“¹⁸ That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: ¹⁹ Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which enters into that within the Veil; ²⁰ Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:18-20

As a Believer we have fled the worldly statutes for refuge.  Our High Priest, Jesus Christ, has atoned for our sin on Calvary’s Cross and entered into the Holy of Holies on our behalf.  The Veil was rent and we enter into the Throne Room of God through faith in the finished work of our High Priest…the Perfect Lamb of God, our Lord Jesus Christ.  Our High Priest was Himself the Sacrifice, the only Sacrifice God could accept to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer.

This hope is the anchor of our soul. It is indeed a sure and stedfast hope in spite of our present circumstances. Our hope is an everlasting hope, not after the order of man but Melchisedec.   Jesus Christ is our High Priest forever.

“¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great High Priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

-Donna Clark Warren

“No man can come to Me (Jesus), except the Father which has sent Me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44

I remember that Saturday morning like it was yesterday.  Sitting on my sofa, lost and empty.  Truth be known I had probably been out playing poker all night the night before and lost every dime I had worked for that week.  You see, I had given up smoking and drinking so I thought I was doing “pretty good”.  I can’t say for sure if that’s what had happened the night before because honestly, I don’t really remember.  If you know me, you know my memory is horrible.  However, that would be a likely scenario at any given point at that time in my life.

That particular morning though the Lord began to draw me.  I thought to myself I would surprise my Dad and his wife and show up at church the next day.  Out of the blue, that next morning came and my Dad called and invited me to church…ruined my surprise but I happily obliged.  I didn’t understand then the drawing of the Holy Spirit.

At the time I was living in sin; living with my then boyfriend…but again, the Lord was drawing me to Him.  God ever seeks to be closer to His creation and for us to know of Him.  I didn’t understand theology and to be frank and honest, I didn’t really care about theology at that point.  I had a yearning deep in my soul to go to this church and so I did.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and this church had a revival.  I was excited!  There was a breath of life being seen; a hope I had never had…but again, then I didn’t see, know, understand or seek to understand what this was drawing me.  As far as I was concerned, just with everything else in my life, I liked, I wanted it and I began following it…whatever “it” was, was pleasing.

“Then shall you remember your own evil ways, and your doings that were not good, and shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations.” Ezekiel 36:31

Revival lasted through Wednesday night.  I was there every night but had not yet given my life to the Lord.  The conviction of the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance my own evil ways.  Such is the effect of Grace.  Grace does not exalt self but Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross.  The righteousness of Jesus Christ reveals our unrighteousness and results in self judgment.  If Jesus’ righteousness reveals our own righteousness, the result is self righteousness and we in fact have another Jesus…NOT the Jesus of the Word of God; the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of man.

That last night of revival, living in sin, far from perfect, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.  I accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour.  His life for mine.  The only thing I understood about theology was that I was a sinner and  Jesus Christ died for my sin.  If I accepted Him as my Lord and Saviour, I would have eternal life…and so I did; and so it began.  I was born again.  Baptized into His death, I receive the promises of His Life.  The penalty of sin paid and the power of sin broken through His shed Blood which now covered all of my sins. Glory! Glory! Glory!

Then came the next day, the next week, and life resumed and “I” had it all figured out.  My then boyfriend would accept Jesus, we would get married and live happily ever after.  The only problem was, this wasn’t happening and praise be to God, it didn’t happen.  When the Lord finally dealt with me about praying for HIS Will and not mine, I realized my error.  Once I began praying for God’s Will in my life, it was painful.  Remember, I was still new in the Lord and didn’t understand why the Lord was removing things and people from my life…but I knew God.  I had touched His Garment and was not letting go.

Suddenly, with everything stripped away, I was more like Mary than I was Martha.  All of the busy stuff was gone and all I had was Jesus.  That is when I learned, Jesus is all I need.  It is there that I found that He does supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory.  Precept upon precept, line upon line, He has added to what He has wrought in me.  There are times I try to help.  Other times, I make a mess of it all.  Martha will at times creep in unaware but when I stop and remember in Whom I have believed, a peace beyond all understanding comes.

Jesus Christ is my Lord and Saviour.  In all reality, we are all just passing through this pilgrim land and I’m thankful to know in Whom I have believed.  Salvation is mine because of Jesus and what He did on Calvary’s Cross.  The power of sin (Sanctification) is mine because of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done.  It was Him drawing me that morning….drawing me from a life of wasted years.  If I would have waited until I was perfected to accept Him, quite frankly I would never be perfected.  To be sure, I won’t be perfected this side of glory…and neither will you.

There are others the Lord is drawing but because they don’t intellectually understand the theology of the Message of the Cross, they feel inferior or shamed.  I want you to know my friend, there are many theologians that intellectually understand the Message of the Cross but are in fact farther away from God than you are.  You see, in your heart you seek to understand but in their heart they think they understand but don’t.  Seeing, they see not.  Hearing, they hear not and neither do they understand (Matthew 13:13).

“¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Keep pressing.  Keep praying for those lost loved ones.  The Spirit of the Lord is drawing.

-Donna Clark Warren

“But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” Ezekiel 33:6

If the watchman, the true preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, refuses to keep the world’s statutes and systems from the doors of the church, the world’s statutes and systems will enter in through the door, corrupt the Truth and make the Cross of Christ of no effect.

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.” 1 Corinthians 1:17

There remains a people who truly love God but are sitting under ministries who have allowed the worldly systems, namely humanistic psychology, through the doors.  These philosophies have succeeded in moving the Believer’s faith from the atoning work of Jesus Christ to break the power of sin in our life to worldly ways for victory.  Because they go under the banner of Christianity and quote Scripture, the Believer equates this philosophy with Truth.  However, make no mistake, this philosophy turns the Truth into a lie…it is corrupted.

“For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.” 2 Corinthians 11:4

Sadly, there are many watchman who have allowed worldly systems into their church, their ministries and their hearts.  They have turned back to Egypt to join the unity crowd and compromised the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pray for the watchman, the true God called preachers….pray for their faith. Pray that they know nothing else among them, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Egypt tempts them daily with another way.

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

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

-Donna Clark Warren

“Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.” Ezekiel 28:17

The king of Tyrus (who was symbolic of satan) was lifted up because of his beauty and wisdom.  His kingdom was prosperous and they rejoiced at the fall of Jerusalem.  King Nebuchadnezzar would be God’s instrument of destruction for Tyrus in all it’s splendor.

“The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

Satan’s wisdom, who transforms into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15), was not taken away, it was corrupted.  He was lifted up by reason of his brightness.

It is the devil’s purpose to corrupt our wisdom; the wisdom that is from above which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy (James 3:17) and begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7).  This wisdom comes from first believing God is God…not you are a little god.

“⁵ By your great wisdom and by your traffic have you increased your riches, and your heart is lifted up because of your riches: ⁶ Therefore thus says the Lord God; Because you have set your heart as the heart of God; ⁷ Behold, therefore I will bring strangers upon you, the terrible of the nations: and they shall draw their swords against the beauty of your wisdom, and they shall defile your brightness.” Ezekiel 28:5-7

Success, even in things of the Lord, can lift up the heart of man and cause our hearts to turn from Him.  Instead of setting our hearts toward God, we set our hearts AS God. This is the devil’s purpose….to kill, steal and destroy and he uses religion to corrupt our wisdom.

“Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come.” John 16:13

The Holy Spirit will guide us into all Truths…

“¹⁶ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

…and the Word of God is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

God has given us His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us into all Truth according to Scripture.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the story of our redemption.  From Genesis Chapter 1 to Revelation 22, we see our instruction for our Redemption…by Grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8).  Our Redemption is not of ourselves but a gift of God in the person of Jesus Christ as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross to pay sin’s debt for whosoever will believe and break the penalty of sin for those who have believed.  Knowing Who Jesus Christ is and what He did, there is no doubt as to His Resurrection.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is proof that the sin debt is paid in full.  He is alive!!

This is the wisdom from above, given us in God’s Word and witnessed to us by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:16).  This is the wisdom satan attempts to corrupt through the deceit of vain philosophies using his minister’s who are transformed into ministers of light.

Just because something seems good, doesn’t mean it is good.  We can easily recognize evil when it appears as evil.  It is the “good” that takes the Spirit of God in us to quicken our hearts to the Truth.

“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

-Donna Clark Warren

“²³ For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.” James 1:23-24

A person beholding their natural face, which is exactly what the modern church preaches by the way, sees only that which is on the outside.  This person’s gospel revolves around self as they go their way and quickly forget what manner of person they are. The lies told on Sunday regarding their external circumstances quickly reveal themselves as a lie on Monday.  Irregardless of how religious the ceremony may be, there is no change on the inside, despite the vain professions.

“But whoso looks into the perfect Law of Liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  The ear is the organ of response, not our mind.  Filtering the Word of God through our carnal mind instead of responding with a heart of belief causes confusion and results in a forgetful hearer.  Our mind forgets but our heart will respond when we deny our self and lean not unto our own understanding and simply believe.  Faith is not faith if it must be proven before believing.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified changes the heart of man.  Whether they believe and are Saved or whether they reject and are hardened, the Word of God will have It’s intended effect.

A heart of belief, one who continues looking into the perfect Law of Liberty (Jesus Christ and Him crucified), becomes a doer of the work wrought in his or her heart.  This work is the work of the Holy Spirit; it is born of the Spirit and not of the flesh and will produce fruit unto God.

There is no inward change when the external is examined by self instead of an internal examination by God’s Word.  The ministry of the Holy Spirit is usurped by self will and God’s Will is neglected because of outward examinations, silly questionnaires and civic promotions of the religious institutions.

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1

Beware of being entangled by works that are not born of the Spirit, empowered by the Spirit, led by the Spirit and anointed by the Spirit.  There are many religious works to be found but if they are not born of the Spirit of God in the heart of a Believer, they are snares for a yoke of bondage.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁷ He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son. ⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:7-8

The Cross of Christ is the dividing line of the fearful and unbelieving and the overcomers.  It is interesting to note that the fearful and unbelieving are ranked with the murderers, whoremongers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars.

The Cross of Christ is the offence of which requires the forsaking of our idols, fears and superstitions.  Understanding the Atonement does not allow for unbelief.  We either believe the work of Jesus paid the penalty of sin for the sinner and broke the power of sin for the Believer or we don’t.  For the professing Believer to render Christ’s Work insufficient and turn to religious church ordinances and traditions for their Salvation (water baptism, baptism in the Holy Spirit, sacraments of penance, etc.) throws them in the lot with the abominable, murderers and whoremongers.

“⁸ For by Grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

If the Gospel believed doesn’t procure a change in the heart of the Believer, it is not the True Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and works of the flesh are manifested.

“¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, ²⁰ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, ²¹ Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Many are offended when their grace revolutions are interrupted by the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  The Cross of Christ is an offence but for the overcomers, those who choose to believe the atoning work of Jesus Christ is sufficient to the uttermost, the Cross of Christ is the power of God.

“But seek you first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

Examine the fruit and consider the offense.

“²² But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

²³ For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.

²⁵ But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:22-25

Understanding the atoning work of Jesus Christ and accepting Him as our Lord and Saviour results in an inward change and produces fruit unto God.

Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

^“6 And all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the Lord, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. ⁷ When they took hold of you by your hand, you did break, and rend all their shoulder: and when they leaned upon you, you broke, and made all their loins to be at a stand.”  Ezekiel 29:6-7

Egypt had been a “staff of reed” to the House of Israel.  When God’s instrument of chastisement was Babylon, Egypt promised to deliver Judah.

How akin is this to the modern church who has offered a “staff of reed” for  God’s Children in the form of humanistic psychology, 40 days of purpose, 21 days of fasting, etc.?  How often have our sincerest intentions (but sincerely wrong) been a staff of reed for God’s Children who He is seeking to correct in order for them to grow in HIS knowledge and grace?

In our zeal, we usurp the ministry of the Holy Spirit to do that which He is commissioned to do…lead us into all Truths according to the Word of God (John 16:13) through our faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ.  Our faith, not the amount of but the Subject of (namely, Jesus Christ and Him crucified) is the only instrument God can use to break the power of sin in the Believers life.  This is the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which sets us free from the law of the spirit of death (Romans 8:2).

When religion steps in and earnestly attempts to help the Believer be free from the law of sin and death by vain philosophies and humanistic psychology; they are pointing them toward Egypt and not God.  Even the most Scriptural ordinances and doctrines (fasting, communion, baptism, etc.) can be turned into a law when we do these things to for victory over sin.  They become nothing more than a regime of good works in a vain attempt to buy our deliverance.  Sadly, many fail to realize that forgiveness is not deliverance.  We keep seeking and keep knocking at the Cross of Jesus Christ for our deliverance and FORSAKE Egypt’s statutes.

“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

It is easy to recognize evil; it’s the perceived “good” that must be discerned.  This is the same “good” the world considers right but it comes under the banner of Christianity.  Sadly, many cannot discern this “good” as the evil that it is because they do not understand the Atonement.  They word of faith doctrine has taught thousands there was some sort of fight in hell and that is where Jesus gained victory over death, hell and the grave.  With Kenneth Copeland leading the pack, they consider the Cross of Christ as the biggest defeat in history.  This is utter heresy, yet so many believe him and his minions because of all the “good things” he has done.

Returning to Egypt was a vote of no confidence in God’s promise to deliver His people from Babylonian captivity. Regrettably, most of the modern churches espouse humanistic psychology as the answer to man’s problem and cast their vote of no confidence on Jesus Christ and Him crucified (aka “The Message of the Cross”). There are many who support these staffs of reed, those who present humanistic psychology from the pulpits in place of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and remain bound in Egypt; bound by religion, self righteousness and pride.  They are perceived as “good” because of their works but their hearts are far from God (Matthew 15:8).

“¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ¹² Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. ¹³ And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

No matter the present circumstances, the Child of God can be assured our Father’s thoughts toward us are of peace and not evil when we look unto Jesus Christ and Him crucified for our deliverance.  Precept upon precept, line upon line, our faith is authored and finished through the work of the Holy Spirit in our heart and on our behalf.  Our faith casts our vote of confidence.  In whom will you believe?

“Who has believed our report? and to whom is the Arm of the Lord revealed?” Isaiah 53:1

I will believe the report of the Lord.  Be determined to know nothing else among you Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren

“³⁸ And Elisha came again to Gilgal: and there was a dearth in the land; and the sons of the prophets were sitting before him: and he said unto his servant, Set on the great pot, and seethe pottage for the sons of the prophets.

³⁹ And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.

⁴⁰ So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O you man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

⁴¹ But he said, Then bring meal. And he cast it into the pot; and he said, Pour out for the people, that they may eat. And there was no harm in the pot.” 2 Kings 4:38-41

Through the lifting up of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for repentant sinner and break the power of sin in the Believer’s life, He is drawing His people nearer.

The Lord God is lifting up Elisha’s who are determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  God’s Arm is not shortened.  He is reaching into the pits and delivering the Josephs and the Jeremiahs from their hidden places to His Purpose in the Body of Christ.  Jesus Christ is alive and sitting at the Right Hand of God, searching to and fro for hearts who are perfect toward Him.  His work is finished.  The Atonement cannot be changed.

The corruption of God’s Word has brought death to His People. “…there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Jude 1:4).  These have corrupted the Gospel of Jesus Christ…they have brought in a wild vine and gathered wild gourds.

The Lord is raising up a people who are not afraid to cast the meal, the Word of God, into the poisoned pot.  Those who will stand shoulders squared and declare God’s Provision according to God’s Word…not man’s philosophies.

Pour out for the people that they may eat of the Bread of Life.  Pour out that they may drink from the Water of Life.  Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17).  Preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified, the power of God for us who are saved (1 Corinthians 1:18).

“Therefore said He unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray you therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.” Luke 10:2

The harvest is great.  Many are sitting in the pews around the poisoned pot being fed death…take them the Meal, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁶ I marvel that ye 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. ⁸ 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 1:6-8

The Word of God is the story of man’s Redemption Plan.  From the fall of man in Genesis, to the New Jerusalem coming down from God out of Heaven, we see the Lord drawing ever closer to His Children.

The Sacrificial System for communion with God pointed to Jesus Christ.  The blood of bulls and goats could not take away the sin of man but restored fellowship with God (Genesis 4).  To Moses was given the plan for the Tabernacle where the Lord would “…commune with you from above the Mercy Seat…” (Exodus 25:22).

Then the Lord God out of Heaven chose the city of Jerusalem to build His Temple in which He would dwell (2 Chronicles 6:6).  Around 1000 years after the building of the Temple came the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.  The Person of Jesus, His Blood, was and is and will forever be, the only Sacrifice that can take away the sin of man.  It is HIS Work which allows the Holy Spirit to come and dwell in the hearts and lives of the Believer.

“¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but you know Him; for He dwells with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:16-17

Bear with me while I say it again, the Word of God is the Story of our Redemption -Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe.  The Lord is ever drawing nearer to His Children.  Soon and very soon the Trump of God will sound and the Lord Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout.  The dead in Christ shall rise and we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with then in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

There is no Redemption after death for the lost…none.  Once the gates of hell close behind the lost there is no second chance.  No where in the Word of God is purgatory taught, no matter the vain philosophies of the catholic religion. It is simply not true.

“For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.”  Corinthians 11:4

The Lord is ever drawing nearer to His Children.  He stands at the door knocking.  There is no time for vain philosophies and silly schemes. There is a lost and dying world that needs to hear the story of their redemption, Jesus Christ and Him crucified. There are Believers bound by sin who need to hear the power of their redemption, the preaching of the Cross.

^“17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

¹⁸ 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 1:17-18.

If one cannot forsake their religious idolatries, adornments and ceremonies and follow the living God through faith in the atoning Blood of Jesus Christ…you might as well bear with them.

“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 Corinthias 6:17

-Donna Clark Warren

“And I (God) sought for a man among them (Israel), that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30

God sought for those who would intercede on behalf of Israel and stand in the gap before Him for their land but found none. Israel, God’s chosen people, was going to be taken captive and her people destroyed for their idolatry. Jeremiah had been taken out by God from among them and forbidden to pray for Israel (Jeremiah 11:14). God sent His prophets, Jeremiah and Ezekiel, to warn Israel of their captivity by the Babylonian Empire but they refused to hear. The Israelites had forsaken Jehovah God Who delivered them out of Egypt and chose the adornment of religious ceremonial pomp and circumstance of the heathen nations. Even as Israel opened the Temple of God to the heathen nations for the worship of their heathen gods and worshipped along side them in the mornings, while offering sacrifices to Jehovah God in the evenings, God sent His messengers to warn them. The Lord sought for intercessors and those who would stand in the gap before Him for their land, that He should not destroy it…but He found none.

“3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common Salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the Saints.

4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the Grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 1:3-4

There are many in the modern church that have welcomed the world (the heathen) and their gods (vain philosophies, humanistic psychologies, 40 days of purpose, etc.) into their hearts. They too prefer the adornment of outward religious ceremonies that affect no inward change. God is sending out His prophets to warn them, yet many will not hear. The Lord is searching for intercessors among the people to intercede on behalf of the church and to stand in the gap before Him for the land.

Will He find any? Will the Lord find any to contend for the faith; one who will stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified while interceding for those who won’t? Will God find any that are determined to know nothing else among them, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified yet are willing to stand in the gap for those who are being seduced by the modern apostate church that they may not be deceived? Will the Lord find any willing to drag the deceived out of the fire, while hating their defiled garments (Jude 1:23)?

Or will God find us tearing down the hedge around about those who have been deceived and enlarging the gap before Him, ripening them for hell? God sent His prophets to the Israelites to warn them, yet they would not hear. He looked among the Israelites and sought one among them to intercede on behalf of their people…His People.

The Lord pricked my heart yesterday as I drove past a little church of which I’m very familiar. This church does not share my particular beliefs. They have denominational doctrines that hinder their growing in Grace and knowledge of the Lord. Some may not like that statement but it is true nonetheless.

At times I would fuss as I could see the worldly statutes creeping in unaware to the dear Saints who attend this particular denominational church. To be honest, I think I would complain about the circumstances more than I prayed about the circumstances. As I was driving by this little church, I noticed a “new” church that has just opened. It was a “church with a purpose” or something to that effect. Having been to the home church of this new church, which is non-denominational by the way, my heart was suddenly broken at the sight of this modern church just a short distance from the church of which I was so familiar.

The Babylonian army (endtime apostate church) is nearer than many may realize and the Israelites (God’s Children) are looking to Egypt for their deliverance.  As the darkened buildings with the entertaining music and funny speakers (I won’t call them preachers…sorry) draw near to the small fundamental churches that have contended for the Doctrines of Christianity; they too will be pressured to seek the ways of the world for their growth.  To be sure, there is no spiritual growth in worldly statutes.

Is this endtime apostate church God’s instrument to separate the wheat from the chaff? The endtime apostate church (Babylon) has been allowed by God and will now be raised up as He also sends His messengers to warn His People to repent and turn back to their first love, Jesus Christ and Him crucified or be overtaken by the Laodiceans.  We must turn back to the authority of the Word of God and allow It’s Author, the Holy Spirit, to do that which He is commissioned to do, show us all things according to God’s Word.  God’s Word, from Genesis to Revelation, IS Jesus Christ and tells us (His Children) of His Work, His Ways and His Will.

“¹¹ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

¹² Then shall you call upon Me, and you shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you.

¹³ And you shall seek me, and find Me, when you shall search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:11-13

This promise was conditional.  It was conditional on Israel’s repentance.  Those who heeded the warnings and followed the ways of God; those who did not turn back to Egypt for their help were not overcome.  God has never lost a one who followed Him.

There are many little churches who are earnestly contending for the faith but are being seduced by worldly ways to draw the people.  Babylon is a mile down the road as the people flock to them.  Do not be dismayed. Look unto Jesus; lift HIM up, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, and HE will draw all men unto Him (John 12:32).

Brothers and Sisters, we need to stand in the gap for those who are being seduced and have been deceived; those who have indeed turned back to Egypt and pray for their souls.  Pray that they come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for daily living unto God.  Pray that they see the Salvation of the Lord in their lives. Earnestly contend for the faith.

-Donna Clark Warren