THERE’S STILL ROOM

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.”

Colossians 1:20 KJV

Pastor Ira Stanphill wrote “Room at the Cross”.  I’m so glad the heart touching and inspiring words in this beautiful hymn are still true today.  “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.”

If you have never opened the door of your heart and invited Jesus in to be your personal Saviour, I urge you, I plead with you to do it now.  Jesus could come back for us even as you read this devotion.  Your family and loved ones can’t do it for you.  Salvation is personal between Jesus and you.

“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).  The most important decision you will ever make is where you will spend eternity.  You’ll either spend it in Heaven or you’ll spend it in hell.

If you are saved and have wandered away from God, He is waiting with open arms for you to come back to Him.  William J. Kirkpatrick wrote “LORD, I’M COMING HOME”.  “I’ve wandered far away from God, Now I’m coming home; The paths of sin too long I’ve trod, Lord, I’m coming home.”

Don’t let your pride or fear of what someone will say keep you from going home to our Heavenly Father.  He’ll forgive you and hold you close to His loving heart.  He loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross.  Go home to God now!

Joanne Lowe

January 31, 2019

THE DESIRE OF MY HEART

“The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?”

1 Chronicles 29:5 KJV

Rev. M. Homer Cummings wrote a beautiful hymn “I Want My Life to Count for Jesus”.  It is the desire of my heart and should be the desire of every Christian that our life count for Jesus by the things we do and the things we say.  May God help us to lead others to Jesus by our loving actions and words. 

I love the words in this inspiring and heart touching hymn.  “I want my life to speak for Jesus, In words of love and cheer, That lonely hearts by grief o’ertaken May feel His blessèd presence near. I want my life to speak for Him, In service every day; In all I do, in all I say, I want my life to speak for Him.”

Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian speaker and author, said on one of her teaching tapes.  “The people we sit next to in church look fine and they look darling but inside they are hurting”.  We need to be encouragers to one another and especially for our pastors and deacons and their families. 

I don’t know about you but it is very difficult for me to share what is in my heart because I think people won’t understand or will laugh at me.  There is good news.  We can tell Jesus anything.  Jesus can see into our heart and He knows how we feel but He wants us to share our heart with Him.

Heavenly Father, the desire of my heart is to make Jesus happy.  I pray You will search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 30, 2019

NO WORDS

“(A Psalm of David.) Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.  Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.”

Psalms 29:1,2 KJV

Andrae' Crouch wrote the beautiful hymn “My Tribute”.  “How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me Things so undeserved Yet You give to prove Your love for me The voices of a million angels Could not express my gratitude All that I am and ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee.”

There are no words to express how much God and Jesus love us and all that They have done for us.  One day, God opened His heart of unconditional love and compassion for us and gave His beloved Son to die on the cross and pay the debt for our sins that we could never have paid.

Would you send your son to war knowing in advance he was going to be killed?  Of course, you wouldn’t but that is exactly what our Heavenly Father did for us.  God knew His Son was going to be beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, rejected and left alone to die on the cross but God still gave Him for us.

Evangelist Ellis J. Crum wrote the hymn “He Paid a Debt He Did Not Owe”.  “He paid a debt He did not owe.  I owed a debt I could not pay.  I needed someone to wash my sins away, And now I sing a brand new song, Amazing grace all day long.  Christ Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.”

There is nothing that we could do to deserve the unconditional love, mercy and compassion that Jesus gave us when He died on the cross for our sins.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  Please join me in praising Him.

Joanne Lowe

January 29, 2019

IMPOSSIBLE

“That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:”

1 Peter 1:7,8 KJV

Pastor Barney E. Warren wrote one of my favorite hymns “Joy Unspeakable”.  The words in this beautiful hymn describe the Joy I have since Jesus came into my heart.  “I have found the joy no tongue can tell, How its waves of glory roll! It is like a great o’erflowing well, Springing up within my soul.”

It is impossible for me to tell you the difference that Jesus has made in my heart and in my life.  Before Jesus came into my heart, I was a very selfish person.  I had been beaten, cursed, raped and told that I didn’t have a right to live.  I hated everybody and was afraid of everyone and everything.

The day that Jesus put His arms of compassion and love around me and told me that He loved me is the greatest day of my life.  When I think about the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” loving me, I stand amazed that He could love me as rotten as I was before I was saved.  What a compassionate Saviour!

Charles H. Gabriel wrote a hymn that describes how I feel about Jesus “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”.  “I stand amazed in the presence Of Jesus the Nazarene, And wonder how He could love me, A sinner, condemned, unclean.”  He not only loves you, He also loves me.  O how I love Jesus.  He is the Joy of my heart.

Joanne Lowe

January 28, 2019

EVERY STEP

“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.”

1Thessalonians 2:12 KJV

When a little child starts to walk, the parents are there to help and catch the child if he or she starts to fall.  After the child learns to walk, the parents no longer holds the child’s hand.  Jesus doesn’t let us walk alone.  He holds our hand and He never lets go.  We can depend on our Saviour to never leave us.

W. Elmo Mercer, a wonderful song writer, wrote a beautiful inspiring and heart touching hymn “Each Step I Take”.  I love this hymn.  “Each step I take my Savior goes before me, And with His loving hand He leads the way. And with each breath I whisper, I adore Thee; O what joy to walk with Him each day.”

Since I invited Jesus into my heart on August 14, 1980, He has held my hand and has never left me, not even for one minute.  Have I always made Him happy?  It breaks my heart to admit it but there have been times when I hurt Him.  Every time I realize that I have done something that hurts Him, it breaks my heart.

Eliza E. Hewitt wrote another beautiful and inspiring hymn about our precious Saviour “Stepping in the Light”.  “Pressing more closely to Him who is leading, When we are tempted to turn from the way; Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us, Happy, how happy, our praises each day.”

If we will hold our Saviour’s hand and allow Him to lead us and protect us, we will have a happy and more victorious life.  We can trust Jesus because He will never fail us and He will never leave us.  We may leave Him but He has told us He will never leave us and He keeps His Word.  What a precious Saviour!

Joanne Lowe

January 27, 2019

EVERY FIVE MINUTES

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.”

Proverbs 23:7 KJV

Many years ago, I was one of several people who owned a cleaning service.  We cleaned offices after they were closed.  I cleaned the bathrooms.  I also worked at an airport cleaning bathrooms and every five minutes they were dirty again and had to be cleaned again.

Our heart sometimes gets dirty again because we allow unforgiveness, jealousy, anger, bitterness, resentment and hatred to remain in our heart.  It is okay to get angry as long as we forgive those who hurt us.  I used to ask God to forgive me for things I had done without forgiving the ones who hurt me.

One day, God took me out to His woodshed and asked me why He should forgive me for things when I was unwilling to forgive those who had hurt me.  It broke my heart and I told Him I was sorry and asked Him to help me love others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love one another.

“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).

It is okay to get angry and we will because we are human but it becomes sin if we don’t forgive people.  Can you honestly say you always love people unconditionally?

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I don’t love unconditionally.  I want others to see and hear the love that Jesus has for them by the way I treat them and the words I say to them.  I pray for all who are discouraged and hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe

January 26, 2019

PRAY AND ENCOURAGE

“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

It is very important we pray for and encourage our pastors.  I think we sometimes forget that they get tired just like we do.  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 and pray with someone.

Pastors sacrifice time with their family to minister to their congregation.  I heard a sermon many years ago and the pastor said “There is a difference between pastors and preachers.  Preachers just preach but a pastor who really loves Jesus is available to their congregation all the time”.

Several years ago, I had a pastor who would call his wife to come up and stand with him.  The pastor said “Please pray for my wife as she is my biggest encourager when I am discouraged”.  It is very important that we pray for and encourage our pastor and family.

It is also very important that we pray for and encourage deacons and their wives because they get discouraged just like pastors.  A pastor said “The deacons and their wives are very important because they not only help me and pray for me, they also encourage me.  Please pray for them”.  Are we praying for them?

Heavenly Father, I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  Please encourage them.  I pray for all the pastor’s wives and for all the deacons and their wives.  Please encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 25, 2019

HE IS AMAZING

“He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.”

John 9:25 KJV

John Newton wrote one of my favorite hymns “Amazing Grace”.  “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found; Was blind, but now I see.” Not only does God give us amazing grace, He is amazing!  We have a loving and compassionate Heavenly Father.

I needed to go to Wal-Mart today but because it is so cold and my arthritis is hurting so much, I could not go.  I was discouraged and just when I thought about going to bed to take a nap, one of my neighbors came over and said he was going to the store and asked me if he could get something for me.

I started laughing and said “God, You are amazing!”  Our Heavenly Father really cares about us and He takes care of us.  We can trust Him because He will never fail us.  We read in the Bible.  “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Civilla D. Martin wrote another one of my favorite hymns “God Will Take Care of You”.  The words in this beautiful hymn are so true.  I know this from personal experience.  “Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.”

What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know our Heavenly Father loves us unconditionally and will always take care of us.  What a privilege it is to be part of God’s family and know that He will always love us and will never disown us or kick us out of His family.

Joanne Lowe

January 24, 2019

JESUS KNEW

“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

Dottie Rambo wrote a beautiful heart touching 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.”  What a loving compassionate Saviour we are privileged to know and have.

When one of our children gets ready to leave home, we reassure them we love them and we tell them things we think they should know.  I believe when Jesus left Heaven that God and Jesus had a long talk.  God told His Son the things that were going to happen.  He prepared His Son for what would happen.

The day my brother left to go into the service, my Mother stood and watched him go for a long time even when he was out of sight.  I believe when Jesus left Heaven to come to earth that God and Jesus hugged for a long time.  I also believe that as God watched His Son leave, He had tears in His eyes.

William E. Booth-Clibborn wrote a hymn that always brings tears to my eyes “Down from His Glory”.  “Down from His glory, Ever living story, My God and Savior came, And Jesus was His name. Born in a manger, To His own a stranger, A man of sorrows, tears and agony.”  Do you know how much Jesus loves you?

God knew His Son was going to be beaten beyond recognition and crucified for our sins yet He still gave His Son.  What kind of love is this?  It is an amazing and unconditional love for you and for me that can only come from the heart of God.  

Joanne Lowe

January 23, 2019

ONE HAPPY DAY

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9,10 KJV

Eliza E. Hewitt wrote “Beautiful Robes”.  It is a hymn that gives us hope and comfort.  “We shall walk with Him in white, By the fountains of delight, Where the Lamb His ransomed ones shall lead, For His blood shall wash each stain, Till no spot of sin remain, And the soul forevermore is freed.”

Jesus is coming back for us and we will be reunited with our loved ones.  Pastor  J. Wilbur Chapman wrote the hymn “One Day”.  “One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glories will shine; Wonderful day, my belovèd ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!”

When we go to a wedding, we stand when the bride walks down the aisle.  When Jesus comes back for us, we won’t stand up.  We will kneel in respect to our Saviour.  “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Romans 14:11).

If you are a parent, then you know how it hurts you and breaks your heart when people hurt your children.  When Jesus was crucified for our sins, it broke the heart of God.  When He sees people reject His Son, it hurts our tender loving compassionate Father and it breaks His heart.  Let’s stop hurting God.

Joanne Lowe

January 22, 2019

GOD’S BLANKET OF WARMTH

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 KJV

It is 1:00 a.m.  I had just turned off my computer and had gone to my bedroom to get ready for bed.  The weather report said it was going to get very cold so I put an extra blanket on my bed and as I was putting the extra blanket on my bed, God gave me this devotion to write so I came back in my office to write it.

What is God’s blanket of warmth?  It is the unconditional love He gave us when He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for us.  Kurt Kaiser wrote one of my favorite hymns “O How He Loves You and Me”.  God loves us so much and He really cares about us.  We can trust our Heavenly Father to take care of us.

The words in this heart touching hymn should make us do everything we can do to make our Saviour happy.  “Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for sinners 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.”

There are times when our heart gets cold because people criticize us.  When we serve Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he will do all he can do to discourage us so much we stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen.  We must stay on the battlefield just as Jesus stayed on the cross for us.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Jesus to us to be our blanket of warmth.  I love You, Heavenly Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for allowing me to write devotions.  Please comfort and encourage all who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 21, 2019

A HAPPY AND JOYOUS 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

Rev. Martin W. Knapp wrote “Quickly Coming”.  The words in this beautiful and inspiring hymn fill my heart with happiness.  Just knowing that Jesus is coming back for us soon should give us the desire to stay on the battlefield for Him no matter how many dark valleys and heartaches we have in our life. 

I love these words in this 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.”

Yes, if we are serving our loving Saviour, we will have heartaches, crises and dark valleys in our life but so did Jesus when He was here on His mission.  Jesus knows how it feels to be discouraged and feel like giving up so He understands how we feel when we’re tempted to give up.

When I hear Sandi Patty sing “We Shall Behold Him”, I get tears of happiness in my eyes and heart.  “The sky shall unfold Preparing His entrance The stars shall applaud Him With thunders of praise The sweet light in His eyes Shall enhance those awaiting And we shall behold Him Then face to face.”

Will you have tears of happiness when Jesus comes back for us or will you have to hang your head in shame because you didn’t give Him first place in your heart, in your time and in your life? Jesus should come before everyone and everything.  Does He?

Joanne Lowe

January 20, 2019

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 a beautiful hymn “Under His Wings”.  “Under His wings I am safely abiding, Though the night deepens and tempests are wild, Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me, He has redeemed me, and I am His child.”  I’m so glad the words in this hymn are true.

It doesn’t matter how many dark valleys and crises we have in our life, we are safe under His wings.  Not only are we safe under His wings, Jesus is faithful to pick us up in His loving arms and carry us through all the dark valleys until the pain goes away and He will set us once again on the mountain top of happiness.

I’ve lost track of the many times when satan attacked me with doubts and I was tempted to stop writing devotions and go to bed and stay there.  However, Jesus was faithful and He lifted me up and helped me.  The greatest cheerleader we will ever have is Jesus.  He cheers us on to victory every time.

If you are going through a dark valley, Jesus will help you.  We can always depend on Jesus to keep His Word.  “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).  What a faithful Saviour!

Joanne Lowe

January 19, 2018

IMMEDIATELY

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 KJV

This verse is very important to me because it reminds me when God gives me a devotion to write, I need to write the title immediately.  There have been many times when He has inspired me to write something and I didn’t do it right away.  When I sat down at my computer to write it, I couldn’t remember it.

When God inspires me to write now, if I can’t do it right away I write the title down on a pad even if He inspires me to write it when I have just gone to bed.  I have learned that satan will do his best to keep me from remembering the title so now even if I am in the bathroom, I immediately write the title on paper.

The Holy Spirit will help me if I am sick and unable to even write the title down.  We read in the Bible.  “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

If God lays something on your heart to do for Him, do it immediately if possible.  Pastors, if God lays something on your heart to preach, write it down.  It doesn’t matter if you write songs or books; don’t allow satan to steal what God is laying on your heart to do.  If you can’t do it right away, write it down.

Heavenly Father  Please search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, please let me know so I can repent.   In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 18, 2019

BECAUSE HE LOVES US

“And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots.”

Matthew 27:35 KJV

C. Austin Miles wrote a hymn about Jesus dying for us because He loves us “Crucified”.  “Upon His head a crown of thorns, Upon His heart my shame; For me He prayed, for me He died, And dying, spoke my name.”  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much He loves you?

He not only died for us, He also asked God to forgive us.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).  Think about it.  Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition, spat on, rejected and mocked yet He willingly died for our sins.

I write a lot about Jesus and His unconditional love for us because if He didn’t love us with an amazing, unconditional and forgiving love, He wouldn’t have died for us.  If you ever think that nobody loves you or cares about you, remember the cross and all the pain that Jesus endured for you.

There are many people who don’t know that Jesus loves them.  They may have heard it preached that He loves them but nobody has ever proved to them that He loves them and that He loves them unconditionally.  How do we prove to people that Jesus loves them?  We prove it by our kind loving words and actions.

May God help us to be an encourager to one another and to prove how much Jesus loves us.  We know Jesus loves us but do we love Him?  Are we proving to Him we love Him?

Joanne Lowe

January 17, 2019

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

Evangelist Gordon Jensen wrote one of my favorite hymns “Redemption Draweth Nigh”.  “Wars and strife on every hand and violence fills our land, Still some people doubt he'll come again. But the Word of God is true, He’ll redeem his chosen few, Don’t lose hope, soon Christ Jesus will descend”.

Are you ready to meet Him if He comes back today?  We can be saved and serving Jesus but if our heart if not right with God, we are not ready to meet Him.  Pastor Elisha A. Hoffman wrote “Is Thy Heart Right with God?”  Every Christian has to answer this question.

We can fool others and we can even fool ourselves but God can see into our heart and He knows if our heart is right or if we are just saying our heart is right.  Someone said “If you’re going to talk the talk, you’d better walk the walk”.  Our actions must back up what we say about loving Jesus and loving others.

Have you forgiven the ones who have hurt you and have you asked the ones you have hurt to forgive you?  Have we given Jesus first place in our heart?  Jesus deserves to have first place in our heart after all that He has done for us.  He should come before everyone and everything.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die on the cross for us.  I pray we will give Jesus first place in our heart and in everything we do.  I pray for all who are hurting and lonely.  Please comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 16, 2019

ARE WE SATISFIED

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:1-3 KJV

Pastor Ira Stanphill wrote a hymn that should make every Christian search his or her heart to see if the answer is yes.  “I've Got A Mansion”.  “I'm satisfied with just a cottage below A little silver and a little gold But in that city where the ransomed will shine I want a gold one that's silver lined”.  Are we satisfied?

A teenage boy sat in my living room and told me that his dad worked long hours and when his dad came home from work instead of spending time with the boy; he watched television until he went to bed.  It is very important that we work to make enough money to support our family.

However, when we work long hours just so we can buy big cars, big houses and other things that while they are nice to have they are not necessary and it takes time away from our family, we are working too much and too many long hours.  We not only don’t have time for our family, we also don’t have time for Jesus.

We read in the Bible about Mary and Martha and what Jesus said to Martha.  “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41,42).

We do need to work but let’s put Jesus and our family ahead of material things that are nice but we really don’t need.

Joanne Lowe

January 15, 2019

SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Romans 10:17 KJV

The happiest time of my life was when I was able to kneel beside my bed and read my Bible out loud and pray.  I can’t kneel anymore because of my arthritis.  However, there is more to showing respect to our Heavenly Father than just kneeling physically, we also need to kneel in our heart to Him.

There is a spiritual exercise we can do that not only helps us, it also makes Jesus happy.  When we get in a stressful situation, we can do this spiritual exercise.  Say “Je” as you breathe in and “sus” as you breathe out.  Saying His precious Name will not only help us, it will also make Him happy.

Another exercise we can do is to forgive people because it not only helps us to get our heart right with God, it also makes Jesus happy.  We read in the Bible.  “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).  Do we love others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us?

We can also be an encouragement to others, especially to our pastors.  “So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved” (Isaiah 41:7).

May God help us to let others see and hear the unconditional love of Jesus in us.  My heart’s desire is to make Jesus happy.  He has done so much for me.  I love Him with all my heart and 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?

Joanne Lowe

January 14, 2019

WHAT ARE WE SAYING

“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

Evangelist Gordon Jensen wrote the beautiful hymn “Written In Red”.  “In letters of crimson God wrote His love On a hillside so long, long ago For you and for me Jesus died And love’s greatest story was told  I love you, I love you That’s what Calvary said I love you, I love you I love you written in red.”

God and Jesus proved how much They love us when Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  What are we saying to Them by our words and by our actions?  Do They know that we love Them?  We can say anything but actions speak louder than words.  They can see in our heart and They know if we love Them.  

The Bible tells us how we can prove to Jesus that we love Him. “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 we are kind and loving to others, we are kind and loving to Jesus.

May God help us to love unconditionally as Jesus loves us.  Loving one another unconditionally is not an option, it is a commandment.  “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).  O how much Jesus loves you and me.

Joanne Lowe

January 13, 2019

PEOPLE ARE HURTING

“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

Ina D. Ogdon wrote “Brighten the Corner Where You Are”.  Are we doing what the words in this hymn tell us to do?  “Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar, To the many duties ever near you now be true, Brighten the corner where you are.”

Our Heavenly Father may not send us to a different country but He calls every one of us to serve Him right where we are.  There are so many people around us who are brokenhearted, lonely and feel like nobody cares.  I know this is true because I felt this way for over forty years.

Nobody had ever said to me “I love you, Joanne” until the day when I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital where I had crawled because I was afraid of everything and everyone that Jesus came to me and put His arms of compassion around me and lifted me up and said “I love you, Joanne”.

There are no words to describe the happiness and joy I felt when He said that to me.  Someone asked me if it was difficult for me to write about my past.  Yes, it is but if it helps just one person then it is worth it.  Jesus told me He would never leave me and He hasn’t left me, not even for one minute.

What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  All hail, King Jesus!  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”!  I don’t understand how people don’t have problems shouting and cheering for their favorite sports team but don’t shout and cheer for the One Who loves us so much He died for us.

Joanne Lowe

January 12, 2019

I STILL CARE

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

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

When I woke up last Wednesday, satan launched a vicious attack of lies at me and did his best to discourage me so much that I would stop serving Jesus.  It didn’t work and it never will work because we can depend on Jesus to pick us up in His loving arms and carry us through all the dark valleys in our life. 

Helen H. Lemmel wrote one of my favorite hymns “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”  If we would remember to keep our eyes on Jesus, we would have peace in our heart.

William Hunter wrote “The Great Physician now is near”.  I love the words in this inspiring hymn.  “The great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus; He speaks the drooping heart to cheer, oh! hear the voice of Jesus.”  The greatest doctor we know can’t heal a broken heart.  Only Jesus can heal our heart.

When I went through that devastating crippling depression for over forty years, I saw many doctors. Some of the doctors were nice and said kind encouraging words but then they went away and I felt all alone again.  Jesus never leaves us, not even for a minute.  He holds us close and tells us “I love you”.

“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).  What a loving and compassionate Saviour!  O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe

January 11, 2019

ARE WE PRAYING FOR THEM

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

Luke 6:27,28 KJV

I don’t know about you but I have to be honest and tell you when someone says or does something to hurt me that I want to hurt them.  I have asked God to forgive me and help me to love unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

Before you judge and condemn me, search your own heart.  Can you honestly say that you always love unconditionally?  Of course, you can’t because there was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His name is Jesus.  He loves us no matter what we do or say even when we hurt Him.

We read in the Bible.  “When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more” (John 8:10,11).

Jesus doesn’t condemn us, He loves us.  May God help us to love others unconditionally as Jesus loves us.  We want people to forgive us when we hurt them so we had better forgive them when they hurt us.  How dare you and I go to God and ask Him to forgive us if we aren’t willing to forgive those who hurt us.

Joanne Lowe

January 10, 2019

ALL THE TIME

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:10-14 KJV

I didn’t put up any Christmas decorations last month because my hands and arms are still hurting because I fell two months ago and my family has moved away.  I don’t need to put them up because for me it is Christmas in my heart every day.  The love and joy that Jesus gives us is in my heart all the time.

There is nothing and nobody that can take the unconditional love Jesus has for us away from us.  His love is everlasting and unending.  “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).

You may have taken the Christmas decorations down and put them away until next Christmas but did you also put the kindness and love away until we celebrate Christmas next year?  If so, I urge you to show the same love and kindness to your family and friends all year long.

A child said “My parents are kind to me at Christmas and I get gifts but the rest of the year they ignore me”.  I am so glad that Jesus never ignores us and that He is with us all the time and all we have to do is ask Him to help us and He will be faithful to help us.  Let’s show the love of Christmas all the time.

Joanne Lowe

January 9, 2019

AMAZED

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”

Luke 22:41-44 KJV

Charles H. Gabriel wrote a heart touching hymn about our loving precious Saviour which describes how I feel.  “I Stand Amazed in the Presence”.  “For me it was in the garden He prayed: Not My will, but Thine. He had no tears for His own griefs, But sweat drops of blood for mine.”  I am amazed He loves me so much.

What kind of love is this?  It is a compassionate tender loving and forgiving unconditional love that can only come for the heart of Jesus.  We only have a fingernail’s grasp of how much Jesus loves us.  Think about it.  Jesus had never done anything wrong, had never sinned yet He allowed them to crucify Him.

We read in the Bible.  “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17, 18).

Gordon Jensen wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Should Have Been Crucified”.  “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!”  O how Jesus loves you and me.

Joanne Lowe

January 8, 2019

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF LOVE

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

John 8:12 KJV

Ronnie Hinson wrote the beautiful hymn “The Lighthouse”.  “And I thank God for the Lighthouse I owe my life to Him For Jesus is the Lighthouse And from the rocks of sin He has shown a light around me That I could clearly see If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me) Where would this ship be?”

Yes, Jesus is the Lighthouse of Love and He proved how much He loves us when He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him.  I have said this many times and I will keep saying it until God calls me home.  Nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.

Evangelist Gordon Jensen wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Should Have Been Crucified”.  The words in this hymn are 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 has for us.

Marvin P Dalton wrote a hymn that always brings tears to my eyes to think that Jesus suffered all that pain and agony for me.   “O what a Savior, O hallelujah! His heart was broken on Calvary, His hands were nail scarred, His side was riven, He gave His life-blood for even me.” Yes, Jesus died for you and He died for me.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Jesus, how I love You.  Thank You for dying for my sins.  You are the Joy of my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 7, 2019

HIS PROTECTIVE ARMS

“And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Mark 10:16 KJV

Fanny Crosby wrote the beautiful hymn “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”.  “Safe in the arms of Jesus, Safe from corroding care, Safe from the world’s temptations, Sin cannot harm me there. Free from the blight of sorrow, Free from my doubts and fears; Only a few more trials, Only a few more tears!”

Elisha A. Hoffman wrote one of my favorite hymns “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.  “What have I to dread, what have I to fear, Leaning on the everlasting arms; I have blessed peace with my Lord so near, Leaning on the everlasting arms.”  I am so thankful for the protective arms of Jesus.

Horatio G. Spafford wrote “It Is Well with My Soul”.  “And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll; The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, Even so—it is well with my soul.”  One day Jesus is coming back for us and we will be with Him for eternity.

It doesn’t matter how many trials and dark valleys we have to go through because one day it will be worth it all. Esther Kerr Rusthoi wrote the inspiring hymn “It Will Be Worth It All”.  It will be worth it all when we see Jesus face to face.  What a day of happiness and rejoicing it is going to be when we see Jesus.

Are you ready to meet Jesus?  If you have never invited Him into your heart, I urge you to do it now before it’s too late.  One day it will be too late.  Your family and friends can’t do it for you.  Salvation is personal between Jesus and you.  Open the door of your heart and let Jesus come in before it is too late.

Joanne Lowe

January 6, 2019 

THERE ARE NO WORDS

“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,”

Philippians 3:8 KJV

Charles H. Gabriel wrote one of my favorite hymns “He Is So Precious to Me”.  The words in this beautiful hymn describe how much I love Jesus.  “So precious is Jesus, my Savior, my king; His praise all the day long with rapture I sing. To Him in my weakness for strength I can cling, For He is so precious to me.”

It is impossible for me to tell you how much I love Jesus and how much I appreciate Him.  He is the Joy of my heart and the reason I’m living.  He is the “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS” and one happy day I will see Him face to face.  What a day of happiness that is going to be.

Carrie E. Breck wrote a beautiful hymn “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  “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.”  There are no words that can describe how wonderful and precious Jesus is to my heart.

Are you ready to meet Jesus if He comes back while you are reading this devotion? You may be saved but is your heart right with God?  When God looks in your heart, does He see things that make Him happy or does He see things that hurt Him and break His heart?

Joanne Lowe

January 5, 2019

NOTHING

“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 H. Ackley wrote one of my favorite hymns “In the Service of the King”.  “I am happy in the service of the King.  I am happy, O so happy!  I have peace and joy that nothing else can bring, In the service of the King.”  There is nothing that can equal the happiness, peace and joy we have in serving Jesus.

On October 4, 1998, when the pastor gave the invitation, I walked down the aisle and told my pastor I felt God’s call on my life to be a missionary.  My pastor took my hand and prayed for me.  He told me not to wait until God told me what He wanted me to do but to start telling everyone that Jesus loves them.

Many years ago when I lived in Texas, my pastor preached a sermon on serving Jesus.  The pastor said “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start serving Jesus”.  The pastor was right because since I started serving Jesus, there are many times when I feel like I am flying higher than a kite.

Does this mean that I am happy all the time?  No, because satan 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 when He was here on His mission.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Peter 5:8,9).  Don’t give up, keep serving Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

January 4, 2019

DO WE DO IT

“Praise ye the LORD. Praise, O ye servants of the LORD, praise the name of the LORD.  Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore.  From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.”

Psalms 113:1-3 KJV

Bill Gaither wrote the beautiful hymn “Let's Just Praise the Lord”.  “Just the precious name of Jesus is worthy of our praise, Let us bow our knees before Him, our hands to heaven raise; When He comes in clouds of glory, with Him to ever reign, Let's just lift our happy voices, and praise His name.”  Do we do it?

How often do we praise Him?  If we spend more time during the day complaining about things than we do praising Him, we are hurting Him and breaking His heart.  If ever someone deserved to complain about things, it is Jesus when He was here on His mission.

Katherine Hankey wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Love to Tell the Story”.  “I love to tell the story of unseen things above, Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.  I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true; It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.”  Are we telling the world about Jesus?

Fanny Crosby wrote the beautiful hymn “Tell Me the Story of Jesus”.  “Tell me the story of Jesus, Write on my heart every word. Tell me the story most precious, Sweetest that ever was heard.”  There are many people who need to hear about Jesus.  May we be found faithful telling the story of Jesus.

If you’re not telling the story of Jesus, why aren’t you?  After all that Jesus has done for us, we should be eager to tell everyone what a precious Saviour we have.

Joanne Lowe

January 3, 2019

HIS AMAZING LOVE AND GRACE

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

John 19:30 KJV

Lelia N. Morris wrote a beautiful hymn “Sweeter as the Years Go By”.  “’Twas wondrous love which led Him For us to suffer loss, To bear without a murmur The anguish of the cross; With saints redeemed in glory, Let us our voices raise, Till Heav’n and earth re-echo With our Redeemer’s praise.”

The amazing, unending and unconditional love that Jesus has for us is sweeter as the years go by.  There is nothing you could ever do that would make Jesus stop loving you.  Think about it.  Even while hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body, He asked God to forgive us.

We read in the Bible.  “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34).  Many times when people hurt us, we get angry and want to say or do something to hurt them.  We need to follow the example that Jesus set for us and forgive them.

How dare you and I ask our loving Heavenly Father to forgive us for hurting Him if we’re not willing to forgive those who hurt us?  We need to remember that nobody is perfect.  There was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His Name is Jesus.  May God help us to forgive as Jesus forgave us.

Heavenly Father, help us to love one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  Thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

January 2, 2019

HAVE WE SURRENDERED EVERYTHING

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

Luke 14:33 KJV

Judson W. Van DeVenter wrote one of my favorite hymns “I Surrender All”.  I wonder if we have done what we sing in this hymn?  “All to Jesus, I surrender; All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.”  Have we surrendered everything?

Have we put Jesus first in our heart and all we do?  When Jesus allowed them to crucify Him for our sins, He earned the right to have first place in our heart.  Jesus should come before our spouse, before our children, before our friends and before everything.

Jesus willingly left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins.  Are we willing to shut off the television, get out of our comfort zone and serve Him?  In some homes, the television is turned on in the morning and is not turned off until bedtime.

Television has caused a lot of problems in our homes.  A husband and wife got so angry about who had control of the remote control for the television that they didn’t speak to each other for a week.  How it must hurt Jesus and break His heart when we put things ahead of Him.

Are you serving Jesus?  If not, why aren’t you serving Him?  He is calling all of us to serve Him.  “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),  May God help us to serve Him with all of our heart.

Joanne Lowe

January 1, 2019