Psalms 96 - Sing a New Song!

June 05, 2017 Monday Message:

“Sing to the Lord a new song.” Psalms 96:1a NIV

Since I’ve helped lead worship in churches for over 20 years, the beginning of Psalm 96 holds special meaning for me – and perhaps for you too!

From this verse, I believe that God encourages creativity. While there’s nothing wrong with the old song we’ve sung a hundred times, God wants us to stretch out a little – try something new.

Check out if there’s a different style of music, perhaps a new rhythm that could serve as a bridge to help the next generation connect with the God of their fathers.

Remember that while the genre of music can change, the theology never changes. God is amenable to a variety of musical styles, but unbendable when it comes to the law, which is a good thing. We can take God at his word – we can trust God. His ‘yes’ means yes, and his ‘no’ means no. God is truth, and God does not have alternative facts.

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad.” (v11a)

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Sunday, June 11, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. This week, Jesus meets the woman at the well, she gathers up a congregation, and Jesus holds church right there! See you all on Sunday!

Psalms 95 - Sing for Joy!

May 29, 2017 Monday Message:

“Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.” Psalms 95:1a NIV

Does Psalm 95 sound familiar? Many denominations recite parts of Psalm 95 in their daily worship, sometimes called the Venite (veh-nee’-tey in Latin.) Venite means, “come.”

The first half is praise and worship – the words describe the goodness and greatness of God. The second half tells us to obey God. We need both halves in our lives.

Countless songs of praise were inspired by Psalm 95. “Come into God’s house and thank him! Tell him that he is great with music and songs!” (v2) Many great worship anthems based on Psalm 95 have not yet been written!

God welcomes these accolades from obedient believers. A big part of remaining obedient is having the faith to still believe even when faced with life’s challenges. God is still God, he’s still on the throne, and everything will turn out all right in the end. Don’t let your faith suffer because of a lack of confidence in God.

“Come, let us bow down in worship.” (v6a)

Norton Lawellin

Let’s worship together! Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Peter gives the altar call and 3,000 are baptized! See you at church!

Psalms 94 - God's Way

May 22, 2017 Monday Message:

“The Lord knows all human plans; he knows that they are futile.” Psalms 94:11 NIV

There are two ways you can go in this life: God’s way, or the wrong way. Using contemporary language, you might say, “It’s God’s way or the highway!”

I’m reminded of Jonah and the big fish. It seems God commanded Jonah to go to Nineveh, to prophesy about God’s anger with the wickedness in their city. But Jonah was afraid to let these people know where they really stood with God. So Jonah headed in the opposite direction.

While sailing away from God’s call, a storm ensued, the seas got rough, and everyone could have been killed. Jonah knows the storm is the result of God’s displeasure with him, and after exhausting all other options, the sailors finally cast Jonah overboard.

Immediately, the storm subsides, Jonah is swallowed up by a giant fish, and three days later the fish spits him up on the beach, and Jonah, now obedient, heads straight for Nineveh! Jonah preached God’s message, the King “got it,” the people repented and returned to God, who then spared Nineveh.

So you see, when God called Jonah to Nineveh, Jonah should have immediately started filling out change-of-address forms, because – like it or not - Nineveh was to be his home for a while.

Understand that sovereign God could have gotten his message to Nineveh with or without Jonah, but God choose to include him. Jonah almost missed a chance to play for God’s team when God wanted to put him into the game.

Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship gathers the Sunday before Memorial Day, May 28, 2017, at the Akina Church, 3249 30^th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406, 10:30 AM. Lead Pastor Michael Pilla brings a message from the Bible.