Fran Trascritti Devotional, Jesus, Judgment Day

Be Encouraged. Get Busy.

For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; Psalm 94:14 ESV

In Psalm 94, there is a simple question being asked, “How long would the wicked prevail?” After all, injustice is everywhere, pain rules the day, and man has inflicted evil on man each and every day.

The immediate answer is also shown in this psalm: God knows all about the injustice. Don’t forget that He was the one who made the ear and created the eye, and He sees, hears, and knows it all. He hasn’t forgotten us or forsaken us. Instead, it is a matter of His perfect timing, because one day, His full righteousness will prevail and His judgment will take place as evil is destroyed. And at that time, His people will see that He has been with them all along, guiding them until His day of redemption. So we must wait.

Yet this waiting is not easy, because this fallen world has continued to exist for a very long time! Even today, we can easily see confusion, mayhem, destruction, and death in our culture. People are getting even horribly creative with committing sin, seeking pleasure and not purpose, seeking self love and not love for God and others. They are literally doing what is right in their own eyes, and even having the audacity and lack of shame to call it good. Sweet. Perfect.

But we know better, because Christ is better. We run to Him and His Word to stay encouraged and resilient. We look to His Spirit to strengthen us, to hold on to His promises, to look for Christ’s return. We stay focused on the truth that God will have the ultimate triumph over evil, over Satan, over sin. We embrace the fact that God will restore the earth to align with His will, and we hold on to that without wavering.

Christian, remain steadfast, remember that Christ will return one day to initiate the Day of the Lord. In the meantime, be encouraged and be busy: get out there, sowing and planting, working and harvesting, waiting for the final trumpet call and the glory of Christ to appear. Don’t be inactive but be active in your faith and life. Don’t be discouraged, but be encouraged. Jesus is coming, and we have much to do until He comes. And He alone will prevail with all of His glory. Amen.

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 Devotional, Missions, purpose

Not IF but WHEN

And Manoah said, “Now when your words come true, what is to be the child’s manner of life, and what is his mission?” Judges 13:12 ESV

Manoah, the father of Samson, did not ask the angel of the Lord out of disbelief, but out of a sincere faith. The emphasis in his question is on the word “when,” and it seems that there’s no doubt in his mind that this birth would take place. The only question was how his son would serve God in His Kingdom.

Today, God speaks primarily through His Word and in prayer. And when His Spirit prompts us that He is at work, the only possible answer is not “if” it will happen, but “when” it will occur. Our only possible response, then, is to ask how we can join Him in His work.

This is why we must treasure every moment of time that we have as a holy moment from the Lord. After all, He has allowed us to experience these things so we can use it later for His Kingdom. Even more, every gift of the Spirit is from Him, a good gift that brings Him glory. What a blessing!

So, stay in His Word. Experience the joy of His work in your life. Be ready to see Him at work and join Him. Ask not if, but when God will use you, and find ways to, out of your joy, glorify Him daily, showing love to Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Amen.

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Daily Reading, Devotional, gospel, Jesus

There’s Hope in Your Cycle of Sin.

“But whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways.” Judges 2:19 ESV

The cycle of Judges was a constant for Israel in the post-Joshua days. The cycle looked like this: as they turned from God to sin and idolatry, God released an enemy to suppress them, then, after crying out to the Lord, God raised up a judge to rescue them. After a period of peace, the people fell to sin and the cycle repeated again and again.

From our perspective, it seems obvious: how could they not learn from their mistakes? How could they not see their sinfulness? Yet, they in their stubbornness fell again and again. They paid what seemed to be an unnecessary price for an obvious lesson, a war of the flesh that occurred multiple times over.

Of course, we are not much different in our own wars of the flesh. And this is especially confusing for believers in Christ, because although we are free from the condemnation of sin, we still struggle with it on this side of glory. Our sins are clear and obvious, and when it becomes painfully obvious, we often turn back to God, confess, feel better, then commit them again. We can fall into a constant state of a sin cycle (or Judges’ cycle), leaning on God’s grace, even abusing it by taking it for granted.

Yet Christ didn’t die for a powerless people over sin. The same power that gives us God’s grace is the same power that gives us the ability to resist the temptations in the first place. In 1 Corinthians 10:13-14, Paul wrote, (ESV) “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Paul’s point is this: we’ve all experienced it, and for those in Christ, we have a faithful God who gives us a way to escape from the temptation. This is the same point Jesus made in Matthew 6 when He taught us to pray some simple and truthful words to the Father, “lead us not into temptation, but deliver me from evil.”

Our freedom of the sin cycle is of course, through Jesus. We have to remind ourselves that we can be conquerors over the flesh through both a true repentance and dependence on God. Through a healthy practice of confession to Him and to godly, close friends. Through a rekindled faith in the blood stained cross, the sacrifice made through Christ’s death. Through life in the power of His resurrection, a daily reliance in the power of the Holy Spirit. Through all these things that God has given to us to fight the good fight for God’s sake in our lives.

Remember, if you are in a sin cycle, there is hope. You are saved by grace through faith. Nothing else matters and nothing else means anything but the eternal life that awaits you. Hold on to that. Focus on that. Let God’s power in you help you to break free.

May the Lord speak into you to give you a true, heartfelt repentance and confession to Him. I pray that He will provide you with a true reliance on the power of His Spirit, that you are transformed by His power, keeping you in His Word, will, and way. Praying for you today!

In Christ alone,

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti gospel, Jesus, salvation

Are You All In?

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 CSB

The gauntlet is laid down here: for those who are to follow Jesus, there is a great cost. Jesus even gives two examples: first, a building (or tower), and second, a king going off to war. In both examples, they would consider the cost first. The same is true for following Christ.

This is not “easy believism” by any means. To bear one’s cross means to sacrifice all, to die to self, to completely change one’s life for Jesus. This means to be willing to do extreme things in extreme days, all for the sake of the call. This means that once Jesus has been received, there’s no turning back.

You are called to a life that is not your own because of the life given to you by Christ alone. This means not having a posture to love both God and the world. In order to serve God completely, you have to be all in. Simply put, it means that you must reject the ways of the world and receive the way of Christ. There is no middle ground here, according to Jesus.

For those in Christ already, are you all in, or are you still keeping a foot in the ways of the world? It’s not too late to change your ways and begin again to live for Him.

For those of you who need to trust in Him, this is a relationship in a new, abundant life! This is because it is Jesus who lived a sinless life, died on the cross for your sins, and rose from the dead. People who receive Jesus receive forgiveness for their sins. This begins a new life in Him, a life that is never the same again.

Where are you at here? Are you all in? I pray that you are.

Fran

Fran Trascritti Devotional

Loving the Unlovable…

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. Luke 6:32 CSB

Love is never meant to be kept in comfortable, familiar places. Love changes hearts, changes lives, pierces the dark, pierces dark hearts. Love conquers all.

When we love each other, there’s no greater blessing. But when we love those who are difficult to love, there’s no greater glory for God. In a disposable, throw away world, it’s our willingness to take chances with loving others that changes the world. It’s when we risk our hearts that we see that love never fails.

How are you doing in this area? Are you just staying “safe” with who you associate with? Instead, love people well, even those hard to love. Love them so they can see God’s love in You.

Pastor Fran

Fran Trascritti Devotional, gospel

“I Am So Angry!”

It seems like everyone is angry about something these days. Just yesterday, I was angry about rising gas prices. Over the past two years, people have been angry about masks (pro and con). In fact, just spend a few minutes on Twitter and you are bound to find someone angry about something, somewhere.

But what happens when anger gets the best of you? God’s Word gives us many examples, but here’s one:

“Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land I have given the Israelites, because you both rebelled against my command at the Waters of Meribah. Numbers 20:24 CSB

In this case, Moses and Aaron both participated in the sins at Meribah. First, was the sin of anger, where the two were tired of the complaining and rebellion of the people—the two brothers had enough, and it showed. Second was the sin of disobedience. The two were given specific instructions (speak to the rock) but they also struck—twice. Eventually, both received their due consequences of their sins, missing out on dwelling in the promised land of the covenant.

Today, God speaks to us through His Word, prayer, circumstances, and the church, but primarily through His Word. This is why we should pay attention to what He have us and listen to Him carefully. Even more, we should listen to Him obediently. He warns us against the folly of anger and how destructive it can be for the soul.

Why? Because God calls us to love and obey in love. He has a mission for every believer. In fact, He calls us to both the Great Commandment (loving Him and people) and bearing fruit through the Great Commission (making disciples). His desire is that we both share fruit and bear fruit, seen both through our conduct the fruit of the Spirit (like love, joy, patience, etc.) and our commitment to the ministry of the gospel. Through both, God advances His Kingdom. Through both, God is glorified.

Are you angry? Maybe it’s time to really focus back on His Word and prayer. We all struggle in our walk from time to time, but as you turn to Him, He will give you strength and power to overcome even the things that anger you the most.

Fran

Fran Trascritti culture, Missions

Jesus is Better

For they loved human praise more than praise from God. John 12:43 CSB

The message about Jesus Christ was heard by the people of Jerusalem, and there were some who believed in Him. However, they did not make it public because they were afraid of being tossed out of the synagogue and of being cast out of their society. Being a part of the Jewish society meant that there was a powerful stronghold that was hard to break. John might have judged them harshly here, but truthfully, he is right: their secret faith showed that they loved the praise from man more than the praise from God.

We are no different today. Sure, we all know how toxic our society is, but can be difficult to break past the culture of today. Yet we are called to a gospel that is counter cultural, a gospel that is disruptive in the natural man’s life. Those who believe in Christ are different, and those who follow Christ will see a sacrificial change from the status quo of the present. This is why Jesus told us to count the cost of following Him, because everything changes. And this can include friends, family, preferences, and, yes, our daily lifestyle. All of these are affected because of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Again, breaking free is not easy, but Jesus is better. This means that our life of faith in Christ should be known and not hidden, shared and not kept secret. We believe, not to hide Him away, but to allow Him to change us and to change the world. And yes, while this makes us different, the truth is that we are foreigners in this planet, citizens of heaven, ambassadors who have an assignment to tell others about our place of paradise. This is also why, when we think about this, it makes no sense to try to still hold on to the present day when we have so much better to come in the eternal future. Again, Jesus is better.

Praying that God speaks to you about this. May we all be open to others around us with our faith, and may we be salt and light to others as we share the love of Jesus!

Fran

Fran Trascritti culture, gospel, Jesus, salvation

Racism, Hatred, and the Image of God

“So God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.”
—Genesis 1:27

Another significant event. Another senseless death.

We said that many times in the past, too many now to count. We thought that in 2012 with Trayvon Martin. In 2014 with Eric Garner in New York City. Michael Brown in Ferguson. Freddie Gray in Baltimore. Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia. And now, George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Sadly, we fear that this won’t be the last. A recent study shows that 1 in 1,000 young black men will be shot. No pattern of geography. No correlation with crime rates. Not even the race of the officer. Only one major factor: the victim is black.

The controversy is real. The fear is real. It has affected how black people perceive other groups. It has impacted the mental health in the black community. It has caused white people to go from being in denial of the issue to disbelief, and now, to feeling helpless about what to do.

And there’s no denying that a problem exists. But it goes deeper than racism.

The problem is something deeply rooted within each of us: our sin nature. We live in a fallen world. We live with sin in us and all around us. It affects our relationship with God and our relationships with people. It causes us to dismiss others, placing them in categories of “us” and “them.” We effectively, then, dehumanize “them” in our minds. We make “them” faceless, even less than human, when these types of incidents occur. They become statistics, not people. 280-character tweets, not horrific stories of pain and sorrow. People who are often forgotten by the general public until the next incident in the news cycle.

We’ve been dismissing people throughout our human history, and we’ve gotten really good at doing this. We dehumanize to do evil things like slavery or an unjust war. We do it to hate the kid down the block or the new boss. We take our perception, profile a person, and then react to what we fear rather than what is reality. We “justifiably” hate because we think that it’s less complicated, and that we think that it’s easier to deal with uncomfortable human interactions in this way.

Yet this behavior is wrong. Even corrupt. Sinful.

Sin is disgusting and horrible. Sin pollutes our human mind. It affects how we perceive others. How we interact with them. It causes us to forget that people are made in the image of God. And when we fail to see the image of God in people, we treat them, well, inhumanely. At best, we ignore them. At worst, death happens.

This is the effect of missing the image of God in people. But there is hope, the hope that Christ died for the world (1 Jn 2:2), that no matter the sin or the situation, and that all who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved (Rom 10:13). That Jesus died for sinners at the cross, sinners who include people of every tribe and tongue.

Christian, now is the time. Paul the Apostle wrote in Romans 10:15, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.” We are the bearers of good news. Better news than what we see today. The best news of Jesus Christ.

Jesus offers a totally different worldview than what we see today, that people who turn to Him see others the way God sees them: not from what is outside but what is inside. He is, as He has always been, our only hope.

And so, we need to repent. We must repent. Christians, we need to be peacemakers, people who speak to the condition of the heart and yet know the dignity of the individual. We can and should make the death culture know that people are created by God, that all life is precious, that all bear the image of God. Our world needs to hear from God in this issue. Our world needs to hear of the hope found in Jesus.

I look forward to the day when every knee will bow before Him. Until then, let us share the hope of Jesus. If you are a believer, now is not the time to be silent. There is no better time to share the gospel of our Savior, the slayer of sin, the redeemer of His people, the King of the New Heaven and the New Earth.

Let’s do this.

Fran

Fran Trascritti culture, discipleship, gospel, Jesus, salvation

5 Things I Hope for the Church, Post-COVID

It’s been far too long since we met in person. Thankfully, due to technology, many of us haven’t ceased meeting, yet many of us can agree that the online environment just isn’t the same. It’s not.

As churches begin getting back to meeting again, pastors and staff are taking appropriate precautions. As time goes by, however, even those precautions will be loosened up as people get more comfortable and the threat of the virus has passed. That said, we have a lot of work ahead of us as we regain our footing as the church in order to do Jesus’ Great Commission work.

Here are five hopes that I have for the church, post COVID:

  1. People will appreciate and attend worship more often. The fact that we have not met together in person should be a reminder of how precious our gatherings really are. My hope is that believers will not forsake the assembling and worship God with their church more consistently.
  2. Pastors will continue to be creative. One thing that came out of the COVID period is that pastors had to be more creative in reaching out to their congregations and the world. The use of Facebook, Zoom, and YouTube was a new thing for many pastors, but my hope is that they can build on this medium and supplement (not replace) their ministries through these tools.
  3. There will be a return to one-on-one conversations about Christ. Many church leaders have encouraged church members to invite people to come to church. However, this kind of passive evangelism can unintentionally threaten to “professionalize” evangelism, overshadowing the believer’s need to have personal conversations about the gospel. I hope that the church will see how healthy and energizing it is when believers tell others about Jesus’ gospel.
  4. Groups will explode in a new discipleship emphasis. Groups somehow got deemphasized over the years in favor of worship. The thinking is that people can be led to groups after coming to a worship service. This is true to a point, but just like in my previous hope, focusing on outreach through groups such as Sunday School or home study groups will energize a group and create excitement as new people attend and come to Christ.
  5. The church will regain her mission of making disciples. It’s so easy to focus on the business of budgets and buildings, because these things aren’t as messy as people related issues. Yet, we are not called to buildings or budgets, we are called to the work of the gospel. While we need to be good stewards of what we are given, we must never let our attention be taken away from the best gift we have ever been given: the gospel. My hope is that we have a disciple making revolution, where everything is focused not on keeping the aquarium but on fishing for people.

There you have it. My hope is for a changed church, different than where we were and more like the church that existed immediately after Christ’s ascension. Is it possible? Yes absolutely, as long as we hold near and dear Christ’s calling and focus all of our attention on that.

Fran