HAVE WE TOLD THEM

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.  So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”

Isaiah 41:6,7 KJV

I watched a funeral on the television for a police officer and as I listened to them saying those wonderful things about the police officer the thought came to me that friends and family of the police officer heard the wonderful tribute but he didn’t hear it.  How sad that the police officer didn’t hear the kind words.

What about our family and friends?  Have we encouraged them and told them how much we love them?  All of us need to be encouraged.  Even Jesus needed friends and encouragement when He was here on His mission.  If Jesus needed to be encouraged, how much more we need to be encouraged.

Our pastors need encouragement just like we do.  When is the last time we encouraged our pastor?  When is the last time we thanked God for our pastor?  Pastors sometimes get up in the middle of the night to go to the hospital and minister to someone who is sick.  Thank God for our pastors.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  Please encourage them and let them see fruits of their labor.  Reassure them that You love them and appreciate their service to You.  Surround them with people who will encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 30, 2015

DID WE THANK HIM

“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

We will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day in two months but we should thank God every day of the year for loving us so much that He gave His Son to die for our sins.  Did we thank Him today, not only for His Son but also for all that He does for us every day.  We have a loving Heavenly Father.

One of the best ways we can thank God for our children is to set a good example for them.  Do our children know we love God?  A young boy said to his parents “You go to church, sing in the choir, and teach Sunday school but when you come home you criticize the pastor and the sermon”.  How we must hurt God.

Please join me in praising and thanking God for all He has done for us and for all He does for us every day.  Think about it!  God gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins.  What kind of love is this?  It is an amazing, giving and unconditional love that can only come from the heart of our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, You are a compassionate and tender loving Father and we appreciate You and love You.  Thank You for comforting us when we are discouraged and hurting.  I pray for every person who is hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 29, 2015

THE GOSPEL

“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

If you are wondering why I write about Jesus loving you it is because of what a Methodist preacher said.  An old Methodist preacher once said “I heard the Gospel, I heard the Gospel, I heard the Gospel.  Then praise God one day I heard the Gospel.”  I am praying one day you will hear that Jesus loves you.

Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that the Saviour of the world loves you so much He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for your sins?  O how Jesus loves you.  He loves you today, He will love you tomorrow and He will love you forever!

If someone asks you who Jesus is, tell him or her that not only does Jesus give love, He is love.  He gives us unconditional love and He is unconditional love.  Praise God, one day He is coming back for us and we will be with Him for all eternity.  Are you ready to meet Him?  Is your heart right with God?

How sad it will be if Jesus comes back for us today and we have allowed jealousy, envy, hatred and unforgiveness to remain in our heart.  We will break the heart of our precious Saviour.  As soon as we realize there are things in our heart that hurt Jesus, we need to tell God we’re sorry and ask Him to forgive us.

Heavenly Father, please search my heart.  If there is anything in my heart that hurts You, I ask You to please forgive me.  Thank You for loving us.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 28, 2015

HIS FORGIVING LOVE

“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.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  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 8:7-11 KJV

When Jesus was here on His mission, He was tempted just like we are but He never sinned.  He remained faithful to His Father.  O that you and I would follow the example Jesus set for us and not sin.  As soon as we are tempted to do something wrong, we need to immediately ask Jesus to help us.

If someone asks you “Who is Jesus”, tell them that He is the Son of God and the Saviour of the world.  Not only does Jesus give us love, He is love.  There are times we hurt Him and break His heart but because of His forgiving love, He forgives us every time.  His love for us doesn’t depend on what we do or don’t do.

When we hurt Jesus He doesn’t condemn us.  Jesus says to us what he said to the woman “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”.  People sometimes hurt us but instead of saying hateful words to them and hurting them by our actions, we need to tell them we forgive them and pray for them.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your forgiving love.  I love You so much.  I long to see You face to face.  Thank You for dying for my sins.

Joanne Lowe

September 27, 2015

THE GREATEST RECEPTION OF ALL

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

John 3:14-17 KJV

The most beautiful wedding reception we will ever attend can’t compare with the greatest reception of all that will happen when Jesus comes back to take us home with Him.  We will be with our Bridegroom forever.  When someone invites Jesus into his or her heart, there is rejoicing in Heaven.

Bill Gaither wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Joy In The Camp”.  It is one of my favorite hymns.  “The angels in heaven are rejoicing ‘round the throne, Filling the lofts with chords so grand; They’re singing because of one lost sheep who just came home, I know there must be joy in the camp.”

For those of us who have accepted Jesus as our Saviour, there was a celebration party in Heaven for us.  Has it entered your heart that when someone invites Jesus into his or her heart that not only does it make Jesus happy, it also makes our Heavenly Father happy?  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Have the angels rejoiced because you are saved?  If not, give your heart to Jesus before it is too late.  Jesus loves you so much that He allowed them to beat Him beyond recognition and spit on Him.  They crucified Jesus for your sins and for my sins.  Don’t wait another minute.  Say yes to Jesus today.    

Joanne Lowe

September 26, 2015

STAY UNDER HIS WINGS

“Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

John 15:4,5 KJV

Pastor William Orcutt Cushing wrote a beautiful hymn “UNDER HIS WINGS”.  I love the words in this hymn.  “Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!  How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!  Often when earth has no balm for my healing, There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.”  We have a loving Saviour!

A mother bird will push her baby out of the nest so it will learn to fly.  It is just the opposite with Jesus.  He wants us to stay with Him not only so He can protect us, but also because we can’t do anything without Him.  I can’t even get out of bed without Him.  If I can’t serve Him, there is no reason to live.

Someone said “I can’t wait until I’m old enough to move out and leave home”.  When Jesus is our Saviour, we don’t want to leave Him.  Not only is Jesus our Saviour, He is also the dearest Friend we will ever have.  He will never leave us, not even for one minute.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!

For those who are trying to make it in this world without Jesus, it hasn’t worked and it will never work.  We need Jesus every minute of every day.  Stay under His wings and allow Him to protect you, comfort you and encourage you.  Don’t try to make it without Jesus.  You will hurt Him and break His heart.        

Joanne Lowe

September 25, 2015

NO POSTAGE NEEDED

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.  My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.  The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand.”

Psalm 121:1-5 KJV

Have you ever wanted to call someone but didn’t have enough money for the long distance call?  So you decided to write a letter but didn’t have enough stamps to mail it.  We can contact God anytime day or night and we don’t need money or stamps.  We won’t wake God because He neither slumbers nor sleeps.

There is no postage needed when we contact Him with our heart.  God is waiting for us to come to Him.  He longs to comfort and encourage us.  He loves us so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for our sins.  We have a tender compassionate and loving Heavenly Father Who loves us unconditionally.

When we pray we will make God very happy if we will not only get on our knees but also share what is in our heart with Him.  He already knows because He knows everything but He wants us to come to Him like a little child would go to his or her parents.  Let’s share our heart with our Heavenly Father.

Heavenly Father, You have listened as I shared my heart with You.  I know when I share what is in my heart with You that I can trust You to understand and comfort and encourage me.  Thank You.  I pray for every person who is hurting.  Please comfort and encourage them.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 24, 2015

OUR FAITHFUL AND BEST FRIEND

“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

John 15:14-16 KJV

J.L. Remsen wrote a beautiful hymn about Jesus.  The name of the hymn is “OUR BEST FRIEND”.  I love these words.  “When your path seems dark and dreary, And your lot so hard to bear, Only trust your loving Savior; He will every burden share.”  Jesus is our faithful and best Friend and He never leaves us.

I have not had the privilege of attending Bible College and I haven’t been set apart as a missionary due to having arthritis and not being able to go to church.  However, Jesus Himself said “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit”.

When I walked down the aisle and surrendered to the mission field, Pastor David prayed the most beautiful prayer for me.  He told me not to wait until God told me what He wanted me to do but to start telling everyone how much Jesus loves them.  God gave me the ministry of writing devotions.

I have been attending God’s University for the last ten years with the Holy Spirit as my Teacher.  The more the Holy Spirit teaches me, the more I fall in love with Jesus.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  How thankful I am that God allows me to serve His Son.

Joanne Lowe

September 23, 2015

THE BLOOD OF JESUS

“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.  And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;  For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.  But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.  And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.”

Matthew 26:26-30 KJV

I have lost track of the emails I have received asking me where I go to church.  The thing that breaks my heart is during the last ten years, I have only received two emails asking me if am saved.  Going to church or being baptized will not save us.  Jesus is our Saviour and it is Jesus Who saves us. 

I have been unable to attend church for over ten years because of my arthritis.  The Bible makes it very clear that we are to go to church.  Again, going to church will not save us.  It is only when the precious atoning blood of Jesus is applied to our heart for the forgiveness of our sins that we are saved.

It is very important that we encourage people to go to church but the first thing we should do is tell them that Jesus loves them unconditionally and died for them.  Then we should ask them if they have invited Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour.

When is the last time you told Jesus how much you love Him?  Jesus has feelings too and He wants to know that we love Him just as we want to know that He loves us.  Jesus not only tells us He loves us, He proves His love for us in many ways.

Joanne Lowe

September 22, 2015

ADOPTED BY GOD

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.  The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”

Romans 8:14-16 KJV

Fanny Crosby wrote a beautiful hymn “ADOPTED” about God adopting us into His family.  I love these words.  “O what a blessing, how can I express it?  Out of the fullness of rapture I sing, Now by the Father received and adopted, I am a child and an heir of a king.”  I am so glad God adopted me into His family.

If you ever feel like your family doesn’t love you, remember our Heavenly Father loves you so much He adopted you into His family.  We have a tender loving and compassionate Heavenly Father.  It is a privilege to be part of the family of God.  One day God’s family will be together in Heaven for all eternity.

Thank You, precious Heavenly Father, for adopting us into Your family.  You have comforted and encouraged me many times and I appreciate it.  Thank You for being a tender loving Father and for caring about us and providing our needs and even giving us things we don’t need.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 21, 2015

ARE WE SINGING TO JESUS

“O COME, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.”

Psalm 95:1,2 KJV

I am so glad the Bible instructs us to make a joyful noise to Jesus because I have been told that I can’t carry a tune in a bucket.  That is a true statement but I do make a joyful noise to Him.  When we are singing to Jesus, I believe He listens to the words coming from our heart not just from our mouth.

We have something to sing about because Jesus, the Saviour of the world, loves us.  Jesus allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins because He loves us.  What an amazing unconditional love for us flowed from the heart of Jesus as He hung on the cross wounded, bleeding and dying for our sins.

If you ever think nobody loves you, remember the cross and the pain that Jesus endured for your sins because He loves you so much.  Nobody loves us like Jesus loves us and nobody ever will.  I have said this many times and I will keep saying it until God calls me home or Jesus comes back for us.

We know how much Jesus loves us because He proved His love for us when He died on the cross.  How much do we love Jesus?  What are we doing to prove to Him how much we love Him?  Jesus can see into our heart and He knows if we love Him or if we are just giving Him lip service.  Jesus deserves to be praised.

Joanne Lowe

September 20, 2015

ARE WE SERVING HIM

“Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?  Then said I, Here am I; send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 KJV

Every Christian has not only the responsibility to serve Jesus but also the privilege to serve Jesus.  Have you ever said to Jesus “Here am I; send me”?  If not, why haven’t you?  Jesus left His Father, His Home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins because He loves us so much.

Are we serving Him?  If we are serving Him, are we serving Him with all our heart, all our time and with all our talents?  One day Jesus is coming back for us and how sad it will be if we aren’t serving Him.  We will hurt Him.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is Jesus, the Saviour of the world!

Christmas will be here in three months.  If you have never said yes to Jesus and told Him you will serve Him, you can give Him a special birthday gift and tell Him you will serve Him.  How can we do less than give Jesus all of our heart, all of our time and everything we have?  Are you willing to serve Jesus?

Precious Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for sharing Your beloved Son with us.  Jesus, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for staying on the cross and dying for our sins.  You are a compassionate, tender loving Saviour and I love You with all my heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe

September 19, 2015

NO REPAIRS NEEDED

“LET not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

John 14:1-3 KJV

Jesus didn’t say that He might come again.  He said “I will come again”.  For those of us who have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we will go to Heaven with Him for all eternity.  Everything in Heaven is perfect because Jesus is preparing a place for us.  There are no repairs needed.

Have you ever been driving down the highway and had a flat tire or something happened to the engine and the car stopped and wouldn’t start again?  When Jesus comes back for us, it will be in a twinkling of an eye and we won’t have any transportation problems because He will take us to Heaven with Him.

We read in the Bible.  “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).  Think about it!  The KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS is coming to take us home with Him.

Are you shouting with happiness yet?  We will be with Jesus forever.  There will be no more sadness or heartaches.  Not only will we be with Jesus, we will also be with our loved ones who have already gone to Heaven and we won’t ever be parted again.  How I long for the day when I see my Saviour face to face!

Joanne Lowe

September 18, 2015

WHAT A HAPPINESS TO SERVE JESUS

“I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:1,2 KJV

One of my pastors said in a sermon “If you want to fly higher than a kite, start bragging on Jesus.”  My pastor was so right because since I started serving Jesus there are times when I feel like I am going to explode with happiness.  Am I happy every minute of the day?  Many days I am happy all day long. 

However, I do have days when I walk through dark valleys just like you do.  It is impossible to be on the mountain top of happiness every minute of every day.  This world is filled with violence, hatred, and all other things which hurt Jesus and break His heart.  If we are going to make it through, we need Jesus.

Jesus said “Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:4, 5).

We will never have real joy and happiness without Jesus “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11).  Joy comes when we are in the presence of Jesus.  Happiness is to know Jesus.  Do you have joy and happiness in your heart?

Joanne Lowe

September 17, 2015

NOTHING COULD HOLD HIM

“Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.  For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.”

Luke 18:31-33 KJV

Pastor Donnie Sumner wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “THE NIGHT BEFORE EASTER”.  Every time I hear this hymn, I get tears in my eyes and my heart is filled with love for my precious Saviour.  Jesus could have come down from the cross if He had wanted to but He stayed on the cross for us.

“In a room filled with sorrow a mother cries for Jesus, her Son now is gone; Her child sent from heaven was taken away, Heart-broken, she feels all alone.  The King of all ages, the Giver of life, For a moment lies silent and still; But a power sent from heaven comes breaking the night, And death must bow to his will.”

If you are a parent, you know how Jesus’ mother must have felt to see her beloved Son hanging on the cross with the blood flowing down His precious body.  I’m sure she had tears rolling down her cheeks and her heart was broken.  Think about the anguish she must have felt to know her Son was dying.

This is one of the most beautiful hymns I have ever heard in my life and when I hear it, I am overwhelmed with love for Jesus.  Nothing could hold Him on the cross.  He chose to stay on the cross for us out of His amazing and unconditional love for us.  What a Saviour, what a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Joanne Lowe

September 16, 2015

MORE THAN ENOUGH

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  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.  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

John 10:9-11 KJV

Jesus came for us to have an abundant life.  Jesus is more than enough for every crisis and every valley we have in our life.  Our precious Saviour not only saves our soul, He also guides us, protects us and never leaves us.  Jesus understands how we feel because He has felt every emotion we feel.

If you’re hurting and you don’t think that you can take another step or give another smile, Jesus not only understands how you feel, He will pick you up and carry you until the pain goes away and He will be faithful to set you once again on the mountain top of happiness.  O how Jesus loves you!

Someone said “Jesus doesn’t love me”.  If Jesus loves me and He does love me, after the terrible way I treated people before He gave me a new heart, He can love anyone and He does love you.  He loves every person in the world and He proved His unconditional love for us when He allowed them to crucify Him.

Your spouse and your loved ones love you but nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.  Jesus’ love for you is unconditional, compassionate, tender and everlasting.  There is nothing you could do that would make Him stop loving you.  Jesus, the Saviour of the world, loves you!

Jesus weeps with us when we cry and laughs with us when we are happy.  Jesus is the best Friend we have and He loves us.

Joanne Lowe

September 15, 2015

GOD GAVE HIS SON TO US

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  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.  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

John 3:14-17 KJV

One of the definitions for the word “so” in Webster’s Dictionary is “without any doubt”.  There is no doubt that God loves us and that He loves us unconditionally.  God gave His Son to us to die on the cross for our sins and to not only be our Saviour but also to be the dearest Friend we will ever have.

Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that God not only loves you, He so loves you?  There is no doubt that God loves you.  He proved to you how much He loves you when He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins.  What a precious and loving Heavenly Father we have!

God gave His best to us because He loves us so much.  How much do we love Him?  Are we giving Him our best?  If we want to make our Heavenly Father happy, we will be kind and loving to Jesus.  If you are a parent, you know how happy it makes you when people are kind and loving to your children.

Every person has to answer this question.  How much do I love God?  We can say we love God.  However, God can see into our heart and He knows if we love Him or if we are just giving Him lip service.  We have a tender loving and compassionate Heavenly Father Who not only loves us, He so loves us.      

Joanne Lowe

September 14, 2015

SAFE IN THE ARMS OF JESUS

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:35-39 KJV

Nothing and nobody can separate us from God’s love because we are safe in the arms of Jesus.  God and Jesus love us unconditionally and They will always love us.  There is nothing we can ever do that will make Them stop loving us.  We have a loving compassionate Heavenly Father and Saviour.

The next time someone tells you that God and Jesus don’t love you or satan tries to convince you that you aren’t loved, remember the cross and the anguish and excruciating pain that Jesus endured because He loves you so much.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that you are loved.

When Jesus was crucified on the cross for your sins and for my sins, God had to turn away from His Son because Jesus had taken our sins on Himself and God can’t look at sin.  The heart of our precious Saviour and the heart of our Heavenly Father were broken that day as Jesus hung on the cross for our sins.

Never forget that there is nobody or nothing that can separate you from the love of Christ.  You are safe in His loving protective arms.  Allow Jesus to hold you close and protect you.

Joanne Lowe

September 13, 2015

HE WANTS US TO TELL HIM

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28-30 KJV

A dear friend of mine that I have known for several years stopped calling me.  I really missed her and so I called her but she never answered.  She just let the voice mail take the message.  I prayed and asked God what I should do because we are good friends.  God laid it on my heart to call her again.

When I called her yesterday, she answered and I asked her what was wrong.  She told me she has been going through a dark valley and she didn’t want to burden me with her problems.  I told her real friends are there for each other in the bad times as well as in the good times and asked her to share with me.

I understand how my friend feels because I have felt the same way when I was going through dark valleys.  Have you ever wanted to tell a friend you were hurting but didn’t want to burden your friend?  There is good news.  Jesus is the best Friend we will ever have and He wants us to tell Him.

Jesus is waiting with open arms for us to come to Him.  He longs to comfort and encourage us.  He will dry our tears with tender loving kisses.  We have a loving, understanding and compassionate Saviour Who knows how it feels to be lonely and discouraged.  Run into His arms and let Him comfort you.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Jesus to die for our sins.  Jesus, You are the best Friend we will ever have.  I love You so much.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.    

Joanne Lowe

September 12, 2015

THE LIGHTHOUSE OF LOVE

“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

Webster’s Dictionary describes lighthouse as “a structure (as a tower) with a powerful light that gives a continuous or intermittent signal to navigators”.  Our precious Saviour is powerful enough to give light to every person in the world.  He is the Light of the world.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!

Philip Paul Bliss wrote a beautiful and inspiring hymn about Jesus “The Light of The World is Jesus”.  “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!”  Thank God for our Lighthouse of Love.

It can be dark and storming outside but if we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, our heart is filled with the light of Jesus.  Rev. Henry Jeffreys Zelley wrote another hymn about Jesus being our Light “Heavenly Sunlight”.  I love this hymn.  It is one of my favorite hymns to sing.

“Shadows around me, shadows above me, Never conceal my Savior and Guide; He is the light, In Him is no darkness; Ever I’m walking close to His side.”  What about you?  Are you walking close to Jesus?  Have you surrendered your heart, your life, and all that you have to Jesus?  Is He your Light of life?

Heavenly Father, You are a loving Father and I love You.  Thank You for giving Jesus to us to be our Light of love.  Jesus, thank You for never leaving me and for being my Light and Guide through the darkness of life.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.    

Joanne Lowe

September 11, 2015

ALL WE HAVE IS NOW

“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.  But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.  Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.”

Matthew 24:42,43 KJV

One wonderful day Jesus is coming back for us.  We don’t know when He is coming back but He is coming back.  All we have is now.  When He comes back we won’t have time to tell people we’re sorry we hurt them and we won’t have time to tell our family and loved ones how much we love them.

Do your children and your spouse know how much you love them?  When is the last time you told them that you love them?  More important, when is the last time you told Jesus how much you love Him and appreciate Him?  What about our heart?  Are there things in our heart that hurt Him and break His heart?

We don’t have the promise of tomorrow or another hour or even another minute.  All we have is now.  If we aren’t ready to meet Jesus, we need to ask God to forgive us and ask those we have hurt to forgive us and also forgive those who have hurt us.  Do we love one another unconditionally as Jesus loves us?

Heavenly Father, You are a loving and compassionate Father.  Thank You for all You have done for us and for all You do for us every day.  Please forgive us if there is anything in our heart that hurts You.  Help us to love one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 10, 2015

HIS REDEEMING LOVE

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Titus 3:4-7 KJV

We are saved and redeemed through the precious love of our Saviour.  When Jesus allowed them to crucify Him for our sins and shed His own blood, He redeemed us from all our sins and if we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we are saved and will live in Heaven with Jesus for all eternity.

One of the definitions I found for redeem in Webster’s Dictionary is “to free from the consequences of sin”.  That is exactly what Jesus did on the cross for us.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  There is no one like Jesus.  No one loves us like Jesus love us and no one ever will.

Squire Parsons wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn which is one of my favorite hymns “HE CAME TO ME”.  This verse describes me before Jesus saved me.  “He came to me when I was bound in chains of sin, He came to me when I possessed no hope within,” Thank God for the redeeming love of Jesus.

Precious Heavenly Father, I love You so much.  Thank You for Jesus and for adopting me into Your family.  Jesus, how I love You.  How I long to see You face to face.  Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and for coming to me when I couldn’t go to You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.     

Joanne Lowe

September 9, 2015

HIS TENDERNESS

“BLESS the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;”

Psalm 103:1-4 KJV

One of the definitions for tender in Webster’s Dictionary is “very loving and gentle: showing affection and love for someone or something”.  That describes our precious Saviour.  Not only does Jesus love us, He loves us unconditionally and He died on the cross for our sins to prove to us how much He loves us.

We know how much Jesus loves us but how much do we love Him and what are we doing to prove to Him how much we love Him?  We can sing about Him, teach about Him, tell about Him and do good things for other people but Jesus can see into our heart and He knows if we really love Him.

Do we love Jesus?  If we do, how often do we tell Jesus we love Him?  If Jesus didn’t tell me every day how much He loves me, it would break my heart.  If I didn’t know Jesus loves me, I would go to bed and stay there.  Life is too hard without my precious Saviour reassuring me every day how much He loves me.

Does Jesus have the first place in our heart, in our life and in everything we do?  Do we take Jesus with us every place we go?  Do we praise Him to our family and friends?  It is very important that our family and friends and everyone we see know that we are a Christian and how much we love Jesus.

All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  One day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

Joanne Lowe

September 8, 2015

LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS JESUS 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.  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 8:10-12 KJV

None of us are perfect.  There are times when all of us disappoint and hurt Jesus but if we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus saying to us, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more”.  Do you realize that not only is it a privilege to be loved by Jesus but also to have Him forgive us when we hurt Him?

Someone said “I have never said or done anything wrong in my life”.  That is not true.  We read in the Bible “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10).  There was only one perfect person who ever lived or ever will live and His Name is Jesus.  Our Saviour never did anything wrong.

Instead of judging people, we need to examine our own heart and be sure it is in right standing with God.  As a pastor said in a sermon, “If you will keep your own heart in right standing with God, you won’t have the time to judge and condemn others”.  It is a full time job to keep my own heart right with God.

Do we love one another as Jesus loves us?  If not, we are hurting Him and breaking His heart.  What about Jesus?  How much do we love Him and what are we doing to prove to Him how much we love Him?  Jesus gave His life for us.  Are we willing to shut off the television and serve Jesus?

Joanne Lowe

September 7, 2015

ENCOURAGING OR DISCOURAGING

“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.  So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”

Isaiah 41:6,7 KJV

We encourage or we discourage each other by our words and our actions.  Never forget that Jesus said that what we do to others, we also do to Him.  I think all of us want to be an encouragement to Jesus.  Are we encouraging Jesus by our kind and loving words to each other and to Him?

What about our spouse and children and our parents and grandchildren?  Are we an encouragement to them?  Are we encouraging them by our kind words and loving actions or are we discouraging them?  All of us need to be encouraged.  May God help us to be an encouragement to one another.

Our pastors need us to pray for them and also encourage them.  Pastors are human and they get discouraged just like we do.  When is the last time you prayed for and encouraged your pastor?  It only takes a few minutes to wait in line to shake hands with our pastor and say thank you for the sermon.

Heavenly Father, I have lost track of the many times You have encouraged me as You tenderly dried my tears with kisses.  You are such a precious Father and I love You.  Thank You for all You have done for me.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 6, 2015

THREE WORDS

“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

Janet Paschal wrote the beautiful hymn “Written in Red”.  “In letters of crimson, God wrote His love on the hillside so long, long ago; For you and for me Jesus died, And love’s greatest story was told.”  Yes, Jesus told us in three words how much He loves us when He shed His own blood for our sins on the cross.

What an amazing unconditional love flowed from the heart of Jesus for you and me as He hung on that cruel cross with blood flowing down His body.  He had been cursed, mocked, ridiculed and beaten beyond recognition and He endured the shame and all that excruciating pain because He loves us so much.

Do you understand yet how much Jesus loves you?  I have said this many times and I will say it until the day I die.  No one loves you like Jesus loves you and no one ever will.  Our family and friends love us but nobody loves us like our precious Saviour loves us and He proved His love for us with His own blood.

The next time you are discouraged and all of us get discouraged at times, remember the cross and the blood that Jesus shed for you.  Jesus got discouraged so He understands how you feel.  He will pick you up and carry you until the pain goes away.  What a Saviour, this Jesus of Nazareth!  I love Jesus so much.

Joanne Lowe

September 5, 2015

HE WAS TIRED

“Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph.  Now Jacob’s well was there.  Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour.  Then cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.”

John 4:5-7 KJV

I think all of us if we are honest will have to admit there are times when we get tired and just want to relax and maybe even go to bed.  Jesus understands how we feel when we get like that because He became tired just like we do.  I think many times, He was not only tired physically; He was tired of being ridiculed.

I believe there were times when He had been cursed, mocked and ridiculed and He wanted to give up.  However, He wanted to fulfill the mission His Father had given Him.  Also, He loves us so much that He was willing to endure the cross and take our sins on Him so we can be saved and go to Heaven when we die.

Do you know how much Jesus loves you?  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus, the Saviour of the world loves you so much He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for your sins and for my sins?  What a Saviour!

Heavenly Father, there are many of us who are very tired and are hurting emotionally and physically.  Dear Father, You are the God of all comfort.  Please rock us in Your arms of love and dry our tears with tender loving kisses.  We love You and appreciate You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 4, 2015

THEY ARE STILL SINGING

“And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.  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.  And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Luke 2:9-14 KJV

The angels sang and rejoiced the day our precious Saviour was born and they are still singing and rejoicing.  You and I should also sing and rejoice every day because God gave Jesus to us to not only be our Saviour, but also to be the dearest Friend we will ever have.  Jesus is a Friend Who will never leave us.

We have something to sing about because we have a Saviour Who loves us so much He died for our sins on a cruel cross and endured pain and agony that you and I will never know.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  Are you shouting yet?  Jesus, the Saviour of the world loves you.

One joyous day, Jesus is coming back for us.  When I see Him, I am not going to walk to meet Him like a bride does when she walks down the aisle to be with the man she is marrying.  I am going to run as fast as I can to meet Jesus.  I will fall at His feet and try to tell Him how precious He is and how much I love Him.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  I love You, dear Jesus.  I long to see You face to face.  Thank You for dying for my sins.  You are so wonderful and precious to me.

Joanne Lowe

September 3, 2015

A GIFT OF UNCONDITIONAL 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 KJV

Someone said “I don’t have money to buy Christmas gifts”.  The greatest gift we can give one another is the gift of unconditional love.  When God gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for us that was the beginning of unconditional love.  God gave us the greatest gift that has ever been given, the gift of His Son.

God knew that His precious Son was going to be beaten beyond recognition, spat on, mocked, ridiculed and cursed for you and for me.  Why did God give His beloved Son to die on the cross for us?  It is because He loves us so much.  What an amazing love flowed from His heart when He gave Jesus to us.

As we celebrate Christmas, do you know what you are going to give Jesus for a gift?  One of the greatest gifts we can give Jesus is to read aloud the story of His birth.  It doesn’t matter if we have a big family or live alone, we should read it aloud and tell Him how much we love Him and appreciate Him.

Heavenly Father, we praise You and thank You for the gift of Your beloved Son.  Not only did You give us unconditional love when You gave Jesus to us, You set the example for us and are teaching us how to love others unconditionally.  Thank You.  I love You so much, dear Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 2, 2015

SAFE AND SECURE FROM DANGER

“Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.  He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.  Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.  Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”

Psalm 107:28-31 KJV

Henry Lake Gilmour wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Haven of Rest”.  The words in this hymn bring peace to my heart.  “I’ve anchored my soul in the “Haven of Rest”, I’ll sail the wide seas no more; The tempest may sweep over wild, stormy, deep, In Jesus I’m safe evermore.”  Thank God for our Haven of rest. 

If we are anchored in Jesus, we are safe from danger.  We can’t make it in this world without Jesus.  Life is too hard and too dangerous.  Unless we have invited Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we aren’t living, we just exist.  I honestly don’t know how I made it before I was saved.

The newspapers and the television and the radio report rapes, murders and other things that hurt Jesus and break His heart every day.  It would really be wonderful if all they reported was encouraging news and told us how many people got saved that day.  We need a Christian station that only reports good news.

Have you anchored your soul in Jesus?  If you have, you are safe in His protective arms.  O how He loves you!  He loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins so you can be saved and go to Heaven.  What a Saviour!  What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!  I love Jesus with all my heart.      

Joanne Lowe

September 1, 2015