Posted on June 2, 2020 by Christian Armetta

In Your Wake

Mark 6:56

⁵⁶And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

water ripples

Ripples…look how beautiful! One tiny action sets a rhythmic and powerful reaction into motion. I can honestly get lost in this picture alone. The raindrops can represent so many things! What do you see?

I see tears from a worried soul. Her future, once filled with decades of yellows, pinks, and reds, have turned to uncertain gray. The enemy eagerly walks between the ripples as he names each one: fear, anxiety, anger, and regret.

I also see sweat drops from the brow of a worker. He tirelessly plows and tends his field for he knows you reap what you sow. He never gives up and his relentless attention to detail brings him great prosperity. His eyes dance across the ripples as they speak back to him: faith, hope, love, kindness, and goodness.

I see the first drops of a morning rain. Water that cleanses division. These drops gather together in one body as it fully understands the body of Christ – “If one suffers, we all suffer; if one is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” These ripples speak in one accord: love God, love people, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you.

As I read the passage above in Mark, I envision Jesus leaving a massive wake of spiritual blessings behind Him everywhere He went. He embodied the fullness of God yet He was also fully man. The ripples He left behind continue to shatter the darkness today. The day my Jesus died to take away the sins of the entire world, was the very day that the largest spiritual wake was formed. Jesus spilled His blood which caused the biggest wake in spiritual history and all of eternity.

Challenge: In times of uncertainty and strife, may we hold on to the ripples of our Savior and make our own! Be the agent of change through Christ’s love in a world that knows only darkness. God bless you.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 4 Comments

Never

Deuteronomy 31:6

⁶Be 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.

trust

Never is a funny word!…maybe it’s the Jericho walls of doubt speaking – bricks made of disappointment, lies, gossip, envy, and let-downs. The mortar sealed by broken promises and loss of a future. I frantically run around the walls…praying, begging, wondering while you freely invite others inside the gates. I pound on the doors but the knocks are silenced by a single seed – one planted long ago in soil of anger and resentment. Now you are harvesting thorns and weeds – choking life out of everything that once was. You chose to walk away; yet, you said this would be forever…never is a funny word!

Never is a funny word!…Human expectations are far from perfect and cannot compare to the love of Christ. Romans 5:8 says it best, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” While others walk away when we are at our worst or even in our deepest time of need, Christ moves in! I can count the many footsteps of those who have walked out of my life; I listen quietly until I can’t hear the steps any more. Each step represents a memory fading. Yet, as I gain wisdom, I’m learning that Christ collects those forgotten footsteps on His way to me! It’s in the middle where things get real! It’s the season of “Be still and know He is God.” This time builds inner strength and knowledge that God is the only One we can truly rely on…never is a funny word!

Never is a funny word!…thank you Lord for demonstrating perfectly the true definition of “never” when you said that you would never leave us nor abandon us. Thank you for sacrificing yourself while we were still sinners even though we fail to do the same for our brothers and sisters. May we develop a deeper understanding that you alone are our only true source. May you unveil our eyes and allow us to see what you see. May we seek those you came to save and may you use us to make disciples for your Kingdom. May we never forget your sacrifice, love, grace, forgiveness, and mercy so we may pour that same love onto your people and those close to us…never is a funny word!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Christian Armetta

Embracing Shadows

Romans 12:10

¹⁰Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.

hand shadow

[Interpretive Vision]

Selective attention has caused an irrelevance while I still dance around you. Affirmation, confirmation, and praise flow like milk and honey powering your soul but the engine is the silent prayer filling the war room. Spiritual warfare unleashed repelling spirits causing hypocrisy, pride, and gossip rotting the soil beneath your feet while the Promised Land remained in plain sight. Some will see the glory while others choose to remain enslaved.

We walked hand in hand until the land became more visible. Did the giants frighten you? Why? Don’t let go! I only see milk and honey. The giants cannot harm you. Please keep walking and hold my hand. The excuses are generic and strengthen the enemy’s cause. Time is but an illusion as the sun stands still over the horizon. Distance is but a mirage as both forces attract closing the gap.

Two forces are observed as we reach the divide. Angels are heard worshiping the Lord as the battle for souls intensifies. Satan lifts his baton and draws human praise to prepare for the battle. Personal accolades are his armrest; prideful commentaries are his footrest; and bitter hearts are his crown. You turn around and remain in the desert.

I’m left embracing shadows.

Dear friends,

Continue in love just as our Savior, Jesus Christ, loved us and died for us while we were still sinners. I am burdened, and have been lately, over the hypocrisy and lack of love we demonstrate to our fellow neighbors especially those we call brothers and sisters in Christ. I am beyond thankful that Jesus left the ninety-nine to find the one that was lost. Sadly, our flesh encourages us to do the complete opposite – even as believers.

When wounded, inflicted, and/or oppressed, we leave the one and cling to the ninety-nine wrapping ourselves tightly in gossip and pain. Bitterness finds yourself doing the complete opposite of Romans 12:10. Excuses pave the wave for increased distance and a darkened heart. Expressions of love are replaced with irritation, fear, pride, comparison, anger, disappointment, resentment, and excuses. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, He gave us the greatest example of “outdoing one another in showing honor!” The very men who would deny and run away were the very feet being honored!

I firmly believe that one reason the disciples continued in the ways of the Lord was because their feet were honored and blessed by the Savior. He “outdid” them in perfect humility and loved even though Jesus knew they would disappoint Him at one time or another.

So…it’s time to outdo in love and bless those around you. Bless the hands, feet, mouths, ears of those around you. We must stop cursing one another by our actions and words in the name of excuses and bitterness. There may be some in your life that release your hand while speaking death as they turn away; yet, I will always be embracing shadows in love. The power is in your hands. In fact, it’s in your mouth; speak life and love as Jesus does!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on October 7, 2019 by Christian Armetta

Wilderness Warrior

Matthew 4:8-11

Jesus Is Tested in the Wilderness

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

¹¹Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

surrender to Jesus

If those without spiritual authority are forced to bow to the Messiah, then what’s stopping you? Pride! This passage above is everything! I would love to dissect every piece of Matthew 4:1-11 but I’m especially pierced by these verses above.

When Satan failed two other times in this passage, he decided to pull out all the stops…so he thought. He made another fatal mistake! He lifted Jesus above the worldly kingdoms and offered them as a reward for worshiping Lucifer himself. However, My King knew something the devil has failed to understand to this date. The only way to true worship is not elevating ourselves above anything…but on our faces in pure submission and obedience to the one and only King.

I would like to think that Jesus looked around at all those worldly kingdoms and saw dust, rust, and decay while Satan tried to paint over them with shimmer and glitter; Jesus knew and saw right through it!

My Jesus might have even thought, “I might be hungry and we’ve been out here for a really long time, but I’m never trading my Father’s house for these things!” For it also says in Matthew 21 that Jesus calls His Father’s house a “house of prayer.” Jesus was not interested in these earthy buildings no matter how pretty or tall! He clearly showed us that the Father’s house is made up of prayerful worship not fancy things this world can offer.

Matthew 6:19-20 even says, “Don’t collect for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But collect for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.”

However, this ploy is still working today! Satan continues to pick us up and show us our own kingdoms and ask us the same question! Why then are you contemplating the answer? Your response should be that of Jesus’, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Ah! and then…Read, Set, Go! Then ministering angels flooded the land to attend to Him! Why wouldn’t Father God do the same for His inherited children?

Remember, you are a co-heir, worthy, purposed, loved, friend of God, child of God, justified, redeemed, set free, accepted, saint, made new, sealed, seated, chosen. Our Wilderness Warrior, King Jesus, knew the answers to defending the biggest enemy and we should be paying attention!

Our flesh and this world will always attempt to lift you off your feet; it’s “prettier” up there, right?! Wrong! It is an atmospheric mirage. The only place to receive true peace and freedom is bowing before, head down, the one and only King Jesus. The greater the submission, the deeper the relationship.

[Interpretive Message]

holy spirit coming down

You press my spirit but the flesh taunts your gesture. You never give up and patiently await my submission. Days may pass but you walk in step wishing to hold my hand. You reach for my face but something else has caught my eye. The second hand ticking at my wrist tightens the worldly shackles. Worldly position has only increased deadlines and personal responsibilities which appear to mimic pack mentality as it laughs in unison. It hurls insults of which it learned from listening to the world, “You’re a loser! You’ll never win! You aren’t as smart as him/her! Your spiritual gifts aren’t as useful and supernatural as hers. Why do you even try?” The lure of these worldly kingdoms begin to elevate my heels as my thoughts take me higher and higher.

But then…the Word of the living God floods through like a rushing army. Taking every thought captive through the Sword of the Spirit centers me and peace lace my stance. My eyes are unveiled and I see arrows bending under the force that surrounds me. The heavens are opened and my knees buckle. Warrior angels stream out with weapons of song, truth, and praise. A battle ensues but my face in planted firmly in the ground. Prayer and worship have replaced egocentrism. This world along with religionism is not my master and feathers have slowly fallen to shield me. As my face melts deeper into the ground, I feel His touch and He says, “Welcome! I’ve been waiting for this moment.”

Challenge: Dear believers, the enemy has no choice than to fall down and worship the King. You hold spiritual authority by housing the Holy Spirit in your body but have failed to truly worship by doing the same. What is stopping you? It’s time to get on your face daily. Ask the Holy Spirit to free you from the things that keep your nose in the air and your heels elevated: pride, envy, untamed tongue, lust, anger, revenge, unforgiveness, idolatry.

Note: Please seek and purchase the book How to Worship a King by Zach Neese.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Christian Armetta

Words & Worship

Psalm 19:14

¹⁴May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

sky praise

I just love this passage! God draws me to this verse when my thoughts do not match His and when my words begin to get out of line. This is so important to me that a dear friend from college framed this verse for me decades ago as a graduation gift; it remains on my desk at work to this day.

I am reminded of a very important truth each day when I walk into my office and see this verse staring right back at me. First, my words and thoughts must line up with the God I say I love. As a believer, we are most certainly called to a higher standard. This means that my thoughts – the things I meditate on – must truly be God-honoring. Secondly, my words have eternal impact; they can speak life or death. I must make sure that the words that spring forth are filled and laced with love so that others may be drawn to the Father instead of repelled.

Sadly, some of us appear to understand how to worship the King but fail to love his brother or sister with our words and thoughts out of the same mouth and heart. We are good at raising our hands in worship and lifting our voices but gossip taints the entrance to the throne room. We are good at saying eloquent prayers but the outline of our hearts are burning with bitterness and a haughty spirit. We are good at asking for personal forgiveness while we continue to accuse and imprison our neighbors.

The problem is…this doesn’t match! This is a heart problem. James 3:10 says, “Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers, this should not happen.” This pains me greatly especially when it comes from fellows believers.

Often times, we are looking for attacks to originate from the other side of the battlefield; however, do not be surprised when the fiery darts come from your own camp…aimed right at your back. This is why it is so important to pray a hedge of protection around you along with Psalm 91. Specifically verse 5 says, “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day.”

This is also why it is very important to be a part of a community that you can trust and who will always go to battle for you; life groups are a great way to build this kind of true support. I encourage you to find a group that you can build strong relationships, take off those masks, and build chords of trust. Trust is critical when it comes to the foundation of these groups. Gossip and failure to hold confidence have the potential to create lifelong relational fractures. Spiritual integrity is paramount.

Finally, I strongly encourage you to always filter your thoughts and words through the Holy Spirit. May you think and speak encouragement and never gossip. May you marinate your words and thoughts with love instead of bitterness and revenge. May you walk in humility and dance in the freedom that being a true servant provides. May you marry true acts and words of worship with your daily life so that freedom may spring forth around you.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Christian Armetta

Mirror Neurons

2 Corinthians 3:18

¹⁸We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.

jesus_in_our_eyes

I had the opportunity to speak to a group in our community this week on memory strategies. This presentation always starts with a fun lecture on neuroanatomy. Every time I prepare for this presentation, I see God’s fingerprints all over the complexities of the human brain; it truly takes my breath away. God’s handiwork over the human body is truly speechless. I thoroughly enjoy studying and sharing this knowledge with my patients and the community around me.

Also during this week, I was listening to a podcast by Rick Warren who mentioned “mirror neurons.” I thought, “What irony!!” This occurred on the same day that I gave my presentation on neuroanatomy, memory function, and nerve health. The Holy Spirit was prompting me to pay attention and I knew there was obviously a lesson in all of it. When the Creator whispers, you must listen. The life lesson I learned was far-reaching and I most certainly had to share!

You see, mirror neurons respond to actions that we see in others. [STOP!] Let that soak in for a moment. We are truly hardwired by God Himself to nearly imitate or at least emulate the things closest to us and especially the things we focus on. This is why it is so critical to focus on God!

There’s a reason why Hebrews tells us to fix our eyes on Christ…

Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ²fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

AH! fixing your eyes on the things of this world will truly make you mirror those exact things! Your brain can’t help it so you must avoid it!

~When you fix your eyes on materialism, your mirror neurons can’t help but reflect the filth of this world through your actions and speech to others. You lose empathy, wisdom, discernment and compassion for others. You only see things that falsely fill your personal “want tank.” Egocentrism becomes your idol and you sacrifice those you once held dear for the things of this world. You are consumed by this world which prevents you from being transformed by the renewing of your mind.

~When you fix your eyes on pride, your mirror neurons can’t help but reflect the evil through your tone and discord ensues. You speak critically of others and lose the type of love Christ demands that we show to all. You see yourself as the Queen of your world; however, your empire is built on human praise that will eventually fall. Your eyes are veiled and you miss the pain all around you. Hurting souls are crying out but the “I” in your ear is deafening. Your worship is tainted as it is filtered through unthankfulness, anger, bitterness, hypocrisy, control, fear, obsession, and envy.

~When you fix your eyes on gossip, your mirror neurons can’t help but reflect the power of death in your tongue for Proverbs 18:21 confirms this very truth. In fact, this verse also states that you will ‘mirror’ (eat) the fruits of your speech. Your false empowerment is also temporary as this too shall fall. The darkest side of your tongue becomes your weapon of choice. Edification is replaced with condemnation. The black hole inside of you vacuums light around you. You are incapable of speaking love and disunity grows around you until spiritual suffocation is complete.

BUT GOD…!

~When you fix your eyes on Jesus, your mirror neurons can’t help but worship! You and all of creation can’t help but sing praises to the King. Your entire body comes into alignment with the perfection of Christ. You desire all things pure and holy. Your fruits sprout and grow in the fertilizer of the King. There is no doubt that love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flow from His endless river onto all those around you.

This is why it’s so important to put on the full armor of God each and every day. Ask the Father in heaven to dress you as you would your child. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus. The only way to do that is to focus on Him in turn mirroring His every action.

It’s “spiritual neurology” my friends! Your brain is hardwired to mirror the very things you place in front of you. If it’s worldly, you will look like it, talk like it and vomit evil like it. If it’s of God, you will shine like it, love like it and speak life like it. I challenge you to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal these things to you during your prayer time. Allow the Holy Spirit to surgically remove these evils in your life so that you may reflect His holiness.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on July 15, 2019July 15, 2019 by Christian Armetta

Goals

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

saying goodbye

I was reminded today that my goals are not your goals but they all must match God’s goals! You see, in a matter of three weeks, I will lose another spiritual sharpener. I almost can’t even type without the sound of tear-soaked keys. People come and go, but you are never prepared to let those very dear to you leave the close perimeter of your life especially when you have witnessed such spiritual metamorphosis in such a soul.