Category Archives: The Bible

What If ?

02 Monday Jul 2018

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Why You Should Give to the Poor

01 Tuesday May 2018

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

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The Poor 2

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newsflash: GOD WORKS THROUGH PEOPLE

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

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

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

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

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I Pray for You a Doorway of Grace – to Witness the Power of the Word of God on Display

10 Saturday Mar 2018

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Emotions, Jesus Christ, The Bible, Tracy Gatewood Prayer, TracyLGatewood, Uncategorized

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Book Cover: Doorways of Grace 2015   Photo Credit: Allison P. Adams

Revelation 19:12-14   His eyes [blaze] like a flame of fire, and on His head are many kingly crowns (diadems), and He has a title (name) inscribed which He alone knows or can understand. He is dressed in a robe dyed by dipping in blood, and the title by which He is called, The Word of God. And the troops of heaven, clothed in fine linen, dazzling and clean, followed Him on white horses.

John 1:1-5  In the beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. He was present originally with God. All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him was not even one thing made that has come into being. In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it.

If the Word of God is actually Christ Jesus, the Anointed One, our ratified Savior, I must question why we don’t speak His Words more frequently to impact circumstances. There is nothing more powerful than God’s Word that we can invoke into any situation.

The above verses illustrate that there is Dunamis power held up in words of scripture. Dunamis refers to “inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth”.   To speak aloud these power-Words and verses and to utilize them as arrows directed into situations and circumstances provides the defining strategy of how to walk in these times. Christ in and Through You is The Archer.  Through His sacrifice and His blood – Jesus allows for the power contained in these Words to run with His Spirit. Speak the Word Friends, where there is Power and Life and Protection.  Hallelujah!

I will confess – I have struggled writing this post on the Word of God for several weeks. The complexities and mysteries surrounding this great topic have given me breath stealing  pause. How do I communicate words that became flesh?  How do I adequately articulate  A Man, A King – who is actual words?  The Word as Jesus,  was with God from the beginning of time, before the earth was even formed. The Word as Christ Jesus, returns at the end of days as King Jesus with His robe dipped in His own blood bearing the title – the Word of God.  Again, I confess this great mystery is beyond my scope to understand therefore I am reduced to merely demonstrating the importance of the Word and to reveal the undergirdings from which it breaks forth for maximum impact, the most important: possessing faith.  { But one day,  asserts the Sacred Rambler, I shall crack this code of mystery. }

And faith is required. The following is a statement from the Reverend Andrew Murray regarding faith:

When I have a word of God in which He promises to do something, I can always remain sure that He will do it. I need simply to take and hold firmly the Word, and then wait on God, who will make sure that He fulfills His Word to me. Before I ever feel or experience anything, I hold firmly the promise, and I know by faith that God will keep it for me. (Luke 1:38, 45; John 3:33, 4:50, 11:40, 20:29; Hebrews 11:11, 18)

What now is Faith? Nothing other than the certainty that what God says is true. When God says something exists or is, then faith rejoices, even though it can’t see anything of it. (Roms 1:17,4:5, 5:1; Gal 3:27, Eph 1:19, 3:17) When God says that He has given me something , that something is mine. When God says that something shall take place, or that He will do something for me, in faith this Word is just as good as if I had seen it.  (Rom 8:38, Phil 3:21, 1 Thess 5:24, 1 Pet. 1:4-5 )

Your Faith backed by the Word of God can be illustrated as the equivalent of one solid ounce of pure gold backing every one dollar bill. The gold is the Word and not your faith.

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we (especially) thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God (which you heard) from us, you welcomed it not as the word of (mere) men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe (exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to, trust in and rely on it).

It is crucial to know and to hide the Word in your heart. Now what does this mean ? It means that you must know the Word of God, meditate on it’s meaning and receive it into your heart by faith. Again I lean onto Andrew Murray’s work to articulate this point:

“The heart is the temple of God. In the temple there was an outer court and an inner sanctuary. It’s the same way with the heart. The gate of the court is the understanding, meaning that what I do not understand cannot enter into the heart. Through the outer gate of the understanding the Word comes into the court. There it is kept in memory and reflection. Still it is not yet properly in the heart. From the court there is an entrance into the innermost sanctuary, meaning that the entrance to the door is faith. What I believe I receive into my heart. Here it then becomes held firmly in love and in the surrender of the will. Where this takes place, there the heart becomes the sanctuary of God. His law is there as in the ark, and the soul cries out: “The law is within my heart”.

 You may know that the Soul is comprised of  3 things:  1) the mind (which is separate from the brain)  2) the will  3) the emotions. The Soul itself must engage in a desire to want to know, to understand, and to produce the will to embrace and surrender to the truth of the Word of God.

There is no greater relationship for us mere mortals to develop than with the Spirit of Jesus; God’s Holy Spirit – Who has been tapped as The One to bring us revelation. It is through trusting Him that we have the ability to adequately plumb the depths of the riches of the Word of God, allowing these Words to reveal to us all things desired by God for us to know.

Hebrews 4:12  For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power (making it active, operative, energizing and effective); it is sharper than any two edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and (the immortal) spirit, and of joints and marrow [ of the deepest parts of our nature ], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

To use the Word of God for any purpose – you must know it, and at the risk of stating the obvious; this mean you must First Be In It. The desire for knowing and understanding the Word becomes more important than events and other forms of entertainment; cheap counterfeits that fill the soul with temporary refined sugar highs rather than the lifesaving “leafy greens” provided by God. To deliver the Word with faith and power, you must be stabilized in it while also understanding how to “rightly divide it”.  When you begin to walk away from the Word and consider gravitating toward carnal things, you know the true enjoyment that you crave is held within the Word because “it is alive and full of power“.

I Pray for you a Doorway of Grace that you will learn the importance and the power of the Word of God and will utilize it today for your good and for His Kingdom.

Tracy L. Gatewood
Sacred Ramblings  March 2018

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