New Miracles!

For Wednesday, August 19, 2026:

John 16:20 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy.”

Jesus is getting the disciples up to speed on what is about to happen. This is prior to the crucifixion. As this scenario plays out, believers will mourn the death of their spiritual mentor, as they should, while the unenlightened chant, “Crucify him!” But Jesus won’t be gone for long. Three days later he’ll walk away from the tomb, and the shouts will change to, “He is risen!” Indeed.

At that time, there were a lot of fake gods in the land. Idols. They couldn’t actually accomplish anything. Jesus is explaining the actions of a true God, a Creator, someone with authority over life and death! This resurrection would be the first time someone was revived following a public crucifixion! God can do that! That’s why it needs explaining. No one has ever seen anything like this!

Jesus compares this series of events to childbirth. As painful as childbirth is, the joy of a new baby triumphs. Believers will be saddened by the crucifixion, but celebrate the resurrection with joy and amazement! Are you as amazed as these disciples were?

You’ll be even more amazed by knowing that Jesus took our sins to the grave and returned without them! It’s all part of God’s plan to rescue mankind!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

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

Peace of the Lord!

For Tuesday, January 10, 2023:

Matthew 5:4 NLT: “God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”

Death is a curious thing. We grieve. We cry because we have lost a loved one. but if they were a believer, we should be jumping for joy! They have gone to live in the presence of God in his Kingdom! Jesus will meet them with open arms! But we’ll still miss them.

If the person was not a believer, we need to let it go and move on. Nothing we can do postmortem will alter their eternal destination. No prayer, lighting of candles, waving of incense or giving of money can change the outcome. That’s why we all need to commit to Jesus during our lifetimes.

In a broader sense, God can lift people up out of sadness, regardless of the reason for that sadness. Believers know that happiness is fleeting, but the Joy of the Lord is eternal. The peace of the Lord is sometimes more than we can understand, but God bestows it nonetheless. Believers should accept God’s gift of comfort and peace just as we have accepted his gift of eternal salvation.

Trusting in the Lord will always make things better!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship