Sunday, May 31, 2015

GOD HELPS US

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:10 KJV

I am so glad that God has given us the Bible, His love letter to us to instruct us and encourage us.  For almost a week, satan has tried his best to discourage me by lying to me and trying to get me to stop serving Jesus.  However, I cry out to God and He is faithful to help me.  God helps us when we ask Him for help.

We have a loving forgiving tender and compassionate Heavenly Father Who loves us so much He gave His beloved Son to die for our sins.  No one loves us like God and Jesus love us and no one ever will.  Their love for us is an unconditional love and They will love us for all eternity.

Not only do They love us, They also comfort and encourage us.  Jesus understands how much we need to be comforted and encouraged.  He has felt all the feelings we feel.  Jesus knows how it feels to be all alone and He was betrayed.  I’m so glad that Jesus understands when we hurt and need encouragement.

It is very important that you and I encourage and comfort each other.  It breaks my heart to know that Jesus wasn’t hugged, encouraged and comforted.  We need to tell Him every day how much we love Him and appreciate Him.  Have you told Him today how much you love Him and appreciate Him?

O that you and I will love each other unconditionally just as Jesus loves us.  Think about it, Jesus, the Saviour of the world loves us so much He shed His own blood for our sins so we can be saved.  What an amazing unconditional love He has for us.

Joanne Lowe
May 31, 2015

Saturday, May 30, 2015

ARE WE AN ENCOURAGER

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.  So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”
Isaiah 41:6, 7 KJV

All of us need help and encouragement at times.  The person who says he or she doesn’t need encouragement is not being honest.  Even Jesus needed to be encouraged and if Jesus, the Saviour of the world, needed encouragement how much more you and I need to be encouraged.

Are we an encourager to one another?  Are we encouraging our pastors?  Our pastors not only need our prayers, they also need to be encouraged.  Pastors are human just like we are.  They cry like we do and sometimes they feel like giving up and leaving their ministry because no one encourages them.

I received an email ten years ago from a pastor who wrote “My wife and I were very excited when we came to this church.  However, now we are brokenhearted and I am thinking of leaving the church and stop being a pastor because nobody has said anything nice to us.  All they have done is criticize us”.

I know it hurt God because the pastor and his wife were criticized instead of encouraged.  “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17).

Heavenly Father, thank You for our pastors.  May they always feel Your unconditional love.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 30, 2015

Friday, May 29, 2015

HE KNOWS EVERYTHING

“O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”
Psalm 139:1-4 KJV

God sees us at all times and He knows everything about us.  When we say cruel words that we should not say or do things that we should not do, He still loves us because He loves us unconditionally.  However, we should do all we can do to make Him happy.  Are we making Him happy or are we hurting Him?

People make New Year resolutions.  Sometimes they keep them but many times they only keep them for a few days.  Every Christian should resolve to do things and say kind words that will make God happy.  We should keep the resolution every day of our life.  I am so glad that He loves us even when we hurt Him.

If God searched your heart today, would He see things that make Him happy or would He see things that break His heart?  May God help all of us to act like a Christian should act.  How sad it would be if someone didn’t accept Jesus as Saviour because of things that we said or did to him or her.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have hurt You because I wasn’t kind and loving to someone.  I’m sorry I hurt You.  I pray that everything I do and everything I say will make You happy instead of hurting You and making You sad.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 29, 2015

Thursday, May 28, 2015

OUR FAITHFUL HEAVENLY FATHER

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on.  Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than they?”
Matthew 6:25,26 KJV

There have been times when I didn’t have enough groceries in the house and I started to worry.  However, God always provides for us.  A pastor emailed me and wrote “There’s more month than there is money”.  Our faithful Heavenly Father cares about us and doesn’t forget us.  He takes care of us.

Someone asked me if I still worry about having enough money to buy groceries.  The answer to that question is no because God has never let me down and He never will let me down.  We can trust God to take care of us spiritually, physically and emotionally.  O how God loves us!

I don’t have any more money than I did but what I do have is more faith in God.  He has proved Himself over and over by supplying everything that I need.  Have we proved to Him how much we love Him and appreciate Him by serving His beloved Son?  When we serve Jesus, it makes God happy.

Someone said “I don’t know what to give my family and friends for Christmas and birthdays or just to let them know I care”.  We can give gift cards to people to let them know we care.  Again, our Heavenly Father will never fail you.  He will be faithful to supply your need no matter what you need.

Joanne Lowe
May 28, 2015

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

ARE WE FOLLOWING HIM

“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go.  O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!  then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea:”
Isaiah 48:17,18 KJV

I think there are times when we disappoint God and break His heart because we aren’t following Him.  He has a plan for each of our lives and if we will submit to His will for our lives, not only will we have a peaceful life, we won’t hurt Him.  Are we following Him or do we insist on doing things our way?

If we do things our way instead of listening to what God tells us to do, we will never be happy.  A teenager said to his parents “I’m going to do what I want to do, not what you tell me to do”.  Isn’t that what we say to God when we don’t do what He has told us to do?  How we must hurt Him when we don’t obey Him.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for hurting You when we don’t obey You and follow Your will for our life.  We’re sorry that we hurt You and disappoint You when we refuse to listen to You and like the teenage boy who refused to obey his parents, continue to do what we want to do.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 27, 2015


  

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS

“O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.  Because thy lovingkindess is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.  Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.”
Psalm 63:1-7 KJV

Do you understand how much God loves you?  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that you are precious to God?  We have a merciful, compassionate, loving and forgiving Heavenly Father Who loves us very much.

Heavenly Father, Your lovingkindness is better than anything in this world.  To be loved by You, fills my heart to overflowing with joy and happiness.  Heavenly Father, You have proved to us how much You love us by giving Your Son to die for our sins.  Thank You for caring.  I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 26, 2015

Monday, May 25, 2015

THE GREATEST COMMANDER OF ALL

“STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Galatians 5:1 KJV

Today is Memorial Day.  I found this definition for Memorial Day in Webster’s Dictionary “the last Monday in May that is a national holiday in the U. S. honoring members of the armed forces that died in wars”.  As I was thinking about all of the men and women who died for their country, I had tears in my eyes.

Then I started thinking about all the missionaries who have been persecuted for their faith and have given their lives in the service of the greatest Commander of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.  What a privilege it is to be a soldier in the army of the Lord.  Have you enlisted in His army?  Is He your Commander?

If you are a Christian but you aren’t serving Jesus, I urge you to start serving Him today.  When Jesus was here on earth, He served us by spreading unconditional love, forgiveness and mercy.  Jesus left His home, His Father and all that He had to die for our sins on the cross.  What a loving Saviour we have!

Jesus walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him on a cross of torture for your sins and for my sins so we don’t have to be in bondage to satan any more.  Our Saviour set us free with His own blood and He tells us that He doesn’t want us to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

As we are remembering the sacrifices that our service men and women made for our country so we may have freedom, remember the greatest Commander of all.  He shed His own blood so that we can live in Heaven with Him for all eternity.  Thank God for the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.

Joanne Lowe
May 25, 2015

Sunday, May 24, 2015

OUR REFUGE AND OUR ROCK

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.  He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved.  In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.  Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.  Selah.”
Psalm 62:5-8 KJV

God is our refuge and our rock.  He is also our salvation and our defence.  We can safely trust Him because He will never fail us.  We have a loving compassionate Heavenly Father Who really cares about us and wants us to share what is in our heart with Him.  He already knows but He wants us to tell Him.

Has someone ever said to you “you can call me anytime day or night”?  However, you didn’t feel comfortable waking the person in the middle of the night.  We can talk to God anytime and we will never wake Him or disturb Him.  “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).

What a comfort it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that God is waiting for us to come to Him and tell Him how we feel.  We may think that what we have to tell Him isn’t very important but God is interested in everything we want to share with Him.  He longs to comfort us and encourage us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our refuge and our rock when we are criticized and ridiculed and we feel like we can’t take another step or give another smile.  I love You, dear Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me and all You do for me every day.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 24, 2015

Saturday, May 23, 2015

THE SHELTER OF HIS LOVE

“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 KJV

One of the definitions in Webster’s Dictionary for shelter is “a position or the state of being covered and protected”.  Hurricane Season starts June 1st where I live.  I had to go to a hurricane shelter two different times when hurricanes made landfall.  I pray we won’t have another one make landfall this year.

There is another kind of hurricane.  It is the hurricane of life. This hurricane can attack us any day of the year and it can hit us day or night.  There is no warning.  When it hits us, we need to run as fast as we can into the arms of Jesus, into the shelter of His love.  The love of Jesus covers us and protects us.

Have you ever had a day when everything was going great with no problems or heartaches and all of a sudden with no warning at all, satan attacked you?  That’s why Jesus has warned us to be on the alert for satan because satan will try his best to discourage us so much that we will stop serving Jesus.

We must not let that happen.  We need to keep serving Jesus no matter how many times satan attacks us with lies and discouragement.  We read in the Bible.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1 Peter 5:8).

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is discouraged.  Please comfort and encourage them.  Thank You for loving us and for protecting us.  Thank You, precious Saviour, for the shelter of Your love.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 23, 2015

Friday, May 22, 2015

HE HEARS US

“Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.  The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.  The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.  Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.”
Psalm 28:6-9 KJV

It is such a comfort to our heart to know that when we pray, God hears us.  Not only does He hear us, He also cares about us.  When we are sad, discouraged and heartbroken, He cries with us and when we rejoice and are joyful and happy, He rejoices with us.  What a tender loving Heavenly Father we have.

I don’t know what is going on in your life but God knows and He will be faithful to comfort you and dry your tears with tender loving kisses.  I am so glad that God hears us when we pray and that He cares about us.  Do we hear Him when He asks us to do something?  If so, do we do it as soon as He asks us to do it?

Heavenly Father, You are a faithful loving and compassionate Father.  I appreciate You and thank You for all You have done for me through the years and all You do for me every day.  I pray for every person who is sad and hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 22, 2015

Thursday, May 21, 2015

I LOVE GOD SO MUCH

“We love him, because he first loved us.  If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?  And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
1 John 4:19-21 KJV  

People have asked me why I love God so much.  It is because He first loved me and gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for my sins so I could be saved.  Not only did Jesus die for me, He has never left me since the day I gave my heart to Him.  Jesus has been so faithful to me.  O how I love Jesus!

Many years ago as I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital afraid of everything and everyone and with no desire to live, Jesus came to me.  He lifted me up from under that bed.  He said, “I love you, Joanne.  It’s safe for you to come out from under this bed.  I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

God loves you and He will love you for all eternity.  There is nothing you could ever do that will make Him stop loving you.  How it must have hurt God and broke His heart when He gave His Son to die for us.  Have you got it yet?  You are loved by our Heavenly Father.  We have a compassionate and loving Father.

I believe when Jesus left Heaven to come to earth that God put His arms around Jesus and told Him “I love You, Son.  I am so proud of You”.  When my brother left home to go into the service, my Mother watched him go and stood there for a long time watching even when my brother was out of sight.

Just as Mom had tears in her eyes when my brother left home, God also had tears in His eyes when His Son left home.

Joanne Lowe
May 21, 2015

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

HE IS STILL CALLING

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I; send me.”
Isaiah 6:8 KJV

God called me to be a missionary on October 4, 1998.  However, He didn’t tell me what He wanted me to do that day.  When I walked down the aisle in church and surrendered my life to be a missionary, Pastor David prayed for me and told me not to wait until I knew what God wanted me to do.

Pastor David said to start serving Jesus immediately by telling everyone I see how much Jesus loves them.  It wasn’t until January 24, 2005 that God gave me the ministry of writing devotions and encouraging pastors.  If you haven’t said yes to Jesus, He is still calling you.  Will you say yes to Jesus today?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of serving Jesus.  My prayer is that everyone will know how much I love Jesus and how much Jesus loves them.  Not only do You love us, You love us unconditionally.  Thank You for loving us, dear Father and for caring about us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 20, 2015

 

 


Tuesday, May 19, 2015

THANK YOU FOR CARING

“O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.  Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.  Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.  Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.  Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;”.
Psalm 105:1-5 KJV

Heavenly Father, thank You for caring about us.  Yesterday was a very frustrating and challenging day but You brought me through it and gave me the victory.  Thank You so much, precious Father.  I’m so glad to know that one day there will be no more tears.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 19, 2015

Monday, May 18, 2015

I WAITED TOO LONG

“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 of my pastors said we should call people who had encouraged us and thank them.  I didn’t do it right away.  Then one day I called a pastor’s wife who had encouraged me and been kind to me to tell her how much I loved her and appreciated her.  However, I waited too long to call her.

Her son answered the telephone.  When I asked if I could speak to his mom, he said “Mom died of cancer”.  I talked to her son and told him how wonderful his mom was and how much she meant to me.  He told me how much he appreciated my kind words about his mom but I didn’t get to tell her.

Have you told your family and loved ones how much you love and appreciate them?  If not, I urge you to tell them today.  We don’t know when Jesus is coming back for us but He is coming and we need to be ready to meet Him.  It is very important that there is nothing in our heart that hurts God and breaks His heart.

What about Jesus?  Have we told Him today how much we love Him and appreciate Him?  Jesus has feelings too.  He wants to know we love Him just as we want to know He loves us.  Don’t put off telling Him like I put off calling my friend.  Tell Jesus today how much you love Him.

Joanne Lowe
May 18, 2015

Sunday, May 17, 2015

BLESSINGS

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
Ephesians 1:3 KJV

If we are in the center of God’s will for our life, He will help us.  I found this definition for blessing in Webster’s Dictionary “help and approval from God”.  Sometimes we do the things that we want to do.  They may be good things but they are not in the center of His will for us.  We need to learn to wait for God.

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).  Not only will He strengthen our heart, He will also guide our every step.  It is always safe for us to trust God because He knows what is best for us and He wants us to have an abundant life.

Because God wants us to have an abundant life, He gave Jesus to die for us “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10:10, 11).

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many blessings You give us every day.  The greatest blessing You have given us is Jesus.  Precious Saviour, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and thank You for never leaving me, not even for a minute.  I love You, dear Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 17, 2015


  

Saturday, May 16, 2015

ARE WE FEEDING HIS SHEEP

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.  He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?  Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me?  And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.  Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”
John 21:15-17 KJV

If we listen with our heart will we hear Jesus asking us the same question that He asked Peter “lovest thou me more than these”?  Jesus knows all things.  He knows if we really love Him and how much we love Him or if we are just giving Him lip service.  Does Jesus have first place in our heart and in our life?

How much time do we give to Jesus during the day?  If we spend more time watching television during the day than we do spreading the good news of our risen Saviour, then He does not have first place in our heart.  There are many people who are hungry for love and they need to know Jesus loves them.

May God help us to turn off the television, get out of our comfort zones and serve the One Who loves us so much that He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins.

We may give food to those who are physically hungry but are we feeding them emotionally by telling them that Jesus loves them unconditionally and then proving how much He loves them?

Joanne Lowe
May 16, 2015

Friday, May 15, 2015

CRUEL AND HATEFUL WORDS

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
James 3:7-10 KJV

Someone asked a friend why he didn’t think he could be a good dad.  The man said “It is because my stepfather used to say cruel and hateful words to me and he also told me that I am no good and that I will never amount to anything.  Not only did my stepfather hurt my feelings, he also hit me many times.”

I know how this man feels because when I was in school I was told many times that I was no good and would never amount to anything.  I was also told that I was stupid, fat and ugly.  I believed it because they said it so many times.  However, no one understands how it feels to be criticized like Jesus understands.

When Jesus was here on earth, He was cursed, mocked and also abused physically.  He was beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on and rejected.  I understand how much it hurts to be called names and told you are no good but nobody understands how it feels to be criticized like Jesus understands.

Jesus tells us in the Bible that what we do to others, we do to Him.  Take the time to read what Jesus said about being kind to others in “Matthew 25:34-45”.  He really does understand how much it hurts when we are criticized.  Jesus loves us very much and it breaks His heart when we hurt. O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe
May 15, 2015

Thursday, May 14, 2015

THE GREATEST NAME OF ALL

“And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.  And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.  He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Luke 1:30-33 KJV

Jesus, what a beautiful and precious Name.  Our beautiful and precious Saviour has the greatest Name of all.  Have you allowed it to go from your head to your heart that Jesus, the Saviour of the world, loves you so much He died on the cross for your sins?  O how He loves you.  You are precious to Him.

If you are brokenhearted and discouraged, and feel like going to bed and staying there, remember how much Jesus loves you.  There are times when all of us need to be reminded how much Jesus loves us.  We know how much He loves us because He proved it when He died on the cross for our sins.

If you have never given your heart and life to Jesus, I urge you to invite Him into your heart today before it is too late.  One day, it will be too late to say yes to Jesus.  He is waiting with a loving heart and open arms for you.  Don’t keep hurting Him and breaking His heart by rejecting Him.  Give your heart to Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus, Your Name is so precious to me.  Thank You for loving me and for dying on the cross for me.  I love You, dear Jesus.  I long for the day when I will see You face to face.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 14, 2015


Wednesday, May 13, 2015

HIS FORGIVENESS

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Matthew 6:14,15  King James Version

How dare you and I go to our Heavenly Father and ask Him to forgive us when we refuse to forgive those who have hurt us?  I think we sometimes forget that none of us are perfect.  All of us have hurt people at times.  Jesus, our precious Saviour is the only One Who never sinned or did anything wrong.

We need to stop judging others and start praying for them that they will feel the unconditional love God has for them.  When we feel the unconditional love that God has for us, it makes us want to do things that make God happy.  It is my prayer that everyone will see and hear the love that Jesus has for them.

There are times when I hurt God and fail Him so don’t look to me just because I write devotions.  Don’t look to your pastor, to your Sunday school teacher or anyone else.  We are human and we hurt people at times.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and on Him alone.  He will never hurt you or fail you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and for loving us so much that You forgive us when we hurt You.  Please help us to be an encourager to each other and pray for each other because only Jesus can give us a new heart, a heart that is filled with love and forgiveness for one another.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 13, 2015

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

NO IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
John 14:1- 3 KJV

Someone said “We need to make some improvements on our house but we don’t have the money to make them”.  Jesus Himself has decorated our mansions for us and they are perfect.  No improvements will be needed because Jesus has decorated them with unconditional love and joy and peace.

Jesus is perfect so everything He does is perfect.  When He gives us a new heart, it is pleasing to God but sometimes we allow jealousy, anger, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness to stay in our heart and we have to repent and tell God that we’re sorry and ask Him to forgive us for hurting Him.

God loves us so much that He will forgive us when we sin and hurt Him.  We read in the Bible.  “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:9, 10).

Heavenly Father, forgive us for allowing things to stay in our heart that hurt You.  Jesus, thank You for preparing a place for us and for decorating it with unconditional love, peace, joy and happiness.  The greatest thing about going to Heaven is that we will be with You for all eternity.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 12, 2015

Monday, May 11, 2015

OUR HEAVENLY FATHER’S DAY

“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

We honor our mothers on Mother’s Day and we honor our dads on Father’s Day but every day should be our Heavenly Father’s Day.  We should honor Him every day of our life.  We have a tender loving, compassionate and forgiving Heavenly Father Who loves us so much He gave His Son to die for our sins.

Has it gone from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much God loves you?  If you are a parent, you know how much your children mean to you and how much you love them.  However, God loves our children more than we could ever love them.  His love for them is unconditional and He will love them forever.

How do we honor our Heavenly Father?  We honor our Heavenly Father by treating Him with respect and by serving His Son with all of our heart and all of our time.  If we want to make our Heavenly Father happy, we will shut off the television set, get out of our comfort zone and serve Jesus.

Heavenly Father, today and every day is Your day.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  I love You, precious Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  Please help us to serve Jesus with all of our heart and with all of our time and talents.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 11, 2015

Sunday, May 10, 2015

THANK YOU FOR OUR MOTHERS

“Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!  Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!  And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.”
John 19:25-27 KJV

Today is Mother’s Day and how thankful we should be to our Heavenly Father for our mothers.  Our mothers aren’t perfect just like we aren’t perfect but they love us.  We may not believe they care about us and love us but they do love us in their own way.  Some mothers can’t show their emotions.

Just as Jesus made sure His mother was taken care of so we should be sure our mothers are taken care of.  The best way to take care of our mothers is to give them to Jesus and allow Him to put His arms of love around them.  My Mother died on Christmas day many years ago and I still miss her. 

Mom did some things and said some things to me that hurt me but I also said and did things that hurt her and broke her heart.  Every time I think about how disrespectful I was to Mom, it breaks my heart.  I’m so glad that God forgives us when we hurt our mothers.  Hopefully, we don’t hurt them on purpose.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every mother in the world.  If they have never invited Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour, may this be the day they humble themselves and give their heart to Him.  May they feel the unconditional love You have for them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 10, 2015 



Saturday, May 9, 2015

HOW WILL THEY KNOW

“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
John 3:15-17 KJV

I had read these verses many times before I gave my heart and life to Jesus but I didn’t know what they meant.  I had been told many times that I was a sinner and was going to hell if I wasn’t saved.  I didn’t know that Jesus loved me because nobody had ever told me.  I just knew that I didn’t want to go to hell.

It is very important that we give the plan of salvation when we are witnessing but how will they know that Jesus loves them if we don’t tell them that He loves them and then prove to them that He loves them by our kind and loving words and actions.  Everyone needs to know that Jesus loves them.

Just as we need to know that our Saviour loves us, Jesus also needs to know that we love Him.  When is the last time you told Jesus that you love Him?  He tells us that He loves us every day.  If you will listen with your heart, you will hear Him say to you, “I love you so much I died for you.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  Precious Saviour, thank You for loving me so much that You died on the cross for my sins.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  May we always tell people how much Jesus loves them and then prove it to them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 9, 2015

Friday, May 8, 2015

THE GREATEST PASTOR OF ALL

“And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.”
Jeremiah 3:15 KJV

I have had wonderful pastors for many years that God has given me but Jesus is the greatest Pastor of all.  One of my pastors said in one of his sermons when he was talking about our Scripture verse for this devotion “It’s sad to say but some preachers are not pastors”.

My pastor also said in his sermon that it’s very important to know what the Bible says so we will know if a preacher is preaching something that is contrary to the Word of God.  I had to leave a church because one of my pastors said there were two books in the Bible that should not be there.

Jesus is not only the greatest Pastor of all, He is also the greatest Preacher of all.  His heart is filled with unconditional love for every person in the world.  If we will study our Bible and allow what He is telling us to enter into our heart and not just our head, we will make Him very happy.

Don’t forget to pray for your pastor and also encourage and comfort them and thank God for them.  Pastors are on call twenty four hours a day and they give up time with their family to counsel us and visit us in the hospital.  Jesus gave us all His time when He was here on earth.  O how He loves us!

Heavenly Father, I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  Please comfort and encourage them and let them see the fruits of their labor  Please let them know how much You love them and how much You appreciate their service to You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 8, 2015

Thursday, May 7, 2015

I SAID TO FORGIVE EVERYONE

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” 
Ephesians 4:30-32 KJV

Years ago when I worked in nursing homes, I heard several residents talking about when they were children.  Some of them said “My parents used to take me out to the woodshed to correct me when I did something wrong”.  Has God ever taken you to His woodshed?  It’s not much fun but it is necessary.

One of the definitions that I found for woodshed in Webster’s Dictionary is “a place, means, or session for administering discipline”.  Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He corrects us when we disobey Him.  However, when He corrects us He always reassures us that He still loves us.

Several months ago, I asked God to search my heart and if there was anything that hurt Him to reveal it to me so I could get my heart right with Him.  He said “You need to forgive those who hurt you” so I prayed and asked God to forgive me for not forgiving everybody who had hurt me.

A couple of weeks ago while I was praying, God said to me “I said to forgive everyone.  You haven’t forgiven yourself”.  It is very important that we forgive ourselves.  If God can forgive us, how dare you and I not forgive those who have hurt us and that includes forgiving ourselves.

Joanne Lowe
May 7, 2015


Wednesday, May 6, 2015

HIS CLEANSING BLOOD

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
1 John 1:7-10 KJV

None of us are perfect and there are times when we hurt God and do things or say things that hurt others.  Hopefully, we don’t do it on purpose.  When we do hurt God, if we will confess what we did and ask God to forgive us, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins because of Jesus and His cleansing blood.

Thank God for the cleansing redeeming blood of our precious Saviour that He shed for us on the cross.  O how Jesus loves us.  He loves us so much that He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.  Jesus loves us unconditionally and He always will.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your Son to die on the cross for our sins.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, dear Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  Thank You, Jesus, for dying for my sins and for Your cleansing blood that cleanses me from all sin.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 6, 2015

Tuesday, May 5, 2015

OUR LEADER

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.  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 23:1-3 KJV

Pastor Joseph Henry Gilmore wrote a beautiful hymn about God leading us “He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought”.  I am so glad that our Heavenly Father leads us.  There are a lot of good things we can do but they might not be in the center of His will for our life.  We need to allow God to lead us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Leader and also for loving us unconditionally even when we sometimes fail You and hurt You.  Please help us to live so that others will see Jesus in us and want Jesus in their heart.  What a privilege it is to be loved by Jesus and by You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 5, 2015

Monday, May 4, 2015

ARE WE SINGING

“But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.  I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalm 13:5,6 KJV

Are we singing and rejoicing in God’s salvation?  One of the definitions I found for bountiful in Webster’s Dictionary is “liberal in bestowing gifts or favors”.  Our precious Heavenly Father has given us many gifts but the greatest Gift He has given us is His beloved Son.  O how God loves us!

Every time I think about God loving me so much that He gave His only Son to die for my sins, my heart overflows with love and gratitude for His love for me.  Hopefully, our earthly dads love us but only our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally no matter how many times we hurt Him.

I don’t think that a dad would willingly send his son to war knowing in advance that his son would be killed but that is exactly what God did for us.  God knew this His Son was going to be ridiculed, beaten beyond recognition, cursed and die on the cross for our sins, but He still gave His Son for us.

Not only did God send His Son to die for our sins, He also grew the tree that Jesus would die on.  Dottie Rambo wrote one of my favorite hymns “HE GREW THE TREE”.  If you ever doubt how much God loves you, remember that He grew the tree that was used to make the old rugged cross.  What an amazing love!

Joanne Lowe
May 4, 2015

Sunday, May 3, 2015

DISCOURAGED AND HEARTBROKEN

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:36-40 KJV

Have you ever felt all alone and really believed that nobody loved you or cared about you?  I felt that way for over forty years.  If you are discouraged and heartbroken, know that Jesus understands how it hurts and He cares about you.  Jesus knows how you feel because He too was discouraged and heartbroken.

Jesus was human just like we are and He knew when He was crucified on the cross for your sins and for my sins so that we can be saved and go to Heaven that He was going to have to endure a pain and an agony that nobody had ever felt before or ever will feel.  O how Jesus loves you and me!

We don’t have to be sad, lonely, discouraged and heartbroken any longer because Jesus came to give us an abundant life.  Jesus said “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Jesus will carry you in His loving arms until the hurt goes away and will set you once again on the mountain top of happiness. 

Joanne Lowe
May 3, 2015

Saturday, May 2, 2015

ONLY HIS NAME

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV

Lela B. Long wrote one of my favorite hymns “Jesus Is The Sweetest Name I Know”.  The words that she wrote describe how I feel.  “There have been names that I have loved to hear, But never has there been a name so dear To this heart of mine, As the Name divine, The precious, precious Name of Jesus”.

I love to hear my family and friends names but only His Name fills my heart to overflowing with joy and happiness.  How it thrills my heart to know that one day I will see Him face to face when He comes back for us.  He will finally get the praise He so richly deserves when everyone bows and confesses He is Lord.

When I get discouraged and think that I can’t give another smile or take another step, I say His precious Name.  Just saying His Name fills my heart with happiness and peace.  I also remember that Jesus never leaves us that He is with us in the bad times just as He is with us in the good times.  O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe
May 2, 2015



Friday, May 1, 2015

GOD’S BEAUTY

“And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
Genesis 2:9 KJV

As I was walking to my mailbox, I looked at the trees.  They are beautiful and they reminded me of God’s beauty.  Not only did God make the beautiful trees, God is beautiful.  Our Heavenly Father has a beautiful, compassionate and loving heart.  His beloved Son also has a beautiful loving heart.

Also, we are to let the beauty of Jesus be seen in us.  We sing a hymn “Let the Beauty of Jesus be seen in me”.  When people look at us, do they see the beauty of Jesus in us or do they see the ugliness of satan?  If they don’t see the beauty of Jesus in us, they see the ugliness of satan.

May God help us to live so others will always see Jesus in our actions and hear His unconditional love for them in the kind and loving words we say to them.  We must never forget that when we are kind to people, we are being kind and loving to Jesus.  Are we making Jesus happy or are we making Him sad?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the beautiful trees and flowers You have given us.  We can plant them but only You can grow them into things of beauty.  You have also given us a beautiful Saviour.  Jesus, You are so beautiful.  Thank You for dying for me.  I love You with all my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
May 1, 2015