by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 20, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Job 13:15
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him
Introduction
To those whoâve weathered storms like Jobâthe loss of loved ones, livelihoods, health, and the desertion of all supportâthis message is for you. In the midst of lifeâs harshest trials, itâs easy to feel shattered. But take heart, just as Job found the strength to declare, âThough He slay me, yet will I trust Himâ (Job 13:15), you too can rise above. 
Our new post reminds you that your faith in God can conquer any adversity (because Christ overcame the world, John 16:33). Your struggles donât define you; your trust in God and faith in His word does. I encourage you to set aside a few minutes to dive into this post. Open your Bible, locate the referenced passages, and immerse yourself in their wisdom. The Word of God is powerful, and in its pages, youâll find strength and inspiration to navigate any storm.
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
In the depths of life’s trials and challenges, we often find ourselves standing at the crossroads of despair and faith. Just like Job, who uttered these words in the midst of unimaginable suffering, we may be dealing with trials where all seems lost. Job lost his children, his wealth, his health, and even the support of those around him. His life appeared to be hanging by a thread, and yet, he declared, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15).
The story of Job reminds us that even in our darkest hours when everything crumbles around us, our trust in God can remain unshaken. Our faith is not anchored in our circumstances but in the unchanging character of our Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul reaffirms this in Romans 8:37, declaring that “we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”
‘Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. ‘
Romans 8:37
Job’s unwavering trust and Paul’s declaration of victory both speak to a profound truth: We can triumph over life’s challenges because we are anchored in Christ. When you feel like your world is falling apart, remember that God is in control His love for you is unwavering, and His strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Because He has overcome the world (John 16:33)
‘And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘
2 Corinthians 12:9
‘These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.’
John 16:33
In times of hardship, when your faith is tested, hold onto the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:38-39). Whether you face loss, sickness, or adversity, rest assured that you are not alone. Your Heavenly Father stands with you, ready to carry you through. So, like Job, declare with a resolute heart, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” Your trust in Him is a testament to your unwavering faith, and through it, you are more than a conqueror.
May this truth empower you to face life’s challenges with courage and unwavering faith. God’s love is your anchor, and victory is already yours.
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 19, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Get your Bible out; read, study, and meditate on these verses. The word of God is powerful.
Ephesians 2:1-6
1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
—
**Devotional:**
In Ephesians 2:1-6, we find a powerful message of heart transformation and redemption. These verses vividly depict our condition before encountering God’s grace. We were spiritually dead, enslaved to our sins, and under the dominion of the enemy. But in the midst of our hopelessness, two words emerge like a beacon of light: **”But God!”**
1. **Dead in Sin:** Before God’s intervention (our salvation is all of God), we were spiritually lifeless, entangled in our trespasses and sins. We were enslaved and followed the world’s corrupt path and were influenced by the evil ruler of the air, Satan himself. We were in a state of disobedience, far from God’s holiness.
2. **But God’s Mercy and Love:** Here comes the turning point. “But God” reveals His character and His incredible love for us. He is “rich in mercy,” and it’s His “great love” that prompted Him to die for us, shed His blood for us, and raised us from the dead (the gospel). Despite our unworthiness, God chose to rescue us.
3. **Made Alive with Christ:** Through His boundless grace, God made us spiritually alive. He didn’t just resuscitate us; He resurrected us with Christ (Romans 6:3-5). We are no longer slaves to sin; we are sons and daughters of the living God. This transformation is entirely by His grace and not by our own efforts (Ephesians 2:8-9).
4. **Seated in Heavenly Places:** God’s grace not only restores our spiritual life but also places in Christ in the heavenlies (this is our position right NOW!). We are raised up (resurrected) and seated with Christ in the heavenly places. This signifies our new identity and the inheritance we have in Him.
**Reflect and Respond:** As you meditate on these verses, consider the magnitude of God’s grace in your life. Remember the “But God” moments when He intervened, and let it inspire gratitude and a deeper commitment to living in alignment with His will. Rejoice in the fact that you were once dead in your sins, but now, through God’s incredible love and mercy, you are alive in Christ. By the finished work of the cross alone.
*In your prayers today, thank God for His transformative grace and ask for the strength to live out your new life in Christ.*
by Jamie Pantastico | Sep 14, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Lamentations 3:22-23
‘Through the Lordâs mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.’
In the darkest hours of life, it’s easy to lose hope. Yet, like the sun rising faithfully each morning, so does the Lord’s unwavering faithfulness and mercy shine upon us. Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us that even when we face trials, God’s compassion and faithfulness never waver.
Every day, we’re granted a fresh start. Each morning, God’s love and grace are available to us in His word and through prayer, offering us comfort and encouragement. Just as the dawn chases away the darkness, His presence extinguishes our fears and anxieties.
When life seems uncertain, remember that the Lord remains steadfast. His promises are sure, and His love is unchanging. Trust in His faithfulness, and you’ll find hope even in the darkest moments. As surely as the sun rises, so does God’s enduring love light up your life.
*Prayer:*
Heavenly Father, I come to You in Jesus name thanking You for Your unending faithfulness and mercy. Help me trust in Your promises, knowing that Your love shines brightest in our darkest moments. Amen.
‘And He said to me, âMy grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.â Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. ‘
II Corinthians 12:9
by Jamie Pantastico | Jan 18, 2023 | Daily Encouragement |
Victory Over Satan: How the Power of the Cross Can Help You Win Daily Spiritual Battles
As believers in Jesus Christ, we can take comfort in knowing that we have the ultimate victory over Satan and his schemes through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. However, it’s important to remember that we still face spiritual battles in our daily lives due to the presence of our Old Adam and Satan’s role as the god of this world.
But don’t despair! We can keep our faith strong in these ongoing spiritual battles by relying on the power of the cross and the promises found in God’s word. In 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, it says, “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 victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
To overcome Satan and his attacks, we must hold fast to the truth that we are victorious in Christ. This means reading the Bible daily, praying, and gathering with other believers to build our faith and stand firm in the face of Satan’s attacks.
It’s important to remember that all trials, pain, and tribulations are spiritual battles at their core. So, don’t be discouraged by the spiritual battles you face. Remember, you have already won the ultimate victory through Jesus Christ. Whether through rapture or death, we will all be with the Lord Jesus forever.
In conclusion, to overcome Satan and his attacks, we must hold fast to the truth that we are victorious in Christ. Study the Bible daily, pray, and fellowship with other believers to build your faith and stand strong in the face of Satan’s attacks.
God bless you all.
by Jamie Pantastico | Oct 29, 2022 | Daily Encouragement |
Ephesians 2:14a
“For He (Christ) is our peace,…”
Tonight, the world is desperate for peace, mankind in general, and between nations. That’s the goal of all politicians, the United Nations, and Middle East efforts, peace. The truth of the matter is, there will be no peace until the Prince of Peace Himself returns.
In terms of the individual’s pursuit of peace, though, the same holds true. There can be no peace until we have peace with God, and the only way to obtain it is by faith alone in the gospel alone described in I Corinthians 15:1-4. Mankind’s sin has alienated him from God, and the purpose of the entire Bible is to reconcile us with God. When discussing spiritual peace, we must look back to the Romans. The book of Romans is the foundation of our Christian doctrine. And clearly delineates mankind’s only path to true peace.
Romans 5:1
“Therefore (because what Paul wrote in chapter 4) being justified by faith (Alone like Abraham in Romans 4:4), (Go back to Romans 3:19 ) we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
That’s what the world is looking for. “Peace with God.” When you have peace with God then you have peace with everyone else. Now verse 2.
Romans 5:2
“By whom (the Lord Jesus and His finished work of the cross) also we have access by faith (taking God at His word) into this grace (unmerited favor) wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
There is only one path to Peace and that is through Christ Jesus our Lord
Ephesians 2:14
“For He is our peace, who hath made both one, (Jew and Gentile, this wasn’t the case until Paul comes on the scene) and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;”
During this Church Age, the age of grace, Jews and Gentiles are now united. It is crucial to know that this has not been the case until God calls Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles (around 37 AD). In fact, let us examine 1 Corinthians 12 for a moment. The book of Ephesians builds on the foundations laid by the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians. Now let’s look at 1 Corinthians 12:12.
I Corinthians 12:12
“For as the body (the human body) is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body (both Jew and Gentile come into the body of Christ the same way, by believing by faith alone in the gospel of grace alone): so also is Christ. (or the Body of Christ, the One True Church.)
Now verse 13, the emphasis here is that this is not a water baptism. This is the only Holy Spirit baptism that we as believers enjoy today. In fact, Paul says in Ephesians 4:4-5 that there is only one baptism. This is the only baptism for grace-age believers and here it is.
I Corinthians 12:13
“For by one Spirit are we all (not just some of the Pastors or the theologians, but all are) baptized into one body, (the Body of Christ) whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all (our status in life makes no difference, if we believe the gospel by faith alone, we’ve all been) made to drink into one Spirit.”
The Holy Spirit has therefore baptized each of us who make up the Body of Christ into that Body. There is no water used in this process; the Holy Spirit is the only agent. We now occupy a place that God has set aside for us from the beginning of time. He made this place ready for us because He knew we would believe the gospel.
The Middle Wall Has Been Broken Down
Ephesians 2:14b
“…and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;” (between Jews and Gentiles)
We now know that before the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, there was a dividing wall that prevented Gentile proselytes from worshiping in the same area as Jews. The best description of a proselyte comes from the Lord Jesus Himself when He told the Jews this in Matthew 23 and verse 15.
Matthew 23:15
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”
The proselyte embraced the religion of Judaism, but they were separated from having any contact with the Jews by that dividing wall. Take note of what Paul says happened to that wall. “That dividing wall has been totally dismantled. It’s destroyed, it’s broken down.
Like, Share, and Comment. Download our Mobile APP to get full the full verse-by-verse study on the book of Ephesians. It’s absolutely free!