Testify Truth!

For Friday, June 26, 2026:

John 15:27 NLT, Jesus speaking: “You must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.”

Jesus was telling all the gathered disciples to continue the Good News ministry after he returned to the Father. Some had been with him from the beginning and were eyewitnesses to every miracle and every healing. Others joined the entourage later, but they did so because of what Jesus did for them or from what they had seen. They have sufficient experiences about which to testify!

Consider Mary Magdalene. Jesus cast out seven demons from her, turning her life around. She in turn traveled with Jesus’ followers and helped support them financially. She witnessed the crucifixion, the resurrection and the ascension. Her testimony would be completely valid.

Each of us has a “before Jesus” story and an “after Jesus” story. Our testimony should be about the positive changes as the result of that transition. Knowing that we are forgiven and have a place in eternity is no small thing! Having Assurance of Salvation makes for a great testimony!

What is your “changed life” story? It’s time to rehearse. Many need to hear what you have to say!

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

Risen!

     For Tuesday, February 3, 2026:

Mark 16:9, 11 NLT: “After Jesus rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, the first person who saw him was Mary Magdalene, the woman from whom he had cast out seven demons. But when she told the disciples that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.”

Thus begins the longer ending of this Gospel. I suspect some writers assumed that once the tomb was empty, the story was complete. Not quite! There will be another 40 days to document. As Paul Harvey used to say, “the r-r-r-rest of the story.” Yes, the tomb was empty, but even more important is the fact that Jesus was alive! People could see him, hear him and follow him around. He proved that there is life after this life.

Before Jesus, Mary Magdalene was a tough case. After all, she was occupied by seven demons. But once freed from Satan’s influence, she quickly assumed the role of “most loyal to Jesus,” sort of a female equivalent of Simon Peter. It actually makes sense that she would be the first to see the risen Christ.

Notice the order in which Jesus did things. Before healing, teaching or including her in the group, he cast out her demons, all seven of them. Wow! She must have been a mess! But Satan’s minions have no power over the name of Jesus. We should learn from what Jesus did. He said believers should use his name!

Humans tend to believe what we expect to see. Our minds fulfill our expectations. In this case, the disciples had watched as Jesus died on the cross, was pierced with a spear, and then laid in a grave. So when Magdalene said she saw Jesus alive, she was doubted.

But it turned out that she was right. When Jesus called out, “Mary,” she knew his voice. Are you familiar enough with Jesus that if he called out your name, you’d recognize His voice?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Expect the Unexpected

April 16, 2012 Monday Message:

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened...” Ephesians 1:18a Today, I pray that God would open our minds and the eyes of our hearts to expect the unexpected.

Outside Jesus’ tomb, Mary Magdalene was looking for Jesus but didn’t expect to find him in the garden. But when he spoke her name, “Mary,” and she answered in Aramaic, “Rabboni,” the impossible became real. She had been looking in the wrong place, a place for the dead. But her master was, unexpectedly, among the living!

On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas and his companion speak of the devastating things that had occurred in Jerusalem. These disciples lament that their Prophet had been crucified, so of course they would expect him to be among the dead. Jesus led a little small-group Bible study while they were walking, and opened their eyes to the fact that He, Jesus, was among the living.

Even the apostles didn’t “get it” at first. After fishing all night and catching nothing, the man on the shore told them to lower the nets on the RIGHT side of the boat. When the apostles did this, they couldn’t even lift the net because of the large number of fish. This could only mean one thing: Jesus! Knowing that Jesus had been crucified, the apostles weren’t looking for Jesus among the living. Now their eyes were opened, and Mr. Impulsive, Simon-Peter, jumped into the water and immediately swam to the Master. They had a wonderful reunion that morning and ate a meal together. I’ll have the fish!

So today, remember to keep an open mind to the supernatural, those miracles from heaven. Expect the unexpected, because Jesus is among the living.

Blessings to all during this time of Easter Celebration!

Norton Lawellin

I’ll be teaching “Ditch-digging,” in 2 Kings 3 this Friday at New Hope Center, 7pm.