Category Archives: God

The Fruit of Faith

11 Friday Jan 2019

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Christianity, Fear, God, Grace, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Keys to the Kingdom, New Covenant, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood Prayer

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fruit of faith

The word Fruit is a popular biblical word; fruit, fruitful, fruits – bible verse references for fruit take up a page and a half in my (exhaustive) Strong’s Concordance. Fruit means “the effect, the product or the good things that result from work or activity.” Fruit is a result or byproduct of an action or a state of being. Could 2019 be your year to bear much fruit?

By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.  John 15:8

Matthew 7:16 AMP ” You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?  Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit (worthy of admiration), but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear excellent fruit (worthy of admiration).” [ highlights mine ] 

For a healthy fruit tree, bearing fruit occurs naturally. With proper conditions of soil and nutrients, fruit breaks forth effortlessly from branches, on which they are completely dependent. The work comes from the tree (or vine) through the roots as it must find the moisture and nutrients to send up through to the branches that bear and support the fruit. The sap flows continually to nourish and provide moisture to the branch.

Like the fruit that bears from a healthy vine or tree with little effort, Believers can bear good fruit by becoming a conduit for “heavenly sap” to flow in and through by the Spirit. This comes from resting rooted and spending time – and plenty of time – in the rich and verdant soil of Jesus.

As His seed, Believers are expected to replicate and make disciples but first should look more like Christ ourselves. All fruit has seeds and can self replicate. Righteous living is an expected fruit for any believer – righteousness comes by faith. In fact righteousness is the Fruit of Faith.

Genesis 15:6 AMP “And he, Abram, believed in [trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to] the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness.  [right standing with God ]. ”
Genesis 15:18-22 AMP ” [For Abraham, human reason for] hope being gone, hoped in faith that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been promised, So [numberless] shall your descendants be. 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered the [utter] impotence of his own body, which was as good as dead because he was about a hundred years old, or [when he considered] the barrenness of Sarah’s [deadened] womb. 20 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, 21 Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. 22 That is why faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God). “

Righteousness is a state of being (a fruit) and not a state of doing, successfully achieved through unwavering focus on the promises of God and faith in the final sacrifice of Jesus – 

One cannot attain right standing with God without first acknowledging that righteousness occurs solely because we are in Christ Jesus. God sees you as righteous and in right standing with Him because He sees you through the lens of your acceptance of the sacrifice of His Son. Being “In Christ” starts a process of transformation. Once saved, the fruit of that decision begins to grow and flourish from the inside out.  The moment that we believe Christ was the only one that could pay our sin debt as the son of God – we are separated out by Him and considered righteous, but not by any of our own works. When you accepted Christ, did you work for it? No. You accepted Him by FAITH.

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In Christ

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 [ endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of ] the righteousness of God [ what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness.] “

When you consider that your righteousness is actually imparted as a gift from a loving Father Who provided the required sacrifice of His own Son to achieve the righteousness that He demands – this understanding should circumcise “self”;  internal self -condemnation and internal self-reflection – causing us to look upward instead of inward.

Understanding God’s goodness, mercy, love and kindness towards His people is the essential foundation from which a person walks-out a righteous existence, thus creating the desire to live a virtuous life of integrity, pleasing to a loving Father Who provides through the Covenant He established with Abraham that was inherited by all of his descendants.  see Genesis 15:5, 12:3

Being firmly planted in the soil of Jesus (the tree) brings forth excellent fruit (righteous living) on every branch (you).  Its about Who and not your Do.

Without Jesus as your tree, your Fruit is bound to turn rotten. There is enough rotten fruit in the world from people that have no relationship with God. As Godly people – we should be showing Godly results –  Proverbs 12:30  “The fruit of the uncompromisingly righteous is a tree of life ……. “

https://youtu.be/BmPrt_gn-eM       Mrs. Doubtfire  50 secs 

 
It is imperative that we know and understand God’s word while also viewing chapters and verses in proper context. In these times, we can no longer be spoonfed information that is scripturally inaccurate. Know why you ” think a thing ” – and then be able to back it up with understanding. I implore you friends – #studytheword

Tracy Gatewood 
The Fruit of Faith
All Rights Reserved  2019

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What If ?

02 Monday Jul 2018

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, God, Grace, Healing, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Transformational Leadership, Wisdom

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Canva RunnerJames 4:14 AMP  “Yet you do not know (the least thing) about what may happen tomorrow. What is the nature of your life?  You are (really) but a wisp of vapor (puff of smoke, a mist) that is visible for a little while and then disappears (into thin air). ”

What if we were chosen by God to live at an appointed time, supplied with designer DNA given everything necessary to fulfill a very specific purpose on the earth and even formed “pre-packaged” with essential nutrients of spiritual gifts and talents needed for others?  Consider that you were truly born for one reason: just to be given the opportunity to participate in an ongoing Olympics as a Spiritual Athlete. Your Olympic performance – more commonly known as LIFE – allows for God your maker to watch you develop, train and execute this spiritual athleticism on the Earth.

Even further – that the sole reason you were even knitted and then birthed into the world was to allow for the opportunity to have an eternal relationship with God because quite obviously without ever being born – you could never live – eternally. God Himself desired that you be with Him in Heaven.

Hello Mr. Mist and Ms. Vapor: You are given the brief chance to display your gifts and talents to and for God to the best of your ability for one primary purpose – to insure the name of His Son’s renown and to advance God’s kingdom.  #thatisall

Well (you might say) I am 43 years old and did not know this – my training has not yet begun,  I do not even know where to start! Why is God so cruel as to set me up for such a high stakes game I was unaware I was even playing ? Mr. Mist, this is why you are reading this post. Lace up your Converse and start those wind sprints. (Pray for wisdom and understanding of your purpose asking God to give you an abundance of clues that reveal your purpose.)    Change your diet and consecrate your life. ( Purchase a bible version that you understand. Feed on the word daily. Spend time daily with God. )  Identify mature mentors that are where you would like to be spiritually.  (Find a strong bible based church with a pastor that teaches Jesus and the full gospel. Volunteer for Christ centered initiatives that truly impact people)  For then,  you will be on the practice field in no time! Hallelujah!  #GoFightWin

II Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear and be revealed as we are before the judgement seat of Christ, so that each one may receive (His pay) according to what he has done in the body, whether good or evil [considering what his purpose and motive have been, and what he has achieved, been busy with, and given himself and his attention to accomplishing.]”

So God not only allows you the opportunity to live in Heaven with Him // FOREVER //  because (please remember) He wants you there – while on earth He gives you the chance (and ability) to run this race earning medals and trophies along the way to be exchanged for eternal rewards handed to you by Christ Himself.  It is unclear if these “rewards” are physical or simply greater responsibilities in Heaven. Certainly the ‘Greatest Reward’ will be living in Heaven itself.

So back to James 4:14 “what is the nature of your life” aside from being “just a vapor”?  What does this word “nature” mean? Nature is personality, make up, character, temperament, identity.  The nature of God is one of the most difficult things to explain, but we do know He is: holy, love, just, divine, sovereign, righteous – the following is an in depth article on the nature of God:

http://hermeneutics.kulikovskyonline.net/hermeneutics/god.pdf

How does your nature affect your ability to become a Spiritual Athlete? Are there hindering roadblocks in your life? Potholes, water hazards, high prevailing winds? Your nature can be changed through your committed relationship with Christ and a sincere desire to run His race, unshackled, and not your own. Then You Will Be Free.

Tracy L Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings 2018  All Rights Reserved
What If?

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Why You Should Give to the Poor

01 Tuesday May 2018

Posted by in #HolySpirit, #Proverbs, America, Christianity, Disasters, Emotions, Fear, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Mercy, The Bible, the Spirit, TracyLGatewood, Wisdom

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The Poor 2

Deuteronomy 15:10-11 AMP 
You shall give to him freely, without begrudging it; because of this the Lord will bless you in all your work and in all you undertake. For the poor will never cease out of the land; therefore I command you, You shall  open wide your hands to your brother, to your needy and to the poor in your land.
Written by Moses in the Deuteronomium, or the Second Law Giving, as told to the Israelites.

Have you ever been truly poor?  I have. While in that place of poverty, I understood with great certainty that I should not have been there however no matter how hard I tried to find a job, absolutely nothing would come together. A B.A. degree with honors from an esteemed college did not help, intellect and a good resume was of no assistance, a professional appearance did not move the needle, diligence in networking and seeking came to no avail.  It was a desperately lonely season that dragged on. A survey held in 2010 determined that 1 in 7 Americans are poor (14.8% and 46.7 million).

But at the age of 50, after several years of living in extreme financial lack, I decided to stop allowing life to work against me and grabbing it by the collar, forced it to come into alignment with my prayers for financial safety. Being completely broke with no prospects of employment had taken me down a dark and dangerous road of traumatic depression and total desperation.

Honestly, memory has not erased the cruel remarks and behaviors received from “good people” that either thought my situation was fabricated or simply judged harshly with no action or compassion. Slanderous remarks swirled all around like fiery darts that pierced and ripped my soul. That season tried and tested me on every conceivable level  – almost to complete breakdown – however the experience of living in the pure hell of daily survival mode sensitized me to the plight of the poor.

We are called – yes even commanded – to help the poor.  References to serving the poor are consistent throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Paul writing while in Galatia, Galatians 2:10 AMP  They (the Galatians)  only (made one stipulation) that we were to remember the poor which very thing I was also eager to do.

Paul knew the Truth regarding poverty – that a person is reckoned righteous and in right standing with God through faith and reliance on Jesus Christ therefore has the spirit of God within them; The One Who possesses the blueprint – the tactical plan – that can spring the release from poverty.  The Spirit of God knows the will of God and God’s will is for each to understand they are no longer under the Curse that was broken by His Son’s sacrifice.

Poverty is a Curse
Galatians 13:3 Christ purchased our freedom, redeeming us from the curse of the law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified): [Deut. 21:23 ]

The book of #Proverbs has a number of verses that describe what to do – and not do – pertaining to the poor:

Proverbs 12:13 Whoever stops his ears at the cry of the poor will cry out himself and not be heard.
Proverbs 17:5  Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker, and he who is glad at calamity shall not be held innocent or go unpunished.  (Reproach defined means to criticize, disapprove, rebuke ) 
Proverbs 29:27 He who gives to the poor will not want but he who hides his eyes from their want will have many a curse.

So why are we not more open to giving to the poor, while not giving under compulsion or with reluctance?  I believe it is fear that our finances will not hold but God’s word states something very different:

II Corinthians 9:8-9  And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [ possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation. ] As it is written, He (the benevolent person) scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!

We are exhorted to remember God’s work when He provides increase so as to establish His covenant upon the earth which includes helping those in need.

Newsflash: GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE

Deuteronomy 8:18 But you shall earnestly remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives the power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers as it is this day.

I ask that as God provides wealth, that you remember that it solely comes from Him to establish His Covenant upon the earth. This Covenant is what He gave to you through Abraham who is the channel of blessing and then to Abraham’s son Isaac and then onto Jacob and so on.  Genesis 12:2-3  And I will bless those who bless you (who confer prosperity or happiness upon you) and curse him who curses or uses insolent language toward you; in you will all the families and kindred of the earth be blessed (and by you they will bless themselves).

Jesus Christ has formed a New Covenant with God through His sacrifice. This Covenant flows from the Abrahamic covenant but is superior in that it is forged by the efficacious flow of the Supreme Blood and perfect body of Christ and is also superior as it empowers the Holy Spirit (the spirit of God) to live within to provide all things necessary to walk out your life of faith.  // G I V E //

#Poverty   #Giving   #Faith    #Favor   #Christ   #Christianity   #Generous  #Generousity  #Righteousness   #AidingthePoor #HelpingtheNeedy   #Proverbs  #Philanthropy
Tracy L Gatewood
All Rights Reserved  2018

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I Pray for You a Doorway of Grace – to Understand the Power in the Blood of Jesus

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, God, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, New Covenant, Prayer, soul, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Worship

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Book Cover: Doorways of Grace  Photo Cred: Allison P. Adams

I Pray for You this Year –

that you gain deep understanding of the fullness of the magnificent power still held in the Blood of Christ Jesus – this blood that serves as the ratification for a New Covenant between God and Jesus on behalf of all humanity. The Agreement that is a guarantee of a new and better way, and one built from a platform of God’s love and grace.

that the Blood of Jesus serves as the only true means of release from sin and guilt and the remission of the due and merited punishment for sin. That Christ’s Blood’s efficacious flow covers the sins of the Righteous and is the eternal substitute and propitiation to God. The Blood extends its grace over and above every personal sacrifice, performance based act, striving, or adherence to Law. There is no action or personal sacrifice that exalts itself above the blood of Jesus or can redeem any sin. The Blood of Christ continually cleanses even from the beginning of our lives until the end of life. This once and for all sacrifice and the grace that has been shown to us should be respected and acknowledged by the turning away from sin. Blood is the eternal currency of Heaven.

that you can now be numbered among the undevourable.  As a Christian, fully redeemed and bought back from eternal damnation, everything can now be covered in the fortress of the blood of Jesus. Whatever is covered with the blood of His Son –  God calls it protected and redeemed however this “coverage” must be an intentional spoken action.  The devil’s biggest threat is the blood of Christ – whose continuous flow constantly reminds that he has been defeated. When he walks about seeking whom he can destroy, he must pass you by when covered with the blood of Jesus. The Blood coupled with the unwavering knowledge that you are God’s Beloved is the greatest place of safety available to mankind.

that life is in the Blood and the Spirit and the Blood are one and inseparable.  That the outpouring of the blood of Christ was to make way for the outpouring of the Spirit – our internal teacher, comforter, healer, wisdom guide, and giver of spiritual gifts. Holy Spirit is the one that administrates and coordinates all of the gifts of the Covenant on behalf of the Son and the Father.

that the taking of the Lord’s Supper is indispensable to life. Jesus said that “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you …. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in Me and I abide in Him”.  (John 6:53.56)
The confession and casting off, then the cleansing away of sin in the blood are the indispensable and all-sufficient preparation for a life in everlasting covenant with God (Andrew Murray). There is no deeper or more powerful inward action that permeates the body like the taking of the Lord’s Supper which carries the very DNA of Christ.

that His sacrifice through the shedding of His blood covers the scope of every human need: Healing (Rapha, Exodus 15:26), Provision (Jireh,Genesis 22:14), God’s presence, Victory over darkness (Nissi, Exodus 17:15), Peace (Shalom, Judges 6:24), Pastor/shepherd (Ra-ah, Psalm 23:1)  Redeemer of righteousness (Tsidkenu, Jeremiah 23:6) Sanctifier (M’ Kaddesh, Leviticus 20:8). You now stand from victory and not from defeat – the battle has already been won for you. Honor Him by embracing and walking out your benefits.What we have been given is a miracle.

Hebrews 9:14-15 AMP  How much more surely shall the blood of Christ, Who by virtue of [His] eternal Spirit [His own pre-existent divine personality] has offered Himself as an unblemished sacrifice to God, purify our consciences from dead works and lifeless observances to serve the [ever] living God? 15 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.

Tracy L. Gatewood
2018 All Rights Reserved  Sacred Ramblings

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I Pray For You a Doorway of Grace – That You Will Be Taught A Better Way to Pray

07 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by in Emotions, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Prayer, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama, Tracy Gatewood Prayer

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Cover: Doorways of Grace  Photo Cred: Allison P. Adams


This is a prayer series for the opening of Doorways of Grace for my readers in 2018;  praying into specific topics in this the Year of the Open Door, Hebrew Year 5778. You can follow this prayer series and many more posts from my blog at http://www.sacredramblings.com    #Prayer


I Pray for You this Year –

that a Doorway of Grace will open in 2018,  and God will provide revelation to teach that there is a better way to pray.  Because of the Finished Work and Completed Sacrifice of Christ Jesus, there is no longer a need to plead with Him for your breakthrough. You have been given dominion and authority to speak directly to your mountains in Jesus’ Name.  The blessings given to Abraham by Covenant have also been provided to you;  faith is your bridge of access and prayer ignites the flame of God on your behalf.  You will pray from the stance of a victor and no more as one defeated.

that you see Prayer as an opportunity to gain deep intimacy with God and the result of your ongoing communion with Him brings forth personal transformation. The DNA of Christ apprehends your own nature as you praise, worship and glorify the Father and your own personal needs become secondary in your time with Him.  As you seek first His kingdom in prayer, you witness the fruit of God’s provision and promises as they supernaturally release into your life.

that as you pray the Word of God, you pray the Will of God, which will activate spiritual places and Heaven will command angelic forces on your behalf.  You will have what you speak in prayer and understand that the power of life and death is in the tongue. You shall speak what shall be, rather than – what is.  God’s word will not return void.

that as you align with God’s will,  you speak aloud to your body and emotions, commanding them into alignment and into God’s proper order and complete health and wholeness. As you take authority over your body and soul (mind, will, and emotions) you will bring these under the submission of your spirit. Every cell, bone, muscle, joint, organ and system in your body can be called into alignment and order when you speak directly to your body in prayer. Pull down the Covenant benefits of healing and your body into 100 percent functionality  – in the Name of Jesus.

that you now see and understand All Righteousness given to Jesus from God has also been given to you as a gift through His sacrifice.  You Are Righteous in the sight of God in fact you are purified, justified, made righteous and whole just as if you had never sinned, because of the blood of Jesus that continually flows to give you freedom.  The Good News of Jesus equals a Grace Gift from God.

that you will pray from a confident position and no longer cower before the voices of fear or condemnation and feel that you are “less than” for you are in Christ Jesus, permanently installed as one of God’s Beloved as you step boldly before the throne of grace to commune with Him in praise, and glory and honor forever. AMEN (So be it)

1 Corinthians 1:30 AMP  But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden , manifesting  itself as ] our Righteousness  [ thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God ], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [ providing our ransom from eternal penalty penalty for sin]
So then, as it is written, Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.

Tracy L. Gatewood
2018 All Rights Reserved – Doorways of Grace

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I Prayed for You A Doorway of Grace – To Have Deeper Knowledge of the Trinity

01 Monday Jan 2018

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, God, Gospel of Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, New Covenant, Prayer, redemption, soul, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer

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CoverPhotoDG1                 Cover: Doorways of Grace, Photo Credit: Allison P Adams


This is the first post in a new prayer series. My prayer for you is that He will open supernatural Doorways of Grace for many wonderful things in 2018.

On September 20 2017 during Rosh Hashana, the Hebrew Calendar began the year 5778;  Grace (5), Completion-Perfection (7), New Beginnings (8) Many are calling this the Year of the Open Door and with it high expectancy of a great year.

Unexpected open doors are not something that should be overlooked, ignored or dismissed.  Unsolicited offers can come with no warning, often times requiring a decision to take a course direction that defies rational thinking  and a circuitous route rather than a straight flight pattern. These can come from the mind of God and the plan of God as He has all foreknowledge; knowing the beginning from the end, and where He needs you to be to blend together the proper ingredients to create a Masterpiece of purpose and destiny.

It is our responsibility to be ever watchful for these doors and to seek His Presence and confirm they are from Him.  These can be Kairos and And Suddenly moments through which doors of opportunity swing wide into an exciting territory of fruitful super abundance and a place that welcomes into your Assignment. These swing only on 2 maybe 3 hinges, fashioned by Him on your behalf, through circumstances that allow these Doorways of Grace to swing open.

I Pray For You This Year –

That you will have encounters with Holy Spirit, the One who grants favor while deeply learning to understand the importance of honoring Him. To know that He is the One who formed you in your mother’s womb (Job 33:4) and deposited your spiritual giftings, skills and talents (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). He is a Person and the Spirit of Jesus Who seeks to point you back to Jesus when needed.  Holy Spirit determines your Assignment (Acts 13:2-4)  and it is He that prays for you on the Earth (Romans 8:26). He will be the One that raises you from the dead just as He raised Christ from the dead (Romans 8:11), when Jesus returns to the Earth.  He is the One that navigates through tight corners and high ledges. The Holy Spirit, is the One that can and will remove fear and is the ultimate Mind Manager. The chastisements Jesus took on His body for our Peace (Isaiah 53:5) – make a way for the Holy Spirit to control the operating panel of our minds if we allow Him to take over (Galatians 5:22,23) . Jesus before His death and resurrection bequeathed us the Gift of Peace.

That you will come to know, worship and adore King Jesus, the Christ, the Anointed One, who is The Door (John 10:9)  and the way, the truth and the life as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) for the sheep. Anyone accessing life through the gateway of His Blood has gained eternal life. Jesus is the Chief Intercessor (Heb. 7:25) , and petitions on your behalf to God. His death has redeemed ( bought back) all human sin from the beginning of time to the end of time, disconnecting the sin line of Adam and creating for those who believe a pathway of life by Covenant with a holy God.  Jesus as High Priest, represents you to a sacred, sinless God and has become your righteousness. When God looks at you, He views through the lens of the blood of Christ which pronounces you cleansed and perfected.(Heb 10:14)  Jesus is the Mediator of the Eternal Covenant – He reconciled the enmity working between every man, making peace in each body through His own body and blood (Ephesians 2:15,16) He is working in you even now to complete, perfect and equip you with every good thing to enable to work out His will for your life  (Heb 13:20-21).

Tracy L. Gatewood
2017 All Rights Reserved   Doorways of Grace
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The Spirit of Peace

25 Monday Dec 2017

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, God, Healing, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, New Covenant, peace, Prayer, Salvation, Tracy Gatewood Prayer

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A word on Peace (again) in the Season of Peace – and yes YOU can have it.

Tracy Gatewood

TranquilityandPeace

I once heard Andrew Wommack say in a broadcast that ‘Peace is an emotion’.  I had always thought of peace as a state of being or a lack of emotion or even state of rest, never having considered peace to be like other emotional responses to adverse circumstances such as fear, shame, trauma, etc. As white is the absence of all color, peace, to me, has always been simply the absence of negative emotion. This week, I decided to do a word study on peace because let’s face it – peace is a big deal.  I am glad to say that we, as Believers, can stand confidently, #stableandfixed victoriously rooted in the soil of peace.

John 14:27“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be…

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A Word on the upcoming Alabama Senate Race: The Number of Government

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in God, Law of First Mention, Nation, Transformational Leadership, United States of America, Unity, Wisdom

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SPECIAL WORD:  This article was first posted on my other blog; Marketplace & Ministry and pertains to the upcoming U.S. Senate election in Alabama to finish out the remaining turn of Jeff Session’s. On this blog, Sacred Ramblings – I never wade into politics but am making one exception because of the extraordinary political climate in which we now live.  Even if you do not live in Alabama, I hope you will find something in which to relate.  God Bless America – Tracyamericanflag2015
In the Hebrew language, everything, even numbers, has a specific meaning. Every letter, every name of a person, place or thing, every number and combination of numbers has meaning. Early in scripture we see that God intentionally changed Abram’s name to ‘Abraham’ or Father of Many Nations. The name David means ‘Beloved’, the Hebrew word Petros, means ‘large piece of rock’. The Apostle Peter’s given name was Simon but Jesus changed it to Peter (Cephas) because He would ask Peter to be the builder to lay the foundation for the Church. The name Jabez means ‘Pain’. The city of Bethel is Hebrew for House of God, Beersheba means ‘oath’ or ‘well of seven’ and was the place where Abraham and Abimelech struck an oath or pledge. I hope you are getting my point that everything in scripture is rich with meaning and is quite specific.

Dates have meaning. Most know that 5 is the number in Hebrew representing Grace and Favor. The number 6 is the number of Man, 7 is completion and perfection – Christ was pierced 7 times signifying His work was perfected and complete. (Note: The Old Testament was written in Hebrew and the New Testament Greek ). We are currently living in the Hebrew Year of 5778 – 5 (Grace), 7 (Completion or Perfection), 8 (New Beginnings). I have heard many refer to this as the Year of the Open Door.

The number ’12’ is the Hebrew number for faith, the church and divine rule and is most commonly referred to as the number of Government. It is considered a perfect number and symbolizes God’s power and authority in scripture. The number 12 is used in scripture when the Government of God is being established. Twelve serves as the perfect foundation for Government.

Jesus had 12 Disciples  (Apostles)
Jacob had 12 sons, each representing a different tribe
Solomon had 12 Governors over Israel
12 spies were sent into the Promised Land or Canaan
Jesus boyhood age was mentioned once, when He was 12
There are 12 judges in the book of Judges.
12 Gates in Heaven

Using the law of first mention for the number twelve – it too points to government.  Gen. 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard and heeded you, behold, I will bless him and will make him fruitful and multiply him exceedingly. He will be the father of twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation.  (Gen. 25:16 ).

The book of Revelation has the most references to the number 12.

Revelation 22:1-2
“Then He showed me the river whose waters give life, sparkling like crystal, flowing out from the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Though the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit; yielding each month (12) its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and for the restoration of the nations.”

Within the United States Government – there are also established uses of the number 12:

12 Circuit Court judges
12 Jurors to deliberate a trial
12 Districts for the Federal Reserve

The number 12 represents authority, appointment and completeness.

It would be impossible for me to notice and then not mention that the upcoming #ALSEN Alabama U.S. Senate race between Roy Moore (GOP)  and Doug Jones (Democrat) to replace Jeff Sessions Senate seat falls on the date of  Tuesday, December 12 or 12-12.  This is very significant. The number 12 is used in scripture when the Government of God is being established. I find this fascinating given Judge Moore’s history [ Refusing to remove the 10 Commandments from the Federal Courthouse and taking a stand against same-sex marriage)  the decisions over the past few years that he has made while in office even through his loss of office (twice!) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama.

This is a crucial time to review the party platforms. A person occupying this high level office will be bound to support, undergird and uphold the planks of this platform as well as support the President’s agenda.  In the event that you need a refresher; please see supporting links for these parties and related document –

RNC:  https://www.gop.com/the-2016-republican-party-platform/

DNC:   https://www.democrats.org/party-platform

I will leave you to read these and determine for yourselves which one of these two men should be awarded your vote to hold this office.  Either way, if God is establishing His Government in and within Alabama – I believe that we already know who has His vote.

Tracy L Gatewood
Sharing Link: https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2yp
Originally posted on Marketplace and Ministry
All Rights Reserved 2017
All scripture presented from the Amplified version.

Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
Amazon Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
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Observations From A Soul Dive

24 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Armor of God, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, God, Gospel of Grace, Healing and the Armor of God, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, soul, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, TracyLGatewood, Wisdom

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Duck DivingThe study and understanding of the soul; the mind, will and emotions needs a fresh look. How we calibrate our souls to the rhythm of the Spirit and away from the insanity of the world determines the trajectory of the success of life. How do we get and stay happy? This is a deep dive into the issue of soul management –  an expedition into how to intentionally acquire and maintain a still and quiet soul.

The following is an excerpt from a booklet by George Muller, who directed until his death in 1898, the Ashley Down orphanage, Bristol England.

“It has pleased the Lord to teach me a truth, the benefit of which I have not lost, for more than fourteen years. The point is this: I saw more clearly than ever that the first great and primary business to which I ought to attend every day was, to have my soul happy in the Lord. The first thing to be concerned about was not how much I might serve the Lord, or how I might glorify the Lord; but how I might get my soul into a happy state, and how my inner man might be nourished. For I might seek to set the truth before the unconverted, I might seek to benefit believers, I might seek to relieve the distressed, I might in other ways seek to behave myself  as it becomes a child of God in this world; and yet, not being happy in the Lord, and not being nourished and strengthened in my inner man day by day, all this might not be attended to in a right spirit.
Before this time my practice had been, at least for ten years previously, as a habitual thing, to give myself to prayer, after having dressed myself in the morning. Now, I saw that the important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed, and that thus, by means of the Word of God, while meditating on it, my heart might be brought into experiential communion with the Lord.”  ……….
–  George Muller 1805-1898,  Soul Nourishment First

George Muller, a man that depended totally on donations to feed and educate thousands of children, positioned himself daily by first being strengthened by the Word of God, so that he might get his soul into a “happy state”. He then relied on meditation to bring his heart into communion with God – he did these two things before engaging in prayer. This was eye opening and confirming at the same time. There are certainly mornings where my mind will not quiet into a state of rest, distracting me from focusing on prayer and hearing from the Lord. Muller’s order of   1) Reading the Word  2) Meditation on the Word  3) Prayer – steadied his soul first before launching out into the spirit depths of his morning prayer.

The Ashley Downs Orphanage in Bristol England served over 10,000 orphans in Muller’s lifetime while also establishing 117 schools, mostly educating orphans. George Muller opened orphanages to prove to the world that God not only hears prayer but answers prayer.The Autobiography of George Muller, Amazon.

Settling the mind, and emotions into a state of rest must become an intentional act

The Lord Jesus bequeathed to all that believe in Him the Gift of Peace – John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, My [own] Peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid, [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Ephesians 6 also makes reference to peace:  vs15And having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and readiness produced by the good news) of the Gospel of Peace. 

This verse implies an intention on the part of the Believer, that they should be #StableandFixed and in total awareness of  the Gospel. The Amplified frames the Gospel as the “Gospel of Peace.”

Yet there is even one more mechanism for the acquisition of peace. This very Peace that is guaranteed through the Blood of Jesus still available and direct deposited into the soul, Special Delivery, through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. This is a peace that erupts from the inside out, pressing away the ‘screaming critters’ of fear, condemnation, hopelessness, rejection, shame and effects of traumatic incidences. It is only His ministry that quiets the soul, and can apprehend and supernaturally route-out thoughts, ideas and suggestions that arrive like nuclear warheads into the mind, derailing the will and emotions creating distraction and at times, destruction.

Holy Spirit is given to us as our internal healer and power supply while living on earth yet He is the most underutilized and least understood of the Godhead.

In managing our own souls, our very first duty is the recognition and identification of strong negative emotions. These “hinges” have the  ability to swing wide a portal into the soul from the enemy. The following hinges are what release unwanted and involuntary –  Thoughts, Ideas and Suggestions.

1) Protracted Fear
2) Unforgiveness
3) Resentment
4) Anger/ Rage / Hatred
5) Trauma
6) Rebellion
7) Envy / Jealousy
8) Shame

Thought, idea and suggestion warheads are preceded by allowing one of these 8 hinges to swing. We have a responsibility to keep our emotions in check but as mere mortals – all of us swing a hinge from time to time. Our first duty is to identify the hinge for what it is and then allow the Holy Spirit to Clorox the soul from the offending spirit(s). We can verbally and spiritually place the Helmet of Salvation  (ref: Ephesians 6) on our heads through the Holy Spirit which will deflect emotional darts – the word ‘salvation‘ (Greek) is all encompassing and means deliverance, wholeness, restoration, preservation , safety.

How does this work ?

Isaiah 53:5 “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement (needful to obtain peace) and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. ”

The word ‘Chastise’ in the Hebrew can mean to scourge (mastigoo) and punish (physically). The following passage is spoken by Pilate –

Luke 23:14-16 AMP  And said to them, You brought this Man before me as One Who was perverting and misleading and turning away and corrupting the people; and behold, after examining Him before you, I have not found any offense (crime or guilt) in this Man in regard to your accusations against Him; 15 No, nor indeed did Herod, for he sent Him back to me; behold, He has done nothing deserving of death. 16 I will therefore chastise Him and deliver Him amended (reformed, taught His lesson) and release Him. 17 For it was necessary for him to release to them one prisoner at the Feast. 18 But they all raised a deep cry saying, Away with this Man! Release to us Barabbas! 19 He was a man who had been thrown into prison for raising a riot in the city, and for murder. 20 Once more Pilate called to them, wishing to release Jesus; 21 But they keep shouting out, Crucify Him, crucify Him! 22 A third time he said to them, Why? What wrong has he done? I have found (no offense or crime or guilt) in Him nothing deserving of death; I will therefore chastise Him (in order to teach Him better) and release Him.

In this case, clearly the meaning of Chastise was violent, not merely a verbal chiding like warning a child, but a punishment that drew blood – and in this case ALOT of blood. Jesus was so violently beaten,  He was unrecognizable.

The Blood and the Spirit are One and Inseparable. There are two primary places in scripture that reference that the blood of Jesus flowed from His head; the Garden of Gethsemane and when He wore that crown of thorns on the day of His crucifixion. The blood that He shed from His head purchased for us His peace for our minds. His blood releases the Spirit. The Blood is what allows the key of access to the soul and the Spirit is Who can turn the key to control the soul.

When we 1) acknowledge and affirm the sacrifice of Jesus  2) enlist the partnership of the Holy Spirit, inviting Him to apprehend every spirit that is not from the spirit of God from our mind 3) Focus on Jesus, standing in victory,  in His completed work for our lives 4) And lastly – because it has worked for me and others so many times however should not exalt itself over the focus on Jesus –  personally take authority over these “hinges”, rebuking and binding them in the spirit – WE ARE FREE. We walk liberated and we walk in freedom through the Ministry of the Holy Spirit and because of the finished work of Christ Jesus.

Tracy L Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings – 2017 All Rights Reserved
All scripture from Amplified version.

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Discerning the Will of God

12 Sunday Nov 2017

Posted by in #HolySpirit, America, Christianity, Disasters, Emotions, Fear, God, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Jesus Christ, Nation, New Covenant

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The phrase “the will of God” most frequently appears tied to a strategy to find God’s will and purpose in life. There is another reference to His will and that is of observing it, discerning His hand in times and seasons while trusting He is behind the scenes working from His own blueprint and specifications. Oftentimes God’s will comes as a counter-intuitive movement, springing forth from the mysteries of the heart and the mind of the Father, impossible to predict.

God’s actions frequently defy our own religious thinking and law – based assumptions: do good, get good – do bad, get bad. Although there are civil laws that must guide our governments,  this do good get good formula is no longer the way of God in the era of the sixth dispensation in which we now live, the Dispensation of Grace. Grace is dispensed as a gift from God, unable to be earned, worked for or performed. Grace is undeserved, unmerited favor. This word in Hebrew is Chen, and in Greek means Charis or literally favour.  When used in reference to God, it is the benevolent action of Him stooping down to us in His kindness to reach us in our need, and convey upon us a benefit. His grace has been termed ‘unmerited favour’ but it is more than an attitude of favour or mercy. His mercy is an expression of His compassion toward us, but His grace is an extension of benevolence translated into action that releases His enabling power into our lives. **

[ The greatest example of Charis or Grace from God is the gift of His Son, Christ Jesus – the Love of the Father is infinite and immutable and His presence is with us in every time of need. ]

We cannot know or comprehend the ways of God, but we can make every effort to be aware of the times and seasons, praying for discernment and for the recognition of signs and patterns that provide assurances of what is His will. Daniel praised God for giving him insight and understanding which was delivered through a dream – Daniel 2:21-23 

“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
21 And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
22 He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.

23 “I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king’s demand.”

When seeking to understand the will or direction of God,  watch for His clues. These clues are unable to be discerned through the usual ‘operating system’ of the soul  (mind, will, emotions). Discerning requires the removal of the glasses of regular reason and the placing on of spiritual-lenses.  When viewing from the stands, watch for the supernatural plays or the highly unusual to unfold.  Eventually the smoke clears and the direction becomes obvious, “Hey this is it – this is the direction, follow Me here.” Here are several clues :

1) God’s chosen person, organization or direction has strikingly different platforms or approaches running parallel to opposing themes that appear to be in the majority
2) The person or organization, or city, nation, etc that is involved as a choice of God’s will is almost always subjected to great, even unnatural resistance, and far greater resistance experienced by anyone else. Despite the resistance, doors open to allow God’s direction to prevail through each fire.
3) God’s knows the heart, He can discern the heart of a person – no matter their past mistakes and behavior. It is not unusual for God to make a choice that others do not see or understand.
4) Extreme circumstances can unfold as a pre-cursor to a great wave of favour and as introduction to a breakthrough.

One of the most powerful accounts in scripture of the grace of God is illustrated in the account of Moses. Moses, who’s name means ‘drawn out’ , was born into the family of Hebrew slaves. The King of Egypt ordered the Hebrew midwives to kill the Hebrew sons at birth. The Hebrew midwives feared God and did not do as the king of Egypt ordered. (Exodus 1:18)  Moses’ mother who had seen he was beautiful, hid him for 3 months then placed Moses in a basket in the river to be found by another in order to save him.  Moses floated over to Pharaoh’s daughter who was bathing in the river. She reached for Moses and fell in love, taking Moses out of the water and raising him as a prince in the court of Egypt.

After becoming a grown man, he came upon an Egyptian beating a Hebrew slave. Enraged,  Moses murdered the Egyptian and then buried the body.  A man mentioned that he was aware of the murder, and Pharaoh shortly after learning, demanded that Moses life be taken. Moses fled as a fugitive, to the land of Midian where he was taken in by a tribe. From here – the story of Moses’  life takes a dramatic turn:

EXODUS 3: 1 -13 AMP
Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the back and to the west of the wilderness and came to Horeb or Sinai, the mountain of God. The Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush and he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, yet was not consumed.
And Moses said, “I will not turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. And when the Lord  saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the midst of the bush and said,” “Moses! Moses! And he said, “Here am I.”  God said, “Do not come near, put your shoes off your feet, for the place on which you stand is holy ground.” Also He said “I am the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”  And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
And the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters and oppressors; for I know their sorrows and sufferings and trials. And I have come down to deliver them out of the hand and power of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a land good and large, a land flowing with milk and honey  (a land of plenty) – to the place of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzitte, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Now behold the cry of the Israelites have come to Me, and I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Come now therefore I will send you to Pharoah, that you may bring forth My people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.”
And Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelite’s out of Egypt?” God said, “Surely, I will be with you; and this shall be the sign to you that I have sent you; when you have brought the people out of Egypt; you shall serve God on this mountain. (Sinai)”

In one of the most stunning acts of grace, mercy and favour ever recorded in Biblical history,  Moses – a murderer and a fugitive – experienced a visitation from God Who Himself asked Moses to be the Deliverer of the Nation of Israel! “Surely I will be with you” states God to Moses who had executed one of the greatest of sins, taking the life of another.  How then can any single unrighteous man or woman attain promotion? It is because God looks at the heart. Despite sins and unrighteous acts – God’s grace still offers promotion and opportunity to the worst and to the least.

Recently I have pondered  how “Dis-grace” could truly be a word. To be a “disgrace” means that you have been extracted from Grace, or there is a reversing force removing a person from grace. There is no such word in the Kingdom of God.  If that existed,  grace itself,  could never exist. The very essence of grace is that it will always be extended for the repentant as an undeserved gift offered for unrighteous acts whose debt has been paid by the perfect and righteous blood of Jesus Christ.

Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings – All Rights Reserved

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Discerning the Will of God is the 60th published post on Sacred Ramblings!