Moving Forward After Deception

"And your father hath deceived me, and changed my wages ten times; but God suffered him not to hurt me." — Genesis 31:7

Jacob did not minimize what happened. He acknowledged the painful reality of deception. It was not a single misunderstanding or isolated disappointment. His wages were changed ten times—a repeated pattern of broken trust, uncertainty, and injustice.

Deception carries weight. It can consume years, alter plans, strain relationships, and leave deep emotional and spiritual wounds. It often raises difficult questions:

How did I not see it?
Could I have done something differently?

Scripture does not pretend these experiences are light or insignificant.

Yet Jacob's testimony does not end with "ten times." It ends with "but God."

"...but God suffered him not to hurt me."

This is the heart of someone who has been previously deceived yet continues to praise the Lord. Such a person does not become defined by the untoward experience, nor remain imprisoned by bitterness or regret. Instead, he recognizes that God's sovereign hand was present even during the season of deception.

The scars may remain, and the lessons may be costly, but God's preserving grace proves greater than the deception itself. What others intended for harm did not ultimately prevent God's purpose from being fulfilled.

Rather than endlessly reliving the interruption, he moves forward to what the Lord had already prepared before that intermission. The enemy may delay, distract, or deceive, but he cannot overturn God's purposes for those who trust in Him.

This does not mean ignoring the lessons of the past. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to test every spirit, examine every teaching, and grow in discernment. But biblical discernment is meant to lead us closer to Christ, not into lifelong suspicion, fear, or despair.

A grateful heart says:

"I was deceived, but the Lord did not abandon me."

A humble heart says:

"I have learned to depend more fully on God's Word."

A hopeful heart says:

"The Lord's purposes for my life are still before me."

Our testimony, then, is not merely that deception existed, but that the Lord Jesus Christ remained faithful through it all. He preserves His people, matures them through trials, and leads them onward in His perfect time.

Like Jacob, we can honestly acknowledge the pain of being deceived—even ten times—while joyfully declaring:

"But God suffered him not to hurt me."

The final word belongs not to deception, but to the faithfulness of God.

Nehemiah 4:9, 15-16 NIV But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. When our enemies heard that we were aware of their plot and that God had frustrated it, we all returned to the wall, each to our own work. From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah

Good morning and praise God. I am more than happy and Holy Spirit filled as I write this devotion. I am so happy to know my redeemer lives. Hallelujah. Thank you for taking your time to be encouraged by this word as it has encouraged me.

Nehemiah choose to do God's work of rebuilding the walls. He prayed for it and wa greatly favored to be authorized in this world by the leaders who had to give him letter.

The enemy was not happy about this. The enemy always want God's peiple remain in ruin and shame. To Nehemiah, they came as Tobias , Sanballat and Geshem. They began with pretext that they wanted to help him but Nehemiah had already prayed and so would see the enemy from a distance. When the mental didn't work, they decided to become physical and fight. Nehemiah and the men working with him also armed themselves but never stopped rebuilding until all the work was done.

Oh great friend of Jesus, your enemy is watching to stope you from doing God's work. He is trying all ways to stop and maybe have won in some areas of your life and the rebuilding has stopped or is delayed in your life. From this Nehemiah story we are learning how to keep building. It is by taking the full armor of God. The helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, sword of Spirit, shield of faith, belt of Truth and shoes of the Gospel of peace.

Dear friend, it is time to focus ahead to what God created you to build and rebuild. The enemy is not above the one who knew he was coming. Our Father knows all about him and is ready to shield and save us from his tricks that wastes our precious time. Sicknesses, stress, strain, fears, hopelessness, pain, dishonor and many more are not what God promised you! You only need that you're more than a conqueror in Jesus name! Youre child of Most High God. Take up your armor and defeat the enemy. Pray, and again I say pray. Talk to God who created you. With Him all things are possible.

God loves you, have a blessed day. Shalom . Shalom.

Are you actually connected to God?

Your fruit will tell you.

Jesus said it plainly: "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5

Here's what I keep coming back to: a branch doesn't strain to produce grapes. It doesn't wake up at 5am to try harder. It just stays attached.

So when love feels forced... when peace won't come... when patience runs out by 9am - the question usually isn't "how do I get more of this?"

It's "have I drifted?" #christ

Holy Wit – Reflections

# 8 — Love in Deed and Truth
Walking in the Light: Studies Through 1 John

Scripture Reference: 1 John 3:11–24
There was a man in the church whom everyone knew was struggling.

He had not announced it from the front. There had been no formal appeal, no notice pinned to a board, and no carefully arranged collection. People simply knew.

His work had become irregular. His wife had been unwell for several months. There were children in the home, school expenses had not stopped, and the cupboards were beginning to show the strain.

On Sunday mornings, people greeted him warmly.

“Brother, we are praying for you.”


“God will provide.”
“Keep trusting the Lord.”

All of these things were true. God does provide. Prayer matters. Trust in the Lord is never misplaced. Still, when the service ended, most people went home.

One man did not.

He had noticed that the struggling brother’s shoes were coming apart. He had noticed the children no longer brought anything to the church meal. He had noticed the way the man’s wife declined invitations, not because she did not want fellowship, but because travelling cost money they did not have.

So he went home, spoke with his own family, and returned later that afternoon. He brought rice, cooking oil, vegetables, soap, medicine, and enough money to cover several urgent expenses. He did not make a speech. He did not take a photograph. He did not describe his generosity to others.

He simply placed the bags inside the house and said, “The Lord has given us enough to share.”

The struggling man began to cry. It was not only the food. It was the fact that somebody had seen him.

There is a kind of love that speaks well and does nothing. It knows the correct words. It offers blessings, promises prayer, and expresses concern. It may even feel sincere sympathy. Yet it never moves beyond the lips.

John refuses to call that sufficient.
“My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.”

John does not despise words. Words can encourage, comfort, instruct, and strengthen. The gospel itself must be proclaimed in words. A silent church is not necessarily a loving church.

But words that never become action are easily exposed as empty.

John places Cain and Christ before us as two completely different pictures of the heart.

Cain saw his righteous brother and killed him. Christ saw guilty sinners and gave Himself for them.

Cain removed another person because that person’s righteousness troubled him. Christ laid down His own life for those who had rebelled against Him.

Cain took life. Christ gave His life.

That contrast gives us John’s definition of love.

Love is not merely liking someone. It is not affection detached from duty. It is not politeness, friendliness, or warm feeling by itself. Love gives. Love bears cost. Love moves towards need rather than away from it.

The cross is the supreme revelation of this kind of love. Christ did not love His people by offering encouraging words from heaven. He came into our condition. He bore our sin. He endured judgment. He laid down His life.

We cannot repeat His saving work. His sacrifice was once for all. Yet those who have received that love are commanded to reflect its shape.

That is why John immediately turns from Christ laying down His life to the ordinary matter of a brother in need. The move is deliberate.

We may speak grandly about being willing to die for another believer while refusing to be inconvenienced by him. We may imagine great acts of courage while ignoring small acts of mercy. We may say, “I would lay down my life for the brethren,” while protecting every hour, every possession, every comfort, and every personal preference.

John brings us back to the cupboard, the wallet, the spare room, the telephone call, the hospital visit, the meal, the journey, the forgiveness, the patient conversation.

That is where love is usually tested. Not in imagined moments of heroism, but in ordinary opportunities to give ourselves away.

This does not mean that every need must be met by one person. No believer has unlimited resources. Wisdom is necessary. Some requests are unwise. Some forms of assistance may encourage irresponsibility rather than relieve genuine need.

Love must be “in deed and in truth”.

Truth matters.

Biblical love does not help someone continue in sin. It does not confuse compassion with approval. It does not call what is harmful good.

Sometimes love gives. Sometimes love warns. Sometimes love provides money. Sometimes love provides counsel instead. Sometimes love comforts the suffering. Sometimes love confronts the wandering.

But love never settles for indifference.

John’s question is not whether we possess enough to solve every problem. His question is what happens in our hearts when we see a real need and have some ability to respond.

Do we open our hearts, or close them?

That question can trouble a sincere Christian. We remember occasions when we did nothing. We see the limits of our love. We recognize selfishness, impatience, resentment, and failure. Then the heart begins to condemn us.

John understands this.

He does not tell us to pretend we have loved perfectly. He directs us to God, who is greater than our heart and knows all things.

God knows our sins more fully than we do. Yet He also knows the difference between a hypocrite who is content without love and a believer who grieves over lovelessness and desires to change.

Our assurance does not rest on having performed enough acts of kindness to earn God’s acceptance. It rests first upon Christ.

The same Christ who commands love is the Christ who laid down His life for sinners.

Still, the presence of practical love gives evidence that His grace is at work within us. Not perfect love, but real love. Not constant victory, but a new direction.

John then joins faith, obedience, love, and prayer together.

We believe in the name of Jesus Christ. We love one another. We keep His commandments. We abide in Him, and He in us by the Holy Spirit.

These are not separate compartments of the Christian life. They belong together.

A heart being shaped by Christ begins to desire what pleases Christ. A believer walking in obedience approaches God with greater confidence, not because obedience has purchased an answer, but because the believer’s desires are being brought into agreement with God’s will.

And so the question remains close to home.

Who has God placed before us? Whose need have we noticed? What do we possess that could be shared?

Perhaps the first act of love will not look impressive. It may be a bag of rice. A paid bill. A ride to a clinic. A meal carried across the road. An hour spent listening. A quiet gift no one else ever hears about.

But heaven does not measure love by how impressive it appears.

Love is measured by the pattern of Christ.

He did not merely tell us that He loved us.

He showed us.

And now He calls His people to do the same.

#HolyWitReflections #GordonMcGinnis #WalkingInTheLight #1John3

Daily Devotional
Take a day in the country.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:2, 3

Let several families living in a city or village unite and leave the occupations which have taxed them physically and mentally, and make an excursion into the country to the side of a fine lake or to a nice grove where the scenery of nature is beautiful. They should provide themselves with plain, hygienic food, the very best fruits and grains, and spread their table under the shade of some tree or under the canopy of heaven. The ride, the exercise, and the scenery will quicken the appetite, and they can enjoy a repast which kings might envy.

On such occasions parents and children should feel free from care, labor, and perplexity. Parents should become children with their children, making everything as pleasant for them as possible. Let the whole day be given to recreation. Exercise in the open air for those whose employment has been withindoors and sedentary will be beneficial to health. All who can, should feel it a duty to pursue this course. Nothing will be lost, but much gained. They can return to their occupations with new life and new courage to engage in their labor with zeal, and they are better prepared to resist disease....

But few realize the constant, wearing labor of those who are bearing the responsibilities of the work in the office. They are confined withindoors day after day and week after week, while a constant strain upon the mental powers is surely undermining their constitutions and lessening their hold on life....

They should have a change frequently, should often devote a day wholly to recreation with their families, who are almost entirely deprived of their society. [207]

My Daily Walk With Jesus
A Blessing of Peace Over Your Home

May the peace of Jesus fill your home today — every room, every corner, every conversation. May His presence settle over your household like a calm covering, softening tension, easing stress, and bringing unity where there has been strain. May He bless the atmosphere of your home with gentleness, kindness, and rest. And may you feel His peace the moment you walk through the door, reminding you that your home is a place where His presence dwells.

Psalm 29:11 — “The Lord blesses His people with peace.”

“STAND STRONG IN THE LORD”
Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”
INTRODUCTION
Beloved, there comes a time in every believer’s life when the winds blow harder than expected, when the weight gets heavier than anticipated, when the enemy presses closer than imagined. And in those moments, God does not tell us to be strong in ourselves. He does not tell us to be strong in our emotions, our intellect, our personality, or our experience.
He says, “Be strong in the LORD.”
Strength is not a feeling — strength is a position. Strength is not emotional — strength is spiritual. Strength is not human — strength is divine.
Paul writes these words from a prison cell. He is chained, confined, limited — yet speaking with authority about strength. He teaches us that the believer’s strength is not found in circumstance but in connection.
Today, I want to preach to you: Stand Strong in the Lord.
I. THE COMMAND TO STAND
Ephesians 6:10–14
Paul repeats one word over and over: STAND. Stand in the Biblical Greek is Histemi (HEES-TAY-ME) which means to deliberately stand firm on your Ground.
“Stand against the wiles of the devil.”
“Withstand in the evil day.”
“Having done all, to stand.”
“Stand therefore.”
Standing is not passive. Standing is a warfare posture. Standing means:
I refuse to retreat.
I refuse to surrender.
I refuse to bow to fear.
I refuse to collapse under pressure.
I refuse to let the enemy define my future.
Standing is spiritual resistance.
Illustration — The Roman Soldier
Paul’s imagery comes from the Roman soldier. Before battle, the soldier would dig his feet into the soil to create an immovable stance. He wasn’t preparing to run — he was preparing to resist.
Paul is saying: Dig your feet into God. Plant your confidence in Christ. Anchor your soul in Scripture.
The enemy’s first goal is not to defeat you — it’s to move you. If he can move your faith, he can move your future.
II. STAND STRONG IN THE LORD — NOT IN YOURSELF
Ephesians 6:10 does not say:
Be strong in your emotions.
Be strong in your discipline.
Be strong in your personality.
Be strong in your experience.
It says: “Be strong in the LORD, and in the power of HIS might.”
Your strength is limited. His strength is limitless.
Your strength gets tired. His strength never sleeps.
Your strength runs out. His strength overflows.
Biblical Examples
David faced Goliath not with human strength but with God’s strength (1 Samuel 17:45).
Jehoshaphat was told, “The battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Isaiah declared, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
Paul said, “When I am weak, then am I strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
Illustration — The Power Line
A power line looks strong, but it is useless unless connected to the source. The moment it disconnects, it becomes dead wire.
Many Christians look strong — but strength is not appearance; strength is connection.
Your strength comes from your source. Your source is the Lord.
III. STAND STRONG AGAINST THE ENEMY
Ephesians 6:11
Paul says: “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The devil does not fight fair. He uses wiles — schemes, strategies, traps, manipulations.
The Enemy’s Strategies
Discouragement — to weaken your confidence.
Distraction — to weaken your focus.
Deception — to weaken your truth.
Division — to weaken your unity.
Temptation — to weaken your purity.
Fear — to weaken your courage.
Biblical Example — Nehemiah
Nehemiah faced:
Mockery (Nehemiah 4:1–3)
Threats (4:7–8)
Discouragement (4:10)
Fear (6:9)
False prophets (6:10–13)
Yet Nehemiah said: “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”
Standing strong means refusing to come down from what God called you to build.
IV. STAND STRONG IN THE EVIL DAY
Ephesians 6:13
Paul says there is an evil day — a day of intense pressure, spiritual attack, emotional strain, and overwhelming circumstances.
The evil day is when:
Prayers feel unanswered.
Strength feels depleted.
Temptation feels stronger.
People disappoint you.
Circumstances overwhelm you.
The enemy whispers louder.
Biblical Example — Job
Job’s evil day came suddenly:
Lost his wealth.
Lost his children.
Lost his health.
Lost his support.
Lost his comfort.
Yet Job declared: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” (Job 13:15)
Standing strong is not denying pain —ians it is declaring trust.
Illustration — The Palm Tree
Palm trees bend in storms but do not break. Their roots grow deeper under pressure.
The more the storm blows, the deeper the palm tree digs.
God designed you the same way. Storms don’t destroy you — they deepen you.
V. STAND STRONG WITH THE ARMOR OF GOD
Ephesians 6:14–18
Paul lists six pieces of armor:
1. Belt of Truth
Truth holds everything together.
2. Breastplate of Righteousness
Righteousness protects your heart from guilt and condemnation.
3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace
Peace stabilizes your steps.
4. Shield of Faith
Faith extinguishes the enemy’s fiery darts — lies, accusations, fears.
5. Helmet of Salvation
Salvation protects your mind from doubt and confusion.
6. Sword of the Spirit — The Word of God
The Word is your weapon. Jesus defeated Satan with Scripture (Matthew 4).
Illustration — The Firefighter
A firefighter does not enter flames without gear. The gear is not optional — it is survival.
Likewise, the armor of God is not optional. It is spiritual survival.
VI. STAND STRONG THROUGH PRAYER
Ephesians 6:18
Paul ends with prayer because prayer is the power behind the armor.
Prayer:
Strengthens your spirit.
Sharpens your discernment.
Anchors your faith.
Connects you to God’s strength.
Aligns you with God’s will.
Arms you against the enemy.
Biblical Example — Daniel
Daniel stood strong through prayer:
Prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10).
Faced lions without fear.
Faced kings without compromise.
Faced enemies without retreat.
Prayer is not preparation for battle — prayer is the battle.
VII. STAND STRONG BECAUSE GOD IS WITH YOU
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee… I will strengthen thee… I will uphold thee.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and of good courage… for the Lord thy God goes with thee.”
Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?”
Matthew 28:20
“I am with you always.”
Illustration — The Child and the Father
A child walking through a dark room becomes fearless when holding the father’s hand.
The room didn’t change. The child didn’t change. The presence changed.
You can stand strong because God is with you.
VIII. STAND STRONG BECAUSE THE VICTORY IS ALREADY WON
You are not fighting for victory — you are fighting from victory.
Colossians 2:15
Jesus “spoiled principalities and powers.”
1 Corinthians 15:57
“Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory.”
Romans 8:37
“We are more than conquerors.”
Revelation 12:11
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb.”
Standing strong is not about winning — it’s about walking in the victory Christ already secured.
CONCLUSION
Stand strong when life gets heavy. Stand strong when the enemy attacks. Stand strong when fear whispers. Stand strong when storms rise. Stand strong when your strength feels small.
Because:
God is your strength.
God is your refuge.
God is your fortress.
God is your shield.
God is your victory.
Stand strong in the Lord. Stand strong in His power. Stand strong in His Word. Stand strong in His presence. Stand strong in His victory.

Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs.
- Psalms 150:4

———————•♪•

Within the context of Psalm 150:4,
The violin is more than a musical tool. It is a theological metaphor: it teaches discipline, dependence, and surrender. When offered to God, the violin becomes a conduit through which technical mastery is consecrated into worship.

Therefore, the challenges encountered in playing — tuning instability, physical strain, and the pursuit of tonal purity — are not hindrances to worship, but integral components of it.

Daily Devotional.
Hospitality.

Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:9, 10

When the spirit of hospitality dies, the heart becomes palsied with selfishness.

“A lover of hospitality” is among the specifications given by the Holy Spirit as marking one who is to bear responsibility in the church. And to the whole church is given the injunction: “Use hospitality one to another without grudging....” 1 Peter 4:9, 10.

These admonitions have been strangely neglected. Even among those who profess to be Christians, true hospitality is little exercised. Among our own people the opportunity of showing hospitality is not regarded as it should be, as a privilege and blessing. There is altogether too little sociability, too little of a disposition to make room for two or three more at the family board, without embarrassment or parade. Some plead that “it is too much trouble.” It would not be if you would say: “We have made no special preparation, but you are welcome to what we have.” By the unexpected guest a welcome is appreciated far more than is the most elaborate preparation....

Christ keeps an account of every expense incurred in entertaining for His sake. He supplies all that is necessary for this work. Those who for Christ’s sake entertain their brethren, doing their best to make the visit profitable both to their guests and to themselves, are recorded in heaven as worthy of special blessings.

As you open your door to Christ’s needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen angels. You invite the companionship of heavenly beings. They bring a sacred atmosphere of joy and peace. They come with praises upon their lips, and an answering strain is heard in heaven. Every deed of mercy makes music there. [195]

Ellen G. White
Long sermons fail to do good, for both the speaker and the hearer become weary.
RH September 2, 1890, par. 4

Avoid lengthy sermons.

The people cannot retain one half of the discourses which they hear.

Give short talks and more Bible readings.

12LtMs, Lt 102a, 1897, par. 2

Sermons Shorter by Half—Ministers give too much time to preaching, and exhaust their vital forces....It is the many long discourses that weary. One half of the gospel food presented would tell to much better advantage.—Evangelism, 658

Never weary the hearers by long discourses. This is not wise. Ev 178.1

A mistake has been made by many in their religious exercises in long praying and long preaching, upon a high key, with a forced voice, in an unnatural strain and an unnatural tone. 2T 617.3

And when you pray, ask the Lord for the very things you need. Do not tell Him a long story, as if informing Him of something; do not preach Him a sermon; but ask earnestly for the Bread of life, and for wisdom. 12LtMs, Ms 22, 1897, par. 28

When the vitality is needlessly expended in long sermons, weariness is the result. 19MR 126.2

P.S. this is not directed towards any Pastor I know personally. (At this time)