“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1.

There was a time in my life that satan would tell me if I didn’t have that drink I would die. Happy hour could not get here soon enough at one point in my life.  To be frank and honest, many of those “good times” I can barely remember.  25+ years of my life are not very clear.

There are many who belong to certain churches or denominations that believe drinking alcohol is acceptable according to the Word of God.  I disagree.  The word wine is used for any fruit of the vine in the Bible.  It wasn’t until prohibition in 1929 that the word wine was separated for use as fermented fruit of the vine. Why would Jesus go to such great lengths to eat unleavened bread at the Lord’s Supper (Exodus 13:7) and then partake in decaying “fermented” fruit of the vine (wine)?  Furthermore, when the Lord turned water into wine and the men were already “well drunk” (John 2:10), would He not have been breaking His Own Law against temperance if the wine had been fermented?

My point is this, if a person who claims to be a Christian chooses to partake in “strong drink”, that is between you and God…not you and me.  As long as we (whoever we may be) look for and search out ways to continue in our worldly ways, God will see to it that we get that in which we seek.

“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.

However, I want you to know when that babe in Christ who is struggling with alcohol sees you with the glass of wine in your hand and thinks drinking strong drink is acceptable and falls back in to bondage the Bible says your better off with a millstone around your neck and drowned in the depth of the sea.

“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” Matthew 18:6.

Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13).  Deny yourself efforts, pick up your cross and follow Jesus Christ (Luke 9:23).  Until we deny our vain attempts at righteousness which fall out to self righteousness and pride, we are unable to pick up our cross (the victory which Christ afforded us on Calvary’s Cross) and follow Jesus.

“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a Brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.”  1 Corinthians 5:11.

Until those who no longer have to yield their members to unrighteousness come out from among them who continue to yield their members to unrighteousness, the lost will not know the difference in the world and the church.  We are not told to join the world to overcome the world.  We are told to go ye out into all the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He has done on Calvary’s Cross to set the captives free.  Whether they believe or not is between them and God.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7.

God is God and He never changes.  We do not have to resort to the statutes of the world to overcome the world…that is foolishness.  Partaking in the ways of the world in order to win the approval of the world is forsaking God.  We please God, not man.

God’s plan for victory was given to all, both Old Testament and New Testament Believers, and His Name is Jesus Christ Who came to die on Calvary’s Cross and pay the sin debt for all.

Somebody said what about the Saints that died before Jesus was born?  Just as Abraham’s faith was in God and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6,Romans 4:1-22,Galatians 3:6-9,Hebrews 11:8-10,Hebrews 11:17-19), so to were all of the Old Testament Saints who believed God.  When they died they did not go to the burning side of hell but to a place called paradise.  Paradise, “Abraham’s bosom”, is where Lazarus remained separated by a large gulf from the rich man who was tormented daily and begging for a drop of water (Luke 16:20-31).  Not only is eternity…well, eternity.  It is also a conscious eternity.  Sadly there are many today in hell crying out for someone to tell their loved ones hell is real.  “And he (Abraham) said unto him (rich man), If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 16:31. Even though Jesus Christ rose from the dead, many still will not believe.

The blood of bulls and goats atoned for the sin of the Old Testament Saints and restored fellowship with God but it could not take away sin from our account…only the Blood of Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, could pay our sin debt.  When Jesus Christ said “It is finished”, He meant “It is Finished”.  The sin debt of man kind, whosoever will believe, was paid for past sinners who believed (i.e. Old Testament Saints),  present sinners who have believed and future sinners who will believe.  For this reason, the Jewish feasts and festivals are no longer necessary.  Jesus fulfilled that which they symbolized, complete atonement and reconciliation with God.  Jesus kept the feasts and festivals because He was Jewish.  If he would have failed in any way to keep the Mosaic Law, He would not have been the perfect Lamb of God.  The 4th Commandment is the only Commandment not mentioned in the New Testament because it is not a moral law but a ceremonial law.  Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, His Law are written upon our heart (Hebrews 10:16).

As religion does its dead level best to sway the Believer to and fro by every wind of doctrine that comes down the pike, God is raising up a people…His people.  A peculiar people who have come to declare ye the ways of the Lord.  A people who no longer walk in the statutes of the world but through much prayer and supplication make their requests known unto God…their God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  They do not follow philosophy, even though is seems religious.  Nor are they seduced by ancient Hebraic mysticism.  These people are determined to know nothing else except Jesus Christ and Him crucified as the Source and the Means by which their Salvation AND their day to day victory is found.

God is God and He does not change.  Jesus Christ and Him crucified is God’s plan for mankind to be reconciled to Him.  He is standing at the door knocking church.  When will you let Him in?

-Donna Clark Warren

“25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. 

26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 

27 And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and you shall keep My Judgments, and do them.”  Ezekiel 36:25-26.

Ezekiel 36 speaks of the restoration of Israel at the Second Coming of Christ.  However, it is this same born again experience the Child of God receives when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour.  This new creature the Holy Spirit creates in us is free from the law of sin and death because our faith is placed in Jesus Christ, Who He is and what He did on Calvary’s Cross for whosoever will believe.

In the new Believer’s zeal to learn all they can about the Lord, religion, with all deceivableness, begins a work that takes them down broad paths.  Paths that lead to 40 days of purpose, 21 days of fasting, feasts, festivals, ceremonies and traditions.  These paths cause the new Believer to walk in the statutes of the world, not the Statutes of God.

Soon the zeal of the new Believer can turn into desperation.  A desperation to “maintain” the statutes of the world in order to “gain” the promises given by God for whosoever will believe upon Jesus Christ.  Sadly, the Believer cannot see the yoke of religion that has been placed upon them.  Seeing, they do not see.  Hearing, they do not hear. (Matthew 13:13). Because their faith, with all deceivableness, has been directed into these worldly statutes to “gain” the victory that was freely given them upon their Salvation, they are no longer living but dying.  The Believer is no longer free from the law of sin and death but indeed once again bound.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”   Romans 8:1-2.

Some of  the most zealous of Believers continue to follow the statutes of the world, walk after the flesh and remain bound by sin and death because their faith is in religious works to gain victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free the Believer, even the most sincere and zealous Believer, from the law of sin and death if their faith is not solely in exclusively in Jesus Christ and His finished work.  This faith in Jesus and His atoning work will cause us to walk in the Statutes of God because the Spirit of Life in us produces a good work in us…a fruitful work.  The Word of God effectually works in those who believe in the atoning work of Jesus Christ for victory in day to day living (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Whose statutes are you keeping?  The answer to that question is not between you and me, it’s between you and God.  Prayerfully consider.

Study to show thyself approved unto GOD…not man (2 Timothy 2:15).

-Donna Clark Warren

“7 For the mystery of iniquity does already work: only he (the Church) who now lets (hinders) will let (hinder), until he (the church) be taken out of the way.

8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of His Mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His Coming:

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 2:7-12.

The mystery of iniquity that “does already work” (vs. 7) prophesy in the Name of Jesus.  In the Name of Jesus they cast out devils.  They have done many wonderful works in the Name of Jesus.  However, Jesus will profess to them: “depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23).

This iniquity that does already work promotes from the pulpit acceptance of sin nature’s dominion over the Believer by keeping them bound by the law of sin and death.  Please allow me to explain because with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, Believers are perishing…God’s Children are perishing.  They are following the “power and signs and lying wonders” (vs. 9) instead of the signs following them.

Those who preach iniquity come as an angel of light.

“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.

These workers of iniquity will direct the Believers focus into the workers power, signs and wonders and exhort them to imitate these works.  In other words, the workers of iniquity will declare victory through various methods, many of which may be Scriptural doctrines but were not given for dominion over sin.  There is only ONE answer given by God for dominion over sin and that is Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

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

The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus require our faith be placed in Jesus and HIS finished work for dominion over sin…not other doctrines, no matter how Scriptural or religious they may seem.  Therefore the declaration of the workers of iniquity to perform any other method for victory over sin (12 steps, 40 days, 21 days, ceremonies, etc.) is iniquity and keeps the Believer bound by the law of sin and death.

“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 workers of iniquity (false teachers) have Believer’s declaring the secret power of speaking God’s Word but they receive not because they ask amiss that they may consume it upon their own lusts (James 4:3).  The Believer’s faith is directed to what they did, their declaration, which was nothing more than presumption to consume upon their own lusts. These declarations and decrees make the Cross of Christ of no effect in the Believer’s life if not given by the Lord for the particular situation and the Believer is perishing.

The mystery of iniquity does already work.  It is alive and well in the church today.  If we do not receive the love of the Truth, the Lord will see to it we receive a strong delusion and believe a lie.  That lie that separates the wheat and the tares.  The lie that makes the Cross of Christ on no effect. The lie that keeps the Believer bound by the law of sin and death and causes them to perish.

“²¹ Not every one that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he that does the Will of My Father which is in Heaven.

²² Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy Name? and in Thy Name have cast out devils? and in Thy Name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.”  Matthew 7:21-23.

Have you believed a lie?  Ask God to show you.  He is faithful to lead us into all Truths according to His Word…not mine, not yours but HIS.  Test the spirits, whether they are of God.  Prayerfully consider.

-Donna Clark Warren

“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.

The “message of the Cross” or the “preaching of the Cross” is bringing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross BACK to the church for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil.  The modern church has lifted up 40 days of purpose, feasts, festivals, ceremonies, traditions and self efforts to overcome the sin that so easily besets us.  This other gospel is accursed and requires the Believer to do “their part” to conjure up their best life now.  

Jesus’ finished work on Calvary’s Cross, as the Sacrificial Lamb of God, paid the sin debt to God for whosoever will believe that they are a sinner in need of a Saviour and Jesus Christ’s atoning work on the Cross is the only way man can be saved.  There is nothing else needed to be saved…NOTHING.  Some believe one must be baptized in water to be save but they are wrong.  Jesus’ work is enough.  Others believe one must be a member of a church to be saved but they are wrong.  Jesus’ work is enough.  I could go on and on but you get the picture regarding our Salvation given freely to whosoever will believe upon Jesus Christ as their Saviour and their Lord…Jesus’ finished work is ENOUGH.

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

Jesus’ finished work on the Cross was two fold.  Not only did Jesus Christ save our soul from eternal damnation, He also gave Believers dominion over their sin nature.  However, the problem is Believers have not believed Jesus for dominion over their sin nature because the modern church has taught them methods of man from vanities of their own mind to overcome sin.  In their self efforts they have struggled in vain to overthrow their bondage.  If our self efforts could overthrow bondage, the Cross of Christ was in vain.

“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 Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free the Believer from the law of sin and death if the Believer’s faith is in their self efforts.  The preaching of the Cross is an offense to those whose faith is in their self efforts (works) for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil…but to those of us who are saved It is the power of God.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is coming back to the church and calling them to repentance.  Don’t add His Gospel to the other gospel being lifted up for deliverance in the modern church.  Repent of the other gospel and come back to the Cross of Calvary.  Jesus Christ and Him crucified, be determined to know nothing else. 

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁹ So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the king’s house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

¹⁰ Instead of which king Rehoboam made shields of brass, and committed them to the hands of the chief of the guard, that kept the entrance of the king’s house.

¹¹ And when the king entered into the house of the Lord, the guard came and fetched them, and brought them again into the guard chamber.

¹² And when he humbled himself, the wrath of the Lord turned from him, that he would not destroy him altogether: and also in Judah things went well.” 2 Chronicles 12:9-12.

The devil, being the devil, wants to kill, steal and destroy all the Lord has given His Children.  As an angel of light, satan will seduce the Believer into forsaking the Law of the Lord for deliverance, faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross (Romans 8:2) and direct the Believer’s faith into their works (40 days of purpose, 21 days of fasting, feasts, festivals, etc.).

When we forsake the Law of the Lord for deliverance (faith in Jesus), satan is allowed to take “away the treasures of the house of the Lord” and the “shields of gold” the Lord has given us.  If our faith is not in Jesus Christ and His atoning work, we are not free from the law of sin and death and the devil is able to do what the devil does…kill, steal and destroy all the Lord has given the Believer.

Once the Divine gifts of God have been stolen, we quickly and proudly make our shields of brass and commit them to the Lord.  The fact of the matter is, the Lord had no hand in our shields of brass.  Just as Cain offered up the works of his hands to God, so to are we as our shields of brass are offered up for service.  This vain attempt to replace our Divine gifts we have allowed the devil to steal because we have forsaken the Law of the Lord for our deliverance is the result of pride.

“Thus says the Lord, The Heaven is My Throne, and the earth is My footstool: where is the house that you build unto Me? and where is the place of My rest?

² For all those things has Mine Hand made, and all those things have been, says the Lord: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at My Word.”  Isaiah 66:1-2

Humility is the only coin that will spend in God’s economy, not pride.  The shields of brass cannot replace the Divine gifts of the Lord and in fact brings reproach on the work of the Lord.  Repentance in forsaking the Law of the Lord, faith in Jesus and His finished work’, is the result of a poor and a contrite spirit…result of humility.

We don’t have to “fake it until we make it”.  The shields of brass are a lie religion presents to the Believer as a substitute.

“⁷ Then said he  to the multitude that came forth to be baptized of him, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

⁸ Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

⁹ And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”  Luke 3:7-9.

Lay down the shields of brass church.  Repent.  The axe is laid unto the root of the tree.

-Donna Clark Warren

“⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

⁵ Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:4-7

Instead of forsaking the call the Lord has placed upon your life in order to expedite victory; be careful for nothing.  In every thing, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.

The Lord Jesus Christ made a way on Calvary’s Cross for us to come out from among them and be ye separate…to be a peculiar people.  A people who have the peace of God which passes all understanding through Christ Jesus.

“¹⁰ For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He lives, He lives unto God.

¹¹ Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in the lusts thereof.

¹³ Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”   Romans 6:10-13.

Aligning with a particular religion or church which follow the precepts of man for victory over the world because their beliefs fit one’s lifestyle does not constitute coming out from among them.  “Them”  also includes the various religious centers that have forsaken the ways of God for the ways of the world in order to expedite growth in the pews.

The Lord is raising up a people who have reckoned themselves dead indeed unto sin and alive unto God through Christ Jesus their Lord.  They no longer have to yield their members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin but by grace through faith they are partakers in God’s Divine Nature.

“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.

When a Child of God chooses much prayer and supplication instead of obeying the lusts of the worldly statutes to expedite victory, they seem peculiar to the world.  It is this peculiar characteristic that the Lord Jesus Christ came to give God’s Children…dominion over their sin nature.  Keep in mind, one is not God’s Child until they accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.  It is the same faith in the same work on Calvary’s Cross by Jesus Christ, that the Holy Spirit is commissioned to give the Believer dominion over sin their sin nature (Romans 8:2).

Be careful for nothing.  Rejoice in the Lord….always.

-Donna Clark Warren

“Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from Heaven, and consumed the Burnt Offering and the Sacrifices; and the Glory of the LORD filled the house.

² And the priests could not enter into the House of the LORD, because the Glory of the LORD had filled the LORD‘s House.

³ And when all the Children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the Glory of the LORD upon the House, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endures for ever.” 2 Chronicles 7:1-3

The same “Pentecostal Fire” that fell from Heaven and consumed the Sacrifices in the Old Testament times continues to fall and consume the heart and life of those who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire.

“¹¹ I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but He that comes after me is mightier than I, Whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

¹² Whose fan is in His Hand, and He will throughly purge His floor, and gather His wheat into the garner; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:11-12.

The fire which comes does not bring judgment, as the Believer’s judgment was consumed by our Sacrifice, the Sacrifice God provided…the only acceptable Sacrifice – Christ Jesus. However, it will bring chastisement to burn up the chaff (flesh) and separate it from the grain (spirit).  This fire from Heaven will endue the Believer with power from on high (Luke 24:49) and equip them for service in the Kingdom of God.

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

² And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

³ And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”  Acts 2:1-4

Jesus Christ commanded all Believers to received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5) which is a an experience separate and apart from Salvation.  However, just to be clear, the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is not a requirement of Salvation as some man made doctrines teach.  When one is Baptized in the Holy Spirit, always and without exception, they will speak with other tongues as the Spirit of the Lord gives the utterance (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 11:15-17, Acts 19:2, Acts 19:6, 1 Cor. 14:39).

The fire of God that consumed the Sacrifices in the Old Testament is a free gift to Believers today and is made possible only by Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus Christ and His finished work on Calvary’s Cross, the fire of God can now accompany the Holy Spirit into the heart and lives of Believers as we are Baptized with the Holy Spirit and with fire (Matthew 3:11).  This fire is a consuming fire.  It will correct and convict the Believer from that which is not of God…it will burn up the chaff with an unquenchable fire.

Have you received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire since you believed?

-Donna Clark Warren

“¹⁸ Yea, a man may say, you have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.

¹⁹  You believe that there is one God; you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

²⁰ But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”  James 2:18-20.

Many believe that there is one God, including the devil. Man’s faith that there is one God produces dead works because his faith is dead.  When we put our faith in our religious ordinances for victory over the world, the flesh and the devil; we indeed believe there is one God…just as the demons in hell believe there is one God.  Because our faith is in our works and not in Jesus’ finished work for dominion over our sin nature, we believe just as satan himself believes – yet we do not even tremble.  Our works are dead because our faith in Jesus’ finished work is dead.  The signs do not follow.

“And He (Jesus) said to them all, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ” Luke 9:23.

Sinners are called to believe Jesus Christ came to earth to save the world and through His finished work on Calvary’s Cross did save whosoever will believe in Him.  Because of WHO Jesus is, the only begotten Son of God, those who believe have no doubt as to His Resurrection.  Jesus Christ IS God manifested in the flesh as the perfect Lamb of God, Whose death on Calvary’s Cross openly made a show of every demon in hell and paid the debt of sin (death) for whosoever will believe.  Jesus Christ was resurrected three days later and is now sitting at the Right Hand of God.  Again, knowing Who Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe,  Believers have no doubt as to His Resurrection.  We don’t “make light” of His Resurrection…we have no doubt has to His Resurrection.  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a given in the heart of a born again Believer.

Once we believe in Jesus Christ and His finished work to save the sinner, we are called to follow Him.  The Believer is called to deny their self efforts (dead works), pick up their cross (the benefits afforded the Believer because of their faith in Jesus and His finished work) and FOLLOW Him.

When we, as Believers, finally deny our self efforts to overcome the world, the flesh and the devil through our dead works; we will overcome the world, the flesh and the devil through our faith in the One Who has freely given us the victory. We will hear His voice, He will know us and we will follow Him.  We will follow Jesus Christ, the Author and the Finisher of our faith.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me:” John 10:27.

-Donna Clark Warren

“For the Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.” 1 Corinthians 4:20.

The Power of God is in the preaching of the Cross of Christ (1 Corinthians 1:18) .  Who Jesus is, God manifested in the flesh, and what He did on Calvary’s Cross for the redemption of man is the power by which the sinner is born again and walks in the newness of life.  It is this power, the preaching (message) of the Cross, that will set the captives free.  To the wisdom of man (philosophies from the vanities of man’s carnal mind), this “power” is foolishness because it does not require their “part” and lays waste their works.  For the religious, the power of God is a stumbling block as they seek for signs instead seeking ye first the Kingdom of God and the signs will follow.

When the power of God is properly preached, Jesus Christ and Him crucified, pointing the Believer to Who Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe, the Holy Spirit, in Whom the power of God resides is able to change the hearts and lives of the Believer.

“¹⁰ And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:

¹¹ In Whom also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

¹² Buried with Him in baptism (baptism into His death Colossians 6:3-5), wherein also you are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who has raised Him from the dead.” Colossians 2:10-12

The Holy Spirit is not commissioned to free us from the law of sin and death when our faith is placed in vain philosophies of man or blood moons and harbingers.  The Kingdom of God is in the power of God, Jesus Christ and His redeeming work on Calvary’s Cross (not the wooden beam but what Jesus there did to redeem mankind).  Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.

-Donna Clark Warren