Mission Trip!

For Tuesday, November 5, 2024:

Nehemiah 6:8 CJB: “I, Nehemiah, sent Sanballat this answer; ‘Nothing like what you are saying is true. You’re making it all up in your head.’”

Nehemiah was the cup-bearer for king Artaxerxes I. In spite of Nehemiah being his servant, the two had become friends. Nehemiah was sad, having received news that the town of his ancestors, Jerusalem, laid in ruins. The king, sensing the importance of this issue to his friend, offered to help.

In fact, it seems the king was all-in! Nehemiah requested to return to his homeland to rebuild the wall around the city, a small army as a protective escort, timbers and other building supplies from the forests, and letters to foreign governments explaining his mission and requesting safe passage. Every request from Nehemiah was granted by the king, and he was off!

The lesson here is that when God puts a mission on your heart, you need to get going. That’s what Nehemiah did! He could have ignored the whole thing, explaining that he was only a servant in an occupied land, but he did not ignore God’s call. Our lesson is to get going and let God overcome the roadblocks.

Nehemiah not only restored the city; he restored the Law of Moses in Israel. Hearing the scripture, all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Mission accomplished!

May each of us have the heart of Nehemiah when the Lord calls us to a mission!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Celebrate!

For Thursday, October 6, 2022:

Nehemiah 8:6 NLT: “Then Ezra the scribe praised the Lord, the great God, and all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.”

Nehemiah had returned to Jerusalem, providing leadership for the rebuilding of the Holy City. That work was finished, and now it was time to rebuild their worship of the Lord.

Holy writings had been discovered - the Book of the Law of God! The people hadn’t heard these words for quite some time. Those reading also clearly explained the meaning of what was being read, helping the people understand each passage.

The people wept, knowing they had not honored God’s Laws. But the leaders told them to instead celebrate their re-connection with the Lord! When someone repents and returns, Heaven celebrates!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Leadership!

September 26, 2022 Monday Message:

Nehemiah 2:3 NLT, Nehemiah speaking: “How can I not be sad? For the city where my ancestors are buried is in ruins, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.”

Nehemiah had been told, “Things are not going well for those who returned to the province of Judah. They are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem has been torn down, and the gates have been destroyed by fire.” God placed this burden on his heart, and he could not rest until the problem was solved, until the task was completed.

While these scriptures talk about loving the Lord, his Temple and the city of Jerusalem, the deeper lesson is about leadership. The people living in Jerusalem had settled for the status quo, but Nehemiah let them know that things could be a lot better! Under his leadership, they rebuilt the walls and fortified the city. Worshiping the Lord became a priority as the Temple was restored. Civic pride and religious pride were prioritized! But without leadership, the project would never have started!

God called Nehemiah to be the point-person for restoration of the Holy City. With his leadership, the project was a success!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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