Author Archives: Jo Ann Alo

Ever think of Jesus as affectionate? I have to admit, I never have. I see Jesus trustworthy, upright, kind, wise, compassionate, commanding, humble, giving and doing all things for the sake of His people—but not necessarily affectionate. When I hear the term, affection, I imagine snuggling, cuddling, handholding, smooching, butterfly kisses. So, I sat downContinueContinue reading ““The affection of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8″

How do we read the Psalmist without tears? No matter our story, the word of God is comfort in affliction, joy in sorrow, peace in turmoil, a compass in confusion, hope in death. When we choose not to live in the word of God, it’s because we are drawn to death. God withholds His graceContinueContinue reading ““Your word has given me life.” Psalm 119:50″

Some thoughts about wisdom, faith, and doubt. James speaks of praying for wisdom. “If any of you lacks wisdom, ask.” However, without faith—we need not expect wisdom from God. Should I take the job? Save my money? Offer my help? Pay the price? Every day we’re faced with decisions like these and wisdom is theContinueContinue reading ““Ask in faith, with no doubting.” James 1:6″

The blood of every color is interwoven into the DNA of King Jesus. Look through the Old Testament and you will find how intentional God was in bringing forth His firstborn Son by blood flowing through the veins of every nation, tribe, people, and tongue. It’s mind-boggling! How God loves is a concept we will neverContinueContinue reading ““From every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.” Revelation 7:9″

If these words don’t put us on the edge of our seat, nothing good could. I hold my breath every time I read them! Can’t wait to hear this all-affectionate statement. Jesus inviting us into a most intimate relationship with Him, “And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God,ContinueContinue reading ““And this is eternal life.” John 17:3″

You’ve got relatives, friends who never understood you after joining God’s family. And it’s hard. Really, truly brutal. Jesus knows, feels your pain deeply, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you.” [Emphasis mine.] When we think about the world hating us it doesn’t really phase us untilContinueContinue reading ““Why the world does not know us.” 1 John 3:1″

In the midst of suffering the devil will do anything to get us to say, God is nothing. As if loss of occupation, offspring, and our time on earth, is proof: God is not good. How do we not crumble under this kind of pressure? Why didn’t the end of everything good in Job’s lifeContinueContinue reading ““I hold fast my righteousness and will not let it go.” Job 27:6″

Jesus shows us what happens when we repent and our passion turns to God. Heaven opens! We who were dead in trespass and sin are alive again! Our hearts open to the adoring arms of God! Upon those who sat in the shadow of death light has dawned! Isn’t rescue from our emptiness what we’ve searchedContinueContinue reading ““The heavens were opened to Him.” Matthew 3:16″

Isn’t it amazing that everything God ever said would happen, did? Kings rose and nations fell. A sea of enemies wiped out with one hand behind His back. The earth quaked, locusts came, thousands were fed, those who were dead came alive again. Poor became rich, sinners became saints.  He is God and there’s noneContinueContinue reading ““According to the word of the Lord.” 1 Kings 22:38″

Who do you call first for answers, direction, honest to goodness help?Spouse, friend, mom, doctor, lawyer? I suffer from a history of emotional neglect and anxiety with panic causes me to run circles inside my head even when facing a routine day. Medication helps, but it’s the living word of God that calls me outContinueContinue reading ““Inquire first.” 1 Kings 22:5″

This simple command touched my heart this morning. The Father, faithfully attending to our fears, looking out for our best interest. Elijah was facing a cruel enemy—and so are we. The people of God will always be fighting battles, facing opposition. There’s a Jezebel in every area of our lives swearing allegiance to our destruction.ContinueContinue reading ““Arise and eat.” 1 Kings 19:5″

It’s easy for me to get swallowed up in the people of scripture. Jonah is such an interesting person. Running from God he tells the crew on the way to Tarshish, “Throw me over.” Then Jonah praises God from the belly of a fish, “You have brought my life from the pit.” Finally Jonah shoutsContinueContinue reading ““Is it right for you to be angry?” Jonah 4:9″

Affection: the emotional realm of love. (I had to look it up.) I don’t think I’ve ever noticed affection relating to Jesus before. Compassion, love, without question—but affection? I went searching for more. A few verses later Paul uses the word sincere, and that’s what softened my heart. The affection of Jesus Christ is nothing ifContinueContinue reading ““The affection of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:8″

Here I am, in that awful place of disobedience again.  The Holy Spirit warned me years ago, and out of necessity, in other words, because I had no other choice—I obeyed. But lately, circumstances have changed. Trouble has ceased and where do I find myself? Back in the same distress God delivered me from.  IsraelContinueContinue reading ““You have not obeyed.” Judges 6:10″

Correction is not a welcome action but of utmost importance in the lives of God’s children. Our Holy Father’s sovereign will in creating and saving the world is beyond our physical and mental capacity; we cannot assume our next move. But we can count on this—God has purpose in it, for us. The Holy SpiritContinueContinue reading ““Amend your ways.” Jeremiah 7:3″

How many times have we read this in scripture and run right over it? Let it sink in. There is no other like our God. Holy. No man or woman can utter such a claim for God is above all we ask or think. Man’s mercy runs dry in the blink of an eye butContinueContinue reading ““His mercy endures forever.” Psalms 118:1″

I join King David’s proclamation for the very same reason — the Lord heard my voice, God inclined His ear to me! You ask, “How do you know?” The same way King David knew. The pangs of death surrounded me, I was in trouble and sorrow, and the Lord saved me. The Holy Spirit brought restContinueContinue reading ““I love the Lord.” Psalm 116:1″

Your life has far more meaning than you’ve ever imagined.  You are wanted by God. Not for a moment, not for a lifetime — for an eternity. Every part of you matters to God. Where you go, what you do, how you think is what God cares about. Your matters, are what matters to God. The Lord isContinueContinue reading ““We for Him.” 1 Corinthians 8:6″

In the hidden places of your heart, believer, who counsels you? Are you doubting The Spirit of Truth? Afraid of His mysteriousness? Unsure of whether you are hearing Him or yourself, so you settle for what makes sense? We walk by faith, remember? We need no one to tell us about God, The Holy SpiritContinueContinue reading ““The counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5″

During tough days I sometimes ask the Lord, “Why don’t You heal everyone who comes to You, the way You did in Capernaum?” “But that you may know the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” It was right there in black and white all this time. That you may know.  EveryContinueContinue reading ““The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins.” Matthew 9:6″

The opposite of fear, dare I say, is cheer.  Jesus speaks these comforting words over you believer when you are afraid. When it seems like you’ll never recover, when it sounds like it’ll never be over, when it feels like all hope is slipping out from under. We can mistake our troubles a sign ofContinueContinue reading ““Be of good cheer.” Matthew 9:2″

There isn’t one breaking heart Christ is not willing to heal. No burden our King is not committed to bear. Back in Esther’s day, one had to be summoned by the king to have a word with him. Or, as in Esther’s case, you could cover yourself in high priced apparel, illegally show up outsideContinueContinue reading ““I am willing.” Matthew 8:3″

At first glance it sounds like more work, doesn’t it? “Narrow is the gate girls and boys. Better get your act together. Start walking the straight and narrow or you’ll never enter heaven.” No, dear one. Trying our hardest to earn our place in heaven ushers us through the wide gate. Hoping we’ve led a ContinueContinue reading ““Narrow is the gate.” Matthew 7:14″

Let these words bless your ears, beloved of God. You are so not alone. You have a Father who knows you better than any Mother. A Father who knows what you need, where you should be, how you’ll thrive. Take the word of your Father in heaven. Allow His truth to wash over you. ToContinueContinue reading ““Your Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:1″

God demands the glory. Why? Is it His ego? His thirst for power? Why must everything in life be about God? Imagine a wildfire. And all it can do is grow stronger, spread farther. It’s destruction is without boundaries. It never says, “Enough!” That’s our will without God in the world. The only One keepingContinueContinue reading ““Hallowed be Thy name.” Matthew 6:9″

What a graphic image Jesus gives us of our sin. A bloody one, if we’re being honest. Sort of makes us uncomfortable. And that is exactly what sin should do to the children of His love.  What things in your life come between you and God? Is it a habit? A relationship? Your reputation? Are youContinueContinue reading ““If your right hand cause you to sin, cut it off.” Matthew 5:30″

Hold fast the truth you saints! For the light of Christ has overcome the prince of darkness. Death spreads, “There is no hope in God.” like the Sun-Times. But lovers of the truth laugh at those lies delivered every morning, noon, and night. No force above or below can cut the line of God’s loveContinueContinue reading ““Light has dawned.” Matthew 4:16″

Can you imagine the strength? The preparation it took Jesus to get to that day? The mercy it takes to be led by the devil for the sake of a world of people who call you a fake? On the road to Calvary — same thing. Jesus, sent by God, taken like a thief. TheContinueContinue reading ““The devil took Him.” Matthew 4:5,8″

I will fear no evil.Psalm 23:4 Fear never shuts its mouth. It prowls. Restlessly moving about in search of prey. And more will be taken between evil’s teeth today. Our peace rests on this pivotal question, Is the Lord my shepherd? There’s no bigger question we’ll ever answer. We needn’t waste our precious head asking,ContinueContinue reading “He Knows My Way”

God makes great people. He grants them a name that crosses oceans. Kings and queens travel to their doorstep to hear their wisdom. And sometimes, regrettably, God has to tear them down. It’s hard to watch, isn’t it? Leaders whom God has given great influence, only to watch fame devour their heart. That was kingContinueContinue reading ““A lamp before Me.” 1 Kings 11:36″

Maybe you need to hear this as I did today. The Lord is not afraid of our sin. The Lord is ready to forgive. As I read the prayers of Solomon upon the grand opening of the temple, I am reminded that the focus of his prayer is forgiveness. His supplications were not laden withContinueContinue reading ““When You hear, forgive.” 1 Kings 8:30″

Y’all know how King David was a type of Christ—a reflection, a description, a form or character, if you will, of the coming Savior? Well, could it be, Solomon, the son after him, could be a type of us? Think about it. Haven’t we spent much of our time chasing after the wind? Are we not,ContinueContinue reading ““He had peace on every side.” 1 Kings 4:24″

Isn’t grace amazing? God, the Lord needn’t give a pinky more goodness. He’s God. He owns everything there is. Nothing is that hasn’t come from Him. I’m trying to calculate that in my head, and there isn’t room. The God of heaven and earth, the Beginning and the End gave His body for my sinsContinueContinue reading ““I have given you a wise and understanding heart.” 1 Kings 3:12″

Proud voices shout what makes a boy a man. Our eyes wholly tricked by muscle, hair, and skin, which quickly pass away like chaff in the wind. For the height of man cannot be measured by the size of his clothes, but clearly understood by the direction that he walks. He doesn’t worry himself overContinueContinue reading ““Prove yourself a man.” 1 Kings 2:2″

I’ve often wondered why God was upset over these hard working, intelligent stiffs. Architects, engineers, masons, carpenters all collaborating. Accomplishing something rather amazing. I thought God was all about unity, hard work? Ya know, if a man doesn’t work he doesn’t eat kind of a thing. And one spirit, one mind—unified. So I dug deeper,ContinueContinue reading ““It’s name is called Babel.” Genesis 11:9″

Who doesn’t smile over the rainbow? Rainstorms pour, suddenly clouds split, and there is it. Magnificence. God said the rainbow was for His remembrance. “I will remember my covenant.” (Gen 9:15).  What? Does God forget His promises? God needs reminders? This is when hebrew meanings need reading. The hebrew meaning for remember: is zakar. To zakarContinueContinue reading ““My rainbow.” Genesis 9:13″

Burnt offerings on the altar soothed the Lord. How so? Like when the kitchen is cooking with the aroma of garlic chicken? As lilac perfumes the air in early Summer? Or the fireplace crackles in winter? Whenever I imagine God in the Old Testament soothed by a pleasing aroma. I think of steaks sizzling on the grill orContinueContinue reading ““A soothing aroma.” Genesis 8:21″

It’s always been His plan—for us to live in Christ. To rid our hearts of violence—and fill us with His goodness. To escape the floods of death—and save us through His life. To divorce our affections for momentary stuff—and establish an everlasting covenant with us. To show us the way out of misery—and enter HisContinueContinue reading ““Come into the ark.” Genesis 7:1″

Isn’t it striking this first fear recorded in scripture? Choosing to sin triggered the terror of God’s voice. Destined to hide from the One voice that brought life. A & E never thought to hide from a voice tempting them to eat what would kill them? Did they not understand what death meant? And whyContinueContinue reading ““I was afraid.” Genesis 3:10″

I’d never seen Jesus in the first words of the Bible, till today. There He was—the light of a dark world. And He was good. God hovered and saw Day and Night, land and sea, herb and fruit. He saw every beast and creeping thing. And God saw you, and God saw me—every single boyContinueContinue reading ““God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4″

I once interpreted this to mean women should keep quiet, never become overzealous. Like Julie Andrews we would simply remember our favorite things and then we won’t feel so bad. But it was never that simple. I, like Jeremiah, had a fire in my bones and I grew weary of holding it in. As IContinueContinue reading ““A gentle and quiet spirit.” 1Peter 3:4″

I once thought God turned a blind eye to the horrors of this world. Ignored from His pristine kingdom, our suffering. Shutter to think such a deceiving thing now that I know I am made in His own image. For unlike the beasts of the earth, God has set before me a choice: life orContinueContinue reading ““You fight and war.” James 4:2”

Stopped in my tracks imagining what this looks like. Purity. Words without lies. Feel as though you have no one you can trust? Wonder who loves you enough to continually speak what is true, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy? Wisdom that is from above.ContinueContinue reading ““Wisdom that is from above is first pure.” James 3:17″

Vengeance is the Lord’s. And what a great mercy it is. For who of us is up to the task of doling out God’s omniscient wrath? I feel it. When it heats up the back of my neck. Defensiveness, retaliation when someone acts or speaks evil things. Someone needs to teach them a thing orContinueContinue reading ““The wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” James 1:20″

When we were kids, we knew what was coming. A disappointed look, a twisting of the ear, a shout all the neighbors could hear. Some of us felt the sting of a belt. Others took the fear of no one really caring. Hide not from the chastening of the Lord. Unlike our earthly guardians whoContinueContinue reading ““But He for our profit.” Hebrews 12:10″

Is your soul dry? Come sit with the Holy Spirit. For He is able to quench any thirst. No matter the earthy loss, Jesus fills abundantly—more than we could ever think or ask. In fact, that is His whole intent. Israel crossed the desert doubting God’s provision and so never experienced the promised land. Wander notContinueContinue reading ““If anyone thirsts, let them come to Me and drink.” John 7:37 “

Hard to breath? Bogged with discontent? Anxiously thinking, what’s next? Wonder what life would be, if? You can leave. Your heart, mind, soul, strength—call it all the above—can go free of all this junk. You’ve been released, if you care to be. From a prison you do not see. From bondage beyond your lungs. From voicesContinueContinue reading ““And release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” ~Hebrews 2:15″

There’s not a heart beating that isn’t broken. No man ever created a vaccine for self-righteousness, no cure for greed, violence, or envy. Men help a heart live a day longer but who can heal a spirit that’s broken?  The One whom God sent. The Son whom God loved—humbled Himself unto death. Not for HisContinueContinue reading ““He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted.” ~Luke 4:18″

Regardless of what appears obvious to our weary eyes, we do well to obey the abundant word of God. What the Lord has planned today will astonish, bring us to the knees of our King, our eyes ever changed by what we see. Obedience is not only the radical, the heroic move across the sea.ContinueContinue reading ““Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” Luke 5:5 “