by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 14, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Abraham: Justified by Faith Alone
đ âFor what does the Scripture say? âAbraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.ââ â Romans 4:3
The apostle Paul points to Abraham as the example of how a person is made right with God. Abraham was declared righteous before he was circumcisedâbefore the law, before he had done anything outward to earn Godâs favor. His justification came by faith alone.
Abraham simply believed what God said, and that faith was credited to him as righteousness. His salvation did not depend on works, rituals, or human effort. It rested solely on trusting Godâs promise.
And the same is true today. We are justified not by what we do, but by what Christ has already done on the cross. Salvation is not achieved through works or religion, but received through faith.
Application for Us
Just like Abraham, we are called to take God at His Word. When we place our trust in Christ aloneâHis death, burial, and resurrectionâwe too are declared righteous in Godâs sight. That is the gospel: simple, powerful, and unchanging.
đ Rejoice today in the assurance that your salvation is secure, not because of your works, but because of your faith in Christ Jesus.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 13, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
đ Romans 1:18â23
âFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.â
đ Context & Connection
After declaring the gospel as the power of God unto salvation and the revelation of His righteousness (vv.16â17), Paul now turns to the opposite revelation â the wrath of God against mankindâs sin (v.18).
This is the necessary contrast: unless manâs sin is exposed, the gospelâs power and Godâs righteousness will not be seen as necessary. Paul moves from the good news (vv.16â17) to the bad news (vv.18â32) â showing why all humanity stands guilty before God. This section begins his case that will run through Romans 3:20, concluding that no one is righteous apart from Christ.
đ Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
âFor the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of menâ
- Godâs wrath is not just future (judgment), but presently revealed in giving sinners over (v.24).
- Ungodliness = sin against God.
- Unrighteousness = sin against man. Together, this covers all human rebellion.
âwho hold the truth in unrighteousnessâ
- âHoldâ = suppress, restrain.
- Humanity doesnât lack truth; they suppress it because of sin (John 3:19â20).
âBecause that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.â
- God has made Himself known within manâs conscience (Romans 2:14â15).
- His existence and moral law are plainly evident.
âFor the invisible things of him⌠are clearly seen⌠even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuseâ
- Creation itself testifies of Godâs existence (Psalm 19:1â4).
- From the vastness of galaxies to the design of DNA, the evidence points to an eternal Creator.
- No one can plead ignorance â the witness of creation leaves mankind without excuse.
âBecause that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankfulâ
- Manâs core sin is not ignorance, but ingratitude and refusal to glorify God.
- Pride replaces worship.
âbut became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.â
- Without God, thinking becomes futile and hearts grow darker (Ephesians 4:17â18).
âProfessing themselves to be wise, they became foolsâ
- Human philosophy boasts wisdom but denies God â true folly (Psalm 14:1).
âAnd changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an imageâŚâ
- Instead of worshiping the eternal God, man worships creation (idolatry).
- From ancient idols to modern humanism, the exchange of God for substitutes remains the same.
⨠Doctrinal Teaching
These verses explain the world we live in. Humanity is not neutral toward God; it is in rebellion. People suppress truth, refuse gratitude, and replace the Creator with created things. What begins with prideful âwisdomâ ends in foolish idolatry.
This diagnosis also prepares the heart for grace. The gospelâs power to change a persons sin nature, to a new creation, (vv.16â17) is necessary because of manâs helpless condition (vv.18â32). Unless we see the darkness of sin, we wonât grasp the glory of salvation.
đ Cross-References
- Psalm 19:1â4 â The heavens declare the glory of God.
- John 3:19â20 â Men loved darkness rather than light.
- Ephesians 4:17â18 â Darkened in understanding, alienated from God.
- Jeremiah 2:11 â Godâs people exchanged His glory for idols.
đŞ Application
- No Excuses: Creation and conscience testify of God. Rejecting Him is willful, not innocent.
- Guard Against Pride: The worldâs âwisdomâ apart from God is foolishness.
- Worship the Creator: Keep Christ at the center â donât let anything created take His place in your heart.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 12, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
The assassination of Charlie Kirk has rattled so many, myself included. Iâve been in prayer and meditation, asking the Holy Spirit for guidance. My heart was drawn to Philippians chapter one, where Paulâwriting from prisonâshows us how to face persecution, pressure, and even death with unshakable hope in Christ.
Charlie Kirk was murdered for one reason: his life and work were rooted in Christ. He was a light shining in the darkness, unashamed of the gospel and his Redeemer, Jesus Christ. And Jesus Himself said, âAnd this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evilâ (John 3:19).
Charlie Kirk was a modern-day example of this light John spoke of. His life radiated the love of Christâwhether on a college campus in front of thousands of students or through millions of screens on social media. He handled the most controversial topics with grace, confronting error with facts and truth, all while being firmly grounded in Scripture and sound doctrine. Evil could not ignore that light. And it was evilâdriven by the god of this worldâthat used a lost soul as a weapon to silence him.
But hereâs the truth: darkness cannot overcome the light.
Living and Dying for Christ (Philippians 1:20â21)
Paul wrote, âChrist will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gainâ (Philippians 1:20â21).
This is the anchor for us right now. Charlieâs life magnified Christ, and his death does the same. The world may see tragedy and loss, but heaven sees victoryâbecause when a believer lays down their life, willingly or unwillingly, Christ is glorified.
The Holy Spirit inspired words in Philippians 1 remind us that no matter what the enemy triesâwhether through intimidation, persecution, or even deathâthe gospel will advance.
Standing Firm in Unity (Philippians 1:27â28)
Paul then exhorts believers:
âOnly let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from Godâ (Philippians 1:27â28).
This is our call in the face of Charlieâs Kirks death:
- To conduct ourselves in a way that honors the gospel.
- To remain unshaken, immovable, united as the body of Christ.
- To stand together, shoulder to shoulder, for the faith of the gospel.
The world will try to frighten us into silence. But every time we refuse to back down, it is a sign to our adversaries of their coming judgment and a testimony to us of our salvation.
Suffering as a Gift of Grace (Philippians 1:29)
Paul closes this section with words that are difficult for our flesh to accept but powerful for our spirit to embrace:
âFor to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sakeâ (Philippians 1:29).
Satan wants to silence believers through intimidation, persecution, and fear of death. But God says suffering for Christ is not defeatâit is a gift of grace. With that gift comes eternal reward and the power to shine all the brighter in a dark world.
The Bottom Line
Charlie Kirk’s assassination is heartbreaking. Yet the gospel tells us this truth: the blood of the saints has always been the seed of the church. The enemy thinks he can kill the messenger and silence the message. But what happens instead? The gospel spreads further, and the light shines brighter.
So letâs honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy the way I’m sure he would have wanted: not with hatred or destruction, but with boldness in Christ. Let us stand firm, united, unafraid, and proclaim the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere we go.
Because the darker it gets, the brighter the light of Christ shines.
âFor to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.â (Philippians 1:21)
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 9, 2025 | Daily Encouragement, Passage Breakdown |
đ Background, Setting & Purpose
âď¸ Author:
Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles
đĽ Written To:
Timothy, Paulâs son in the faith, and by extension the body of Christ.
â˛ď¸ When:
Around AD 66â67, during Paulâs second Roman imprisonmentâshortly before his martyrdom.
đ Setting & Purpose of 2 Timothy:
Paulâs final letter is a farewell charge to Timothy, urging him to remain faithful in the face of false teaching, persecution, and apostasy. The letter is deeply personal, yet it also serves as a broader warning and encouragement to all believers.
Chapter 3 describes the perilous times of the last days, marked by wickedness and rebellion against God. In verse 12, Paul highlights the unavoidable reality that those who live godly lives in Christ Jesus will face persecution.
đ 2 Timothy 3:12
âYes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.â
⨠Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
âYes, and allâŚâ
- This is not limited to Timothy, pastors, or missionaries.
- Paul universalizes the statementâall believers who truly desire to live godly lives.
ââŚwho desire to live godlyâŚâ
- To âlive godlyâ means to live set apart from the world, walking in obedience and holiness.
- Godliness flows from the Spirit, not self-effort.
- The desire itself shows a heart aligned with Christ.
ââŚin Christ JesusâŚâ
- This is key: persecution comes because of our union with Christ.
- To be âin Christâ is to share in His rejection by the world (John 15:18â19).
ââŚwill suffer persecution.â
- Not might, but will.
- The persecution may vary: ridicule, slander, rejection, loss of reputation, even imprisonment or death.
- The source: the world system under Satan, which opposes Christ and His truth.
â What This Passage Does Not Mean
- It does not mean believers should seek persecution or be reckless.
- It does not mean every Christian will suffer the same degree of persecution.
- It does not mean God abandons His people in persecutionâHe strengthens and delivers according to His will.
â
What It Does Mean
- Godliness is incompatible with the world system; opposition is guaranteed.
- To live faithfully for Christ means to share in His rejection.
- Persecution is not a sign of Godâs displeasure but evidence of being aligned with Christ.
- Endurance in persecution testifies to the reality of the believerâs faith and the sufficiency of Godâs grace.
đ Devotional Summary
Paulâs words in 2 Timothy 3:12 are sobering: the path of godliness is not a rose-petaled pathway. It is marked with opposition, hardship, and persecution. Why? Because the world hates Christ, and to be in Him is to share in His rejection.
Yet this verse is also deeply encouraging. It reminds us that persecution is not random or meaninglessâit is evidence of our identity in Christ (Philippians 1:28). Just as He was despised and rejected, so too will His people be. But just as He overcame, so shall we.
To desire to live godly is to walk the narrow road with Christâknowing the world may hate us, but God has promised never to leave us.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 7, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Intro
When we open Godâs Word, itâs just as important to notice what isnât written as what is. Too often we approach a passage with traditions, denominational teachings, or assumptions in mindâadding words that arenât there. But God means what He says, and He says it plainly. Romans 1:16 is one of those passages where the gospel is clear and simpleâyet mankind has tried to complicate it.
đ âFor 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.â â Romans 1:16
Paul doesnât stutter here. He doesnât muddy the waters. He declares plainly that the gospel is the power of God unto salvationâfor everyone who believes.
Notice what Paul does not say:
â Believe and be baptized.
â Believe and repent.
â Believe and do good works.
â Believe and live a holy life.
Itâs not there. Mankind has added those conditions. God hasnât.
This is the horror of religion: taking the simplicity of the gospel and twisting it into a system of works. God will not have it. Why should He? He sent His only Son to die in our place, to bear the penalty of eternal separation from Himâa debt we could never pay. By His blood, Jesus forgave all, justified all, reconciled the world to Himself. Salvation is a free gift. But mankind dares to argue: âYes, Jesus, but I must do something tooâjust in case.â
God will not have it.
If you are trusting your works, your rituals, or your âholy lifeâ as part of your salvation, you are trampling on the cross. You are saying Christâs blood was not enough. And thatâs a lie from the pit.
Paul lays out the one true gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1â4:
âď¸ Christ died for our sins.
𪌠He was buried.
đ
He rose again the third day.
Thatâs it. Believe itâand you are saved. Add to itâand you have nothing.
Paul was so fiery about this that he warned, âIf anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursedâ (Gal. 1:8). The Holy Spirit even had him repeat it in the very next verse! Accursed doesnât mean slapped on the wrist. It means eternal separation from God. Forever.
This is serious. Eternity hangs on it.
Paul was given this gospel by the ascended, glorified Lord Jesus Christ. He is the apostle to the Gentiles. And his message is as clear today as it was then: âBy grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boastâ (Eph. 2:8â9).
God means what He says. He doesnât add fine print. Salvation is by faith alone in Christ aloneâapart from works. Period.
Donât just read the Bible casually. Study it. Look closely at what it saysâand what it doesnât say. Donât blindly follow the traditions of men or the denominational rules you grew up with. Test everything against Paulâs gospel.
Because in the end, only one thing matters: Have you believed the gospel that saves?
The gospel revealed to Paul: ‘in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.’
Romans 2:16
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 7, 2025 | Daily Encouragement |
Or Did You Always Hate the Jews?
On October 7th, 2023, over 1,200 innocent Jews were slaughteredâ95% of them civilians. Men, women, and children butchered in the most barbaric ways imaginable. Infants burned alive in front of their parents. Elderly and babies beheaded. Women raped, sodomized, mutilated, and executed. Hamas filmed it all and celebrated their demonic acts. This wasnât rumor or propaganda. The terrorists themselves posted the videos. Kibbutz homes had cameras that captured every moment of this hellish rampage.
This was pure evil. A foreshadow of what Zechariah 13 says is coming in the Tribulation, when two-thirds of Israel will be slaughtered. But God will preserve a remnantâprotected supernaturally to reign with their Messiah.
Where Did the Outrage Go?
For about two weeks, the world stood in shock. Israel had the worldâs sympathy⌠and then, as always, the tide turned. Suddenly, the Jews werenât victims anymoreâthey were villains. The same voices that cried ânever againâ began whispering, âmaybe again.â The masks came off.
Letâs put this in perspective:
- Proportional to Americaâs population, 1,200 dead Jews = 42,000 dead Americans.
- 8,700 wounded Jews = 300,000 wounded Americans.
- 251 Jewish hostages = 9,000 kidnapped Americans.
Imagine that happening here. Do you honestly believe America would tolerate it for one second? Noâwe would unite, flatten the entire Middle East, and erase Hamas off the map. Even the most âwokeâ and far-left wouldnât hesitate. But Israel? The moment they defended themselves, the world turned on them.
Antisemitism: Out of the Shadows
I warned it would happen. I said antisemitism would come roaring out of the woodworkâhere in America. And sure enough, it did. Influencers, politicians, conservatives, even pastors started blaming Israel. A year later, the hatred has only grown worse.
And Iâve watched it up close. Friends of mine. Subscribers to my newsletter. Pastors I once respected. Overnight, they turned into Jew-haters, spewing the same ancient lies that fueled pogroms, inquisitions, and the Holocaust.
Do You Even Realize Who Youâre Hating?
Let me remind you of something God said:
Jesus is a Jewâ Believers worship a Jewish God!
- âI will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you.â (Genesis 12:3)
- âFor Zionâs sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalemâs sake I will not rest.â (Isaiah 62:1)
- âHe who touches you touches the apple of His eye.â (Zechariah 2:8)
God has not abandoned Israel. He has temporarily blinded them so that salvation could come to the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). You and IâGentilesâare partakers in blessings that were given to them first (Romans 15:27). And you dare bite the very root that supports you (Romans 11:18)?
Let me be clear: to hate the Jews is to pick a fight with Almighty God.
A Warning You Donât Want to Hear
If youâve joined the chorus of Jew-hatred, if youâve convinced yourself that the Church replaced Israel, or that the Jews are âgetting what they deserveââyou are treading on holy ground, and not in a good way. God warned mankind not to mess with His chosen people. Youâre not fighting politicsâyouâre fighting the LORD of Hosts.
And spoiler alert: you will lose.
Final Word
Israel is not perfect. They are in unbelief. But they are still Godâs people, chosen and preserved by covenant promise. And He will finish what He started with them. You donât have to like it, but youâd better fear God enough to honor it.
So before you open your mouth to curse the Jewsâremember: youâre cursing the God who chose them. And thatâs a fight you canât win.
