Pay Attention!

For Friday, March 13, 2026:

Hebrews 13:22 NLT: “I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, to pay attention to what I have written in this brief exhortation.”

This Epistle is written to the Hebrew people. The writer has a certain advantage and a certain disadvantage. Let me explain.

The Hebrews have a history of believing in our God. They already know about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Moses (and the Lord) led them out of Egyptian slavery. God gave Moses the 10 Commandments on Mt. Sinai. The author of “Hebrews” didn’t have to convince anyone that there is a God, a Higher Power, a Creator, so half of the writer’s work is already accomplished. That’s the good news!

The disadvantage is having to convince these people that there’s more to their religious saga. The story of God’s interaction with mankind wasn’t finished, and still isn’t finished. I believe Christianity should have been, “Judaism, the next chapter.” Like Paul Harvey used to say, “The rest of the story!” Jesus, Son of God, coming to Earth, performing miracles and healings and eventually taking away the sins of the world is huge. We call it the New Testament, but it’s really the continuing history of God’s people, significant enough that we base our daily calendars on the event.

The story is not finished. The Bible includes prophecy about the last days, including Jesus’ second coming. I pray that a talented writer will document all that happens during the end times. The book, the story of God’s people on Earth, will be complete when believers are called home!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Forever Words!

For Friday, June 7, 2024:

1 Peter 1:25 NLT: “’The word of the Lord remains forever.’ And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.”

There was old scripture and now there is new scripture. We call that the Old Testament and the New Testament. The ‘new’ begins with the arrival of Jesus. The story of Jesus is called the ‘Gospel.’ Without Jesus, there would be no Gospel, and there would be no purpose in mankind knowing about a Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Peter started by quoting Old Testament, Isaiah, who wrote down the words of our Lord, explaining that His words remain forever.

But God has given us more Holy words, more inspiration – what we call the New Testament. Peter is saying that these new words are just as Holy as the old words. Therefore the Good News contained in the Gospels will also remain forever. Jesus’ words are just as valid as the words God send down from Mt. Sinai!

Grab some Holy words that you can hang onto. Learn the truth of what the Bible says. Put the Word of the Lord in your mind when you wake up, when you’re eating lunch and as you’re drifting off to sleep. When you’ve mastered that scripture, grab another!

Immerse yourselves fully in the words of God!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship