|
 The New Year (Front page poem by J.D. Templeton)
Have Faith in God (Second page article by Brenda Wilkens)
R U On E (Third page article by Connie Sorrell )
It Makes my Skin Crawl Fourth page article by Mary Murphey
Editorials (From the Editor)
Letters (Letters to the Editor)
Monthly Feature ( CYBERSPACE Exclusive!!!)
To subscribe to The Faith and Victory for only $1.00 per year call 1-800-767-1479!!!
bu J.D. Templeton/P>
I am the new year, and I come to you
pure and unstained,
Fresh from the hand of God.
Each day, a precious pearl to you is given
That you must string upon the silver
thread of Life.
Once strung can never be unthreaded
but stays
An undying record of your faith and skill.
Each golden minute link you then must
weld into the chain of hours
That is no stronger than its weakest link.
Into your hands is given all the wealth and power
To make your life just what you will.
I give to you, free and unstinted, twelve glorious months
Of soothing rain and sunshine golden;
The days for work and rest,
the nights for peaceful slumber.
All that I have I give with love
unspoken.
All that I ask-you keep the faith
unbroken!
-J. D. Templeton
by Brenda Wilkens
If God had to tell us to have faith in God, (Mark 11:22) that meant it wouldn't come as a natural course of life. He instructs us to believe in Him, and He promises blessings if we will.
My first thought on having faith in God was about salvation, everyday problems and divine healing. God so gently seemed to say, "No, my child, it goes much further. It is faith for your unanswered prayers; faith to trust Me with them. It is faith for the places in life that seem so foolish to maintain faith in; those perplexing, irritating things." When it seems that God is not there, and the devil would have you believe that you are just trusting in an idea that has been passed down to you, have faith in God!
In the 7th chapter of St. John, there is an example that lets us know it takes pressing to believe God. Some of Christ's disciples who walked with Him turned away at His difficult sayings. There were things they just couldn't comprehend so they walked no more with Him. When life doesn't make sense, and when it is hard to understand that "...This is the way walk ye in it,..." Isa. 30:21, then, have faith in God.
God knew hard times would come. He said, "...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" Luke 18:8. Christ gave us the example of the faithful stewards, reminding us we would grow weary waiting for Him to come, but come He would and with His reward according to our fidelity in Him. (Luke 12:36-48.) There is an end and the rewards are promised.
I love the words of Peter when Jesus asked the twelve, "...Will ye also go away?" John 6:67. Peter answered, "...Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." John 6:68-69. There is no one else to turn to other than Christ and God, and we must have faith in God!
It is encouraging to read of the faith of the three in Daniel 3:17-18. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
While reading and meditating on the examples God took the time to place in the Bible, it made me aware of a greater faith, a deeper faith that He desires us to maintain; faith beyond human reasoning-absolute trust. God's command has become a sweeter, softer command, something I have desired so much.
I also thought of how God said His promises are new every morning. They are not "old stuff" given to His people thousands of years ago, but are up-to-date, new this morning for you and me.
"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death." Psa. 48:14.
"And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee." Psa. 9:10.
"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." Isa. 41:17.
Another promise that has been so precious to me is in John 13:7. "Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter." Have faith in God. He knows just what He is doing, and someday we will too. That is a promise!
Be encouraged! Has your battle been long, hard, and something you can't understand? God understands!
Surely we are working for a wonderful crown. Hold fast to God's promises!
Connie Sorrell
How many of us would like to start out on a trip with our gas gauge on "E"? Have you ever run out of gas and had to walk to the nearest station to buy a can and some gas? I think we would all agree that it is wise to have plenty in the tank before we take off down an interstate highway. Very often we will check the gas gauge when on a trip to make sure we have enough to get where we are going.
Let's apply this spiritually. At birth, each of us begins a journey toward eternity. Before us are two places and we choose the direction we will go. Surely no one wants to go to hell, a lake of fire and torment. It is a downward slope and a person naturally falls that way because the force of evil gravity in our society draws our carnal nature that way. (Romans 3:23.)
When a person realizes he is racing down the broad way of sin, he needs to slam on his brakes, turn completely around, and begin the upward climb to Heaven, a place of rest and happiness-God's dwelling place. It takes effort and "grace" to accelerate upward. If our spiritual "grace" gauge is on "E" for very long, we will lose momentum and possibly backslide. Therefore, we need to check our fuel gauge and see if we are low on any of these graces.
FAITH: "...Without faith it is impossible to please him;..." Hebrews 11:6. The entire plan of salvation relies on our faith in God, His Son, His Word and the Holy Spirit. We must have faith in the blood of Jesus that it will wash away our sins. We must believe God's Holy Spirit abides within the sanctified soul and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5.) We must have faith, never wavering, when we pray because His Word tells us to come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy. (Hebrews 4:16.) Also, Jesus said, "...ask, and it shall be given you;..." Matthew 7:7. He promised to supply our needs when we ask in His name, and little seeds of faith can move mountains of obstacles.
Faith nurtures confidence and together they deepen into trust. God wants us to daily trust Him. Whether we prosper or suffer adversity, God desires us to have faith in Him and trust His wisdom in guiding us.
HOPE: "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast,..." Hebrews 6:19. Through the grace of hope, we see Jesus with arms outstretched and heaven waiting for us. Hope gives a saint victory over depression and a martyr courage to face torture and death at the hands of a persecutor. Remember Stephen and the vision he had as he was being stoned to death? (Acts 7:56.) Without a hopeful vision of heaven, we can disappoint ourselves and the Lord when physical suffering comes our way. There is hope in the promises of God's Word for every crisis, trial, trouble or affliction that we may face on life's journey.
When we have a stedfast hope, peace nestles in our heart and joy bubbles in our soul. It is divine peace and joy that the world cannot give. This unspeakable joy will show on our faces and attract others to Jesus Christ. He alone can light the joyful hope within the soul that will brighten life, attract others to Himself and give us victory over death.
LOVE: "Charity suffereth long, and is kind;..." All through the chapter of I Corinthians 13 we read about love and its attributes. We may have faith to move mountains and eternal hope encouraging us to give our bodies to be burned, but if we do not have charity, (love) it profits us nothing. God is love, (I John 4:8) and if we have His Holy Spirit within us, we will have love for others. His divine love causes us to have mercy and forgiveness when we are treated wrongly-even turning the other cheek if need be. (Matthew 5:39-48.) Love does not envy, but instead it prefers another in honor. (Romans 12:10.) The spirit of divine love is not proud and boastful but it is meek and humble, willing to serve others in the same manner Jesus did when He was in His fleshly body.
If we love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and if we love others as ourselves, then we will obey the Ten Commandments. Thus sin will not be in our hearts and we will be welcomed into heaven.
The journey to heaven is plain and simple, but it takes determination on our part. Through the tunnels, in the valleys and around the curves of life we must have these "graces" to keep going onward and upward. If you find yourself spiritually parked along the Heavenly Highway, check your "grace" gauge and see if u-r-on-E. If so, go to Jesus Christ who has plenteous grace for every need and let Him fill you up.
Mary Murphey
"When I hear someone say something like, `I am a Christian,' it makes my skin crawl."
That statement, made by Jennifer Lee, a young mother with three children, was recorded in the "Faith and Values" section of a Wichita newspaper. A friend of mine read it aloud one day and my reaction to Jennifer's statement was one of sadness.
Why did this woman have such a paranoia in regard to Christians, I wondered. What about them was awful enough to make her skin crawl?
I concluded that perhaps Jennifer had met a fraud, a counterfeit Christian. But hypocrites exist in all vocations. And to discount the good people in a profession, because some are corrupt, would certainly be unfair. There are bankers who embezzle and lawyers who are sharks, but at some point in life, most people will seek the services of honorable professionals, and be glad for them.
After more thought, I decided that perhaps Jennifer had come in contact with a zealot; a Christian who needed a little toning, taming, or training-someone whose zeal overrode their good manners, someone who needed to learn to communicate their values more effectively. Perhaps Jennifer encountered a Christian who overwhelmed her, causing her unexpected discomfort. As a result, she may have developed a bias.
I recalled an experience of my own, when I felt overpowered by a religious person's fervor.
I was attending a funeral in a distant city. During the time set aside for visitation, the family of the deceased gathered near the front of the room, beside the lifeless form of the one they loved, to remain there for the majority of the evening.
As visitors came forward to pay their respects, they spoke to the assembled family members, offering words of condolence.
In observing this throughout the night, I noted the surviving spouse was often in tears as she responded to those about her. Distraught, exhausted, and traumatized, the least of her miseries seemed to be her aching feet.
I spoke with her son that evening, a former childhood playmate. "I don't see how you do it," I said. "I'm not sure I could stand there and handle what you're going through." I knew the kind words of well-meaning friends would launch from my eyes an avalanche of tears, and break my heart all over again.
I expected a response to what I said, but not the one I received. As I sat facing the person to whom I was speaking, near the front of the room, he suddenly knelt before me. Thrusting his face just inches from my nose, he gripped my shoulder, stared intently into my eyes, and intoned dramatically, "By the grace of God, Mary, by the grace of God!"
Totally unprepared for the intensity of his response, and the invasion of my "space," embarrassment crept over me. My immediate thought was, "How can I relieve the awkwardness of this moment?"
Maybe Jennifer Lee met someone like that, a person who unsettled her, and thus feels her apprehension of "Christians" justified.
Or, it could be that she's simply uninformed, and therefore unappreciative. She may be unaware of how much Christianity has contributed to civilization in a positive way. Perhaps a few historical facts and some study would change her point of view.
For instance, I wonder if she realizes the direct benefit to her as a woman because of the Bible principle that everyone is of equal value before God? (Galatians 3:28.)
In reading James Kennedy's book, What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? I learned the following facts. Prior to Christian influence, a woman's life was very cheap. In ancient culture, a wife was considered the property of her husband, and according to Aristotle, a woman was somewhere between a free man and a slave. If you consider how valueless a slave was in ancient times, you get a glimpse of how bad a woman's fate was.
Baby girls were killed simply because of their gender. When missionaries came into lands unaffected by Christianity, they found appalling practices of female infants put out as food for wild dogs and wolves, or just left to die, exposed to the elements. But Christians placed value on human life, taught that value and saved many of these babies.
Christians then went on to create orphanages, missions and countless charities.
Inspiration for some of the greatest works of art, music and literature sprang from Christian influence. As a result we have the great cathedrals of Europe, the melodies of Bach, and the work of men like John Bunyan, John Milton and Charles Dickens, whose last published book, The Life of Our Lord opened with these words:
"My dear children, I am very anxious that you should know something about the history of Jesus Christ. For everybody ought to know about Him. No one ever lived, who was so good, so kind, so gentle, and so sorry for all people who did wrong, or were in any way ill or miserable, as He was."
The influence of Jesus Christ led to the abolition of slavery through the lifelong effort of the evangelical William Wilberforce, and through members of the abolitionist society, two-thirds of whom were ministers.
Almost all of the first colleges and universities in the U.S., including Princeton, Yale and Harvard were Christian in origin. And in Third World countries, it was primarily Christians who educated countless millions in literacy and health care.
In view of these facts, and innumerable others, it is unquestionable that Christianity has improved our lives and the world in general. We sometimes forget, however, what life might be like without its influence.
James C. Hefley tells the story of an American soldier stationed on a remote island in the Pacific during WW II. The soldier met a national on the island who could speak English, and who was carrying a Bible. The soldier pointed to the Bible, grinned, and said, "We educated people don't put much faith in that Book anymore."
The islander grinned back. "Well, it's a good thing for you that we do," he said, patting his stomach, "or you'd be in here by now."
Now there's a thought that could make your skin crawl. A society without a Saviour would be dangerous indeed. It's not Christians Jennifer Lee needs to fear, but the woeful absence of them.
by the editor
Janus, the Roman god, from whom we derive the word "January," was known as "the deity of good beginnings." The temple of Janus in Rome, built on an east-west line, where the day begins and ends, featured the famous two-faced statue, with the young countenance of Janus looking east and the old one looking west.
At this juncture in time, it also would be well for us to look both forward and backward. We do not look backward with a desire to return to the past, or to allow our insufficiencies to be a hindrance to us, but for the purpose of counting our blessings and learning from our failures. By looking to the past, we are infused with inspiration to conquer the future.
This past year has been one of great change in our personal lives, as well as here at the Print Shop. We consider changes which come as opportunities for the Lord to open up new fields of service. Many battles have been won through prayer, and blessings have come through need. We thank God for everything we have experienced, and eagerly await what He has for us in 1997.
The progress made in publishing the gospel this year is largely due to a host of people who love the Lord. Those supporting the publishing efforts with their freewill offerings have been instruments in God's hands to keep the work afloat.
We are grateful for those who have faithfully sent monthly offerings with no expectation for publicity and those who have enclosed payment above the price of the books they purchase. This greatly helps in subsidizing the printing cost. These are Christians who truly have a burden to see the work of God increase. They are quietly performing the work the Lord has given them to do as members in His body, and they will receive their reward in that final day of reckoning.
I also want to thank the workers who are laboring here in the Print Shop. This is not a high paying pursuit, and at times requires long hours. May God give you an extra outpouring of grace and personal blessings because of your dedication.
Would you like to see the Church grow in 1997? This is possible. Let us seek a greater measure of the Holy Spirit, and work together so this can be our testimony one year from now.
We would like to offer warm wishes of support to Bro. James and Sis. Carol Jantz, who have moved from California to Shawnee, Oklahoma, to help in the administration of the Golden Rule Home. Bro. Derrill Smith, the present administrator, has battled health problems for some time and felt a change was in order. Bro. Derrill dedicated himself to the oversight of the Home for several years, and I am sure he would appreciate the prayers of the saints. Also pray for God's wisdom and blessing of grace to be upon Bro. James and Sis. Carol as they shoulder this great responsibility.
Much progress has been made on the new Print Shop building in sheet rocking the inside walls, electrical, plumbing and heating and air duct work. As soon as the weather moderates, the taping and bedding of the sheet rock will be done. Thanks for your continued support, which we need in order to see this project finished.
We still have in stock a supply of 1997 wall calendars and yearbooks for both the 1996 Faith and Victory and The Beautiful Way. The calendars sell for $3.00 each, which includes postage and handling. The Faith and Victory yearbook, postpaid, is $2.25, and The Beautiful Way yearbook, is $1.90 postpaid.
In stock at this office are more than 350 different titles of gospel tracts. You may write for a free 4-ounce sample to read and pass on, or to enclose in your letters. One gospel tract could result in the salvation of many souls.
We also stock a number of books. A partial list is printed in this Faith and Victory.
The January edition of the Faith and Victory is being mailed before Christmas and during the Oklahoma State Assembly Meeting here at Guthrie. Because of this early printing there are not as many letters as usual.
We trust everyone will have a safe and blessed Christmas and New Year holiday, and as the Lord tarries His coming, we will greet you on the other side of 1997.
-Wayne Murphey
by the readers
CA-Dear ones in Christ: Praise the Lord anyhow! I really need prayer, but I am not as bad as I was yesterday. Only the Lord can bring me through all of this.
Please pray for Pete Lopez, a former gardener. He was the best for awhile, and then I found he is taking hard core drugs. He is on the board of a church and is teaching a Sunday school class. He was driving a van for the church the last I knew.... Pray that the Lord will deliver Pete.
Prayerfully, -Hazel Horne
MO-Dear saints: Greetings in Jesus' lovely name. This is just a line to say that I praise the Lord for all His goodness, and to tell you that the Faith and Victory paper is a blessing to me. I enjoy it very much. I thank the Lord for every one of you at the Print Shop. I have never met any of you, but you are my brothers and sisters in the Lord. I do love you all very much, and I ask God's blessings on each of you in this new year of 1997.
I ask you to pray for me. I have glaucoma and allergies in both eyes. I realize it is not too hard for the Lord to heal. I am trusting that He will get honor and glory out of my affliction.
Your sister in Christ, -Laura Jarvis
KS-Dear Bro. Wayne, and all who are faithfully doing God's work at the Print Shop: I feel inspired to write to you at this time, of my testimony for the Lord and all He has done, is doing and forever will do for me; and not only me, but all who know and trust Him. Glory to God forever and ever! I cannot wait until He returns to take His Church back to heaven to live with Him throughout all eternity! (Titus 2:13.) I give Him all praise, honor and glory for all He is in my life!
In the past year He has truly been working with me and has brought me into a closer relationship with Him. Like never before, I sincerely love him with all of my heart, mind and soul. I see Him working every day in my life and in my son's life. I see him faithfully answering prayer each day.
Last year my son accepted the Lord Jesus as his Savior. I praise God that He has been faithfully working to teach my son all that He wants him to learn of Him in His Word. I prayed God would manifest and make Himself real to my son, and He did it in a way I never would have thought. It happened to him while he was at school in his first hour class. One day my son, Raico, told me that I would really like what he was going to tell me. He said that while he was sitting in science class he had a daydream that it was the end of the world. In his dream, he said there was a knock on his classroom door and it was Jesus. Jesus asked if Raico could come home with Him. When my son told me this, I praised and thanked the Lord for answering prayer. I love the way He works. He is awesome! He never ceases to amaze me! My son said that this daydream just happened all of a sudden.
The Lord has done so much for me, and has taught me more of His Word in this past year. He blessed me with a much needed new car, He has shown me where there needs to be more of Him and less of me, and He has been, and still is, teaching my son by His Holy Spirit through me.
I used to feel resigned that people who were lost were simply destined to go to hell; eternally separated from their Creator. But now the Lord has shown me through a fellow Christian at my job, that He loves us all, (John 3:16) and that it is not His will that any should perish. (II Peter 3:9.) Although I do not fully comprehend His divine love, I now feel a burden and continually pray for the lost. Praise God, He is not finished with me yet! (Philippians 1:6.)
I desire your prayers that I will faithfully serve the Lord and bring praise, honor and glory to His mighty name! Thank you.
-Sis. Tawanda Graves
AL-Dear saints: Greetings in the name of our Lord and Saviour, who gave His life for our sins. I can't give Him enough praise for what He did for me.
This finds David and me doing very well, thank God. We are still encouraged to press on.
I had a chance to go to the Water Valley, MS meeting this last November. I was really fed from the message Bro. Mart Samons brought on how to get in the ship of God, sit down, keep quiet and hold on. I am in the ship and I mean to hold on. If we don't, the cares of life will cause us to fall out.
I thank God for Jesus.
-David and Jessie Shelton
NC-Dear brother: I enjoyed reading about the building progress. The new building will be a blessing! Thank you for sharing the information with us.
May God continue to bless you in your ministry.
Pray for me and my family.
Always in Christ, -Angela Taylor
TN-Dear Bro. Murphey and co-workers: Greetings and thanks to all of you for the good work you are doing for the Lord. It is much needed in these times of evil and confusion. Please keep encouraged and press on as the Lord leads and directs.
I am so thankful for the re-location of the Print Shop on higher ground, and for the new, larger and much needed publishing house....
Christian love, -Charles B. Will
The following is taken from the November Lamp of Youth. Subscription to this publication is free. If you are interested in having it mailed to you on a by monthly basis please send you postal adress to our email accoun t at faithpub@wildstar.net.
ry that came across the E-mail submitted by Bill Edwards...
In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. but these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Like." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a catalog system for my life. here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled At My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done In My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath At My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes few than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my ?? years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.
When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.
When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared The Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my fear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to pen the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. he could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, No," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But, there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand How He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.
| 
