God Always!

For Tuesday, November 30, 2021

1 Chronicles 16:34 ESV: “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

At church we shout out: “God is good – all the time!” That’s easy to believe when life is going well. But God is just as good when things aren’t going your way!

I love the story of the footprints in the sand, two sets of footprints walking along. As the story goes, one set of footprints is yours, the other is God’s. All of a sudden there was only one set of footprints, and the question is asked, “What happened?”

God answers, “That’s when I was carrying you!”

Last Sunday, Ken Wilson, a good friend of mine, was asked to share his testimony at Grace Church. It’s near the end of the service on their website. Ken spoke of God’s faithfulness, walking alongside him as he battles cancer. It’s a lot like Psalm 23, walking through the valley of the shadow of death, and not being afraid because God is with you – always!

Stick with God, “who will not leave you or forsake you!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Jesus' Arrival!

November 29, 2021 Monday Message

Luke 21:27 TLB, Jesus speaking: “Then the peoples of the earth shall see me, the Messiah, coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”

Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent, four weeks of preparation before Christmas, our celebration of the birth of Jesus.

Jesus’ arrival is a clear turning point in history. The years before his birth are counted backward as B.C. - before Christ. After his birth, the calendar says A.D., which stands for the Latin “anno domini,” the year of our Lord.

Those wishing to not offend other religions have introduced the terms BCE and CE, Before Common Era and Common Era. You can change the labels, but the fact remains that the arrival of Jesus himself is what re-started our calendar.

Before Jesus, religious people were living under the “Law of Moses.” But Jesus introduced the “New Covenant,” whereby believers were shown grace, love, forgiveness and unconditional acceptance. Believers were offered a chance to see heaven from the inside! Believers were offered hope!

I’m looking forward to Jesus returning, just as he promised. I think it will be another turning point in history, just like the last time he was here!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Humble!

For Sunday, November 28, 2021

James 4:6 NIRV: “God continues to give us more grace. That’s why Scripture says, ‘God opposes those who are proud. But he gives grace to those who are humble.’”

Remember that Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. We talk of Him having a “servant’s heart.” It’s a good example for all of us. Being humble, being servant-like seems to be a ‘God-trend.’ Our Triune God isn’t about to change his position on this. Jesus often preached that we should care for widows and orphans, that we should remember the poor, that we should be humble. The Bible says, “Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought.”

We should show grace to one another just as God has shown grace to us. He offered us forgiveness of sin and redemption of our souls through the work of his Son Jesus the Christ.

"Father, make me more like you!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Goodness from God!

For Saturday, November 27, 2021

James 1:17 GNT: “Every good gift and every perfect present comes from heaven; it comes down from God, the Creator of the heavenly lights, who does not change or cause darkness by turning.”

Let’s wrap up Thanksgiving week. Remember that everything good comes from God, and evil originates with Satan, so we rightly give thanks to the Father for all the blessings in our lives.

Rest assured that God’s position – being the author of all that is good – is never going to change. He is light – he does not switch to darkness by turning away. He isn’t fickle like shifting sands. The Bible says that my God is like a rock – the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Count on it! Count on the author of hope!

The ultimate goodness of any gift must be measured on an eternal scale!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Mercy!

For Friday, November 26, 2021

Matthew 5:7 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Jesus is continuing “The Beatitudes,” part of his Sermon on the Mount. As Christians, God calls us to be the light in the world - to love and be kind to all, even our enemies! Pray, “How can I be more like You, Lord?”

Phillips paraphrases it well: “Let there be no more resentment, no more anger or temper, no more violent self-assertiveness, no more slander and no more malicious remarks. Be kind to each other, be understanding. Be as ready to forgive others as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.”

God repays your kindness with His kindness!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Give Thanks!

For Thursday, November 25, 2021 Thanksgiving Day

Psalm 100:4 NIV: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Each of our lives is unique, and yet each of us has similar things for which to be thankful. Jesus said that just as God provides for the birds of the field, so would He provide for us. Certainly mankind is more valuable than some wild birds! So we have food, shelter and clothing. And we have family, friends and our Christian brothers and sisters. God blesses us with jobs, transportation and a whole lot more! I couldn’t begin to list all the good things that God pours into our lives!

Think about this - If God has richly blessed you, shouldn’t you be grateful? Shouldn’t you offer praise and thanksgiving for all he has done? It almost goes without saying.

God only wants what’s best for you! Therefore God has laid out an open-ended offer to include you in his kingdom. God’s desire is truly that no one would be lost; that all would repent and return. He wanted that so much that he sent his Son to rescue mankind. (John 3:16) “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Now put your own name in there. God so loved Mary or Bob or Linda or Ralph – God loves YOU so much that He sacrificed His only Son, that you might be granted everlasting life.

And because of that colossal gift of eternity in the presence of the Father, it is not only right, but it is essential that we give thanks in great quantity!

Today is a good day to give thanks!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Heaven Promised!

For Wednesday, November 24, 2021

Matthew 5:8 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”

Jesus is continuing “The Beatitudes,” part of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s stating a theological truth, that those who do their best to live up to God’s value system and believe in Him will get to see heaven from the inside. It’s a promise of eternal hope!

Oftentimes mankind erects a mental wall between this life and the next. When someone dies, we hold a funeral and think that their life is over. It is not! We are eternal beings! Jesus promises that there is life after this life! He has gone ahead to prepare a place for you and me. As a person moves from this reality to the next, there is no break in the action from God’s perspective; we just move from one reality to another, but your spirit, your soul, is the same. And when it’s your time, Jesus will welcome you home with open arms!

Do you long for your heavenly home?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Humble!

For Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Matthew 5:5 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Jesus is continuing “The Beatitudes,” part of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s promising that if the believers remain humble, God will bless them while they’re here on earth.

The meek are happy, joyful and spiritually prosperous. They’re living in God’s favor – living in anticipation of promised salvation. They have hope. I’m reminded of Jesus with a towel over his arm washing the disciples’ feet – in other words, having the heart of a servant, figuring out what you could do that would be helpful. That’s being meek.

Step #7 in a 12-step recovery program says, “Humbly ask Him (God) to remove our shortcomings.” It occurs to me that “humbly” is the only way to approach God. If we need help in our lives (and we all do!,) it wouldn’t make sense to approach God with belligerence and arrogance. He is God, creator of everything, and we are the ones needing help, and it would behove us to keep that relationship in perspective. If we approach God humbly, Jesus says we have hope!

God is God, we are not, and that’s good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Please God!

November 22, 2021 Monday Message

Matthew 5:11 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.”

Jesus is wrapping up “The Beatitudes,” the opening of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s telling his listeners that being a believer won’t always be easy.

Instead of acknowledging the one true God, many people choose to make god-like decisions themselves. They want to be in charge, in control of everything, not submitting to any God. They will mock you, lie about you and propagate evil against you if you speak out in favor of the Messiah!

This is where Jesus tells us to turn the other cheek. As we live our lives, the one we’re trying to please is the Lord, not those who oppose us.

The Message Bible puts it like this: “Count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds!”

If we believe in the Son, his Father will be pleased!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Truth = Hope!

For Sunday, November 21, 2021

Matthew 5:6 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, beginning with what we call “The Beatitudes.” He’s letting everyone know that living the right way has benefits. God knows what you’re up to, and if God’s value system is your goal, hope is your reward!

I have a good friend who worked for a large church for years. He was exposed to the Bible, heard all the sermons, but didn’t join that church – yet! He was searching for truth. He was checking out all the credible world religions. After a thorough, multi-year investigation, he concluded that our God was indeed the Creator, and that his Son Jesus is the only path to eternal life. You could say that he “hungered and thirsted for righteousness,” and he was filled. His quest did not go unanswered. It was his time to sign up, to become a Christian with all his heart!

If you’re truly seeking the Lord, he will open the door of truth for you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Peace!

For Saturday, November 20, 2021

Matthew 5:9 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, starting with the Beatitudes. In a way, they’re encouraging us to have a better attitude, a change from a dour outlook to optimism. That’s not the full definition, but it works for our purposes here.

Let’s stop killing each other! Every day there’s news – one person killed another; one gang attacked another; one race went after another; one country thought they were better than the next. Stop, already! After 5k years of recorded history, you’d think we could do better!

Jesus is telling us that peace is desirable, something for which we should strive. God’s children are the apparent peacemakers! Do your best, but don’t worry if it’s not successful. Jesus also said that there would be wars and rumors of wars until he returns.

Jesus understood human sinfulness!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Poor in Spirit?

For Friday, November 19, 2021

Matthew 5:3 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Jesus is starting his Sermon on the Mount by teaching the Beatitudes, a state of extreme blessedness or holiness. Life was tough back then, and people could easily suffer from depression. Their spirit was crushed and they felt like there was no hope.

Jesus is telling them otherwise! If you’re a believer, there is always hope! No matter how this life treats you, if your eyes are focused on the heavenly Kingdom, there is perpetual hope – hope eternal! We all have hope knowing that Jesus included us in paradise, the forever presence of the Father, the Kingdom of heaven!

Jesus went on ahead to get your room ready!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Know the Father!

For Thursday, November 18, 2021

John 14:9 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Do you know the Father? Do you mentally keep an image of a strong but elderly man in a giant chair, his throne, somewhere in the sky? You’ll likely be surprised when you get to heaven! The Bible describes things in human terms so that we can understand, but the reality is likely to be far different.

I don’t know what God looks like, but I do know that we’ll know Him when we see Him! We’ll see the good, positive traits that we expect: grace and forgiveness, and a love for everything He created. Everlasting lovingkindness will be at the top of the list, along with truth, honesty and trust. Come to think of it, these are the same traits we admire in Jesus!

If you have seen Jesus, you have seen the Father!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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