<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; </style>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<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 26, 2012</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
</p>
<style type="text/css">p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>APR
19 - ACTS 15:36-19:20 - CHURCH GROWTH AND PAUL</b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><b>1. 15:36
(15:36-16:5) PAUL: ADDS TIMOTHY TO HIS TEAM. “And after some days
Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us return now <i>and</i><span style="font-style:normal">
visit the brethren in every city in which we proclaimed the word of
the Lord, </span><i>and</i><span style="font-style:normal"> see how
they fare” (NNT). </span></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style>It
would seem the right thing to do indeed! They had now been left alone
for over a year! Imagine leaving new churches and leaders without
help for such a period of time: </span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><u><span style>not</span></u></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
our 20</span></span></span><sup><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>th</span></span></span></sup><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
Century way! Yet see the prosperity here when led by the Holy Spirit!
</span></span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><span style="text-decoration:none">2. 16:9 (16:6-10) PAUL:
SUPERNATURALLY LED TO EUROPE. “And a vision appeared to :Paul at
night: A certain Macedonian man was standing and beseeching him, and
saying, Come over into Macedonia, </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none">and</span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
help us.” </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>Visions
and dreams: from Joseph, Daniel and Job (33:14-18). You Father, have
guided Your servants this way. Moses You spoke to face to face. May
we not despise Your choice this way! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:kingdom come!</span></i></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><span style="text-decoration:none">3. 16:30b-31 (16:11-40)
PAUL: PHILIPPI LAUNCHED AMIDST PERSECUTION. And the jailer said,
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? </span><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">31</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and YOU shall be saved and
your :house</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">hold</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">.”
</span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style>Household
salvation</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>:
what a glad and joyous message! And this came in the midst of Lydia
and the birthing of the church at Philippi! Father, You do </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style>all</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
things well! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
17:11 (17:1-15) PAUL: CONTRAST BETWEEN THESSALONICA AND BEREA.
“Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they
received the word with all readiness of mind, examining the
scriptures daily, whether these </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">things</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
were so.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>O
forgive us Father, that so often we fail to exhibit this mind of the
Bereans! We consult our own interests, the status quo, our
traditions: and fail to realize that </span></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style>You</span></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
are in the thing we sometimes oppose! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
:daily :bread Give us this day!</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
17:27b-28 (17:16-34) PAUL: MEAGER RESULTS AT ATHENS. “God is not
far from each of us: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">28</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
for in him we live, and move, and have our being, as certain even of
your own :poets have said, For we are also his offspring.”
</span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>Sophistry,
splitting the infinite and unscrewing the inscrutable - is not the
path that leads to trust in Your Messiah, Father! When our head
leads before our heart, we do greatly err! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
18:9-11a (18:1-23) PAUL: TROUBLESOME ENTRY INTO CORINTH. “And
the Lord said to :Paul at night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak
and hold not </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">your</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
peace: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">10</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
because I am with you, and no </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">man</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
shall set on you to harm you: because I have much people in this
:city. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">11a</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
And he dwelt </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">there</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
a year and six months.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>What
reassuring words! You in Christ Father, meet our every need, and here
You do it through dreams and visions again! Why do we miss this
channel so often? </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
bring us not into temptation!</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
18:26 (18:24-19:20) PAUL: FRUITFUL MINISTRY AT EPHESUS. “And
APOLL</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>O</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">S
began to be bold in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila
heard him, they took him unto </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">them,
</span></i></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">and
expounded unto him the way of :God more accurately.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>Many
things happened here at Ephesus: but this concerning Apollos is of
interest. Note that the Numeric Greek manuscript of Ivan Panin places
Priscilla ahead of Aquila four times of their six appearances. This
is no mistake by the Holy Spirit! </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">But
deliver us from the evil one!</span></i></font></b></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<u><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">NOTE</font></b></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
19:8 (18:24-19:20) PAUL: BOLDNESS IN HIS PREACHING. “And he
entered into the synagogue, and spoke boldly for three months
reasoning and persuading concerning the kingdom of :God.” </b></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>A
right heart is then followed by a right mind!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>God
led in guidance for Paul and others through dreams and visions many a
time, </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>both</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
in OT and NT times. However - it is important to note that God more
often guides us as we </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>meditate
over His Word</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>!
It is not a case of either/or - but both/and. A principle to be
observed is Mark 16:17-20. Here the Holy Spirit guides Mark to note
that signs (gifts of the Spirit, miracles, guidance) </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>follow</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
the clear and bold preaching of the Word. When we start depending
</span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>more</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
on the signs that follow, than the </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>Word
itself</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>,
then we open ourselves to deception and the confusion from the enemy.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>The
word (LOgos) of the NT appears 330 times, majoring on the </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>word</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
itself. R</span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>E</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>ma
(word) - the </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>living</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
word - the word of the Spirit - appears but 70 times. In a
proportionate sense, we should be spending 4 ˝ times more on
meditation and praying over the written word - than in seeking a
prophetic and living word.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>It
is a concern that many believers will chase for a word of the Spirit
90% of the time over against 10% for finding God's will from
meditating over His written Word. When we seek God Himself through
His Word first - then He is often pleased to give a vision, a dream,
a prophecy, a word of the Spirit. But when we seek these latter
first, rather than letting </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>Him</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
give such in His own Sovereign time - we are not following the
example of Paul who said, Follow </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>me</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
- as </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>I</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
follow Christ!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>Israel
and the church always have false dreamers and diviners who would
deceive us. See What God says through Jeremiah in 29:8-9 (29:1-9)
JEREMIAH'S LETTER TO THE EXILES. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your
prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not
listen to the dreams that they dream, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">9</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did
not send them, declares the LORD.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>We
need to be as wise as serpents, and as harmless as doves!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>Jeremiah
23:25-32 (23:9-40) LYING PROPHETS. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">“I
have heard what the prophets have said, who prophesy lies in my name,
saying, 'I have dreamed, I have dreamed!' </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">26</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who
prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">27</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they
tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">28</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has
my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with
wheat? declares the LORD. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"> 29</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"> Is
not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that
breaks the rock in pieces? </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">30</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who
steal my words from one another. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">31</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their
tongues and declare, 'declares the LORD.' </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">32</span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the
LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and
their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they
do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD.” </span></font></b>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>As
important as dreams and visions can be (Job 33:14-18), and here Elihu
points out 4 very important purposes for dreams - yet in </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>God's</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
sight - His Word is as </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>wheat</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>,
and dreams are but as </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>straw</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>.
this does </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>not</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
eliminate the value of straw, for without it the wheat cannot mature.
But in the final picture, wheat continues, while straw is burnt! We
need to keep our perspective in the same way that </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>God</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
looks at dreams and visions. They </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>have</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
their place! But His Word is pre-eminent - for His Son and His Word
are </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>one</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>!
We need to keep our proportionate times as 4 ˝ for the Written Word
- and </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style>one</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>
for dreams and visions, prophecies and signs following! Here is the
way of safety and maturity! Here is the way of Paul and the other 7
NT writers. Here is the way of George Muller, George Whitefield and
Oswald Chambers.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style>I
am so concerned over many of my fellow-believers - who fail to walk
in the above perspective!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the day: </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>109:23-25
(109:1-31) HELP ME, O LORD MY GOD. “I am gone like a shadow at
evening; I am shaken off like a locust. </b></span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>24</b></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
My knees are weak through fasting; my body has become gaunt, with no
fat. </b></span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>25</b></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>
I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they wag
their heads” (ESV). </b></span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">We
can rejoice in the light of the end of persecutors. You Father, keep
the books! In the end the way of the righteous, You justify; but the
end of the persecutor is judgment. </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><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">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT">
<font size="3"><b><br></b></font></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font size="3"><b>TO
SUBSCRIBE - Please Email: <a href="mailto:mailing-subscribe@2rbetter.org">mailing-subscribe@2rbetter.org</a></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font size="3"><b>TO
UNSUBSCRIBE - Please Email: <a href="mailto:mailing-unsubscribe@2rbetter.org">mailing-unsubscribe@2rbetter.org</a></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font size="3"><b>FOR
ARCHIVE ARTICLES - Web:<a href="http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/">http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/</a></b></font></p>