Grace That Works – Episode Transcript
Host: Giancarlo
Guest: Pastor Beth Lavino
Giancarlo
Hello friends, and welcome to another edition of Grace That Works.
It has truly been a blessing to have this broadcast—to reach you, to speak to you right where you are: at home, in your car, or at your workplace.
I just want you to know that Jesus loves you, and I want you to know the grace of God.
The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace you are saved.” It is not our gift. And because it is by grace, through faith, we can trust the Lord to do what we cannot do by ourselves.
So I encourage you—stay tuned and keep watching, because today’s edition is going to be amazing.
Grab a coffee or a tea—I love tea—and sit back as we enjoy this episode of Grace That Works.
God bless you as you are watching right now.
I have a guest today who has been a friend for several years.
She came in this week, and it has been one meeting after another. Lives have been transformed, people have been healed, and God is doing great things in Rome.
This is Rome time. This is church time in Rome.
There are things happening here that people are not hearing about.
Come to International Christian Church Rome, where Jesus is alive. You will be touched, loved, and taken care of.
It is my pleasure and privilege to introduce our guest for this edition of Grace That Works:
Pastor Beth Lavino, executive pastor at Generation Church, Phoenix.
Welcome.
Beth
Hello! It is so good to be here.
It’s a blessing to be back in Rome. I love Rome, and I love your church.
Giancarlo
We’re so excited to have you here again.
Last time you came, it was summertime, and you came with Pastor Paul and brought groups—it was amazing.
This time you came to speak at our women’s conference, and God did incredible things.
The place was packed with women, and I truly believe you’re going to outgrow your building soon.
I’d love for you to tell our audience a bit about yourself and about Generation Church—what God is doing there.
Beth
My name is Beth.
I love Rome, I love this church, and I love Pastor Lawrence and what God is doing here.
I serve at Generation Church in Arizona, and I absolutely love watching God change people’s lives.
When I started working there, the church had just a few hundred people. Today, we are running well over 6,000.
We see hundreds of people saved and baptized every year. It is truly the hand of God—these things don’t happen without Him.
I have the privilege of serving as executive pastor, overseeing ministries like Celebrate Recovery, Chosen Ministry, life groups, assimilation, and guest experience.
It’s a blessing, and I love ministry.
Giancarlo
Wow. That is a lot of responsibility, and the church is truly blessed to have you.
I believe what God is doing at Generation Church, He can do anywhere—including here in Rome.
Beth
Absolutely.
We’re seeing the same anointing in different places. We’re focusing less on methods and more on what God is doing in people’s lives—and that’s where true freedom comes from.
Giancarlo
I want to talk about today’s message, because it deeply touched me.
I couldn’t stop crying. The Holy Spirit was there.
It wasn’t about the preacher—it was about God using you as an instrument.
The topic was about how we think, and how important Christlike thinking is.
Why is this so important?
Beth
If we don’t know how to think and trust the Lord, we spend too much time thinking about things that distract us.
That keeps us from hearing God’s voice and doing what He’s called us to do.
Who wants to follow Jesus if Christians are just worried and anxious all the time?
We are called to think differently.
Giancarlo
The Bible says, “As a man thinks, so he is.”
Our thought life is our responsibility.
Beth
Yes, it is.
God gives us the tools, but He doesn’t force our thinking. We must choose to think His way.
Giancarlo
You shared from 1 Samuel 30, the story of David and his men.
Everything was lost—families kidnapped, homes burned—and yet the Bible says David encouraged himself in the Lord.
That spoke powerfully to me.
Beth
Before David made a plan, before he took action, before he called anyone—he encouraged himself in the Lord.
He had to get his heart right before he could hear God.
Giancarlo
Friends, maybe you’re watching right now and facing fear, anxiety, or a bad report.
This is the moment to stop, reflect, and remember what God has already done in your life.
So Pastor Beth, how can we encourage ourselves in the Lord?
Beth
Everyone is different, but there are key ways:
- Reading the Bible
- Praying
- Being connected to a church family
It is very hard to walk through life alone.
And worship—worship is powerful. It takes our eyes off ourselves and puts them on God.
Giancarlo
Worship is a weapon.
It’s not just singing—it’s declaring who God is.
Beth
Exactly.
God created music, and when we worship, our spirit connects with truth.
In His presence, lives are changed.
Giancarlo
You mentioned the importance of the local church.
Many people today say they don’t need church.
Beth
The church was Jesus’ idea.
You can’t love Jesus and reject His church.
If someone said they loved my husband but not me, that wouldn’t work—and it’s the same with Jesus.
The church provides fellowship, accountability, growth, purpose, and community.
Giancarlo
Many say they were hurt by church—but staying away doesn’t bring healing.
Beth
Exactly.
People hurt people, but we don’t abandon God’s purpose because of pain.
Jesus was betrayed, yet He didn’t walk away from the cross.
Giancarlo
Friends, it’s time to love again, serve again, and trust again.
The local church matters.
Pastor Beth, would you speak directly to those watching right now?
Beth
God loves you. He has a plan for your life.
The enemy wants you isolated, but Jesus wants you connected.
Ten years from now, your life will look very different if you choose church, faith, and community.
Jesus’ way always leads to peace, purpose, and freedom.
Trust Him. Give Him your life. His way is better.
Giancarlo
Amen.
Next year we’ll be launching Celebrate Recovery, and we’ll share more soon.
If you’re in Rome, come join us—Jesus is alive, and the grace of God is at work.
Thank you so much, Pastor Beth.
God bless you.
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