Posted on by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Trial by Senses

Deuteronomy 31:6

6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

fire and water

[Interpretive Narrative]

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil [Psalm 23:4]. Yet the shivers down my spine cry for attention. Death. Pain. Heartache. Disease. You are Jehovah-Rapha, the God who heals, but standing on faith often feels like the hardest battle of all.

~When you feel like you’re drowning, the enemy falsely has you under water because my God has placed my feet on dry ground. Faith gives you the courage to take your next step while you see a wall of water on your left and right. God didn’t say you wouldn’t smell the sea as you pass, but He promised that the water wouldn’t overtake you.

~When you feel the intense heat and pressure, the enemy falsely has you under his grip because my God has placed another in the fire next to me. He is there to protect me under His mighty wing and bring me to safety for His glory. God didn’t say you wouldn’t smell the fire but you surely would not get burned.

~When you feel weighted down and hopeless, the enemy falsely has you in spiritual paralysis and without prayer because my God tells me that if I abide in Him and if His word abides in me, then anything I ask of Him will be done. God didn’t say that the stones would just fall from the sky, you have to pick them up and sling them toward your enemy.

~When you feel weak and overcome with fear, the enemy falsely has you in his pit of despair because my God tells me that He has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and sound mind. God didn’t say you wouldn’t see the lions circling but he promised to shut their mouths in your presence.

Dear believers, please be in prayer for those who are suffering during this time and for those undergoing health issues of all sorts. We are surrounded, and for some of us, personally impacted by crises. I truly believe that Satan’s biggest weapon is manipulating our emotions and senses. Faith rises above and breaks these manipulations. Always remember to walk by faith and not by sight. May Jehovah-Rapha heal you wherever you are in the powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Training

Acts 20:24

24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

track

There is nothing better than race day adrenaline. You’ve trained for so long and finally the day has come – you’re running your biggest race! You stretch before walking up to the starting line and you even visit with those around you. Conversations range from pre-race diet tips to running pace. As you inch closer to the starting line, excitement boils over! You are about to step over one single white line that separates years of training from actual performance.

~This is it!

~This is what you were made for!

~This is what you’ve trained your whole life for!

~Your only aim is to finish the race and complete the task strong!

There are many life seasons that parallel both training and performance. We see this in raising children, going off to college, and starting a new job for example. Yet, what happens when life throws a curve ball? Are we truly prepared? Have we trained for those moments? In our culture, we place great emphasis on collecting, obtaining, and achieving. However, this usually has to do with material possession; therefore, some in this world are not very prepared when thrown off course.

I have to say, however, as believers, we are quite different! The Word gives us clear instruction on how to live – in times of prosperity and poverty – in times of health and sickness – in times of joy and sorrow. I love how the passage above says it…my life is worth nothing to me! Ah…there is the key to happiness. The world is always looking for the fountain of youth and joy. It is found in God’s Word – LOVE GOD AND LOVE PEOPLE.

I know there are people who are suffering even in this hour. Yet, the joy of the Lord is their strength! Please my dear brothers and sisters listen closely. Your life is but a training field for your greatest race! As you cross over that starting line, know that you are well prepared because God goes before you to prepare the way. He goes behind you to protect you. He goes above you to watch over you, and He goes beside you to comfort you.

As you run, don’t forget this is your greatest performance! You’ve waited your whole life for this! Enjoy every foot strike on the pavement pushing you forward. Attune your ears to the cheers of the great cloud of witnesses and those friends awaiting at the finish line. Feel the breeze as the Holy Spirit breathes upon you giving you exactly what you need for each step. Open your eyes and saturate your spirit with the beautiful sight of those souls around you who will need you to help them finish their race too! The best part of racing is that everyone is a runner – slow, fast, tall, short, young, and old. May you run your race looking to serve so you may testify of God’s amazing love along the way.

As we wait patiently for you to cross the finish line, one thing is for certain…you will receive a reward. The medals are totally worth it I must say! Yet, one day…just one day…you’ll receive that crown you’ve waited for your whole life. Yes, the one you trained for since you were a child. Your Master has been holding it this whole time at His finish line waiting to say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

So, lace up those shoes my friend…we have a race to run, souls to win, people to support, and a finish line to cross!

[Please specifically be in prayer for our dear sister Leslie Morgan. We come together as one body to ask our Father boldly to do amazing things in her and through her in such a miraculous manner that only God Almighty can get the praise. We ask for complete protection and the blood covering of Jesus Christ to wash over her. We know in full faith that no weapon formed against her shall prosper as it is stated in your Word. She will not fear the arrow by day nor the terror by night. Cover her tightly with your feathers and use her in this new place to plant your seeds that only she could do at this exact time. Give her your words to speak life to all those she comes into contact with, and may she amaze doctors and nurses with your miraculous healing in her. We fall on our faces in humble submission and ask all these things in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.]

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

When God Wrecks Your Expectation

Acts 3

Peter Heals a Lame Beggar

3 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

NOW

There are so many messages swirling through my head right now. Honestly, it’s hard to grab just one and lay it down on this computer.

Repetition! The crippled beggar was “carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.” What was different this day? [pause – I really need you to take a breath and get this]…when Peter and John approached the crippled man, Peter exclaimed, “Look at us!” “So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.”

The crippled beggar expected to get the same thing he had always gotten – money, coins, sympathy, maybe even a prayer. The man expected to get something that he was used to. The beggar expected to get something that would reinforce what he had always gotten in the past; the same things over and over. These things reinforced the mind’s finite walls of impossibilities. What the man did not expect was a miracle from Peter and John! The man was not expected to walk! But Peter said, “Look at us!”…”Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give. In the name of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, WALK!”

Oh the powerful name of Jesus. Taking him by the right hand, instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. The man wasn’t expecting that the mere name of Jesus and an outstretched arm from a faithful believer would heal bones, ligaments, nerves, and muscles that had been misaligned and malformed from birth. The man came expecting alright, but he did not expect to walk that day. Better yet, he did not expect to start jumping as stated in verse 8.

~The enemy called repetition is stifling your miracle!

~The enemy called traditionalism is stealing your revival!

~The enemy called religionism is killing your house of prayer!

~The enemy called disunity is destroying the body of Christ!

Dear believers, you too are expecting to be carried to the gate called Beautiful expecting silver or gold, a nice smile, or even a quick prayer for deliverance from cancer, addictions, failed marriages, bitterness, heartache, etc. You ARE the crippled beggar!

However, I’m here to tell you one thing…[but first]…LOOK AT ME…Take a deep breath. Worldly wisdom I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, BE FREE! Oh the powerful name of Jesus. Let is wash over you. Now “stand up” and jump for joy as you run into His temple courts praising His name.

You will find that the same people who passed you for decades at the temple gate will be filled with wonder and amazement but they will only recognize you as the person who “USED TO…[FILL IN THE BLANK].” AH…I love this part! The world is really good at remembering who you USED TO BE!

[Don’t miss this part]

When you come jumping for joy because of your miracle, you then become the “crazy” person or the “nut” who “used to be depressed” who “used to be addicted to alcohol.” You see, the world is really good at reminding you who you used to be. Yet, this is not the character of MY GOD! Jesus did not come to condemn but to save! He came to restore. Therefore, bask in your miracle and hold the shield of faith firmly so that the Holy Spirit can blot out ALL the fiery darts from the enemy…NO SATAN NOT TODAY!

So, what are you expecting to see today? The same thing you saw yesterday and the day before that! Hum, maybe, just maybe this message will spark you to [pause]…LISTEN to God as He’s trying to GET YOUR ATTENTION! LOOK AT HIM and listen for Him to say, “GET UP AND WALK!”

Challenge: Stop repeating and start LOOKING for Him, everywhere!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Immeasurably More

Ephesians 3:20

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.

By Faith

[Narrative by Christian Armetta]

My ears spontaneously dim the environmental noise echoing from the crowded whispers. The hairs on my arm instinctively respond to a spiritual call. The Holy Spirit widens my narrow pupils and indescribable colors appear to dance above the beloved.

A spiritual magnet is released from the pastor’s breath as he proclaims a healing service. Legalism and traditionalism announce their rightful place at the center of the aisle. Who would dare attempt to pass through their narrow vestibule to get to the wounded sitting behind them?

Without further thought, the chosen spring up and confidently draw near. Each step is protected as angels dress the warriors with the armor of God. An army presses while eyes are unveiled to the spiritual readiness from the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes from the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit. 

In tandem, the forces of legalism and traditionalism link arms creating a barrier in the resounding prayer. The army draws strength from the Almighty as light pierces the darkness. Outstretched hands release a guttural cry that only the Holy Spirit can discern. Voices marinate in God’s cleansing basin at the altar of faith. Oil now drips from each brow of the anointed.

The enemy, sensing defeat, calls forth the fallen and chains begin to separate the healing light. Through unconscious tongue and endless petition, Christ steps forward and breaks the chain of darkness! Healing light flows through the prayers into the depths of physical matter. As the prayers begin to calm and flutter into the Holy of Holies, the body of Christ strengthens under the obedience of the chosen.

Faith wins!

[We continue to pray for our brother in Christ and his family this day and every day.]

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

————————-

In collaboration with my dear friend Ms. Rita Harris, please continue reading her words below:

Question: “Why do we go to the Lord God Almighty in prayer with limited expectations when He is an unlimited God?”

Let’s think about it! When’s the last time you asked your spouse, a friend, a co-worker for a few bucks? First of all, you go to them because you believe they have it and secondly, you trust that if they have it, they’ll give it to you, right? We dare not ask for more than they could give…because we realize most of the people we know are limited in the amount that they can give us.

God’s Word says, in Ephesians 3:20, “Now unto him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”

This power is the Witness, Holy Spirit, who bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God. As children, we are heirs, coheirs with Christ!

Therefore, we CAN expect that the impossible is made possible in Christ alone! Let’s begin taking Him at His Word. Let’s begin to exercise our faith in the ONLY One who is faithful!

Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Much love and blessings,

Rita