JCSM

A friend subscribed me to an e-mail newsletter called JCSM (Jesus Christ Saves Ministries - Pastor Jason Gastrich) years ago - I always try to get around to reading it when I get it, because it starts with some verses, then has insight, and comes with a specific prayer (read, understand, and apply to our lives).

I really liked this one, because I'm grateful that God woke me up when He did; before my wake-up call got any worse.

I hope everyone has/had a wonderful Christmas - God has really blessed me with so many wonderful people in my life, and I'm just so grateful I know and feel what Christmas is really about this year - the gift of a Savior.



"Wake Up Before Your Wake-Up Call"

Joshua 24:14, 15 "Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD! And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

Proverb 7:24, 25 "Now therefore, listen to me, my children; Pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths;"
John 8:42, 43 "Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word."

Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

Insight: If obeying God and cultivating your relationship with Him isn't the most important thing in your life, then you're heading for a wake-up call. He will likely remove whatever is in His place. Decide now who you will follow and submit to God's will.
Choose to follow Him and you'll be blessed and able to order your priorities correctly.

Prayer:
"Dear Lord, bless us and make us like You. Help each reader to rededicate his or her life to You. Thank you for being worthy of our praise and devotion. Let us understand how following You will bless You, bless us, and bless others. Help us to prioritize things correctly. Help us to cultivate our personal relationship with You. Thank you for being patient, merciful, loving, and kind. There is no other like You! In Jesus' name, Amen."

(visit http://jcsm.org/ and subscribe to the e-mail! All information in italics was taken from the JCSM devotional e-mail newsletter)