Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 16

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

From: December 16, 2023

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy of judgment against Israel, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews (Matt. 2:6).

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “beth” = “house,” + “lechem” = “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.”

This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it was one of the sources of Passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One whose origin is from antiquity, from eternity, would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Messiah, Jesus Christ, was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Micah’s prophecy is only one of 300 messianic prophecies found in the Old Testament that have been fulfilled by Jesus.

Have you welcomed Jesus into your life?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your only Son to us for our salvation. He is the reason we celebrate this season. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. Empower us to proclaim His gospel to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And God will wipe every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 NLT).

From: December 16, 2022

GOD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR

There was a pause after the opening of the 6th seal. And John saw a great multitude join with the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders in worshiping the Lord. One of the elders asked John whether he knew who the multitude was and from where they had come. But John did not know.

So the elder explained, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white” (Rev. 7:14). He said that a day was coming when they would no longer hunger or thirst, and the Lord would wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Every season has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This is true of every tribulation, even the great one. There will be trouble, but the Lord promises to never leave, nor forsake His own. And in the end, He wipes away every tear.

PRAYER: Dear Father, some of us may have gone through a tough season this year. Some are still in the midst of one. Yet, we know that we have not been left alone. For You are always with us. And one day, You will wipe away every tear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity” (Micah 5:2 HCSB).

From: December 16, 2021

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews (Matt. 2:6).

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” = “house,” + “lechem” = “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of Passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One whose “origin is from antiquity, from eternity,” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Messiah was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet many of His own rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your only Son to us for our salvation. He is the reason we celebrate this season. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. Empower us to proclaim His gospel to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17 NKJV).

From: December 16, 2020

THE LORD WILL WIPE AWAY EVERY TEAR

There was a pause after the opening of the 6th seal. And John saw a great multitude join with the four living creatures and the 24 elders in worshiping the Lord. One of the elders asked John whether he knew who they were and from where they had come. But John did not know. So the elder told him. He said, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:14). He said that a day was coming when they would no longer hunger or thirst, and the Lord would wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Every season has a beginning, a middle, and an end. This is true of every tribulation, even the great one. There will be trouble, but the Lord promises to never leave, nor forsake His own. And in the end, He wipes away every tear.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we have been going through a tough season this year. Yet, we know that we have not been left alone. For You are always with us. And one day, You will wipe away every tear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

From: December 16, 2019

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews (Matt. 2:6).

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “beth” = “house,” + “lechem” = “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of Passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose origins are in the distant past” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Messiah was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet many of His own rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your only Son to us for our salvation. He is the reason we celebrate this season. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. Empower us to proclaim His gospel to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

From: December 16, 2018

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews.

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose origins are in the distant past” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Christ was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet the majority of His own people rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

“the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 NKJV).

From: December 16, 2017

Those believers who “come out of the great tribulation” will dwell with the Lamb, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will shepherd them as David’s Psalm 23 described. And the tears of their tribulation will be wiped away by the Lord Himself.

No more hunger, no more thirst, no more crying, for the Lord Himself will shepherd them.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)

From: December 16, 2016

Written 700 years before Christ was born, this prophecy correctly predicted that the birth of the Messiah would be in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “One to be Ruler in Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting” (Micah 5:2 NKJV)

From: December 16, 2015

Written 700 years before Christ was born, this prophecy correctly predicted that the birth of the Messiah would be in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “One to be Ruler in Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose goings forth are from everlasting” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT)

From: December 16, 2014

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the Scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi inquired about it. Indeed, the Christ was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet His own people rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?