Respite!

September 6, 2021 Labor Day Monday Message:

Mark 6:31a NLT: “Then Jesus said, ‘Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.’”

Jesus knew that we sometimes need to get out of the rat race, the intense agenda of our daily lives. It’s good to step back, recharge our batteries so-to-speak, and return refreshed, ready to once again pursue our tasks.

Labor Day is a national holiday in the US, intended to not only give us an extra day of rest, but also to honor the contributions and achievements of American workers. Enjoy!

Jesus was fully God and fully man, and the ‘man’ part knew when it would prove beneficial to hit ‘pause.’ Tell yourself, “If it was good for Jesus, then it’s good for me too!”

Happy Labor Day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Respite!

For Sunday, August 15, 2021

Mark 6:32 NLT: “Jesus and his apostles left by boat for a quiet place, where they could be alone.”

Ministry can be all-consuming, 24/7. It can be hard work. Jesus and the apostles needed a little break to recharge their batteries, so-to-speak. They thought leaving on a boat and going to the other side of the lake would give them that respite.

But the people would have none of it. They had heard His teaching. They were eyewitnesses to the miracles, and they wanted more! In those days, boats would sail close enough to visualize the shoreline - in deep-enough water to accommodate the boat, but able to see the shore so nobody got lost! Therefore the throng could easily track Jesus’ progress from the sideline, follow, and be there to meet them on the other side. The crowd weren’t taking “no” for an answer!

And what about us nowadays? Are we so all-consumed with our Savior that we’d drop everything and follow him along the shore; follow him wherever he goes? Do we accept “no” for an answer, or do we want more?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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