Trials and Tribulations!

For Saturday, November 29, 2025:

Romans 5:3-4 NLT: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

“Thank you, Lord, for these problems in my life!” Somehow that prayer doesn’t seem to make sense. Shouldn’t being one of the faithful give us a better life, protect us from problems? The logical answer is ‘yes,’ but that’s not how life works.

 If we have conquered a problem in the past, we’ll have God-given experience in dealing with it. We’ll recognize the same issue if it crops up again and know how to proceed. Our experience can help others battling similar demons. Case in point: Most alcohol and drug counselors are themselves in addiction recovery. Similarly, people undergoing cancer treatments form small groups to support one another through brutal therapy. Being kind and helpful, i.e. loving our neighbors, is what Jesus told us to do.

With a Christian viewpoint, we can change life’s biggest problems into valuable Kingdom assets, and the world will be a better place! Salvation awaits the faithful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

 

Choose God!

For Saturday, November 12, 2022:

Psalm 50:15 NLT, God speaking: “Call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.”

Problems come and go in our lives. Conflicts arise and disputes raise their ugly heads. Satan is loose in the world, so some of this is to be expected. Our circumstances in the world are constantly changing, oftentimes not in a good way.

It’s time to trade circumstances for substance. The Bible says that “My God is like a rock,” permanent and unchanging. God says we should always call on him when we need help. God is always available - he’s not going anywhere! If fact he invites us to share our lives with him. God desires a personal relationship with each of us. So take him up on that offer!

Your friendship with the Lord can be the stability in your life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope!

For Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

Today’s scripture was suggested by Chaplain Shar Burgess -Romans 5:3-5 NLT: “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Have we run into problems and trials lately with the Global Health crisis and civil unrest filling our cities? I think so! The King James version calls this “tribulations,” more than a minor inconvenience. Paul had a lot of experience with tribulations. But he didn’t ever give up!

Christians and non-Christians alike experience tribulation; Christians work through the problems. Like Paul, we don’t give up – we persevere! Perseverance leads to character. Character shows us hope, and hope is what we need at the end of a day filled with trials.

Bond with the Holy Spirit. Spend more time with God’s love than you do with the tribulation.

Blessings! Do what you can to make this a good day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

Jesus = Hope!

Dec. 30, 2019 Monday Message:

Jesus speaking: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

When you become a Christian, all your problems won’t instantly disappear. In fact, Jesus tells us to expect some trouble in this life. We live in a fallen world, and we have to interact with other people who may not know Jesus like we do. Or they might be good people who made mistakes and bad decisions, leaving problems in their wake.

What Jesus offers us is a light at the end of the tunnel. The problems we’re experiencing are in THIS world, NOT the NEXT world! In our ‘life-after-this-life,’ Jesus offers us the free gift of eternal life in the presence of God! He offers a solution to our tribulation, to our problems. Jesus offers us hope!

Sometimes life is hard – the world can be tough. But rejoice because Jesus has overcome the world!

Happy New Year!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Young Jesus visits the Temple – for 3 days! Luke 2:41-52