Ark of Faith Foundation Inc.

Serving those in need in greater Muskogee OK

Sally W.

June Message: The Joy of the Lord

Nehemiah prayed, obeyed and did the word.  He continued seeking and asking for the mind and will of God.  What happened when he faced the obstacles, confronted them and kept on praying?  Out of chaos and broken relationships came organized corrected situations and relationships.  We need to face our challenges, do right and ask for the Holy Spirit to help in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ.  

We need to set an example of righteous living.  First, each one must recognize that God is over all; He is Sovereign, Ruler, Lord and Master.  The gift of His Son, Jesus, has empowered us to see our inability when we don’t have the Holy Spirit.  We must be willing to believe, receive and see God’s holiness so we can deal with our sin.  Together with Christ, we work out our salvation!  Self can’t; BUT Jesus-in-us can!  With and in union with Christ we become Overcomers!  His great victory ushers purity into our hearts.

A dear friend, Bruce Borum, wrote to me: “I only speak that which I want to happen.  Nobody likes suffering, but Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) says “suffering produces perseverance and perseverance produces character and character produces hope…’! “  The word hope (in this text) in Greek means “confident expectation of good outcome”.  I found Bruce’s letter stuck in one of my many bibles.  It was dated Nov. 21, 2012.

Bruce and I had agreed and were standing on Job 36:32 (NRSV) that God would “command” the lightening “to strike the mark” for our agreed goal.  Many of you know I continue to use this scripture today.  But, 6 months ago my eyes fell on Job 36:15 (GNB) which states, “But God teaches people through suffering and uses distress to open their eyes.”  Back then I knew about suffering, but did not recognize or even see the word distress.

 Yes, God is still perfecting me.  All of this encourages me!  Bruce then quoted Jonah 2:9 (NIV), “But I, with song of Thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.  What I have vowed I will make good.  Salvation comes from the Lord.”  I shared this note with Bruce’s wife and asked to quote it.

“The thief cometh… to steal…kill…and destroy…I am come that they might have life…more abundantly.”  (John 10:10, KJV)  Much hope is given to us as we study God’s word.  We are told to praise Him with songs, voice, dance and instruments in good and bad times.  Blatantly living contrary to God’s guidelines, mandates and instructions will not produce joy.  Another friend recently stated, “The Christian life is not for sissies.”  

God, our Father, chose us to fight the good fight of faith.  Are we choosing to defeat Satan by praising God at all times?  Sometimes balancing discipline with love can become frustrating.  Don’t give up!  ASK for the Holy Spirit to help in Jesus’ name for the result in 1 Peter 1:8 “You love Him… and you believe in Him… so rejoice with a great and glorious joy…”

May Message: Time to Move Forward

Let’s take a look into the above Hebrews 5:12 scripture as it is said in different Bible translations:

  • The Berean Study Bible says it this way, “Although by this time you ought to be Teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word.  You need milk, not solid food.”
  • The NET Bible states, “For though you should, in fact, be teachers by this time, you need someone to teach you the beginning elements of God’s utterances.  You have gone back to needing milk, not solid food.”
  • The Weymouth New Testament quotes, “For although, considering the long time you have been believers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the truths of God, and you have come to require milk instead of solid food.”

So, have our ears become dull sitting in the same pew Sunday after Sunday?  

We’ve all heard or said (many times) that sitting in a pew doesn’t make us a Christian.  We know that, but how skillful are we at doing His word and works?  What are we practicing and experiencing?  Jesus tells us “to whom much is given, much will be required…”  (Luke 12:48, NKJV)  Are we relishing the goodness, sweetness and blessings of sharing the good news?  Because of many people praying (II Corinthians 1:11, AMP) the Ark and I are still spiritually growing (and I am 83 years old).  Your prayers, donations, gifts and participation are amazing.

You help free me to do what God asks; to answer the call or purpose God has on my life as is written in Romans 8:28 in the Bible of your choice.  Yes, it is my call to teach and encourage leadership in people from pre-teen through 40 years old.  What is your call?  Am I neglecting any of you?  Forgive me if so, and please ask for help.  The Ark may be the opportunity for you to serve and use your gift.  Is it music, art, cooking, answering the phone, welcoming visitors, typing, sign language, reading or plant care?  Can you teach, host coffeehouse, or serve on the board?  Do call 918-682-8411 and ask for Sally or come and see us in action.  

There is an anointing and a mandate to those committed to teach faith.  The NKJV in John 15:7 says, “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”  It still takes a village to raise a child and we are all children of God.  Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NKJV) states: “to everything there is a season… a time for every purpose…”  Read verses 1-8 in your Bible.  It ends with “…and a time of peace.”  If we truly want peace we must “put away childish things.”  (1 Corinthians 13:11, NKJV)  

Finally, as Isaiah declared (Isaiah 1:19-20, NKJV), “If you are willing and obedient you shall eat the good of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured…for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”  Are you ready to move forward?

April Message: Happy Are Those Whose Sins Are Forgiven

The words in this Ark April newsletter title are found in Psalm 32.  The passage continues, “…whose wrongs are pardoned.  Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit.”  (Psalm 32:1-3, GNT)

I am writing a new book—a scriptural guide to becoming perfected— and it is almost complete.  Daughter Sharee has been editing it with me.  Wondrous experience!  Sharee pointed out that my biblical study had taken nearly four years as I circled the word “perfect” and meditated on the scriptures where God showed it to me in both Old and New Testaments.  God is NOT through teaching me and I’m sharing that the Perfector continues with me in this journey.

I have used the same lectionary (yearly scripture reading list) for 40 years.  The new word I am circling in my bible time is “stupid.”  Psalm 32 has stupid in verse 9 (GNT): “…don’t be stupid like a horse or mule, which must be controlled with a bit or bridle to make it submit.”  Wow.  Am I ready to have my own stupidity pointed out to me for the next few years?

Now, I don’t know anyone who does not want to be happy.  Do you?  “When I did not confess my sins I was worn out from crying all day long…. Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you and you forgave ALL my sins.”  (Psalm 32:3-5, GNT)

Easter is approaching and I don’t want to be stupid like the horse or mule in verse 9.  I want to submit to my Lord.  I want to confess my sins and give them up, not just for Lent but forever.  “…Those who trust in the Lord are protected by His constant Love…because of what the Lord has done.  You that obey Him…can “shout for joy!”  (Psalm 32: 1-11, GNT)

Help each of us, Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, “It is better that I go away… and send the Holy Spirit…”  (John 14: 16, NRS)   If Jesus says it is better, then I need the Holy Spirit to put away childish speech, feelings and thinking and “….now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways.”  (I Corinthians 13: 11-12, Weymouth)  By now we should be teachers of His Love.  It is time to let “what is perfect come…then what is partial will disappear.”  (I Corinthians 13: 9)

Instead of just giving up something for Lent, can we agree to spend more time alone with our Father God and the Holy Spirit?  Jesus set this example often, by going off to be alone with His Father God. I want to submit and fellowship more in the same way.

March Message: “Your Word is a Lamp…”

Our Bibles are not merely a source of information, but also books of transformation. Yes, the Bible offers light in a dark and dreary world. As King David wrote, “You word is a lamp to my feet and a light unto my path…” (Psalm 119:105)   The Bible tells us that trust (faith) comes by hearing or reading the word of God (Romans 10:17).  The more you read the word of God, the more your faith will increase!  How can you increase your faith in God if you don’t know Him? It is difficult to trust someone you don’t know.  That’s why friendship is built on an interpersonal relationship. Jesus said, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Eternal life began the moment you expressed the words: “I believe Jesus is the Son of God…”  Daily reading, study and corresponding actions help you gain knowledge of God, Our Father.  Through reading the Bible you will come to know that not only is God trustworthy, but also you will experience His steadfast, constant love.  By studying each story, even meditating on it, you and I discover how God deals with human beings. You can see these specific things He promises. God wants the very best for you in 2017. “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope…” (Jeremiah 29:11)

It is my practice to ask those I’m counseling or praying with to speak their own names out loud as we agree together about their requests because “…if two on earth agree…it will be done…” (Matthew 18:19. NIV)  Doing—and speaking—the Word activates His many promises. God is faithful and just and wants you to share with Him your wants and needs. For too long, I thought I had to do everything all on my own or that I could ask help for others but not myself.  How ignorant that was! God is waiting for a chance to answer and address all things involved in your life. “I say to you, whatever things you ask for when you pray; believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” (Mark 11:24)  Jesus often took time alone, talking and praying with his father.  Prayer is not a maneuver to get what you or I want.  It is a way to participate in God’s ultimate plan for our lives.  He already knows every need and every fault we have as described in Matthew 6:8.

Prayer doesn’t change God. It changes us. Be sincere and talk to Him as your best friend. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know He hears us—whatever we ask—we know we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)  Continue to ask Him for forgiveness, courage and strength to overcome every obstacle in 2017.

February Message: Be an Overcomer in 2017

“Brothers, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to these things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of god in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)

Change is not always easy.  Sometimes, by the least of intentions, we end up in trouble or make wrong choices.  Having a pity party or taking guilt or shame from Satan who comes to rob, steal and destroy (John 10:10) is not God’s way.  We must let the Greater One inside help us get back up.  We must stop letting circumstances and problems get us down.  

Instead, focus on Jesus Christ and realize He is our Savior.  When we are weak He is strong (I Corinthians 4:10).  Don’t give in to depression or defeat!  Don’t quit!  To the overcomers is the victory (I Corinthians 15: 57).  Jesus did not come for us to live a life feeling trapped.  He came so we could have a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10 NLT).  So, dare to rise up and become the person God created you to be.  We must each do our part.  Each of us is gifted and supplied with what we need.  But just doing good stuff versus doing the will of Father God will lead nowhere.  We must pray and obey—embrace God’s plan and ask for the Holy Spirit’s anointing, “The Lord will perfect that which concerns me…” (Psalm 138:8 NKJV)   

When God starts something in us He does not stop half way.  He is faithful to His word, if we fall down 1 or 2 or 7 or more times, but we must get up.  God has not given up on you or me, but some people give up on God.  Don’t sit around expecting Him to extend His hand of grace and mercy.  Reach up and grab His hand.  God is a “can do” God and He will assist us over and over again as long as we don’t give up.  Let your faith grow and mature.  God will “…continue the good work He began in you,”  (Proverbs 22:6)  “that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God…”  (Roman 12:2 NLT)

Remember, “…there is a time and season for everything, a time for every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Each season has a value and purpose.  We need to learn appropriate actions and to avoid inappropriate ones.  We must get ready and be prepared for what God brings in 2017.  Learn from mistakes.  Learn to forgive quickly so each of us can be forgiven (Matthew 6:12-16) and move forward into our next season.  Once, each of us was a baby, a child, a teenager and finally an adult.  He wants us to mature and “become teachers” (Hebrews 5:12, 15).  How can we “train a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6) if we remain childish and self-centered?

Going through life’s journey and seasons with Jesus and the Holy Spirit enables me to be where I am today.  As I monitor PTSD group’s progress, I believe I’m learning more than anyone!  Looking back I can see that God has led me through many seasons to arrive at today.  So wherever you are today, right now, let’s all learn everything we can, because God is preparing each of us to be used in the future . . . 2017, here we come!

January Message: Thank You, Heavenly Father!

You have taken away and changed my life through Jesus, Your son!  Nothing is impossible with You and prayer.  Thank You for all I am learning in the PTSD sharing group.

There is such a great difference in “head” knowledge and Your Spiritual discernment.  Both are needed.  You told us to get ALL the education we can… (Proverbs 4:13) then… “lean not to our own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).  You delight me!  My joy is complete in You!  Indeed, you use both good and bad to lead us to Your purpose—if we love You!  (Romans 8:28)  If I obey You, pray without ceasing and that is ONLY possible for me IF I do Romans 8:26 and allow the Holy Spirit to use my voice and pray through me.  SHOW & TELL us… Lead and Guide us in 2017.

 An example I remember:  The first Coffeehouse at Bacone featured praise dancing, for which a local pastor confronted me: “You call yourself a Christian.”  As I covered my face I said, “Oh, what have I done now?”  He continued, “You are teaching these kids to dance!!!”  Even though I was a recent widow and baby Spiritual woman, scriptures started pouring out…  ‘David danced before the Lord with all his might’; ‘… the warriors would not go into battle unless Deborah and women danced, with loud clashing cymbals and tambourine’ …  I replied, “Sir, I am NOT teaching them to be “go-go dancers” or strippers, but I do encourage them to use their gifts to honor and celebrate God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit!”

Today Psalm 30 reminded me to praise Him with dance and give thanks forever.  Thank You, Father, for Your Son Jesus and the CHANGE brought to my life through the Holy Spirit.  Let’s seek more of Him in 2017!