Saturday, January 31, 2015

HE STRENGTHENS US

“Hast thou not known?  hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?  there is no searching of his understanding.  He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:  But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:28-31 KJV

I am so glad that God strengthens us because I feel like going to bed and staying there.  I have had this flu or whatever it is that I have for over a week and my body is weak and tired.  However, every time I think about going to bed and staying there until I feel better, I remember what Jesus did for me on the cross.

Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition.  He had been spat on, cursed, mocked and ridiculed for us yet He still walked that long lonely road to Calvary to be crucified for our sins.  There is no greater love than the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us.  They love us unconditionally.

When we feel like giving up, we need to remember the cross.  Jesus didn’t give up.  He fulfilled the mission His Father had given Him.  May God help us to fulfill the mission that God entrusts to each of us.  We may not be called to be a foreign missionary but all of us are called to spread the love of Jesus.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for Jesus.  Thank You, Jesus, for loving us so much You stayed on the cross when You could have come down.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 31, 2015

Friday, January 30, 2015

ONE JOYOUS DAY

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 KJV

One day, one joyous and happy day, Jesus Himself is coming to take us home with Him to Heaven and we will be with Jesus for eternity!  Albert E. Brumley wrote one of the greatest hymns I have ever heard “I’ll Fly Away”.  We are going to fly away with Jesus to Heaven.  Are you shouting with joy yet?

You probably have heard people shouting for their favorite sports team and perhaps you have shouted yourself cheering them on to victory but their shouts didn’t equal the shout of Jesus when He comes back for us.  His shout is going to be a shout of happiness and victory!  He will take His bride home.

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only” (Matthew 24:36).  “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come” (Matthew 24:42).  “Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).

You may have invited Jesus into your heart and are saved but is your heart right with God?  If not, ask God to forgive you so you will be ready to meet Jesus.  We read in the Bible.  “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Joanne Lowe
January 30, 2015

Thursday, January 29, 2015

MERCY AND GRACE

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  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 4:14-16 KJV

What a comfort it is to our weary and battle scarred heart to be able to come boldly unto the throne of grace, because of Jesus, our precious Saviour.  He has already paid the price for our sins.  What compassion, mercy and grace flowed from the heart of Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins.

Thank God for our Redeemer Who loves us so much that He died for us.  “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:6,7).

It doesn’t matter what is wrong with us.  We can be in pain physically, emotionally, financially or even have family problems yet He is with us to help us in our time of need.  What a privilege is ours to be a part of the family of God and to be adopted by God Himself.  Are you a part of the family of God?

Joanne Lowe
January 29, 2015

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

DO YOU KNOW HIM

“Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.”
Psalm 144:15 KJV

Pastor Ira F. Stanphill wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn.  It is one of my favorite hymns “Happiness is The Lord”.  I love the words in this hymn.  “Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior, Happiness is the Lord.” 

When we are in the presence of Jesus we have fulness of joy and happiness is ours when we know Jesus.  We can be saved and not know Him.  To know people, we have to spend time with them.  Some of us don’t even know our parents and children because we don’t take the time that’s necessary to know them.

How much time do we spend with Jesus?  If we are too busy to talk to Him during the day, we are too busy and we need to rearrange our schedule.  If we have time to watch television, we have time to fellowship with Jesus.  I think we break His heart many times because we’re too busy to spend time with Him.

Are we living a life within His favor?  Is there a change in our behavior since we’ve been saved?  Does our family and friends see the difference Jesus has made in our heart and life since we invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour?  May God help us to live a life within His favor.

Joanne Lowe
January 28, 2015

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

OUR STRENGTH

“I WILL love thee, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.”
Psalm 18:1-3 KJV

I have been in bed most of the time for the last three days.  I’m not sure if I have the flu or just a bad cold but it has left me very weak.  However, God is faithful and He has helped me write a devotion every day.  When we need strength, God is with us to help us and deliver us.

Mylon Le Fevre wrote a beautiful hymn “WITHOUT HIM”.  It is so true that we can’t do anything without Jesus.  I am so glad that God loves us so much that He gave His beloved Son not only to die on the cross for our sins but also to be our best Friend.  Jesus is a Friend Who never leaves us, not even for a minute.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Your Son and for trusting me to serve Him.  Jesus, thank You for being my best Friend and for never leaving me.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 27, 2015

Monday, January 26, 2015

ALMOST

“King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest.  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
Acts 26:27,28 KJV

Every time I read this, it breaks my heart and I believe it broke Paul’s heart when King Agrippa said “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian”.  It is so important for Christians to act and talk like Christians.  If people don’t see the difference Jesus has made in our heart, they aren’t going to want Jesus in their heart.

“Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).  May God help us to be an example of the believers in everything we say and everything we do.  People are watching Christians to see if there is a difference in them.

Are you almost persuaded to be a Christian?  If you haven’t invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour, I urge you, I plead with you to say yes to Jesus before it is too late.  Your family and friends can’t do it for you as much as they want to.  Salvation is personal between you and Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who hasn’t said yes to Jesus and invited Him into their heart.  May today be the day they humble themselves and give their heart and life to Him.  Please help us to set the example that we as believers should set.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 26, 2015



Sunday, January 25, 2015

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH

“He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.  The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.  Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.”
Psalm 147:10-12 KJV

There are some people who never miss a day of working out at the gym but only open their Bible when they go to church.  It’s wonderful that we take care of our bodies and we should take care of our bodies.  However, God wants us to have spiritual strength.  He takes pleasure in those that fear him.

It is very important that we understand that God does not want us to be afraid of Him.  One of the definitions for fear in the King James Bible Dictionary is “Reverance; respect; due regard.”  Instead of being afraid of God we should respect Him and give Him the honor that He so richly deserves.

Many years ago in Sunday school, my teacher read this verse to us “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  When she read that, I thought it meant that I shouldn’t want Jesus in my heart.   If you are a Sunday school teacher, be sure your students understand the verses you are reading to them. 

It’s okay to go to the gym and exercise physically but spiritual exercise should come first.  We read in the Bible.  “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).  Does God approve of our spiritual exercise?

If God were to grade us today on our spiritual exercise would He give us an A or would we receive a failing grade?  Let’s put God first in everything we say and in everything that we do. 

Joanne Lowe
January 25, 2015

Saturday, January 24, 2015

JESUS IS STILL ALIVE

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said, Come, see the place where the Lord lay.  And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.  And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”
Matthew 28:5-8 KJV

Jesus is still alive and He will never have to be crucified and die for our sins again.  How do we know He lives?  He lives within our heart.  Pastor Alfred Henry Ackley wrote one of my favorite hymns about Jesus “He Lives”.  Does Jesus live in your heart?  If not, give your heart to Him before it is too late.

Do people see a difference in you since you invited Jesus into your heart?  When Jesus comes into our heart, people should see a difference in the way we live and in the words that we say.  If we want our family and friends to be saved, we must let them see and hear how Jesus changed our heart.

I have had the privilege of serving Jesus full time for ten years today.  O how I love Jesus!  I long for the day when I will see Him face to face.  I am going to hug Him and never let Him go.  What a precious loving and compassionate Saviour we have the privilege of knowing and having in our heart! 

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is not saved.  May this be the day they humble themselves, confess their sins, ask You to forgive them and invite Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour.  Thank You for loving us so much that You gave Jesus to die for our sins.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 24, 2015

Friday, January 23, 2015

GOD WILL COMFORT US

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 KJV

What a healing balm it is to know that God Himself comforts us.  We read in the Bible.  “Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;” (2 Corinthians 1:2,3).

I sometimes think it’s almost worth it to be brokenhearted because God Himself comforts us.  I believe when our heart is breaking that God sets us on His lap, sits in His rocking chair and tenderly dries our tears with kisses of compassion as He says to us “I love you”.  What a privilege to be loved by God.

When your heart is breaking and the tears start to fall, allow God to comfort and encourage you.  Our Heavenly Father is a compassionate Father and your tears are precious to Him.  “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?” (Psalm 56:8).  O how God loves you!

Heavenly Father, I love You so much and I appreciate You.  Thank You for the many times You have comforted me when I was brokenhearted.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  Please comfort and encourage those who are hurting and brokenhearted.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 23, 2015

Thursday, January 22, 2015

JESUS KNEW

“And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid.  And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him,  Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles:  And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.”
Mark 10:32-34 KJV

Jesus knew in advance what was going to happen to Him.  He knew they were going to mock Him, scourge Him, spit upon Him and kill Him but He still walked that long and lonely road to Calvary and there allowed them to crucify Him as He suffered a pain and an agony that you and I will never experience.

Our precious Saviour was beaten beyond recognition for you and for me.  It is very difficult for me to type this devotion because I don’t like to think about the pain He endured for me.  Has it gone from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus loves you so much He suffered all that pain and agony for you?

God knew His beloved Son was going to be beaten beyond recognition and crucified for us.  How it must have broken the heart of our Heavenly Father to watch His Son leave on His mission.  I believe Jesus and our Heavenly Father hugged for a long time with tears in Their eyes before Jesus left.

Would you send your son to war knowing he was going to be killed?  Of course you wouldn’t but God did.  Nobody loves us as much as God and Jesus love us and nobody ever will.  What unconditional love comes from Their heart for you and for me.

Joanne Lowe
January 22, 2015

Wednesday, January 21, 2015

THERE REALLY IS NO GREATER LOVE

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16 KJV

God doesn’t just love us, He so loves us.  One of the definitions for so in Webster’s Dictionary is “to a great extent or degree”.  We say we know He loves us but none of us realize just how much God loves us.  Think about it!  God loves us so much He gave His only Son to die for us.  What mercy and what love!

John W. Peterson wrote the beautiful and inspiring cantata “No Greater Love”.  There really is no greater love than the love of God and Jesus.  What an unconditional and compassionate love for you and for me came from the heart of God when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so we can be saved.

Jesus didn’t have to die on the cross for our sins.  God didn’t make Him go to the cross.  Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die for us.  Jesus loves His Father and wanted to fulfill the mission His Father had entrusted to Him.  Are we fulfilling our mission that God has given us?

Heavenly Father, I pray that all of us will fulfill the mission that You have entrusted to us.  May we be willing to turn off the television, get out of our comfort zones and serve the One Who loves us so much He died for us.  Jesus, thank You for dying for me.  I love You so much.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
January 21, 2015



Tuesday, January 20, 2015

ETERNALLY HIS

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.”
John 11:27-30 KJV

If we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we are His sheep and He knows us.  Think about it, Jesus, the Saviour of the world knows us personally.  What an encouragement it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that nobody can pluck us out of His hand.  We are eternally His.

Rusty Goodman wrote one of the most beautiful hymns I have ever heard “Who Am I”.  Have you ever really thought about this?  Who are we that Jesus would willingly walk that long and lonely road to Calvary and allow them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins?  Jesus had never sinned yet He died for us.

Don’t ever let satan or anyone else tell you that Jesus doesn’t love you because it is a lie!  If Jesus doesn’t love you, He would never have died for you on the cross.  Jesus not only loves you, He loves you unconditionally.  There is nothing you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you.

We know Jesus loves us because He proved His love for us when He died for our sins.  The question we need to ask ourselves is “Do I love Jesus and if I do love Him, what am I doing to prove to Him how much I love Him”?  Jesus has called us to serve Him by telling everyone He loves them.  Are we doing it?

Joanne Lowe
January 20, 2015


Monday, January 19, 2015

ARE WE THANKFUL

“And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.  And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests.  And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.  And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?  There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.  And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”
Luke 17:12-19 KJV

I wonder if we are thankful for all God does for us and if we remember to tell Him thank you when He does something for us.  I used to go to Mom’s house and do her laundry for her.  The first three times I washed her clothes she thanked me but she never thanked me again and it hurt my feelings.

How many times do we hurt God’s feelings because we forget to thank Him for all He does for us?  God has feelings because if He didn’t, He would not have sent Jesus into the world to die for us.  Jesus was cursed, spat on, beaten beyond recognition and crucified on the cross for you and for me.

Are we thankful for all God does for us?  If we are thankful, let’s remember to tell God thank You when He does something for us.  If you can’t think of anything to thank Him for, you can thank Him for loving you so much that He sent Jesus to die on the cross for your sins.  God loves you unconditionally.

Joanne Lowe
January 19, 2015

Sunday, January 18, 2015

DO WE TRUST JESUS

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”
Nahum 1:7 KJV

We should never expect our family and friends to be perfect and never fail us because all of us, including me, are human and we are not perfect.  Sometimes we hurt people without intending to do so or even realizing we hurt them.  We should always trust Jesus because He is perfect and He will never hurt us or fail us.

Arthur Luther wrote one of my favorite hymns “Jesus Never Fails”.  I believe he wrote this hymn from the depths of his heart.  “Earthly friends may prove untrue, doubts and fears assail; One still loves and cares for you, One Who will not fail”.  I believe all of us know from personal experience that Jesus never fails.

Do we trust Jesus when we are going through crises and dark valleys?  Jesus is faithful to us.  He won’t leave us when we are going through crises and dark valleys.  He will pick us up and carry us through all the dark valleys and will set us once again on the mountain top of happiness. 

Louisa M. R. Stead wrote the inspiring and beautiful hymn “’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”.  Do we trust Jesus even when we are going through difficult times or do we think He is going to fail us?  Jesus has proved to us we can trust Him.  Can Jesus trust us to keep serving Him even when we feel like giving up?

Joanne Lowe
January 18, 2015

Saturday, January 17, 2015

FLOWERS AND CARDS

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”
John 15:12-14 KJV

Many years ago I called a friend of mine; she was the wife of a pastor I once had, to tell her how much I appreciated all she had done for me.  Her son answered the telephone and I asked to talk to his mother.  He said “Mom died of cancer several months ago”.  I was heartbroken.  I had waited too long to thank her.

It is the same with flowers and cards.  There are times when we wait too long to give flowers or send cards of appreciation to the ones we love.  It’s nice to give flowers and cards to the families who have lost loved ones but the ones who have died don’t see the beautiful flowers or read the kind and loving cards.

What about Jesus?  How often do we tell Him how much we love Him and appreciate Him?  If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus tell us every day how much He loves us and that He loves us unconditionally.  O how Jesus loves us.  He proved how much He loves us when He died on the cross for us.

Joanne Lowe
January 17, 2015

Friday, January 16, 2015

A NEW SONG

“O COME, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.  For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”
Psalm 95:1-3 KJV

Every day we should sing a new song of thanksgiving and praise for all Jesus has done for us and for all that He does for us every day.  I was asked to leave a choir and was told that I can’t sing so I’m very glad that He accepts the joyful noise I make to Him when I am singing and praising Him.

One glorious day when God calls me home or Jesus comes back for us, I will have the privilege of singing in the heavenly choir and I will sing on key and not be asked to leave the choir.  Not only will I be able to sing on key, I will praise Jesus and sing in the heavenly choir for all eternity.

If ever someone deserves to be praised and adored, it is Jesus.  He is worthy of our praise.  What a privilege it is to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  Jesus not only loves us, He loves us unconditionally and He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  That should make us shout with joy!  I love You, dear Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
January 16, 2015