Hello!

I pray you are blessed and encouraged, today.

I've completed a very interesting paper called, "Revelation 12: The Signs and Symbols".  It is about four pages long and explains this dynamic chapter of the Bible.  When you have a minute, please take a look at it.  Link: http://www.jcsm.org/Contents/Revelation12.htm.

Last week, I finished correcting and explaining The Skeptic's Annotated Bible's commentaries on Psalms, Joshua, Job and part of Romans.  I've finished 50 of the biblical books!  Please pray that it will be finished by my target date of February 22, 2003.

Beginning next week, I'll be adding a new section to the devotions.  It will be called, "A Bible Difficulty: Explained."  I'll be taking one entry from my "SAB: Corrected and Explained" and posting it in the devotions.  This should increase your faith and help you defend the Bible, so I hope you enjoy it.

I've updated and enhanced my "Seminary Notes and Research Papers" web site.  If you enjoy Christian education and theology, you'll definitely like this site.  Here is the link: http://www.jcsm.org/Seminaries.htm.

Did you hear President Bush's State of the Union Address?  If you missed it or simply couldn't follow the whole speech, you can read the entire text here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,76919,00.html.  Incidentally, this is a "Fox News" site, so you can be certain that you're getting even-handed, unbiased news (unlike the obvious, liberal biases at CNN and MSNBC).

Do you need a Bible?  I'm looking at a stack of Bibles and I'm eager to give them to needy people.  Please email me if you need one!

Norton Utilities is offering a free trial of their software.  If you're interested, please go here and download it: http://nct.digitalriver.com/fulfill/0001.2.

Does your web site need some help?  Netmechanic.com will check your html codes and give you help with them.  Their free service is located here: http://netmechanic.com.

I pray that God lifts you up and gives you joy.  Seek God and ask Him for what you need.  He will be faithful!

Caedmon's Call will release their new album called "Back Home", tomorrow.  If it's anything like their first albums, it should be a great addition to your Christian, CD collection.

This Sunday, Switchfoot is playing a free show at Calvary Chapel North Coast (in Carlsbad, California).  This is their home church, so they'll surely put on a good show.

Please pray for the FALO (Fishes and Loaves) banquet.  This fundraising banquet for their missions staff will be held on Saturday, February 8th.  If you'd like more information about their ministry, please go here: http://www.gofalo.net.

Would you like a free, 14-in-1, multi-tool?  If you need one of these handy gadgets, this company and web site will send you one: http://216.64.206.78/ct?i=100134&e=.

Our prayers go to the families and friends of the astronauts who died on the space shuttle Columbia.  Please join us in praying for them this month.

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 103,000 visits!

JCSM has encouraging sermons and debates online that you can freely stream and download!  Come and hear them on SermonAudio.com!  Here is our site: http://sa.jcsm.org.

Welcome to the new readers of this message! Here are the devotions, a moment of introspection, the challenge, the Greek 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: "I Lift Your Name"

Psalm 7:17  "I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High."

Psalm 44:8  "In God we boast all day long, and praise Your name forever.  Selah."

Psalm 45:17  "I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore the people shall praise You forever and ever."

Hebrews 13:15  "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."

Revelation 15:4  "Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name?  For You alone are holy.  For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested."

Insight: Have you praised His name, lately?  If you haven't, perhaps you should!  Praise the name of the Lord and if you can't find time, then write it on your schedule or day planner!

Prayer: "Praise your name, Lord.  You are so worthy to be praised!  We love You, Lord.  Bless us and make us like You.  There is no other God like You.  Thank you for loving us more than we can understand.  Help us to sing praises to You and glorify your name.  Forgive us for being too busy or forgetting.  Help us to lift your name, even if nobody else around us does.  Let us have a sincere and deep relationship with You, Lord.  Thank you for blessing us more than we deserve.  Praise You for your grace!  Thank you for the joy that You give us when we praise You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Defend God's Truth"

2 Timothy 2:15  "Study to show yourself approved; a worker who doesn't need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth."

2 Timothy 4:2-4  "Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine . . . and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."

1 Peter 3:15  "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

Insight: Have you defended God's Word, lately?  If you aren't receiving any persecution or at least questions from unbelievers, then perhaps you aren't letting your faith be known.  Know God's Word intimately, so you can use it as a litmus test against counterfeit information and defend God's truth.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us such an awesome source of wisdom and truth!  There is no God like You, Lord.  Bless us and help us to know You better.  Forgive us for our apathy.  Forgive us for having faith, but only using it as 'fire insurance'.  Let us enjoy your Word and love your presence.  Thank you for giving us an awesome book that speaks on a wide variety of subjects.  Increase our knowledge and faith.  Let us be lights in the darkness.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The God of gods"

Exodus 18:11  "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them."

Exodus 20:3  "You shall have no other gods before Me."

Deuteronomy 10:17  "For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe."

1 Chronicles 16:25, 26  "For the LORD is great and greatly to be praised; he is also to be feared above all gods.  For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the LORD made the heavens."

Psalm 136:2  "Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!  For His mercy endures forever.  Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords!  For His mercy endures forever."

Daniel 2:47  "The king answered Daniel, and said, 'Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret.'"

Psalm 97:9  "For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

1 Corinthians 8:5, 6  "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live."

Insight: There is no god greater than our God!  Our Creator has made all things and they are subject to Him.  Remember God's power and do not fear, serve or worship any other gods.

Prayer: "Praise You for being greater than all gods!  Thank you for warning us about these gods that will try and get our attention.  Keep us from evil, Lord.  Help us to focus on You.  Thank you for being so worthy of our time and devotion.  Fill us with You, Lord.  Thank you for giving us great power and even salvation!  Remind us that life with You is far better than life without You.  Remind us of the weakness and foolishness we had before You.  Thank you for protecting us and making us strong.  You are an awesome God.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Believe, Believe, Believe!"

John 3:18  "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:36  "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

John 8:24  "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”

John 12:47  "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.  He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day."

John 20:31  "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."

John 12:36  "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."

John 11:26, 27, "And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?  She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

John 11:40  "Jesus said to her, Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?"

John 10:37, 38, "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in Him."

John 1:12, 13  "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

Insight: "Believe" is written in the book of John over 50 times!  This is twice as many times as any other gospel.  Do you think it's important to believe in Jesus Christ?

Prayer: "Thank you for stressing the importance of belief.  Thank you for being present, Lord.  Help us to understand the need for faith.  Remove our fears and worries.  Remind us that whether we feel You or think You are there or not, You are still everywhere.  Thank you for answering our prayers and revealing yourself to us.  Help us to pray in Jesus' name and according to your will.  Forgive us for our disbelief.  Increase our faith, understanding and knowledge of You!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "Money Matters Little"

Ecclesiastes 5:10  "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase.  This also is vanity."

Luke 12:15  "And He said to them, 'Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.'"

James 2:5  "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"

1 Timothy 6:10  "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

Revelation 21:21  ". . . and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass."

Insight: Do you see your money and resources like God does?  He has entrusted all of us with certain things.  Make sure you use them for His glory.  Don't let your greatest treasure on Earth be asphalt (pavement) in Heaven!

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us great things, Lord.  Help us to see them and use them appropriately.  Thank you for blessing me with a small amount of resources that You always multiply.  Praise You for entrusting us with things.  Give us great wisdom and knowledge, so we can use them correctly.  Show us where to give our money and resources.  Show us where to give our time, too.  Thank you for giving us so many, fine Christian ministers!  Let their ministries and blessings grow.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Tithes and Offerings"

Deuteronomy 8:18  "And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

Proverbs 3:9, 10  "Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

Malachi 3:10  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this, says the LORD of hosts, 'If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.'"

Matthew 23:23  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!  For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith.  These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone."

2 Corinthians 9:6, 7  "But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

Insight: God wants us to give the things that He has entrusted to us to Him.  We can do this by giving to our local church, needy people, our favorite ministries, etc.  We can also give our time.

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting only 10% of your things!  Thank you for letting us keep 90%!  Help us to give even more than 10%.  Thank you for encouraging me to take a step of faith and give over 20% of my monthly income.  Thank you for the great blessings I have seen over the past few months of giving over 20%!  Help me to continue doing this and worshiping You with my finances.  Let us all be cheerful givers!  Thank you for giving us blessings on Earth and rewards in Heaven.  To You be all the glory, honor and praise!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Those Who Love God"

Deuteronomy 7:9  "Therefore know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments."

John 14:15  "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

John 15:10  "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love."

Romans 8:28  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

1 Corinthians 2:9  "But as it is written: 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'"

Insight: God promises many things to those that love Him.  Are you seeing God's conditional promises fulfilled in your life?  Remember the greatest commandment: to love God with all of your heart, soul and mind.

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to love You, Lord.  Thank you for making that our number one priority!  Help us to understand how wonderful You are.  Thank you for being a good God.  Thank you for not making our number one priority something inappropriate or weird!  Praise You for loving us and wanting us to reflect your love.  Increase our love for You and for others.  Remind us of all the promises You have made to the ones that truly love You.  Help people to be genuine.  Let their motives be obvious to them.  We love You, Lord.  Thank you for your grace!  Thank you for saving us.  You are the one we love the most.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

The Sea of Galilee contains life because it accepts water and gives water.  The Dead Sea contains no life because it only accepts water and it becomes stagnant.  Are you accepting the living water of God and giving it to others or are you stagnant like the Dead Sea?

Teach someone what you learned on Sunday!  You will learn and remember more.  Plus, someone else will be blessed!

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

pisteuo: to have faith, to entrust one's spiritual well-being to Christ, commit, put trust in

Having more money doesn't necessarily make one more happy.

Money doesn't make a person more important.

Manage responsibly all that God has entrusted into your care.

Owe nothing, but love.

Never put circumstances above faithfulness in giving.

Always give 10% from the 100% that God gives you.

Sometimes you reap only if you sow.

Try and get out of debt.

Enjoy what has been allotted to you.

Be a faithful steward who takes good care of what you've been given.

A tithe is giving up to 10% and an offering is giving above 10%.

Our money represents our life and energy that we used to get it.

Tithing expresses my appreciation to God.

Refusing to tithe is stealing from God.

Tithing gives God a chance to prove His faithfulness and desire to bless you.

God isn't short on money.

Old Testament worship included giving something to God.

It is easier to give from the first part of your income than the last part.

Giving strengthens my faith.

Giving is an investment in future blessings.

Give regularly, cheerfully, sacrificially and generously.

Give until it hurts, then keep giving until it feels good.

In order to grow spiritually, we need encouragement from others.

Fellowship is a witness to the world.

Most people are effected more by your love than your doctrines.

Do you have any Christian accountability?

A humble attitude is conducive to tithing and giving.

Don't forget that everything you want isn't necessarily everything you need.

When you walk away from familiar things and trust God, He will bless you.

As you grow in faith and maturity, God will lead you out of your comfort zone.

God is full of surprises.

Before it ever rained, Noah obeyed God and built a giant ark.  This would be like a person from San Diego obeying God by buying Mount Helix because God told them He would make it snow in 5 years!

If you had the gospel on a web page or on your internet profile, you could be sharing the gospel with someone right now!

If you would teach someone what you learned on Sunday, to even one person, you would learn and remember more.

Do people leave your presence as improved and more godly people?

When people hear your name, are they encouraged to walk by faith?

Do people see you and know you are going to Heaven and bringing lots of people with you?

These quotes came from God, me, John Hilton and Miles McPhearson.

These quotes can be used for sanctification and fun. Most of them are directly based on scripture and scriptural principles. Some of my quotes are humorous or rhetorical. Some are written from sermons and Bible studies. Others are lyrics from songs. If you’d like me to go into more detail on any of them, please email me.

Like most verses in the Bible, they can be debated. To use what I’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!

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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."