Jesus Direct!

For Friday, February 20, 2026:

Hebrews 13:15 NLT: “Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name.”

The key words in this scripture are, “through Jesus.” Jesus is our heaven connection. Before Jesus, Jewish priests fulfilled that function. The priests could present our petitions, good or bad, to the Lord. Mankind would seldom hear God’s response.

After Jesus, the process changed. Jesus is part of our Holy Trinity God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So if we offer prayers through Jesus, we’re already praying directly to God. No middle-man needed! God desires a direct relationship with each of us. (Note: This scripture was written to Hebrews, who would need adjust their beliefs post-Jesus.)

Interestingly, when Jesus died on the cross and took mankind’s sins to the place of the dead, the thick, heavy curtain isolating the Holy of Holies from public areas was torn in half, top to bottom, so God had to do the tearing himself, and mankind was no longer separated from God. Again, this was God’s doing. He decreed that it should be this way.

So we can praise God directly for his goodness, exalt his omniscience and offer confessions and repentance. In return, God can offer us forgiveness and a “mulligan,” a do-over, a second chance. With Jesus, we don’t just have a religion; we have a relationship!

What a friend we have in Jesus!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Same God!

     For Sunday, February 1, 2026:

Hebrews 13:8 NLT: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

This scripture tells us that God and his Son Jesus are consistent. If God gave a command 2K years ago, it’s still in effect nowadays. We can have confidence in the prophecies given to us. Rules are rules, and laws are laws. What God wants us to do doesn’t change. Tell everyone about the Father’s love and forgiveness. Tell them about Jesus, that he paid the penalty for our sins. Tell the people that our Lord has offered us a second chance, a do-over – and a third chance, and a fourth chance… His desire is that everyone would repent and return.

We can put our faith, hope and trust in the God of Abraham. He’s the same God yesterday, today and tomorrow. Our God is powerful enough to create an entire universe, but still quite interested in each of our lives. He wants us to talk to him today. He wants to favor us with his blessings today – right now, so connect with him frequently. Share not only your hurts and sorrows with him, but your good news and blessings as well. Get to the heart of the matter. You can’t just do small talk when conversing with God. Smile when you meet with the Lord!

God and his Son desire a relationship with you. Make a point of including him in your life!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Jesus = Friend of God!

For Thursday, December 11, 2025:

Romans 5:11 NLT: “Now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.”

Christmas is coming! Soon! The time between Christmases seems to grow shorter with each passing year. Jesus’ coming to earth represents a turning point in mankind’s relationship with Father God, so it’s certainly appropriate and worthwhile to celebrate each birthday anniversary.

You may have heard that the date is wrong. Probably. Scholars claim Jesus’ birth was between 6 & 4 BCE, most likely in the springtime if shepherds are staying overnight tending their flocks. I don’t think the exact date matters as much as the fact that we would select an annual date to honor God and celebrate the Heaven-sent Savior’s birth. December 25^th is close to the winter solstice, when there is little to do in an agricultural economy. Great time to celebrate God’s goodness!

Let’s begin by confirming that God and sin cannot coexist. Therefore, if we want to spend eternity in the presence of the Lord, we need to separate ourselves from any manner of sin. Jesus comes to earth with a plan to make it easy for us. When Jesus leaves this world, he will take the sins of the world to the place of the dead. If we believers put our faith, hope and trust in Jesus, our sins stay there, leaving us suitable for residence in God’s forever kingdom, Heaven. Jesus being a Savior for mankind is an undeserved gift from a loving God. Jesus has separated us from sin, making us friends for life with the Almighty!

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! (both then and again...)

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Father’s House

Truth and Freedom Church

Jesus' Name!

For Saturday, October 4, 2025:

John 14:12-13 NLT, Jesus speaking: “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.”

When Jesus designates others to be his representatives here on earth, he tells them to do what he did. Use his name to underwrite miracles. In fact, do even greater works than Jesus did, because he’s planning to return to the Father. Someone needs to continue his earthly work, and you’re “it!” Spiritual gifts are for all believers, not just clergy!

I heard a man from Kenya speak about healing in his country. There are still those who first consult sorcerers and witch doctors. When those options yield no results, the inflicted move on to hospitals and doctors. There, they care for the infirm, but seldom do much to heal the person. Their last resort (should have been their first!) is to come to someone who knows Jesus, who knows the Good News. Jesus said we should heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. That’s most important, because Satan may be the root of many problems! Large tumors growing from arms have disappeared right before their eyes because the Pastor (the Healer) invoked Jesus’ name! The hospital can then put your sore arm in a sling, but only Jesus can remove the tumor, no surgery required! Internal bodily functions are corrected on the spot. Sight is restored, hearing is restored, and lameness is routinely corrected, all in the name of Jesus.

In some scientific and industrial ways, the US appears to be ahead of Kenya. But in knowing and trusting Jesus, they may have passed us. Our fear of trusting what we cannot see has separated us from the grace of the Almighty!

It’s time to rekindle that relationship!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

The Rich Man

For Wednesday, June 11, 2025:

Luke 12:18 NLT: “Then the rich man said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods.’”

Look at the trend in the US. Every room in our houses is filled; Our closets are overflowing. Next, we fill up the basement, leaving little paths through all the stuff. Over half the people with garages can no longer get cars inside because of all their stuff. When we run out of space, the solution is to rent a small storage unit, an ongoing, never-ending expense to keep stuff you haven’t used or even seen in over a year!

One of my churches put forth a challenge: Get rid of 30% of your unneeded stuff in 30 days. I may not get there, but it’s a worthy goal.

Jesus confronts us with the harsh reality that we could die tonight. Who knows when your heart might stop beating, or your lungs stop taking in oxygen? And just like that, in a flash, it’s over! Given that scenario, it’s obvious that we’d be better off building our relationship with the Father, rather than amassing more worldly goods that we can’t take with us.

Jesus advised, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Making Disciples!

For Tuesday, May 6, 2025:

Luke 10:16 NLT, Jesus speaking to the 72: “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

Jesus sent out 72 disciples to prepare cities for his arrival. Nowadays he is sending you and me, and in fact all believers! We are the ones responsible for sharing the Good News with our friends, neighbors and co-workers.

It’s kind of a chain of command, but I prefer to look at it as a relationship. The Father sent Jesus to us. He then welcomed believers as his disciples and commissioned us to “make (more) disciples of all nations.” Our invitation to follow Jesus requires a decision from the candidate. If the newcomer accepts our testimony, they’re also accepting Jesus and the God who sent him. If they reject our words, they’re also rejecting Jesus and his Father. So your words are extremely important!

Don’t ever take this assignment lightly. For the candidate, a decision to follow Jesus has eternal ramifications. When we leave this life and move to the next reality, those with Jesus will live in the presence of God Almighty. Those who have rejected Jesus will find themselves in Hades, living under Satan’s misery.

A believer’s responsibility to share the Good News is a 24/7 assignment!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
Jesus In the City Fellowship

Teamwork!

For Saturday, February 22, 2025:

Exodus 23:22 NLT: “If you are careful to obey the angel I’ll send before you and follow all my instructions, then I will be an enemy to your enemies, and I will oppose those who oppose you.”

This is God’s offer for you to join his team. Do you accept? God endowed mankind with free choice, so some may choose to reject the offer. That’s a bad decision with eternal ramifications. The Creator of the universe gets my allegiance, and should get yours too!

We know God wants you on his side, so the question becomes, do you desire for God to be on your side? This needs to be a two-way relationship. Say, “He will be my God, and I will be one of his people!”

"If God is for us, who can stand against us?”

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Lift Up Holy Hands!

For Thursday, February 13, 2025:

Exodus 17:8 NLT: “While the people of Israel were still at Rephidim, the warriors of Amalek attacked them.”

Joshua’s team was sent to defend the Israelites against Amalek’s attack. Meanwhile, Moses, Aaron and Hur climbed to a mountain top. When Moses lifted his staff toward heaven, God gave the people of Israel the advantage. But Moses was old, weak and tired, soon unable to lift his hands any longer. So Aaron and Hur stood on either side of Moses, each of them lifting one of his hands. As a result, Joshua overwhelmed the army of Amalek.

After they were victorious, God told Moses, “I will erase the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” And I ask you, friends, have you heard of any Amalek people anywhere on the earth nowadays? God’s word is always good! What did the Amalek people do wrong? “They raised their fist against the Lord.” Bad decision, and as you’d expect, God won!

As we follow the people of Israel on their journey from Egypt to Canaan, note the relationship Moses has with the Lord. Whenever a challenging situation arises, Moses runs the problem past God, who always seems to have a solution. And when God’s intervention can assist the Israelites, he contacts Moses. This is a 2-way and yet unequal partnership. Yes, God desires a relationship with his people, but the true beneficiary is always Moses and the Israelites.

Q: Do you have such a relationship with God? Is he your partner, your consultant as you do life? When life drops a roadblock in your path, is God your rescuer? If you maintain a 2-way relationship with your Creator, you and the people around you will be the beneficiaries! That’s how it works!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Permanent Relationship!

For Wednesday, October 30, 2024:

2 John 9 NLT: “Anyone who wanders away from Jesus’ teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.”

What’s on your agenda for today? It’s easy to fill up your “to-do list” with so many things that there’s no time for God – too much on your plate! The proper amount of time to spend with the Lord is always a little bit more than you think!

Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.” He taught about God and the Kingdom, so spending time with Jesus is in fact learning more about God. And here John teaches that following Jesus is knowing both the Father and the Son.

If someone claimed to be a believer but then “wandered away,” I believe it’s fair to question if they ever loved the Lord with ALL their heart. When you study everything Jesus did for us – rescuing us from our sinful world – going back is not an option.

We are saved through faith, unshakable faith!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Prayer!

For Sunday, August 25, 2024:

Matthew 6:5 NLT: “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.”

Interestingly, in the original language, hypocrite refers to an actor, someone pretending to be something they are not. In this case, that someone is pretending to be deeply religious, but it’s all just a show, an attempt to appear more pious than they actually are. Jesus teaches that there’s no reward in that.

The truth is that God knows your heart. He knows what you deep-down believe. God already knows your level of sincerity.

Your prayer should be based on your friendship, your relationship with God. He wants nothing but the best for you! Be honest; be straightforward. Keep it simple. It’s just the two of you – you and God. It shouldn’t be a show for anyone else.

By the way, we don’t get extra points for using more words!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Relationship!

September 11, 2023 Monday Message:

Psalm 86:5 NLT: “O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.”

Even good Christians fail to call on God when there’s a problem, thinking, “God has a lot on his plate and my problem is so small!” We pray for others religiously, but fail to also pray for ourselves. Time to change that!

In fact God wants that sort of relationship with us, but we need to invite him in. God stands ready to help, and he’ll intervene in our lives if we simply ask. Listen to this – God has a good supply of forgiveness, agape love and healing with our names on it.

Go ahead – put your name on God’s to-do list - today!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Only God!

For Tuesday, August 29, 2023:

Psalm 77:13 NLT: “O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you?”

2K years ago, believers didn’t know what we now know. At that time, believers lived amongst people who believed in many gods. There was a god for favorable weather and a good harvest; a god for rain and a god for sunshine. None of these “extra” gods exist. The psalmist asks the rhetorical question, “Is there any god as mighty as you?” In fact there are no other gods.

Jesus prayed only to his Father in heaven, and taught believers to do the same. Since Jesus took away the sins of the world, we can approach Father God directly. God wants to hear from us. God desires a relationship with us in. As we became believers, we were adopted into the Holy Family. We became children of God.

Praying to our Father is family business.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship

Ask, Seek, Knock!

For Friday, February 10, 2023:

Matthew 7:7-8 NIV, Jesus speaking: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

Our relationship with our higher power should be reciprocal. We should actively seek the Lord, the one who desires a relationship with us!

We shouldn’t assume that God will run us down to show us kindness. We’re best in what I call the ‘immersion mode’ in our relationship with God. Think of it like a swimming pool. You get a running start, pull your knees up, and – ker-splash! – you’re immersed the deep water, all in, no turning back, living with the Lord 24/7! So when something comes up, the Lord is your first call for help!

Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock. If you don’t ask, you’ll never receive an answer. If you don’t seek, nothing will be found. If there’s no knocking, no one will answer the door. Remember to think of God as your Father in Heaven. He’s always listening for our asks and seeks. If he hears knocking, he’ll open the door! So prioritize your relationship with your Father.

The Lord stands ready to help the faithful!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus in the City Fellowship