Putting Up A Front and Come What May...God Remains

Here's the latest devo I wrote for our women's ministry web site and the one before that...enjoy!

"There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

Laughter can conceal a heavy heart, but when the laughter ends, the grief remains."

Proverbs 14:12-13 (NLT).

Have you ever looked at someone and known that the look on their face was a total front? I have! But beyond the ability to notice the "look" on someone elses countenance is my own reluctant admission of my own personal "front." I have been guilty of being a fake, of taking on an outward expression of happiness and contentment, while on the inside, I'm a complete mess, a defeated, motionless mess.

A close friend gave me some advice not too long ago. I was in the middle of a difficult season of my life and my friends advice to me was, "You really need some godly wisdom." The idea of "wisdom" has not easily left my mind since then. So I did what my friend suggested and began searching the book of Proverbs as part of my desire for godly wisdom. I have noticed that a small portion of Proverbs each day is a good amount to chew on. The two verses for today's devotional are no different. Meditate on these today.

Are there times when you have put up the front of being all put together only to find that on the inside you are the furthest thing from complete? Hear the wisdom of these verses! Your laughter and smiles can only go so far to mask what's really going on. The root of the issue still remains.

And, often those temporary quick fixes only put the issue on hold. Sometimes our way of doing things end up getting us deeper into murky water than doing things God's way after receiving godly council.

Here are some thoughts to ponder as you meditate on these verses this week:

How can I practice being genuine and real, open, honest and transparent in all I say and do this week?

Are my solutions to issues this week temporary fixes? How am I really working on the heart of the matter?

Is my speech shallow or am I actually speaking words that profit?

Read Proverbs 14 in it's entirety and gain some godly wisdom! Be prepared for how the chapter begins!


"God reigns above the nations, sitting on his holy throne."

Psalm 47:8 (NLT)

"Applause, everyone. Bravo, bravissimo! Shout God-songs at the top of your lungs! God Most High is stunning, astride land and ocean. He crushes hostile people, puts nations at our feet. He set us at the head of the line, prize-winning Jacob, his favorite. Loud cheers as God climbs the mountain, a ram's horn blast at the summit. Sing songs to God, sing out! Sing to our King, sing praise! He's Lord over earth, so sing your best songs to God. God is Lord of godless nations--sovereign, he's King of the mountain. Princes from all over aare gathered, people of Abraham's God. The powers of earth are God's--he soars over all."

Psalm 47 (The Message)



Dear Sisters,

How marvelous it is to know that in the midst of sloppy politics, sudden unemployment and wavering values we serve the God who REIGNS! Let us take comfort in the fact that our God knows us intimately well. He knows our frailty, our depression and our hurt. He knows our joys and exciting news.

I was amazed to see over 400 from our church body show up last night to pray and seek the heart of God, especially as it concerns the coming election. Prayer is powerful and even though Jesus is neither Democrat or Republican or a Green Party member, He knows the outcome of our nations future right now.

A few weeks ago, while attending the National Youth Workers Convention, a speaker said that these next fews months are going to be a real test of a believers trust in God. He mentioned that in order to place our full trust in God, we're going to learn how to fully surrender over to Him those things that have held us captive. Now is the time to return to the basics of our faith, the essentials of what it means to be chosen of God and set apart for His purposes. Now is the time to rise up and intercede on behalf of our our families, friends and communities. Now is the time to repent and come back to the Lord. In order for true revival to come to our land, we must first see a repentant people, humbly on their faces before their Creator. Now is the time, sisters!

So remember that even when all else fails, our God remains. How are you placing your trust in Him today to meet your needs? In those hectic moments transporting your kids to and from their sports practices and games, getting dinner on the table or physical limitations remember that our God reigns and He remains. Amen!