Beware Greed!

For Tuesday, June 10, 2025:

Luke 12:15 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Our God, Jehovah Jireh, is a God of provision. He gives us all we need for the work he has given us to do. He will not send us on a mission without equipping us for that mission. I thank the Lord that he set me down in the US, a land of abundance. I have everything I need, and most of what I want.

But not everyone is as blessed. One of our African readers sent me a picture of a young boy with what could only be described as a bowl of mush. The boy had a big smile, grinning ear to ear, happy that he had something to eat today. I don’t know if he had anything to eat yesterday.

Mankind’s tendency is to want just a little bit more. OK – show of hands – How many want to keep up with the Joneses? (Nowadays it might be keeping up with the Kardashians!) That’s not a good thing. Here, Jesus is counseling his followers to not be greedy, to be content with what they have been given. On judgment day, it won’t matter if you drove a Kia or a Cadillac. Either way, you can’t take it with you!

Amassing earthly stuff won’t get you any heaven points. Loving the Lord and loving your neighbor will help with that. That’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Protection!

For Friday, December 9, 2022:

Revelation 3:10 NLT: “Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world.”

God is sharing this Revelation with the Apostle John near the end of his time on the island of Patmos. John goes on to share this with the world!

Mankind will live once and then come to a time of judgment. Those who continue to steadfastly follow Jesus will receive special protection on judgment day. Continuing to follow the Son is the key. Jesus took away our sin; took it to the bottom of the deepest ocean; separated sin from us as far as the east is from the west!

When we get to the pearly gates, we can remain confident as they search for our name in the Book of Life. When found, they’ll look over to the column marked ‘sin,’ and it will be empty. Blank. No scratch-outs, no erasure marks. Just blank white space! That’s surprising since the Bible says that ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory! But with the protection of Jesus, it’s as if our sin never happened!

That’s what Jesus did for you! It’s a free gift for all believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Neverending Kingdom!

For Thursday, August 25, 2022:

Isaiah 9:7a NLT: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.”

700 years before Jesus, the prophet Isaiah was telling everyone about the coming Messiah. He will be known as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, and his Kingdom will never end. We call him Jesus!

Jesus left us to spread the Good News, to make disciples of all nations. He’ll soon return to rule over what has been his since creation. On judgment day, our Lord will separate the sheep from the goats. Only sheep will be left, and they will live in peace.

And his Kingdom will never end!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Judgment Hope!

For Thursday, March 24, 2022

Matthew 12:36-37 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

This confirms that we need Jesus. There will be a judgment day, a day of accountability, and our own words will condemn us. Even those who tried to live a good life will find there were several shortcomings. The Bible says that none have reached the goodness goal, that all have sinned and fallen short.

But God’s desire is that none would perish, that none would be lost. That’s why Jesus took the believer’s sin upon himself, leaving them pure and clean, acceptable, ready to spend eternity in the presence of the Father.

Jesus is our hope for life after this life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Sheeo & Goats!

For Saturday, September 18, 2021

Proverbs 3:33 NLT: “The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.”

God gives a benefit to those who love his wisdom. God separates the good guys from the bad guys; separates the people of God from those who let Satan into their lives. The perverse person is an abomination to the Lord. Wouldn’t you rather be on God’s side?

Jesus assured us that on judgment day, the sheep will be separated from the goats. There are only 2 outcomes. The goats on the left are lost forever. But the sheep at God’s right hand, are the saved – set apart to spend eternity in the presence of the father.

God bestows his blessing on the home of the righteous.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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