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<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">“<b>TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Tel:
253-517-9195 - Email: <a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com">jmbetter@gmail.com</a></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Web:
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">January 22, 2012</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
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</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b><br></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>APR
16 - ACTS 11:19-12:25 - CHURCH: INTENSIFIED TROUBLE</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><b>1.
11:23-24 (11:19-24) BARNABAS: STRENGTHENS WORK AT ANTIOCH.
“Barnabas, when he came and saw the grace :of :God, was glad; and
he exhorted all to cleave unto the purpose of the<i>ir</i><span style="font-style:normal">
heart in </span><i>the</i><span style="font-style:normal"> Lord: </span><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="font-style:normal">24</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="font-style:normal">
because he was a good man, and full of </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i>the</i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="font-style:normal">
Holy Spirit and faith: and a large crowd was added to the Lord”
(NNT). </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style>What
an unusual gifting to the church! Father, Barnabas was from You in
Christ. We bless you for this! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i>Hallowed
be your :name.</i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>2. 11:25-26 BARNABAS: SEEKS
THE HELP OF PAUL. “And he went forth to Tarsus to seek for Saul;
<font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">26</font> and having found <i>him,
</i>he brought <i>him</i> to Antioch. And it came to pass, both that
even for a whole year they were gathered together in the church and
taught a large crowd, and that the disciples were called Christians
first in Antioch.” </b><span style>Now here
was a wise and unselfish action on the part of Barnabas! May we too
emulate such wisdom! </span><b><i>Your :kingdom come.</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>3. 11:28 (11:27-30) AGABUS:
ACCURATELY INFORMS OF COMING FAMINE. “And one of them Agagus by
name stood up <i>and</i> signified by the Spirit that a great famine
would be over all the inhabited <i>earth: </i>which came to pass in
<i>the days</i> of Claudius.” </b><span style>Here
is another one of Your giftings, Father. We bless you for Agabus too.
You do </span><u><span style>all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
things well: You give us just the ministries we need and just the
appropriate time! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</span></i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
12:5 (12:1-19) PETER: SUPERNATURALLY DELIVERED BY ANGEL. “Peter
therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly of
the church unto :God for him.” </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>What
exciting and traumatic days were there for the early church! How
Sovereignly and powerfully You worked, Father! But You are no
respecter of </span></span><u><span style>times</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
or places, and will do </span></span><u><span style>yet
more</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
at the end of the age. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
:daily :bread Give us this day!</span></i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
12:23 (12:20-23) HEROD: JUDGED FOR PRIDE BY ANGEL. “And
immediately </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
Lord's angel struck him, because he gave not :God the glory: and he
was eaten of worms, </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none">and</span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
expired.” </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>My
glory I will </span></span><u><span style>not
give</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
to another: this is what You have said, O Jehovah Father! O let us
hear this warning, and not be as Herod and Hezekiah (2 Chr. 32:31)!
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And forgive
us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</span></i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
12:24 WORD OF GOD: ITS INCREASE! “But the word of the Lord grew
and multiplied.” </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>What
an encouraging word! When we work with and under Your leadership,
Father, then we see </span></span><u><span style>Your</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
results. You in Christ do </span></span><u><span style>all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
things well. When we do </span></span><u><span style>our</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
thing, we get but meager results. We choose to do </span></span><u><span style>Your
thing</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>!
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And bring us
not into temptation!</span></i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
12:25 BARNABAS, SAUL AND JOHN MARK. “And Barnabas and Saul
returned when they had fulfilled the</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none">ir</span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
ministration Jerusalemward, having taken along John :surnamed Mark.”
</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>How
good it is that the various city churches sent relief to one another
in times of need! We have no doubt that </span></span><u><span style>You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
inspired this Father, for you are aware of </span></span><u><span style>all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
things! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">But
deliver us from the evil </span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">one!</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
12:11 (12:1-19) PETER ACKNOWLEDGES GOD'S DELIVERANCE. “And when
:Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know truly, that the Lord
has sent forth his :angel and delivered me out of Herod's hand and
from all the expectation of the people of the Jews.” </b></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>This
was a most supernatural deliverance. These things are always common
through You Father, when our faith is high.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>The
Book of Acts is often titled by scholars as follows: “The Book of
the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the apostles: specifically Peter
and Paul.” It's long - but accurate and descriptive. It also brings
out clearly to us the 3</span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>rd</span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
Person of the Tri-unity of the Godhead. We see Him in a true function
in 2 Corinthians 13:14 - </span></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">“The
</span><u>grace</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> (CHAris) of
the Lord Jesus Christ, and the </span><u>love</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
(aGAp</span><u>e</u><span style="text-decoration:none">) of God, and
the </span><u>fellowship</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
(koi-n</span><u>o</u><span style="text-decoration:none">NIa) of the
Holy Spirit be with you all.”</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>It
is proper that Paul should end this letter with this ascription to
the Holy Spirit. For all through 2 Corinthians and the Book of Acts
we see Fellowship or koi-n</span></span><u><span style>o</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>NIa
exhibited! Notice in Acts 2:42 that one of the four main practices of
the early believers from the example of the apostles, was their
fellowship or koi-n</span></span><u><span style>o</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>NIa!
It was the Holy Spirit through the apostles setting forth this
example to the early church. No wonder Jesus told the 12 that it was
</span></span><u><span style>better</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
for Him to go away - so that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, the
Paraclete, would </span></span><u><span style>then</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
come to take His place. And he added - </span></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">“It
is better that He be </span><u>in</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
you - than I be </span><u>with</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
you!”</span></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">So
those who wish they lived when Jesus walked on earth are missing
something! We today - are better off than those - for we like the
apostles now have the privilege of the Holy Spirit </span><u>in</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
us - as they!</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<span style="text-decoration:none">“<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">Rees
Howells, Intercessor” by Norman P. Grubb - sets forth the unique
ministry of the Holy Spirit following the Ascension of Christ. Then
look at Romans 8:26-27 (8:26-30) </font></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>“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 </b></font></span><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>us </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>with
groanings unutterable; </b></span><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>27</b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
and who searches the hearts knows what </b></span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>is</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
the mind of the Spirit, because he intercedes for </b></span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>the</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
saints according to God.” </b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">This
is a window of insight for us to see the inner working of the Holy
Spirit within the life of each believer.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
what can enhance the working of the Holy Spirit within our lives?
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:18-19 (14:1-19) </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>“I
thank :God I speak with a tongue </b></span><u><b>more than you all</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
</b></span><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>19</b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
but in church I would </b></span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>rather</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
speak five words with my :understanding that I might instruct others
also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.” </b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">Paul
in his private devotions spoke </span><u>more</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
in a tongue than any other believer. Smith Wigglesworth of England
followed his example in the last century. But in church meetings Paul
preferred edifying the congregation through words from his
understanding. In 1 Corinthians 14:2 Paul explains that who speaks in
a tongue </span><u>speaks to God</u><span style="text-decoration:none">,
not men - and such communication from the human spirit is speaking
</span><u>mysteries</u><span style="text-decoration:none">!</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Some
27 times in the NT this word “mystery” appears. It takes
revelation of the Spirit to perceive and understand these mysteries -
and those who use a tongue in their private devotions - greatly
enhance their ability to more completely understand the many NT
mysteries!</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Some
will undoubtedly say - “But I don't see such gifts for today, not
for me in particular.” I understand this is the teaching we receive
in most Evangelical churches. </span><u>But</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
- does such teaching truly accord to what the Bible itself is
teaching? I have copied out the NT in English and Greek a number of
times, and completely outlined it sentence by sentence - gathering
these summaries into paragraphs and sections or chapter equivalents.
And truly, I have found that we should let the Bible mean what </span><u>it</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
wants to mean (not necessarily church teaching) - and let God say
what </span><u>He</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> wants to
say! To check the Greek Aorist tense for “gave” and “set” in
Ephesians 4:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:28 completely settled this
problem for me, and I believe can do the same for any other sincere
and diligent seeker. From a sincere friend - who desires to be truly
helpful to all fellow-believers.</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
finally - our Psalm for the day: </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>106:23
(106:1-48) GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD, FOR HE IS GOOD” (ESV).
“Therefore he said he would destroy them - had not Moses, his
chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath
from destroying them.” </b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">Who
has ever thought that intercession was dispensable? Prayer </span><u>counts</u><span style="text-decoration:none">!
Intercession </span><u>works</u><span style="text-decoration:none">!
Father, work in our hearts the truth that You are a </span><u>great</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
God, and that You work through us abundantly above all we can ask or
think when we pray, and allow the Holy Spirit to intercede through
us! </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>Hallowed be
your :name!</b></span></i></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
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