Miracle Source!

For Thursday, April 16, 2026:

John 12:17-18 NLT: “Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were testifying about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign.”

Jesus could perform miracles, and miracles impress people. Many were in Jerusalem for Passover, hence the large crowds. They had traveled to experience religious things, and all the buzz was about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Everyone was impressed, but it was kind of like they all had attended a magic show. They worshiped the miracle itself, but not where it came from, who did it, why they did it and who that person is.

Jesus intentionally took his time traveling to Martha and Mary’s house, arriving after Lazarus had died. “O Lord, if only you had been here,” cried the women. They’re thinking in earthly terms. Knowing what we now know about Jesus, he could have healed Lazarus from far away. But to Jesus, this needed to be an event. This was about showcasing the glory of the Lord. He wanted Lazarus clearly dead before calling him out of the tomb – a BIG miracle! Perhaps then people would recognize that this was heaven-sent, and that Jesus was God’s only Son!

Friends, don’t just appreciate the miracle, the event itself. Worship the supernatural entity that brought the miracle to fruition. Worship God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – as they bestow miracle after miracle on believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Prophecy Fulfilled!

For Wednesday, April 8, 2026:

Luke 24:13 NLT: “The same day as the resurrection, two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem.”

The story of Resurrection Day wouldn’t be complete without a look at the walk to Emmaus. The two men were believers, and had traveled to Jerusalem for Passover. But the crucifixion put a damper on things, and the two decided to return home.

Their walk began as the women discovered the tomb open, and the body of Jesus missing. Where was he? Suddenly a third man began walking alongside the first two, and they struck up a conversation. The newcomer asked, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

The first two looked sad. “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about what happened the last few days; bad things that happened to Jesus of Nazareth.” Somehow, they didn’t recognize Jesus. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.”

Jesus responds by explaining scripture: “Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from the Scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Arriving in Emmaus, it was getting late, and the two invited Jesus to stay the night with them. He agreed. As they sat down to dinner, Jesus blessed the bread, broke it, and... Voilà! Their eyes were opened and they recognized Jesus, who immediately disappeared from sight!

The two did a 180º and headed back to Jerusalem. They felt compelled to share this Good News with the remaining 11 apostles. Jesus is alive! He can walk and talk! He has risen from the dead, just as he said he would!

To Jesus and those who love him, death is not the end!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Nazareth!

For Tuesday, February 10, 2026:

Matthew 2:20 NLT: “Get up!” the angel said to Joseph. “Take the child and his mother back to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that their persecutor Herod had died, so it now appeared safe for the Holy family to return to Israel. Then they received the bad news, that Herod’s son Archelaus would be the new ruler. Like father, like son. This was no improvement.

But there’s even more good news! Rather than Jerusalem, the family could settle in Nazareth, only a four to seven day hike away, far enough to remain safe, but close enough to attend religious festivals at the Temple. Jesus would be known as a Nazarene.

Jesus could safely start his ministry around Nazareth. And just to the Northeast is Tiberias on Lake Gennesaret, also known as the Sea of Galilee. Jesus blessed many believers around that lake, including the twelve. Nazareth was his home base, his safe haven, while Jerusalem would ultimately be his demise.

We thank God for allowing Jesus to safely begin his ministry in Nazareth, and for allowing him to complete his mission in Jerusalem. That’s where he took the sins of the world to the place of the dead, allowing mankind to reunite with the Father! That’s where believers stand today, forgiven by the work of Jesus on the cross, and servants of the Lord Most High!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Walk to Emmaus!

For Wednesday, February 4, 2026:

Mark 16:12-13 NLT: “Jesus appeared in a different form to two of his followers who were walking from Jerusalem into the country. They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.”

This would be the walk to Emmaus. It’s another example of a Jesus sighting following the crucifixion. As I said yesterday, these two followers saw Jesus, #1 die on a cross, #2 be pierced with a spear, and finally, #3 laid in a grave. So the last thing they’d expect to see would be Jesus walking alongside them. It’s not surprising that they didn’t recognize him. They never figured on ever seeing him again!

Jesus pretended to not know the recent happenings in Jerusalem, so the two travelers got him up to speed. Our religious mentor had been captured, beaten, endured a kangaroo court and a mock trial, and eventually was crucified and died. This happened just three days ago. How can you not have heard? We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel!

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from Scripture the things concerning himself.

Imagine the surprise, these two men suddenly realizing that they were walking in the company of the Son of God! They had given up on Jerusalem and were headed home when their eyes were opened to the resurrection, the possibility of life after this life!

That’s the same battle we fight nowadays. Since we’ve never seen anyone from the hereafter, it’s hard for some people to believe that there IS a hereafter. That’s where Jesus went to prepare a place for believers. We’re to share that Good News as we make disciples of all nations. There will be room for all who believe!

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

Welcome Seekers!

For Sunday, December 28, 2025:

Hebrews 12:22 NLT: “You have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering.”

Seekers are those who have heard about Father, Son and Holy Spirit, but haven’t yet made their decision. But they’re curious. They’re interested. And it’s up to those of us already convinced to “make disciples of all nations.” That’s our assignment from Jesus.

If a church is working right, it should paint an attractive picture for seekers. They should see believers living in harmony with one another. If we’re following God’s plan, he has done away with flaming fire, darkness and gloom. Picture thousands of angels, all with smiles on their faces. God sits at the head-table, accompanied by a flock of believers, all with their names written in the Book of Life! Good times!

We may not have physical angels in our churches, but those present should look like they’re part of the heavenly throng – happy, smiling and conflict free, interested and welcoming, eager to share the Good News, the Gospel.

As believers, we should make it a point to welcome seekers into our midst. Shake their hand, refill their beverage, and invite them back. Do your best to answer their questions, and if you’re not sure, introduce them to someone who does know the answers. Introduce them to your pastor. Say, “See you next Sunday!”

Or say, “See you next time!” Wednesdays work just as well!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

God's Rescue Plan!

For Saturday, December 27, 2025:

Luke 2:38 NLT: “Anna, a prophet, came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.”

Anna had the right idea. While everyone else was fussing over baby Jesus, Anna’s prayers were to thank the Lord for sending a rescuer to Jerusalem. Their Holy City was under Roman siege, and the Roman army thought Caesar was a god. Followers of the true God know better. Yes, Jesus Son-of-God had arrived, and that’s one piece in God’s masterplan. And with God in charge, mankind’s rescue was never in doubt.

To God, the biggest problem wasn’t the Romans. It was sin, so God went after the biggest problem first. While the people would pray, “Rescue us from the Romans,” Jesus and Father God would answer, “Your sins are forgiven!” Forget the Romans for a minute. They have long since fallen from power, but Jesus taking mankind’s sins to the place of the dead still matters to us 2,000 years later, and has eternal ramifications.

With mankind’s sin problem out of the way, believers could spend eternity in God’s hereafter, Heaven. Our friend Jesus said he would prepare a place for all believers. He’ll meet us with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Death Is Not the End!

September 1, 2025, Monday Message:

Luke 18:31-33 NLT: “Taking the twelve disciples aside, Jesus said, ‘Listen, we’re going up to Jerusalem, where all the predictions of the prophets concerning the Son of Man will come true. He will be handed over to the Romans, and he will be mocked, treated shamefully, and spit upon. They will flog him with a whip and kill him, but on the third day he will rise again.’”

The “going up to Jerusalem” would be the Triumphal Entry, what we celebrate as Palm Sunday. Following that, things would quickly go downhill. The Pharisees had been plotting to kill Jesus for quite some time, and this time they would get their wish. Judas-the-traitor would betray our Savior, who would be arrested, mocked, beaten and spit upon. On the following Friday, he would be nailed to a cross. Crucifixion always ended in death. The Romans were diligent about their evil task.

On the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Jesus had lived an innocent life, but at that point, I believe the sins of the world were heaped upon him. Since he really died, Jesus visited the place of the dead, and there he left the sins of the world, separating sin from believers as far as the east is from the west, as far as the ocean is deep.

Three days later Jesus went missing from the tomb. Everyone he encountered could see him, talk to him and hear him speak. Jesus continued to teach, and I suspect the main message was that death is not the end! Jesus was a walking, talking example of resurrection! In the life after this life, the sheep are separated from the goats, and Jesus will prepare a place for his flock in the Eternal Kingdom

Jesus was fulfilling prophesy after prophesy, proving him to be beyond a shadow of a doubt the expected Messiah. God’s plan was that mankind’s sins could be forgiven through faith in the Son. Jesus’ obedience made it possible for us to see heaven from the inside. God’s desire is that none would perish, but that all would repent and return. Have you made arrangements to join Jesus in the hereafter?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

End Times Signs!

For Sunday, July 27, 2025:

Mark 13:4 NLT: “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to be fulfilled?”

We can identify with these disciples who had questions about the end times. Most of us have similar questions. Let’s have a look at Jesus’ answers.

Beware of false leaders who lie. Many will come claiming to be the Messiah or the Christ or his representative. They are not. Don’t be fooled. Only Jesus is the real deal! Only the Son of God deserves your loyalty.

There will be many wars and even more rumors of war. There are currently over 40 conflicts in our world where people are shooting real bullets at each other. Real bombs are being dropped, and real rockets and drones are being sent into the air. We should pray for peace, which will certainly come when Jesus returns. He is, after all, the prince of peace! We probably won’t see worldwide peace until then. Our prayer for peace should be, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus!”

There are nearly 200 countries on our planet, lines drawn on maps by imperfect humans. I hate to say this, but most of them really don’t matter. Most countries are too small and/or lack the resources for worldwide influence. Keep your eye on China and Xi Jinping, with the world’s largest army; Russia and Vladimir Putin, who never ended their Cold War dislike for the US; the US and Donald Trump, home of the free; and Israel and Benjamin Netanyahu, who seem to be running the show in the Middle East. Much will happen in the Middle East in the end times scenario, as Israel and Jerusalem function as God’s headquarters.

In a recent sermon, the pastor preached that we’re currently in the end times of the end times! Possibly! Are you ready to go, to move to the next reality? Have you repented and given up the world to return to the Father and His Son? The time to do this is now. Each of us can sign up for the Jesus team before the end times, and we would be wise to do so. If we wait until Judgment Day, it will be too late, a missed opportunity with eternal ramifications. Don’t be left on the outside!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Passover Trek!

For Friday, December 27, 2024:

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

The trek to Jerusalem didn’t involve only Jesus and his family. It probably included most of the people from their local Synagogue – neighbors, relatives and other faithful believers. They’d all travel together. It was one big, long caravan, and as you might expect, children of similar ages would want to be with their friends. Families would meet up when they had reached their destination for the night. So it wasn’t unusual for Jesus to be traveling with another family. But as night began to fall, our seemingly precocious boy was nowhere to be found.

Mary and Joseph decided to return to Jerusalem to search for him there. It took three days to locate Jesus, in the Temple amongst the religious teachers, listening to and questioning them. Mary must have been teary-eyed, wringing her hands. Imagine the grief of any mother whose 12-year-old son goes missing for three days! “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, about his business?” His parents were confused. Yes, they had seen angels. Shepherds and later Magi worshiped the heaven-sent child. But this was 12 years later, Jesus referring to the Temple as his Father’s house!

Friends, God’s vast eternal plan had been set in motion, and that plan runs on God’s timetable. Jesus didn’t start his itinerant ministry until about 30 years into his life. I’m sure the question came up as to why it took so long to start if this was all good, all God’s plan. Jesus would teach and heal, but most importantly he would be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, your sin and my sin. Jesus would take the sins of the world to the place of the dead, leaving us forgiven, cleansed and suitable for residence in God’s eternal Kingdom.

So even 2k years later, believers are the beneficiaries of Jesus’ ministry. God knows what he’s doing!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Gentiles Included!

For Tuesday, April 9, 2024:

Colossians 1:27 NLT: “God wanted everyone to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

Jesus came to our planet through the Jews, but he came to redeem the whole world. That includes both Jews and Gentiles. That includes me, and it most certainly includes you!

Jerusalem was the “headquarters” for the Jewish religion. In Jerusalem was the Temple. At the time, most people who lived in Jerusalem were Jews, but not so much in the countries outside of Israel. Only a few Jews were scattered in the hinterlands; most were Gentiles. My point is that “The Way,” the Christian group in Jerusalem, were most likely converted Jews. That’s where most of the disciples ministered. But in the city of Colossae, a 500 mile hike from Jerusalem, most worshipers were Gentiles, and they were Paul’s audience for this letter to the Colossians.

Paul wanted to make it abundantly clear that the Good News of Jesus included all the believers in Colossae, Gentiles who had seen the light! This is particularly Good News for most of us who are not former Jews! Yes, Jesus came for YOU, and believers have assurance of salvation, a guaranteed place in eternity as a child of the Almighty! So claim what Jesus promised!

There is no end to the good things Jesus did for us!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Promise to Galilee!

For Thursday, March 14, 2024:

Isaiah 9:1a NIV, speaking as a prophet of the Lord: “There will be no more gloom for those who were in distress.”

The northern regions of the Promised Land – around the Sea of Galilee – were most severely destroyed when the Assyrians invaded from the north. That is now coming to an end, and God’s promise is that the land will be restored and one day have a special purpose. Looking back, we know that Jesus’ family lived in the region of Galilee, and much of his preaching took place around the Sea of Galilee.

Because they lived nearby, the people in the north would know more about Jesus. They would have heard him preach, and could watch as miracles took place. These people had a unique opportunity to interact with the Messiah! They learned about God, and about their religion. After all, Jerusalem and the Temple were 78 miles away, and at that time most people walked.

Getting to Jerusalem wasn’t easy. Samaria was between the two regions, and Jews considered the Samaritans unclean. So the journey began by traveling west to the coast, following the coastline south, and then turning inland back to Jerusalem, adding an additional 45 miles to their trek!

Isaiah’s next verse continues: “The people walking in darkness have seen a Great Light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a Light has dawned.” In the Bible, when something is very important it’s often stated twice, so that we don’t miss the point. You’ve probably heard this verse around Christmas as we celebrate Jesus’ arrival. The Great Light is the Messiah, our Savior!

Jesus living in Galilee was the great light they were promised. Have we all seen the light?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship