Happy Thanksgiving!

For Thursday, November 28, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT: “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

In the US, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day to thank the Lord for all his goodness. The exact day moved, but the tradition continued. Many other countries have adopted a similar celebration.

It’s easy to forget some of the things God provides for mankind. We take a lot of things for granted. God gives us air to breathe and sunshine every morning to warm the earth and to warm mankind. Our planet raises enough food to feed everyone. If you hear of people starving, it’s because countries are at war and distribution channels are closed. But God provides enough food and water for everyone.

It’s good to acknowledge God’s goodness on a special day, but we should really thank him daily. After all, God remembers us every day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Eternal!

For Sunday, August 18, 2024:

Revelation 1:8 NLT: “’I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,’ says the Lord God. ‘I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.’”

When there was no planet earth, no sun and no stars in the sky, God envisioned the universe in which we live. In spite of mankind’s failures, our God believed that creation of the world was deserving of his effort.

Just how big is our God? He created the stars and each of their planets. Their placement and direction keep everything in perfect harmony. He created space in which to display his creations. He placed mankind on one special planet, and equipped it with everything needed for their survival. None of what you see was conceived by any person or any government. Remember that God is eternal. He is responsible for all creation, the beginning, and will reign on the Day of the Lord, the end.

Sunday is a good day to join your fellow believers to worship, praise and thank our Father in Heaven. He has given us so much; it’s challenging to take it all in! Worship is the right thing to do!

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Thanks and Praise!

For Tuesday, July 18, 2023:

1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”

God had been good to David. By this time, he was king of Israel. God had given Israel many military victories, raising the importance of the Chosen People’s homeland. So in humble gratitude, David wrote this Song of Praise and gave it to the priests so that they could lead everyone in praising the Lord! It was the right thing to do!

Following David’s example, when God has been good to us, we should give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. And as Christians, we are commissioned by Jesus himself to share the Good News with the whole world!

It’s easy to praise the Lord when things are going well. But let us not forget that David was a faithful believer even when it seemed that everything was working against him. Before he became king, he was persecuted by Saul’s soldiers. He was forced to flee into the wilderness and live in caves. He had few trusted friends. But David remained confident that God would lift him out of the mire. God had anointed David, and – good or bad circumstances – David remained faithful to the Lord.

God kept David alive as his purpose was not yet fulfilled!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Give Thanks!

For Thursday, November 25, 2021 Thanksgiving Day

Psalm 100:4 NIV: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”

Each of our lives is unique, and yet each of us has similar things for which to be thankful. Jesus said that just as God provides for the birds of the field, so would He provide for us. Certainly mankind is more valuable than some wild birds! So we have food, shelter and clothing. And we have family, friends and our Christian brothers and sisters. God blesses us with jobs, transportation and a whole lot more! I couldn’t begin to list all the good things that God pours into our lives!

Think about this - If God has richly blessed you, shouldn’t you be grateful? Shouldn’t you offer praise and thanksgiving for all he has done? It almost goes without saying.

God only wants what’s best for you! Therefore God has laid out an open-ended offer to include you in his kingdom. God’s desire is truly that no one would be lost; that all would repent and return. He wanted that so much that he sent his Son to rescue mankind. (John 3:16) “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

Now put your own name in there. God so loved Mary or Bob or Linda or Ralph – God loves YOU so much that He sacrificed His only Son, that you might be granted everlasting life.

And because of that colossal gift of eternity in the presence of the Father, it is not only right, but it is essential that we give thanks in great quantity!

Today is a good day to give thanks!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Thanks and Praise!

February 22, 2021 Monday Message

Psalm 100:4 VOICE: “Go through the Lord's gates giving thanks; walk through His courts giving praise. Offer Him your gratitude and praise His holy name.”

The psalmist is picturing people of all lands, together entering the gates of the Temple, and praising the Lord as they move through the courts. The thanks and praise merge as God is lifted up!

Because we now know about Jesus, we have much more for which to be thankful than when this psalm was written. Jesus took the sins of the world – including our sins - to the place of the dead. Jesus then prepared a place for us in the life after this life. Jesus solved the problems of sin and death on the same day, and that gives us hope!

Under Jesus' New Covenant, not only are the gates and courts open, but access to the Holy of Holies has been opened! We can now pray directly to God!

Blessings and safety today and always!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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