Joy!

For Tuesday, May 5, 2026:

John 15:11 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Jesus spent a lot of his time teaching the faithful. He wanted everyone to know how his Father expects them to live. He states unchangeable principles such as honesty and truth. And he foretells the future, wanting believers to have hope.

Many things will happen to fulfill God’s plan, things that may be confusing. Jesus wants to clear things up and let everyone know what to expect. One example is that mankind’s sins will be forgiven, taken away as if they never happened. That sounds good, but the human side of Jesus will die in the process, and that sounds bad. The truth is that everything is good that lines up with God’s plan. Seeing God’s plan come to fruition should bring us joy.

Happiness can be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord comes from substance. Happiness results from circumstances, and the circumstances around you are forever changing. Interestingly, “circumstance” is the same root word as “circus!” Does your life have three rings and a bear on a bicycle? That’ll put a smile on your face, make you happy, but nothing of substance, nothing that really matters lives there. When the bear falls off the bike, the smile falls off your face.

Not so with the joy of the Lord. God gives us a new day each morning and fills us with joy! We read God’s word in the Bible, and that reinforces our joy! We meet our friends and coworkers – more joy! God’s joy is permanent, something that matters, something of substance. It was God’s plan to rescue repentant believers. He took us under his wing, adopted us into the holy family, and that’s forever! We can look forward to living in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom in the place Jesus has prepared for us, where joy abounds!

We can decide how to live our lives – substance or circumstances, God’s way or the world’s way, fleeting happiness or rock solid joy. Choose wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Second Chances!

For Tuesday, June 17, 2025:

Luke 13:8-9 NIV, Gardener speaking: “Leave the fig tree alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then I’ll cut it down.”

The gardener is giving the fig tree one last chance. Following Jesus gives mankind second, third and fourth chances. God doesn’t throw us away the first time we sin. We’re given an opportunity to repent and return, to correct a situation and make things right with our fellows. Like I said yesterday, it doesn’t seem to matter as much what you did as a sinner, as what you INTEND to do as a repentant believer!

As he died, Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Our sin problem is thereby solved. We all need to look to the future. What has changed? What do we intend to do differently? Actions speak louder than words, so hopefully people will acknowledge your newly changed behavior rather than dwelling on the past. Paul is an extreme example of this. If you only considered his past, his persecution of Christianity, Paul would never be elected leader of a Christian fellowship. But on the road to Damascus, Paul did a 180! He became the leading itinerant evangelist of the New Testament!

By sending Jesus to walk alongside mankind, God is giving us another chance. His desire is that ALL would repent and return. If there’s no fruit, the fig tree will be cut down and thrown into the fire. If mankind doesn’t accept the Son – God’s gift of salvation – we too will be thrown into the fire.

Friends, this is serious business, and Jesus doesn’t mince words. Today is the accepted day to choose your eternal destination. There are only two choices: God’s way or the wrong way! God’s way grants us everlasting happiness. The other way gives us eternal misery.

Choose wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Substance vs Circumstances!

August 19, 2024 Monday Message:

1 John 1:3-4 NLT: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that your joy may be complete.”

Happiness may be fleeting, but the Joy of the Lord is permanent!

Earthly happiness is a reaction to circumstances, and circumstances can change, sometimes better, sometimes worse. But the work of Jesus on the cross – the forgiveness of our sins and his promise of salvation – fills us with the Joy of the Lord, a forever solution to mankind’s sin problem.

What really matters? My wife has a label printer, and our grandson loves putting labels on everything. Our living room houses a piano, two guitars and a ukulele, so he labeled it, “Music Room.” I want us all to dig out our mental label makers and separate everything in our lives into one of two categories: substance or circumstances.

The circumstances in which we find ourselves are constantly changing. We’re called upon to interact with other humans. What could possibly go wrong? (Joke! Sarcasm!)

But things of substance have eternal ramifications. Things of substance matter. Their worth is ‘til the end of time! When Jesus set believers up with assurance of salvation, it was both a “now and forever” solution. Gratitude for Jesus’ gift to us – the gift of eternal life in God’s presence – fills believers with joy that can not be taken away.

Laugh off circumstances. Live for things of substance!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Eyewitness!

March 13, 2023 Monday Message:

1John 1:3-4 NLT: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”

In a court of law, nothing is more convincing than an eyewitness account. “I was there; I saw exactly what happened with my own two eyes!” This Epistle author isn’t relating theories or predictions of what might occur. Rather, it’s a true account of what he and his community experienced first hand.

Christians were known for being happy, kind and full of love and joy. Their purpose in sharing the Good News wasn’t just to sign up more people. They were extremely pleased with their Christian decision, and wanted others to share in their joy! Living with joy and happiness was new to most of these seekers. The early church grew because people liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of it.

You can use your eyes to see the truth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Joy in the Morning!

February 28, 2022 Monday Message

Psalm 30:5 NLT: “For the Lord’s anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Each day we crawl out of bed and begin each day anew. Today we can intentionally set our agenda; we can put anything we choose on our “things-to-do-today” list. Yesterday’s troubles and shortcomings are history. Yesterday is over; let it go! God allows us to take a Mulligan; we get a do-over; we get a fresh start. Today can be better than yesterday if we choose to have it that way.

President Lincoln is reported to have said, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be,” because happiness depends upon the quality of our thoughts. Wake up determined to be joyful! Spend time with your Lord! Do something nice for somebody, and don’t get caught!

Joy comes with the morning – each and every day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Feelings?

For Thursday, November 4, 2021

Proverbs 10:1 CEV: “Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children make them sad.”

Solomon is stating the obvious. We all want strong families with successful children. We want to be able to brag about each other. In comedy, there’s the stereotypical Jewish mother always introducing, “My son, the doctor!” The Message simplifies it: “Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” Actually works for both sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers.

But Mick Jagger sang the reality of the situation: “You can’t always get what you want.” Any family member can let you down, making a bad choice from time to time, and probably will. And the question is, “How does that make you feel?”

If you’re already filled with the joy of the Lord, momentary sadness won’t take you off track. If you and God are OK, if you’re doing the right things for the right reasons, let the joy of the Lord shine through! Be proud of your self-worth! Don’t let someone else control how you feel today!

Happiness can be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord is eternal!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope = Joy!

For Friday, June 25, 2021

Philippians 4:4 NLT, Paul speaking: “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!”

Reading this, I’m reminded of a line in a children’s song: “If you’re happy and you know it, then your face should surely show it!”

We have been given an incredible free gift of eternal salvation through the work of Jesus. By accepting the gift, we have something that’s only available to Christians – Assurance of Salvation. Turns out that in this instance, success is both WHAT you know and WHO you know. Realizing that there’s a room in heaven with your name on the door should fill us all with great joy!

Tell your face that you have eternal hope!

Blessings today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joy!

For Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Philippians 4:4 TLB: “Always be full of joy in the Lord; I say it again, rejoice!”

Paul is encouraging others to be as optimistic as he is, now that he knows the Lord. Paul has lived with many different attitudes toward life, and this is by far the best. Paul's joy wasn't just sunny optimism or positive mental attitude. It was confidence that God is totally in control.

Spurgeon writes, “What a gracious God we serve, who makes delight to be a duty, and who commands us to rejoice! Should we not at once be obedient to such a command as this? It is intended that we should be happy.”

Confidence in God fills us with hope and happiness!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joy of the Lord!

 For Saturday, December 5, 2020

Nehemiah 8:10c NLT: “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”

Believers have good reason to remain optimistic. We have seen the light at the end of the tunnel! Jesus said that he would go ahead to prepare a place for us, and then he'll return for us, and it doesn't get any better than that!

“Happiness” is fleeting. It can come and go. It's dependent upon circumstances, those ever-changing scenarios that surround us.

But “Joy” comes straight from the Lord! It defines our overall attitude regardless of circumstances. We are perpetually filled with the Joy of the Lord, because Jesus has given us eternal hope!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30^th 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

Happiness!

Sept. 14, 2020 Monday Message: 

Genesis 1:31a NLT: “God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good!”

Successfully completing a monumental task can be quite rewarding. Did you ever think about how hard God worked to create our world? In a week, He created the earth with its sun and moon, its mountains and oceans, the plants, animals and finally mankind made in his image; also the other planets in our solar system, the Milky Way galaxy, and the entire universe far beyond our eyes. 

Taking a day of rest, God saw that it was all very good. At this point, I picture God having a smile on his face, pleased with the outcome! God was having a good day! Are you having a good day?

The quote, “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be,” is often attributed to President Abraham Lincoln. While I can’t prove that, what really matters is the truth within the statement. Your happiness is up to you! If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, full of a bad attitude, you’ll probably have a bad day – a self-fulfilling prophecy. But if you wake up with a smile, full of the joy of the Lord, nothing can ruin your day! Make an intentional decision to be happier than you are right now! If you truly desire happiness, nothing can impede you! 

God is smiling, and so should you!

God’s blessings on everyone as we begin a new week! 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 

3249 30^th Ave. S., 

Minneapolis, MN 55406 

Pure Hearts!

For Tuesday, September 1, 2020. 

Matthew 5:8 ESV: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”

This verse is part of Jesus’ greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes ‘The Beatitudes,’ lessons of extreme joy, blessedness and happiness. 

We all want more God in our lives. And God wants more of you too! Those eagerly anticipating God’s presence, the spiritually mature, are the pure in heart! They exude God’s characteristics – integrity, moral courage and good character. They are God’s people and they WILL see God!

Enviably fortunate, spiritually prosperous and living in the happiness produced by knowing the Lord are the pure in heart. God pours out his grace upon those with sincere, undivided hearts. 

What bliss we experience when our hearts are pure, for then our eyes will open to see more and more of God. We’re blessed when we align our inner thoughts – our hearts and our minds - with the Lord. Then we can see God in everything!

Blessings and Joy to you today! 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

Pervasive Positive Attitude

For Saturday, August 22, 2020. 

Matthew 5:4 CEV: “God blesses those people who grieve. They will find comfort!”

This scripture is from Jesus’ teaching known as ‘The Beatitudes,’ which means extreme blessedness or happiness. As we read yesterday, ‘joy’ or ‘happiness’ is oftentimes what is implied by the word ‘blessed.’ In other words, to those who are feeling down, God will bring joy and happiness. God will lift your spirits. Just give Him a try! 

The “Joy of the Lord” is a lot more than a few minutes of peace.  It’s a pervasive positive attitude that covers your entire existence. You can grieve something that went awry, a one-time incident, while still living in the Joy of the Lord, your overall trend.

A lot of people dealing with “Covid stay-at-home” are experiencing “quarantine fatigue,” which is a fancy way of saying they’re a little depressed. But if we all seek the Lord, he will bless us with his joy and peace, so we can trend in a more positive direction!

Blessings and joy to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

Happiness!

For Friday, August 21, 2020. 

Matthew 5:3 CEV: “God blesses those people who depend only on him. They belong to the kingdom of heaven!”

This scripture is the beginning of Jesus’ teaching known as ‘The Beatitudes,’ extreme blessedness or happiness. The concept here is somewhat lost in translation from the original language. ‘Joy’ or ‘happiness’ is oftentimes what is implied by the word ‘blessed.’ Happiness is NOT the opposite of reverence – they should both go together! I’ve always believed that worshiping the Lord should be fun, enjoyable, something we look forward to. God is good, and our association with Him always proves to be a good thing – Enjoy! 

The other concept here is belonging or inclusion. Everybody WANTS to be included; everybody LIKES being included! Example: “Three of us are going to the event, and we’d like to include you! There’s room in the car – we could pick you up…” That’s how you include someone.

But in today’s scripture, it’s bigger and more important than that. Because you’re a believer, God wants to bless you with happiness and include you in His Kingdom. Friends, it doesn’t get any better than that! 

Blessings to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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