Angels & Shepherds!

 Daily message of hope...For Tuesday, December 9, 2025:

Luke 2:8 NLT: “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep.”

Being a shepherd was a challenging job. The sheep had to be guarded 24/7. Their enemies were wolves and bears, also foe to the human shepherds! On their own, sheep would stay in one place, eating the grass into the ground until there was nothing left. So each day required herding the sheep to new pasture. At night, shepherds could catch some zzzs by bedding down with the sheep, and they soon smelled just like sheep. A couple shepherds always had to stay awake, keeping the night watch for dangerous critters. If there was an incident, they would wake the others, and everyone would be up all night!

Shortly after the birth of Jesus, the night silence was broken when an angel appeared to the shepherds. Heaven’s glory radiated from the angel, who spoke the standard greeting: “Be not afraid!” He explained, “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” That angel was joined by a host of others, the angel armies of heaven, praising God! My Bible doesn’t say they sang, but they could have!

The shepherds jumped up immediately and headed into town. They wanted to see for themselves this miracle delivered by Father God!

What an incredible time to have been alive!

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

God vs Evil!

For Saturday, November 19, 2022:

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NLT: “The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”

Let us remember that there is much evil in this world. Bad things happen and corrupt people rise to power. We blame governments and political systems. But sometimes the evil in this world is Satan at work. When we see vile behavior, we need to consider that the devil might be the source of the problem.

That’s why we all need to be on a first-name basis with God. If Jesus is in your heart, no Satan-based evil can survive. Wretchedness cannot exist in the same place as the Lord. The Lord is eternally faithful. His presence will guard and protect you from the evil one.

God said that everything he created was “very good,” and that includes mankind. We are made in God’s image, and his desire is that none would be lost. The Lord wants everyone to repent and return to him. Jesus has already prepared a place for believers in the next life!

When you need protection from evil, don’t hesitate to call on the Lord! He wants to help!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

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