Author Archives: JoAnn Alo

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″