Joanne Lowe's Meditations : 'The Missing Ingredient'

THE MISSING INGREDIENT

“And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13:3 KJV

     Have you ever made a cake or tasted a cake and thought that an ingredient had been left out because it didn’t taste very good?  Several years ago, I made a cake and forgot to put one of the ingredients in it.  I don’t remember which ingredient I forgot to put in the cake but it didn’t taste very good.  I threw the cake out.

     There are times when we forget to include the most important ingredient in our relationships and conversations.  The most important ingredient in our relationships and conversations is love.  One of the definitions for charity in Webster’s Dictionary is “benevolent good will toward or love of humanity”.

     We can give people money and take them places and do things for them but why are we giving them money and taking them places or doing things for them?  If we aren’t doing these things because we love them, we are doing them for the wrong reason and our motives stink in the nostrils of God.

     When we are kind to people, we are kind to Jesus.  “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, 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 being kind to Jesus or are you breaking His heart?

     Heavenly Father, please forgive us for not always loving our family and friends unconditionally as Jesus has commanded us to love them.  Help us to love one another unconditionally.  In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Joanne Lowe

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.heavenlylove77.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Forget About the Past'

FORGET ABOUT THE PAST

“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)

     One of the most vicious attacks that satan launches against us is when he reminds us of our past.  For several months after I was saved, satan did his best to convince me that God did not forgive my sins and Jesus didn’t love me.  I allowed satan to keep me in bondage even though I had been forgiven.

     One day, God spoke to my heart and said “Joanne, who are you going to believe, satan or Me?  I told You that I have forgiven you and that I would never hold your sins against you again.  My Son has set you free through the blood He shed for you on the cross.  You are not in bondage to satan any longer”.

     We need to forget about the past and concentrate on serving Jesus.  We can’t do anything about the past but we can do something about the way we live today and tomorrow.  Don’t let satan lie to you and keep you from serving Jesus.  The blood of Jesus has covered every sin you have ever committed.

     If you have been living in the past, stop it!  Concentrate on serving Jesus and making Him happy.  If ever someone deserves to be happy, it is Jesus.  He alone is worthy to be praised and adored.  Jesus loves you so much that He died for you on the cross.  Worthy is the Lamb of God!

     Heavenly Father, thank You for your faithfulness to forgive us.  We love You and we appreciate all that You do for us.  Thank You for loving us and for caring about us.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 27, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Hungry and Thirsty for Love'

HUNGRY AND THIRSTY FOR LOVE

“They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.  Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.  Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.”

Psalm 107:4-6 (King James Version)

     There are many people who are hurting and don’t believe that anyone loves them.  Are you hungry and thirsty for love?  One of the definitions for thirsty in Webster’s Dictionary is “having a strong desire”.  Do you have a strong desire for someone to love you?  There is someone who loves you and His name is Jesus.

     This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.  “The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).  It doesn’t matter what we have done or if we are young or old or rich or poor, Jesus loves us.

     I am sixty nine years old but it wasn’t until August 14, 1980, the day that I invited Jesus into my heart to be my personal Saviour that anyone told me that I was loved.  Jesus was the first one to say to me “I love you, Joanne”.  Not only did He say “I love you, Joanne”, He also died on the cross for my sins.

     If you are hungry and thirsty for love, run into the arms of Jesus.  He is waiting for you with His arms open wide.  He will hold you close and tell you that He loves you and He will never leave you, not even for one minute.  Our family and friends love us but no one loves us like Jesus loves us.  We have a loving Saviour.

     Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your beloved Son to die for our sins on the cross.  Jesus, thank You for dying for me.  I love You with all my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 26, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Peace and Joy'

PEACE AND JOY

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:”

Isaiah 26:3, 4 (King James Version)

     I am in the middle of a very difficult situation and there are times during the day when I get anxious.  However, the times when I start to get discouraged and anxious I immediately turn my thoughts to Jesus.  Our precious Saviour is able to do anything and I can trust Him.  Jesus has proven Himself to be faithful.

     Helen Howarth Lemmel wrote one of my favorite hymns “Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus”.  I love the words in this beautiful hymn.  “His Word shall not fail you-He promised; Believe Him and all will be well: Then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!”  Are you telling others about Jesus?

     Not only does Jesus keep us in perfect peace and we can trust Him, He also gives us joy.  “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).  I dearly love my family and friends but I have joy in my heart in the presence of Jesus.

     Jesus, thank You for giving me joy and peace and for dying on the cross for me.  I love You with all of my heart and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Indeed, You are worthy to be praised and adored.  All hail, King Jesus!  Worthy is the Lamb of God! 

     Precious Heavenly Father, Your love for us overwhelms me.  You love us so much that one day You opened Your heart to us and sent Your beloved Son to be tortured, cursed and abused and die on a cross of horror for our sins.  Thank You so much for loving me and for adopting me into Your family.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 25, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

http://joannelowe.weebly.com/

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Our Words'

OUR WORDS

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

Psalm 19:14 (King James Version)

     The words that we say to people are very important because our words can encourage people or they can discourage people.  Have you ever had someone say cruel and sarcastic words to you?  That person might as well have taken a gun and shot you or stabbed you in the heart with a knife.

     We read in the Bible “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).  Are the words we are saying to our family and friends encouraging words or are they discouraging words?

     This is one of my favourite verses in the Bible.  “So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the soldering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved” (Isaiah 41:7).   We need to encourage each other.

     When I was in school the other students were very cruel to me.  They told me that I was fat and ugly and that I would never amount to anything.  I believed them and I tried to commit suicide twice.  I am so thankful that God saved me and didn’t let me die.  Please be careful what words you say to people.

     Heavenly Father, God of all comfort, thank You for the many times You have comforted me and dried my tears with Your tender loving kisses.  I love You so much, dear Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 24, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Truth'

THE TRUTH

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

John 8:32 (King James Version)

     What is the truth?  The truth is that Jesus loves us.  He loved us as much yesterday as He does today and He will love us as much tomorrow as He does today.  There is nothing we can ever do that would make Jesus stop loving us.  If that were true, He would never have allowed them to crucify Him for our sins.

     We read in the Bible “The LORD  hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” (Jeremiah 31:3).  Jesus doesn’t lie.  If He tells us He loves us, we can believe it.  What a tender and loving Saviour we are privileged to know and have!

     Don’t believe satan when he tells you that Jesus doesn’t love you because satan is a liar.  Even now, satan tries to make me believe that Jesus doesn’t love me.  However, I know that Jesus does love me because I know the heart of Jesus.  Not only does Jesus give love, He is love.  Thank You, Jesus, for loving me.

     The next time you feel discouraged, lonely and are heartbroken and grieving or feel like nobody loves you, remember Jesus loves you so much that He walked that long lonely road to Calvary and suffered excruciating pain for you.  Our precious Saviour has already proved to you how much He loves you.

     Have you surrendered your life in full time service to Jesus?  I urge you to give Jesus your heart and your life.  Remember, the level of our service to Him depends on our level of love for Him.  How much do you love Jesus and what are you doing for Him?

Joanne Lowe

September 23, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'What Should I Do'

WHAT SHOULD I DO

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.”

Acts 10:38 (King James Version)

     I think there have probably been times in all of our lives when we have been in situations and have asked ourselves “What should I do”.  The answer to that question is very simple.  We should do what Jesus would do.  We should go about doing good.  We need to let people see and hear the love of Jesus in us.

     There are many people who are in bondage to satan and the only way they will be set free is by inviting Jesus into their heart to be their personal Saviour.  Unless these people see the difference that Jesus can make in a life by the way we live, they are going to wonder why they should accept Him as their Saviour.

     One day every Christian is going to stand before a Holy God and give an account of how he or she lived for Jesus.  How tragic it would be if someone, perhaps a loved one, didn’t accept Jesus as Saviour because that person didn’t see the difference that Jesus made in our life.  May God help us to live for Jesus.

     Heavenly Father, please search our heart and if there is anything that hurts You, I pray that You would reveal it to us so that we may repent and confess our sin and ask forgiveness.  How thankful I am that You will forgive us and will never remind us of it again.  Please help us to do good as Jesus did good.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 21, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Are We Looking?'

ARE WE LOOKING

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.”

John 4:35 (King James Version)

     Jesus is telling us in our Scripture verse that people are lost in their sins and they need to be saved now, not in four months.  There are also many Christians who are lonely, discouraged and hurting and they need to be encouraged.  I think if we will be honest all of us have needed to be encouraged.

     Are we looking for people who need Jesus and for people who need to be encouraged?  If so, how hard are we looking?  Being addicted to the television set has taken many people away from serving Jesus.  There are also some people who turn on the television as soon as they get up and it stays on all day.

     How sad that there are people who watch television most of the day instead of looking for those who are lost without Jesus and are hurting and discouraged.  One day, every one of us will stand before a Holy God and give an account of what we did with Jesus.  Are you serving Jesus?  If not, why aren’t you?

     Heavenly Father, I pray that You would impress upon our heart the urgency of telling people about Jesus.  May we dedicate our life, all of our time, our talents and all that we have to serve the One Who loves us so much that He died for our sins.  Help us to make a special effort to encourage our pastors.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 13, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Definition of Unconditional Love'

THE DEFINITION OF UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.”

Jeremiah 31:3 (King James Version). 

     Every time I think about the Saviour of the world loving me so much that He died for my sins, I am humbled that He would die for me.  Not only does Jesus give love, He is love.  If someone asked me to describe Jesus, I would tell the person that Jesus is the definition of unconditional love.

     Pastor Carl Gustaf Boberg wrote one of my favorite hymns about Jesus “How Great Thou Art”.  These words bring joy to my heart.  “And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing; Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in, That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died to take away my sin.”

     Think about it, Jesus, God’s own beloved Son, willingly walked that long lonely road to Calvary and there allowed them to crucify Him on a cross of horror.  He died for your sins and He died for my sins.  There is no greater love than the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus have for us.

     Precious and loving Heavenly Father, my heart is filled with joy and gratitude to know how much You love me.  Thank You for adopting me into Your family.  Thank You for sending Your Son to die on the cross for our sins.  Jesus, thank You for loving me so much You died for me.  I love You, dear Jesus.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

September 10, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Book of Hope'

THE BOOK OF HOPE

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.”

Psalm 119:114 (King James Version)

     We can believe the words of hope and the promises we read in the Bible to be true because God and Jesus do not lie.  “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

     How thankful I am to know that everything I read in the Bible is true and that it will give me instruction and lead me down the right path of life and keep me in the center of God’s will.  However, I must do what God and Jesus tell me to do in the Bible.  What about you?  Are you in God’s will for your life?

     Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope You give us in Your Word and for the assurance that everything that You and Jesus tell us is true.  Please keep us in the center of Your will.  May we be children who bring You happiness instead of children who bring You sadness.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

August 28, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Stay on the Battlefield'

STAY ON THE BATTLEFIELD

“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 God.”

Hebrews 12:1, 2 (King James Version)

     The war between good and evil was won when Jesus defeated satan on the cross.  However, we are still in a battle and we must stay on the battlefield even when we get discouraged and satan attacks us.  If Jesus endured the cross for us, we should stay on the battlefield for Him even if we are ridiculed for serving Him.

     We can’t stay on the battlefield and keep serving Jesus by ourselves.  It is too hard and there are too many things that come against us that will discourage us.  We need Jesus because only Jesus can give us the victory when satan attacks us with poisonous and vicious doubts and discouragement. 

     Charles Hutchinson Gabriel wrote the beautiful gospel song “I need Jesus, my need I now confess”.  The words in this song are so true.  “I need Jesus, I need a friend like Him, A friend to guide when paths of life are dim; I need Jesus, when foes my soul assail; Alone I know I can but fail, So I need Jesus”.

     Are you willing to stay on the battlefield for Jesus no matter how many obstacles are put in your path?  Even if our family and friends ridicule and reject us for serving Jesus, we must stay on the battlefield for Jesus and keep serving Him just as Jesus stayed on the cross for us.

Joanne Lowe

August 21, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Not Just Our Hands'

NOT JUST OUR HANDS

“Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”

Lamentations 3:41 (King James Version)

     We should lift up our hands to God in praise and thanksgiving.  However, it is not enough to just lift up our hands to Him; we must also lift up our heart to Him in praise and thanksgiving.  Our Heavenly Father is worthy to be praised.  He has done so much for us and He does so much for us every day.

     Heavenly Father, we do lift up our hands and our heart to You in praise and thanksgiving.  Thank You for loving us so much that You gave Your Son to die for our sins on the cross of Calvary.  You are a loving, compassionate and forgiving Father and I love You with all of my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

August 14, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'It Is A Commandment'

IT IS A COMMANDMENT

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.  And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  There is none other commandment greater than these.”

Mark 12:29-31 (King James Version)

     The newspapers, the television, the radio and the internet are reporting violence and murder.  Just yesterday, I read about a mother who killed her two children.  It is very clear that we are not doing what Jesus told us to do.  I think we understand that we are to love God but we are also to love people.

     “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in Him?” (1 John 3:17)  This verse is not just talking about giving our money; it is also talking about giving compassion, love and understanding.

     Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian speaker and author, said on one of her teaching tapes.  “The people we sit next to in church look fine and darling, but inside they are dying”.  We don’t know what heartaches the people we sit next to in church have but one thing is for sure, all of us need to be loved.

     We need to remember that when we are kind, we are being kind to Jesus.  “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, 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 being kind and loving to Jesus?

Joanne Lowe

July 31, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'No Disappointment With Jesus'

NO DISAPPOINTMENTS WITH JESUS

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

John 14:1-3 (King James Version)

     Have you ever planned to go on a trip and saved your money for a long time so you could afford to go and have a wonderful time?  You were very excited and had looked forward to going on the trip for months.  Then, at the last minute something happened and you couldn’t go.

     Remember how heartbroken and disappointed you were?  There are no disappointments with Jesus.  He is preparing a mansion for us in Heaven and one happy glorious day He is coming back for us to take us to Heaven.  We will see our loved ones who are there and we will never have to say goodbye again.

     Nothing will prevent Jesus from coming back for us.  He will come back.  How I long for the day when I shall see my precious Saviour face to face.  Are your bags packed?  Are you ready to go?  Jesus could come back while you read this devotion.  Is your heart right with God?  Is Jesus your personal Saviour?

     Heavenly Father, thank You for the assurance that one day Jesus is coming back for us and we will take our final trip.  Father, touch hearts and lives and change them.  I pray that every person will fall in love with Jesus and make Him the King of their heart and life.  I love You, dear Father.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 24, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'The Medicine of Love'

THE MEDICINE OF LOVE

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

John 21:25 (King James Version)

     There is a wonderful registered nurse who comes to my home to teach me about my diabetes and instruct me in the proper way to test my blood sugar.  She is very patient with me.  However, the thing that is most important to me is that she really does care about me and is a very compassionate person.

     Yesterday as the nurse was leaving, she gave me a hug.  That hug proved to me that she really does care about me.  That hug was the medicine of love.  The Bible doesn’t tell us that Jesus hugged everyone.  However, there is no doubt in my mind that Jesus hugged every person that He ministered to and healed.

     There are some parents who never hug their children or say to them “I love you”.  If you want your children to know that you really do love them, hug them.  A girl who had gone to her friend’s house to play said “My mother has never told me she loves me or hugged me”.  My heart goes out to this little girl.

     Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus not only to be our Saviour but also to encourage us and hug us.  Jesus, Your hugs have warmed my heart many times and proved to me how much You love me.  Thank You, dear Jesus.  I love You with all my heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 19, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Happiness'

HAPPINESS

“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.  And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”

Matthew 9:1, 2 (King James Version)

     One of the most vicious attacks that satan launches against us is when he tells us that our sins have not been forgiven.  I submit to you on the authority of the Word of God that satan is a liar.  Our Scriptures verses today confirm that he is a liar.  Jesus said “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee”.

     Not only does Jesus tell us that our sins are forgiven, He also tells us to be of good cheer.  We should be filled with happiness that our sins have been forgiven by the cleansing and atoning blood of Jesus.  The knowledge that our sins have been forgiven should be enough to make us shout with happiness.

     When God forgives us, He never remembers our sins again or holds them against us.  We need to do what God does for us.  When people hurt us, we should forgive them and never remind them of what they did to hurt us.  If we haven’t forgiven them from our heart, we have not forgiven them.

     Heavenly Father, there are times when we have sinned because we didn’t forgive people who hurt us from our heart.  We’re sorry.  Please have mercy on us and forgive us.  I pray that we will always forgive people who hurt us from our heart just as You forgive us from Your heart when we hurt You.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 18, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'How Much Do We Love Him?'

HOW MUCH DO WE LOVE HIM

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

Mark 12:29, 30 (King James Version)

     Jesus has commanded us to love God with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind and with all our strength.  Can we honestly say that we love Him as Jesus has commanded us to love Him?  How much do we love Him?  Does He come first in our heart and in our life?

     Heavenly Father, please forgive us for allowing family, friends and things to come before You.  Help us to make You first in everything in our heart and in our life.  I do love You, precious Father, and I appreciate all You have done for me and all that You do for me every day.  Thank You for loving me.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 8, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'A Clean Heart'

A CLEAN HEART

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:  But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”

Isaiah 59:1, 2 (King James Version)

     Our Heavenly Father is a Holy God and He cannot look on sin.  Just as He couldn’t look at Jesus when He was on the cross bearing our sins so God can’t look at us when we have sin in our heart.  It is a privilege to be able to go into the presence of God and we need to go with a humble and contrite heart.

     Heavenly Father, please forgive us for the times when we don’t come to You with a humble and contrite heart.  May we never forget that You are a Holy God and that it is a privilege to come into Your presence.  We ask that You would cleanse our heart of all sins and give us a clean heart.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

July 2, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Our Hurricane Shelter'

OUR HURRICANE SHELTER

“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.  From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.  For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.”

Psalm 61:1-3 (King James Version) 

     When we have hurricanes in our area, they open buildings that are designated as hurricane shelters.  There is a hurricane shelter that is always open any time day or night and it is the protective arms of God.  Not only does God shelter us from the storms of weather, He also protects us from the storms of life.

     Sometimes the storms of life threaten to pull us under for the last time.  Have you ever felt like you couldn’t give another smile or take another step?  It is then that God enfolds us in His loving arms of compassion as He encourages us and gives us the strength to go on.  God cheers us on to victory.

     Heavenly Father, thank You for being a Father who is full of compassion.  You really love us and it breaks Your heart when we are discouraged.  You are our hurricane shelter and we can depend on You.  We love You and we appreciate all that You have done for us and all that You do for us every day.  Amen.

Joanne Lowe

June 30, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com

Joanne Lowe's Meditations: 'Just As We Are'

JUST AS WE ARE

 “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:2-4 (King James Version)

     Sometimes we try to impress our neighbors and our friends with our big homes, our expensive cars and our job titles but these things don’t impress God.  What touches the heart of God is the condition of our heart.  We can’t buy our salvation.  It is only through the redeeming blood of Jesus that we are saved.

     We are not worthy to enter into the presence of God but through the blood of Jesus we can come boldly into His presence.  Our job titles don’t impress God.  It doesn’t matter if we are pastors, missionaries, writers, choir directors, Sunday school teachers or evangelists.  To Him, we are just His little children.

     Just as He wants us to come to Him as little children when we accept Jesus as our personal Saviour, so He wants us to come to Him as little children going to their parents.  It is important to tell God that we love Him and need Him.  We want Him to tell us that He loves us.  We should also tell Him that we love Him.

     Heavenly Father, we do love You.  We praise You and thank You for being a compassionate, loving, forgiving and merciful Father.  Help us to come to You as little children instead of trying to impress You.  We are helpless without You, dear Father.  We need You every minute of every day.  Amen. 

Joanne Lowe

June 13, 2012

joannelowe8@cox.net

www.joannecomfortlowe.blogspot.com