Unintended Consequences

How could I have known

Of the unintended consequences

From a decision I made, an action I took

At that moment

It felt like the right thing to do

But now, I see a ripple effect

Which seems like a tsunami

Washing away what I hold dear

Though all around me, everything is slipping away

You alone O Lord will never leave, nor forsake me

Oh Lord, I cry out to You

As the waves crash in, help me hold on to the Anchor of my soul

Help me to trust You Lord Jesus, in the darkest night

Though my words fail, the Holy Spirit intercedes for me

My compassionate Savior prays for me and the merciful Father hears

Susan Bunts Wachtel

December 3, 2017

Sometimes its easier to see things in the lives of others, only to look back and see similar seasons in my own life.  When I look back and see the trials the Lord has brought me through, I stand amazed.  Thank You Jesus for not wasting one trial, or temptation or difficult season.  Thank You for the growth that can take place in the most difficult circumstances.  Though I can’t see the unintended circumstances that may come from something I do or say today, You can.  Help me to look to You, listen and obey You as you guide and direct me. 

Healing at the Gate Called Beautiful

Like the lame man 
At the gate called Beautiful
I too, have been raised up by Christ Jesus the Nazarene

Unlike the lame man
My healing was not physical
Instead it was far greater, a healing of my soul

I went from being spiritually dead, dead to God
Dead in my trespasses and sins
Unable to even look upon or respond to Him of my own accord

He raised me up and forgave my sins
Now I am alive to God
May I praise and glorify God for His marvelous work

With feet and ankles made strong by the LORD
May I walk just as I was raised
By the power of Christ 

May those who recognize me
As the woman dead in her sins at the gate called Beautiful
Be amazement at what Christ can do


By Susan Wachtel
September 28, 2017

For those of us who have family and friends who don’t yet know the LORD, persevere in prayer for their salvation. 

Looking Back

How could that dark day be called good
Except by God Who knew what would be accomplished

A divine appointment

Set from before the foundations of the world

The sinless, spotless Lamb of God

On the cross He bore the sin of man

He was nailed to the cross by sinful man

The ones He came to save

His punishment and death

Paid our sin debt in full

With His last breath He proclaimed “It is finished”

The veil was torn in two from top to bottom

Through His death

He made a way to the Father for those who believe

The Father’s great desire

For all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth

Christ Jesus alone provided the way

  To be forgiven

  To be cleansed from sin and made white as snow

  To have His righteousness credit to our account

  To come boldly before the throne of grace

  To call God our Father Abba

Won’t you believe and be set free

From the crushing weight of sin

From the penalty that await those who refuse to believe

By Susan Wachtel

April 3, 2015

How Do I See God?

Whom do I see when I think of God

Do I see Him as gentle and benevolent

Like a doddering old grandfather

Who has no impact on how I live my life

Do I see man’s picture of Jesus

Dialed down and nonthreatening

Repackaged to be more appealing to unbelievers

Someone who treats our sins superficially

Or do I read God’s Word with reverence

Am I in awe of God Who is Holy, Holy, Holy

Do I remember my redemption came at a price

My sin debt was paid for by the Holy Lamb of God

By Susan Wachtel

June 2, 2012

Psalm 111:9-10

⁹ He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.

¹⁰ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever.

Sin Debt

She dreamed she was standing in the long and winding line

Up ahead the Judgment Seat of Christ

She held a bill in her hand

On it the summary of her sin debt

She knew there was no way she could pay

The enormous debt she had incurred

She had spent a life time going her own way

Ignoring the stops signs God had placed in her path

All her life she tried to blot out the truth and reality of God

The One to Whom she must give an account

She believed she was better than some, not as bad as others

Now she could not escape the truth

Her heart was deceitfully wicked above all things

In her lies no good thing

She began to weep and cry out to God

“Lord, forgive me for I have sinned”

As she wiped the tears from her eyes

She felt a hand on her shoulder

She looked over

Saw a nail pierced hand

She looked up, staring into the eyes of compassion

Filled with mercy and grace

“Give Me your sin debt

For I have paid the price”

“You have been forgiven

Your sin has been removed”

“Dear one, go and sin no more

For I have set you free”

She awoke from her sleep

Darkness surrounded her

Her heart was pounding

She whispered, “Was it a dream?”

Then she cried out

“Lord Jesus I believe”

By Susan Wachtel

May 6, 2012

You Shall Call Him Jesus

Mary, a virgin conceived a Child

By the power of the Holy Spirit

Joseph a righteous and compassionate man

Decided to end their betrothal privately

Then an angel of the Lord appeared 

Commanded Joseph to fear not

Take Mary as your wife

That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit

She shall bring forth a Son, you shall call Him Jesus 

For He shall save His people from their sins

In this, the Lord fulfilled the prophesy of old

Isaiah 7:14

A virgin shall conceive a child, and bear a Son

His name shall be called Immanuel, God with us

Then Joseph awaken

Did as the Lord commanded 

He took Mary as his wife and did not know her

Until after the birth of her firstborn 

The virgin born Son, conceived of the Holy Spirit

His name is Jesus for He shall save His people from their sin

by Susan Wachtel

December 21, 2011

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.  19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.  20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.  21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” 


22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:  23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” 


24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,  25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son.   And he called His name JESUS. - Matthew 1:18-25

At the Foot of the Cross

 

It’s time to come
Lay your burdens down
At the foot of the cross

Repent
Receive forgiveness for your sins
At the foot of the cross

Be cleansed
By the precious blood of the Lamb
At the foot of the cross

Old man sin has gone
You’ve become a new creation in Christ
At the foot of the cross

Without Christ you can do nothing
With God all things are possible
At the foot of the cross


by Susan Bunts Wachtel
November 12, 2011

Michael…this is my prayer for you.

18 Inches

He says he believes

Jesus Christ is Lord

Son of God, Son of man

Yet that belief hasn’t traveled

Or made its way

18 inches into his heart

There is no desire to know God more

No hunger read His word

Or commune with God through prayer

Obedience is lacking

Holiness is not increasing

The Holy Spirit doesn’t reside within

He continues on in his sin, just like before

No conscience to bother him

Or bring about repentance

He says believes Christ is Lord

His belief hasn’t yet traveled

18 inches into his heart

Susan Bunts Wachtel

October 12, 2011

But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!   But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? – James 2:18-20

Little Do They Know

My family laid my body to rest today
Little do they know
My soul will never find rest

I spent months fighting this wretched disease
On my death bed
Suffering day and night

They couldn’t take it any longer
Eventually they prayed
That I would suffer no more

They whispered in my ear
It’s okay, you can let go now
You are going to a better place

Little did they know
Where I would spend eternity
Now my soul will never find rest

I was never too religious
Thought that Jesus’ claim as being the only way to salvation
Absurd and narrow minded

Surely all roads lead to heaven, don’t they?
I was a good person, not perfect, but good in comparison to others
Don’t all my good works count for something?

Well, I was wrong, dead wrong
Not that it makes any difference
But I’m a believer now

If only I could send someone to warn them
Repent!  Receive Christ for the forgiveness of your sins
Lest you suffer the same fate as me

Susan Bunts Wachtel
July 18, 2011

I had started this poem on July 16, 2010, but finished it a year later.

How many times have you heard people say when a loved one has died, “Well at least they are not suffering anymore.”  While those words are meant to bring comfort, as Christians we know the truth that when an unbeliever dies their suffering has just begun and will last for eternity. 

May we be unapologetic and bold in sharing the Gospel message so that our family, friends, co-workers and even strangers may have the assurance that their sins have been forgiven and that they will be in heaven for eternity, not suffering in hell.