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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/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">September 14, 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
18 - 1 PETER 4:12-5:18 - THE FIERY TRIAL</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.
4:12-13 (4:12-19) INSIGHTS ON FIERY SUFFERING. <font size="3">“Beloved,
think not strange the fiery trial among you, which comes upon you to
prove </font><font size="3"><i>you</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">,
as though </span></font><font size="3"><i>anything</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">
strange happened to you: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="font-style:normal">13
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">but
in</span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">as</span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">much
as you are partakers of the sufferings of :Christ, rejoice; that at
the revelation of his :glory also you many rejoice with exceeding
joy” (NNT). </span></font></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">You
sent </span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Jesus</span></u></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Father, as a burning, flaming fire to dwell in the hearts of Your
people! </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.
5:1 (5:1-4) A WORD FOR ELDERS. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">The</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
elders therefore among you I exhort, the fellow-elder, and witness of
the sufferings of the Christ, who </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">am</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
also partaker of </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
glory to be revealed.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Elders
suffer and witness to the suffering of Christ. This is Your will for
us too, Father.</span></span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><i><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Your
:kingdom come.</span></b></i></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">3.
5:5 A WORD FOR YOUTH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Likewise,
</span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">you</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
younger, be subject to elders. Yes, all gird yourselves with
:humility toward one another: for :God resists </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
proud, but gives grace to </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
humble.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Is
this not the Spirit of Jesus in Isaiah 53? Was this not His Spirit
prior to and during His crucifixion? Will He not live out this Spirit
in us if we walk in Galatians 2:20? Father, let it be so! </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.
5:6-7 (5:6-9) OUR PART: HUMILITY AND VIGILANCE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of :God, that he might
exalt you in season; </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">7
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">casting
all your :anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
is a secret of the obedience of faith. How contrary this is to human
nature and flesh! O forgive us Father, for substituting another
gospel of ease and self-gratification, and cease to follow the way of
Jesus and His apostles! </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.
5:10 (5:10-11) GOD’S PART: OUR ESTABLISHMENT. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
the God of all grace, who called you unto his eternal :glory in
Christ, after you have suffered a little, shall himself perfect,
establish, strengthen </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">you</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Joy
comes in the morning. Only through the dark night of the soul, the
night of suffering, do we learn obedience, and come into union and
communion with You, Father. O be with us when we are tempted to
depart from these principles! </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.
5:12 (5:12-14a) AFFIRMATION OF TRUTH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“By
Silvanus, as I account </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">him,
</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">the
faithful brother to you I have written briefly, exhorting, and
testifying that this is </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
true grace of :God: stand in it.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
epistle outlines the true grace of God in which we stand. Beware of
the Galatian error of another gospel of the siren call. In the Gospel
of the Kingdom of God do You deliver us from the evil one, Father!
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">And lead 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.
5:14b. BENEDICTION OF PEACE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Peace
to you all </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">those</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
in Christ.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">There
is a false peace in the world and church today. Tares and wheat </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">both</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
are in the Kingdom unto the end. We would not be deceived nor
deluded, but wise in these things, Father! </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>:
4:14 (4:12-19) THE BLESSING OF BEING REPROACHED! </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“If
you are reproached in Christ’s name, blessed </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">you</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">;
because the Spirit of :glory and :of :God rests upon you.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Suffering
in Jesus’ Name in meekness and lowliness, is well-pleasing in Your
sight, Father! How contrary to the world and carnal Christianity!</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">There
are extremely helpful and practical lessons for us in this portion.
Under #1, I recount a Word of the Spirit that came to me in
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in the Fall of 1945. As a new believer, not
knowing the Scriptures too well, I felt the the Spirit was quickening
a Scripture to me. I had the students and faculty of a Bible College
searching with me to find it. Of course, it wasn’t there. It is an
entirely Scriptural Word of the Spirit, even though not a direct
quotation. It accords with Galatians 2:20. J. Hudson Taylor, founder
of the China Inland Mission, put it this way: “The Lord Jesus
received is holiness begun; the Lord Jesus cherished is holiness
advancing; </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">the
Lord Jesus counted upon as never absent</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
would be </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">holiness
complete</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">....
He is most holy who has </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">most
of Christ</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
within, and </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">joys
m</span><span style="font-weight:normal">o</span><span style="font-weight:normal">st
fully</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">the finished
work</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!”</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">
<span style="text-decoration:none">“<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="font-weight:normal">Hudson
Taylor’s Spiritual Secret” came into my hands in 1946 while
attending St. Andrews College in Saskatoon. It </span></font></font></span><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">still</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
challenges me, plus the word of the Spirit that came to me early that
morning in 1945. Oswald Chambers stated the same truth as “My
Utmost for His Highest”; and “Personal, passionate devotion to
Jesus.”</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">However
it comes, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">do not
rest</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
until the above truth is an integral part of your life. This is truly
passing through the Outer Court of the Tabernacle of Moses, into the
Holy Place; but then </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not
resting</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
till through the </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">riven
veil</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
you enter the “Most Holy Place”. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">There</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
communing with God above the Mercy Seat, and having the Christ of the
Ark of the Covenant abiding within as in John 15:1-16 - you will have
the goal of God for each one of us - achieved!</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">Perfect
holiness? No - </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">but
well on the way</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
and awaiting the blessed Hope of the soon return of our Lord Jesus to
effect our body Resurrection. Then the Marriage Supper of the Lamb
can begin!</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">Another
lesson in this passage comes out of Peter referring himself as a
</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">fellow-elder</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
- not as an apostle. Was he an apostle? Assuredly! But in his
humility, he points out that the 5-fold ministries of Ephesians
4:11-12 - sets all 5 of these ministries as fellow-elders first! It
concerns me when I hear individuals pointing out their office prior
to this word from Peter. See also Paul in a number of his epistles:
he sets himself </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">first</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
as a bond-slave (DOUlos), and </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">then</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
as called to be an apostle. Peter and Paul are alike in humility
concerning this. Would to God all of us who are elders, </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">would
place DOUlos and fellow-elder ahead of office designation.
J.A.Watt</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">138:8
</span><span style="text-decoration:none">GIVE THANKS TO THE LORD.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“The LORD
will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love (CHEsed), O
LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands”
(ESV). </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Our
confidence is in </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
Father. Our trust is </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
misplaced. We rest in Your love and care, knowing that You deliver us
from all of our enemies. </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;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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