Heavenly Prize!

For Saturday, October 22, 2022:

Philippians 3:14 NLT: “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”

The Apostles in Jerusalem ministered mainly to Jews who had seen the light. But Paul’s mission was to the Gentiles in Greece and later in Rome. Greeks originated the olympic games, so they were quite familiar with finishing a big race and winning a prize. Here Paul compares a Christian’s journey with an olympic race.

Running a marathon is challenging, especially considering its length. It’s easy to run to the corner and back, but 28.2 miles tempts us to just give up, to quit. Paul says, “I press on,” even when there are challenges, even when it becomes difficult. Why? Because those who complete the journey are given a “heavenly prize,” the gift of spending eternal life in the light of the Lord!

The Greeks only won olive branches. But this heavenly prize makes running the Christian race worthwhile!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Faith, Hope, Truth!

For Friday, October 21, 2022:

Titus 1:1-2 TLB: “From: Paul, the slave of God and the messenger of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to bring faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know God’s truth—the kind of truth that changes lives—so that they can have eternal life, which God promised them before the world began—and he cannot lie.”

As Christians, what is our overall goal? I believe it’s to spend eternity in the presence of our Creator God. We call it heaven!

We have been given the gift of salvation through our faith in God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah, so Paul’s mission becomes one of strengthening that faith. He does so by teaching God’s truth, something we all need to understand. Knowing God’s truth can result in a radical transformation of lives – a change for the better! That all sounds like what most churches and pastors aspire to nowadays – teach truth, strengthen faith and encourage believers! From the very beginning, God hoped everyone would repent and return. His desire is that none would perish. He truly wants us all to come home!

God made the promise of eternal life to all who would believe, and God cannot lie!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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

Love!

For Thursday, October 20, 2022:

1 John 4:19 GNT: “We love because God first loved us.”

Jesus declared a New Covenant with his people, an event predicted by the prophet Jeremiah. “‘The day will come,’ says the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah. I will put my law in their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.’” (Jeremiah 31:31, 33)

This New Covenant involves a total change of heart, so that God’s people are naturally pleasing to the Lord, and that requires love – loving the Lord and loving your neighbor. Surprisingly, until Jesus taught this, caring for others was uncommon. The point of Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan was that Jews were ignoring the injured traveler. That needed to change.

We should do what Jesus did and fulfill what Jesus taught. We should be nice, caring and helpful, just like our Savior. Jesus’ love for each of us is a non-negotiable plank in his platform.

Jesus taught, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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