June 7, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

There will be snakes!

On my property I have snakes: King snakes of all colors and patterns, Pacific Coast Rattle snakes (I do not like them), Gopher snakes, and your typical Garden snake. I have seen small and very large, aggressive and easy going, plain and multi-colorful.

God said Satan is like a snake that is not surprising to me. I have had snakes sit and wait till I walk by. They do not move or make a sound till they are ready to strike me. Paul ran into such a snake.

Paul grabbed a snake while sitting by a fire, placing firewood on the fire to stay warm. The snake not only bit him, but also wrapped itself around his hand to make sure it could bite him more than once. That is so like Satan.

Now, let’s consider Paul and his snake. Why did not God just chase the snake away so it would not bit him? Why did Paul’s presence not deter the snake from biting him since he was an anointed son of God? Why did this happen—why did God allowed it to happen or why did not Paul have faith for it to not happen? These are the kind of questions prideful Christians ask.

If only you had enough faith it would not happen, or you must have something wrong in your life (un-confessed sin or evil influences) or God would not have allowed it. These are the type of statements un-educated Christians make. Did Paul have any of this in his life? I do not think so!

So why? Why does God allow snakes to exist and harm us? The answer is simple, God is God and man is man. We do not want problems but Jesus said, “In this world you will have problems, but I have overcome the world.”

Yes snakes will bit us but we need not die from a snake bit. I do not tempt God and try to handle a snake, but you can be sure if it bits me, I will kill it.

God has not planned an easy life for His children but a victorious life. We will experience troubles, tribulations, hardships, disappointments, and failures. Will you fear the Lord? Will you believe that if God allows or placed a difficult situation in front of you, will you say, “OK God how are you going to turn this into a opportunity for You to be glorified and me to endure?” Yes, I do indeed fear the Lord and because of that I have knowledge and wisdom—that knowledge saved Paul from the snake.

I do not welcome failure nor do I tempt God, but I welcome the Glory of God to be manifested. I want God to receive the praise and honor He deserves; even if it is difficult for me. I rather be with Christ and say, “For the joy set before me, I will endure my cross, despise its shame, and give God the testimony once deliverance has come to me in Christ.” I understand to be an overcomer in Christ; I have to overcome something through Christ. Yes, I will have snakes but they are overcome by the power of Christ in me. I fear the Lord and He takes care of me though it all.

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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