Saturday, September 30, 2017

WE NEED EACH OTHER

“And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”
Luke 10:34 KJV

Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn “Help Somebody Today”.  Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian author and speaker, said on one of her teaching tapes “The people we sit next to in church look fine and they look darling but inside they are hurting”.

We don’t know the dark valleys and heartaches people are going through.  We only know what they tell us but Jesus knows because He sees what is in their heart.  When we are happy, He rejoices with us and when we are sad and hurting, He cries with us.  He really cares about us and He wants us to be happy.

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).  When we get discouraged, we need to tell Jesus.  He will pick us up and carry us until the pain, the hurt and the heartaches go away.

Joanne Lowe
September 30, 2017

Friday, September 29, 2017

DISCOURAGED

“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”.  I love these words.  “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 need to keep our eyes on Jesus.

It makes satan very angry when we serve Jesus and he will do all he can do to discourage us so much that we stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen!  Have you noticed that satan will attack us at our weakest point?  For over forty years, I believed nobody loved me so that is how satan attacks me.

Almost every day, satan tries to discourage me by telling me Jesus doesn’t love me and never will love me.  However, satan is a liar!  Jesus does love me and He loves you.  We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the battlefield for us.  When satan lies to us, we need to ask Jesus to help us.

It is very important that we keep our eyes on Jesus and on Him alone.  Don’t look to me because I write devotions because I am only a sinner saved by grace.  Don’t look to your pastor or to your Sunday school teacher.  Look to Jesus and to Him alone.  He will never fail you and He will never leave you.

Heavenly Father, please encourage all who are discouraged.  Thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 29, 2017

Thursday, September 28, 2017

THE LOVE OF OUR SAVIOUR

“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

Kurt Kaiser wrote a beautiful hymn about the love of our Saviour “O How He Loves You and Me”.  I love these words in this inspiring hymn.  “Jesus to Calv’ry did go, His love for sinners to show. What He did there brought hope from despair. O how He loves you; O how He loves me; O how He loves you and me!”

Our Saviour loves us even when we hurt Him.  How do we hurt Him?  We hurt Him when we don’t do what He has commanded us to do. Jesus said “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).  Can we honestly say that we love one another as He loves us?

Heavenly Father, we need Your help.  Please help us to love one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love one another.  I pray for all who are lonely, hurting and discouraged and those who are suicidal.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 28, 2017

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

DOES HE

“But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.”
Isaiah 64:8 KJV

Adelaide A. Pollard wrote one of my favorite hymns “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”.  “Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will, While I am waiting, yielded and still.”  Does He have His own way in our life and in our heart?

So many times we try to do things our way but God’s thoughts and ways aren’t our thoughts and ways.  His way is best.  We read in the Bible.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD” (Isaiah 55:8).  We need to let God have His own way in our heart and in our life.

The next time we sing this beautiful hymn, let’s sing it from the depths of our heart and mean what we are singing.  We have a loving compassionate Heavenly Father Who knows what is best for us and He will protect us and lead us in the way He wants us to go.  His way is better than our way.    

Joanne Lowe
September 27, 2017

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

IT REALLY IS

“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

Pastor William C. Martin wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet”.  The words in this beautiful hymn are so true.  “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.”  Jesus, what a precious Name!

Jesus is not only our Saviour, He is also the best Friend we will ever have.  He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  A husband and wife were driving down the road and the wife said to her husband, “We don’t sit close to each other any more”.  Her husband replied, “I haven’t moved”.

If we ever feel like we’re not as close to Jesus as we used to be, we need to realize that Jesus hasn’t moved.  It is us that have left Him.  May God help us to stay close to Jesus, not only so we will be happy but also so we don’t hurt Him.  Jesus has feelings too and He wants us to love Him and stay close to Him.

Joanne Lowe
September 26, 2017

Monday, September 25, 2017

JOY AND HAPPINESS

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

If you want to have joy and happiness flood your heart and life, spend time with Jesus.  I dearly love my family and I have a lot of friends who I love but there are no words to describe the joy and happiness that fills my heart when I spend time with Jesus.  What a privilege is ours to fellowship with Jesus.

Pastor Ira F. Stanphill wrote one of my favorite hymns “Happiness Is The Lord”.  These words are so true.  “Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior--Happiness is the Lord,”  Are we living a life within His favor?  Is He pleased with the things we do?

Heavenly Father, please help us to do things and say things that make You happy.  I pray for everyone who is discouraged, lonely, and heartbroken and who feels like nobody cares.  Please reassure them of Your unconditional love for them.  Thank You for loving us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 25, 2017

 



Sunday, September 24, 2017

THANK YOU

“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Psalms 100:4 KJV

Heavenly Father, we don’t want anything.  We just want to thank You for being a compassionate loving Father.  Thank You for Jesus and for all You have done for us.  We love You, Heavenly Father, and we appreciate You.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 24, 2017

Saturday, September 23, 2017

EVEN IN DREAMS

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
Matthew 10:28 KJV

Jesus has warned us to be on the alert for the vicious attacks of satan.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”(1 Peter 5:8).  It makes satan very angry when we serve Jesus and even in our dreams satan will attack us.

Thursday night I had a terrible dream.  In my dream, someone was trying to kill me.  The dream seemed so real but when I woke up, Jesus said “I still love you and I won’t let anyone hurt you”.  We have a faithful loving Saviour Who never leaves us, not even for a minute.  O how I love Jesus.

When the night seems so long and we can’t sleep, Jesus sits beside our bed and holds our hand.  Many years ago, I was very upset about something and I couldn’t sleep.  I kept tossing and turning all night but through the long night, I felt Jesus holding my hand and saying “I love you, Joanne”.

Heavenly Father, You are a tender loving Father and I appreciate You so much.  I love You, dear Father.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and thank You for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I pray for every pastor.  Please encourage and comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 23, 2017




Friday, September 22, 2017

EVERY DAY

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:14,15 KJV

Pastor Appreciation Day is October 8.  Hopefully, every church will honor their pastor on that day.  However, we should honor our pastors every day of the year because they are on call twenty four hours a day, every day, all year long.  They sacrifice time with their family to minister to their congregation.

One of my pastors said in a sermon “Not every preacher has a pastor’s heart.  If you have a preacher that also has a pastor’s heart, you need to thank God for your preacher”.  I thank God for Pastor Davis because he is a preacher with a pastor’s heart.  Even more important than that, Pastor Davis loves Jesus.

Just because we are a Christian doesn’t mean we love Jesus.  The level of our love for Jesus depends on our level of service to Jesus.  Let me repeat this because it is so important.  The level of our love for Jesus depends on our level of service to Jesus.  How much do we love Jesus and what are we doing for Him?

The desire of every Christian’s heart should be to make Jesus happy.  We make Him happy by being kind and loving to others.  “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).

Joanne Lowe
September 22, 2017

Thursday, September 21, 2017

ENCOURAGEMENT

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

It is very important that we encourage one another.  It is especially important that we encourage our pastor and family.  One of my pastors used to call his wife to stand beside him.  He would put his arms around his wife and tell us to pray for his wife because she encouraged him when he was down.

For those of you who have been on my mailing list for a while, you know that I went through a crippling devastating depression for forty years.  I believed nobody loved me and that I didn’t have a right to live.  I crawled underneath a bed in the mental hospital because I was afraid of everyone and everything.

As I lay under that bed, Jesus came to me.  He put His arms of love and compassion around me and lifted me up from under the bed and said “I love you, Joanne.  It’s safe for you to come out from under this bed.  I won’t let anyone hurt you again”.  It was the first time anyone had said to me “I love you”.

Rev. Charles Frederick Weigle wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn “No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus”.  It is true.  No one ever cared for us like Jesus does and nobody ever will.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  All hail, King Jesus!  O how I love Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
September 21, 2017

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

GOD’S WOODSHED

“And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Hebrews 12:5, 6 KJV

When I worked in the nursing home, I used to hear the residents talking about going out to the woodshed to be spanked when they were children.  I don’t know about you but I’ve been in God’s woodshed and He has applied His rod of correction to my heart when I did something I shouldn’t have done.

Just because I write devotions doesn’t mean I never say things or think things I shouldn’t say or think.  I don’t always love everyone unconditionally as Jesus has commanded.  However, before you judge me, search your own heart.  Can you honestly say you always love everyone unconditionally?

It hurts me to know that there are times when I make God unhappy but every time He has corrected me, He has always told me that He still loves me.  Parents should take a lesson from our Heavenly Father and tell their children they are still loved even when they disobey and have to be punished.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a loving compassionate and forgiving Father.  It breaks my heart to know that there are times when I have hurt You.  Please forgive me.  I never want to make You unhappy.  I love You, dear Father and I appreciate all You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 20, 2017

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

THE COST

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Matthew 16:26 KJV

Two days ago, my arthritis was hurting so much I didn’t feel like standing up and cooking anything.  I started to call and have a pizza delivered but then I realized if I spent money on pizza, I wouldn’t have enough money to call a cab in case of an emergency.  It is very important that we count the cost.

We can live in beautiful and big homes and drive expensive cars but if we haven’t invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we are on our way to hell for all eternity.  Our salvation should be the most important thing in our life.  May God help us to count the cost when it comes to accepting Jesus.

How sad it would be and how it would hurt Jesus and break His heart if He came back today and found us watching a movie on television that has violence, cursing and other things we shouldn’t be watching.  We must count the cost before we do anything so we don’t hurt Jesus.

May God help us to count the cost when we are tempted to say something or do something that will hurt someone.  We need to remember when we hurt others, we also hurt Jesus.  Are you hurting Jesus by the things you say and the things you do?  It should be the desire of every Christian to make Jesus happy. 

Joanne Lowe
September 19, 2017

Monday, September 18, 2017

IT REALLY HAPPENED

“The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
John 20:25 KJV

It really happened; they really did pound those painful nails into the hands of our precious Saviour.  Every time I think about Jesus allowing them to crucify Him for my sins, I get tears in my eyes.  I have tears running down my face as I type this devotion.  O how Jesus loves you and me. 

Jesus, the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” took my sins on His own body so I can live and He took your sins on His body.  Not only did they pound the nails in His hands, they also spat on Him, mocked Him, cursed Him, rejected Him and beat Him beyond recognition.  He endured all that pain for us.

Not only was the heart of Jesus broken when Jesus was crucified, God’s heart was also broken when Jesus died for our sins.  God is holy and He can’t look at sin and our precious Saviour had taken our sins on Him.  Do you understand yet how much God and Jesus love you?

Heavenly Father, You are such a loving and protective Father.  I love You so much.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I pray for every person who is hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 18, 2017

Sunday, September 17, 2017

EVERYTHING

“Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
John 19:29, 30 KJV

Mrs. Walter G. Taylor wrote one of my favorite hymns “Calvary Covers It All”.  “Calvary covers it all, My past with its sin and stain; My guilt and despair Jesus took on Him there, And Calvary covers it all.”  When we invite Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, everything we have ever done is forgiven.

One of the most vicious attacks satan hurls at us is when he tries to convince us that Jesus doesn’t love us and we haven’t been forgiven and never will be forgiven.  Don’t listen to satan because he is a liar.  When Jesus said “It is finished” He took all our sins on His body and paid the penalty for our sins.

What kind of love is this that our Saviour would willingly walk that long lonely road to Calvary and allow them to crucify Him for our sins?  It is an amazing unconditional love that can only come from the heart of our precious Saviour.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Please join me in praising the One Who left His Father, His home and all that He had to die on a cross of agony and pain for us.  All hail King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  It should be the desire of every Christian to serve Jesus.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
September 17, 2017

Saturday, September 16, 2017

HE SAID IT WITH BLOOD

“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

Pastor John Stallings wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Love Grew Where The Blood Fell”.  I believe it is one of the most heart touching hymns I have ever heard.  “Love grew where the blood fell Flow'rs of hope sprang up for men in misery Sin died where the blood fell I'm so glad this precious blood has covered me.”

Yes, God loves us so much that He said it with blood, the redeeming atoning blood of His Son.  God could not look at His Son as He hung there on the cross with the blood flowing down His precious body because God can’t look at sin and Jesus had taken your sins and my sins on Him.

I believe God cried when His Son was crucified for you and for me.  Have you ever really thought about how much God loves you?  If you are a parent, would you willingly give your son to die for someone?  Of course you wouldn’t, but God did because He is a compassionate loving Father.

What love Jesus showed for us as He hung there on the cross dying for our sins.  He could have come down from the cross.  All the nails in the world couldn’t have kept Him on the cross but He stayed on the cross because He loves us so much.  Not only did He stay on the cross, He also 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).  God loves us so much He gave His Son to die for us and Jesus loves us so much He died for us.

Joanne Lowe
September 16, 2017

Friday, September 15, 2017

REVIVAL

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”
Psalms 85:6 KJV

One of the definitions I found for revival in Webster’s Dictionary is “To recover new life or vigor”.  It is impossible for God to revive us if we have never been on fire for Jesus.  Many years ago when my pastor would ask for volunteers, I would not raise my hand or stand up.  How I must have hurt God.

Pastor William Paton Mackay wrote “Revive Us Again”. 
”Revive us again; Fill each heart with Thy love; May each soul be rekindled With fire from above.”  We sing this hymn but again if we have never been on fire for Jesus, how can we be revived?  It should be the desire of every Christian to serve Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I’m so sorry for hurting You when I just stayed in my seat when my pastor asked for volunteers.  Thank You for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I pray for every person who is lonely, discouraged and heartbroken.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe
September 15, 2017

Thursday, September 14, 2017

OUR VICTORIOUS 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 beautiful 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.”

 “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:” (1 Thessalonians 4:16).  What a happy and joyous day that will be when He comes back for us.  How I long to see my precious Saviour face to face.

Heavenly Father, thank You for opening Your heart to us and giving Your beloved Son to die for us.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 14, 2017

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

WILL WE EVER LEARN

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12 KJV

I have a pinball game that I play on my computer for the arthritis in my fingers.  It keeps my fingers from being stiff.  I know that I need to keep my eyes on the ball because if I don’t I will lose the game.  I know this and I have written devotions about it yet I still take my eyes off the ball at times and then I lose the game.

My Mother used to say to me when I disobeyed her when I lived at home “I have told you and told you not to do this, yet you still do it.  Will you ever learn?”  I think if we will listen with our heart, we will hear God say to us, “I have told you and told you not to do this, but you still do it”.  Will we ever learn?

Jesus has commanded us to love one another unconditionally.  It is not an option; it is a commandment but can we honestly say we always love one another unconditionally as He loves us?  “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).

Many times we try to do things without first asking God if He wants us to do it and without asking Jesus to help us.  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).

May God help us to do the things that make Him happy and help us to love unconditionally as Jesus loves us.  Many times we put conditions on our love but that is not how Jesus loves us.  He loves us no matter how many times we hurt Him.  If we want others to love us, we had better love them.

Joanne Lowe
September 13, 2017

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

HE WILL PROTECT US

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”
Psalms 17:8 KJV

Pastor William Orcutt Cushing wrote one of my favorite hymns “Under His Wings”.  I love these words in this inspiring hymn.  “Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment! There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er; Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me, Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.”

It doesn’t matter how many heartaches, dark valleys and crises we have in our life.  Jesus will protect us.  We can rest in Jesus with the assurance that He loves us unconditionally and will never leave us, not even for a minute.  It may feel like He has left us but He hasn’t and He never will leave us.

Joanne Lowe
September 12, 2017

Monday, September 11, 2017

GOD’S LOVE LETTER

“The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”
Psalms 119:130 KJV

Priscilla Jane Owens wrote a hymn about the Bible “Give Me the Bible”.  I love these words.  “Give me the Bible, when my heart is broken, When sin and grief have filled my soul with fear; Give me the precious words by Jesus spoken, Hold up faith’s lamp to show my Savior near.”  The Bible is God’s love letter to us.

Have you ever gone to your mailbox expecting to get a letter from someone and the letter wasn’t there?  God’s love letter is here for us to read any time we want to read it.  Allow God’s love letter to comfort and encourage you.  God loves you and He will comfort and encourage you when you are hurting.

Joanne Lowe
September 11, 2017


Sunday, September 10, 2017

OUR REDEEMER

“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.  It is a beautiful inspiring hymn “Glorious Freedom”.  I love these words.  “Freedom from fear with all of its torments; Freedom from care with all of its pain; Freedom in Christ, my blessèd Redeemer—He Who has rent my fetters in twain.”

Thank God for our Redeemer.  Has there ever been a time when you invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour?  If not, I urge you, I plead with you to give your heart and life to Jesus before it is too late.  One day it will be too late to say yes to Jesus.  Open the door of your heart and let Him in today.

Joanne Lowe
September10, 2017



Saturday, September 9, 2017

SAY IT AND PROVE IT

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.”
Luke 23:33 KJV

A teenage girl was visiting her friend and while she was at her friend’s house, she heard everyone say to each other “I love you”.  The visiting girl told her friend that her mother had never told her that she was loved.  It is so important and even urgent that we say “I love you” to our family and friends.

However, it is not enough to just tell them we love them, we must prove to them we love them by our loving and kind actions.  Jesus didn’t just tell us He loves us, He proved to us He loves us when He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins.  Again, we must prove our love by our actions.

We don’t know what is going on in a person’s heart.  We only know what they tell us but Jesus knows and He cares when we are discouraged, lonely and hurting.  There are some people who are so discouraged they are thinking of taking their life.  We must prove to them that Jesus loves them by our actions.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is discouraged and brokenhearted.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  I love You so much and I appreciate all You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 9, 2017

Friday, September 8, 2017

HOW

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:12,13 KJV

Jesus has commanded us to love one another unconditionally just as He loves us.  Our Scripture verse tells us that there is no greater love than laying down our life for our friends.  How do we lay down our life?  We may never have to lay down our life physically but we can lay down our life in other ways.

How can we lay down our life?  We can lay it down by not insisting on our own way all the time.  Instead of going to our favorite place to eat, we can ask our family and friends where they would like to go.  When someone says something sarcastic and cruel to us, we can ask Jesus to help us be quiet.

Jesus set the example for us.  We read in the Bible.  “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1 Peter 2:23).  May God help us to be quiet when someone hurts us just as Jesus was quiet. 

Joanne Lowe
September 8, 2017

Thursday, September 7, 2017

ALONE WITH 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.”
Psalms 16:11 KJV

What joy floods my heart when I am alone with Jesus.  Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote one of my favorite hymns “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  I love these words.  “Face to face with Christ, my Savior, Face to face—what will it be, When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ Who died for me.”

Someone said “I can’t wait until the children are in bed so my husband and I can be alone”.  I can honestly say that as much as I love my family and friends, I can’t wait until I am alone with Jesus.  What joy fills my heart as I fellowship with the One Who loves me so much He died for me.

If you have never been alone with Jesus, I urge you to make the time to be alone with Him.  You will never have to worry if Jesus will be in a good mood or if He will yell at you.  We read in the Bible “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8).  Jesus is always in a good mood.

Joanne Lowe
September 7, 2017


  

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

THREE WORDS OF LOVE

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Luke 23:33,34 KJV

When Jesus said “Father, forgive them”, they were three words of love, unconditional love for you and for me.  Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, rejected and betrayed.  Yet He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and there allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.

O that we would follow our Saviour’s example when someone hurts us and say “Father, forgive them”.  Can we honestly say that we ask God to forgive people when they hurt us or do we harbor unforgiveness in our heart?  How dare you and I go to a Holy God and ask Him to forgive us if we won’t forgive others?

May God help us to follow the example Jesus set for us and forgive when someone hurts us.  If we want people to forgive us when we hurt them, then we had better forgive them.  None of us are perfect.  We all hurt God at times.  There was only one perfect Person Who ever lived and His Name is Jesus.

Heavenly Father, please search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.  I pray that we will forgive others just as Jesus forgave us while hanging on the cross in agony and pain.  Jesus, thank You for loving me and for dying for me.  I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 6, 2017

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

TOO MUCH NOISE

“And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.”
1 Samuel 3:10 KJV

I wonder how many times Jesus calls us to do something for Him but we can’t hear Him because there is too much noise.  Jesus will not shout to make Himself heard over the television or the radio.  Someone said “I’m too busy to have a quiet time and talk with Jesus”.  Yet, this same person watches TV for hours.

Jesus is not going to hit us to make us pay attention to Him.  We need to make sure that Jesus comes first in our heart, in our life and in everything we do.  I listen to gospel music but there are times when I shut it off and listen while Jesus speaks to my heart.  Are you giving Jesus first place in your heart and life?

Joanne Lowe
September 5, 2017

Monday, September 4, 2017

A YOKE OF LOVE

“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 11:28-30 KJV

Pastor Charles Price Jones wrote one of my favorite hymns “Come unto Me”.  The words in this beautiful hymn are so true.  “Hear the blessèd Savior calling the oppressed, “O ye heavy laden, come to Me and rest. Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear, Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care.”

There are times when we don’t take our burdens to Jesus and try to bear them alone and then wonder why we get discouraged.  We need to remember that 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)

May God help us to take our Saviour’s yoke and allow Him to carry our burdens.  He loves us very much and He wants us to have a peaceful and happy life.  “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).

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  Precious Jesus, thank You for carrying my burdens and for never leaving me, not even for one minute.  I love You so much.  Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are discouraged, lonely and hurting, please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 4, 2017

Sunday, September 3, 2017

THE WONDER OF HIS LOVE

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Romans 5:5 KJV

Philip Paul Bliss wrote a heart touching hymn “Jesus Loves Even Me”.  I love these words.  “Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing, When in His beauty I see the great King, This shall my song through eternity be, “Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”  He loves you so much He died for you.

We know Jesus loves us and we know how much He loves us because He proved His love for us when He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins.  The question we need to ask ourselves is “How much do I love Jesus and what am I doing to prove to Him how much I love Him?”

Are you serving Jesus?  If not, why aren’t you serving Him?  Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die for us.  How can we do less than serve Him?  It should be the desire of every Christian to make Him happy.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is our precious Saviour.

Joanne Lowe
September 3, 2017

Saturday, September 2, 2017

ARE WE A BLESSING

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”
2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV

Harper Garcia Smyth wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Make Me a Channel of Blessing”.  “Make me a channel of blessing today, Make me a channel of blessing, I pray; My life possessing, my service blessing, Make me a channel of blessing today.”  Are we a blessing to others?

May God help us to be a blessing to everyone we meet and also to our family.  We need to search our heart to be sure there is nothing in our heart that hurts God and stops us from being the blessing we should be for Him.  There are many people who are hurting and they need to know that God loves them.

Joanne Lowe
September 2, 2017

Friday, September 1, 2017

OUR PROTECTIVE HEAVENLY FATHER

“Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.”
Psalms 108:13 KJV

One of the definitions I found for enemy in Webster’s Dictionary is “one who hates another and wishes him injury, or attempts to do him injury to gratify his own malice or ill will”.  This is what satan tries to do to us because he hates us because we are serving Jesus.  We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus.

Civilla Durfee Martin wrote one of my favorite hymns “God Will Take Care of You”.  I’m so glad these words are true.  “Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.”  We have a loving protective Heavenly Father.

God also delivers us from our enemies.  “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king” (Daniel 3:17).  “When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7).

Heavenly Father, You are a loving compassionate and protective Father.  Thank You for the many times You have protected me.  I pray for everyone who is discouraged, lonely and heartbroken.  Please comfort them.  I pray for every pastor.  Let them know how much You appreciate them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
September 1, 2017