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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">March 24, 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>OCT
2 - 1 THESSALONIANS 1-3 - SAVED BY CONVERSION, EVANGELISM, WATCH-CARE</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.
1:1, (ESV) PAUL: GREETING OF GRACE AND PEACE. <font size="3">“Paul
and Silvanus, and Timothy, to the church of Thessalonians in God </font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">
Father, and </span></font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3"><span style="font-style:normal">
Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.” </span></font></b><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
bless You Father, that we are in both You and our Lord Jesus Christ.
We bless You for Your grace and peace. Your Kingdom become manifested
through us because of </span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">t</span></span><span style="font-style:normal"><span style="font-weight:normal">his.
We yield to Your way! </span></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.
1:5 (1:2-10) THANKSGIVING: FOR WAY GOSPEL RECEIVED. <font size="3">“Because
our :gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in
</font><font size="3"><i>the</i></font><font size="3"> Holy Spirit, and
much assurance; even as you know what manner of </font><font size="3"><i>men</i></font><font size="3">
we became among you for your </font><font size="3"><i>sake</i></font><font size="3">.”
</font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">The Thessalonians lived
Your will on earth as lived in heaven! We would follow their
example. We would walk in their steps. We would follow them as they
followed Christ. </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.
2:3-4 (2:1-12) PAUL: PERSONAL WITNESS OF HIS CONDUCT. <font size="3">“For
our :exhortation </font><font size="3"><i>is</i></font><font size="3">
not of error nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">4
</font><font size="3">but even as we have been approved of :God to be
entrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God
who proves our :hearts.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we thank You for the Pure Gospel, and its Pure Messengers, as it was
originally given. We pledge to share it in this same purity and
power. </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.
2:13 (2:13-16) PAUL: THANKFULNESS FOR THEIR STEADFASTNESS IN
PERSECUTION. <font size="3">“And for this we also thank :God without
ceasing, that, when you received from us the word of :God’s
message, you accepted </font><font size="3"><i>it</i></font><font size="3">
not </font><font size="3"><i>as</i></font><font size="3"> men’s word,
but, as it is in truth, God’s word, which also works in you that
believe. </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">O forgive us
Father, for sometimes receiving Your Word carelessly, as ordinary
words, or even in unbelief with no acting upon it. Besides Your Word,
there is nothing greater except Yourself. Beyond the sacred page, we
see </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">You</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
Lord! </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.
2:19-20 (2:17-20) PAUL’S DESIRE AND CROWN: CONVERTS FAITHFUL TO
THE END. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">For
what is our hope, or joy, or crown of glorying? Are not even you,
before our :Lord Jesus at his :presence? </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">20
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">For
you are our :glory and our :joy.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we bless You for converts who </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">stand</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">!
We bless You for Finney’s converts who stood to the end. We would
impart to our converts this power of endurance. </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.
3:9-10 (3:1-10) PAUL: COMFORTED THROUGH TIMOTHY’S GOOD REPORT.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For what
thanksgiving can we render again to God for you, for all the joy with
which we joy for you before our :God; </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">10
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">night
and day praying exceedingly that we may see your :face, and may
perfect what are lacking in your :faith?” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
give us the maturing desire of the soul-winner for his converts,
Father. May we see the value of a soul. </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">M</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ay
we have the passion of the soul-winner! </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.
3:12-13 (3:11-13) PAUL’S PRAYER ON THEIR BEHALF. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“And
the Lord make you to increase and </span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">a</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">bound
in :love one toward another, and toward all, even as we also </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">do</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
toward you; </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">13
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">to </span></font><font size="3"><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the</span></i></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">
establishing of your :hearts unblamable in holiness before our :God
and Father, at the presence of our :Lord Jesus with all his :saints.”
</span></font></b><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Love</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">:
the Bonding Power of Unity! Evermore grant this to us, Father! </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;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>:
1:9-10 (1:2-10) NEW CONVERTS: AWAITING THE RETURN OF CHRIST! </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For
THEY report concerning us what manner of entering in we had unto you;
and how you turned unto :God from :idols, to be bondmen of a living
and true God, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">10
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">and to
wait for his :Son from the heavens, whom he raised from the dead:
Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath :to come.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
bless You Father for the apostolic </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ex</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ample
of coming to new places and 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">C.H.
Spurgeon Quotes: “Wouldn’t Give a Penny for Temporary Salvation”
- </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">I
confess that I would hardly give a penny for any salvation that I
could lose; I would not go across the street to pick up a quarterly
or yearly salvation.</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
Psalm for the Day: 92:13-14 (92) </span><span style="text-decoration:none">HOW
GREAT ARE YOUR WORKS. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“They
are planted in the house of the LORD; they flourish in the courts of
our God. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">14
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">They
still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green.”
</span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Paul
sa</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">w</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
You to be most faithful to the Thessalonians, Father; and we see You
to be faithful to </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">all</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
groups: the weak, the vulnerable, the widow, the orphan, the poor,
the old. </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Faithfulness</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
becomes Your Name! </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hallowed
be your :name!</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">Title:
“A Psalm or Song for the Sabbath Day.” </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
admirable composition is both a Psalm and a Song, full of equal
measures of solemnity and joy; and it was intended to be sung upon
the day of rest. The subject is the praise of God; praise is Sabbatic
work, the joyful occupation of resting hearts. No one acquainted with
David’s style will hesitate to ascribe to him the authorship of
this divine hymn; the ravings of Rabbis who speak of it being
composed by Adam only need to be mentioned to be dismissed. Adam in
paradise had neither harps to play upon nor wicked men to contend
with.</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">92:1.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">It is a good
thing to give thanks unto the Lord, or Jehovah. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is good ethically, for it is the Lord’s right; it is good
emotionally, for it is pleasant to the heart; it is good practically,
for it leads others to render the same homage. We thank men when they
oblige us: how much more ought we to bless the Lord when He benefits
us! Devout praise is always good; it is never out of season, never
superfluous, but it is especially suitable to the Sabbath; a Sabbath
without thanksgiving is a Sabbath profaned.</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">92:3.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Upon </span></i><i><span style="text-decoration:none">an
instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with
a solemn sound. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">In
Augustine to Ambrose the</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">r</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">e
is the following passage bearing on this same subject: “Sometimes,
from over jealousy, I would entirely put from me and from the church
the melodies of the sweet chants that we use in the Psalter, lest our
ears seduce us; and the way of Athanasius, bishop of Alexandria,
seems the safe one, who, as I have often heard, made the reader chant
with so slight a change of voice, that it was more like speaking than
singing. And yet, when I call to mind the tears I shed when I heard
the chants of Your church in the infancy of my recovered faith, and
reflect that I was affected, not by the mere music, but by the
subject, brought out as it were by clear voices and appropriate tune,
in turn, I confess how useful is the practice.” </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">92:6.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">A brutish
man knows not; neither does a fool understand this. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">In
this and the following verses, the effect of the Psalm is heightened
by contrast; the shadows are thrown in to bring out the lights more
prominently. What a stoop from the preceding verse; from the
saint to the brute, from the worshiper to the boor, from the Psalmist
to the fool! Yet, alas, the character described here is no uncommon
one. The boorish, or boarish man, for such is almost the very Hebrew
word, sees nothing in nature; and if it be pointed out to him, his
foolish mind will not comprehend it. He may be a philosopher and
yet be such a brutish being that he will not own the existence of a
Maker for the ten thousand matchless creations around him which wear,
even upon their surface, the evidences of profound design. The
unbelieving heart, let it boast as it will, does not know; and with
all its parade of intellect, it does not understand. A man must
either be a saint or a brute, he has no other choice; his type must
be the adoring seraph or the ungrateful swine. So far from paying
respect to great thinkers who will not own the glory or being of God,
we ought to regard them as comparable to the beasts which perish,
only vastly lower than mere brutes, because their degrading condition
is of their own choosing. O God, how sorrowful a thing it is
the man whom You have so largely gifted, and m</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">ade</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
in Your own image, should so brutify themselves that they will
neither see nor understand what You have made so clear. Well might an
eccentric writer say, “God made man a little lower than the angels
at first, and he has been trying to get lower ever since.”</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">92.12.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">The
righteous shall flourish like the palm tree</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
This song now contrasts the condition of the righteous with that of
the graceless. The wicked “spring as the grass” but </span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">the
righteous shall flourish like the palm tree</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
whose growth may not be so rapid but whose endurance for centuries is
in fine contrast with the transitory verdure of the meadow. When
we see a noble palm standing erect, sending all it</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">s</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
strength upward in one bold column, and growing amid the dearth and
drought of the desert, we have a fine picture of the godly man, who
in his uprightness aims alone at the glory of God; and, independent
of outward circumstances, is made by divine grace to live and thrive
where all things else perish. </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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