I have been thanking the Lord and praising Him for how He brought me to the fold of God. I was once in another way and I read my Bible quite often. I would find many things in my Bible that we weren't doing as it said. I decided that there must be another way-a better way to live for Jesus. So I went "church shopping," as you might call it, trying to find the Church that Jesus built, and the people of God that were serving Jesus to all they knew and understood. I began to read my Bible from the first page on through. I sought the Lord earnestly, and became so sick they took me to the hospital.

While I was in the hospital, the Lord began to talk to my soul. Never had I heard a voice so sweet. He told me, "I love you but you need to be saved." I was so sick I couldn't have friends or relatives visit me. The doctors and nurses had just about given up on me. I went into a coma. As I began coming out of the coma I saw many doctors and nurses around my bed. I could hear one doctor say to another doctor, "Doctor, let me try." They were trying to find my heartbeat. I went back into a coma. I wanted to speak to them, but they were busy trying to find my heartbeat, and besides, I could not say one word. I could hear them, but I couldn't speak to them. It is said that the last sense which leaves the body is the hearing.

When I again came out of the coma, all the doctors and nurses had left except for one needed a box of literature to carry on my way, he would tell me to come in and get whatever I saw and wanted. "I'll box it up for you and put it on the bus as you take it wherever you want to go."

I thank God for the saints of God today. I just wanted to tell you a little about how I met them, and how I got acquainted with the family of Bro. Pruitt and what it has meant to me.

Many years have passed by, and now I am 93 years old, but I still trust in the Lord. The Lord has made me satisfied and happy, and I am going to stay with Him. Listen, I'll be right here in the name of Jesus, in the Church of God with His people, until the last breath is gone out of my body. Then I'll go home and live with Jesus forever, the Man who died for me. Praise the Lord!

IL-Dear Saints: I appreciate the Faith and Victory so very much, as I am practically a shut-in. I eagerly wait for it to arrive each month.

I tell people I may be alone, but I am not lonely. I have God's Word and His presence close by at all times.

I still have much to be thankful for. I can get around fairly well. I have arthritis in my knees, and I fell this past spring and cracked a vertebra in my spine which was very painful, but I am much better.

I'm so thankful for God's mercy, love and care for me and also for my family.

I love God's people very much. They are the salt of the earth.

Love and prayers, -Lucille Perry

KY-Greetings in Jesus's precious name:

I am writing to let all the dear saints know I am thankful for their prayers and fasting for me while I was so sick. I had a large tumor, but praise be to our wonderful Saviour, it is gone. God has healed me. I know it was a tumor because I went to a midwife to see about it and also was given a second opinion.

I was told I must have an operation at once. I said I was going home and trusting God.

After a week or so the midwife called me. I told her God had healed me, so she wanted me to come and see her. A little while later I went. She couldn't believe it. She said it was amazing. I told her it was a miracle and she said it sure was, and continued repeating, "Mary, you have had a miracle."

Praise God! I told her it was just like my Jesus to care for me.

Before I left her office a woman she was training asked me to pray for her as she was going into the hospital the next morning for the same surgery that they had planned for me.

God is still on the throne.

Thanks again to each of you for your prayers, cards, flowers and care.

May God bless one and all. There is a lot more I could say about my experience, but it would take up too much space.

Christian love, -Sister Mary Hughes

KY-Greetings to all our family in Christ. Praise God, the day of miracles is not past. Our God is still the same omnipotent God. As of November 1, our pastor, Sis. Mary Hughes, was able to be back in worship with us after being in a severe affliction for about 3 weeks. We wanted to share this blessing with our special family and to thank all for their prayers and fasting on the behalf of our leader. To God be the glory!

-Church of God, Garrison, KY

TN-Please renew my subscription for the Faith and Victory. I enjoy reading it and look forward each month to getting it. It's very inspiring and spiritually uplifting.

May God's blessings be with each of you working at printing and getting it out to the public.

Sincerely, -Sallie E. Smith

MO-Dear Bro. Wayne: Greetings to you once again. I hope all is going well with you and the workers there.

I am encouraged to trust and follow the Lord all the way. I find there are many benefits when we follow close to the Lord. We have the assurance of His presence and the comfort of His Word to lead and guide us.

The Lord gave the saints in Neosho a profitable meeting while Bro. Keith Fuller was here with us. The attendance was good. Several sought help at the altar. We were stirred in our souls for a more careful walk with God.

I also appreciate our weekly prayer meetings. The Lord gives some good testimonies and exhortations. In a recent prayer meeting, we were exhorted to guard our inheritance and our sacrifice. There is great reward in doing this.

I trust the Lord to bless all phases of the work there.

Your brother in Christ, -T.V. McMillian

NC-Dear Ones at the Print Shop: Just a note to tell you I appreciate you all so much. I am thankful for the Faith and Victory I get each month. I hope you have a good Christmas and a real good New Year.

Remember me and my family in prayer.

With love, -Agnes Burleson

WV-Dear Saints: Just a note to let all of you dear ones at the Publishing House know what a blessing you have been to us through the years.

Your tracts have encouraged us over the years and your prayers have never failed to bring us answers from heaven.

I was blessed so much this past April on our visit to Missouri and Oklahoma. The saints wherever we stopped treated us with so much love and concern for our welfare. It was like being among angels. My heart is still overwhelmed when I think of the love and friendship we received from God's dear people.

We pray that soon we can come out that way again if the Lord wills.

Christian love, -Bro. Jim White

OR-Dear Bro. Wayne and all at the Print Shop: Greetings in the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior. We trust this will find all there well and happy in your service to the Lord.

In the November Faith and Victory I read the question sent to you by e-mail from the brother who was having a problem regarding carnality in his life.

When I came back to the Lord after living in a backslidden state for years, I had a problem of exaggerating, or wanting to present things in a way that would be to my favor even when it was not entirely honest.

I had a real struggle with this for a long time until I came to the point where I knew that it was not in me to change without help. I told Jesus that He would have to take this habit away, and I was going to leave it all with Him.

Praise His Holy Name, it was quite a while after that when I realized He had given me the help I needed.

We are dependent on Him for life, breath and all of our abilities, and I am convinced of the truth in Prov. 3:6, "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

With Christian love and prayers, -Bill & Ruby Busch

AZ-Dear Christian Friends at Faith Publishing House: Christmas greetings to all my brothers and sisters in Christ.

May God richly bless you this holiday season as we honor our Lord's birthday.

Continue in the good work you are doing. I always enjoy reading your Faith and Victory paper.

May God richly bless you.

Your sister in Christ, -Pauline Ducharme

MO-Dear Bro. Wayne: We are very thankful for the Lord's blessings and mercies to us. Last month I wrote in a testimony about the Lord healing me of a hernia. I had borne this affliction for about four years, but was miraculously healed of it.

The devil did not, and still does not, appreciate the fact that God healed me and has tried different times to bring back the symptoms. Part of the devil's job description is "an accuser of the brethren." When the Lord saves us, the devil tries to bring back our old sins through accusation. When the Lord heals us, the devil tries to bring back our old affliction through symptoms. It is up to us to refuse the devil in either instance. Thank the Lord, we have all heaven backing us with strength to resist the devil, no matter what trick he tries. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7.

Soon after the Lord healed me, I began testifying about it. I then began to notice a pattern developing of symptoms trying to reappear. For about a week and a half I was fine one day and battling symptoms the next, our revival meeting started. As you might expect, I began having almost daily struggles with symptoms of my old affliction.

Towards the end of the meeting, on a Friday evening, I began having more serious symptoms. By that night it became extremely painful. I had only thirty minutes of sleep that night.

My wife and I both prayed and searched our hearts. We knew that the Lord had given me a definite touch, but we still needed something else from the Lord. Finally, after we had done all that we knew to do, Bro. Bob Huskey, our pastor, decided to come over and pray for us. We had not wanted to bother him in the middle of the night, but we did not want to neglect what the scriptures teach us to do, "call for the elders."

The battle went on for a few more hours with no letup in sight. Finally, while I was lying on my back, a vision appeared to me. I received a tremendous blessing from this vision and I would like to share it. There appeared in my mind's eye a red square. Just behind it was another square of about the same form and size, but with no color. I could just make out the fuzzy edges of this second square. It seemed that the second square was pretty well aligned with the red square, but it would move around from time to time and get out of alignment. Whenever both squares were perfectly aligned, two things would happen. First, all I could see was what appeared to be one square. Second, I would get a real blessing from it. I cannot describe the peace that would wash over my soul when both squares were aligned perfectly, but it was very real to me. Although my body was racked with pain and my mind worn out with the battle, I could tell that the Lord wanted to get something very valuable across to me.

Earlier that night, I remarked to my wife a couple of times that I wanted help for my physical needs but there was something I wanted even more than that; I wanted the Lord's help in some spiritual battles I was fighting. I wanted to be completely in the center of God's will in everything. There were things in my mind that I was battling and I needed victory over them desperately. I knew that these inward battles could only be won by my complete, absolute and total surrender to God in everything, including those things I did not understand. I believe that is why the Lord sent this little vision of the two squares to me. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the red square represented God and His will and the other square represented myself. When I had everything submitted to God`s will, I was in perfect alignment with God. The blood of Jesus covered everything in my life (even those things I did not understand) and all of my righteousness was only by His grace (absolutely by none of my own merits). I was completely emptied out. There was nothing left of me. I felt tremendous comfort in this because I realized that this was exactly what God desired. I realized that this was the only way for true victory and unlimited power. God wanted me to be absolutely nothing, and that is exactly what I wanted.

The Lord sent relief around 8:00 that morning and I was able to get some rest. As Bro. Bob was leaving, he told me, "The Lord has some gold nuggets in this for you." I agreed wholeheartedly. After thinking it over, though, I realized that the Lord had given me a whole gold mine! I could benefit from this experience the rest of my days here on earth and then on into eternity. I am convinced in my heart that this total and absolute submission to God's will, along with being absolutely emptied out of ourselves, is the true secret to unlimited power-simply because there is then nothing to get in the way of God's power. If we are truly transparent, only God can show through.

Our revival ended with Sunday morning services. I was still battling with hernia symptoms, but the Lord graciously undertook so that I could enjoy the service. When we got home, I reasoned that it would probably be a good idea to rest some. Our answering machine, however, indicated otherwise. One of the brothers in our congregation needed additional help in completing a roof construction job on his grandmother's home. I wanted to help, and I knew that it would be a blessing if I could, but there did not seem to be any possible way. I told the brother my problem, hoping he would understand, but asked him to call back a little later if the work situation became more demanding. I decided that I would ask the Lord if I should go help this brother. I laid down on my bed and started praying. It wasn't long before the Lord whispered, "You can lie in bed if you want to." I knew then that the Lord was going to take care of my need. I changed into work clothes and went to work. How can I praise the Lord enough? I worked hard that night and never had an ounce of trouble. I helped on the project for about nine hours the next day also. Part of the time, I was moving and lifting whole sheets of plywood by myself (the Lord was helping me, of course.) I have never felt better in my life. This week, the Lord has blessed me with strength to do some things around our house that really needed to be done. Saints, be encouraged. If the Lord wants you to do something for Him, He will give you the strength to do it!

QUESTION: Among the many doctrines in the Bible are the two dealing with salvation-the doctrine of election and the doctrine of free will. There are many passages in the Bible on both of these doctrines and many books written, etc. Now my question is simply this-How can we fit these two opposing doctrines together so as to form a reasonable part of the whole? The entire Bible must somehow fit together as God's whole Word, so there should be some logical answer to this confusing matter. Frankly, I don't see how both of these doctrines can be in the Bible, but they are, and how do we explain them?

ANSWER: In the first place, let us recognize and be persuaded that there cannot possibly be two mutually contradictory doctrines in the Bible. For such a case to exist would certainly raise questions in our minds about God Himself and doubts as to the credibility of the Bible as God's Word. Mutually contradictory doctrines may arise, and often do, out of men's interpretations of the Bible, but they never exist in the Bible itself when properly interpreted and understood.

I see the two doctrines as being mutually compatible, blending into each other, each incorporating the other, and the doctrine of free will enveloping the doctrine of election. The doctrine of free will is so definitely and so broadly established in the New Testament that it could not possibly be questioned as pertaining to the plan of salvation and the economy of God's grace. We are told in John 3:16 that "...God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:14-15 says, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life." Revelation 22:17 says, "...And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." II Peter 3:9 says, "The Lord is...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." This would certainly destroy the idea of God's electing (choosing) certain ones to be saved and excluding others from being saved by an act of His own will and sovereignty. This thought is further emphasized in I Timothy 2:1 where we are exhorted to pray for all men, and verse 4 says that God would have all men to be saved. I Timothy 2:6 says that Christ gave Himself a ransom for all. I Timothy 4:10 says that God is the Saviour of all men. Hebrews 2:9 says that Jesus, by the grace of God, tasted death for every man.

I have referred to several scriptures and could go on and on with many more to show that salvation, in its provisions, is universal and available to all men, but in its application it is individual and on a whosoever will basis. Anyone who is saved must be willing to be saved within the scope of the economy of God's grace, to come under the covenant provisions in the terms of the gospel and meet the demands of God's Word. Anyone who will do this will be saved.

Now I have stated that the doctrine of free will envelops the doctrine of election. But how? The term elect is used a number of times in the Old Testament in reference to ancient Israel, who in that time were the chosen people of God. God had elected (chosen) them as a peculiar people, separated unto Himself from all the other peoples upon the earth, that in them He might reveal His glory, power and holiness; to whom He could deliver the oracles of God (the law), extend and perpetuate the covenant and promises made to Abraham, the originator of their race, and through them bring Jesus Christ into the world.

Therefore they are referred to as the elect in different places throughout the Old Testament. But in the New Testament the term elect or election is extended beyond the limits of the Jewish nation to include all, both Jews and Gentiles, who are redeemed from sin through faith in the merits of the all-atoning blood of Jesus Christ.

In the first four verses of the 11th chapter of Romans, the Apostle Paul argues that God has not cast off His people, Israel, and confirms it with the fact that he himself was an Israelite and had obtained mercy and been saved by faith in Christ. Also, he refers to the time of Elijah when a remnant was reserved unto God in a time of Israel's deep apostasy and idolatry. Then in verse 5 he says, "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace." Note on what grounds the election of this remnant was reckoned. It was not by virtue of being the children of Abraham according to the flesh, nor by the keeping of the law, neither by circumcision, nor by any of the conditions on which the election of ancient Israel was predicated. It is on an entirely different ground-"According to the election of grace." But there are only eleven references to "grace" in the Old Testament. Two of them are prophetic (Zechariah 4:7 and 12:10); one refers to God's mercy in a time of deep trouble (Ezra 9:8); and the Psalmist spoke of grace being given to his lips in prayer (Psalm 45:2). All the others refer to the grace of one person to another, or of the king to individuals, etc. The Old Testament was not an age of grace, but it is said in John 1:17 that "...Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Therefore the election spoken of in Romans 11:5 was not an Old Testament kind of election, but it was the "election of grace" through Christ which only a remnant of the Israelites obtained. John 1:11-13 says, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born,...of God." Those among the Jews who received Jesus Christ when He came and believed on His name constitute this "remnant according to the election of grace." Adam Clarke in his comments on Romans 11:5 says, "The election of grace simply signifies God's gracious design in sending the Christian system into the world, saving under it all those who believe in Christ Jesus, and none else. Thus the believers in Christ are chosen to inherit the blessings of the gospel, while those who seek justification through the works of the law are rejected." Again he says in his comments on verse 6, "And this is done according to the election of grace, or rule of choosing any persons to be the people of God upon the footing of grace, which takes in all that believe in His son, Jesus Christ."

To this the Scriptures bear conclusive evidence, for it is written "...Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely," (Revelation 22:17); and "...whosoever believeth in Him should...have everlasting life." (John 3:16.)

Romans 11:7 says, "...Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for;..." They desired to continue as the chosen people of God with all the power and glory of their kingdom which had been in time past. But they did not recognize the Author of eternal salvation when He came, so did not accept Him, but rejected Him, therefore failing to obtain what they desired. This verse says further, "...but the election hath obtained it,..." We have seen that the election were those who believed in Jesus Christ and received Him, thus were born of God, and became His children in reality. Therefore they inherited all the blessings of the gospel, entered into the spiritual kingdom of God (righteousness, joy and peace in the Holy Ghost-Romans 14:17), and obtained the fullness of what they sought after.

This group of Israelites, who were elect according to grace, received Christ and believed in Him, were born of God, and became children of God in reality. This great, majestic company of faith champions survived the complete spiritual collapse and downfall of the Jewish people and came through with faith and belief in the promises, looking for the Consolation of Israel. This group came through, merged into, and blended with the spiritual body of Christ and entered the spiritual kingdom of God. It was absorbed into a much greater and broader "election" which included all of those from every nation under heaven (both Jews and Gentiles) who believed in Christ and received redemption by faith in His blood.

The term "elect" means chosen, selected. Several translations drop the term elect and insert the term chosen in its stead in all texts where "elect" is mentioned. The Amplifed Bible retains the term elect but in each case inserts in parenthesis the terms chosen, select. Then we read in Ephesians 1:4, "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." The choosing or electing here does not refer to particular individuals, but that God had chosen or selected a plan for people (all people) to be saved, and this was through Jesus Christ and Him only, by believing in Him and yielding themselves to Him for salvation. Thus it is said that we (all the people of whatever nation, kindred, tongue or people) are chosen (elected) in Him, or there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12.)

Now let us look at a very important text regarding "election." In II Peter 1:10 we read, "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." This scripture teaches us that we have a part in our election. Someone said a long time ago in regard to the "election," that "God has a vote, the devil has a vote, and I have a vote, and whichever way I vote is the way the election is going." In Romans 6:16 we are told, "...to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." Again Romans 6:13 says, "Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God,...and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Thus we can see that the yielding of ourselves to one master or the other is in our own hands, subject to our own will and our yielding determines our election one way or the other.

II Peter also teaches us that our election can be lost after it has been gained. "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall." (II Peter 1:10.) The inference here is that if we fail to do these things and give diligence to this, we will fall.

This month of January discovers us poised at the headwaters of uncharted territory.

In looking back upon the year of 1998, we view events which were totally unexpected and potentially devastating. Yet we also see how God's hand of mercy and grace was always present to steady and sustain His work and the hearts of those involved in it.

God's providence has always held unexpected twists and turns. In the January, 1963, Faith and Victory, Grandpa Fred Pruitt wrote, "At this writing we are approaching the coming New Year of 1963. What will take place and the changes that will be made in this new year throughout the world in nations, cities, villages and homes will only be seen and known as God allows the clock to tick off the time."

Little was it thought or known that one of the changes of that year of 1963 would be that he would lay down his work on earth for the transition into eternity. Yet God's benediction continued to rest upon that which he had begun, and those who were left to continue the toils of it.

And so we do not fear what 1999 may bring, but commit it all unto God, knowing that the path of time is governed by His hand and His mercies.

We have definite goals to accomplish during this year, and sincerely ask for the support of your prayers.

The Oklahoma State Assembly Meeting is in progress as these editorials are being written. We appreciate the ministers from the local area as well as those from several different states who have attended the meeting and brought inspirational and searching messages. We also are grateful for all the saints who have come together in God's Spirit to hear the Word and worship the Lord together.

The safe arrival of our first grandchild, Jaród Wilsan Murphey, was cause for thanksgiving. He came into this life in the early morning hours of Dec. 29. Jarod was born at 1:15 a.m. to our son, Jason, and his wife, Raleah, a devoted worker here at the Print Shop.

A supply of 1999 wall calendars and 1998 yearbooks for both the Faith and Victory and The Beautiful Way Sunday School papers are in stock and for sale. 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.

From the Philippines...

November 24, 1998-Dear Brother and Sister Murphey: Warm greetings of Christian love to every one of you in the lovely name of our Lord Jesus. I hope you are all fine when you receive this short letter . . .

Thank you so much for your loving concern for us in the Philippines. May the loving Lord bind our hearts together to work for the salvation of souls as far as we can, and as early as possible.

During our ministers' meeting, plans were made to reach the cultural minorities on the other side of the mountain. A discussion was held on how the ministers could go because the way is rough and hard. I plan to take them by van as far as the road goes, and then they can go by foot. Please pray for them that the Lord will give them courage and wisdom.

Give our love to your family and to all the dedicated workers at the Lord's Print Shop.

Yours in His Service,

-Bro. Matias S. Tangunan and family

From India...

November 18, 1998-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey and dear saints in America: Greetings to you dear ones again in the precious name of Jesus Christ, who is even now at the gate.

Monsoon rains have almost stopped here now, and outdoor meetings and conventions have already started. Lord willing, our 34th General Convention will be held during the first week of January, 1999.

One of our older ministers, J. Cherian, passed away on November 14. He was with us for 33 years, and started his ministry in our church with my father. Please pray for the bereaved family.

All our congregations are going on fine. Please pray for us.

Yours in Him, -Bro. John Varghese

Africa Missionary Report

God is continuing to bless the work and the congregations in Malawi and Ghana. Bro. Failos Namaozongo met with 61 ministers and church elders from various congregations in Malawi and Mozambique. They had a four-day meeting in which Bro. Failos shared with them the Bible teaching that he had received on my previous trip. God blessed in this effort and my heart rejoices to see the Word of God being spread.

The congregation in Ghana is not only increasing in number but in spiritual understanding as they are studying Bible doctrines. God provided the way and the means to purchase some Bibles in their native language. The chapel is still without a roof, so let us remember this need in prayer. Most importantly, let us pray that the Spirit of God will continue to teach and lead these dear people into all truth.

The call from Malawi and Mozambique is still for someone to "Come, stay and teach." Let us pray earnestly for the work in these places.

-Bro. Michael Smith

Editor's Note: Word has been received that due to the worst flooding in twenty years, the crops in Nigeria have been destroyed. Some personal belongings of the saints have also been lost. We hope to learn more details soon.

If anyone would like to contribute to the humanitarian relief of the saints in Nigeria, you may send your contributions to this office, and they will be relayed to where they can best be used.