Call to Ministry!

For Wednesday, July 9, 2025:

Mark 12:33 NLT, religious teacher responding to Jesus: “I know it is important to love the One God with all my heart and all my understanding and all my strength, and to love my neighbor as myself. This is more important than to offer all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices required in the law.”

Last Sunday, I heard an incredible message. Our church has been praying for revival, both in our church and in our city. And statewide, and our entire country, for that matter! But we can best begin locally.

The pastor talked about Jesus’ call for all of us to serve, the priesthood of all believers. The Great Commission. About stepping up and becoming willing to serve. About gifts and talents, whereby each of us possesses a unique skill to bring to the revival effort. The congregation was clapping and shouting in agreement!

From the sidelines, I couldn’t help but wonder how many congregants would remember that ministry call on Monday. I wondered how many agreed, but thought it would be a good thing for someone else to do. I’m too busy, too young, too old, going on vacation, already working overtime at my job, busy with my wife, my kids, my extended family. But everything you said sounds like a good idea! Friends, I’ve led organizations for many years, and I know how hard is to get people off their keisters and into the game!

This experience isn’t unique. I’m sure the Son of God experienced these same wishy-washy attitudes. The Bible mostly records Jesus’ success stories, leaving those who walked away or dropped out undocumented. But this time it was different. The Pharisee who commented was 100% in agreement with Jesus! Love God and love your neighbor, and stop obsessing over the little stuff! That says it all!

Jesus was pleased! Realizing how much the man understood, Jesus responded, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” Finally, somebody “gets” it! Do you “get” it? Is Jesus pleased with your response? We all need to work until Jesus is smiling!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Psalms 85 - Revive Us Again

March 13, 2017 Monday Message:

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalms 85:6 NIV

A graph of mankind’s relationship with God would look like a roller coaster – up and down, up and down, closer-to-God, farther-from-God, over and over again.

It seems though, that if the people are keeping their distance from God, He likewise leaves them to themselves. Then predictably, life without God does not go well for the people.

In their misery, God’s people cry out, “Restore us - rescue us – revive us!” But it probably should read, “Revive us over and over, again and again!”

Fortunately, our God is a God of second chances. He is welcoming to all who repent and return to him. “Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” Psalms 85:10-12

Pray for revival in our churches, our cities and our nation.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, March 19, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla preaches from Luke 18 – Jesus prophesies his crucifixion, and opens the eyes of a blind man on the road to Jericho.

Psalm 80 - Unfavored Nation

February 6, 2017 Monday Message:

Verses 3, 7 and 19 of Psalm 80 all say the same thing, words that are as applicable nowadays as they were 3,000 years ago:

“Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.”

Time after time, God’s chosen people lost their focus and drifted into the ways of the world. Today we live in a country that enforces laws favoring things that the Bible says are evil. Without God’s help, we may be unable to climb out of this pit.

If we are facing the wrong direction, it may require God’s intervention to turn us back the right way. We cannot grant ourselves eternal life, but if God looks upon us with favor, only then can we be saved. That’s what the Bible says.

Pray for God’s intercession on our behalf. Pray for revival in our country. And if you really want peace, pray, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

Norton Lawellin

Come worship with us! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers next Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. We’ll continue our study of 1 Corinthians – this week, Chapter 8. See you at church!