Press On-Friday Freedom

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 esv

God knows all the things we do not. Don’t let that frustrate you. Let that comfort you. Not only does Jesus know all that we do not; He knows the purposes behind everything. They are His purposes. God knows why you’re going through this pain. The Lord understands how losing a loved one will make you better. Jesus can see how your tragedies will eventually be your triumphs; if you just trust Him. God knows and God cares. Just trust Him!

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Even though I can't see 
And I can't feel your touch 
I will trust you lord 
How I love you so much 
Though my nights my seem long 
And I feel so alone 
Lord my trust is in you 
I surrender to You 

So many painful thoughts 
Travel through my mind 
And I wonder how 
I will make it through this time 

But I trust You 
Lord it's not easy 
Sometimes the pain in my life 
Makes You seem far away 
But I'll trust you 
I need to know you're here 
Through the tears and the pain 
Through the heartache and rain

I'll trust You!

~James Fortune

Press On-Thursday Thought

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 esv

Why are we so willing to endure for worldly things? We will give our last and our all for a bit of money, notoriety, and what we deem as success. We work all day to move up and/or get a promotion. We study relentlessly to get more letters behind our name. And especially around this time of year people are working out twelve times a day to look good for the summer. None of those things are bad in themselves. However one day the job will end, your degrees will not matter, and even your body will be worthless. Why, then, are we so unwilling to endure for Christ?

Living a godly life is the only work that will have eternal effects and rewards (1 Timothy 4:8). How horrible would it be for a believer to meet the Lord face to face and have nothing to show for his life? Quality job performance, education, and fitness are all important, but they must not be your highest priorities. Seek God's purpose. Ask the Spirit to show you how to forgive, trust, and love like Jesus does. Endure hardships knowing they will yield great, glorious, and eternal results. For eternal rewards from the Lord Jesus Christ, is there anything you are not willing to endure?

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Press On-Wednesday Word

“But He knows the way that I take;  When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”~ Job 23:10 NKJV

Nothing surprises God about your life. He knew about it and allowed it long ago. Yes, even those hard situations that you can not understand. He allowed those to enter your life. Why? So that you can be tried and tested. Job said He would come forth as gold. The only way for gold to be purified is through fire.

When precious metals are tried with fire the impurities are removed. Right now you may be experiencing a fire. Think about what Christ wants to remove from you. The situation you are facing is simply a way of the Lord making you more like Him. You should be learning to trust Jesus more, pray more, study more, and act more like Jesus. Your spiritual strength should be increasing. The trial is not pleasant. The test is not fun. But in the end you will be pure and perfected.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Press On-Tuesday Truth

 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 esv

God knows what you can endure. During this test you are constantly finding out what you are made of. When The Lord allows us to go through various hardships we find new ways and reasons to trust Him. We find strength we have never known before by relying on the Holy Spirit for guidance. The Lord is trying to show you what He already knows. God is simply leading you to the real you; your full potential in Christ.

Stop wasting time wondering if you will make it through. Understand that as a child of the King victory is the only option. Instead meditate and ask God how He is specifically planning to build up your endurance. Thank Jesus for preparing you for something greater. You have already won IF you don’t give up. God knows that. Do you?

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Press On-Monday Motivation

 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 esv

There are benefits in standing up for Christ. God has called His children to be holy; to stand out from the rest of the world. This will cause dissension between you and some close relatives and friends. People who used to be close will not be so close anymore. But as those called by God to stand up for righteousness, we can not let how other treat us affect our responsibility to the Lord.

Don’t focus on other people. Focus on the Lord. What seems so difficult now will reap a great gain in the future. Don’t let your focus on other people block you from receiving all that God has for you. The world treated Jesus bad and you are His follower (if you are a born again believer). Expect the road to be tough sometimes. But also expect Jesus to bless you and give you what you need! Be holy.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Spirit & Truth-Friday Freedom

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24 esv

Do you love Jesus? Then you should also trust Him. When we become children of God we are to give ourselves away to Him. We belong to Him. We are not our own. Along with being under His authority we also come under His divine protection. Think about why we love Christ; because of the ultimate sacrifice. We know He has our best interest at heart and that He alone has the power to sustain us. That is why you can confidently give your heart, mind, soul to the Lord. It all belongs to Him and He can do more with it than you can. Just trust God.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

“My heart, mind, my soul belongs to You

You paid the price for me

Way back on Calvary

And yes I praise You

I lift You up

I magnify Your Name

That’s why my heart is filled with praise

I love You, I love You,

I love You Lord today…”

Spirit & Truth- Thursday Thought

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Who are you walking with? God has given us the opportunity to be by His side throughout anything that comes our way. If we are not careful, we can get lose our focus and start moving in the wrong direction. We may start moving in the direction of the world. We may start being driven by what we want as opposed to what the Lord wants for us. It can be very easy to get lost in our own desires.

Are you walking with Christ? You may know Him, but living in close relationship is something deeper. A Christian never has to face any situation in life alone. Why? Because we have access to Almighty God. You and I don’t know much, but we can rely on God’s wisdom and power. When God is on your side, He is all you need. Walk with the Lord.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Spirit & Truth-Wednesday Word

“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” ~ Romans 6:5-9

Christ died, but He rose from the dead. If you have accepted Him as Lord and Savior then you have died as well. You have died to your old sinful nature. You used to be a slave to sin. There was no hope for your soul. But now you have new life. You died with Christ, but were also raised with Him.

Anyone who is dead to sin has been made free from sin. No matter how you feel, sin has no control over you. No more than you give it. You have the ability to overcome sin because of the new life given to you through Christ’s resurrection. Christ proved His power over sin and death. That same power now lives in you.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Spirit & Truth-Tuesday Truth

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 esv

God will only work with what you give Him. We are called to submit everything to Him, but God gives us free will. The Lord doesn’t make us do anything. In your life He cannot truly be Lord at all until He is Lord of all. To experience the renewed mind and newness of life we must give our whole selves to Him.

It is very easy to surrender most of ourselves to Christ, but hold on to a few ‘little’ things. God doesn’t want most of you, though, He wants it all! As long as you try to hold on to whatever it is you will a sense of disconnect between you and Jesus. He knows what it is and so do you. Nothing is more valuable than knowing Jesus more. Jesus gave His all for you and He just wants the same back.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Spirit & Truth-Monday Motivation

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6 esv

God rewards those who seek Him diligently (Hebrews 11:6). Seeking God will be displayed not only in what others see you do, but in the way you live when no one else is around. God calls His people to live to a much higher standard to those around us. We are called to live in this world, but not to embrace its ways. This is how we worship God (with our entire lives) and how we display Christ to the world.

 It is not an easy task to live right in the midst of so much wrong. But this is our assignment in this world. You may have to walk away from certain people. You may not be able to go where everyone else goes. You may not feel like you ‘fit in; where everyone seems to be so comfortable, but neither did Jesus. Worship God with your whole heart and just give your life to Him. He will reward you abundantly in this life and forever in the next one!

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Forgive!-Thursday Thought

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive Colossians 3:13 ESV

Who are you to hold a grudge against someone for what God has already forgiven them for? I heard this question on the radio last week and it struck me to the very core of my soul. People hurt and mistreat us. They don’t deserve our forgiveness. But God has forgiven them through the salvation of Jesus Christ. When Jesus forgave you He also forgave them. In His sight their sins are forgiven just like yours.

Are you higher than the Lord? Of course not. Whatever anyone has done to you; you must let it go. We all need time to get over things, but you must move on. Jesus is the ultimate leader. He never asks you to do anything He hasn’t done Himself. He has forgiven them and He has forgiven you. You are called to let His love flow through you. God has provided forgiveness for all. Are you better than anyone else?

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Forgive!-Wednesday Word

“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." ~Luke 23:34 ESV

Powerful words from the Lord Jesus on the Cross. As He was dying the most agonizing death possible, His focus wasn’t on Himself, but on others. Jesus’ enemies had sentenced Him to death, lied on Him, spit on Him, beat Him, and worse. Yet as Christ hung on the Cross He didn’t ask the Father to obliterate and torment His enemies, He asked the Father to forgive them. The love of God was flowing through His heart.

God has called you to let His love flow through you. People have wronged you. People have hurt you. But put the shoe on the other foot. You have wronged the Lord on many occasions. You have hurt Him several times. But He always forgives you. Who are you to not forgive someone after all Christ has forgiven you for? Let it go in Jesus’ name and move on.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Forgive!-Tuesday Truth

bearing with one another if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive  Colossians 3:13 ESV

An unforgiving spirit binds you, not the other person! We often hold to bitterness because the person doesn’t deserve to be forgiven. But all we do then is make the situation worse for ourselves. On top of being disrespected, lied to, or abused now whenever we hear about or see this person we are enraged. We are allowing the devil to continually pour salt on a gaping wound. And usually the offender has moved on.

Forgiveness is not trust. Don’t forget that. Regardless of what they deserve; you deserve to be free from the bondage of bitterness. Letting go doesn’t mean that you have restored confidence in the offender; it just means that you are choosing to be free. If you really want to get back at someone don’t let what they did have any effect on you anymore! Let it go in Jesus’ name.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Growing Up-Friday Freedom

“Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me.” ~Psalm 119:133

If you want to grow in Christ, then diligent Bible study is the nourishment that you need. If you want to walk into and fulfill Jesus' calling for your life, then you must be mature enough to handle the assignment. The Word is our instruction manual. The Bible is our ultimate guide. At 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible; longer than some books. The psalmist declares his absolute and fervent love for the Lord and His Word. Why? Because he understood that God’s Word is the key to salvation and a successful life. Learn to love the Word of God immensely and you will be successful in whatever you pursue. Grow in Christ and get all that he has for you! Be blessed!

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Order my steps in your word.
Order my tongue in your word.

Guide my feet in your word.
Wash my heart in your word.

Show me how to walk in your word.
Show me how to talk in your word.

When I need a brand new song to sing,
Show me how to let your praises ring,

In your Word, In your Word!!!

Please order my steps in your Word!

Growing Up-Thursday Thought

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." ~ 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

“Am I growing spiritually?” This might seem like a silly question when it comes to the Christian life, but it is one we all need to ask ourselves periodically. We go to church. We spend time in Christian activities and listening to gospel music. Sometimes we even attend what some might call Bible study. But are we growing spiritually? We must always make sure that we are not just going through the motions. If we are not growing spiritually then we are not studying or something is hindering our study.

Are you growing spiritually? Think back to this day on year ago. Have you seen your love for Christ grow? Do you treat others better? Has your knowledge of the Word increased? Make sure that you never confuse just knowing more about God with actually and truly knowing Him more intimately. Real Christ centered study will compel you to meditate on the Word and apply it to your life. Don’t miss out on God’s best simply because you are not ready. 

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Growing Up-Wednesday Word

“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;” 

-1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (NKJV)

The only way to grow spiritually is through Bible study. Christians as a whole today have gotten away from true, Christ centered Bible study. We enjoy fellowship, praise and worship, and overall just coming together as brothers and sisters in Christ. While all these are necessary to our walk, none of these provide the nourishment we need to grow. Only the Word of God can do that.

Above is a picture of me and my daughter, Lillian. She is just over a week old. They tell me that she will grow up one day, but right now I just want her to stay like this, although I know that is not the case. She will grow up whether I want her to or not. It is only a matter of time.

Our spiritual growth does not work the same way, however. A person ca be save for decades and never grow. It is a matter of dedication, prayer, and Bible study. Only with the proper spiritual nourishment can we grow spiritually.

Don’t miss out on God’s best because you are not ready to understand the deeper things of God. Immerse yourself in the sound teaching of God’s Word. Remove the influences that hinder your spiritual growth!

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Growing Up-Tuesday Truth

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)

Godly maturation requires sacrifice. We can not bring all the issues and desires of Christian infancy into higher levels of knowing God. Numerous people wonder why they are not growing in Christ. This is often due to not wanting to let go of the old life. In our society we make fun of teenagers who still suck their thumbs or young adults who still act like children. Why? Because for each level of maturity certain behavior is just out of character.

There is a certain character you must have to grow into spiritual maturity. But it starts with letting go. Let go of habits you know are wrong. Stop giving your time to those you know are not helping you grow in Christ. Be honest with yourself and identify what needs to go. God doesn’t want you to stay a baby. If you want the absolute best that He has for you, then it is time to get serious and do some hard work.

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com

Growing Up-Monday Motivation

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV)

God wants to grow you up into a mature Christian. If you feel you are mature, then He wants to continue that process. There are goals that Christ has for you in this life. There are levels of spirituality for you to reach that are currently beyond your comprehension. God has great things stored up for you. Even in the midst seemingly so much hell on this Earth, God has so many good things for you to walk into.

God wants you to drop the past. All of the slip ups, mistakes, your stupidity, and backsliding. It’s over. If you have been born again Christ has made you new. If you are a new person, then you should be doing new things. Guilt is over in Jesus’ mighty name. Shame is gone through God’s cleansing power. Let go of the mess and prepare yourself for God’s best. Everything you went through was simply preparation for something better. Forget the past, anticipate what’s ahead, grow up, and get God’s absolute best for your life!

-HC Armstrong

ReverendHCA@HCAnarrowWAY.com