Judgement!

For Saturday, September 10, 2022:

Psalm 62:12b NLT: “Surely, O God, you repay all people according to what they have done.”

David was anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king of Israel while he was still a little shepherd-boy. Many years would pass before the death of Saul, before David could claim his position. Back then, disagreements between individuals were often settled by fighting, and many who wanted the kingdom for themselves made very real threats against David’s life. The future king David was forced to flee and hide, rather than be killed.

David’s loyalty to God Almighty was repeatedly tested, but David never flinched. God was his unchanging rock, the solid foundation upon which all things were created. He waited quietly for the Lord, knowing that in God’s time he would ascent to his calling, to lead the nation of Israel.

Almost an afterthought, David comments that surely God will repay people according to what they have done. God is fair and just, in addition to his being holy and righteous.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Peace!

For Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Psalm 141:5c NLT: “I pray constantly against the wicked and their deeds.”

In context, David was trying to stay one step ahead of those trying to kill him, a lot of mean people with sharp pointed spears. God answered David’s prayers, and kept him safe. God had anointed David to be Israel’s leader. The opposition thought they could stand against David, but they could not stand against God. David survived and became king just as God intended, and the history is well-documented in our Bibles.

Today we witness a war against Ukraine. Rockets and gunfire have killed hundreds, and hundred of thousands have been forced to flee their homeland. Following David’s example, we can and should pray against the wicked and their deeds. We should pray for persecuted people everywhere. We should pray that God would give them hope. World peace should be more than a buzz-word. It should be a sincere prayer on all our lips.

We’ll know the peace that passes all understanding when Jesus returns!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Love Lifted Me!

For Sunday, February 20, 2022

Psalm 144:7 NLT: “Reach down from heaven and rescue me; rescue me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.”

We tend to think of David as the mighty king of Israel, but a lot of his life was spent trying to claim the throne promised to him by God. David’s enemies were real; his attackers were life-threatening. How did it work out? God protected David, a man after his own heart, and David successfully led the Israelites for many years. God is good!

Each of us has battles in our own lives, which Jesus says is somewhat normal as we live among mankind. That’s when it’s time to pray for God’s everlasting lovingkindness to come to your rescue.

The hymn “Love Lifted Me” sings about God rescuing us from the deep waters and putting us back on solid ground. Life goes better when God’s in it with you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Psalm 3

June 15, 2015 Monday Message:

“Lord, you are a shield around me.” Psalm 3:3a NIV

In Psalm 3, David is having a bad day. It seems his son Absalom wanted to hasten his turn at running the kingdom, and was hunting down King David, who was forced to flee and hide. David’s also feeling a little sorry for himself – David is human!

But David ultimately puts faith in God over fear of Absalom. He can sleep now, knowing that God will sustain him. His confidence is bolstered to the point that David is unafraid not only of Absalom; he’s unafraid of tens of thousands coming against him! It was not easy being King!

David prays that God would fully deliver him. “Strike all my enemies on the jaw, and break the teeth of the wicked.”

Sometimes in life, evil tries to sideline each of us, but David teaches that the solution is to turn it over to God. Have great faith and confidence that the Lord will keep you safe. God still shelters, still protects, and still delivers us from all kinds of evil. God is on your side!

“From the Lord comes deliverance.” Psalm 3:8a

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, June 21, Dan Pilla outlines the Christian roots of our nation.