Day of the Lord!

For Saturday, December 7, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 2:2 NLT: “Don’t be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don’t believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us.”

I was serving in a church last week, and the pastor claimed to know when Jesus was coming again. He said, “If you want to know, just ask me!” Of course, it was a joke, kind of a trick question!

As one of the worship team, I was on the platform with him, and I admonished him, “You don’t know!!!”

To which we all laughed and he said, “Norton’s right!” Jesus taught that no one knows the exact day or hour when he’ll return. Only the Father knows! Therefore anyone who says they know is either making a joke or is a false prophet. Trust the words of Jesus: No one really knows!

Therefore we need to be perpetually ready for Jesus’ return. Thinking you can live in the world and then be saved at the last minute is not a good plan. Jesus said that if you knew when the thief was coming, you would have locked the door. If you knew when the groom was returning, you would have had oil for your lamp! Jesus taught many parables about being prepared for his return.

Don’t just be prepared for Jesus’ coming to you. Also be prepared for you coming to Jesus! We could die in our sleep or be hit by a car and meet Jesus sooner than we ever thought. The point is that since we don’t know exactly when, we need to be ready all the time.

The hereafter is closer than you think!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Prepared for Jesus!

For Saturday, December 23, 2023:

Luke 1:66 NLT: “Everyone who heard about it (the birth of John the Baptist) reflected on these events and asked, “What will this child turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was surely upon him in a special way.”

John the Baptist’s primary mission was to prepare the people for Jesus’ arrival.

A Jewish woman needed to pick up an order from my business, and the expected completion day was Friday. I said, “How about 4pm?” She said no. Shabbat, the Jewish sabbath, begins at sundown on Friday, and she was concerned with the late hour. “OK, how about 3 o’clock? What are you doing then?”

“Getting ready for Shabbat.” You see, honoring the Sabbath requires preparation. The holy day was not to be taken lightly!

Soon we celebrate Christmas, Jesus coming to earth to reconcile mankind’s position with God, probably the most important day since creation! And the question is, “Are you prepared? Have you prepared to meet your Savior face-to-face?” Jesus said he would return, and we have already seen many of the signs he told us to watch for. We may be in the last days of the end times!

Of course, “Time is getting close,” could mean next week to us or a thousand years to God. It would be foolish for anyone to think they know the date of the second coming. Nonetheless, we need to prepare for it. Are you “right” with God? Is “repent” part of who you are? Are you a friend of Jesus? Are you saved? Have you received the Holy Spirit?

When Jesus returns the next time, it will be biggest event since he came the first time. Are you ready to be impressed? Have you prepared?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Ready To Go!

For Thursday, October 26, 2023:

Romans 13:12 NLT: “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”

We don’t know the exact day or hour when Jesus will return. But the Bible says that when the day of salvation comes, we might not see it coming! So we need to constantly be prepared for Jesus’ arrival. Stay clear of evil deeds, and don shining garb suitable for meeting the King of kings!

Jesus told a parable of a bride waiting for her new husband, so they could begin their life together. The new husband will return for her, but she didn’t know exactly when. So she had to constantly be ready to go! Those not ready could be left behind! (Matthew 25)

So put on the shining armor of right living. This life will go better, and you’ll be prepared when the new heaven and the new earth come knocking!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship