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Search Past Issues Subscribe to F&V February 2001 In This Issue: West African Trip Report Question & Answer With Ostis Wilson Christian Numbers or Christian Counting Letters From The Readers Reports From the Mission Field Editorials & Prayer Requests West African Trip Report Michael Smith Greetings to all in Jesus¹ name. I am thankful to report that my family and I had a profitable mission in Africa, and we all arrived home safely and in good health. The power and presence of God were with us every step of the way. One of the brothers in Ghana, in referring to something that had been exceptionally good, says, ³It was too good.² Well, God has been ³too good,² and I thank Him so much for His mercy and goodness. René, the children and I, left from Oklahoma City on the 25th of October. Thirty-two hours later, we arrived in Accra, Ghana (West Africa). We spent six weeks laboring in Akumadan, Ghana and the surrounding area. We were holding one to three services or Bible studies a day for five and a half weeks with the exception of just a few days. During the morning or afternoon, we had Bible studies with the local ministers. We studied much Biblical doctrine including the two covenants and Revelation. God blessed in a special way through these studies and the ministers received a vision and understanding of the Church of God which they had never had. We held two open air crusades in Tanoso and Tadieso, villages near Akumadan. Souls were saved in these places, for which we were very thankful, and 15 souls were baptized. These are new works where two ministers, Bro. James Badu and Bro. Emmanuel Atobrah, have been laboring. Lord willing, they plan to move from Akumadan where Bro. Maxwell Nkansah is pastoring, and pastor these new congregations. Because these brothers have such a burden and zeal to see the work of God prosper and grow, they have answered the call of God and left their jobs to work in the gospel full time. They are trusting in God to provide for their needs as they labor for Him. We held follow-up services in these villages. In Tadieso, we met under a tree for services, and in Tanoso we worshiped in a school classroom. There was one very memorable service in Akumadan where God poured out His Spirit in a special way. I was giving the congregation teaching on the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, one of the ministers came forward, followed by the other two ministers and some of the congregation. They wanted hands laid on them to receive the Holy Ghost. God sent the Spirit down from on high and our prayer and trust is now that the power of God will rest mightily upon these children of God. We held a two-night revival in a large Assembly of God Church before we left Ghana. The door was opened, and it was an opportunity to share the truth with others. God blessed in those services and many honest souls sought the Lord. Devon and Zachary enjoyed playing with the village children. Zachary developed a very severe heat rash due to the harsh, hot conditions, but God blessed and healed it before it became an open sore. There were various times that one of us would begin to get sick, but God always heard and answered prayer, and within a short time, we were up and going again. Praise the Lord. After we left the village, Zachary got a number of mosquito bites. They swelled up and a rash began to develop around them. This was not a good sign. Obviously, we were very concerned, and we sought the Lord in special prayer. Zachary laid down for a nap, and when he awoke, we could find no sign of where he had been bitten. God healed him within and without. Praise His holy name. God is still a miracle working God in this day and time. René and the boys left Ghana on the 7th of December and arrived home in the United States safely. I arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, after midnight on December 8. I was a little concerned about what I would encounter. I had no difficulty in the airport and Bro. Essien was waiting for me right outside. He was with me for two weeks taking care of every need and escorting me to various congregations. Bro. Essien, his wife and children were very hospitable, and I trust God to bless them for their kindness and love. On the 9th of December, I was in service with the saints in Lagos. I came in and they were singing out of the Evening Light hymn book. It was a real inspiration. We traveled for many hours over very rough roads the next day and arrived in Kwale where the saints were waiting. Kwale is where the late Bro. Titus Enu resided. After fellowshiping with the saints there, we continued our journey the following day to Port Harcourt, where Bro. Igbanibo pastors. Bro. Alphonsus Okwuosha accompanied us and I found him to be a real man of God. When we arrived in Port Harcourt, there was an instant fellowship and communion with the congregation. I could see the evidence of the Lord working in their midst, and I thank God for the opportunity we had to worship together. The following day we traveled by car and motor boat to the Island of Tombia and held service with the congregation there. We continued on to the village of Asanna. The history of this work was explained by Bro. Wayne in a previous Faith and Victory. Briefly, this is the area where Bro. David Madden, the Wilsons, Carvers, and Bro. Tommy Melot visited in the 1960¹s and 70¹s. The congregations in this area went astray from the truth. In the last few years, Bro. Essien has been inspired to work with these congregations of his youth. Revival began and Bro. Essien¹s desire was for the Church of God to be reestablished in this area. We were in a four-day convention in Asanna in which many congregations in the surrounding area attended. God blessed during these meetings. There were hundreds of people in attendance, and when the Word of God went forth, the aisles filled with sincere people seeking the Lord for salvation and power. At their request, I gave teaching on holiness and Christian living. Many of the ministers that were there remembered the previous missionaries. Incidentally, the brother who translated for me was the same one who translated for all those who had visited before me. Saints from Port Harcourt came to Asanna to help support the meeting. Bro. Damien Dibie, of Port Harcourt, stayed after the meeting and accompanied us on a two-day tour of thirteen congregations. We held a brief service with each of them. God was very good to bless in all of these meetings. I was physically worn out after two months, but when I didn¹t feel like I could go much more, God poured in strength and gave me a ³new² blessing. I arrived home on December 23, tired, but well in body. God spared me from any ill affects of the trip. After I arrived home, I received word that after I left, Bro. Essien and his son had been sick for a week with typhoid fever. I am thankful to report that God has raised them up and they are doing fine. I thank each one for their prayers and support while we were gone. Most of all, I thank God. We didn¹t put any conditions on God before we left, but He had mercy on us, and protected us. The work of God is great all over the world. There are many needs to be met. May each one be faithful to fill the place God would have us to, and carry a burden for those in other countries that are seeking for the truth and for the fullness of God¹s blessings. During the last Sunday morning service of the convention in Asanna, Nigeria, Bro. Essien gave me a public message which he wanted me to pass along to the saints in the United States. ³What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.² Luke 15:4-7. I believe that the message should be very clear. There have been many, not only in Africa, but also right around us, who have lost their way. While it is easiest to be content where we are in our righteousness and fellowship, God has called all of us to be concerned for those who have lost their way. We need a concern which will lead us outside of our comfort zones and reach out in love to the lost. Not everyone is called to labor in the same way or the same place. We are all different vessels for the Lord, but may God help us to have a vision and burden for the lost around us. Let us not seek to do just those things that please and satisfy those who are in the fold, but let us reach out our hands and hearts of love to those who have rejected God, rejected the church, and rejected the saints. It is only by love that the lost sheep will be returned to the fold. Let us remember and take to heart this message from Africa. ‹Bro. Michael Smith Question & Answer With Ostis Wilson Ostis Wilson QUESTION: Several questions have come in regarding sanctification: the need of this experience, the process of it, what it is and what it does, how it is done, what the conditions are for it, and when and how it is obtained. ANSWER: There were 42 generations from Abraham to Christ. The saints of this gospel age of time would be the 43rd generation. Yet we are reckoned to be children of Abraham on the same grounds that Levi is said to have paid tithes in Abraham. That is, we were yet unborn children in the loins of our father (figuratively) when he believed God and it was counted unto him for righteousness. On the same grounds, we were all reckoned to be under sin because we were unborn children in the loins of our father, Adam, when he committed sin. The effects of that sin passed upon the entire race. As further proof that all of the human race is under the effects of Adam¹s sin and actually receive something from him by way of a depraved nature, those who obtain salvation in this dispensation are said to put off the old man and put on the new man. (Colossians 3:9-10; Ephesians 4:22-24.) Adam is the head of the human race according to the first or old creation of God. Jesus Christ is the head of the spiritual race according to the new creation of God. II Corinthians 5:17 says, ³Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [new creation, margin]:...² Ephesians 2:10 says, ³For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,...² But Christ is called Adam also‹³the second Adam,² or he might properly be called the new Adam or new man. I Corinthians 15:45-47 reads, ³And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.² In Romans 5:14 we read, ³Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam¹s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.² ³For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.² I Corinthians 15:21-22. The terms ³new man² and ³old man² apparently are derived from these heads of the two creations. The ³new man² is identical with the new creature and the ³old man² refers to our condition in the old, defiled creature‹Adam, the ³old man.² We partake of the nature of Adam in natural birth. Here is the basic principle which requires our being born again. We were born on the wrong side the first time, hence we must be born again to get straightened out on the right course of life. Therefore, the child is one step below the standard of moral purity and holiness in which man was created at the beginning. Then when he reaches the age of accountability, the inherited nature of Adam causes him to fall into willful disobedience of God¹s law and thus he partakes of the sinful life of Adam. He then possesses both the nature and the life of the old Adam or ³old man.² We might say at this point, without changing the meaning at all, that in salvation we put off Adam (the old Adam) and put on Christ (the new Adam). We will now enter into the discussion of actual, willful sin which produces guilt and condemnation in the conscience, and why every individual experiences this condition. When a child reaches the age of accountability before God and falls into willful disobedience to His law, becomes guilty of sin and a partaker of the sinful life, this is more than just the nature of sin, which in itself is not productive of guilt, but is the fruit of that nature, or the projection of it, into a way of life of actual sins committed. This is what brings guilt and condemnation on the soul. This, then, takes him a second step lower than the plane on which man was created. However, we must not confuse the hereditary sin (seed of sin, or principle of sin), with sin acquired or committed. Some find the idea of our inheriting the seed of sin objectionable on the grounds that they cannot conceive of an infant child just born into the world being a guilty sinner. What these folks are doing is confusing sin inherited with sin acquired or committed. Inherited sin is never productive of guilt. Even though the infant child possesses within him the seed of sin from his first parent, Adam, he remains in a state of perfect innocence before God until he reaches an age of accountability to know right from wrong, and by an act of his own free will does the wrong thing. This is covered by the principle laid down in Romans 7:9-11. ³For I was alive [in a state of innocence before God] without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died [lost my innocence and became guilty before God]. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.² Also in I John 3:4 we read, ³Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.² Again in Romans 4:15 it is said, ³Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.² Romans 5:13 says, ³(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.)² James 4:17 says, ³Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.² All of the above scriptures sum up to the fact that a person must have knowledge of the law or will of God, and know what is right to do and then fail to do it before it is imputed to him as sin, or charged against him as such, and he becomes guilty before God. What is sometimes called ³sin inherited² is only a nature and is not productive of guilt. There must be a willful, knowing transgression of God¹s law to make one guilty of sin before God. This principle would be applicable to all, beginning with the infant who had no knowledge of moral principles on through persons of all ages who were innocently ignorant of God¹s will on any point and had not yet received light or knowledge on a given point. Romans 4:6-8 says, ³Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.² I John 5:17 says, ³All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.² I have already referred to Romans 7:9-11 but I wish to refer to it again here to pick up another point or two. In Romans 7:8-9 it says, ³But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.² Here we have a reference to a sin that spawned sin, worked sin, wrought sin, produced sin. A tree can only grow on the root from which it sprang and can only live in the life which was in the seed that gave it its being. There must be a source from which anything and everything springs. Sin has a source from which it springs also and it is in this seed of sin, this native depravity or sin principle which has passed from Adam on down through all of his posterity. This is the sin within Paul which rose up and slew him, causing him to die (spiritually) when he came to accountability before God through a knowledge of God¹s law. We need to understand the potentials of sin. In the most mild sin exists the potential of the most vicious sin which can be imagined. The fundamental principle of evolution is that that which is evolved must first have been involved. Hence, in some mysterious way all the properties of the fully developed, full grown oak tree existed in the acorn from which that tree grew. This is true of everything which has life in it. It is also true of the principles of sin and righteousness. (To be continued next month.) Christian Numbers or Christian Counting Connie Sorrell Have you ever had the privilege of teaching a child about numbers? I have. I¹m not a math major or teacher, just a mom who has children learning math. Together we have learned a few pointers that have proven helpful in other areas of life as well. Learn the Basic Number Order There are only ten numbers that make all the numbers in the world. Learn these ten basic numbers in their beginning order and you can climb as high as you want numerically. Remember that a two will always be bigger than a one holding that same place, and so forth. In the spiritual realm, there are basic truths also. First, a person must believe that God is. (Hebrews 11:1-6.) He must believe that He is the Creator of all the universe and without Him nothing was made. (John 1:3.) This mighty God is love. (I John 4:8.) It would be hard to feel loved by God if that person didn¹t even believe there was a God! So faith must be before anything else, ³for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.² Hebrews 11:6. Once these basic principles are believed, a person can spiritually climb all the way to the throne of God and ask for mountains to be moved. (Matthew 17:20.) Isn¹t that what happens when a sinner gets saved‹he unloads the mountain of sin weighing him down? Learn the Addition Table The next step in math is to learn to add. The beginner learns by object counting. One and one item together makes two, and so forth. After the concept is understood, then the student needs to memorize the addition table which usually goes up to the twelves. It is very important to know addition sums quickly and accurately because it is the foundation for other math facts. If a person forgets that four and three are seven, and always puts it down as eight, he will always miss any math problem that has four plus three in it. Addition is simple, but it is vital for a person to be accurate with it. So it is the simple plan of salvation is vital in a person¹s relationship with God. Add to God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. These three are one but each with a separate place in the Trinity. (II Corinthians 13:14.) Through sin we are separated from God, our Creator. By the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ, the Son, we are saved from sin and brought back to peace with God, the Father. ³But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.² Romans 5:8-10. In sanctification, it is the Holy Spirit that works in the hearts of men and women and molds them into the image of Christ. (John 14:16-17, 26.) Jesus said, ³But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me.² John 15:26. Believe in God. Add His Son¹s blood to your heart. Plus ask the Holy Spirit to abide in your heart and teach you the ways of Christ. Your sum of blessings will continue to grow and some day will take you out of this world. Subtraction Comes Next Once you learn to add, you are ready to subtract or ³take-away.² It helps to have the facts of addition memorized because subtraction is the reverse of addition. When we subtract, we take away what isn¹t needed and end up with a difference. After we are saved and sanctified, we will begin to lay aside attitudes and traits that are not like Jesus Christ. We will subtract the weights of sin that make us unpleasant to God. He loves us too much to let us continue in habits which corrupt our minds, so He rebukes us when we are wrong and He gives grace to conquer and overcome our selfish ways. (Hebrews 12:1-10.) As we study the Word of God, we will learn more about God and how to please Him. His Word will also tell us the truth about ourselves. Be easily entreated of the Lord. ³And grieve not the holy Spirit of God,...Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ¹s sake hath forgiven you.² Ephesians 4:30-32. Notice that the evil is to be ³put away² or subtracted and the good traits of Christ are to be added. The take-away will never leave us empty but will fill us with peace and joy. Multiplication Comes Next Advanced math students learn how to multiply numbers so that a product may be reached quickly. Multiplication is simply a fast way to add. In the Christian life, we learn to add faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity or love to our lives. ³For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.² In other words, ³Grace and peace (will) be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.² II Peter 1:8, 2. The product of God¹s knowledge is the wisdom that is from above: ³First pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.² James 3:17. This wisdom will multiply in a maturing Christian¹s life and it should produce offspring or new converts to the Kingdom of God. Therefore, the Church of God will grow and multiply in numbers, also. Divison is Important A good student will study the multiplication table and learn it. Then he is ready to divide. Long division problems can be wearisome, but if the student is deft in multiplying, he will soon find the answer and know if there is a remainder. Problems in life can be wearisome, too, but if we allow the Holy Spirit to be our advisor, He will expose the thoughts and intents of the heart, and He will show us the best way to escape. (Hebrews 4:12-16.) The Holy Spirit is a good divisor and the Word of God is a true dividend. Therefore, we must study to show ourselves approved unto God so we will know how to rightly divide the word of truth. (II Timothy 2:15.) Conclusion: No Limit! In the field of mathmatics, scholars are able to know the weight of a grain of sand or measure the distance of stars in the universe. Numbers can be extrapolated, and they are also useful in our daily lives. So it is, by faith we can comprehend some of the breadth, length, depth, and height of the love of God and of Jesus Christ, but we will be forever in measuring His fulness. (Ephesians 3:17-19.) We must say with the Apostle Paul who wrote in Romans 11:33: ³O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!² Letters Readers CA‹Greetings to all of you at the Print Shop. May the good Lord bless your work in publishing the tracts and the paper. The Lord has been good to both of us. We truly know that God watches over His own. Our prayer and determination is to make heaven our home at the end of life.... In Christian love, ‹Hubert and Elizabeth Corteway AR‹Dear Friends: My name is Joseph Enkoff, an inmate at the Sebastian County Jail in Ft. Smith, AR. I am proud to say that while I have been here I have become a Christian by accepting Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. Before I came here I led an awful life which was full of sin. It sounds silly, but I am happy I went to jail. If I hadn¹t, I might not have accepted Jesus. Since I have accepted the Lord, all the hurt, bitterness, fear and anger has been lifted off of my heart. When I get out I plan on going to church and serving the Lord for the rest of my life. Would you please send me some tracts and also the paper, Faith and Victory? I got your address for the tracts on the back of a tract entitled, ³You Can¹t Do Wrong and Get By!² Would you also say a prayer for me and my grandpa, for the Lord¹s will to be done. Thank you so much for reading this letter and sending me tracts. May God bless you. ‹Joseph Ray Enkoff MN‹Dear Bro. Wayne: I saw the write-up about you celebrating your 25th wedding anniversary. I hope you have many more to enjoy. In 1996 I requested prayer for my wife. On September 25th of that year we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. On December 21st my wife passed away with pancreatic cancer. She was several days short of her 48th birthday.... Five minutes before she passed away she raised her hands and said, ³Up, Up, Up.² I thought that she wanted to sit up, but when I sat her up I realized what she was telling me. Some days it gets very lonely here since we have no church to worship with and Sharon is gone. On December 26th I was laid off due to lack of work and also I refused to haul an illegal load. To a degree I feel good to be away from those people but I desire to be able to make money to pay my bills. Bro. Wayne, another reason I am writing you is that I desire your prayers. I am 53 years old and have been having pain. I would very much desire for God to touch me and heal me.... So pray for me and my family for healing and direction on where God would have us be. Thank you. Sincerely, ‹Bro. Marlin Pentz KS‹Proverbs 29:26 reads, ³Many seek the ruler¹s favour; but every man¹s judgment cometh from the Lord.² Many times I have read that scripture and the meaning always escaped me. Then I realized it was concerning the righteous judgment passed down upon every man from the Lord. I myself, being a servant of Jesus Christ, and also in bonds for my past doing while I lived in sin, realized that my sentence of 25 years is not of men¹s doings but of God. I also thank the Lord for my time and my ³Divine Sentence² (as strange as it may seem) because I now have Jesus Christ in spirit and in truth. If this sentence, which might seem to the worldly man a curse, had not have happened to me I would most likely still be dead in my sins, or even physically dead without salvation. This is why the Word says, ³It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statues.² Ps. 119:71. ³Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.² Ps. 119:67. ³I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.² Ps. 119:75. So I give thanks always because I know Jesus, and I am saved from my sins. To add to all of these blessings, I know the end of all this is going to be beautiful. (Rom. 8:28.) So whether I spend another day, or the remainder of my ³Divine Sentence² here, I know it is going to work out for my good and the good of others. I used to say, ³Lord, you know I can do so much work out there in the free world for You.² And He told me, ³You can do the same amount of work or more for Me where you are.² It reminded me of faithful Joseph (Gen. 39-41:37.) Even though he was in bonds, although unjustly, he was obedient and worked for the Lord. When Paul was in bonds he still furthered the gospel and continued to work for the Lord. (Acts 16:23-25.) Fellow brothers in bonds, great work can be done from behind bars. In these dark and dismal places, saturated with profanity, blasphemers, homosexuality, pagan religion and every other unrighteous deed against the knowledge of God, the Lord needs some torches burning bright so that wayward souls can find their way to God. I often marvel at the abundance of hate, false doctrine and indecency all gathered up in such a small place. The Lord needs soldiers in here. ‹Bro. Michael Clyburn OH‹Greetings in the name of our dear Lord and Saviour: My name is Charles Abbott. I am 61 years old. I have a son, a daughter and wife, and live in Dayton, Ohio. About four years ago my son was put in a federal prison for a minor federal felony charge. I had about one year to go to retirement, and told myself that when I retired that I was going to give my life to God. It seems I got busy and caught up with the cares of life. My dream of giving my life to God just passed by me because I was so busy. One day I realized I was ³busy² not doing anything. The Lord knocked on my door again. He permitted me to be afflicted with diabetes. Dear ones, I was not going to let Him ring my doorbell again without giving my life to Him. As of December 7, 2000, I am happy to declare, He has saved my soul. God has answered prayer for me many times, just since He saved me. He has come to my rescue for the pain in my legs and back on numerous occasions. Oh what a Saviour! I want to personally thank all the saints for all the hours spent praying for me for both soul and body. I believe God has heard every one. Please continue to keep me in your prayers. I want to thank my family, brothers Kenneth and Larry Abbott, and my dear sister, Della Gutwein for their faithfulness to request prayer for me in all the congregations throughout the land. May God richly bless all of you for your love shown to me. Your new brother in Christ, ‹Charles E. Abbott KS‹Dear Bro. and Sis. Wayne Murphey: I just received the December Faith and Victory. I read it all and enjoyed it. Thanks so much. I thank God for giving me another year, and for His grace being sufficient to me. I love God. He has been so dear to me down through these many years. I am 82 years old. God saved me when I was in high school. My dear husband passed away six years ago. We were married 55 years, minus a few days. I miss him so much, but plan on going on soon. I am not well, but thank God still able to care for myself. Congratulations on your 25 years together. May God continue to bless your lives together. ‹Sis. Margaret Angle MO‹Dear ones: Greetings! May the Lord bless each one there as you labor together to publish the Word of Life that others may know about the wonderful plan of salvation. The Lord has been very good to me this past year. I enjoyed the meetings which I was privileged to be in, and the blessing I received when the Lord answered prayer and instantly took away the troubles I was having with a sinus infection. Do pray for me that I will always be faithful and be a light that others may see Jesus in me. ‹Sis. Wanda L. Atnip KS‹Dear saints: May God ever continue to bless you and your work. I enjoy the Faith and Victory paper. The testimonies and articles give encouragement to me. I also like reading ³Window to the Past.² Please remember me, for soul and health, in your prayers. May the love of Jesus be with you all. ‹Sis. Gaynell Ross OK‹Dear Bro. Wayne: Greetings in Jesus¹ name. I hope all is going well with you and with all at the Print Shop. I just finished reading the December issue of the Faith and Victory. I appreciate the truths it contains from month to month, and the information it gives of the current events of the church. We desire the Lord to continue blessing, even in a greater way. God¹s work is the greatest of all. It is of eternal value to our souls when we believe and obey His Word. Your saved brother rejoicing in the Lord. ‹T. V. McMillian KS‹Dear Bro. Wayne and company: Greetings in the New Year. We offer praises unto our God. I start the New Year very much encouraged to stay in the battle for truth and right. I love the Lord and find it a privilege to be in His army. May we as saints win some important and decisive victories this year. May we learn to pray more and be united in prayer that some more walls will fall. Praise His dear name!! May God continue to bless the printing work. Christian love, ‹Sis. Shirley Knight OR‹Dear Bro. Murphey and workers: I was surprised that God let me see the year of 2000. I thought I would be gone, but God is wonderful and I am enjoying His blessings. Praise His holy name.... Pray that God will heal me of this affliction of arthritis. May God ever bless you and those who work for the Print Shop. Keep me in your prayers. Yours in Christ, ‹Sis. Mary Jones Philippines‹Dear Bro. Wayne: We were truly blessed in the December fellowship at San Jose City. I have met a lot of brothers and sisters in Christ from different parts of Nueva Ecija. There were twelve congregations who attended the fellowship: Llanera, Guimba, Caranglan, Puncan, Sibut, Lumboy Bukid, Palestina, Caridad, Gandos, Munoz, and our congregation, Manila. All of us who attended were really blessed by many wonderful and inspiring words from pastors of different congregations. One of the most unforgettable parts of the fellowship for me was the baptism which took place in the newly built baptistery. Uncle Matias and Pastor Pat are the ones who baptized. It was unforgettable for me because I was one of the two persons who were baptized that day, December 30, 2000. I am very happy to have submitted myself to the Lord and to our Savior, Christ JesusŠ. In the same way, ³Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.² Matthew 5:16. May God bless you! ‹Sis. Arlene Tibayan FL‹Dear Ones: We feel so compelled to write and share our testimony of God¹s wonderworking power in our lives. It is hard to know where to begin. We will start by saying God led us to each other and we were married 12 1/2 years ago. We, as most couples, looked forward to starting a family and having children. We found that we were unable to have a child, due to health problems that were diagnosed by more than one physician. We were given very little hope and the doctor suggested we take fertility drugs, but said our chances were slim, even with the drugs. We put the matter in God¹s hands and didn¹t take anything to enhance our chances. We felt that if God wanted us to have a child, He would send us one and if He didn¹t, we submitted our will to His. We yearned for a child of our own and many times, felt like Hannah must have felt. However, we kept our lives submitted to His will. On April 27, 2000, we found, to our wonderful surprise that we were indeed expecting a baby. The joy in our hearts is hard to describe. We rejoiced and let our parents know that they would soon be grandparents. This baby would be Dad Underdown¹s first biological grandchild. Needless to say, we were all so very happy. On June 5, 2000, God called dear Dad home to glory and our hearts were so saddened to think that he would never see his grandchild. It was so hard to understand and we felt such bittersweet emotions. Again, after time and prayer, we were able to put the matter into God¹s hands, acknowledging that His way truly is best. The pregnancy progressed, with some complications, and we found ourselves seeking the prayers of the saints on more than one occasion. Each prayer was answered, time after time, and God saw us through. On December 26, 2000 at 10:32 am our little angel made his appearance into the world. We named him Zachary Will - (the ³Will² being named after Dad Underdown). Our hearts are full to overflowing with joy, gratitude and thanksgiving to God. Little Zachary is perfect and precious. Each time we look into his little face, we are reminded of God and His miracle-working power. Doctors can diagnose and man can make predictions; but God is ultimately in control and all things DO work together for good to them that love Him. We do not have words to praise God enough for this great miracle He has sent into our lives and home. We know that a lot of you have prayed with us and carried a burden for us through the previous months; therefore, please share with us in thanksgiving and praise to God for the victory He has wrought. May God bless you richly. Someone said this baby should be called the saints¹ baby after all the prayers that have gone up for him! We just trust God to continue to bless him and hope he will be a child after God¹s own heart and serve Him all his days. Please pray for us that we will be the parents we should be in raising him in the ways of righteousness. Yours in Christ, ‹Kevin, Cheryl, and Zachary Smith Missionary Reports West African Trip Report Greetings to all in Jesus¹ name. I am thankful to report that my family and I had a profitable mission in Africa, and we all arrived home safely and in good health. The power and presence of God were with us every step of the way. One of the brothers in Ghana, in referring to something that had been exceptionally good, says, ³It was too good.² Well, God has been ³too good,² and I thank Him so much for His mercy and goodness. René, the children and I, left from Oklahoma City on the 25th of October. Thirty-two hours later, we arrived in Accra, Ghana (West Africa). We spent six weeks laboring in Akumadan, Ghana and the surrounding area. We were holding one to three services or Bible studies a day for five and a half weeks with the exception of just a few days. During the morning or afternoon, we had Bible studies with the local ministers. We studied much Biblical doctrine including the two covenants and Revelation. God blessed in a special way through these studies and the ministers received a vision and understanding of the Church of God which they had never had. We held two open air crusades in Tanoso and Tadieso, villages near Akumadan. Souls were saved in these places, for which we were very thankful, and 15 souls were baptized. These are new works where two ministers, Bro. James Badu and Bro. Emmanuel Atobrah, have been laboring. Lord willing, they plan to move from Akumadan where Bro. Maxwell Nkansah is pastoring, and pastor these new congregations. Because these brothers have such a burden and zeal to see the work of God prosper and grow, they have answered the call of God and left their jobs to work in the gospel full time. They are trusting in God to provide for their needs as they labor for Him. We held follow-up services in these villages. In Tadieso, we met under a tree for services, and in Tanoso we worshiped in a school classroom. There was one very memorable service in Akumadan where God poured out His Spirit in a special way. I was giving the congregation teaching on the Holy Spirit. Afterwards, one of the ministers came forward, followed by the other two ministers and some of the congregation. They wanted hands laid on them to receive the Holy Ghost. God sent the Spirit down from on high and our prayer and trust is now that the power of God will rest mightily upon these children of God. We held a two-night revival in a large Assembly of God Church before we left Ghana. The door was opened, and it was an opportunity to share the truth with others. God blessed in those services and many honest souls sought the Lord. Devon and Zachary enjoyed playing with the village children. Zachary developed a very severe heat rash due to the harsh, hot conditions, but God blessed and healed it before it became an open sore. There were various times that one of us would begin to get sick, but God always heard and answered prayer, and within a short time, we were up and going again. Praise the Lord. After we left the village, Zachary got a number of mosquito bites. They swelled up and a rash began to develop around them. This was not a good sign. Obviously, we were very concerned, and we sought the Lord in special prayer. Zachary laid down for a nap, and when he awoke, we could find no sign of where he had been bitten. God healed him within and without. Praise His holy name. God is still a miracle working God in this day and time. René and the boys left Ghana on the 7th of December and arrived home in the United States safely. I arrived in Lagos, Nigeria, after midnight on December 8. I was a little concerned about what I would encounter. I had no difficulty in the airport and Bro. Essien was waiting for me right outside. He was with me for two weeks taking care of every need and escorting me to various congregations. Bro. Essien, his wife and children were very hospitable, and I trust God to bless them for their kindness and love. On the 9th of December, I was in service with the saints in Lagos. I came in and they were singing out of the Evening Light hymn book. It was a real inspiration. We traveled for many hours over very rough roads the next day and arrived in Kwale where the saints were waiting. Kwale is where the late Bro. Titus Enu resided. After fellowshiping with the saints there, we continued our journey the following day to Port Harcourt, where Bro. Igbanibo pastors. Bro. Alphonsus Okwuosha accompanied us and I found him to be a real man of God. When we arrived in Port Harcourt, there was an instant fellowship and communion with the congregation. I could see the evidence of the Lord working in their midst, and I thank God for the opportunity we had to worship together. The following day we traveled by car and motor boat to the Island of Tombia and held service with the congregation there. We continued on to the village of Asanna. The history of this work was explained by Bro. Wayne in a previous Faith and Victory. Briefly, this is the area where Bro. David Madden, the Wilsons, Carvers, and Bro. Tommy Melot visited in the 1960¹s and 70¹s. The congregations in this area went astray from the truth. In the last few years, Bro. Essien has been inspired to work with these congregations of his youth. Revival began and Bro. Essien¹s desire was for the Church of God to be reestablished in this area. We were in a four-day convention in Asanna in which many congregations in the surrounding area attended. God blessed during these meetings. There were hundreds of people in attendance, and when the Word of God went forth, the aisles filled with sincere people seeking the Lord for salvation and power. At their request, I gave teaching on holiness and Christian living. Many of the ministers that were there remembered the previous missionaries. Incidentally, the brother who translated for me was the same one who translated for all those who had visited before me. Saints from Port Harcourt came to Asanna to help support the meeting. Bro. Damien Dibie, of Port Harcourt, stayed after the meeting and accompanied us on a two-day tour of thirteen congregations. We held a brief service with each of them. God was very good to bless in all of these meetings. I was physically worn out after two months, but when I didn¹t feel like I could go much more, God poured in strength and gave me a ³new² blessing. I arrived home on December 23, tired, but well in body. God spared me from any ill affects of the trip. After I arrived home, I received word that after I left, Bro. Essien and his son had been sick for a week with typhoid fever. I am thankful to report that God has raised them up and they are doing fine. I thank each one for their prayers and support while we were gone. Most of all, I thank God. We didn¹t put any conditions on God before we left, but He had mercy on us, and protected us. The work of God is great all over the world. There are many needs to be met. May each one be faithful to fill the place God would have us to, and carry a burden for those in other countries that are seeking for the truth and for the fullness of God¹s blessings. During the last Sunday morning service of the convention in Asanna, Nigeria, Bro. Essien gave me a public message which he wanted me to pass along to the saints in the United States. ³What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.² Luke 15:4-7. I believe that the message should be very clear. There have been many, not only in Africa, but also right around us, who have lost their way. While it is easiest to be content where we are in our righteousness and fellowship, God has called all of us to be concerned for those who have lost their way. We need a concern which will lead us outside of our comfort zones and reach out in love to the lost. Not everyone is called to labor in the same way or the same place. We are all different vessels for the Lord, but may God help us to have a vision and burden for the lost around us. Let us not seek to do just those things that please and satisfy those who are in the fold, but let us reach out our hands and hearts of love to those who have rejected God, rejected the church, and rejected the saints. It is only by love that the lost sheep will be returned to the fold. Let us remember and take to heart this message from Africa. ‹Bro. Michael Smith From Lagos, Nigeria... December 18, 2000‹Dear Bro. Wayne: Greetings in the precious name of Jesus who in the fulfillment of the prophecies died a Lamb, but resurrected a Lion of the tribe of Judea. How is the Lord¹s work? I know it must be pressing hard on you, but God will supply you the grace. We have started sand-filling our chapel ground to see what God will help us to achieve before the year 2001 runs out. Pray earnestly for us in this project. Our four-day¹s meeting to mark the end of the year comes up on December 23-26th, 2000. For over one month now we have been dealing with lectures from the book of Daniel to connect with the book of Revelation during those days of meetings. Pray for our understanding. As for the Asana convention reports, none of us from Lagos attended due to financial breakdown as a result of our chapel project, but I hope those from Port Harcourt and Kwale were in attendance. Greet all the brethren and those in the Print Shop. Let the print workers know that we pray for them and hail the Print Shop because of the truth of the Evening Light which must never go down until we meet at Jesus¹ feet. Special regards to your family and may God bless you all in Jesus¹ name. Yours ever in the Master¹s services, ‹Chima Linus Okorie January 8, 2001‹Dear Bro Wayne: Love and greetings in Jesus¹ dear name. I know that you and all the staff of the Print Shop will be having a spirit-filled new year. That is my wish, and that of all the members of my family to all of you. We finally returned to Lagos on 29th December, 2000, after the holidays. I really thank God for the way the convention in Asana went. I consider it a very successful convention, and the Lord was really moving and convicting souls of sin. The hall was always filled up each time of service. We had many people earnestly answering the altar call, including some of the church leaders. This shows that the Lord was moving in a new way during that period. Bro. Smith had a very hectic period teaching and answering questions. I really thank God for enabling him to handle all the situations maturely, hence the success of the program. Port Harcourt, Tombia and Kwale congregations were also represented in the convention. The convention ended on Sunday, the 17th, with the Lord¹s supper. I have never seen such a sober moment in the history of those churches in that part of the country. The spirit of God was moving in a very wonderful way as Bro Smith spoke on the qualifications for participation in the Lord¹s supper. Almost one quarter of the congregation trooped to the altar to lay their heart burden to the Lord before the communion. It was a touching moment as Bro. Smith, with two other brethren sang ³Just As I Am² from the Evening Light hymn book. I really thank God for the beginning of the end time move of the Spirit. Fifteen Church of God congregations were in attendance, together with many other people from Asana and the neighboring villages who are not members of the Church of God. On the 19th and 20th of December, 2000,we spent time visiting fourteen of these fifteen congregations in their home churches. Bro. Smith gave brief messages of encouragement to them in their local churches. The people were really excited and responsive. There are still some inherent, technical, doctrinal problems which I think with time will sort out themselves provided they are handled with wisdom. Like I told Bro. Smith, the message I now have for the Churches of God in America is likened to the story of the good shepherd as recorded in Luke 15:3-10. When this lost sheep is found, if it has wounds and bruises, I believe that the good Shepherd will spend time to dress the wounds to a healing point whatever it takes. This is my message to all the Churches of God in America concerning these congregations. The seeds have been sown. I am certain they are germinating and I do pray that the Lord will cause them to grow and bear fruit. A lot of follow-up is required as the field of plantation is quite wide. I pray that the Lord will provide the laborers to take care of these willing souls.... I would like to quote from the book, God¹s Gracious Dealings. ³Oh dear reader, I beg you to keep all on the altar for God and let Him lead you and use your means and time as He pleases...we are not our own.² I also add from Heb 10:22-24, ³Let us consider to provoke one another to love and to good works. I earnestly request prayers from the saints for the work. I know God will see us through and we shall definitely get there. The youth have started organizing outdoor revival meetings. The first commences December 27, 2000, and will last for three days in Ukpom. It will be followed by another one in Asana on the 2nd of January, 2001, then in Minya until it goes round the churches. Pray for these programs. My wife sends her greetings. Until I hear from you again, may God bless you real good. ‹Bro. Anietie B. Essien From India... January 24, 2001‹Dear Bro. Wayne Murphey: Many praises to God for the blessings from high showered on our 36th General Convention. The attendance was very good and the anointed messages blessed the souls gathered in the convention pandal (temporary tabernacle). Several got saved, sanctified and baptized. The anniversary meeting of the Church of God Youth Association was also a blessed meeting on the last day of the church convention. Lord willing we will have local conventions in each congregation until the month of April. We were glad to know that Bro. Michael Smith and his family reached home safely after their visit in African countries. Yours in Him, ‹Bro. John Varghese From Mexico... January 24, 2001‹We greet you with the wish that you might be enjoying good health, and that you will be blessed by God¹s Word in your home and ministry. I apologize for not having written before, but we are really experiencing many tests and needs in spite of which we can glorify the Lord for His presence and faithfulness in our lives. Thanks to Him we can have the power and the blessing. We are well, thank God. We are working in His labors and are grateful that He has decided to use us as His instruments for the work, and through our ministry to take to those who are lost, the knowledge of the Lord and liberate them from their chains. We ask the Owner of the harvest that He will allow us to continue to be useful in His work. We have two missions in which to work. One of them is 10 kms. distance from Culiacan. In that place there is a family with a heart that is wishing to know more about the Lord. Brother Wayne, I wish to express through this letter my gratitude for the support of all of you, as well as to Bro. James and Sis. Charlotte with all their children and all the congregations of the church of God in the United States. Your prayers have been the way that God has manifested Himself unto us to continue in our way and in His work. It has been nearly a year since my father died and we praise God for the fact that you have been present in our lives. That has been the reason the hand of God has strengthened us in a great way to continue with the work that my father started here in Culiacan. In spite of the fights and trials we continue on the way, always pleasing God and not men, and convinced that our work in the Lord is not in vain. May the glory be unto Him, and thank you very much, my dear brothers. May the Lord bless you and all your family as well as those who cooperate with you. We hope to be able to have you here with us once more. Yours as always and under the same wings, ‹Bro. Samuel González From the Philippines... January 5, 2001‹Dear Brother Murphey: New Year greetings to every one of you in the precious name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. I thank the Lord for extended life and health, and for the opportunity to work in His kingdom. I am so happy to report to you that the fellowship meeting was very successful. The tabernacle and the dormitories were full of people who came from different places. How I wish you could have attended this meeting. We observed the ordinances of the Lord¹s supper and feet washing. Nine precious souls were baptized in the new baptistry; 2 on Dec. 29 and 7 on January 1, 2001.... May the loving heavenly Father pour His rich blessings on you and guide you throughout the year of 2001. Your brother in the family of God, ‹Matias S. Tangunan Editorials Wayne Murphey Some of our readers are already planning vacations to coincide with various camp meetings. Therefore we plan to print as complete a list of meeting dates as possible in the March Faith and Victory paper. If you desire your camp meeting to be included on this list, please send the necessary information to this office by the 20th of February. We are grateful for the amount of work accomplished here at the Print Shop during the month of January. Much progress has been made in reprinting the hymnal, Evening Light Songs. The cost of publishing continues to rise. We have been advised by our supplier that the price of paper will increase in February. The United Postal Service also raised its rates on January 7. Additionally, we were informed that the cost for a returned paper with notification of a wrong address rose by 10¢. All of these increases directly affect our printing efforts. Another expense we and many of you have felt, is the impact of the huge increase in the cost of heating by natural gas. Our bill for the month of December, 1999, was $270. This December, it skyrocketed to over $700.00. That¹s why we are especially grateful for those whose support enables us to continue to accomplish our purpose in printing gospel literature. We feel equally indebted to those who support us with their prayers. This February issue of Faith and Victory marks the completion of 78 years of publication of this monthly journal. Our purpose continues to be spreading the good news of salvation through Christ to all nations. Isaiah 32:20 says, ³Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters,Š² This has been and still is our goal and ambition. The challenge is ever before us that ³the gospel must first be published among all nations.² Mark 13:10. Let us join together in prayer, work and sacrifice to accomplish this Great Commission. With love in Christ, ‹Bro. Wayne Murphey MO‹³Please pray for me.² ‹Wiley Bernett IN‹³I have a breathing problem.² ‹Sis. Daisy Johnson LA‹³I have had a cold and can¹t seem to pull out of it.² ‹Sis. Velma Mancil NC‹³Will you please pray for my niece and her husband? They have told her parents they are atheists. We are all devastated.² ‹Sis. Jackie Henderson AR‹³I would like for all the saints to remember me in prayer. I have swelling in my legs and body.² ‹Sis. Jewell Russell SC‹³Pray for me and my unsaved family. Also for my brother, Jimmie Pratt.² ‹Sis. Lillie Russell NC‹³Please remember me in prayer. I need help from God for my everyday walk.² ‹Sis. Faye Minton OR‹³My brother, Vernal, is slowly getting worse. He is now bedfast and sleeps most of the time. He can hardly carry on a conversation and eats very little. His heart is reported to be functioning only about 10% of normal. I feel his spiritual condition is even worse than his physical condition. Pray earnestly that he can be made to realize what he needs to do to be ready for the judgment.² ‹Bro. Bill Busch AL‹³Please put Mother (Pearlene Gerald) on your prayer list. She has lost most of her memory. It is sad, but she still remembers Jesus and has a good testimony. We lost Roy¹s mother December 28th. It has been a hard year for us. Remember us in your prayers.² ‹Bro. Roy and Sis. Betty Herron Back to Front Page E-Mail Directory Put your name in the directory to receive Faith Publishing Updates. Order God's Gracious Dealings Life Read about the history of Faith Publishing and Fred Pruitt. This is a fascintating study of our heritage. Order now for $24.99. Call1-800-767-1479 or Email jwmfaith@theshop.net. Copyright © 2001 Faith Publishing Inc All rights reserved.