Stay Connected!

For Thursday, April 30, 2026:

John 15:5 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus is restating the vine/branches example. But the last sentence adds a stern warning: “Apart from me you can do nothing.”

Believers have been endowed with incredible power. Jesus wants us to do the things he did, impossible as this seems. He sent disciples to disparate cities to spread the Good News that the Kingdom of God was now with them; that Jesus was the long-expected Messiah; and that there now is forgiveness through Jesus which leads to renewed hope for eternal life. Those sent were told to heal the sick including leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. Seems like a tall order, but those serving were on a first-name basis with Jesus. They were connected to the vine, as are we! Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he left instructions for us to do these same things.

Jesus said believers could ask a mountain to move in his name, and it would obey. Nothing frivolous, of course. But if you needed to move a mountain to block a stream and save 200K people in the downstream village from drowning, it’s possible, but only if your branch is still connected to the vine.

There are no Lone Rangers in Heaven. We can’t go off on our own and accomplish anything. But believers have been drafted to play on Team Jesus. That one vine can feed many little branches, and Jesus has invited you to be a part of the action! So get in the game, (already!)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Believe the Eyewitnesses!

For Thursday, February 5, 2026:

Mark 16:14 NLT: “Jesus later appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their stubborn unbelief because they refused to believe those who had seen him after he had been raised from the dead.”

That Jesus would appear to the remaining 11 disciples. This should have removed all doubt concerning his resurrection. They could all see him and hear him speak. Unfortunately, he spoke a chastisement for their previous unbelief!

Jesus previously told them that he had to leave, but would come back for them. Prophets long ago had said that the Messiah would be persecuted, suffer and die. God saw to it that the disciples knew everything in advance. They were warned! But when it actually happened – when Jesus was crucified – they didn’t believe they’d ever see him again. They could not fathom their spiritual mentor dying a human death. And in their experience, once someone died, that was final.

But not for Jesus! He took another 40 days before ascending to God’s heavenly Kingdom. In that length of time, hundreds could have seen the risen Jesus! By then, life after this life should be known by all. “Should be...” The reality is that most didn’t understand what was taking place and tended to dismiss what they had seen with their own two eyes! It’s hard to convince people of conclusions that differ from their personal experiences!

Evangelists fight this same battle daily, trying to coax faith from unbelievers. Remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” So believe! Be blessed by the Messiah!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

World Peace!

For Sunday, September 21, 2025:

Luke 19:42 NLT, Jesus speaking as he enters Jerusalem: “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”

Peace on earth is elusive. When God sends his Son to offer peace, right now is the right time to hop on the peace train. Immediately! If we’re not on board, the train may leave the station without us!

Jesus is prophesying a rough time for non-believers in Jerusalem. But Jesus is personally out of time. He already has “return to the Father” on his agenda. His disciples will have to continue the “eternal peace campaign” in his absence.

This will all happen “because you did not recognize it when God visited you.” That’s why our mission is to tell all people that indeed, the Son of God visited us on our planet. He walked alongside mankind. He died as the offering for all the sins of the world. And he will come again, to announce victory! Expect victory! Expect Jesus to win! Those with him will be ushered into the next reality, God’s Kingdom. Jesus will have a place ready for loyal believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heavenly Kingdom!

For Friday, August 29, 2025:

Hebrews 9:24b NIV: “Jesus entered into heaven itself to appear now before God on our behalf.”

A crowd had gathered as Jesus spoke his final earthly words. He said we are to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and he promised to never leave us or forsake us. The crowd looked on in amazement as he was taken up into heaven, into the eternal Kingdom, to sit at the right hand of God the Father.

In an instant, Jesus was gone, but believers are never abandoned. Our sins are forever forgiven because of Jesus’ work on the cross, and the Holy Spirit was dispatched to be our helper. We have Jesus to advocate for us in heaven, and the Holy Spirit to keep us on the right path here on earth. Because of their efforts (not because of anything we’ve done,) we have assurance of salvation.

Most religions teach about a life after this life, but Jesus is the only spiritual mentor to actually access the real eternity. He went ahead to prepare a place for us. Every believer is included. We are blessed with assurance of salvation, and you can only get that from Jesus! Tell everyone the Good News!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

 

Ascension!

For Sunday, April 27, 2025:

Luke 24:51 NLT: “While Jesus was blessing the believers, he left them and was taken up to heaven.”

What would you give to have been there that day? Kneeling down, head bowed, being blessed by the Son-of-God, he suddenly starts rising, ascending into the sky. His destination is heaven, to be seated at the right hand of the Father. As he disappeared from sight, I believe Jesus wasn’t the only one walking on air!

So much happened in the preceding 40 days. Mankind was redeemed as the sins of the world were taken away, Jesus was crucified, died, but rose again three days later! The resurrected Jesus still spoke to his followers, teaching and proclaiming the Kingdom. Ascension into heaven was the final step. Nothing this significant will occur until Jesus returns!

Awestruck, the believers returned to the Temple and continued to worship. That was the only possible response to what they had just seen!

Jesus was truth in a human body. Everything he ever uttered was honest and true. He said he would return, so we have no reason to doubt his words. At the second coming, Jesus won’t be hard to spot. The Bible says that the whole world will know when he arrives!

Nonetheless, keep your eyes peeled!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Harvest Workers!

For Tuesday, March 7, 2023:

Matthew 9:37-38 NLT: “Jesus said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.’”

Jesus saw the people lacking direction as an opportunity, as a harvest that was plentiful. In his description, those people were like sheep without a shepherd. He, Jesus, was the shepherd they needed! By teaching the Good News, he could bring in the plentiful harvest God had provided!

A good crop is pointless if there are not enough harvest laborers. Without workers – in this case teachers and mentors – the crop would rot in the field. Obviously God’s plan is for a bountiful harvest! He sent Jesus and the disciples to bring in the bounty!

Before he ascended into heaven, Jesus commissioned ALL believers to help bring in the harvest. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” So we are all part of God’s plan to insure the great harvest gets to the storehouse! 

Believer, you have been deputized!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Resurrection!

For Thursday, September 29, 2022:

Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT: “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.”

Never underestimate the power of God Almighty! Never impose human limitations on your understanding of God.

God can overturn death; no human can do that! The Bible tells us of several people who were resurrected. It’s well documented.

The most well-known resurrection was God’s own Son, Jesus, who left the tomb after three days. Hundreds of people saw him up, out, walking around and speaking! Finally a crowd of believers watched Jesus ascend into heaven, to sit at God’s right hand.

None of this is surprising once we realize that God-the-creator made the whole earth and everything in it. And all who believe will be included in a miracle when Jesus welcomes us into the Kingdom with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

The Father's Kingdom!

For Wednesday, April 27, 2022:

Acts 2:24 TLB: “God released Jesus from the horrors of death and brought him back to life again, for death could not keep this man within its grip.”

That crucifixion did not go well for the Centurions. Their reputation for being ruthless was on the line. Three days later Jesus was up, walking around and speaking! A great many could see and hear him! Jesus was truly alive after having been declared dead! Another miracle!

As usual, Jesus is paving the way for us. He is without sin, and he paid the price to redeem mankind from our sins. He showed us that death is not the end. And just as Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised to prepare a place for us, so that all the believers could join him, spending eternity in the Father’s Kingdom.

God is good, all the time!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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