Changed for the Better!

For Wednesday, April 29, 2026:

Colossians 1:6 NLT: “This same Good News (Gospel) that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.”

Years ago, (when I was a much younger man,) I wrote “Changed Minds, Changed Hearts, Changed Lives.” Some of it was about evangelism. We needed to change some people’s minds about attending church, who Jesus is and the truth of the Bible. For those already attending, a change of heart was needed. They needed to be “all in” for Jesus, more than just “pew sitters.” With a changed heart, they could then unflinchingly believe in the truth of the Bible, and that Jesus is God’s Son. And as lives would change, many could move into leadership. Their lives were changed permanently!

In this scripture, a word that stands out to me is “understood.” Paul is saying that you may not have been convinced when you first heard about this, but only after you understood deep down the truth of what was being taught.

The other word is “truth.” Remember, Paul was waylaid on the road to Damascus by the risen Jesus, struck blind, and then shown truth by Jesus himself. To him, believing in Jesus was now nonnegotiable. Jesus had commanded believers to make disciples of all nations, and Paul was doing his part. He took the Gospel out of Jerusalem, out of Israel, and was now spreading the Good News throughout Asia Minor. We continue that work nowadays!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Changed Lives!

For Thursday, April 8, 2021

Ezekiel 36:26 TLB: “I will give you a new heart—I will give you new and right desires—and put a new spirit within you. I will take out your stony hearts of sin and give you new hearts of love.”

Our God is a God of 2^nd chances – and 3^rd, 4^th, etc. God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return, that none would perish. God is in the rescue business!

Believers have been changed - changed hearts, changed minds, changed lives. God’s radical transformation occurs in believers. The world tells us to look out for # 1; Jesus teaches us to love God and care about our fellows. Self-centeredness is replaced by love and compassion.

God can restore entire countries, but he starts by changing individuals.

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Transformed!

For Friday, March 19, 2021

James 4:15 NLT: “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

James is advising Christians who claim to follow Jesus, but go on living their lives the same old way. Truly accepting Jesus should result in a radical transformation, changed behavior for the better.

God is the great facilitator of our lives, and that gives us hope. We are able to live where we live, go where we go, and do what we do because the God who loves us greatly makes it all possible. To think we are running the show is the same kind of arrogance we see in the Garden of Eden story or the falling of Lucifer.

Paul repeatedly buffered his promises with, “...if the Lord permits.” The Message Bible advises us, “You don’t know the first thing about tomorrow. You’re nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing. Instead, make it a habit to say, ‘If the Master wills it and we’re still alive, we’ll do this or that.’”

Life goes better when God is in the driver’s seat!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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