This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

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Hello!

Are you ready for an original, encouraging message? If you have a couple minutes, sit back and relax because you're about to be encouraged by the Lord!

JCSM has passed a large milestone this week! There are now over 10,000 people who receive these devotions each week! Praise the Lord. Please pray for me and this ministry. As we reach more people, the powers of darkness try and hinder our work. However, I'll keep working hard to spread the good news!

The Extreme Days soundtrack is being released on Tuesday. This is a movie with many Christian musicians on the soundtrack. As the actors perform different stunts, I believe the movie has a Christian theme of faith in God. If I get more details about the movie, I'll let you know. I do know that Toby Mac (from DC Talk) is on the soundtrack.

Have you heard Phil Joel's music? Last week, Sarine and I heard his band play at Point Loma University and he was awesome. He's the bassist for the Newsboys and he has a great, solo album. You can discover it here: www.philjoel.com

If you ever wondered if you could help starving children, please read about World Vision. World Vision is a Christian ministry that is impacting the world. You can sponsor and feed a child for under $30 a month. They are a solid group, recognized by Colin Powell and many Christian musicians. Please learn about them here: www.worldvision.com

God bless you as you grow spiritually! I know that spiritual growth isn't always easy and generally involves making changes. You can do it! Drawing closer to God will be healthier than drinking milk.

In the United States, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day on Wednesday. I hope you have an exciting day. I'll be celebrating it on Friday because Sarine will be visiting me then. Happy Valentine's Day, everybody!

In last week's message, I prematurely mentioned we had found the right bassist for my band. Please keep praying that we persevere in our auditions and practices. We still need a bassist and a drummer.

Did Jesus really exist? Many people have asked this question. If you'd like the answer, you can see the proof here: http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/didJesusreallyexist.htm

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. We're also doing counseling on a regular basis. As we do full-time ministry on the web, love and help others, there is never a charge for our time and services.

Would you like to support God's work on the web? You can join us in our vision to reach people on the web with the good news! Please email me or see our address below.

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

http://jcsm.org/contact.php

http://jcsm.org/contact.php

ICQ#: 20731140

The Weekly Devotional Message

Day 1: "God's Plan of Marriage"

1 Corinthians 7:2-5, 10, 11 "Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife."

Hebrews 13:4 "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge."

Ephesians 5:22-28 "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself."

1 Peter 3:7 "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered."

Ecclesiastes 4:9, 10 "Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up."

Proverbs 5:18, 19 "Let your fountain be blessed, And rejoice with the wife of your youth. As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us the plan of marriage, Lord! Help us to see it like You do. Bless the married ones. Give them joy and help them to get along. Thank you for being the God of everyone. Bless us and let us see others like You see them. Help us to love one another and especially our spouses. Thank you for the people in committed relationships. Help them to grow and learn how to treat each other. Teach us your ways, Lord. Let us follow You and your Word. Thank you for giving us such an awesome instruction manual! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "What About Witchcraft?"

Galatians 5:19, 20 "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies"

Leviticus 19:31 "Give no regard to mediums and familiar spirits; do not seek after them, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."

Isaiah 8:19, 20 "And when they say to you, 'Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,' should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

Revelation 21:8 "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

Deuteronomy 18:10-12 "There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you."

Prayer: "Thank you for warning us about witchcraft. Let us not be afraid of witches or what they can do. Praise You for having a great power! Give us great spiritual strength and protect us, Lord. Thank you for always being faithful to us. Reveal to us when we are near witches and evil people. Let us speak the truth to them and be a light in the darkness. Give us boldness and courage, Lord. Thank you for giving us salvation through faith in Jesus Christ! Give us more faith. Praise You for completing the work You began in us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Try and Understand"

Psalm 119:27 "Make me understand the way of Your precepts; So shall I meditate on Your wonderful works."

Proverb 8:5 "O you simple ones, understand prudence, And you fools, be of an understanding heart."

Proverb 2:3-5 "Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God."

1 Corinthians 14:20 "Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature."

Psalm 47:7 "For God is the King of all the earth; Sing praises with understanding."

Psalm 49:3 "My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall give understanding."

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

Proverb 9:6 "Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us understanding. Let us have understanding with You and with others. Thank you for the understanding that experience brings. Give us wisdom and knowledge, Lord. Give us deeper insight. Help us not to make quick or false judgments. Thank you for having mercy and grace with us. Let us see things in a right way. Help us to disregard false notions. Let us cling to the truth. Increase our analytical skills, Lord. Help us to fathom your ways. Make us more like You each day. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "The Best Happiness"

Job 5:17 "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty."

Proverb 3:13 "Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;"

Proverb 14:21 "He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he."

Proverb 16:20 "He who heeds the word wisely will find good, And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he."

Proverb 28:14 "Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity."

Proverb 29:18 "Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; But happy is he who keeps the law."

Psalm 146:5 "Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, Whose hope is in the LORD his God."

Romans 14:22 "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."

Prayer: "Thank you for telling us the things that bring true happiness: faith, hope, love, obedience, understanding, righteousness, etc. Let us pursue your kind of happiness. Thank you for exposing worldly happiness and show us that it isn't so great. Forgive us for our foolishness. Remind us that You hold what is best for us. Let us be very devoted to You. Thank you for always wanting the best for us! There's no other God like You! Give us happiness, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "God Does Miracles"

Matthew 19:26 "But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"

John 10:29 "Jesus said to him, 'Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.'"

John 9:11 "He answered and said, A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, Go to the pool of Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and I received sight.'"

Acts 19:11 "Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them."

Prayer: "Thank you for the miracles You have done, are doing and will do! Praise You for being the most powerful God in the universe. Thank you for not only being able to defy the laws of nature, but creating the laws of nature. Help us not to be You in a box. Expand our mind and remind us that You can do great things that we haven't even considered. Praise You for being so awesome! Give us dreams and visions about what You can do. Give us more faith and help us to always trust You, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Creation"

Genesis 1:1, 2 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters."

Romans 1:20 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse."

Psalm 102:25 "Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands."

Isaiah 48:13 "Indeed My hand has laid the foundation of the earth, And My right hand has stretched out the heavens; When I call to them, They stand up together."

Prayer: "Thank you for creating everything, Lord. Thank you for giving us such awesome proof, too. Thank you that evolution is only a theory. Show evolutionists and anti-creationists that You are real and You made everything. Thank you for the perplexing things in this world. Thank you for the things that evolutionists cannot explain. Make yourself known to them and change them, Lord. Thank you for giving us your Word, which is historically and scientifically accurate! You are such a great God. Thanks for the mercy and grace You show the people who try and prove You don't exist. Help us to show them mercy and grace, too. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Prioritize Serving the Lord"

Romans 12:10-13 "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Romans 14:17, 18 "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men."

Ephesians 6:6b-8 "Do the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free."

Joshua 24:14a "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served."

Psalm 100:2 "Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing."

John 12:25, 26 "He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor."

Prayer: "Thank you for the charge and command to serve You! Let us serve You with our whole heart. Forgive us for being distracted and following other desires. Remind us that the rest of our work won't mean anything when we get to Heaven. Thank you for giving us so many opportunities to serve You! Help us to take advantage of them. Thank you for waiting patiently as we discover the need to serve You. Praise You for the wonderful ways You bless us as we serve You! Give us more faith and blessings, Lord. Bless the ministers and servants. Let us all see You more and experience your love. Thank you for being such an awesome Master! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Read God's Word and sing some praises every day!

Do you remember that feeling when you read God's Word? Isn't it awesome! Imagine having that every day.

There's nothing like God's Word. It encourages and strengthens us. It's spiritual food.

Isn't God worthy of our praises? Do you realize all the strength He can give you? I hope you've seen God's protection and deliverance in your life. He's definitely worth a song or two.

Pray for discipline and decide to read God's Word and sing some praises every day! You definitely won't regret it. You'll grow spiritually, receive peace from God, receive insight from the scriptures, become like God, receive joy, see things like God does and experience many more benefits! You really can't lose. God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!

A Moment of Introspection

For this week's moment of introspection, I'd like you to go somewhere outside and think about the last thing you read in the Bible. Don't demand that you ignore other thoughts, but bring a paper and pen with you. Write everything you hear God saying to you.

God works in awesome ways. As we all know, we often begin thinking about one thing and our mind races to many more things. You'll find yourself having some great time with God. You can have some prayer time, too. Enjoy your time with the Lord!

The Bible Trivia Question

How did Paul almost die after his ship was shipwrecked? Hint: At first, the indigenous people thought he had committed a crime. However, after Paul lived, they thought he was a god.

Last Week's Bible Trivia Answer

Moses and Elijah were seen with Jesus when he was transfigured.

See Matthew 17:3.

Quotations

Let the things you hear and think cause you to pray.

God calls everyone to do something for Him.

Pride makes us feel self-sufficient, like we always know the best way and don't need others.

Don't look down on others because they have different gifts.

We can take credit for what we do, but give God credit, too.

Serving God is the most important job.

This world would be in sad shape without people who dream.

Ambition is the grit in the soul which creates disenchantment with the ordinary and puts the dare into dreams.

Are you building any towers of Babel?

Blind ambition is a giant step away from God and one step closer to catastrophe.

Until you know everything, don't demand that everything must be done your way.

Examine what takes you away from serving God.

Will you work for God when you are tired?

Would you work for Jesus if you didn't get paid?

We can't accomplish great things for God without God.

Give up your personal goals and desires to serve God.

Do your appetites help you serve God better?

Ask God for forgiveness for the times you've hurt people with your words. Make a commitment to use words wisely.

You can't know all the answers, but you can tell people to trust the One who does.

The God's Word tells us what sin is.

I'm justified - just as if I have never sinned. I am not condemned anymore.

God's Word constantly demonstrates my need for Jesus Christ.

I am what I am through faith in God.

Recognize that we serve a Holy God and one day we'll see Him and live with Him.

One function of the Word of God is that it brings a person to conviction. It is a schoolmaster which drives us to Jesus Christ by faith.

To be spiritual is to fear God.

All our works mean nothing if they're not right with God.

We stand on God's righteousness.

Discover how important and powerful God's Word is.

God will continue to do His work with our without you.

The wicked and unrighteous will be judged.

God wants us to be honest in our dealings.

No one is right before God unless they repent and receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

Human hearts are ugly and dirty and so we need Jesus Christ.

1 cross + 3 nails = 4given

When part of you is clean, the rest of you feel very dirty.

Love people to God.

God hates sin because it drives a wedge between Him and us.

Are you transparent in your relationships?

It's ok to go the extra mile for someone.

Just like lions in the wilderness, Satan likes to isolate his prey.

Imagine how far people could stumble if they see you sin.

How many people have you won to Christ?

It's bad to sin, but it's worse to be a sinner of influence.

God expects believers to exercise faith and obey His leading.

Living and cooperating with others requires God's help.

God's plans for us contain lots of surprises.

God leads and provides the means to reach His goals.

God frees you from trying to buy happiness.

If your heart isn't right with God, you'll never be happy.

The world offers artificial happiness.

God's promises work when you trust and follow Him.

Put your life in His hands so He can deliver you into His promises.

God hears our needs and answers prayers in the manner that will help us, serve His will and often surprise us.

In your eyes, what does it take to be happy?

Don't convince yourself or others that worldly things offer God-sized happiness.

When God gives you hope, don't listen to the people who don't believe.

When people tell you what you can't do, tell them what God can do and what He has done.

Listen closely to the questions that people ask you.

God is not calling you to Himself to simply tell you what you want to hear.

Desire God's solutions.

Some of us are suffering today from sin that we committed a long time ago.

Break the cycle of sin.

No on will be able to pray a person out of Hell.

Standing near God's holiness is intimidating, exciting and humbling.

You're only a baby if you act like one.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Raul Ries and Dr. Bruce Baloian, the New Venture Bible study 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 11^th of every month and the monthly newsletter is sent on the 20^th. 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 over 10,000 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

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