Most Faith!

For Thursday, October 30, 2025:

Hebrews 11:8 NLT: “It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going.”

There’s that word again – “faith!” Faith is believing that with God at the helm, everything will turn out for the best. So Abraham told everyone who lived in his circle to pack up and follow him. That would include all of the servants. Nowadays, we’d call them hired hands or just workers. They pitched their tents alongside Abraham’s, for both the job and for safety. Shepherds and stable workers, harvesters and those who prepared food, domestic workers, and their spouses and families – everyone was told to pack up, because God told us to get going!

Imagine the conversation. Abraham: “Honey, we need to pack everything and head down the road. We’re moving! God said!”

Sarah: “Sounds exciting! And where did God say that we’re going?”

Abe: “He hasn’t told me that yet. He just said to get going, so we need to get going.”

Sarah: “You tell that God of yours that we need more information!”

Nowadays, we wouldn’t plan a trip to another city without having a hotel reservation. And to do that, we’d need to know the name of the city! But this is a lesson in extreme, all-in faith. We need to be ready to pack up all our belongings, our friends, our families and our co-workers. We’re gonna herd our livestock down the road until God says “stop.” He’ll let us know when we have arrived.

The Bible says to trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. God’s way will always prove to be the best way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Thy Will!

For Saturday, September 20, 2025:

Mark 14:36 NLT: “’Abba, Father,’ Jesus cried out, ‘everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.’”

On his journey to the cross, Jesus knew full well the pain and suffering that would be involved. It would not be pretty. The Roman soldiers were good at what they did. So Jesus asked, “Father, is this really necessary? I’d rather skip the ‘whipped and beaten’ part, if it’s all the same to you! But you know me! We’re cut from the same cloth! I’ll be obedient unto death!”

We can learn about prayer by following Jesus’ example. As humans, we don’t always know or understand why something is happening. And we don’t know what is to follow. For example, if Satan is causing an illness, we certainly want to pray for healing. But if someone has lived a good life and God is rewarding them by calling them home, that’s a whole different thing. I would ask Jesus to take charge of the situation.

Two of my children needed a better High School situation. My wife located a suitable private school, but we’d be paying for what had previously been free. I prayed about what to do. About that time, the Billy Graham organization approached me about helping them with a large project. There was no specific deadline, and I could fill all my downtime with their project. It took about five years! By then, my kids were no longer in private school! God is good!

I once lost a church job. The denomination was on shaky theological ground, so while it didn’t break my heart, it never feels good to be out of work. I prayed, “Really, God – is that all there is?” A short time later, another church called me as a pastor and Bible teacher. I was told to teach the truth! Best job ever, but I didn’t know it was coming when I lost the first job. God knew it would all work out.

Obedience and trust in the Lord should be our modus operandi. Pray, “Thy will, not my will!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Trust God!

For Saturday, February 12, 2022

Psalm 46:1 GNT: “God is our shelter and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”

The world has seen more than our share of tribulation lately. Sometimes we can feel lost, abandoned. Where should we turn for help? The Bible has the best answer.

God, who's principles are unchanging, always stands ready to help. Mankind needs to remember to call on God in times of trouble. Humans are proud and want to be thought of as strong. "I can solve this myself." But sometimes divine intervention is a better answer. As I've said before, God should be our first call, not our last resort!

When there's trouble, don't give up on God! He hasn't given up on you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Trusting God

For Tuesday, December 28, 2021

2 Corinthians 1:9b NLT: “We stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”

At the end of Jesus’ ministry, he was crucified by misguided government officials and religious leaders. Three days later, he was up, walking around and speaking. A lot of people saw him and later wrote about this miracle.

Jesus went to the grave burying the sins of the world and rose up proving that there is life after this life. Our problems and our questions about sin and death were answered on the same day! Problem solved!

We should trust God, but it’s hard for many of us to get out of the driver’s seat. But if ever there was a God we should trust, the one who raises the dead gets my vote!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Protector God!

For Saturday, December 4, 2021

Nahum 1:7 CEV: “The Lord is good. He protects those who trust him in times of trouble.”

God is good – all the time! So when trouble rears it’s ugly head in your life, is God your first call or your last resort?

If you’re “all in” with God – if you’re 24/7 with God, you won’t have to turn to him, because God and you are permanently in touch with each other. You’re on the same page, pulling in the same direction. You’re playing on the same team. A lot of trouble may just bounce off you. Trouble knows that disagreeing with God won’t end well!

We believe the Bible to be true, and here God offers assurance of protection to those who trust in him. God promises hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Trust in the Lord!

For Wednesday, December 1, 2021

Psalm 27:13 TLB: “I am expecting the Lord to rescue me again, so that once again I will see his goodness to me here in the land of the living.”

About 3,000 years ago, many people were trying to unseat king David, and he didn’t always have an escape plan. Sometimes his plan was simply to trust in the Lord. God had previously rescued him and God is unchanging, so David was confident that God would look after him once again. David had hope, the same hope available to all believers if they simply trust in the Lord.

Yesterday I told you about my friend Ken Wilson and his battle with cancer. I should add to the story. After treatments, testing and then treatment revisions, at his last exam the doctors said they were “cautiously optimistic,” which means they can no longer detect cancer, and we all say, “Thank you, Jesus!” Prayers answered! Ken is still with us because his work here is not finished – God still has a few more things for him to do. Right now his testimony is teaching others about faith, trusting in the Lord and gratitude. And his musicianship enhances worship at Grace Church each week. God is good!

"Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope in God!

For Saturday, September 4, 2021

Psalm 42:11 NLT: “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again — my Savior and my God!”

Sometimes we’re happy, sometimes we’re sad. We can all feel a little bit down from time to time. But the psalmist asks, “Why?” Good question!

If you know the Lord, you should put your faith, hope and trust in Him. And if you’re trusting our omnipotent creator-God, you know everything will turn out for the best! Speak to yourself and challenge your own sense of discouragement. Don’t focus on what’s getting you down. Rather focus on the greatness of almighty God. As a believer, you’ve been adopted into His family, and your Father wants nothing but the best for you!

Confidence in God fills us with hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Trust in the Lord!

Monday Message, October 5, 2020: 

1 Samuel 30:6 NLT: “David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But David found strength in the Lord his God.”

In many ways, we live in more civilized times than David did 3,000 years ago. Our sons and daughters aren’t about to be carried off by some predatory conquering nation. 

Unfortunately, we have not won the battle against violence from within. Civil unrest is at an all-time high, and some still want to stone the leaders. Add the coronavirus to the mix, and you have this great big mess in which we all live!

Just like David, our best remedy is to turn to the Lord. God is still on the throne of the world, still in charge of everything. He will not let you be tested beyond what you can endure. God is in the ‘rescue’ business! Knowing how much God loves and cares for us gives us hope! 

To finish the story, God told David to go after the Amalekites, he was victorious, and his people were rescued. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Blessings and safety this week, 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406