Psalm 20

October 26, 2015 Monday Message:

Have you ever been surprised - caught off-guard – even humbled – when, after explaining your predicament, someone says, “Let me pray for you!”

David took it a step further in Psalm 20. He set it to music and worked it into corporate worship, so everyone would be praying for each other as they sang to the Lord. “May God defend you, help you and strengthen you. May God remember you and accept your offerings. May God know your heart’s desires, and help you fulfill your purpose. We worship the Lord; may He fulfill all our petitions.” from Psalms 20:1-5 NKJV

David then lists things he knows for certain. “The Lord saves his chosen people. God answers us from heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand.” from Psalms 20:6

Some people have bowed to earthly things, and fallen. But those who remember the name of God have risen and stand upright!

“May the victorious King answer us when we call.” Psalms 20:9

Norton Lawellin

“Fall back” – Daylight Saving Time nips us again! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Nov. 1, Pastor Michael Pilla: Ephesians 2:11-22.

Psalm 19

October 19, 2015 Monday Message:

Since the beginning of time, people have tried to explain the creation of planet Earth, our solar system, our galaxy, and our universe. Scientists go as far as facts will take them, and then expand upon those facts in a logical way, to fill in the gaps of what we don’t know for sure, to theorize how creation might actually have taken place. Nowadays, the “Big Bang Theory” has risen to the top.

But even with that, we still don’t know who decided it was time for the Big Bang, just how huge the Big Bang needed to be, what was involved and where it took place. There comes a point where the science we don’t know makes more sense when we credit the missing events to God. “Divine Intervention” is a concept endorsed by David 3,000 years ago.

A morning radio DJ, joking about the weather forecast, would often tell people to just, “Look out your window!” David explains the Creator and His creation in a similar way. “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. They speak not a sound or word. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” from Psalms 19:1-4 NLT In other words, just look out your window, and you’ll know that God had His hand on all of this.

David concludes Psalm 19 with words we all know. These are good thoughts to insert into our prayers. Pastors have opened many messages quoting this Psalm of David: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 25, Martin Luther tries to steer the church back to the Bible. Reformation 101, Ephesians 2. See you at church!

Psalm 18

October 12, 2015 Monday Message:

“I love you, Lord, my strength.” Psalms 18:1 NIV

God had rescued David from all his enemies and from Saul, and David was grateful. God is the best! So David sang Psalm 18 to the Lord, and gave the words to the worship leader, so others could sing along too.

David doesn’t hold anything back – he jumps right in: “I love you Lord!” Then he exposits upon that first thought: “You are my rock, my fortress, my shield, my deliverer … God’s way is perfect – Who is the rock except our God?”

David talks about God orchestrating his rescue: “He drew me out of deep waters ... He rescued me because he delighted in me.” Apparently this all happened the way God directed!

Too often our contemporary worship songs talk about us, what we are going to do for God: “I will worship you, I will answer Your call, I will sing praises.” These aren’t ‘bad’ themes, but sometimes I feel like there’s too much “I” and not enough God.

There is value in a song like Psalm 18, where God is King: “As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless.” Psalm 18:30 And David asks the rhetorical question: “Who is God besides the Lord?” Psalm 18:31a God is awesome, almighty and all-powerful – He is God and we are not! Amen!

Spend some time this week with Psalm 18, and witness David’s ultimate praise and worship experience!

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 18, I’ll continue our study in Ephesians 1:15-23. See you at church!

Psalm 17

October 05, 2015 Monday Message:

“Hear me, Lord, my plea is just.” Psalms 17:1a NIV

David once again prays to God in Psalm 17. He first offers evidence, justification that the Lord should answer his prayer requests. “My prayer is not from deceitful lips. May your eyes see what is right. Probe my heart, examine me, test me; You will find that I have planned no evil, and my mouth has not transgressed.” Is your heart pure when you come before the Lord?

David restates the promise in scripture, that the Lord is forever faithful. “I call on my God, for you will answer me. Show me the wonders of your great love. Keep me as the apple of your eye, in the shelter of your wing.” Do we trust that God will be ever-faithful with us?

When Saul was king, he felt threatened by David, the future king, so he sent his soldiers to attack David. After David was on the throne, other countries were constantly attacking Israel. As David grew older, even his own sons sought to take over the nation. David had enemies in spades! “They have tracked me down, they now surround me, to throw me to the ground. They are like a fierce lion crouching in cover, hungry for prey.” Do you ever have days when you feel like everyone is out to get you?

David then calls upon the Lord for vengeance. “Rise up, confront my enemies, bring them down; with your sword, rescue me from the wicked.” Needing rescue from the wicked is a good time to call upon God.

No one picks up a sword to inflict a flesh wound. David is asking God to kill his enemies. He has no other solution – He believes that Divine intervention is the only answer. What God has for the wicked, David wishes upon their children and their children’s children. But Jesus taught us to pray for our enemies. But instead of praying for their death, we should pray that they would renounce their evil ways and repent.

And as for David – he’s the man after God’s own heart. The Lord will justify him. “I will be vindicated; I will see Your face.”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, Oct. 11, Pastor Michael Pilla opens up the book of Ephesians.