Message from Pastor Leo

January 01, 2009

We’ve just passed through a challenging time with the election of a new, young president, a housing and finance crisis, Christmas shopping, high prices, Christmas parties and scheduling problems.  The stock markets, the banks, and nearly all the other financial institutions are down, in trouble, bankrupt, or being bought out.  The whole world seems to be in a state of crisis.  The cost of living is up.  Unemployment is up.  Foreclosures are up.

But, does any of this change God’s plan for your life?  Not at all.  Does any of this affect the kingdom of God?  Not At All.  Will any of this cause God to falter or be unable to come through on any of his promises?  NOT AT ALL!!  God is still on the throne.  God is still in control.

Yes, the devil will try to freak you out.  He hits hard – blindsides you when you least expect it.  And even if you’ve been walking with the Lord for some time, you reel for a couple moments from the shock and surprise.  Your faith may get shaken.  You have those thoughts and doubts and say, “Where are you God?”  When this happens, you have to take a step back and say, “What do I know that’s true about God?”  You have to go back to the foundational truths of the Bible.

When Jesus told the disciples what was going to happen in the future, it shook them.  And when they asked what they should do, the first thing He said was: Take heed that no man deceive you. Matthew 24:4.  Jesus knew they would be shaken, scared, and confused.  And He knows there’s going to be a lot of confusion, distraction, and temptation when trouble comes to you, too – and it will come. 

But this is what God wants you to know.  This is what God wants you to hang on to and believe in during the moments of crisis:

#1 – God is on the throne.  No matter what happens, God knows, and He is in control.

#2 – God rules and reigns in the affairs of mankind.  When people are panicking, God is not. God is working.

#3 – No one can alter God’s plan.  No one.  God is in control.  You can’t stop His progress. You can’t thwart Him.

#4 – No one can usurp God.  No one can commandeer, seize or in any other way bring down the kingdom of God.

Do you trust in God?  Do you know His promises?  Jesus said: I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:18.  Jesus is NOT concerned about anything the devil can do.  Jesus even goes on to say: And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 16:19.

As believers, we’re living in two different worlds at the same time.  It’s important that you understand how this works because if you try to live in this world by the world’s standards, you’re going to fall apart, and you’ll miss the second world – the kingdom of God.  But if you live in both worlds, living by the standard of the King of Kings, you’re going to make it and you’re going to be rewarded in the end. Our home, our community, our citizenship is in heaven.  We draw our strength and all that we need from our Lord in heaven.  And heaven is where we’ll return when we leave this world. 

Do you know His promises?  Do you understand His Love for you? 

Read your Bible and you will.

May the Lord Jesus Christ Be Magnified!

Pastor Leo A. Giovinetti