God's Love!

For Thursday, July 30, 2026:

Romans 8:39 NLT, Paul testifying to the church in Rome: “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Our Bibles tell us that God loves us. But mankind asks, “Really? How do we know for sure?”

The first humans disobeyed God by sinning, by deliberately doing what he said to NOT do! They succumbed to Satan’s temptation. I believe God was disappointed with the return rate of his Creations. If earthlings were to return to the Father, God himself would have to intervene.

Therefore, God sent his Son Jesus to our planet. I’ve said before that Jesus healed many, taught God’s ways, and interpreted Torah. But I believe his primary mission was to take away mankind’s sins, to offer forgiveness. Once earth’s residents were made sinless by Jesus’ sacrifice, the Father could welcome them back into his forever heavenly Kingdom.

Q: So how do we know for sure that God loves us? A: He sacrificed his only Son for our freedom. We are no longer slaves to Satan. We belong to the God whose Son paid the price for our redemption.

Rejoice! Believers belong to their Creator! Believers have been rescued!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Truth Defended!

For Wednesday, July 29, 2026:

Colossians 2:4 NLT, Paul writing to the church in Colossae: “I am telling you these things so no one will deceive you with well-crafted arguments.”

2K years ago, a lot of people would frequently switch religions. The core beliefs of each group were not always clearly defined, the exception being Jews who had previously encountered the real God. But others – the idol worshipers and such – were constantly proselytizing that there was value in their ever-changing beliefs. There was not. But remember, Christianity was the new kid on the block!

Once people had been introduced to the Son of God, Paul didn’t want their minds polluted with Higher Power misinformation. The Risen Savior personally met Paul on his way to Damascus, so Paul had truth straight from the horse’s mouth. (That’s a common expression; I’m not dissing Jesus! And he’s not Mr. Ed!)

Truth is worth fighting for. Paul’s truth wasn’t based on a rumor or what some random person told him. He’d heard from Jesus, he learned the truth and he was blessed to share it with others. Paul doesn’t want any believer to be side-tracked, because truth is nonnegotiable. Truth is not up for debate.

Truth is what’s in our Bibles!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Make Disciples!

For Tuesday, July 28, 2026:

John 16:9 NLT, Jesus speaking to believers: “The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.”

What’s wrong with the world? Nothing that a healthy dose of ‘Jesus’ wouldn’t fix! If everyone believed that Jesus was the heaven-sent Son of God, they’d soon start following his other commands and living like he lived. Our world would be a better place. But the first step is helping everyone believe in Jesus!

Jesus commissioned believers to make disciples of all nations. But if you’re keeping score, friends, we’re falling behind. Christianity is no longer the dominant religion in England and France, largely displaced by Islam, and we seem to be losing ground in the US. We can do better!

Last week, I heard part of a message from an Imam, the Muslim version of a Pastor. Elections are coming up, and he advised his congregation to seek every political office, from Senator to dog catcher. This push is part of their five-year plan to take over the United States.

Our country was founded promising freedom of religion, but all under God’s value system, God’s rules and commands. Different denominations were OK as long as they were Christian denominations. You could claim to be Lutheran, Presbyterian or even Roman Catholic, as long as Jesus was the center of your faith. Our founding fathers never anticipated non-believers trying to manage a nation founded under God’s laws. To non-believers, God’s rules and laws seem irrelevant.

The time is now to prayerfully consider your piece of the Great Commission. Jesus not only wants you to help, but he is graciously allowing you to help! Make this the week you bring a friend to church. Once they know Jesus, the rest will fall into place!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church