God of the Living!

For Saturday, October 11, 2025:

Luke 20:37 NLT: “As to whether the dead will be raised—even Moses proved this when he wrote about the burning bush. Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, he referred to the Lord as ‘the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’”

There is only one version of the truth. There is only one Bible, one version of the Holy Scrolls. So everyone had the same information available, yet somehow the Sadducees didn’t understand life after this life. Jesus digs deeper, pointing out the scripture they missed. Think of it logically. There would be no point in being God if your followers were all dead. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had long ago ended their earthly days, yet they are still referred to in ‘first person,’ as if they are still alive. And they ARE alive, living in the next reality with the God who resurrected them. Jesus said, “He is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

So to sum up Jesus’ response to the Sadducees: Yes, there is life after this life. Yes, those who are loyal and obedient will be with the Lord. When believers appear to have died, they will actually be living in God’s presence. People who died long before us will be with God as well. If we’re lucky, we’ll get to meet some of them.

Jesus said He would return to the Father first, so that He could prepare a place for us! People get ready, there’s a train a-comin’… It’s headed for Heaven!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Death – Not the End!

For Saturday, May 31, 2025:

Luke 12:4 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that.”

We all need a reminder from time to time that death is not the end. If we are truly believers, we should be confident that our earthly demise is simply the start of our journey into the next reality. Jesus will personally welcome us into the life after this life where he has prepared a place for us. Believers get to spend eternity in God’s presence, a land where joy never ends.

When Paul’s life was threatened, he debated allowing himself to be killed vs fleeing to stay alive. He could make a case for either decision. If alive, he could continue evangelizing, sharing Jesus’ truth with more and more people. Then they too would be saved. But if he died, he’d fall into Jesus’ arms in the heavenly realm. Life’s burdens would end. Tough choice!

Ultimately, Paul opted for life. I believe that was the right decision. Remember, God always chooses life. We are to live as long as God wants us to live, doing the work he has given us to do. God will decide when it’s time to call us home.

Jesus preaches: “Fear not! After you’ve been killed, nothing else can hurt you!” Implied in this statement is that following our death, everything will be OK. In fact it will be far better than most people expect!

When someone dies, people often say, “They’re in a better place now.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven!

For Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

John 14:2 NLT, Jesus speaking: “There is more than enough room in my Father’s house. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?”

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. I quote it all the time! This is a case where the Bible says more than the words imply. God gave mankind brains, thinking and reason, and we’re supposed to look behind the curtain to get the whole story.

How big is heaven? If you’ve ever wondered if the hereafter could accommodate all the believers from over the centuries, the short answer is “yes.” Jesus says, “...more than enough room.” In fact, he has gone ahead to prepare a place for each of us. So to summarize, #1 there is a hereafter, #2 it’s larger than we can imagine, and #3 if you’re a believer, there’s a room with your name on it! Jesus said so!

One more bit of Good News is that Jesus is expecting us in that next reality. Followers of Jesus have assurance of salvation. He’s preparing our special place because believers are expected to show up! With tongue in cheek, Jesus asks, “If it were not so, wouldn’t I have told you?” Of course he would!

We talk of dying and going to heaven. That simplifies discussions, but is only partially right. People and sin have messed up God’s creations, but God will remake things the way he originally intended. The Bible calls it the New Heaven and the New Earth. I believe the earth will be restored to “Garden of Eden” specifications. That New Earth is our final destination, where God can walk alongside his people. Nothing better!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship