Ark of Faith Foundation Inc.

Serving those in need in greater Muskogee OK

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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!

December Message: Rejoice! And Again, I Say Rejoice!

It is time to rejoice and celebrate the Christ of God our Savior!  The Ark is preparing for our Christmas Dinner, December 23rd.  Many homeless, needy and lonely people spend this day fellowshipping with us.

Will you join us in praying?  “…asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you [and all Ark guests] the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that we may know Him better.”  (Ephesians 1:17, addition and emphasis, mine)  I just can’t seem to leave Ephesians, these days!

My desire is that each of us has “the eyes of our hearts enlightened in order that we may know the hope to which He has called us, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints…”  (Ephesians 1:18)  We are not hopeless!  It is time to share all we have (and are) in union with Christ.  It’s not the material things and gifts we must focus on, but Christ Jesus, His word and mighty workings.  It is His gifting to us of love, mercy, forgiveness, and reconciliation that we celebrate on December 25th.  (NOTE: This date was chosen by early Christians and is not known for sure to be Jesus’ actual birth day.)

“It is by God’s grace we have been saved.”  (Ephesians 1:4)  “God expressed His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”  (Ephesians1:7)  Don’t focus on gifts and get into debt or stress.  Help us, Holy Spirit, to return to the simple truth: “Christ is the gift of God.”  (Ephesians 1:8)  Is our focus on Christ or on parties and Santa Claus?  “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  (Ephesians 1:10, NIV)

We need quality family time and home activities honoring Father God and His gift of Jesus!  We can share smiles, home cooking, arts and crafts with family, friends and those in need.  We can read of this fabulous birth to children and others.  We can celebrate and show and tell this great GOOD NEWS to restore hope to the hopeless.  We can sing carols, serve dinners where needed and fellowship as we share His love.

May these acts of kindness, mercy, and giving of ourselves continue through all of 2017 and not just this month!  Help and strengthen us, Holy Spirit, with the dynamic outpouring of God’s loving nature to all.  This offering of ourselves can and will bring healing, love and reconciliation.  It is our individual choice to do.

“All things are possible…” (Matthew 19:26) with God and prayer.

November Message: THANKS  GIVING

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it (perfection).  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind I strain toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”   (Philippians. 3:13-14)

Thanksgiving – a time to THANK Christ.  What we say is what we get (Matthew 7:1).  Let our goal this month be to cease negative talking and celebrate the Christ of Father God in all things (Romans 8:28).  Let us forget past suffering, failures, and behaviors.  Learn from the past, forgiving others so we may be forgiven (Luke 11:4).

It is important to understand the past so we can eventually put it behind us and with hope look and move ahead … one day, one hour at a time.  “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Christ Jesus who by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.”  (Philippians 3:20-21)

Family gatherings can be challenging, with past memories, preparations and planning.  Some remembrances are happy and others are traumatic.  In Philippians 3:1-12 Paul is lamenting the past.  He clearly states in verse 12; “not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect … press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of for me.”

 How do we take hold, learn from past, and move on?  As I thought and asked for the Holy Spirit’s help, I turned to my Message Bible, Philippians 3.  “The very credentials people are waving around as something special; I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for.  And why?  Because of Christ.  Yes, all things I once thought were important are gone from my life … insignificant—dog dung.  I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him.”

“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.”  (II Chronicles 7:14)  God has shown me to pray for families to be reconciled in 2016 … also, for the people of our nation to humble themselves and pray and turn from wickedness so He can heal our homes and nation.  It is each person’s choice to “let go and let God.” It is your choice to think of Christ before you speak to others.

My prayer is that, forgetting the past and humbling ourselves, we can celebrate with much thanksgiving!