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<p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">“<b>TWO ARE BETTER THAN
ONE” MINISTRIES</b></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Jim & Marie Watt</b></p>
<p style="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-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><b>Web: <a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/" target="_blank">www.2rbetter.org</a></b></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
<a href="http://www.2rbetter.org/" target="_blank">
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</a></p><p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>SEP
4 - EPHESIANS 1:1-14 - NINE BLESSINGS IN CHRIST</b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>1.
1:1-2 (NNT). BLESSINGS OF AN APOSTLE: GRACE AND PEACE. <font size="3">“Paul,
apostle of Christ Jesus through God’s will, to the saints that are
at Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus: </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">2
</font><font size="3">Grace to you and peace from God our Father and</font><font size="3"><i>
the </i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">Lord
Jesus Christ.” </span></font></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">Praise
be unto You our Father, Ruler of the universe, Who has so abundantly
blessed us with grace and peace. </span></span><b><i>Hallowed be
your :name.</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>2.
1:3-4. BLESSING OF GOD: HIS PURPOSES. <font size="3">“Blessed the
God and Father of our :Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with
every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ: </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">4
</font><font size="3">even as he chose us in him before </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3">
world’s foundation, that we be holy and without blemish before him
in love” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">This is Your
will, </span><span style="font-weight:normal">F</span><span style="font-weight:normal">ather.
We humbly and joyfully submit. </span><b><i>Your :kingdom come!</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>3.
1:5-6. BLESSING OF SONSHIP. <font size="3">“</font><font size="3">h</font><font size="3">aving
foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto
him</font><font size="3"><i>self</i></font><font size="3">, according to
the good pleasure of his :will, </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">6
</font><font size="3">to </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3">
praise of </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3"> glory of
his :grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:”
</font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father, all good things
You have given us in Christ Jesus! </span><b><i>Your :will be done,
As in heaven, so on earth.</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>4.
1:7-8. BLESSING OF UNITY. <font size="3">“in whom we have the
redemption through his :blood, the forgiveness of :trespasses,
according to </font><font size="3">the riches of his :grace, </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">8
</font><font size="3">which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom
and prudence,” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Father, our hearts are chastened within us at the picture of the
Atoning work of Jesus Christ on Calvary! </span><b><i>Our :daily
:bread Give us this day!</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>5.
1:9-10. BLESSING OF REDEMPTION. <font size="3">“having made known
to us the mystery of his :will, according to his :good pleasure which
he purposed in him </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">10 </font><font size="3">unto
a dispensation of the fullness of the seasons, to sum up :all </font><font size="3"><i>things</i></font><font size="3">
in the Christ, th</font><font size="3"><i>os</i></font><font size="3">e
upon the heavens, and th</font><font size="3"><i>os</i></font><font size="3">e
upon the earth; in him” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">O
the majesty and fullness of Your purpose on behalf of all creation,
Father! What confidence we have in you! </span><b><i>And forgive us
our :debts, As we also have forgiven our :debtors.</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>6.
1:11-12. BLESSING OF INHERITANCE. <font size="3">“in whom also we
were made a heritage, foreordained according to </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3">
purpose of him who works :all </font><font size="3"><i>things </i></font><font size="3">after
the counsel of his :will; </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">12
</font><font size="3">that we be unto praise of his glory, we who had
before hoped in the Christ:” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">What
is Satan in the light of Your Glorious Majesty, Father? You make even
the wrath of man to praise You! </span><b><i>And bring us not into
temptation!</i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>7.
1:13 (1:13-14) BLESSING OF THE PLEDGE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. <font size="3">“in
whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your
:salvation, - in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the
Holy :Spirit of the promise,” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
in Christ You provide first the blood; then secondly in the Holy
Spirit You give the oil. </span><b><i>But deliver us from the evil
</i>one!</b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="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>:
1:14 (1:13-14) GOD’S DOWN-PAYMENT ON OUR BEHALF: THE HOLY SPIRIT!
</b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“which
is an </span></font><u><font size="3">earnest</font></u><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
of our :inheritance, unto redemption of the possession, unto praise
of his :glory.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
You dwell in us in Christ through the Holy Spirit. We are sealed with
Your ownership. We are Your house. We are Your temple, Christ’s
body, building, bride, One New Man, army! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">C.H.
Spurgeon Quotes: “Majority”. </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Some
people say, “Why, you are in such a small minority!” Yes, yes;
but as a general rule minorities are right. Up until now, the
majority has never been on the side of Christ, the majority has never
been for God, the majority has never been with the truth.</span></span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="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: 64:10 (64, </span><span style="text-decoration:none">ESV</span><span style="text-decoration:none">)
</span><span style="text-decoration:none">HIDE ME FROM THE WICKED.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Let the
righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the
upright in heart exult!” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Our
confidence is not misplaced in You, O Father! You in Christ have
provided for all our needs as sons and daughters of the Most High.
You are bringing </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">many</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
sons into Glory! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</span></i></b></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal" align="LEFT"><br>
</p>
<p style="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
Psalm of David. His life was one of conflict, and very seldom does he
finish a Psalm without mentioning his enemies; in this instance his
thoughts are wholly occupied with prayer against them.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">64:1.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>Hear my voice, O
God, in my prayer.</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
We do not read that Moses had spoken with his lips at the Red Sea,
and yet the Lord said to him, “Why do you cry unto Me?” Prayers
which are unheard on earth may be among the best heard in heaven. It
is our duty to note how constantly David turns to prayer; it is his
battle axe and weapon of war.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">64:3.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And bend their bows
to shoot their arrows, even bitter words.</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
They studiously and with force prepare their speech as bended bows,
and then with cool, deliberate aim, they let fly the shaft which they
have dipped in bitterness. To sting, to inflict anguish, to destroy,
is their one design.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">64:3-4.
We saw in the Museum at Venice an instrument with which one of the
old Italian tyrants was accustomed to shoot poisoned needles at the
objects of his wanton malignity. We thought of gossips, backbiters,
and secret slanderers, and wished that their mischievous devices
might come to a speedy end. Their weapons of innuendo, shrug, and
whisper, appear to be as insignificant as needles; but the venom
which they instill is deadly to many a reputation. “</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>Feathers
for Arrows.”</b></span></i></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">63:4.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>That they may shoot
in secret at the perfect. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Sincere
and upright conduct will not secure us from the assaults of slander.
The devil shot at our Lord Himself, and we may rest assured he has a
fiery dart in reserve for us. </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>Suddenly
do they shoot at him, and fear not.</b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">
We have seen in daily life the arrow of calumny wounding its victim
sorely; and yet we have not been able to discover the quarter from
which the weapon was shot, nor to detect the hand which forged the
arrowhead or tinged it with poison. Is it possible for justice
to invent a punishment sufficiently severe to meet the case of the
dastard who defiles my good name and remains himself in concealment?
An open liar is an angel compared with this demon. Vipers and cobras
are harmless and amiable creatures compared with such a reptile. The
devil himself might blush at being the father of so base an
offspring.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">63:5.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>They encourage
themselves in an evil matter. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Good
men are frequently discouraged and not infrequently discourage one
another, but the children of darkness are wise in their generation
and keep their spirits up, and each one has a cheering word to say to
his fellow villain. </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>They
commune of laying snares privately. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">They
know the benefit of cooperation and are not sparing in it; they pour
their experience into one common fund; they teach each other fresh
methods. </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>They say,
Who shall see them? </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">They
forget the all-seeing eye and the all-discovering hand, which are
ever hard by them. Therefore, fear not, you tremblers; for the Lord
is at your right hand, and you shall not be hurt by the enemy.</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">64:8.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>All that see them
shall flee away. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Who
cares to go near to Herod when the worms are eating him? or to be in
the same chariot with Pharaoh when the waves roar around him? Those
who crowded around a powerful persecutor and cringed at his feet are
among the first to desert him in the day of wrath. Woe unto you, you
liars! Who will desire fellowship with you in your seething lake of
fire?</span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
<p style="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">64:9.
</span><i><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>And all men shall
fear, and shall declare the work of God. </b></span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">So
strange, so pointed, so terrible shall be the Lord’s overthrow of
the malicious, that it shall be spoken of in all companies. </span><span style="text-decoration:none"><b>(From
“The Treasury of David” by C.H. Spurgeon, abridged by D.O.
Fuller)</b></span></font></font></p><p style="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><br>
</b></span></font></font></p>
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