JCSM's Weekly Devotions (click here to listen!)

"The Obedient Giver's Starting Point"

Matthew 10:37-39  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.  And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.  He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.”

Romans 12:1  “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:7-12  (NIV) “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.  For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.  So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.”

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.”

1 Timothy 6:6, 7  “Now godliness with contentment is great gain.  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Insight: God has huge plans for every believer in Jesus Christ.  Are you preparing?  Follow scriptural principles and commands, so you’re ready to do everything God wants you to do for His kingdom and His glory.

Prayer: "Dear Lord, bless us and make us like You.  Thank you for preparing us for ministry.  Thank you for loving us so much and helping us.  Forgive our sins and purify us.  Thank you for accepting our worship and thank you for wanting us to know You more and more.  Reveal yourself to us and fill us.  Get us ready for anything You want us to do, Lord.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

On February 25^th, 1751, the first trained monkey was exhibited in the United States, in New York City. For an admission of one cent, people could watch the monkey dance, clap his hands, and generally act silly. Over the years monkeys have been a popular attraction in zoos. Monkey behavior and facial features are somewhat similar to people, and this is sometimes mistaken as evidence for our evolutionary past. In truth, of course, there are great differences between people animals, including monkeys. Animals have no sense of history, and their actions are determined mainly by programmed instinct. Any physical similarities between living creatures show the mark of the common Creator, not a common ancestor.

This excerpt was taken from Donald DeYoung's book called, "365 Fascinating Facts From the World of Discovery."

(This explanation came from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained".  This book is on CD and gives over 4,000 answers to alleged Bible errors, regarding the entire Bible at http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.org.  There is also a 300 question workbook that accompanies the CD-ROM.)

Dogma is our spin on doctrine.

Dogma is religion’s answer to God’s commands.

Don’t turn doctrines into suggestions.

God wants to take his eternal truth and meld it into us.

Most married people argue over finances, how to raise their children, and their affections/desires not being met.

Serve your family.

Don’t compromise biblical doctrines for any reason.

Some people are living their entire lives according to their own pleasures and desires.

Our preferences can’t be more important than God’s Word.

Every Christian wants to please God, but some don’t want to badly enough.

It’s wonderful when our choices please both God and others, but it doesn’t always happen that way.

Giving is pleasing to God.

If your relationship with God begins and ends at church, you’re missing out on a whole lot.

God doesn’t want to deprive us for no reason.  If we go through a season of wanting, it is to develop our character.

When I realize the Father is pleased with me, worship flows from me.

If we give God our temporary things on Earth, we will be rewarded forever.

Some people sitting in church are wishing they were somewhere else and missing out on God’s blessings and commands for them.

If we don’t have one already, we should be praying for a mature, spiritual mentor to love us.

What could happen if we worshiped God each day?

Deeply love the people you influence.

In Christianity, sacrificing is the same as investing.

Don’t be afraid to invest in others because God could bless your investment a lot; in their lives and in the lives of others.

God knows the upcoming storms and seasons in your life, so depend on Him as much as possible.

The greatest sacrifice we can make is to serve God while we’re in pain.

God wants you to experience the value of praising Him while you’re hurting and in need.

Worship God despite circumstances and regardless of pain.