Ascension!

For Thursday, July 23, 2026:

John 16:5-6 NLT, Jesus speaking to believers: “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you.”

John documents the life of Jesus, and Jesus knows he is leaving, returning to the Father. He wants all believers to understand that what is happening is not bad news, but good news!

Surprisingly, those listening don’t even ask where he is going, even though he’s told them about the Kingdom of Heaven. Instead of wishing him Godspeed and cheering for the event, the observers retreated into themselves, grieving the loss of their spiritual mentor.

Jesus: “Good news! I’ll be returning to Father God!”

Disciples: “Terrible. I don’t know how we can get along without you. This whole movement will probably die. I might just as well quit and go home!”

Friends, who should be the focus of this story? Jesus! (It’s not about us!) Who should be in the driver’s seat? Jesus! Who should we trust? Jesus, who is always truthful. Jesus, who is God walking alongside us. He’s celebrating being victorious. Jesus is about to conquer sin and death with one unselfish act. Shout ‘Hallelujah’ for the good path God has created!

As we live out the remainder of our earthly lives, let’s remember to keep God in the driver’s seat. He should set our agenda for each day. Do the right things for the right reasons. Do something nice and don’t get caught!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Testify Truth!

For Friday, June 26, 2026:

John 15:27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”

Jesus was telling all the gathered disciples to continue the Good News ministry after he returned to the Father. Some had been with him from the beginning and were eyewitnesses to every miracle and every healing. Others joined the entourage later, but they did so because of what Jesus did for them or from what they had seen. They have sufficient experiences about which to testify!

Consider Mary Magdalene. Jesus cast out seven demons from her, turning her life around. She in turn traveled with Jesus’ followers and helped support them financially. She witnessed the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. Her testimony would be completely valid.

Each of us has a “before Jesus” story and an “after Jesus” story. Our testimony should be about the positive changes as the result of that transition. Knowing that we are forgiven and have a place in eternity is no small thing! Having Assurance of Salvation makes for a great testimony!

What is your “changed life” story? It’s time to rehearse. Many need to hear what you have to say!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Jesus' Name!

For Saturday, October 4, 2025:

John 14:12-13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

When Jesus designates others to be his representatives here on earth, he tells them to do what he did. Use his name to underwrite miracles. In fact, do even greater works than Jesus did, because he’s planning to return to the Father. Someone needs to continue his earthly work, and you’re “it!” Spiritual gifts are for all believers, not just clergy!

I heard a man from Kenya speak about healing in his country. There are still those who first consult sorcerers and witch doctors. When those options yield no results, the inflicted move on to hospitals and doctors. There, they care for the infirm, but seldom do much to heal the person. Their last resort (should have been their first!) is to come to someone who knows Jesus, who knows the Good News. Jesus said we should heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. That’s most important, because Satan may be the root of many problems! Large tumors growing from arms have disappeared right before their eyes because the Pastor (the Healer) invoked Jesus’ name! The hospital can then put your sore arm in a sling, but only Jesus can remove the tumor, no surgery required! Internal bodily functions are corrected on the spot. Sight is restored, hearing is restored, and lameness is routinely corrected, all in the name of Jesus.

In some scientific and industrial ways, the US appears to be ahead of Kenya. But in knowing and trusting Jesus, they may have passed us. Our fear of trusting what we cannot see has separated us from the grace of the Almighty!

It’s time to rekindle that relationship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Plan!

For Tuesday, September 16, 2025:

Mark 14:28 NLT: Jesus told the disciples, “After I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

At that point, the disciples weren’t convinced that Jesus was going to die. After all, he could heal the sick and cure any disease. He could walk on water and calm a storm. He would cast out demons and declare them to be the root of mankind’s problems. Surely he would save himself!

They hadn’t reckoned with Jesus’ obedience and commitment to God’s plan to redeem mankind. And, being one of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, it’s actually his own plan! As Jesus died on the cross, he took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Loyal followers of Jesus, the believers, would then appear spotless on the day of judgment. Remember, God’s desire is that none would perish!

Jesus knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he would be raised from the dead. He’s so certain of this that he’s setting appointments. “I’ll catch up with you guys in Galilee!”

Our lesson here is that obedience to is God always best. Even when things look grim, stick with God. Jesus would be beaten and nailed to a cross until he died. He was still doing God’s tasks as he delivered the world’s sins to the place of the dead. God faithfully brought him back to life, and 40 days later Jesus ascended right up into God’s Kingdom, heaven! Most people never saw that coming, but Jesus had been faithful!

If we trust in God, everything works out for the best!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Ascension!

For Friday, May 2, 2025:

Mark 16:19 NLT: “When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with the believers, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

We’ve been looking at the 40 days between the resurrection and Jesus’ ascension. Today’s scripture talks about the last of those days. Jesus spoke, taught and preached during his final 40 days on earth. His presence confirmed that he was very much alive. Paul writes that the risen Jesus “appeared to more than 500 brothers at once, most of whom are still living.” He’s implying eyewitnesses. Just ask around. Plenty of people have seen Jesus walking and talking during the days following the crucifixion.

Jesus is doing these things himself to let believers know that salvation is possible. Death is not the end. There is life after this life. He will prepare a place for believers in his Father’s house, God’s Kingdom. Satan may be after your soul, but those aligned with Jesus will be spared Satan’s torture. Jesus is our key to eternal life in God’s presence. Eternity is a very long time!

After his final words, Jesus was taken up into heaven. I dream about what that will be like, gaining entrance to the Kingdom. In my mind, I say, “I’m with that guy over there, the one just to the right of God. He’s my Redeemer!”

Jesus came to rescue all who would believe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Believe

May 05, 2014 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29 ESV)

There are over 2 billion Christians in the world today, none of whom have ever “seen,” and yet by definition, they all “believe.”

Understanding these Christian stories requires a lot of faith. Some are unexplainable in “human” terms. What happened in the Bible – especially the facts concerning the resurrection and ascension – can only be explained as “supernatural”.

When I see and believe things that defy human logic, I credit God. Maybe it’s angels, or the Holy Spirit, but it’s all “God-stuff.” A dead man walking, talking and teaching - and eventually taken up into heaven in a cloud – humans just don’t do that stuff.

And yet those miracles are the crux of our theology. As Christians, we’ve heard these incredible stories for years, and they sound perfectly normal to us. Not so for the new believer. We need to help them with courage and confidence to become believers, because if they can believe without seeing, they too will be blessed. That’s what Jesus said.

Norton Lawellin

See you Sunday – This week Pastor Michael continues our study in Acts 1. Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday, at 10:30am, in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis.