End Times Progress!

For Saturday, January 17, 2026:

Matthew 24:7-8 NLT: Jesus speaking: “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

Jesus is teaching about the beginning of the end times. His description doesn’t sound like a pleasant time for anyone. Jesus is drawing a parallel to the pain of childbirth. But when childbirth ends, we get to hold a beautiful little baby, a miracle that puts a smile on everyone’s face! All’s well that ends well!

The Bible tells us that some people will give up during this time of tribulation. Don’t you be like them! One of the Bible’s most loyal believers was Job. We should imitate him, copy his behavior. Job loved the Lord and had a good life. Then things started going south, but Job still loved the Lord. He finally hit rock bottom: starvation and diseases. Job’s wife said he should curse God and then die! But Job didn’t do that. He never lost faith. He never lost hope! God eventually proved himself worthy of Job’s ongoing faith. Job’s good fortune was restored to the best it had ever been! God is good!

As we live our lives, expect some bad stuff. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The truly good life will be the life after this life. Jesus has prepared a place for the faithful in the next life, God’s forever Heavenly Kingdom!

Hold up the new baby, and put a smile on your face!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

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

 

Delivered!

For Wednesday, August 13, 2025:

Mark 13:24a, 26 NKJV: “After that tribulation, they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.”

Jesus said, “See, I have told you all things beforehand.” So we shouldn’t be surprised when we encounter false saviors, false christs. There will be many claiming the title, while in reality only seeking power for themselves. Earth will endure a difficult time as the tribulation unfolds. Believers will be separated from the rest of the world. Then the Son of Man will come in the sky to gather and protect his flock.

When Satan is conquered and subdued once and for all, God will restore the earth to his original plan, calling it the New Earth. As much as we talk about going to heaven, it’s only temporary. Our final destination is the New Earth, where God can walk amongst his people.

Each day we’re one day closer to the end times. Right now, the weather is crazy, and that’s a sign! We’re seeing excessive rains and flooding; a month’s worth of rain in a day. We might expect this in a hurricane, but two days ago it was Wisconsin! We will see wars and rumors of wars. We can’t seem to get Putin out of Ukraine, and the leaders of Gaza never should have attacked Israel, God’s chosen people.

The purpose of the end times is to deliver believers and quash Satan and his demons. You and I, the followers of Jesus, will be delivered to a glorious hereafter. God is good. Thank you, Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Great Tribulation!

For Saturday, August 9, 2025:

Mark 13:14 NKJV, Jesus warning about the Great Tribulation: “When you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”

Insatiable curiosity may be the death of me! When the storm sirens sound, I want to go outside and see what the weather’s really like. If there’s a tornado, I want to witness it up close! Instead of going to the basement (which we’re supposed to do,) you’ll more likely find me on the front porch checking things out!

But in the Great Tribulation during the End Times, Jesus says to run for the hills! Get out of town! Something terribly evil will occupy a Holy place, and that is our sign. Like the straw that broke the camel’s back, God will have reached his breaking point, and that will be the beginning of the end. Destruction like we have never seen will fall upon the deceiver. You don’t want to be around when God lets loose. God will win.

For the sake of believers, God shortened those days of Tribulation on his agenda. So once again, God is caring for the loyal. His flock receives the advantage during the Great Tribulation. At that time, Jesus will be returning to escort us into the hereafter.

God has it all planned out, and believers are included!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Book of Life!

For Saturday, August 31, 2024:

Daniel 12:1 NLT: “At that time Michael, the archangel, the great prince, who stands guard over your nation, will arise. Then there will be a time of anguish greater than any since nations first came into existence. But at that time every one of your people whose name is written in the book will be rescued.”

"I will never leave you or forsake you,” said Jesus. Yes, there is a Day of the Lord, a day of judgment, a day of reckoning. That will be the worst day ever for non-believers. But those who claim Jesus as Lord and Savior of their lives will be rescued and saved from a boat-load of misery. Jesus promised. Everything he ever predicted has come to pass, so we have every reason to expect that the end times will play out just as he predicted.

Securing your eternal destination is a logical reason to make sure your name is written in the book of life. When believers meet their maker, they might be asked if they truly belong in the Kingdom. Check the Book of Life. In spite of living on earth where all have sinned, remarkably, believers will find their names in that book! Rather than perishing in the tribulation, believers will ride with their Savior, victorious!

If you know someone whose name is not in the book, you are the perfect one to help them achieve salvation.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Confidence and Hope!

For Friday, August 19, 2022:

Job 4:6 NLT: “Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?”

These questions were asked of Job at the peak of his despair, but they’re really for all of us. Jesus said that there will be tribulation in this life, but that He has overcome the world. We should trust in him, no matter what life hands us!

Jesus delivered the New Covenant to mankind, saying, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” And when heaven makes a contract with believers, God always keeps his side of the agreement. It’s mankind who is repeatedly plagued with shortcomings.

The promise of redemption and a heavenly reservation is intended to fill us with confidence and hope, regardless of our earthly circumstances. The rescue of Jesus is certain!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Prayer!

For Friday, February 18, 2022

Psalm 120:1 NLT: “I took my troubles to the Lord; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer.”

This is a testimony that when you're dealt challenges in this world, you should bring your problems to the Lord. God can and will answer. The CEV translation simplifies it: "When I am in trouble, I pray." Good advice!

Remember that Jesus said we're bound to encounter difficulties as we journey through this life. But he also said, "I have overcome the world." That's why believers put their faith, hope and trust in Christ Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Given a choice of worldly woes or God Almighty, we should pick God every time!

Jesus conquered sin and death on the same day! Surely he can conquer your problems too!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Rejoice in Hope!

For Thursday, February 25, 2021

Romans 12:12 CJB: “Rejoice in your hope, be patient in your troubles, and continue steadfastly in prayer.”

When the Bible uses the word “hope,” it's typically referring to our final earthly reward with Jesus. We live our Christian lives with an eye toward heaven.

It isn't always easy. Troubles come and troubles go, but the Bible teaches us to be “long-suffering,” patient in spite of current difficulties.

And Paul says we are to pray constantly, which I take to mean more than we already do. Praying allows us to shift our focus from the present problem to a long-term solution – there's nothing that God can't do!

With patience and prayer, we're shown hope!

Blessings and safety to all!

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

Out of the Valley

For Saturday, July 18, 2020.

Psalm 23:4 ESV: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you (Lord) are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

As we became believers, our problems didn’t magically disappear. Life isn’t all green pastures, still waters and paths of righteousness. Even David asked, “How long, Lord, must I endure?”

Jesus told us, “In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world!” The bad stuff won’t last forever!

Notably, David doesn’t live forever in the valley of the shadow of death, but he does walk through it from time to time. The Shepherd will walk with him. He will come out the other side, and his good life will be restored. So we need not worry. God is still in charge – let Him drive the train!

We no longer fear the ‘shadow of death.’ Jesus, our Savior, conquered sin and death on the same day. Then he went on ahead to prepare a place for us in the next life. When we perceive it’s the end, everything will be OK. Jesus said so.

Blessings to you this week!

Pastor Norton

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

Psalms 88 - Redemption Mission

April 03, 2017 Monday Message:

“Lord, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.” Psalms 88:1 NIV

Immediately after acknowledging God as the only one who can radically transform our lives – the only one who can rescue us – Psalm 88 delves into an exhaustive list of everything that is wrong – all the problems in this life.

Most of the Psalm sounds like it was written by someone suffering from severe depression. Perhaps the author is injured or ill, and death looms on the horizon. It reminds me of Job’s predicament.

We should not be surprised. Jesus said that we will all experience tribulation in this world. But he goes on to say that “I, Jesus, have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So our day-to-day solution should be to trust in the Father, and to put our faith in his Son Jesus Christ. Our God is a God of second chances, and Jesus is the champion of love and forgiveness. Remember, his mission was redemption of mankind!

“May my prayer come before you, Lord; turn your ear to my cry.” Psalms 88:2

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Palm Sunday, April 9, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Michael Pilla begins one week closer to Resurrection Sunday.

Psalms 64 - God's Complaint Desk

October 03, 2016 Monday Message:

“Hear me, My God, as I voice my complaint.” Psalms 64:1a NIV

Jesus said that in this world we would have trouble. But that he, Jesus, has overcome the world. (John 16:33)

David has lots of reasons to complain. He’s faced with plenty of trouble, having to constantly elude his enemies. Like David, you and I will also have troubles in this life. There is sin in the world, and sin spells trouble.

But we also have Jesus, and he said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What we translate as David saying, “Hear me,” really means in the original language, “Hear me and do something about it!” So Psalm 64 is a prayer, asking for God’s help and protection. We all need God’s help and protection from time to time, so don’t be afraid to complain to God!

When life hands you a lemon, head straight for the complaint desk. God will not only hear you out, but he can initiate steps to make things a lot better.

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30am. This Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, I’ll continue our study in 1 Corinthians Ch. 3:10-16. See you at church!