Father's House!

September 22, 2025, Monday Message:

John 14:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

Jesus had been saying that he would soon return to the Father, and believers could go with him! So a natural question would be, “Just how big is your Father’s house?”

To gauge their mindset, we need to understand the times. 2K years ago, many people spent their lives living out of a large tent. It kept the rain off of them, was a place to sleep and was somewhat portable if they needed to move. Those who owned land had a small, one-room residence, often with usable space on the roof. Since the Sinai was so hot, it felt good to relax on the roof and catch a breeze. They cooked outdoors.

But Jesus isn’t talking about any of those things. He’s speaking of the “Kingdom of Heaven,” not a tent or a building, but an entire Kingdom! Friends, there will be plenty of room for all who are included! Jesus said that he will prepare a special place for each of us. Think of it like moving into an apartment, and finding that your name is already on the door! Of course, God is a spirit being, and our souls, our spirits will be welcomed into that reality. Our God of provision will see to it that we have everything we need.

Jesus counsels us, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” A worship song sings about a “big, big house with many, many rooms.” That’s our heavenly Father’s house! That’s where believers are headed – to God’s mansion in the sky!

Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end! God will see to everything!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Don't Worry!

For Wednesday, November 18, 2020 

Philippians 4:6 NLT: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”

Alfred E. Newman was best known for saying, “What, me worry?” But being concerned about other people and their circumstances, our natural tendency is to do just that, worry; but the Bible counsels us otherwise. 

Worry never solves any problem; it just creates agony in our minds. The saying, “Let go and let God,” applies here. Paul counsels the Philippians to pray about everything, tell God what you need, and then move on to thanksgivings. If we have given the problem to God, it’s time to move on!

Our faith in God and Jesus the Christ allows us to do that. No problem is insurmountable! Our belief that God is bigger than any problem gives us hope! 

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

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

Pray Continually

Oct. 14, 2019 Monday Message:

“Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV

Construction workers left our backyard gate open last Friday, and our little Boston Terrier Gracie went missing. This isn’t a good thing – Gracie is an indoor lap dog who has no business sleeping outside, and it was just starting to snow. She has a fur coat, but it’s not very thick. We posted on all the “lost dog” web pages, but no results, so she spent Friday and Saturday nights outdoors.

On Sunday morning I went to church while my wife stayed home to put up “lost dog’ posters. At church I told everyone what had happened, and before the service, as the Worship Team gathered in prayer, a few people prayed that Gracie would come home to us. In a way, it seems kind of silly. Shouldn’t we be praying for new Christians or World Peace or something of significance, not a lost dog? But I appreciated the kind thoughts, and have to admit that I too had prayed for Gracie’s return.

During our church service, the phone in my pocket vibrated – my wife texted that Gracie was home, safe and sound! As my wife finished with the lost dog posters, someone pulled up in front of our house and asked, “Is this your dog?” She wouldn’t come in, and refused the reward money. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not!

I later found out that our grandson Mason, who lives near Mexico City, prayed at breakfast that Gracie would come home to us. Which prayer worked? Perhaps ALL of them!

God has all the time in the world. He can answer big prayers, little prayers and even prayers about seemingly insignificant matters. God just wants you to talk to him – He desires a relationship with you - He wants to be included in your daily life. No detail is too small.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. We welcome the tour from New Hope Center. Guest Speaker Dan Pilla teaches Biblical financial freedom - Parable of the Talents.

Psalm 3

June 15, 2015 Monday Message:

“Lord, you are a shield around me.” Psalm 3:3a NIV

In Psalm 3, David is having a bad day. It seems his son Absalom wanted to hasten his turn at running the kingdom, and was hunting down King David, who was forced to flee and hide. David’s also feeling a little sorry for himself – David is human!

But David ultimately puts faith in God over fear of Absalom. He can sleep now, knowing that God will sustain him. His confidence is bolstered to the point that David is unafraid not only of Absalom; he’s unafraid of tens of thousands coming against him! It was not easy being King!

David prays that God would fully deliver him. “Strike all my enemies on the jaw, and break the teeth of the wicked.”

Sometimes in life, evil tries to sideline each of us, but David teaches that the solution is to turn it over to God. Have great faith and confidence that the Lord will keep you safe. God still shelters, still protects, and still delivers us from all kinds of evil. God is on your side!

“From the Lord comes deliverance.” Psalm 3:8a

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. every Sunday in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, June 21, Dan Pilla outlines the Christian roots of our nation.