Heaven Reservation!

For Wednesday, August 31, 2022:

​John 14:2 CEV: Jesus said to his disciples, “There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.”

​I want us to understand that God is looking forward to each believer arriving in heaven. It will be an exciting time, not just for us, but for all of heaven. Jesus has your place already prepared in anticipation of your arrival! If you’re a believer, you already have a room in heaven with your name on the door!

​When the prodigal son returned home to repent and return, his Father met him out on the road. The only way this could have happened is if the Father was watching for him, expecting the son’s return, anticipating his arrival. The Father put a robe around the son, the family ring on his finger, and invited the whole neighborhood to celebrate the son’s return. The Father was glad to see him, just as the father will be glad to see each of us.

​Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

False Teachers!

 

For Tuesday, August 30, 2022:

​Jude v3 NLT: “My dear friends, I really wanted to write you about God's saving power at work in our lives. But instead, I must write and ask you to defend the faith that God has once for all given to his people.”

​The entire book of Jude is a warning against false teaching. Some believers think that because they’re saved, God will exempt them from the rules. Not true! They’re easily tempted by the world. Not a good idea!

Jude writes, “These false teachers insult powers they don't know anything about.” Remember the Lord said, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” This is about obedience. It’s about us getting out of the driver’s seat and letting God be in charge. When we drive, the car sometimes goes toward the ditch. When God drives, he points the car towards eternal life. Let God make the rules!

And don’t ever think that you have God figured out!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Jesus' Value System!

August 29, 2022 Monday Message:

​Ephesians 4:22 CEV: “You were told that your foolish desires will destroy you and that you must give up your old way of life with all its bad habits.”

​Pagans have no moral compass. They wander through life not knowing if they did the right thing.

Christians have been given a value system. Jesus’ life was an example of how we should live. It’s a high standard! We won’t achieve that, but it’s a worthy goal. It’s been described as putting on a new suit of clothes.

The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We are plagued with shortcomings, but deep down we know when it’s time to repent and return.

Thankfully, God’s laws are written on our hearts!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Worship!

For Sunday, August 28, 2022:

​Romans 14:5 NLT: “Some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable.”

​Jews had always worshiped on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. Following the crucifixion, believers started celebrating on Sunday, the day our Lord rose from the grave. Paul is confirming that the act of worship is far more important that the day on which it occurs.

Today is Sunday, and in the US most Christians worship on Sunday. This morning, I’ll be at church. It’s good to gather with your friends to honor the Creator. It’s good to step back from the chaos of this world and concentrate on the eternal significance of Jesus’ rescue mission.

If you haven’t been to church for a while, today might be a good day to reconnect. And if you’ve never attended, today would be the perfect day to check it out, to learn more about the redeeming grace of Jesus.

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Love!

For Saturday, August 27, 2022:

 

​2 John v6 NLT: “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.”

 

​Jesus taught us to love the Lord and to love our neighbors. This was not a new idea. Caring for one another was God’s intention from the beginning, but mankind seldom got it right. Everyone looked out for themselves with little regard for their fellows.

 

John-the-elder is reminding the believers of what Jesus taught, that we should be guided by a “love” attitude. Be nice, be helpful, be friendly and have a positive attitude. Put a smile on your face! The first assembly of Christians – The Way – grew rapidly because they were nice people. Observers saw the love, and wanted to join!

 

Followers of Jesus asked for a sign or a logo or a flag – something to identify who they were. Turns out that wasn’t necessary. Jesus said, “They’ll know who you are by your love!”

 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Salvation

For Friday, August 26, 2022:

​Deuteronomy 34:9 NLT: “Joshua son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”

In ancient times, people’s names had a meaning, and the Bible oftentimes gives us this information. “Joshua,” the name of the leader after Moses who brought the Israelites into the Promised Land, meant “Salvation.” They’d been wandering in the desert for 40 years, and God sent “Salvation” to lead them!

Most of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, so that name was actually “Y’hoshua.” Most of the New Testament was written Greek, where we find the same name in a different language. We know it as “Jesus,” which also means “Salvation.”

Matthew 1:21: “Mary will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” You are to name him “Salvation,” for he will deliver mankind from our sin-problem. Tell everyone!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Neverending Kingdom!

For Thursday, August 25, 2022:

Isaiah 9:7a NLT: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”

700 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah was telling everyone about the coming Messiah. He will be known as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and his Kingdom will never end. We call him Jesus!

Jesus left us to spread the Good News, to make disciples of all nations. He’ll soon return to rule over what has been his since creation. On judgment day, our Lord will separate the sheep from the goats. Only sheep will be left, and they will live in peace.

And his Kingdom will never end!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Live Abundantly!

For Wednesday, August 24, 2022:

Psalm 20:4 NLT: “May the Lord grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”

Believers are not guaranteed smooth sailing! Life will present many challenges! David was praying for Divine Intervention with these bumps in the road.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world!” When the psalms were written, Jesus had not yet come to earth. Believers expected that God-the-Father was in charge, still on the throne of heaven. Father God could show favor upon his people, granting them success in all that they undertake.

Nowadays, the Lord still wants us to be successful! He wants us to have abundance, so that we have enough to help others. Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep.” We inherited that command; there are many sheep to feed!

God, bless us with the resources to successfully carry out your mission!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Obedient Children!

For Tuesday, August 23, 2022:

Malachi 3:17 NLT: “Those who fear the Lord will be my people,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. “On the day when I act in judgment, they will be my own special treasure. I will spare them as a father spares an obedient child.”

God does not change. He’s still looking for unfailing loyalty and a relationship with each individual. The Lord, through the prophet Malachi, is counseling the people to repent and return. Many had strayed, but now it’s time for them to come home.

Jesus was sent to earth to redeem mankind from our sins, thereby making us acceptable to spend eternity in the presence of the Father. We call it heaven. On judgment day, the obedient children of God will come home! God said so!

Malachi concludes, “On that day, you will again see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” Blessed are those who serve the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Choose Wisely!

August 22, 2022 Monday Message:

Psalm 116:12 NLT: “What can I offer the Lord for all he has done for me?”

What does the Lord want from mankind? God, the ultimate creator, already has everything he needs!

Humans were given ‘free choice,’ the ability to make decisions. God wants us to choose wisely! What he really wants is a relationship with us and unfailing loyalty. Christianity is more a relationship than a religion. We honor God’s commands out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us, not to earn our way into heaven.

If we have a solid relationship with the Lord, he will forgive our shortcomings. That’s why Jesus was sent to earth, to rescue mankind from our sin-problem.

Choosing Jesus is always the best choice. After all, he already chose you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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