Messenger!

For Tuesday, January 6, 2026:

Matthew 1:20b-21 NLT, Angel speaking to Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus [the Lord Saves], for he will save his people from their sins.”

The Angel Gabriel had been busy. He had already visited Zechariah, who would father John the Baptist. He also visited Mary, who was to birth the Messiah’s next entrance to planet earth. Mary loves the Lord and is obedient. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Just one problem remains. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. He doesn’t understand how she could turn up pregnant. To him, she was still a virgin! It was time for Gabriel to finish their education! See above scripture!

Gabriel also explains the purpose of the Messiah coming to our world. “Jesus will save his people from their sins.” No mention of miraculous healings. No expanded teaching of Torah. No casting out of demons. Those are all good things, but not on the tip of Gabriel’s tongue! That’s why I teach that Jesus’ primary purpose is rescuing mankind from our sin problem. God’s messenger angel said so!

Christian believers are the beneficiaries of God’s gift. Jesus’ forgiveness has lifted us from the fires of hell to eternal life with Father God, a much better place. Thank goodness Jesus came to rescue us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Good vs Evil

 April 25, 2022 Monday Message:

1 Cor. 15:56 NLT: “Sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.”

Consider, if you will, life in the Garden of Eden before mankind’s fall. Right and wrong had not yet been defined, so Adam and Eve just enjoyed life with an “anything goes” attitude. But then they ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and now having that knowledge, they were expected to pursue the good and avoid the evil. You see, evil was only sin when defined as such by God. Turns out Adam and Eve weren’t very good at avoiding sin. Turns out they should have left that knowledge to God!

God, who knows everything and can see into the future, knew this problem was on the way. He had already formulated a plan to send a Messiah from heaven to redeem mankind. After all, God loves us unconditionally! In his vast eternal plan, we’re worth saving!

"Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 15:57)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hosanna 2!

April 11, 2022 Monday Message:

Matthew 21:9 NIV: “The crowds that went ahead of Jesus and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Hosanna in the highest heaven!’”

Palm Sunday kicks off Holy Week, when we celebrate Jesus’ final week before the crucifixion. It begins with the Triumphal Entry, Jesus riding a borrowed donkey through the city, with people shouting, “Hosanna,” which means save us, save us now!

I believe that many in the crowd had been following Jesus for quite some time, and had already determined who Jesus was, the Son of the Living God. They would not shout to be saved, to be redeemed, if they didn’t have a reasonable expectation that Jesus could make it so.

We should share that same confidence nowadays, knowing that Jesus is the only one who can redeem mankind from our sin problem and assure us of a place in the Eternal Kingdom with the Father. We too should shout out, “Hosanna! Save us, save us now!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Life!

For Thursday, February 4, 2021

John 10:10 GNT, Jesus speaking: “The thief comes only in order to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life—life in all its fullness.”

When joining a religion, a philosophy or even some kind of organization, consider its ultimate goal. Obviously Satan's goal is to take you down the wrong path.

But Jesus came so that we could have life – both life here on earth, and a life after this life with the Father in heaven. Jesus gives us hope! He not only wants us to have life; he wants us to have an abundant GOOD life, living in all its intended fullness.

"For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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