Peace of the Lord!

For Thursday, November 30, 2023:

Romans 16:20 NLT, Paul speaking: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

It sounds like a contradiction: The God of “peace” is going to “crush Satan.” Sounds like we need to take another look of peace!

The “peace of the Lord” is a lot more than not being at war. Since believers are adopted into the Holy Family, it’s confidence that our Father is in control. It’s trusting in him. With God in charge, everything will be alright in the end. If everything is not alright, it’s not the end! God will protect you, care for you and love you just as any father would love his children. We can relax, not worrying about circumstances that come and go in our lives. We have been given something of substance – the love of a God who knew you in your mother’s womb.

I believe God is looking forward to crushing Satan so that all his children can experience that peace of the Lord. It’s Satan who sabotages peace on earth. When Satan is crushed, we’ll know true peace.

Jesus is returning to straighten things out! Shalom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

False Prophets

For Wednesday, November 29, 2023:

Romans 16:17b NLT, Paul speaking: “Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.”

Truth is God’s opinion on everything. With God, there’s no gray area. It’s either black or white, either right or wrong. There is no middle ground. Jesus said those who are not with me are against me. It’s a strong admonition: Those who are not on the same page as God might as well get out. If you’re not going to agree with God, why try to hang out with him?

We’re surrounded by churches with a cross on top and “Jesus” in their name. But the true test is if they have a Bible in their hand and on the lectern, front and center in the church. If the preaching and teaching adhere to the Bible, we have a good start. Many divisions in churches start with errant teaching. A lot of times it’s someone putting their personal agenda on top of God’s teaching. But believers say, “Sola Scriptura,” only scripture, only God’s word determines what we believe and what we do.

We’ll see more false teachers as we draw closer to Jesus’ return. So beware – don’t fall into a theological trap! Teach your eyes and ears to discern truth, and keep a Bible in your hand.

Walk with the Lord today, and have a safe and blessed day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God's Way!

For Tuesday, November 28, 2023:

Romans 15:31a NLT, Paul speaking: “Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God.”

From God’s point of view, there are only two groups: Those who are with him, and those who are against him. Mankind can have little disagreements about minor matters. But when it comes to God, you’re either in or out.

Paul experienced a personal call from Jesus on the road to Damascus, so he was “in.” Those who couldn’t go along with what Paul had learned were “out,” and Paul was praying for personal safety as he traveled throughout the region. This disagreement continues to this day, playing out in the Middle East, but it goes back to Genesis.

Abraham fathered two sons. The first, Ishmael, was from his wife’s servant Hagar. This is what happened when Abraham and Sarah lost faith in God’s timetable. Impatient, they took matters into their own hands, and the results weren’t pretty. Ishmael is thought of as the father of all Arab nations, including followers of Islam. Abraham’s second son, Isaac, was born from his wife Sarah. That was God’s original plan. Isaac followed his Jewish ancestors, which eventually led to Jesus and Christianity. If it’s not God’s way, it’s the wrong way!

These two groups have never gotten along, each believing that they’re right, each believing that they’re doing the Lord’s work, and it’s playing out right now in the conflict between Gaza and Israel. Like Paul, we should pray for personal safety. The war could rapidly escalate. We should pray for peace. Too many little children, babies and everyday people who want no part of the conflict have died. We know this matter will be settled when Jesus returns, so we can pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Have a safe and blessed day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Benevolence!

November 27, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 15:26 NLT: “The believers in Macedonia and Achaia (Greece) have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem.”

Jerusalem was the center of religion at that time. Believers gathered for worship, and their church was known as “The Way.” It was good that they all believed, but the business model was unsustainable.

In Acts 2, 3,000 were added to their new members class that day. Imagine 3,000 people walking in to your church next Sunday! Where could you put them all? Could you feed them at the potluck? Many of these newbies were from out of town, visiting Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot. They needed housing, food and friends. People of The Way were willing to share, but there was a limit to their resources.

I have raised a lot of money for worthy causes simply by letting people know the need, and then creating an opportunity for them to give. It’s not rocket science. People generally want to help. Paul had let the believers in Greece know about the shortfall in Jerusalem, and they too wanted to help. They passed an extra basket earmarked to sustain the church in Jerusalem.

Tomorrow is “Giving Tuesday” in the US, a day when people across the country are encouraged to think about their communities and to help those in need. It’s a welcome reminder of how followers of Jesus should think every day. Jesus said we should love our neighbors, and we can show our love by sharing from our abundance.

Be kind, be helpful, be generous!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Mission!

For Sunday, November 26, 2023:

Psalm 138:8 NLT: “The Lord will work out his plans for my life, for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me.”

The God who created you has plans for you. You were created with a purpose in mind – God’s mind! And out of gratitude for all God as done for us, we worship him and do our best to fulfill our assigned mission. But it’s never my plan. It should always be God’s plan.

My plans would tend to involve small things, impulsive things, whereas God can envision the big picture. He could have us doing something today that will benefit us five years down the road. Mankind tends to not understand such things, but God always knows what’s best – what’s best for us!

I love David’s afterthought to his prayer: “O Lord, don’t abandon me, for you made me.” I feel like he’s saying, “God, a certain amount of how this life goes is on you. After all, you created me!” I believe David laughed a little as he wrote this. I believe that God laughed with him. They both have a sense of humor!

"Hey God, I’d appreciate it if you’d get in this game. You’re the one who wanted to play!”

Blessings – See you at church today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Called to Serve!

For Saturday, November 25, 2023:

Romans 15:23 NLT, Paul speaking: “But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you in Rome.”

God calls us to serve, and then calls end. When God calls us to something new, we look forward to it with excitement. It’s a lot more difficult when our call ends. One time I had been working for a church for a dozen years. But with the arrival of a new pastor, it became clear that my call had ended. By then I knew everyone in the congregation, and the people I served with had become my closest friends. It was hard to walk away. Yes, there were tears. But when one door closes, another opens, and I was at my next church for about six years.

Each of us is blessed with different gifts and talents. Some people attend a church to worship and be a member of the congregation. Others help with the presentation each week. I’m clearly in the second group. To facilitate a church service, I can play piano/sing/lead the worship; speak/teach; operate the sound system; or record the event. But I’m fairly uncomfortable just sitting in a pew and doing nothing. That’s not how I’m wired! That’s not how God made me! When the service ends, my wife wants to make friends and meet new people. I prefer to hang out with the musicians and tech team. That’s just how God made us – unique!

So be obedient when God calls, and be patient when your call ends. The sun will always come up tomorrow!

Blessings – See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship