Provision!

For Saturday, June 13, 2026:

Luke 5:3 NLT: “Stepping into one of the boats, Jesus asked Simon (Peter), its owner, to push it out into the water. So he sat in the boat and taught the crowds from there.”

Have you ever been on a shore and clearly heard a conversation taking place on a nearby boat? Voices carry quite a distance over water. Jesus had been preaching the Word of God from shore, but the crowd had grown too large for everyone to hear. His solution was to hop in a boat and use it as his podium. His voice would then carry well over the water! Problem solved!

Jehovah-Jireh, God the provider, already had two boats nearby. Finding no fish that day, the crew was back in port cleaning their nets. The lesson here is that God will often provide what you need even before you know that you need it! Jesus would later repay their favor by taking them fishing for more fish than both boats could hold, but that’s another lesson!

The Bible says that people were “pressing in” on Jesus to hear the Word of God. Soon he might have been under the waves in the Sea of Galilee! The boat was a much better solution! God is good!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

God's Channel!

For Thursday, May 22, 2025:

Luke 11:28 CJB: “Jesus said, ‘Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’”

As Jesus was teaching the crowd, a woman shouted out blessings to his birth-mother. Yes, Mary was obedient and highly favored by God. But the Father is even more pleased when one of us hears him and follows his instructions. Mary is history, but we are right now! Believers represent the future of the church for our generation. That’s what Jesus was saying.

God’s instructions will be heard by those with whom he has a relationship. If someone chooses to hear nothing from God, he won’t force his message on that person. Listening for God is like adjusting a radio receiver. If someone is not tuned in to the right frequency, they’ll never hear his message! So put God on one of your mind’s “preset” buttons! Let your Bible gather no dust!

Even more important than simply hearing God’s message is giving life to those instructions – obedience. Don’t think of serving God as an obligation. Consider it an opportunity to build an ongoing relationship with your Creator.

Believers have been drafted to play for God’s team. He wants us to win souls for the “good” team, those who, at the end of life’s game, are the winners.

Batter up!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Sola Scriptura

For Friday, November 12, 2021

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.”

We’ve been looking at “The Five Solas,” basic tenets of Christianity. “Sola Scriptura” or “by scripture alone” speaks to the authenticity and authority of our Bible. Reformed theology asserts that scripture, the inspired word of God, must be our ultimate authority. The Word of God supersedes church traditions. In fact all church traditions, creeds, and teachings must be in harmony with God’s word.

The good news is that nowadays Bibles are readily available and fairly inexpensive. Think about it – any one of us can carry the Word of God in our hand! We can view God’s message at any time! We can share the words of the Bible with those who seek Good News!

If you’re looking for hope, you can find it in the Bible!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Tradition vs Redemption

For Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Mark 7:9 NLT: “Jesus said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition.”

Some Pharisees and religious teachers had come to see Jesus, who carefully separated God’s commands from ritual and tradition. The words of God always take precedence over manmade rituals and traditions.

The Reformers took it a step further, emphasizing “sola scriptura,” or “only scripture,” only God’s Holy words. God-inspired Bible-writings give us redeeming ordinances, words that save us unto eternity. Redemption comes out of knowing who Jesus was and claiming him as our Savior. Jesus gives us hope for our life in the next reality.

Jesus said that we are saved or lost based on what comes from our heart – not by observing some ritual.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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