Fran Trascritti culture, gospel, Jesus

The Time is Now: Wake Up

Romans 13:11–12, Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

The feeds on my social media platform are filled with news of violence and shootings: another school shooting, a young girl brutally murdered on a train, a frame-by-frame video of Charlie Kirk getting shot, and all of it coming at once. It’s an information overload, and when you add in the many wars, political conflicts, and endless vitriol that exist in the world today, it’s overwhelming.

And we must admit one truth that sums up all that we see and hear: Evil exists in our world, and it has permeated everything. We are in darkness and in the night.

Life is fragile, and evil is real, and an existence can be ended by a virus or by an assassin’s knife or bullet. Despite many being desensitized by the media we consume, there is still a reality that life is precious and tenuous. The world is not some virtual place. Instead, it’s real, and it’s a dark, often chaotic place, with injustices and intolerable pain all around. And in this reality of the world we live in, no justification, no drama, no snarky politicizing matters.

We are in the same state: we live in a world where death, destruction, and chaos reign for the present time, and, unfortunately, no new laws, no new movements will change that significantly. And why is that? Because, to borrow a phrase from history, “We have met the enemy and the enemy is us.” No man-made action or reaction can cure the enemy of sin within us.

Sin reigns in the world, and it breeds chaos, killings, and a sea of violence. No one is immune from its power, no one is free of its influence. We sin because we are sinful, and though we pick our own pet sins to lobby against, the truth is all sin is vile, horrific, and endlessly destructive. Left to our own, we maim, injure, and hurt ourselves and others. And along the way, we justify it, doing mental gymnastics to excuse it, and even normalize it. We feel so enlightened and proud, and yet we are participants in the common destruction around us because of our sin. Our pride leads us to our doom. This is the way of the world and of the evil one, and this has been the way since the Garden.

But don’t miss the point that there is hope. While no law, movement, or politician can ever save us from ourselves, the eternal God-man, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, can. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it. He came to restore what is the will of God, bringing a reconciliation between God and man, changing the future of each individual in a corrupted and decaying world.

It is this Jesus who snatched life from death, eternity from the temporal, and has brought hope to the despondent. This Jesus, who lived, died, and rose again, was witnessed by many who refused to deny it even under the threat of death. This Jesus, who many mock, came to save the world, and He is available for anyone to receive Him as Lord and Savior. This Jesus, who stands against evil and the chaos of its effects, brings peace, life, and hope to a lost and dying world.

Yes, this Jesus. And He calls you to wake from your sleep and become one of His own.

You don’t have to be alone in your sins, alone in the fear of the world’s random acts of violence. You don’t have to be a slave to the anxiety that rages within you or the depression that covers over you. Jesus is here and takes you through what you experience as a broken human in a broken world. He made a way for you to change your life and direction for the future. He made a way for your forgiveness, your restoration, and your eternal future with Him.

Receive or rededicate yourself to Him. It’s a life change you will never regret, a change that affects the world now and heaven tomorrow. A life change for eternity.

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, discipleship, gospel, Jesus, ministry

It’s Just Not the Same…

A few years ago during the time of Covid, Major League Baseball, like any other professional sports, had a problem. They wanted to resume playing, but they viewed that having fans in the stands was a risk to spreading the virus further. Their solution was to put cutouts of smiling fans, simulating a crowd, complete with a crowd noise, in an attempt to make it all feel “normal.”

Yet it was, of course, far from normal. It just wasn’t the same thing and might have been a bitter reminder of the daily environment the world had been experiencing. The stands remained lifeless: there was no participation and no human interaction. In fact, the games felt empty, contrived, and cold.

This was an admirable attempt, but like it or not, fans are a part of the game. And nothing would ever replace the human element of a baseball fan. Fans change the game in a variety of ways.

As believers, we are not just cardboard spectators on the sideline. We are part of God’s work, His workmanship designed to do His work once we come to Christ. We take the gospel and bring it to the masses, changing hearts, lives, and eternity.

John the Baptist said as much when He confronted the Pharisees, who pridefully boasted about their supposed top tier place in the Kingdom:

Matthew 3:9 ESV, “And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham.”

In other words, don’t think so highly of yourselves, because after all, God can make replacements who do what you do out of rocks! Pedigrees mean nothing concerning the Kingdom. Instead, repent and bear fruit in accordance with your newfound faith.

Continuing this thought, then, just sitting in the crowd means nothing. Isaiah 40:15 ESV says,

“Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as the dust on the scales; behold, he takes up the coastlands like fine dust.”

Get off the sideline, because just being in the crowd might feel safe and secure for the moment, but it really is empty. Anyone and everyone can be in the crowd (after all, it is a crowd). Jesus called this state following  the wide path that leads to destruction, while He offers a more narrow way that leads to life. Being a part of Jesus means stepping out of what feels comfortable and secure and going to what is truly safe and secure.

God is calling His people to an active, vibrant life in Him. Is this life going to be perfect? Nope. Uncomplicated? Of course not. But as God calls you to a life with hope and peace and you follow Him, your life will change forever. After all, it’s only through Jesus Christ’s work on the cross and His grace that leads to everlasting life. And it’s available to all who call on Him.

Let this encourage you to step and stretch yourself in Him like never before. Step out of the crowd. Step into an abundant life in Christ. Step into bearing fruit from your repentant heart and soul.

To God be the glory!

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, culture, gospel, Jesus, Missions

Building on the Foundation at Beacon Church

Years ago, Teresa and I found out some horrible news. The house that we were living in had been renovated a few years before by the prior owner, and for some reason, we began to see stains that popped up on the kitchen floor. The stains grew bigger and bigger, and eventually, we started to see moisture from a wall. Because it looked like it might have been a water leak, I called the plumber and he quickly determined the cause of the problem: an old ice maker valve that had been attached to a pipe in a wall had begun to leak, and when they did the renovation of the house, the drywall was built around the pipe. What a terrible realization!

The leak that came from that pipe dripped throughout the kitchen, soaking all of the interior structure beneath the floor of the kitchen. In other words, all of the supporting studs were waterlogged, causing damage, destruction, and ultimately, danger for our family. Thankfully, insurance took care of everything, and soon we had workers who literally took apart our kitchen and went to the very foundation of the house to put in a new kitchen. We spent most of the weeks throughout the holidays cooking our meals on hot plates and depending on the microwave- even for our Thanksgiving meal! However, eventually, that section of the house was rebuilt, and we had a safe, beautiful place to live in: in other words, the house was better than ever before!

Now let’s apply this example to our church. When our church first began our revitalization journey years ago, some very important structural things needed to be done at Beacon. And God used Pastor Ron and many of you to make these important changes for the greater good of the gospel. Some very difficult decisions had been made, including a name change, building updates, and all this through a pandemic. It was indeed a hard journey to dig deep, get strategic, and lay foundations in preparation for the next steps as a church.

And that’s where we were when I arrived at Beacon Church one year ago. Since then, we have carefully laid a solid foundation of discipleship and fellowship at our church. In fact, nearly everyone in our church body is either in a Sunday morning small group that studies the Bible, or in our Wednesday night Bible study, or is involved in the Big Bible Challenge—and some of you are in all three! We have been intentional about having more fellowship, bonding with one another in love, supporting and knowing one another intimately, and focusing on having community as a body of Christ. These are all important foundational things in a solid, healthy church.

So what’s next? Clearly, we need to build on our foundation of discipleship: evangelism and missions. We currently are thankful that we have guests almost every week at our church, and many return to visit again. Yet there’s a need for our community that we cannot ignore: within a ten-minute drive of our church, at least 100,000 people do not worship anywhere, and many of whom do not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And because we now have the ability to disciple and receive people, we need to shift to focus on creating a culture of missions and evangelism to reach our neighbors. This means that there will be training on how to share your faith, we will be improving our greeter/welcome ministry, our process for guest follow-up will be updated, and we will offer opportunities for you to serve and to share Christ in local, national, and international mission efforts. This includes a planned international missions trip in late summer/early fall (details coming soon).

Church, the West Side of Cincinnati and beyond needs Jesus, and the time is now. We’ve already laid a foundation through God and His Word, and it’s time to continue the build on this as we welcome people into our home. It’s exciting to see this happening before our eyes! I believe that we can be better than ever before as a church, but it will take your intentional effort to fulfill God’s potential in you. I believe that we can see lives transformed, families changed, and the continued presence of God’s Spirit seen among us. Please pray, seek God, and ask him how he will involve you in such a great task as to reach the West side and beyond with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Together, we can do this!

In love and faith,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, discipline, Jesus, Seeking God

Need to make a Decision? Wait.

It’s so easy to choose the easy way.

We live in a world of choices, and often, we want to take the most reasonable one, a way that causes the least amount of pain, a way that brings comfort, prosperity, and even a feeling of peace for the moment.

Yet this temptation is deceiving, the pleasure temporary. We shouldn’t envy the world or the men who are taken by the world’s definition of success, and we certainly shouldn’t emulate them as believers. In fact, the very definition of success within the Kingdom is different, and proclaims a better way:

‭‭‭‭‭‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:31‭-‬32‬ ‭ESV‬‬, “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“

Man’s ways may seem right, but God’s ways are well above them. When we prioritize listening to God, we will see His righteousness reign in and through us. God the Spirit leads, His wisdom guides, and His uprightness becomes our confidence as He leads us to choose His way, even when our smallest decisions seem mundane or meaningless. Choices matter, and our micro actions match our priorities as deceit is cast aside, violence is abhorrent, and holiness is upheld. And yes, God is glorified.

So do you need to make a decision? Get in His Word, pray for guidance, and seek godly counsel. Look at each choice, not from a human-centered, cerebral and emotional standpoint, but from God’s perspective. Be deliberate, not hurried when thinking about what to do.

And especially keep in mind that when you are tempted to drift and take another way, He often calls you to the road less traveled instead, a way that advances the gospel way of life.

Praying for you,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti culture, Devotional, discipleship, discipline

Men without Chests

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬, “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

C.S. Lewis wrote that we are stuck in a tragi-comedy, a world where morals and virtue are not taught but expected, where ethics are relative to the eye of the beholder. What was true in his day is even more true today.

He wrote:

In a sort of ghastly simplicity we remove the organ and demand the function. We make men without chests and expect of them virtue and enterprise. We laugh at honour and are shocked to find traitors in our midst. We castrate and bid the geldings be fruitful. —Lewis, The Abolition of Man, pp. 35-37.

Our world is in need of men. Real men. Men who know the Word and step out to change the world. Men who stand for life, for their families, who think not about themselves but the ones they are called to care for. Men who are men indeed, who lead with love and love those they lead. Men with chests.

This is where the church needs to step up. Men who are being discipled to disciple others. Men who are developed, who serve Jesus well, who stand for truth and express love in a balance that is seen in Jesus. Men who become our pastors, deacons, husband’s, and fathers. Men who change lives.

This is the cornerstone of our ministry at Beacon. We have opportunities to grow, to study in the Word personally and collectively. We have shifted to be all about making disciples of men and of women and to be a light to the community around us. As we grow more, we serve more, reach more, and teach more. We can change the world when we do this faithfully and with patience.

I’m excited to be at Beacon Church, yet we’re only getting started. Pray for us as we seek to make men with chests who live and love unselfishly, as we reach Cincinnati and beyond with the gospel.

—Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, Devotional, gospel

Who are you trying to please, anyway?

Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/@gunnarro

It was a normal day in the life of King Herod, who was known as a consummate politician. But when he gave the command to slay James, the leader of the newest Jewish sect, The Way, by the sword, he didn’t expect was such a special reaction from his former critics, the Jewish leaders. As a result, he did more to please them even more:

...and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 12:3, ESV


What do we make of this? First, Herod was a slave to adulation from the people. He did anything that he could to earn this admiration, and killing James gave him extra points with the Jewish leaders who opposed Christ. As a result, he arrested Peter to earn more loyalty. He even did it during an important festival, the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

In contrast, Peter had a different view and result: his preaching and ministry was met with vile hatred by the leaders, and he was jailed multiple times for this, including this time. Yet he did not quit preaching Christ.

Ultimately, each man lived radically different and had different outcomes. Peter was freed, able to preach the gospel and share the story of Jesus to many people. Herod, well, he was quickly destroyed, eaten up by worms for accepting the false worship of his followers. This egotistical, power hungry false god fell short, destroyed by the God of the universe that he opposed.

Today, there are many temptations to please people and follow the crowd. It’s common to want to be well liked by people, even to be popular. This is true for anyone, no matter how old or how young the person may be. This can cause people to do things that are man centered instead of being God centered, including compromising truth. And while truth should be shared in love, truth should not be compromised, and truth cannot be changed to avoid hurting a relationship or worse, to be vainly admired by people.

Let’s remember the lesson of Herod: Our goal is to live, love, and walk in a way that pleases God, and sometimes in a fallen world that conflicts with the way of people. Yet we must be faithful, being careful to love and to speak truth. Because above all, God is the One that we please, and God is the One to glorify.

May God be honored with our lives, words, and actions!

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, Devotional, ministry, Pastors

What Do you Do When Others Attack?

Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done, for you are inventing them out of your own mind.” Nehemiah 6:8 ESV

At this point in the building of the wall around Jerusalem, the enemies of the work resorted to threats, lies, and deceit against the city, the people, and especially, Nehemiah. They openly mocked the work, threatened the safety of the families, sent multiple letters to Nehemiah, and even hired a prophet to try to entice him to sin.

Yet none of these plots worked. At every new threat, Nehemiah resisted and relied on the Lord. Even when the enemies accused him of beginning a rebellion against the king, Nehemiah refuted it and plainly told them, “you are inventing these things in your own mind.” The work continued as he inspired confidence and encouragement in the people. Soon the wall was built, the Temple was protected, and regular worship and sacrifices took place again.

When we are truly doing God’s work in the Kingdom, the enemy is almost certainly going to attack. And it tends to come in waves of strikes, usually in the form of accusations, deceptions, and even attempts at personal smears of the leadership. Opponents of the gospel will devote hard work and energy to divide and discourage the people of God, and good, godly leaders will often experience great pain and suffering. Personally, I have experienced these attacks in the past and I expect that attacks will continue to occur until glory comes. That is, as long as I am not discouraged or dissuaded from preaching Christ.

But, as we did with my last post, let’s look again at Nehemiah’s responses to his opponents. When he was attacked, Nehemiah had a response of encouragement, a word from the Word. He was angry but did not sin. Instead, he stood firm, held to the task at hand, relied on the Lord and His people, and stayed pure as he avoided temptations to sin.

His example should be your example if you are under attack. Here’s a few practical responses you can take:

  1. Run to the Word. Check your motives and walk. Don’t let the accusations have any ground for truth by being in the truth of the Scriptures.
  2. Be confident in your calling. This does not mean to be self confident, but be “God confident.” Stay reassured that God’s calling in you is going to be completed, for “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil 1:6).
  3. Stay free of temptations and sin. Everyone is going to sin, of course, but it is vital to avoid the intentional sins which so easily plague us. Nehemiah did just that, choosing to stay pure in God’s eyes, whether avoiding sin or even more importantly, being righteously angry and not sinning. You need to be no different in your lifestyle, but when you do blow it (and you surely will) repent and do better.
  4. Respond in a godly, firm manner. The best and only response is a calm, Christ centered response that places the gospel first and ego last. Let God work it out, because, well, He will. The means to again run to God, not standing on your own strength but on His power. This also means, of course, to stay connected with the Spirit in prayer and the Word.

Hope these are useful and helpful. Let me know if you have any other takeaways from this passage.

May the Lord use you greatly, suppressing the enemy and advancing His Kingdom. To God be the glory!

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti bible, Devotional, gospel

Is That You, God??

And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.” —1 Samuel 3:10 ESV

Samuel was young, inexperienced, undiscipled, even innocent in many ways. So when God spoke to him at night, well, it makes sense that he thought that it was Eli speaking to him instead of God. After all, what does the voice of God sound like anyway? And why would God speak to him?

Today, we have to look at a passage like this and wonder, does God speak today? And if He does, how does He speak? Even more, what should we do about it?

First, a quick answer is, yes He does. God spoke then and He still speaks today, primarily through the Bible. And yet though His voice is not audible as it was with the boy, Samuel, it is still loud and clear today, and it is through His Holy Spirit that the words in His Word interprets and applies on you His will for your life. In other words, God’s here, God speaks, but we need to be open to listen to His will.

So if you want to hear from God, run to His Word. Read intently and fully as you seek His wisdom, because His will is waiting to be shown and understood. After all, in Romans 12, Paul tells us that we are to be “transformed by the renewing of our minds” (verse 2) so that we can know His perfect will (3). To the willing listener, God provides guidance, direction, and encouragement, and His precepts are all you need as you develop and grow in Him. All His wisdom is there for you to taste and enjoy as you respond to His direction and will.

But listening is not just a passive exercise. God expects His servants to be open and attentive so that it leads to action. Take the example of Samuel: once he realized that it was God speaking, he got into a posture to take action. He listened and obeyed. He heard and took action. God would soon shape Him to be a powerful prophet, in many ways the last judge in Israel, the one who would eventually guide them to David, the man after God’s own heart. Listening and obedience go hand in hand.

So where are you at right now? Are you spending time each day in His Word? If not, you’re missing out, because this is primarily how God is going to speak. Second, if you are in His Word, are you obeying Him? Are you looking at your life and making sure that the sin that has entangled you is dealt with? Remember that Christ is faithful and just, powerful enough to forgive and cleanse those who come to Him in faith. He will forgive you when you turn your sin struggles over to Him.

Last, be encouraged, because God has provided you a direction to accomplish His will. Trust in that and find ways to grow in Him through good, godly servants to teach you and prepare you to serve Him fully. Take heart, because as you do join God at work, He will use you in a way that will bring Him glory. He is able!

May you be attentive to the Lord speaking into Your life, changing you as you seek to change the world!

Blessings,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Daily Reading, Devotional

Like a Vapor…

In fact, you have made my days just inches long, and my life span is as nothing to you. Yes, every human being stands as only a vapor. Selah Psalms 39:5 CSB

Life is a vapor and time is short. When a person is young, he or she has the mindset that there is plenty of time, but those who get older know better. Yet a life with a God-centered purpose is a life worth living.

And when we think of it, we have many choices throughout our lives to do one of two things: bring people closer to God or push them away. Our words, our conduct, our actions make a difference for eternity. Every step and every decision has a ripple effect.

Is this overwhelming? Maybe. But it takes a willingness to listen to God through His Word. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we prioritize Jesus, placing His will in the middle of our lives and impacting others for God’s glory. And it’s done one step at a time.

How often do I utter a careless, selfish word when I need to tame my tongue? How often do I go the wrong path that is not God’s way? Lord, lead me well to follow You and glorify You daily!

Fran

Fran Trascritti Devotional, intimacy

Anxious thoughts…

How often do we let anxious thoughts overtake us? These weigh down a person, causing lack of sleep, unhealthy eating, stress among family members, and bad decision making.

"Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up." Proverbs 12:25 CSB

Jesus tells us that we are to place our worries on Him. We are to seek Him. Follow Him. Trust Him. Place our yoke on Him. To live daily with Him in mind.

He is the antidote to worry and an anxious mindset. His consolations delight our soul (Ps 94:19) and His presence gives us rest.

If you, like me, are worried about things, rest easy, pray, and dive into His Word. Calm your heavy heart with His love and peace. Let His Spirit fill you and His comfort comfort you.

I pray that this is helpful for you today. May your day be a faith-filled day as God works in and through you. Blessings!

Pastor Fran