HOW OFTEN

“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

How often do we pray without asking God for something?  How often do we just tell Him we love Him and appreciate Him and thank Him for all He has done for us?  If you’re a parent, you know how happy it would make you if your children just said thank you without asking you for something. 

A mother prayed every day for twenty years for her son to be saved but she only thanked God once for saving her son.  How that must have hurt our Heavenly Father.  God loves us and gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  How often have we thanked Him for loving us so much?

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a tender compassionate and loving Father.  I love You and appreciate You.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege of serving Your Son.  Jesus, I love You.  Thank You for dying for me.  Holy Spirit, I love You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 26, 2017

EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

“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 KJV

My favorite radio station starts playing Christmas music on Thanksgiving Day and they play it until Christmas is over.  Think what would happen if they played Christmas music every day of the year.  I believe there would be a lot less violence and hatred and a lot more love in this world.

It reminds me of two friends who were talking to one another about Christmas.  One of the friends said “I’ll be glad when Christmas is over and we can put away the decorations for another year”.  I think that is what you and I do; we put away our love and forgiveness until Christmas time.

We love and share at Christmas time but we should love one another and share every day of the year.  Jesus wants us to have a happy and an abundant life but we can’t be happy if we don’t forgive one another.  We must always remember that none of us are perfect.  Let’s have compassion for one another. 

“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).  Let’s make a special effort to be kind and loving to one another every day of the year not just at Christmas.  Let’s give unconditional love to each other.

Joanne Lowe

November 25, 2017

HAVE WE

“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.”

Luke 23:33 KJV

Jennie Evelyn Hussey wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn “Lead Me to Calvary”.  “King of my life, I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be; Lest I forget Thy thorn crowned brow, Lead me to Calvary.”  Have we crowned Him King of our life or do we still do what we want to do?

Joanne Lowe

November 24, 2017

IT IS A PRIVILEGE

“There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.”

John 4:7 KJV

What a privilege this woman had to give our precious Saviour a drink.  He has given us the privilege to serve Him.  As we think about all the things we have to be thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, the most important thing we have to be thankful for is the unconditional love Jesus has for us.

Let’s show our love for our Saviour by serving Him.  How can we serve Him?  We serve Him by shutting off the television, getting out of our comfort zone and telling others of the unconditional love He has for them.  Are you wiling to serve the One Who loves you so much He died for you?

Heavenly Father, thank You for being a tender loving and compassionate Father.  Jesus, thank You for dying for my sins.  I love You so much.  Father, holidays are sad for some people.  Please comfort and encourage all who need Your comforting touch.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

 

Joanne Lowe

November 23, 2017

EVERY MOMENT

“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 28:20 KJV

Evangelist Daniel Webster Whittle wrote one of my favorite hymns “Moment by Moment”.  I love these words.  “Never a trial that He is not there, Never a burden that He doth not bear, Never a sorrow that He doth not share, Moment by moment, I’m under His care.”  I’m so glad these words are true.

What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that we are under His care and that He understands how we feel.  When Jesus was here on His mission, He was ridiculed, rejected, scorned, beaten, spat on, cursed and then He was crucified on the cross for our sins because He loves us.

Please join me in praising the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  He is the Great I Am, the Bright and Morning Star and the Fairest of ten thousand.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  One happy day, we will see Him face to face.

Do you know this precious Saviour?  I didn’t ask you if you’re saved.  I asked you if you know Him.  To know someone, you have to spend time with the person.  How much time do you spend with Jesus?  Do you know what makes Him happy and what makes Him sad?  Jesus should be first in our heart and life. 

Joanne Lowe

November 22, 2017

OUR GUIDING LIGHT

“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

Philip Paul Bliss wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Light of the World is Jesus”.  I have cataracts and it’s hard for me to see so I love these words.  “No darkness have we Who in Jesus abide; The Light of the world is Jesus!  We walk in the light When we follow our Guide! The Light of the world is Jesus!”

If we are going through a dark valley, all the flashlights in the world won’t take away the darkness in our heart.  We need to cry to Jesus and ask Him to please shine His light a little brighter in our heart.  Not only will He shine His light in our heart, He will never leave us, not even for one minute.

Thank God for Jesus, our Light in a world of darkness and violence.  It doesn’t matter how dark it is outside, Jesus shines His light of love in our heart.  Someone said “We were in a cave and it was so dark, I couldn’t see my hand”.  Even though he couldn’t see his hand, the light of Jesus was in his heart.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our Light in a world of darkness.  Please comfort and encourage all who are lonely, discouraged, hurting and who feel like giving up.  Thank You for my Pastor who really loves You and proves it by his actions.  Please encourage him.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 21, 2017

WHAT ABOUT THE LIARS

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

Revelation 21:8 KJV

The news is filled with reports of people who have abused others sexually and with reports of murders and thefts and child abuse but what about the liars?  Jesus died for the liars just as He died for the murderers and people who do all those other things that hurt God and break His heart. 

To God, sin is sin.  We are the ones who say one sin is worse than the other sin.  The people who report the murderers and rapists are just as guilty because all of us have told a lie.  If you have ever told someone you felt fine when you didn’t, that is a lie.  It doesn’t matter why you said you felt fine.

A pastor said “If you will make sure your own heart is right before God, you won’t have the time to judge others."  I don’t know about you but it is a full time job to make sure my heart is in good standing with God.  It’s so easy to point the finger of guilt at someone.  It’s a lot harder to point it at ourselves.

Instead of judging and condemning others, we need to pray for and encourage others always remembering that we aren’t perfect.  All of us hurt God at times.  There was only one perfect person Who ever lived and His Name is Jesus.  May God help us to be encouragers instead of condemning one another.

Heavenly Father, I ask You to search my heart.  If there’s anything that hurts You, I’m sorry.  Please forgive me.  Please comfort all who are hurting.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 20, 2017