by Jamie Pantastico | Jul 4, 2024 | Daily Devotional, Daily Encouragement |
Key Verse: Lamentations 3:22-23 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”
Thank God for His incredible love for us!
As you read this, you might be facing the most unbearable and painful time in your life. You probably think, “How does this help me? I’m suffering right now. How can any verse make me feel better?” Beloved, I’ve been there, and I’m there now, every day. What it comes down to is faith. We have to take God at His word that He will do what He says… and God will comfort us and give us peace, no matter how whatever it is we are going through turns out. Philippians 4:6-7 is key here:
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
So when we take what God says by faith, He will give us peace! It’s about our faith in His word above all else. Read Philippians 4:6-7, slowly and carefully We may lose it all, our spouse may not make it, we may have a child that is going in the wrong direction in every way, we may be facing an insurmountable financial situation with no hope of getting out, or we may be going through a breakup or divorce that has caused unbearable pain. Or, He will give us all; our spouse will make it, our troubled child will change for the better, God will provide what we need to pay our bills, God will mend our relationship. The bottom line is that no matter what happens, God will answer and will give us peace that surpasses ALL understanding (because we can’t), will guard (comfort) your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amazing!
God’s mercies are new every morning, and His faithfulness is great. This truth is a source of comfort and encouragement, especially when we face challenges and struggles. The power of the gospel assures us that we are not consumed by our past failures or present difficulties. Each day is an opportunity to experience God’s new mercies and to move forward in His strength. His love and faithfulness sustains us and empowers us to live victoriously. Let’s start each day with the assurance of God’s new mercies and faithfulness.
‘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), ‘
Ephesians 2:4-5
Prayer: Father, thank You for Your new mercies every morning. Help me to live in the assurance of Your faithfulness and compassion. Empower me to share Your hope and renewal with others. Amen.
Daily Power-up: Take a few minutes to meditate on these verses and believe what God is says. Have faith. Rest in His promises.
- Old Testament: 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.”
- Gospels: John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
- Paul’s Letters: Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 13, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Are you fully convinced?
Romans 4:18-25 teaches us that we are saved by faith alone, apart from doing anything. Abraham, despite his old age and Sarah’s barrenness, believed God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations. Fully convinced that God would do what He promised, Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. This happened before circumcision was required and well before the Mosaic law. Paul uses Abraham as an example to show us that salvation is no different for us today (and this is our connection to Abraham as Gentile believers under grace). We, like Abraham, are to be fully convinced that God will save us by simply believing in the finished work of the cross, apart from the law, rituals, or any type of work. Otherwise, we nullify what Christ did on our behalf. For centuries, mankind has added to what was done once for all; the perfect, flawless, finished work of the cross (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Hebrews 1:1-4).
Faith alone in Christ’s finished work is the only requirement for salvation. Trusting in God’s promise, just as Abraham did, makes us heirs to the promise of eternal life. This message emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice and our need to rest in His completed work.
Addendum: Being Fully Convinced
The phrase “being fully convinced” in Romans 4:21 is translated from the Greek word πληροφορηθεὶς (plērophoretheis, Strong’s G4135). This term carries a strong sense of complete certainty and absolute assurance. It signifies a state of being fully persuaded and unwavering in belief. This Greek word highlights the depth of Abraham’s faith; he was not merely hopeful but had an unshakeable confidence in God’s promise. This same level of certainty is what we are called to have in the gospel—the finished work of Christ on the cross.
By being fully convinced, we rest in the assurance that our faith in Christ alone is sufficient for our salvation, freeing us from trying to keep the law, add works or rituals to what He has already accomplished.
‘Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.’
Romans 4:18-25
Daily Power-up
Take a few minutes to read and meditate on these powerful verses:
- Old Testament: Genesis 15:6 – “Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
- Gospels: John 6:29 – “Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'”
- Paul’s Letters: Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Reflect on these scriptures and rest in the truth that your salvation is secured by faith alone in Christ’s finished work.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 12, 2024 | Daily Devotional |
Verse: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
If you’re hanging on by a thread, DON’T GIVE UP. The Lord Jesus is with you, even when your faith falters. Matthew 11:28 invites us to come to Him when we are weary and burdened, promising us rest. This is a profound invitation from Jesus Himself, assuring us that we don’t have to carry our burdens alone. His rest is not just physical, but more importantly, spiritual. Matthew 11:28 is clear if we go to Him with our burdens He will give us peace and comfort. Believe Him, that He is holding you close and will never let you go. Lean on Lord with all your troubles and His peace to fill your heart and give you rest.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting me to come to You with my burdens. I am weary, but I trust in Your promise of rest. Help me to lay my troubles at Your feet and to find peace in Your presence. Strengthen my faith and guide me through each day. Amen.
Daily Power-Up: Take a few minutes to read and meditate on these verses. Rest in what God is saying and believe in His promises for you.
- Old Testament: Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
- Gospels: John 16:33 – “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
- Paul’s Letters: 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 11, 2024 | Daily Encouragement |
Replacement theology, or supersessionism, posits that the Church has replaced Israel in God’s plan, inheriting the promises made to Israel. However, this perspective is fundamentally unbiblical for several reasons:
PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU CONTINUE READING.
Here is a simple definition of “Replacement Theology”.
Replacement Theology, also known as supersessionism or fulfillment theology, teaches that the Church has taken Israel’s place in God’s plan. According to this view, the Jews are no longer considered God’s chosen people, and God has no specific future plans for the nation of Israel. Different perspectives on the Church-Israel relationship include:
- The Church has replaced Israel (Replacement Theology).
- The Church is an expansion of Israel (Covenant Theology).
- The Church and Israel are entirely distinct entities (Dispensationalism/Premillennialism).
1. Biblical Covenants are Irrevocable
God’s covenants with Israel, such as the Abrahamic and Davidic covenants, are described as everlasting (Genesis 17:7; 2 Samuel 7:16). These covenants underscore God’s unwavering commitment to Israel, contradicting the idea of replacement.
2. Distinction Between Israel and the Church
The New Testament maintains a clear distinction between Israel and the Church. Paul explicitly states that Israel’s promises, covenants, and law belong to the Jews (Romans 9:4). The Church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles, is a separate entity (Ephesians 2:14-16).
3. New Covenant Specific to Israel
Jeremiah 31:31-34 and Ezekiel 36:24-28 promise a New Covenant to Israel, highlighting national restoration and spiritual renewal. The Church benefits from the spiritual blessings of this covenant, but it doesn’t replace Israel (Hebrews 8:8-10).
4. Future Restoration of Israel
Prophecies in both the Old and New Testaments anticipate a future restoration of Israel (Romans 11:25-27; Zechariah 14:4). These prophecies and many more affirm Israel’s central role in God’s plan of redemption.
5. Paul’s Theology
Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, taught the inclusion of Gentiles into the blessings through Christ, not their replacement of Israel. He emphasized that God’s gifts and call to Israel are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).
Conclusion
Replacement theology undermines the integrity of God’s promises and distorts biblical eschatology. A proper understanding recognizes the distinct and ongoing roles of Israel and the Church in God’s redemptive plan, affirming that the Church benefits from Israel’s covenants without replacing Israel. This view is supported by consistent biblical evidence, confirming the enduring nature of God’s promises to Israel.
by Jamie Pantastico | Jun 10, 2024 | Forgetting the Past |
Isaiah 65:17
“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind.”
God promises a glorious future for Israel, where their Messiah, God the Son, will rule and reign for a thousand years in Jerusalem. During this millennium, Israel will be the top nation above all others. Additionally, this promise extends to the end of the thousand-year reign, when God will establish a new heaven and new earth that will go into eternity. In this final renewal, God will forget all that came before, and a brand new kingdom will descend from heaven resting on a brand new earth.
This assurance encourages us to look forward to the new creation God has prepared both the nation of Israel and the body of Christ. The power of the gospel assures us of this new beginning and everlasting life with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In Christ, we have the hope of eternal life and a future where all things are made new. Our past sins and failures are forgotten, and we are to live in the reality of God’s transformative power.
The apostle Paul echoes this message in his second letter to the Corinthians. He emphasizes that in Christ, we become a new creation:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Paul’s words remind us that our life as believers in Christ involves becoming a new creation, leaving the old behind, and embracing the new life God has for us. This resonates deeply with the promise in Isaiah, as we are called to embrace the new creation and the transformative power of God’s grace.
Let’s embrace this hope and move forward, trusting in God’s promise of a new creation. As ambassadors for Christ, we have the privilege of sharing this hope with a world in need.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the promise of a new creation. Help me to forget the former things and live in the hope of Your transformative power. Use me to share this hope with others. Amen.