JESUS UNDERSTANDS AND CARES

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.  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. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:14-16

King James Version

When we are tempted to do something we shouldn’t do or say something we shouldn’t say, Jesus understands.  It is not a sin to be tempted because Jesus was tempted.  It only becomes sin when we do what we are tempted to do.  John Peterson wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “NO ONE UNDERSTANDS LIKE JESUS”

I love these words in this hymn.  “No one understands like Jesus; Ev'ry woe He sees and feels; Tenderly He whispers comfort, And the broken heart He heals.”  Yes, Jesus understands when we are tempted to do something wrong and He understands when we are discouraged, feel all alone and have a broken heart.

However, our loving Saviour doesn’t want us to be discouraged or have a broken heart and feel all alone.  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).

The next time you are tempted to do something that would hurt Jesus or say something that would hurt Him, remember He understands and He still loves you.  I used to have a terrible temper before I was saved.  I hated everybody and I let them know it by my words and by my actions.  I am so glad that Jesus saved me and gave me a new heart.

“And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh: (Ezekiel  11:19).  Now, when I do lose my temper, it’s usually at me because I can’t do the things I want to do because of my arthritis but Jesus understands and He cares when I’m discouraged Just as He cares when you are hurting and discouraged.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  Please comfort and encourage all who are lonely discouraged and hurting.  I love You so much and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  I pray for my Pastor, Pastor Davis.  Please encourage him and let him know how much You love him.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 19, 2019

ARE YOU TELLING

“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.  And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.”

Mark 5:15-19

King James Version 

Jesus told the man who He had healed to go home to his friends and tell them what He had done for him.  I think if we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus saying to us “Tell your friends what I have done for you”.  Are we telling our friends what Jesus has done for us?  Do our friends know we are saved and love Jesus by our words and by our actions?

When is the last time you told your family and friends how much you love Jesus and what He has done for you?  Does your family and friends see and hear the difference Jesus has made in your heart and in your life? Are you leading others to Jesus by your actions and your words, or are your actions and words turning them away from Jesus?

For many years, I wouldn’t even look in a mirror to comb my hair because I didn’t like the person I saw in the mirror.  Before Jesus told me He loved me and saved me and gave me a new heart, I was hateful, sarcastic and rude and I didn’t like anybody including myself.  When I realized Jesus loves me, my attitude changed toward people and toward myself.  O what a difference Jesus makes in our life.

Lynda Randle wrote a beautiful hymn that describes what happened to me “Since Jesus Passed By”.  “Like a blind man I wandered So lost and undone A beggar so helpless Without God or His Son Then my Savior in mercy Heard and answered my cry And oh what a diff'rence Since Jesus passed by.”

Since Jesus saved me and gave me a new heart, I am happy and sometimes I get so excited I feel like I’m flying higher than a kite.  Many years ago, I had a pastor who said in one of his sermons “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start serving Jesus”.  The pastor was so right because since God gave me the privilege of serving Jesus by writing devotions, I have been happier than I have even been in my life.

Pastor Ira Stanphill wrote one of my favorite hymns “Happiness Is the Lord”.  “Happiness is to know the Saviour, Living a life within His favour,

Having a change in my behaviour, Happiness is the Lord.  Real joy is mine, no matter if teardrops start; I’ve found the secret–it’s Jesus in my heart.”

Have you found the secret?  Have you invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour?  If not, I urge you, I plead with you to give your heart to Jesus today before it is too late.  Jesus loves you so much He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for your sins. Don’t miss out on spending eternity in Heaven with Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

July 16, 2019

JESUS IS WORTHY

“Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Revelation 5:12

King James Version

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote one of my favorite hymns “Worthy the Lamb”.  “Hear the cries of the shackled from the onset of time,  For the chains of defeat there’s no key. See the tears of the broken, the cries of the slaves: Is there no one worthy to set us free?  Then the crying is stilled as the chorus rings out, The shackled released from their chains. And thousands of voices are swelling the song: Worthy the Lamb that was slain.”

Jesus is worthy!  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  All hail, King Jesus! What brings tears of happiness to my eyes is that one day He will get the praise He so richly deserves.  “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:10,11).

What a privilege is ours to be loved by the Saviour of the world. O how Jesus loves us.  Kurt Kaiser wrote the beautiful hymn “O How He Loves You And Me!”  I love the words in this inspiring hymn.  “Jesus to Calv'ry did go, His love for mankind to show; What He did there bro't hope from despair: O how He loves you, O how He loves me,  O how He loves you and me.”  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much Jesus loves you?

The reason there is so much violence in our world is because people don’t know that Jesus loves them and they won’t know Jesus loves them until they see the difference Jesus can make in a heart and life.  Christians not only need to tell people about Jesus, they also need to show the difference He can make in a life by their loving actions and their loving words.

What about you?  When people look at you, do they see and hear the difference Jesus has made in your heart and in your life?  I have used this illustration several times in my devotions but it is so important. A teenage boy said to his parents “You go to church.  You sing in the choir.  You teach Sunday school but when you come home you criticize the pastor and the sermon.  If that is what being a Christian is, I don’t want any part of it.”

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have failed You.  I’m sorry.  Thank You for giving Your beloved Son to die on the cross for my sins.  Jesus, how I love You!  One happy day, I will have the privilege of seeing You face to face.  I’m going to give You the biggest hug You have ever had.  Thank You for dying for my sins.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 11, 2019

JESUS WILL ALWAYS WIN

“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. And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

John 19:16-19
King James Version

Jesus has told us to be on the alert for the attacks of satan. We read in the Bible. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” (I Peter 5:8). No matter how many times satan attacks us with his vicious lies; Jesus will always win because He defeated satan on the cross.

Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus Who had never done anything wrong walked that long lonely road to Calvary and there allowed them to crucify Him on a cruel cross. Jesus suffered an agony and pain that you and I will never know. They beat Him beyond recognition. They spat on Him, mocked Him, rejected Him and left Him alone to die on that cross and pay the debt for our sins, a debt we could never have paid.

Ray Overholt wrote one of the greatest hymns I believe that has ever been written “Ten Thousand Angels”. “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.”

We read in the Bible that Jesus said He could have called angels to set Him free. “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) Jesus has already defeated satan on the cross and we don’t have to be in bondage to satan.

Jesus wants us to live an abundant life. 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 want to live a happy and an abundant life, open the door of your heart and let Jesus come into your heart.

For some people, Jesus has been knocking on the door of their heart for years and they have refused to open the door to Him. How it must hurt our precious Saviour and break His heart when people reject Him. We read in the Bible. “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 hurting Him. Jesus loves you so much He died for you. Invite Him into your heart right now. Don’t wait because you may not have another day or even another hour.

Joanne Lowe

July 10. 2019

OUR 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

King James Version

Richard B. Cadbury wrote a beautiful hymn “Christ Is Thy Light”. I love these words in this inspiring hymn.  They are so true.  “Christ is thy hope!  O cling to self no more, No more to hopes which flatter and decay, But to the Rock That stands the tempest’s roar, On which thy trembling ark will find a stay; Christ is thy hope!”

Jesus is not only the Light of the world, He is also the Light in our heart.  When satan attacks us with lies and tries to discourage us, Jesus shines His light a little brighter in our heart.  Nothing or nobody can put out His guiding light in our heart.  If we follow Him, we won’t walk in darkness but we will have the light of life.

A pastor used this illustration in a sermon.  He said “We were in a cave and it was so dark that we couldn’t see our hands”.  It doesn’t matter if it is dark and storming outside, we will always have the light of Jesus in our heart.  We can trust Him because He will never fail us.  He will be our Guide in the light or in the darkness.

A. A. Luther wrote a beautiful hymn about our wonderful Saviour “Jesus Never Fails”.  I love these words.  “Tho' the sky be dark and drear, fierce and strong the gale, Just remember He is near, and He will not fail.  Jesus never fails, Jesus never fails; Heav'n and earth may pass away, but Jesus never fails.”

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins so we may be saved.  Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that You allowed them to crucify You.  Thank You for being our Guide through the darkness.  I love You so much and I long for the day when I will see You face to face.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 6, 2019

OUR PROTECTOR

“Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies: I flee unto thee to hide me.”

Psalms 143:9

King James Version

In this world of violence and hatred, murders, rape, child abuse and all other things that hurt Jesus and break His heart, we need our Protector to protect us from satan and from those who would try to hurt us.  We can trust Jesus to protect us because He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  We read in the Bible.  “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).

Pastor William O. Cushing wrote one of my favorite hymns “Hiding in Thee”.  “How oft in the conflict, when pressed by the foe, I have fled to my refuge and breathed out my woe; How often, when trials like sea billows roll, Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou rock of my soul.”  I have lost track of the many times I have asked Jesus to protect me from satan and from those who would try to discourage me.

I used to think that when a person is saved, that person won’t have any problems.  I found out that I was wrong because before we are saved, satan doesn’t have to worry about us but when we are saved and serving Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he will do all he can do to discourage us so much that we stop serving Jesus.  We must not let that happen!

Jesus has warned us to be watching for the sneaky and vicious attacks of satan.  We read in the Bible.  “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8).  One of my pastors used to say “If satan isn’t attacking you, then you probably aren’t serving Jesus”.

I get upset and angry at satan when he attacks me.  However, when I was saved, I prayed and asked God to give me a heart of compassion for others because before I was saved, I hated everybody.  The day I knew that God had answered my prayer and given me a heart of compassion was the day I cried for satan because satan had been kicked out of Heaven.

You will probably think I was crazy because I think I was but I asked God to forgive satan.  I am so glad that God has given me a heart of compassion for others.  Do I lose my temper at times?  Yes, I do.  That is why I tell you to keep your eyes on Jesus, not on me.  I hurt Jesus and fail Him at times just like you do but He knows my heart and He knows how much I love Him.

If you are reading this devotion, know that Jesus loves you so much He allowed them to spit on Him, curse Him, beat Him beyond recognition and crucify Him on a cross of horror and suffer excruciating pain for you and for me.  Jesus had never done anything wrong yet He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and died on the cross for your sins and for my sins.

If you ever think nobody loves you, remember the cross and the pain that Jesus suffered and endured for you so you can be saved.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  Please join me in praising the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  O how I love Jesus. He is the Joy of my heart and the reason I get out of bed and wonder of wonders, He loves me.  I know He loves you but to think He loves me fills my heart to overflowing with love for Him.

Rusty Goodman wrote one of my very favorite hymns “Who Am I”.  The words in this hymn bring tears of joy to me to know that He loves me so much that He would die for me.  “Who am I that a King would bleed and die for Who am I that He would pray not My will thine for The answer I may never know Why He ever loved me so That to an old rugged cross He’d go For who am I”

Heavenly Father, there are many people who are lonely, discouraged and hurting and some of them are even suicidal.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have been so faithful to do for me so many times.  I love You so much, dear Father.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 2, 2019

HE UNDERSTANDS

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”

1 Peter 5:7

King James Version

Have you ever felt like nobody understood how you were feeling?  People have probably felt that we didn’t understand how they were feeling.  Our loved ones care about us and we care about them but only Jesus really understands how we are hurting because only Jesus can see in our heart.  John W. Peterson wrote the beautiful heart touching hymn “No One Understands Like Jesus”.

“No one understands like Jesus. He's a friend beyond compare; Meet Him at the throne of mercy; He is waiting for you there. No one understands like Jesus; Ev'ry woe He sees and feels; Tenderly He whispers comfort, And the broken heart He heals.  No one understands like Jesus When the days are dark and grim; No one is so near, so dear as Jesus-- Cast your ev'ry care on Him!”

Doctors can do heart surgery but only Jesus can heal a broken heart.  When Jesus was here on His mission, He was rejected and ridiculed so He knows how it feels to have a broken heart.  What breaks my heart is that people are still rejecting Him because they refuse to open the door of their heart and let Him in to be their personal Saviour.

Joseph M. Scriven wrote one of my favorite hymns “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”.  “What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer! O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer.”

Pastor William W. Walford wrote the inspiring hymn “Sweet Hour of Prayer”.  “Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer! That calls me from a world of care, And bids me at my Father’s throne Make all my wants and wishes known. In seasons of distress and grief, My soul has often found relief And oft escaped the tempter’s snare By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!” 

One of my pastors used to tell us that he got a lot of his sermons from personal experience.  I know what he means because God uses a lot of things I am going through to write my devotions.  If you are going through a dark valley and are brokenhearted and hurting, allow Jesus to comfort you as only He can.  Jesus really loves you and He cares when you are hurting.

I have been asked many times to write for people.  However, I am not a professional writer and have no desire to be one.  I am a missionary who is in love with Jesus.  When you get a devotion from me, you can know that God inspired me to write it because I have tried many times to write a devotion and the words would not come so I prayed and asked God to help me write. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the many times You have comforted and encouraged me.  I pray for everyone who is hurting and brokenhearted.  Please comfort them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 1, 2019