Part 5: Silence = Surrender

March 4, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part 5: Silence = Surrender

A 5-part series of articles from Phillip

Truth must be spoken, and it must be spoken with compassion, understanding, and the knowledge that truth often cuts extremely deep before it can begin to bring about healing and wholeness. Ultimately, faithful followers of Christ Jesus must speak the truth about homosexuality because it is truth alone that will bring about freedom and wholeness.

Many years ago, it was Christians, speaking both truth and grace into my life that made all the difference. I would not be here today without them. My particular sin and brokenness were not overlooked but rather talked about openly and in conjunction with many, many other sins. For the first time in my life, I began to be who God created me to be which, by the way, also included loving even the broken parts as He did and does.

Jesus said, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)

When we embrace the truth of Scripture without compromise, Jesus empowers us to walk in His purposes.

Truthless grace accomplishes nothing

The faithful to and for God must indeed count the cost of remaining faithful and unwavering to His Word. The days forward will require strength and resolve as continued heat and pressure will continue and intensify.

Indeed, there are deep, critical, and vital issues before us today with raging political theological currents doing their utmost to submerge the Church. Clearly, real and vital issues about the healing and transformation of sexual brokenness have and continue to sharply divide with many lives hanging in the balance.

We, the Church, will not serve humanity, unity, or the cause of Christ Jesus by ignoring the differences that exist or by sticking our heads in the sand. We must not allow emotion or the present political climate to dictate to the Church what we believe nor what we do to further God’s Kingdom.

The time is very, very near where many must decide whether or not they will continue to travel the narrow road with Jesus.

Neutrality will no longer be acceptable

The ultimate issue for the homosexual is the same as it is for every individual. Where do they stand? Are they dead in sin or alive in Christ?

Therefore, we must not withdraw, we must not be silent.

Passivity and silence = surrender

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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Part 4: Silence = Surrender

March 3, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part 4: Silence = Surrender

A 5-part series of articles from Phillip

Speak the Scriptural truths regarding homosexual practice.

Silence implies consent

I am compelled to take things further due to the intensity of what is currently coming down the pike.

One might think with all the accomplishments of gay activists they would be satisfied especially with the achievement of same-sex marriage now being legal throughout America. Not so.

Now the focused push of the gay agenda is a demand for all individuals and institutions to publicly state whether you are for full and unequivocal social and legal equality for LGBT people, or are you against it, with your position and answer to be made known publicly. In other words, neutrality, "love the sinner but hate the sin," avoiding the subject entirely, or "polite acceptance" will no longer be acceptable or tolerated.

Personally, I remain extremely concerned that most Christians still do not understand what has happened and what is coming.

Tragically, much of the Church has become desensitized by the bombardment and constant flooding of homosexual imagery through homosexual-related messages, media, and people sharing their stories about "gay is good". It is an undeniable fact that homosexual imagery has influenced many into thinking that it is just another part of life.

We, the Church, are continuing to pay a very high price due to our reluctance, and sometimes fear, in not talking about and educating ourselves on the subject of homosexuality leaving the culture to teach our children and adults in terms of what to think and believe.

With far too many Christians having mostly ignored the extremely detailed and strategic pro-gay manifesto, how is it we are surprised by the effectiveness of their propaganda and relentless campaign? For far too long, we, the Church have been in defense mode, bobbing and weaving just to fend off the impact of the gay rights movement.

Herein lies a personal, and I believe justified concern. Even at this late hour of the pro-gay campaign, most Christians are still failing to see the reality of what has happened and what is on its way. To date, many individual Christians and churches have been bombarded by unprecedented pressure, both legally and socially, to capitulate to the "gay is good" notion.

While it certainly remains possible to resist any notion or theology that flies in the face of God’s Word that homosexual practice, in any form and to any degree, is acceptable to God, Christian ethics and conduct, resistance will no longer occur without paying a high price.

A time of intense testing is underway. Standing upon and remaining faithful to the Truth and Authority of Scripture regarding God’s intent for human sexuality, is going to cost. Sadly, there will be those choosing to deny the Truth and Authority of Scripture regarding homosexual practice to avoid any and all conflict. Consciously choosing to avoid, set aside, dismiss, or avoid God’s Word regarding homosexual practice will not bring clarity.

"The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits." (1 Timothy 4:1)

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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.

Part 3: Silence = Surrender

March 2, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part 3: Silence = Surrender

A 5-part series of articles from Phillip

Silence cannot and must not be an option

The welfare of individuals, families, and the Church as a whole depends on our facing reality honestly, compassionately, and courageously.

The Bible is not unclear. We have not been given a muffled message. To be able to refute unsound doctrine we must be able to listen to others and separate the truth from the lie and the Gospel from secular humanism.

Silence implies consent

Many who experience, if not suffer discrimination today, are individuals who do not withhold but rather insist on speaking the "truth" about sexual immorality. In America, we have strayed so far from "truth" on what constitutes healthy sexuality, anyone challenging or standing up for "truth", righteousness and holiness will be hated.

Hate ideology in its purest form

"If the world hates you, know that it has hated Me before it hated you." (John 15:8)

Let the world change its beliefs with regard to sexual expression but a Christian must not. Let others close their eyes and their mouths to moral concerns, but Christians must not. True, faithful followers of all the teachings of Christ Jesus must continue to live with conviction, commitment, and constancy.

When a Christian individual, family, ministry, or church offers a blend of uncompromised grace and "truth" they are well-positioned to offer dynamic ministry. But what happens when "truth" is withheld?

It is an undeniable fact many in the Church today are consciously and deliberately avoiding the topic of homosexuality. Frankly, gay activists have done their job well in scaring many speechless. I, all too frequently hear excuses such as:

• Homosexuality is just too confusing.

• If I speak about homosexuality, I might hurt someone’s feelings.

• Stating gays and lesbians can change seems politically incorrect.

• I just can’t hit that balance of both truth and grace on the topic of homosexuality.

• This subject just rubs too many the wrong way.

I will summarize all of the above in one word – fear.

Fear appears to be guiding far too many. Or is it many have become preoccupied and concerned about personal reputation more than that of Christ Jesus?

It is catastrophic to be held in the "grip of fear" because fear is a formidable barrier to what God desires to accomplish in our lives and in the life of His Church.

God has not given His people a spirit of fear, "…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (2 Timothy 1:7)

Personally, I have found that those who are so defensive and uptight about the topic of homosexuality usually do not understand the causes of homosexuality, and nor do they see just how their negativity is actually working against the process of recovery that men and women with unwanted same-sex attractions are desperately seeking.

A very popular and important Scripture that is constantly offered to the broken is John 8:32, "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Question: How will they know the truth and be free if the truth is being withheld?

With everything that has transpired and everything that continues to unfold, most Christians still learn more about homosexuality from movies, the Internet, and television than they learn in their own congregations.

Often, hanging in the balance, are many who struggle with same-sex attraction and remain torn by the ongoing rhetoric and debate while yearning to hear the redemptive truth of the Bible.

If we truly love God, then we have nothing to fear.

If we truly love God and people, we cannot allow them to live a compromised life of sexual brokenness and sin, unchallenged?

Personally speaking, I learned early on in my new life in Christ Jesus there is no wiggle room with regard to God’s commandments. Consequently, I found healing and wholeness in the Church because "truth" was not withheld from me.

Anyone that does not side fully with the "truth" of the Holy Scriptures regarding homosexual practice while at the same time uncompromisingly extending God’s grace is enabling and contributing to a distorted view of Christianity.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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.

Part 2: Silence = Surrender

March 1, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part 2: Silence = Surrender

A 5-part series of articles from Phillip

Today, maybe more than ever, a true faithful follower of Christ Jesus has crucified his rights and is willing to be completely and fully led by God’s Spirit. He fears God, that is, he has a healthy awe and respect for God and does not take God lightly. We, as God’s people, should not be out to advance the claims of a church, of a nation, of an ideology, but of Jesus Himself. There can be no true compassion, integrity, and outreach if the Name, the teachings, the promises, the life, the death, the resurrection, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit are not proclaimed – and, proclaimed to the virtually untouched mission field around the world called "the gay community".

What is stopping so many today in defending the Authority of Scripture with regard to homosexual practice? Is it fear of being beaten in an argument? Fear of not knowing what to say? Fear of messing it all up? Such fears are groundless. Christians are not in the business of "winning the argument".

People are not argued into the Kingdom of God. What is eloquent and pierces a heart and soul is the personal testimony of someone whose life has been transformed by Christ. This is exactly what excites and captivates the imagination and interest. Not being well versed or educated on the subject of homosexuality is no excuse for remaining silent. We each have our own story to tell.

I would submit the calamity and dilemma many professing Christians face today with regard to homosexuality is not unlike a time when Elijah spoke and said: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." But the people said nothing. (1 Kings 18:21)

Today, more than ever, we are in need of Christians that will not sidestep truth or grace but offer crystal clear truth on a host of issues, including homosexuality, toward every person. Frankly, this is exactly what the Church was called to be from the beginning, and it is exactly what people are looking for today. It is a Church just like this that saved my life.

Many know and understand the importance and significance of reaching the un-reached peoples of the world for Christ Jesus. What about the un-reached homosexual population? We, the Christian community, have a lot to learn about bringing Jesus to the gays and lesbians who hopefully will one day knock at the doors of our churches. How about, "If you struggle with homosexuality and feel trapped – there is hope! Come on into Church and investigate the roots and causes of your struggle with homosexuality. We will walk with you as you look past the surface, deep into your heart, and consider God’s will for your life."

It is the clarity of the Holy Scriptures that should compel each and every faithful follower of Christ Jesus to be a light where there is darkness, rather than hiding our witness from those who need it.

Luke 6:45 tells us, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." If we truly care about the eternal destination of a multitude of men and women, snared, and deceived by the brokenness of same-sex attraction, we will not be silent.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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.

A 5 part series: Silence = Surrender

Feb 28, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Part I: Silence = Surrender

A 5-part series of articles from Phillip

The following offers a capsule of one of my conversations with a gay activist.

Gay-activist: We have liberals, the press, and society on our side. You have neither the faith nor the strength to fight us, so you might as well just surrender now. We have no intention of stopping until every Christian is discredited and silenced.

Me: Careful. You are messing with the wrong Christian.

Gay-activist: Whoa! Didn’t Jesus tell you to turn the other cheek?

Me: Yes, He did. However, when it comes down to fighting for lost souls, standing in the gap, and speaking the truth about sexual sin, I will not cower in the face of homosexual intimidation. I will endure your harsh rhetoric, insults, and threats but I will not sidestep either truth or grace being purposed to speak clear truth about this issue and extend grace toward every person – yourself included.

Passivity and Silence = Surrender

There is no doubt, much of American culture and the Church has been consumed by the grip of political correctness with regard to homosexuality and related issues. Any public expression of disagreement with any aspect of the homosexual movement, or with homosexuality itself, is met with accusations of homophobia and verbal gay-bashing.

The relentless quest by gay activists is a non-stop crusade for acceptance and to gain society’s stamp of approval on homosexual behavior. Even within the Church, the right to withhold affirmation and the right to believe that homosexuality is not on a moral par with heterosexuality remains under constant bombardment.

The strategy of shifting the debate about homosexuality away from religious beliefs and psychology by pro-gay activists to the realms of human rights and social justice has been and continues to be nothing short of genius. Equally within the realm of genius has been the relentless pro-gay camp campaign and strategy of portraying homosexuality as a condition and not a problem. This component of the strategic pro-gay agenda has evolved to same-sex attraction not needing to be fixed but rather to the mode of acceptance and approval.

Today, while a segment of the Church continues to consciously and deliberately avoid the subject of homosexuality, God, however, is not silent and has never been silent. As true faithful followers of Christ Jesus, we take the Bible in its entirety or not at all. We do not have the luxury of randomly selecting portions of Scripture and discarding the rest. God’s Word is not a thing that a person can push around at their convenience. The Bible is a Voice, a Word, the very Word of the living God.

The Church must call homosexual practice sin, and that will remain offensive to many. We cannot water down God’s Word. There is no doubt our courage will be tested, there will even be times when some must stand alone and defend what is right. As Paul said to Timothy: "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me." (2 Timothy 4:16)

(Parts/articles 2-5 will be posted over the next 5 days; a total of 5 articles on this subject).

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director
His Way Out Ministries

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.

Live by what you preach!

Feb 26, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Got balls?

I have been watching TV news lately. Before the war began in Ukraine my spirit was greatly troubled. God was warning me what was to come. This war could bring a lot of destruction, misery, and great pain to many people, not just to the nation of Ukraine.

What I have been impressed with is the willpower, courage, and fearlessness that the people in Ukraine have displayed. Some people live with courage and fearlessness (Jewish people show such courage). I am sorry to say, in The Church, God’s people are far too passive. Churches care what people think about them, negative public/media opinion, and protecting their financial base. If Jesus would have done any of this, He would never have done God’s will, had favor with God, nor loved us enough to die for us.

Yes, the American church is weak, passive, and fearful. All of this is exactly the opposite of what the Bible teaches and expresses in detail in the Book of Psalms. God says over and over, “Do not be afraid,” “Trust not in your own strength,” “Fret not,” “Do not worry,” “Take no thought for your life,” “Do not hesitate,” and the list of verses goes on!

I am calling on the people of Jesus Christ to act like and speak like you indeed have the Kingdom of God working and producing God’s work in your life. If you stand up in courage and become what God asks of you by not becoming fearful and timid, I believe God would fight for you and kill your enemies as the Bible promises, predicts, and offers stories for your encouragement.

Church leadership quit running to the protection of the four walls of your church and begin proclaiming hope, strength, and courage to your members. It is time church leaders lead by example not just in words of piety. Become like the leadership in Ukraine and Israel and begin the march around the walls of Jericho that stop the promises of God to be manifested in your life. Indeed, get some ‘balls about you’!

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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A Letter from Phillip

Feb 25, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

A Letter from His Way-Out Ministries

What is causing so many men and women to radically dismiss and depart from the Scriptural model of Christian sexuality?

Almost on a weekly basis, I hear, "I know what the Scriptures have to say about living within God’s holy boundary lines regarding sexual expression; however, I am going to follow my feelings and emotions rather than The Truth I know."

Today, far too many are banking their entire being on, "Well, since God is love, how can any form of sexual expression be unacceptable to Him?" What has happened to the fact and reality that God is Holy and calls all His followers to holiness which points directly to the fact that He is a God to be feared as well?

Meaning, we have a healthy awe and respect for God, and we do not take God lightly.

Christians are the temple of the living God. God has said, "I will be their God and they will be my people. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:16-18)

Considering God’s promises, every Christ-follower is to pursue godliness and holiness and abstain from anything and everything that seeks to contaminate body and spirit.

It is this call to holiness by God Himself when He said, "Be holy as I am holy," (1 Peter 1:16) that must always be the deciding factor. Every Christian should desire to do what is good (Titus 2:14) and not yield to the evil desires of our heart – whether those desires are heterosexual or homosexual in nature.

In 1 Peter 1:22, we are called by God to purify ourselves by obeying the truth. Frankly, even desiring a person to fulfill any form or degree of sexual pleasure is sinful according to Jesus’ definition in His Sermon on the Mount:

"If you look upon a woman to lust after her, you have already committed sin in your heart." (Matthew 5:28)

Far too many men and women have tragically bought into the lie that they can never be free from sexual and relational brokenness. That is not true. Every person in the throes of any addiction will say, "I feel this desire is so strong that I don’t believe I will ever be able to get rid of it."

But the truth is The Scriptures say you can be free.

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1)

Without a doubt, Scripture provides overwhelming evidence that any man or woman that may have been practicing any number of unhealthy behaviors contrary to God’s Word and His Will can find forgiveness, freedom, and restoration. But, where does that man or woman in tremendous need of God’s mercy and grace begin?

Where does the journey to wholeness begin?

It begins by setting ourselves in agreement with God that all Scripture is for our well-being and was divinely given to the prophets of old without error in its original delivery. The Bible is not some collection of man-made myths or opinions. Yes, we do follow both the red and black print embracing the truth that since God is all-knowing; He is trying to protect us from unseen danger.

Therefore, what you and I think, what you and I feel, must always take a back seat to whom God is and what He has clearly stated.

Having a personal relationship with Christ Jesus and embracing Scripture in its entirety, enables us to fight from a position of victory and not defeat.

Pastor Phillip Lee
Executive Director

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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Jesus & Grandkids

Feb 22, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Grandchildren and Jesus

It is easy to love grandkids. They remind us of our kids, it is fun spending time with them because all the discipline and responsibility still belong to their parents, and lastly, grandkids always go home, we have them during the best times of their lives.

Alonna and I have five kids and thirteen grandchildren. The sad part is that they are scattered from the west coast to the east coast—from California to Washington DC. This has both positives and negatives. We want so much to be there when they are doing fun things like playing ball games, receiving awards, or having birthdays.

Our oldest grandchild, Annika, is sixteen today. She is beautiful, tall, talented, an athlete, and smart. Knowing her father, it is almost a miracle she has all these traits in one bodily form. Anyhow, she is loved and is growing up much too fast!

The Bible has lots to say about grandkids and tells how to raise these kids. I remember the day she was born and the excitement she brought to Alonna and me—we were so happy. A new chapter was about to begin in our lives, and we could hardly wait for what was coming next, the season of multiple grandchildren…great joy!

It was not long after her birth that I was thinking about the coming of Jesus Christ as predicted in the book, The Revelation of Saint John the Divine or Book of Revelations as is commonly called. This book has much to say about what will come to pass before Christ’s return. No one will know when (time, day, season, or year) but many have claimed to have special revelation as to Christ’s coming. It is embarrassing to have friends speak of such special knowledge.

However, I felt as if the Holy Spirit impressed upon me that Jesus would return during the life of my grandkids. I could die before He comes and the world would be falling apart during the life of my grandkids. I am concerned for my grandkids. All things now point to a world going crazy, falling apart, and without hope of enduring within the next 100 years.

It is important for all grandparents to pour their lives into the grandkids and prepare them for what is come. We cannot control what and how God destroys His creation and life as we now know it on earth. Half the world’s population will die and if anyone takes on the ‘Mark of the Beast’ there is only pain and destruction planned for them. We must tell them and help them to be strong, believe in truth, and look for Jesus to return. It is time for us to show them how to love Jesus and how to be full of the love of God. I hope you love your grandkids this much—to make sure they make it to heaven with you.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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God, Satan & Fake News

Feb 21, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Satan, the father of Fake News

We hear so much about ‘fake news’ but the truth of the matter, fake news has been around from the beginning of creation. Satan is a liar, that is all he can do when he talks. Often it is easier to accept a lie than to accept the truth. We want easy and Satan offers that kind of advice whenever it comes to choosing between what God says and what Satan says.

Genesis 3:1-6: Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so, they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

The first thing Satan does is try to get you to doubt God or anything God says (or is stated in the Bible). Then Satan reinterprets what God says and works on you deciding things for yourself—"Keep God out of your decision-making ability.” Satan, furthermore, tells us to consider sin-“It is good for you, and it will make you happy, successful, and rich.” We are now on our way to accepting and believing in ‘fake news’. There is more!

Matthew 4:1-11 NIV: Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “ ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Satan is always twisting the truth and the words of God. What does he want? Satan wants to be in control and you under his influence—he wants you to worship him alone.

Sound familiar, this is exactly what today’s ‘fake news’ is. Accept fake news and you will be under its control, and you will give up your freedom—freedom to live a happy and secure life. Accept fake news and you accept fear. Accept fake news and become a slave to lies and all that is wrong. I like this lesson from history: On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry signaled the coming revolution when he spoke at a Virginia convention: “Give me liberty (freedom) or give me death!”

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.

You better read this one! (From friendship to love)

Feb 20, 2022 WWJWMTD by Steve, the son of John

Is Jesus Your Best Friend?

Jesus was not always my best friend. Indeed, I have fallen in love with Jesus a few times in my walk with Him, but my best friend, this is much harder to do.

When I first met my wife, Alonna, there was something about her that attracted me to her. Over time I found I could talk with her about anything. I was not afraid to confide in her my most inter-feelings and dreams. We started to become friends, in fact, I had not had a close friend like Alonna since my brother died a few years earlier.

We fell in love and got married. During the first three years of marriage, she would do something silly or something unusual that caught my attention, and I would fall in love with her all over again. This kept happening every 2 to 3 months during the first 3 years of our marriage. These experiences cemented two people together—we started to become more like one person even though we already had many things in common.

This is what the Apostle Paul stated in his Epistles when a man and woman fall in love and get married—he stated this is a mystery and is similar to Jesus Christ and the Church—a mystery that cannot be explained only experienced.

Notwithstanding, during this time I was a Christian, a very committed, passionate, and mature Christian, but I thought I would never love Jesus or feel His love for me as my love for my wife, Alonna, or her love for me. I knew she loved me more than life itself.

However, we both realized over time that our love for each other gave us insight into God’s love for us. After time, Jesus became my friend also and His love became so great that He became my best friend though my love and friendship for Alonna never grew dim or changed.

My love for Alonna pointed my way to love Jesus also and for Him to become my best friend. (I guess I have two best friends and His love for me will never pass away.)

I hope Jesus will become your best friend and you will find that mystery of love that only comes between a man and woman (not a man & man or a woman & woman). God knew what kind, depth, and passionate love we would need and could experience in His Son, Jesus.

All praise be to the Father and His Son and may the Holy Spirit bring this love to us all!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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