A Defiant Faith

She has a defiant faith

One that rests

Not in her circumstances

But in God alone

When her prayers seem to be unanswered

And God is silent

She strengthens her heart mind soul and spirit

In God’s perfect and inerrant Word

When others give way to doubt or fear

She instead sets her mind on Christ

And remembers His benefits

Her soul bursts forth in worship and praise

She knows of her heavenly Father’s great love

Before the foundation of the world was laid

He called her to salvation through His Beloved Son’s sacrifice

He has sealed her with the Holy Spirit

If He has met her greatest needs

Surely, He will care for her needs today

She chooses to trust God as He has revealed Himself to be

Her confidence rests in His unchanging, merciful lovingkindness

She has a defiant faith, a confident faith

One that does not waver

Like a light that does not dim

She rests secure in the Solid Rock of Jesus Christ

By Susan Wachtel

December 19, 2018

To a strong woman of God who is trusting God in her time of waiting upon the Lord. 

Five Minute Friday – Handpicked Burdens

I’m so grateful to be participating in today’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement from others be sure to check it out. 

Today word prompt:  Burden

The burdens the Lord brings

Or allows into our lives

He never meant for us to carry them alone

He has a good purpose and plan

A design for each one

He knows our burdens and cares for each one of us

A burden that will cause us

To repent of our sin

Cry out to the Lord for forgiveness

A burden that will reveal

Our weakness and deep abiding need

Cause us to depend and rely upon the Lord

A burden that will grow and change us

Take us from selfish and self-focused

Develop a compassionate and caring heart

The Lord invites us to cast our burdens upon Him

He is the Lord and daily bears our burdens

We in turn are to bear one another’s burdens

Won’t you come to the One who invites you

Take Christ’s yoke upon you and learn

For His yoke is easy and His burden is light

Susan Wachtel

November 9, 2018

Five Minute Friday – It Only Takes a Moment

It’s been a while since I’ve participated in the Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  But it feels so good to dive back in.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement from others be sure to check it out. 

Today word prompt:  Moment

It only takes a moment

For everything in your life to change

One moment

And things will never be the same again

Sometimes those are good moments

Filled with happiness, excitement and joy

Other times, it’s a sad or desperate moment

One that you will look back on and wonder

What if

If only

I wish

The thing of it is

We don’t know when those moments are coming

We don’t know

When it will be the last time…

You’ll see that loved one alive

Or the last time you get to say I love you

The final time you will hear their voice

The last message that will come across your phone

When that moment comes

Only then you realize…

No more chances to say I’m sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me

No more opportunities to share the Gospel of Christ

No longer can you tell them what they’ve meant to you

Your words of encouragement will not be heard by the one who needs it the most

No longer will you be able to hold their hand

Look into their eyes

Laugh together so hard it makes you cry

Hug them and feel them hold you tight

So today

For a moment

Take a moment

To be with

To do or say

That which you can’t do

When the one you love has been taken away

Susan Wachtel

October 26, 2018

In light of the recent death of my brother, Michael Bunts, I’m very aware of those moments that have passed and I can’t get back or do over. 

When a fellow Christian dies you miss them, are profoundly sad and grieve their loss.  But it’s a grief with hope in the knowledge that their life is not over and you will see them again in heaven.  They are in the presence of God, where we long to be.

But when it’s someone who doesn’t know the Lord Jesus Christ, or hasn’t repented of their sin and put their faith in the complete and finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross, that’s a sadness without hope for their eternal security.

Even in that profound sadness and loss…there is always hope for the believer based on who God is.  Sovereign, Righteous, Holy, Holy, Holy, Compassionate, Truth, Deliverer, Refuge, Strong Tower, Strength, All-Knowing, All-Powerful, Great High Priest, Everywhere Present, Creator, Eternal, Without Beginning and Without End, The Good Shepherd, The Way, The Truth and the Life, The Narrow Gate, Without Sin, Pure, The Lamb of God Who Takes Away the Sin of the World, Resurrected Savior, Kind, Patient, the Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ the Son of God, Immanuel, Messiah, Wrathful, Punishes the Wicked, Merciful, Gracious, Just, Judge…and so much more.

Farewell Little Friends

Though some may tell me different

I know my hummingbird friends have departed

They arrived in the cool of springtime

Spent the long, hot summer days with us

Zipping to and fro throughout the yard

Feisty and quarreling over who will have time at the feeders

Don’t worry little friends, there’s enough for all

Another fresh batch of nectar will be made

Just this week, I couldn’t help but notice

There weren’t as many around

Oh, there was the occasional hum of wings

Little jewels getting their nourishment from flowers

Some resting on feeders

Drinking deeply without interruption from others

But the clicking and territorial fights have ceased

Now I delight to see the stranger passing through

Their fine-tuned flying skills and delicate beauty

A testimony to their Creator

I will miss you my little friends

I wish you a safe journey as you head south

Come spring, your feeders will be filled and ready

Already looking forward to your return

By Susan Wachtel

September 1, 2018

Five Minute Friday – Rush to the Lord

Today, I’m participating in this week’s Five Minute Friday writing  challenge.  If you like to write or need some inspiration and encouragement be sure to check it out. 

Today word prompt:  Rush

Start

Lord, I confess to You

So much of the time I feel rushed

I rush from morning to night

I rush to take care of the urgent

How much of what man considers urgent is truly important?

How much of it has eternal consequences?

When I read about Jesus, He didn’t rush

Though He had people coming to Him night and day

Desperate with crippling sickness and disease

A pressing needs that only the Savior could meet

Yet Jesus, the Son of God

Took time to pray to His Father in heaven

Jesus was driven to do His Father’s will, not man’s

He responded with grace, mercy and compassion

May I rush to spend time with Christ Jesus

May I focus my mind on Your life changing Word

May I rush before the Father’s throne of grace

May I bring Him my prayers and wait upon the Lord

Help me to make a priority

That which is important to You

May I rush to come before the Lord

May I be quick to listen and obey

by Susan Wachtel

August 31, 2018

End…Times Up

I’m so looking forward to fall.  While I’m not in school, I will be back in Bible study classes.  I desperately need the disciple and focus of in-depth Bible study.  More than I know, I the community of believers.

How about you?  Are you in a good Bible study?  If not…now is a good time to jump in.  A lot of studies begin in early September.  There a are a number of in-depth, verse by verse studies available, like Community Bible Study, Bible Study Fellowship, Precepts or perhaps a study at a local church near you. 

I cannot adequately explain how important it is for you know God’s Word for yourself.  God will use it to grow you and change you.  He will enable you to be discerning and wise and read, understand and obey His Word. 

Discipline from the Father’s Hand

From the heart of the Father

Through the work of the Son

A call to the church to be holy and sanctified

Commanded by the Savior

Authority given to the church

Discipline one caught up in sin

The honor and glory of the Lord to be upheld

Protect the flock and keep her pure

A healthy reverence and fear of sin

Do not neglect

Nor turn a blind eye

To the one going astray

Serious measures must be taken

With the aim to restore

A repentant sinner to the Lord

Proper sense of shame

A tool in the hands of the Lord

To bring one to repentance

The one who knows

Go in private to the brother gone astray

Confront, admonish with the aim to reprove

With ongoing rebellion

Bring two or three witnesses

Rebuke and correct

When faced with open defiance

Hand them over

Remove them from your midst

Be warned dear church

First examine yourself according to the Word

Ensure your heart and mind are right before the Lord

Be filled with genuine love for the sinner

With gentleness and humility

Desire to forgive

From the heart of the Father - Love

Through the work of the Son - Forgiveness

A broken and contrite heart He will not despise

By Susan Wachtel

August 12, 2018

Precious Friend

She’s like a breath of fresh air

Or a ray of sunshine

Lighting up the room

Sharing what she loves

Giving of herself

She delights in, inspires and encourages others

Gifted by God

Recreating the beauty around her with paint

Capturing a moment in time with her camera

The Lord and His Word are never far from her thoughts

She’s sees His hand in creation

All around her analogies of what God and faith are like

Never an unkind word comes from her mouth

Gratitude and thanksgiving flow from her heart

A gentle, peaceful spirit and ever so kind

So grateful I am, for my precious friend

Susan Wachtel

July 27, 2018

This Broken World

It’s times like this Lord

I’m reminded of the brokenness of this world

It’s hard to know what to pray

Or how to pray

What can I do

Being so very far away

Let them be aware of Your nearness

Your presences guiding them through each day

Give them strength when they grow weary

In unseen ways, You help them to carry their heavy burdens

In ways, both big and small

Reveal Your tender mercies

Bring to remembrance a hymn or Scripture verse

That stokes the fires of faith within

A timely phone call from family or friends

Just to listen so they know someone cares

Bring to mind Christ Jesus the Lord

At the right hand of the Father interceding for them

When grief and sadness overwhelm them

Holy Spirit translate their groaning into prayer

Their tears are precious to You

You note each one that falls and hold them in a bottle

For the mind that is failing

Allow moments of clarity each day

Though they may forget everything else

Let them never, no never, forget their God

Their suffering is great

I can’t help but ask how long O Lord

I find assurance in knowing You have numbered our days

You know our end from the beginning

You have promised when this life is over

Your saints will be welcomed home in the loving arms of their Savior

In heaven there will be no more tears, sorrow, sickness or death

Until then Lord, bring them through this broken world

Susan Wachtel

February 11, 2018

A Severe Mercy

When adversity tempts me ask why

Lord, may I instead ask what

What work are You doing in and through these trials

Hard circumstances and difficulties abound

The Lord has allowed, designed and purposed each one

He is using them to accomplish His good work

You help me to see my weakness

Profound needs that only God can meet

I recognize the foolishness in what I once thought was wise

You’ve exposed lies so cleverly disguised as truth

Revealed the brokenness of my heart, mind and soul

The utter depravity of my heart and desperate need for a Savior

All these and more drive me to You, O Lord

The world may be out of my control

But it’s firmly in control in the hands the LORD God

Lord, help me to trust You

To trust Your character

Believe what You’ve revealed about Yourself in Scripture

May I not doubt You O Lord

For You alone are truth and grace

Righteous and just in administering a severe mercy

Susan Wachtel

January 12, 2018