jesus' blood!). He was tempted in all points like as we, but at no point did he *ever* yield to temptation. Yield not to temptation - for * yielding* is sin. It is no sin to be tempted - we all experience that, including Jesus. Therefore He understands what we go through, and as a faithful High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, can see us through our fiery trials! The Holy Spirit - Christ's heredity - possessing us - is well able to see the Lord's purposes through us come to pass! Amen, and Amen! - J.A.W. *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 Dec 19 16:30:45 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 16:30:45 -0800 Subject: Corrie Ten Boom Message-ID: <625d7240912191630g50521fa5r35e86afda791669b@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 19, 2009 * *TIME OF TRIBULATION - Corrie Ten Boom* *This letter was written by Corrie Ten Boom, a Nazi Concentration Camp survivor, and lifelong missionary - in 1974. (forwarded by < prophetic at revivalschool.com>)* The world is deathly ill. It is dying. The Great Physician has already signed the death certificate. Yet there is still a great work for Christians to do. They are to be streams of living water, channels of mercy to those who are still in the world. It is possible for them to do this because they are overcomers. Christians are ambassadors for Christ. They are representatives from Heaven to this dying world. And because of our presence here, things will change. My sister, Betsy, and I were in the Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck because we committed the crime of loving Jews. Seven hundred of us from Holland, France, Russia, Poland and Belgium were herded into a room built for two hundred. As far as I knew, Betsy and I were the only two representatives of Heaven in that room. We may have been the Lord's only representatives in that place of hatred, yet because of our presence there, things changed. Jesus said, *?In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.?* We too, are to be overcomers - bringing the light of Jesus into a world filled with darkness and hate. Sometimes I get frightened as I read the Bible, and as I look in this world and see all of the tribulation and persecution promised by the Bible coming true. Now I can tell you, though, if you too are afraid, that I have just read the last pages. I can now come to shouting, ?Hallelujah! Hallelujah!? for I have found where it is written that Jesus said, *?He that overcomes shall inherit all things: and I will be His God, and he shall be My son.?*This is the future and hope of this world. Not that the world will survive - but that we shall be overcomers in the midst of a dying world. Betsy and I, in the concentration camp, prayed that God would heal Betsy who was so weak and sick. ?Yes, the Lord will heal me,? Betsy said with confidence. She died the next day and I could not understand it. They laid her thin body on the concrete floor along with all the other corpses of the women who died that day. It was hard for me to understand, to believe that God had a purpose for all that. Yet because of Betsy's death, today I am traveling all over the world telling people about Jesus. There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution. In China, the Christians were told, ?Don't worry, before the tribulation comes you will be translated - raptured.? Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a Bishop for China say, sadly, ?We have failed. We should have made the people strong for persecution rather than telling them Jesus would come first. Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution, how to stand when the tribulation comes - to stand and not faint.? I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it. We are next. Since I have already gone through prison for Jesus' sake, and since I met the Bishop in China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think, ?Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation.? Then I write it down and learn it by heart. When I was in the concentration camp, a camp where only twenty percent of the women came out alive, we tried to cheer each other up by saying, ?Nothing could be any worse than today.? But we would find the next day was even worse. During this time a Bible verse that I had committed to memory gave me great hope and joy. *?If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you; on their part evil is spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.? (1 Peter 3:14)* I found myself saying, ?Hallelujah! Because I am suffering, Jesus is glorified!? In America, the churches sing, ?Let the congregation escape tribulation?, but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation. Several years ago I was in Africa in a nation where a new government had come into power. The first night I was there some of the Christians were commanded to come to the police station to register. When they arrived they were arrested and that same night they were executed. The next day the same thing happened with other Christians. The third day it was the same. All the Christians in the district were being systematically murdered. The fourth day I was to speak in a little church. The people came, but they were filled with fear and tension. All during the service they were looking at each other, their eyes asking, ?Will this one I am sitting beside be the next one killed? Will I be the next one?? The room was hot and stuffy with insects that came through the screenless windows and swirled around the naked bulbs over the bare wooden benches. I told them a story out of childhood. ?When I was a little girl,? I said, ?I went to my father and said, 'Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.'? ?Tell me,? said Father, ?When you take a train trip to Amsterdam, when do I give you the money for the ticket? Three weeks before?? ?No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train.? ?That is right,? my father said, ?and so it is with God's strength. Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ. He will supply all you need - just in time ...? My African friends were nodding and smiling. Suddenly a spirit of joy descended upon that church and the people began singing, ?In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore.? Later that week, half the congregation of that church was executed. I heard later that the other half was killed some months ago. But I must tell you something. I was so happy that the Lord used me to encourage these people, for unlike many of their leaders, I had the word of God. I had been to the Bible and discovered that Jesus said He had not only overcome the world, but to all those who remained faithful to the end, He would give a crown of life. How can we get ready for the persecution? First we need to feed on the word of God, digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives. Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible, it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it. In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage each other. But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting. The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian's life. Many are fearful of the coming tribulation, they want to run. I, too, am a little bit afraid when I think that after all my eighty years, including the horrible nazi concentration camp, that I might have to go through the tribulation also. But then I read the Bible and I am glad. When I am weak, then I shall be strong, the Bible says. Betsy and I were prisoners for the Lord. We were so weak, but we got power because the Holy Spirit was on us. That mighty inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit helped us through. No, you will not be strong in yourself when the tribulation comes. Rather, you will be strong in the power of Him who will not forsake you. For seventy-six years I have known the Lord Jesus and not once has He ever left me, or let me down. Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him, for I know that to all who overcome, He shall give the crown of life. Hallelujah! Corrie Ten Boom, 1974 - Permission is given to post these emails to friends or other groups, boards, etc. *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 Dec 21 16:15:12 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:15:12 -0800 Subject: Hebrews 3:1-4:16 Message-ID: <625d7240912211615x660620eeg9d74de6a70656ac9@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 21, 2009 * *C. HEBREWS 3:1-4:16 JESUS: OUR HIGH PRIEST ?PAR EXCELLENCE?* *1. 3:1-6 JESUS: THE HIGH PRIEST OF OUR CONFESSION* *a. 3:1-2 JESUS: THE HIGH PRIEST OF OUR CONFESSION * HOthan, a-delPHOI HAgi-oi, KL*E*se-*o*s ]2821] e-pou-raNIou [2032] MEto-choi [3353], *Whence, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling,* ka-ta-no*E*sa-te [2657] ton aPOsto-lon [652] kai ar-chi-eREa [748] t*e*s ho-mo-loGIas [3671] h*e*M*O*N, 'I*e*SOUN; *consider the Apostle and High Priest of our :confession, Jesus;* piSTON [4103] ONta t*o* poi*E*san-ti [4160] auTON, *2 who was faithful to him that appointed him,* h*o*s kai M*o*-uS*E*S en HOl*o* t*o* OIk*o* [3624] auTOU. *as also was Moses in all his :house.* *b. 3:3 HONOR OF JESUS SURPASSES THAT OF MOSES * PLEIo-nos gar HOUtos DOx*e*s [1391] paRA M*o*-uS*E*N *e*XI*o*-tai, *For he has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses,* kath' HOson PLEIo-na tiM*E*N [[5092] Echei tou OIkou ho ka-ta-skeuAsas [2680] auTON. *by so much as he that built the house has more honor than the house.* *c. 3:4 GOD: THE BUILDER OF ALL THINGS* pas gar OIkos ka-ta-skeuAse-tai [2680] huPO tiNOS; *For every house is built by some one;* ho de PANta ka-ta-skeuAsas TheOS. *but who built all things is God.* *d. 3:5-6 THE FAITHFULNESS OF CHRIST OVER US: GOD'S HOUSE!* kai M*o*-uS*E*S men piST*O* en HOl*o* t*o* OIk*o* auTOU h*o*s theRAp*o*n [2324], *And Moses indeed was faithful in all his :house as a servant,* eis marTUri-on [3142] t*o*n la-l*e*-th*e*-soMEn*o*n [3980]; *for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken;* ChrisTOS de h*o*s huiOS, ePI ton OIkon auTOU; *6 but Christ as a son, over his house;* hou OI-KOS es-men huMEIS, eAN t*e*n par-r*e*SIan [3954] *whose house are we, if we hold fast * kai to KAUch*e*-ma [2745] t*e*s elPIdos [1680] MECHri TElous [5056] beBAIan [949] kaTAsch*o*-men [2722]. *the boldness and the glorying of the hope firm unto the end.* *2. 3:7-4:13 JESUS: OUR JOSHUA TO LEAD US INTO SPIRITUAL CANAAN* *a. 3:7-11 REST FORFEITED THROUGH DISOBEDIENCE* Di' HO, kaTH*O*S LEgei to PNEUma to HAgi-on, *Wherefore, even as the Holy :Spirit says, * S*E*me-ron eAN t*e*s ph*o*N*E*S [5456] auTOU aKOUs*e*-te, *Today if you shall hear his :voice,* m*e* skl*e*RUn*e*-te [4645] tas karDIas huM*O*N, h*o*s en t*o*pa-ra-pi-krasM *O* [3894], *8 Harden not your :hearts, as in the provocation,* kaTA t*e*n h*e*MEran tou pei-rasMOU [3986] en t*e* eR*E*m*o* [2048], *Like as the day of the trial in the wilderness,* hou ePEIra-san [3985] hoi paTEres huM*O*N en do-ki-maSIa [1381], *9 Where your :fathers tried me by proving me,* kai EIdon ta ERga [2041] mou tes-seRAkon-ta Et*e* [2094], *And saw my :works forty years,* di' HO proS*O*CHthi-sa [4360] t*e* ge-neA [1074] TAUt*e*, *10 Wherefore I was displeased with this :generation,* kai EIpon, A-EI plaN*O*Ntai [4105] t*e* karDIa: *And said, They always err at heart:* auTOI di' ouk EGn*o*-san tas hoDOUS [3598] mou; *But THEY did not know my :ways;* h*o*s *O*mo-sa [3660] en t*e* orG*E* [3709] mou, *11 As I swore in my :wrath,* Ei ei-seLEUson-tai [1525] eis t*e*n kaTApauSIN [2663] mou. *If they shall enter into my :rest.* *b. 3:12-15 UNBELIEF: CAUSE OF DECEITFUL HARDENING* BLEpe-te, a-delPHOI, M*E* po-te EStai EN ti-ni huM*O*N *12 Look, brethren, lest by chance an evil heart of unbelief* karDIa po-n*e*RA [4190] a-piSTIas [570], en t*o* a-posST*E*nai [868] aPO TheOU Z*O*Ntos [2198]: *shall be in any one of you, in :falling away from a living God:* alLA pa-ra-kaLEIte [3870] he-auTOUS kath' heKAst*e*n h*e*MEran, *13 but exhort one another each day,* Achris hou to S*E*me-ron kaLEItai; *so long as it is called Today;* HIna m*e* skl*e*-runTH*E* [4645] tis ex huM*O*N aPAt*e* [539] t*e*s ha-marTIas: *lest any one of you be hardened by deceitfulness of :sin:* MEto-choi [3353] gar tou ChrisTOU geGOna-men, eANper *14 for we are become partakers of the Christ, if indeed* t*e*n arCH*E*N [746] t*e*s hu-poSTAse-*o*s [5287] MEchri TElous beBAIan kaTAsch*o*-men [2722]: *we hold fast the beginning of the confidence firm unto the end:* en t*o* LEges-thai, S*E*me-ron eAN t*e*s ph*o*N*E*S auTOU aKOUs*e*-te, *15 while it is said, Today if you shall hear his :voice,* m*e* skl*e*RUn*e*-te [4845] tas karDIas huM*O*N, h*o*s en t*o*pa-ra-pi-krasM *O* [3894]. *Harden not your :hearts, as in the provocation.* *c. 3:16 A WHOLE GENERATION PROVOKED GOD* TInes gar, aKOUsan-tes, pa-rePIkra-nan [3893]? *For who, when they heard, did provoke?* all', ou PANtes hoi e-xelTHONtes ex AiGUPtou diA M*o*-uSE*o*s? *no, not all that came out of Egypt by Moses?* *d. 3:17 DISPLEASURE OF GOD BROUGHT DEATH* TIsin de proS*O*CHthi-sen [4360] tes-seRAkon-ta Et*e*? *And with whom was he displeased forty years?* ouCHI tois ha-marT*E*sa-sin [264], h*o*n ta K*O*la [2966] Epe-sen en t*e* eR *E*m*o*? *not with them that sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness?* *e. 3:18 THE DISOBEDIENT: WHO FAIL TO ENTER REST* TIsin de *O*mo-sen [3660] m*e* ei-seLEUses-thai [1525] eis t*e*n kaTApau-sin [2663] auTOU, *And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his :rest,* ei m*e* tois a-peiTH*E*sa-sin [544]? *but to the disobedient?* *f. 3:19 UNBELIEF: THE BASIS OF DISOBEDIENCE* kai BLEpo-men HOti ouk *e*-duN*E*th*e*-san [1410] ei-selTHEIN di' a-piSTIan [570]. *And we see that they could not enter because of unbelief.* *g. 4:1 LEGITIMATE FEAR: REST CAN BE MISSED!* pho-b*e*TH*O*men [5399] oun, M*E* po-te, *Let us fear therefore, lest haply,* ka-ta-lei-poMEn*e*s [2641] e-pag-geLIas [1860] ei-selTHEIN eis t*e*n kaTApau-sin [2663] auTOU, *a promise being left of entering into his :rest,* doK*E* tis ex huM*O*N hus-te-r*e*KEnai [5302]. *any one of you should seem to have come short.* *h. 4:2 WORD NOT ACTED UPON BY FAITH IS PROFITLESS* kai GAR es-men eu-*e*g-ge-lisMEnoi [2097] kaTHAper ka' 'KEInoi: *For indeed we have been evangelized even as also they:* all' ouk *o*PHEl*e*-sen [5623] ho LOgos t*e*s a-ko*E*S [189] eKEInous, *but the word of :hearing did not profit them, * m*e* sun-ke-ke-rasMEnous [4786] t*e* PIstei tois aKOUsa-sin. *because they were not united by :faith with them that heard.* *i. 4:3 BELIEF: THE DOOR INTO GOD'S ETERNAL REST* Ei-serCHOme-tha gar eis t*e*n kaTApau-sin [2663] hoi piSTEUsan-tes [4100]; *For we who have believed are entering into the rest;* kaTH*O*S EIr*e*-ken, H*o*s *O*mosa [3660] en t*e* orG*E* [3709] mou, *even as he has said, As I swore in my :wrath,* Ei ei-seLEUson-tai [1525] eis t*e*n kaTApauSIN [2663] mou: *If they shall enter into my :rest:* KAItoi t*o*n ERg*o*n aPO ka-ta-boL*E*S [2602] KOSmou ge-n*e*THENt*o*n. *although the works were finished from the world's foundation.* *j. 4:4-5 THE SABBATH IS CONNECTED WITH REST* EIr*e*-ken GAR pou peRI t*e*n hebDOm*e*s HOUt*o*s, *For he has said somewhere of the seventh thus,* Kai kaTEpau-sen [2664] ho TheOS en t*e* h*e*MEra t*e* hebDOm*e* aPO PANt*o*n t*o*n ERg*o*n auTOU: *And :God rested on the seventh :day from all his :works;* kai en TOUt*o* PAlin, Ei ei-seLEUson-tai eis t*e*n kaTApauSIN mou. *5 and in this place again, They shall not enter into my :rest.* *k. 4:6-7 THE TRUE REST OF GOD IS A SET TIME * ePEI oun a-poLEIpe-tai [620] tiNAS ei-selTHEIN eis auT*E*N, *Since therefore it remains that some enter into it,* kai hoi PROte-ron eu-ag-ge-lisTHENtes ouk eiS*E*Lthon di' aPEIthei-an [543], *and the before evangelized entered not because of disobedience,* PAlin tiNA hoRIzei [3724] h*e*MEran, S*E*me-ron, *7 he again defines a certain day, Today,* en DauID LEg*o*n meTA toSOUton CHROnon (kaTH*O*S proEIr*e*-tai [4280]), *saying in David so long a time after (even as has been said before),* S*E*me-ron eAN t*e*s ph*o*N*E*S auTOU aKOUs*e*-te, *Today if you shall hear his :voice,* m*e* skl*e*RUn*e*-te [4645] tas karDIas [2588] huM*O*N. *Harden not your :hearts.* *l. 4:8 GOD'S TRUE REST IS NOT JOSHUA'S REST* ei gar auTOUS 'I*e*SOUS kaTEpau-sen [2664], *For if Joshua had given them rest,* ouk an peRI ALl*e*s eLAlei meTA TAUta h*e*MEras. *he would not have spoken afterward of another day.* *m. 4:9 GOD HAS DESIGNED A SABBATH REST FOR SAINTS* Ara a-poLEIpe-tai [620] sab-ba-tisMOS [4520] t*o* la*O* tou TheOU. *A sabbath rest remains therefore for the people of :God.* *n. 4:10 GOD'S REST GIVES REST FROM WORK* ho gar ei-selTH*O*N eis t*e*n kaTApau-sin auTOU kai auTOS kaTEpau-sen *For who is entered into :his rest has himself also rested* aPO t*o*n ERg*o*n auTOU, H*O*Sper aPO t*o*n iDI*o*n ho TheOS. *from his :work, as :God did from his :own.* *o. 4:11 DILIGENCE OVERCOMES DISOBEDIENCE IN ENTERING REST* spouDAs*o*-men [4704] oun ei-selTHEIN eis eKEIn*e*n t*e*n kaTApau-sin, *Let us therefore give diligence to enter into that :rest,* HIna m*e* en t*o* auT*O* tis hu-poDEIGma-ti [5262] PEs*e* [4098] t*e*s a-peiTHIas [543]. *that no one fall after the same example of :disobedience.* *p. 4:12 GOD'S WORD: DISCERNS MOTIVES REGARDING REST* Z*o*n [2198] gar ho LOgos [3056] tou TheOU, kai e-nerG*E*S [1756], *For living is the word of :God, and active,* kai toM*O*te-ros [5114] huPER PAsan MAchai-ran [3162] DISto-mon [1366], *and sharper than any two-edged sword,* kai di-ikNOUme-nos [1338] Achri me-riSMOU [3311] psuCH*E*S [5590] kai PNEUma-tos [4151], *and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit,* arM*O*N [719] te kai mu-eL*O*N [3452], *of both joints and marrow,* kai kri-tiKOS [2924] en-thuM*E*se-*o*n [1761] kai en-noi*O*N [1771] karDIas [2588]. *and a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart.* *q. 4:13 NO ONE ESCAPES GOD'S APPRAISAL* kai ouk EStin KTIsis [2937] a-phaN*E*S [852] eN*O*pi-on auTOU: *And there is no creature not manifest in his sight:* PANta de gumNA [1131] kai te-tra-ch*e*-lisMEna [5136] tois oph-thalMOIS [3788] auTOU *but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of him* pros hon h*e*MIN ho LOgos. *with whom we have to do.* *3. 4:14-16 JESUS OUTSHINES THE HIGH PRIEST BY HIS HEAVENLY POSITION* *a. 4:14 VERBALIZE CHRIST AS YOUR HEAVENLY HIGH PRIEST* Echon-tes oun ar-chi-eREa [749] MEgan, *Having therefore a great high priest, * di-e-l*e*-luTHOta [1330] tous ou-raNOUS, *who has passed through the heavens, * 'I*e*SOUN ton huiON tou TheOU, kraT*O*men [2902] t*e*s ho-mo-loGIas [3671]. *Jesus the Son of :God, let us hold fast the confession. * *b. 4:15 JESUS: A HIGH PRIEST UNDERSTANDING OUR TEMPTATIONS* ou gar Echo-men ar-chi-eREa m*e* duNAme-non sun-paTH*E*sai [4834] tais as-theNEIais [769] h*e*M*O*N; *For we have not a high priest that cannot sympathize with our infirmities;* pe-pei-rasMEnon [3985] de kaTA panTA kath' ho-moiOt*e*-ta [3665], ch*o*RIS ha-marTIas. *but one in all points tempted according to our likeness, without sin.* *c. 4:16 BOLDNESS IN APPROACHING THRONE BRINGS PRESENT HELP* pro-serCH*O*me-tha [4334] oun meTA par-r*e*SIas [3954] t*o* THROn*o* [2362]t *e*s CHAri-tos, *Let us therefore with boldness approach the throne of :grace,* HIna LAb*o*-men [2983] Ele-os [1656] kai CHArin [5485 HEUr*o*-men [2147] eis EUkai-ron [2121] bo*E*thei-an [996]. *that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.* *NOTE**: *3:1-6 - ?ho-mo-loGIa? - Confession! Jesus is the High Priest of our *Confessions*. This is taken from 2 Greek words which mean ?to say *the same* *word* of God after Him.? When we cease from our thoughts, and rely on *God's Word*, and say and pray His Words after Him - *then* our *confession*pleases Him, and Jesus as our High Priest at the Father's right says - ?Father - he has just confessed *our word* in faith. It is proper to realize his confession for him!? Can we see the power of thinking God's thoughts after Him, and confessing *His Word* back to Him? It is powerful! Our words and thoughts have little appeal to God - but *His Word* given back to Him in faith - has an effect in heaven! For me - this is the key thought in this sub-paragraph. But 3:7-4:13 is a close-knit reasoning which contrasts the work of Joshu leading Israel into the Promised Land, over against what Jesus does for us in the heavenly ?rest? of the New Covenant. It is a ?type? of our heavenly rest. And God through Moses shows the amazing failure through unbelief and disobedience on Israel's part. Eventually the land vomited Israel out, and led them into captivity: first the 10 northern tribes, and then 133 years later, Judah and Benjamin. So, in the Book of Hebrews - this section points out the ?rest? of Joshua as a ?type?, which was a failure under the 1st Covenant, for the Holy Spirit was not then present to empower Israel to see the Lord live out His victory through them! But - there is a *second* rest - the rest of the New Covenant in the Holy Spirit, and Hebrews 7-10 majors on this under Jesus - our great High Priest under the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews is very careful to point out the difference between a ?type? - and the antitype or fulfillment to follow. Then the type can fade away - and under the One New Man - we can see the victory of the New Covenant as exemplified by such saints as George Muller, Oswald Chambers and Rees Howells. And - it is *Jesus* - our spiritual Joshua, who leads us into the Rest of the New Covenant, where the ?law? of the Old Covenant is now written on our hearts by the Holy Spirit. This is called ?circumcision of heart?, and is dealt with by the Spirit through the apostle Paul in Colossians 2. 4:8 clearly distinguishes between the two rests, and therefore the two covenants. Have we entered into this ?Sabbath Rest?? Oswald Chambers sadly attests that few of us have. It is open and free to all - but it comes through complete death on our part through our voluntary agreement with God to go through ?Our White Funeral.? There *is* no other way to walk into this second rest. Mark 8:34; Galatians 2:20, Romans 12:1-2 - are but a few verses registering the only way to satisfy the heart of God this way. And - it is so easy for us to ?con? ourselves into believing we have made the grade - when identification with Christ in His death is yet awaiting us! See 4:12. Here we learn how God is able to let the sincere seeker rightly appraise where he *truly* stands with God. O that we might reach God like David, and hear His testimony concerning us: ?A man after God's own heart!? 3:14-16 - And here is the conclusion of this matter in this section. It is Jesus - as our Great High Priest - who is both Son of God and Son of Man, who because of the latter - understands our frame that we are but dust - and is able to identify with our weaknesses and needs - and encourage us to come *boldly* to the Throne of Grace, and in His Name see the Father *abundantly*meet our needs. But most often this is *but* in ?the Nick of Time.? And why does God - for our good - come through so often at the last minute? Because *it is* for our good. It strengthens our faith! It teaches us patience! We glorify God all the more when the answer finally comes through! Pastor Bob Birch of Vancouver, BC, was by some called the apostle of Prayer and Love for Canada. He recently died at 99, just weeks short of his 100thyear. He lived - among other truths - in Hebrews 4:12. He knew the importance of how God clearly makes this distinction for us. In our humanity we cannot do so. But in the realization of the fullness of the New Covenant through being possessed by the Holy Spirit - we *can* discern whether we are in the spirit or in the flesh. Without this distinction - we can deceive ourselves, and make declarations that are not really based on the Word! How sad - and how unnecessary. We *can* press in, and come to think God's thoughts after Him, and not live in the realm of false self-deception. - J.A.W. *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 Dec 24 12:00:58 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:00:58 -0800 Subject: Hebrews 5:1-10 Message-ID: <625d7240912241200t648b31d8n6b30d47553dd3fc0@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 24, 2009 * * * *D. HEBREWS 5:1-10 HIGH PRIESTLY MINISTRY OF JESUS AFTER MELCHIZEDEK* *a. 5:1-3 COMPASSION: REQUIREMENT FOR PRIESTS* Pas gar ar-chi-eREUS [749], ex anTHR*O*p*o*n lam-baNOme-nos, *For every high priest, being taken from men,* huPER anTHR*O*p*o*n kaTHISta-tai [2525] ta pros ton TheON, *is appointed for men in things :pertaining to :God,* HIna prosPHEr*e* [4374] D*O*-RA te kai thuSIas [2378] huPER ha-mar-ti*O*N [266]: *that he offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins:* me-tri-o-paTHEIN [3356] duNAme-nos tois ag-noOUsi [50] kai pla-n*o*MEnois [4105], *2 who can bear gently with the ignorant and erring,* ePEI kai auTOS peRIkei-tai [4029] asTHEnei-an [769]; *since himself also is surrounded with infirmity;* kai di' auT*E*N oPHEIlei [3784], kaTH*O*S peRI tou laOU, *3 and by it is bound, as for the people,* HOUt*o*s kai peRI he-auTOU, prosPHErein [4374] peRI ha-mar-ti*O*N [266]. *so also for himself, to offer for sins.* *b. 5:4 PRIESTS APPOINTED BY GOD* kai ouch he-auT*O* tis lamBAnei t*e*n tiM*E*N [5092], *And no one takes the honor unto himself,* alLA kaLOUme-nos [2563] huPO tou TheOU, kaTH*O*Sper kai AaR*O*N. *but when called of :God, even as also was Aaron.* *c. 5:5-6 CHRIST: CHOSEN BY GOD AS HIGH PRIEST* HOUt*o*s kai ho ChrisTOS ouch he-auTON eDOxa-sen [1392] ge-n*e*TH*E*nai ar-chi-eREa [749], *So :Christ also glorified not himself to become high priest,* all' ho laL*E*sas pros auTON, HuiOS mou ei su, *but who spoke unto him, You are my Son,* eG*O* S*E*me-ron geNENn*e*KA [1080] se: *I today have begotten you:* kaTH*O*S kai en heTEr*o* LEgei, Su hi-eREUS [2409] eis ton ai*O*na [165] *6 as he says also in another place, You are priest unto the age* kaTA t*e*n TAxin [5010] Mel-chi-seDEK. *After the order of Melchizedek.* *d. 5:7-10 CHRIST'S PERFECTION: CAME THROUGH SUFFERING* hos en tais h*e*MErais t*e*s sarKOS [4561] auTOU, *Who in the days of his :flesh, * de*E*seis [1162] te kai hi-ke-t*e*RIas [2428] pros ton duNAme-non S*O*zein [4982] auTON ek thaNAtou *having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears* meTA krauG*E*S [2906] is-chuRAS [2478] kai daKRU*o*n [1144] pro-seNEGkas [4374], *unto the **one** who could save him from death,* kai ei-sa-kousTHEIS [1522] aPO t*e*s eu-laBEIas [2124], *and having been heard for his :godly fear,* KAIper *o*n huiOS, Ema-then [3129] aph' *o*n Epa-then [3958] t*e*n hu-pa-ko* E*N [5218]; *8 though he was a Son, yet learned :obedience by what he suffered;* kai, te-lei-*o*THEIS [5048], eGEne-to PAsin tois hu-paKOUou-sin [5219] auT*O * *9 and, perfected, he became unto all that obey him* AIti-os [159] s*o*-t*e*RIas [4991] ai-*o*NIou [166]; *the cause of eternal salvation;* pro-sa-go-reuTHEIS [4316] huPO tou TheOU ar-chi-eREUS [749] kaTA t*e*n TAxin [5010] Mel-chi-seDEK. *10 named of :God high priest after the order of Melchizedek.* *NOTE: *Psalm 110 according to some, is the most often quoted portion of OT Scripture in the NT. And - it all revolves aound God's appointment of Jesus as His only begotten Son, into this high eternal calling as the Great High Priest after the order of Melchizedek! And - because Jesus is not only Son of God, but also Son of man, He is so identified with us in our humanity, that He perfectly understands our infirmities, and can therefore deal gently with us in our ignorance and erring. What a Savior! What a Redeemer! What a Great High Priest! There is *no one* like Jesus on our behalf. 5:7-10 - Many of us have seen Mel Gibson's ?The Passion of the Christ.? It is a true picture of Jesus' physical suffering on our behalf; but it completely passes by His s*piritual* suffering. ?*Cursed* is every man who hangs upon a tree.? Because Jesus did so at Calvary, He became *a curse* for us. His *soul* was made an offering for sin. One man - Adam - brought sin into the entire human race - the heredity of sin. One man - Jesus - worked mighty redemption on behalf of the complete human race - past, present and future! When the curse of the cross entered into His sinless soul, He was forsaken by God, and His anguish spiritually over shone His physical suffering a thousand fold! Maybe *much* more! But not only did He have this final unfathomable suffering on the Cross on our behalf - but all through His life He suffered and learned obedience as Son of Man through His sufferings. How could we *not* help but yield to Him our all, as the Holy Spirit makes real to us what redemption on your behalf and mine truly cost the matchless Son of God? Then we begin to understand the spirit of Oswald Chambers when he said - the answer is ?*Personal*, * passionate* *devotion* to Jesus! - J.A.W. *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 Dec 31 12:34:54 2009 From: jmbetter at gmail.com (Jim Watt) Date: Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:34:54 -0800 Subject: Hebrews 5:11-6-20 Message-ID: <625d7240912311234n2f426795v69929fcb333d9dce@mail.gmail.com> ?*TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE? MINISTRIES* *Jim & Marie Watt* *Tel: 253-517-9195 - Email: jmbetter at gmail.com* *Web: www.2rbetter.org* *December 31, 2009 * *E. HEBREWS 5:11-6:20. * *ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: BASIS FOR ENTERING INHERITANCE IN CANAAN* *1. 5:11-6:8 FOUNDATION TRUTHS: SHED LIGHT ON MELCHIZEDEK & COVENANT* *a. 5:11 CHRIST?S HIGH PRIESTLY MINISTRY: DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND* PeRI hou poLUS h*e*MIN ho LOgos, *Of whom we have many things to say,* kai du-serM*E*neu-tos [1421] LEgein, *and hard of interpretation,* ePEI n*o*THROI [3576] geGOna-te a-koAIS. *since you are become dull of :hearing.* *b. 5:12 MILK CHRISTIANS CANNOT UNDERSTAND MEAT DOCTRINE* kai gar oPHEIlon-tes [3784] EInai diDASka-loi [1320] diA ton CHROnon, *For when by **reason of **the time you ought to be teachers,* PAlin CHREIan Eche-te tou diDASkein huMAS *you have need again that some one teach you* tiNA ta stoiCHEIa [4747] t*e*s arCH*E*S t*o*n loGI*o*n tou TheOU; *the rudiments of the beginning of the oracles of :God;* kai geGOna-te CHREIan Echon-tes GAlak-tos [1051], ou ste-reAS [4731] troPH*E *S. *and are become such as need milk, not solid food.* *c. 5:13 A BABE: NATURE OF MILK CHRISTIANS* pas gar ho meTEch*o*n [3348] GAlak-tos Apei-ros [552] *For every one that partakes of milk is inexperienced* LOgou di-kai-oSUn*e*s; N*E*pi-os [3516] gar es-tin. *in **the **word of righteousness; for he is a babe.* *d. 5:14 MATURE DISCERNMENT: COMES BY EXPERIENCE* teLEI*o*n [5046] DE es-tin h*e* ste-reA troPH*E* [5160], t*o*n diA t*e*n Exin *But the solid food is for perfect men, who by reason of :use* ta ais-th*e*T*E*ri-a [145] ge-gum-nasMEna [1128] eCHONt*o*n *have the**ir** senses exercised* pros diAkri-sin [1253] kaLOU te kai kaKOU, *to discern both good and evil.* *e. 6:1-2 AN EXHORTATION: GO BEYOND FOUNDATIONS* Di? ho aPHENtes ton t*e*s arCH*E*S [746] tou ChrisTOU LOgon, *Wherefore leaving the word of the beginning of the Christ,* ePI t*e*n te-leiOt*e*-ta [5047] pheR*O*me-tha; *let us be borne on unto the perfection;* m*e* PAlin theMEli-on [2310] ka-ta-balLOme-noi *not laying again a foundation* me-taNOIas [3341] Apo neKR*O*N ERg*o*n, *of repentance from dead works,* kai PIste-*o*s [4102] ePI TheON, -- *and of faith toward God, --* bap-tisM*O*N [909] di-daCH*E*N, e-piTHEse*O*S [1936] te chrei*O*N, *2 **the teaching of baptisms, and of laying on of hands,* a-naSTAse-*o*s [386] neKR*O*N, kai KRIma-tos [2917] ai-*o*NIou. *and of resurrection of **the** dead, and of eternal judgment.* *f. 6:3 GOD WILLS PERFECTION* kai TOUto poi*E*so-men, eANper e-piTREp*e* [2010] ho TheOS. *And this will we do, if only God permit.* *g. 6:4-6 THE SERIOUS STATE OF APOSTATES* aDUna-ton gar tous HApax ph*o*-tisTHENtas [5461] *For as to those who were once enlightened* geu-saMEnous [1089] te t*e*s d*o*reAS [1431] t*e*s e-pou-raNIou, *and tasted of the heavenly :gift,* kai meTOchous [3353] ge-n*e*THENtas PNEUma-tos HaGIou, *and became partakers of **the** Holy Spirit,* kai kaLON geu-saMEnous TheOU ?R*E*ma [4487], *5 **and tasted the good word of God,* duNAmeis te MELlon-tos ai*O*nos, *and the powers of the age to come,* kai pa-ra-peSONtas [3895], *6** and fell away,* PAlin a-na-kaiNIzein [340] eis meTAnoi-an; *it is impossible to renew **them** again unto repentance;* a-na-stauROUNtas [388] he-auTOIS *they crucifying again to themselves* ton huiON tou TheOU kai pa-ra-deig-maTIzon-tas [3856]. *and openly shaming the Son of :God.* *h. 6:7-8 STERILE LAND: A PICTURE OF APOSTATES* g*e* gar h*e* piOUsa [4095] ton ep? auT*E*S erCHOme-non polLAkis hu-eTON [5205], *For land which drinks the rain that comes oft upon it,* kai TIKtou-sa [5088] boTAn*e*n [1008] EUthe-ton eKEInois di? hous *and brings forth herb**s** meet for them for whose sake* kai ge-*o*rGEItai [1090], me-ta-lamBAnei [3335] eu-loGIas [2129] aPO tou TheOU: *it is also tilled, receives blessing from :God:* ekPHErou-sa de aKANthas [173] kai triBOlous [5146], aDOki-mos.[96] *8 **but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is disapproved* kai kaTAras [2671] enGUS; h*e*s to TElos eis KAUsin [2740]. *and nigh a curse; whose :end is to be burned.* *2. 6:9-12. ENCOURAGEMENT: PRESS INTO BLESSING BASED ON FOUNDATIONS* *a. 6:9-10 PAUL?S ESTIMATE OF HEBREWS: NOT APOSTATES* PePEISme-tha [3982] de peRI huM*O*N, a-ga-p*e*TOI, *But of you, beloved, we are persuaded* ta KREISso-na [2908] kai eCHOme-na s*o*t*e*RIas, *:better things and having salvation,* ei kai HOUt*o*s laLOUmen: *even if we thus speak:* ou gar Adi-kos ho TheOS e-pi-laTHESthai [1950] tou ERgou huM*O*N *10 **for :God is not unrighteous to forget your :work* kai t*e*s aGAp*e*s h*e*s e-neDEIxas-the [1731] eis to Ono-ma auTOU, *and the love which you showed toward his :name,* di-a-koN*E*san-tes [1247] tois haGIois, kai di-a-koNOUNtes. *in that you ministered unto the saints, and do minister.* *b. 6:11-12 DILIGENCE: PRESERVES SAINTS FROM APOSTASY* e-pi-thuMOUmen [1937] de HEkas-ton huM*O*N *And we desire that each of you* t*e*n auT*E*N enDEIKnus-thai [1731] spouD*E*N [4710] *show the same diligence* pros t*e*n pl*e*-ro-phoRIan [4136] t*e*s elPIdos Achri TElous: *unto the fulness of the hope even to the end:* HIna m*e* n*o*THROI [3576] GEn*e*s-the, mi-m*e*TAI [3402] de t*o*n *12 **that you be not sluggish, but imitators of them* diA PISte-*o*s kai ma-kro-thuMIas [3115] kl*e*-ro-noMOUNt*o*n [2816] tas e-pag-geLIas. *who through faith and patience inherit the promises.* *3. 6:13-20 UNUSUAL APPLICATION OF ABRAHAMIC COVENANT: MELCHIZEDEK* *a. 6:13-14 UNUSUAL IMPORTANCE OF GOD TAKING OATH OF HIMSELF* T*o* gar A-braAM e-pag-geiLAme-nos {1861] ho TheOS, *For when :God made promise to :Abraham,* ePEI kat? ou-deNOS EIchen MEIzo-nos oMOsai [3660], *O*mo-sen kath? he-auTOU, *since he had none greater to swear by, he swore by himself,* LEg*o*n, Ei m*e*n eu-loG*O*N eu-loG*E*s*o* se, *14 **saying, Surely blessing I will bless you,* kai pl*e*THUn*o*n [4129] pl*e*-thuN*O* se. *and multiplying I will multiply you.* *b. 6:15 GOD?S OATH: BASIS ENABLING ABRAHAM TO ENDURE* kai HOUt*o*s, ma-kro-tuM*E*sas [3114], ePEtu-chen t*e*s a-pag-geLIas. *And thus, having patiently endured, he obtained the promise.* *c. 6:16 THE FINALITY OF AN OATH* ANthr*o*-poi gar kaTA tou MEIzo-nos omNUou-sin [3660]: *For men swear by the greater:* kai PAs*e*s auTOIS an-ti-loGIas [485] PEras eis beBAI*o*-sin [951] ho HORkos. *and in every dispute of their**s** the oath is final for confirmation.* *d. 6:17-20 OATH UPON PROMISE: NO HIGHER SECURITY* en h*o* pe-risSOte-ron [4054] bouLOme-nos [1014] ho TheOS, e-piDEIxai [1925] *Wherein :God, intending to show more abundantly* tois kl*e*-roNOmois [2818] t*e*s e-pag-geLIas to a-meTAthe-ton [276] t*e*s bouL*E*S auTOU, *to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his :counsel,* e-meSIteu-sen [3315] HORk*o*; *mediated with an oath;* HIna diA DUo pragMAt*o*n a-me-taTHEt*o*n [276], *18 **that by two immutable things,* en hois aDUna-ton PSEUsas-thai [5574] TheON, *in which it is impossible for God to lie,* is-chuRAN paRAKl*e*-sin [3874] Ech*o*men, hoi ka-ta-phuGONtes [2703] *we may have strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge* kraT*E*sai 2902] t*e*s pro-keiMEn*e*s [4295] elPIdos: *to lay hold of the hope set before **us**:* h*e*n h*o*s AGku-ran [45] Echo-men t*e*s psuCH*E*S, as-phaL*E* [804] te kai beBAIan [949] *19 **which we have as the soul?s anchor, **a hope **both sure* *and firm* kai ei-ser-choMEn*e*n eis to eS*O*te-ron tou ka-ta-peTASma-tos [2665]; *and entering into what is within the veil;* HOpou PROdro-mos [4274] huPER h*e*M*O*N eiS*E*Lthen I*e*SOUS, *20 **whither as forefunner Jesus entered for us,* kaTA t*e*n TAxin Mel-chi-seDEK *having become a high priest unto the age* ar-chi-eREUS [749] geNOme-nos eis ton ai*O*na. *after the order of Melchizedek.* *NOTE:** *According to the Numeric Paragraphing of the Greek New Testament discovered by Ivan Panin, the book of Hebrews has 18 paragraphs, but no equivalent chapter divisions. The fifth paragraph contains the subject that we are considering in this section. Also, Panin discovered that out of the 66 books of the Bible, there are 33 writers that can be identified, and of the 27 books of the New Testament, 14 are written by the apostle Paul, including the book of Hebrews. I have linked the tribe of Simeon with this section because of the ?Doctrine of Baptisms? as mentioned in Hebrews 6:2 and 4. There are 3 baptisms for believers in a doctrinal sense in the New Testament. At regeneration, the Holy Spirit baptizes us into the Body of Christ; next, human agency baptizes us into water to identify us with the death and resurrection of Christ. It is not a washing. Then Jesus takes the believer according to John the Baptist, and baptizes us into the Holy Spirit. Three elements, three baptizers ? but the same candidates in each case. Dr. J. Edwin Orr, Revivalist from Belfast, Ireland ? loved to use these analogies. He added ? ?If the believer is like a cup placed in a sink with a stopper; and then it is filled with water ? that is a picture of salvation. But if it remains in the sink and the tap is left on to fill the sink with water ? then the cup is submerged inside and out with water. Then we see how we can have Christ in us ? and at the same time we also are then in Christ ? intimately, and controlled by Him ? because we have fully accepted His Lordship as well as His Saviorhood. The seven Foundation Truths of Hebrews 6:1-2 are the ?milk of the Word? -- and are for babes. They are the foundations for going on in the Christian Life. They are NOT to be re-laid again and again ? but built upon! The other 13 Word Studies in this series ? are the building blocks that we then use. The Apex built upon the Foundations of this passage we reach in the Book of Ephesians. Here we find 3 marvelous Word Studies: the 7 unities of Ephesians 4:4-6; the 5-fold ministries of 4:11-12; and the armor of God in 6:14-20. With this Interlinear presentation, we will supply an 8-fold Outline of the Book of Hebrews, plus the 7 Foundation Truths of Hebrews 6:1-2 in Greek Word Study form. To see Simeon in this context can be helpful. His name means ?Hearing,? which reminds us of the Holy Spirit, who like Jesus on earth ? only speaks what He ?hears?. *We* can be the same. Read ?Rees Howells, Intercessor? by Norman P. Grubb to see a living illustration of what it is like to be filled and possessed by the Holy Spirit. Thanks to all of you who are praying not only for these 14 Word Studies to be completed in the context of their part in the Interlinear Greek New Testament ? but *also* for the full Interlinear Greek New Testament to appear on our Website, with key articles from our Archives. Pray also for my grandson Keelan Long who is serving as my ?Web Master,? who is getting close to bringing forth an entirely new Website to meet the needs for all of the above. - J.A.W. *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: