Challenge Builds Strength!

Friday, April 24, 2026:

Luke 4:14-15 NLT: “Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.”

After being tested in the desert by Satan, Jesus returned to the region around the Sea of Galilee. The Devil had been tempting Jesus, who consistently rejected Satan’s offers. In this ongoing battle of good vs evil, Jesus was the clear victor. And when you battle the evil one and win, you emerge stronger. In other words, Jesus was in his prime as he began teaching in Synagogues. He was praised, honored and glorified by all.

The same principle applies to us. Satan will continue tempting us throughout our lives. But if we reject the evil one, we will emerge stronger for overcoming this challenge, just like Jesus!

At this point, Jesus’ ministry efforts were focused on teaching. Listening to him speak must have been like having a complete Bible commentary to explain Torah in a way that everyone could understand. Nowhere does it say that Jesus attended a school, a seminary or studied with a particular Rabbi. Being the Son of God, he just knew what the Father would want him to do, preach truth! At this time, there was no organized opposition to Jesus

Lead us not into temptation. But if we find ourselves there, let us grow from the challenge. Let us emerge stronger!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Vines and Branches!

For Thursday, April 23, 2026:

John 15:4 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.”

When Jesus walked on earth, almost everyone was a part of the agricultural industry, albeit on a small scale. If your family had apple trees, you could take some to market and barter for olives or figs. Or grapes and a little meat. Even children would know how to grow things, how to raise a crop. So Jesus uses an example that everyone would understand.

He calls himself the grapevine, and Father God would be the gardener, the one with a lot of wisdom about such things. If a branch no longer produces fruit, it’s worthless, so the gardener cuts it off, and into the fire it goes. Branches producing a bountiful harvest are pruned judiciously, so they can produce even more.

Jesus tells them, “You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you.” Ah, I get it! Believers are the fruit of Jesus’ ministry!

But this isn’t the time to coast. Don’t even consider quitting. There’s still plenty of work to do. Stay connected with Jesus and with fellow believers. A branch cannot produce more fruit for the Kingdom if it’s separated from the vine.

Today, there are about 2.6 billion Christians on our Earth. Every one of them is the result of Jesus being the vine that can support many branches. Just before Jesus left us to return to the Father, he commanded, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Our work will be done when everyone has had a chance to learn the Good News!

Jesus says the harvest will be plentiful so we could use a few more workers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Sin's Influence!

For Wednesday, April 22, 2026:

Romans 8:5 NLT: “Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.”

Think about it. What dominates your mind? If your mind wanders and you find yourself daydreaming, what was your topic?

Satan wants to plant sinful thoughts in your mind because the result is so predictable. At first, a lot of sin can appear to be fun, releasing dopamine, the feel-good hormone, into our brains. Mankind seems to find excitement in taking a little risk, in doing something just a little bit naughty. But as Christians, that isn’t where we should be.

The lie is in thinking that sin is fun, but the truth is that in the long run, sin is devastating. (Satan is always telling us lies!) Sin destroys homes and families, can separate children from their parents, and is a bad example for the next generation. But even worse, it saddens your Father in heaven.

Let me make a broad theological assumption. I’m guessing that if you’ve prayed and asked Jesus to be Lord and Savior of your life, you weren’t intending to exclude Father God or the Holy Spirit. Being a Trinity, you can’t really have one without the others. Being a Christian is family business, the family of God.

So get out of the driver’s seat of your daily life, and let the Holy Spirit call the shots. The Holy Spirit is not influenced by Satan’s temptations, and your life will immediately improve. Tune your ears to only listen to the words of God!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church