Tonight, the Lord enabled me
To snatch victory from the jaws of the enemy
When I heard the word…a smile crossed my lips
“Yes Lord…forgive”
The battle began early
I felt pummeled…assaulted on every side
Relentless…unending
Subtle…but it was an effective attack
Who would recognize it
Trace it back…to the enemy
Who would recognize the handwriting
Scripted by the hater of my soul
It felt like a war
The enemy was on every front
It left me wounded and numb
Spent…barely able to lift my head
Then the “piece of resistance”
Words wielded…left me battered and bloody
Oh Lord…just get me through this day
Help me to not respond in kind
Understanding their true nature
Brought no comfort
Knowledge that they are but a puppet of the enemy
Was not a healing balm to my soul
But in the quiet…at the end of the day
I came to the end of my reserves
It was there that the Holy Spirit reminded me
Of my “new nature” in Christ
He’s the One
When He whispered the word, “Forgive”…peace filled my soul
He’s the One who will enable me to return the arena
Enter where the prowling lions seek to devour me
Yet I fear not…for He is the One
Who will shut tight the jaws that would otherwise crush me
Tonight…the Holy Spirit within
Enabled me to forgive
In doing so He snatched victory
From the deadly jaws of Satan
A powerful and effective foe to a created one
But a defeated foe to the Kind of kings and Lord of lords
By Susan Bunts
September 9, 2008
Dare I take comfort in the thought,
That my loved one is no longer suffering?
When in fact, an unbeliever who perishes without Christ,
Has just begun to suffer and now knows the truth of eternal punishment.
Dare I take comfort in the calm assurance,
From a man who calls himself “Pastor”?
But one who fails to proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified,
As the only way to salvation.
Dare I take comfort in the platitudes offered,
By those who ignorantly believe that being “spiritual” saves us?
Saves us from what?
Condemnation from a holy, righteous, just God who was offended by our sin?
Dare I believe that I will live on in the memories of others?
What happens when they perish?
Or is it then that I perish…when no one remains who knew me?
When there is no one who was once touched and influenced by me?
Dare I serve a god,
Made of my own making…a god made in my own image?
A hodge podge of my own choosing…taking only what I like,
Selecting that which makes me feel comfortable and good about myself?
Or dare I believe that there is but One God?
One Mediator between God and man.
One Savior, Christ Jesus, whose blood was shed on the cross,
Who for once, for all…paid my sin debt in full.
Dare I acknowledge my sin?
Receive forgiveness through God’s only Son?
Dare I repent and loudly proclaim to a world lost in their sin,
Jesus Christ…salvation is found only in Him!
By Susan Bunts
July 5, 2008
Dedicated to those who are perishing in their sin…who have yet to receive Jesus Christ and Him crucified, His death on the cross as payment in full, covering their sin. Dedicated to those who call themselves pastor, but who do not know that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth and the Life…thus they can not boldly proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is my prayer that one day your name will be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life and that you will not take or offer false comfort when someone dies without Christ. That instead it will become your life long mission to preach Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.
“Michael, a few years ago I promised I would call you when mom is dying. That’s why I’m calling. So if you want to come and see her, now is the time.”
I wouldn’t have guessed I would be making that phone call to my brother. Honestly my biggest struggle in the last six years has been the fact that my brothers have both bowed out at this time in her life. I’ve struggled with it…I resented them not being there or helping. I didn’t understand why there were no birthday cards, mother’s day flowers or an occasional phone call to find out how she’s doing.
But God gently lead me to fulfill that commitment to make that phone call.
While my mother has recovered nicely from the pneumonia that had sent her to the hospital a couple of weeks ago, she has gone downhill rapidly. I was hoping the deficits that she experienced during her hospitalization would rebound when she returned Brighton Gardens, her home for the last six years.
At first it appeared that she would bounce back. She seemed to be interacting a little more and even started eating a bit. But those hopes were short lived.
Now her head is down most of the time. A by product of Alzheimer’s. The disease has now effected her neurologically…and she can’t hold up her head for more than couple of seconds. That means she’s not able to look around and see what’s going on around her. She’s not able to look people in the face, unless they get down and look up into her face. Her appetite with pureed foods has diminished…but never more so than now when drinks are reduced to thickened liquids. That in the attempt to keep her from chocking, but has instead taken away her desire to eat or drink.
While there were times her constant humming…or counting and banging was annoying…her silence and non communication is much worse. Now days a squeeze of hand is about as good as it gets. On a good day…she might even look at me briefly.
She’s given up…and no longer wants to live. I think the nail in the coffin, so to speak, was when she was transferred to the rehab facility. There she was the patient in bed 40 C, not Gayle. Thank goodness for Hospice. They were able to get my mom transferred back to Brighton Gardens, where she is Gayle. Someone who is well known and well loved.
But now she is dying. She is not eating or drinking. She interacts minimally…and there is nothing that I can do to change it, or make it better.
Yes…I’m praying…and know that God cares and is at work in the situation.
Mostly I pray for my mom’s salvation. I don’t know with any degree of certainty that she is saved. She has been in church, but I don’t know if she is in Christ? She was raised by Christian parents, went to church when she was young. When she got married…her faith was not expressed, nor taught to her children. When my dad died…that’s when my mom started going back to church. I struggle with knowing whether she has a saving faith in Jesus Christ, because I don’t see how someone would forsake their genuine faith and fail to teach that life giving faith to their children. When she remarried…we went to church as a family.
I discussed faith with my mom over the years. Especially after I became a Christian. I’m not sure if she was just private about her faith? Or if she has an intellectual acknowledgment that there is a God, but that not really believing that Jesus is the only way to salivation? Does she really believe in the reality of hell? I don’t know.
Sometimes my mom would go to church with me when she was visiting for the day. I know then she did hear the Gospel message. We dialogued about faith…but I can’t honestly say, “Her spirit bore witness with my spirit.”
So when one of the workers at Brighton comforted me with the thought that my mom seems to be in peace during her dying process…I have no peace or comfort at that thought.
I would be at peace with her death, if I was assured of her salvation.
But I don’t know that, nor do I have that peace. If she doesn’t know Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior, then the peace she has now in dying will give way to utter, unending torment in hell for eternity. How can I have peace with that?
Yet…I know that death is a divine appointment. There is no panic in heaven, only plans. God is still able to reach that mind, even in the midst of Alzheimer’s. So I pray, I sing hymns and tell her about Jesus. I ask God that He might give me a sign that she has a genuine saving faith. But I know that I might not know that, this side of eternity. No matter what, I will still praise Him.
My biggest regret is that, while she still had her faculties, I didn’t live a life that made my mother hunger and thirst to know Christ. I didn’t have a peace that drew her to know Jesus. I didn’t have a consistent trust in Jesus, no matter what my circumstances were that made her ask, “How can I have that too?”.
I’m adopted…and so many of my family members don’t know Jesus Christ as their Savior. I wonder why God plucked me out and called me to a saving faith…in the midst of unbelieving family members. I wonder…what good has my life been as a witness to Christ, if my own mother dies without receiving Jesus as her Lord and Savior.
So I don’t have a lot answers right now. But I do know that God is at work in my mom. Even thought I might not know the outcome until I get to heaven. I know that my faith is being tested. Will I still praise and trust God, with some pretty important and critical unknowns? Will I? Yes, even now, I will yet praise Him.
Before I dialed the phone to tell my brother about our mom…I prayed, “God…give me the words, guide my words and actions.” I ended up leaving a message for my brother. I asked him to call me and I’ll give him the details. If he doesn’t call back, I’ll call him again. I figure he’s accountable before God for his actions. I don’t want to hold a grudge or carry the burden of resentment, hurt and pain any longer. It’s in God’s hands.
I’m praying that God will oversee the details and timing of my mother’s death. That in His mercy, she will come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. That if she already knows Him…that God will give me a confirmation so that I can have His peace knowing her future is secure in Christ.
The clock on the wall is ticking,
In between the tick, tick, tick,
Only silence fills the room.
Before me lies one,
For whom I have prayed untold times,
Seeking his salvation before the throne of God.
His breathing is now labored,
Consciousness is fading,
Dare I plead one more time Lord?
Only You oh Lord,
Know the day and the hour,
When the beating of his heart will cease.
That moment when his fate will be sealed,
When the time to repent will have passed,
Entering that place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
But Lord, You tell me,
That today is the day of salvation,
That You desire for all to come to repentance.
So I pray oh Lord,
That You might move in his heart,
Enable him, even now…to hear the Gospel and respond.
Give me the words,
To tell him,
That all have sinned and fallen short.
That our sin debt,
Was paid in full,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
That if he will confess with his mouth,
Believe in his heart,
That Jesus Christ is Lord…he will be saved.
Before the night is over,
I pray that his name will be written,
In the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Susan Bunts
March 16, 2008
This poem is dedicated to those who bear the heavy burden of unsaved loved ones. Keep praying! Our hope is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
The clock on the wall is ticking,
In between the tick, tick, tick,
Only silence fills the room.
Before me lies one,
For whom I have prayed untold times,
Seeking his salvation before the throne of God.
His breathing is now labored,
Consciousness is fading,
Dare I plead one more time Lord?
Only You oh Lord,
Know the day and the hour,
When the beating of his heart will cease.
That moment when his fate will be sealed,
When the time to repent will have passed,
Entering that place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.
But Lord, You tell me,
That today is the day of salvation,
That You desire for all to come to repentance.
So I pray oh Lord,
That You might move in his heart,
Enable him, even now…to hear the Gospel and respond.
Give me the words,
To tell him,
That all have sinned and fallen short.
That our sin debt,
Was paid in full,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
That if he will confess with his mouth,
Believe in his heart,
That Jesus Christ is Lord…he will be saved.
Before the night is over,
I pray that his name will be written,
In the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Susan Bunts
March 16, 2008
This poem is dedicated to those who bear the heavy burden of unsaved loved ones. Keep praying! Our hope is in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
If the cross were ever before me,
How would it affect my choices,
Would I willfully, so easily step into sin,
Or see sin’s true cost and flee?
If only I could see His nail pierced hands,
Know the agony and pain He endured,
That He willingly, with full knowledge,
Took upon Himself so that I might be freed.
If only I could know of God’s righteous anger,
His wrath poured out upon my sin,
If only I could comprehend His great love,
That by grace He provided a way that I might be saved.
If only I could see,
That it was His precious blood,
Flowing abundant and free,
That has cleansed me and made me whole.
Oh….that I would be mindful,
That at the foot of the cross all ground is level,
There I stand no better than the other sinner,
Who was saved…just like me.
The same blood,
Shed by the same Savior,
Covers our sins,
Saving us from the same eternity spent in hell.
By Susan Bunts
March 15, 2008
This is dedicated to a certain someone. May you never believe the lies of enemy…but instead be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Praise God…we have been freed from the power of sin. May we loudly proclaim…we are free at last!
As a Christian…it is important that I be mindful that my salvation was based on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. That He willing took my sins…upon Himself and paid the penalty of God’s wrath for my sin…so that I might be saved. He died so that I might be clothed in His righteousness and have eternal life.
While no one likes to admit they are a sinner it seems that there are certain sins that are more acceptable than other…sins that are ubiquitous. Then there are other sins that are anathema.
But it’s important that I remember that my sins would have put in me in hell…that at the foot of the cross…the ground is level. That Jesus blood was shed for me…and necessary to cleanse me and make whole again. It took the same blood to save me as the greatest sinner.
I have no place bragging expect in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
If the cross were ever before me,
How would it affect my choices,
Would I willfully, so easily step into sin,
Or see sin’s true cost and flee?
If only I could see His nail pierced hands,
Know the agony and pain He endured,
That He willingly, with full knowledge,
Took upon Himself so that I might be freed.
If only I could know of God’s righteous anger,
His wrath poured out upon my sin,
If only I could comprehend His great love,
That by grace He provided a way that I might be saved.
If only I could see,
That it was His precious blood,
Flowing abundant and free,
That has cleansed me and made me whole.
Oh….that I would be mindful,
That at the foot of the cross all ground is level,
There I stand no better than the other sinner,
Who was saved…just like me.
The same blood,
Shed by the same Savior,
Covers our sins,
Saving us from the same eternity spent in hell.
By Susan Bunts
March 15, 2008
This is dedicated to a certain someone. May you never believe the lies of enemy…but instead be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might. Praise God…we have been freed from the power of sin. May we loudly proclaim…we are free at last!
As a Christian…it is important that I be mindful that my salvation was based on Jesus Christ and His righteousness. That He willing took my sins…upon Himself and paid the penalty of God’s wrath for my sin…so that I might be saved. He died so that I might be clothed in His righteousness and have eternal life.
While no one likes to admit they are a sinner it seems that there are certain sins that are more acceptable than other…sins that are ubiquitous. Then there are other sins that are anathema.
But it’s important that I remember that my sins would have put in me in hell…that at the foot of the cross…the ground is level. That Jesus blood was shed for me…and necessary to cleanse me and make whole again. It took the same blood to save me as the greatest sinner.
I have no place bragging expect in Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
Once upon a day I was dead in my sin,
Happy and content,
Most certain that all roads lead to God.
Raised in a home
Where the name of Christ,
A curse word uttered by father.
No Bible was found,
No prayers were uttered,
Sunday…time for leisure…no time for church.
Something inside me was stirred,
A longing, a desire,
For faith that others had.
Misguided,
Down wrong path,
Left to my own devises.
Witchcraft seemed so attractive,
So innocently portrayed,
By a sitcom that left me “Bewitched”.
Latchkey and alone,
The world of vampires,
Transported me to “Dark Shadows”.
Unbeknownst to me,
I was firmly on the path,
To hell and eternal separation from God.
Astrology,
So appealing,
Could I really find my way by looking to the stars?
Palm reading,
They promised,
The lines in my hand could reveal my future.
An Ouija board,
Contact with entities,
That could lead me to the other side.
Little did I know,
Of the world,
That would bid me to enter.
Disguised as angel of light,
Satan desired,
That I would share his same fate.
So seemingly innocuous,
A phrase from a movie,
“May the force be with you.”
Oh…but it was more than that.
New age philosophy,
Available at ever turn.
Edgar Casey,
The diaries of Seth,
I even found religion in a “new age church”.
There, no sin was acknowledge,
No Savior was needed,
The cross not necessary to pay the penalty for my sins.
After all, there was reincarnation,
I could advance on my own,
Until I could become one with an all loving god.
But God had a different plan.
From before the foundations of the world,
I was predestined for salvation.
While darkness threatened to overtake me,
Seal my fate for eternity,
God was going to take me from darkness to light.
Surrounded by Christians at every turn,
Forever talking about their Jesus,
Speaking truth from their Holy Bible.
How narrow minded they seemed,
They talked about One Way to salvation,
Through Jesus Christ, their Lord.
Our works could never be good enough,
Our righteousness was as filthy rags,
A sinner, born separated from God.
But Jesus Christ came,
Fully God and fully man,
He bore the penalty for my sin and was nailed to the cross.
He died,
Was buried for three days,
Then…He arose victorious, triumphant from the grave.
God is the One Who was offended,
Set the penalty…a heavy price for my sin,
Death.
He then provided the Way,
Jesus Christ…One with the Father,
Set His glory aside…and He willingly paid the price.
When Scripture was uttered,
The Holy Spirit bore witness,
Enable me, who was dead in my sin, to be alive in Christ.
I must agree with God, repent of my sin,
Believe in my heart, confess with my mouth,
That Jesus Christ is Lord.
At that moment,
I was snatched from hell to heaven,
Eternally secure, kept by my Father.
My salvation is secure,
My fate is certain,
I am saved, by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord.
By Susan Bunts
February 12, 2008
As one who was dead in my sin…and tried to find my way to God, anyway except through Jesus Christ…I can testify that I was saved by grace, not of my own works, but by God’s grace. He asks that I believe Him and confess Jesus Christ as Lord.
I was on the path to hell. I believed the lies of the enemy for so long. I was ready to follow any path where I could earn my way to heaven, based on my good works. Have God on my own terms…and have Him be my “big genie in the sky” and answer my every wish. I was blinded…self blinded…and deceived by the enemy…the hater of my soul. Make no mistake he is real and he knows his future is certain. He wants to take as many people to hell with him. He’ll give you whatever he can to keep you satisfied where you are at.
I was walking on the edge of hell. A precipice…and if I slipped I would have been there for eternity. A place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth and unimaginable and unending suffering. Do you ever feel alone here on earth? Well that won’t hold candle to the aloneness you will feel in hell…and there will be no end.
There is One Way to salvation…and that’s through faith in Jesus Christ. God’s One and Only Prescription and His acceptable sacrifice for our sins.
That why I get sick and want to vomit when I hear pastors soft sell the Gospel message…or worse say that all roads lead to God. Those pastors who want to entertain and capture the “seekers” rather than build up the body of Christ by teaching the uncompromising Word of God.
The lies of enemy are abounding in this world. Prominent, well respected people are deceived and spreading lies and denying Christ. Oprah Winfrey is promoting “A Course in Miracles” which denies Jesus Christ is God incarnate and the only way to salvation. If the Bible is true…then “A Course in Miracle” is nothing but a lie from the pit of hell. An effective instrument used by Satan to take more people to hell with him.
Which are you going to believe?.
Pastors…are you going to teach the Word of God and equip your people to know the truth of the Word of God so that they can recognize the lies of the enemy even when it’s cleverly and attractively packaged?
“In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” – 2 Timothy 4:1-3
Beth Moore says that her salvation is scandalous. My salvation…is miraculous.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
The thing I love most about this picture is the reminder…that Jesus came here to earth.
God incarnate lay His glory aside, so that He might take my sin upon Himself, pay the penalty for my sins, so that I might be forgiven. Because He lived a sinless perfect live, His righteousness was credited to my account. My sin debt has been paid in full. I have been saved, by grace, through faith…Praise God!
I never rightly know where God will touch me when I’m doing my Bible Study Fellowship lesson each week. Sometimes I’m encouraged or challenged…but more often than not…I’m convicted. Usually it’s not over some overt sin in my life…but instead God is dealing with a heart issue.
This week we’ve been studying Matthew chapter 8 and the question that really stuck me asked “what points were particularly meaningful”. I answered the question for the passage it pertained to…but it stuck with me.
In reflecting about Jesus…I was struck with the thought that Jesus never passes people by.
He always stops and reaches out to them. He touches them…He heals them…He even restores life to the dead. In this chapter…we find a leper cleansed, a servant paralyzed and a mother lying ill with fever are both healed, a raging storm stilled with just His word, and two men freed from bondage of demon possession.
Jesus was filled with compassion…and reached out to those who came to Him in need. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t say He was too busy. He didn’t say… you’re not important enough, wait in line…or that impossible.
Instead Jesus’ compassion moved Him…to do that which only God could do. From a mere touch…or words spoken these peoples lives were changed, made whole, restored.
Today…while Jesus sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father…He still reaches out and touches people. He still cares…and is moved with compassion. Do I like the leper or demon possessed men cry out to Jesus to heal me? When the storms of life threaten to overtake me…do I cry out to Jesus…trusting and knowing His is able to cause the wind and waves to cease?
When I encounter hurting people…people in need…do I pass them by? Do I make time to listen to them? If I’m able to meet that need…do I? Or do I find an excuse and reason why I can’t? Do I pray for them? Do I encourage them? Do I point them to the wise counsel found in the word of God? When I see a soul lost in their sin…do I remain silent or do I share the life giving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
Or dear Lord…may I be mindful of what it’s like to be passed by, ignored…and the pain of being invisible. May I instead reach out to those whom You bring in my path.
As we study the book of Matthew in Bible Study Fellowship I find myself reading familiar passages with a fresh eye and desire to better know my God and my Savior Christ Jesus. This last week…we read about how the Magi followed the star to Jerusalem seeking to find the one who was born “King of the Jews”. After receiving direction from Herod the Magi headed to Bethlehem.
There they found the Christ child…no longer an infant…but perhaps around two years old. As I read the well known passage…my imagination was sparked…and I wondered what it would have been like. What was Jesus…the two year old like? How did He receive them?
Was he a curious child and friendly? When these strangers from strange land came…as Mary opened the door…did Jesus run into the arms of these visitors from afar? Did he have a strange affection for persons He had never met? Did He want to sit in their laps…as they brought forth the gifts for the Christ Child? Did He touch the gifts and smile? Did He say thank you? Did He hug them…and wipe the tears from their eyes? Tears shed in overwhelming joy.
Or was He quite and reserved…maybe a little shy? Standing in the background…in the shadows of the kitchen as His mother and father received these visitors?
How long did the Magi stay? Did they tell of their adventure…and how God had directed and guided them? Did they have meal together with Joseph, Mary and Jesus? Did Jesus…the precious one pray as only a two year old can do? Did He exhibit and intimacy with the Creator…even as a young child…that we all long for?
Did the Magi have a lump in their throat? You know the one I mean…when you have an overwhelming feeling of the presence of God in your midst. How were these men changed? How did they live out their lives following an encounter of God in the flesh? Did they have a premonition…a sadness at the pain and suffer this child would endure 31 years later when he would be despised, rejected and hang on the cross? Did they weep when they had to leave…and long to return one day? What testimony did they take home to their families? Did any of them…name their own child Jesus following this encounter to be remembered? Did they write it down…who did they tell it to?
Did Mary and Joseph have child on the way by then? Was Mary expecting…and telling Jesus that one day soon He would have a little brother or sister? How did Jesus react when He first beheld and touched that little brother or sister? One whom He the Creator had made…knit together in His mother’s womb. One whom He had planned for and knew before the foundation of this world…in His Deity. One that He knew would be bound for hell if they remained in their sins. Were His brothers and sisters faces etched in His mind as He closed His eyes while He hung on the cross? He knew the only way they would be saved was through His sacrifice on the cross. While nails could not hold Him…the love that He had kept Him there.
Did he like to hear bedtime stories? Did fall fast asleep…or stay up into the wee hours of the morn? When His family and friends hurt His feelings…was Jesus quick to forgive…and never bring up the offense again? Did He like to cook…and help mom in the kitchen? Did His brothers and sisters tease Jesus…about being a goodie two shoes…and wonder why He never got in trouble? Did He offer then wise counsel on how to avoid the error of their ways? Did they listen or just dismiss Him as being Mary’s favorite? Did Jesus have a lot of friends…or just a close few? When He talked…did people hang upon His every word? Did Jesus walk around talking to Himself and His Heavenly Father? Did people make comments to Mary…that her boy sure talked to Himself a lot? When He prayed…did people long to have Jesus offer a prayer on their behalf? When He touched them…or reached out and held their hand…did people have a jolt…a recognition that this was no ordinary man?
When Joseph died…was Jesus there to hold his hand? Did He place a kiss upon his forehead and assure him that one day soon…He’d see him in heaven? What words did Jesus speak to comfort His mother Mary at the time of her loss?
Mmmm…I wonder…what was He like?
I’m very tired after a long day in which I was on the go from beginning to end. In part from fatigue…and in part from studying God’s word and contemplating God, my life and so much more…I have many questions swirling around in my head. On some…I have a glimpse of insight, but others…I have only layer upon layer of questions.
What does it mean to be conformed to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ?
What does that look like in mind, will, emotions, attitude, actions and behavior?
As I grow to be more like Jesus…how and in what ways will I change?
I want to know…I mean really know Jesus in a deeper and more personal way. What exactly doest that mean? What will I have to do to know Him more?
No easy answers…but oh what an adventure. If life’s not a grand adventure…then what’s it all for?
I am done…I’m finish…I’m no longer willing…to live a settled for life!
Susan's Blog 