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A LOOK OF LOVE
For those of us who have pets, we know that they are loyal to us and give us these looks that make our heart tender. They are a joy to us and give us companionship.
There is One who gives us looks of Love, Peace, Joy, Happiness, and Faithfulness. Jesus gives us these looks through other people. He has not been here for over two thousand years. He has left us to spread His looks of Love.
When others look at you, what do they see? Do they see a grouchy person with a bad attitude who dares others to smile at them? Jesus wants us to smile with Joy and Love at others.
I have a parakeet that is a gift from God, who fills me with joy every day and brings me happiness. Sometimes however, I get irritable if I am not feeling good and take it out on her.
God never gets irritable with us. He never takes anything out on us. He remains Faithful and Loyal no matter how we treat Him. Let’s start giving others a look of Love that will warm and encourage them.
Joanne Lowe
December 21, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
EMPTY HEARTS
Many times I have asked God this question. Who am I that You should love me? Every time He says I am His child and I am precious to Him. When I finally realized who Jesus is and what a Great Friend He is, my life changed.
Our hearts are barren and empty of love for others until Jesus puts His Love in our hearts. All of us are born with a selfish nature, which carries over when we grow up. It is only by allowing Jesus to work through our hearts and lives that we can love others and be effective as He wants us to be for Him.
How about your heart today, is it filled with the Love of Jesus? Are others seeing the Joy of Jesus on your face? When you talk, do others hear the Compassion and Love of Jesus in what you say?
So many people are hurting inside and they desperately need this Joy and Love of Jesus. I urge you to let Jesus fill your heart with His Love and Joy so that you can be a vessel fit for the Master’s use.
Joanne Lowe
January 28, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS
Why is it that we will sing Happy Birthday to everyone but Jesus? We need to realize that it hurts Him and breaks His Heart when we ignore His Birthday or treat it just as a time to get together with family and friends and give gifts.
This wonderful Baby was born to give Light, Hope, Salvation, Peace, and Joy to the world. We need to understand, however, that He is not a Baby now. He grew up and became obedient to His Father and willingly laid down His Life for you and I so that we might know the fullness of His Love.
The best way we can honor Him on His Birthday is by thanking Him for all He has done for us and by being kind and patient to one another. The Bible says, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me”. Let’s give Jesus a special Birthday Gift and spread His Love to family and friends and those who are lonely.
Joanne Lowe
December 10, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
IT HURTS
Several years ago on Christmas Day, I sat in a hospital room with my sister while our Mother was dying. Mom would call out my sister's name over and over, but she never called my name once and she knew I was there. I was hurt deeply and I cried myself to sleep for almost a month after she died.
I was very bitter toward Mom and then one day God spoke to me and said, "She is not to blame. No one showed her My Love so she didn't know how to show it to others, even to her children."
I am convinced that the reason that people act so terrible toward one another and the reason that people kill, steal, and deliberately say hurtful things to one another is because they do not believe that anyone loves them.
Jesus has not been here for over two thousand years. He has left us to spread His Love and Compassion. Are you spreading the Love of Jesus to others? Do you feel the Love of Jesus for you?
I finally understood that it really was not my parent's fault that they didn't hug me and tell me that they loved me. It is because they had not been shown love and so they didn't know how to express love. It is like telling someone how to go someplace that you have never been.
I urge you to open your heart wider so that Jesus can pour His Love into it and in turn you can express the Love of Jesus to others. You never know, a hug that you give someone might literally stop him or her from committing suicide.
Joanne Lowe
January 30, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
KNEES AND HEART
The Bible says that we are to bow our knees before God when we pray.
However, if we are just bowing our knees and not our hearts, it is in
vain.
When we come to God in prayer we need to come with our hearts lifted up in
joy and praise. Yes, we might be going through devastating heartache and
circumstances but if we really have the Joy of the Lord in our hearts,
satan can not get the victory over us.
The Bible says that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. There is nothing
that you and I can do to generate that Joy. It is Jesus living in us Who
is the Joy that flows from our hearts.
I was heavy hearted last night about something that I had heard and for a
while I was really down. Then I started singing to Jesus and telling Him
how much I love Him. I started laughing out loud because satan can not win
the war because he is already defeated through the Precious Blood of
Jesus. We may let satan win a battle but he will never win the war.
I urge you to let the Joy of Jesus in you overflow onto all you come in
contact with and watch how Jesus will heal broken hearts and lives.
Joanne Lowe
January 26, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
NOT ENOUGH
There is a teaching tape by Joyce Landorf called "Balcony People" that I used to listen to every day and sometime two or three times a day. I was going through a period of severe depression at that time in my life and God used that tape to bring me out of my depression.
One of the things that Joyce says on the tape is that people used to come up to her and hug her and say, "Hi, how are you doing? Jesus loves you. Got to rush, bye". Joyce says that one day she told someone, "Well, that’s not enough. I need someone to put their arms around me and prove that Jesus Loves me".
We can tell people that Jesus Loves them but if we never do anything to prove it by our actions and not just words they are not going to believe us. We need to demonstrate the Love of Jesus and not just tell them that He Loves them.
When is the last time that you went up to someone and hugged that person? When is the last time you shut the television off and picked up the telephone and called someone that you knew was lonely and needed to hear a friendly voice?
Let me encourage you to not only tell people Jesus Loves them, prove to them Jesus Loves them by the way you act toward them. Yes, it might be inconvenient and not in our daily schedule for us to do these things but I am sure it was not convenient for Jesus to hang on that cross for us. He did it to prove that He Love us.
Joanne Lowe
January 22, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
TABLE OF LOVE
We
are instructed in the Bible "Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind
them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart". Are we
following these instructions? Have we invited people to feast at the table
in our heart by extending forgiveness and understanding?
All of us are guilty of telling someone; I forgive you, yet in our heart
we continue to harbor resentment, unforgiveness, and bitterness. I have
found out by personal, heartbreaking experience that you do not hurt
anyone else by that attitude. You only hurt yourself and Jesus.
We need to realize that we hurt people also. We want their forgiveness and
understanding, yet we are not willing to offer them the same forgiveness.
What is wrong with our thinking? Clearly, it is not controlled by the Love
of Jesus! How many times have we gone to God and asked Him to forgive us?
How dare you and I ask Him to forgive us when we are not willing to
forgive others?
We
all need to realize that it is a privilege and honor to even say the Name
of Jesus, much less ask Him for something. Is the table of your heart
spread with kindness, honesty, understanding and forgiveness? If not, you
have pounded another nail into the Hand and Heart of Jesus.
Joanne Lowe
October 13, 1999
joannelowe8@cox.net
UNDER THE BED
Many years ago I signed myself into a hospital because I was feeling
suicidal. While in the hospital, I crawled under the bed because I was
afraid of people and had no desire to live. The nurses would keep pulling
me out and as soon as they left my room I would crawl back under the bed.
This went on for two weeks until one night on the midnight shift a nurse I
had never met literally got down on her hands and knees and crawled under
the bed with me and laid beside me. She took hold of my hand and told me
that she wouldn't let anybody hurt me and it was safe to come out. I
didn't believe her but I did come out after she laid there for about an
hour with me.
There are many people who are under the bed in their emotions. They are
afraid to show their emotions for fear of being ridiculed and put down. We
need to open our hearts to others who are hurting emotionally and all of
us hurt in one way or the other.
I encourage you to find someone you can trust, someone who won't judge you
or make fun of you and open your heart to that person. I know from
experience that the only way to get rid of all the hurt in our hearts is
to start talking to others.
God said that we are to bear one another's burdens. It is impossible to
bear someone's burdens if we don't know what they are. The best way to
help someone is by sharing what you have been through so that person will
know that you really do care and understand.
Come out from under the bed in your emotions into the Arms of Jesus. He
Loves you so much and is yearning to fellowship with you. You have tried
everything else and it didn't work. Try Jesus and you will be victorious
through the Love of Jesus.
Joanne Lowe
January 22, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
DECORATIONS OF THE HEART
As we look at the decorations on the Christmas Tree, we are filled with a sense of beauty and peace. Without the decorations on the tree it would look bare and not as pretty.
What about our hearts? Are they decorated with the Love of Jesus? When others look at us, do they see the Love of Jesus shining from our hearts?
My Mother told me that she always knew when I was happy, that my eyes would sparkle. Are our hearts sparkling with Love, Joy, Peace, and Happiness?
There are many countless people who are lonely and discouraged and they need encouragement. We can not encourage anyone if we do not have the Love of Jesus shining brightly in our hearts.
There is a song I used to sing
in Sunday School that said, “This little light of mine, I’m going to let
it shine”. Let me encourage you to let others see your light shining
brightly so that they may not only be encouraged but also be filled with
warmth and comfort.
Joanne Lowe
December 18, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
GOD’S LOVE SALE
A lot of us have had garage sales or we have gone to them. Many things in garage sales are broken and look terrible. We go through our closets and the rest of our home cleaning out things that we don’t want or use.
One day God had a Garage Sale. However, it wasn’t a Garage Sale, it was a Love Sale. It also was not because He didn’t want or use what He sold, it was to show His Love to us
God’s Love is free. There is nothing that we can do to deserve His Love. You might wonder about this title, “GOD’S LOVE SALE”. His Love is free to us but it cost Him everything. It is impossible for us to comprehend with our human minds how much God Loves us.
One day, God cleaned out His Heart and gave His Beloved Son for us. My heart has broken many times over the agony that God must have experienced. Not only was He giving His Son to die a cruel death, He was sending Him on a Mission and He was going to miss His Son.
I wonder what would happen and how many hearts and lives would be changed if one day we had a love sale that was free to others but cost us. Let’s open our hearts and give of our time and talents.
Joanne Lowe
January 28, 2005
IN THE VALLEY OR ON THE MOUNTAIN
Are you in the valley of despair or on the mountain of Joy? If you are in the valley of despair, you do not have to stay there!
It is a lie straight from the pits of hell that we have to remain in valleys. The Bible says, “The Joy of the Lord is your strength”. The Bible also says in Galations 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith”.
These are the ingredients for us to use in our daily lives but too often we forget to put them into practice. God has given us all we need to live a daily, victorious life through Jesus. However, He is not going to do it for us. We can ask Him for strength and courage to do what we need to do, but we are the ones to employ these principles He has given to us.
I
challenge you to let Jesus help you get out of the valley of despair and
back up on the mountain of Joy. Never forget that God may want to use you
today and you need to be ready.
Joanne Lowe
January 11, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
JESUS UNDERSTANDS
If you are experiencing problems with your children and are discouraged to the point of giving up, the most important thing I can tell you right now is that Jesus Loves you and He understands completely what you are going through and what you are feeling and it does not matter to Him. He knows your heart and He knows that you love Him. If we truly love Jesus with all of our heart then nothing else matters.
I encourage you and urge you to reach down in your heart and let Jesus light your candle again, the candle that draws people to you and closer to Jesus. There are so many people that need what you and I have to give them, the Love of Jesus. Not everyone can give the Love of Jesus because they do not have His Love in their heart.
Remember Jesus could come back today even before you go to bed and there could be someone who is desperately lonely and maybe even contemplating suicide right now, and you may be the one that He wants to use.
Joanne Lowe
December 19, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
NEVER FORGET JESUS
Many years ago I felt the call to missions and I told my pastor. He said there was an opening in the Missions Service Corps. He told me I would have to raise my own support so I went from church to church in our association speaking on missions and I raised my support.
They sent me to Phoenix, Arizona to the Indian Reservation. However, I only stayed two days and called my pastor and said this was not where I should be so he told me to come home.
We had Bible Stories for the children and different activities. At the end of the first day I went to the mission leader’s room and asked him what time we had devotions. He replied, “We are too tired at the end of the day and too busy at the start of the day for devotions”.
I didn’t say anything to him but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the reason we were here was to spread the Love of Jesus. If we didn’t take time for Jesus, to talk to Him and thank Him and ask Him for help and guidance, then our labors would be in vain.
Everything that we do in life should be for Jesus. It is all about Jesus. He is the Giver and Sustainer of life. We must never forget Jesus or leave Him out of our daily lives. If we don’t receive instruction and support from Him, we will never be effective like He wants us to be for Him.
I encourage you to always remember and include Jesus in your daily activities. You will find that you will have a much better day.
Joanne Lowe
December 23, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
STILL NO ROOM
There was no room for Jesus when He was born and sad to say, it is still true today in a lot of people’s hearts. Today is Jesus’ Birthday and how many of us sang Happy Birthday to Him. We sing to our family and friends because we love them. How much more should we sing to Jesus, the Best Friend we will ever have.
Did you make room for Jesus today? When you woke up this morning, was your first thought about Jesus? Did you thank Him for this Joyous Day? As you gathered with family and friends today, did you stop and let Jesus into the activities?
I challenge all of us to
make more room for Jesus in our daily lives. If making Jesus happy is not
your reason for living, then I suggest you do a heart checkup and have a
long, serious talk with Him. Open your heart to Jesus and let Him fill it
with His Love, Joy, Peace, and Happiness.
Joanne Lowe
December 25, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
THE LIVING WORD
I have heard many people say and some say it almost in a bragging manner, “I have read the Bible through more than once”. That is wonderful! We should read our Bible but my question is, “Are you spending time with the Living Word?”
Jesus is not only the Written Word; He is also the Living Word. I have not read the entire Bible through word for word. I have tried many times but I would always get stopped when I got in the Old Testament where there is much law and history.
I do know the Heart of the Living Word! I know what makes Jesus happy and what makes Him sad. I don’t always please Him because I am human. However, He knows my heart and He knows how much I love Him.
Please keep reading your Bible
but also spend time with the Living Word. Allow Jesus to rise with Joy in
your heart. The Bible says that the Joy of the Lord is our strength. Let
others see the Living Word shining brightly in what you say, where you go,
what you watch, who you associate with, and what you do.
Joanne Lowe
January 17, 2005
joannelowe8@cox.net
WHAT NOW
A pastor once said in a sermon, “There was a man who wrote the entire Bible word for word by memory without making one mistake. However, that same man went home and beat his wife”.
We are to read our Bible. God said that we should but He also said not to hurt people. What good is it and what does it mean to us if we don’t employ the knowledge and instruction we receive from God?
Did you know that the Bible is God’s Love Letter to us? He tells us over and over again how much He loves us and how precious we are to Him.
It is no wonder at all that people do not want to go to church when they see the ones who profess to be Christians not acting like it. God said that He wants us to be either cold or hot and not lukewarm.
When you read a map it is useless unless you follow the directions, it is the same with the Word of God. The Bible was written to direct, inspire, encourage, and comfort us.
The Bible gives us all the ingredients necessary for life but it is like making a cake, if you leave one of the ingredients out it will not taste right.
Many years ago back in Texas I was going door to door on visitation from church and I will never forget what this one lady said to me. I asked her, “If you knew that God was telling you to sell your home and give all the proceeds to the poor, would you do it”? She did not hesitate. She said, “Absolutely not! I have worked hard for this home for many years and everything in it is mine that I bought with my own money”.
I didn’t say anything to that lady but later at home my heart broke when I realized that God gave the very Best He could give us, His Own Beloved Son, Jesus.
I have thought many times about how Jesus willingly left His Father and all the Beauty and Peace of Heaven and came to earth knowing that He would be treated worse than any individual would ever be treated. What Amazing Love!
Let’s
stop just reading the Bible, let’s start living the Bible so that others
will want the Peace and Joy that only Jesus can give a person.
Joanne Lowe
December 21, 2004
joannelowe8@cox.net
TRUST HIM
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."
Hebrews 11:6
King James Version
We can teach, preach, sing, write, give to charity, and do all other good things, but unless we believe God then all this is in vain. God is not impressed with our titles, our education, our homes, our boats, or our money. What pleases Him is how much you and I trust Him and what we do to show Him that we trust Him.
We need to check out our faith level. What is the temperature of our faith today; is it hot or cold? Are we earnestly seeking Him above everything and everyone? Is He first priority in our lives?
Many times we grow weary serving Jesus because of the criticism and sarcasm that we receive from people. We need to remember that people also criticized Jesus and was sarcastic to Him. He also grew weary in His Heart of being hurt.
Even today, we are being sarcastic and criticizing Jesus when we say these devastating, cruel words to one another. It breaks the Heart of Jesus when we hurt one another. How is your faith level today? Are you trusting Jesus for everything?
Joanne Lowe
November 15, 2005
BE THANKFUL
"And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth. And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch. And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits. A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it."
Genesis 6: 12-16
King James Version
God was so angry with the way that people were behaving that He destroyed the earth. Yet, even in the midst of His anger, He made sure that Noah and his family would be safe. What a Compassionate God we have!
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, we need to make sure that we devote most of the day to thanking God for His Protection and Provisions. I received an email today from someone who said that we should thank God every day. That is a true statement, but we have set apart this day for a special time of thanksgiving to God.
God not only provided a place of safety for Noah and his family and the animals, He told Noah how to build it so that it would be comfortable for them. We can take a lesson from Noah who believed God and obeyed Him. When God tells us something, then we need to listen, believe, and obey Him.
Joanne Lowe
November 16, 2005
GOD’S HOMEWORK
"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
Matthew 6:33
King James Version
I was talking to someone on the phone yesterday afternoon when all of a sudden I heard her say, "Are you reading your Bible? You know, I don’t mind if you read it, but I want you to do your homework first". My first reaction was shock, and then anger, and then my heart broke as I realized that she just hurt the Heart of my Best Friend, Jesus.
The boy who was reading the Bible has been through severe emotional distress all of his life by the fighting between his parents and the things that happen in his home. He was reaching out for the only Comfort that he knew, and his mother said to stop reading your Bible.
I don’t want to be that mother when she stands before God on the Judgment Day. This verse says to seek God and His Righteousness first. When I was in college, before I took any test I always prayed and asked God to help me.
Parents, please don’t stop your children from reading the Bible. You should be more concerned about that than about their homework. Yes, homework is important and it needs to be done, but they can’t take it with them for Eternity.
Are you seeking God? Are you putting Him first in everything that you think, say, or do? We need to put Him first and then everything else will work out for our good.
Joanne Lowe
November 17, 2005
STILL ROOM
"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
Matthew 11: 28-30
King James Version
When I first read these verses several years ago, I didn’t understand them. I was thinking of a yoke like an ox has, and a burden that I couldn’t handle. I had never seen the Joy of Jesus in anyone’s face so I didn’t want to do this.
I had insomnia for many, many years and couldn’t sleep even with strong sleeping pills. When I gave my heart and all that I am to Jesus, everything changed. I have never had trouble sleeping one night. We will never be able to sleep with perfect peace until our hearts are right before Jesus.
The verse says that His burden is light and I have found that to be true. As I was typing these verses, I realized that not only is His burden light, it is the Light of Jesus. Are you carrying a heavy burden today? Come to Jesus and let Him give you an inner rest and a peaceful sleep at night. There is still room at the cross for you.
Some of us have never come to the cross with our hearts. We have come with our head and verbal acknowledgements, but that is all we have given to Jesus. Have you given your heart to Jesus? Is He the Master of your life? Do your actions and words bring honor to Him?
Joanne Lowe
November 18, 2005
WORTH IT ALL
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 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: 1,2
King James Version
There are times in our lives when we grow so weary of our daily schedules. We wish at times that we could just go on a vacation for a year. For those of us who have committed our lives to Jesus in full time service, we grow weary of criticism, misunderstandings, and being told what we are doing wrong.
I received an email from a Pastor who said almost the same thing. He said that even Pastors need encouragement, as they grow weary of all the criticism. We sometimes forget that Pastors are human just like us. They get tired and need a rest. They also need encouragement. It is not enough to just shake the Pastor’s hand after church, and then forget about him for the rest of the week. We need to pray for our Pastor and remind him that Jesus Loves him.
Jesus endured the Cross for the Joy set before Him. Like Jesus, we need to endure the criticism and discouragement for the joy of knowing that we are making Jesus happy.
Keep pressing on in your daily lives; keep serving Jesus and make Him happy. It does not matter if people turn against you. What matters is making Jesus happy.
Joanne Lowe
November 19, 2005
PROTECT THE CHILDREN
"And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me."
Mark 9: 36,37
King James Version
Jesus is very protective of children. He expects you and I to also protect our children. Children are being abused sexually, emotionally, physically, and spiritually not only by society, but sad to say, sometimes by their families.
Almost every website I visit has the Amber Alert for missing children. The families of these dear children are torn apart emotionally. We need to do everything in our power to stop children from being hurt.
We also need to protect the babes in Christ. We need to nurture and fellowship with the ones who have just asked Jesus into their hearts. As soon as a person is saved (made a heart commitment to Jesus), satan comes against that person with lies telling him or her that Jesus doesn’t Love him or her. We need to be available on a daily basis, and hourly, if needed to reassure them that they are saved.
If you see a child that is being abused and is in immediate danger, pick up the phone and call 911. Then, immediately pick up the hotline phone to God and ask Him to protect the child. Please protect our children. They are precious to Jesus!
Joanne Lowe
November 20, 2005
BE AN ENCOURAGER
"They helped every one his neighbor; 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
Last night I had the privilege of talking to a Pastor that I had when I lived in Texas. God had laid the Pastor on my heart for two weeks and told me to call. I had called with the intention of encouraging the Pastor, but not only was the Pastor encouraged; I was encouraged also.
These verses tell us that we are to encourage one another. It says that he fastened it with nails. We need to be such encouragers to one another that satan will never be able to sneak up on our family, loved ones, and friends. All of us need encouragement; the person who thinks that he or she does not need encouragement is deceiving himself or herself.
Have you encouraged anyone today by telling him or her that Jesus Loves him or her? We can tell someone that we love that person and it may help, but it takes the Amazing Love of Jesus to give someone Peace, Joy and Happiness.
Joanne Lowe
November 21, 2005
GOD’S DRESS CODE
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
Ephesians 6: 13-17
King James Version
It has turned cold and I love the cold weather. However, it makes my arthritis really hurt. This morning when I was getting dressed, I put on two pairs of pants, two regular tops, one sweatshirt, and socks. I was dressing to prevent the arthritis from hurting so badly.
These verses tell us what we need to do every morning to stand against satan. The verse says, "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked". The reason why we have so many defeats in our daily life is because we are not putting on the armour of God.
If we don’t put on all of these things that He gives us, then it is our fault that we have a bad day. Many times we blame God for bad things that happen to us and it is not His fault. He has already provided the Protection. We just need to wear His armour.
Are you dressed for the battle with satan and the world today? Just as we dress for the cold weather, we need to dress for the attacks of satan.
Joanne Lowe
November 22, 2005
THE HEALING LAP OF JESUS
"And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him."
Matthew 20: 32-34
King James Version
When we are very little babies, our parents hold us in their arms and we fit because we are so tiny. However, when we get older we don’t fit in their arms any more so they sit us on their laps.
Many times I long to have Jesus hold me, so I have a special place where I can go to be close to Jesus. When I don’t feel well, or when someone hurts me then I go and lay on my bed, and I feel Jesus put His Arms around me. He tells me that He understands, and that everything will be okay.
Sometimes our hearts are blinded by anger, greed, sarcasm, and all other things that hurt Jesus. We need Him to have Compassion on us and heal our hearts, If our hearts are not right before Him, then we can not spread His Love to others.
Have you allowed your heart to be blinded by satan? If so, then you need to allow Jesus to put His Compassionate Arms of Love, Forgiveness, Understanding, and Mercy around you. Let Jesus take away the blindness in your heart.
Joanne Lowe
November 23, 2005
PREPARE YOUR HEART
"In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."
John 14: 2
King James Version
People are already making preparations for Christmas. Stores have Christmas items for sale, and people are purchasing Christmas Gifts. My neighbor has already decorated his door and porch for Christmas. Some people buy Christmas Gifts all year long.
We need to prepare our hearts for Jesus. First of all, we need to give Him a place to live in our hearts. If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Saviour, I urge you to open your heart to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and save you.
The greatest gift we can give Jesus on His Birthday is to spend time with Him. We spend countless hours in the kitchen cooking delicious meals. We clean the house thoroughly because our family and friends are coming for Christmas. Yet, sad to say, we don’t give Jesus even two hours a day during our preparations for Christmas. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas!
Have you thought about what you can give Jesus for His Birthday? You can give Him your time, and you can be kinder to your family, loved ones, and friends. You can pick up the phone and call someone who is hurting and alone.
Many people commit suicide during the holidays because they are so lonely, and feel that nobody cares about them. Let’s get back to the real purpose of Christmas, spreading the Love of Jesus to a hurting world.
Joanne Lowe
November 23, 2005
A HEALING TOUCH
"And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole."
Matthew 14: 35,36
King James Version
Jesus is our Healer. Just as the ones who touched the hem of his garment were made whole, when we allow Jesus to touch our hearts, we are made whole. Our hearts are full of anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy, sarcasm, criticism, and hatred until Jesus touches us and makes us whole.
The verse says that they brought unto him all that were diseased. We can’t bring anyone to Jesus unless we first allow Him to clean our hearts. Have you reached out and touched the Heart of Jesus and allowed Him to enter your heart and cleanse it?
There are so many people who are hurting, feeling totally alone, and some are suicidal. They desperately need someone to tell them the good news of the Love of Jesus. Will you be the one to tell them? Will you serve the Master with all of your heart? Will you give your all to the One who gave His all for you?
How is your heart today? Are you able to bring others to the Healing Touch of Jesus? Can you tell others with assurance that if they will touch Jesus, He will heal them?
Joanne Lowe
November 24, 2005
JOY DOES COME
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:"
Isaiah 43: 2,3a
King James Version
These verses have been a Comfort to me many, many times throughout the years. However, never have they been so comforting to me than on Thanksgiving Day in 1979. I was raped on that day and it was dark so I do not know who it was.
Many times we blame God for bad things that happen to us, however this time it was my fault. I had gone to a tavern that night and drank so much alcohol, it is a wonder that I did not die. The man took me home and it happened. I never saw his face as it was dark in the tavern and dark at home.
After it was over and he left, I thought that I was trash, that I did not have a right to live. It took many years for God to convince me that Jesus died for my sins and that, indeed, He did Love me.
If you have done something in your past for which you can’t forgive yourself, remember if God can forgive us, we need to forgive ourselves. Pour out your heart to Jesus and let Him pour His Healing Joy in your heart.
Joanne Lowe
November 25, 2005
NOT MUCH TIME
"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."
Genesis 6: 3
King James Version
I wasted the first sixty-two years of my life. I am praying that God will give me another sixty years to serve Him. We don’t have much time to tell others how much Jesus Loves them.
This morning, I read a testimony about a lady who had thought about taking her life. Even as I type this, there are people who have no hope in this world. They don’t know about Jesus. They may have heard His Name and acknowledge there is a God, but they don’t know He Loves them.
We need to stop wasting our time and start spreading the Love of Jesus. All other things are going to fade away, but His Love will last forever! We can write, sing, teach, and preach, but if we don’t show the Love of Jesus to others by our actions, then it is in vain.
When is the last time you hugged someone for Jesus? When is the last time you turned off the television and picked up the telephone and called someone who you know is hurting and desperately needs to know that someone cares?
We need to be about the Master’s Business while there is still time to serve Him. We need to get our priorities straight and put Jesus first before anything or anyone.
Joanne Lowe
November 26, 2005
FORGET IT
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43: 18,19
King James Version
So often, we focus on our past. When we have an argument with someone, many times we bring up the things that person has done wrong in the past. Jesus said to forget them. When He plants His Forgiveness and Love in someone’s heart, he or she is a new person.
We need to stop dwelling on our past and start living for each new day. We can’t change what we have done wrong in the past. We can’t take back all the cruel, hateful, and sarcastic words we have said to someone. However, we can ask Jesus to help us be the person He wants us to be.
I spent many years wandering in the wilderness of despair, heartache, and tears. One day, Jesus reached His Nail Scarred Hand down to me and lifted me up and I have never been the same. I can honestly tell you that each day is filled with Joy, Peace, Happiness, and Contentment. I still have problems just like you do, but I have found the Joy of Living, my Wonderful, Beautiful Saviour, Jesus!
Are you still bringing up the past when you have an argument with someone? Are you dwelling on your past mistakes and failures? Forget about them and concentrate on today, and on making Jesus happy.
Joanne Lowe
November 27, 2005
GOD’S REPORT CARD
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
2 Timothy 2:15
King James Version
When that mother told her son to do his school homework before he read the Bible, she was saying that his school homework was more important that studying the Bible. The Bible says that we are to study His Word so that we will be able to learn and tell others of Jesus.
We take many tests during our lifetime. We take tests at school and on the job. One day, God is going to look at the Report Card that He is keeping on our life. I want to have the best grades I can get so that I will make Him happy.
We won’t have a chance to study harder and make better grades. The Report Card that He is keeping is how we live our lives. He is documenting all the times we have hurt people, said cruel things to one another, and our actions toward others.
He is also recording all the good things we do for Him. Every time that we give someone a hug, tell people that Jesus Loves them, and do things to make Him happy, He writes that down also.
What does your Report Card look like when Jesus looks at it? Is it filled with good things that make Him happy, or is it filled with things that bring shame to Him?
Joanne Lowe
November 28, 2005
GET UP
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
Hebrews 5:12
King James Version
There were many years when all I did was warm the pew that I sat on in church. I didn’t read the Bible at home and didn’t pray. I still needed to be taught. There comes a time when we need to get up from the pew and teach someone else.
There are people who have just accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour and they need someone to encourage, nurture, and disciple them. If we are still drinking milk, we will be unable to help anyone.
It is a lot easier and safer to just sit in the pew and let others do the work that Jesus has called us to do. When we start serving Jesus, satan immediately comes against us with criticism and doubts.
We are to learn from those in authority that God has set over us. We need to be in submission to our pastor. We need to encourage our pastors and pray for them daily.
Are you still drinking milk and warming the pew, or are you eating meat and helping new Christians? The person sitting next to you in church may need encouragement and God may want to use you.
Joanne Lowe
November 29, 2005
GOD’S THERMOSTAT
"Now King David was old and stricken in years; and they covered him with clothes, but he gat no heat."
1 Kings 1:1
King James Version
When the weather turns cold, I start putting on extra clothes for warmth but sometimes I am still cold and have to get in bed and cover up until I get warm. It is the same with our hearts. Many times our hearts are cold with anger, hatred, jealousy, unforgiveness, and bitterness.
I tried to change my heart but it didn’t work. It takes the Cleansing Blood of Jesus applied to our hearts to change us. Jesus is the only One that can warm and change our cold hearts.
Sometimes I have to turn up the thermostat until the house warms up. We need to allow Jesus to turn up His Thermostat in our hearts so high that His Love will overflow to everyone who sees us or talks to us. There are many people whose hearts are cold with loneliness and despair. God can’t use us to warm others with the Love of Jesus unless our hearts are at the right temperature.
What temperature is the thermostat in your heart today? Is it on fire for Jesus, or is it icy cold from satan? If it is cold, allow Jesus to put His Thermostat of Love, Forgiveness, and Warmth in your heart so that you can warm others with the Love of Jesus.
Joanne Lowe
November 30, 2005
MAKE ROOM
"And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
Matthew 8:20
King James Version
Christmas is the Celebration of the Birth of Jesus. There will be parties, family and friends gathering together, gifts, and a lot of delicious food to eat. Please make room for Jesus in the midst of all these activities.
We have allowed the real meaning of Christmas to be lost. All of us need to stop and reflect on the Baby that was born in a manger for us. This Precious Baby grew up and gave His life for us so that we can have our sins forgiven and be with Him for Eternity.
Have you made room for Jesus in your heart? Have you allowed Him to clean out all the bitterness, envy, anger, hurt and jealousy from your heart? Jesus didn’t have a place to lay His head when He was on earth. We need to allow Him to lay His Head in our hearts.
Last Christmas before I did anything, I read the Christmas Story from Luke aloud to my parakeet. You may think that’s crazy, but she is very smart. While I was reading, she cocked her head and listened. Then when I started singing, she started singing too.
Please make room for Jesus on Christmas Day. Without Jesus, there would be no Christmas. Give Him a special gift by spending time with Him. It will make Him happy.
Joanne Lowe
December 1, 2005
GOD’S TENDER EMOTIONS
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
Romans 12:15
King James Version
I have a beautiful leather recliner that was given to me as a gift. After I had sat in it for a while, the leather started peeling off and it looked terrible. I covered it with a sheet that matches the carpet in the living room because I didn’t want anyone to see it.
We do the same with our emotions. We don’t want anybody to know how we are feeling because we are afraid of being ridiculed. This verse says that we are to rejoice with them that rejoice, and weep with them that weep. It does not say to give advice, scold them, or make them feel worse than they already do.
We are to extend to them the Love of God when they are hurting, and we are to rejoice with them when they are happy. All of us need each other for encouragement. The person who says that he or she does not need encouragement is not being honest.
If someone comes to you weeping and you criticize instead of weeping with that person, that person will not come to you again for comfort. We need to put our arms around the person who is hurting and comfort them with the Comfort of Jesus.
As Christmas Day nears, there are many people who are hurting and desperately need us to comfort them by showing them the Love of Jesus. Please comfort those who need it, and rejoice with those who are rejoicing.
Joanne Lowe
December 3, 2005
WHAT LOVE
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
James 1:17
King James Version
The first Gift that was given was when God gave us His Son, Jesus. What Amazing Love and Compassion He showed to us that day! Today, I received an early Christmas present. An officer from my bank came to my home and gave me some groceries and said it was a Christmas present from the bank.
As you are out buying presents for your family, friends, and loved ones for Christmas, keep in mind that giving something practical like groceries is very wise. For people who are on Social Security, a gift certificate for groceries would be appreciated. There are young parents who would appreciate diapers as a gift. It is not necessary to spend hundreds of dollars to show the Love of Jesus.
Have you thought about what you are going to give Jesus for His Birthday present? It is wonderful to give money to missions and charity, but how about the rest of the year. We need to give Jesus something special every day of our lives. One of the greatest gifts we can give Him is our time.
Let’s spread the Love of Jesus to everyone and tell them how much Jesus Loves them. The real meaning of Christmas is the Love of Jesus. We don’t deserve this Love. We can never do anything good enough to repay this Love. This Love is a free Gift from God. Have you received the Gift of the Christ Child in your heart? If not, I encourage you to open your heart to Jesus and allow Him to change your heart.
Joanne Lowe
December 2, 2005
DO YOU CARE
"Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them a