God's Love!

July 27, 2026, Monday Message:

Romans 8:38 NLT, Paul testifying to the church in Rome: “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

Our God is unchanging, the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. And the Son Jesus is just like his Father. What that means is that if God says that something is good, it will be good forever. God’s value system isn’t going to go through a recalibration.

Think about the 10 Commandments. It is written that honoring the Lord is good, and it will always be good. Honoring our parents is good, and it’s not a changing value. We are to give out parents the respect they deserve forever. It’s wrong to steal, not just because our laws say so, but because God said so. Murder? Same thing. God said. And always speak the truth. God is always listening, and we will be judged! Besides, that’s what Jesus would have done.

God’s love for mankind is unshakable, and that’s not about to change. In spite of mankind’s sins, God’s desire is that all would repent and return and take up eternal residence in his Kingdom. Nothing good or nothing evil can separate us from the Father’s love. That’s what the Bible says!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Desire!

For Wednesday, December 18, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:21 NKJV, God’s words: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

This commandment is related to, “You shall not steal.” Don’t take what belongs to someone else, and don’t long for what belongs to someone else. Desiring what is not yours is a stepping stone to becoming a thief, and in our hearts we all know that’s wrong.

Similarly, coveting your neighbor’s spouse is a stepping stone to adultery. This serves as a reminder for those who didn’t “get it” the first time.

Part of becoming a Christian is adopting God’s value system, God’s definitions of right and wrong. Those who have tried it both ways agree that God’s way is the right way, the only way! Give it a try!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Don't Steal!

December 16, 2024 Monday Message:

Deuteronomy 5:19 NKJV, God’s words: “You shall not steal.”

About a week ago, we started looking at the 10 Commandments as listed in Deuteronomy. Today we’re up to, “Do Not Steal.” We need to understand that 2k years ago, survival of the fittest was the standard mode of operation. Beg, borrow, steal – whatever – just survive. So God needed to teach us his laws, his ethics, his value system. The laws were spoken to Moses on Mt. Sinai, and Moses in turn told the other Israelites.

You have your things, and I have my things. Don’t you take my things, and I won’t take your things. Seems simple enough. But sin is a choice to disobey God, and regrettably, some people choose to sin. Small-time thieves will take something from your yard or break into your car. Big-time thieves plot to rob a bank. It’s all wrong. Just ask God!

With the New Covenant given to us by Jesus, God’s laws are written on our hearts. In other words we have a conscience. We instinctively know right from wrong. So even without reading God’s Commandments, everyone already knows that it’s wrong to steal!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Value System

March 11, 2013 Monday Message:

We’re in the last portion of the 10 Commandments, and this week it’s #8 - "Do not steal." Ex. 20

This is one of those things that everyone already knows. A thief, by definition, exhibited behavior outside of society’s norms and God’s directions. But long before the judge sentenced them, I believe that each of them knew stealing was wrong. And even in prison, you don’t steal someone’s magazine, you don’t take someone’s pen, and you sure don’t grab their cigarettes. That kind of behavior could get you killed.

See? Everyone, even those on the wrong side of the law, already knows God’s value system. Stealing is wrong – God said so.

Next week: Truth or Consequences

Norton Lawellin

We’ll worship this Sunday, March 17, 10:30am, Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF), in the North end of the Oliver Ministry Building, 27th Street & Bloomington Avenue, Minneapolis. This week we wrap up Luke Ch. 8.

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