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Hello!

Welcome to the most encouraging email you'll probably ever get on a Monday!

Did you try and email me last week? I think my email address was temporarily down, so I'm sorry if you either didn't get a response or had your email returned to you. My email is working, now.

I've begun reading a new book called "Noah's Ark: A Feasibility Study" by John Woodmorappe. This book details how the ark was built and how it could house so many living creatures. It's an awesome and thorough account and I recommend it.

Are you interested in archaeology? We've added a new site called "Biblical Archaeology" and it has over 15 links on different archaeological digs. Many different institutions and organizations need people to help with digs. To learn more about these things, please go here: http://www.jcsm.org/Contents/Archaeology.htm.

There is a new book being released called "Shakedown: The Life & Lies of the Reverend Jesse Jackson" by Ken Timmerman. It reveals everything from him receiving money from non-profit groups to his marital infidelity to extortion. The liberal media has basically banned their networks (like CNN) from talking about this book.

I don't use these messages as a vehicle for political viewpoints, but it seems to me that there's a big problem when Jesse Jackson cheats on his wife and counsels ex-President Clinton on his affair and it leaves the media in a matter of days (and leaves Jackson and Clinton in office). Meanwhile, Billy Graham is having to apologize for something he said 30 years ago. Please pray for the leaders (religious and otherwise) of this country.

We were very excited to receive one, new donator this week! Praise the Lord. We know God is going to bless him mightily as he gives and we pray great things for him.

Please pray that we get 100 supporters. We already have a wonderful handful of Christians who support JCSM and I know God will convict many more to support His work on the web. If you want to learn more about giving to this ministry or if you want to forward our donation link to a friend, here is the site: http://vision.jcsm.org.

Since my wife and I are having a child in September, we're going to move closer to my parents. They live about an hour from me, in East San Diego county. Please pray that we find a great apartment or house. We're looking now and we'll be moving toward the end of the summer. Please also pray for our baby on the way!

Keep loving God with all your heart! Obey Him in faith and you'll be blessed.

On March 22^nd, Sonic Flood plays in Yorba Linda, California. If you live in Southern California, you should check them out. They are a great worship band.

On March 23^rd, Creed tickets go on sale at 10am for their show on May 23^rd in Phoenix! My wife and I are planning to be there. I've enjoyed the last two Creed concerts I attended, so I recommend seeing them if you like loud, poetic music filled with spiritual insinuations and mysteries.

Are you getting this message every week? Are you receiving about twelve pages with this message? If this message isn't reaching you consistently or if it's shortened, you can always find these weekly devotions on our web site! Simply go here: http://devos.jcsm.org. Plus, if www.jcsm.org isn't working, please try www.jcsm.net.

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 2000 links (pictures, midis, Bible lessons, humor, proverbial stories, links, devotions, poetry, prayer journals and much more!) and it has registered over 66,000 hits!

Would you like to support God's work on the web? If this ministry has touched you in a special way, please pray and consider sending a gift to JCSM. You can join us in our vision to reach people on the web with the good news! Please email me for more information.

If you need to email me, please see the address below. Hitting "reply" to this message won't send an email to me. I'm sorry if this is an inconvenience to you, however, rest assured that I will answer all of the emails I receive.

Welcome to the new recipients of this message! Here are the devotions, challenge, moment of introspection, the Bible word of the week 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

ICQ#: 20731140

The Weekly Devotional Message

Day 1: "Tremble Before God's Power"

Deuteronomy 8:6 "Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him."

Psalm 96:9 "Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth."

Psalm 99:1 "The Lord reigns; Let the peoples tremble! He dwells between the cherubim; Let the earth be moved!"

Psalm 114:7 "Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, At the presence of the God of Jacob."

2 Corinthians 7:1 "Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."

1 Peter 2:17 "Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king."

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to tremble before You, Lord. Thank you for the times that I've physically trembled because I've felt your mighty power! Praise You for being such an awesome God and the only one we should fear. Help us to understand what You want from us. Give us strength and remove our fears of other things. Thank you for being inside of us and loving us. Thank you for the awesome work You do when we tremble before You and realize your power. Help us to reach out and touch You and see You how You really are. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Take Risks For Him"

Mark 8:35 "For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it."

Matthew 16:26 "For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

James 2:18 "But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Prayer: "Thank you for all the people who have taken risks for You! Help us to have more faith and do awesome things in your name. Forgive us for being apathetic or fearful. Let us understand that You will be faithful to us. Thank you for the people we know that have done mighty things at great risk to themselves. Let us ignore fleshly desires and help us overcome the Devil with your truth. Praise You for giving us strength to do things that we could never do without You. Help us to look up and do great miracles in your name. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "I'll Go, I'll Go, I'll Go, I'll Go"

Isaiah 6:8 "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us? Then I said, Here am I! Send me."

2 Timothy 1:8-10 "Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel."

Luke 9:62 "But Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting to send us even though we are imperfect and sometimes, seemingly get in the way of your perfect work. Praise You for having patience with us and loving us more than we can understand. Thank you for calling each believer to do something for You. Thank you for having a great plan for all of us. Help us to see how we are all needed and there aren't any insignificant parts in the body of Christ. Let us love and encourage one another as we serve the Lord. Let us be bold and courageous and accept the tasks You have for us to do. Help us to say, "Here I am! Send me."

Day 4: "Give Cheerfully"

2 Corinthians 9:7 "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Galatians 5:22a "The fruit of the Spirit is.....joy....."

Luke 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."

Prayer: "Thank you for telling us to not only give, but give cheerfully! Let us have a pure and joyful heart, Lord. Thank you for the wonder and joy of giving! Recharge us, renew us and purify us. Help us to understand that giving money and things is helping others. Let us be great stewards of the things You give us. Thank you for making us nothing more than stewards of the mysteries and assets of God. Give us great wisdom and knowledge, so we can do important things with your stuff. Help us to see things in light of eternity and in light of a small amount of time on this Earth. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "The Gift and Ministry of Helping"

1 Corinthians 12:27, 28b "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church.........helps (helpers)........"

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

2 Timothy 1:3 "I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day."

Romans 12:10, 11 "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;"

Prayer: "Thank you for the helpers, Lord. Thank you for the people who love You and want to do your will. Bless the ones that do jobs that are "thankless". Motivate and energize the ones who do not get encouraged. Remind us how much the church and the body of Christ needs each person and their gifts. Thank you for the gift of helps. Let us understand how helping is a supernatural gift and an important one. Thank you for urging us to help. Let us help with a happy heart and look for ways we can help others. Praise You for using us even though we have shortcomings. Let us lift up helpers and the people in the church. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Hoping For A Mediator"

Job 9:32-35 "For He is not a man, as I am, That I may answer Him, And that we should go to court together. Nor is there any mediator between us, Who may lay his hand on us both. Let Him take His rod away from me, And do not let dread of Him terrify me. Then I would speak and not fear Him, But it is not so with me."

1 Timothy 2:5 "For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus."

Hebrews 8:6 "But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises."

Hebrews 9:15 "He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance."

Prayer: "Thank you for being our mediator and Savior, Jesus! Thank you for coming and bridging the gap between us and God. Thank you for forgiving our sins and making us righteous before God because of our faith in you. Help us understand how we could never obtain this righteousness on our own. Praise You for dying for us, rising from the dead and going to Heaven to prepare a place for us. Thank you for restoring our relationship with God that was changed when sin entered this world. Praise You for being the promised and prophesied Messiah. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "The Battle Rages On"

Ephesians 6:11-18 "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints."

1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

1 Samuel 17:47b "The battle is the Lord's."

Prayer: "Thank you for helping us win our battles, Lord. Let us look to You for strength. Help us to choose our battles wisely. Praise You for giving us incredible strength and wisdom. Thank you for warning us about the Devil and his evil ways. Let us overcome him or flee from him. Help us to know when to do which. Thank you for giving us the Bible. Let us read your Word and understand how it is true, living and a protector to us. Thank you for keeping us safe when we obey the promises in your awesome Word. Thank you for giving us a flawless, timeless, supernatural, prophetic book that guides us! Let us cling to You and walk in your ways, Lord. To You be all the glory, honor and praise, forever and ever. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Talk to some younger people about God, life and/or every day things.

Some people have a rich life where they talk to all kinds of people. However, there's a certain blessing associated with enjoying the company of children and younger people. There is also a necessary dynamic between the younger and the older ones.

If you're not used to talking to younger people, simply ask them some questions. Most likely, they would love to share with you. Don't forget to pray for them (at least in your head!).

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

A Moment of Introspection

If you think God isn't talking to you any more, think about the last thing God said to you. Did you listen and do it?

God speaks to all of us. The ones who listen for His voice and have His Holy Spirit will hear Him. However, not everyone will listen to Him.

If God has spoken to you and you didn't listen to Him, your heart could be growing harder and you could be starting to hear His voice more faintly. Don't let this happen to you. Seek God and do what He's telling you. You don't want to find yourself in a place where you can't hear God because you've ignored His voice so many times and you only want to hear Him when He's saying what you want Him to say.

The Bible Word of the Week

theology: the study of religious faith, practice and experience; especially: the study of God and God's relation to the world

The Quotations of the Week

Don't underestimate the power of God during a worship experience.

One of the purposes of tithing is putting and keeping God in first place in your life.

My Bible tells me that you are going to be blessed; especially those who give.

Don't forget that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

You're not in church to hold the seats down.

Every believer is a special member of the body of Christ.

The church will run best when all the members are working for God and fulfilling His purposes for them.

Some churches fail because they don't finely tune and use the "smaller parts".

Doors don't stop God's work.

If you think God isn't talking to you any more, think about the last thing God said to you. Did you listen and do it?

Too many Christians ignore God's voice and use the phrase, "I don't feel led" to serve the Lord.

Are you becoming a respecter of persons within your church?

God isn't interested in raising up an audience. He's raising up an army.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Mike Robertson and Buddy Bell.

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've written in the most beneficial way, try and trace them back to the scriptures 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 share the gospel over 2.5 million times each year! 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 email me and I'll give you our mailing address.

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! JCSM regularly gives to churches and needy people. Another function of this ministry is to do counseling. We are always answering questions about life, the Lord and everything in between. Lastly, we do a lot of research on religious topics on the internet and library. You will definitely see the results of our hard work and your loving support, in the web pages, and in the weekly devotions!

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 JCSM, please email us and we will send them to you, personally, each week. Don't worry. We don't send forwards or any other junk mail. Plus, we refrain from giving your name to anyone.

The devotions are sent on Sunday 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 we send, however, please email me us you wish to be removed from this list.

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 and 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". 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.stopthehunger.com and here www.thehungersite.com.

Go here to donate free Bibles to people: www.TheBibleSite.org. If you want to join a Christian organization that helps feed and clothe poor people, check into World Vision. You can see their site here: www.worldvision.com. Compassion International is another, great Christian organization that rivals World Vision. You can visit them here: www.ci.org.

Do you believe in evolution? If you can prove that the evolution of species has happened, Dr. Dino will give you $250,000. I know Kent Hovind and this is a legitimate offer. For more information, please see his web site: http://www.drdino.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 us 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 us know. We can 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. I recommend using either the King James Version or the New King James Version Bible.

JCSM operates in Oceanside, California, United States. This ministry has been certified by the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions. EMNR is an accrediting body for sound, Christian ministries that preach the true gospel of God to people in other religions and cults. Their web site is located here: http://www.emnr.org.

Since April of 1997, the weekly devotional message has been sent on the internet. This message currently reaches over 39,000 people in 99 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 2000 links!

Jesus loves you!

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."