FLESH vs SPIRIT

..,.Is The Great Battle of Tug-of-War

Everyone deals with this inner, battle or struggle, conflict within our lives on a regular basis. Trying tenaciously not to give in to those desires or temptations that would perhaps lead us off the course of the desired destination that would and could be more beneficial, however, this duality state of never giving rest to the conscious and unconscious alike. What we sometimes fail to realize…including myself, is that we’re not merely fighting against the unseen known enemies of God, but this fleshly nature that was brought up, cultivated, let loose as a creature of habit in a world that is filled with every desire known to man and woman’s heart to be then set at bay? Far-be-it! It will fight tooth and nail for its existence, its desires, and its lust and against anything or anyone that attempts to derail its very nature of being…including your very own self…your spirit.  You see, the spirit only uses the flesh like a suit if you will, to roam around in unfamiliar territory to either be subdued by the world and its lust or advance for the Kingdom of God and reach a higher calling placed upon your life that was set before you were even born. Now the choice is yours…free-will. Experience is our best teacher, and as we continue through this journey called life, we begin to see clearly with an evaluation of self which path we’re more likely to follow…either that of the flesh or the spirit, things of God or things of the world. Granted, some of our decisions are so subtle that we don’t really know if our decisions are right or wrong, we just simply “follow” the crowd, or what we “think” is the right thing to do. The Apostle Paul even came aware that “something” was going on he didn’t quite understand in Romans chapter 7:14-23; ¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. ²¹ So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil (the flesh and the unseen) is right there with me. ²² For in my inner being (the spirit) I delight in God’s law; ²³ but I see another law at work in me (the flesh), waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin (in the world) at work within me. ²⁴ What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind (Spirit) am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature (Flesh) a slave to the law of sin. Well, he explains this in great detail of this inner struggle or battle that rages and wars against our very souls. But there is hope! He states in verse 24; WHO? Will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen. Paul states in 2 Corinthians 13:5; ⁵ Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Examine yourselves!  On that note, I leave you with this to consider and remember. John 14:27; ²⁷ Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

  May God the Father continue to watch over you and your families always and especially during this Corvid-19 crisis. May all your needs be provided and that you are strengthened in your faith and sound in wisdom and understanding and that your spirit becomes stronger than your fleshly nature that you may be able to stand in the hour of need in Jesus name. Amen

Christianity…is not a religion

                                                   …but a lifestyle that impacts the world.

What is Christianity anyway?  Basically, every definition you come across has it labeled as a “Religion”.

Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Wikipedia’s definition.

No wonder so many Believers appear to be so confused, lost and torn apart in Sects and misguided truths about this walk and the real reason you were called by God. We’ve become watered-down, fearful and timid in the hands of institutionalized religions instructing and guiding us based on the standards of this world and NOT the Word of God. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6. Don’t get me wrong in my sharing, because I don’t believe that every church out there is teaching in this fashion, however many are and continue with a passion not realizing their error. The Apostle Paul asked a profound question in

1 Corinthians 1:13 “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? (Sects) Going back to verse 10 he states: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Now I don’t know about you or even how you may feel about this verse, but it speaks very clearly to me. I know we all may not agree on scripture meanings or translations, but when the obvious is stated there is no room to disagree. Everything from “New Age Religion” to seeking your universal higher power, appears to be of the “same mind” thought, focus and power to boot. “Giving them what their itchy ears want to hear.” It’s a god as you would like him to be in your own mind for you…a gene in a bottle and millions are like minded in that walk “Deliberate Creation”. It’s almost like the Israelites in the desert praising a calf, right. I’m just a sinner saved by the grace of God, and most of the time I struggle in this walk more than most, however, I don’t give up and when believers are in need of guidance, stewarding and wounds mended from a harsh, cruel and uncaring world…I want to know that I can comfy in brothers or sisters that are believer that is filled with the Spirit of God with Christ as Lord over their life that I may know that those words that I hear are actually the words of my God understanding, building me up and preparing me to stand back up and finish the race of faith…Amen. We ARE NOT an Institution, we ARE NOT show boaters for the world, We ARE NOT misinformed and we ARE NOT defeated. Christianity is a way of lifestyle for those who are real believers. Nowadays, everybody wants to a be the captain of the ship, the head-man in charge, the title holder, but if I’m not mistaken, Christ was a servant for the world and King of all today. Food for thought. I love you through Christ Jesus my Lord and may the Father of ALL living things bless you unmeasurably, you and your household and protect you from all unseen hurt harm and danger. Amen if you agree. Now I will leave you with this for your encouragement.

There is a hero in us…click here

“Shipwrecked Faith”

 

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

We have all suffered this at one point in our lives. Some more than others, and some until this very day. They say “Man never plans to fail, but fail to plan.” Is also a trustworthy statement to be made. We go about our lives o auto-pilot wishing, hoping and waiting for the best to work out in the end and at times it does, but only for a short while and then here we go again. Repeating the same boomerang effect of life repeating itself, but why? Because life doesn’t bargain on our terms. It gives us what we believe within our eternal being of who we are. I didn’t learn this overnight, on the contrary, it took me many years of continued failure to really understand this concept. That if I’m to see REAL change in my life and those around me, I must begin with that inner man that has been programmed for so many years, hardwired to a self-destructing mindset. That’s an awful lot to accept and take in at first though, but very true. We look for the outside world to blame when things don’t turn out the way we planned, or end up on a bad note. Not realizing I was the one attracting most of my own misfortunes and deeds to myself. Locking them in on me like a homing device. I began to pay attention to thoughts, behavior, attitudes, irritations, and question myself about why do I go through so many contradicting things,

“The Enemy of Our Household”

”A man’s enemies will be those of his own household” Matthew 10:36

What was the true meaning behind this statement Christ so profoundly exclaimed? That our family members are secretly our enemies out to see us harm or destroy us in some kind of way? That jealousy, money, greed or power of one family member over another create enemies within our homes? Well, I don’t entirely agree with this more than I agree with the fact that we ourselves are our worst enemies we could ever have in our lifetime based on the battle waged against ourselves in our minds…the true battlefield. We know that we are the living temple of God and that His Spirit dwells within us…an extension of God in human form. Therefore, we tend to beat ourselves up to death at times destroying the very thing we’re trying to build…spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. The “I can’t”, “It’s impossible”, “Fear”, “Self-hate”, …all the expressions of lack of faith and excuses we give ourselves is what we continue to receive because we haven’t learned yet about that almighty living power of God dwelling within us to press forward in absolute faith to overcome. Didn’t it say somewhere in the word…”³¹ what then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   Romans 8:31-39

Paul made something very clear if we are to be more than conquerors in this lifetime and start life anew with a new vision and a new hope…renewed with a new strength as a new man and that was…”And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2. The battle and the real enemy is that of the mind, and if there is no enemy in the mind, then there is no enemy to point the finger at on the outside. Conqueror your inner fears with faith and let the light of God shine throughout your entire being. Our Lord did it and showed us how…keep in step with the Spirit. God bless.

The Real Journey Begins…

 

Romans 7:14-23 King James Version (KJV)

¹⁴ For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.¹⁵ For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.¹⁶ If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.¹⁷ Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.¹⁸ For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.¹⁹ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.²⁰ Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.²¹ I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.²² For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Did you know that your thoughts actually create your reality? First, let me start by saying I apologize for being out of the loop for a while. (Multiple projects)

“For He that is in me, is Greater than he that is in the world”

D.R.Tracy is back for 2018…Hello and sorry for the disappearance for a time, but other projects demanded my attention and still going, but here I am. Battlefield of Angels as a series along with the new release coming soon “The Gossip Corner series and I’ve been busy working on the screenplay, which I must say is another beast entirely, but of course I invite the challenge which requires a lot of focus and attention, and in between projects just seems to take up so much time. I’m glad to see so many still faithfully continuing to post…this is a grand motivator for me. May God through the Lord Jesus Christ who works in and through us continue to watch over, strengthen and bless EVERYTHING you do and touch for 2018 and keep your loved one safe from seen and unseen hurt harm and danger…God bless you family.

“VICTORY “…over Satan, the world, and the flesh…

                             …lies not within the power of men, but in a risen Lord.

“Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6.

How long must we suffer defeat? How long will it take for us to wake up and realize that this divine spiritual battle is very real and wages war against our souls? The LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” Job 1:8. Our enemy knows us all too well, perhaps better than we do. He (Satan) also knows scripture better than most of us if not all of God’s word, however, what he doesn’t know is the heart of man only the mind based on us following after the things of the flesh and its desires. Family, this is why we have so many scriptures of examples and fore-fathers of faith that directs us through these land-minds of bear traps set up by the enemy, because (1), without the Spirit of Christ we are sure to suffer defeat and stand condemned, (2), without the Spirit of Christ we could never grow up in “spiritual maturity” to distinguish right from wrong to walk victoriously and overcome the enemy in this life, and (3), we need to wake up and realize who we truly are in Christ what we were created to do while on this earth for the short time we are here. There is a solution…Christ Jesus our Lord and King. Having that Spirit deposited within you begins your journey to victory. The key…Christ in us gives us that authority for our commission as well as that grand love for humanity and that humility that is needed for the Spirit of God rest upon us to carry out the works God has for us individually to complete through Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen. So the real keys here are LOVE and HUMILITY…everything else shall follow…I promise. Family, I say this with all the love the Lord has placed in my heart for my brothers and sisters in Christ that I haven’t yet reached this “maturity” spiritually, though I strive to do so as God has given me revelation to some of these things I share. I have suffered much shipwreck faith during my years of learning how to walk by faith and not by sight, and til this day, I strive praising the Lord for every defeat, victory, lesson learned and blessings in Christ, for this shows me that the hand of God continues to be with me, because this inner man continues to call out in power and have such a deep longing to be part of this glorious kingdom of our Lord. So I will press on in faith as I encourage my brothers and sisters to do the same, and permit not the enemy to be victor over you, for He that dwells within you is so much greater than he that is in this world. Amen. Separate the illusion from the things that are real, and practice to learn the difference between having a form of Godliness to growing to spiritual maturity…,for these remain…FAITH…LOVE…HUMILITY…HOPE, with these we can never fail and will ALWAYS come out victoriously. Amen. May the God and Father of us all watch over and protect you in everything you do and touch as we walk from faith to faith and glory to glory in Jesus name. Amen and God bless.

‘Seek ye first the Kingdom of God’

Matthew 6:33 King James Version (KJV)

” But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

All these things…our dreams, hopes, desires and we can experience the blessings of God, because His hand is involved in what we do. Most of the time we don’t recieve what we ask for because we have within us selfish desires, but when we can see the hand of God in what we do and our foundation is steadfast in Christ Jesus our Lord…EVERYTHING that you do, touch and claim in Jesus name SHALL be blessed as long as we seek the Kingdom of Heaven and ALL its righteousness…those kingdom virtues that sets us apart from the rest of the world. My dear brothers and sisters…claim those kingdom virtues over your life today and your love ones and watch and see that our God is the same yesterday…today…and forever. May Our God and Father in heaven continue to bless each of you as you grow from faith to faith and glory to glory in Jesus name, Amen.

“FOLLOWING CHRIST IN THIS LIFE….”

…Requires one to have faith in He that dwells within us.

“And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23

Do we really know the ways of God? Do we really know how to keep in step with the Holy Spirit that dwells within us? The Word of God states that; “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. The Holy Bible suppose to be our [B]asic [I]nstructions [B]efore [L]eaving [E]arth, however we tend to lean on our own understanding and begin to drift away from the truth of the Word and incorporate the things of the world; based on what we see, into our walk of faith, leaving us struggling within ourselves; flesh fighting against the Spirit and then we wonder why things aren’t working out according to the way we planned them. We receive many signals from the Spirit that tries to lead us, teach us, and guild us into all truth and the correct way to walk this walk of faith, but there always seems to be present with us this nature that keeps us from carrying out the things of God as we ought to…I’ve failed in this area many times in my life. God states that; “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9. And again the Apostle Paul states in Romans chapter 7:14-23; “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I…  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.” The classic battle of the “flesh against the spirit.” As the Body of Christ…a spiritual church that is being built up in Christ, need to start realizing and claiming that identity in Christ and that authority given by Christ in this life and walk that walk of faith with such kingdom virtues that we begin to witness the power of the Holy Spirit just as if it were the yesterdays of our brothers and sisters that are now in that “Hall of Fame of Faith..” Hebrews chapter 11. Let us learn from them, for they were just as we are today, but with some exceptions…they believed; He said it…I believe it, should be our attitude when walking in faith…The Word said it, and I believe it. No room for doubt, confusion, discord, wavering or arguing amongst one another, but loving one another, praying for one another and speaking with the authority that has been given us from on high as men and women of God. Amen. Therefore, let us take on this attitude as we continue to walk in faith beholding before us the path many have already sacrificed to keep this torch, this flame of the Holy Spirit lit within us as children of the living God. May the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob watch over you, protect you, keep you and bless EVERYTHING you do and touch in Jesus name. Amen…God bless.

REMEMBER!!! Go take a peek at the novel if you haven’t yet. “Battlefield of Angels” It’s a glimpse at spiritual warfare around us and rate this. Though fictional in content many of the events are realand a shadow of my life.

http://www.amazon.com/Battlefield-Angels-United-States-Slavery/dp/1491815663/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380993713&sr=1-2&keywords=battlefield+of+angels

 

“SPIRITUAL DIVISION” WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST…

DESTROYS THE BODY WORST THAN CANCER

“You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? 

This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?…”

Ephesians 3:1

Today there is a grand problem that is destroying Believers all over the world; divisions and different denominations. It appears to have Christian Believers jumping from one foot to the next in seek of something firm to stand on by the Preaching of many Pastoral Leaders, Teachers and Ministers that have seem to have lost their way themselves. Denominations are nothing more than a disagreement on Scripture based doctrine that for some reason appears to be difficult for “Mature Christians” to come into agreement with. Our God is NOT a God of confusion, but a God of order that makes His Word very clear, even to babes in Christ, therefore leaving us to believe that our supposedly walk of faith is based on a spirit of pride or being puffed up in knowledge, or worst…a form of Godliness, but denying its power…this should not be. There is only One Spirit…One God…One Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and why then has the Gospel of our Lord been watered down and The Body of Christ weakened? “The World” stands on the outside watching the Body of Believers in this disarray and uses this to expose our lack of unity and purpose and our strength of one mind, one heart and one Spirit against us for the dissecting by the enemies of God. I personally believe that this is one of the reasons we have become weak, sick and with the demonstrating power of the Holy Spirit evident in our walk of faith today…lack of unity, therefore leaving us divided walking without faith; my opinion of course. Many then turn and walk away from the loving and open arms of our Lord to seek elsewhere for what their congregation lack and non-believers see this as a reason NOT to come to our Lord because it seems as though the household of God needs cleaning first; “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5. There were those who thought that they should follow Paul and those who thought they should follow the teaching of Apollos,1 Corinthians 1:12, “What I am saying is this: each of you says, “I’m with Paul,” or “I’m with Apollos,” or “I’m with Cephas,” or “I’m with Christ.” This alone should tell you what Paul thought of denominations or anything else that separates and divides the body. But let’s look further; in verse 13, Paul asks very pointed questions, “Is Christ divided? Was it Paul who was crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?” This makes clear how Paul feels, he (Paul) is not the Christ, he is not the one crucified and his message has never been one that divides the church or would lead someone to worship Paul instead of Christ. Obviously, according to Paul, there is only one church and one body of believers and anything that is different weakens and destroys the church (see verse 17. He makes this point stronger in 3:4 by saying that anyone who says they are of Paul or of Apollos is carnal. “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.”1 Corinthians 3:11… “For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:4. Therefore, where is our faith? That faith we held when we first believed in Christ as Lord and Savior? That amazing grace faith that boldly proclaimed…His Word said it…I Believe It!!! Amen. Now let us therefore return to the days of old, where unity ushered in the Holy Spirit’s presence and power to work amongst us as a unified Body of Believers that hasn’t been given a spirit that shrinks back, but one that cries out ABBA Father. For we are the children of the living and Holy God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob…joint heir Kings and Queens with our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore let us walk as such and God willing as we pray and confess our sins will heal us and strengthen us for what lay ahead during our walk in faith in this valley of the shadow of death. Give the enemy NO MORE footholds that will separate us; “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.”  Hebrews 5:12. May God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ shine His light within our hearts and protect every work that you may do and touch in Jesus Name. Amen.

REMEMBER!!! Go take a peek at the novel if you haven’t yet. “Battlefield of Angels” It’s a glimpse at spiritual warfare around us and rate this. Though fictional in content many of the events are realand a shadow of my life.

http://www.amazon.com/Battlefield-Angels-United-States-Slavery/dp/1491815663/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1380993713&sr=1-2&keywords=battlefield+of+angels