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Word of Encouragement-Bethlehem

December 7th, 2021 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – Today’s Word of Encouragement is Bethlehem.

According to Micah 5:2, Bethlehem was small among the clans of Judah, and would be the birthplace of the Messiah.

This was the prediction about Jesus in that passage, “Out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

In Matthew 2:1, “Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea.”

Jesus could have been born in a larger city or a more strategic place to be noticed. But instead, He was born in a small town not far from Jerusalem.

One insight to gain from Bethlehem is that God loves to work through places and people that others consider to be insignificant. He works through ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. This can be our reality when we make room for Jesus to be the guiding influence of our lives.

Find encouragement in Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus to see what He can accomplish through us in the Year of Endurance.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

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Lesson Of Faith-Born In Bethlehem

December 16th, 2013 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – In Micah 5:2, we read about the birthplace of God’s anointed leader:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins  are from of old, from ancient times.”

The name “Bethlehem” is significant because it means “House of Bread.” Jesus identified Himself as the bread of life. So, entering the world stage as a baby in the manger, Jesus came to the House of Bread, as the Bread of Life.

His birth in Bethlehem was planned long before it really happened. The location of Christ’s birthplace is sending the signal to the world that just as bread satisfies physical hunger, so Jesus is our vital source for satisfaction for spiritual hunger.

And just as Jesus came to Bethlehem, which was considered small and insignificant, so He approaches people who are humble, and raises them up for extraordinary purposes.

The promise that Jesus would be born in Bethlehem is a lesson of faith worth remembering.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com

LIFE APPLICATION TRUTH-BETHLEHEM

December 13th, 2012 No comments

JOHN SHIRK – From Micah 5:2.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

This prophecy was fulfilled in Matthew 2:1, which says that Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod.

Jesus could have come to a major, strategic city to draw attention to His significant worth. However, He would be born in Bethlehem, a small town several miles from the holy city Jerusalem.

God does not work in conventional ways to advance His plan of redemption. Using conventional wisdom, Jesus might have appointed religious leaders to follow Him as disciples. But instead, Jesus appointed unschooled men to follow Him and be trained to become  leaders of the early church.

In the Old Testament, Samuel wanted to appoint one of David’s brothers to be the next king of Israel. But God, seeing through appearance to the heart, was calling David. God can work through things and people whose value is overlooked by society, to draw the world to His grace and glory.

A receptive heart to Jesus is a vital sign of a changed life in the Year of Transformation.

John Shirk

john@wjtl.com