Psalm 24b

November 30, 2015 Monday Message:

“Lift up your heads, you gates…” Psalms 24:7a

When a king arrives at a gated city, the crier shouts, “Open the gate!”

From within, a voice demands, “Who is there?”

“It’s the king!” And immediately, the gate is opened.

Sometimes the stuff going on in our heads is like a gate. It’s difficult to fully understand some Christian principles – that God can be everywhere at once, omnipresent – that God knows everything, omniscient – God has the power to do anything, omnipotent. The Christian triune God – one God who has revealed himself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is difficult for many to grasp.

If we over-think some of these things, our souls could be left behind. Thinking about Godly things is good, but OVER-thinking theology can be like putting up a gate. We have to accept some things by faith, and let go of the details. There are some things that only God knows.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me.” Rev. 3:20

Jesus promised – open the door, and I will come in! He desires fellowship with each of us. So lift up your gates today!

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, Dec. 6, Pastor Michael Pilla speaks on the 2^nd Sunday of Advent.

Psalm 24a

November 23, 2015 Monday Message:

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” Psalms 24:1a

As humans, we tend to want to own things and control things. Someone once wrote, “When we die, whoever has the most toys – wins!” That was intended to be a joke, but it’s a sad commentary on our relationship with the Creator.

In our land of free enterprise, many people believe that what we earn is ours. We use OUR dollars to buy OUR house, OUR car, OUR clothes, OUR food and OUR toys. The more successful we are, the bigger are our toys. If a church or a charity needs help, most people look to their “leftover” dollars, with the attitude of, “I have everything I want – and a few dollars left-over for God!” I got mine, and God comes after that.

This whole attitude changes if we take a moment to acknowledge God as the creator of EVERYTHING! He made the earth, separated the oceans from the land, the light from the dark, and in fact created our galaxy, our entire universe. God also created humans, made us in His image, male and female. The truth is, the earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it! This was true 3,000 years ago when David wrote Psalm 24, and it’s still true today.

So instead of taking everything you want and giving God the left-overs – or – thinking everything is yours and letting God have 10% — admit that everything belongs to God, a God who is loving, a God of generous provision who wants to make sure that you get 90%! Give thanks for God is good!

Don’t accept more than 90% from God. That’s what the Bible says.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! 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. 29, I’ll open up the Advent season as we prepare for our LORD coming to earth as a little baby! See you at church!

Psalm 23

November 16, 2015 Monday Message:

“He (God) restores my soul.” Psalms 23:3a

If you asked anybody to name their favorite Psalm, which Psalm would they want read at their funeral, most people choose Psalm 23. There’s a lot within those 6 short verses, so let’s dig in.

David begins with God’s holy name, “YHWH is my shepherd.” It’s a perfect analogy. Sheep, like humans, tend to wander off and make bad decisions. The reason that there are shepherds is because the sheep need a leader. Humans need a leader too, someone to keep us on-track, and David suggests YHWH as someone who leads him, someone who could help us all.

The Shepherd is good to us, takes care of us, and provides for us. But most importantly, no matter how far we may have fallen, the Shepherd can and will restore us. God is in the restoration business.

Notice that God does not promise a life without tribulation. But he DOES promise to walk with you, even in the valley of the shadow of death. Even in the presence of your enemies, God’s blessings will overflow.

The result of this relationship with the LORD is that God has a place reserved for you in his house. Prepare yourself to be adopted into the Holy family, to live in God’s eternal kingdom – forever!

That’s what the Bible says.

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, Nov. 22, Pastor Retha speaks from Ephesians 6:10-20, “the Armor of God.”

Psalm 22

November 9, 2015 Monday Message:

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Psalms 22:1a

It seems someone is always trying to kill David, and in his depression, he questions if God has left him to fend for himself. Jesus uses these words on the cross when burdened with the sin of the world.

For David, it’s somewhat of a rhetorical question, because as this Psalm develops, David praises God, acknowledges God’s Holiness, and acknowledges his own insignificance. David concludes by saying that God’s righteousness will be declared from generation to generation.

Think of God like the sun. Each day as afternoon turns into evening, we say, “The sun went down.” But the truth is that the sun is right where it’s always been. It’s the earth that turned away from the light.

God is right where he’s always been. If the light of God no longer shines into your life, who moved?

If the light is growing dim, it’s time to repent and return. That’s what the Bible says.

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, Nov. 15, Pastor Michael Pilla speaks from Ephesians 4.

Psalm 21

November 2, 2015 Monday Message:

God made David their king: “…a man after my own heart, who will do all my will.” Acts 13:22

David had been highly favored by God, and David is grateful. Worship song Psalm 21 almost sounds a little conceited or selfish on David’s part, but if you were living at that time, you would know that Israel was only as strong as its king, and God had raised David up to be that king. Therefore all of Israel praised God for favoring their leader.

Just as God was kind to David, so God is kind to each of us. So as you read Psalm 21, just insert your own name. “You grant me my hearts desires…, You greet me with rich blessings…, You granted me life – length of days, for ever and ever!” Look at all God has done for you! from Psalms 21:2-4 NIV

God’s protection continues: “Your right hand will seize my foes…, On battle, you will burn up my enemies as a furnace…, You will destroy their descendants. from Psalms 21:8-10

Verse 11 puts the evil and wicked in their proper place: “They cannot succeed.”

“We exalt Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.” Psalms 21:13

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, Nov. 8, Pastor Michael Pilla continues preaching from the Bible.