“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,” Luke 4:18.

Rebuking, binding and laying on of hands does not deliver one from sin.  If that were the case, Jesus would not have had to die on the Cross.  Jesus said to “preach” deliverance to those in bondage and under oppression.  The Lord said we should know the truth and the TRUTH will set us free (John 8:32).  Freedom from sin is only through faith in Jesus and Him Crucified and not works of man or through man.  God will not share His glory with any man.

There are many Christians today who are miserably saved because man has taught them another jesus through another gospel that is of another spirit.  My husband was in fact one of those miserably saved many years ago.  He talks of going through all of the rituals, doing everything he was suppose to do and being miserable.   There was no peace, deliverance or joy – just a struggle with his own will power and the devil.  He prayed, he fasted, he attended every church meeting and was desperately trying to obtain deliverance.  My husband was pointed everywhere but to the one place where he would find deliverance…the Cross of Jesus Christ and Him Crucified.  He was never preached deliverance but instead “administered” deliverance through systematic procedures  and ritualistic prayers that are in fact another form of law.  This type of deliverance appeals to the flesh.  It attempts to bring the level of God’s glory down to a level we can comprehend and perform ourselves instead of allowing the Holy Spirit’s work in us to reflect God’s glory.

Many times after Salvation we are taught how not to live for the devil instead of how to live for God.  This teaching does not allow the newly converted saint to form a relationship with Jesus.  There is no circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit which by default causes us not to WANT to live for the devil.  We get carried away in self sanctification by binding and rebuking every evil spirit that may oppress us that when we do see those preaching the Truth, the Gospel of Jesus and Him Crucified, we think they are the ones in bondage.  It is completely backwards!!  All of this is adding to Jesus’ finished work which is an insult to God.

The same Jesus that saved us will also keep us if we keep our faith in Him and His finished works.  The Lord did it all on the Cross.  Forgiveness is not deliverance, knowing the Truth of the Gospel, faith in His finished work is deliverance from bondage.  Preach the Truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the captives and exhort their faith in His finished work for deliverance, lay hands on the sick for healing and cast demons out of the lost who are possessed.  This distraction is deception which is leading the church into another form of works.  We are not called to fight sin, we are called to fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).  The only fight we are called to engage in is the fight of faith and in everything else we stand.  We are given the armor of God to withstand in the evil day (Eph. 6:12).  Satan’s crosshairs are on our faith in Jesus’ Christ and His finished works.  When our faith is misdirected, redirected or all together without direction, our faith is weakened.  Don’t add to Jesus’ work, accept that His work was enough.  The Lord doesn’t want our sacrifices, He wants our belief in Him and what He did for us.  God is raising up a people who still believes in HIS power; His power for salvation, sanctification and deliverance.  – Donna Warren

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