God's Channel!

For Thursday, May 22, 2025:

Luke 11:28 CJB: “Jesus said, ‘Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’”

As Jesus was teaching the crowd, a woman shouted out blessings to his birth-mother. Yes, Mary was obedient and highly favored by God. But the Father is even more pleased when one of us hears him and follows his instructions. Mary is history, but we are right now! Believers represent the future of the church for our generation. That’s what Jesus was saying.

God’s instructions will be heard by those with whom he has a relationship. If someone chooses to hear nothing from God, he won’t force his message on that person. Listening for God is like adjusting a radio receiver. If someone is not tuned in to the right frequency, they’ll never hear his message! So put God on one of your mind’s “preset” buttons! Let your Bible gather no dust!

Even more important than simply hearing God’s message is giving life to those instructions – obedience. Don’t think of serving God as an obligation. Consider it an opportunity to build an ongoing relationship with your Creator.

Believers have been drafted to play for God’s team. He wants us to win souls for the “good” team, those who, at the end of life’s game, are the winners.

Batter up!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

10 Commandments!

February 17, 2025, Monday Message:

Exodus 19:16, 18 NLT: “On the morning of the third day, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and a dense cloud came down on Mt. Sinai. There was a long, loud blast from a ram’s horn, and all the people trembled. All of the mountain was covered with smoke because the Lord had descended on it in the form of fire. The smoke billowed into the sky like smoke from a brick kiln, and the whole mountain shook violently.”

God showed up, so don’t expect the earth to be still! Only Moses and Aaron were allowed on the mountain with God. God gave them non-negotiable instructions. Nowadays, we call these “The Ten Commandments.”

The first four commandments are about loving and honoring God. The remaining six are about respecting and living with our fellows. “Don’t be afraid,” Moses told the people, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”

Isn’t that what we all want, something to keep us from sinning? It should be our desire to live in harmony with God’s edicts. After all, he is our God, and we are his people!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Salvation!

August 21, 2023 Monday Message:

Romans 6:5 NLT: “Since we have been united with Christ in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.”

Jesus was sent to earth by the Father. He taught, healed and died to take away the sins of the world. But he didn’t come with instructions, with a users manual. No one had written a “How It Works” sheet, a handout for new believers.

The remaining Apostles knew that faith in Jesus was the key. Intelligent converts like Paul put the pieces together and wrote letters to others to teach them about salvation. This is what we’re reading in Romans. Diligent researchers like Luke reported in great detail how Jesus had rescued mankind.

In Jesus’ day, there was considerable disagreement about any kind of life after this life. Jesus removed all doubt! According to the Bible, over 600 people saw him up, walking around and heard him speak after being declared dead and then placed in a tomb. A crowd watched Jesus ascend into heaven as he returned to his Father’s Kingdom.

Jesus promised to prepare a place in the hereafter for all who believe! We’re going there too!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship