Message from Pastor Leo

February 01, 2008

What really makes a man feel good about himself, and, when he goes to bed at night, just kind of lie there going, “Thank you, God”?  Obviously it’s when he connects with his creator, isn’t it.  When he’s living his life for the purpose for which he was created, he has a sense of completion and a sense of peace and rest.

I noticed a big difference in what I felt from when I was a nightclub entertainer singing all the popular songs trying to get rich, to when I traveled all over the world singing for Jesus, not even making any money.  I always had a much different sense of satisfaction and completion and fulfillment.

Did you see the old movie Chariots of Fire about the Olympic runners?  One of my favorite lines comes when one runner, who’s a Christian about to go on a mission trip, is asked about his great love of running.  And he says, “God’s made me fast – and I feel His pleasure when I run.”

I feel God’s pleasure when I lead someone to Jesus.  I feel His pleasure when I think to pray for somebody.  I feel His pleasure when I sit down quietly and say, “This time is for you, Lord.”  I feel His pleasure when I sit down to pay the bills and the first check always goes to further His work and His kingdom because it shows I love Him and I’m worshipping Him with my gift.

I feel His pleasure when I do the things I know I’ve been created for. 

Jesus set the example and then he said, “My nourishment is to do the will of Him that sent me...” (John 4:34)  Jesus is telling us that He feels satisfaction and fulfillment when He’s doing what God put Him on earth to do.

I think there are a lot of Christians who don’t know that you’re supposed to be doing something.  You’re not supposed to pool your resources and hire your Pastor to do God’s work.  You’re supposed to win people to Jesus.  You’re supposed to be praying for people.  You’re supposed to be stepping out in faith because that’s how God has made you.  You are supposed to be involved and saying, “Lord, here I am.  I’m at my regular job.  Why am I here?  I know this is where I make my paycheck but you made me for a higher purpose than just collecting a check.  Why do you have me here today?”

You are there as a light.  If you are a Christian, you are there to shine for Jesus.  You are there to some how, some way, bring to Jesus the people who aren’t saved.  How?  You pray for them.  And you grow in front of them so they can see that what you’ve shared with them is genuine.  Because before people will believe what you say, they have to see you live it.

The second chapter of Philippians is all about this.  Paul tells us, “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus …work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2: 4-5, 12-13)  What Paul means is, now that you’re saved, get with the program; get on with God’s plan.  And how do we know God’s plan?  We read the Bible.

Read your Bible.  Read it every day.  Ask God to help you overcome your flesh and reveal His plan for you.  Ask Him for the strength and conviction to live your faith before others.  Then you’ll know what to do and you will experience His pleasure.

May the Lord Jesus Christ Be Magnified!

Pastor Leo A. Giovinetti