SIN

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

James 4:17
King James Version

What is sin? The Bible tells us that sin is knowing to do something good and not doing it. Jesus has told us that He wants us to love one another unconditionally just as He loves us and when we don't love one another unconditionally like He loves us then we are disobeying Him, hurting Him and breaking His heart.

Do I always love others unconditionally? No, there are times when I get upset with someone or get my feelings hurt and I allow resentment and bitterness to remain in my heart and then I have to tell God I'm sorry and ask Him to forgive me. The only person who has a right to not forgive us Jesus. After  all the pain and agony He suffered because of our sins, Jesus has a right to not forgive. 

How thankful I am that Jesus forgave me while still hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His body. Jesus loves you. If you are reading this devotion then I am writing to you.

Joanne Lowe
February 29, 2020

JESUS UNDERSTANDS

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

Mattthew 25:21
King James Version

Lucie Eddie Campbell wrote one of my favorite hymns "He'll understand and say, well done". "Misunderstood, the Savior of sinners, Hung on the cross; he was God's only Son; Oh! hear him calling his Father in heav'n, "Not my will, but thine be done."

Yes, Jesus understands how it hurts when people tell lies about us. People not only told lies about our precious Saviour, they also beat Him beyond recognition, spat on Him and cursed Him. If someone has hurt you because they stopped being your friend, know that Jesus understands and that they weren't much of a friend if he or she turned on you.

Allow Jesus to pick you up in His loving arms and carry you until the pain goes away. Jesus really loves you. He loves you so much He died for you. Thank God for the love of our precious Saviour, and for the old rugged cross where Jesus died and shied His precious blood for you and for me.

Joanne Lowe
February 28, 2020

DO WE BELIEVE

"He believed the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness."

Genesis 15:6

King James Version

When Jesus tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us, do we believe Him?  If Jesus tell us something we can trust Him to keep His Word.  Our precious Saviour has told us that He will never leave us or forsake us so we can know that He will always be with us.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  No one loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.  Allow Jesus to comfort and encourage you.  He really cares when you are hurting.

Joanne Lowe

February 27, 2020

HE STILL LOVES US

"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
King James Version

Jesus has told us that He loves us with an everlasting love no matter what we do. The question we need to ask ourselves is "Do I love Jesus and if I do, what am I doing to prove to Him that I love Him". Does Jesus know that we love Him by our service to Him and by loving one another uncondtionally? If no, we are hurting Him and breaking His heart. May God have mercy on us if we are hurting His Son and breaking His heart.

Joanne Lowe
February 26, 2020

GOD TAKES CARE OF US

"And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son."

John 14:13
King James Version

No matter what we need, God will take care of us. There was a time in my life many years ago when I didn't have a place to live. I slept at the Salvation Army at night and was supposed to be looking for work during the day. However, I had so many emotional problems that I was unable to work even though I wanted to work. A social worker, who was a Christian and really loved Jesus, said to me "You can work physically but you can't work emotionally because you are hurting too much".

O that you and I would understand that we need each other. The person who says he or she doesn't need anyone is not being honest. Everybody needs to be encouraged and told that Jesus loves them. When is the last time you told someone that Jesus loves them? When is the last time you told you pastor that God loves him? Yes, he probably does know that our Heavenly Father loves him but it would really encourage him to hear someone say it to him.

Joanne Lowe
February 25, 2020

WE ARE HURTING THEM

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one 

another."

John 13:34
King James Version

Jesus has told us that we should love one another uncondtionally as He loves us and when we don't love others unconditionally we are hurting Jesus and also God. Anything that hurts Jesus also hurts our Heavenly Father. One day you and I will stand before a Holy God and tell God why we treated His Son the way we did and why we hurt Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally even when I hurt You. Please forgive me for the times when I don't love uncondtionally. I'm sorry because I never want to hurt You and yet I know there are times I do. I love You Heavenly Father and I appreciate all You 

have done for me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 24, 2020

JESUS CARES

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28
King James Version

Pastor Charles Price Jones wrote a beautiful hymn about Jesus "Come Unto Me". "Come unto Me; I will give you rest; Take My yoke upon you, Hear Me and be blest; I am meek and lowly, Come and trust My might; Come, My yoke is easy, And My burden’s light." If you are lonely, discouraged and feel like giving up, tell Jesus. He really loves you and cares when you are hurting.

Joanne Lowe
February 23, 2020

NO MORE CRYING

"For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

Psalms 30:5
King James Version

J. Graydon Hall wrote an inspiring hymn "Just Beyond". I love the words in this beautiful and heart touching hymn. "Just beyond this vale of tears,Where the cares of life annoy; Just beyond a few short years, There is everlasting joy. Angel voices sweetly blend, Singing songs of love and praise; Rapture is without an end, Just beyond these pilgrim days."

How I long to see Jesus when He comes back for us. Are you ready to meet Him if He comes while you're reading this devotion? You may be saved but is your heart in right standing with God? Pastor Elisha A. Hoffman wrote a hymn that asks a question that everyone of us has to answer "Is Thy Heart Right with God?" What about it? When God looks in your heart, is He happy with what He sees or does it hurt Him and break His heart?

It doesn't matter if we are a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, if we play the piano or organ, if we sing in the choir or sing solos in church, what matters to God is what is in our heart. O how I want to make God happy but there are times when I lose my temper when someone hurts me and then I hurt Him and I have to ask Him to forgive me. May God have mercy on us for hurting Him.

Joanne Lowe
February 22, 2020

NEVER STOPS LOVING US

"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
King James Bible

I heard a pastor say this on the radio when he was talking to a man who had said to him "I messed up again." The pastor replied "Jesus never stops loving us and He never gives up on us". The next time satan tries to discourage you so much that you stop serving Jesus, remind satan that Jesus already won the victory when He defeated satan on the cross.

It would be so easy to give up and stop serving Jesus when people say cruel and discouraging words to us and about us. However, we must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us when He could have come down. Rev. Ray Overholt wrote the heart touching hymn "He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels". Rev. Overholt was led to Jesus by writing this hymn.

If Jesus stayed on the cross for us because He loves us so much while He was bleeding and had been beaten beyond recognition, how can you and I do less than continue to serve Jesus no matter how many times we are ridiculed, lied about and judged?

Joanne Lowe
February 21, 2020

ONE DAY

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."

Hebrews 9:28
King James Version

Pastor John Wilbur Chapman wrote "One Day" a victorious hymn about our precious Saviour. "One day the grave could conceal Him no longer, One day the stone rolled away from the door; Then He arose, over death He had conquered; Now is ascended, my Lord evermore! One day the trumpet will sound for His coming, One day the skies with His glories will shine; Wonderful day, my beloved ones bringing; Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!"

Yes, one day when Jesus comes back for us there will be no more crying, no more death, no more heartaches, no more parents beating and abusing their children and we will have the privilege of seeing our precious Saviour face to face. May God help all those who have not invited Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour to say yes to Jesus before it is too late.

Are you ready to meet our precious Saviour if He comes for us while you are reading this devotion? If not, I urge you, I plead with you to invite Jesus into your heart now. He loves you so much He died for you. Don't keep hurting Jesus by rejecting Him.

Joanne Lowe
February 20, 2020

NO MORE TEARS

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:4
King James Version

Jim Hill wrote one of my favorite hymns "What a Day That Will Be". I love these words in this inspiring hymn. "There is coming a day, When no heart aches shall come, No more clouds in the sky, No more tears to dim the eye, All is peace forever more, On that happy golden shore, What a day, glorious 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."

How I long for the day when I will have the privilege of seeing my precious Saviour face to face. It really is going to be a glorious day. I love Jesus so much. He is the reason I'm living and the reason I get out of bed. He is the "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS" and He is coming back for you and for me.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You opened Your heart of compassion to us and gave You beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins. I love You, Heavenly Father. Thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus. I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour. Please encourage them and comfort them. Thank You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 19,2020

NEVER

"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

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote one of my favorite hymns "I Could Never Outlove The Lord". It is impossible to outlove the Lord. Bill Gaither wrote the hymn "The Longer I Serve Him". The words in this beautiful hymn are so true. "The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows; The more that I love Him more love He bestows. Each day is like Heaven, my heart overflows. The longer I serve Him the sweeter He grows."

Our Heavenly Father proved how much He loves us when He gave His beloved Son to be beaten beyond recognition, cursed, mocked, spat on, humiliated and die on the cross for your sins and for my sins. Jesus suffered more pain and more anguish than anyone has ever endured or ever will endure. Do you understand yet how much God and Jesus love you?

Are you serving Jesus? If not, why aren't you serving Him? Our precious Saviour left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth to die on the cross for our sins so we can be saved and go to Heaven when we die. Jesus deserves all of our heart, all of our time and everything we have. When is the last time you told Jesus that you love Him? Jesus has feelings too and He want us to tell Him that we love Him just as we want Him to tell us that He loves us. It would break my heart if Jesus didn't tell me every day that He loves me.

Please lift your hands and voice and join me in praising Jesus. What a Saviour! What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth! All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! He is the "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS"! O how I love Jesus. He is the reason I'm living, the reason I get out of bed in the morning and one happy day I am going to have the privilege of seeing Him face to face.

Joanne Lowe
February 18, 2020

OUR FAITHFUL SAVIOUR

"But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them."

Luke 24:29

King James Version

Pastor Henry F. Lyte wrote a beautiful hymn about our faithful Saviour "Abide with Me". "Abide with me! Fast falls the eventide; The darkness thickens. Lord with me abide. When other helpers fail, And comforts flee, Help of the helpless, O abide with me!" What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that our faithful Saviour abides with us and that He has never left us and He will never leave us.

If you have ever had someone who you trusted and who you thought was a good friend do or say something cruel to you or about you, then you know how it hurts. Jesus understands how we feel and He knows how it hurts to be betrayed, ridiculed and judged unfairly. I am so glad that we have the assurance that Jesus will never condemn us even when we hurt Him because He tells us that He won't condemn us.

What a healing balm it is to our battle scarred heart to know that even when we hurt Jesus, that He still loves us. "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).

It's time that you and I stop judging, criticizing and condemning other people and start loving unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love each other and start praying for and encouraging one another. May God forgive us for hurting Jesus because when we hurt one another, we are also hurting Jesus.

Joanne Lowe
February 17, 2020

NO MORE HEARTACHES

"He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it."

Isaiah 25:8
King James Version

Hauta W. Sloan wrote a beautiful hymn about our tears "No Sorrow There". "Oft our hearts are filled with sorrow, As we journey day by day; But when we get home up yonder, God will wipe all tears away." I am so glad that the words in this heart touching hymn are a promise to us.

Precious Heavenly Father, what a balm it is to our weary broken heart to know that there will be no sorrow in Heaven and that You are going to wipe all our tears away. I pray for all those who are discouraged and brokenhearted. Please encourage and comfort them as You have done so many times. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 16, 2020

HE IS WAITING

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."

Matthew 11:28
King James Version

Jesus is waiting for us to come to Him because He knows how it feels to be tired, discouraged and feel all alone. He longs to comfort and encourage us. Jesus want us to live a life that is filled with happiness and unconditional love. 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).

If you're going through a dark valley, tell Jesus and ask Him to help you. He will be faithful to pick you up in His loving arms and will carry you until the pain goes away and will set you once again on the mountain top of happiness. O how Jesus loves you!

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. I pray for all those who have never invited Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour. May today be the day they say yes to Jesus. I love You, dear Father and I appreciate all You have done for me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 15, 2020

A DAY FOR LOVE

"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

Today is Valentine's Day and we give flowers and gifts to our loved ones and take our loved ones out to eat and do special things with the ones we love. Every day of the year should be a special day to remember all our Saviour has done for us and to give Jesus thanks and tell our loving Saviour how much we love Him and appreciate all He has done for us.

Let us also remember to thank our Heavenly Father for opening His heart of unconditional love to us and giving His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins. We have a loving compassionate Heavenly Father Who really loves us and cares about us.

Frederick Whitfield wrote one of my favorite hymns "Oh, How I Love Jesus". I love the words in this beautiful hymn because they are so true and express what is in my heart. "O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, because he first loved me! It tells me of a Savior's love, who died to set me free; it tells me of his precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea."

As we celebrate Valentine's Day, let us remember to tell Jesus how much we love Him and appreciate all He has done for us. If you have never invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour, you would make Him very happy if you will invite Him into your heart. Open the door of your heart and say yes to Jesus today.

Joanne Lowe
February 14, 2020

ONLY JESUS

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

John 14:6
King James Version

People try to work their way into Heaven and they try to buy their way into Heaven. However, it is only through the precious redeeming blood of Jesus that we can be saved and go to Heaven. If we could work our way into Heaven or buy our way into Heaven, Jesus wouldn't have had to be beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, betrayed and left alone to die on the cross where He suffered an anguish and a pain that you and I will never know. What a Saviour! What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth! No one loves you like Jesus does and nobody ever will. All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! Never forget that He loves you and He always will love you.

Joanne Lowe
February 13, 2020

HIS LOVING TOUCH

"When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed."

Matthew 8:1-3
King James Version

Bill Gaither wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn "He Touched Me". I love the words in this hymn. "He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul! Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole. Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole, I will never cease to praise Him, I'll shout it while eternity rolls."

On August 14, 1980, I confessed my sins, asked God to forgive me and invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour and He gave me a new heart. We read in the Bible. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26). O how Jesus loves us!

If you have never invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour, I urge you to do it now before it is too late. One day it will be too late to say yes to Jesus. Your family and friends can't do it for you. Salvation is personal between you and Jesus. For some of you, Jesus has been knocking at the door of your heart for many years. If you will listen with your heart, you will hear Jesus saying to 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). Don't keep Him standing any longer. Say yes to Jesus right now.

Joanne Lowe
February 12, 2020

HE COULD HAVE

"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?"

Matthew 26:53
King James Version

Ray Overholt wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn about our precious Saviour "He Could Have Called Ten Thousand Angels". "They bound the hands of Jesus In the garden where He prayed They led Him through the streets in shame They spat upon the Saviour So pure and free from sin They said, "Crucify Him He's to blame". He could have called ten thousand angels To destroy the world (the world) and set Him free He could have called ten thousand angels But He died alone (alone) for you and me."

Yes, Jesus could have called the angels to set Him free but He stayed on the cross because He loves us and cares what happens to us. Just as Jesus stayed on the cross for you and me, we need to stay on the battlefield for Him even when satan attacks us and people say cruel words to us and do things that hurt us. When we serve Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he tries his best to discourage us. We must not let that happen!

Heavenly Father, please help us to stay on the battlefield for Jesus even when people hurt us by the things they say and do. I pray for all of those who are going through a crisis and are discouraged, lonely and brokenhearted. Please comfort and encourage them as You have been so faithful to do for me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 11, 2020

DO THEY SEE THE LIGHT

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Matthew 5:16
King James Version

Do people see the light of Jesus shining from us by the words we say and the things that we do? What about our family? If they don't see His light shining from us, they are seeing the darkness of satan. This reminds me of the teenage boy who said to his parents "You go to church, you sing in the choir and you teach Sunday school but when you come home you criticize the pastor and the sermon. If this is what being a Christian is, I don't want any part of it".

May God have mercy on us if we are a stumbling block to others and especially to our children. People either see the light of Jesus shining from us or they see the darkness of satan. None of us are perfect and that includes me. All of us hurt Jesus at times and disappoint Him but we are to let people see the difference Jesus can make in our heart and life.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times that I have hurt Jesus and also hurt You because of my words and actions. I'm sorry because I never want to hurt You yet I know that I do at times. I pray for every man, every woman, every boy and every girl who has not invited Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour. May today be the day they humble themselves, admit they are sinners, ask God to forgive them and invite Jesus into their heart. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 10, 2020

IS IT OKAY

"And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me."

Exodus 20:1-3

King James Version

Several years ago, I received an email from someone who wrote "Is it okay to watch movies on television?" I replied and wrote "It's okay if you would watch those movies if Jesus was sitting beside you". We should never watch anything that would hurt Jesus no matter if it is on television or if we go somewhere else to watch it.

Television has become so important to some people that they fight over it. A husband and wife didn't speak to each other for a long time because they had been fighting over who had the remote control. A dad and his son watched a football game for several hours on television and didn't say anything to each other. What a waste of time, the television was more important to them than talking to one another.

A mother played all day long with her children on Christmas day and never turned on the television. The next day that mother turned on the television and didn't talk to her children. How that must have hurt our Heavenly Father.

It is never okay to go anywhere, watch anything or say anything that would hurt our Saviour. If we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we need to let others see Jesus in our life and the difference He has made in our life. Does your family know you love Jesus by your words and by your actions?

Elvina M. Hall wrote a beautiful hymn about our Saviour "Jesus Paid It All". The words in this hymn apply to every person. "Jesus paid it all, All to Him I owe; Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow."  Yes, Jesus shed His own blood on the cross so we can have our sins forgiven, be saved and live in Heaven for all eternity. How I long for the day when I will see my precious Saviour face to face.

Carrie E. Breck wrote one of the most beautiful hymns I have ever heard "Face to Face with Christ, My Savior". I love the words in this hymn. "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."

May God help us to do things and say words that point others to Jesus. May our families know we love Jesus not only by our words but also by our actions. I love You, dear Jesus, and I long for the day when I will have the privilege of seeing You face to face. You are the reason I live and the reason I get out of bed in the morning.

Joanne Lowe

February 9, 2020

WE ARE HURTING HIM

"Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 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 25:35-40

King James Version

When I was young and living at home, one of the neighbors said something mean to me and my Dad got upset and yelled at the man. It was the first and only time I saw Dad defend me and say something kind about me.

If we will listen with our heart, we will hear our Heavenly Father getting upset with us when we say and do things that hurt His beloved Son. What a tender loving compassionate Heavenly Father we are privileged to have. O how He loves us. He loves us so much He gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins. No one loves us as much as God and Jesus loves us and nobody ever will.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a compassionate and loving Father even when I fail You and hurt You. I pray that You will help me keep my heart in right standing with You. I love You, dear Father, and I appreciate all that You do for me and all You have done for me. In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 8, 2020

THE IMPORTANCE OF PASTORS

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 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 10:13-15
King James Version

I have said many times that I have the best Pastor in the world and it is true but is he perfect? No, he isn't perfect just like you and I aren't perfect but Pastor Davis loves Jesus and he loves the people in his congregation. I thank God for putting me under the leadership of Pastor Davis.

Pastors are very important because they not only preach and lead the people in their congregation, they also set the example of how to live for Jesus. It is very important and even urgent that we encourage and pray for our pastors and their families. One of my pastors said many times "Pray for my wife because when I am discouraged, God uses my wife to encourage me".

When people are sick and in the hospital, there are times when pastors have to get up in the middle of the night and go to the hospital to minister to them. Pastors sacrifice time with their families to encourage and minister to the people in their congregation. May God help us to be an encouragement to our pastors and their family.

Joanne Lowe
February 7, 2020

HE IS ALIVE

"And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

Matthew 28:5, 6
King James Version

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the beautiful hymn "Because He Lives". Jesus rose and He is alive. Sometimes we act like Jesus isn't alive but He is still alive. What a precious compassionate and loving Saviour we are privileged to know and have.  I love the words in this inspiring hymn and I'm so glad they are true. "God sent His son, they called Him Jesus He came to love, heal and forgive He lived and died to buy my pardon An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives."

Heavenly Father, we thank You and praise You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify You for our sins so we can be saved and live with You in Heaven for all eternity. I love You so much, dear Jesus. You are so precious to me and one day I will see You face to face. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
February 6, 2020

STOP IT

"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
King James Version

If we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus say to us "He that is without sins among you, let him first cast a stone at her". How dare you and I criticize, judge and condemn people? If you can say that you always love others unconditionally, you are not being honest with yourself. All of us, including me, get our feelings hurt and get upset with people when they hurt us.

There is only one Person Who has the right to get upset and His Name is Jesus. However, when we sin and hurt Him, He doesn't condemn us. He tells us not to sin again. "She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more" (John 8:11). If Jesus forgives us for hurting Him and crucifying Him, how dare you and I refuse to forgive those who hurt us. May God have mercy on us.

Joanne Lowe
February 5, 2020

GIVE HIM PRAISE

"And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon. And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way. And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest."

Matthew 21:6-9
King James Version

Rev. John Mason Neale wrote a beautiful hymn praising our precious Saviour "All Glory, Laud and Honor". I love the words in this hymn. It is one of my favorite hymns. "All glory, laud, and honor to you, Redeemer, King, to whom the lips of children made sweet hosannas ring. You are the King of Israel and David's royal Son, now in the Lord's name coming, the King and Blessed One."  Jesus deserves to be praised. He is the KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS! What a Saviour! What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth! 

Please lift your hands and voices and join me in praising the One Who loves you so much He died for you. All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! One day our loving Saviour is coming back for us and we will be with Him for all eternity. How I long for that happy day when I will see the One Who died for me face to face.

Joanne Lowe
February 4, 2020

NO MORE HEARTACHES

"And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."

Revelation 21:4
King James Version

Jim Hill wrote one of my favorite hymns "What A Day That Will Be". I love these words in this heart touching hymn. "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!"

Yes, one day there will be no more heartaches and we will be with Jesus forever. Jesus understands and knows how it feels when people say things about you that aren't true and they ridicule you and judge you. May God have mercy on people who are judgmental, criticizing and pointing the finger of guilt at others. One day God will judge them for judging us.

All of us would be wise if we would do what one of my pastors always told us. The pastor said many times in his sermons "If you would make sure your own heart is in right standing with God, you won't have the time to criticize and judge others". May God forgive us and have mercy on us for pointing the finger of guilt at someone when there are things in our heart that hurt God and break His heart.

If Jesus comes back for us today, will you be able to look Him in the eyes or will you have to hang your head in shame because there are things in your heart that hurt Him and break His heart? May God help all of us to love one another unconditionally just as Jesus loves us.

Joanne Lowe
February 3, 2020

TRUST

"Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD."

Psalms 4:5
King James Version

When we need help, do we trust Jesus to help us? He has proved Himself to be a loving faithful and compassionate Saviour. It is always safe to trust Jesus because what He says, He will do.

Joanne Lowe
February 2, 2020

COMFORT

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God."

Isaiah 40:1
King James Version

We go to visit people in the hospital and nursing homes who are physically sick but how often do we go visit people who are hurting emotionally? The Bible makes it clear that God said to comfort His people when they are hurting. That includes people who are hurting emotionally as well as those who are sick physically.

When is the last time you picked up the telephone to call someone who needed comforting? When is the last time you mailed a letter or sent an email to someone who is hurting? Several years ago, I heard a woman say "After my husband died, people were so kind and comforting during the visitation and the funeral but a couple of weeks later when I felt so alone, nobody called me or came to see me.

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". Joyce has another tape called "Balcony People". On this tape she tells about being at an airport with a pastor's wife and the pastor's wife pointed to herself and said "Pastors and their wives need balcony people".

Are you a balcony person to your pastor and family? When is the last time you invited your pastor to dinner? Your pastor may not be able to come due to other commitments but just knowing you care enough to give an invitation to dinner would be an encouragement to your pastor.

It is very important and even urgent that we encourage our pastor. Several years ago, I received an email from a pastor who wrote "We were so excited when we were invited to come minister at this church. However, nobody has said anything encouraging to me. I feel like leaving my pulpit and stop being a pastor".

One day every person in that church who criticized and discouraged that pastor and family will stand before a Holy God and give an account of the way they treated the pastor and family. God makes it very clear that we are not to discourage and criticize our pastor. We read in the Bible "Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm" (1 Chronicles 16:22).

If you're not encouraging your pastor, become an encourager to your pastor. Not only will it make your pastor happy, it will also make Jesus happy. Making Jesus happy should be desire of every Christian. I praise God and thank Him for my Pastor. Pastor Davis really loves Jesus and he proves it not only by what his words but also by his actions.

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

Joanne Lowe

February 1, 2020