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

"How is Your Gas Tank?"

Matthew 5:6  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled."

Matthew 7:7, 8  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened."

Philippians 4:8, 9  "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.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

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."

Insight: How is your spiritual gas tank?  If you're close to the power source, then you will be fine.  If you're not, you're probably running near empty.  Draw closer to Christ and you'll have plenty in your gas tank!

Prayer: "Dear Lord, thank you for loving us so much.  Thank you for your faithfulness and your grace.  Help us to know You more.  Thank you for filling our tank with gas.  Let us use our energy for your will and purposes.  Praise You for giving us so much and letting us be stewards of your riches.  In Jesus' name, Amen."

On February 27th, according to Genesis 8:14, Noah and his family left the ark today, a year and ten days after they had boarded. This verse states that the earth was dry by the 27th day of the second month. A very different world greeted Noah’s family at this time. Flood evidence was everywhere, and the earth’s seasons probably became more evident. People were now permitted to eat meat, and life spans rapidly decreased from pre-flood times. The world now entered an entirely new phase of history.

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

If someone tells you they are something they're not, then they may simply want people to know them for that.

Are you able to give what you crave most to God?

We all struggle with whether we'll be great or just good, whether we'll obey God a little or a lot.

Doctrines added to the Bible are not eternal.

Some people (like atheists) have lied to themselves so much they believe their own lies.

If Christians aren't as mature as they should be, their growth has been retarded.

Paying your rent and being accountable to God to complete your responsibilities is an act of worship.

Remember to give God what is already His.

When we don't trust God, we hold things back from Him.

We sometimes pick and choose what to give God and what to keep from Him.

God wants to know if you love Him enough to obey Him.

God is both predictable and unpredictable.  Some of His blessings are evident every day, but the when and how of certain blessings are not known to us.

Recognizing God's provision in your life will increase your faith and zeal.

There are amazing stories of God's provision in the Bible.

God is the owner and we are the stewards and managers.

Being a good steward is doing the best with God's stuff.

Mentors seek faithfulness from God's proteges.

When people aren't interested in spiritual growth through obedience, they aren't ready for a season of discipleship.

The church is full of people who can't make disciples because they haven't been discipled.

Are you ready to reply to Jesus when He asks you, "What have you done with the things I gave you?"

It's dangerous to be lazy and irresponsible with your resources.

God reveals Himself to those who obey Him.

Christians should be developing their godly character.

If you're able to give sacrificially to God, then you should.

Unsuccessful, impotent Christians don't take their relationship with Jesus Christ seriously.

God's blessings and provision are not accidental.

Understand how the things you lose and use are often better off lost and used than kept.

It's foolish to squander your opportunities to bless others with your resources.

These quotes came from the Holy Spirit, Howard Everett, and Jason Gastrich.  If you'd like to read more wise quotes, you can either visit our Quotations Archive or get a copy of Dr. Gastrich's book called, "10,000 Wise Quotes and Spiritual Sayings"!  It's the largest collection of Bible-based quotations in the world.