Job Search Ended!

For Sunday, July 20, 2025:

Luke 16:11 NLT: “If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”

In the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus was setting a high bar for his followers. You may recall that the shrewd manager was making gifts of his master’s wealth, thinking that when he got fired he could call in favors from those he had gifted. Jesus acknowledged the man’s skill in providing for himself, but could never condone the thievery it required.

Jesus has appointed each believer to be the manager of their personal evangelical efforts. You’ve been ‘hired’ whether or not you realize it. New believers quickly transition into seasoned recruiters and teachers. It’s all intentional, God’s plan for growth and expansion. Christian leadership didn’t just fall off of the turnip truck! (Which means it’s no accident!)

Many believers have a not-so-nice past, a time before they met Jesus. This isn’t unusual since Jesus is in the rescue business, and many good Christians really needed divine intervention to separate them from their past iniquities.

Consider the Apostle Paul, who was known for persecuting Christians. It took a personal visit from the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus to convert Paul. But he also had to sojourn to Jerusalem to convince Christian leadership that they were all on the same team. It was a tough sell. That time could have been invested in evangelism rather than in cleaning up Paul’s mess. Nonetheless, given his situation, it was necessary.

So from now on, you are the hired manager and Jesus is your master. Let’s all get to work! Be good stewards of the time, talent and resources he has bestowed upon you. Be more honest than the shrewd manager in the parable. See if you can make Jesus smile today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Equalizer!

 For Saturday, May 25, 2024:

Ephesians 6:9 NLT: “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.”

The Bible says to do your work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Here on the earth we have masters and slaves. Nowadays we call them bosses and employees. But the ultimate boss, the ultimate master is our Father in heaven. He is the great equalizer, and the final word on everything!

The Bible teaches that after Jesus, “there is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This has been the goal for 2,000 years, but apparently mankind is not very good at it. People are separated, and in a way judged by each other, by their financial success and racial heritage.

There’d be fewer problems in the world if everyone lived Jesus’ way!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Well Done!

For Friday, April 26, 2024:

Colossians 3:23 NLT: “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

We all have earthly work to do. Paul is saying that each of us should endeavor to be the best at our tasks.

Some job descriptions are unique. If you’re a dad, be the best father that you can be for your family. No one else fits that job description as father of your family. Same for moms.

If you work for someone else, do your best. Do a good job. Don’t do shoddy work. It matters not if you work in a field or at a bank. The person paying you should get their money’s worth!

Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance a reward for your time on earth, and that the Master you are truly serving is Christ.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship