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Places in the Heart

A number of years ago the Lord led me to teach a series of classes during the Advent Season called, "Places in the Heart."  Each week we studied a different place in the incarnation of Christ.  We looked at places like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Judea, Galilee.  Each place holds revelation of the journey God offers to each of us if we will be invite Christ to be made incarnate in us by faith in the name that is above all names - Jesus, Yeshua, Emmanuel, Messiah.  I won't attempt to unpack that teaching here, but do want to propose these few thoughts for you to consider as we engage in the celebration of the Incarnation of Christ born as a babe in a manger so that we we might truly live.

Places in the heart where Jesus comes to make His life known to us:

Bethlehem:  Literally, the House of Bread, the place where The Bread of Life is BORN in us as we are BORN AGAIN by Faith in the Name that is above all names.  John 6:28 & 46-47, And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." and "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. I am the bread of life."  

Jerusalem:  According to Strong's, the meaning is "Teaching of Peace" and comes from two words. (1) yarah - to throw, shoot, cast or pour, to show, direct, teach or instruct and (2) shalam - to be in a covenant of peace, be at peace, to be complete, be sound, finished, to make whole or good, to restore, make compensation, to requite, recompense or reward.  At the place called Jerusalem, we come into peace or completion by covenant with God through Christ.  Our requirements of recompense for our sins and sinful nature are met in Christ and we are made whole and restored into right standing with God, our Creator and our Father, as the place of Jerusalem is estalblished in our hearts.

I Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^₂₄ He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

This season embrace the place called Jerusalem, the place of Peace, where The PRINCE OF PEACE rules and reigns supreme and brings His peace that passes all comprehension. 

Nazareth:  This was Jesus' home, the place of of His residence.  It was the place where the people knew Him, not as Savior or Lord, but as the son of Joseph and Mary.  It was the place of familiarity. It was the place protection while growing up, but also the place of opposition when He came into His own as both the Son of God and the Son of man. 

Literally is the place of guarding and of watching as watchmen of the Lord. In this place of Christ dwelling in us as our guard and protector, we join Him in the work of "watching and praying." 

Nazareth is also a place that even as Jesus faced rejection, ridicule and restriction in doing all He wanted to do in His hometown, we too come to a place called Nazareth where we share in the fellowship of His sufferings, even among those closest to us.  It is a place where familiarity limits the the grace available for the power of God to flow freely.  Here we know Jesus as Our Protector and the One who Lives to Make Intercession.

This season embrace and celebrate the protection of the Lord, join Him in watching and praying over your homes, and rejoice that you are being counted worthy to share in the fellowship of His sufferings while never allowing the rejection to harden your heart.

Judea:  This place refers to the land where "He is to be praised."  In this place of our hearts is it settled that the Lord God is worthy to be praised - no matter what physical circumstances may come.  It is a place known and established by praise, fully assured that God enthroned as King upon the praises of His people. Matthew 4:5-6 "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:  ^₆ ‘ But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”

This season spend time nurturing and fortifying the place of praise in your heart knowing that the Lord is with you, indeed dwells within you and in His presence there is fullness of joy and life forever more, and in the midst of praise His rule is firmly established to shepherd His people in all goodness, grace, love, and mercy.

Galilee: Literally, the name Galilee means a circuit or district, and the root of the word means to "roll away." This region in Biblical times was a region largely occupied by heathens, and actually was land given by King Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem.  In this place of our lives that intersects with the world's culture and systems that are not of the Kingdom of God through business, commerce, and other of life's transactions.  In this place, our hearts are turned fully toward the Lord while living in the midst of the world bringing the Light of His Grace.  "By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,  In Galilee of the Gentiles. ^₂ The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined." (See Isaiah 9:1-2) 

This season go out and engage with the people of your community knowing that according to Acts 17:26-27, He has "determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of  their dwellings, ^₂₇ so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." 

Go be light in the midst of darkness to reveal Christ in you - the Bread of Life, the God of all Peace, our Protector and the Great Intercessor, the Praise-worthy King, and the Sent-One who brings Light into a dark world. 

May God's richest blessings be yours in this season of celebrating the birth of Christ and forever!

For His Glory,

Jacquie Tyre