Tall, Tall Trees!

For Wednesday, February 11, 2026:

Luke 3:9 NLT, John the Baptist speaking: “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

John’s audience is Hebrew people, Jewish people, people who think they are planted in God’s orchard because they were born into it. Not necessarily! John is about to set the record straight!

Listen to this: God will not import worthless trees into his Kingdom! Every tree expecting to be with the Lord must bear good fruit. It must be furthering God’s agenda, not standing idly by. By now you probably know that this analogy is about people, not trees.

Here’s another one. If you’re hot, you’re with the Lord. Let’s get to work! If you’re cold, you’re the enemy. At least I know where we stand, and I can fight for what’s right! But lukewarm??? Wishy-washy? God says lukewarm is worthless to both of us.

God is not going to just stand around waiting. There will come a day of decision, a day of judgment when he will pick up his ax, chop down the worthless trees and cast them into the fire, to be absent from his presence forever.

Friends, this is serious. Believers all need to have Jesus in their hearts, a Bible in their hands and the Gospel on their lips. Let the world know that you’re playing for the Lord’s team. Let the world know that you’re not wishy-washy!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

ALL-IN Generosity!

For Tuesday, October 14, 2025:

Luke 21:2 AMP: “Jesus saw a poor widow putting two small copper coins in the collection box.”

Money was not a personal concern for Jesus. But money is necessary, in that you can’t do ministry without resources! He watched as others gave from their surplus. Typical. But he took special note of the poor widow, who dropped in two lepta, the smallest of Jewish coins. That was everything she had!

When Jesus atoned for the sins of the world, He gave everything. That’s typical of how God wants things done. You’re either ALL in, or just forget doing anything. Hot is good, cold lets Him know where you stand, but God doesn’t like lukewarm. Wishy-washy isn’t in God’s vocabulary.

The first portion and the best part of everything already belongs to God. The best livestock and the first harvest go to the Lord. Leaving only our surplus to the Almighty is akin to serving Him leftovers. God deserves better.

Jesus summarized the situation: “The rich have given a tiny part of their surplus, but this widow, poor as she is, has given everything!” Jesus’ message to us is that we should be more like the widow and less like the rich. Generosity is a desirable trait!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lukewarm?

September 9, 2024 Monday Message:

Revelation 3:15 NLT: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!”

Are you FOR Jesus or AGAINST Jesus? Christians should all be FOR Jesus, participating in the kingdom enthusiastically. The Bible says to not take that Good News lightly!

God has no time for coasting Christians, those who have heard the Good News but are doing nothing WITH that news. He wants us to make a firm decision one way or the other. It’s regrettable if you’d choose “no,” but at least he’d know where you stand. And if you’re on fire for Jesus, that’s the best decision ever! But if you’re lukewarm, God isn’t sure what to think.

My example is to think of getting into a swimming pool. Don’t put one toe at a time into the water to check its temperature. Get a running start toward the deep end, jump, pull your knees up, and ker-splash into the water with a “no turning back” attitude!

Jesus already promised us that the water’s fine!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Called!

For Wednesday, December 6, 2023:

Mark 1:17 NLT: “Jesus called out to Simon and his brother Andrew, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’”

First Simon and Andrew, and a short time later Jesus adds James and John to the mix of what was to become the 12, the “Apostles.” When Jesus called them, they immediately ceased what they were doing, dropped everything and went with their Messiah. Immediately!

Let’s look at the big picture. Everyone knew the prophesies concerning a heaven-sent Savior, and here standing right in front of them, calling out their names, was Jesus, saying, “Follow me.” They had been issued an invitation by God’s own Son. Friends, that is not a time to be wishy-washy. The Bible says that God understands hot and cold. Hot is better. What God doesn’t want to see is lukewarm, someone given an invitation from heaven who can’t make up their mind. If God taps you on the shoulder, the proper response is to get going, and the right time is now!

Oftentimes the person being called wants to get their affairs in order and let their family and friends know what’s going on. There’ll be plenty of time later to fill in the blanks for them, to gather the pieces of your old life. But in this scenario, you should only have one response to Jesus’ call: “Yes, Lord!”

Joyfully serve the Lord today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship