Author Archives: Susan Wachtel

Thank You Jesus

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As I awakened this cool and foggy Christmas morn, my thoughts turn to You Lord Jesus.  May I humbly come before You and give You the gift of thanksgiving.

  • Thank You Jesus for submitting Yourself unto the Father’s plan.
  • Thank You for choosing to lay aside Your Glory and take on human flesh.
  • Thank You for taking my sin upon You on the cross and enduring the Father’s wrath which I deserved. 
  • Thank You for living a sinless life and proving that You alone are worthy and able to be our sacrificial Lamb.
  • Thank You for setting Your face like flint towards the cross.
  • Thank You for not taking the enemy’s bait and choosing the easy way out.
  • Thank You that on the cross You cried out the words, “It is finished.”  My sin debt was marked “Paid in Full.”
  • Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to dwell within me, refine and grow me.
  • Thank You for being faithful when I am faithless and weak.
  • Thank You, that even though I will fail You, You will never fail me.
  • Thank You for giving me the freedom to choose You.
  • Thank You for doing the impossible, removing the blinders from my eyes, enlightening my mind which was once darkened, so that I could see and believe the truth that Jesus Christ is Lord.
  • Thank You for Your patience and waiting for me, at the age of 32, when I bent my knee, confessed with my mouth and believed with my heart that You are Lord.
  • Thank You for taking my sin away, sending it as far as the east is from the west and remembering it no more.
  • Thank You for giving me the inerrant Word of God so that I might know You and the Father whom You came to reveal.
  • Thank You for unbending, unchanging truth contained in the Bible.
  • Thank You for sitting at the right hand of the Father where You make intersession for me.
  • Thank You for prayer and hearing my prayers.
  • Thank You for Your Holy Spirit Who takes my prayers that I can’t even put into words and translates them.
  • Thank You for sharing Your heart’s desire that no one would perish, but all would come to eternal life.
  • Thank You for Your delay in returning because that’s another day in which people can repent and receive You as Lord.
  • Thank You for the opportunity to pray for unsaved family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and even enemies.
  • Thank You that You are able to work all things together for good.
  • Thank You that You are able to weave a beautiful tapestry from my messed up life.
  • Thank You for the comfort and assurance that You will soon take Your bride, the church, home to heaven.
  • Thank You for the promise that You will one day return and rule and reign forever and ever.
  • Thank You that You will cast the enemy into the Lake of Fire and that he will be punished forever and ever without end. 
  • Thank You that in pain, sickness, sorrow, and even death, Your saints can have peace, joy and the comfort of Your presence.


Lord Jesus…may I live a life that reflects my thanks to You.  May I be so bold Lord, in the midst of giving thanks, to ask for the salvation for the many people whom You have placed on my heart?  That today would be their day of salvation.  That the angels in heaven would rejoice as many people repent from their sins and turn to You and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior.

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The Twelve Words of Christmas by Louie Giglio

Posted in Jesus Christ, Louie Giglio, Savior by

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
   And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
       “ Glory to God in the highest,
      And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

Luke 2:8-14

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The Gospel

Posted in Desiring God, Gospel, Thabiti Anyabwile by

Desiring God 2010 National Conference

Speaker Panel with Piper, Anyabwile, Chan, and Mohler

The following are notes taken during the panel discussion.
1) Thabiti, could you walk us through the gospel?
Thabiti Anyabwile: The gospel is literally good news. It is an announcement, a joyful, happy message sent from the courts of heaven to us subjects below. It can be explained by four categories: God, man, Christ, response.
  1. There is a God. The only God. There is none like Him. He is holy, righteous, all-wise, and Creator. 
  2. We are created and therefore we are owned. As creatures we owe Him worship, adoration, honor, and praise. He has made us in His image for fellowship with Him. He is angry with us because we all, man, are sinners. We have turned away from Him and disobeyed Him (Romans 1). We are hostile towards Him as sinners.
  3. God is holy and righteous, but He is also a God of love. So He sent his only Son to take on flesh and live a perfect life before God to satisfy His requirements. He suffered on the cross in our place to satisfy the wrath of God. He was buried and resurrected. His righteousness satisfies the demands of God against sinners.
  4. Everyone who repents of sin and trusts in Christ has Jesus’ righteousness credited to his account. A miracle happens: you are made a new creature and all of the benefits of Christ become yours. Everlasting fellowship with Him is yours.
By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org
To see the video of this session or read the full text of this panel discussion, please click on the link below.

Speaker Panel with Piper, Anyabwile, Chan, and Mohler

  

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    Now That Takes Some Nerve

    Posted in Pain, Sciatica by

    My absence from blogging hasn’t been as a result of writer’s block as much as pain demanding my attention and consuming my energy.  

    If any of you have experienced Sciatica you’ll know the pain I’ve been experiencing recently. 

    About seven weeks ago I tweaked by back, causing a reappearance of Sciatica.  Talk about painful!!!  The pain starts in my right hip and radiates down to my right ankle.  While my hip is painful…it’s the pain in my ankle that I can hardly stand.

    I’ve had bouts of Sciatica a couple of times before, but I don’t recall the pain being so all consuming.  Perhaps the Lord was merciful and caused those memories to fade. 

    I’ve opted for traditional treatment through my doctor first in hopes that before the nerve will be released and the pain will go away on its own.  I’m trying to keep the pain at a tolerable level without taking strong medicine that will leave me unable to function each day, like going to work, driving etc. 

    I have another doctor’s appointment coming up and I’m hoping that she will order a test to determine if my nerve is just pinched or if there’s a problem with a disc.  Being raised by my mother, a nurse who believed in old school medicine, I’m reluctant to seek alternative treatments until I know exactly what’s going on. 

    Sitting, lying down and even standing can be painful.  Thankfully, I experience relief from the pain when I’m walking. 

    In the mean time and in between time, I am praying that the Lord will touch my back and relieve this pain and release my Sciatic nerve.  I know that God is well able to heal me and trusting Him to carry me through until I experience lasting relief from pain.


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    Pain

    Posted in Pain, Sciatica by

    All consuming
    Unrelenting
    Demanding my attention

    Held captive
    Powerful
    Sapping my energy

    Oh how I long to be set free
    Released
    Restored and pain free

    Susan Bunts Wachtel
    December 17, 2010

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    Outlive Your Life – Profound Yet Simple

    Posted in Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life by

    Do you ever wonder why our lives bear so little resemblance to the lives of people portrayed in the New Testament? 

    When I read the book of Acts, I see men who were cowardly and fled when Christ was arrested and crucified, now transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  In boldness they went forth and proclaiming the Gospel message of salvation found in Jesus Christ alone.  We see God working through them and performing miracles.  We see people comprehend and live out the truth, “To live is Christ and to die is gain.”

    I was excited to select Max Lucado’s book “Outlive Your Life” and read his perspective on God at work in and through the church, a work that continues today.  Max has a way of taking profound truths and simplifying them.  He takes God at His word and believes that God still transforms lives and that He wants to work in your life and mine.  That the Lord has a greater purpose and plan for our lives if we will dare to yield to Him and die to self daily.

    I recommend “Outlive Your Life” to Christian readers who want to be challenged to grow in their faith walk and also for unbelievers who want to see the heart of God at work in His church. 

    It took a few chapters for me to embrace “Outlive Your Life” because I was concerned that the author, Max Lucado had left out the most important element, the Gospel message that salvation is found in Jesus Christ.  But in chapter four, “Don’t Forget the Bread”, Max shares the Gospel through the words of the Apostle Peter. 

    The chapter that won me over was “Open Your Door; Open Your Heart”.  In this chapter Max shows examples of how we can reach out to people around us.  Simple actions that we can all do.  My favorite chapter by far was “Pray First; Pray Most”.  There are times I struggle to be faithful in prayer.  What an encouragement this chapter was on how powerful prayer is.  Max sites examples from scripture and from Christians today who are mighty prayer warriors. 

    Do you need a reminder on just how powerful God is and the work that He wants to do in and through you?  Pick up a copy of “Outlive Your Life” by Max Lucado and then reread the book of Acts.  Where does God want you to serve today and to reach the people for whom Christ died?
     
    Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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    Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride – by Francis Chan

    Posted in Desiring God, Francis Chan, Humility, Pride by

    One of the great benefits of the internet is the ability to download and listen to some powerful sermons and Christian teachers.  I’m so grateful to the ministries like Grace Community Church and Desiring God that make a plethora of resources available for free.  They are available for the building up of the body of Christ and the proclamation of the Gospel to those not yet saved.

    Each year John Piper has a National Conference whereby he invites Christian pastors and teachers to participate.  I recently downloaded the messages from the 2010 conference and started listening to Francis Chan’s message on the peril of pride.  Oh my…it’s powerful, convicting, challenging and motivating.  This is a message I will need to listen to again and again. 

    Go to the link below to download or listen on-line to Francis Chan:

    Think Hard, Stay Humble: The Life of the Mind and the Peril of Pride – Francis Chan

    1 Corinthians 8:1-13
    Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.  And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.   But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

    Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.  For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

    However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.  But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

    But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.  For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?  And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.  Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.



    2010 Desiring God National Conference

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    Thoughts & Reflections…As the Day Begins

    Posted in Bible, Jesus Christ, Sin, Word of God by

    John 1:1-5
    1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. 

    For those who say that Jesus Christ was only a man, a prophet, a teacher, or another way to salvation you have to bypass what the Bible says about who Jesus is. 

    In the first verse of the Gospel of John, Jesus is declared as the Word of God, He was with God and is God.  In the original Greek, the word God refers to the Godhead, trinity:  God the Father, Christ and the Holy Spirit. 

    What difference does that make to me in my daily life, in my everyday world?  Shouldn’t I know what the Bible says for myself, and not merely listen to other people’s thoughts and opinions?  After all, I’m the one who will have to give an account before God when I die. 

    I wonder if sometimes I fail to read God’s word because I know that God will confront me in my sin.  When I’m confronted, then I have a choice.  A choice to obey, repent and turn and do what God commands or choose to go my own way and suffer the consequence of sin and disobedience.  In my foolishness I may think that I can plead ignorance.

    It’s so easy to see the “big sins” like murder and adultery as wrong.  Even unbelievers know those things are wrong.  But unless I know God’s word, unless I am washed by the word daily…I will get lazy or willfully choose to sin and walk my own way and sin will creep in.

    Exodus 20:1-20
     1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
           2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
           3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
           4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; 5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
           7 “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
           8 “ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
           12 “ Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
           13 “You shall not murder.
           14 “You shall not commit adultery.
           15 “You shall not steal.
           16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
           17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

    May I let the Light of God’s Word shine in the dark corners of my life and expose sin.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit may I comprehend what God says in the Bible.  May I choose to live in light of eternity and the certainty that one day I will have to give an account before Holy God.  May my sins, though as scarlet, be cleansed white as snow by the precious blood of the Lamb. 

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    Lavish Thanksgiving

    Posted in Thanksgiving by

    O Lord
    For abundant blessings
    I give You thanks and praise

    For the comfort of Your Presence
    The gift of Your Son
    Your Holy Spirit within

    For the Bible where truth resides
    The gifts of prayer and praise
    Freedom to worship with Your saints

    For the gift of salvation
    Amazing grace which You lavished on me
    Through Jesus Christ my Lord

    Susan Bunts Wachtel
    November 19, 2010

    I am grateful for so many things this Thanksgiving Day 2010.  First and foremost I am thankful for my God and Savior Jesus Christ, the gift of salvation and God’s grace lavished on me through His marvelous incomprehensible plan.  I’m grateful that God has sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise. 

    I am grateful to live in a country where I am able to exercise my freedom to read the Bible, worship with the saints, share the Gospel message and pray.

    I’m thankful to God for His provisions to my husband Chris and me…for family and friends, good health, a home, jobs, our beloved pets and so much more. 

    This year it seems more imperative that I give thanks to God for His abundant blessings.  I’m mindful that it’s not because I deserve anything.  Rather than focusing on the gifts, may I focus on the Giver.  While everything else may fade away or be taken…my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can never be taken.  I am firmly held in the grasp of His hand. 

    What about you?  What are you giving thanks for this Thanksgiving Day and to Whom?

    Happy Thanksgiving!


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    Cutting Pain

    Posted in Uncategorized by

    Each day she put on the mask of a smile
    To hide the pain she bears

    But if you look deeper
    Her dark eyes reflect a bruised soul

    Her pain is well disguised
    Hope has all but disappeared

    As she picks up the razor blade she reasons
    Perhaps an outward cut will relieve the inner pain

    Somehow a visible scar generates more compassion
    Than the emotional wounds within

    With each cut her inward pain is given a voice
    If only someone will listen to her cry

    Susan Bunts Wachtel
    November 17, 2010

    Dedicated to those who are hurting, whose cries for help have gone unheeded. 

    He heals the brokenhearted
    And binds up their wounds.
    Psalm 147:3

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    Random Acts of Praise by the Opera Company of Philadelphia

    Posted in Hallelujah Chorus, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Random Act of Culture by

    Thank you David from Pilgrim Scribblings for sharing this wonderful worship by the Opera Company of Philadelphia performing the Hallelujah Chorus at Macy’s.  My goodness…it is spectacular and brought tears to my eyes.  Praise His Holy Name!

    After these things I heard a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, “Alleluia! Salvation and glory and honor and power belong to the Lord our God!  For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”  Again they said, “Alleluia! Her smoke rises up forever and ever!”  And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sat on the throne, saying, “Amen! Alleluia!”  Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!”  And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns!  Revelation 19:1-6

     

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    Without Christ

    Posted in Jesus Christ by
    Without Christ
    No peace
    No hope
    No truth
    No future
    No meaning
    No purpose
    No direction
    No strength
    No assurance
    No foundation
    No absolutes
    No justice
    No restraint
    No shelter
    No protection
    No fortress
    No salvation


    When I see the brokenness of people’s lives all around me…I marvel how they do it.  Life is hard enough though I know God.  Yet, I have strength, peace and assurance that comes through having Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.

    How do people without Christ get through life?  How did I do it for 32 years?

    I thank you Lord that I don’t have to get through life without You.  Keep me close Lord Jesus…right by Your side. 

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    Slave

    Posted in Jesus Christ, Ransomed, Slave, Slave of Christ by

    I am a slave of Christ
    Once on the slave market of sin

    I was ransomed
    By my Master’s own blood

    Formerly held captive by sin
    I’ve been set free to obedience

    Chosen and purchased by the Master
    I am not my own

    He is the Sovereign Lord
    My will conformed to His

    I am a slave of Christ
    Doulos now considered His friend


    By Susan Bunts Wachtel
    November 6, 2010

    Feedback on Voting

    Posted in Voting by

    One of my Facebook friends, Gary Hannasch took the time to comment on my post about voting.  Thank you Gary for your thoughtful response.

    From Gary Hannach:  Those who don’t vote are a major part of the problem too!  It’s just as bad as if they had voted for the opposition party!

    Amen Gary…I agree 100%.  It’s hard to understand why people don’t exercise this amazing freedom we’ve been granted in our society.  People around the world…would love to come to our country and know the value of freedom and participating in elections because they don’t have that freedom.

    Yet so many of our fellow countrymen and women neglect that responsibility.  When we end up with government officials they don’t like…they should have no complaints because by not voting they defacto voted in the people they don’t like.

    Living in a pocket of conservatism in Orange County…I feel like my voice doesn’t amount to much in a very liberal state.  But I give an account to God for all that He’s given me…including participating in government and making my voice heard in elections.  I don’t understand why Christians don’t vote their values.

    In some cases it amounts to laziness and not making the time to do so.  But since we have the option of voting via absentee ballot…that’s not a valid excuse.  There are plenty of resources to help people better understand the bills they are voting on and to know more about the various candidates that are running.  

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