Holy Spirit!

For Saturday, March 28, 2026:

John 14:15-17a NLT, Jesus speaking: “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”

This expands on the original Old Covenant, wherein God-the-Father explained, “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” In the New Covenant, Jesus, being the Son of God, will be our Savior, and we will be his loyal followers. Then, as Jesus is leaving us, returning to the Father, he leaves another to fill the God-space in our lives. The Holy Spirit – Comforter, Encourager, or Counselor – the final one-third of the Trinity, will walk alongside us on our spiritual journey. The Holy Spirit (like Father and Son) can only give us truth, and truth is God’s opinion on everything!

We love Jesus because he died to pay the penalty for our sins so we could be forgiven. Note that Jesus didn’t send the Holy Spirit himself. He asked the Father to care for those who love the Son, so the Father sent our Counselor and Advocate, and we’re better off because of it.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for watching over all the believers!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Children of God!

For Sunday, October 12, 2025:

John 14:21 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Have you ever seen an ancestry chart, a family tree? It looks like this. The subject person is in the middle. Two parents’ names go on the left, branching out into four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, etc. until all the known ancestors are listed. Children go on the right, followed by grandchildren and, God willing, great-grandchildren. It can get complicated!

Jesus simplified our spiritual family tree. We know him, love and obey him. And because we love Jesus, his Father will love us, and that’s the end of our spiritual family tree! Believers have been adopted into the Holy Family. And Jesus will reveal more and more to those who claim him as their Savior, to members of the Holy Family. Disobedient souls are disinterested souls, and Jesus won’t waste time on them.

Jesus said, “Since I live, you also will live.” Jesus always speaks the truth, and that’s our blessed assurance of a life after this life in the presence of God Almighty. That knowledge should fill us with eager anticipation! So open your eyes and look forward to it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Channel!

For Thursday, May 22, 2025:

Luke 11:28 CJB: “Jesus said, ‘Far more blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it!’”

As Jesus was teaching the crowd, a woman shouted out blessings to his birth-mother. Yes, Mary was obedient and highly favored by God. But the Father is even more pleased when one of us hears him and follows his instructions. Mary is history, but we are right now! Believers represent the future of the church for our generation. That’s what Jesus was saying.

God’s instructions will be heard by those with whom he has a relationship. If someone chooses to hear nothing from God, he won’t force his message on that person. Listening for God is like adjusting a radio receiver. If someone is not tuned in to the right frequency, they’ll never hear his message! So put God on one of your mind’s “preset” buttons! Let your Bible gather no dust!

Even more important than simply hearing God’s message is giving life to those instructions – obedience. Don’t think of serving God as an obligation. Consider it an opportunity to build an ongoing relationship with your Creator.

Believers have been drafted to play for God’s team. He wants us to win souls for the “good” team, those who, at the end of life’s game, are the winners.

Batter up!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Instructions!

For Tuesday, February 11, 2025:

Exodus 16:11-12 NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the Israelites’ complaints. Now tell them, ‘In the evening you will have meat to eat, and in the morning you will have all the bread you want. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

The people of Israel are once again whining and complaining. And once again God meets their needs. Each of six mornings, manna, a bread flavored with honey, would fall from the sky. In those evenings, flocks of quail would land amongst the Israelites, providing meat for dinner. On the seventh day, the Lord’s day, the food gathered for day six would provide double the amount, so no one would have to work on the Lord’s day.

Having done this, God said, “Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.” God is an eternal optimist! The Israelites soon violate God’s plan. They were told to gather only enough manna for today, about two quarts. Some gathered too little; some gathered way too much. God evened it out; everyone had just enough. They were told to not set any manna aside for tomorrow. Some disobeyed, and found yesterday’s manna full of maggots and funny-smelling. But for some reason (God), the extra gathered on day six would still be fresh and wholesome on the Sabbath. Some of the people went out anyway on the seventh day, but they found no food. The Lord asked Moses, “How long will these people refuse to obey my commands and instructions?” How long, Lord?

In short, when the people of Israel followed God’s instructions, everything worked out great. They would have manna for 40 years until they reached Canaan. That same principle applies to believers and to our lives. If we follow God’s instructions, things always work out better. But if we insist on driving, our car often heads toward the ditch. God’s way is always the best way!

Manna means, “What is it?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship