Psalms 69 - Whipping Boy

November 7, 2016 Monday Message:

“Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.” Psalms 69:1 NIV

We’ve all had days like that, where nothing seems to go right, and everyone is out to get you. But the psalmist doesn’t sink into a pit of despair. Instead, the problem becomes an opportunity to call upon God.

We’re not sure if Psalm 69 was written by David, by Jeremiah, written by Jeremiah ABOUT David, or if Jeremiah added to verses started by David. We do know that they were both “whipping boys,” someone who is punished when they did nothing wrong, and both David and Jeremiah took a lot of heat for standing up for God.

Jesus is the prime example of a “whipping boy.” Mankind sinned, Jesus did nothing wrong, and yet – in the Great Exchange - he willingly took the punishment for the sins of the world, and then covered us in his righteousness, making it possible for us to see heaven from the inside, for eternity – and that’s a really long time!

Repent, return, and stick with the Son!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, Pastor Pilla continues our study in 1^st Corinthians.

Psalms 68 - The Family of God

October 31, 2016 Monday Message:

“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalms 68:6a NIV

Your church should be like your second home, and your “church family” should be your new extended family. Some of us have earthly families; some of us do not. But God welcomes us ALL into HIS family with open arms. When you’ve been adopted into the Holy Family, that’s your forever home. Your best friends are there. It’s your sanctuary when the world around you is dishing out tribulation.

“From your bounty, God, you provided for the poor.” Psalms 68:10b

Jesus taught us to love each other, to care for each other, and to share. If someone in God’s family has been blessed with abundance, that’s so they can help fellow family members and others.

“Our God is a God who saves.” Psalms 68:20a

When we pass from this life to the next life, the whole family will get to see heaven from the inside. Jesus has made it so that we can spend eternity in the presence of the Almighty, and that’s really Good News!

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Nov. 6, 2016, Paul deals with sin in the Corinthian church. See you there!

Psalm 67 - Pull Together

October 24, 2016 Monday Message:

“Pray for God’s blessings to continue and for everyone on earth to worship our God.” Psalms 67:7 CEV

In Psalm 67, God has shown favor to his people with a bountiful harvest. God has been kind and has blessed his people. Now that we can prove the God-potential, let’s get everyone on-board. Partnering with God is an awesome thing. God’s blessing on a nation will increase when the people are united and everyone is pulling in the same direction, God’s direction.

Jesus taught us to grow Christianity through attraction. Outsiders should be able to easily see the love in our fellowship, and then desire to be a part of what we have. Be joyful! The psalmist writes, “Be pleased and smile. Then everyone on earth will learn to follow you, and all nations will see...” from Ps. 67:1-2

In this time of political division in our country, it would be restorative to turn from our differences and, for a moment, celebrate the good things we have in common. Our country was founded by people who desired religious freedom. Declaring our independence, they wrote, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights…” Our founding fathers acknowledged a creator who was good to us – perhaps we can all agree on that.

So put a smile on your face, sing a joyful song, and let’s all pull together with the positive values we share. Let’s all play for God’s team.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016, we’ll unpack Martin Luther and the Reformation – Getting the church back on track! See you there!