"knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin." - Romans 6:6
One of the experiences a new Believer in Christ should have is the death of the sinful you. Your old self with its lustful desires, your former sinful life, all of the evil that once separated you from Christ is put to death and you emerge a fresh, new, redeemed you.
And like the artifacts and trinkets that are often buried with those who were once living, so are the attributes that used to define your character. The way you used to feed off the greed that once consumed you...dead. The land of lies and deception where you used to call home...dead. The lust of your eyes, the lust of your flesh and the pride of life you once embraced...all dead. Unless you're a tomb raider.
Tomb raiders collect artifacts from ruins of temples. A tomb raider risks the loss of life in order to gain a piece of the past that lacks the power to release the future. A tomb raider spends their time figuring out how to unearth that which was meant to be lost and never to be found, becoming a slave to the chase. Are you a tomb raider?
Are you still visiting the ruins of your former life? Longing for an experience or the memories of your old self? Do you keep a shovel on hand to dig up the worthless treasures of the old man who was crucified with Christ? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." Leave that tomb alone. Being a tomb raider will keep you bound to the sin of your past and stumbling away from the divine destiny God has for your life.
Even Jesus who was resurrected from the tomb, has had no reason to go back. There was no reason to revisit the place where he traded His mortal flesh for complete immortality. Embrace that which is eternal. Release that which is temporal. Forget those things which are behind, and press on to obtain the promise God has ahead for you (Philippians 3:13)!
If you're looking for the old me, she has been buried, and I'm no longer visiting the tomb...HE IS RISEN in me and I have risen in Him!
Tracy Gale
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Keep STEPPIN'
PLEASE watch this first:
If someone tells you to "keep steppin" they are implying that you should simply pass them by on your way to your desired destination; pass go, do not stop. That's exactly what I'm saying today. KEEP STEPPIN'! Don't you let another disappointment from your past creep up and steal your joy. Don't let doubt cripple your feet from moving forward into the promises of God. KEEP STEPPIN'!
Most of the problems we have with steppin' is that we want to see every step where God is leading us before we get there. That is not walking by faith. That is surely walking by sight. We also create our own steppin' delays by getting off track and sitting on the side of the road smelling the daisies or we'll even keep steppin' in circles thinking somehow we'll eventually get out. Not gonna happen!
Even when there are times you don't feel like you can take yet another step, KEEP STEPPIN' until you reach the Lord's desired destination for your life! Psalm 37:23 tells us that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. This means that when you're on your faith walk and the Lord is guiding you, understand that those are custom-designed STEPS just for you!
I don't care if you can't see the current outcome of the situation you're in...KEEP STEPPIN'! It doesn't even matter if you've tried before and failed...KEEP STEPPIN'! Assume the position, keep your blindfold on, listen ONLY to the voice of the Lord, and KEEP STEPPIN'! You are STRONGER than what you think! You are destined to WIN and Your FAITH in Christ will help you to reach your destiny.
I'm STEPPIN' ON,
Tracy Gale
P.S. - If you've never seen the movie Facing the Giants, PLEASE see it as soon as you can!
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Best for Last
"Everybody I know begins with their finest wines and after the guests have had their fill brings in the cheap stuff. But you've saved the best till now!" - John 2:10
Last to be picked for the team. Last in the lunch line. Last to get service. Last on the bus. Last to be married. Last to get promoted. Last, last, last. Sometimes you feel like you have a sign stuck to your forehead that says "pick me LAST for everything". Being last is looked upon as being so bad, that we forget that even if we FINISH last, at least we FINISHED, while some didn't even cross the finish line. If finishing last has been synonymous with your identity, I want to encourage you today that God has saved the best for last.
In John 2, we find Jesus enjoying himself as a guest at a wedding celebration. It was His mother, Mary, who enlisted His help to keep the wine coming for the guests. Jesus hesitated saying that His time had not yet come, but obliged His mother and turned 6 water pots of water into wine. Not just any old wine either. Jesus turned plain water into fine wine. In essence, the best was saved for last.
My friend, don't let the success of others crowd the space in which you dream, you achieve, and you aspire. Your time may not have yet come, but know that it will. And when the Lord presents you as the gift that you are, no one will say "it's about time". Instead, they're going to wonder where you've been hiding all this time. People may be treating like plain water right now. What they don't know is that they are in the presence of a miracle! He's saving His best for last!
Your destiny in Christ has been established. There's no need to fight your way through to the front. No reason to clamour your way to the top. Your gift will make room for you. The anointing of God over your life will be revealed. God's plan for your life will be accomplished! If people don't know who you are right now, you'd better believe that one day they will! He's saving you for the appointed time. He's saving His best for these last days.
I don't know about you, but I don't mind waiting on God :0)
Tracy Gale
Last to be picked for the team. Last in the lunch line. Last to get service. Last on the bus. Last to be married. Last to get promoted. Last, last, last. Sometimes you feel like you have a sign stuck to your forehead that says "pick me LAST for everything". Being last is looked upon as being so bad, that we forget that even if we FINISH last, at least we FINISHED, while some didn't even cross the finish line. If finishing last has been synonymous with your identity, I want to encourage you today that God has saved the best for last.
In John 2, we find Jesus enjoying himself as a guest at a wedding celebration. It was His mother, Mary, who enlisted His help to keep the wine coming for the guests. Jesus hesitated saying that His time had not yet come, but obliged His mother and turned 6 water pots of water into wine. Not just any old wine either. Jesus turned plain water into fine wine. In essence, the best was saved for last.
My friend, don't let the success of others crowd the space in which you dream, you achieve, and you aspire. Your time may not have yet come, but know that it will. And when the Lord presents you as the gift that you are, no one will say "it's about time". Instead, they're going to wonder where you've been hiding all this time. People may be treating like plain water right now. What they don't know is that they are in the presence of a miracle! He's saving His best for last!
Your destiny in Christ has been established. There's no need to fight your way through to the front. No reason to clamour your way to the top. Your gift will make room for you. The anointing of God over your life will be revealed. God's plan for your life will be accomplished! If people don't know who you are right now, you'd better believe that one day they will! He's saving you for the appointed time. He's saving His best for these last days.
I don't know about you, but I don't mind waiting on God :0)
Tracy Gale
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
In Honor of My Son
In honor of my son, who is leaving for the US Army today, I wanted to share this TME that was written in 2008. I know it blessed ME all over again!
Spiderman, Sin & Sowing
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6
As a parent and leader, there are times when I wonder whether the long talks and teachable moments are really sinking in, or are they going in one ear and oozing out the other along with the wax. As Father and Creator, God also desires a true relationship with us, that we are truly embracing His instruction and walking out the principles imparted into our lives.
Recently, I realized my children are really getting an understanding of the Kingdom of God for themselves and it was dynamic. While playing Spiderman 3, my son toyed with the creepy black substance that turns Spiderman into a cold-hearted villain rather than the warm-hearted hero he is really supposed to be. On the video game, one pressed button latches the black gel to Spidey and makes it impossible to remove without maneuvering a sequence of several buttons. Try getting it off without the right sequence and zap! It is right back on.
My son then asked if he could share with our youth ministry class that the black substance is just like SIN: easy to get on, hard to get off. But, with the right combination of prayer and the Word of God, we can be freed from its grip! After I picked myself up off the floor from hearing this revelation (smile), I thanked God for the manifestation of prayer. No, they are not perfect little angels. They have messy rooms, they hate washing dishes and they think homework is a punishment. But, they have a relationship with God, which means the Gospel of Jesus Christ is getting through and being applied.
Spiderman, Sin & Sowing
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. - 1 Corinthians 3:6
As a parent and leader, there are times when I wonder whether the long talks and teachable moments are really sinking in, or are they going in one ear and oozing out the other along with the wax. As Father and Creator, God also desires a true relationship with us, that we are truly embracing His instruction and walking out the principles imparted into our lives.
Recently, I realized my children are really getting an understanding of the Kingdom of God for themselves and it was dynamic. While playing Spiderman 3, my son toyed with the creepy black substance that turns Spiderman into a cold-hearted villain rather than the warm-hearted hero he is really supposed to be. On the video game, one pressed button latches the black gel to Spidey and makes it impossible to remove without maneuvering a sequence of several buttons. Try getting it off without the right sequence and zap! It is right back on.
My son then asked if he could share with our youth ministry class that the black substance is just like SIN: easy to get on, hard to get off. But, with the right combination of prayer and the Word of God, we can be freed from its grip! After I picked myself up off the floor from hearing this revelation (smile), I thanked God for the manifestation of prayer. No, they are not perfect little angels. They have messy rooms, they hate washing dishes and they think homework is a punishment. But, they have a relationship with God, which means the Gospel of Jesus Christ is getting through and being applied.
I not only want to encourage you today to
continue to teach, to train, to lead and to instruct, but I also want to
encourage you to learn, to obey, to follow and to study. You may not have
children, but maybe God has given you authority to lead others and to raise them
up in the Kingdom. It may not seem like what you are saying is getting through,
but know that it is. Keeping planting and watering and let God give the
increase.
Tracy Gale
Today, I'm a very proud Mama who is choosing to trust God to finish what He started in my son's life. Will you pray with me for his safety?
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