House of Bread

BETHLEHEM - "HOUSE OF BREAD"

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. 

"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

"And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn". - Luke 2:4-7

God Himself, the Everlasting Father, would put on flesh and be born a baby.

The King of kings and Lord of lords would be born King of the Jews.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting". - Micah 5:2

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him". - Matthew 2:1-2

"Bethlehem" in Hebrew means "house of bread." (“Beth” means “house” and “lehem” means “bread”).

Jesus is the "Bread of Life." 

"I am that bread of life." - John 6:48 KJV

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world". - John 6:51

A Child is Born

"Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost." - Matthew 1:18 KJV

"Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily." - Matthew 1:19 KJV

"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost." - Matthew 1:20 KJV

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV

"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." - Matthew 1:22-23 KJV

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6 KJV

"Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:7 KJV

Temptation

What is temptation?

The Bible says it comes from lusts within us.

"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil [to do wrong], neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:13-14

When we have repented of our sins, have been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost, we have the power His blood, the authority of His name JESUS, and the power of His Spirit to help us when we are tempted. (Acts 2:38, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:7, 10).

Through prayer and calling on Jesus, we have access to His strength so we can make it through all situations that life presents us with.

" can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." - Philippians 4:13 

Trials perfect us. We grow in Jesus. We become stronger. We have a testimony that can encourage others that they too can make it through Christ.

Because temptations and trials make us a stronger child of God, they can lead to joy, knowing we are becoming a better person in Jesus.

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" - 1 Peter 1:6-7 KJV

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying [testing] of your faith worketh patience [produces perseverance/endurance]. But let patience [perseverance/endurance] have her perfect work [grow], that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." - James 1:1-4

It is our love for Jesus that drives us to overcome our lusts. We are blessed when we endure temptation (we are unwavering), for when we have been tried [stood the test], we will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love him.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." - James 1:12

Acts 2:38

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV"

Church!

Church! 

Pray About EVERYTHING

The Bible says in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication WITH THANKSGIVING let your requests be made known unto God. (Philippians 4:6).

We are not praying to some statue that has no power, no knowledge, no life... We are praying to the God of the universe that created all things, knows all things, and has all power. We are not “bothering” God. He can hear at the same time everyone's prayer, from small prayers to big prayers. He can also answer every single prayer, even at the same time, for He has all power and knowledge. We serve a big and mighty God. His name is Jesus. 

With every request, we have the opportunity to give God thanks and praise.

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” 

“Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" - Matthew 7:7-11 KJV

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." - Matthew 6:6 KJV

"The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear [reverent] him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them." - Psalm 145:18-19 KJV

It is Time

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed [when we became believers]. 

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. [the day of the Lord’s return is at hand “So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”]

“Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. [“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”]

“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” [“Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.”] - Romans 13:11-14 KJV

Make sure, to begin with, you have “put on Christ” and you are not making “provision for the flesh.”

You do this by repenting of your sins, being baptized in the name of “JESUS” for the remission of your sins, and being baptized with His Spirit (being filled with the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues as His Spirit gives you the utterance Acts 2:4).

"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." - Galatians 3:27 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 KJV

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." - Galatians 6:9 KJV