Hereafter...

For Sunday, June 30, 2024:

Mark 16:16 NLT: “Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

A typical Bible has 66 books and about 900 pages. For all that scriptural writing, it boils down to this one decision: Believe that Jesus was the Son of God who rose from the dead, or not. The results of your conclusion are eternally impactful!

Those who believe will spend their life-after-this-life in the place Jesus prepared. We will live in paradise, in the presence of the Lord. Unbelievers will find themselves in a perpetual lake of fire. Huge contrast!

Examine the facts. Listen to the opinions of eyewitnesses. Read your Bibles! All that is written supports this one verse, this one critical decision.

God’s desire is that none would perish and that all would repent and return. Forgiveness and redemption have already been provided!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Higher Ground!

For Saturday, June 29, 2024:

1 Peter 3:16b NLT: “If people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.”

People have opinions, oftentimes incorrect opinions. A lot of people want to be the know-it-all, a step ahead of others. They’d be better off if they slowed down and fact-check before they open their mouths!

In their quest to appear superior, many dis everyone around them. “Good life” could be either bounty or standing on higher ground. But if your good life is a result of living for Jesus, there is no basis for anyone’s accusations.

No one ever likes to be wrong or having to admit it. But realizing that your good life is the result of following Jesus, the Bible says that your accusers will be ashamed and embarrassed!

So keep doing the right things for the right reasons. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Stick with him!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Pristhood!

For Friday, June 28, 2024:

1 Peter 3:15 NLT: “You must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”

Christians speak of the “Priesthood of all believers.” That doesn’t mean that we all have to wear black garb and quit our day-jobs! But remember that the early church, “The Way,” grew through attraction. Observers liked what they saw, and wanted to become a part of it. So they inquired of the general membership, people like you and me. Explaining their faith wasn’t limited to the apostles or church leaders. All of us are called to task, and should have the proper answers at hand whenever asked. In a way, we’re all evangelists for Jesus!

So a church member has a two-fold purpose:

#1. To worship God and his Son as creators of everything – the ultimate supreme God!

#2. To share the Good News of forgiveness, redemption and salvation through the Son. Remember, God’s desire is that none would perish!

Jesus said to make disciples of all nations, so let’s all get busy!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Team!

 

For Thursday, June 27, 2024:

1 Peter 3:12 NLT: “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”

If you sincerely try to do what God likes, he will try to give you what you like. Hopefully your desires are lined up with God’s!

God wants you on his team, pulling in his direction. Permanently! Backsliding shouldn’t be an option. When you choose God and you choose Jesus, it’s a forever decision.

Think about it: If you walk alongside God, he’ll be walking alongside you! The closer you can get to God, the better!

It’s best to get in step with the Lord!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Character!

For Wednesday, June 26, 2024:

1 Peter 3:3 NLT: “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes.”

Anyone can “dress to the nines” or get “all dolled up” if you have the right stuff. But that’s all it is – stuff! There’s nothing of substance in owning all the right stuff – nothing that matters, nothing of eternal significance.

God can see right through it all. He’s not impressed with fancy clothes, but he’s very interested in what’s inside! He’s looking for a loving attitude from a person of good character. It doesn’t matter if you’re wearing dungarees and a T-shirt!

God knew you in your mother’s womb, so he already knows you well, clothes or no clothes, hair or no hair. And fancy jewelry will stay on earth when you go to the next reality.

Do you revere the Son? Have you claimed Jesus as savior of your soul? That’s what will please God – unflinching loyalty to his Son!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Follow the Leader!

For Tuesday, June 25, 2024:

1 Peter 3:1b-2 NLT: “Even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”

This is “leading by example.” I’ve said many times that before Jesus, most people only looked out for themselves. But now everyone could visually witness the good will of “The Way.” Their love and kindness seemed like a better way to live. Caring about your brothers and sisters was a new idea, but people liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of it.

The early church grew by following a caring lifestyle. People wanted what these Christians had, and willingly signed up! Each day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved! The population of The Way greatly increased!

This wasn’t a hard sell. No one needed shouting evangelists or a revival tent meeting. Simply seeing others live their lives following the model of Jesus was enough to convince new believers! They will know we are Christians by our love!

All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Can you get onboard with that philosophy?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Father's House!

June 23, 2024 Monday Message:

Psalm 84:4 NLT: “What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.”

Jesus said that when believers enter the next reality, he will have prepared a place for them in his Father’s house. We believe God is a ‘spirit-being.’ Human practices such as living in a house are written so that we can better understand our God. The point here isn’t about where God lives, or how he lives. It’s about spending eternity in God’s presence, living in a state of perpetual worship. I call it ‘immersion.’

You will find no one in heaven who doesn’t like God. God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) will be the center of attention, our reason for constant worship. On-going perpetual worship is best. We no longer make a big deal about God because it’s the Sabbath or because it’s a special occasion. We honor God every day, 24/7! God has no competition. There are no other gods in heaven.

While in heaven, remember to thank God for including you. Remember to thank Jesus for paying your sin-penalty. And thank the Holy Spirit for nudging us in the right direction!

Enjoy heaven!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Shepherd!

For Sunday, June 23, 2024:

1 Peter 2:25 NLT: “Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”

I like sheep. I think they’re cute animals, soft and woolly, but incredibly stupid! Sheep would forget to eat if the shepherd didn’t lead them to where new grass was growing. Sheep would forget to drink water unless the shepherd led them past the pond. Sheep can wander up a ravine, hit a dead end, and not know how to get back out!. Sheep wander away from the herd, because, just like the saying, the grass is always greener somewhere else!

Sheep need a shepherd and mankind need a solid leader. Thank God we know about Jesus the Christ! We can follow him anywhere, and he will keep us safe and well fed. When this life ends, he will prepare a place for believers in his Father’s house. Then we’ll eternally enjoy our shepherd!

What someone commits to being a Christian, their life should change – a lot! This should be a change for the better. We call it a radical transformation, the difference between someone living a sinful life and someone following their new shepherd, Jesus.

Jesus is the only way. He teaches us only truth, and the life he offers is eternal. Jesus wants to be your shepherd! You need one!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Substance!

For Saturday, June 22, 2024:

1 Peter 2:21 NLT: “God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”

Jesus suffered doing his work of rescuing mankind, and we also may suffer doing the Lord’s work. In spite of good or bad circumstances, remember that they are just that: circumstances. It’s what happens in life. We may or may not have control over our circumstances.

What we DO have control over is if we live our lives in a good way or a bad way. Are our lives ordered in such a way as to please our maker? Is what we do good, right, fair and honest? If we stop and think, ask yourself, “Should we really be doing this thing? Will the way we live our life make God smile?”

God’s reaction is substance, something of eternal value. Circumstances don’t matter; they change – a lot! But pleasing the Lord is something of substance!

Pray that we will care less about what others think, and more about what God thinks! Blessings as your go about your day!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Creator's Team!

For Friday, June 21, 2024:

1 Peter 2:15 NLT: “It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.”

Peter insisted that rulers are sent by God. Governments are sent by God for the punishment of evildoers and for the recognition of those who do good. Believers should be among those who do good!

Unfortunately, there are a lot of ignorant people in the world. Peter is warning us that they will make false accusations against us and put down our faith in Jesus. When we can prove that our motives are honorable, perhaps others will listen more closely.

There is only one Creator, one deity in charge of designing the universe. Everything and everybody else is ‘created.’ If you’ve read to the end of the Bible, you’ll know that good triumphs over evil. We know who ultimately wins, and we should want to be on the winning team. If we unflinchingly support Jesus, he will have prepared a place for us in the hereafter. Stick with Jesus and claim your spot!

Far too many ignorant people will try to take you off God’s team. Satan is still in business, but God is in charge!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Character & Trends!

For Thursday, June 20, 2024:

Luke 16:10 NLT: “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.”

This goes to character, and we would all do well to listen to our Bibles! We all have a picture in our minds of how a person of good character should look and act, and the Bible says that if you’re not honorable concerning small things, you’ll most likely come up short on the larger things as well. Like I said, your behavior is a trend that comes down to character.

If you’re trending toward the lake of fire, there’s still time to repent and return. God and his Son Jesus offer unconditional love and forgiveness to those who return to the Lord. If you’ve been playing for the wrong team, you can undergo that radical transformation I talk about. That’s the amazing grace we sing about!

The Hebrew language has some unique twists you might not expect. For example, the word for ‘repent’ also means to turn or re-turn. If you were going north, you need to about-face and head south! In other words, change the direction of your life. And sinning equates to being ‘far from God,’ while repenting means returning, getting closer to God. Your life is continually critiqued since you are now a member of the Holy Family. Believers are Children of God!

Trend toward being faithful! Blessings as you go about His work today!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Helper!

For Wednesday, June 19, 2024:

Genesis 2:18 NLT: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.’”

When my wife and I were expecting our third child, our firstborn wasn’t sure we needed another. “We already have a perfect family: one mother, one father, one brother, one sister.” But what does God consider the ‘perfect’ family?

God saw that it was not good for the man, Adam, to be alone, so the Creator gave him Eve. Adam already had plants and trees, wild animals, livestock and birds of the sky. He was free to name them whatever he chose. But none of these fit the job description of a ‘helper who is just right for him.’

So using one of Adam’s ribs as a model, God created Eve. I suspect Adam was grinning from ear to ear when he saw her! “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’” Eve is the helper who is 'just right’ for Adam.

God explained how this all was to work: “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and those two are united into one.”

Now go forth and multiply!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Creation!

For Tuesday, June 18, 2024:

Genesis 1:11 NLT: “Then God said, 'Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came.' And that is what happened.”

I awoke this morning and noticed a bright green, symmetrical tree. There is a shade of green only seen in new-emergent vegetation; I love that color! The tree looked twice the size of the tree in winter, having added all the leaves. I was reminded of the majesty of God, who spoke our world into existence. Each spring he knows exactly how many leaves need to be added to each tree, something of which you and I have no knowledge. To worship God, we sometimes need to read a Bible or attend a church. Other times we just need to critically observe that which has already been provided!

So worshiping God can be as simple as observing with gratitude what God has already provided for us. He is a good God, consistently giving us more than we need and certainly more than we deserve. It’s hard to examine our planet and reach any other conclusion than that God is awesome and all powerful.

His desire is that none would perish!

v12 “The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Christians!

June 17, 2024 Monday Message:

Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.”

Christians should be known as “good” people, but we’re not judged as good by trying to earn our way into heaven. In a way, God has set this up kind of backwards. We’ve been given the prize BEFORE we’ve done the good. The prize, eternal life in the presence of the Lord, is the result of knowing who Jesus is and believing everything he said. The prize is forgiveness and grace as a result of our faith.

Now that we’ve been adopted into the Holy Family, we do good out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us. As Christians, we try to live our lives better than non-christians. We’re the carriers of love, kindness and forgiveness. Believers are the hands and feet of Jesus!

Good Christians not only do the next right thing; they seek out the next right thing to do. We forgo worldly agenda in favor of Godly agenda. We do our best, because that’s what Jesus would have done.

Our pecking order in this life is no indication of our pecking order in the next life. Remember, the first will be last, and the last will be first!

Blessings as we begin a new week!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Happy Father's Day!

For Sunday, June 16, 2024:

Ephesians 6:4 HCSB: “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

Today is Father’s Day in the US. The father, together with his wife and children, should strive to make their ‘home’ what it should be. It’s been said that home is, “When you go there, they have to let you in!”

Yesterday we talked about the prodigal father, who foolishly let his son become the prodigal son. When that son returned home with his tail between his legs, the father would have had every right to be mad, to show anger, to start in with extreme discipline. But there will be plenty of time later to discuss what went wrong. For now, the father showed forgiveness and unconditional love! He put the family ring back on the son’s finger and gave him a fine robe to wear. The father threw a memorable party celebrating the son’s return! This is how to welcome someone home who was lost but now is found!

  In the same way, our Father God welcomes home backsliders. There is a celebration in heaven whenever a soul repents and returns. God, of course, is the author of unconditional love!

Being a father is a unique job description. No other person can fill those shoes! Do your best!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Fathers!

For Saturday, June 15, 2024:

Luke 15:23b-24 NLT, Father, upon the return of the prodigal son: “We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ And so the party began.”

Perhaps our Bibles title this section incorrectly. We know it as the Prodigal Son, the one who rebelled and ran away from home. But there is an older son, insanely jealous of all the prodigal had been given. He had no love for his brother, and any love he once had for his father was fading. Maybe he’s the one who needs to change! We could also rightfully title this The Loving, Compassionate and Forgiving Father. Let’s dig in to this.

Tomorrow is Father’s Day in the US, when we honor all those who are called Daddy! Remember that the Lord conceived our family system, a father and a mother who then procreate. They leave their parents to create this new family. There is a place for and specific necessary job descriptions for a father. Unfortunately, we’re experiencing a father absence crisis in the US.

Believe it or not, 1 in 4 US children live in a household without any kind of a father, without a patriarch to lead the way. Having no father in the home leads to more poverty, behavioral problems, teen pregnancy, abuse and neglect in the family, abuse of drugs and alcohol, and much more likely to drop out of school. Children with a missing parent are more susceptible to being led into crime, and stand an 82% chance of incarceration during their lifetime.

Bad fathering is hereditary. If your father came up short, then your fathering will likely mirror his actions. If our country is to survive, we need to break this cycle. Both children and their fathers need to return to their families. Families need to read their Bibles and return to church. Our nation needs to raise up the Lord to his rightful place of being central in our lives.

The sooner the better!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship