And Hesaid, ÒMy Presence will go with you, and I will give you restÓ

Your new yearÕs resolution will notgive you rest. Let your resolution be in the presence of God. The presenceof God is in the word of God. All through the journey in the wilderness,the children of Israel were being led by the presence of God.GodÕs presence was giving direction and leadership that always result in rest wheneverthey were obedient. All God did to lead was in sending His word through Moses.Without doubt, the presence of God is the word of God. It wasrecorded in Psalm 107:20 that He sent His word and healed them, anddelivered them from their destructions. When deliverance reigns, rest resides.What it takes to have rest in the word of God is to do the word. Deut.30:14 pointed out that the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in yourheart, that you may do it. Most times, the word only stops in thehearerÕs mouth and not further its way down to the heart as required. Wheneverthe word failed to reach the heart, it results in wreck instead of rest. ÊÊÊ

~ Wreckor Rest~

Jonah wasin a wreck when he fled from His presence. Jonah 1:1-3, says Now the wordof God came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, ÒArise go to Nineveh that great city, and cry outagainst it; for the wickedness has come up before Me.ÓVs.3 But Jonah fled to Tarshishfrom the presence of the LORD. Jonah did himself a great disservice by fleeingfrom His wordÉHis presence. Jonah is an example of what it is to abandon Hisword ÉHis presence. He ended up in a great storm, and was cast into the deep,into the heart of the seas and the flood surrounded Jonah (Jonah 2:3). He spenttime in darkness (fishÕs belly) because he rejected the presence of GodÉword ofGod. He departed from rest to wreck. In ch.3vs1it says the word came backto Jonah the second time, Jonah knew not to flee but to answer the word.The word He spoke to them He also speaks and He is still speaking to us. Theword of GodÉthe presence of God is the only way of having rest if you can be steadfastand not flee.

~Entrance~

InPsalm119:130,it is written that the entrance of GodÕs words give light; It givesunderstanding to the simple. The word that does not gain entrance can not give lightand understanding. As a result, darkness continues to prevail and that is anindication that the word is not entering as it is suppose to. Darkness is stillvery much on the face of earth as hearers continues to increase. John 1:5saysÉ And light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.It is clearly stated that when the word enters, light will take over and darknessshall not comprehend. Have you considered or are you considering if the word isactually entering you? Check your light. The word is not just meant to be inthe mouth but also in the heart for you to use.Ê Ê

It is goodto have determinations that will allow the wordÕs entrance. However, determinationto grant entrance will not do. Begin to desire of the Lord God to grant you thegrace so that the word will have its entrance in your life. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ

ÊÊÊÊÊ

~Attention!!~

What kindof attention are you giving God in your life? Remember, jealousy enjoysattention. God is a jealous God…Dan.6:10 pointed out that Daniel had acustom way of approaching God since his early days. As a result ofthat, he was able to get custom attention in the den of lion. No single scratchfrom the hungry lion. When you give God a custom approach He will give you customattention. Your testimony will be custom made as it was for Daniel.

ThisNew Year, I pray that the LORD in His

goodnessand mercy will remove all hindrances

of Hisword in your life. The word of God that gives

Rest willfind entrance in your life.

If Ihave found grace in your sight, show me your way, that I may know You and thatI may found grace in your sight(Ex. 33:13)

At the time Moses prayed the prayerof knowing God, he has covered so much ground for God. Moses has communicatedwith God one-on-one and led through the red sea. Yet, a man that knows God likeMoses continues to ask God to show him His way. One will wonder about whatMoses wanted to know that he does not know at that junction of his journey in life.Moses asked show meyour wayÉthe wayof God is the direction of God. The direction of God is in GodÕs word. The wordof God is God. Assuming you asked for your child to be picked up at school withyour written direction, that child will be released to me because I have yourword and it has been taken as you. The word of God is God. Moses knew what hewas asking when he asked for GodÕs way. He identified that GodÕs way is God.

~Way~

The way ofGod, the direction of God, and the word of God is the only way unto deliveranceand preservation in direction to our Canaan Land. As the vehicle 2004 rolls to anend, 2005 comes into sight, begin to desire for His way. Despite MosesÕ standin the Lord, he realized the need of knowing Him more. You and I are all in ajourney through the wilderness to our Canaan Land and that requires daily knowledgefor having edge over every situation in our passage of life. Like Moses, Davidnever lost the consciousness of asking for GodÕs way. In Psa.25:7, David asked show me Yourways, O lord; Teach me Your paths. In His way there is deliverance and there ispreservation and once that is in place in the life of a man, victory is in placeover all issues of life. Among the ways you want to consider in remaining andmaintaining yourself in His way, is for you to begin to desire of the Lord a dwellingin His presence.

~Enterand Dwell~

Enteringinto His presence is not enough. God wants you to dwell in Him. You have beenentering long enough. It is time for dwelling.The word that came for Jeremiahis still echoing loud enough for those in the house of God. In Jer.7:2, the LordÕs word cameto Jeremiah saying, Òstand in the gate of the LordÕs house, and proclaim therethis word, and say, ÔHear the word of the LORD, all you who of Judah who enterin at these gates to worship the LORD!ÓV.3 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the Godof Israel: ÒAmend your ways and your doingsand I will cause you to dwell in this place.

This isfor those that have called on God at one point in your life; those who arecalling on Him once every week or that is having a marginal commitment to Hisholy name. It could also be for those that are riding on the feeling of maximumcommitment rather than His filling that is generating maximum commitment. TheLORD has sent JeremiahÉ it is enough of entering; begin to dwell in Him foraccess ability into His way. No wonder, the Psalmist asked in Psa. 27:4, one thing I have desiredof the Lord that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all thedays of my life.You have only been entering, begin to dwell in Him. For the journey that isahead of you just like it was in Moses, you will need more than those weekly,monthly or New YearÕs Eve entering and exiting. As the year 2004 rolls to anend, desire for a dwelling for direction.Ê The journey is deep and God in Hisgoodness and mercy will enable you. Ê

Heb.11:3,by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the

wordof God. Thesame word is still delivering and preserving. I pray all

that seemsimpossible in your life to be reframed and reformed by the

word ofGod

Ineverything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.(1Thess.5:18)

One thing God cannot do is fail. Youhave every reason to thank God and you do not have any reason not to thank God.To know to thank God is wisdom. When your thanksgiving is based onunderstanding, it delivers perfection.Many times we hear the quotation of Rm.8:28which states ÒAnd we know that all things work together for good to those wholove God to those who are called according to His purposeÓ. Those that loveGod will thank God for all THINGS. For those that love God, everything andevery time are thanks giving. Indeed, it is half knowledge for any believerthat dwells on Rm8:28 without practicing Eph. 5:20 which states that giving thanksalways for all things to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. One that does not give thanks forall things at all times should not expect all things to work together for theirgood. With this understanding, the knowledge of giving God a HEART-FULLthanksgiving for everything always and not just a MOUTH-FULL of thanks giving,should have its way in your life.

~Waiting~

God alwaysawaits our thanksgiving offering.

Rememberthe story of the Ten Lepers in Lk17. In verse 13 it was recorded that thelepers lifted their voices and said Jesus Master, have mercy on us. Jesusanswered their prayers and they were cleansed. Just one returned to Jesuswith a loud voice and fell down at His feet to give thanks. At the return ofone of the lepers, the first thing Jesus said was (Vs. 17&18) ÒWere therenot ten cleansed?Ê But where are the nine?Ó ÒWere there not any found whoreturned to give glory to God except this foreigner?Ó Are you one of thenine?

The LORDGod awaits thanks giving from you regardless of the situation. He said inJer.32:27 ÒBehold, I am the Lord God of all flesh. Is there anything too hardfor Me?Ó

Take timeand look back for a moment and render unto the almighty God a HEART-FULL thanksgiving for all that he has done so He will bring perfection to all you areexpecting from Him.

Just asthanksgiving is a weapon of perfection; so is praise a weapon of victory overwar.

~Trumpet~

Num.10:9stated that, when you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppressesyou, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets and you will be rememberedbefore the LORD your God and you will be saved from your enemies. As an enlisted army of God, warwill always come knocking.Ê We are in a position to always knock war out whenknowledge is in place by the understanding of the word(wisdom) of God.Ê In anumber of places in the scripture, you will find the use of trumpet as aweapon. Trumpet is a resounding call. Trumpet is to sound orproclaim loudly. It is a sound that will be easily recognized by God. Ourpraise is the trumpet sound that will be easily recognized by God. Itworked for the Israelites on their way to Canaan and it will undoubtedly work for us because God still inhabits thepraises of His people.

WhenJoshua took over from Moses, the Israelites did not attempt to bring down thewall of Jericho without a trumpet (Josh.6:4,5.)Ê They were specifically directed by God to take up their trumpets indoing battle.

As asoldier enlisted by God, what battle are you facing?ÊÊ Are you fightingignorantly? Apply the wisdom in the word based on understanding and let theknowledge you have about the living God do the battle. Praising God loudly isyour trumpet.Ê Deny the enemies from bringing the battle to your front.Ê Fightyour war in the enemyÕs front.

ThankHim for the past, present, and future.

ThankHim for what you have and what you

do nothave. Thank Him for all your expectations.

He isGod of thanks giving.

Why doyou not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word

(Jh. 8:43)

It was recorded in Gen.6:22, 7:5 that Noah didaccording to all that God commanded him. Understanding is not in hearing but in the ability tolisten. By listening, Noah must have paid great attention to catch thedirection of his deliverance vessel.

~Attention~ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ

When youpay attention to God in your listening and you are able to understand, heavenwill no doubt attend to your needs.

In1Cor.1:30 we were made to realize that Jesusbecame for us wisdom from God. Pro.4:7 mentioned that wisdom is the principalthing; therefore get wisdom. And in all you are getting, acquire understanding.Ê

After manyyears of bondage in Egypt, God delivered the children of Israel and carried them through thewilderness with the promise of land that flows with milk and honey. ÊAt thetime of investigating promise land, Moses sent out spies with detailed directions(Num.13) and he concluded by admonishing the spies to be of good courage. They went and came back to give abad report of the land. Caleb and Joshua gave good reports and also claimed to have seenexceedingly good land Num.14:7. ÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊCaleb and Joshua saw differentlybecause they were able to listen. Other spies lack the ability to listen for anunderstanding.Ê They caused many from 21years old and above to perish in thewilderness with the exception of Caleb and Joshua that were able to listen.

In John8:43 Jesus made us to realize that, understandingis in the ability to listen. Many in the church and outside the church hear every time but lack understandingbecause of listening disability. One can hear and not understand but it isimpossible to listen and not understand.

~GoodCourage~

The word beof good courage is meant to strengthen the heart of those that listen. The Psalmist pointed it out in Ps. 27:14,31:24, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart all you who waiton the Lord.

Astrengthened heart will see no negative in the promise of God. Among all thespies, Caleb and JoshuaÕs ability to listen delivered them into their promise land.There is a better place of promise for you and me. In this journey we have a promised mansion(Jh.14:2) and Streets of Gold (Rev.21:21) waiting for those that can listen in gaining understandingof direction.

Indeed, understandingis the principal thing when there is understanding of GodÕs wisdom then therewill be a knowing-edge (knowledge) over every issue of life. Ê

~Listening~

All about ListeningÉ.How,when, where and how long do you listen?

How? You listen with expectation because where there isexpectation, there will be a manifestation.

When? You listen all the time. Always keep your antenna onfor reception from Radio Heaven.

Where? You listen at every point of yourfellowship and your quiet time.

Howlong? You listen constantly andconsistently.

~BeFilled~

It is notabout feeling but about being filled.

In yourlistening, get filled by His word so that feelings can take the back seat. Letthe fillings of GodÕs word take over motion in your journey to the promiseland. Remember, feelings will not do it but the word that you listen to willsee you through when you are filled.

Jesuspointed out why you lack understanding (Jh8:43).

Thatreason is in a disability to listen. Listen; it is never

Êtoolate to accept Him. Unless one is born again, he cannot

Êseethe kingdom of heaven

Disguising the truth is deception; will hinder the testimony of a beliver.

How you fight your battle will determine the outcome of the battle. The battle you fight comes up every day and the weapon of war has to be a consistent truth. When truth is consistent, victory will be absolute. The case of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah and Ahab, king of Israel in the book of 2Chr. 18&19 is a clear evidence.

In the face of battle, 2Chr.18:29 Ahab said to Jehoshaphat, ÒI will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.Ó Ahab disguised himself and went into battle. Jehoshaphat fought the battle without disguising himself. In verses 31 &32, battle intensified, Jehoshaphat called on God and he prevailed. When battle intensified on Ahab, disguising could not prevail. Disguising, deception, or lying will only prevail for a period but the truth will always prevail regardless of how long it takes the truth to come to light. The bible recorded in 2Chr.19: 1 that Jehoshaphat returned safely to his house in Jerusalem.

Is there any battle that persists in your life? Does it appear that you are losing? Are you fighting the Jehoshaphat way or the Ahab way? There is a need for you to fight your battle on a ground of truth. Exchange your entire weapon for truth. Truth is the only way. Try it today and reap the fruit of a winner.

Withdraw from disguising or deceit. Draw unto the truth.

~World Worded~

In 2Tim.3:4 it is written that scripture is an inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

Those words are not mere story telling they are sent by God to profit us when we apply it. This is the equipment you need in your day to day battle. Employ the truth, deploy lying; be a winner.  

~In your camp~

It is possible to have God in your camp and you being camped out unto defeat.

1Sam.4:5, when God came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. In vs. 6&7, when the Philistines heard the noise they wondered why the noise and they understood and said ÒGod has come to the campÓ. Notwithstanding, they fought and Israel was defeated and great slaughter was recorded for Israel and the ark of God was captured. One will wonder how that could be when they were having God in camp. With God in your camp, have you been facing defeat? If yes, there is a need that you check your distance from God.  It could be that you are consciously or unconsciously far from Him by virtue of carelessness. He has sent His word that He will never leave us nor forsake us. In that particular battle that you are on the verge of losing, God is in your camp but you are out of camp away from Him.

~Return~

In 1Sam.7:3, Samuel asked the Children of Israel to return to the Lord with all hearts, put foreign god away, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. The children of Israel returned and vs.7-13 pointed out how the Philistines were confused, pursued, and subdued. Above all, they restored all that the Philistines took away. Our battle is not lost, victory is not too late the requirement is to return and submit all to God, He will subdue all on our behalf.           

The prescription for peace is to be rejoicing in hope,

patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer

(Rm. 12:12)