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

Raise the Dead!

For Saturday, October 17, 2026:

Luke 7:14-15 NLT: “Jesus walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead and cast out demons. That’s what Jesus told us to do, and he leads by example. This is a teachable moment.

The disciples had crossed paths with a funeral procession. The deceased was his mother’s only son, and Jesus observed her extreme grief. He had the power to improve her situation, so he acted out of compassion, telling the boy, “Get up!” The boy in the coffin sat up and began to talk!

These people didn’t know that Jesus is the Son of the Most High, but they acknowledged, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.” This resurrection confused and displeased the religious leaders, who had just conducted a funeral! They’d never even heard of anything like this!

This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside. That’s Good News for us all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church