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November 24, 2021

Ephesians 2:19-22

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

New International Version (NIV)

Who are you thankful for? In Ephesians 1, Paul has expressed his gratitude for the faith of the Ephesian believers and for their love for others. He invested three years of his life in ministry in the city of Ephesus. The convergence of Jews and Gentiles in the church was tricky. In this chapter, he reminds them that the risen Christ himself is the source of their unity. Christ has brought Jews and Gentiles together in one new family called the church.

Melanie and I recently watched the movie, Same Kind of Different as Me. My friends John and Melinda recommended the book to me several years ago. Hollywood spared no expense in telling this powerful story, giving starring roles to luminaries like Greg Kinnear and Katy’s own Renee Zellweger. A wealthy couple in Fort Worth work together at a rescue mission and meet a man named Denver who lives on the street. They come together at the point of their mutual brokenness. In Christ, they find a new kind of community that redeems them all.

When I see the serious divisions in our world, I remember that Christ alone possesses and provides the power to bring people together. Together we are one family in Christ. As we give thanks this week, we thank God for life together with people from all over the world gathered in one family.

Pray with me:
Father, make us one as you are one with the Son and the Spirit. Deliver us from divisions we pray. We believe the power that raised Jesus from the dead is still enough to bring us to life and to bring us together as one. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture memorization for this week:

Ephesians 2:8-10

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Colossians 2:6-7

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

New International Version (NIV)

Our 2021 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations Bible reading plan. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2021 Reading Plan

We would love for you to join us as we read through the Bible in one year, while still having the flexibility of reading 5 days per week. In addition, I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year. We will also memorize 2 scriptures each week. As we journal together this year, Robby Gallaty’s H.E.A.R. plan is a good resource: Highlight a verse that stands out to you, Explain what it means, Apply that truth to your life and Respond to what you’ve read with an action or prayer.

Joyfully,
Duane

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555 Tallowood Road
Houston, TX | 77024 US

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