Gone Missing!

January 26, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 2:46 NLT: “Three days later Jesus’ parents finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.”

Have you ever had a child go missing at the mall or at a theme park? We lost Melissa at the Atlanta airport. She had wandered around the corner and struck up a conversation with a friendly-looking, grandfatherly man. She was excited that she had made a new friend, but he was not one of our family. Fortunately, he was a nice man, and we located her quickly, but it could have been far worse! Children are both curious and precocious. Jesus was no exception!

Personally, I can’t imagine having a child of mine go missing for three days! Mary and Joseph must have been beside themselves with anguish. Picture losing the Son of God! They found him amongst religious teachers, asking them questions and answering theirs. How unlikely would it be for religious philosophers to enjoy conversing with a 12-year-old?

Jesus explained, “Why did you have to search? Didn’t you expect that I would be in my Father’s house?” For all they’d been through with angels, the immaculate conception, shepherds and wise men, and spending time as persecuted non-resident aliens in Egypt, Jesus’ parents still hadn’t connected all the dots.

The last line of the song, “Mary Did You Know,” explains it best. “That sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am!”

Those religious teachers were blessed to be getting answers from God himself. We’re blessed to know a relationship with God as he walked on earth. We worship the One who came to forgive us, to redeem our eternal essence, our souls. Jesus, our faith is in you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

For the Lord!

For Tuesday, December 23, 2025:

Luke 2:23 NLT: “The law of the Lord says, ‘If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.’”

Here’s what the Lord said back in Exodus 13:2: “Dedicate to me every firstborn among the Israelites. The first offspring to be born, of both humans and animals, belongs to me.” Notice that when something is really important and God wants you to “get it,” he says it twice. So the example in Luke is actually the third time God emphasized this principle.

Mary and Joseph were obedient. They had seen and heard angels and had first-hand experience with a mysterious pregnancy. There was no doubt that this baby is special, and that God is “in” these events. Of course, they would dedicate the youth to the Lord. That’s what God said to do! Little did they know that their baby was the great I Am! So … dedicating God to God? Seems kind of silly, kind of redundant. It makes sense, though, to dedicate the God on earth to the purposes of the God in Heaven. They worshiped the Lord, and the baby was named Jesus (by the angel) – God is salvation. They had not yet been told of a Holy Spirit.

Notice that God doesn’t get any one of the kids somewhere down the line. He gets the first. God gets the first-fruits of the harvest. Your tithe should be the first 10%, not the last. And who gets trained to execute the Lord’s work here on earth? The firstborn son. God should always be #1 on our distribution lists.

Also realize that loyal, obedient believers are #1 on God’s list. Believers have their sins forgiven and have been handed a ticket to the hereafter. You see, loyalty and obedience are rewarded, but not always in the way we might expect. The Hebrew people are chanting, “Rescue us from Roman domination.”

Jesus is promising, “Your sins are forgiven.” Romans are a short blip on the screen of Hebrew history. Jesus’ offer puts us in a better place for eternity.

Pick one!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

The great I AM!

For Sunday, December 14, 2025:

Exodus 3:14 NLT: “God replied to Moses, ‘I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.’”

God was calling Moses to lead his people out of Egypt. At this point, God appeared as a burning bush that did not consume itself, so Moses had a fair question: “Who should I say sent me?”

God’s answer can seem a bit confusing, a little strange: “Tell them I AM has sent me to you.” This speaks to the eternal nature of God.

It’s not, “God WAS great, but he ran out of gas.” It’s not, “God is increasing, just now coming into his own.” Nor is it, “God has been coasting, but will soon achieve greatness.” The fact is that the goodness and strength of God are perpetual. Our Creator was, is and always will be the greatest of all time.

Furthermore, God’s timing is always perfect. He was at the end of his rope with Pharaoh. He knew just the right time to put Moses in motion. And as a solution to mankind’s sin predicament, he sent Jesus to Earth without a specific timetable. Jesus took ALL the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Offenses of past sins, present sins and even future sins not yet committed would be resolved through faith in God’s Son!

Our God is a really good God with kind of a strange name. I love it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

I Am = Messiah!

For Thursday, September 4, 2025:

John 13:19, Jesus speaking: “I tell you this beforehand, so that when it happens you will believe that I am the Messiah.”

Magicians, sorcerers and the like were common 2K years ago. They would perform a trick and claim to be someone special. They were not. People became wary and weary of them. Jesus had executed many miracles and healed thousands, but several wondered if it was all some kind of trick. After all, Jesus had arrived as a little baby, born to a builder and an obedient mother. That this young man who had grown up in their midst could be the Messiah seemed unlikely.

But magicians and sorcerers cannot predict the future. Jesus, who was riding high at the time, predicted his betrayal and unlikely demise. Quite a contrast! But everything happened just the way Jesus said it would. When he was gone, not only theologians but also everyday men and women could compare what happened with Jesus’ predictions, and immediately recognize him as the Messiah!

In the original language, Jesus refers to himself as the “I am,” the same name God gave when Moses asked that question. “I am” implies a perpetual existence. It’s not “I was” or “I’m going to be.” It’s just “I am,” I was from the beginning and I always will be. I am everything from God-the-creator to God-of-the-future. I was God of your ancestors, and will be God of your progeny. Forever!

Thank the Lord today for the privilege of knowing the Son, who died paying the price for mankind’s sinful nature. He personally redeemed the souls of all who believe. That’s why Christians have assurance of salvation. Jesus said so, and he’s the I am!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Call!

For Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

Exodus 3:4b NLT: “God called to him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ ‘Here I am!’ Moses replied.”

Few of us will ever be called by the Lord in such a direct manner, but Isaiah is a close second. When God asked him, “Whom should I send?”, Isaiah volunteered, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah’s response was obedience. Moses’ response was fear, trepidation and hesitation.

Moses turns his anxiety into questions: Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?

God: I will be with you.

Moses: The people will ask, ‘Who sent you?’

God: Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’

Moses: O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.

God: What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.

Eventually, Moses ran out of excuses. It was time to put God’s call in motion. Turning down God’s call never works out anyway!

So what has the Lord called you to do? Are you listening for his voice? About a year ago I resolved to say yes more often. There’s a saying in the military: Never volunteer for anything, but I think our Christian attitude should be the opposite of that. If help is needed at church, at a youth program, at a hospital or treatment facility – anywhere our help would benefit our brothers and sisters – it’s time to say yes. That’s what Jesus would have us do.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Blasphemy!

For Saturday, March 23, 2024:

Mark 14:63-64a NLT: After hearing Jesus claiming to be the I AM, “The high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, ‘Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.’”

In spite of what they called it, this confrontation with Jesus wasn’t a real trial. Much like Putin being elected President of Russia, the verdict was known before the event ever took place.

Yesterday I pointed out the significance of Jesus calling himself the I AM. But it wouldn’t have mattered much what he said. The high priest called it blasphemy, and anything Jesus said would have been called blasphemy. The high council’s goal wasn’t to conduct a fair trial. The goal from the get-go was to eliminate this man competing for power and tithes. Furthermore, Jesus was teaching a philosophy that differed from the Temple teaching. The Temple teachers were consumed with enforcing the law, while Jesus taught forgiveness and love. Love God, love your neighbor.

So by tearing his clothes and calling Jesus’ testimony blasphemy, the High Priest in effect declared Jesus guilty. All present seemed to be on board. They spit upon Jesus and beat him. Mob mentality prevailed. The mob would do things that no individual would never do.

Don’t ever join the mob!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

I AM!

For Friday, March 22, 2024:

Mark 14:61b NLT: “Then the high priest asked Jesus, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’”

In Egypt, the Lord spoke to Moses from a burning bush that did not consume itself. God appointed him leader of the Israelite slaves, and sent him to Pharaoh to demand: “Let my people go!” This would be an arduous assignment, but in the end the Lord’s people prevailed.

Moses feared that no one would believe he spoke with the Lord. So he inquired of God, “They’ll ask your name. What should I tell them?”

God replied, “The I AM has sent me to you.” To me, this is one of the highlights of the Bible. God didn’t say, “I WAS some time ago,” and he didn’t say, I WILL BE at some point in the future.” He said, “I AM, always have been and always will be.” God is defining himself as eternal. The Creator will still be with us until the end of time!

So how did Jesus answer the high priest’s question? The same way God responded to Moses’ question: “I AM!” And Jesus continued, “You will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” In other words, Jesus will ascend to the Father in heaven. As Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” And when it’s time to judge the earth, Jesus will once again return. We call it the second coming. He’ll be riding his white horse through the clouds in the sky!

And we’ll all say, “The I AM still IS!”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Messiah!

For Sunday, November 19, 2023:

John 4:25-26 NLT: “The woman (at the well) said, ‘I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’

Then Jesus told her, ‘I am the Messiah!’”

The Greek reads, “I am, the one speaking to you.” Thankfully she hadn’t shared any criticism or critique of religion! But imagine having a conversation and Q&A about God, religion and religious traditions, and finding out that the one with whom you’re speaking is the Messiah! Without knowing, the Samaritan woman was hearing truth from God’s own Son!

Apparently Samaritans also expected a Savior. Jesus not only fulfilled the prophesy for Jews, but for the whole world! People hadn’t been very successful in keeping all of God’s laws. The solution was to offer forgiveness to those who would believe, those who were loyal despite an occasional misstep. Jesus was forgiveness in a human body! His mission was to reconcile mankind with their Creator. He led the way to heaven, making a place for all who would believe.

This offer is still open today! I’d recommend learning all you can about this Messiah. If Jesus is Lord and Savior of your life, you’re holding a ticket into heaven. I’d recommend using it!

More tomorrow! Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Worship in Spirit!

For Friday, May 12, 2023:

John 4:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “The time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way.”

Jesus is wrapping up his conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well. Traditionally, Jews did not speak with “unclean” Samaritans, although they’re distant cousins who worshiped the same God. Samaritans didn’t know as much about the Lord, but nowadays we would call them “seekers,” eager to learn more. Jews, on the other hand, knew more about God, but had construed worship as obeying a series of commands. They ignored the scripture about loving the Lord and loving their neighbor. They weren’t counting on God’s extreme love for mankind, so much so that he would send his Son to personally redeem us!

Jesus further explains: “God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” We too are spirit; our human bodies are temporary. When our bodies decay, it is our soul, our eternal spirit that lives on to worship God-the-spirit. So program your spirit to worship God’s spirit!

The Samaritan woman inquires about a coming Messiah, to which Jesus responds, “I am.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

I Am!

For Tuesday, July 19, 2022:

John 4:25-26 NLT: “The woman at the well said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”

Jesus asked the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink. Traditionally, Jews and Samaritans didn’t associate with each other. The Jews considered Samaritans impure and spiritually off track, but in fact they were cousins. Samaritans still worshiped God Almighty and were waiting for the promised Messiah, to which Jesus replied, “I am, the one speaking to you.”

Jesus pushed prejudice aside. He stayed another two days in Samaria teaching about God and the Kingdom, and many Samaritans became believers. This is Jesus proving that his forgiveness of your past and his promise of salvation are for ALL people! You and I are included!

The Savior of the world is for ALL the world!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Include Jesus!

July 26, 2021 Monday Message

Mark 6:50b NLT, Jesus speaking: “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

Our lives don’t get “perfect” just because we know Jesus. He says to expect trouble. “In this world you will have tribulation, but rejoice because I have overcome the world!” We don’t have to do life alone. Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you,” and that fills us with hope!

In this scripture, the Apostles were experiencing turbulence in a boat at night! Jesus proved that he would even walk on water to rescue them! “Be of good cheer,” he told them. “The ‘I AM’ is here!”

Are there things in your life that would go better if you’d ask Jesus to walk alongside you?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S.

Minneapolis, MN 55406

"I Am Your God!"

For Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Isaiah 41:10 NLT: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

This scripture is both a command and a promise. It's as if God was saying, “Remember me? The God of all power and glory? I'm THAT one!”

"Your God is too small,” writes J. B. Phillips, explaining that when people forget the greatness of God, they can easily become dismayed and discouraged. God replaces that fear with confidence: “I am your God!” God gives us hope!

"Don't worry – I will uphold you with my righteous right hand!”

Blessings and safety to everyone!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Who IS This Guy?

Feb. 3, 2020 Monday Message:

“Who do you say I am?” Matt. 16:15; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20

Simon Peter answered the question for all of us. “You are Christ, Son of the Living God.”

If we’re a member of a church following Jesus, we should want to know who he is, know who we’re following. Jesus explains this to the group of Jews questioning him: “Though you do not know my Father, I know him. If I said I did not, I would be a liar like you, but I do know him and obey his word. Before Abraham was born, I am!” - the same words God used to identify himself to Moses! (John 8:49-58)

Near the end of his time on earth, the High Priest Caiaphas asked Jesus, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

And once again Jesus answered, “I am! And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Jesus resurrected not only himself but also his friend Lazarus and the Centurion’s servant. Control over life and death is clearly a power reserved for the Holy One.

And when Jesus healed a paralytic in Luke 5:20, he said: “Friend, your sins are forgiven,” a pardon that could only be granted by God himself.

Doubting Thomas needed convincing evidence about Jesus’ resurrection, and was told to put his finger into the nail holes and thrust his hand into Jesus’ side. Clearly he ‘got it’ when he said, “My Lord and my God.”

Who do you say that He is?

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We’ll look at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and some early miracles. (Luke 4:31-41) See you at church!