End Times Progress!

For Saturday, January 17, 2026:

Matthew 24:7-8 NLT: Jesus speaking: “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.”

Jesus is teaching about the beginning of the end times. His description doesn’t sound like a pleasant time for anyone. Jesus is drawing a parallel to the pain of childbirth. But when childbirth ends, we get to hold a beautiful little baby, a miracle that puts a smile on everyone’s face! All’s well that ends well!

The Bible tells us that some people will give up during this time of tribulation. Don’t you be like them! One of the Bible’s most loyal believers was Job. We should imitate him, copy his behavior. Job loved the Lord and had a good life. Then things started going south, but Job still loved the Lord. He finally hit rock bottom: starvation and diseases. Job’s wife said he should curse God and then die! But Job didn’t do that. He never lost faith. He never lost hope! God eventually proved himself worthy of Job’s ongoing faith. Job’s good fortune was restored to the best it had ever been! God is good!

As we live our lives, expect some bad stuff. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” The truly good life will be the life after this life. Jesus has prepared a place for the faithful in the next life, God’s forever Heavenly Kingdom!

Hold up the new baby, and put a smile on your face!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Solid Rock!

For Friday, February 17, 2023:

Matthew 7:24 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.”

Much has dominated the news lately about the earthquake in Turkey and neighboring Syria, killing more than 41,000 people, a total that keeps rising as more victims are discovered. Turkey, wanting to place the blame somewhere, is investigating contractors and building inspectors, accusing them of not building a solid structure on a solid foundation. Time will tell.

As Jesus concludes his Sermon on the Mount, he uses this comparison to encourage living our lives according to his teaching, a solid foundation indeed. The house we’re seeking is an eternal resting place in God’s neighborhood. Jesus said that he would go first to prepare a place for believers, so your house WILL be built on solid ground! In heaven everything is perfect, nothing rusts and nothing decays. I don’t know if there are earthquakes, but probably not. That won’t matter if your house is built on solid rock, not shaky sand!

Jesus, our foundation, isn’t just for Sunday mornings. He’s looking for 24/7 believers, living out his teaching in our daily lives. It’s no good to love Jesus Sunday morning but live for the world the rest of the time. He wants us permanently “in,” fully immersed in our love for the Lord!

The house of your eternal destination is built on the solid rock of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship