Romans 3:23-26 (HCSB)
“23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.”

This picture…oh how it speaks! A sinner’s cross that the one and only true and living God willingly reached His perfect arms across and did an act that would change the entire course of eternity – HE STAYED! He bore it all; the perfect lamb was slain to bring God’s children into His righteousness through faith – Amen! 

This new and living way to God the Father is a gift for all. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile; this perfect righteousness is a gift for all. Through faith, we are made right! My dear brothers and sisters, I pray that the Holy Spirit speaks to you in such a way that you will humble yourself before the Lord and His truths will be revealed to you this day. Rebuke the lies! Salvation cannot be earned or bought. You cannot do enough good works or be good enough my dear friends. I see a dark veil over the eyes of many who say they believe yet their faith is measured in works and religious duty. God did not send His only Son to die a terrible death for you to continue to work for salvation – it cannot be done. Release this burden and lay it all at the cross…by faith we are saved.

We praise you God for sending your Son to die on a cross in our place! We have been bought with the precious blood of Jesus. Friends, please hear the call and open your soul today. There is freedom in His arms. 

Question: Have you made this decision to follow Him through faith? 

Thankful,

Christian Armetta 

Philippians 3:18-20
“18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in their shame. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Paul demonstrates a sorrow that is deep and heartfelt! In this passage, Paul is referencing those who believed that as long as your soul was saved it didn’t matter how you acted in the flesh. This is a stark contrast from the truth of the gospel that requires repentance and conversion. Believers should be drawn to live as Christ – not in the flesh. 

With great emphasis, I pray that we do not fall into this type of false belief and lifestyle. The end is clear; it is destruction! In our culture and society, we can easily be ensnared by the flesh; however, remain vigilant and put on the full armor of God and fight against such wickedness that leads to death and destruction. What are your priorities? What are your idols? Who are you seeking to please first and foremost? Earnestly seek the Lord and lay the sins of SELF down before the throne of God. 

Paul reinforces a common understanding in the theme of citizenship. The Philippians understood their citizenship of Rome but needed to fully understand that their home and ultimate citizenship was in heaven. Therefore, their actions (and ours) must match that of the expectations of our Father in heaven. 

I pray that God almighty will pierce our hearts daily to live knowing we are full citizens of heaven and we must act accordingly thereby drawing others to the throne of grace.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Colossians 3:17

Having been raised in a small town, I am fully aware of the importance of names. In fact, my wife and I stress the importance of personal integrity, upstanding character, and Christ-like behavior to our son as it relates to carrying the family name just before walking out of the door for any purpose. In our society today, we do not see as much importance placed on names as they did during the Old Testament days. In fact, names were so important in the ancient times, that God would change someone’s name based on an important event or experience.

So how does this relate to us today? What IS in a name? The answer is very clear – we bear the name of Jesus! Admittedly, I looked at this verse on the surface and knew that my home, my work, my words, etc. should mirror that of Jesus. However, I failed initially to understand the magnitude and depth of this verse. As the Holy Spirits leads, I clearly see that mirroring is not personal enough. I pray that we internalize all that is Jesus Christ! Many Christians are good at mimicking Jesus – reflecting His attributes only on the surface. Let’s not be a surface Christian. In fact, that is an oxymoron! Pray that the Spirit teaches you how to go deeper in your walk today that you will bear the name of Jesus in your words and actions. Bearing the name of the Most High is a great gift!

Question: How will you bear the name of Jesus today in your words and actions?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

1 Corinthians 13:1-3

“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. ³ If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.”

1 Corinthians 13

God is love and light. I am drawn to His goodness like a magnet. I was reminded this week that good works, powerful words, fancy possessions, mighty positions, and even magnificent gifts do not measure up to the power of LOVE! Love should be the foundation of your speech and actions to all those around you. The apostle Paul uses four spiritual gifts in this passage to contrast with love. Paul eloquently expresses that these gifts even conducted at their most stunning demonstration fail without love.

Throughout this chapter, the Greek term for love is defined as “agape” which is the highest form of love. This is not to be confused with brotherly love. Agape is the type of love God showered upon mankind when He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins. This passage clearly demonstrates the importance of love in our daily walk as we strive to live like Jesus. I truly pray that we fully understand the magnitude of what Paul is saying! How can we go and make disciples of all nations when we fail to demonstrate love to those closest to us?

My eyes were opened to another passage today in John 8:7, “”Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone…” I strongly believe that Christians must take a stand and stop casting stones on our fellow brothers and sisters; this is not love. The devil is clever and his ways are destructive. I pray that the veil will be lifted from our eyes so that we may forgive each other, come together as one body, and be the hands and feet of Christ in love and unity.

-How can we love when we are too busy condemning?

-How can we love when we are too busy gossiping?

-How can we love when we are too busy degrading?

-How can we love when we are too busy judging?

-How can we love when we are too busy comparing?

Allow the love of Christ to flow into all the spaces within you. Be reminded brothers and sisters that while we criticize each other, the lost remain LOST! Yet, be encouraged today. As a follower of Jesus Christ, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the grave lives within you and me! This Spirit is love. Show others God’s love through your words, your faith, and your giving.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

1 John 1:5-7

^“5 This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. ⁶ So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. ⁷ But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”

Praise God! This passage sends me straight into praise and worship. What a mighty God we serve! I stand amazed in His presence. What great joy in knowing that our God, our Savior, and our Deliverer is light. Darkness cannot abide in Him or even around Him. My God is so powerful and full of light that no amount of darkness can overtake Him. His pureness permeates all things around Him, and evil must flee – AMAZING GOD! This same God envelops His light onto His children and protects them from the enemy.

However, we must choose to walk in the light. It is spiritually impossible to claim fellowship with God, who is light, yet actively walk in darkness. Light and darkness cannot coexist in God. Some may claim a relationship with God yet their actions clearly demonstrate darkness. One must again self-evaluate his/her spiritual walk and die to self. Colossians 3:5 says, “Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.”

A sinless life is impossible. However, this passage makes it very clear that walking in the light is not only possible it’s expected. This type of walk requires daily engagement with your Maker. Another positive outcome to walking in God’s holy light is the benefit of fellowship with one another. This type of fellowship strengthens the body of Christ to further His kingdom.

My soul leaps for joy knowing that another blessing is that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. The verb John used for cleanses is in the present tense – PRAISE GOD! We do not have to wait and hope. We can bask in His blessings of light and forgiveness today – why wait? We will never be perfect while in this body. Yet, God’s cleansing power transforms even the darkest being into purest of light. Don’t wait…sin no longer has power over you! Claim the victory today by the powerful blood of Jesus Christ. Ask Him today and He will rescue you! God is always in the business of restoration.

Question: Do you need to be spiritually rescued from the darkness? [He’s waiting]

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Galatians 6:2-5 (NLT)

^“2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. ⁴ Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. ⁵ For we are each responsible for our own conduct.”

In these verses, the apostle Paul is contrasting a legalistic worldview with a spiritual worldview. In Jesus’ day, the Pharisees were known for operating in a legalistic fashion. This type of worldview demonstrates itself in the manner of pride, egocentrism, hypocrisy, and piousness.  Paul clearly outlines a spiritual worldview by sharing each other’s burdens and being humble. This is quite a contrast from the lives of the Pharisees.

We should feel charged to care for our fellow brothers and sisters by showing the love of Christ just as He showed His complete love for us. This charge also includes serving one another. We must humble ourselves and live like Christ. Jesus was also criticized for healing and loving the unloveable, the dirty, the weak, the different, the abused, the tormented, the SINNER – YOU! Yet, we are called to live and walk like Jesus daily.

I implore you to live within your God-filled mission with meekness and humility. There is no room for competition and pride when serving the Lord. Proverbs 11:2-4, “² Proud and boastful people will be shamed, but wisdom stays with those who are modest and humble.” When we live within God’s design for our own lives, we do not have any room for comparisons. Do you find yourself comparing yourself to others? Do you often tear down your brother or sister out of jealousy? Do you spread lies and gossip based from envy for your fellow brother or sister? We must all self-evaluate and ask for forgiveness. We are all working as members of one body – the body of Christ. I pray that we come together out of love and restore those brothers and sisters who are broken. Resist the enemy and flee from temptation. Gossip, jealousy, and envy are “easy” traps that create such division. My God is a restorer a deliverer and a healer. He has the power to restore you too!

Question: What must you place on God’s altar to live a life described in these verses?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Philippians 4:4-7

^“4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! ⁵ Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. ⁶ Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

We are given two opportunities to heed this charge- Rejoice in the Lord always! I would venture to say that this is important!  The apostle Paul had every reason not to be joyful. In fact, he had the perfect scenario for demonstrating “justified” anxiety (i.e., from a world’s view). His friends were in a disagreement with one another. Also, Euodia and Syntyche were in a disagreement as well which was leading to a division in the church. Even more, Paul was facing the real threat of death. However, through all of these trials and disagreements, Paul reminded us to rejoice in the Lord always.

I believe Charles Spurgeon said it best when he made the following statement:

“I am glad that we do not know what the quarrel was about; I am usually thankful for ignorance on such subjects; – but as a cure for disagreements, the apostle says, ‘Rejoice in the Lord always.’ People who are very happy, especially those who are very happy in the Lord, are not apt either to give offense or to take offense. Their minds are so sweetly occupied with higher things, that they are not easily distracted by the little troubles which naturally arise among such imperfect creatures as we are. Joy in the Lord is the cure for all discord.” (Spurgeon)

Worry can easily lead to destruction and pain. Allowing the spirit of worry, fear, dread, and anxiety to control one’s life only reinforces the opposite of what we are trying to achieve – peace and joy in the Lord! Do not be strangled and choked out by this enemy. God has given us the authority in the name of Jesus to cast out worry and replace it with His perfect love, joy, and peace as we seek Him fully and earnestly.

We learn from this passage that we are to not only talk to God our Father but to make our requests known to Him. In all things, we must stay in constant communication with the Father. Here we find peace – the cure! This type of peace stands “on guard” to protect our hearts and minds. What a great image of the powerful warrior peace standing guard! There is truly nothing to worry about when we fully understand this type of security. Yet, the most amazing thing is our finite minds cannot even fully understand the depths of this promise. However, we trust in faith the promises of God – Yes and Amen!

Question: How can you achieve true peace and joy in your life today? What steps will you take to deliver yourself from worry, anxiety, and fear that is not from God?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

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