July 31, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

God Liking You & Forgiveness

#7 in the series on forgiveness

Too often we do things that God is not pleased with. It might have nothing to do with obeying Him but in what we bring to Him or who we are. We think God will love us no matter what. Well, that is true with respect to who God is but is not true with respect to whom we are.

Cain and Abel are good examples of what God likes and dislikes. God had respect to Abel and liked what he did and his respect for what God wanted. Cain, on the other hand, did not respect God—His wishes or desires. He wanted God to accept him and what he did no matter what.

We often hear from the church that God will love and accept you no matter what and that is true within the context of repentance and forgiveness. If we are not wanting to change, or have the desire to change who we are in order to be like Christ then your and mine acceptance by God will never be realized.

I am reminded of the Scriptures what God said concerning Jesus, “This is my son, whom I am well pleased,” or the many other scriptures that state, ‘to please God, is our duty’.

God is not after robots; we have a choice—we have the option to please or not to please God. If we choose ourselves and believe that God must accept who we are and what we do, we will be greatly disappointed. You and I will never find forgiveness when we do wrong as Cain failed in finding forgiveness for killing his brother.

Cain accepted no wrong doing for his actions because he believed that God should have accepted who he was and want he brought to God. God warned him of ‘the sin that is at his door’. God knew that Cain was going to sin—he was headed down the path to destruction that Proverbs explains so well.

What forgiveness, make the appropriate steps to do things that are pleasing to God. Do not believe that God has to accept you as you are without becoming like Christ in attitude, actions, and abilities. I have forgiveness because I am leaving Steve at the cross and looking to God to become a Son of God—a different Steve—changed by the freedom found only in repentance and forgiveness. I am no longer who I was but finally found who I was always meant to be in Christ—a forgiven Steve!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 30, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Blame Game vs. Forgiveness

#6 in the series on forgiveness

What? Who me? Not me? It was…! How often have you heard this from your kids? Humans are known for not taking ‘the blame’. Politicians live by placing any and all wrong doing on the other party. No one wants to accept any responsibility for things going wrong. We do not understand forgiveness or its power over our mistakes because of our part in the ‘blame game’.

Adam and Eve were the first to play this ‘blame game’. Adam said, ‘It was Eve’, Eve said, ‘Satan made me do it’. I can tell you for sure that when someone blames someone else, they had a part in it.

When we blame others forgiveness is far away, it will never to be realized nor will we have access to its’ benefits. You and I will never get to the ‘tree of life’—God will not allow us the freedom to life without repentance.

Repentance is not an option for the person who blames others or identifies someone else’s sin rather than their own. “Who is without sin, cast the first stone.” To have forgiveness is to be free from blaming and criticizing others. It is hard to admit wrongdoing and even harder not to criticize ‘the other person’.

Next time you think or begin to place blame on another person, realize that forgiveness will not be yours! Your freedom to forgiveness requires repentance, and repentance requires admitting your part in the wrongdoing.

Christianity is set apart from all other religions on this very principle—accepting one’s responsibility for one’s actions and being unwilling to condemn others for the same wrong. Forgiveness is mine—how do I know this? I do not blame others for my part in violating God’s laws. I am a sinner and Christ is my righteousness. There is nothing good in me and what good I might do is Christ in me alone. I choose forgiveness by not looking for an easy way out in blaming anyone else for my mistakes.

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Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 29, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Forgotten Forgiveness

#5 in the series on forgiveness

The Holy Spirit has many jobs the Bible says, but one that is pertinent to repentance is making sure your personal life is worthy of and grounded in forgiveness. We must understand that forgiveness is given to us because of and only through Christ, but it is the Holy Spirit that is performing all the forgiveness we find in Christ.

When forgiveness comes to us it is the Holy Spirit working in our lives—we cry, we repent, we are made clean—never wanting to be bound by our sin again. The Holy Spirit (Jesus called the Comforter) is to reprove the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John 16:7-11). Everything changed at Calvary—total forgiveness, complete healing, fruits of the righteousness given, this world’s judgment, and access to all that is in God through Christ.

Often at times we concentrate only on the wrong doings we commit, but God wants so much more. He is interested in forgiveness that goes well beyond not just obeying His commandments but to the ‘forgotten forgiveness’ that the Holy Spirit is to bring to us.

“Of sin of not believing in Jesus”—how many times have you asked God to forgive you because you did not believe in Jesus? This was the #1 complaint Jesus had against His disciples. There is a lot we have to believe in regarding Christ!

“Of righteousness because Christ has gone to His Father, so we can receive the Kingdom of Heaven and of God”—how many times have we failed in not having what is done in heaven done in earth—in our very lives and circumstances? What is done in heaven must be done in this world or we are outside of God’s will—this is our righteousness!

“Of judgment, because Satin is judged”—how often have we allowed Satin to win, to oppress, to hinder God’s will for us or others? Our job is to fight against and destroy the works of the devil. The ‘prince of this world’ is a daily and constant threat—get fighting!

Next time (today or tomorrow) that you find yourself not having the blessings of God, His perfect will for your life, and freedom that He offers in every situation—start asking for forgiveness for not believing, not having His righteousness (His Kingdoms), and for not destroying and resisting the works of the devil.

Let’s get clean, whole, and complete in Him by using the forgotten forgiveness so we can get doing. It is only through forgiveness that we find the strength to get the job done.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 16, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Forgiveness & Repentance

#4 in the series on forgiveness

When I ask for forgiveness it brings me often to tears. My heart is moved and my emotions kick-in. I cry, and often I cry for sometime. I do not understand why repentance has aspects of crying, humbleness, and wanting to be a better person but it does. I am glad for that!

I have had a few times in my life when God came in like a flood—I found myself in a state of complete brokenness, as if I was at the Jordan River being baptized by John. I continued throughout the day and many times for days on end asking God for forgiveness. I would cry the whole time—every time I was alone I would be moved to just cry and say ‘I am sorry’. Many times I did not know why and could not tell you what wrongs I was sorry about, but I just wanted to be clean—to be washed.

Sin can have such a hold on our lives. We often do not even recognize its effect and all the consequences our sin has brought to us—but God does. He wants us clean. Not just what we remember but even what we do not recollect, as well as, how our sin has ruined us—its hold and effects over us.

I believe it is the single most destruct area of our lives—to be hiding wrongs. We can never be completely free or clean unless we ask for and acknowledge that we need help from all sins and all self-destructive behavior. God wants us in a state of brokenness and forgiveness.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,” means to be in a state of contriteness or constant repentance & brokenness. Do not think that forgiveness is always easy. We must live for Christ by being willing to be repentant and especially whenever the Holy Spirit moves us to repentance. He (the Holy Spirit) will always find things in our lives that will require forgiveness. I leave my brokenness to Him—He knows how to convict me of sin, to lead me in repentance, and to find forgiveness from everything that is wrong in my life. I trust in the Holy Spirit to lead me no matter how difficult it is to say—I’m so sorry God!

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Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 15, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Unforgiven

#3 in the series on forgiveness

If there is a flood of forgiveness we can find in God then we ought to forgive others even better than we forgive ourselves. To often Christians offer little forgiveness to those in need; no wonder the church is not growing in America.

I do not understand why Christians display so much hate and dislike for people who sin. Once they found forgiveness in Christ for themselves they do not take the next required step in their salvation—to forgive others with sincerity and compassion. Without offering forgiveness to others we cannot receive the completion of our forgiveness from our sin nor freedom in the Day of Judgment.

I am convinced this is the reason why some Christians hate so easily and so deeply—they no longer have forgiveness for themselves. The forgiveness they once received, no longer works in their favor. They are lost, they are condemned, they are no longer redeemed—they are unforgiven.

It is through the flood of forgivenessthat I find who I really am. Through forgiveness I have everything I will ever need in Christ: sins gone, all my healings, feelings of completeness, finding the strength to love well, helping others without wanting something in return, deliverance from evil, freedom from pride and sensual desirers, and so much more.

If salvation is only about me ‘being saved’ then I find myself alone, unconnected, and isolated from others. Forgiveness is meant to unit me with others. Forgiveness is given so I can connect with people. People need me and I need them—forgiveness purpose is to make this happen! I forgive you and you forgive me so we can connect.

God forgives me, people forgive me, and then I eventually forgive myself. But it does not end there. As I forgive others, then God forgives them too, and they find forgiveness themselves. God says if you cannot forgive others, then He will not forgive you. What sins we forgive they are forgiven and what sins we do not forgive they are not forgiven—here is the power of salvation and unity in Christ.

There is a power in forgiveness that goes well beyond what we can ever imagine or comprehend. Forgiveness is corporate and reciprocal. You want the pleasure of being forgiven, try first forgiving the one person you dislike the most.

God has ‘flooded me with forgiveness’ so that I can open up the floodgate of His and my forgiveness to others.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 14, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Complexity of Forgiveness

#2 in the series on forgiveness

For many of us we think forgiveness is simple—the world and especially our political system would like us to believe that—but actually it is complex.

Let’s review what we have to ask forgiveness for:

ü Our sin (mistakes, wrong actions) that God says are inappropriate deeds.

ü Impure thoughts—evil we would like to happen to others or are involved in ourselves.

ü The sins of others that affect us—directly or indirectly.

ü Historical sins of individuals, family, generations, corporate & national—deviant life styles that are handed down to us through un-forgiveness.

ü The effects and consequences of our own sins (i.e. cause & effect of sin).

ü Secret sins of our heart, motives or actions.

ü Inappropriate words that do harm to others—heard or not heard by them.

This is a short list of ‘sin types/styles’ we do to each other, not to God. If I would list the specifics it would take a chapter of a book. My point is this—do not think that sin is not complex and intricate. Sin is real, has a mind of its own and impacts not only you but also everyone around you at that specific time and can for generations to come.

It is our task as Christians to take forgiveness seriously. Sin acts like dye in a glass of water. It effects and penetrates every molecule of the water. Only forgiveness that is complete and just as potent as sin itself can remove the impact and effects of any sin.

When we look for forgiveness we have to approach it from this prospective:

ü When we sin it not only injures us but also anyone that is connected to us.

ü Sin has history—find forgiveness not for just the sin but the root-causes of the sin. (Confess your sin and any impact or consequence of the sin.)

ü Other people’s sins can impact us. We must find forgiveness for others that did not ask forgiveness for their sin (i.e. to stand in the gap for others).

ü Sins that only you know about are just as deadly as obvious blatant sins.

ü There are sins of wrong motives, thoughts and words; forgiveness is critical.

ü There are sins that we know we did something wrong, and there are sins that at the time of the action we did not realize it was sin, this needs forgiveness also. (Often sins of ‘tempting God’ fall into this category.)

ü Only forgiveness through Christ can erase sin and its hold on our lives.

Next time the Holy Spirit is compelling you to repent—do it quickly and completely. Ask that all aspects of your sin, all the consequences, and the harm it has done (the domino effect) be also forgiven. Do not allow your sin or other’s sins to impact you or circumstances around you. True forgiveness is complete and compels God to respond in like manner. “Be perfect like your heavenly Father is perfect”—completely & perfectly forgiven!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 13, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Got Inheritance?

#1 in the series on forgiveness

For sometime now, there has been a growing movement for individuals to find who they are through the discovery of their ‘family tree’. There are a few websites that will help you find your ancestors while telling you how you got here and who is in your historical lineage.

God planned from the beginning for all of us to be connected to our past and to act upon it. However, all family trees can yield surprises that sometimes would be better left alone. Our inheritance in Christ is tied into who we are and from whom we came from. The Old Testament is full of examples of family trees, lineage, and all the problems associated with relatives—past and present.

‘Family’ can cause problems when it comes to our inheritance. Family members fight over their inheritance or lack of. The most significant example and O.T. story about inheritance is the story of Esau and Jacob. Two brothers wanting the same thing—their inheritance, and went about getting it in very different ways.

Jacob manipulated Esau when he was starving, and under pressure Esau gave to Jacob his rightful inheritance. Esau later regretted his decision and had great hatred and bitterness toward Jacob. What is interesting about this story is God’s reaction to all of this.

The Bible makes a point that Esau sought carefully and honestly for God to forgive him. He was indeed repentant, full of regret and sorrow, with sincere crying, and continued often to ask God, but God would not respond to his request. Why? The answer is simple: Esau asked God for forgiveness but would not offer forgiveness to Jacob.

Wow! Once again we find in Scripture that forgiveness comes to us only when and if we offer the same forgiveness to others. Esau never regained his inheritance because of his lack of forgiveness to his brother. I am sure God would have returned all or part of Esau’s inheritance if only the forgiveness he was asking of God would be granted to the person who did him wrong—Jacob.

Want to know why you do not have your inheritance? It is not a question of doing God’s will, or not having enough faith, or finding God’s timing—it is simply a question of forgiveness. Want your inheritance—can you forgive others with the same intensity and on the same level that God has forgiven you?

Your and mine spiritual and earthly inheritance equals your willingness to forgive. “Blessed are the meek (those who humble themselves and forgive) for they shall inherit the earth.” It’s just that simple—start forgiving!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 1st 2015 1st of the Month Series on Character by Steve the son of John

Got What It Takes?

No one likes to be ridiculed. But for the Christian, it is suppose to be a way of life. Too many Christians try to keep their beliefs to themselves—they are not going to create any waves or offend anyone. Henry Blackaby says, “You are no good to God.”

Jesus said, ‘If He is persecuted so will you’. It is easy being a Christian if all is going smoothly, people like you, and you find strength in numbers. This has never been the case for me. I like people but I do not need to be liked in return.

Have you ever wondered why Jesus wore a ‘crown of thorns’? The Roman soldiers were mocking Him—persecuting Him. In fact, the Bible says that we should not become weary or discouraged because Christ endured persecution for us. The Bible does not go into the details, but I can assure you if there was social media, cable TV, talk-radio, and newspapers, in Jesus’ day, He would be the center of their hateful conversation, character assignation, and religious bigotry each day.

Jesus took our persecution—yes, yours and mine—when he wore that crown of thorns. He knew we would and should be persecuted, but He did not want us to be alone nor unable to bear the burden of being hated. He took our persecution with the crown of thorns just like our sicknesses with the strips He received on His back, and the nailing of His feet and hands for our sins. God made sure that Christ covered it all for us.

The question however remains—You got what it takes? Will you endure? Will you be a Jesus Freak? Will you allow yourself to be persecuted or will you run for cover?

If you are not sure, you need to read any of the series of Jesus Freaks books—Stories (Vol: 1,2,3), Martyrs, Revolutionaries, For Girls, Live Like, Ultimate, Promises For, and the list goes on. You will be encouraged to take a stand for Christ, and see how God protected those who are persecuted for Jesus’ sake.

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” II Cor. 4:8-9. “Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven” Matt 5:12.

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Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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June 30, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Where Were You?

After 9/11, I was asked, “Where was God that day?” My reply was and always will be—‘Where were you/what did you do?’ Many people blame and/or reject God for evil in this world. God of course can do anything but He wants us to do our part and works through us. Ask not, God can you do this for me, when He’s asking you to do it for Him!

The Christian church no longer has influence as it once did in America. Religious institutions gave up their influence—they became complacent. What went wrong? Where were our mistakes? What should we have done differently?

As we now know, the gay movement has become the single most influential force in America. It is far ahead of any political party, any minority/ethnic group, and much more sophisticated than any educational group. The church has failed miserably in performing their mission and listening to what the Holy Spirit has been saying for us to do to combat destructive trends and the consequences of our sins in our society.

You ask, where did we go wrong as the Body of Christ in America, I’ll tell you where:

1. We condemn and ridicule individuals and groups that do not believe or behave as we do.

2. We offer harshness not love when individuals reach out to us for help.

3. We do not forgive sin—we try to execute judgment on the person instead. (Mathew 5: We do not mourn for the sin of others or the predicament their sin has placed them in.)

4. We placed our trust in political institutions and lobbying Washington rather than praying to God and trusting in what He wants to do.

5. We allow the media to decide how we are to think or react to local, national or world situations and events.

6. We do not wait on God for advice and direction—we are not humble.

7. We have failed to be united in Christ with direction coming from the Holy Spirit.

8. We look the other way, become apathetic; refusing to take the time to make a difference—we act as if we are better than others.

9. We have allowed our religious leadership to take up the fight while we go about our daily routines—we are ‘temperate-warm, neither cold or hot’.

10. We will never find healing for our nation or ourselves—not because of non-Christians or their sin, but because of our own sin, prideful behavior, and faithless thinking.

How is God to care, if His own people do not care? How will God forgive sin, if we do not forgive? How is God to rescue a nation, if His own people do not want to be rescued? Judgment within the Kingdom of Heaven does begin with us, not the sinner—‘the ax is laid at the root of the tree!’

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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June 26, 2015 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

The Conclusion: Anointing & Oil

All of us should be in the presence of God all the time; Jesus wants that! God’s anointing and His presence is not for a few but for the complete Body of Christ.

I am reminded of the story of the 10 virgins. Five had oil (anointing in their lives) and five did not. The five that did not were not allowed in heaven—what a tragic scenario. It will cost you to have anointing. In fact, anything that is connected to the Kingdom of Heaven will cost all of us. Jesus said, ‘go sell and buy’ in stories about the Kingdom of Heaven. His anointing and the presence of God is embedded in the Kingdom of Heaven—God wants what He does in heaven to be done on earth.

The Kingdom of Heaven has great blessings as well as judgments. It is like a two edged sword. God takes whatever He offers and does seriously, so should we. To God we do not have a second option here—we all must have His pure anointing oil and plenty of it during life’s journeys.

According to Scriptures we have four choices regarding His presence and the anointing of the Lord (olive oil).

1. To not purchase the presence and anointing of God—we just don’t want it.

2. To have the oil of the Lord in our lives but not enough.

3. To have oil that has become polluted and therefore unusable.

4. To have olive oil—pure, adequate, and available at all times.

Yes, we can allow a fly (which is a type of evil, death or Satan corrupting our anointing and making God’s presence in our lives ineffective) to get into our anointing (research OT & NT references on flies). We see this happening to well known ministers and, of course, members of the Body of Christ. There is always a battle and challenge to ‘resist the devil’, to choose good over evil, and/or to accept God’s direction and will for your life.

This is the wisdom of Proverbs—to know evil, recognize its influence and how it tempts us, and what to do to avoid its control over our decisions and motives. We need to keep flies out of our oil—to not allow the anointing and presence of God to become mixed with evil. Satan tried to get Jesus to do things his way when the Holy Spirit drove Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. If you have the anointing, plan for a battle. Anything the Holy Spirit brings to us involves a fight against the evil one. Do not be ignorant or weak in Spirit. Let’s be courageous and strong, and full of His oil being grateful, talking & listening, and singing to God.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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