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Hello!

Why do you look for the living among the dead? Jesus is not here, He has risen!

This Sunday is Easter. I hope you have an awesome time of celebrating Jesus Christ's resurrection! There's no other God like our God. If you can't go to a church service, please take some time and reflect on Jesus, what He did on the cross and how He rose from the dead to save us from our sins.

Did you know that over 400 years before it happened, Daniel prophesied the exact day that Jesus Christ would come into Jerusalem (on the donkey) on Palm Sunday? This is one of the most remarkable prophecies in the Bible. I've read some books on this prophecy and created a web page to reveal the mathematics and scriptures involved. Link: http://Daniel925.jcsm.org.

Are you ready to praise the Lord with us? Well, last week, JCSM's main site averaged over 100 hits a day, again! Please pray that more and more people come to JCSM and find the good news. Over the years, the numbers continue to rise and we're thankful we can be here for the world that so desperately need Jesus Christ.

In April, JCSM will be featured in CCM magazine and The Christian Times newspaper. These publications will be reaching millions of people, so let's pray that many are blessed through our web ministry. We are hoping for another record month of hits.

JCSM has been given an opportunity to be on national, cable television! We are in the beginning stages of negotiations, though. Please pray that God gives us wisdom and helps us make this dream happen. If it's His will, nothing will stop us.

Do you know where Shinar is located? Do you know where the Assyrians lived? Can you remember where Cyrene is located? Well, you won't find those places on a modern map, but we have a web site that can help you. We've added many more links to it, too. For over 60 ancient cities, lands and people and what they're called today, simply go here: http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/AncientLands.htm.

Recently, I found a web site giving away free things. For instance, you can get a free, patriotic t-shirt for simply giving them your name and address. If you'd like this shirt and more things, go here: http://www.yourfreepresent.com.

Each week, JCSM has several people send the devotions to people in the regular mail. Unfortunately, not everyone has email, so we reach them through the regular mail. We're thankful for these helpers and we need one more to send the devotions for us. If you are looking to serve the Lord and think this ministry job is for you, please email me.

Me, my wife and some Christian couples are reading and going through "Seeking God Together" by David Stoop. This is a great book for married couples. David has some great ideas for having a successful and God-centered marriage. If you're married or getting married soon, I recommend reading this book.

On March 26, Delirious is playing at College Avenue Baptist Church in San Diego! My wife and I will be there because Delirious is an awesome band. If you want to learn more, you can go to their web site at http://www.cabc.org.

The Newsboys are releasing their "Thrive" album on Tuesday, March 26^th! I've heard the first single called "It Is You" and it's awesome. You can pick this album up from your local Christian bookstore.

Do you like free concerts? Well, if you're in the Southern California area, you'll want to see Rebecca St. James in Downey! She's singing with her band at Cerritos College and the doors open at 5:30pm. Maybe I'll see you there!

Yesterday, my wife and I got tickets for Creed's concert in San Jose! We bought 6 general admission, floor tickets. If you like them or are planning on being there, let me know. They have incredible concerts and it's amazing how they get people to sing about God and the Bible.

God bless you as you seek Him and grow in Him. Listen to God this weekend because you're likely to hear him as you meditate on Jesus death and resurrection. I pray you rejoice in the hope of His promise of eternal life!

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! Devotional archive: 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 67,000 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! Either email me for more information or simply go here: http://vision.jcsm.org.

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: "Is Silence Wisdom?"

Job 13:5, 6 "But you forgers of lies, You are all worthless physicians. Oh, that you would be silent, And it would be your wisdom!"

Proverb 10:14 "Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."

Proverb 24:7 "Wisdom is too lofty for a fool; He does not open his mouth in the gate."

Proverb 18:14 "The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us wisdom, Lord. Help us to understand You, others and ourselves. Praise You for being the source of awesome, godly wisdom. Remind us that when people are silent, it doesn't necessarily mean they are wise. Let us be awesome listeners and compare the words people speak with the words You have said. Thank you for being our litmus test for truth. Let us use our words to glorify You and encourage others. Thank you for giving us the gift of speech. Let us use it wisely. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Introspection"

Job 13:23 "How many are my iniquities and sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin."

Psalm 69:5 "O God, You know my foolishness; And my sins are not hidden from You."

1 Samuel 16:7b "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?"

Prayer: "Thank you for knowing what is within us and still loving us! Thank you for wanting us to be like You. Help us to look inside ourselves and see what You see. Remove our fears and worries. Remove our pride and foolishness. Help us to be honest and sincere seekers. Thank you for touching us and lifting us up, Lord. Thank you for giving us hope and love. Help us to love You more! You are our awesome God. Thank you for having patience with us. Help us to eat large helpings of spiritual food. Thank you for promising to finish the work that You began in us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Precious Metals?"

Job 23:10 "But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold."

Proverb 17:3 "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the Lord tests the hearts."

1 Corinthians 3:11-15 "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 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 refining us, Lord. Thank you for taking what we are and making it more and more pure. Praise You for giving us such awesome illustrations in your Word. Thank you for the fact that the Bible is the best selling book of all time. Let it go into all the world and never be banned. Thank you for telling us now, before judgment day, that what we do on Earth will be tested and only what we do for You will remain. Help us to weed out unfruitful words and behavior. Forgive us for wasting time on foolish pursuits. Thank you for helping us get our priorities straight. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "The Summary"

Matthew 22:36-40 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Prayer: "Thank you for summarizing your desire for us in one word, 'LOVE'. Help us to love like You do. Thank you for loving us so much! Let us understand your love. Thank you for those that love us. Help us to love our enemies. Thank you for the people who hate us and persecute us. Let us obey You and show the world You are our God by the way we love one another. Thank you for helping us love people that we used to hate or make fun of. Thank you for sending people to love us when we didn't deserve it. Thank you for the love that we have within our families. Help us to reach out to others and let You love them through us. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "Listen To Wise Advice"

Proverbs 10:14 "Wise people store up knowledge, But the mouth of the foolish is near destruction."

Proverbs 13:11 "A wise son heeds his father's instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke."

Proverbs 19:20 "Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days."

Proverbs 8:32-36 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord; But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death."

Proverb 11:14 "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

Proverb 15:22 "Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established."

Prayer: "Thank you for the people who are willing to give us wise advice. Help us to thank them and never despise them. Praise You through working through people with your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the awesome wisdom in your Word. Help us to learn what You are saying and know what to do. Give us more knowledge of You, Lord. Let us see this world like You do. Thank you for creating the world for us. Help us to use what is good and deny what is bad. Thank you for all of our options. Help us to be safe and not succumb to temptation. Strengthen us and lift us up. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "You May Have Abundant Life and You May Not"

John 10:10 "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

James 1:17 "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

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

Jeremiah 29:13 "And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us abundant life, Lord! Help us to realize what You are offering us. Thank you for giving things to the people who ask for them. Help us to be seekers, askers and finders. Thank you for opening the floodgates of Heaven when we tithe and give and love You. Let us have open hands to give You what You want and take what You want to give us. Thank You for defining abundant life. Let us throw our definition away. You have the keys to life and we need the kind of life that You give. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Jesus' Glorious Resurrection"

Luke 24:5-7 "Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

John 11:25 "Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."

1 Corinthians 15:12 "Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?"

1 Peter 1:3-5 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

Acts 4:33 "And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all."

Prayer: "Thank you for rising from the dead and saving us from our sins! Thank you for coming to Earth with one purpose in mind: redeeming humankind. Thank you for dying for everyone's sins. Help us to understand You, your purpose and your divinity. Thank you for making it difficult for human minds to understand, but easy for spiritual minds to grasp. Praise You for beating the grave! Help us to consider how awesome that is! Thank you for raising Lazarus from the dead and doing other awesome miracles. Remind us that nothing is too great for You. Thank you for loving sinners like me. To You be all the glory, honor and praise. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Challenge

Go on a fast for Easter!

You can fast one meal, two meals, one day, two days or whatever you wish. Pray and ask God how long you should fast. Next, ask Him what kind of fast you should do.

There's no doubt about it. When you obey God's command to fast, you will be blessed. What better time to fast and seek God than Easter?

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

A Moment of Introspection

A lot of Christians look constipated. Why is this?

It's unfortunate when the people who are supposed to have the most love and the most hope look like they've eaten too many prunes. Sometimes, we aren't realizing how we are looking to others. I've done this; especially when I have a goatee. I'll look awfully mean and I don't try and look mean.

I think we need to tell our face and body language that we are saved and on our way to Heaven. Smiling never hurt anybody.

Sometimes, when I'm upset or just "blah", I'll force a really goofy smile. I always end up laughing, afterwards. Especially if I'm looking in a mirror when I do it.

If this moment of introspection didn't apply to you, Hallelujah. If it did, I pray that we can teach our faces what we know in our hearts.

The Bible Word of the Week

glory: great beauty or splendor; praise, honor or distinction

The Quotations of the Week

Everything we do is relating to God, people or deceiving spirits.

If you have faith in Jesus Christ, you are God's adopted child.

Christians, remember who you are.

We must see people through God's eyes.

Don't favor the rich over the poor.

We must remember that we are God's family.

What is stopping you from praying for blessings for the people you see?

Cut people some slack.

People that have the most friends are the ones who are loving and accepting.

Stop competing.

Genuinely share others' joy and sorrows.

Keep hoping for the best.

Three reasons why it's better to be an optimist about people: 1) you may have misunderstood them, 2) some people need time to come around, 3) you'll be a much happier person.

A lot of Christians look constipated.

Great friendships take work and sacrifice.

With Christ inside of us, we have the ability to share love with others like they've never had.

Let the Master Gardener come into your life and make something beautiful.

If Jesus didn't go to the cross (and rise from the dead), we wouldn't have salvation.

If you're in church for the wrong reasons, stick around and let God change your heart.

Many people are "forced" by their parents to go to church, but they realize later that their parents were right.

If Jesus does nothing more for us, He's already done enough for us to praise Him for eternity.

Being a Christian primarily for what you can get out of it is idolatry.

You take everything from some individuals and they will fall on their face because these things are their foundation and life.

When you lose your material possessions, you'll see what's inside of you.

God will give every person a chance to accept Him until they die.

Religiosity and Christianity are diametrically opposed to each other.

Religion is spelled "do", but Christianity is spelled "done".

Can you see how the Devil is robbing you?

Parents who love Christ and take their children to church usually have children who seek, find and love Christ, too.

Parents that don't have a sincere relationship with Christ, even if they go to church, often have children that want nothing to do with Jesus.

A religious attitude says that all a person needs to do is more good things than bad things.

Until you have Jesus Christ in your life, you're a very poor individual.

Develop spiritual habits.

Evaluate the state of your relationships.

God made us with the need for relationships.

Loneliness and isolation are detrimental to our health.

People who don't have understanding sometimes make false assumptions.

Relationships are meant to be meaningful and fulfilling.

No one marries to be miserable, but after marriage, many become miserable and look for something or someone to blame their misery on.

It hurts to see our relationships unravel.

God is a relational being.

God's very character is a relationship.

There's a huge difference between being loved for who you are and being loved for what you do and give.

In the Bible, the Son constantly glorifies the Father and the Father glorifies the Son. The Holy Spirit glorifies the Son and Father.

The triune Godhead is the prototype for perfect relationships.

Successful relationships are never self-centered.

The number one marital problem is self-centeredness.

Our natural tendency is to consider ourselves before others.

Every marital problem has it's root in self-centeredness.

Many of us have excuses for our selfishness.

The greatest obstacle to relationships is justified self-centeredness.

Submitting to one another is the cure for selfishness.

Successful relationships require mutual submission.

Every student brings joy to the classroom; some when they enter and some when they leave.

Exercise not only helps you live longer, but it helps you live better.

Usually, the good that I want to experience is not going to happen unless I do the work.

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), David T. Moore, Troy Lewis and Mike Robertson.

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, our Bible lesson is sent on Thursdays, 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

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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."