Daily message of hope...
For Friday, August 7, 2026:

Luke 6:25b NLT: “What sorrow awaits you who laugh now, for your laughing will turn to mourning and sorrow.”

Picture this: Jesus on the earth, healing many, casting out demons and performing miracles. Sounds like worship would be called for, but throwing a party and carousing would be more your style. Bad choice!

In keeping with his theme of the first being last and the last being first, Jesus says that in the end, the revelers will know only sorrow. Jesus’ ministry lasted only about three years, a relatively short time. That’s the time he could have been worshiped in person, and anyone who missed it may never get another chance.

Reversing the situation, Psalm 30:11 begins, “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.” Those who worship on earth will find themselves dancing in God’s forever Kingdom. If you have no time for God in this life, he won’t have time for you in the next. But if you love the Lord, he will adopt you into the Holy Family!

How we live in this life determines our eternal destination. God needs to be #1 both in this life and the next!

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

Healing Restoration!

Daily message of hope...
For Sunday, July 26, 2026:

Luke 6:19 NLT: “Everyone tried to touch Jesus, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone.”

Word was out about Jesus! Not everyone knew all the details, but if you needed healing, Jesus was the man. People would come not only to hear him speak, but for healing. If they didn’t personally need healing, they wanted to witness others receive Jesus’ divine touch. There were plenty who had been healed by the Son, but even more who served as witnesses to the healing events.

Healing restoration seemed to flow out from Jesus. Here, people were trying to touch him. Another Bible account describes a woman who wanted only to touch the hem of his garment. They were fully restored, as are we all, by our faith and the grace of God Almighty.

This is basic Christianity 101. God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return. Jesus was here to pay the penalty for mankind’s sins. Sinless individuals get to spend eternity in the Father’s Kingdom of heaven. It’s all a gift from above, dependent upon our faith in God’s ability to get it done!

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

God's Solution!

For Sunday, June 21, 2026:

Luke 5:19b NLT: “The men went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus.”

When a situation looks hopeless, God oftentimes provides a way. The men had brought their paralyzed friend on a stretcher, seeking healing from God’s Son. Jesus’ reputation preceded him. He was known for divine healing, just what the guy on the stretcher needed. If fact, Jesus may have been his last hope for a normal life.

But big problem – the huge crowd who had come to hear Jesus completely filled the room! So the men somehow wrangled their injured friend onto the roof, removed some of the roof’s covering, and using ropes, lowered their friend into the room, right in front of Jesus! There was no other way to get the man on the stretcher in front of the Master! I would have loved to see the Pharisee’s faces when they saw a man, suspended by ropes, in the air above Jesus. This is faith on steroids, as we say!

God’s solution to a dilemma may be unconventional, but he has a divine plan! In the end, everything will work out. Go up on the roof, remove some tiles, requisition some ropes and lower the injured man as needed. No one in the room expected to see the injured man that day, but voilà, there he is! Healing is imminent! God is good!

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

Great Healer!

For Saturday, June 20, 2026:

Luke 5:18-19a NLT: “Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn’t reach him because of the crowd.”

Jesus’ reputation preceded him! He was known for having a unique perspective on Torah, and supernatural healing abilities. Some men wanted to subject that healing ability to a challenging test. Their friend was completely paralyzed and needed supernatural healing. Jesus was the only one who had a chance of success solving their problem. We’re not told what kind of incident or accident put the man in that condition, but I’m guessing that Jesus was their last hope. The men had known their friend before he became paralyzed, and he needed a full restoration. In a way, this would be giving the man his life back. There was no quality of life the way he was now forced to live.

But upon arrival, those gathered to see Jesus had completely filled the room! There was no way to get the man on the stretcher in front of the Master! The men’s faith in Jesus would not let them abandon the project. They needed a plan ‘B’. They were not finished, but they had encountered a bump in the road to healing.

God has a way 

Truth & Freedom Church

of working things out. If he needs you for a project and you hit a bump in the road, don’t quit! Don’t give up! Problems can be resolved; roads can be smoothed. God’s projects will always get finished!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

 

Willing!

For Tuesday, June 16, 2026:

Luke 5:12b NLT: “When the man with leprosy saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ‘Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’”

Do we expect Jesus to explain how busy he is or how many things are already on his agenda? Of course not! Jesus responds as a helpful person who loves his neighbor. “I am willing!”

Then Jesus reached out and touched the man. This was risky for most people, as leprosy was thought to be contagious. But it was no problem at all for our supernatural healer! “Be clean,” Jesus shouted, and immediately leprosy left the man!

Jesus ordered the man to not tell anyone. Although Jesus could easily heal any malady, that wasn’t his primary mission in coming to Earth. The man should tell his priest and give thanks for deliverance, but otherwise keep quiet about the incident. Nonetheless, others had witnessed the healing, and word quickly spread. Crowds gathered to hear Jesus speak and to be healed. Healing became his trademark supernatural miracle!

There’s not much contagious leprosy nowadays, but what about the measles outbreak in our country? Would you be willing to lay hands on the sick and pray for healing in the name of Jesus? I ask, because that’s what Jesus would have done!

Father God, we pray that each day more and more of us could live like Jesus, healing the sick and rescuing lives from the evil one!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Son of God!

For Sunday, June 7, 2026:

Luke 4:40 NLT: “Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at Jesus’ command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.”

Jesus had healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Word got out, and soon people from miles around were bringing their sick and injured to Jesus. Some of the people were plagued by demons, oftentimes the root cause of their illness. Jesus would send the demons away as part of his cure.

The demons identified Jesus. “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus knew that if he claimed to be the Son of God, he’d be accused of blasphemy, so he didn’t let the demons speak.

Nowadays, we don’t have to be so cautious with our words. Believers should tell the world that Jesus is truly the Son of the Most High. We should shout out the Good News!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Jesus' Power!

For Sunday, May 31, 2026:

Luke 4:40 NLT: “As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.”

Jesus has exceptional healing power. If a human body isn’t working right, odds are there’s a defect that needs to be corrected. That defect is the result of sin in the world, the result of Satan’s efforts. This isn’t to imply that the sick person did anything wrong. But sometimes Satan picks at us, hoping we’ll give up and abandon God.

When Jesus began healing in the Bible, a lot of details is written about the process. “Jesus prayed; he laid hands on the person; he made a paste out of mud, and rubbed it on the blind man’s eyes.” But Jesus’ healing became so commonplace that later accounts simply say, “He healed all those who needed healing.”

Those Jesus sent out were given a mission: Heal the sick, cleanse leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. He also gave us instructions to make disciples, baptize and welcome the newcomers into the fellowship. We are to love God and love our neighbors.

As we go about our work, Jesus said we should use his name. Make it a habit!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Jesus the Socialite!

For Tuesday, May 26, 2026:

Luke 4:38-39a NLT: “Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. ‘Please heal her,’ everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her.”

Jesus is particularly good at setting things right, putting things back to their intended way, their intended purpose. Satan and his demons, on the other hand, are known for disruption, for sending situations and people in the wrong direction, well off their intended course. Just prior to this, Jesus had cast a demon out of a wild man, creating a ruckus in the Synagogue. The disciples were starting to believe that Jesus could do anything! Now Simon’s mother-in-law was sidelined with a severe fever, and Jesus was asked to intervene. A few words from the Son of God sent the fever on its way. Demons fear Jesus and his name, so the fever is quickly extinguished. Score “one” for Jesus!

Close friendship and a sense of community are benefits for Christians who live the way Jesus intends for us to live. Christians are meant to love one another and share generously. It’s not unusual for a good friend to do a favor for his/her brother or sister. So when Jesus was asked to help Simon’s mother-in-law, it was a given that he’d pitch in.

When Jesus walked on the Earth, he was a social creature, always visiting someone’s house, taking a meal with others, and hanging out with ‘the guys!’ Invite him into your house today. You might be surprised at all the good that could happen!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Who Is This Guy?

April 27, 2026, Monday Message:

Mark 11:27-28 NLT: “Jesus and the disciples were walking through the Temple area, when the leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right to do them?”

Those posing the question didn’t really like Jesus. They were prejudiced against him. He was a threat to their authority and income. So they asked him kind of a trick question. If Jesus said he was on his own, he wouldn’t possess the authority to demand compliance. If he said he was sent by God, they would demand proof.

Jesus answers their question with one of his own, like the storybook troll asking you to solve a riddle before crossing a bridge. “I’ll answer your question if you can answer mine. What about John the Baptist? Who gave him authority?”

The priests and teachers didn’t know how to answer. They hadn’t obeyed John, so they couldn’t admit that his words were heaven-sent. On the other hand, they didn’t want to say John was merely human, because most people thought John was a prophet. So this collection of the greatest religious minds in all of Israel finally answered, “We don’t know.” Duh!

Consequently, Jesus refused to give them an answer. To him, the answer should have been obvious. Who would know all of God’s laws, the best way for us to live? Who could heal any malady, making people as good as new? Who could raise Lazarus from the dead? Everyone may not have known that Jesus is God’s Son, but they should have been able to discern that his actions were heaven-sent.

Jesus wants us all to answer that question, “Who do you believe he is?” Read and re-read the eyewitness accounts until you get it. Jesus is the heaven-sent Son of the Most High, who was sent here to rescue mankind. His mission was successful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Name of Jesus!

 March 16, 2026, Monday Message: 

John 14:13-14 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”

 When something in the Bible needs extra emphasis, it’s often repeated, written twice. Today’s scripture is a good example. It’s two verses that literally say the same thing. Anything we ask in Jesus’ name is possible. As an extreme example, you could order a mountain into the sea in Jesus’ name, and it would happen. (Mark 11:23)

 Certain rules come into play here, and this is not an exhaustive list. No showing off using Jesus’ powers, and nothing frivolous. His promise is for locked-in believers as they go about the Lord’s work. If we encounter someone who needs healing, we should take care of it. Note that our cry for healing won’t override God’s previous decision to call someone home.

 Satan, the “prince of this world,” is still free to inflict his brand of misery. Don’t take this to mean that he is equal to God, but it does symbolize the influence Satan has over human affairs and sinful choices. Did you ever notice that when Jesus healed someone, he would oftentimes cast out demons, perhaps the root cause of their misery?

 In the same way as Satan is inferior to God Almighty, he is also inferior to Jesus (Godly part of the Trinity). Therefore, Satan’s little demons are inferior to believers when we use the name of Jesus! We can cast them out, send them away using the name of Jesus.

 Luke Ch. 8 describes a group of women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. They now traveled with Jesus and his other disciples. One woman was Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons. That’s a lot of baggage! Those women put their personal resources behind Jesus’ ministry, demons be damned!

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

Serving Mankind!

March 9, 2026, Monday Message:

Matthew 4:24 NLT: “News about Jesus spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.”

As he documents what occurred, Matthew seems amazed that news of Jesus’ healings spread into Syria. But if we look at a map nowadays, the news traveled only about 300 miles. The remarkable thing is that this happened without radio, TV, newspapers or internet! No journalists were reporting on Jesus’ activities. Back then, word-of-mouth was how information went out!

Being heaven-sent with the power of God Almighty, Jesus could fully heal the sick, the injured and the mentally impaired. We often underestimate the negative effects of demon-possession, but Jesus took care of that, too. People healed by Jesus were fully healed!

As this news spread, people began bundling up their sick and bringing them to Jesus. They would travel many miles, sometimes for weeks, to find Galilee, where the healings took place. Jesus wasn’t a slacker. He kept the line moving until everyone who needed healing was healed. Only then was it a time for rest.

As impressive as this all seems, healing wasn’t Jesus’ primary purpose in coming to Earth. It was a side-benefit of Jesus being God in the flesh. Mankind are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ goodness. Around Jesus, miracles were commonplace. We shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus preached for us to love our neighbors. Those who came needed help, he could provide the solution, and not helping wasn’t an option in Jesus’ playbook.

Later in his ministry, Jesus would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead, thereby healing not only the physically sick, but also all of mankind who were cursed with their sin problem. Jesus brought heaven’s healing to everyone willing to accept his help, everyone who desired to repent and return to the Father’s way.

Jesus’ offer of love and forgiveness is still open! Have you made your decision?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Healing Messiah!

Daily message of hope...
For Wednesday, February 25, 2026:

Matthew 4:23 NLT: “Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.”

As he gathered his disciples, Jesus continued his ministry around Galilee. Tradition said that if a guest showed up to worship in a Synagogue, he would be invited to speak. Jesus had plenty to say!

He could tell the people to repent and return to the Lord. He could explain God’s willingness to forgive all who would call him Lord and Savior. He could explain that he was God’s Son, God’s representative on earth. He could share the knowledge that believers become Children of God, eligible for residence in the Heavenly Kingdom. He could explain assurance of salvation!

Jesus would take as much time as needed to heal all who needed healing. No disease or illness was higher than the prayers of God’s Son. Jesus would oftentimes begin by casting out the demons, which were the root of the problem. No demon is higher than God’s Son.

People were quick to notice the healings and would tell others. Although they had no television, no newspapers and no internet, somehow the word spread swiftly. Soon, all who needed healing were being brought to Jesus. He healed them all, even though that wasn’t his purpose in coming to earth.

Soon, large crowds were following Jesus around, people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem – people from all over Judea, even those east of the Jordan River. The Hebrew people had been expecting a Messiah, and here was Jesus!

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

Messenger!

For Tuesday, January 6, 2026:

Matthew 1:20b-21 NLT, Angel speaking to Joseph: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus [the Lord Saves], for he will save his people from their sins.”

The Angel Gabriel had been busy. He had already visited Zechariah, who would father John the Baptist. He also visited Mary, who was to birth the Messiah’s next entrance to planet earth. Mary loves the Lord and is obedient. “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Just one problem remains. Mary was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. He doesn’t understand how she could turn up pregnant. To him, she was still a virgin! It was time for Gabriel to finish their education! See above scripture!

Gabriel also explains the purpose of the Messiah coming to our world. “Jesus will save his people from their sins.” No mention of miraculous healings. No expanded teaching of Torah. No casting out of demons. Those are all good things, but not on the tip of Gabriel’s tongue! That’s why I teach that Jesus’ primary purpose is rescuing mankind from our sin problem. God’s messenger angel said so!

Christian believers are the beneficiaries of God’s gift. Jesus’ forgiveness has lifted us from the fires of hell to eternal life with Father God, a much better place. Thank goodness Jesus came to rescue us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Love vs Hate!

December 22, 2025, Monday Message:

John 15:24 NLT, Jesus speaking: “If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father.”

People are fickle. Their attitudes toward others swing back and forth like a pendulum. We excitedly welcome a new baby, but may grow to hate them later in life. Sometimes that behavior is justified; sometimes, not.

On the church calendar, we draw close to Christmas, celebrating the birth of our savior. Believers had waited over 700 years for the prophesied Messiah. Angels told us that Jesus was the one! God doesn’t send His Messenger Angels on a fool’s errand. If the message is heaven-sent, it’s true!

Here’s what’s odd. Fishermen, laborers and even a tax collector became believers. Priests, religious teachers and Temple leaders never got on the Jesus bandwagon. They weren’t prepared to worship a triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That concept was new, a deviation from their present theology. They thought they had it all figured out. They did not!

I believe power and money stood in the way of a sound decision. Yes, Jesus taught at the Temple, but only in the outer courtyards. He was never accepted into the inner circle of Temple leadership. Furthermore, if Jesus taught and people brought tithes, they were supporting Jesus and his disciples, not the Temple treasury.

Jesus is declaring unbelievers guilty, guilty of not using their eyes, ears and the brain God gave them. If you consider all the miracles and healings performed by Jesus, there is only one logical conclusion: That Jesus is indeed the heaven-sent Messiah. We later discern that he is the Son of God, and his mission is the rescue of mankind.

Today is the accepted day to commit or re-commit yourself to following and believing in God’s Son Jesus. If you consider all the well-documented evidence, you can only reach one conclusion: That Jesus is the key to life after this life. He was sent by the Father to bring us home!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

I'll Be Back!

October 27, 2025, Monday Message:

John 14:28 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am.”

Dream with me that we could have been alive back when Jesus was here. We would have been eyewitnesses to Jesus changing the world. After Jesus, everything was different. After Jesus, everything was better!

Allowing demons in our lives is akin to dropping sand into smooth-running gears. Many people suffered life-long illnesses, and Jesus either cured the sickness or cast out the demon responsible for the problem. Sometimes those demons would end someone’s life prematurely, and Jesus would raise the dead, correcting the mistake. Jesus empowered his followers to do as he had done: Heal the sick, cure leprosy, raise the dead and cast out demons. He aided the world in operating according to God’s vast eternal plan.

At this point, Jesus told the believers, “I am going away, but I will come back to you again.” I’m sure that many were distraught when their spiritual mentor said he was leaving. “Don’t go,” they shouted! Those people didn’t realize the benefit of Jesus’ leaving. This act would enable him to take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Therefore, believers would appear sinless in the Book of Life, eligible to take up residence in God’s Eternal Kingdom. Believers would receive the best gift of all, being Heaven-bound, before they even understood how salvation worked.

Jesus was going ahead to prepare a place for his flock. God allowed a little extra time so that more people could hear the Good News. Jesus promised that He’ll be back. He cannot lie, so, “People get ready...

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Jesus' True Words!

October 6, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 20:17b NLT, Jesus, quoting Psalm 118:22: “The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.”

Last Sunday, our preacher stated that the death of a martyr often triggers a revival or a revolution. When Jesus was about to face death, He was rejected by all those who should have been his biggest supporters: Priests, Bible teachers, Pharisees and Temple leaders. His (Father’s) foundational principles became the cornerstone of The Way, which became Christianity, the world’s largest religion with 2.3B followers. Turns out that it’s best to NOT reject Jesus!

Any gods prior to Jesus (and his Father) were fictitious, made-up gods. Back then, you could buy a god-statuette – even a nice silver one – at the local market, bring it home and put it up on your mantle. And what you had was a nice decoration, not any kind of a real God. Jesus performed healings and miracles that were well documented. Jesus even raised a few people from the dead, notably Lazarus, the Centurion’s son and the Widow’s Son. After Jesus, there was a significant decrease in fictitious gods, because Jesus’ actions were factually recorded.

Jesus said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Every word Jesus said has proven to be true, and this statement is no exception. People who say that all religions lead to heaven are wrong.

Other examples: Martin Luther was trying to get his denomination back to the Bible. He nailed his list of issues to the church door in Wittenberg. He used Gutenberg’s printing method to publish the Bible in his native language. He was never trying to break away from the church or to start a new religion. But when he passed, his followers continued the work, calling themselves “Lutherans,” and Protestant Christianity was born.

In 1964, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for combating racial inequality through nonviolent resistance. He continued on that path while preaching Jesus until his demise. When he was assassinated in 1968, the Civil Rights movement went into high gear. The protests, marches and positive changes increased. His efforts changed our country forever.

I always try to keep these messages non-political. Our topic is Jesus, not politics. But I couldn’t help but notice the many references to Jesus and forgiveness as the news covered Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Perhaps Jesus will serve as the common denominator to draw our nation back together. Perhaps we will love one another once again! After all, that’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Arrested!

For Thursday, October 2, 2025:

Mark 14:46 NLT: “Then a crowd of men armed with swords and clubs grabbed Jesus and arrested him.”

The leading priests, the teachers of religious law, and the elders had been planning Jesus’ demise for quite some time. They didn’t want to arrest Jesus in the Temple. It would seem wrong. It would look bad if a temple teacher were arrested. “Keep police action out of our worship space!”

One of Jesus’ defenders produced a sword and sliced off an ear of the High Priest’s slave. Jesus restored the ear, to which I would say, “Look at what just happened. The man you’re arresting can heal whatever’s wrong and cure any disease! Perhaps we should rethink this!”

But without knowing it, the Pharisees were fulfilling God’s plan. The blood of Jesus was to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. Mankind would thereby be redeemed. It would be a rough couple of days for Jesus, but after that, his mission would be complete. (“It is finished!”)

Jesus would have to walk through the fire by himself. (50) “All his disciples deserted him and ran away.” God was keeping them safe. If they stayed close to Jesus, they too would have been killed as accomplices. But God was counting on the disciples to function as leaders of “The Way,” the new Christian church! They needed to be preserved!

The church that the disciples established still exists nowadays, with many franchised locations. We worship at one each week. Thankfully, God had the disciples temporarily step back. When Jesus rose from the grave, they regrouped and came back stronger than ever. 2K years later, people are still signing up for the Jesus team!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship