Posted on December 15, 2024 by Christian Armetta

Created. Cried. Crucified.

~He created.

Genesis 1:1-3, “And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.”

~He cried.

Luke 2:11-12, “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

~He was crucified.

Luke 23:33-34, “When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals – one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

HE CREATED

In the beginning, there was silence—a silence that stretched over the vast emptiness, formless and void. Then, out of that silence came a voice, rich and resonant, breaking the stillness with a single command: “Let there be light.” And light burst forth, flooding the darkness, painting creation with its first brushstrokes. That voice spoke again and again through resonant rippling, calling stars to shine, oceans to surge, and life to spring forth in all its beauty and diversity. Each word was a masterpiece, a deliberate act of love shaping the universe.

God’s voice carried power, but it also carried intimacy. When He formed humanity, He didn’t just speak; He breathed. Yet even then, His voice continued to echo through the hearts of His creation, a melody inviting them into communion with Him.

One sound changed everything.

HE CRIED

Generations passed, and the world longed to hear that voice again. Oppression, war, and hopelessness overwhelmed fragile hearts. Then, one night, under the canopy of stars, the voice returned—not in thunder or flame, but in the fragile cry of a newborn. Jesus, the Word made flesh, had come.

His first cry pierced the quiet of the manger, announcing His arrival not to kings or empires but to shepherds and humble hearts. The sound of heaven lying in a manger. Heaven leaned close as the Creator entered His creation, and the voice that spoke the world into existence now spoke in the vulnerable tones of an infant, signaling hope and redemption. Darkness trembled and armies amassed at the break of the infant’s war cry. Heaven declared: The King has arrived!

One sound changed everything.

HE WAS CRUCIFIED

As Jesus grew, His voice healed, taught, delivered, conquered, commanded, forgave, and loved. But His ultimate mission would be fulfilled not in the sound of His teaching but in the silence of His suffering.

On a hill called Golgotha, the voice that had once cried in the manger was now silent, replaced by the chilling rhythm of hammers driving nails into wood. Each strike echoed through eternity, a horrific sound that continues to ripple into the far reaches of God’s creation. The nails that pinned Him to the cross signified humanity’s sin and God’s unyielding love.

The devil’s army salivated at the wounded Christ. When all hope seemed lost, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” The power of His voice, again, shattered the barrier between heaven and earth. The ground trembled, the veil in the temple tore, and death itself began to unravel. What seemed like defeat to the world was, in truth, a victory. The rhythmic sounds of those hammers proclaimed that sin had been conquered and death had lost its sting.

One sound changed everything.

And so, from the first word of creation to the final cry on the cross, God’s voice has spoken a singular message: love. It’s a voice that calls, comforts, and redeems. It’s a voice that invites us to listen, to respond, and to live in the fullness of His grace…EVEN TODAY…FOR HE IS ALIVE.

May you find God’s greatest gift this Christmas: love. You won’t find it under a tree; rather, love is the man who hung on one.

Merry Christmas.

Christian Armetta

Posted on November 10, 2024November 10, 2024 by Christian Armetta

Weeping Willow

Psalm 34:18

¹⁸The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.

John 11:33

³³When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.

Ecclesiastes 3:4

⁴a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

When I lived in Plano, Texas, my family and I would take long evening walks between neighborhoods admiring God’s creation. The dusky horizon not only softened to pastel hues but heightened the colors from ground to sky. We always admired the manicured lawns, sculptured shrubs, and perfectly planted trees. Let’s be honest, my yard was not one of them, but we had fun admiring others. Some afternoon outings involved slow walks discussing unique home architecture while others involved roller-skating with friends. While roller-skating, the only topic of conversation included ways to keep my wife from falling and breaking her arm. A word of warning – do not try to “walk” your dog while on roller-skates [yes, insert laughing now].

Most yards were adorned with a variety of trees and plants projecting God’s masterpiece through difference, diversity, and color. One tree, in particular, always garnered my attention. The long, slender limbs of the weeping willow sparked my interest and imagination. This tree droops gracefully toward the ground, resembling the way water droplets might fall or tears might run down, evoking a gentle, sorrowful look; what a stark contrast from the others. This drooping effect, combined with its often contemplative stance, inspired the name “weeping” for this type of tree.

Despite its beauty, my memory is scorned with a gentle warning. You see, my father-in-law has a Ph.D. in horticultural sciences from LSU. He often said, “Don’t ever plant a weeping willow so close to your house like the ones you see here. Their roots are invasive causing cracked foundations, ruptured pipes, and broken sidewalks.” Thus, most avoid these trees altogether.

In a world where people tend to project upward emotions like a cypress or maple, my eyes are drawn to the wounded, downcast, and sorrowful like the weeping willow. Sadly, most of us are conditioned to either look away, ignore, or avoid. We become so preoccupied with our own lives that we fail to see our neighbor’s limbs succumbing to its own weight. Before long, his limbs arch ever so closely to the ground with irreparable downward projections. We walk by failing to notice the sadness despite the outward downcast appearance and cries.

This symbolic association with sadness is exactly what Jesus sought to heal. He could see a downcast soul despite a cheerful exterior. Jesus reached down and picked up the limbs of the lowly through healing, deliverance, freedom, and salvation. Mark 2:17 (NIV) says, “Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.'” Psalm 34:18 says, “Jesus is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

As believers, we are called to walk with kingdom focus, purpose, and mindfulness; this includes keeping an eye out for the brokenhearted. As I continue to reflect on the symbolism, I remember my father-in-law also saying, “Weeping willows aggressively seek water.” In fact, one could say they love water. This is one main reason why they disrupt pipes underground. Their roots grow rapidly, in all directions, seeking water for growth. This is why most are planted near bodies of water or very moist soil.

One of Jesus’s main characteristics includes being “living water.” Those who trust in Him will thirst no more [John 5:35]. In a broken world, it is our responsibility as Christ’s ambassadors to give living water. This means we have to actually be looking for opportunities. Also, we cannot give what we do not have.

~Listen with empathy

~Offer encouragement

~Intercede with prayer

~Encourage fellowship

~Be patient

~Extend compassion

I am fully confident that you have been a weeping willow at one time or another. In fact, I can say with 100% certainty that everyone will experience this at least once in their lifetime. Your roots dug deep but found dry land. Blinded by darkness, you fanned out further for any drop of solace yet there was none. Your limbs dropped even further blanketing the grass like a heavy coat. If you did not know any differently, you would have believed that you were planted in the desert. I am here to say – I see you and hear you. Most importantly, I am here to offer an endless abundance of living water through Jesus Christ; come and drink from His fountain.

Lesson: Go and sit under someone’s weeping willow…listen, encourage, and pray; their roots will thank you.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on November 1, 2020 by Christian Armetta

Inside Out

1 Samuel 16:7

⁷But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.”

[Interpretive]

You call from the heavens like a burst of light reaching deep within my soul. I listen to your voice and follow your lead; my steps are guided and ordered by your lamp. You sent a spoken seed and dropped it deep within my heart. A warrior stands guard day and night protecting your breath as it sprouts and begins to grow. Your very presence provides the right amount of light activating the cells within; it cannot fail because you spoke it.

However, the enemy can see it growing now, Lord. The evil one fires off darts in hopes of destroying the anointing. I see the fire in his eyes – one, two, three flaming arrows are released before I can blink. The first arrow screams “failure” as it flies through the air. The shield of faith extinguishes the arrow without any trace of residue. The second arrow howls “fear” as it bolts through the air. Yet, the sword of the spirit cuts it down with ease. The third arrow was the largest and fastest in Satan’s bag. He released it and it laughs “rejection” as it soars straight for my soul. Yet, it turned around and headed back to its owner shortly after it was released.

“Lord?,” I asked, “What happened to the third arrow? I saw your helper destroy the first two, but why did the third turn around?” The Lord replied, “My son, rejection is the strongest of all condemning fiery darts. Yet, you are the righteousness of Christ – washed in my blood. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to feel rejected by man in hopes that you would feel rejected by Me…but look at these hands and look at my feet. My blood was poured out for all to bring salvation, atonement, righteousness, justice, favor, grace, mercy, healing, and power. This arrow saw Me in you and had no other choice than to turn around and to be destroyed.”

Challenge:

~May God’s light transform you from the inside out.

~May you truly know how God feels about you each and every day.

~Do not spend all your time trying to win the approval of humans.

~Keep your eyes fixed on Christ and live a transformed life from the inside out.

~Life will definitely throw you some curve balls and disappointments especially after the Holy Spirit drops a word (i.e., seed) into your soul. Take heart and do not be afraid! Be courageous and walk in stride with the Lord as your shepherd. You will see that word come to fruition in a complete and bountiful harvest.

~No matter what your senses are telling you…trust only what God reveals…and remember – you are a child of the King, a warrior, a powerhouse for the Kingdom! Be blessed.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 1 Comment

Aftermath

Psalm 119:105

¹⁰⁵Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

The Living Bible translation: ¹⁰⁵Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling.

I must say…reading the Bible in complete darkness while juggling a flashlight in hand might be my new favorite thing! Let’s start from the beginning. I live in southwest Louisiana where our entire community was not simply smacked but rather steam-rolled by hurricane Laura one week ago. While many were sleeping or carrying on with their day-to-day activities across the globe, the residents of southwest Louisiana were witnessing deep-rooted trees with long history slowly falling to the ground and some on top of homes in the middle of the night. The moonlight struck the fierce winds in almost a strobe-like cadence. The sights were both frightening and hypnotizing. Hundreds of thousands are now left with complete destruction: electricity, water, shelter, and food.

So…I sit here, in the middle of my kitchen, reading my Bible where the flashlight leads. I started reading The One Year Bible many months ago; yet, things are different now. I’ve lost the conveniences of lights, air-conditioning, resources, and time. The only thing I can hear is the roar of generators as the darkness battles against all the senses. Based on our recent events, the Bible has become more real to me than anything else in my life. My most recent reading passage brought me across Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I literally broke down!

You see, I could only read as the flashlight led. I needed to see this – we all do. So many promises rushed into my mind blanketing my thoughts like a warm embrace. What overwhelmed me the most was basking in the Word as it “came to light.” Normally when we read, our brains are able to anticipate words (i.e., language) and look ahead for comprehension and contextual clues if you will. This is how we put sentences and paragraphs together for understanding.

Yet, while reading in complete darkness with a flashlight, I realized this was much harder. I simply couldn’t look ahead; I couldn’t anticipate what was next. I had to rely on what I could see in that very moment – Ah! What life application! Psalm 119:105 says it very clearly, “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling.” It IS that simple. While I finished reading for that evening, I was also reminded that while things around me/us appear to be in utter chaos, God is truly in control! He is truly with us. The loss of my conveniences do not compare to those around the world.

~I’m reminded of families in southeast Asia learning to read while sitting on dirt floors just wishing they had indoor plumbing and electricity.

~I’m reminded of African children walking miles to school while carrying water to and from struggling to survive.

~I’m reminded of missionaries in war-torn Middle Eastern countries sacrificing their lives to bring the Good News to a thirsty population.

~I’m reminded of the small communities along the Amazon River who fight flood waters seasonally and have to rebuild often.

I know we do not have to look very far to be reminded of our many blessings. However, as we rebuild in southwest Louisiana, I do pray that we never forget that God is with us just as it was illuminated in Joshua 1:9. We will rebuild stronger than before because God is our Banner – Jehovah Nissi – and our cornerstone. May God bless those who have lost so much and are dealing with the aftermath. May He open our eyes to the hurting and may God be glorified in the serving.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on August 10, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Trial by Senses

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.

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 July 20, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Keeping Pace

Sports background. Runner feet running on road closeup on shoe.

I’ve had the distinct pleasure of running with some super stars! No, they do not hold world records in track and field nor do they wear Olympic medals around their necks. Yet, they will beat you any day of the week. Anne Rudd, Summer Bailey, and Hannalize Slate are some of the fiercest, strongest, and fastest runners I’ve been around.

One time or another, I have either trained or run a long distance race with these ladies in particular. I learned very quickly that I could not keep their fierce pace. No matter what I did, how long I trained, and how hard I tried…my pace was not their pace. I became very content in cheering them on as they sprinted off knowing they would be at the finish line encouraging me in the end.

Life is but a race! The faster we learn this…the better off we will be. My race is not their race, and your race is not mine! One of my devotions recently referenced Galatians 5:25, “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Whoa!…I immediately saw racers’ feet. My mind was the only thing sprinting. I had flashbacks of the many races I had run with so many different friends and family members along the way. The goal is to simply finish, but you always want to achieve a personal record. Each runner knows deep down that he or she cannot run another person’s race; he can only encourage. Each race is marked by the individual feet that strike the pavement.

So the question then becomes…how many of you are trying to keep pace with your friend’s spirituality, your neighbor’s spiritual gifts, or your spouse’s journey instead of keeping in step with the Holy Spirit? Just as in a real race, the journey is much more enjoyable and teachable when you focus on your own race, your own pace, and your own journey instead of keeping “out of pace” with others. Then, and only then, are you able to actually cheer, encourage, and see the blessings.

Enemy forces want nothing more than for you to believe that you are missing something! If you cannot “keep in step” with your friend’s spirituality, for example, then you are actually off course. What a lie! Your heavenly Father wants nothing more than to take you on your own personal journey – just for you to bring full honor back to Him. When your focus is on Christ, you are not worried about who is in front or behind you! In fact, you will spend your time cheering and encouraging those around you to finish their race strong too. Hebrews 12:2 tells us to fix our eyes of Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith! There is absolutely no human being who can give you this promise.

So I encourage you today my brothers and sisters. Get out there and run your spiritual race! Cheer on those “Boston qualifiers” of spiritually because we need them! We need those fast-paced racers who can charge through the pavement and get to the next task that God has prepared. These warriors prepare the way as God leads! Go ahead and cheer on the “fast walkers” too. These are the dear saints that give us the biggest cheers and encouragement along the way. We need you when we feel defeated in life and tormented. We need your prayers and attention to detail. Say thank you for the “interval runners” for these believers know when to sprint and when to walk. They know how to hit the enemy square in the jaw in mighty prayer but they also know how to pray quietly in the spirit.

I pray that you find “your race” marked especially for you. May God’s peace fall fresh on you. I pray that our heavenly Father will bring all types of believers with many different gifts and talents alongside you to encourage you. We are truly one body in Christ. Through it all, keep only in pace with the Holy Spirit and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on June 21, 2020June 21, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Fighting With Faith

Exodus 14:10-14

¹⁰As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord. ¹¹They said to Moses, “Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die? What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt? ¹²Didn’t we say to you in Egypt, ‘Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians’? It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!”

¹³Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. ¹⁴The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Spiritual-Warefare

You get exactly what you see! Human eyes downloading the impossible. We cannot be too quick to judge the Israelites! Why? I’ve been there too. Your greatest fear chasing you down, and it’s breathing down your neck. You turn around and your human eyes are filled with despair, turmoil, anger, resentment, sadness, regret, and doom…it’s over.

A worldview through the lens of the soul will lead you to filter through your human mind, will, and emotions. The enemy you hear marching around the corner travels across the synapse of fear. This, my friend, is bondage.

A worldview through the lens of the Holy Spirit inside of you will lead you to filter through power and truth. The enemy you hear marching around the corner is nothing but an opportunity for God Almighty to fight for you; you need only to be still.

~When your back is up against the wall and you are truly trapped, be still.

~When you are out of answers and the world feels heavy, let the Lord fight for you.

~When the enemy marches insight and you hear their drums, stand firm and watch a miracle unfold before you.

~When the impossible laughs in your face, don’t blink because the waters open up and you’ll walk untouched as your enemy drowns.

Dear believers, we are more like the Israelites in this passage than we think. Many of you are facing battles or decisions that seem impossible. Some of you are wiping the spit off your face from the enemy shouting at you even now. Still, there are those few who believe the lie that it would be easier to just “turn back.” Oh dear brother and sister…faith!

I pray that you feel empowered today, even now, as you read this message to stand still as you face your enemy; let the Lord fight for you, and expect the impossible! May you be filled with the Holy Spirit and submit all authority of your soul and flesh under His power and truth. Live with eyes wide open and filtered through a spiritual lens. See everything through the promises of God. Surrender your mind, will, and emotions daily to the authority of the mighty Savior who lives inside of you and be lead by the Spirit. Smile knowing your back is never up against a wall when the Lord is your Shepherd. He will make a way and He is even able to create rivers in the dry wasteland.

Therefore, shout a hallelujah!…smile!…and sing!…in the the presence of your enemy knowing God has made a way where there is none! I am asking, even now, that you stand up, be still, and praise Him for making a way! Do you believe?

~Do you believe you will walk on dry land?

~Do you believe He will create rivers in the dry wasteland?

~Do you believe He can heal with just a word?

~Do you believe His name is that powerful?

~Do you believe your enemy will watch you prevail?

~Do you believe you will be delivered?

BE STILL…AND LET THE LORD FIGHT FOR YOU!

Challenge: It’s time for a spiritual adjustment! Spirit – Soul – Flesh. May you be filled, daily, with the Holy Spirit and submit to His control.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Christian Armetta · 2 Comments

Foundation Shaking Faith

Acts 16:16-34

Paul and Silas in Prison

¹⁶Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. ¹⁷She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” ¹⁸She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.

¹⁹When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. ²⁰They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar ²¹by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.”

²²The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. ²³After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

²⁵About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose. ²⁷The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”

²⁹The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³²Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. ³³At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized. ³⁴The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.

Holy Spirit Fire

~When chaos sounds his battle cry…sing songs of praise!

~When lies leap…pray!

~When bruised and beaten for believing…be still!

Oh this passage. This is truly one of my most favorite passages in the Bible. There are just so many lessons in this passage. Yet, I simply want to focus on the impact! – ground zero, foundation shaking, earth shifting, earthquake splitting – impact! You see, Paul and Silas were not complaining to each other about their unfair punishment. No, that’s not what you read. They didn’t use this time to validate the obvious – lies, torture, battered, and bruised. Instead, they exemplified what every Christian is called to do – consider it pure joy when you face various trials for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Following being beaten and chained…they prayed and sang.

But the impact…oh the ears that hear! Thank you Lord for speaking in such a time as this. Paul and Silas were not alone; their songs did not reverberate against cold stone walls and fall dead to the ground. No! These hymns penetrated earthly material like an arrow through a leaf! God’s truth dancing on the notes of hymns entered into the ears of the other prisoners. Nothing can stop a heart full of faith and truth, and nothing can stop holy spirit fire and power.

As their prayers and hymns filled the atmosphere, the foundation itself could no longer remain silent as it shook violently through the mighty hand of God…chain breaking, wall shaking, foundation swaying – FAITH. What happens next further intensifies the integrity of these believers – they stayed! Wait! Yes…they stayed! In fact, when the jailer woke up, he thought the prisoners had escaped and he was about to kill himself – but wait! “Don’t harm yourself,” Paul said, “We are all here!”

Be still…the true testament of peace is when you don’t run out of fear just because you see one opening…[pause]…that is speaking to someone even now. Can’t you just feel the blanket of peace as Paul and Silas prayed and sang those hymns? Broken chains and an opened door did not mean they were free to run – they were mission-minded which allowed them to be still and witness to the jailer. This act of faith resulted in an entire family receiving Jesus that night and being baptized, and don’t ever miss this…”he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.” A man just moments prior on the verge of suicide, lost without God, now filled with the joy of the Lord because two men who didn’t look at their pain, bruises, hurt, or situation; instead, they prayed, sang…and stayed!

Challenge: What doors are you running through without first being still and letting God do the impossible? This week, I challenge you to be mission-minded wherever you are! Sometimes we are seeking a quick exit when God just wants to shake the foundation you’re already on! I also encourage you to speak life in your marketplace of life. Don’t forget to pray and sing instead of grumble and complain for you never know who’s listening! May God Almighty be glorified in everything we do in word or deed.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

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 23, 2020 by Christian Armetta

Loved by God

Romans 8:37-39

³⁷No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God's love

Sometimes we just need a good reminder – not one single thing can separate you from the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. Look at what happened in Genesis 3:8-11 after the fall: ⁸Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ¹⁰He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” ¹¹And he said, “Who told you that you were naked?

Even from the very beginning, humans were the ones running from the love of God due to sin; however, God’s character never changed…He still chases after you and calls out your name?

~Can you hear Him?

~Do you know where He is?

We can carryover this lesson into all areas of our lives. What about fear? We know that God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind. Yet, you are paralyzed by the unknown and the weight is crushing. My dear believer, you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ who loved us and died for us, but how do we get from fear to faith and from concern to conqueror?…

~Peace be still~

My mind is weary and my thoughts battle for full control. Where are you Lord?

~”I’m here?”

But where? I don’t see you?

~”You’re not looking in the right place my child.”

I feel you in the breeze, and I feel your warmth in the sunrise, but where are you?

~”I’m here?”

But where? I don’t see you?

~”You’re not looking in the right place my child.”

I hear you in a newborn baby’s cry, and I know you know my every thought, but where are you…I need you now?

~”I’m here?”

But where? I don’t see you?

~”You’re not looking in the right place my child.”

My body is weak and the clock is laughing at me. I really could use your help, healing, and words of wisdom about now, Lord. Where are you?

~”I’m here?”

But where? I don’t see you?

~”You’re not looking in the right place my child.”

This is not how I envisioned my life to be Lord. I need you to rescue me, but where are you?

~I’m here my child…peace be still…look at me! No look down. I’ve been kneeling down here perfectly lacing up your ‘shoes of peace’ and praying over each loop as they crossed. Each lace loop cross reminded me of when I died on a wooden cross for you thousands of years ago. I smile at each lace crossing because I know nothing can separate you from my love! I’ve been watching over you since then and my love envelops you everywhere you go. So it’s time to stand up my child…shhh…peace be still. Do you see that enemy beneath you? With these shoes, you can trample anything as I have overcome the world and I live inside of you. Simply know that standing and walking in My peace will wipe away all darkness and fear.

May the Holy Spirit continue a mighty work in us and through us as we unite to pray for our family and friends. Thank you to Aimee A. and Sarah F. for being obedient in sharing your thoughts and prayers. Your words were used at just the right time to connect my missing pieces; the vision came to true life through the Holy Spirit. May God always be gloried in everything we do and say.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

My Deliverer

Tag: Jesus

Created. Cried. Crucified.

Weeping Willow

Psalm 34:18

John 11:33

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Inside Out

1 Samuel 16:7

Aftermath

Trial by Senses

Keeping Pace

Fighting With Faith

Exodus 14:10-14

Foundation Shaking Faith

Acts 16:16-34

Paul and Silas in Prison

In Your Wake

Mark 6:56

Loved by God

Romans 8:37-39

Psalm 34:18

John 11:33

Ecclesiastes 3:4

1 Samuel 16:7

Deuteronomy 31:6

Galatians 5:25

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Exodus 14:10-14

Acts 16:16-34

Paul and Silas in Prison

Mark 6:56

Romans 8:37-39