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

¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:8-10

God’s Grace is received by the Saint the same way we initially received Grace as a sinner, by faith evidenced in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross.  The Cross of Christ is what makes God’s Grace available to whosoever will believe.

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

It is there, under God’s Grace through faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified, that we have dominion over sin and are HIS workmanship created IN Christ Jesus unto good works…NOT our workmanship created in methods of man unto good works according to the world.  Religion will have us toiling and laboring in the world to seduce the carnal into their webs of good works and social justice; none of which have anything to do with the work of God.

“And He (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15

Preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.  Be ready to give an answer to every man that asks the reason of the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15-16).  It is this Hope, this Everlasting Covenant made by the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, that sets the captives free.  This Gospel we preach allows the bound to resist the devil by submitting unto God (James 4:7) and reckoning ourselves alive unto Him through the Blood of Jesus (Romans 6:11).  This Gospel produces in the lost a new creature in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).

This Gospel is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified…be determined to know nothing else among you.

-Donna Clark Warren

“³ But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.

⁴ 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

The bane of modern “Christianity” is the simplicity that is in Christ.  Many professing Believers do not believe the reconciling work of Jesus Christ on Calvary’s Cross as the Sacrificial Lamb of God is enough for God to provide all of our needs according to His riches in glory.  Due to this corruption in their belief, these unbelieving Believers are continually attempting (in vain) to do “their part”.  Some may believe water baptism completes our reconciliation to God. While others believe joining a particular church and completing the necessary steps (sacraments, church membership classes, etc.) finishes our reconciliation to God finally resulting in our eternal Salvation.  To put it plain and simply, that is a lie from hell.

Still others believe 40 days of purpose or celebrating recovery will complete this process of being totally and completely reconciled to God.  What these unbelieving Believers fail to understand is they are vainly attempting to “stay” reconciled to God through their participation in these unprofitable works.  In their mind, these professing Believers believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ for Salvation but these various methods and philosophies have so corrupted the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus that they are following another Jesus.

This Jesus most modern Christians now follow has rendered Jesus Christ and Him crucified insufficient for continued reconciliation and therefore our Christian “growth” is deemed stunted if we do not progress forward to learn the philosophies presented by the religious zealouts.  Such corruption has resulted in the professing Believer being swept to and fro with every wind of doctrine as their self will vainly attempts to commandeer the ministry of the Holy Spirit to break the power of sin in their life according to the methods presented by the modern Church.  Satan’s “ministers of righteousness” have craftily seduced many Believers and corrupted the simplicity that is found in Christ Jesus, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.

“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. 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 bane of modern Christianity is the simplicity that is in Christ Jesus for reconciliation to God.  Jesus Christ is the Source and His Cross the means by which we receive anything and everything from God.  No one comes to the Father but by Jesus Christ (John 14:6) and no one comes to Jesus except by way of the Cross (Colossians 1:20).  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2) and give the Believer dominion over sin (Romans 6:14) when we are following another Jesus or another gospel.

Beware of a Jesus without His Cross or a Jesus Whose Cross was insufficient for reconciliation unto God.

“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.” 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12

-Donna Clark Warren

“²⁴ And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a Man (God) with him until the breaking of the day.

²⁵ And when He saw (God saw) that He prevailed not against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as He wrestled with him.

²⁶ And He (the Lord) said, Let Me go, for the day breaks. And he said, I will not let You go, except You bless me.” Genesis 32:24-26

The Divine instruments of prevention and humiliation are often used to bring us to a place of brokenness and humbling before the Lord.  Prevention of our fleshly desires and the humiliation of our weakness works in us who won’t let go a broken and contrite spirit before the Lord allowing His strength to be made perfect.

“⁸ For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

⁹ And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

¹⁰ Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

Count it all joy when the Lord has divinely intervened…no matter the circumstances. Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith and don’t let go until He blesses you with the understanding and wisdom needed to walk in His Precepts and Providence.  You have been bought with a price and our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, is fully capable of keeping whosoever will believe, those who won’t let go, in the Palm of His Hand.

“² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations; ³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that gives to all men liberally, and upbraids not; and it shall be given him.” James 1:2-5

Don’t let go. Recognize prevention and humiliation as God’s Divine intervention sometimes necessary to bring us into God’s Divine Will and count it all joy.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of God.

¹⁵ For you have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but you have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

¹⁶ The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God:” Romans 8:14-16

Attempting to live by the systems of the world, namely humanistic psychology laced with Scripture, leads to bondage.  Sharing our hearts with ways of the world to break the power of sin in our life and “gain” a victory of which is already freely given by Jesus through Calvary’s Cross leaves to a perpetual fear of failure as our faith is placed in that which “we” did to overcome.

“⁴ Abide in Me (Jesus), and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in Me.

⁵ I am the Vine, you are the branches: he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5

The Spirit of Adoption, the Holy Spirit, will not point you to Lent, 40 days of purpose, Jewish feasts or 12 steps but to the Cross of Christ as the Source and the Means by which victory over the world, the flesh and the devil are found.  He will bear witness that we are Children of God through the Blood of Jesus, not worldly systems which cannot produce fruit unto God but will in fact be cast in the fire and burned.

“⁶ If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

⁷ If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you.

⁸ Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My Disciples.” John 15:6-8

God is not glorified through methods of man and their vain philosophies.  God is glorified through His Son, Jesus Christ….abide in Him.  Be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren

^“3 And He spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;

⁴ And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:

⁵ Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth:

⁶ And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.

⁷ And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:

⁸ But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

⁹ Who has ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9

For some, the superficial religious rituals have unknowingly replaced the knowledge of God in their heart.  The Gospel Seed was planted but quickly withered as satan corrupted the sowing ground of their heart with another gospel and another Jesus.  The labor of religion has dissipated any love, joy or peace once planted because the sun came up and they were scorched.  They had no root and their faith withered away.

“²⁸ Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹ Take My Yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰ For My Yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

The Yoke of Jesus Christ is His Cross; a place of great burden for our Lord but great blessing for those who have believed upon Him.  Learn of Jesus, Who He is and what He did and you will find rest in Him.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified will bring forth fruit unto God.

Beware of superficial religious rituals and vain philosophies manifesting themselves in our hearts and replacing the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” 2 Corinthians 10:5

The Yoke of Jesus Christ is still easy.  It is us, the lusts of our flesh, who have failed to cast down imaginations which have exalted themselves against the knowledge of our Lord.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁷ Son of man (Ezekiel), I have made you a watchman unto the House of Israel: therefore hear the Word at My (God’s) Mouth, and give them warning from Me.

¹⁸ When I say unto the wicked, you shall surely die; and you give him not warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at your hand.

¹⁹ Yet if you warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.

²⁰ Again, When a righteous man does turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling-block before him, he shall die: because you have not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he has done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at your hand.

²¹ Nevertheless if you warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he does not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also you have delivered your soul.” Ezekiel 3:17-21

Many today have an intellectual knowledge of Jesus Christ.  They know Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin but they have turned from their righteousness and committed iniquity.  When God’s Children rebels (just as the Israelites rebelled) and they reject His Statutes and His Ways according to His Word, His Mercy rebukes.  God’s rebuke is a warning to turn from our wicked ways.  Regrettably however, not all rebuke is met with repentance.

^“6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives. ⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chastens not?” Hebrews 12:6-7

Salvation is not a mere intellectual nod to the knowledge of Jesus Christ.  The demons also believe but are certainly not saved (James 2:19).  Ezekiel was sent to warn the Israelites to turn from their wicked ways or die in their iniquity.  Mind you, these were Israelites – God’s chosen people; those who once followed God but turned from their righteousness and followed worldly statutes.

Many backslidden Believers need to be warned lest they die in their sin.  Other professing Christians need to be told except a man be born again, born of the Spirit of God…spiritually alive unto God, they will not see the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-5).  Unless a person knows Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, not just intellectual knowledge…they will not see the Kingdom of God. Satan has deceived many, and used the pulpit to do so, into believing their intellectual knowledge of Jesus will save their soul.

Jesus Christ is alive.  He is sitting at the Right Hand of God making intercession for those who believe upon His atoning work on Calvary’s Cross for their Salvation and their Sanctification.  He authors and finishes the faith of those who look to Him for everything they receive from God.  The blessings of God are “yes” and “amen” unto those who have denied themselves, picked up their cross and chose to follow Jesus Christ.  We may not be perfected but we know in Whom we have believed and our heart’s cry is prepare ye the way of the Lord!

“But God said unto him, you fool, this night your soul shall be required of you: then whose shall those things be, which you have provided?” Luke 12:20

No one knows the hour our soul will be required of us.  If we are backslidden and die in our sin, our righteousness will be remembered no more (Ezekiel 3:20).

Warn them lest their blood be required at your hand.

-Donna Clark Warren

“²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, 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 1:23-24

Just as the Azusa Street revival in the early 1900’s birthed the Pentecostal movement with untold thousands going through to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit with evidence of speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4), so too are thousands (prayerfully millions) going through to victory over the world, the flesh and the devil because the message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified being brought back to the Church.

Some Believers have rejected the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified for daily living and deemed such preaching foolishness.  While they maintain the Atonement’s sufficiency to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner, these same Believers have rendered the Cross of Christ insufficient to break the power of sin in their life.  Sadly, they have believed on another Jesus and another gospel to deliver them from their bondage by way of humanistic psychology, motivational reasoning and vain philosophies pointing to a “purpose” instead of their faith pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning work.

“²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My Voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.

²¹ To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne.

²² He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.”  Revelation 3:20-22

Those who have an ear, let them hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying unto the Churches.  The Bible shows Jesus Christ on the outside of the endtime apostate church knocking.  The Message of the Cross, the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, is being lifted up among God’s Children, those who have ears to hear, and He is drawing them closer…He is supping with them and them with Him.

“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.” John 12:32

Be determined to know nothing else among you, save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

¹⁷ For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the Just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

The just shall live by law?  No.

The just shall live by willpower? No.

Perhaps the just shall live by imposing a “purpose” to replace faith in Christ and Him crucified and that purpose becomes a law while our willpower is our source?  Why yes, that makes perfect sense….to the unregenerate man.

The Just, those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and are justified by His finished work on Calvary’s Cross, LIVE by faith in the Son of God Who loved us and gave Himself for us as the perfect Lamb of God and is sitting at the Right Hand of God searching to and fro to show Himself strong in those whose heart is perfect toward Him (Galatians 2:20, 2 Chronicles 16:9).

Listen to me Child of God, the Just shall DIE by vain philosophies that tickle the ears of the foolish and simple.  God’s Children are dying in their proposed purposes to break the yoke of sin and remain bound by the law of sin and death because the pulpits have not lifted up Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to break the power of sin in their life.

“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

In vain, God’s Children are attempting to resist the devil without first submitting to God (James 4:7).  They are zealously trying to follow Jesus without first denying themselves (Luke 9:23).  Unless and until we are IN Christ Jesus by faith in HIS redeeming work (not our purposes or philosophies) we are not spiritually living but we are dying.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death when our faith is in our willpower to be obedient to the law given to us for a purpose. If that were so, the Cross of Christ was in vain. God forbid no!

“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

Seeds of death are being planted among the Just and they are dying by works of vain philosophies instead of living by faith in the Cross of Christ to supply all of their needs according to His riches and glory.

“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

Consider whether or not the preaching of the Cross of Christ is foolishness.  Consider how the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is received in your heart.  The Gospel of Jesus will have It’s effect…whether it be a hardening or a softening effect and will bring us to a point of receiving or rejecting the power of God, which IS the Cross of Christ, as the Source and the means by which we LIVE unto God.

From faith to faith, daily fighting the good fight of faith in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, the righteousness of God is revealed unto whosoever will believe.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁹ Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse (David) coming to Nob, to Ahimelech (the High Priest) the son of Ahitub.

¹⁰ And he inquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine.

¹¹ Then the king (Saul) sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king.

¹² And Saul said, Hear now, you son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord.

¹³ And Saul said unto him, Why have you conspired against me, you and the son of Jesse, in that you have given him bread, and a sword, and have inquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” 1 Samuel 22:9-13

Doeg, a servant of Saul, was present in the Tabernacle when David, God’s anointed, inquired of the High Priest for the shewbread and sword.  Doeg zealously peddled this scandal before King Saul.

Satan’s weapons against the faithfulness to Truth are violence, which is easily recognized and ” sincere” flattery, which is much more deceitful.  Nevertheless, the Truth remains…it is up to each and every Believer to seek out the Truth according to God’s Word.  Don’t mistake seeking out gossip with seeking out Truth.  God’s Word clearly tells us how to handle gossip.  We seek out how to handle the gossip and not the “truth” of the gossip.  This isn’t a buffet…we need to eat off of our own plate and stop meddling in others personal affairs.

“He that goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flatters with his lips.” Proverbs 20:19

Furthermore, slander is still gossip whether the slander is true or not and only a fool utters slander and flatters with lying lips.

“He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utter a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

Before aligning with Doeg, consider the spirit behind Doeg’s actions.  Recognize the deceitfulness of flattery, even in the most sincere forms, when it is used by satan to hinder one’s faithfulness to the Truth of God’s Word.  Doeg was flattered to be used as a tool to “warn” Saul.

“Whosoever hates his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.” 1 John 3:15

Beware of the modern day “Doegs”…but also beware of being used of satan as a Doeg.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ² By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

³ And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience; ⁴ And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵ And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:1-5

Man’s access to God’s Grace is not given by good works (civic, social or otherwise), water baptism, fasting, putting ashes on your head, going forty days with a purpose, stimulating emotional responses via humanistic psychology or vain philosophies given for victory.  Fasting and water baptism are by all means Scriptural but they were not given to the Body of Christ for access to God’s Grace.  Our Justification nor our access to God’s Grace is given us by our consecration, sanctification or purification.  God’s Grace is not for sale.   Solely and exclusively we have access into to God’s Grace through faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ…”wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

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

It is this same Grace, God’s Grace, accessed through faith in the atoning work our Lord Jesus Christ, that we are given dominion over sin.  The same Jesus which paid the penalty of sin on Calvary’s Cross thereby justifying the believing sinner unto Salvation also breaks the power of sin in the Saints life through access by faith into “this Grace“.  This same Grace Sanctifies the defiled Saint when accessed through the Blood of Jesus Christ and we are alive unto God…there is no other Way, no other Truth nor Life given unto man that we may have peace with God and access into His Grace except through Jesus (John 14:6).

It is Jesus’ work on Calvary’s Cross which freely justifies whosoever will believe and it is His work which freely sanctifies whosoever will believe.  Faith in Jesus’ work produces fruit unto God in the hearts of the Believer.  The Cross of Christ has It’s effect in the life of the believing Saint because of Whom we have believed…not because of what we have done.  Our heart’s desire is to be consecrated unto His Word, obedient to His Statutes while forever seeking God’s perfect Will on earth as it is in Heaven.

We are able to glory in God’s Grace through trials and tribulations and unashamedly glory in this hope we have been given because there is love shed abroad in our hearts.  Precept upon precept and line upon line, our faith is authored and finished by the One in Whom we have believed…Jesus Christ.

“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 12:2

-Donna Clark Warren