Rescue!

For Friday, May 28, 2021

Lamentations 3:58 NLT: “Lord, you have come to my defense; you have redeemed my life.”

Jeremiah is writing from a place of despair and depression, thanking God for turning things around. He’s lamenting the destruction of Jerusalem as a city, and his personal duels with both human and spiritual enemies.

We now know that our God is a God of second chances. This is just one example. God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return, abandon sinful ways, turn back towards God and take a giant step forward. Knowing that He wants to include us all in the heavenly Kingdom fills us with hope!

God gave us the freedom to make choices, so choose wisely!

Blessings to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Helpful!

For Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Ephesians 2:7 Phillips: “The fact is that what we are we owe to the hand of God upon us. We are born afresh in Christ, and born to do those good deeds which God planned for us to do.”

We are all living out God's Vast Eternal Plan. For a long time, God planned on us being present at this time, in this place. Now we have been issued an invitation to play for God's team, to help with His mission. God gave us freedom-of-choice, to accept his invitation, or to decline.

When we come before the judge of this world, we all want the record to show that we said 'yes' to God's invitation! The fact is, we would never have life without our Creator God, and it would now behoove us to serve His Kingdom! Get off the bench, get into the game, and figure out what you can do to be helpful! God shined his light on us; perhaps we can light the way for others!

Jesus is the hope of the world. We are now given an opportunity to share that hope with others!

Blessings and safety this Christmas season!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God's Invitation!

 For Tuesday, December 1, 2020

James 4:8a NLT: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you.”

God, in his designing wisdom, gave us the freedom to make choices. Having that much power sometimes gets us in trouble, but if we choose correctly the rewards are huge!

We have the freedom to choose to love God, or to try to be God ourselves. We can love the Lord or love the world - pick one! We’re free to follow Satan’s temptations, but God would prefer that we align ourselves with Him.

Seeking is reciprocal. If we seek a closer relationship with the Lord, God will likewise draw closer to us, and that gives us hope! God has issued the invitation - the next move is up to us!

Blessings and safety this week!

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

Freedom of Choice

March 30, 2020 Monday Message:

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22b

Why do bad things happen to good people? This troubling question has haunted me for years, but especially now as we seek an end to the pandemic devastating our country. Here’s what I have learned.

There is evil in our world. God created the potential for evil when he designed us with “freedom of choice.” Therefore the ball’s now in our court – the good/evil choice belongs to mankind. As “good” people, WE try to do only good, but unfortunately we’re surrounded by legions of evildoers, the worst of whom are purveyors of war and genocide, and some of their evil will fall upon us.

“Freedom of choice” is important. Choice gives meaning to our love of God. God does not force himself upon people, nor force us to love him. It’s our choice. But God really wants us to “choose” to love him. Some people make the right choice – some make the wrong choice.

If we choose correctly, we get to spend eternity in the presence of the Lord, “where there is no more death, mourning, crying or pain.” from Rev. 21:4

Those who choose Jesus will be plucked from the evil of this world, and set down in the presence of God’s glory. See you there!

Norton Lawellin, Worship Pastor

Jesus in the City Fellowship.

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