Hello!

I pray you had an excellent weekend.

JCSM has just received tax exemption through the State of California!  This is a great blessing.  Please pray that we receive tax exemption through the Federal government, soon.  Once we get this, we will receive 501(c)(3) status and be able to receive tax deductible/tax exempt donations.

I'm still working hard on the SAB: Corrected and Explained.  Right now, I'm finishing it and beginning to prepare cds, inserts, labels, printing, marketing, etc.  Please pray for this endeavor.

We need 200-500 jewel cases (boxes).  These will contain the SAB: Corrected and Explained cds.  I've been researching prices and they sell for about .25 cents per case.  If you're interested in helping fund this project, please let me know!  When it's finished, I'll gladly give you a free cd.  You can be part of an awesome project that will reach seekers all over the world.

We have updated our Quotes Archive!  We have over 3 years of quotations and the new site is easier to navigate.  If you want to see something interesting, come and read the quotes that I received in the month of September, 2001.  Link: http://www.jcsm.org/Quotes/Archive.htm.

We now have the entire KJV Bible on JCSM!  It is equipped with a search function, too.  If you don't have a Bible on your computer and/or can't find a reliable, online Bible, come and use ours!  Link: http://kjv.jcsm.org.

A pastor I know has just returned from Axum, Ethiopia.  He went to a festival that commemorates the Ark of the Covenant; yes, the same Ark that the Israelites possessed in the Old Testament.  They claim to have it and the 10 Commandments!  If you'd like to see how they received it and how they are caring for it, then you'll want to visit the following site.  It is quite an interesting story and discovery.  "The Ark of the Covenant: Found in Ethiopia" - http://www.jcsm.org/MISC/ArkofCovenant.htm.

Have you ever heard of the "BELIEVE: Religious Resource"?  This is a fine program that covers a huge body of religious information.  It has been a blessing to me, so if you'd like to learn more about it and freely download it, please go here: http://believe1.jcsm.org.

I just uploaded 12 new pictures of Jordan!  She is nearly 5 months old and very cute.  If you want to see her, please go here: http://jordanfaith.com.

Have you ever been to San Diego, California?  I've been privileged to call this my hometown.  After the Super Bowl came here recently, I realized (again) how nice it is!  If you'd like to see some great sites and surf our city, then you'll want to visit our "Sunny San Diego" site!  Link: http://www.jcsm.org/MISC/SanDiegoSites.htm.

Have you heard about Gary Smalley's ministry?  He has produced some great videos on marriage.  My wife and I have been watching them and I highly recommend them.  They are seasoned with humor and love.

On March 25th, I'll be discussing ministry and theology with Mr. Tom Brown.  Tom is a charismatic minister and you can learn more about him here: http://www.tbm.org.  He has written a few books and performed some exorcisms, so this should be a very interesting discussion.  His web site exposes numerous, heretical doctrines, so our debate should be exciting!

Do you have a good link?  If you do, then please email it to us!

I pray that God blesses you a lot this week!  Keep submitting to Him and you'll see His awesome works in your life.

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 104,000 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, JCSM's Challenge, the Bible Word of the Week, a faith-builder from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained" and The Quotes of the Week. Have a fantastic week and God bless you!

Love in Christ,

Jason J. Gastrich

The Weekly Devotional Message

Day 1: "Integrity: A Good Reputation"

Genesis 12:2  "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing."

Psalm 25:21  "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for You."

Proverb 22:1  "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold."

Proverb 28:6  "Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one perverse in his ways, though he be rich."

Ecclesiastes 7:1a  "A good name is better than precious ointment."

Insight: Are you busy being a person of integrity or are you more concerned with earthly riches?  Remember what the Bible says about these things and choose integrity and righteousness over ungodly gain.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us integrity, Lord.  Help us to do your will and become righteous like You.  Thank you for forgiving our sins.  Remind us that we have a clean start and we need to make right choices, now.  Thank you for the many blessings You give us when we dedicate our lives to You.  Remove our foolishness and desires for ungodly gain.  Give us what we need and let us be content with You.  Praise You for being good and giving us what we need.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Created For Ministry"

Ephesians 2:10  "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

1 Peter 4:10  "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

Matthew 28:18, 19  "And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 12:4-6a  "For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.  Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them."

Romans 14:12  "So then each of us shall give account of himself to God."

Colossians 3:23, 24  "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."

Insight: Have you discovered where your ministry lies?  One of my church's slogans sums up God's plan, nicely: "Every member a minister."  Don't just fill up on the Word and neglect to fill others.  Use your gifts to bless others and be the minister God made you to be.

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to minister to others, Lord.  Give us boldness and courage.  Forgive the ones who have never thought of themselves as a minister of God.  Encourage people to put feet on their faith and do something in your name, Lord.  Thank you for the opportunities that You give us to minister.  Let people be honest with themselves, discover their gifts and use them for your glory.  Thank you for accepting us and using us, even though we are imperfect.  To You be the glory, honor and praise!  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "Our Help In Times of Trouble"

Nahum 1:7  "The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him."

Psalm 32:7  "You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance."

Psalm 37:23, 24  "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand."

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

Psalm 138:7  "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me."

John 16:33  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

1 Corinthians 1:3, 4  "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

Insight: God is always faithful.  Remember that He is everywhere and can always help you.  Don't neglect praying to Him and asking Him to come to your aid.  He loves to help the ones who love Him.

Prayer: "Thank you for being our helper, Lord.  Thank you for rescuing us in our times of need.  Bless us and make us successful, Lord.  Thank you for loving us so much.  Praise You for your faithfulness!  Thank you that people all throughout the ages have praised You for your faithfulness because You have always been true.  Let us see You more clearly and understand your ways, Lord.  Forgive us for being shortsighted and not living by faith.  Increase our faith in You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Value Honesty"

Leviticus 19:11  " You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."

Proverbs 16:8  "Better is a little with righteousness, than vast revenues without justice."

Isaiah 33:15,16  "He who walks righteously and speaks uprightly, He who despises the gain of oppressions, Who gestures with his hands, refusing bribes, Who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, And shuts his eyes from seeing evil: He will dwell on high; His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks; Bread will be given him, His water will be sure."

Colossians 3:9,10  "Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him."

1 Thessalonians 4:3-7  "For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified.  For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness."

Insight: God is trustworthy and true.  He cannot lie.  He has kept His promises for thousands of years and will keep them for eternity.  How honest are you?

Prayer: "Thank you for being trustworthy, God.  Remind us that we can trust You because You have proven yourself to be worthy and righteous.  Give us peace and remove our worries.  Help us to be trustworthy, too.  Thank you for giving us a perfect model!  Thank you for teaching us your ways and giving us your righteousness.  Forgive us for being dishonest and deceptive.  Forgive us for telling half-truths.  Help us to speak as You would and be completely honest.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "The Sanctuary"

Psalm 63:2, 3  "So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory.  Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You."

Psalm 150:1  "Praise the LORD!  Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty firmament!"

Hebrews 10:24, 25  "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Insight: Don't neglect going to church and being present in the Lord's sanctuary!  He is there and He will bless you.  I cannot wait until the times when I get to be in God's presence and around people who love Him.  Church is where He speaks to me more clearly than ever.

Prayer: "Thank you for providing a place for your saints to go, Lord.  Thank you for giving us friends that love You!  Thank you for giving us your awesome Word.  Help us to obey You and seek You.  Praise You for being so worthy of our time and devotion.  There is no other God like You.  Bless us, increase our ministry, lay your hand on us and keep us from evil.  Give us self-control, so we can continually attend church and not skip services.  Give us more love for You and others.  Thank you for speaking to us so clearly when we are in your presence and in your sanctuary.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "Focus On God"

Psalm 69:32  "The humble shall see this and be glad; and you who seek God, your hearts shall live."

Psalm 77:12  "I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of Your deeds."

Matthew 5:8  "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

John 3:30  "He must increase, but I must decrease.

Philippians 4:7, 8  "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Insight: In our fast-paced society, there are hundreds of things to consider and focus on.  Are you able to focus on God?  Take some time and consciously focus on your Creator.

Prayer: "Thank you for helping us bring You into focus.  Let us meditate on You, Lord.  Thank you for being a good God who loves us and teaches us.  Help us focus on You and not worry about the other distractions in our lives.  Thank you for giving us great peace, understanding and insight when we look to You.  Thank you for making our lives better and changing us forever.  Help us to bravely look to You and keep looking to You without looking away.  Thank you for your grace and your mercy.  In Jesus' name, Amen." 

Day 7: "Preach Christ First"

Romans 15:20a  "I have made it my aim to preach the gospel."

Acts 17:3  "Explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, 'This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.'"

1 Corinthians 1:23a  "We preach Christ crucified."

2 Corinthians 4:5a  "For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord."

Colossians 1:28  "Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."

Insight: Many believers overcome some temptations and they become experts on this area of Christianity (and morality).  Consequently, they try and hold people to their standard and they preach on this issue.  The scriptures tell us to preach Jesus Christ, though.  Don't worry about too much about changing lives before they come to Christ.  God wants people to come to Him through Jesus Christ, then He will help them clean up their lives.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us the responsibility to preach Jesus Christ.  Forgive us for getting sidetracked and preaching other issues to unbelievers.  Remind us that salvation through Jesus Christ should always be at the core of our preaching.  Praise You for providing a way for us to be saved!  There is no other God like You, Lord.  Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to Earth to die for our sins and rise from the grave.  Remind us what that means.  Remind us how He is the only way to Heaven and to You.  Provoke us to preach the gospel and be unashamed of You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Have you preached the gospel, lately?  Have you told someone that they needed to clean up their life?

Remember how the scriptures tell us that unbelievers are "spiritually discerned" and do not understand spiritual things.  Tell them about the gospel of Jesus Christ and pray for them to repent and trust, believe and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

Although it is important that people are godly, they must get saved, first.  Jesus is always saving people and sanctifying them.  Don't try and do this in reverse order.  Lead them to Christ, then He'll lead them into righteousness.

Share the gospel with someone!

If you want, you can give them our text and/or audio gospel message!  Your blessings for obeying God's command to spread the good news are only a click away.  Here are the links: Audio Gospel Message - http://www.jcsm.org/godsplan/TheGospel.mp3.  Text Gospel Message - http://www.jcsm.org/GodsPlan/TheGospel.htm.

You can certainly share the gospel without these links!  Either way, God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!

diakonos: an attendant or waiter, especially a Christian teacher or pastor, deacon, minister, servant

The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained

"The Skeptic's Annotated Bible" claims:

Genesis 1:1-2:3 - The first of two contradictory creation accounts. Compare with Gen.2:4-25 in which the order of events is entirely different.

The Genesis 1 account also conflicts with the order of events that are known to science. In this account the earth is created before light and stars, birds and whales before reptiles and insects, and flowering plants before any animals. From science, we know the true order of events was just the opposite.

"The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained" responds:

* Genesis 1 and 2 are complimentary accounts of creation.  Genesis 1 is a detailed account of the entire creation week.  Genesis 2 is a more detailed account of creation on the 6th day.  Further, the Hebrew word for "formed" in Genesis 2:19 could also be translated "had formed".  This removes the problem of two, contradictory creation accounts.

* Science has not proven any order of events nor has science proven how matter was created.  The Bible gives the only logical explanation for the creation of matter.

(This explanation came from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained", by Jason Gastrich.  This book is online and explains over 1,000 difficulties regarding the entire Bible at http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.org.)

When you seek God and wait in silence, what does He say?

Good churches minister to physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

We have been created, authorized and gifted for ministry.

God made you in a way to glorify Him.

Be prepared to minister to others!

The body of Christ needs my ministry.

I am accountable and rewarded for my ministry.

Recognize your competing distractions.

Growth means who you were last year isn't the person you are this year.

Cooperate with the family of believers.

It's hard to steer a parked car.

Don't make up answers.  Find the right answers.

Activate your faith and trust that God has a plan.

Have you ever focused on what God is doing in others?

The world tells us that focusing more on ourselves brings more happiness.

We all decide what we focus on.

These quotes came from God, me, John Hilton and Mark Foreman.

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 written religiously, the web pages stay on the www and the readers 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 JCSM, please send your gift to the address below.

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.

If you wish to contact us in the mail or send support, please make checks payable to Jesus Christ Saves Ministries.  Here is our mailing address:

Jesus Christ Saves Ministries

3219 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. #212

San Diego, CA 92117

Along with getting support, we also give support! JCSM regularly gives to churches, Christian ministries 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!

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."