Category Archives: God

A Story of Salvation: A Marketplace Mini Miracle

07 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by in Christianity, Emotions, Fear, God, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Keys to the Kingdom, Prayer, Salvation, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Wisdom

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At the age of 51, my life started completely over in every conceivable way; new city, career seeker, little to no financial resources, no church home and no relationships. My 20 year marketing career had taken a vertical death spiral following a coup attempt by a disgruntled assistant who trashed me behind my back almost from the point of hiring. (FYI: The quiet ones, and the flatterers are always the most dangerous. ). After being terminated from a very public position, my career spun into a nose dive and stayed there from the ages of 48 – 50.   The Lord started closing every door, I believe, to “encourage” me to follow His leading of returning me to a place that I very much did not want to go.  At the age of 50, I relented, returning to my home town confused, desperate, angry (very) hopeless, broke and near the point of nervous collapse.

A few years before this traumatic season, I had earned my real estate license but held it in inactive status considering to use it “one day”. Establishing a commercial real estate career can become an expensive proposition. That “one day” came when a family friend called 10 months after I had returned home, still unemployed, nor knowing where to turn.  This family friend, graciously and innocently threw a lifeline to a drowning person that was going under for the third time.  ” Tracy, this is Carl, don’t you have your real estate license?”  “Yes” I said neglecting to mention that it was inactive and that I had never transacted one piece of property ever.  “Well, my #@%** restaurant tenant moved out in the middle of the night”, he explained “and I need someone to market my building and find me a new tenant as soon as possible.”  I agreed to meet with him then quickly placed a call to inquire of what was needed to activate my license. Gunning it over to a local broker’s office the same day, I explained to the owner that I was in need of a desk, a phone and a place to hang my license asap. He gave me a private office, a laptop computer and paid for my first year of dues, nothing for which I had asked but glad to receive. I was so poor five hundred dollars was more than I had to spare.

Nine months later, Carl and his new premier tenant, executed my first lease transaction for his 5000 SF corner landmark downtown property. A divine grace door had opened for me through Carl providing a clear path for provision because God had placed me on Carl’s mind and connected all the other necessary dots. The process of securing the tenant was not simple, and entailed hard work. The money did not fall from the sky but the opportunity presented itself, the door swung wide, and I was offered a choice to walk through the frame.

Later in that same year, the Holy Spirit gave me a hot tip regarding a 5 AC corner parcel with an obsolete shopping center, strategically located 3 blocks from an SEC University stadium. Eighteen months later that property was under contract and closed for $5.1 million, at that time, the highest price paid per acre for any parcel in the city. That was my first sale. The broker that gave me the initial opportunity made $40,000 on that one deal for doing no more than investing in me.

Billy'sExterior-1

It would be glorious to be able to say that every year has been just like these – and that year over year my production increased to such enormous heights that I would never have a financial concern for the rest of my life.  Seven years later after walking through the door of real estate – I have had highs and lows. My rags story is transforming into financial stability and prosperity while allowing me to give to non profit causes at higher and higher levels which brings me great joy. But the greatest highlight of this journey is what I am gaining in knowledge of the rich treasuries of the grace of God and of Jesus.  I am witnessing through my own personal experience the meaning of His salvation.

Salvation means “material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension, preservation, pardon, restoration, healing, wholeness and soundness“.  Coming out of trouble is part of the package guaranteed to us by being in God’s Kingdom and belonging to Him. He has delivered me from ‘material and temporal danger’ and accomplished everything else on this list. I can tell you with certainty it was Him and not me doing the delivering. If you have never had a need to be brought out of trouble, I feel sorry for you because it means you have never experienced the full power of His delivering hand of salvation. The great news is that we can all look at Him with expectancy for something good to come our way, even despite our mistakes. And I have made my share.

For a number of wasted years, I lived in a confused emotional stew, swirling in extreme levels of condemnation, fear, anger and unforgiveness that kept me bound and broken. I was so messed up and discouraged that I was working very little – if at all. This was a mistake. We are all to be working. God needs us to move out in a direction, and as we set out, He swings in as The Rudder, turning us in His direction but first we have to get in the water and set sail. We have to move.

No doubt, I missed a number of life preservers tossed out in my direction by having no confidence in the basic truth of TRUST. I continued to look inward finding more confidence in myself instead of outward or better still upward, without expecting that God was going to work all of this to my good.  Looking inward in prolonged introspection is self righteousness – a sinful action that dispossesses God from His rightful place in life and is based in pure pride. God loves our full dependence upon Him, where we are fully yielded and waiting expectantly for His best. This is the position of Abba and Heavenly Daddy – a Father God with arms wide open to heal and love us unconditionally.

It was only when I learned to focus on Jesus and His finished work and to stop allowing my thoughts to turn inward is when I began to claw my way out of the fog. When my outward confessions began to align with the truth of God’s word –  I am the righteousness of God by my faith in Christ Jesus and in His blood and seated in heavenly places with Christ at the Father’s right hand – did the condemnation and fear begin to break apart and dissipate and my mind become clear from the fog. I began to acknowledge and embrace that my provision would definitely come because I Am In JESUS and that every good thing flows from and by the hand of God. 

When I lean in and focus on Jesus – He brings clients to me in supernatural ways, He opens doors of favor (which is another word for grace)  It is difficult to articulate but activity just begins to happen. At times there is nothing that I am doing, no striving, but an effortless flow that is coming straight from the throne of God.

It has been seven years since I walked through the career door of real estate brokerage. The Hebrew number of completion and perfection is seven. My craft, like me, is still being perfected but after completing my first seven years working for other brokerages, last week, I decided to set sail and work for my own. If you had asked me 10 years ago or even 7 if I believed restoration was possible I would have said probably not or possibly even given a resounding ‘no’! But yes it is – it most certainly is – through the merciful heart of a loving Father that loves to deliver His salvation.

My personal story may not mean anything to anyone but me but it is my hope that in reading or sharing it will encourage someone that needs to understand this same power of which He so freely gives.

“May He [God] grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the (Holy) Spirit [Himself ] – indwelling your innermost being and personality ….. that you may be filled (through all your being) unto all the fullness of God [that is] may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become wholly filled and flooded with God Himself“

Ephesians 6,19 AMP

 

Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved  2019

#TracyGatewoodPrayer

Twitter:  Tracy L Gatewood
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and
Meeting Jesus
Instagram: tgatewood1

A Merry Heart is Divine Medicine

27 Monday May 2019

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, God, Healing, Jesus Christ, Keys to the Kingdom, New Covenant, peace, Prayer, soul, The Bible, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Wisdom

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“All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [ by anxious thoughts and forebodings ], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances ] ”  Proverbs 15:15 AMP 

” A happy heart is good medicine, and a cheerful mind works by healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones”.  Proverbs  17:22 AMP 

” Attitude is a little thing that can make a big difference“.  Winston Churchill

Many of us will agree there is a direct, undeniable connection between the mind and the body. It is how to calm and tame the soul (mind, will, emotions) – bringing it to cheerful joy and peace despite circumstances – is what eludes so many.

In 2009, I made a personal decision to return to my hometown after being away since 1979. I put my home on the market and began a job search, hoping to find something quickly as I had been a marketing freelancer which did not translate well in this new much smaller, college town environment. In the summer of 2009, I went on a spiritual retreat designed to free me of fears and habits that had accumulated over time. This was my hometown and a place in which I held unhappy memories and conflicts with family members were ongoing and troubling. In the natural, this did not seem like the right move however, I believed that God had a plan and a purpose for my return.

Following this 4 day retreat, I was attacked by something that I can only describe as a “spirit” as it was supernatural in its make up. Nothing I did would cause it to release. A trained Intercessor, I prayed, and then yes, begged God to remove this spirit that was causing me to stay awake at night – I only received at most 4 hours of sleep, and my heart raced uncontrollably as if I was literally having a heart attack.  I felt like I was having what a nervous breakdown must feel like – but understood there was something very different about what was happening and I was correct.

During that 6 week period – I experienced a consistent feeling of terror, the highest degree of fear – that would never disconnect, day or night. It was not brought on by emotion, or circumstances but was supernatural in nature and demonic, a “thing” that tried to take my life and almost did. Suddenly, six weeks after the attack began, it released. I was standing in my living room praying and I felt it lift away – with no warning, just as quickly as it had come upon me. I had been praying for 6 weeks and believe there was nothing unique at that time as to what I said or prayed. Following that attack, I lived in an unfocused fog and detached confusion but months later thankfully that too lifted. This attack taught me survival training regarding prayer and how to hold peace in difficult circumstances. [A near death experience does have a way of gaining your attention. ] Your most important friend in time of great fear and distress is Holy Spirit. He is the Administrator and Coordinator of the Peace that was bequeathed to us from Christ Jesus.

Begin by embracing the Truth that God loves you and that He is for you, no matter what your circumstances. Even if you made a mistake you can always ask Him to turn your mistakes around for your good. He is there with you and sees everything. You must lean into Him and build your relationship with Holy Spirit so that you can hear His direction. He is speaking – you must learn how to hear Him and then do what He says. This is the fastest way out of your circumstances. Pray for Him to impart to you His discernment and skillful and Godly wisdom.

FEAR magnetizes all other unrighteous thoughts, drawing them towards an individual. FEAR is the Red Carpet that provides the jetway for jealousy, murderous rage, anger, covetousness, bitterness, shame, rejection and more – Get your mind under control and press out ALL fear. There are a several ways to tame the Fear dragon, and not one is difficult but each requires enough discipline to become a habit and better still – a default setting – whenever you are hard hit by a Fear Wall.

A) Read God’s Word. It acts as a water hose, rinsing off the dirt and grime that builds up from conversations, watching terror or violence laden TV, or just from being in the workplace. The Word of God is SPIRIT and is living and active. There is actual power in speaking aloud God’s Word – power that moves in the supernatural realm to accomplish our goals, and helps us take dominion over circumstances. There is a wealth of wisdom just in The Proverbs alone. There are 31 chapters of Proverbs, and one for each day. Commit to reading this powerful book.

The word “health” in Hebrew means ‘medicine’ and God’s Word is medicine that brings health to the soul. There is a difference between divine health and divine healing. John G Lake stated, ” Divine healing is the removal by the power of God of the disease that has come upon a body. But divine health is to live day by day, hour by hour in touch with God so that the life of God flows into the body just as the life of God flows into the mind or flows into the spirit.”

B) Call on the power of the Holy Spirit and invoke the Cross in Prayer. This is key. Fear is a spirit – as are the associated spirits of dread, terror, worry and anxiety. Before His death, Jesus bequeathed to all Peace as a gift from Him: “Peace I leave with you; My (own) peace I now give and bequeath to you“. John 14:27 AMP So if Jesus actually gave us His own peace – shouldn’t we have the ability to access it when needed ? Well…. yes we should.  Ask the Holy Spirit to cover and protect your mind with the Blood of Jesus and the Helmet of Salvation – a helmet of hope. Pray and acknowledge the verses describing the sacrifice of Jesus: Isaiah 53:5 and place emphasis on the Crown of Thorns that caused the blood of Jesus to flow. This allows for the healing in our minds.  I have personally experienced the effect of this many times. Imagine an etch a sketch pad with scribble across it and as you lift up that film, the scribble disappears. This is how thoroughly clean the Holy Spirit can remove unrighteous thinking in your mind when you partner with Him, the Paraclete.

C) Intensely focus your mind on Jesus who is ALL supply. There is no lack in Jesus unless you restrict His supply through your own lack of faith (your fear).  Not only is He the bright radiant Son that lights up all of Heaven, He is the Mediator of the Eternal Covenant, our High Priest, the Chief Shepherd, and the Chief Intercessor.  His sacrifice created an Eternal Covenant that ties back to the Covenant that God made with Abraham (father of a multitude) because Abram (high exalted father) believed in, trusted in, relied on and remained steadfast to the Lord Who counted it to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6) Every citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven owns a title deed to the Covenant that God made with Abraham and with Jesus.

You, child of God, walk with favor, even if your present circumstances do not appear that way but you must hold fast to the hope that the Cavalry is coming because Calvary came! 

Hope is a confident expectation of good, in every situation, praising God for His goodness. 

Frequent drops of hope raining onto a person’s soul creates a consistent flow of faith. Remain in hope. Hope is much different than wishful thinking which is only based on man and not on God. Immerse yourself in hope-filled teachings avoiding teachers of behavior modification that do not understand that Jesus’ power is transformational through faith in Him.

C) Speak Words of Life during difficult circumstances.  “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”.  Proverbs 18:21 The rest of the verse states “and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof”.  Watch your words. Your words set the course for your life and you will have what you say. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34)  If you guard your heart – and do not allow fear and emotion to penetrate, this is the surest way that words of hope and life pouring from your mouth.

Remain in innocence – understand that the Lord is your Defender and Avenger. Do not respond in kind to people that are harmful or hateful. The Lord will take care of them in due time. And lastly, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and understanding and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6  Embracing this truth of trusting God will put your heart at rest then follow with prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you to the next step of your journey.

 

Tracy L Gatewood
#TracyGatewoodPrayer
All Rights Reserved 2019

Twitter:  Tracy L Gatewood
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Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus – this book is available on Amazon
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To the Ones on the Fence

07 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by in America, Christianity, Emotions, God, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Pro Life, Purpose, redemption, the Spirit, Wisdom

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Fairhope baby 2

In Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance, there are 10 complete pages,  87 verses per page,  devoted to the word ‘child’ or ‘children’. Children are clearly on the heart of God the Father, and Christ the Son. As I ponder all that is currently happening in the ‘Right to Life‘ movement and the ‘Right to Choose‘ movement, it seems, from a Christian perspective, to boil down to One Thing – What would Jesus instruct a woman to do with the life of her unborn child?  Clarifying question isn’t it but too simplistic? I don’t think so –

Psalm 139: 13-16 AMP   A Psalm of David
“For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother’s womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was being formed in secret (and) intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth [a region of darkness and mystery]. Your eyes saw my unformed substance, and in Your book all the days [of my life] were written before ever they took shape, when as yet there was none of them.”

King David’s Psalm pays homage to the Father for forming him before the beginning of the earth, actually “knitting him” in the womb of his mother. The Amplified version further emphasizes that he was embroidered with various colors, meaning David, as are we all, is a unique fabric ‘intricately and curiously’ made by the hand of God with individual skills, spiritual gifts, talents that are given to us by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:8-10).

To know Jesus is to understand that He returned to earth in a “flesh tent”  for the redemption of all of mankind, to give each an eternal life that could not be attained through any other means. If we know Him, we are now considered a ‘child of God’ and given a re-birth, not caused by the will of flesh, or the desires of man.

John 1:12-14 AMP 
“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God. That is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) – His name. Who owe their birth neither to bloods, nor to the will of the flesh (that of physical impulse), nor to the will of man (that of a natural father), but to God. [They are born of God!] And the Word [Christ] became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacle (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we (actually) saw His glory [ His honor, His majesty] such glory as only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.” 

Why would someone displaying the highest degree of value of the existence of human life and souls, Who lived solely to die  – be approving of taking the life of a child before it is ever given the chance to see the light of day?  A person knitted together in a womb with a soul; mind, will, and emotions, uniquely fashioned by the hand of God for specific and extraordinary purposes to be accomplished upon the Earth? Can a Believer embrace abortion and still truly Believe? Search your heart.  I say no. Emphatically no.

On the eve of Easter, I will share two verses that describe the sacrifice of our Lord, the One that died to give life eternal:

Isaiah 52:15 [ For many the Servant of God became an object of horror; many were astonished at Him] “His face and His whole appearance were marred more than any man’s and His form beyond that of the sons of men, but many were astonished at Him, ” ….. ”

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.”

Understanding the terrible price that Christ Jesus paid to redeem and then ratify through resurrection, mankind’s ability to have a life eternal – would He approve of a woman’s right to end a human life – a life for which He paid the ultimate price?

I pray for the ones on the fence, in the throes of this decision, that you turn to Jesus and not to self. I pray for the ones that made the decision to choose death, that the voices of  condemnation and suffering over “the choice” would cease and you would now raise your voice to stopping this bloodshed – and speak for the voice of the one silenced – until you see them at Heaven’s gate.

Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved  2019

Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
Instagram: tgatewood1
Facebook:  Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
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Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness
and Meeting Jesus

 

 

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

Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
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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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Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus   Available on Amazon, at Parsons Porch and Page & Palette in Fairhope, AL
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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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