New Miracles!

For Wednesday, August 19, 2026:

John 16:20 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”

Jesus is getting the disciples up to speed on what is about to happen. This is prior to the crucifixion. As this scenario plays out, believers will mourn the death of their spiritual mentor, as they should, while the unenlightened chant, “Crucify him!” But Jesus won’t be gone for long. Three days later he’ll walk away from the tomb, and the shouts will change to, “He is risen!” Indeed.

At that time, there were a lot of fake gods in the land. Idols. They couldn’t actually accomplish anything. Jesus is explaining the actions of a true God, a Creator, someone with authority over life and death! This resurrection would be the first time someone was revived following a public crucifixion! God can do that! That’s why it needs explaining. No one has ever seen anything like this!

Jesus compares this series of events to childbirth. As painful as childbirth is, the joy of a new baby triumphs. Believers will be saddened by the crucifixion, but celebrate the resurrection with joy and amazement! Are you as amazed as these disciples were?

You’ll be even more amazed by knowing that Jesus took our sins to the grave and returned without them! It’s all part of God’s plan to rescue mankind!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Lost Coin!

For Sunday, July 13, 2025:

Luke 15:8 AMPC: “What woman, having ten [silver] drachmas [each one equal to a day’s wages], if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and look carefully and diligently until she finds it?”

Jesus is teaching the mixed crowd – tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and teachers of religious law – the parable of the lost coin. In today’s dollars, about $200 had gone missing, and if any of us lost $200, we’d certainly look until we found it! Note the ratio, 1 out of 10 missing. We’d check every dresser drawer and go through our purses and pants pockets. Is it time to clean out the car? Check every nook and cranny. The search wouldn’t be over until the sum was located!

In real life, something far more valuable than a coin had gone missing. In this parable, the lost coin represents the soul of a lost sinner. Heaven is patiently waiting for that sinner to repent and return, and heaven will not abandon that soul until they have had adequate chances to reconcile with the Creator. God’s desire is that none would be lost, and that all would repent and return!

When the sum is retrieved, the woman invites her neighbors in to celebrate the victory. “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin!”

Jesus summarizes his teaching: “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

You are extremely valuable to the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Hope in the Lord!

For Saturday, February 27, 2021

Psalm 71:14 NIV: “As for me, I will always have hope; Lord, I will praise you more and more.”

This psalmist, like all of us, depended upon God for help. In spite of his current trials, his faith in the Lord filled him with hope for the future. “I will hope continually.” I shall expect deliverance after deliverance and blessing after blessing. And as a result, “I will praise You more and more!”

You've all heard, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!” That's what this Psalm is about. The author didn't give up or fall into depression. He doubled-down on his faith; he replaced tribulation with optimism in God's strength, and then thanked God for his change in attitude.

Spurgeon writes, “When I cannot rejoice in what I have, I will look forward to what shall be mine, and will still rejoice!”

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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