Poor in Spirit!

For Monday, January 9, 2023:

Matthew 5:3 NLT: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, characteristics of those who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. If someone claims to be saved but exhibits none of these characteristics, it would be fair to question their salvation. And if someone claimed to have mastered all these traits, it would be fair to question their honesty.

Some translations of this verse read ‘poor,’ while others say ‘poor in spirit.’ Either way makes sense. If we find ourselves with no money, we should cry out to the Lord for help. And if we’re far from the Lord, poor in spirit, that’s a good time to seek more of him. Either way, we’re recognizing the need to put God in the driver’s seat of our earthly journey.

If we seek more of the Lord, he will meet us on that path. God’s desire is that none would perish and that all would repent and return. The grace of our Father and our faith in Jesus give us access the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus taught that the first will be last and the last will be first! Your reward awaits!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

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

Blessed!

For Thursday, September 10, 2020. 

Matthew 5:10 ESV: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

This verse is part of Jesus’ greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes ‘The Beatitudes,’ lessons of extreme joy, blessedness and happiness. 

Even in our own country, the character traits in the Beatitudes are not valued by some. We don’t give awards to the “Most Pure in Heart,” or the “Most Poor in Spirit.” It seems the opposite; those living wild, raucous, extravagant lives make the covers of the tabloids. But those characteristics DO describe citizens of God’s Kingdom!

Doesn’t that sound good to you – being a child of God in the Heavenly Kingdom? Jesus assures us that his followers will have a place prepared for them in the next reality. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. That’s ETERNAL life! Jesus wants to bring us with him, and that gives us hope! 

Blessings and safety to you today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Peacemakers

For Wednesday, September 9, 2020. 

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

This verse is part of Jesus’ greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes ‘The Beatitudes,’ lessons of extreme joy, blessedness and happiness. 

You’ve seen contestants on TV being asked their one wish, and the typical answer is for world peace. That sounds good, but Jesus is asking for a lot more than that. This isn’t just about those who wish for peace or those who live in peace. This is God’s call on those who bring about peace, those who overcome evil with good.

One way we accomplish this is by sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. Jesus charged believers with a ministry of reconciliation with the Father, making peace between mankind and the God so often rejected and offended by some. 

The apostle John wrote that all who believed in Jesus would become like children of God, adopted into the Holy Family. These should be the peacemakers.

Working toward peace is good, but Jesus promised that there would be wars and rumors of wars until he returns once again. I’m looking forward to it! 

Peace to you today - Shalom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Pure Hearts!

For Tuesday, September 1, 2020. 

Matthew 5:8 ESV: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

This verse is part of Jesus’ greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes ‘The Beatitudes,’ lessons of extreme joy, blessedness and happiness. 

We all want more God in our lives. And God wants more of you too! Those eagerly anticipating God’s presence, the spiritually mature, are the pure in heart! They exude God’s characteristics – integrity, moral courage and good character. They are God’s people and they WILL see God!

Enviably fortunate, spiritually prosperous and living in the happiness produced by knowing the Lord are the pure in heart. God pours out his grace upon those with sincere, undivided hearts. 

What bliss we experience when our hearts are pure, for then our eyes will open to see more and more of God. We’re blessed when we align our inner thoughts – our hearts and our minds - with the Lord. Then we can see God in everything!

Blessings and Joy to you today! 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Happiness!

For Friday, August 21, 2020. 

Matthew 5:3 CEV: “God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!”

This scripture is the beginning of Jesus’ teaching known as ‘The Beatitudes,’ extreme blessedness or happiness. The concept here is somewhat lost in translation from the original language. ‘Joy’ or ‘happiness’ is oftentimes what is implied by the word ‘blessed.’ Happiness is NOT the opposite of reverence – they should both go together! I’ve always believed that worshiping the Lord should be fun, enjoyable, something we look forward to. God is good, and our association with Him always proves to be a good thing – Enjoy! 

The other concept here is belonging or inclusion. Everybody WANTS to be included; everybody LIKES being included! Example: “Three of us are going to the event, and we’d like to include you! There’s room in the car – we could pick you up…” That’s how you include someone.

But in today’s scripture, it’s bigger and more important than that. Because you’re a believer, God wants to bless you with happiness and include you in His Kingdom. Friends, it doesn’t get any better than that! 

Blessings to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Best Sermon Ever!

January 17, 2011 Monday Message:

Truly the Sermon on the Mount was the best sermon ever. Jesus delivered this message c AD30 to his disciples and a large crowd of followers. We don’t know which mountain. Matthew summarizes this message, while Luke reports the similar Sermon on the Plain. Both contain what we call Beatitudes or blessings, promises that teach us that no matter how bad things appear here on earth, God has you covered.

Both Matthew and Luke report Jesus speaking about the poor or poor in spirit, saying, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Mourners or those who are weeping will be comforted and laugh. The hungry will be satisfied according to Luke, while Matthew writes that those who hunger after righteousness will be filled. He tells of those persecuted for seeking righteousness receiving the kingdom of heaven. Luke concludes with the followers of the Son of Man receiving the kingdom of heaven.

Only Matthew reports that the meek will inherit the earth, the merciful will likewise obtain mercy, the pure of heart will see God, and the peacemakers will be called sons of God.

On the mount, Jesus instructed his listeners about good works, holiness, judging others, the law and how to pray. We still use his Lord’s Prayer in most worship services.

It seems that the overall theme is “Love.” God loves all the people he created, and God has a special place for each of them. Jesus loves us just as God loves us. And we are to love the Lord our God, and love one another the same way that God loves us. After all, we’re like family.

Norton Lawellin