Purpose!

For Friday, September 3, 2021

Romans 12:7 NIV: “If your gift is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach.”

I once heard a pastor compare a church congregation to a jigsaw puzzle. Every piece is different, but every piece is necessary. If all the pieces don’t show up, we’ll never get to see the big picture.

Jesus compared the congregation to a human body - many parts, all different, but all very necessary, and all dependent upon each other.

Knowing we’re a necessary part of a larger group fills us with purpose!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Radically Transformed!

For Thursday, September 2, 2021

Romans 12:2: “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.”

A lot of popular culture is in rebellion against God. But as Christians, we’ve been adopted into the Holy Family; we’ve become ‘children of God.’ Christians must think better thoughts. We need to say ‘no’ to the world, and ‘yes’ to taking care of our new family’s business.

The original language speaks of this as a “metamorphosis,” like when a beautiful butterfly emerges. It’s a total change, a complete break from the world, a whole new way of thinking and living. God is very pleased with the change!

We can be filled with hope knowing that we’re living our Father’s way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope for the World!

For Wednesday, September 1, 2021

John 4:25-26: “The woman at the well said, ‘I know that the Messiah is coming, the one called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.’

Then Jesus declared to her, ‘I, the one speaking to you—I am he. I am the Messiah!’”

Imagine engaging in a conversation with a stranger who suddenly announces, “I am the Messiah!” Jesus authenticated himself by telling her everything she had ever done, a lot of it not too good! But she wanted to change – she immediately hung on his every word and gathered her community to meet the promised savior. She had been given immeasurable hope!

Nowadays we can all know that same hope, and we can share it with others. God wanted to include us in His eternal Kingdom, and the sacrifice of Jesus made it all possible. Just like the woman at the well, we are saved by grace through our faith in Jesus.

Hope is God’s gift to the world!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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