Ark of Faith Foundation Inc.

Serving those in need in greater Muskogee OK

Blog

Monthly Messages from The Ark of Faith. These messages are featured in our newsletter.

-- by Sally Weiesnbach,  Ark Founder & Director of Operations

 

June Message: Blameless Means Perfect

I am on a “Review Crew” for columnist, Gene Ruth Brumbach. She writes “Believer’s Arena”, a column for the Tahlequah Daily Press. Over the last year, she’s reviewed some past columns to see ministry growth, completed promises and answered prayers.  This caused me to pause, revisit, and think over similar results in past Ark Newsletters.

In February 2016, the message was Do We Have a Perfect Heart toward Him? This message touched my heart!

Halfway through our Anger Management Resolution and Domestic Violence Intervention course at the Ark, local pastor James McCracken began allowing us to use his “Demons of the Deep” Bible study series. The premise is that evil comes out of the heart at times and can manifest as a root of bitterness when NOT faced AND resolved.

The first paragraph of the February ’16 newsletter cites II Chronicles 16:9 in the American Standard Bible “…He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His…”  The New International Version says it: “…to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him…” The Amplified Bible goes: “…those whose hearts are blameless toward Him…” The New American Standard 1977 version says: “…those who are devoted to Him wholeheartedly…”

The point is having a whole, complete, and thus, perfect heart toward God.

If we don’t forgive others, we can’t be forgiven! Thank God for the years of having done the anger and domestic violence classes. We have seen that Garry, Kevin Grober and I can help others face fears and use their own faith to overcome anger and violence and win the victory. We must learn to “die to self” (Luke 9:23), to give up our fleshly desires and completely surrender to His will.  As is written in Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

At the Ark, we are teaching and training others to complete what we begin. It has become a daily focus through Jesus, and on Him. We understand it more clearly now than in past years.

 A recent example: A veteran came to me and said, “Sally, thank you for a ‘hand up instead of a handout’…” My tears came as he continued to express gratitude for years of encouragement. We go step by step, following and obeying Jesus so we can ‘recognize’ (Proverbs 7, GNB) His call and obey.  We must choose to hear, get up and go out with joy!  We can’t quit. We are called by God to discover our true worth and purpose.

When we are tempted to judge others, we need to first look at ourselves and measure the godliness of our own behavior. Thank you, Lord, for showing us how to develop a perfect heart for You.

May Message: What Flock Has the Holy Spirit Placed in Your Care?

To Jews and Gentiles alike, I give solemn warning that they should turn from their sins to God and believe in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21, GNB)

After reading Acts 20:21 above please read verse 22 in your own Bible: “And now in obedience to the Holy Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there.” Hmm… I go to the Ark of Faith daily, in obedience, not knowing “what will happen”! Where is Jesus asking you to go?

I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit has warned me that prison and troubles wait for me.” (v.23)  

Garry and I take joy in knowing we are called to minister in prisons worldwide. I often say that we love going into the prisons, but hope we never have to stay.  We must be strictly legal and obey local, state, federal (or other countries’) rules.

Continuing in verse 24 the scripture says, “I reckon my own life to be nothing to me; I only want to complete my mission and finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do, which is to declare the good news of the grace of God… among all of you preaching the Kingdom of God.”

We may be seen and heard by someone only one time. We are “not responsible (v. 26a)… for we have not held back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God… so keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock which the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be shepherds of the church of God which he made through the blood of his son.” (v. 26b-28) [My emphasis.]

Our giftings are not all the same. You may not have been called to prison or deaf ministry like I was. You must obey God and finish the work that He calls you to start and to finish. I need my church, musicians, theater artists, teachers, lawyers, officers, firefighters, teenagers, babies and more. Without ALL, the entire village, I am not strengthened and encouraged to continue.

“Watch then, and remember that with many tears, day and night, I taught every one of you…” (Acts 20: 31, GNB) Whatever you do, you must do it until God says you are done. Recently, we had a coffeehouse featuring three generations sharing God through testimony and song. Father and mother, children, and grandchildren – it was encouraging to witness the years of fellowship and sharing good news by the grace of God.

At one point, the great-granddaughter (nearly 2-years old) went to the stage, reaching out and calling, “Daddy!” He bent over and picked her up. At the end of the family song, the little one grabbed the mic and started boldly singing “Jesus Loves Me” with great joy!

I was energized and declared, “I think I could work another 10 years if we each do our own job!” You see, in that moment, that family had been serving the Lord with the Ark through four generations. It was God showing all of us there how to continue in fulfilling our purpose.

Like Jesus, and following His example, Paul reported, “I have worked with these hands of mine to provide everything that my companions and I have needed. I have shown you in all things that by working hard in this way, WE MUST HELP the weak, remembering that the Lord Jesus himself said, ‘There is more happiness in giving than in receiving.’” (vs. 34-35) [Emphasis mine.]Father, in Jesus’ name, strengthen and empower us with the Holy Spirit’s anointing to complete the work and purpose you called each of us to do!

April Message: Let Us Run the Race Set Before Us

In the same Hebrews 12:1 scripture, the Good News Bible says, “As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way and the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us.”

Only with our focus and eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2) will our faith increase and help us complete our purpose and work. Daily, the words of Romans 8:28 mean more to me; God does use the good and bad together for a purpose.

His love for us and our love for Him are increasing daily! As children, we must “pay attention when the Lord corrects…and …not be discouraged when He rebukes…” (Hebrews 12:5b, GNB)

We are told in Proverbs 19:18 that if we don’t correct our children we don’t love them. In Hebrews 12: 6, we see again: “the Lord corrects everyone He loves, and punishes everyone He accepts as a child.” Thank you, Father, that in Your eyes I am still Your child, at 84 years old!

Thank You, Jesus, for always interceding for me to give me the determination and stamina to complete the race set before me. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for increasing my understanding, wisdom and revelation to move in faith to complete what the Father began in me… and in each of you readers, too!

Now, “My Christian friends, who also have been called by God, think of Jesus, who God sent to be High Priest of the faith we profess! He was faithful to God, who chose Him to do this work just as Moses was faithful in his work… as a servant, and he spoke of things that God would say in the future… Christ is faithful as the Son in charge of God’s house. We are His house if we keep up our courage and our confidence in what we hope for.” (Hebrews 3:1-6. GNB)

Please read Proverbs 29 (GNB). We must stop being stubborn (vs. 1). We must pray for righteous rulers and leaders (vs. 2). We desire leaders and rulers who seek justice (vs. 4). Not only our leaders need to be aware of rights of poor but each of us must do our part (vs. 7). We must do our part to keep things calm (vs. 8) and pray daily for peace and honest government.

We, like the sensible people (vs. 11), need to hold back words of anger and become more patient and kind. Once again, note vs. 15: “correction and discipline are good for children. If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.” Holy Spirit, lead us to pray for righteous government, for “when evil people are in power, crime increases. But the righteous will live to see the downfall of such people… and a nation without God’s guidance is a nation without order.” (vs. 16, 18)

Strengthen each of us to pray daily for order and justice for all, and to put our faith, hope and trust in the Lord. “Only from the Lord can you get justice.” (vs. 19) Come quickly, Lord Jesus… We need You!

In 1788, Charles Wesley encouraged us “by faith, to join hands with those who went before and greet the blood-redeemed bands…” Today, pray that people of all times will join together with patience to complete the work set before us in 2018. Help me to get on with it, Lord, in Jesus’ name.

March Message: All of You Are Christ’s Body

Please continue reading I Corinthians, Chapter 12, where the 13th verse goes on to say, “In the same way, all of us, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether slaves or free, have been baptized into one body by the same Spirit, and we have all been given one Spirit from which to drink.” Continue reading vs. 15: “…if the foot were to say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I don’t belong to the body’, that would not keep it from being a part of the body.”

In today’s world, different gangs, communities, political groups, ethnicities, and even churches often deny that in Christ we are all the same. Each baptized person has the same heavenly father, the same older brother Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “All of you are Christ’s body and each one is a part of it.” (1 Corinthians 12: 27) We are each given gifts and a measure of faith according to 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11. In vs. 26 the scripture says that when one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it.

Each different part or gift should build up the one body. “Not everyone has the power to work miracles or to speak in strange tongues or explain what is said.” (vs. 29) Here, I paused, remembering my personal growth, my ongoing journey to become perfect. When I began, I had to ask the Holy Spirit to teach me, help me, and lead me into His truth. I still have to do that. If I don’t ask, I don’t get! Then, like with any talent, there must be daily practice to improve. As our teacher, The Perfector must show and tell us how to use these giftings (talents) rightly, to benefit the whole body, the Church.

Finally, I Corinthians 12:31 states: “Set your hearts, then, on the more important gifts. Best of all, however, is the following way… Love, pure, agape love freely given to all, is the best way.” (1 Corinthians 13) Go back up; look at the last words of 1 Corinthians 13:2, “…but if I have no love, I am nothing.” And then read ahead to vs. 8: “Love is eternal…for our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then the partial will disappear…Now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways…” (1Corinthians13:8-11)

Since God created each of us with unique gifts and a measure of faith, and since we are all one body, we need the balance of sharing our giftings. I need music, art and nature to be whole. I need the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that comes from daily alone time with God and my Bible. There are beautiful poetry, informative writings and commands in my Bible. I play beautiful music softly during my fellowship time with God. This is part of my balance in daily life.

Still, we need diverse gifts to be whole. I need the gifts of husband, children, staff, Board, prayer partners, church, pastor, technicians, financial advisors, teachers, students, and people with cultural variety. We need to be a part of the Body of Christ (the Christian community); to learn and receive, as well as to give and do. We need to be silent and vocal to encourage, help and fellowship with others. In order for the whole church to be helped, we “must above everything else…make greater use of those [gifts]… which helps build up the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12)

February Message: We Must Run the Race Set Before Us

To run the race as children of God we must allow the Holy Spirit within us to transform us by renewing our mind to the mind of Christ. The race we run, in today’s world, begins when we are born again and receive the Spirit of God to change our sinful, selfish nature into His new creation. Then our actions, thoughts, and motivations will become pleasing to Father God as we do good things.

We cannot “claim…to have already succeeded or have already become perfect…” but must “keep striving to win the prize for which Christ Jesus has already won me to himself.” (Philippians 3:12, GNT)

The ‘me’ means ALL who are willing to follow the Holy Spirit daily and finish the race. To complete the race is our life goal and each runner must obey all the rules or be disqualified. Each of us must forget what is behind… do our very “best to reach what is ahead…run straight toward the goal in order to win the prize, which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life above.” (Philippians 3:13-16)

Paul goes on to remind us that “…all of us who are spiritually mature to go forward according to the same rules we have followed until now.”

We must endure and persist. Some races take an incredible amount of strength and perseverance. We must exercise and practice techniques and skills to complete the designated course. There will be challenges that must be met with feverish diligence and expectation of completion!

Father God, I thank you for Your Word which lights my path and directs my way. I choose to put You first place. I choose to meditate on your word daily… I am praying my readers will make these choices so that we can be led in Your paths, complete our purpose and finish our race in Jesus’ name.

January Message: New Year’s Resolution?

Let’s consider Philippians 2:15b-16 “…You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, as you offer them the message of life. If you do so, I shall have reason to be proud of you on the Day of Christ, because it will show that all my effort and work have not been wasted.” That is Paul talking to the Philippians in a letter he wrote from prison.

The older I get, the more personally I take every Holy Word of the Bible. When I am weak, He has promised to be strong. (II Corinthians 12:8-10, ESV) Holy Spirit, strengthen me as I work toward my New Year’s resolution to do everything without complaining or arguing so I can become God’s perfect child. In this world of corrupt and sinful people, I have seen so much corruption, sexual perversion, money laundering, lying and self-indulgence. All of my complaining, gossiping, or arguing will not change one thing. Instead, I’m asking the Holy Spirit to help continue perfecting me, so that I can “shine among them…” as the scripture said above.

Do you want to ask the Holy Spirit to complete this part of your becoming perfect? Are we in this journey together? If so, let me remind you of Joshua 1:9 (KJV), “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

The world is like a jungle, today. We have a choice: ignore obedience to Father God and Christ, shun the Holy Spirit’s comfort, help and guidance, or take a stand on the Word of God.

The Word never goes out void but will accomplish that which God sent it forth to do! (Isaiah 55:11, KJV) Stop trying and crying and do His Word! Instead of complaining or arguing politics, and other things we don’t control, can we side with truth and justice – and encourage one another in this fight of faith? Holy Spirit, help us to become better warriors in the Christian army and stand with our focus on Christ. Help us renew our minds and practice our individual measure of faith and gifts of reconciliation. Strengthen us to go forth in confidence – “For lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matthew 38:20, KJV)

Michael Hicks, a young minister, just mailed me a copy of the third book in his trilogy, Kingdom of Light III.  It is a guide for Spiritual Warfare in the last days. Michael is my spiritual son. We’ve worked together over 20 years. We encourage one another in our journey of life long perfection. John 16:33 KJV comes to mind. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Father God desires that none should perish. As Romans 8:28 declares, God will use both good and bad in our lives for His purpose. So – strengthen us, Holy Spirit, to share the good news of His purpose for each of us.