Decision!

For Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Mark 2:14b NLT: “'Follow me and be my disciple,' Jesus said. So Levi got up and followed him.”

This big life-changing decision is actually pretty simple. When Jesus taps you on the shoulder, you just need to say, “Yes!”

Levi, a Hebrew, was working as a tax collector for the Roman government. He had a job, he had wealth, but there's more to life than that. Here was a chance to follow the teacher everyone was talking about, the teacher who turned out to be the Son of God! Levi left everything to become a disciple. We now know Levi as the Apostle Matthew!

Jesus offered what the Roman government could not. Followers of Jesus have assurance of salvation, the promise of eternal life in the presence of God the Father. Followers of Jesus nowadays have that same assurance of salvation! Believers already have an agenda for their life-after-this-life!

Followers of Jesus have hope for their future!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Kingdom Citizens!

For Tuesday, March 2, 2021

Philippians 1:27 ERV: “Just be sure you live as God’s people in a way that honors the Good News of Christ.”

Paul was writing to the believers in Philippi. Authentic citizenship was a huge thing back then. Paul's Roman Citizenship had gotten him out of more than one jam. And his point here, is that believers are now Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, adopted as sons and daughters into the Holy Family. And as such, their lives should reflect their lineage, as should ours.

Of course the Good News or Gospel is that Jesus arranged for our rescue. He took our sin problem upon himself, and made a way for us to spend eternity in the presence of the Father – That IS Good News for all of us who are citizens of the Kingdom!

I pray that each of us would be a good, patriotic citizen of the Kingdom of God!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Sin Forgiven!

March 1, 2021 Monday Message

Mark 2:9 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?”

The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory. All. So that leaves us with the question, what can be done about it? Who can grant forgiveness of sins?

In this Biblical scenario, Jesus had become known for being able to heal anything that was wrong with a person. Such a large crowd had assembled that no one could get close to the teacher. So his buddies took the paralyzed man up on the roof, and lowered him with ropes until he lay right in front of Jesus, who said, “Your sins are forgiven!”

This seems to be a recurring theme with Jesus. When the Hebrew people called out, “Save us from the Romans,” Jesus replied, “Your sins are forgiven!” It was widely believed that only God can forgive sins, so with this statement, Jesus is clearly identifying himself. Knowing that, the question about our own sin-problem is answered.

Jesus always has the right answer; but we sometimes haven't asked the right question.

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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