Reverence & Joy!

For Friday, October 6, 2023:

Psalm 93:5 GNT: “Your laws are eternal, Lord, and your Temple is holy indeed, forever and ever.”

As Christians, the words, “for ever and ever,” just roll off our tongues. But let’s stop for a minute and think about what we’re saying. God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – created everything, and I do mean everything. He created the planet on which we stand, and the solar system that contains it. Plants and animals – rivers and oceans – even human beings – God created it all! He existed before mankind, and he’ll be here long after we’re gone – for ever and ever – that’s God!

God also taught us right from wrong. God is steadfast in his ways, and gave us a conscience so we’d instinctively know when we erred.

The place where we worship is holy, and worship should balance reverence with joy. In ancient days, they played musical instruments, sang the psalms and danced for joy, all the while honoring the Lord!

What happens at your church?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Our Father!

August 23, 2021 Monday Message:

Matthew 6:9 KJ21: “In this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name.”

The disciples had been asking Jesus about prayer, about HOW to pray. Before Jesus, people would take their concerns to a Priest, and he would pray to God on their behalf. So most of Jesus’ followers had never prayed themselves – and they they needed to learn. We ALL need to learn!

Jesus began his dissertation with words like, “Pray then, in this way,” “Therefore, you should pray like this,” and, “This, then, is how you should pray.” Jesus never said you needed to pray the exact words that follow, which we now know as The Lord’s Prayer; but there’s nothing wrong with praying them either. Those words give us comfort and hope. Jesus is telling us to include thoughts like these in our prayers.

Pagan gods were thought to be mean, angry and ruthless. Jesus is showing his followers the true God, a God of lovingkindness, forgiveness and second chances. Think of him as your Father, a really GOOD Father! Holy is his name, consecrated, sacred and set apart with reverence and respect.

The words we all know and love were penned by Thomas Cranmer, probably the greatest English-language wordsmith next to Shakespeare. He was Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of Henry the VIII and compiled the first two editions of the Book of Common Prayer. He wrote using ‘majestic’ language, which is why we don’t say, “You guys are married now.” We say, “I now pronounce you husband and wife!”

Majestic language gives our worship reverence and authority!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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