You're Included!

For Tuesday, May 31, 2022:

John 10:16 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.”

Jesus says that ALL believers are included in the Eternal Kingdom. He’s telling his Hebrew audience that Gentiles will be included too. And people from other nations, and people with different skin colors. Anyone who claims Jesus as Lord will be included!

Since we’re saved by grace through faith, we need to accept the free gift offered by our Lord, and have faith that Jesus can do what he said he would do. Jesus, who died on the cross, was up, alive, and walking around where everyone could see him three days later. He proved that there is life after this life, and promised to prepare an eternal place for all believers.

Everything else Jesus prophesied came true, so we have every reason to trust his heavenly promise!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Memorial Day!

May 30, 2022 Monday Message:

Matthew 5:9 NLT: “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.”

When it comes to fighting wars, the US takes a ‘non-aggressor’ position. We’re not trying to get more land or take-over another country. My father defended our country in WW2. The US didn’t enter that war until our navy was attacked at Pearl Harbor. The peace had been broken, so then we retaliated. When our country was attacked on 9/11, we retaliated. But the goal is peace.

Every night on TV we can see the results of war in Ukraine, the deaths and the devastation. Our country supports them with money and munitions, but the goal is to stop the aggression and establish peace.

Is world peace possible? Perhaps not! Evil people with sin in their hearts confound the peacemakers. And Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. The second-coming judgement may be what is ultimately required for sustainable world peace. But we still pray for the persecuted, the victims, the widows left behind and their children.

Today is Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, in the US. We honor those who died defending our country establishing the peace we know.

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God's Intended Design!

For Sunday, May 29, 2022:

Psalm 67:4 NLT: “Let the whole world sing for joy, because you, God, govern the nations with justice and guide the people of the whole world.”

I have dreamed that if the whole world lived according to Jesus’ directions, this would be a wonderful planet on which to live! Unfortunately, that has not yet happened. Sin is run amuck all around us, and human life itself is not valued in the way God intended.

Of course the solution would be for everyone – including our leaders – to read their Bibles and then actually do what the Bible says! We could end wars and truly love our neighbors if we all trusted in the Lord. We could feed the poor and care for widows and orphans like Jesus commanded. Everyone could have clean, abundant water. Then the whole world could sing for joy!

If the world lived according to the Bible, earth would be closer to God’s intended design!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Talk to the Lord!

For Saturday, May 28, 2022:

Psalm 55:22 NLT: “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.”

David is not talking to the Lord about a long-time enemy. His complaint is about a close friend who betrayed him. If this conflict was with an expected enemy, David would know how to retaliate. But when a friend turns against you, it’s sometimes complicated. It’s time to talk things over with God.

It’s inevitable that we’ll all experience some problems, and David’s advice is that when things get difficult, it’s time to talk it over with the Lord. If you’re a believer, you’re on the ‘God Team.’ Our Father is the coach, and he will take care of you! He will not allow you to slip or fall. David was convinced that his fate did not rest in the hands of treacherous men.

Spurgeon writes, “If I cast my burden upon the Lord, what business have I to carry it myself?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Caught Up!

For Friday, May 27, 2022:

1 Thessalonians 4:17 NLT: “Together with the believers who have died, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever.”

Jesus’ second coming will surely be a most unforgettable day! Heaven will open, and heaven’s sounds – the trumpets and the voices of angels – will be heard by everyone on the planet! Believers will be caught up in the sky with the Lord, knowing immediately that they made the right decision about trusting Jesus. All Jesus’ other predictions came true; surely his description of the end times will also come to pass. This is the ultimate rescue mission!

Jesus said that he would prepare a place for believers, and return to gather us. Count on it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God's Love!

For Thursday, May 26, 2022:

Isaiah 46:4 NLT: “I will be your God throughout your lifetime—until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you.”

This is a great statement about God’s job description. It brings to mind the scripture, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” From the time you’re in your mother’s womb until your hair is gray, God says that he will care for you.

The best news is at the end – God will save us! God chose to send his Son Jesus, the Redeemer, to rescue mankind from our sins. God himself made it possible for believers to spend eternity in his presence!

God loves us even into the next life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Blessed Assurance!

For Wednesday, May 25, 2022:

Mark 8:29 NLT: “Then Jesus asked the disciples, ‘But who do you say I am?’

Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah.’”

We all need to have the correct answer for Jesus’ question. The Hebrews called Jesus the Messiah, or Moshiach in their language. Greeks called him ‘the Christ,’ the anointed one.

Believers share faith in who Jesus is, and knowledge that he can accomplish what he said he would do, including forgiveness of our sins and assuring us a place in the presence of the Lord in our next life.

Believers share assurance of salvation!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Healing and More!

For Tuesday, May 24, 2022:

Mark 7:37 NLT: “The crowd was completely amazed and said again and again, “Everything Jesus does is wonderful. He even makes the deaf to hear and gives speech to those who cannot speak.”

Jesus worked miracles back then, and he can still work miracles today! I have seen the results.

I have a friend, a woman, and a mammogram revealed a lump in her breast. They took a picture, gave a copy to the woman, and scheduled her for a biopsy. She gathered her church friends, and they prayed for healing non-stop for 2-weeks. Then she went for the biopsy, and doctors could not find the lump. It was gone, and she credits prayer and the healing power of Jesus! (But she had a picture of it...)

I think the crowd had it right. Yes, Jesus can heal sickness and disease. But let’s not limit our praise to only that. Everything Jesus does is wonderful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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