Friday, November 30, 2018

NO MORE GUILT

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

The Gaither Vocal Band wrote one of my favorite hymns “I'm Free”.  “I'm free from the fear of tomorrow, I'm free from the guilt of the past; For I've traded my shackles for a glorious song, I'm Free! Praise the Lord! Free at last!”  I’m so glad the words in this heart touching hymn are true.

For many years I believed that I couldn’t be forgiven for my past and that Jesus couldn’t love me and then I read this verse warning us about the lies and 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).

If you have confessed your sins and asked God to forgive you then you are no longer in bondage to satan.  Don’t believe the lies of satan, believe the Bible.  Thank God for the cleansing and redeeming blood of Jesus.  O how I love Jesus.  He is the joy of my heart and one day I will see Him face to face.   

Joanne Lowe
November 30, 2018


Thursday, November 29, 2018

GOD LOVES US

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.”
1 John 3:1 KJV

Pastor Robert Cullinan wrote a beautiful hymn about our Heavenly Father “Our Father’s Love”.  “Our Father’s love, so vast and boundless— His arms of mercy opened wide— Has sent His Son on earth to save us Through nail-pierced hands and wounded side.”  What love God has for you and for me.

Pastor Ray Overholt wrote one of my favorite hymns “Ten Thousand Angels”.  “Upon His precious head they placed a crown of thorns; They laughed and said, "Behold the king." They struck Him and they cursed Him and mocked His holy name. All alone He suffered ev'rything.”

Jesus died for your sins and He died for my sins.  How it must have hurt God when He had to turn away from His Son as Jesus was hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body.  Jesus had taken our sins on Him.  God is holy and He can’t look at sin.  Thank God for the redeeming blood of Jesus.

Have you confessed your sins and allowed Jesus to save you?  Pastor Robert Lowry wrote the hymn “Nothing but the Blood”.   “Nothing can for sin atone, Nothing but the blood of Jesus; Naught of good that I have done, Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”  Jesus loves you so much He died for your sins.

Joanne Lowe
November 29, 2018

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

OUR PILOT

“And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?  And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.”
Mark 4:38, 39 KJV

Pastor Edward Hopper wrote “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me”.  “Jesus, Savior, pilot me Over life’s tempestuous sea; Unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rock and treacherous shoal. Chart and compass come from Thee; Jesus, Savior, pilot me.”  We need Jesus to be our Pilot in this world of violence.

It doesn’t matter how many dark valleys and crises we have in our life Jesus is able to guide us, help us and protect us from the attacks of satan.  Instead of trying to do things by ourselves, we need to allow Jesus to be our Pilot.  It is always safe to trust Jesus because He will never fail us.

Pastor Clinton Macomber wrote one of my favorite hymns “Jesus Never Fails”.  We can trust Jesus because He never fails us.  Edgar P. Stites wrote another inspiring hymn “Trusting Jesus”.  “Simply trusting every day, Trusting through a stormy way; Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus, that is all.”

Do you trust Jesus to help you or are you still trying to do things by yourself?  We read in the Bible “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).  We need Jesus every minute.

Joanne Lowe
November 28, 2018

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

IT IS NOT ENOUGH

“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”
Exodus 20:11 KJV

We are commanded in the Bible to go to church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).  However, it is not enough to go to church on Sunday.  We must always worship God.
   
Fanny Crosby wrote a beautiful hymn about going to church.  “Blessèd Day”.  “Blessèd day, when bells are calling Weary souls from earthly care; And we come with hearts uplifted, To the holy place of prayer.”  It is not enough to go to church.  When we go home, we need to worship God in our heart.

It is very important to go to church.  However, just going to church will not save us.  It is only when the blood of Jesus is applied to our heart that we are saved.  We read in the Bible.  “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin” (Matthew 26:28).

Heavenly Father, I pray that we will always worship You.  Thank You that we can go to church and be a part of Your family.  Thank You for adopting me.  I love You and appreciate You.  Please comfort and encourage all those who are lonely, hurting and discouraged.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 27, 2018

Monday, November 26, 2018

IT REALLY HAPPENS

“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.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”
Mark 10:13 -16 KJV

A woman went home.  She had been drinking and was drunk.  She hit her daughter and said “I told you to sleep in the bathtub.”  It really happens.  Children are abused every day.  There are some children who run and hide when they hear their parent’s voices because they don’t want to get hit again.

I don’t know about you but I get very angry when I read or hear about children being hit.  However I don’t have the right to judge anybody.  We need to pray for these children but we also need to pray for their parents.  God loves everyone and Jesus died for everyone.  None of us are perfect.

We read in the Bible ”Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way” (Romans 14:13).  May God have mercy on us if we are judging people instead of praying for them.  We need to love people to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will protect children from being abused.  You are a tender loving compassionate Father and I love You.  How thankful I am to know You will never hit us or curse us and that You will always love us and protect us.  In Jesus’ Name. I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 26, 2018

Sunday, November 25, 2018

HE KNEW

“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.  And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 19:16-19 KJV

Dottie Rambo wrote the beautiful hymn “If That Isn’t Love”  The words in this beautiful hymn describe the tender compassionate heart of Jesus.  “He left the Splendor of Heaven Knowing His Destiny Was the lonely Hill of Golgotha There to lay down His life for me.”

Think about it!  Jesus knew He was going to be crucified for us on the cross and have pain that no one has ever had or ever will have yet He willingly left His home and His Father and all that He had.  Pastor Haldor Lillenas wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn about our wonderful Saviour “Glorious Freedom”

The words in this beautiful hymn are true because Jesus set me free from a devastating crippling depression.  “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..”  What a precious loving Saviour.

Joanne Lowe
November 25, 2018

Saturday, November 24, 2018

HOLIDAYS

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 KJV

Holidays are a wonderful time but for people who have lost loved ones they can also be a stressful time.  Today is Thanksgiving and I had a wonderful day but there was also some sadness because I was raped years ago on Thanksgiving Day in 1979.  I asked Jesus to help me and He did.

My Mother died many years ago on Christmas Day.  Pastor William C. Poole wrote a beautiful hymn about Jesus helping us. “Just When I Need Him Most”  “Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, Bearing my burdens all the day long; For all my sorrow giving a song, Just when I need Him most”.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who are sad, lonely and discouraged.  Please comfort and encourage them.  I am so thankful for Your love for me.  Thank You for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I love You Heavenly Father and I appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 24, 2018




Friday, November 23, 2018

IT REALLY HAPPENED

“And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”
Mark 15:17-20 KJV

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote “It Is Finished!”  “The earth shakes with the force of the conflict; The sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, And then through the darkness He cries: “It is finished!” The battle is over! It is finished! There’ll be no more war! It is finished! The end of the conflict! It is finished and Jesus is Lord!”

It really happened.  They really did spit on Jesus, curse Him, pound nails in His hands and beat Him beyond recognition.  It’s not just a story or a historical event.  It is the amazing and unconditional love that Jesus has for you and for me.  He could have come down from the cross but He didn’t because not only does Jesus give love, He is love.

May God help us to live for Jesus and serve Him.  I love Jesus so much.  He is the Joy of my heart and He loves me so much He died for me.  One day I will have the privilege of seeing Him face to face.  Are you ready to meet Jesus if He comes back for us today?  Is your heart right with God or does it hurt Him and make Him sad when He looks in your heart?

Joanne Lowe
November 23, 2018



Thursday, November 22, 2018

GOD’S EMERGENCY ROOM

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Psalms 46:1 KJV

Civilla D. Martin wrote “God Will Take Care of You”.   I love these words “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you”.

When we have an emergency and have to go to the hospital we have to wait a long time if thy are busy.  We don’t have to wait in God’s emergency room.  He takes care of us immediately.  When we are hurting emotionally, He sets us on His lap of love.  His lap is big enough to hold all of us at the same time.

If you are hurting emotionally, allow God to comfort you.  He really loves you and He wants to comfort you.  We have a tender loving compassionate Heavenly Father.  Just as God comforts us, we need to comfort each other.  I love You, Heavenly Father and I appreciate You.

Joanne Lowe
November 22, 2018

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

OUR FAITHFUL SAVIOUR

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17 KJV

Fanny Crosby wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”.  Every time I sing this or hear it, I am reminded of what a faithful compassionate Saviour we are privileged to know and have.  He not only leads us, He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  O how I love Jesus. 

“All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.”

Jesus is faithful to us.  Are we faithful to Him?  Does He have first place in our heart, in our time and in all we do?  We know Jesus loves us but does He know we love Him?  What are we doing for Him?  May God help us to be faithful to Jesus.  Never forget that you are loved by the Saviour of the world.

Joanne Lowe
November 21, 2018

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

FROM YOUR HEART

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11 KJV

Christmas is next month and whatever gifts you give your family and friends give from your heart.  That is what God did for us.  He gave from 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).

One of the greatest gifts you can give is your time.  Shut off the television and spend time with your family.  Pick up the telephone and call someone who needs encouragement.  The greatest gift we can give Jesus is our heart.  If you haven’t invited Jesus into your heart, do it now.

We read in the Bible “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).  Please don’t keep Jesus standing at the door of your heart.  Say yes to Jesus today before it is too late.

Joanne Lowe
November 20, 2018

Monday, November 19, 2018

JOY-BELLS

“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

J. Edwin Ruark wrote one of my favorite hymns “You May Have The Joy-Bells”.  “You may have the joy-bells ringing in your heart, And a peace that from you never will depart; Walk the straight and narrow way, Live for Jesus every day, He will keep the joy-bells ringing in your heart.”

Do you have the joy-bells ringing in your heart?  If you will stay in the presence of Jesus you will have joy that the world can’t give.  Not only will we have joy, we will make Jesus happy.  Making Jesus happy should be the goal of every Christian.  Does Jesus know you love Him by your words and actions?

Joanne Lowe
November 19, 2018

Sunday, November 18, 2018

OUR BEST

“Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.”
Numbers 18:29 KJV

We read in the Bible “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk” {Acts 3:6).  Salathial C. Kirk wrote one of my favorite hymns “Our Best”.  Are we doing what we sing?

“Hear ye the Master’s call, Give Me thy best! For, be it great or small, that is His test. Do then the best you can, not for reward, Not for the praise of men, but for the Lord.”  Are we giving our best?  Everything we do or say should make Jesus happy.  He deserves to be happy after all He has done for us.

Joanne Lowe
November 18, 2018

Saturday, November 17, 2018

OUR FAITH

“(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)”
2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV

Pastor Ray Palmer wrote the hymn “My Faith Looks Up To Thee”.  “May Thy rich grace impart Strength to my fainting heart, my zeal inspire! As Thou hast died for me, O may my love to Thee, Pure warm, and changeless be, a living fire!”  Does Jesus know we love and trust Him by our words and our actions?

We can trust Jesus to help us and never leave us.  Can Jesus trust us to stay on the battlefield for Him?  He stayed on the cross for us when He could have come down.  All the nails in the world couldn’t have kept Him on the cross had He chosen to come down.  This is how much He loves us.

Joanne Lowe
November 17, 2018

Friday, November 16, 2018

TRUSTING JESUS

“Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”
Habakkuk 2:4 KJV

James Wells wrote a beautiful hymn “Living By Faith”  “Living by faith in Jesus above, Trusting, confiding in His great love; From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.”  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred to know we can trust Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
November 16, 2018

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

WHAT A PRIVILEGE

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Romans 8:15 KJV

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Family of God”.  “I’m so glad I’m a part of the fam’ly of God! I’ve been washed in the fountain, Cleansed by His blood. Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod, For I’m part of the fam’ly, The fam’ly of God.” 

What a privilege it has been to serve Jesus full time since January 24, 2005.  Have you answered His call to serve Him?  We read in the Bible.  “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).

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the privilege and joy of serving Jesus.  I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged and brokenhearted.  You are a loving compassionate Father.  Please comfort and encourage all who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 13, 2018

Monday, November 12, 2018

THE GREATEST COMMANDER

“Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.”
Deuteronomy 4:1 KJV

Pastor E. Taylor Cassel wrote the inspiring hymn “Loyalty to Christ”.  “On to victory! On to victory! Cries our great commander, On! We’ll move at His command, We’ll soon possess the land, Through loyalty, loyalty, Yes, loyalty to Christ.”  The greatest commander is Christ.

As we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in the service of our country, let us also remember Jesus, Who not only gave His life for our country, He gave His life for every person in the world.  If we will remain faithful and serve Jesus even when we have obstacles, He will help us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I pray You will comfort and encourage all who are discouraged, brokenhearted and lonely.  Please soften hardened hearts so they will invite Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 12, 2018

Sunday, November 11, 2018

HAVE WE DONE THIS

“Thou hast not given water to the weary to drink, and thou hast withholden bread from the hungry.”
Job 22:7 KJV

If we don’t tell others about Jesus, the Bread of Life, then we have done this.  “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world” (John 6:51).  What a loving Saviour we have.

There are many people who are hungry to know that someone loves them and if we don’t tell them that Jesus loves them, we are not only hurting them, we are also hurting Jesus and breaking His heart.  When your pastor asks for testimonies, do you stand up and give yours?  If not, why don’t you?

However, it is not enough to tell people that Jesus loves them; we must prove it to them by our kind and loving actions.  There are many people who are discouraged and brokenhearted who really believe no one loves them or cares about them.  May God have mercy on us if we don’t tell them about Jesus.

What about our families?  They need to know Jesus loves them.  Our spouses and children get discouraged just like we do.  Do they know Jesus loves them by our actions and our words?  We need to let others see and hear the unconditional love of Jesus for them in our actions and in our words.

Joanne Lowe
November 11, 2018

Saturday, November 10, 2018

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

Everyone needs to be encouraged.  We are either encouraging people or we are discouraging them.  Even Jesus needs to be encouraged.  Jesus will never have to die again but He has feelings and it breaks His heart when people keep rejecting Him.  Also, caregivers need to be encouraged.

Our pastors need to be encouraged.  When is the last time you invited your pastor to dinner?  Your pastor may not be able to come but it will encourage your pastor that you cared enough to give an invitation.  We are either an encourager or we are a discourager.  Which are you, an encourager or a discourager?

May God help us to encourage our family, our friends and everyone we know.  Remember, when we are kind and loving to others, we are kind and loving to Jesus (Matthew 25:40).  It is my heart’s desire to encourage Jesus and everyone I know.  I have nurses who come to my home and they need encouragement.

Joanne Lowe
November 10, 2018

Friday, November 9, 2018

DISCOURAGEMENT

“Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  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.  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”
Matthew 26:36-40 KJV

Jesus knows how it feels to be discouraged and need people to watch with us.  This is one of the most heartbreaking verses in the Bible.  “What, could ye not watch with me one hour?”  How it must have hurt Jesus when He found them asleep.  Yes, Jesus understands and He cares when we are discouraged.

Jesus loves us so much that He goes with us through the valley of discouragement.  He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  Others may leave us but He never leaves us.  Jesus picks us up and carries us through all the dark valleys and crises in our life.  If you are discouraged, tell Jesus and He will help you.

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who are discouraged and going through dark valleys, please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  You are a faithful loving and compassionate Father and I love You and appreciate You.  Thank You for adopting me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 9, 2018

Thursday, November 8, 2018

JESUS IS WAITING

“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 P. Jones wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Come unto Me.  “Are you disappointed, wandering here and there, Dragging chains of doubt and loaded down with care? Do unholy feelings struggle in your breast? Bring your case to Jesus—He will give you rest.”

It doesn’t matter how many crises and dark valleys we have to go through, Jesus is waiting to give us rest.  There are times when we don’t take our burdens to Jesus and then we wonder why we have so many heartaches.  We try to do things by ourselves but we need Jesus to help us.

We read in the Bible “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).  It’s time that we learn to trust Jesus and lean on Him for support.  May God help us to learn on Jesus instead of trying to do things ourselves.

Joanne Lowe
November 8, 2018



Wednesday, November 7, 2018

HE GIVES US PEACE

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 14:27 KJV

Anne S. Murphy wrote one of my favorite hymns “Constantly Abiding”.  I love these words.  “There’s a peace in my heart that the world never gave, A peace it cannot take away; Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud, I’ve a peace that has come here to stay!”

Someone said “I didn’t have peace or happiness for many years.  I just did what was expected of me”.  It is impossible not to have peace and happiness if we know Jesus.  I have had many heartaches since I started serving Jesus and I have been sad but through it all, I was happy because I know Jesus.

Pastor Ira F. Stanphill wrote the inspiring hymn Happiness Is The Lord “.  The words in this hymn are true.  “Happiness is to know the Savior, Living a life within His favor, Having a change in my behavior-- Happiness is the Lord,”  You may be saved but do you know Jesus?  Do you know what makes Him happy?

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40).  We make Him happy when we are kind and loving to one another and we make Him sad when we don’t treat others with kindness.

After all that Jesus has done for us, He deserves to be happy.  Let’s make a special effort to make our Saviour happy.  Instead of criticizing others, let’s start loving them unconditionally as Jesus loves us.

Joanne Lowe
November 7, 2018

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

HE PROMISED

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
Matthew 28:20 KJV

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

What a precious promise to us from the heart of our loving and faithful Saviour.  When I invited Jesus into my heart on August 14, 1980, He promised me that He would never leave me and He hasn’t, not even for a minute.  It is always safe to trust Jesus because what He says, He will do.

A pastor used this illustration in a sermon about trusting Jesus.  The pastor said “We have more faith in a chair than we do in Jesus.  When we sit down in a chair, we just sit down and don’t worry if the chair is going to hold us”.  How sad it is and how it must hurt Jesus and break His heart when we don’t trust Him.

We know that we can trust Jesus because He has kept all of His promises to us but can Jesus trust us?  If we have told Him that we will serve Him, are we serving Him?  If so, are we serving Him all the time or only when it is convenient for us?  It wasn’t convenient for Jesus to die on the cross for us, but He did.

May God help us to serve Jesus with all our heart, with all of our time and with all our talents.  Will you answer His call?  “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).

Joanne Lowe
November 6, 2018

Monday, November 5, 2018

OUR PRECIOUS SAVIOUR

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
Philippians 3:8-10 KJV

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the beautiful and heart touching hymn “It Is Finished!”  “The earth shakes with the force of the conflict; The sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, And then through the darkness He cries: “It is finished!” The battle is over!”

Our precious Saviour was beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on, mocked, rejected and crucified on the cross for our sins.  He had never done anything wrong.  It was for our sins, He was crucified.  Avis Christiansen wrote another inspiring hymn about Jesus “Blessed Redeemer”. 

Every time I hear these words or sing them it reminds me how much Jesus loves us.  “Father forgive them! thus did He pray, E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away; Praying for sinners while in such woe No one but Jesus ever loved so.”  No one loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  You are a loving Father and I appreciate You and love You.  Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross for my sins.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 5, 2018

Sunday, November 4, 2018

KEEP SERVING JESUS

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7,8 KJV

Herbert H. Booth wrote the hymn “Promoted to Glory”.  “Summoned home, the call has sounded, Bidding a soldier his warfare cease; And the song of angels resounded, Welcomes a warrior to eternal peace. Praise the Lord! from earthly struggles A comrade has found release.”

Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote “It Will Be Worth It All”.  “Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear, We're tempted to complain, to murmur and despair; But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away, All tears forever over in God's eternal day. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.”

We must keep serving Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us.  Think about it.  We are going to have the privilege of seeing Jesus face to face.  “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)
Are you shouting with happiness yet?  If ever someone deserves to be praised, it is Jesus, the Saviour of the world.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know we are going to see Him face to face.  I love Jesus with all my heart.
Joanne Lowe
November 4, 2018

Saturday, November 3, 2018

THE COLOR 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

John Starnes wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “Love Grew Where the Blood Fell”.  “Thorns of violence, thorns of hate were growing wildly, All the pain that sin had caused was plain to see  But when the blood came streaming down that cross Where my Saviour bled and died It broke the chains of sin and set me free Love grew where the blood fell.”

The color of love is the precious blood that Jesus shed for your sins and for my sins on the cross.  Not only is the color of love His precious blood; it is also the pain and agony that Jesus suffered for you and for me.  He was beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on, rejected and died alone for you and for me. There is no greater love than the love Jesus has for us.

May God help us to serve Jesus with all our heart, all our time and with all our talents.  Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to die on the cross for our sins.  How can we do less than give Him everything we have?  Do you know this precious Saviour?  He really loves you and He cares when you are discouraged, lonely and hurting.  What a precious Saviour!

Joanne Lowe
November 3, 2018

Friday, November 2, 2018

HAVE WE FORGIVEN

“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

Jesus forgave us even while He was hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body.  Think about it!  Jesus, the Saviour of the world was beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, humiliated and crucified for our sins and He had never done anything wrong.

Have we forgiven those who have hurt us?  How dare you and I ask a Holy God to forgive us if we are not willing to forgive those who have hurt us?  I receive emails telling me how wonderful I am because I write devotions.  Don’t look to me.  Keep your eyes on Jesus and on Him alone.  I am human and I hurt others.

Don’t look to your pastor, to your Sunday school teacher or to anyone else.  There is only one perfect person Who ever lived or ever will live and His Name is Jesus.  It is always safe to trust Jesus.  He will never fail you and He will never leave you, not even for a minute.  He loves you unconditionally.

Joanne Lowe
November 2, 2018

Thursday, November 1, 2018

GIVE TODAY

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11 KJV

We will be giving gifts to our loved ones at Christmas but we can give a gift today to 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).

If you want to make Jesus happy and give Him a gift today, love others unconditionally just as He loves you.  The greatest gift we can give our family and our loved ones is to love them unconditionally and to forgive them if they have hurt us.  We also need to ask them to forgive us if we have hurt them.

Heavenly Father, I pray You will search my heart and if there’s anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  Please forgive me and help me to love others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  Please comfort and encourage all who are discouraged.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
November 1, 2018