Humble!

For Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Matthew 5:5 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.”

Jesus is continuing “The Beatitudes,” part of his Sermon on the Mount. He’s promising that if the believers remain humble, God will bless them while they’re here on earth.

The meek are happy, joyful and spiritually prosperous. They’re living in God’s favor – living in anticipation of promised salvation. They have hope. I’m reminded of Jesus with a towel over his arm washing the disciples’ feet – in other words, having the heart of a servant, figuring out what you could do that would be helpful. That’s being meek.

Step #7 in a 12-step recovery program says, “Humbly ask Him (God) to remove our shortcomings.” It occurs to me that “humbly” is the only way to approach God. If we need help in our lives (and we all do!,) it wouldn’t make sense to approach God with belligerence and arrogance. He is God, creator of everything, and we are the ones needing help, and it would behove us to keep that relationship in perspective. If we approach God humbly, Jesus says we have hope!

God is God, we are not, and that’s good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joyful!

For Thursday, June 3, 2021

Psalm 149:3 ESV: “Praise the Lord’s name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!”

You’ve heard the term, “Jump for joy!” I’ve seen children so excited about something that they just can’t sit still! They’re running and shouting and jumping into the air! We should come before the Lord like children, not just with their child-like innocence, but also with their child-like enthusiasm!

Thankfully, in the 21^st century church, we no longer have to sit in straight rows on wooden benches with our heads down! While corporate worship requires order, coming before the Lord should be a celebration! Attending a church and worshiping the Lord shouldn’t be a burden; it should be joyful, fun and something to which we look forward!

At church we see our friends and have a good time. It doesn’t get any better than that!

Blessings to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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