Leftovers

July 30, 2012 Monday Message:

YHWH: “They will eat and have some left over” 2 Kings 4:43b

There was famine in the region of the people of God, and a man brought Elisha twenty loaves. “Give it to the people to eat,” said Elisha.

Now, 20 loaves would feed 20 men, and perhaps allow 40 men to have a taste. But attempting to feed 100 would be out of the question. The men would be expecting a full meal, while all you could supply is the appetizer, and you’d soon have 100 frustrated men casting their anger in your direction.

Nonetheless, God had said, “They will eat and have some left over,” so Elisha did just as God asked, and passed out the bread. And it turned out exactly the way God said. Everyone ate all they wanted, and there were leftovers.

Our God, Yahweh-yireh, will provide. He is a God of abundance; he has thousands of cattle on thousands of hills. He can provide not only all that we need, but also a little extra - leftovers.

God’s provision becomes especially significant as Jesus in the City Fellowship takes on the challenging demographics of urban ministry. We are now in the most diverse neighborhood in the U.S., with over 100 languages spoken. The building where we meet is also home to Spanish-speaking and Ethiopian congregations. Neighborhood residents seem to have little pride in where they live and work; the population turns over every six months. Poverty and crime are out of control, and the police seem powerless to improve the situation. Their only hope is the local church.

As we were praying for the future of this ministry, it occurred to me that Jesus in the City will probably never be self-supporting. Even if we develop a significant number of local worshipers, they won’t have deep pockets. But the Bible says that God won’t send us on a mission without provision, and we’re counting on that! I believe that God will call benefactors, both individuals and congregations, to see the need to keep Jesus in the inner-city, and to step forward with the desperately-needed provision.

Our mission field is just north of Lake Street!

Norton Lawellin

Last week I was privileged to help with music for the Celebration of Life service for Evangelist Lowell Lundstrom. His church credits him with helping over one million people make a decision for Jesus.

Sunday, Aug. 5, Jesus in the City Fellowship worships in the Oliver Ministry building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. Pastor Daisy is ON, wrapping up Galatians!

Truth is a Person

July 23, 2012 Monday Message:

Jesus: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” John 14:6

As Acts 2 closes, we witness the love, willingness to give and sharing spirit of the new believers. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.” Acts 2:44-45

Acts 4 visits this again: “There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales, and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” Acts 4:34-35

Ananias and Sapphira had joined the church, and like the others, chose to sell property to support the cause. But Ananias conspired with his wife to hold back a portion of the funds for themselves, while still pretending to give the entire amount. When confronted, they fell down and died!

As church members, it’s important for us to fully understand their situation. Ananias and Sapphira could have sold the property or not sold the property, and either choice would have been OK. Once they had the money, they could have given or not given, and that too would have been OK. And once they decided to give, the amount could have been large or small; none of these things were the issue.

The problem was the lie. Ananias and Sapphira purported to do the same as the others, to donate the full amount, while in fact they underhandedly conspired to do otherwise and deceive the flock.

God did not tolerate deceit in the early church, and the same type of behavior saddens him nowadays. When Jesus returns for his time of judgment, each of us will be accountable for any schemes, deceit and tomfoolery we may have perpetrated while in His service.

Truth is a person, the person who came to rescue us!

Norton Lawellin

Get Going!

July 16, 2012 Monday Message:

The Lord said to Abram, “Go … to the land I will show you.” from Genesis 12:1

When Abram and family packed for the journey, they didn’t know their destination. God’s instructions were to “get going,” and so off they went. God would set them down in just the right place, at just the right time.

July 22^nd is the final Sunday our Jesus in the City Fellowship meets at Trinity First Lutheran, 1115 E. 19^th St., Mpls., 11am. They have been wonderful hosts, but now need the space to expand their Christian school.

JITC will be moving to the Oliver Ministry Center, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am on July 29^th. It’s only 3 blocks over and 7 down on a map. But it’s a whole new neighborhood and a whole new ministry opportunity.

Our lead pastor, Michael Pilla, has put in a lot of hours searching out the new venue, helping the owners to understand our needs, and negotiating office and worship space. I believe it all worked out just the way God planned.

“The best place to do ministry is wherever God sets you down to do ministry.” Alistair Begg

Norton Lawellin

This Friday we’ll be leading worship at New Hope Center, 27^th & Cedar, 7pm. Open your Bibles to Daniel 3 and get ready to jump into the fiery furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. See you there!