Tall, Tall Trees!

For Wednesday, February 11, 2026:

Luke 3:9 NLT, John the Baptist speaking: “Even now the ax of God’s judgment is poised, ready to sever the roots of the trees. Yes, every tree that does not produce good fruit will be chopped down and thrown into the fire.”

John’s audience is Hebrew people, Jewish people, people who think they are planted in God’s orchard because they were born into it. Not necessarily! John is about to set the record straight!

Listen to this: God will not import worthless trees into his Kingdom! Every tree expecting to be with the Lord must bear good fruit. It must be furthering God’s agenda, not standing idly by. By now you probably know that this analogy is about people, not trees.

Here’s another one. If you’re hot, you’re with the Lord. Let’s get to work! If you’re cold, you’re the enemy. At least I know where we stand, and I can fight for what’s right! But lukewarm??? Wishy-washy? God says lukewarm is worthless to both of us.

God is not going to just stand around waiting. There will come a day of decision, a day of judgment when he will pick up his ax, chop down the worthless trees and cast them into the fire, to be absent from his presence forever.

Friends, this is serious. Believers all need to have Jesus in their hearts, a Bible in their hands and the Gospel on their lips. Let the world know that you’re playing for the Lord’s team. Let the world know that you’re not wishy-washy!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Warning Signs!

For Wednesday, November 5, 2025:

Luke 21:29 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Notice the fig tree, or any other tree. When the leaves come out, you know without being told that summer is near.”

"Sign, sign, everywhere, a sign!” There are good signs, and bad signs. A good sign is a good reminder. If there are far too many signs, no one will pay attention to any of them.

For close to ten years, I helped manage a non-profit organization with nearly 200 signs on the walls of its seven-room complex. “Replace your chairs as you found them. No gossip! Turn the lights out when you leave. Push the water button only once. Switch the coffee machine ‘off’ when empty. Respect confidentiality. Don’t leave trash in the building!” I would counsel them that the large number of taped-up signs made us appear less professional. The good we were doing appeared less competent. I didn’t have much luck with my campaign. Every time something happened that someone else didn’t like, up would go another sign. I can’t say that any of them were ever truly effective!

Jesus didn’t leave us with word signs. We were given prophetic signs so that when we’d see them, we’d know what was happening. Jesus gave us signs pointing to the second coming and the end times, and he told us so. Just as new leaves on a tree tell us that summer is near, the end times signs tell us that Jesus is returning soon. In a way, it’s a warning to get your house in order – or else! The anticipated day of judgment is imminent, and it’s time to claim our promise of salvation.

The prophetic signs are warnings for those who will witness the end times scenario. Those witnesses are the people who can utilize Jesus’ signs, informing them of what’s about to happen. Jesus said that the generation seeing these signs will not pass until the prophesied things have taken place. So keep your eyes open! We may end our lives in a different reality than the one into which we were born!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Knowledge of Good/Evil!

 October 13, 2025,Monday Message:

Hebrews 10:29 NLT: “Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.

Sometimes we’re better off not knowing. Let me explain.

When Adam and Eve were first created, they didn’t know about sin and judgment. They innocently romped through the Garden of Eden, doing whatever they pleased and enjoying life. Sometimes God would walk with them in the evening, along the stream. Understand that Adam and Eve couldn’t sin, because they had no knowledge of right and wrong. God had told them, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”

God was right! Predictably, mankind did exactly what they were told to NOT do! Eve saw that this unique fruit (knowledge of good and evil) was good, and offered some to her husband. Knowing they had done wrong, both hid from the Lord. With the transfer of knowledge, the bar had been raised. Now that they could discern good from evil, they were expected to choose “good.” Now that they could separate right from wrong, they were expected to choose “right.” As it was, they surely would have perished without the intervention of Jesus, who took the sins of the world upon himself.

In today’s example, the people knew all about Jesus and the new covenant. So ignoring those things would constitute willful and intentional disobedience, people thinking their way was better than God’s way. It never is.

As we model our lives following the footsteps of Jesus, we should be accustomed to knowing good from evil, and always choosing “good.” We may not be perfect, but our God is a God of second chances. Our shortcomings won’t derail God’s goals for us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Reciprocal Love!

For Sunday, June 1, 2025:

Luke 12:8-9 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God’s angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God’s angels.”

The word “reciprocal” comes to mind. It’s what Jesus taught, what we call the Golden Rule: “Treat other people exactly as you would like to be treated by them.” (Matt. 7:12a)

When mankind comes before the judgment seat, Jesus will treat us as we have treated him. If we honor him and brag about him to our friends, he will do the same for us as we enter the Kingdom. If we are not connected to Jesus in this life, he won’t be connected to us in the next.

So we have a choice. Our earthly relationship with Jesus determines our heavenly path. How we treat Jesus now truly affects our eternal future.

This is truth – Jesus said so!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven-Sent!

For Friday, April 11, 2025:

John 16:7 NIV, Jesus speaking: “It is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate [Counselor, Comforter, Encourager] won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you.”

I’m always amazed at the quantity of teaching that took place between Palm Sunday and Good Friday. There’s a boat load of knowledge believers must have so that they can remain locked in after Jesus returns to the Father. He said, “I am returning to the one who sent me,” so we have no doubt as to Jesus’ origin.

"The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.” If we critically examine Jesus’ time on earth, it’s quite obvious that he’s heaven-sent. We should absolutely believe a truth-telling miracle worker. It must have been frustrating for Jesus when eyewitnesses refused to commit, refused to buck the status quo. They were afraid of what others might think, including Synagogue leaders and Pharisees. Confessed sin can be blotted out by Jesus’ work on the cross, but an additional sin is not entrusting Jesus with this task.

There will be judgment when we die and enter the next reality. The judge will find believers not guilty, their penalty having already been paid by the Son. Unbelievers, those of the world, will fall in with the prince of this world, Satan, who has already been judged.

Thank you, Jesus, for thoroughly teaching us prior to your departure. We’ll be eternally grateful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Covenant!

March 3, 2025, Monday Message:

Exodus 34:27 NLT: Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”

A covenant is an agreement or a contract. It’s a 2-way obligation. “You do this thing for me, and I’ll do that thing for you.” Since this covenant was given to Moses, it’s often called the Mosaic Covenant, but it’s really God’s Covenant. We also call it the Old Covenant, since Jesus updated it and gave mankind a much better deal.

The Law given to Moses contains dietary instructions and marks celebrations to honor what the Lord had done for the Hebrew people. The New Covenant, our connection with Jesus, acknowledges that mankind isn’t very good at remembering or observing all those rules and traditions. Instead, we worship Jesus as God’s Son and claim him as Lord and Savior of our lives. In return, Jesus removes our sins, as far as the East is from the West. Our sin lies at the bottom of the deepest ocean. The Book of Life no longer contains any record of our sin. That’s Jesus’ gift to believers!

Mankind is destined to die once and then go before the judgment seat to determine our eternal destination. This will be a terrible time for non-believers. But those walking with Jesus will have him as their advocate, as their defense attorney, so to speak. With our sins forgiven, our destination is predetermined. Jesus has already gone ahead to prepare a place for us in the hereafter!

"But to all who believed him (Jesus) and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.” Believers are adopted into God’s Holy family. Enjoy eternity with your brothers and sisters!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Today!

For Thursday, December 5, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT: “When he (Jesus) comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people—praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.”

 "Include” is a word we love to hear. Example: “Three of us are going, there’s room in the car for a fourth, and we’d like to include you!” Everyone loves to be included!

Jesus is on-board with this. He and the Father want to include everyone in the eternal Kingdom. Unfortunately, some will say no to God’s invitation, choosing to go their own way. Friends, that won’t work out. At the end of this age, there will be only two groups: those who are with Jesus, and those who are not. That’s when Jesus prepares a special place for believers. But unbelievers go to a fiery judgment.

We never know when that last day is coming. We need to be always ready when Jesus calls us home. Today is the best day to make or reaffirm your decision for Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Judgment!

For Tuesday, December 3, 2024:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-8 NLT: “God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus.”

As this age comes to an end, the sheep will be separated from the goats. Of course, the sheep will be with their Good Shepherd, Jesus. The goats, who never did obey Jesus, will be judged for their disobedience, the outcome of which will be eternal separation from God and his kingdom.

It will be an exciting time as the New Heaven and the New Earth are created and the word of Jesus becomes the law of the land. Fire, angels and trumpets sounding! Until this time, mankind had the freedom to choose God or to reject God. But now God is asking for your decision. Make up your mind to be one of the good guys!

Choose wisely!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Eye for an Eye!

For Wednesday, November 27, 2024:

1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT: “See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.”

Jesus changed everything for the better. In the old way, typical behavior was “eye for an eye.” If a person was injured a certain amount, they were justified in retaliating a similar amount.

But Jesus taught love and forgiveness. How many times? Seven times? No – Jesus said 70 x seven! And that doesn’t mean 490 times! It means to remain in forgiveness mode more times than you can count, more times than you can easily keep track of.

Let the Lord handle judgment, discipline and revenge. We should all just keep smiling and loving our neighbors, loving the good life we have been given.

The desire to get even comes not from God, but from the evil one!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Coming Soon!

For Saturday, September 7, 2024:

Revelation 22:7 NLT: “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed are those who obey the words of prophecy written in this book.”

Jesus will return in the manner in which he left. He will come from the sky on a white horse with a 2-edged sword coming from his mouth. The sword is for judgment, for separating the sheep from the goats. His preferred city is Jerusalem, his address is the Mount of Olives.

Souls of those who sleep will join the army of Jesus in new, glorified, forever bodies, not temporary bodies like we have now. Believers will be caught up into the sky, joining Jesus on the Day of the Lord.

Ultimately God will restore a New Heaven and a New Earth, and the New Heaven will descend upon the New Earth, becoming one. So Heaven as we know it now is a temporary residence for souls until the New Earth is restored. Earth is a believer’s final destination, but it will be a much better earth than we presently know. God will be in charge, and God will have his way with the world.

We are called to make disciples of all nations to reduce the number in the lake of fire! Let’s all do what Jesus said!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

 

 

Promises!

For Tuesday, August 6, 2024:

2 Peter 3:7 NLT: “And by God’s word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.”

The scary news is that judgment day is coming and that we’re all accountable. The Good News is that believers are among the forgiven. Jesus took the sin of the world to the place of the dead, leaving those with faith acceptable to live in God’s presence for eternity. In plain words, believers get to go to heaven!

Those with faith in Jesus as the Son of the Most High no longer have to live in fear of judgment day. We have Assurance of Salvation, Jesus’ promise that we would meet him in the hereafter. Everything Jesus uttered was truth, so we expect this also to be true. We can trust the promises of the Son of God!

See you in paradise!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Soul Destiny!

For Friday, April 21, 2023:

Matthew 16:26 NLT, Jesus speaking: “What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

Jesus posed a rhetorical question to his listeners, and it’s a fair question. He’s asking people to make a decision for a heavenly hereafter, a place they have never visited, never seen and about which they know little. It’s a valid question for all of us nowadays as well.

I think most people believe there is a life after this life. Other religions call it “paradise” or “moving to the next level,” but most people on earth believe that death is not the end. The Bible, God’s inspired word, speaks of judgment after death, and then either ascending to the Father or descending to the lake of fire. Each of us must make our personal decision ahead of time. Do it today! If we wait until judgment day, it will be too late to change our ways.

Friends, the most valuable thing we have is our chance to spend eternity with the Holy Family. Eternity is much more important than our short time here on earth. Right now, make or renew your personal decision to call Jesus your forever friend!

Think about it: Is anything more important than your soul’s eternal destination?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Lord, Lord!

For Thursday, February 16, 2023:

Matthew 7:21 NLT, Jesus speaking: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.”

Jesus, God, heaven and eternal life shouldn’t be last minute decisions. A person can’t just cry out, “Lord, Lord,” as they approach the pearly gates. Jesus will say he never knew that person, and he’d be right!

If you’re a believer, your behavior and your life’s philosophy should reflect Christian values and the will of the Father. Jesus says that our daily life needs to connect with our spiritual life. It’s no good to go to church every Sunday and then live like the devil!

Mankind lives on earth once, next comes judgment and Jesus is the judge! In this Sermon the Mount, Jesus is claiming that he is in charge of judgment day, and He is the one who should be called Lord. Jesus claiming to be God is part of why he was persecuted and crucified. The Pharisees and Temple leaders didn’t believe him!

So on judgment day, we don’t want to say, “Jesus – nice to meet you!” It’s much better to say, “Jesus, good friend! I’ve loved you for years!”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship