Sandstreams Safe Haven

John 8:44 – Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.  He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie he speaketh of his own for he is a liar and the father of it.

Jesus was speaking to those who were trying to make everything He said a controversy.  They had already tried to snare Him by bringing Him a woman taken in adultery.   These people argued about Him being the light of the world (v. 12-20), about the ruin of the unbelievers (v. 21-30), about liberty and bondage (v 31-37), and about His Father and their father (v.38-47).  Yet Jesus successfully evaded all of these snares and endured the contradiction of those against Him.  He continues to convince and convert while they continue to contradict and oppose.   He then, in verse 44, called them out for who they were – Children of the devil.

With the kind of description given in John 8:44, it’s easy to recognize them.  They do the devil’s lusts. They are spiritually wicked and their reasoning is corrupt. Pride, envy, wrath and malice, are in their character and they have enmity to that which is good – enticing others to do evil.

When sin is committed of choice and not by surprise, with pleasure and not with reluctance, when it is persisted in with a daring presumption and separate resolution, like theirs that said, we have loved strangers and after them we will go, then the sinner will do the devil’s lusts.  Matthew Henry

Our enemy, the devil, is a powerful, invisible ruler of darkness and an agent of spiritual wickedness.  He is actively working to undo and defeat God’s plan for the world and human history.  Wars, genocide, persecution, famine, hatred, and racial unrest are all symptoms of the spiritual rot consuming us from the inside out.

This is the nature of our struggle in this world and thus we are instructed by Paul in Ephesians 6:11, 13, to put on the whole armor of God, to be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, “that we may be able to withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand.”

To those that believe in Him, He says “If ye continue in my Word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” John 8:31-32

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

Spiritual Warfare

Ephesians 6:13  Take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.

The real world is a facade.  If we reject God’s truth we only succeed at deceiving ourselves.

Life is made of conflicts, struggles and difficult choices. Some may be subtle, others overwhelming.  Everyday attacks come in the form of:

• Strife that disrupts family and relationships

• Bitterness and suspicion

• Anger over slight provocations

• Guilt

• Envy of others’ circumstances or lifestyles

• Anxiety and insecurity

These conflicts force us to put on the armor of God for battle. If we choose to ignore them hoping they’ll resolve themselves and just go away we will find ourselves shaken by spiritual reality. Truth intrudes on our pleasant illusions of life.  We can take a stand against the enemy’s oppression by prayer and spiritual warfare.

Romans 8:38-39  For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities nor powers nor things to come nor height, nor depth nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 13:12  The night is far spent, the day is at hand.  Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light.

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.

I’ve written about Deborah of Judges 4 and 5 in previous studies.

A Very Present Help:
I marvel at her strength and courage during a time when her people had many strong enemies against them. Deborah was a brave and wise woman who loved and worshiped the One True God. She knew and understood the power of God and she allowed Him to use her to lead the way against the 100,000 men and 900 chariots of Sisera.

Judges 4:14 Up! For this is the day in which the Lord has given Sisera into your hand!

Sisera, ready to annihilate Israel’s weak army with few weapons and no chariots, met with the sudden crashing waves of the Kisron River. The army of Sisera was thrown into disarray and panic. The 10,000 men of Israel fell on Sisera, his chariots and all his host with the edge of the sword leaving not one alive but a fleeing Sisera.

It was by the awesome power of God that Israel was saved that day. Deborah, having allowed herself to be a vessel of God, devoted herself to the freedom of her people.

Judges 5:31 So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: But let them that love Him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.

Even I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). This God of love who is supreme over all, provides His power to me daily for the smallest and greatest tasks.

Ephesians 3:20 He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us

Jeremiah 32:17 Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

Ephesians 6:10  Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

We face overwhelming battles daily that threaten us and the ones we love.  We should take these battles seriously, learn how to recognize and expose principalities, powers and rulers of darkness and then wield the authority of Christ against spiritual wickedness.

Some of the attacks come in the form of :

• open hostilities
• temptations
• worries/anxieties
• resentment
• fear
• bitterness
• depression of the spirit

God has given us ways to resist the enemy.  We have the capacity to be equipped with knowledge, discernment, confidence, and power.  This God given spiritual power enables us to break weakness and bondage in our families and make our homes a spiritual safe haven.

3 steps that enable us to be conquerors:

1. Lay hold of the complete protection of Christ – Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13)
2. Pray!  Effective prayer is the result of actively putting on the armor of God.
3. Stand firm in our faith with the certain knowledge that the battle is the Lord’s.

We must have faith in the victory that Jesus accomplished on the cross.  He has overcome the Prince of Darkness.  In the mighty armor of Christ we can become more than conquerors.

The purpose of this new study is to embrace triumph daily  over the relentless forces of evil.

©Debora P. Gilley

❀ღ *´¨`*❀.¸¸. ღ

Mark 4:39-40 And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea Peace, be still. And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. And He said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

A miracle for the relief of his disciples, Jesus calms the storm. For the disciples to say, “carest thou not that we perish” (vs. 38) showed how little faith they had and that they had already forgotten the lesson Jesus had taught them about how He is not willing that any should perish (Matthew 18:14).

This word of command, “Peace, be still,” is given to us as well when we are faithless. When our hearts are like the troubled sea and cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt (Isaiah 57:20). When our storm of outward turmoils and inward fears are raging as a storm, Christ can create peace.

And then the reproof: Why are ye so fearful? O ye of little faith. How is it that ye have no faith?
Do we offend Christ with our lack of faith?

Faith is believing God – not praying about or for something and then stressing over the outcome He allows.
Faith is believing God’s plans are better than ours.
Faith is having the courage to do difficult things.
Faith sees everything in the light of God’s overriding governance for good.

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

Psalm 42.11 Why art thou cast down? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance and my God.

Praise the Lord in all things for we are commanded to praise the Lord. Praising the Lord is vital to our lives. Praise keeps the character of God in our minds and helps us to relate all our issues, good and bad, to that perfect nature. Our focus is on God rather than ourselves.

Deuteronomy 5:29 O that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always that it might be well with them and their children forever.

Praise God for the perfect way in which He guides us and the strength He gives us when we trust in Him. I must find what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. I long to be transformed and separate from the world by renewing my mind so that I can actually find the path God has set for me and walk confidently in that path. (Romans 12:2)

I praise God and receive peace and joy even in difficult circumstances. I praise God for a different perspective of what appears to be a bleak, dark and lonely path. I praise God for green grass beneath my feet even if I’m walking in a dark cloud.

Praising God in the inner prison and locked in stocks set Paul and Silas free (Acts 16:25-26)

Deuteronomy 10:21 He is thy praise and He is thy God that hath done for thee these great and terrible things which thine eyes have seen.

God is *your* praise. He has done great things. Praise of any other being or thing is not satisfying to the soul.
Hurting souls can be transformed with a deeper relationship with God and find peace and safety in every storm of life.

Psalm 107:29 He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves therof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Psalm 107 is an exhortation to praise. It is a cry for deliverance and deliverance given. The entire chapter provides a list of consequences for praising and a list of consequences for continuing in unrighteousness. Read this chapter, concentrating your heart and thoughts on praising God who delivers despite unworthiness.

Psalm 107

O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;

And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.

Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.

And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;

Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:

Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.

Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.

He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.

Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.

They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;

These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.

They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.

They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit’s end.

Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.

He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!

Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.

He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;

A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.

He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.

And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;

And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.

He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.

Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.

He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.

Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.

The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

God is Just

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Because I will publish the name of the Lord, ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock. His work is perfect; all His ways are judgment; a God of truth and without iniquity; Just and right is He.

Sin destroys God’s creation mentally, emotionally and physically. Since God is holy, loves perfectly and desires only good for all people, He cannot be indifferent to the destructive power of sin.

Just as loving parents cannot sit by and allow their child to continue in undisciplined behavior, God stands against sin and because of His goodness and love toward us, He disciplines.

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness.

Perfect love and justice were displayed by Jesus Christ on the cross and His sacrifice of Himself delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10) He took the judgment we were to have.

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise and he shall understand these things? Prudent and he shall know them? for the ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein.

These words were spoken by a man who had been tragically hurt by the ugly unfaithfulness of his wife, Gomer. Hosea was keenly aware of the foul sins of his people, but was sensitive to the voice of God and was led to plead with the unfaithful ones to come back to Him. And God was ready to forgive and save them.

God rejoices when the unfaithful respond. Like the father of the prodigal who had compassion and rejoiced that his son had been lost but was now found. The son paid the consequences for his actions but the father still loved him and took him immediately back into his care.

Hosea 14:4 I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely; for mine anger is turned away from him.

Romans 8:1-2 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

God’s lovingkindness is unending. Be encouraged that because we are justified before God we have:

- peace with God (Romans 5:1)
- are saved from God’s wrath (Romans 5:9)
- are not condemned (Romans 8:1)
- are delivered from the wrath to come

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

Psalm 96:9 O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Holiness is defined as exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness, totally separate from evil. Is that possible for humans? Why pursue that impossibility? Apart from Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross there can be no hope of holiness for us. If we believe in Jesus as our Saviour we are “accepted in the beloved and receive God’s righteousness

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of His grace wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved.

Isaiah realized his personal depravity at the moment he had his revolutionary vision of the holiness of God. He received a special anointing and commission of God to preach boldly and uncompromisingly, a message and warning to his people against their godless living and idol worship. He was to summon the nation to thoroughly repent and reform.

Isaiah 6:5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.

Isaiah saw the holiness of God and his eyes were then opened to the sickness of sin that prevailed in himself and his people. He understood that the holiness of God alone could heal this sickness if only they could grasp it in their hearts.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

It is important to seek a true understanding of God’s holiness.

Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men and holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.

To pursue God’s holiness is to find majestic beauty brilliantly present when evil is absent. The beauty of holiness is inner freedom from bitterness, selfishness and other vices that bring our spirits low.

God is holy and He alone is the source of holiness for us. His Holy Spirit can accomplish holiness in you.

1 Chronicles 16:29 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name: bring an offering, and come before Him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

1 Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

God is faithful. What does it mean to you that God is forever faithful and will never change?
He will never break a promise, never let you down.

In the book of Lamentations, Jeremiah expresses his inconsolable grief over his city’s agony and anguish. He was dwelling on his afflictions which caused him further bitterness and pain. But then, at the point of despair he calls to mind that the Lord’s lovingkindness never ceases. He is then encouraged and filled with hope. “Great is thy faithfulness” he says, when he remembers that it is because of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed and that His compassions fail not. (Lamentations 3:21-24)

It is the same for us today. We have that same faithful God there for us, therefore we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us. (Phil. 4:13) Despite our emotions or, what may seem to us impossible circumstances, God’s faithfulness brings security, peace and confidence. There is no need to be discouraged or fearful.

Here are 4 steps to finding God’s faithfulness to you in any situation:

1) Trust in the name of the Lord and depend on Him. Isaiah 50:10 Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God.

2) Remember His faithfulness and recall the greatness of it. Lamentations 3:21-24 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in Him.

3) Commit the keeping of your soul to a faithful Creator. I Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

4) Apply each of the following verses personally to your life.

• I Corinthians 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
• I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man; but God is faithful who will not suffer you to be tempted above that yea re able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
• 2 Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
• 2 Timothy 2:13 If we abide not, yet He abideth faithful; He cannot deny Himself. (Even if we are unfaithful to Him, He is still faithful to us.)
• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God is faithful! Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need Hebrews 4:16

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
Jeremiah 31:3

It is inevitable that life will change, people around us will change and stability may be hard to find. The glaring insecurity of perpetual change, brings into sharper focus the contrast between the changing world and its changeless Creator.

For I am the LORD, I change not;
Malachi 3:6

Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

Nothing can influence or change God from His nature of absolute goodness. God alone can be trusted. Because of this we can live and move and have our being in Him, the changeless one. (Acts 17:28)

Considering this immutable character of God, there is great security in His other attributes. God will always possess knowledge and wisdom. His power will always be all-powerful. His love will never diminish and His goodness will never end.

God has revealed His unchanging attributes to us so that we can live by faith (Rom. 1:17). We can believe that God’s ways are better than our ways like Noah, who built an ark, having never seen a drop of rain just because God told him to. Or Abraham who left his comfortable home to head out to places unknown because God said there was a better place for him. Moses believed and turned away from his Egyptian security and identified himself with slaves. His courage led his people to freedom.

Trust in God. Believe what He says. Have courage to do what is difficult and walk, securely, in His light.

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley

Daniel 2:20 – Blessed be the name of God forever and ever for wisdom and might are His.

Psalm 18:30 As for God His way is perfect: The word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those who trust in Him.

What brings us to completely trust in the One who knows all things and is all wise? David trusted God to the point of putting his “times” completely in God’s Hands. Psalm 31:15 My Times are in Thy Hands

What will be the effect of such  faith? A holy sense of nearness to God which casts out fear and anxiety for our future. If we truly believe that our times are in His hands we will live life joyfully expectant of great things from our heavenly Father. Our view of difficulties changes from despair to anticipation of how God will pour out His answers to our every need and work all things for our good.

Plant this phrase in your heart My times are in Thy Hands. Keep it in your mind. Let it permeate your being, and you will experience the blessings of that faith by seeing all things that concern you grasped in the Hand of God.

Our times are in Thy hand,
Father, we wish them there;
Our life, our soul, our all, we leave
Entirely to Thy care.

Our times are in Thy hand,
Whatever they may be,
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee.

Our times are in Thy hand;
Why should we doubt or fear?
A Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needless tear.

Our times are in Thy hand;
Jesus once crucified,
Now leads His own with tender care,
Our Shepherd, Guard and Guide.

Our times are in Thy hand;
Christ is our Advocate;
No creature power from love divine
Our souls can separate.

Our times are in Thy hand,
We’d always trust in Thee,
Till we have left this weary land,
And all Thy glory see.

By William F. Lloyd (1791-1853)

© 2011 Debora P. Gilley