1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 (NIV)
“5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”

In addressing the Thessalonian Christians, Paul makes a clear statement with profound imagery – LIGHT! Paul charges the Christians to live as sons of the light and day. God called them and us to live as Christ-like examples in a dark world. This light shines bright for all to see! We are no longer to live covered in darkness, hiding, sinful, and shameful. As believers, God’s light within us should be a beacon for all to see and be attracted to. This true light that can only come from God has the power to illuminate and clear all darkness away. 

We learn through this passage to also remain alert and watchful in the Spirit. We should never allow our spiritual life to fall asleep! This takes work: actively participating in the relationship with our Creator. What does this look like for you in your life? (Prayer, Quiet Time, Meditation on God, Praise & Worship, Church Attendance, Bible Study, Small Groups, Accountability Partners, etc.)

Challenge: Do not be a “sleeping” Christian! We must go and minister to the needy, save the lost, heal the sick, and deliever the oppressed ALL under the authority and covering of Jesus alone. There is no other power or authority than Jesus. As we go into daily spiritual battle, we put on our spiritual armor and remain ALERT!

Praise God that we have received everlasting life with the Father through the acceptance of His Son Jesus Christ! Therefore, we are promised salvation and not wrath-yes and amen! Let us continue to build each other up and rebuke selfishness as we work as one body in Christ. 

Question: What will you do today to remain in the light and awake in the Spirit? 

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

1 Chronicles 16:23-30

Ephesians 4:1-3

“Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, ³ diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.”

Beginning with Ephesians 4, Paul outlines the responsibilities in Christ – our Christian walk. In the very first verse, we are urged to walk worthy of the calling we have received. I am reminded again that we must have a true encounter/experience with our Creator, God the Father, before we can truly comprehend this pledge. We will naturally draw near to this type of walk once we become slaves of Christ. As Christians, we identify Jesus as our Lord and Master which gives us freedom in eternal life – a true gift!

Romans 6:22 states, “²² But now, since you have been liberated from sin and have become enslaved to God, you have your fruit, which results in sanctification—and the end is eternal life!” Being enslaved to God = freedom!  This is not a worldly freedom where one is granted permission to indulge in the ways of this world. No, this freedom is a gift that cannot be bought or won by works – a freedom that is gained through dying to self and following Christ. If we truly understand how much God did (and does) for us, then we would be eager to follow and obey. This requires self-evaluation at the deepest level.

This type of Christian walk in unity is marked with humility, gentleness, patience, and love for one another. It is important that we strive for such personal/spiritual characteristics that enhance the entire body of Christ. Each part of the body might be different yet all are important and functional to the greater cause. The flesh battles against such characteristics as we struggle against pride, harshness, revenge, frustration, agitation, and even hate. It is time to break the chains of these destructive behaviors and claim the victory through deliverance in Jesus Christ – there is freedom in Him alone!

Finally, in this passage, we are to diligently keep the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. This requires daily work; it requires more than love. Love in itself is an action. We are tasked with constantly exerting ourselves in keeping this type of unity. We must not back down. It is not time to become complacent so that Satan can easily move in to destroy what is rightfully ours. May the peace of God bind us all as we go forward and do His will and masterful work.

Question: How can you strengthen your walk and unity today?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Isaiah 58:6-11

⁶ Isn’t the fast I choose: To break the chains of wickedness, to untie the ropes of the yoke, to set the oppressed free, and to tear off every yoke? ⁷ Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, to bring the poor and homeless into your house, to clothe the naked when you see him, and not to ignore your own flesh and blood? ⁸ Then your light will appear like the dawn, and your recovery will come quickly. Your righteousness will go before you, and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard. ⁹ At that time, when you call, the Lord will answer; when you cry out, He will say, ‘Here I am.’ If you get rid of the yoke among you, the finger-pointing and malicious speaking, ¹⁰ and if you offer yourself to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted one, then your light will shine in the darkness, and your night will be like noonday. ¹¹ The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a parched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry.

Isaiah was instructed to raise his voice like a trumpet and announce the sins of the nation. Despite the fact that the people went to the temple and sought God’s ways, their hearts were not matching their outward presentation; one would call this being hypocritical. In the words of Warren W. Wiersbe, “When we worship because it is the popular thing to do, not because it is the right thing to do, then our worship becomes hypocritical.”

According to the law, the Jews were required to observe one fast per year during the day of Atonement. However, they could fast as often as they personally preferred outside of this command. The main problem – Personal PRIDE!  When no one was noticing what they were doing, they began to complain. We must rebuke the spirit of ritualism in order to experience the true heart of worship through complete humility as a Christ-follower.

I pray that the Holy Spirit awakens your family, your work, your friends, your community, this country, etc. to the true heart of worship. One must have an experience with God Himself involving inward submission to fully know true worship. This passage clearly separates selfish fasting from godly fasting as in a heart of worship.

We clearly see that caring for others (i.e., feeding the hungry, assisting the poor, and clothing the naked) are all examples of denying ourselves to care for others so that God receives the glory – there is no room for pride in this perfect equation! True fasting leads to perfect humility not egocentrism.

My prayer is that we do not become blinded by ritualism, religionism, and egocentrism. The world would reinforce and encourage such ‘isms’; however, Romans 12:2 states, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Question: Where is your heart of worship?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14

“13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, act like a man, be strong. 14 Your every action must be done with love.”

My eyes are drawn to Paul’s final exhortation located within this last chapter of 1 Corinthians instructing the Corinthians to be alert, to stand firm in the faith, to be brave, to be strong, and to do all your work in love.

I can appreciate Paul’s use of synonyms to emphasize one common theme – Spiritual Awareness for the Greater Kingdom!

Jesus Himself instructed early Christians and us today to be alert and “to watch.” For example, in Matthew 26:41, Jesus stated, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In addition, we are reminded every day that the devil prowls around seeking someone to destroy. We must consciously put on the full armor of God daily!

Paul goes on to encourage the Corinthians to stand firm in the faith – to be brave and strong. We are reminded to stay close together as believers to strengthen and sharpen one another while remaining on guard as to not become surprised by the enemy. As discussed earlier, we are not promised a life free from attack, or pressure, or persecution – quite the contrary. Yet, we face these trials and battles with bravery as a soldier in the Lord’s army.

However, with significant emphasis I add, the Corinthian Christians were to do all these things in a manner of love being humble in all things. I am again pierced to the fact that Jesus is love, and we are to live and love like Jesus.

What a bitter taste we leave in someone’s mouth when we speak negativities concerning our fellow man (i.e., peer, friend, boss, family member, church member, stranger, etc.) all while proclaiming the loving gospel of the risen Savior Jesus Christ. What discord we create by allowing the flaming and untamed tongue to lead our conversations as compared to heeding the convictions of the Holy Spirit. What confusion we create for the unbelievers when we lead with hate, gossip, lies, and all things worldly.

I pray that we are reminded to lead with love as Christ is love all while staying focused, faithful, brave, and courageous in the battle.

How will your words and actions show the love of Christ today?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Jeremiah 1:17-19 (HCSB)
17 “Now, get ready. Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be intimidated by them or I will cause you to cower before them. 18 Today, I am the One who has made you a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the population. 19 They will fight against you but never prevail over you, since I am with you to rescue you.” This is the Lord’s declaration.

Amazing God! The call of the young prophet Jeremiah reveals a fundamental insecurity in us all – inadequacy turned into independence with God’s favor!

“Then the word of the Lord came to me.” (v4). Jeremiah had a personal encounter with the Lord. According to his family history, he was raised in what we would call as a “goldy home.” Yet, he still required a personal encounter with Father God. This is beyond relatable.

In our current culture, we are blinded by the differences between religion and Christ-encounter. The evil one is skillfully deceiving many into believing their works, rituals, and personal goodness are saving them from eternal destruction. Only a personal relationship with our Maker can enlighten a spiritual encounter that is powerful enough to save.

In the passage above we witness Jeremiah transition from reluctant youth to protected prophet. What changed? Encounter! Jeremiah initially verbalized what we all feel in the face of God’s mission on our lives…inadequacy. However God is with him (and us). “Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you, says the Lord” (v8).

The power of God’s spoken word in this very passage is tangible. It’s alive. It’s a promise. God was not making a mere suggestion on Jeremiah’s life. In contrast, He boldly stated be prepared, it’s coming, “Get yourself ready!”

We do not have to fear intimidation as a child of God. In fact, I rebuke the spirit of fear and intimidation in Jesus name. It does not belong in my life or yours as you follow God’s perfect design and well-crafted mission for your life. God didn’t tell Jeremiah that he would be free from conflict nor does God spare us from the same. Yet, my God delivers! His promises are true. His words are faithful. Just as Jeremiah saw victory so we claim victory over our enemies. They will not prevail against us! Remain covered under the most powerful wing of protection from the one and true God. Be encouraged. More importantly, be pressed to serve.

What spiritual encounter will you have today?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta