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Division to develop Pacific peace strategy RECORD 8 2 0 0 0 A day in the 10/40 windon, "I had no joy like this joy" AWR letters Book review: Unleash the Dream "If I were a rich man!" editorial a THE CHARACTER TEST 've given in to temptation, that's perfectly normal desires in a wrong conflict—but on conditions. why I like the story of the testing way or at the wrong time. Satan "They're yours—lock, stock, and Iof Jesus by Satan (Matthew 4:1- always attacks at our times of great- barrel. Just go down on your knees 11). It shows it's OK to admit we've est weakness, because that's when and worship me" (Matthew 4:9). been tempted. It also shows its OK we're most likely to fall. But without Whoa! Jesus worshipping Satan. to ask forgiveness for giving in to testing—without the opportunity to Unthinkable. This is Satan at his temptation because Jesus resisted choose to do right or to do wrong— most evil. The prince of the world temptation and stands in our place we don't develop character. It's by has come to Jesus offering to satisfy before God. Here's the story: resisting temptation we develop the cravings of human desire: greed; power to withstand temptation. lawlessness; popularity; and power. Barren hills west of Jericho Still Jesus doesn't give in, not a a Soon after the high of His bap- Temple wall, Jerusalem centimetre. Having made his boldest tism, Jesus is driven by the Holy Jesus still hasn't proved He's move, Satan has nothing more to Spirit to the wilderness where He God's Son, so Satan tries to attack offer. "Beat it" says Jesus, before doesn't eat for 40 days and nights. His potential insecurity. And, falling exhausted to the earth. We're at our weakest when we're because Satan's smart, he quotes a hungry, tired and unfit. Satan knew couple of verses from Psalm 91 to The lesson this. He'd witnessed Jesus' baptism "convince" Jesus to sin. But he Satan wants us to believe two in the Jordan River, heard God say, quotes them out of context. "[God] things. Both are lies. "This is my Son, chosen and marked has placed you in the care of angels. 1. Giving in to temptation once by my love, delight of my life" They will catch you so that you won't hurt, and (Matthew 3:17*). He'd followed Him won't so much as stub your toe on a 2. Now you've given in to tempta- into the wilderness and watched as stone" (Matthew 4:6). tion, you're beyond God's use and He became hungry and tired, then What the verses in the Psalm are might as well enjoy giving in to famished and worn. really saying is, God will protect us temptation again and again. a "Look at you. You're about to die. when He feels its necessary. Temptation is real, but so is the Are you really God's Son?" he So, in verse 7, Jesus quotes back. possibility of overcoming it. chides, echoing what God had said "Don't you dare test the Lord your What temptations are you giving at the Jordan just 40 days earlier. God." (See also Deuteronomy 6:16.) in to? Confess and resist them. What "Speak the word that will turn To give in to this temptation— people are you with and in which these stones into loaves of bread" demanding God prove He was the settings when you give in to tempta- (Matthew 4:3). Father rather than accepting what tion? Avoid them. What props do What a test! Satan doesn't tempt He said at the Jordan—would have you have that support giving in to Jesus inside the Temple or at His shown Jesus lacked faith. temptation? Eliminate them. baptism but in the wilderness, where Remember, God will never let you He is alone, hungry and tired. And Mount Nebo? down; He'll never let you be pushed Satan knows physical temptations Satan's got nothing from Jesus, so past your limit; and He'll are strongest. in a last-ditch effort he takes Him to always be there to Food and hunger are good, but the peak of a huge mountain and help you come the timing here is wrong. Jesus is in stands before Jesus in his assumed through it. the wilderness to fast, not eat. He role as prince of the world. He ges- a replies, probably softly, "It takes tures expansively toward the earth more than bread to stay alive. It and gloats about the "dazzling glo- Brenton Stacey takes a steady stream of words from ries" of human prowess. Satan knew God's mouth" (Matthew 4:4). Jesus had come to contest his claim *All Bible quota- We also may be tempted to satisfy and offered to surrender it without tions from The Message. Next week Official Paper Mail: Signs Publishing Company, 3485 Warburton South Pacific Division Highway, Warburton, Victoria 3799, Australia ACN 000 003 930 Phone: (03) 5966 9111 SEVENM-I-DAY ADvEsTNrri Fax: (03) 5966 9019 Editor Bruce Manners CHURCH Email letters: editorOsignspublishing.com.au Senior assistant editor Lee Dunstan Email news: recordOsignspublishing.com.au The trauma of Assistant editor Brenton Stacey Email advertising, manuscripts, obituaries and Editorial secretary Meryl McDonald-Gough wedding notices: editorsecOsignspublishing.com.au losing a baby. Senior consulting editor Barry Oliver Subscriptions South Pacific Division (by surface Vol 105 No 27 mail), $A40.00 $NZ73.00. Other regions, $A70.00. Cover photo: Electronic Clipper Printed weekly. Ju ly 8, 2 000 f 1 a shpoint EVANGELISTS MAKE IMPACT IN SA -1 ixty-five people are on the Sabbath that happening," he says. attending his prophecy interested in becom- they're going to have to Pastor Fehlberg's evan- seminar. sing Seventh-day find a new gelistic pro- "It's really encouraging Adventists after attending denomina- gram began to see so many attend- two evangelistic programs tion," says in early ing," says Pastor Kent. He in South Australia. Pastor April. says church members and Twenty-two are attend- Fehlberg. Thirty are local ministers Pastor ing a prophecy seminar He attending Allan Croft, Pastor Ross run by Pastor Don reports the church in Simon and Darren Slade Pastor Don Pastor Anthony Fehlberg at the Spencer couple and Fehlberg. Kent. Morphett have been "very support- Institiute of TAFE's cam- their chil- Vale after ive." pus in Whyalla. dren have since attended attending Pastor Anthony Pastor Kent's evangelis- "One couple who wor- church in Whyalla. Kent's evangelistic pro- tic program program also ship on Sunday said after "The members are very gram at the Noarlunga began in early April.— hearing the presentation excited about what is shopping centre. Sixty are Brenton Stacey Tension forces church in Fiji volcano spewed ash over SDA students sign in stadium during Jesus march to suspend worship services the New Britain New ree hundred Worship services at the Ireland office in Rabual Seventh- University church in Suva, (pictured). The mission has day Adventist Fiji, have been suspended students from because of the ethnic ten- Sydney and sion in the city. Most of the northern New students at the University South Wales of the South Pacific were Ern signed for a evacuated soon after the 7000-strong 0 civil takeover of the Fijian choir during government. "Entire fami- the Global lies had to leave, which March for affected the schooling of been based in Kavieng and Jesus at some children," reports Kokopo since then. Staff Stadium minister and chaplain helped turn the first of four Australia in Sydney, June 10. Wame Sausau. "The stu- hectares—the largest block "It was just spectacular," says North New South Wales dents, and their children, of land granted by the gov- conference youth director Pastor Wayne French. "The will sit exams in their own ernment to any church choir received some very positive comments from those countries before returning group—on June 11. The in the crowd." to Fiji." University internal grant is in exchange for Students represented the Avondale, Mountain View, auditor Afaese Manoa, also the land at Rabaul. The Port Macquarie and Toronto Adventist Primary Schools, the church elder, has mission has also purchased and the Avondale Adventist High School. opened his house for Bible at cost price land for studies and worship ser- departmental staff housing vices for those who remain. within walking distance of "I still visit the students to the office site.—Bill mony in London last grimage—described as a encourage them and pray Truscott month, will help promote "pilgrimage to the heart" with them," says Mr the UN's Water4Life and a chance for a "just Sausau. "The crisis is wak- WA student becomes appeal.—ANN reconciliation between ing a lot of people up from youngest UN ambassador races, cultures and church- their spiritual slumber." Laura Sweeting, a 16- Leaders' desert trek es"—began on June 4 in year-old student at bridges Australia's divisions Canberra, where Governor- New mission office Stanborough School in Leaders of nine General Sir William Deane built on New Britain Watford, England, has Australian denominations bade farewell to the pil- A new mission office is become the youngest have completed a pilgrim- grims. The journey wound being built in Kokopo, goodwill ambassador for age of reconciliation—a up seven days later at Papua New Guinea, six the United Nations (UN). week-long 3000-kilometre Uluru with an ecumenical years after the Tavurvur Laura, appointed at a cere- bus trip to Uluru.