Friday, July 31, 2015

THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB

“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,  Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”
1 Peter 1:18-21 KJV

Pastor Robert Lowry wrote the beautiful hymn “NOTHING BUT THE BLOOD”.  Thank God for the precious cleansing blood of Jesus that He shed on the cross for our sins.  Jesus shed His own blood so we can have our sins forgiven.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!  One day we will see Him face to face.

I’ve read about people receiving blood transfusions that weren’t successful.  Even if all transfusions are successful, if we haven’t received the blood of Jesus we will die.  When we receive the blood of Jesus we will live forever.  Elvina Mable Hall wrote one of my favorite hymns “Jesus Paid It All”.

I am so thankful that Jesus loves us so much that He died on the cross for our sins.  I love these words in this beautiful and heart touching hymn.  “Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow”.  We owe Jesus everything, our life, our time and our devotion.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Jesus to us to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus, thank You for dying for us and for staying on the cross when You could have come down.  I love You so much; precious Saviour and I appreciate all You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 31, 2015

Thursday, July 30, 2015

OUR LOVING SHEPHERD

“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.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV

Jesus is not only our Shepherd; He is our loving Shepherd.  There probably have been shepherds watching their flock but they didn’t love the sheep.  However, Jesus loves us.  His love for us is unconditional and lasting.  There is nothing we could do that would make Him stop loving us.

Because of His unconditional and lasting love for us, we should do all we can do to make Him happy.  How do we make Jesus happy?  “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).

We make Jesus happy by being kind and loving to people or we hurt Him and break His heart by being unkind to people.  When Jesus looks in our heart, does He see things that pleases Him and makes Him happy or does He see things that hurt Him and breaks His heart?  May God help us to make Jesus happy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  Precious Saviour, I love You and appreciate all You have done for me.  You deserve to be loved, praised and adored.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 30, 2015

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

HE WILL NEVER HIT US

“My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.  Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.”
Proverbs 3:11-13 KJV

I watched a family show on television and it broke my heart.  The dad was hitting his child.  The dad wasn’t correcting his son because of being disobedient.  He was hitting him because he wanted to hurt his son and he did hurt his son.  One of the things the dad did was push his son down the stairs.

Even as I type this devotion, I have tears in my eyes.  It is so important that children know their parents love them even when they are disobedient.  It is especially important that a child knows his or her dad loves him or her.  I was always afraid of my Dad because he had a terrible temper and cursed all the time.

I was so afraid of my Dad that it was very hard for me to believe God loves me.  However, I found out that our Heavenly Father not only loves me, He loves me so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for my sins.  When I think of Jesus hanging on the cross because of my sins, it breaks my heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally and for adopting me into Your family.  Thank You for the privilege You have given me of serving Jesus.  I love You so much, dear Heavenly Father.  I appreciate all You have done for me and all that You do for me every day.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.    

Joanne Lowe
July 29, 2015

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

GOD’S GIFT
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:4-10 KJV

Do you remember the biggest and most expensive gift you have ever received?  You were probably very excited and happy.  However, even if it cost all the money in the world, it couldn’t compare to God’s gift to us, the gift of His own beloved Son.  God not only loves us, He so loves us.

Think about how much you love your own children.  You would do anything for them to make them happy.  That is exactly what our Heavenly Father did for us when He gave His own beloved Son to us to not only die on the cross for our sins but also to be our best Friend.  O how God loves you!

Not only does our Heavenly Father love you, He so loves you.  You are very precious to Him.  When you are hurting and discouraged and the tears start to fall, He tenderly dries your tears with kisses of compassion and love.  We could never have a greater gift or more expensive gift than the gift of God’s Son.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son.  You are a loving Father and I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 28, 2015

Monday, July 27, 2015

HE IS 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.”
Matthew 28:5-7 KJV

I think we sometimes forget that Jesus is not dead.  He arose from the dead and He is still alive.  Our precious Saviour will never have to die for us again.  When He comes back again, He is coming to take us home with Him and we will be with Him for all eternity.  What a day of rejoicing that is going to be!

Sometimes we act like Jesus is still dead.  However, Jesus did arise and He not only is our risen Saviour, He is also our best Friend.  Jesus will never leave us or forsake us.  We can depend on Jesus.  Can Jesus depend on us?  May we do things that prove to Him how much we love Him and appreciate Him.

When people look at us do they see the joy of Jesus or do they see the darkness of satan in the things we do and say?  There is no middle ground.  We are either spreading the unconditional love of Jesus to everyone we see or we are spreading the darkness of satan in what we say and do.

Thank God for our risen Saviour and for His cleansing atoning blood that He shed for us on the cross so we may be saved and live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.  How I long to see my precious Saviour face to face and one day we will see Him face to face.  Are you shouting for joy yet?

Joanne Lowe
July 27, 2015


Sunday, July 26, 2015

GET BACK UP

“I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.  And he arose, and came to his father.  But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.  And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:18-24 KJV

What a beautiful illustration of our Heavenly Father welcoming us back home after we have failed Him.  Our Heavenly Father is watching for us to come back to Him and like the father in this illustration when God sees us coming home to Him, He runs to meet us and reassures us that He still loves us as He kisses us.

One of the most vicious attacks that satan uses to discourage us and defeat us is when he tell us God won’t forgive us and doesn’t love us anymore.  That is a lie straight from the pits of hell.  When satan tries to discourage and defeat us, we need to tell him that he is a liar and get back up and serve Jesus.

When we fall off a horse we get up and get back on the horse immediately.  It is the same with discouragement.  When we are discouraged and feel that we can’t give another smile or take another step, we need to immediately call out to Jesus and ask Him to help us.  Jesus will encourage us and help us.

Joanne Lowe
July 26, 2015

Saturday, July 25, 2015

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

“Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.  And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.  And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”
Matthew 28:16-20 KJV

Have you ever felt all alone?  I really was all alone until I repented of my sins, asked God to forgive me and invited Jesus into my heart on August 14, 1980.  I have not been alone since that wonderful day.  Jesus has never left me, not even for a minute even when I was discouraged and felt all alone.

Jesus has promised us that He will never leave us.  Our precious Saviour doesn’t say anything He doesn’t mean.  We can trust Him to be with us when we’re on the mountain top or in the valley of discouragement.  What a precious loving Saviour we are privileged to know.  He loves us so much He died for us.

Ludie Carrington Day Pickett wrote one of my favorite hymns “Never Alone”.  “When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care, My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear; Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown; My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!”

No matter how alone you may feel at times, you are not alone.  If you are hurting, tell Jesus.  His arms are open and He is waiting for you.  He will carry you through all the dark valleys in your life and set you once again on the mountain top of happiness.

Joanne Lowe
July 25, 2015

Friday, July 24, 2015

JESUS GIVES LIFE

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  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 10:9-11 KJV

Jesus said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”.  Without Jesus, we just exist.  I spent over thirty years in mental hospitals.  I voluntarily checked myself into the hospitals because I was afraid of everyone and everything and had no desire to live and then Jesus touched me.

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn “HE TOUCHED ME”.  Thank God that one day Jesus touched me and changed my heart and my life.  “Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole, I will never cease to praise Him, I’ll shout it while eternity rolls”.

Not only did Jesus cleanse me and make me whole, He also helped me do things that I couldn’t do.  I couldn’t even make my bed.  I would pick up the sheet to make my bed and all I could do was stand there and cry.  Our precious Saviour really loves us.  He cares about us and He wants us to be happy.

Not only did Jesus save me and change my life and my heart, He  is my dearest Friend.  Jesus is the reason I get out of bed in the morning.  He is the reason why I laugh when someone hurts my feelings because I know that Jesus loves me and that He will always love me.  What a precious Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Joanne Lowe
July 24, 2015

Thursday, July 23, 2015

ARE WE STILL FLEEING

“Now the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me.  But Jonah rose up to flee from the presence of the LORD, and went down to Joppa; and he found a ship going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD.  But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.”
Jonah 1:1-4 KJV

God may have called us to go somewhere or do something but we didn’t do everything or went everywhere He told us to do and go.  Are we still fleeing from God like Jonah did when God told him to go to Tarshish?  It doesn’t matter how far we go or what we do, God sees us so we can’t hide from God.

A man who beat his wife said “When I am in my house with the door shut, it doesn’t matter what I do”.  That is a lie from the pits of hell.  It does matter to God what we do even if we are in our house with the door closed.  We can’t escape from God.  He sees us where we are and He knows everything.

God has done so much for us that we should do everything we can to make Him happy.  He gave Jesus to die on the cross for us.  Instead of fleeing from God we should be running as fast as we can to Him.  We have a tender loving and forgiving Heavenly Father.  It is a privilege to be part of the family of God. 

Joanne Lowe
July 23, 2015




Wednesday, July 22, 2015

REMEMBER WHEN

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalm 103:8-12 KJV

Have you ever said to God “Do You remember when I lost my temper and said something unkind”?  If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Him say to us “I don’t remember”.  Does this mean He has a poor memory?  Of course not, God knows everything.  He just chooses to forgive us and forget it.

O that you and I would follow our Heavenly Father’s example and not only forgive those who hurt us but also forget what they did.  If we don’t forgive one another from our heart and never remind them of what they did, we have not forgiven them and we are hurting God and breaking His heart.

We need to remember that nobody is perfect because every one of us have hurt God.  There was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His Name is Jesus.  I am so glad that God chooses to forgive us when we sin and that He never holds it against us again.  Thank God for His unconditional love.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You forgive us when we sin and hurt You.  Please help us to love each other unconditionally.  Heavenly Father, I love You and appreciate all that You have done for me.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 22, 2015

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

TEARS OF JOY

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 16:11 KJV

Pastor Oswald Jeffrey Smith wrote one of my favorite hymns “Joy in Serving Jesus”.  The words in this heart touching and inspiring hymn describe how I feel.  There really is joy in serving Jesus. I love my family and I have a lot of friends that are dear to my heart, but only Jesus gives me joy and happiness.

For over forty years while I was going through the darkness of a crippling devastating depression I had a lot of tears but they weren’t tears of joy.  God called me to be a missionary on October 4, 1998 but He didn’t tell me what He wanted me to do until January 24, 2005.  We need to wait for His leading.

These last ten years since God has given me the responsibility and privilege of writing devotions have been the happiest years of my life.  When I think about God trusting me and loving me so much that He called me to be a missionary and allows me to serve Jesus, my heart overflows with happiness and with joy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the joy You have given me by allowing me to serve Jesus.  You have taken away the tears of heartache and sorrow I had for over forty years and given me tears of joy, happiness and excitement.  What a privilege it is to serve the One Who died for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 21, 2015

Monday, July 20, 2015

PLEASE HELP US

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.  All these are the beginning of sorrows.  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”
Matthew 24:6-10 KJV

We are living in a world that is filled with hate, violence, turmoil, jealousy and greed.  Not only is the world filled with these things, our houses are also filled with these things.  If you notice, I didn’t say our homes are filled with these things.  It is only called a home when it is filled with love for one another.

If ever we needed God to comfort and encourage us, it is now.  Many people are discouraged and brokenhearted and feel like giving up and going to bed and staying there.  Our loving Saviour understands how we feel.  I’m sure when He was here on the mission His Father sent Him on, He too was discouraged.

May we be encouragers to one another.  People who say they don’t need encouragement are not being truthful.  Even Jesus needed encouragement.  If Jesus needed encouragement, how much more we need to be encouraged.  We also need to be an encouragement to God by the way we live for Jesus.

Heavenly Father, please help us.  When the tears start to flow down our face and we feel like giving up and don’t think we can give another smile or take another step, reassure us that You still care about us and love us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 20, 2015

Sunday, July 19, 2015

WHERE WERE YOU TODAY

“Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Jeremiah 33:3 KJV

Has someone ever told you that he or she would come visit you but didn’t come to visit you?  Have you ever told people that you would go visit them but you never went to see them?  If we will listen with our heart, will we hear Jesus say to us “Where were you today?  I waited for you all day.  I miss you”.

May God have mercy on us and forgive us if we hurt His beloved Son because we didn’t spend time with Jesus today.  Why is it we have time to watch television but don’t have time to spend with Jesus?  Some people can get up early in the morning to go fishing or on vacation but they can’t get up early for Jesus.

I believe there are times when we hurt Jesus and break His heart because we don’t spend time with Him.  When we don’t spend time with Jesus, not only does it hurt Him it also hurts God.  If you’re a parent then you know how it feels to have someone ignore your children.  It breaks your heart, doesn’t it?

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for sometimes putting Jesus on a shelf and only taking Him down when we need or want something.  Thank You, Father, for loving us even when we hurt You and break Your heart.  I pray that we will make time to talk to Jesus every day.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 19, 2015

Saturday, July 18, 2015

OUR FRIEND

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.”
Philippians 4:19,20 KJV

Rev. William Charles Poole wrote the beautiful hymn “Just When I Need Him Most”.  I love the words in this hymn.  “Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, Bearing my burdens all the day long; For all my sorrow giving a song, Just when I need Him most.”  All of us need Jesus every minute of every day.

Jesus is our Friend.  When we are sad and discouraged and in tears and want to go to bed and stay there, Jesus reassures us that He still loves us and that He will help us.  Just as we cheer for our favorite sports team to encourage them, Jesus also cheers for us to encourage us on to victory.

Our Heavenly Father loves us.  He supplies everything we need and He even gives us things that we don’t need just because He loves us.  What a precious and loving Heavenly Father we are privileged to know.  We are not worthy to go into His presence but because of the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, we can.

Yes, Jesus is our Friend.  What about us?  Are we His friend?  Does He know that we are His friend by our encouraging words to each other and by our kind and loving actions?  Jesus said “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).  Are we doing what Jesus commands us to do?

Heavenly Father, thank You for supplying all our need and for giving us things we don’t need.  You are a tender loving and forgiving Father and I love You with all my heart.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 18, 2015

Friday, July 17, 2015

HOW CAN WE THANK YOU

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
Psalm 103:1-5 KJV

It is impossible to thank our Heavenly Father for all He has done for us, for all He does for us and for all He is going to do for us.  He forgives us, heals us and redeems us.  The greatest thing He has done for us was when He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  O how our Heavenly Father loves us.

Have you ever heard someone say or have you ever said “I’ll forgive you for that but I won’t forgive you for this”?  Our Scripture passage for this devotion tells us that God forgives us for everything.  I am so glad that God loves us unconditionally and that He forgives us even when we hurt Him.

There are not enough words to thank Him for all He has done for us but we can show our appreciation by serving His beloved Son.  Are you serving Jesus with all your heart and with all your time?  If not, why aren’t you?  Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die for our sins.

What a tender precious and loving Saviour we are privileged to know.  Let’s prove to Jesus how much we love Him by serving Him with all our time and with all of our heart.  We will have to shut off the television set and get out of our comfort zone.  Are we willing to serve Him?  Jesus deserves our love and service.

Joanne Lowe
July 17, 2015

Thursday, July 16, 2015

DOES HE CARE

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”
1Peter 5:7-11 KJV

Rev. Frank Ellsworth Graeff went through a time of depression and he wrote this beautiful heart touching hymn from his own experience “DOES JESUS CARE”.  These words are so true.  “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;”  I know the words are true from personal experience.

Many years ago as I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital with no desire to live, Jesus came to me.  He put His loving arms around me and said “I love you, Joanne.  It’s safe to come out from under this bed.  I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”  What joy and happiness filled my heart when He told me He loves me.

If you ever doubt that God and Jesus love you, remember the cross and the pain and agony that Jesus suffered for you when He was crucified on the cross for your sins.  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that God loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die for you?

I have been trying to tell God and Jesus all day how much I love Them but there are no adequate words.  However, They know because They know my heart.  I love Them with all my heart.  What a Saviour, what a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Joanne Lowe
July 16, 2015

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

GOD IS NOT IMPRESSED

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

Many years ago I called a friend and asked her to pray for me.  Within twenty minutes, God answered the prayer.  I called my friend and told her that God had already answered and met the need.  My friend told me that she had said a quick prayer and was going to pray longer when she got home.

I used to think that I had to pray for a long time and use big words when I prayed.  I found out that God is not impressed with the length of our prayers or big words.  What impresses God is the condition of our heart.  We can pray for hours but if our heart is not right with God, He is not going to be impressed.

Before we pray for anyone, we should search our heart and be sure our heart is in right standing with God.  If we will keep our heart in right standing with God, we will be much happier and God will be pleased with us.  Let’s not wait until we have an emergency to get our heart right with God.

I used to work in a nursing home and once in a while inspectors would come to inspect the home.  Everyone would rush around cleaning and worry if the nursing home would pass inspection.  I never understood why they worried so much.  If the home was kept clean every day, there wouldn’t have been so much chaos.

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have hurt You.  I’m sorry I hurt You.  I pray that I will lead others to Jesus by my actions and by my words.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 15, 2015

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

A REMINDER TO TRUST JESUS

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”
1 John 5:3-5 KJV

A dad who was very worried about his older daughter was discouraged, sad and in tears.  His younger daughter reminded him that he had said to them “Faith means not to worry”.  What a reminder to us that we should trust Jesus at all times.  May God help us to stop worrying and trust Jesus.

Rev. John Henry Yates wrote one of my favorite hymns “Faith Is the Victory”.  The words in this hymn are so true.  “Faith is the victory!  Faith is the victory!  O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.”  Do we trust Jesus to help us even when we think that we can’t give another smile or take another step?

Just as the little girl reminded her dad to trust Jesus, we need to remember that we can trust Jesus.  Our tender loving and precious Saviour has never let us down and He never will.  We must always remember that Jesus has endured more pain than we will ever know so He understands how it hurts and He cares.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and for loving us so much You sent Your beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for dying for our sins.  Heavenly Father, I love You.  Jesus, I love You.  Holy Spirit, I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 14, 2015

Monday, July 13, 2015

DO WE ACKNOWLEDGE HIM

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8 KJV

One of the definitions for acknowledge in Webster’s Dictionary is “to recognize the rights, authority, or status thereof”.  Do we acknowledge Jesus in all our ways?  Do we trust Him to lead us or do we insist on doing things the way we want to do them?  Jesus has the authority and the right to direct our paths.

When Jesus walked that long lonely road to Calvary and there allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins, He proved to us how much He loves us.  Not only was He crucified for your sins and for my sins, He forgave us while hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body.  O how He loves us!

I’ve said this many times and will say it until God calls me home or Jesus comes back for us.  Nobody loves us like Jesus loves us and nobody ever will.  His love for us is unconditional and eternal.  There is nothing we could do that would make Him stop loving us.  Do we love Him?  How much do we love Him?

Are we doing things the way Jesus wants us to do them?  When we do things our way, we will never succeed.  Our Scripture verse tells us to “trust in the LORD with all our heart”.  Do we trust Jesus for everything?  If we don’t trust Him with all our heart, we are hurting Him and breaking His heart.

Joanne Lowe
July 13, 2015

Sunday, July 12, 2015

WE NEED YOU JESUS

“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

Jesus understands how we feel when we are discouraged and lonely.  He was tempted like we are.  He was spat on, cursed, mocked, ridiculed and forsaken by everyone.  I’m sure there were many times when He was here on earth and praying to His Father that He had tears in His eyes because He was hurting.

It is a great relief to be able to talk to someone and share our burdens but nobody understands and feels our pain like Jesus does.  Jesus is the best Friend we will ever have.  When we are hurting and it seems like the long night will never end, He sets beside our bed and tenderly dries our tears with kisses.

Jesus is tender, understanding, compassionate and caring.  He longs to pick us up in His loving arms and carry us through all the dark valleys in our life until the pain goes away.  What a loving compassionate Saviour and Friend we are privileged to know.  We need You, Jesus and we love You.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Jesus to us, not only to die for our sins but also to be our best Friend.  Precious Saviour, we do need You.  We need You every minute of every day.  Thank You for loving us and for being our best Friend.  I love You with all my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 12, 2015

Saturday, July 11, 2015

WRINKLES

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 KJV

When I make my bed, I do my best to be sure there are no wrinkles in the sheets.  No one else sees the wrinkles in the sheets but I do.  Every time I make my bed, I think about our scripture verse and it reminds me that God doesn’t look at our outward appearance, He looks on our heart.

What does God see when He looks on our heart?  Does He see unconditional love for people as Jesus has commanded us to love one another or does He see resentment, jealousy, anger and hatred in our heart?  May God have mercy on us if we are hurting Him because of the things in our heart.

While we should look as nice as we can look, it is much more important that our heart is in right standing with God.  If our heart is not in right standing with God, we need to ask Him to forgive us and get our heart right with Him.  When people look at us, do they see us smiling or do they see us frowning?

We can’t smile all the time because we have crises, heartaches and dark valleys in our life.  However, God understands when we are discouraged and need comfort and encouragement.  God is a faithful and loving Father and He will dry our tears with tender loving kisses.  O how our Heavenly Father loves us!

Joanne Lowe
July 11, 2015

Friday, July 10, 2015

FORGET ABOUT YESTERDAY

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18,19 KJV

Christy Lane wrote one of my favorite hymns about Jesus “Give Them All to Jesus”.  It is so true that only Jesus can take our heartaches and sorrows away and fill our heart with joy.  We need to forget what we did yesterday that hurt Jesus and know that He still loves us and that He will always love us.

One of the most vicious attacks of satan is when he lies to us and tells us that Jesus doesn’t love us and that He will never love us because of our past.  Don’t listen to satan because he is a liar!  Jesus does love us and He loves us unconditionally and proved His love for us when He allowed them to crucify Him.

We need to forget about what we did yesterday, the things that we thought and the things that we did that hurt Jesus and broke His heart.  This is a new day to serve Jesus and we can do things and say things that make Him happy.  We can forgive the people who hurt us and ask the people we hurt to forgive us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for sending Jesus into the world to die for us.  We need Your help, dear Father.  Please help us to live for Jesus in our actions and in our words.  Precious Jesus, thank You for loving us and for dying on the cross for our sins.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 10, 2015

Thursday, July 9, 2015

THREE CONDITIONS

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 KJV

Someone said “I knew when I was ten years old that I wanted to be a doctor and I decided right then I was going to study to be a doctor”.  That is good because we should know what we would like to do with our life.  However, our Scripture verse tells us there are three conditions for our life.

First of all, we must love God.  We can be His child and still not love Him.  Second, we must be called into the ministry He wants us in and third, it should be according to His purpose, not our purpose.  God knows our heart and He knows if we really love Him and not just giving Him lip service.

Someone was asked when God called him to be a pastor.  The pastor replied and said “I decided that I was going to become a pastor when I was a teenager and so I went to Bible school but God didn’t call me.  Becoming a pastor was just something I wanted to do so I did it”.

The decision that this man made to be a pastor was his own decision.  God didn’t call him to be a pastor.  However, every person is called to be a witness for Jesus and spread the good news of our risen Saviour.  When is the last time you told someone Jesus loves him or her?

Everything that we do should be because it is God’s purpose for our life and He has called us to do it.  Let’s wait on God to tell us what He wants us to do and then we can be sure that it’s His purpose for our life.  What a privilege to tell others about Jesus.   

Joanne Lowe
July 9, 2015

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.  Amen.” 
John 21:25 KJV


This verse is so true because it would be impossible for me to tell you how much Jesus has done for me and how much He does for me every day.  Think about it.  Jesus, the Saviour of the world tells us every day how much He loves us and proves His love for us by the things He does for us.

Not only does Jesus do things for us, He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  When we are sad and discouraged, He picks us up and carries us through all the dark valleys in our life and sets us once again on the mountain top of happiness.  When we cry, He cries with us.  O how He loves us!

Robert Harkness wrote the heart touching hymn “Why Should He Love Me So”.  Do you realize how much Jesus loves you?  He loves you with an unconditional love and He always will love you no matter what you do.  He loves us because He is love.  If anyone asks you who Jesus is, tell them He is love.

Heavenly Father, thank You that one day You opened Your heart of compassion, forgiveness and mercy and sent Jesus not only to die for us and be our Saviour but also to be the closest and dearest Friend we will ever have.  Jesus, thank You for loving me and dying for me.  I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 8, 2015

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

JESUS IS SENDING US

“Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.  And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side.  Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.  Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”
John 20:19-21 KJV

Margaret Clarkson wrote one of the most beautiful and inspiring missionary hymns I have ever heard “So Send I You”.  Every one who wants to serve Jesus will have to do what the words in this hymn tell us.  “So send I you to leave your life’s ambition, To die to dear desire, self-will resign.”  Are we willing to do this?

I am seventy two years old today, but praise God, I have another birthday.  On August 14, 1980, I humbled myself and admitted that I was a sinner.  I asked God to forgive me for my sins and invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour.  Thank God for the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus.

As I celebrate my birthday today, I am reminded of the pain that my Mother suffered when she gave birth to me.  It reminds me of the pain that Jesus suffered so I could be saved and born again spiritually.  For the last ten years, I have had the privilege of serving Jesus by writing the devotions He lays on my heart.

These last ten years have been the best and happiest years of my life.  As a pastor friend of mine said “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start bragging on Jesus”.  It is so easy to brag on Jesus.  He is wonderful, loving and precious.  I love Him so much.  Jesus is the reason I’m living and the joy of my heart.

Joanne Lowe
July 7, 2015 

Monday, July 6, 2015

GOD’S LOVE LETTER TO US

“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

Have you ever gone to check your mail and there wasn’t any mail in the mailbox and you also didn’t get any emails?  You might have thought everyone had forgotten about you and didn’t care about you.  We always have a letter from someone who cares about us and His Name is God.

God’s love letter to us is the Bible.  He tells us over and over how much He loves us.  He promises to protect us and to prove His love for us He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins so we can have our sins forgiven and live in Heaven for all eternity.  What an amazing and unconditional love God has for us.

God wrote a love letter to us.  Are we writing a love letter to Him?  How do we write a love letter to Him?  We write it by our kind and loving actions to Him, to Jesus and to others.  May God help us to live our lives so that not only God but also others will know that we love God.  Thank God for His love letter to us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us unconditionally.  Please forgive us for the times we fail You and hurt You.  We’re sorry.  Your love letter has encouraged and comforted me countless times.  Please comfort and encourage those who are hurting.  I love You, dear Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 6, 2015

Sunday, July 5, 2015

ARE WE TELLING EVERYONE

"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.”
Psalm 105:1-3 KJV

Many times when family and friends get together to visit they brag about what their children and grandchildren have done.  That is wonderful because it proves that we love our children and grandchildren.  However, are we telling everyone about the wonderful things Jesus has done?  Do we brag on Jesus?

If ever someone deserves to be praised, adored and respected, it is Jesus.  He is the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  It fills my heart to overflowing with happiness to know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

What about our family?  Have we told them that we love Jesus and how much He has done for us?  The greatest way we can tell our family about what Jesus has done for us is by letting them see the difference Jesus has made in our life.  May God help us to live our life in such a way that they will see Jesus.

Before I confessed my sins and invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour, nobody wanted to be around me.  I was full of hatred for people and was very bitter because of the things that had been done to me.  When Jesus came into my heart, He gave me a heart of compassion.  Let’s tell everyone about Jesus.    

Joanne Lowe
July 5, 2015

Saturday, July 4, 2015

THE BEGINNING OF REAL 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

When we tell people we forgive them, if we don’t forgive them from our heart, it is not real love.  The beginning of real love was when God opened His heart of compassion to us and gave Jesus to die for our sins.  Our Heavenly Father and our precious Saviour love us unconditionally and They always will.

God doesn’t just love us when we obey Him, He also loves us when we hurt Him and break His heart.  His love for us is unconditional and God’s love for us does not depend on what we do or don’t do.  O that you and I would love one another unconditionally and forgive each other from our heart.

I think we sometimes forget that nobody is perfect and that includes me.  All of us do things and say things we should not do or say.  Hopefully, we don’t do them on purpose, we’re just upset.  There was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His name is Jesus.

Do we love one another unconditionally or do we only love each other when things are going our way?  How dare you and I go to a Holy God and ask Him to forgive us if we’re not willing to forgive those who hurt us.  May God help us to love one another unconditionally just as He loves us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us even when we hurt You and break Your heart.  Thank You for all You do for us.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
July 4, 2015

Friday, July 3, 2015

THE TRAP

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye hath suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”
1 Peter 5:7-11 KJV

I heard someone say “I set a trap for something.  However, I didn’t catch what I wanted.  I just got in trouble because I wasn’t supposed to set a trap for that animal”.  Jesus tells us to be careful of the traps that satan sets for us.  When we don’t listen to Jesus, we get in trouble because satan will catch us.

We are to love everyone unconditionally just as Jesus loves us and has commanded us to love others.  However, unless the person loves Jesus and brings honor to Him, we should not be close friends with that person.  Someone said “It only takes one person to pull you down and get you in trouble”.

It makes satan very angry when we serve Jesus and satan will do all he can do to discourage us so we will stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen!  We must keep telling everyone we see how much Jesus loves them.  There are many people who are hurting and they desperately need to know they are loved.

Heavenly Father, please help us to stay out of the traps that satan sets for us.  Jesus, we need You.  I pray that every person who reads this devotion will feel the unconditional love You have for them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 3, 2015

Thursday, July 2, 2015

JESUS WILL NEVER LEAVE US

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.  Amen.”
Matthew 28:18-20 KJV

It doesn’t matter if we are on the mountain top of happiness, or in the valley of sorrow and darkness, Jesus is with us.  He has promised us that He will never leave us.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that Jesus will never leave us and we can trust Him to help us.

I wonder if we have grasped in our heart just how much Jesus loves us and cares about us.  Not only did He walk that long lonely road to Calvary and die on the cross for our sins, He also loves us so much He never leaves us, not even for one minute.  What a precious Saviour we are privileged to know and have!

Every time I think about Jesus staying on that cruel cross and dying for our sins, I realize just how much He loves us.  Jesus could have come down from the cross.  All the nails in the world couldn’t have kept Him on the cross if He had chosen to come down but He stayed on the cross because He loves us.

Rev. Ray Overholt wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “Ten Thousand Angels”.  It is one of my favorite hymns about Jesus.  “He could have called ten thousand angels To destroy the world and set Him free.  He could have called ten thousand angels, But He died alone for you and me.”  What a loving Saviour!

Joanne Lowe
July 2, 2015


Wednesday, July 1, 2015

GOD HUGS US AND HOLDS US

“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; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”
2 Corinthians 1:2-4 KJV

Have you ever been brokenhearted and felt like crying but you didn’t want anyone to see you cry?  I think that is especially true of men.  We have given men the message that they shouldn’t cry.  Jesus cries with us when we are hurting because He loves us and He knows how it feels to be brokenhearted.

Just as parents hold their children and hug them when they fall and get hurt or are brokenhearted, God hugs us and holds us as He tenderly dries our tears with kisses of love and compassion.  We have a loving Heavenly Father Who really cares about us.  When we cry, He cries with us.  O how God loves us!

God comforts us when we are hurting and we should comfort one another.  We don’t know what is going on in other people’s lives.  They may look fine and even be smiling but inside they are sad and heartbroken.  Every person in the world needs to be comforted and encouraged.  Are we encouraging one another?

Heavenly Father, please help us to comfort and encourage one another just as You comfort and encourage us.  Thank You for all the times You have encouraged and comforted me as You dried my tears with tender kisses of love.  I love You dear Father, and I appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 1, 2015