Messiah!

For Wednesday, May 3, 2023:

Matthew 17:12 NLT, Jesus teaching: “I tell you, Elijah has already come, but he wasn’t recognized, and the religious leaders chose to abuse him. And in the same way they will also make the Son of Man suffer.”

My wife and I have similar cars. Hers is red, mine is black. Once in a while we wind up driving each other’s cars, and when I come out of the store, I sometimes can’t find my car right away! I’m looking for the black one after having just driven the red one! My bad! We won’t find the right thing if we don’t know what we’re looking for!

Elijah was a prophet who told people what to watch for in the future. John-the-Baptist took on Elijah’s role as the Son of Man came to earth. He told everyone to prepare the way because the Messiah’s arrival was imminent and the Kingdom was at hand!

The Pharisees had been told to expect a Messiah, but they – as Jesus was pointing out – were watching for the wrong signs. They were shouting, “Free us from Roman occupation,” and Jesus answered, “Your sins are forgiven!” They didn’t see that coming!

If you’re not seeking a Savior, you might not find salvation!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Sheep vs Goats!

For Tuesday, May 2, 2023:

1 John 3:10 NLT: “Now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.”

Friends, on judgement day there will only be two groups. The Bible says that the sheep will be separated from the goats. Sheep will go with their shepherd, who will lead them to their Father’s house.

Remember Jesus said that those who are not with me are against me. In this scripture, John tells us how to identify who is in Jesus’ group, the children of God. They will live righteously and exude kindness and love for their fellows. In short order, we can identify who is with us and who is in the other group.

Believers who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. Sinning isn’t an option because believers are children of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Persistent Prayer!

May 1, 2023 Monday Message:

Luke 18:5 NLT, Jesus teaching: “The judge ignored the persistent widow for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

In Jesus’ parable, the persistent widow’s goal was fairness and justice. She was asking the judge for the right thing for the right reason, so she kept on asking, kept seeking justice. In the end, her request was granted, albeit for the wrong reason. The unfair judge did not become a better person, and deep down he was uninterested in justice. But the woman’s persistence wore him down. In the end, justice was served, not because of, but in spite of the unfair judge.

The point of the story is that we too should be persistent. Never give up on prayer. God, as our supreme judge, is fair and honest, unlike the judge in this story. Jesus explains: “Don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!”

Jesus concludes with a rhetorical question: “When the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?” Persistent faith?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship