Harvest!

For Wednesday, November 22, 2023:

John 4:32 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”

This spiritual food is a lot like the living water. Jesus is using metaphors to describe heavenly things, and those around him don’t understand. It can be confusing.

“Rabbi, eat something.” The disciples were concerned with Jesus taking on enough calories to survive. They knew a lot about earthly food. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t have his mind on the next meal. He was on a mission to bring the Good News to the Samaritan people, Christianity’s first step into the Gentile world. Eating lunch could be put on hold for a while. Jesus has spiritual food to distribute to those hungry for the truth.

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” Although the Samaritans had been separated from the Jews for quite some time, they still knew of God and were hungry to learn more about him. Perhaps this teacher, Jesus, had the info they needed. It’s important to understand that these Samaritans were what we call “seekers,” striving to connect with their Creator God. And Jesus had just what they needed!

Jesus said that the fields were ripe. The fields were awaiting harvesters. The seekers were prepared to come to the Lord. Jesus explained that it’s not unusual for one person to plant, and for someone else to harvest. We are surrounded by people who have heard about God and are curious about God. You and I are the harvesters sent into today’s field to bring home the seekers. Do you accept the challenge?

The Bible speaks of the priesthood of all believers. So we are all called to help with the harvest!

Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Living Water!

For Thursday, November 16, 2023:

John 4:13-14 NLT: “Jesus replied (to the woman at the well,) ‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.’”

Jesus was resting beside Jacob’s well, when a Samaritan woman approached to draw water. Jesus asked if she would give him a drink, and he commented: “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.”

Of course he’s talking about two different things. The woman’s mind was preoccupied with regular water. She had come to get water, and she brought a bucket and a ladle.

Jesus, on the other hand, was speaking of living water, spiritual water that could wash away her sins. And our sins! “Jesus” isn’t a decision that you have to make over and over again. If you have truly made Jesus Lord of your life, it’s permanent. Some churches have a saying: “One and done!” If Jesus is living in you, it’s forever, and that includes the life after this life. With Jesus in your heart, you’ll never again thirst for spirituality. You will have been given the free gift of forgiveness, reconciliation and a place in the hereafter! With Jesus, you will have Assurance of Salvation!

“Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water!” We should all pray, “Please Jesus, give us this living water!”

More tomorrow! Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Living Water

For Sunday, August 1, 2021

John 4:15 NIV: “The woman said to him, ‘Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.’”

Strange times in which Jesus lived. Women weren’t allowed to speak with men outside their family. Jews weren’t allowed to consort with Samaritans. And yet, here was a Hebrew man asking for water from a Samaritan woman! She’s drawing water from Jacob’s well, but Jesus offers her ‘Living Water,’ which is to say that he offered her salvation, i.e. eternal life. Knowing a good thing when she saw it, she brought Jesus into her town where he taught, healed and offered forgiveness and salvation for a couple of days. Apparently Samaritan lives are important to God too!

Never be so busy getting water for yourself that you miss seeing the Living Water!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Living Water

For Monday, March 8, 2021

John 7:38 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of Living Water will flow from the heart of anyone who believes in me.’”

Jesus was teaching in the Temple courts to a crowd of wanna-be believers. They've seen all the good things Jesus has done, the miracles, but they're not 100% convinced. Yet!

Scripture declares that rivers of living water would flow from the Messiah, but Jesus says, “Look to me, and then to my followers for signs of the Living Water.” It's a reference to eternal life, to heaven. To come to Jesus and drink the living water is to put your faith in Jesus; to trust in, to rely on, to cling to Him for all eternity.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” Being filled with the Living Water gives us eternal hope!

Blessings and safety to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Living Water for All!

June 8, 2020 Monday Message:

“The Samaritan woman said to him, ‘You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?’” John 4:9 NIV

Jesus, a Rabbi, speaking directly with a woman? Unheard of! Furthermore, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along at all. This inherent hate was a ‘racial prejudice’ problem. Therefore they avoided any contact with each other. Example: To get from Jerusalem to Galilee, Jews would routinely go west about 10 miles, travel up the coast, and then back east about 5 miles rather than travel in a straight line across Samaria, adding an extra day to their journey rather than meet a Samaritan.

The Jews claimed that they were racially ‘pure,’ while the Samaritans had inter-married. Jews worshiped at the Temple in Jerusalem; Samaritans worshiped at a mountain in their own land. In their minds, they couldn’t be more different. (But – surprise - if you go back a few generations, they’re probably cousins!)

Jesus asks the Samaritan woman for a drink, and she explains how socially unacceptable that would be since she is a Samaritan woman, and Jesus is a Jewish Rabbi. But Jesus as much as says, “We’re not going to let that come between us, are we? I could give you living water, and you would never thirst again!”

As usual, Jesus had the right answer – the Samaritan woman just hadn’t asked the right question yet. She’s trying: “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” But her question shouldn’t have been about water. Her question should have been about forgiveness of sins and eternal life in the presence of the Father.

Woman: “I know that the Messiah, the Christ, is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

Jesus: “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

So the woman brought the townspeople to meet Jesus, he stayed with the Samaritans for two days, and because of his teaching many more became believers.

Nearly two weeks later, the worldwide protests following the murder of George Floyd have turned into demands for inclusion of people of all races, specifically black people, and to put an end to excessive violence by our police. If the ‘Woman at the Well’ story is any clue, Jesus would have jumped right in the middle of the fray and started teaching about the Kingdom, to ALL of God’s people. If you’re sometimes unsure how to handle a situation, just ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” Then do that. It’s the right thing to do.

I’ll be teaching in-depth about the parables in Luke 8:1-18 on our Facebook Live Stream Wednesday 7pm. See you there!

God’s blessings on you as we start this new week - xstay safe!

Norton Lawellin, Worship Pastor

Jesus in the City Fellowship.

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Monday Message is also available at:

http://www.mondaymessage-norton.blogspot.com/

Psalms 42-43

May 02, 2016 Monday Message:

“When can I go and meet with God?” Psalms 42:2b

The scene is a desert – hot, sandy, very dry. Psalm 42 is written for “local” people - everyone in the region would know about the desert. You and I are the “hart,” the male deer, strong and majestic in many ways, but panting for the lack of water, God.

This analogy was put forth by the Sons of Korah who lived and worked at the Temple. In fact, some of the Sons of Korah were gifted vocalists, so they were probably the ones authoring worship songs.

At the time, people expected to find the LORD in the Temple, but weren’t too sure about anywhere else. But the fact is, God is everywhere. You don’t have to go to Jerusalem to find God. In many manuscripts, Psalms 42 and 43 were one, and eventually the “hart” gets water from the Hermons, mountains north of Jerusalem, probably from the headwaters of the Jordan river.

Sometimes our lives can feel like a desert. Do you ever experience a “dry spell” from God? But if we could look in the window at our lives, we’d see that God was right where he’s always been. It was we who had turned away. The Good News is that it’s not too hard to turn back toward God. Now we know that we can find God everywhere: on the desert, in the mountains, in the Temple, in your quiet place and at your local church.

Jesus promised his followers “living water,” that they might never thirst again. He’s promising the Holy Spirit. (from John 7:37-39)

Norton Lawellin

Next Sunday is Mother’s Day, and the Sunday after that is Pentecost! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, May 8, 2016, Pastor Retha concludes Romans 8 as we celebrate Mother’s Day.

'This' or 'That?'

Nov. 10, 2014 Monday Message:

“You (who love the Lord) are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry.” Psalms 1:3a VOICE

Another ministry principle is, “If you’re doing ‘this,’ you’re not doing ‘that!’” It’s your choice.

God gives us all a new yellow pad every morning – each page is blank. Write, “Agenda,” or, “Things To Do Today,” at the top. As you plan your day, you’ll see some things that are good to do, and some things that could get you into trouble. Add some more good things to the top of the list – that Bible study you’ve been meaning to attend, volunteering at the church, the school, the food shelf, visiting the elderly – keep adding good things, and put them at the top of your list. You’ll have to re-write it a few times, adding the good things at the top, and pushing down the not-so-good things.

If you do this long enough, your entire agenda will be filled with good things, and the bad stuff will have fallen off the bottom of the page. It’s not hard - you don’t really have to make a conscientious effort to put aside the bad habits if your time is all booked up with the good stuff.

If you’re doing ‘this,’ you’re not doing ‘that’ is a good way to live. Fill your list with good things. Plant your roots near the living water that never goes dry. That’s where you find the good stuff.

Norton Lawellin

Every Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Nov. 16, Pastor Michael Pilla teaches from Acts 12.

Living Water

Oct. 27, 2014 Monday Message:

“You (who love the Lord) are like a tree, planted by flowing, cool streams of water that never run dry.” Psalms 1:3a VOICE

Little shrubs grow on the desert. But big trees grow near the source of water. Psalm 1 is telling us to ground ourselves near the source of all life, near God.

Jesus himself uses this ‘water’ analogy as he preaches, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” While we think of Jesus as the Living Water, Jesus was actually talking about filling each of us with the Holy Spirit. John 7:38 NIV

He taught the same thing to the Samaritan woman at the well. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:10, 13-14 NIV

So plant your roots near the source, near the living water. That means stick with the Bible, the Church and your Christian friends. Don’t plant your roots carelessly in the world. If you tap the living water, you’ll never thirst again. Your road will lead to eternal life. That’s what Jesus said!

Norton Lawellin

Please join us as Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) and International Ministerial Fellowship (IMF) celebrate Rev. Norton Lawellin’s call to JICF ministry, Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, at 1 p.m. Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls has been gracious in offering their facility for the Ordination – 5212 41^st Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55417.

And join us for Sunday worship! JICF meets at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Nov. 2, I’ll open Acts Ch. 11, Peter reports to the church in Jerusalem.