We need Him, and we can and should desire Him minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. Spend time with the Father today.
All posts by Fran Trascritti
Blessed.
![Psalm 9;1 [widescreen]](https://frantras.files.wordpress.com/2017/08/psalm-91-widescreen.png?w=300&h=169)
Have you ever considered how blessed you really are? I’m not talking about money, or comfort, or the things of life that are gone tomorrow. I mean, how blessed are we to live in an era that has technology at our fingertips, food at our table, and close friends and family around? Even more, how much of a blessing is it to be able to hear about the gift of eternal life through Christ, the Word of God an arm’s length away (and on every phone!), and the chance to connect with a community of believers in a local church?
This morning, I had the privilege to read and pray through part of Psalm 9. This psalm reminded me of how blessed I’ve been over the years. And even when I had difficult times (which is no comparison to other people who have suffered) God was still with me- I see how much of a blessing He was, blessings too numerous to count!
As a child of Christ, you have a special opportunity. Today, as you go through your day, take the time to stop and praise the one who made you, saved you, and kept you. He is with you, a God who loves you and holds you, His precious one, in His hand.
Fran
Must Reads for Monday!
Here’s some great articles to browse through as you start your week. The theme I picked for this week is harmony and reconciliation:
– Why I’m staying in the Southern Baptist Convention
– Black church conference: nurture, fellowship & praise
– How White Christians Can Stand in Solidarity with Minority Brothers and Sisters
Dear Pastor,
Pastor, you only have one chance to share the gospel with the people God has placed before you today.
Don’t waste this chance: share the gospel.
#SaturdayScripture
Woke up remembering that this passage was in my dream.
Thank you, Lord:
Only God!
Sitting on a plane waiting for people to load, I can’t help but be amazed at how incredibly creative God is in creating all the variety of people, the lighter features or darker ones, the tall ones and the short, the ones who seem to have a permanent smile on their faces and yes, even the apparently grumpy ones. He is a God of variety.
And yet, our creative God of a diverse people still has one message of love. It’s one story, a story if grace and eternal peace, of beauty beyond the pain and daylight after the night. We are a pained people who wallow in sin and yet, in spite of ourselves, our creative God of a diverse people shows His ultimate mark of kindness: forgiveness and life forever.
How incredible is that! While we rebel and get self centered and try to revolve the world around us, He patiently waits, giving us His message of love and acceptance. 1 Jn 4:19 says, “We love, because He first loved us.” Thank you, God, for loving me first!
Pastor Fran
LifeWay Research: 1 in 10 Churches Has Had Funds Stolen
Churches often need more accountability with their funds. 34% of leaders surveyed said that their church has not had an audit in over five years or more.
Read the article here: LifeWay Research: 1 in 10 Churches Has Had Funds Stolen
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
Eph 1:13 (CSB), “In him you also were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed.”
Years ago, I came to Christ in a not too dramatic way. Simply put, I heard the gospel, I responded to the gospel, and I was changed by the gospel…slowly. What I mean is that it took time for me to grow and live in Christ, but He was patient with me! He brought godly people and even some circumstances to help me grow. But most of all, God brought me to the Word.
We are all called to the gospel to walk in Christ as an example to others (see Mt 5:16), but we all know that this is hard! Life, work, distractions, sin, flesh, etc. pull us away, but let me encourage you: don’t give up. As what Paul wrote, that you were called to Him, you were sealed in Him and you are already redeemed in Him. The Spirit is with you whenever you go, so trust Him to help you to walk in Him. Signed, sealed, and delivered, you are His! He who has called you is faithful to complete you until the Day of Christ.
Let that sink in as you struggle through whatever you are going through.
In Christ,
Pastor Fran
Must Reads for Monday!
Here’s some great articles to browse through as you start your week.
The theme I picked for this week is 5:
– 5 Ways to Pray for Persecuted Christians
– 5 Mistakes Most Preachers Make
– 5 Things You Want Said About You At Your Funeral
– 5 Ways to Battle Anxiety in the Pulpit
Enjoy!
Fran
For our Pastors…
Isaiah 6:8b (CSB), “I said: Here I am. Send me.”
God has called you, He has sent you, He is glorified through you. Remember that as you serve His Bride.
