Gifts & Talents!

For Wednesday, June 10, 2026:

Colossians 1:25 NLT, Paul speaking: “God has given me the responsibility of serving his church by proclaiming his entire message to you.”

It’s easy for Paul to identify his spiritual calling. The incident on the road to Damascus leaves no doubt!

Each of us is also called to serve, but our calling might not be as straightforward as Paul’s. I knew a man, an architect, who was nationally known for his large building designs. He sat in a pew week after week, wondering how he should serve. Eventually he retired, and that’s when his church decided they needed a new, much larger sanctuary on their campus. He went to work immediately! His purpose became obvious! Also, there was a woman who only knew a few chords on the guitar. She didn’t have the skill for the main worship team in the big room, but she was perfect for leading kids’ songs at church camp.

Sometimes the challenge is identifying your inherent skill. Other times it’s finding the proper venue to fit the available skill. The local church is better when we all share our God-given talents with others in the fellowship.

Are you still trying to identify your gifts, or are you figuring out how to put them to use?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Trust in the Lord!

For Thursday, May 28, 2026:

Romans 8:28 NLT: “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Trust. We are called to trust in the Lord, even when we don’t understand what’s going on. Only God can see the big picture, how things will turn out next week, next month, or even generations from now. Our job is not to question the Lord, but to trust in Him!

Believers are born again into the Holy family. We become sons and daughters of the Most High God. Jesus taught us to think of God as “Our Father,” an extremely good Father. Parents naturally love their children and desire only the best for them. God may answer your requests, “Yes, no, or not just yet!” Though we may not realize it at the time, God’s answers are always what’s best for us!

That’s a given in Christianity, that God’s mind is focused on giving believers the best. So today’s question is, “Do we trust God?” He always wants the best for us, even if we don’t understand it at the time. God can even take Satan’s mischief and turn it in our favor!

Thank the Lord for taking believers under his wing and for always delivering what’s best for us!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Good vs Evil!

For Thursday, May 7, 2026:

Colossians 1:13-14 NLT: “For the Father has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom (with his blood) and forgave our sins.”

The Father rescued us through the Son’s actions, and the Spirit keeps us on the Holy path! We hear about “God’s vast eternal plan,” and this is part of it. The rescue of mankind was no accident. It was well planned out by God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It’s perhaps easier for us to think of them as three separate entities, but they are of one mind. Mankind was living in the darkness of Satan’s world, but Jesus showed us light. The story of Jesus’ actions is called the Gospel or Good News.

Here’s how the story develops: Humans were floundering like fish without enough water. Our lives had no goal, no purpose. Not surprisingly, very few ever made it to heaven. But the Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. All! How’d that happen? I can picture God saying, “What went wrong? What happened here?”

Let me explain. There is good in this world, and there is evil. God is good, and Satan and his demons are evil. Those who have bonded with Jesus belong to God. The rest are subject to constant tempting by Satan. In fact, we’re all subject to the devil’s temptations, and the result is always pain and misery. But Christians have a higher standard, something to live up to. If Christ is our model, we have his reward in our sights, which is eternal life in the Father’s Kingdom. Eternity is a long time!

Paul advised us to focus our eyes on the prize!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

For Thursday, September 18, 2025:

John 13:36 NLT: “Simon Peter asked, “Lord, where are you going?”

And Jesus replied, “You can’t go with me now, but you will follow me later.”

Jesus gave Peter an answer, but the answer didn’t fit the question. In this exchange, Jesus never said where he was going. Jesus wisely avoided topics that most people wouldn’t understand. Remember that at that time, there was debate over life-after-this-life. Pharisees thought it was possible, but didn’t know much about it. Sadducees didn’t believe in a hereafter, so it was a dead topic with them. Jesus knew exactly what was to happen, but the true scenario would seem impossible to most people. Dying, going to the place of the dead, back to life in 3 days – doesn’t seem logical. Doesn’t seem possible!

Jesus challenges Peter with a prophecy: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Simon Peter – I call him Mr. Impulsive – shouts out, “Not me, Lord! I would never forsake you. I would be willing to die for you!” Dying in support of Jesus would be good, but dying unnecessarily would be bad.

In the courtyard: “Didn’t I see you with Jesus earlier today?”

Peter: “Nah, couldn’t have been me. You got the wrong guy!”

In the courtyard: “I think I recognize you. Aren’t you one of the 12?”

Peter: “You’re thinking of someone else. I’m from out of town!”

In the courtyard: “You were talking to Jesus earlier, over by the fire.”

Peter: “You keep talking about Jesus. I’ve never even met the guy!”

Rooster: Cock-a-doodle-doo!!!

Some folks call Peter a coward or say that he abandoned Jesus. Yes, he saved his own skin, but I prefer to line that up with God’s vast eternal plan. You see, God had already earmarked Peter to lead the disciples following the resurrection. He was the point-person for the first Christian church, The Way. Peter needed to stay alive to do the work God had given him to do! God gave Peter purpose.

If you’re not dead, you’re not done! Peter lived to fulfill God’s purpose for his existence. We all live to fulfill God’s purpose for us. We can love our neighbors, serve others, love our Lord and encourage others to love him too. That’s our mission; that’s our assignment.

Without purpose, it may be our time to leave the planet. (Just my opinion.)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Resurrected!

June 30, 2025, Monday Message:

John 11:4 NLT: “When Jesus heard about it he said, ‘Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.’”

In fact Lazarus DID die, but was raised back to life by Jesus. I’ve always been intrigued by that next reality. The line between life and death isn’t as rigid as we think. In the grocery store check-out line, you can read headline after headline about people who started that journey, but were somehow called back. Those stories fuel tabloids.

Their stories are always similar. The person travels down the transition tunnel, bright light at the end, and is finally overcome by a peaceful feeling that everything will be OK. Quite a contrast to all the crying and sadness at funerals!

Jesus sent advance teams of disciples to every town he planned to visit, telling them to heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead! So raising the dead might not have been commonplace, but it was certainly possible, through the power of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

Using Lazarus, Jesus was about to show everyone that death is not the end. Death is the same soul that we know and love, still alive but in a different reality.

If God calls you back to life, it’s because you’re not yet finished. He has more for you to do. As someone who was brought back to life, Lazarus could give firsthand testimony about God’s love and Jesus’ power! No one had ever witnessed the miracle of being raised from the dead through any other religion. But now Lazarus, Mary, Martha and everyone present that day could give eyewitness testimony to the truth!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Purpose!

For Thursday, September 26, 2024:

Exodus 2:3b NLT: “The mother put her baby in a basket and laid it among the reeds along the bank of the Nile River.”

The mother had done all she could for this special baby. The rest was up to God. What followed was a series of synchronized unlikely events that would preserve the child for God’s purpose. We know him as Moses.

Pharaoh's daughter spotted the basket when she came to bathe in the river. The baby’s sister, probably Miriam, offered to locate a Hebrew woman to nurse the wee one. She took Moses to his own mother, and Pharaoh’s daughter, none the wiser, paid the mother for her help, hopefully not in bitcoin! Moses was later adopted into the royal family and given his name. Moses means “to lift out,” as in “to lift the basket out of the water.”

Moses would later be exiled from the royal family for defending his Hebrew brethren, but would return as leader of the Israelites telling Pharaoh to “Let my people go!” Moses was on God’s side, and after a series of plagues, Pharaoh did let the Hebrew people go. In fact, after the plagues, he was glad to see them leave! Moses led God’s chosen people out of Egypt to the edge of the promised land!

This is an example of the value of prophesy. If we can visualize God conclusion, we can be a part of making it happen. Who would have thought that an abandoned baby floating in a basket would lead the Israelites to their homeland?

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Salt & Light!

August 5, 2024 Monday Message:

Matthew 5:13a, 14a NLT, Jesus speaking: “You are the salt of the earth. You are the light of the world.”

Think about your purpose. As Jesus wrapped up the sermon on the mount, he told his listeners, “You are the salt of the earth.” Our ancestors discovered thousands of years ago that sprinkling a little salt on supper made it more tasty. Salt made it better. Like salt, followers of Jesus should make life on earth a little better. Jesus wants us to be kind and helpful. We are to love God and love our neighbors. We are to look for the next right thing, and then do it! Believers should be like salt, making everything better!

Jesus also called us the ‘light of the world.’ Remember that Jesus also referred to himself as the ‘light of the world.’ Therefore we are his ambassadors, sharing the Gospel of forgiveness, the Good News, with all who will listen. Forgiveness via Jesus makes eternal life achievable!

Unfortunately, there is much darkness in our world. But as believers, we are called to shine the light of optimism into our own little corner of the world.

(v16) “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Wives and Husbands!

For Thursday, May 23, 2024:

Ephesians 5:21 NLT: “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”

This scripture is explained in the next two sections. For women, v22-24 apply. For men, it’s v25-28. We can get in a lot of trouble – especially nowadays – if we read one part but not the other!

The Message states it like this: “Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing. So just as the church submits to Christ as he exercises such leadership, wives should likewise submit to their husbands.”

Husbands should love their wives like Christ loves the church, and Christ gave up his life to redeem believers! Do you love your husband or wife enough to die for them?

It’s a privilege to have God pair you up with a mate, so love, respect and value God’s choice! If God didn’t assign you a partner, he must have other things planned for your life! Have fun discovering your purpose!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Purpose!

For Friday, May 3, 2024:

Colossians 4:3 NLT: “Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains.”

Most people would lament the fact that they’re in prison. But Paul sees it as an opportunity! By the time his sentence ended, the prison staff, the guards and a lot of his fellow prisoners knew about the redeeming grace of Jesus!

As newcomers are considering Christianity, they often ask, “Why am I here? What is my purpose?” Paul’s call was the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations. He went at it with vigor!

New Christians are filled with excitement. They overflow with enthusiasm. A radical transformation has taken place, so much so that close friends might not recognize the new believer. You might as well tell your peers. They’ve already seen the new you! Telling others is a part of your mission.

Other purposes might be based on your gifts and talents. God creates each of us to be unique. Putting those gifts and talents to work as the church grows is also your mission.

Seek to turn challenges into opportunities!

Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Heaven-sent Miracle!

For Friday, January 26, 2024:

Mark 8:11b NLT: “Testing Jesus, the Pharisees demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.”

Heaven-sent miracles fulfill a Godly purpose. Heaven-sent miracles are God showing his unconditional agape love for mankind.

Miracles are never for show. Jesus never heals someone, and then says, “Look what I can do!” Rather the miracle is low-key, understated. Many times following a miraculous event, Jesus spoke, “Don’t tell anybody!” Jesus did not do what the Pharisees asked.

The Pharisees are a strange lot. Masquerading as the religious elite, they had totally missed the boat. They could quote all the commandments and judge others on their adherence thereof, but had skipped over the part about being kind, being helpful and loving their neighbor.

What do you think Jesus was like? From the Bible, I surmise that if we could have known him personally, we’d say he was a pretty good guy. He wasn’t mean, judgmental or arrogant in spite of being the Son of God. That’s why we’re counseled to imitate Jesus in our own lifestyles.

When in doubt, do what Jesus did!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Mission Statement!

For Wednesday, January 24, 2024:

Mark 7:36 NLT: “Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news.”

The crowd could not contain themselves. The news of people being healed right before their eyes could not be silenced, even at Jesus’ request! And Jesus wasn’t just healing sickness and injury. He was repairing birth defects, fixing life-long problems for people who had no hope. This was huge, but it was not Jesus’ primary purpose!

Jesus was on a mission trip to rescue mankind. He was to be the sacrifice for the sins of the world. He would die and take the sins of the world to the place of the dead, thereby leaving believers in garments of white, acceptable to spend eternity in the presence of God, in His Kingdom, in Heaven!

So counsel others to repent and return, to be prepared to their maker. Remember, God’s desire is that none would perish, but that all would repent and come back home to Him! That’s Jesus’ main purpose. The teaching and healing are a bonus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Thanks and Praise!

For Tuesday, July 18, 2023:

1 Chronicles 16:8 NLT: “Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.”

God had been good to David. By this time, he was king of Israel. God had given Israel many military victories, raising the importance of the Chosen People’s homeland. So in humble gratitude, David wrote this Song of Praise and gave it to the priests so that they could lead everyone in praising the Lord! It was the right thing to do!

Following David’s example, when God has been good to us, we should give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. And as Christians, we are commissioned by Jesus himself to share the Good News with the whole world!

It’s easy to praise the Lord when things are going well. But let us not forget that David was a faithful believer even when it seemed that everything was working against him. Before he became king, he was persecuted by Saul’s soldiers. He was forced to flee into the wilderness and live in caves. He had few trusted friends. But David remained confident that God would lift him out of the mire. God had anointed David, and – good or bad circumstances – David remained faithful to the Lord.

God kept David alive as his purpose was not yet fulfilled!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship