Good Intent!

For Wednesday, September 24, 2025:

Mark 14:38 NLT, Jesus speaking to Simon: “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

That the body (or the flesh) is weak is an understatement. Romans 7 says it best. “18. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. 19. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”

Another way of explaining it: “14. The trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”

Just because we acknowledge the truth doesn’t mean that we can live our lives perfectly. We need to combine knowledge of God’s Laws with obedience to make it so. It may be time to send a couple of demons packing! At least then we would level the playing field! If sin is cast out, if we’ve been delivered, we have a shot at keeping sin at bay. But if sin still dominates our lives, obedience doesn’t stand a chance.

We can choose to live God’s way, and that’s a good choice!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

New Covenant!

For Friday, September 12, 2025:

Mark 14:22-24a NLT: “As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, ‘Take it, for this is my body.’ And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, ‘This is my blood, which confirms the new covenant between God and his people.’”

This scene details the origin of Holy Communion. Jesus said that we should do this in remembrance of him. So, being obedient, we still do it 2,000 years later!

Picture yourself at the table that night. Jesus had been saying some pretty strange things lately, including predicting his own death. It might have been hard to take him seriously! It seems unlikely that the man who could cure any illness and walk on water would be dying! Even if those present understood the words, it seems unlikely that the described scenario would come to pass.

Only Jesus and his Father knew why this was all necessary and exactly what would happen. God had created mankind, loved what he created and blessed us with free will. But that allowed mankind to succumb to Satan’s temptations, and no one carrying a sin burden would find themselves in heaven. The sin had to be forgiven and blotted out. Jesus, who was sinless himself, was to be the sacrificial lamb to redeem mankind.

God’s plan was fulfilled, mankind was redeemed and heaven was populated! Sin was removed from loyal believers! Jesus abandoned the grave three days later, and eventually returned to the Father, preparing a place for all who would join him.

Let obedience and loyalty be your characteristics today. Prepare to join the Son in the hereafter!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Temptation!

 Daily message of hope...
August 4, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 17:1 NLT: “One day Jesus said to his disciples, ‘There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!’”

In this dissertation, Jesus identifies two types of sinners. The first is like most of us, average, everyday people who easily fall into sin. We’re not careful enough. We’re not constantly guarding against sin. Therefore, sin easily falls into our lives. We need to repent and return to the Lord, and realize that Jesus helped us by dealing with our sin problem. We can and will be forgiven.

The other type evilly leads others into sin. It’s not just their sin that’s wrong. It’s doubly wrong to encourage others to sin. It’s as if they set up sin traps, attempting to ensnare as many as possible. This is far worse than just falling away from the Lord. This is treason, switching sides, going to work for the bad guys. God will deal with these turncoats. Jesus says it would be better for them if they tied a millstone to their neck and dived into the deepest sea. Redeemable? Probably not.

Jesus goes on to explain that if another believer sins, we should call them on it. Don’t give it time to fester into something bigger than it is. And if they repent, we are obligated to forgive. If they sin seven times and repent seven times, we are to forgive them seven times.

We should always guard against the ever-present sin. The ever-present sin should highly regard the loving forgiveness offered through Jesus. Repentant sinners should be met with our forgiveness. If we forgive others, we’re following in Jesus’ footsteps!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lifespan!

For Friday, September 6, 2024:

Genesis 6:3b NLT: “In the future, human’s normal lifespan will be no more than 120 years.”

The longer we live, the more time we have to get into trouble. Thankfully, the Lord pulls us out of the fire before we burn up! He limits our exposure to sin and the length of time for us to sin. Mankind as a group seems relentless in its pursuit of sin.

If a motor runs too fast, it could destroy itself. So some manufactures put a “governor” on the motor, limiting its speed. I drove a European van with a top speed of 65 mph. It’s frustrating when interstate highways allow speeds of 70 mph, and I was constantly falling behind others in our group. But it was for my own good. The engine didn’t blow up and the van didn’t tip over!

God put a “governor” on our lives for our own good. Mankind is pulled out of temptation’s way after 120 years. That’s enough sin for one lifetime. Hope we stop sinning and listen to his Son long before that.

Even when people know Jesus and have their eyes focused on heaven, they’re still tempted by sin. Paul noted his frustration with knowing full well the right thing to do, yet still finding himself doing the wrong thing. When you claim Jesus as your savior, temptation is not removed, but forgiveness in locked in place.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Save Us From Evil!

January 30, 2023 Monday Message:

Matthew 6:13 NIV, Jesus continues teaching The Lord’s Prayer: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”

You should know that the Greek word for “temptation” could also be translated “tests.” The only way God would lead someone into temptation would be as a loyalty test, and Scripture says that God will not tempt us beyond what we have the ability to withstand.

Here’s an example: Abraham and Sarah were well beyond child-bearing years when God blessed them with a son, Isaac. They loved Isaac more than you can imagine. Then God told Abraham to take his only son into the wilderness and sacrifice him to the Lord. Unthinkable! But Abraham was obedient, loyal to God. Turns out the whole scenario was a loyalty test. At the last minute, God provided an appropriate sacrifice, and Isaac was spared! God is good!

J.B. Phillips translates this passage: “Keep us clear of temptation, and save us from evil.” Satan is relentless, perpetually ready to take us off track. Since God and Satan, good and evil, cannot exist in the same realm, if you desire protection from the evil one you should get closer to God. In His arms, you’re safe!

“Saving” us is a function of Jesus, who died that our sins might be forgiven as he redeems the children of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Deliver Us!

For Saturday, August 28, 2021

Matthew 6:13a KJ21, Jesus, teaching his disciples to pray, from what has come to be known as The Lord’s Prayer: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Most of us think that we’re strong, that we would not fall to any temptation. But history has proven that to be incorrect. Even the disciple Peter denied Jesus three times. He lied, saying he didn’t even know Jesus. Jesus understands the character of mankind, and we’re all vulnerable.

Temptation is the work of the evil one, Satan. He’s trying to get his foot in the door, asking us to not put God first all the time, but rather to set God aside for a moment and try his way. Jesus, teaching us to pray, wants us to increase our God-awareness. The best way to stay clear of sin is to get closer to God!

“Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Faith in God!

For Friday, February 5, 2021

2 Cor. 1:10b NIV: “On the Lord we have set our hope, that he will continue to deliver us.”

A group of young men first encouraged me toward Jesus, but I have no idea where they are today. The point is that my faith wasn't in the people; it was in God and his Son Jesus the Christ. This God who raises the dead deserves our full-on attention!

I wish I could speak better of mankind, but the truth is that sooner or later, many will let you down. Every year we hear of some well-known religious leader who succumbed to temptation. As unfortunate as that is, our basis for faith is our Creator God, not any created human being. We stick with the God who loves us, a God whose word is always good, and that gives us hope!

If your faith is in the Lord, he will take your hand and walk with you through this life and the next!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

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!