End Times Signs!

For Thursday, November 13, 2025:

Luke 21:34 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap.”

The end times will be here someday soon. Jesus said so. He counseled mankind to watch out! Stay alert! That is why he taught about signs pointing to the end times, so that we would recognize what’s happening AS it happens!

When Jesus calls believers to meet him in the sky, we’d never want to miss that opportunity. A party might seem like good temporary fun, but it’s no good if it distracts us from accompanying Jesus into the next reality.

That day will be a day of last chances. It’s our last chance to join the line going with Jesus. It will also be Satan’s last chance to cloud our thinking, to divert our attention from the light. On that day, Jesus will separate the sheep from the goats. Everybody say, “Baa, baa…” Good job!

God’s desire is that all would repent and return, that none would be lost. He’s given us signs to recognize the day of decision. He’s allowing a little extra time so that more can get on board. Today is the accepted day to commit or re-commit our lives to Jesus’ mission. When Jesus says, “Let’s get going,” our desire should be to be first in line. We’ll all know when. He’s given us plenty of signs!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Rich Man and Lazarus!

July 28, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 16:22-23 NLT, Jesus telling the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus: “The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side.”

Just so you know, this is not the same Lazarus, brother of Martha and Mary, who was a close friend of Jesus. Jesus just used this name for a character in a story he was telling.

This poor Lazarus lived alongside the dogs just outside the main gate to a rich man’s mansion. There he begged as the wealthy came and went, transacting their business. As Jesus tells it, Lazarus was sickly and had sores all over himself. Lack of resources had finally taken its toll on his body. Lazarus died, and angels carried him to heaven. The rich man also died and was delivered to the place of the dead, Hades. Here’s where the story gets interesting!

From his place of torment, the rich man caught a glimpse of Lazarus sitting beside Abraham. He pleaded, “Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.”

Well brother rich man, you made your bed, and now you have to lie in it! “No can do! During your lifetime, you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.” The first will be last, and the last will be first! “Besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.”

Q: Is it possible that part of hell’s punishment is being able to visualize just how great heaven is? Are people in hell confronted daily with their bad decision, having turned their backs on Jesus? They had a chance, but turned down a golden opportunity. The Bible doesn’t say for sure, but Jesus seems to imply that scenario. He also teaches that accepting salvation is a forever decision. Once we reach the next reality, there’s no changing our minds. The chasm is too wide, and no one can cross over in either direction. Repent and return only works in this life!

Today is the accepted day to commit or re-commit our souls to the service of God’s Son. We never know when tomorrow will come, and we must be prepared to embark on the best journey of our lives. Jesus will meet you with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Better Direction!

For Friday, June 6, 2025:

Acts 2:38 NLT: “Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

“Repent and return to the Lord.” Sound familiar? For centuries, prophets had been trying to get everyone back on track. One example is Jonah, delivering God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Repent and return. Before Jesus arrived, John-the-Baptist used those same words. Jesus himself spoke those words. And now Peter, following Jesus’ instructions, is encouraging a colossal crowd of Jews to repent and return.

Every language has its quirks, and Hebrew is no exception. “Teshuvah” (repent) indicates a change in direction. “We were headed East, but decided West would be better.” Sinners are “far from God.” Believers are “closer to God.” Combining those two thoughts, people caroming through the world are advised to change directions and return, thereby becoming closer to God. The best way to get closer to God is to repent, change your ways and make a total commitment to follow God Almighty and His Son.

Baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward change. If a person is convinced that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, public baptism shares their decision with the world. There were healing pools nearby, and several other believers to perform the baptisms, making this scenario possible.

Take a moment and re-commit yourself to service on the “Jesus Team!” Each of us has been given specific gifts and talents to add value to our church family. Everyone is needed. Do you know your piece of the worship equation?

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Faith Again!

For Friday, February 7, 2025:

Exodus 14:21 NLT: “Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land.”

This is the part of the story that everyone knows! The people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! That’s right, all 2.5M of them, safely on the other side!

Soon the Egyptian armies and chariots chased after the Israelites, but God Almighty had two more things in mind. First, he ‘confused’ the Egyptian pursuers. With walls of water on each side, they were directionally challenged, and bent chariot wheels made progress impossible. Finally, God had Moses raise his hand again, the east wind stopped and the waters came back together, covering the Egyptians. God not only delivered the Hebrews out of Egypt, but he also delivered them from being chased down.

And when the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

Q: Has God ever helped with a major change in your life? Has he rescued you from a perilous situation? Has he delivered you from demons and similar oppressors?

When you and I see the mighty power of the Lord, it should be obvious that he deserves all our faith and trust. God will never abandon us, so we shouldn’t ever abandon him. Today is the accepted day to commit or re-commit ourselves to the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Gnats? Gnuts!

For Saturday, January 25, 2025:

Exodus 8:17 NLT: “Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. When Aaron raised his hand and struck the ground with his staff, gnats infested the entire land, covering the Egyptians and their animals. All the dust in the land of Egypt turned into gnats.”

Gnats? Gnuts! Gnats would have given the frogs something to eat, but that’s not how it worked. The frogs were gone, but Pharaoh’s heart was hard. He was determined to not believe in the God of Moses.

Gnats are those tiny, miniature flies, biting and blood-sucking, thereby making everyone’s life miserable. You see them in the air and try to swat them, but always seem to miss. Gnats swarm by the thousands, and Pharaoh’s magicians could not duplicate what was happening. In fact, they encouraged Pharaoh to go ahead and believe in Moses’ God. This plague of gnats was beyond anything they could duplicate.

The one with the hardened heart was too proud to admit defeat, and that’s what hardened heart means – never acknowledging that you’re wrong even when you know that you are. Stubborn! Our takeaway is to always confess our sins and humble ourselves before the Lord. Don’t be obstinate and stubborn like Pharaoh. Our God is patient, loving and forgiving and will gladly welcome you back home! Today is the accepted day to commit or recommit yourself to the Creator God of the Universe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship