by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 20, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Ephesians 2:4–6 reminds us of the miraculous transformation that occurs the moment we believe the gospel: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”
In Christ, we are not only saved by grace, but we are also positioned in the heavenly places. This means we are secure, protected, and eternally bound to Him. The very instant we believed the gospel, we were sealed by the Holy Spirit, baptized into the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13), and became citizens of the heavenly kingdom (Colossians 1:13). No force in the universe, not even death, can separate us from God (Romans 8:35).
These verses, like all of scripture, have power. But we must actually read them. Grab your Bible, search for these verses, and read them, then read them again. Devotionals and commentary are okay, but the power is in God’s word.
Remember, you are in Christ now, and you are His now. Rejoice in this unshakable truth today!
Get your Bible out and study these verses:
‘For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body— Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. ‘
1 Corinthians 12:13
‘He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, ‘
Colossians 1:13
‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? ‘
Romans 8:35
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 18, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, let’s anchor ourselves in the powerful truth of 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6:
“But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, ‘Peace and safety!’ then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore, let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober.”
Key Verse: I Thessalonians 5:6
‘Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ‘
In this time of unprecedented deception, remember that we’re not caught in spiritual indifference, for we’ve been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). As believers, we are the only true light in a dark and wicked world. We know the truth and it has set us free. Let’s not slumber but shine brightly!
The world is yearning for the light that only Christ provides. Amidst the chaos of war and rumors of war, and a world covered in darkness we are called to watch, discern, and share the Gospel of grace with unwavering clarity.
Stay vigilant and remain grounded in God’s Word every day, for you are the beacon of hope in a world longing for salvation.
Conclusion: In a world characterized by chaos and uncertainty, 1 Thessalonians 5:6 serves as a reminder for believers to remain vigilant and sober. We are called to maintain a watchful eye on our spiritual condition and the events around us while embracing a clear, disciplined state of mind. By staying grounded in God’s Word and applying these truths in our daily lives, we can navigate the chaos and deception with hope, purpose, and unwavering faith. In doing so, we prepare ourselves for the imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The day of Christ not the Day of the Lord.
#WatchAndShine #YouAreTheLight #BeAlert #ShareTheGospel
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 17, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Introduction
In Romans 11:25, the apostle Paul sheds light on the mystery of God’s plan. He emphasizes that partial spiritual blindness has befallen Israel, but only until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. This aligns perfectly with Luke 21:24, where Jesus foretells the plight of Jerusalem. It reveals a dual timeline: one of the Gentiles filling their cup of iniquity, and the other of God calling out a people for His name, referred to by the apostle Paul as the Body of Christ. The unfolding events in Jerusalem and among the Gentiles are intricately connected, forming a prophetic timeline that underscores the precision and sovereignty of God’s ultimate design.
As we observe the current status of world events, especially in the Middle East, believers should rejoice. The time of the Gentiles is indeed almost at its end, and our Lord will soon take us home to be with Him forever. Let this truth fill you with hope and anticipation, for our redemption is drawing near. Stay steadfast in faith, keep your eyes on the promises of God, and find comfort in the knowledge that His plan is unfolding precisely as He foretold.
Now let’s look into this amazing prophecy part fulfilled and part awaiting fulfillment found in Luke 21:24
Luke 21:24
“And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.”
Again let us look at Luke 21:24:
“And they (referring to the Jews) shall fall by the edge of the sword and shall be led away captive into all nations…”
This verse clearly indicates that it doesn’t pertain to the return of Christ or Armageddon, but rather, it’s about the events led by the Roman general Titus in 70 A.D.
Titus’ attack, approximately 40 years after Christ’s Crucifixion, fulfilled this prophecy. The Romans besieged Jerusalem, resulting in one of the most tragic sieges in history. The Roman soldiers faced intense resistance, even having boiling oil poured on them. This enraged them, leading to ruthless tactics upon entering the city. Jesus referred to this event when He said:
“‘And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.’ Luke 21:24
But remember, there’s a significant word here: ‘until.’ It signifies a future point when the Gentiles will no longer dominate Jerusalem. Jesus affirms that Jerusalem will regain its sovereignty from the Gentiles once the times of the Gentiles have run their course.”
Now, let’s look at the historical context. Starting in 606 B.C., before the Crucifixion, Nebuchadnezzar from Babylon besieged Jerusalem. He not only destroyed the Temple but also took the Jews into captivity. From this point on, empires like the Medes, Persians, Greeks, and Romans continued to control Jerusalem and Palestine.
Even today the Jewish people are still under the heavy boot of Gentile influence. While they became a sovereign state in 1948, their independence remains limited. Their survival is closely tied to external support, particularly from the United States. Therefore, from 606 B.C. until Christ’s return, Jerusalem won’t experience true peace. This isn’t about the Rapture, but rather, when Christ returns to Jerusalem. Only then, with the arrival of the Prince of Peace, will Jerusalem find lasting peace.
The “times of the Gentiles” is akin to a container filling with Gentile iniquity. Concurrently, from the period after the Cross until the Lord takes the Church, there’s the fullness of the Gentiles and the emergence of the Body of Christ. These two aspects complement each other beautifully. While God forms the Body, the Gentiles are accumulating iniquity until the Second Coming.
To gain a comprehensive view of this iniquity filling up, let’s turn to Revelation:
Revelation 9:21
“Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 17, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Psalm 92:2
“To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”
Psalm 119:147
“I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in Your word.”
Psalm 118:24
“This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
“Good morning, friends! 🌅 Let’s start our day with a heart full of praise and gratitude. No matter the challenges we face in these turbulent times, we have a mighty God who watches over us. His mercies are new every morning! 🙌🏼 Let’s remember to declare His lovingkindness and faithfulness as we rise with the sun. Our hope is found in Him, and with the dawn, we can begin anew. Rejoice, for this is the day the Lord has made! 🌞💕
#PraiseInTheMorning #NewMercies #Gratitude #HopeInHim”
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 16, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
In a world shrouded by wars, unrelenting turmoil, and ever-increasing opposition to God’s truth, we, as believers, are called to stand firm (IMMOVABLE) and unyielding. Trials and tribulations will no doubt confront us, but we are to remain anchored in our faith. Let’s draw strength and encouragement from 1 Corinthians 15:58:
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 15:58
🛡️ Steadfast and Immovable
These turbulent times can challenge even the strongest of spirits. Yet, God calls us to be steadfast, and unwavering in our commitment to Him. We are to be immovable, anchored to the unshakable rock of our faith.
🌟 Abounding in the Lord’s Work
Amidst the chaos, we are not to withdraw or be discouraged. Instead, we are to abound in the work of the Lord. There is still a world desperate for the light of Christ. Our faith must drive us to share His love, grace, and truth.
📖 Nourished by His Word
To remain steadfast, we need to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. It is the source of strength and wisdom. Through daily study, we find the guidance and assurance we need.
🙏 Prayer and Fellowship
Prayer connects us with the very heart of God. We must continue to pray without ceasing. Additionally, fellowship with other believers is a source of mutual encouragement. Together, we can uplift and support one another.
🌍 A World in Flux
The world’s current state, marred by conflict, unprecedented Christian persecution, and moral confusion, is not unexpected. In Matthew 24, Jesus foretold such times: wars, rumors of wars, and the spreading of evil.
🕰️ Our Redemption Draws Near
In these moments, take solace in Jesus’ words that our redemption draws near (Luke 21:28). While the world’s chaos unfolds, the promise of His return remains sure.
💪 Your Labor Is Not in Vain
Despite challenges and opposition to God’s truth, remember that our labor in the Lord’s work is not in vain. Every word of truth, every act of kindness, and every prayer has eternal significance.
Let’s heed the call to be steadfast and immovable. In these times of upheaval, our faith will shine even brighter. The Lord’s return is on the horizon. The world may shake, but our hope is unshakeable. Stand strong, and let your light shine amidst the darkness.
#Steadfast #EndTimes #1Corinthians1558 #KeeptheFaith #NKJV #ChristianEncouragement
