Developing sensitivity to the HS is crucial to moving in the authority of Jesus. That is a given. However on the flip side it is also important to recognize when HS is not the origin of what we are hearing.  This is discernment, and the HS will develop this in us. The highest use of discernment is to connect with what HS is doing in a situation, or speaking to us. Discerning the genuine also shows up the counterfeit for what it is and empowers us to discern and resist the voice of Satan.

Jesus hears God the Father speak, then HS leads Jesus into the wilderness. Through the HS we encounter, and overcome all voices that claim authority in our lives. Only the voice of the Father can be our authority.

As Jesus encounters Satan I don't think he announced who he was or what his intentions were. He would be in his best outfit, making his most skilled attempt to seduce and deceive Jesus. Notice that Satan even quotes scripture. He has done his home work.

• Satan quotes scripture, but they are twisted to a self focused perspective
• Jesus countered with scripture which is interpreted from a God centered persecutive

Satan was cunning and cleaver, but in playing his hand he gives away some of his strategies. There is a method to what was happening here…

• If you are…God had already spoken to Jesus, already had the word in Him. Doubt and confusion creates opportunity to exploit.
  • God given identity and relationship is the very first thing he went for. The jugular vein of our spirituality
  • Example 1 Cor 14:33 - Confusion in handling gifts can render them ineffective
  • Four soils parable - Satan tries to snatch the word away - in this case the word was "You are my Son"
  • Eden - "Did God really say..."
• Make Bread…put personal comfort first. Self interests first.
  • Jesus rebuked Peter “get behind me Satan” for his rejection of sacrifice
  • Romans 8 - flesh vs spirit. The entire chapter is about this
  • Esau sold his birthright for a meal - with massive implications
  • Israelites complained about food in the wilderness, this motivated their desire to  return to Egypt
• All authority...this is an outright lie. 
  • Ps 2:7-8 – Jesus had just been named the Son - He only needed to ask the Father for the nations. Tempted with a short-cut. The easy road of compromise. This would save the messiness and pain of the cross
  • Philippians 2 – Spiritual authority comes through sacrificial obedience, not sucking up or having friends in high places. 
  • It is a terrible mistake to confuse position with spiritual authority...
• Jump off the Temple…What an amazing entrance into public ministry that would be. Descending from on high on a staircase of angle hands...yet Jesus frequently warns us to do things in secret and not for the praise of others.
  • Jesus challenged the crowds on this issue regarding John – “What did you come here to see…”
  • Mat 6:6,18 etc
  • Romans 2:28-29 - there is a play on words -  Judah (Jew) means "praise". Is our praise (Jew) from God or people...

If you think about it - it was an amazing spiritual experience. Visions, out of body experiences, visitations from angelic beings, but at the centre was compromise and self-promotion. Jesus recognized that this experience didn't reflect the nature or will of the Father. It just show how careful we must be to discern the origin of what we are experiencing or hearing.

Jesus knew his position of athority with the Father (You are my Son - the named heir), and His working relationship with the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of the Lord is upon me - the Power of creation).

What Satan attempted was to set the agenda and call the shots in Jesus life. He attempted to assume a position of authority over Jesus. Jesus responses did two things - He answered Satan' s temptation, and also held Satan himself accountable to the word of God. Jesus exercised His spiritual authority without gtiving it away or allowing it to be manipulated.

Strategies - It is really important to understand Satan’s strategies.

1. Satan’s power comes from the Nature of God - Holy (law) and Just (vengance). His is a delegated authority
   • He appeals against us – He is the accuser. Rev 12:10, Job 1, Luke 22:31
   • Depowered by Jesus – Col 2:14-15
   • Grace is administered through Jesus Christ alone (Is 53), we exchange the conviction of guilt (a legal term) for Christ's righteousness
   • If he can errode our faith and obedience in Christ he postions us outside grace, we are exposed to justice and he gains power through accusation
2. If he cannot overpower them, get God to do it for him.  Satan does this by tempting people to violate God’s holiness – then God’s justice is aroused.
   • Tree of knowledge - Gen 3
   • Balaam – 2 Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11, Rev 2:14, Numbers 24 & 25, Numbers 31:15
   • Activates the power of God’s curse. Deut 28, 29
   • The old and younger prophet: 1 Kings 13, 2 kings 23:16-18
   • Eg Occult, blatant sin etc.
3. Get them doing the wrong thing for the right reasons
   • See the temptations of Jesus
   • Galatians 3:3 – perfecting in human strength
   • Abraham and Hagar – Ishmael
   • Moves faith away from God’s ability to our own
4. Get them to do the right things for the wrong reasons
   • The internal work is easy to ignore because no one can see
   • Romans 12, Acts 5 - Lying to the HS
5. His mission is to kill, steal and destroy. But he cannot do this without our consent. First he must errode spiritual authority
   • James 4:7, 1 Peter 5:8, Luke 9:1, 10:19

Ezekiel 12:4-8

By day you shall bring out your belongings in their sight, as though going into captivity; and at evening you shall go in their sight, like those who go into captivity. Dig through the wall in their sight, and carry your belongings out through it. In their sight you shall bear them on your shoulders and carry them out at twilight; you shall cover your face, so that you cannot see the ground, for I have made you a sign to the house of Israel.

So I did as I was commanded. I brought out my belongings by day, as though going into captivity, and at evening I dug through the wall with my hand. I brought them out at twilight, and I bore them on my shoulder in their sight.

And in the morning the word of the Lord came to me, saying...

Sometimes the call of God is clear, but at the sometime can be a bit vague....

Ezekiel was commanded to dig through the wall, which he did - that much was clear - then what? There was a night of waiting, wondering, looking foolish. A demolished wall behind him but no fanfare of obedience awaiting outside, no reward just an awkward silence. He became a public spectacle without understanding why. God didn't explain until the next day.

"Did I really hear correctly...I have obeyed you Lord and now you go quiet?"

No, there is no hesitation. Ezekiel is confident because he knows a key to walking with the HS. Sometimes God say "go", other times he says "no", and Ezekiel understands "slow". When God calls us to walk with Him and match His pace.

God gave enough for Ezekiel to be obedient, but not enough for him to be independent. That's Slow. One step at a time, at His speed.

Abraham learned this too...

Now the Lord had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you.

Did you catch that?
God didn't give directions to Abram, arriving at the destination isn't what this is about, it was an invitation from God to go on a journey with Him. 

This is the slow.

It is too easy to do God's work for Him at our pace and in our own way. We get a sniff "go", of His call, and roar off with all our energy doing God's work for Him. Then what happens? He has to pull us back in. And we start to hear "No". And we bounce between these realities. We need to hear and understand when God tells us "slow".

You see God doesn't need our strength, wisdom or assistance. We kid ourselves. The destination of His call is always in His capable hands. He asks us along for the journey.

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Water baptism is an important step in our Christian walk, not only as an act of obedience but as a powerful declaration. By being baptised like Jesus did, we declare publicly our identity with him, and our intention to follow His teaching and will for our lives.

John called it baptism of repentance - a sign of turning away from one thing, and turning towards something else. The water a symbol of becoming clean.
For example you may be doing something which is dirty - digging the flowers, and want to go for a nap. You wouldn't jump into bed with the boot and overalls on. You would change and wash. You would prepare for the environment you are about to enter.

That is what baptism means. It symbolizes our intention to become clean and enter into the call of God. It is acceptance of God's invitation.

Invitation into what?

When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

At his baptism God the Father proclaimed His favor over Jesus...well of course He does this is Jesus we are talking bout.

Do you believe God loves you too?

Do you really believe He looks on you and whispers "You are my beloved"
He does. Always has. Always will.
The cross shouts it at us. The truth of the cross grabs us by our chin, looks deep into our eyes. He sees the brokenness, unworthiness and pain and embraces it all. 

"You are worthy"

When our hearts hear this voice and we believe, baptism is our reply. 

We join Jesus in the water, standing before God the Father in acceptance of His word "You are my beloved".

Baptism is a powerful declaration we make to God the Father that we accept His love and invitation to be a son or daughter and part of the family of God.

Talk to one of the pastors or your home group leader if you think water baptism may be a step the Lord is calling you to take.

Matthew 8

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses.”

• Healed all…references Is 53
• 1 Peter ch 1 and 2 also references Is 53 and expounds it as “the word by which the gospel was preached…” (1:25, 2:21-25)
• The default position of Jesus was to respond with healing and power

Philippians 2

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• The name of Jesus – the highest authority
• Think of a cheque book. The name or signature has been given to authorise it. Our job is to fill in with the resource needed and present to the Father 

Luke 9

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases….
…Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.

• Healing and miracles are not restricted to the twelve, or a special few; rather “all who believe”

Mark 16

 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs.
Amen.

John 16

Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

“And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

“These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

• Jesus delegates his authority to those who believe and follow Him
• Consider the baptism of Jesus – God the Father speaks; delegating authority to God the Son. HS has been preparing Jesus (learned obedience) and setting the stage. Now HS is authorised to act in power at the word of Jesus.
• We present our request to God the Father, in the Name of Jesus. Holy Spirit does the actual healing
• Our position is to proclaim and apply the legal exchange of the atonement before God the Father in a position of authority over creation.  

Optimism = "hopefulness and confidence about the future or the success of something."

In order to better understand people’s views of the world, a researcher once placed two children, one a pessimist and the other an optimist, alone in separate rooms.

The pessimist was placed in a colorful room full of all kinds of imaginative toys…the optimist was put in a room filled with horse manure.

The first child played in the room for a little while, but soon came to the door asking to leave because the toys were boring and because they broke too easily.

Likewise, the young optimist soon came to the door…but rather than asking to leave, she asked for a shovel.

Of course, the researcher asked the child why she wanted a shovel.

She replied, “With all this manure around, I know that there must be a pony in here somewhere.”

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I think that is today's life there are many things that can make us pessimistic about life. Stories about war, strife, hunger, ungodliness and many other things, just watch the news. You don't often get news of good things that is happening, but God's word urges us on to be optimistic about life.

Psalm 52:8 really reflects with me personally, its says "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the loving kindness of God forever and ever."

So you might ask the question "Why should I be optimistic about things, about life and about the future?

You know why, because we have hope, hope and the promise of God in his word that should make us very optimistic about life, about the future. To stand with the full knowledge of God promises in our life as children of God, as stated in Psalm 27 and many other scriptures

Psalm 27:1-3 "The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. Though a host encamp against me, My heart will not fear; Though war arise against me, In spite of this I shall be confident."

This week I've been reading Matthew, and one passage that has really challenged me here is Matthew 7:12:

Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

In reading commentaries on this passage I found something interesting about the context in which Jesus delivered this command:

The negative way of stating this command was known long before Jesus. It had long been said, “You should not do to your neighbor what you would not want him to do to you.” But it is a significant advance for Jesus to put it in the positive, to say that we should do unto others what we want them to do unto us.

In so doing, Jesus makes the command much broader. It is the difference between not breaking traffic laws and in doing something positive like helping a stranded motorist. Under the negative form of the rule, the goats of Matthew 25:31-46 are found “not guilty.” Yet under the positive form of the Golden Rule – Jesus’ form – they are indeed found guilty.

This command that Jesus gives us must be significant if he also tells us that this statement is the summary of how to treat people according to the Law and the Prophets. This passage is one that is easy to read and gloss over, but to really understand the implications of this should result in a transformed view of our role as followers of Jesus. This passage raises the bar from a list of "what not to do", to endless possibilities of ways to serve and love those around us.

Take 5 minutes today to sit and reflect with a pen and piece of paper about what an ideal day would look like for you. How would others act toward you? How would they treat you? How would they speak to you? What would they do for you?

Got a good list? You now have in front of you a list of how Jesus calls us as his followers to treat everyone we come in contact with in our daily lives. If this is how you would like to be treated, then this is the way in which you are invited to partner with Jesus in your everyday life.

Challenging I know, but I can only imagine the possibilities if we as a community of believers were to take up this challenge in each of our lives. Behaviour like that is a light on a hill, and the salt that changes the flavour of our communities! Let's be that salt and that light.

Stay salty,

Stephen

Luke 15

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

“And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put iton him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

“Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

“But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

“And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

How many sons did you see?

Two? Did you see the third son?

Interpreting Scripture – there are layers and context, look at the beginning word..."Then he said". Jesus is telling the parable but he is also the hero of the story being told by Luke. In Luke's gospel narrative he is the third son...the son telling a story about sons.

Luke tells a story about Jesus telling a story about...

• The son who ran away with his inheritance and returned as a servant
• The son who stayed at home as a servant and didn’t enter his inheritance
• Jesus is the son who tells the story, who came as a servant in his inheritance

First son’s mistake was infatuation with the product of relationship – his inheritance – this led to breakdown in relationship with the Father.

• Father said “he was dead”
• One of the inheritances he neglected was relationship with the Father, his role as a son
• It’s about what we can get sometimes-
  • Even his return home was self-serving, he was hungry
• It abuses the goodness of God the Father
• We can easily fall into this as Christians, especially those in ministry:- become infatuated with gifting, ministry, position etc. and neglect the source - the Father
• Ultimately, without connection with the Father the "inheritance" dwindles - this Christian's testimony is ancient history. There is nothing fresh from the Father.

Second son’s mistake – maintained a servant relationship with the Father, but he didn't enter into the Fathers goodness as a son, he could not see the Goodness of the Father, and begrudged the son who did. The Father told you could have had a fatted calf at anytime..."all I have is your's". Yet for some reason wasn't able to live that reality.

• This son is loyal, faithful and great at service but had missed something crucial about the Fathers nature
• That’s the religious tendency of people - we only accept what we believe we deserve. And apply that to others
• There is no room for a generous, gracious, loving Father
• It denies the goodness of God the Father
• This Christin resents the testimony of others

The first one was a son who needed to learn servant-hood
The second was in servant-hood, need to learn son-ship

The Third son – Jesus - walked in and ministered (served) from God’s goodness (inheritance).
He maintained relationship with the Father, and out of this reality power flowed.

As the son Jesus became the servant. He changed the world.

Saved => Servant / Son

As we grow in our faith we first encounter Christ as Saviour and soon learn He is Lord too. We go from sin awareness to becoming aware that there is a plan and purpose to our lives. We move from salvation focus to service and ministry. But the is a catch. We don't serve as servant - we serve as sons and daughters of the King.

This is a key distinction which cannot be emphasised enough... 

• A son can serve, but a servant cannot earn son-ship
• The rules are different. Consider a servant having a bad dream vs a child. There is different access to Dad.
• A servant earns wages - this is the nature of their relationship. The nature of a son or daughters relationship is their identity to Dad.

Our call is to walk in a relationship with God the Father, in the inheritance of Jesus Christ.

The silent years of Jesus

Jesus grew from childhood to adult ministry - What was happening in the in between years? Why so long a silence?
This period is framed between Jesus being “in My Father’s house”, and His baptism with Father speaking from heaven “This is my Son…”
His identity comes from God the Father

• Jesus was growing in “favour” with God – relationship between son and father
• Jesus disciples us in “son-ship”, to relate to God as Father – “Our Father in Heaven…”
• In service Jesus does what I see My Father do

Abiding with the father is the end goal of Jesus ministry. This is what He wants to teach us all. The destination of His ministry

He didn't just make this stuff up on the day or as part of his ministry. He didn't pull it out of thin air – He is describing a reality he lived in. A real relationship.
His offer is to prepare us for, and usher us into the reality He walked in. As sons and daughters in relationship with God the Father.

These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.

John 16

And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword;
In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me,
And made Me a polished shaft;
In His quiver He has hidden Me.

Isaiah 49:2 

There is a hidden-ness where God makes his arrows. Jesus was hidden for much of His life. There is a process of making, preparation we also go through. This is a large part of God's work in our lives...

• Arrows are bent, needs heat and a process to straighten them out
• There is a time where He draws the arrow out to shoot it
• Before Jesus walked in His inheritance he grew in son-ship. From Son-ship He entered servanthood.
• No matter how much you mow my lawns etc it doesn't make you family
• No matter if my child does or doesn't mow the lawns doesn't’t change the family reality
• A mature son will walk in the Fathers authority and have responsibility

REASONS FOR RBC MEMBERSHIP
Commitment is a Biblical principle: When reading about the New Testament Church, especially Acts Chapter 2 verses 42-47, we see that the experience of the believers was one of deep commitment.

Committed relationships are God’s ideal for us. Whilst formal membership is never directly mentioned in the scriptures, the biblical message is consistent in its call to a deep level of commitment to God and to His people.

Kingdom growth in both depth and numbers is a consequence of being “joined and held together” as the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:16) Membership is a way of affirming your commitment to the body of Chirst.

Privileges and responsibilities: We see that membership is a privilege and has responsibilities with it. Members add to the church and make it more complete. Our Christian service isn’t restricted to the church’s premises, it’s to be part of our lifestyle at home, at work, at school, at play. Looking for the best in others, not engaging in gossip, accepting others in their uniqueness, and encouraging other believers is our responsibility.
Personal reading and studying the Bible is vital to our walk with Christ, as is personal and corporate prayer. We need to learn about the vision and ministries of the church, and where possible support and pray for the church mission and leaders. Worshiping with the church community regularly and being a part of a Life Group (small group) also help us to grow and experience God at work. The scriptures speak of tithing and giving of our monetary resources as well as our gifts and time to further Gods kingdom through the local church. Our possessions, skills, abilities and gifts are not just our own, we are to use them to bless others.
Above all, we are to keep growing in our relationship with Christ, living in a manner which is right and true - showing the love of Jesus through all our dealings with people and passing that truth onto others.

Decision – making: 

Members are able to vote on matters brought before a congregational meeting, such as the appointment of a pastor, the appointment of elders, the purchase of land or buildings, and other important decisions that the church may want to make. Non members are not able to vote (although they are welcome to attend congregational meetings).

Your ability to vote and make decisions with other believers form a sound foundation for the direction we take as a church.

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A last thought, You don't become a member just because you signed a document or a piece of paper. You are a member of the church because of the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. An active Christian choose to be part of the church when they give their life to Christ, accepting to be part of His body the Church. To Share, care love and belong.

Our belonging somewhere establishes a base from which we can reliably care for others. There are two sides to church membership, and we can’t keep others accountable for their good to a covenant we ourselves haven’t taken.

True love is not only manifest in affection and action, but also allegiance. We do not fully love our brothers and sisters in Christ if we withhold pledging our allegiance to them by covenanting with them in local-church life. Love doesn’t say, “I love these people and don’t need to covenant with them.” Rather, it says, “I love these people enough to covenant with them.”

Living the Christian life in community is more than just loose associations, but committing to each other to be there for each other when life is hard, in sickness and in sorrow.

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TAKE THE NEXT STEP
If you wish to become a member, talk to one of our pastoral staff. It’s a very simple process!

Complete this easy form - CLICK HERE

or email us - pastors@rbc.net.nz

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box.

Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" He then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realizing his father was very old, he thought perhaps he should go to see him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make the arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he was reading, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... "PAID IN FULL".

How many times do we miss blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?

Romans 8:18 "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."

A TRUE STORY By Helen Roseveare, Missionary to Africa

One night, in Central Africa, I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all that we could do, she died leaving us with a tiny, premature baby and a crying, two-year-old daughter.

We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive. We had no incubator. We had no electricity to run an incubator, and no special feeding facilities. Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts.

A student-midwife went for the box we had for such babies and for the cotton wool that the baby would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She came back shortly, in distress, to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber perishes easily in tropical climates. "...and it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed. As in the West, it is no good crying over spilled milk; so, in Central Africa it might be considered no good crying over a burst water bottle. They do not grow on trees, and there are no drugstores down forest pathways. All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can; sleep between the baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. Your job is to keep the baby warm."

The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with many of the orphanage children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it got chilled. I also told them about the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died. During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt consciousness of our African children.

"Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle. It'll be no good tomorrow, God, the baby'll be dead; so, please send it this afternoon."

While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of corollary, " ...And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll know You really love her?" As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything: The Bible says so, but there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this particular prayer would be by sending a parcel from the homeland. I had been in Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from home. Anyway, if anyone did send a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I lived on the equator!

Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time that I reached home, the car had gone, but there, on the veranda, was a large twenty-two pound parcel! I felt tears pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone; so, I sent for the orphanage children. Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper, taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored, knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out.

Then, there were the knitted bandages for the leprosy patients, and the children began to look a little bored. Next, came a box of mixed raisins and sultanas - - that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. As I put my hand in again, I felt the...could it really be? I grasped it, and pulled it out. Yes, "A brand-new rubber, hot water bottle!" I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle, He must have sent the dolly, too!" Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed dolly. Her eyes shone: She had never doubted! Looking up at me, she asked, "Can I go over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus really loves her?"

That parcel had been on the way for five whole months, packed up by my former Sunday School class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water bottle, even to the equator. One of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child -- five months earlier in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "That afternoon!"

"And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear." Isaiah 65:24

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Helen Roseveare, a missionary from Northern Ireland, included this true story in her book "Living Faith." She has written about the revival that took place in the 1950's in what was then the Belgian Congo. She has been associated with WEC (World Evangelization for Christ) at www.wec-int.org/

Brief History: Nebobongo Evangelical Hospital, was started in the 1950's by British missionary, Helen Roseveare, under WEC-Int'l (Worldwide Evangel for Christ). In 1964, rebels attacked the hospital, and Dr. Roseveare was arrested and brutally raped. Years later, she was able to return to DRC and forgive those who physically violated her, without touching her soul.