November 11, 2021
Romans 13:7-10
Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.  The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
New International Version (NIV)
I once read that the modern spin on the Snow White and Seven Dwarves song would be, “I owe.  I owe.  It’s off to work I go.”  On this Veteran’s Day, I wonder what we owe? Paul called upon the Christians in Rome to respect the authorities and pay taxes that they owed.  On the other hand, Revelation 13 envisions a wicked government unworthy of honor.  We have lived long enough to know that not all who hold high office are worthy of respect.  My family moved to Washington just in time for Watergate.  It left a strong impression on me as a sixth grader.

On the other hand, there are truly honorable people who are worthy of honor.  I remember when my father came and spoke at Tallowood on Veteran’s Day.  The gathering in our church applauded him at the end.  In a way, this brought healing to a man who had risked his life for the sake of our country during the war in Vietnam. 

In our Tallowood Library there is a wonderful montage of pictures of our veterans.  Twenty years ago, almost all of these brave veterans were still alive.  So many of them have gone to be with the Lord in these years.  I surveyed them in silence last Saturday.  But this week I was blessed to be on a text exchange between two of these good men.  Both served as officers in the U. S. military.  Both serve our Lord and Tallowood faithfully.  Both honor their families.  One recently lost his wife.  The other spoke words of wisdom and kindness in his text.  Imagine my fortune at having a front row seat to their conversation.  These two great lions of God honor their God, their country and their families.  I am honored to be their friend and pastor.

What do we owe each other?  We owe it to each other to love each other.  We owe it to each other to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice.  We owe it to each other to share our lives with each other as Christ has shared life with us.  Let’s pay what we owe today.  
Pray with me:        
Father, show us what we owe.  Help us to love each other well today.  We know we owe you our whole lives.  As you gave life to us freely, help us freely to give our lives to you and to others.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.
Scripture memorization for this week:
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
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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