Son of God!

For Sunday, June 7, 2026:

Luke 4:40 NLT: “Many were possessed by demons; and the demons came out at Jesus’ command, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But because they knew he was the Messiah, he rebuked them and refused to let them speak.”

Jesus had healed Simon’s mother-in-law. Word got out, and soon people from miles around were bringing their sick and injured to Jesus. Some of the people were plagued by demons, oftentimes the root cause of their illness. Jesus would send the demons away as part of his cure.

The demons identified Jesus. “You are the Son of God!” But Jesus knew that if he claimed to be the Son of God, he’d be accused of blasphemy, so he didn’t let the demons speak.

Nowadays, we don’t have to be so cautious with our words. Believers should tell the world that Jesus is truly the Son of the Most High. We should shout out the Good News!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Believe!

April 6, 2026, Monday Message:

John 20:27 NLT: “Then Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’”

On the cross, Jesus himself said, “It is finished.” The mission trip to planet Earth was complete. Sins had been paid for and forgiven, and the barrier between God and mankind had been torn, top to bottom. The only thing left to do would be to make sure everyone understands what just happened. The crucified Jesus had been brought back to life, proving that death is not the end! Both sin and death had been conquered!

No one had ever seen anything like this before, so explaining the miracle proved more difficult than it might first appear. Among the doubters was Thomas, who had not been present when Jesus first appeared to the disciples. “Come over here. Look at my hands! Put your hand into my side, where the spear was. Let your own two eyes guide your faith! Believe!”

Jesus also needed to let as many people as possible learn the truth of what had taken place. So he continued to teach, to speak publicly and heal those who needed healing. The man who everyone saw die on the cross was up, out of the tomb, walking around and carrying on conversations. He was a miracle that everyone could see with their own two eyes!

Over 2,000 years later, we’re still talking about it. Check it out for yourself. Read the testimony of the eyewitnesses. Then Jesus told Thomas, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” So friends, believe in your heart. Your eternal destiny depends on it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Better Life!

 

For Tuesday, December 2, 2025:

Hebrews 12:1a NLT: “Since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.”

Just one simple point today. God didn’t accept believers because we suddenly became perfect. God welcomes us because we’re friends of his Son. Jesus opened the door for believers to spend eternity with the Heavenly Father. And out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us, we do our best to live His way, to not sin, to conform to God’s directions for our lives.

There’s a fishing joke about new believers. “You catch ‘em and we’ll clean ‘em!” Devotion to Jesus comes first. Clean-up may be gradual, may take a little more time. We will nonetheless get cleaned. And because of that, our lives will be better.

With Jesus, everything is better!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Follow the Leader!

For Tuesday, June 25, 2024:

1 Peter 3:1b-2 NLT: “Even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.”

This is “leading by example.” I’ve said many times that before Jesus, most people only looked out for themselves. But now everyone could visually witness the good will of “The Way.” Their love and kindness seemed like a better way to live. Caring about your brothers and sisters was a new idea, but people liked what they saw and wanted to become a part of it.

The early church grew by following a caring lifestyle. People wanted what these Christians had, and willingly signed up! Each day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved! The population of The Way greatly increased!

This wasn’t a hard sell. No one needed shouting evangelists or a revival tent meeting. Simply seeing others live their lives following the model of Jesus was enough to convince new believers! They will know we are Christians by our love!

All the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. Can you get onboard with that philosophy?

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Witness!

For Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Exodus 14:14 NLT: “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Moses spoke these words to the escaping Hebrew people as Pharaoh tried to re-capture them with all his resources – chariots, horses, soldiers with weapons. The Lord would then part the Red Sea ushering the Hebrews to safety, and close it back up decimating the Egyptians.

This rescued the believers and the good guys won, but the real purpose is to show the power of God. “After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!”

Sometimes God can drop a miracle into our lives, and we just need to stay calm, stay silent and stay out of the way! Knowing this can happen gives us hope. When God helps you out, do your let others know, so that everyone can understand that He is the Lord?

Are you a witness to what God has done in your life?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406

Jesus is the Answer!

July 12, 2021 Monday Message

Matthew 4:24 NLT: “News about Jesus spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all.”

Friends, Jesus is the answer! No matter the problem, the sickness, the disease - whether it’s physical illness or the result of demonic activity – the answer is the same: Jesus! Or if there’s a problem in your government – laws, persecution, lack of justice – the answer is the same. Pray about it, and then turn the whole thing over to Jesus. Like the old saying says, “Let go and let God!”

2k years ago, people witnessed the healings and then spread the word about Jesus. Others responded to their witnessing. While Christianity traditionally grows through attraction, no one will be attracted to it if they don’t know about it. That’s why we need to do what people did in Jesus’ day – we need to proactively communicate the Good News! Tell the world that Jesus is the answer. Let them know how well it worked for us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship, 3249 30th Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55406