Ark of Faith Foundation Inc.

Serving those in need in greater Muskogee OK

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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.

December Message: God Will Complete the Work of Service in His House

Be encouraged today! God always finishes what he starts in each of us! Do not be tempted to quit or become impatient. Put your hope in God (Psalm 33:20, NLT) and stand… “When you’ve done all you can just stand and watch the glory of God.” (Ephesians 6:13) Keep your eyes on Him. Continue to worship and remember that HE is fighting your battles for you! He’s ordering and arranging things in your favor.

You need the favor of God and man. (Luke 2:52 ESV) Do not allow circumstances or Satan to rob you of your measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) Do not allow unbelief to come from your mouth, God keeps His promises! “I know all about your suffering and your poverty-but you are rich eternally! I know the blasphemy of those opposing you… Don’t be afraid of what you are about to suffer…Remain faithful even when facing death, I will give you the crown of life. (Revelations 2:9-10, NLT)

The scripture in James 1:2 states it this way: “Blessed is the one who preserves under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” Our God loves to reward every faithful act, deed, and right motives we do.

Today bullying, sexual impropriety and pornography seem rampant.

We need to stand firm and faithfully diligently keep walking – by faith WITH Him. (II Timothy 4:8) “…anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19, NLT) We cannot train up our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6) if we run away and quit. Instead, dial 911. Report any and all abuse by calling the right people to come quickly!! This action usually moves the wrong people out of the way. They flee. You stand! We all have a measure of faith.

It’s up to each of us to develop our faith.

As Romans 10:7 says, faith grows as we read and study His word. As our faith increases it produces patience. When we allow patience to have its perfect work in us, we’ll lack no good thing. Others will see and be encouraged. The key is to keep moving forward by reading, hearing, and obeying.  Obeying His word will not only produce patience in your life, but bring healing and restoration to the hearts of others.

Join me in prayer?

Father, help me to understand and strengthen me to continue this journey into perfection with You and the Holy Spirit, in Jesus name! I choose to believe you will bring victory and breakthrough in every area of my life. Show me how to be a blessing to others this Christmas season. Thank you for sending Jesus down to save us. Amen.

November Message: What does Testing of Our Faith Do?

Recently, I found myself asking forgiveness for lack of patience. God kept using  II Chronicles 7:14 (GNB) to show me that  “…if my people pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in Heaven, and forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.”

Do you recall that I heard the Holy Spirit ask me to pray II Chronicles 7:14 daily and invite everyone I work with to do the same for 1 year?  This is a commitment. One test was when I was asked to move by faith and go to Dickinson, ND. Really, God? North Dakota? To be sure I had heard the Holy Spirit, I not only added this to my next two fast/prayer Mondays, but also prayed that whole week between.

Then, I obeyed. I made a reservation totally on faith. My phone calls to a church and a pastor were not returned. But, my faith was strengthened and I made reservations for Garry and me at a hotel. We still needed to buy plane tickets to fly to a place we’d never been and a pastor we’d never met from a church we’d never known. Praise God, the Holy Spirit strengthened me… When I am weak, He is strong.

The following Thursday I received a phone call from an assistant pastor of that church. She had been away for two weeks and I was welcomed to come attend the crusade at their church. The Holy Spirit had led the way and strengthened and encouraged me to stand and watch the glory of the Lord! (II Chronicles 20:17)

This test had increased my faith. Something I was believing for and hoping for had taken longer than I’d expected. But the Holy Spirit helped and strengthened me. My part was to believe and keep my eyes on Him. My Creator was arranging things in my favor and going before me preparing the way.

Next, I had to get the airline tickets. Again, the Holy Spirit convinced me that I would have the favor of both God and man. (Proverbs 3:4) I chose to believe and declare that God was not only testing my faith, but perfecting me. He was showing me that HE will complete everything He starts in your life and mine.

Our focus must only be to keep thanking and declaring that God is a finisher; He will not leave or forsake us until all the work of service is completed in line with His will and timing!

Then there was a “God wink.” Suddenly, I recalled that I had frequent flyer miles. I checked immediately! Both Garry and I flew by United Airlines on our miles – free!