June 3, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

CSA

Calling for a Solemn Assembly

It is obvious that God’s Church in America has medicated itself with spiritual sedatives (has been putting itself to sleep with its decisions). As a whole the Church seems unable to find the direction and the calling God has given His Church as referenced in the New Testament. It is indeed time for a Call for a Solemn Assembly (CSA). Below is a Jewish definition for such an assembly:

“SOLEMN ASSEMBLY (עֲצָרָה, H6809, from a root meaning to restrain or contain). It is the gathering and sanctifying of the community of Israel for a solemn occasion. It is used in a technical sense as the eighth day of the Feast of Booths (Lev 23:36; Num 29:35; Neh 8:18) and the seventh day of Passover (Deut 16:8). In both instances the people are instructed to “do no work” on this day for they were in a state of ritual holiness. At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon proclaimed a solemn assembly on the eighth day, “for they had kept the dedication of the altar seven days and the feast seven days” (2 Chron 7:9). For quite a different purpose, Jehu ordered the people to “sanctify a solemn assembly for Baal” (2 Kings 10:20). He was able to complete his purge of Baal worshipers from the land of Israel through the massacre of those who had gathered in the solemn assembly for the sacrifice to Baal he was to have offered.

In contrast to the above-mentioned feast days, the solemn assembly also was convened for special days of fasting. When the locust plague threatened the land, Joel exhorted Israel to “sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God; and cry to the Lord” (Joel 1:14; cf. 2:15).

Amos and Isaiah disparaged these solemn assemblies (among other things) as that which God could not endure (Isa 1:13; Amos 5:21), because the people did not do justice in the land. As Isaiah charged, “even though you make many prayers…your hands are full of blood” (Isa 1:15).

This word, עֲצָרָה, H6809, also occurs in Jeremiah 9:2 for ‘a company of treacherous men’.”

The Church when tried by God over the past few months failed in its response to the restrictions given by the medical profession to the coronavirus (strike #1), and now with very little spiritual reaction and offering no spiritual remedy for the tragic death of George Floyd. Yes, the church has struck-out again/strike #2. Will it face another strike within the coming days, thereby making it ‘strike #3, and finding itself striking out completely when tried by the Holy Spirit? Will the Church become totally irrelevant to what is taking place in the world?

There were some churches and some religious leaders speaking out and trying to show the Christian church what to do and what to say. But it was very few and without much impact! Church you have a window of opportunity to do the ‘right thing’ and ‘with the anointing of the Holy Spirit’. Will you finally act like a New Testament Church?

It is time for a CSA—a time of protest against sin! A time of repentance and mourning! A time of confession and admitting where we have gone wrong. A time to state that ‘sin is sin’ and it is the Bible that is our measuring stick—not the ‘watered-down gospel’ of compromise and seeking not to offend.

It is a time for an assembly, not within a church building but out in the open. We are the church (not a building) and we must find a voice of grief, humbleness, and admitting our failure. We must come together in an assembly to be broken by the Holy Spirit. To hear God’s word convicting us of all our sin and failures—individually and corporately.

It is the time; it is now—not tomorrow or when we feel moved.

I will write in tomorrow’s article on how to have a CSA and what God is expecting of us.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 23, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Has God become your enemy?

(Is He Removing Your Candle Stick?)

We do not think of God becoming our enemy but that became the case for so many people in the Bible. Jesus warned Jerusalem before His crucifixion, Luke 13:34-35:

“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings,and you were not willing.35 Look, your house is left to you desolate.I tell you; you will not see me again until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord’.”

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ has many warnings for the Church. The Church was failing because it allowed society and governments to dictate what they should do and believe, became soft on sin (would no longer define sin by biblical standards), and allowed their love for God and their fellow believer to become dull, unemotional, ‘second-hand love’, and without passion and the Fruit of the Spirit.

Too often we say that we love—love spouses, friends, community, strangers, but we do this with our ‘mouth only’ without spiritual power and feelings that move people to love God. We have become cold and self-motivating. God says in the first few chapters of Revelation that if we do not repent and begin to do acts of passionate love, He will remove our light. Without the light of Christ in our lives we lose our way (David/Psalms) and can no longer walk in the truth (John’s Epistles).

During the Coronavirus scare (God testing His Church) I noticed so many leaders in the Church failing to take a stand for Christ, and so many of my fellow believers becoming fearful. Satan uses fear to interfere with our obedience to Christ (example, the children of Israel could not enter the ‘promised land’ because of their fear of the giants in the land). God let his people die in the desert because of their fear of dying. Furthermore, Jesus would not have died on the cross if He was afraid of dying instead of having the fear of the Lord (“O my Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from me, nevertheless not my will, but what you will” Matthew 26:39).

I had a series of dreams this last week. The dreams centered around me working with people and noticing what they were doing and what they wanted to do. What caught my attention was their desire to love and how they needed my help. I mourned for them during the week even though I did not know their names. It was then that the Holy Spirit would bring to my attending individuals I were to pray for. I prayed often—interceding for them—loving them. I also noticed that people were needing money and when they saw a coin on the ground in front of them and picked it up with excitement and thanksgiving, the coin immediately became much bigger in value, turned to gold, as their thankfulness increased. This is what I learned through my dreams.

Two lessons: one, we have got to increase our love for others, intercede for the family of God making sure God’s best and will is done in their lives and situations, and two, whenever God gives us financial support no matter how small, if we would be grateful and give thanks to Him, it would be immediately multiplied according to the amount and sincerity of our thankfulness.

All of God’s blessings are dependent upon our repentance, turning our hearts to loving Him, and being very thankful for everything He does for us. Jesus is watching and monitoring our response to God’s activity in these last days. Let’s rise about the situations we find ourselves in while looking for His return!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 22, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Want to be healed?

God is in the business of healing. Too often our focus is on forgiveness without the option of physical healing. God offers healing just like He offers forgiveness. There are many Scriptures that combine one’s forgiveness and one’s healing as a joint process—cannot have one without the other, but I am not writing to explain the rationale for this connection. What I am addressing is the processes of healing that God uses.

There are five healing processes (could be more since this is not a theological article, but rather Scriptural stories and personal experience article). God does not heal the same way for each person. It is different for every person partly because we are all different, as well as, some healings require a different approach. It is the wisdom of God that directs us to the will of God and how to approach each and every healing.

1. The instantaneous healing. All of us would like an “immediate healing” each and every time we pray. It often happens when I just say, “In Jesus name”, and I always pray with that in mind. I have experienced such healings, and they always increase my faith. (This process I call, instantaneous healings, and there are many examples in the Gospel of Jesus using this instantaneous process.)

2. The warfare healing. This type of healing is much more common than any of the five healing processes. This is where we fight for our healing. Healing is warfare, and our warfare is where light expels darkness. Often we use Scriptures, biblical prayers, and usually spend time in intercession—hours, days, or even weeks. The healing comes but not without a fight. This is where we use patience to secure our healing.

3. The battle against sin. There are many healings that require forgiveness and ‘simple believing’. Sin often has a component of illnesses that seem to have a hold on the sickness in one’s life. Whenever you pray one must keep in mind that sin can be present giving power to the sickness in our lives. This is why Jesus said, “Which is easier to say, your sins be forgiven you or be healed of your sickness.”

4. The step of faith. There were times Jesus said to who He was praying for, “Pick up your bed and walk.” Healings may require that we act before we believe. Yes, a simple act or demonstration that God wants to heal us is all it takes to be healed.

5. In death or in life. There are times when we do everything according to Scriptures and demonstrate our faith to God, but healing does not come. I believe that there are times when God heals us only in death. This could sound anti-faith or a non-believer response, but the Bible has examples and Scriptures that support such a claim. We always want God to heal and to live a full life or at least a few weeks to years longer. Nevertheless, when we do believe in what Jesus has done for us, death has no hold on us and when we die we are made perfect and complete. This is just one aspect of my trust and faith, that whatever God chooses to do, it is always right and just.

Remember, that we do tempt God in many ways and sickness comes upon us because we tempted God and did not use His wisdom or discretion in a given situation. Healing comes to us from God, but we must be wise and not allow Satan to tempt us into thinking God will just take care of us no matter how we treat this body of ours. Being healthy is often a decision and choice, and healing is God’s goodness being given to us through Christ.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 21, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Trust not…

Our leaders are talking about the “new normal” and the media is promoting ideas that project what it might look like. I say, “They have no idea what the new normal will be.” Man is not in control of what is to come, nor can they see into the future. The coronavirus caught all our experts by surprise and our medical leaders are playing ‘catch-up’. (What an ironic series of events for the two most powerful countries on the planet the USA & China.) Yet, it is not the virus that man should be afraid of but his sin and unbelief.

God has, is and will always be in control of His creation. Man cannot destroy the earth, nor can he change or limit Christ’s return. The coronavirus has challenged the hearts of mankind only because it was initiated by God, and it is God trying the hearts of man. How man responds to God testing us is what makes the difference in our future.

“Science will show us the way. You can trust science to solve this problem.” What a lie!

If you are looking to see how science, the CDC, or the government will solve this crisis you are deceived. The experts are changing their minds and rules about the virus daily. They do not understand the virus—they never got it right from the beginning, at least not in America. This virus is a God thing and it can only be addressed with the power of Jesus Christ.

The CDC tells us to wear a mask, yet they know masks are for the most part not effective—especially the home-made versions.

The CDC tells us it is ‘six feet’ that is needed for social distancing, but now we are finding out that the virus is not that contagious and social distancing may not be needed to contain the spread of the virus.

The CDC is now being criticized and blamed for their lack of common sense and for the harm it is causing to countless healthy Americans. The CDC rules are hurting healthy Americans and not protecting the most vulnerable.

The Bible in Psalms says, “Trust not in the works of man.” Yet we are told by experts to ‘trust in what we tell you’. We now know the CDC got it wrong, the AMA changes its mind every 40 years about how it treats illnesses, and scientists keep moving the goal post as to the rules that govern the universe. What man projects as truths are never truths nor can I trust in their efforts.

If you are a believing Christian, stop trusting in what man can do and trust in what God says is true. If you would put what trust you have in science, any of the works of man, and what you have been taught, but rather place all that trust in God—there will be no limit as to what God will do for you!

You are being tested by God! Trust not in man but in God! These are the days that try men’s faith! So, where have you placed your faith?

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.

May 21, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Trust not…

Our leaders are talking about the “new normal” and the media is promoting ideas that project what it might look like. I say, “They have no idea what the new normal will be.” Man is not in control of what is to come, nor can they see into the future. The coronavirus caught all our experts by surprise and our medical leaders are playing ‘catch-up’. (What an ironic series of events for the two most powerful countries on the planet the USA & China.) Yet, it is not the virus that man should be afraid of but his sin and unbelief.

God has, is and will always be in control of His creation. Man cannot destroy the earth, nor can he change or limit Christ’s return. The coronavirus has challenged the hearts of mankind only because it was initiated by God, and it is God trying the hearts of man. How man responds to God testing us is what makes the difference in our future.

“Science will show us the way. You can trust science to solve this problem.” What a lie! If you are looking to see how science, the CDC, or the government will solve this crisis you are deceived. The experts are changing their minds and rules about the virus daily. They do not understand the virus—they never got it right from the beginning, at least not in America. This virus is a God thing and it can only be addressed with the power of Jesus Christ.

The CDC tells us to wear a mask, yet they know masks are for the most part not effective—especially the home-made versions.

The CDC tells us it is ‘six feet’ that is needed for social distancing, but now we are finding out that the virus is not that contagious and social distancing may not be needed to contain the spread of the virus.

The CDC is now being criticized and blamed for their lack of common sense and for the harm it is causing to countless healthy Americans. The CDC rules are hurting healthy Americans and not protecting the most vulnerable.

The Bible in Psalms says, “Trust not in the works of man.” Yet we are told by experts to ‘trust in what we tell you’. We now know the CDC got it wrong, the AMA changes its mind every 40 years about how it treats illnesses, and scientists keep moving the goal post as to the rules that govern the universe. What man projects as truths are never truths nor can I trust in their efforts.

If you are a believing Christian, stop trusting in what man can do and trust in what God says is true. If you would put what trust you have in science, any of the works of man, and what you have been taught, but rather place all that trust in God—there will be no limit as to what God will do for you!

You are being tested by God! Trust not in man but in God! These are the days that try men’s faith! So, where have you placed your faith?

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.

May 20, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Behavioral Justification

We justify our behavior in so many ways. It is hard for most Christians to think of themselves as failures; we want to believe that we are serving Christ effectively. So, the only obvious remedy for us is to ‘justify our behavior’.

We often justify our behavior to ourselves in so many little ways. Here are some of the justifications:

· I do not have time for this.

· It’s too hard.

· Well, he did this to me!

· Did you see what that person did?

· I do not even like that person.

· My political organization believes in this.

· No one will ever know.

· It does not hurt anyone directly.

· It feels good so it must be right.

· It is a ‘gray-area’, not white or black.

· No one really knows the truth or will see what I do.

· Everyone should make up their own mind or decision.

· God will forgive me; He knows it is too hard to keep His rules.

· Societal norms and legislative laws allow me to make exceptions to Biblical laws.

The problem with self-justification is that it leads us into a life of self-destruction and a trail of inflicted pain on others. Jesus did not criticize Paul on the Damascus trail for persecuting others, Jesus said, “ Paul, Paul, why do you persecute me?” Jesus did not say, “Why do you persecute those who follow me?” Jesus makes everything about Himself because everything is about Jesus Christ.

When we wrong others, we wrong Jesus Christ. When we lie to others, we lie to Jesus Christ. No matter what lie you say, or harm you do, or failure to act in faith—you do each and every action against Jesus Christ. Paul was not a Christian when Jesus asked him, “Why do you persecute me?” but no matter who you are or what you believe in, you are measured against what Jesus would do and everything is about and belongs to Christ.

Jesus warned us against looking into a mirror, seeing who we really are or what we are doing, and then forgetting about what we saw and proceeding to justify our behavior. We fail God miserably when we justify who we are, what we do, and for whatever reason we give ourselves & others regarding our behavior. We lie so well to ourselves and to God. It is no wonder that we do not walk with God’s blessings and power.

It is time to become unjustified to ourselves yet becoming justified to God. It is time to admit who we are, what we have done, and take a good long and hard look at ourselves. Ask God to show you where you have been justifying yourself, repent of all personal justifications, begin to allow the Holy Spirit to show you where your self-righteousness is working in your life, and only allow the justification of the Holy Spirit to work in your life thereby becoming acceptable to God.

This leads me to what has taken place in America the last couple of months. This is the first of a series of articles where the Church has justified itself by trying to be acceptable to society, American culture, community norms, and obedient to laws of man when they are in opposition to God’s truths and the Bible. More to come; this is the time to repent.

Wake up Church!

The Holy Spirit is trying the hearts of men and you are failing!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 12, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Want a cure for the virus?

Want a cure for the coronavirus?

Get a relationship with Jesus Christ!

Got a relationship with Jesus Christ?

Make it work!

Your relationship is being tested…

Now is the time for Fear of the Lord!

What is the Fear of the Lord?

“Whatever you do Lord, it is always righteous and just.”

Job had to learn the Fear of the Lord,

Jesus prayed with and depended on the Fear of the God!

Do you?

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.

May 10, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

I Feel Like Crying for a Long Time

God has been moving my spirit in ways I have not felt for a while. I feel like crying, crying, and to continue in crying over our lack of preparedness to Christ’s return. If there is one thing the incident of the Coronavirus has taught me, it is that we are not ready for what will shortly be upon us. The lack of God’s love in humanity is so apparent.

We were taken by surprise by the virus and our response to the virus. If this virus (the activity of God testing His church) caught us off-guard then what will we do when all the judgment and punishment of our sin will be upon us as stated in the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Revelation states over and over again about how the church gives up the love it once had and replaces it with self-righteousness.

It is easy to lose one’s love for others and God. It happens every day for all kinds of reasons without the least bit of self-reflection until it is too late. Our love just grows colder and colder until we find ourselves hardened to any sort of kindness or compassion. We of course justify what we have become and why we now do what we do, but it does not change the fact that we are now void of feelings and tenderness.

When fear gave the coronavirus power to manipulate our society our true state of being came into focus. We all ran for cover. We were led astray and our obedience to fear became our blindness. Fear, pride, and ignorance were the outcomes of our lack of love that is supposed to change things.

When we give up our love then Satan has a hold on our lives. This is what happened to Job and now has happened to the Church of Jesus Christ. We can now only find our way through repentance and begin doing our ‘first works—how we acted when we were in love with Jesus’. You know why the revival promised to California over 100 years ago has not come (which has been testified to by a multiple people in the Body of Christ), it is because the Church is looking to the ‘wow factor’ of the Spirit, the miracles and healings of the Spirit, and not looking to or desiring the ‘love’ we once had through the Holy Spirit.

It is the love for Jesus Christ that God wants to bring to us, and with His love comes all the wonders and miracles that accompany His love. God’s love is first and last the sole and only ingredient that moves all the activity of the Holy Spirit. Find God’s love and you will find the revival you have been so desiring to have.

This virus is a ‘wake-up call’ for the Church to repent and turn from your self-righteousness, just as Job had to turn from his. This virus was God reaching out to His church to repent, turn from the bondage that you placed yourself in, and begin to love God and others around you just as you did in the past.

It is time for crying! It is a time for crying out for forgiveness and crying for the love that once filled our lives…”if only my people would humble themselves, pray for forgiveness, begin to love again, then I would heal their land.”

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.

May 8, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

I’m Disappointed

I am so disappointed with our American Christian leadership. They failed what God was hoping of them. Yes, I felt winds of hope, and indeed it is happening but not because of our Christian leaders. It came from a simple solon owner in Texas who wanted her employers to earn a living and resisted the political insanity of the coronavirus.

Leaders, you were tested by God and you failed. I am sure you will justify yourself and offer me reasonable excuses but nevertheless, you failed just as Job did and justified himself to others and to God. It is time for repentance first and doing what is right secondly, by scheduling services in your churches.

If churches do not begin to open their doors to people wanting to worship in unity and in one place, the consequences for your decisions will be tragic. This is the time for boldness, the season of testing. God is trying the hearts of our leaders and seeing who will do His will; not man’s rules of hatred and self-righteousness.

Open up your doors and allow the King of Glory to come in! It is time to become persecuted for Christ’s sake. It is time to take a stance against those who ridicule and reject the power of Jesus Christ. It is time to let your light shine and not hide it under a blanket or behind the laws that Satan has devised.

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.

May 1.5.1, 2020 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Winds of Hope, part 3

“You say, ‘I cannot do this, I am afraid’?”

God says, “Take a friend with you—this makes two. Do not be afraid, I will be the third person with you—this makes three. Now what you do cannot be broken, and I will confirm the words you speak with wonders from heaven.

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.