Heavenly Kingdom!

For Wednesday, October 21, 2026:

John 17:5 NLT, Jesus, praying: “Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.”

What we can infer from this text is huge! Our one God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – existed before the earth was created. We think of Jesus as the Son of God, and that’s not wrong. But we also need to accept Jesus as 1/3 of the Holy Trinity. We can more easily identify with that form, fully God and fully man, since we’re human beings. But all three iterations of God are of one mind. Therefore, they’ll share the same goals and be pulling in the same direction.

My work frequently takes me out of town. I enjoy road trips, an opportunity to escape the rat race and enjoy new experiences. But that can get old after a while, and then I look forward to getting back home. I suspect that Jesus felt that same way. His visit to planet Earth was about to draw to a close. By the end, all goals would be accomplished and it would be time for him to return to the Father.

We can’t even begin to understand the glorious nature of God’s Kingdom. But know that what we have never seen can’t be adequately described with human words. It’s that magnificent! The Good News is that Jesus wanted to get there first so he could prepare a place for his loyal believers. It will prove to be the best place we have ever lived!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

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