Job Search Ended!

For Sunday, July 20, 2025:

Luke 16:11 NLT: “If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”

In the parable of the shrewd manager, Jesus was setting a high bar for his followers. You may recall that the shrewd manager was making gifts of his master’s wealth, thinking that when he got fired he could call in favors from those he had gifted. Jesus acknowledged the man’s skill in providing for himself, but could never condone the thievery it required.

Jesus has appointed each believer to be the manager of their personal evangelical efforts. You’ve been ‘hired’ whether or not you realize it. New believers quickly transition into seasoned recruiters and teachers. It’s all intentional, God’s plan for growth and expansion. Christian leadership didn’t just fall off of the turnip truck! (Which means it’s no accident!)

Many believers have a not-so-nice past, a time before they met Jesus. This isn’t unusual since Jesus is in the rescue business, and many good Christians really needed divine intervention to separate them from their past iniquities.

Consider the Apostle Paul, who was known for persecuting Christians. It took a personal visit from the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus to convert Paul. But he also had to sojourn to Jerusalem to convince Christian leadership that they were all on the same team. It was a tough sell. That time could have been invested in evangelism rather than in cleaning up Paul’s mess. Nonetheless, given his situation, it was necessary.

So from now on, you are the hired manager and Jesus is your master. Let’s all get to work! Be good stewards of the time, talent and resources he has bestowed upon you. Be more honest than the shrewd manager in the parable. See if you can make Jesus smile today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Omni-present!

For Wednesday, January 22, 2025:

Exodus 7:3 NLT, God speaking: “I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt.”

It’s important for us to understand what was going on in Egypt at that time. God had been telling Pharaoh – through Moses and Aaron – to “Let my people go!” But now God says he will harden the heart of Pharaoh. Therefore Pharaoh won’t comply. On the surface, this action seems contrary to the stated goal. Seems like this could forestall the project’s completion.

But let us not forget that God can multitask, do more than one thing at the same time. The primary goal was to liberate the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. But while God’s doing that, wouldn’t it be great to let all of Egypt know that there is indeed a God, and to let them know who it is – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – Yahweh – the creator of all things! The same miracles (plagues) God would use to change Pharaoh’s heart would also convince all of Egypt that there is indeed a God Almighty, since the only explanation for the events about to occur would be divine intervention.

So friends, sit back and relax as God does his thing. We can relax more than Moses since we already know the conclusion. Sit with the faithful, the believers. Be patient. We know that eventually we’ll see the Hebrews leave Egypt!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Hope for Everyone!

For Wednesday, October 11, 2023:

Romans 10:20 NLT: “Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, ‘I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.’”

God’s influence on our planet becomes obvious if we just open our eyes. Who puts leaves on the trees every spring? Who put a unique tilt on our planet so that we’d have four seasons? Who makes water evaporate making clouds which can rain on the earth making our crops grow so that mankind has food?. Scientists try to explain these things, and they search for the earth’s origin as well. At a certain point, they run out of good scientific answers. The only explanation is Divine intervention. God must have his hand on the entire ‘earth project!’

Researchers seeking scientific explanations have found God. While looking for corroborating data, the only answer that made any sense was that there is a God!

So there is hope for the scientists. There is hope for atheists and agnostics if they simply open their eyes and acknowledge the God who is all around us. There is hope for everyone to see God in our everyday lives. He will show himself even to those not seeking him!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

God Acknowledged!

For Saturday, May 7, 2022:

Psalm 111:10 VOICE: “Reverence for the Eternal is the first step toward wisdom. All those who worship Him have a good understanding. His praise will echo through eternity!”

Scientists try to explain the creation of the planets, and the creation of mankind. Many claim a “big bang,” but they never get to the bottom of who caused the ‘bang’ or who knew just how ‘big’ it needed to be. The only plausible explanation is Divine Intervention by a Creator God.

By studying these things, mankind is trying to gain knowledge. The Bible tells us that the first step in gaining knowledge is acknowledging the Lord. Many scientific questions are answered in great detail in the Bible, and the accounts of creation are the best explanation for how mankind came to be.

Trusting in the God and the Bible satisfies our curiosity and gives us hope!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

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

Psalms 70 - Mutual Aid

November 14, 2016 Monday Message:

“Come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer.” from Psalms 70:5 NIV

David teaches that his relationship with God is a kind of mutual aid pact. David speaks highly of God, lifts up God’s Holy name, writes worship songs that honor God and leads others in exalting God-the-creator. David is one of God’s outspoken children.

Therefore, when the bad guys have David in their sights, he prays for Holy intervention, fully expecting God to hold up his end of the deal. God does not disappoint. David does not ask for the death of his enemies, but rather, “confuse them, put them to shame, turn them back in disgrace.”

This is more than just a history lesson about David. He wrote this so that people just like us would learn to honor and trust God, and know that divine intervention is available when facing life’s trials.

God said in Deuteronomy 31:6, and Jesus said in Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you for forsake you.” Count on it!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Nov. 20, 2016, Pastor Pilla continues our study in 1^st Corinthians.

Psalm 60 - Divine Intervention

September 05, 2016 Monday Message:

“Human help is worthless.” Psalms 60:11b

If you were facing a big problem – a major crisis – and for help you could choose between people or the creator of the universe, which would you choose?

3,000 years ago, David and the Israelites were constantly defending themselves, but humans can only do just so much. A little divine intervention would prove beneficial! In those moments, I believe David’s biggest fear was that his people would celebrate their success, pat themselves on the back, and forget about the God who had actually rescued them, the God who brought them safely home.

Things haven’t changed much. There is still constant fighting in the Middle East. It seems that many have forgotten the God who desires love and peace, rather than fighting and killing in His name. We shouldn’t be surprised by any of this. Jesus said that there will be wars and rumors of wars until he returns. One of the best ways to pray for world peace is, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Like the Middle East, many US cities are in turmoil. Every day there is fighting and killing, usually over some illegal activity like gangs or drugs. And racial prejudice has once again reared its ugly head. In our country, we expect humans to fix these problems - government, police, judges, prisons – but the problems continue and nothing truly gets fixed. As it turns out, human help is worthless. Perhaps a little divine intervention would prove beneficial!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, Pastor Michael Pilla continues in 1 Corinthians.