Psalm 54 - Unchanging God

July 25, 2016 Monday Message:

“Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.” Psalms 54:4 NIV

God doesn’t change his mind. When he anointed David to be the next King of Israel, you can count on it happening just that way.

Others, not realizing this was a God-thing, sought to keep David from becoming King. In fact Saul, King at the time, felt especially threatened by David, so David was hiding in Ziph, near where his family lived. David had helped defend the people of Zipf from their enemies, so he assumed it would be a safe, friendly place. Wrong! There’s always a snake in the grass, someone who will betray you for personal gain, and that’s what happened to David.

But God was still on David’s side – God doesn’t change his mind. God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. If God hand-picked David, “a man after his own heart,” God will stick with that commitment. God’s decision is irrevocable.

The Good News is that our God of second chances is in the rescue business, and if you’re now adopted into the holy family, God will go to work for you too, just as any father would defend his children. This message of assurance of salvation is for you, too! God knows that you, like David, will need protecting from time to time.

“I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.” Psalms 54:6b

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday, July 31, 2016, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This week – Pastor Retha examines Romans 15.

Psalm 53 - God's Rescue

July 18, 2016 Monday Message:

“A fool thinks that there is no God.” Psalms 53:1a

David wrote Psalm 14 about when God led Moses through the Red Sea, to rescue the Israelites from Pharaoh. Psalm 53 was re-written 300 years later, to reflect when God rescued Israel from the Assyrians.

It seems the Assyrians were winning the war, and everybody went to sleep one night. In the morning, 185,000 Assyrians didn’t wake up, and those who were still alive were quite afraid. The victory went to Israel, and Jacob sang and Israel danced, celebrating the goodness of God.

God is still in the rescue business, and our country could use a bit of help right now. Our nation is living in the pit of prejudice. Our jails, our courts and our police system haven’t been able to solve the problem. In fact, our police are oftentimes accused of stirring up the problem. Hopefully, Grand Juries will investigate and determine the truth.

Police have now become targets for racial retaliation, and that’s not right either, even if they were wrong. Even before grade school I was taught, “two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Our only Hope resides in the local church, and when the love of Jesus shines through more of us, the world will be a better place.

Norton Lawellin

This Sunday, July 24, 2016, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This week – Pastor Michael Pilla leads us into Romans 16.

Psalm 52 - Eternity

July 11, 2016 Monday Message:

“Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?” Psalms 52:1b NIV

Much has gone wrong in our nation this past week. Prejudice, discrimination and racial injustice once again surfaced, reminding us that not much has changed in 3,000 years.

The impulsive, trigger-happy people on both sides will prove to have been short-sighted. They failed to consider that our earthly stay is but a moment. Eternity, the next reality, is our eventual destination. Eternity in the presence of God is reserved for those who call Jesus, “Lord of their lives,” those who put their faith, hope and trust in him.

But prejudice and injustice go against everything that Jesus taught. The unrepentant perpetrators’ next reality will not be pleasant. The Bible speaks of hell and a lake of fire. Their future will NOT be in the presence of God, and eternity is a very, very long time.

The Good News is that God doesn’t want any of us in that situation. There is no sin so big that Jesus can’t forgive, and “repent and return” is always the best option, an option God has prescribed for ALL of us. Hope to see you all in the next reality!

“I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done.” Psalms 52:9a

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! This Sunday, July 17, 2016, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This week – Romans 14.

Psalm 51 - Happy Independence Day!

July 04, 2016 Monday Message:

“Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalms 51:2 NIV

Happy Independence Day!

The early settlers in Plymouth, MA, both Pilgrims and Puritans, left their homeland to worship “their” way, and were quite rigid in their beliefs.

But in 1635, Plymouth banished dissident Roger Williams, who eventually settled in Providence, RI, and this is where “Freedom of Religion” first manifested itself in the US.

One of the best forms of government is the Benevolent Dictatorship, the key being “benevolent.” King David was such a leader for Israel. But even the best, handpicked leaders can mess up sometimes, and David really messed up with the Bathsheba incident. Nathan the prophet held David accountable for his actions, and Psalm 51 is thought to be David’s confession before the Lord.

Nowadays our political leaders mess up all the time – not a good situation. This will be a most interesting year as the US selects a new leader for our next four years.

Here’s the situation: Some in Washington are trying their best to indict Hillary Clinton over her email fiasco. Meanwhile, every time Donald Trump opens his mouth, he seems to stick his foot in it! Perhaps a third-party candidate will emerge, hopefully one carrying no baggage. Pray that whoever rises to the top will turn to the Lord.

In spite of its faults, thank God that we are living in the greatest nation ever! God bless the USA!

“Create in my a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! This Sunday, July 10, 2016, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) worships in our new location, the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. We continue our study in Romans 13.