ONE HAPPY JOYOUS DAY

"And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."

Luke 21:28
King James Version

Rev. Benjamin Beddome wrote a beautiful hymn "LIFT UP YOUR HEADS, YE SAINTS, AND SEE". I love the words in this inspiring hymn.

"Lift up your heads, ye saints, and see, The wished-for day is come; Jesus descends in majesty, To lead His followers home.

His chariot wheels no more delay, Rejoice, ye chosen ones; He comes to call His saints away, And bring from far His sons.

He is your Savior and your King, Shout then with cheerful voice; To Him your loud hosannas sing, Who bids your hearts rejoice."

We are living in a world filled with hatred, violence, murders. rapes and all other things which hurt Jesus and break His heart. It is time we stopped hating and start loving one another as He has commanded us to love.

We read in the Bible. "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.". If we would do what Jesus tells us to do, what a happy and peaceful life we would have.

If ever someone deserves to not forgive people, it is Jesus. He was beaten beyond recognition, He was cursed, spit on, mocked and then they pounded those nails into His precious hands.

Jesus endured all that pain for you and for me because He loves us so much. I know that I write about Jesus a lot but it is because I love Him so much and He deserves to be praised.

Ray Overholt wrote the hymn "TEN THOUSAND ANGELS". Every time I hear this hymn or sing it, I get tears in my eyes to know how much Jesus loves us and all the pain that He endured because of us.

"They bound the hands of Jesus In the garden where He prayed They led Him thro' the streets in shame They spat upon the Savior 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 and set Him free He could have called ten thousand angels But He died alone for you and me

Upon His precious head They placed a crown of thorns They laughed and said behold the King They struck Him and they cursed Him And mocked His holy name All alone He suffered ev'rything

When they nailed Him to the cross His mother stood nearby He said woman behold thy Son He cried I thirst for water But they gave Him none to drink Then the sinful work of man was done

To the howling mob He yielded He did not for mercy cry The cross of shame He took alone And when He cried it's finished He gave Himself to die Salvation's wondrous plan was done."

This really happened. Jesus was spit on, cursed, beaten and crucified on the cross for something He had not done. No one, I repeat, no one loves us like Jesus and no one ever will.

If there's never been a time in your life that you admitted you are a sinner, asked God to forgive you and invited Jesus in your heart, please do it now even as you read this devotion. He loves you so much He died for youl. I love you, dear Jesus. Thank You for all You've done for me.

Joanne Lowe
April 22, 2023