We have within our reach a treasure that very few people realize and enjoy. While so many are reaching for the vain, empty treasures of earth they are neglecting the richer things that are beneficial for the eternal part of us, things sweet and profitable. On the pages of the Holy Bible are found treasures rich and helpful to us in the more important matters of life: How to be saved, how to be sanctified, how to live holy, how to overcome temptation and trouble, and how to be ready to die. These benefits, gained through the light and knowledge contained in the sacred scriptures, make them by far the most valuable assets one can possibly own.

Let us notice what the apostle Paul said in Romans 15:1-4: "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." In instructing us concerning the proper Christian attitude toward others Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9: "For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me." Christ's disciples remembered the first part of this scripture when Christ drove the moneychangers and their equipment out of the temple as recorded in John 2:13-17. Here Paul quotes the latter part of this scripture as showing the true Spirit of humility and love for others that Christ had. Paul received light and knowledge through the avenue of the scriptures. As he said here, he knew that what was recorded in the scriptures was to enlighten us and that through the patience that the scriptures inspired and the comfort the scriptures gave, we can live a life soothed and brightened by hope.

Paul commended his son, Timothy, in the faith, saying, "...From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." Paul went on to say concerning the scriptures: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." Can we not see the value and esteem that the apostle Paul placed on the scriptures? They can make a person wise unto salvation. That is the only wisdom worth having. Every one of us needs to be taught. We need reproof and correction. So many times our words and deeds are not what they ought to be. Here is the avenue through which we can gain knowledge of how to correct ourselves. The scriptures are spoken in such language and quality of expression that our hearts are warmed and inspired to seek the better and more profitable paths of life. Oh, how we need so much instruction in the way of righteousness! Less stumbling and failures would be made if we were more attentive to what is spoken in the scriptures. God wants us to be perfect, that is, mature and fully developed Christians. So many professed Christians live on a plane so far below the standard of God's holiness. We are so often caught lacking in the qualities of life and character that please God. If we were more attentive to what is recorded in the scriptures we would be farther up the road to success and spiritual prosperity than what we generally are.

When Paul came to Thessalonica he found a synagogue of the Jews there, and, "...as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ." Paul opened up and expounded the truth that was in the scriptures. He presented its doctrines and prophecies and showed how they were to be applied to Christ and to us. Some of the people there believed and began to associate with the brethren. But Paul found a more interested and concerned people when he came to Berea and began to teach in the synagogue. It says: "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Acts 17:1-4, 10-12. Here in Berea many believed because they applied their hearts to open-mindedness and diligent study of the scriptures. It is wise for us today to search the scriptures and acquaint ourselves with what "thus saith the Lord" about things. There is so much lightness and unconcern about what the Bible teaches. So many other vain and empty volumes are read and pursued while the scriptures are for the most part neglected.

Jesus spoke to the Jews in John 5:39-40: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life." The Greek text says, "Ye search the scriptures." It is one thing to search the scriptures and know what they say. But it is another thing to be enlightened by the Spirit of God as to their real meaning. These Jews searched and studied the scriptures, but they were not aware that it was Jesus of Nazareth that they were speaking of. The scriptures were testifying of Christ, but they refused to come to Him to be saved.

Peter said in II Peter 1:19-21: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." Christ came to fulfill the scriptures. He confirmed their truth and proved their surety and worth of our trust and confidence. We would do well to give diligent heed to the scriptures, for through them the light will shine into the darkness of our hearts and will bring the dawn of eternal day with the Sun of righteousness arising in our hearts. The Greek text says, "No prophecy of the scripture is of its own loosing." The scriptures can only be properly understood and applied through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that dictated them. The Holy Spirit moved the holy men of God to write, and only through the means of the enlightment of the Holy Spirit can we lay hold of their wonderful meaning.

WV-Dear brothers and sisters at the Print Shop: Greetings in Jesus' name. I thank you for your prayers. I haven't had any more strokes. God has been so good to me. I am past 87 years old and in a wheelchair, but I can still do my cooking and mopping, for which I thank the Lord.

Please pray for my unsaved children....

With the love of God, -Sis. Queen Luzader

OR-Dear Bro. Wayne and all at the Print Shop: Greetings in the name of Jesus. We pray this will find everyone there well and happy in the Lord. Each day we ask the Lord to bless and guide you in your labors for Him.

We are doing well and are thankful to the Lord for all of His many blessings we receive each day. He is so good to provide for all of our needs and He gives us strength to do what is necessary....

With Christian love,

-Bro. Bill and Sis. Ruby Busch

KS-Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: My wife of almost 55 years was called to her heavenly home the 12th of December, 1997. She had been in poor health for many years-cancer, heart attack, stroke, etc. The last seven years we prayed, and God gave us one day at a time. She was an invalid during the last years, and I cared for her myself. We continued to pray for God to help us with our burden. She wanted God to take her home.... My grief is great. I pray for God's help.

As I read the Faith and Victory I see that we were not alone in our suffering. Many of the saints have suffered as we did. I praise the Lord for keeping us close during this trial. I know she is with the Lord and not suffering anymore.

-Bro. W. V. Reddout

FL-Dear Bro. and Sis. Wayne Murphey: I was 85 years old on December 18, 1997 and I am doing very well, for which I am thankful.

I truly love my Lord. He is my Keeper and Teacher, and whatever I can do, by His help, I will do.

I was sorry to hear about Bro. Samon's death. He was a wonderful brother, and he also had a very sweet wife.

Please remember me in prayer. -Sis. Kathleen Williams

CA-Greetings in our Lord and Savior's name-Jesus: We both are thankful for all of the Lord's blessings to us daily.

I have had a scripture on my mind which is found in Joshua 24:15. "...Choose you this day whom ye will serve;...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." That is the direction in life for both of us also....

In Christian love,

-Bro. Hubert and Sis. Elizabeth Corteway

OR-Dear Bro. Wayne: I send greetings of Christian love this evening in the name of our blessed Lord. I am so glad and thankful for His wonderful love and mercy to me. When I get a little glimpse of how pure and holy He is, and then begin to compare that to me, I can't help but shake my head in amazement and wonder what He saw in me that was worth the awful price paid for my salvation....

I have heard good reports of the assembly meeting back there and Bro. Bob Wilson says they had a real good meeting in California. We are surely thankful for our Lord's faithfulness to His trusting children.

Please remember us in prayer.

With Christian love and prayers, -Bro. Clifford Wilson

MO-Dear Ones: Greetings of love in the Lord. I am truly glad for the chastisement of the Lord. When my husband passed away, I felt so alone, and I said, "Lord, why didn't You take me instead?" The Lord spoke so plainly, "You weren't ready."

Oh, dear saints, it pays to be ready, and not with just an empty profession. The Lord started showing me things I had done and hadn't done. I fell on my knees and began to cry out to God and confess my wrong doings. The Lord was so good to forgive me.

I know the Lord has been with me in these lonely hours. I couldn't stay alone for some time, but the Lord gave me grace and I live alone. But, as I tell people, "I am not alone, for God is here with me." God cares for me and supplies my needs.

Not long ago I fell and hurt my hip. When I saw I was falling, I said, "Oh Lord, don't let me break a bone." I called Sis. Opal Kelly and Bro. Carl and Sis. Rebecca Shaffer for prayer. The Lord helped, and has taken all of the pain away. Thank the Lord!...

Yours for the Lord, -Norma Allen

LA-Dear ones: As you know, the Coronation Day for my precious husband, Lynn Carver, was Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 1997. We had such a nice day on Wednesday getting my drivers' license, taking scriptures to several nursing homes, and just being together as we enjoyed the day. Then he peacefully left in his sleep the next morning. I thank the Lord he did not linger and suffer; but, oh, the heartache!

As ripples reach across the water when a stone is dropped into it, so Lynn's life lived for Christ has left behind an influence for good that has touched the lives of many others. Our pastor, Bro. Melvin Doolittle, said at service last Sunday, "We have lost a dear, faithful soldier." Several times in service and at home Lynn would burst triumphantly into song, "I mean to go right on until the crown is won." And he did!

When my first husband, Steve Henry (son of Sis. Dott Henry and nephew of Sis. Vera Forbes), was ill and left me 25 years ago, the verse from Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" became my verse. Again I am trusting in God's help as He tells me, "...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5. I have been very blessed in having two wonderful, loving, Christian husbands!

We have been overwhelmed by so many demonstrations of love, concern, cards, phone calls, prayers and kindness shown to us. We wish to thank everyone.

Continue to pray for us. I, too, intend to "go right on until the crown is won."

Prayerfully, -Audrey Carver IL-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary: Greetings of love in the most wonderful name of Jesus! What a dear Savior He is!

It will be two years in April since I last saw any of the saints in Shawnee and other parts of Oklahoma.

At present my trips are very limited. I had a mild heart attack a year ago. I trusted in the gracious and loving Lord who has blessed me since I gave my heart to Him at 18 years of age. He was watching over me even before I knew Him. What a great God our Heavenly Father is.

I was able to go back to work at McDonald's after a few weeks. I am a hostess there. I love meeting so many people. Many have become dear friends, and the Lord blesses me so I can witness for Him. What a privilege!...

I have been remembering each of the saints there, and everywhere. I pray the Lord to bless you and the work you are doing in the Print Shop.

In Christian love, -Ruby Blanchard

CA-I would just like to encourage the young people out there to stay encouraged, and to always look to the Lord.

I just found your Web Page and I am glad that I did.

I want to request prayer for my family, and for myself as well.

Keep encouraged. -Ryan McClendon

CA-Hello, I have been receiving the Faith and Victory for awhile now. I am happy to say that I am saved. I just got onto your Web Page after a struggle, and I would like to request prayer for my family and me. -Jeremy Pierro

CA-Dear Bro. Wayne: May the peace of the Lord be upon you and all those who receive the Prince of Peace into their hearts. The Prince of Peace knocks at the door of our hearts seeking to come in. He longs to be a deep part of our lives. He wants to fill our hearts with peace that surpasses our understanding. His kingdom is a kingdom of peace to those that are a part of it. Yet, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth to those who refuse Him as their King and Lord. He says, if our ways please Him, He will make even our enemies to be at peace with us.

At times there seems to be a darkness that makes the days seem grim, but the Light of the Lord always outshines the darkness. I thank the Lord for shedding light on me and clearing the clouds. May He help me never to lose faith even in the dark when it seems like I can't see Him. He has promised to be with me.

I must say that I'm glad to hear that the Print Shop is expanding. The Lord will cause it to prosper in your hands as you continue to do with it as He guides you. Be faithful to the Lord and let His truth go forth to the hearts of people everywhere. Hearts are receptive to truth. At times truth may be a little hard to swallow. It may taste a little bitter, but the Lord will not allow it to come back void. It will accomplish that which He sends it to do. Be strong and faithful and let the Lord give the increase.

In His love, -Marvin Moles, Jr.

KS-Dear saints everywhere: Greetings with divine love in our hearts for everyone. My husband and I are very thankful to see another new year. We are also thankful to be able to report victories over Satan.

We are thankful for what God has done for us in both soul and body. We know it is the goodness of our dear Savior. We can say, like the song, number 154 in the Evening Light song book, "Jesus has been so good to me, No other friend so kind could be; Safely keeps me ev'ry day Free from sin and in the way. Ne'er can I such love repay, He's so good to me."

I, Clara, would like to tell of another miraculous healing God did in my body. I had been having constant pains in my left side, under and around my heart. Sometimes they were so severe that I couldn't sleep on my left side. Then I noticed a small growth on that side. I was anointed and prayed for. The pain didn't stop at once, but we continued to pray, and I can report another victory. The pain and the growth are both gone. Thank God, I have a well body today. God is so good to all of His dear, trusting children.

May God bless all of the saints through our prayers for each other.

Yours in Christ Jesus, -Bro. Paul and Sis. Clara Phillips

MO-Dear Bro. Wayne and workers at the Print Shop: Greetings in Jesus' precious name. I received the Faith and Victory paper yesterday. I enjoyed it so much. I especially enjoyed the testimonies.

I still need prayer. Please remember my loved ones also.

May God bless you in your work for the Lord.

Christian love, -Mamie Butcher

OR-Dear Bro. Murphey: Greetings in Jesus' dear name. I am happy to report I have been healed of two injuries and one kidney problem.

I have been having a problem with my left arm; bursitis in it, I guess. I would like the saints everywhere to pray for the healing of it. It bothers my sleep at night and also hurts during the day.

Christian love, -Wilma Juanita Jenkins

LA-Dear saints: We thank God for salvation and for His love in caring for us; and especially for care over my son, Nelson Doolittle and Bro. Ferlin Palmer, when the tornado skipped over their work place. We thank God....

May God bless for the new year. -Patsy Doolittle Turner

WI-Greetings of love. We surely want to give God the praise for His goodness to our family. He has been a refuge and present help in time of trouble.

With much thankfulness and praise, we want to say that we appreciate the great family of God as they have been very dear to us in the time of our need. We appreciate all who pray, call and send cards. It has been an encouragement a It is with love that we extend a special invitation to all who desire to come our way and be with us here. Pray for us that we will be faithful to the end.

"I just dearly love to serve the Lord, and my chief delight is in doing His blessed will in everything. I will not be able to thank Him enough in this life, and I know I will be spending a big part of eternity praising and thanking Him for this great gift He has bestowed upon me.

"I was deep down in terrible sin when He so mercifully reached down and brought me up out of that horrible pit and set my feet upon the rock. Bless His name! I was in the terrible clutches of liquor and tobacco for over forty years and started using both before I reached my tenth year. I used to pick up pint whiskey bottles to sell, and always there was a small amount in each one which I would tip up and drain... At the same time I was picking up cigarette butts and smoking them, and that awful habit fastened itself on my later life as well.

"About 1900, my folks moved into Oklahoma and I got into a hard drinking crowd of young fellows there. When the state went dry about 1906, I started bootlegging, but drank up all the profit and got into trouble besides; so I drifted west on a bridge gang in Colorado and Wyoming. It was the same wherever I would go-just drinking and more drinking....

"In 1911, I came to the west coast with another hard drinking young fellow and we drifted form lumber camp to harvest field in Washington state, always deep in sin of nearly all kinds, beating our way on railroads, even putting up in a hobo's `jungle.' We drifted south to Imperial Valley, CA and in 1912, I took up plastering, which proved to be another move toward drink, as they as a whole are a hard drinking set of men. I moved up to Los Angeles that same year, and in 1914 I married and tried to settle down. It did settle me in most ways and helped as far as steady drinking was concerned, but I still kept at it now and then. During the days of home brew, I got back into it as bad as ever. In 1939, we moved onto our little 5 1/2 acre ranch near Pomona, and I made a special effort to stop drinking. I went three whole months without taking a drink of any kind of alcohol and then weakened and started again.

"It seemed like that was a turning point, for I grew worse steadily and during those last few years was drunk almost every night. I used to send my wife and little girl to a show and would get drunk.... Once I was out of wine and I broke my baby's bank and stole what I needed. Another time I was out of money in pocket and tore out the whole side of an overstuffed chair to get 25 cents I knew had slipped out of my pocket previously. Once I was known to have an almost iron will, but that was gone and in its place a terrible sense of defeat.

"We had been sending our little girl (she is ten now) to Sunday School by a fine couple named Meyer. Wife and I cared nothing about our own souls, but we wanted her to have a chance anyway....

"On the night of May 17, 1945 I was sitting by the silent radio smoking and...something in the region of my heart seemed to move and the blessed Lord put these words into my mind and heart: `You had better pray, the Lord will help you; you had better pray, the Lord will help you.' I put my cigarette up in the ashtray and before I hardly knew it I had bowed my head right where I sat and uttered the first prayer I had made since saying my `Now I lay me down to sleep...' prayer at my dear praying mother's knee. Oh, how I do thank God now for a praying mother. These are almost the words I said that wonderful night: `Lord, in the name of Jesus PLEASE deliver me from these sins, drinking, smoking and swearing. Amen.' As soon as I said amen, I KNEW, bless God, I knew by the witness He gave me inside that I would never have to do those things again.... Praise the good Lord, from the instant I said amen I have never had the slightest desire for any of those things, and haven't uttered an oath since, and don't want to. Bless His name!

"The next Sunday night Mr. and Mrs. Meyer took us to their church services. The minister brought an average good sermon and we got home about 9 p.m. Wife took our little girl and went into the house and I stayed out and talked to them.

"Mrs. Meyer said to me, `Mr. Trimble, don't you think it's about time you turned to the Lord and accepted Jesus Christ?'

"I said, `Mrs. Meyer, it has been time. I know God has had me under conviction several times, and I always said no, and I am worse than a Fiji Islander, for I was sent to Sunday School and have always believed every word of the Bible, and I have always believed that God was absolutely Almighty and there is nothing He cannot do. I've always believed that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin mother and that the Jews murdered Him on the cross and buried Him in the ground' -and here is where the most beautiful thing happened that could happen to a human creature-`and the third day He rose, and'-when I said that, it was just like I had been walking stooped over with a heavy weight on my back and a heavy black bandage over my eyes all my life, and suddenly the weight of the whole world was lifted off my back and I stood straight up and lifted a foot off the ground. I stood there with my whole body as light as a feather and a great white light round about me. I did not know what had happened, but I KNEW the biggest thing had happened inside of me that a human being ever experienced.

"I was scared Mr. and Mrs. Meyer would ask me about the beautiful light round us, so I bid them goodnight and hurried to the house. To get in our house we go up several steps and I don't ever remember touching those steps that night. It seems like I just scooted up them.

By God's great kindness towards this printing work, we are able again to greet you. The month of January has been full of activity around the Print Shop. After the Oklahoma State Assembly meeting closed on January 4th, the work here resumed in earnest.

The book, What the Bible Teaches, which has been out of stock for quite some time, has been printed, folded, collated and taken to the bindery. Within a short time it should again be available.

Extensive work has also been put forth on Bible Readings, another book which has been out of stock for several years. The negatives for this book were ruined in the last flood, requiring us to retype, repage and proofread the book.

At the present time, extensive repairs are being made on the machine used to fold book sections, but we hope to have it up and running within a couple of weeks.

The Print Shop is operated on free-will offerings and we have learned to lean on the Lord to provide for the amount of literature He wants printed. Those involved in the work here do so because of a burden for souls. Laboring on a full time basis are Sis. Janie Woodruff, who does the accounting; Bro. Bob Sallee, who is in charge of the subscription department; my daughter-in-law, Raleah Murphey, who does most of the typesetting for our publications, and Bro. Ken Elwell, who runs the offset printing press which is used in the printing of books. My daughter, Patina, currently assists with darkroom work.

All of these workers do their share of proofreading, working in the bindery department, etc. There are several who help with preparing copy for printing, including my wife, Mary, Bro. Leslie Busbee, Sis. Connie Sorrell, Sis. Nelda Sorrell and Sis. Charlotte Huskey. Sis. Rosie Gellenbeck and Sis. Joanna Booher offer their services to do the art work for the Beautiful Way paper. My son, Jason, still does the upkeep on our Internet Web Page.

The dedication of these workers, backed by the support of many saints, is what makes it possible to bring the gospel into the homes of thousands of people.

The date of July 11 has been set to host a former workers' reunion. By faith we are making plans to hold the reunion in the new Print Shop building. Although we will not be operating there on a daily basis by that time, we are trusting enough will be completed to be adequate for the reunion.

We plan to dedicate the September Faith and Victory as a special tribute to 75 years of publishing the gospel. Although this February edition is the actual completion of our 75th year of printing, we want to produce the commemorative edition after the workers' reunion so we can include photos of those in attendance. It will also be in this September Faith and Victory that we will print the memories of former workers. Although this is still several months away, I urge each of you to send in what you have written as soon as possible.

On January 14, the Church lost a dedicated minister. Bro. Mart Samons completed his earthly life, and went home to rest from many years of evangelistic labor.

An admonition of his ministry which will linger in the memories of many, was the message God gave him for the church on "Steady as You Go." This counsel is more pertinent to the Church today than ever before, and I am sure it would still be his advice to those who so keenly feel the loss of his presence. Our sympathy goes out to his family, who will feel the loss most acutely.

Elsewhere in this paper is printed a poem written several years ago by Bro. Leslie Busbee. In it he tells the story of the inspiration behind Bro. Mart's message of "Steady as You Go."

Another stalwart soldier who completed his earthly journey was Bro. Ralph Beisly of Coffeyville, KS. Much of his work for God was done behind the scenes, but undoubtedly his rest and reward is very sweet. Our condolences are extended to his family also.

We are pleased at the response we are still getting from the special Faith and Victory subscription offer which was made two months ago. Keep sending in the names!

Some of our readers will soon be planning their vacations to coincide with different camp meetings. Therefore we plan to print as complete of a list of meeting dates as possible in the March Faith and Victory.

If you would like your camp meeting to be on this list, please send the necessary information to this office by the 20th of February.

May God bless each of you! -Wayne Murphey