David's Anointing!

For Tuesday, March 24, 2026:

1 Samuel 16:11c NLT: “At once, send for the youngest, the shepherd,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

God had told Samuel that one of Jesse’s sons was to be anointed as Israel’s next king. Samuel thought he had interviewed all the young men, but God had yet to pull the trigger. So Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” Voilà: David, anointed to be the next king of Israel! Not because his father Jesse decreed it, not because Samuel said so, but because he was God’s choice! Because God said so!

Frankly, there was no way David could have turned down the assignment. Think back to Jonah, called to deliver the “repent and return” message to the people of Nineveh. Fearing for his life, Jonah took off in the opposite direction, went overboard during the voyage, was swallowed up by a giant sea creature who spit him out. Where? On the beach of Nineveh, right where God had called him to be. God always gets his way! It would take a few more years, but David would ultimately assume the position for which he had been earmarked by God.

Have you ever been called by the Lord? First, identify your God-given gifts and talents. God will not call you to a task for which you have no skill, no knowledge. He will not send you on a mission without supplying the tools needed for success. If you’re volunteering to join the “God team,” something He needs will jump out at you, will fall right into your lap. You’ll be better at it than others. It wouldn’t be the same without you! God knows what he’s doing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

David!

For Tuesday, March 24, 2026:

1 Samuel 16:11c NLT: “At once, send for the youngest, the shepherd,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

God had told Samuel that one of Jesse’s sons was to be anointed as Israel’s next king. Samuel thought he had interviewed all the young men, but God had yet to pull the trigger. So Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.”

“Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” Voilà: David, anointed to be the next king of Israel! Not because his father Jesse decreed it, not because Samuel said so, but because he was God’s choice! Because God said so!

Frankly, there was no way David could have turned down the assignment. Think back to Jonah, called to deliver the “repent and return” message to the people of Nineveh. Fearing for his life, Jonah took off in the opposite direction, went overboard during the voyage, was swallowed up by a giant sea creature who spit him out. Where? On the beach of Nineveh, right where God had called him to be. God always gets his way! It would take a few more years, but David would ultimately assume the position for which he had been earmarked by God.

Have you ever been called by the Lord? First, identify your God-given gifts and talents. God will not call you to a task for which you have no skill, no knowledge. He will not send you on a mission without supplying the tools needed for success. If you’re volunteering to join the “God team,” something He needs will jump out at you, will fall right into your lap. You’ll be better at it than others. It wouldn’t be the same without you! God knows what he’s doing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Gift Results!

For Tuesday, December 16, 2025:

Romans 5:16 NLT: “The result of God’s gracious gift is very different from the result of that one man’s sin. For Adam’s sin led to condemnation, but God’s free gift leads to our being made right with God, even though we are guilty of many sins.”

Adam and Eve’s sin led to condemnation. There was no intercessor. But with Jesus, our intercessor stepped in. Mankind has still sinned, but those sins are forgiven, and our slate has been wiped clean. God’s gift gives us a fresh start at living a proper life. Faith in the Son is the connection that plugs us in with the Father. Faith in the Son buys our ticket to eternity, a heavenly encounter with the Lord. Faith in the Son results in Assurance of Salvation!

When you believers get to the pearly gates, explain that you’re with that one guy right over there, the one seated just to the right of God. Jesus is there to welcome believers with open arms. He has prepared a place for each of us. In our hearts, we know that Jesus has been anticipating our arrival!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Rewards for Obedience!

December 15, 2025, Monday Message:

John 15:16 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”

Obedience is rewarded. Jesus chose you to join his group of believers. He assigns task to each of us, according to our gifts and talents. He will not ask you to take on a job for which you lack the necessary skills. In other words, God’s asks are most certainly possible. He needs the job done, and we want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” See, this is gonna work out!

The last thing Jesus asked us to do is to make disciples of all nations. There are many pieces in that puzzle. Some of us are better at small, 1-on-1 encounters. Others are gifted at speaking to large groups. Some are gifted at teaching adults; others, children. Some have the gift of hospitality. They can make everyone feel welcome. Others plan and lead evangelical events.

No matter your skill set, the reward is the same. God will give us whatever we ask in Jesus’ name. Ask to spend eternity in God’s presence in His Heavenly Kingdom. That’s called Assurance of Salvation. Believers are adopted as children of God, so we can simply come home!

Lessons for your church: The lead soprano in the choir may not be able to cook. (Better left to the hospitality department!) Your talented maintenance man may have a gruff personality. (I know his first name!) Teenagers may not know how to clean the youth room; they need to be taught. (You made the mess – you clean it up! I’m not your mother!) A pastor who loves the Lord and loves people may not be gifted in public speaking. (I’ve seen that more times than you might think!) If the children need to put on a program, singing may not be the best option. They don’t all have that skill! Utilizing our God-given gifts honors the Lord who created us!

Don’t shirk your responsibility, and we’re all responsible for something. Remember, obedience is rewarded!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Better Direction!

For Friday, June 6, 2025:

Acts 2:38 NLT: “Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

“Repent and return to the Lord.” Sound familiar? For centuries, prophets had been trying to get everyone back on track. One example is Jonah, delivering God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Repent and return. Before Jesus arrived, John-the-Baptist used those same words. Jesus himself spoke those words. And now Peter, following Jesus’ instructions, is encouraging a colossal crowd of Jews to repent and return.

Every language has its quirks, and Hebrew is no exception. “Teshuvah” (repent) indicates a change in direction. “We were headed East, but decided West would be better.” Sinners are “far from God.” Believers are “closer to God.” Combining those two thoughts, people caroming through the world are advised to change directions and return, thereby becoming closer to God. The best way to get closer to God is to repent, change your ways and make a total commitment to follow God Almighty and His Son.

Baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward change. If a person is convinced that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, public baptism shares their decision with the world. There were healing pools nearby, and several other believers to perform the baptisms, making this scenario possible.

Take a moment and re-commit yourself to service on the “Jesus Team!” Each of us has been given specific gifts and talents to add value to our church family. Everyone is needed. Do you know your piece of the worship equation?

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Purpose!

For Friday, May 3, 2024:

Colossians 4:3 NLT: “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.”

Most people would lament the fact that they’re in prison. But Paul sees it as an opportunity! By the time his sentence ended, the prison staff, the guards and a lot of his fellow prisoners knew about the redeeming grace of Jesus!

As newcomers are considering Christianity, they often ask, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?” Paul’s call was the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations. He went at it with vigor!

New Christians are filled with excitement. They overflow with enthusiasm. A radical transformation has taken place, so much so that close friends might not recognize the new believer. You might as well tell your peers. They’ve already seen the new you! Telling others is a part of your mission.

Other purposes might be based on your gifts and talents. God creates each of us to be unique. Putting those gifts and talents to work as the church grows is also your mission.

Seek to turn challenges into opportunities!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God Knew You!

For Friday, June 18, 2021

Jeremiah 1:5a NLT, God speaking: “I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.”

Life is precious, and our Lord is the Creator of all life. That God knew Jeremiah in his mother’s womb is true for us also. In fact, if we read the fine print, God apparently had a plan for each of us before we were even formed. After all, the Bible says that Jeremiah existed in the mind and plan of God BEFORE he ever existed in his mother’s womb.

Each of us was designed with unique gifts and talents to fulfill what we were made to do better than anyone else. Believe it or not, we are all sanctified – set apart for God’s purpose, and that gives us a lot of hope!

"Before I formed you I knew you!”

Blessings today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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