Peace To You!

For Tuesday, September 29, 2026:

John 16:33a NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.”

In Jesus’ day, many people settled disputes by fighting. But the religious leaders taught “shalom,” the peace that comes from knowing the Lord. Jesus was on board with that. He had just told believers some of the bad things about to happen, in a way, prophesying future events. Things might look dark for a while, but rest assured that God is still on the throne of the universe, and that there is purpose for all that’s about to happen.

Things aren’t all that different nowadays. People still fight, but the plots are more diabolical. People steal, cheat and lie, characteristically unchristian. There are court battles where lawyers fight for us. And people get gunned down daily. This is all satanic in origin. The devil wants to sow anger and discontent.

To counter the evil one, we must be intentional about shalom. If we want to live in peace as Jesus commanded, shalom needs to be on our daily agenda. Let’s all strive to live in the peace that is so great that it is beyond our understanding.

Shalom to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Reconcile!

For Saturday, January 21, 2023:

Matthew 5:23-24 CEV, Jesus speaking: “If you are about to place your gift on the altar and remember that someone is angry with you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. Make peace with that person, then come back and offer your gift to God.”

Hate has no place in a Christian’s heart. Jesus taught that we should love the Lord and love our neighbors as ourselves. Never think that our service towards the Lord justifies bad relationships with others.

Therefore carrying a grudge is wrong. Let go and let God! I believe that there is a finite amount of room in our hearts for all our thoughts, hopes and plans. If your mind is harboring hate, that’s space that could be filled with love and kindness.

It’s time to clean house! Permanently get rid of all the bad stuff, the hate, the anger! As a believer, you probably haven’t used the bad stuff in quite a while, and you won’t be needing it in the future!

Paul counseled the Romans (12:18): “Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship