This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

Over 1500 Links!

Hello!

(Insert your own grabbing exclamation here.)

I pray that you're having a great week.

In the U.S., we're still wondering how will be our next president. The U.S. Supreme Court is currently deliberating. Please continue to pray that the most godly man will win and there won't be any chaos in our country.

Our concert at Berman was a success! Wally and I had a lot of fun, too. It was great to sing and play guitar for the public. Please pray that God continues to bless our band.

We are auditioning a drummer on Sunday. If you know a Christian drummer or bassist, in the Oceanside area, please let me know. Although there are lots of things happening in my life and Wally's life, we are serious about fulfilling our calling to praise God with our musical talents.

If you've been encouraged by this ministry, please sign the guest book. Here is the address: http://pub.alxnet.com/guestbook?id=1311900

The International Church Directory is a growing resource where you can tell us about your place of worship! There are currently 39 entries. Please visit this page and take a minute to tell the world where you meet. It could help travelers or even unchurched, local people to find a place to be encouraged. The address is http://pub.alxnet.com/guestbook?id=1321937

After visiting the San Diego Wild Animal Park this week, I made "An Ode to Animals" web page. I had no idea how many cool sites there were on the web! Would you like to see a live web cam, featuring sharks, rhinos, lions or birds? For this great link and many more, simply go here: http://www.jcsm.org/Contents/Ode.htm

I'm still very thankful for my van! During it's first two tanks of gas, it got 21 miles per gallon. This was a blessing because gas is expensive and I almost bought a truck that gets 11 mpg. The van is very practical and fun. Praise the Lord.

Today, I got a flu shot. It was quick and almost painless. If you are elderly, work with lots of people, frequently get sick, etc. it would be a great idea to get a flu shot. The flu (influenza) is the 6th leading cause of death, in the U.S., and it claims about 20,000 lives each year. For more information, go here: http://www.yourfamilyshealth.com/family_health/flu/

Are you in the Christmas spirit? Do you need some Christmas music? Check out this Christmas, compilation album: www.onesilentnight.com

I've added to my 40 Day Fast web site. During my fast, there were several web sites and magazine articles that encouraged me. They are now online and you can access them from the main page: http://www.jcsm.org/Fasting/40DayFast.htm

Please don't forget that beginning in January, (email changed) will be helping with mailing the devotions. This is another email address, on my AOL account. It will be used to expedite the mailings. Right now, it takes nearly an hour to send to everyone and when I use both accounts, it should cut the mailing time almost in half.

Please pray for New Venture Christian Fellowship. Their college and career group has begun a new service and ministry called Quest. They are working hard to serve God and reach people's needs. If you are in Oceanside and need a Sunday night service, please email me and I'll give you the details.

Have you considered attending a special church service for Christmas? Many churches are having Christmas programs, candle light services, Christmas Eve services, worship services, etc. If you can't or won't take advantage of one of these awesome services, take some time to pray and draw closer to God. This is a great time to consider what Jesus has done and what we should be doing.

Please visit my web page! There's over 1500 links (pictures, midis, Bible lessons, humor, proverbial stories, links, devotions, poetry, prayer journals and much more!) and it has registered over 39,200 hits!

If this ministry has touched you in a special way, please pray and consider sending a gift to Jesus Christ Saves Ministries. On the web, we're encouraging the believers and sharing the gospel with unbelievers. I'm also doing counseling on a regular basis. As I do full-time ministry on the web, love and help others, I never charge them anything for my time or services.

Would you like to support God's work on the web? You can become a Super Supporter of JCSM by sending only $5 a month. You'll be joining us in our vision to reach people on the web with the good news! Of course, a gift of any size will be appreciated! My address and more information is at the bottom of this message.

Welcome to the new screen names or recipients of this message! Here are the devotions, challenges and the quotations for the week. Have a fantastic week and God bless you!

Love in Christ,

Jason J. Gastrich

ICQ#: 20731140

The Weekly Devotional Message

Day 1: "You Can't Take It With You"

Matthew 6:20, 21 "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Mark 8:36 "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."

Prayer: "Thank you for teaching us the difference between eternal and temporary things, Lord. Help us to see possessions like You do. Thank you for your gifts. Help us to use them wisely. Remind us that when we give, You give us more. Praise You for being true to Your promises! There's no other God like You. Give us more faith in You, Lord. Thank you for always being true and right. Remove our worries and help us obey You. Let us store up treasures in Heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "How Much is Wisdom Worth?"

Proverb 7:4 "Say to wisdom, 'You are my sister,' And call understanding your nearest kin."

Proverb 16:16 "How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver."

Proverb 19:8 "He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good."

Ecclesiastes 8:1 "Who is like a wise man? And who knows the interpretation of a thing? A man's wisdom makes his face shine, And the sternness of his face is changed."

1 Kings 3:9-14 "Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?' The speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: "Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days."

James 1:5, 6 "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us wisdom, Lord. Help us to keep asking You for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Praise You for being the source of such awesome things. Let us value wisdom and godliness. Thank you for having mercy on us when we sit and sink in our pool of foolishness. Forgive us for our sins, Lord. Share your thoughts with us. Help us to make great decisions. Let us hear your voice and follow your will. Praise You for being alive and well and directing our paths when we give our compass to You. You are still the God who directs His people. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Do's and Don'ts"

Romans 7:15-20 "For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me."

Prayer: "Help us to obey You, Lord. Let us sort things in our mind and know what is right and what is wrong. Give us strength to follow You. Thank you for showing us how powerful godly people, such as Paul, can struggle. Thank you for revealing your will in your Word. Help us to memorize and apply it to our lives. Thank you for having great grace with us. Help us to repent from our sins and follow You. Remind us that You forgive us, but we shouldn't take advantage of You and your forgiveness. Let us understand the gravity of our sins and wholeheartedly repent. Praise You for giving us a better way and the strength to find and follow it! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Don't Deny Jesus Christ"

Matthew 10:32, 33 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

2 Timothy 2:11-13 "This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself."

Prayer: "Thank you for being worth more than we could possibly imagine. Remind us that You are our God and our salvation. You are the one who has forgiven us and put our feet on a Rock. Praise You for being so good! Remind us that it is foolish and wrong to deny You. Give us the faith and strength to promote You and share the gospel with others. Forgive us for being silent and/or denying You. Remind us of the gravity of Hell. Give us courage to share our faith and never deny You, Lord. Thank you for having patience and understanding with us. Remind us what You can do in someone's life. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "Pure Light, Huge Holiness"

1 John 1:5-7 "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."

Psalm 99:9 "Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at His holy hill; For the LORD our God is holy."

Psalm 47:8 "God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne."

Prayer: "Thank you for your light and holiness! There is no other God like You! Remind us that You are perfect and pure. Help us to be like You, Lord. Praise You for being so bright! You shine into the darkest parts of us. Thank you for lighting our paths, too. There is no other God like You! Thank you for showing us our unholiness. Help us to change and not be discouraged in our humanity. Thank you for wanting the best for us. Help us to rejoice as we become like You! Praise You for being with us and loving us more than we understand. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "How Often Should I Pray?"

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

Philippians 4:6 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

James 5:16 "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

Colossians 4:2 "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting me to pray a lot. Let me disciplined to do it. Forgive me for not praying enough. Help me to have more meaningful times of prayer. Help me to be quiet and listen to You when I pray. Thank you for answering my prayers, Lord. Thank you for giving me great things! Let me be like You. Let me desire things that will further your kingdom. Thank you for letting me use my talents and possessions for your glory. Thank you for using words like fervent and vigilant when You describe the prayer life you want us to have. Give us self-control to make times of prayer. Thank you for friends who encourage and pray with us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Call On Him"

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know."

Psalm 18:6 "In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears."

Matthew 21:22 "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to call on You, Lord! Thank you for showing us things that we do not know. You are an awesome God! Help us to call on You all the time. Thank you for never hating us or denying us your ear. Praise You for being a good God and not giving us too much or too late. You are perfect and give us the perfect amount. Let us ask for the intangible things that help others and satisfy us more than worldly wealth. Thank you for hearing us in our times of trouble! Remind us that You are here and You are there. You are everywhere and waiting for us to call to You. Let us trust You more. Remind us of the times you've answered our prayers. Remind us how You give great things, things that humans cannot give us. Remind us to call on You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge #1

Buy or borrow a worship album! If I didn't have my praise and worship cds, I would be miserable. I'm sure there are many people who need to sing God's praises and take their minds off their worries.

Here are some great albums that can encourage you: Simple Praise, Sonic Flood, Ardent's worship series (albums featuring Skillet, All Together Separate and Satellite Soul), Sanctuary, WOW Worship, etc. Any Christian book store should have plenty of worship albums to choose from. You may even be able to listen to one before you buy it.

If you've experienced God's power through worship, I'm sure you have lots of worship albums. If you haven't experienced it, please try it. There's nothing in the universe like the God who has saved us. Likewise, there is nothing like singing His praises! He wants to lift You up and all it takes is some singing or even worshiping in spirit and truth. He will meet You and the entire atmosphere will change when you play a worship album.

God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!

Challenge #2

Write down the sins you've conquered in the last year. Wouldn't you like to see how God has changed you? We should all be growing spiritually, so it would be an encouragement to see where God has brought us.

It's almost 2001, so why not write what God has done in 2000? It will only take a minute. If you haven't seen God change you or do anything in your life, ask why. Perhaps you didn't pray or read His Word enough. Perhaps you didn't believe or obey Him very much.

However you feel after writing the sins you've conquered in the last year, God is ready to meet you where you are and take you where He wants you to be. Grab a pen and let the process begin. He'll change your life better than anything or anyone else ever could.

God bless you as you meet this week's second challenge!

Quotations

Having a need that's unmet for awhile will reveal to you if it's really a need or not.

Do you have a back-up plan?

Buy a worship album.

The obedient people frequently have to exercise patience with the disobedient ones.

Ever been so happy that you were almost sad?

Watch God's Spirit work through you.

How much is wisdom and understanding worth?

God doesn't want me to barely get by. He wants me to excel.

Can you distinguish between the things you're doing because you have to and the things you're doing because you want to?

Couldn't we all benefit form thinking more?

Analyze the temptation process.

Sin does not have good consequences.

Remember the guilt and shame that comes after sinning.

Whoever said it was easy to be a Christian probably isn't a Christian.

Doesn't Christianity require one to be introspective?

You never have to ask God for forgiveness for committing a certain sin twice.

Are you trying to be close to God only when you need something?

Are you sinning on Sunday through Friday and just confessing it all on Saturday?

What kind of attitude do you have toward sin?

Ask for forgiveness if you've denied Christ.

Have you ever wept bitterly for your sin?

My sin is hurting me.

I'll have one very difficult day every 20 days or so. Try and enjoy it as much as possible and know it will pass.

Confess sins and mean it or don't bother confessing them.

Crying and anger can sometimes be synonymous emotions in people.

Things that cause some people to cry cause others to get angry.

Christians should be renewing their minds (changing the way they're thinking).

Unfortunately, we don't always stop and think about the consequences for sinning.

Are you saying "no" to sin because you feel obligated to God or in love with God?

Do you love God enough to say "no" to temptations?

If you love being close to God, stay close to Him and don't sacrifice it for a moment of pleasure.

I've fallen, but I don't have to do it again.

It's amazing how Satan can still, almost convince me to neglect going to Bible study.

When you go somewhere, try leaving your house early, so you have time for a spontaneous conversation or activity.

Does your worship take you to another place where only you and God are present?

Do you have a plan when you pray?

Do you know the difference between whining to God and having a meaningful prayer life?

During our prayer time, it's important to hear from God.

If you quickly run out of things to pray for and confess, you may need to concentrate more on your prayer life.

The closer you get to the light of the Lord, the more you can see your sins.

God wants to tell you great and mighty things, but you must call on Him.

God loves to bless people that give Him glory.

Why would God want to waste your time when you use it to glorify Him?

Don't stop praying for the things you truly need.

The Holy Spirit s a male person of the Godhead; not a feeling or a cloud.

Recognize God's position and your position.

Write down the things God wants you to do.

Have you ever shared with someone how God speaks to you?

We all have issues that God wants to help us with.

The devil tries to enslave us with petty issues.

You can never earn or deserve God's love.

God says, "Do you really think I can't give you a better life on Earth? I've already give you eternal life!"

God can heal the most injured relationships.

Pray and write the deep things of God, as they pertain to you.

Write down the sins you've conquered in the last year.

Try and impress the One who really loves you.

Without talking to You and being with You, my life would be dull and boring.

You may be impacting people more than you realize.

Pray about problems as soon as you sense or see them.

Listening involves more than non-speaking.

Have you repented more from the things you've said or haven't said?

A simple, silent, prayerful friendliness communicates something that goes far beyond words.

We never have to ask forgiveness for something we've already confessed.

Feeling God's Spirit within me is such great proof that He's real!

Seeing me do God's will is a blessing and continues our fellowship, but seeing me sin hurts me and derails our relationship.

Do you know how to deny someone's desire when it leads to your detriment?

A boring story can be made interesting if you tell it in an interesting way. The converse is also true.

Is materialism choking you?

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Kent Hildenbrand and Miles McPhearson.

These quotes can be used for sanctification and fun. Most of them are directly based on scripture and scriptural principles. Some of my quotes are humorous or rhetorical. Some are written from sermons and Bible studies. Others are lyrics from songs. If you'd like me to go into more detail on any of them, please email me.

Like most verses in the Bible, they can be debated. To use what I have written in the most beneficial way, try and trace them back to the scriptures they were derived from and apply the true principles to your life in a meaningful way! Please don't sell my quotes or publish them for profit. If English is not your first language, you may not understand some of the quotes. I'm sorry, but some of them are English metaphors and deal with multiple word meanings. God bless you all!

Please make a commitment to pray for this ministry. As every believer is tempted and tried, this ministry faces trials also. God has blessed me, JCSM and the people who have been reached! Unfortunately, the enemy knows this and spiritual warfare is the result. Please, at least pray that the devotions continue to be sent religiously, the web pages stay on the www and the subscribers are blessed, sanctified and protected from evil. Thank you very much in advance!

Do you want to help people receive the good news? We have sent over 500,000 emails, encouraging people with God's Word! Please join us in the great commission. We're reaching new people every day with God's awesome Word! If God has blessed you and you wish to send a love offering to me and my ministry, please send it to the address below.

You can join our vision and help this ministry! Your donations will keep these ministries running and further our visions for evangelism. Hundreds of web pages have been created to lead people to the Lord. Frequently, we make new ones and they are used to bring more and more people into a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. We're certain there will be more ways to reach people in the future. Along with getting support, we also give support! I regularly give to my church and frequently give to needy people. Lastly, I do a lot of research on religious topics on the internet and library. You will definitely see the results of our work and your support, in the web pages, and in the weekly devotional messages!

For more about me and my service history, go to http://resume.jcsm.org. For what I do, my ministries and giving, go to http://vision.jcsm.org

If you have received these devotions from someone other than I, please email me and I will send them to you, personally, each week. Don't worry. I don't send forwards or any other junk mail. I also refrain from giving your name to anyone.

The devotions are sent on Monday nights. The gospel is sent on the 11th of every month and the monthly newsletter is sent on the 20th. These are the only messages I send, however, please email me if you wish to be removed from this list. If you prefer to receive the devotions in Spanish, send me a request because the devotions have been reaching the Spanish speaking community for over a year!

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please email me! I would love to share the gospel with you. The Bible is very straightforward when it speaks about Heaven, Hell and eternal life. If there is any doubt that you are going to Heaven when you die, please let me know today!

Are you having trouble in life? Do you need someone to talk to? You can call the youth crisis hotline at 1-800-HIT-HOME, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I'm currently volunteering time for this hotline. Our motto is "help, not hassle". We will listen to you and encourage you. If you are hurting and need someone to talk to, please feel free to call. YDI pays for these calls and has helped over 1 million people! They are also looking for people to answer calls. Their web site is at www.1800hithome.com

Would you like to feed starving people by simply clicking a button and paying absolutely nothing? Sponsors pay to donate food to hungry people all over the world. I click these nearly every day. It takes about 10 seconds and it donates food to needy people! Go here: www.thehungersite.com and here www.stopthehunger.com

JCSM now does regular mailings! If you are getting rid of your email or know someone who wants the devotions, but doesn't have email, please give me their address and we'll send them the devotions. If you don't have internet access, but want to read a certain web page or Bible lesson, let me know. I could copy and paste something into an email message for you.

Since April of 1997, the weekly devotional message has been sent on the internet. This message currently reaches 7180 people in 98 countries. To read a list of these countries, go here: http://www.jcsm.org/misc/countries.htm. To read the archived devotions online, go here: http://devos.jcsm.org.

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

http://www.jcsm.org

Over 1500 Links!

Jesus loves you!

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should have everlasting life."