DO YOU HAVE ROOM
“And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.”
Luke 2: 6, 7 KJV
John W. Peterson wrote over one thousand songs. He also wrote thirty five cantatas and musicals. Many years ago when I was a teenager, I had the privilege of hearing “Night of Miracles” that he composed. Our church choir performed this beautiful and inspiring cantata. The song that really touched my heart was “No Room”.
These words that he wrote are so true. “No room, here in the hearts of mankind, No room, no cheery welcome could find, No room, surely the world is blind, No room, no room”. There was no room for Jesus when He was born and today, there is still no room for Him in this world. We can find room for everything but Jesus in our hearts.
Not only is there no room for Jesus in some people’s hearts, there is also no time for Him. We make time to watch television and to do the things we want to do but many times we don’t take time for Jesus. Someone said “If something is important to you, then you will make time for it”. We need to ask ourselves this question. “How important is Jesus to me”?
Do you have room in your heart for Jesus? Are you making time for Him in your daily life? Will you open the door of your heart and make room and time for Jesus? How important is spending time with Jesus to you? Again, do you have room in your heart for Jesus and are you making time for Him every day?
Joanne Lowe
November 23, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
NO RESPECT FOR JESUS
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2: 9 - 11 KJV
I watched a church service this morning on television and what I saw upset me. I’m sure that it also upset Jesus and hurt Him. As they were singing, I saw several people chewing gum so it was impossible for them to sing. What a sad commentary it is on people who claim to be Christians that they would rather chew gum in church instead of singing to Jesus.
I also saw people talking during the service. However, I have to be honest and confess that there were times when I also talked in church. May God have mercy on us and forgive us because we have no respect for Jesus. God has given Jesus a name which is above every name and we should treat our precious Saviour with the respect and dignity that He so richly deserves.
Have you bowed your knee to Jesus and confessed with your tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord? You may have bowed your knee but have you bowed your heart to the One who loves you so much that He willingly suffered excruciating pain so that you might be saved?
Heavenly Father, I know that we hurt You when You see the way we treat Your beloved Son. Please help us to treat Your Son with the respect and dignity that He deserves. May we be children who bring happiness to You instead of children who bring sadness to You. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 22, 2009
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
Philippians 2: 9 - 11 KJV
I watched a church service this morning on television and what I saw upset me. I’m sure that it also upset Jesus and hurt Him. As they were singing, I saw several people chewing gum so it was impossible for them to sing. What a sad commentary it is on people who claim to be Christians that they would rather chew gum in church instead of singing to Jesus.
I also saw people talking during the service. However, I have to be honest and confess that there were times when I also talked in church. May God have mercy on us and forgive us because we have no respect for Jesus. God has given Jesus a name which is above every name and we should treat our precious Saviour with the respect and dignity that He so richly deserves.
Have you bowed your knee to Jesus and confessed with your tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord? You may have bowed your knee but have you bowed your heart to the One who loves you so much that He willingly suffered excruciating pain so that you might be saved?
Heavenly Father, I know that we hurt You when You see the way we treat Your beloved Son. Please help us to treat Your Son with the respect and dignity that He deserves. May we be children who bring happiness to You instead of children who bring sadness to You. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 22, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
I SEE YOUR TEARS
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears in thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
Psalm 56: 8 KJV
If we will listen with our hearts, we will hear Jesus say to us “I see the tears in your heart, tears of grief and heartbreak. I also have tears in My heart because you are sad”. What a precious and loving Saviour we are privileged to know! He really does care about us and it hurts Him when we are sad.
No matter how many heartaches and trials we have in our lives, Jesus is more than able to bring us through them victoriously if we will only trust Him. Not only do we have tears in our hearts because we have been hurt, Jesus also has tears in His heart because He has been hurt many times.
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time for rejoicing and happiness because we celebrate the birthday of our precious Saviour. However, while it is a joyous time, for some of us it is a very difficult time because we have lost a loved one.
November and December are always very stressful and difficult times for me because I miss my daughter so much. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to place her for adoption when she was five months old. I have asked Jesus to take care of her and I trust Him to do so, but I still miss her.
Our Heavenly Father understands how we feel when we lose a loved one. His own beloved Son died so He knows how much it hurts. Father, please ease the pain in our hearts and dry our tears with Your tender compassionate kisses. Thank You for loving us and thank You for Jesus. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 21, 2009
“Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears in thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”
Psalm 56: 8 KJV
If we will listen with our hearts, we will hear Jesus say to us “I see the tears in your heart, tears of grief and heartbreak. I also have tears in My heart because you are sad”. What a precious and loving Saviour we are privileged to know! He really does care about us and it hurts Him when we are sad.
No matter how many heartaches and trials we have in our lives, Jesus is more than able to bring us through them victoriously if we will only trust Him. Not only do we have tears in our hearts because we have been hurt, Jesus also has tears in His heart because He has been hurt many times.
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. It is a time for rejoicing and happiness because we celebrate the birthday of our precious Saviour. However, while it is a joyous time, for some of us it is a very difficult time because we have lost a loved one.
November and December are always very stressful and difficult times for me because I miss my daughter so much. Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to place her for adoption when she was five months old. I have asked Jesus to take care of her and I trust Him to do so, but I still miss her.
Our Heavenly Father understands how we feel when we lose a loved one. His own beloved Son died so He knows how much it hurts. Father, please ease the pain in our hearts and dry our tears with Your tender compassionate kisses. Thank You for loving us and thank You for Jesus. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 21, 2009
Friday, November 20, 2009
GOD’S EYEWASH
“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30: 4,5 KJV
Ira Forest Stanphill was a pastor, singer and Gospel songwriter. He wrote one of my favorite songs “He Washed My Eyes with Tears”. There are times when somebody hurts us and we cry. There are times we cry when our hearts are breaking because of the loss of a loved one. However, there are times when it is good for us to cry.
It is very important that we search our hearts on a daily basis to be sure there is nothing in them that hurts God. If there is something in our hearts that brings shame and disgrace to God, then we should cry because we have hurt Him. When we act like rebellious children, then it is necessary for God to punish us.
The words in this beautiful song tell us what God does for us. “He washed my eyes with tears that I might see; The broken heart I had was good for me.” Our night of weeping will end and morning will come for us when our hearts are pleasing to Him.
Have you allowed God to wash the bitterness, the resentment and the unforgiveness from your heart? If you haven’t, you are hurting God and breaking His heart. It is only when our hearts are in right standing with God that He is pleased with us. Do you have joy in your heart because you know that God is pleased with you?
Joanne Lowe
November 20, 2009
“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30: 4,5 KJV
Ira Forest Stanphill was a pastor, singer and Gospel songwriter. He wrote one of my favorite songs “He Washed My Eyes with Tears”. There are times when somebody hurts us and we cry. There are times we cry when our hearts are breaking because of the loss of a loved one. However, there are times when it is good for us to cry.
It is very important that we search our hearts on a daily basis to be sure there is nothing in them that hurts God. If there is something in our hearts that brings shame and disgrace to God, then we should cry because we have hurt Him. When we act like rebellious children, then it is necessary for God to punish us.
The words in this beautiful song tell us what God does for us. “He washed my eyes with tears that I might see; The broken heart I had was good for me.” Our night of weeping will end and morning will come for us when our hearts are pleasing to Him.
Have you allowed God to wash the bitterness, the resentment and the unforgiveness from your heart? If you haven’t, you are hurting God and breaking His heart. It is only when our hearts are in right standing with God that He is pleased with us. Do you have joy in your heart because you know that God is pleased with you?
Joanne Lowe
November 20, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
WE NEED HIM
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10: 9 - 11 KJV
Annie S. Hawks wrote the lyrics to the beautiful song “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Her pastor, Robert Lowry, wrote the tune and refrain. One day when Annie was doing her regular household tasks she was so filled with a sense of nearness to the Master that she wondered how anyone could live without Him and she sat down and wrote the lyrics.
These words in the song describe how I feel. “I need thee every hour, in joy or in pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.” Never have truer words been spoken. Unless we have been born again through the cleansing atoning blood of our Saviour, life is in vain. Nothing we have or nothing we do means anything without Jesus.
Without Jesus, I couldn’t do anything. He is the reason I am living and the reason I get out of bed every morning. He is the Sonshine and the joy of my heart. He is the great I AM! He is the lily of the valley and the bright and morning star. All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! What a Saviour! What a friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!
Jesus, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for dying for us on the old rugged cross so that we may be saved and live with You for all eternity. We love You and we appreciate You. If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, open the door of your heart today and invite Him in to be your personal Saviour.
Joanne Lowe
November 19, 2009
“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”
John 10: 9 - 11 KJV
Annie S. Hawks wrote the lyrics to the beautiful song “I Need Thee Every Hour”. Her pastor, Robert Lowry, wrote the tune and refrain. One day when Annie was doing her regular household tasks she was so filled with a sense of nearness to the Master that she wondered how anyone could live without Him and she sat down and wrote the lyrics.
These words in the song describe how I feel. “I need thee every hour, in joy or in pain; Come quickly and abide, or life is in vain.” Never have truer words been spoken. Unless we have been born again through the cleansing atoning blood of our Saviour, life is in vain. Nothing we have or nothing we do means anything without Jesus.
Without Jesus, I couldn’t do anything. He is the reason I am living and the reason I get out of bed every morning. He is the Sonshine and the joy of my heart. He is the great I AM! He is the lily of the valley and the bright and morning star. All hail, King Jesus! Worthy is the Lamb of God! What a Saviour! What a friend, this Jesus of Nazareth!
Jesus, thank You for loving us unconditionally and for dying for us on the old rugged cross so that we may be saved and live with You for all eternity. We love You and we appreciate You. If you have never invited Jesus into your heart, open the door of your heart today and invite Him in to be your personal Saviour.
Joanne Lowe
November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
EVERYTHING BUT JESUS
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”
Psalm 105: 1 - 4 KJV
Why is it when we get together and visit that we talk about everything but Jesus? Even Christians when they get together sometimes fail to talk about Jesus and all that He has done for them. What a sad commentary it is on those of us who claim to be Christians that we will talk about our families, our homes, our jobs and sports but never mention the precious name of Jesus in our conversation.
How we must hurt Jesus and break His heart when we don’t tell others all that He has done for us. If we really love Him, we should thank Him and praise Him from the bottom of our hearts every day for all He has done for us. The message we are giving Jesus when we don’t tell people what He has done for us when we are having a conversation is that we don’t consider Him important enough to mention.
When you are having a conversation, do you talk about Jesus and all that He has done for you? We must stop hurting Jesus and breaking His heart. We ask people to pray for us so we should be eager to share with them what our precious Saviour has done for us. Heavenly Father, please have mercy on us and forgive us for not praising Your beloved Son and telling others about all the wonderful things He has done for us. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 18, 2009
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore.”
Psalm 105: 1 - 4 KJV
Why is it when we get together and visit that we talk about everything but Jesus? Even Christians when they get together sometimes fail to talk about Jesus and all that He has done for them. What a sad commentary it is on those of us who claim to be Christians that we will talk about our families, our homes, our jobs and sports but never mention the precious name of Jesus in our conversation.
How we must hurt Jesus and break His heart when we don’t tell others all that He has done for us. If we really love Him, we should thank Him and praise Him from the bottom of our hearts every day for all He has done for us. The message we are giving Jesus when we don’t tell people what He has done for us when we are having a conversation is that we don’t consider Him important enough to mention.
When you are having a conversation, do you talk about Jesus and all that He has done for you? We must stop hurting Jesus and breaking His heart. We ask people to pray for us so we should be eager to share with them what our precious Saviour has done for us. Heavenly Father, please have mercy on us and forgive us for not praising Your beloved Son and telling others about all the wonderful things He has done for us. Amen.
Joanne Lowe
November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
BECAUSE OF YOU
“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”
Isaiah 41: 6, 7 KJV
Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian author and speaker, said on one of her teaching tapes “ I am not super spiritual and I have pain that wipes out my caring ability and if I’m going to make it through, it’s going to have to be because of you.” Joyce is so right. We do need each other. The greatest Christian you know gets discouraged and needs to be encouraged.
Our enemy, satan, attacks us every day with his lies and his vicious poisonous darts of discouragement and doubts. Nothing would make satan any happier than to discourage us so much that we will stop serving Jesus. We must not let that happen! We must stay on the firing line for Jesus. If ever someone had a right to be discouraged, it is our precious Saviour.
When Jesus was here on earth, they ridiculed Him, doubted Him, rejected Him and abandoned Him. How His heart must have been broken time and time again. I’m sure that He felt all alone many times. The tragic thing is that today He is still being ridiculed, doubted and rejected. May God forgive us, but there are times when those of us who claim to be Christians stop serving Jesus to pursue our own desires and ambitions.
Are you willing to be an encourager to your family and to people who are lonely, discouraged and hurting? Will you turn off the television and send an email or call people who desperately need to know that someone loves them and cares about them? Let’s stop discouraging Jesus by doing what we want to do instead of serving Him. Don’t allow satan to discourage you from remaining faithful to the original ministry that God has given you. Above all, let’s not break the heart of our precious Saviour any longer because we are not serving Him.
Joanne Lowe
November 17, 2009
“They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage. So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.”
Isaiah 41: 6, 7 KJV
Joyce Landorf Heatherley, a Christian author and speaker, said on one of her teaching tapes “ I am not super spiritual and I have pain that wipes out my caring ability and if I’m going to make it through, it’s going to have to be because of you.” Joyce is so right. We do need each other. The greatest Christian you know gets discouraged and needs to be encouraged.
Our enemy, satan, attacks us every day with his lies and his vicious poisonous darts of discouragement and doubts. Nothing would make satan any happier than to discourage us so much that we will stop serving Jesus. We must not let that happen! We must stay on the firing line for Jesus. If ever someone had a right to be discouraged, it is our precious Saviour.
When Jesus was here on earth, they ridiculed Him, doubted Him, rejected Him and abandoned Him. How His heart must have been broken time and time again. I’m sure that He felt all alone many times. The tragic thing is that today He is still being ridiculed, doubted and rejected. May God forgive us, but there are times when those of us who claim to be Christians stop serving Jesus to pursue our own desires and ambitions.
Are you willing to be an encourager to your family and to people who are lonely, discouraged and hurting? Will you turn off the television and send an email or call people who desperately need to know that someone loves them and cares about them? Let’s stop discouraging Jesus by doing what we want to do instead of serving Him. Don’t allow satan to discourage you from remaining faithful to the original ministry that God has given you. Above all, let’s not break the heart of our precious Saviour any longer because we are not serving Him.
Joanne Lowe
November 17, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
