Thursday, August 31, 2017

OUR TRIUMPHANT SAVIOUR

“Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.”
Acts 1:11 KJV

Rev. William Marion Runyan wrote a victorious hymn about our victorious Saviour “Again He’ll Come”.  I love these words.  “Again, but not in weakness or in sorrow; Again, but not for bitter pain and loss; The Son of God shall come in glory splendid, Again, but not to bear shame’s bitter cross.”

Jesus is coming back for us and He will get the honor He deserves.  “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 2:10, 11).

O how I want to see Jesus.  I love Him so much.  He is the reason I’m living and the Joy of my heart.  I get tears of happiness in my eyes to know that one day I will see my precious Saviour face to face.  I’m going to give Him a hug and spend eternity telling Him how much I love Him.    

Joanne Lowe
August 31, 2017

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

A CHRISTMAS DAY

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
Luke 2:11 KJV

What is a Christmas day?  It is a day when we not only tell our loved ones we love them; we also show them we love them by our actions.  A dad bought his son an expensive gift for Christmas and a mother bought her daughter an expensive gift and they spent time with their children on Christmas day.

These same parents have almost ignored their children for the rest of the year except to tell them they couldn’t do something or go somewhere.  Where is the love?  We need to show our love every day.  Jesus loves us every day and every day He shows us His love by His kind and loving words and actions.

If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus say to us “I love you”.  The love of our precious Saviour is unconditional and it will never end.  He loved you yesterday.  He loves you today and He will love you forever.  Jesus doesn’t turn His love off and on like a water faucet as we sometime do. 

We read in the Bible.  “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).  May God help us to make every day of the year a Christmas day, a day filled with love, kindness, encouragement and caring.

Heavenly Father, You are so kind, loving and giving.  Thank You for opening Your heart to us and giving us the greatest Gift of all, Jesus.  You must really love us to give Your beloved Son to us.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
August 30, 2017

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

MARCHING FOR JESUS

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.”
Psalms 60:4 KJV

Evangelist Daniel Webster Whittle wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Banner Of The Cross”.  “Marching on, marching on, For Christ count everything but loss! And to crown Him King, we’ll toil and sing, ’Neath the banner of the cross!”  Are we doing what we sing?  Are we marching for Jesus?

It makes satan very angry when we march for Jesus and he will do all he can do to discourage us so much that we give up and stop marching for our precious Saviour.  We must not allow satan to defeat us.  As soon as satan attacks us, we need to cry out to Jesus and ask Him to help us and He will help us.

May God help us to stay on the battlefield for Jesus no matter how many lies and vicious darts satan hurls at us and keep marching.  Jesus stayed on the battlefield for us and He was abused, ridiculed, scorned, cursed and rejected and endured pain and agony more than you and I will ever know.

To prove how much He loves us, Jesus walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him on a cross for your sins and for my sins.  I have said this before and I will keep saying it until Jesus comes back for us or God calls me home.  Nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.

Heavenly Father, please help us to keep marching for Jesus.  Thank You for being a compassionate and loving Father, a Father Who will never yell at us, curse us, or hit us.  You are so wonderful and I love You, dear Father.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 29, 2017

Monday, August 28, 2017

THE GREATEST MIRACLE

“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 can read in the Bible about all the miracles that God did but the greatest miracle He did was when He gave His Son to die on the cross to save us.  This is the greatest miracle of all because it is a miracle of unconditional love that came from His heart for you and for me.

Heavenly Father, there are not enough words that can say thank You for Jesus.  I love You so much, Heavenly Father.  What a privilege is mine to serve the One Who loves me so much He died on the cross for my sins.  I love You, Jesus.  You are so precious to my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 28, 2017

Sunday, August 27, 2017

OUR DEPENDABLE CRUTCH

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.”
Jude 1:24,25 KJV

I have to use a crutch when I walk because of my arthritis or I might fall.  However, when it is raining and wet I can’t depend on the crutch to keep me from falling because the crutch might slip.  There is good news.  We have a dependable Crutch and His Name is Jesus.  He is able to keep us from falling.

Many times we try to do things without Him.  Jesus said “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 Him because He gives me strength when I am in pain.

If we will learn to trust Him for everything and allow Him to help us, I believe we would have less problems and a more peaceful life.  We read in the Bible.  “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).

We need to learn to lean on Jesus.  Pastor John Stallings wrote one of the most beautiful and inspiring hymns I have heard “Learning to Lean”.  “The joy I can't explain fills my soul, Since the day I made Jesus my King; His blessed Holy Spirit is leading my way, He's teaching and I'm learning to lean.”

May God help us learn to lean on our precious Saviour.  He will never fail us and He will never leave us, not even for a minute.  He loves us with an unconditional and an everlasting love.

Joanne Lowe
August 27, 2017

Saturday, August 26, 2017

DO PEOPLE KNOW

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:35 KJV

Peter Schools wrote an inspiring hymn “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love”.  “And they'll know we are Christians By our love, by our love, Yes, they'll know we are Christians By our love.”  What about it?  Do people know by our loving words and actions that we are Christians?

It is so important that we let others see and hear the love of Jesus in our actions and in our words.  We don’t know what heartaches people have and the dark valleys they are going through but Jesus knows.  May God help us to show the love of Jesus to others not only by our words but also by our actions.

We read these words in the Bible.  “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 41:7).  Are we encouragers to everyone we see?

Joanne Lowe
August 26, 2017

Friday, August 25, 2017

HIS 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 one of my favorite hymns “The Name of Jesus”.  The words in this beautiful hymn bring tears of gratitude to my eyes.  “I love the Name of Him Whose heart Knows all my griefs and bears a part; Who bids all anxious fears depart, I love the Name of Jesus!” 

We have a tender loving compassionate Saviour Who loves us so much He died for us.  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die for you.  What an amazing unconditional love He has for you and for me.

A Methodist preacher was asked why he said the same thing over and over in his sermons.  The preacher replied and said “I heard the gospel.  I heard the gospel.  I heard the gospel, then praise God, one day I heard the gospel”.  So, like the preacher I am going to keep telling you Jesus loves you.

Heavenly Father, how much You must love us to give Your beloved Son to die for us on the cross.  Thank You for being a loving and compassionate Father.  What a privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  Thank You and thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 25, 2017



Thursday, August 24, 2017

FORGIVENESS AND JOY

“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”
Revelation 2:17 KJV

Charles Austin Miles wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn “A New Name In Glory”.  “I was humbly kneeling at the cross, Fearing naught but God’s angry frown; When the heavens opened and I saw That my name was written down.”  Is your name written down?  Thank God for the redeeming cleansing blood of Jesus.

We read in the Bible.  “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (Luke 15:10).  The angels rejoice when someone accepts Jesus as Saviour.  Thank God for the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus.  What a loving Saviour we have!

Joanne Lowe
August 24, 2017

Wednesday, August 23, 2017

ANOTHER REASON

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Psalms 119:11 KJV

We are to hide God’s Word in our heart so we won’t sin.  However, there is another reason to hide His Word in our heart.  There may come a time when we aren’t physically able to read our Bible.  I have cataracts in both eyes and it is very difficult for me to read even using a magnifier.

The happiest time of my life was when I was able to kneel beside my bed and read the Bible out loud and pray out loud.  I can’t kneel now because I have arthritis and sometimes the tears start to fall because I miss those times so much.  Someone asked me why I read the Bible out loud.  It is because of this verse.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).  The Bible doesn’t tell us that faith comes by reading.  It comes by hearing the Word of God.  Think about it.  What if your spouse never said “I love you” and only wrote it on paper?  It wouldn’t mean as much to you, would it?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for Your love letter to us.  What a privilege is ours to read Your Word.  Please help us to hide Your Word in our heart so we won’t sin and hurt You.  Father, I pray for every pastor.  Please encourage and comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 23, 2017



Tuesday, August 22, 2017

WILL YOU EVER LEARN

“Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”
Psalms 37:5 KJV

Edgar Page Stites who was a home missionary wrote one of my favorite hymns “Trusting Jesus”.  I love these inspiring words.  “Simply trusting every day, Trusting through a stormy way; Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus, that is all.”  We can trust Jesus.  He has proved Himself to be faithful.

I think if we will listen with our heart we will hear Jesus say to us “Will you ever learn”?  I believe we hurt Jesus and break His heart many times when we don’t trust Him or we are determined to do things our way.  We need to commit our way to Jesus and trust Him and He will help us.

It reminds me of something my Mother used to say to me “It doesn’t matter what I say, you’re going to do what you want to do”.  Is Jesus saying that to us?  May God help us to trust Jesus in all we do.  He is faithful and He will never leave us, not even for a minute.  Jesus will bear our burdens so we don’t have to.

Pastor Charles Albert Tindley wrote another one of my favorite hymns “Leave It There”.  “Leave it there, leave it there, Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.  If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out. Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.”  We need to leave our burdens with Him.

Joanne Lowe
August 22, 2017


Monday, August 21, 2017

EVERY DAY

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
1 Peter 5:8 KJV

Evangelist Dr. Charles Weigle wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn “NO ONE EVER CARED FOR ME LIKE JESUS”.  It is so true.  No one ever cared for us like Jesus cares for us and no one ever will care for us like He cares for us.  He cares for us and loves us so much He died on the cross for our sins.

It makes satan very angry when we serve Jesus and satan will do everything he can do to discourage us so much we stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen!  We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the battlefield for us when He was here on His mission.

A pastor said in a sermon “If satan isn’t attacking you, then you probably haven’t done anything for Jesus that day”.  We need to realize that satan will attack us at our weakest place in our life.  I went through a devastating crippling depression for over forty years so satan attacks me in my emotions.

However, no matter how often satan attacks me, he will never win because Jesus defeated satan on the cross and Jesus will help me just as He will help you when satan attacks you.  May God help us to be faithful and serve Jesus even when satan attacks us and tells us Jesus doesn’t love us.

Joanne Lowe
August 21, 2017

Sunday, August 20, 2017

NO MORE HEARTACHES OR TEARS

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 KJV

Jim Hill wrote the beautiful hymn “What A Day That Will be”.  I love these words.  “There is coming a day When no heartache shall come No more clouds in the sky No more tears to dim the eye All is peace forever more On that happy golden shore What a day, glorious day that will be.”

The newspapers, the radio and the television report violence and heartache every day.  I receive emails from people who are brokenhearted, discouraged, hurting and feel like giving up.  We must not give up.  We must be true to the mission God has given us to do just as Jesus completed His mission.

It is very important and even urgent that we encourage one another.  We don’t know what is going on with our family and friends.  We only know what they tell us.  May God help us to encourage one another.  It is very important that we encourage our pastor.  Pastors get discouraged just like we do.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who are discouraged, lonely and hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  Thank You for being a compassionate loving Father.  I love You, dear Father, and I appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
August 20, 2017

Saturday, August 19, 2017

IS GOD PLEASED WITH US

“And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:17 KJV

Is God pleased with us?  Will He say to us that He is well pleased with the things we do and the words we say?  We read in the Bible “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” (Matthew 5:44).

When God looks in our heart, does He see things that make Him happy or does He see things that make Him sad?  This world is too full of temptations and we need to ask Him to help us do the things and say the things that make Him happy.  Making our Heavenly Father happy should be the desire of every Christian.

Joanne Lowe
August 19, 2017



Friday, August 18, 2017

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22,23 KJV

Rev. Thomas Chisholm wrote one of my favorite hymns “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”.  “Great Is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father!  There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.”  We have a faithful Heavenly Father.

Loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your faithfulness to us and for being a compassionate loving Father.  I love You, dear Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Your Son.  Please comfort all who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 18, 2017

Thursday, August 17, 2017

WHAT IF

“But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.”
Matthew 24:36 KJV

We don’t know when Jesus is coming back for us but what if God told us Jesus is coming back for us today?  Would we do the things we had planned to do or would we call our loved ones and tell them how much we love them?  Would we ask the ones we have hurt to forgive us?

Would we forgive the ones who have hurt us and would we make sure our heart is right with God?  We don’t know and we won’t know when Jesus is coming back for us so it is very important and even urgent that we keep our heart in right standing with our Heavenly Father. 

When God looks in our heart, what does He see?  Does He see things that hurt Him and break His heart or does He see things that make Him happy?  May God help us to keep our heart right with Him because we won’t have time to ask Him to forgive us when Jesus comes back for us.

What about you?  You may be saved but is your heart right with God?  If there is something in your heart that hurts Him and breaks His heart, ask Him to forgive you.  He loves you and He will be faithful to forgive you.  He is waiting for you to come to Him with His arms open wide to receive you.

Joanne Lowe
August 17, 2017

Wednesday, August 16, 2017

HOW 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

How much do we love our Heavenly Father and Jesus?  God proved to us how much He loves us when He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus proved to us how much He loves us when He stretched out His arms and with His precious blood flowing down His body died for us.

They have proved to us how much They love us.  What are we doing to prove to Them how much we love Them?  The depth of our service to Jesus will depend on how much we love Him.  Jesus gave everything, His life, for us.  What are we giving to Him?  Does Jesus know how much we love Him by what we do?

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for giving Jesus to die for our sins.  Please comfort all who are hurting.  You are a loving compassionate Father and I love You.  Jesus, I love You.  Thank You for loving me so much You died for my sins.  Holy Spirit, I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 16, 2017

Tuesday, August 15, 2017

TELL JESUS

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 28:11-20 KJV

Pastor Edmund Simon Lorenz wrote a beautiful heart touching and inspiring hymn about our precious Saviour “Tell It To Jesus”.  I love these words.  “Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus, He is a Friend that’s well known.  You’ve no other such a friend or brother, Tell it to Jesus alone.”

We don’t have to go through this life by ourselves.  This world is too full of violence.  Jesus, our loving compassionate Saviour, knows how it feels when we are discouraged, lonely and heartbroken.  When He was here on His mission, He too experienced discouragement, loneliness and heartbreak.

If you are hurting, don’t try to carry your burden by yourself.  Tell Jesus and He will be faithful to pick you up in His loving arms and carry you until the pain goes away,  What a privilege we have to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  O how I love Jesus.  It is a privilege to serve Him.

Joanne Lowe
August 15, 2017

Monday, August 14, 2017

WHAT A PRIVILEGE

“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 2:9-11 KJV

One of the definitions I found for privilege in the dictionary is “an advantage or source of pleasure granted to a person:”  It is a privilege just to say the precious Name of Jesus.  If we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we will spend all eternity with Him.  Are you shouting with joy yet?

Jim Hill wrote one of my favorite hymns “What A Day That Will Be”.  “What a day that will be When my Jesus I shall see And I look upon His face The One who saved me by His grace When He takes me by the hand And leads me through the Promised Land What a day, glorious day that will be”.

Think about it!  We are going to be with Jesus forever.  It is worth all the heartaches, trials and dark valleys we go through just to be with our precious Saviour.  How I long for the day when I will see Jesus face to face and thank God, one day I will see Him face to face.  I love Jesus with all my heart.

Joanne Lowe
August 14, 2017

Sunday, August 13, 2017

ONE HAPPY DAY

“O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth.”
Psalms 96:1 KJV

I have been told that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.  I have even been asked to leave a choir because I was singing off key and causing the other ones sitting next to me to also sing off key.  However, one glorious happy day I am going to sing in the heavenly choir and God will not ask me to leave His choir.

It breaks my heart that I can’t sing but God has given me the ability and the privilege of writing devotions.  It doesn’t matter if you can’t sing or write devotions.  God has given every one of us the ability to do something for Him.  We just need to be faithful and serve Him.  Are we doing what He gave us to do?

I heard a preacher say one time “It is because of me that man was saved”.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that the preacher is wrong.  We read in the Bible “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6).  It is God and God alone that saves, not us.

If you are like me and can’t sing, God has something for you to do.  If you will pray and ask Him to give you something to do for Him then He will lead you in the way He wants you to go.  It is a privilege to serve God and spread His unconditional love to all we see.  We have a loving and compassionate Heavenly Father.

Joanne Lowe
August 13, 2017




Saturday, August 12, 2017

ONE JOYOUS HAPPY DAY

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
Revelation 21:4 KJV

The newspapers report violence every day.  People are being killed, raped and hurt.  One joyous happy day when Jesus comes back for us, there will be no more death, sorrow, crying or pain and God Himself is going to wipe the tears from our eyes.  I believe He is going to dry our tears with kisses.

If you feel like you can’t go on or give another smile, realize that one day God is going to dry your tears with tender loving compassionate kisses.  Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote one of my favorite hymns "It Will be Worth it All, When We See Jesus."  It really will be worth it all when we see our precious Saviour.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged, broken hearted and going through dark valleys.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me.  I love You so much Heavenly Father.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 12, 2017

Friday, August 11, 2017

A SPIRITUAL BIRTHDAY

“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
Luke 15:10 KJV

Charles Austin Miles wrote one of my favorite hymns “A New Name in Glory”.  I love these words in this heart touching inspiring hymn.  “There’s a new name written down in glory, And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine! And the white robed angels sing the story, A sinner has come home.”

It doesn’t matter if we are six years old or ninety years old.  If we don’t have a spiritual birthday, we aren’t living, we just exist.  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).

A young boy recently turned thirteen.  He had a big party and received a lot of presents but on the date of his spiritual birthday, he didn’t get any presents or have a party and nobody even said happy birthday to him.  How that must have hurt God and broke His heart.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for not wishing happy birthday to people on their spiritual birthday.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family on August 14, 1980 when I gave my heart to Jesus.  Thank You for loving me and for taking care of me.  I love You, precious Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
August 11, 2017

Thursday, August 10, 2017

WHERE DID IT BEGIN

“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

Where did God’s compassionate unconditional love for you and for me begin?  It began in His heart just as compassionate unconditional love for one another must begin in our heart.  We are so quick to point the finger of guilt at others but seldom admit that we hurt others also.

One of my pastors said in a sermon “If you will keep your own heart right with God, you won’t have the time to judge others”.  Can we honestly say we love one another unconditionally as God loves us?  Loving one another unconditionally is not an option; it is a commandment from Jesus.

We read in the Bible “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).  When God looks in our heart, does He see unconditional love for one another or does He see things that hurt Him and break His heart?  May God help us to love one another unconditionally.

God didn’t just look down from Heaven and decide to send Jesus to die for our sins, It broke His heart to see the condition the world was in so He opened His heart of compassionate unconditional love to us and sent Jesus to die on the cross and pay the penalty for your sins and for my sins.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Jesus, thank You for dying for us.  You are so precious to me.  Thank You for never leaving me.  I love You with all my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 10, 2017

Wednesday, August 9, 2017

BECAUSE OF JESUS

“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 KJV

My birthday was last month on July 7 but because of Jesus I have another birthday, a spiritual birthday.  I was born again into God’s family on August 14, 1980.  I will be 37 years old spiritually in 6 days.  It is because Jesus loves us so much that we can be born again into God’s family.

Do you have a spiritual birthday?  If you have never given your heart to Jesus, I urge you to do it today before it is too late.  Your family and friends can’t do it for you as much as they want to do it.  Salvation is personal between Jesus and you.  Will you give your heart to Jesus?  He is waiting for you.

You may have invited Him into your heart, but are you serving Him?  He doesn’t call everyone to go to another country to be a missionary but He does call everyone to serve Him right where we are.  To serve Him, we will have to shut off the television, get out of our comfort zones and tell everyone Jesus loves them.

Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die on the cross so we may have the privilege of being saved through His redeeming blood and live with Him in Heaven for all eternity.  Thank God for our compassionate redeeming Saviour!  What a privilege is ours to be loved by Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who has never said yes to Jesus.  May today be the day they invite Him into their heart.  Please help us to put Jesus first in our life and to serve Him with all our heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.   

Joanne Lowe
August 9, 2017

Tuesday, August 8, 2017

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Helen Howarth Lemmel wrote one of my favorite hymns “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.  Yet many times we fail to do it.  We allow other things to come before Him.  If we will keep our eyes on Jesus, we will have fewer problems and we won’t hurt Jesus as much as we do.

I love these words in this inspiring hymn “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”  We must keep our eyes on Jesus.  Jesus will never hurt us, leave us or betray us.  We can trust our loving Saviour.

I receive emails from people who tell me how wonderful it is that I write devotions and while I appreciate them because all of us need to be encouraged, don’t look to me or to your pastor or Sunday school teacher.  I am still in the flesh and I am not perfect.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and on Him alone.

Heavenly Father, help us to keep our eyes on Jesus and trust Him to lead us.  Jesus, how I love You.  One joyous day I will see You face to face.  I am going to give You the biggest hug You have ever had and I am going to tell You how much I love You and appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
August 8, 2017

Monday, August 7, 2017

OUR HEALING SAVIOUR

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Our healing Saviour not only heals us spiritually and physically, He also heals us emotionally.  Doctors can operate on us and set our broken bones but only Jesus can heal a broken heart.  Jesus wants us to be happy.  Jesus tells us that He has come so we might have life.

We read in the Bible “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). Thank God for our compassionate and loving Saviour.  He healed us spiritually when He died for our sins on the cross.

It doesn’t matter what is wrong with you, Jesus can heal you.  What a privilege is ours to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  Don’t forget to tell Jesus you love Him.  Jesus has feelings and just as we want Him to tell us He loves us so He wants us to tell Him we love Him.  Have you told Jesus you love Him today?

Joanne Lowe
August 7, 2017

Sunday, August 6, 2017

CHILDREN

“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Mark 10:13,14 KJV

Several years ago, I wrote a devotion about children.  Someone who was on my mailing list for new devotions emailed me and asked me to take her name off my mailing list.  She said “I don’t have any children so this devotion does not apply to me”.  How that must have hurt Jesus and broke His heart.

I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that every person not only has the responsibility but also the privilege of loving children and leading them to Jesus.  How do we lead them to Jesus?  We lead them to Jesus by our loving words and actions.  Children are precious to our loving Saviour.

Our children need to see and hear the love of Jesus in us.  A teenage boy said to his parents “You sing in the choir and teach Sunday school but when you come home, you criticize the pastor and the sermon.  If that is what being a Christian is, I don’t want any part of it”.  What a hearbreaking statement!

My Mother used to say to me “Don’t do what I do.  Do what I tell you to do”.  It doesn’t work that way.  Children are going to do what they see us do.  It is very important and even urgent that children see and hear the love of Jesus not only in our words but also in what we do.  May God help us to live for Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
August 6, 2017

Saturday, August 5, 2017

IN HIS HEART

“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

There are parents who have pictures of their children on the walls of their home.  Our Heavenly Father has pictures of His children in His heart.  Think about it!  God loves us so much that He keeps our pictures in His heart.  What a tender loving and compassionate Heavenly Father we are privileged to know.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for loving us so much that You keep our pictures in Your heart.  You are a tender loving and compassionate Father and I love You.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 5, 2017

Friday, August 4, 2017

IT IS HARD TO DO

“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Luke 6:27,28 KJV

Our Scripture verses instruct us to love our enemies but it is hard to do, isn’t it?  Yet, that is exactly what our loving Saviour did when He died for us on the cross.  He had been spat on, cursed, mocked, rejected and beaten beyond recognition.  If anyone ever had a right to hate people, it was Jesus.

Even while hanging on the cross in excruciating pain with the blood flowing down His body, He asked God to forgive us.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).  This is an amazing unconditional love for you and me.

If we would ever realize that when we hurt people, we also hurt Jesus I believe that we would stop criticizing them and start encouraging them.  Thank God for our Saviour and for the old rugged cross.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Joanne Lowe
August 4, 2017

 





Thursday, August 3, 2017

WE HAVE BEEN SET FREE

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36 KJV

Pastor Haldor Lillenas wrote one of my favorite hymns “Glorious Freedom”.  I love these words.  “Once I was bound by sin’s galling fetters; Chained like a slave, I struggled in vain. But I received a glorious freedom, When Jesus broke my fetters in twain.”  Thank God for the redeeming blood of Jesus!

Every time I remember how Jesus came to me when I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital afraid of everyone and hating everybody with no desire to live and lifted me up from under that bed, my heart overflows with love for my precious Saviour.  I have a lot of good friends but my best Friend is Jesus.

One of my pastors said in a sermon “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start bragging on Jesus”.  I have had the privilege of serving Jesus full time since January 24, 2005 and since that date I really have been flying higher than a kite.  Of course, satan does his best to discourage me but he will never win.

Heavenly Father, You are a compassionate loving Father.  Thank You for allowing me to serve Your Son.  Precious Jesus, how I love You!  One day I will see You face to face.  I’m going to give You the biggest hug You have ever had.  How I long for that day.  Thank You for dying for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 3, 2017



Wednesday, August 2, 2017

SERVING JESUS

“But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.”
Psalms 5:11 KJV

When we are serving Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he will do all he can do to discourage us so much that we stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen!  As soon as satan attacks us, and he will attack us, we need to ask Jesus to help us and He will defend us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I pray for every person who is discouraged, hurting, and lonely and needs comforting.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  Thank You for adopting me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 2, 2017

Tuesday, August 1, 2017

VIOLENCE OR LOVE

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15 KJV

A pastor went to visit a young man who was in jail.  The young man told the pastor that he had a bad mother and that his dad was never there and he grew up watching television and that is where he learned to kill.  The pastor said “I’m sorry you had a bad mother and your dad was never there”.

The pastor also said to the young man, “I’m sorry all you had was television but don’t you tell me that you don’t know the difference between right and wrong”.  It is time that we start loving instead of hating and killing.  The newspapers and radio report violence every day.  How this must hurt Jesus.

There are parents who won’t let their children go to movies that have a bad rating.  Yet, these same parents not only allow their children to watch the same movies on television, they watch the movies with them.  It’s no wonder at all that there is so much violence in the world.

We aren’t serving the Lord if we’re watching things that hurt Him and break His heart.  Several years ago, someone emailed me and wrote “Is it okay to watch television?”  I answered the person’s question and wrote “It’s okay to watch television if you would watch the same thing with Jesus sitting beside you”.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for hurting You by serving satan instead of serving You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
August 1, 2017