Closer to Jesus is Better!

For Sunday, April 3, 2022

Matthew 14:36 NIV: “The people begged Jesus to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”

It still works like that nowadays. Unfortunately, we know a lot of sickness in our world. And incidents we call bad luck may have actually been set in motion by the evil one.

Jesus is the solution, our hope. Come closer. In your mind’s eye, touch his garment. Make Jesus your best friend, someone who can walk alongside you in difficult times.

Sometimes Jesus heals in this life, and sometimes in the life after this life. Either way is good. With Jesus you’ll receive a ticket to eternity with the Father! Closer to Jesus is better!

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Faith!

For Saturday, April 2, 2022

Matthew 14:30 NLT: “When Peter saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.”

We should call him, “Precocious Peter!” He was perpetually the first one to say and do the wrong things! Jesus came to the disciples walking on the water, and Peter thought he’d like to give that a try too! But once out of the boat and in the wind and waves, he had second thoughts, and then he began to sink.

As you’d expect, Jesus reached out and grabbed him, saying, “You have so little faith. Why did you doubt me?”

There’s a little bit of that apostle in all of us. We are all saved by grace through faith. Grace is undeserved favor; it’s a free gift. Peter’s rescue was a free gift from Jesus. Faith is confidence in that gift, and that’s where Peter came up short. We could all use an extra dose of faith – faith in the rescue from our sin problem by our Redeemer Jesus!

Jesus is the only one who can rescue us when we need help stepping into eternity!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Hope Walks On Water!

For Friday, April 1, 2022

Matthew 14:25 NLT: “About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward the disciples, walking on the water.”

In spite of all they’d been through together, the disciples now felt alone, abandoned. Following the feeding of 5,000, they’d been told to take a boat to the other side of the lake while Jesus stayed behind. Now the wind and waves threatened, and they were without their leader!

Just when he was needed the most, Jesus came to them, walking on the water! When he got into the boat, the storm immediately calmed.

I don’t know which was the ‘larger’ miracle, Jesus walking on water or controlling the weather with just a few words. It all happened so quickly! But these miracles are additional evidence that Jesus is indeed the Son of the Living God, the light of the world!

Just when he is needed the most, Jesus can step into our lives, delivering hope. Sometimes Jesus is our only hope for rescue from the storms of this life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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