Psalm 23

Among friends or Enemies?

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“It is not simply to be taken for granted that the Christian has the privilege of living among other Christians. 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, […]

via Jesus Lived in the Midst of His Enemies — bonhoefferblog

When Jesus served the bread and the wine we need to also remember that Judas was also served. When we share the message of the love of Christ today in that same way we cannot be choosy about who we offer forgiveness. We never know if one of those attacking us now may become like the apostle Paul who Stephen forgave as the stones were flying.

 

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Walking the Valley

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me Psalms 23:4 NKJV

It is far sweeter to talk about passing through the valley of the shadow than it is to walk it. But it is also far sweeter to experience God’s presence in the dark valleys than it is to just talk it…

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Dark Valleys

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

…He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me Psalm 23:3b-4

 

My aunt Dorothy served as the National Executive Secretary of the U.S. of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom from 1924-46. Being an advocate for peace in Washington DC during the war was quite unpopular, but from her time there she passed on to our family this saying: “It isn’t what you know in Washington that matters; it’s who you know!”

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So when things seem confusing and difficult in our walk of faith remember, it isn’t what we know about the path that will keep us going; it’s how well we know who is leading. God has promised, not because of who we are, what we have done or how much we know, but for His own name’s sake to lead us on the right path. There are times that right path will lead into dark valleys. There are moments when our enemies will peer from behind the rocks planning how to destroy us; but we must never run away. Our shepherd is with us. In those dark nights, we need to walk as close to Him as we can. If you cannot see the path ahead then press in until you are close enough to hear his footsteps. His rod and His staff hang at His side ready to protect us. He will be our shepherd not only in the green pastures but also in the shadow of death!