IT IS NOT ENOUGH

“For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.”

Exodus 20:11 KJV

We are commanded in the Bible to go to church. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25).  However, it is not enough to go to church on Sunday.  We must always worship God.

   

Fanny Crosby wrote a beautiful hymn about going to church.  “Blessèd Day”.  “Blessèd day, when bells are calling Weary souls from earthly care; And we come with hearts uplifted, To the holy place of prayer.”  It is not enough to go to church.  When we go home, we need to worship God in our heart.

It is very important to go to church.  However, just going to church will not save us.  It is only when the blood of Jesus is applied to our heart that we are saved.  We read in the Bible.  “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sin” (Matthew 26:28).

Heavenly Father, I pray that we will always worship You.  Thank You that we can go to church and be a part of Your family.  Thank You for adopting me.  I love You and appreciate You.  Please comfort and encourage all those who are lonely, hurting and discouraged.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 27, 2018

IT REALLY HAPPENS

“And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.  Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.  And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.”

Mark 10:13 -16 KJV

A woman went home.  She had been drinking and was drunk.  She hit her daughter and said “I told you to sleep in the bathtub.”  It really happens.  Children are abused every day.  There are some children who run and hide when they hear their parent’s voices because they don’t want to get hit again.

I don’t know about you but I get very angry when I read or hear about children being hit.  However I don’t have the right to judge anybody.  We need to pray for these children but we also need to pray for their parents.  God loves everyone and Jesus died for everyone.  None of us are perfect.

We read in the Bible ”Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way” (Romans 14:13).  May God have mercy on us if we are judging people instead of praying for them.  We need to love people to Jesus.

Heavenly Father, I pray that You will protect children from being abused.  You are a tender loving compassionate Father and I love You.  How thankful I am to know You will never hit us or curse us and that You will always love us and protect us.  In Jesus’ Name. I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 26, 2018

HE KNEW

“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 KJV

Dottie Rambo wrote the beautiful hymn “If That Isn’t Love”  The words in this beautiful hymn describe the tender compassionate heart of Jesus.  “He left the Splendor of Heaven Knowing His Destiny Was the lonely Hill of Golgotha There to lay down His life for me.”

Think about it!  Jesus knew He was going to be crucified for us on the cross and have pain that no one has ever had or ever will have yet He willingly left His home and His Father and all that He had.  Pastor Haldor Lillenas wrote a beautiful heart touching hymn about our wonderful Saviour “Glorious Freedom”

The words in this beautiful hymn are true because Jesus set me free from a devastating crippling depression.  “Freedom from fear with all of its torments; Freedom from care with all of its pain; Freedom in Christ, my blessèd Redeemer— He who has rent my fetters in twain..”  What a precious loving Saviour.

Joanne Lowe

November 25, 2018

HOLIDAYS

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19 KJV

Holidays are a wonderful time but for people who have lost loved ones they can also be a stressful time.  Today is Thanksgiving and I had a wonderful day but there was also some sadness because I was raped years ago on Thanksgiving Day in 1979.  I asked Jesus to help me and He did.

My Mother died many years ago on Christmas Day.  Pastor William C. Poole wrote a beautiful hymn about Jesus helping us. “Just When I Need Him Most”  “Just when I need Him, Jesus is strong, Bearing my burdens all the day long; For all my sorrow giving a song, Just when I need Him most”.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who are sad, lonely and discouraged.  Please comfort and encourage them.  I am so thankful for Your love for me.  Thank You for giving me the privilege of serving Jesus.  I love You Heavenly Father and I appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

November 24, 2018

IT REALLY HAPPENED

“And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews!  And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him.  And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.”

Mark 15:17-20 KJV

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote “It Is Finished!”  “The earth shakes with the force of the conflict; The sun refuses to shine. For there hangs God’s Son in the balance, And then through the darkness He cries: “It is finished!” The battle is over! It is finished! There’ll be no more war! It is finished! The end of the conflict! It is finished and Jesus is Lord!”

It really happened.  They really did spit on Jesus, curse Him, pound nails in His hands and beat Him beyond recognition.  It’s not just a story or a historical event.  It is the amazing and unconditional love that Jesus has for you and for me.  He could have come down from the cross but He didn’t because not only does Jesus give love, He is love.

May God help us to live for Jesus and serve Him.  I love Jesus so much.  He is the Joy of my heart and He loves me so much He died for me.  One day I will have the privilege of seeing Him face to face.  Are you ready to meet Jesus if He comes back for us today?  Is your heart right with God or does it hurt Him and make Him sad when He looks in your heart?

Joanne Lowe

November 23, 2018

GOD’S EMERGENCY ROOM

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalms 46:1 KJV

Civilla D. Martin wrote “God Will Take Care of You”.   I love these words “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you; beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you. God will take care of you, through every day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you”.

When we have an emergency and have to go to the hospital we have to wait a long time if thy are busy.  We don’t have to wait in God’s emergency room.  He takes care of us immediately.  When we are hurting emotionally, He sets us on His lap of love.  His lap is big enough to hold all of us at the same time.

If you are hurting emotionally, allow God to comfort you.  He really loves you and He wants to comfort you.  We have a tender loving compassionate Heavenly Father.  Just as God comforts us, we need to comfort each other.  I love You, Heavenly Father and I appreciate You.

Joanne Lowe

November 22, 2018

OUR FAITHFUL SAVIOUR

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:17 KJV

Fanny Crosby wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “All the Way My Savior Leads Me”.  Every time I sing this or hear it, I am reminded of what a faithful compassionate Saviour we are privileged to know and have.  He not only leads us, He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  O how I love Jesus. 

“All the way my Savior leads me, Cheers each winding path I tread; Gives me grace for every trial, Feeds me with the living bread. Though my weary steps may falter, And my soul athirst may be, Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see; Gushing from the rock before me, Lo! A spring of joy I see.”

Jesus is faithful to us.  Are we faithful to Him?  Does He have first place in our heart, in our time and in all we do?  We know Jesus loves us but does He know we love Him?  What are we doing for Him?  May God help us to be faithful to Jesus.  Never forget that you are loved by the Saviour of the world.

Joanne Lowe

November 21, 2018