Trust in the Lord!

For Tuesday, November 29, 2022:

Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

If you could ask God for one thing, what would it be? Solomon could have asked for great wealth, great power or a harem – but he already had those things. His request was for wisdom. If you are wise, everything else falls into place. Being wise includes trusting in the Lord with all your heart, and consulting with him about which paths to pursue. It had worked well for Solomon, and he wanted to share this principle of life with his son.

Many of us are afraid to let God direct our paths. We would much rather direct ourselves. But if being a child of God is our goal, we need to get out of the driver’s seat. The one who knows our destination should be the one doing the driving!

With the Bible, with leading of the Holy Spirit, through the counsel of others and with God-given common sense, the Lord will direct our paths. Trusting in the Lord, we will walk along our way of life and come to see that we have been on the path God intended all along!

God’s way is the best way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Eternal Wisdom!

For Saturday, January 22, 2022

Ecclesiastes 2:23 NLT, words of Solomon, the teacher: “Wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.”

In the short term, the earth doesn’t change much. The sun rises and sets in a predictable and repeatable manner. Seasons change, and then duplicate the process next year.

What changes is the people. Humans are born unto the earth, live their lives and then move on to the next reality, leaving the planet to the next generation. While here, mankind can acquire wisdom – knowledge of the Creator God and knowledge of His redemptive Son Jesus the Christ. Knowing Christ, we are given the privilege of securing our eternal destination. We are given hope.

"The wise can see where they are going, but fools walk in the dark.” (Solomon)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Feelings?

For Thursday, November 4, 2021

Proverbs 10:1 CEV: “Children with good sense make their parents happy, but foolish children make them sad.”

Solomon is stating the obvious. We all want strong families with successful children. We want to be able to brag about each other. In comedy, there’s the stereotypical Jewish mother always introducing, “My son, the doctor!” The Message simplifies it: “Wise son, glad father; stupid son, sad mother.” Actually works for both sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers.

But Mick Jagger sang the reality of the situation: “You can’t always get what you want.” Any family member can let you down, making a bad choice from time to time, and probably will. And the question is, “How does that make you feel?”

If you’re already filled with the joy of the Lord, momentary sadness won’t take you off track. If you and God are OK, if you’re doing the right things for the right reasons, let the joy of the Lord shine through! Be proud of your self-worth! Don’t let someone else control how you feel today!

Happiness can be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord is eternal!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Wisdom!

For Sunday, October 24, 2021

Proverbs 9:12 NLT: “If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.”

One night God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Solomon replied, “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

We are reminded that wisdom is an individual commodity, something personal, almost selfish, but in a good way. God equips us uniquely for the purpose he has in store for us. You are the one who will most benefit from the wisdom you seek!

So study. Learn. Read daily. Seek truth. Never stop increasing your wisdom!

Those who do not choose wisdom are charting their own course.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Wisdom = Hope!

For Wednesday, May 12, 2021

1 Kings 3:9 NLT, Solomon speaking: “Now, O Lord my God, give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong.”

In his dream, Solomon could have asked God for anything, but he chose to ask for more wisdom. Because it was not a selfish ‘ask,’ God granted that wisdom, and to it added riches and fame! Solomon-the-king would be known worldwide! And with God on their side, Solomon and the entire kingdom would flourish – they had been given hope!

We too can have hope in our lives by living in a right relationship with the Lord of the Universe. Just as God bolstered Solomon, He wants to support all who believe. Like Solomon, some days we just need to pray for wisdom.

Humble prayers yield bigger-than-expected results!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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