Psalms 75 - Assurance of Salvation

December 26, 2016 Monday Message:

“We praise you, God, for your name is near.” Psalms 75:1a

God has never been closer than when Jesus came to earth as a little baby, carrying with him the New Covenant of mercy, forgiveness and redemption. We celebrate this annually, each Christmas. We number our years forward from the time of this monumental event.

Jesus walking with mankind was the turning point for all of God’s people. Before Jesus, no one could achieve a sinless life, and eternity in heaven was elusive.

But with Jesus offering forgiveness and rescue, we were granted assurance of salvation. God desires that we join him in the hereafter, and Jesus became the way for us to reach that goal. This path is open to all who would repent, return and call Jesus “Lord.”

Nowadays we give Christmas gifts to each other. But the best gift of all is Jesus’ offer to escort each of us into heaven. “As for me, I will declare this forever … the righteous will be lifted up.” from Psalms 75:9-10

Merry Christmas!

Norton Lawellin

Next Sunday, January 1, 2017 is New Year’s Day! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) will gather as usual at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. Join us as baby Jesus visits the Temple, Luke 2:21-40.

Psalms 74 - Salvation

December 19, 2016 Monday Message:

“God is my King from long ago; he brings salvation on the earth.” Psalms 74:12 If you’ve ever looked for “Jesus” in the Psalms, here’s one verse to underline!

John writes that Jesus existed before creation – before our planet, before our galaxy, before our universe, and that he was the guiding force in all creation. “Nothing was created except through Him.” from John 1:3

Of course the one bringing salvation to the earth was that same Jesus. When mankind exhibited an unsolvable sin-problem, Jesus came to the rescue 2,000 years ago. While the healing miracles were life-changing, Jesus sometimes concluded the healing with, “Your sins are forgiven,” and only an eternal God can forgive sins.

Revelation tells us that Jesus will come again, ushering in judgment and a new heaven and a new earth. Those “with” Jesus will have their sins blotted out, and move to the next reality in the presence of the Lord forever.

It’s important to remember that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8 He was present at creation, and he’ll be here at the end of time. In Psalm 74, Asaph prophesies the King from long ago bringing salvation. That could only point to Jesus, the baby in the manger on his way to rescue all who would repent and return and call him “Lord.” Are you “in?”

We celebrate the “Son-of-God” becoming the “Son-of-man” this coming week. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Norton Lawellin

Next Sunday, December 25, is Christmas Day! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. Join us for Pastor Pilla’s special Christmas message.

Psalms 73 - Earthly vs Heavenly Kingdom

December 12, 2016 Monday Message:

In Psalm 73, Asaph affirms that God is good to believers. BUT – (yes, there’s a “but”) – “But here’s what happened to me.” Many of us may find ourselves in Asaph’s story.

Turns out that some people have been successful. They live in opulence and are proud of it, displaying their treasures openly. “Their eyes look out from fat faces … they wear pride like a necklace.” They begin to question God, and regrettably, their good fortune lends credibility to their claims.

We need to decide if our kingdom is in this world, or in heaven with our Creator. Things of this world will not last, and God has no time for those who are not “with” Him. “Lord, You would put them in a place where they would slip - It will take just a brief moment to destroy them! …like when you wake up from a dream: Lord, when you get up, you will forget that they were there!” In the long run, those against God have no chance at all.

In the end, Asaph went to the House of God and saw the light, and that’s a good model for us all to follow. Jesus is the light of the world, and his house is open to visitors each week. We celebrate the Christmas season, honoring when Jesus came to rescue all who would believe.

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, Dec. 18, 2016, it’s the 4^th Sunday of Advent – the story is in Luke 1:57-80. See you at church!

Psalms 72 more - Benevolent Leadership

December 05, 2016 Monday Message:

The job of a king, or any leader of a country, is to serve its citizens. A country runs more efficiently and is a safer place with good leadership – but it needs to be benevolent leadership.

Jesus was the prime example of benevolent leadership. With his connection to heaven, he could have forced everyone to bow down, but he did not.

Instead, with Jesus, the blind had their eyes opened, those who were in darkness came into the light, those who were far from God came closer to God. Those who needed food were fed, disease was washed away, dead were restored to life, and those who needed hope were shown the way to eternal life. In fact, Jesus himself became the sacrifice for the sins of the entire world, guaranteeing that anyone who would repent and follow him would get to see heaven from the inside!

Solomon writes of benevolent leadership in Psalms 72:12-14 “The king will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their lives in his eyes.” Of course Solomon is writing about himself, how he intends to lead Israel.

Our prayer is that every nation on earth would be led by God-ordained benevolent leaders. King, President, Prime Minister – someday they’ll ALL have to answer a much higher authority, one who values compassion.

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, Dec. 11, 2016, Pastor Pilla celebrates Advent 3 – the story of Jesus’ arrival continues to unfold.

Psalms 72 - Pray for Our Leaders

November 28, 2016 Monday Message:

“Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son.” Psalms 72:1 NLT

This ancient prayer for a country’s leader and the country’s next leader is as relevant today as it was for King David and his son Solomon 3,000 years ago.

Without regard for political affiliations, we should always pray that God’s value system would be the moral compass guiding our leaders. We need honest, truthful leaders, who live out their lives as if Jesus was watching – because he is watching! God has no time for those who cannot be honest, who cannot tell the truth.

God will also test the compassion of his leaders, wanting them to love their country and its residents just as Jesus loved everyone. Heaven wants leaders to love all their neighbors without constantly asking, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus already answered that, by saying that your neighbor may not look like you or speak like you or dress like you. Jesus said to be nice to pretty much everybody, unless they give you reason to do otherwise.

Because the out-going and the in-coming administrations in the US are so different, is perhaps the best reason to pray for God’s hand on all of this.

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, Advent 2, Dec. 4, 2016, Pastor Pilla teaches about the birth of Jesus foretold.

Revive Me, Again

November 21, 2016 Monday Message:

“You, God, who have shown me great and severe troubles, shall revive me again, and bring me up again from the depths of the earth.” Psalms 71:20 NKJV

Both God and Jesus said that they would never leave us or forsake us. In fact, the Holy Spirit has been sent to help us until Jesus returns.

Troubles may come and go in our lives, but if you’ve been adopted into the Holy Family, troubles are not the end. If you think about it, most people’s earthly lives end with trouble – sickness, some kind of disease, or an accident - but the life of a believer in Jesus doesn’t end on earth.

As we pass from this reality into the next reality, everything is made right. In heaven, there is no sickness or disease. There is no pain or suffering. Everything is running well, because everything is God-directed – and all the residents are pulling in the same direction.

Your worst day in heaven will be better than your best day on earth – look forward to it! It’s God’s promise from Psalm 71.

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. 27, 2016, Pastor Pilla celebrates Advent 1 – the conception of John the Baptist.

Psalms 70 - Mutual Aid

November 14, 2016 Monday Message:

“Come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer.” from Psalms 70:5 NIV

David teaches that his relationship with God is a kind of mutual aid pact. David speaks highly of God, lifts up God’s Holy name, writes worship songs that honor God and leads others in exalting God-the-creator. David is one of God’s outspoken children.

Therefore, when the bad guys have David in their sights, he prays for Holy intervention, fully expecting God to hold up his end of the deal. God does not disappoint. David does not ask for the death of his enemies, but rather, “confuse them, put them to shame, turn them back in disgrace.”

This is more than just a history lesson about David. He wrote this so that people just like us would learn to honor and trust God, and know that divine intervention is available when facing life’s trials.

God said in Deuteronomy 31:6, and Jesus said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you for forsake you.” Count on it!

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. 20, 2016, Pastor Pilla continues our study in 1^st Corinthians.

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!

Psalms 66 - Repent First, Then Return

October 17, 2016 Monday Message:

“If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Psalms 66:18 NIV

“God has no wish that anyone should be destroyed. He wishes that all should come to repent.” from 2 Peter 3:9 JBP

The Hebrew language uses the word “teshuvah,” which literally means “to turn or to re-turn.” In religious teaching, it means to repent and return – to turn away from our sins, and return to the Lord.

This has been the message described over and over in the Bible, ever since Adam and Eve succumbed to temptation in the Garden of Eden. And God’s desire is still the same for us today – He wants everybody to repent and return.

The Bible describes a sinner as someone far from God. When that person repents and returns, they move closer to God. They were blind, but now they see – their eyes have been opened. They were living in darkness, but have turned toward the light.

It would be easier to “return” if we didn’t have to first “repent,” but it doesn’t work that way. We can’t drag our old sin with us into the presence of God. Psalm 66 teaches us, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” So we need to do life God’s way.

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, Oct. 23, 2016, Pastor Pilla opens up 1 Corinthians Ch. 4. We welcome guests from Metro Hope Ministries – lunch following the service.

Psalms 65 - God of Everything

October 10, 2016 Monday Message:

“Mighty praise belongs to you, O God.” from Psalms 65:1 NLT

In Psalm 65, David tells us that our God is the “God of everything.” David gives us a long list, but not an exhaustive list.

God answers our prayers. He forgives our sins. He fills us with joy. Author of awesome deeds, God offers hope to everyone.

Almighty God made majestic mountains, raging oceans with pounding waves, and the sun from where it rises to where it sets. God inspires shouts of joy!

God waters the earth, taking care that it is rich and fertile, to provide a bountiful harvest. With water from heaven, grasslands become lush pastures, hillsides bloom with joy, meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!

God truly deserves all this praise. Even if God’s followers were forced to be silent, the stones along the road would burst into cheers! Luke 19:40

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, Oct. 16, 2016, Pastor Pilla continues our study in 1 Corinthians Ch. 3.

Psalms 64 - God's Complaint Desk

October 03, 2016 Monday Message:

“Hear me, My God, as I voice my complaint.” Psalms 64:1a NIV

Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble. But that he, Jesus, has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

David has lots of reasons to complain. He’s faced with plenty of trouble, having to constantly elude his enemies. Like David, you and I will also have troubles in this life. There is sin in the world, and sin spells trouble.

But we also have Jesus, and he said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What we translate as David saying, “Hear me,” really means in the original language, “Hear me and do something about it!” So Psalm 64 is a prayer, asking for God’s help and protection. We all need God’s help and protection from time to time, so don’t be afraid to complain to God!

When life hands you a lemon, head straight for the complaint desk. God will not only hear you out, but he can initiate steps to make things a lot better.

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. 9, 2016, I’ll continue our study in 1 Corinthians Ch. 3:10-16. See you at church!

Psalms 63 - Lift Up Your Hands!

-->

September 26, 2016 Monday Message:

“I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalms 63:4 NIV

Psalm 63 finds David in the desert, hiding from his evil son Absalom, who was trying to kill David so that he could be the next king. Turns out it was not his time, but for a while, David needed to leave Jerusalem to regroup, so now he raises his hands to the Lord in the desert.

Have you ever been attending a worship service, and the person next to you suddenly raises their hands like David? Did that confuse you, or did that make you feel right at home? David chose to reach out to God, offering all of himself in worship. It’s an outward sign of how he feels inside.

Each of us had different parents, went to different schools and attended different churches, so it’s not surprising that we would prefer one style of worship over another. If we’re all gathering to lift up the Lord, there are different ways to do that – different, but not necessarily incorrect. As long as we’re loving the Lord, it’s all good!

“Lord, your kind love is better than life, so my mouth will sing your praises.” Psalms 64:3

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, Oct. 2, 2016, Pastor Michael Pilla leads us into 1 Corinthians Ch 3.

Psalm 62 - Repent and Return

September 19, 2016 Monday Message:

As Psalm 62 ends, God speaks, and David heard it at least twice. He reports:

a) All power belongs to you, God.

b) With you, Lord, is unfailing love; and

c) God rewards everyone according to what they have done.

(Or, conversely, God disciplines everyone according to what they have done.)

We all know that God is all-powerful, and we frequently sing of his everlasting lovingkindness. But the first step toward salvation, toward becoming a Christian, is acknowledging our defects and recognizing our need for a savior. Unfortunately, many are quick to say, “Ask Jesus into your heart,” without first saying, “Repent.”

It would be easier if Jesus would rescue us, but we could still be in charge of our lives. Redemption doesn’t work that way. God is God and we are not, and submission is on His agenda.

Fortunately, when we put God in the driver’s seat of our lives, God’s love blesses us, and life becomes wonderful, oftentimes in ways we couldn’t have imagined back when we were living without God.

Doing things God’s way is a good decision, and if I had to do it over again, I’d make the same decision. Life is better this way.

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, Sept. 25, 2016, I’ll wrap up 1 Corinthians Ch. 2. See you at church!

Psalms 61 - God Bless our Leaders

September 12, 2016 Monday Message:

“Let our leader be wrapped in God’s presence forever. Give him your kind love and truth to protect him.” Psalms 61:7

It’s important to remember to pray for our country’s leaders. In David’s day, it was “Kings.” In our time, it’s “Presidents” and “Prime Ministers.” And also “Governors, Senators, Representatives, Mayors, Councilpersons and Judges.” They would all benefit from God’s guidance as they lead our citizens.

This November, most Americans will enter a voting booth to help choose new leaders for our country. Some choices may prove difficult. Some of your candidates may win, while others may lose.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s important that we all pray God’s presence into all our leaders. With God’s hand setting our course, everything will be OK. It will be more OK WITH God than without God.

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, Sept. 18, 2016, Pastor Retha Dowells opens up 1 Corinthians Ch. 2.