Hello and welcome to this week's devotional message!

This week, we're sending a letter in the regular mail to 50 of JCSM's supporters.  Please pray that the recipients pray for this ministry and are able to help us fulfill our mission to reach people.  You can read this message, too!  It's here: http://donations.jcsm.org.  If you're interested in seeing our top 6 priorities at JCSM, you'll want to go to that site.

If you'd like to share the gospel with me and contend for the faith, please let me know.  I want to train five people to help me witness to others on the JCSM Forum.  This will be a simple and fun training course where I teach you some basics on debating and sharing the truth.  We'd love to have your help, so please make a some time to give the light of the gospel to hungry seekers.  I'm ready to train you!  

Have you ever heard of Chuck Missler?  Chuck has an incredible Bible study series on CD-ROM.  It's called "Learn the Bible in 24 Hours" and it's twenty-four, one hour lessons on audio and slideshow (Powerpoint)!  I've done the first eight lessons and they are incredible.  They address all kinds of interesting things about God's Word; things that I haven't discovered in twenty years of being a Christian!  If you'd like more information about this CD and how to get it, please email me.

In the first half of the 1900's, some dinosaur footprints were found with some human footprints.  If you've studied creation and evolution, you'll know this is the Paluxy Riverbed find in Texas.  ICR has a great site (with pictures) that tells what was found, when it was found, why there is a controversy and many other details surrounding this incredible discovery.  Come and see it here: http://www.icr.org/pubs/imp/imp-035.htm.

I hope God is making a mighty move in your life!  Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.  Overcome evil with good.  If you need prayer or anything, please let me know.

This Christmas, my wife and I are visiting Ireland and the United Kingdom.  We will be staying with some Christian friends in England.  Please pray for our safety and sanctification.  We will be spreading the good news as we're visiting the culture of these countries.  If you have any contacts in these places or if you've been there, please email me and let me know!

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 5000 links (pictures, forums, midis, Bible lessons, humor, proverbial stories, links, devotions, poetry, prayer journals and much more!) and it has registered over 79,000 visits!

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

Day 1: "All Have Sinned"

Romans 3:23  "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."

1 John 1:10   "If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

Psalm 19:10 "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults."

Insight: The scriptures say that everyone has sinned.  Sin isn't a racial thing.  It isn't an intelligence thing.  It's a human thing.  We all have sinned against God and need Jesus Christ to save us from our sins.

Prayer: "Thank you for dying for our sins, Lord.  Thank you for reminding us that everyone has sinned and nobody is worthy of You.  Nonetheless, thank you for loving us and redeeming us.  Help us to see all things like You do.  Lift us up, Lord.  Give us joy and peace.  Remind us that we aren't any better than the rest of the believers in You.  The ground is level at the foot of the cross.  Let us think of ourselves as You would and not in a prideful way.  Thank you for giving us such a wonderful gift through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Love Is More Than Words"

1 Corinthians 13:1-7   "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Philippians 2:5-8   "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

John 13:17   "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."

James 2:18b "Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works."

Insight: Love is a verb.  Love isn't a feeling or an emotion.  Love is a choice.  Make sure you know how to love someone before you tell them you love them.  Try and emulate God's unfailing love.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us a perfect love, Lord.  Thank you for showering us with your awesome mercy and grace.  Help us to understand what You have given to us.  Praise You for loving us like nobody else could and like nobody else should.  Thank you for listening to every word we say.  Thank you for answering our prayers and having the highest hopes for us.  You are an awesome God!  Remind us that love is more than words.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The Importance of Servanthood"

Psalm 2:11 "Serve the LORD with fear, And rejoice with trembling."

Hebrews 12:28 "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear."

Luke 16:13 "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon."

Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve."

Insight: Jesus Christ displayed servanthood in His life.  He came to Earth to love people and show them the way to God.  He even washed His disciples' feet.  Remember to serve others.  This will glorify God.

Prayer: "Thank you for serving us, Lord.  Thank you for being an awesome example of servanthood.  Thank you for loving people so much.  Bless us and make us like You, Lord.  Increase our faith in You.  Thank you for changing us from the inside out.  There is no other God like You.  Help us to be better servants.  Help us to be unselfish and think about the good of others.  Thank you for having patience with us as we learn to be like You, Lord.  Forgive us for sinning and denying helping others.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Don't Deny Jesus"

Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

Matthew 13:58 "Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief."

Mark 9:24 "Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Mark 16:14 "Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."

Hebrews 3:18, 19 "And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."

Romans 3:3, 4 "For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

Insight: One of the worst things we can do is deny Jesus Christ.  The only unforgivable sin is unbelief.  What you think about Jesus Christ will shape your earthly life and your eternal life (or death).

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us evidence that Jesus existed and is who He said He was.  Thank you for sending your Son to come to Earth, fulfill prophecies, prophesy and rise from the dead.  Thank you for all the other things He did that I can't even mention here because it would take too long!  Thank you for not denying us.  Thank you for all the promises You make to us, Lord.  Help us to keep our promises like You do.  Let us fully trust in your promises.  Only You can fulfill them and keep your Word.  Forgive the ones who have denied Jesus Christ.  Help them to see the error of their ways and accept the only, living sacrifice for our sins.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "Happy, Happy, Happy!"

Psalm 33:21 "No wonder we are happy in the Lord! For we are trusting him. We trust his holy name."

Psalm 84:4, 5 "How happy are those who can live in your Temple, singing your praises.  Happy are those who are strong in the Lord, who want above all else to follow your steps."

Proverb 15:13 "A happy face means a glad heart; a sad face means a breaking heart."

1 Peter 3:10 "If you want a happy, good life, keep control of your tongue, and guard your lips from telling lies."

1 Peter 4:14 "Be happy if you are cursed and insulted for being a Christian, for when that happens the Spirit of God will come upon you with great glory."

1 John 2:28 "And now, my little children, stay in happy fellowship with the Lord so that when he comes you will be sure that all is well and will not have to be ashamed and shrink back from meeting him."

1 Peter 1:8 "You love him even though you have never seen him; though not seeing him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with the inexpressible joy that comes from heaven itself."

Insight: True happiness can be found in a relationship with God.  Read God's Word to see what it means to be happy and how to find happiness.  Trusting and hoping in God is one way we will obtain happiness.

Prayer: "Thank you for making us happy, Lord!  Give us great happiness and laughter.  Praise You for being such a great God.  Help us to understand why we have times where we suffer and are not happy.  Thank you for knowing how to make us happy and knowing how to make us holy.  Help us to seek holiness and experience happiness as a byproduct.  Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit!  Remind us that You are living inside of us and are renewing us.  Forgive us for not seeking holiness.  Remind us why we are here and let us have a seriousness of purpose, but a lightness of heart.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Break Free!"

Galatians 5:1a "So Christ has made us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get all tied up again in chains."

Galatians 5:8b "He is the one who has called you to freedom in Christ."

James 4:7, 8 "So give yourselves humbly to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. And when you draw close to God, God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and let your hearts be filled with God alone to make them pure and true to him."

1 Corinthians 7:23 "You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men."

Insight: Are you in chains of sin?  Do you remember when Christ set you free?  Don't let yourself be contained by sin.  God has given you the power to be free!  Break free and don't look back!

Prayer: "Thank you for setting us free, Lord!  Help us to never embrace the bondage of sin again.  Praise You for giving us incredible power to break free.  Remind us that we have been set free from the evil that used to capture and hold us.  Help us to open our hearts and minds to You.  You are the one we need.  We need You daily, so we can be free.  Thank you for wanting us to be free.  Thank you for being the opposite of sin and evil.  Help us to understand your goodness and love, Lord.  There is none like You!  Let us speak your words of truth, so others may be set free, also.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "The Word of God"

Proverbs 30:5    “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those

who put their trust in Him.”

Luke 4:4   “But Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’”

Luke 11:28   “But He said, More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!’”

Romans 10:17   “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Ephesians 6:17   “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Hebrews 4:12   “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Hebrews 11:3   “By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.”

Insight: There is nothing like God's Word!  Nothing will ever compare.  Do you realize how unique and awesome the Bible is?  Here are a couple of links that will show you my research on the Word:

The Bible's Fulfilled, Messianic Prophecies -

http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/FMP.htm

Daniel's Messianic Prophecy - Fulfilled and Explained -

http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/Daniel925.htm

The Bible Is Phenomenally Unique -

http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/BibleisUnique.htm

Is the New Testament Historically Reliable -

http://www.jcsm.org/BibleLessons/NTHistoricallyReliable.htm

Prayer: "Thank you for your awesome Word, Lord!  There is no other book like it on Earth.  Thank you for giving us a complete account of your words to humankind.  Help us to read the Bible and memorize it.  Help us to make the pursuit of You a top priority.  Forgive us for letting other things get in the way.  Remind us of your worthiness!  Nothing else is worth our entire devotion.  Thank you for being a supernatural God that is greater than our minds and abilities.  Let us trust in You for the things that we cannot do or know.  Help us to have humility before such an incredible God like You.  Show us your ways, Lord.  Give us your thoughts.  Satisfy us with your presence.  You are our everything.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Support a child in another country!

Compassion International is a company that gives food, clothes and education to kids in other countries.  They have been doing this for many years and over 90% of the money you give goes to the kids!  They will find you a girl or a boy and arrange a payment plan that gives them $28 per month.

My wife and I are sponsoring three children in Kenya.  We've been doing this for over a year and it's a great way to love desperate kids.  Compassion also shares the gospel with them.  They'll even arrange a visit for you if you want to travel there and see them. 

In case you want more information, here is their web site: http://www.ci.org.

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

Some of us are spiritually overweight.  We get fed by our churches, Bible studies, books, the Bible, Christian friends, JCSM, etc.  After eating all we can, we don't exercise our spiritual muscles.  We're spiritually lazy.

Is this you?  Do you exercise after eating your spiritual meals?  Don't forget to apply what you've learned.  Christians should almost constantly be in a state of change as their listen to God and follow His lead.

Samson: Shim-Shone, "sunlight, ray, brilliant light"

Whenever you feel swamped by pressure or problems or crises, ask God to help you and He will respond.

Why are we afraid of the very thing that we need the most?

A Christian discovers that God is in love with them.

Our loneliness and fears are magnified at night.

The only thing that satisfies our cravings and desires is a relationship with Jesus Christ.

When God visits you, you’ll never forget it.

When the presence of Jesus is near you, you’ll recognize your sin and the depth of it’s depravity.

God knocks people from their self-appointed positions of pride.

God doesn’t grade on a curve.

On our best day, we’re still not perfect.

When you awaken in the night, consider God wants to talk to you.

God’s goodness can lead us to repentance.

Consider God’s injured love toward the ones who have rejected Him.

When the emotional roller coaster stops, love is a choice.

Love isn’t the feelings at the beginning of a relationship. Love is what you do when they end.

Don’t tell Jesus "no".

Trust God even when you don’t understand everything He is doing.

This world is teaching people to do things their own way.

Follow Christ’s example of servanthood.

If we don’t follow Christ’s example of servanthood, it appears that we think we’re better than Him.

True servanthood and love is puzzling to the world.

If al you do is attend church (gain spiritual weight), then you’ll be spiritually overweight if you don’t do anything.

Do you treat others better than yourself?

Do things with no chance of being recognized for it.

Watch and see how your behavior creates friction with the world.

If you don’t reflect Christ to others, what makes you different than a nice atheist?

These quotes came from God, me, the Inspirational Study Bible (with Max Lucado), Pastor Justin and Ray Bentley.

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!

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 Mondays, our Bible lesson is sent on Fridays, the gospel is sent in the middle of every month and the monthly newsletter is sent on the 1^st. These are the only messages we send, however, please email me us you wish to be removed from this list.

Over 5000 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."