October 28, 2021
2 Corinthians 5:6-9
Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.
New International Version (NIV)
I'm homesick today.  After a great week in South Carolina, I am ready to get home.  I miss my family and my church family.   

Where is home for you?  I used to struggle with that question.  Born in Texas, reared all over the country and in Germany.  Often we moved before we could put down roots. So I am thankful to have deep roots in Houston where God has called me and allowed me to serve.  

Paul knew that when he left this world God had a place for him.  In fact, he was homesick to get home with the Lord.  This led him to please the Lord at all times.  

G. K. Chesterton said that sometimes he felt homesick even at home.  Do you know that feeling?  C. S. Lewis described it with the German word "Sehnsucht," meaning a longing for another place.  If we find ourselves longing for something this world does not offer, we must have been made for another world. 

Someday our faith will become sight.  What will we do while we wait?  Let's please the Lord. 
The hope of going home should not make us complacent.  Instead, we consecrate our thoughts, words, and actions to God, knowing that someday we will see him face to face.  Then our homesickness will end.  We will finally be home.
Pray with me:        
Father, we live with confidence that our faith will become sight.  Teach us to trust you moment by moment.  Make us bold to believe that all of your promises are true.  Let us live out our faith before an audience of One.  Help us to please you today in every way, we pray.  Amen!            
Scripture memorization for this week:
Romans 1:16-17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.  For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith."

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,  
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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