I would like to share with you some lessons the Lord has been teaching me about stirring myself up. To stir means, "To rouse from inactivity, contentment and indifference." To be stirred means, "To be emotionally moved or strongly affected." In Exodus 35:21, when Moses requested gifts for the tabernacle, the Bible says, "And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing,..." God only accepts a willing sacrifice, and from time to time circumstances will come that rouse us, but He will not continually stir us up. We must take responsibility to do that ourselves. Imagine if I were to take a job but I failed to show up for work. The employer might call me and wake me up, and then I would say, "Yes, I like the job and I want to work for you, but no one awoke me." After he fired me, the man might think to himself, "If she really wanted to work for me she would find a way to wake herself up."

"We must stir ourselves awake in the service of the Lord. The parable of the ten virgins is too plain to disregard. Those women had not soiled themselves with the world, they were still virgins, but they were asleep! Can we afford to miss heaven because of "inactivity, contentment and indifference?" These are very heinous sins, but they kept half of those professing Christians out of heaven. There is a song that says, "Let none hear you idly saying, `There is nothing I can do'

While the souls of men are dying and the Master calls for you. Take the task He gives you gladly, let His work your pleasure be,

Answer quickly while He calleth, `Here am I, O Lord, send me.'"

I believe an important part of keeping ourselves spiritually stirred and awake is keeping alive constantly in our minds the death Jesus died for us. It helps to picture Him on the cross, brutally beaten and bleeding, suffering, struggling for breath hour after hour. This graphic picture before me every day keeps my soul tuned with His, my mind aware of just what my salvation cost Him, and it stirs my heart to thankfulness, praise and adoration, and away from lethargy and complacency. It inspires humility and deepens my desire not to give Him less than my best in return.

This stirring of ourselves is like shaking a jar of potpourri; it sends out the beautiful fragrance of Jesus' love and sacrifice to all around us. Song of Solomon 4:16 says, "Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits." This spiritual exercise benefits us enormously, inspires those around us, and also blesses the Lord.

The Lord has been stirring me to ask Him to open my eyes to the needs around me. It is good for each of us to ask Him every day to send us someone who needs love and understanding, so that He may show His love to them through us. Ask Him for the abused ones, the molested ones, the drug users, the unloved and unlovely. We must not go blindly on enjoying our salvation by ourselves while people around us are robbed and beaten by Satan. Instead, we can be like the good Samaritan, who "went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine." The oil represents the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, and the wine, the joy of salvation. Surely we have those in abundance to pour out to others if God will but open our eyes to the needs!

In addition, we must stir ourselves every day with the nearness of eternity, the awful, burning endlessness of hell, and a keen awareness of souls separated from that place by only a breath. It is easy and more comfortable to the flesh to begin to think of hell as somewhat remote from us in time and space, but it is not so. Hell is real, and hundreds go there every day. Only by exercising ourselves to confront this reality daily can we effectively carry a burden for the lost. Our spiritual eyesight will be sharpened and focused as we think on hell.

I am stirred by the scripture in Joshua 17:16, where the tribe of Joseph (speaking of their portion of the Canaan land) said, "...The hill is not enough for us:..." Praise God! I haven't reached the place where I am so satisfied with what God has done for me that I am ready to say, "This is enough for me, the giants can have the rest of the land." Have you? I want the grapes of Eschol, the milk and honey, the figs and dates and pomegranates. I treasure my experience of sanctification beyond anything, but it is not enough! How sad were God's words to Joshua as he lay dying: "There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed." Six of the tribes that crossed into the Canaan land failed to drive out the inhabitants and possess the land. They made a league with them instead. The result of that folly and indifference is found in Judges 2:10, "...And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord,... In one generation after Joshua, the people had forgotten God; they were contented and asleep. Can this happen to us? Of course it can.

We live in the most luxurious civilization there has ever been. Comforts once unavailable even to the wealth-iest kings are so common we rarely think about them. In many ways, it is a good time in which to live, but it can work against our salvation unless we consciously stir ourselves, break up our fallow ground, look for more giants to slay and more lands to possess. I love the example of Benaiah, one of David's mighty men, in II Samuel 23:20. "...He went down also and slew a lion in the midst of a pit in time of snow." I like to think of it this way: The army is encamped because the weather is too bad for fighting. All the rest of the men are sitting around the camp, mending their gear, sleeping, bragging and eating. But Benaiah so loves to fight that he goes out by himself, looking for something brave and valiant to do to test himself, to keep himself stirred up and in fighting trim. May we all do likewise!

The foolish Israelites refused to go into Canaan because they were afraid of fighting the giants, when God had promised repeatedly that He would deliver them and drive out the inhabitants. We must not be hindered in spiritual growth by fear of giants. I believe we can learn to love spiritual battle and even seek it-not fighting in desperation, with our backs against the wall from Satan's attacks, but joyfully, dynamically, on the offensive, driving him back and defeating him by God's power because the land we possess is not enough. The words, "There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed," can also be a stirring challenge. No matter how much we learn, how close we get to God, there is always more land!

CA-Dear saints: I praise the Lord every day for the miracle He performed on me.

In June of 1996 I was diagnosed with cancer. I had surgery in July, 1996, and was told that the cancer was as big as a golf ball but that they had gotten it all. Also, out of ten lymph nodes I had cancer in two. The doctor said with chemo and radiation there was a 70% chance it wouldn't come back.

I had chemo and radiation, but within three months I found a lump in a lymph node in my neck. It was the size of a walnut. I went to the doctor and he did a biopsy and told me it was cancer. He told me it was treatable with radiation, but not curable. He sent me to the chemotherapist. The chemotherapist told me it was not treatable or curable. He gave me six months to one year, maybe two years, to live. He said it didn't make any difference if I had chemotherapy or not, there was less than a 50% chance of it helping....

I haven't been to church in years. The little church I used to go to was sold, and there are no saints close around. I knew I needed prayer and God. I had been praying for two years for God to help and change me and show me how to live for Him. I realized I needed guidance. I asked my mother, Doris Pihaylic, if she would contact Bro. James and Sis. Charlotte Huskey and ask them to pray for me, and if there was any way for them to come and see me. I knew that, if I was going to die, I wanted to be saved so that I could go to heaven. I also knew that if God wanted, He could heal me completely, or if it was my time to pass on, then let it be.

Thank the good Lord, Sis. Charlotte and Bro. James Huskey, with Bro. and Sis. Reed, came to my mom's not even a week later. It was wonderful. They gave me courage and prayed for me. I knew God was going to heal me.

I had my first chemo and two weeks later I went to the doctor for blood tests. I told him my cancer was shrinking. He told me it wasn't possible, that the chemo had not had time to work. After the fourth chemo treatment I was leaving and he called me back and felt of my neck. All he could say was, "It's the size of a pea!" I said, "Yes, I told you it was shrinking." I told him of the saints praying, and that I believed God healed me. He would not acknowledge this.

After radiation I was sent back to the chemotherapist. There was no longer anything in my neck. Praise the Lord, it was gone! The power of the Lord is stronger than anything in this whole universe. I praise the Lord every day.

I am having trouble getting rid of my bad habits and I need your prayers. Also, I would love to hear from some of the saints to help me fight the devil. He keeps putting doubts in my mind about it coming back.... -Katie Poncia 612 4th St., Orland, CA 95963

IN-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary: Greetings of warm love from our hearts to yours! We were overwhelmed by the concern shown to me when I was hurt. I wanted to let you know how much it meant to us, and how we really appreciated it. May God bless each of you. It surely melted our hearts.

None of us know what a day will bring. But, as we follow the Lamb of God, and completely trust in Him wherever He leads, and whatever He permits, we can be assured that we will come forth conquering. Let us follow the One who conquers all, even death. All praise, honor and glory be to Him forever!

I was hurt very severely. I lay flat on my back for 3 1/2 days. I could not turn or move anything except my arms and feet. The swelling in the lower part of my body caused all normal functions of my organs to cease, which caused intense suffering. Our Lord did not leave nor forsake us. Each time I thought I could not take anymore, He made a way. Praise Him always and forever! I am up and walking with the aid of a walker, but still very weak and sore. I am so thankful for every hour of being up and free from the suffering.

This has given me a great compassion for the many people who are dependent on others for care. The only effective way to touch another is through true compassion. I was very touched by our heavenly Father, and all of you that showed so much concern for me. Do you suppose the Lord could awaken our vision? Do we really know how to touch another? How many actually lead another soul to accept Christ on the basis of His love and compassion for them? "For when we were yet without strength,...God commendeth his love toward us,... Christ died for us!" Romans 5:6-67. What wonderful and powerful tidings!

Listen! Do you hear the tramping of the army? Where is the battlefront? There have been more Christian martyrs in this century, in China, and other countries where believers are persecuted, than in many previous centuries. They are persecuted because they believe, live and tell of Christ. Am I a part of that great conflict? Am I getting so familiar with the swiftly progressing tides of perversion that they don't appear deadly? Unless the homeplace is maintained, it will deteriorate, and we sincerely appreciate those who "paint the fences and stop the leaks." May God bless you. Yet, should not a healthy Church produce converts? Those that go out from it, across the street, to the jails, missions, nursing homes, etc., go not only to tell, but to listen and accept. They listen and accept because they are born of love. They are empowered by the same love that drew them. They were accepted just as they were. They were poor, naked and blind. They are now free-free to grow, learn and produce. In so doing, they became rich, clothed and can now see.

Again, let me sincerely thank each of you for your prayers, interest and phone calls. Also, for those that came and helped, and those that offered to come. I know you meant it and God accepted it as such. Let us now concentrate on others who are down, whether it be physically or spiritually. (Hebrews 12:12.) Let us keep our eyes on Jesus; He will calm the storms of life that toss our souls.

We love all of you because of Him who first loved us. -Paul and Lynette Sorrell

KS-Dear saints: Greetings of love in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was recently reading Psalm 107:6, 8, 13 and 15. "Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses." "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" As I read that, I realized I hadn't done all I could to praise the Lord for His goodness. Please forgive me for being so late to send in my testimony.

Some time ago I was driving on the way home from out of town and had stopped at a red light in a city we were going through. When the light turned green, I couldn't move. It seemed as if someone had pulled the plug on my energy and response mechanism. My body would not obey what my mind was telling it to do. I heard my husband ask me what was wrong. I couldn't tell him. He told me to take my foot off the peddle. I couldn't do that. He managed to get my foot off the peddle and maneuver us over into an empty parking lot. He got me out from under the steering wheel and we headed for the home of some saints that lived in that town for prayer. I was helped into the house and to a bed. They prayed until I felt I was well enough to continue the trip home. Thus began months of being in and out of bed with severe weakness, irregular heartbeat, a heavy feeling in my chest, and periods of feeling like I was going to pass out. About a year later, during our fall meeting, I was feeling like I was fighting to stay conscious. I knew I would have to have prayer to be able to drive home. The ministers anointed me and prayed. As soon as they were through praying I felt like a different person. Praise God! I haven't had any of those severe spells or anything even close to that since then. Praises be to our God! He IS just the same today.

Just recently, I was expecting our fourth child and was having to be on strict bedrest because of early contractions. I had an appointment to see the obstetrician at 35 weeks gestation. When I went in I was having pretty consistent contractions. She wanted to put me right in the hospital and put me on two or three different medications to stop the labor. I told her I would just go home and hold it off for another week. She said, "No, you'll probably have this baby tonight." We went home and called around for prayer, saying that we needed another week's time, and two weeks would be even better. The Lord heard prayer and gave us two more weeks. The baby came and was still about three weeks early, but she was a well and healthy 6lbs. 10oz. All glory to His name! God still hears and answers prayer! I thank Him very much and thank everyone who knew about either of these conditions and labored in prayer for us. I have found out how important and necessary the saints are, and they have become even more dear to me. I feel so unworthy of the mercies of God. My ever increasing desire is to be a follower of God as a dear child.

In the last several years our country has been warned by its leaders of one crisis after another, ranging from the issue of health care to the starvation of children in our public schools. A current outcry concerns the threat of "global warming." Not all scientists educated on this phenomenon agree as to whether it actually exists, so it is possible that all efforts to alleviate the "greenhouse effect" could be in vain.

But there is a condition existing in our country, and the world in general, of which we should be alerted, and of which all effort exerted to correct the problem would be well spent. This plight was identified and prophesied of by Christ two thousand years ago. In Matt. 24:12, He said, "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Our leader's efforts would be better directed to warn of the coldness of people's hearts than the warming of the atmosphere.

Other conditions in the last days were prophesied of in II Tim. 3:2-5, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

Our country prides itself on being civilized. To civilize means to "put things in an orderly manner." This is what God did when He created the world. As a Mastermind at it, He instituted order in the universe, then gave us His Word, which if we follow, will result in a disciplined society.

It is a misunderstanding to think that civilization is brought about solely through technology. Heathen lands are not civilized simply through westernization. And though the United States has become a leader in scientific knowledge, consider the chaos created in our courts over the issue of cloning and other similar modern technological advances.

Civilization is also not created solely through political means. Sometimes, in fact, it complicates issues. Think about the incivility caused by preferring a woman's right to abortion over the baby's right to live.

Civilization, in general, is most effectively established when a home has both a father and mother, with each operating in the order set forth by the Bible, and fulfilling their God-given responsibility of teaching their children how to live moral lives.

We are living in a time of spiritual coldness, and it is the responsibility of those who have knowledge of spiritual values to sound the warning, identify the crisis, and let the light of the Gospel flow out of their lives to penetrate the darkness of sin.

On October 15, I left Guthrie in the Print Shop van, taking the book, "Moral Law," authored by Bro. Clifford Wilson, to a bindery in Illinois. After delivering the books, I made a circuitous route through several states, and had the pleasure of visiting with some of the saints.

Before returning home I enjoyed the fellowship of Sis. Margaret and Sis. Elaine Dunn, Sis. Rhoda Blevins and her daughter, Faye, as well as others in North Wilksboro, NC. Sis. Elaine has not been well in body, and is looking to the Lord for healing.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, it was a privilege to be in meeting with the congregation at Vanceburg, KY, where Sis. Mary Hughes is pastor, and where the fervency of their desire to please God is inspiring.

I was also able to spend a short time in the home of Bro. Paul and Sis. Lynette Sorrell in Hagerstown, IN. To see the remarkable recovery Bro. Paul is making from the severe injury he received while riding a horse is encouraging.

Due to the many miles traveled, I returned home with a grateful heart for God's protection, and for the love of the saints.

Whiter than Snow and Little Dot, is now in stock and ready for sale. This 135 page book contains two different stories which will be of great interest to children. Bound in a heavy paper cover, it sells for $3.00. When ordering, please include postage and handling of $1.00 for the first dollar, and 10¢ for each additional dollar of the total order.

Moral Law, the book authored by Bro. Clifford Wilson, is currently at the book bindery, but should be in stock here at the Print Shop soon. We are accepting orders, if you wish to send them now. Cost is $10.00 per book, with postage and handling at the rate mentioned previously.

Our appreciation is renewed daily for those who have a love for the Gospel and assist the work of God in general through the various funds established here at the Print Shop. Your support and prayers are crucial to our publishing operation, as well as for every other gospel endeavor we are involved in at this time, and we are encouraged that, through God's people, the work will continue to prosper.

May God's blessing be upon each of you, our readers, and warmest wishes for an enjoyable Thanksgiving Holiday. -Wayne Murphey