by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 23, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Christ’s love completely governs and motivates believers to live for Him.
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” — 2 Corinthians 5:14-15
Paul declares that it is the love of Christ—His sacrificial, redeeming love—that compels him. This word “compels” (Greek: synechō) carries the idea of being constrained, driven, or held together by something powerful. It is not duty, fear, or obligation that fuels Paul’s ministry, but Christ’s love.
What does Paul mean when he says, “if One died for all, then all died”? This points to the truth that Christ’s death was on behalf of all—a substitutionary sacrifice. In Him, believers have died to their old selves, to sin, and to the power of this world (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20). Our old Adamic nature—the sin nature we were all born with—was put to death with Christ. But death to sin isn’t even the greatest part of our salvation! Just as Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over Satan, sin, and death, we too are raised with Him into a new life—a life of righteousness and transformation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:9-10). We are no longer slaves to sin but alive to God, empowered to live differently (apart from the world), with new desires, and a heart set on Christ Jesus.
Verse 15 calls believers to a radical shift: we are no longer to live for ourselves but for Christ. His death, burial and resurrection mean that our lives now belong to Him. We are to strive to live out every facet of our lives for the One who gave everything for us.
‘I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ‘
Galatians 2:20
Encouragement for Today
Christ’s love is not passive; it is active, transformative, and powerful. When we grasp the depth of His sacrifice, our response should be wholehearted devotion. Are you living for yourself, or are you living for the One who died and rose again for you?
Let His love compel you today!
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 20, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Imagine a moment unlike any other in history—a day when an entire generation of believers will never experience death! Instead, in the blink of an eye, they will be transformed, caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and enter into eternal glory! This is not speculation or wishful thinking—it is a solid promise from the Word of God!
The apostle Paul revealed this incredible truth in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52:
“Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
This is the blessed hope of every believer! While many saints throughout history have passed on and gone to be with the Lord, there will be one final generation of Christians who will never see death! Instead of facing the grave, they will experience instant transformation, exchanging their mortal bodies for glorious, incorruptible bodies fit for eternity.
The Greatest Reunion of All Time
Paul expands on this breathtaking event in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
What a glorious comfort this is! The rapture is not just about escaping tribulation—it is about being united with Jesus forever! The moment that trumpet sounds, both the living and the resurrected saints will be gathered together in the air.
Imagine the joy of that moment! Families reunited. Friends reunited. Every believer, from every nation and generation, meeting together in the presence of the Lord. All joy, forever and ever!
Are You Ready?
Jesus is coming soon! The world may scoff, but God’s promises never fail. The signs of the times are all around us, pointing to the soon return of our Lord Jesus for His church. As believers, we are called to live expectantly, knowing that at any moment, we could be caught up to be with the Lord!
This is not the time to be discouraged. It is the time to be watching, praying, and proclaiming the gospel! If you know Jesus as your Savior, then this promise is for you! If you don’t, today is the day of salvation—don’t wait another moment to put your faith in Christ!
“Therefore comfort one another with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:18
Stay encouraged, stay ready, and keep looking up—Jesus is coming for His Church!
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 19, 2025 | Devotionals |
Salvation is a gift so simple that a child can understand it, yet so profound that we will never fully grasp its depth until we stand in glory. It is not a process but an event—one that transforms us from spiritual death to life in Christ.
The Problem: Sin and Separation from God
The first law God gave humanity was clear: sin results in death. When Eve responded to the serpent in the Garden of Eden, she acknowledged God’s command:
“But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, ‘Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.'” (Genesis 3:2-3)
The same principle is echoed throughout Scripture:
“The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4)
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
No matter how good we try to be, we all fall short. The first step to salvation is recognizing our need for it—understanding that we are sinners in need of a Savior.
The Solution: The Gospel of Christ
If sin results in death, then payment must be made. But instead of leaving us in our fallen state, God provided a way through Jesus Christ:
‘For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.’ (II Corinthians 5:21)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth.” (Romans 1:16)
What is the Gospel? The Apostle Paul gives the clearest definition in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4:
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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.”
Jesus Christ took our place. He bore the punishment for sin so that we wouldn’t have to. His death on the Cross paid the penalty, and His resurrection secured our victory over death.
Faith: The Only Requirement
Salvation is not about cleaning up our lives first. It’s not about joining a church, performing good works, or following rituals. Just as a dead battery cannot recharge itself, we cannot bring spiritual life to ourselves. Outside power must be applied. That power is the Gospel (Read Romans 1:16), and we receive it by faith:
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith is not merely acknowledging Christ’s existence—it is trusting in His finished work on the Cross. It is believing that His sacrifice was enough to pay for our sins and that His resurrection guarantees our eternal life.
The New Birth: Becoming a Child of God
When we place our faith in Christ and believe the gospel, something incredible happens:
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)
We identify with Christ—Our old sinful nature is crucified with Christ, and we are born again, restored to fellowship with God. We receive His righteousness, and His Spirit comes to dwell in us. This marks the beginning of our Christian walk, a journey of growth in grace and knowledge.
The Choice is Yours
God does not force salvation upon anyone. He offers it freely, but we must receive it by faith. The Gospel is not about religion; it is about a relationship with the living God. Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Believe the gospel, and you will be saved.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
The question is not whether salvation is available—it is whether you will believe. The work has been done, the price has been paid, and the door is open. Will you walk through it?
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 16, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Why Understanding Amillennialism Matters
Understanding Amillennialism is crucial because it directly impacts how we interpret God’s promises to Israel and the Church. This false theology denies a literal future for Israel, claiming that the Church has replaced God’s chosen people. But if God could break His covenant with Israel, what assurance do we have of His promises to us? Knowing the truth helps us trust in God’s faithfulness and rightly divide His Word, standing firm against doctrines that distort His plan for the ages.
Amillennialism is a man-made theology that undermines God’s clear promises in Scripture. It arose from a failure to reconcile how God could still remain faithful to Israel after they rejected their Messiah and, along with the Romans, crucified the Prince of Peace. Instead of trusting in God’s ability to fulfill His covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, some early Church fathers devised a theological system that conveniently transferred Israel’s promises to the Church.
This false doctrine—often referred to as replacement theology—teaches that God has permanently cast aside Israel and that the Church is now the new Israel. But this is not what Scripture teaches. In fact, God’s Word is clear:
- God’s covenant with Israel is eternal.
- “Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night… If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever.” (Jeremiah 31:35-36)
- Paul explicitly refutes replacement theology.
- “For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” (Romans 11:25)
- “Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Romans 11:28-29)
If God’s promises to Israel were merely symbolic or transferred to the Church, then He would be a liar. But God does not break His covenants (Numbers 23:19). The rejection of a literal future for Israel was not based on faith in God’s Word but on human reasoning.
Why Was Amillennialism So Convenient?
- It required no faith in God’s ability to restore Israel as He promised.
- It made no effort to wrestle with prophecies that clearly state Israel’s future restoration.
- It aligned with the growing anti-Jewish sentiment in parts of the early Church.
- It placed Gentiles at the center of God’s plan, rather than acknowledging that we, as Gentiles, are partakers of the promises made to Israel—not the original recipients. The covenants God made with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David were given to Israel alone. As Paul explains in Romans 11:16-18, Israel is the root that supports the wild branches, not the other way around. The Church does not replace Israel; rather, believing Gentiles are graciously grafted in, sharing in the blessings but never usurping the promises.
It was convenient for the progenitors of this false teaching because they saw that the temple was destroyed in 70 AD, and the Jews were out of their land, scattered into every nation on the planet. The Church fathers looked at Israel’s diaspora as an opportunity to take what God promised Israel as their own. Horrors! Again, these so-called Church fathers lacked faith—they simply could not believe that God would keep the promises He made to His chosen people. This comes down to coveting, pure and simple. They saw what belonged to Israel, desired it for themselves, and instead of trusting in God’s Word, they rewrote it to fit their own reasoning.
Ammillennialist have “spiritualized” Israel’s promises, dismissing them as allegorical while eagerly claiming all the blessings for themselves. But God is not done with Israel! The return of the Jewish people to their land and the ongoing conflicts surrounding Jerusalem confirm that God’s prophetic timeline is still unfolding exactly as He declared.
Final Thoughts
Amillennialism may be convenient, but it is not biblical. The promises God made to Israel remain intact, and His faithfulness to Israel is proof of His faithfulness to all who trust in Him. We must reject any theology that distorts God’s Word and hold fast to the truth that what He has spoken, He will surely fulfill.
Are you trusting in God’s promises, even when they seem inconvenient?
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 14, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
In Philippians 4:8-9, Paul shares a powerful roadmap for believers to maintain peace in a troubled world: “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.”
In a world where chaos, fear, and darkness seem to multiply daily, Paul encourages us to train our minds to focus on what’s good. He’s telling us to not just read or think about these things, but to truly meditate on them, to center our minds and implant them in our hearts. This isn’t a one-time effort; it’s a daily discipline—every moment, every day. When we fill our hearts and minds with these virtues, the God of peace, who is our only true source of hope and comfort, promises to be with us.
This verse is especially crucial because, as Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:1, we are indeed living in perilous times. The spiritual battle has never been more intense, and as we draw nearer to the return of our Lord Jesus, the world will only grow darker. In 2 Timothy 3:12-13, Paul warns that all who desire to live godly lives in Christ will face persecution because evil men and imposters will grow worse, deceiving and being deceived. Yet, even amid these challenging times, we are not left without hope.
When we keep our minds fixed on God’s truth, when we meditate on the word of God and rest in the power of the gospel, we find a peace that the world cannot offer. In 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, we’re reminded that God is the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort. He meets us in our struggles and gives us the strength to carry on.
Once again, on a personal note, I want to thank everyone who has prayed for me over the past few months. I truly believe that without God’s grace and the many prayers lifted on my behalf, I would not be sharing this with you today. I am deeply grateful to each one of you who supported me during this time.
Let’s lift each other up in prayer and meditate on what is noble, pure, and praiseworthy. May the God of peace be with us all as we walk through the good and bad days ahead, hand in hand with Jesus.
Are you spending time daily to study God’s word? Are you meditating on what is noble, pure, and praiseworthy?
‘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 (center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart). The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do (daily–all day everyday), and the God of peace (Who is our only source of hope, comfort and peace) will be with you.’
Philippians 4:8-9
‘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. ‘
II Corinthians 1:3-4