Vision

Jan. 13, 2020 Monday Message:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish. Prov. 29:18a KJV

It is the job of a leader of an organization, in our case the church, to seek God’s divine burden on their heart, and then present a Spirit-filled, God-breathed vision to those they lead. If you’re in the top chair, you need to determine the direction, the mission and the goals for your organization. Everyone is looking to you for this leadership, this vision, so they can make sure that what they’re doing is pushing the organization toward the goals you have placed on the horizon.

Sometimes a leadership “team” sets the direction, but all must be on board and passionate about the cause. It would be unacceptable to not move in the direction of God’s calling. Ask, “What are we good at? What do we do better than others? If you and I weren’t here tomorrow, what’s the one thing we hope our church would keep in place?”

Ask, “If we could only do one thing, what would it be?” That should be your main goal, your primary mission. Now go cast the vision!

 If you don’t know where you’re going, you won’t be certain when you arrive!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship meets next Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. In today’s lesson, Jesus gets baptized! (Luke 3.) Guest Worship Leader Jerry McCleskey.

Purpose?

Dec. 15, 2014 Monday Message:

“John (the Baptist) will lead many people in Israel to turn back to the Lord their God. He will go ahead of the Lord with the same power and spirit that Elijah had.” Luke 1:16:17a

John was conceived and born with a purpose, God’s purpose. He preached, “Repent and return,” to anyone who would listen, preparing them for the soon-to-arrive Jesus.

Jesus too had a purpose – to teach, heal and rescue mankind. It would have been easier, more expeditious, for God to remain in heaven and just write-off the human sinners. But God truly loves his created mankind, so he came to earth in the form of Jesus, Son of God, to firsthand deal with our sin-problem. And God IS God, so sin-problem - solved! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 AKJV

Sometimes we feel that we’ve been sent by God to do something. Other times we feel called by God. What’s important is knowing that we all have a purpose in the kingdom. God’s kingdom would not be complete without each one of us. Do you know your purpose? When God calls, do you answer, “Yes?”

“When there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18a KJV

Norton Lawellin

Every Sunday Jesus in the City Fellowship (JICF) gathers at 10 a.m. in the North end (gym) of the Oliver Ministry Building, 2647 Bloomington Ave., Minneapolis. This week, Dec. 21, Pastor Michael Pilla welcomes all as we celebrate the birth of our Lord.

Vision

August 13, 2012 Monday Message:

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Proverbs 29:18a KJV

When God calls you to a new journey, a new ministry, a new direction, the vision is clear. It’s easy, even fun, to communicate the vision to the people. The excitement of something new fuels the project. If the vision is well-communicated, people will eagerly get on board, not wanting to miss any of the action.

Much later, when the goal is in sight and you’re about to win the race, the vision is abundantly clear. After all, we’ve been talking about it, raising money for it, and moving step-by-step closer to the new deal. Everyone will cheer when our team crosses the finish line.

But in the midst of our journey, somewhere between the launch and the victory, the vision can become clouded, confused and lose momentum. The vision is fragile and especially vulnerable in this middle ground. Leaders must be diligent in stating and again re-stating that to which God has called us. It’s said that people don’t remember something until they’ve heard it seven times. One leader told me that he teaches the vision over and over, until he thinks that one more time might make him sick. Then he grits his teeth, and addresses the topic a few more times.

God will not send you on a mission without equipping you for that journey. Pray for God to walk beside you as you take the vision you have been given from “here” to “there.”

Norton Lawellin

Sunday, Aug. 19, Jesus in the City Fellowship worships in the Oliver Ministry building, 27^th Street & Bloomington Avenue, 10:30am. I’ll be following the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Satan and Dr. Luke into the wilderness for the test of a lifetime! C U @ church!