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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 22, 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 style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>MAY
22 - 1 SAMUEL 1-3 - SAMUEL: HIS BIRTH AND ESTABLISHMENT</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" align="LEFT"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>1.
1:4-5 (1:1-5) SAMUEL’S PARENTS. <font size="3">“On the day when
Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and
to all her sons and daughters. </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">5
</font><font size="3">But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because
he loved her, though the LORD had closed her womb” (ESV). </font></b><font size="3"><span style="font-weight:normal">When
You Father, would use one; special preparation, testing and trials
are always in order! So it was with Hannah; so it is with us. This is
a Kingdom principle, and we submit to its rule. </span></font><b><font size="3"><i>Hallowed
be your :name!</i></font></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;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>2. 1:19 (1:6-19) SAMUEL’S
MOTHER. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">They rose early in the
morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their
house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD
remembered her.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">A
life of prayer for Hannah was born out of adversity and persecution;
so it is with us: no trouble - no depth of spirituality. Storms
produce strong root systems in trees. </span><b><i>Your :kingdom
come!</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>3. 1:27-28 (1:20-2:10)
SAMUEL’S BIRTH. <font size="3">“For this child I prayed, and the
LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">28
</font><font size="3">Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as
he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a godly mother You gave to Your servant Samuel, Father - a woman like
Mary, the mother of Your Son! You provide all things well! </span><b><i>Your
:will be done, As in heaven, so on earth!</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>4. 2:26 (2:11-26) SAMUEL:
STATE OF ELI’S HOUSE. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">Now the
young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with
the Lord and also with man.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a contrast between Samuel and the two sons of Eli! What an evil day
existed at the time when You brought forth Samuel, Father! O forgive
us for ever doubting You: in the darkest times You are planning for
deliverance through chosen vessels! </span><b><i>Our :daily :bread
Give us this day!</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>5. 2:30b (2:27-36) SAMUEL’S
PROPHECY PREPARED FOR. <font size="3">But now the LORD declares: “Far
be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who
despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Eli
had warning from God before Samuel’s word. In the mouth of 2 or 3
witnesses shall every R</span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">E</span></u><span style="font-weight:normal">ma
word be confirmed. Yet Father, </span><b><font size="3">“You will not
suffer us to be tempted above that which we are able to bear” (1
Corinthians 10:13). </font><i>And forgive us our :debts, As we also
have forgiven our :debtors!</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>6. 3:1 (3:1-18) SAMUEL’S
PROPHECY TO HOUSE OF ELI. <font size="3">“Now the young man Samuel
was ministering to the LORD under Eli. And the word of the LORD was
rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a terrible word for a young boy to receive; no wonder Samuel feared
to share it! And You gave this Word Father, in the midst of a time of
great dearth of You</span><span style="font-weight:normal">r</span><span style="font-weight:normal">
Word. But our confidence is that: in Your judgment when needed, Your
Word comes! </span><b><i>And bring us not into temptation!</i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b>7. 3:19-20 (3:19-21)
SAMUEL: ESTABLISHED AS GOD’S PROPHET. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">And
Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him and let none of his words fall
to the ground. </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">20</font>
And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established
as a prophet of the LORD.” </b><span style="font-weight:normal">Here
is the preparation of Your prophet, Father. It is all in Your
Sovereign choice and planning. You are the Potter and we are the
clay. You do whatever is right in Your sight! </span><b><i>But
deliver us from the evil </i>one!</b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" 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>:
3:13-14 (3:1-18) GOD’S WORD THROUGH SAMUEL TO ELI’S HOUSE.
</b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the
iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he
did not restrain them. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">14
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Therefore
I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall
not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Samuel
knew that he was receiving a confirmed word from You, Father.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" 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="font-weight:normal">Joseph
is one that has perhaps the greatest number of parallels with Jesus.
But Samuel is close behind. The way he grew up under the oversight of
God is so much like verses in the gospel of Luke concerning Jesus.
The choice of mothers is very parallel. What an important place
godly mothers have in raising godly sons!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" 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="font-weight:normal">Then
Jesus at 12 for His Bar Mitzvah was in His Father’s House,
answering questions an</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">
questioning the Jewish rulers of His day - to their great
astonishment! And God chose Samuel at a very early age to receive and
give the Word of the Lord. And throughout his life, just as Jesus
did, he remained faithful to God. The people of Israel found no fault
in him!</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" 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="font-weight:normal">Samuel’s
influence on David was profound. Together they laid the basis for
worship in prophetic son</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">g</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in the Tabernacle of Moses, which was </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">later
</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">transferred
to the Temple under David’s son Solomon.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">So - the establishment of Samuel
as God’s prophet after a long period of famine from the word of the
Lord - is most significant.</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" 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="font-weight:normal">Samuel
stand</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">
</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">high</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in the thinking of God. In Jeremiah 15:1, God links Samuel and Moses
as extremely high among His OT saints. He states that even if Moses
and Samuel stood before Him, He would not defer judgment upon His
people! Think soberly on this. God’s people can reach the point of
no-return. Judgment for sin promised, can no longer be averted. Even
godly King Josiah could not stop judgment on Judah. God spared him by
taking him Home before this took place. When the “die is cast” -
then - . I believe American cannot be spared from judgment. Over 50
million murdered babies through abortion! Homosexuality given
legitimacy! Governmental mismanagement! Murder, drunkenness and
narcotic addiction - God would be unjust if He did not visit us! He
already has in warning and in part. But the fullness has not yet
come.</span></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">God - Raise up Samuels in our
day - who will boldly and fearlessly declare the clear Word of God!</font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;text-decoration:none" 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">Our
Psalm for the day: 142:7 </span><span style="text-decoration:none">YOU
ARE MY REFUGE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Bring
me out of prison, that I may give thanks to your name! The righteous
will surround me, for you will deal bountifully with me.”</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
David’s prayer: one of distress in the midst of persecution and
desertion; but hope in God for the future. Father, our hope is never
misplaced in You! You </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">do</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
hear; You </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">do</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
deliver; You </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">do</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
restore! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
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