Davie vs Goliath!

Memorial Day Monday Message, May 25, 2026:

1 Samuel 17:32 NLT: “Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!”

In the US, this is Memorial Day, when we honor the lives of patriots who died in defense of our country. I don’t really like wars and fighting, and I don’t think God does either. But we can’t let the bad guys win either. When evil appears to be on a winning path, we have to put our feet down, draw a line in the sand and put a stop to it. Enough is enough!

Bible history tells us that Israel seemed to be in a perpetual war with the Philistines. For 40 days, Saul’s army was on one hill and the Philistines on another, fighting in the valley in between. (Why is it always 40 days?) Little shepherd-boy David was bringing gifts to his brothers who were in Israel’s army, and he saw everything. The Philistines held a distinct advantage via the 9-foot tall warrior Goliath.

David told king Saul, “Don’t worry about this Philistine. I’ll go fight him!”

Saul protested, “You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

David justified his involvement. “I have fought lions and bears protecting my father’s sheep. This pagan has defied the living God. Let me at him!” He probably thought, “I’m saving you, your army and your country. Why should I have to justify myself?”

With his sling, David lobbed a river stone into Goliath’s forehead, the Philistines turned tail and ran away, and that pretty much wraps up the story. God, who wants us to love one another, granted victory to Israel. Sometimes fighting is necessary to stand up for the Lord’s value system. If something upsets God, it’s worth fighting for. Sometimes we have to be the ones doing the fighting!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Desire!

For Wednesday, December 18, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:21 NKJV, God’s words: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

This commandment is related to, “You shall not steal.” Don’t take what belongs to someone else, and don’t long for what belongs to someone else. Desiring what is not yours is a stepping stone to becoming a thief, and in our hearts we all know that’s wrong.

Similarly, coveting your neighbor’s spouse is a stepping stone to adultery. This serves as a reminder for those who didn’t “get it” the first time.

Part of becoming a Christian is adopting God’s value system, God’s definitions of right and wrong. Those who have tried it both ways agree that God’s way is the right way, the only way! Give it a try!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Value System!

For Saturday, October 21, 2023:

Romans 12:16 NLT: “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”

Everyone has a mother. Some taught their children well, things like good manners and common sense, while others came up short. Here Paul is counseling Christians in Rome, but his words sound just like my mother’s!

Try to get along with everyone. Live in peace. Be nice. Do the next right thing. Do what you can to be helpful. Realize that the unpopular kid needs a friend too. Get off your throne of being ‘cool,’ and make a new acquaintance. If the trouble maker had more friends, he might not be a trouble maker! Nobody likes a know-it-all. Be humble. Do not think more highly of yourself than you ought.

Surprisingly, the trend back then was to look out for #1, not to love your neighbor. Jesus changed all that. Loving your neighbor became a priority for the new Christian community. And people liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of it!

We can call these behavior suggestions a part of God’s value system. We should endeavor to live like Jesus lived and like the Bible says we should. We can shine the light of Jesus into the world! Others will see it!

Pastor 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

Divine Encouragement!

For Friday, September 15, 2023:

Psalm 139:24 NLT: “Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.”

This is the prayer of a mature believer, one who’s “all-in” for God, but wise enough to know that shortcomings will inevitably plague their lives. David is saying, “God, I’m with you 100%, but when I get off-track, kindly give me a course correction. Give me a nudge in the right direction.”

Before we became believers, God’s standards meant little to us. But as believers, God’s value system became the gold standard for the way we should live our lives. Being human, we won’t always hit our goal. From time to time, we’ll need divine encouragement to get our lives back in order. Hence this prayer!

We should follow David’s example of trusting God to lead us in HIS way, the right way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Wisdom!

For Tuesday, August 22, 2023:

Psalm 111:10 NLT: “Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true wisdom. All who obey his commandments will grow in wisdom. Praise him forever!”

We all know that “fear” means being afraid. But there are alternate definitions for this word. Merriam-Webster’s says fear is also “profound reverence and awe, especially toward God,” and that’s what the Bible is meaning here.

I heard something at church that really applies. We should all carry this definition in our hearts. “Truth is God’s opinion on everything!” So when you’re not sure what to do, check your Bible. Get God’s opinion on the matter. God’s opinion will be the truth!

God will not change his mind. God, his Son and their value system are the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. So when we seek God’s truth on a matter, lock that answer in. It’s a forever answer.

Wisdom seems to be a rare commodity nowadays, but God dispenses it freely to believers! Be one of the believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Original Sin

For Saturday, August 19, 2023:

Romans 5:18 NLT: “Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.”

I was asked to explain original sin. When they were created, Adam and Eve couldn’t really sin because they hadn’t been given God’s Law. But when they disobeyed and ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin became possible. They now knew right from wrong. They had been given God’s value system, and would understand when they were operating outside God’s standards.

Jesus was sent to remove mankind’s sin problem. Jesus offered forgiveness and reconciliation. All we have to do is stick with Jesus, claiming him as our Savior.

Jesus was God’s plan to put our relationship with him back the way it was originally designed.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Pray for Peace!

May 29, 2023 Monday Message:

Psalm 46:9 NLT: “God causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.”

Today is “Memorial Day” in the United States. It’s a day to honor those who gave their lives to defend our country. And since our country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, they died defending God’s values, and that is indeed a high calling!

Surprisingly there are still hundreds of little wars in the world, resulting in lives being lost. Right now the big war is in Ukraine. It’s on your TV every night. The war is about which government controls a small piece of real estate. To God this is just silliness, since they’re not fighting over anything of substance, anything of eternal value. The Lord says, v10: “Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.”

So make no mistake: “Be still” isn’t about meditating. “Be still” means stop the fighting. Stop the loss of lives. Stop your foolishness and focus on your destination in the life after this life. Pray for peace in the world.

The Bible says there will be wars and rumors of wars until Jesus returns, so also pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Religion Simplified!

For Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Acts 15:19 NLT: “We should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”

As the Israelites were making their 40-year trek to the promised land, God, through his servant Moses, gave the people 613 Commandments, God's value system for the His people. Unfortunately, most found it difficult to keep track of 613 items!

Jesus simplified things. He wrote his commands on our hearts, which is to say we instinctively know right from wrong, and we have been given a conscience. Also, if we acknowledge our sin problem and ask Jesus for help, he'll take our sins to the place of the dead leaving us suitable to spend the life after this life in the presence of Father God!

Jesus simplified religion so that all of us could "get it!"

See you at church - Bring your Bible!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

New Life!

For Saturday, December 11, 2021

2 Cor. 5:17 NLT: “Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

We often speak of a radical transformation through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Becoming one with the Holy Spirit, it’s like our old self died, and we are born again in a new and better way. Sinful ways of the world no longer dominate our thinking. They’re replaced by God’s value system, a passion for living Godly lives and then sharing that Good News with others!

This new life is a gift from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ. Accept the new life joyously, and courageously accept Jesus’ assignment of letting the world know about God’s reconciliation plan for all of mankind.

Knowing Jesus has gone well for us, so we should proudly share Him with others! Our friends should have hope too!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Truth = Hope!

For Sunday, November 21, 2021

Matthew 5:6 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

Jesus is continuing his Sermon on the Mount, beginning with what we call “The Beatitudes.” He’s letting everyone know that living the right way has benefits. God knows what you’re up to, and if God’s value system is your goal, hope is your reward!

I have a good friend who worked for a large church for years. He was exposed to the Bible, heard all the sermons, but didn’t join that church – yet! He was searching for truth. He was checking out all the credible world religions. After a thorough, multi-year investigation, he concluded that our God was indeed the Creator, and that his Son Jesus is the only path to eternal life. You could say that he “hungered and thirsted for righteousness,” and he was filled. His quest did not go unanswered. It was his time to sign up, to become a Christian with all his heart!

If you’re truly seeking the Lord, he will open the door of truth for you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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