by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 29, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Beloved, if you are fighting for your life day after day with whatever the challenge maybe, and your strength is all but gone, remember the enduring and faithful love of the Lord. Lamentations 3:22-24 assures us, “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!'”
In the moments when despair threatens to engulf you, fix your hope on the unwavering love of God. His mercies are endless, and His faithfulness is renewed every morning. He is the anchor when everything else seems to unravel.
The Apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, reflects on the comfort we find in our trials, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”
Your pain and heartache is not overlooked by our compassionate God. In your deepest struggles, His comfort is near. He is intimately acquainted with your sorrow, and His love expressed through the finished work of the cross and the truth of His word is that which brings us healing and strength.
Beloved, when the road ahead appears all up hill, and you feel like you can not go on one more day, hold onto the promise that the Lord’s faithful love never ends. Every morning, His mercies are new, providing you with the strength and courage to face each day. In patience, wait on Him, for He is your portion and your ever-present source of hope. Amen.
Takeaway
Now, beloved, in the light of God’s enduring love and the comfort found in His Word, let us commit to daily seeking Him through the study of His word. The strength we need for each day is rooted in the Lord, and His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). As you face the challenges ahead, let the truth of God’s Word guide you, sustain you, and fill you with the unwavering hope that comes from knowing and trusting in Him. Take time each day to open your Bible and study, allowing the living Word to be your anchor, your strength, and your constant source of renewal.
‘For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. ‘
Hebrews 4:12
Scripture Passages:
Lamentations 3:22-24
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!'”
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 27, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
The gospel of the kingdom was prophesied since the world began. All of the Old Testament speaks of the King of the kingdom which proclaims salvation for the house of David – the Jewish people, the nation of Israel (Luke 1:69).
‘“Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, For He has visited and redeemed His people, And has raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of His servant David, As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, Who have been since the world began,’
Luke 1:68-70
Contrastingly, the ‘mysteries’ or secrets exclusively revealed to Paul (around 37 AD) by the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus unveil a distinct message: that God would extend salvation to the Gentiles independently of the nation of Israel and the Mosaic law. These revelations emphasize that the concept of salvation by grace through faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection, apart from the nation of Israel, was not prophesied anywhere in scripture but hidden in the mind of God since the beginning of time (Ephesians 3:9; Colossians 1:26; Romans 16:25), until revealed to the apostle Paul.
‘and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ;’’
Ephesians 3:9
‘Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began ‘
Romans 16:25
The Bible is clear on the fact that God hid the mystery of the gospel of grace until revealed to the apostle Paul around 37 AD.
God can keep secrets because He is sovereign and He can do whatever He wants (Deuteronomy 29:29).
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 26, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Galatians 6:14
As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died.
15. It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16. May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God. Galatians 6:15-16
Let’s celebrate the power of the cross daily!
In this, we find our redemption, freedom, and the victory over everything that seeks to entangle us. All the cares of this world, every worry, every struggle—nailed to His cross. Our boasting is in His finished work, and in this truth, we discover true joy, peace, and a life intertwined with the eternal.
No need for worldly accolades or temporary treasures, for at the cross, everything finds its rightful place. Today, let’s revel in the transformative power of the cross, where Christ’s death, burial and resurrection has forever changed our narrative; we are a new creation and heavenly bound.
✝️ #CrossOfChrist #VictoryInTheCross #EmbraceTheCross #GraceUponGrace
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 21, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
In a world filled with various messages of hope and salvation, Romans 1:16 stands as the worlds only of hope: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
The power of salvation lies not in our deeds or merits but in the profound simplicity of the gospel message. Found in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the gospel reveals the redemptive work of Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection. It’s not a complicated formula or a list of burdensome tasks; it’s a message that resonates with the heart: believe – FAITH.
As believers, we carry this powerful message, unashamed and unwavering. It has the unmatched ability to transform lives, bringing salvation to all who trust, believe, have faith alone in it. The gospel is not a call to strive for perfection or earn our way into God’s favor. Instead, it invites us to simply believe in the finished work of Christ.
Let us boldly embrace and share this message, recognizing its unparalleled power to transform hearts. Salvation is not contingent on our efforts; it is a gift received through faith. May we find joy and assurance in the truth that the gospel’s power is more than sufficient for our salvation and the salvation of everyone who believes.
The Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 20, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Mention anything about Jesus Christ, sin, or the Bible you will be faced with accusations of hypocrisy, a weighty label that can burden the soul. It’s crucial to remember that being a Christian does not make us perfect, but it does make us justified in the eyes of God. The moment we believe the gospel, our salvation is secured by grace through faith alone. Yet, the reality is, we continue to battle with sin.
The Imperfect Journey of Sanctification
Acknowledging our imperfections is a cornerstone of the Christian walk. Despite being a new creation in Christ, we grapple with the remnants of our old selves (the old Adam). Sanctification is a process—a transformative journey that unfolds over time. While our old appetites may no longer dominate our lives, the struggle with sin remains. It may take a life time of growth, maturing in faith and knowledge of God’s Word.
The Battlefield of the Spiritual Realm
As believers, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. Living in a fallen world, we confront the reality of our own fleshly desires—the old Adam within us. Ephesians 6:12 vividly portrays the unseen battle: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.”
Understanding the Struggle: Romans 7:14-20
The Apostle Paul, in Romans 7:14-20, candidly articulates the tension between our desire to do good and the ongoing battle with sin (old Adam). This raw honesty serves as a beacon for believers, reassuring us that the struggle is a real and shared experience amongst all believers. But sin or our “old Adam” does not have dominion over us because we are not under the law but under grace (Romans 6:14).
Facing Ridicule with Grace
In moments when unbelieving friends or loved ones hurl accusations, understand that their ridicule is not directed solely at you but at God. Their contempt for God is rooted in a resistance to the divine truth; that they are sinners and they love their sin more than God. Instead of discouragement, respond with grace knowing that your struggle with ridicule and scorn is a testament to the ongoing work of God’s grace in your life. Count it all joy… James 1:2-3.
Prayers for Transformation
In the face of mockery, let your response be rooted in prayer. Pray for those who ridicule you, recognizing that their unbelief is rooted in their position as lost souls chained to the slave market of sin, in the domain of darkness. Pray for their salvation, that their hearts may be opened to the transformative power of gospel of the grace of God. That they may be moved from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13).
We as believers must stand strong in the knowledge that our imperfections are part of the Christian life. Embrace the sanctifying process by studying the word of God daily, fellow ship with other believers, praying always, and let the joy found in Christ shine through your imperfect vessel.
#ImperfectYetJustified #GraceInImperfection #PrayForTheScoffers