August 23, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Wisdom Speaking a Prophetic Alert

The gift of wisdom can drive the other eight Gifts of the Spirit. The Scripture says that wisdom precedes faith and the will of God. It does not take a brilliant scholar to make this connection. Who can be God’s counselor, that is, to tell God what to do? God’s wisdom alone can guide one into truth that will change you forever!

Once again, let me state: Wisdom is not being smart or clever nor is it based on your IQ. Wisdom from God has four major characteristics: it is to identify evil; it guides us in ‘asking the Father’ and what words to say; challenges ‘stupid thinking’, and it shapes us in being humble. This four-fold purpose of wisdom is accomplished so one can overcome fear and act in faith.

We indeed are in a state of fear in America. Many of us do not know what to do or how to get things done. Satan has been causing havoc in our personal lives, our families, and communities, not to mention the political climate in our country.

I keep listening from our ‘new day’ prophets but am confused on what they are saying and their motive behind their predictions. Nevertheless, let me ‘throw my hat into this ring’. I challenge today’s prophets with this message, “Do your prophecies speak to the Wisdom of God?”

Wisdom is speaking in the streets!

Every direction you turn, you hear the call for prayer regarding this next presidential election. “This election is a turning point for our nation,” a statement said everyday by religious leaders. I also believe this because it affirms what the Spirit of God is saying to me. If you are not praying, then your lack of faith and passion to see God’s will be done will come to pass. The consequences of God’s will not being accomplished will cause great loss to the church. I believe ‘time is up’.

I wrote this in my August 8th article:

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

I also said this about the Founding Fathers of our nation in my July 10th article. Here are some facts about these Founding Fathers:

ü Almost all were businessmen.

ü They were self-made and successful.

ü Each was a common-sense philosopher of sorts.

ü Most owned land; some a lot of land.

ü They were not afraid to criticize others and use verbal abuse.

ü They supported the ridicule of the King of England and his family.

ü They used their own money to finance their efforts against the political powers of their day.

ü Most were not overly religious but believed in God.

ü All felt they had a moral obligation to assert freedom from tyranny.

ü They distrusted large government because they thought it bred political corruption and wanted a smaller and simpler form of government.

Let me restate that these attributes, as well as, the political history of Abraham Lincoln before his presidency is very similar to Donald Trump’s bid for the presidency.

I have had a few friends tell me that they are been asked of God to intercede for Mr. Trump, to pray for his protection, and to pray that Godly men and women become part of his inner-circle and administration. Yes, America hangs in the balance, and it depends on you! God is asking what will you do? Do you care? Will you fight?

Jesus said while crying and overlooking Jerusalem, “Wisdom has cried in the streets but you have not responded to its cry. So what will come upon you will be tragic.”

Prophets, it is time you give America not only a spoken word but also the means to ‘win the battle’. Will God’s wisdom point you in the right direction? Will God’s wisdom show you what the will of God is and so you can speak without fear and give His people hope? Will the cries of people in desperation silence your prophecies? Or, will you also display the miracles and healings that are too accompany God’s spoken word? Time is of the essence—let’s stand on the wall and redeem the time for all people everywhere.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 20, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Living Without Your Past/Changing Your Future

Often our past defines our future. That is OK if your past was good and productive. But, what if, your past was full of disappointment, problems, and confusion. Our past hangs onto us. We refer back to our past so many times while we talk and what we are thinking about. We do not let go of the damage our past has caused us. This is sad!

We do not only do this to ourselves but also to our spouse, friends, family and community. I do not forget what a person is like, but I do know that their past does not have to keep determining their future. Christ does redeem us!

There are individuals that indeed struggle. I cannot trust them in various situations or depend on them for certain tasks. However, I love them just the same and pray that their past mistakes do not hinder them from having hope and a changed life.

We care not to admit, but we easily forgive and correct our behavior, but we do not allow others to change their behavior or destructive habits. We make sure they remain in their past. Satan not only has a hold on those who are in bondage to their past but now we also are in bondage to their past.

The evil one seeks nothing else than to destroy each and every one of us, and he does this by reminding us of our past so we are unable to hope for a future. You and I need to let go of so many events in our past and stop allowing Satan from having control over us.

Wisdom that is from God is supposed to correct all of this. The books of Proverbs and James define wisdom for us. Wisdom is not being smart or clever nor is it based on your IQ. Wisdom from God has three major characteristics: it is to identify evil; it guides us in ‘asking the Father’ and what words to say; and it shapes us to be humble. This singular tri-fold purpose of wisdom is accomplished so one can overcome fear and act in faith.

Wisdom offers more hope to Christians than any other spiritual gift and creates an atmosphere for one to let go of their past in order to have a future. God does not want us to be bound by our past or anyone else’s past. God wants us free. We are meant to be free—free from all mistakes, either our misdoings as well as other people’s bondage. You want to have a future, look to wisdom by gaining freedom from yours and others destructive past behaviors and decisions. God says you can have wisdom for the asking.

So begin asking and see your past mistakes, hurts and harmful consequences vanish away. Let’s get rid of our past for we can have a bright future in Christ. Yes, ask for wisdom and Christ will be at the door of your heart knocking.

WWJWMTD

What would Jesus want me to do?

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 12, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Politics and the Believer

Series #3: What Does God Want Fixed in American Politics?

What does God want fixed in American politics? You might say everything. But, I think for nations and their political systems it is much simpler than that.

Often in Scripture, when referring to a particular nation or group of people, God is addressing injustice, the abuse of the poor, or the leadership that has an advantage over the people. In simple terms, God questions a country’s integrity when a country entices its people to do wrong.

People in America are being enticed to commit unethical acts against each other, their community, and even God himself. Government leaders prey on the weak, poor, and defenseless individuals or all ages, incomes and backgrounds. I believe, our government wants people to sin against God by not being independently strong and self-sufficient, and of course, by becoming easily swayed by situations or people that want to control you.

Jesus said, “If a little one (one that is poor or easily influenced) is offended (manipulated or caused to sin), it would be better for that person (the person that takes advantage or causes the weak person to sin), that a stone be tied around their neck and they be cast into the sea.” In plain terms, if you entice someone to sin that is weak, unprotected, or unable to resist your influence or power, then God will exercise His judgment.

Governments should not be in the business of making people religious but protecting people. It is more a question of justice, as well as, not prohibiting people from doing well.

Did you ever try to convince a younger sibling to do something that you knew was wrong but you did not want to get in trouble for doing it? Did you convince a fellow classmate to be the ‘guinea pig’ so you did not have to ‘take the fall’ if something went wrong? Of course you did. It is in human nature to take advantage of the weak, the not too smart, or the foolish.

When does a government go terribly bad? When it takes advantage of the poor, elderly, women, children, the unborn, teenagers, young families, uneducated, and foolish. Moreover, when it supports itself over the people it serves by favoring the rich, the influential, and its political friends.

When judgment comes to America, it will come quickly because our elected leaders and our judicial judges failed the very population they were called on to protect. Our sin of ‘unprotecting and abuse’ is greater now than ever in the history of our nation.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 10, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Politics and the Believer

Series #2: The Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Almost every person will say, “Personally, they do not think abortion is right,” but politically they will say, “Everyone should have the right to do anything they want—it is their choice.”

How does one decipher between personal and collective rights? What we have in American politics is ‘what is good for the goose is not always good for the gander’. Rights are becoming one-sided. They often favor one group over another, or place one group against another group. Political rights, not Constitutional Rights, have become decisive and create divisions.

I thought our Constitution was to guarantee the same rights for all? I am a white male, over 60, and a Christian. Some political groups consider me ‘their enemy’. They consider me bias, wasteful, ignorant, and unproductive.

I am often thought to be ‘the curse’ in American history. When you add the dimension of being a Jesus Freak with the emphasis on a Holy Spirit led life, I am now hated and someone, Americans should be afraid of. Yes, if I would pass away, many would think God has finally gotten rid of me.

Really, nothing has changed since Jesus walked this earth as a man. The Bible refers to only one right, “The right to be a Son of God.” Nothing can get in the way of that right. God has secured that right for you and me. Satan, man or laws cannot deter you from becoming a child of God. (I could give you biblical illustrations and scriptures that support this premise, but not enough space in this article.)

What I find devastating in the ‘debate of rights’ is how we leave God out of the mix. A right should produce that which is inherently good. A right should promote you becoming a better person not allowing you to destroy yourself or others. I call these ‘natural rights’ or God given ‘righteous rights’.

America was birthed on this simple truth—“That God has given…” You do not have to believe in God or honor God or even fear God, but you have to acknowledge that God is ‘the one that gives’ and we only ‘have what we have’ because of Him.

Political correctness—no! Political rights—no! The righteousness of rights—yes! I find these rights to be correct, good for all, and will make a society healthy and free.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 8, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Politics & the Believer

Series #1: Your Prayers or Your Vote?

For the believer our prayers should be more important than our vote. For most Americans, they think their vote decides the elections. That could be true but only if Christians allow this to happen.

There is a critical national election coming in November 2016. We will be electing a new President but more importantly, a cabinet of talented and influential individuals. The next cabinet will be more important in many respects than the President of the United States.

God says He moves the hearts of the people, as well as, leaders of a country. God has promised in the last days to turn whole countries toward Him. That is, people and leaders will begin to make their decisions based on what God wants.

Americans have become weak and divided with regards to God’s will in politics. We show more allegiance to a political party than to God. We have failed God! What God wants should be what we want. How God moves among our leaders is how we ought to vote.

I have a challenge for each American voter. I challenge you to pray, not for your party to win but for God to place in power who He wants as President. Can you leave your choice for President aside and ask for God’s will to be done? This will not be easy!

I know how most of us vote. We vote along party lines. We vote based on how the media portrays the prospective nominees for President. We allow the media, political parties, and money to decide our decision—what a mockery to the will of God.

We think we are smart enough to decide but allow a corrupted news media to influence our decisions and often allowing money, indirectly, to buy our vote. Are you a believing Christian or a person who says you’re a Christian but does nothing about wanting God’s will to be done in politics?

I have voted along many different party lines over the years. I have prayed for God to have mercy and set up the leaders He wants in power. But I am only one—I do not represent a simple majority of Christians.

Can you set aside your political persuasion? Can you resist allowing the media to decide who should be in power? Can you honestly pray with passion and determination for God to give us the person He wants in office?

I do not care about what the surveys or poles say. I do not care about the impressions that media gives me regarding a candidate. I do not care how my party tells me to vote. I care only about what God wants; not what advantage I can have if a certain candidate wins. It’s time that you pray—not what you want but what God desires. It’s my prayers for God’s direction not our votes that should determine an election. Be bold, be courageous—let God lead America.

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

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 5, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Prophetic Words We Are Afraid to Say…

Series #4: A Jesus Freak 1st?

The Constitution seems to the ‘new bible’ for some believers. In fact, America has become their god instead of Jesus Christ. If you depend on anything else than Jesus Christ, you have created an idol to worship, as state in Revelations.

America, nor much of the world as we know it, will not be around much longer. How long will America last will depend on the Body of Christ. We have fallen into the trap, believing that because America was built on Christian principles, and therefore, God will automatically bless us and keep us from harm. Nothing is farther from the truth.

The clock is ticking and God will not continue to wait for His Body to become passionate about bringing His Kingdom to earth. Jesus said, “It is finished.” How many of you believe what Jesus said? Are you demonstrating what Jesus did in His ministry? Are you challenging all that is evil and anything that exalts itself against God? If we believe “It is finished” then we should have the final word in all things and the events to come upon the earth.

We quote the Constitution; we proclaim freedom of religion; we look to Washington to fix what is wrong in America—what foolish efforts! I am blessed to be an American. I have always wondered why God had me born in America rather than some other country? I am very grateful and humbled for that, but this has happened for His purpose not for my well-being.

We continue to vote and legislate our freedoms away. We allow the ‘celebration of sin’ to happen in our streets. We think another law or the right person in office will undo the immoral wrongs in America.

Let me be bold by saying, “Only the demonstration of the power of Christ will fix that which is broken in the USA. Signs are to follow those that believe!” The Gospel of Christ is supported and given legitimacy with the operation of the Gifts and Fruits of the Spirit. Got Christ? Then show me power of the Spirit of Christ in your life!

Where did we go wrong? Two fold: we wanted an acceptable gospel and we wanted to be acceptable. I rather preach the Fear of the Lord and considered to be a Fool for Christ than try to win others over with a weak and fruitless gospel.

I rather bring every thought, every word spoken, and every action displayed under the subjection to the power of Christ. I am a Christian first and an American second.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 3, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Prophetic Words We Are Afraid to Say…

Series #3: Your Past & Your Future

By holding on to your past so tightly you often do not build a future, this is dangerous for a Christian. Once you get as old as I am we tend to reflect more on our past than our future, and why not, we did many good and exciting things over the years.

To remember the past is good but to only allow our past to define us and not the future series of events or experiences, that God wants to bring our way, is counter-productive to His will.

I know of churches that have discarded the elderly (anyone over 60 years of age) to the ‘position of watching not doing’. Often the church is looking to the younger generation to get things done. Oh, the church still wants the elderly’s tithes or there ‘service type’ of tasks, but much of the time, churches do not allow the elderly to continue growing in the Lord.

It is not all the churches fault. The blame should be firmly placed on us for simply promoting our past and not our future in Christ. We have allowed ourselves to be ‘placed on the self for safe-keeping’. Christ is still numbering our days and asking us to continue in ‘the race’, not to get into a ‘holding-pattern’ of doing nothing, which is easy to do.

I recently had a life-changing experience last week. I attended a healing room on the central coast in CA. I was vacationing with some of our family in Oceano and decided to go to a healing room for some prayer.

Well, God was waiting for me and preloaded some ministers at the healing room—preparing them and telling me that I was coming. What God did and said to me through his ministers was amazing and significant. These ministers were all older people who discovered new ministries through the Healing Rooms International. People who are no longer needed by their local churches but needed by the Body of Christ and hurting individuals.

God is not over with us yet. The total manifestation of His Kingdom is yet to be fulfilled. I was told and prayed for, “Your life and ministry is just beginning. You have yet to experience the best and complete purpose-filled life God wants for you.”

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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August 1, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Character Building

Playing Basketball and Being a Christian

I’ll tell what’s wrong with lukewarm Christians today, they do not know how to play basketball. There are a lot of similarities between playing basketball and being an ‘On-fire Christian’. Let me explain…

Things have changed for the Christian over the past 2,000 years. Gospel truths still apply but cultures have changed dramatically and not for the better. Christians need passion, sincerity, and the ability to play spiritual basketball in today’s world.

Dr. James Naismith invented the game of basketball in December 1891 in Springfield, Massachusetts to condition young athletes during cold months. Naismith also was a Presbyterian minister and a military chaplain during WWI during his career as a coach.

Basketball originally consisted of peach baskets, a soccer style ball, and had only 13 rules for the game. The objective of the game was to throw the basketball into the fruit baskets nailed to the lower railing of the gym balcony. Every time a point was scored, the game was halted so the janitor could bring out a ladder and retrieve the ball. After a while, the bottoms of the fruit baskets were removed. The first public basketball game was played in Springfield, Massachusetts, on March 11, 1892.

A typical forward on a college basketball team runs about 10 miles per game. It takes conditioning and stamina to play hoops. Any good player learns to play offense, defense, one-on-one, man-to-man, zone defense, and the list goes on.

If one learns the game you have to be able to play solo as well as with a team of five players. Sometimes you are the only one playing offense against the other team on any given play such as defending your basket against an aggressive offensive team of five. A player is called upon to play many roles during the course of a game.

Your walk with Christ is just the same. You are expected to war against the evil one by playing defense and offense. Sometimes you have help from others in the Body of Christ (your team members) and sometimes you are on your own. You can cry out for help to your teammates but more than often the action is happening so quickly that you are on your own much of the time.

You are going to get tired. The coach (as God is sitting on the sidelines) watching and seeing what He can call or direct others to help you. It’s not easy switching from defense to offense so quickly, it’s not easy to keep running, and it’s not easy to work as a team and yet playing solo when the need arises.

You will get injured. The audience (Body of Christ) will always have advice or criticism for you. If you are successful, others will be jealous of you and the favor you have with God. The only difference is, you do not get paid till Christ comes back and God does not like a ‘cocky-player’ but helps the player who is humble.

Too many Christians want to play defense or offense but not both, or they like to play alone, while others only will play if they can play as a team—running plays and each doing their fragmented part. God (coach) expects us not to give up no matter what the score is and/or whomever you are playing with. In basketball the coach chooses the team not you.

You want to be Christian on fire for Christ, first start attending some college basketball games and then start playing/serving Christ with the same intensity. If you do this you will learn what God expects from His servants—from His spiritual basketball players. God does know the score at the end of life’s game, but He is not telling you nor I how much we will score during life’s game. He expects us to play with passion, commitment, determination, and gratitude.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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July 10, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Prophetic Words We Are Afraid to Say…

Series #2: Trump & the Founding Fathers

Our nation needs healing! No matter which topic one talks about regarding America’s families, jobs, laws, economy, civic duty, culture, lifestyles, religious institutions—they all need healing. America has been celebrating its sin for sometime now. There is rarely a mention of what is right and just by God’s standards in today’s news. Man has come to trust in his decisions on what is good and proper—what meager standards man chooses. Society will eventually break down when one trusts solely in oneself and whatever ‘fix-its’ a society can produce.

God birthed America and only God can heal America. But, God works through people—people of character, people of commitment to truth, people who oppose evil and strive to do good, and people who are not afraid to call on God.

If you do not know much about our Founding Fathers (the true unabridged version of their lives) all you need to do is visit the website (www.wallbuilders.com) or read the books of David Barton to learn the many truths about the men and women who risked everything for truth, freedom, and personal happiness.

It was not politicians that designed and constructed America but people who were driven by God’s principles and common sense, which gave us the documents that guides America today. Here are some facts about these Founding Fathers:

ü Almost all were businessmen.

ü They were self-made and successful.

ü Each was a common-sense philosopher of sorts.

ü Most owned land; some a lot of land.

ü They were not afraid to criticize others and use verbal abuse.

ü They supported the ridicule of the King of England and his family.

ü They used their own money to finance their efforts against the political powers of their day.

ü Most were not overly religious but believed in God.

ü All felt they had a moral obligation to assert freedom from tyranny.

ü They distrusted large government because they thought it bred political corruption and wanted a smaller and simpler form of government.

Who does this remind you of in our upcoming election? I am not promoting that you vote for Donald Trump, but I find it strikingly prophetic that maybe God is offering America a chance to get its act together. However, I do have a warning—do not look to whoever becomes President but rather God who can place someone in power that can be influenced by Him. A person whose heart is not hardened nor has the mark of the beast, a person the Christian church can reach with the Gospel of Christ.

We must never look to Washington to fix our problems so I believe God is calling the Church to send their prayers to Him, to be willing to be bold when called upon to witness to its leaders, in short, to bring repentance and the power of Christ into the civic arena so America can be healed and re-birthed. Our Founding Fathers were people of principle that did not resist the Gospel of Christ in making their decisions and so also should the next President be, if America is to be healed.

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.

July 5, 2016 WWJWMTD by Steve the son of John

Prophetic Words We Are Afraid to Say…

Series #1: A Victorious Filled Life in Marriage

There is a book I read many years ago titled, Things We Couldn’t Say by Diet Eman. This book impacted my life and should be in everyone’s personal library. It is a true story of Diet Eman, a young Dutch woman, who with her fiancé, Hen Sietsma, risked everything to rescue imperiled Jews in Nazi occupied Holland during World War II. Throughout the war years Diet and Hein aided the Dutch Resistance, their courage would cost Diet her Freedom and Heim his life. This is a story of tragedy, character, and healing.

The Holy Spirit keeps reminding me to write to help and encourage others, not to just write creatively, i.e. to give God the glory and not seek any recognition for myself. This is hard to do in today’s culture and the demands of academia. This new series, Prophetic Words We Are Afraid to Say… follows in the steps of the book, Things We Couldn’t Say. I hope these words will challenge you, make you stronger and wiser, and determined to see God’s will be done on earth while living a life full of peace, joy, and righteousness.

Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family stated, “If enough pressure is placed on the best marriages, they will break.” How good is your marriage? How much pressure is your marriage experiencing? Is it at a turning point or breaking point? Any marriage can fail! I believe that there is an attack on marriages that is greater than we have experienced in the past.

I have noticed that many groups have recently been giving advice and resources toward making marriages healthy and strong. Alonna and I have felt attacks on our marriage over the years, sometimes in the most unusual ways. We often had to depend on each other to endure hardships and wicked people in order to survive.

I do not know if this is due to what is about to take place and God is telling all of us to get our marriages and houses in order or that the attacks have begun. In either case, we need to be vigilant and committed to our marriages. This leads me to biblical insight into what God says about marriage.

ü Jesus was talking to men and said, “Because of the hardness of your hearts men, God allowed you to divorce your wife but this was never God’s purpose.” In other words, men you could divorce your wife not for your sake but rather for your wife’s sake so she might find a marriage where she is loved, since you no longer love her by hardening your heart against her. But this is not God’s best or purpose for any marriage. God wants our love to stay strong and enduring.

ü Jesus said only for adultery should a couple be divorced. Also, Jesus said, that one does not have to commit the act of adultery only but to "commit adultery in one’s heart"—both are the same, Jesus stated. With that in mind, every marriage now has grounds for divorced for all people have committed sexual unfaithfulness, because adultery can be a heart response not just an act experience. Is the act of adultery an option for divorce only if one does is multiple times, maybe with many people, or was Christ talking about a person who no longer wants to have sex with their spouse but with someone else? Can the denied spouse now get a divorce? Is sexual commitment and faithfulness that important to God? (Paul said, “Do not let Satan get an advantage in your marriage by not having sex.”)

ü BUT, how about when couples get old and sex is no longer an option or if something happens to a spouse mentally or physically making sex impossible or if a couple cannot have any children (naturally)? We know that divorce is never an option in these circumstances.

ü Not all marriages are ‘marriages in the Lord’ as Paul stated. Many people get married for a variety of reasons and getting ‘married in the Lord’ is rare, not the norm. Your motive(s) for marriage is just as important as the act of marriage. Do not think just because you got married in a church, in front of your family and friends, or with your statement of vows that you have a ‘marriage in the Lord’. A marriage in the Lord is much more than that!

ü God planned before the beginning of time for every man and woman to be married. He indeed has enough grace to keep and enrich individuals that do not get married, but that is not God’s first choice. God has a mate for every person and marriage can be found and created only in Christ. It will not be easy staying married and all marriages will have problems, but Christ has created a way for all marriages to make it. Marriage is a 24/7 job—remember this!

ü Are there legitimate reasons for divorce? How about abuse or violence or corruption within a marriage? Should one endure fear, intimidation or hatefulness? I do not think so. Nevertheless, divorce should never be about ‘not being in love anymore’ or ‘I am no longer fulfilled in my marriage’ or ‘we no longer are attracted to each or have things in common’. To me these are frivolous excuses.

ü People change every seven years in many ways, and because of these changes marriages are under pressure to change as the husband and wife go through their changes. A ‘marriage in the Lord’ takes into account these unseen changes and realizes that one’s marriage will look different every seven years.

ü Couples need to understand what is the basic weakness for each spouse within their marriage— everyone’s marriage. For the husband it is, “to love your wife as much as you love yourself” and to realize that he can and ought to love his wife with every emotion, character trait, and verbal abilities he has, all the time no matter what. The wife is, “to honor and respect her husband” in every circumstance. Any good man has a big ego and if a woman does not realize that and give room for the man to exercise his manly-hood by being a standup-man then she will destroy her husband and any chance for a marriage in the Lord. The lack of these two traits destroys marriages more than any other reason or circumstance.

There is much more I can say about a Marriage in the Lord but what is critical to understand is that our marriages are under attack and that God offers enough grace to secure and endure our relationships. Yes, Jesus is more than enough for us all!

Here are some resources for keeping your marriage strong and/or making your marriage a ‘Marriage in the Lord’:

Joyce Meyer’s teachings—check out her website or any of her books www.joycemeyer.org.

Promise Keepers has many resources to assist men in their marriages and has recently been issuing articles and timely insights to keep men on track with serving God and loving their wives. promisekeepers.org.

Billy Graham has many resources and new insights for young marriages. You will find these resources helpful, timely, and practical. www.billygraham.org.

WWJWMTD

Dr. Steven J. Wentland www.wwjwmtd.com

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