Faith Publishing House

Link	Author	Article
	Charles Ludwig	The Silence of Christ
	James McMurrin	Rending Your Heart
	Readers	Letters
	Saprena Cooley	The Need of Patience
	Bro. Wayne	Editorials
	Ministers	Forign Mission Reports

Bringing Chrisitianity to the World!

The Silence of Christ

The incident related in this scripture is the strangest yet most significant court scene in history. Strange because never before or since has the world witnessed a scene just like it, and significant because on its outcome depended the security of the world for generations to come.

It was in Pilate's hall that Jesus faced the stern hand of the law. It was there His accusers threw their wicked accusations against Him-accusations that were supported by the noise of the crowd rather than by concrete evidence. Such an atrocious outrage was the whole affair that Pilate would gladly have passed the case on to someone else. So innocent was Christ, even in Pilate's eyes, that any lawyer could easily have defended Him. As a matter of fact, if I had been starting out as a lawyer and had been choosing my first case I would have chosen this one. It would have been a hard case to lose because, in the first place, the judge would have been on my side. In fact, I do not think it would have been necessary for me to have said anything to convince Pilate that Jesus was innocent. Pilate was an experienced man; he had judged hundreds, probably thousands, of cases. He knew when a man was a fraud. Furthermore, even if Pilate had thought that Jesus was guilty, I would have stood every chance to have won, for he would gladly have turned the case against the crowd because they irritated him. He was still angry about being awakened so early in the morning and his wife's dream was still haunting him. Nor did the Jews, refusing to come into the building for fear of defilement, help matters any. The Jews were thoroughly obnoxious to him, and here was a good chance to even up some old scores.

Jesus could see exactly the way the case stood as He faced Pilate. He knew everything was in His favor. He knew that with a few words of truth He could be released. He also realized that Pilate was on the fence, for he was afraid of the crowd. If He chose to defend Himself, He would have no difficulty in winning His freedom. On the other hand, if He refused to speak, a crown of thorns, a brutal whipping and a cruel cross were awaiting Him. That was indeed a trying moment. It was then that the world rocked in the balances. If Jesus had answered Pilate with His usual eloquence, no doubt He would have been set free, but the world would have been lost; the power of sin would have continued its sway over mankind until the end. If Jesus had cried, "I am innocent; I am innocent," the echo of His words would have wailed our fate, "Lost, lost, lost!" Thank God, He did not shirk His duty in that hour.

The text tells us that when Christ faced Pontius Pilate He remained silent. Surely there is nothing in the pages of history that can parallel that. But silence is not always silent. Sometimes silence speaks louder than thunder; sometimes her cries are sharper than a two-edged sword; sometimes she is more powerful than marching troops, more formidable than a mechanized army. The silence of Jesus in Pilate's hall set captives free, healed the sick, mended broken hearts and threw a golden cable of salvation around the world. There was a definite reason for His silence that day.

The first voice we hear crying from this silence is that of the Savior, ready to do the Father's command. Before Jesus came from the mansions in glory He knew just what this ordeal would be. He knew that Isaiah's prophecy must be fulfilled, and He also realized the terrible agony that would be necessary in order to fulfill it. He knew the prophecies by heart, but He also knew that it was He who must suffer. He could repeat from memory the scriptures describing His death. He knew that Isaiah had written: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth."

In the face of such a trial as that, it is a wonder that Jesus did not succumb. One word from His lips and He would have escaped it all. One gesture toward Pilate and He would have been freed. Oh, the temptation of that hour! None of us have ever faced anything like it. What a challenge that is! This temptation may have surged through His mind and it probably was not a sudden one. Jesus knew from the beginning that He was going to have to face this ordeal. Jesus had passed through a real conflict in the Garden of Gethsemane just before this. As a matter of fact, the conflict was so great that the Scriptures tell us that "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." But great as the temptations were, fierce as the conflict was, Jesus remained true to His convictions. He was obedient even unto death on the cross. The temptation that Jesus faced before Pilate was probably the greatest He had ever had. It was even sharper than those in the wilderness, for here He was facing immediate, stark reality; the cross was only a stone's throw away. Many a man facing such a decision would have tottered and fallen. But Jesus, knowing the terrifying agony of the cross, remained steadfast in the task He had set out to do.

All this is thrilling history to me because I know that Jesus Christ is "the same yesterday, nd today, and forever." Today Jesus Christ is my attorney in heaven. Today He pleads my case before God. I know this is true because John wrote in his first epistle: "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." If Jesus could tenaciously stand for the truth, even in the shadow of the cross, I am sure that He will rightly plead for me. We can be sure that He is just the same now as He was when He forgave the woman taken in the very act. Others change, but Christ never changes.

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changes not, abide with me!

Still another voice comes from that silence and that is the voice of love for men. There is a touch of pathos in its words, for it is crying and pleading the cause of humanity. It is a voice that we have heard before, when Jesus said: "He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her." There was always a tear in that voice because of the love that was throbbing in the great heart of the Savior. But certainly there was nothing in that crowd of religious ruffians that would cause one's heart to bleed with compassion. What incentive could Jesus have for love when He looked into their vile faces, distorted with anger and purple with hate? What spirit of love could have flowed through His soul when He saw numbered among the throng men and women whom He had healed? If you had been there, do you think you could have loved them? Be honest with yourself, could you? If their cruel words, shouted in bigoted derision, "Crucify him, crucify him!" had fallen on your ears, do you think you could have remained silent?

But remain silent Jesus did, not because of any encouragement from the crowd, for there was none. He held His peace because of His indescribable love for humanity. That was love's supreme test. Never before has anyone been tested like that, and never before has love had a sweeter note than it had in Pilate's hall. I wish I had the vocabulary to describe such love. If I were to borrow Shakespeare's vocabulary, it would still be found wanting. If I could use the dramatic power of Talmage, the voice of Spurgeon, and the zeal of Jonathan Edwards, I would still fall far short. Yes, even if we could gather all the wisdom of all the sages that ever lived together they could not begin to describe the wonderful love of Jesus. If it were possible I would borrow Jacob's ladder, throw it up to the portals of heaven and ask the angels the best way to see the love of Christ. But I am afraid they would simply fold their wings and say, "We cannot understand it ourselves. If you must see the depth of His love, go to Pilate's hall or look at Calvary's cross." It was there, my friends, that the fathomless, matchless, external love of Jesus Christ was crystallized in experience so that mankind could see it. The poet has well written:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,

Were the whole world of parchment made,

Were every single stick a quill,

Were every man a scribe by trade;

To write the love of God alone

Would drain the ocean dry;

Nor could the scroll contain the whole

Though stretched from sky to sky. -Anon.

But there is still another voice that cries from that silence. It is conspicuous by its absence. Certainly there were some present who had known of the Savior's love. Surely someone was there who had felt His healing power, but if they were there they did not make it known. They simply kept silent-shamefully silent. Peter was not the only one who denied his Lord. Those in the crowd that had known Him and had loved Him were denying Him also by their silence.

If in court a friend of yours were being sentenced and you knew that He was innocent and you had evidence that would free Him and yet kept silent, you would certainly be a rogue. How much more so was that true of the followers of Christ! They had seen deaf ears unstopped, blind eyes opened and the halt raised up. They had felt His healing virtues and had eaten bread from His hands; yet they kept silent. Where can we find a word vile enough to describe them? The crimes of Benedict Arnold are insignificant in comparison with these. Many there are who have glimpsed Christ's suffering, have felt His love and witnessed His power, and are willing to do anything they can for Him. They like to join in the chorus and sing:

Were the whole realm of nature mine,

That were a present far too small;

Love so amazing, so divine,

Demands my soul, my life, my all.

But if the whole realm of nature were ours, a great number of us would hold onto it regardless of what happened. Today Jesus Christ is being crucified anew; today a crown of thorns as real as that of the Jews' is being pressed on His head. Today the world is shouting, "Crucify, crucify!" and what are we doing about it? Oh, for a greater soul burden! Oh, for greater love and greater compassion! Will you stand idly by and see Him crucified? or will you join the redeemed of all ages and lift your voice in the crowd, and say, "I, even I, will follow Jesus wherever He goes. If He is to be crucified, let me die also?" Do you think you could do that? Millions of martyrs have done it, and many more are doing it still today.

"Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil." Joel 2:12-13.

Many times in the Old Testament we read of people repenting in sackcloth and ashes, of how they rent their clothes, literally tearing them apart to show how distressed they were at what had happened. Why do it? Granted, in emotional distress, it would be natural to want to take some sort of violent action, but why tear your clothes? The answer is that it was to show in an outward way what they were doing on the inside-they were tearing away and destroying the things that they had used to cover themselves and to preserve their dignity. They were showing that they were removing any remains of pretense between themselves and God.

And yet, as with all outward things, this was something that was easily done when the heart was not truly repentant. When it was a custom like this, it was used when they were in emotional distress, and the idea of true repentance was lost, or clouded. In this passage, the Lord is calling them to forget about rending their garments; that would not do them any good. Rather, they are to "rend your heart."

Today, we don't try to show sorrow by literally tearing our clothes apart, and yet a similar thing can happen in too many cases. When we have done something wrong, and are shown it, we can try to show repentance in many ways-we can feel emotional distress, and then try to say, "I repented, because I felt badly about it." Feelings, and sometimes actions, are simply the outward show that we put on, sometimes for the benefit of others, and sometimes for our own benefit as well.

What is the heart? It is the center of our body, a vital organ if we are to live. It is used to represent the one single foundational place where everything else rests, the one place that determines not just what we do, but who we are. True repentance consists of changing the heart, not by emotional distress, but by the cleansing power of God. True repentance consists of "rending" open our hearts to let God change not just the sin, but the part of us that was involved in it, to do more than simply forgive the action, but to change the desires that led to it. True repentance is a "turning away" from the things in our lives that led to the problem, or the sin.

So the next time you are convicted by the Spirit of God, don't try to drown yourself in grief. Don't try to make yourself feel better by saying, "I'll do this and this to make up for it." Rather, turn to God, rend that part of yourself that is your very identity, and tell God, "Please, Lord, heal me. Make me in Your image." From that point, we can truly build a way to make recompense to those we might have hurt, and can truly turn away from the wrong.

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Romans 12:2.

OK-Greetings to all the saints: Be assured that we love you all and you are all in our prayers often.

Last November the Lord opened up an opportunity to travel to a city in Mexico and speak at a revival meeting. The call had gone out for a minister to assist, and it fell my lot to be the one. The Lord provided the funds and I went to Culiacan for three days and the Lord blessed. Even though I don't speak Spanish, I was able to understand some of the language, since I do speak Italian, (from our days in Italy) and Bro. James Huskey translated for me.

Upon my return, the pastor in Mexico expressed a desire that I return and assist him in the work. Until this point, I had not really considered returning to the mission field, since I am 51, and felt that this was a job for younger ministers who would be better able to carry on the work. But the Lord planted a seed and desire to serve. After all, I had been preaching about missions and service to God. The Lord wanted me to be as ready to obey as those to whom I had preached to obey the call. I recall that Abraham left for the field at the age of 75! So I put that desire before the Lord, and my wife, Judy, and I discussed it. We both felt that the Lord should confirm it to our hearts through His Word. We considered this, because from our experience on the field we know that hard and discouraging times will come, and the enemy will take advantage of any opportunity he can to discourage and defeat the Lord's work. We know that God's Word is mighty to tear down enemy strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4). Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and are safe." Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is among other things, sharp as a two-edged sword, and is a potent weapon against the enemy. So when those times come (as they must), then we will have something tangible that we can point to and know that the Lord has called us here and will be able to receive encouragement and continue in the work.

A few weeks ago I was invited again to accompany Bro. Wayne Murphey to another place in Mexico to assist in the ministry. This time it was the beautiful city of Ensenada, on the Pacific coast of Baja California. While there I read Matthew 25:31-46, and the Lord spoke to my heart. When the righteous and the unrighteous questioned God about how they had or had not ministered to Him, He said that to the extent that they had done service to the least of His brethren, they had done it to Him. As I reflected on the passage, I thought about the people of Mexico. In many areas they live in poverty, are often without adequate food or clothes, and are oppressed. But beyond that, there are deep spiritual needs. There is a great spiritual hunger, brought about by centuries of being fed spiritual junk food that can never satisfy. They are athirst for the water of life, strangers to the glorious covenant of the Lord Jesus (Ephesians 2:12-13.) People in sin are as naked as Adam and Eve were when they sinned, and are captives of the enemy, in his prison house of sin (Romans 6:16). They need freedom which only Christ could offer (John 8:36). The Lord spoke to my spirit and confirmed that I was to assist in the harvest of precious Mexican souls, perhaps through a teaching and disciplining ministry. I had received my confirmation. I told Judy and let her know that she would also need to receive a confirming word from the Lord before we did anything.

Some days later, Judy decided to fast and seek the Lord for a confirmation from God's Word about it. We also told our children, Anna and Paul, about our intentions, and they were excited! This was beyond our dreams. We had expected a negative reaction, such as, "We'll have to leave all our friends." Well, they decided to "help" Judy find something from God. First they found John 6:38, about how Jesus came to do His Father's will. They then found another: Mark 16:15, "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." The final scripture verse was Acts 10:20, where the Spirit told Peter, "Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them." This was what she needed! A short time later she went to look for a piece of paper to write something down. During her search she came across a postcard that we had picked up in Italy, which had a picture of a little girl. On the bottom was a verse in Italian which "happened" to be Matthew 25:40. We had come full circle. The Lord confirmed to us that this was His will. We rejoiced and thanked the Lord for His wisdom and confidence in sending us to this place of service.

We now come to the practical side of the situation. God has not shown us exactly where in Mexico He would have us labor. We are seeking wisdom and counsel from experienced ministers. We will need the help of the Lord, and by your prayers and wise counsel we will get what we need. We expect that the Lord will sustain us by the support and prayers of our brothers and sisters as we go. Since we have never lacked, we can trust that the Lord will support the work that He has sent us to do. We love each of you and look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Please pray that the Lord will guide us and that we will not run ahead of Him as we prepare to leave for the field. With our background in Italian, we hope to apprehend the language quickly, by the help of the Lord. Pray for Anna and Paul as well, that their transition to a new culture will be smooth, that they will enjoy making many new friends, and that they will get a vision for the Lord's work.

Yours in the tie that binds, -Bro. Joe, Sis. Judy, Anna and Paul Fine

CA-Dear Bro. Wayne and staff: I hope this beautiful morning finds everyone there well....

Kindly remember me in prayer. I have been very ill since December 28, 1998, but I am getting so much better. I thank the dear Lord for His mercies-and how He cares for us in every way.

The saints here in Fresno, CA, are all fine.

They have been so good to me.

May the Lord bless all of you, -Sis. Mary Reece

OH-Dear saints: Greetings in Jesus' dear name. I am thankful for His many blessings to me. I had a bad case of flu in January and the Lord healed me of it. On February 15th I awakened with a severe problem with my right leg. I couldn't straighten it out because of the severe pain. I prayed and told the Lord if He would give me a touch I would tell it. He did and I thank the Lord for the touch.

Later I called Bro. Keith Fuller and he came and I was anointed and prayed for and the Lord touched my body again. I am walking with a walker.

I want to thank the saints for their many prayers for me, also the phone calls, cards and visits during my affliction. I still need prayer. I will trust God unto the end.

Pray for our unsaved loved ones, -Sis. Alberta Bruner

OK-Dear saints: I want to praise God for still hearing and answering prayer. A year or so ago my wife, Sharon, went blind almost overnight. The cause was unknown. We were told there was swelling behind the eye pupils. The local congregation got under a burden, and a few outside who knew of it. Prayers were being prayed. Sharon told me later, after she was healed, that someone told her, "Maybe the Lord won't heal you." She didn't accept that, but stood firm that the Lord would heal her. We were touched so much to see her in this condition. It pierced my heart. I reminded the Lord of His Word, and how He delights in mercy. I asked Him to look at my wife through my eyes, as if that would help.

Going through the whole ordeal, my wife never seemed to be discouraged. She kept saying, "The Lord is going to heal me."

One day I went to see her. She told me she had asked the Lord to give her a sign if she would see again. She said she saw a flash of light. Praise God! It wasn't long and her vision returned. Praise be to God! He still hears and answers prayer.

About 1 1/2 months ago, I was taken off work. I had an intense pain in my lower back and in the top of my tail bone. I was in so much pain that I just lay on my back on the floor to try to get relief. They said it was due to lumbar strain. I don't know, but the Lord knew.

The pastor came over and anointed and prayed for me. The Lord started working. It was fast, but I wasn't yet 100% well. When I went back to work I was still sore deep inside and in discomfort while driving. I testified on Wednesday night at church, and was encouraged to keep holding on to the Lord.

Glory be to God, I now only have small amounts of discomfort after driving, and it leaves shortly thereafter.

I thank the saints for their prayers. I thank the Lord for hearing and being merciful. -Bro. Cleophas and Sis. Sharon Jordan

MI-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary: Greetings to you in Jesus' dear holy name: I want to thank you all for your prayers for my affliction. I still don't feel too well yet, but I know the dear Lord will make me well.

We have had a rough winter. We had more than one blizzard and they say there is more coming. I can't get out of my driveway until someone comes and plows it out.

Thank you for the Faith and Victory paper. It is so wonderful to read.

My love and prayers, -Sis. Olive Getterson

AL-Hi, Bro. and Sis. Murphey and family: I trust all is well in your home and with the Faith and Victory family. I need your love and prayers. I am 83 years old.

Pray for my son, Kenneth Eddins, Sr. He is really sick and by himself. Pray that he will be well. Pray also for all his children and their families. Pray for one of my daughters who is sick and away from God.

I have the sweet Holy Ghost and truly love Jesus.

Sincerely, -Sis. Virginia Hill

MO-Dear ones in the Lord's work: I trust this finds you all well and busy for the Lord.

I was so glad the Lord made a way last summer for me to be in two camp meeting services at Guthrie with Sis. Opal Kelly. I also got to attend services at Oklahoma City with Sis. Opal while visiting my daughter in Del City. This was a blessing to me as I don't drive and don't get to go to meeting here since Bro. Egbert Allen passed away.

I love the Lord and desire to live for Him, free from sin and the ways of the world. We are in the world, but not of the world.

Remember my children and grandchildren. They need the Lord. I need prayer for my eyes and diabetes. I am so thankful for the Lord caring for me since my husband passed away.

Love in the Lord, -Sis. Norma Allen

WA-Dear Bro. Wayne: Greetings to you and the Faith and Victory staff. The Lord is our refuge in time of trouble. I can give glory to Him because this verse has been so true for me since I stepped out on His Word and left all to follow Him. I just want to trust Him more in these evil days.

I really did enjoy the paper and may God bless you and your staff to keep letting God lead you in your work for Him. It is quite a blessing to God's people.

May God lead me closer to Him. Please remember me in your prayers. I am rLove to all, -Sis. Naomi Jones

CA-Dear Bro. Murphey and saints: We give the Lord praise and honor for His love and goodness to us. Surely He is worthy of all the love that we can bestow on Him. We look back over the years and we see how the Lord blessed and protected us from danger and possible death. It causes us to realize how much we owe Him. Our prayer is for the Lord to help us to be worthy of all that He does from time to time.

I remember many years ago, I was working on a public job. I took off one day to go to a funeral. When I returned to work there had been a bad accident on the job. The whole mezzanine floor had collapsed and fallen. It happened the very day I was off work. Several men were severely injured. I surely thank the Lord I was not there. I was sorry for the men who were injured in my crew, but it could not be helped.

On the same job, at lunch time we would sit down to eat. I would bow my head as always to give thanks for the food. Some of the men would make snide remarks and laugh. Many years later I went to another funeral. One of the men there told me that he remembered me as the man who blessed his food. This was a simple upon my co-worker. This causes me to realize that our lives are affecting others.

We surely thank the Lord for His protecting power and keeping grace. We trust the Lord is blessing the work there. We look forward to receiving the Faith and Victory each month. -Bro. Edward V. Davenport

LA-May God bless each one at the Print Shop in every way. I know you will be glad to get moved into the new Print Shop building. It will mean so much to everyone.

I thank the Lord for the encouragement He gives me day by day.

Love and prayers, -Sis. Velma Mancil

OR-Dear Bro. Wayne and all at the Print Shop: Greetings in the name of Jesus. We pray that this will find all there well and happy.

We are thankful for God's goodness to us on our trip to Leavenworth, Kansas, to be with Ruby's son, Jerry. We drove almost 3,500 miles without any serious trouble. Jerry had been in the hospital with pneumonia but was at home when we arrived, and was much better when we left to come home on February 26th. He is still weak and needs prayer.

We are enjoying the blessings of our heavenly Father and are confident that His grace is sufficient for all of our needs, whatever may come into our lives.

With Christian love and prayers, -Bill and Ruby Fern Busch

OK-Dear Bro. Murphey: The February issue of the Faith and Victory had much good reading in it. I haven't been able to get to the March issue yet. It seems there is so much to be done.

My husband is doing really well in the Golden Rule Home, for which I give all credit to the Lord. This is certainly an ideal situation in which I can spend much time with him. He has very little memory or eyesight left, but he has never complained about it. He is sweet in his soul, for which I am thankful.

Christian love, -Sis. Florence Hughes

LA-Dear Bro. Wayne and Sis. Mary: My heart overflows with gratitude and praise to our dear Lord for His goodness and mercy to me this beautiful day. Being isolated from the saints and not physically able to attend the camp meetings, I have very little contact with the saints, and really look forward to the Faith and Victory paper. It seems the one for February was especially rich and good....

I appreciate the saints and often thank God for all the elderly saints who have influenced my life and have now gone on to their reward.

May God ever be with you and your family and bless each one of you as you have need.

In Christian love, -Sis. Sybil Goldsberry

OK-Dear saints, loved ones and friends: The Lord has laid on my heart to tell of two glorious visions I have had since coming to the Golden Rule Home. If I were to entitle my testimony it would be, "A Taste Of Heaven."

For years I have suffered with blood clots in my legs, which have caused a great weakness, especially in my left leg. One night the suffering was so great that I felt I could not stand much more. I was crying out to the Lord for relief when suddenly a lovely cross appeared before me. There was a brilliant glow of light at the top, and as I looked on, a beautiful angel appeared at one side. The angel's large wings, which were very white, seemed to touch the floor. Then the angel stooped down until the big wings covered my body like a mother hen covering her baby chicks. This lasted only a few minutes, but after she covered me with both wings, she simply disappeared. At the same time my pain also disappeared. She had taken the pain with her!

I lay there for some time amazed how the Lord used this angel to answer my prayer. I didn't feel worthy of such an unexpected blessing, and even now I praise my God.

A few nights later my leg began to hurt again. I had called the pastor here in Shawnee for special prayer that I could sleep. As the night progressed, the pain became more severe. Then, all of a sudden, I went into a trance and found myself in one of the most beautiful houses I have ever seen. The very high ceiling was dome-shaped with walls that were circular. Covering the entire wall, ceiling and floor were very large roses many times more beautiful than our earthly roses. Not one dry leaf was found on these roses.

As I looked on in amazement, I again began to feel so good. I was walking over these heavenly roses and it felt like velvet. The Lord let me enjoy this scene for ten or fifteen minutes. It was truly like heaven to me!

When the vision finally melted away, a scripture filled my mind. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." I Corinthians 2:9. My vocabulary, nor any human language can adequately describe the beauties of that heavenly home. I believe this was just a taste of heaven. Just as in the first vision, there was no pain left in my body, and I slept real good the rest of the night.

I related this experience to a minister and his wife who came to visit. He was so elated. When he prayed, he said, "Lord, how good it is that You let us taste of heaven before we get there." While he was praying, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, "There were no thorns on those roses." And there surely weren't! Then the Lord said, "You also didn't see a hammer, you didn't see nails, you didn't see a saw." I said, "No, Lord." Then another scripture came to my mind: "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." II Corinthians 5:1.

Listen, dear ones, heaven will surely be worth it all! Saints, friends, loved ones, do all you can to make it there, no matter the cost. This was just a TASTE of heaven, but for all the redeemed, there will be glories forever and ever, for all eternity. Oh! what a place! Oh! what a beautiful place!

I appeal to all, run for your life, for we are standing on the brink of eternity. What profit will there be should you gain all and lose your soul in a devil's hell? The scripture tells us the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night and the earth shall be burned up. (II Peter 3:10.) Revelation 6:17 says, "The day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?" Will you be ready to stand before the king of glory? Be stirred to make your calling and election sure.

I would like to add a note of thanks to everyone for your calls, cards, letters and offerings, but most of all for your prayers while I have been here in the Golden Rule Home. May the Lord bless each of you and keep you for Himself. Let us all fight the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life. -Sis. Katherine Williams

KY-I am so proud and blessed to be a child of God, for no other extraordinary experience on earth could compare! The love of God is so great and abundant. To be counted worthy to live for Him is not only a blessing and honor, but a miracle! When I say His love is abundant, it is that and more! For my Lord has brought me out of the jaws of death numerous times, and He isn't through yet! Every day I want the Lord to search my heart and help me to be pleasing to His works. I look forward to the day when I can see His beautiful face and embrace Him in my arms. He is my love and light which guides me on the path of holiness destined for heaven.

When Christ saves us, we are no longer the same, and our hearts are purified-completely changed. We no longer talk the same, look the same, do the same things, nor feel the same way. The language we used to use and the tone of voice we use to reply with are different. Our dress becomes modest and decent. We no longer go to worldly events nor behave in the same manner. In addition, our feelings are joyous that Christ loved us enough to give us a chance to have sweet Paradise in the end. We are to walk in His footsteps and strive to be just like Him, which is meek and humble and more! We are His children, and we are to grow toward perfection. The Bible holds all the answers, but Christ holds the key. Without Him, the Bible is useless. The search for a better life and Paradise in heaven is only a prayer away. Christ is our understanding and He will guide us into all truth. All we have to do is ask, give our heart and soul to Him, and keep a bond with Christ.

Love and prayers to all, -Sis. Saprena Cooley

CA-Praise be to God for the stripes that were put on Christ's back for the healing of our bodies. "I'm healed, I know I am, I feel His mighty power." For approximately ten years I suffered greatly with boils on my body. My testimony this day is that through obedience to the Holy Spirit, and actively seeking God for not my way, but His to be done, He has answered my prayers and brought me out into a wealthy land. I am daily embracing more humility, patience and longsuffering, and I know the victory will continue to be mine. Thank you all for your prayers.

Yours in Christ, -Loyce Davenport

OK-I have much to be thankful for and appreciate the Faith and Victory paper and the workers who labor to get the truth to all nations.

"Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy." James 5:11.

When we are striving to be like Christ, it helps to recall the lives of those who have set examples before us, such as patient Job.

Consider all the "wrong" that came upon him. How would we react to such horror? Today we tend to think that things which happened in the past will not happen to us. However, they could, at any time and to anyone. If we have enough love within us, we will accept that which comes our way with endurance.

Patience is a gift from God that we must receive; must make vital use of. We cannot say, "We are not perfect until we reach heaven." Striving to be perfect in patience here on earth is our goal.

"For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." Hebrews 10:36.

Having confidence in ourselves to have patience is also important. We know that we have a promise of heaven awaiting us. If we can't be patient with simple things of this earth, then how are we to be patient for our paradise? By all means, have faith in the patience that God gives. Not a day passes but that we each need this quality, for it is the will of God that we endure. And the more patience we have, the greater the hope of reward.

"Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:3-5.

When we fall, the Lord will supply us patience until He can pick us up again. Through every temptation our faith is tried. But the greater our faith in these trials, the greater our patience becomes. If we desire to have something-that which is only good-we must wait upon God for His will, and this strengthens our patience.

A lack of patience is a lack of wisdom, which can hinder our works for the Lord. If we know we lack, and are willing to ask for wisdom to better ourselves, then God will not fail us. However, if we ask without complete faith that it can be granted, we shall not receive.

"And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men." I Thessalonians 5:13-14.

Not only are we to have patience within ourselves and with God, but with others as well. Patience and understanding go hand and hand. To fully understand another, we must be longsuffering with that individual. Without this quality, we will overlook important information or grow to ignore what is vital. Having patience with one another forms a bond that grows stronger in the Lord.

"For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:8-9.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." John 14:6. at Calvary. Christ's resurrection was the grand ribbon-cutting celebration of an access by which we can reach God. It is a highway with an entrance well marked on earth by the many sign posts of the Gospels. Its end reaches into eternity and is radiant in the bright glory of God.

In His humanity, Jesus came down to the lowest depth of human need and sorrow. The incarnation was the building of the highway down into the deepest valleys of sin and shame. There is now no degree of guilt and degredation in this world where there is not a way out, by this ladder of light, with its celestial steps leading upward to God and heaven.

We must never forget that Christ is the only way. All other ways of life lead down, away from the purity of God. However attractive they may be, human wisdom and carnality will result in shipwreck and eternal dispair.

This Easter Sunday, may our hearts join in the jubilation of the blessed way upon which we may travel, opened by the Son of God.

Tis not for works which I have wrought

Tis not for gifts which I have brought

Nor yet for blessings that I sought,

That I have been Accepted.

Tis not for tears that I have shed

Tis not for prayers that I have said, Nor yet for slavish fear or dread,

That I have been Accepted.

Tis not for these, however right,

That God has formed intense delight,

Nor is it these that have made white

The robes of those Accepted.

From these I turn my eyes to Him,

Who bore the judgment due to sin,

And by His blood I enter in,

And share in His Acceptance.

His precious blood was shed for me,

And in that precious blood I see

The righeous ground, the perfect plea,

For my complete Acceptance.

And as I gaze, my joys abound,

For now on resurrection ground

I see the Lamb with glory crowned

Who died for my Acceptance.

And when within that circle sweet,

Where God's eternal smile I meet,

I'll praise Him for the work complete,

Through which I am Accepted.

(Author Unknown)

After two years of labor here at the Print Shop, Bro. Ken Elwell felt it was time to return to his home state of Oregon. Near the end of January, a month before his departure from Guthrie, he suffered an accident in which he severely injured one of his fingers in the Harris printing press. We felt badly about this, but appreciate that the Lord was merciful to help with the pain, that the bone was not broken, and that the finger began to heal without serious complications.

We are grateful for the years Bro. Ken dedicated to this printing work, and wish him the very best of God's blessings in the future.

On March 18, Bro. Stanley Dickson and his wife, Sis. Karen, came to Guthrie to accept the pastorate of the congregation here. Bro. Stanley comes to Guthrie from the Four Corners, OK, congregation, where he has pastored for approximately ten years.

The Guthrie congregation is appreciative of having a pastor, and we pray God will bless the efforts of Bro. Stanley and Sis. Karen as they serve Him in this capacity.

April 5 is the scheduled date for Bro. Willie Murphey, his wife, Neta, Bro. Galen Kelly and myself to leave for the Philippines. Our mission will be to build a tabernacle, where Bro. Matias Tangunan of San Jose and the saints in the surrounding barrios can hold camp meetings. We feel that this will be of benefit in establishing the Church of God in the Philippines and providing a place where people can hear the gospel and find the Lord.

We will be gone for two weeks, and ask an interest in your prayers for safety and guidance in this venture.

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