Challenge Builds Strength!

Friday, April 24, 2026:

Luke 4:14-15 NLT: “Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.”

After being tested in the desert by Satan, Jesus returned to the region around the Sea of Galilee. The Devil had been tempting Jesus, who consistently rejected Satan’s offers. In this ongoing battle of good vs evil, Jesus was the clear victor. And when you battle the evil one and win, you emerge stronger. In other words, Jesus was in his prime as he began teaching in Synagogues. He was praised, honored and glorified by all.

The same principle applies to us. Satan will continue tempting us throughout our lives. But if we reject the evil one, we will emerge stronger for overcoming this challenge, just like Jesus!

At this point, Jesus’ ministry efforts were focused on teaching. Listening to him speak must have been like having a complete Bible commentary to explain Torah in a way that everyone could understand. Nowhere does it say that Jesus attended a school, a seminary or studied with a particular Rabbi. Being the Son of God, he just knew what the Father would want him to do, preach truth! At this time, there was no organized opposition to Jesus

Lead us not into temptation. But if we find ourselves there, let us grow from the challenge. Let us emerge stronger!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

All Hallows' Eve!

For Friday, October 31, 2025:

Deuteronomy 18:10b-11 NLT, Instructions for people living in the Promised Land: “Do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.”

Q: Should Christians celebrate Halloween? A: Only in an innocent and fun way!

All Hallows’ Eve is the night before All Saints’ Day. Pagan Celts erroneously believed that graves would open, and the dead would walk among the living. That’s why we see cemeteries, tombstones and skeletons as Halloween decorations. Witches with their black cats and brooms filled out the dark side of Halloween, practices Christians should avoid at all costs. But Halloween doesn’t have to be like that!

There’s nothing wrong with kids dressing in fun costumes and seeking free candy. My church held a “Trunk of Treat” event. We ate popcorn, drank hot cider, and signed people up for the New Members’ class. The kids played simple games in which everybody won free candy. We signed some of them up for Sunday School! I brought my grandson, dressed as Spiderman. He had a ball! I saw four Spidermen at the event!

We did not have witches, ghosts or ghouls. No “spirits,” evil or otherwise, walked among us. We kept the good, fun parts of Halloween, while discarding the evil.

I want to close by reminding everyone that Satan is real, and he’s always looking to get his foot in our doors. Halloween presents a perfect opportunity for the Devil’s evil plans. His demon helpers are still problematic today. Jesus spent a fair amount of time casting out demons. There’s a lot of evil in our world, and Satan is fueling most of it, so we need to stay alert. Avoid the Evil One at all costs, while loving the children who enjoy a fall party and free candy!

Happy Halloween!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Children of God!

For Thursday, June 29, 2023:

1 John 5:19 NLT: “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

Well, that explains a lot! No wonder Christians are persecuted by the world! It should come as no surprise that life gets difficult at times when Satan is running free amongst us.

Jesus said that those who aren’t for him are against him. And this world contains two distinctly different groups: #1 those who are with Jesus, children of God; and #2 those under control of the evil one.

The Good News is that in the last days God will call his children home!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Protection!

For Saturday, June 10, 2023:

2 Thessalonians 3:2 NLT: “Pray, too, that followers of Jesus will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer.”

Life isn’t always easy being the hands and feet of God on earth. Never underestimate the number of people working against you! Never underestimate the power of Satan. The Devil is real, and his pesky demons are akin to throwing sand in the gears.

The Evil One already has considerable influence over what we call “the world.” So now we find him at work in our churches, spreading lies, gossip and false theology. We must be vigilant in adhering to the Bible and doing exactly what Jesus said to do!

Pray that God would place a cloud of protection around his believers. Pray that Satan would be ineffective in our churches. Pray that only the truth of the bible would be taught in our houses of worship!

Pray that the light of Jesus would shine on all believers today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Save Us From Evil!

January 30, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 6:13 NIV, Jesus continues teaching The Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

You should know that the Greek word for “temptation” could also be translated “tests.” The only way God would lead someone into temptation would be as a loyalty test, and Scripture says that God will not tempt us beyond what we have the ability to withstand.

Here’s an example: Abraham and Sarah were well beyond child-bearing years when God blessed them with a son, Isaac. They loved Isaac more than you can imagine. Then God told Abraham to take his only son into the wilderness and sacrifice him to the Lord. Unthinkable! But Abraham was obedient, loyal to God. Turns out the whole scenario was a loyalty test. At the last minute, God provided an appropriate sacrifice, and Isaac was spared! God is good!

J.B. Phillips translates this passage: “Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.” Satan is relentless, perpetually ready to take us off track. Since God and Satan, good and evil, cannot exist in the same realm, if you desire protection from the evil one you should get closer to God. In His arms, you’re safe!

“Saving” us is a function of Jesus, who died that our sins might be forgiven as he redeems the children of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Choose Wisely!

For Wednesday, September 23, 2020 

1 John 5:19 NLT, the Apostle John writing: “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

Well, that explains everything! Believers, followers of Jesus, are blessed to live in fellowship with other believers, who do their best to follow Jesus’ commands to love God and love their neighbor. Life is relatively good! 

But the rest of the world is a big mess! For a time, Satan is allowed to do business in our world. This forces mankind to choose. We’re required to make a conscious decision to follow the Lord, and there is no middle ground. Those who are not ‘with’ the Lord are ‘against’ him.

This explains wars, prejudice, riots and killings, none of which are good and all of which are fueled by the evil one. It also explains disaster relief, food shelves and homeless shelters. Christians are always the first to step up when there’s a problem. Choose today whom you will serve. Choose wisely! 

Blessings and safety to all,

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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