Monday, December 31, 2018

OUR CAPTAIN

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”
2 Timothy 2:3,4 KJV

H. Ernest Nichol wrote “The Victorious Army”.  “We’ve enlisted in the cause victorious Of the everlasting Lord; We are marching in the ranks all glorious, Resplendent with the shield and sword. Christ is our captain, Christ our might, So we fight, seeking right; Christ is leading us to light In the all victorious army.”

We are either serving Jesus or we are serving satan.  There is no middle ground.  Every one of us has to choose if we serve Jesus or if we will serve satan.  After all that our precious Saviour has done for us, He deserves to be the One we choose to serve.  We read in the Bible.

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

Sundar Singh wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”.  Have you decided to follow Jesus?  If not, you are hurting Him and breaking His heart.  If you’re not serving Jesus, I urge you to shut off the television, get out of your comfort zone and serve the One Who died for your sins.

Joanne Lowe
December 31, 2018



Sunday, December 30, 2018

GIVE ME JESUS

“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

George Beverly Shea wrote the beautiful heart touching hymn “I’d Rather Have Jesus”.  The words in this hymn describe the desire of my heart.  “I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands, I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand.”

I have had the privilege of being saved since I invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour on August 14, 1980.  I can honestly say that even though I have gone through many dark valleys and crises and have been criticized and ridiculed for writing devotions, my heart’s desire is to keep serving Jesus.

Pastor William C. Martin wrote another one of my favorite hymns “The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet”.  The words in this hymn are inspiring and beautiful.  “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.”

Do you know my precious Saviour?  I didn’t ask if you are saved.  I asked if you know Him.  We can be saved and not know Him just as we can have parents but not really know them.  To know someone, you have to spend time with the person.  How much time do you spend with Jesus?  He should be first in our heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  Please put a hunger in our heart to spend time with Jesus.  I pray You will encourage every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 30, 2018

Saturday, December 29, 2018

OUR ENCOURAGER

“Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.”
Colossians 3:11 KJV

Will L. Thompson wrote one of my favorite hymns “Jesus Is All the World to Me”.  “Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day, Without Him I would fall. When I am sad, to Him I go, No other one can cheer me so; When I am sad, He makes me glad, He’s my friend.”

I have many wonderful friends that I love very much and I thank God for them.  However, only Jesus can heal a broken heart.  I have lost track of the many times that Jesus has encouraged me when I felt like giving up, going to bed and staying there.  He put His loving arms around me and helped me go on.

It doesn’t matter how many dark valleys that we have to go through, Jesus is with us and He will help us and encourage us.  He will pick us up in His loving arms and carry us until the pain goes away and He will be faithful to set us once again on the mountain top of happiness.  O how Jesus loves you!

Jesus understands how it feels to be discouraged and weary.  He walked many miles for us when He was here on His mission.  I’m sure He felt all alone at times.  When He asked them to watch while He prayed, they fell asleep.  How that must have hurt Him and broke His heart.

We read in the Bible.  “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (Matthew 26:40).  Let’s encourage Jesus by being faithful to serve Him.

Joanne Lowe
December 29, 2018

Friday, December 28, 2018

IT WAS FOR US

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
1 Timothy 2:5,6 KJV

Pastor Isaac Watts wrote the beautiful hymn “Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed”.  The words in this hymn are true.  “Was it for crimes that I had done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity! grace unknown! And love beyond degree!”  It was for our sins Jesus died.  Think about it.  He died for your sins and mine.

Alexander B. McLeod wrote “For Me He Died”.  “For me those wounds He bore, For me He knew this pain, The thorny crown He wore, That with Him I might reign.”  O how much our precious Saviour loves us.  If you are reading this, Jesus loves you and He loves you unconditionally.
Gordon Jensen wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Should Have Been Crucified”.  The words in this hymn are so true.  “Crown of thorns, the spear in His side, And all the pain should have been mine. Those rusty nails were meant for me, But Jesus took them, and let me go free!”  What love He showed us.
It should have been us who died on the cross but only Jesus could have paid the price because He had never sinned.  Do you understand yet how much Jesus loves you and how much pain and agony He endured for you?  He was beaten beyond recognition, cursed, spat on and crucified for you and for me.
Joanne Lowe
December 28, 2018





Thursday, December 27, 2018

GRACE

“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
James 4:6 KJV

Annie J. Flint wrote the beautiful hymn “He Giveth More Grace”.  I love these words because they are true.  “He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater, He sendeth more strength as our labors increase; To added afflictions He addeth His mercy, To multiplied trials His multiplied peace.”

One of the definitions I found in Webster’s Dictionary for grace is “Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him.”  Our loving Heavenly Father is a compassionate Father and He gives us grace because He loves us unconditionally.

Julia H. Johnston wrote another one of my favorite hymns “Grace Greater than Our Sin”.  “Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that will pardon and cleanse within; Grace, grace, God’s grace, Grace that is greater than all our sin!”  Yes, God’s love and grace for us is greater than all our sin.

Do we deserve God’s grace?  No, it is because He loves us that He opened His heart of compassion and sent His beloved Son to die for our sins.  “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).

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a tender loving forgiving Father.  I love You so much.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  Thank You, dear Father, for all the times You have comforted and encouraged me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 27, 2018

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

IT REALLY IS

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV

Leila N. Morris wrote “Sweeter As The Years Go By”  “He healed the broken hearted, and caused the blind to see; And still His great heart yearneth in love for even me. Sweeter as the years go by, sweeter as the years go by, Richer, fuller, deeper, Jesus' love is sweeter, Sweeter as the years go by.”

What an amazing unconditional love Jesus has for you and for me.  It really is sweeter as the years go by.  I love Jesus so much and just when I think I couldn’t love Him more, He does something so wonderful it brings tears of happiness to my eyes.  What a precious Saviour we have!

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the beautiful hymn “I Could Never Out love the Lord”.  It is so true.  We could never love Jesus more than He loves us.  Not only does Jesus give us unconditional love; He is unconditional love.  If someone asks you who Jesus is, tell them He is Love.

Do you realize what a privilege it is to be loved by the Saviour of the world?  He loves us so much He left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins.  He had never sinned, yet He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him.

If you ever think nobody loves you, remember the cross.  No one ever loved you like Jesus loves you and no one ever will.  His love is unconditional and never ending.  He loved you yesterday.  He loves you today and He will love you forever!

Joanne Lowe
December 26, 2018

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

FREEDOM

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

Pastor Haldor Lillenas wrote a beautiful hymn “Glorious Freedom”.  I love these words in this heart touching and inspiring hymn.  “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.”

Today is Christmas and as we celebrate the birthday of our precious Saviour, let us give Him our heart and all of our time as a gift just as He gave us all of His time and His life for us on the cross when He died for our sins.  The Baby Jesus grew up and gave His life for our sins.  O how Jesus loves you.

Don’t forget to read your Bible out loud about the birth of Jesus when you get up and before you open your gifts.  The best gift you can give Jesus is your heart, your life and all of your time.  Please join me in singing Happy Birthday to Jesus.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

As we sing this song to Jesus, let us remember that it is because of His sacrifice for us on the cross that we can be born again into God’s family.  “Happy Birthday to You.  Happy Birthday to You.  Happy Birthday, dear Jesus.  Happy Birthday to You.”

I used to sing this song when I was younger in Sunday school.  “Happy birthday to you.  Happy birthday to you.  Born again means salvation.  How many have you?”  Have you been born again into God’s family through the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus?

Joanne Lowe
December 25, 2018

Monday, December 24, 2018

HIS WINGS OF PROTECTION

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

Pastor William O. Cushing wrote the beautiful hymn “Under His Wings”.  I love these words.  “Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow! How the heart yearningly turns to His rest! Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.”

I have a family I love very much and I have many wonderful friends and I have the best Pastor in the world but as great as they are, only Jesus can heal a broken heart.  When satan hurls his vicious darts of lies at us and tries to convince us that Jesus doesn’t love us, we know that satan is a liar.

Jesus has warned us to be on the alert for the attacks of satan.  We read in the Bible.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (1Peter 5:8).  Don’t listen to the lies of satan, listen to Jesus because He proved His love for us.

I have lost track of the times when I was unable to sleep that I felt Jesus sitting beside my bedside, holding my hand as He softly whispered  to me  “I love you, Joanne, and I will never leave you”.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that Jesus loves us and will always love us.

Heavenly Father, You are a compassionate loving Father and I love You so much.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged and broken hearted.  Please comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 24, 2018

Sunday, December 23, 2018

ALWAYS WITH US

“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

Frances R. Havergal wrote the hymn “He Is with Thee”.  I love these words.  “He is with thee! thine own master, Leading, loving to the end; Brightening joy and lightening sorrow, All today, yet more tomorrow, King and Savior, Lord and friend.”  Yes, Jesus is always with us.

We may have to go through dark valleys and have many crises in our life but Jesus promised us that He will never leave us.  Jesus is faithful to us.  What about us?  Are we faithful to Him?  Nobody has had as much heartache as Jesus did when He was here on His mission yet He stayed on the battlefield for us.

Are we staying on the battlefield for Him even when we are ridiculed and satan attacks us and lies to us?  Jesus stayed on the cross for us when He could have come down and we must stay on the battlefield for Him no matter how many heartaches and disappointments we have.

Have you answered the call to serve Jesus?  He is still calling us 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).  If you’re not serving Him, why aren’t you?

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I pray that many people will fall in love with Jesus, get out of their comfort zone and serve the One Who loves us so much He died for us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 23, 2018

Saturday, December 22, 2018

NO ROOM

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2:7 KJV

John W. Peterson wrote one of my favorite hymns “No Room”.  “No room, here in the hearts of mankind  No room, no cheery welcome could find  No room, surely the world is blind  No room, no room”.  How it must hurt our precious Saviour because some people haven’t made room for Him.

People make room and time for the things they want but they say they are too busy for Jesus.  Where would you and I be today if Jesus hadn’t died on the cross and paid the penalty for our sins?  We would be on our way to hell.  Thank God that Jesus loves us enough to die for us.

When Jesus comes back for us, will we be able to look Him in the eye or will we have to hang our head in shame because we didn’t make room for Him in our heart, in our activities and in our life?  Jesus deserves to have first place in our heart and in everything we do.

Many times when we are with someone we brag about our children and grandchildren.  How often do we brag about Jesus and how wonderful He is and all that He has done for us?  When it’s testimony time at church, we should stand up and tell the wonderful things He has done for us and how wonderful He is.

Heavenly Father, please help us to make time for Jesus and tell everyone how wonderful He is and all that He has done for us.  Jesus, I love You so much.  Thank You for dying on the cross for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 22, 2018

Friday, December 21, 2018

HE UNDERSTANDS

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”
2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
Lucie Eddie Campbell wrote the hymn “ He Understands; He'll Say, "Well Done".  I love these words.  “If when you give the best of your service, Telling the world that the Savior is come; Be not dismayed when men don't believe you; He understands; and say, "Well done."
Yes, Jesus understands when we get weary and discouraged.  When Jesus was here on His mission, He too got weary and discouraged.  When we feel like giving up, we need to ask Jesus to help us and He will be faithful to help us.  We have a loving compassionate Saviour Who really cares about us.
Ralph Carmichael wrote one of my favorite hymns “Reach Out to Jesus”.  “Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?  Does the road you travel, harbor dangers yet unknown?  Are you growing weary in the struggle of it all?  Jesus will help you when on his name you call.”
Jesus will help us if we ask Him to help us.  “Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:2, 3).
If you’re discouraged and feel like giving up and going to bed and staying there, remember Jesus knows how you feel and He cares when you are tired and hurting.  We have a tender loving compassionate Saviour Who really understands when we need Him to help us.
Joanne Lowe
December 21, 2018



Thursday, December 20, 2018

CHILDREN ARE NOT PAWNS

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

A woman used her child as security for something she wanted her ex-husband to do for her.  The woman had told her ex-husband that he could have their daughter for the summer.  However, she needed him to do something for her and she told him if he didn’t do it for her, he couldn’t have their daughter.

 One of the definitions for pawn in the dictionary is “a person serving as security”.  The woman was using her daughter as security for something she wanted her ex-husband to do for her.  Not only did she hurt her ex-husband and her daughter, she also hurt Jesus because He is very protective of children.

How sad that someone would use a child to get something.  We need to stop hurting children and using them to get what we want from someone.  However, instead of judging her, we need to search our own heart and see if we have used children to get what we want from someone.

May God help us to love our children and do all we can do to make them happy and set a good example for them.  We need to lead them to Jesus by our kind words and actions.  When our children look at us and hear us talking, do they see and hear the unconditional love that Jesus has for them?

Joanne Lowe
December 20, 2018


Wednesday, December 19, 2018

HE PROMISED

“For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.”
Psalms 91:11 KJV

Pastor William C. Poole wrote the beautiful and heart touching hymn “He Promised to Keep Me”.  I love these words.  “Christ will not fail me! a child of His care; All of my burdens He gladly will share. He’s ever beside me, no harm can betide me, For when I most need Him, my Savior is there.”

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5).  Jesus has promised us that He will never leave us or forsake us.  What a precious promise Jesus has given us.

Can Jesus trust us to do what we say?  If we promised Him that we will serve Him, are we serving Him or are we hurting Him and breaking His heart?  May God help us to serve Jesus with all of our heart, all of our talents and with all of our time, not just when it is convenient for us.

Joanne Lowe
December 19, 2018

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

PRAYER

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.”
Matthew 6:5,6 KJV

Rev. George P. Beard wrote the hymn “The Quiet Hour”.  “Communion with my Father, In calm and quiet hour, Is sweet and rich in blessings, And Spirit’s gracious power; He speaks in tones so gentle, He hears my humblest prayer, In secret of His presence I feel my Father’s care.”

We should pray when we wake up.  If we have time to read the newspaper in the morning, we have time to pray.  Mary A. Kidder wrote the hymn “Did You Think to Pray”.  “Ere you left your room this morning, Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ our Savior, Did you sue for loving favor, As a shield today?”

Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege of praying.  Thank You for loving us and for caring what happens to us.  You really care about us and You proved to us how much You care when You gave Jesus to die for us.  I love You, Heavenly Father, and I appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 18, 2018


Monday, December 17, 2018

GOD’S PROTECTION

“I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.  Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.  He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.”
Psalms 91:2- 4 KJV

Pastor Johnson Oatman, Jr. wrote “Under His Wings”.  I’m so glad the words in this hymn are true.  “A wonderful promise God’s given, What joy to the Christian it brings; That all who are striving for Heaven Find refuge under His wings.”  Yes, we have God’s protection from this world of violence.

It doesn’t matter how many times satan attacks us, we have refuge from satan and from the world under God’s wings.  We have a tender compassionate loving Heavenly Father Who loves us so much He gave His Son to die for us.  We can trust God to protect us from danger.

Heavenly Father, thank You for protecting us.  I love You and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Your Son.  Please comfort and encourage all who are lonely and hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 17, 2018


   

Sunday, December 16, 2018

ONE DAY

“Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.”
John 13:7 KJV

Pastor Charles A. Tindley wrote the hymn “We’ll Understand It Better By and By”.  “Trials dark on every hand, And we cannot understand All the ways that God could lead us To that blessèd promised land; But He guides us with His eye, And we’ll follow till we die, For we’ll understand it better by and by.”

Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote one of my favorite hymns “IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL”.  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.”

One day there will be no more murders, no more child abuse, no more elderly abuse and no more sorrow.  Think about it.  We are going to have the privilege of seeing Jesus face to face.  Carrie E. Breck wrote “Face to Face with Christ. My Savior”.  The words in this hymn fill my heart with happiness.   

“What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain; When the crooked ways are straightened, And the dark things shall be plain.  Face to face—oh, blissful moment! Face to face—to see and know; Face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loves me so.”  O how Jesus loves us.

Joanne Lowe
December 16, 2018

Saturday, December 15, 2018

EVERY DAY

“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”
Leviticus 19:18 KJV

William M. Golden wrote “A Beautiful Life”.  “Each day I’ll do a golden deed, By helping those who are in need, My life on earth is but a span, And so I’ll do the best I can, The best I can.”  Are we doing our best every day?  Are we helping those in need?  Everyone needs to be encouraged.

May God help us to be an encouragement to each other.  What about Jesus?  Are we encouraging Him by serving Him?  Does He know we love Him by loving one another unconditionally?  It is not an option to love others unconditionally.  Jesus has commanded us to love unconditionally.

We read in the Bible.  “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. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:12-14).  Are we loving others unconditionally as He has commanded us?

Heavenly Father, please help us to love others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  Please comfort and encourage all who are lonely, discouraged and broken hearted.  Thank You for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 15, 2018


Friday, December 14, 2018

A HAPPY DAY

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.”
Revelation 22:12,13 KJV

I use a lot of hymns in my devotions because we are instructed in the Bible to do so.  “Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Psalms 100:2).  Rev. Martin W. Knapp wrote the beautiful hymn “Quickly Coming”.  I love the words in this inspiring hymn. 

“Soon skies will rend and Christ descend, And every eye behold Him, While angels bright in clouds of light, In majesty enfold Him; His trumpet sound will soon resound, Thro’ earth and Heaven ringing, His dead will wake, His bride He’ll take,To marriage supper bringing.”

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

Are you ready to meet Jesus if He comes back today?  Pastor Charles A. Tindley wrote “Nothing Between”.  “Nothing between my soul and the Savior, So that His blessèd face may be seen; Nothing preventing the least of His favor; Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.”

No happiness we’ve ever known can compare to the happiness we will feel when we see Jesus face to face.  Think about it.  We are going to have the privilege of seeing our precious Saviour face to face.  Are you shouting with happiness?

Joanne Lowe
December 14, 2018

Thursday, December 13, 2018

THEY SHOOT THEIR WOUNDED

“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

A pastor’s daughter was giving a testimony about when she was a child and she said “Instead of encouraging one another, they shoot their wounded”.  I received an email many years ago from a pastor who wrote “Instead of encouraging me and my family, they criticized us.”

This pastor had been criticized so much, he was thinking about leaving the church.  May God have mercy on us for discouraging pastors.  We read in the Bible “So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”.  (John 8:7).

You are not perfect.  I am not perfect.  There was only one perfect Person that ever lived or ever will live and His Name is Jesus.  If Jesus loves us enough to forgive us while still hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body, we should forgive the ones who have hurt us.  We hurt people too.

Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian speaker and author said “I was in an airport with a pastor’s wife and the pastor’s wife  pointed to herself and said “pastors and wives need balcony people”.  Are you willing to be a balcony person and encourage  your pastor and family?  They need to be encouraged.

Heavenly Father, please comfort and encourage every pastor.  May they feel Your love for them.  I pray for all who are lonely, hurting and discouraged.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 13, 2018

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

NAILED TO THE CROSS

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.  While I live will I praise the LORD: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.”
Psalms 146:1,2 KJV

Horatio G. Spafford wrote a beautiful hymn “It Is Well with My Soul”.  I’m so glad the words in this hymn are true.  “My sin—oh, the bliss of this glorious thought— My sin—not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Philip P. Bliss wrote “Free from the Law”.  “Once for all, O sinner, receive it, Once for all, O brother, believe it; Cling to the cross, the burden will fall, Christ hath redeemed us once for all.”  Jesus paid the price for your sins and for my sins.  Have you invited Jesus into your heart?

Evangelist Harry D. Clarke wrote “Into My Heart”.  “Into my heart, into my heart, Come into my heart, Lord Jesus; Come in today, come in to stay; Come into my heart, Lord Jesus.”  If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, I urge you to do it now before it is too late.  One day it will be too late.

You may be saved but does He have first place in your heart and life?  Are you serving Him?  If so, are you serving Him full time or just when it is convenient?  Our precious Saviour gave His life for us.  How can we do less than serve Him even when it is inconvenient for us?

Joanne Lowe
December 12, 2018

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

GOD’S LOVE LETTER

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Isaiah 40:8 KJV

Have you ever gone to the mailbox expecting to get a letter but it wasn’t there?  You were disappointed because you had been waiting for a long time.  There is good news.  God’s love letter, the Bible, we can read anytime day or night.  It is very important that we read the Bible.  

Pastor John H. Yates wrote the hymn “The Old Book Stands”.  I love the words in this heart touching hymn.  “In this precious Book is the dear old story told, Of the Savior and His love; And with joy we read of the streets of purest gold, The Jerusalem above.”  Are you reading the Bible?

We read in the Bible “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee” (Psalms 119:11).  Another reason to read the Bible is because it makes God happy.  It should be the heart’s desire of every Christian to make God happy.  He has done so much for us.

It is not enough to read the Bible.  We must do what the Bible tells us to do.  Can we honestly say we always love one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love?  May God help us to read our Bible and put into practice what we read.  Let’s start loving and encouraging each other.

Joanne Lowe
December 11, 2018



Monday, December 10, 2018

FROM HIS HEART OF LOVE

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”
Jeremiah 31:3 KJV

Rev. James Small wrote “Ive Found a Friend”.  “I’ve found a friend, O such a friend! He loved me ere I knew Him; He drew me with the cords of love, And thus He bound me to Him; And round my heart still closely twine Those ties which naught can sever, For I am His, and He is mine, Forever and forever.”

What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know Jesus is ours and we are His forever.  We read in the Bible “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword”? (Romans 8:35) 

This is one of my favorite verses in the entire Bible.  “My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand” (John 10:29).  We are secure in the protective arms of our loving Heavenly Father and our precious Saviour against the attacks of satan. 

Fanny Crosby wrote “Blessed Assurance”.  I love these words.  “Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine! O what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.”  Are you washed in the blood of Jesus?  If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, do it now.

Joanne Lowe
December 10, 2018

Sunday, December 9, 2018

HIS ARMS ARE OPEN

“And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
Luke 15:20 KJV  

William J. Kirkpatrick wrote the beautiful hymn “Lord, I’m Coming Home”.  If we have wandered away from God, His arms are open and He is waiting for us to run into them.  I love these words in this hymn.  “Coming home, coming home, Nevermore to roam, Open wide Thine arms of love, Lord, I’m coming home.”

Our Heavenly Father is a compassionate loving Father and He longs for us to receive His unconditional love and forgiveness.  There is nothing you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you.  If you have allowed unforgiveness, bitterness and hatred to remain in your heart, ask Him to forgive you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a compassionate and loving Father.  What a healing balm it is to our heart to know that You will never yell at us or hit us and that You will protect us from danger.  I love You and I appreciate the privilege You have given me to serve Your Son.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 9, 2018

Saturday, December 8, 2018

A GIFT FROM THE 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

We can give Jesus a special gift for His birthday by giving our children a gift from our heart as we hug them and tell them we love them.  Jesus loves little children and it makes Him very happy when we are kind to our children.

We read in the Bible “But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.  And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence” (Matthew 19:14, 15).  May God help us to be kind and loving to our children.

Heavenly Father, I pray for children.  May they feel Your love for them by the hugs they get from their parents.  Please touch the hearts of everyone to hug children.  Thank You for being a loving Father and for hugging us every day.  Please encourage every pastor.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 8, 2018


Friday, December 7, 2018

ARE WE HELPING

“And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,   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 10:30-34 KJV

Carrie E. Breck wrote a beautiful and heart touching hymn “Help Somebody Today”.  Are we doing what we are singing?  Are we helping somebody?  The words in this hymn are so true.  “Many are waiting a kind, loving word, Help somebody today! Thou hast a message, O let it be heard, Help somebody today!”

Are we telling everyone we see that Jesus loves them?  If we would allow it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much Jesus loves us, we would be a lot happier. Kurt Kaiser wrote one of my favorite hymns “Oh How He Loves You and Me”.  Jesus proved His love for us when He died for us.   

“Jesus to Calv'ry did go, His love for mankind to show.  What He did there brought hope from despair.  Oh, how He loves you, Oh, how He loves me, Oh how He loves you and me.”  We know that Jesus loves us.  Does He know we love Him by our service to Him and by our words and actions?

Joanne Lowe
December 7, 2018

Thursday, December 6, 2018

FROM THE VALLEY TO THE MOUNTAIN

"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 the beautiful hymn “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!”

When we invite Jesus into our heart, He takes us from the valley of despair to the mountain top of happiness.  However, we need to always be watching for the attacks of satan because he will do his best to take our happiness away and stop us from serving Jesus.  We have a loving protective Saviour.

If you’re going through the valley of despair, know that Jesus cares about you and He will be faithful to put you once again on the mountain top of happiness if you will ask Him to help you.  You are not alone.  Jesus is still with you and He cares about you.   Jesus is faithful to us.  Are we faithful to Him?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our precious and faithful Saviour.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I love You so much and I appreciate You.  Please encourage and comfort all who are hurting. lonely, discouraged and feel like giving up.  In Jesus’ Name. I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 6, 2018

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

THE LOVE OF OUR SAVIOUR

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”
Colossians 2:13-15 KJV

Carrie E. Breck wrote the hymn “Nailed to the Cross”.  The words in this hymn describe the love of our Saviour.  “They are nailed to the cross, They are nailed to the cross, O how much He was willing to bear! With what anguish and loss Jesus went to the cross! But He carried my sins with Him there.”

Do you know how much Jesus loves you?  Avis B. Christiansen wrote “Blessèd Redeemer”.  “Blessèd Redeemer! Precious Redeemer! Seems now I see Him on Calvary’s tree; Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading, Blind and unheeding—dying for me!”  What love and compassion He has for you and for me.

He loves you, pastors.  He loves you, moms.  He loves you, dads.  He loves you, teenager.  Jesus loves every person in the world and His lap is big enough to hold everyone at the same time.  If you are discouraged and feel like giving up, allow Jesus to hold you.  O how He loves us.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is discouraged, heart broken and lonely.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  I love You, Heavenly Father and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Please encourage every pastor.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe
December 5, 2018

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

JESUS SEARCHES FOR US

“How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.”
Matthew 18:12,13 KJV

Elizabeth C. Clephane wrote a hymn that I love.  It describes how Jesus looks for us when we leave Him. The hymn is “The Ninety and Nine”.  Jesus never leaves us.  We leave Him.  It’s like the wife who told her husband while in the car “We don’t sit close anymore”  He replied “I haven’t moved”. 

I love these words.  “But none of the ransomed ever knew How deep were the waters crossed; Nor how dark was the night the Lord passed through Ere He found His sheep that was lost. Out in the desert He heard its cry, Sick and helpless and ready to die; Sick and helpless and ready to die.”

Yes, Jesus loves you so much that He goes after you when you leave Him.  How is your heart?  Is it right with God?  When God looks in your heart, does He see things that hurt Him?  May God help us do things that make Him happy instead of doing things that hurt Him and break His heart.

Joanne Lowe
December 4, 2018



Monday, December 3, 2018

I AM STILL HERE

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
Hebrews 13:5 KJV

Someone said “Everyone I thought was my friend has left me”.  Have you ever felt like nobody loved you or cared about you?  I used to feel I was all alone.  If you will listen with your heart, you will hear Jesus say “I am still here.”  Ludie D. Pickett wrote one of my favorite hymns “Never Alone”.

The words in this inspiring hymn have encouraged me many times.  “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!”

We will be celebrating the birthday of our Saviour this month and for some people Christmas will also be a sad time because their loved ones have died.  However, we have our Saviour’s promise that He will never leave us.  What a precious promise to us from the heart of our compassionate and loving Saviour.

Joanne Lowe
December 3, 2018


Sunday, December 2, 2018

IMPOSSIBLE TO COUNT

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”
John 21:25 KJV

Our Scripture verse tells us that the world can’t contain the books that should be written about everything Jesus did. It is also impossible to count all the miles that Jesus walked.  We read in the Bible about Jesus getting tired.  We need to remember that Jesus got tired just like we do when He was here. 

We read in the Bible. “Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour” (John 4:6).  When Jesus walked that long lonely road to Calvary, He was in so much pain that I believe that every step He took felt like a thousand miles.

Evangelist Gordon Jensen wrote a hymn about Jesus dying for us "I Should Have Been Crucified”.  “Crowns of thorns, the spear deep in His side And the pain it should have been mine The rusty nails were meant for me Oh yet Christ took them and let me go free.”  O how Jesus loves us. 

We are the ones who should have been crucified.  I believe that Jesus shed many tears for us when He was hanging on the cross.  He had been beaten beyond recognition.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth.  O how I love Jesus.  What a privilege it has been to serve Him since January 24, 2005.

Joanne Lowe
December 2 2018

Saturday, December 1, 2018

THE JOY OF KNOWING 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

Floyd W. Hawkins wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “I’ve Discovered the Way of Gladness”  It is one of my favorite hymns.  Have you discovered the way of gladness?  Please join me in singing this hymn.  We can search for happiness and joy in the world but it is only in Jesus we find real joy. 

“I’ve discovered the way of gladness, I’ve discovered the way of joy, I’ve discovered relief from sadness, ‘Tis a happiness without alloy; I’ve discovered the fount of blessing, I’ve discovered the Living Word. ‘Twas the greatest of all discoveries When I found Jesus, my Lord.”

You may be saved but 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?  Does Jesus have first place in your heart and life?  Jesus deserves to have first place in our heart and life after all He has done for us.

Joanne Lowe
December 1, 2018