August 30, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#7 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

Fear and the other Fear

Rule #7. A lesson in understand “fear” from God’s perspective. I have the complete series of books “Jesus Freaks” by D.C. Talk. When I taught the class, ‘A Christian Worldview’, at a southern California university, I used these books to introduce students to the power of Christ and the cost of serving Him. Fear was a topic that found its way into many of the stories of Jesus Freaks, the stories of persecuted Christians. This indeed is a series of books every Christian should read!

Fear is often the ‘dividing line’ between God and man either doing God’s will or not doing His will. However, the Bible speaks of all kinds of fear. God asks us to fear Him, but then again, He chastises us for having fear. Fear can be complicated and can be used positively or negatively. When we live/walk in the Holy Spirit fear should be ‘a positive’ attribute in our lives, not a feeling that causes us to make wrong decisions.

A good example of this comes to us from ‘Down-Under’: “Australia rescue dogs shot over COVID restrictions,” the Sydney Morning Herald reports. This incident occurred in a rural area of New South Wales. People were so afraid of the virus that instead of doing the ‘right-thing’ they decided to murder dogs in order to save their own lives. What a miserable and unneeded example of total ignorance and lack of wisdom driven by unfounded fear–fear that comes from Satan.

Godly fear is based in trust, personal responsibility, and confidence that whatever God intends to do and/or is doing is always right and just and the end result is God being glorified and honored. Job and Jesus are the two of the best examples of Biblical characters having and exercising the Fear of God. Both men questioned God’s will for their lives, and both had to come to grips that ‘what God did or was asking them to do’, was/is right and just—that God has all things under His control and God has a much greater purpose to what has or will take place.

No one wants to live through the Fear of the Lord, but God asks us to completely align our lives with God’s will and commit our future to His purposes and plans. This is easier said than to live through such an experience as Job had to learn. Nevertheless, I fear God and, in that fear, I believe that God will work out His will no matter the cost to me—no matter what pain and suffering I will go through. It is never easy and hard to understand but in the end, the promises and blessings of God become greater and His presence overwhelming.

I will not fear what man or social media tells me to fear, but to fear God—yes, I will do this with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. As Jesus did, so can I because He walks beside me and often carries me.

Note: Remember, Jesus said, “Satan (your enemy) only lies, steals, kills, and destroys.”

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 22, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#6 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

Becoming the fullness of “Four” in the Church

The church has failed in doing God’s will throughout history. We have recorded historical events proving this thesis, as well as the accounts of the Church in the Book of Revelation. It is easy to fail God but do not worry, God’s Will, will always be accomplished and His mercy toward us lasts forever. Nevertheless, we must learn, attain to wisdom, and become overcomers leaving out mistakes and failures behind us.

It is obvious that the Church has failed God in four areas of our spiritual walk. I call this the 4-F’s of the Church (Faith, Fellowship, Freedom, and Friendship). It is imperative that all of us become aware of these failures and find the Grace of Jesus Christ to overcome the error of our ways. To understand Faith, Fellowship, Freedom, and Friendship we must understand how to love God. It is in loving God that we find Faith, Fellowship, Freedom, and Friendship, and to love God requires four attributes/attitudes/abilities. (The concept of 4 is everywhere in Scriptures.)

Jesus said in Luke 10:27, And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself” (ESV). Yes, the four ways one must love God—with your heart, soul, strength, and mind. To get all four aspects of our being to love God is no easy task. Oh, it is easy to love God with just one part of our being and maybe we find ourselves successful in loving God with two aspects of who we are. But four—every part of our make-up—all of what makes us tick, who we are, and what/why/how we do what we do, is almost not possible. This is why Jesus died for you and me. God wants all of us! We cannot hold back any part of us if we want to be successful in fulfilling Jesus’s commandment to love God.

This spiritual truth is simple; the wisdom of God is simple. Love God with all the four parts of our being and you will find the four parts that Scripture says are critical in doing God’s will—Faith, Fellowship, Freedom, and Friendship. Let me link the four together: heart =fellowship, soul=freedom, strength=faith, and mind=friendship. (I could explain the connection between these spiritual qualities in detail, but it is better ‘to let you pray and ask God’ for insight and wisdom. God’s wisdom is given to us freely and without reservation—so ask Him!)

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 21, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#5 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

The Anointing

Preface: It is important that we learn about and even pattern our lives after Biblical figures. However, we sometimes do not ‘get the point’ the Bible story is making. We interpret the actions of the Biblical figures in such a way that we fail to make a personal connection or the ability to be like a particular figure. This series, ‘Becoming the People of God’ will help you identify with the characters of the Bible and hopefully strengthen your faith and deepen your ability to believe in Jesus by ‘taking Him at His word’.

Rule #5. A lesson in anointing becoming an Elijah or Elisha. This is a simple lesson but has tremendous significance. First, you might like to read 1st & 2nd Kings, and focus on 2nd Kings chapter 2 verses 9 and 10: “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Elisha got what he asked for—a double portion of the anointing of God in his life, but he did not get a free ride to heaven in a chariot within a whirlwind. Elijah never died because took him—God translated him into heaven without dying. Elisha never got his free ride! Elisha had a double amount to the anointing of the Holy Spirit, but he suffered more and died on earth. Who did the will of God more—they both did! But often when we receive anointing or any gifts from God does not mean we suffer less. In the Bible, these people usually suffered more and were persecuted & tried more.

Here is ‘the truth’ in this story. To hunger after God’s righteousness is not the same as to hunger after more anointing. To love God more does not mean you should desire more anointing. For God to give you or anyone more anointing is always a good thing, but it does not at any time make one more spiritual or perform the will of God above anyone else in the Body of Christ.

Why do you want more anointing? Will you be humbler after you get it? Will you have more love and righteousness because of the anointing? One’s motive is everything and being willing to suffer more persecution and be tried even greater will often be the cost that comes with more anointing. “To whom much is given, much will be required.” (Jesus said in Luke 12:48.) This is God’s wisdom; God holds one responsible for what He gives.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 2, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#4 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes & People of Faith

Have you ever wondered why you did not have enough faith? All of God’s kids have some measure of faith; the Bible is clear about this. But their faith does not always work in every situation. I bet you want more faith—the kind of faith that moves mountains! I am about to tell you how to get this kind of faith. It is not a secret though many Christians have failed in understanding what Jesus was saying.

First of all, Jesus said you do not need much faith—you either have faith or you do not have faith, and that little bit of faith is enough making all things available to you. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If, ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” (Matthew 17:20 KJV)

Secondly, one cannot make one’s faith work if one comes from a position of pride, personal worth, or self-importance. One’s lack of humility is the focal point of one’s faith working. If you have genuine humility, then whatever amount of faith you have is enough.

“The apostles said to the Lord,‘Increase our faith’!And the Lord said,“If you had faith likea grain of mustard seed, you could say to thismulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Will any one of you who has a servantplowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward, you will eat and drink’?Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So, you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17: 5-10 ESV)

I do not see the Church not having enough faith, but I see a Church full of pride. Christians seek significance, honor, respect, ‘position’, and most of all, display an attitude that says, “I am better than you.” It is the pride that is so prevalent in America; arrogance is destroying the church’s faith.

If only we would, one, position ourselves to be humble; two, merely respond to the will of God, and three, take God at His word/request (believe), we would have the faith God expects of us—faith that moves mountains, i.e., faith that destroys the works of the devil and places God’s purposes and action plans at the forefront of all that takes place on the earth. This is faith in action, and it is this faith God wants all of us to demonstrate.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 1, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

A Thoughtful Truth for the Week

I may not be perfect but my Savior loves me!

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 31, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#3 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

“Distracted & Cursed”

It is without question that the Church became distracted by the Covid-19 Virus. Most Christians and many churches did not ask God ‘what to do’ nor ‘why the virus became a focal point’ in our culture. We failed God when God tested His people. We were ‘tried and found wanting’—unable to combat the virus with true wisdom and spiritual insight.

The Bible depicts what will come about in the last days and the Covid-19 virus is only the beginning of what is to come. This virus will never go away and will always be in our global atmosphere, so it is time to find a spiritual answer to a physical problem.

Everything in life has a spiritual component. Nothing exists in this world without the purposes and determination of God. To deal or not to deal with anything in this life one must look to God to discover how things operate and how to deal with any given situation. The Church rather looked to the government to keep them safe and to the medical field for answers. All the while God had the answer, but we are so selfish—we want our cake and to eat it too. We cannot live a lifestyle that is not healthy and practical or with gluttonous behavior that is not without consequences.

God has been sending ‘waves of repentance’ to His churches, but few have answered/responded—we have been distracted by the virus.

God has been saying “do not tempt the Lord thy God” but our ears have become dull with hearing what the world has to say (social media)—we have been distracted with false biblical teachings.

California is under the judgment of God with the drought, fires, power shortages, tax shortages, population leaving, an unbelievable homeless epidemic, and political turmoil—the church has been distracted by being more concerned with their programs, buildings, and money flow.

Listen to me Church, this is just the beginning. As I have stated often, California will be destroyed not because of the environment, geography, politics but because of the people’s unconfessed sin. “If my people who are called by my name would…”, but we become distracted by failing to repent, looking to God, and choosing the ‘moving of the Holy Spirit’.

Let’s become undistracted and instead looking for the wisdom of God that is found in Jesus Christ. It is time to fall in love with Jesus and relinquish the love for this world allowing it to be removed from our lives by the Spirit of Christ. We must become overcomers, not overcome by anything in this world (viruses or politics), and become ‘lights of truth’ in this world for others to see.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 27, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

A Thoughtful Truth for the Week

Dirty Feet

Are you into “foot-washing’? If not, you should be! Not only for hygiene reasons, but for spiritual reasons.

Jesus Christ commanded His disciples to wash each other’s feet—for forgiveness reasons. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted,” Matthew 5:4. Jesus was not talking about feeling sorry for oneself but for others. We are to carry each other’s burdens—their problems, sicknesses, sins, and their personal entrapments in darkness.

Moreover, Jesus said, “To pick up one’s cross daily and follow what I do” (the Gospels). We cry over our own sins and mistakes and misgivings, but Jesus is always asking us to help others find forgiveness, healing, and deliverance too. This is the true character of a Christian—one who helps others find what oneself has found in Christ.

Got dirty feet? Of course, you do! Need help with living a Christian life free of sin, guilt, sickness, and unforgiveness—allow others to wash your feet and freely wash their feet whenever they cannot wash their own. This is what Jesus Wants You to Do! Let’s begin to find forgiveness, healing, and true wholesome relationships for others—let’s begin to mourn and may our mourning be for others.

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 24, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

#2 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

Preface: It is important that we learn about and even pattern our lives after Biblical figures. However, we sometimes do not ‘get the point’ the Bible story is making. We interpret the actions of the Biblical figures in such a way that we fail to make a personal connection or the ability to be like a particular figure. This series, ‘Becoming the People of God’ will help you identify with the characters of the Bible and hopefully strengthen your faith and deepen your ability to believe in Jesus by ‘taking Him at His word’.

Rule #2. The story of Samson is a great example/story of how God works, and if you are going to become ‘a person of faith’ you must embrace the ‘Judgment of God’.

Samson is often portrayed as a person of physical strength. He did exhibit tremendous strength through the blessings of God but that is not the ‘focus-point’ of his story. It is not his strength that is important (though it was the means to the end) but rather it is his determination to see God’s judgment of his enemies. Everything he did, every decision he made, and every event of the story were Samson tempting his enemies (the people who were persecuting and harassing Jews) to commit injustices so he could manifest God’s judgment on them. Samson was setting up the Philistines who were oppressing the Israelite nation to make mistakes so he could act as a judge and bring freedom to his Jewish brethren. (Read the Book of Judges, chapters 13-16.)

Samson was skillful in manipulating the Philistines to make rash and inappropriate decisions thereby giving him justification in executing justice and consequences for their poor behavior. This story is about God’s judgment on humans that fail to do things that are right, just, and appropriate. Does God bring judgment on individuals for their bad behavior? Yes, He does! In fact, this is one of the primary jobs of the Holy Spirit working in us, (John 16:8), “and when he (Holy Spirit) comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (ESV).

Book of Revelation has many examples of such judgment. Even Christ spoke of God’s future judgment concerning Jerusalem, “And when Jesus drew near and saw the city, he wept over it,saying, “Would that you, even you, had known on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up a barricade around you and surround you and hem you in on every side and tear you down to the ground, you and your children within you. And they will not leave one stone upon another in you, because you did not know the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:41-44 KJV).

Today’s Christian Church does two things right (convict the world of sin and righteousness) but has yet accepted the command and working of the Holy Spirit to execute God’s righteous judgment on the world…to convict the world of judgment. This is the last and final command of Christ given us. Isaiah 61: 2b, “to proclaim the day of vengeance (judgment) of our God.” Jesus left this for us to do when He spoke of His mission on the earth—He left this portion of the Scripture for the Holy Spirit to work through us in the last days. Come-on Church, convict/manifest to the world the judgment of God!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 23, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Introduction to #2 in the series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

This article is an introduction to Rule #2. I thought it best to give an insightful mini-theological lesson regarding Jesus’s ministry. You might need to understand this biblical truth before we move on to rule #2.

When Jesus began His ministry, He began it with ‘authority’ that the Father gave to Him. The Bible says He found ‘where it was written’ in Scripture (Isaiah 61:1-2) but only spoke of the good He would do during His ministry and left off the portion that speaks of God’s judgment. Luke 4:14-21 states: Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

Jesus did not speak of Isaiah 61: 2b, “to proclaim the day of vengeance (judgment) of our God.” Jesus left this for us to do when He spoke of His mission/calling on earth. His purpose was to leave this portion of the Scripture for the Holy Spirit to work through us (His church) and to fulfill in the last days. This Scripture (‘to execute the judgment of God’) is for us to fulfill in Jesus Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you doubt this, you need to read the Book of Revelation—this will explain in detail all that God expects you (the Church) to do. It is time to become the instruments of judgment. Please note, you can only do this if you go through the working of repentance and righteousness by the Holy Spirit and never consider the ‘judgment’ to be yours, but it (all judgment) belongs to God. God is only asking us to be the funnels to bring His purposes and justice in this world.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.

July 22, 2021 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

The Series: Becoming the People of God

Warnings, Wisdom & White Robes

It is important that we learn about and even pattern our lives after Biblical figures. However, we sometimes do not ‘get the point’ the Bible story is making. We interpret the actions of the Biblical figures in such a way that we fail to make a personal connection or the ability to be like a particular figure. This series, ‘Becoming the People of God’ will help you identify with the characters of the Bible and hopefully strengthen your faith and deepen your ability to believe in Jesus by ‘taking Him at His word’.

Rule #1. Much too often we think we got God all figured out, however, this is never the case. Whenever we think we understand what God is doing, He takes another direction, a path we do not expect. The wisdom in following God is to follow Him even when it does not make sense or knowing where we are headed. Whenever God does something new (God is always full of surprises) we do not know the way and often we do not see it in the Bible until we have followed God, then we see it in Scriptures. This will be the case more and more before Christ returns (which will happen sooner than you think).

Take these two Biblical examples, the two ministries of John the Baptist and then with Jesus. Both ministries had the Jewish religion guessing and both men were not accepted by those in authority but rather irritated the ‘powers that be’.

First comes John, dressed like a homeless person, doesn’t eat right and says you must be baptized in water for God to forgive you. What? This is not in Jewish theology nor does it make sense to Jewish Rabbis. He also said, “the Messiah is coming!” How could he know? He has never met the Messiah and he does not explain what He will be like and where He is coming from. All of this must be a lie and for sure ‘God is not in any of what John is saying’, the religious leaders were saying. Oh, how wrong they were, and they thought they knew what God would be doing before the Messiah was to arrive.

Then came Jesus, the Messiah, the one the Jewish culture was waiting for. However, He (Jesus the Messiah) did not come as they believed how He would come and acting like a non-Jewish person. They knew how God worked (what God has done in the past) and when Jesus arrived, He was nothing like what they knew how God worked, and nothing like what God has done in the past and what God promised for the future. Jesus came from Nazareth, He had no formal training, he threw out of the Temple people that were making money from ‘being religious’, and last of all, He was healing people and doing miracles without Jewish permission. All of this was ‘hypocrisy’ to what Jewish theologians were saying about the Messiah. “The Messiah would have to be supportive of Jewish traditions, not criticize them; support Jewish laws and traditions and bring the Roman authority to their knees—not allow Romans to invade their county.” This man Jesus got all this wrong!

Every time, we have God figured out (the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit) I can tell you with confidence—we have it wrong. God does all things new and different. He gets all the glory, honor, and praise; we do not deserve anything—we must only obey with humility.

So be careful of teachers, prophets, and religious people in the last days (as the Bible states) because people will be deceived and mistaken when God does a new thing or anything that is not what He has done in the past…Jesus said, “Beware.”

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

This e-mail, including attachments, may include confidential and/or proprietary information, and may be used only by the person or entity to which it is addressed. If the reader of this e-mail is not the intended recipient or his or her authorized agent, the reader is hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this e-mail is prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender by replying to this message and delete this e-mail immediately.