Ark of Faith Foundation Inc.

A refuge from life's storms in Muskogee Oklahoma

A refuge: Helping people help themselves
 by learning, sharing, giving.

CALL (918) 682-8411 401 E. Broadway Muskogee OK

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

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

 

January 2023 Message: One Simple New Year’s Resolution You Can Keep

Monthly Messages from Sally Weiesnbach,  Ark Founder & Director of Operations

God really tries to make our lives simple. When Jesus came to fulfill the law, he brought us just one commandment. It’s found in John 13:34-35 (CEB)  “I give you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, so you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples; when you love each other.”

This new commandment fulfills all the old ones. We need not complicate our own lives. If we resolve to love each other, we will be able to follow all ten Old Testament commandments without confusing and complicated rules. See how simple it is:

  1. You shall have no other Gods before me. (Loving God is keeping our undivided attention on loving each other as Jesus loves us.)
  2. You shall not make for yourself any graven images. (When we are loving as Jesus did, we don’t need idols or material things to worship or obey our God because He lives in our hearts causing and growing our love and respect for others.)
  3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. (When we love each other as Jesus loved us, we don’t call each other names, and certainly not bad or disrespectful ones. We treat God and others with love. If you are taking the Lord’s name or other people’s names in vain, you are not loving them.)
  4. Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy. (The Old Testament way was rigid with lots of rules and “don’ts” for the Sabbath. Under the new commandment, Jesus’ way is to use the Sabbath to show love in worship, to notice the beauty of creation, and to rest so we’ll be fresh for loving and serving God and others during the coming week.)
  5. Honor your father and mother so your life may be long on the earth. (God wants happy families in happy homes. The new commandment means we honor by loving, respecting, and obeying our parents, including Himself as our Father, just like Jesus did. The bonus is often omitted from lists of the commandments but do note the happy result of loving these particular others.)
  6. You shall not kill. (We don’t want to kill what we love and who we love. If you want to kill, you are not loving like Jesus.)
  7. You shall not commit adultery. (When we love, we want to be true, so we are faithful to those we have committed to love and to trust. If you want to stray, you do not want to love as Jesus loved us.)
  8. You shall not steal. (Loving others means we ask and receive permission before taking things that belong to those others. If you steal, you do not want to love others as Jesus loves you.)
  9. You shall not bear false witness. (When we love each other, we do not want lie to each other. We don’t believe telling lies is somehow protecting them, or saving their feelings, or making things better than they are. We don’t gossip about or badmouth others. When we love each other, keeping trust between us is more important than a momentary feeling of discomfort. Jesus did not ever lie to us. If you want to lie, you do not want to love.)
  10. You shall not covet. (Loving each other prevents us from being jealous or greedy of what others have that we would also like to have. If you are feeling envious or unhappy because you do not have a thing or a situation that someone else has, then you are not loving as Jesus did. If you celebrate what you have and that they have what they have, you are loving them His way.)

God makes life simple. Simple is not always easy. Usually it’s hard, especially at first. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help us, guide us, inspire us. Lean on the Spirit and, when all else fails, know that loving each other is always the correct choice. No matter what the new year brings, RESOLVE TO LEAD WITH LOVE. When you are feeling off or mean or are breaking a commitment, ask yourself, “Am I loving others as Jesus loves me?” If the answer is no, pray for the Holy Spirit to help you start again, with love. Happy New Year and blessings to all!

November 2022 Message: This is the Day

Monthly Messages from Sally Weiesnbach,  Ark Founder & Director of Operations

Thanksgiving is coming. Seek God and His godly wisdom. Pursue that wisdom. Meditate on and in God’s word daily.

The word of God, the Bible, is the mind of God written on paper. Reading His word reveals His ways – His ways, purposes, and plans for each one of us. We need to begin every day asking Him for His wisdom and direction through His word. We need clear direction and guidance and God is willing to give it to us! So get God’s viewpoint.

It is not enough to just read and meditate. We must obey scriptural principles. We must act – do His word.  Understand that if we don’t ask (pray), we will not get. Faith is essential to the process of acquiring godly wisdom day by day. Observe how our God moves and works in today’s world.

Look around, observe everything. We don’t get wisdom by just asking. Look at our friends and the world around us. We must heed godly counsel. Proverbs 12:15 says: “fools think they know what is best, but a sensible person listens to advice!”

We don’t get His wisdom by acting on what we think we know. What is your lifestyle? We need to associate with wise people. We are advised in Proverbs 13:20 (CSB): “Wise friends make you wise, but you hurt yourself by going around with fools.”

We must not only read the word but obey it. See John 14:6 (CSB) Clearly, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” Lord Jesus, spoke these written words. Do we obey? If we are going to be wise and follow the word of God, we must obey!

Why do bad things happen? Remember, the word of God says nothing is impossible with God… Nothing is too big or little! John 1:12 says: “But as many as receive Him to them He gave power to become the children of God. Those that believe Him remain secure.”

So in Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we have power to overcome all things. We are delivered and raised to Jesus’ in a new life. Yes, Jesus, you are beautiful to me. Open our eyes to see You more clearly, Your beauty, Your love, and Your daily encouragement. Thank You for sharing Your salvation.

We should give thanks day by day.  Be grateful for the life He gives us. Happy Thanksgiving. Glory be to God.

October 2022 Message: Obey the Word and Don’t Doubt

Monthly Messages from Sally Weiesnbach,  Ark Founder & Director of Operations

Daily reading the word of God and obeying it shows God we are committed. We must ASK (pray) and these prayers must be effective.

These prayers are to be offered by a righteous person. That means a person of faith, with a pure heart, and a testimony of godliness. When we live our lives trusting God and obeying His word, then you and I can be God’s healing agents in today’s world. Our children need to see this.

Today, many teens are involved with guns, gang life, and stealing. I am hearing more and more people my age (or getting there) saying “My parents wouldn’t have allowed this.” We didn’t see this in our communities back then. These ungodly lifestyles must be overcome by living examples of righteousness and godly people today. We must be able to communicate with godlike, joyful behaviors. We can each one be a walking, healing agent of our God. No game playing!

We have a responsibility to God and our family to show stability in our feelings and actions. We must find out what God wants us to do today and do it.

Every one of us needs someone to pray for us. We need to be walking agents of healing for hurt, pain, or sorrow. God can change lives, ours too. That improves our health and relationships. Purposefully allowing ourselves and our church (whichever one we belong to) means surrendering our lives to Him. We must let Him transform us.

How is living our whole life for God’s pleasure different than how most people understand worship? To me, worship is a daily action – a Show and Tell act of reverence to God, moment by moment. It’s like how feeding the poor, listening to others who need encouragement, and clothing the naked brings us God’s pleasure. Getting our minds off of ourselves and allowing His word to flow we learn obedience. We should be doing James 5:13-16 “…Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him… And the prayer of faith will restore… raise… forgive… So that you will be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”

Obeying God does many things for you. In this example it allows Him to bless you and others with healing.

September 2022 Message: Obey the Word and Don’t Doubt

Monthly Messages from Sally Weiesnbach,  Ark Founder & Director of Operations

To me, worship is an action that shows and tells – an act of reverence for our God. I want to live my whole life for God’s pleasure. Feeding the poor and hungry, loving people wounded by and in society, the community, even the church. Differing backgrounds, lifestyles, and exposures, even personal self-interest may make barriers. Our own knowledge, needs, and what we want to hear may shut out what we don’t want to hear.

Another barrier to getting what we want may be what we are planning. Thinking up what you are going to say rather than listening, may interfere with what you understand from the person speaking. Are you obeying God’s word? Check. Ask God for His help first!

Sometimes we can’t understand what’s being spoken. Failure to listen to the whole thought, interruptions, or listening through your own opinion may cause misunderstandings. You understand that often, men and women don’t think alike. Why do you think the Lord God said, “It is not good [sufficient and satisfactory] that a man should be alone. I will make him a helper meet [suitable, adaptable, complementary] for him.” (Genesis 2:18 AMP)

“By your endurance, you will win your lives.” (Luke 2:19, ASV) Again, you need to, “persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrew 10:36, ASV) “He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.” (Romans 2:7, ASV) “Great is my boldness of speech toward You, great is my glorifying of You; I am filled with comfort, I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulations.” (2 Corinthians 7:4, ASV)

How powerful is Your name, God. You are always faithful, always able. “If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, you shall ask what you will and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7, KJV) Come on in, Jesus and Holy Spirit! You are welcome. Help us. Strengthen us today as we put on “as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and longsuffering.” (Colossians 3:12, ASV)

Reflections is a scripture loop on Daystar TV that helps me rest and relax after days at Ark of Faith serving people who are homeless, working with volunteers, and praying with people. It also keeps me in His word and reminds me not to doubt Him. Serving takes energy and God provides it while I work when I obey His word and do not doubt His promises!

Thank You for Your Generous Donations

Thanks to you who answered God’s call for Ark needs in December: Our Christmas Eve dinner was … [Read More...]

Ark Restoration Progress Report

A message from Ark Founder Sally Weiesnbach:

We continue working on the restoration of the buildings that house the Ark of Faith. There have been setbacks as we complete one project, only to have Spring storms do more and different damage. Insurance from the March 7 fire is paid only in small increments.  See our latest progress and needs.

[Read More…]

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