<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:
<a href="tel:253-517-9195" value="+12535179195" target="_blank">253-517-9195</a> - Email: <a href="mailto:jmbetter@gmail.com" target="_blank">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/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">March 1, 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"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>(“TWO
ARE BETTER THAN ONE” MINISTRIES</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>Jim
& Marie Watt – Beth Chesed, Tacoma - October 25, 2006)</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><u>“<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>7
CHURCHES & 7 NATIONS”</b></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><b>EXPLANATION:</b></u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">
</font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>OVERCOMING GOALS FOR
THE 7 CHURCHES OF REVELATION </b></font>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> On
a mailing dated October 21, 2006 and titled: “12 Gates of the City
& the 7 Creative Days”, I received a request: “Would it be
possible to enlarge on this theme?” I was about to respond that a
“Google” search would turn up quite a bit on this, when I ran
across something I wrote in 1994 on this subject. Here ‘tis!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>EPHESUS:
MUST OVERCOME THE HIVITE SELF-CENTERED LIFE – DAY 1</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> There
is a warning here! Alan Vincent of England states that the Epistle of
Paul to the Ephesians is a prophetic word to Ephesus that did not
find fulfillment. Ephesus failed. Her Candlestick was removed. She
left her first love, did not act upon the warning of Jesus, and
little trace of her can be found today in modern Turkey. God is yet
awaiting a City Church that will arise, and meet the 7-fold challenge
of this epistle.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> What
light could have come to the world had the church of Ephesus arisen
to the challenge? But the Hivite spirit of Selfishness and
Self-centered living replaced the fire of her first love. Remember
again the deadly aspects of Self-centered living: life focused on
self; proud of self and self’s accomplishments; self-confidence;
depending on self and one’s own abilities; affirming self; seeking
to be acceptable to the world and its ways; looking at circumstances
from a human perspective; selfish and ordinary living.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> And
again consider what Ephesus could have returned to in Love: an
expression of God-centered living; confidence in God; dependence on
God and His ability and provision; life focused on God and His
activity; humble before God; denying self; seeking first the Kingdom
of God and His righteousness; seeking God’s perspective in every
circumstance; holy and godly living.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> And
what was the Holy Spirit’s goal for the church of Ephesus? Christ’s
</font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Church</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">,
with Himself as her life and Head; Christ’s </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Body</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">,
each member individually and corporately responding to its living
Head; God’s </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>One New
Man</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">, with no middle
wall of division; the </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Temple</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">
of God, Jesus Christ the chief Corner-stone and Capstone; God’s
</font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Building</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">,
only gold and silver and precious stones; Christ’s </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Bride</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">,
loving, obeying and respecting Him; God’s </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Army</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">,
doing effective warfare against principalities, powers and all
territorial spirits.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Pray
that the church of Jerusalem and all cities of the world may arise to
this challenge.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>O
Father, we do pray that the church of the city in which we live will
arise and fulfill the challenge that Ephesus failed in. We pray also
for the peace of Jerusalem, and that the church of that city may
become a realization of the Epistle to the Ephesians. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>SMYRNA:
MUST OVERCOME THE JEBUSITE SPIRIT OF ENVY – DAY 2</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> In
this week we are not only considering the 7 churches of Revelation 2
& 3, but also the 7 Canaanite nations of Deuteronomy 7:1, each
required by God for Israel to DRIVE OUT and DESTROY. Each of these 7
nations represents the 7 “Capital” or besetting sins of the human
race. The Contemplative movement through St. John of the Cross showed
the way to union with God through “The Ascent to Mount Carmel”
(purging oneself from all defilement of the flesh); and through “The
Dark Night of the Soul” (purging oneself from defilement of the
spirit); and then perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord (2
Corinthians 7:1, bringing union and communion with Christ).</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> The
Jebusite spirit of ENVY is worse than the capital sin of Hatred
(Proverbs 27:4). Envy and Jealousy are twins: the former coveting the
possessions of its owner; the latter coveting the characteristics and
giftings of their owner. Both break the 10</font><sup><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">th</font></sup><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">
Commandment of Exodus 20, and are not to be separated. They are twin
marks of Covetousness.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Smyrna
was like the writer of Psalm 73: he coveted the prosperity of the
wicked. Yet Jesus Christ had no word against her or Philadelphia, the
only two without censure of the seven. Christ encouraged Smyrna in
her tribulation and persecution. FAITHFULNESS to Christ in the midst
of testing is the key to overcoming and approval. Look only to Jesus,
NOT the status or experience of those who measure themselves against
others (2 Corinthians 10:12-17). Instead, like Job, endure through
testings, trusting God alone in His timing to vindicate and reveal
His hidden purposes.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> The
word of Jesus to Smyrna is a difficult but necessary word. He, who
has ears, let him hear it.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>Father,
we trust and rest in Your help to overcome the sin of Envy. Walk
THROUGH us the divine perfection of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
Enable us to endure testing, and bring us through with flying colors.
In Your Son’s Name, Amen.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>PERGAMUM:
MUST OVERCOME THE GIRGASHITE SPIRIT OF PRIDE – DAY 3</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Revelation
2:12-17; Deuteronomy 7:1; Ezekiel 28:1-19</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> According
to Charles G. Finney, the selfishness or self-will of Ephesus is the
key sin: overcome here, and all else is a house of cards. The Pride
of Pergamum is the key sin that led to the fall of Lucifer into
Satan. And it is here in Pergamum, the city of Pride, where we again
find Satan’s throne. Martyrdom unto death is also found here.
Satanism and sexual license are found hand in hand – so it is not
surprising to find the sin of Balaam here too. And there is yet MORE
sin – that of the Nicolaitans, who encouraged idolatry and sexual
sin.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> The
Girgashites are the least known in their origins among the 7
Canaanitish nations mentioned in Deuteronomy 7:1. The capital sin of
Pride identified with this nation is subtle. It is a </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>religious
spirit</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">. It is like
the smile of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, who seems to
intimate the knowledge of a secret unknown to others. People infected
with this spirit count all others as of lesser spirituality to
themselves. It leads those seduced and deluded by this spirit to
become rebellious, above rules and laws that govern others; divisive,
strange, peculiar, doing odd things brought on by inner voices that
bring reproach to the Gospel. Those who lend their beings to the
control of the religious spirit of pride of the Girgashites, believe
they alone are truly led of the Holy Spirit. Like Saul of Tarsus
before conversion, even the killing of Christians is thought to be
serving God. Killing babies, homicides, suicides, are often
instigated by this evil spirit. As Satan was a liar and murderer from
the beginning, so those who follow the prideful Girgashite, act like
those of Pergamum. Yet thank God, Overcomers are in this church also!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>Lord,
help us to remember that we are ALL open to deception and pride.
GUARD us against this subtle sin. Amen</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>THYATIRA:
MUST OVERCOME THE AMORITE SPIRIT OF LUST – DAY 4</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> 1
Kings 16:29 – 19:4; 21:1-29; 2 Kings 9:1-37</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> William
Barclay gives an excellent geographical and historical background on
each of these 7 churches. G. Campbell Morgan sets forth these 7
churches in a helpful and practical manner in his book on this
subject.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Thyatira
means “Perfume out of Bruising”. There was good coming out of
this church that pleased the Lord, but it was a mixture. Along with
the good were terrible and grave excesses. Chief among these was the
false prophetess Jezebel who the chief apostle and pastor permitted
to function and poison the church. Just as Queen Jezebel poisoned
Israel through weak and compliant King Ahab, so this evil woman
poisoned the church of Thyatira because of the weakness and
compliance of the chief pastor. Why do men having the authority
suffer themselves to be deceived, deluded and contaminated? Elijah
and the Apostle Paul were not of this spirit.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> It
takes an Ahab to make possible a Jezebel. False prophecy has no
effect in a church when the leadership is functioning as Prophet,
Priest and King in families and churches. But when Patriarchy becomes
Matriarchy because men like Ahab abdicate their responsibility, then
the situation found in Thyatira becomes possible. Usually women
resent being forced by abdicating husbands to take the leadership in
the home and church. They much prefer their men to be “men”. But
there are these odd women with ambition and drive who thrive on a
weak Ahab. God help the family and church where this takes place. It
is usually accompanied with sexual excess, adultery and perversion.
Sometimes a man can have a Jezebel spirit, as was evidenced in the
80’s in a large church in Seattle.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Thank
God again, in spite of the Amorite spirit of LUST (spiritual
connections), such a church still has Overcomers!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>Father,
in our homes and churches, make our men – MEN; let them function as
Prophet, Priest and King; let their wives as co-heirs of God’s
grace function as Prophetess, Priestess and Queen. Break the spirit
of Ahab and Jezebel, and set us free, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>SARDIS:
MUST OVERCOME THE PERIZZITE SPIRT OF APATHY – DAY 5</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Revelation
3:1-6; Deuteronomy 7:1; Ephesians 5:8-17</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Jesus
could find nothing good to say about Sardis or Laodicea. What
deception and delusion existed in Sardis! All the time they saw
themselves in Life, the Lord saw them in Death and Darkness. In such
self-deception, a spirit of paralysis seems to take over. It takes
intercession on the part of others to blast through this spirit of
error, so that anointed eyes can see the true situation of “apathy”
as the Lord sees it. Better to find out now if rugged repentance is
necessary in the light of grave deception, than to appear before the
Lord at His Judgment Seat, unprepared for His devastating words: You
have been weighed in the balance, and found wanting!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u>Apathy</u></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">
is a binding, blinding sin. “Blasting”, on the part of loving,
concerned intercessors, alone seems to break through. This is an
occasion for extra sadness, because suddenly the Lord comes in
judgment as a thief in the night. Those who walk in the Light avoid
this irremediable judgment. Rufus Moseley points out the aggressive
solution: Learn to abide in Jesus, to remain in union with Him!
Choose to manifest Him only in all situations as the Spirit of Love;
Cleave to His Freedom which is released to all disciples who walk
joyfully in His Word!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Gandhi,
a non-Christian, advised Christians how to make their faith work in
other countries: Christians, missionaries and all, must begin to live
more like Jesus Christ. Second, practice your religion without
adulterating it or toning it down. Third, emphasize love and make it
your working force, for love is central in Christianity. Fourth,
study the non-Christian religions more sympathetically to find the
good that is within them, in order to have a more sympathetic
approach to the people.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>O
Lord, help us to humble ourselves, and profit from the insight of
even non-professing Christians – that pride and apathy might be
broken in our lives. Amen.</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>PHILADELPHIA:
MUST OVERCOME THE HITTITE SPIRIT OF ANGER – DAY 6</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Our
dispensational friends tend to see this church and Laodicea jointly
representing the end of this age. There is a weak church, namely
Philadelphia; but one which is enabled by grace to accomplish God’s
purposes in her day. Then there is a section of the church almost
completely inundated with materialism, humanism, New Ageism and
pleasure: namely Laodicea.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> Philadelphia,
the city of brother-love, has no word against its church by her Lord.
Weak, yes; but a little strength; and by the Lord’s enabling grace,
entering into the open doors of God. John Dawson speaks of overcoming
a besetting sin by operating in the opposite spirit. In one Argentine
city of pride, the American team knelt before them Arab style in the
public square. This act of humility broke the opposite spirit of
pride, and opened the door to effective evangelism. So in
Philadelphia – the opposite spirit of brotherly love broke down the
Hittite spirit of anger. This is a paradox, but the pragmatic test
is: it works! Try it with individuals or groups, large or small, and
this principle usually comes through with flying colors.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> And
what of our enemies, in our weakened condition? It is the Lord
Himself who on our behalf causes our enemies to bow before us.
Gentile Christians are not Jews, though many through a false
“Replacement Theology” position think they are. But, just ask a
Jew! Or, ask God in the light of Romans 11 and many other Scripture
passages. Such a position is error and deception, even though
tenaciously defended.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> `And
note: not a word of censure by Jesus against this church, a church of
humility, brotherly love and perseverance out of weakness. Let us too
cleave in faithfulness to Jesus.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>O
Lord, You alone are the Light of our life, the Love of our soul, the
Life of our walk. We cleave to You alone, and in total trust say,
“Manifest through us continually the Balance and Beauty of
Yourself.”</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>LAODICEA:
MUST OVERCOME THE CANAANITE SPIRIT OF GREED – DAY 7</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b> </b></font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">It
is sad to think that the last word to these 7 churches should end on
such a depressing note. But Realism is better than living in a fool’s
paradise, and this but serves as a warning to us. Romans chapter 1 is
the potential for every church that walks in the flesh, but not after
the Spirit. It is a warning to every individual also. It behooves us
to walk softly and humbly before our God, lest we end up and receive
from Him a word like unto Laodicea, with nothing at all good to say
about us!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> The
Canaanite spirit of greed is one of barter, merchandising, profits,
material gain, security in this life, provision for this life alone
with no practical though of spiritual verities and life’s tomorrow.
The book of Proverbs calls such an individual or church, Fool! And
our country of America is so full of this spirit of materialism and
greed! G. Campbell Morgan warns us: “Watch the world; what it is
emphasizing today will be operating in the church within 10 years!”
Can we not spot this truth? See our low conscience in the church
concerning TV violence and lust; see our disdain concerning those who
put the Kingdom of God and His righteousness ahead of our own
interests; and look at our permissive view concerning school
education, abortion, euthanasia, child and woman abuse; new ageism;
the occult. Our conscience is dulled and even seared by
permissiveness. Religious leaders of Jesus’ day sneered at Him for
holding up an ideal contrary to their Laodicean spirit of greed and
materialism. This century God had to rebuke the world through a
Gandhi, who freed a nation from exploitation through upholding the
idea of Truth-force and love.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"> </font><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>O
Lord, protect us from the subtle influence of greed and materialism
of the church of Laodicea. Grant us the anointing of the Holy Spirit
to see as You see, and Your power and help to choose what pleases
You!</b></font></p>
<br>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in"><br>
</p>
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