AND THE TEARS FALL

"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
King James Version

It breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father and He cries when He sees and hears the way we treat His beloved Son ahd the way we treat one another. Let's stop hurting God because when we hurt His Son and each other by not loving one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love we also hurt our Heavenly Father.

Joanne Lowe
July 31, 2020

JESUS ALWAYS WINS

"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
King James Version

When I surrendered to be a missionary fifteen years ago, I thought that since I was serving Jesus I would never be discouraged again. Was I wrong!! One of my pastors told me that when we serve Jesus, it makes satan very angry and he will do his best to discourage us so much that we stop serving Jesus. We must not let that happen. We must stay on the battlefield for Jesus just as He stayed on the cross for us.

Jesus won over satan and death when He died on the cross and paid the price for your sins and for my sins and He is still winning over the attacks ad lies of of satan today. No matter how many times satan attacks us with his lies, Jesus is with us and He will protect us from the attacks or satan.

What a Saviour! What a Friend, this Jesus of Nazareth! All haif, King Jesus! He is the "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS". Please lift your heart and your voice and join me in praising Jesus. I love You, Jesus, and one day I will see You face to face.

Joanne Lowe
July 30, 2020

IT IS A GIFT

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Ephesians 2:8, 9
King James Version

We hear on television and radio and read in the newspapers that we will be given a gift if we give money or buy something. If we have to send money, it is not a gift. Many people have tried to give money or tried to work their way into Heaven. It hasn't worked and it will never work because salvation is a free gift from the heart of our Saviour.

If we could work our way into Heaven, Jesus wouldn't have had to be beaten beyond recognition, spat on, cursed, mocked, humiliated and die alone on a cross of agony as they pounded nails into His hands. I believe every time they pounded a nail in His precious hands, He felt that excruciating pain in His heart.

Heavenly Father, I pray for every person who is discouraged and those who do not feel well, please touch them and encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times. Heavenly Father, I love You. Jesus, I love You. Holy Spirit, I love You. I pray for every pastor who is preaching the good news of our risen Saviour. Please encourage and comfort them. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 29, 2020

THANK 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
King James Version

Heavenly Father, we aren't asking for anything. We just want to thank You for all You do for us. Thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins on the cross. What a healing balm it is to our weary battle scarred heart to know that You will never hit us, tell us we're no good or kick us out of Heaven. We love You and appreciate You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 28, 2020

DID THEY TELL HIM

"And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."

Mark 1:9-11
King James Version

I watched a funeral for a gospel singer who had died. The church was filled with people and many people said wonderful things about the singer. As I listened to the kind things they were saying about him, the thought came to me "Did they tell him how much they loved and appreciated him?"

How wonderful it is to say kind and loving things about people and we should but the ones who have died can't hear what people are saying. Years ago, I read on a website about a lady who had died and how everyone missed her. Again, I wondered if they had told her how much she was loved.

We should not put off telling our loved ones that we love them. I heard a pastor say on the radio, "My uncle raised me and was very kind to me. I decided to tell my uncle how much I love him and appreciate all he did for me. However, I waited too long to tell him and he died".

How about you? Have you told your spouse, your children and all your loved ones how much you love them? Don't do like the pastor did and wait too long to tell them. Don't be like the man who said "I don't have to tell my wife I love her. She should know I love her because I married her."

It would break my heart if Jesus didn't tell me every day that He loves me and He does tell me every day that He loves me. Most important of all, have you told Jesus you love Him and appreciate Him? May God help us to love one another unconditionally and be an encouragement to one another.

Joanne Lowe
July 27, 2020

THE ONE WHO CAN

"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
King James Version 

I can't heal a broken heart but I know the One Who can and does heal our broken heart. George Jones sings a beautiful hymn about Jesus healing our broken heart "I Know A Man Who Can". I'm so glad the words in this hymn are true.

"I can't take a heart that's broken Make it over again But I know a man who can Some call Him Savior, the Redeemer of all men I call Him Jesus, for He's my dearest friend." I have a family who I love and many wonderful friends but Jesus is the only One that could heal my broken heart.

For those of you who do not know, I went through a crippling devastating depression for almost forty years. I honestly believed no one loved me or cared if I lived or died. The happiest day of my life was when Jesus put His arms around me and said "Joanne, I love you and will never leave you".

That wonderful happy day was August 14, 1980. Jesus has kept His promise. He has never left me, not even for one minute. O how I love Jesus! He is the Joy of my heart and the reason I live. Without Jesus, nothing makes sense because without Jesus we aren't living, we just exist.

Joanne Lowe
July 26, 2020

AND JESUS CRIES

"When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!"

John 11:33-35
King James Version

Jesus cries when we are hurting. A dad tells his son "Get out! You are no longer a member of this family" and Jesus cries. I'm so glad I'm a part of the family of God because our Heavenly Father will never hit us, tell us that we're no good and kick us out of Heaven. When we confess our sins, ask God to forgive us and invite Jesus into our heart to be our personal Saviour, we are part of God's family for eternity.

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote the beautiful heart touching hymn "The Family of God". I love the words in this hymn. " From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King - No longer an outcast, a new song I sing; From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong, I'm not worthy to be here, but praise God I belong!"

No, we are not worthy to be part of the family of God until the redeeming cleansing blood of our Saviour is applied to our heart for the forgiveness of our sins. We know that Jesus loves us. He proved how much He loves us when He died for our sins on the cross.

The question each one of us needs to answer is "Do I love Jesus and if I do, what am I doing to prove I love Him?" Is Jesus first in our heart, in our life and in everything we do? May God have mercy on us if we are doing things and saying things that hurt His beloved Son. Let's become lighthouses of love for Jesus by allowing His unconditional love to flow through us to all we meet.

Joanne Lowe
July 25, 2020

HIS TRIUMPHANT RETURN

"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

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote an inspiring heart touching hymn that makes me want to shout with happiness and joy every time I hear it "The King Is Coming". I love these words.

"The marketplace is empty, no more traffic in the streets; all the builders’ tools are silent, no more time to harvest wheat; busy housewives cease their labors, in the courtroom no debate; work on earth is all suspended as the King comes thro’ the gate. O, the King is coming, the King is coming! I just heard the trumpets sounding, and now His face I see. O, the King is coming, the King is coming! Praise God, He’s coming for me!"

Think about it ! We are going to have the privilege of seeing our precious Saviour face to face. Every time I think about seeing Jesus, I get very excited and happy. Carrie E. Breck wrote one of my favorite hymns "Face to Face with Christ, My Savior".

The words in this beautiful hymn fill my heart with happiness.  "What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain; When the crooked ways are straightened, And the dark things shall be plain."

When Jesus comes back for us, He will come as our victorious Saviour. He won't ever have to die again but He is still being hurt today. Every time we say something or do something that hurts somebody, we might as well plunge a knife into our Saviour's heart because He feels the pain.  Let's stop hurting Jesus and start making Him happy by the kind encouraging words we say to one another.

Don't forget your pastor. When is the last time you told your pastor how much you appreciate him?  Our pastors sacrifice time with their family to minister to us and we need to encourage and pray for our pastor.

Joanne Lowe
July 24, 2020

ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

“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
King James Version

I watched one of the most beautiful and heart touching movies I have ever seen and I could hardly see it because of the tears in my eyes.  It was about an elderly man who had given up hope because the town he had built fifty years ago was deserted and empty so he went to bed and refused to get back up.

All the man's friends decided to get together and rebuild the town he had built and the man seeing what all of his friends had done was so encouraged that he wouldn't let anyone help him but walked by himself into the church that had just been rebuilt.  

Everyone was crying tears of happiness to see the man walk into the church by himself and all of them starting singing "Joy To The World" as they walked together into the church praising God for what He had done.

What about you?  Are you an encourager to your family, your friends and all you see?  We either encourage people or we discourage them.  May God have mercy on us if we are hurting and discouraging people Jesus loves so much that He died for on the cross.

Joanne Lowe

July 23, 2020

ALL THAT MATTERS

"Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk."

Acts 3:1- 6
King James Version

I have had the privilege of serving Jesus by writing a devotion every day for over fifteen years. During these fifteen years, I have received emails from people who have asked me to pray for them. It breaks my heart that I don't have the money to send to people when I know they need it. However, I have something better than money to give you and that is to tell you that you are loved by the Saviour of the world, Who loves you so much He died for you.

It's nice to have enough money to buy the things we want and to go places we want to go. However, having the privilege, and it is a privilege, to serve Jesus is more important to me. I don't have money to send you but I can tell you that Jesus loves you and knowing that Jesus loves us should make us shout with joy.

Jesus loves you. There is nothing you could ever do that would make Jesus stop loving you. We know He loves us and He proved how much He loves us when He allowed them to crucify Him on the cross for our sins. The question all of should ask ourselves is "Do I love Jesus and if I do, what am I doing to prove to Him that I love Him?

Are you serving Jesus? If not, why aren't you serving Him? Jesus left His Father, His home and all that He had to come to earth and die on the cross for our sins. Jesus deserves to have first place in our heart, in our time and in our life. May God help us to get out of our comfort zone and serve Jesus. He is the "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS". O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe
July 22, 2020

WE CAN

"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
King James Version

Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote one of my favorite hymns "Because He Lives". I love the words in this beautiful hymn and I'm so glad they are true. "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"

Yes, no matter how many times and how often satan attacks us trying to discourage us from serving Jesus and lying to us by telling us Jesus doesn't love us and Jesus is not alive, we can rest assured that Jesus does love us and that He is alive.

We read in the Bible. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it" (John 8:44).

Alfred Ackley wrote one of my favorite hymns "I Serve a Risen Savior". What a healing balm it is to our battle scarred heart to know that Jesus is alive. "I serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today. I know that He is living, Whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him He’s always near."

Do you know our risen Saviour? I didn't ask if you are saved. I asked is you know Him. We have to spend time with someone to really know the person. How much time do you spend with Jesus? We need to allow Him to be first in our heart, in our life and in everything we do. He deserves to be first because He died for us. O how I love Jesus!

Joanne Lowe

July 21, 2020

GOD'S DEODORANT

"Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour."

Ephesians 5:1, 2
King James Version

I put deodorant on every day so I won't smell bad. However, all the deodorant in the world won't keep us from smelling bad to our Heavenly Father when we say harsh and criticizing words to one another. When we are hateful to one another, it stinks in His nostrils. It is time that we stop criticizing and judging each other and make sure our own heart is right before God.

Jesus is God's deodorant. He cleanses our heart and presents us to God after He has made us acceptable to our Heavenly Father. What a privilege is ours not only to be loved by the Saviour of the world, but also to have Him present us to God with a clean heart. O how Jesus loves you. Nobody loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will.

What about you? If Jesus comes back for us today, are you ready to meet Him? We can hide the criticism, sarcasm and hatred we allow to remain in our heart from our family and friends. However, Jesus can see in our heart and He knows the things we keep hidden from our family and friends.

Heavenly Father, please search my heart and if there is anything that hurts You, please forgive me. I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged, broken hearted and for all who are not feeling good both physically and emotionally. Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times. I love You and I appreciate all You have done for me. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 20, 2020

JUST AS GUILTY

"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

Matthew 7:1-5
King James Version

I

t is time we stop judging others because all of us are guilty at times of not loving others uncondtionally as Jesus has commanded us to love others. We read in the Bible. "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).

Before I invited Jesus into my heart to be my Saviour on August 14, 1980, I was not a very nice person. I was hateful and disobedient to my parents and I blamed them for everything bad that happened to me. I was not willing to admit it was my fault and accept the responsibility of my own actions.

Billy Graham said one time "Don't you blame your parents for what you have done. There comes a time in every person's life when he or she makes the decision to do right or wrong". It's a lot easier to blame others for what we do wrong than it is to accept the responsibility for our own actions, isn't it?

My Mother said to me many times "It doesn't matter what I say, you are going to do what you want to do". I think if we will listen with our heart, we will hear Jesus say to us "It doesn't matter what I say, you are going to do what you want to do". Not only did I hurt my Mother, I also hurt Jesus at times and it breaks my heart when I hurt Him.

May God help us to stop hurting Jesus by the way we treat others and the cruel things we say to them. When we say something cruel to someone, we might as well take a knife and plunge it into their heart, it hurts as much. We have doctors who specialize in different things but only Jesus can heal a broken heart.

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times I have hurt You, I'm sorry. Thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins on the cross. Jesus, I love You so much and one happy day, I will have the privilege of seeing You face to face. How I long for that day. I am going to give You a big hug and try to tell You how much I appreciate You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 19, 2020

FOREVER

"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
King James Version

Norman J. Clayton wrote a hymn that brings tears to my eyes to think that Jesus loves us so much "It Was His Love For Me". Allow the beautiful heart touching words in this inspiring hymn to make you understand how much Jesus loves you.

"It was his love for me That nailed him to the tree To die in agony for all my sin. For my own guilt and blame The great Redeemer came, Willing to bear the shame Of all my sin. Oh, what a Savior is mine, In him God’s mercies combine; His love can never decline, And he loves me."

Allow it to go from head knowledge to heart knowledge that Jesus loves you so much He died for you. There is nothing you could ever do that would make Jesus stop loving you. His love for us is unconditional and unending. He loved us yesterday. He loves us today and He will love us forever.

When our precious Saviour walked that long lonely road to Calvary and there allow them to nail Him to the cross and die for us, He proved how much He loves us. I believe every time they pounded a nail into His hands that He felt the excrutiating pain of that nail in His heart. Do you understand yet that Jesus loves you?

Heavenly Father, I pray for all who feel that nobody loves them or cares if they live or die. Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many times. Jesus, I love You so much. You are the Joy of my heart and the reason I'm living. Thank You for dying for me and for never leaving me. Thank You for the many times You have picked me up and carried me through the dark valleys. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
April 18, 2020

WHY

"O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;"

Psalms 107:1, 2
King James Version

Someone emailed me and asked me if it embarrassed me to give my testimony and tell about the long, crippling and devastating depression I went though many years ago. It used to bother me. However, the frist time I gave my testimony in one of my devotions, a person emailed me and said "I am very depressed. I don't have anything to live for and I was going to commit suicide tonight but I read your devotion and decided to call a pastor and see if I could get help."

I give my testimony because the Bible tells us to do so but also hearing people's testimonies have helped me many times. Years ago, one of my Sunday school teachers gave her testimony and said "I went through a deep depression and my husband didn't know what to do with me. I would go in the closet and stay there for a long time and cry".

A young man got up during testimony time many years ago and said "I'm a Christian today because of my mother. I would see her kneeling beside her bed and hear her praying for me". These two testimonies brought tears to my eyes knowing they had the courage to share from their heart.

What about you? When is the last time you gave your testimony? God may want to use what you say to encourage someone. May God help us to share what He has done for us so others can be helped and know how much our Heavenly Father loves them.

Heavenly Father, I love You so much and I appreciate all You have done for me. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus. I pray for all who are discouraged, those who aren't feeling good both physically and emotionally and those who feel like going to bed and staying there. Please encourage and comfort them as You have done for me so many times. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen .

Joanne Lowe
July 17, 2020

NOTHING

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want."

Psalms 23:1
King James Version

We have a tender loving compassionate Saviour Who loves us so mcuh He died for us. We don't need anything because He gives us everything. Jesus gave us eternal life through the blood He shed on the cross for our sins. He gives us uncondtional love and he loves us even when we hurt Him. There is nothing you could ever do that would make Jesus stop loving you.

Please join me in praising the One Who loves you so much He died for you. Worthy is the Lamb of God! He is the "KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS". What brings tears of happiness to my eyes is knowing that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

We read about this in the Bible. The Bible tells us that He will finally get all the praise He deserves. "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10,11).

O how I love Jesus! He is the Joy of my heart, the reason I'm living, my best Friend and wonder of wonders He loves me even when I sometimes hurt Him by not always lovng others unconditionally as He has commanded us to love one another. One happy day, I will have the privilege of seeing Him face to face when He comes back for us.

Carrie E. Breck wrote the beatufiul inspiring and heart touching hymn "Face to Face with Christ, My Savior". I loves these words. "What rejoicing in His presence, When are banished grief and pain; When the crooked ways are straightened, And the dark things shall be plain."

There is nothing you could ever do that would make Him stop loving you. Jesus loved you yesterday, He loves you today and He will love you forever/ No one loves you like Jesus loves you and nobody ever will. We know He loves us but do we love Him and if we do love Him what are we doing to prove to Him that we love Him?

Joanne Lowe
July 16, 2020

IMPOSSIBLE

"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
King James Version

I can't even find the right words to thank my sister for all she has done for me so it is impossible to thank God for all He does. Fanny Crosby wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn "To God Be the Glory". I love these words. "To God be the glory, Great things He has done; So loved He the world That He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life An atonement for sin, And opened the life gate That all may go in."

God opened His heart to us and gave His beloved Son to die on the cross for your sins and for my sins so we can have our sins forgiven through the redeeming blood of Jesus and live in Heaven for eternity. Would you willingly send your son to war knowing in advance he was going to be killed? Of course, you wouldn't, but that is what our Heavenly Father did for you and for me.

If you are reading this devotion, know that you are loved not only by our Heavenly Father but also by our Saviour. What brings tears of happiness to my eyes is knowing that one day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord.

Jesus will never have to die again but every day we hurt Him when we don't love others unconditionally as He has commanded us to love. May God have mercy on us for hurting His beloved Son.

Joanne Lowe
July 15, 2020

DECISIONS

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after 

this the judgment:"

Hebrews 9:27

King James Version

The most important decision you will ever make is not where you are going to live, what kind of home or car you have, or what job you will take. The most important decision you will ever make is where you are going to spend eternity and there is only two places, Heaven or hell, and only you can make that decision.

We read in the Bible. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21). Have you made your reservation for Heaven? Has there ever been a time in your life that you admitted you were a sinner, asked God to forgive you and invited Jesus into your heart to be your personal Saviour? If not, I pray that you will say yes to Jesus today.

Joanne Lowe
July 14, 2020

ARE WE

"And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:"

Genesis 12:2
King James Version

Ira Bishop Wilson wrote a hymn that should make all of us search our heart and see if we are "Make Me a Blessing".  "Make me a blessing, make me a blessing, ``Out of my life may Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today."

We are either a blessing to people or we are putting a stumbling block in the way of people knowing that Jesus loves them and cares about them.  What about you?  When people look at you, do they see the beauty of Jesus in you or do they see and hear the 

hatred of satan?

May God help us to live and love one another unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love so our family, our loved ones and everyone who sees us will know that we love Jesus.  I love You, Jesus.  Thank You for loving me and for dying for me.

Joanne Lowe

July 13, 2020

NOW

"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work."

John 9:4
King James Version

Are you serving Jesus?  If not, why aren't you serving Him?  Our Saviour is calling all of us to serve Him.  He may not send us to another country but He calls everyone to spread His unconditional love to alll w see.  What about you?  Have you answered His call to serve Him?

We read in the Bible.  "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).  May God help us to serve the One Who loves us so much He died for us.  Are you willing to serve Jesus?

Joanne Lowe

July 12, 2020

HE HEARS US

"The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer."

Psalms 6:9
King James Version

Have you ever been talking to people and thought that they weren't listening and even worse than that, they didn't care why you were upset? Our Heavenly Fahter listens to us when we talk to Him and He does care when we are going through dark valleys and He wants to comfort us.

The next time you are hurting, allow our Heavenly Father to pick you up and comfort you. He loves you so much and cares about you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross so you can be saved and go to Heaven. We have a compassionate loving Heavenly Father Who will always love us and will never kick us out like earthly dads do to their children.

Heavenly Father, I pray for all who are lonely, discouraged, broken hearted and for those who feel like going to bed and staying there. Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many countless times. Thank You for adopting me into Your family and for the privilege You have given me to serve Your Son. I love You, dear Heavenly Father, and I appreciate You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 11, 2020

ARE THEY

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer."

Psalms 19:14
King James Version

Are the words that come out of our mouth and the meditation of our heart acceptable in His sight? I think all of us, including me, hurt Jesus many times because of what we say and the things we allow to stay in our heart.

We read in the Bible. "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be" (James 3:8-10).

Every time I read this in the Bible, I am reminded of an illustration one of my pastors used to give in his sermons. The pastor said, "There was a man who sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and did many good things but when he went home, he beat his wife."

One day every one of us will stand before a Holy God and give an account of what we said and what we did. I don't know about you but when Jesus comes back for us and He could come even as I'm writing this devotion, I don't want to have to hang in head in shame because I allowed things that hurt Him to remain in my heart.

How dare you and I go to a Holy God and ask Him to forgive us or do anything for us when we aren't willing to forgive those who hurt us? None of us are perfect, and that includes me. I've said this before and i'll say it again. Don't look to me or to your pastor or to your Sunday school teacher because we are human and fail God at times.

Keep your eyes on Jesus because He is perfect. He loves you unconditionally and He will never hurt you. It's always safe to trust Jesus because what He says, He will do. I love You, Jesus, and I long for the day when I will see You face to face.

Joanne Lowe
July 10, 2020

GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered."

Matthew 10:30

King James Version

Our Heavenly Father knows all about us. He even knows how much hair we have. He knows all about us and He still loves us even when we fail Him and hurt Him. We have a tender loving and compassionate Heavenly Father Who not only loves us, He also protects us. He not only protects us from our enemies, He also protects us from ourselves when we make bad decisions.

Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for all You have done for me through the years. Thank You for adopting me into Your family. How I appreciate the privilege You have given me to serve Jesus. I pray for all who are lonely, hurting and feel like nobody loves themor cares about them. Please comfort and encourage them as You have done for me so many countless times. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 9, 2020

THE FINAL AUTHORITY

"For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in 

multitude of counsellors there is safety."

Proverbs 24:6
King James Version

We have to make a lot of decisions in life so it's important that we seek wise counsel. However, the final authority is God. When I was younger, I used to watch a program on television "Father Knows Best". That was only a television show. Our final authority for everything we do, everywhere we go and everything we say should be God because He really does know best. Not only does He know best, He wants us to be happy.

Heavenly Father, thank You for protecting us and for loving us unconditionally. Thank You for giving Your beloved Son to die on the cross and pay the penalty for our sins. I pray for every pastor who is spreading the good news of our risen Saviour. Please comfort and encourage them and protect them. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 8, 2020

A BIRTHDAY OF LOVE

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."

Luke 2:11
King James Version

Today is my birthday and I thank God for giving me more time to serve my precious Saviour. However, one joyous and happy day there was another birthday, a birthday of love, unconditional love the day Jesus was born. This precious little Baby grew up and went to the cross and allowed them to crucify Him so we can be saved.

What a privilege and joy has been mine to have served Jesus for over twenty years by writing devotions and by telling people that Jesus loves them and that He loves them unconditionally. How it encourages us to know that our family and our friends love us but nobody loves us like Jesus loves us and nobody ever will. No matter how many times we hurt Him, our precious Saviour still loves us.

When I lived in Texas, one of my pastors said "If you want to fly higher than a kite, start bragging on Jesus". It is impossible to put into words the happiness and joy that floods my heart when I spend time with Jesus.

We used to sing a version of Happy Birthday in Sunday school that I love. I haven't heard it lately. I love the words. "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Born again means salvation, how many have you?"

What about you? Have you been born again by the cleansing redeeming blood of Jesus that He shed for our sins on the cross? If not, I urge you to give your heart and life to Jesus right now. You will have a happiness and joy that you will never find in this world.

Heavenly Father, I love You. Thank You for all You have done for me. I pray for all who are hurting, lonely, discouraged, going through dark valleys and those who feel like going to bed and staying there. I pray that You will comfort them as You have done for me so many times. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen.

Joanne Lowe
July 7, 2020

FREEDOM

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

John 8:36
King James Version

S. J. Henderson wrote one of my favorite hymns "Saved by the Blood".  I believe he wrote this hymn from the depths of his heart.  "Saved by the blood of the Crucified One! Now ransomed from sin and a new work begun, Sing praise to the Father and praise to the Son, Saved by the blood of the Crucified One!  Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved! My sins are all pardoned, my guilt is all gone! Glory, I’m saved! Glory, I’m saved! I’m saved by the blood of the Crucified One!"

I was born July 7, 1943 but when I celebrate my birthday if I had not confessed my sins, asked God to forgive me and invited Jesus into my heart on August 14, 1980 and have a spiritual birthday, I would still be lost in my sins and on my way to hell.  Thank God for the cleansing blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin.

Have you invited Jesus into your heart to save you?  If we haven't invited Jesus into our heart we aren't living, we just exist.  If you have never opened the door of your heart and invited Jesus in to be your personal Saviour, I urge you to do it now.  Your family and friends can't do it for you.  Salvation is personal between you and Jesus.  Invite Him in now and you will have a happiness that you have never known.

Joanne Lowe

July 6, 2020   

THE TRUTH

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

John 8:32
King James Version

Pastor Haldor Lillenas wrote the hymn "Dusky Hands".  This inspiring and heart touching hymn should challenge all of us to spread the good news of our Saviour.  "Dusky hands are reaching for the bread of life Far across the rolling sea; Shall they perish in their misery and strife, Shall they always hungry be?"

H. Ernest Nichol wrote the hymn "We've a Story to Tell to the Nations".  All of us should be doing what we sing in this hymn.  "We’ve a message to give to the nations, That the Lord who reigns up above Has sent us His Son to save us, And show us that God is love, And show us that God is love."  

What is the truth?  The truth is that God loves you so much He gave His beloved Son to die on the cross to save you and Jesus loves you so much He died for you.  Andy Clark wrote the beautiful inspiring hymn "NO GREATER LOVE". 

"We’ve a message to give to the nations, That the Lord who reigns up above Has sent us His Son to save us, And show us that God is love, And show us that God is love."  Always remember that the truth is no matter what we do that God and Jesus will always love us because Their love is unconditional and unending.  

Joanne Lowe

July 5, 2020

WHAT A DIFFERENCE

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."

Ezekiel 36:26

King James Version

When I got up a couple of days ago, I was putting ice in my glass and I dropped some of the ice on the floor.  Before Jesus saved me and gave me a new heart, I would have thrown something.  Jesus really does make a difference in our heart and life.

Several years ago, someone asked "How can you be so happy?"  We can be happy even when satan atacks us.  Jesus has warned us to be on the alert for the vicious and sneaky attacks of satan.  "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" (1 Peter 5:8).

If you want to be happy, spend time with Jesus.  Ira F. Stanphill wrote one of my very favorite hymns "Happiness Is The Lord".  "Happiness is to know the Saviour, Living a life within His favour, Having a change in my behaviour, Happiness is the Lord."

If we want to know Jesus, we need to spend time with Him.  How much time do you give Jesus during the day?  I read something that a man said in a magazine.  He said "I don't have time to spend with Jesus before I go to work and when I get home, I'm too tired to talk to Jesus".  

However, this man read his newspaper every morning while he drank his coffee before he went to work.  If we have time to read the newspaper, we have time to talk to Jesus.  I believe we hurt Jesus and break His heart many times because we put things and people first in our life.

Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times we hurt Your beloved Son because we allow things and people to come before talking to Him.  Thank You for giving Your beloved Son to die on the cross so we can be saved.  I love You, Heavenly Father.  I love You, Jesus.  I love You, Holy Spirit.  Heavenly Father, please comfort and encourage all who are hurting emotionally and physically.  In Jesus Name, I pray.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July  4, 2020