Mark's Gospel!

For Wednesday, September 23, 2026:

Mark 1:1a NLT: “This is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.”

I don’t know if anyone notices, but as I assemble these daily messages, we alternate topics from various books of the Bible. Some are Gospels, some are letters or Epistles, and Acts is the history of the first church. The idea is that if you read these messages, you’ll experience a good cross-section of the Bible. Today we add Mark’s Gospel to the mix. It’s thought to be written by the Jesus loyalist John Mark, as dictated by the outspoken Simon Peter. I call him “Mr. Impulsive,” as he often speaks and acts before thinking things through. But Jesus loved Peter’s enthusiasm, and he was chosen to lead the emerging church.

Let’s look at verse 1. Journalism students learn to write a condensed version of a story in its first sentence. It’s called the “lead.” This tells the reader what to expect in the remainder of the document. We’re first told that this is “Good News,” and since it’s capitalized, we can assume it’s a translation of “Gospel,” a Holy Book about Jesus the Nazarene, the earthly son of Mary and Joseph. We now know that Jesus is the Messiah, the Moshiach, the one promised in Isaiah. Turns out he’s the Son of God, or more accurately, God himself. Let me explain.

Christians know God in three different forms: Father God in Heaven, Jesus Son of God on Earth, and the Holy Spirit, our counselor, advocate and helper, here on Earth since Jesus returned to the Father. One God, three different forms. I heard a pastor call Jesus “God with skin.” Sounds odd, but kinda makes sense. God in Heaven is a spirit-being and needs no skin, just like the Holy Spirit – no skin, but helps us here on Earth. They’re all God, all of one mind.

If you’re a curious reader, this “lead” should ignite your curiosity about (as Paul Harvey would have said) the rest of the story. This wild ride culminates with mankind being the beneficiaries of Jesus’ sacrifice to forgive our sins, making a way for believers to spend eternity in Father God’s Kingdom. So keep your eyes on heaven, that prize, that goal, that reward for being faithful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Trust in God!

For Tuesday, September 22, 2026:

Romans 9:33c NLT: “Anyone who trusts in him (God) will never be disgraced.”

There will be bumps in the road leading to the Lord. Jesus said we should count on tribulation and watch out for diversions. Beware! Satan will do everything he can to upset our lives and muddle our attention.

While a bumpy road may inconvenience us, it’s just that: a minor inconvenience. Christians should be most concerned with the big picture, the end result. When it’s time to transition from this life to the next reality, none of that little stuff will matter. The mocking of unbelievers will turn to envy when they see what Jesus has prepared for you!

So let’s all do what Paul advised: Keep our eyes on the prize! No matter what problems come up, realize that they are only evil trying to unfocus our eyes and our minds.

Friends, pursue the ultimate goal, to see heaven from the inside! Keep Jesus and his Father in Heaven in your sights. Set your gaze on a glorious eternity!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

No Other Name!

September 21, 2026, Monday Message:

Acts 4:12 NLT, Peter, answering the religious council: “There is salvation in no one else but Jesus! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Peter was not subtle. He didn’t handle the topic of salvation with kid gloves. He laid it right out, leaving no doubt as to his message. Having been arrested, he’s now defending himself before the elders, telling them what he believes. Having been an eyewitness to all that happened, his beliefs are unshakable.

Not only does Peter say that Jesus is the way to salvation, he says Jesus is the ONLY way! The old covenant in which people tried to live by the Law wasn’t working. The only way mankind could see salvation was if God intervened. In the New Covenant, God’s Son would pay the price for mankind’s sins, and people with the Son would receive forgiveness. Thereby rendered sinless, believers could be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven.

I should point out that God’s plan for our salvation was contrary to what the religious leaders believed at that time. But Peter’s unflinching conviction caused everyone to take notice.

Nothing has changed. We still live under God’s New Covenant. The Bible says that Jesus is the way, the way to salvation. Jesus is truth. Every word he spoke was true then and is still true today. And Jesus is life, the key to eternal life, a life after this life. All believers in Jesus are assured a heavenly home. Jesus will prepare a place for you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Origins!

For Sunday, September 20, 2026:

John 16:30 NLT, Disciples responding to Jesus: “Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

Nowadays, becoming a Christian requires believing that Jesus was heaven-sent and knowing that he’s God’s Son. Believers accept that Jesus is our Creator, in human body form, part of the eternal Father-Son-Holy Spirit Godhead. We believe!

But 2K years ago, people were just beginning to discern the divine nature of Jesus. Understand that if Jesus had simply said, “Hey, Son of God here!,” no one would have believed him. But those close to him, his disciples, heard his wisdom and were eyewitnesses to many miracles. Eventually, Jesus spoke to them, summarizing his relationship with the Father and his earthly mission. They came to believe!

Their group acknowledged that Jesus knew everything. He’s omniscient just like the Father. Once Jesus was identified as God, there would be no need to question him further. Believers had found the next step in their religious walk. They had found the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Jesus offered forgiveness and eternal life to the faithful.

Thank goodness Jesus showed that early group the truth, so that they could lock in as believers. Believers tend to make more believers, and today we gratefully hold on to their truth. Thankfully Jesus doesn’t have to prove himself to us again! Share this Good News with another prospective believer!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Clean House!

For Saturday, September 19, 2026:

Luke 6:41 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?”

This example is an analogy. There’s really nothing in our eye! I find it interesting how various writers translate the passage.

“It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.” (MSG) “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and fail to notice the plank in your own?” (PHILLIPS) “Perhaps you want to tell a friend about his little mistake. If you want to tell him, first remember your own bigger mistakes.” (EASY)

Jesus is giving a humorous example of how we tend to be more tolerant of our own sins than we are of other’s sins. He designed it to get a laugh. Picture this in your mind’s eye: You trying to locate a speck of sawdust in your brother’s or sister’s eye while a giant log sticks out of your own? How long is your log? How big around? Can you even see through the log? How egregious is your sin? That’s the real question!

Before calling someone else’s house filthy, make sure your own house has been cleaned. Forgiveness from Jesus can do the cleaning!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Rain, Rain!

For Friday, September 18, 2026:

Genesis 7:12 CEV: “The water under the earth started gushing out everywhere, the sky opened like windows, and rain poured down for 40 days and nights.”

Let’s call this Noah’s rain. The world had become an evil place, and this was God’s sentence, God’s punishment. Noah’s friends poked fun at him for building an ark. But when the water came, they no longer laughed. Noah’s family and pairs of every animal were safe on the ark. Nothing else survived. This was God’s do-over, a fresh start for mankind. Hopefully we’ll do better this time!

It’s supposed to rain here today. I hope it rains where you are. Our state, our country and our continent are suffering a drought. In fact, a shortage of freshwater rain is a worldwide problem.

It works like this. Rivers carry all the gunk, muck and sewage into the oceans. The bad stuff stays there while water evaporates and forms clouds. Wind blows these clouds over land where it can rain purified water onto us. Simple system – ingenious design!

In Noah’s case, water gushed up from below while rain fell from the sky. There was no escaping it! God promised that we’ll never again see a complete flooding of the planet like that! The rainbow is our perpetual sign of God’s covenant with man, a sign of reconciliation, peace and a new beginning.

While the Bible says to not worry about today, prudent care of our planet would be advisable. Our provider, Jehovah-jireh, will make sure we have everything that we need. Jesus loves us, and so does his Father in heaven! After all, believers have been adopted into God’s Holy Family!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Heaven-sent!

For Thursday, September 17, 2026:

John 16:28 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

Understanding Jesus, as a part of God’s plan, can prove challenging, but especially so for those who knew him. Imagine someone you walk with, talk with and take meals with telling you they were sent by Father God. Seems unlikely. And now that same person is foretelling their return to that same Father. The faithful were not accustomed to seeing anything like this.

Now that these actions are complete, we can have a much clearer picture of what took place. We can now see the big picture. Disciples would have heard about the angel Gabriel and the immaculate conception directly from Mary, Jesus’ earthly mother. His arrival from heaven would no longer be a mystery. Then Luke, with the tenacity of an investigative reporter, authors for us an accurate record of Jesus’ life and the ongoing group of believers. His goal was accuracy and truth. If Jesus came from heaven, it makes sense that he would return there. Eyewitnesses would later confirm this event.

We worship Jesus knowing he was heaven-sent. The Creator of the world scheduled his appearance on our planet. Believers are the beneficiaries of God’s plan for our rescue. Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, just as he was sent to do. And on the cross, he said, “It is finished!” His mission to rescue mankind was complete.

Having returned to the Father, he will prepare a place for believers in the hereafter. That’s what Jesus said, and he always tells the truth. He will never leave you or forsake you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Cornerstone!

For Wednesday, September 16, 2026:

Acts 4:11 NLT: “Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’”

In a building, a cornerstone holds intersecting walls together. But when used in this context, the cornerstone holds theology together. The coming of Jesus represents the arrival of the New Covenant. What changed?

Under the old covenant, God’s people were supposed to follow laws or commandments. In general, people weren’t very good at that. The only hope for salvation was if God would intervene, and he did by sending his Son Jesus, who would eventually become the sacrifice for the sins of the world. No longer would people have to strain to remember 613 commandments. They could claim Jesus as their Savior, thereby rejoicing in assurance of salvation.

Jesus was at first rejected by religious leaders. Unfortunately, some still reject him. But eyewitnesses saw truth in Jesus’ teaching, and he was recognized as the cornerstone for all 2.6B Christians in the world.

Claim this for yourself. Is Jesus the cornerstone in your life?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Trust in the Lord!

For Tuesday, September 15, 2026:

Romans 9:32a NLT: “Why could the people of Israel never get right with God? Because they were trying to do it by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him.”

What should be our goal in this life? I believe that getting right with God tops the list. That way, when we transition from this life to the next, we can be assured of inclusion in God’s forever heavenly Kingdom.

So what can we do that will please the Lord? Let’s be clear: Works are not the answer. We can never ‘earn’ our way into heaven.

Unflinching faith is what God wants to see. Fully trusting God’s Son as our Savior is the first step. Faith in Jesus includes us in the Holy Family. Believers become sons and daughters of the Most High. Believers are adopted as brothers and sisters of Jesus. Of course we can live in the hereafter – after all, we’re family!

Believers should try to live their earthly lives in a Godly manner. We won’t be perfect, but repentant sinners can be forgiven. I’ll never be in the “perfect” group, but Jesus qualified me for the “forgiven” group.

Jesus knew he was heaven-sent, so Christians not only need Jesus in their hearts but also Father God. Trust in God’s master plan as he sent Jesus to rescue mankind. Despite Satan’s ongoing efforts to derail our salvation, remember that God always wins. Choose today whom you will serve. I choose to stick with a guaranteed winner!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Disciples!

September 14, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 6:39 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Then Jesus gave the following illustration: “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch?”

Some of us are called to be teachers. We garner as much information as possible and use it to teach those who need to learn. Just as one blind person cannot lead another, so the uneducated cannot teach others.

Therefore, each of us should learn as much as possible. We never know when someone will ask us a question about Jesus or the Bible. The correct answer should be on the tip of our tongues. If we don’t know, we should offer to find out. Be willing to look things up. God has challenged believers to become teachers of the next generation!

None of us will ever know everything. If you think you know it all, you don’t!

Help spread the Good News! Don’t just tell people about Jesus. Make more disciples, dedicated believers who can then teach others!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Name of Jesus!

For Sunday, September 13, 2026:

Acts 4:8-9a NLT: “Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, then spoke: “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man?”

Upon entering the Temple, Peter and John spotted a man, lame from birth, begging near the Beautiful Gate. They had no money to share with him, but willingly gave what they had, which was healing in the name of Jesus. The man then took Peter’s hand and stood, walked, and I always say (jokingly) that he danced a jig! Probably not. The point is that everyone knew this man because he frequented the Temple, and they all knew he was crippled from birth. His standing and walking around was certain to pique everyone’s curiosity.

Q: How was the man healed? A: Through the power of the Son. Peter prayed that the man would be healed “in the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Make a mental note that it worked!)

Peter and John were doing exactly what Jesus had told them to do. They loved the Lord. Now it was time to love their neighbor. They saw a need and fulfilled it, asking nothing in return. They did the right thing for the right reason. They made the world a little bit better, especially for that one man!

We are called to love the Lord and love our neighbors. Jesus gave all believers the power to improve life here on earth. Have you called upon that power lately? Now is the best time to get started!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

In Jesus' Name!

For Saturday, September 12, 2026:

John 16:26-27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You will then ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God.”

In the Hebrew tradition, an intermediary was needed between the people and their God. A priest would fill this requirement. Also, God was thought to be harsh and judgmental. While that wasn’t accurate, the people were nonetheless fearful of approaching him on their own. As it turns out, God actually loves believers, because we love his Son Jesus and we believe Jesus was heaven-sent.

Jesus now permanently occupies that position between God and believers, and Jesus told us to use his name. In the New Covenant, we are told to ask God directly using Jesus’ name. We pray to the Lord using Jesus’ name. That’s why so many prayers begin with words like “Dear God” or “Our Father,” and conclude by saying, “In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Knowing I’m a Christian, people often ask me to pray for them, for healing or for help in a sticky situation. I’m happy to do so and honored to be asked, but I’m tempted to tell them to do it themselves! Jesus said that any believer can pray directly to God using his name. But I don’t mind being the middleman if that gives someone comfort.

As Jesus was crucified, the curtain separating the Holy of Holies from the rest of the Temple was torn in half. Access to the Lord was no longer restricted. So reach out to him today. We have Jesus’ permission to do so. Start with adoration and thanksgiving!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

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