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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">May 17, 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>NOV
2 - RUTH 1 - LOVE’S RESOLVE: FAITHFUL DAUGHTER</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 (1:1-2, ESV) ELIMELECH’S FAMILY IN MOAB. <font size="3">“In
the days when the judges ruled there was a famine in the land, and a
man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he
and his wife and his two sons.” </font></b><span style="font-weight:normal">Father,
help us to see lessons and Kingdom principles here. May we remember
Your promises to Abraham in the </span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">land</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">,
not in Egypt. May famines not deter us from standing on the promises.
</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" 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">2.
1:3-4 (1:3-5) NAOMI: WIDOWED AND SONLESS. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two
sons. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">4
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">These
took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the
other Ruth. They lived there about ten years.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">This
is the beginning of the downgrade of fortune: </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">leaving
the land</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">.
Father, forgive us for forsaking Your ordained place of blessing </span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">in
</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">the
land. </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.
1:6 (1:6-7) NAOMI: PLANS TO RETURN TO ISRAEL. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Then
she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of
Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the LORD had
visited his people and given them food.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
thank You Father, by Providential intimations that You have not
forgotten us, even in our ill-advised wanderings. You are a God of
grace and forgiveness! </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.
1:8 (1:8-13) NAOMI’S PROPOSAL. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“But
Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, ‘Go, return each of you to
here mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have
dealt with the dead and with me.’” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">What
a generous spirit on the part of Naomi! Father, You teach us not to
coerce our fellow human beings, but to leave their decisions to their
own free will, even if not in their own best interests. </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.
1:14-15 NAOMI URGES RUTH. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Then
they lifted up their voices and wept again. And Orpah kissed her
mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">15
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">And
she said, ‘See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and
to her gods, return after your sister-in-law.’” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">We
hear Your voice in Naomi, Father: One who longs for us, yet will not
infringe upon our free will! </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.
1:16-17 (1:16-18) RUTH: CONSECRATION AND REPLY. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">But
Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following
you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge.
Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. </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">Where
you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the LORD do so to
me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">How
we praise You Father, for this revelation of the heart of Ruth! </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.
1:22 (1:19-22) NAOMI AND RUTH: RETURN TO BETHLEHEM. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“So
Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her,
who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at
the beginning of barley harvest. </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">The
cycle of the wheel is complete: back to the start again; empty by
three souls, but full through Ruth! This is Your grace, 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" 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>:
1:20-21a (1:19-22) </b></span><b><span style="text-decoration:none">NAOMI:
A BITTER TESTIMONY. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">She
said to them, “Do not call me Naomi (Pleasant); call me Mara
(Bitter), </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 Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">21a
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">I went
away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty.” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">Thank
You Father, that You proved Naomi wrong in her evaluation and
conclusion.</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">C.H.
Spurgeon Quote: The Tension of the Will and Predestination - </span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">“The
grace of God constrains men to become Christians, and yet only
constrains them consistently with the laws of their mind. The
freedom of the will is as great a truth as the predestination of God.
The grace of God, without violating our will, makes men willing in
the day of God’s power, and they give themselves to Jesus Christ.
You cannot be a Christian against your will. How could it be? A
servant of God against his will! Nay, it never was so, and it never
shall be so.”</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: 122:6-7 (122) LET US GO TO THE HOUSE OF THE
LORD. </span><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">“Pray
for the peace of Jerusalem! ‘May they be secure who love you! </span></font><font style="font-size:8pt" size="1"><span style="text-decoration:none">7
</span></font><font size="3"><span style="text-decoration:none">Peace
be within your walls and security within your towers!’” </span></font></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">How
can we glorify You, Father? By praying according to </span></span><u><span style="font-weight:normal">Your</span></u><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
purposes. And surely one of Your purposes concerns Israel. We cannot
spiritualize all Your promises to Israel and apply them only to the
church! </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;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">Title
and Subject</span></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">:
David wrote it for the people to sing at the time of their goings up
to the holy feasts at Jerusalem. When they stood within the triple
walls, all things around the pilgrims helped to explain the words
which they sang within her ramparts of strength. One voice led the
Psalm with its personal “I,” but ten thousand brethren and
companions united with the first musician and swelled the chorus of
th</span></span><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">e
strain.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">122:1.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">I was glad
when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.</span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">
Good children are pleased to go home and glad to hear their brothers
and sisters call them there. David’s heart was in the worship of
God, and he was delighted when he found others inviting him to go
where his desires had already gone: it helps the ardor of the most
ardent to hear others inviting them to a holy duty.</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"><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">122:3.
</span></span><b><i><span style="text-decoration:none">Jerusalem is
built as a city that is compact together. </span></i></b><span style="text-decoration:none"><span style="font-weight:normal">There
is no joy in going up to a church which is rent with internal
dissension: the gladness of holy men is aroused by the adhesiveness
of love, the unity of life; it would be their sadness if they saw the
church to be a house divided against itself. Some bodies of
Christians appear to be periodically blown to fragments, and no
gracious man is glad to be in the way when the explosions take place:
thither the tribes do not go up, for strife and contention are not
attractive forces. </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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