October 18, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The ‘Peter’ In All Of Us

Your past or your future? That choice lies in front of us each day. After Peter failed in confirming his knowledge and love for Christ, his friends rejected him. No one wanted Peter around after they learned how he denied Christ. His past was now defining his future.

So often the religious community is quick to judge and reject those who have failed. We spend more time and energy in throwing rocks of condemnation than offering forgiveness. I can tell you that those who rejects Jesus’ offer to forgive, which is contingent on finding forgiveness for yourself, will not be found in heaven.

I wrote an article in August that talked about letting go of our past, even if others will not allow you to forget it. I stated, “Our past hangs onto us. We refer back to our past so many times while we talk and what we are thinking about. We do not let go of the damage our past has caused us. This is sad!” I continued by saying, “I do know that one’s past does not have to keep determining one’s future. Christ does redeem us! The evil one seeks nothing else than to destroy each and every one of us, and he does this by reminding us of our past so we are unable to hope for a future.”

Your ability to respond to the will of God (your faith) directly applies to whether you acknowledge your past or acknowledge your future. After failing Christ, Peter wanted to undo what he had done. He struggled in finding forgiveness from others, within himself and from Christ. It was only after Christ finally reached out to him while he was fishing and asked him the question: “Do you love me? Then feed my sheep.”

Forgiveness requires action of service to Christ (not in finding forgiveness but in producing works worthy of repentance). Forgiveness requires a response on our part to not just forgive but to act. Today, what will your future look like? Will you wash away your sin in the blood of Christ and then do what Christ did on earth? Forgiveness is not good enough for salvation without service, the service of helping others (to love).

Christ is asking each of us to confront the Peter in all of us. Do not let your failures limit your service and love to Christ. Christ did not call any disciples to Him that were perfect, but men that were willing to find a future in Christ alone.

The ‘ghosts of past Peters’ can either haunt me for the rest of my life, or I can accept my future that is so bright and hopeful in Christ, it takes sunglasses to see it.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 17, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

One Hundred and Fifty-Five

Guest Author’s Series: David Hauser, Regional Director of International Healing Rooms

The other day my wife took me to the movies to watch the Miracle on the Hudson. A true story of an airline captain who landed his airliner on a river with 155 people aboard, which never had been done before and in which all one hundred and fifty-five people survived.

As I watched the movie, God began speaking to me. The actor, Tom Hanks, portraying Sully Sullenberger struggled and would not leave the plane until he knew all the passengers were safely off the sinking plane. I felt God say to me that this was a portrayal of how Christ has engaged himself with his creation.

The motion picture unfolded with Sully unwilling to leave the plane, checking every row and seat, to make sure that everyone had gotten out of the plane’s cabin. Some of his crew was begging him to get out before the plane sinks. Finally, he was persuaded to leave the sinking plane but only after he had done all he could do.

When he got to shore one of the authorities told him that he had done all that he could do. He was still reticent until he knew all that could be saved, had been saved.

As I ponder the sequence of events, I felt the Lord remind me of how our Savior was so fully invested in us that he didn’t want any of us to perish. I am reminded in Scripture how Christ said to the Father, John 17:12, “All that you have given me I have not lost one of them, except the son of perdition.”

I believe there is never a wasted prayer that we offer to our Father for those who have been put into our lives. His love for our family and friends is beyond our understanding. Like Sully on the Hudson River, let us continue to contend that God’s Spirit will search them out, and bring them into the Kingdom. God’s will depends on our willingness to accomplish His will, as Christ was so should we be in this world.

Written by David Hauser

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 11, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Why God? Death just doesn’t seem right…

There are so many things in life that just do not seem right. Death is one of them. I mean, senseless deaths. Deaths that do not make sense or seem tragic. Being a rancher death is something I have to deal with each year.

I do not like it when any of my animals get injured and die. I had a baby lamb die in my arms about 4 years ago when it got injured…boy that was hard to take. I watched a baby deer die yesterday when it got scared and ran into a 5’ fence, injuring its head and then dying. The young deer’s mother was watching this event unfold. When I went outside this morning, she was still above my sheep pen hoping that her fawn would wake up and walk back to her.

It is hard to stare into the face of death. It is hard to loose something that you hold dear or love unconditionally pass away. I am sure that is why God promises ‘to raise the dead’ and allow us to live forever with Him.

I cannot understand how evolution is still taught and projected as fact when the science community knows ‘without a doubt’ that ‘the evolutionary theory’ no longer can be proven nor is it plausible. It is just simply intellectual garbage.

Evolution is a doctrine of death while supporting the notion that things are getting better, ‘the survival of the fittest’. We know that is not true. Evolutionists tell us that we are ‘getting better’ and survival in nature depends on death and preying on the weakest—that is how things get better. What a tragic line of corrupt reasoning!

The Bible says that God helps the poor and listens to their cries for help. He has indeed helped me often, but I see so many others without hope, without help.

I want God to hurry up and come back. His return means an end to sorrow and death. That will be a wonderful day for me; maybe not for those who decided not to believe and choose Christ.

What will be good is not having to watch a loved one pass away or hold a baby sheep in my arms while it breathes it’s last breath. It is life that I celebrate and cherish. It is death that I hate. If only I could say today…”Death where is your sting?”

The Bible says that ‘death is the last enemy to be destroyed’. God will make everything right and just—I will be rejoicing in that day!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 11, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

A Prophetic Alert

Are you blind?

God warns us about not being “poor, blind and naked” Book of Revelation. I remember the time when God told me that I was such a person. It was immediately before God began moving me spiritually to make profound life changing decisions and before Him placing me in a ‘personal revival/renewal’ that lasted for almost 3 ½ years. God first impacted my life and then used me to impact others.

To this day I fight not to be blinded…blinded by popular opinion, religious leadership, media outlets, or ‘holier-than-thou judgment’ to throw rocks at someone’s sin.

Here is a recent quote from a popular Christian magazine:

David’s story began with a profound reliance on God who called him from the sheepfold to the kingship, and by the grace of God it did not end with his exploitation of Bathsheba and Uriah. There is no parallel in Trump’s much more protracted career of exploitation. The Lord sent his word by the prophet Nathan to denounce David’s actions—alas, many Christian leaders who could have spoken such prophetic confrontation to him personally have failed to do so. David quickly and deeply repented, leaving behind the astonishing and universally applicable lament of his own sin in Psalm 51—we have no sign that Trump ever in his life has expressed such humility. And the biblical narrative leaves no doubt that David’s sin had vast and terrible consequences for his own family dynasty and for his nation. The equivalent legacy of a Trump presidency is grievous to imagine. (Andy Crouch is executive editor of Christianity Today)

You will see more and more of this line of thinking that a person’s sin need rocks of justice to be thrown at them. What we should be concerned about is not someone’s sin but rather who does God want as the next ‘American King’ (President).

I am reminded of the Book of Esther when praying about this election cycle. What is about to take place in America will be dramatic and the church will suffer because of it. Who God places in power will be the deciding factor in the Church’s outcome. God wants a person in power that can be directed by Him and Him alone.

I was sent this link to a video (by Lance Whitaker) that I believe says it all. Please click on the link below before you allow Satan to steal your vote by being blinded.

May I remind you what I have continued to guide you in how to prayer. I even now suggest that you FAST some of your time over the next 6 weeks regarding the outcome in the November election.

“Pray that whomever God wants in the Presidency will come to pass no matter who is promoted by political parties. Pray that it is not up to the voters but the power of Christ—it is God who should decide. Pray that the person’s heart that becomes President will be in the hands of God (this person need not be a Christian according to Scripture). Pray that peace will come to the church because God finally has whom He wants in power. Pray without ceasing, in humility, and without wavering,” by Steve.

It is time to take the Biblical directive from Esther “to fast, to pray and be bold” during this election cycle. May God help us!

Your life is in the balance. Do not let doubt & blindness decide your destiny.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 8, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

All Things Become New

Guest Author Series: Pastor Randy Ashburn, Higher Vision Church

Article from Pastor Randy to HV Men, October 3, 2016

Have you ever seen something for the first time in something you have viewed multiple time before? For instance, I will always remember when I saw something so unique in a scripture that I have read so many times before. I was in my normal reading place and was comfortably opening up my Bible to a very familiar portion of text, Psalm 103: 12, “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” I sat there quietly and then it hit me! Something so simple and yet so crazy hard to believe.

When you go north, you will hit the top and then you are going south again. When you go east, you NEVER run into west, and when you go west, you NEVER run into east! Our sins are removed to the point of never.

The Key to life is about the eraser and not the pencil. It is about the process of redemption and second chances. God seems to always have a portion of grace for those that need it.

If you are feeling that you have let God down by something that involved you, just remember that HIS grace is sufficient! He knew before you were created that you will need His grace and His power to be an overcomer. His love for you is endless, and His cross is COMPLETELY sufficient.

The next time you feel that you are being accused of your mistakes, just remember your sins have been erased and you need only to speak God’s word to bring everything back to His normal…

Written by Randy Ashburn, Pastor at Higher Vision Church

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 7, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Essence of True Courage

Guest Authors’ Series: Otis & Sue Davis

The Essence of True Courage is to believe and live in God’s Truth! For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4-5 ESV We gain four things: 1. Instruction 2. Endurance 3. Encouragement 4. Hope

Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask forthe ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it,and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention tothe sound of the trumpet! But they said,’We will not pay attention.’ Jeremiah 6:16-17 ESV What will we do? Will we stand, look, ask, walk, and pay attention or NOT? If we do we will find rest for our souls.

And He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure. Isaiah 33.6 nasb He will be the stability of our times. In him is great wealth and true treasure.

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength” Isaiah 30.15 niv Do these things: 1. Return to the Lord and repent 2. Rest in his salvation and plan 3. Remain quiet and wait calmly 4. Trust and maintain confidence in him.

God has His plan, as well as the politicians; and we find him reminding them when intoxicated with their own cleverness, that He also is wise (31:2). In him we can be at peace, even in the rushing tides of politics, dropping anchor deep in his promises: that God has His own law and time for everything. Bringing our conduct into harmony with his reasonable and gracious plan.

The Expositor’s Bible:

"Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: (7 steps of Faith)

1. Build houses and live in them;

2. Plant gardens and eat their produce.

3. Marry, have sons and daughters

4. Help your children marry Godly spouses, have children; increase do not decrease.

5. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you

6. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for its welfare is your welfare.

7. Do not listen to the false prophets for theylie, I did not send them! Jeremiah 29:4-9 esv

God gave some very clear direction to his worried people in the foreign land of Babylon. It was remarkably practical and down to earth. They were to trust God and keep living life. It is our responsibility to believe and to live in these truths each day; to get up and go to work.

Where there is no vision, the people perish. Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint, but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction. Proverbs 29:18 kjv & niv He has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4 niv The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 niv From “True Courage: Emboldened by God in a Disheartening World” by Steve Farrar—For Volatile Times!

Written by Otis and Sue Davis/excerpts from Steve Farrar/For Volatile Times

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 6, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

How Do I Regain My Perspective?

Guest Authors’ Series: Otis & Sue Davis

It’s a question for every one of us. Will we allow the truth of God’s promises to change the way we see life, with all its challenges and obstacles, ease our fears and calm our anxieties? To give us hope and confidence when there doesn’t seem to be any earthly reason for either? One thing the Bible seems to do over and over again is take a man or woman’s view and perspective of a given situation and lay it alongside God’s view of the same situation and then contrast?

1. Faith Action — “Be careful, keep calm, and don’t be afraid. Do not lose hope…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.” Isaiah 7.4 & 9 nIrv God won’t always change our circumstances, but if we ask Him, He will often step in to change our perspective! He will help us catch a glimpse of life through the eyes of faith, as He sees it. And that glimpse is worth everything. Read Isaiah 7.1-9

2. Faith Action —“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. God isn’t asking you to be thankful. He’s asking you to give thanks. There’s a big difference. One response involves emotions, the other your choices, your decisions about a situation, your intent, your “step of faith.” It takes faith—sometimes-great faith in a terrible circumstance—to choose to forgive, to choose the loving (and not angry) response, to decide to give thanks even when you don’t feel it.

3. Faith Action — “Let us know; let us press on to know the LORD” Hosea 6:3rsv The people who know their God shall stand firm and take action (be strong and do exploits kjv)” Daniel 11:32evs & kjv Refocus on the Lord, not your fears. Ah, but those fears! That cold sense of gnawing dread. The anxiety that sometimes feels like a tight belt around your chest. It’s all too easy, isn’t it, to get caught up in situations that make us afraid? Life has plenty of anxieties that can rob us of our peace and bring us low! But trials are also meant to waken us to the truth of Daniel 11:32. If you’re facing what seems to be an overwhelming situation pray these verses to encourage you to stand firm. Don’t let your anxieties swallow you up or drain your faith dry. Rather, stand firm and take action.

4. Faith Action — “Oh! May the God of green hope fill you up with joy; fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope! Romans 15:13 message As you and I trust God through the toughest of times, He imparts even more hope, evidenced by joy and peace of mind and heart” “Set your heart on things above, where Christ is seated at right hand of God” Colossians 3:1niv A Christian who is full of joy, who is peaceful about his circumstances, is the Christian who has hope. He has the God of hope front and center in his heart.

5. Faith Action —“Be filled with the Spirit…Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Ephesians 5:18-20niv “When they had sung a hymn; they went out to the Mount of Olives” Matthew 26:30niv Of all the times and places, the Lord Jesus chose to have us remember Him singing, it was in the hours before His great sacrifice and death. We are commanded to sing while we always give thanks to God for everything! Earlier we read about giving thanks “in” all things, but in this passage, God tells us to always give thanks “for” everything. That little word “for” can encompass an awful lot of pain and suffering. But maybe that’s why God reminds us to sing. The fact is, as you and I follow His steps up the Mount of Olives into the garden of Gethsemane—and down the road to Calvary, too—we also should take up our cross and sing. Our natural inclination, of course, is not to sing when we’re hurting. But we’re not talking about natural inclinations or feelings here; we’re talking about singing as an act of faith. Think of the apostle Paul who sang, despite his chains, in that dungeon in Philippi. So friend, no matters if your emotions are up or down, follow the Lord’s lead today. May the mind of Christ your Savior live in you from day to day, and ask God to simply put a song in your heart as you pick up your cross daily and follow Him. Singing and praying are perspective changers. But nothing happens until you open your mouth and heart, by faith, and hit that first note! Tada, Joni Eareckson (2010-09-01). A Place of Healing: Wrestling with the Mysteries of Suffering, Pain, and God’s Sovereignty (p. 136). David C. Cook. Kindle Edition.

6. Faith Action — Pray these verses twice a day for 28 days. Keep a Journal.

Written by Otis and Sue Davis/excerpts from Tada, Joni Eareckson and David C. Cook

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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.

October 5, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

For Such a Time as This

Guest Author’s Series: Nate Johnston, Everyday Revivalists Ministry

“Esther’s Rising: The Awakening of the Bride” excerpt from The Elijah List, October 2, 2016

Mr. Johnston writes: I saw the movement that would come out of the ashes of religion; a renaissance that would reveal the God of love to the world through fiery passionate lovers of God.I wept as I heard a sound of worship that would come as a soundtrack to this revival of love – a sound that would capture the secular and influence the arts. It was pure and honest, raw, undignified, and was birthed by the hidden ones in the wilderness that would someday emerge for their moment.

The Armor Just Doesn’t Fit

Recently God showed me a vision of armor that looked really dated and worn. My thought was, "This won’t really protect me or be very comfortable." Then I was led to 1 Samuel 17 where David put on armor to fight Goliath, but it was too big for him and he wasn’t used to fighting in it.

David represented something new that God had anointed in place of disobedience or man’s choice. The armor of religion just didn’t fit David, and it was actually a burden in battle rather than a strength.

I believe the Father has been calling out to His Church and saying, "That old thing won’t fit you. Let Me show you who you really are."

In that same way God is saying that we can’t do life the same old ways we have been doing it. The armor is old, some of the ways are old and worn, and He is breathing fresh upon the Bride. Many people have been trying to make their previous mold fit over and over, and when it hasn’t they have gotten into condemnation over it, thinking there must be something wrong with them.

But what if God was overhauling you and anointing you for a new assignment? What if this transition season was your awakening season? What used to work may not anymore, so surrender and let His work be completed in you!

Are We Ready?

God is doing a new thing in us, but are we ready?

Song of Songs reveals God’s heart for the Bride in this season as she is coming out of bondage and into wholeness.

Song of Songs 8:14 (TPT) shares this powerful revelation from the mouth of the shulamite (the bride): "Until the new day fully dawns, run on ahead like the graceful gazelle and skip like the young stag, over the mountains of separation, go on ahead to the mountain of spices, I’ll come away another time."

In this passage the bride says to the bridegroom that the timing is just not right for her. Instead of going with him to the mountain of spices (intimacy), she would rather dwell in the mountains of separation.

But I believe something has changed! We are ready, there has been a cry of longing coming from the bride, and we are returning to our first love. The Lord is beckoning us to come to Him and to stand watch and protect this love.

In Song of Songs 2:15 it says, "You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes which hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together."

Deep intimate connection with the King has always been the place we have been called to occupy.

Esthers Arise!

The continuous theme of these past seven years for us has been the story of Esther. What the Holy Spirit recently revealed to me through the book of Esther was that she also lived in a time of transition. The book of Esther begins by describing the end of Queen Vashti’s reign. This queen was the full package of what a queen should be by outside appearances; even her name means "beautiful" but she was removed from her position because she "refused to come into the courts of the King."

On the hand, Esther means "hidden". Esther went through purification and refining process to be ready for the King, and that has been the season the Church has been in – refining and purifying in preparation for the bridegroom.

One didn’t have a heart for the King, the other lived only for the King.

Love has truly been stirred in the Church. We have realized we have been far away from His fiery gaze and are making our way back into His inner courts where we were always designed to dwell.

There is a remnant emerging with an Esther anointing that have been through the process and the preparation for one thing – to lead the people of God out of religious oppression and back to her rightful place – intimately united with the King.

Many people that have been hidden in this season of transition have been marked and anointed as Esthers to restore the Church to her first love.

No you haven’t been taken out. Your preparation may have been long, but now it’s time to step forward and lead the people of God into freedom.

You were born for such a time as this!

Written by Nate and Christy Johnstonof Everyday Revivalists

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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.

October 4, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Hesed

Guest Author’s Series: David Hauser, Regional Director of International Healing Rooms

Hesed is a Hebrew word commonly translated as "loving-kindness, kindness, or love" but it means so much more.

Various Bible translations often define hesed to mean faithfulness, mercy, goodness, steadfast love, and loyalty.

Normally this word describes something that happens within an existing relationship, either between man and God or two people. Some scholars also translate it to mean ‘covenant love’.

Hesed is a quality of life that should characterize those who know God. We see it in Abraham, Moses, Ruth, David, and many other Christians throughout the ages expressing hesed (loyalty love).

The purpose of ‘Loyal Love’ is to describe the ‘dependability or loyalty’ that we as Christians should have towards one another.

Without a doubt it is one of the richest, most powerful words in the Old Testament. We, who are committed to God and to each other, should reflect this Christ-centered love for each other. One scholar has said, “It (hesed) is not a mood or feeling but an ‘action attribute’.

Loyal love is often scarce in Christendom today.

Three times we see Covenantal Love in Exodus, and in each case we find the tribes of Israel not holding up ‘their end of the bargain’. They make idols and fall short in both Exodus 32 and 33.

But what is amazing is God saying, “I will still go with them.” This to me is a mystery in Scripture, ‘God says I will destroy them, but Moses reminds Yahweh of his Covenant.’ God then says, “Your right, even though they have not held up ‘their end of the bargain’, I will still go with them.”

A Covenant broken by Israel is not so easily dismiss by Yahweh.

Hesed truly means “great loyalty; over the top”. It is beyond fairness, to keep covenant with people who keep pushing God away. To show Hesed is above and beyond what most people do. It is extremely rare.

The proper response to Hesed is to show it to others. Acts 2 is a ‘living example’, a picture of those who shared meals together. It is staying true when we have differences of opinions. It says I need you and you need me. It says I am with you, and you are with me. It is ‘over the top’ even in contrary situations. It is loyalty love!

There is a song which lyrics say: "Your love never fails, it never gives up on me, this one thing remains, it never runs out on me, on and on it goes, cover by the power of your great love.”

May God grant us all Hesed (the love of loyalty) towards each other. May we guard what we say about each other. May we support each other, and be loyal to His Coming. May we be a faithful community of hesed.

Written by David Hauser

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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.

October 1, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

If My People Would Pray…

1st of the Month Building Character Series

The Apostle Paul said, “I pray more than all of you as a whole.” How often do you pray? I sure can pray more than I do. I do not think that I am failing God, but I am sure not giving God my best effort or my full attention at times. I am sure God wants me to choose Him more by praying more.

Jesus gave us a pattern to pray with the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. I do not always pray that particular prayer but parts of the prayer at different times. I might include any number of Psalms when I pray. Such as, Psalm 121 when praying for protection or deliverance from evil, or Isaiah 53 when praying for forgiveness and brokenness, or praying parts of The Book of Daniel when I want insight and what the will of God is.

It is not praying just the right words but praying from my heart. My mind can get in the way so I try to pray what is important to me at a particular time. I believe God cares about what I care about. But He wants to hear from me—from all of us.

God is looking for friends. Friends talk with each other, share their feelings and seek help. I need God even though I try to do many things on my own. Once you pass into that relationship in being a friend of God, God begins to share what He is about to do with you. Many times He is testing you—He is looking to see how much of a friend you will be.

Can you change the mind of God when He shares with you? Yes you can. Here are some examples: Moses when God wanted to kill off the people in the wilderness but Moses said no; the King of Israel when He was told by the prophet that he was about to die and the king petitioned God for 7 more years; or how about Abraham who sought the Lord to not destroy Sodom. God wanted to know what His friends thought about His decisions.

Today, I hear too much about God’s judgment and not about intercession. Yes, judgment will come and God does destroy life. Nevertheless, it is forgiveness and ‘standing in the gap’ is what God is hoping for from His friends.

Take for instance the coming Presidential election. I can tell you for sure that God is planning judgment for America but He is asking His friends to intercede for this election. God wants people in power that can be moved by the Spirit of God. Leaders who are willing to hire sincere Christians and listen to sound Christian wisdom—just as Daniel and Esther did and impacted Persia—“for such a time as this.”

If you do not pray, if you do not intercede, if you do not seek God’s will—not your own, then God will not count you as a friend. I wrote this in my August 8th article:

Pray that God’s will be done no matter what you think is right or what you want. Pray that evil will be resisted and crushed by the name of Jesus Christ during this political process. Pray that whomever God wants in the Presidency will come to pass no matter who is promoted by political parties. Pray that it is not up to the voters but the power of Christ—it is God who should decide. Pray that the person’s heart that becomes President will be in the hands of God (this person need not be a Christian according to Scripture). Pray that peace will come to the church because God finally has whom He wants in power. Pray without ceasing, in humility, and without wavering. In 2016 it should be up to God, not the voter, who becomes President. Set your vote aside for the will of God to be done. The fate of America is in the balance in this election.

Who is a person of character? It is one who prays and becomes a friend of God. A friend that God confines in and shares what He is about to do. God wants us to change history—do you have enough character to be that friend?

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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