Matthew 4:23-24, Matthew 5:13-16, John 8:31-32

Paul Calvert looks at good news stories from Bethlehem, and the importance of giving to your local community.

Paul Calvert

We hear a lot about fake news. With all this fake news around, how do we know what is real and what is not?

Thankfully the Bible is not fake news. We can know the truth and the truth will set us free.

Many times news can be set to an agenda, so it can be negative, or create fear, if that fits the agenda.

I see it all the time living here in Bethlehem. Sometimes it can be the truth, but not quite the whole story. There is an agenda attached.

The news generally isn't positive. After you have sifted through the fake news, then what is left is usually bad news. We don't often hear encouraging or uplifting news stories, it's usually doom and gloom, like a mass shooting, or a war.

But living in Bethlehem I see good news all the time. While the mainstream media are focused on rioting in the city, I can see what is really going on, as I live here and often it is good news.

There are so many people doing good work and making a difference in their community. We have many Christian NGO's in the city making a difference in the lives of countless Palestinians.

These are people who have decided to change their community for the better, and input something positive.

We have many children's homes in Bethlehem. These homes have taken children and given them a place to sleep, given them food and clothed them.

The blind and mentally ill, who have been mistreated in society, now have a place to go where they can be loved, respected and cared for.

We have a children's hospital. When a mother is about to give birth she can come to this hospital and deliver her child. It's a charity hospital, but it is fulfilling a need in society.

We have a school for the deaf, ministering to the hard of hearing in the community.

Where many people look at the bad news, I see the good news. Every day people are being the hands and feet of Jesus, and creating miracles in their community.

What about you and your community?