Afterlife!

For Wednesday, September 2, 2026:

Acts 4:2 NLT: “The priests and Temple guards were very disturbed that Peter and John were teaching the people that through Jesus there is a resurrection of the dead.”

We tend to not believe what we haven’t seen with our own eyes. Jesus broke new ground by proving that there is life after this life. Although he was pronounced dead by Roman soldiers, he walked away from his tomb three days later. He could walk and talk, and appear to various groups seemingly at will.

The risen Jesus had supernatural abilities, and Peter and John were eyewitnesses to all these things. They were filled with enthusiasm having seen the miracles firsthand. So their natural response was to begin sharing the Good News with others.

At that time, most Pharisees were hoping that there was a life after this life, but they weren’t sure. Sadducees taught that there was no life after this life. So Peter’s and John’s preaching radically opposed the best thinking of the day.

As followers of Jesus, we now know the truth. Jesus rose from the grave, opening the door for us all to be welcomed into a life after this life. These eyewitnesses documented exactly what Jesus did so that all believers would know the truth.

Yes, friends, there IS life after this life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Raised from the Dead!

For Sunday, January 4, 2026:

Romans 6:4b NLT: “Just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

Believers are inextricably linked with Jesus the Christ, although His way is a path from which we should not want to escape. In fact, we should think of a link with Jesus as a gift. If we aren’t connected with Jesus, we’d have no chance at the glorious life after this life that awaits believers. If we are sincere believers, total forgiveness and salvation reserve our place in the hereafter.

And friends, isn’t that all we really want, to live in God’s eternal kingdom? Only good people will be there, those who are radically transformed by the redeeming nature of Christ Almighty. The forgiven will be our neighbors. We may be surprised at how nice everyone is! In Heaven, it will be like everyone is on their best behavior. If God – Father, Son or Holy Spirit – asks us to help out with something, we won’t hesitate. We would be honored to be invited to participate on the winning team!

Jesus rose from the dead in three days, fully restored and still eager to serve God the Father. Even though the sin of the world was heaped upon him as he died on the cross, he took that burden to the place of the dead and left it there. He was given a second chance to change the minds of those who watched him die three days ago, and now see him dancing a jig on the grave of sin. Someone brought back to life should turn heads!

Like Jesus, mankind was burdened with sin, but believers have born again, given a second chance to get things right. When you get to the pearly gates, confidently tell the gatekeeper that you’re with the guy seated just to the right of God. That’s His Son, Jesus! He’ll welcome you with open arms!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Maundy Thursday!

For Thursday, April 17, 2025:

John 13:21 NLT: “Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

Today is Maundy Thursday. We remember Jesus gathering his best friends for their final meal together. He left us with the sacrament of Holy Communion. “Do this to remember me.” And it’s Jesus’ final night as a human walking the earth alongside mankind. He was betrayed by Judas, falsely arrested and judged guilty by those in power, steps that would lead to his crucifixion. Things appear to have been falling apart at a surprisingly rapid pace! But God may have been thinking, “If Jesus is to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world, let’s not drag this out!” Just my theory.

Most people are sad, even to the point of morbid, on Good Friday. But we should be glad that Jesus took the sins of the world to the place of the dead. Believers were thereby redeemed! And this whole scenario was fulfilling God’s plan to rescue mankind! God’s plan can’t be bad!

In the Hebrew culture 2k years ago, any part of a day was counted as a day. Jesus died and was placed in a tomb on Friday. Saturday was the Sabbath when no work could be done. And on Sunday, Jesus was resurrected, amazingly brought back to life. Three days! He would eventually return to the Father in heaven!

Mankind would be amazed!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship