Truth or Else!

For Wednesday, November 6, 2024:

2 John 10 MSG: “If anyone shows up who doesn’t hold to Jesus’ teaching, don’t invite him in and give him the run of the place. That would just give him a platform to perpetuate his evil ways, making you his partner.”

False teachers are everywhere. Satan never takes a day off! To claim to be a religious teacher and not stick with the doctrine of the Son is a sin, an egregious sin. That person not only has the facts wrong, but is trying to lead others down the wrong path. Bad choice for a career!

God doesn’t seem to seek revenge so much as his grace falls only on believers. Those without God’s grace will never see heaven from the inside. There’s God’s way and the wrong way – pick one!

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” His way is the only way to heaven. What he taught is 100% truth. And the life he offers is eternity in the presence of our Father!

Jesus – accept no substitutes!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Mission Trip!

For Tuesday, November 5, 2024:

Nehemiah 6:8 CJB: “I, Nehemiah, sent Sanballat this answer; ‘Nothing like what you are saying is true. You’re making it all up in your head.’”

Nehemiah was the cup-bearer for king Artaxerxes I. In spite of Nehemiah being his servant, the two had become friends. Nehemiah was sad, having received news that the town of his ancestors, Jerusalem, laid in ruins. The king, sensing the importance of this issue to his friend, offered to help.

In fact, it seems the king was all-in! Nehemiah requested to return to his homeland to rebuild the wall around the city, a small army as a protective escort, timbers and other building supplies from the forests, and letters to foreign governments explaining his mission and requesting safe passage. Every request from Nehemiah was granted by the king, and he was off!

The lesson here is that when God puts a mission on your heart, you need to get going. That’s what Nehemiah did! He could have ignored the whole thing, explaining that he was only a servant in an occupied land, but he did not ignore God’s call. Our lesson is to get going and let God overcome the roadblocks.

Nehemiah not only restored the city; he restored the Law of Moses in Israel. Hearing the scripture, all the people chanted, “Amen! Amen!” as they lifted their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Mission accomplished!

May each of us have the heart of Nehemiah when the Lord calls us to a mission!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Leadership!

November 4, 2024 Monday Message:

1 Samuel 16:1 NLT: “Now the Lord said to Samuel, … ‘Find a man named Jesse, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.’”

The favored son turned out to be David, the shepherd-boy who eventually conquered Goliath and rose to prominence in Israel. God planned the whole thing!

David was not perfect. You see, God must choose our leaders from the mankind-pool, a flawed, sinful supply! But God will often choose someone who is redeemable, someone who will repent and return to the Lord. You can read about David repenting in Psalm 51.

Tomorrow is election day in the US, and my prayer is that God will have his hand on the election. Compare the candidates with how Jesus lived his life and with God’s commands in the Bible. Don’t vote on just a single issue. Rather consider the entire scenario, the big picture. Whoever is the best fit should get your vote. Ultimately, God will have his way.

Realize that corrupt, immoral leaders can be a judgment on an imperfect nation! Yikes!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship