Win!

For Wednesday, November 11, 2026:

1 Samuel 17:51c NLT, David had just slayed Goliath: “When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.”

Today is Veterans Day in the US, and today’s message may contain a few of my own opinions. If that bothers anyone, please return tomorrow when it will not be Veterans Day and the teaching will return to the Bible, Jesus and evangelism.

What’s important in this scripture is that David won the battle. Israel won and God won, decisively. The Philistines clearly lost, and ran away with their tails between their legs! Understand that I really don’t like war, but sometimes it’s necessary to defend ourselves or stand up for what we believe. If there must be a war, I believe we should see a clear winner. Otherwise, what’s the point of spending all that money and sacrificing all those lives?

The US and our Allies won WWII, decisively. The Axis powers were clearly defeated. The US generously launched the Marshall Plan to rebuild Western Europe.

Contrast that with the Korean War, which really didn’t involve too much of Korea. It was China and the Soviet Union against the US led UN command, but fighting on Korean soil. Three years and over 35K US lives later, a line was drawn on the 38^th parallel, and we now have a North Korea and a South Korea. In short, nobody won. I believe the 35K lives lost puts a tear in God’s eye.

I grew up during the Vietnam War. Again, China and the Soviet Union backed North Vietnam, while the US and other anti-communist countries supported South Vietnam, but the fighting all happened in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. After 20 years, $168B and over 58K US lives lost, the US withdrew, in a way, giving up. With Veteran benefits and healthcare, the cost of this war is more like $350B. 1.1M Vietnamese soldiers also died. I’m sure this loss of lives also displeased the Lord. Two years later, Vietnam succumbed to Communist control, meaning we gained nothing.

In 2022, big ol’ Russia invaded little ol’ Ukraine. They expected to win in a few weeks, but today the war still rages on. History repeats itself, friends. This is Russia with a little help from North Korea and China fighting the US and our allies on Ukrainian soil. For all the dollars spent and the loss of lives, I sure hope we can win this one.

Today we honor the US Veterans. Fighting our foes is a rough job, and this special day is one of the Veterans’ few rewards. We need to thank them for keeping our country safe, and keeping our way of life protected. In many other countries, it would be illegal to worship Jesus. We have that freedom here, and it should not be taken lightly. If we ever must defend that right, may we do as David did, and win decisively! After all, we’d be fighting for God’s side!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Christianity!

For Tuesday, November 10, 2026:

John 17:11 NLT, Jesus, praying: “Now I am departing from the world; my disciples are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.”

Jesus knows he will soon return to the Father, and he’s interceding for the believers left behind. It’s as if Jesus says to God, “They are under My name and I am under Your name. Therefore I’m praying that Your name, Your power, will protect My devotees.”

At the time, there was considerable (unjustified) hatred for Jesus, resulting in his crucifixion. And Jesus had commissioned his disciples to share the Good News with all nations. So by definition, their mission was fraught with danger. But don’t worry—God would intervene in a couple significant ways.

First, Jerusalem’s church, known as ‘The Way,’ would be a model of loving our neighbors. They would all share meals and other resources. They would publicly display their care for one another. People liked what they saw, and wanted to join. The church grew through attraction. They also benefitted from the Pentecost throng, when 3,000 were added to the congregation in one day.

Also, Jesus personally confronted Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul was on a mission to end the Christian uprising, but in the end, Paul did a 180º! He was baptized and dedicated the remainder of his life to God’s Son. Paul started numerous churches throughout Asia Minor, and ultimately gave his life for the cause.

Christianity didn’t die. Its opponents didn’t win. Jesus will soon be returning to separate the sheep from the goats. (Make a sound like a sheep: baa, baa!) Jesus offers the best life ever and it’s for eternity!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Divine Healing!

For Monday, November 9, 2026:

Mark 1:31a NLT: “Jesus went to the bedside of Simon’s mother-in-law who was sick in bed with a fever, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her.”

Jesus never hung out a shingle as a physician, but he was nonetheless known as a great healer. I’m always amazed at how quickly news could spread by word-of-mouth. There was no radio, no TV and no internet, yet everyone soon knew Jesus for his healing ability.

At first, Jesus told those who were healed to not tell anyone. Healing wasn’t his primary mission. Reconciling the sins of the world was the ultimate goal. On the other hand, if he could improve people’s quality of life along the way, why not?

So seeing healing became a normal and customary part of devotion to Christ, both before and after the crucifixion. Early believers would be more surprised if someone DIDN’T get healed at a Jesus meeting. Following the crucifixion, believers would heal “in the name of Jesus.”

Why don’t we see more divine healing in our country nowadays? It could be a lack of faith. Our scientists have told us that such things are impossible, and most people believe them. But divine healing is routinely well-documented in third world countries, where people believe in the supernatural and expect results.

Divine intervention is still available to us if we put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus the Christ! If you expect results, trust in Jesus for the miracle. He’s well known for healing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church