| September 5, 2005 - (Best viewed in 800 X 600 resolution) |
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Hello! I hope you had a great weekend. Our ministry campaign to San Diego's sex offenders is complete. Among the 1200 names in the online database, there were only 800 addresses, so we finished this project much sooner than we had anticipated. Some of the letters and phone calls from these men and women were very touching and moving. Please pray for them. Please pray for the Hurricane Katrina victims. It has done lots of damage and taken many lives. We encourage your support of the groups and organizations that are helping the families and the situation. JCSM has given 50% of its base donations for the month of September to the Red Cross. Welcome to the new readers of this message! Here is your Devotion, A Moment of Introspection, JCSM's Challenge, the 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 Gastrich Contact Us: http://jcsm.org/contact.php
JCSM's Weekly Devotions (click here to listen!) 2 Corinthians 12:8, 9 "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." Titus 2:11-14 "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works." 1 Corinthians 6:20 "For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." Galatians 1:3-5 "Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen." Insight: God's grace is all we need. Our sins have been forgiven, we've been covered, and Jesus has sealed us with His blood. Trust in Him and don't worry about eternal damnation. You've been redeemed and God's grace is enough for us. Prayer: "Dear Lord, bless us. Make us like You. Thank you for your awesome grace and thank you that your grace is enough for us. Praise You for covering our sins and redeeming us! There is no other like You. Let us understand You and your sacrifice. Help us to continually praise You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You will do. Increase our faith in You and our love for You and others. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Motto of the State of Ohio, stated: "With God All Things are Possible." ¹ ¹ 1992, Governor George Voinovich. Ken Waggoner, United In Prayer (Reston, VA: Intercessors For America Newsletter, May, 1993), Vol. 20, No. 5, p. 1. If you'd like to see more quotes from those that framed and founded America, please click here: http://jcsm.org/AmericasFounders/.
Seek indifference when you legitimately want God to lead you, so your desires and emotions won't get in the way.
Many of the instances of prayer in the Bible are occasions where people sat, listened, and waited for God's voice. What is your quiet time like? Spent 15 minutes with God and use most of it to be quiet and listen. Write what He tells you. God bless you as you meet this week's challenge!
khar-ece (Greek, see 2 Corinthians 12:9): graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative, or spiritual)
The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible" claims: Genesis 31:17 - "Then Jacob ... set his ... wives upon camels." Jacob had four wives (or two wives and two concubines -- this distinction is not clear in the Bible): Rachel, Leah, Billah, and Zilpah. There is no indication that God disapproves of this arrangement. (See also Gen.32:22) "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained" responds: This is another argument from silence. However, in many passages of the Bible, it states that men should have one wife. In most cases, we see polygamy (directly or indirectly) punished. (This explanation came from "The Skeptic's Annotated Bible: Corrected and Explained", by Jason Gastrich. This book is on CD and explains over 3,000 difficulties regarding the entire Bible at http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.org. There is also a 300 question workbook that accompanies the CD-ROM.)
God guides us by commands in scripture. God guides us by compelling us with His Holy Spirit. Our default reaction needs to be love. God guides us by wise counsel from mature Christians. Circumstantial signs are also used by God to guide us. God guides us by common sense. Some helpful tips when trying to hear from God include: be patient, trusting, honest, courageous, and genuine. Trust that God is who He says He is. We need to try and hear God's voice now, in the regular times, then we'll be able to hear and understand His voice in the hectic and confusing times. Fight against your habitual sins. Having a mature, Christian mentor gives you another pair of eyes into your life. Pay attention to who needs your help. Start listening to the Spirit of God and be and stay holy. These quotes came from God, me, and Joon Han. If you'd like to read more quotes, we have thousands in our archive! Visit http://quotes.jcsm.org.
Jesus Christ Saves Ministries
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