Lotsa Faith!

For Tuesday, October 20, 2026:

Romans 10:10 NLT: “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

How much faith is enough? When it comes to Jesus, believers should set their faith to 10! We believe that he’s the Son of God, sent from heaven to redeem mankind. True believers don’t think redemption is some day in the future. It’s already here, it’s already done. Count on it. We believe God also raised Jesus from the dead, and that he walked away from the tomb! Sin and death were conquered in the same event. We trust the eyewitnesses who saw Jesus ascend into heaven, returning to the Father. We believe these facts with all our hearts, with unflinching devotion to the Son!

Our faith tells us that what we know about Jesus is truth, and since it’s all true, we’ve been commissioned to tell others. The Bible says that people of all nations need to hear the Good News. God loves all the people he created, no matter where they reside, and he doesn’t want to lose anyone. His goal is for everyone to repent and return, just like we did.

In this letter to the Roman church, Paul is encouraging them to believe 100%, having all-in faith in the Son. It’s the same for us nowadays. Faith is contagious, and our faith may captivate new believers. That would put a smile on Jesus’ face!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Kingdom at Hand!

For Monday, October 19, 2026:

Mark 1:15 NLT: “The time promised by God has come at last!” Jesus announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!”

Jesus said that the Kingdom of God was near, but listeners weren’t convinced. The Jews had been expecting God to liberate them from Roman rule, so that’s what they were looking for. They didn’t know God’s plan for their salvation. The dialog might have gone like this:

Jews: “Free us from Roman rule.”

Jesus: “Your sins are forgiven. I’ll make a place for you in paradise!” His solution didn’t fit their request.

The people were seeking political dominance, but Jesus offered them love and absolution. Grace and forgiveness were to take precedence over obedience to the Law. People needed to change their mindsets. The original language implies a change in direction, like if you’d been going south but repented and decided to head north. Rededication to God Almighty would be required to secure a place in the hereafter.

It’s kind of the same nowadays, although our enemy is no longer Rome. But a great many people in our country – even so-called Christians – are floundering with no real connection to the Lord. So first pray that your God-connection would be cemented into place. Irrevocable. Then pray that you would be given the words and the motivation to share that Good News with others. It’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

When You're Wrong...

For Sunday, October 18, 2026:

Acts 4:21b-22 NLT: “Everyone was praising God for this miraculous sign—the healing of a man who had been lame for more than forty years.”

Peter and John had facilitated a healing miracle in the Temple, and the established religion had nothing to do with it. The Apostles had healed a man in the name of Jesus! The religious council couldn’t deny what had happened, but felt some sort of discipline was called for. They wanted to quash this upstart “Jesus” religion, so the two were told to never again speak or teach about Jesus.

They immediately defied the council. “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him?” These believers had been commissioned to spread the Good News of salvation through Jesus. They knew Jesus was the heaven-sent Son of God! Frankly, they knew more than the religious council!

Peter and John were finally released. There was nothing else the council could do to them, and the crowd was cheering for the Apostles. The council wisely dropped the matter, avoiding the riot that might have ensued.

This was a significant win for team Jesus. He had instructed his believers to heal the sick, cleanse leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons in his name. Jesus still supports those miracles nowadays. When Jesus visited people, he’d always leave them better off than when he arrived. So invite him into your life. Today is the best day to get to know your Savior! Life is better that way!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church