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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">April 3, 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"><br></p><p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in" align="CENTER">
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P { margin-bottom: 0.08in }</style><font face="Palatino Linotype, serif"><font style="font-size:11pt"><b>OCT
12 - ZECHARIAH 7-8 - FASTS UNTO FESTIVALS</b></font></font>
<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.
7:4-5 (7:1-7, ESV) FASTING: ITS TRUE NATURE UNTO JEHOVAH. <font size="3">Then
the word of the LORD of hosts came to me: </font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1">5
</font><font size="3">“Say to all the people of the land and the
priests, When you fasted and mourned in the fifth month and in the
seventh, for these seventy years, was it for me that you fasted?”
</font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">We should bring proper
attitudes and motivations when we come unto You, O Great Jehovah
Elohim! </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.
7:14 (7:8-14) FASTING: ITS TRUE NATURE UNTO THE NEEDY. <font size="3">“And
I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had
not known. Thus the land they left was desolate, so that no one went
to and fro, and the pleasant land was made desolate.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
we would hear You say, </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">I
will heal your land</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
because our words and works flow out of a right heart. </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;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">3.
8:3 (8:1-8) BLESSING: GOD’S UNCHANGING PURPOSE FOR JERUSALEM.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Thus says
the LORD: I have returned to Zion and will dwell in the midst of
Jerusalem, and Jerusalem shall be called the faithful city, and the
mountain of the LORD of hosts, the holy mountain.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">You
will meet all our needs, Father: daily bread for the land, our body;
the Word as soul-food for our city; and Your own dear presence for
Zion, the mountain of the LORD, our spirit! </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.
8:13 (8:9-17) BLESSING: ITS CONDITIONAL NATURE. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of
Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a
blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">O
Your timing, Father! How right and just and wise! O make us like
Issachar to perceive the times of refining, followed by times of
blessing (1 Chronicles 12 32). We put Your fear </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">above</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
the fear of man - the expulsive power of a new affection. </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.
8:18-19. FASTING: JOY TO BE ITS MARK. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">19
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Thus
says the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month and the fast of
the fifth and the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth shall
be to the house of Judah seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful
feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a turn-around! Normally Your fasts, Father, a</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">re</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
times of affliction of soul; now they are seasons of refreshing! </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.
</span><span style="text-decoration:none">8:22 (</span><span style="text-decoration:none">8:20</span><span style="text-decoration:none">-22)</span><span style="text-decoration:none">
BLESSING: TO BE CENTERED IN JERUSALEM. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Many
peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in
Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">How
amazing! The king’s heart is indeed in Your hands, Father. You turn
it in whatever direction it pleases You. O may we know You as the God
of Sovereign power! </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.
8:23. BLESSING OF NATIONS: RELATED TO JEWS. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Thus
says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from the nations of
every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, ‘Let us
go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Yes,
and the day will come when the spiritual Jew, the Christian believer,
will be treated in the same manner. </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>:
8:7-8 (8:1-8) GOD’S PROPHETIC BLESSING TO ISRAEL. </b></span><b><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Thus
says the LORD of hosts: behold, I will save my people from the east
country and from the west country, </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">8
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">and I
will bring them to dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. And they shall be
my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in
righteousness.” </span></font></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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Quote
from Abraham Lincoln, </span><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Second
Inaugural Address - </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">With
malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right,
as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work
we are in.</span></span></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"><b><span style="text-decoration:none">Our
Psalm for the Day: 102:16-17 (102) DO NOT HIDE YOUR FACE FROM ME.
</span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“For the
LORD builds up Zion; he appears in his glory; </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">17
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">he
regards the prayer of the destitute and does not despise their
prayer.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Your
time to favor Zion, yes </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">the
set time</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
is come. This is that generation, and that Jubilee (the 120</span></span><sup><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">th</span></span></sup><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">),
when final judgment comes on the enemy, Father, and Your people are
fully set free! </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">Subject</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">:
This is a patriot’s lament over his country’s distress. He
arrays himself in the griefs of his nation as in a garment of
sackcloth and casts her dust and ashes upon his head as the ensigns
and causes of his sorrow. He has his own private woes and personal
enemies; he is, moreover, sore afflicted in body by sickness, but the
miseries of his people cause him a far more bitter anguish, and this
he pours out in an earnest, pathetic lamentation. Not, however,
without hope does the patriot mourn; he has faith in God and looks
for the resurrection of the nation through the omnipotent favor of
the Lord. The word rendered “complaint” has in it none of
the idea of fault-finding or repining, but should rather be rendered
“moaning” - the expression of pain, not of rebellion. To help the
memory, we will call this Psalm “The Patriot’s Plaint.”</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">102:1.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Hear my
prayers, O Lord. </span></i><span style="text-decoration:none">Or,
O Jehovah. </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Sincere
suppliants are not content with praying for praying’s sake; they
desire really to reach the ear and heart of the great God. It is a
great relief in time of distress to acquaint others with our
trouble., We are eased by their hearing our lamentation. But it is
the sweetest solace of all to have God Himself as a sympathizing
listener to our plain</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">t</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
That He is such is no dream, or fiction, but an assured fact.
It would be the direst of all woes if we could be indisputably
convince</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">d</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
that with God there is neither hearing nor answering; he who could
argue us into so dreary a belief would do us no better service than
if he had read us our death-warrants. Better die than be denied the
mercy-seat. As well be atheists at once as believe in an unhearing,
unfeeling 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">102:2.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">In the day
when I call answer me speedily. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">It
is a proverb concerning favors from human hands that “he gives
twice who give</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">
quickly,” because a gift is enhanced in value by arriving in a time
of urgent necessity; and we may be sure that our heavenly Patron will
grant us the best of gifts in the best manner, granting us grace to
help in time of need. When answers come upon the heels of our
prayers, they are all the more striking, more consoling, and more
encouraging.</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">102:13.
</span></span><u><i><span style="font-weight:normal">For the time
to favor her, </span></i><i><span style="font-weight:normal">y</span></i><i><span style="font-weight:normal">es,
the set time, is come</span></i></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
When God’s own time is come, neither Rome, nor the devil, nor
persecutors, nor atheists, can prevent the kingdom of Christ from
extending its bounds. It is God’s work to do it - He must “arise”;
He will do it, but He has His own appointed season; and meanwhile we
must, with holy anxiety and believing expectation, wait upon Him.</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">102:21.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">To declare
the Name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">To
communicate to others what God has done for us personally and for the
church at large is so evidently our duty that we ought not to need
urging to fulfill it. God has ever an eye to the glory of His grace
in all that He does, and we ought not willfully to defraud Him of the
revenue of His praise.</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">102:24.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Your years
are throughout all generations.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
You live, Lord; let me live also. A fullness of existence is with
You; let me partake therein. Note the contrast between himself pining
and ready to expire, and his God living on in the fullness of
strength forever and ever; this contrast is full of consolatory power
to the man whose heart is stayed upon the Lord. Blessed be His Name,
He fails not, and, therefore, our hope shall not fail us; neither
will we despair for ourselves or for His church.</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">Conclusion:
</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
We have passed through the cloud, and in the next Psalm we shall bask
in the sunshine. Such is the checkered experience of the believer.
Paul, in the seventh of Romans, cries and groans, and then in the
eighth rejoices and leaps for joy; and so, from the moaning of the
Hundred and Second Psalm, we now advance to the songs and dancing of
the Hundred and Third, blessing the Lord, that “though weeping may
endure for a night, joy comes in the morning. </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>
<p style="margin-top:0.01in;margin-bottom:0in;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;text-decoration:none" align="LEFT">
<br>
</p>
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