Hello!

I hope you are doing well, today.

Since I'm approaching the completion of "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained" (http://skepticsannotatedbible.org), I'm offering a special, pre-order rate for CDs!  If you order one before March 10, 2003 (the release date), they are only $12!  Shipping is free for U.S. orders, but international shipping rates will apply.

The SAB: Corrected and Explained clarifies over 1,000 "Bible difficulties"!  This CD is great for students, seekers, teachers, apologists, skeptics, etc.  It also has a full KJV Bible, over 450 pictures of Israel, text and audio gospel messages and clear instructions for using everything!  If you'd like to know more, please go here: http://www.jcsm.org/SAB/preorder.htm.

Did you know that the European Union purposely omitted God from their constitution?  If you'd like to read about this, please go here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2734345.stm.

Even though it may look like all of the Arabs and Muslims are for Saddam Hussein, they actually aren't.  The Arab League has been trying to get him to go into exile.  If you'd like to see the article, go here: http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2003/february/02_11_1.html.

Last week, I wrote a paragraph about debating Tom Brown.  I didn't make it clear whether I endorsed his ministry or not.  JCSM does not endorse his ministry.  His web page indicates that they hold many heretical doctrines.

I pray that God reveals Himself to you in a meaningful way, today.  Seek Him with open hands and an open heart.  He will bless you.

This Wednesday, The Kry plays at Maranatha Chapel in San Diego!  If you are nearby, please come and worship with us.  The Kry is great and so is Pastor Ray Bentley, so you won't be disappointed.

Would you like to see some PK wisdom?  The following site has my notes from four years or Promise Keepers events!  Here is the link: http://www.jcsm.org/PromiseKeepers.htm.

Did you know that the lower rib bone on humans can regenerate?  Yes, it can actually grow back.  Therefore, Adam may have only been missing a rib for a short while!  If you'd like to read more on this medical finding, please go here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs/4145.asp.

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 105,000 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: "Will You Persevere?"

2 Corinthians 11:23-29  "Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often.  From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one.  Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I am not weak?  Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

Acts 7:59  "And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.'"

Revelation 1:9  "It is I, your brother John, a fellow sufferer for the Lord’s sake, who am writing this letter to you.  I, too, have shared the patience Jesus gives, and we shall share his Kingdom!  I was on the island of Patmos, exiled there for preaching the Word of God and for telling what I knew about Jesus Christ."

Luke 23:46, 47  "And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous Man!"

2 Timothy 3:12  "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution."

Insight: The great men in the Bible suffered some terrible persecutions and even death.  Are you ready to stand strong in the day of your trials?  Get prepared now and be ready for anything.  God will be faithful and your eternal home will be exceedingly better than your earthly home.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us examples of people who did not deny You.  Thank you for warnings us about the persecutions that we will face.  If it's your will, help us to avoid physical persecution and death for believing in the gospel, Lord.  However, let us be bold and unrelenting with our preaching and devotion to You.  Thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit and blessing us.  Let us understand how You are an awesome God.  There is none other like You.  Lift us up and give us boldness and courage.  Remove our worries and fears.  Remind us that earthly persecution is only for a season and eternity in Heaven is forever.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 2: "Above Our Intellect"

Isaiah 55:8, 9  "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."

Ephesians 3:20, 21  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.  Amen."

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."

Psalm 33:8  "Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him."

Insight: Trust in the One who has ways and thoughts that are higher than yours.  Believe that God is Almighty and that He knows all things.  Thank Him that His power is bigger than our problems.

Prayer: "Thank you for being awesome!  Thank you for helping us through our trials and problems.  Bless us, increase our ministry, lay your hand on us and keep us from evil.  Thank you for being such a good God, Lord.  Thank you for making things that we don't know and can't understand.  Thank you for making us stand in awe of You!  There is no other God like You in all of the universe.  Increase our trust in You and our love for You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 3: "The Importance of Prayer"

Luke 6:12, 13  "Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles."

Matthew 5:44  ". . . pray for those that spitefully use and persecute you."

Matthew 6:9-13  "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.  Your kingdom come.  Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.  For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen."

Matthew 14:23  "And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray.  Now when evening came, He was alone there."

Matthew 26:36  "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there.'”

1 Thessalonians 5:17  "Pray without ceasing."

Insight: If Jesus made it a priority to pray, then shouldn't we?  Please note that before Jesus made some big decisions, He spent extended time in prayer.  We need to be praying throughout our day and also spending extended time in prayer.  If you'd like to see a great Bible lesson on prayer, please go here: http://www.jcsm.org/biblelessons/prayer.htm.

Prayer: "Thank you for hearing our prayers, Lord.  Thank you for Jesus' example to us regarding prayer.  Help us to pray all the time.  Forgive us for being prideful and acting like we can do it all without You.  Thank you for improving our lives and our character as we pray to You.  Thank you for helping us in our circumstances.  Remind us that You do awesome things when we pray to You!  Remind us of the answered prayers we have experienced.  Thank you for being a good God and giving us what we need.  Help us to pray in Jesus' name and according to your perfect will and not ours.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 4: "Help the Poor"

Psalm 41:1, 2  "Blessed is he who considers the poor; The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble. The LORD will preserve him and keep him alive, and he will be blessed on the earth; You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies."

Proverbs 22:9   "He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor."

Proverbs 28:27  "He who gives to the poor will not lack, but he who hides his eyes will have many curses."

Isaiah 58:10  "If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday."

Matthew 25:34-40  "Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’"

Luke 14:13, 14  "But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind.  And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just."

2 Corinthians 9:7  "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."

1 Timothy 6:17, 18  "Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.  Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

Insight: Don't forget to help the poor.  If you don't see any poor people around you, considering supporting a child in another country through Compassion International (http://www.ci.org).  Many people need our help and people are starving to death every day.  Here are two links, so you can quickly donate some food (at no cost to you - only two clicks!): http://sth.jcsm.org and http://hs.jcsm.org.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us chances to help the poor.  Thank you for giving us resources to help them, too.  Help us to consider them and even set aside money and things to give them.  Thank you for blessing and rewarding us when we obey You in this matter.  Thank you for the joy there is in giving!  Remind us how your will helps us and others.  Help us to follow You.  Thank you for loving us and giving us so much.  Remind us that it is all from You and that we are merely your stewards.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 5: "Comfort One Another"

Romans 5:4-6  "For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.  Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 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."

1 Thessalonians 5:11-15  "Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.  And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake.  Be at peace among yourselves.  Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.  See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all."

Insight: Have you comforted someone, lately?  Remember that loving others involves comforting them.  In your Christian fellowship, be a source of love and comfort.  All believers need some peace and encouragement.

Prayer: "Thank you for giving us what we need to love and comfort others.  Help us to be kind and tactful.  Thank you for giving us your eternal Words of truth.  Let us learn them and speak them in order to encourage others.  Thank you for lifting us up and making our cups overflow!  There is no other God like You.  Remind us to take some time to invest in others.  Help us to take our eyes off ourselves.  Thank you for our friends and family members that take the time to encourage, love and comfort us.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 6: "God's Correction"

Job 5:17-19  "Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.  For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole.  He shall deliver you in six troubles, yes, in seven no evil shall touch you."

Psalm 94:12, 13  "Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked."

Proverbs 3:12  "For whom the LORD loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights."

1 Corinthians 11:32  "But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world."

Hebrew 12:5-11  "And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: 'My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.' If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?  For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.  Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Insight: The next time you experience some suffering or correction, remember that God is always trying to help us by convicting us of sin and prompting us to repent.  He wants us to be successful and we must obey Him in order to be so.

Prayer: "Thank you for taking the time to correct us, Lord.  Thank you for using your Holy Spirit to convict us to righteousness.  Remind us that your creation that became imperfect needs your touch and your grace.  Thank you for your patience, mercy and kindness.  Help us to judge our own selves, so that we can become like You and end our suffering for our sins.  Thank you for giving us your Word, so we can compare our lives to it and become like You.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Day 7: "Have Some Fun"

John 10:10  ". . . I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

Galatians 5:22  "But the fruit of the Spirit is . . . joy . . ."

Nehemiah 8:10  ". . . the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Philippians 4:4  "Rejoice in the Lord always.  Again, I say rejoice!"

Psalm 150:4-6  "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: Remember joy?  Remember laughter?  We can't always look like the suffering servants of the Lord.  Amen?  Since we are on the road to Heaven and have eternal life, there is no reason why we shouldn't rejoice!

Prayer: "Thank you for wanting us to have joy and laughter!  Thank you for giving us your Spirit that includes being joyful.  Remind us that we have an awesome power within because it's from You.  Forgive us for being overly sorrowful and neglecting the pursuit of happiness and joy in You.  Help us to enjoy our worship services and the times when we praise You.  Thank you for being a great God and ready to put a smile on our face as soon as we ask!  Let us taste and see that You are good.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

Salvation is repenting and trusting, believe and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Would you agree?  If so, why do people often share the gospel by saying, "Accept Jesus and you're saved!"

I know it is easier and quicker to shorten the salvation message.  Is it appropriate, though?  I think not.

When you share the gospel with people or simply talk about salvation, be sure to mention repentance and trusting, believing and accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!  You don't want to preach a partial or watered down gospel message.

Take your prized possessions from your house and give them to the Lord's house and to others.

Mike Macintosh told us a story about receiving a gold key to San Diego by our Mayor.  This is a tradition held be many people and politicians.  It symbolizes honor and love.

Mike prayed about giving a gift to a minister he knew.  God prompted him to give away this key, so he did!

Do you have something in your home that you cherish?  Why not give it away?  Pray about giving away the earthly things that mean the most to you.  You'll remember what truly means the most to you.

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

tereo - guard, prevent from escaping, a fortress or military lines.  This word "tereo" is used for the English word "keep" in John 14:15.  It reads, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained

"The Skeptic's Annotated Bible" claims:

Genesis 1:3-5 - God creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day. Yet he didn't make the light producing objects (the sun and the stars) until the fourth day (1:14-19).

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

* This is correct, but poses no problem.  The God who created all things was the light.  This is further evidenced in Revelation, where God will be the light (Revelation 21:23 and 22:5).

(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.)

God allows pain for a reason.

Success is doing what God created me to do and doing it well.

Paul was driven before and after he was saved.

Accept how God made you and embrace His plan to change you.

As you start developing your abilities, more of your abilities arise.

It's easier to discover your gift through your ministry than to discover your ministry through your gift.

Our culture doesn't encourage men to give up control of their lives.

Serving Christ costs everything and takes everything.

Are you holding onto worldly things more tightly than the cross?

Do you have a daily prayer life?

If you can't say "yes" to having a daily prayer life, you're standing in the batter's box, but you're not on the playing field, yet.

The amount of time you spend in prayer indicates the amount of dependence you have on God.

If you don't pray about something, you're essentially telling God that you don't need His intervention or assistance.

A lot of us put God in a glass case that says, "Break In Case of Emergency."

A lack of prayer indicates too much pride.

When you don't pray, what kind of message are you sending your family?

The average American watches 9 years of television between birth and age 65.

If you study the Bible, you will find things that are relevant to your life.

If your Bible is falling apart, then you probably aren't.

Worship is pulling affections off idols and on God.

Access God's power.

We don't simply need to beg for Jesus' power.  We also need to appropriate it.

If you don't recognize your sins as sins, then how can you be rescued from them?

Israel told God that they wanted a king like the other nations, so He let them have Saul.

If you listen to God, then you will grow spiritually.

Without pain, the ink doesn't flow.

While He was on the cross, Jesus quoted Psalm 31:5 and 22:1.

If you want to be quoted, then you better quote others.

The way you give shows how close you are with God.

If the Israelites had been tithing sufficiently, there would have been more showbread (and blessings) in 1 Samuel 22.

Take your prized possessions from your house and give them to the Lord's house and to others.

Depart from the Lord's house with the bread of life and the sword of the Lord.

These quotes came from God, me, John Hilton, Chuck Swindoll, Mike Macintosh and Charles Spurgeon.

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."