Tuesday, February 28, 2017

SHARE YOUR HEART WITH HIM

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.”
Psalms 62:8 KJV

When we are going through dark valleys and difficult times, we need to share what is in our heart with Him.  Two days ago satan attacked me with lies and it was very difficult to keep going but I prayed and asked God to help me.  Our Heavenly Father is faithful and He will help us and be a refuge for us.

We read in the Bible.  “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12).  I heard a sermon and the pastor said that we will be persecuted if we are serving Jesus.  Before I was saved, satan didn’t attack me because he didn’t have to as I wasn’t serving Jesus.

Esther L. Kerr Rusthoi wrote the hymn “When We See Christ”.  I love these words.  “Ofttimes the day seems long, our trials hard to bear, We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair; But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away, All tears forever over in God's eternal day.”

One joyous day, Jesus is coming back for us to take us to Heaven and we will be with Him for all eternity.  We will also see our loved ones who have already died and we will be reunited with them.  How I long for the day when I will see my precious Saviour face to face.  O how Jesus loves us!

Heavenly Father, thank You that we can share our heart with You knowing that You really do care and love us.  I pray for all who are discouraged and hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  Thank You for sharing Jesus with us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 28, 2017

Monday, February 27, 2017

GIVE OF YOURSELF

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Acts 20:35 KJV

When we want to give people gifts but don’t have the money to buy gifts, we can give of ourselves.  If you want to buy your spouse or children a special gift just because you love them, give of yourself.  Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?  He gave Himself when He allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.

Think how happy it would make your spouse and children if you told them you loved them and then shut off the television and spent time with them.  A dad and son watched a football game for hours on television and never said one word to each other the entire time.  How sad.  What a waste of time.

Heavenly Father, help us to give time to one another and to be encouragers especially to our spouses and children.  May others always see and hear to love of Jesus for them in my actions and in my words.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 27, 2017

Sunday, February 26, 2017

HE WILL HELP US

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
Philippians 4:13 KJV

We can’t do anything in our own strength.  We need Jesus because He strengthens us.  Jesus Himself told us that we can’t do anything without Him.  “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

I can’t even get out of bed without Jesus because without Him there is no reason to live.  If we don’t have Jesus in our heart, we aren’t living, we just exist.  Jesus has given me a new heart and a reason for living.  What a privilege it is to serve the One Who loves me so much He died for me.

Mylon Le Fevre wrote one of my favorite hymns about our precious Saviour “Without Him”.  I love these inspiring words in this beautiful hymn.  “Without Him I would be dying.  Without Him I'd be enslaved; Without Him life would be hopeless, But with Jesus, thank God, I’m saved”.

Joanne Lowe
February 26, 2017

Saturday, February 25, 2017

WHY DID HE

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1 KJV

God created the heaven and the earth.  Why did He create them?  He knew that His beloved Son was going to be beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on, rejected and ridiculed.  So why did He create the heaven and the earth?  God is God and He needs nobody or nothing but He desires fellowship.

If God desires fellowship so much that He created the heaven and earth, how much more important it is for you and I to fellowship with one another.  Someone made the comment “I don’t need anyone or anything”.  That is not a true statement.  We need to encourage one another and pray for each other.

May God help us to lead others to Jesus by our loving words and actions.  The desire of my heart is that others will always see and hear the unconditional love of Jesus for them in my actions and in my words.  If you know someone who is hurting, encourage him or her.  Let others see Jesus in you.

We read in the Bible.  “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).  Are we allowing the light of Jesus to shine so God will be glorified?  May we become lighthouses for Jesus and bring glory to our Heavenly Father.

Joanne Lowe
February 25, 2017

Friday, February 24, 2017

OVERFLOWING JOY

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”
1 Peter 1:8 KJV

Rev. Barney Elliott wrote one of my favorite hymns “Joy Unspeakable”.  “I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll!  It is like a great o’erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.”  It really is joy unspeakable to know that the Saviour of the world loves us unconditionally.

The question we need to ask is how much do I love Jesus and what am I doing to prove to Him how much I love Him?  Love, unconditional love is the answer to all of our problems and heartaches.  It is only when we serve Jesus and by being kind and loving to one another that we are happy.

Joy comes by being in the presence of Jesus “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).  If you want to have real joy, stay in the presence of Jesus.  That doesn’t mean we have to pray every minute of the day.

However, Jesus should come first in our thoughts, in our heart, in our life and in everything we do.  Is Jesus first in your heart and life?  If not, I urge you to give Him first place.  Jesus deserves first place.  He proved His love for us when He died on the cross for our sins.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Joanne Lowe
February 24, 2017


  

Thursday, February 23, 2017

DID YOU TELL THEM

“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

A young girl asked a pastor how to get her mother to tell her she loves her.  The girl said “My mother has never told me she loves me.  I want to tell her I love her but I’m afraid if she doesn’t say she loves me, it will hurt me”.  The pastor said “Don’t expect your mom to say it and maybe one day she will say it”.

We never have to wonder if Jesus loves us.  If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Him say to us “I love you so much I died for you”.  What a privilege it is to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  We know He loves us but does He know we love Him?  What are we doing to prove to Him how much we love Him?

What about your children, your spouse and your loved ones?  Did you tell them you love them today?  If you haven’t told them that you love them, tell them now.  God may call you home or call them home and it will be too late to tell them.  All of us need to know we are loved and wanted.

A pastor said in a sermon “I was going to tell my uncle how much I loved him but I kept putting it off.  On the day that I determined I was going to tell him, my uncle died before I could tell him.  Please don’t put off telling your loved ones how much you love them.  Don’t wait until it is too late."

Joanne Lowe
February 23, 2017



Wednesday, February 22, 2017

HE HOLDS US

“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 1:3, 4 KJV

A mother held her son close because there were no words that would comfort him.  That is what our Heavenly Father does for us.  He holds us close to Him as He tenderly dries our tears with His compassionate love and understanding.  We have a tender loving Heavenly Father Who really cares about us.

If you are broken hearted and going through a dark valley, allow God to hold you in His loving arms.  He will hold you close to His loving compassionate heart and He will hold you until the pain goes away.  He loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many times You have comforted me and dried my tears.  I pray for all who are discouraged, lonely and broken hearted.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me.  Thank You for being a loving compassionate Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 22, 2017



Tuesday, February 21, 2017

ARE WE STILL TRUSTING HIM

“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.”
Deuteronomy 33:27 KJV

When a little child takes his or her first steps, the parents have their arms open and ready to catch the child if he or she starts to fall.  The same is true with our Heavenly Father.  When we step out in faith to serve Jesus, we are not alone because God is with us to catch us if we start to fall and to protect us from all danger.

It is very important that we don’t try to serve Jesus without God helping us.  We need to be sure to pray and ask God to help us every day.  We read in the Bible.  “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).  Do we still trust God to help us?  Our Heavenly Father loves us and He will never fail us.  We can trust Him to help us.

Joanne Lowe
February 21, 2017

Monday, February 20, 2017

HE LEADS US

“To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.”
John 10:3 KJV

Rev. George A. Young wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn from his own experience “God leads Us Along”.  “Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long.”

It doesn’t matter how many heartaches, trials and valleys we go through, God gives us a song as He leads us safely through them.  Our Heavenly Father loves us and He wants us to be happy.  We can trust Him to lead us no matter where we go.  Allow Him to lead you as you go through the valleys.

Joanne Lowe
February 20, 2017

Sunday, February 19, 2017

CLOUDY OUTSIDE

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”
John 12:46 KJV

Even when it is cloudy outside, we still have the light of Jesus.  Rev. Henry Jeffreys Zelley wrote one of my favorite hymns “Heavenly Sunlight”.  “Shadows around me, shadows above me, Never conceal my Savior and Guide; He is the Light, in Him is no darkness; Ever I’m walking close to His side.”

When people criticize us, yell at us, curse us or hit us, we still have the light of Jesus.  The light of our Saviour will never dim or go out no matter how many times satan attacks us with vicious lies.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know we will always have the light of Jesus.

Do you have the light of Jesus in your heart?  Have you opened the door of your heart and invited Jesus in to be your personal Saviour?  “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is not saved.  May today be the day they open the door of their heart and let Jesus come in to be their Saviour.  Help us to be a shining light for Jesus in a world that is filled with hatred.  Jesus, thank You for being our Light.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 19, 2017

Saturday, February 18, 2017

OUR FRIEND

“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.  Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.”
Psalms 116:3, 4 KJV

Jack P. Scholfield who was an evangelistic singer wrote one of my favorite hymns “Saved, Saved”.  I love these words.  “I’ve found a Friend, who is all to me, His love is ever true; I love to tell how He lifted me And what His grace can do for you.”  Jesus is not only our Saviour, He is also our Friend, our best Friend.

All of us need love and all of us need friends.  Jesus is our best Friend because not only did He die for our sins, He will never leave us, not even for a minute (Hebrews 13:5).  If you ever think nobody loves you or cares about you, remember Jesus loves you unconditionally and He will never leave you.   

Joanne Lowe
February 18, 2017

Friday, February 17, 2017

OUR SAVIOUR’S NAME

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 KJV

Pastor William Clark Martin wrote the beautiful hymn “The Name Of Jesus”.  I love these words in this heart touching and inspiring hymn.  “That Name I fondly love to hear, It never fails my heart to cheer; Its music dries the falling tear, Exalt the Name of Jesus!”  Are we exalting His precious and beautiful Name?

Jesus, what a precious and beautiful Name!  Every time I say His Name, my heart is made to rejoice because I know that Jesus, the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS loves me.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is His beautiful and precious Name!

Please join me in praising and exalting the Name of our Saviour.  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that one day He is coming back for us and we will see Him face to face.  What a day or rejoicing and happiness that is going to be.  O how I long to see His precious face.

Do you know our precious Saviour?  You may have invited Him into your heart but do you know Him?  How much time do you spend with Him?  If we really want to know Him, we have to spend time with Him.  Jesus should come before everything and everyone.  Is He first in your heart and life? 

Joanne Lowe
February 17, 2017

Thursday, February 16, 2017

HIS COMPASSIONATE EYES

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.”
1 Corinthians 13:12 KJV

What a joyous and happy day it will be when Jesus comes back for us to take us to Heaven with Him and we see Him face to face!  We will see His compassionate eyes.  Not only does our precious Saviour have eyes that are filled with compassion, His eyes are also filled with unconditional love for us.

Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote the beautiful hymn “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  When we sing this inspiring hymn, I wonder if we really realize that we are going to see Jesus face to face.  If so, our heart should be filled with joy and happiness.  O how I long to see my precious Saviour.  I love Him so much.

Many years ago as I lay under a bed in a mental hospital where I had crawled because I hated everyone and was afraid of everything and everyone, Jesus came to me.  He put His arms of compassion and unconditional love around me and lifted me up from under that bed.  Is it any wonder that I love Him so much?

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Precious Jesus, You are the reason I live, the Joy of my heart and one day I will see You face to face.  Father, I pray for everyone who is hurting.  Please comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 16, 2017

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

GOD KNOWS AND HE SEES OUR TEARS

“Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”
Psalms 139:2 KJV

I saw a Christian movie about a lady who had lost her job.  She smiled at everyone while she was at work but when she went home, she cried.  We have a compassionate and loving Heavenly Father who really cares about us.  We can’t smile and pretend everything is okay with God because God sees our tears.

If you’re hurting, tell God.  He loves you and He cares when you are hurting.  Allow Him to give you rest, protect you and comfort you.  Stop trying to solve your problems.  Allow God to lead you and guide you and heal your broken heart.  Remember, He loves you so much He gave His son to die for you.  

“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 1:3,4).

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, for protecting us, for leading us and for comforting us.  You are a tender loving compassionate Father.  I love You.  I appreciate all You have done for me and the many times You have encouraged and comforted me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 15, 2017




Tuesday, February 14, 2017

IT IS TRUE

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16 KJV

Evangelist Charles Studd wrote the famous poem “Only One Life, T’will Soon Be Past.”  It is true that we only have one life and only what we do for Christ will last.  We can’t take our earthly possessions with us when we die but we can take our love and devotion to Jesus with us.

Is Jesus happy with the things we are doing?  Are we leading others to accept Jesus as personal Saviour by our loving actions and words?  We can tell people about Jesus and how wonderful He is but if they don’t see the difference Jesus makes in our heart and life, they aren’t going to want Jesus.

If we want to lead our children to accept Jesus as personal Saviour, they are going to have to see the difference Jesus made in our life.  Do our children see the difference Jesus has made in our heart and life?  May God help us to live our life in such a way that our children will want Jesus in their heart and life.

Are our works glorifying our Heavenly Father or are they hurting Him and bringing shame to Him?  May God help us to point others to Jesus by our kind and loving actions and our encouraging words.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is Jesus, the Saviour of the world.  O how I love Jesus.

A teenage boy said to his parents “You go to church, teach Sunday school and sing in the choir but when you come home you criticize the pastor and the sermon.  If this is what being a Christian is, I don’t want any part of it.”  How that must have hurt Jesus and broke His heart.  Let’s lead others to Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
February 14, 2017

Monday, February 13, 2017

DO WE LOVE HIM MORE

“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.”
John 21:15 KJV

We say we love Jesus but how much do we love Him?  Do we love Him more than watching television or playing sports?  Jesus should have first place in our heart, in our life and in everything we do.  After everything our precious Saviour has done for us, He deserves to have first place. 

Joanne Lowe
February 13, 2017

Sunday, February 12, 2017

GOD’S FAVORITE COLORS

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
Isaiah 1:18 KJV

God’s favorite colors are red and white.  Red for the blood of Jesus and white because His atoning blood washes us whiter than snow.  Red has always been my favorite color because it reminds me that Jesus loves me so much He shed His precious blood for my sins on the cross.

Thank God for the precious blood of Jesus that washes us whiter than snow.  God opened His heart of compassion and unconditional love to us and He sent His beloved Son to die for our sins.  What kind of love is this?  This is an amazing love that can only come from the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for Jesus.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  Precious Saviour, thank You for dying for my sins and for never leaving me.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  Father, I pray for everyone who is hurting.  Please comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 12, 2017

Saturday, February 11, 2017

THE GREATEST VALENTINE GIFT

“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

The greatest valentine gift ever given was when God gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins.  If you want to give the greatest valentine gift you can give to people, give them Jesus.  Let them see Jesus in your smiles, in your actions and hear Him in your loving and encouraging words.

Above all, give Jesus to your family.  Let your children see the difference Jesus can make in their heart.  Encourage your spouse and your children.  Your children have many challenges they encounter in school and they need your encouragement, your unconditional love for them and your prayers.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every family.  Please draw them closer to You and closer to one another.  May Jesus be lifted up and praised in their home.  I pray for pastors.  Please encourage them and let them know how much You appreciate their service to You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
February 11, 2017

Friday, February 10, 2017

ARE WE WAITING

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31 KJV

Are we waiting for the Lord or are we trying to do things in our own strength?  We are instructed in the Bible to “wait upon the LORD”.  There are times when we get weary and feel like giving up but Jesus will renew our strength.  Jesus knows how it feels to be weary and get discouraged so He understands us.

Pastor John Stallings wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Learning to Lean”.  Have we learned to lean on Jesus or are we still trying to do things by ourselves?  Jesus Himself has imHtold us that without Him we can’t do anything.  We need to lean on Jesus and wait for Him. 

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).  May God help us to wait for Jesus to help us.  He will never fail us and He will pick us up and carry us through all the dark valleys in our life.

Heavenly Father, help us to wait and not try and do things in our own strength.  Thank You for the many times You have comforted and encouraged me.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  I pray for everyone who is discouraged.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 10, 2017

Thursday, February 9, 2017

CRITICISM

“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”
John 9:25 KJV

There are times when we are criticized, sometimes every day for our beliefs and for our service to Jesus.  Our precious Saviour knows how it feels to be criticized because He was criticized all the time for doing good.  If you will read John 9, you will know that Jesus healed the eyes of the blind man.

Just as Jesus healed the eyes of the blind man, He also heals the blindness of our heart.  Before Jesus gives us a new heart, there is unforgiveness, hatred, sarcasm, bitterness and all other things in our heart that hurts Jesus and breaks His heart.  Praise God that when I was saved Jesus gave me a new heart and life.

Rev. Rufus Henry McDaniel wrote one of my favorite hymns “Since Jesus Came into My Heart”.  When Jesus comes into our heart, He gives us a new heart, a heart filled with love and compassion for others.  On August 14, 1980 when I invited Jesus into my heart, He gave me a new heart.

 “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26).  Have you invited Jesus into your heart and allowed Him to give you a new heart?  If not, I urge you to do it today before it is too late.

There is too much criticism in this world.  We need to be encouragers instead of criticizing and hurting one another.  Let’s start loving unconditionally as Jesus loves us and has commanded us to love one another.  We have a tender loving compassionate Saviour Who died for our sins.  

Joanne Lowe
February 9, 2017

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

AND GOD CRIED

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
John 19:30 KJV

When my Mother died on Christmas day many years ago, I was heartbroken but I didn’t cry because some well meaning friends told me that Christians shouldn’t cry when someone dies.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that if you know the heart of God, you know He cried when His Son died.

Think about it.  Our Heavenly Father loves us so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  If He loves us this much, then we know that He has a heart of compassion and tenderness.  When Jesus was hanging on the cross, God had to turn away from Him because God can’t look on sin.

Jesus had taken your sins and my sins on Him as He hung there on that cross of torture with the blood flowing down His body.  How it must have hurt God and broke His heart when His Son was cursed, spat on, mocked and beaten beyond recognition.  Yes, God cried when His Son was killed and tortured.

Don’t ever be ashamed of crying because tears are healing.  Yes, it is true there is always someone who is hurting worse than we are but that does not mean that we can’t cry.  Society has given men the message that it is sissy for a man to cry.  That is a lie straight from the pits of hell because Jesus cried.

“And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.  Jesus wept.  Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!” (John 11:34-35).  If Jesus cried, it is okay for a man to cry.  Let’s become encouragers to one another.  We have a loving compassionate tender Heavenly Father.

Joanne Lowe
February 8, 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017

DON’T DO IT

“Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.”
1 John 3:21 KJV

One of the ways we get in trouble is when we don’t pray and ask God what He wants us to do or where He wants us to go.  Our Heavenly Father knows our future and He knows what is best for us.  There was a television show “Father Knows Best”.  The dad didn’t always know best but God always knows best.

I have learned to ask God what He wants me to do every day and where He wants me to go.  I don’t even go to the store unless I have peace in my heart about going there.  Remember, God knows best and He will never lead us astray.  We can trust Him with our life because He loves us unconditionally.

Do I always do what I think God wants me to do?  No, because I am still in the flesh and will disobey Him at times.  However, as soon as I realize what I have done, I repent and tell God I’m sorry and ask Him to forgive me.  We have a compassionate merciful Father and He will forgive us if we sin and hurt Him.

When we do sin and hurt God, Jesus intercedes for us with the Father.  “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” (1 John 2:1).  What a privilege to have our Saviour defend us and intercede for us.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us when we disobey You and hurt You.  Jesus, thank You for interceding for us when we sin and do things and say things we shouldn’t do or say.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 7, 2017

Monday, February 6, 2017

IT IS NOT ENOUGH

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

It is not enough to just study the Bible.  We must put into practice what we learn.  When someone graduates from medical school, if he or she does not put into practice what they learned in the textbooks, all that learning means nothing.  It is the same with Christians.  We must point others to Jesus by our actions.

If we tell people we love them but never do anything to prove it, they are not going to believe us.  We need to give the plan of salvation to those who are not saved but we first need to let these people know Jesus loves them so much He suffered, bled and died on the cross for their sins.

Are we putting into practice what we learn in the Bible?  Do others see the love of Jesus in our actions and hear His love for them in the encouraging words we say to them?  Is God pleased with our actions?  If not, we need to ask Him to forgive us and help us live so others will see Jesus in us.

If God were to grade us for what we learned in our Bible study, would He pass us or fail us?  My prayer is that everyone will see and hear the love of Jesus for them in my actions and in my words.  Do others see the love of Jesus in your actions and hear His unconditional love for them in what you say to them?

Joanne Lowe
February 6, 2017

Sunday, February 5, 2017

CALL JESUS

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

I watched a family movie and they had a terrible storm with a lot of lightning.  The electricity went off and the telephone didn’t work.  They had an emergency and needed to call someone for help but they were unable to call because of the storm.  We have many storms in our life and we need to call Jesus for help.

There will be times in our life when we need someone and nobody is available to help us.  Jesus is always on call twenty four hours a day.  He is waiting for us to call Him and we will never get a busy signal or a recording to call back.  What a healing balm it is to know we can call Him day or night.

We have storms of hatred, ridicule, sarcasm, and all other things that hurt Jesus and break His heart.  If we will love one another as Jesus has commanded us to love, we won’t have as many problems and we won’t hurt Jesus.  May God help us to love one another as Jesus wants us to love each other.

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).  Do we love each other unconditionally?  We need to ask God to help us.  My Mother said to me many times “If you don’t have anything good to say, keep your big mouth shut”.

Let’s make a special effort to be kind and loving to each other and encourage one another instead of criticizing and judging each other.  A pastor said in a sermon “If you will make sure your heart is in right standing with God, you won’t have time to judge and criticize others”.  All of us need to be encouraged.

Joanne Lowe
February 5, 2017

Saturday, February 4, 2017

HE LOVES US SO MUCH

“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 have a compassionate tender hearted and loving Heavenly Father.  He loves us so much He gave His Son to die for our sins.  Every time I think about how much He loves us I am filled with gratitude for Him.  I know that He loves everybody but to think that God loves me brings tears of joy to my eyes.

On August 14, 1980 when I invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour, our loving Heavenly Father adopted me into His family.  God has been so good to me through the years.  I have lost count of the many times He has comforted and encouraged me when I was hurting and sad.

Not only does God love us, He never yells at us, hits us or curses us.  Several years ago a little boy came to my home and asked if he could come in for a while.  The boy had tears in his eyes and I could tell he was afraid of something.  I asked him what was wrong and he said he was afraid of his dad.

We don’t have to be afraid of our Heavenly Father.  He protects us and supplies our every need and sometimes He gives us things we don’t need just because He loves us.  We can trust Him to take care of us and protect us from the vicious attacks of satan and the world.  What a loving Heavenly Father!

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me, for adopting me into Your family and for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I love You so much and I appreciate all You have done for me and for all You are going to do.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
February 4, 2017

Friday, February 3, 2017

WHAT DO THEY SEE

“Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.”
Isaiah 60:1 KJV

When people look at us, what do they see?  Do they see the glory of the Lord on us or do they see the darkness of satan on us?   We read in the Bible “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Are people glorifying our Heavenly Father because of our good works or do our bad works glorify satan?  May God help us to live so the things we do and the things we say glorify Him and bring honor and glory to Him.  Our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally, protects us and cares about us.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times we fail You and hurt You.  Help us to do and say things that glorify You and make You happy.  Thank You for being a Father Who will never hit us, yell at us or curse us.  What a healing balm it is to us to know we can trust You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
February 3, 2017

Thursday, February 2, 2017

A GREAT SERMON

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.”
Luke 1:31 KJV

I heard one of the greatest sermons I have ever heard.  It was a great sermon because it was about Jesus.  The pastor said “You spell love JESUS”.  Yes, Jesus is love.  Jesus not only gives love, He is love.  He is unconditional love, a love that will last for all eternity.  Yes, He loves you no matter what you have done!

Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus, the Saviour of the world loves you so much He died for your sins on the cross?  What kind of love is this?  It is an amazing unconditional love that only comes from the heart of Jesus.  O how He loves you! 

If you ever doubt someone loves you, remember the cross that Jesus died on for you.  I write a lot about Jesus loving us and it is because a Methodist preacher once said “I heard the gospel, I heard the gospel, I heard the gospel, then praise God one day I heard the gospel.”  Let me say it again, Jesus loves you!

Kurt Kaiser wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Oh, How He Loves You and Me”.  There are no truer words than these.  You are loved by the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  One joyous day, He is coming back for us and we will see Him face to face.  How I long for that day.  I love You, dear Jesus.

Heavenly Father, You are so good to us.  Thank You for Jesus and thank You for being a tender compassionate and caring Father.  How wonderful it is to know that You will never hit us, curse us or yell at us.  What a healing balm it is to our heart to know we can trust You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 2, 2017

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

WE DON’T KNOW WHEN

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”
Matthew 24:44 KJV

Have you ever expected company and spent days cleaning the house and then without warning, your company came early?  You probably felt bad because you didn’t have enough time to make things as pretty as you wanted them to be.  It’s the same with Jesus coming back for us. 

We don’t know when Jesus is coming back for us but He is coming and we need to be ready.  We may be saved but how about our heart?  Is our heart in right standing with God?  Each one of us needs to examine our heart and see if there is anything that hurts God.

Have we forgiven the people who have hurt us and have we asked the people we hurt to forgive us?  Have we allowed bitterness, resentment and all other things that hurt Jesus and break His heart to remain in our heart?  If we want God to forgive us, we had better forgive the ones who hurt us.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times when we have hurt You.  Search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  Father, I pray for every person who has never invited Jesus into his or her heart.  May this be the day they say yes to Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 1, 2017