Tag Archives: Jesus

The City of Refuge

31 Sunday Jan 2016

Posted by in #HolySpirit, Armor of God, Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Uncategorized

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Cityof RefugeHe who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, you are my Refuge and my Fortress, my God on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I {confidently} trust!  Psalm 91: 1-2 AMP

Each morning when sitting before God in my quiet time, I pray Psalm 91 AMP and also read a prayer based on the #ArmorofGod. Both of these are spoken aloud because I desire (and need) for my mind, the devil and my body to hear God’s words of protection and safety being spoken and to get into alignment and agreement with these words. In times of uncertainty, it is essential to understand where security, refuge and covering lies for each of us.

On the day the Lord delivered David from the hand of the Philistine army,  he wrote a 51 verse Psalm that began:

” The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
The God of my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation,
My stronghold and my refuge,
My Savior, You save me from violence.
I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised;
So shall I be saved from my enemies. “ 2 Samuel 22:1-4

In old testament times, the Lord commanded that there be cities as places of refuge for the Israelites and people dwelling among them (Joshua 20:9) that would act as Embassies for His people being pursued or in trouble. (Joshua 20:2) Unlike the Sanctuary cities the United States has chosen to be places of refuge for immigrants, these ancient cities of Refuge were to be safe havens for any Israelite that accidentally or unintentionally killed someone.

Joshua 20 v 1-4: ” The Lord said to Joshua. Say to the Israelites, Appoint among you cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you and Moses, that the slayer who kills anyone accidentally and unintentionally may flee there; they shall be your refuge from the avenger [Numbers 35:10] He who flees to one of those cities shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city; they shall receive him to [ the protection of ] that city and give him a place to dwell among them. If the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the slayer into his hand, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally, having had no hatred for him previously. And he shall dwell in that city until he has been tried before the congregation and until the death of him who is the High Priest in those days. Then the slayer shall return to his own city from which he fled and to his own house.” Each tribe of Israel chose one city in their territory to become a city of refuge (Sanctuary). This sounds like some Old Testament GRACE of God to me.

[ In the U.S. an immigrant arrives into a Sanctuary city as a safe haven, fleeing from religious or political persecution, where it is hoped that they do not have a criminal background or arrive with criminal intent. Repeatedly stories unfold of immigrants inflicting harm on the people within U.S. cities and more so around the world where they have been graciously allowed entrance. It is interesting that God designated cities of refuge with such different intent. If the pursuers of these present day immigrants showed up at these U.S. cities to capture them, would we hand them over ? Of course not. But some immigrants still bite the hands that save and protect.]

Now because of the sacrifice and finished work of Jesus, we ourselves are the temples where God’s Spirit dwells; the Spirit that provides comfort, counseling, guidance and teaching in needed times of refuge. We are led by His Spirit to places of refreshing and renewal, places of protection and security. The Lord who is our Fortress and our Refuge lives inside each of us who trust. We are a Kingdom filled with “temples” in the bodies of people living within cities who believe in Christ Jesus. Your body is the temple of God’s Holy Spirit cleansed, redeemed and sanctified one time and for all time by the blood of Jesus for the purposes of work for His Kingdom. Genius.

#Refuge  #Immigrant  #Migrant  #HolySpirit  #Jesus

Tracy L Gatewood Sacred Ramblings

Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Website: tracygatewood.com

 

 

 

Jesus – The Bishop of Our Souls

10 Saturday Oct 2015

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, Grace, Jesus

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Jesus teaching

Every person on Earth is comprised of three things:Spirit, Soul and Body.   A person’s Soul is comprised of the mind, and their will and the emotions. The soul is the epicenter for activity impacting the mind and mental health activity. If your soul is wrecked, then it impairs you mentally, emotionally and from there almost always transmits to the physical body. A Soul Under Control is the Key to maintaining a strong mind and top functioning mental health. 

There are 4 primary situations that can wreak havoc on the mind, will, and in the emotions (soul)  of any individual: Any experience involving Trauma, Shame, Rejection / Abandonment, and Abuse if not dealt with quickly can minimally take years from which to recover and in severe cases has the ability to change the entire trajectory and destiny of a person’s life. These occurrences will attack a person’s soul with such force it leaves them reeling, feeling shredded.  The Cross and the finished work of Jesus is the only pathway to Freedom.

Your Soul is a powerful force and should and can be in a place of peace and rest.There are important reasons the Lord exhorts us to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus and take captive every thought. As the inevitable storms cross the bow of your boat, picture your boat as the Ark of Jesus. Storm clouds roll all ’round but because of the grace of God, you are safely, and securely lashed onto the Ark of Jesus Christ. When FEAR grips your mind, stand against it,  reminding yourself that you are in Christ Jesus and pray from a stand of VICTORY already won despite the circumstances. The devil is brilliant at distracting us from our priorities by throwing counterfeit issues into our paths. Don’t bite the bait, but swim straight,  remaining on course and past the dangling Hook of Distraction. Don’t take the bait of Satan.

1Peter 2:21 AMP: “When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; (when) He was abused and suffered, He made no threats of (vengeance) but He trusted (Himself and everything) to Him Who judges fairly. He personally bore our sins in His (own) body on the tree (as on the alter and offered Himself on it), that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.For you were going astray like (so many) sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian (the Bishop) of your souls. {Isaiah 53:5,6 } ”

Upon His resurrection He ratified a New Covenant for us,  releasing His Holy Spirit into all that believe Him entrusting themselves to His authority and oversight. The Chief Shepherd, and Bishop of our Souls, can be trusted. When you focus your mind with full force on His Deity, His Loveliness, His Mercy and Kindness, the response in the Soul becomes one of rest and peace.

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)”

Friends, if you know Jesus, He has actually already given you peace – you now own it, it is now yours for the taking but you must take.  Ask His Holy Spirit to protect your heart and mind and renounce any spirit of fear, or condemnation that you may have mistakenly accepted as yours. The Bishop is just one prayer away and is waiting to help you now.  Give your Soul a “Self-Check” . Are you dwelling in the Secret Place where you can remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty ?   (Psalm 91:1)  The Bishop is waiting for you there.

Tracy xoxo

Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Sharing Link: http://wp.me/p1zoxs-vq
New Book: Doorways of Grace  is my personal testimony available on Amazon.
#stableandfixed

The Tabernacle – a Place of Protection

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by in Christianity, Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jew, Jewish, New Covenant, Tracy Gatewood

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I have lived all of my adult life not realizing that my birthday always fell within a time of great celebration and rejoicing! It always occurs within the 8 days of the Feast of Tabernacles.

September 28 marked the first day of Sukkot more commonly referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles (or Booths) The word Sukkot is the plural of the word Sukkah which means Tent (Hebrew). This feast traditionally ushers in the ingathering harvest at the end of the agricultural season as well as commemorated the Israelite’s and how they lived in the wilderness in booths or tents for 40 years. (Exodus 34:22). This is an 8 day celebration feast bearing witness to the goodness of God, and the will of God (Leviticus 23:42-43). This season always falls on the Jewish Sacred calendar in the 7th month of the year and in 2015 will run through October 5. Jesus was born during the Feast of Tabernacles. There are two recognized Jewish calendars: Sacred and Civil.

The September Feasts are the Lord’s fall feast days; Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Tabernacles. The bible documents Jesus observing the Feast of Tabernacles during His ministry in John 7:1-52. The Feast of Tabernacles is observed as a season of great celebration and joy because God Himself protected the Israelite’s as they wandered in the wilderness. In addition to the celebration of Tabernacles, September 24, 2015 marked the beginning of a new seven year cycle and and the end of the Shmita, or Sabbatical or Sabbath year. Also beginning on Sept 24, Israel embarked into a Jubilee year recognized every 50 years. Please see more information here:
http://www.oasischristianchurch.org/jubilee/jubilee_calendar.pdf

Tabernacle is defined as both Noun and Verb: the latter, “to take up residence; especially: to inhabit a physical body”, and as Noun: “a place of worship, a tent used as a place of worship by the ancient Israelite’s during their wanderings in the wilderness with Moses “. We can take this beautiful word TABERNACLE and know that we can commune with the Godhead because, if one has accepted Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit of God has taken up residence within us. Technically, we are constantly “tabernacle-ing” with Christ because He lives within us as the Spirit.

A Psalm of King David – Psalm 15 AMP:
“Lord, who shall dwell (temporarily) in Your tabernacle? Who shall dwell (permanently) on Your holy hill? He who walks and lives uprightly and blamelessly, who works rightness and justice and speaks and thinks the truth in his heart, He does not slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor: In whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he who honors those who fear the Lord (revere and worship Him): who swears to his own hurt and does not change; (He who) does not put out his money for interest (to one of his own people) and who will not take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.”

The Book of Exodus introduces us to the concept of the Tabernacle. Moses was commissioned to establish by explicit instruction from God how to construct the original Tabernacle that would house the Ark of the Covenant. The Tabernacle of God protected the Israelite’s by showing the way through the wilderness with Fire by Night and Cloud (Shekinah Glory of God)  by Day. “And Moses was not able to enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud remained upon it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the Israelite’s went onward; But if the cloud was not taken up, they did not journey on till the day that it was taken up. For throughout all their journeys the cloud of the Lord was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel.” Exodus 40: 35-38

The Old Testament Tabernacle built by the hands of man as described in Exodus was merely a type and shadow of the better things that have now been given to us by God through Jesus and the New Covenant.

Hebrews 9:11
“But (that appointed time came) when Christ ( the Messiah) appeared as the High Priest of the better things that have come and are to come. (Then) through the greater and more perfect Tabernacle not made with (human) hands that is, not a part of this material creation, He went once for all into the (Holy of) Holies of (heaven) not by virtue of the blood of goats and calves (by which to make reconciliation between God and man), but His own blood, having found and secured a complete redemption (an everlasting release for us). For if the mere sprinkling of unholy and defiled persons with blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a burnt heifer is sufficient for the purification of the body, 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?

When we inhabit our Secret Place to dwell with and Tabernacle with the Godhead, it puts into motion a list of things on our behalf by God as stated in Psalm 91: makes us stable and fixed under His shadow, makes Him our refuge and fortress, He delivers us from the snare of the fowler and deadly pestilence, also from destruction and sudden death. A thousand may fall but none shall come near you. No evil will befall, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. He will give His angels especial charge in all your ways of obedience and service. You will be enabled to trample on snakes and scorpions ( demons). You will be inaccessible in the Secret Place – tabernacle-ing with the Most High, because you have made the Lord your refuge and your dwelling place. Glory! What more could you ask for during these end times. Supreme protection lies in the secret place. Remain close to God and read your bible – read, know and allow the word of God to be established in your heart and mind.

You yourself are now the Tabernacle of God having been cleansed and purified by the blood of Jesus once and for all to house His eternal Spirit.

Hebrews 10:14
“For by a single offering He has forever completely cleansed and perfected those who are consecrated and made holy.”

Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Website: http://www.tracygatewood.com
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Fear and Your Self Deliverance

19 Sunday Jul 2015

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Emotions, Fear, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, redemption, Sin, Tracy Gatewood

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Jesus and Thorns

Fear University
Session #7 


ALL Christians have the ability to self-deliver from mental and physical illness and disease through the power of God’s Holy Spirit. 

In August 2010, I had a very unexpected technicolor encounter arriving special delivery via Holy Spirit showing Jesus on the cross, as He revealed to me that His work was indeed finished. Wide awake, I watched as Jesus gave up His own Spirit, signifying that He gave it up of His own will (dismissing His Spirit) and did so when He was ready.  His life was not taken from Him, but His work was complete. Since that time,  I have inched my way forward through teaching, writing and learning more about this grace but have also been impacted mostly by the healing component of grace.

God’s Healing Generals: Oral Roberts, T.L. Lowery, Lester Sumrall, Amy Semple McPherson, Kathryn Kuhlman, John G. Lake and Smith Wigglesworth transferred their powerful healing anointing into people in need. These are the selfless greats that worked diligently to heal thousands for God. The utilization of saints to impart healing miracles still works today but by God’s grace, the revelation has come to light that the Healer Himself lives inside each of us who accepts Jesus as Savior and it is God’s Holy Spirit that will do His work from the inside out. God’s Spirit can hold His own internal Camp Meeting on your behalf.

When Jesus exchanged his life for your life on a cross at Calvary, He purchased for you an eternal covenant that included divine healing and the right to good physical health and a sound mind. In my observation, almost all health issues generate in the mind and flow to the body.  People sin and can give legal right to a spirit of disease and infirmity.  You must understand that God works through a legal process using blood as the currency of Heaven. When Jesus shed His blood for you, His blood was infinitely more valuable than the blood of any Old Testament sacrificed animal. His death and resurrection was required to be your once and for all sacrifice.

Through the actual process used to redeem sin through Jesus, He accepted the assignment to go through a horrific scourging before He was put on the cross. A crown of thorns was shoved onto His head, mocking Him as King of the Jews. Every place that blood poured from Jesus’ body purchased our legal right from God to be free from the penalty of death by sin from the beginning of our life to the end. We can be healed and walk in health; mind and body because of the scourging of His body.  To embrace the concept of what Jesus did for us is fairly simple – but the hardest part is having the faith to believe that it works.

When a person accepts Christ, his/ her spirit comes alive or is activated. The Holy Spirit takes up residence within and assumes His role as Comforter, Counselor, Teacher, Helper and Healer. He is also the Administrator and Coordinator of all of the gifts. When the Holy Spirit sets up shop within you – a whole host of marvelous things can now unfold, not the least of these is calling upon Him as Healer to apprehend spirits that cause emotional / mental concerns as well as physical. (Cancer is a demonic spirit and by and through the grace established through Jesus, a person may be delivered.)

Through your authority in Jesus, your body, when spoken over,  must submit to the Spirit even down to the cellular level for your health.  You can actually speak to your systems (immune, metabolic, etc), chemicals (commanding hormones, etc to align), organs to calibrate to normal levels.  You can release a command, even a decree to your mind and body to align with God’s perfect will in the name of Jesus and by the blood of Jesus. Most people will think this is crazy.  Most certainly, there are doctors called into God’s service to tend to His people as healing missionaries, but none of them can conduct a creative miracle or a healing miracle  – these only occur through God’s Spirit.

Mark 3:27AMP
But no one can go into a strong man’s house and ransack his household good’s right and left and seize them as plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then indeed he may thoroughly plunder his house.

If you are ready to plunder physical and mental/ emotional disease and infirmity, the first step is identifying then binding the offender. All emotions are spirit based: fear, condemnation, panic attacks, bitterness, jealousy, trauma, anxiety, depression. Life for us mere mortals can become extremely challenging, bringing with it legitimate reasons to experience any of the above but it is when these initial responses continue on for days, into weeks or worse, turn into months or years, is when there is a demonic component and we must stop, then take notice and action.  Redirecting our minds back into proper alignment through reading the word of God and understanding His deep, immutable love and grace, dismantling the house of the Strong man (binding) and acknowledging the work of Jesus Christ, arrests the demonic and produces freedom. When you pray,  pray like you have the rights of ownership because you do by His blood. Pray like you own the title deed to your healing because you do.

It is important for those with understanding to pray for others. Many Christians do not feel good enough or adequate to take this step. You can pray for someone despite your failings, or any shortcomings. Don’t let satan convince that you are an unworthy vessel. You were made clean through the power of the cross of Christ once and for all. There are natural consequences of sin, no doubt, but your spirit is totally clean and pure. Do not allow yourself to get down into condemnation or false teaching on this topic. We connect with God with our spirit to His Spirit.

Each day focus on the loveliness of Jesus, His purity, His beauty and His perfect, unyielding love for you. Speak to Him and ask Him to transform your mind, calibrating it to His mind of perfect peace, of love, of tranquility. Fix your eyes and thoughts squarely on Jesus. By elevating your mind above your health and healing needs, concentrating on Him relieves burdens and breaks yokes in ways we cannot through our own thoughts and self analysis.

Jesus bore your sickness, disease, infirmities and emotions on the cross so that you would be free. Live free.

Follow Me on Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
2015 Book: Doorways of Grace
Sharing Link:  http://wp.me/p1zoxs-u0
Related Post: Fear University Session #6  http://wp.me/p1zoxs-tS

Fear University is a 7 Part Series. Parts 1-5 are featured on my Facebook account and not available on WordPress. I have also written recently:

Healing and the Armor of God
https://wordpress.com/post/tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/1814

Prayer for the Armor of God
https://wordpress.com/post/tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/1844

Healing and the Armor of God prayer

07 Sunday Jun 2015

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

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Armor of God image

Few of us live with the reality that there is a spirit realm that has an ability to impact our minds through thoughts, ideas and suggestions. All thoughts, good and bad, right and wrong are not all completely generated from within our minds. Because our flesh has actually been circumcised – cut away, made separate from us [ Colossians 2:11]  we can, through the power of the Holy Spirit and because of Christ’s sacrifice take dominion and authority over our flesh and this disruptive spirit realm.

The Apostle Paul instructed the Church at Ephesus to put on the complete Armor of God as a primary source of resistance in combat against “spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) spheres” v6:12 AMP. “ Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day (of danger) and having done all ( the crisis demands), to stand ( firmly in place). v6:13 AMP  Notice the Apostle Paul says here to stand, so we must be able to do it. We must stand rooted from a position of victory, not pleading from a defeated stance. Our victory has already been won by Jesus.

A little known truth is that most disease begins from within the mind and travels through the body wrecking health – either through emotional spirits (ie fear, bitterness, condemnation, anxiety, trauma, shame, abuse)  or generational spirits that repeat patterns of disease from prior generations. Through prayer, we can take authority over spirits of disease and infirmity and the Spirit of God will move forward to do His work [ Matthew 12:28 ]. Like prayer, the partaking of the Lord’s Supper should become a daily part of times of devotion; properly discerning the Body and expressing gratitude and appreciation to Jesus for the lashes that He took, to purchase health and healing. The blood spilled from His head by the crown of thorns purchased healing, and restoration for our minds to enable rest. Prayer and the Lord’s Supper are readily available and much easier than driving to a pharmacy.

Fear is enemy #1. The spirit of fear is the red carpet on which the enemy makes a grand entrance to walk out onto the stage of a person’s mind. Fear is like heavenly oxygen to the enemy, an atmosphere in which he thrives. Both fear and condemnation open portals from hell, allowing the raw sewage of paranoia, bitterness, anger, malice, mistrust, confusion and even lust, and addictions to pour forth into a person.  It is for these reasons, Jesus commands us not to fear. If we remain free of fear, the enemy has nothing on which to grab hold to move us into poor decisions, and life altering reactions, or to damage our emotional or physical health.

The following is Ephesians 6:14 -18 from the Amplified version which highlights the key components of armor as described by Paul:

Eph v6:14
Stand therefore, (hold your ground), having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put the breastplate of integrity, and of moral rectitude and right standing with God.
The belt of Truth is Jesus who is the Truth and the One who holds the armor together, keeping it securely in place. The breastplate of righteousness guards the heart and chest cavity.  For those who have accepted Jesus as Savior, we are the righteousness of God by faith in Christ Jesus, so therefore in right standing with God. Righteousness is a free gift that cannot be earned, nor can it be lost. Guarding the heart, which is the gateway to the soul (the soul is comprised of the mind, will and emotions), could be second in importance only to the direct protection of the mind.

Eph v6:15
And having shod your feet in preparation (to face the enemy firm-footed stability, the promptness and the readiness produced by the good news) of the Gospel of peace.

Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. This rich Jewish word also means wholeness, safety, completeness, perfection, prosperity. Strong’s Concordance further states that shalom means rest and the absence of agitation or discord.  Jesus is Shar Shalom, the Prince of Peace and the Prince of Rest. Jesus bequeathed peace to His followers [John 14:7]. We possess it and own it by right as a gift from Him. When you are prepared you can be at peace – in peace there is no fear, and without fear, the enemy has nothing on which to grasp.

For many of us, it takes more than just the knowledge that Jesus gave us peace to actually be peaceful. Enter God’s Holy Spirit to bring a person into rest as the comforter.

Phillipians 4:6-7 AMP Do not fret or have 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 is, that peace) which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians vs 6:16
Lift up over all the {covering} shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked (one).

As previously mentioned, our minds can become mine fields of thoughts, ideas and suggestions that are not our own nor are they from God. It is our responsibility to fix our focus on Jesus, keeping minds focused on things above and not beneath while standing on faith in His finished work. Faith defined in the Amplified is the leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power.

Have you ever put out a candle with a wet paper napkin and heard that quick sizzle sound when the candle snuffs? That is a quench. Your faith acts as a shield around your mind, extinguishing harmful effects of negative thoughts, keeping them from penetrating further into your soul. Ask the Holy Spirit to apprehend every spirit that is not from the spirit of God out of your mind. This works.

Ephesians vs 6:17
And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

Like Hebrew word Peace (Shalom), the word Salvation (Sozo) has multiple meanings translated from the Greek: healed, made whole, forgiven from sin, saved, deliverance, financial prosperity. It is a beautiful word of hope. We are seated in heavenly places and free in Christ Jesus, holding all hope; a confident expectation of good throughout any  circumstance. When the Holy Spirit revealed to you the truth about Jesus and you asked Him into your heart, that same revealed truth and acceptance of your willingness to be healed can through that same action provides your healing. The word Sozo means salvation and healing. Your mind is made whole, and healed by putting on the helmet of knowledge that Jesus’ death and resurrection was all that is required for your restoration, and that the blood of Jesus will re calibrate your mind and emotions to a state of rest and freedom if it is applied.

The Sword of the spirit is the Word of God and one of the two offensive weapons in the Armor of God prayer.  Reading the word of God provokes a cleansing action over your mind, rinsing away dust, debris and toxic thinking that collects on a daily basis. Reading the Word aloud allows not only you to hear it but you-know-who hears it as well. Significant power is released into the atmosphere when speaking God’s Word aloud. In God’s Word there is Spirit and life! The Word, and the Blood and Name of  Jesus are the most powerful tools of weaponry for a Believer. No foe or circumstance can withstand these three sources of Holy Spirit packed dynamite.

Ephesians vs 6:18
Pray at all times (on every occasion and in every season) in the Spirit, with all manner of prayer and entreaty. To that end, keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the Saints (God’s consecrated people).

Praying in the Spirit refers to a heavenly language, or a prayer language, that is only revealed to God and unlocks great mysteries in and by the Spirit. We are exhorted by the Apostle Paul to use our prayer language at every opportunity and to intercede for fellow Believers. To intercede means to stand in the gap for a person, nation, or organization. We are to be very intentional with our prayer habits and intercession. We live now under the Eternal Covenant of Grace, leaning with full confidence into Jesus and the blessed assurances that have been purchased for us.

Here are the verses in sequence without my comments:  Ephesians 6:10-18 AMP

10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.

18 Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

Tracy Gatewood  Alabama
TWITTER: @TracyLGatewood
FACEBOOK: Tracy Gatewood Christian Writer and Teacher
SHARING LINK: https://tracylgatewood.wordpress.com/2015/06/07/healing-and-the-armor-of-god-prayer/
Amazon Author: Doorways of Grace: My Uncommon Journey to Healing, Wholeness and Meeting Jesus
Copyright:  Doorways of Grace Ministry – All Rights Reserved

You Can Do It Yourself

28 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama, TracyLGatewood

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Moses

Young children depend on adults to accomplish most every task on their behalf. As children grow they develop skills allowing them to complete a wider array of responsibilities without the aid of an adult. Most often a parent will provide oversight as a child performs a task over and over again until the responsibility can be entrusted to them to fully execute. It could be something simple, tying a shoelace, or a much more complicated assignment – walking alone to catch a school bus – but at some point a parent will look to the child and say, “OK, loved one, you can do this yourself.”

In the same way, our Father wants us to grow in knowledge of our own capabilities as His beloved children. Jesus’ sacrifice, has opened a gateway of blessings for you and for your use. Jesus has left His Holy Spirit to train, teach, guide, comfort and counsel – and to administrate blessings to God’s people. God’s Holy Spirit administrates and coordinates the work that the now resurrected Jesus finished on the cross. Christ Jesus is not walking the earth, but seated at the right hand of His Father, mediating the Eternal Covenant (Agreement) for which He gave His life while also interceding on our behalf.

Hebrews 7:25 AMP Therefore He is able to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.

We have been given His Spirit to assist in every aspect of living; to enhance and order our lives, enabling us to reach our destiny and purposes for the greater good of others.

Getting Free Can Be Beautifully Simple

Two primary benefits that the Spirit can administrate to an individual are healing and deliverance. Because God’s Spirit lives within us, we have the power and we have been given the authority to thwart disease, infirmity and emotional illnesses within our own bodies and minds; ie prolonged depression, suicidal tendencies, extreme and protracted fear and anxiety, even severe psychological conditions.

Praying to release healing is different than simply pleading with God to be healed – prayer of this type spoken aloud requires faith and understanding in the grace that has been provided through the stripes that Jesus bore, the eternal power of His blood and acknowledgment of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 3:13-14 AMP Christ purchased our freedom (redeeming us) from the curse (doom) of the Law (and its condemnation) by (Himself) becoming a curse for us, for it is written (in the Scriptures), Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree is crucified); Deuteronomy 21:23) To that end that through (their receiving) Christ Jesus, the blessing (promised) to Abraham might come upon the Gentiles, so that we through faith might (all) receive (the realization of ) the promise of the (Holy) Spirit.

Despite “religious” activity that does more to complicate the benefits of grace and the gift of the finished work, what is illustrated in scripture by Jesus with healing is really so beautifully simple. He did not require healing retreats, counseling referrals, hand holding, or even hand-outs. Jesus simply prayed with faith and love while oftentimes, laying hands on the afflicted person to transfer His healing power. The Holy Spirit within us is all that is needed to exert the same power that Jesus Himself has for all mankind. I believe there is one thing that Jesus wants you to know about praying for your own healing. By partnering with His Holy Spirit in faith-filled prayer, “You can do it yourself“.


Boot Camp with the Master Teacher

I have walked my own personal journey of revelation on this very important subject. Over a 10 year season, the Lord was gracious to heal me of 3 medically documented conditions; a misaligned hip turning arthritic, degenerative disc disease and a migraine headache / vertigo combination, starting out as a virus that lasted 5 years. Each time these conditions were overcome by prayer; twice as the Holy Spirit acted through my own prayers and once by a well-timed intercessor. These conditions have never returned.

During another 2.5 year Boot Camp season of trial, the Holy Spirit again trained me to enlist him to arrest emotional conditions of the mind through prayer; panic, torment, fear, depression, suicidal thoughts, and despair relating to poverty, lack, rejection, trauma, shame and abuse – and a rarely used, biblical referenced “technique” of identifying an offending emotional spirit and binding it.(Mark 3: 26-28) In wrestling with the spirit realm, binding is the “flying cobra hold” of healing prayer. Binding disengages a spirit, and renders it powerless.

The Time is Now

Can we collectively embrace that a wise and loving Father would create for us a way by which we can walk in fullness and joy to freely live the radical message of the Good News? If there was something consistently better, more accurate and more powerful than Jesus’ stripes to achieve our healing, wouldn’t it make more sense for God to point us in that direction rather than ask His Son to endure 40 lashes or wear a crown of thorns for our healing and deliverance?

Isaiah 53:5 AMP 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.

In 2010, there were 35.1 million inpatient discharges in the U.S., 100 million outpatient discharges and 51.4 million procedures performed in our hospitals. If even 15% of these intakes were avoided by Christians taking hold of God’s supernatural promises and benefits for them, that would be a tremendous victory. We must have resolve and determine to take hold of what Jesus has already done for us – He has gone before to prepare a grace-way for His people, just as God did for Moses and the Israelites. The present “Red Sea” of disease and infirmity, seemingly incapable of navigation, can be parted by rejecting fear, embracing faith in the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit’s power, a power that lives within every person that has a relationship with Jesus. It is important now, more than ever, that we learn to walk out what Jesus has given us as a gift from the Father

Embracing the Gospel of Grace

04 Sunday May 2014

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Bride of Christ, Christianity, Emotions, Fear, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Leadership, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama, TracyLGatewood

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Tracy Gatewood

Since the summer of 2010, I have been held captive by this topic of the Gospel of grace. The true meaning of grace has powerful, paradigm shifting ramifications that are impacting the worldwide church by bringing new and deeper revelation and understanding to each triune member of the Godhead. Has God held back this revelation of grace to release it across the earth now as a final attempt at bringing the highest numbers of people into His Kingdom just before Christ’s return?

1. The complete understanding of true grace is imparted by the Holy Spirit and comes through divine revelation.

I believe this to be the essential piece to the grace-understanding puzzle and the primary missing piece for church leaders that are teaching this from the mixed grace perspective or a mixture of law-based grace. When this true understanding is revealed by God one is shown clearly first the complete truth of the finished work of Christ and immediately following, is given the revelation of the power of the blood of Jesus. The two go hand in hand and receiving this is the first step towards understanding true grace. It is the recipient’s “Damascus Road” experience where blind eyes are opened. Those that have experienced this will immediately relate. This divine process makes it more difficult for those that have received this revelation of true grace – it is hard to be a pioneer of truth – everyone kicks against it, but when this understanding is received, you know that it did not come from you because you had never heard it taught. Why the revelation of true grace has only been doled out to so few is unsure but God’s call is irrevocable and His appointed teachers must teach. Studying this topic correctly takes ample time and requires the continual flow of revelation from the Holy Spirit. It’s not like studying for one stand-alone message or even a message series – the study that does this subject total justice requires immersion; not a sprinkle or even a dunk, you have to buy a snorkel and plan to stay underwater to study its depths for months into years to grasp the rich treasuries of the mysteries of Jesus and His grace.

Every leader is given particular insight into a subject or a category that entails an important assignment and task to complete. It is my observation that the teaching of true grace has been assigned to a very small number of people in this particular season to carry forward the work of the Apostle Paul, and they alone are the ones to teach it. Time is short and it is important that leaders remain in the lanes of their assignment.

2. If someone has correct knowledge of true grace, they understand the reality of living by the Spirit whom does not condone sin or evil behavior. Holy Spirit always reveals Jesus.

The primary argument that I hear repeatedly from people lacking grace revelation is something that I never witness happen among any true grace follower. They warn that a person walking in true grace (which they refer to as radical grace) has disregard for God’s laws and commands and because they do not adhere to God’s commands they consequently could never walk in the blessings of God nor could they ever live a Godly lifestyle and could be in grave danger of turning and walking back toward eternal damnation. The Law, of which there were 613 including the Big 10, was given by God and all were good, holy and just but these Laws were not meant to govern Righteous people or those that believe in Jesus and are under the New Covenant. Jesus came to fulfill the Law and He did. The old law based covenant is obsolete and now there is a much better way. The righteous are to be governed and directed by the Spirit. God has written His laws on the tablets of our hearts and they are no longer written on stone.

True grace acknowledges Jesus’ finished work and from His resurrection was birthed the Holy Spirit who each of us have within to rely on as comforter, advocate, teacher, revelator and holy internal transformational leader. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to transform into the likeness of Christ. He is the most underutilized and misunderstood member of the Trinity and He is for us RIGHT NOW. Grace teaches us to live with Holy Spirit dominant in our minds, lives and hearts daily, asking Him to take over so we can fully live the gift of what God has given to us through the death and resurrection of His Son. Does this sound like a plot to instill spiritual anarchy throughout the ranks of Christendom across the globe? No – it is the highest degree of spiritual maturity, requiring an uncommon relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. An understanding of true grace requires an understanding of the combination of faith and grace as the two work together and in balance.

Jesus cleared the way to the throne of God by His blood acting as the propitiation for all sin from the very beginning of the world to the very end of time and there is nothing we must add to this or can do to make God love us more. Any such action would rank higher than the blood of His Son, a Deity, whose blood was completely sinless. (Have you ever pondered where Jesus’ blood came from? It was the blood of God –) An action list includes fasting and tithing although these are healthy personal disciplines but never should be done in an effort to make God move or to get His attention. For example, giving a first fruit tithe acts as a reminder to place the church first and places one’s confidence on God because of Jesus’ sacrifice and finished work. Provision was covered in the atonement. He is Jehovah Jireh the Provider. Don’t try to get God to move by giving the tithe. Tithing acknowledges in confidence that He will provide and in fact, He already has. By faith in His work, have an expectation that Jesus will “deliver the goods” and right on time. In fact, be expectant that He will deliver them exceedingly, abundantly more than could ever be asked for or thought. Now that’s faith.

As a personal illustration, my very first real estate sales transaction was $5,150,000 and that’s the truth.My very first transaction ever was a 7000 SF restaurant lease listing that was dropped into my lap that I leased to a respected, well-established concept. On the sales transaction, I received a hot tip on a corner lot from the Holy Spirit and acted upon it quickly and that is all the credit I can take for this event. Every conceivable novel-like twist and turn happened during the process for one solid year, but I remained steadfast in my belief that God had told me what to do and that Jesus had done the work for it to be delivered. If I repeated, I am the righteousness of God by faith in Christ Jesus once, I prayed it a hundred times to drive that concept deep into my own spirit, ease the fear and to bring me back to rest. The righteousness of Jesus has been imputed from Him into me and I am blessed and favored by God not because of what I do because of what Jesus did for me what I could never do on my own. Pay day was a blessed event.

Learn how to listen to the Holy Spirit and gain understanding of your responsibility of resting in Jesus’ Finished work. God gives us the power to get wealth. Begin to leverage grace through faith in Jesus finished work in your own life and watch as God brings you through a journey of growth in the knowledge of His Son individually customized for you. God wants to bless your life so you can be a blessing to others which expands His Kingdom so none shall be lost. Ask the Holy Spirit for favor in the marketplace and favor in the ministry place – He is the one that grants it.

4. Living with grace consciousness rather than sin consciousness elevates God to His rightful status, the One who loves us without condition and calls us to Him as His Beloveds.

The gospel message (if told accurately and received confidently), can be enough to break yokes of bondage, drive out demons, heal sick, restore peace to minds and set people free. Teaching the people about their victory in Jesus, providing a clear explanation of how He conquered the devil, combined with teaching God’s promises in these areas works miracles. The Holy Spirit shows up when the Gospel message is preached and His presence is all that is necessary because He is the one with the power. Jesus never condemned or struck fear in the hearts of those He healed because He is the embodiment of grace and truth. He walked the talk because He is the talk. He is the Word. The Word states you are seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places. Could you be seated in heavenly places if you were a Sinner? No, God in His perfection cannot cohabit with sin. You are a precious, powerful Saint so embrace that and press through the fear and the condemnation and use this power given to you – you already have everything you need to be an overcomer. Your spirit was made righteous and perfectly holy when you accepted Jesus. You are a powerhouse! Isn’t this more effective than wallowing in the negative, shaming perception of seeing yourself as a sinner? Practically no one wants to remain in bondage. Faith and confidence supplies the grease on the wheel allowing you to turn faster from what you were doing, or repent – Metanoia – in the Greek, which simply means to change your mind. Move toward Jesus and get yourself out of the pit.

Aside from protecting the presence of God and guarding the Holy Spirit’s work within a church, it is a primary responsibility of a pastor to point always to Jesus – not to raise awareness of sin-consciousness, or modify behavior, but to put the focus on Jesus. Resting in Jesus and the truth of the gospel steers the mind around the condemnation that surrounds the sin. Perfect love, which God has for people, casts out fear – spend time focusing on God’s love and watch fear and condemnation dissipate, then move out.

5. Using true grace in intercession means you are always standing firmly from a position of victory already won and never from a defeated stance. Hallelujah!

Pray like you have already won what you are praying for. That’s right – you now have a duty to focus on God and praise Him for what He has already done for you based on the atonement and the finished work of His Son. Stop begging God to make you well, whole, provided for, peaceful or free. Jesus died to pay for what you need then went down to hell and beat the devil on his own turf. The proof of ratification of this new covenant was Jesus’ resurrection. It truly is Finished. Offense, think offense Could there be a stronger offensive line than Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit? Stop making yourself crazy. Continue to pray against demonic hindrances and wait for the need to manifest. Picture yourself as a Knight with armor, fully protected, with large bugs flying against your armor and bouncing off – that is what you are in the spirit realm as you remain covered in the blood of Jesus. Stop giving the demons more credit than the blood of Christ. They are defeated nuisances that can only harm if you allow them to harm which typically comes through attacks in the mind.

Take communion every day, thanking Jesus for His great sacrifice while recognizing that His body and His blood are within you providing every single thing necessary to protect and defend, provide, heal, make whole, and make right. Fear is a destroyer and is the devil’s favorite hiding place. When he makes a Grand Entrance, it is always walking on the red carpet of fear. Guard your heart and your mind by bringing back to daily remembrance the finished work of Christ Jesus and walk in faith of the grace He has placed on your destiny.

Tracy Gatewood
Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
Wordpress: https://tracylgatewood.wordpress.com
Hubpages: http://hub.me/agsyg
An updated version of this article has been posted to my Hubpages.com account.

The Spirit of Life

07 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Bride of Christ, Christianity, Emotions, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Leadership, Sin

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The Spirit of Life

Galatians 5:4-6  If you seek to be justified and declared righteous and to be given a right standing with God through the Law, you are brought to nothing and so separated (severed) from Christ . You have fallen away from grace (from God’s gracious favor and unmerited blessing). For we (not relying on the Law but) through the Holy Spirit’s help, by faith anticipate and wait for the blessing and good for which our righteousness and right standing with God (our conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action, causes us to hope. For (if we are) in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision or non circumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.

There is nothing more that you can do to earn higher degrees of God’s love, to gain more of His awareness, His attention or His Favor than to be devoted to His Son; truly grasping the ramifications of Jesus’ sacrifice on your life and believing that it is through His body and blood that you are completely, and perfectly situated in Him. If there was anything you could do, then it would be more powerful and more important than what Jesus did for you. Favor from God (grace) and right standing with God (righteousness) are not based on your works. These are secured when you exercise your faith and believe that Jesus has paid not only for your sin debt, but that He died for you to have all the blessings given to Abraham; an uninterrupted supply of healing, provision, protection and peace. Access to this comes through unwavering faith and a rest in His finished work.

At times, I need information drilled down for me to a level of relevancy – I grasp and retain concepts best if done so experientially by walking them out. In junior high and high school, I struggled terribly with the math requirements; Algebra, Trigonometry and all manner of related evil. My school counselor, in his mercy,  gave me the option to take Consumer math; a curriculum that provided mathematical problem solving with practical application to issues that were relevant, mostly related to business and very unlike algebraic equations. It was somewhat remedial but I did not care and excelled. As I  teach and write on spiritual concepts, I must first bring them to a point of personal relevance by examining them, breaking them apart and putting them back together.  Through personal experiences, I have broken down specific concepts and walked out truth regarding Jesus that has fortified me in ways that are relevant and life changing.

Galatians 3:20-21  AMP   I have been crucified with Christ ( in Him I have shared His crucifixion); it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith (in adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Therefore, I do not treat God’s gracious gift as something of minor importance and defeat its very purpose);  I do not set aside and invalidate and frustrate and nullify the grace (unmerited favor) of God.  For if justification (righteousness, acquittal from guilt) comes through (observing the ritual of)  the Law, then Christ (the Messiah) died groundlessly  and to no purpose and in vain. (His death was then wholly superfluous).

Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection terminated the Adamic line and His death marked the end of the Law.  Since His death, we have been afforded a new way, a New Covenant (Agreement) solidified between Himself and God on our behalf – we are no longer bound by a sin-based nature. We must set our belief on the foundation of the sacrifice of Jesus, and His work that cleared the way.  Hebrews 8:13 When God speaks of a new (covenant or agreement), He makes the first one obsolete (out of use). And what is obsolete (annulled because of age, out of use), is ripe for disappearance and to be dispensed with altogether.

Do you still use your 8-track to play your music?  My guess is that you don’t. You listen to music on a CD player or MP3 or Sirius or internet streaming. 8 track players are no longer in use because there are better ways that are more efficient and provide higher quality sound. No more bulky tapes to store that take up too much space. Nothing to bang your knee against in your car because your 8 track was installed underneath your factory radio. The 8 track player is obsolete. Why?  There is a new and better way to play your music!  The same principle is true about the New Covenant Jesus has made with God for you which did away with an older covenant that was law based, focusing on sin consciousness and condemnation.  When you listen to the Spirit, He will guide you into life, all truth and aid you in making decisions, shape your character and give you guidance into God’s will. The life of Grace is all about listening to the voice and direction of the Spirit. The life of a Christian is all about listening to the voice of the Spirit.

I AM FREE, FREE, FREE FROM THE CONDEMNATION OF LAW-BASED LIVING.

GLOSSARY
Justified – Just As If You Had Never Sinned – Gal. 3:23  we are justified by faith
Righteous – In Right Standing With God – Rom. 3:21 righteousness cannot be earned, it is a gift and comes through faith in Jesus. Gal 3:17 if righteousness could be gained through law, then Christ died for nothing.
Grace – Undeserved, unmerited Favor (one definition) Eph 2:8 AMP For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved by (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith.
The Law – 10 Commandments given by God to Moses for the Israelites plus 603 additional Rabbinical Laws. The Law was given to the unrighteous, not to the righteous.  To fulfill the Law – all had to be kept, or none were kept. Focusing on rules results in focusing on sin-consciousness and condemnation. We are made righteous by faith not rules or law. All Christians are to focus on Jesus and listen to the Holy Spirit.
New Covenant – What we have with God as Believers after the death/resurrection of Christ. Heb. 8:13 When God speaks of a New Covenant, He has made the first obsolete.

Twitter @TracyLGatewood
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I am going to make a bold statement. Life as we know it is about to become extremely difficult globally and in order for us to survive – despite its counterintuitive feeling, we must understand Grace, where we first look only to Jesus and without fear, recognize what He has purchased and that He provides the supply for our needs. Our systems and the ways we are accustomed to operating will not continue to work. This does not at all mean we sit down and stop doing our careers, and our ministries but the mindset is different. We depend on our supply from Jesus, because of His sacrifice and we then depend on the Spirit to administrate our lives and make our paths plain. This is God’s Way. People that are not saved will perish for they do not know, trust or understand Jesus and will not look to Him.

Recently, I have noticed that the Holy Spirit is prompting many teachers to step out and teach on Fear and give the public an understanding of its DNA. Unless we understand that fear is a spirit and how to manage it, many will not make it emotionally through the upcoming trials and tests. It is essential that people gain an understanding of the Gospel of Grace, the truth of the power of the blood of Jesus and learning practical application of both in their lives. 

Keys to Freedom from Fear

27 Monday Jan 2014

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Bride of Christ, Christianity, Emotions, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus, Blood of Jesus, New Covenant, redemption, Sin, Transformational Leadership, Tuscaloosa

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Jesus by Martha Beadle

JESUS 
Artist Martha Beadle, Florence, AL

From October 2009 to early summer of 2012, I earned a PhD in FEAR during a remarkable season of transition. From the time that I made a commitment to move back to my hometown in July 2009 until 3 years later – I white knuckled my way through a lengthy list of peaks and (far and away mostly) valleys. If you have ever walked through a Job season, then you can clearly relate to what I am referring. My family and close friends watched in disbelief as a series of extreme circumstances came in wave after wave over several years, but in the fullness of His time, but by His grace, God redeemed my desperate and bleak situation, opening up new avenues of hope and restoration.

Joel 2:23-26 AMP Be then glad, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord, your God; for He gives you the former or early rain in just measure and in righteousness, and He causes to come down for you the rain, the former rain and the latter rain as before. And the (threshing) floors shall be full of grain and the vats shall overflow with juice (of the grape) and oil. And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten-the hopping locust; the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you. And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God. Who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never be put to shame.

During this season I had well meaning friends, say to me any number of things, “Tracy, where’s your faith?”, I had never struggled with my faith, actually I always believed that I had very strong faith but no amount of faith was turning around these problems or “Why don’t you just get a job!”, like I had not been looking under every rock for one for over a year, or telling me that I was going in the wrong direction in returning back to Tuscaloosa – even after I had explained exhaustively that God had told me to move back. One couple whom I mistakenly trusted, successfully convinced me that I had waited too long to move after being called by God to do so and I was obviously being chastened. Unfortunately, I allowed this latter remark to seep into my soul, and this was one of 3 primary reasons that I slipped into a downward, even vertical spiral of total condemnation that almost destroyed my mind. Condemnation will kill you. Fear will kill you, too.

A Description of Fear
Fear is an evil spirit. That’s right, what most people associate with horror movies or witches, fear spirits are in the unseen realm that surround us. Just like Angels are in the unseen, a person cannot see an evil spirit. If you accept one you should accept the existence of the other. Fear is also an emotional response to a real and undesired situation however it is when fear is left to run rampant and unabated, continually flailing around in a person’s mind, is when this spirit has the ability to lodge into a soul and wreak havoc in the life of anyone. All people are made up of (3) things: Spirit, Soul and Body. If you have accepted Christ, then your spirit is connected to the Holy Spirit which is how you hear the will of God, your soul is comprised of (3) things: your mind, your will and your emotions.

Throughout this season of fear, I had the choice of either learning how to combat this spirit or allow it to kill me. I decided I wanted to fight and to live. After observing the effects of extreme fear at a very close range for a prolonged season, I concluded the following:

1) The enemy always enters a person’s mind or soul cloaked in a spirit of fear or cloaked in a spirit of condemnation. Even the slightest root of fear can open the door to a full blown attack. Keep the fear door closed tightly.
2) Fear acts as a portal into a person’s soul through which every negative emotion can and will flow: confusion, depression, suicide, insecurity, greed, envy, jealousy, trauma, abuse, shame, and terror. Its always Fear (or condemnation) First before the associated negative emotion kicks in.
3) The immediate response to a spirit of fear must be trust in God (belief versus unbelief). Keep faith building scripture verses close at hand to combat fear, just as you would keep Vitamin C and Zinc close at hand if you have a cold. Faith is the antidote to fear. Speak these verses ALOUD.
4) Fear is the enemy’s heaven – fear is like oxygen to the demonic.
5) If the spirit of fear is not present, the enemy has nothing to convert to evil – he has nothing on which to “latch” himself to a person. This is an essential point to grasp in the understanding of the subject of fear and strategy of the enemy.

Jesus, Your Great High Priest
Hebrews 8: 6-7
But as it is now, He (Christ) has acquired a (priestly) ministry which is as much superior and more excellent (than the old) as the covenant (the agreement) of which He is the Mediator (the Arbiter, Agent), is superior and more excellent, (because) it is enacted and rests upon more important promises. For if that first covenant had been without defect, there would have been no room for another one or an attempt to institute another one.

This might be your first exposure to New Covenant terminology, and if so, I wish that I had the time to completely round out this wonderful topic in its entirety but this article is blog length. When Jesus was sacrificed on the cross, His resurrection served as ratification of a brand New Covenant (agreement) with all people that have accepted Him as their Savior. There are many, many things that shifted from the Old Testament over to the New following the crucifixion but in regards to freedom, Jesus’ death and specifically His blood, bought back from the enemy, our ability to walk in complete freedom at our will, through the power of the Holy Spirit. You have been given the ability to self deliver – you have the ability to pray for healing for yourself and call on God’s power to answer your prayer. If you are struggling with any emotional issue in your mind -(1) picture yourself standing firmly rooted and grounded in the love of God – God’s perfect love will cast out fear. Drawing on God’s love for you will bring confidence.(2) Understand that Jesus has purchased your right of ownership to a sound mind (He is Jehovah Shalom-the Prince of Peace), and your mind can now be calibrated into rest and to the perfect mind of Christ. This was won for you at The Cross.

Binding and Loosing
Although rarely taught, the scriptural way to eradicate a spirit; fear, depression, suicide, confusion, condemnation or anything previously mentioned is a technique that is so simple, and it is how Jesus Himself instructs us to control things we choose to declare to be unlawful or improper. In fact He states in Matthew 16:19 that He is giving us the ” keys to the kingdom “.

Matthew 16:19 AMP
“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth must be what is already bound in heaven: and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.”

When you bind, and rebuke a spirit – you send it packing. Binding it up, renders it null and void. Conversely, you can loose or release an opposite spirit (joy, hope, a sound mind), right back into yourself or another person for whom you are praying. It’s right there in the bible. Jesus Himself holds the Key of David:
Isaiah 22:22 – And the key of the house of David I will lay upon His shoulder: He shall open and no one shall shut, He shall shut and no one shall open.
This is Jesus. Jesus is the literal Tree of Life.

The Gospel of Grace allows us to be transformed by Jesus from glory to glory and it also allows for some tactical “moves” that are administrated by the Holy Spirit. If you want to free yourself from fear – declare it aloud and speak to the fear like it was a person (actually it is a thing). Tell that spirit that your are binding and breaking it in the name of Jesus and by the blood of Jesus. Acknowledge the work of Jesus on the cross in Isaiah 53. Stand firmly planted in the love of God and believe that you are standing firm from a victorious stance, never fighting from a position of defeat. You are not your emotions, and these things cannot continue to remain if you identify them, carefully bind them, rebuke them and ask God to send them away. Although you are speaking the words, this is a work of the Holy Spirit and Jesus holds the keys to close the door on these offenders.

It is so simple – no process – and it is God’s Recipe for Success and Freedom From Fear and Condemnation.

Twitter: @TracyLGatewood
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Superman, Jesus, and the Justice of God

20 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Blood of Jesus, Bride of Christ, Christianity, Gospel of Grace, Grace, Healing, Holy Spirit, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Leadership, New Covenant, redemption, the Spirit, Tracy Gatewood, Tracy Gatewood Alabama

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DSCN2612-Jesus (2)
Man of Steel trailer  http://youtu.be/T6DJcgm3wNY?t=2s
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Psalm 91:17:  May the Favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands ~ yes, establish the work of our hands.

Superman (not his given name which was Star Trek-ish) was sent to Earth as an infant by his scientist father just before their home planet of Krypton was destroyed. His father’s remark upon releasing his son was, “My hopes and dreams travel with you.” The story recounts that the son was discovered and adopted by a Kansas farmer and his wife. They raised the child with the name, Clark Kent, who grew as a youth possessing good character and a strong moral compass. His parents began to feel that their child was the answer to society’s problems and that he was sent to them for a very special purpose. The young man aspired to something greater than his peers and much more than what society intended for him. Very early in life he began to display superhuman abilities, which upon reaching maturity, resolved to use for the benefit of humanity in the make believe American city of Metropolis. This bi-vocational crusader worked as a journalist for the Daily Planet, providing Clark a first hand view of crime scenes and a closer proximity for impromptu tussles with arch villain Lex Luthor. His compassion and love for people were evident to all. He possessed an underlying passion that made him known for Justice. Psalm 89:14  Righteousness and Justice are the foundation of God’s throne.

II Corinthians 3:2 No you yourselves are our letter of recommendation (our credentials), written in your hearts, to be known (perceived, recognized) and read by everybody. You show and make obvious that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, not written with ink but with (the) Spirit of (the) living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

For it is by and through an accepting Father when we accept His Son that we are loved with a depth and a height and a width we cannot fathom, an infinite love like the deepest ocean.  As those who know Jesus, we are individual testimonies for God; testimonies to His goodness and the message of His grace – a human sign and wonder for everyone in a sphere of influence or community to see as a flashpoint of light in a surrounding darkness. Imagine if you had that much influence over someone’s soul and spirit that everywhere they went they were a walking billboard for who you are and what you could do for them. You would wish to insure that they were seen as nothing less than Royalty, walking in favor and blessing, because after all ~ they represent your creation and your Kingdom.

Enter Jesus. In this great mystery, God Himself divested all of His glory and Godliness, and took on human form to be born of a woman.  The true Man of Steel fed 5000 with 5 small barley loaves and 2 fish (Mark 6:30-39), turned water into (alot of) wine (John 2:1-10), miraculously healed multitudes of suffering people and ratified an Eternal (permanent ) Covenant made between He and God by being resurrected from the dead (John 20:1-21). Try that one on Superman!  Although our beloved Super-hero had a strong moral compass, and a deep passion for justice, Superman could only save but could never be a Savior.  Jesus’ full power for us comes through His death, as He releases His Spirit to all that will believe and rest in Him. The truly powerful understand that His work is Finished and equally, that they have been made righteous ( meaning in right standing)  and holy in the sight of God through the blood of the Son. Everything given to Jesus by His loving Father has now been given to us. Remarkable.

Yep, there’s a new Sheriff in town, the Holy Spirit lives inside each one of us now. Our new moral compass is embedded with a direct line to the will of God, we need only to learn how to hear what He is saying.  God’s laws are now written on the soft tablets of our hearts by His Spirit, not on stone or paper. His peace and rest have been paid for, owned by us all along when we met Jesus. A peace and rest accessed confidently through the Holy Spirit’s power and the Finished work. This is a Grace (verb) gift and undeserved, unmerited favor (Amen, she says.)  We have inner justice that displays as radiance outwardly as we lean and rest all of our defenses on God’s promises to fight our battles and to make our crooked places straight. When we remain transfixed on Jesus (this takes some time and a new perspective) He smooth’s out the way. We look not to the left nor to the right, and give up our right to battle circumstances on our own, listening for direction,  understanding that what He will do for us is a better way than our own.

Luke 2:46-52 NAS Then, after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were amazed at His understanding and His answers. 48 When they saw Him, they were astonished; and His mother said to Him, “Son, why have You treated us this way? Behold, Your father and I have been anxiously looking for You.” 49 And He said to them, “Why is it that you were looking for Me? Did you not know that I had to be in My Father’s house?” 50 But they did not understand the statement which He had made to them. 51 And He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and He continued in subjection to them; and His mother treasured all these things in her heart. 52 And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

Our Father’s Houses serve as Embassies for His Kingdom; local churches, that are extensions of heaven on earth, and places of refuge for His “Ambassadors”.  Churches are protected places of common ground for renewal and refreshing, where people who live for Kingdom purposes are fed, tended and nurtured by Pastor-Shepherds that have been appointed and called by God. It is in our local churches where God’s Kingdom should truly live as we calibrate to Christ as our High Priest (read Hebrews) and Great Shepherd while understanding or learning to walk out our Kingdom purposes, and where we can be gently reminded of God’s promises as well as our authority in Christ Jesus.  We must each find our own  “embassy” of fellowship that best undergirds our Kingdom purposes and enables us to make His name Known.

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