The devotionals that I share are about different parts of my life, some of them reflect the pain of my past, others show the struggles that I go through currently, and still more are about teaching moments through the scriptures. I try to be as real as possible with the hope to let everyone who reads them know that it is Jesus who brings me through every trial and tribulation that I go through. Last night I had a friend tell me to stop putting it out that I have problems because others don’t know what to do about it. My response was, maybe they should reach out to me instead of talking to others about it. I believe that I am led by the Holy Spirit to write what I do with my primary goal to give God the glory. The more I read the Word, the more I realize how far the church of America is at a distance from the truth of scripture. I look at certain verses and am convinced that prosperity has replaced the true Gospel message. I am thankful how closely I relate to what is written in *Romans 5:3 Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. 4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. 5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.* Facade has 2 definitions. It is the face of a building and it is an outward appearance that is maintained to conceal a less pleasant or credible reality. There have been many days recently when it feels like the enemy won’t leave me alone. I feel as if there is an unshakeable presence over me that causes me to lose sleep at night and peace during the day. I can’t escape the heartache of what I want but am not able to receive,” joy.” I trust in the Lord Jesus to protect me and yet there are times when I feel the darkness, I feel like I am in a pit that there is no way out of. When I pray, it seems as though my prayers are bouncing off the ceiling and when I trust Him for healing there is nothing but silence. I am no stranger to heartbreak. The one thing that brings me comfort is that the Lord Jesus is no stranger to heartbreak either. From the garden to the cross I can see that His love for me is inescapable and because of Him I persevere. I refuse to put on a facade to help other people feel better. I believe that others relate to what I write because I am transparent, when I smile it is genuine, I care openly, and I Love honestly. I share the real me, the one that knows that whatever I go through it will be good because it comes from the hand of God. Please pray for me as I pray for all who relate to what I share. Jesus Loves you and I Love you too my Beloved. pastord.blog