Peace To You!

For Tuesday, September 29, 2026:

John 16:33a NLT, Jesus speaking: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me.”

In Jesus’ day, many people settled disputes by fighting. But the religious leaders taught “shalom,” the peace that comes from knowing the Lord. Jesus was on board with that. He had just told believers some of the bad things about to happen, in a way, prophesying future events. Things might look dark for a while, but rest assured that God is still on the throne of the universe, and that there is purpose for all that’s about to happen.

Things aren’t all that different nowadays. People still fight, but the plots are more diabolical. People steal, cheat and lie, characteristically unchristian. There are court battles where lawyers fight for us. And people get gunned down daily. This is all satanic in origin. The devil wants to sow anger and discontent.

To counter the evil one, we must be intentional about shalom. If we want to live in peace as Jesus commanded, shalom needs to be on our daily agenda. Let’s all strive to live in the peace that is so great that it is beyond our understanding.

Shalom to all!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church

Eyewitness!

Daily message of hope...
September 28, 2026, Monday Message:

Acts 4:14 NLT: “Since everyone could see the man who had been healed standing right there among them, there was nothing the (religious) council could say.”

In a court, there’s nothing better than eyewitness testimony. Everyone knew that the subject had been lame from birth. He had been unable to walk. He had been a beggar at an entrance to the Temple, so everyone recognized this guy. And here he is now, walking around like he’d been doing that all his life. He probably could have danced a jig, but that’s just my opinion!

Unfortunately, the religious council held to their preconceived beliefs. Prejudice. Their minds were already made up. They wouldn’t admit Jesus was the heaven-sent Son of God in whose name healing was fulfilled. Illogically, they were denying what they were seeing with their own two eyes!

The desire for power and money can bring deplorable behavior to the surface. The council liked being the authority with the final word on religious matters, and they loved having all the tithes delivered to the Temple. Despite the healing miracle in Jesus’ name, their previous beliefs prevailed. Jesus, after all, was dead (or so they thought!)

Peter and John were issued a “Cease and Desist” order, forbidden to speak of Jesus again. They disobeyed almost immediately!

The Great Commission authorized (commanded) us all to share the Good News. Jesus said that if the Gospel wasn’t shouted out by mankind, even stones would proclaim the truth. Trust what you see with your own two eyes! Be your own eyewitness!

Pastor Norton Lawellin
The Father’s House
Jesus In the City Fellowship
Truth & Freedom Church

Good Heart!

For Sunday, September 27, 2026:

Luke 6:45 NLT, Jesus speaking: “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

Hang out with the wrong people, and trouble will ensue. Jesus explains: “Figs are never gathered from thorn bushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes.” We tend to become a likeness of our environment and our associates.

Some people are like brambles and thorns. They’re always rough, unpleasant and walking trouble. If they’re your pals, you’ll likely fall into the same misery that follows them. Avoid them like the plague!

Where do we find good people? Surprisingly, they could be anywhere. We can find bankers who are ethical, giving borrowers a fair deal. We can find honest mechanics and repairmen, but we may have to search for a while! The occupation doesn’t matter as much as that their moral compass is pointed in the right direction. These are people who Christians should seek as long-term friends.

We can also spend a little time with those who fall short of our criteria. We need to share the Good News about forgiveness and salvation through Jesus Christ. We can counsel them into being born again as a new and improved model. God wants everyone to hear the Gospel. God wants everyone to have a chance to play for the Jesus team!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

The Father’s House

Jesus In the City Fellowship

Truth & Freedom Church