TOPIC: LESSONS FROM THE SAND DUNES: SHIFT YOUR FOCUS

BASIC SCRIPTURES: PSALM 90: 1-12; COLOSSIANS 3:1-2

Many years ago in the subject of Geography, we studied many things about nature and the world at large. In one of our Geography lessons, we were taught about sand dunes. A dune is a hill of sand that is built by either wind or water flow. The sand that results in the formation of sand dunes is eroded from rocks by physical and chemical processes such as wind and water. The erosion leads to accumulation of sand. Strong winds pick up the sand and transport it to another location. Dunes are formed this way from millions of finely divided sand particles that are blown by wind and are deposited against some obstacle such as a piece of wood that has drifted, bush or rock. Sand dunes are said to be one of the most amazing and scintillating landforms on earth. Traditionally, sand dunes are formed in the deserts. However, they are not exclusive to deserts only but can form in any landscape on the surface of the earth provided the conditions are right, hence they have been found in eroded and abandoned farmlands in semi-arid regions of Northwest India and parts of Southwestern United States.

As beautiful and interesting as sand dunes are, there is something that characterizes them: they are very short-lived! They last for a markedly brief time! The ephemeral (BRIEF) nature of sand dunes fits into the description of the life we live on this planet earth. The scriptures tell us categorically that man’s life is also very brief! we are here but for a short period. Today’s scripture puts it this way, The days of our years are threescore years and ten and if by reason of strength they be four score years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow for it is soon cut off, and we fly away (Psalm 90:10) Wow! Stop living as if you will not die! All of us owe the debt of death which we must pay one day, willingly or otherwise.

Job of old said it this way, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Every position in life is temporary, nobody retains the position of the leadership of a nation, state, organization forever. We have seen people who have held on to power for years, especially in Africa and yet they die to be forgotten. Sometimes it looked as if those positions were their birthright and would last forever! In addition, whatever you own is also for a period of time; hence the Word of God says and asks rhetorically in one verse, For riches are not for ever and doth the Crown endure to every generation?” (Proverbs 27:24). King Solomon the wise man, understood the temporal nature of life hence he referred to life’s activities as vanity of vanities” in his writings in the book of Ecclesiastes.

When you have an understanding of life’s “VANIIY” nature, you will learn to shift focus! Colossians 3:2 admonishes us thus, “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” The word, “SET means SHIFT. That scripture is saying, SHIFT YOUR FOCUS TO THlNGS ABOVE! In all you do this year, always ask, HOW DOES THIS ACTON OF MINE AFFECT MY ETERNITY? IS IT REALLY WORTH IT?” Yes! ETERNITY IS ALL THAT MATTERS AT LAST! Life, like the sand dunes, is short and temporary! Become more heavenly conscious! You and I are here for only short time. Drop anything that acts as a distraction to your heavenly vision. Shift your focus now.

PRAYER POINTS: Take Song 3: Blessed assurance…

1. Pray on today’s word as led now.
2. Oh Lord, help me to be more heavenly conscious.
3. Holy Spirit of God, purge me trom every filthiness of the flesh!

Our Daily Manna

TOPIC: THE UNIVERSITY OF SILENCE!

BASIC SCRIPTURE: GENESIS 12:1-7

If you are great and your star is great, people will hate you, people Will lenvy you. In this my little life, I see practical envy ON A REGULAR BASIS. I have been lied against many times! I have been scandalized for reasons manufactured by the gates of hell. Sometimes, LIFE CAN BE LONELY AS YOU ARE ELEVATED BY YOUR GOD! Indeed, the HIGHER you go, the cooler it becomes in terms of THOSE WHO LOVE YOU but the HOTTER it becomes in terms of those who hate you! Envy is in every bus-stop of progress! Pray for your children because as you pray for their progress, they will accumulate enemies too. ENVY is in your compound, your neighbourhood, your school, office, etc. But I prophesy to a user of today’s devotional: Each time they envy you this year, your grace will multiply in Jesus name!

Oh! That is my secret! My grace multiplies through envy and SATANIC FALSE ACCUSATIONS! I CANNOT EXPLAIN IT! Genesis 39:2 says: “And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH! That is the secret! Wow! It doesn’t mater who is against you: They that are for you are more than those that are against you. Even if the whole world is against you, it makes no difference, but if the LORD is for you, you will be what He created you to be. Yes! Yes! Yes! Before God prospers/elevates any man, He will pass him/her through the “UNIVERSITY OF SILENCE Or what I call the “SILENCE BUS-STOP.” Silence is a period when you are lonely and your best friends or family members are far from you! It is a period when those you trust betray you. It is a period when you look to your left and to your right and help seems far- you have been injured and wounded! when God in Genesis Chapter 12 told Abraham to leave his father’s house and kindred to an unknown destination, He was passing him through the SILENCE UNIVERSITY!

Moses was in the UNIVERSITY OF SILENCE in the wilderness where he knew nobody for forty years. Isaiah 30:15 says: “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” So, God will take you to a point where you become alone in that silent school of life. It is during that season at the UNIVERSITY OF SILENCE that your God PERFECTS His agenda for your destiny; He works out His delicate plans for you when everyone is gone and ALL YOUR EYES ARE ON HIM ALONE! Catch this: God could only work in the silent season of ADAM. Adam had to sleep for EVE to come forth! Oh! The UNIVERSITY OF SILENCE! Ah! I see 34, 122 ODM users passing through this university right now! The LORD says I should let you know that THE FINISHED “PRODUCT” WILL BE WHAT EARS HAVE NOT HEARD nor EYES HAVE SEEN! He says to you: “Wait on Me! Wait on Me! Wait for Me! I am at WORK in you!”

The Lord God shall elevate you from the land of SILENCE to the land of the SOUND of abundance of ELEVATION! The LORD is speaking again: “You have been sidelined and hidden for years, but your hour has come; I will ELEVATE YOU and cause you to be recognized, remembered and favoured! Halleluiah! Begin to give Him praise now for what He is set to do in you this year! Amen and amen! Pray now!

PRAYER POINTS: Take Song 2: My faith looks up…

1. In your own words, pray about today now as you are led.
2. Lord, I shall not be a failure in my SILENCE Season.
3. I reuse to quit from the UNIVERSITY of SILENCE in Jesus name.
4. Lord, perfect ALL that concerns my ELEVATION, character and destiny in Jesus name (Pray it well).