Jesus Way!

For Tuesday, June 2, 2026:

John 15:21 NLT, Jesus speaking: “The world will persecute you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me.”

In my mind, Jesus should have been the unifying piece of the puzzle. When people heard him speak of heaven, watched him heal the sick and broken and raise souls from the dead, they all should have been on board. Jesus could be none other than the heaven-sent Son of the Most High! How anyone could reject him befuddles me!

Nonetheless, Satan wields significant influence on earth, and he was cheering for the status quo, the Old Covenant, whereby citizens weren’t getting into heaven very often. But people were familiar with the rules. They knew the system and didn’t have to change anything.

Jesus, on the other hand, ushered in a New Covenant whereby mankind’s sins could be forgiven and many more people would find their names in the book of life! But this new system required a change in beliefs, a theological reorientation. Jesus is right up front, telling believers that the new way wouldn’t be popular with everyone. In fact, if we do what Jesus said to do, we should expect a certain amount of trouble. Satan will do his best to sideline our efforts!

Our reward for following Jesus is eternity in the Father’s Kingdom. Once we realize the enormity of that reward, it becomes impossible to consider non-compliance. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him, and everyone seeking eternal residence in the Father’s House knows his name!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Heavenly Home!

For Friday, May 29, 2026:

John 15:19 NLT, Jesus speaking: “The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.”

When we were children, most of us lived where our parents lived. But as believers, we’ve been adopted into the Holy Family. So, question: Where does Our Father reside?Kingdom, 

Our Father reigns over a magnificent Kingdom. (By definition, a Kingdom has a King!) His Son, Jesus, sits beside him. He prepared a place in that Kingdom with your name on it. Know that as a believer, you are now registered as a resident of the Kingdom. We have a temporary visa to visit planet earth on a mission trip to share the Gospel with others. It’s a fun assignment, working around good people with good attitudes and good values. Smile as you go about your long-term assignment today!

The earth is not our home!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Father's House!

Dear followers of Monday Message/Daily Message of Hope: I’ve been out of the US for about a week, with spotty, irregular phone/internet service. Messages were sent each day, but many were not delivered or were delivered late/on the wrong days. Experience tells me that those with Apple phones fared better than those with Androids. This should self-correct as I’m back on US soil. Thank you for your patience, and for opting “IN” to receive the daily messages. Please tell a friend, or send me their cell number for a once-a-day ping based on God’s truth. If you wish to be removed from the list, let me know as well.

Blessings, Pastor Norton

For Tuesday, March 3, 2026:

John 14:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?“

Before returning to the Father, Jesus poses a rhetorical question. His question answers a lot of our questions!

Nowadays, believers accept the fact that there’s a life after this life. Death is not the end. Believers look forward to an eternity in paradise in God’s heavenly Kingdom. But 2K years ago, people weren’t sure. The Sadducees didn’t believe in an afterlife. Pharisees thought it might be possible, but couldn’t say for certain.

The important point here is that Jesus knew that there was life after this life. Jesus! He put his name on the line, attesting to what he knew to be true. After all, he had been present at creation. He knew he was on a mission trip to earth, sent at the Father’s direction. And when his work here was finished, he intended to go back home. After all, he had promised to prepare a place there so that the loyal believers could join him in paradise. Jesus needed to leave first.

In the next reality, we’ll spend a great deal of time praising God. He chose to rescue us while we were still sinners and include us in the “saved” group. Extinguishing our light forever would have been the painful alternative, and God didn’t want that. After all, we’re made in His image!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Gone Missing!

January 26, 2026, Monday Message:

Luke 2:46 NLT: “Three days later Jesus’ parents finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.”

Have you ever had a child go missing at the mall or at a theme park? We lost Melissa at the Atlanta airport. She had wandered around the corner and struck up a conversation with a friendly-looking, grandfatherly man. She was excited that she had made a new friend, but he was not one of our family. Fortunately, he was a nice man, and we located her quickly, but it could have been far worse! Children are both curious and precocious. Jesus was no exception!

Personally, I can’t imagine having a child of mine go missing for three days! Mary and Joseph must have been beside themselves with anguish. Picture losing the Son of God! They found him amongst religious teachers, asking them questions and answering theirs. How unlikely would it be for religious philosophers to enjoy conversing with a 12-year-old?

Jesus explained, “Why did you have to search? Didn’t you expect that I would be in my Father’s house?” For all they’d been through with angels, the immaculate conception, shepherds and wise men, and spending time as persecuted non-resident aliens in Egypt, Jesus’ parents still hadn’t connected all the dots.

The last line of the song, “Mary Did You Know,” explains it best. “That sleeping child you're holding is the great I Am!”

Those religious teachers were blessed to be getting answers from God himself. We’re blessed to know a relationship with God as he walked on earth. We worship the One who came to forgive us, to redeem our eternal essence, our souls. Jesus, our faith is in you!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Our Father!

For Tuesday, December 30, 2025:

Luke 2:41 NLT: “Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.”

Jesus’ earthly parents had experienced something that most people never see. They were both visited by angels, and I suspect that those encounters left quite an impression on them. An experience like that might cause them to take God and religious things more seriously. So every Passover, they pilgrimaged to Jerusalem. It’s not too far, a smidge under 50 miles, depending on the chosen route. About a week, walking.

When Jesus was 12 years old, they embarked on this annual journey, arrived safely, celebrated, and now it was time to head home. As it turns out, Jesus wasn’t with the entourage, although no one was aware he was missing. It was assumed he was traveling with close friends or relatives.

When Jesus couldn’t be found after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph reversed course and began searching high and low for the youth. Finding him was no easy task. After three days, he was spotted in the Temple amongst the religious teachers, asking them questions and answering their questions. Amazing! Everyone was impressed with the depth of both Jesus’ questions and the answers he could provide.

Mary and Joseph were bewildered. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”

 "But why did you need to search?” Jesus asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” Friends, he’s not talking about Joseph’s house. He’s identifying himself as the Son of the Most High! He was in the Temple of the Lord!

Jesus taught us to pray to, “Our Father in heaven…”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Temple Chaos!

For Thursday, September 25, 2025:

Luke 19:45-46 NLT: Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.

Some bad people just can’t resist the temptation to make money from religion. At the time, Jews were required to offer animal sacrifices to God. Only the best animals were allowed for this purpose. As it happened, no matter how good an animal was, it seems it was never good enough. Conveniently, the Temple leaders had animals for sale (at inflated prices!) Good people trying to be obedient were taken to the cleaners! Furthermore, they often paid with money from their homeland, but “Jerusalem money” was required, and the exchange rate was ripping them off!

Jesus wasn’t having any of it! He tossed out all the vendors and money-changers. The animals were scattered. It appears that Jesus kind of lost it for a minute! He basically went berserk, but in a good way, until the problems had been resolved. The Temple was, after all, His Father’s House!

These actions added to resentment against Jesus by the Temple teachers, leaders and Pharisees. Against all their religious upbringing, they plotted to kill Jesus, but they were in the minority. Jesus had the general population in the palm of his hand. They hung on his every word, as should we! Jesus stood for truth and harmony with the Father, and those traits are always best!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Father's House!

September 22, 2025, Monday Message:

John 14:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

Jesus had been saying that he would soon return to the Father, and believers could go with him! So a natural question would be, “Just how big is your Father’s house?”

To gauge their mindset, we need to understand the times. 2K years ago, many people spent their lives living out of a large tent. It kept the rain off of them, was a place to sleep and was somewhat portable if they needed to move. Those who owned land had a small, one-room residence, often with usable space on the roof. Since the Sinai was so hot, it felt good to relax on the roof and catch a breeze. They cooked outdoors.

But Jesus isn’t talking about any of those things. He’s speaking of the “Kingdom of Heaven,” not a tent or a building, but an entire Kingdom! Friends, there will be plenty of room for all who are included! Jesus said that he will prepare a special place for each of us. Think of it like moving into an apartment, and finding that your name is already on the door! Of course, God is a spirit being, and our souls, our spirits will be welcomed into that reality. Our God of provision will see to it that we have everything we need.

Jesus counsels us, “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.” A worship song sings about a “big, big house with many, many rooms.” That’s our heavenly Father’s house! That’s where believers are headed – to God’s mansion in the sky!

Everything will be all right in the end. If it’s not all right, it’s not the end! God will see to everything!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven!

For Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

John 14:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There is more than enough room in my Father’s house. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. I quote it all the time! This is a case where the Bible says more than the words imply. God gave mankind brains, thinking and reason, and we’re supposed to look behind the curtain to get the whole story.

How big is heaven? If you’ve ever wondered if the hereafter could accommodate all the believers from over the centuries, the short answer is “yes.” Jesus says, “...more than enough room.” In fact, he has gone ahead to prepare a place for each of us. So to summarize, #1 there is a hereafter, #2 it’s larger than we can imagine, and #3 if you’re a believer, there’s a room with your name on it! Jesus said so!

One more bit of Good News is that Jesus is expecting us in that next reality. Followers of Jesus have assurance of salvation. He’s preparing our special place because believers are expected to show up! With tongue in cheek, Jesus asks, “If it were not so, wouldn’t I have told you?” Of course he would!

We talk of dying and going to heaven. That simplifies discussions, but is only partially right. People and sin have messed up God’s creations, but God will remake things the way he originally intended. The Bible calls it the New Heaven and the New Earth. I believe the earth will be restored to “Garden of Eden” specifications. That New Earth is our final destination, where God can walk alongside his people. Nothing better!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Father's House!

June 23, 2024 Monday Message:

Psalm 84:4 NLT: “What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises.”

Jesus said that when believers enter the next reality, he will have prepared a place for them in his Father’s house. We believe God is a ‘spirit-being.’ Human practices such as living in a house are written so that we can better understand our God. The point here isn’t about where God lives, or how he lives. It’s about spending eternity in God’s presence, living in a state of perpetual worship. I call it ‘immersion.’

You will find no one in heaven who doesn’t like God. God (including Jesus and the Holy Spirit) will be the center of attention, our reason for constant worship. On-going perpetual worship is best. We no longer make a big deal about God because it’s the Sabbath or because it’s a special occasion. We honor God every day, 24/7! God has no competition. There are no other gods in heaven.

While in heaven, remember to thank God for including you. Remember to thank Jesus for paying your sin-penalty. And thank the Holy Spirit for nudging us in the right direction!

Enjoy heaven!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Shepherd!

For Sunday, June 23, 2024:

1 Peter 2:25 NLT: “Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls.”

I like sheep. I think they’re cute animals, soft and woolly, but incredibly stupid! Sheep would forget to eat if the shepherd didn’t lead them to where new grass was growing. Sheep would forget to drink water unless the shepherd led them past the pond. Sheep can wander up a ravine, hit a dead end, and not know how to get back out!. Sheep wander away from the herd, because, just like the saying, the grass is always greener somewhere else!

Sheep need a shepherd and mankind need a solid leader. Thank God we know about Jesus the Christ! We can follow him anywhere, and he will keep us safe and well fed. When this life ends, he will prepare a place for believers in his Father’s house. Then we’ll eternally enjoy our shepherd!

What someone commits to being a Christian, their life should change – a lot! This should be a change for the better. We call it a radical transformation, the difference between someone living a sinful life and someone following their new shepherd, Jesus.

Jesus is the only way. He teaches us only truth, and the life he offers is eternal. Jesus wants to be your shepherd! You need one!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Honor vs Shame!

 

For Thursday, December 1, 2022:

Proverbs 3:35 NLT: “The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!”

Believers are adopted into the Holy Family. We become “Children of God.” If we are to inherit honor, where would that come from? Obviously, from our Father! By the way, he’s also the one sending fools to the lake of fire!

In the US, there’s a saying that “your karma will come back to you.” It’s borrowed from the Hindu people in India. They believe in re-incarnation, and that your actions in this life will determine your position in the next. Christians don’t believe in re-incarnation, but we believe the scenario will play out in this life. You will be treated as you treat others. If you treat others with kindness, they will most likely show you kindness in return.

The ultimate reward comes as we transition from this life to the next. If you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that he died paying the penalty for your sins – if you count him as Lord and Savior of your life – then you know that Jesus promised to prepare a place for you in his Father’s house. That is indeed ‘honor!’

May all believers get to see heaven from the inside!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Heaven Reservation!

For Wednesday, August 31, 2022:

​John 14:2 CEV: Jesus said to his disciples, “There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you.”

​I want us to understand that God is looking forward to each believer arriving in heaven. It will be an exciting time, not just for us, but for all of heaven. Jesus has your place already prepared in anticipation of your arrival! If you’re a believer, you already have a room in heaven with your name on the door!

​When the prodigal son returned home to repent and return, his Father met him out on the road. The only way this could have happened is if the Father was watching for him, expecting the son’s return, anticipating his arrival. The Father put a robe around the son, the family ring on his finger, and invited the whole neighborhood to celebrate the son’s return. The Father was glad to see him, just as the father will be glad to see each of us.

​Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Gathering!

For Thursday, June 2, 2022:

Mark 13:26-27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Everyone will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds with great power and glory. And he will send out his angels to gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven.”

Jesus said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So essentially he said, “You guys wait here – I’m going on ahead to prepare a place for you in my Father’s house. But don’t worry - I’ll be back!”

And when he returns, it will be no secret – everyone on earth will know! All the believers will be included in this magnificent gathering of the faithful!

Everything will turn out just the way Jesus said!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406