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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:
<a href="tel:253-517-9195" 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">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">September 13, 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">
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</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>MAY
17 - 1 PETER 2:11-4:11 - THE PILGRIM LIFE</b></font></font></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"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>1.
2:11 (2:11-12) PILGRIMS: SEPARATE FROM WORLDLY LUSTS. <font size="3">“Beloved,
I beseech </font><font size="3"><i>you</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">
as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war
against the soul” (NNT).</span></font></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Good works springing from our love of Christ: our most effective
witness to unbelievers! It’s not what we say that counts: it’s
the life that backs up our words, that speaks! Show us Father, that
</span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">this</span></u></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is real Kingdom living! </span></span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">2.
2:21 (2:13-25) PILGRIMS: OBEY LAWS, MASTERS AND CHRIST’S EXAMPLE.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For unto
this were you called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving
you an example, that you should follow his :steps.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Your
will Father, is that we put to silence our accusers, by a life
following the copy of </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Jesus</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
Jesus before His accusers, is our example, Father. We bless You for
Your Son again, and pledge to walk in these truths. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:kingdom come.</span></i></b></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
3:7 (3:1-7) PILGRIMS: WIVES AND HUSBANDS. </span><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">You</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">,
the husbands, mete out honor to the female vessel as weaker and
dwelling with </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">her</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
according to knowledge, as </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">being</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
joint-heirs of </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
grace of life; that your :prayers be not hindered.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">There
is a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">mutual</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
responsibility to one another here. We thank You for Your wisdom in
this, Father. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</span></i></b></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
3:8-9 (3:8-12) PILGRIMS: WALK IN SERMON ON MOUNT. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“:Finally,
</span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">be</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
all likeminded, compassionate, loving as brethren, tenderhearted,
humbleminded: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">9</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
not rendering evil for evil, or reviling for reviling; but
contrariwise blessing; for unto this were you called, that you should
inherit a blessing.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">A
good heart, good words and noble actions to one another: </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">these</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
glorify Your Name, Father. Only in Christ can this be done. O forgive
us that we so often fall short of this standard! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
:daily :bread Give us this day.</span></i></b></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
3:15 (3:13-22) PILGRIMS: SUFFER FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
sanctify in your :hearts the Christ as Lord: ready always with an
answer to every one that asks you a reason concerning the hope in
you, yet with meekness and fear.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">In
the midst of blessing or persecution, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">this</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is our high privilege and potential in Christ. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
make it possible of us in Christ, Father! Yes, and when we are
tempted to depart from Your way, You strengthen us, and keep us on
the strait and narrow! </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></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
4:1-2 (4:1-6) PILGRIMS: ABSTAIN FROM GENTILE EXCESSES. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Christ
therefore having suffered in </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for who has suffered
in the flesh has ceased unto sins; </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">2
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">to
live the rest of </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
time in the flesh no longer to men’s lusts, but to God’s will.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">A
walk in the flesh can only be fully broken by suffering in the flesh!
In this way we take </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">ground</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
from Satan. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And
bring us not into temptation!</span></i></b></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
4:11 (4:7-11) PILGRIMS: LIVE IN LIGHT OF JESUS’ RETURN! </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“If
any speaks - as if oracles of God; if any ministers - as of the
strength which :God supplies: that in all </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">things</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
:God be glorified through Jesus Christ, whose is the glory and the
dominion unto the ages of the ages. Amen.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
walk Father, in the hope that purifies: the Presence of Your Son in
our hearts </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">now</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">;
and His soon coming to set up His Kingdom! </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></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
2:24 (2:13-25) </b></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">PILGRIMS:
TRUST IN CHRIST’S </span><u>FINISHED WORK</u><span style="text-decoration:none">!
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Who
himself carried our :sins in his :body up to the tree, that we,
having died to sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose bruise
you were healed.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we love Christ, for </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">He</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
first love us!</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Centuries
ago John Bunyan wrote “Pilgrim’s Progress.” Even to this day
it is a Classic!</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Bunyan
received this in a night Vision! When God Himself gives us a word
such as this - even when it comes through a human channel - yet the
heavenly anointing upon it </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">grips</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
us - and we sense we are not only receiving a human word - but a
</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">divine insight</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
straight from the Throne of God.</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is very parallel to this when we hear a sermon from a man of God who
waited on the Lord for </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">His
Word</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
for the people - and for </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">His
anointing</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
to deliver </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">His
Word</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
George Whitefield was such a preacher. Tens of thousands gathered out
of doors to hear this man of God preach. Those that came to the Lord
through his invitation, for the most part - </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">stuck</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
In the days of Charles Finney, 80% of such converts were still
usefully engaged in the work of the Lord two years following their
conversion. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Few</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
evangelists have had such extraordinary results.</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">I
would expect that the converts that came from Peter’s preaching -
likewise stood in the days that followed. Think of the 3000 who
responded and were baptized on the day of Pentecost. And the secret
of abiding fruit? None other than Acts 2:38. The early church held
out for a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">full</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
repentance from dead works - a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">full</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
faith in God and Christ’s </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Finished
Work</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">;
a public baptism signifying this inward heart change as set forth in
Romans 6; and last but not least - but following baptism through the
laying on of hand</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">s</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
they received the </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Gift</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
(d</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">o</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">-reA)
of the Holy Spirit.</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Look
at Acts 8, when Philip successfully brought the Gospel of the Kingdom
of God to Samaria. Seeing the signs and wonders produced through his
faith, they repented, believe</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">d</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the Gospel, and were baptized. But Jerusalem knew that these
Samaritans need</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ed</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the same thing as the Jews on the day of Pentecost. So they sent
Peter and </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">J</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ohn
to finish in Samaria what Philip started.</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">This</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
was the apostolic pattern, which was repeated for Paul in Acts 9, and
the Ephesian believers in Acts 19:1-7. In the case of Cornelius with
his family and friends in Acts 10 & 11, the order was changed.
Baptism here followed the receiving of the </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Gift</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
of the Holy Spirit. Peter and his Jewish friends from Joppa would </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
have baptized Gentiles, except </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">God</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
di</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">d</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
something extraordinary. So while Peter was still preaching - the
Holy Spirit fell on these Romans. Peter challenged his 6 Joppa
friends - as to why they shouldn’t baptize Gentiles, seeing they
had received the Holy Spirit just as the 3000 Jews on the Day of
Pentecost! So he baptized them in a 1-3-2 order - instead of the
normal 1-2-3 order.</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">So
Peter’s challenge here on “The Pilgrim Life” confirmed and
encouraged Jewish believers of that day - with perhaps a sprinkling
of Gentiles - to continue on in an overcoming Christian life. There
is certainly a parallel here with that of John Bunyan!</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Our
Psalm for the day: </span></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">137:4-5
</span><span style="text-decoration:none">HOW SHALL WE SING THE
LORD’S SONG? </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“How
shall we sing the LORD’s song in a foreign land? </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">5
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">If I
forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill” (ESV).
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">As
Israel had her land for security, so do we in the Church have </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
O Christ, as our possession! We drive out our spiritual Canaanites -
that we might possess You! </span></span></font></font>
</p>
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</p>
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