Holy War!

For Friday, September 11, 2026:

1 Samuel 17:45 NIV: “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’”

Today marks the 25^th anniversary of our 911 tragedy. Nearly 3K people lost their lives and thousands more were injured. Ongoing health problems continue to plague first responders.

At that time, I was helping a Jewish organization distribute biblical teaching. I told them that this incident was about religion, an attack on the God of Israel. This attack was one more battle in an ongoing Holy war. The Koran says that everyone must worship Allah or die by the sword, so consider this an attack on Judeo-Christian believers.

We’re not the aggressor, but we strongly defend our nation in the name of the Lord Almighty. In this Holy war, we’re on God’s side. As we draw closer to the end times, Satan will do his best to lead us astray. Don’t fall for it! Sometimes violence is necessary to defend ourselves against evil. Little David actually killed Goliath and cut off his head. That sent the Philistines running for a time, but they have regrouped.

So en garde! The war is not finished. When Jesus returns, he’ll finish things for good! Believers are on the same side as God’s Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Kingdom!

For Thursday, September 10, 2026:

Romans 9:31 NLT: “The people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded.”

Seems unlikely, doesn’t it, that God’s chosen people weren’t prequalified for life after this life. But a lot of them didn’t even believe in a hereafter! Let’s check our Bibles!

The Bible is our owner’s manual for life. It teaches us that ALL have sinned and fallen short. By that benchmark, no one on earth should ever see the Kingdom.

But also don’t forget that when God finished creation by adding mankind, he declared it all to be VERY good! You see, God loves us, his Son Jesus loves us and God’s desire is that all will repent and return. ALL. Consider this an offer of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Knowing that none of us will ever be perfect, we should be quick to take God up on his offer. His gift of forgiveness is our only ticket to the hereafter! Since the Son negated our sin problem, we can claim Jesus as our Savior. He returned to the Father to prepare a special place for us!

If we put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus, we are assured a place in the Kingdom. It will be a lot better seeing heaven from the inside!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Expectations!

For Wednesday, September 9, 2026:

Acts 4:5, 7 NLT: “The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. They brought in Peter and John and demanded, ‘By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?’”

Peter and John had been teaching the people the truth about Jesus. They had been preaching the Good News (Gospel) in the Temple. But the council didn’t see Jesus as an extension of their religion. They regarded him as head-on competition, and demanded that Peter and John stop what they had been doing or get out of the Temple or both!

Peter and John had started their visit to the Temple by healing a man, lame from birth, found begging by the beautiful gate. Everyone knew this man, many had given to help him in the past, and no one ever expected to see him walk! And here he was, dancing a jig around the Temple after being healed through the name of Jesus!

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, explained in no uncertain words exactly what had taken place: “Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that this man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Peter didn’t stutter; he didn’t hem and haw. He never used the words “like” and “ya know” (or the Hebrew equivalents.) All he had to do (and all he was called to do) was tell the truth. Peter had full confidence in Jesus. He h

One problem we may have nowadays is lack of faith. Scientists and doctors have conditioned us to not expect results when our prayers exceed earthly limitations. Don’t restrict what God can do by excluding supernatural expectations. God is full of surprises, oftentimes delivering more than we asked. So ask him today – in the name of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church