Expectations!

For Wednesday, September 9, 2026:

Acts 4:5, 7 NLT: “The next day the council of all the rulers and elders and teachers of religious law met in Jerusalem. They brought in Peter and John and demanded, ‘By what power, or in whose name, have you done this?’”

Peter and John had been teaching the people the truth about Jesus. They had been preaching the Good News (Gospel) in the Temple. But the council didn’t see Jesus as an extension of their religion. They regarded him as head-on competition, and demanded that Peter and John stop what they had been doing or get out of the Temple or both!

Peter and John had started their visit to the Temple by healing a man, lame from birth, found begging by the beautiful gate. Everyone knew this man, many had given to help him in the past, and no one ever expected to see him walk! And here he was, dancing a jig around the Temple after being healed through the name of Jesus!

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, explained in no uncertain words exactly what had taken place: “Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that this man was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

Peter didn’t stutter; he didn’t hem and haw. He never used the words “like” and “ya know” (or the Hebrew equivalents.) All he had to do (and all he was called to do) was tell the truth. Peter had full confidence in Jesus. He h

One problem we may have nowadays is lack of faith. Scientists and doctors have conditioned us to not expect results when our prayers exceed earthly limitations. Don’t restrict what God can do by excluding supernatural expectations. God is full of surprises, oftentimes delivering more than we asked. So ask him today – in the name of Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Prejudice!

May 4, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 4:22 NLT: “Everyone spoke well of Jesus and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. ‘How can this be?’ they asked. ‘Isn’t this Joseph’s son?’”

Prejudice. It’s a practical word that has taken on a bad connotation. Nowadays, when we think of prejudice, we think of people from one country disliking those of another, simply because they’re from that other country. Racial prejudice is hate based only on skin color. And a number of people always seem to hate the Jews, but I’m never quite sure why.

Prejudice simply means “to pre-judge.” Prejudice could be based on logical assumptions, and not necessarily hateful in nature. In human terms, Jesus was the son of Joseph, so everyone assumed that Jesus would have learned from his father, who was a tektōn, a builder or craftsman. Given the lack of trees in the region and the amount of stone available, it’s more likely that Joseph was a stone mason rather than a carpenter.

But the people are amazed when Jesus reads scripture and speaks in the Synagogue. They hadn’t seen this coming! If he could artfully cut stone, that would have fit their prejudice. But to discover that Jesus could not only read scripture, truly understand scripture, and clearly explain it to others didn’t fit their pre-judged model. Jesus’ gracious words were contrary to what was normal for the time, looking out only for oneself. Again, it wasn’t what they expected.

Jesus is setting the stage for what bystanders around him should expect to see in the future. Friends, prepare yourselves. Expect the unexpected. Watch for problems to be supernaturally resolved. Miracles will be brought to fruition right before your eyes. You can watch it all happen, and wonder, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” Don’t allow your prejudice to overturn what your eyes can see!

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