Operation Condemnation

Captain Deceit, I’m reporting for duty
Do come in lieutenant, I have your next assignment

Your next target is a woman
She is a believer in our Enemy

Years ago she recognized her sin and repented
Then the Adversary snatched her from Satan’s clutches

The so called Holy One forgave all her sins
He even credited Christ’s righteousness to her account

While we are powerless to change her eternal destiny
We can assault her here on earth

I want you to rack her with guilt and condemnation
Daily, focus her mind on her many sins, past and present

Help her to see her willful sin
And the utter depravity of her heart

The pièce de résistance
Will be sins committed after she came to Christ

May she focus on her own wretchedness and unworthiness
Even question if she is really saved

Instead of being filled with joy and peace
Because Christ paid her sin debt

She will be burdened with guilt and brought low
And never desire to share the Gospel

May she be bound with chains
Link after link, memories of her sin

Distract her
So she can’t focus her mind

Do not let her open God’s perfect and inerrant Word
Or let her hide the Enemy’s truth and promises in her heart

Do not let her read or remember
There is no condemnation to those in Christ

Nor walk in freedom
For whom the Son sets free is free indeed

May those hell-bound unbelievers around her
See a fool burdened under the weight of her sin

May she not harken the door of a church
Where the Word of God is taught without compromise

Instead direct her to man’s wisdom
A life of self-effort and temporary rewards

May she not be encouraged and strengthen
By the body of Christ

Whatever you do, don’t let her pray
For her God will hear her prayers and answer

Like the vulnerable lamb who wanders from the flock
Attack and devour when she is alone

Do not let her put her hope in God
Instead cloud her mind with condemnation and defeat

Whatever you do, do not let her be filled with joy and peace
Or give praise, honor and glory to God

Remember, He is our ultimate Enemy
Who desires to save all those who are perishing

Good luck on your assignment lieutenant
Once you succeed, there are many more we need to defeat

by Susan Wachtel
May 14, 2015

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

The Destruction of a Gossiping Tongue

Woe is the destruction that comes
From a gossiping tongue

Like the devastation wrought
By an out of control wildfire

So too when the gossip’s tongue speaks
A match is lit and many will be burned

Like the person who rolls down the window
Carelessly tosses out a lit cigarette

It will ignite flames of fire
And quickly be driven by the wind

Nary is a thought given
To the damage that will ensue

Wounds inflicted
Burns and scars that may take a lifetime to heal

What pride and arrogance
When words of judgment and condemnation are spoken

The unbeliever hears and declares “hypocrite”
I don’t want to be like that Christian

It breeds mistrust, anger and bitterness
The wounded soul struggles to forgive

Souls for whom Christ died are hurt
The body is divided

God dishonored
Reproach brought upon the body of Christ

Remove the log from your own eye
Be broken over sin and seek forgiveness

Instead may you use your tongue
To praise and worship God, bring Him honor and glory

Now may you pray for the brethren
Speak words of encouragement, life and truth


Susan Wachtel
February 5, 2015

Christmas Past

Can it only be a few minutes since you’ve departed
It feels like it’s been such a very long time

I can’t quite imagine
What Christmas would have been like without you

You filled a big house on a hill
With warmth, fun, love and laughter

For just a few days
I got to forget how lonely I’ve been

I was able to spend time with someone filled with grace
Who overlooks my faults and loves me anyway

This Christmas, I truly realized
A house is not a home without love

To Ron and Carol…thank you for a wonderful Christmas!

by Susan Wachtel
December 28, 2014

I AM With You

My precious daughter

I want to assure you

I AM right there with you

In your grief

As you weep

I weep with you

I desire to wipe your tears

With My nail pierced hands

Your tears are most precious to Me

I hold each tear that falls in a bottle

I understand your heart which is exceedingly sorrowful

Over the brokenness in this world

At times you may feel all alone

When you are crushed by the heaviness of sorrow and pain

Trust the promises in My Word

I AM with you and I will never leave nor forsake you

There is a day coming

In which there will be no more sorrow, death or pain

Until that day, My precious daughter

Rest assured, for I AM with you

Susan Wachtel

August 8, 2014

Battle Lines

Today the battle is on

The fighting is fierce

My enemy is cunning and strategic

Help me to not fight alone

Or rely on my own strength, wisdom, power and might

May I have the victory in Christ alone

Before the battle begins let me prepare my mind

Thoughts taken captive in obedience to Christ

The victory will begin with praise and thanksgiving

Through this battle

May You be glorified, honored and praised

When the evening falls may I stand victorious in Christ

by Susan Wachtel

July 25, 2014

Providence

It seems Your hand of providence

Is best understood when looking back

As I move forward in faithful obedience

I see that You have prepared the way

I feel Your gentle hand guiding me

Directing my footsteps

With each step taken I can clearly see

That You have gone before me and prepared the way

Lord, I must confess that I don’t understand

The whys and wherefore of this new chapter

I’m not certain what You will be doing in me

Or how You might use me as part of Your plan

When I feel weak and overwhelmed

Help me to cry out to You for strength, wisdom and peace

Help me to not hesitate in fear of the unknown

But unwaveringly follow Your lead

by Susan Wachtel

July 10, 2014