Psalm 60 - Divine Intervention

September 05, 2016 Monday Message:

“Human help is worthless.” Psalms 60:11b

If you were facing a big problem – a major crisis – and for help you could choose between people or the creator of the universe, which would you choose?

3,000 years ago, David and the Israelites were constantly defending themselves, but humans can only do just so much. A little divine intervention would prove beneficial! In those moments, I believe David’s biggest fear was that his people would celebrate their success, pat themselves on the back, and forget about the God who had actually rescued them, the God who brought them safely home.

Things haven’t changed much. There is still constant fighting in the Middle East. It seems that many have forgotten the God who desires love and peace, rather than fighting and killing in His name. We shouldn’t be surprised by any of this. Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. One of the best ways to pray for world peace is, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Like the Middle East, many US cities are in turmoil. Every day there is fighting and killing, usually over some illegal activity like gangs or drugs. And racial prejudice has once again reared its ugly head. In our country, we expect humans to fix these problems - government, police, judges, prisons – but the problems continue and nothing truly gets fixed. As it turns out, human help is worthless. Perhaps a little divine intervention would prove beneficial!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, Pastor Michael Pilla continues in 1 Corinthians.

Peace vs. Violence

Feb. 23, 2015 Monday Message:

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV

It’s easy to distance ourselves from conflict on the other side of the world. But as of last Saturday, the conflict has been brought into our backyard.

The Mall of America, just a few miles from where we live and do ministry, was specifically named in an Al-Shabaab call for attacks, along with the West Edmonton Mall and London’s Oxford Street. The same Al-Shabaab group claims responsibility for the 2013 attack at a Nairobi, Kenya mall, where 60 people lost their lives. This Somali-based group is counting on support of the sizable Twin Cities’ Somali community.

Here’s the situation as I see it: Al-Shabaab, ISIS, ISIL, al Qaeda et al are radical extremists. But the vast majority of Muslim people are not radical, extreme or violent. The people I have met want to work a job, earn a living, and be able to take care of their families – end of story. They’re not looking to become a hero or martyr. Unfortunately, the extreme minority is speaking for all followers of Muhammad, and the world is listening. This is a problem that Muslims need to solve within their community. Only Muslims can endorse spokespeople for their religion. Outsiders, or “infidels,” have no authority or credibility within their ranks.

In the mean time, while we can’t live in fear, it would be prudent to be cautious. In Matthew 24, Jesus tells us that these things are signs of the end of the age. “Many will claim to be the Messiah, and will deceive many.” “You will hear of war and rumors of war.” “Nation will rise up against nation.” Our salvation comes in verse 13: “The one who stands firm to the end will be saved.”

Come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Norton Lawellin

Each Sunday, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Mar. 1, Pastor Michael Pilla continues our journey through Acts.