May 14, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part 2: You Know You’re in Trouble When…

You know you are in trouble when any one or more of these things are happening in your life.

One, you worry more and more and pray less and less.

Two, constantly look for approval from others while ignoring what God thinks about your behavior.

Three, you accept what your favorite media outlets say but you question what God says in the Bible.

Four, whatever is your political persuasion, you accept their moral guidelines, but you reject your church’s position on moral issues when they are in conflict with your political party.

Five, you just have to be right—your self-esteem is so weak that you cannot allow anyone to disagree with you.

Six, you believe that Christ just cannot come back because you are not done with your agenda.

Seven, your daily inspiration comes from the morning news, not from the Bible.

Eight, you find that you have little patience if things go wrong or cost you money—you strive to make all things perfect so you can stay calm.

Nine, you believe that “faith” was given by God so you can have control over what is happening around you, instead of knowing that “faith” is more about ‘your choice’ in connecting to God, allowing God to do what He wants to control, change & make right.

Ten, your humility does not make you better than others, it makes others more important than you.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 13, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

You Know You’re in Trouble

You know you are in trouble when any one or more of these things are part of your life.

One, you wonder why God does not have a Facebook account and/or you have 200+ friends on Facebook and you sincerely believe they are your friends.

Two, you spend more time thinking about the pleasures of sin than thinking on how to please God.

Three, you consider success by how much money you have, where you live, or what you drive rather than acknowledging your success is from God and expressing thankfulness & gratefulness in honoring Him alone.

Four, you think you have forgiven someone who has hurt you, now that you no longer think of that person.

Five, you give greater honor to what people have made or created rather than taking the time to see God in all that He created—you worship planes over butterflies.

Six, you think true love is expressed in ‘the giving gifts’ rather than giving yourself with purity and sincerity in your relationships.

Seven, you spend more time thinking of and taking care of yourself, your job, or your status rather than taking the time to making yourself a nobody so God can make you a somebody.

Eight, when someone is talking about God, you get nervous and are looking for ways to change the conversation.

Nine, you went 24 hours without telling someone that you loved them—without saying it to their face, while looking into their eyes, and while allowing the world to pass you by so your whole attention was on them.

Ten, you forgot; you did not take the time, to say, “Jesus, thank you! I love you today because you have always loved me. Oh, and please, let me love you like you love me, your friend, ________.”

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 12, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

The Normal God, part 2

God wants to be the ‘norm’ in America. He wants to be the beginning, middle, and end of everything. But often, we limit God to be the norm or “normal”, that is, everything that God is should be—’our all in all’.

In the last article, I gave you a short and limited list of the names of God that described who God is. God is much more than that. In fact, I could never describe God—God is much more than any words can describe Him. Nevertheless, I like these words that describe God—the God who desires to be normal in all that we do.

God said about Himself, “I am that I am.” God is also the Creator of everything. God is Never-ending, He is my Path, my Way, and my Eye-sight. He is the Light that shines in darkness. He Keeps me from being nervous and afraid. He is even in my Sleep. He is the Armor that allow me to fight against the darkness and all that is evil. I am Not Alone because of Him—He has become my Friend.

Indeed, He has become my very Life, my Breath, my Purpose and Mission in life. Without God in all that I am, I am empty, alone, without direction and a complete failure. When Jesus found me, I was scared but I knew what He was saying to me was true…I needed Him for I was lost.

This is what I want from God, to always be the “all and all” in all of me. To be the “I am” in who I am. To never leave me alone but to keep His promises and allow me to see, to know, to understand, as much as I can take, of who God is.

This is the normal God—this is the God I am reaching to. Come reach with me. Hole out your hands to the normal God—the God above all gods; the God of the Ages.

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 11, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

God wants to be normal!

God just ain’t normal in America. Oh, He has come close to being normal, but we keep coming up short. There have been times when Jesus was becoming part of ‘mainstream America’ but then fell short of the New Testament Gospels, Acts of the Apostles and God’s truths in the book, The Revelation. Yes, we have responded by faith to some of the truths within the Bible but having all that is of God in the unity of the body of Jesus Christ has not been our strong point. God said to me last week, “I want to be normal.” I knew exactly what God meant when He said these words, “I want to be normal.”

Let’s see who God is—here are some names of God. Which ones do you not have actively working in all areas of your life or in the body of worshippers you fellowship with? Master, Lord, Over all, House of God, My Mercy, Most High, Faithful, Praise, God of Glory, Living God, My life, Holy God, Jealous God, My Strength, Our Refuge, My Healer, My Provider, My King, My Avenger, Everlasting, Helper, Maker, My Rock, Almighty God, Judge of the Earth, Exceeding Joy, My Salvation, My Righteous, God of Heights, Jesus, God of gods, All-sufficient God, My Sword, Lord of Hosts, Mighty in Battle, Our Defense, My Redeemer, Strong-one, God of Truth, My Recompense, Son of God, God is near, God of kindness & faithfulness, God in Heaven, Lord the Judge, Mighty to Save, With Me, Prince of Peace, My Shield & Fortress, King of Kings, Counselor, Deliverer, He who Sanctifies, High Tower, My Banner, My Light, My Shepherd, Holy Spirit, Our Peace, My Comforter, God who is there, God with us, Holy One, Spirit of God, Branch, Consuming Fire, Father, and Light of the nations. This is the normal God—the God whom we worship.

It is indeed time for God to become normal, that is to say, to have all that God is and who God is in all that we do and who God wants us to become. Give me the “normal God”! Not a limited or depleted God. Do not give me a God who is only half-way interested in me. If I believe, if I worship, then give me the God who is worthy of my worship and praise. I want all that is of God. I want the normal God of the ages. I want the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Give me all that is God or give me nothing.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 7, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Got Enough Faith?

Jesus disciples came to Him asking Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus did not instruct them on believing more but talked about their character. (Luke 17: 5-10)

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, “Increase our faith.”

6 And the Lord said, if you had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree, “Be pulled out of the ground up by your roots, and be planted in the sea,” and it should obey you.

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, “Go and sit down for dinner?”

8 And will not rather say unto him, “Make ready wherewith I may eat, and clean up yourself, and serve me, wait. until I have eaten and drunken; and afterward you shall eat and drink?”

9 Does He thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not.

10 So likewise ye, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, “We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

Faith is about how you respond to what God is doing or asking of you. Simply stated: faith is your response to the activity of God. It is not about believing more but the capability to believe more.

Here is what Jesus said to His disciples.

One, a mustard seed of faith can move a tree—so it takes only a little faith but more correctly interpreted, either you have faith, or you do not have faith. One does not have a lot of faith or little faith—you either got faith or you do not.

Two, you do not get what you ask of God if you think you deserve it or are indeed good—that you are now important. We must consider ourselves to be servants and never good enough or special enough to get preferential treatment. I am and always will be an unprofitable servant—only God is good; I am never good. (As Jesus said, “Only God is good.”)

Three, we are to do what God asks of us. We do not make the rules or decide the outcomes. If God healed, as He did through Jesus, so must we also heal through the working of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in our lives. If God forgives, we must forgive. Whatever Jesus did so must we, even as Jesus carried His cross. Jesus told us to pick up our cross daily and follow Him. This is why Jesus said that whatever we ask from the Father, to ask in ‘Jesus Name’. It is His name, Jesus, that we have authority and position to receive what we ask for. This is not us, we are servants, but we have been given a calling and authority because of Jesus, to carry on what Jesus did on earth—to ask for healings, miracles, forgiveness, and power to destroy the darkness—to act in faith!

Four, we must remember the stories of Jesus and whatever stories that have been written down in books in order for our faith to increase. It is in knowing what the will of God is and the performance of His will in the world around us that demonstrates our faith in Him. So read the stories of faith and purchase books that tell of miraculous stories of God doing great things for His creation. This will motivate you to believe and exercise faith in any situation you face.

Be humble, be knowledgeable, be motivated to do God’s will, and say, “In Jesus Name.”

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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May 6, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Steps to Healing & a Request

Everyone needs God’s healing and God indeed heals today. It is normal for God to heal—it is what Jesus did and what God still does today. But why do healings take so long and why does healing not come when I pray? These and other questions about healing I cannot answer with clarity, but I can help you with believing for healing and helping with growing your faith, so healing becomes common place in your life.

There are 3 things we must understand before healing comes our way. One, do not accept what you find out about your sickness. I had a friend who happens to be a medical doctor tell me this once I told him I was diagnosed with a medical condition. He told me three times within 2 minutes while I was talking to him, “Do not accept it.” I ignored him until he told me the third time, “Do not accept it.” There is something spiritual when even though we have a sickness to start from the position, not too accept it. We must be positive, knowing God wants and can heal us. Two, often we will have to overcome feelings of guilt and shame. Satan will always try to make us believe it is our fault just like the woman with the issue of blood. Old Testament law made it unlawful for her to be in public and have anyone touch her while she was bleeding, but she came to Jesus anyway. When she was discovered by Jesus, (Jesus said who touched Him because He felt healing virtue come out of Him) she became afraid and guilty. Whenever you get close to Jesus in coming to Him for healing, you can be made to feel guilty and ashamed—do not go there! Three, no two healings are the same. As sin is complicated so is healing. This is why there are “gifts of healing” and Jesus sent His disciples out in twos. Some individuals can pray for anyone with a specific condition and they are healed, but if they pray for people with a different medical condition no one gets healed. Healings are complicated (consider what Jesus said about healings to His disciples in the Gospels) so do not get discouraged. God will give you a way for every and any kind of sickness or physical problem. It is God’s promise and God keeps His promises.

Here are the four steps to healing: one, you have to choose to be healed. One may seek healing through many different options offered by the medical association, but before God gets involved with your healing, He first asks that you to choose Him. Healing is an active choice to come to God seeking healing just like going to a doctor to find help with a sickness. Two, one needs to expect God to do something. To continually and actively keeping your mind and heart toward expecting God to heal. My prayers and thought processes are in a state of expectation—I expect God to react and respond to what I am asking of Him. Three, one must believe. I pray scriptures and remind myself of stories of others being healed by God. I pray believing, I sing songs of worship believing, and I act in a positive manner believing that God can, will and respond to my requests, (not tomorrow but today), that “God is a rewarder to those to seek Him daily with passion.” Four, I speak (verbally out loud) what I am requesting. I confess with my mouth and not only believe in my heart what and why I am asking God to heal in a specific situation. Saying words out loud is important and Scripture says this is how God responds to us.

I have a personal request: I have a good friend whose son (Justin) has cancer. He is in high school and is a remarkable young man who is doing good with his medical treatment for cancer. His family asked me to pray—I have been praying for Justin for the past few weeks. We need a unified voice in our requests to God. So please pass the request along. Ask others to pray for Justin and anyone who have seen God heal those individuals with cancer—ask them to pray. God spoke to me to write this article and my heart moved me to ask you to pray. When we care enough and move God to act—Jesus always shows up. This is what Jesus would want me to do!

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 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

May 2019

Character of the Month Series

I am always working on my character. It’s a God thing and a something my parents, John and Erna, gave to me while I was growing up. Character development is a life-long process. We never stop growing and changing—the other option is not appealing to me.

As I look around to God’s creation, I see how God has created all things to continue in cycles and to grow to fulfillment. Somethings last hundreds of years while others for only a short time. But, no matter who you are in creation, there is a purpose for your existence and your existence is dependent on others, and you exist to help others within creation to multiply and make everything work together for one purpose alone—to acknowledge who God is and enjoy what He has made.

But all things have rules of growth and for the purpose they were created. It is the rules for self-fulfillment that must be expressed while we walk this world and find purpose at all levels and times in our growth on this earth. Here are the rules that my folks taught me, which I found to have the most good in my life. Rules for living with purpose:

One, learn to share and keep sharing. It is always nice to share and wrong to be selfish.

Two, stand up for others, especially the ones that cannot stand up for themselves.

Three, forgive freely and often—forgiving yourself and others you love is critical.

Four, you cannot correct every wrong but always correct the wrong that is in front of you.

Five, you will make mistakes at every stage in your life on earth—do not keep records of your failures nor should you keep records of other’s mistakes.

Six, you are never better than anyone God has sent you to help—do not let pride get in your way. So, help without receiving help in return.

Seven, if you do not acknowledge God in everything you do, then God will not acknowledge you in the life-here after. Your life will be joyful when God is with you.

Thanks mom and dad for all you did for me and the rules of life you taught me. I will never forget you both!

Ps. The month’s character article is dedicated to my mom (Erna Wentland) who passed away on April 26th. She was 96 years young—the first step in her journey for living with Jesus forever. You and dad are missed and forever grateful I am for your life’s lessons.

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.

April 21, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

A Forever Easter Celebration

9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:

“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”

11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”

13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”

14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”

And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,

“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’[a]
nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’[b]
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’[c]” (Revelation 7:9-17)

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.

April 20, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

From Believing to Healing

Our good deeds, no matter how many or how great they are; they can never erase or match the number or create a positive effect to my sins.

It is only in finding forgiveness that leads to wholeness and righteousness that is found in my relationship to Christ that brings complete healing and total eradication of all my wrong deeds.

I believe in Jesus because He alone can forgive my sins and make everything right. I never can or ever be able to undo any of my sins, but Jesus can. Thanks, Jesus!

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.

April 19, 2019 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Got a Problem?

Consider the words of Christ

You’ve only got one problem, which is not being spiritual

(i.e. being carnal in word, action or thinking).

You don’t have any problems, if you are spiritual (i.e. the life of Christ abides in you making you an overcomer in all things).

Having no problems is based on the Scripture, Gospel of John 19:30, where Jesus said, “It is finished”.

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.