Eye for an Eye!

For Tuesday, February 18, 2025:

Exodus 21:24 NLT: “...a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise.”

In God’s system of justice, the punishment must fit the crime. If someone deliberately kills another, then they too should be put to death. But lesser crimes should have reduced penalties. We are still accountable for our actions.

These rules do not apply in the case of accidents, but they do apply in cases of negligence. “If your ox has a reputation for goring, yet you failed to keep it under control, you must pay full compensation.”

God’s justice system shouldn’t surprise us. He only asks for what’s fair, right and honest. Loving our neighbors includes treating them equitably and with respect. If we live our lives God’s way, we shouldn’t ever incur discipline. Let’s all try to live our lives in such a way that our Father in heaven can be proud of us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Justice!

For Tuesday, August 15, 2023:

Psalm 99:4 TLB: “Our mighty King is determined to give justice. Fairness is the touchstone of everything God does. He gives justice throughout Israel.”

We can always count on God for fairness and justice. Furthermore he cannot lie and he loves us unconditionally. If you think about it, God treats us with what we call the “Golden Rule.” He will treat us as we treat him. Those who love God and his Son will be rewarded with an eternal place in God’s Kingdom. Those who have no respect for the Lord will find themselves in a lake of fire. And as bad as that seems, it’s fair and honest.

Fairness, justice and honesty are some of the character traits of God Almighty. They’re not going to change! We can always count on these “God Trends!” If something seems ‘off,’ it’s mankind that needs to change, not God!

Nowadays God dispenses justice throughout the entire world, not just Israel!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Persistent Prayer!

May 1, 2023 Monday Message:

Luke 18:5 NLT, Jesus teaching: “The judge ignored the persistent widow for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

In Jesus’ parable, the persistent widow’s goal was fairness and justice. She was asking the judge for the right thing for the right reason, so she kept on asking, kept seeking justice. In the end, her request was granted, albeit for the wrong reason. The unfair judge did not become a better person, and deep down he was uninterested in justice. But the woman’s persistence wore him down. In the end, justice was served, not because of, but in spite of the unfair judge.

The point of the story is that we too should be persistent. Never give up on prayer. God, as our supreme judge, is fair and honest, unlike the judge in this story. Jesus explains: “Don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!”

Jesus concludes with a rhetorical question: “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” Persistent faith?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Seeds of Hope!

For Tuesday, October 12, 2021

James 3:18 Phillips: “The wise are peace-makers who go on quietly sowing for a harvest of righteousness—in other people and in themselves.”

Jesus said to love your neighbor, and to love your enemy. Jesus said to turn the other cheek. So no matter what happens, take the high road – just go on being nice!

The resulting crop will reflect whatever seeds you plant, so sow seeds of peace, harmony and justice – and love, kindness and gentleness. This wisdom that comes from God is first utterly pure, then peace-loving, gentle, approachable, full of tolerant thoughts and kindly actions, with no thought of favoritism or hint of hypocrisy. Plant for a good crop of right living. Plan for a future filled with hope!

May you bring in a bountiful harvest of righteousness!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Seek Righteousness!

For Tuesday, August 25, 2020. 

Matthew 5:6 NIV: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”

This is part of Jesus’ greatest message, the Sermon on the Mount, which includes ‘The Beatitudes,’ lessons of extreme joy, blessedness and happiness. 

We all have basic essential needs, such as food, shelter and clothing. Without thinking about it, almost like an involuntary action, we make sure those provisions are in place. These are non-negotiable items for most of us.

I believe that each day God gives every one of us a yellow pad. Write at the top, “Agenda,” or, “Things To Do Today.” Number down the left side. Now we can fill up the lines, putting our day in order. 

I’m guessing that “food” would be #1 on a lot of lists. Actually “Loving the Lord” SHOULD be #1! Be sure to insert things benefiting OTHERS – mercy, kindness and love.

Somewhere on your list, Jesus wants you to include “righteousness” and “justice” - living in harmony with the Lord. We hunger and thirst after food and water, but do we hunger and thirst to be right with God? Do we long for a world actively seeking right standing with the Lord? On YOUR list, what number is “Standing Up for God’s Value-System?” Should it be a little higher? 

This scripture says that if we’re on God’s team, speaking out for His values, we’ll be blessed; we’ll be fed, filled and satisfied, both physically and spiritually. That what the Bible says, and that gives us a lot of hope!

Blessings and safety this day! 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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