by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 25, 2025 | Verse-by-Verse Bible Studies |
Devotional: Victory Belongs to the Lord — Psalm 33:16
📖 Part 3 of 5 — The Overcomer Series
A five-day devotional journey showing how God transforms fear into faith, weakness into strength, and affliction into refinement through Christ.
Psalm 33:16 – “No king is saved by the multitude of an army; a mighty man is not delivered by great strength.”
Context & Connection
Psalm 33 is a song of praise exalting God’s sovereignty and faithfulness. The psalmist contrasts the weakness of human strength with the limitless power of God. Kings may rely on armies, warriors on skill—but true deliverance belongs to the Lord.
The Apostle Paul echoes this divine truth in 1 Corinthians 15:57: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” The same God who won battles for Israel has given believers eternal victory through Christ’s death and resurrection.
Devotional Insight
The world glorifies self-reliance and human achievement, but Scripture reveals a different kind of strength—the kind that flows from dependence on God. Victory doesn’t come from what we can do, but from who He is.
Paul reminds us that victory is not something we earn—it’s something we receive. Through the cross, Christ defeated sin, death, and Satan once for all. Our role is not to fight for victory but to walk from it, resting in what Christ has already accomplished.
When life feels like a battle, remember: your strength doesn’t determine the outcome—God’s faithfulness does. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.
Encouragement for Today
Whatever battle you’re facing, the outcome is already secure in Christ. Human strength may fail, but God never does.
Give thanks to Him today for victories already won and for those yet unseen. Stand firm, not in your ability, but in His power—and walk boldly in the victory that’s yours through Christ.
📖 Reading Plan:
- Psalm 20:7 – Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we will remember the name of the Lord.
- 1 Corinthians 15:54–57 – Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 8:37 – In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 22, 2025 | Devotionals |
Devotional: Fear Not, I Am With You
📖 Part 2 of 5 — The Overcomer Series
A five-day devotional journey showing how God transforms fear into faith, weakness into strength, and affliction into refinement through Christ.
Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Context & Connection
Isaiah 41 was written to the nation of Israel during a time of deep fear and uncertainty. Surrounded by enemies and feeling abandoned, God reminded His people of His unchanging presence and power.
The same assurance applies to believers today. The Apostle Paul echoed this in 2 Timothy 4:17: “But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” Just as the Lord upheld Israel, He stood beside Paul through persecution and imprisonment—and He stands with you today.
Devotional Insight
Fear is one of the most powerful emotions we face. It can paralyze faith, cloud judgment, and distort our view of God. Yet Scripture tells us not to fear—not because danger doesn’t exist, but because God does. His presence changes everything.
When Paul faced abandonment and opposition, he didn’t rely on human strength; he relied on the Lord’s presence. That same “righteous right hand” that held Israel steady held Paul firm in the face of adversity—and it holds you now.
God doesn’t promise a life without hardship, but He promises to be with you in every hardship. His presence is your assurance, His strength your stability, and His faithfulness your peace.
Encouragement for Today
Whatever fear confronts you today—whether it’s uncertainty about the future, worry over loved ones, or spiritual opposition—remember this: God’s hand upholds you. You are not forgotten. You are not alone.
Let this truth silence fear and strengthen faith. The Lord who stood with Paul and comforted Israel stands with you now—unchanging, faithful, and strong.
📖 Reading Plan:
- Psalm 27:1 – The Lord is the strength of my life; whom shall I fear?
- 2 Timothy 4:16–18 – The Lord stood with me and delivered me.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 – Be strong and of good courage; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 21, 2025 | Devotionals |
📖 Part 1 of 5 — The Overcomer Series
Five daily devotionals on finding strength, courage, and victory in Christ.
Psalm 46:1 – “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Context & Connection
Psalm 46 was written to remind God’s people that even when the world seems to crumble, God remains steadfast. The psalmist paints a vivid picture of chaos—mountains shaking, waters roaring, nations raging—yet in the middle of it all, God is our unshakable refuge.
The Apostle Paul echoes this same confidence in Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Our safety isn’t rooted in circumstances or strength but in the immovable presence of God Himself.
Devotional Insight
When storms arise—financial pressures, loss, or spiritual battles—our natural instinct is to rely on ourselves. But Scripture calls us to turn our gaze upward. The word refuge means a place of shelter or protection, a hiding place in the storm.
Paul’s reminder in Romans 8:31 builds on this truth: our victory and confidence are secured in God’s unchanging love. Nothing—no person, no force, no situation—can stand against the believer who abides in Him.
In moments of fear or uncertainty, remember that you are never abandoned. God is your present help. Not distant. Not delayed. He is near, ready to strengthen you when you call.
Encouragement for Today
Whatever you’re facing, you can rest in this truth: God is your refuge and strength. Run to Him in prayer, trust His promises, and let His peace guard your heart.
You may feel surrounded, but the Lord surrounds you more. Stand firm in the confidence that the One who is for you is greater than all that comes against you.
📖 Reading Plan:
- Psalm 91:1–4 – God is our shelter under His wings.
- Romans 8:31–39 – Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
- Philippians 4:6–7 – The peace of God guards our hearts and minds.
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 20, 2025 | Israel and Bible Prophecy |
A Biblical Response to the Distortions of “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
Introduction
Recently, a blog circulated on a Christian Substack newsletter titled “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite.” The post claimed that Jesus took an axe to Judaism and that God’s promises to Israel are obsolete. But it was the author’s shocking assertion—that Jesus Himself was an antisemite—that raised the temperature and prompted many of you to forward it to me, asking for biblical clarity.
“No matter how much the world may hate the Jewish people, it does not change the truth: Jesus is not an antisemite, and God’s promises to Israel still stand.”
This article responds directly to those claims—using Scripture alone to show that God’s covenant with Israel is everlasting, His promises are unbreakable, and His Word cannot be revoked.
For context, you’ll see brief excerpts from the post included under each heading. They’re presented only to clarify the claims being refuted, not to give the article a platform.
The issue is not political; it’s theological. It’s about the very character of God—whether He keeps His Word or not.
This response is written not in anger, but in truth and grace. Let’s allow the Word of God to speak for itself.
I. Confusing Covenants—A Fatal Error
“Jesus said He came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Fulfillment is not continuation; it is consummation. A shadow fulfilled by the substance disappears in the light.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
The article collapses the Abrahamic Covenant (everlasting, unconditional) and the Mosaic Covenant (conditional, disciplinary). God’s promises to Abraham were never dependent on Israel’s performance.
“And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you… for an everlasting covenant… Also I give to you and your descendants… all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession.”
— Genesis 17:7–8
Israel’s disobedience under Moses brought discipline and exile, but never destruction. God said clearly:
“Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not cast them away… But for their sake I will remember the covenant of their ancestors.”
— Leviticus 26:44–45
To confuse correction with cancellation is to accuse God of breaking His Word—a thing He cannot do.
“For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself.”
— Hebrews 6:13
God didn’t merely promise Israel’s future; He swore it by His own name. The covenant stands on His unchanging character, not on Israel’s performance.
II. Fulfilled but Not Finished
“Every major symbol of Israel’s religion met its terminus in Christ. The temple was destroyed, no priesthood followed, the sacrifices ceased… Jesus did not expand the old system; He replaced it with Himself.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
Yes, under Joshua and Solomon Israel possessed much of the promised land (Joshua 21; 1 Kings 8), but those were partial fulfillments. The prophets, writing centuries later, still looked forward to a future restoration and reign under the Messiah:
- Ezekiel 37:21–22 — God will gather Israel “from every side and bring them into their own land.”
- Amos 9:14–15 — “I will plant them in their land, and no longer shall they be pulled up.”
- Jeremiah 31:31–37 — The New Covenant is made “with the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
The prophetic timeline points forward, not backward.
III. Paul’s Testimony: Israel’s Blindness Is Temporary
“The distinction between Jew and Gentile dissolved, and the only identity that remained was union with Christ.”
“Apart from Christ, Judaism withers into history.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
Paul’s letters demolish the idea that the Church has permanently replaced Israel.
“Has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite.”
— Romans 11:1
“Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved… For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
— Romans 11:25–29
Gentile believers partake in spiritual blessings through faith in Christ, but Israel’s national promises remain intact. The olive tree still has its natural branches.
IV. What Jesus Actually Said and Did
“When Dispensational Zionists declare Jesus a Jew, they leave out the part about Jesus taking an axe to Judaism and cutting it down.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
Here the author paints Christ as hostile toward His own people. Yet Scripture shows the opposite.
Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17), but He did not abolish God’s covenants. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41–44). He foretold her temporary desolation, but also her future restoration:
“Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”
— Luke 21:24
The word “until” changes everything—it points to an appointed end.
V. The New Covenant and the New Jerusalem
“The covenant of Law gave way to the covenant of Grace… Jesus should not be known for the Old Covenant He abolished, but the New Covenant He brought.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
The New Covenant is Jewish in origin and global in blessing. It was promised to Israel and Judah (Jer. 31:31–34) and confirmed in Christ’s blood (Luke 22:20).
And the eternal city bears Israel’s name:
“Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates… which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel.”
— Revelation 21:12
It is called the New Jerusalem, not the “New Gentile.” God chose that name forever.
VI. Jesus Is Not an Antisemite
“By the modern definition, Jesus was 100% full-on antisemite.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
To label the Jewish Messiah an antisemite is both theologically absurd and spiritually dangerous. The reality is how can anyone say that about our Redeemer?
- Jesus was born of David’s line (Luke 1:32).
- He ministered to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24).
- His earliest followers and the first thousands in the Church were all Jews (Acts 2–6).
His rebukes of Israel’s leaders were prophetic, not prejudiced—mirroring Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who called Israel to repentance out of covenant love, not hatred.
VII. The Question That Refutes Replacement Theology
“The apostles understood with absolute clarity… the first covenant was becoming obsolete and ready to vanish away.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
In Acts 1, after the resurrection, the apostles ask a question that shatters the claim that God has abandoned Israel:
“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6)
If Jesus had revoked Israel’s promises, that question would have been foolish. Did Peter forget that Jesus supposedly stripped Israel of her inheritance? Did he forget that God had rejected His people? Of course not, because Jesus never said that, no matter how hard prideful men twist the Scripture.
Jesus never said, “Because you crucified Me, I break every promise I made to your fathers.” To claim such a thing is to slander the Lord of glory. Nowhere in Scripture does God declare that Israel’s rejection of her Messiah erased His covenants.
Peter knew better. He knew that the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could never be broken because God cannot lie. He knew that though Israel had crucified her King, that same King would one day reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem. That’s why Peter asked, “Will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
And how did Jesus respond?
“It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.” (Acts 1:7)
Notice—Jesus didn’t correct the premise of Peter’s question.
He didn’t say, “There will be no kingdom for Israel.”
He simply said the timing belongs to the Father.
The promise remains. The fulfillment awaits its appointed season.
VIII. Let God Be True
“Christ… founded a kingdom that stands not beside Judaism but above it, because the King… has already fulfilled every covenant, prophecy, and promise that Judaism ever carried.”
— from “Jesus, Savior and Antisemite”
This is the ultimate claim of the article—and the ultimate error.
This is not about politics or ethnicity—it’s about the faithfulness of God. If God could abandon the people He called His own, what hope would we Gentiles have of security in Christ? But He will not.
“For the LORD will not forsake His people, for His great name’s sake.” — 1 Samuel 12:22
“Thus says the LORD… If those ordinances depart… then the seed of Israel shall also cease.” — Jeremiah 31:35–36
God is faithful to His covenants, faithful to Israel, and faithful to the Church. The same Lord who fulfilled the Law at His first coming will fulfill every prophecy at His return.
Jesus is not an antisemite.
He is a Jew, the Son of David, Israel’s Messiah, and the Redeemer of the world.
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 20, 2025 | Devotionals |
Devotional: Our Great Meeting in the Clouds
“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout… and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.”
—1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Context & Connection
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17— reflects on Paul’s longing for believers to be reunited with Christ—and with one another—at His coming. “Our great meeting in the clouds” isn’t merely poetic imagery; it’s a promise anchored firmly in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:51; 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17). The hope of Christ’s return gives meaning to the waiting, encouragement in loss, and strength in trials.
When life feels heavy—loss, confusion, disappointments—the promise of that reunion reminds us there is a day coming when every tear will be wiped away, and sorrow turned into joy (Revelation 21:4).
“Loss becomes a “see you soon” instead of a permanent goodbye.”
Phrase-by-Phrase Reflection
- “The Lord Himself will descend …” – This is not a distant, impersonal act. He comes Himself. He isn’t sending a substitute or a messenger. He is the One returning for His Bride.
- “the dead in Christ will rise first” – Believers who have passed away do not miss out. Death is not the end. Paul clarifies that God will resurrect them, and all the faithful will join in this cosmic gathering.
- “we who are alive and remain … shall be caught up together … to meet the Lord in the air” – The living believers are not left behind. There is a mystery of being caught up, being transformed, meeting the Lord together. We’ll see Christ face to face.
- “and thus we shall always be with the Lord” – This is the eternal state. Forever with Him. No separation, no parting. The promise is unending fellowship.
Devotional Insight
One of the most powerful realities we often underestimate is that our future is already secured. We live between the “already” and the “not yet”: Christ has died, risen, and ascended, and yet we await His return. The “great meeting in the clouds” is part of that “not yet” but it’s guaranteed by the “already.”
In the present, we endure pain, loss, longing. Sometimes we grieve loved ones, feel forgotten, or wrestle with the sense of emptiness. But because of the promise of reunion, those losses are not final. We’re bound together—those in Christ across history—by hope. That meeting isn’t just with Jesus, but with saints, with those we’ve loved, with those who believed alongside us.
Let that truth reframe your perspective. Loss becomes a “see you soon” instead of a permanent goodbye. Loneliness is interrupted by the knowledge of fellowship to come. Fear is silenced by the certainty that He returns for His own.