Forgiven!

For Thursday, December 31, 2020

Matthew 18:21-22 NLT: “Peter came to Jesus and asked, 'Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?'”

“'No, not seven times,' Jesus replied, 'but seventy times seven!'”

These words point to God's perpetual forgiveness. We are to live that same way. If someone offends us, then repents and asks for forgiveness, Jesus says that we are to offer forgiveness. Seven times you could count on your fingers, but 70 X 7 is too big a number to keep track of in our heads, the point being that we should concentrate on forgiving and stop counting! God in heaven has forgiven all of mankind's sins. How wrong it would be for us to deny our fellows a similar forgiveness for much lesser matters.

The Lord's Prayer teaches, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The CEV simplifies it: “Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.”

Knowing we are forgiven gives us assurance of salvation, a life after this life in the presence of the Father. We have hope!

Blessings - stay safe – Happy New Year!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

To Be Included

For Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Mark 4:35 NLT: “As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, 'Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.'”

It seems simple. 'Let's just take the boat and visit the people on the other side of the lake.' It's not so simple when you realize that the “other side” was not considered a part of Israel. The people there were not Jews, and as many as seven different religions flourished in the region. This is like visiting a foreign nation! Nonetheless, Jesus decided to go. He wanted the unchurched to get to know him, to have a chance at being included in the Kingdom!

While Jesus never visited the US, he sent plenty of Christians to tell everybody the Good News! His desire is to shepherd everyone who wants to sign up! Those who know Jesus as Lord are included in the Holy Family and included in the Kingdom. Because of Jesus, we now have hope, and we have hope for the life after this life. We are so blessed that Jesus traveled to the “other side” to include us!

Blessings and safety to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Joyful Hope!

For Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Zechariah 2:10 GNT: “The Lord said, 'Sing for joy, people of Jerusalem! I am coming to live among you!'”

When God makes a big move, he often lets us know ahead of time. We call that a prophesy. About 500 years before Jesus' arrival, God spoke through the prophet Zechariah that Jesus was on the way. We are the joyful beneficiaries of God's planning!

Jesus' mission was to rescue mankind from their ongoing sin-problem. Knowing that help was on the way gave God's people hope!

Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus said he would prepare a place for each of the believers, and he said he would return again to take us with him! That Good News gives us a lot of joyful hope!

Blessings and safety to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Truth = Freedom!

December 28, 2020 Monday Message

John 8:31-32 NLT: “Jesus said to the people who believed in him, 'You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'”

Followers of Jesus are winners in the game of life! Believers are champions! So be confident in living life to its fullest because of the gift of salvation from Christ Jesus.

The children's song says, “If you're happy and you know it, then your face should surely show it.” Same thing for those of us included in the community of believers - do good – be happy – figure out what you can do to be helpful – and let your face know!

To all who believe, Jesus has shown truth – truth about redemption, salvation, life-after-this-life, and eternity in the presence of the Father. Knowing eternal truth gives things of this life less significance. The truth indeed sets us free, and gives us eternal hope!

Blessings and safety as we begin this new week!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Good Decision!

For Sunday, December 27, 2020

Matthew 2:13 NLT: “After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,' the angel said. 'Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.'”

Mary and Joseph, now with baby Jesus, were true believers in God Almighty. Everything had happened just as the angel told them, and they had followed God's directions to the letter! It was a good decision!

So now, facing certain death, God offers them protection and hope. God's plan – for them to become political refugees in a foreign land, Egypt - rescues them from impending doom. And friends, when God says to get going, you should leave right away! That decision also worked out well!

God chose to keep his Holy Family safe, and the Holy Family lived out their confident faith in God's instructions. Everything had worked out before, so once again they trusted God. By the way, faith in the Lord is what saves us today, as all believers are adopted into the Holy Family. That too is a good decision that fills us all with confident hope!

Blessings this Sabbath - Merry Christmas - stay safe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Magi!

 For Saturday, December 26, 2020

Matthew 2:2 NLT, wise men asking: “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east, and we have come to worship him.”

What the Magi asked upset Herod, who believed HE was the king of the Jews. Jealous, he ordered all males under the age of two to be killed. Herod wanted no competition for his throne.

The wise men from the east brought expensive gifts for the new baby king, which gave the Holy Family provision to seek political asylum in Egypt for a time. The Lord provided for Jesus. Similarly, the Lord will provide for us, and knowing that gives us hope!

Trivia, just for fun: The wise men never met the shepherds. Shepherds visited Jesus in the stable; wise men visited at a house. There were three gifts – gold, frankincense and myrrh, but we do not know the number of Magi – at least four in the group, maybe more!

As we celebrate the Christmas season, we're reminded that Jesus is the hope of the world! Stay safe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Merry Christmas!

For Friday, December 25, 2020

Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Today we celebrate the day for which the world had been waiting! 800 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah told God's people to watch and wait for a Messiah, and here he is! Arriving in the most unlikely of circumstances, the virgin gave birth in a stable and placed baby Jesus in a manger. Kings and Temple Leaders were unaware of what had transpired, but God shouted out to shepherds who came, saw and told everyone they met the Good News!

Jesus came not to rescue Israel from the Romans. Rather his purpose in coming to earth was to be the offering for the sins of the world, to redeem all of mankind! That same saving grace is available to all believers nowadays!

As for mankind's sin problem – Jesus has your back! Merry Christmas!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Prophesy Fulfilled!

For Thursday, December 24, 2020

Luke 2:5 NLT: “Joseph took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.”

Mankind can't sideline God's mission. When the Roman government demanded that everyone return to their hometown for a census, Joseph obediently transported his fiancée to Bethlehem, because he was of the line of David. I'm guessing this was a difficult trip. It's about 90 miles, and Mary would have been in her eighth month!

Looking back, it turns out that everything happened just as God said it would, just as it was prophesied. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from ancient times.” “The virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel (God with us!)”

God's desire is that none would perish. That's God's intent here, and nothing could possibly derail his mission. The Roman government requiring an arduous journey became part of God's plan to rescue mankind from sin. Jesus arrived, sins of the faithful were forgiven, and we've been given new hope!

Blessings and safety to all this Christmas season!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Christmas Hope!

For Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Luke 2:15 NLT: “The shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

Interestingly, when the angels announced the birth of Jesus, they didn't shout from Herod's palace or the Temple or to a gathering of Pharisees. The proclamation came to Shepherds in the field tending their sheep, blue-collar workers just like a lot of us! This unremarkable group was given a personal invitation to come and see the baby born to a virgin!

The shepherds were impressed with all they saw! They left glorifying and praising God for all they had witnessed, and they told everyone the Good News! Everything was just as the angel had told them!

God chose to include the lowly shepherds in this life-saving event, and he wants to include you and me too. The shepherds were shown hope, the same hope we all have in Jesus!

Blessings and safety this Christmas season!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Helpful!

For Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Ephesians 2:7 Phillips: “The fact is that what we are we owe to the hand of God upon us. We are born afresh in Christ, and born to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do.”

We are all living out God's Vast Eternal Plan. For a long time, God planned on us being present at this time, in this place. Now we have been issued an invitation to play for God's team, to help with His mission. God gave us freedom-of-choice, to accept his invitation, or to decline.

When we come before the judge of this world, we all want the record to show that we said 'yes' to God's invitation! The fact is, we would never have life without our Creator God, and it would now behoove us to serve His Kingdom! Get off the bench, get into the game, and figure out what you can do to be helpful! God shined his light on us; perhaps we can light the way for others!

Jesus is the hope of the world. We are now given an opportunity to share that hope with others!

Blessings and safety this Christmas season!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

New Deal!

December 21, 2020 Monday Message

Ephesians 2:4-5 GNT: “God's mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God's grace that you have been saved.”

The birth of Jesus is a dividing line of history. Our calendars tell us that we're living in the 2020^th year of the Lord. And with Jesus' arrival, everything changed. Everything!

Mankind hadn't done too well conforming to the old covenant, living under the law. Jesus brought with him a new deal. He offered eternal salvation to all who would repent and trust in him. It's a free gift – we're saved by grace through faith!

The birth of Jesus brought new life to God's people! We not only received a new covenant, but we were given a game-changing new leader. After Jesus, everything was different. Everything was better!

Blessings and safety this Christmas week!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Lord Saves!

For Sunday, December 20, 2020

Matthew 1:21 NLT, angel speaking to Joseph, the groom: “Mary will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Names used to have meaning, and Jesus' name means, “The Lord saves,” or, “Yahweh saves.” That he would be the redeemer of mankind should come as no surprise – His name says it all!

We have been given an incredible gift, assurance of salvation, a path to eternity in the presence of the Father. All we have to do is say, “Yes!” Saying “thank you” would be good too! As we celebrate Christmas each year, we in turn give gifts to others! We remember the ultimate gift God gave us by sending his Son Jesus to rescue mankind.

We share that Good News with others!

Merry Christmas – stay safe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Light to the World!

For Saturday, December 19, 2020

Luke 1:78-79 NLT: “Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to visit us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”

Zechariah prophesies remarkable Good News: God's Son will break through heaven's barriers to walk on earth alongside mankind, and that gives us an abundance of hope!

Jesus will teach with the authority of heaven, speaking convincingly because he actually knows truth firsthand. Mankind's knowledge of God will increase exponentially during Jesus' three years of ministry! And knowing more about God brings us all closer to God!

Each year we celebrate the coming of Jesus – Merry Christmas!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

God's Expecting Us!

For Friday, December 18, 2020

Matthew 25:34 NLT, Jesus speaking: “The King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.”

We celebrate Jesus' coming to earth at Christmastime. His most important purpose was to forgive the sins of mankind, making heaven possible for those who believe. It's all a part of God's Vast Eternal Plan!

The believers will be separated from the nonbelievers, and those believers will be escorted into eternity with the Father. A place in the hereafter has been prepared for you from the beginning of creation – just say 'YES!'

Apparently God has been expecting us for quite some time, and knowing that gives us a lot of hope!

Merry Christmas – stay safe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Confident Hope!

For Thursday, December 17, 2020

Romans 12:12 GNT: “Let your hope keep you joyful, be patient in your troubles, and pray at all times.”

Confidence in Jesus being who he said he is, and in Jesus being able to accomplish all he said gives us an abundance of hope, and that puts joy on our faces!

Things may go wrong from time to time, but believers don't park there. Paul taught the believers to focus on the final goal, the end result with Jesus escorting you into Paradise. Keep your eye on the mark, and run the race in such a way as to win the prize. God wants you to succeed!

Our Father in Heaven already knows our needs, but praying lets Him know that WE are confident in trusting Him for all things – all provision, and the outcome of all situations. Confidence in the Father fills us with eternal hope, which makes life's journey a little more pleasant!

Merry Christmas – stay safe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Renew Your Mind!

For Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Romans 12:2 NRSV: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

As humans, God has endowed us with the gift of discernment. I believe God puts good people in key positions, and wants us to use our brains to figure some of this out!

As believers, we first accept a couple of truths:

1. The Bible doesn't contradict itself, and

2. God's character doesn't change - his morals are etched in stone.

So do not be deceived by the trends of the world; a lot of it will be wrong, non-conforming to God's ways! Instead, use your God-given mind, and when presented with challenges, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” If you're living in harmony with the Lord, you'll have hope in this world and in the next!

Blessings and safety to all as we remember the birth of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Hope of the World!

For Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Matthew 12:21 NLT: “His name (Jesus) will be the hope of all the world.”

Jesus, in speaking of himself, was quoting Isaiah 42:4b: “Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for his instruction.” The 'distant lands' or 'the world' is meant to include Gentile nations.

The Bible explains that the Messiah, Jesus, was to come through the Jewish people but was to be the Redeemer for ALL the world. At the time, this inclusion of Gentiles may have been controversial, even offensive to some. And yet Jesus is explaining that God hasn't changed his position on this in 800 years!

This is truly Good News for most of us! We have hope! Jesus wants to be the Redeemer for each and every one of us. God's desire is that everyone would be included in His Eternal Kingdom. He has made the offer, and we just have to say, “Yes!”

Jesus has gone ahead to prepare a place for you. There's a room in heaven with your name on the door!

Blessings and safety to all this Christmas season!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Loving Shepherd!

For Monday, December 14, 2020

John 10:27 NIV, Jesus speaking: “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

“God is My Co-Pilot” was a book and movie, and “Jesus is My Co-Pilot” is a bumper sticker – both are bad ideas. Our God will not have a partner. God is God, and you and I are not, so God going 50-50 with us is out of the question.

Jesus explained the relationship like this: God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) is the shepherd. We all are sheep. Sheep don’t get to discuss with the shepherd how to keep them safe or how to keep their journey on the right path. The Shepherd loves his sheep – a lot – but understand that the shepherd is the one in charge. Forever. He can lead us into eternity!

If you’re a Christian sheep, you are being led by the best shepherd ever!

Blessings and safety to all as we near Christmas!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Permanent Protection!

For Sunday, December 13, 2020

John 10:28 Phillips, Jesus speaking: “My sheep follow me and I give them eternal life. They will never die and no one can snatch them out of my hand.”

A lot of people go through life in a 'reactive' mode – circumstances dictate their direction. But as a believer, we can be 'proactive.' Choosing to follow Jesus sets the direction for what is to come.

Believers don't have to worry about where they're going to spend life after this life. Believers have already been redeemed by Jesus, and have assurance of salvation. Jesus has claimed the believer as a member of God's Holy Family. Believers are 'off the table' as far as the devil is concerned – no one can snatch you from Jesus' hand!

Thank you Jesus for not only rescuing us, but for granting us permanent protection!

Blessings and safety on this Sabbath day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Hanukkah

For Saturday, December 12, 2020

John 10:22 NLT: “It was now winter, and Jesus was in Jerusalem at the time of Hanukkah, the Festival of Dedication.”

The Bible teaches that the Messiah would come to rescue his people through the Hebrew nation. Jesus was that Messiah! Therefore he was in Jerusalem for the Festival of Dedication, nowadays known as Hanukkah.

In 164 BCE the Syrians were defeated, and the Jews restored their Temple. A new altar was built and new vessels were crafted, and it was all dedicated to the Lord in a big celebration. They found enough oil to light a lamp for one day, yet it somehow burned for eight days! This little miracle reassured everyone that God approved of what was being done, that God was “IN” this rededication.

Knowing that God was pleased recharged their hope-batteries! Jesus went on to explain that he was the prophesied Messiah, that his sheep knew his voice, and that he could give them eternal life. And those who believed were filled with even more hope!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Hope for Generations!

For Friday, December 11, 2020

Psalms 78:7 NLT: “Each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.”

We know that our hope is in the Lord; but what about the next generation?

As believers, we are charged with sharing the Good News with all nations. Start by telling the children among us about the love of Jesus! Get them up to speed on the hope offered through Christ. When they fully understand the wonderful things God has done for us, they too will have eternal hope!

“For we are all children of light, children of the day!” (1 Thess. 5:5a) Shine!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406