Your Sins are Forgiven!

For Thursday, December 18, 2025:

Luke 2:16 NLT: “The shepherds hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger.”

Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus were in town, staying at the stable where Jesus had been born. The shepherds were out in the countryside tending their sheep. Angel(s) told them about the birth of the Messiah, in that nearby town, in a stable. Expect to find the baby in a manger amongst the hay.

God gave mankind insatiable curiosity, so the shepherds just had to check this out! The Messiah, an anointed rescuer, had been prophesied for centuries. Also, think of the angel’s words as prophecy. The shepherds would find the newborn Savior not in a castle or a palace. Rather, he’d be among the common folk, seeking shelter in the stable alongside animals.

At that time, the Promised Land had been occupied by the Roman Army. So the Jewish prayers were, “Liberate us from the Romans!”

Jesus would grow up to say, “Your sins are forgiven!” He had the best answer. The Hebrews just hadn’t asked the right question!

Jesus completed his entire ministry while Rome occupied the land intended for the Chosen People. It turns out that who’s running the country isn’t nearly as important as having your sins forgiven. Make sure you’re asking the right question!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Boils!

For Tuesday, January 28, 2025:

Exodus 9:8-9 NLT: “Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Take handfuls of soot from a brick kiln, and have Moses toss it into the air while Pharaoh watches. The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing festering boils to break out on people and animals throughout the land.””

Following the first five plagues, the Egyptians were miserable. First, no water, and then frogs. What was God thinking? Next came pesky insects, and then all their livestock died. What else could go wrong?

Boils! In case you don’t know, a boil is a painful infection of a hair follicle or an oil gland. It grows into a sizable lump as white blood cells gather, attempting to fight the infection. ‘Festering’ means that fluid fills the boil, perhaps even leaking. It was a painful, messy time in Egypt as both the people and their animals suffered.

This is a time when people turn to their governments and say, “Do something!” But Pharaoh could do nothing, and his advisors and magicians could do nothing. The plague of boils would have to run its course. Pharaoh’s ego prevented his hardened heart from admitting defeat, from acknowledging that Moses’ God was the supreme being over everything!

The Egyptians and God seem to have reached a stalemate. God sent a significant plague and the Egyptians did not respond. But as Christians, we’re listening for the voice of God and following his instructions. Hopefully God will not have to cast plagues on our nation to change the rampant disbelief. Regardless, believers stand with the winning team. We’re like the Hebrew people in Egypt. Believers in our land are now God’s chosen people!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship