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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">January 16, 2013</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>AUG
17 - 2 CORINTHIANS 8-9 - PAUL ON GIVING</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.
8:5 (8:1-6, NNT) GIVING: MARKED BY LIBERALITY. <font size="3">“And,
not as we had hoped, but first they gave their own selves to the
Lord, and to us through God’s will.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a testimony of full commitment! Father, we would join the Corinthian
believers at this point! We would be unto You and Your servants this
same thi</span><span style="font-weight:normal">ng</span><span style="font-weight:normal">.
We would have Your rule and reign over us. </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;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>2.
8:7 GIVING: AN ABOUNDING GRACE. <font size="3">“But just as you
abound in everything, </font><font size="3"><i>in</i></font><font size="3">
faith, and word and knowledge, and all diligence and our :love in
you, </font><font size="3"><i>see </i></font><font size="3">that you
abound in this :grace also.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we marvel at the fullness of desire the apostle had for these
believers. We look at this catalog, and recognize that </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">this</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is Your will for us also. </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;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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">3.
8:9 (8:8-15) GIVING: CHRIST’S EXAMPLE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
you know the grace of our :Lord Jesus Christ, that, being rich, for
you he became poor, that you by his :poverty might become rich.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
condescension! What a </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">personal</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
gift is Jesus to us! Father, we love You, because You in Christ first
loved us. It is right that we continually think and pray along these
lines. </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">4.
8:20-21 (8:16-24) GIVING: SOMETHING TO BE PROVEN. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Avoiding
this, that any </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">man</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
should blame us in this :bounty :ministered by us: </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">21
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">for we
take thought for </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">things</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
honorable, not only in the Lord’s sight, but also in men’s sight.
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Father, grant grace to Your ministers and leaders to walk honestly,
sincerely and righteously before us Your people. Forgive us for
judging our disappointments in them, rather than thanking You for
them and praying for them. </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">5.
9:1 (9:1-5) GIVING: CAUSE FOR PAUL’S BOASTING. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
as touching the ministry :unto the saints it is superfluous for me
:to write you.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
with wonder we marvel at the hilarious giving of the Corinthians.
They loved You! Their gifts were gifts of heart-felt thanksgiving.
They went beyond the call of duty! </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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">6.
9:7 (9:6-14) GIVING: ADMINISTERED BY GRACE. </span><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">“Let</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
each </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">do</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
according as he has purposed in </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">his</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
:heart: not grudgingly, or of necessity: for :God loves a cheerful
giver.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
victory there is in such a heart attitude! What consternation this
must arouse in Satan! We should continually walk in this grace of
giving. </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;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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">7.
9:15 GIVING: MOTIVATED BY HOLY SPIRIT. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Thanks
to :God for his unspeakable :gift (d</span></font><font size="3"><u>o</u></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">-reA).”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is Your Holy Spirit Father, who so deeply motivates us to give. First
the blood of Calvary - then the oil of Pentecost. Your Spirit is a
well of water springing up into eternal life. The Kingdom of God is
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. </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"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
9:8 (9:6-14) GIVING: FLOWS OUT OF GRACE! </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
:God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that you, having
always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good
work.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a statement of comfort and assurance! We lean hard on You Father, in
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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Americanism:
Thomas Jefferson Quote, </span></b><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">First
Inaugural Address - </span></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">“Freedom
of religion; freedom of the press; freedom of person under the
protection of the habeas corpus; and trial by juries impartially
selected, - these principles form the bright constellation which has
gone before us, and guided our steps through an age of revolution and
reformation.”</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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the day: </span><span style="text-decoration:none">47:1-2
(47, ESV) GOD IS KING OVER ALL THE EARTH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Clap
your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! </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">For
the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the
earth.” </span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Great Jehovah Father, there is </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">none</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
like You in all the earth! You are to be magnified above </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the earth. </span></span></font><u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="font-weight:normal">Nothing</span></font></u><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is too good for You. We give You extravagant praise in Jesus.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></font></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"><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">Title</span></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">:
“To the Chief Musician.” Many songs were dedicated to this
leader of the chorus, but he was not overloaded thereby. God’s
service is such delight that it cannot weary us; and that choicest
part of it, the singing of His praises, is so pleasurable that we
cannot have too much of it. Our ear has grown accustomed to the ring
of David’s compositions, and we are morally certain that we hear it
in this Psalm. Every expert would detect here the autograph of the
Son of Jesse, or we are greatly mistaken.</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:1.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Clap
your hands, all you people. </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
most natural and most enthusiastic tokens of exultation are to be
used in view of the victories of the Lord and His universal reign.
Our joy in God may be demonstrative, and yet He will not censure it.
The joy is to extend to all nations; Israel may lead the van,
but all the Gentiles are to follow in the march of triumph, for they
have an equal share in that kingdom where there is neither Greek nor
Jew, but Christ is all in all.</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:2.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">For
the Lord, </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">or
Jehovah, the Self-existent and only God; </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Most
High</span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
most great in power, lofty in dominion, eminent in wisdom, elevated
in glory, </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">is
terrible</span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
Omnipotence, which is terrible to crush, is almighty to protect.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">He
is a great King over all the earth.</span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Our God is no local deity, no petty ruler of a tribe; in infinite
majesty He rules the mightiest realm as absolute Arbiter of destiny,
sole Monarch of all lands, King of kings, and Lord of lords. Not a
hamlet or an islet is excluded from His dominion. How glorious will
that era be when this is seen and known of all; when in the person of
Jesus all flesh shall behold the glory of the Lord!</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:4.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">He
shall choose our inheritance for us. </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
submit our will, our choice, our desire, wholly to Him. Our heritage
here and hereafter we leave to Him, let Him do with us as seems good
to Him.</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:5.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">God
is gone up with a shout. </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Faith
hears the people already shouting. The command of the first verse is
here regarded as a fact. The fight is over, the conqueror ascends to
His triumphal chariot, and rides up to the gates of the city which is
made resplendent with the joy of His return. The words are
fully applicable to the ascension of the Redeemer. We doubt not that
angels and glorified spirits welcomed Him with acclamations. He came
not without song, shall we imagine that He returned in silence?
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">The
Lord with the sound of a trumpet. </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Jesus
is Jehovah! The joyful strain of the trumpet betokens the splendor of
His triumph.</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:7.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">For
God is the King of all the earth. </span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
Jews of our Savior’s time resented this truth, but had their hearts
been right they would have rejoiced in it. They would have kept their
God to themselves, and not even have allowed the Gentile dogs to eat
the crumbs from under His table. Alas! how selfishness turns honey
into wormwood. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Sing
you praises with understanding</span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
It is to be feared from the slovenly way in which some make a noise
in singing that they fancy any sound will do. On the other hand, from
the great attention paid by some to the mere music, we feel sadly
sure that the sense has no effect upon them. Is it not a sin to be
tickling men’s ears with sounds when we profess to be adoring the
Lord? What has a sensuous delight in organs, anthems, etc., to do
with devotion? Do not men mistake physical effects for spiritual
impulses? Do they not often offer to God strains far more calculated
for human amusement than for divine acceptance? And understanding
enlightened of the Holy Spirit is then and then only fully capable of
offering worthy praise.</span></span></font></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"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">47:8.
</span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">He
sits upon the throne of His holiness.</span></i></font></b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Unmoved, He occupies an undisputed throne, Whose decrees, acts, and
commands are holiness itself. What other throne is like this? Never
was it stained with injustice, or defiled with sin. Neither is He Who
sits upon it dismayed nor in a dilemma. He sits in serenity, for He
knows His own power and sees that His purposes will not miscarry.
Here is reason enough for holy song. </span></span></font><b><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">(From
“The Treasury of David” by C.H. Spurgeon, </span></font><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none">abridged
by D.O. Fuller)</span></font></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
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