<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
A:link { so-language: zxx }
-->
</style>
<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 30, 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">
<style type="text/css">
<!--
@page { margin: 0.79in }
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }
-->
</style>
</p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>JUN
18 - 1 KINGS 17-21 - ELIJAH: GOD’S PROPHET TO 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.
17:24 (17:1-24, ESV) ELIJAH: MIRACLES DURING FAMINE. <font size="3">“And
the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God,
and th</font><font size="3">at</font><font size="3"> the word of the LORD
in your mouth is truth.’” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Here
we find Your true words Father, in the mouth of Your servant, a man
of God. Your true words spoken in Your Name bring to pass Kingdom
manifestations! </span><b> <i>Hallowed be your :name!</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-weight: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"><b>2.
18:17-18 (18:1-20) ELIJAH CONFRONTS AHAB. <font size="3">“When
Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, ‘Is it you, you troubler of
Israel?’ </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">18</font> <font size="3">And
he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your
father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the
LORD and followed the Baals.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Good
for Elijah! We need to be true and faithful confronters of workers of
iniquity on Your behalf, Father! </span><span style="font-weight:normal">Even
kings, rulers, leaders and presidents! </span><b><i>Your :kingdom
come!</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"><b>3.
18:30b-32a (18:21-46) ELIJAH CONFRONTS PROPHETS OF BAAL. <font size="3">“And
he repaired the altar of the LORD that had been thrown down. </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">31
</font><font size="3">Elijah took twelve stones, according to the
number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the
LORD came, saying, ‘Israel shall be your name,’ </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">32a
</font><font size="3">and with the stones he built an altar in the name
of the LORD.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Here is
Elijah acting as restorer of Israel’s inheritance! We note Father,
his careful restoration first of Your altar: 12 stones, and then 12
barrels of water. And </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
answered with fire! </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
19:18. </span><span style="text-decoration:none">(19) </span><span style="text-decoration:none">
ELIJAH: PREPARATION FOR REPLACEMENT. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Yet
I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not
bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Even
a man of God can suffer discouragement and despondency! Thank You
Father, that Elijah was a man of like passions like us. This treasure
is in </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">earthen</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
vessels. O forgive us for making more of Your servants that we ought!
It is </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in us that is our Glory! </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
20:28b (20) MAN OF GOD: HELPS AHAB. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Thus
says the LORD, “Because the Syrians have said, ”</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">‘</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">The
LORD is a god of the hills but he is not a god of the valleys,’
therefore I will give all this multitude into your hand, and you
shall know that I am the LORD.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Here
You are working for Your own Name’s sake Father, even through a
wicked man. Yes, You </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">do</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
make the wrath of man to praise You! </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
21:7 (21:1-16) ELIJAH’S WICKED ENEMIES</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">:</span></font><font size="3">
</font> JEZEBEL AND AHAB. <font size="3">“And Jezebel his wife said
to him, ‘Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your
heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the
Jezreelite.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">O what a
wicked woman, this Jezebel, who egged her husband on to greater
wickedness! But we bless You Father, that You can deliver us from </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
that the evil one raises up against us! </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
21:27 (21:17-29) ELIJAH: CONFRONTS AHAB OVER NABOTH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
when Ahab heard those words, he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on
his flesh and fasted and lay in sackcloth and went about dejectedly.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
is an amazing reaction, and leads us to note Father, that the most
renegade sinner, </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
can bring to repentance! There is </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">nothing</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
too difficult for You! </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;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><u>NOTE</u><span style="text-decoration:none">:
18:36b-37 (18:21-46) ELIJAH’S EXULTING DECLARATION! </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“O
LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day
that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I
have done all these things at your word. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">37</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
Answer </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">me,
O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are
God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Not
many words in the prayer, but how effective! Teach us to pray the
prayer of faith Father, as You taught Elijah!</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">King
Ahab of Israel is an example of the danger of marrying the wrong kind
of wife. Ahab was a wicked man - but his wife caused his wickedness
to multiply. Even though later in life he had a remarkable repentance
- yet his own wickedness could not be undone. The Northern 10 tribes
of Israel went into captivity to Assyria, some 130 years preceding
the captivity of Judah.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">And
what of the place God’s prophet Elijah played in all of this? </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Much</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
Chiefly in his confrontation of Jezebel’s prophets of Baal and the
grove.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">And
how did he achieve this outstanding success? </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
by devising a plan himself - but by following the word of the LORD in
every detail.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
NT writer James tells us that Elijah was a man of like passions like
us. He was tempted with fear and loneliness, and had to receive
rebuke and correction from 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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">But
prior to his flight from Jezebel - he followed the plan of God
exactly! On the top of Mount Carmel he rebuilt the broken-down altar
of the LORD. He took 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel
for this. He put the sacrifice upon wood with no fire. As a matter of
fact, before he prayed, he had 12 barrels of water poured upon the
wood and sacrifice, even fill</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ing</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the ditch surrounding the altar.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Then
in a prayer of less th</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">an</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
70 words - he called up</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">on</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Jehovah to vindicate his obedience to the Word of the LORD. And </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">God</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
answered by fire - even consuming the wood, the 12 stones and the
water in the ditch! (God previously did the same for Moses at the
dedication of the Tabernacle; and for Solomon at the dedication of
the Temple; and later for Jesus on the day of Pentecost for His
sacrifice of Himself at Calvary.) </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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">And
the result? The people of Israel forsook Baal and his prophets - and
for a while returned to the true worship of Jehovah.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
final section the Holy Spirit had </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">the
</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">writer
to record, was the very evil counsel of Jezebel in having righteous
Naboth murdered. But - his land did </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">not</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
go to Ahab as planned. God sent Elijah to confront him. Soon he died
an ignominious death, and dogs lapped up his blood from the chariot.
And soon Jezebel was cast out a window by eunuchs, and dogs at</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">
all but the palms of her hand and her skull. </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">(Dogs
in Bible times were not like the pet dogs of today.)</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
wheels of God’s justice to us ofttimes appear to grind slow - but
in His time - the</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">y</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
grind exceedingly small! </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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
lesson from this section leaps out of the page at us. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Righteousness</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
exalts a nation - but </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">sin</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is a reproach to any people!</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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
chapter of Proverbs for the day: 18:21 (18) </span><span style="text-decoration:none">THE
PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Death
and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will
eat its fruits.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">David
understood this, and asked You Father, to set a watch before his
mouth, and to </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">keep</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the door of his lips (Psalm 141:3). We </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">hallow</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Your Name, when You guard us from taking Your Name in vain!</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
</span></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none"> </span></b></font></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><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 size="3"><b> TO
SUBSCRIBE - Please Email: <a href="mailto:mailing-subscribe@2rbetter.org" target="_blank">mailing-subscribe@2rbetter.org</a></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" align="LEFT"><font size="3"><b>TO
UNSUBSCRIBE - Please Email: <a href="mailto:mailing-unsubscribe@2rbetter.org" target="_blank">mailing-unsubscribe@2rbetter.org</a></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" align="LEFT"><font size="3"><b>FOR
ARCHIVE ARTICLES - Web:<a href="http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/" target="_blank">http://2rbetter.org/pipermail/mailing/</a></b></font></p>