LOVE REMAINS

“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”

Matthew 22: 37- 39

King James Version

I watched a family program on television. A stranger came to town with legal documents proving that all the land belonged to him. At first, there were shocked reactions and then anger took over. The town tried to reason with the man, but he was too greedy to listen.

At the conclusion of the movie, every man blew up his home with dynamite. They had decided that the stranger might own the land, but he didn’t own what they had built. They started walking hand in hand singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”. Their homes were destroyed but the love they had for each other remained.

O that we would have that kind of love for one another. When tragedy strikes our families, loved ones and friends, may we be like that town and join our hands singing “Onward Christian Soldiers”. There is no telling how many broken homes and broken marriages would be restored if we would love and pray for them instead of gossiping about the situation and criticizing them. May we realize but for the grace of God, we might be struggling with the same issues.

We will never be able to love our neighbors as Jesus has commanded unless we first love Him. We are powerless to do anything without His strength. When you die will you be remembered for your possessions, or for the love you gave to your loved ones and to the world?

Joanne Lowe

March 31, 2019

HEAVEN’S CAMPUS

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 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. And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”

Revelation 21: 10, 11, 22, 23, 22: 1, 3 – 5

King James Version

We have many beautiful campuses but none of them can come close to matching the beauty of heaven’s campus. Not only is it the most beautiful campus; we have the greatest president of all at that campus and His name is Jesus. T

here will be no darkness on that campus because He is the light of the campus. He is such a shining light that there could not be any darkness. We have never seen a light as brilliant as the Lamb of God.  For those of us who have made a heart commitment to Jesus and asked Him to forgive us, cleanse us in His atoning blood and save us, we have this glorious light in our hearts right now. He is the light of our hearts and He shines His tender spotlight of love into the hidden corners of our hearts. Thank God for the light of the Lamb of God.

Thank God that one day out of His unconditional heart of love, He walked that long, lonely and seemingly endless road to Calvary and there allowed Himself to be crucified for us. There is no one like Jesus! No one loves like Jesus Loves! He is the dearest friend that we will ever have. He will never fail us and He will never leave us, not even for one minute.

All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! He is the beautiful rose of Sharon and the Lily of the valley. He is the one who gently and tenderly enfolds us in His arms of unconditional love, mercy, grace and protection and kisses away our tears of sorrow and grief.

Are you going to walk the streets of glory with Him? When He comes back for us and we see Him face to face will you be able to look Him in the eyes knowing that you served Him the best you could with His help?

Joanne Lowe

March 30, 2019

DOWN THE AISLE

“While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.”

Matthew 25:5, 6,10

King James Version

One day the trumpet will sound and Jesus will return for us. We must be alert at all times. We need to keep our hearts tuned with His heart. It is vital that we stay in right relationship with Him. In these verses, they were sleeping and some weren’t ready when the cry was heard. Only those that were ready could go in to the marriage and then the door was shut.

How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you have a personal relationship with Him? Have you made room for Him in your heart? Is Jesus, the Saviour of the world real to you? He should be the most important person in your life. If we really love Him like He desires us to love Him, we will have no problem finding time to spend with Him. Someone once told me, “If a person wants to do something bad enough, he or she will make a way”.

If you have ever been to a wedding in a church, you have seen the bridegroom waiting for his bride to come down the aisle. Jesus is waiting and watching for us. He paid the price of His own blood to become our Bridegroom. This is the Love that the Saviour of the world has for each one of us.

He does not play favorites like some parents do with their children. He loves all of us the same. His heart is filled with compassion, mercy, tenderness, understanding and forgiveness for our sins. He is standing at your heart’s door waiting for you. Open your heart and walk down the aisle to Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

March 29, 2019

OUR JOY COMES FROM 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

King James Version

I think that there are times in all of our lives when we get discouraged and feel like we can’t give another smile or take another step. Sometimes it feels like we are being bombarded with bills, with problems, with heartaches and with crises.

No matter how many heartaches, trials and crises we have in our lives, if we have accepted Jesus as our personal Saviour then we have the joy of Jesus in our heart. Jesus not only gives us joy; He is our joy.

We can be happy when we are with our spouses, children, parents, siblings, loved ones and friends but it is only by staying in the presence of Jesus that we will have the fulness of joy.

Jesus is the only one who can take the darkness, the pain, discouragement and sorrow from our heart and replace them with the light of His unconditional love.  

He shines the light of hope and victory in our heart when it feels like we have no hope and when we are discouraged.

Joanne Lowe

March 28, 2019

AN ENCOURAGING WORD

"A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!"

Proverbs 15: 23

King James Version

Have you ever been in the midst of heartache and you didn’t think you could bear it anymore? Have you been so discouraged that you were unable to even pray? All of us have experienced times like these and then someone would say something kind to us and our burdens felt a little lighter.

Jesus said that we should encourage people and tell them that He Loves them. When someone tells me that Jesus Loves me, my heart is encouraged. Have you told anyone lately that Jesus loves him or her? Have you said a kind word to someone lately?

Not only are we to say good words to each other, we are to do things that will prove that Jesus Loves them. We can talk all day about the Love of Jesus, but if we don’t show by our actions the Love of Jesus, then our words will be in vain.

When is the last time you hugged your family and friends? Remember when you are hugging someone, you are hugging Jesus. Have you seen someone who was in despair and told him or her that it will be okay, Jesus understands?

Let’s reach out to others with our words and our actions and spread the Love of Jesus to those who are hurting and lonely and desperately need a kind word and a warm hug.

Joanne Lowe

March 27, 2019

DON’T DO IT

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Romans 12:19

King James Version

Many years ago when I lived in Oklahoma there was a person who just rubbed me the wrong way. One day as I was driving past her house, I saw her in her driveway trying to change a flat tire. I am ashamed to admit this, however it is true, I started laughing. She had hurt me by some unkind remarks she had made to me and I was glad she was having trouble. Guess what happened to me? Within an hour, I had three flat tires while I was driving!

Before you start judging me, I suggest you search your own heart. How many times have you wanted to say or do something in retaliation to someone? Perhaps you didn’t say or do anything but you thought it in your heart.

How about your husband or wife, have they said or did something that really upset and hurt you? You may have stopped talking to them for a while or ignored them. The Bible says that we are to be at peace with one another.

We need to ask God to forgive us for our bad thoughts and actions toward other people and let Him handle the situation. We must never forget that when we hurt other people, we hurt Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

March 26, 2019

Don't Wait

"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

King James Version

Several years ago, God placed it on my heart to call a dear Pastor and wife that I had years ago. However, I kept putting it off for two weeks. The day I called to talk to them, one of their sons answered the phone and after we had talked a few minutes, I asked him to please put his mother on the phone. He told me in a quivering voice, "Mom died two months ago of cancer". I had waited too long.

O friends, I urge you, I plead with you, tell your loved ones today how much you love them and keep telling them until they grasp it in their hearts. Jesus is going to come in a twinkling of an eye and we won't have time to tell them. We think that we can tell them in the morning, or tell them that night. They may not have another morning or night. We may not have another morning or night. Please don't wait! Hug your loved ones now! Hug them before it is too late!

Joanne Lowe

March 25, 2019

BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITH

“And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”

Mark 2: 3 – 5

King James Version

The person who had the palsy was unable to go to Jesus so four people picked up the bed, broke the roof and let down the bed that the person who had the palsy was laying on and took the person to Jesus. Because Jesus saw the faith of these four people, He said unto the sick of the palsy “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” Often there are times in our lives when we are unable to go to Jesus. It is then that we need people to pick up the bed and take us to Jesus.

These four people not only carried the bed, they broke the roof so they could get the person who was sick to Jesus. These four people took action. It is not enough for us to just pray for people who are hurting, we need to take action. We need to encourage them and tell them that we love them and will be there for them in the bad times as well as the good times.

Many times we are guilty of pointing the finger and telling people that they don’t trust Jesus for whatever situation they are in, but in this passage of Scripture Jesus saw the faith of these four people, that they believed for the one sick of the palsy. He didn’t condemn the person who was sick; He saw the faith of the ones who brought the sick person to Him and He healed the one who had the palsy. May we pick up the bed of our loved ones and people who are hurting and carry them to Jesus so that He can heal them.

Joanne Lowe

March 24,2019

HE COULDN’T MOVE

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 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: 4 - 6

King James Version

 I have received several emails from people who told me that when they were in pain and hurting that they would go and sit in their recliners. I do the same thing because sometimes the pain from my arthritis is so intense that I feel like I am going to pass out. Even if it is summer and very hot and I have my air conditioner on, I still put my afghan over my legs because the heat helps the pain. Nothing could have helped the pain that Jesus endured while He hung on that cross of horror and agony for you and for me.

Oh dear people, our precious Saviour while hanging on that cross for us was in more agony and in more pain than anyone has ever experienced but He couldn’t go sit in a recliner because He couldn’t move. He took all of our sins on Him and He endured all of that pain for us. He couldn’t put an afghan over His legs to help the pain.

There are no words that come close to adequately describing the pain, the loneliness, the rejection and the heartaches that He endured for you and for me. What a precious, what a compassionate and what a loving Saviour we have and what a price He paid for us, His very life!

He paid the price for our sins because we couldn’t pay it. Our Heavenly Father is a Holy God and He can’t look on sin. Jesus was sinless so He was the only one who could satisfy the requirements of a Holy God. Our precious Saviour willingly hung there on that cruel cross of horror and pain for us. No one forced Him to die for us. He died for us out of obedience to His Father and out of a heart of love because His heart is filled with unconditional love and compassion for us.

He endured all of this pain and all of this agony for us. Yet we can’t even shut off the television and call people who are hurting. Especially don’t ask us, Jesus, to turn off the television during the football season and call people. May God forgive us for being so selfish and self-centered! How we must break the heart of our dear Saviour when He sees the way we treat one another. Remember, Jesus said “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

Are you making Jesus happy or are you making Him sad by the way you treat your family and your loved ones and a world that is hurting and desperately needs to know that someone cares about them? When Jesus comes back for us, will He look at you with a smile on His face or will He look at you with sadness in His eyes because you didn’t love Him enough to turn off the television and call people and tell them that Jesus loves them?

Joanne Lowe

March 23, 2019

WHAT IS YOUR NAME

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”

Matthew 24: 6 – 8

King James Version

I have been thinking about our brave men and women who are risking their lives to protect our country.  The thought came to me “I wonder when they have to shoot someone if they say to themselves “I’ve never met you.  What is your name”?  It is no wonder at all that they have nightmares for years because of all they have seen and because of what they had to do because they were given the order to shoot.  They have seen tragedies and horrors that we can’t even begin to imagine.  The only one who completely understands is Jesus because He also endured horrors beyond description.

I heard someone on television many years ago who was interviewing a veteran who still had nightmares say “It’s time you get on with your life.  Stop living in the past”.  The one who conducted the interview did not have compassion for the veteran.  It is impossible to get on with your life without the help of Jesus.  Only Jesus can take the horrors and nightmares that devastate us and turn us into emotional cripples from us.  Only He can deposit His tender, unconditional love and soothing salve of compassion and understanding into a heart that has been shattered.

We also have veterans in the service of Jesus.  There are pastors who have been in service for Jesus for many years and they have been ridiculed, criticized and treated in a way that brings disgrace to Jesus.  Our pastors are in a battle against satan for our souls.  They have an awesome responsibility because they will have to give an account for the people they shepherd.  

The greatest veteran that ever lived is the Lord Jesus Christ. His heart was broken time and time again as people constantly hurt Him with their cruel words and with their hatred by rejecting Him.  For some of you He has been knocking on your heart’s door for years. Please don’t keep rejecting Him and hurting Him! Open your heart to the one who gave His life for you so that you may know real happiness, real joy and a lasting peace.

Joanne Lowe

March 22,2019

TEARS OF 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

One day God opened His heart of love and gave His Son to die on the cross for us.  On that day, God shed tears of love.  I have tried to imagine how God must have felt on that day, and it is impossible to comprehend how He felt that day.  You and I have never suffered the pain that He felt that day, and still feels every day by the way we treat His Son.

When will we stop hurting Jesus by the way we treat other people?  Every time that we say something critical, judgmental, and harsh to someone, we break the heart of Jesus.  When He looks in our heart for a place to rest and finds none, His heart is broken.

Have you fallen in love with Jesus?  There is a difference between being saved, and being in love with Him.  You may have preached for years, play the piano or organ, taught Sunday School, sing in the choir and write for Him, but are you really in love with Him?

Everything that we do should be for Jesus and should show His love to others.  Have you made room in your heart for Jesus?  Is He the center of your life?  He loves you so much He died for you.  How much do you love Him and what are you doing for Him?

Joanne Lowe

March 21, 2019

IT’S TOO LATE

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Hebrews 9: 27 KJV

I recently saw a family program and it showed them having a memorial service for someone who had died. The son of the man who died said “I never told my dad that I loved him and now it’s too late”. This man’s heart was breaking and he wept. Never assume that people know you love them. Tell them that you love them before it is too late!

I think it’s difficult for a lot of people to say “I love you” because they fear rejection. I believe with all my heart when you love someone then you will do your very best to make him or her happy.

Someone said she told someone she loved him and he replied “Two way street”. She said that it broke her heart because he didn’t say “I love you” to her. Have we erected such a huge barrier in our heart to keep from getting hurt that we are reluctant to accept love and kindness when it is offered to us?

I urge you to tell your loved ones and friends that you love them before it is too late. We long to have people tell us they love us but they also long to have us tell them that we love them.

Joanne Lowe

March 20, 2019

Because of Your Faith

"And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."

Mark 2: 3 - 5
KJV

The person who had the palsy was unable to go to Jesus so four people picked up the bed, broke the roof and let down the bed that the person who had the palsy was laying on and took the person to Jesus. Because Jesus saw the faith of these four people, He said unto the sick of the palsy "Son, thy sins be forgiven thee." Often there are times in our lives when we are unable to go to Jesus. It is then that we need people to pick up the bed and take us to Jesus.

These four people not only carried the bed, they broke the roof so they could get the person who was sick to Jesus. These four people took action. It is not enough for us to just pray for people who are hurting, we need to take action. We need to encourage them and tell them that we love them and will be there for them in the bad times as well as the good times.

Many times we are guilty of pointing the finger and telling people that they don't trust Jesus for whatever situation they are in, but in this passage of Scripture Jesus saw the faith of these four people, that they believed for the one sick of the palsy. He didn't condemn the person who was sick.

He saw the faith of the ones who brought the sick person to Him and He healed the one who had the palsy. May we be faithful to pick up the bed of our loved ones and people who are hurting and carry them to Jesus so He can heal them.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all those who are lonely, discouraged, brokenhearted and feel like nobody cares.  Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times.  You are a faithful, compassionate and loving Father and I love You and appreciate You so much.  I pray especially for pastors who are preaching the good news of our risen Saviour.  Please encourage them and let them know much You appreciate their service to You.  In Jesus' Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

March 11, 2019

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

May 8, 2019

 PLEASE LOVE THEM

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”

Matthew 2: 16 KJV

It is with a very heavy heart that I am writing this devotion.  Many years ago, I watched a family program on television and the little girl had a friend whose dad was hitting him and knocking him down the stairs.  Her friend made her promise not to tell anyone because he was afraid it would make his dad angry and his dad would hurt him again. 

This verse tells us that Herod was angry because he had been deceived so he took his anger out on innocent little children who had nothing to do with it.  How tragic that people take their anger and frustration out on their children and most of the time they are innocent. 

I have received emails from people who have told me they were beaten as children or are being abused now by their spouses.  There are times when a child is raised in a loving home yet the child rebels against authority and is disrespectful and hateful

However, there is never any justification to beat a child or push the child down a flight of stairs.  To have the kind of love in our homes that Jesus desires, we must first make a heart commitment to Him

. 

Have you invited Jesus into your heart to be your Saviour?  If not, I urge you to invite Jesus into your heart before it is too late and one day it will be too late.  Open the door of your heart and invite Jesus in and love your children to Jesus

Joanne Lowe

March 7, 2019

FIVE MINUTES

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.”

1 Peter 5:8-11 KJV

There have been several times in the past that I have gone online to the National Hurricane Center to see if there were any hurricanes and there were no hurricanes reported.  However, when I checked again five minutes later it reported that there was the possibility for a hurricane. 

I thought how true that is in our lives.  Everything can be going wonderful.  We don’t have any problems or difficult situations.  Then all of a sudden, without any warning at all, satan attacks us with vicious lies and criticism.  We must be alert at all times for the poisonous arrows and lies that satan hurls at us.

 I don’t know what is going on in your life today but I do know the One Who can take all your heartaches away and His Name is Jesus.  Whatever problems or difficult situations you have, He can bring you through them victoriously and set you once again on the mountain top of happiness. 

If you will trust Him and allow Him to take your hand, He will be faithful to walk with you not only on the mountain tops of joy and happiness but also through the valleys of discouragement and heartaches.  He loves you so much and He longs to help you.  Cry out to Jesus.  His arms are open and waiting for you.

Joanne Lowe

March 6, 2019

HIS DESK OF LOVE

“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”

Psalms 56:8 KJV

As He sits there looking at all the bottles of tears on his gigantic desk of love, His heart is moved with compassion for all the sorrow and heartache these bottles represent.  He gently picks up the bottles that have our names on them and one by one He tenderly kisses each bottle.

We have a Saviour who really cares about us.  He longs for us to know the fulness of joy.  We read in Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore”.  The only way we will have fulness of joy is to stay in the presence of Jesus.

There are times in our lives when sorrows and heartbreaking situations overwhelm us and the tears flow.  Jesus catches every one of our tears in a bottle and keeps them as they are precious to Him.  Then there are times when we are so moved over something that we have tears of joy.

When I see a precious little baby or a little child look at me with a smile, my heart is filled with happiness and tears of joy flow down my cheeks.  Let’s be like a precious little baby or a little child and smile at others.  Someone said “it takes more muscles to frown than to smile”.  Knowing Jesus should make us smile.

Joanne Lowe

March 5, 2019

   

GOD’S EYE DROPS

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Psalms 126:5,6 KJV

I have cataracts so I have to put eye drops in my eyes twice a day.  If I don’t put them in my eyes, I don’t see very well.  Pastor Ira Stanphill wrote the beautiful and inspiring hymn “He Washed My Eyes With Tears”.  I am so glad He cares.  The next time you cry, remember this hymn and know that God loves you enough to wash your eyes.  I love the words in this hymn.

“He washed my eyes with tears that I might see, The broken heart I had was good for me; He tore it all apart and looked inside, He found it full of fear and foolish pride. He swept away the things that made me blind, And then I saw the clouds were silver lined; And now I understand ’twas best for me, He washed my eyes with tears that I might see.”

William J. Kirkpatrick wrote the hymn “Lord, I’m Coming Home”.  “I’ve wasted many precious years, Now I’m coming home; I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I’m coming home.”  I’m so glad that when I felt that I couldn’t write any more devotions and was tempted to stop serving Jesus that I could say “I now repent with bitter tears, Lord, I’m coming home”.

Joanne Lowe

March 4, 2019

A FRIGHTENED HEARTBROKEN CHILD

“As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 66:13 KJV

Several years ago when I was shopping at Wal-Mart, I saw and heard something that brought tears to my eyes.  I saw a little child about two years old running through the store screaming and crying.  I don't know if his mother abandoned him or if they just got separated.

I pray with all of my heart that they only got separated.  The terror in that precious little boy's eyes broke my heart.  Several of the employees took turns picking him up trying to comfort him while they looked for his mother.  As soon as someone would pick him up, he would cry louder and scream louder.

He wanted his mother.  Nobody else could take the place of his mother.  Nobody else could comfort him like his mother could comfort him.  I don't know what happened to that little boy because my ride came and I had to leave.  One thing I do know without a shadow of doubt, Jesus was taking care of him.

As I watched that little child who was heartbroken, running, screaming and crying for his mother, I immediately thought about our precious Saviour.  When we are hurt and heartbroken, people can comfort us and it helps a little bit but we need Jesus.  Only Jesus can take the terror from our hearts.

There is no fellowship as sweet as the fellowship we have with our precious Saviour.  If you ever think He doesn’t love you, remember the cross and the agony and pain He suffered for you so you can be saved.  O how Jesus loves you!  He loved you yesterday.  He loves you today and He will love you forever.

Joanne Lowe

March 3, 2019

I LOVE EVERYONE

“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 3:16,17 KJV

I read in the news “A couple put dead 6-month-old in suitcase, threw him in dumpster”.  When I read that, I got very angry and felt nauseous.  However, I remembered that before I was saved, I hurt many people with my sarcastic and cruel remarks.  This couple killed their son but I killed people emotionally.

When will we realize that when we say cruel and sarcastic words to people, we might as well put a gun to their head and shoot them because there is no difference.  We have either killed them physically or we have killed them emotionally.  May God have mercy on us for judging others.  We need to pray, not judge.

If we will listen with our heart, we will hear God say to us, “I love everyone and My Son died for everyone”.  Yes, it makes us angry when we read about people being killed but we should also pray for the ones who kill so they will repent, ask God to forgive them and ask Jesus into their heart to be their Saviour.

Instead of judging and pointing the finger of guilt at people, we need to remember that if it wasn’t for the amazing and unconditional love of Jesus when He died on the cross for our sins, all of us would spend eternity in hell.  Thank God for our precious Saviour Who loves us so much He died for our sins.

Joanne Lowe

March 2, 2019