http://www.jcsm.org/Admin/BlackJCSM.gif http://jcsm.org http://devos.jcsm.org In 2009, I'm authoring a series of devotionals called, "25 Essential Characteristics." Each week, I take an encouraging passage from The Message Bible and expound on it. I hope your life is enriched and blessed by them! en-us Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM JCSM support@jcsm.org JCSM JCSM's Weekly Devotions In 2009, these weekly devotions covered 25 essential characteristics that everyone needs. love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, self-control, mercy, Easter, grace, perseverance, courage, faith, contentment, hope, truth, strength, kindness, faithfulness, repentance, worship, help, fellowship, service, diligence, giving, salvation, Christmas, devotions No JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions626.htm Since Jesus was raised from the dead, we can have hope that we may be raised as well. Since Jesus was raised from the dead, we can have hope that we may be raised as well. Wed, 8 Jul 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions625.htm God gives us hope, so hope in Him and take Him on His Word. Taste and see that the Lord is good. God gives us hope, so hope in Him and take Him on His Word. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Wed, 1 Jul 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions624.htm Are you secure and satisfied with your family? Pick your spouse carefully and wisely! He or she will influence your children and will be a reflection of you. Look for the fruits of the spirit like love, understanding, joy and patience, then you'll find it far easier to be content with your decision. Are you secure and satisfied with your family? Pick your spouse carefully and wisely! He or she will influence your children and will be a reflection of you. Look for the fruits of the spirit like love, understanding, joy and patience, then you'll find it far easier to be content with your decision. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions623.htm Godliness with contentment is great gain. This is one of my favorite Bible verses. If you're a righteous person and if you are happy with what you have, you have a whole lot. Godliness with contentment is great gain. This is one of my favorite Bible verses. If you're a righteous person and if you are happy with what you have, you have a whole lot. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions622.htm Do you realize how much faith you actually have in a number of things? Consider God and how you ultimately have faith in Him as well and strive to trust Him more. Do you realize how much faith you actually have in a number of things? Consider God and how you ultimately have faith in Him as well and strive to trust Him more. Wed, 10 Jun 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM faith, Abraham, righteousness, believe, moral, works JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions621.htm Faith is a precursor for many things. Faith must precede a God-pleasing life because you can't please someone if you don't even believe He exists. After belief begins, you can start applying all the scriptural principles to your life that will make you a godly person. Faith is a precursor for many things. Faith must precede a God-pleasing life because you can't please someone if you don't even believe He exists. After belief begins, you can start applying all the scriptural principles to your life that will make you a godly person. Wed, 3 Jun 2009 12:30:00 PST JCSM faith, please, God, love, God-pleasing, life, believe JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions620.htm Following Christ and repenting from sins in order to become more godly takes courage. How courageous are you? How courageous do you want and need to be? Following Christ and repenting from sins in order to become more godly takes courage. How courageous are you? How courageous do you want and need to be? Wed, 27 May 2009 16:37:00 PST JCSM courage, repentance, godlines, Christ-likeness, sanctification, courageous, Jesus JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions619.htm If you're having trouble with confidence and courage, then pray for it. From time to time, we could all use a healthy dose of courage. Courageous people don't worry about their situation, but they rise above it and thrive in the face of adversity. If you're having trouble with confidence and courage, then pray for it. From time to time, we could all use a healthy dose of courage. Courageous people don't worry about their situation, but they rise above it and thrive in the face of adversity. Wed, 20 May 2009 16:37:00 PST JCSM courage, no fear, stand, tall, unafraid, courageous, strong, strength JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions618.htm Jesus gives us a good example of perseverance. He had a mission and an agenda and He kept it at all costs. Even when people didn't believe in Him, it didn't deter Him. Stay focused like Jesus did and remember your circumstances don't have to change your agenda. Jesus gives us a good example of perseverance. He had a mission and an agenda and He kept it at all costs. Even when people didn't believe in Him, it didn't deter Him. Stay focused like Jesus did and remember your circumstances don't have to change your agenda. Wed, 13 May 2009 14:37:00 PST JCSM perseverance, Jesus, example, teachings, Matthew 7, endure, end, godly JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions617.htm Perseverance is when you keep doing what you're supposed to be doing, no matter the circumstances. Maintain a godly character and stay focused, even when life becomes difficult. Perseverance is when you keep doing what you're supposed to be doing, no matter the circumstances. Maintain a godly character and stay focused, even when life becomes difficult. Wed, 6 May 2009 14:08:00 PST JCSM perseverance, endure, end, godly JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions616.htm Some say grace is an acronym for God's Riches At Christ's Expense. God's grace has been given to us through His Son Jesus Christ who forgives our sins if we believe and confess. Some say grace is an acronym for God's Riches At Christ's Expense. God's grace has been given to us through His Son Jesus Christ who forgives our sins if we believe and confess. Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:08:00 PST JCSM grace, Jesus, Christ, God, forgiveness, sins, propitiation, redemption JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions615.htm Grace is getting what you don't deserve. Give to others even when they don't deserve it because we have received this kind of love when we did not deserve it. Grace is getting what you don't deserve. Give to others even when they don't deserve it because we have received this kind of love when we did not deserve it. Wed, 22 Apr 2009 14:08:00 PST JCSM grace, give, undeserving, gift, love, don't, deserve, help, bless, Jesus, God's JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions614.htm God's mercy rains down on us constantly. Be sure to extend mercy to others. We all can use it. God's mercy rains down on us constantly. Be sure to extend mercy to others. We all can use it. Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:59:00 PST JCSM mercy, rains, extend, give, love, constant, help, God, Jesus JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions613.htm Easter celebrates Jesus' bodily resurrection. Not only did Jesus claim to be the Son of God and live a blameless life, He also came back from the dead. Consider putting your faith in (and keeping your faith in) the only risen Savior. Easter celebrates Jesus' bodily resurrection. Not only did Jesus claim to be the Son of God and live a blameless life, He also came back from the dead. Consider putting your faith in (and keeping your faith in) the only risen Savior. Wed, 8 Apr 2009 22:59:00 PST JCSM Easter, Jesus, resurrection, rise, dead, empty, tomb, eternal, life JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions612.htm Can't remember the last time you needed some mercy? Think about the last time you got a ticket from a Police Officer. Everyone needs and should appreciate mercy because nobody is perfect. Can't remember the last time you needed some mercy? Think about the last time you got a ticket from a Police Officer. Everyone needs and should appreciate mercy because nobody is perfect. Wed, 1 Apr 2009 22:59:00 PST JCSM mercy, merciful, police, favor, undeserving JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions611.htm Do you have self-control over your words? You're responsible for everything you say. Be slow to speak and slow to get angry because you need to use your words wisely and constructively. Do you have self-control over your words? You're responsible for everything you say. Be slow to speak and slow to get angry because you need to use your words wisely and constructively. Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:59:00 PST JCSM self-control, words, anger, love, kindness, patience JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions610.htm Self-control isn't always easy, but there are great rewards for showing restraint. If you want to have more self-control, pray for it and consider the times when you need it and be determined now to have it. Self-control isn't always easy, but there are great rewards for showing restraint. If you want to have more self-control, pray for it and consider the times when you need it and be determined now to have it. Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:59:00 PST JCSM self-control, restraint, Joseph, Potiphar's wife, sex JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions609.htm Some say meekness is having power under control. Some say meekness is having power under control. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 22:59:00 PST JCSM meekness, meek, power, under, control, restraint JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions608.htm Meekness brings all sorts of benefits because keeping your power under control allows you to live an honorable and satisfying life. Meekness helps you enjoy the fantastic intangible things in life while you exercise self-control. Wed, 4 Mar 2009 23:59:00 PST JCSM meekness, meek, power, under, control, self-control, discipline, humility JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions607.htm Are we being patient with those who need our patience? Be prepared to be patient through prayer and meditation and find something fun or wise to think, say or do while you wait. Are we being patient with those who need our patience? Be prepared to be patient through prayer and meditation and find something fun or wise to think, say or do while you wait. Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:00:00 PST JCSM patience, patient, joy, God, wise, think, do, say JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions606.htm Patience is being able to think, do or say something productive while you're waiting. See your situation as a positive one and use your waiting time wisely. Wed, 18 Feb 2009 21:21:00 PST JCSM patience, joy, waiting, productive, think, do, say JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions605.htm God offers personal peace like a river to those who seek it. Submit to God and He'll give you peace like a river. Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:21:00 PST JCSM peace, personal, part 2, peaceful, river JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions604.htm Why should we have peace? How should we obtain it? Submit to the government and you'll have peace. Wed, 4 Feb 2009 14:11:00 PST JCSM peace, part 1, peaceful, government JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions603.htm The scriptures tell us to ask for things in line with God's will, so we may have joy. We are promised earthly and eternal joy! Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:13:00 PST JCSM joy, part 2, ask, joyful JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions602.htm When is the last time you prayed for joy? Recognize what gives you joy and what takes your joy away. Wed, 21 Jan 2009 17:26:00 PST JCSM joy, part 1, joyful, remain joyful, peace JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions601.htm Love others. It's the second greatest commandment. Pray and ask God who to love next and how you can show them love. Wed, 14 Jan 2009 15:15:00 PST JCSM love, part 2, God, repentance, character, others JCSM's Weekly Devotions http://jcsm.org/2009/WeeklyDevotions600.htm Love. It's the most important character quality. First, we must love God though. Consider how you can love God more. Wed, 7 Jan 2009 22:03:00 PST JCSM love, part 1, God, repentance, character, others