Faith!

For Saturday, August 16, 2025:

Luke 18:8b NLT: Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

Jesus had just shared the parable of the persistent widow. She repeatedly sought justice from a lazy judge. He kept putting her off, ignoring her request. She didn’t quit! She kept asking and asking, frankly pestering the judge until it was easier for him to grant her request than to put up with her incessant nagging.

Her solution was in that judge. Our solution is in the Lord. Jesus points out that God is far more just than this slothful judge. If our faith is constant, God will hear our prayers. God wants us to have a good life. So double down in unwavering faith!

So never give up on your faith, your beliefs. Jesus said if we have enough faith, we can cast a fig tree into the ocean. See, you have more power than you realize! Put it to work!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Common sense!

For Saturday, October 26, 2024:

John 7:24 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”

Jesus was criticized for healing on the Sabbath. Some even wanted to kill him for that sin. But it turns out that our God is also a God of common sense.

Jesus, Son of God, saw that someone could be healed. They were miserable, and he held the solution. What a wonderful gift for that person to be healed on God’s Holy Day. The man will never forget just how good a Sabbath can be!

Male Jewish infants are to be circumcised on the eighth day, and if that falls on the Sabbath, they still do the work. 2,000 years ago, people lived in an agriculture-based society, so everyone fed and watered their animals, even though it might be the Sabbath. It seems the Temple leaders were OK with their agenda for the Sabbath, just not Jesus’ Sabbath behavior.

I’ve used this example before. Pretend you’re driving home from church, and you see a mom with two little kids in her car, and the vehicle has a flat tire. Should you stop and help, or express sympathy and tell her you’ll be back on Monday when work is allowed? She has a big problem now, and needs a solution now, not tomorrow. It’s the perfect time to love your neighbor and to do what Jesus would have done, and Jesus always did the right thing!

Kindness, helpfulness and compassion are not limited to six days a week!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Correction!

For Thursday, June 1, 2023:

Matthew 18:15 NLT, Jesus speaking: “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”

The New Living Translation has added titles to various sections of biblical text. While these titles weren’t in the original, I find them helpful. This section is called, “Correcting Another Believer.” Let’s have a look!

Remember that all true believers are adopted into the Holy Family. Believers become “children of God.” Therefore a disagreement with another believer is family business, which Jesus says should best be handled within the family. We’re to quietly point out the error to the offender, and if they amend their behavior the matter is closed.

If that is unsuccessful, make your case to one or two others. Take them with you as witnesses when you seek correction. Finally, (v17) “if the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”

According to Jesus, a judge shouldn’t be a civic position. According to Jesus, settling disputes should be a function of the church.

Nowadays our churches are so concerned with bringing people in that we sometimes forget to toss the scoundrels!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Called to Serve!

For Tuesday, October 4, 2022:

Judges 4:5 NLT: “Deborah would sit under the Palm of Deborah, between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites would go to her for judgment.”

God had chosen to speak through Deborah, well-known as a prophetess. Therefore her words were known for truth; the people of Israel trusted what she said. So she was also called as a judge.

A female from a male-dominated society seems an unlikely choice for a prophet or a judge. Yet Deborah was God’s choice, and Israel had confidence in her judgements. When called to serve, Deborah said, “Yes!” It might have been far easier to turn down the commission, but that was not God’s plan.

Each of us may be called to serve, sometimes in an unlikely situation, and we too need to be prepared to say, “Yes!” God knows what he’s doing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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