God's Word!

For Saturday, August 10, 2024:

Matthew 5:20 NLT, Jesus speaking: “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

Jesus didn’t have much time for the Pharisees. They cherry-picked through the scrolls, only teaching the portions that would benefit themselves. They demanded adherence to their made-up rules. They ignored scriptures about loving their neighbors. Kindness was not on their agenda. They had set themselves up as the religious police, hoping to catch someone doing something wrong. Jesus said to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, and that certainly applies to the Pharisees!

When choosing a church nowadays, we need to beware of 2024’s version of a Pharisee. Demand a high view of the Bible, that every word is God-inspired and true. Denominational deviations from God’s Word are to be avoided. Traditions with no basis in scripture can be set aside. The ENTIRE Bible is our owner’s manual, not just the parts that are convenient. Political correctness was never God’s goal.

The Father and his Son will lead us to the Kingdom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth!

For Saturday, September 30, 2023:

Romans 9:26 NLT: “Then, at the place where they were told, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’”

Paul is quoting God’s word through the prophet Isaiah. It sounds like God’s changing his mind, but it’s the people who have changed. Because of disobedience and lack of faith, the Israelites would be scattered, and only a remnant would remain. In fact, for a great many years, there was no nation of Israel.

Then the people repented and returned to the Lord, and in 1948 the State of Israel was declared out of Palestine to be its own country. You see, God had been given a place of honor in his children’s lives, a priority he should have had all along.

The point is that God is always true to his word. What was prophesied in about 700 BC played out in 1948 AD. God’s promises are always true, and the Bible is full of truth. What seems to take a long time by our standards is perfect timing on God’s calendar.

Believers need not worry about God’s promise of salvation. Do not be impatient! When God’s timing is perfect, we’ll all get to see heaven from the inside! That’s what Jesus said!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God's Words!

For Saturday, October 23, 2021

Numbers 23:12 NLT: Balaam replied, “I will speak only the message that the Lord puts in my mouth.”

The Israelites passed through Moab as they journeyed to the Promised Land, and the Moabite king felt threatened. “Look, a vast horde of people has arrived from Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and are threatening me.” He sought Balaam’s help.

Balaam was a man of God and a prophet. He prayed about it, and God told him that the Israelites had his blessing. He should not impede their progress. God had blessed the Israelites with hope! Balaam responded to the Moabite King saying that he would only speak what God told him to say.

That’s a good policy for churches and for Christians as individuals. At my church, every sermon-teaching starts with scripture from the Bible, reasoning that if we start with God’s inspired words, something useful will follow.

God’s words are always a good place to start!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Authentic God!

For Saturday, June 19, 2021

Jeremiah 17:14 NLT: “O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone!”

The God we worship is the real thing. He doesn’t do things halfway. If he makes a promise, it’s always fulfilled. God is always true to his word.

That same authenticity holds true in the Lord’s promise for our salvation. God’s desire is that none would perish, that all would repent and return. He made that possible by sending his Son Jesus to reconcile the sin of mankind. God wanted to make our eternal life possible and achievable. He never undertakes anything to only do half a job. God’s plan for our rescue will come to fruition!

Knowing that God is always true to his word gives us hope!

Blessings today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Forever-Promises!

For Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Psalm 146:6 NLT: “The Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever.”

God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – created everything, including mankind. God looked at all he created, and declared it to be very good! Therefore mankind has value in His eyes, and knowing that gives us hope!

God’s not about to change his mind. His covenant of love and acceptance is forever, and that’s Good News for us all! God loved the world so much that He sent his Son Jesus to rescue us. God’s plan goes like this: All who confess their sin and believe in Jesus can look forward to eternal life in heavenly kingdom – Assurance of Salvation!

God makes forever-promises!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Bible!

For Thursday, February 11, 2021

Matthew 4:4 MSG: “Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: 'It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.'”

While it takes bread (or some kind of food) to stay alive, our minds also need a portion of truth, and we can count on receiving that from God's Word. The Bible is food for our soul. It isn't just for Sunday. It's how we keep our minds healthy throughout the week.

Jesus quoted these words as Satan was tempting him in the midst of a 40 day fast. Satan tried to get Jesus to use his Godly power to turn stones into bread. Jesus declined. His hope didn't come from an earthly commodity. Jesus' hope came from the Word of God. We call it our Bible. It contains hope for us every single day!

If Jesus got his hope from the Bible, we can too!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope!

For Friday, October 9, 2020 

Psalm 119:43 TLB: “May I never forget your words, Lord, for they are my only hope.”

Only by the goodness and grace of God does His word live within us. This Psalm is a prayer asking that we never forget what God has entrusted to us, because when we’re living in harmony with the Lord, life goes better, and that gives us a lot of hope! 

The past hope He has given us is the basis for our future expectations. Follow the God-trend! Our trust in the Lord has been well placed; therefore we will not be disappointed in the future.

People who have lived both with and without God testify that life is so much better WITH God. They regard it as a good decision, and if they had it to do over again, they’d make the same decision again because it’s worked out well! 

Safety and Blessings today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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