Win!

For Wednesday, November 11, 2026:

1 Samuel 17:51c NLT, David had just slayed Goliath: “When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran.”

Today is Veterans Day in the US, and today’s message may contain a few of my own opinions. If that bothers anyone, please return tomorrow when it will not be Veterans Day and the teaching will return to the Bible, Jesus and evangelism.

What’s important in this scripture is that David won the battle. Israel won and God won, decisively. The Philistines clearly lost, and ran away with their tails between their legs! Understand that I really don’t like war, but sometimes it’s necessary to defend ourselves or stand up for what we believe. If there must be a war, I believe we should see a clear winner. Otherwise, what’s the point of spending all that money and sacrificing all those lives?

The US and our Allies won WWII, decisively. The Axis powers were clearly defeated. The US generously launched the Marshall Plan to rebuild Western Europe.

Contrast that with the Korean War, which really didn’t involve too much of Korea. It was China and the Soviet Union against the US led UN command, but fighting on Korean soil. Three years and over 35K US lives later, a line was drawn on the 38^th parallel, and we now have a North Korea and a South Korea. In short, nobody won. I believe the 35K lives lost puts a tear in God’s eye.

I grew up during the Vietnam War. Again, China and the Soviet Union backed North Vietnam, while the US and other anti-communist countries supported South Vietnam, but the fighting all happened in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. After 20 years, $168B and over 58K US lives lost, the US withdrew, in a way, giving up. With Veteran benefits and healthcare, the cost of this war is more like $350B. 1.1M Vietnamese soldiers also died. I’m sure this loss of lives also displeased the Lord. Two years later, Vietnam succumbed to Communist control, meaning we gained nothing.

In 2022, big ol’ Russia invaded little ol’ Ukraine. They expected to win in a few weeks, but today the war still rages on. History repeats itself, friends. This is Russia with a little help from North Korea and China fighting the US and our allies on Ukrainian soil. For all the dollars spent and the loss of lives, I sure hope we can win this one.

Today we honor the US Veterans. Fighting our foes is a rough job, and this special day is one of the Veterans’ few rewards. We need to thank them for keeping our country safe, and keeping our way of life protected. In many other countries, it would be illegal to worship Jesus. We have that freedom here, and it should not be taken lightly. If we ever must defend that right, may we do as David did, and win decisively! After all, we’d be fighting for God’s side!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Christianity!

For Tuesday, November 10, 2026:

John 17:11 NLT, Jesus, praying: “Now I am departing from the world; my disciples are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.”

Jesus knows he will soon return to the Father, and he’s interceding for the believers left behind. It’s as if Jesus says to God, “They are under My name and I am under Your name. Therefore I’m praying that Your name, Your power, will protect My devotees.”

At the time, there was considerable (unjustified) hatred for Jesus, resulting in his crucifixion. And Jesus had commissioned his disciples to share the Good News with all nations. So by definition, their mission was fraught with danger. But don’t worry—God would intervene in a couple significant ways.

First, Jerusalem’s church, known as ‘The Way,’ would be a model of loving our neighbors. They would all share meals and other resources. They would publicly display their care for one another. People liked what they saw, and wanted to join. The church grew through attraction. They also benefitted from the Pentecost throng, when 3,000 were added to the congregation in one day.

Also, Jesus personally confronted Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul was on a mission to end the Christian uprising, but in the end, Paul did a 180º! He was baptized and dedicated the remainder of his life to God’s Son. Paul started numerous churches throughout Asia Minor, and ultimately gave his life for the cause.

Christianity didn’t die. Its opponents didn’t win. Jesus will soon be returning to separate the sheep from the goats. (Make a sound like a sheep: baa, baa!) Jesus offers the best life ever and it’s for eternity!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Divine Healing!

For Monday, November 9, 2026:

Mark 1:31a NLT: “Jesus went to the bedside of Simon’s mother-in-law who was sick in bed with a fever, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her.”

Jesus never hung out a shingle as a physician, but he was nonetheless known as a great healer. I’m always amazed at how quickly news could spread by word-of-mouth. There was no radio, no TV and no internet, yet everyone soon knew Jesus for his healing ability.

At first, Jesus told those who were healed to not tell anyone. Healing wasn’t his primary mission. Reconciling the sins of the world was the ultimate goal. On the other hand, if he could improve people’s quality of life along the way, why not?

So seeing healing became a normal and customary part of devotion to Christ, both before and after the crucifixion. Early believers would be more surprised if someone DIDN’T get healed at a Jesus meeting. Following the crucifixion, believers would heal “in the name of Jesus.”

Why don’t we see more divine healing in our country nowadays? It could be a lack of faith. Our scientists have told us that such things are impossible, and most people believe them. But divine healing is routinely well-documented in third world countries, where people believe in the supernatural and expect results.

Divine intervention is still available to us if we put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus the Christ! If you expect results, trust in Jesus for the miracle. He’s well known for healing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Figure It Out!

For Sunday, November 8, 2026:

Luke 7:22 NLT: “Jesus told John-the-Baptist’s disciples, “Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor.”

God gave everyone a brain, and we’re each expected to use ours. Apply logic. Examine the evidence. Follow scenarios through to their logical conclusion.

John-the-Baptist sent some of his disciples to ask if Jesus was the Messiah they’d been expecting. Jesus responds by telling them to examine the evidence. Figure it out for yourselves. Before Jesus, a number of people were suffering. After Jesus, the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life. Logic tells us that anyone who can do these things, these miracles, must be heaven-sent. What Jesus did is well documented in historical writings and in the Gospels. Just examine the evidence!

The Kingdom of God is at hand, is here, is now! Good News was being preached to everyone, but it was especially good news to the poor.

That Good News of salvation through Jesus is also for us nowadays. Jesus may have returned to the Father, but his promises are still valid. HIs word can still be trusted. His mission was to rescue mankind, to lift us up out of our sinful ways, and, for the faithful, forgiveness is still on today’s agenda.

God’s desire is for all to repent and return to his Kingdom. If you’re a believer, you’re included!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Tell Everybody!

For Saturday, November 7, 2026:

Romans 10:14 NLT: “How can people call on Jesus to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?”

Writing to the believers in Rome, Paul is advocating for evangelism. He knows that God’s preferred outcome is for everyone to repent and return. He knows that Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. He’s been doing his part, but now he wants to encourage others to do the same.Good News

Paul’s mind applies logic to the situation. He knows that faith in Jesus saves people if they believe. To believe, they have to have first heard about Jesus. Therefore we all must share the Good News with unbelievers.

It may be easier to convince an atheist about Jesus than someone already committed to a different god. We don’t have to reengineer their god-concept!

We are all called to share the truth about Jesus with all who seek. Once they know the truth, they will be eternally grateful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Cast Out!

For Friday, November 6, 2026:

Mark 1:25-26 NLT: “Jesus reprimanded the demon. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered. At that, the evil spirit screamed, threw the man into a convulsion, and then came out of him.”

This occurred on the Sabbath in a Synagogue. This may have been Jesus’ first showdown involving Satan’s minions. In such a conflict, Jesus always wins. He is, after all, God in a human body! He later told believers to use his name when encountering evil.

When leaving, the evil spirit screamed, making a hideous sound. That often happens. The victim was thrown to the ground, convulsing uncontrollably. Again, that’s typical. Demons are squatters. They would like to claim a home in someone’s body, but they don’t belong there. When forced to leave, they are not happy. They resist leaving, oftentimes creating quite a scene. But they have no power against the name of Jesus. He ordered the demon to leave, and the man’s life instantly improved!

We have been told to love our neighbors. Like Jesus, we should always do the next right thing. Doing nothing is effectively siding with the devil. So get in the game; get on the ‘Jesus team!’ In the end, Jesus wins every time. Don’t you want to be part of a winning team?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Boldly Proclaim!

For Thursday, November 5, 2026:

Acts 4:31 NLT: “After they prayed, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.”

It’s important to understand the context of this scripture. I’ll try to give you the Reader’s Digest condensed version.

Jesus had been falsely accused, arrested and eventually crucified. Later, two of his disciples, Peter and John, healed a man near the Temple entrance. The man was well known to be lame from birth. They healed him using Jesus’ name, were arrested for doing so, and brought before the Jewish council. The council perceived anything “Jesus” to be a threat against their established religion. Nonetheless, the lame man was indeed healed! So what to do? The best solution was to just send the disciples away, instructing them to never do it again.

Those disciples immediately returned to the other believers, who were overjoyed at their release, and began praying: “O Sovereign Lord, Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and now the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

As their prayer ended, the ground shook as if God was adding his 2¢, agreeing with what had taken place. The Holy Spirit filled the believers and empowered them with needed boldness to continue preaching the Good News, despite the council’s directive.

If you are filled with the Holy Spirit, you too can boldly share the Gospel with those hungering for a Savior!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

One Faith!

For Wednesday, November 4, 2026:

Romans 10:12-13 NLT: “Everyone is included, because (in God’s eyes) there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles; God is the same Lord of all and richly blesses all who call to him. As the scripture says, “Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.”

The first believers in Jesus were all Jews. Scripture told them that God would send a Messiah, and Jesus was that man. He told John-the-Baptist’s disciples to use their eyes. Use common sense. The blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk and insanity leaves a person as demons are cast out. What does that look like to you?

Christianity was never intended to be a separate religion, but rather God’s next step in the Hebrew timeline. Jesus was the Jew’s promised Messiah, God’s solution to their sin problem. Jewish leaders at the time, not wanting to give up power and money, didn’t endorse Jesus. They were wrong, and they confused generations of Jewish progeny.

Paul wisely tells us that everyone is included, Jew or Gentile. The Messiah is for everyone! We’re all created by God, made in his image, and God sees no difference. There will not be separate Jewish sections and Christian sections in heaven. “Everyone who calls out to the Lord for help will be saved.” Everyone! That’s what the Bible says!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Decision Today!

For Tuesday, November 3, 2026:

John 17:9 NLT, Jesus, praying: “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you.”

According to God, people on our planet can be thought of as in two distinct categories. One group has rejected God, while the other worships the Father and his Son. Believers belong to the Lord who entrusted our earthly care to his Son.

In the end, there will be no fence-sitters. Jesus said that those who are not for him are counted with those against him. God says that he can understand hot or cold, but has no time for lukewarm. Each of us needs to make a firm, irrevocable decision in favor of the Father and his Son.

We are all called to make a forever decision. Deciding in favor of Jesus would be the best choice. Today is the recommended day to secure your eternal destination. Eternity is a very long time, so be certain of your decision!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Use My Name!

For Monday, November 2, 2026:

Mark 1:23-24 NLT: “A man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, ‘Why are you interfering with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!’”

The voice came from inside the man, but it was the demon speaking. Jesus had yet to be identified to mankind as the Messiah or the Son of God. But demons in the supernatural world knew exactly who Jesus is – the Holy One of God! Jesus has the power to cast out the demons, thereby cleansing this man. And so the demons feared for their continued existence.

Jesus said that we are to love our neighbors, and so much of what he did falls under that heading. In this case, the demon was negatively impacting the man‘s earthly journey. Jesus saw the opportunity to be kind and helpful. He would cast out the demon, restoring sanity to the man’s life!

Time marches on in a linear fashion, and Jesus realized that he couldn’t cleanse the world by himself. So he authorized believers to make the world a better place. “Use my name,” he said. “Tell the demons to get out because Jesus of Nazareth said so!”

Unfortunately, demons aren’t on holiday. They’re still causing as much havoc as possible. God, in his wisdom, gave believers a weapon. We can use Jesus’ name to cast out the offending spirits. Your life will be greatly improved if you send the demons packing! Do it in Jesus’ name!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Love Your Neighbor!

For Sunday, November 1, 2026:

Luke 7:21 NLT: “Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind.”

I call this behavior “typical Jesus.” If you know him, you’ll recognize this as normal behavior for the Son of God. If people needed healing, Jesus wouldn’t quit until everyone was healed. His love, caring and compassion were never exhausted.

Jesus said we should love God and love our neighbors. This healing gift was part of loving his neighbors. If Jesus could improve their quality of life, their earthly journey, that gift could last a lifetime. Life would be better for the person Jesus touched, not just now, but far into the future!

Many people were plagued by evil spirits, whose goal was to disrupt things and make people’s lives miserable. I believe these troublesome spirits are more prevalent than we sometimes realize. Jesus would cast out the demons. He sent seven demons away from Mary Magdalene, and her life did a 180! She was forever changed for the better because of Jesus. How many more did Jesus touch?

The world would be a better place if we could love one another, no exceptions! We should all do what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

A Jesus Franchise!

For Saturday, October 31, 2026:

Acts 4:30 NLT: “O Lord, stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

McDonald’s reached a point where their business had grown as much as possible with only one location. Expansion would require building more restaurants in more cities. Franchising would radically increase their bottom line.

Jesus was faced with a similar predicament. As a practical matter, he couldn’t get to every city himself. So he sent disciples, two by two, to the towns not on his schedule. Jesus was, in effect, franchising Christianity to these additional places. I call this (don’t shoot me!) the McDonald’s Method of evangelism!

The disciples Jesus sent were told to heal the sick and cure leprosy, raise the dead when appropriate and cast out demons. Jesus routinely did these things himself, and he told those disciples to do these things “in MY name.” Nowadays you and I – believers – should be the ones opening new franchises for Jesus. We should continue being helpful and doing good “in Jesus’ name” until all the people are served.

Have you selected a site for your Jesus franchise? Will you know what to do when the doors open?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Accountability!

For Friday, October 30, 2026:

Genesis 3:12 NLT: “Adam answered the Lord, ‘It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it.’”

I’ll bet Adam’s response angered God as much as the forbidden fruit incident itself. If you did something wrong, Adam, own up to it. Confess, repent and ask for forgiveness. Instead, Adam tries to blame the woman for what happened. Bad move.

Only half jokingly, I often teach that the most difficult words for the American male to say are “whoops, sorry, my bad.” It’s humor, but there’s truth behind it. Taking responsibility when something goes wrong is important. We need to try to square things up with our fellows and with God, and honest accountability goes a long way. God will forgive you if you confess. Personally, I struggle with this, but I’m getting better. My wife helps me.

So don’t succumb to the serpent’s temptation, and don’t blame someone else if you fall. What you may do wrong is your fault and no one else’s. God loves you unconditionally and will help you get back on the straight and narrow. God stands ready to help!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church