Connected!

For Friday, November 14, 2025:

John 15:5-6 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. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned.”

In Jesus’ day, the economy was largely agricultural. Most people would have known the basics of tending sheep, and vineyards were abundant. So this vine/branches analogy helps clarify our relationship with Christ.

If a branch is severed from its host vine, it will wither and die, only to be tossed into the fire. But mankind will thrive when connected to the Creator, the source of life.

Knowing this, how could any of us ever get separated from the host? Neglect seems to be a key factor. Your vineyard needs water and fertilizer. Pruning away the unproductive branches leaves more nutrients for those focused on Jesus’ mission. Maintenance of our heavenly connection should top our list of “things to do today.”

Jesus promises a reward for our persistence. “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” He sums it up like this: “When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” Let’s put a smile on God’s face today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Reciprocal Love!

For Sunday, June 1, 2025:

Luke 12:8-9 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.”

The word “reciprocal” comes to mind. It’s what Jesus taught, what we call the Golden Rule: “Treat other people exactly as you would like to be treated by them.” (Matt. 7:12a)

When mankind comes before the judgment seat, Jesus will treat us as we have treated him. If we honor him and brag about him to our friends, he will do the same for us as we enter the Kingdom. If we are not connected to Jesus in this life, he won’t be connected to us in the next.

So we have a choice. Our earthly relationship with Jesus determines our heavenly path. How we treat Jesus now truly affects our eternal future.

This is truth – Jesus said so!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Connections!

For Friday, June 10, 2022:

Romans 3:22 NLT: “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.”

God is perfect and sinless, mankind is struggling with sin, and only Jesus can connect the two.

When we come to the pearly gates and they look in the book of life, heaven is not expecting to find your name. After all, you came from planet earth where scripture says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.

But if you’re a believer, a follower of Jesus, your name will be there. And under the column labeled ‘sin,’ it will be blank – no erasure marks, no scratch-outs – just blank white space, as if you’d never sinned! That’s what Jesus does for those who follow him!

Jesus paid the price to redeem us from our sin! If we tried to pay it ourselves, we’d be lost forever!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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