Lust of the Flesh

Oh Lord, how I am prone

To follow the lust of the flesh

Something that seems good

From man’s perspective and wisdom

It may not be Your will

Or a provision from Your hand

Help me to be discerning

Reject temptation from the enemy

Help me to trust You with open hands

Say and mean it, “Thy will be done”

Susan Wachtel

June 12, 2013

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Five Minute Friday – In Christ I Find

In Christ, I find comfort

When I am afflicted

In Christ, I find strength

When I am weak and unable to go on

In Christ, I find peace

For my troubled soul, peace with God and with man

In Christ, I find wisdom

As I read God’s Word and obey

In Christ, I find justice

Assurance that one day there will be a reckoning

In Christ, I find abundant mercy

For on the cross He died take away my sin

In Christ, I find propitiation  

In His sacrificial death the Father’s wrath was satisfied

In Christ, I find grace

Abounding grace to live each day, for every situation

In Christ, I find forgiveness

For my own sins and the grace to forgive others

In Christ, I find direction

A Guiding Light for each step I take

Susan Wachtel

May 11, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s FiveMinute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – From an Enemy to a Friend

 

O Lord, won’t You show me how

To get rid of an enemy

By making her my friend

Burden my heart to pray

For her salvation

To grow in wisdom, knowledge, truth and understanding

May she be like David

A woman after God’s own heart

Love You with all her heart, mind, soul and strength

May she grow in grace and mercy

Even the thoughts and intentions of her heart

Be good and pleasing to You

May kindness be on her lips

Her words filled with encouragement and build others up

More concerned about others than herself

May she keep short accounts with You

Be quick to repent and turn to You

May she be bendable, moldable and teachable

May she hide Your word in her heart

That she may not sin against You

May her soul be yielded unto You

May she walk closely with her God

Others will know she is Your disciple

By her love

May her life be a sweet fragrant offering

A sacrifice

Good and pleasing to her Lord

Susan Wachtel

April 27, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s FiveMinute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Incline my Ear

Though the flood waters rise

Threaten to overtake me

Darkness of night descends

Dawn of morning light seems so very far away

I will incline my ear to hear

The Lord is singing over me

My heart will be strengthened and encouraged

I will rejoice in the Lord my God

Though obstacles surround me

I will dare to jump over them

Confident and sure

For nothing is too hard for the Lord

Though all come against me

I will remain steadfast in God’s firm foundation

When I feel all alone

And none go with me

I will incline my ear to hear

The Lord singing over me in His loving-kindness

Susan Wachtel

April 20, 2013

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord will command His loving-kindness in the daytime,
And in the night His song shall be with me—
A prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:8

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

The Apple of God’s Eye

Today, we celebrate the birth

The life and gift

Of Charles Apple

He is a man well loved

By those who call him,

Son, husband, father and friend

He always has a memory to share

From his rich and varied life, a story which will bring

A smile to your face or a tear to your eyes

He has a heart like his heavenly Father

Generous and willing to help bear a burden

He comes willingly to the aid of those in need

He’s never known a stranger

He’s a man with a warm embrace

A tender heart

Today we celebrate the life

Of our good friend, Charles Apple

The Apple of God’s eye

Susan Wachtel

April 13, 2013

Happy 80^th Birthday Charles!

Five Minute Friday – A Broken Sinner

In the beginning God created man without sin

But with freewill and the ability to choose

On that fateful day, a choice was made

Disobedience…and sin entered the world

From then on, man’s nature was corrupted

Thereafter all were born with a sin nature

I’m a sinner, therefore I sin

I am broken, in need of a Savior

Before the foundations of the world were laid

A plan was made by Omniscient God

Genesis 3:15

A Redeemer was promised

In the fullness of time the Messiah came

Lived a sinless life and gave His life an atonement for sin

It was on the cross

God’s holiness and mercy met

Righteous God was able to dispense grace

To sinful man who is unable to save himself

How can I say that Friday was good

When the Son of God was put to death by sinful man

It was there that my sin debt was paid in full

This broken sinner was forgiven by God

Friday was not the end of the story

Because Sunday was coming

As Christ foretold

He arose from the grave

God gave convincing proof in the Resurrection

My sin debt…was marked paid in full

By Susan Wachtel

March 30, 2013

It’s another Saturday and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – I Will Remember

Lord…I will remember You

In times of trouble

I will remember You are my Refuge and Strength

In the darkness

I will remember You are my Guiding Light

When my enemies are closing in

I will remember You my strong Deliverer

When temptation overtakes me

I will remember that You have made a way of escape

When fear grips my heart

I will remember You are my God, mighty to save

When the enemy’s lies overwhelm my thoughts

I will remember and speak forth truth from Your Word

When it seems as if all have abandoned me

I will remember that You promised to never leave nor forsake me

Lord…I will remember

You are Faithful and True and there is no one like my God

By Susan Wachtel

March 23, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Not Home Yet

Daily I am reminded

I am not home yet

For I am a stranger

Living in a strange land

A foreigner in a land

Not my own

An ambassador waiting for the King

To call me home before the battle begins

A bride waiting

For the Bridegroom to come take me to the Father’s house

For He has gone

To prepare a place for me

He promised that where He is

There I shall be also

He will come and take me home

And all who proclaim Christ as Lord

We will soon be removed

Before the great and dreadful Day of the Lord begins

When God’s wrath will be poured out

On those who reject God with a hardened heart

Those who close their eyes

In willful blindness

On those who plug their ears

Least they hear the truth and believe

Of God’s promises I am certain

I look back and see His faithful deliverance

I see Noah and his family

Shut in the ark, the door closed by God Himself

Lot and his family were removed before judgment began

Then the Lord rained down brimstone and fire from heaven

The Lord struck down the firstborn of Egypt

But passed over the children of Israel, seeing the blood of the Lamb

I am confident that there is a generation

Who in the twinkling of an eye will be snatched away, caught up

But the dead in Christ will rise first

Together they will be reunited and taken home

Join together with the Bridegroom

At the Marriage Supper of the Lamb

By Susan Wachtel

March 9, 2013

I confess that today I wrote for longer than five minutes. 

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Freedom Has a Price

Oh how I hate incessant

Whining and complaining

About that which I can’t change

My only choice is to pick my poison

Oh how I hate

The nanny government

Sticking its nose

In the private and personal lives of citizens

Hands reaching through employers

Offering incentives

Dangling the carrot of money

Hoping we will respond like Pavlov’s dogs

Our government has lost its focus

No longer able to defend and protect

Its citizens against evil

Against people and governments bent on destruction

Freedom always has a price to pay

For me, it’s a little over $1.50 a day

To say “No”, my life is my own

It is to God to Whom I will give an account

by Susan Wachtel

February 23, 2013

Five Minute Friday – Lasting Impression

It’s not so much what she said

For she was not one for long conversations

But it’s what mom did that made a lasting impression

One day her life made an unexpected left turn

Went down a road she could never have imagined

It’s there she showed me how to be a strong woman

In the midst of her grief

She made plans for an education

That would allow her to provide

A move was in store

Our lives changed

Never to be the same

Focused and determined

She persevered the long days at school

Studied hard at night

Friendships were formed

That would last a lifetime

Together they achieved their goal…LVN

Another move, a new town

A new school, another goal before her

Friends and family would join her on the journey

Buckle down, study hard

Early mornings, late nights

Learn that which doesn’t come easy

The day came when she achieved her goal

Her tireless efforts were rewarded

A goal achieved, a degree received…Registered Nurse

When hard times come

It’s not the time to buckle under the stress

Nor focus on the past, or look in the rear view mirror

It’s the time to be strong

Focused and determined

She was rewarded with a career she loved for a lifetime

by Susan Wachtel

February 23, 2013

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – My Beloved

He is the Beloved Son of God

Christ Jesus

In Whom the Father is well pleased

His is my Beloved Savior

Who laid His glory aside

In order to become a man, my Kinsman

He is my beloved Sin Bearer

He paid the penalty for my sin

So that my sin debt was marked paid in full

He is my Beloved Redeemer

He ransomed my soul

From the slaved master called sin

He is my Beloved in Whom I found freedom

Freedom from the guilt of sin, the power of sin

One day from the presence of sin

He is my Beloved God

Who dares to call this sinner His beloved bride

One day He will take me home to a place He has prepared

by Susan Wachtel

February 16, 2013

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!   Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 John 3:1-3

It’s another Saturday morn and I participating in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Fridaywriting challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

 

My Soul Laid Bare

Lord, I come before you

Open and transparent

My soul is laid bare before You

As long as I cling to sin

Prize it above You

Fail to recognize sin for what it is

Our fellowship is broken

You will not answer my prayers

The prayers of a prideful, unrepentant heart

By when I repent

When I confess my sin

When my heart is broken over that which breaks Your heart

It is then that the breach has been repaired

You once again receive me in Your loving-kindness

Once again our fellowship has been restored

by Susan Wachtel

February 9, 2013

During my devotional time, I’m writing out the Psalms.  Today I was in Psalm 66, verses 13-20, which fueled this poem.

18 If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.
19 But certainly God has heard me;
He has attended to the voice of my prayer.

20 Blessed be God,
Who has not turned away my prayer,
Nor His mercy from me!

Psalm 66:18-20

For some reason…my Five Minute Friday is usually written on Saturday. However, I still wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “LisaJo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Trust Him By Faith

During trials and tribulations

Though God seems distant and far away

He is much nearer than I know

For I am cupped in the palm of His hand

When God seems silent

His voice is drowned out by the noise of life

He bids me to be still

Incline my ear to Him and listen

When I’m tempted to fear and tremble

Walk by sight…focused on my circumstances

The Lord commands me

Take every thought captive in obedience to Christ

May I dare to walk by faith

Take God at His word

May I trust Him enough – to trust Him

Even when I don’t understand what He is accomplishing

By Susan Wachtel

February 8, 2013

Five Minute Friday – Fear Exchange

It seems we’ve exchanged the fear of God

For fear of man

Instead of fearing what God can do

We are afraid of what man will say

We choose to forget that God is Holy, Holy, Holy

Fail to call sinful what God has declared sin

We no longer have reverence and awe of God

Fail to declare His Word with authority

Instead of loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength

We desire the approval of man

Instead of worshipping God and feeding the flock

Churches have become places where the ungodly are not confronted about sin and repentance

Lord, forgive us for dialing down Your Word

Protecting people from the Sword of the Spirit

Forgive us for being harsh and unforgiving

Where You abound in mercy and grace

Lord, restore in us a reverence and awe of You

May we fear You Lord and begin to gain wisdom

Susan Wachtel

February 2, 2013

Even though it’s Saturday I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Once Again

Under fiery trials my faith grew weak

It tottered and wobbled until it failed me

The Lord Whom I love and trust was obscured

By circumstances fast spinning out of control

There I stood facing the enemy defeated

Clothed in my weakness, not the Lord’s Armor

But then I cried out to the Lord my God

Omnipotence Who reigns on high

I lifted my eyes unto Your throne

From whence cometh my Help

The Holy Spirit rose up within me

Strengthened my heart with truth from God’s Word

Encouraged, I remembered God’s faithfulness

His deliverance in times past, which is always on time

For God is always faithful

Though I may fail Him, He will NEVER fail me

The Lord Jesus has a firm grasp on me

Once again, in confidence I stand for He will NEVER let me go

By Susan Wachtel

January 26, 2013

Even though it’s a rainy Saturday morning, I wanted to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five MinuteFriday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – The Cherished Cross

Oh how I cherish the cross

When I gaze upon it

I see my Savior who died

To set me free

I see the holiness of God

And the ugliness of my sin

The chains of sin that once held me

Have been broken; I’ve been set free

The blood of Christ was shed

To cleanse me whiter than snow

The Father’s love so deep

He gave His only begotten Son

The place where my Kinsman Redeemer

Paid the price and made me His own

by Susan Wachtel

January 19, 2013

Though I’m a day late, I did not want to miss an opportunity to participate in Lisa-JoBaker’s Five Minute Friday writing challenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Dive In

May I dive into Your Word daily

Find refreshment in Your life giving Word

May I dive deep and study for a life time

Yet I will never come to the end

May I swim far and wide

Beyond my inability to see

May my soul be strengthened

My heart sustained for this arduous journey

by Susan Wachtel

January 12, 2013

Weary from the week that was, I didn’t take the time to write last night.  Though I’m a day late, I did not want to miss an opportunity to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday writingchallenge.  Head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Choose

Each day I live

I have the opportunity to choose

Will I serve the Lord

Or will I serve myself

Will I yield and bend to the Lord’s will

Or will I be stiff necked and unbending

Will I seek the Lord

Or will I pursue my own interests

Will I love the Lord

Or will I love this world and things which are perishing

Will I invest my time reading God’s Word

Or will I waste time on the foolish things of this world

Will I come boldly before the throne of grace in prayer

Or will I choose to grumble and complain

Do I want to hear God’s commendation

Or do I desire man’s approval

Will I choose to glorify God in all things

Or will I seek to glorify myself

Each day I have the opportunity to choose

Choose this day Whom I will serve

Susan Wachtel

January 4, 2013

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challenge head over to her website “Lisa Jo Baker Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

 

Dare I Confess

Dare I confess, I feel a wee bit low these days

My focus is off, not where it should be

On circumstances around me and not on my heavenly Father

Dare I confess, I long to be in heaven

Not in this world riddled with sin

Where evil seems to triumph

Dare I confess, I long for the Rapture

Is it coming soon or many years from now

Only the Lord knows when He will take His church home

Dare I confess, I need to remember

Each day the Lord delays

More people enter the Kingdom by confessing Christ as Lord

Dare I confess, daily walking with the Lord

Sometimes seems hard, but it is so worth it

Achieved through the power of the Holy Spirit within

Dare I confess, I need Your help Lord

To keep my heart and mind stayed on Thee

Saturate me in Your life-giving Word

By Susan Wachtel

December 29, 2012

The Gift Exchange

As the lights were dimmed

A hush came over the crowd

In the quiet a question was posed

What will you give Jesus for Christmas?

I knew in an instant

As his face came to my mind

Our relationship broken and strained

I would present this to my Lord

A beautifully wrapped package

Rested in my hand

Held close to my heart

Then raised to the Lord

In an instant my burden was lifted

Stress I had felt melted away

Once again my mind was focused

Aware of the presence of the Lord

How did this gift exchange happened

I will never fully know

As I presented my gift to the Lord

His peace filled my soul

by Susan Wachtel

December 12, 2012

Five Minute Friday – Giving Thanks

Father as I meditate on Your loving-kindness and goodness

Thanksgiving comes from my heart and is on my lips

Thank You for sending Your Son to bear my sins upon the cross

Because of Christ, my sin debt was marked “Paid in Full”

Thank You for the blood of Jesus Christ

Which cleansed me from all my sin

Thank You for the Gift of Promise

The Holy Spirit, my Guarantee of a future spent with You

Thank You for redeeming this wretched sinner

Taking my heart of stone and giving me a heart of flesh

Thank You for clothing me

In the righteousness of Christ

Thank You for Your life giving Word

Like a river of life for my thirsty soul

Thank You for Your transforming power

Empowering and enabling me to walk victoriously over sin

Thank You for the promise of heaven

An eternity spent with You…the Lover of my soul

By Susan Wachtel

November 23, 2012

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challengehead over to her website “Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Five Minute Friday – Stay Close

Like a ravenous wolf

The enemy trailed the flock of sheep

Watching and waiting

For an opportune time

Before long his next victim was in sight

A young lamb who had wandered from the flock

He lost sight of the Good Shepherd

Faced a vicious enemy alone

With lighting speed and power

The enemy pounced upon his prey

Tearing flesh, ripping muscle and crushing bone

Jaws poised and ready to clamp down on the lamb’s neck

Without warning the enemy was struck with a rod

The Good Shepherd went looking for His lost lamb

He heard the terror filled cries

Intent upon destruction he didn’t see the death blow coming

The lamb was freed

Saved from certain death

The Good Shepherd picked up the injured lamb

Carried him back to the fold

Tenderly his wounds were nursed

Healing balm applied

The Good Shepherd lovingly spoke

Precious lamb, stay close to the One who loves you

Susan Wachtel

November 17, 2012

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challengehead over to her website “Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

In the Quiet of Early Morn

It’s in the quiet of early morn

I seek the Lord

Though others are fast asleep

The sun has yet to kiss the dawn

I meet with You

Before my day begins

I read from Your Word

You give me fresh eyes to see it anew

Scriptures I’ve read a dozen times before

Leap off the page and capture my attention

You give me wise counsel

For the day ahead

You are not a distant faraway God

But my loving Father who keeps His eye upon me

It’s in the quiet of early morn

I meet with my Heavenly Father above

By Susan Wachtel

November 11, 2012

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challengehead over to her website “Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.

Morning Light

Tears shed in the dark of night

Are dried in the morning light

To the downcast soul

The Lord brought joy in the morning light

Though anxiety gripped my heart

The Lord exchanged it for His peace that passes all understanding

Susan Wachtel

November 2, 2012

Five Minute Friday – Uprooted

He had a wanderlust that could not be quenched

Moving from town to town

Changing jobs at the drop of a hat

With family in tow, there was always another move in store

His wife became an expert packer

Frequent moves do not lend themselves to collecting precious things

Friendships started were once again uprooted

One could only hope it was at the beginning of the school year

The ripple effects would be felt over a lifetime

A consuming passion is what did him in

Cigarette after cigarette, no less than two packs a day

He died way too young, never to see his children grown

By the time she was ten, they had moved ten times

Is it any wonder that she doesn’t know how

To let the roots of friendship grow

Something is always held in reserve

So that the deep wounds of her soul won’t be hurt again

Will she ever be unafraid of the changes tomorrow will bring

She longs to be settled for a lifetime

Letting her roots grow deep

With the husband she loves, in the place she calls home

Susan Wachtel

November 3, 2012

If you would like to participate in Lisa-Jo Baker’s Five Minute Friday Challengehead over to her website “Tales from a Gypsy Mama”.  Be sure to read some of the entries from other writers.  I can promise you that you will be blessed.