Blessings!

For Wednesday, October 5, 2022:

Numbers 5:24-26 ESV: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

The Lord spoke to Moses who then told Aaron and his sons, “This is how to bless the believers.” Leaders bless their fellow believers, priests bless their congregations and people of God bless each other. We should memorize these thoughts and words as we counsel and encourage our circle of friends.

This blessing wishes others the best in the name of the Lord. May the Lord keep his hand upon you and guide you with forgiveness and grace. May the Lord look down on you and give you his peace that passes all understanding. May life go well for you today!

This ancient wisdom is still a good idea nowadays!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Humble, like a Child

March 18, 2019 Monday Message

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them.” Luke 18:16a

Back when Jesus walked on this earth, it was the custom to bring children to the Rabbi, especially on their 1^st birthday, so the teacher could touch them and bless them.

But the disciples, acting as gatekeepers, tried to keep people from bothering Jesus. Turns out they had it backwards. In the original language, Jesus says to not just ‘allow’ the children to come, or to ‘permit’ them to come. It’s more like ‘cause’ them to come, or ‘see that it happens this way.’

And Jesus’ invitation isn’t just for children. We’re ALL told to come to Jesus, humbly, like innocent little children. We should have nothing on our agenda when coming before the Lord, other than worship and prayer. Jesus says that those who submit themselves before him “like a little child” are the ones who will see the Kingdom of God.

Have you ever brought a child to church to be blessed?

Have you prayed to the Lord humbly, innocently, like a little child? Lately?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, March 24, 2019 at 10:30AM, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406. We pray for good health for our lead Pastor Michael Pilla, that he can return to the pulpit next Sunday.

God's Promises

Dec. 16, 2013 Monday Message:

“You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (Luke 1:45)

This blessing was given to Mary, a virgin carrying God’s son in her womb. God had sent an angel to lay out God’s timetable for the upcoming events, and Mary, a godly woman, truly believed that God would deliver on the prophesies; that everything she was told would come to fruition.

God always does what he says. Another example would be when God told the Hebrew people, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” Lev. 26:12 Evil, jealous people have tried many times to wipe the Hebrew people off the face of the earth. And yet there’s still a flourishing country of Israel, and Jews are everywhere! God wins!

God saw everything that he created – plants, animals, humans, the whole earth – and God declared that it was good. Gen. 1:31a God hasn’t changed his mind about that. Something that God created and pronounced ‘good’ is worth rescuing when it gets off-course.

So God sent his Son to be the offering for our transgressions, to make a way for us to return home and spend eternity as a member of his Holy family. God is reaching down to us, and we need to take his hand and accept the help, God’s free gift for us. God’s Son intends to rescue us; he’s not changing his mind, and he always does what he says!

Christmas is coming – the Kingdom of God is at hand!

Norton Lawellin

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. This Sunday, Dec. 22, we’ll sing Christmas Carol favorites, and Pastor Michael continues the Christmas story from Luke.