Spiritual Healing!

July 6, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 5:31-32 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

Yesterday, we looked at physical illness and Jesus’ part in physical healing. Today, spiritual healing is our focus.

Friends, Satan isn’t on vacation. His mission is to disrupt our lives, to instigate turmoil, and he’s good at it. His little demons are constantly putting sand in the gears of our lives. Our ‘machine’ may still run, but not nearly as well!

Spiritual neglect oftentimes results in physical illness, so it can be confusing. In such a case, Doctor Jesus is the only answer. When Jesus would heal people, he’d also cast out the demons at the root of their problem. Demons recognize Jesus as the Son of God, hence their fear of him. Jesus authorized believers to use his name when dealing with such a problem, so we should do that.

With the Son of God on our side, Satan doesn’t stand a chance!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Is the Doctor In?

For Sunday, July 5, 2026: 

Luke 5:31-32 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.”

 Nowadays, even healthy people need a doctor. They call it ‘preventive medicine.’ Doctors want to spot little problems before they become big ones. I take prescriptions daily, not because I’m experiencing any problem, but because my numbers are just a little off. As a result, life expectancy is much higher now than it was when Jesus walked the earth! Preventive medicine works!

 2K years ago, people would only call on a physician if they were really sick or severely injured. When people had exhausted all their personal healing options, it was time to summon a professional. Hence Jesus’ analogy, comparing physical healing with spiritual healing.

 The physically sick are eager to find a solution. They welcome the opinion of a trained medical professional. But those who are spiritually ill oftentimes are embarrassed by their situation and reluctant to seek help. For example, one symptom of addiction is vehemently denying the problem.

 When sinners are ready to repent, ready to seek help, Jesus stands ready to forgive, forget and absolve. ‘Repent’ in the Hebrew language literally means to get closer to God. Someone sinning is said to be far from God. Someone reversing the course of their lives, repenting and returning, is said to be closer to God.

 That’s the best place for us all to be, closer to God. We should have Jesus looking out for us, forgiving our sins, and clearing the way for believers to live closer to God. You’ll find that Jesus has prepared a place for you in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom! If you repent and return, there’ll be a room with your name on the door!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church

Doctor in the House?

June 29, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 5:31 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”

Jesus’ analogy compares physical health with spiritual health. Healthy people have little use for a doctor. But those with a malady or injury will be first in line at the emergency room.

Those who think they have religion all figured out have little use for the Son of Man. That works out, because Jesus has no time for ‘know-it-alls!’ He came for the repentant, sinners trying to return to the straight and narrow, backsliders who have done a 180º. Jesus dispenses mercy to all who repent and return.

“Repent and return” is a key phrase in Jewish theology. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they were told to repent and return. Be truly sorry for what went wrong, and submit to God’s leadership. When the Hebrews leaving Egypt rebelled, Moses told them to repent and return to the God who had rescued them. When God called Jonah, he went in the opposite direction. He feared for his own safety. He finally repented, either on a stormy ship or in the belly of a great fish, who spit him out on the beach at Nineveh. He returned to his God. He was able to counsel the people of Nineveh to repent and return. They did, and God restored their kingdom!

Remember, God’s desire is that ALL would repent and return. He doesn’t want to lose a single soul. You can lock in your eternal destiny today by calling Jesus your “Lord and Savior.” God loves everyone who loves his Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Dr. Luke!

For Thursday, November 20, 2025:

Luke 1:3-4 NLT: “Having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I also have decided to write an accurate account for you, most honorable Theophilus, so you can be certain of the truth of everything you were taught.”

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, followed by Advent and then Christmas. So I thought is would be a good time to review Luke from the beginning. Luke was never a major disciple of Jesus, but rather a once-removed disciple of Paul, who the risen Jesus personally converted on the road to Damascus. There are records of Luke traveling with Paul and evangelizing alongside him.

Luke was also known as a healer, a physician, so we would expect him to have above-average intelligence. As Luke authored his Gospel, he quoted eyewitnesses who had seen and heard the Savior speak; eyewitnesses who had personally seen miracles play out! I look at Luke as an investigative reporter who interviewed countless people and condensed their stories into an accurate biography of Jesus’ life. He’s writing to “Theophilus,” which means, “Lover of God.” We don’t know if Theophilus is a person, a group of God lovers, or all those who love the Lord nowadays. Perhaps, “All of the above!” Luke stresses the accuracy and truthfulness of his Jesus biography. So listen up and take good notes!

So that we know our location on the timeline of history, Luke tells us that Herod was the king, and Zechariah was serving as a Temple priest. Z’s wife Elizabeth was barren, so they were without children. And Luke tells us, “They were both very old.” Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations, and yet, childless.

The odds were against anyone serving in the Temple sanctuary. It was the day for Z’s group to serve, but they chose by lot which individual would receive the honored call. Much happened while Z was serving, which we’ll cover next time. See how this plays out in God’s vast eternal plan! Hint: Elizabeth was a cousin of Mary, the mother of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Jesus' Name!

For Saturday, October 4, 2025:

John 14:12-13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

When Jesus designates others to be his representatives here on earth, he tells them to do what he did. Use his name to underwrite miracles. In fact, do even greater works than Jesus did, because he’s planning to return to the Father. Someone needs to continue his earthly work, and you’re “it!” Spiritual gifts are for all believers, not just clergy!

I heard a man from Kenya speak about healing in his country. There are still those who first consult sorcerers and witch doctors. When those options yield no results, the inflicted move on to hospitals and doctors. There, they care for the infirm, but seldom do much to heal the person. Their last resort (should have been their first!) is to come to someone who knows Jesus, who knows the Good News. Jesus said we should heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. That’s most important, because Satan may be the root of many problems! Large tumors growing from arms have disappeared right before their eyes because the Pastor (the Healer) invoked Jesus’ name! The hospital can then put your sore arm in a sling, but only Jesus can remove the tumor, no surgery required! Internal bodily functions are corrected on the spot. Sight is restored, hearing is restored, and lameness is routinely corrected, all in the name of Jesus.

In some scientific and industrial ways, the US appears to be ahead of Kenya. But in knowing and trusting Jesus, they may have passed us. Our fear of trusting what we cannot see has separated us from the grace of the Almighty!

It’s time to rekindle that relationship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Tax Collectors and Sinners!

For Friday, July 11, 2025:

Luke 15:1 NLT: “Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.”

Tax collectors were considered the worst of the sinners, so much so that the Bible often speaks of “tax collectors and sinners,” giving them their own distinct category. Sinners had simply done something wrong, but tax collectors were working for the opposition, the bad guys! They were working FOR Rome, against the Hebrew people. Tax collectors were also known for taxing a little bit extra to line their own pockets. They were skimming, taking more from their Hebrew brothers than Rome required. Needless to say, tax collectors had abandoned their heritage in favor of the almighty dollar. (OK, denarius.)

Tax collectors knew they weren’t welcome in Synagogues, but many were still interested in God and religion, the way they had been raised. So when Jesus taught, they would stop and listen. Their presence angered the Pharisees. Even though Jesus wasn’t “their guy,” they wanted to maintain a certain majesty at religious gatherings, and including tax collectors wasn’t on the Pharisee agenda.

Jesus had previously stated, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Therefore, tax collectors and sinners needed to hear what the Pharisees should have already known! (Mark 2:17)

This raises some tough questions. Does your Sunday church cater to those who already believe, or to the notorious sinners in your community? Look around; see who’s there. Hopefully you’ll see some from each group! Those hosting the meeting need to be welcoming to those just checking things out. We can gently make a case that following Jesus is the better way to live. Let everyone know that being a Christian can be exciting and fun. Tell your face! Love your neighbor, even if they don’t yet have Christian ethics. That’s what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship