Worthless Garbage!

For Thursday, May 2, 2024:

Philippians 3:8 NLT: “Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him.”

Q: What’s the most valuable gift you’ve ever received?

A: If you’re a Christian, it’s the gift of eternal life in the presence of the Father as the result of the work Jesus did on the cross, freely given to you out of the Father’s love. If you were thinking of any earthly possession, you’re thinking far too small. Jesus went on ahead to prepare your forever residence, and eternity is a lot longer than we can even imagine!

You know that your human limitations don’t apply to God. So don’t you be the one to limit God by assigning him your human attributes.

Paul had been raised up with certain rules, certain traditions, certain values. He had been taught Jewish laws and was schooled as a Pharisee. And here he testifies how worthless it all is! Garbage! The New Covenant has replaced the Old Covenant. Instead of penalties, Jesus brokered forgiveness. Paul’s world had been turned upside down, and he loved the new way. On a scale of 1-10, the old ways and traditions would only get a 1. But partnering with Jesus gets a 10!

Believers are the hands and feet of God on earth. According to Paul, there’s no better way to live!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Work Alongside Jesus!

For Sunday, July 11, 2021

Matthew 28:20b TLB, Jesus speaking: “Be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.”

As Matthew ends his narrative, Jesus is preparing to ascend into heaven, to return to the Father. He’s commissioning His disciples, giving them a mission to fulfill, but not sending them alone. The promise of His constant presence was more than enough to strengthen and guide the believers as they obeyed Jesus in making disciples of all the nations.

Remember that believers are adopted into the Holy Family. So as we fulfill the Lord’s work, we know we’re not alone, and that imparts hope. Since Jesus promised, “I am with you always,” then we work together with Him in all our service. We certainly work for Jesus, but more than that, we work with Jesus.

Come join the family of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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