“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

“4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the Word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.” Revelation 20:4-5

The First Resurrection, the Resurrection of Life, will take place at the Rapture of the Church and will include all the Redeemed who ever lived and those who are alive at the time of Jesus’ Second Coming. Please allow me to say it again, the Church, the Tribulation Saints and Believers who are alive upon Jesus’ return will all have a part in the first Resurrection (1 Cor. 15:20-58, 1 Thess. 4:13-18).

“Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first Resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:6

Everyone who has died lost from the beginning of time will be a part of the Resurrection of Damnation (John 5:28-29) at the end of the 1000 year Kingdom Age. Their souls and spirits are currently in hell (Luke 16:19-31) but they will be resurrected in indestructible bodies for the second death…the Resurrection of Damnation where the Great White Throne Judgement will occur and the lost will give an account and be found wanting. They themselves will have to pay the sin debt of death. The second death will reign forever and ever as the lost are thrown into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:14) to spend a conscious eternity in their resurrected, indestructible body.

Of which Resurrection will you be taking part? Blessed is he that has part in the Resurrection of Life; those who chose to believe upon Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and came to the saving knowledge of Him in this life. Blessed indeed are those who are no longer condemned to a devil’s hell but found everlasting life in the only begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Hebrews 9:27

All are appointed once to die; even the Redeemed if the Lord tarries. But not all are appointed to the Resurrection of Damnation…only those who have chose NOT to believe in the redeeming work of Jesus Christ in this lifetime will be a part of the condemnation of which Jesus came to save them from.

We are all given a choice. Have you believed? Have you understood what is at stake? There is nothing more important than the Salvation of eternal souls.

Choose this day in who you will serve. Today is the day of Salvation. Blessed is he that has part in the first Resurrection.

“16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

This is not one of many theories but a reality of which we all will answer. Choose carefully…there is only one way and it is narrow. Choose Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Be determined to know nothing else.

-Donna Clark Warren

“²³ I (GOD) lifted up My Hand unto them also in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the heathen, and disperse them through the countries; ²⁴ Because they had not executed My Judgments, but had despised My Statutes, and had polluted My Sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols.

²⁵ Wherefore I gave them also statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live; ²⁶ And I polluted them in their own gifts, in that they caused to pass through the fire all that open the womb, that I might make them desolate, to the end that they might know that I am the Lord.” Ezekiel 20:23-26

The Israelites did not execute God’s Judgments but despised His Statutes and polluted the Sabbaths.  The Old Covenant Sabbath typified the rest Jesus Christ would give to those who believed upon Him (Matthew 11:28-30).

Regrettably many Believers have not found that rest because religion has them fighting battles they were not called to fight.  The only fight the Believer is called to fight is the fight of faith – faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work which broke the power of sin (Romans 6:14).  It is this faith in Jesus Christ and Him crucified that allows the Holy Spirit to do that which He is commissioned to do, namely free us from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).  Any and all other battles the Believer fights are carnal and lead to destruction. There is no rest.

“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

The law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus is the only law greater than the law of sin and death.  For the Believer to be “in Christ Jesus” our faith must be placed solely and exclusively in Jesus, Who He is and what He has done for whosoever will believe.

The Israelites did not execute God’s Judgments and His Statutes, therefore He gave them “…statutes that were not good, and judgments whereby they should not live;” (Ezekiel 20:25).  If we, God’s Children, do not receive the love of the Truth, God will see to it we are sent a strong delusion.  Soon we will actually believe gold dust and angel feathers fall from the church building.  We will believe that Bible or that statue secretes “holy” oil and those UFO’s are of God.  I do not kid you when I say that people actually believe these things are of God.  It is sad but true.  I remind the reader that satan has power and he too will produce “miracles” that are not of God nor edify God’s Word.  Satan’s miracles are nothing more than a tool and a snare to deceive the very elect and God will see to it the Believer who has not received the love of HIS Truth, HIS Righteousness according to HIS Word are sent such delusions. 

“⁹ Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 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

Consider that which you seek.

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

-Donna Clark Warren

It is not so that God was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  God IS the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob…God is not a God of the dead.  To be spiritually dead, one is not alive unto God.  Jesus said “… Except a man be born of water (natural birth) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” John 3:5  For all who are born again, God IS their God.  Whether it be this side of glory or after death, every Believer is a Child of the Resurrection and can die no more.

“³⁵ But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the Resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: ³⁶ Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the Children of God, being the Children of the Resurrection.

³⁷ Now that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he called the Lord the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

³⁸ For He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto Him.” Luke 20:35-38

The Sadducees did not believe in the Resurrection from the dead and therefore gave a hypothetical scenario to prove their argument.  Just as many today preach from their vain visions and philosophies, the Sadducees scenario of the 7 brothers marrying the same wife “according to Scripture” was indeed Truth (Deuteronomy 25:5).

However, the Sadducees, who were supposed to be experts of the Scripture, assumed that the Children of the Resurrection (Believers) would also marry in Heaven.  This assumption by the Sadducees was nothing more than a vain philosophy; a scenario presented to prove their doctrine but was not written in the Bible of that day (the Old Testament).  In their argument, they failed to realize the error in their interpreting of Scripture.

“⁴ And when the Lord saw that he (Moses) turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. ⁵ And He (God) said, Draw not near hither: put off your shoes from off your feet, for the place whereon you stand is Holy ground. ⁶ Moreover He said, I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God.” Exodus 3:4-6

Jesus caused the Sadducees to know the error of their doctrine (denying the Resurrection), not by the arguing vain scenarios but by presenting a solid Truth according to the Word of God. God IS (present tense) the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and every other born again Believer.

“²³ But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; ²⁴ But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23-24

The New Testament Believer practicing Jewish feasts and festivals is a perfect example of one of the many scenarios the religious present to Believers causing them to stumble. 40 days of purpose is another popular scenario.  Just as the Sadducees of old, these scenarios are sprinkled with Scripture to deceive the very elect.

Don’t be distracted by arguing vain scenarios.  Preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified. For some, Who Jesus is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to pay the penalty of sin for the sinner and break the power of sin for the Believer, the Gospel will cause them to stumble.  They will reject the Truth; seeing they see not. They do not reject Jesus because they stumble but they stumble because they reject Him.

For others, Jesus Christ and Him crucified is foolishness.  Sadly, many of them have “moved on” to vain scenarios and left their first love.

However, for those of us who are saved, Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the power of God in our lives (1 Corinthians 1:18).  Be determined to know nothing else.  We ARE a Child of the Resurrection. GLORY!!

-Donna Clark Warren

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water (natural child birth NOT water baptism) and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God.” John 3:5

It is the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit that effects the regeneration in the hearts and lives of the born again Believer.  Once the sinner repents and accepts Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, we are born of the Spirit (aka born again) and become a NEW creature in Christ Jesus, not a rehabilitated creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).  It is by Grace, the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, through faith that we are born again.

“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

Once the Believer is converted and made a new creature in Christ Jesus, we are responsible for partaking in God’s Divine Nature.  Before our rebirth, the ungenerate man did not have the power to freely submit to God.  We must CHOOSE to believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ for our Salvation and the Holy Spirit comes into our heart and dethrones the reigning monarch, namely satan.

No matter how “good” we consider ourselves, if we are not born again, the devil is our lord.  Because of Adam’s original sin, Satan is the lord of this world and it’s system that we are born into and he rules and reigns over the unregenerate man and woman.  If we in our flesh had power over the devil, the Cross of Christ was in vain. God forbid no!

“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

Submitting to God’s plan for our regeneration, which is faith in the redeeming work of Jesus, allows the Sanctification process to take place as we partake in His Divine Nature.  It’s not a fight against sin that ensues for that fight has already been won through the Blood of Jesus, it is a fight against flesh…our flesh that wants to do it’s part in our Sanctification.  Therefore, we deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23).  Denying our flesh (our self will to self help), and picking up our cross (partaking in God’s Divine Nature) gives us the ability to follow the Lord Jesus…we can’t follow Him any other way.

40 days of purpose will not allow us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. Jewish feasts and festivals will not allow us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. Humanistic psychology scattered with Scripture will not allow us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. In order to partake in God’s Divine Nature we must deny ourselves and submit to God.

The Cross of Christ was a place of great suffering for Jesus but for us, His followers, It is a place of grace and mercy…a place where all of our blessings flow from the Throne Room of God.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

Are you partaking or spectating? Time to partake. The harvest is great.  Allow the Holy Spirit to do that which He is commissioned to do and just believe in the Power of God – Jesus Christ and Him Crucified (1 Corinthians 1:18).

-Donna Clark Warren