Repent and Return!

August 17, 2026, Monday Message:

Acts 3:19 NLT, Peter, preaching in the Temple: “Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”

Paul is giving everyone the Cliff’s Notes condensed version of how to get right with God. You may know it as the Reader’s Digest condensed version. Friends, coming under God’s umbrella may not be as complicated as you think!

“Repent and Return.” It’s that simple. God already knows you’ve sinned and the Bible says that ALL have sinned, so that’s a pretty inclusive group! What everyone needs to do is realize what has gone wrong, repent for those actions, and then turn back to the Lord. Put God back up on his pedestal. Give him the place in your life that he should have had all along.

In the Hebrew language, the process is described as turning, like we were headed North but should have been going South. Ideally, we should be growing closer to God, but sin left us falling away. We were backsliders. NOW is the best time to turn or (re)turn to God. Closer to God is always better than farther from God.

Adam and Eve were the first to sin, to think they could be like God. They could not. They had to realize their mistake, their sin, and place themselves back under God’s care. Understand that God still loved them. While they had been sinning, God was making clothes for them.

When God’s people were still doubting, (doubting the Lord is a sin…) God sent 10 plagues, convincing Pharaoh to let God’s people go! When God’s people were afraid to trust in Yahweh, (not trusting Yahweh is a sin…) little David decided to take on the mighty Goliath. It was easier to convince God’s people to return after Goliath’s defeat!

If anyone asks you what to do to become a Christian, to square things up with the Almighty, explain “Repent and Return.” Don’t overcomplicate it. Realize that God WANTS everyone to Repent and Return!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

The Golden Rule!

For Sunday, August 16, 2026:

Luke 6:29, 31 NLT, Jesus speaking: “If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

Jesus is throwing his support behind the Golden Rule, a philosophy found in Confucianism and Egyptian and Greek teachings. More importantly, it’s the way God Almighty wants us to treat one another. “Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”

Back then, If a Roman soldier asked for help carrying his shield or weapons, you were required to do that for one mile. Jesus’ advice is to carry the items two miles, what we call going the extra mile. Go above and beyond what is asked of you. If someone wants your coat, give them your shirt too. Do a better job than is required. Do a little bit extra to make the world a better place for everyone.

Following the crucifixion, the first Christian church was known as “The Way.” That church grew by attraction. Observers could clearly observe a group that loved one another and shared generously. It was a new way of living; it seemed good and people wanted to become a part of it.

Nowadays, churches are still called to improve life here on earth. Each body of believers is unique and should take on projects as God inspires their hearts. Following the example of Jesus, churches are seldom about improving their own lot. We are to “do to others.” We can then share with them the greatest gift of all, the forgiveness of our sins through the sacrifice of Jesus. Our churches still grow through attraction!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

See You Later!

For Saturday, August 15, 2026:

John 16:17-18 NLT: Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does Jesus mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

When the disciples say that they don’t understand, that’s an understatement! Jesus is about to do what has never been done before! He will be crucified and buried in a tomb. He will not be seen for three days, but will eventually walk away from it all. Everybody will see him again! Then Jesus will ascend into the sky as he returns to the Father, not to be seen for quite some time. But as our lifetimes come to an end, we’ll enter the Kingdom where we’ll see Jesus once again!

Believers will for sure see Jesus! At judgment, he’ll explain how our sins are forgiven. He’ll welcome us into the Kingdom with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church