Category Archives: peace

The Spirit of Truth

07 Sunday Feb 2021

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Christianity, faith, God, God the Father, Holy Spirit, How to find Peace ?, Jesus, Keys to the Kingdom, peace, Prayer, Prayer University, redemption, The Bible, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Wisdom

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John 14:17 AMP
“ The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you constantly and will be in you.”

In the Church today, there seems to be some confusion surrounding the role of the third person of the Trinity. Holy Spirit is not the Holy Beater, nor is He the Holy Chastiser – He is the Spirit of Jesus, Who raised Christ Jesus from the dead and Whom was released at Pentecost 50 days following the resurrection. In Acts, The Apostle Peter explains the how behind The Who:

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Acts 2:38 – 39 AMP
“And Peter answered them, Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God in your inner selves instead of rejecting it) and be baptized, every one of you, in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of and release from your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise (of the Holy Spirit) is to and for you and your children, and to and for all that are far away, (even) to and for as many as the Lord our God invites and bids to come to Himself.”

The word ‘repent’ in Greek is described as Metanoia: to change course or direction. It does not suggest condemnation nor guilt which many modern churches teach. Jesus paid for guilt on the cross – Isaiah 53:5 ” ….. for He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities”. The Spirit of Jesus is a GIFT that is freely imparted through the acceptance of Christ. The Holy Spirit points us to answers held within Jesus. Jesus did not come to earth to condemn or judge, but only to save the lost. The reason people go to hell is not because of personal sin – Jesus has forgiven each of us. (1 John 2:1-2) People are condemned to hell because they do not accept Jesus as their payment for a sin debt they can never pay nor do they accept Him as their Lord and Savior.

John 15:26 AMP
“But when the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor, Strengthener, Standby) comes, Whom I send to you from the Father, the Spirit of Truth Who comes (proceeds) from the Father, He (Himself) will testify regarding Me.”

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There is a True North, or a “true Truth” that has been established on the earth by God the Father. This “True North” is available to all that hear the voice of the Shepherd and that will read God’s Word. The absolute truth of God’s laws and principles slice through clutter and confusion, clarifying difficult topics with application to all things past, present and future. God, in His mercy, also dispatches The Gift of His Spirit with periodic customized messages direct to our own spirit that bring clarity and truth to challenging circumstances, shining a light on the way forward. There is a reason that Jesus said that we should be glad that He was going away because something better was coming. The Cavalry has now truly come but you must get to know Him, spend time with Him and cultivate His presence.

So what is Truth ? Recently I had a discussion with someone that presented a narrative on circumstances of which I had observed at close range. What was true in his mind was 180 degrees from how I viewed the exact set of circumstances. He had crafted his own truth-narrative to cover for failures that he would not own. (We are all capable of espousing creative narratives to protect our egos and reputations.) To him, the facts he stated were unequivocally true – to me they were a ridiculous lie. It was pointless to challenge his story as it would only end in an argument and nothing I said would change his mind. I decided to pray that the Spirit of Truth would take care of the matter.

Another word for Truth is also “reality” – the Holy Spirit can be considered the Spirit of Reality, God’s kingdom reality – which is the only truth that matters. There is also a term called ‘universal truth’ which means what it says that a particular truth would be universally accepted by most people or a category of people (We’ll use Christians). For example: It is universally understood and accepted by all Christians that Jesus was conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Spirit, therefore bypassing the Adamic line of sin. Although we cannot ask Mary how this happened and discern for ourselves through first person testimony, we believe the Word of God and accept the account as being true. In the above illustration regarding the opposing narratives, there is no universal truth to which to refer and it comes down to character and perception. Fortunately, with the Spirit of Truth, we can always depend on the excellence of God’s character and His nature and trust that He is only delivering to us His “true Truth”.

John 16:13 AMP
But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole truth, the full Truth). For he will not speak His own message (on His own authority); but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father; He will give the message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears (from the Father) and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (this will happen in the future). He will honor and glorify Me, because He will take care of (receive, draw upon) what is Mine and will reveal (disclose, transmit) it to you.

Pray for a strengthening of your personal relationship with the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to make Himself known and shown to you. Honor the Spirit and acknowledge Him when He confirms or discloses (transmits Spirit to spirit) information from God to you. He is doing it for your betterment and to glorify the work of Jesus. He truly is a Gift from the Father and paid for with the Blood of the Son.

For further study: The Spirit of Truth | Reformed Bible Studies & Devotionals at Ligonier.org

Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
Prayer University
Session #14
Sharing Link: https://wp.me/p1zoxs-2SM
All Rights Reserved 2021





The Weapon of Praise

21 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by in America, Armor of God, Christianity, faith, Fear, God, Holy Spirit, Keys to the Kingdom, Leadership, Nation, peace, Prayer, righteousness, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Unity, Worship

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Driving home after a long day, my radio tuned to a worship music station, praise music saturated every inch of my vehicle’s interior. Despite the frustrations and strife of the day – the negative emotions clinging to my soul fell away, as a welcoming spirit of peace wafted through my mind, lifting up and away all the tensions of the day.  This effortless transference of peace was sent special delivery from the courts of heaven. Peace is a gift bequeathed to us from Jesus, by Jesus Himself, as reward when we focus on Him.

II Chronicles 20:21-25 AMP “When he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers to sing to the Lord and praise Him in their holy (priestly) garments as they went out before the army, saying’Give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever’!

And when they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushments against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against  Judah, and they were (self) slaughtered; For (suspecting betrayal) the men of Ammon and Moab rose against those of Mount Seir utterly destroying them. And when they had made an end of the men of Seir,  they all helped to destroy one another. And when Judah came to the watchtower of the wilderness, they looked at the multitude, and behold they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none had escaped!

When Jehosophat and his people came to take the spoil, they found among them much cattle, goods, garments, and precious things which they look for themselves, much more than they could carry away, so much they were three days in gathering the spoil.

On the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Beracah. There they blessed the Lord. So the name of the place is still called the Valley of Beracah (blessing).

Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, Jehosophat leading them, to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.

They came to Jerusalem with harps, lyres, and trumpets to the house of the Lord.

And the fear of God came upon all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel.”

I believe the Lord has provided a spiritual tactic designed to strategically dismantle dangerous mayhem.  This is an interior piece of the puzzle given just to believers who are forced to confront a unified tsunami of opposing forces that incite strife, division and evil across the globe.  The piece? The Weapon of Praise. A powerful tool that can be enacted outside of the four walls of the church, strategically positioned in external outposts at the forefront of the lines of battle.

In today’s society, the media is weaponized, some departments of our national intelligence community appear to be weaponized, and even certain members of the conservative movement are weaponized – but these are not spiritual weapons of warfare from heavenly places.

In II Chronicles, The Lord provides for us an example of ‘battle’ in spiritual places, instructing us to ‘battle’ with praise to Him then promising to deliver us from our enemies. Seems simple. So why aren’t we using it?

With the clashing of swords in this Hebrew year of 5777 (Authors Note: we are now in 5781, this post was written in 2017) , we are witnessing unprecedented levels of lawlessness and civil unrest, and not witnessed since the 1960’s. During the latter part of the Obama administration, the cities of Ferguson, Baltimore and Miami – were hosts to incendiary levels of rage and violence incapacitating city governments, in some instances, destroying the livelihoods of people that they purported to defend. Now the American people are clashing over its very history and heritage.

But what about praise? Jehosphat sent his worshippers praising God while walking ahead of these armies, each wearing priestly garments saying ‘Give thanks to the Lord for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!’  I have a theory – and as yet untested on a modern day battlefield;  to release praise music in advance of or during demonstrations to disengage these spirits of violence. Like opening a fireman’s hose on a raging fire, the aggressive flames of emotional spirits of anger, hatred, aggression, murder and rage, could go silent.
I ponder why the impact of praise music would be any different within the atmosphere of my own vehicle than on any modern day battlefield. Imagine the impact of Hillsong, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, Christy Nockels songs released prior to a demonstration or during the fray in the heat of the battle – singing the name of Jesus over and over and over again –  above these protests. It is Jesus Christ Himself that has bequeathed us Peace.  Would He not send us His Peace if we proactively sought it? Peace is a spirit.  [ July 2017  The Spirit of Peace:  http://wp.me/p1zoxs-24p ]

ll Timothy 1:7 AMP
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and 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.

To effectively confront the societal enemies of our time we must come from a secret place of  ‘power, and of love, and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control’. The songs of praise set us into another dimension  – apart from fear, self righteousness, and our human tendency to dissect the what’s and how’s of every situation. Praising God is a declaration that He is trusted as our defender (Jehovah Nissi). Praise positions our minds for right instruction and divine strategy from Him in how to move ahead in these troubling and even dangerous environments.

Could Jehosophat have understood that the instruction from God to send the  ‘Praise Team’ ahead of the armies would result in a strong confusion and in-fighting among the enemy camp? Could Jehosophat foresee that a win of his armies positioned his people for a significant wealth transfer? I doubt it. He simply followed God’s orders and won….. BIG.

We must engage in praise to God while listening for the the Holy Spirit’s direction for ourselves and our nation amidst the clamor and chaos of today.  He is surely speaking.


** The Weapon of Praise is a repost and was originally written in 2017.


Tracy L. Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved 2020

The Weapon of Praise Sharing Link: http://wp.me/p1zoxs-2iC

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Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus

Jesus as Savior

05 Sunday Jul 2020

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Christianity, God, God the Father, Jesus, Jesus Christ, peace, Prayer, Prayer University, righteousness, Salvation, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Unity, Wisdom

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“But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Saviour appeared to man (as Man), He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by the (cleansing) [bath] of the new birth and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which poured out so richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [ And He did it in order ] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved ). and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to our hope.”  Titus 3:4 -7 AMP

Jesus, Who was with the Father from the beginning, (John 1: 1-3) was sent to earth to save all mankind through the bringing forth of the knowledge of the immutable love of God, the importance of the turning away from sin and the understanding that His own sacrifice would pay a sin debt for which no person could ever personally pay.

Most hearing the Gospel message are aware that Jesus made a way for their salvation, allowing them to spend life eternally with God the Father.  Most are unaware that the word ‘salvation’ has more benefit than re-birth and a punched ticket through the Pearly Gates. (Revelation 22:21)  To refer to someone that has accepted Jesus as Saviour as being “saved” is in fact accurate. A “saved person” receives the added special bonuses of deliverance from danger, access to the pathway of restoration, deliverance from shame for wrong decisions, divine healing and wholeness, and the right to possess a strong, stable (sound) mind. Canva - Drowning

A good working definition of Salvation: material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension; pardon, preservation, restoration, healing, wholeness and soundness.

In fact, until one requires, yes really needs a Saviour to pull their personal wagon from out of a ditch, then and only then can the fullness of the word SALVATION by a loving Saviour be fully appreciated by a “Save-ee”. The word salvation in the Greek is ‘Sozo’ which also means to heal, to rescue or save, to deliver.  Jesus has become our Savior by paying our debt of sin to God, by becoming our righteousness so that a perfect God could look upon us, hear our prayers and be gracious to us, thereby Jesus removed all separation between mankind and God. No study on prayer and how to pray would be complete without the full embrace of Jesus in His role as Savior.

“And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son (as the) Saviour of the world. Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he (abides, lives makes his home) in God.”  1 John 4:14 AMP

Just as Jesus exhorted His followers to “eat His flesh and drink His blood” to be saved (John 6:56), a person that is His follower must be willing to confess that Jesus is the only Son of God and that it was only His broken body and spilt blood that paid for their debt of sin and nothing they accomplished in their own strength.

Canva - Holy Communion

“So when the Samaritans arrived, they asked Him to remain with them, and He did stay there two days. Then many more believed in and adhered to and relied on Him because of His personal message. And they told the woman, Now we no longer believe (trust, have faith) just because of what you said; for we have heard Him ourselves (personally) and we know that He truly is the Savior of the world, the Christ.”  John 4:40-42  AMP 

Although we are not told what Jesus said in those two days while with the Samaritans, we know that His words were compelling enough to persuade them that He was truly the Son of God. The word ‘Christ’ means Anointed One. Jesus used His anointing to heal, and to teach, and deliver. Two-thirds of Jesus recorded actions while on earth were of healing. He traveled from town to town, breaking off yokes of physical and mental illness and even raising the dead. (See Lazarus: John 11: 38-44) Jesus was a Healing Machine. 

It was through these healing miracles that were witnessed and testified that spread the Good News that the true Son of God was “in the house”. But it was His own personal  raised from the dead story that solidified His place as the Son of God in the minds of the Apostles and His inner circle. These first hand witnesses became messengers that took Jesus’s actions far and wide, even at the expense of their own personal safety and eventual horrific deaths. The only Apostle not murdered, the Apostle John, was exiled to the island of Patmos where he was left alone to die.  It was on Patmos that he wrote    1 John as well as the Book of the Revelation. Canva - Angel

” I, Jesus, have sent my messenger angel to you to witness and to give you assurance of these things for the churches (assemblies). I am the Root (the Source) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and brilliant Morning Star  (Isa.  11:1,10 AMP) 
The Holy Spirit and the bride (the true Christians) say Come! And let him who is listening say, Come! And let everyone come who is thirsty and whoever earnestly desires to do it, let him come, take, appropriate and drink from the water of Life without cost.”   (Revelation 22: 16 AMP)

Oh what a Savior!

Lesson #6
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Jesus as Savior
Sacred Ramblings
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Tracy Gatewood
Facebook:  Tracy Gatewood Sacred Ramblings
Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus

 

In Christ Our Peace

25 Monday May 2020

Posted by in Christianity, Emotions, faith, God, How to find Peace ?, Mercy, peace, Prayer, Prayer University

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In Christ

Everywhere I turn I see people visibly afraid and anxious. For those already experiencing any degree of mental illness, high levels of fear due to this virus will only throw fuel on the fire. Visualize a blow torch.  Although peace is a diametrically opposed emotion to fear and anxiety, these emotions; peace, fear and anxiety, each release from the inside out, “manufactured” from within the mind.

The ancient Greek word for mind is ‘psyche’. Scientific articles state that the mind is where reasoning, conscience, character, feeling, the emotions, memory, perception, and thinking occurs. No one seems to know where “the mind” (which is a third part of the soul) is located within the body but believe it could be within the brain, and some believe within the heart. The human mind is as powerful if not more so than any vital organ; heart, kidney, brain – but unlike an organ, there is no surgical procedure that can bring peace or repair the mind. Peace must be acquired through more un-natural, even supernatural means. There is a recipe to sustained peace – this recipe has three ingredients: Christ Jesus (the resurrected Jesus), the Holy Spirit and prayer.

John 16:33 AMP  I have told you these things so that in Me (boldface mine) you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress (frustration); but be of good cheer [ take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted] ! For I have overcome the world. [ I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you].

 When you accept Christ, you are surrounded by Jesus and therefore protected “In Him”. He has paid for your peace –

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

What if I told you that PEACE is accessible despite your circumstances by drawing it out from your position “In Christ”?  That every negative emotion of fear, worry, sustained anxiety, deep depression, hopelessness, despair, ETC actually exists outside of Him (and you). Access to you is only allowed by you as you come into agreement with these outliers that are technically separate from you because you are “In Him“. These emotions are not you but are bad actors that will take over the stage of your mind and your identity if you allow. You have the ability to leverage your gift of peace and to possess a stabilized mind through authority  held “In Christ”.  – I realize this is deep but bear with me –

Negative emotions, tormenting thoughts must be given legal access to occupy anyone redeemed by the blood of Jesus. This access is catalyzed through 1) Agreement and 2) allowed sustained fear, and / or unforgiveness 3) a lack of understanding of the love of God. The Holy Spirit – our Comforter, Counselor, Teacher, Guide, Helper, Advocate – who lives internally in all that accept Christ, is The One that clears and stabilizes the mind. It is He Who administers the delivery system for our gift of Peace.

Philippians 4:6-7 AMP  “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything by prayer and petition (definite requests) with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace (shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace ] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  (boldface mine)

The word “garrison” used here is a military term and implies that soldiers have been stationed in a location for the purposes of protection. [ It is interesting to see that hearts and minds are both used. I believe that the mind and heart are more connected than the brain and the heart. ]  Your mind and heart are in fact being “garrisoned” and guarded by Sar Shalom, the Prince of Peace, by His Spirit through your prayers and petitions to Him.

Having an intense focus on God and looking vertically while not focusing on negative circumstances, the horizontal, is a necessary step towards taking back your peace. To have the mind garrisoned in peace feels as if a safety helmet has been placed on your head, clearing a troubled mind as easily as erasing a child’s Etch A Sketch pad. I know from experience that this occurs supernaturally. The circumstances do not change but your mind undergoes a peace medicator administered by the Holy Spirit. Everything I am teaching I have personally walked out so in fact, these writings on prayer are as much testimony as they are researched topical teaching.

But one more step may be needed to wrestle down these dangerous emotional flame throwers of fear, anxiety, worry, hopelessness. You must specifically address these negative emotions by name and command them to go in the name of Jesus. Because they are outliers and you are “in Christ” – they are not from you or of you even though your circumstances may warrant feeling them. Fear can be paralyzing and is never from God. Remaining in sustained fear will open a door and allow a menagerie of other negative emotions to access the mind. You must close the door to fear and seal it closed.

John 14:27 AMP “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).

Jesus left us His peace, bequeathed, yes gifted it, with no strings attached and requiring no effort on our part. Jesus did not leave us faith or joy as a gift. I must believe that He felt that peace was so crucial that He needed to ensure we each had an “all access pass” to peace in the theatre of our minds.

Lastly, if you have a prayer language, the gift of peace can be accessed successfully by praying to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks directly with God about your circumstances and needs, resulting in a swift and thorough response regarding your peace.

In this disorienting season of  abounding “new normals” and foggy future, there is no time like the present to learn to become skilled at accessing and maintaining peace. If Jesus gave us His peace we own its title deed. It is my hope that via your partnership with the Holy Spirit, Christ Jesus and your time of prayer, that you will gain mastery of the gift bequeathed to you by the Prince of Peace Himself.

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Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
In Christ Our Peace
All Rights Reserved 2020

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The Spirit of Peace     https://sacredramblings.com/2017/07/23/the-spirit-of-peace/

Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and
Meeting Jesus
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The Process of A Process

01 Wednesday Jan 2020

Posted by in Careers, Christianity, God, Holy Spirit, Journey of Life, Leadership, peace, Process of Life, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, Wisdom

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For the past few months I have had this unsettled feeling in my spirit that comes as part and parcel when I embark on the process of transition. I am feeling that it is time for a change, a move, a desire to go to something else.

One day this week as I was waking up in bed, and just as the sun was beginning to rise up and claim the morning, I began to ponder these unsettled feelings. As my mind began to track back through this decade and then rewind through previous decades,  I noticed something interesting, well at least interesting to me.  Since growing into adulthood, with every single change in a decade, I have moved to another city, and typically to another state. I have undergone many of my life’s most profound seasons of change while journeying through the ‘9’ and into the ‘0’ .  1) From an Alabama high school senior to Virginia-bound college freshman,  2) a career upgrade requiring a move from Alabama to Atlanta, 3) freshly single and broken in Atlanta to single yet still alive returning back to Alabama, 4) then 10 years later single and broken again (not marriage related!) and still in Alabama with a return to my hometown, and now this new decade (still single ha!) but strong, self employed and now stabilized in a foundation built upon Christ Jesus.

This week, I was reading a book on the life of King David. One of the chapters went to great lengths to show the process that David went through before God opened the door for him to become King. Even (and especially after) David became Israel’s second King, he continued to experience trial after trial. He was trained through so many trials that when he encountered his most serious they did not consume. We all know that David was by no means perfect but undeniably a great leader possessing a connection to God as His Beloved, that was and may still be unmatched. Only God knows this but throughout the process, David strengthened himself in the Lord and no other. This is a great lesson for all of us.

As I move through life, I see there are no shortcuts; neither in business nor in ministry nor apparently as David’s life illustrates, in kingdom management. Its all process, process, process. My life compared to King David, although not without some steep almost vertical degrees of difficulty, has been by comparison, simple. David got an early start as a giant killer and in doing so got an early leg up to be groomed for a great destiny. Despite being raised in the church, I was a late bloomer to Jesus and to the understanding of true faith. How I wish I had not lost those precious years circling in the weeds of life, unaware that there was a divine GPS to guide me along a righteous path but again I say – it’s a process, and don’t let anyone convince you  differently. There is no microwave growth in Christianity – its water, son-light and roots growing deeper and deeper and deeper into the verdant soil of the Divine.

I have noticed that doors, particularly meaningful spiritual doors, swing open on just one or two hinges. These doors cannot be pushed, kicked or broken down – these doors swing wide with no known pressure. Again reflecting on David, he was thought the least of Jesse’s sons and was not even presented to Samuel. David was out in the field, diligently doing his job, minding the sheep and BOOM – a life changing encounter came out of nowhere, an encounter undeniably from the hand of God.

And the word of the Lord came to Nathan (the prophet) saying –
11 Samuel 7:8-9  So now say this to my servant David, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the pasture, from following the sheep, to be prince over My people. And I was with you where you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I will make you a great name like that of the great men of the earth.”

Some of the most important opportunities that have come my way, those of which I can take no credit, have emerged from out of the blue.  These “doorways of grace” glided open easily with no striving, occurring only in their proper time and season. There was no planning, foresight or known cause for God’s invisible, provident breath to blow these doors of opportunity open wide. But there is something of importance to note: When these doors swing open we must be ready to move as they are on a hinge that snaps back and will slam like that old wood frame screen door on your grandmothers house. Whap!  I can still hear that door slamming closed on a few opportunities that I did not walk through due to fear, self doubt and over thinking but because of the goodly nature of God – I, like you, can rest in His second chances.

Not typically associated with “fun”, the process of being in the process is certainly punctuated with times of enjoyment but rarely would anyone describe the work involved as “fun”.  “Fun” relates to entertainment – if being constantly entertained is what it took to become great then one would not have to journey through “a process” to arrive. Entertainment is typically reserved for endeavors that engage the soul on a surface level but never engage with the spirit – as it takes The Spirit to successfully navigate The Process. Are you still with me ?

As I write this on the first day of the year and even a new decade, I remain expectant of what and where the process will take both you and me. As we look backward to 2010 and consider where we have come – remain encouraged. I am not where I wish to be but definitely have made significant progress in the 10 years spent (some would consider) in this wilderness, a place where I never desired to grow content or become familiar. When I look in the mirror I am reminded that although “my youth is being renewed as the eagles” those eagles are definitely older eagles – I’m no eaglet!  But God has given me a greater peace for the process. Perhaps this is to become my desire for 2020 that I wish for you and for me: Peace.

Happy New Year!

Tracy Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings
All Rights Reserved
1/1/2020

Related article: My Journey with Jesus Part Two http://wp.me/p1zoxs-gR

Tracy Gatewood is the author of Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus  (2015)

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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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Red heart icon with sign heartbeat.

“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
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The Spirit of Peace

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Emotions, Fear, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mercy, peace, Prayer, Prayer University, the Spirit

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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 troubled, neither let them be afraid.“

In this verse Jesus is telling us that 1) We now own our peace because it is being given as a gift from Him – the Amplified actually uses the word bequeath which is property given after death  2) We have been given the identical state of peace that Jesus Himself is able to access and 3) It was being given by Him through a different vehicle unlike any other way peace could be delivered and achieved for us on the earth.

So what is Peace and how is it possible to attain peace since we have been given its title deed? Jesus mentioned peace to the disciples multiple times near the end of His life on earth. Peace in the Hebrew (Old Testament) means ‘Shalom’, which is a rich Jewish word with multiple meanings; completeness, wholeness, soundness, prosperity,  quietness, contentedness. Peace in the Greek (New Testament) is similar: tranquility, felicity, safety, fearing nothing from God, content. Spiritual Peace in the Amplified is defined as peace with God, harmony, unity, and living in an undisturbed state.

The very first words that Jesus said to the disciples when He returned to them following His crucifixion were ‘Peace to you!’ [John 20:19] He repeated that phrase again [John 20:21] moments before He breathed the Holy Spirit into them declaring “Receive the Holy Spirit!” Eight days later Jesus returned to be with His disciples and again His first words were ‘Peace to you!” [John 20:26].  Jesus found it important to proclaim, ‘Peace to you’ multiple times in a short span of days.

But why? Jesus had clearly given His disciples ownership of His peace prior to His crucifixion and then returned to them giving it over and over again. If one has been bequeathed a gift and knows it – why would the Gift-giver continue to present the gift multiple times? I believe that by Jesus releasing His peace – it was the same force that occurred when the storm was blowing when He said ‘Peace be Still’ – and then the wind died. In the same way, ‘Peace to you’, released His peace into the disciples, taking authority over any spirit that was not peaceful in that atmosphere. Here is why that can happen – Peace is a Spirit and we have dominion over every spirit on the earth.

Following 17 years of experiencing highly concentrated training sessions in the Holy Spirit’s Life Boot Camp, I have learned a few 18K gold truths, most of them through …. well let’s just say nothing associated with ease:  1) God is the source of everything. Period.  2) Holy Spirit is the best ‘Mind Manager’ ever devised (Physical Manager, too)  3) Jesus is all supply – lack of faith (fear) turns off His supply flow  4) It is only faith in Jesus that pleases God  5) A thorough knowledge of Who Jesus Christ truly is and an acceptance of the infinite, immutable love of God,  (understanding that He is always working on our behalf no matter what ) are the two most stabilizing forces that exist for any individual. 6) The work of Jesus is complete, finished. There were and have been many weeks in the Boot Camp I had to fight hard for what felt like elusive peace.

When Jesus stated in John 14:27, ‘Not as the world gives do I give to you ‘ – this was a sure word that His peace was arriving via [very] Special Delivery. Enter the Holy Spirit. There is no more crucial relationship for an individual than with the Spirit of Jesus. Holy Spirit is THE internal Comforter, Advocate, Counselor, Teacher, Helper assigned by Jesus to manage the Control Panel of our peace. I have previously written about the different roles of the Godhead but in the New Covenant, the Grace Covenant – we are charged to live led by the Spirit.  In today’s post,  I will detail one tangible, practical application to tackle torment and unrighteous thoughts that will provide relief by partnering with the Holy Spirit.  This is tried, tested and truly works.

Hebrews 10:22  Let us all come forward and draw near with true (honest and sincere hearts) in unqualified assurance and absolute conviction engendered by faith, having our hearts sprinkled and purified from a guilty conscience and our bodies cleansed with pure water.  Hebrews 12:23-35   and to the general assembly and assembly of the firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to God, who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect [bringing them to their final glory], 24 and to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant [uniting God and man], and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks [of mercy], a better and nobler and more gracious message than the blood of Abel [which cried out for vengeance].

Just as blood was sprinkled on the Mercy Seat for the cleansing and forgiveness of sin on the Ark of the Covenant,  the sprinkling of blood on our minds has the same impact on unrighteous thoughts. Blood is the currency of Heaven. Blood is required for the remission of sin by God. The blood of Jesus is efficacious, flowing continually to cleanse from all unrighteousness.  When you call on Holy Spirit to sprinkle the blood of Jesus on your own mind as a cleansing agent from unrighteous thoughts; fear, shame, trauma, abusive memories, anger, anxiety, depression, rage, hatred, unforgiveness – He, as the Spirit of Jesus, will purify your mind from all torment and unrighteousness. The blood delivered by the Administrator of the New Covenant, The Spirit, ushers in the spirit of Peace.

When I pray for another person against depression, anxiety or any emotional turmoil – I direct a person to focus on Jesus and the crown of thorns that paid for our mental freedom. Then I bind up those spirits of fear, torment, despair, anger and anything else the Holy Spirit brings to my attention to release from this prison. [Only a Christian that reveres, understands and respects the holiness of the blood of Jesus should attempt these prayers.]  To Be Continued –

If you move forward to partner with Holy Spirit for your recovery from the attacks of emotional turmoil, I am very interested in your circumstances. Please leave a comment or let me know how I can pray for you.

#StableandFixed  #Jesus  #Emotions  #Healing

Tracy L Gatewood
#TheWriterWhomJesusLoves
The Spirit of Peace 
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Equip The Bride

23 Monday May 2011

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Bride of Christ, Christianity, Disasters, Emotions, Fear, God, Grace, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, peace, Prayer, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama, TracyLGatewood, Tuscaloosa

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Tuscaloosa, Alabama – I have watched for weeks as churches put forth Herculean effort to resource and rescue thousands of Tuscaloosa citizens in the wake of one of the most devastating storms in our country’s history. Still The Body functions in excellence.  This week, a meeting of 40 Tuscaloosa pastors met for a time of unified, corporate prayer to seek God’s wisdom for each other, their congregations and the city. The wisdom of God will be a strong requirement to move forward with vision and fortitude in the months, and likely years, ahead.

Each day I observe the undeniable need for funding the local church as we become increasingly aware of these organizations as powerful centralized distribution hubs for stability, resource and counsel.  Churches, like mini City Halls, possess the infrastructure for financial disbursement and accountability, the ability to provide clothing, food and shelter, stability and healing as well as serving as points of access for connection to every conceivable vocation through its members. Churches are the finest “one stop shopping”  option for disaster relief.  In the days ahead, all churches will be utilized more frequently as access hubs for immediate stabilization, healing and disbursement of resources but first they themselves must be properly structured and resourced. This is serious, time -sensitive  business.

Genesis 41:38
“So Pharaoh asked them, ‘Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the Spirit of God?’ ”

Pharaoh of course was referring to Joseph. This is the hour for marketplace Joseph’s to stand in preparation and walk in action to equip, fund and structure the Church, the bride of Christ, in anticipation of His return and enable Her to stand uprightly and majestically within every community served. (Not merely have Her stand with the aid of a cane or a walker – but properly financially resourced to function in full capacity. )

The need for funding has never been greater for churches and ministries in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I am writing to simply sound the alarm because of what I see happening. The anointing is here, the people and hearts are here but it is time to move and equip these Brides. Do not let the Bride go hungry (food banks), dress shabbily (clothes closets) or be in ill health (health centers) or become in disrepair. Do not let the Bride become inadequately staffed and forced to turn from people who require healing and wise counsel – the type of counsel that is imparted from the wise and Godly as they hear from the Spirit of God.

Job 32:8
“But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty,
that gives Him understanding”

Equip the Bride and Her Children, para-church ministries that are not churches. Do not make them beg for discernment of their worth if you know they are set apart by God for His work and purposes. Tuscaloosa is no different from any other community – disaster will come to a city near you – each Bride in each community must be equipped and structured.

It is the responsibility of the Church through The Body to equip, educate and counsel people on El Shaddai (God Almighty, All Sufficient One, Genesis 17:1)and the meaning of the covenant, redemptive names purchased through the exchange at the cross and Jesus’ blood sacrifice which covers the scope of every human need:

Shammah (His Presence, Ezekial 48:35), Shalom (Peace, Judges 6:24), Ra-ah (Shepherd / Pastor, Psalm 23:1), Jireh (Provision, Genesis 22:14),  Nissi, ( Banner of Victory over principalities and darkness, Exodus 17:15),  Tsidkenu, (Righteousness Jeremiah 23:6), Rapha (Healer, Exodus 15:26), and Jehovah M’Kaddesh (Sanctifier, Leviticus 20:8).

A tremendous responsibility indeed but one in which The Church, the Bride of Christ is uniquely designed to deliver but must be adequately enabled to perform. Simply put, please give money to the churches, they will soon be serving entire cities, not just their own membership rolls.

The city lost 21 churches plus the Salvation Army buildings. Please pray for those people who have lost their places of worship, fellowship, resource and community. Thank you for your continued prayers that city and state government leadership and spiritual leadership hear from the spirit of God.

Tracy Gatewood
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