HE IS STILL ALIVE

“And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5,6 KJV

Avis M. Christiansen wrote one of my favorite hymns “Blessed Redeemer”.  The beautiful words about Jesus never fail to bring tears to my eyes.  “Father forgive them!” thus did He pray, E’en while His lifeblood flowed fast away; Praying for sinners while in such woe No one but Jesus ever loved so.”

Jesus had been beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, betrayed, rejected and hung on the cross to die and pay the penalty for our sins although He had never sinned.  How true it is “No one but Jesus ever loved so”.  Sometimes we act like He didn’t rise from the dead but He is still alive.

The next time you think nobody loves you or cares about you, remember the pain and anguish that Jesus suffered for you on the cross.  When satan attacks you and he will attack you if you are serving Jesus, remember that satan is a liar and he will do everything he can do to discourage us from serving Jesus.

We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus and keep serving Him just as Jesus stayed on the cross and died for us.  Think about it.  Jesus had never sinned and yet He willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary to die for us.  Not only did He stay on the cross for us, He asked God to forgive us.  O how He loves us.

Heavenly Father You are a compassionate tender loving Father.  Thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for us.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 30, 2018

DO WE REALLY MEAN IT

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

John 20:21 KJV

Mary Brown wrote the hymn “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go”.  We sing the words but I wonder if we really mean what we are singing?  I think there are times when we sing the words to hymns without even thinking about what we are singing because we have sung them so many times.

Do we really mean the words?  “There’s surely somewhere a lowly place in earth’s harvest fields so wide, Where I may labor through life’s short day for Jesus, the Crucified. So, trusting my all unto Your care, I know You always love me! I’ll do Your will with a heart sincere, I’ll be what You want me to be.”

Margaret Clarkson wrote another one of my favorite hymns “So Send I You”.  “So send I you to leave your life’s ambition, To die to dear desire, self-will resign, To labor long, and love where men revile you- So send I you to lose your life in Mine.”  Are we willing to lose our life in Jesus, to let Him shine through us?

May God help us to be soul winners for Jesus.  If you have never invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour, I urge you to do it now.  One day it will be too late to say yes to Jesus.  Your family and friends love you but they can’t do it for you.  Salvation is personal between Jesus and you.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me and thank You for Jesus.  I pray for every person in the world who has never said yes to Jesus.  May today be the day they humble themselves, admit they are sinners and invite Jesus into their heart before it is too late.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

March 29.2018

ARE WE FOLLOWING

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

1 Peter 2:21 KJV

Mary B. Slade wrote a beautiful hymn “Footprints of Jesus”.  We sing this hymn but I wonder if we do what we sing.  Are we following His steps?  “Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling, Come, follow Me! And we see where Thy footprints falling Lead us to Thee.”

Are we following Jesus even when it is inconvenient for us or it interferes with our daily schedule?  I believe the heart of our precious Saviour is broken again and again because we don’t spend time with Him.  If we are too busy to spend time with Jesus, we need to rearrange our schedules so He comes first.

May God help us to follow Jesus.  We will follow Jesus to another country on a mission trip but will we follow Him across town or across the street to tell people that Jesus loves them so much He died for them?  There is nothing as important in this world as our salvation and following Jesus.

Let me repeat this because it is so important.  There is nothing as important in this world as our salvation and following Jesus.  Are you ready to meet Jesus if He should come back for us while you are reading this devotion?  Is your heart right with God?  Have you forgiven the ones who have hurt you?

Have you asked the ones you hurt to forgive you?  Does your family know how much you love them?  If not, tell them today.  Don’t put it off.  A pastor said in a sermon “I was going to tell my uncle how much I loved and appreciated him but I kept putting it off until it was too late because He died”.  Don’t wait any longer.

Joanne Lowe

November 28, 2018

BECAUSE OF JESUS

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

Someone said “It’s because of me that this person is saved”.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that is a lie straight from the pits of hell.  It is only when the redeeming cleansing blood of Jesus is applied to our heart for the forgiveness of our sins that we are saved.

If we had something to do with people getting saved, Jesus wouldn’t have had to be beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, and rejected. left alone and crucified on the cross for our sins.  What really touches my heart is that Jesus could have come down from the cross but He didn’t.

Ray Overholt wrote the hymn “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.”  Think about it.  Jesus stayed on the cross because He loves us.  What love He has for you and me.

Please join me in praising our precious Saviour.  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  He is the fairest of ten thousand, the bright and morning Star and He loves you.  Yes, if you are reading this devotion, I am writing to you.  Jesus loves you so much He died for you.  O how I love Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

June 27, 2018

NOT ENOUGH WORDS

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.”

John 21:25 KJV

Just as the world can’t contain the books that should be written about Jesus, there are not enough words to tell you how much I love Jesus and what He means to me.  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” and He loves me so much He died for me.

For those of you who have been on my mailing list, you know that I went through a devastating crippling depression for over forty years.  I honestly believed I didn’t have a right to live and tried to take my life.  One day as I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital with no desire to live, Jesus came to me.

He put His arms of love around me and lifted me up from under that bed and told me that He loves me and will never leave me.  I can’t put into words the happiness I felt when He told me that He loves me.  Nobody had ever told me that I was loved before He told me.  Is it any wonder I love Him so much?

I don’t know the dark valleys you are going through but I know the One Who can take you through them.  Jesus will lift you up and carry you until the pain and heartache go away.  I have said this many times and will continue saying it until God calls me home.  Nobody loves you like Jesus and nobody ever will.

Why is it we will cheer for our favorite sports team but don’t cheer for Jesus?  How we must hurt Him and break His heart.  If ever someone deserves our praise, it is our precious Saviour.

Joanne Lowe

June 26, 2018

WHERE ARE WE LOOKING

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2 KJV

Helen H. Lemmel wrote one of my favorite hymns“Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.  The words in this hymn are so true.  “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.”  Where are we looking?

If we are looking to the world for peace, happiness and joy, we will never find it.  It is only when we are in the presence of Jesus that we have real joy and happiness.  “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” Psalms 16:11).

I love my family and I have many good friends I love and I enjoy spending time with them but it is only when I am in the presence of Jesus that my heart is filled with joy and happiness.  If you have never stayed up all night just talking to Jesus, you have missed a blessing.

There are some people who will stay up all night long watching television but these same people say they are too sleepy to spend time with Jesus.  How it must hurt our precious Saviour and break His heart when people will watch television all night but say they can’t spend time with Him.

It’s time we turn our eyes on Jesus and leave them there.  After all He has done for us; He deserves to have our life, our time and our talents.  May God help us to keep our eyes on Jesus instead of looking to drugs and alcohol for happiness.

Joanne Lowe

June 25, 2018

WORRY

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

John 14:27 KJV

Jesus gives us peace and He also wants us to be happy.  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).  Yet, many times we make our own unhappiness because we don’t trust.

I used to worry about things all the time.  However, I realized that God does not need my help to fix a situation.  He wants me to pray but then get out of the way and allow Him to do what needs to be done.  We should be concerned and pray but we should also trust God to work in the situation.

We need to realize that God loves our family and our loved ones more than we do so we can trust Him to do what needs to be done.  Now when I pray about something, I don’t worry about it like I used to do.  We should be concerned and it’s okay to cry but we need to trust Him.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are broken hearted, discouraged, lonely and for those who are sick and need Your healing touch.  How wonderful it is to know that You really love us and care about us.  Thank You for loving me.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 24, 2018

HE DIED FOR US

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” 

Isaiah 53:5,6 KJV

Jesus had never sinned, had never done anything wrong.  Yet, He was beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, rejected and betrayed because of our sins.  There is only one way to Heaven and it is when the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus is applied to our heart for the forgiveness of sins.

Avis M. Christiansen wrote the hymn “Love Found a Way”  Thank God these words are true.  “Love brought my Savior here to die on Calvary, For such a sinful wretch as I, how can it be? Love bridged the gulf ’twixt me and Heav’n, taught me to pray, I am redeemed, set free, forgiv’n, love found a way.”

God gave His Son to die on the cross for our sins and the precious blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.  “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).

Heavenly Father, You are a tender compassionate Father and I love You.  Thank You for giving Your Son to die for my sins.  Dear Father, I pray for every person who has never given their heart and life to Jesus.  May today be the day they invite Jesus into their heart.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 23, 2018

NO MONEY NEEDED OR ACCEPTED

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

1 Corinthians 6:20 KJV

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).  When Jesus died for us, He paid the price for our sins.  Many people try to work their way into Heaven and buy their way into Heaven.  There is only one way, through the blood of Jesus.

There is no money needed or accepted to get into Heaven.  Our money will never get us into Heaven.  There is only one way and that is when the cleansing blood of Jesus is applied to our heart for the forgiveness of our sins.  Have you made your reservation for Heaven and invited Jesus into your heart?

A young man giving his testimony said “I thank God for my praying mother.  I saw my mother kneeling beside her bed and heard her praying for me every night and that is the reason I’m saved and going to Heaven”.  Thank God for mothers who care enough to pray for their children.

However, it is not enough to pray for them.  We must set a good example for our children by the way we live and the things we say.  Above everything, they need to know we love Jesus.  Do your children know you love Jesus by your actions and the encouraging words you say to others?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus and for adopting me into Your family.  I pray that our children will see Jesus in our actions and hear His love for them in our words.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  Thank You for dying for my sins.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 22, 2018

HAVE WE ANSWERED HIS CALL

“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

Pastor Daniel March wrote a beautiful hymn that should make every Christian search his or her heart to see if we are willing to answer the call of Jesus.  I love the words in this hymn.  I just found it on the internet tonight and it touched my heart so I want to share it with you.  I’m so glad I answered His call on my life.

“Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling”.  “If you cannot cross the ocean, And the distant lands explore, You can find the lost around you, You can help them at your door; If you cannot give your thousands, You can give the widow’s mite; What you truly give for Jesus, Will be precious in His sight.”

There are some people who will get up very early in the morning to go fishing but these same people won’t get up to spend time with our precious Saviour.  People say they are too busy or too tired to have devotions.  If we are too busy to spend time with Jesus, we are too busy and we need to rearrange our schedules.

When God called me to be a missionary, He gave me this Scripture verse.  “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;” (Isaiah 61:1).

God didn’t call me to be a preacher or pastor.  He called me to be a missionary and tell others how much Jesus loves them.  What a privilege it has been to serve Him since January 24, 2005.  O how I love Jesus!  He is the Joy of my heart.

Joanne Lowe

June 21, 2018

WE HAVE A CHOICE

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Joshua 24:15 KJV

We don’t have to serve Jesus.  He doesn’t make us serve Him.  We have a choice to make.  We are either serving Jesus or we are serving satan.  There is no middle ground.  No, He will never make us serve Him but if we love Him, we will serve Him.  Our level of service to Jesus depends on our level of love for Him.

How much do we love Him?  Do we love Him enough to shut off the television, get out of our comfort zones and serve Him?  Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins.  How can we not serve Him after all He has done for us?

Jesus doesn’t ask us to do much but He does want us to love one another unconditionally.  “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34, 35).

People are going to know if we love Jesus by our actions.  It reminds me of a teenage boy who said to his parents “You go to church, teach Sunday school, and sing in the choir but when you come home you criticize the pastor and the sermon.  If this is what being a Christian is, I don’t want any part of it.”

May God help us to serve Jesus with all of our heart and set a good example for our children. 

Joanne Lowe

June 20, 2018

OUR LIGHT

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”

Psalms 23:6 KJV

Pastor Alfred H. Ackley wrote a beautiful hymn about our precious Saviour “I Shall Dwell Forever There”.  I love these words.  “I shall walk the streets of the city of God With its tree of life so bright, so fair, There will be no night—Jesus is the light, I shall dwell forever there.”

We read in the Bible.  “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).  Yes, Jesus is our Light in the midst of a world filled with hatred and violence.  He is our Light when we go through dark valleys.

Someone said “We were in a cave and it was so dark I couldn’t see my hand”.  There are times when the darkness of despair and heartache try to overwhelm us but it is then that our precious Saviour shines His light brighter in our heart.  When we are discouraged and hurting, He illuminates the darkness.

If you are discouraged and feel like giving up, allow Jesus to shine His light in your heart.  We don’t have to go through this world alone.  We would never make it.  Thank God for our precious Saviour Who is with us all the time and cheers us on to victory when we feel like giving up.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus, our Light in the midst of darkness and despair.  Jesus, thank You for never leaving me and for shining Your light in my heart.  I love You, Jesus, and I long to see You face to face and one day I will see You face to face.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 19, 2018

THE DIFFERENCE

“After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.  Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.  When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

John 19:28-30 KJV

The Gaither Vocal Band wrote one of my favorite hymns “The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference”.  The words in this hymn are so true because when we ask God to forgive us and the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus is applied to our heart it does make the difference.

I’m so glad these words are true.  “Twas a life filled with aimless desperation Without hope walked the shell of a man; Then a hand with a nailprint stretched downward, Just one touch then a new life began.”  I know from personal experience that one touch from our Saviour does make the difference.

For over forty years I wandered in the darkness of a crippling and devastating depression.  I really believed that I didn’t have a right to live and that nobody loved me or cared if I lived or died.  I was not living; I just existed.  One day as I was lying under a bed in a mental hospital, Jesus came to me.

Jesus put His arms of love and compassion around me and lifted me up from under that bed.  He said “I love you, Joanne, and I will never leave you”.  Nobody had ever said “I love you” to me and there are no words to express the happiness I felt knowing Jesus loves me and will never leave me.

What a precious Saviour we are privileged to know and have.

Joanne Lowe

June 18, 2018

HE IS STILL WITH US

“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

Have you ever felt like you were all alone and that even Jesus had left you?   I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that you are never alone because Jesus has told us He is always with us.  Our family and our friends have to go home but Jesus never leaves us, not even for a minute.

Do you realize what a privilege it is to not only be loved by the Saviour of the world but also to have His promise that He will never leave us?  Some times when we are going through dark valleys we feel all alone and that nobody understands or cares how we feel.  Jesus not only understands, He also cares.

Ludie D. Pickett wrote one of my favorite hymns “Never Alone”.  “When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care, My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear; Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown; My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!”  I’m so glad He is with me.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus.  I pray for everyone who is going through dark valleys.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  I love You so much; Heavenly Father and I appreciate You.  Thank You for loving me.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 17, 2018

HAVE WE FORGOTTEN

“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 E. Hussey wrote the hymn “Lead Me to Calvary”.  “Lest I forget Gethsemane, Lest I forget Thine agony; Lest I forget Thy love for me, Lead me to Calvary.”  Have we forgotten how much Jesus loves us?  Sometimes we act like we have forgotten the agony and torture Jesus endured for us when He was crucified.

There are times when we need to remember the sacrifice, the agony, the torture, the heartache and all that Jesus endured for us when He allowed them to crucify Him.  Have you allowed it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge how much Jesus loves you?  He loves you so much He died for you.

We read in the Bible.  “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17,18).

Think about it!  They spit on our precious Saviour.  They pounded nails in His hands and every time they pounded a nail into His hand, He felt that pain in His heart.  I believe that Jesus died of a broken heart.  His Father had to turn away from Him because He had taken our sins on Him and Jesus was alone.

Heavenly Father, how it must have hurt You to have to turn away from Your Son as He was dying.  I believe that not only was Your Son’s heart broken when He was crucified, I believe Your heart was also broken.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 16, 2018

THE GREATEST AND BEST FATHER

“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 honoring our dads on Father’s Day but we need to remember that our precious Heavenly Father is the greatest and best Father of all.  There are some children that run and hide when their dad comes home because they are afraid of him.  We never have to be afraid of our Heavenly Father.

How can we honor our Heavenly Father and make Him happy?  What touches His heart and makes Him happy is the way we treat His Son.  If we want to make God happy, we need to serve Jesus and give Him first place in our heart, in our life, in our time and in everything we do.  Jesus deserves first place.

If we will look with our heart, we will see the tears rolling down our Heavenly Father’s face because He had to turn away from His Son when Jesus was crucified for our sins.  God is a Holy God and He can’t look at sin.  I believe God’s heart was broken when His Son was crucified for our sins.

Do you understand how much God loves you?  He loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins.  If you have a son, you know that you would never send your son to war if you knew he was going to be killed.  That is exactly what God did for us.  He sent Jesus to die so we can live.

Heavenly Father, You are so precious to me.  I love You and appreciate all You have done for me.  Thank You for loving me, for sending Jesus to die for my sins, and for adopting me into Your family.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 15, 2018

WE CAN CALL JESUS

“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”

Psalms 121:4 KJV

I am having a hard time sleeping.  I think it’s because I’m in a lot of pain.  I want to call someone but it is 1:30 in the morning.  There is good news.  We can call Jesus twenty four hours a day because He never sleeps and we won’t wake Him up and disturb Him.  Jesus wants us to call Him anytime day or night.

Pastor Charles P. Jones wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn “Come unto Me”.  I love these words.  “Come unto Me, I will give you rest; Take My yoke upon you, hear Me and be blessed. I am meek and lowly, come and trust My might. Come, My yoke is easy, and My burden’s light.”

What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know we can call Jesus and He will help us.  He is waiting for us to come to Him.  Not only will He help us, He will also pick us up and carry us through our dark valleys until the pain goes away and will set us once again on the mountain top of happiness.

Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone who is lonely, discouraged and brokenhearted.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  I appreciate You, dear Father.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 14, 2018

NO, I WON’T DO IT

“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 KJV

Have your parents ever asked you to do something and you said “No, I won’t do it”?  Have you asked your children to do something and they said “No, I won’t do it”?  Has God asked you to do something and you said “No, I won’t do it”?  What if Jesus had said to His Father “No, I won’t do it”?

Jesus said “Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.  No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father” (John 10:17,18).  Jesus didn’t have to die for us.

God didn’t say to His Son, “I’m kicking You out and don’t come home until You do what I told You to do”.  Jesus chose to leave His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins so we can be saved and live in Heaven with Him for all eternity.

I believe that God had a long talk with Jesus before He left on His mission just as parents talk to their children before they leave to go to college or live by themselves.  I believe God said to Jesus while tears rolled down His face “I don’t want You to die on the cross, Son, but there’s no other way”.

No, God didn’t make Jesus go to the cross, Jesus chose to die for our sins.  God doesn’t make us serve Jesus.  How can we not serve Jesus and give Him our heart, our life and everything we have for what He has done for us?  Are you serving Jesus?

Joanne Lowe

June 13, 2018

YOU ARE ACCEPTED

“To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

Ephesians 1:6 KJV

Have you ever felt like you were all alone, that you aren’t accepted by anyone?  For many years, I didn’t think anybody loved me or cared if I lived or died.  I didn’t want to live and I hated everyone.  I even tried to commit suicide.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that you are accepted.

The next time you feel all alone and that nobody cares about you or loves you, remember God loves you and cares about you.  He loves you and cares about you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins.  God accepts us into His family when we are saved.

Jesus loves you so much He allowed them to crucify Him for your sins and for my sins.  Jesus accepts you and He longs to fellowship with you.  We need to spend time with our precious Saviour.  He should come first in our life, before watching television or anything else.  He deserves to have first place.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged, and brokenhearted and feel like giving up.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  You are a tender loving compassionate Father and I love You and appreciate You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 12, 2018

JESUS NEVER SINNED

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV

Have you ever heard someone say “He deserved to die for what he did”?  Have you ever said that about someone?  Jesus never sinned and He did not deserve to die.  Our precious Saviour was spat on, cursed, mocked, rejected, beaten beyond recognition and nailed to the cross and He had never sinned.

I write about the love of Jesus many times in my devotions and it is because nobody loves us like Jesus loves us and nobody ever will.  He deserves to be praised, adored, honored, loved and respected.  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”!  One day we will see Him face to face.  What a happy day!

We read in the Bible.  “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Carrie E. Beck wrote a beautiful hymn “Face to Face with Christ, My Savior”.  How I long for the day when I will see Him face to face.

Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins.  I pray for every person who has not given their heart to Jesus.  May today be the day they invite Jesus into their heart.  Please comfort and encourage all those who are discouraged.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 11, 2018

NOT JUST TOMORROW

“And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.”

Mark 16:6 KJV

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote one of my favorite hymns “Because He Lives”.  I love these words.  “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!”  Thank God for our risen Saviour.

We can also face today because Jesus is with us all the time.  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).  What a precious promise from the heart of Jesus.

If you are discouraged and feel like going to bed and staying there, know that Jesus understands.  When He was here on His mission, there were times when He was discouraged so He knows how we feel.  When we are going through dark valleys, Jesus will be faithful to pick us up and carry us.

He will carry us until the pain goes away and will set us once again on the mountain top of happiness.  I have said this many times and I will keep saying it until I die “No one loves you like Jesus loves you and no one ever will”.  What an amazing compassionate love from the heart of our Saviour for us.

Joanne Lowe

June 10, 2018

TOO LATE

“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

James 3:10 KJV

A girl was mad at her sister and made faces at her and yelled at her and then smiled at her brother and told him she loved him.  I thought of our Scripture verse when I saw her do this.  We can tell people we’re sorry and ask them to forgive us for saying harsh words but it’s too late because we’ve already said them.

I am ashamed of it and it breaks my heart to think about it but there were times when I was growing up that I was disrespectful to my Mother.  O that children would realize that parents have feelings and they cry just like their children.  May God help us to be kind to our parents and treat them with respect.

When I was older, I told Mom how sorry I was for hurting her and she said it was okay but it was too late because the words had pierced her heart like a knife.  We can apologize and they can forgive us but the words can never be taken back.  It takes the healing love of Jesus to take the pain from our heart.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have failed You and hurt You.  I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged, brokenhearted or going through dark valleys.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  In Jesus' Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 9, 2018

TELL JESUS

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28 KJV

Pastor Charles Price Jones wrote a beautiful hymn.  It is one of my favorite hymns “Come unto Me”.  “Hear the blessèd Savior calling the oppressed, O ye heavy laden, come to Me and rest. Come, no longer tarry, I your load will bear, Bring Me every burden, bring Me every care.”

Two men were talking and one of them said to the other “How’s it going?”  The other man replied and told him how sad and discouraged he was.  Instead of being comforted and encouraged the first man said “I didn’t really want to know.  I was just asking”.  Jesus really wants to know how we feel.

I wonder how many times we ask people how they are and don’t pay attention to what they tell us because we’re thinking about something else.  Jesus pays attention to us when we come to Him and when we are hurting and going through a dark valley, He picks us up and carries us until the pain goes away.

Would you please join me in praising the One Who loves us so much that He died for us.  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God!  He is the “KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS”.  If ever someone deserves to be praised, loved and adored, it is our precious Saviour.  O how I love Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

June 8, 2018

HE IS OUR BEST FRIEND

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

John 15:13 KJV

Eliza E. Hewitt wrote a beautiful hymn “The Very Friend I Need”.  I’m so glad the words in this hymn are true.  “When I drink the cup of sorrow, When I tread the path of grief, Jesus is the very Friend I need; In His Word is consolation, In His presence sweet relief, Jesus is the very Friend I need.”

Not only is Jesus the very Friend we need, He is also our best Friend.  He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  “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).  Jesus is always with us.

Ludie D. Pickett wrote another hymn about our precious Saviour “Never Alone”.  “When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care, My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear; Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown; My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!”

Yes, Jesus is our best Friend and He loves us unconditionally.  There is nothing you could ever do to make Him stop loving you.  What a privilege is ours to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  Do you know it is a privilege just to say His precious Name.  O how I love Jesus.  He is the Joy of my heart and the reason I live.

Joanne Lowe

June 7, 2018

JESUS NEVER LEAVES US

“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

Ludie D. Pickett wrote one of my favorite hymns “Never Alone”.  I love these words.  “When in affliction’s valley I tread the road of care, My Savior helps me carry the cross so heavy to bear; Though all around me is darkness, earthly joys all flown; My Savior whispers His promise, never to leave me alone!”

On August 14, 1980, when I invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour, He told me He would never leave me and He has kept His Word.  Our family and friends have to leave us and go home but Jesus never leaves us.  What a precious promise that is to our weary battle scarred heart.

A husband and wife were driving down the road and the wife said “We don’t sit next to each other any more”.  The husband replied “I haven’t moved”.  The husband hadn’t moved because he was driving.  If we feel Jesus has moved, He hasn’t.  It is us that have left Him.  Jesus always keeps His promises.

Heavenly Father, how I love You.  Thank You for all You have done for me, for adopting me into Your family and for giving me the privilege to serve Your Son.  I pray for every person who is hurting and lonely.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 6, 2018

DISOBEDIENCE

“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Genesis 3:17-19 KJV

We like to blame other people when things go wrong and sometimes we even blame God but it is not His fault.  When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, sin entered the world.  We say that one sin is worse than another sin, but to God sin is sin.  If God were to say one sin is worse, He would say disobedience.

My Mother used to say to me “It doesn’t matter what I say, you’re going to do what you want to do”.  I think if we will listen with our heart that there are times when we will hear our Heavenly Father say to us “It doesn’t matter what I say, you’re going to do what you want to do”.

How we must hurt our Heavenly Father and break His heart when we disobey Him.  God loves us so much He gave Jesus to die on the cross for our sins.  He proved to us how much He loves us.  What are we doing to prove to God how much we love Him?  Do we love Him?  Does He know we love Him?

When we love people, we do all we can to prove to them we love them not only by our words, but also by our actions.  What are we doing to prove to our Heavenly Father that we love Him?  We can tell people we love Him but He can see in our heart and He knows if we love Him or if we are just giving Him lip service.

Joanne Lowe

June 5, 2018

ENCOURAGE AND PRAY FOR OUR PASTORS

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Hebrews 6:10 KJV

We need to encourage and pray for our pastors.  Many years ago when I lived in Texas, I lived with my pastor and his family for a couple of weeks.  I saw my pastor get discouraged, tired and even one time he felt like giving up.  Our pastors are human and they have feelings and emotions just like we do.

Several years ago, I received an email from a pastor who wrote that he was thinking of leaving his church.  He wrote “When my wife and I moved here, we were excited but it didn’t last long.  Instead of the congregation welcoming us and encouraging us, they constantly criticized us”.  How that must have hurt God.

May God forgive us if we are not praying for and encouraging our pastors and families.  It is time that we not only pray for them but also become encouragers to them.  I have had many wonderful pastors in the past but I can honestly say that the Pastor I have now is the best one I have ever had.

My Pastor, Pastor J Harold Davis, not only tells us how to live, he sets an example for us by the way he lives and the things he says to others.  God must really love me to have given Pastor Davis to me as my Pastor.  Please say a prayer for him as he has some health problems.

Heavenly Father, please comfort and encourage every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 4, 2018

GOD LOVES YOU

“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

George Beverly Shea wrote one of my favorite hymns that never fails to bring tears of happiness to my eyes “The Wonder Of It All”.  I love the words in this heart touching inspiring hymn.  Think about it!  God loves you and He loves me unconditionally and really cares about us. 

“There's the wonder at sunset at evening The wondrous sunrise I see But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul Is the wonder that God loves me The wonder of it all The wonder of it all Just to think that God loves me Oh the wonder of it all The wonder of it all Just to think that God loves me.”

There is nothing you could ever do that would make our Heavenly Father stop loving you.  Yes, there are times when we disobey Him that He has to take us out to His woodshed and correct us but He still loves us.  What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know He will always love us.

There are some children that run and hide when they hear their dad’s voice because they are afraid he will hit them.  We never have to worry about our Heavenly Father hitting us.  He loves us and wants to protect us from all danger.  I am so glad He is my Heavenly Father and that He will never stop loving me.

Joanne Lowe

June 3, 2018

WINGS OF LOVE

“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,”

Psalms 17:8 KJV

Pastor William O. Cushing wrote one of my favorite hymns “Under His Wings”.  I love these words and I am so glad they are true.  “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.”

Our Heavenly Father loves us and He cares when we are hurting.  I’ve lost track of the times He has comforted and encouraged me when I felt I couldn’t take another step or give another smile.  We are living in a world that is filled with violence.  How it must hurt God and break His heart to see the way we live.

If you are going through a dark valley and feel like you can’t take another step or give another smile, allow our Heavenly Father to comfort and encourage you.  He will pick you up and hold you close to His loving heart as He tenderly dries your tears with kisses.  He loves you so much He gave His Son to die for you.

Heavenly Father, You are so faithful to comfort and encourage me.  I appreciate You so much and I thank You for being a loving protective Father.  It is wonderful to know that You will never yell at me or hit me.  Even when I fail You and hurt You at times, You still love me.  Thank You.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 2, 2018

HE UNDERSTANDS

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

My arthritis is hurting so much I have tears in my eyes.  Jesus knows how it feels to be in pain so He understands when we are hurting and get discouraged.  It doesn’t matter if we are hurting physically or emotionally, He is with us and He will pick us up and carry us until the pain goes away.

If you are hurting, tell Jesus.  He really loves you and cares about you.  Jesus is the best Friend we will ever have.  He never leaves us, not even for a minute.  What a privilege is ours to be loved by the Saviour of the world.  You don’t have to do things by yourself, He will help you if you will ask Him to help you.

Heavenly Father, I pray for those who are hurting, discouraged, lonely, and heartbroken and who feel like giving up.  Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  In Jesus’ Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 1, 2018