This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

Over 1500 Links!

Hello!

How are things? I pray that you had an awesome weekend and Monday!

If you're having a problem with the devotions being cut off, please let me know. A couple people have emailed me about this, so I'm trying to discover what's wrong. Remember, you can always get the devotions from my web page.

Be cautious when opening files from people you don't know. I've had a policy where I don't open any files if I don't know who is sending them. This has helped me to stay away from viruses.

Please pray for my soccer team. Our season is almost over. We're 4-1-1 and doing very well. Today, we play Coronado Junior High School. We have two games left and are trying to make a playoff game on February 6th. The best two teams in our division will make it! I'll miss these guys because they are really fun and respectful.

The first Christian musician that ever reached me is releasing a new album, soon. Joel Weldon's new, greatest hits album is called "Along the Way." His web site is offering his MP3's (for free downloading), so feel free to check him out at www.joelweldon.com. Joel was an awesome performer and worship leader at Hume Lake Christian Camp.

Do you need to translate a document? I've been using the Go To Translator and it works really well. You can find it here: http://translator.go.com/

If you need to find information about a public business, now there's a way to do it on the web. You can access the Better Business Bureau at www.bbb.com. It's a great place to investigate a company before doing business with them.

This is your ministry, so please feel free to link to JCSM and forward these devotions to your friends and family. On the JCSM website, there are over 1500 links (pictures, midis, Bible lessons, humor, proverbial stories, links, devotions, poetry, prayer journals and much more!) and it has registered over 41,000 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, challenge, moment of introspection, the Bible trivia question, last week's answer 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: "The Two Paths"

Proverbs 3:5, 6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

Psalm 16:11 "You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

Proverb 16:25 "There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death."

Matthew 7:13, 14 "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us choices, Lord. Help us to make the right one. Thank you for giving us a path that is full of life! Remind us that You and your path are always best. Give us wisdom, so we choose You and what You want for us. Give us perseverance and help us to stay on this path. Praise You for being faithful to us! Remind us that You are near. Thank you for guiding us and helping us, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Don't Forget"

Proverb 3:1 "My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;"

Deuteronomy 8:11 "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today."

Proverb 4:5 "Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth."

Hebrews 13:2, 3, 7, 16 "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also. Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

2 Peter 3:8, 9 "But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."

2 Timothy 2:8 "Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained."

John 15:20, 21 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name's sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us commands and reminders, Lord. Help us to remember what You have said. Forgive us for disobeying You or forgetting your words. Bless the prisoners. Help them remember You. Always remind us about Jesus' sacrifice. Thank you that Jesus has died, risen and given us eternal life! Thank you for all your commandments and laws. Let us remember and obey them. Increase our memories, Lord. Help us recall that some of the people we entertain are actually angels! Give us faithfulness to You and help us to do your will. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The Rapture"

1 Corinthians 15:51, 52 "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 "But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words."

Titus 2:13 "Look for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ."

Prayer: "Thank you for telling us about the rapture, Lord. Let us all be prepared to leave this Earth! Thank you for creating a better place for us. Thank you for teaching us patience and Earth. Thank you for letting us enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience on Earth. Thank you for giving us Christian friends and your Word. Let us experience awesome things on Earth, so we can remember them for eternity! Help us to witness to others, so they will become saved and go to Heaven. Help us to use your time wisely, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Christ's Second Coming"

Matthew 24:30, 31 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."

Revelation 19:11 "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war."

Revelation 1:7 "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

Jude 14, 15 "Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, 'Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.'"

Matthew 13:28-30 "He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.

2 Thessalonians 2:3-8 "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming."

Prayer: "Thank you for promising us that You will return and judge the world. Thank you for making a distinction between the rapture and your second coming. Save lots of people between now and when you come again. Thank you for giving us ways to reach people all over the world. Remind us that we need to be investing in your kingdom, because all else will not stand when it is laid at your feet. When we are weary and want You to hurry and return, remind us how You are saving people all the time and those people need You and eternal life. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "God's Awesome Wisdom"

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever."

Proverbs 2:6, 7 "For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;"

Jeremiah 10:12 "He has made the earth by His power, He has established the world by His wisdom, And has stretched out the heavens at His discretion."

Ephesians 1:16, 17 "Do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him."

Colossians 2:2b, 3 "In the Father and in Christ, are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

2 Timothy 3:15 "The Holy Scriptures are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us an awesome wisdom that the world doesn't know or understand. Remind us that we need to listen to You and learn what to do. Thank you for wanting to teach and help us. Bless us and make us like You, Lord. Thank you for promising to complete the work that You began in us. Help us to seek wisdom from You, your Word and godly people. Thank you for giving us a better way. Thank you for lifting us up and helping us to see things like You do! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Invest Your Talents"

Luke 19:12-27 "Therefore He said: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, Do business till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us. And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Master, your mina has earned ten minas. And he said to him, Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities. And the second came, saying, Master, your mina has earned five minas. Likewise he said to him, You also be over five cities. Then another came, saying, Master, here is your mina, which I have kept put away in a handkerchief. For I feared you, because you are an austere man. You collect what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow. And he said to him, Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. Why then did you not put my money in the bank, that at my coming I might have collected it with interest? And he said to those who stood by, Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas. But they said to him, Master, he has ten minas. For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'"

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to do something with the talents You give us. Help us to find ways to use your talents and gifts, Lord. Thank you for expecting something from us and not accepting a half-hearted or non-existent effort. Thank you for showing us how and where to invest our talents. Help us to seek You and use our gifts to further your kingdom! Prod the ones who are striving for earthly gain to strive for your gain. Purify our motives. Let us have your peace and strength. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "We've Been Justified!"

Romans 5:16-18 "And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation, but the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.) Therefore, as through one man's offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man's righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life."

Romans 5:1, 9 "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

Galatians 2:16 "A man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified."

Prayer: "Thank you for justifying us by faith, Lord! Thank you for saving us because we believed in You and repented from our sins. Thank you for making us new! Remind us that we need to live like justified people. Thank you for forgiving us and making us clean. Thank you for giving us salvation and not making us work for it. Thank you for explaining everything to us in your Word. Help us to know it, memorize it and defend it. Praise You for being so perfect and consistently true! There's no other God like You! To You be all the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Share some stories of how God has provided for you. They will help you recollect what He has done and your stories will encourage others! Imagine how much God will provide for you in your lifetime.

If we're living by faith, we will have awesome stories of God's provision. If you can't see His hand in your life, pray for faith and keep watching. One day, you will have some awesome stories of faith and God's presence.

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

A Moment of Introspection

Don't worry about the one thing that could make you worry.

In most of our lives, we have interesting thoughts of the future, fond reflections of the past and aspirations that include the present. However, isn't it awful when the one thing that could bother us begins to bother us?

I find myself having wonderful times with God and at work. In the middle of my success and happiness, I find the devil putting a worrisome thought into my head! I usually stop and laugh and counter it with a prayer and some new thinking. It's amazing how we entertain a fearful thought when we have so many things to think about and enjoy.

Join me and let's overcome these unfruitful thoughts that burden us. Let's pray and remain joyful! There are many things to be happy about, so don't let the one thing that could worry you steal from your life.

The Bible Trivia Question

How many books are in the Bible?

Last Week's Bible Trivia Answer

Koinonia means communion, fellowship, etc.

Quotations

Let God be your unfailing security.

All non-God securities in this life will fail.

God reminded the Israelites that worshiping an inanimate object such as a piece of firewood, as a god was not only futile, but stupid.

Jesus chose to endure pain and die for us.

Who can you ultimately depend on? Where can you find supreme truth and happiness? If you answered anything but God for the previous questions, you may be in the danger of falling into idolatry.

Don't worry about the one thing that could make you worry.

With God's power, you can change lives every day.

God can teach different people in different ways.

Your breaking point is when you'll always see God's hand and God's help.

Do you know what your breaking point is?

God will make your path straight, so you can see what's in front of you.

When you discipline a person, tell them why they're being disciplined.

Never forget what God has shown you and done.

Today, peace can be yours.

Materialistic people always want more.

Can you recognize your chains?

God's love fits perfectly into our heart.

Do you know the characteristics of God?

Unlike Chinese proverbs, none of the Biblical proverbs contradict each other.

What do you do with your heart determines what you do with your life.

Most people trust Christians more than non-Christians because they know they are accountable to God.

The joy of the Lord shines through the ones who spend time with God.

Let God rub off on you.

Our nature doesn't trust or seek god.

Before salvation, we had a natural hostility toward God.

Do you want your girlfriend to glow? Pray with her.

When the world gives you the finger, God gives you a hug.

Do you forget the sermons your pastor gives?

Devise a plan to remember and apply God's Word.

There's much more security in a straight path than a crooked one.

Do you rest in God?

Do you rest when you remember that God is at the controls of your life?

When you need them, God will give you comforting words.

God is seriously interested in you.

Only God always knows exactly what we need.

Don't stop trusting God, even when He gives you what you want.

Can you sort your desires and your needs?

Are you ready to give God an account of your time and resources?

God wants you to invest your talents and reap the benefits.

There is no such thing as standing still in Christianity.

God keeps perfect records of our deeds and apathy.

Once you're standing in the presence of God, on judgment day, there will be no time for excuses.

Help your friends get blessings and eternal rewards.

God knows your motives and He will judge them.

When nobody encourages you, seek encouragement from God Himself.

God has placed everyone on Earth to do something for Christ.

We're not on Earth for ourselves.

How many people do you know died and took all their possessions with them?

The greatest investments you can make are in the Kingdom of God.

Knowing what God's Word says can help us make righteous assumptions on what it hasn't said.

Until you've worshiped God wholeheartedly, you haven't experienced His presence like you could.

God's wisdom never changes.

Since it's not based on an eternal standard, man's wisdom is limited and can change.

Older, godly people should have lots of wisdom.

God's wisdom is more pure than man's wisdom.

Nobody gives more awesome wisdom, so freely and consistently, than God.

Godly people should be able to discern godly wisdom from worldly wisdom.

Does the thought of giving a total account to God bring you fear or peace?

Increased knowledge leads to increased responsibility. Increased responsibility leads to judgment on how it was used.

You have a lifetime to make an eternal decision. No excuses will be accepted.

Write things you may forget.

Suffering for a short time and spending eternity in Heaven isn't so bad.

I can tell you what I think, but only God knows why He does everything He does.

God doesn't exist to make the world a happy place.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Charles Spurgeon, and Dennis Morales.

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. Their motto is "help, not hassle". Hotline counselors 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. If you have internet access and need a great, online, study Bible, go here: www.biblestudytools.net

Since April of 1997, the weekly devotional message has been sent on the internet. This message currently reaches 9600 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!