"FOLLOW THE ARK."

The Hebrew word aron is used in the Bible to designate any type of ark, chest or coffer, for any purpose [Genesis 50:26; 2Kings 12:9 and 10]. The Ark of the Covenant is distinguished from all others by such titles as "Ark of God  [1 Samuel 3:3], " Ark of the Covenant" [Joshua 3:6; Hebrews 9:4] "Ark of the Testimony" [Exodus 25:22].

The Ark is referred to by several names in the Bible, among them the Ark of the Testimony, The Ark of the Covenant, The Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the Earth, the Holy Ark and the Ark of thy God's strength.

Description.

The Bible describes the Ark as made of acacia or shittah-tree wood. It was a cubit and a half broad and high, and two and a half cubits long [about 130cm x 78cm x 78cm or 4.29 x 2.57 x 2.57 feet, for Egyptian royal cubit was most likely used]. The Ark was covered all over with the purest gold. Its upper surface or lid, the mercy seat [Hebrew Kaporet], was surrounded with a rim of gold.

On each of the two sides were two gold rings, wherein were placed two wooden poles [with a decorative sheathing of gold], to allow the Ark to be carried [Numbers 7:9; 10:21; 4:5,19,20; 1 Kings 8:3,6]. Over the Ark, at the two extremities, were two cherubim, with their faces turned toward one another [Leviticus 16:2; Numbers 7:89]. Their outspread wings over the top of the Ark formed the throne of God, while the Ark itself was his footstool [Exodus 25:10-22; 37:1-9]. The Ark was placed in the " Holy of Holies, " so that one end of the carrying poles touched the veil separating the two compartments of the tabernacle [1 Kings 8:8].

Contents.

According to the Bible, the two tablets of stone constituting the " testimony" or evidence of God's covenant with the people [Deuteronomy 31:26] [i.e. The Ten Commandments] were kept within the Ark itself. A golden jar containing some of the manna from the Israelites' trek in the wilderness, and the rod of Aaron that budded, were added to the contents of the Ark [Exodus 16:32-34; Hebrews 9:4], but apparently were later removed at some point prior to the building of Solomon's temple as the Tanakh states in 1 Kings 8:9 that there " was nothing in the Ark save the two tablets of stone."

The Word of God is greater and most powerful than anything in the whole world. It is one of God's agents of creation [the other agent being the Holy Spirit]. The Word of God stands forever and anyone that would exercise true humility, obedience and faith to follow the Word of God in its entirety will succeed in all that he does. There is no misdirection or failure where the Word rules. " AND THERE IS NOTHING WITHIN GOD'S CREATION THAT IS GREATER THAN GOD HIMSELF."

The significance of the Ark of the Covenant was the Word of God in it. To follow the Ark therefore means " FOLLOW THE WORD OF GOD ALL THE WAY."

" But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

See, I have set before thee this day (year) [my own inclusion] life and good, and death and evil; In that I command thee this day [this year] to love the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, and keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it"- Deuteronomy 30:14-16 [KJV].

" Be strong and of good courage; fear not, nor be afraid of them: [your enemies, the devil and his cohorts] for the Lord thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee " Deuteronomy 31:6 [KJV].

"..that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness  [spiritually and physically] into His marvelous light: [spiritually and physically]" 1 Peter 2:9 [KJV].

Not long ago, we made our triumphant entry into a completely new year.  As we continue our journey into the unknown as creatures prone to uncertainty, expectation and presumption, there are some facts and truths that we should know to guard our footsteps.

You and I know very well that life has entanglements, pitfalls, and challenges as well as victories, but where, how and when to expect them, we surely do not know.

The Word of God has given us a firm assurance of direction on the path of life and destiny; and if we would only take heed of what God's Word tells us, we would be able to contain every occurrence on the way. " Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105 [NKJV].

LIFE IS A JOURNEY THAT HAS A PATH.

FACT NUMBER ONE:

Do not allow your fears become your thoughts. For they will " destroy" you or " sap" your strength and energy for progress. When your fears control your thoughts, it is like having an epileptic seizure or being attacked by meningitis. Each of these attacks can rapidly eliminate your life from upon the face of the earth.

HOLDING ON TO FEAR....Fear is a natural emotion and can actually keep us from making mistakes at times. The negative use of fear grips a person's reality and clouds his or her ability to see beyond that which a person fears or should fear. When fear is allowed to be dominant over a willingness to take a risk, however, the person stalls.

As a person, you will have justifiable reasons to be afraid, however, in each case do not allow your mind to be bound by fear. Your mind is the seed of your entire life; the key to your future progress. Another thing, try to locate the source of the fear. Could it be the product of sin, rebellion, or disobedience? Then change immediately and do what's right in the sight of God and man. On the other hand if it's holy fear, that will draw you closer to God and as a result you will be on the winning side.

You may lose an arm, ear, leg or even an eye and yet live a fruitful life, but you cannot do so when you lose your mind. You cannot plan, think, reason, meditate or focus. All these are related to the mind. Your future success or progress depends a great deal on these things. MIND and MIND-SET. That is why the Word of God implores us to re-new the spirit of our minds, besides having the mind of Christ.

Hear again what the Lord has put into my spirit for you at this moment. He knows what you are facing today and what you will be going through in the days that lie ahead, hence He has so strongly impressed these words upon my heart particularly for you.

" Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Behold, all those that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: THEY SHALL BE AS NOTHING; and they that strive with thee shall perish.

Thou shalt seek them, and shall not find them, even them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought. For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. "  Isaiah 41:10-13 [KJV].

Our Sovereign God is proclaiming to you that, this year and beyond, help and deliverance will surely come your way. Expect the salvation and victory of God. Stand bold and firm for them. Wait unwaveringly for them. Do not let anything stop you from receiving what your God and Father in heaven has in store for you. Govern your behavior and actions very well. Avoid any form of leaven coming into your life; for you must make the journey victoriously.

FACT NUMBER TWO:

In most cases you will find out that your present enemies were your past friends. Psalm 55:14; Matthew 10:36. And if God doesn't help you, the friends you have now, may one day in the future become your staunch enemies. Examples of friends who became enemies: David and his son Absalom: 2 Samuel 15:14; David and Ahithophel - 2 Samuel 15:31. Some of you reading this material now, your spouses, your parents, children, colleagues at work and fellow Christians etc. have become your enemies.

Is there anything you personally can do to stop your friends from becoming your enemies? No, nothing really. Why? Because [1] They are free moral agents with a free will and power of choice - Joshua 24:15; Deuteronomy 30:14-19. [2] Due to their level of commitment and obedience to God and His Word - Proverbs 1:29-31; 16:27; 17:11. Also probably because of their level of maturity and knowledge in the things of God and life in general.

Some of the symptoms of enmity are neglect, mistreatment, anger, bitterness, un-forgiveness, despise, resentment and abandonment.

You cannot control a person's will or choice - GOD HIMSELF DOES NOT. But there is something that you can do to make the venom of their enmity not work against you to hinder and block your blessings.

1.      Do not return hatred for hatred.

2.      Do not wish them evil.

3.      Do not withhold help and support from them when you can.

4.      Pray for them to change.

5.      Deal with them gently and with a pure heart as King David with his son Absalom - 2 Samuel 18:5

The days that we live in are evil and crooked and this is why I have taken the time and care to share with you some of God's strategies for your breakthrough and victory in the coming years. Avoid evil and ungodly behavior and attitude, evil associations, anger, pride, rebellion, sexual sins, pretension, deceit and drunkenness.

Hear again what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to you.

"...to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut; I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel - Isaiah 45:1-3 [KJV]. As you attend to God's Word with unreserved obedience, all

 these blessings will come upon you and overtake you. Years of God's favor upon you, your family, business, church, and all that concerns you. Years of restoration and increase in all aspects of your life and dealings. Years of spiritual, physical and moral uplifting. Years of deliverance from the oppressions and attacks of the devil and all his demons. Years of fruitfulness - in the womb and the labor of your hands. Years of healing - spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally, in marriage and in relationships. The devourer cannot touch you anymore. You are going to experience years of rising up from all your fallings and failings. Years of re-generation, new openings, new insights and revelations. Great and authentic mantles are to be released from heaven upon you.

I feel a very strong stirring in my spirit as I deliver God's counsel to you today. He has chosen me at this moment in your life to be a blessing to you until His Son Jesus returns to our earth again. YOU ARE A WINNER AND NOT A FAILURE. YOU WILL WITHOUT FAIL POSSESS THE GATES OF YOUR ENEMIES.

THE YEARS AHEAD OF YOU WILL BE YEARS OF GOD'S COMPENSATION AND APPROVAL.

GOD BLESS YOU.

Bishop Peter Morgan.

Founder & President

VISION INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES.

www.visiointlm.com