Glory to the Father!

For Sunday, March 30, 2025:

John 14:13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

Jesus performed quite a number of miracles while he was here on earth. Many of them involved healing. He could take a person born lame and have them dancing a jig in no time! For that person, the miracle was life-changing, but it also fulfilled another purpose!

Jesus made no secret that he was the Son of the Most High and that any power he had originated with God himself. God, who created heaven and earth, should be exalted every day, but especially when we are eyewitnesses to his goodness. Healings showcase God’s love for mankind, and his desire to be a part of our lives.

Picture Jesus bragging, “Let me show you what my dad can do!” He never took credit himself. Jesus’ power to improve lives always came from above. That power has not ended. So we pray to Father God, “...in Jesus’ name – Amen!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Calling On the Lord!

For Wednesday, December 11, 2024:

Deuteronomy 5:11 NLT, God’s words: “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.”

God is always listening. If you’ve ever wondered if God hears you, the answer is “yes!” So if you shout out his name, it had better be for prayer, praise or exaltation!

When I was in grade school, (yes, I can remember that far back…) a boy routinely shouted out, “God this,” and “O God that.” He was kind of a cool kid, so I thought I’d give it a try at home. In no time at all, my parents let me know in no uncertain terms that we, being Christians, didn’t shout out God’s name for no reason. My parents weren’t very good at explaining why, but I took them at their word.

We sometimes watch TV game shows, and when a contestant answers correctly, they often shout out, “O my God!” Calling out God has been reduced to just an expression, something almost everybody says, but that’s wrong. Words have meanings, and what the person intended to say has nothing to do with our Lord.

If you call on God, let there be a good reason. Take the time to talk it over with him!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God is Great!

For Friday, April 16, 2021

James 5:13b TLB: “Those who have reason to be thankful should continually be singing praises to the Lord.”

Sometimes prayer needs to be about God. We can thank him for our creation and exalt him as Lord of the universe. God is almighty, all-powerful, incredibly just and amazingly honest. We are so blessed that he would formulate a plan to forgive our sin, so that we could be included in the eternal Kingdom. God is good, all the time!

As we bring our needs and the needs of our fellows before the Lord, don’t forget to put “Love the Lord” at the top of your list. If God is ‘first’ on your prayer list, you’ll always have plenty of hope!

Pray today – lift up the Lord!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Lift Up the Lord!

For Sunday, August 23, 2020. 

Matthew 5:5 CEV: “God blesses those people who are humble. The earth will belong to them!”

Jesus taught his greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which included ‘The Beatitudes,’ defining great joy, extreme blessedness and happiness. 

“God blesses the ‘humble;’” other translations use the word ‘meek.’ Don’t get the wrong idea – this does NOT imply weakness. Rather it is strength under control, knowing when to stand up for principle and when to let the little stuff slide. It’s a finely-tuned balance between anger and indifference, both in your relationships with other people and with the Lord.

Jesus said that the first will be last, and the last will be first, implying that if you think you have it all together, you probably don’t, and if you know you need the helping hand of God, you’re on the right track! 

While we’re on the subject, let’s clear up the difference between ‘humility’ and ‘humbleness.’ Humility is like the word ‘humiliate,’ where someone is putting you down. But ‘humble’ is where you’re honoring someone else, lifting them up, as in “humbling yourself before God.” You don’t need to put yourself down in order to lift the Lord up!

So today, lift up the Lord! Exalt him! Know that He is God and you are not! Then expect more happiness and joy to fall into your life! 

Blessings and joy on this Sabbath day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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