Hallelujah and glory to God!

I pray you're doing well, today.

My debate with Dan Barker went very well.  Thanks for your prayers and interest.  It was broadcasted for nearly 24 full hours on Saturday and numerous people tuned in and were encouraged. 

Our debate lasted two hours and we discussed creation, evolution, sin, prophecy and many more subjects.  Dan was a cordial guy with a unique past - after attending Azusa Pacific University and becoming a pastor, he became an atheist!  In a few days, this debate will be on MP3.com for streaming only (no downloading).  If you wish to purchase a copy, I will send you the two, audio cds for a suggested gift of $5.

Have you ever wondered what Christianity was like in Ghana?  An intelligent Christian has given us a complete synopsis of their experiences regarding Christianity in Ghana.  Please take a look, here: http://www.jcsm.org/InternationalChristians.htm.

Zero.  This is the number of people who decided to support JCSM after receiving last week's message about giving and finances.  Please don't think that everyone else will give and we are swimming in money.  We are currently having trouble paying our bills because JCSM's supporters give a very small amount each month.  If you would like to help support this ministry, please go to http://vision.jcsm.org.  Even $5 a month would be appreciated!

Unfortunately, my job at Fishes and Loaves (FALO) is currently finished because they ran out of money.  Please pray that FALO receives the support they need to pay my salary.  In the meantime, I'll be looking for other work.

JCSM has been breaking records with it's recent popularity!  The main site alone received 249 hits on Thursday!  Please pray that these numbers double and triple.  We won't be satisfied until the whole world knows about Jesus Christ.

Our sites on Genesis and creation keep growing and multiplying!  Please come and see how God created everything.  Link: http://mustsee.jcsm.org.

Gospel Alert: Since last week, we have sent over 700,000 gospel messages!.  Three people got saved, several Christians were happy to see the good news in their mailbox, some were asking questions and a few atheists were hostile.  Please pray for this endeavor!  We have only begun and this task is much larger than us.

Do you need a female mentor?  JCSM has been contacted by a Christian lady who wants to mentor a younger, Christian girl.  If you want a mature, Christian lady to confide in and befriend, please email me.

Please pray for the Godless American's march on DC.  They are having their march this weekend.  You can read about these atheists here: http://www.godlessamericans.org.

Christian Science Evangelism offers seven, free KentHovind videos on their web site.  I've downloaded these and burned them on one cd!  If you'd like me to send you a free copy of this cd, please let me know.  If you can download it from their site, please do so, but if you have trouble downloading huge files or simply want all seven on cd, I'll send it to you.

<edit> Ernieandcompany.com.  <edit>!  Due to fraud, Ernie Murry's endorsement has been revoked.  This includes Ernieandcompany.com and PromiseWeb.

Please pray for the kids who participate in Halloween.  We want kids to remain safe.  We also want people to investigate this "holiday" and understand why they are wearing masks and giving away candy.  As for me and my family, we're choosing not to celebrate it.

My eight year anniversary is on November 1st!  No, not marriage anniversary.  My anniversary of abstinence.  November 1, 1994 was when I decided to give up a number of sins and wholeheartedly trust Jesus Christ.  Praise the Lord for the things He has done in and through me.

A company called The Spot Shop recorded my debate with Dan Barker.  I didn't have to go to their studio or anything.  They simply did a three-way call and digitally record everything from their studio!  They charge $100 an hour, but do a very professional and quality job.  If you wish to use their services, please call them at 858-569-6190.

A large and sincere THANK YOU goes to the loving person who paid for the recording of this debate.  Thanks brother!

We pray that God blesses everyone who receives this letter.  Reach out to Him in faith and love and He will touch You.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

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 87,000 visits!

If you need to email me, please see the email address below. Hitting "reply" to this message isn't the best way to email 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, 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

The Weekly Devotional Message

Day 1: "Noah's Fall"

Genesis 6:8, 9 "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God."

Hebrews 11:7 "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."

Genesis 9:20, 21 "And Noah began to be a farmer, and he planted a vineyard. Then he drank of the wine and was drunk, and became uncovered in his tent."

1 Peter 5:8, 9 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world."

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

Insight: Even a man of God can fall into sin.  Be watchful and stay close to Him.  As you grow in faith, the Devil will try harder to make you sin and ruin your testimony and ministry. 

Prayer: "Thank you for blessing us and making us like You, Lord.  Thank you for helping us to walk with You.  Protect us from evil, Lord.  Expose the ways of darkness, so we don't embrace them.  Praise You for giving us your awesome Word!  Help us to memorize your commands and walk in the light.  Thank you for forgiving us when we fall!  Thank you for picking us up and helping us get it right the next time.  Help us to take sin as seriously as You do.  To You be all the glory, honor and praise.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Salvation: The Beginning and the End"

Genesis 9:27  "May God enlarge Japheth, And may he dwell in the tents of Shem; And may Canaan be his servant.”

Genesis 12:3  "I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” 

John 4:22  "You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews."

Romans 11:16-24 "For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you. You will say then, Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in. Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"

Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."

Insight: Salvation is from the Jews.  However, from the beginning, God had a plan to save the Gentiles, too.  Now, salvation is for everyone.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us salvation, Lord.  Help people to realize they need to trust and believe in You to be saved.  Praise You for showing us the roots of salvation and giving us a history of You dealing with the Jews, first, then the entire world.  Thank you for being clever and wise in your dealings.  Help us understand You and understand why the scriptures are written like they are.  Thank you for having awesome ways.  Thank you for revealing yourself to the ones that want to find You.  You are awesome.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The Repentance Requirement"

Matthew 9:13  "But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Mark 1:4 "John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."

Mark 2:17 "When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 15:7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

Luke 24:47 "Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."

Acts 11:18 "When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life.”

Acts 26:20b "Repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance."

2 Corinthians 7:10 "For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death."

Insight: Trusting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior is also admitting that you are a sinner.  Repentance means turning away from that sin.  God doesn't want lip service.  He wants to change your life and for you to repent from your sins and follow Him.

Prayer: "Let us understand what it means to repent.  Help us to literally change our mind about the sinful behaviors we have accepted and know that they are wrong.  Let us be wise.  Thank you for the incredible life we have when we walk in your Spirit and abstain from sin.  Give us more faith, more love and more godliness.  Convict us with your Spirit, so we can enjoy the refreshing times of godliness.  We love You, Lord.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "God, the King of Glory"

Psalm 24:7-10 "Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah"

Psalm 29:3 "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The LORD is over many waters."

Acts 7:2 "And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,"

Psalm 148:33 "Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven."

Insight: Our God is the King of glory.  There is none like Him.  He is the uncreated Creator of all things.  Praise Him because His glory is everywhere.

Prayer: "Praise You for being the King of Glory!  There is no other God like You in all of the universe.  Bless us, increase our ministry, lay your hand on us and keep us from evil, Lord.  Thank you for being worthy of our praise and devotion!  We love You and exalt You.  Thank you for showing us your glory.  Remind us that technology will never replace You or your glory.  Let us praise and magnify the Creator and not the creation.  You are God.  Thank you for being the reigning King!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "God Gave Them Up"

Romans 1:21-28  "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting."

Insight: God ultimately gives people what they want.  If a person wants to be with God now, then they'll be with Him throughout eternity.  If they reject God now, then they'll be away from Him forever.  Pray for the ones that God as given up to their desires and beware of doing this, yourself.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us choices, Lord.  Help us to choose You.  Praise You for being a good God and not making us trust You.  Help people that have gone astray to see the error of their ways.  Remind people that You are real and your laws shouldn't be trespassed.  Thank you for showing us the consequences of sin.  Reveal to us the depravity of sin and the terrible consequences for rejecting your way and choosing our own way.  Thank you for making your way best for a number of reasons.  Let us experience You and the blessings of obedience.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Praise God With Instruments"

Isaiah 38:20   "The Lord was ready to save me; therefore we will sing my songs with stringed instruments all the days of our life, in the house of the LORD."

Psalm 28:7   "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him."

Psalm 33:2,3   "Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.  Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy."

Psalm 81:1,2   "Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.  Raise a song and strike the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute."

Psalm 98:4   "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises.  Sing to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of a psalm, with trumpets and the sound of a horn; shout joyfully before the Lord, the King."

Psalm 144:9   "I will sing a new song to You, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will sing praises to You."

Psalm 150:3-6   "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the lute and harp!  Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!  Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals!  Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.  Praise the Lord!"

Insight: Instruments should be an integral part of worshiping God in song.  Even if you don't play an instrument, you can support those who do.  Rejoice as you praise God with instruments and song!

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting to praise You with music!  Remind us that worship should be magnificent and not boring.  Give us the excitement of your Spirit and love.  Thank you for the people who know how to play instruments.  Bless them and help them to use their talents for your glory.  Thank you for our church services that have awesome, Spirit-filled, Spirit-led worship.  Let worship teams get better and better, Lord.  Sanctify worship leaders and worshippers.  Give them more of You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "God Is Our Help"

Deuteronomy 33:26, 27   "There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to help you, and in His excellency on the clouds.  The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, ‘Destroy!’"

Psalm 33:20   "Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield."

Psalm 40:17   "But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinks upon me.  You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God."

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

Psalm 54:4   "Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is with those who uphold my life."

Isaiah 41:10   "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Acts 26:22   "Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come."

Insight: Is there a greater helper than God?  When you need help, ask God, first.  Your friends will thank you and God will help you better than anyone else can.

Prayer: "Thank you for helping us, Lord.  Praise You for your faithfulness.  There is no other God like You.  Thank you for always being here when we need You.  Give us rest, Lord.  Let us know that You will supply all of our needs.  Remove our worries and fears.  Let us look up and remember that You have helped us before and You will help us, again.  Thank you for all the promises in your awesome Word!  Let us cling to You and your words because You are our helper.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Read one of our Bible lessons!

JCSM has a number of inspiring Bible lessons and the wide variety of topics are truly amazing.  Go to our main site and click "Bible Lessons".  It will only take a few minutes to read one and you'll be encouraged and edified.

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

covenant: bereeth - a compact, confederacy, league, covenant

The recurring seasons and the renewal of the earth are the fulfillment of the covenant that God made with Noah.

Kicking someone when they’re down can actually be shooting yourself in the foot.

These quotes came from God, me and Arthur Pink.

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 Wednesdays.  The gospel message and JCSM's newsletter are sent monthly. These are the only messages we send, however, please email me us you wish to be removed from this list.

Do you need to find a solid, Christian church?  I've attended numerous Calvary Chapel churches and I've been very blessed by their Bible-based sermons, inspiring worship and kind members.  If you don't have a home church or need to find a new one, I recommend visiting the following site and locating a Calvary Chapel near you: http://www.calvarychapel.org.

OCCM (Online Christ-Centered Ministries) has certified JCSM as a ministry that preaches the true, biblical gospel of Jesus Christ.  OCCM is a professional membership association for Christian ministries and people that reside on and off the internet.  Are you OCCM certified?  For more information, go here: http://www.occm.org.

JCSM has it's own, site search engine!  If you'd like to search over 1000 web sites, please go here: http://search.jcsm.org.

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."