Restoration!

April 20, 2026, Monday Message:

John 14:23 NLT, Jesus speaking: “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.”

As his ministry wraps up, Jesus wants to reassure the believers of what’s coming next. First off, there IS life after this life. Death is not the end! Jesus said so, so we know it’s true!

As Christians, we talk of dying and going to heaven, but my Bible says that’s kind of temporary. At the end of this age, God will create the New Heaven and the New Earth. By then, mankind will have really messed up the planet, and God will be the restorer, putting things back to the way they were designed. I’m thinking “Garden of Eden” specs, but only God knows what needs to be done.

The fully restored New Earth isn’t for all mankind. It’s a sanctuary for believers only. Everyone who lives here will have the same God. There will be no false gods. Mankind will all be on the same page, so to speak. There are no more wars. Everyone will love their neighbor. We will know shalom, the peace of God that surpasses our current understanding.

Jesus says, “We will come and make our home with them.” In other words, we’re not going somewhere to live with God. God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – is going to walk the earth alongside us! God has it all planned, and it will be marvelous, beyond all expectations!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Peace of the Lord!

For Thursday, November 30, 2023:

Romans 16:20 NLT, Paul speaking: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

It sounds like a contradiction: The God of “peace” is going to “crush Satan.” Sounds like we need to take another look of peace!

The “peace of the Lord” is a lot more than not being at war. Since believers are adopted into the Holy Family, it’s confidence that our Father is in control. It’s trusting in him. With God in charge, everything will be alright in the end. If everything is not alright, it’s not the end! God will protect you, care for you and love you just as any father would love his children. We can relax, not worrying about circumstances that come and go in our lives. We have been given something of substance – the love of a God who knew you in your mother’s womb.

I believe God is looking forward to crushing Satan so that all his children can experience that peace of the Lord. It’s Satan who sabotages peace on earth. When Satan is crushed, we’ll know true peace.

Jesus is returning to straighten things out! Shalom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Shalom!

For Wednesday, July 19, 2023:

Romans 2:10-11 NLV: “But God will give His greatness and honor and peace to all those who obey the truth. Both Jews and those who are not Jews will receive this. For God does not show favoritism.”

What we do in this life matters in the next. God has rewards for those who live by his instructions, and sometimes the rewards come in this life, but oftentimes in the next.

One of God’s gifts is peace, the peace of the Lord, shalom. In Hebrew, the word means peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility. To me, shalom means freedom from anxiety, not having to worry. Jesus taught us that we needn’t worry if we trust in the Lord! With God, everything will be OK – count on it!

God does not show favoritism. The Messiah came through the Hebrew people, but his mission was to rescue everyone. He took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, everyone’s sins. The song says, “Jesus loves me,” and we all need to remember that! Keep it front-of-mind!

 "Shalom” replaces “hello” and “goodbye” for many Jews. So let’s close with, “Shalom – may the peace of the Lord be with you today!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Truth!

For Sunday, July 31, 2022:

Psalm 85:10 NLT: “Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed!”

The psalmist is writing about God’s love for his people. God looked at everything he created – including mankind – and declared that it was “very good.” God’s love, truth, holiness and the peace that surpasses our understanding all walk hand in hand. They are the characteristics of God; I call them the “God-trend!”

God is incapable of lying. He only knows truth and has no patience for deceit and scheming. God will not be amused if we make up excuses for sin, if we try to rationalize it away. But the Lord is loving and forgiving if we repent and return to him. Climb back into your Father’s lap. Then you will know peace!

The closer you are to God, the farther you are from sin!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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