Sunday's Comin'!

For Saturday, March 6, 2021

John 14:19b NIV, Jesus speaking: “Because I live, you also will live.”

Jesus knows what's coming – He can see into the future. He's explaining that soon he'll be going away, but it's not all bad! Death is not the end! In three days, Jesus expects full and complete resurrection; the tomb will be empty, and Jesus will once again be alive, walking and talking with his friends. He has hope, and he wants all the believers to have that same hope. “Because I live, you also will live!” Life-after-this-life is for ALL believers!

I'm reminded of a famous sermon by Tony Campolo - “It's Friday, but Sunday's Comin'!” The point being that as bad as things looked for Jesus on Good Friday, Sunday was coming! Things would not only get a little better; it would be a complete 180º turn of events! And the same thing is true for all of us! No matter how bleak things look at any given time, hope is always on the horizon! The sun WILL come up tomorrow!

Friday may look bad, but we have hope – Sunday's Comin'!

Blessings and safety today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Our Substitute!

For Friday, March 5, 2021

Ephesians 1:7 TLB: “So overflowing is God's kindness toward us that he took away all our sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we are saved!”

This scripture describes “Substitutionary Atonement.” The Bible says that the wages of sin is death, so we sure don't want to pay any sin penalty ourselves. We need a substitute! The Bible also says that God's desire is that none would perish, so finding a substitute to pay the price for our sin is right in line with God's plan.

That's why God's own Son, Jesus-the-Messiah, stepped up as our substitute. He took the sin of the world to the place of the dead, and clothed believers in garments of white, suitable for spending eternity in heaven, in the presence of the Father, and therein lies our hope!

To “redeem” us is to pay the ransom on our souls. Jesus paid the price for our freedom – there is no other redeemer!

Blessings and safety to all today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Include Jesus!

For Thursday, March 4, 2021

Philippians 4:13 Phillips, Paul speaking: “I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.”

This scripture isn't about power or toughness. In context, Paul is speaking of being content with whatever life hands him. He can get by with just a little or with great abundance, with freedom or with persecution. No matter what, his focus is on Christ, not on his circumstances, and with Christ he has hope!

Sometimes life throws us a curve. We've all come through a year of pandemic, and it hasn't always been easy. But like Paul, we can handle anything if we include Jesus. Remember, Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5b)

Don't face the world alone!

Blessings and safety to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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