In The Midst of Enemies

Jesus Christ lived in the midst of his enemies. At the end, all his disciples deserted him. On the Cross he was utterly alone, surrounded by evildoers and mockers. For this cause he had come, to bring peace to the enemies of God. So the Christian, too, belongs not in the seclusion of a cloistered life but in the thick of foes. There is his commission, his work. The kingdom is to be in the midst of your enemies. And he who will not suffer this does not want to be of the Kingdom of Christ; he wants to be among friends, to sit among roses and lilies, not with the bad people but the devout people. 'O you blasphemers and betrayers of Christ! If Christ had done what you are doing who would ever have been spared' (Luther).

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Matthew 5:44 … But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;


Romans 5:6 … For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.


Luke 9:23 … And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.❤

Jesus' Yoke

Those who follow Jesus’ commandment entirely, who let Jesus’ yoke rest on them without resistance, will find the burden they must bear to be light. In the gentle pressure of this yoke they will receive the strength to walk the right path without becoming weary.  Where will the call to discipleship lead those who follow it? What decisions and painful separations will it entail? We must take this question to him who alone knows the answer. Only Jesus Christ, who bids us follow him, knows where the path will lead. But we know that it will be a path full of mercy beyond measure. Discipleship is joy.

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Psalm 25:4–5 ... Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.   Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.

✫❤•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫...•°*”˜˜”*°•.❤✫

A Kingdom ...

A home is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a stronghold amid life's storms and stresses, a refuge, even a sanctuary.

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Nahum 1:7 ... The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Philippians 3:20 ... For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Thessalonians 2:12 ... That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

Romans 14:17 ... For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

2 Corinthians 5:1 ... For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.❤

Suffering

To endure the cross is not tragedy; it is the suffering which is the fruit of an exclusive allegiance to Jesus Christ.

[ Dietrich Bonhoeffer ]

Romans 8:17 ... And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

2 Corinthians 1:5 ... For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

Philippians 1:29 ... For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

2 Timothy 3:12 ... Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

1 Peter 4:13 ... But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.❤

Discipleship

Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.

[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Psalm 94:12 ... Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, and teachest him out of thy law;

Proverbs 3:11-12 ... My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:  For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

Luke 14:27 ...  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. ❤

Promise Keeper

God does not give us everything we want, but He does fulfill His promises, leading us along the best and straightest paths to Himself.

[ Dietrich Bonhoeffer]

Proverbs 3:5-6 ... Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 4:8 ... But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Psalm 25:4-5 ... Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. ❤