Attend Your Local Church!

For Wednesday, October 8, 2025:

Hebrews 10:25 NLT: “Let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

If ever there were a good time for attending church, this would be it. Of course, it goes without saying that corporate worship of the one true God is always good. But what are some of the benefits for us?

We can double-check that we’re still on the same page with other believers. We can double-check that our beliefs still conform to the truths found in the Bible. We can encourage and support one another. We can fellowship together, even when it’s not a worship moment. We can “belong” in our community of believers. Our church friends can be our best friends.

I remember when I started a business with a partner. A lot of remodeling was necessary to make the space suitable for our business, and we did the work ourselves. If I became overwhelmed and discouraged, I still kept working because I didn’t want to let him down. He did the same for me. Even after we both decided it was time to take a break, one of us would jump up and pound the last few nails or measure a board for the next cut. It seems that we didn’t even know how to properly take a break! The point is that we accomplished way more as a team than I would have by myself.

A pastor told me that he believes we are in the end times of the end times. Jesus told us to watch for certain signs, and we’re routinely seeing some of them. I always hesitate when discussing eschatology, because Jesus said that no one knows exactly when it will all happen – the Second Coming of Christ, death, judgment, and the afterlife. After today, we’re one day closer than we were yesterday. The Bible says that God may be moving slowly to give more people a chance to be redeemed. God’s desire is that none would perish, but that all would repent and return. God will set the wheels in motion at the perfect time.

Watch for it with your brothers and sisters as you meet together!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Faithful!

For Thursday, November 7, 2024:

3 John 5, 8 NLT: “You are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. We ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.”

We need to care for itinerant preachers and visiting pastors and teachers. Let’s face it – they’re not going to be offered gifts by non-believers, so those of us in Jesus’ flock need to care for those carrying Jesus’ message!

A Christian’s overall mission is to share the Good News with all nations, and each believer should be a part of that team. Yesterday, I was explaining to a group that my personal call is to keep local churches running well, so that we have solid platforms from which to send missionaries. Has God shown you your call, your job on the ‘carrying-the-message’ team?

Are you filled with unshakable faith in the Lord and his mission? If we’re going to be of benefit to the team, we need to be filled with the fire of faith that can not be extinguished!

Friends, love the Lord and love his mission!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship