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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 23, 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
23 - 1 SAMUEL 4-6 - THE ARK: SYMBOL OF GOD’S PRESENCE</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.
4:5 (4:1-6) THE ARK: BROUGHT INTO BATTLE.<font size="3"> “As soon
as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel
gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded” (ESV). </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">This
was a shout of </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">presumption</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
not of faith. Shout louder here; argument weak: this not</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">e</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
was found in the margin of a preacher’s sermon! But </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">faith</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
not noise, is the keynote of Your Kingdom, Father! </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;text-decoration:none" 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.
4:7 (4:7-11) THE ARK: TAKEN IN BATTLE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“The
Philistines were afraid, for they said, ‘A god has come into the
camp.’ And they said, ‘Woe to us! For nothing like this has
happened before.’” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
symbol of Your presence Father, is Your Ark: but it is </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
to be presumed upon. </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">in
in Israel permitted victory for the Philistines, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">in
spite of the Ark</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
</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;text-decoration:none" 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.
4:22 (4:12-22) THE ARK: RESULT WHEN ITS TAKING REPORTED. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God
has been captured.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
symbol of Glory has now been substituted for </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">actual</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Glory for Israel. Don’t we do the same thing? O Father, keep us
close to You, our </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">true
reality</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
</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;text-decoration:none" 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.
5:4 (5:1-12) THE ARK: JUDGMENT ON DAGON AND PHILISTINES. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen
face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD, and the head
of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold.</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Though
Your Ark meant not actual Glory for Israel at this time, yet it </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">did</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
mean Judgment for the Philistines! O forgive us Father, that we sell
You short in so many of our perceptions and traditions! </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;text-decoration:none" 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.
6:3 (6:1-9) THE ARK: PHILISTINE PROPOSAL. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">They
said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send
it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. The</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">n</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not
turn away from you.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
Philistines were hopeful that the Ark was not the cause of Your
Judgment, Father. But they set us a test that would settle the
question. We would give You the benefit of the doubt! </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;text-decoration:none" 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.
6:12 (6:10-18) THE ARK: ITS MIRACULOUS RETURN! </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one
highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to
the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as
the border of Beth-shemesh.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
is absolutely contrary to nature; therefore </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
must have orchestrated it, Father! Yes, You delivered Israel from the
5 lords of the Philistines in a most embarrassing way. </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;text-decoration:none" 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.
6:19 (6:19-21) THE ARK: JUDGMENT ON ISRAEL THROUGH CARELESSNESS.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And he
struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the
ark of the LORD. He struck 70 men of them, and the people mourned
because the LORD had struck the people with a great blow.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Presumptuous
sin again on the part of Israel! Father, teach us that You are a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">holy</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
God, and that </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Your
fear</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
and </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">respect</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
must be in us! </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;text-decoration:none" 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>:
5:9 (5:1-12) THE ARK: ITS JUDGMENT ON THE PHILISTINES. </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
after they had brought it around, the hand of the LORD was against
the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the
city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Your
Judgments Father, a</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">re</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
fearful and concrete indeed!</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is so important for all of us to realize that “religion” does </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
give us an “in” with God!</span></span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">In
the lesson above, Israel under the two corrupt priests, sons of the
High Priest - with Israel as a nation - had no right to believe that
“the Ark of God” brought into battle would save them. Eli sensed
this, and was in fear for its safety.</font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2">Then
later in the history of Israel, this nation believed that because
they had “the Temple of the LORD” - that their holy City of
Jerusalem and their land would be safe from the enemy, in spite of
their ungodly lives.</font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
prophecies of Hosea and Amos especially make this truth and principle
clear. </span></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
let </span></font><u><font size="3">justice</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
roll down like waters, and </span></font><u><font size="3">righteousness</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
like an ever-flowing stream” Amos 5:24 (5:18-24). </span></font></b><u><span style="font-weight:normal">This</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is the clarion call of the Spirit not only for Israel and Judah, but
for </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
who claim God. If their lives do not correspond with God’s clear
message of </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">justice</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
and </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">righteousness</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in our lives - then all our religion and traditions will avail
</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">nothing</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;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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Israel
is a type and shadow for “The One New Man” - the Church composed
of both Jew and Gentile. What applied to them in the natural, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">now</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
applies to us in the Spirit. When we as a self-proclaiming people of
God fall short of </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">His</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
standards for us - then it is a time for prayer, repentance,
confession of sin, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">turning</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
from our wicked ways, and holding out for a true heaven-sent revival
and Visitation from God. </span></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“If
my people, who are called by my name </span></font><u><font size="3">humble
themselves</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">,
and </span></font><u><font size="3">pray</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
and </span></font><u><font size="3">seek my face</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
and </span></font><u><font size="3">turn from their wicked ways</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">,
</span></font><u><font size="3">then</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
I will </span></font><u><font size="3">hear</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
from heaven and will </span></font><u><font size="3">forgive</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
their sin and </span></font><u><font size="3">heal</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
their land” </span></font><span style="text-decoration:none">2
Chronicles 7:14 (7:11-19).</span></b></font></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;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">True
</span><u>revivalists</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> are
true prophets - who proclaim such truths, and bring enlightenment and
correction to false views of mere religionists! Charles G. Finney,
Jonathan Goforth and J. Edwin Orr were such men!</span></font></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" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><span style="text-decoration:none">Spirit-anointed
preaching - voices lifted up like a trumpet - boldness and
fearlessness before men - </span><u>these</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
are the marks of God’s true heralds of truth. How America and the
world needs to hear such preaching today!</span></font></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 face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt" size="2"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the day: 143:8-9 MY SOUL THIRSTS FOR YOU. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Let
me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. </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">Deliver
me from my enemies, O LORD! I have fled to you for refuge!
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Protection
from both </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">self</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
and his enemies: </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">this</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
was the prayer of David! And </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
are our double protection, Father! </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="CENTER"><br></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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