Psalm 42:1-2

“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. ² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?”

Have you truly experienced thirst? – Not just the act of being thirsty. Have you truly experienced a thirst for either physical water or for something else? Personally, I have longed for water when training for marathons and wondering if I would be overcome with dehydration or fatigue; yet, have I ever come face-to-face with extreme thirst to where my life depended upon it? I would venture to say no! I have also demonstrated a thirst in reaching goals in my life especially in the realm of achieving professional degrees and stretching myself in clinical management. However, what about spiritually? What does this look like for you in your spiritual life? I am sure we could all easily give examples of longing for worldly goals but what about spiritual ones?

The Psalmist paints a very beautiful yet somewhat heartbroken picture in these verses and chapter. The Psalmist apparently was exiled among Gentiles who persecuted him for his faith (v3…”while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”) Even more, the Psalmist longed to participate in the pilgrim to Jerusalem where it was time for a festival, just like the ones he used to lead himself as a worship leader; however, he could not go and was heartbroken. This physical separation brings about this very personal Psalm, and we can learn greatly from such insight.

We must all come to this place – the place where life begins when we are WITH God! The Psalmist was reminded of a deer panting and longing for water as one would do during a draught – true despair! The Psalmist knew he could not live a fulfilled life without the one and true God. He longed – thirsted – to go to the temple on this pilgrimage to be with his God in order to be filled! This physical separation resulted in a “spiritual draught” for this writer. He had physical food, shelter, and water. However, only the true experience of being with God could fulfill his needs. Can you say the same?

My dear brothers and sisters – your pilgrimage is here! Your pilgrimage starts NOW! For those who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, we are no longer separated by a veil. He is not just in the Holy of Holies deep within the temple walls. The God of creation resides within us through the Holy Spirit. I am afraid, however, that many Christian are numb to this power. The same God that the Psalmist thirsted for thousands of years ago is the same God that lives in you and me!

Where is your zeal? Where is your passion dear believer? The same God that the Psalmist cried out in heartache as he could not participate in the pilgrimage back to Jerusalem is the same God who is speaking life to you inside your body, His temple, today! 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 says,”¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, ²⁰ for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” 

As you meditate on this passage, ask God freely to develop a thirst within you that can only be quenched by the fulfillment of the Holy Spirit. What is keeping you from starting your pilgrimage today? Praise God that He has provided a way through His Son Jesus Christ to experience this type of longing – thirst – through prayer, Bible study, and listening because He lives in YOU so go ahead and thirst!

Question: What is keeping you from experiencing this type of spiritual thirst?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

James 1:2-8

^“2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Last fall, I was fortunate enough to spend several days serving at a Faith Walk South Louisiana weekend where we dug deep into this passage. That weekend and this passage will forever hold a special place in my heart. If you are not familiar with Faith Walk or other Christian renewal weekends, I earnestly ask that you look into these and sign up to experience a closer walk with Jesus. As you prayerfully meditate on this passage today, ask God to unveil your eyes; open your heart; and speak truth into your life.

James uses an interesting conjunction word at the very beginning of this passage – WHEN. The Word of God makes it very clear that we WILL encounter various trials – not if, but when – so we must prepare now! Your Christian maturity plays a major part in (A) how you see your trials as pure joy and (B) how you learn to develop deeper faith, patience, and perseverance.

As believers, we know that God works all things for our good: “²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Believers must not live in a false reality that Christians are exempt from all trials while on this earth. The challenge is developing the Christ-like attributes during these trials that increase spiritual maturity so that you may be used to further God’s kingdom…remember, it’s really not about you!

Focus your attention on God and not your problem and He will not only protect you but He will TEACH YOU! We must remember that God allows testing to strengthen; God is not capable of tempting; it is not in His character -It’s IMPOSSIBLE! James 1:13 states, “No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.”

We must remember that we are living in a fallen world. Most of our trials are merely because we are human but some trials originate from persecution because we are Christians. Either circumstance, we can rely on God’s grace and omnipotence to teach us and also to shelter us when needed. I wonder, though, how many of us just pray to be released from our trials? Instead, let’s heed the principles in this passage and pray for wisdom. Through wisdom, we gain a deeper spiritual understanding at the hand’s of God and not of ourselves. We become focused on seeking God’s purpose and plan through the trial versus selfishly and pridefully “powering” through on our own. I pray that we seek a spiritual understanding of, “I don’t want to miss the lesson,” when undergoing life’s circumstances and trials. Then, and only then, can we count it all joy!

Praise God for His lessons even in the storms!

Question: How do you pray when you are in the storms of life? How important is seeking wisdom during trials to a believer?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Proverbs 17:17

“17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

A special blessing that God has bestowed upon us is the gift of friendship here on earth. This verse clearly states that friendship is based on love. From the bottom of my heart, I am beyond thankful for my dearest friends; those that share every aspect of my life – my inner circle. This type of “life-sharing” does not happen over night.

True, biblical, friendship requires love, trust, devotion, and time. It is more important to cultivate these types of deep relationships versus seeking only “surface friends” – those that you allow just below your emotional mantle – safe space – while preventing them from entering past your iron wall where you guard your deepest emotional substrate. Proverbs continues to reinforce this in 18:24, “A man with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.” 

True friends are not only loving, they are also deeply loyal. My family is currently experiencing this type of deep loyalty while my son is recuperating from surgery. We are blessed with Christian parents, siblings, and extended family that sacrifice daily for our family. However, God showered great blessings upon our family through the gifts of our dearest friends. Friends that die to self and demonstrate such sacrifice at the right time – blessed!

My prayer is that you seek friendships that are God-honoring, loving, and loyal. Proverbs 27:17 states, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” My life is forever enriched, challenged, strengthened, and protected by my accountability partner and friend. Accountability partners are a special group of deep-rooted friends. These appointees are God’s gift to human relationships. These special friends are carefully woven into all parts of your life where God is allowed to breathe His perfect richness into your life in the way of refinement, edification, reward, correction, and discernment. I do not take this relationship for granted, and I thank God daily for the gift of friendship and my accountability partner.  

Question: Do you have deep-rooted friends or only surface-friendships? Are your friends God-honoring? Proverbs 12:26 states, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Pray earnestly for deep-rooted, biblical, friendships that reflect God’s glory!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Luke 6:27-31

²⁷ “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. ²⁹ If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. ³¹ Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.”

Character! Integrity! Christ-Like Behavior! Christians cannot help but see the character of Christ in this passage. These principles go against everything the world teaches and reinforces. Just turn on the news, scroll through any web search engine, flip through the pages of your local newspaper…what do you see? Headings that may look something like, “The Latest News on the London Bombings,” “Attack on Christianity in America,” “The Latest Road Rage Incident Caught on Camera,” “Teenager Bullied for Years Ends His Life,” “Hate Crimes Increasing in Our Communities Across the Nation.” Dear friends, we are surrounded by hate and retaliation. The root – SIN! Jesus demonstrated a different way, and He has called all followers to align with His principles equaling love, mercy, grace, patience, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, hope, and faith.

We have heard the phrase, “Hatred breeds hatred!” Christ teaches that love, even for those who hate us, shows the character of Christ which brings God glory. We are here to serve God almighty in whatever capacity prescribed. When faced with difficult situations such as persecution, hate, and abuse, we are always charged to emulate the actions and words of Christ – LOVE! We were taught even as little children that we must, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” This golden rule is a fundamental Christian principle.

Sadly, even Christians spew hate to their fellow believers and non-believers alike. Luke reminds us further in this chapter that we also reap what we sow. If we are unforgiving, judgmental, and hateful to those around us: peers, strangers, believers, non-believers, etc., then the Word makes it very clear that we open ourselves up to judgement ourselves. Not only do we smear the name of Jesus, we ruin our witness and invite torment.

Question: Do you identify with Christ’s principles on love and forgiveness even to those who hate and curse you? Do you find that your character and flesh identify with the world and you often engage in retaliation and spew hatred? Ask God the cleanse you from your sins and serve Him with gladness.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

John 10:11-15

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.¹² The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep, leaves them and runs away when he sees a wolf coming. The wolf then snatches and scatters them. ¹³ This happens because he is a hired man and doesn’t care about the sheep. ¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd. I know My own sheep, and they know Me, ¹⁵ as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. I lay down My life for the sheep.”

Praise God that we worship the One who laid down His life for His flock! Yes and Amen! Even more, Jesus stated that He holds the right to lay down His life on His own and the right to take it up again because the Father has given His this right! Neither human hands nor principalities can take this right away! The powers of this world thought the cross was the end; they believed they won – that hope was forever lost. However, mighty God – our Shepherd willingly laid down His life for His flock. Through His death, burial, and resurrection, He sealed the gift of eternal life and fulfilled God’s kingdom purpose to restore and revive His people! The true character of a good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his flock. A bad shepherd believes the flock exists for his purpose alone. Keep your eyes open to the spiritual truths and wolves in sheep’s clothing! The Bible beams with Christ’s character defined in terms of Altruism! 

Psalm 145:7 states, “They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.” Knowing that the one and only true God sent His Son as our good Shepherd, which included laying down His life for His flock should make us all want to “joyfully sing” of His righteousness. Even more, verses 9-10 state, “The Lord is good to everyone; His compassion rests on all He has made. ¹⁰ All You have made will thank You, Lord; the godly will praise You.” Dear brothers and sisters, the good news of our faithful and loyal shepherd should ignite joyful singing and spontaneous praise – why – because He is worthy! Again, prayerfully mediate on this passage and record what the Holy Spirit is trying to teach you.  

I am thankful for our good Shepherd- Jesus! He continues to watch over His flock as He is alive and well. He holds the keys of death and He is worthy of praise and honor. When confronted with the gospel, does your spirit leap in joyful song and spontaneous praise or do you find yourself stagnate and lukewarm? Oh dear friends, you can either be hot or cold. Do not believe the lies of the devil. Christ warns of this very thing in Revelation 3:16, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” There is no need for further clarification. Today is the day! I choose to be on fire for Christ! Where do you stand at this very moment? The good shepherd is waiting for a full commitment.

P.S. I am thankful for a God-fearing, praying spouse. Today’s passage was inspired by my dear wife, Aimee, who sharpens me daily. The Holy Spirit is speaking, and my personal prayer is that I am always listening. I want to be but a vessel in sharing His goodness and word as the Spirit leads. I am thankful for a spouse and inner circle that ignites a Spirit-filled life – ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Acts 17:22-25

^“22 Then Paul stood in the middle of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that you are extremely religious in every respect. ²³ For as I was passing through and observing the objects of your worship, I even found an altar on which was inscribed:

Therefore, what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. ²⁴ The God who made the world and everything in it—He is Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in shrines made by hands. ²⁵ Neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives everyone life and breath and all things.”

During small group discussion (i.e., Frontline), this passage came up and sparked great conversation. I am afraid that the worship to an “Unknown God” applies even today. This is deeper than it initially appears! The implications are potentially disastrous upon our current Christian culture. How many proclaimed believers actually know and worship the true and all-powerful God? In a metaphorical vision, I look out upon a sea of believers with unchanged faces, darkened hearts, hollowed-eyes, fallen fruits,  broken vines, suffocating gifts, and parched missions. I would expect nothing less from those who worship an “Unknown God”. Yet, MY GOD —– IS KNOWN! Faces brighten, hearts enlighten, souls illuminate, praise rebounds, choirs rejoice, people proclaim, fruits abound…and most importantly God’s people get on mission to further His kingdom!

In this passage, Paul’s spirit becomes very troubled by the egregious idol worship in Athens. So Paul did what he knew best – he witnessed! Not only did he witness to those who believed in God in the synagogue, but he also witnessed in the marketplace “every day with those who happened to be there” (v17). First and foremost, why was Paul so passionate? The answer is easy to see – soul on fire; life transformation; eye-opening truth. I yearn for this type of Christian zeal.

It is during a witnessing engagement where Paul encounters the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Epicureans developed a worldview based around pleasure and happiness while Stoic philosophers promoted rational thinking over emotional thinking. Paul addressed a council that spent all their time telling and learning something new. He makes it very clear that the Athenians were very religious in every respect, but he clearly addresses the heart of their spiritual problem. You see, there was no short of gods to worship.  In fact, the Athenians built an idol even to an “Unknown God” just to make sure they didn’t miss anyone. Paul uses this opportunity to proclaim the gospel of the one and only true God! Paul eloquently explains that the “Unknown God” is the One who made the whole universe and does not live in shrines nor needs anything by the works of humans hands. God is near! He exists! Paul continued to deliver his full message where some even believed that day while others ridiculed him.

Where are you in this story? Are you Paul? Do you find zeal and energy in God’s mission? Do you worship the Almighty in all places because you know that He alone is God and He is good? Or are you the people of Athens at this time? Are you worshiping various idols and the “Unknown God?” Do you really know who you are worshiping? I ask you to prayerfully meditate on this passage today. You may be quick to cognitively align with Paul yet your actions are that of the Athenians. Allow the Holy Spirit to search your soul. Our God is known! He is great! He is powerful! He is good! Experience a fulfilled Christian life…your worship, prayer life, Bible study, attitude, mission, encounters, and worldview will forever change! Don’t hold back any longer! Stop, be still, turn around, open your eyes – HE IS KNOWN!

Question: Do you worship an “Unknown God?”

Thankful,

Christian Armetta