Thursday, November 27, 2008

Double Blessed


I am a citizen times two

Double blessed

For which I give thanks



According to God’s divine plan

I was chosen from before the foundations of the world

To be a citizen of heaven…where I’ll one day go



My entrance was paid in full

By the precious blood of the Lamb

Irrevocable…secure…my residency is sure



By God’s grace & mercy

His divine providence

I was born in this great nation



Chosen by His will

To live in a county

Where liberty and freedom are available to all



Permitted to live

In a nation where the Gospel is preached unfettered

A beacon to take the Light of the world…to the world



On this Thanksgiving Day

I offer my humble thanks and praise

For the double blessing…so undeserved



Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 27, 2008

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

A Differnt Kind of Fire


There is a different kind of fire

Not visible to the human eye

Yet it causes incalculable damage


Like a wildfire

Consuming everything in its path

So too the tongue…causes widespread destruction


Be it the match of gossip

Or the flame of criticism

Its devastation leaves victims wounded and hurt


It may be a reputation that lies in the rubble

Of lies and deceit

Suffocating its victim like a poisonous gas


It may be talk about those in authority

Causing dissention…leaving the foundation weak and exposed

Unable to withstand the heat


There is one fire prevention

Proven and true

That is to bring our tongue under the obedience of Christ


He alone can slay the arsonist

Whose weapon of choice is the tongue

The intended victim…a vulnerable human soul


Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 18, 2008


It seems no one is immune from the human condition of gossip and a critical spirit. Be it an unbeliever…who doesn’t know or care about what God says in His word. Or a new believer who is immature and still weak and vulnerable in this area of sin. It can even be seen in believers of many years. Those who have extensive knowledge of the word of God. They have a head knowledge that hasn’t yet worked its way down to change their heart.


How easy it is to choose to gossip…or speak our mind and share a critical negative spirit. It’s much harder to go to the person and share our concern. To get on our knees and pray instead of sharing that delectable bit of truth that no one else knows about. To choose insignificance rather than raise myself up by stepping on the reputation of another. To believe all things, hope all things…and dwell on that which is good, lovely, pure and of a good report.


There is only one winner in the game. His name is Satan. Gossip and a critical spirit bring reproach upon the body of Christ. It tears down everyone…from the person who speaks out to the one who is the topic of conversation.


I think that when we get to heaven…there will be tears shed. Not only will we cry when we see the hurt and devastation that our words brought to other’s lives. But we will weep when we know the eternal cost. Those who chose to turn their back and reject Christ because of the ugliness they saw in Christians. It’s not something that we can change after the fact or make better. When those words escape our lips…the match has been lit.


It only takes one time…when you’ve been on the receiving end of gossip to help you understand how hurtful it is. To know that others are speaking ill of you…believing half truths and outright lies. Once you’ve been on the receiving end…you don’t want to be a contributor or participant.


How will we feel when we stand before Jesus…and have to give an account for every idle word? He’ll know the intentions of our heart. All will be exposed.


Isn’t it better that right now…today…that we choose to listen to the reining in of the Holy Spirit. To pay attention when He tugs at our conscious. It’s it better that our words be few. To utter that which builds up and encourages…or speak the truth of God’s word in humility and love.


“They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.”


Who will know you are a Christian by your love?

Monday, November 17, 2008

Consuming Fire


Our God is a consuming fire

None can stand before Him

Save One

Christ Jesus our Lord



All our works

Will one day be revealed

Only salvation found in the cross of Christ

Will remain secure and unscathed



Works righteousness

Will be judged in the refining fire

All our own works

Will be scorched…burned…unrecognizable



Only Christ

His work on the cross

Will remain untouched

His work alone will endure



Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 17, 2008


Thank you Jesus...for our secure salvation found only in you!


Picture from Jim Salinger...thank you!