“Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.  ³ If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord. ⁴ And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.”  Leviticus 1:2-4.

Throughout the Old Testament the sacrifices and feasts symbolized Jesus Christ.  The sacrifices which atoned for man’s sin restored fellowship with God.  If the sacrifice was not accepted by God, the fellowship was not restored.  These sacrifices of bulls and goats atoned for man’s sin but did not remove their sin.  The wages of sin was and is death.  The Old Testament Saints still had an account of sin.  However, their faith was in God.  It was their faith that was counted unto them for righteousness.  “For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” Romans 4:3.   Sadly, many believe it was the Mosaic Law, which was given to man to reveal their unrighteousness, that made them righteous.  It was the Law that was righteous, not man. 

“Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:8.  The Saints of the Old Testament, who were being held by satan because of their sin debt, were liberated by the One and Only Sacrifice that could take away man’s sin debt – Jesus Christ.  The Old Testaments Saints were now Jesus’ captives and ascended upon high.  Jesus made a show of every demon in hell when He and His captives ascended into Heaven.

“And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Mark 15:37-38.

As soon as Jesus gave up the Ghost (no man took His life), He became our Sin offering and Burnt Offering.  The Lord Jesus Christ was what Leviticus 1:4 symbolized.  He fulfilled the requirement for creation to be reconciled with the Creator, once and for all for whosoever believed.  It was at the Cross of Jesus that we are redeemed.  Jesus Christ is the ONLY Sacrifice God will accept.

I want you to understand, that woman caught in the act of adultery in John 8, the very one who Jesus told to go and sin no more, should have been stoned.  Anyone caught in adultery was to be stoned to death (Deuternonomy 22:24) but Jesus died for her sin.  We, everyone of us no matter how holy we proclaim to be, our guilt is sin and penalty death unless we humble ourselves before the Lord Jesus Christ and understand HE is the only Sacrifice God will accept.  No matter how much “we” do, our sacrifice is Cain’s sacrifice…it profits us nothing!

Until we get the Cross of Jesus right, until we understand what He did on Calvary’s Cross, we cannot live the Resurrected life.  “And he (an Angel)  saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: He is risen; He is not here:…” Mark 16:6.   When we fully understand what Jesus did at Calvary and maintain our faith in His finished work for redemption and reconciliation to God the Father, we are baptized into His death.

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death?  Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4. 

We cannot conjure up the “Resurrection life” by motivation, psychology or schemes of man.  We know that the Lord Jesus Christ IS Resurrected and sitting at the Right Hand of God because we believe that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son who died on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe and the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit.  He IS Alive and it is through our CONTINUED faith in His finished work at the Cross that we know, that we know, that we know He is alive…His Spirit bears witness.  In other words, what I’m trying to say, albeit poorly, it is through our Baptism into His death that we know He is ALIVE…His Spirit bears witness.  We are now alive unto God and no longer dead in our sin and trespasses.

“For the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.  It is through our faith in Jesus’ atonement and redemption of our sin, His Sacrifice, that the power of God is alive in us.  We are only raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father; we are only resurrected when our faith is placed in what Jesus has done.  This is why we preach the Cross.  It is not the wooden beam but what Jesus there did.  This is where our resurrection life is found and we are now alive unto God, a new creature in Christ.  This is from where every blessing is given – through what Jesus has done on Calvary’s Cross.  It doesn’t matter if you have been saved 5 minutes or 50 years, your victory, my victory – man kinds victory remains in the Cross of Christ.   Fight the good fight of faith – faith in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.  He is alive and His Spirit will bear witness to the Truth of His Word, not to schemes of man.

“For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2.

– Donna Clark Warren

“Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” 1 Timothy 6:5-7.

There remain many false teachers who suppose material gain is proof of godliness.  Such were the Pharisees of old and such are the Pharisees of new.  Go tell one of those prosperity preachers or their followers any different and see how sharp their rebuke will be to you.  It is not the money or material gain in and of itself that is the problem but the place it holds in our heart.

The more money the religious can obtain, the more religious works they can perform and the higher esteemed they are among their fellow religious.  What I’m saying here, albeit poorly, is the money and material items is their life source.  Again, it is not the money and material items that are demeaned here but the idolatry of these things.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” 1 Timothy 6:10.

Before we are born again, our life source is often money.  We need money to function in this world.  Our entire lifestyle is focused around the all mighty dollar.  I’m not just talking about the drug addicts and the drunkards who must have the money to fulfill their addiction.  I’m also talking about the unbelieving “good people”.  Those who do all of the “good” works for society and self righteousness, pride and esteem of man is their addiction.  Their works are indeed good but how did it affect their heart is my question?  Did it produce a humble heart or a prideful heart?

When our life source is money, whether saved or unsaved, our life source will deplete.  This I can testify to personally.  Sometimes there was more and at other times less.  Money as an idol, however, is not faithful in the least.  It was only after my Salvation, after I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour that my life source changed.

As a Child of God, our life source is the Holy Spirit.  We now become a new creature in Christ as soon as we accept Jesus into our heart.  Through our faith in Jesus and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross, the Holy Spirit is enabled to do what He is commissioned to do in every Child of God…free us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  He, the Holy Spirit, becomes our life source.  We are now alive unto God and no longer dead in our sin and trespasses.  Don’t misunderstand though, our faith is not in the power of the Holy Spirit, as even He will always point us to Jesus.  Our faith is in Jesus, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross and only then is the Holy Spirit enabled to do what He is commissioned to do in the Believer’s heart.

Just like a young child who runs to mom and dad for every need, the child’s faith is in their parents to supply their every need.  Please pardon the analogy, but the child is alive unto the parent because the child’s faith is in the parent and the parent supplies the child’s life source to sustain life (physically speaking of course).  Eventually, and as it should be in this world, the child matures and is no longer dependent on their parents for their life source and in return, the parent no longer supplies the life source.

“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth Me.” Matthew 18:3-5.

The problem with many is their life source.  “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory BY CHRIST JESUS.” Philippians 4:19.  They look to Jesus for their Salvation, rightly and thankfully so.  Our Salvation is the single most important moment in our life.  However, they don’t look to Jesus for their everyday living, therefore they have another life source…a life source which will deplete.  As their faith is placed in this source of life to meet their needs, the Holy Spirit is no longer enabled to do what He is commissioned to do…be our life source, give us victory over our sin nature.  We are now like the mature adult and independent of our life source.

Too many Christians, somehow believe that leaving their life source of child like faith in Jesus Christ is what leads to maturity.  Emphatically NO!  How does one continue to grow in the Lord without being fed by the Holy Spirit?  40 days of a purpose driven life isn’t our life source.  Shemitahs, harbingers and blood moons isn’t our life source.  “But He (Jesus) answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4.

When we consider the object of the need (money, motivation, etc.) the actual life source, and not the supplier of the need (Jesus Christ) our life source, we are not content in our gain but suppose that our gain is godliness (1 Timothy 6:5-6).

Who or what is your life source?  Is your faith in the supply or in the Source of the supply – Jesus Christ?

-Donna Clark Warren

“And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.” Revelations 18:21.

The other night I had such a vivid dream I could hardly sleep afterward for fear of forgetting the details.  The next morning I could hardly wait to get my coffee ready to share with my husband, Jim.  After the excitement of sharing and discussing the dream we both kind of forgot about it.  Until today, when through a series of events I was led to this scripture, particularly the first phrase “And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and cast it into the sea…” .

In this dream there was something that hit the water off the coast of New York.  We tried to stop it but it was too late.  This object that hit the water was going to cause a tsunami…but we had warning, we had time to prepare.  So back on dry land I could see people behind glass, similar to a drive thru at a bank.  This is how commerce was being completed, through glass windows to protect us from the evil ones.  Suddenly, the evil ones started to get restless.  At the first signs of restlessness, we began to go into lockdown.  There was no panic or fear just a sense of urgency.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

As the lockdown was ordered, I went quickly with my niece to pick up my two great nieces ages 7 and 8.  Once we picked them up, we stopped to get candy.  The candy was not an indulgence but a necessity for the coming days in lockdown. Again, there was no panic or fear, just urgency.  Then came the predicted tsunami.  As the water began to rise, I was working to keep my nieces head above water.  I was fine, still not fearful but determined to keep their heads above water.

“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.

The next thing I remember is darkness.  Complete and utter darkness…except for these people on the hill.  There was a colony of people who would lay out in the light, just as we lay out in the sun.  They were a curious people that lived under this very bright white light that would shine down on them.  They themselves glowed with this white light.

As I studied these people I noticed a beautiful young lady who went to lie down with a man and woman in bed.  This was in no way a sexual sense but she was just blindly lying down with him, not knowing the woman was on the other side.  I noticed the woman was lying there very secretly.  I wanted to warn the young lady when suddenly I got a glimpse of the woman’s body.  It was as if she was enveloped in a sticky mucus.  This woman, although glowing with white light was evil.  At no time in my dream did I feel fear until I saw this happening to this young lady and still the fear was not for me but for her.

Suddenly the young lady jumped up in horror.  Her beautiful perfection had turned to horrible physical deformity of her hand, as the woman on the other side of the man was made beautiful.

Interpretation:  This young lady is the apostate church.  The one who has been seduced by a seducing spirit and laid down with the harlot and committed spiritual adultery.  The various gospels that are being preached behind many pulpits (not all but many) are turning and have turned the members of the Bride of Christ to another Bridegroom for their deliverance and victory over sin.  Their Babylonian spirit strongly opposes the work of God.  Instead of grace through faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work for deliverance of the oppressed, they are being taught 40 days, best life now, shemitahs and every other wind of doctrine coming down the pike to overcome sin.  They did not know they were lying down with the great harlot but they did and now they are sick and deformed.

So what does all of this have to do with the “millstone” being dropped (Rev. 18:21) and us not being able to stop the resulting tsunami?  Furthermore, what does this have to do with my young nieces?

“And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in Me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:” Mark 9:42-43.

There are many of satan’s ministers who are posing as an angel of light and preaching another gospel that are offending God’s little ones causing them to commit spiritual adultery.  Be warned, the millstone has been cast in to the sea.  The hand once beautiful but now deformed and maimed, will be cut off.  “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the Gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17.

-Donna Clark Warren

“ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. ¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be My sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”  2 Corinthians 6:16-18.

I had someone tell me we have to “meet them where they are”.  In this particular situation, they were regarding preaching the Gospel of Jesus to the Jewish people.  In other words, they were saying we must join them to reach them.  Such is how many of the modern day gospels believe.  God’s plan for His Children does not involve joining the world to overcome the world.  We, God’s Children, preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross to the four corners of the world and He will draw the lost.  We don’t have to reason with the world.  We don’t have to come up with another way to bring the lost to the saving knowledge of Jesus or attempt to manipulate the lost to come to the church in order to hear the Gospel.  We tell them the Gospel of Jesus Christ and they come to the church to learn more about Him.

Some have said they don’t see the love when I write.  Please understand, I’m talking to Believers who are deceived and not to the lost.  I’m talking to the ones who have led and are leading many away from the faith of Jesus for victory over their sin nature.  Those who have been seduced by seducing spirits and are now attempting to seduce others.  I’m speaking to the ones who have fallen from grace and returned to law for dominion over their sin nature.  They preach “love” until their “loving” rebuke is rebuked and then their rotten fruit is revealed as they point the finger to you for breaking their rule or regulation.  Is it really love to allow others to seduce God’s children to another faith for victory over sin?  Doesn’t that lead to their destruction?  Man made schemes and traditions do not give the Saint dominion over their sin nature.  There is but One, Jesus Christ, Who gives the Believer dominion over their sin nature and it is there, in His finished work on Calvary’s Cross that our faith must remain.  The same faith that got us in to the Kingdom of God is the same faith that gives us victory over sin…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ² Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; ³ Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

There have been too many attempt to join the world to win the world and have become of the world.  There is no longer a line between Believers and unbelievers because too many Believers submitted to the rebuke of the religious rules and regulations without knowing the Word of God for themselves.  I don’t ask you to take my word, I simply ask you to “believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1.

The Lord will lead you into all Truths but He will also not overtake your free will.  If you are seeking rules, regulations and traditions, the Holy Spirit will convict you of your error but He will not stop you.  By continuing to seek victory over our sin nature through rules, regulations and traditions and not through faith in the only One Who can give us this victory, Jesus Christ, our sin nature regains dominion.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to give us victory over our sin nature when our faith is in those rules, regulations and traditions.  “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.  The law of the Spirit requires faith in Jesus Christ to make us free from the law of sin and death.  A law, Mosaic law or any other law, designed to give one victory over our sin nature is spiritual adultery.  It is pointing God’s children to another way of victory over sin. 

Religious bondage is the worst kind of bondage and self righteousness is often the result.  I’m not pointing my finger at “you” saying you, the reader, is in bondage and self righteous.  I’m talking about the one’s who are in bondage and cannot see they are deceived.   Could that be you?  I have no idea, that is between you and God.  I will say this though, if you cannot see the religious bondages of many in the modern church, I ask you to prayerfully seek the Lord for His revelation which will always line up with the Word of God.  Don’t seek man, seek the Lord Jesus Christ and He will guide you into all Truths. – Donna Clark Warren

“For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: ⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:3-8.

The Mosaic Law could not be fulfilled by man because of our sin nature.  We are all born with a sin nature because of Adam’s original sin.  The Mosaic Law was never given to save man but to reveal to man their unrighteousness, yet many still attempt to prove their righteousness through the Law.  Fellowship was not restored with God through the Law but through the sacrifices.  The blood of bulls and goats restored fellowship for man’s sin but did not remove sin from their account.  It is only through the precious Blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, that our sin nature was condemned forever and for good and the wages of our sin was paid.  Jesus Christ came in the flesh to be the Perfect Sacrifice to redeem man to God.  Knowing this great Truth, we also know that the Lord’s Resurrection was a given…there was and is never any question of His perfection.

There are many in the Hebraic Roots Movement that continue in the Jewish traditions of feasts and ceremonies as a way of honoring God.  Please understand, you are minding things of the flesh and cannot please God.  “It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are Life.” John 6:63.  I want you to know these feasts you observe as a way to “honor God” are in fact representative of Jesus’…they are NOT Jesus.  You are not approaching the Throne of God through the Blood of Jesus.  You’re honoring God with what He gave the Old Testament Saints to restore fellowship with Him, NOT with What, or better stated “Who”, He has given to restore fellowship with Him once and for all…Jesus Christ.

“God is a Spirit: and they who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.  Man worships God in their personal spirit, which is moved upon by the Holy Spirit.  This is the only kind of worship the Lord will accept.  The yamaka and prayer shawls people wear to “honor” God, He cannot accept – they are of the flesh.

Most of the practices of the Hebraic movement come from the Talmud.  The Talmud is the basis for Jewish law.  It contains the teachings and opinions of thousands of Jewish rabbis dating from before the Christian Era to about 5th century CE.  These teachings, which so many Christians blindly observe because their “rabbi” told them it honors God, come from unsaved, Orthodox Jewish teachers who DO NOT believe in Jesus Christ. Although parts do teach and compliment the inspired Word of God, it also adds to the Word of God with laws and traditions of man.  For clarification, I did not just say the individual teaching you these feasts and festivals does not believe in Jesus, I said their teachings are based on traditions of men who do not believe in Jesus.

Sadly, there are many who believe what their Sunday school teacher say and never pick up the Word of God themselves to try the spirits.  My statements here are not meant to be anti-Semitic at all.  There will be thousands upon thousands of Jewish people, God’s chosen people, who will be slaughtered during the Tribulation period.  Our job, as Children of God, is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them, not join them in their traditions.  God’s plan of Salvation is not to join the world to win the world but to lift the name of Jesus Christ up to the World as their ONLY way of Salvation…including the Jewish people.  How many times have we seen God’s children praying at the Wailing Wall?  Why are God’s children praying at an idol of the Jewish people?  Is that not an abomination to pray at other’s idols?

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” 2 Timothy 3:16.  Don’t take my word for this.  You open up the Word of God yourself and read it.  Don’t run to your “rabbi” for clarification, pick up the Word of God and ask the Lord to quicken your spirit and to illuminate HIS Truth to you – be led by the Spirit.   I would suggest the book of Galatians for starters.  Those that are of the flesh cannot please God.  We have all walked in the flesh, it is sad but true.  However, that doesn’t mean we have to continue.  Turn back to Jesus.  Learn about Him, Who He is and what He has done.  He stands at the door knocking.  “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Romans 6:16-18. 

Before we are born again we are spiritually dead in our sin and trespasses.  When we look at the world today, it becomes easier and easier to see those who are spiritually dead.  They call good evil and evil good.

When a person is dead in sin and trespasses they cannot yield to God, their sin nature will not allow such.  We, in and of ourselves, cannot overcome our sin nature.  If we could, there would be no reason for Jesus to go to the Cross.  It is on the Cross where Jesus was the Sacrifice to pay our sin debt to God.  It is There, on Calvary’s Cross, that Jesus afforded the Believer dominion over our sin nature.

So how does a person get saved if they cannot yield to God? “No man can come to Me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44.  Don’t misunderstand what I am saying or what this verse says.  What Jesus did on Calvary’s Cross is for “WHOSOEVER believeth in Him…” (John 3:16).  We are ALL called but only few respond to the draw of the Holy Spirit.

It is only after we respond to the draw of the Holy Spirit and we are born again that we become a “new creature” in Christ.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.  Being baptized into Jesus’ death, we are now dead to our sin nature and alive unto God.  Our sin nature is not dead but we are dead to it through our baptism into Christ.

Being no longer dead in our sin and trespasses we are now able to yield to God.  Please don’t pass over this point.  Before our Salvation we are yielded to satan.  It is purely God’s mercy and grace that has kept satan from destroying the unbeliever, all in hopes they, the unbeliever, will one day respond to the draw of the Holy Spirit and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  Sadly, few do respond and die lost.

After our Salvation we are now able to yield to God but, here is the point I’m trying to make – religion will not teach us to yield to God but encourage us to fight the devil.  The only fight we are commissioned to fight is the fight of faith, faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross that broke the dominion of our sin nature.  The definition of yield is to stop resisting something.  Our carnal mind is at enmity with God (Romans 8:6).  When we continue to engage in the struggle for victory over our sin nature, we are resisting God’s plan of grace through faith to overcome.  By engaging the struggle (through psychology, motivation and other religious schemes), we continue to yield to satan.  This is why so many Christians are defeated.  They truly don’t understand Jesus Christ is our Sabbath because they are not resting in His saving grace…they are fighting battles they don’t have to fight.

Now that we are a new creature in Christ Jesus, we are alive to God and empowered to submit to God and resist the devil as long as our faith remains in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This is the only way the Holy Spirit remains on the throne in our heart, when we continually look to the Cross of Jesus for our victory.  When we submit, yield and stop resisting the Lord’s plan for our victory, the Holy Spirit will enable us to be obedient to the Word of God.

We as Christians have to give up the fight within ourselves to fight a fight we are not commissioned to fight.  Our entire life we fight the devil but after our Salvation we must stop and continue in the belief that Jesus won the victory over sin and He will deliver us from our bondages.  Regrettably, the modern church will direct you to a program or class to overcome sin.  Too many think when I say “stop fighting the devil”, I’m somehow condoning sin.  No, not at all.  I am saying “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.  Instead of continuing to submit to the devil by choosing man’s method for victory over sin and resisting God’s plan for victory – grace through faith in Jesus’ finished work.

What I am trying to say, albeit poorly, is just as we surrendered our life to Jesus Christ the day we accepted Him as our Lord and Saviour, so too submit your will to Him and trust Him to deliver you.  Our self will cannot overcome our sin nature, just as it couldn’t before our Salvation.  However, we now how the blessed assurance of victory over sin through faith in Jesus.  We are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses but alive unto God…surrender your will and seek His.

“Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:20-21

The power that works in a will submitted to God, God’s prescribed order of victory in a Believer’s life through faith in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross, is what allows the Holy Spirit latitude to do His great work in us and on our behalf.  Fight the only fight we are commissioned to fight…the fight of faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren

“He (Jesus) answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” Mark 7:6-9.

Sometimes I wonder how many actually read their Bible.  I do not mean this to be rude but sadly, I feel like many learn their doctrines from the commandments of men.  I remember when I first accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour I would be so confused when people who had been Christians for a long time wouldn’t do what the Bible said to do but what they wanted to do.  Please don’t misunderstand,  I had and have a very special group of ladies that are still dear to my heart who took me under their wing and would always point me to the Word of God for understanding.  They did not have to explain it to me because they knew the Holy Spirit would guide me into all Truths.

Then I began to step out a little and the world seemed strange.  When a more “mature Christian” would tell me something and I would inquire what the Word of God said about that particular situation they would reply “Yea, but…”.  If I heard “yea, but…” once, I heard it a thousand times.  Don’t misunderstand, did I stumble and fall at times? Absolutely.  Do I still fail the Lord? Regrettably, yes.  Praise be to God, when I did fall I didn’t have religion standing between me and My Jesus.  There was no program to complete for my forgiveness, no ceremony or ritual to overcome my sin.  Just a simple prayer and a repentive heart restored fellowship with my Lord.  As I held His Hand, Jesus guided me and guides me through this pilgrim land each and every day.

Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 29:13, “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near Me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor Me, but have removed their heart far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by the precept of men:”.

There remains an entire world out there who call themselves “Christians” but are spiritually devoid.  They have no discernment of the Word of God because they don’t even know the Word of God, their doctrines have been taught by men.  The few scriptures they do know are taken out of context and are twisted for their own presumptuous lusts.  They acquiesce mentally to God’s plan for their Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ but do not care to partake in His plan for Sanctification through continued faith in Jesus Christ.  They have man made doctrines for the sanctification process.  Their doctrines to overcome our sin nature are the very doctrines that invoke our sin nature – rules and regulations (12 steps, 40 days, 100 days, etc., etc.).  We cannot overcome our sin nature, saved or unsaved, through man’s doctrine.  There is only ONE way to have dominion over our sin nature and that is through faith in Jesus Christ and what He did on Calvary’s Cross.  We are saved by God’s grace through our faith in Jesus, lest any man should boast…man’s doctrines do not save us nor do they sanctify us.  Faith and faith alone in Jesus Christ allows the Holy Spirit dominion in our hearts.  It is only when the Holy Spirit is on the throne of our hearts that our sin nature is isolated.

Again, I do not say these things disparagingly but out of concern for the souls whose heart is far from God; the ones who draw near to God with their mouth, honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him.  They are spiritually devoid and blind.  Their doctrines have been learned by the precept of men.

Regrettably, if you do not see this it is because you are in it.  The doctrines of man have hindered your ability to appreciate or understand spiritual warnings.  When our faith is directed to the precepts of our religion and we accept these as Biblical truths, our heart is removed from God’s Truth and placed in man’s truth.  The Holy Spirit is no longer guiding us into all Truths but man is guiding us into man’s truth.  Our sin nature is back on it’s throne in our heart and will often manifest itself in the religious man as self righteousness and pride.

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”  Romans 8:5-8. 

The religious enthusiasm seen by so many in the world today is man’s religious doctrines acting in fellowship with the world.  We no longer come out from among them and be ye separate but join them in hopes to win them.  This is not God’s plan of redemption but man’s plan to fill the pews.  Do not take my word for any of this.  Pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to any false doctrine you may be sitting under and He will show you.  Seek the Lord and you will find Him.  Seek religion and you will find it as well.  – Donna Clark Warren

“According as His Divine Power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these (promises) ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4.

Fighting the effects of a dominating sin nature in one’s life with humanistic psychology will not give one victory over their sin nature.  We are all born with a sin nature due to Adam’s fall.  Once we are born again we become partakers of God’s Divine Nature.  God’s Divine Nature implanted in us is the source of our new life…our “new creature”.  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.  Partaking of the Divine Nature for the sinner is the Salvation experience.  Partaking of the Divine Nature for the Saint is the sanctification experience.

Allow me to say that again because I feel like that is where so many of us have failed, including myself – partaking in God’s Divine nature for the sinner is their Salvation experience, partaking in God’s Divine nature for the Saint is our Sanctification experience.  It is a daily, step by step, precept upon precept and line upon line experience freely given through faith in Jesus and His finished work and not through our works, rituals and ceremonies.  Many of us have been deceived by humanistic psychology, which is another gospel preaching another Jesus.  This gospel preaches against the effects of a dominating sin nature but will never give us victory over our sin nature.  If humanistic psychology could overcome sin there would have been no reason for Jesus to go to Calvary’s Cross.  The reason Jesus came to earth was to pay our sin debt and give us victory over sin but we must choose to partake in this life He came to give us and give us more abundantly.

“I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” Romans 6:19.

Before our born again experience we are unable to yield ourselves unto God because we have no part in the Divine Nature.  Now that we are partakers of God’s Divine Nature through our Salvation experience, we are able to yield to Him and His will.  We are now able follow God’s plan but sadly many follow man’s scheme instead. They are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine constantly fighting the effects of their sin nature dominating their life.

Contrary to popular belief, satan can override a Christian’s will when they are not yielded to and partaking in God’s Divine Nature.   The Apostle Paul said, “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.” Romans 7:18.  This is why we must die to our flesh and yield our will to God’s Will.  Our will is woefully inadequate against the power of satan.  We will to do God’s will by rebuking the devil instead of actually stopping to yield our will to God’s Will.

It is only because of Jesus Christ’s Sacrifice that we are able to yield to God’s Will.  It is only because of Jesus Christ that we can be partakers of God’s Divine Nature.   It is only when we are partakers and yielded to God’s Will  because of our faith in Jesus’ finished work on Calvary’s Cross that our sin nature is dethroned in our lives.  Faith in our self efforts to fight the effects of the sin nature’s rule is not yielding to God’s plan of victory.  Sadly this is the gospel preached behind many pulpits today.

There is victory in the Cross of Jesus for each and every Child of God each and every day of our lives. This is picking up our cross daily – fighting the fight of faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified and not placing our faith in our self efforts.  Man’s motivation is not God’s grace.  God’s grace flows through Calvary’s Cross.  Are you partaking in the Divine Nature?

-Donna Clark Warren

“ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16.

God’s plan of Salvation does not involve joining the world to win the world.  The Bible says to come out from among them and be ye separate (2 Cor. 6:17).  The Lord’s plan of victory for the Believer does not involve dealing with the effects of sin but having complete dominion over our sin nature.  These are the laws of the modern day religious Pharisees, join the world to win the world and treat the effects of sin.

“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?” Romans 7:1.  “The law” here pertains to any law we create to dominate our sin nature, not just the Mosaic Law.  Our laws, no matter the intent, will not and cannot dominate our sin nature.  They in fact revive our sin nature.  These are spiritual laws that cannot be dealt with in the flesh, yet so many continue to fight a fight we have not been commissioned to fight.

We are all born with a sin nature due to Adam’s fall.  Upon our Salvation, we are baptized into Christ, into His death (Romans 6:3).  Our sin nature remains but we are dead to it in Christ Jesus.  “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9.  By God’s grace we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.  We are baptized into His death and are now dead to our sin nature.  Every curse, “soul tie” and bondage is laid waste by what Jesus did on Calvary’s Cross.  Whom the Son sets free is free indeed!  We are free.

Immediately religion has their list of rules.  You will notice they all deal with the effects of sin and God’s grace is no longer God’s grace but man’s law.  As we set forth to follow the laws, the rules and regulations of our religion, the yoke gets a little heavier.  We stand in the mirror and try to convince ourselves we are the righteousness of God while we perish on the inside.  We have been seduced by another bridegroom.   We”…have no root in themselves (ourselves), and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the Word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:17.

Religion’s laws have revived our sin nature and we no longer have dominion.  We fight the effects of sin, we make a rule designed to enable us to overcome our sin nature (fast, push ups, distraction, etc.) but our sin nature is now revived.  Our faith has been placed in these rules to have dominion over our sin nature and not the One Who gave us dominion over our sin nature, Jesus Christ.  Too many are fighting the effects of their sin nature which is not God’s plan for dominion over sin.  Blaming and fighting the “effects” of our sin nature’s dominion, places faith on the individual’s efforts to overcome the effects instead of  faith in Jesus taking our sin nature’s dominion away and nailing it to His Cross (Colossians 2:14).  Our fight is the fight of faith in Jesus, Who He is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross.  With our faith properly placed in Jesus, the Holy Spirit gives us dominion over our sin nature.  The sin nature is swiftly dealt with, not just the effects of sin.

How are you dealing with sin?  Are you dealing with the dominion of sin or it’s effects?  Has your religion made a rule to dominate your sin nature?  Are you learning more about how to overcome the effects of sin than the One Who will deliver you from the dominion of  your sin nature?  There is only one way to deal with sin and that is God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  This is a gift from God.  This is God’s plan to redeem the unredeemed and sanctify the redeemed….Jesus Christ and Him crucified, be determined to know nothing else.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39.

-Donna Clark Warren

“And the multitude sat about Him, and they said unto Him, Behold, Thy mother and Thy brethren without seek for thee. And He answered them, saying, Who is My mother, or My brethren? And He looked round about on them which sat about Him, and said, Behold My mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the Will of God, the same is My brother, and My sister, and mother.” Mark 3:32-35.

A person’s love of God will manifest itself in their seeking of His Will and keeping of His Commandments.  The Believer can keep the Commandments only when their faith is placed solely and exclusively in what Jesus did on Calvary’s Cross and we rest in Him.  Jesus fulfilled the 4th Commandment, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” Exodus 20:8.   He is our Sabbath everyday, 24 hours a day.  Jesus Christ is our rest.

Only when one’s faith is placed in Jesus, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to give us victory over our sin nature can the Holy Spirit come in and keep the Commandments through us.  The Holy Spirit enables us to live the holy life we are called to live. “ For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.

No matter our self efforts, we are unable to keep the moral law without a change of heart.  The world blames our circumstances for the condition of our heart and negates one’s responsibility to uphold morality.  The Word of God says there is none good but God (Luke 18:19).  The world declares the sinner innocent due to circumstances and the Saint guilty.   The world says we are all innately good.

A heart without love for God will not be able to keep His moral Commandments nor will it seek His Will.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to enable, empower and endue a heart without true love for God with HIS holiness and righteousness.   These are the reasons we preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  These are the reasons we preach deliverance to the captives.  There is a lost and dying world who needs to know Jesus Christ NOT 40 days of purpose, shemitahs and harbingers.  These are another gospel preaching another Jesus who are accursed (Galatians 1:8) with the bondage of religion.  If Jesus Christ is not preached to the lost and bound, Who He is and what He as done, a love of God is not planted but seed of self righteousness.  The Saint who has been born again for 30 years or 30 minutes fights the fight of faith everyday, faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified…declare HIM and not presumptions.

“Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13.

Seek Him, Jesus Christ, He has a lot invested in you….He will lead you out.  Preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, be determined to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  God’s children our bound by religion, they are bound by those preaching another gospel…seek Him for His Truth and His will.