THE BIBLE

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”

2 Timothy 3:16

King James Bible

The Bible is our guidebook from God and instructs us how to live but it is also a love letter from our Heavenly Father.  Have you ever gone to your mailbox expecting to get a letter but there was nothing there and you were disappointed and sad?  The Bible, God’s love letter to us is available to us all the time and all we have to do is open it and start reading.

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us a love letter but He also gave His Son to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sins so that we can be saved.  John W. Peterson wrote one of my favorite hymns “No Greater Love”.  Indeed, there is no greater love than the unconditional love that God and Jesus have for us.  If you ever think nobody loves us, remember the cross and all the pain and agony that Jesus suffered for you so you can be saved and go to Heaven when you die. Thank God for His unconditional love for you and for me.

Joanne Lowe

September 30, 2019

The Healing Salve of Jesus

“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds”

Psalm 147: 3

King James Version

When children fall and hurt themselves, they want their mothers.  They know that their mothers will make it all better.  When my nephew was little, he used to tell me “Momma will make it all better.”  It is the same when Christians get hurt.  We want Jesus because we know that He will make it all better. Only Jesus can see into our heart and only Jesus can make it all better.

When we are heartbroken, depressed, lonely, and really believe that nobody loves us, Jesus applies His compassion and understanding to our heart.  He holds us close to His heart as He tenderly wipes the tears from our eyes with His kisses of unconditional love.  Thank God for the healing salve of Jesus.

Has someone said something cruel to you or done something to hurt your feelings?  Do you feel like nobody cares about you?  Are you lonely and discouraged and heartbroken today?  

If so, run into the waiting arms of Jesus.  He will apply His healing salve of compassion and understanding to your heart as He tenderly wipes the tears from your eyes with His kisses of unconditional love.  Jesus really does love you and He really does care when you are hurting.

Joanne Lowe

September 29, 2019

A SERMON

“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

John 8:11

King James Version

Many years ago when I lived in Texas, the pastor of the church where I was a member preached a sermon that was on forgiveness. One of the things the pastor said in the sermon was that it takes two to argue and it takes two to make up.  I think if we will be honest, all of us will have to admit that there have been times when we hurt someone even if we didn’t mean to hurt the person.  

If we tell the person we’re sorry for hurting them and really mean it from our heart, then we are in right standing with God.  If we didn’t mean that we were sorry, we are not in right standing with God and we are hurting Him and breaking His heart.  God loves us so much that He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins so we can be saved.  How can we not forgive the ones who hurt us after God forgave us for our sins?  I believe we hurt God many times and break His heart because we don’t forgive as He has forgiven us.

Joanne Lowe

September 28, 2019

JESUS DOESN’T CONDEMN

“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”

John 8:11

King James Version

Have you ever hurt people even if you didn’t hurt them on purpose and told them you were sorry but they refused to forgive you?  Jesus doesn’t condemn us.  He forgives us when we hurt Him.  If Jesus forgives us, how dare you and I refuse to forgive those who have hurt us?

I don’t think we realize how much we hurt Jesus when we refuse to forgive those who have hurt us.  If Jesus hadn’t died on the cross for your sins and for my sins and asked God to forgive us, we would be on our way to hell for all eternity.  How can we say we love Jesus but refuse to forgive those who hurt us?  

Jesus can see in our heart and He can see the things we allow to stay in our heart, things that hurt Him and break His heart like bitterness, unforgiveness, hatred and jealousy.  May God have mercy on us and forgive us for hurting Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

September 27, 2019

ANYTHING AND ANYONE

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

1 Peter 5:7, 8

King James Version

Jesus has warned us to be on the alert for the vicious attacks of satan and satan will use anything and anyone trying to discourage us from serving Jesus.  For the last two days, I’ve had terrible nightmares that my computer would not work and I woke up feeling very depressed.  It’s just another attack from satan trying to stop me from serving Jesus.  It did not work and it will never work.  

We read in the Bible.  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).  The next time satan lies to you and tries to discourage you from serving Jesus, cry out to Jesus and He will help you.

Joanne Lowe

September 26, 2019

HE DIED FOR US

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5

King James Version

Jesus had never sinned, had never done anything wrong, yet He willingly allowed them to crucify Him and He died for us.  What kind o l love is this?  It is an unconditional forgiving love that can only come from the heart of our Saviour.  O how Jesus loves you and me.

Kurt Kaiser wrote one of my favorite hymns “O HOW HE LOVES YOU AND ME”.  “Jesus to Calvary did go, His love for mankind to show; What He did there brought hope from despair: O how He loves you; O how He loves me; O how He loves you and me!”

Yes, Jesus loves us and He loves us unconditionally.  How much do we love Jesus and what are we doing to prove to Him that we love Him?  Jesus should have first place in our heart, in our time, and in everything we do. If we don’t have time for Jesus in our schedule, then we need to rearrange our schedule so that Jesus comes first.

Joanne Lowe

September 25, 2019

TEMPTATION

“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

King James Version

If we are tempted to do something, it is not a sin.  It is only a sin if we do it.  Jesus was tempted but never sinned.  We read in the Bible “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15).  Again, it is not a sin to be tempted, it is only sin if we do it.

This is just another way that satan tries to make us think that Jesus doesn’t love us but Jesus does love us.  He loves us so much He died for us and we should love Jesus so much that we don’t do the things we are tempted to do that would hurt Him.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times when I have hurt You.  I’m sorry.  I pray for all those who are lonely, discouraged and heart broken.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 24, 2019

OUR FORTRESS

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”

Psalms 18:2

King James Version

Heavenly Father, thank You for being our Rock, our Deliverer, our Strength, and our Fortress.  In this world of violence, wars, rapes, child abuse, wife beatings and all other things that hurt You, we desperately need You to protect us.  

Thank You for loving us, for caring about us, for giving Jesus to die on the cross for our sins and for taking care of us every day.  I love You so much, Heavenly Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  Please forgive me for the times I hurt You and fail You.  I don’t ever want to hurt You but I know that I do and I’m sorry.  

I pray for my Pastor.  Please touch him and strengthen him.  Please give him a special blessing for being a lighthouse of love leading others to Jesus.  I pray for all who are hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them. Thank You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 23, 2019

THE PRECIOUS BABY JESUS

“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.”

Luke 2:10, 11

King James Version

Newborn babies are so sweet and precious but the most precious Baby ever born was the precious Baby Jesus.  This wonderful Baby grew up and went to the cross and allowed them to crucify Him for your sins and for my sins.  Jesus had never sinned yet He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him and paid the sin debt for us, a debt we could never have paid.

O how I love Jesus!  He is the Joy of my heart, the reason I’m living, the reason I get out of bed and the reason I keep serving Him even when satan attacks me with lies and tells me Jesus doesn’t love, has never loved me and will never love me.  We need to remember that satan is a liar and he will do all he can do to discourage us from serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen.  

We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us when He could have come down.  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much Jesus loves you?  His love will never end and it is an unconditional love.  He loved you yesterday.  He loves you today and He will love you forever.

What a privilege is ours to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  We know He loves us but do we love Him?  If we do love Him, what are we doing to prove to Him that we love Him?  The greatest way to prove to Him that we love Him is to love one another unconditionally as He has commanded us to love each other.  If we refuse to forgive those who have hurt us, we are not only disobeying Him, we are hurting Him and breaking His heart.  

Have you forgiven those who have hurt you or are you allowing resentment, bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness to remain in your heart?  May God have mercy on us if we hurt His beloved Son.  Give all of your hurts, your resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness to God and love others unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love each other.  Remember, none of us are perfect.  There are times when all of us hurt each other.

Joanne Lowe

September 22, 2019

OUR LOVING HEAVENLY FATHER

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”

Colossians 1:12-14

King James Version

Precious Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, for forgiving us and for giving Your beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  We love You and appreciate You.  Dear Father, I pray that You will comfort and encourage all those who are lonely, brokenhearted and who feel like giving up.  Please encourage and comfort every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour. In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 21, 2019

VICTORY

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 15:57

King James Version

Eugene Bartlett wrote one of my favorite hymns “Victory In Jesus”.  I love the words in this beautiful hymn.  “O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever. He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him And all my love is due Him, He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood.”

No matter how many times and how many vicious lies satan attacks us with, Jesus will always give us the victory.  Our precious Saviour defeated satan when He died on the cross for our sins but satan is still trying to discourage us from serving Jesus.

The next time satan attacks you with lies and discouragement, tell Jesus and Jesus will help you.  What a precious loving Saviour we have..  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Joanne Lowe

September 20, 2019

DO WE LOVE EACH OTHER

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”

1 John 4:7

King James Version

The greatest love we can give one another is unconditional love just as Jesus gave us as He hung there on the cross bleeding and in pain that nobody has ever known or ever will know when He asked His Father to forgive us.

Do we love each other?  If we do, what are we doing to prove to each other that we love them?  The greatest thing we can give one another is forgiveness, unconditional love and compassion just as Jesus gives us.

Nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.  His love is unconditional and unending.  Jesus loved you yesterday.  He loves you today and He will love you forever.

What a precious loving Saviour!  What a Friend!  Please lift your voice and your hands and join me in praising the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  O how I love Jesus.  He is the Joy of my heart, the reason I’m living and the reason I get out of bed and one happy day I will have the privilege of seeing Him face to face.

Joanne Lowe

September 19, 2019

WE LOVE YOU

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

John 3:16

King James Version

We love You, Heavenly Father and we appreciate all You have done for us. Thank You for giving Jesus to die for our sins.  You are a tender compassionate and loving Father.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that You will never hit us or kick us out of Heaven.  I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged and who feel like going to bed and staying there.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 18, 2019

DO WE MEAN IT

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

John 20:21

King James Version

Mary Brown wrote one of my favorite hymns “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”.  We sing these words but do we mean them?  “It may not be on the mountain’s height, Or over the stormy sea; It may not be at the battle’s front My Lord will have need of me; But if by a still, small voice He calls To paths I do not know, I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in Thine, I’ll go where You want me to go.”

We might be willing to go to another country but are we willing to go across the street or across town or pick up the telephone and call someone or send an email to people who are lonely and discouraged, brokenhearted and feels that nobody loves them?  We can say anything but actions speak louder than words.

What if God had told us that He loves us but had never gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins, we would be on our way to hell for our eternity.  Let’s start proving to people that we love them not just by our words but especially by our actions.

Joanne Lowe

September 17, 2019

ONE HAPPY AND JOYOUS DAY

“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

King James Version

One happy and joyous day when Jesus comes back for us, there will be no more crying or sorrow.  We will be with Jesus for all eternity and we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before us.  I will see my Mother.  What a day of happiness and joy it will be when we see our precious Saviour face to face.  How I long for that day!

Jim Hill wrote one of my very favorite hymns “What A Day That Will Be”.  “There is coming a day when no heartaches shall come No more clouds in the sky, no more tears to dim the eye.  All is peace forevermore on that happy golden shore, What a day, glorious day that will be.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Jesus to die for our sins so we can be saved and live in Heaven for eternity.  I love You, dear Jesus, and I long for the day when I will see You face to face.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 16, 2019

TELL THEM

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

Isaiah 41:6, 7

King James Version

Thursday night I called the manager of the trailer park where I live.  I have had to call her several times in the last three or four weeks to report things that needed fixing.  When I called her, the first thing I said “Linda, I am not calling to ask you to send someone to fix something, I am just calling you to thank you for all your kindness and all you have done for me and to tell you that I love you.

She was quiet for a minute and then she said “Thank you for calling me and telling me this.  You have made my day.  I needed this”.

Many years ago, God laid it on my heart to call the operator and tell the operator “Merry Christmas.  Thank you for your service”.  The operator got very quiet.  I thought she had hung up and then she said “Thank you.  I have been an operator for several years and nobody has ever wished me Merry Christmas.

We don’t know what is going on in someone’s heart.  All we know is what they tell us.  It is so important and even urgent that we encourage one another and express our appreciation for what they have done four us.

Many years ago, I had a pastor who used to ask his wife to come up and stand beside him. My pastor would put his arm around her and tell her “I love you and appreciate all you do for me”.  I learned a lot from my pastor’s example about encouragement and showing appreciation.

Joyce Landorf Heaatherley, a Christian speaker and author says on one of her teaching tapes “A pastor gave the wrong scripture reference.  How awful.  You preach it Pastor and I’ll turn the pages”.  I don’t think we understand how important it is to not only pray for our pastor and family but also to encourage them.

Many years ago, I received an email from a pastor who wrote “I’m thinking of not being a pastor any more.  My family and I were so happy and excited when we moved here but all we have received is criticism.  How dare you and I criticize our pastor!  We read in the Bible.  “Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm” (1 Chronicles 16:22).  I can honestly say that I have the best Pastor in the world.  Pastor Davis not only preaches how we should live, He shows us how to live by his example.  I love my Pastor very much and thank God for the privilege of having Pastor Davis as my Pastor.

May God help us to be a comfort and an encouragement to all we see.  It will make God happy.  We read in the Bible.  “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God” (Isaiah 40:1).  Are you an encouragement and comfort to your loved ones or do you criticize them and take them for granted?  It’s not enough to tell people we love them, we must prove we love them by our actions.

Joanne Lowe

September 14, 2019

THE LONGEST WALK

“Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away. And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:  Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.”

John 19:16-18

King James Version

Several years ago, I was very very sick with the flu.  It took me ten minutes to walk from my bedroom to my office so I could type my devotion for the next day because I was so dizzy.  I thought about not doing the devotion and then I remembered how far Jesus walked for me when He was crucified and I kept walking even though I had to hold on to the walls to keep from falling.

When God gave me the ministry of writing devotions, I promised Him I would do a devotion every day if He would help me.  Does this make me a wonderful person.  No, it just means I love God and want to do all I can do to make Him happy.  It is a privilege to serve Jesus after all He has done for me.

When I think of the many miles Jesus walked for me and how He shed His precious blood on the cross so I can have my sins forgiven, my heart is filled with love and appreciation for our wonderful Saviour.  Yes, Jesus walked many miles for you and for me.  May God help us to give Jesus the first place in our heart, in our time and in everything we do.  

Joanne Lowe

September 13, 2019

WHEN I DIE

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

John 13:34, 35

King James Version

Several years ago I read in the paper that at a funeral someone said about the lady who died “I never heard her say one unkind word about anyone”.  They can’t say that about me because I have said unkind things about people.

When I die, I want people to say “Joanne loved Jesus”.  What will they say about you when you die?  May God help us to be kind and loving to one another so that when we die people will say “They loved Jesus”.  We can tell people we love Jesus but words don’t mean anything unless we prove we love Jesus by our actions.

Do you love Jesus?  If so, what are you doing to prove to Him that you love Him?  If ever someone deserves to be loved, adored and praised, it is Jesus.  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  Please join me in praising the One Who loves us so much He died for us.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

Joanne Lowe

September 12, 2019

HOW MUCH

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13

King James Version

We say that we love one another but how much do we love each other?  We may never have to die for someone but there are other ways we can show our love to one another.  When we go out to eat, do we insist on always going to our favorite restaurant or do we ask them where they would like to go?

Do we love enough to send emails and call people even when we are busy and it is not convenient for us to do these things?  Are we willing to make time for our family and for our friends?  We don’t know what is going on in their heart.  We only know what they tell us.  They may have a smile but they are crying on the inside.

May God help us to love one another unconditionally and forgive each other if someone hurts us.  Remember, Jesus died for us when we were sinners.  Are we willing to put others ahead of ourselves even when we are busy?

Joanne Lowe

September 10, 2019

HE STILL LOVES US

"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

King James Version

No matter how many times we hurt God, He still loves us and we should love others no matter how many times they hurt us.   I think we sometimes forget that none of us are perfect.  All of us sin and fail God at times but He still loves us and forgives us when we repent and ask Him to forgive us.  May God help us to love one another and forgive one another as God forgives us.  How dare you and I go to a Holy God and ask Him to forgive us if we aren't willing to forgive those who hurt us.  Let's start loving one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love one another.

Joanne Lowe

September 9, 2019

MANY LONG YEARS

“When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.”

Psalms 27:10

King James Version

This verse has been a comfort to me many times because there were many long years that I believed my Mother and Dad didn’t love me or want me.  I know now that they did the best they could do because they were never shown love when they were children.

It’s impossible to show love to someone if you have never received love.  It is time that we start loving our parents no matter how many times they have hurt us.  Guess what?  We, as children also hurt our parents.  It breaks my heart to know how many times I hurt my Mother and Dad because I was rude and hateful to them and disobeyed them.

If you have hatred, bitterness, resentment or unforgiveness for your parents or for anyone in your heart then you are hurting Jesus and breaking His heart.  How can we honestly say we love Jesus and refuse to do what He has commanded us to do?  We read in the Bible.  “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).

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I hurt You because I refused to forgive those who had hurt me.  Thank You for loving me when I was such a hateful person.  Please comfort and encourage all those who are discouraged and lonely.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 8, 2019

THE MASTER’S TOUCH

“And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.  And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”

Mark 1:40, 41

King James Version

Bill Gaither wrote a beautiful hymn about Jesus “He Touched Me”.  “ Shackled by a heavy burden, 'Neath a load of guilt and shame. Then the hand of Jesus touched me, And now I am no longer the same.”  Thank God for the touch of our precious Saviour.  

Before Jesus touched me, saved me and gave me a new heart, I was a terrible person.  I hated everybody.  My heart was full of anger, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness and I really believed that I had a right to feel that way because of the way I had been treated.

I had been beaten, cursed, ridiculed, raped and even told that I didn’t have a right to live.  After hearing these things for most of my life, I really believed I didn’t have a right to live and so I tried to commit suicide.  I’m so glad that God sent someone to help me in time so that I didn’t die.

If you have allowed bitterness, resentment, hatred, and unforgiveness to remain in your heart, you are hurting Jesus and breaking His heart.  Jesus doesn’t want us to live a defeated life.  He wants us to have a life filled with happiness and joy.  We read in the Bible “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).

Jesus hasn’t been here for over two thousand years and we need to hug others for Jesus.  When is the last time you hugged someone and said “Jesus loves you and I love you”?  You may not be comfortable hugging people but you can hug them with your words of love.  Have you hugged Jesus today?  

Joanne Lowe

September 7, 2019

ARE WE DOING IT

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.”

Isaiah 40:1

King James Version

God has told us to comfort His people.  Are we doing it?  We are either comforting them or we are discouraging them.  God doesn’t ask very much of us considering all He has done for us so we should be willing to do whatever He asks us to do.

All of us need to be comforted at times.  The person who says he or sh does not need anyone or anything is not being truthful.  Even Jesus, when He was praying in the garden needed someone.  “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)

May God help us to be a comfort and an encouragement to everyone we know.

Joanne Lowe

September 6, 2019

OUR HEART

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

1 Samuel 16:7

King James Version

Several years ago, when I lived in Texas, I heard a sermon about the condition of our heart.  The pastor said “You had better be more concerned about what is in your heart and what God sees in your heart than if you are too fat or too skinny.”

That sermon made me very uncomfortable because I had been told so many times that I was fat, ugly and stupid that I was very concerned about how I looked.  The  more I read our Scripture verse for this devotion, the more that I realized that God wasn’t looking at my appearance, He was seeing the bitterness, resentment, hatred and unforgiveness that I had allowed to remain in my heart.

Someone said “I have a right to be angry and he does not deserve to be forgiven”.  You and I didn’t deserve to have our sins forgiven but because God loves us so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross so we can be forgiven.

No, \we don’t have any right to allow unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment and hatred to stay in our heart.  It’s time we start loving others unconditionally just as Jesus love us.  May God have mercy on us and forgive us for allowing bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to remain in our heart.

Joanne Lowe

September 5, 2019

FIRST NOT LAST

“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Psalms 50:15

King James Version

Yesterday morning, I went to Walmart and when I was ready to come home, I called a cab but the cab hadn’t come after waiting twenty minutes so I called the cab company again.  I had to call them four times and wait over an hour for the cab to come take me home.

I get very upset when I can’t get home when I want to go home.  I started to cry and then I did what I should have done before I called for a cab.  I prayed and asked God to please get me home and the cab came after me within ten minutes.  Why is it that we sometimes don’t pray until we are desperate.  

Praying and asking God for help should come first, not last.  I think we sometimes hurt His feelings when we don’t pray first.  Don’t let satan get you upset and worried, ask God to help you before you do anything.  He will be faithful to answer you and help you.  We have a tender loving Heavenly Father.

Joanne Lowe

September 4, 2019

DAILY HURRICANES

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

1 Peter 5:8

King James Version

Hurricane season comes once a yaar but we have hurricanes all year, daily hurricanes.  We have daily hurricanes of criticism, sarcasm, unforgiveness, bitterness, resentment, and jealousy.  Several years ago, one of my neighbors said to me “Why should I forgive him for what he died”?  The question every one of us should ask ourselves is “Why should God forgive me for my sins?

It is time we stop criticizing others and make sure our own heart is right before God.  One of my pastors said in a sermon “If you will make sure your own heart is right before God, you won’t have the time to judge and criticize others.”  Let’s stop judging and criticizing others and make sure that our own heart is right before God and start loving unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love others.

Joanne Lowe

September 3, 2019

ONE DAY

“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

King James Version

God not only loves us so much that He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, one day God is going to tell Jesus it is time to come and get us and take us to Heaven and we will be with Jesus for all eternity.  Are you shouting with happiness for His unconditional love for us?

Joanne Lowe

September 2, 2019