Jamie Pantastico - Free Bible Study Classes - Genesis through Revelation

Satisfy Us Early with Your Mercy ‘Daily Devotional’

by Jamie Pantastico | May 5, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Psalm 90:14

“O satisfy us early with Your mercy, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.”

Devotional

As you start your day, ask the Lord to fill your heart with His mercy and grace. His love and kindness will satisfy your soul and enable you to rejoice and be glad, even amidst the day’s challenges. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Trusting in God’s mercy will help us maintain a joyful spirit and provide strength during difficult times.

Daily Reading:

Each of these passages echoes the sentiment of Psalm 90:14, emphasizing the importance of rejoicing, being patient during tribulations, and finding renewal in the Lord’s mercy each day.

Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”

2 Corinthians 4:16-18: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

As you go through this devotional and Bible reading, remember that God’s mercy and grace are available to you every day. Allow His love and kindness to bring joy and gladness into your life, even during challenging times. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer, knowing that the Lord is your strength and your salvation.

Please consider sharing this with someone. Or on social media. The word of God is powerful.

Have a blessed day!

The God of All Comfort, Part 2: The Power of the Gospel

by Jamie Pantastico | May 2, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

In Part 1 of “The God of All Comfort,” we discovered that God is our ultimate source of comfort and strength during difficult times. In Part 2, we look at the foundation for this divine support: the gospel.

‘Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: 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, ‘

I Corinthians 15:1-4

The gospel, as defined in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, is the core reason for everything God does on our behalf. The death, shed blood, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the power and source of all comfort, hope, strength, and eternal life for all believers.

Romans 1:16 reminds us that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, while 1 Corinthians 15:55–57 declares the gospel’s victory over Satan, sin, the law, and even death itself. The gospel’s transformative power overcame all of Satan’s power as a result believers have comfort and strength amidst life’s challenges.

‘For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ‘

Romans 1:16

‘“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.’

I Corinthians 15:55-57

As believers, let us rejoice in the gospel, remembering that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ are the very foundation of our faith and the source of our comfort. Through the gospel, we are empowered to face tribulation with confidence, knowing that we are more than conquerors in Christ.

‘Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ‘

Romans 8:37

Study these verses to deepen your understanding: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:55–57. Embrace the power of the gospel in your life and let it be your constant source of hope, strength, and comfort.

Our Blessed Hope in this World of Darkness

by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 30, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

‘looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, ‘

Titus 2:13

!!The picture in this post was taken while I was driving through downtown Phoenix, Arizona, a week ago. I couldn’t make out the church name to give credit. Nevertheless, it’s awesome to see this posted randomly on a wall. Praise God.

In the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties, it’s essential for believers to fix their eyes on the eternal hope found in Jesus Christ. In Titus 2:13-14, the Apostle Paul reminds us of the “blessed hope” that we have as Christians: the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Christ’s return is not only a promise for the future but also a source of strength and encouragement for today. He “gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). This means that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross not only saves us from the consequences of sin but also empowers us to live godly lives in this present evil and dark world. Where Paul makes so clear in Titus 2:11 – 12, that it is possible for believers to live soberly, righteously, and godly lives in this present age.

‘For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, ‘

Titus 2:11-12

So don’t be discouraged! As we eagerly await Christ’s return, let us be encouraged by the knowledge that He is at work in our lives, transforming us into a people who reflect His love, grace, and righteousness. May the blessed hope of our Savior’s return inspire us to share our faith with our loved ones who do not yet know the Lord, knowing that our redemption draws near.

The Background of Paul’s Words in 2 Corinthians 1:3–11

by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 27, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

Understanding the context and setting of Bible passages and books is crucial. In 2 Corinthians chapter one, we see that even the great apostle Paul experienced suffering throughout his ministry, yet he found comfort and strength in God’s amazing grace. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul penned these powerful words, which have provided comfort and strength to millions of believers since their inception.

In 2 Corinthians 1:3–11, the apostle Paul is referring to the intense trials and tribulations he faced during his ministry. Although the specific circumstances of these trials are not explicitly detailed in this passage, we know from Paul’s other writings and the book of Acts that he experienced various forms of persecution and suffering throughout his missionary journeys.

Paul was chosen by God to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul and Paul alone were given the gospel of grace and the doctrine for the body of Christ by the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus around 37-40 AD. The apostle Paul preached the gospel of grace not the gospel of the kingdom for approximately 25 years.

The apostle Paul’s hardships included imprisonment (Acts 16:23-24), beatings (2 Corinthians 11:24-25), and even a stoning that left him for dead (Acts 14:19). He also faced opposition and false accusations from both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 13:50; 2 Corinthians 11:26), as well as life-threatening dangers such as shipwrecks (Acts 27:41-44) and plots against his life (Acts 23:12-15).

In 2 Corinthians 1:8-9, Paul describes an incident in Turkey (Asia Minor), likely in Ephesus (Acts 19), where he faced such severe persecution that he “despaired even of life” and felt the “sentence of death.” Despite the overwhelming trials, Paul recognized that God allowed these difficulties to teach him and the Corinthians to rely solely on God’s power and not their own strength (2 Corinthians 1:9-11).

Paul’s experiences taught him to rely fully on God’s grace and power. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul shares a revelation he received from God: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Despite the hardships, Paul’s recognized that God’s grace was sufficient, and he glorified God through his weakness, recognizing that God’s grace was all he needed.

Like Paul, believers today may face various trials and difficulties. However, we can find comfort in knowing that God’s grace is sufficient for us in every situation. By relying on God’s strength and grace, we can persevere and triumph over adversity, glorifying Him in our weakness.

The God of All Comfort

‘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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.’

II Corinthians 1:3-7

The God of All Comfort – (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) Part 1 of 3

The God of All Comfort – (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) Part 1 of 3

by Jamie Pantastico | Apr 23, 2023 | Daily Encouragement | 0 comments

In times of great difficulties, pain, and uncertainty, believers can find comfort and strength in the words of 2 Corinthians 1:3-7.

‘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. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.’

These powerful words remind us that our God is the source of all comfort and mercy. No matter the challenges this world may place on believers, God’s comforting presence is always with us.

As we experience His grace which is sufficient (And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9) for us to overcome life’s toughest of situations. And in turn, we can share this grace, hope, and encouragement with others facing difficulties.

Consolation to Endure

Though we may face hardships, the comfort we receive through Christ is greater still. As the apostle Paul writes in verse five, “For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”

In our struggles, we can be confident that the Lord is with us, providing strength and consolation to endure. As we walk through the trials and tribulations of life, let us cling to the promise that God is the “God of all comfort.” May we find strength in His presence, knowing that He is with us, and allow His compassion and grace to overflow into the lives of others, offering hope and encouragement in a broken world.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of this devotional series, titled “The Comforting Power of the Gospel,” where we’ll delve into 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 and discover thy why, how, and what exactly it is that gives believers comfort!

God of all comfort 2 Corinthians 13-7