Watered Down Gospel

It’s a watered down gospel
Fit for the consumer

Methodology replaces theology
Polls determine what message is preached

Truth is couched in entertainment
To make it more palatable

The offense of the cross
Has strategically been removed

No mention of sin
Nor the need for repentance

Biblical faith is abandoned
In exchange for having ears tickled

Emotions are stirred
But lives are not transformed

Large numbers the reflection of God’s blessing
Popularity the measure of success

Focused on the breadth of ministry
They have forsaken the depth

by Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 26, 2010   

Of No Consequence

Irrelevant
Inconsequential
Of no eternal value

Distraction
Dissipation
Entertained by nothing that matters

Insignificant
Trivial
Time wasted on the unimportant

Squandered
Misused
On that which is of no consequence
 
Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 25, 2010

It’s so easy to waste time and pay attention on that which holds no value.  How important it is for us to be mindful that one day we will give an account for every thought, word and deed.  Am I approaching each day with eternal vision…or walking by sight focused only on today?

Rise Up?

Will God’s chosen people
Once again rise up and stand strong
Defend themselves against their foe

Will they blow out the match
Which is poised and ready to light the fuse
On a weapon certain to bring great destruction

Will they turn a deaf ear
To criticism from a nation
Once considered a friend

Will they believe their enemy
Take them at their word
That if they have their way…Israel is doomed

A mad man does as he pleases
And the world just stands by and watches
What will it take for them to rise up and stand

Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 18, 2010

"I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.

I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:2-4
 

Under the Radar

Disobedience here
O rebellious and fallen one
 
I have a deliciously bad report
About the saints who are the apple of our Enemy’s eye
 
While they will never join us in hell
We are able to render them powerless to an unbelieving world
 
They stand in their pews and sing loudly
About the wonder working power of the blood of the Lamb
 
They pray that God will forgive their trespasses
As they forgive those who trespass against them
 
All the while they hold on to unforgiveness in their heart
I especially relish their unforgiveness towards another saint
 
They read their scriptures
Assured that God remembers their sins no more
 
Yet they have a tally sheet of the sins committed against them
Their memories are like a steal trap
 
Their Father in heaven has put their sins
As far as the east is from the west
 
But they hold offenses close to their heart
Ponder them daily to justify their disobedience
 
My favorite is the saint who thinks they have forgiven
Yet refuses to fellowship with one whom they will spend eternity with
 
God tells His saints
That the world will know they are Christians by their love
 
God reminds them if they love Him
They will obey His commandments
 
Yet somehow the sin of unforgiveness
Slips under the radar
 
The command to forgive
Is easily pushed aside as they nurse an old wound
 
As such…unforgiveness is a marvelous tool
To render the saints witness ineffective
 
Well I’m off now…back to work
As I seek to steal their joy and peace
 
 
Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 11, 2010

Making Merry with the Devil

Deception reporting for duty
Greetings most vile and evil one
 
I have a grand report of success
As I strive to blind men to the realities of hell
 
I start with their natural sinful tendency
Encourage them to focus on self
 
Soon they forget about God and that one day
They will give an account to Him
 
I direct their thoughts
“Eat, drink and be merry”
 
Blind them to the warning
“For tomorrow you will die”
 
Before long the devil is innocuous
Someone to be laughed at and make merry with
 
Nothing but a comical character
Wearing red tights and carrying a pitch fork
 
The inescapable realities of judgment fade away
Hell is now seen as place of eternal partying with friends

They will never know until it’s too late
The painful, eternal reality of hell
 
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 9, 2010

At a Distance

If feel a distance
A wall
Only silence
 
I know from Your word
You will never leave
Nor forsake me
 
Why then
Oh why
Can’t I feel Your presence
 
Is there sin in my life
Un-confessed
Without repentance
 
Have I failed to obey You
Put other gods before You
Do I have a haughty spirit
 
I feel as if I’m in a fog
Somewhere beyond the misty clouds
You are there
 
Like the sun
Piercing  through a fog bank
I long to feel Your presence
 
 
By Susan Bunts Wachtel
August 4, 2010

 
 
Do you ever go through times…where you just don’t feel God’s presence?
 
That’s what I’ve been feeling for a little over a week and I’m not sure why?  I know with absolute confidence that God is with me.  He has promised to never leave nor forsake me.  To quote the Psalmist, “If I make my bed in hell, Thou art there.” 
 
While I wait to feel God’s presence once again, I examine myself…to see if there is anything in my thoughts, attitude or actions that are sinful and displeasing to the Lord.  Something that has caused a break in fellowship.  At times like this…I so long for and desire His presence.  He is my life and my joy.