Fishing for Souls!

February 16, 2026, Monday Message:

Matthew 4:19 NLT: Jesus called out to Simon and his brother Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”

I told you that Jesus did a lot of his ministry around the Sea of Galilee. It starts now as he begins to assemble his team. Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew were fishermen by trade. And like most people of Hebrew descent, they were keeping a watchful eye out for the Messiah. Imagine being told all your life to expect a Messiah, and suddenly along comes Jesus, THE Messiah!

Fishermen were judged by the quality and quantity of their catch. You can’t make a living by catching only a few fish, and some breeds of fish are more desirable than others. Jesus promises an even loftier goal. “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Now, instead of fishing, they were in the “Repent and Return” business. It’s the same business in which we find ourselves nowadays. Have you caught any big ones lately?

When the Messiah calls you to his ministry team, the right thing to do is to drop everything and immediately become a disciple. Secure your boat, your nets, and your other fishing paraphernalia and get in step with God’s Son. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Simon and Andrew. And it can be a lifetime opportunity for you and me!

Blessings on this Presidents’ Day!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and 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

Financials!

December 30, 2024, Monday Message:

2 Thessalonians 3:12 NLT: “We command such (lazy) people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living.”

When “The Way,” the first church, was founded, people sold houses and property and donated the proceeds to the church, with a “what’s mine is yours, and what’s yours is mine” attitude. It sounds a little like communism, and mankind isn’t very good at that! Before you know it, people are tempted to take more from the co-op than they’re putting in. Lazy! And in reality, widows and orphans are unable to add resources, so some of us need to contribute extra to care for those needy. That’s what Jesus would have us do!

It’s the same in our churches nowadays. Some will be able to donate large amounts, others much smaller. Churches have very real expenses. I once worked for a church with leaky windows, where paying for heat in January and February was always challenging. We’d often have to launch a “second effort” mid-year financial campaign, but we always survived. Those who could give gave even more!

But there comes a time when it’s obvious that donations will no longer support the amount of ministry to which we’re called. Sometimes the current business plan is unsustainable. Time to increase donations or cut back on ministry, or both!

As leaders, we need to be good stewards of God’s resources!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship