This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

Over 1500 Links!

Hello!

God is good, all the time! All the time, God is good!

It's less than two weeks until my wedding! Sarine and I are excited. Thanks for your prayers and encouragement.

We've developed a new web site called Quality Christian Colleges. It is still under construction, but there are currently about 30 schools listed. This is a great web page for perspective college students who want to find a great, Christian education. To discover more, simply go here: http://www.jcsm.org/Contents/QCC.htm.

Don't forget to set your clocks forward on March 31. It's daylight savings time!

Would you like some Christian music tabs? Many worship songs can be found here: www.christianguitar.org

We've updated an important web page at JCSM. Our God's Names page has an improved appearance, now. If you've never seen this page, it is a very long list of God's names. You can visit it here: http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/godsnames.htm

Please pray for the families involved in the Granite Hills shooting. My Mom works for Granite Hills High School and she was about 10 feet from one of the shootings. Thank God she is all right.

My Grandfather is in the hospital with a heart condition. It has gotten better, so he's leaving soon. Please pray that he goes to Heaven when he dies. I'm not sure if he's saved.

On Sunday, I visited Calvary Chapel Pasadena. Xavier Ries wasn't preaching, but we heard an incredible sermon from Tony Scotti. You can read some of his quotes below. Please pray for Xavier. He was in a very serious motorcycle accident, but God has blessed him with a speedy recovery and no paralyzation.

I hope you are encouraged by these devotions. Take a minute to meditate on the verses and quotes. God will bless you and draw you closer to Him.

Are you sleeping enough? http://www.sleepfoundation.org.

Because I've been really busy lately, these devotions are being sent one day later than usual. I'm sorry for the delay. I've simply been swamped with an increased work schedule, wedding plans and moving/house maintenance plans and errands.

*** Are you receiving about twelve pages with this message? If this message is truncated, and perhaps you're only receiving half of it, you can always find these devotions on my web site! Simply go here: http://devos.jcsm.org.

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 43,000 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: "The Whole Truth and Nothing But the Truth"

John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

2 Timothy 2:15 "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

Acts 20:27 "For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God."

John 8:32 "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Ephesians 6:14a "Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth."

Ephesians 4:25 "Therefore, putting away lying, Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another."

Ephesians 4:15 "Speaking the truth in love, we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ."

2 Corinthians 13:8 "For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth."

Prayer: "Thank you for requiring us to know and speak the whole truth. Help us to do this, Lord. Thank you for being the truth! There's no other God like You. Forgive us for lying or speaking partial truths. Let us be bold and speak the truth in love. Praise You for the power of the truth! Thank you for making truth and eternal person. Thank you for rescuing us with your power and truth. Thank you for setting us free with your truth. Remind us that your truth can free the captives. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Revive Me!"

Psalm 138:7 "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me."

Psalm 119:154, 156, 159 "Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word. Great are Your tender mercies, O LORD; Revive me according to Your judgments. Consider how I love Your precepts; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness."

Isaiah 57:15 "For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting to revive us! Help us to accept your revival power. Let us pray for revival in our hearts and in the hearts of others. Thank you for making old things new. Thank you for reviving us and helping us to rejoice and be godly. Let us see things like You do. Remind us that You have the power to revive us. Praise You for your faithfulness! Thank you for never giving up on us and always wanting to complete the work You have began in us. Let us trust You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The Unrighteous Face Serious Problems"

Isaiah 13:11 "I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will halt the arrogance of the proud, And will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible."

Proverb 10:30 "The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth."

Proverb 11:20, 21 "Those who are of a perverse heart are an abomination to the LORD, But the blameless in their ways are His delight. Though they join forces, the wicked will not go unpunished; But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered."

1 Corinthians 6:9, 10 "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."

Prayer: "Thank you for the warnings and promises for unrighteous people. Let us pray for the ones who are facing judgment. Thank you for saving us and showing us salvation! Thank you for giving us a much better way. Let us be a light in the darkness and warn the evil people that they are headed for destruction. Thank you for changing our path and putting our feet on a Rock. Give us love and compassion for the ones who are headed to Hell. Thank you for helping us share the gospel and your love with others. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Words of Life"

John 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

Romans 8:5 "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit."

Galatians 5:25 "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us words of life. There are no words like your words, Lord. Help us to memorize what You say. Thank you for speaking to us in your Word and speaking to us outside your Word. Help us to harken unto your voice. Thank you for caring enough to speak to us. Thanks for having mercy on us when we ignore your voice or try and explain it away. Help us understand when You are speaking and how we should respond to You. Thank you for being a real God for real people. Let us appreciate your words of life. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "First"

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

Revelation 2:4 "Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."

Revelation 1:8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, says the Lord, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

1 John 4:19 "We love Him because He first loved us."

Prayer: "Thank you for loving us first, Lord! Thank you for being here before anything existed. Let us try and understand You. Thank you for rewarding us when we seek You first. Help us to put aside our other desires and wants and seek You first. Let us get our priorities straight, so we seek You first. Thank you for giving us a very reasonable command which is to seek first the God who can help us the most, the God who loved us first. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Self-Realization"

Acts 26:5 "They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee."

Romans 1:1 "Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God."

1 Corinthians 1:1 "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother."

1 Timothy 1:15 "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."

Prayer: "Thank you for showing Paul who he was in You. Let us take inventory and realize who we are, too. Thank you for showing us the truth about ourselves, even when others lie or are too afraid to say something. Thank you for the way You showed Paul that He was your bondservant, apostle and 'chief of sinners.' Thank you for showing us our sins and helping us overcome them. Let us be honest with You and ourselves. Thank you for rewarding our honest devotion to You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Submit to God and Others"

1 Peter 2:13, 14 "Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good."

1 Peter 5:5 "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

James 4:7 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

1 Corinthians 14:34 "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says."

Colossians 3:18-19 "Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them."

Prayer: "Thank you for having us submit to You and others. Help us to do this without complaining or whining. Thank you for rewarding people who truly want to serve You and others. Convert our hearts and remove any iniquity. Forgive us for our sins and help us to repent. Let us think of others as more highly than ourselves. Thank you for being such a good and loving God. Help us to be like You! Thank you for being so worthy of our praise and devotion. Thank you for giving us such great laws. Let us have peace, love and joy, Lord. Make us like You. Remind us that we have a new life and a new start with You in our heart. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Begin a Bible study!

Most Christians have done a Bible study or at least known someone who has. There are tremendous benefits in studying God's Word! Have you experienced them?

If you're feeling really bold, try attending a group Bible study and doing a personal one, too. You can grow from various methods. Group Bible studies often have worship, prayer, teaching and fellowship. I really enjoy my Bible study and group!

I've been doing a personal Bible study on the book of 1 Corinthians. I've learned a lot of great things! I'm almost done and I'll be starting a study on Revelation. Many quotes and even some devotions have been derived from my Bible studies.

Please pray about your Bible studies. God will show you the best studies and groups. God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!

A Moment of Introspection

If God didn't respond to prayer, don't you think we would have figured it out by now?

People have been praying for thousands of years. Ever since the first man and woman, humans have talked to God. I know all humans aren't incredibly intelligent, but don't you think that someone would have unproven prayer if it wasn't real?

Not only does the existence of prayer in our society today show that it's true, the fact that God has answered every believer's prayer is evidence that God answers prayer. Nobody will ever be able to disprove prayer because prayer works.

God's Word has commanded us to pray. Talking to God is a phenomenal and life-changing experience. If you are a praying person, keep up the good work! If not, start praying. You won't regret it.

The Bible Trivia Question

What was the name of the disciple that betrayed Jesus?

Last Week's Bible Trivia Answer

There is one chapter in the book of Jude. See Jude.

Quotations

God's sovereignty causes us to worship.

Worship develops the fear of the Lord.

Wisdom can build a godly marriage.

Godly parents don't guarantee godly children.

Love doesn't use people.

The faithfulness of God and the faith of men and women form a union with eternal results.

Reading the Bible may be hazardous to your status quo!

A spiritual heritage is the richest heritage any child can receive.

What if God called you to do something that didn't fit into your master plan of your life.

Be candid with God.

If you're available to God, tell Him so.

Why do cynics call themselves realists?

Take a recent accident, misunderstanding or setback and acknowledge that it was no accident, but rather a stretching, maturing incident in God's sovereign plan for you.

God has answers for every one of your excuses.

If you want to serve God, you'll find a way; if you don't, you'll find an excuse.

What excuses have kept you from obeying God?

Many Christians lose their joy because they focus exclusively on obedience and lose sight of worship.

Are you at church to get your ears tickled or your life changed?

Accepting Jesus Christ means knowing what His Word says and being positive it's true and that you're going to Heaven when you die.

John had the Revelation, no revelations.

The are seven epistles in Revelation and they were all written by Jesus Christ.

Do you read, love, understand and know the Word of God?

Why is there so much service for the king, but no time for the king?

Remember, repent and repeat.

Can you admit how much you're being persecuted?

Psalm 119 is a Hebrew acrostic.

If it is possible to resolve a conflict, be the peacemaker.

We should not seek strength in weapons, economic might or political strength. Real power comes from God.

How do you relieve stress?

Nothing can prevent you from accepting Christ.

God is mindful of our difficulties and He is never indifferent.

Satan wants you to think God is unconcerned with you or unable to help.

Avoid inappropriate ways to relieve stress.

Prayer is a form of worship.

If we don't believe God is concerned with the small details of our life, we may become people who pray infrequently for big things.

Christians live two lives on Earth: our old one and our new one.

When your heart is moved, God is touched.

If God didn't respond to prayer, don't you think we would have figured it out by now?

God is in the business of delivering people that don't deserve it.

Can you clean a fish before you catch it?

People may think you're nuts when they don't see you worrying and see you at peace.

Prayer heals people.

God gives us an absolute and eternal deliverance.

God really frees us from real chains.

Do you realize that Jesus is on your side?

If you want God to reveal things to you, go to church.

Who you are is being changed into the image of Christ.

Has your conscience been seared to the point that you can't determine whether something is wrong or right?

Those who don't seek God will find themselves in very difficult circumstances.

Those that reject God's Word are far from it.

Satan isn't picky with his methods, he'll use anything to tempt you to be angry at God.

Satan can't make you do anything.

People who separate themselves from God's Word are in dire straits.

We should be so close to God that when we neglect one day of reading His Word and praying, we notice it in a big way.

The more time you spend with God, the closer you'll get to Him and the more He will reveal to you.

Actively seek the attributes of God.

If God's Word is life, shouldn't we have a detailed plan to read it?

Christians who grow spiritually will have a plan to do so.

Why do some of us have detailed plans for lunch, but no plan to get closer to God?

You would be hard-pressed to find someone who didn't want to be revived.

What is too important to be handed to God?

When you're deciding between your plan and God's plan, remember that He knows all things.

God is able to contemplate every possible outcome.

Trusting God doesn't necessarily make everything easy.

The world will think we need therapy when we're wholeheartedly devoted to Christ.

The world wants us to worry with them and take matters into our own hands instead of trusting God.

Seek the Giver and let Him worry about the gifts.

We should have a passionate drive against evil.

Don't pander to your own petty prejudices.

Distinguish between righteous anger and sinful anger.

God condemns sin, so it really doesn't matter what the culture thinks about it.

Christians need to love the Word of God more than anything else.

If you don't love God more than your family, you won't be very good to your family.

My life is going to show how much I love God's Word.

The Word of God is a light in a dark place that helps us see things how they really are.

Truth will make you free, but sometimes it makes you unhappy, momentarily.

Satan doesn't need to convince you that the whole Bible is untrue. In order to due damage to your life, he only has to convince you to doubt the Word.

What is meant for you won't pass you by.

If you're looking to your past for satisfaction, your present must not be that satisfying.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Kent Hildebrand, Tony Scotti and the Walk Thru the Old Testament Seminar book.

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.

Go here to donate free Bibles to people: http://www.TheBibleSite.org. If you want to join an organization that helps feed and clothe poor people, check into World Vision. You can see their site here: www.worldvision.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 11,000 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!