Letters
MI-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary and all the dear workers: Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus....
I pray for all the prayer requests that are in the Faith and Victory paper, and also for those who have lost their loved ones. May the dear Lord give them strength in their time of sorrow.
Jesus is the lover of our souls and I love my Jesus. He is so sweet and kind. When we cry, He is there to comfort us because He cares for us. What a wonderful God!
I thank all of you that pray for me. I sure need a healing touch and your prayers are very precious to me!
My love and prayers, -Sis. Olive Getterson
IN-Dear friends: I can't begin to express my appreciation for all you have done for us during the last few months. Many people sent cards, offerings, made phone calls and offered up many prayers. Everything was greatly appreciated and we say, "Thank you so much."
God heard the prayers of His people and gave us a miracle. On September 3, James, my 17 year old son, was severely beaten by two young men. When they could not kill him by beating and stomping his head, they tried to strangle him with a belt. But God did not allow them to end James' life. We don't know all the details, but according to the police report, it was nine to twelve hours before an ambulance was called. But God was looking after him.
He was unconscious for five days and in intensive care for seven days. He had traumatic brain injury, damage to one eye and one ear, a broken jaw and a tear in the jugular vain caused by the belt. But thank the Lord, James has made a remarkable recovery. He has been dismissed from all therapy. His eyesight is normal in both eyes. His hearing is good and his jaw has healed very well. The vein in his neck has healed and does not give him any trouble. They gave him a neurological battery of tests to assess brain damage and it seems he is fine. If you were to talk to him, you would not know anything ever happened.
At first they didn't know if he would live. Then they didn't know how much damage was done. But God showed us His power in that He healed him. We can't praise Him enough. Jesus' power is still the same today as it was 2,000 years ago. Satan wanted James' soul, but I am so glad God didn't allow that. Please pray for James that he will give his heart and life over to the Lord.
Thank you all again for your love, concern and prayers, and for standing with us in this battle. -Kay Anderson
OK-I want everyone to know how much I appreciate their care and concern. Many have written and called, and have been so good to me. All my bones are now healed, my casts are off and I am beginning to walk. It is just so amazing the way the Lord has healed me!
-Sis. Dora Doolittle
India-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: Greetings to you in the precious name of Jesus Christ.
Thank you very much, from the bottom of my heart, for the continuous providing of the wonderful spiritual, Christian magazine, Faith and Victory.
I am happy to let you know how I got your address, after a decade of silence. I came across my father's old diary in which the address was scribbled at the back. My beloved father was a committed evangelist, who preached in remote, undeveloped villages. My dear father, who was a dedicated Christian, won the souls of many and he was promoted to glory and is now enjoying the joys of heaven.
I was a destined successor, as my father desired me to carry on his work. As a result of this, I gathered some of the spiritually, like-minded Christians and chalked out a blueprint to reach rural communities....We hope hundreds of the believers will pray for our rural evangelism.
We are praying for you and for the magazine ministry.
Your brother in Christ, -Bro. K. Alfred
AZ-Dear folks at Faith and Victory: Thank you for sending my paper even though my subscription had lapsed. I enjoy the Faith and Victory very much, and many times its arrival is "right on time" to really bless me in a time of need. I particularly enjoy the testimonials and read them to an elderly friend by phone. We are both always blessed.
Thank you for your work.
Blessings to you in the name of Jesus Christ, -Jim Oakley
AL-Dear saints: It has been some time since I have written to you. I trust all is well. I am still trusting God for the healing of my eyes. I need your prayers.
I have a great grandson in South Korea. He is in the army. Please remember him in your prayers. -Mary Johnson
IN-Dear ones at Faith Publishing House: I sure enjoy the good that is in your paper which I receive each month. May God bless each one who works each day to make it possible.
I am 83 years old, a widow and I have arthritis pretty bad. My son needs prayer also....
May God bless each one with a happy new year.
God is coming back soon for some of us, and I want to be ready to meet Him.
Yours in Christian love, -Mary J. Rogers
FL-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: Just a few lines to wish you and all the workers in the Print Shop a blessed Christmas and a prosperous new year.
I thank the Lord for the Faith and Victory paper. It is so uplifting to read the truth and the news about the missionary efforts; also, to pray for the sick.
God bless you all, -Judith Klokner
KY-Dear ones in Christ: We send greetings of Christian love in the name of the Holy Child, Jesus. At the time of year when we honor His birth, may we worship Him in spirit and in truth, not with pomp and show. Many people don't give a serious thought as to why that Baby was born and laid in a manger. We do thank God for His goodness and mercy to mankind. We love Him with our whole hearts, and our greatest desire is to please Him with our lives and make heaven our home.
We trust you all have a blessed Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. We desire your prayers.
Christian love,
-Curtis and Burnice Williams
KY-Dear workers at the Print Shop: May God bless you and your work. He will be by our side all the way if we but ask Him. There are times that I feel God is carrying me through my trials and sickness.
Recently my husband had pneumonia and was very ill. Since he is 85 years old, there was a great danger of losing him. But of all the prayers that went out for him, I feel the prayers of our little great-grandson was the one that touched the throne of God. He had asked his mother, "Mom, how can I pray for Papa Guy so that God will let him live? I don't want him to die." This small boy is only 5 years old.
His mother told him, "Kneel down by my side and repeat what I say."
The little fellow did what his mother told him to do and as soon as I heard of his precious prayers, I knew God would answer. And just as sure as my belief was for his healing, God did lift him up. How could we not serve such a wonderful God? I love and trust my Lord completely.
Please remember all my family when you pray.
God bless you each one, -Wilma Horsley
WV-Dear ones: Thank you for the book, Moral Law. I am so thankful for the privilege of having been in some wonderful meetings here at Green Bank, WV, with Bro. Clifford Wilson.
It seems like just yesterday since Bro. Willie Murphey was here years ago with his daughter, and stayed with me and held a meeting at Cass, WV. I am 72 years old now, and very glad to see the truth, so that I can see where I am going in this wicked world.
I wish all a happy holiday.
-Bro. Lloyd B. Cassell
OK-Dear Brother Wayne and workers: Greetings of love to all, in the lovely name of Jesus! It is that time of year when our hearts and thoughts are directed more ardently toward the reality of the birth of God's dear Son, Jesus Christ, whom we know even today as our Lord and Master. What a privilege to serve One of such magnitude. We are unable to comprehend the full impact of His coming down to this sinful world. Where would we be today if He had not come?
Moreover, just to think what the world would be like today, if Jesus had been fully accepted as the promised "Messiah," from the time of His birth until now. What a wonderful world it would be! But today we are still recipients of the greatest gift of all time. Jesus was sent by God His Father, as a personal gift to you and me! How could it be that God would look down upon one so small as I, and be willing to sacrifice His only Son on that cruel cross of Calvary, that even I might have eternal life with Him. I think of a song that says words such as, "If I were the only one to redeem, I believe He'd go to Calvary for me." How can we love Him enough?
We surely do appreciate the printed pages and pray the Lord to bless each of you there in the work of the Lord. I am happy for the new facilities as they become a reality, for efficiency in promoting the gospel message. May the Lord continue His blessings there for as many years as the world stands.
Sincerely in the love of Jesus, -Eva Probst
TX-Dear Bro. Wayne: I am rejoicing this morning. I had a severe pain in my back for over a year. It was a constant pain. Praise God I got my healing last week. I made sure I was completely healed before I wrote you with my testimony. I thank every person who prayed for me. Praise God your prayers were answered! I thank You, Jesus!
We can never lift up the name of Jesus enough. He is worthy of our praise. He went to Mount Calvary for you and me. He paid the price for sins and it is our obligation to spread His Word far and wide. There needs to be a burning desire in each of us to get on the firing line for Jesus! Jesus is our Lord and Savior....
I am 73 years old and God has brought me out of things that seem unreal. He brought me from the deathbed when my son was born. I could go on and on, counting my many, many blessings which my God has bestowed on me down through the years.
May God's blessings be with you,
-Rhoda Smith
OR-Dear Bro. and Sis. Murphey: Greetings across the long miles to your house from ours. The Lord has been real good to us and we thank Him for the many blessings He has sent our way.
I appreciate your labors for God, and the Faith and Victory continues to be an encouragement and blessing to me.
Christian love, -Ruby and Ken Hutchinson
AZ-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary: I appreciate receiving the Faith and Victory paper very much. The articles are inspiring, and so are the letters from people sharing what God has done in their lives. What a wonderful God we serve! He is continuously faithful in His mercies to us. We praise His holy name.
As the Christmas season approaches, we will celebrate His birthday and look forward to His next appearing with anticipation. May God bless you in your ministry for the Lord.
Sincerely in Christ, -Pauline Ducharme
OK-Dear ones working in the Faith Publishing House: I thank you for carrying on God's work.
The Faith and Victory paper has improved over the years, in my opinion, and still teaches and publishes the truth, not adding to or taking away any of the Bible. It rightly divides the Word, guided by the Holy Spirit. Praise the Lord....
Pray that I will ever stay in God's path of righteousness. You never get too old for the devil to try to tempt you. Fasting and praying is our only solution.
Yours in Christ, -Moslette Kern
TX-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: Greetings to you and the saints, and grace be unto you all in the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray this letter will find all of you in good health and in good spirit.
Today finds me magnifying the Lord, Jesus Christ, with all my heart. It is truly a blessing to be restored back into the fold of the Lord. I stand in awe as I look back from where the Lord brought me. The devil had blinded my mind about going to hell. I knew I might get killed, but it slipped my mind that if I died in my sins I would be lost forever in a lake of fire. So this is why that in my heart I stand in awe.
After being here in this prison I can really appreciate the truth. There are so many deceived people here, such as skin heads, Islamic, etc. So we have a serious situation here, and that's why they are fighting so hard about the gospel tracts coming in here. They have threatened to physically fight us. The Lord has given me I Peter 4:12-19, so I am encouraged in the Lord and am still battling for souls in here in prison. So continue to pray for me that I will be faithful until death. -Bro. Jackie Riley
OR-Faith Publishing House: I am happy to report that I got healed of a kidney problem and also an injury to my ribs. Later I fell and injured a knee for which I need prayer. My left arm has also been giving me trouble.
I am glad to hear of others who have been healed through prayer.
Christian love, -Juanita Jenkins
OR-Dear friends: God is surely visiting His people! God has answered prayer for me. I had to move, but I have a nice place which is closer to work...Thank you for all your prayers! May He grant you all your hearts' desires.
-Sis. Betty Culp
Though The Lord be High
A brother stood up in church one Wednesday night and shared this scripture from the book of Psalms:
"Though the Lord be high,
yet has he respect unto the lowly."
The verse was especially impressive to me because of a book I had been reading which documented the personal lives of the presidents and first families.
In it, the author described how one newly elected president turned aside a trooper's request for an autographed photo of himself.
"I don't have time for that . . . (expletive)," the trooper quoted the president as saying. The author of the book went on to describe this response as a "stunning commentary" on the president's character.
This incident came to mind as I thought about the scripture from Psalms, and along with it, the memory of a quote which says, "A snob is an inferior person, with a superiority complex."
**********
Personalize the incident above by putting yourself in the place of the trooper. Imagine the pleasure of serving the highest ranking official in the United States and seeing what you regard as a wonderful opportunity to obtain a signed photograph to cherish and pass on to your children and grandchildren.
Instead of realizing this hope, you are subjected to not only a refusal of your request, but a demeaning rebuff. You will have no picture to present to your children, but you will have a story to tell. However, not one likely to endear any of them to the nation's leader.
From a strictly political perspective, was this not a poor move on the part of the president? By indulging the trooper in a momentary courtesy, the president may have won a supporter for life, or at least created a warm memory.
As it stands now, the only "warmth" of that encounter is probably the hot flush reddening the trooper's face whenever he recalls the treatment he received.
**********
Compare the action of the president to the courteous conduct of the following. For instance, Diana, the late Princess of Wales.
From the multitude of coverage recounting her life, I recall a particular incident one photographer captured on film, as Diana scurried through an airport, attempting to avoid the cameramen pursuing her. The princess held a tennis racket in front of her face as a shield against the constant flash of cameras, but this did not prevent her from catching glimpse of a little girl, quietly clutching a bouquet of flowers, and waiting hopefully for the opportunity to hand them to the princess.
Diana stopped, smiled graciously, and bent to speak a few words as she accepted and acknowledged the token of the child's admiration.
It is almost certain the little girl will remember and treasure that moment forever, for she, a commoner, was treated royally by royalty.
And this is the kind of treatment our Lord offers to each of us, no matter our station in life.
Christ's regard for the lowly is illustrated in Mark 10:13-16, where a group of mothers attempted to bring their small children to Him for a blessing. The disciples around Jesus rebuked the mothers and tried to send them away.
What did Christ do? The scripture says, "When Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said, "Allow the little children to come to me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God." The text goes on to say, "He took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."
I love that story, for it reveals the tenderness of Almighty God, and offers assurance that no one is too small to be significant in His eyes. Compare how the Creator of the universe regards the lowly, as opposed to how men sometimes treat their subordinates.
A stanza from a poem entitled, Nobility, by Alice Cary, expresses the truth of this matter well.
True worth is in being, not seeming-
In doing, each day that goes by,
Some little good-not in dreaming
Of great things to do by and by,
For whatever men say in their blindness,
And spite of the fancies of youth,
There's nothing so kingly as kindness,
And nothing so royal as truth.
Editorials
We send Christian greetings to all our readers, trusting that this New Year has dawned upon a risen Savior dwelling in your hearts.
The New Year is a time when people make vows and pledges in an attempt to better their lives. Similarly, the Christian is always looking for some Bible verse or principle of truth to found their life upon so they can be more like Christ.
Here is a familiar verse that we would do well to champion through the coming year. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer." Psalm 19:14.
Our thoughts and words are critical to living a peaceful and productive life. Our mind is where many battles are fought, and we find that as we live according to God's wisdom, we can triumph over the powers of evil which would bring us into bondage.
History tells us how George Washington put to flight King George's army and won our country's freedom. On Christmas night,1776, he crossed the Delaware River and routed the startled English at Trenton. On January 2, 1777, he again moved under cover of night, outflanked his opponents and launched a surprise attack, winning another crucial Revolutionary battle.
Too often the child of God experiences failure in his Christian life because he is overcome by Satan's onslaught. It is time to change tactics! We must go on the offensive and use the element of surprise. Throughout this coming year, whenever you come under attack, don't try to match force with force. The next time someone berates you, refuse to respond with a like battle cry. The Bible offers a different strategy. "A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger." Prov. 15:1. A soft answer is just the right element of surprise needed to win a battle. Let the meditation of your heart be on how to measure your words, speak softly and show love.
If you are receiving the Faith and Victory for the first time, and did not subscribe for it, it is through the kindness of a friend who requested a subscription for you and paid the cost. We ask that you read this paper with an open heart, and compare it carefully with the teachings of the Bible. Through this means, we hope you will desire to become a regular subscriber.
We also want to thank everyone who took advantage of the special subscription offer in last month's Faith and Victory. We will continue to honor the price of ten names for ten dollars offered on the envelopes sent out last month.
The year of 1998 has the appearance of being a busy time for us here at the Print Shop. It will mark our 75th year of publication and we wish to commemorate it in special ways. For instance:
During 1998 we will offer the book, God's Gracious Dealings, for $4.00. Through this half-price offer, we hope to share how God has faithfully supplied and blessed this publishing work.
Also, the date for the 75th annual workers reunion will soon be announced, and special invitations sent to all living former workers, including those who have grown up around the Print Shop. The invitations will outline the schedule of events and include a reservation form which will need to be mailed back to us so we will know how many people to expect.
Although the work on the New Print Shop has been rather slow, there is progress. Bros. Derek Probst and Phillip Gellenbeck, carpenters in the Guthrie congregation, are selflessly doing the trim and cabinet work.
We are still lacking approximately $5,000.00 in funding in order to have the new Print Shop adequately prepared for the workers reunion. We estimate a cost of $73,000.00 needed to complete the building.
A supply of 1998 wall calendars and 1997 yearbooks for both the Faith and Victory and The Beautiful Way Sunday School papers, are currently in stock. Calendars sell for $3.00 each, which includes postage and handling, and the Faith and Victory yearbook is $3.50, postpaid. A postpaid copy of The Beautiful Way yearbook is available for $2.00.
There are needs here in the printing work for which we are seeking God's provision. We ask for the prayerful support of our readers that the Gospel may go forth without delay.
We are grateful for each of you who sent us cards during the holiday season. Every token of love was gratefully received. We appreciate the spirit of kindness so characteristic of God's people. -Wayne Murphey
