Disciple!

For Friday, April 10, 2026:

Mark 16:15-16 NLT: Jesus told his disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

This scripture is very much like the ending of Matthew’s Gospel, which we title ‘The Great Commission,’ wherein Jesus tells us to make disciples of all nations. A commission is an assignment. If someone commissions a painting, you should get your little brushes out! If someone commissions a statue, start chipping granite! If you’re to make disciples, start chipping away at everyone you meet! Share the Gospel, the Good News. Let them know that you’re a Christian! Let everyone know that salvation, eternal life in the presence of the Lord, is possible if they say “yes” to Jesus! The Father wants everyone to have this opportunity.

Unfortunately, some people will make the wrong decision. It’s beyond me why anyone would choose misery over paradise. Pride, perhaps? A fear of letting a Savior be in charge? If you’re a believer, you already know the right choice, and have made a solid decision. Jesus loves you and would never lead you down the wrong path!

One more thing. Q: What is a disciple? A: A believer, a loyal follower of Jesus. Some who traveled with Jesus are Apostles, sometimes referred to as “the 12,” or “the 11” following the Judas incident. But there are many more disciples, people who committed to Jesus after the first 12 were already called. Also, the Bible makes slim mention of women, but there were plenty of them too!

If you’re a disciple, now is the time to assume disciple duties. Do your part toward making more disciples of all nations. That’s what Jesus said to do!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Resurrection Sunday – Easter!

For Resurrection Sunday, April 5, 2026:

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

Matthew 28:6 NLT, an Angel speaking: “Jesus isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”

According to Jewish tradition of that time, women would prepare a body for its final resting place. So it’s logical that Mary Magdalene, from whom Jesus had cast out seven demons, would be the first to show up, along with the other Mary, mother of James and Joseph. They had been frightened by a sound like an earthquake, made by this gigantic angel descending to earth and rolling away the humongous stone from the tomb. The angel sat on the stone, as if to make a point!

By this time, most believers had given up. Jesus died three days ago. We saw the spear in his side. We watched as his limp body was placed in the tomb. No one person could move the stone sealing the burial place. Besides, it was being guarded by Pilate’s soldiers.

When the women arrived to tend to the body, they were confronted by the angel sitting on the stone that no one could move. “Don’t be afraid!” he said, always an angel’s first words. You should know that angels aren’t those cute little figurines that you see at Hallmark. ‘Angel Army of Heaven’ would be a better way to put it. Big, hairy audacious angels. (I don’t know if they’re hairy; it just sounded cool…) “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.” Mark this down as one more time that prophecy turned out to be true, that Jesus’ words were synonymous truth!

The angel further instructs the women: “Now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.”

The women took off immediately, but suddenly encountered Jesus along the way. “Go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”

Jesus conquered sin and death with the same event! Repentant believers are snatched from Satan’s hand and granted eternal life in God’s eternal heavenly Kingdom. And death is not the end. Believers are born again!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Eternity Reservation!

For Friday, February 13, 2026:

Romans 6:23 NLT: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Eternal life or eternal death – pick one. The human death rate is hovering right around 100%, so you and I WILL transition to the next reality. We get to choose our destination. Unrepentant sin will grant us a dip in the lake of fire, whereas children of God inherit the gift of eternal life in his heavenly Kingdom. Wouldn’t it be better to spend eternity in God’s presence?

This scripture was our “go-to” verse when counseling seekers or those who came forward at crusades. It simplifies a lot of theology. For as thick as the printed Bible is, it really boils down to only two choices – God’s way or the wrong way. (Although you may have to spend some time on the inerrancy of the Bible.)

Have you made your own personal decision to go with God’s plan? Is Jesus the Lord of your life? Is your name irrevocably written in the Book of Life? Are you awaiting God’s eternal gift? 

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Choose Wisely!

For Saturday, February 7, 2026:

Romans 6:18 NLT: “Now you (believers) are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”

That great songwriter (and philosopher) Bob Dylan observed, “You’re gonna have to serve somebody.” Realize that, and decide today who you will serve.

The easy way and oftentimes the most profitable way is to follow the corrupt. Accept bribes, perpetrate scams, and only look out for yourself.

The better way, God’s way, puts truth and honesty at the top of our things-to-do list. We’re to love our fellows, and see that they have enough to eat and clothes to wear. Jesus specifically tells us to care for widows and orphans, those beaten up by wars, violence and corrupt governments.

We understand that we become slaves of whatever we choose to obey. You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living on earth and eternal life in the hereafter. It’s a choice! As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!

"Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you!” Romans 6:17

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Serve the Lord!

For Friday, January 23, 2026:

Romans 6:12 NLT: “Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let sin reign in your body, which is subject to death.”

Bob Dylan sang that each of us winds up serving somebody. We get to carefully choose who we will serve. This is the same declaration that Joshua, Moses’ assistant, made 3300 years earlier. “Choose today who you will serve. As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Your decision is an alliance and an allegiance. Which team do you want to play for, Jesus’ team or the other team? Jesus’ team aligns with our Creator God, while the other team is always battling their wrongdoings. Surprisingly, it’s easier to align with God, although at times we may be outnumbered!

Choosing Jesus’ team doesn’t instantly make us perfect. But deciding in favor of heaven’s ways gives us standards, goals for which we can strive. Believers wisely choose to adopt God’s value system, and the longer we bond with God, the better we get at serving him. We see progress, but our goal is perfection!

Satan’s sinners face death, while Jesus’ team is destined for eternal life in God’s heavenly Kingdom. Jesus made it possible for believers to view that Kingdom from the inside! Choose today who you will serve.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Messiah!

For Thursday, January 22, 2026:

Luke 2:28-29 NLT: “Simeon took baby Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, ‘Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised.’”

It had been prophesied to Simeon that he would not die until the Lord’s Messiah had been revealed to him. And now he’s personally lifting baby Jesus in his arms! Voilà! The Messiah had arrived!

God always makes good on his promises! He promised to send a Savior, a Rescuer, a Messiah for his people. As it turns out, God’s gift was much more important than what the people were expecting. They were frustrated with Roman occupation of their land. They would have been happy just to be free of the Roman Army. God’s almighty gift was forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness opens the door to eternal life and residence in God’s forever heavenly Kingdom! BTW, there is no Roman army in God’s Kingdom! Mission accomplished and then some!

Don’t expect to understand supernatural events. Just accept the results. The Holy Spirit brought Jesus and Simeon together that day in the Temple, and Simeon identified Jesus to the world. This was only eight days into Jesus’ life. So everyone would have known right from the beginning that Jesus was heaven-sent.

His promise to forgive the sins of all who repent and return is as good today as it was 2k years ago. And God’s desire is that ALL would repent and return. His desire is that none would be lost. You can sign up for that program for free. Just acknowledge Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life and repent of past sins. Draw a line in the sand, before Jesus and after Jesus. The after Jesus side of the line will be clean and fresh. Garbage will be left on the other side of the line. It’s easy to make the right decision. The sun will be shining on Jesus’ side of the line. See you there!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Worship with David!

For Sunday, January 18, 2026:

Psalm 122:1 NLT: “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD.’”

Do we have to go to church? No, we WANT to go to church, we GET to go to church, we’re ALLOWED to attend. David said that visiting God’s house made him glad, put a smile on his face! This king David is the same one who kept his sheep safe. He stood up for God when facing Goliath. You could say that David was a fan of the Lord all his life.

David was a worshiper and a worship leader. He authored songs for corporate worship. He led the congregation in singing those songs. They’re timeless, because our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Musicians frequently echo David’s words when composing new songs for us to sing.

Today is Sunday, worship day for Christians. It’s the day Jesus conquered both sin and death. It’s the day he walked away from the tomb. He had left the sins of the world in the place of the dead, and became a living example of eternal life. Jesus’ believers get to share in his forgiveness and resurrection. When it’s our turn to enter the next reality, Jesus will welcome us with open arms!

When we arrive in the life after this life, there won’t be any doubt about attending worship! Look for a lot of smiles. We’ll all be glad!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

A Gift for Christmas!

For Saturday, December 20, 2025:

Romans 5:21 NLT: “Just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

I can’t tell you how many people didn’t see heaven before Jesus. This scripture tells us that sin ruled in our world, and the wages of sin is death. After Jesus, because of his forgiveness of our sins, many more people will get to see heaven from the inside! That forgiveness is grace, God’s free gift to mankind. We can’t buy it, earn it or trade for it. That’s not the nature of a gift. God sent the gift to us through his Son, Jesus. Our part is to put our faith, hope and trust in the Son. Believe that Jesus is who he said he is, and that he can do what he said he can do. Think of the truth in the Bible as a prophecy for our future.

Graciously accept God’s gift, personally brought to our world by his Son!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Forgiven forever!

For Tuesday, November 25, 2025:

Romans 5:1 AMP: “Since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).”

Christians are saved by grace, God’s gift to us, through faith, believing in the Father and his Son, Jesus. On the cross, Jesus took away the sins of the world. Through this monumental miracle, we were given a clean slate, a fresh start, a do-over on living our lives. Prospective believers are asked to commit to a decision of believing and accepting God’s gift of reconciliation. Through Jesus, our sins are separated from us as far as the east is from the west. Our sins are at the bottom of the deepest ocean. In the book of life, the column titled “sin” will be blank. No scratch-outs; no eraser marks; just blank white space.

Believers will find that they have been redeemed, bought back from Satan. Jesus paid the price to rescue us. So now in our minds, we need to discard the image of being a perpetual sinner. We need to look, act and live out the role of someone whose sins no longer exist! Believers are holy. Believers have joined the Jesus Team!

We may not be perfect, but day by day we’ll grow closer to God. Progress, not perfection. Pray to love the Lord more today than yesterday. Accept with gratitude God’s gift of salvation and eternal life. Shout out, “Jesus, I’m with you!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Faith!

For Thursday, October 16, 2025:

Hebrews 10:37-38a NLT: “In just a little while, the Coming One will come and not delay. And my righteous ones will live by faith.”

The “Coming One” refers to the second coming of Jesus the Messiah. He will arrive at the perfect time to fulfill God’s plans for the rescue of the faithful. The Bible speaks of the first Christians undergoing terrible suffering, public ridicule, beatings, losing all their possessions, and even jail. We have been blessed by living in the USA, where Christianity is the prevalent religion, and we are free to openly speak of Jesus. There’s no penalty for being a believer, but it may not always be that way. People on our planet are persecuted daily for their allegiance to Jesus.

We are saved (redeemed, granted eternal life) by grace through our faith, believing that Jesus is who He said he is, and that He will do what He said He can do. When Martin Luther was searching for Assurance of Salvation in the 1500s, he concluded that Habakkuk 2:4b was our key to eternal life: “The righteous will live by their faithfulness to God,” and that is quoted in today’s scripture. Our faith in Jesus opens the door to eternal life until He comes again to personally welcome us into the hereafter!

And that’s why we worship together, to share our faith with one another and to bolster our belief in the Messiah Jesus and the Father’s Forever Heavenly Kingdom. Remember, God always keeps his promises!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Children of God!

For Sunday, October 12, 2025:

John 14:21 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Have you ever seen an ancestry chart, a family tree? It looks like this. The subject person is in the middle. Two parents’ names go on the left, branching out into four grandparents, eight great-grandparents, etc. until all the known ancestors are listed. Children go on the right, followed by grandchildren and, God willing, great-grandchildren. It can get complicated!

Jesus simplified our spiritual family tree. We know him, love and obey him. And because we love Jesus, his Father will love us, and that’s the end of our spiritual family tree! Believers have been adopted into the Holy Family. And Jesus will reveal more and more to those who claim him as their Savior, to members of the Holy Family. Disobedient souls are disinterested souls, and Jesus won’t waste time on them.

Jesus said, “Since I live, you also will live.” Jesus always speaks the truth, and that’s our blessed assurance of a life after this life in the presence of God Almighty. That knowledge should fill us with eager anticipation! So open your eyes and look forward to it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

My Vineyard!

For Friday, October 3, 2025:

Luke 20:15b-16 NLT: “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?” Jesus asked. “I’ll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”

Jesus is sharing the parable of the evil farmers. This is not a well-known story, but it has relevance for all of us, so let’s have a look.

A man planted a vineyard and leased it to others. As the owner, he was to receive a share of the crop. When it was time, he sent three representatives, and eventually his son, to claim his portion. The farmers drove away the reps, and murdered the man’s son, hoping to keep the vineyard for themselves. Jesus asks the listeners, “What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?”

You already know Jesus’ answer: “He will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others.”

In this parable, the man with the vineyard is God Almighty. The farmers are prospective believers who made the wrong decision. They had a chance at eternal life, but they tried to cut God out of their lives. Didn’t work. As it turns out, God cut them out of His life! They had their chance. God will share eternity with those who are loyal and obedient!

Just like the farmers, each of us has been given an opportunity to play on the Jesus team. Have you said “yes?” I hope so. That’s the answer that points to eternal life in God’s Kingdom!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Eternity Decision!

For Tuesday, August 19, 2025:

John 12:50, Jesus speaking: “I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”

What is your goal in this life? The Bible prepares us to enter the next reality, the life after this life, and it offers only two choices. #1 is spending eternity in the glorious Kingdom with God and his Son. #2 is being miserable under Satan’s hand and eventually gaining first-hand experience in the lake of fire. It’s really no contest! Our goal in this life should be to successfully enter God’s eternity in the next life. Jesus is teaching us things that please the Lord, and we should be intentional about doing those things!

The Good News is that God doesn’t want to lose anyone. His desire is that all would repent and return to the flock. Not everyone will return, because God created us with the ability to choose and make decisions. Unfortunately, some will make the wrong decision.

Therefore, it’s up to each of us to make the best decision possible. If we claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we have assurance of salvation. Friends, solidify your eternal goal. Keep your eyes on Jesus, his Father and the Kingdom!

If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll never get there!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Focus!

For Tuesday, August 5, 2025:

Mark 13:13b NLT, Jesus teaching about the end times: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

First, we learn about Jesus and how he can forgive our sins, setting us up for eternal life in God’s Kingdom. The future looks rosy. But don’t get too comfortable. Satan isn’t on holiday, and his demons don’t have the day off!

Newcomers to Christianity are especially vulnerable. They’re like babies still on a milk diet. We have to look after babies so that they survive. And we have to look after baby Christians so they too can survive. The devil and his minions have thousands of distractions and temptations intended to get us off track. Jesus says we need to reject all of Hell’s enticements. Those who are faithful to the end are the ones who will be saved!

We’re better off with Religious Tunnel Vision. Keep your eyes focused on the prize, on Jesus and the Kingdom, and don’t be distracted by the circus going on all around you! (May God help those with ADHD!)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Impossible!

Daily message of hope...
For Wednesday, July 30, 2025:

Hebrews 6:4-6a NLT: “It is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once enlightened—those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God.”

About this scripture, Spurgeon wrote: “We come to this passage ourselves with the intention to read it with the simplicity of a child, and whatever we find therein to state it; and if it may not seem to agree with something we have hitherto held, we are prepared to cast away every doctrine of our own, rather than one passage of Scripture.” He’s saying that we need to properly translate and obey Holy Scripture, not bend the text to fit our preconceived ideas.

A few years ago, a man asked if he could meet with me. He had many questions about the Bible. We did that for quite some time. But one day we read about God favoring life, and he said, “I’ve never believed that part.”

And I said, “Well, I guess we’re done!” If you believe the Bible is truth, the unerring Word of God, then I’m willing to teach it. But I must ask, if you don’t believe the Bible is true, why would you want to learn more about it?

God doesn’t like wishy-washy. If you are convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, great! Sign up! Get on the bandwagon! But don’t think you can jump off and cast our beliefs aside, and then jump back on when it suits you. God says he understands hot and cold. (He’d prefer hot!) But lukewarm has no place in the worship of our God.

Paul was famous for persecuting Christians. Jesus spoke to him on the road to Damascus, and he was immediately baptized. Went from cold to hot! He never looked back! He became the point person evangelizing all of Asia Minor.

Just my opinion: More than a commandment or ordinance, I believe this scripture is God letting us know what’s possible. If someone could so easily turn their back on the goodness of God, they probably weren’t 100% convinced to begin with. We can’t count on them, and God can’t count on them if they have a habit of coming and going. When you sign on with Jesus, that’s a forever deal! And he wants us all to accept his offer of forgiveness and eternal life! Are you “IN?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Messiah!

For Tuesday, June 24, 2025:

John 10:24b-25 NLT: Q: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”

Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name.”

Who Jesus is and who sent him seems obvious to us. If he’s fulfilling the job description of the Messiah, that must be who he is. Call him God’s Son, God’s right-hand man or Moshiach – it’s all the same thing! If you examine the miracles, the healings, the kindness and teaching above expectations, Jesus is indeed God’s man for the mission!

You must have a teachable mind to recognize Jesus. People whose minds are closed to new ideas will keep asking for more evidence. They can never be sure. They ask for more and more proof when there’s already plenty!

Jesus says that we need to be like sheep. Sheep know the master’s voice and follow him. Jesus watches out for the sheep, granting them eternal life! They will never perish! If these sheep belong to Jesus and the Father, no one can snatch them from his hand. No one!

Jesus wraps up his comments with the bold statement, “The Father and I are one.”

In a few sentences, Jesus just summarized Christian doctrine. He was sent by the Father, and through his taking away of our sins, he grants believers eternal life. We are saved by grace through Jesus, the Messiah. Though we have experienced God in three different forms, there is in reality only one God. Jesus said, “If you have seen me, you have seen the Father.”

So stay close to Jesus, your ticket to the hereafter. Love God and love your neighbor, but don’t forget to include Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship