This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

Over 1500 Links!

Hello!

I pray you had a great weekend and Monday!

Thanks for your prayers and encouragement for my upcoming marriage! It's great to see how people care. Sarine and I are still excited and having fun with the planning. There's only 39 days until the big day! Please continue to pray for us.

Would you like to spend a few minutes a week serving God with JCSM? We need a person or two to help send the devotions in the regular mail. Many people don't have email, so for several months, we've been sending the devotions via regular mail! Please email me if you would like to help in this way. We have some names and need a sender or two as soon as possible.

Last Sunday, The Rock Church had it's one year anniversary! I've been attending The Rock since the first service and it's been awesome. Please pray that Miles McPhearson and his ministry finds a church building. He has some great visions for The Rock's ministry and he's waiting to see which doors God opens.

Over the last few days, I've seen some incredible, Christian concerts. Thursday, I was blessed to see 3^rd Day (Grammy Nominee), Lincoln Brewster and Kendall Payne at Point Loma University. Saturday, Luna Halo and Sara Macintosh sang at Horizon Christian Fellowship. Lastly, on Monday night, Switchfoot (Grammy Nominee), The Supertones and Reliant K rocked Horizon! All of these bands were very good, so I'm recommending them to you!

The Grammy Awards were last week. Congratulations to winners Petra and Jars of Clay. Creed and U2 also grabbed several Grammy awards. Please pray that Christian music and lyrics continue to infiltrate the airwaves and sink into the hearts of the masses.

The well-known, Christian rapper, T-Bone is releasing a new album, today. T-Bone has done producing and writing. His show at Spirit West Coast was way cool. T-Bone also hosts "Real Videos" on Saturday nights, at 10pm PST, on TBN. His new album is called "The Last Street Preacha" and you can download his first single here: http://www.flickerrecords.com/free_tbone_music.htm

Did you notice that gasoline prices are rather high? They've been rising, again. Please pray for gas prices to fall. Last time I emailed everyone and asked them to pray for this, they dropped by nearly 20 cents. Now, they're around $1.79 per gallon (in San Diego, California)! Let's hope the United States finds some ways to lower gas prices and rely on local oil.

Islam is one of the largest religions in the world. How much do you know about it? Find out what Muslims believe here: http://www.answering-islam.org

Is your phone company charging you too much? My friend Penny is working for a phone company called ACN. For details on how they can save you money, either call 1-877-794-1900, (representative number 0457580) or email PennyNikl@aol.com.

If you're a student, a teacher or a scholar of any kind, you'll be interested in www.turnitin.com. This web-based company is concerned with internet plagiarism. For students, you can make sure a paper is not on their list. For teachers, you can discover if your students' papers are original or plagiarized. You can receive a free month of their services, but there will be a fee after that month.

Congratulations for waging spiritual warfare and daring to grow spiritually! Keep praising on and seeking the Lord! He will be faithful and lift you up.

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 42,000 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 Covenants"

Genesis 9:13-15 "I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh."

Genesis 15:18-21 "On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying:

'To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates--the Kenites, the Kenezzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.'"

Jeremiah 31:31-33 "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah--not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the LORD. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people."

Matthew 26:28 "For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

Deuteronomy 7:9 "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments;"

Ezekiel 37:26-28 "Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them, and it shall be an everlasting covenant with them; I will establish them and multiply them, and I will set My sanctuary in their midst forevermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them; indeed I will be their God, and they shall be My people. The nations also will know that I, the LORD, sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary is in their midst forevermore."

Prayer: "Thank you for the covenants You have made with us, Lord. Thank you that You are faithful to them and will not change. Let us be trustworthy like You. Thank you for giving us the covenant of salvation! Help people to understand how having faith in Jesus Christ and repenting from their sins can give us salvation. Thank you for being such an awesome God. Let us keep our promises, too. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Cover Yourself Up"

Genesis 3:7 "Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings."

Genesis 9:22, 23 "And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. But Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were turned away, and they did not see their father's nakedness."

1 Timothy 2:8-10 "I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works."

Prayer: "Thank you for the exhortation to be modest. Help us to dress and behave modestly. Thank you for having such great mercy and grace on the ones who dress in tempting ways. Cause people to be godly in this area. Thank you for the ways You bless us. Help us to be secure and not want to show off what You have given us. Help people to abstain from lust and from causing others to lust. Cause the media to remove lustful and sinful scenes from television and movies. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Stop the Rumor Wheel"

Proverb 14:23 "In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty."

Leviticus 19:16 "You shall not go about as a talebearer among your people; nor shall you take a stand against the life of your neighbor: I am the LORD."

Proverb 11:13 "A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter."

Proverb 20:19 "He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips."

Proverb 26:20 "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us the truth, Lord. Help us to value it. Give us wisdom, so we can see what is right and wrong. Give us self-control, so we can talk about what is profitable. Reveal to us when we are gossiping or spreading rumors and make us stop. Give us courage to tell people who gossip to us to be quiet. Thank you for giving us awesome things to talk about. Let us dwell on You and good things. Help us to use our words to encourage and love others. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Are You Ready?"

Romans 14:10b-12 "For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: 'As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.'

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

2 Corinthians 5:10 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment."

Prayer: "Thank you for warning us about the judgment. Let us be prepared to give an account of our lives. Thank you for giving us control of our time. Help us to spend it wisely. Give us strength to overcome the temptation to waste time on activities that have no spiritual or eternal value. Give us wisdom, so we can discern what is best for us. Thank you for giving us so many options. Let us choose things that are positive. Show us your will, Lord. Help us to do things now, so we won't be embarrassed on judgment day. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "One Sacrifice Deserves Another"

Hebrews 10:12 "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God."

Romans 12:1, 2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

Philippians 2:3, 4 "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

Hebrews 13:16 "But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased."

1 Peter 2:5 "You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ."

Prayer: "Thank you for sacrificing your life for us, Jesus! Thank you for spending your time on Earth ministering to people. Help us to follow your example. Thank you for giving us the freedom to spend our time and resources serving You. Let us put your priorities in our mind and make them our priorities. Help us to live a life of sacrifice. Give us ways we can make sacrifices for You and for others. Let us use our time, energy and resources for your kingdom! Thank you for the ways You continue to encourage the ones who love You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Share What You Know"

John 9:25 "He answered and said, 'Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.'"

1 John 4:14 "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world."

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."

2 Timothy 4:2 "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

Prayer: "Thank you for letting us know You. Thank you for teaching us your ways. Let us tell others what we know. Forgive us for not seeking You more or knowing You more. Help us to be more devoted to You. Give us courage to tell others about You, even when we don't know everything. Let us tell what we know and not worry about the rest. Thank you for saving us and giving us strength to overcome sin! Thank you for being a good God and making us successful! There's no other God like You in all the universe! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Christian Fellowship"

Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

2 Corinthians 8:4b "Receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints."

Prayer: "Thank you for letting us have Christian friends. Show us the ones that need us and show us the ones that we need more than others. Thank you for giving us churches and Bible studies! Lead us to the right people, Lord. Thank you for creating love inside of them and us. Praise You for the wonderful way You lead people together and build them up. Help us to be encouraging and loving. Mold us. Thank you for all the people who love us. Let us appreciate them and be loving to them, too. Thank you for the pastors and elders who have prayed for us. Let us pray for them. Bless all the saints, Lord. Lift them up. Make us all strong and like You, Lord. There's no other God like You! To You be all the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

In which areas do you need accountability? Are you struggling with a certain temptation?

God never designed us to walk alone. We are to walk with Him. Plus, we need Christian fellowship.

An accountability partner can really help your Christian walk. Needing someone to be there for you isn't a sign of weakness. It's wise to ask and receive someone's assistance. It's biblical.

Find an area in your life where you have been struggling. Ask a loved and trusted friend to keep you accountable in that area. Perhaps they could ask you how you are doing or send you an encouraging email.

God wants us to stay close to Him. This involves repenting from our sins. Christian friends can keep us accountable and help us stay on the narrow path. If you'd like me to keep you accountable with someone, please let me know.

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

A Moment of Introspection

Can you remember the miracles God has done in your life?

Most people can't remember everything unless they write it down. There are very few people with photographic memories. Those who can remember everything are very blessed.

God has done incredible things in the world and in the lives of believers. If we are forgetting what He has done, how can we expect Him to do even greater things?

Let's make a list of the miracles God has done! It will only take a minute. You can even type it on your computer. We must not forget the awesome things God has done. Plus, we need to keep praying and hoping for Him to do bigger miracles!

The Bible Trivia Question

How long did Noah live?

Last Week's Bible Trivia Answer

The Jebusites were living in Jerusalem when King David conquered them. See 2 Samuel 5:6, 7.

Quotations

It is more important for people to receive the gospel than for me to retain all my rights.

We must preach the gospel to everyone, any way we can.

In the rough and tumble of our abrasive 21^st century, humility is scarcely considered a virtue.

How can you reach humble people when you're full of pride?

There are many things we can learn from Israel's attitude and interaction with God.

Many people knowingly sin and just pray God takes it easy on them.

God's character is pure and it doesn't change.

Real change is an inside job.

The heart of the matter is and always will be the matter of the heart.

Society may renovate, but only God re-creates.

The next time alarms go off in your world, ask yourself three questions: 1. Is there any unconfessed sin in my life? 2. Are there any unresolved conflicts in my world? 3. Are there any un-surrendered worries in my heart?

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

I give so little to God, yet God gives me so much.

Take a step of faith and get involved in God's work.

Are you dead to sin?

We are new people because of God.

The moment we die we enter Heaven with our new bodies.

Everyone needs to repent and get right with God.

With God's Word, we know what is right and wrong.

We are free to declare or be proclaimed righteous before God.

Every day, look forward to being with God in Heaven.

What we do now will be rewarded in Heaven.

Use your body to glorify God.

We can't let sin reign in our lives.

We have unmerited favor from God.

Today, who is your master?

Isn't it awkward when you're more accepting of someone than they are of themselves?

How can you think about two homes at once?

I'm not sure if my Dad knew how the lessons he taught me would help me when I got older, but God knew.

Don't try and fly against the wind of God's Spirit.

I want the bittersweet taste of sin out of my mouth.

The flesh is wicked. It lies and deceives.

Do you think taking written notes is important? Imagine if Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul never took notes.

You have a serious problem if you only use God's Word to convict others.

Do you value and trust promises written on paper (rebates, guarantees, warranties, etc.)? How much more should you value and trust God's promises in His Word?

In moments of strength, I'll admit what's right is right. In moments of weakness, I'll claim what's wrong is right.

God has created a special covenant with humans that gave them dominance over the Earth, yet made them accountable to God.

In which areas do you need accountability?

Don't allow stress to build up.

Turn to Jesus for peace before you turn to worldly things.

Faithfulness to God remains vital, even if everyone around us marches to a different drumbeat.

God wants us to stand against sin.

It's easier to stand against sin when you're standing with others.

Evaluate your use of time.

Don't simply be some fireworks for Christ. Be like the sun.

One day, the U.S. will turn against Israel.

Biblical Persia is present-day Iran.

Biblical Magog is present-day Russia (the radical Muslim part).

God miraculously restores and reunites His people.

God's might always prevails in world affairs.

It's dangerous to prioritize being famous.

Saddam Hussein is currently restoring Babylon.

Pride is like bad breath. The prideful person is the only one who doesn't think or know they have bad breath.

God's well of love never runs dry.

How is your spiritual armor?

God establishes leaders to fulfill His plan.

God brings success when we follow His appointed leader.

Follow up your prayers with words and deeds of encouragement.

We have to be continually equipped and prepared to help people.

Can God count on you to help someone?

When you can help someone, don't expect your pastor to do it.

Are you ready to trust God to do what He needs to do in your life?

When you discover what God wants you to do and you begin doing it, try and do it better and better.

It pleases God when His people profess willingness to obey His commandments.

God wants to do miracles and receive glory in your life.

Just because you hit some obstacles in your life, it doesn't mean you should quit or turn around.

Don't waste your time dreaming about things you can do.

Dream about things only God could do.

Ask God when and where He wants you to go.

Let God go first.

Some of God's blessings and miracles only happen after we confess our sins and repent from them.

The love in your heart makes your loved ones beautiful to you.

Separate yourself from your stuff.

Get in a holy army that wants to be holier.

Anybody can get into better spiritual and physical shape.

Ask God, watch God and follow God.

Put your trust in God to guide you.

Can you remember the miracles God has done in your life?

Praise God when the ones that used to fight you as you did God's work join you.

Grace still sees.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Phillip Keller, Mike Macintosh 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.

Oceanside, Ca 92054

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

http://www.jcsm.org

Over 1500 links!