I Am the Way!

For Thursday, March 27, 2025:

John 14:6 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

In our Bibles, we can read the complete account of Jesus rescuing mankind by sacrificing himself for our sins. But the followers of Jesus were living inside that story, hearing everything for the first time. Theology that we take for granted was new to them. Consequently, there was some doubt and a lot of questions!

The biggest question concerned their spiritual mentor dying and going somewhere else. Heaven? Q: Jesus had raised others from the dead, so why wouldn’t he rescue himself? A: What was happening was all part of God’s vast eternal plan to rescue mankind. Jesus would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Mankind would therefore be left without sin, eligible to spend the hereafter in the Lord’s presence. You see, God loves us and God is good. His desire is that everyone would repent and return.

Doubting Thomas asked, “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

To which Jesus answered, “I am the way,” the way to the Father, the way to heaven and to life after this life. Just stick with Jesus. “I am the truth.” Every word Jesus ever spoke was true, so we have every expectation that this also is true. “I am the life.” Most people look upon death as a sad thing, as the end of our time on earth. But Christians, those who trust Jesus, see death as a transition to eternity in God’s presence, and that’s a good thing!

I’m looking forward to the place Jesus is preparing for me. What about you?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God Showed Up!

For Saturday, September 17, 2022:

Psalm 114:7 NLT: “Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob.”

Psalm 114 speaks to the way God intervened when it was time for his people to leave Egypt. The word “tremble” could indicate great fear or great excitement. People living for themselves, living for the world, should tremble in fear. But people of God jump for joy when the Lord shows up!

After the plagues, God’s people safely passed through the Red Sea, which later swallowed up their oppressors. The Hebrews safely crossed the Jordan river into the Promised Land. God provided for them as they crossed the desert, even sending a spring of water out of a rock!

God appeared to Moses on Mt. Sinai. Just when the believers needed help and direction, God showed up! And when we cry out for help nowadays, God will still show up if we remember to invite him!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

God with Us!

For Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Isaiah 43:2 NLT, God speaking: “When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”

If you’re a believer, God has adopted you into his Holy Family. Therefore, no matter what life hands you, you won’t have to deal with it by yourself. Father God says, “I will be with you.”

This is so important that God says it three times! He’ll walk with you through situations that seem like deep oceans, raging rivers or consuming fire! He has your back! We have hope. If God is on your side, who could be stand you?

Don’t forget that God is also with you during good times!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

"More God!"

Nov. 18, 2019 Monday Message:

“This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown (from heaven) down to the earth with all his angels.” Rev. 12:9 NLT

In case you don’t know, Satan is an angel gone bad, a fallen angel. And sort of like the Pauli Exclusion Principle, which states (simplified) that two objects cannot occupy the same space at the same time, there can be no evil in the presence of God – only good stuff. Therefore Satan and his supporters were cast down to earth. The bad news is that now WE have to contend with them.

Some people try to tough it out, to do battle with the devil. Oftentimes they don’t win.

I believe a better solution is, “More God!” When the Hebrew people wandered in the desert, a cloud would follow them around and from time to time descend on the tabernacle. This was the divine presence of God, the Shekina, a visible sign that God-the-Creator was still caring for His people.

As we witness revival from time to time, the prayer has always been that God would show up – praying for more God rather than praying for less evil.

Jesus taught us to pray that the Kingdom of Heaven, where God is in charge, would also come to earth. Pray that God would make “up there” come “down here.” Pray for “More God!”

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Nov. 24, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll talk about Thanksgiving and the goodness of God. See you at church!

Psalms 140 - Keep Me Safe

May 7, 2018 Monday Message:

“Keep me safe, Lord, from the hands of the wicked.” Psalms 140:4a NIV

I like the story of the footprints in the sand. There are two sets of footprints – that’s Jesus walking alongside you. But for a while, there is only one set of footprints, and our first inclination is to ask, “Jesus, where did you go?”

But in our ‘footprints’ story, Jesus replies, “That’s when I was carrying you!”

God-sightings at major crossroads in our lives make for great testimonies. But most days aren’t that exciting. Some days we just need to maintain, to live one more day for the Lord, and our prayer is, “Lord, just keep me safe.”

Jesus wants to walk with you every day as you live out your life; but if you need extra help, he will carry you.

“The upright shall dwell in God’s presence.” Ps. 140:13b ESV

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, May 13, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla continues our sermon series from Hebrews 2:1-4.