Authorized Believers!

For Saturday, May 3, 2025:

Mark 16:20 NLT: “The disciples went everywhere and preached, and the Lord worked through them, confirming what they said by many miraculous signs.”

Following Jesus’ ascension back to the Father, his disciples didn’t just sit around. They got right to work. Where did they go? This scripture says, “Everywhere!” They went all over Jerusalem, all over the countryside, and eventually all over Israel. What did they do? They preached the Good News, the Gospel, the story of Jesus coming to earth to rescue mankind, to personally pay the price for the sins of the world. They were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do. They were evangelizing! (See Matthew 28.)

How did Jesus respond to the believer’s efforts? Jesus (and God) fully supported their mission with healings and other miraculous signs. (I will never leave you or forsake you.) These lent credibility to their testimonies. If the believers intended to heal a sick person and that person actually got well, non-believers would be convinced. Also the person healed would most certainly be convinced, and would tell others!

Jesus oftentimes authorized believers to perform the same seemingly impossible miracles he did. He made it look easy. He told his followers, “Just use my name!” Jesus sent out 72 in Luke 10, and the 12 disciples in Matthew 10, authorizing them to: “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons.”

Right now, the evil Satan has the run of this world. But Satan is a created being who eventually will have to answer to God. God–Father, Son and Holy Spirit–can bring Satan down faster than the Timberwolves took down the Lakers! In the meantime, we no longer have to suffer abuse from Satan. Jesus gave all believers (how many? ALL believers!) authority over the devil by using Jesus’ name. Say it with me: “In the name of Jesus!”

The name of Jesus instills fear in the heart of the evil one!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Ascension!

For Friday, May 2, 2025:

Mark 16:19 NLT: “When the Lord Jesus had finished talking with the believers, he was taken up into heaven and sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”

We’ve been looking at the 40 days between the resurrection and Jesus’ ascension. Today’s scripture talks about the last of those days. Jesus spoke, taught and preached during his final 40 days on earth. His presence confirmed that he was very much alive. Paul writes that the risen Jesus “appeared to more than 500 brothers at once, most of whom are still living.” He’s implying eyewitnesses. Just ask around. Plenty of people have seen Jesus walking and talking during the days following the crucifixion.

Jesus is doing these things himself to let believers know that salvation is possible. Death is not the end. There is life after this life. He will prepare a place for believers in his Father’s house, God’s Kingdom. Satan may be after your soul, but those aligned with Jesus will be spared Satan’s torture. Jesus is our key to eternal life in God’s presence. Eternity is a very long time!

After his final words, Jesus was taken up into heaven. I dream about what that will be like, gaining entrance to the Kingdom. In my mind, I say, “I’m with that guy over there, the one just to the right of God. He’s my Redeemer!”

Jesus came to rescue all who would believe!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Spiritual Gifts!

For Thursday, May 1, 2025:

Mark 16:17-18 NLT: “These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”

These verses have invited controversy for centuries. Let’s clear up a few things. #1–Not every believer will receive the gift of speaking in tongues or of understanding what is being said. That’s why any time someone speaks in tongues during a church service, we’re supposed to translate or interpret for those without that gift. I knew a very righteous man, friendly to a fault. He’d stand at the church door with his hand out, welcoming both newcomers and lifelong Christians. He saw others speaking in tongues and prayed for that gift, but it was not to be. I believe his gift was keeping things simple for the new Christian, and no one loved their neighbor more than this guy! I expect that he’s in heaven today. The work he did for the Lord did not require that skill!

#2–Don’t handle snakes and don’t drink poison! Duh! God can offer protection if something bad happens accidentally, but don’t do it on purpose. Jesus said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Never put on a religious “show,” challenging God to respond. And don’t refuse treatment. The anti-venom may be God’s way of saving your life!

#3–Heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out demons and preach the Good News. That’s what Jesus said to do, and those instructions aren’t just for Pastors. These are skills available to every Christian believer. It’s called: “The Priesthood of All Believers!”

Never underestimate what you can accomplish with Jesus on your side!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship