“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1.

Saving faith, faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe, results in building an ark to save your family because God said build an ark (Hebrews 11:7).

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”  Hebrews 11:3

God is the Creator.  He is the One Who speaks things into existence, not man.

Saving faith is authored and finished by Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2) when we choose to deny our selves, pick up our cross and follow Him (Luke 9:23).  Picking up our cross requires denial of our self efforts and believing the finished work of Jesus Christ is enough to give us victory over the sin that so easily besets.  This sin may or may not be a sin of the flesh we are trying to overcome but a bondage that keeps us yoked to the world (fear, anger, worry).  Worry is a sin because it is unbelief in God’s promises.  We may say we believe with our mouths but our hearts are full of fear and unbelief.  God looks to our heart.

Fear of faith…unbelief of things not seen is a sin; it is a lack of faith. The modern church has attempted to comfort the unbelief of Believers by offering them excuses for their unbelief which is always the fault of others and then presenting another way to overcome (40 days, 12 steps, 100 ways, etc.).  This attempt to make the unbelieving Believer comfortable in their unbelief comes straight from the great deceiver himself, satan.

“³ Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

⁴ Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the Will of God and our Father:

⁵ To Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

⁶ I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

⁷ Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.”  Galatians 1:3-7.

Saving faith, faith in Jesus Christ and His atoning work, delivers us from this present evil world according to the Will of God.  Faith in methods of man for deliverance from evil does not deliver.  It is another gospel and another Jesus.

Fight the good fight of faith…faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren

“²³ For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.

²⁴ Therefore I say unto you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.”  Mark 11:23-24.

If we delight ourselves in the Lord, He will place His desires in our heart (Psalms 37:4). Our heart’s desires do not come from God in our fallen state.  Where our treasure is, there will our heart be also (Matthew 6:21).   The mountain of difficulties shall be removed when we pray and believe the desire God has placed in our heart.

If a prayer is founded on the desire God has placed in our heart, BELIEVE that it will be received and it shall be received!

However, if a prayer is based on presumption so that it may be consumed upon our own lusts (James 4:3), even though it is quickly declared “it shall come to pass” when the Lord has not commanded it (Lamentations 3:37); this prayer will not be received and it shall not come to pass for those who delight themselves in the Lord.

“¹⁰ And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the Truth, that they might be saved.

¹¹ And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:

¹² That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”  1 Thessalonians 2:10-12.

If one does not want the Truth, if they do not delight in the Lord Jesus Christ….Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe, if they follow man’s methods of humanistic psychology to overthrow, overcome and obtain their desires; God will send them a strong delusion that they shall believe a lie.  Their presumptuous prayers may indeed be answered.

It is impossible to trust in the Lord without knowing His Word for ourselves.

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

Delight in the Lord your God.  He is worthy.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Be you therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.”  Ephesians 5:1-2 KJV

OR

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us^[a] and offered Himself as a Sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”  Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Do we follow or do we imitate?  Let’s try this again.

“Wherefore I beseech you, be you followers of Me.” 1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

OR

“So I urge you to imitate Me.”  1 Corinthians 4:16 NLT

Just to be fair I wanted to see in what context the NLT used the word “follow”.  There are many instances when follow was used in context.  However, then there was this:

“And He said unto them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 KJV

OR

“Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow Me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matthew 4:19 NLT

Will the Lord show me how to be a fisher of man or will He make me a fisher of man if I follow Him?

Who is to say which is correct?  The scrolls themselves proclaim that which is the Word of God.  The King James Version is translated word for word while most others are translated from an entirely different set of scrolls and are thought for thought.

There is something extremely important missing in the New Living Translation version (and many other versions).  This “something” determines whether we become fishers of man.  It is THE difference in “following” and “imitating”.

Have you noticed how the NLT version of these Scriptures leave out the ministry of the Holy Spirit?  It is the work of the Holy Spirit to make us what the Lord has called us to be. We usurp the authority of the Holy Spirit when we attempt in vain to imitate God instead of following Him.

This is the problem with many if not most modern churches.  The unadulterated, full counsel, rightly divided Word of God has been so diluted that the ministry of self empowerment has usurped the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The Believers faith is directed toward their ability to “imitate” and when they fail, which they ultimately will, their faith is shattered.

“⁹ For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.

¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power:

¹¹ In Whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

¹² Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:9-12 KJV

The ministry of the Holy Spirit will effect a change in our heart that results in the making of a new creature.  Old things are passed away and all things become new (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).  The Holy Spirit is commissioned by God to make these changes when WE given Him the latitude to do such.  When our faith is placed on our ability to imitate, we are not giving the Holy Spirit authority to make the change in our hearts He is commissioned to do.

Imitate as we might but the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus will not make us free from the law of sin and death until our faith is placed in the atoning work of Jesus Christ to break the power of sin in the Believer’s life (Romans 6:14)…not our ability to imitate Him.

-Donna Clark Warren

Great teaching by Brother Loren Larson on Romans 6.  Listen and then listen again. Brother Larson is an associate pastor at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, LA.

SonLife Broadcasting Network

Be blessed!

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹³ These (Noah, Abraham and Sara) all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

¹⁴ For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

¹⁵ And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

¹⁶ But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he has prepared for them a city.”  Hebrews 11:13-16.

As Believers we live by faith in the Son of God, Jesus Christ.  We fight the good fight of faith in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosever will believe.  Faith is not based on emotional experiences, ceremonies or any other religious works given to imitate the Lord.  Faith is based on the Word of God and the Word of God, from Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:21 points to Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross.

The object of our faith is more important than the amount of our faith.  If we get the object wrong, we get it all wrong and our faith will indeed fail.

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the Cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God.”  Hebrews 12:1-2.

Recognize who or what is authoring your faith.  Is it your senses?  Does your faith coincide with your emotions?  Perhaps it is a particular means or method given by the religious to overcome the sin that has so easily beset us.  Maybe it is signs and wonders that we seek.

“¹⁷ And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;

¹⁸ They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”  Mark 16:17-18.

Please note, those sign and wonders FOLLOW those who believe.

“²² For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

²⁴ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.”  1 Corinthians 1: 22-24.

The Jews required a sign and the Greeks earthly wisdom and both stumbled over the power of God…Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Sometimes the Lord will lead us into the wilderness to commune with us and separate us from the world.  Look to Him, the Author and Finisher of our faith.  Run the race.  Fight the good fight.  Be determined to know nothing else among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified!

-Donna Clark Warren

“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeks and intermeddles with all wisdom. A fool has no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself.”  Proverbs 18:1-2.

All too many separate themselves to an earthly wisdom. They seek and intermeddle with evil and sensual wisdom from the vanities of man’s mind in order to “find” themselves…so their heart may discover itself.  This earthly wisdom results in pride and self righteousness in it’s “best life now” methods to overthrow the sin that so easily besets us.

God did not give us 12 steps for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  He did not give us 40 days of purpose or 100 days to “rightly believe”.  God gave us His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).  Jesus is the source of everlasting life and Calvary’s Cross is the means by which whosoever believes in Him and His atoning work shall not perish.

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the Law, but under Grace.”  Romans 6:14.

Because of our belief in the atoning work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross, the power of sin is broken in our lives.  Sin no longer has dominion over us because our faith is placed in Jesus, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe. This is GOD’s prescribed order of victory…faith in the Sacrificial Lamb (Jesus) HE provided and the ONLY way we are reconciled to God.

“Jesus said unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death and give us dominion over our sin nature when we place our faith in, and separate ourselves to, the sensual and earthly wisdom to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil.  He (the Holy Spirit) is only commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death when our faith is placed in God’s plan for victory – Jesus Christ and Him crucified…HIS atoning work on Calvary’s Cross, not ours. This IS the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that gives the Holy Spirit latitude to free us from the law of sin and death.

“For the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:2.

This Christian walk is not about faking it to we make it.  All of the methods the modern church presents so that “the heart may discover itself” are not wisdom from above but evil, earthly and sensual.  These methods become laws the Believer must adhere to in order to know one’s self.

“Search the Scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of ME (Jesus). And you will not come to Me, that you might have life.”  John 5:39-40

The entirety of the Word of God speaks of Jesus Christ.  From Genesis 1:1 to Revelations 22:22 Believers are pointed to the Sacrificial Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  We search the Scriptures which testify of Jesus yet in our heart we will not come to Him so that we may have life…we are foolish.  We separate ourselves to worldly wisdom and not unto God’s Way.

The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (2 Chronicles 16:9)…not perfect toward man or man’s methods.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.” 2 Corinthians 6:17

Discern the separation.

-Donna Clark Warren

A theocracy is a country that is ruled by religious leaders.  Islam with it’s Sharia law is a perfect example of a theocracy.  Such is why so many are against Islam; not because of their religion, we have freedom of religion in the United States of America for which I am thankful.  The Word of God says “choose this day whom you will serve…” (Joshua 24:15) and as for me and my house, we choose to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.

This new movement called NAR (New Apostolistic Reformation) which many are now following (into a ditch I might add) is nothing new at all.  Other names for this “movement” are Dominionism, Seven Mountains and Kingdom Now which have been running the circuit for many years.  Some well know proponents of this heresy are Lou Engle, Bill Johnson (Bethel Church), Dutch Sheets and Mike Bickle (IHOP)…just to name a few.

There are a couple of things I want you to realize about this movement.  NAR is a theocracy.  NAR followers believe there are seven specific areas in which those who are “kingdom minded” should rule: religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business.  Let me be clear, I too want a Christian President who follows the Lord.  I want Christian teachers to teach the children.  What I do not want however is a Christian President who believes it is his job to bring peace and prosperity to the world in order for Christ to return, which is the ultimate goal of the NAR movement.   Their conspiracy theories of end time events focus more on extra biblical revelations given not to contradict the Word of God but to “supplement” and supernatural signs and wonders (blood moons, shemitahs, harbingers) which are not Scriptural.  The Lord gave us His Word and His Word is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness…the Believer does not need man’s “supplements”.

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”  2 Timothy 3:1-17.

Read the Book of Revelations for yourself.  The Word of God says “Blessed is he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”  Revelations 1:3.

Something else I want you to consider, Al Jazeera, the arabic news network which gained world wide attention during the outbreak of war in Afghanistan refers to NAR as “America’s Taliban”.  Here is the article “America’s Own Taliban“.  Keep in mind this is from an anti -Christian news source, so there may be things that we as Believers do not agree with but it is interesting to note the comparison.

Also, a comparison of my own…were not the Judiazers, the pharisees, who rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah, were they not a theocracy as well? Did they not wish to reign in these seven areas as well (religion, family, education, government, media, arts and entertainment, and business)? Are we not seeing the church come full circle except this time our Lord Jesus Christ will come back in glory?  Is God not opening up the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to His Children for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil through faith in HIM, not “their” part? Does the Word of God not say this Gospel will go out to the four corners of the earth and then the end will come?

“Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;”  1 Timothy 4:1-2.

We are in the latter times.  The harvest is truly great…Lord send forth YOUR laborers.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Wherefore if you be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances,  (Touch not; taste not; handle not;  Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?” Colossian 2:20-22.

If we are buried with Christ by the baptism into His death, planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall also be in the likeness of His Resurrection.  We no longer serve sin.

Why then does religion subject the Believer to ordinances?  Why are we subjected to 40 days of purpose for God’s favor?  Why must we fast 21 days for deliverance from sin? Why must we partake in the Jewish feasts which were all representative of Jesus?  Why are we subjected and seduced by the extra biblical revelations which appeal to our emotions?  All of which appeal to the flesh but have no effect against the sin that so easily besets us.  There is only one answer to sin; one answer to victory over the world the flesh and the devil and that is faith in Jesus Christ and HIS redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross…not worldly ordinances, commandments or vanities from the mind of man.

“⁵ For if we have been planted together in the likeness of His death, we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection:

⁶ Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin.”  Romans 6:5-7

We are planted together in the likeness of Jesus’ death through our faith in Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross.  We are in the likeness of His Resurrection through our faith in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross.

Why, as though living in the world, do we subject ourselves after the commandments and doctrines of men?

” ¹⁶ And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for you are the temple of the living God; as God has 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, says the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My Sons and Daughters, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

¹⁵ 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.

Just because something is labeled or promoted as “Christian” does not mean it is of God.  Let us not forget, satan knows the Bible better than most and he is still the devil.  Furthermore, we must understand the devil knows the Bible word for word, not just “thought for thought“.  Most of the modern Bible translations are a thought for thought translation.  (For further information on how the thought for thought versions of the Word of God are disarming the Believer, start here.)

“¹⁷ The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul.

¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

¹⁹ Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”  Proverbs 16:17-19.

Many have been given the opportunity to learn what is referred to as the “Message of the Cross” but have chosen to ignore.  This message is not a new message it is THE message of the Bible; the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  This message of Who Jesus is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross will set at liberty those who are bound.  This message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ will heal the sick and cause the lame to walk.  This message is the same message the Apostle Paul declared to the Romans, the Galatians, the Corinthians, the Colossians, the Ephesians, etc., etc.

This message, the Message of the Cross of Christ for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil, has been replaced with The Shack, The Purpose Driven Life, 100 Days of Favor, Blood Moons, Shemitahs, Jewish feasts, fire tunnels, extra biblical revelations, emotional manifestations, sanctimonious ceremonies and man made traditions.

Did you know that NAR (New Apostolic Reformation), also known as Dominionism, Kingdom Now or 7 Mountains, is referred to by Al Jazeera as American’s Taliban?  NAR’s ultimate goal is to replace secular democracy, both in America and around the world, with a Christian theocracy.  The supposed purpose is to “purify” the world for Christ’s return – again, strikingly similar to what the Taliban believes regarding Islam, but more importantly at odds with what the Word of God says about end time events.  Instead of cell groups, there are home groups who are studying, following, declaring and decreeing another Jesus and another gospel.

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.”  Galatians 1:8.

Hear me church. You would not let allow a harlot to seduce your child, your spouse or anyone else you love into danger.  Why then do so many allow their brethren to be swept away into the harlot’s bosom simply because she claimed Christianity?

Pride goes before destruction.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁷ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

¹⁸ And all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

¹⁹ To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the Word of Reconciliation.

²⁰ Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God.

²¹ For He (God) has made Him (Jesus) to be sin (the Sin Offering) for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the Righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21.

The reconciling act of Jesus was in His dying on Calvary’s Cross.  It was there that the Lamb of God was offered up as a Sin Offering for the sin of man.  On Calvary’s Cross the penalty of sin was paid:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 6:23;

and the power of sin was broken:

“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under Grace.” Romans 6:14.

Know this, WHO Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, there is no doubt as to the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that every sin was paid in full for those who accept Him as their Lord and Saviour. Bear in mind, the sinner is called to believe but the Saint is called to follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).

The means by which Jesus Christ broke the power of sin in the Believer’s life is through Calvary’s Cross.  Religion will attempt to make the Righteousness of God a rule to be kept in order to be righteous.  However, Grace will manifest God’s Righteousness in the hearts of those whose faith is placed solely and exclusively in the Source by which God’s Righteousness is applied (Jesus Christ) and the means by which it is applied (Calvary’s Cross).  This is the working of the Holy Spirit being applied in our hearts and lives because of our faith in Jesus…looking unto Him, Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the Cross and is now sitting at the Right Hand of the Throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

Precept upon precept, line upon line, the Lord will author and finish our faith. Recognize when laws are given to uphold righteousness.  When we’re faced with temptation, do we immediately remember that law/rule/oath that we made to “be” righteous or do we immediately look to Jesus to deliver us from that temptation?  Our answer will determine our victory or defeat.  That law didn’t give us dominion over sin, Jesus Christ gave us dominion over sin.  Choose accordingly.

“¹⁹ For it pleased the Father that in Him (Jesus) should all fullness dwell;

²⁰ And, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has He reconciled

²² In the Body of His Flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight:”  Colossians 1:19-22

We have been reconciled to God through the Body of His Flesh, Jesus Christ.  We have been given the ministry of the Word of Reconciliation.  We do not preach, declare or decree from behind the pulpit oaths, laws, 40 days, “series”, blood moons, shemitahs, traditions, feasts or festivals – we preach the Word of Reconciliation to the entirety of the world and then the end will come…we preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren