Choose Sides!

For Thursday, November 21, 2024:

Psalm 12:5 NIV: “’Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,’ says the Lord. ‘I will protect them from those who malign them.’”

Psalms are like the hymnal or prayer book of the bible. At one point, this psalm was probably sung in corporate worship, a church service. Everyone knew the words and the melody, and agreed with the message.

In Psalm 12, our Creator has chosen sides. Those who are under-resourced, in great need and beaten up in this world require and deserve God’s favor. God tends to even things out. If someone is given much in this life and thinks too highly of themselves, they’ll be taken down a notch in the next life. Likewise, someone who loves the Lord but struggles in this life will be lifted up in the next.

If God has chosen sides, so should we. This falls under the heading of, “Love your neighbor.” It’s easy to love the popular neighbor, the one everybody loves. But we must be intentional about loving those who are down and out, those needing extra love and care. Jesus always mentioned the poor and the widows and orphans. Apparently, God is on their side, and we should be too!

The first will be last, and the last will be first!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Poor in Spirit!

For Monday, January 9, 2023:

Matthew 5:3 NLT: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.”

Jesus begins the Sermon on the Mount with the Beatitudes, characteristics of those who will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. If someone claims to be saved but exhibits none of these characteristics, it would be fair to question their salvation. And if someone claimed to have mastered all these traits, it would be fair to question their honesty.

Some translations of this verse read ‘poor,’ while others say ‘poor in spirit.’ Either way makes sense. If we find ourselves with no money, we should cry out to the Lord for help. And if we’re far from the Lord, poor in spirit, that’s a good time to seek more of him. Either way, we’re recognizing the need to put God in the driver’s seat of our earthly journey.

If we seek more of the Lord, he will meet us on that path. God’s desire is that none would perish and that all would repent and return. The grace of our Father and our faith in Jesus give us access the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus taught that the first will be last and the last will be first! Your reward awaits!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Psalms 82 - Think About It!

February 20, 2017 Monday Message:

As you read through the Psalms, from time to time you’ll encounter the word, “Selah.” Some people think it means to pause, to think about what you’ve just read, to meditate upon the previous passage, or it sometimes signals a change in direction in the text. The truth is that we’ve lost the true ancient meaning of Selah. No one knows for sure. I might go with, “All of the above!”

In Psalm 82:2, the psalmist asks God a question: “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked?” And then the word, “Selah.” Think about the ridiculousness of what we just read. Does God REALLY favor the wicked? No, but sometimes it can seem that way to us. We need to pause and think about what’s actually transpiring.

Then, in verses 3-4, after the “Selah,” this psalm turns into a prayer: “Defend the weak and fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

Now THAT all makes more sense – that’s the same stuff Jesus told us to do! It was a good prayer 3,000 years ago, it was good when Jesus taught it 2,000 years ago, and it’s still true today.

I have never seen so many marches, so many protests as our country has experienced recently. But much of it still boils down to protecting the oppressed from the wicked. In some ways, things haven’t changed much in 3,000 years.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. Pastor Michael Pilla continues our study in 1 Corinthians as we welcome our New Hope guests.

Give What You Have

June 13, 2011 Monday Message:

“I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have.” Acts 3:6a

The Holy Spirit filled Simon-Peter and the other believers on the day of Pentecost. Next, our impulsive Apostle preached the story of how Jesus fulfilled all prophecy, and as he spoke, the message was miraculously understood in all languages.

Challenged to make a decision, the listeners asked, “Brothers, what should we do?” They were told to repent and return to the Lord, and 3000 came forward and were baptized that day.

After such a day, what could be next? How about healing a man who had been lame from birth? As Peter and John entered the Temple, they passed a beggar who asked them for money. Peter answered, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you, but I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”

Peter took the man’s hand, helped him to his feet, and instantly he was restored. Not just a little bit healed, but all the way healed! The man took off, leaping through the Temple and praising God to everyone!

Nowadays, people in need often turn to churches for help. Like the lame man, these people ask for money or food, and yes, we try to supply those things. Like Peter, we may not always have silver or gold. But we are called to pour out what we DO have: love modeled after Jesus, peace that passes all understanding and true friendship. People who ask for help need Jesus as much as they need food. And they’re longing for community, a sense of belonging. Like the Apostle, we are called to reach out our hand and help them to their feet.

If you’ve been filled with the Living Water, you can pour some of it for others! Therefore go…

Norton Lawellin