This is the Weekly Devotional Message from

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

www.JCSM.org

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Hello!

Are you ready for this week's devotions? Yes, they're on time! Yes, they're large and in charge!

Please note that I'm using (email changed) to send the devotional messages. AOL suspended my other AOL account for 30 days! For that reason, the devotions were sent a little late last week.

It was unfortunate to see AOL flex it's anti-God muscles and remove me from the internet. Nonetheless, I'm still sending the good news and nothing will stop me. I'll let you know if there are any more changes or persecutions. Thanks for your prayers and support.

Are you near the Oceanside area? New Venture Christian Fellowship is offering a great, Tuesday night Bible study and Friday night service! I've been attending NVCF for a year and it's had a wonderful impact on me. If you need more information about our Quest group, please call Pastor Kent at 760-721-7777.

On Tuesday, DC Talk is releasing a new album! It's called "Solo" and it will feature a couple songs from each of the guys' upcoming solo albums. It will also include their live rendition of the U2 song "40" (based on Psalm 40).

The Dove Awards are upon us. Christian musicians will be rewarded for their hard work on Thursday. Check your local listings and maybe you can catch them on TV!

Sarine and I are starting a Bible study on Revelation. We're excited about learning from the Word. It will coincide with New Venture's Bible studies on Revelation. Please pray for us as we delve into God's Word and listen to what He's teaching us.

Speaking of Sarine, I must admit that married life is wonderful! I'm so thankful for my new wife. It's great to always have her here. She's such a great help, too. If you're in the dating scene and thinking of giving up, I pray that you persevere. Before I met Sarine, I had felt discouraged and tired of waiting, but a great wife is well worth the wait!

Mark IV Pictures has produced four, great end times videos. You may have seen some of them. The first one, "A Thief in the Night", was released in 1972. We have the whole series and have watched the first two videos. If you can find them, I highly recommend them! They're exciting and they show what will happen after the rapture.

Would you like to read a Bible lesson? Go here to read a classic, JCSM Bible study: http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/DonotLie.htm.

God bless your spiritual growth! Put God first and everything else will fall into place.

*** 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 45,000 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, two moments 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: "To God Be the Glory"

Psalm 62:7 "In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God."

Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

Romans 16:27 "To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen."

1 Corinthians 10:31 "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Timothy 1:17 "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:11 "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

Jude 25 "To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."

Prayer: "Thank you for being worthy of glory, Lord. Thank you for wanting us to give You what You deserve. Remind us that You are awesome. Remind us that You are taking us to Heaven when we die. Thank you for your awesome Word. Thank you for teaching us and giving us your Holy Spirit. Help us to give You the glory for everything! Thank you for being perfect. Help us remember your character and what You have done. Let us always praise You and give You glory. To You be all the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever! In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "One Continuous Message"

2 John 1:5 "And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another."

Hebrews 13:8 "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever."

Isaiah 40:8 "The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever."

Ephesians 4:5, 6 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us the same message, Lord. Thank you for being consistent and unchanging. Thank you for being the same! Help us to appreciate the fact that You ask the same things of everyone. Help us to appreciate You and imagine how life would be if You were less than perfect. Thank you for showing us the value of consistency! Bless us, Lord. Make us like You. Help us to cling to You and your truths. Thank you for being such a good and loving God! Thank you for knowing exactly what we need and giving it to us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Maybe A Martyr"

Acts 7:57-60 "Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not charge them with this sin.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

Daniel 3:26, 27 "Then Nebuchadnezzar went near the mouth of the burning fiery furnace and spoke, saying, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here.' Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came from the midst of the fire. And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them."

Daniel 6:16-22 "So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, 'Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.' Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?' Then Daniel said to the king, 'O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you."

Matthew 14:10, 11 "So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother."

Prayer: "Thank you for the people in the Bible who stood up for You. Thank you for the supernatural boldness that You give. Give this boldness and faith to all believers, Lord. Help them to pray for it and desire it. Thank you for the people that You had die a natural death and thank you for the ones who lost their lives for You. Prepare us to follow You, no matter what the costs. Praise You for determining when we die. Thank you for beginning our life in Heaven as soon as our Earthly life ends. Remove our worries and fears. Help us put our trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Our Priesthood"

Leviticus 21:10 "He who is the high priest among his brethren, on whose head the anointing oil was poured and who is consecrated to wear the garments....."

Hebrews 3:1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house."

Hebrews 4:14 "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."

1 Peter 2:5, 9, 10 "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. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy."

Prayer: "Thank you for your perfect plan. Thank you how we saw High Priests in the Old Testament. Thank you for having a purpose for them. Thank you for Jesus Christ - our High Priest. Let us understand how He fulfilled prophecy and is the only God and salvation. Thank you for making us holy and letting us come to You. Thank you for making us, in essence, priests. Thank you that we don't have to go to any human beings to get to You. Thank you for accepting us and loving us deeply. Remind us that You are thinking good thoughts of us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "God Is Our Loyal Partner"

2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him."

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;"

Deuteronomy 32:4 "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He."

1 Corinthians 1:9 "God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord."

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

Psalm 18:30 "As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble."

Prayer: "Praise You for your faithfulness! Remind all of us that You are near and more accurately, You are here. Thank you for being our powerful ally. Thank you for always being right. Thank you for protecting us more than we realize. Keep protecting us from evil, Lord. Surround us with your love and protection. Thank you for your grace and mercy! There's no other God like You. Thank you for being loyal to us. Help us to be loyal to You! Thank you for being our perfect example of all good things. Let us emulate You. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "He Can Heal Us"

Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds."

Matthew 12:15 "But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;"

Luke 9:2 "And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where."

1 Corinthians 12:9 "To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;"

Prayer: "Thank you for healing us. Thank you for promising to heal us, too. Remind us that You are in the business of healing your people. Give us faith in your promises. Help us to be content with what You do and don't do. Thank you for making an end to all suffering. Thank you for glorifying yourself in our weaknesses. Remind us that You are here and have an incredible plan for our lives. Help us to pray fervently and ask for healing and other things. Praise You for always hearing us! Thank you for always doing what is best. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "God Has Riches For Us In Heaven"

John 14:2 "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you."

Psalm 37:18 "Day by day, God sees the good deeds done by godly men and gives them eternal rewards."

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 "Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one's work, of what sort it is. If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us eternal rewards! Thank you for preparing an awesome place for us. Remind us that there is much more to life than what we see. Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit and the living Word. Thank you for proving to us that there is more than a mundane life for us here and after we die. Thank you for making our lives supernatural! Thank you for rewarding our hard work. Help us to be diligent workers. Help us to work when we're tired. Thank you for strengthening us and giving us power to persevere even when we feel like we have none left. Thank you for opening our eyes and making us strong. To You be all the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Find a Christian radio station! On the way to work, I listened to 107.9 FM and was really encouraged. This station is heard in San Diego and Los Angeles. I was blessed by a sermon by Chuck Smith.

You could find a sermon or a Christian music station. I hope your city has a great, Christian station! God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!

Two Moments of Introspection

1. Should three dimensional people have intimate relationships with two dimensional ones?

God has given us a body, soul and spirit. Unbelievers only have a body and a soul. Miles McPhearson spoke quote number one.

The question basically refers to believers being unequally yoked with unbelievers. God has written several times in His Word that He doesn't want us getting too close to unbelievers. Realizing that we are three dimensional people and they are only two dimensional people should further emphasis God's command.

2. The list of good things God thinks about you is greater than any list you could make.

Isn't this an incredible concept? Miles said this and it was based on Psalm 139:17, 18. "How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You."

I'm not sure how introspective we can get on this concept. The verse really speaks for itself. Praise the Lord that He thinks so much of us! It should make us walk with joy!

The Bible Trivia Question

Which part of the Bible is not in several of the old manuscripts? Hint: It's a paragraph in one of the gospels.

Last Week's Bible Trivia Answer

John the Baptist ate wild honey and locusts. See Mark 1:6.

Quotations

God's promises set believers apart from unbelievers.

We don't need the world.

Don't let the affairs of this world entangle you.

The devil will rip you off and will never bless you.

Keep using your spiritual gifts inside the body of Christ.

Do you know how to phrase an exhortation that makes it encouraging instead of convicting?

The Bible is full of dysfunctional people that God used for great things.

Love that comes from lust doesn't produce a healthy relationship.

Should three dimensional people have intimate relationships with two dimensional ones?

If you don't know what God's Word says, you'll be a lukewarm believer.

God wants the glory for everything in your life.

If it is to be of any value, truth must saturate and penetrate your soul.

Although we like to achieve instant success, God often develops us by trials and persecution.

Face your struggles courageously and patiently. God may be using them to prepare you to fly.

Creative people add spice to life.

Don't envy or hate creative people.

The body of Christ and the world needs people who can reach into the spiritual and give us awesome things.

We must trust in God's timing and restrain our natural desires in order to follow God's law.

Trust God's timing and submit your dreams to Him.

When you try and please everyone, you won't please God.

If you think everyone has to like you, you're shallow and weak.

God doesn't simply work miracles on Sunday mornings.

The devil has people tricked into thinking they are living the good life when they're sinning.

The list of good things God thinks about you is greater than any list you could make.

When you hear about ministry opportunities, pray about doing them.

God can hook stuff up.

Sometimes we simply need to be quiet and obedient to God.

Do you want to know the potential of your spiritual gifts?

Either be saved and live holy or be unsaved and live carnally, but don't live both ways.

Lying to God shows you don't love Him.

Iran loves it's god more than America loves it's God/god.

I'm not a San Diegan, I'm a Christian.

Do you know your assignment from God?

When you face trials, remember the people who overcame them.

Do you have to make excuses when you're wrong?

Try and admit when you're wrong.

20% of God's people do 80% of God's work.

How can you not be excited about doing God's work when so many people are going to Hell and leading defeated lives?

Do you want to be the man or woman that Satan really wants to destroy because you're so influential for God?

We're cheating ourselves by only asking God for small things.

Be thankful for a godly perspective.

You need to be led by the Holy Spirit.

God holds us accountable for our actions.

You don't have to be dysfunctional.

God's assignments will get bigger and more exciting as you complete the smaller ones successfully.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Mike Macintosh, Kent Hildebrand 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!

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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.

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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.

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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 13,000 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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John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever should believe in Him should have everlasting life."