Whose Children?

For Wednesday, September 18, 2024:

1 John 3:10 NLT: “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”

I’ve heard people caution others, “Don’t do that; it’s against the law!” The deed would be contrary to rules legislated by mankind. But are those the rules that really matter?

I almost never hear someone say, “Don’t do that; it’s a sin!” Friends, shouldn’t God’s laws be more important to us than mankind’s laws?

Sin in its simplest form is disrespect for God. God wants what’s best for us, but sinners think they know a better or different way. They don’t. Believers already know right from wrong because God’s laws are written on their hearts. They are children of God. Evildoers are children of the devil.

God allows us to choose sides, and we can easily tell who’s on one side and who’s on the other.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Hypocrites!

For Tuesday, February 27, 2024:

Mark 14:1b-2 NLT: “The leading priests and the teachers of religious law were still looking for an opportunity to capture Jesus secretly and kill him. ‘But not during the Passover celebration,’ they agreed, ‘or the people may riot.’”

Jesus didn’t get along with the Jewish hierarchy. They suffered from, what I call, “Selective Obedience.” Now killing someone, in this case Jesus, would be a violation of God’s commandments. And yet they choose to honor the Passover.

So which is it, Rabbi? Are we supposed to follow God or not, and are there exceptions? The short answer is that we are to always follow God’s instructions. He is always right; he always wants what’s best for us! There are no exceptions!

Jesus didn’t like people who preached one thing, but then did another, and I believe God didn’t like it either. God and Jesus are always on the same page! The two-faced teachers and priests were secretly plotting Jesus’ demise, while publicly leading the celebration of Passover. Hypocrites!

Signing up for the Holy Family requires total commitment. The wishy-washy won’t make it. Disingenuous souls won’t make it. When following Jesus, you’re either all in, or not in at all. And those who are all in get to see heaven from the inside. Eternally!

Today is the best day to seal your commitment to Jesus!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Reverence & Joy!

For Friday, October 6, 2023:

Psalm 93:5 GNT: “Your laws are eternal, Lord, and your Temple is holy indeed, forever and ever.”

As Christians, the words, “for ever and ever,” just roll off our tongues. But let’s stop for a minute and think about what we’re saying. God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – created everything, and I do mean everything. He created the planet on which we stand, and the solar system that contains it. Plants and animals – rivers and oceans – even human beings – God created it all! He existed before mankind, and he’ll be here long after we’re gone – for ever and ever – that’s God!

God also taught us right from wrong. God is steadfast in his ways, and gave us a conscience so we’d instinctively know when we erred.

The place where we worship is holy, and worship should balance reverence with joy. In ancient days, they played musical instruments, sang the psalms and danced for joy, all the while honoring the Lord!

What happens at your church?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Celebrate!

For Thursday, October 6, 2022:

Nehemiah 8:6 NLT: “Then Ezra the scribe praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem, providing leadership for the rebuilding of the Holy City. That work was finished, and now it was time to rebuild their worship of the Lord.

Holy writings had been discovered - the Book of the Law of God! The people hadn’t heard these words for quite some time. Those reading also clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

The people wept, knowing they had not honored God’s Laws. But the leaders told them to instead celebrate their re-connection with the Lord! When someone repents and returns, Heaven celebrates!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joyfully Unburdened!

For Tuesday, September 29, 2020

Psalm 119:1 TLB: “Happy are all who perfectly follow the laws of God.”

We all know the 10 Commandments. They are not only God’s Law – turns out that they’re also a pretty good way to live! Living your life God’s way lets you sidestep many of life’s problems. Adherence to God’s principles smoothes out the bumps in your road and fills in the potholes.

There are actually 613 Commandments in the Bible, but since Jesus, many are no longer necessary. Jesus himself covered most situations with the summary, “Love God and love your neighbor.”

This psalm teaches that following God’s precepts isn’t a burden. We have happier, more joyful lives living in harmony with the Lord and with our fellows. The Message paraphrases it like this: “You’re blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.” And that gives us hope!

Blessings and safety to all today,

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

Psalms 119 - God's Law

Nov. 20, 2017 Monday Message:

“Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees!” Psalms 119:5 NIV

Psalm 119 is the longest Psalm as well as the longest chapter in the Bible. It’s an acrostic poem, each section beginning with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet – therefore there the 176 verses are divided into 22 sections.

The Psalm has a lot to do with God’s Law or Torah, stating, “Happy are those whose way is perfect,” which is an ideal goal, but the Bible also says that ALL have sinned and come up short. So let’s back up and look at this.

Before people become believers, they often behave badly. They don’t know what God’s Law is, or what it requires of them. So when they don’t hit the mark, they don’t care. It’s no big deal.

But after we learn the truth about God, his Law matters to us and we really try to get it right. Most of the time we succeed, but once in a while we still make a few mistakes. These shortcomings are called ‘sins.’

That is why God sent his Son Jesus to redeem us. God knows our heart, and when we truly believe, he wants to meet us in heaven. Jesus prepaid the penalty for the sins of all who would call him Lord. That way, believers can spend eternity in the presence of the Father.

“I will obey your decrees; do not utterly forsake me.” Ps. 119:8

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together. Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll wrap up 1 Cor. 15 this week, and then Pastor Michael Pilla will lead us through Advent and Christmas! See you at church!