Paid In Advance!

For Thursday, July 16, 2026:

Colossians 1:29 NLT, Paul speaking: “That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me.”

After meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, Paul was thoroughly convinced. He threw himself into evangelism, telling everyone the Good News and planting new churches wherever God sent him.

But Paul doesn’t think he can do it all by himself. He knows that Christ is working through him to complete heaven’s mission. We also have a divine helper, the Holy Spirit, to be our advocate as we share with others the truth about God, his Son, sin, forgiveness and redemption. Since the Holy Spirit is working alongside us, we’re responsible for the effort, not the outcome. God’s in charge of that!

Paul is working hard to hold up his end of the partnership, as should we. We’ve all been assigned the task of making disciples of all nations. Half-measures won’t get us 50% of the way to the Kingdom! In fact, all-out effort only works when combined with an unshakable belief that Jesus is God’s Son and that his words are the truth. It’s our faith in the Risen Savior that lets us see heaven from the inside!

When I worked in sales, the letters ‘PIA’ on an invoice stood for ‘Paid in Advance!’ There is an invoice due for your sins and my sins, but it’s marked ‘PIA.” Jesus, through his death on the cross, paid the price to redeem mankind from our sin problem. He took those sins to the place of the dead and left them there, never to haunt us again.

Make a decision today to accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness. Yes, it’s undeserved, but God sometimes does us a solid. Accept the gift with gratitude and a smile!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Harvest!

For Wednesday, November 22, 2023:

John 4:32 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.”

This spiritual food is a lot like the living water. Jesus is using metaphors to describe heavenly things, and those around him don’t understand. It can be confusing.

“Rabbi, eat something.” The disciples were concerned with Jesus taking on enough calories to survive. They knew a lot about earthly food. Jesus, on the other hand, didn’t have his mind on the next meal. He was on a mission to bring the Good News to the Samaritan people, Christianity’s first step into the Gentile world. Eating lunch could be put on hold for a while. Jesus has spiritual food to distribute to those hungry for the truth.

Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.” Although the Samaritans had been separated from the Jews for quite some time, they still knew of God and were hungry to learn more about him. Perhaps this teacher, Jesus, had the info they needed. It’s important to understand that these Samaritans were what we call “seekers,” striving to connect with their Creator God. And Jesus had just what they needed!

Jesus said that the fields were ripe. The fields were awaiting harvesters. The seekers were prepared to come to the Lord. Jesus explained that it’s not unusual for one person to plant, and for someone else to harvest. We are surrounded by people who have heard about God and are curious about God. You and I are the harvesters sent into today’s field to bring home the seekers. Do you accept the challenge?

The Bible speaks of the priesthood of all believers. So we are all called to help with the harvest!

Blessings!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship