by Jamie Pantastico | Mar 3, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Feeling overwhelmed by wars, deception, and a world gone mad? Scripture saw it coming—and for believers, it’s not chaos; it’s God’s plan unfolding. “I am God… declaring the end from the beginning,” says Isaiah 46:9-10. His counsel stands.
Paul warned Timothy, “In the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). Sound familiar? We’re there! Yet Jesus said of “wars and rumors of wars,” “See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass” (Matthew 24:6). It’s the beginning of sorrows, not the end of hope.
“The falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3), but “all things work together for good” for those who love God (Romans 8:28). Why stand firm? “He changes the times and seasons” (Daniel 2:21), and “though it tarries, wait for it; it will surely come” (Habakkuk 2:3). Jesus promises, “In Me you may have peace… I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Lift your heads—redemption draws near (Luke 21:28).
Don’t be anxious over evil (Psalm 37:7-8). Watch and be sober (1 Thessalonians 5:4-6). Look for “the blessed hope”—Christ’s return (Titus 2:13). The world’s descent is our ascent: God’s Word is true, and He’s coming soon. Proclaim the Gospel boldly—sin is the problem, Christ’s cross the cure. Everything’s falling into place. Are you ready?
Here are fifteen powerful verses that affirm God’s sovereignty and the certainty of His promises:
Old Testament Verses
Isaiah 46:9-10 – “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’”
Daniel 2:21 – And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”*ng.”
Habakkuk 2:3 – “For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.”
Psalm 37:7-8 – “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm.”
Proverbs 19:21 – “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”
Jesus’ Words in the Gospels
Matthew 24:4-5 – “And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, “I am the Christ,” and will deceive many.’”
Matthew 24:6-8 – “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
Luke 21:28 – “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Mark 13:7-8 – “But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of sorrows.”
Paul’s Epistles
2 Thessalonians 2:3 – “Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – (Paul describes the last days but reminds us that this is all part of God’s prophetic timeline.)
1 Thessalonians 5:4-6 – “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.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Titus 2:13 – “Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Feb 26, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Life is full of uncertainty, but for the believer, one thing is absolutely secure—our salvation. The moment we believe the gospel, something miraculous happens: we are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise! This seal is not temporary, conditional, or fragile. It is God’s unbreakable guarantee that we belong to Him forever.
Sealed the Moment We Believe
Ephesians 1:13—“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise.”
The moment we place our faith in Jesus Christ—believing that He died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)—we are sealed with the Holy Spirit. This is not a process; it happens immediately! We are marked as God’s own, secured by His power, never to be lost or forsaken.
Many struggle with assurance, wondering if they can lose their salvation. But this verse makes it clear: the Holy Spirit Himself is the seal. And God does not take back what He has given. We do not keep ourselves saved—He does! (John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39).
The Guarantee of Our Glorious Future
Ephesians 1:14—“Who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
The Holy Spirit that now lives within us is God’s guarantee—our divine down payment—that we will receive our full inheritance as children of God. That inheritance includes our future resurrected, glorified bodies and eternal life with the Lord! Whether we live or die (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), we are secure in Christ, and nothing can prevent what God has promised.
Just as Jesus rose from the dead, we too will be raised to new life (1 Corinthians 15:51-53, Philippians 3:20-21). The same Spirit that sealed us at salvation will bring us into glory at the appointed time. Nothing is left to chance—our destiny is sealed!
All to the Glory of God!
Why has God done this? To the praise of His glory! Our salvation is not based on our own efforts but entirely on Christ’s finished work. He paid the price with His blood (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7), and now we are His forever because we believed the gospel. When we finally receive our glorified bodies and stand in His presence, it will be a testimony to His grace, power, and faithfulness.
Encouragement for Today
If you are feeling uncertain about your future, take heart! God’s promise is sure. The Holy Spirit within you is undeniable proof that you are His, and nothing can change that. Whether you are facing trials, doubts, or even the reality of death—you are secure in Christ.
So rest in His promise, rejoice in His grace, and give all the glory to God Almighty!
Read the Word—There is Power in It!
Below is a full list of the Bible passages mentioned in this post. If you do not have a Bible, there are many good online bible apps to use that are completely free. I strongly encourage you to read them carefully—because the power is not in my words but in God’s Word! His truth transforms lives, strengthens faith, and brings eternal hope. You can scroll over the verses below to read the full passage.
Bible Verses:
📖 Ephesians 1:13-14
📖 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
📖 John 10:28-29
📖 Romans 8:38-39
📖 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
📖 1 Corinthians 15:51-53
📖 Philippians 3:20-21
📖 Acts 20:28
📖 Ephesians 1:7
Let the Word of God strengthen and encourage you today!
Maranatha—our Lord is coming!
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 | Daily Encouragement |
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?