Christian Focus!

For Thursday, March 12, 2026:

Romans 7:21 NLT, Paul speaking: “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.”

Paul is living in a world filled with sin, and as much as he tries to honor God by doing right, frustrations of this life find him slipping back into his old behavior. Remember, when he first set out, Paul was armed with a letter from the Temple leaders authorizing him to stop these radical new Christians, to return them to Jerusalem in chains! The risen Jesus stopped him on the road to Damascus, striking him blind and helpless, saying, “Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?” This was enough to make Paul do a 180, to realize that Jesus was indeed the heaven-sent Son of God. Paul became a Jesus advocate. He was brought into the city and his sight restored by a believer. Paul was immediately baptized and became an instant evangelist! (By the way, “Saul” was his Hebrew name, like King Saul. “Palus” was his Greek name, which we translate into English as “Paul.”)

God gave mankind the power to think and reason. If we were forced to follow Jesus, our loyalty would mean nothing. Therefore, God lets us choose, wants us to choose Him! We’re taken off track by Satan and his demons shouting, “Pick me! Pick me!” At first, sin seems to be fun and exciting, but it never works out in the long run. God’s desire is for everyone to repent and return — repent of our sins and return to the roster of believers. When this life ends, we want to find ourselves on God’s short list, unwavering in our commitment to the Father and his Son.

The longer we’re Christians, the easier it will become to stay on the high road. God wants us to succeed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Love!

For Tuesday, October 24, 2023:

Romans 13:8 NLT: “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”

After carefully researching scripture, Jews found 613 things that God told them to do. Turns out there’s a lot more than just the 10 Commandments! That was a problem though, because most people can’t keep track of 613 things!

Jesus set us up to succeed by giving us a condensed version that we know as the Summary of the Law. “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second most important commandment is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment more important than these two.”

So love God and love your neighbor. Nothing is more important than this. It was God’s Son who taught us this!

By the way, if you’re leading a group somewhere, including church, set the congregation up for success. If you tell them to sing along, put the words on the screen. Lead the song in a comfortable key, not too high, not too low, so that everyone can participate – so they can succeed. Any task should be a little challenging, but not unachievable.

So be joyful, be helpful and do the next right thing for both God and your fellows. That’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Live Abundantly!

For Wednesday, August 24, 2022:

Psalm 20:4 NLT: “May the Lord grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed.”

Believers are not guaranteed smooth sailing! Life will present many challenges! David was praying for Divine Intervention with these bumps in the road.

Jesus said, “In this world, you will have trouble. But I have overcome the world!” When the psalms were written, Jesus had not yet come to earth. Believers expected that God-the-Father was in charge, still on the throne of heaven. Father God could show favor upon his people, granting them success in all that they undertake.

Nowadays, the Lord still wants us to be successful! He wants us to have abundance, so that we have enough to help others. Jesus told Peter to “feed my sheep.” We inherited that command; there are many sheep to feed!

God, bless us with the resources to successfully carry out your mission!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Joy of the Lord!

August 15, 2022 Monday Message:

Psalm 112:1-2 NLT: “Praise the Lord! How joyful are those who fear the Lord and delight in obeying his commands. Their children will be successful everywhere; an entire generation of godly people will be blessed.”

I have always believed that serving the Lord and attending worship should be fun, something we anticipate and enjoy. If people lament, “I HAVE to go to church,” there’s something wrong with church. It should be, “I GET to go to church!”

If mom and dad are excited about the Lord, it can’t help but show up in the next generation, and I believe that was God’s intention. Parents are the best teachers their children will ever have. From an early age, we can shape shape their attitude toward the Lord, church and life in general. Children with with a positive attitude will be blessed, as will their children and their grandchildren.

Whether called to a sacred or secular career, God promises success to those who are joyful in the Lord.

The joy of the Lord is more than a moment of happiness; it’s a way of life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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