House of the Lord!

For Friday, June 12, 2026:

Psalm 23:6 NKJV: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

David showed confidence and trust in the Lord. He was a man after God’s own heart, but he was far from perfect. But despite his missteps, he always trusted God to be loving and forgiving. He would rise out of all the turmoil as a loyal supporter of God Almighty. That’s called faith!

Most believers are a lot like David. We will not live perfect lives, but on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for the sins of the world – your sins and mine. Believers all need to accept that free gift with open arms and a smile. God doesn’t want a bunch of sullen souls in his Kingdom. The Father’s love should elicit joy from everyone!

God’s goodness and mercy will follow us throughout this life, and follow us into the next as we take our place in his Kingdom. We’re enjoying a better life now that we’re adopted into the Holy Family, and it will be the best life ever when we move into the house of the Lord. Start filling out change-of-address forms today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Joy!

For Tuesday, May 5, 2026:

John 15:11 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Jesus spent a lot of his time teaching the faithful. He wanted everyone to know how his Father expects them to live. He states unchangeable principles such as honesty and truth. And he foretells the future, wanting believers to have hope.

Many things will happen to fulfill God’s plan, things that may be confusing. Jesus wants to clear things up and let everyone know what to expect. One example is that mankind’s sins will be forgiven, taken away as if they never happened. That sounds good, but the human side of Jesus will die in the process, and that sounds bad. The truth is that everything is good that lines up with God’s plan. Seeing God’s plan come to fruition should bring us joy.

Happiness can be fleeting, but the joy of the Lord comes from substance. Happiness results from circumstances, and the circumstances around you are forever changing. Interestingly, “circumstance” is the same root word as “circus!” Does your life have three rings and a bear on a bicycle? That’ll put a smile on your face, make you happy, but nothing of substance, nothing that really matters lives there. When the bear falls off the bike, the smile falls off your face.

Not so with the joy of the Lord. God gives us a new day each morning and fills us with joy! We read God’s word in the Bible, and that reinforces our joy! We meet our friends and coworkers – more joy! God’s joy is permanent, something that matters, something of substance. It was God’s plan to rescue repentant believers. He took us under his wing, adopted us into the holy family, and that’s forever! We can look forward to living in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom in the place Jesus has prepared for us, where joy abounds!

We can decide how to live our lives – substance or circumstances, God’s way or the world’s way, fleeting happiness or rock solid joy. Choose wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Do What Jesus Did!

For Thursday, April 9, 2026:

Mark 16:17-18 NLT, Jesus speaking: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes safely, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

Once again, Jesus has separated the sheep from the goats. There are only two types of people in this world: believers and unbelievers. Jesus says that those who refuse to believe will be condemned. End of story. But those who believe will be blessed with the ability to continue doing what Jesus himself had been doing. He wants us to love our neighbors and bring joy into the world!

Notice that the first mention is the casting out of demons. As Jesus’ work is documented in our Gospels, this was often his first order of business. Satan’s demons are likely the root cause of many of the problems we witness. Since they live in the Spirit realm and can’t be seen, many of us fail to perceive the problem. Jesus never skipped this step. Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking that Satan is on holiday. He’ll happily keep us miserable until the end of the age. Remember, Mary Magdalene became one of Jesus’ most enthusiastic supporters, but not until he sent away the seven demons holding her back!

I’ve decided not to personally test the snakes and poison thing. But I have laid hands on the sick. God once told me that healing would begin in two days, and like clockwork, 48 hours later, my phone rang saying the patient had a radical turnaround! I’ve concluded that the world would be a better place if there were more Christians in it doing what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & 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

John Leapt!

For Friday, November 24, 2025:

Luke 1:41 NLT: “At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.”

When we last talked about Mary, she wasn’t sure what was transpiring. She was about to become pregnant, although she had never been with a man. But she was obedient: “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.”

Miracles occur when the Holy Spirit is present. Those who understood what was happening were the babies! Elizabeth was carrying John the Baptist, while Mary’s womb was hosting Jesus, Son of the Most High! When Mary entered Elizabeth’s house, John the Baptist leapt for joy! Even as an unborn baby, he was excited by the presence of his Savior!

This isn’t a big theological point. It’s not a redeeming ordinance. It’s just fun trivia, and I’m glad Luke included the event for all our enjoyment. Remembering the interaction of these two babies puts a smile on our faces!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Second Coming!

For Sunday, November 2, 2025:

Luke 21:25 NLT: “Everyone will see the Son of Man (Jesus) coming on a cloud with power and great glory.”

Jesus is referring to the end times scenario. His arrival will not be a secret – everyone on earth will know. This will be a time of great joy for believers and immense fear for those who rejected the Son. In an instant, the world will recognize Jesus as being God’s Son, and our decision to believe will be confirmed.

Up to this point, what believers have is a promise of salvation. But Jesus says that when we see these signs, “Stand and look up, for your salvation is near!” Excited yet? What has been prophesied will occur right before your eyes! If you’re a believer, Jesus has already put your name on a room in heaven. Everything’s ready.

And isn’t that our goal, to live in harmony with our Creator? We are to love the Lord and love our neighbors. That’s why we share this Good News with everyone. God says, “The more, the merrier!” (or something like that!) God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return. He really wants everyone to join him in the hereafter.

So friends, accept Jesus’ invitation. Reject all wickedness. Kick Satan out of your life. Send his demons down the road. I don’t care where they land – they can go into pigs for all I care. (That’s what Jesus did!) Keep your eyes on the light; keep your eyes on the prize – eternity in the presence of the Lord! Hope to see you there!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lost Coin!

For Sunday, July 13, 2025:

Luke 15:8 AMPC: “What woman, having ten [silver] drachmas [each one equal to a day’s wages], if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and look carefully and diligently until she finds it?”

Jesus is teaching the mixed crowd – tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and teachers of religious law – the parable of the lost coin. In today’s dollars, about $200 had gone missing, and if any of us lost $200, we’d certainly look until we found it! Note the ratio, 1 out of 10 missing. We’d check every dresser drawer and go through our purses and pants pockets. Is it time to clean out the car? Check every nook and cranny. The search wouldn’t be over until the sum was located!

In real life, something far more valuable than a coin had gone missing. In this parable, the lost coin represents the soul of a lost sinner. Heaven is patiently waiting for that sinner to repent and return, and heaven will not abandon that soul until they have had adequate chances to reconcile with the Creator. God’s desire is that none would be lost, and that all would repent and return!

When the sum is retrieved, the woman invites her neighbors in to celebrate the victory. “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin!”

Jesus summarizes his teaching: “In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”

You are extremely valuable to the Lord!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lost Sheep!

For Saturday, July 12, 2025:

Luke 15:4 MSG: “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it?”

Jesus is teaching the mixed crowd – tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and teachers of religious law – the parable of the lost sheep. Livestock are valuable, well worth going after if one strays. Sheep share a philosophy that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, so they’re always wandering off, straying, doing the wrong thing, just like many humans! God figures that human souls are worth going after if they stray. That’s why Jesus came to earth, to redeem mankind! Note the ratio, 1 out of 100 missing. We’d check every nook and cranny of the pasture. The search wouldn’t be over until the missing sheep was accounted for!

In real life, something far more valuable than a sheep had gone missing. In this parable, the lost sheep represents a wandering sinner. Heaven patiently waits for each one of us to repent and return, and heaven won’t abandon us until we have had adequate opportunities to reconcile with our Creator. God’s desire is that none would be lost, and that all would repent and return!

When the animal is returned to the flock, the shepherd invites his neighbors in to celebrate the victory. “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep!”

Jesus summarizes his teaching: “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Pride!

For Thursday, November 14, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NLT: “What gives us hope and joy, and what will be our proud reward and crown as we stand before our Lord Jesus when he returns? It is you! Yes, you are our pride and joy.”

Pride, like many other things, is best enjoyed in small doses. It shouldn’t be about what we did or how we accomplished a task. It should be that we’re proud of the result, which honors the Lord, and God being pleased fills us with joy!

For example, Paul isn’t selfishly taking credit for the Thessalonian church. He’s praising what THEY have done, the fact that they stayed true to God’s Word. Draw a mental picture of Paul standing alongside Jesus as they both look down upon the Thessalonian church with pride, those loyal believers in an ever-hostile land. Together, their pride is rooted in that church standing its ground, despite the fierce opposition!

Rather than deterring us, Satan’s roadblocks inspire us to work even harder at completing our assigned missions! God always wins!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Substance vs Circumstances!

August 19, 2024 Monday Message:

1 John 1:3-4 NLT: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that your joy may be complete.”

Happiness may be fleeting, but the Joy of the Lord is permanent!

Earthly happiness is a reaction to circumstances, and circumstances can change, sometimes better, sometimes worse. But the work of Jesus on the cross – the forgiveness of our sins and his promise of salvation – fills us with the Joy of the Lord, a forever solution to mankind’s sin problem.

What really matters? My wife has a label printer, and our grandson loves putting labels on everything. Our living room houses a piano, two guitars and a ukulele, so he labeled it, “Music Room.” I want us all to dig out our mental label makers and separate everything in our lives into one of two categories: substance or circumstances.

The circumstances in which we find ourselves are constantly changing. We’re called upon to interact with other humans. What could possibly go wrong? (Joke! Sarcasm!)

But things of substance have eternal ramifications. Things of substance matter. Their worth is ‘til the end of time! When Jesus set believers up with assurance of salvation, it was both a “now and forever” solution. Gratitude for Jesus’ gift to us – the gift of eternal life in God’s presence – fills believers with joy that can not be taken away.

Laugh off circumstances. Live for things of substance!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Radical Transformation!

For Sunday, May 12, 2024:

Ephesians 4:24 NLT: “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

Every Christian has a ‘before Jesus’ story and an ‘after Jesus’ story. Becoming a Christian should represent a big change in our lives. Some call it ‘radical transformation! Life becomes new, different and better!

You may have a new church and new friends. Your personal standards for living life have been upgraded. You embrace God’s value system. You’ll get better at it with each passing day!

So make it a point to embrace the new life. Since you’ve been given an awesome gift by Jesus, why not enjoy life? Celebrate the Good News. You can celebrate now because all your sins have been forgiven. You can count on the same resurrection we all saw in Jesus. We have been promised an eternal destination: Absent from the body, present with the Lord!

Let your joyful demeanor be a testimony to your gratitude for having received Christ’s gift!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Fellowship!

For Thursday, May 9, 2024:

1 John 1:3-4 NLT: “We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.”

Friends, this isn’t a bunch of lunatics conjuring up a new religion. What they’re telling people to believe is exactly what they saw with their own two eyes. The author personally knew Jesus, watched him minister and saw miracles with his own two eyes! What’s being stated here is truth. Much more than a religious plank, it’s an eyewitness account of what actually took place!

Note that the author isn’t gaining anything by adding others to this value system. It sounds like the believers are just trying to make new friends. “Fellowship with us! Fellowship with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ.” Happiness can be fleeting. Happiness can come and go depending on circumstances. But joy, eternal joy, is a “forever” gift. Believer’s hearts are grateful for the joy of being rescued from sin by Jesus. Joy is something of substance; it’s unchanging Good News from above.

Joy is something to be shared with others!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven's Inheritance!

For Sunday, April 28, 2024:

Colossians 3:24 NLT: “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.”

Know that there is a plan and that you have a purpose. God didn’t just make a bunch or humans, scatter them around and hope for the best!

Knowing Jesus and accepting his gift deals with our sin problem. But in the hereafter, each of us will come face to face with our Creator as he asks, “How did you do with the work I assigned to you? You are my hands and feet on earth; I put your name on certain things. How did that go?”

Start by identifying your gifts and talents. The Bible says that God will not send you on a mission without equipping you to handle it, and he has most likely equipped you in advance. Your work for the Lord probably involves something in which you can excel!

Next, look for where God is already working, and jump in there. Be kind; be helpful; be joyful! Figure out the next right thing to do, something that adds value to what God has already started.

We should all want to hear our Creator say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

After Jesus!

For Sunday, March 17, 2024:

Mark 14:49 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

It seems that when he was alive, Jesus was either extremely loved or severely abhorred. The Bible doesn’t reveal much middle ground.

The general population was impressed with Jesus’ teaching, amazed by his knowledge of God, the Kingdom and heaven, and in awe of the miracles he performed. These are the people who hollered, “Hosannah, save us, save us now,” as Jesus reentered Jerusalem riding a new donkey.

Not so with the Roman Government and the Religious leaders. There was no official religion in the Roman empire other than their made-up gods. Jesus drew huge crowds, so the Romans always felt the threat of a violent rebellion. Jesus came in peace, so that never happened.

Jesus taught on the Temple grounds and attracted thousands of followers. But to the Temple Leader’s dismay, Jesus pointed out all the principles the Pharisees had gotten wrong. The priests had exalted themselves – put themselves up on a pedestal – but after Jesus, they were no longer needed. After Jesus, believers could pray directly to God Almighty. They no longer needed a priest as an intercessor. Jesus pointed out that God’s desire is that everyone would repent and return to him, to come home. After Jesus, all who believed had access to a heavenly eternity. One more thing – if people were supporting Jesus’ ministry, they probably weren’t supporting the temple. Jesus was stripping the Temple hierarchy of power, influence and money.

Believers spent the last two thousand years upholding the Good News brought to us by Jesus. We should all continue that devotion nowadays, and share the Good News with others. We should repent and return to the Lord as God directed. Filled with joy and enthusiasm, we should shout the virtues of Jesus!

In God’s vast eternal plan, Jesus is bigger than Taylor Swift! Really!

See you at church! Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship