October 31, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #6

Darkness tells us to walk; not to run

When darkness prevails we find ourselves walking and stubbing not running with Christ. The Bible tells us to “run with patience,” “to not run in vain”, or “run that you can attain the prize Christ has for you.” We need to run but darkness wants us to walk.

I injured my heel on my left foot a while ago. It made everything difficult to do. Try working on a working ranch, moving up and down hills, and carrying items with an injured foot, not easy. The Bible says, “Make straight paths for your feet.” Why, so you do not stumble and get injured. The Bible knows we must run in order to do God’s will.

David, when about to fight Goliath, ran to the top of the hill to fight the Philistine. He ran, why? Not that he liked to fight nor because he knew he would win, but because he saw Jesus on the top of the hill—he ran to Him and then fought Goliath.

We likewise run into the fight. Darkness knows that if you cannot run, move or carry the armor of God you will not be able to win over Satan’s plans or activities in this earth.

Satan wants you to have an injured heel. Satan injured Christ heel and Christ injured Satan’s head. The injured heel did not deter Christ from overpowering Satan’s domain (hell) nor Christ overcoming the power of death, hell, and sin.

We have the same hope in Christ. God has made a way for us not to stumble but if we get injured Christ’s death and resurrection over all darkness makes us victorious in Him.

So if you are thinking about taking it easy, do not be fooled by the darkness. We must always run into battle against evil. When we are injured and begin to walk, trying to be careful where we step, we are not looking up, but we are looking at the ground—this is what I was doing and it was depressing.

So I run! I run the race that Christ ran with this hope that I will finish this race of life, not walking across the finish line but running. I run in hope; not in despair, defeat, or with spiritual injury. I run looking up to the top of the hill where Christ is waiting for me—to fight with Him against darkness.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 30, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #5

Darkness vs. Good Ground

The world talks about ‘character’. We all want to be with or work with people who have ‘character’. ‘Character’ is easily defined and comes in many sizes and forms. Every parent works on the character of his or her children, and we seem to never stop shaping our own character.

Christ says that character is in the soil. That is to say, one cannot grow plants in poor soil. Every farmer knows that any healthy plant or tree depends on its root system and every productive orchard or field must have good soil.

Darkness does not want you to grow spiritually or produce the fruits of the Spirit of God. Jesus said only about ¼ of all human ground that can be planted with the Words of God is good enough to support growth and adequate to produce fruit.

Since the Word of God does not change the only hope we have to change is our ground/soil if we want a larger yield of good works. How does one change one’s soil, that is, to change the character of a person so more of God can take root in our lives and yield fruit in large numbers?

Here is what Scriptures say: one learn to make commitments/promises and practice/work in keeping them; two, cultivate a good self-esteem focusing on having the ability to succeed not focusing on failure; three, learn and speak positively—resist the temptation of negative words and thoughts. These three things will change your soil for God’s words to become rooted in your life and to produce Fruits of the Spirit.

We need to learn to expect the best. To know that God knows and understands, and His promises make all things new. Do not accept what others say are negative or hurtful in regards to a full and productive life in Christ. I am who I am in Christ alone. It is not I who made who I am but it is Christ in me. I am able to do all things with Christ who lives in me. I am whole and healthy not by what others say or do to me but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God.

I showed signs and was medically tested for a condition that knows no cure and can be life-changing in many negative ways. A doctor told me, “Do not accept the sickness. Do not accept what is being told you. Resist the prognosis.” He was right. I should be expecting the goodness of God not what darkness has tried to bring on my life.

You know, it works in Christ. I should expect only good things in Christ and should be healthy because of what Christ has done for me. “I will not sleep, I will not be sick. I will be whole and healthy because of the Body and Blood of Christ. It is Christ alone—His life that has made me whole.” Praise be to God who does all thing well!

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What would Jesus want me to do?

America’s Battle of the Books

Alonna D. Wentland, Business Manager/Owner

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www.battleofthebooks.org

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October 29, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #4

Hiding the darkness within

When darkness prevails it often does not show itself. Darkness likes to hide and it is only light that can expose and reveal darkness true intentions. The Bible has lots to say about ‘secret sins’, a topic I have written about in length but I am writing more about pure darkness and evil intentions that deter us from knowing what is right and wrong.

It is only the Holy Spirit that can discern such darkness. We judge things so incorrectly much of the time. No one likes to expose their dark sides unless it is to intimidate or confuse others. Satan goes around parading that he is an angel of light—just because something looks good does not mean it is good.

Whenever we cannot discern between good and evil darkness wins out. We must understand what is good and what is evil, our life in Christ depends on this very truth. That is why Proverbs was written and it is the foundation of wisdom.

Jesus had to be confronted with evil after the Holy Spirit landed on Him as a dove. The Holy Spirit is truth, light, and peace—these three characteristics are given to the Holy Spirit time and time again throughout Scripture and should be working in our lives.

The Holy Spirit wanted Jesus to be tempted by the devil, to come face to face with Satan so He (Jesus) would recognize Satan for who he is and also to recognize his tricks and deceptions. Satan is always a liar and uses lies to manipulate his will over your life.

Do not be surprised or enticed by kind words, smiles, soft kisses or beautiful appearances. These attributes Satan uses to confuse us and lure us into his darkness. It is only the Holy Spirit, not solely the Gospel of Christ that can show us and protect us from Satan’s dark ways.

It is not people’s words that I believe in, but I want to see their works and also what spirit they manifest. A judge sets over a courtroom looking for the truth. He is not fooled by appearances or words—he wants the truth. He judgments are based on actions and one’s character. God is not fooled either—God wants to know if we love. He says in Scripture (the Epistles of John), “When one keeps the commandments of His Son Jesus, you know that you love God and fellow humans.” Yes, we know the truth by the fruit it produces and darkness by the hidden dark deeds of evil. Let the Holy Spirit be your eyes!

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 27, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #3

Our churches are failing, why?

When darkness prevails we have to look at ourselves. Jesus warned us about our Christian family, religious leaders, and that our culture could crumble with the rise of darkness and evil. Revelation is full of scriptures that give specific reasons for our failure to confront the darkness. We cannot address the growth of darkness without knowing why and how our churches are failing in the battle against darkness.

I might be better off than some because where I live in CA. My ranch is in the mountains and the national forest is behind me. I have neighbors but the population is sparse and people like to be left alone. I can breathe better once I am at the ranch. The oppression of evil is not as great where I live, much less than most other places in California.

Darkness is everywhere even in our churches. I believe fighting against evil is a constant way of life for a believer. One cannot fight without the “armor of God”, power of the Holy Spirit, an active and working prayer life, and of course a consistence lifestyle of praise and thankfulness. It is not easy to fight and win against darkness but Christ has given us the means if we choose to do things His way; He accomplishes this task through us.

What is wrong with our Christian leaders and churches? They got complacent and cold. Our churches are not dynamic with the moving of the Holy Spirit. We come and go to church unchanged. Indeed, God wants to show up in our services, but we have “planned God out of the service.” Our services are not times of worship but ‘light and sound entertainment’—a production, which we believe is God orientated. We try to “work up the spirit of God” not invite God into our services with true worship and praise. When was the last time you felt the Spirit of God in the parking lot of your church or sensed the angles of God ministering to you as you approached the church building?

Pastors, you have failed. You know you are failing but repentance and care for the flock God has given you are far from your heart. You resist the Holy Spirit from working in your services—if you notice or feel God moving in your service you begin talking, change the direction of the service through video or a skit. You stop others from coming into the Kingdom of God—just like Jesus said you would do. You stop the Holy Spirit from doing His job (read and understand Proverbs).

Every new movement of God took aim at the traditional churches—the churches that were in dominance in their day. Leaders are afraid to look into the mirrors of the Holy Spirit and change who they are and what they are doing and why. I can safely say, “Do not be surprised if you do not find your pastor in heaven.” God’s measuring stick is much greater for leaders than for the common churchgoer—Jesus did warn of teachers and pastors who love themselves more than God who want significance and honor rather than being a servant.

What shall we do? Help your pastor be bold and courageous. Demand that we sing, in worship and praise God till God inhabits the praise of His people at each and every service. Set up 24-hour prayer sessions at your church and Bible reading before, during and after each service—either live reading or recordings over the speaker-system in every church building.

Ask God for forgiveness for your self and others. Do not rest till God hears you and floods your church with His presence and angels ministering each and every day. You want revival—make it start with you and spread it to others.

Want Jesus in your mist, start acting like Jesus, this is what Jesus expects of His Church.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 25, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #2

Heaven’s angles are not active

When darkness prevails the angles of heaven are not busy in the lives of God’s people. We need angels taking center stage in our activities on earth. Jesus had angels minister to him when He started and ended His ministry on earth. I am sure there were many more times, but the Bible is silent on this issue.

When God is on the move so are His angels. In fact, every revival or new movement of God has stories about angels interacting with men and women. We need angels, Hebrews 13:2 states, “Some have entertained angels; individuals not knowing the strangers were angels.”

Let me explain a little about angels (you should be praying that God sends them to you on a daily basis). Angels only know to do what God has sent them to perform. They know only ‘black and white,’ there is no gray area with them.

Jacob wanted God’s angel to bless him, but the angel did not want too. He knew Jacob was an unrighteous person and did not deserve a blessing. Jacob knew that. He, in essence, said, “I know I am a crook but bless me anyway” and wrestled/fought with the angel all night long not giving up. Finally, the angel blessed Jacob but not without a cost—an injured hip on the part of Jacob. Once again, this story illustrates the verse, Matthew 11:12, “The Kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force.”

How many times has God spoken to you personally through Scripture or a Word of Knowledge, telling you that you will be doing new and wonderful things in Christ? You waited years and yet what God said has not come to pass. You are waiting in the darkness. Darkness has a hold on your life—you have bought into false belief—doctrine that comes out of darkness. Want God’s kingdom, you must fight for it; not wait for it.

You must choose God’s will to be elected to receive God’s will. Just because God has chosen you does not mean you are so special that everything will be handed to you in Christ. “Only a fool,” Proverbs says, “waits and does nothing. It is a righteous person who knows and acts accordingly.”

Do not let darkness choose your path or your timeframe for the fulfillment of God’s promises. Ask God to move in your life. Request and even command that angels come, minister, and bless you—it’s a promise in Christ. You have a choice, either blessing (being visited by God’s angels) or curses (allowing darkness to rule over your future).

I choose angels today and every day whether or not I see and recognize them—I am a child of light, not darkness! It’s time to get out of darkness—fight for your blessing.

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 23, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails #1

When good people do nothing

When darkness prevails, as I said in the last article, it is never good for any society. How to prevail against evil? Where has the church gone wrong? It is my faith that prevails against darkness, my response to what God requests or wants. I must respond—I must act in faith.

The Holy Spirit gave me three dreams last night about President Trump being murdered. Each one was in a different location with a different scenario. I emailed or called a few friends, individuals that were intercessors or ‘faith movers’. I felt the need to do more than just myself praying for the President’s protection.

The responses I got back were extremely positive and encouraging. God was talking to them also. This always reaffirms to me and raised my confidence that God is busy getting as many people to perform His will, people who will listen to Him to do something.

The Bible speaks of God’s people doing nothing when they have it in their power to do good or perform acts of justice and kindness. God states that if we have it in our power to do well and do it not, it is a sin. Not only regarding good but also if it is within our power to warn others of impending doom & judgment, or when evil is about to overtake them. If we do nothing, then God will make sure whatever we did not do for others, that evil will come upon us.

Oh, how the Church has failed. We defer what is well within our power to do for others to do. We allow police, government, or institutions to do what God expects us to do. We fail not only with regards to Biblical teaching but also to God Himself. We do not act in faith—we fail God personally!

We look the other way. No wonder there is little influence the Church has made on our culture. No wonder darkness has prevailed in America without any ‘check and balance’. We are not worthy to be called by Christ’s name. We have become an embarrassment to Christ, just as Psalms states. We have become and now are called “the ashamed.”

When good people do not do what God asks, we can only blame ourselves. Do not blame our democratic principles, our judicial system, or our political leaders. It is our fault the way things have gone—how darkness has prevailed.

I will not see our President harmed nor will I allow evil to rejoice. I am placing darkness on notice—all of creation will and shall be placed under the feet of Christ’s authority. This is the Government of Christ being fulfilled in the last days.

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 21, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

When Darkness Prevails

The Bible has plenty to say about the topic, “When darkness prevails”. It often uses the words: evil, unrighteousness, cruelty, corruption, and so forth in place of ‘darkness’. Proverbs speaks of the effects of evil actions, motives, or plans upon a society. It is never good!

Darkness has prevailed to extremes in America over the past few decades. God has instituted times of refreshing and new movements of the Holy Spirit. God has sought to redeem His Church and provide relief from the encroachment of evil upon our society, our moral standards, and our beliefs. However, each time our faith eventually fails. We have not been contending for God’s purposes in the right ways.

James said, “Contend for the faith which was once given to the saints.” Jesus said, “When He returns, will the Son of Man find faith on the earth?” We are missing the purposes and action plans of God. We judge what God is doing incorrectly. We become ashamed, dependent on worldly affirmation or wealth, or allow Satan to steal from us what God has given to us.

It is time to change our attitudes and perspectives. If we truly believe in what the Scriptures says then where are the manifestations of our belief in the Trinity? I suppose if Jesus was visiting our homes, churches, or each of us personally, He would still be reprimanding us for our lack of faith.

You ask me why has evil taken over so much of what America use to have or its love for Christ? We have allowed darkness to prevail. Spiritual problems require spiritual healing and solutions. We have allowed so many self-made idols to replace God operating in every avenue of our culture.

What must we do? “Humble ourselves, pray without ceasing, seek the face of our Lord in all we do, and turn, no stop, from committing evil works, words, and motives.”

I will be writing about an assortment of articles addressing this topic over the next few days—How to prevail against evil and where we went wrong. My hope is that these articles will move you to repentance and a deeper faith in God—a faith that prevails against darkness.

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 20, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Distracted

It is easy to become distracted. There are so many forces that come to bear upon a Christian’s walk with the Lord. We can become numb to what is really going on around us.

The world has created so many means to keep our eyes off of what God is doing. It is God’s creation that often keeps me grounded. I live on a ranch. I have various animals and trees around my mountain property. Many times when I drive home it is not until I get within a couple of miles of the ranch that I feel as if I can breathe normally.

The world has no peace for me. It is full of evil and needs to be done away with—just as God has planned. I have no concern with what man can do to the environment but only with God destroying the present earth and heaven.

God keeps me focused on this in simple ways. I sense, no I can see with my spiritual eyes and heart, all of the creation moanings and crying for Christ’s return. This is what I am waiting for and wanting to happen.

It wants to be delivered from the sin and evil man’s disobedience has caused. I know that even though God is going to create a new heaven and earth, God is planning to keep the best of what He created in forming the new earth and heaven.

I cry also, along with, being in-tune with the sadness I sense in my animals, vegetation, and dirt beneath my feet. This is why I sing to the Lord and fear His great name. Whatever God has done or intends to do—it is always good and right.

As Jesus said, “The rocks would cry out if people do not praise Him.” Yes, I am not distracted; I follow the lead of all creation. I sing to the Lord who creates and will soon re-create again.

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What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 15, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Your Future Depends on Pray!

I have been praying for many years, but knowing how to pray is a learning process. No one is born knowing how to pray. I like to pray but some prayers seem to work better than others. How close you get to God is directly connected to how much time you spend talking and listening to God.

God likes to talk and He likes to listen. It is yours and my prayers that move God. The main ingredient to an effective prayer life is the amount of time you spend alone with God. Even when I am in a group setting I picture myself alone praying to God when I am asked to pray…my focus in on God not who I am with.

Here are some of my most effect prayer patterns:

I like to say, “Good morning Jesus,” when I first wake up in the morning. I know He has been waiting for me to get up and get moving.

Or this prayer, “God what are we doing, this is not working!” There are many times things are not going as planned, and I need some direction quickly with results.

I like to pray Scriptures; especially when I am in a battle with Satan. When he is resisting me doing God’s will. It is best to throw a Scripture in his face and also say, “The Lord Jesus Christ rebukes you.” You need to take verbal action when fighting against evil.

There are many prayers that are written down or are in the Bible. When I do not have a specific purpose in mind, but I want God to offer His presence to a certain situation, I often pray the Lord’s Prayer or any number of prayers that part of church liturgy.

Since I am a charismatic I try to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day praying in tongues. I do not know what I am praying nor do I care. God knows and I make sure I am by myself. I do this often when walking my dogs around the ranch or tending to the animals. I often bounce back and forth between English and tongues when praying about a situation or person(s). The Holy Spirit knows exactly what to pray and I depend on Him to get the job done—connecting to the Father & Son.

I know God keeps a record of my prayers and I try always to pray in faith, that is, whatever I know what God’s will is, I pray that prayer. It always seems strange and so simple that God has placed so much importance on prayer. Prayer divides the humble from the arrogant, the ‘somebody from the nobody’, and the child of God from the adult in this world. Our future depends on God, so get connected, pray!

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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October 14, 2017 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Fires & Prayer

I was asked by a friend to pray for the fires in California. Upon his request, I have and will but let me offer some wisdom for those who want to pray for the fires to be over in their state.

The Bible says, “Fire cannot and does not want to be satisfied.” That is to say, a fire cannot ever be satisfied, it wants more fuel and wants to keep burning. If one would pray the opposite—for the fire to be satisfied the fire(s) ended.

Here is my prayer: “Fire, may your anger be dissipated. May you be satisfied. May your fury go away.” If you would pray these words the fires would stop. Tell the fires what to do. God is God of fire and you can have authority over fires in Him.

I many times I have prayed for fires to obey what I say, and they obey exactly what I prayed for. You can also do the same in Christ.

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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.