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We shall know the truth and His truth will make us free. (John 8:32)  You and I can be the righteousness of God in Christ…have the mind of Christ.  Christ in you or me is our Hope of Glory. (Galatians 5:5)

Over eight years ago, Garry (my husband) and I met a young man and his wife.  Many of you know that I often say, ” I don’t believe anything happens by accident… it’s all within God’s plan.”  Once again God is revealing Himself in a powerful way.

Yesterday, I received a letter along with a wonderful poem.  After all those eight years, the young man’s wife contacted me.  Her husband, in prison now, was reflecting on our past encounter.  He named both Garry and I and talked of how God used the four of us together to clarify life direction! 

At that time, he was unwilling to hear, obey, and finish his call of God. He recalled things I’d not thought of in those many years.  But Stephen asked his wife, Lesa, to reach out to Garry and me. Praise God! Lesa followed through and contacted me by phone. I requested a copy of his letters and prayer.  

God is alive and well!  He used this couple to encourage me!  Struggling with frustrations, the day I received the letters was a difficult one for me. It arrived totally unexpected by special delivery on my fasting and prayer day.  But God knew… I started reading and praying. I was no longer distracted by Satan’s attempt to steal my joy. Focused on God’s word and will, I prayed for Steven and Lesa.  Joy filled my heart, mind and soul as the Holy Spirit led me to recall and act on what God had planned for the four of us eight years before.

Now, today, from my lectionary (study guide) I quote God’s word from James 1: 1-18 (GNB): “From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: Greetings to all God’s people scattered over the whole world. 

My friends, consider yourselves fortunate when all kinds of trials come your way, for you know that when your faith succeeds in facing such trials the result is the ability to endure.  Make sure that your endurance carries you all the way without failing, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing… If any of you lack wisdom, you should pray to God, who will give it to you; because God gives generously and graciously to all… you must believe and not doubt.  Happy are those who remain faithful under trials, because when they succeed in passing such a test, they will receive as their reward the life which God promised to those who love him…” 

In your Bible, please read every word for yourself so you can see that every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven.  “Remember this, my dear friends!  Everyone must be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19-20, GNB) Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose. Abiding in Him does.

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James 1:25 “If you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice–you will be blessed by God in what you do.”

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ANSWERED PRAYER by Stephen Kendus

Work through me Holy Spirit, now I pray; I’ve been brought lowly to this place, the truth to face. I cannot get away. Touch through me Holy Spirit, let the others feel this poem. What I share is real; not just for the rhythm and rhyme, but for my brothers and my sisters also serving time.

In my darkest hours, Lord,  I’ve called upon your Name. You know the thoughts I think towards you—Please take from me the shame.  Thoughts of peace and not of evil, for a future and a hope, I prayed. Dear God, please help me. Please give me strength to cope…

I sought you and I found you, Lord. I searched with all my heart;  You heard me, and you listened as I pled for a new start. I’ve backslid and I’ve faltered all along life’s way.  Though willing in my spirit, my flesh had hell to pay.

Dear Father God in heaven, my only hope is you:  Jesus’ blood, my sins to cleanse — your sovereign word is true.  The Bible holds the answers that some think hard to find; For those who seek your will and way, it’s all a state of mind.  Knock and the door shall open; seek and ye shall find. A new day is awaiting, so leave the past behind…

From captivity God said He’d bring me back. As a true son being chastened, God’s love is never slack.  I pray this poem I wrote today will help more than just me. For my brothers and my sisters too — Lord, set the captives free.  God, bring them from their prisons. Lord, break the chains today. Father, while they serve the time they must, show them your better way.  Lord, light our path; please, make it clear. Our faith we put in You. Trusting day by day to hear Your Spirit, tried and true.

In verse 28 of John 6, people ask Jesus, “What exactly does God want us to do?”  Jesus replied, “God wants you to have faith in the One He sent.” (v. 29)

The people were needy for The Word and asked Jesus what was His secret to work miracles. He had just fed 5000 people, healed the diseased and done other miracles. Jesus, the Christ of God, replied that the work of God is to believe!  It is belief (faith) that works the miracles of God.

Do you recall the reason Jesus gave for lack of miracles in His own country? Yes, even Jesus saw when things were missing from life. What was the reason? Unbelief. It was that simple; not many mighty works were done because of unbelief. “Because the people did not have any faith, Jesus did not work many miracles there.” (Matthew 13:58)

Now Jesus told them, “Elijah certainly will come and get everything ready…but people did not recognize him…” (John 17:11)  Jesus was talking to them about John the Baptist.  Then, in verses 14 and 15, “A man knelt in front of Jesus and said, ‘Lord, have pity on my son. He has a bad case of epilepsy… I brought him to your disciples, but none of them could heal him.’ ”

Look at Jesus’ response: “You people are too stubborn to have any faith! How much longer must I be with you?  Why do I have to put up with you? Bring the boy here. Then Jesus spoke sternly to the demon. It went out of the boy, and right then he was healed.”  (John 17-19)

Later the disciples questioned Jesus, “Why couldn’t we force out the demon?” (v 19)  Jesus replied:  It is because you don’t have enough faith.  But I can promise you this: If you had faith no larger than a mustard seed, you could tell this mountain to move from here to there. And it would. Everything would be possible for you.” (v 20-21)

Jesus told us we could do the same work He did, and more. (John 14: 12-13)  Are we doing It? Jesus submitted Himself totally to Father God and He resisted the temptation of Satan. Nothing is impossible with God. But we must do it, act quickly, put Satan under our feet and speak The Word—His truth. Faith comes by hearing an doing the word of God.  No manmade formula, but the everlasting, all powerful word of God which cannot go out void [empty, meaningless]. (Romans 10:17)

Our God cannot, does not lie; so don’t doubt! The truth is the will of God. “The faith of a righteous man avails much.” (James 5:16) Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do…shall he do also; and greater works that these shall he do; because I go to my Father.” (John 14:12)

The word used is believe—NOT unbelief.  Holy Spirit, strengthen each of us reading these words to act quickly.  Your word never goes out void but will accomplish His purpose. Holy Spirit, enlighten each of us to receive and impart Your anointed word in the name of Jesus.

What then is the work of God for each today?  The same today as then.  Christ is the same today and always. (Hebrews 13:8)  Believe, and all things are possible. (Mark 10:27)

Worldly politics, threats and rumors of war, gang violence and unprecedented surprise, mass shootings are causing emotional instability. At any given moment we see or experience unrest and confusion. We must put on the whole armor of God to stand firm in faith.

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another… as Christ forgave you… But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:12-15, KJV)

At any given moment, I may not be tender and kind toward those who do not love or please me. Yes, on our individual  journey to perfection, each of us experiences the daily need for dying to flesh… giving up selfishness and taking on a melting process to allow heart changes and attitudes.  More than ever before I must ask Holy Spirit to give me strength and willingness to change. We must ask the Holy Spirit to help us “wake up and strengthen what I still have before it dies completely; for I find that what I have done is not yet perfect in the sight of God.” (Revelation, 3:2)

God knows everything, sees everything, is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Father God wants us to wake up and stop making excuses to avoid serving Him. Serving Him is our choice. The flooding, tornadoes and destruction that happened in Oklahoma are bringing Oklahomans together.

We are praying without ceasing. In the scriptures, Timothy urges that “petitions, prayer requests and thanksgiving be offered to God for all people; for kings and all others who are in authority that we may live a quiet and peaceful life with all reverence toward God and with proper conduct. This is good and pleases God our Savior who wants everyone to be saved and come to know the truth.” (I Timothy 2:1-3) This is God’s perfect will for each of us and is His required daily service.

My heart is rejoicing for what I’m seeing. Oklahoma is praising God for life and “hands on” help by neighbors—even children. Amidst struggle and loss, there is genuine love.

“Helpers who do their work well” are winning “for themselves good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus.” (I Timothy 3:12-13) “This is how we should conduct ourselves in God’s household…”  (I Timothy 3:15)  “Everything God has created is good; nothing is to be rejected, but everything is to be received with a prayer of thanks, because the word of God and prayer make it acceptable to God.” ( I Timothy 4: 4-5)

I am praising God with fellow Oklahomans. We are standing firm together so that this, too, is part of His perfection process.  Here in middle USA others are being drawn to help but when they come, they see us doing His word. We are told, “Until Jesus comes…to give our time and effort to public reading of the scriptures and to preaching and teaching… not neglecting the spiritual gift that is in you.” (I Tim. 4:13-14)

Oklahomans, thank you for living out His word uncompromisingly. So that “…the path of (uncompromisingly) just and righteous is like the light of dawn and shines more and more (bright and clear)… until it reaches its full strength and glory in the perfect day.” (Proverbs 4:18, Amp)

Last thought: Jesus wept. (John 11:35) Grieving is a part of life and must be walked out (done fully) to be healthy and whole.  We can share this aspect of loss and know His word is true… the best is yet to come! Keep sharing His love and caring for one another… and love yourself

If we want to live in peace and harmony, we must allow the Holy Spirit to mature us.  We must learn to love like Jesus did.

He ate and drank with sinners and tax collectors. (Matthew 9:11)  In everyday life we don’t always agree with family members and close friends.  We need the Holy Spirit to help us work through our differences so we can reconnect.  Please Holy Spirit, give us empathy so we can truly learn to rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.  Please hear this cry and open our hearts to associate with people regardless of their status or position.

Each day, as I die to self (work toward doing what God wants instead of what I want), I thank God for the privilege He has given me through His Ark of Faith.  Many times I openly speak my gratitude for deliverance from being what I call “a haughty, well-educated fool.”

Serving others at the Ark of Faith Foundation is truly a great blessing!  Is it always easy?  NO!  But the joy which comes following self-denial is beyond description.  We all know this.  When we help someone, we experience “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (1 Peter 1:8, KJV)  To God be the glory!

Coffeehouse on the third Friday in June was an example.  Someone God brought to the Ark years ago was hostess.  She had experienced brain injury as a child—But God worked a miracle!  The Ark needed volunteers for meal service and cleanup.  This lovely young woman came to give of herself and learn. Her husband encouraged this endeavor. They are still serving together here and in other ministries. Praise the Lord!  We must NEVER quit or give up. STAND!  For indeed, “with God all things are possible…” (Mark 10:22, NIV).  Keep praying, asking, and agreeing with the word of God for His timing is always right!

The third Friday summer Coffeehouses are reflections from past Lamplighter Coffeehouses and performers.  We are experiencing blessings as 3^rd and 4^th generations come to share hopes and dreams, needs and desires being fulfilled.

Through faith, prayers, and intercession, we get to see the Holy Spirit Victory as the older generations bring up younger generations of overcomers.  Thank You, Lord, for filling in all the gaps in our individual knowledge and ability.  You are the God who knows it all—who makes a way when there seems to be no way.  (John 8:12)

I want to leave you with John Baillie’s prayer meditation quoted in Catherine Marshall’s My Personal Prayer Diary: “Eternal God…when the way seems dark before me, give me the grace to walk trustingly.  When the distant scene is clouded, let me rejoice that at least the next step is plain… when insight falters, let obedience stand firm; what I lack in faith, let me repay in love…”

My heavenly Father (and Yours) led me to ask my church for prayer and advice.  That is very biblical.  So as it says in Isaiah 28, one line at a time (step by step), God showed and told me what to do.  For example, as I requested help for our community event May 10-12, an elder told me to contact the Muskogee Public Library and request a free room: “Sally, the Library often assists in community events such as this.”

It was pot luck Sunday, after church. As Garry and I filled our plates and sat down, our pastor joined us.  He encouraged our movie event to help deaf people in our community.  Then a friend, who just happened to work at the Muskogee Public Library (over 45 years) sat at our table.  He told me what to do to get the room.  Another line completed…the next step coming.

Originally, I had received a “Deaf Missions” calendar and information on needs of people who are deaf.  I fasted and prayed for two weeks before asking for my husband’s prayer and input.  Then, as God did “show and tell” me, and line upon line, at the finish of each revealed answer, a new task began.

On March 29^th, God had a plan for a deaf-hearing coffeehouse.  He showed me line by line. Line upon line, I completed Mother’s Day paperwork with the Library for our May event (Deaf Missions’ The Book of Job movie), airline ticket purchases for Deaf Missions’ Director of Outreach, Jose Abenchuchan to fly to Tulsa, and sought Ark Board input! All new tasks for me.

I was planning May but needed a host and feature for March 29 because my scheduled people could not come. I simply cried out to the Lord – “What, how, when, where, who Lord?” Then, I went back to finalizing the coffeehouse event.

Within five minutes, Vonda Bland phoned me: “Sally, I will be in your area March 29^th, could I possibly share a few minutes at Coffeehouse?  I immediately replied: “You and Steve can host the whole Coffeehouse and open mic.”  WOW—God! I didn’t even make a proper prayer!  He reminded me of numerous times in the Bible when people cried out with a loud voice and He answered! I quickly started contacting newspapers and ministries serving the deaf in Tulsa and Broken Arrow.

That Coffeehouse was needed so that Vonda and Steve could teach me a thing or two about videos that were signed in American Sign Language (ASL). They brought praise videos and drama videos involving BOTH deaf and hearing people.  It was remarkable. They even gave us Mother’s Day song videos to use at the May event.

That Coffeehouse was terrific!  Deaf people that the Ark had known over 21 years came; new people too – both hearing and deaf; ten deaf people in all.

Vonda used videos from their worldwide ministries to involved deaf and hearing participants in feature activities and open mic. She also involved us in a dramatized biblical scripture. Awesome! Their ministry is a family affair. Steve produces all their videos and the background and scenery is extremely beautiful.  Two of their adopted deaf daughters sign with Vonda in the videos, as well. We closed with prayer, signed and spoken over individuals.  God did it again!

So, another line finished as He lays out the Ark’s path. The key is to LISTEN, pray, obey, and continue on, so God can complete His work in each of us, using our giftings and talents.  The thing that makes us able is through Jesus, God gave each of us the gift of Holy Spirit, our Helper, Teacher, Comforter and Friend.  Listen to Him.

Lamplighter Coffeehouse – sometimes it is just superb! With “Open Mic”, we never know who will show up or what will happen.  The host of each coffeehouse leads the way, listening to and obeying Father God.  We come together for fellowship, praise and worship and to practice using our various gifts.  Open mic is sensational as each person there discerns what God wants him or her to share.

Each of us needs discernment in our journey into His perfection.  Discernment of God’s Spirit should be a constant redeeming, moving, and loving action in our daily responsibilities.  We go through cycles and different seasons in times of transition.  We need prayerful alone time with God, to hear and obey His direction and call for each new task!  We need to clarify God’s intent and direction. We must be prepared (ready) and full of hope.

One past coffeehouse encouraged not only me, but others present, to use our various talents and giftings to encourage suicidal children, teens, and adults to use their own gifts to relieve the tensions of daily coping with disabilities, stress, depression, or bullying and family problems! At the Ark, we use art, music, poetry, writing, dance, and life skills classes to encourage each participant, for no one should be hopeless.

At that recent coffeehouse, we discussed the original art of teens displayed on the Ark walls.  Many of them were done in Teen Anger Management classes. Framing and displaying them encourages the artist that there is hope for him or her. It’s not just about performance art.

Each of us has a skill or gifting. The Ark provides opportunity to use our talents to defend ourselves against anger, depression, and suicidal impulses.  That understood, a young, first-time coffeehouse attendee was encouraged to share a poem. It was awesome!

Please pray, intercede, and even travail (labor painfully) if led toward this developing ministry at the Ark. If you know someone needing loving support, please call 918-682-8411 and ask for Sally or bring the parent, guardian and child to the Ark.