For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

If it had not been for the goodness and faithfulness of God, where would you be today?  The same God who has kept you alive to date is going to carry you through any and all difficulty you may be facing. We are not without hope.  May I take a moment to praise and thank God for the Ark of Faith Foundation? All of us have and will continue to learn obedience through what we suffer. We’ll have our eyes opened through distress. (Job 36:32 & 15, GNB)

When I was a young widow with three teenagers, I had no idea how to do what God wanted me to do.  Yet, in 1981, Jim Gibson, Sr. secured the Ark’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and ever since, I have been on the journey of my new life. I know the favor of God and man. He is still perfecting me. I can say with King David: “If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” (Psalm 119:92, ESV)

Without God, where would we be?

As a young mother, as educated as I was and brought up in the church, I did not know the word of God and did not spend daily “alone time” with Him. My son, Sam, was born with a major health problem. At three weeks old after a 6-hour major surgery he was written up in medical journals. Our surgeon prayed with my husband and me, stating that there was a 50/50 chance of survival. He said, “My own son died at a year and a half old and I couldn’t save him. I promised God then that, with His help I’d do everything I could to save all children.”

Sitting on my husband’s lap, I prayed “Father, nothing is impossible for You, with prayer.” I then phoned my mother to pray with us. Mama taught me about miracles and answered prayers.  (My brother miraculously overcame infantile paralysis (polio) back before Sister Kenny’s research and discoveries that saved so many others.)

I would still be struggling now, but Father God gave me the desire of my heart. I began praising and thanking Him for His goodness, favor, and blessing.

Distress opens my eyes; I need much more of God’s favor and the power of Jesus and His name. These situations inspired my desire to know the Holy Spirit. Baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I’d still had no personal relationship with the Triune God, the Three in One. I would still be struggling now, but Father God gave me the desire of my heart.

I began praising and thanking Him for His goodness, favor, and blessing. Praise precedes His victory and brings down walls of opposition. He inhabits our praise and when we ask (and knock, as Matthew 7:7 says) doors will open. He will show Himself strong in our weakness. (I Corinthians 4:10)

What are you struggling with today?

Addiction, low self-esteem finances, illness, grief, relationships–? Take a moment and look back over your life. Realize your need to be in union with Jesus. How far have you come? God has not brought you this far to leave you. (Philippians 1:6 NIV) Father God has kept you alive for a purpose that shows you both good and bad. (Romans 8:28) He will lead, guide or carry you through any difficulty you may be facing. Declare the goodness of God and that He is directing your steps and your will is to follow His leading. The best days of your life are ahead. (I Corinthians 2:9)

Now, praise and thank Him! Move forward into the victory He has promised to the overcomers. Renew your mind to the word of God and remove all negative thoughts. Study the word of God. Study to show yourself improved. (II Timothy 2:15)

Everyone must obey state authorities, because no authority exists without God’s permission, and the existing authorities have been put there by God.  Whoever opposes the existing authority opposes what God has ordered; and anyone who does so will bring judgment on himself.  For rulers are not to be feared by those who do good, but by those who do evil. Would you like to be unafraid of those in authority?  Then do what is good, and they will praise you, because they are God’s servants working for your own good.  But if you do evil, then be afraid of them, because their power to punish is real.  They are God’s servants and carry out God’s punishment on those who do evil.  For this reason you must obey the authorities—not just because of God’s punishment, but also as a matter of conscience.”  (Romans 13:1-5, GNT)

God is working on me again regarding the disrespectful attitudes and actions I am witnessing.

Just look up II Chronicles 7:14 (GNT)  “If my people will pray to me and repent and turn away from the evil they have been doing, then I will hear them in Heaven, forgive their sins, and make their land prosperous again.”

Are we allowing freedom of speech to be corrupted, to  rule with evil actions to produce chaos in our country?  Innocent people and children are being killed.  Crime and criminal behavior are tolerated amidst demands for freedom of speech; protests reveal disrespect of authority.  The evil displayed goes both directions and does not set a value on human life and love.  We are told to train up our children in the way they should go and in their old age they will not depart from this training.  (Proverbs 22:6)  What I notice is a lack of training in the area of respect.  Self-will, speaking indiscriminately and ‘my way or the highway’ attitudes reign and rule.  Behaviors like bullying and selfish ego are not the way of Christ.

Self-will, speaking indiscriminately and ‘my way or the highway’ attitudes reign and rule.  Behaviors like bullying and selfish ego are not the way of Christ.

If we love our children, we correct and discipline them.  Proverbs 29:15 says: “If they have their own way, they will make their mothers ashamed of them.”  Are we allowing stubbornness and foolish behavior to rule and reign in our cities, states, and nation — in our homes, schools and churches?

Help us, Lord.  We took prayer out of schools and Godly discipline.  We need to pay attention to Proverbs 23:13: “Don’t hesitate to discipline children.  A good spanking won’t kill them.  As a matter of fact, it may save their lives.”  A good spanking doesn’t mean injuring, malicious beating, or sadistic punishment, but teaching of truth.  “Children just naturally do silly, careless things, but a good spanking will teach them how to behave.”  (Proverbs 22:15, GNT)  Respect and proper behavior must be taught.

Proverbs 28:1-7 states:  “An honest person is as brave as a lion… a nation will be strong and endure when it has intelligent, sensible leaders.  Someone in authority who oppresses poor people is like driving rain that destroys the crops.  If you have no regard for the law; you are on the side of the wicked; but if you obey it you are against them.  Young people who obey the law are intelligent.”  We must recognize that correction and discipline are of God.  Pray for our nation to return to God and reverence and to respect Him and train our youth to respect law and order.

Searching out His words of wisdom has led me to Proverbs.  Focus on Proverbs 1:7: “To have knowledge, you must first have reverence for the Lord.  Stupid people have no respect for wisdom and refuse to learn.”  I cried out to Father God to deliver us from such stupidity in the name of Jesus.  Then I asked the Holy Spirit to lead, guide, and teach by showing and telling us what to do.  Father, show, tell and encourage us, so we can use common sense to deal with family issues, business dealings, social relationships, etiquette and good manners.  Proverbs reveals a need for self-control, humility, patience, and respect for the poor and loyalty to friends and family.

Hopefully we will recognize the need to repent, turn away from sins and be a part of the healing of the USA, so our land can be prosperous again.  (II Chronicles 7:14)  Finally, we close with Proverbs 14:2: “Be honest and you show that you have reverence for the Lord; be dishonest and you show that you do not.”

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…”

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.