Psalms 134 - Worship

March 26, 2018 Monday Message:

“Lift your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.” Psalms 134:2 NIV

This is one of the places in the Bible that references the raising of hands in worship. That’s one of the ways some people choose to worship God. Some want to reach out and touch the sky; others are reaching upward, stretching closer to God.

Some people simply get caught up in the excitement of being in the presence of the Lord. Not only do their hands move, but their feet move too! Some people dance before the Lord.  David did.

Others sit still with hands folded and heads bowed, showing reverence for God.

I don’t know that there’s really a ‘right’ way and a ‘wrong’ way to worship – but it’s very important that we DO worship our creator - and what better time than Easter Sunday as we celebrate the death of sin and the end of death on the same day? Easter, one of the high-points of the church year, is a perfect day to invite someone to come to church with you. Offer to pick them up!

May the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, bless you. Ps. 134:3

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets Easter Sunday, Apr. 1, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla leads us through the Resurrection Story.

Psalms 133 - Fellowship

March 19, 2018 Monday Message:

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for believers to dwell together in unity!” Psalms 133:1

Our lives are better when we share them with others. We aren’t designed to live alone. God saw that it was not good for Adam to be alone, so He created Eve, and told them to be fruitful and to multiply.

But marriage relationships are only one example. We make other acquaintances that become our friends, sometimes really good friends. Some of our best friends should be our church friends, and that’s what David is talking about in Psalm 133.

The Acts 2 church shared meals, prayed and worshiped together and celebrated the Lord’s Supper. But equally important - they were “there” for each other – someone to celebrate good times with you – a shoulder to cry on when life doesn’t work out. Their BFF’s were their church-friends! It was a good way to live.

So don’t think of “church” as just a building. It’s fellowship – people we care about, and friends who will go the extra mile for you. Count on it!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Mar. 25, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla leads us through Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Monday Message is also available at:

http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/

Psalms 132 - Prophesy Fulfilled

March 12, 2018 Monday Message:

“The Lord swore an oath to David… ‘One of your own descendants I will place on your throne.’” Psalms 132:11 NIV

Ancestry – being able to trace your family tree – was important to the Hebrew people. In the Gospel of Matthew, the first 17 verses trace Jesus’ ancestry back to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

As Christians, we watch for prophesy fulfilled. In this covenant with His people, God promises that someone from the house of David would sit on the Kingdom throne forever. We believe Jesus is that Messiah, the King for whom we have been watching and waiting.

The Bible also tells us where the House of David will be headquartered. “The Lord has chosen Zion.” Ps. 132:13a

So now we know the family tree and the city. Watch for other prophesies fulfilled as we close in on the Easter season. There are hundreds!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Mar. 18, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We continue our journey toward Easter in Luke 19:11-27 – A Good Investment!

Psalms 131 - Hope

March 05, 2018 Monday Message:

“People of God, put your hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.” Psalms 131:3

David was a mighty soldier, a powerful king, yet he remained humble, serving the Lord and serving others. He writes, “My heart is not proud, my eyes are not haughty.” Ps. 131:1a

David goes before the Lord like a contented child. And isn’t that what Jesus said we were all to do? “Unless you turn and become like little children, you cannot enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3

The need to humble ourselves before the Lord has not changed since David wrote this 3,000 years ago. Our hope for the future comes not from mankind, and not from our leaders, no matter how mighty they may appear. Our true hope comes from the Lord.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Mar. 11, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. It’s New Hope Tour day, so expect some visitors, and food following the service. Pastor Michael Pilla teaches from Luke 19:1-10. We find Zacchaeus up a tree!