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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">February 5, 2013</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><br></b></font></font></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>AUG
30 - GALATIANS 3:1-6 - THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FAITH</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.
3:1a. FAITH DISOBEYED: THROUGH DECEPTION. <font size="3">“O
foolish Galatians, who bewitched you?” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
You permit us to be tested. You permit the Judaizers to come amongst
us. But Your word is our standard, and it only is our Plumbline! We
beware of the Judaizers. </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.
3:1b. FAITH: SEES THE NECESSITY OF CHRIST CRUCIFIED. <font size="3">“(Galatians)
before whose eyes Jesus Christ was openly set forth crucified?” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">We
thank You Father, for Your servant Paul and his faithfulness. He did
not pervert nor water down Your pure Gospel. </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.
3:2. FAITH: BASIS FOR RECEIVING GIFT OF HOLY SPIRIT. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">This
only would I learn from you, Received you the Spirit from works of
law, or from hearing of faith?” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">We
do not merit nor deserve the least of Your mercies, O Father; they
are all in Christ by grace. </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" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>4.
3:3. FAITH: WILL NOT PERFECT WHAT SPIRIT BEGINS. <font size="3">“Are
you so foolish? having begun in Spirit, are you now perfected in
flesh?” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">O the
subtleties of the enemy! O the frailty of our flesh! Father, we ask
Your forgiveness wherein we have failed and fallen short. </span><b><i>Our
:daily :bread Give us this day!</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>5.
3:4. FAITH: ITS LACK MAKES SUFFERING IN VAIN. <font size="3">“Did
you suffer so many </font><font size="3"><i>things</i></font><font size="3">
in vain? if indeed in vain.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we would not suffer needlessly, and fail to learn the lessons of the
testing. We would profit from each trial You so wisely and lovingly
place in our pathway. We </span><span style="font-weight:normal">would</span><span style="font-weight:normal">
let trials make us more like Jesus. </span><b><i>And forgive us our
:debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</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>6.
3:5. FAITH: BASIS FOR SPIRIT MINISTRY. <font size="3">“Who
therefore supplies you the Spirit, and works miracles among you, </font><font size="3"><i>is
it</i></font><font size="3"> from works of law, or from </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3">
hearing of faith?” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Teach
us this truth, Father. By Your Spirit write its lessons deep on our
hearts. Circumcise our ears and hearts, and anoint our eyes with
salve. </span><b><i>And bring us not into temptation.</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>7.
3:6. FAITH: JUSTIFIED ABRAHAM. <font size="3">“Even as Abraham
believed :God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness.”
</font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Thank You Father, for
the wonderful example of Abraham. Thank You that the Holy Spirit
through human writers painted him with warts and all. Thank You for
being such a wonderful God that we can unreservedly praise you with
</span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></u><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
</span></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">of
our hearts!</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"><u><b>NOTE</b></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>:
</b></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">C.H. Spurgeon
Quotes: “Knowing the Bible” - </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Do
we need to understand everything? Are we to be all brain, and no
heart? What should we be the better if we did understand all
mysteries? I believe God. I bow before his Word. Is not this better
for us than conceit of knowing and understanding? We are as yet mere
children. We know in part.</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: 60:4, 12 (60</span><span style="text-decoration:none">,
ESV</span><span style="text-decoration:none">) </span><span style="text-decoration:none">HE
WILL TREAD DOWN OUR FOES. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“You
have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it
from the bow. </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Selah</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Yes
Father, You are Jehovah-Nissi, Jehovah our banner! You are our
standard when the enemy comes in like a flood. </span></span><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">12
</span></span></font><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“With
God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">You
use our enemies Father, to chasten us. Then when we repent and turn
back to You, You judge them! Yes, You completely overturn them, and
tread them down. What a wonderful Father You are!</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">Title.
</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Here
is a lengthy title, but it helps us very much to expound the Psalms.
“To the Chief Musician upon Sushan-eduth, or the Lily of
Testimony.” The Fort</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">-Fifth
was on the lilies and represented the kingly warrior in His beauty
going forth to war; here we see Him dividing the spoil and bearing
testimony to the glory of 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" align="LEFT">
<font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">60:1.
David found himself the possessor of a tottering throne, troubled
with the double evil faction at home and invasion from abroad. He
traced at once the evil to its true source and began at its
fountainhead. His were politics of piety, which after all are the
wisest </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">and
most profound. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">You
have scattered us.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
These first two verses, with their depressing confession, must be
regarded as greatly enhancing the power of the faith, which in the
after verses rejoices in better days through the Lord’s gracious
return unto His people. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">You
have been displeased. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Had
we pleased You, You would have pleased us; but as we have asked
contrary to You, You have walked contrary to us.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">60:4.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">You have
given a banner to them that fear You, that it may be displayed
because of the truth.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
The Lord has given us the standard of the gospel; let us live to
uphold it, and if needful die to defend it. To publish the gospel is
a sacred duty, to be ashamed of it a deadly sin. The truth of God was
involved in the triumph of David’s armies. He had promised them
victory; and so in the proclamation of the gospel we need feel no
hesitancy, for as surely as God is true, He will give success to His
own word.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">60:6.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">God has
spoken in His holiness. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Faith
is never happier than when it can fall back upon the promise of God.
She sets this over against all discouraging circumstances; let
outward providences say what they will, the voice of a faithful God
drowns every sound of fear. God has promised Israel victory, and
David the kingdom; the holiness of God secured the fulfillment of His
own covenant, and therefore the King spoke confidently. The goodly
land had been secured to the tribes by the promise made to Abraham,
and that divine grant was an abundantly sufficient warrant for the
belief that Israel’s arms would be successful in battle. Believer,
make good use of this and banish doubts while promises remain.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">I will
rejoice, </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">or,
“I will triumph.” Faith regards the promise not as fiction, but
fact, and therefore drinks in joy from it and grasps victory by it.
“God has spoken; I will rejoice”; </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">h</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ere
is a motto fit for every soldier of the cross.</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">
I will divide Shechem, and mete out the Valley of
Succoth.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
When God has spoken, His divine </span></span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">shall</span></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
our </span></span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">I
will</span></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
becomes no idle boast, but the fit echo of the Lord’s decree.
Believer, up and take possession of covenant mercies; </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Divide
Shechem, and mete out the Valley of Succoth.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Let not Canaanitish doubts and legalisms keep you </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">out
of the inheritance of grace.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">60:8.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Moab is my
washpot.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
A mere pot to hold the dirty water after my feet have been washed in
it. Once she defiled Israel, according to the counsel Balaam, the son
of Beor; but she shall be no longer able to perpetrate such baseness;
she shall be a washpot for those whom she sought to pollute.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Over Edom
will I cast out my shoe. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">He
need not draw a sword to smite his now crippled and utterly
despondent adversary, for if he dared revolt, he would only need to
throw his slipper at him, and he would tremble. Easily are we victors
when Omnipotence leads the way. </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Philistia,
triumph because of me. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">So
utterly hopeless is the cause of hell when the Lord comes forth to
the battle, that even the weakest daughter of Zion may shake her head
at the enemy and laugh him to scorn. </span></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">(From
“The Treasury of David” by C.H. Spurgeon, abridged by D.O.
Fuller)</span></b></font></font></p>
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