by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 29, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
In a world that values self-promotion and personal gain above all, these verses highlight the essence of true love as followers of Christ. Love, according to God’s Word, is the selfless pursuit of others’ well-being. It’s an intentional choice to put aside our own desires and genuinely care for the needs of those around us both saved and the unsaved.
As believers, we’re called to stand out from the self-centered norms of the world. The love described here isn’t merely a feeling; it’s an action rooted in humility and genuine concern. When we prioritize the interests of others, we mirror Christ’s sacrificial love on the cross.
‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’
Romans 5:8
Let’s be people who exemplify this love in our interactions, both within the body of believers and with those outside our faith. By esteeming others above ourselves and actively seeking their highest good, we not only live out a Christ-like life but also provide a compelling example of love to a world that desperately needs it.
‘And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.’
I Corinthians 13:13
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 26, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Amidst increasing global uncertainty and despair, our hope as believers remains steadfast in the unwavering love and promises of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul, divinely inspired, presents to us a resounding testament of this truth.
Get out your Bible find the Bible verses in this post, and read them again, read them several times. Meditate on these verses, saturating yourself in these passages.
Claiming Our Eternal Inheritance
In Ephesians 1:11, Paul assures us that we have been “predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.” This declaration dispels any doubt about our divine destiny as believers. We’re not lost amidst the chaos; we’re chosen heirs, securely sealed with the Holy Spirit, held in Christ in God. WOW! Think about that.
Endurance Amidst Trials
In the midst of trials, Romans 8:18 reminds us that “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Our current struggles pale in comparison to the eternal splendor awaiting us.
Walking in Victory
Philippians 4:13 affirms that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Our limitations dissolve in Christ’s boundless strength. Daily Bible study nourishes this truth, empowering us to face challenges with unshakable confidence.
Anchored in God’s Faithfulness
Paul reassures us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able.” As we commune with Him through prayer, our vulnerabilities transform into avenues for God’s power to manifest.
Unity and Encouragement in Fellowship
Hebrews 10:25 underscores the importance of gathering with fellow believers: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…but exhorting one another.” In unity, we find strength, our spirits rejuvenated by the shared testimony of God’s faithfulness.
A Heartfelt Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come to you in Jesus’ name, with gratitude and thanksgiving for the steadfast hope we have in Your Son. May Your Word be a lamp unto our feet, guiding us through life’s maze. Strengthen our faith as we meditate on Your promises. Grant us the grace to cling to You, our unchanging Rock, in every season. In the name of Jesus, our eternal hope, we pray. Amen.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 25, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
In Colossians 3:13, we find a powerful message: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Holding onto past grudges is like carrying a heavy burden that drags us down. It steals our joy and peace. But this verse encourages us to forgive anyone we have a grievance with, just as God has forgiven us.
By choosing to practice forgiveness each day, we liberate ourselves from the grip of bitterness, anger, and hatred, allowing us to move forward. Beloved, our peace with God is a result of our faith alone in the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Our salvation and peace with God is all that matters—everything else pales in comparison. So forgive and let it go!
‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ‘
Romans 5:1
When we forgive, we break the chains that tie us to bitterness. We set ourselves free to experience the transformative power of grace. Forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrongdoing, but it allows us to move forward with a lighter heart.
Today, choose to let go. Allow the love and forgiveness of God to flow through you. By forgiving others, you unlock the door to your own healing and freedom. Releasing those grudges will lift you higher, closer to the peace and joy that God intends for your life.
Read
‘Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.’
Ephesians 4:31-32
‘Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. ‘
Matthew 18:21-22
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Romans 8:37
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
IMPORTANT: And how do we know we are more than conquerors? By faith! When we are going through trials and tribulations, and overwhelmed with uncertainty we don’t feel like we’re conquerors. But we are because God said we are! It is our faith in what God has promised that provides us with the comfort and strength we need.
Life brings challenges that may seem overwhelming, yet in Romans 8:37, we find enduring hope: We’re more than conquerors through Christ’s love.
No matter the trials, we’re not alone. Our loving Savior, Jesus Christ, is with us, giving us the strength to rise above pain, grief, stress, and anxiety.
This verse reassures us that our identity isn’t defined by circumstances but by our relationship with the One who overcame the world. Anchoring in His love (the cross) gives us unwavering strength to endure. We strengthen our faith by studying His word, prayer, and fellowship with other believers.
Takeaway
Through Christ’s love (the work of the cross; the death, burial, and resurrection), you’re not just conquerors; you’re more than conquerors. His love empowers you to overcome, reminding you that you’re cherished by the One who conquered all.
by Jamie Pantastico | Aug 20, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
The principle that, without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sins is an enduring truth and absolute in the Scriptures, transcending both the Old and New Testaments. In Exodus 12:13, the Passover lamb’s blood serves as a mark of protection, foreshadowing the redemptive work of Christ on the cross.
Hebrews 9:22 underscores this theme, stating that “without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” This biblical absolute highlights the significance of Christ’s ultimate sacrifice on the cross, wherein His blood became the essential propitiation for redemption.
The apostle Paul further expounds this concept in Romans 3:24–25, affirming that believers are “justified by His grace” through Christ, who is the propitiation through His blood.” Romans 5:9 echoes this sentiment, declaring that we are “justified by His blood” and thereby saved from God’s wrath.
In Ephesians 1:7, Paul emphasizes redemption through Christ’s blood, culminating in the forgiveness of sins. The apostle Peter concurs, stating in 1 Peter 1:18–19 that believers were redeemed “with the precious blood of Christ.”
The takeaway is that these passages underscore the indispensable role of Christ’s blood in securing salvation and the remission of sins. Just as the blood on the doorposts marked the Israelites’ deliverance, Christ’s blood serves as the means of forgiveness for our sins and reconciliation for all who believe.
‘being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ‘
Romans 3:24-25
