Reciprocal Love!

For Thursday, December 4, 2025

Romans 5:5b NLT: “We know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Love is reciprocal. Bi-directional. God loves us so much that it becomes easy to love him back. So put the Lord up on a pedestal and add worship to your lives in abundance!

God’s timing is always perfect. When mankind was floundering, he sent Jesus to rescue us. Now that Jesus has returned to the Father, the Holy Spirit has been sent to be our helper and our advocate. As children of God, Heaven is where we belong. Eventually. God is trying to make it easy for us to come home. The Holy Spirit will guide us. Home is where when you go there, theyhave to let you in!

 When we become believers, we’re adopted into the family of God. We receive the rights, privileges and benefits of being a family member. We can inherit salvation! As we transition from this life to the next, Jesus will be there to welcome us with open arms. Jesus is the light of the world, and we should always pursue light, not darkness.

I wish churches would teach more about the Holy Spirit. He’s one-third of the Trinity, but seems to be on the short end of receiving screen time. Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations, but I don’t think I could ever do that on my own. The Earth is just too big! But a team with each member possessing different God-given gifts and talents can bring Jesus’ goal into focus.

Can you heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons? By yourself, no. With the Holy Spirit, maybe, if it fits with God’s purpose and timetable. For example, if someone is dying because God is calling them home, we should leave well enough alone. But if someone is dying because demons are disrupting things, we should cast out the demon(s) and heal the illness. God’s way is always the right way! The Holy Spirit will help!

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. He’s already loving you back!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

End Times Loyalty!

October 20, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 21:19 NLT, Jesus speaking: “By standing firm, you will win your souls.”

The end times will not be pretty. Countries will succumb to the armies of evil nations. Longtime companions will betray you. Some believers may even be murdered. Jesus suggests running to the hills – and standing firm, not abandoning our faith in God’s Son.

The world is confused and evil in this picture Jesus painted. But while the world is in disarray, Jesus will be our rock. Since the beginning, there has been good vs bad, right vs wrong and God’s way vs Satan’s way. God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit have always been on the side of fairness, righteousness and love.

Satan, on the other hand, has no real agenda other than to oppose God. He has no Kingdom, no heaven, no paradise. The only thing a follower of Satan can hope to receive is a toasting in the fires of hell.

Deciding to become a believer is a simple decision. Almost anyone can understand the benefits and join the good guys. So stand firm in your convictions. Jesus promises that your reward will be the eternal salvation of your soul!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Prepare the Way!

For Friday, December 30, 2022:

Matthew 3:2 NLT, John-the-Baptist’s message: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

A basic leadership principle is to let people know what’s coming, to get them accustomed to new ideas. Then when you make the final announcement, it won’t be a big surprise to anyone. People will say, “I’ve heard of that – that’s what we’ve been talking about!”

Example: A church needed more room, and they suddenly announced a building campaign. It was voted down. No one had heard of the idea, so the leadership regrouped and talked benefits. A new fellowship hall would accommodate community meals, women’s luncheons, men’s Bible studies and allow growth for the youth group! Everyone benefits! A year later, 90% voted ‘yes!’

The Son of God coming to earth to rescue mankind and the Hebrew people transitioning from a ‘works’ based religion to ‘grace & faith’ religion was monumental, Good News for all of us. The prophet Isaiah cracked open the door 800 years earlier. Now John-the-Baptist was the advance man for our Messiah. Jesus and John were close to the same age, but Jesus didn’t begin his ministry until he was 30. That gave John at least 10 years to prepare hearts to receive Jesus’ message.

"The Kingdom of God is right here, right now!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Believer Benefits!

For Friday, August 5, 2022:

Psalm103:2-5 NLT, words of David: “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Being a believer comes with benefits. No one should ever associate with Christians just to ‘get stuff,’ but indeed there are benefits once you’re a member of the flock.

The biggest benefit is God’s gift of a life after this life in his presence. We call it heaven. Our time on earth is short, but the presence of the Lord is eternal. Jesus is willing to redeem your life from the pit of despair and crown you as a child of God!

So it’s OK to focus on the benefits of being a believer. Like Paul said, “Keep your eye on the prize!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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