Advent's Bethlehem Day 4

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A small village and a world-sized promise—today we pause our pace and sit with Micah 5:2–5a, where Bethlehem is named as the birthplace of a ruler whose origins reach into the distant past. We read the passage, reflect on the wonder of fulfilled prophecy, and share why Advent invites us to slow down, breathe, and live watchful and prayerful with real hope.

We walk through how a scattered people were promised a shepherd who would stand in the Lord’s strength and lead them to undisturbed peace. That picture is not flashy; it’s faithful. It reframes how we think about influence, reminding us that God often does his most decisive work through humble places and ordinary obedience. The convergence of prophecy and fulfillment anchors our faith in history rather than sentiment, offering a reasonable trust for anyone weary of uncertainty. Bethlehem isn’t a holiday backdrop; it’s a signpost that the story is coherent, the promises hold, and peace is a person, not a vibe.

Along the way, we share an honest, light moment about mics and missed days, then return to the heart of Advent: watching, praying, keeping our hearts ready for the One who came and the One who is coming again. If you’re carrying hurry, doubt, or distraction, this short reflection aims to steady you with Scripture, stir expectancy, and send you back into your day renewed. Listen, share the link with someone who needs peace, and keep your eyes on Jesus. If this encouraged you, subscribe, rate, and leave a review so more listeners can find these Advent reflections.

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The Intro/Outro music is Are You Ready? by Floodgate. From the Album, Are You Ready? copyright 2002 OffBeat Ministries, Inc.
Floodgate is available on Apple Music and iTunes.
Music used with permission.

Thank You. I Love You!

SEE YA!

Rick

Episode Transcript

unknown (00:52):
Are you ready to go?

SPEAKER_01 (00:56):
Hey, welcome to Renewed Mindsets.
I'm Rick, and I'm so glad you'rehere.
Now, this is something special.
For the next 25 days, we'regonna slow down, we're gonna
quiet our hearts, and we'regonna turn our eyes towards
Jesus as we walk through Adventtogether.
Now every day we'll take a fewminutes to breathe and reflect

(01:19):
and remember the hope that cameinto the world and the hope
that's coming again.
Hey, we're back, day four of theAdvent Bible reading.
Today we're gonna be in Micahchapter five, where the
birthplace of the Messiah isforetold.
And just like I told youyesterday, I got Ashton back, so

(01:42):
you don't have to listen to me,but just for another few
seconds.
You ready, Ashton?
I am.
I'm glad.
Sorry you were out yesterday.
So is everybody else.

SPEAKER_00 (01:52):
Sorry, guys.

SPEAKER_01 (01:53):
That's okay.
All right, take it away.

SPEAKER_00 (01:57):
Micah 5, verses 2 through 5A of the New Living
Translation says, A ruler fromBethlehem, but you, O Bethlehem
Ephra, are only a small villageamong all the people of Judah.
Yet a ruler of Israel, whoseorigins are in the distant past,

(02:17):
will come from you on my behalf.
The people of Israel will beabandoned to their enemies until
the woman in labor gives birth.
Then at last his fellowcountrymen will return from
exile to their own land, and hewill stand to lead his flock
with the Lord's strength in themajesty of the name of the Lord

(02:37):
his God.
Then his people will live thereundisturbed, for he will be
highly honored around the world,and he will be the source of
peace.

SPEAKER_01 (02:47):
Amen.
Oh, I had to turn my microphoneback on.
That's a good little slip, butwe'll just leave it in.
Isn't it awesome how hundreds ofyears before his birth
everything about it wasforetold?
It's so cool to look in theBible and see all the prophecy,
and then we can see later thatit was fulfilled.

SPEAKER_00 (03:10):
Yeah, and I I was looking up and doing research
about how um out of all of theyears, there's over a span of
1,500 years that these peoplewrote all of the 66 canonized
books.
Yeah.
And there's not a singlehistorical error.
I'm like, this is something youcan rely on.

(03:30):
This is something you can counton.

SPEAKER_01 (03:32):
You sound like a history teacher.
All right.
That's day four.
We'll be back tomorrow with dayfive.
I believe we're gonna haveAshton back with us.
Of course.
Okay, good.
See you tomorrow.

SPEAKER_00 (03:47):
Bye.

SPEAKER_01 (03:52):
All right, thanks for joining me today on Renewed
Mindsets.
As we walk through Advent, let'sstay expectant.
Let's stay watching, praying,and keeping our hearts ready for
the one who came and the onewho's coming again soon.
I love you.
Let's keep our minds renewed andour eyes on Jesus.

(04:15):
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
That's all for today, but I'llbe back with more unfiltered
biblical truth and undeniableprophecy.
The time to wake up is now.
If today's episode challengedyou, don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone, please.

(04:37):
Text them a link.
Share the truth while there'sstill time.
Visit renewedmindsets.com tostay connected and to listen to
past episodes.
And check out our merch atrenewedmindsets.store.
Jesus is coming soon.
Stay watchful.
Stay holy.

(04:57):
Stay renewed.
Until next week, I'm Rick.
Be an encourager, not adiscourager.
I love you.

(05:18):
See ya.
The intro and outro music forthe Renewed Mindsets podcast is
Are You Ready by Floodgate.
From the album Are You Ready?
Copyright 2002, OffbeatMinistries Incorporated.
Floodgate can be found on AppleMusic and iTunes.

(05:38):
Music used with permission.