by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 5, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
As we eagerly await the Rapture, our blessed hope, let’s take heed to what the apostle Paul writes on how we as members of the Body of Christ, should represent Him as His ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). Our daily walk should reflect the godly guidelines and Christlike behavior outlined in Scripture; below is a list of a few.
‘Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. ‘
II Corinthians 5:20
- Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NKJV): “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”
- 1 Thessalonians 4:8-11 (NKJV): “Therefore, he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. But concerning brotherly love, you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:20 (NKJV): “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.”
- 1 Timothy 5:13 (NKJV): “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.”
- Ephesians 4:29 (NKJV): “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NKJV): “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Let’s walk in love through our words and deeds, embodying the virtues that reflect our identity as ambassadors of Christ.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 3, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Beloved in Christ, never allow the criticisms, scoffing, or animosity of the unsaved steal your joy found in Christ. In John 15:18-19, Jesus warned us, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
Expect opposition, for living a godly life, though imperfect, often draws hostility. Just the mention of Jesus Christ in a conversation with your unbelieving friends or family can go nuclear. Even those closest to you may turn away. Philippians 1:29 make clear “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” And being scoffed at, and hated by family and friends is no doubt suffering.
The apostle Paul, in 2 Timothy 3:12, reinforces this truth, “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Remember, 1 Peter 4:12-13 reminds us, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”
Stand firm, for your joy is rooted in Christ, and the animosity of the world cannot extinguish the light within you. Keep shining, knowing that your ultimate reward is in Him.
by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 3, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Beloved, in the midst of the darkest times in our lives—be it the pain of physical ailments, the heartache of losing a loved one, the weight of past mistakes, or any seemingly insurmountable circumstance—let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ and His eternal promises. Romans 8:18 reminds us, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
I understand that as you read this, you might not feel immediately encouraged, especially when you’re in the midst of a trial like the recent loss of a loved one, enduring significant physical pain, or grappling with the mental anguish of past mistakes. The future, no matter what we read or hear, may not seem to provide hope during these challenging moments. The thoughts of a future heaven, as glorious as it promises to be, may not factor into the current struggles. However, this is where our faith becomes crucial. We must trust God, taking Him at His word, and have faith that He will comfort us because He has promised to do so. We rely on His assurance and commit to trusting in His comforting presence despite the difficulties we face in the here and now. For us, as believers eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is our greatest hope.
No matter the depth of our current challenges, they pale in comparison to the glory awaiting us. As we navigate through the shadows of hardship, let our hearts be anchored in the assurance that a surpassing glory is promised for those who believe the gospel.
1 Corinthians 2:9 echoes this truth, “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.'”
The unimaginable blessings God has in store for His children surpass our comprehension. Even as we my be living our day to day lives in a constant struggle let’s walk in faith, let us anticipate with joy the unveiling of the glorious future He has prepared for us.
Beloved, press on with unwavering hope, for the sufferings of today cannot diminish the eternal glory awaiting you. Fix your eyes on the promises of God, study His word, and let the anticipation of His incomprehensible blessings fill your heart with enduring joy. Amen.
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).