Positive confession is a form of works that many do not realize.  The more we confess, the more we are laboring for sanctification instead of relying on the Holy Spirit to transform us into what He wants and needs us to be.  Positive confession does not promote a relationship with the Lord but promotes faith in our confessions.  I saw a quote yesterday from a TV minister that stated “Keep speaking His promises… over your situation and expect to see His restoration manifest in that situation.”  Every promise in the Word of God is for His children – period.  However, speaking His promises over your situation is not what causes His promises to manifest.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33.  Seeking the Lord, is seeking a relationship with Him…and then His promises will be added to you.  Your confession is not the reason for God’s promises, Jesus Christ is the reason.

The positive confession phenomena actually has roots in the Hindu religion with no biblical truths.  The teaching of positive statements draw positive reactions and our words have the power to force God to give us what we want is a heretical belief.  “Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?” Lamentations 3:37.  The error in this teaching is coming from a tv minister who comes from a predominately Hindu country where positive confession is a way of life.  My point is not to judge this person but discern his teachings.  Any blood bought Christian should not be sitting under any false teachings.  It is after all the little foxes that destroy the vine.  – Donna Warren

The enemy doesn’t want us to know the grace and the power of God that only comes through faith in Jesus’ Christ finished work; in Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.  satan would rather us chase, research and worry about fighting him than to rest in God’s peace.  Knowing the devil’s works more than knowing the work of the Lord, in fact keeps us from abiding in His peace.   We end up knowing how powerful satan is and not realizing the sovereignty and power of our God.  The moment we realize Jesus’ has already fought this battle and won, we realize His peace.  We are under God’s Providence and He has the final authority.  Our commission is to preach the Gospel, lay hands on the sick and cast demons out of PEOPLE in Jesus name.  There in lies our authority.  “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”  Ephesians 6:12-13.   What is bound on earth must already be declared unlawful in Heaven.  Being aware of the enemy’s works is important but don’t allow him to bait you into chasing him instead of Jesus.  We are called to be disciples of Jesus and to withstand in the evil day with our shield of faith, belt of truth, helmet of salvation, sandals of peace and the sword of the Spirit.  It is in Him that our victory lies.  Purposefully renew your mind this morning that Jesus has fought and finished your battle, purposefully place your faith in His finished work on the Cross and rest – rest in His peace and quit trying to fight the devil yourself.  We must know His power, our authority and rest in His victory.   Donna Warren

“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18.  Keys here denote authority.  Jesus’ death on the Cross was for OUR victory over sin and death, the Lord’s victory and authority was never in debate.  satan has authority over death BUT God has authority over satan…let’s not get this confused.  During the 3 days of Jesus’ death, the Lord with His keys (authority) led captivity captive (Eph. 4:8, Psalms 68:18).  That is, He led all of the saints, who had died from Abel to Christ and were being held captive by satan because the blood of bulls and goats could not take away their sin debt, into Glory.  The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed and the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.  They both point to Jesus Christ and Him Crucified and never to satan having any keys (authority) over who enters heaven or hell.  Because of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified we TOO have authority over sin, death and hell. We don’t have to triumph but we walk in triumph in Jesus Christ.  We abide in Him through renewing our minds daily; renewing our minds that it was His finished work and not ours that has afforded us this triumph.    – Donna Warren

“But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:19-20.

We grow in God the same way we were saved, through the power of God.  “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.  The Lord will not share His glory with man.  Motivational gospels, 40 day gospels and the like are not the power of God but puffed up words, another gospel and another jesus.  When we begin to understand the works of Jesus and what He accomplished for us on the Cross instead of just His promises, we will begin to see His promises…we will then see His power.  Don’t allow the others to hinder your relationship with Jesus.  Seek the Lord for a relationship with Him.  He wants to speak with you, not through others but personally.  He stands at the door knocking.  The Lord wants you to know the power of God but it is only through one gospel…the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified. – Donna Warren

There is a spiritual awakening occurring.  God’s people are in bondage and He is calling them back to their first love.  This awakening is not about the sinners but the saints.  The Lord is ready for our Salvation to make it’s mental ascent to the heart.  Religion has crippled His bride while trying to prepare her for His coming.  Formulas, programs and methods of man have caused His bride to depend on man rather than His saving grace.  The Cross of Jesus and Him Crucified doesn’t need the help of man to take care of His bride.  Her dry bones are rattling as the Lord calls His bride back to Him for food.  The circumcision of the heart without hands is going to occur.  We are not our own but the Lord’s.  The heart of this remnant will be knitted together with the heart of the Lord.  “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.” Titus 2:11-15.  – Donna Warren

“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.

It seems we have replaced the power of the Holy Spirit with the programs of the administration and our Father’s Heart with organizational skills in many churches today.  When man’s religion is questioned carnality screams legalism.  Faith in religion brings carnal grace.  Faith in Jesus’ finished work brings supernatural grace.  The words sin and repentance send people running in sack cloths and throwing ashes when mentioned behind the pulpit.  Renewing our minds daily has become remembering the promises of the Lord without the remembrance of Him.  We are baptized into Jesus resurrection and not wanting to be baptized into His death.  All of these things neglect one very vital part of the Christians life – Jesus Christ.  HIS grace comes through HIM both upon salvation and after salvation.  Our justification is due in whole to Christ Jesus but our condition is better understood when our carnal knowledge of His grace is fully trusted and our weakness is laid waste by His strength…when man’s gospel is laid waste by His Gospel.   – Donna Warren

Abiding in the Lord allows us the benefits of His victories.   Being covered by His blood is where bondages are broken, curses cast down and victory over sin, death and the grave are found.  Jesus’ blood was shed on the Cross at Calvary.  God doesn’t look at the person but the Sacrifice, Jesus Christ.  His sacrifice atoned for all, once and for all.  Don’t allow the enemy to come and replace your faith in Jesus and His finished work to faith in religion.   Religion isn’t what saved us but Jesus is Who saved us. The Lord’s finished work was enough to save us and His finished work is enough to keep us saved.  Be mindful of distractions aimed at misappropriating our faith….even if they do seem scriptural.  Do they remind you of how able our God is or do they remind you of how strong you must be in order to obtain His grace? Therein lies your answer.  Therein lies His grace…faith in Jesus and Him Crucified was, is and will always be where our victory is found . -Donna Warren.

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

Don’t ever let the enemy convince you he has a dog in your fight.  Abide in Jesus’ finished work on the Cross and remind satan who you belong to.  Just because he dangles a rabbit in front of you, doesn’t mean you have sinned and it doesn’t mean he has won…it means he is trying to bait you into coming out from under your covering of Jesus Christ.   – Donna Warren

God doesn’t need help, He needs our faith in His Son in order for His grace to be revealed and our deliverance becomes our testimony. Immediately upon salvation, we begin to start making mental notes on how we can overcome our sin nature. Even well meaning, God loving Christians try to help. Try as we may to overcome that sin nature, we have actually just put ourselves under law and not grace. It may not be the law of Moses but nonetheless, it’s law. It’s just another form of bondage but wrapped in a prettier package. When we trust God enough to allow Him to deliver us from our problems, His grace is truly revealed. – Donna Warren

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.  For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”  Romans 8:14-15

Soul ties, family curses and the like were nailed to the Cross of Jesus along with every other sin.  First, please allow me to address family curses as related to sin.  If there is a family curse related to sickness, we know sickness is straight from the devil, but it is the sin of Adam, which caused the fall of man, that allowed satan any legal right to us.  Because of this sin (the fall of man), we became subject to the result of sin…death.  Both death and sickness  originated with sin and are now being propagated by satan.  It is because of the fall of man that we needed (need) a Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Only through Jesus Christ is sin and death defeated.

So what happens when the saint gets sick?  What happens when we have laid hands on them, anointed them and they are not healed?  Does that make Jesus a liar?  Absolutely not.  Does their illness mean the family curse wasn’t broken by Jesus’ finished work on the Cross?  Again I say, absolutely not!

“For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.  For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:22-25. 

Before all of my Pentecostal brothers and sisters begin to stone me (Just for full disclosure, I am Pentecostal from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet…even my dogs are Pentecostal!), I absolutely believe in divine healing.  Matthew 10:1 “And when He had called unto Him His Twelve Disciples, He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.”  The purposes of this discussion is until our healing comes.

There are so many saints today who are sick.  When I say sick, I mean what the world refers to as “terminally ill”.  However, I don’t subscribe to the world’s diagnosis but instead to God’s sovereignty and pray for His divine healing.  The reason we pray for their divine healing may sound horrible to those who are not spiritually discerned.  But we pray for divine healing to glorify God.  Although, when it is us or our family, we tend to have other, more selfish reasons to pray for their divine healing….understandably so!!  It is really easy to say “God’s will be done” when your personal will is not at stake.

So my question is this, if upon salvation; family curses, soul ties, bondages and strongholds were torn down, yet after salvation a Christian becomes sick or oppressed – how then is Jesus Christ glorified?  And here is the answer…and I want you to hear this loud and clear; I want you understand how Christ is glorified in your sickness and oppression – He is not.  The Lord is glorified in the joy and peace we have in knowing; in knowing that you know, that you know, that His payment on His Cross was ENOUGH to defeat any sickness, sin or death the devil had prescribed.  God is glorified by His children because we know that satan NO longer has any rights to us.  Jesus was the First Fruits, He addressed every thing we have lost on the Cross.  Even though we only have part of our inheritance now, we will soon possess all of our inheritance.  Many times we grow frustrated waiting on our inheritance.  We get angry at God because we are promised that by His stripes we are healed and we have not yet seen our healing.  Sickness, death and bondages are all real but they were all defeated on Calvary’s Cross.

“ For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. ” Mark 11:23.  No matter our mountain, no matter our difficulty…through our faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on the Cross, that difficulty will be removed.  It will be removed by being taken out of the way or by no longer being difficult.  Sometimes, we don’t allow God to no longer make the mountain difficult to move because all we still see is the mountain.

The power of God is in the Cross of Jesus for those of us who are being saved (1 Cor. 1:18).  As a Christian, the only thing we have to do is go back to the Cross daily and remember the price that was paid for us to have victory in this life and eternally.  Upon realizing these blessings are but a sample, the first fruits of what is to come, we continue in our hope.  That mountain in no longer difficult and we persevere…in our perseverance we glorify the Lord.  – Donna Warren