Author: Michael Tarsi

Social Media


 Michael Tarsi

I was considering what to write for the meditations column this week and I started thinking about all the “stuff” that comes our way via social media, 24-hour cable news and all the other means of so-called communication and I realized how little is in face to face contact. Many order food talking to a speaker outside of drive-thru fast-food places. Some actually commute to work from their laptop at home. We chat through texting. We converse through e-mail.  ALL of these and so much more (even this meditations column) are reliant on electricity, electronics and computers. What would happen if they all went “off-line”? I recently had a hospital stay and had a heart catheter, which is inserted in a major artery and guided into your heart and EVERYTHING relied on computers. From check-in, to the patient room, to the O.R., all computerized. As I studied all this I became a bit concerned. Not so much about a power failure at the wrong moment, although that would not be good, but more about PERSONAL COMMUNICATION. It is still there, but slowly going away. I think we need to spend some time actually looking at another human and communicating with them. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is required for salvation. Religion can’t save you. Morality can’t save you. Political solutions can’t save you. Having all the right spiritual information can’t save you. It’s WAY past time to return to a simple understanding of “The Grace of God that brings salvation…” That grace was manifest in Jesus , our blessed hope. You must have a personal encounter with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purity for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14. So in your “meditations” this week, don’t just “think” about things, actually spend time in The Word and then LISTEN as God speaks to you. THEN share what He says to you with another person FACE TO FACE! Go ahead, it might be a bit scary at first, but it is what we are supposed to do.

A Time Of Need


 Michael Tarsi

In the 1940’s, people were being rounded up and executed by the 100’s of thousands. The people around the “camps” turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to what was happening right in their own country. It was a most horrific time in human history. Thankfully we as a nation along with England and Russia liberated those death camps but not until millions of innocent men women and children were slaughtered.

So here and now we have ISIS doing the same exact thing and we are doing nothing. PLEASE, seek The Lord and petition Him to intervene. Meditate on how you can make sure you do not turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to the shouts for help from around the world. This is not a warm and fuzzy type of meditation but it is the most important event of our time and we should not let it pass unnoticed. HEBREWS 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

The Armor Of God


 Michael Tarsi
As we move closer to an actual default on our debt here in America, unbelievable as it is, we should be very careful to pay attention to The Word of God. In essence, don’t spend money you don’t have! The Word says that if we don’t provide for our family, we are worse than an Infidel (non-believer) and this, at times, might be a motivator to keep borrowing so we can pay our debt. I think it’s time for us ALL to STOP and consider Jesus. He is able to do way beyond all that we can imagine and He will provide all of our needs according to His riches in Glory! Needs vs. wants seems to be the biggest struggle we have as Americans. I will say there are many things I want and would like to have, but I don’t NEED them. Some of those things I get and will get but they are NOT needs. If we can continue (or begin) to understand that, we will be able to make the needed adjustments and come out of this tailspin. In your meditations this week, I suggest you go to The Lord in Prayer and put on the full armor of God and NEVER TAKE IT OFF AGAIN!
Ephesians 6:10-24 with attention to verse 11 “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.” And verse 13 “Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.”
And finally, verse 24 “Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love incorruptible.”
JESUS DIED FOR YOU

Borrowing from the great preacher C.H. Spurgeon:

“My entire theology can be condensed into 4 words: ‘Jesus died for me.’” – C.H. Spurgeon –

I believe this is why he was known as ,”The Prince of Preachers”.

In your meditations this week, contemplate what your Theology is and see if it agrees with Spurgeon. (which agrees with Scripture!)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20)

Remember, JESUS DIED FOR YOU!

MEDITATE ON THIS!

 

STUFF

I was considering what to write for the meditations column this week and I started thinking about all the “stuff” that comes our way via social media, 24-hour cable news and all the other means of so-called communication and I realized how little is in face to face contact. Many order food talking to a speaker outside of drive-thru fast-food places. Some actually commute to work from their laptop at home. We chat through texting. We converse through e-mail.  ALL of these and so much more (even this meditations column) are reliant on electricity, electronics and computers. What would happen if they all went “off-line”? I recently had a hospital stay and had a heart catheter, which is inserted in a major artery and guided into your heart and EVERYTHING relied on computers. From check-in, to the patient room, to the O.R., all computerized. As I studied all this I became a bit concerned. Not so much about a power failure at the wrong moment, although that would not be good, but more about PERSONAL COMMUNICATION. It is still there, but slowly going away. I think we need to spend some time actually looking at another human and communicating with them. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is required for salvation. Religion can’t save you. Morality can’t save you. Political solutions can’t save you. Having all the right spiritual information can’t save you. It’s WAY past time to return to a simple understanding of “The Grace of God that brings salvation…” That grace was manifest in Jesus , our blessed hope. You must have a personal encounter with our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purity for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14. So in your “meditations” this week, don’t just “think” about things, actually spend time in The Word and then LISTEN as God speaks to you. THEN share what He says to you with another person FACE TO FACE! Go ahead, it might be a bit scary at first, but it is what we are supposed to do.
Pastor Mike Tarsi
Lighthouse Christian Fellowship

 

 

Plumb-Line


 Michael Tarsi
Have you ever built a house or some kind of structure? One of the most important things to remember is that you need to use a “plumb-line.” What is a plumb-line? The definition states “a string with a metal weight at one end that, when suspended, points directly towards the earth’s center of gravity and so is used to determine verticality.” In other words, it assures you that things remain straight and not crooked or askew. I believe we are lacking a moral plumb-line today in our country. It seems that everyone is allowed the latitude to decide for themselves what is moral and what is not. So, what does moral mean, The Webster Dictionary says “of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior.” We need to have a place or a baseline to determine what is right and what wrong behavior is. This is the problem, who determines this? If you call yourself a Christian, there is only one place you can get that information, The Bible. But does the bible actually talk about a plumb line? In the book of Amos, Chapter 7 verse 8 it reads, “And the LORD said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “Behold, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass by them.” A study will show you that if we use the moral standing of Jesus Christ as our plumb line and live by it as our own, God will bless us. As a Nation we need to be blessed by God and we will, IF we pay attention to The Word of God and DO what it says. Second Chronicles 7:14. Read it.  Psalm 127:1 says “Unless the Lord builds the house, they laborer in vain who build it; unless The Lord guards the city, the watchmen keep awake in vain. Where are you? Do you have the correct plumb line? Jesus Christ is calling to you, are you listening? Trust in Him today.
Pastor Mike Tarsi

The Blood Of Christ


 Michael Tarsi

If you have seen the movie “The Passion of the Christ”, you more than likely remember the horrific scene of Jesus brutally beaten by the guards before His crucifixion. In fact, the overview of the entire movie is about His last few hours on Earth. If we truly MEDITATE on His Word and actually READ The Bible, we find that in the Gospels, there is only 1 verse in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, so a total of 4 verses, that speak of Jesus being beaten (not to be confused with scourged) by the Guards, however we are made to believe that He was beaten nearly beyond recognition. It is throughout the Bible from the Old Testament through the New Testament, that a Blood Sacrifice is required. So why the emphasis on the beating? THAT is what sells movie tickets! “Hollywierd” knows how to get emotional responses from an audience. Remember the people crying at the Crucifixion scene? I am not saying that it would not have brought tears and sorrow, but old Mel did NOT bring out the Joy Unspeakable that was purchased by the Blood of Jesus! It is the Blood of Jesus that makes us clean and pure. It is the Blood of Jesus that washes away all our sin. It is the Blood of Jesus that gains us entrance to Heaven. Jesus was not murdered. He willingly GAVE His life as a ransom for many. Are you one of the many? Have you received Jesus as your Lord AND Savior? Does the Blood of Jesus mean everything to you? It should. For “Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins.” Hebrews 9:22

Forgiveness is possible, but only by trusting Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

 

True Hope

According to 1 Peter 1:3&4,“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in Heaven for you”.I believe in a Living Hope, and as a result of actually knowing Jesus Christ, you are able to have true HOPE, that will never fade away if you place your trust in Him. I recently wrote this for our newsletter for the Hope & Health Ministry at our Church, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship. I believe it is of utmost importance to know that Jesus brings health to your very soul and He is The Hope that everyone is looking for but many reject or deny because they don’t want to be religious. I was recently interviewed by Jeremiah O’Hagan of the Stanwood News about my perspective on Hope in light of the times we live in. He asked me how much hope was being sucked out of me by the current events in our country. I told him “None, none whatsoever!” I meant that and I still do! If you do not want to lose hope, then stop hoping in “things, people, movements, religions, governments and yourself”, the list goes on and on and EVERY one of them with disappoint you and eventually leave you completely bankrupt! However, if you truly put your trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you will not be disappointed, (Romans 10:11) He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. No man can come to the Father except through Him. (John 14:6)