Tuesday, October 31, 2017

HAPPINESS

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

Pastor Alfred Henry Ackley wrote an inspiring hymn “In the Service of the King”.  These words describe how I feel.  “I am happy in the service of the King. I am happy, O so happy! Through the sunshine and the shadow I can sing, In the service of the King.”  What a privilege to serve the One Who died for me.

Have you answered the call of Jesus to serve Him?  He doesn’t call all of us to go to a different country but He does call every one of us to serve Him where we are.  There are some people who will drive hundreds of miles on vacation but aren’t willing to drive a few miles to visit someone who is hurting.

One day our precious Saviour is coming back for us.  How it would hurt Him and break His heart if we aren’t serving Him.  We have to get out of our comfort zones to serve Him.  Jesus got out of His comfort zone.  He left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die for our sins.

You might think there is nothing you can do because you don’t have any talents.  I used to think like that but when I asked God to give me something to do to serve Jesus, He gave me the ministry of writing devotions.  I am not a professional writer and have no desire to be one.  I just write when He inspires me.

Are you willing to turn off the television, get out of your comfort zone and serve Jesus?  The desire of my heart is to make Jesus happy.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is our precious Saviour.  Will you answer the call and say yes to Jesus? 

Joanne Lowe
October 31, 2017

Monday, October 30, 2017

OUR SHEPHERD

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10:11 KJV

John W. Peterson wrote a beautiful and heart touching hymn about our precious Shepherd “Shepherd of Love”.  “You sought and found me, Placed around me Strong arms that carry me home. No foe can harm me, Or alarm me, Never again will I roam.”  Thank God for our loving Saviour.

Heavenly Father, I love You.  Thank You for our Shepherd of Love.  Please comfort and encourage all who are hurting and discouraged.  Precious Jesus, I love You so much.  Thank You for loving me and dying for me.  Holy Spirit, I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 30, 2017

Sunday, October 29, 2017

THE MOST EXPENSIVE PRICE

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV

I read somewhere that somebody had paid the most expensive price ever paid for anything.  That is not a true statement.  The most expensive price ever paid for anything was when Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins.  He paid the price for your sins and for my sins with His own blood.

Think about it.  Jesus did not have to die on the cross for our sins.  He did not have to leave Heaven and come to earth.  He came to earth and died on the cross because He loves us so much.  John W. Peterson wrote the beautiful heart touching and inspiring hymn “No Greater Love”.

There really was and there never will be no greater love than the unconditional love of our precious Saviour for you and for me.  Are you shouting with happiness yet?  I don’t understand how people can shout and cheer for a sports team but don’t shout and cheer for Jesus.

If ever someone deserves to be praised and adored, it is Jesus, the Saviour of the world.  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  What brings tears of happiness to my eyes is to know that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord!

Heavenly Father, how I love You.  I appreciate all You have done for me and all You do for me every day.  Thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Jesus, I love You with all my heart.  How I long for the day when I will see You face to face.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 29, 2017

Saturday, October 28, 2017

DO WE MEAN IT

“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 Addison Pollard wrote a beautiful heart touching and inspiring hymn that we sing a lot “Have Thine Own Way, Lord”.  “Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way! Search me and try me, Master, today! Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now, As in Thy presence humbly I bow.” 

I wonder when we are singing it, do we mean it?  Do we really want Him to have His way in our heart and life or do we want to do what we want to do?  Do we want Him to search us and try us?  If we can’t sing this beautiful hymn and mean it, we shouldn’t sing it because we are hurting Him.

Laurie Klein wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Love You, Lord”.  If we sing this beautiful hymn to Him but don’t really mean it, then it not only shows disrespect for Him, it also hurts Him and breaks His heart.  How can we not love our precious Saviour after all that He has done for us?  He deserves our love.

I can honestly say that I love Jesus with all my heart and I long for the day when I will see Him face to face.  I love this beautiful hymn that Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote “Face to face with Christ, My Savior”.  Are you shouting with happiness yet?  We are going to see our precious Saviour face to face.

Joanne Lowe
October 28, 2017

Friday, October 27, 2017

LOVE INSTEAD OF VIOLENCE

“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 KJV

I don’t like to read the news any more.  The news is filled with violence, hatred, rapes, murders and all other things that hurt Jesus and break His heart.  I read today about parents who left their dead baby in a swing for a week.  I have tears rolling down my cheeks as I type this.

If this broke my heart, how much more did it hurt Jesus and break His heart.  The goal of every Christian who claims to love Jesus should be to love one another unconditionally as He has commanded us to love one another.  Loving one another unconditionally is not an option, it is a commandment.

 I have to be honest and say there are times when God has to take me out to His woodshed of correction because I don’t always love unconditionally as Jesus loves.  Before you judge and condemn me, search your own heart.  Can you honestly say you always love others unconditionally?

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I don’t love unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  I pray You will search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, please let me know so I can repent.  Please comfort and encourage all who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 27, 2017

Thursday, October 26, 2017

A PUNCTURED BALLOON

”Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
Proverbs 16:24 KJV

Have you ever seen a balloon that has been punctured by a fingernail or object?  It only takes one little hole in the balloon to deflate it.  It may take a while for it to completely deflate but eventually all of the air goes out of the balloon.  You can try to patch it with something and it might help for a while but it doesn’t last.

It is the same with our heart.  When someone says something negative to us, a sarcastic remark, a discouraging word or something that pulls us down, that is all it takes to deflate our heart.  It only takes one discouraging or sarcastic remark to put the hole in our heart.  That is why it is so important to choose your friends wisely.

Our loved ones can try to encourage us and tell us not to listen to those people who delight in putting us down but the hole is already there and nothing anybody says or does can take the hole out of our heart.  Jesus is the only One Who can restore our self esteem and confidence and fix the hole in our heart.

Please don’t say things to discourage people.  Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian speaker and author, said on one of her teaching tapes “Men and women are leaving full time ministry in droves because we haven’t encouraged them”.  Let’s become encouragers instead of saying things that hurt people.

Joanne Lowe
October 26, 2017

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

HE KNEW

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
Luke 23:34 KJV

Dottie Rambo wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn about our precious Saviour “If That Isn’t Love”.  “He left the Splendor of Heaven Knowing His Destiny Was the lonely Hill of Golgotha There to lay down His life for me”.  Yes, He knew He was going to be beaten beyond recognition and crucified on the cross.

What kind of love is this that Jesus would walk that long lonely road to Calvary and allow them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins?  It is a compassionate and unconditional love for you and for me that kept Him on the cross.  All the nails in the world couldn’t have held Him if He had chosen to come down.

Do you understand yet how much Jesus loves you?  I write about Jesus loving you many times in my devotions and the reason why is because knowing that Jesus loves us will help us go through the crises and dark valleys in our life.  Allow it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that He loves you.

Joanne Lowe
October 25, 2017


Tuesday, October 24, 2017

WE LET GO

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

A little boy and his dad were taking a walk and were laughing and having a good time together.  All of a sudden, the little boy let go of his dad’s hand and he fell.  The little boy started crying and said “Dad, why did you let me fall?”  The dad said “I didn’t let you fall.  You let go of my hand.”

Isn’t that what we do at times?  We let go of the hand of Jesus and then we wonder why we fall.  Jesus told us without Him we can’t do anything.  “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).

O how we need Jesus.  Annie Sherwood Hawks wrote a hymn that is so true “I Need Thee Every Hour”.  “I need Thee, O I need Thee; Every hour I need Thee; O bless me now, my Savior, I come to Thee.”  I don’t just need Jesus every hour, I need Him every minute.  He is not only my Saviour, He’s my Joy.

Are you holding the hand of our Saviour or are you trying to do things by yourself?  Not only do we have problems when we don’t hold His hand, we also hurt Him.  He loves us so much that He died for us and He wants to help us but we have to let Him help us.  O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe
October 24, 2017

Monday, October 23, 2017

IT REALLY WILL BE

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 KJV

Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote one of my favorite hymns “It Will Be Worth It All When We See Jesus”.  I love these words.  “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus, Life's trials will seem so small when we see Christ; One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase, So bravely run the race till we see Christ.”

It really will be worth it all when we see Jesus.  I have been abused and beaten emotionally and physically but when I think about seeing my precious Saviour face to face, it is worth everything I have gone through just to know He loves me so much He died for me and I will see Him face to face.

Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote another one of my favorite hymns about Jesus “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  ”Face to face I shall behold Him, Far beyond the starry sky; Face to face in all His glory, I shall see Him by and by!”  Are you shouting with happiness yet?

We are going to have the privilege of seeing our precious Saviour face to face and we will be with Him for all eternity.  Do you know Jesus?  If we want to know someone, we have to spend time with the person.  How much time do you spend with Jesus?  Is He first in your heart and in your life?


Joanne Lowe
October 23, 2017

Sunday, October 22, 2017

TEARS OF HAPPINESS

“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Matthew 3:16,17 KJV

When Jesus was crucified on the cross for our sins, God had to turn away from His beloved Son because Jesus had taken our sins on Him.  God can’t look at sin and God cried.  When someone invites Jesus into his or her heart as Saviour, God sheds tears of happiness.  O how God loves His Son.

God also sheds tears of happiness when we are kind and loving to Jesus.  “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).  Are we making God happy or are we breaking His heart?

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Please forgive us for not always loving unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  I pray that You will please comfort and encourage all those who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 22, 2017

Saturday, October 21, 2017

SATISFIED

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

Grace B. Maxwell wrote a hymn that should make us search our heart “Is He Satisfied With Me?”.  “I am satisfied with Jesus, But a question comes to me As I ponder o’er His goodness, Is He satisfied with me?”  Every one of us must answer the question “Is He satisfied with me”.

If Jesus comes back for us today, will we be able to look Him in the eye or will we have to hang our head in shame because we didn’t serve Him.  You might think that you aren’t talented and can’t serve our precious Saviour.  Every one of us can tell people that Jesus loves them and died for them.

You can hug people for Jesus.  If you’re not comfortable hugging people, you can hug them with loving words.  Someone said “I don’t need anything or anyone”.  That is not a true statement.  We need each other.  We need to encourage one another and pray for each other.  Have you hugged for Jesus?

Joanne Lowe
October 21, 2017

Friday, October 20, 2017

HIS PRECIOUS NAME

“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

Lydia Odell Baxter wrote one of my favorite hymns “Precious Name”.  I love these words in this inspiring hymn.  “Take the Name of Jesus with you, Child of sorrow and of woe, It will joy and comfort give you; Take it then, where’er you go.”  Yes, the precious Name of Jesus gives us joy and comfort.

The question we need to ask ourselves is “Do I make Jesus happy by my actions and my words”?  We can fool others but we can’t fool Jesus because He can see in our heart and He knows if we really love Him or if we are just telling people we love Him.  Remember, actions speak louder than words.

I found this definition about actions in The Cambridge English Dictionary “what you do is more important than what you say, because the things you do show your true intentions and feelings:”.  We can say we love Jesus but what are we doing to prove that we love Him?  Jesus deserves our service and love.

Joanne Lowe
October 20, 2017

Thursday, October 19, 2017

OUR SAVIOUR CARES

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
1 Peter 5:7 KJV

Pastor Frank Ellsworth Graeff wrote one of my favorite hymns “Does Jesus Care”.  I love these words.  “Oh yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief; When the days are weary, the long nights dreary, I know my Savior cares.”  Our Saviour cares about every one of us.

It doesn’t matter how many dark valleys we have or how many crises we have, our Saviour cares.  He not only cares about us.  He will also pick us up in His loving arms and carry us until the pain goes away and will set us once again on the mountain top of happiness.  O how Jesus loves you!

When you get discouraged and think nobody cares about you, remember Jesus cares about you so much He allowed them to beat Him beyond recognition and crucify Him on the cross for your sins.  Allow Jesus to comfort and encourage you.  He will never leave you or forsake you, not even for one minute.

Since I gave my heart to Jesus on August 14, 1980, He has never left me, not even for one minute.  There are times when satan discourages me so much that I feel like going to bed and staying there and then I remember the love my Saviour has for me and the sacrifice He made for me.

If you’re lonely or hurting today, it doesn’t matter if you’re hurting physically, emotionally or financially, tell Jesus.  He is waiting for you to come to Him with His arms open wide and with His heart full of love for you.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Joanne Lowe
October 19, 2017

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

WE LOVE YOU

“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

Heavenly Father, You proved Your love for us when You gave Your beloved Son to die for us.  I pray that we will show You that we love You by our service to You.  May the things we do and our words point others to You.  Thank You for everything You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 18, 2017

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

JESUS UNDERSTANDS

“And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Matthew 26:39 KJV

Have you ever felt like nobody understands or even cares about the dark valleys you are going through?  I have felt that way many times.  I think one of the reasons why we don’t share what is in our heart with others is because we are afraid of being laughed at or told other people have problems too.

Yes, it is true that other people have problems and their problems may be even more serious than what we have but to Jesus, every one of us is important to Him.  He cares when we are discouraged and our heart is breaking.  That is why He has told us to come to Him and let Him help us.

John W. Peterson wrote one of my favorite hymns “No One Understands like Jesus.”  Yes, Jesus understands how we feel when we are discouraged and feel like giving up.  I’m sure when He was in the garden praying to His Father before He was crucified that He too felt like giving up.

One of the most hurtful things we can do to someone is say “Stop feeling sorry for yourself.  There are other people who have bigger problems than you do”.  I don’t think we realize how it hurts people when we say that to them.  It is true that other people have more serious problems but Jesus cares about us.

It is very hard for me to share what is in my heart with others because I have been told that I was just feeling sorry for myself.  Even if we have what seems to be a small problem to others, to Jesus it is important and He longs to help us and comfort us.

Joanne Lowe
October 17, 2017

Monday, October 16, 2017

THAT’S MY KIDS

“God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those who are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.”
Psalms 68:6 KJV

I watched a family program on television.  It was about a family who had taken a young boy in.  The daughter felt that her dad loved the boy they had taken in more than he loved her.  The boy found out how she felt and he ran away because he felt like he was a burden to the family and was causing problems.

The little boy had raised a calf that was going to be shown at the county fair and he came back to see if the calf would win.  The girl had taken care of the calf for the boy.  When the calf won the award and the little girl made her speech, she said “This award really belongs to my brother.”

When the boy heard her refer to him as her brother, he ran to the girl and they hugged.  In the last scene it showed the dad smiling with tears in his eyes as he clapped.  He was moved to tears because of the love that he saw between his children.  He looked around at the crowd and said “That’s my kids”.

I wonder when our Heavenly Father looks at us if He has tears of happiness in His eyes and says “That’s My kids” or are we hurting Him and breaking His heart because of the way we treat one another?  May God help us to be an encouragement to one another and to love unconditionally as Jesus has commanded.

Joanne Lowe
October 16, 2017






Sunday, October 15, 2017

AN EMOTIONAL DEATH

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.”
Psalms 147:3 KJV

All of us are guilty of hurting someone emotionally.  That is a strong statement, but Jesus wouldn’t have to heal the broken in heart if we didn’t hurt each other emotionally.  Before I made a heart commitment to Jesus, I am sure that I hurt a lot of people emotionally.  How I must have hurt Jesus and broke His heart.

The tragic thing is that a lot of times we don’t even realize we have hurt them, but yet by our judgmental, criticizing, and harsh words we do it.  Every time we say something unkind to people, it makes them feel less secure.  Also, when we make a promise to someone, we need to keep it.

When I was in the hospital, a nurse told me that she would come visit me when I was discharged.  She was trying to cheer me up and coax me out of my depression.  I believed her and that started me talking again.  However, when I got out of the hospital she never called me or came to see me.

The only medicine for a broken heart is the unconditional love of Jesus.  Only Jesus can heal a broken heart and wipe away the tears from our eyes.  We need to be careful what we say to people because when we break someone’s heart, we are also hurting Jesus and breaking His heart.

Heavenly Father, I’m sorry I have hurt people because when I hurt people, I also hurt Your Son.  I pray for everyone who is discouraged, lonely, brokenhearted and going through dark valleys.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 15, 2017

Saturday, October 14, 2017

JESUS LOVES THEM

“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 KJV

A woman was very rude and hateful to me and I started to get angry and say something to hurt her.  Then I remembered the Scripture verse for this devotion and I asked God to help me keep my big mouth shut.  I kept saying to myself “Jesus loves her so you should love her”.

It is very important to remember that when we say hateful words and hurt people, we are also hurting Jesus.  We read in the Bible.  “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).

The next time we are tempted to say or do something to hurt someone; we need to cry out to Jesus and ask Him to help us.  When we do things or say things that hurt our precious Saviour, He just keeps loving us.  His love is an unconditional love.  No matter how many times we hurt Him, He still loves us.

My Mother used to say to me “If you don’t have anything good to say, keep your big mouth shut”.  She said that many times.  It hurt me when Mom said that to me but she was right.  If we will listen with our heart, we might hear Jesus say to us “If you don’t have anything good to say, keep your big mouth shut”. 

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for thinking unkind thoughts and wanting to say hateful words.  Please help me to keep my big mouth shut when I’m tempted to say something mean and hateful.  Thank You for loving me and putting up with me even when I hurt You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.    

Joanne Lowe
October 14, 2017

Friday, October 13, 2017

FOUR WORDS

“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

Marvin P. Dalton wrote “O What A Savior”  Every time I hear this hymn, I get tears in my eyes to think that my Saviour loves me so much He died for me.  “Oh what a Savior, oh Hallelujah His heart was broken on Calvary His hands were nail scarred, His side was riven He gave His life’s blood for even me.”

Four words “O What A Saviour”, there are not enough words to describe the unconditional love Jesus has for you and for me.  You may wonder why Jesus died for you like I used to wonder.  It is because not only does He give love, He is Love.  If someone asks you Who Jesus is, tell him or her that He is Love.

O what a Saviour we are privileged to know and have!  Do you understand yet how much Jesus loves you?  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge?  The Love of Jesus, unconditional love, is the answer to everything and every situation.  Please join me in praising our Saviour!

Joanne Lowe
October 13, 2017



Thursday, October 12, 2017

MY PASTOR

“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 10:15 KJV

Today is Pastor Appreciation Day and I can honestly say that my pastor, Pastor J Harold Davis, is the best pastor I have ever had.  Not only is he a good preacher; he also has a pastor’s heart.  He doesn’t just tell us how we should live and love, He shows us how to live and love by his actions.

God must really love me to allow me the privilege of having him as my Pastor.  We honor our pastors today but we should honor our pastors every day of the year.  Our pastors are on call twenty four hours a day.  There are times they have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the hospital.

Our pastors sacrifice time with their families to minister to us when we are hurting and need our pastor.  May God help us to not only pray for our pastor but also be an encouragement to our pastor every day.  If you have a preacher who has a pastor’s heart, thank God for your pastor.

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

Joanne Lowe
October 12, 2017

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

WHO’S WHO IN HEAVEN

“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”
Matthew 16:27 KJV

I visit a lot of websites and I have seen websites that have posted that they are a member of “Who’s Who in America”, and that is wonderful that they have been recognized because they deserved it.  However, I have never visited a website that said their name is written in the Book of Life.

We read in the Bible “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).  It is wonderful to be on the list of “Who’s Who in America” but it is far more important that our name is written in the Book of Life.  Not only is it important, it is urgent our name is written there.

On August 14, 1980, I invited Jesus into my heart.  It was the most important decision I have ever made or ever will make and it is also the most important decision you will ever make.  If you have never invited the Christ of Calvary into your heart to be your personal Saviour, I urge you, I plead with you to say yes to Jesus before it is too late.

Pastor Ira Forest Stanphill wrote the hymn “Room At The Cross For You”.  “There's room at the cross for you There's room at the cross for you Though millions have come, there's still room for one Yes there's room at the cross for you.”  Jesus loves you and He is waiting with His arms open for you to come to Him.

Joanne Lowe
October 11, 2017

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

WILL WE

“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.”
I Corinthians 13:12 KJV

Carrie Elizabeth Ellis Breck wrote one of my favorite hymns “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  These words should make every Christian search their heart.  “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?”

Will we be able to look Him in the eye or will we have to hang our head in shame because of the things we did and the things we said?  Jesus has done everything for us, including dying for us on the cross.  He doesn’t ask much from us but He has not only asked, He has commanded us to love as He loves.

“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).  Can we honestly say that we always love one another as He loves us?  I can’t say that I always love as He loves us.  How we must hurt Him when we don’t love as He has commanded.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for hurting Your beloved Son because I don’t always love unconditionally as He loves us.  I pray You will help us to love as He has commanded us to love.  Please comfort and encourage all those who are hurting.  Thank You for loving me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 10, 2017

Monday, October 9, 2017

GIVE HIM PRAISE

“Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
John 12:13 KJV

Jennie Bain Wilson wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn that I just found “Hosanna to the King”.  “Hosanna to the King! Let happy voices ring The praise of Him who triumphed o’er the grave; He reigns as victor now, To Him in homage bow; Undying hope to us He gave.”

One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess Jesus is Lord.  “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).

Have you ever thanked Jesus for leaving His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for your sins?  Jesus had never sinned, never did anything wrong yet because He loves His Father and you so much He walked that long lonely road to Calvary and died for your sins.

Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that you are loved by the Saviour of the world?  Love, unconditional love is the answer to every heartache.  May God help us to be an encouragement to one another, to our pastor and especially to Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
October 9, 2017

Sunday, October 8, 2017

ARE YOU READY

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

My Pastor gave me permission to tell you about a Scripture I used in a devotion.  “The Scripture you used this morning in the Devotion is the Scripture my Great-Uncle Morris had just quoted from behind the pulpit in a Primitive Baptist Church in Eloise, FL in 1962 when he dropped dead behind the pulpit.”

One of my pastors while preaching on not waiting to tell people you love and appreciate them said “I was going to call my uncle and tell him how much I loved him and appreciated him because he had raised me but I waited too long.  When I finally called him, I found out that he had died the night before”.

What about you?  Yes, you.  Are you ready to meet Jesus if He should come back while you are reading this devotion?  You may be saved but is your heart right with God?  If there is anything in your heart that hurts God, ask Him to forgive you.  God is faithful and He will forgive you if you ask Him.

Heavenly Father, I ask You to search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, please let me know so I can repent and ask Your forgiveness.  If there is anyone reading this that has never invited Jesus into their heart, I pray this will be the day they say yes to Him.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 8, 2017

Saturday, October 7, 2017

THE LOVE OF OUR HEAVENLY FATHER

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:38,39 KJV

Frederick M. Lehman wrote “The Love of God”.  “The love of God is greater far Than tongue or pen can ever tell; It goes beyond the highest star, And reaches to the lowest hell; The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win; His erring child He reconciled, And pardoned from his sin.”

We have a loving Heavenly Father Who loves us so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  How it must have hurt Him and broke His heart when He had to turn away from His Son.  Jesus had taken our sins on Him and God can’t look at sin.  I believe God cried when His Son died.

What kind of love is this that God would give His Son to die for us?  It is a compassionate and unconditional love for you and for me that caused God to open His heart to us.  If you ever doubt you are loved remember the cross and the unconditional love for you when Jesus died on the cross for your sins.

Heavenly Father, we come to You with grateful hearts for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  We love You, Heavenly Father.  We love You, Jesus.  We love You, Holy Spirit.  I pray for every person who is hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 7, 2017

Friday, October 6, 2017

OUR LOVING 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

James Rowe wrote a beautiful hymn about out loving Saviour “He’s My King”.  “He’s my King, and O I dearly love Him, He’s my King, no other is above Him; All day long enraptured praise I sing, He’s my Savior, He’s my King!”  Please join me in praising the One Who loves us so much He died for us.

Jesus died for our sins but He arose.  If you are discouraged, brokenhearted, lonely and feel like giving up and going to bed and staying there, remember Jesus understands how you feel because He also was rejected, scorned, mocked, cursed and He was beaten beyond recognition.

In the words of Bill and Gloria Gaither “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow”.  Yes, because our loving Saviour died for our sins and rose again, we can face tomorrow.  If you are discouraged and hurting, tell Jesus.  He longs to comfort you.  He loves you so much, more than anyone will ever love you.

What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”!  One happy day, we will see Him face to face when He comes back for us.  How I long for that day.  When I think about being with Jesus for all eternity, my heart is filled to overflowing with joy.

Joanne Lowe
October 6, 2017

Thursday, October 5, 2017

HIGHER THAN A KITE

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

One of my pastors preached a sermon on happiness.  Pastor Byron said “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start serving Jesus”.  Pastor Byron is so right.  Since God gave me the privilege of serving His beloved Son, I have been flying higher than a kite.  What a privilege to serve the One Who died for me.

Does this mean that I am happy all the time?  No, because when we serve 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!  We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the battlefield for us.

E. Margaret Clarkson wrote a beautiful inspiring hymn.  It is one of my favorite hymns “So Send I You”.  “So send I you to leave your life’s ambition, To die to dear desire, self-will resign, To labor long, and love where men revile you- So send I you to lose your life in Mine.”  Have you answered the call to serve Jesus?

He may not call us to go to a foreign country but He is calling every Christian to spread the good news of His unconditional love for everyone.  There are some people who will get up very early to go fishing or go on a trip but they are unwilling to get up and go tell people that Jesus loves them.

How we must hurt our precious Saviour and break His heart when we aren’t willing to serve Him.  After all that He has done for us, it should be the desire of every Christian to serve Him.  The desire of my heart is to make Jesus happy.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is Jesus, the Saviour of the world.

Joanne Lowe
October 5, 2017

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”
1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV

People try to work their way and buy their way into Heaven.  It is impossible to do that because the price has already been paid.  The price that was paid was the redeeming cleansing blood of Jesus that He shed for your sins and for my sins on the cross.  We just need to accept the sacrifice He made for our sins.

One of the greatest illustrations I ever heard about accepting the sacrifice Jesus made for our sins was when one of my pastors asked someone if he wanted the ten dollar bill that he was going to give him.  The man told the pastor that he wanted it but he just stayed there in his seat.

The pastor said that is what we do.  Our Saviour offers us His redeeming cleansing blood for our sins and all we have to do is take it but many times we just sit there in our seat and don’t go to the altar during the invitation time.  How we must hurt Jesus and break His heart when we don’t accept what He has done.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who has never said yes to Jesus.  May today be the day they accept the sacrifice Jesus made for their sins on the cross.  Jesus, I love You so much.  Thank You for loving me so much You died for my sins.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 4, 2017

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

HEART UPDATES

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

It is very important that we check for updates on our computer.  Sometimes we forget to check and a virus attacks our computer.  The computer doesn’t work right or it even stops working.  That is how it is with our heart.  We need to allow God to do updates on our heart so our heart will be right with Him.

Pastor Elisha Albright Hoffman wrote a hymn that should make us search our heart “Is Thy Heart Right with God?”.  That is a question that each one of us must answer.  We can fool others and even ourselves but God sees what is in our heart and He knows if there is something in our heart that shouldn’t be there.

When God looks in our heart, does He see resentment, jealousy, hatred, unforgiveness, criticism and bitterness or anything else that hurts Him and breaks His heart?  If so, we need to repent and ask Him to forgive us.  If we allow sin to remain in our heart, He won’t even hear us when we pray. 

We read in the Bible.  “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).  Let’s stop hurting God and breaking His heart.  If we will make sure our heart is right before God, we won’t hurt Him as much as we do.

Heavenly Father, if there is something in our heart that hurts You, we’re sorry.  Please help us to love others unconditionally.  We love You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 3, 2017

Monday, October 2, 2017

HE DID IT FOR US

“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

Philip Paul Bliss wrote one of my favorite hymns “Hallelujah! What a Savior”.  “Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood. Hallelujah! What a Savior!”  Jesus loves you so much He took your place and died for your sins.

Yes, Jesus did it for us.  He allowed them to spit on Him, curse Him, mock Him, and beat Him beyond recognition.  Why did He allow them to do all these things to Him when He had never done anything wrong?  He did it because He loves you and He loves me.  He is a tender compassionate Saviour.

If you ever doubt you are loved, remember the cross and the agony and pain that Jesus endured because He loves you so much.  Please join me in praising the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  One glorious happy day, I will see my precious Saviour face to face.  How I long for that day!

Joanne Lowe
October 2, 2017

Sunday, October 1, 2017

IT IS NOT ENOUGH

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

It is not enough to just read God’s Word so we won’t sin against Him, we must also put what we learn in His Word into practice.  If a doctor goes to medical school for many years to learn to become a doctor but never puts into practice the things that are learned, all the doctor has is knowledge.

The Bible instructs us to do many things but the main theme of God’s Word is love, unconditional love.  We read in the Bible “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).  Jesus set the example for us when He laid down His life for our sins.

Harper Garcia Smyth wrote one of my favorite hymns “Make Me a Channel of Blessing”.  “Is your life a channel of blessing?  Is the love of God flowing through you?  Are you telling the lost of the Savior?  Are you ready His service to do?”  We can lay down our life for Jesus by telling others about His love for them.

To serve Jesus, we will have to shut off the television and get out of our comfort zone and tell others of His unconditional love for them.  Someone said “I don’t have time to serve Jesus” but this person watched television all day.  If we have time to watch television, we have time to serve Jesus.    

Heavenly Father, please help us to tell others about Jesus and help us to be a channel of blessing to everyone we see.  Thank You for loving us so much You gave Jesus to die for us.  I love You so much, Heavenly Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
October 1, 2017