Forget What You Forgive

Sept. 24, 2018 Monday Message:

“Love keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Cor. 13:5d NIV

What happens to your record of sin after you have repented and God has forgiven you? The Bible says that you are separated from your sin “as far as the East is from the West.” Your record of sin lies “at the bottom of the deepest ocean.”

When heaven finds your name in the Book of Life, and looks down the column marked, “sin,” it will be empty. There will be no record of your sin. Don’t look for scratch-outs or eraser marks. It will be blank white-space, as if nothing had ever been written there.

The principle here is that God forgets what He forgives. Read that again – “God forgets what He forgives.” And if that works for our God, it’s good advice for us too.

I’ve heard people say, “I don’t get mad – I get EVEN!” But seeking revenge is not Jesus’ way. Carrying a grudge just hurts YOU, not the other person who upset you. They’re probably sitting at Starbucks enjoying a latté while your anger is raising your blood pressure! Let go and let God!

We will all be healthier and enjoy life more if we do things God’s way. Jesus said to forgive 70 x 7 times. Now it’s time to forget what you have forgiven.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla continues our study of the minor prophet Amos.

The Good Shepherd

Sept. 17, 2018 Monday Message:

“I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” Psalms 73:3 NIV

Sometimes it seems like life isn’t fair. Sometimes evil prospers and good people have a rough go of it. That seems backwards. Asaph, in Psalm 73, says he almost slipped and lost his foothold when he became envious of the wicked. Here’s what the wicked looked like: “Always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.” Sounds enticing, right?

But our accounts with God are not settled here on earth. When we die, we move on to the next reality. We come to a time of judgment, and here God evens things out. He will separate the sheep from the goats. The goats go into the lake of fire, and the (Christian) sheep get to go with the Good Shepherd, Jesus.

The Bible says that those who narcissisticly cling to their earthly amassings have already received their reward. Typically life ends in fewer than 100 years. But Christians receive a much better heavenly blessing – living in the presence of the Father - which lasts forever and ever!

God always wins!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll be checking out the minor prophet Amos. See you at church!

Praying and Praising

Sept. 10, 2018 Monday Message:

(While imprisoned,) “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.’” Acts 16:25 NIV

Paul and Silas had disrupted the status quo by teaching people about Jesus and performing miracles in His name. Consequently they were arrested, and not just put in a simple jail. First they were severely flogged, then their feet were shackled and then they were placed in a heavily guarded inner cell.

What would you do when faced with such a situation? For Paul and Silas, the answer was simple: pray and sing hymns to God! In spite of how bad their situation appeared, they knew a better day was ahead. God caused an earthquake which shook the foundation of the prison, opened the doors, and everyone’s chains were loosened. By the end of the story, the jailer had been converted to Christianity!

There’s a lesson in here for us too. When faced with life’s problems, don’t insist on solving every issue yourself and leaving God out of the equation. Praying and praising is essential to the success of overcoming the trials of this world.

Sometimes God will solve your problem in this reality, and sometimes He will solve it in the next reality. Either way, with Jesus there is always a better day in your future!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Nathaniel Harris guest Worship Leader.

Here am I - Send Me!

Sept. 3, 2018 Monday Message:

“I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” Isaiah 6:8 NIV

God calls people into ministry, and then calls sometimes end.

When things are new and exciting and the ministry is in high gear, working for the Lord can be a whole lot of fun. But someday the mission may be complete and your gifts and talents are no longer needed in that particular situation.

This is a time I call the “doldrums,” which my dictionary defines as a period of inactivity, stagnation and depression. “The call has ended, and I’m feeling depressed.”

But sure enough – from out of the blue – from where you least expect it - God comes knocking on your door with another Kingdom opportunity. Your gifts and talents aren’t obsolete – they’re just needed elsewhere.

Sometimes obedience isn’t easy. The new call may involve a new church, new friends, sometimes even a new city. It wasn’t easy for Isaiah, but when God called, he didn’t hesitate.

If you’re not dead, you’re not done.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Jeff Boyer continues our study in Hebrews.