September 12, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

“Even so, come, Lord Jesus”

#1‘Get Ready’

Series on the End Times, The Revelation & Christ’s Return

Remember the song, ‘Get Ready’ by Rare Earth? Rare Earth was the only white group on the Motown Album (a black recording company during the sixties). I saw this group live in Fresno when I got back from Australia—after doing graduate work at a seminary in Adelaide. The lead singer was also the drummer and impressive at both singing and playing.

Anyhow, getting ready for events in one’s life can be significant and life changing. Take for instance getting married, having your first child, that new job or promotion, or dying. Yes, dying! It is hard to die to self for Christ to live within you, but that is what Jesus said, “A man (or any person) must be born again.” We must die and be born once again, not as a human but spiritually—it is a process. We are asked to take a journey through this life to die in order to be born, changed, and to rise with Christ at His return. Are you ready? Better, get ready!

Revelation is about getting ready, it is about meeting Christ face to face; it is coming to grips with what you have done or not done—Revelation says, Get Ready!

You cannot understand your part in Christ’s Return unless you have been listening to Revelation being read to you—I hope you have been listening to it. This is critical and your first step in getting ready.

Now begins the series of articles on the End Times, The Revelation, and Christ’s Return. Beginning tomorrow and for the next few days, my hope it to prepare you for Christ’s Return. Being in the End Times will not be easy nor is it meant to be. Jesus is returning and it is a Jesus that you could not have experienced if you walked with Him 2,000 years ago.

Hang-on, buckle-up and get-ready. I hope you will be able to say, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” at the end of this series.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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September 7th WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

It Ain’t All Work

A Labor Day Special

Pleasure n: A source of enjoyment, gratification or satisfaction; delight. (to have fun, joy & associated with sharing, self-realization and high mindedness).

Labor n: Physical or mental exertion of a practical nature, as distinguished from exertion for the sake of amusement; work or specific task. (associated with childbirth or working for wages).

On Labor Day we take a break from working. Instead we look for having fun—a barbeque with family and friends, a trip to the beach, or simply a ‘do nothing day’. Some people work on their Labor Day—trying to get those chores done we have put off for the past few weeks. Say it not so, Tim! We need pleasure in our lives!

For example, let’s say that you married for work alone. You are not planning to have fun, joy or pleasure with your spouse. You are planning for work, work, and more work! I doubt if you would have said, “Yes.” But and I am sure you did, you want to keep that joy and fun throughout your marriage. No fun, no marriage—right!

Too often we only associate serving God as a task or labor. Where is the joy or pleasure in being a child of God? I do not think we plan ‘fun or joy’ in our relationship with Christ enough—we never have a Spiritual Labor Day.

Here are some helpful tips on your Spiritual Labor Days (they ought to be many and planned):

Ø Read the Bible for pleasure not just for learning.

Ø Find a few songs that you just like to sing—put them on your electronic devices and sing-a-long for pleasure not for seeking God.

Ø Tell Jesus what you like about Him (just like you would your spouse) and offer him a spiritual kiss of appreciation (just like you would your spouse).

Ø Smile when you pray (talk to God); realize He is smiling at you also.

Ø Just tell God what you are thinking of doing or wanting to do (just like you do with your spouse) by putting excitement in your voice.

Ø Have anticipation of God arriving along your daily walk with Him (I look forward to seeing my wife when we have something planned). God always has something planned for you each day—He will show up.

Ø Remember when you take pleasure in ‘doing good’ to others, you are doing good to God—enjoy your non-labor.

If my thesis is not convincing enough, try explaining why God rested on the seventh day after all His labor—I wonder what kind of fun He did?

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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September 1, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Challenging God, Any Takers?

Character of the Month Series

I like a challenge now and then, and God does too. God can do anything, so are there really challenges for Him? God wants us to challenge Him, “Ask of me if I would not pour out a blessing on you that you cannot contain.”

Jesus before He died asked God three times to do things another way—He said it is too hard to die the way God had planned for Him. Nevertheless, Jesus said, “Not my will but yours be done.” Not everything you ask of God will He do—does it fit into His will for your life?

Job is a great story about challenging God. Job was perfect God said, but Satan said that Job would give up everything in order to save his life and what he owns. God took the challenge and Job, well, he was caught in the middle.

Job lost everything of monetary value, his family, and his health. What else would one be willing to sell his soul for? He was broken, alone (his friends were of no help), and without assistance, he began to hate God.

Job told God repeatedly that, “I did nothing wrong! Why did you let this happen to me?” You know what God’s response was, “Who made you my counselor? Can you do anything like I can do? Stand up like a man and answer me—answer my questions,” God demanded!

Job chose not to debate with God after God came to him and challenged him ‘face to face’. God wanted Job to understand the fear of the Lord, to be humble and repentant even though Job did not deserve what had taken place. God basically said, “I know best.”

What a story! A story of brokenness, making wrongs right, finding out what is truly important—finding the fear of the Lord. Wow!

You want God to listen to you? You want your prayers to be answered? You want to always find the will of God for your life? It is only found in the ‘fear of the Lord’. Whatever God decides to do (no matter what it looks like or how hard it is) it is always right and just—this is the fear of the Lord.

Show me a person of great character, and I will show you someone who says, “Whatever you want to do God—it is OK and righteous—I am not your counselor.”

I fear the Lord in all things, through all things, for Your Glory alone!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 2015 Grandpa’s Wisdomby Steve the son of John

Doing Harm to Our Kids

Too often we sincerely believe that we should be making things easier for our kids. We want them to have more opportunities than we had, an easier time in growing up, have things we did not have, and not to experience as much hardship.

I see this often in parents and I did this myself. However, I hear from parents of my generation that when we did this, things did not workout well for our kids. I indeed see the harm in ‘giving rather than living’.

If there is anything a parent should always be doing is creating experiences for their children. Taking them places, helping them to discover for themselves, creating opportunities for them to learn and grow, keeping them safe but able to see the harm in certain actions—not making it easier for them but allowing them richer experiences.

When we want them to have it easier—to give too much to them, to allow things to be given to them without earning them or having to work for them, character is never developed. Our children do not need ‘easier’ they need character. The only caution I would offer parents that if your child tried but failed miserably; if your son or daughter did not reach their goal do not allow them to be broken to the point of injuring their self-esteem. Now is the time to jump in and be there—it is important for character to be built, not destroyed person.

So next time you decide to make it easier for your kid, stop and think, “Will this create character and strength to make it on his or her own or determination to go the extra mile?” If not then don’t do it! Allow you kids to do things the hard way, to earn what they want, to find themselves by striving not receiving. It’s the loving-parenting thing to do.

Grandpa’s Wisdom

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 29, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Thinking, Feeling & Under Pressure

Part #3: It’s Significant

I do not know about you but I sometimes get my thinking all messed up. I do not realize it at first but what I am thinking will not work. I pride myself on being able to think things through but like so many of us what we are thinking just is not reality.

Not only do I have to check my thinking but also what I feel about things. Just because I have a good or bad feeling about something does not mean it is so. Being under pressure to perform can add to my wrongful thinking or feeling—it is best to learn how to handle pressure, thoughts and feelings. I have some suggestions for all of us.

1. If you think something is going to work or is correct, try first to think of other options, other scenarios. You might even ask for opinions about what you are thinking—get multiple responses to your thoughtful idea.

2. One can think so hard about something it becomes your reality, but just because you are thinking something is so, does not mean it is. Try not to let your thinking dictated what you believe—believing is a heart response.

3. I have lots of feelings—I try to not only understand a particular person or situation but also try to feel what I perceive. Feelings are very important but they can be misleading. Just because I feel a certain way does not mean it is so or correct. Feelings can be insightful but also wrong on every level.

4. Leave feelings to being guided by the Fruits of the Spirit. Feelings are a must in helping others and being close to God but feelings by themselves can be misleading. I allow my feelings to be guided by what is right and truthful, and then I know they will not lead me astray.

5. Being under pressure can throw off one’s thinking process and feelings. Therefore it is good to know how to handle pressure—here are some tips:

ü Tell the truth, don’t guess, take a deep breath, things will pass, and do the best you can—then let it go.

ü Stay calm! Did I tell you to stay calm—so stay calm.

ü If I am creating the circumstances for the pressure to exist—then make changes.

ü Remember that things will get easier in time so allow yourself opportunities to accomplish your goals.

ü Be in control by smiling, talking positive, being patient and remember everything is a team effort—it’s not about you.

Once you take the necessary steps to be in control of your feelings, how you think and handle the pressures of life, you will become the person God is expecting you to be. Life is an every changing process so what you think, feel or how you approach pressure will change over time. There is no right way but your perspective on life in being humble, giving and being just toward people is what makes a Christian different in a world that is lost. Overcome all things by being good.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 27, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Is it me or do you care?

This article is written in response to what has taken place in America for the past six weeks. Has recent events moved your heart, touched your spirit to act, or do you care at all?

When will it matter for people of color to say, “White lives matter too”, after the senseless killing of two white reporters, or is it only your anger you feel?

When will the gay movement stand up for the soldiers that freed a young boy who was chained to a bed by an Afghanistan official that repeatedly raped him for sexual pleasure, or is it only your selfish motives that drives what you live by?

When will the medical profession rise up in outrage against practices within their own ranks about the mutilation, killing, and senseless selling of live babies and their organs or is it only money, money and more money that you really want and care about?

When will our Supreme Court make decisions based on their conscious instead of trying to defer what is right and morally sound to legal reasoning alone—by destroying what every great culture or society has its bases in—a family living on sound principles, or is it ‘having the final say’ and self-pride that drives your rulings?

When will Americas rise up against greed and the almighty dollar—being more worried about what we have lost in the stock market than what God would want us to do with our great wealth or is keeping our own life style more important to you?

When will the church be willing to go to those who live in great darkness and bound by lies and depression? Instead of condemning the gays, when will the church live what it preaches by helping and loving those who are captive by their sin or are you ashamed of whom God still loves and cares for?

When will educators stop running in fear and accepting whatever educational departments tell them to do or teach—when will student lives matter more than having a job with summers off?

When will our intellectual communities begin to realize that we are more than just ‘thinkers’? By not admitting that a human can make good decisions based on their hearts, souls, and abilities or does your faulty premise of ‘rationale discourse’ in solving all problems get in the way of a proper and sincere heart response?

Do your care? Does your heart break? Are you willing to act in love and strength? Is it just me that is witnessing the destruction of our land on every front, in every corner? I can tell you biblically/prophetically, ‘Christ is crying over you and me’, saying, “If only you would have known and responded, if only you would have recognized the visitation God has offered and brought to you? But you have not accepted it and because of that not one stone, not one tree, not one river will be untouched by the destruction that is now at your gates.”

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 23, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Have You Killed a Dragon Lately?

Part #2: It’s Significant

I really liked the movie, How to Train Your Dragon. It was a great script and just plain fun to watch. Too bad we do not have dragons today—it would make those evolutionists rethink their outdated theory.

We all know the theory of evolution has been loosing its academic strength and popularity among the masses and intellectual community. It just cannot stand up against scrutiny and scientific evidence. I am always amazed how lies can manipulate people’s thinking and belief systems. Satan is the father of lies and he is good at it, but in the end, a lie is a lie and it’s best to use truth against all untruths.

Oops, let get back on track—dragons. Have you killed any lately? I suppose if dragons were in Old Testament times, David would have had to kill his fair share of the bad dragons (We never kill good dragons, do we?). David had his share of lions, bears, and giants to destroy. These evil opponents were killing sheep abd people.

A neighbor killed a black bear this week on his property, about a ½ mile from our ranch. I do not like killing bears. This particular black bear spent some time on my ranch growing up. He was playful and always getting into trouble. My dogs kept him away, and I did not mind him climbing over my fences even though my horses were always up set with him when he was in their stable area drinking water.

Today, we still have giants to kill. We have choices when approached by giants. Like David, you can either pick up the challenge or run. Here are your choices?

1. You ignore the giant—out of sight, out of mind—you do not care.

2. You see the giant, you get scared, and because of fear you do nothing.

3. You want to do something but leave it up to others—you give verbal support.

4. You tell others I will fight the giant but when they ridicule you and tell you, you’re not welcome—you leave.

5. You decide to fight but are looking for armor or ground support from others—nothing fits or is adequate—you give up.

6. You decide to fight on your own, now you are in real trouble! ‘What have I done’, you say to yourself and begin to have second thoughts.

7. You allow God to give you ammo to fight the giant and you run to meet Christ that is standing behind the giant you are about to fight.

Yes, it takes courage to fight and destroy the works of the devil. But, God does not call those who are frightened but those who see the vision—another giant slain.

Next time you come across a dragon or giant that challenges the people of God or truths that stand the test of time, remember a simple promise: “It is not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.”

Lord, give me a giant to slay today!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 19, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Do You Need A Prophet?
#1 in a Series: It’s Significant
If you are like many Christians, we all want to know what is on the horizon. We like to know what God is planning to carry out in our near future—we want to be prepared. We know that whatever God does, He does things that no one else can do, and what He does can be so significant no one can escape His purposes or wrath.

However, so often we get caught up in the hip of God’s events. ‘What are the prophets saying?’ ‘When is what they say going to take place?’ In today’s culture we have Christian prophets and ‘economic gurus’ proclaiming certain doom. They seem to be reading from the same script—to me all of this can be confusing to say the least.

What bothers me the most is often the specifics they use. Rarely does God use specifics unless He is talking with a certain individual or select group of people. Rather, in Scriptures, God does not give times and what times He does give there is always symbolism with it. The problem is ‘prophets interpreting their own prophecies’. There is always an urgency left with us once God tells us something but to place a time on what or when God plans something could always be in error.

Over the 50+ years as a Christian I have witnessed, heard, or been a participant in ‘what God will be doing and what to prepare for’. I know that bad times are coming—they have always come and always will up till Christ’s return. How you respond to prophetic predictions will be the difference between a mind at peace or living in panic mode. Many people are saying that September 2015 is a critical month economically but that has been said for almost every month for the past 6 years.

Furthermore, there is a push today to be a prophet—many people want to be at the ‘center of attention’ of the Body of Christ. Just because God shows us things does not mean we should be called a prophet or teacher. Neither office comes without warnings and great
responsibility. ‘The greater the dire prediction the greater the possibility that people will listen to me’—this motive is not good. If you want to be a prophet be prepared for being poor, alone,
persecuted, rejected, and without a family in most cases—Old Testament examples. New Testament prophets are much kinder and find a humble place within the church and are not lifted up above anyone else in God’s family.

We know that the Holy Spirit will tell us of things to come, Jesus spoke of this, but concerning times, He warned us that God alone decides on times. Furthermore, Jesus said to be careful of false prophets and teachers in the last days. Any prophet that wants to be heard, noticed, respected is no prophet. Will God; can God give warnings to the whole Body at Christ at one time? Of, course, that is what I would be looking for—consistency and God speaking to many people at the same time.

I want to be prepared for whatever God brings and want to listen to whatever He is saying, but to follow a specific prophet and have his/her words guide my thinking and decisions is very poor judgment. Let’s ‘try the spirits’ and listen to truth when it is spoken appropriately (the Bible gives us instructions). Paul was told that harm would come to him if he traveled to Jerusalem, but he still went. He knew his destiny and he knew the Holy Spirit would warn him of things to come, but he left it at that.

If it is time for us as a ‘last-days church’, it is time for ‘peace of mind,’ ‘to be anxious for nothing,’ ‘to be calm in the eye of the storm,’ and ‘to have the strength of the Lord’ (joy) to do His will! Do I need a prophet—no; do I need the prophets to judge themselves and live by New Testament direction, yes. Come on church, awake from the slumber you are in and be ready ‘watching and praying’ for God to fulfill what He has promised since Christ walked on the earth—Christ coming back in the clouds!

WWJWMTD

August 10, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Finding A Blessed Life

Do I need more faith? How about more hope? More righteousness? Nope, you only need to bless! Often we think and try to make things complicated in our walk with Christ, but to God we only need to do things His way, “My burden is easy and my yoke is light” Jesus said.

I believe we have no blessings because we give no blessings. Let’s get started:

First, whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord. In you heart, mind, and voice saying, “God I am doing this for you and with you. Bless me as I do this.”

Second, begin to say good things about God, tell God how great He is, remind Him how kind He has been, offer to Him praise and thankfulness—be generous with your words.

Third, tell others about the greatness of God! Who He is, what He has done, and what He is planning to do today and forever. Be excited about God because of everything you have discovered about Him, and what He is presently doing for you.

Fourth, remind yourself of scriptures that express ‘blessing God’. Ps 135, 136, 138, 139, 145, 146, 148, 149 150 are a few that bless all of what God is and does. Honor His name(s) and speak of them often, as well as, by telling God how much you appreciate Him!

Fifth, we must pray, be thankful and praise God! And, while doing this bless God just like you say good things about your spouse, family members, friends, business partners—begin to be gracious and kind—say good things about others and especially God.

If we would do this starting with God first and then others by blessing and passing along blessings, you will not be able to contain the multitude of blessings God will give to you. Let King David be your example, “A man after God’s own heart,” who received blessings of every form and structure from God that were without number and so great, generations would inherit the blessing for years to come. This happened only because he blessed God, and we ought to do the same. It’s easy, just say, ’I bless you God because…’

Men, it’s time for blessings!

(Final segment, #4 in a series on blessing)

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 11, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

I’ve Had Enough!

I’ve had enough of everyone else telling me what to do, what to buy, how to think, how to feel, what to be concerned about, where to go, how to act, and who to be!

The only individuals that need all that direction are people who are haters, liars, evil thinkers, mean, dishonest, unthankful, full of deceit, disloyal, disrespectful, reject the truth, manipulate others or situations for their own gain, take advantage of anyone at any time, smile at you yet hate you deeply, can never do anything good or right.

Our media is much to blame for this. Through the media (social or mainstream) evil people use this medium for their corrupt behavior. It is time, yes it is time for all decent and honest people to say, “I’ve had enough.”

Turn off the TV, quit spending time on Twitter or Facebook, and ignore the radio—just stop! Do not allow all that garbage to enter your feelings or thought processes.

They tell us what we ought to buy, when we do not need anything. They tell us how to feel and react to a given situation, when we are not part of the problem or the solution. They tell us to be anxious or concerned about an event, when we neither know the outcome or if it is true. They tell us who to be connected too, when being connect is allow you to be programed for evil. In short, they want us to be like them.

I’ve had enough of being programmed by individuals who live for money, power or control. I want the peace of Christ to rule my life and for evil to not vex my soul day after day. I’ve had enough—it’s time to put a stop to all this nonsense and corrupt influence.

Jesus come quickly! I know you have had enough.

WWJWMTD

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.