Eternal Life!

For Friday, August 2, 2024:

2 Peter 2:12 NLT: “False teachers are like unthinking animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They scoff at things they do not understand, and like animals, they will be destroyed.”

False teachers speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption. They will receive the wages of unrighteousness. Let me explain:

Whereas God is spirit from the heavenly kingdom, false teachers are only of this world. Souls belonging to God’s kingdom are eternal, but those carousing through this world (sinning) will die when the Lord brings us the New Heaven and the New Earth!

Judgment Day is something to be feared if you’re not on the “Jesus team!” God has no time for sin. I don’t think it’s impatience on God’s part, so much as the fact that there’s only one possible outcome, so we might as well git ‘er done!

Remember that those who have placed their faith, hope and trust in Jesus have “Assurance of Salvation,” a promise of life-after-this-life in the presence of the Father. So lock in your relationship with the risen Jesus. Follow him and you too will rise!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Come Again?

For Tuesday, July 30, 2024:

2 Peter 2:3 NLT: “In their greed, these false teachers will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”

Some people complain about going to church: “All they ever talk about is wanting your money!” To which I’d say, “You’re at the wrong church!”

The internet is filled with stories of scamming church leaders who pursued the job expecting people to give them free money in exchange for alleged “spiritual guidance.” Some even lead what we call “mega-churches,” with much property and fancy buildings. They’ve connived their way into prosperity, deceiving many. About that business plan, God promises that the first will be last and the last will be first. The false teachers are already condemned!

Your church should first be about growing closer to Jesus and his ways, thereby giving us assurance of salvation in the life after this life. We then support our churches out of gratitude for Jesus’ love and forgiveness. We have been blessed! Support of a God-loving church insures that many more can also learn the Good News, and that’s what Jesus called us all to do!

As each day passes, we’re one day closer to Jesus’ return when everything will be made right. The destruction of false teachers will not be delayed! Believers get to watch it all happen!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Whole Truth!

For Sunday, July 28, 2024:

2 Peter 2:1 NLT: “There were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way, they will bring sudden destruction on themselves.”

Sad to say, but false teachers have not gone away. They work for Satan, and his goal is to increase the number of souls who belong to him. He does this by telling lies and creating doubt, thereby increasing the number of backsliders. Beware! Much of what we see in modern churches is simply tradition and habits that have no biblical basis.

And speaking of the Bible, read it as the inspired word of our God who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Friends, sin doesn’t change! If the Bible says something was sin 3,000 years ago, it’s still sin today! If Jesus called it sin 2,000 years ago, it’s still sin today! God doesn’t change his mind to be politically correct!

When a witness testifies in a court of law, they swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Churches and their pastors should take the same oath. Many teach the truth, but not the whole truth. Controversial topics can be avoided by omission, but that’s not right. A good church will teach the WHOLE truth!

Since this is Sunday, I assume believers will be worshiping today. Bring your Bible, and encourage use of the entire book!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Spirit-filled!

For Sunday, April 16, 2023:

1 John 2:27 NIV: “As for you, the anointing you received from Jesus remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.”

We are not alone in this life. Jesus anointed all believers. He filled us with the Holy Spirit. Under the New Covenant, God’s laws are written on our hearts, so that we instinctively know right from wrong. The default mode of a true believer is to do the right thing, to choose to do what Jesus would have done.

John is warning against the many false teachers trying to divide the believers. It seems that everybody wanted a piece of the spiritual pie, even if they were totally wrong! Counterfeit. Unfortunately, the number of false teachers has not decreased over the years.

Nowadays Bible teachers and church leaders are valuable, but we need to remain ever vigilant in avoiding the untruthful. Satan is a persistent and unrelenting liar.

John counsels believers to keep Jesus in our hearts and to remain filled with the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship