Category Archives: New Covenant

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

CoverPhotoDG1
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

Join My #StableandFixed and #Psalm91:1AMP  Community !

Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
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
Monthly Blog: http://www.sacredramblings.com 
Interviews on SoundCloud:  Tracy L Gatewood

 

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , ,

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
#SharingisCaring

Please Join My #StableandFixed / Psalm 91:1 AMP Community
Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus   Available on Amazon and Parsons Porch books and Page & Palette, Fairhope, AL
Instagram: tgatewood1
Facebook.com/TracyGatewoodChristianWriterTeacher
SoundCloud: TracyLGatewood

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

≈ Leave a comment

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…

View original post 1,113 more words

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

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , ,

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.

Please join in on a #StableandFixed community!
#SharingIsCaring

Twitter – @TracyLGatewood
Author: Doorways of Grace, My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
Facebook:  Tracy Gatewood Writer Teacher
Soundcloud:  TracyLGatewood
Instagram: tgatewood1

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

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

,

Wooded Path

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

Follow Me in my #StableandFixed communities

Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Facebook.com/TracyGatewoodWriterTeacher
Amazon Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
SoundCloud:  TracyLGatewood

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Soul’s Response to Righteousness

07 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in America, Jerusalem, Nation, New Covenant, redemption, Sin, soul, Tracy Gatewood

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jerusalem
Luke 19:41 – 44 AMP
“And as He approached, He saw the city, and He wept [audibly] over it. Exclaiming, Would that you had known personally, even at least in this your day, the things that make for peace (for freedom from all the distresses that are experienced as the result of sin and upon which your peace – your security, safety, prosperity, and happiness – depends)! But now they are hidden from your eyes.
For a time is coming upon you when your enemies will throw up a bank (with pointed stakes) about you and surround you and shut you in on every side.
And they will dash you down to the ground, you [Jerusalem] and your children within you; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, [all] because you did not come progressively to recognize and know and understand [from observation and experience] the time of your visitation [that is, when God was visiting you, the time in which God showed Himself gracious toward you and offered you salvation through Christ.]”

In this passage of scripture, Jesus grieved openly knowing what would be forthcoming for the people of Jerusalem. Despite what the people had personally witnessed, Jesus the Prince of Peace, Who had been presented to them as the living Son of God, would not be received into the hearts of the Jewish people.

What He knew for them: Know Jesus-Know Peace, No Jesus-No Peace

All Christians are commanded by God to pray for the peace of Jerusalem (PS122:6). The passage continues,”May they prosper who love you, May peace be within your walls, prosperity within your palaces”  To be a Christ-follower is to love and pray fervently, frequently for the entire nation of Israel. Although the peace of Jerusalem was not accomplished in Jesus’ earthly life, it has been left for us to cover His people in prayer and other means until His return. I fully believe that America’s first responsibility is to cover and protect Israel.

The following scripture describes the Peace that will come with God’s Reign:
Isaiah 32:15-18
“Until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is valued as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness will abide in the fruitful field. And the effect of righteousness will be peace [internal and external], and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever. My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

 We can experience His Peace Prior to His Reign Through the Understanding of  Righteousness. Righteousness means in right-standing with God and in conformity to His will and purposes. We cannot be righteous, or in right standing with God without understanding and accepting the working power of the blood of Jesus. The Blood is Heaven’s Clorox, its only cleansing agent.

It is impossible to work or perform our way into right-standing with God. Churches may teach that by watching our words, making our vessels (our bodies) more holy [yet holiness is important to God], or praying lengthy prayers every.single.day, or confessing sin can put us in right standing. This is erroneous. True righteousness welcomed by God comes by complete acknowledgement that His Son’s sacrifice fully achieved everything necessary to remove the dividing wall between God and You. This puts the focus (and responsibility) totally on Jesus for this achievement, one that no mortal could ever accomplish. To assume that one could actually be made righteous by a person’s own merits, clearly illustrates a lack of understanding of the magnitude of the Cross. This positioning creates ‘self-righteousness’ There may be nothing more noxious to God.

The Book of Romans could easily be named ‘the Book of Righteousness’, providing more information on this subject than any other chapter in the Bible. Romans 4:3 refers to Abraham, the Father of our Faith –
“For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

Have you ever exhibited ungodly behavior? Yes ____  No ____ Is it comforting to know that your behavior has already been justified by God through the blood of Jesus?  Yes_____ No _____Does this make you want to sin more? No ______  (of course not)

One cannot be justified by works – God imputes His righteousness ASIDE FROM OUR WORKS in exchange for our sin. This is called Grace – undeserved, unmerited favor which is freely given. We are only made righteous BY FAITH in Jesus and His sacrifice. His resurrection served as ratification for a New Covenant.  This is the only way pleasing to God. Does this soothe the soul (mind, will, emotions) bringing a quietness and a confident trust? (Isaiah 32:17).  That peace you may feel is the result of  Jesus’ righteousness and the acknowledgement, by resting in faith, that He (not you) has paid it all on your behalf.

Copyright 2017  All Rights Reserved Doorways of Grace ministries

Tracy Gatewood
#TheWriterWhomJesusLoves
Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Writer Teacher

RELATED POSTS
The Spirit of Peace   http://wp.me/p1zoxs-24p
We Have Not Been Given A Spirit of Fear   http://wp.me/p1zoxs-1VW

We Are Not Given A Spirit of Fear

04 Sunday Jun 2017

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Disasters, Emotions, Fear, Healing, Jesus, Mercy, New Covenant, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, TracyLGatewood

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , , , , , , ,

CanvaFearlGirlBest
[Author’s Note: I have studied physical and emotional healing for 20 years and the Lord continues to deliver new ah-ha’s!  The effects of extreme negative emotions on the body, in particular fear, are undeniable. This article addresses “inherited” generational physical conditions. This will be new information for many of you. ]

II Timothy 1:7 AMP   For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven, cringing and fawning fear), but [ He has given us a spirit ] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. [ The 2nd letter of Paul to Timothy written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome. ]

In preparation of writing this article, I found these public definitions helpful :

Timidity – a lack of courage or confidence.

Fear – a painful emotion or passion excited by an expectation of evil, or the apprehension of impending danger. Fear expresses less apprehension than dread, and dread less than terror and fright. The force of this passion, beginning with the most moderate degree, may be thus expressed;  fear, dread, terror, fright. Fear is accompanied with a desire to avoid or ward off the expected evil. Fear is an uneasiness of mind, upon which the thought of future evil is likely to befall us. Fear is the passion of our nature which excites us to provide for our security, on the approach of evil. [ Definition from the KJV Bible ]

It is interesting that Fear as defined is more related to apprehension or expectation of evil  rather than the actual occurrence.  The damage of Fear occurs more in the build-up to the unknown and in the unexpected  where it blooms, builds, breeds and then bleeds. It is in this breeding that Fear seeps from the mind into the soul and then into the physical body.  Fear is the Red Carpet on which every single negative emotional spirit confidently strides into the realm of a person’s soul. Fear is the devil’s key that turns, unlocks then swings wide open the door into the soul of a person that buys into its effects.

The conditions that stem from fear, anxiety and stress are numerous.   [ The spiritual root cause of stress is fear; a lack of trust, and unbelief. ]  The following are just a few conditions that are medically proven to have a spiritual root cause based in a spirit of  fear:  angina, hypertension, arrhythmia, mitral valve prolapse, all number of cardiovascular issues, coronary artery disease,  strokes  (also related to anger and rage), IBS, Colitis.  < ref.  A More Excellent Way,  Dr. Henry Wright  >   The roots of fear and condemnation are typically at the base of practically every disease.

Emotional damage from specific external circumstances are detrimental to the human body:  the after effects from  abuse, shame, trauma, rejection, and abandonment are the most damaging to the human mind and soul, requiring immediate healing attention before their effects take root and flow through the body. Typically the damage comes from protracted, or consistent occurrences of  these negative emotions ( fear, abuse, shaming, trauma, rejection and abandonment). Exposure to these extreme occurrences must be dealt with through spiritual means;  spirits must be dealt with by The Spirit.

There are numerous references to evil spirits, foul and unclean spirits in scripture. The following are found in the New Testament –

Matthew 10:1 AMP  And Jesus summoned to Him  His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and to cure all kinds of disease and all kinds of weakness and infirmity.
< Example of an unclean spirit today would be an STD  >

 We have authority and dominion over our own bodies, our emotions and our physical well being.

The Jews thought even Jesus was possessed by a demon ( which was a very bad move on their part ) – and recognized spirits and demons as harbingers of disease and mental illness: John 8:48 AMP  The Jews answered Him, Are we not right when we say You are a Samaritan and that You have a demon (that you are under the power of an evil spirit)?

Referring to actions of the Apostles – Acts 5:16 AMP  And the people gathered also from the towns and hamlets around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those troubled with foul spirits, and they were all cured.

Acts 8:7 AMP  For foul spirits came out of many who were possessed by them, screaming and shouting with a loud voice, and many who were suffering from palsy or were crippled were restored to health.

These same evil, foul and unclean spirits are alive and moving with great intentionality on the earth today. Medical science has now simply given them a sophisticated name. If a person is not delivered from a spirit – that spirit can remain in them throughout life. What happens in the next generation to the child of that parent that comes into the same disease, condition or infirmity ? What we call “inherited”,  typically was simply legal access opened by a spirit of fear or traumatic event, a spirit that should have never gained entrance in the first place.

Scenario:  Your parent goes through a traumatic occurrence; divorce, car accident, extended job loss with no income, etc. There is tremendous fear, trauma and possibly shame and if divorce is involved then rejection. This parent then develops cancer. This parent then develops fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis. This parent then suffers a stroke. Whatever the scenario – from that point forward – in the history of the child, it is assumed that they have an inherited “chip” for the disease that the parent developed due to their bodies response to an extreme emotional circumstance. They are now in fact considered predisposed to a disease, because an emotional spirit gained access causing a disease, infirmity or condition due to an extreme event that was not managed or delivered.

Do you see how important it is when Jesus exhorted us to ‘ Fear Not ‘?  What diseases are in your family line ?   Are you aware of the history leading to the onset of the disease ?

We do not have to live at the mercy of our ancestors emotions or external occurrences that opened doors to disease nor our own emotional wounds that turn into physical conditions.  As Christians we have been gifted with the Great Stabilizer,  the Son of God, Christ Jesus. When we walk in knowledge of Who He is and What He has done – it has an immediate affect on our bodies.

The following are focus points for all who believe –

1) Deep understanding of the authentic, infinite and immutable love of God and that His heart is always turned toward you – the royal law of love: Matthew 22:37-40  2) The Finished Work of Jesus through His sacrifice  3) A thorough knowledge of the New Covenant benefits, those promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in Genesis 4) When walking through seasons of lack, an unbending focus on Jesus who is ALL SUPPLY  5) Recognition of the advocacy and the leading of the Holy Spirit  6) Knowledge that a lack of faith will block the flow of the favor of God and the understanding of the law of faith; Romans 3:27-28

Proverbs 1:32-33
For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them and the
careless ease of the (self-confident) fools shall destroy them

But whoso hearkens to me [ wisdom] shall dwell securely and in
confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil.

#stableandfixed


Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings  All Rights Reserved 2018

Sharing Link:  We Are Not Given A Spirit of Fear    http://wp.me/p1zoxs-1VW
Twitter  @TracyLGatewood
Facebook: Tracy Gatewood Writer Teacher
Amazon Author: Doorways of Grace, My UnCommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus –

Related: Jesus the Bishop of Our Souls        http://wp.me/p1zoxs-vq
Related: Healing and the Armor of God      http://wp.me/p1zoxs-tg

Grace and the Law of First Mention

27 Monday Feb 2017

Posted by in Christianity, Grace, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Law of First Mention, Leadership, New Covenant, Tracy Gatewood Alabama

≈ Leave a comment

heritageofsaints

The Law of First Mention is commonly looked upon by biblical scholars and teachers as the place that the word seen for the first time sets the standard for the remaining references throughout scripture. As we know, the Bible is penned through men by the Holy Spirit and in the unchanging mind of God – a word remains in context from the first time spoken or mentioned. The word Grace can act as both Noun and Verb. The first mention of Grace is found Genesis 6:8 in the story of Noah and his family. Gen.6:8  “But Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of the Lord“.  (Verb Grace – a verb you may recall is an ACTION word)

GRACE IS A GIFT
Like Abraham, Noah was found by God to be a just and righteous man. Gen.6:9 Noah walked in intimate relationship with God. The Lord gave to Noah explicitly detailed instruction on how to build an ark that would house Noah’s own family and pairs of every animal species – saving them from a destruction designed to wipe out an entire generation for their wickedness. A holy re-set on all of humanity.

The most used definition for Grace is ‘undeserved, unmerited favor‘. It denotes a gift from God, only obtainable by His enduring mercy. Grace cannot be purchased or performed, it is purely an extension of His loving nature. God’s love for us is far reaching and immutable.

Romans 11:6 “ But if it is by grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness) it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise grace would no longer be grace [ it would be meaningless]”.

JESUS AS TRUTH AND GRACE  –  JESUS AS TRUTH AND FAVOR
Has God revised His context of Grace since it was ushered in by the Last Adam – Jesus ? Christ Jesus is the actual embodiment of Truth and Grace.  If Romans 11:6 is accurate, where grace is not conditioned on works – Noah’s righteousness (right standing) came through His close relationship with God Himself and God’s own knowledge of Noah’s heart. When given the option to choose, God knew that Noah would be the one to move forward on this critical mission. There was little margin for error on the assignment.

The first mention of grace refers to how God saw Noah – Noah found grace (favor) in the eyes of  God.  Jesus, Abraham, Moses and Noah all found favor with God and each were given world changing assignments. All of these men were seen as righteous and  possessing mature character traits.   If grace is ‘undeserved, unmerited’  (one cannot earn it)  would it be fair to say that to just be nominated for the Assignment we must still have our attention focused on Him, possessing mature character and be in very close relationship? Devotion would be an even  better word. Devotion prioritizing Him. This involves no striving or work – it is simply a completely yielded, love relationship with the Father resulting in continual restful responses of service and obedience out of love and respect for who He is and what He has done. Being in position for the Assignment definitely requires faith –

Hebrews 11:7  [ Prompted] by faith, Noah being forewarned  by God concerning events of which as yet there was no visible sign, took heed and diligently and reverently constructed and prepared an ark for the deliverance for his own family. By this [his faith which relied on God]  he passed judgement and sentence on the world’s unbelief and became an heir and possessor of righteousness (that possession of being right into which god puts the person who has faith).

BEING SEEN WITH FAVOR BY GOD
Jesus as we know lived an irrefutably righteous life – much more so than Noah. When Noah “found favor in the eyes of God” he was not seeking it nor was God’s grace lost until it found Noah. The action of God’s grace was always there and still is. Jesus like Noah was favored by God and given an assignment that required complete focus, determination and rigorous discipline to complete. Jesus like Noah remained in very close communication and relationship with God – the Amplified states Noah walked in ‘habitual fellowship’ with God and we know Jesus did as well.  Jesus like Noah was honored by God with a Covenant (promise, pledge). Noah’s covenant covered him and his family’s safety and a very large zoo’s worth of animals.  God’s Covenant with Jesus served to save all of mankind from eternal damnation by exchanging our own sin for His sinless body and blood, retroactive from the beginning of time to the end of time.  Both assignments changing the course of mankind – one on earth the other for all eternity.

Should we consider Jesus as all Truth and Favor ? To have grace is to have favor and to know Jesus intimately is to have both of these. I could write a number of articles just on rounding out the favor in Jesus.  Interestingly,  Jesus never mentioned the word Grace (Charis in Greek) in His teachings however His actions of grace are abundantly evident throughout His teachings and interactions with people. He modeled grace and illustrated grace repeatedly in His spoken parables (prodigal son, woman at the well, the demoniac). Grace (Noun) was the word used liberally by the Apostle Paul to describe Christ Jesus and as Paul traveled he greeted people with Grace (Action) teaching people the meaning of God’s gospel of grace as embodied in His Son Jesus. Jesus was (and is) Grace and Paul had the responsibility to draw out the meaning of Grace.

His Grace is Active.

Acts 20:32
And now I commend you to God [placing you in His protective, loving care] and [I commend you] to the word of His grace [the counsel and promises of His unmerited favor]. His grace is able to build you up and to give you the [rightful] inheritance among all those who are sanctified [that is, among those who are set apart for God’s purpose—all believers].

Tracy Gatewood
Alabama

Twitter:  @TracyLGatewood
Facebook.com/TracyGatewoodChristianWriterTeacher
Author: Doorways of Grace, available on Amazon
Sharing ShortLink: http://wp.me/p1zoxs-198
Related Post:  The Assignment:  http://wp.me/p1zoxs-4C

The gift of salvation is a Grace gift – as one is drawn by the Holy Spirit to receive Jesus as Savior – there is no work or striving involved. It is simply a decision – an act of will, a surrender. Have you prayed to receive Jesus ?
Eph 2:8 For it is by grace [ God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgement and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own efforts] but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God.

Eternal Life Gives Eternal Living

04 Sunday Dec 2016

Posted by in Christianity, Healing, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, New Covenant, Salvation, Tracy Gatewood

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

Jesus
Do you need a bit of Good News today ? If so, I have something for you. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, you are already blessed with the experience Christians refer to as Eternal Life. Here is something to consider – you don’t have to wait until you have passed onto Glory to experience this gift, you have a gift card to use and redeem right now – your card was activated by Jesus when you became born again. There is no expiration and no black out dates ! You are now walking in Eternal Living!

John 17:3 AMP Now this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true [supreme and sovereign] God, and [in the same manner know] Jesus [as the] Christ whom You have sent.

Eternal life is a reference to Eternal salvation. The word Salvation in the Greek is Sozo and is the same word used for Healing. God uses the same spiritual mechanism to save as He does to heal, and that is the acceptance of His Son and everything that Jesus died to give. When experiencing sickness, disease, or infirmity, make a decision to focus on the cross and the body of Christ and the physical aspects of His sacrifice. Thank Jesus for everything that He did on the cross to purchase your healing from ______  illness.  I can tell you from experience that the illness will quickly begin living on borrowed time.

Jesus has paid all sin debt – He was the only one that could. Your authentic acceptance of Jesus as the perfect sacrifice is what saves you from Eternal damnation, scooping you away from the edge of the cliff and placing you back onto firm standing on the rock.

John 3:36 AMP  “He who believes and trusts in the Son and accepts Him [as Savior] has eternal life [that is, already possesses it]; but he who does not believe the Son and chooses to reject Him, [disobeying Him and denying Him as Savior] will not see [eternal] life, but [instead] the wrath of God hangs over him continually.”

 

Tracy Gatewood
Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Sharing Link: http://wp.me/p1zoxs-16E
FB: Tracy Gatewood Christian Writer and Teacher
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus – available on Amazon.

My Name is Rose

29 Friday Jul 2016

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Emotions, Fear, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, New Covenant

≈ Leave a comment

Cameobrooch

“Hello my name is Rose”, said the elderly, kind-faced woman as she looked straight into my eyes. For a moment, I could not believe her words. I knew the point she was making, as it was impressed into my spirit. I received it with an emotional mixture of shock and extreme gratitude.

When Rose entered the store where I was working as a greeter that bleak Christmas season – she began to admire my cameo brooch.  “It is very unique – your brooch. A very fine example of a cameo. I collect cameos and I know them well”, she said. “This is a beautiful woman depicted on yours, rare, I have seen few like it”.   “It belonged to my grandmother, and I love it”,  I responded.  “One of my most cherished possessions,”.  “I can see why, ” she stated. As she began to walk away she turned, looking me straight in the eyes and said, “My name is Rose.  What is your name?”  My eyes widened, so startled I could barely speak, “My name is Tracy.  My grandmother’s name was Rose.” She smiled and then turned as she walked up the stairway and onto the selling floor.  I dropped my head so no one could see as a big tear rolled down my face. The times I had heard the name Rose used ever could be counted on one hand – less than 5 fingers even. I knew that she had been sent by God – an angel perhaps but certainly sent as one to deliver encouragement in the guise of my long deceased grandmother. He was letting me know that He was with me, and watching all that was happening in that extremely sad and difficult season of my life.

Pruning is a gardening term that can be used to describe a spiritual season where God trims away the dead leaves and branches that are not bearing fruit. The word ‘pruning’ sounds like a gentle snip, snip depicting a peaceful, singing gardener carefully pulling down a branch in a beautifully manicured English garden. As he trims,  it is only the old, really dead leaves and branches that are cut away. Nothing green is considered. Yet in reality, the pruning experience can resemble more like napalm where just a tilted tree stalk remains, standing practically naked bearing only twiggy branches and a few scant leaves. This had been my season as a bud-less sprig, unknowingly ripe for the shears.  😦

John 15:2    Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that continues to bear fruit, He [repeatedly] prunes, so that it will bear more fruit [even richer and finer fruit]. 

Isaiah 18:5    For before the harvest, when the blossom is over And the flower becomes a ripening grape, He will cut off the sprigs [without buds] with pruning knives, And [He will] remove and cut away the spreading branches.

A real pruning by a loving Father can only be considered good when seen from a rear view mirror advantage and at times even viewed only back through a multi-year lens. It is from this vantage point that I can provide a scope of work that begins to plumb the depths of any comprehension of  God’s goodness and His grace.  His unending, and infinite love – a love so deep and immutable,  that He would even see fit to tweak, this little speck of light down here on earth.

Below is an albeit incomplete collection of highlights on lessons learned through the cutting away –

Regarding the Godhead

God is all love. His love for each of us is so wide and deep. We can only truly understand this depth when we have lost everything (and perhaps everyone) then we can see that He is all we need.

Jesus the Son is the sole representation of our righteousness – not our works, striving or performance. When Jesus is acknowledged as the true source and supply – the benefits of the Covenant for which He died transpire supernaturally and with little human effort.

Jesus is all Truth and all Grace. Grace is a gift given by God to us – we do not earn grace. We are given grace because we are the righteousness of God by our faith in His son.

The Holy Spirit is our best friend and is an essential relationship to cultivate. He is the administrator and coordinator of the benefits of the Covenant. We more commonly know Him as the Comforter, Advocate, Teacher,  Healer.

The sacrifice of Jesus signaled  His finished work on earth. With this act began the Dispensation of Grace (the Church Age) which will end in the great taking away of the believers. He has paid for all sin from the beginning of time to the end of time – it was taken on His body for us. As Jesus’ dropped His head, declaring ‘It is Finished’ He dismissed His own spirit – told His spirit it was OK to leave Him. His life was not taken from Him. He left this earth of His own accord, and in His own natural timing.

Regarding Life

 Chance and Opportunity flow through Him and in His divine timing and the correct season. It is our responsibility to rest in Christ and allow His timing to unfold and His intersections of chance come to pass.

We are deemed righteous by God through Faith …. only. As we move forward in our faith, God moves forward to bring our desires (His desires ) to fruition.

Rejection, which can appear as a lack of opportunity,  is more often a redirection toward a promotion rather than a curse.

We as believers have dominion over evil and must take authority over circumstances through the name of Jesus and the blood of Jesus. We can ‘place a demand’  by prayer or through speaking on the New Covenant and what has been paid for through Jesus’ sacrifice.

Fear is a spirit and is as deadly as a fast growing cancer. Fear acts as a gateway for all of the dangerous emotional spirits to enter into a person’s soul.  Fear must be stopped in its tracks and bound up as quickly as it is discerned. Trauma, abuse, abandonment/ rejection, and shame are the most damaging emotions and all tie back to a fear root. These cannot be ignored and should be dealt with through emotional healing prayer.

Many of these points were discussed in depth in my book of testimony, Doorways of Grace.  If you are in a season of pruning, stay in the word and in prayer as God shapes a new and better you – mirrored more in the likeness and the understanding of His Son.