Psalm 118:24 --- "This is the day that the Lord has made"

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it (Psalm 118:24).

Another new day to praise God for the blessing of life! Another new day to rejoice in the myriad blessings that it will be filled with. Another new day to be thankful for love and friendship.

Praise the Lord because He is gracious!

God Loves You!

 Count your blessings every day and give thanks to God for them.

Always remember the message in the next picture!

More Great Christian Quotes for today

"A true faith in Jesus Christ will not suffer us to be idle. No, it is an active, lively, restless principle; it fills the heart, so that it cannot be easy till it is doing something for Jesus Christ."
- George Whitefield

"Any objection to the carryings on of our present gold-calf Christianity is met with the triumphant reply, "But we are winning them!" And winning them to what? To true discipleship? To cross-carrying? To self-denial? To separation from the world? To crucifixion of the flesh? To holy living? To nobility of character? To
a despising of the world´s treasures?..."
- A.W.Tozer

"Prayer is the highest activity of the human soul, and therefore it is at the same time the ultimate test of a man´s true spiritual condition (there is nothing so much as prayer life that tells the truth about us as Christian people). Everything we do in the Christian life is easier than prayer."
- Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones

"I have but one candle of life to burn, and I would rather burn it out in a land filled with darkness than in a land flooded with light."
- John Falconer

"If the Lord tarries, there may yet be a grass-roots awakening that
will overflow all sectarian barriers. There are a host of good people...
who long for a visitation from heaven in old-time power. The kindling
wood is scattered all round in all the churches. May God help us
to rake off the ashes, uncover the live coals and may He blow
upon us with the breath of His Spirit!"
-Vance Havner

God is Never Blind to Your Tears

Pearls of wisdom to hold close to your heart, but also to share with your friends.

Poem: 'If Christ Should Come Tonight'

If Christ Should Come Tonight

Is my house set in order
if Christ should come today?
What tasks would be unfinished
if I were called away?

Suppose an angel told me
at early morning light,
"Your Lord will come this evening,
You shall go home tonight,"

Would ecstasy be clouded
by thought of work undone,
The seed I might have scattered,
The crown I might have won?

The soul I meant to speak to,
the purse I meant to share,
And oh the wasted moments
I meant to spend in prayer!

The weight of unsaved millions
would press upon my heart.
In their death am I certain
that I had not a part?

And such a few short moments
In which to set things right!
How feverishly I'd labor
Until the waning light!

O slothful soul and careless heart,
O eyes which have no sight, -
Work, lest you reap but vain regrets!
Your Lord "may" come home tonight!

by Martha Snell Nicholson

Read about Martha Snell Nicholson by following the link here.

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

Great Christian Quotes for Today

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

Great Christian Quotes from VoiceArt

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: '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

Serenity

Colossians 2:13

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

Psalm 119: 1 - 8

Psalm 119

¹ Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,
    who walk according to the law of the Lord.
² Blessed are those who keep his statutes
    and seek him with all their heart—
³ they do no wrong
    but follow his ways.
⁴ You have laid down precepts
    that are to be fully obeyed.
⁵ Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!
⁶ Then I would not be put to shame
    when I consider all your commands.
⁷ I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.
⁸ I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.

Psalm 119, verse 46

God's word is both true and wonderful and we must always stay true to both God and His Word, no matter how hard the world becomes. The only way to achieve real and lasting happiness is through our obedience to His laws.