Radically Transformed

December 31, 2012 Monday Message:

“It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” from Gal. 2:20 NLT

Paul had a checkered past, with ups and downs, good and bad things in his life. You and I probably have checkered pasts too.

We cannot change the past, but we can change the future. I was recently selected to lead an organization with a history of problems. The members wanted things fixed. I told them that I could not change what happened in the past, but that our goal would be to do things with excellence starting NOW. We’re going to change how we operate.

Paul, through his spiritual awakening on the road to Damascus, found his life radically transformed. He accepted his new mission and went to work, determined to do things God’s way from now on. He didn’t always score 100% on this test, but showed remarkable progress. As humans in a sinful world, we also may never get a perfect score, but if we look at trends, over time, we'll find we’re getting closer and closer to God’s model.

As we begin a new year, this would be a good time for self-examination. How is life working for you? Can you recognize the old you in the rear-view mirror, see the line drawn when you began to follow Jesus, and picture the new you on the other side? Has your life been radically transformed?

Like Paul, we cannot change our checkered pasts, but we can pursue the future with God-honoring excellence.

Happy New Year!

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, Jan. 6, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. Rev. Daisy Rader will continue our exploration of Luke 2 along with a little testimony, and men from the New Hope center will be joining us as part of their church tour. See you there!

NL

For the Love of God

December 24, 2012 Monday Message:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that all who believe in him would not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

God could have turned his back on us, and gone back into heaven. “Those humans are no good, full of sin; I’m outta here!”

But He didn’t. Jesus came to earth to rescue us because God so LOVED his creation – mankind. Nothing the humans did - no matter how badly they messed up – could alter the loving character of God.

The character of God is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Therefore God loves us just as much as he loved Adam and Eve.

I saw a TV show where a young boy was excited about his Christmas gifts, about how much he was receiving. But his TV father corrected him, saying, “Christmas is about GIVING!”

I’d like to correct the father – Christmas isn’t about getting or giving; it’s about Jesus coming to earth on a mission trip to rescue mankind. That’s how much love God has for us.

Merry Christmas!

Norton Lawellin

Tonight is the beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, 5212 41^st Ave. S., 55417. It will be a special night with good worship led by a truly special worship team. If you don’t have plans for Christmas worship, or if you’d like to take in an extra service, you’re invited!  Remember – you have come up and say hi!

Sunday, Dec. 30, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. I’ll be teaching Luke 2:21-32, the young Jesus is presented at the Temple.

NL

A Son is Given - for ALL!

December 17, 2012 Monday Message:

“To us a child is born, to us a son is given…” Isaiah 9:6a

About 800 years before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah told everyone to watch for him - not just the religious leaders in Solomon’s Temple; the Messiah would be for ALL people. What was true then is still true now. Jesus is available to ALL who seek him.

The poor, the sick, the homeless, because of their extreme need, may do more seeking, and therefore be more likely to strike up a relationship with the Lord. Jesus taught, using an analogy, that healthy people would not seek a doctor. Those with great need would be the ones looking for help.

Those who prosper may feel they have it all together, and may not sense the need to know God.  Don’t get locked-in to that kind of thinking. You cannot push your camel through the eye of a needle.

Families and friends of the 26 victims gunned down in the Newtown, CT school last Friday will be seeking comfort and help. I don’t know how anyone could get through such a tragedy without the loving comfort of Jesus and the assurance of salvation that he brings, regardless of how bad things appear to be here on earth.

Since Friday, people I’ve met have talked of nothing but this tragedy. Perhaps we ALL need an extra touch from Jesus. It’s a good season to get to know Him better.

May the Lord bless you and your families during this special time of year.

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, Dec. 23, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. We celebrate Christmas as Pastor Michael teaches about the birth of Jesus.

On December 24^th, I’ve been asked to help with 11pm Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, 5212 41^st Ave. S., 55417. Rehearsals have gone exceptionally well – it’s an outstanding worship team with many talented vocalists, and I’m proud to be a part of it. If you don’t have plans for Christmas worship, or if you’d like to take in an extra service, you’re invited!  Remember – you have come up and say hi!

NL

"In" or Not?

December 10, 2012 Monday Message:

Solomon: “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” Proverbs 1:10 NLT

Peer pressure is one of the most powerful motivators of our behavior nowadays. We all want to “fit in.” We want to be part of the “in” crowd.

Remember the song:

“I’m in with the in crowd,

I go where the in crowd goes…

I know what the in crowd knows.

I know every latest dance,

It’s easy to find romance.

If it’s square, we ain’t there!”

If we are following Jesus’ Great Commission, making disciples of all nations, then by definition we’re hanging out with sinners, the ones who have not yet accepted the Good News. Jesus, using an analogy, taught, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor; sick people do.” Matthew 9:12 CEV

We’re called to love sinners, help them, pray for them, teach them, but NOT join with them in the sin. If someone wants to stop drinking, I can sit down and try to help. But I cannot join the big party-night out on the town.

Our society has the labels reversed. The “in” crowd, those who appear to be having all the fun, are actually the sinners. And those obediently following the Lord, those plain folks who really have it all together, are labeled “square” and “not hip.”

Maybe Christianity needs a little PR campaign, to let everyone know that we’re the good guys, and that they would actually be “cooler” if they were “in” with the children of the living God.

May God’s blessings fill your homes during this season of goodwill to all mankind.

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, Dec. 16, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. We look forward to the Christmas season as Pastor Michael continues teaching from Luke.

What an honor – I’ve been asked to help with the 11pm Christmas Eve service at Trinity Lutheran of Minnehaha Falls, 5212 41^st Ave. S., 55417, where I was worship leader for a number of years. Permit me to quote John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, “We’re puttin’ the band back together; we’re on a mission from God!” We held our first rehearsal last Wednesday, and I’m excited. This is truly going to be a great night of prayer, music and message honoring our Savior Jesus the Christ. If you don’t have plans for Christmas worship, or if you’d like to take in an extra service, you’re all invited – you won’t be sorry!  Make sure you come up and say hi!

NL

Don't shoot backward

December 03, 2012 Monday Message:

Don’t waste time shooting bullets backward.

God has an agenda, his “things-to-do” list. He loves us, his human creations, and wants us to be with him in heaven, forever.

When humans sinned and messed it all up, God didn’t quit. “Fellowship with the humans” is still at the top of God’s agenda. His unchanging nature and steadfast perseverance establish a trend that we can trace throughout the Bible. Watch for trends as you read your Bibles.

Therefore God sent his Son, and launched the process for our redemption. Giving up on the humans simply wasn’t an option. The principles of God, his trends, will not change. You can count on God.

God doesn’t hold onto a grudge or harbor resentment against mankind. Once Adam and Eve were disciplined and course-corrected, God let go of the offense. It does no good to shoot bullets backward.

Our God of provision looks forward, and so should we. He has made a way for us to live together, in the New Jerusalem, forever.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, Dec. 09, 10:30am Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. We welcome guests from New Hope Center this week, as Pastor Michael continues teaching from Luke: the birth of John the Baptist.

NL