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

Glorified!

For Sunday, January 30, 2022

1 Cor. 15:43 NLT: “Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.”

Mankind is destined to die once, and then it’s up to God. There’s the judgment, but believers know that Jesus has taken away our sin, so he has that covered. Believers are on their way to paradise!

When we die, we may be sick, decrepit and full of angry, sinful thoughts. We surely don’t want that body resurrected! God has a better plan – a new, glorified body, something suitable for the next reality! We don’t know exactly how that will look, but let me assure you that the resurrected body will be far better than the one what went into the grave. God knows what he’s doing!

See – we have hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Glorified!

For Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Colossians 3:4 CJB: “When the Messiah (Christ), who is our life, appears, then you too will appear with him in glory!”

Jesus is coming back – the Bible says so over and over again! And the Good News is that his followers, the “believers,” will be a part of his glorious return!

In Jesus’ day, one of the debates between the Pharisees and the Sadducees was about life after this life. The Sadducees firmly believed that death was the end for each individual. They were wrong! By his resurrection, Jesus proved that death was not the end. Since he rose from the dead, we are assured that we can too, and that gives us hope, both for the future as we know it, and our for future in the next reality!

Look forward to being a part of the glory of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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