Tall, Tall Trees!

For Wednesday, February 11, 2026:

Luke 3:9 NLT, John the Baptist speaking: “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

John’s audience is Hebrew people, Jewish people, people who think they are planted in God’s orchard because they were born into it. Not necessarily! John is about to set the record straight!

Listen to this: God will not import worthless trees into his Kingdom! Every tree expecting to be with the Lord must bear good fruit. It must be furthering God’s agenda, not standing idly by. By now you probably know that this analogy is about people, not trees.

Here’s another one. If you’re hot, you’re with the Lord. Let’s get to work! If you’re cold, you’re the enemy. At least I know where we stand, and I can fight for what’s right! But lukewarm??? Wishy-washy? God says lukewarm is worthless to both of us.

God is not going to just stand around waiting. There will come a day of decision, a day of judgment when he will pick up his ax, chop down the worthless trees and cast them into the fire, to be absent from his presence forever.

Friends, this is serious. Believers all need to have Jesus in their hearts, a Bible in their hands and the Gospel on their lips. Let the world know that you’re playing for the Lord’s team. Let the world know that you’re not wishy-washy!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

ALL-IN Generosity!

For Tuesday, October 14, 2025:

Luke 21:2 AMP: “Jesus saw a poor widow putting two small copper coins in the collection box.”

Money was not a personal concern for Jesus. But money is necessary, in that you can’t do ministry without resources! He watched as others gave from their surplus. Typical. But he took special note of the poor widow, who dropped in two lepta, the smallest of Jewish coins. That was everything she had!

When Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, He gave everything. That’s typical of how God wants things done. You’re either ALL in, or just forget doing anything. Hot is good, cold lets Him know where you stand, but God doesn’t like lukewarm. Wishy-washy isn’t in God’s vocabulary.

The first portion and the best part of everything already belongs to God. The best livestock and the first harvest go to the Lord. Leaving only our surplus to the Almighty is akin to serving Him leftovers. God deserves better.

Jesus summarized the situation: “The rich have given a tiny part of their surplus, but this widow, poor as she is, has given everything!” Jesus’ message to us is that we should be more like the widow and less like the rich. Generosity is a desirable trait!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Impossible!

Daily message of hope...
For Wednesday, July 30, 2025:

Hebrews 6:4-6a NLT: “It is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God.”

About this scripture, Spurgeon wrote: “We come to this passage ourselves with the intention to read it with the simplicity of a child, and whatever we find therein to state it; and if it may not seem to agree with something we have hitherto held, we are prepared to cast away every doctrine of our own, rather than one passage of Scripture.” He’s saying that we need to properly translate and obey Holy Scripture, not bend the text to fit our preconceived ideas.

A few years ago, a man asked if he could meet with me. He had many questions about the Bible. We did that for quite some time. But one day we read about God favoring life, and he said, “I’ve never believed that part.”

And I said, “Well, I guess we’re done!” If you believe the Bible is truth, the unerring Word of God, then I’m willing to teach it. But I must ask, if you don’t believe the Bible is true, why would you want to learn more about it?

God doesn’t like wishy-washy. If you are convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, great! Sign up! Get on the bandwagon! But don’t think you can jump off and cast our beliefs aside, and then jump back on when it suits you. God says he understands hot and cold. (He’d prefer hot!) But lukewarm has no place in the worship of our God.

Paul was famous for persecuting Christians. Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and he was immediately baptized. Went from cold to hot! He never looked back! He became the point person evangelizing all of Asia Minor.

Just my opinion: More than a commandment or ordinance, I believe this scripture is God letting us know what’s possible. If someone could so easily turn their back on the goodness of God, they probably weren’t 100% convinced to begin with. We can’t count on them, and God can’t count on them if they have a habit of coming and going. When you sign on with Jesus, that’s a forever deal! And he wants us all to accept his offer of forgiveness and eternal life! Are you “IN?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lukewarm?

September 9, 2024 Monday Message:

Revelation 3:15 NLT: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!”

Are you FOR Jesus or AGAINST Jesus? Christians should all be FOR Jesus, participating in the kingdom enthusiastically. The Bible says to not take that Good News lightly!

God has no time for coasting Christians, those who have heard the Good News but are doing nothing WITH that news. He wants us to make a firm decision one way or the other. It’s regrettable if you’d choose “no,” but at least he’d know where you stand. And if you’re on fire for Jesus, that’s the best decision ever! But if you’re lukewarm, God isn’t sure what to think.

My example is to think of getting into a swimming pool. Don’t put one toe at a time into the water to check its temperature. Get a running start toward the deep end, jump, pull your knees up, and ker-splash into the water with a “no turning back” attitude!

Jesus already promised us that the water’s fine!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lukewarm - Bad!

Aug. 04, 2014 Monday Message:

Jesus: “Lead us not into temptation.” Matt. 6:13a

Jesus teaches, “Whoever is not with me is against me.” Jesus doesn’t condone middle ground. God wants us on his side, hot; and if you’re against him, then you’re cold; but at least you and God know where you stand. Both Exodus and the Revelation teach about this.

I believe that God thoroughly detests lukewarm. If you’re caught in the middle, you lack discernment to separate good from evil, the sheep from the wolves. At the root of lukewarm is deceit. Lukewarm lives in the valley of temptation. It leans toward trickery, half-truths, and being able to switch sides if it becomes convenient. It’s really taking no stand for either side.

Like I said, if you’re hot or cold, at least you and God know where you stand. Lukewarm allows you to waffle back and forth, never actually making a decision for Jesus and the Kingdom. You are deceiving yourself. You’ve heard a lot about Jesus, and foolishly think your eternal destiny is secure. But lukewarm isn’t welcome at the wedding.

Jesus taught us to pray against lukewarm, against the valley of temptation, and to be delivered from the evil therein.

May you all be “hot” today!

“Deliver us from evil.” Matt. 6:13b

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! 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 week we’ll look at many signs and wonders, Acts Ch. 5:12-16. See you there!