Start Every Day with Prayer and Bible Study then Check Social Media

Start Every Day with Prayer and Bible Study then Check Social Media

Boost Your Defenses and Feed on the Word

  • When I Start My Day With Prayer 100% 100%
  • When I start My Day Reading Scripture 100% 100%

Today’s Scripture Reading

smilePsalms 143:1-12

smile1 Thessalonians 5:16,17,18

‘Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. ‘

Psalms 143:8

“Start” every morning with a prayer, thanking God for everything and reading His word. Then check your email, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Making Christ first in your daily experience starts when you wake up!

Scripture is clear, even though believers have salvation the moment we believed the gospel our flesh (Old Adam) warreth against the Spirit (Galatians 5:16,17). And our flesh wants nothing to do with prayer or spending 5 minutes out of the 1440 minutes in a day reading the Bible.

‘For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.’

Galatians 5:17

We Have a Choice

In Galatians 5:18, the Lord makes it clear it’s up to the believer to either be led by the Spirit that indwells us producing good fruit or by the flesh (law) that can only produce unrighteous behavior and bad fruit. Remember this isn’t talking about salvation. You already have that and it can never be taken from you (Romans 8:38,39; Ephesians 1:13).

‘But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.’

Galatians 5:18

That being said, where do we have our toughest battles? Where does it all begin? In the mind. It is our thought processes where we have to fight our battles. Before we act what do we all have to do first? Think, contemplate, about whatever it is that’s on our mind. That’s why it’s important to start our mornings feeding our thoughts with the Word of God and prayer.

Take a look at what the apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, it summarizes the life of Christian as one never-ending warfare.

‘For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,’

II Corinthians 10:3-5

What a powerful verse! Don’t just read it once, read it several times. When Christians are in the Word daily our defenses are up we’re standing firm in truth. On the other hand if there is no prayer life, no bible study (reading) we have no defense and are susceptible to all of Satan’s fiery darts.

Yes, the life of a Christian is one long war! Never-ending battles against Satan, his minions, and this world system.

But as Christians we have the knowledge of God and how do we have that? From the indwelling Holy Spirit that is constantly leading us (Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:22-25) and the Word of God, the Bible.

It’s a weapon Christians have, it is the most powerful weapon in the Universe (Hebrews 4:12). But in order to appropriate the power of God’s Word, to bring EVERY thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (in other words, completely destroyed), we have to read the Word. We must read the Bible daily and there is no better time to do that then when we wake up in the morning.

I hope that this post has been encouraging and edifying. Please consider sharing this post as may encourage others.

I pray that God comforts you, strengthens your faith and protects you and your loved ones.

Thank you for reading

Mesa Bible Study

Jamie Pantastico

‘Salvation’ and the Gospel Are of First Importance to the Lord but Not to the Church

‘Salvation’ and the Gospel Are of First Importance to the Lord but Not to the Church

 

The gospel is of first importance! 

The gospel of grace (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4) must be shared with the world at all cost and it’s up to each and every  Christian to share their faith.

Sharing the gospel is of first importance to the Lord and something that all Christians are called to do unfortunately most never share their faith.  Most Christians never discuss their faith at all.

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

 

 

‘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

 

‘Salvation’ is of First Importance to the Lord

 

Not only is “Salvation” of first importance to the Lord but it was predetermined before creation. Before God created anything, the plan of “Salvation” was first in the mind of God. Let’s take look at Acts 2:23.

‘Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: ‘

Acts 2:23

This verse is mind-boggling and just magnifies on how important the gospel and salvation is to God.

Think about this, that at sometime in eternity past before anything was created the Godhead, the Triune God; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit made the decision that it would be God the Son, that would step out and take on flesh, born of a virgin, raised and lived among His kinsman, living a sinless life, to be the perfect and only possible sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.

Just WOW! Salvation, the very plan of redemption itself wasn’t just of first importance to the Lord it was first in His mind before He created anything.

Oddly, it’s a fact the that most Christians never share their faith with anyone, never led anyone to the knowledge of “Salvation”.

Second Corinthians chapter five verse nine comes to mind.

‘Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.’

II Corinthians 5:9

 

How is never doing what is most important to the Lord well pleasing to Him? 

Is salvation just a fire escape? It seems like it is. Did Christ die for us, buried for us, raised from the dead for us, so we could just sit around?

Handing out socks is not bearing fruit!

Filling the tummy’s of the unsaved is not bearing fruit!

 

What does the Lord want?

 

The longsuffering of the Lord is ‘salvation. The apostle Peter makes that crystal clear in what are the very last words he would write before his martyrdom.

2 Peter 3:9… 

‘The Lord does not delay and is not slow about His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (ultimately God doesn’t want anyone to be eternally separated from Him, made clear to the world be sending His Son Jesus Christ, to die for the sin of the world).

It’s important to understand 2 Peter 3:9, is about the certainty of God’s wrath being poured out on Christ-rejecting mankind. But the Lord delays punishment and the next verse tells us why. Verse 15…

 

‘and consider (“Understand” or ‘Know”) that the longsuffering (Patience) of our Lord is salvation—

II Peter 3:15a 

 

URGENT!!! WE ARE TO KNOW… Salvation is of ‘First Importance’ to the Lord and during this delay in judgment, while God is patient, Christians are duty-bound to share the gospel being well-pleasing to Him by fulfilling what He desires most, the salvation of mankind.

 

In the last half of verse 15, Peter who was rebuked by the apostle Paul, actually admonishes his readers to go to Paul’s epistles regarding things of salvation and the gospel.

 

The apostle Peter doesn’t say go to the four gospels! Peter, Holy Spirit inspired, as he’s writing that “salvation” is of First Importance to the Lord doesn’t say remember what I preached at Pentecost! The apostle Peter doesn’t even reflect back to his own profession of faith! Read on…

 

2 Peter 3:15b

 

—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,’

It’s important to drive this home and repeat… Peter is writing at the end of his great ministry, writing his very last words. Tells readers to go to the apostle Paul’s letter regarding salvation.

It was Paul who received the gospel of grace and the whole body of wisdom given to him by the risen Lord (Ephesians 3:1-11; Colossians 1:24-28; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Acts 20:24; Galatians 1:11,12; Romans 16:25).

 

Do What God Wants Most

Feeding the homeless, caring for the needy and poor of course, visiting with the men and women in prison, naturally, but sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ must be our first priority in a Christians daily life because SALVATION IS OF FIRST IMPORTANCE TO GOD.

The world needs to hear the gospel whether they know it or not , far above any “temporary” need they may have.

Share the gospel at all cost.

 

Thank you so much reading.

If this post has been informative or edifying in anyway please consider sharing.

 

Mesa Bible Study 

Faith, Sine Qua Non

 

 

 

How to Get Saved

What Will Be the Basis for God Judging Lost Humanity at the Great White Throne?

What Will Be the Basis for God Judging Lost Humanity at the Great White Throne?

Question?

 What will be the basis for God judging lost humanity at the Great White Throne?

Answer.

The gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4;

Romans 2:16

‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’

Romans 2:16 is definitive, there is no question, no way to wiggle out or twist this passage to make it mean anything else than what the normal or literal reading of the verse clearly states.
That all of lost humanity from the time of Cain will be judged by the gospel the ascended Lord Jesus Christ revealed to Paul. 

 

Let’s examine the passage.

Romans 2:16a

In the day…

What day is the apostle Paul is writing about? The Great White Throne Judgement written about in the book of Revelation chapter 20:11-15.

Romans 2:16b

…when God will judge…

God the Son, Jesus Christ, will be the One to Judge at the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-13)

It was God the Son, Who created everything, it was God the Son that holds everything together, it was God the Son, Jesus Christ that shed His blood at the cross for the sin of mankind, was buried and rose from the dead three days later. Only Christ is worthy to open the seals on the scroll to past judgment on Christ rejecting mankind during Jacob’s trouble, and it will be God the Son, Jesus Christ, the King of kings judging lost humanity at the Great White Throne.

Romans 2:16c

…the secrets of men…

Jesus Christ will judge the very thoughts of evil mankind (Psalms 139:1-4; Hebrews 4:12)

Romans 2:16d

…by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Not a gospel by Paul but the gospel that was revealed to Paul alone by the ascended Lord in Glory (Galatians 1:11,12; Acts 20:24; Ephesians 3:7; 2 Timothy 2:8) eleven years AFTER Pentecost. The gospel by which God the Son, took on flesh, died on the cross, shed His blood, was buried and rose from the dead three days later fulfilling all the demands of a Holy God.

So that now, ALL MANKIND both Jew and Gentile have access to Israel’s God apart from the Mosaic law and temple worship. Where the basis of salvation is by faith alone in the gospel of grace (Romans 10:8,9; Ephesians 2:8,9) .

 

It is the finished work of the cross that is the basis for judgment at the Great White Throne. The apostle Paul refers to “my gospel” again in Romans 16:25. 

Romans 16:25

‘Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began’

The “my gospel” that the apostle Paul refers to by which all of lost humanity will be judged is best delineated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.

‘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,’

 

Scripture is clear that when that day comes when lost humanity is judged by Jesus Christ, it will be the finished work of the cross, the gospel of grace by which God the Son, will judge the very thoughts (secrets) of those standing before Him at the Great White Throne.

 

Thank you for reading.

 

If you were edified or believe this post would be edifying to someone please consider sharing.

Jamie Pantastico

Mesa Bible Study

Faith, Sine Quo Non

 

 

 

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The Glory and Majesty of the Creator, God the Son “Jesus Christ”

The Glory and Majesty of the Creator, God the Son “Jesus Christ”

 

‘Bless the Lord , O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,’

Psalms 104:1

‘And: “You , Lord (Jesus Christ), in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands.’

Hebrews 1:10

‘I have made the earth, And created man on it. I—My hands—stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.’

Isaiah 45:12

 

It was God the Son Who spoke the words of creation, creating everything from nothing and it is Christ alone Who maintains all that He created. Of course, the Godhead; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were involved in creation but Scripture is clear that it is God the Son, Jesus Christ, Who steps out as the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

The apostle Paul makes it so clear that it is God the Son that created everything as he writes in Ephesians chapter three. Read on…

Ephesians 3:9

‘and to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ; ‘

Now that’s just clear reading and readers can make no mistake that it was God the Son, Jesus Christ, that created everything. And the apostle Paul expands on the designation of Jesus Christ as the Creator and Sustainer of everything in Colossians chapter one. Read on…

Colossians 1:12-15

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet (or prepared us) to partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

13. Who (speaking of God the Father) hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath (it has already happen, in other words, the moment we believe the gospel) translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 

14. In whom (Jesus Christ, the Son) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

 

15. Who (speaking of the Son) is the image of the invisible God,”

Now what does verse 15 mean? God, “Elohim” (plural), the Godhead as Paul identifies; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are Spirit and invisible. But as Paul writes in Galatians 4:4; it was at the exact right time that God the Son steps out of that invisible Godhead and became visible in the flesh.

‘But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,’

Galatians 4:4

A very clear and vivid example is in the book of John chapter 14, when during Christ earthly ministry Philip said to the Lord…

‘Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. ‘- John 14:8.

And what was the Lord’s response…

‘Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? ‘ -John 14:9.

That’s just plain reading… Jesus was the visible manifestation of the invisible “Elohim”, Godhead or as we say Trinity. Now back to Colossians.

Colossians 1:15-16

15. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of every creature:

16. For by Him (God the Son) were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him:”Everything was created by and for Him. Everything is about Jesus Christ, Everything! Now verse 17 and the power…

Colossians 1:17

“And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (or Held together).”

 

In the Beginning was the Word

Another example in Scripture of God the Son, Jesus Christ being the Creator of everything is in John’s gospel chapter one. The apostle John, Holy Spirit inspired of course, identifies Jesus as the “Word”. Read on…

John 1:1

‘In the beginning was the Word (Jesus Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’

The apostle John makes it clear here in verse one that Jesus Christ is God and the next verse expands on the plurality of God or “Trinity”. Read on…

John 1:2 

‘He (Jesus Christ) was in the beginning with God (God the Son has been a part of the Godhead from eternity past; God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit).’

It’s important not to just read a passage and move on to the next verse but to identify pronouns and modifiers. Grasping the grammatical context of a passage will help you better understand the context of the passage and chapter. Now verse three. Read on…

John 1:3 

‘All things were made through Him (Jesus Christ the Word of verse one), and without Him nothing was made that was made.’

How do we know that it is Jesus Christ that John is speaking of here in verse three as the one who spoke the words that created everything? As we continue reading in John chapter 1 and get to verse 14, it is clear that it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who created everything.

John 1:14a

‘And the Word became flesh… (and we know from other passages that it was God the Son, who stepped out of that invisible Godhead to take on flesh (2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15). 

John 1:14b

and dwelt among us (the us here is referring to the Jewish people, and who was it that spent three years among His chosen people? “Jesus Christ”, Israel’s Messiah, the promised King (Romans 15:8). Here again we use Scripture to interpret Scripture. Now the last part of verse 14…

John 1:14c

…and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.’

 

The apostle John again writes in the book of Revelation that it is Jesus Christ, God the Son, who created everything.

‘“You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”’

Revelation 4:11

 

In Conclusion

Lastly, lets go back into the Old Testament in the Book of Psalms where King David writes a beautiful poem and song as a tribute to God’s Sovereign Power and Majesty put on display by His Creation.

As we read Psalms 104, keep in mind that it is the Lord Jesus Christ, the One Who shed His blood and died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead three days later victorious over sin, the law, Satan and death itself.

 

God the Son, Jesus Christ, the Creator of Everything…is the same One that died for all mankind.

 

‘Bless the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty, Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment, Who stretch out the heavens like a curtain. He lays the beams of His upper chambers in the waters, Who makes the clouds His chariot, Who walks on the wings of the wind, Who makes His angels spirits, His ministers a flame of fire. You who laid the foundations of the earth, So that it should not be moved forever, You covered it with the deep as with a garment; The waters stood above the mountains. At Your rebuke they fled; At the voice of Your thunder they hastened away. They went up over the mountains; They went down into the valleys, To the place which You founded for them. You have set a boundary that they may not pass over, That they may not return to cover the earth. He sends the springs into the valleys; They flow among the hills. They give drink to every beast of the field; The wild donkeys quench their thirst. By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. He causes the grass to grow for the cattle, And vegetation for the service of man, That he may bring forth food from the earth, And wine that makes glad the heart of man, Oil to make his face shine, And bread which strengthens man’s heart. The trees of the Lord are full of sap, The cedars of Lebanon which He planted, Where the birds make their nests; The stork has her home in the fir trees. The high hills are for the wild goats; The cliffs are a refuge for the rock badgers. He appointed the moon for seasons; The sun knows it’s going down. You make darkness, and it is night, In which all the beasts of the forest creep about. The young lions roar after their prey, And seek their food from God. When the sun rises, they gather together And lie down in their dens. Man goes out to his work And to his labor until the evening. O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom, You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions—’

Psalms 104:1-24

 

Thank you for reading. If you found this post to be edifying in anyway please consider sharing it.

Prayers for all…

Jamie Pantastico

Faith, Sine Quo Non

Pray About Everything Worry About Nothing God Always Answers

Pray About Everything Worry About Nothing God Always Answers

God answers the prayers of believers! It may not be the answer we want but He will ALWAYS ANSWER

In Philippians 4:6 & 7, we have the command to worry about nothing but pray about everything, the criteria; to pray with thanksgiving and the promise; that no matter what happens God will give us peace.

Read on…

Philippians 4:6a

‘Be anxious (worry) for nothing,… 

This isn’t a suggestion! We are commanded not to worry. Clarification is needed here; being concerned is not the same as worry. We all have our concerns and that’s okay but we are NEVER TO WORRY. Read on…

Philippians 4:6b

but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving,…

In other words, we can’t approach God with our request without first thanking Him in advance as you’re praying. Being thankful to God must be part of all our prayer request.

Philippians 4:6c

let your requests be made known to God; 

God never limits our request as long there is a godly purpose involved. Never hesitate to make your request known to God no matter how mundane it may seem to you, it isn’t to God.

God makes it clear by admonishing us twice in verse six TO MAKE OUR REQUEST KNOWN TO HIM. So pray about everything, don’t hesitate to ask God. We have direct access to the Throne room of God and we are to make our request boldly. Yes, boldly!

‘Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.’

Hebrews 4:16

God always answers… God may say no, He may say not right now, maybe later or He may say yes. But the amazing thing is regardless of how he answers, we ALREADY  have the answer in verse 7. Read on…

Philippians 4:7

‘and the peace of God (and here it is, no matter what we will have peace), which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.’

 

We Must Pray

No matter what trials and tribulations we face no matter how bleak the situation is, God WILL ALWAYS answer our prayers by imparting to us peace; God’s peace will guard believers from doubt, fear, distress and anxiety. God’s peace will comfort and watch over our heart and mind.

Stop and grab a hold of this verse; verse seven is not only the answer to our prayers but it is a promise from God, the One True God, the Creator of everything, the Sustainer of all life.  

Read the verses six and seven again.

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.

 

 

Philippians 4:6-7

Even though we may go through troubling circumstances our body and mind can be kept in a balance, with the fact that God has given us the assurance of His peace.

So whether God answers “yes,” “no,” or “maybe later,” we come away with complete tranquility knowing that no matter how great or small the problem maybe we leave it in His care, God is in control and He is going to provide anything and everything we need.

Take these promises with you. Whenever a crisis comes into your life, run to these two verses and you claim them.

Christians have just as many problems as the unsaved world, but what’s the difference? We have God with us in our problems, we have Him to guard us through it all and we can rest in His promise to always be there for us. And how do we do that…??? 

 

By Faith! God said it, we believe it.

 

Thanks for reading.

If this post has been edifying to you in anyway please consider sharing.

 

Jamie Pantastico

Faith, Sine Qua Non

 

 

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