Provision!

For Saturday, June 13, 2026:

Luke 5:3 NLT: “Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon (Peter), its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.”

Have you ever been on a shore and clearly heard a conversation taking place on a nearby boat? Voices carry quite a distance over water. Jesus had been preaching the Word of God from shore, but the crowd had grown too large for everyone to hear. His solution was to hop in a boat and use it as his podium. His voice would then carry well over the water! Problem solved!

Jehovah-Jireh, God the provider, already had two boats nearby. Finding no fish that day, the crew was back in port cleaning their nets. The lesson here is that God will often provide what you need even before you know that you need it! Jesus would later repay their favor by taking them fishing for more fish than both boats could hold, but that’s another lesson!

The Bible says that people were “pressing in” on Jesus to hear the Word of God. Soon he might have been under the waves in the Sea of Galilee! The boat was a much better solution! God is good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Love Your Neighbor!

For Wednesday, May 6, 2026:

John 15:12 NLT, Jesus speaking: “This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.”

Life was not easy 2K years ago. If you wanted to eat, you had to grow food. If you wanted meat, you or someone you knew well needed to butcher an animal, no small task. You could perhaps barter for food by trading your skill, but there was no Cub, Rainbow, Hy-Vee or Aldi. Consequently, the standard modus operandi was to selfishly look out for #1. (or #1’s family.) Daily living became competitive!

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.” He continued, “The second is like the first: Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus was setting forth a new paradigm for how to live one’s life. He was teaching mankind to be less competitive in daily living.

Be nice. Be kind, be helpful. Share what you have with others who don’t have anything. Do the next right thing. These commands all fit with Jesus’ goal.

You can see it play out after the Pentecost celebration following Jesus’ ascension. On Pentecost, thousands pilgrimaged to Jerusalem for the celebration. Simon Peter got up on his soap box and said essentially the same things that got Jesus killed. This time, the crowd listened and asked, “What should we do?”

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 3,000 new believers were added to their group that day. Wow! Imagine 3K new members all showing up at your church on the same day! That’s a big problem, but a good problem to have! These newbies didn’t have any place to live, didn’t have more than a day’s food, and didn’t have jobs in Jerusalem. Yeah, big problem. Let’s see how it played out.

Acts 2 concludes, “All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity — all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

Jesus wants us to love our neighbors. It worked out on the first Pentecost, and it can still work out today. Decide today to live Jesus’ way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Immediately!

For Saturday, February 21, 2026:

Matthew 4:21-22 NLT: “A little farther up the shore, Jesus saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind.”

Jesus was continuing his ministry around the Sea of Galilee. Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew were now walking with Jesus, his first two disciples. I’m sure all the fishermen on this body of water knew each other, so as Jesus said the names James and John, Simon called out, “We have found the Messiah!”

Most of the Hebrew nation had been waiting for the moment God would send a rescuer to his people, and if this was it, James and John didn’t want to be left out. An emissary from God could certainly counter the grief they experienced dealing with the Roman government and army. They immediately took a leave of absence from the family business and joined up with Simon, Andrew and Jesus on their trek around the lake.

The key word here is “immediately.” No hesitation, no hemming and hawing, just go with Jesus when he calls you. Pretend you’re the kicker on a football team, it’s fourth down, and the coach says, “Now! Get in the game. We need you to kick that field goal!” You don’t dawdle. You don’t waste any time. You go running onto the field, eager to serve!

Each of us has been given unique spiritual gifts, and the time will come when your gifts are exactly what the Lord needs. He’ll tap you on the shoulder and say, “Now! Get in the game. We need you!” The quicker you respond, the better!

We all need to be walking with the Lord, just like Simon, Andrew, James and John. If you’re closer to Jesus, it’s easier for him to tap you on the shoulder!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Fishing for Souls!

February 16, 2026, Monday Message:

Matthew 4:19 NLT: Jesus called out to Simon and his brother Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

I told you that Jesus did a lot of his ministry around the Sea of Galilee. It starts now as he begins to assemble his team. Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew were fishermen by trade. And like most people of Hebrew descent, they were keeping a watchful eye out for the Messiah. Imagine being told all your life to expect a Messiah, and suddenly along comes Jesus, THE Messiah!

Fishermen were judged by the quality and quantity of their catch. You can’t make a living by catching only a few fish, and some breeds of fish are more desirable than others. Jesus promises an even loftier goal. “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Now, instead of fishing, they were in the “Repent and Return” business. It’s the same business in which we find ourselves nowadays. Have you caught any big ones lately?

When the Messiah calls you to his ministry team, the right thing to do is to drop everything and immediately become a disciple. Secure your boat, your nets, and your other fishing paraphernalia and get in step with God’s Son. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Simon and Andrew. And it can be a lifetime opportunity for you and me!

Blessings on this Presidents’ Day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

For Thursday, September 18, 2025:

John 13:36 NLT: “Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

Jesus gave Peter an answer, but the answer didn’t fit the question. In this exchange, Jesus never said where he was going. Jesus wisely avoided topics that most people wouldn’t understand. Remember that at that time, there was debate over life-after-this-life. Pharisees thought it was possible, but didn’t know much about it. Sadducees didn’t believe in a hereafter, so it was a dead topic with them. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen, but the true scenario would seem impossible to most people. Dying, going to the place of the dead, back to life in 3 days – doesn’t seem logical. Doesn’t seem possible!

Jesus challenges Peter with a prophecy: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Simon Peter – I call him Mr. Impulsive – shouts out, “Not me, Lord! I would never forsake you. I would be willing to die for you!” Dying in support of Jesus would be good, but dying unnecessarily would be bad.

In the courtyard: “Didn’t I see you with Jesus earlier today?”

Peter: “Nah, couldn’t have been me. You got the wrong guy!”

In the courtyard: “I think I recognize you. Aren’t you one of the 12?”

Peter: “You’re thinking of someone else. I’m from out of town!”

In the courtyard: “You were talking to Jesus earlier, over by the fire.”

Peter: “You keep talking about Jesus. I’ve never even met the guy!”

Rooster: Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

Some folks call Peter a coward or say that he abandoned Jesus. Yes, he saved his own skin, but I prefer to line that up with God’s vast eternal plan. You see, God had already earmarked Peter to lead the disciples following the resurrection. He was the point-person for the first Christian church, The Way. Peter needed to stay alive to do the work God had given him to do! God gave Peter purpose.

If you’re not dead, you’re not done! Peter lived to fulfill God’s purpose for his existence. We all live to fulfill God’s purpose for us. We can love our neighbors, serve others, love our Lord and encourage others to love him too. That’s our mission; that’s our assignment.

Without purpose, it may be our time to leave the planet. (Just my opinion.)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Peter's Pentecost Speech!

For Thursday, June 5, 2025:

Acts 2:14, 16 NLT: “Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, ‘Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. What you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel.’”

God made the ‘roaring wind’ sound on the Day of Pentecost, drawing a large, curious crowd. God had tapped Peter on the shoulder to be the spokesperson for the believers. Never one to appear shy, Peter spoke in a loud voice, as if everyone had come just to hear him! He explained that, like so many things in the Bible, that day’s activities were a fulfillment of scripture. The Holy Spirit was in motion. The end result would be a mass ‘repent and return.’ Joel’s prophecy concludes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

The audience was Jews who were familiar with God, scriptures and religion in general, so Peter’s words came as no surprise. And by now, everyone in Israel had heard about Jesus. Peter connected the dots for them: “God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know.” No surprises. No new information. Just an acknowledgement of what had been going on around them. Yes, Jesus was heaven-sent! Everyone should have concluded as much had they taken the time to think things through. “God released Jesus from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.” How’s that for a God-sized miracle?

Peter continues to make his case for Christ, saying many of the same things that led to Jesus’ crucifixion. But by this time, the Holy Spirit had opened minds. Foregone opinions were cast aside in favor of using brainpower and thinking things through. Peter’s message concludes, “Let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”

His words touched their hearts, and the listeners asked, “Brothers, what should we do?”

Take a moment and put yourself in Peter’s shoes. If you had been the featured speaker that day, how would you answer their question? All believers are supposed to share the Good News, the Gospel about Jesus. Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. If their hearts are touched and they’re ready to sign up, what should the next step be? We all need to know the best answer, the correct answer!

May the Lord’s blessings go with you today as you fulfill God’s purpose for your life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Pentecost – God's Day!

For Wednesday, June 4, 2025:

Acts 2:6 NLT: “When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.”

On the Day of Pentecost, God created a loud sound like a roaring wind. The Jewish visitors who had pilgrimaged to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost were a curious lot, and had to check it out. They were met by believers, most of whom were from Galilee. The visitors were amazed and confused to hear the believers speaking their own languages! At least that was their perception.

Logic tells me that the disciples, many of whom were simple fishermen, didn’t instantly learn new languages. Besides, the visitors were from all over Asia Minor. How many languages could one person muster? The truth is that this was a God thing. It’s as if God filled the air with a universal translator, giving each visitor the ability to understand what was being said. Simon Peter only spoke one language, but he was working with the Holy Spirit. That’s the big difference!

Speaking of Simon Peter, he was the one who denied Jesus three times on the night before the crucifixion. That was to save his own skin. But believe it or not, that too was a God thing. God had preselected Peter to lead the believers after Jesus’ ascension. God needed Peter alive and well to fulfill Peter’s calling in God’s vast eternal plan!

It was speech-making day for Peter, but he had nothing new to share. He would reiterate what Jesus and John-the-Baptist had said: “Repent and return to the Lord, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Many in the audience had shouted, “Crucify him,” on Good Friday. But now they’re having second thoughts about what had happened. God had opened their minds to see the truth. It was time for a mass moment of “repent and return!”

What an exciting day to be on the “Jesus Team!” We need another Pentecost in our country and in our world. Sooner rather than later should be our preference!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Cock-a-doodle-do!

March 25, 2024 Monday Message:

Mark 14:67 NLT: “The girl noticed Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked at him closely and said, ’You were one of those with Jesus of Nazareth.’”

If Peter had acknowledged being a disciple of Jesus, he would have been arrested on the spot. Instead he denied Jesus to save his own skin. I believe God had something to do with that.

Peter would be the one to spearhead Jesus’ ministry after Jesus returned to the Father. Peter was the one disciple who demonstrated the leadership skills needed to become a leader of “The Way.” Although a wee bit impulsive, Peter possessed the tenacity to step forward and take charge. Perhaps those two traits go together.

So Peter denied Jesus, the rooster crowed and it seemed that all was lost. But God is still on the throne, directing all the action at this point. Everybody was fulfilling God’s vast eternal plan. Jesus would be taking the sins of the world to the place of the dead, thereby absolving mankind. Peter was preserved to become leader of The Way. The Temple hierarchy and Roman soldiers would enforce the false accusations against Jesus. The pieces were all falling into place to complete Jesus’ mission in coming to our planet.

If you want to help with ministry, look for where God is already working and jump in there. Be a part of the winning team!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Peter Denying Jesus!

For Saturday, March 02, 2024:

Mark 14:29 NLT: “Peter declared, ‘Even if all others fall away, I will not.’”

Peter will fall away that very night. Scripture predicts that if the shepherd is struck, the sheep will scatter. Timing is important. Jesus says this will occur before the rooster crows, which signals a new sunrise. So in the few hours remaining in that day, Peter will deny the Savior he loves.

In the courtyard, it was dark. Jesus had already been arrested and the guards didn’t want any more trouble. So Peter was asked, “Aren’t you one of the 12?” To save his own skin, Peter denied it. And again, “Didn’t I see you with him the other day?”

Peter answered, “No, that wasn’t me.” He was believed.

And the rooster crowed!

God knows what he’s doing. With Jesus returning to the Father, the disciples would need a strong leader. Peter fit the job description, a little impulsive maybe, but he was the default leader when Jesus wasn’t with the believers. So by denying Jesus, Peter was preserved for future heavenly assignments.

Of course, when Peter denied the Lord, he was lying. It’s a rare exception when God says it’s OK to deceive others, to tell lies. We are not supposed to tell fibs. But leadership for “The Way” was God’s goal, and this made it happen.

God knows what he’s doing, and today we all get to be a part of it! But don’t you lie and don’t you deny Jesus. You’re not Peter!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Original Rock!

For Thursday, April 13, 2023:

Matthew 16:18 NLT, Jesus speaking to Simon: “Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

Peter is a unique character, insatiably curious and wildly impulsive. Remember the night Jesus was arrested and Peter denied knowing Jesus – three times! He could instantly lie to save his own skin! As Jesus was being taken into custody, Peter cut an ear off one of the soldiers, impulsively defending his mentor. Jesus, on his way to the cross, immediately healed that soldier.

Peter’s character traits caused him to constantly seek knowledge, and his impulsive nature spurred him to rapidly put that knowledge to work. He had the spiritual gift of leadership, and he probably would have risen to lead the twelve even if Jesus hadn’t assigned him that position. His get-it-done attitude was perfect for establishing Jesus’ new churches.

Each of us needs to ask ourselves, what are we called to do for Jesus and his church? What are our spiritual gifts? Have we been given the spiritual gift of leadership?

Jesus was fully man and fully God, and when God opens a new church, the powers of hell cannot prevail against it! Peter was guaranteed success!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God's Big Picture!

For Friday, April 8, 2022

Matthew 16:23 NLT: “Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Jesus had been telling the disciples about his impending persecution, suffering and death. Peter didn’t want to lose his friend, his spiritual leader. In his mind, Jesus should be exalted, not put to death! But he’s not seeing the big picture.

Calling him “Satan” might seem a little harsh, but Jesus was on a mission from God, and he needed to finish what had been set in motion. I believe Jesus’ primary mission was to take the sin of the world to the place of the dead, leaving mankind suitable for an afterlife in the presence of God the Father. Jesus’ eyes were focused on that goal, and he didn’t want anything or anyone diverting his attention from God’s agenda.

What Jesus gave us was hope. He explained, “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” Jesus is in the soul-saving business. He knows the big picture!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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