True Health Comes from a Fit Mind on Anchor
31 Tuesday May 2022
Category Archives: God the Father
The Remnant and The Reset
26 Sunday Dec 2021
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“Moreover, ( let us be full of joy now ) let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity). And character produces salvation. ” Romans 5:3-4 AMP
An invisible speck has created a global hysteria that has impacted every breathing thing, bringing misery, destruction even death to many. The fallout has sown division between friends, families, governments, economy’s, universities; in fact every system of societal culture as defined by the seven mountains of influence: Religion, Family, Media, Arts and Entertainment, Business, Government, Education, have all been impacted. This “re-set” is rewiring many organizations, businesses, families, people and relationships while testing capacity.
Capacity defined is the maximum amount that something can contain. Consider a glass of water that is filled to capacity; straining against the top lip of the glass while appearing to overflow yet doesn’t. A high-capacity person confidently and successfully manages the tension between competing priorities, juggling a high number of urgent situations through an ability to expand and perform under extreme pressure. This person uses laser discernment coupled with innate wisdom to prioritize then execute solutions. I believe that God is developing the highest capacity in His remnant to illuminate the way to success for His people and His Kingdom. This swatch of Christ following set-aparts are trained to navigate rapids with no raft, compelled to identify then move securely onto the “big rocks” as these rocks arise in the river to provide safety. Prophetic Priest and King cartographers will be necessary to map the way through the deep caverns of the reset whose issues will be no match for metes and bounds focused in faith on Jesus, the knowledge of the love of God and prayer.
“And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character. And character produces salvation.” This section of Romans 5 could be interpreted to be eternal salvation, living with Christ in heavenly places for all eternity although one cannot earn their way to eternal salvation. Do Good – Get Good is not a formula for salvation. If we could be good enough, we would not need a Savior in the first place. When one authentically accepts that Jesus is the Son of God and paid a debt of sin that no one could pay they are rewarded with a grace gift from God called eternal salvation.
Salvation in the Greek holds a treasury of meanings. Biblical salvation is defined as material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension; preservation, pardon, restoration, healing, wholeness and soundness. Personally, I love this definition of salvation. Apprehension (or dread) is a subset of fear and involves the mind. Healing and soundness also relate to the health of the mind (the soul) and the physical body. Restoration could be physical, mental or even financial. Endurance, fortitude and grit works out the dross in overheated silver, allowing it to rise to the top and be seen for what dross is; impurities. Fear, anger, temptation to quit, debt accumulation, rage, resentment, jealousy, covetousness, are a good working list. As the building out of character purifies the soul when developing capacity, it allows negative emotions to burn off in an upper atmosphere that no longer has time or desire for nurturing negativity. When God is developing capacity, He is also building out the soul (mind / will / emotions).
Successful high-capacity living demands a whole and healed soul.
” Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [ that your body] may keep well, even as [ I know] your soul keeps well and prospers.” 3 John 1:2 AMP
The condition of the mind / will/ emotions has undeniable impact on the health of the physical body. The two are inextricably connected and this is scientifically proven. One cannot move at a pace required for a high-capacity lifestyle without a healthy body. Once character is firmly established, this provides for a quieted soul, which aids or even insures sound physical health and well-being.
The process of moving through a stretching that allows for ‘the greater’ requires super gluing your soul to faith. At its very core – this is the purpose for the capacity bootcamp. Being successful at Special Forces missions requires unwavering, steadfast levels of sustained faith. Not just flashes of hope; confident expectations of good, but a true leaning of one’s entire personality on God in all situations. This is faith.
By way of personal illustration, I have worked on a multi million dollar commercial transaction since 2018. Due to Covid, the entire deal went offline for all of 2020, then in early 2021 made a miraculous return to the stage, front and center. After a grueling 7 months of city meetings, planning, back and forth – the deal collapsed in mid November and with it my well-earned six figure commission. Three years of work, down the drain and financial devastation all around. After a few weeks of turmoil and despair, during my morning quiet time I had a “Come to Jesus” with God over this transaction that had failed by no fault of my own. This was a calamity by any measure financially and professionally.
Every morning I pray Psalm 91 (https://sacredramblings.com/2017/05/29/psalm-91-amp) in its entirety aloud. The Psalm clearly states that “because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place, There shall NO evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent” AND “Because he has set his love upon ME, therefore I will deliver him, I will set him on high, because he knows and understands my Name” AND lastly, “He shall call upon Me and I will answer him, I will be with him in times of trouble, I will deliver him and honor him, with long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.” I reminded the Father of all of these things then stated that I was not going to accept calamity – that His Word stated that I would not have calamity come near me and that His Word could not return void. I said much more but you get the picture. Respectful but authentic, frustrated, desperate.
Within one hour, my phone rang with a broker resurrecting a high dollar transaction that I had considered long gone – good money and enough to throw out a significant lifeline. I smiled and hung up the phone, thanking God for His goodness, mercy and dedication to fulfilling His Word. Although there is much work ahead, the call stirred my faith and showed me once again that God hears every word. “My God will supply ALL of my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus“. Philipians 4:19 This is my sure confession.
“For I am the Lord, I do not change; that is why you, O sons of Jacob are not consumed” Malachi 3:6
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
The Remnant and The Reset
All Rights Reserved 2022
Hear a reading: https://anchor.fm/sacred-ramblings/episodes/The-Remnant-and-The-Reset-e1c68ko
The Company of Angels
25 Monday Oct 2021
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Recently, I heard a pastor’s excellent teaching on angels. Most, if not all, of this information I had never heard previously. On my long drive home, there was ample time to ponder all aspects of life. My mind turned to the sermon and then the Lord brought this thought: If Lucifer, an Archangel, could convince one third of all the HOLY angels to follow his direction, how much easier could we mere mortals be convinced to veer off road and into this same predicament?
We know angels are beings created by God. They were ALL with Him in heavenly realms. God created all the angels even before the world was formed – there is no record of them being created in Genesis during the 6 days of creation. If they had been created in those 6 days, they would be under the authority of Adam and man but God created the angels to serve Him and to bring His purposes and desires to pass.
Hebrews1:14 – “Are not the angels all (ministering) spirits, sent out in the service of God for those in the assistance of those who were to inherit salvation?”
God does not need angels any more than He needs us but we were created for relationship and purpose for Him and by Him.
What could have made them find Lucifer so appealing that they allowed themselves to be recruited into assignments that were not of their Creator? Perhaps they even communed with God daily but clearly there were questions about His authority or some level of discontent or uncertainty. Why else would they have left in the first place? The angels fell with Lucifer (now satan) before the beginning of humanity- Jesus stated that He saw satan fall like lightning (Luke 10:18). This was before He returned to earth as a Man. https://www.gotquestions.org/Satan-fall.html See also: Ezekiel 28:13-19
Angels are spirit beings. Although others may disagree, I would assert that they must also have a soul because they have a will and mind or could not have made the decision to align with Lucifer. I do not purport to possess an all encompassing knowledge of angels, but I am exploring them to gain a deeper understanding of how they think (or if they think at all or only obey and respond to God’s commands.). We will be needing them in much greater measure in the coming days and I don’t know about you but I could use a few.
But again….why would they go with Lucifer in the first place? Was there a power that blinded them? Were there promises made if they left ? Did he cut a deal? “Ha- ha come with me and we will be the great disruptors on the earth, torment the children of God and derail the plan of the Creator of the Universe! He really isnt the Almighty, He really is not the All Sufficient One. We will run the world! ” Hmmm – I do not associate angels with poor judgement but this well….. judge for yourself. What could have been their motivation to leave, of all places……. HEAVEN? Streets of Gold, Pearlie Gates, no lack, constant sunlight and Heaven lit by Jesus Himself, happiness, total health -(I guess they were never sick) joy, dancing, God’s economy where everything is FREE, every day living among all the amazing people mentioned in the bible 24/7 and no worries. SO WHY I ASK – would they make an intentional decision to derail their God given assignment ? To be eternal holy servants of God……… was this really such a bad life ?
Interestingly, so are we made by God, the Almighty, Creator of the Universe. Although we do not see God, we can. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God and that He paid a sin debt for which we could never pay – the Spirit of God will live within and inhabit us. Eternal life in Heaven will not be ours until we pass from this earth but we can experience eternal living right now because we have the power of God living inside of us. Angels do not have the Holy Spirit living inside of them. They depend on us to learn about God and to see more of God. They listen to us as we pray and respond to our prayers because they are responding to the Word of God
I believe (and this is just musing ….. ) that angels may need us just as much as we need them. They need us to pray the Word of God and move out in the faith of God doing His will for His glory and the building up of His Kingdom on the earth. We need them to make a way in the wilderness, to part those Red Seas – to bring people into our paths that help us get to where we need to be so that we can do what we need to do! How tragic to have angels ‘on ready’ yet on the unemployment rolls waiting for an instruction to assist and then never receive.
If angels can get off track, then certainly so can we. How do we remain focused and on track and out of confusion, hopelessness, fear and despondent thinking ? Enacting the following will make you #stableandfixed in the upcoming days:
1) Read the bible daily and invest in at least one devotional. Have a consecrated, set apart time each day to renew your mind.
2) Make daily declarations and speak them aloud [I am always the head, and never the tail, I am always above and I am never beneath!)
3) Pray, pray and pray some more. And then pray again.
4) Pray aloud God’s word (The Lord is my Shepherd (to feed, guide and shield me), I shall not lack! )
5) Don’t be a lone ranger, be in community with like minded believers thru a small group bible study (cell or community group)
6) Commit to a church where the Pastor preaches in an expository style – verse by verse of the bible – preferably with minimal behavior modification teaching. The Spirit of Jesus will transform your behavior from the inside out when you remain focused on Him.
7) Commit to a church where the Pastor concludes the message with an invitation to receive Christ and frequently teaches Jesus.
8) Steer clear of fear. Whatever you have to do to keep your mind stabilized (no nightly news, not talking to certain friends) then do it
9) Understand that you are righteous (in right standing ) in the sight of God, not because of anything that you have done or can do – but purely because of what He has done for you. Because of this you owe your life to Jesus – find purposeful ways to serve Him.
10) Gain deeper understanding of what His sacrifice means to and for you.
Angels are God’s watchers and helpers, sent to us to serve His purposes. Attract them through speaking His word and only speaking positive confessions about your circumstances – what His Word says about you not about what you might be seeing in the natural. We are all, in our own unique way, in the same company of angels – on assignment, to fulfill God’s will and purposes on the earth.
Tracy Gatewood
The Company of Angels
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2021
Article: The Company of Angels
Sharing Link: https://sacredramblings.com/2021/10/25/the-company-of-angels/
Church of His Presence: http://www.churchofhispresence.org/Media Message Title: Help Is On The Way (This msg set will be available in November)
Psalm 91 #stableandfixed https://sacredramblings.com/2017/05/29/psalm-91-amp/
The Urgency of Faith
12 Monday Jul 2021
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” So faith comes by hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the preaching (of the message that came from the lips) of Christ the Messiah Himself.” Romans 10:17 AMP
“But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?”. Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
Recently (like very ……… this morning in fact) I heard a respected evangelist state that the ONLY way someone can have faith is through hearing the Word of God. This means that a person cannot have faith for anything unless they can attach a person (Jesus), or a scripture verse to their circumstance. I found this comment to be very interesting.
Faith is a very powerful force for without it, we cannot please God, in fact it is impossible. (Hebrews 11:6 ) Because we are living in such challenging, even urgent times, most all of us need to have an All Access Pass to Faith.
Well what is faith ? I use this definition from the Amplified: The leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, Wisdom and goodness. The assurance, confirmation and title deed that are possessed when we trust Him.
So what do the unchurched have in their emotional arsenal since they cannot possess true faith ? They have HOPE. Hope is a confident expectation of good in every situation. Hope is a great thing to possess. Actually I believe that Hope is probably second only to faith however hope is based in emotion which is tied to the Soul. (Mind, Will, and the Emotions) Although very useful, being hopeful can still be like being ‘positive’ . No One paid a price for your Hope but a BIG price was paid for your Faith. Faith is tied to the Spirit. Hope Helps but Faith Wins.
Faith is actually anchored into someone real – JESUS. One can actually bolt themselves onto the knowledge that they are God’s Beloved and He is working behind the scenes to bring all circumstances to good for those that love Him and that are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28 ) (News Flash: We are all called according to His purposes if we have accepted His Son as Savior).
The understanding that the only way to obtain true faith is through hearing the Word of God should expose renewed urgency to the cause of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As if it were not already urgent enough, for people to actually mentally survive natural disasters, losing homes, deaths of loved ones to Covid or other maladies, and economic misfortunes – the only way to survive these extreme challenges is to rest in an unwavering faith, secured by the most powerful substance available and that is the Blood of Jesus.
To gain understanding of the payment made with the Blood of Jesus is to realize the level of sacrifice directed by God the Father to the only One that could make the exchange for our sin to save me and you. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary, a virgin. (Luke 1:26-38) This allowed for a bypass of the blood line of Adam, which was a bloodline of sin. Jesus’ bloodline was required for Him to be without any sin – He had to be perfect. This was the only way that He could qualify to be the once and forever sacrifice to God on behalf of you and for me.
Jesus accepted this assignment while in Heaven from the beginning of time. He was not murdered, He laid down His life. He was/ is omniscient (all knowing) and knew exactly what would happen to Him. This is just one of the many, many reasons that we worship and exalt the name of Jesus. He is Lord and Savior of all and He earned the office of Christ – the Anointed One. This is why He was called Christ Jesus after the Resurrection, when He officially ascended into the office.
1 In many separate revelations [[a]each of which set forth a portion of the Truth] and in different ways God spoke of old to [our] forefathers in and by the prophets,
2 [But] in [b]the last of these days He has spoken to us in [the person of a] Son, Whom He appointed Heir and lawful Owner of all things, also by and through Whom He created the worlds and the reaches of space and the ages of time [He made, produced, built, operated, and arranged them in order].
3 He is the sole expression of the glory of God [the Light-being, the [c]out-raying or radiance of the divine], and He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God’s] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power. When He had by offering Himself accomplished our cleansing of sins and riddance of guilt, He sat down at the right hand of the divine Majesty on high,
4 [Taking a place and rank by which] He Himself became as much superior to angels as the glorious Name (title) which He has inherited is different from and more excellent than theirs.” Hebrews 1:1-4
Faith is a gift reserved for those in relationship with the Almighty. Let us remain acutely aware that the sharing of our faith in Jesus is the only conduit by which the people that do not know Him, may access the sustained promises of the Divine.
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2021
Sharing Link: The Urgency of Faith – https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2Vy
Anchor Podcast Audio Link: https://anchor.fm/sacred-ramblings/episodes/The-Urgency-of-Faith-e1ce6je
#TracyGatewoodPrayer #TracyGatewoodFaith
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
The Distraction That Destroys A Destiny
10 Saturday Jul 2021
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” And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, approached Him and said to Him, Teacher, we desire You to do for us whatever we ask of You. And He replied to them, What do you desire Me to do for you? And they said to Him, Grant that we may sit , one on Your right hand, and one on Your left hand, in Your glory, (Majesty and Splendor). But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism (of affliction) with which I am baptized? And they replied to Him, We are able. And Jesus told them, The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit at My right hand or at my My left hand is not Mine to give, but (it will be given to those) for whom it is ordained and prepared.” Mark 10:35-40 AMP
In the Greek there are two primary meanings of the word compete, or competition. One means strive or to out-do, the other relates to taking part (as an individual or team) in a competition. The first has a total focus on self – the other implies a desire for excellence to be the best, a leader, in a particular category. The latter could be a team with a business or athletic team, unified with a specific purpose. No stand-outs or rockstars, but a crew of souls rowing in the same direction to a rhythm that only they can hear.
In the above passage, the two disciples, James and John attempted to get the inside track on acquiring the most important real estate anywhere – the seats to the left and to the right of Christ Jesus. After all, isnt it always about location, location, location? What better location of power and authority could there be other than being seated in Heaven right next to Jesus Himself. Jesus informed James and John that these location decisions were not His to make but those of the Father. The Father is always the One that decides then orchestrates promotion, both then and now.
At times, I feel like I live in what must be the most competitive place on the earth. Where ‘for-no-reason’ competition abounds, including on the low end of the scale stomping the gas peddle when the light turns green to be first or racing below the yellow turning to red street light to be the last car through an intersection. These actions are irritating but the competition that I see among people is far more unsettling and a life disrupter of the highest order. A zero sum game with a goal that goes nowhere is to desire to be someone other than yourself. This seems to occur mostly in people (hate to say it but mostly women) that believe they have fallen short of a desired outcome for their life, or people going through a season of failure. There are a number of reasons why no one should succumb to the spirit of competition (envy).
It is the Holy Spirit that fashions and then enables specific gifts, skills and talents bestowed on each individual –
” All these (gifts, achievements, abilities) are inspired and brought to pass by one and the same (Holy) Spirit, Who apportions to each person individually (exactly) as He chooses. ” 1 Corinthians 12:11
Notice that the gifts, achievements and skills that one possesses are …. as He chooses. The Spirit of God Himself has designed each person with precision and in a way that He has desired them to be equipped and outfitted for life.
“And there are distinctive varieties of service and ministration, but it is the same Lord [ Who is served]. And there are distinctive varieties of operation (of working to accomplish things), but it is the same God Who inspires and energizes them all in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the [ Holy] Spirit the (evidence, the spiritual illumination of the Spirit) for good and profit. ” 1 Corinthians 12:6-7
If the Spirit of God, the exact source and force of power that hovered over the earth to form it ‘In the Beginning, has fashioned each person with very specific skills and gifts that are placed there to benefit them for both good and profit, why would people not focus on perfecting their own gifts ?
For it is the Holy Spirit Who knows the specifics of God’s plan and purposes (Romans 8:27-28). He also is the One that determines your assignment (Acts 13:2-4). Spending times of intimacy in prayer, reading God’s Word and listening are the best ways to get to know His plans and what He wants for your life, through what He has given you. What is magnificent, is that the God that created the Universe even has a specific plan and purpose for each life. Remarkable!
Yet there is one more crucial element to understand about your plan, purposes and giftings. It is Jesus.
Because of the completed work based on Jesus’ sacrifice, every person that embraces Him as their Savior can look “unto Him” with expectation of finishing well and being a success in the eyes of God. Your victories are based on the knowledge of what Jesus did for you, over and above your own natural abilities and certainly over the natural abilities of others. The natural is important – these are how God has equipped you – however they are less than the supernatural transformation and breakthrough that will come when focused on Jesus.
God can and will place you into position to utilize your greatest gifts, skills and talents and can suddenly, even supernaturally open doors on your behalf.
These open doors are ‘doorways of grace‘ that cannot be forced but swing from their hinge in the perfect time and pre-ordained season to utilize your gifts for higher purposes. (At times ,this means in other geographic areas for the purposes of “special forces”.) Your personal experiences are also very beneficial in the decisions of plans and life purposes. Many people have lived through serious difficulties and the successful navigation of these unique experiences can be used to minister to many that are currently walking that road.
There is danger in the distraction of remaining mentally focused on a perceived competitor – always looking to the left and the right, overly concerned about the abilities of another. Striving to always be in competition is very counter productive and is guaranteed to steer a person off course – away from God’s desired direction. This will sound too simplistic but focus on Jesus and let everything in the periphery fade to black. Keep Jesus in the forefront and concentrate on what He has given you to do – this is the way to win your race. When people feel that they are not where they should be or experience failure, the spirit of competition can creep in and steal or derail God’s best, veering the unsuspecting off course. Envy, listed as one of the 7 deadly sins, is the root cause of the spirit of unhealthy competition. It is critical to remain vigilant against this spirit.
There is no reason to envy the abilities of others when the Father has something just as wonderful for you. The purpose of these skills, gifts and abilities that are knitted into the fabric of each person by the Holy Spirit is for the use for service of others. If you are properly engaged in serving others, there simply is not enough time to look at anything else. Serve well friends, serve well.
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2021
The Distraction that Destroys A Destiny
Sharing Link: https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2UC
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
Available on Amazon and through Parson’s Porch
Related Article: The Assignment
https://sacredramblings.com/2011/12/22/the-assignment/
The Spirit of Truth
07 Sunday Feb 2021
John 14:17 AMP
“ The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly and will be in you.”
In the Church today, there seems to be some confusion surrounding the role of the third person of the Trinity. Holy Spirit is not the Holy Beater, nor is He the Holy Chastiser – He is the Spirit of Jesus, Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead and Whom was released at Pentecost 50 days following the resurrection. In Acts, The Apostle Peter explains the how behind The Who:
Acts 2:38 – 39 AMP
“And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, (even) to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.”
The word ‘repent’ in Greek is described as Metanoia: to change course or direction. It does not suggest condemnation nor guilt which many modern churches teach. Jesus paid for guilt on the cross – Isaiah 53:5 ” ….. for He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities”. The Spirit of Jesus is a GIFT that is freely imparted through the acceptance of Christ. The Holy Spirit points us to answers held within Jesus. Jesus did not come to earth to condemn or judge, but only to save the lost. The reason people go to hell is not because of personal sin – Jesus has forgiven each of us. (1 John 2:1-2) People are condemned to hell because they do not accept Jesus as their payment for a sin debt they can never pay nor do they accept Him as their Lord and Savior.
John 15:26 AMP
“But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He (Himself) will testify regarding Me.”
There is a True North, or a “true Truth” that has been established on the earth by God the Father. This “True North” is available to all that hear the voice of the Shepherd and that will read God’s Word. The absolute truth of God’s laws and principles slice through clutter and confusion, clarifying difficult topics with application to all things past, present and future. God, in His mercy, also dispatches The Gift of His Spirit with periodic customized messages direct to our own spirit that bring clarity and truth to challenging circumstances, shining a light on the way forward. There is a reason that Jesus said that we should be glad that He was going away because something better was coming. The Cavalry has now truly come but you must get to know Him, spend time with Him and cultivate His presence.
So what is Truth ? Recently I had a discussion with someone that presented a narrative on circumstances of which I had observed at close range. What was true in his mind was 180 degrees from how I viewed the exact set of circumstances. He had crafted his own truth-narrative to cover for failures that he would not own. (We are all capable of espousing creative narratives to protect our egos and reputations.) To him, the facts he stated were unequivocally true – to me they were a ridiculous lie. It was pointless to challenge his story as it would only end in an argument and nothing I said would change his mind. I decided to pray that the Spirit of Truth would take care of the matter.
Another word for Truth is also “reality” – the Holy Spirit can be considered the Spirit of Reality, God’s kingdom reality – which is the only truth that matters. There is also a term called ‘universal truth’ which means what it says that a particular truth would be universally accepted by most people or a category of people (We’ll use Christians). For example: It is universally understood and accepted by all Christians that Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, therefore bypassing the Adamic line of sin. Although we cannot ask Mary how this happened and discern for ourselves through first person testimony, we believe the Word of God and accept the account as being true. In the above illustration regarding the opposing narratives, there is no universal truth to which to refer and it comes down to character and perception. Fortunately, with the Spirit of Truth, we can always depend on the excellence of God’s character and His nature and trust that He is only delivering to us His “true Truth”.
John 16:13 AMP
But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole truth, the full Truth). For he will not speak His own message (on His own authority); but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (this will happen in the future). He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take care of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (disclose, transmit) it to you.
Pray for a strengthening of your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to make Himself known and shown to you. Honor the Spirit and acknowledge Him when He confirms or discloses (transmits Spirit to spirit) information from God to you. He is doing it for your betterment and to glorify the work of Jesus. He truly is a Gift from the Father and paid for with the Blood of the Son.
For further study: The Spirit of Truth | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
Prayer University
Session #14
Sharing Link: https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2SM
All Rights Reserved 2021
On Earth As It Is In Heaven
29 Tuesday Dec 2020
Many Christians believe that the sole purpose of deploying the gospel message to an unbelieving world is to simply offer eternal life. Could there be more to what we accept as why Jesus returned to earth from Heaven? Most definitely yes. He returned to not only glorify His Father but to bring all people life and life to the full. (John 10:10 ) Eternal living begins at the point of acceptance of Jesus, not just at a person’s point of death. This is the game changing reality in which we live. The eternal life that Jesus came to give is to be walked out while here on the earth. What Jesus paid for holds significant benefit for the living and nothing for which He paid with His own body and blood should go un-utilized.
When we exercise the privilege to engage in prayer – we do so to attract the Kingdom of heaven on behalf of all on earth. We join hands with the Spirit that hovered over and formed the earth to partner with Him on behalf of the living to heal the sick, deliver the addicted, rescue the poor, rebuke and dismantle damaging negative emotions, and even pray to change the course of nations, directing these nations into their destinies and the divine will of God.
“Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed by thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven …….. ”
When I embarked on this journey to write Prayer University it was to reveal the primary attributes of Jesus as: Our Peace, Our High Priest, Our Righteousness, Our Savior, Our Healer and more – so that when we participate in the discipline of prayer, words could flow emboldened through the empowerment of the knowledge and understanding of Him. Communion, fellowship and intimacy in times of prayer with the Father release the dunamis power of what Jesus died to give through the delivery system of His Holy Spirit. Intimacy and knowledge of the holy can only be developed through a consistent time of prayer. In its simplest form, prayer is fellowship and communion with God. There are no shortcuts to intimacy with Him or anyone.
One of the many benefits or attributes through Christ’s sacrifice that we possess while here is that God awarded us dominion over everything. In the garden, Adam lost dominion and authority for all but Jesus came to redeem them back from Satan’s hand. Jesus as The Redeemer, by His blood, exchanged our sin for His righteousness, redeeming everything lost and saving those that claim Him from eternal damnation. His sacrifice flung wide a gateway of access to health and healing, deliverance, provision, wholeness, peace and restoration. In fact, the word “salvation” in the Greek actually means: Material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension; preservation, pardon, restoration, healing, wholeness, and soundness. The acceptance of Jesus as Savior immediately unlocks access to kingdom life in the full. As Andrew Wommack states, “Its a present tense possession. ”
Dominion and Authority
Colossians 1:16
“For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. “
Genesis 1:28
“And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Luke 10:19
“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.”
It is challenging, perhaps impossible, to fully grasp the magnitude of all Jesus died to give. It would become one’s life work to comprehend and actually walk out what He has given. Few people take the time to explore and to plumb the depths of the mysterious treasury held within the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ or the gifts He offers from the permanent offices of the Divine. Make it your joyful duty to explore all that He has done. Accept the dominion and authority for which you have been rightly given. Use it to draw Heaven to earth, and to allow for the will and power of God in Christ Jesus to flow fully through you and for others.
#TracyGatewoodPrayer
Session #12
Prayer University
On Earth as it is In Heaven
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2020
Sharing Link: On Earth As It is in Heaven – https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2R2
Jesus the Unlikely King
19 Monday Oct 2020
Posted in Christianity, faith, God the Father, Gospel of Grace, How to find Peace ?, Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Jew, Jewish, Leadership, Mercy, Nation, Prayer, Prayer University, Prophets, redemption, righteousness, Salvation, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Transformational Leadership, Wisdom
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As we continue our study of Jesus in Prayer University it is important to understand this time of history, and factors that were influencing the culture and decisions of the day.
During the time of Jesus’ life, the Jewish people were looking for their Messiah, the saviour of their people, that would liberate from the grip of the cruel Roman empire and its Kings. This Messiah was frequently referenced in the Torah and spoken of by the Prophet Moses and the Prophet Isaiah. The Jewish Messiah was to be the One to save the nation of Israel and establish it in its rightful position in the world – restoring Israel to its former glory and prominence as in the days of King David and King Solomon. The Messiah would come from the line of King David.
Then there was the issue of the Jewish Law. Chief Priests and temple priests were experts and masters of the Rabbinical Law and were held in high esteem. The attributes of this law abiding Messiah for which the Jews were seeking was reinforced by the temple priests and their teachings. There were 613 laws required for adherence to proper Judaism – laws that pertained to most every aspect of life. We are all familiar with the “Big 10” but there were 603 lesser known laws of the day. These laws were burdensome and oppressive, making Jewish life unnecessarily challenging. Jesus came to fulfill the Law.
Jesus had grown up in Nazareth in a quiet, unassuming family, the son of a carpenter. At the age of 30 when Jesus was actively inviting men to become His disciples, He met and encouraged Phillip to “Come and see”. Philip then asked Nathanael to meet his friend Jesus who was from Nazareth. Nathanael stated, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth ?” (John 1:46) Jesus was seemingly a Man of no name from no where – certainly not a mighty political or military force or even perceived religious leader possessing qualities required to lead the nation of Israel out of bondage. Yet Jesus was the most powerful Man on the earth and no leader knew Him.
Jesus migrated quietly from city to city, “conquering” these cities through healing, delivering, prayer and teaching. He primarily taught through parables or stories illustrating truthful and righteous principles that He desired people to understand. As the Son of God, Jesus was a King and represented a powerful Kingdom. On earth, He had no authority to legislate or impose rules or laws. If people were instructed by law that they could not heal on a Sabbath day, the only way He could communicate that it was the Lord’s will was through demonstration, thereby raising the ire of the Rabbinic priests.
For 3 years, The Teacher taught openly in the temples, to large masses of people in the countryside, one on one to those in need and to the 12 disciples so they could spread His Good News. The only aggression was what emanated from city leaders that resisted His teachings. His disciples were flogged, beaten and imprisoned. Following Jesus’s crucifixion, they were all individually put to death, except John the Revelator, who was exiled to the Island of Patmos. There was no violence recorded for which they were involved with the exception of Peter slicing off the High Priest servant’s ear but Jesus’ immediately restored Malchus and rebuked Peter.
Jesus’ esteem and influence grew and grew as He taught the principles that God the Father instructed Him that would reveal His true heart. Without one military strategy or tactic or any political maneuvers – Jesus and the 12 humbly and without fanfare, walked, taught and saved thousands in their surrounding region, sparking a spiritual revolution that began a new way to consider God – a way that showed Him as a loving, caring Father, merciful and full of grace for His people.
Jesus’ lowly entrance on a donkey into Jerusalem must have confounded and enraged the priests even more as they heard the citizens yelling, “Hosanna ! Hosanna!” Hosanna means “Save us, Rescue Us, Deliver Us! “. Surely this could not be the Messiah that they have been waiting for, for centuries – coming in on a donkey ? What kind of liberator of a nation arrives to save on a donkey? And He is calling Himself the Son of God – how does He know to respond I AM ? This is heresy. We MUST get rid of Him – this is what the priests had to have been thinking.
And we surely know the rest of the story. Pontius Pilate gave the people a choice between Jesus and Barabbas and the priests were wildly yelling for Jesus to die. Pilate had Jesus severely flogged first, thinking that this would assuage the thirst for His death but it did not. What they could not know was that this was the plan from the beginning of time, and part of the final assignment. After Jesus was hung on the cross, He dismissed His own Spirit and announced to the world; “Tetelestai!” All is accomplished! The temple curtain tore from top to bottom signifying no more separation between God and man. And then they knew.
Christ Jesus, the true Messiah, as prophesied, came from the line of David. His father Joseph, was a descendant of King David however Jesus’ true bloodline, was the blood of deity; the blood of God. Jesus came to earth to fulfill God’s plan to redeem His people back to Himself. He is still today seen through the eyes of those that want Him, those eyes and hearts that are opened by His Spirit – the Spirit of Truth. If you have not prayed to receive Jesus as your Messiah, and personal Lord and Saviour – You can do so today.
Lord Jesus, please forgive me for my sins. I repent and turn from my sins and with your help, I will overcome them. You exchanged my sins for Your righteousness, and paid a debt on my behalf to God that I could never pay. I acknowledge that You are the Son of God and I receive You now as my Lord and Saviour. Amen
Prayer University
Session #9
Sharing link: https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2ND
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
Christ Jesus Our Hedge
13 Sunday Sep 2020
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As we continue to look at prayer through the understanding of Jesus the Master Teacher we must consider that now He has been installed into the office of High Priest, making constant supplication to the Father on behalf of the one’s that He has been given. Notice that I did not say, all of mankind. Jesus specifically intercedes for the people that God gave to Him as a gift (John 17:9 ). This does not just only refer to the disciples but in fact, God knows Who will come to His Son. Every believer is a precious and distinct gift given to Jesus. Isn’t it beautiful to consider that you are a gift to the Lord ?
In the story of Job, the writer initially portrays him as a successful man protected by God and goes onto state that Job was ‘blameless and upright, and one who reverently feared God and abstained from and shunned evil’. So why was Job allowed access by Satan – the Accuser ?
Job 1:9-11 AMP
” Then Satan answered the Lord, Does Job (reverently) fear God for nothing? Have you not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have conferred prosperity and happiness upon him in the work of his hands and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has, and he will curse You to Your face. “
We know that Job constantly focused on the potential sins of his daughters and sons, making offerings for them to cover any sin in which they even might have been engaged. Job’s incessant fear that his family had sinned could have been the very thing that brought down his hedge of protection. The spirit of fear and the emotion of fear is the rope on which the enemy uses to swing into the minds of God’s people. Fear (and unforgiveness) is the great key that unlocks demonic force.
Job 1:5 AMP
“And when the days of their feasting were over, Job sent for them to purify and hallow them, and rose up early in the morning and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed or disowned God in their hearts. Thus did Job at all times.”
Recently, I was listening to an audiobook of a highly respected evangelist who is now deceased. This is a man from whom I have learned much, particularly as it pertains to prayer and deliverance. He, too, addressed the passage on Job but his interpretation of the result of Job’s constant prayers on behalf of the sins of his family was completely different. His belief was that Job’s intercession was what brought him a multiplied blessing following the loss of everything he owned; children, livestock and money. No mention was made of the negative consequences of the constant fear that potentially opened the initial door to the enemy’s oppression.
The Bible states that it was when Job turned to God in faith, acknowledging that the Lord “can do all things and that no thought or purpose of Yours can be restrained or thwarted” (Job 42:2) was when Satan’s curse began to reverse. God asked Job to pray for his doubting friends. It is then that He healed Job, blessing his latter days more than the former, living to 140 years. God restored all that Job had lost and actually received double!
Our truth today is that we now walk in something else, a no longer new normal that was made permanent and ratified by the resurrection of Christ Jesus. Today we walk in a New Covenant or Agreement.
The cornerstone of this truth is to understand that Jesus paid for all of our sin and even guilt (condemnation) through His sacrifice. This means ALL sin from the beginning of mankind to the end of life. Christ Jesus ( Christ is an office meaning the Anointed One ) has made a covenant with God on our behalf and is now installed at the right hand of the Father as our High Priest, Mediator of this Eternal Covenant, Chief Shepherd as well as the Chief Intercessor. His sacrifice opened a way to a new and better covenant, one not built on the blood of bulls and goats, but one that was built on the Surety of Himself.
Hebrews 9:15 AMP
“[Christ the Messiah ] is therefore the Negotiator and Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant) so that those who are called and offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance – since a death has taken place which rescues and delivers and redeems them from the transgressions committed under the old first agreement. “
Hebrews 9:18-20 AMP
“So even the (old) first covenant (God’s will) was not inaugurated and ratified and put in force without the shedding of blood. For when every command of the Law had been read out by Moses to all the people, he took the blood of slain calves and goats, together with the water and scarlet wool and with a bunch of hyssop, and sprinkled both the Book (the roll of the Law and covenant) itself and all the people. Saying these words: This is the blood that seals and ratifies the agreement (the testament, the covenant) which God commanded me to deliver to you. ”
The Law given to Moses was the Old Covenant. The Israelites wanted written rules to live by but this was not God’s best for them. The good was traded for the best which was for the laws to be engraved onto their hearts and minds, that they would know by the Spirit that they were engaging in right or wrong actions.
When we remain in right standing with God, we are secured in the ark of Jesus. We are given protection based on His righteousness and not through our works but through His perfect right standing to the Father. This is not of anything that we can boast or perform to attain, it is a gateway that was opened by the blood of Jesus.
II Corinthians 5:21 AMP
“For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become the righteousness of God “[ what we ought to be, approved, and acceptable, and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness].
As we see ourselves established in faith that we are in right standing with God through the blood of Jesus, Jesus becomes our hedge. We become the righteousness of God in Christ.
So my friend, see Christ Jesus as your hedge paid for by His blood and give testimony today of what His blood has done for you. As you pray, do so knowing that your Lord Jesus has made the ultimate down payment to become your eternal hedge of protection.
Isaiah 54:14 “You shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror , for it shall not come near you.”
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
#PrayerUniversity
Session 8
All Rights Reserved 2020
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
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Christ, Healing, and the Power of Words
20 Monday Jul 2020
Posted in #HolySpirit, Armor of God, Christianity, God the Father, Healing, Healing and the Armor of God, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Law of First Mention, Leadership, Prayer, Prayer University, redemption, Sword of the Spirit, The Bible, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Unity, Wisdom
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Abraham, AbrahamandSarah, Christianity, faith, FirstMentionofPrayerrelatedtoHealing, JehovahRapha, Old Testament, Power and Authority, Prayer, Praying against a virus, Spirit of Infirmity, the Cross, TracyLGatewoodPrayer
“In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being.” John 1:1-3 AMP
Words have Power. With no access to devices, medications, or advanced technology equipment, while moving from city to city, Jesus as The Word used His words to communicate a release of healing into the infirmed, the possessed and the diseased. The Greek word “Logos’ (lo-gaas) is translated ‘word, speech, principle or thought’. In Greek philosophy it is also translated into ‘the mind of God’ or ‘divine reason’.
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Good News (the Gospel) of the kingdom and curing all kinds of diseases and every weakness and infirmity.” Matthew 9:35 AMP
Christ came to earth to reveal the will of the Father. It is interesting to note that two thirds of Jesus’ ministry involved healing. It was the perfect will of God for His Son to heal. When praying for healing, that oft used qualifying prayer phrase, “If it be thy will” can only be met with an emphatic “Yes!”
When learning to pray like Jesus – it is imperative to know the Word of God. Aside from the blood of Jesus and the Name of Jesus – the Word of God is power packed and the required dunamis or dynamite needed to move out negative circumstances and redeem, deliver, and heal. To pray effectively for oneself or for other’s in healing – there must be agreement with the Word of God.
The first mention of the word “prayer” was in relationship to healing when Abraham prayed to God on behalf of Abimelech, King of the Philistines so that God would forgive Abimelech for taking Sarah. His words, spoken in faith to God, produced a powerful result.
“So Abraham prayed to God and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his female slaves, and they bore children, For the Lord had closed fast the wombs of all in Abimelech’s household because of Sarah, Abraham’s wife.” Genesis 20: 17-18 AMP
We have no record of the actual words in Abraham’s prayer for Abimelech but Abraham operating as Priest released Abimelech of sin thereby restoring his entire household.
It is widely accepted by Christians that nothing occurs on the earth unless it is prayed into action by a Believer. God as Jehovah Rapha, is the God Who heals. It is in this knowledge of His desire and willingness to heal by covenant that we can pray boldly, and speak aloud with confident expectation. It is because of the eternal sacrifice of Jesus Christ Who defeated, death, hell and the grave – the One whom took lashes on His Body for our healing, and thereby allowing access to His Name. He has enabled us to take authority and dominion over every sickness, disease, infirmity, even accidents: “and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole”. Isaiah 54:5 AMP
There is power in every word of God.
“He sent forth His Word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction. ” Psalm 107:20 AMP
It is important to note that there is a difference between power and authority. Power is the ability to exercise one’s will in the way needed to impact a situation and authority is exercised by someone holding a position or title. There is a legitimacy or at least perceived influence by a person that holds authority. Because of the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, we have both power (dunamis) and authority to influence and alter negative behaviors, patterns and circumstances in order to bring heaven to earth. We use prayer and the Word of God to accomplish His will upon the earth.
Lucas Pols, a contributor to Forbes, describes secular servant-led authority this way – “Authority is about who you are as a person, your character how you interact with others and the influence and empathy you build with people.” While this is accurate, one has a God-given authority that comes with power; ratified by the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus who was raised from the dead by the very Spirit that now lives in you.
“Behold! I have given you authority and power to trample upon snakes and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy (possesses); and nothing shall in any way harm you.” Luke 10:19 AMP
It is important to highlight that all confidence and power must be placed in the authority of God, Jesus and God’s Word and not in the actual pray-er. The Word of God is oiled with the Spirit of God and referred to as “the Sword of the Spirit” in Ephesians 6:17 AMP “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.”
Luke 10 continues – “Nevertheless do not rejoice at this that the spirits are subject to you but rejoice that your names are enrolled in heaven.” This confirms that we do have power over the spirits of the earth including virus’. To be specific, the Covid-19 virus is a spirit of infirmity. Virus’ have an intelligence. Covid seeks to aggressively insert itself into cells in order to explode in growth and then mutate, thereby causing “infirmity”. In scripture “weakness and infirmity” are almost always used together. When praying for someone with Covid 19, pray in the authority that Christ has given you to dismantle and decree that this spirit of infirmity and all associated weakness must leave in Jesus’ Name.
Session 7
#PrayerUniversity
Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2020
Related Article: https://sacredramblings.com/2015/06/07/healing-and-the-armor-of-god-prayer
Tracy Gatewood 