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

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

Psalms 141 - Ya Got Trouble!

May 14, 2018 Monday Message:

“My eyes are fixed on you, Sovereign Lord.” Psalms 141:8a NIV

As we’re living each day for Jesus, trouble lurks around every corner. There’s a lot of evil in this world. David writes of these things:

“Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil.” Ps. 141.4a

“My prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.” Ps. 141:5d

If we get down to basics, there are just two groups of people, good and evil. Both groups want you to join. But Jesus said, “Whoever is not with me is against me; whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Matt. 12:20

Jesus commissioned us all to help him gather in believers. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.” Matt. 28:19a

Since God created us with free will, it’s up to each of us to choose good over evil. “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, May 20, 2018, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Pastor Pilla continues our sermon series in Hebrews 2:5-18.

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!

Psalm 38

April 04, 2016 Monday Message:

“LORD, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God.” Psalms 38:15 NIV

Our lives are a lot like David’s – too many pitfalls, snares and trials. Too many evil people out to “get” us. And eventually, discouragement invades our minds.

Jesus never promised that our lives would be trouble-free. In fact, quite the opposite. “In this world, you will have trouble (tribulation.) But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b So anything bad, evil, out-to-get-us is “darkness,” trying to take our focus off the light.

We know that Jesus is the light of the world, so our problems didn’t come from him. Rather, Jesus is the solution for what the evil one has tossed into this world.

Right after a few things go wrong in our lives, Satan oftentimes puts one of his best tools into high gear – discouragement. We’re human, so we fret, we worry, we “coulda-woulda-shoulda,” when what we ought to do is pray for God to intervene, and then patiently wait for his help. No one ever said, “When my life was a mess, the worry got me through the whole thing.” No – it turns out that worry is unproductive at best, and Jesus is always the best answer.

“Do not be far from me, My God.” Psalms 38:21b

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) meets every Sunday at 10 am in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday, April 10, 2016, Pastor Retha continues teaching from Romans.

I Have Overcome the World!

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Jan. 19, 2015 Monday Message:

Bad news won’t bother (believers;) they have decided to trust the Lord. Ps. 112:7 CEV

Jesus said that some tribulation, some trouble, will fall into our lives. That is the way of our fallen world. So knowing that a few things will go wrong, how should we react?

We are armed with certain truths:

1. God is still on the throne, and he will use even the bad things for good, to strengthen us, to make us better.

2. Jesus came to redeem us, completed the task, and left us with his legacy of grace, love and forgiveness.

All things considered, when we’re a part of God’s family, we’re in a pretty good place.

Worry won’t fix anything; it will only add to our anxiety. And with the faith we profess in Jesus, we need to trust Him with everything. Jesus tells us to “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33b NIV

Blessings - see you at church!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This Sunday we’ll open up Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas continue their mission trip. See you there!

Special note: On Feb. 1, we’ll be combining our worship service with Victory Christian Church, 3500 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, 55406. So our service will be in their building that week. It’ll be a great day – we always go “all out” when worshiping with our Christian brothers and sisters. Mark your calendars!