Promises – Page 5 – My Deliverer

Posted on December 16, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Committed

Nehemiah 4:7-14

⁷When Sanballat, Tobiah, and the Arabs, Ammonites, and Ashdodites heard that the repair to the walls of Jerusalem was progressing and that the gaps were being closed, they became furious. ⁸They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and throw it into confusion. ⁹So we prayed to our God and stationed a guard because of them day and night.

¹⁰In Judah, it was said:

The strength of the laborer fails,
since there is so much rubble.
We will never be able
to rebuild the wall.

¹¹And our enemies said, “They won’t know or see anything until we’re among them and can kill them and stop the work.” ¹²When the Jews who lived nearby arrived, they said to us time and again, “Everywhere you turn, they attack us.” ¹³So I stationed people behind the lowest sections of the wall, at the vulnerable areas. I stationed them by families with their swords, spears, and bows. ¹⁴After I made an inspection, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials, and the rest of the people, “Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the great and awe-inspiring Lord, and fight for your countrymen, your sons and daughters, your wives and homes.”

commitment

I received such encouragement from this passage. Nehemiah was under great oppression and discouragement that we would have given our complete empathy and understanding if he had decided to quit. Nehemiah was facing opposition from within his own community and most certainly from outside his tribe. Yet, his drive to continue in the face of dire opposition come from the Lord. We can learn a lot from this!

God spoke to Nehemiah and nothing was going to stand in his way from accomplishing this God-sized task. We learn, however, that the road was not easy. Many came against him, and it would have been easy to question God’s plan. My prayer is that we stand firm on the solid rock of our Savior and press forward when called accordingly.

Nehemiah 2:17-20 says, ¹⁷So I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins and its gates have been burned down. Come, let’s rebuild Jerusalem’s wall, so that we will no longer be a disgrace.” ¹⁸I told them how the gracious hand of my God had been on me,and what the king had said to me.

They said, “Let’s start rebuilding,” and they were encouraged to do this good work.

¹⁹When Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard about this, they mocked and despised us, and said, “What is this you’re doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”

²⁰I gave them this reply, “The God of heaven is the One who will grant us success. We, His servants, will start building, but you have no share, right, or historic claim in Jerusalem.”

Nehemiah did not rest upon his own strength or his own understanding. His strength came from the Lord. Therefore, no level of spiritual oppression was going to stand in his way. When pressed on all sides, how do you react? Do you crumble in your own strength or stand firm on the solid rock of Christ?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on December 6, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Audience

Acts 16:25-30

²⁵But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; ²⁶and suddenly there came a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison house were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened.²⁷When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. ²⁸But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”²⁹And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, ³⁰and after he brought them out, he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

listening

For starters, I’m highly impressed that Paul and Silas were still awake at midnight. I would have been in my third dream by then. Secondly, I’m even more impressed that they were having an all out worship service in the middle of their prison cell at this hour…all joking aside…we can learn some valuable lessons in this passage.

I was touched to the core after reading this passage today. During seasons of trials, our human nature tends to offer security in self-pity and seclusion. However, we see both Paul and Silas doing quite the opposite – praising during their storm. Not only were they beaten with rods and imprisoned unfairly, they were also chained within the inner prison and guarded fiercely. I cannot fathom – honestly.

Yet, we are given a beautiful example of giving God the glory in all our circumstances – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Here, not only do we learn how to praise during the storms of life, we also learn a very valuable lesson in being Christ-like examples. In the passage above, we see that Paul and Silas were praying and singing…”and the prisoners were listening to them.” How many times do those around us listen to our complaints instead of words of praise when we are in valley? [Convicted-yes I am]

Paul and Silas demonstrated one of God’s greatest promises – He works all things for good for those who love Him.

In the midst of their storm, they praised!

In the midst of their storm, people listened!

In the midst of their storm, God arrived!

In the midst of their storm, they ministered!

In the midst of their storm, people were saved!

I have been challenged to be this kind of disciple for Christ. We do NOT want to miss an opportunity to minister, share, and deliver through our Savior Jesus Christ. May God receive all the honor and praise while we are on the mountaintops and while we are in the valleys. The lesson remains the same – people are always watching and listening. Our actions and words should remain consistent – always pointing to Christ.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on November 27, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Things Above

Colossians 3:1-11

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

⁵Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ⁷You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. ⁹Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ¹⁰and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.¹¹Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

walking in freedom

I’m walking in a minefield of worldly intentions! Each step marred with the grasps of evildoers. Jealousy, pride, and unforgiveness appear to cushion my gait one step at a time attempting to regain my focus away from Christ. The veil is lifted and the sense of sure-footedness is in fact deception. The pillow of lies masks the reality of treading on bones and nails – death! The environment quickly unravels into spiritual war.

The Holy Spirit assists me in tightly securing my feet with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Laced with authority and a readiness that is strengthened through Christ’s promise, dry bones are made alive again. The deceived now becomes the warrior. As I set my gaze firmly on the cross, the things of this world begin to cascade off my joints freeing a once frozen soul. Spiritual freedom abounds and Christ is gloried throughout the land.

Dear friends, I strongly encourage you to read and meditate on this passage. How does this passage speak to you? Does the world still have a stronghold in your life? Most of us would say, “Absolutely not!” However, if we truly dissected our daily lives, most of us would find many examples of worldly living. In fact, we would find more than fragments of this world embedding into our soul, we would find large pieces that represent such things mentioned in this passage: evil desires, rage, greed, and filthy language to name a few.

Does this make us bad? Actually, this makes us a sinner in need of Christ’s redemption! We must take off the mask of deception. As believers, we must still take up our cross daily. We make choices every single day. These choices not only impact our witness but they either build up or tear down the temple of God. I encourage you to evaluate what you give permission into your life. Rebuke the excuses and set your feet firmly on the Rock!

Question: Is there anything in your life that you need to release to Christ?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on November 23, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Salty

Matthew 5:13

¹³“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

salt and light

I had a dear friend return from a mission trip in Peru. Days after her return, these words rang loud and clear as she exclaimed, “I cannot readjust to the ‘luxury’ of this life we have!” This is someone who is describing living in a rural town lacking many amenities. Yet, my friend had an encounter. She saw the face of true poverty and need, and God melted her heart instantly. She used her spiritual gifts in a mighty way. She was uninhibited because she was set free! She tasted God’s presence and it wasn’t about the things of this life. Instead, it was about being His example.

The things we often complain about are in fact bathed in richness when we look at them through God’s eyes. This is exactly what happened to my friend. Her eyes were unveiled to a believer’s real purpose on this earth – to be the salt and light wherever we are.

You do not have to travel to a third world country to be needed nor do you have to travel very far to see the blessings around you. No matter where you are, you have a purpose. We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I pray that we see His plans unfold through our lives as we touch those around us.

I am afraid that these “luxuries” have masked our perceptual reality. Everything is relative and Satan knows how to deceive us with this very thing. You may be looking at your neighbor who just purchased an expensive car and think, “That’s the example of luxury.” Yet, there is someone looking at you saying the same thing because you simply have running water, indoor plumbing, and electricity [think about it].

Satan has done a good job distracting you from the main thing – being the hands and feet of Christ – being salty. We spend an exorbitant amount of time comparing ourselves to others and to that I say -“Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:23).

Today, as we celebrate Thanksgiving. I am beyond thankful to my family and friends. Above all things, I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, who died on a cross to take away my sins. Even more, he walked out of His tomb three days later holding the keys to life and death – victoriously! There is no greater story! I pray we remain focused on Christ in order to be salt and light to those around us. You lose your saltiness and flavor when you start focusing on yourself and listening to the lies of the devil. Give thanks to the Lord for His faithfulness and mercy in forgiving us. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (James 4:8)

Question: Are you salty for Christ?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on November 9, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Lens

Isaiah 1:18-20

¹⁸“Come now, let’s settle this,”
    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.
Though they are red like crimson,
    I will make them as white as wool.
¹⁹If you will only obey me,
    you will have plenty to eat.
²⁰But if you turn away and refuse to listen,
    you will be devoured by the sword of your enemies.
    I, the Lord, have spoken!”

God's eyes

Obedience through faith allows freedom from sin. Only the Father can transform crimson into white. There is no magic involved for only Satan is the author of deception. This transformation occurs through the lens of God’s Son Jesus Christ. As the Father looks upon His children, He sees purity because His lens (i.e., Jesus) is perfection and sanctification. We should walk in victory daily knowing that God has removed this burden of guilt and shame.

Psalm 103:12, “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.”

Psalm 32:1-2, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. ²Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

Therefore, resist the devil in Jesus name and he will flee from you so says the Lord (James 4:7). Satan is well aware that your mind is the battlefield. Remain strong, stand firm, and shelter in the Most High. “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).

When you begin to feel ashamed, silenced, and restrained by the thoughts of your past transgressions, use the Sword of the Spirit to claim your victory over the evil one and walk in triumph for your Father in heaven sees you beautifully cleansed through the lens of His Son as white as snow!

Question: Do you struggle with forgiving yourself? Release the evil spirits of guilt and shame by calling out to the Lord. He will rescue you.

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on October 23, 2017 by Christian Armetta

Provider

Genesis 22:1-2; 7-14

Some time later, God tested Abraham’s faith. “Abraham!” God called. “Yes,” he replied. “Here I am.” ²“Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.”

⁷Isaac turned to Abraham and said, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “We have the fire and the wood,” the boy said, “but where is the sheep for the burnt offering?” ⁸“God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son,” Abraham answered. And they both walked on together. ⁹When they arrived at the place where God had told him to go, Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. Then he tied his son, Isaac, and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. ¹⁰And Abraham picked up the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. ¹¹At that moment the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”

“Yes,” Abraham replied. “Here I am!”

¹²“Don’t lay a hand on the boy!” the angel said. “Do not hurt him in any way, for now I know that you truly fear God. You have not withheld from me even your son, your only son.” ¹³Then Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in a thicket. So he took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering in place of his son. ¹⁴Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means “the Lord will provide”).

walk