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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">October 2, 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"><b>MAY
30 - 2 SAMUEL 3-5 - DAVID: ANOINTED KING OF ISRAEL</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"><b>1.
3:1 (3:1-5, ESV) DAVID: HIS INCREASE AND SAUL’S DECREASE. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">There
was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And
David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became
weaker and weaker.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">This
reminds us of Jesus and John the Baptist, for this is a Kingdom
principle. We acknowledge that You Father, have established this
principle, to which we submit. </span><b><i>Hallowed be your :name!</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" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="font-style:normal">2.
3:9-10 (3:6-39) DAVID: RECEIVES ISRAEL THROUGH ABNER. </span><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">“God
do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David </span></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">what
the LORD has sworn to him, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="font-style:normal">10</span></font><span style="font-style:normal">
to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne
of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” </span></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">Abner
was providentially guided to translate the Kingdom of Saul over to
David. We too commit ourselves to </span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Your</span></u></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
purposes, Father! </span></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" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
4:12 (4) DAVID: AVENGES MURDER OF ISHBOSHETH. </span></span><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their
hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they
took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at
Hebron.” </span></span></font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Again
Father, we bless You for David Your servant, a man after Your own
heart. No wonder You supplied all his needs! </span><b><i>Your :will
be done, As in heaven, so on earth.</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;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>4.
5:3 (5:1-5) DAVID: KINGDOM UNITED UNDER HIM. </b><font size="3"><b>“So
all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David
made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they
anointed David king over Israel.” </b></font>The elders of Israel
consummated what Abner had begun, saying the same words. O forgive us
Father, that we so often forget Your prophetic word, and fail to
expedite it when we have the opportunity. This Israeli Eldership was
not a City, but a national Eldership, though they met at Hebron for
this purpose. <i><b>Our :daily :bread give us this day.</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;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>5.
5:9-10 (5:6-16) DAVID: MAKES JERUSALEM HIS CAPITAL. </b><font size="3"><b>“And
David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And
David built the city all around from the Millo inward. </b></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><b>10</b></font><b>
</b><font size="3"><b>And David became greater and greater, for the
LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.” </b></font>David wisely
followed Your leading Father, in making Jerusalem of Benjamin his
capital and Your city. O strengthen us when we are tempted, that we
do the <u>right</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> thing, and
yield not to temptation. </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
forgive us our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</b></span></i></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;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>6.
5:19 (5:17-21) DAVID: SUPERNATURALLY DEFEATS THE PHILISTINES. </b></span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up against the Philistines?
Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go
up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” </b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none">How
carefully David sought Your face through Urim Father, before action!
This is further proof that he was a man after Your own heart! </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
bring us not into temptation!</b></span></i></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;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>7.
5:22-23 (5:22-25) DAVID: AGAIN SUPERNATURALLY DEFEATS THE
PHILISTINES! </b></span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
the Philistines came up yet again and spread out in the Valley of
Rephaim. </b></span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>23
</b></span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
when David inquired of the LORD, he said, “You shall not go up; go
around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam
trees.” </b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none">David
took not the previous victory for granted, but sought You afresh for
a new need and occasion, Father! How we need to profit from this
example of David! </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>But
deliver us from the evil </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>one!</b></span></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"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
3:17-18 (3:6-39) </b></span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And
Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time
past you have been seeking David as king over you. </b></span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>18
</b></span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>Now
then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By
the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the
hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’”
</b></span></font><span style="text-decoration:none">What a loss to
David - losing such a man as Abner through Joab!</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">It
is important that we learn not just to </span><u>know</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
the content of Scripture - but that we </span><u>do</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
what we learn! Jesus at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount
carefully instructed disciples of all time - that it is he who hears
and </span><u>does</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> the Word
of God - who is the man who builds his house upon a rock, safe from
all storms!</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">A
missionary in Africa had the task of translating the Bible into a
native language. He could find no equivalent word for “faith” for
6 months. Finally he felt the Lord leading him to translate faith by
“Hearing and Doing”. The natives agreed. This lines up with
Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount: It is </span><u>not</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
what we know that counts: it’s what we </span><u>do</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
with what we know that gains merit with God!</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">David
was a man </span><u>absolutely committed</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
to knowing the will of God, and then following up by </span><u>doing</u><span style="text-decoration:none">
it. This is one important principle that makes us like David - people
after God’s own heart!</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">Joab
murdered two righteous men more honorable than himself: Abner and
Amasa. David did not during his lifetime have the proper
circumstances to discipline his nephew Joab for these murders. But
just prior to his death, he commissioned his son Solomon to follow
through on this judgment, among several others.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">God
Himself looked on Jerusalem as His city. David caught His mind </span><span style="text-decoration:none">for</span><span style="text-decoration:none">
the significance of this, and made Jerusalem his capital. However,
according to Galatians and Revelation, the earthly Jerusalem did not
“cut the mustard”. It will be the “Heavenly Jerusalem”
descending from heaven above at the end of the Millennium, that will
fulfill all the thinking and will of God.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
again - notice the faithfulness of David in habitually seeking God
through Urim & Thummim to receive His guidance upon all his
</span><span style="text-decoration:none">ventures. See Proverbs
6:20-22 for the spiritual counterpart of Urim for NT saints: three
things come to us as we walk in Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret of
Romans 6 and John 15:1-16; and follow this up by meditating on the
Word! </span><u>Then</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> the
Living Word (R</span><u>E</u><span style="text-decoration:none">ma)
in our heart becomes for us the 3-fold Urim - and like David we will
not miss the guidance of the Lord! George Muller consistently walked
this path. And God, being no respecter of persons - will do </span><u>the
same</u><span style="text-decoration:none"> for you and me!</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"><span style="text-decoration:none">To
make it easier for us to meditate on NT Scripture as Joshua did on
the Torah - we will find the </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>“Outlined
Interlinear New Testament” </b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">by
Ivan Panin - will greatly help us in this endeavor - and especially
when the E-Book edition is released. We can now have it in Book form
through </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b><<a href="http://www.btjohnsonpublishing.com">www.btjohnsonpublishing.com</a>>.
</b></span><span style="text-decoration:none">Jim Watt</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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the day: 150:1-2 LET EVERYTHING PRAISE THE LORD! </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Praise
the LORD! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty
heavens! </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">Praise
him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent
greatness!” </span></font></b><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Universal
praise</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">:
</span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
are abundantly worthy of this, O Great JEHOVAH Father! We gladly and
joyfully join the universal throng in </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowing
Your :Name!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
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</p>
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