Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him who reproaches me. Proverbs 27:11
Has it ever occurred to you that Jesus Christ died first and foremost for God the Father. With a passion for His glory as none other could have known or will ever know, He offered Himself up in our stead to magnify the love of His Father, the surety of His judgment, and the praise of His glory.
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! "For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?" "Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Romans 11:33-36
Oh, help us comprehend from You
The things now freely given
As kings and priests receive from YOU
Who dwelleth now in heaven.
For wisdom now to honor You
In every thought and word
Proclaim the glories of Your grace
For others have not heard.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit now
In clarity and speech
That others may receive from You
All You desire to teach.
Oh, ring the bells of heaven now
That in Your train they fall
And glorify The Precious Name
Of Christ on Whom we call.
Oh, open up the ears and eyes
Of those now deaf and blind
And cause them to receive from You
The fullness of Your mind.
With hearts made new and passion too
Your glory only seek
And praise the Precious Name of Christ
Who came to save the meek.
Oh, Holy Father as a fire
Remove from us the dross
And by The Word of God proclaim
As soldiers of the cross,
The battle has been won for those
Who will now bow the knee,
Repent from sin and enter in
The One Who died for THEE!
Michael E. Wood
Morning of February 27, 2010
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
Now We Can Dance and Sing!
Words for a children's song that came to my mind as I awoke this morning.
Oh, what a wonderful thing
Jesus our God and King
Came to the earth
The virgin gave birth
Now we can dance and sing!
Now we can dance and sing!
Now we can dance and sing!
He came to the earth
The virgin gave birth
Now we can dance and sing!
Jesus our God and King
Lived life all pure and clean
He went to the cross
And paid for sin's cost
He died and He rose again!
He died and He rose again!
He died and He rose again!
He went to the cross
And paid for sin's cost
He died and He rose again!
Jesus our God and King
Gives life to all who cling
Just to the cross
And count all else loss
And then to His glory sing!
Then to His glory sing!
Then to His glory sing!
Cling to His cross
And count all else loss
Then to His glory sing!
Jesus our God and King
Will come to the earth again.
His judgement will end
The reign of all sin
His praises will never end!
His praises will never end!
His praises will never end!
His judgement will end
The reign of all sin
His praises will never end!
Michael E. Wood
02-26-2010
Oh, what a wonderful thing
Jesus our God and King
Came to the earth
The virgin gave birth
Now we can dance and sing!
Now we can dance and sing!
Now we can dance and sing!
He came to the earth
The virgin gave birth
Now we can dance and sing!
Jesus our God and King
Lived life all pure and clean
He went to the cross
And paid for sin's cost
He died and He rose again!
He died and He rose again!
He died and He rose again!
He went to the cross
And paid for sin's cost
He died and He rose again!
Jesus our God and King
Gives life to all who cling
Just to the cross
And count all else loss
And then to His glory sing!
Then to His glory sing!
Then to His glory sing!
Cling to His cross
And count all else loss
Then to His glory sing!
Jesus our God and King
Will come to the earth again.
His judgement will end
The reign of all sin
His praises will never end!
His praises will never end!
His praises will never end!
His judgement will end
The reign of all sin
His praises will never end!
Michael E. Wood
02-26-2010
Though blind in part.....
Having received a copy of a poem from a friend, this was the response given to me of the Lord.
Our pains are now the gates
Through which our character will be
Conformed to Christ our sacrifice
And greater joy see.
Beyond the cross we're called to bare
In this life for His glory
As He by means of faithful men
Gives grace to tell His story.
Though blind in part we yet remain
Our vision yet so small,
Til love has taken all away
We bow in humble awe.
And stand then in His perfect presence
His face we're made to see
And thank Him for faith, hope, and love
By which He made us free.
Michael E. Wood
02-25-2010
Our pains are now the gates
Through which our character will be
Conformed to Christ our sacrifice
And greater joy see.
Beyond the cross we're called to bare
In this life for His glory
As He by means of faithful men
Gives grace to tell His story.
Though blind in part we yet remain
Our vision yet so small,
Til love has taken all away
We bow in humble awe.
And stand then in His perfect presence
His face we're made to see
And thank Him for faith, hope, and love
By which He made us free.
Michael E. Wood
02-25-2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
And White Like Snow...
My night was somewhat restless tossing and turning and yet the Lord has been so gracious in filling me with the wonder of Himself and His amazing grace and beauty, as the snow fell for a little while this morning, and has given me yet another poem.
(Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning.Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. Isaiah 1:18-20,24-27 )
Do you like to sit and stare
As the snow falls from the air?
Most every little flake I think
Is quite unique as they do sink.
Some are driven, and some they float,
Some seem to dance with glee and gloat,
As if they had a mind themselves
To uphold themselves above the shelves
Of time and gravity to stall
And yet they all do surely fall.
What wondrous thoughts they now do stir
Of the One Who came, sin's double cure.
The One Who calls us now to reason,
Though filled with sins like red and treason
Against the God from which we came,
The Almighty, The Omniscient One, The Same.
He knows our every thought and deed
And yet He sent His Son to plead
For those who from their sins repent
And turn to Christ from heaven sent.
And white like snow you'll covered be
By Him Who died on Calvary.
He came to save us from our sin
To know the pleasures all within
The glories of our God and King
Who for His glory we now do sing.
Michael E. Wood
February 25, 2010
(Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." Therefore the Lord declares, the LORD of hosts, the Mighty One of Israel: "Ah, I will get relief from my enemies and avenge myself on my foes. I will turn my hand against you and will smelt away your dross as with lye and remove all your alloy. And I will restore your judges as at the first, and your counselors as at the beginning.Afterward you shall be called the city of righteousness, the faithful city." Zion shall be redeemed by justice, and those in her who repent, by righteousness. Isaiah 1:18-20,24-27 )
Do you like to sit and stare
As the snow falls from the air?
Most every little flake I think
Is quite unique as they do sink.
Some are driven, and some they float,
Some seem to dance with glee and gloat,
As if they had a mind themselves
To uphold themselves above the shelves
Of time and gravity to stall
And yet they all do surely fall.
What wondrous thoughts they now do stir
Of the One Who came, sin's double cure.
The One Who calls us now to reason,
Though filled with sins like red and treason
Against the God from which we came,
The Almighty, The Omniscient One, The Same.
He knows our every thought and deed
And yet He sent His Son to plead
For those who from their sins repent
And turn to Christ from heaven sent.
And white like snow you'll covered be
By Him Who died on Calvary.
He came to save us from our sin
To know the pleasures all within
The glories of our God and King
Who for His glory we now do sing.
Michael E. Wood
February 25, 2010
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
For HIS Beauty We Are Made To Behold
As we are made to fear the Name of the LORD, and His glory, there are times and seasons of which He comes like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives, and we can do nothing but be humbled in the midst of His glory, bow at His feet, and magnify the precious Name of Jesus for His beauty we are made to behold.
While in the enjoyment of God on such a wonderful and peculiar day, I was given the following poem and song. The song may be sung to the tune of "Lamb of God", by Twila Paris, with slight variations, as the music of that song came to my mind and the words of this song rendered itself to that music.
POEM:
"To Walk with Him, our Promised Land"
Oh, who am I to stop the flow
Of all the gifts He doth bestow,
Of all the benefits of bliss
Would we by sin His offer miss?
Would we by all our earthly toys
Refuse Him Who gives eternal joys?
Of all we hold in earthly hands
Relinquish now to Him Who stands
Amidst the blaze of refining fires
To yield to Him our chief desires.
We will not miss on all the glee
That comes from His eternal plea,
Upheld by Him Who makes us stand,
To walk with Him, our Promised Land.
Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010
SONG:
"OUR LOFTY PRAISE"
Our lofty praise we'll give some day
As we look on Your smiling gaze.
Til then we'll come without delay
And offer you with hearts amazed,
By grace through faith in You alone
Who overcame our sins to come
And offer us before the throne,
Our tongues You loose, now no more dumb.
(Chorus)
O, LORD above, Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One.
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.
Our praise is what we now can give,
As to Your glory we shall live.
Oh, purge from us all selfish thought,
And show the grace that You have wrought.
Your steadfast love and faithfulness,
Our all in all, our holiness,
Our hearts desire we ask You fill.
Oh, give us grace to do Your will.
(Chorus)
Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You.
Oh, wondrous thoughts of Thee with bliss
O kiss me now with tender lips
With all Thy heart and passion too
There is no one I love like You.
O Lord above, Almighty Son,
We'll wait for You until You come
To take us home to be with You
There is no one we love like You
(Added March 1)
While typing this out additional words came to mind as I realized this song could be also sung to the tune of "Before the Throne of God Above" by (1)changing the word 'on' in the line (As we look on Your smiling gaze) to 'upon' (We look upon Your smiling gaze) (2)repeating the last line in each of the second stanzas, and (3) with the inclusion of the following (Chorus)
Oh LORD above Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.
Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You,
All things to honor only You.
Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010
While in the enjoyment of God on such a wonderful and peculiar day, I was given the following poem and song. The song may be sung to the tune of "Lamb of God", by Twila Paris, with slight variations, as the music of that song came to my mind and the words of this song rendered itself to that music.
POEM:
"To Walk with Him, our Promised Land"
Oh, who am I to stop the flow
Of all the gifts He doth bestow,
Of all the benefits of bliss
Would we by sin His offer miss?
Would we by all our earthly toys
Refuse Him Who gives eternal joys?
Of all we hold in earthly hands
Relinquish now to Him Who stands
Amidst the blaze of refining fires
To yield to Him our chief desires.
We will not miss on all the glee
That comes from His eternal plea,
Upheld by Him Who makes us stand,
To walk with Him, our Promised Land.
Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010
SONG:
"OUR LOFTY PRAISE"
Our lofty praise we'll give some day
As we look on Your smiling gaze.
Til then we'll come without delay
And offer you with hearts amazed,
By grace through faith in You alone
Who overcame our sins to come
And offer us before the throne,
Our tongues You loose, now no more dumb.
(Chorus)
O, LORD above, Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One.
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.
Our praise is what we now can give,
As to Your glory we shall live.
Oh, purge from us all selfish thought,
And show the grace that You have wrought.
Your steadfast love and faithfulness,
Our all in all, our holiness,
Our hearts desire we ask You fill.
Oh, give us grace to do Your will.
(Chorus)
Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You.
Oh, wondrous thoughts of Thee with bliss
O kiss me now with tender lips
With all Thy heart and passion too
There is no one I love like You.
O Lord above, Almighty Son,
We'll wait for You until You come
To take us home to be with You
There is no one we love like You
(Added March 1)
While typing this out additional words came to mind as I realized this song could be also sung to the tune of "Before the Throne of God Above" by (1)changing the word 'on' in the line (As we look on Your smiling gaze) to 'upon' (We look upon Your smiling gaze) (2)repeating the last line in each of the second stanzas, and (3) with the inclusion of the following (Chorus)
Oh LORD above Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.
Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You,
All things to honor only You.
Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Does He still take your breath away?
As I opened my Bible this morning, the first words that my eyes became fixed upon were these: (Isa.60:1-2) "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you."
And then as I looked to verses in the preceding chapter I read: (59:16-21) ... His Own Arm brought Salvation, and His Righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His Head; ... So they shall fear the Name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, which the Wind of the LORD drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, declares the LORD. And as for Me, this is My covenant with them, says The LORD: "My Spirit that is upon You, and My Words that I have put in Your mouth, shall not depart out of Your mouth, or out of the mouth of Your offspring, or out of the mouth of Your children's offspring, or out of the mouth of Your children's children's offspring," says The LORD, " from this time forth and forevermore."
I picked up a 3x5 card of which Dianna and I agreed that I would write the following words on, " Does He still take your breath away", and as I began to write, I was directed to Revelation 3:15-22, and the following is the result.
Are you His offspring?
Do you now sing?
Are you the seed
Of our God and our King?
Do you give praise
For all that you have?
Have you now eyes
Anointed with salve?
Are you now hot
Or are you now cold?
Are you lukewarm
With all that you hold?
Do you not know
That you're wretched and poor?
Do you not know
You're in need of His store?
Of gold so refined
By His fire from above
Sent from God's hand
To reprove now in love?
Do you not know
That His discipline's true?
Be zealous, therefore,
And repent now anew!
You'll find Him so sweet
As you open the door,
The voice of His Spirit
Will feed you with more,
And give you the strength
That you may overcome
And sit with the One
Who Is all of the sum,
Of Majesty, Splendor
And Glory and Grace,
On the throne of His Father
Beholding His Face.
Oh hear what He saith
And you will be sure
Conqueror's you'll be
By Him to endure.
Michael E. Wood
Amazing Morning - February 23,2 010
Oh, Father we ask that You grant to us the grace to submit to all that comes from Your hand, that we may see that our greatest need is You! Not what You have but Who You are! Help us to see our blindness and nakedness before You. Our stubbornness and wretchedness, and our rebellions that we may truly know what it means to buy from You all that we have need of without money and without price.
Oh, make us what You would have us to be, that we may be the vessels of mercy that You would have us to be, that we may be to unto Your Honor, unto Your Praise, and unto Your Glory, In the Precious Name of Jesus and for His sake we ask. Amen! Father, we thank You that You are so incomprehensible that we are continually made to be humbled by the depths of Your love toward us.
Of all men; why You would choose us is such a mystery that goes beyond our understanding, and yet we thank You that You have determined it to be so before You spoke anything into existence, and because of Your good pleasure You have granted and given us both mercy and grace to be pleasing in Your sight, as You have provided for us through the Unblemished Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom be all the Honor and Glory and Praise both now and forevermore!
Amen!
And then as I looked to verses in the preceding chapter I read: (59:16-21) ... His Own Arm brought Salvation, and His Righteousness upheld Him. He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His Head; ... So they shall fear the Name of the LORD from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He will come like a rushing stream, which the Wind of the LORD drives. And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, declares the LORD. And as for Me, this is My covenant with them, says The LORD: "My Spirit that is upon You, and My Words that I have put in Your mouth, shall not depart out of Your mouth, or out of the mouth of Your offspring, or out of the mouth of Your children's offspring, or out of the mouth of Your children's children's offspring," says The LORD, " from this time forth and forevermore."
I picked up a 3x5 card of which Dianna and I agreed that I would write the following words on, " Does He still take your breath away", and as I began to write, I was directed to Revelation 3:15-22, and the following is the result.
Are you His offspring?
Do you now sing?
Are you the seed
Of our God and our King?
Do you give praise
For all that you have?
Have you now eyes
Anointed with salve?
Are you now hot
Or are you now cold?
Are you lukewarm
With all that you hold?
Do you not know
That you're wretched and poor?
Do you not know
You're in need of His store?
Of gold so refined
By His fire from above
Sent from God's hand
To reprove now in love?
Do you not know
That His discipline's true?
Be zealous, therefore,
And repent now anew!
You'll find Him so sweet
As you open the door,
The voice of His Spirit
Will feed you with more,
And give you the strength
That you may overcome
And sit with the One
Who Is all of the sum,
Of Majesty, Splendor
And Glory and Grace,
On the throne of His Father
Beholding His Face.
Oh hear what He saith
And you will be sure
Conqueror's you'll be
By Him to endure.
Michael E. Wood
Amazing Morning - February 23,2 010
Oh, Father we ask that You grant to us the grace to submit to all that comes from Your hand, that we may see that our greatest need is You! Not what You have but Who You are! Help us to see our blindness and nakedness before You. Our stubbornness and wretchedness, and our rebellions that we may truly know what it means to buy from You all that we have need of without money and without price.
Oh, make us what You would have us to be, that we may be the vessels of mercy that You would have us to be, that we may be to unto Your Honor, unto Your Praise, and unto Your Glory, In the Precious Name of Jesus and for His sake we ask. Amen! Father, we thank You that You are so incomprehensible that we are continually made to be humbled by the depths of Your love toward us.
Of all men; why You would choose us is such a mystery that goes beyond our understanding, and yet we thank You that You have determined it to be so before You spoke anything into existence, and because of Your good pleasure You have granted and given us both mercy and grace to be pleasing in Your sight, as You have provided for us through the Unblemished Merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to Whom be all the Honor and Glory and Praise both now and forevermore!
Amen!
A Morning Kiss
As the tears come to my eyes, I cannot help but be humbled by His Presence. And as again words seem so small a means to display the wonders of His grace and His glory, let us give thanks and praise Him for His unspeakable Gift.
He is our Fount and He is our Spring,
Because of His cross, to Him we now cling!
Oh, what a Love He has for His wife,
Made up of all He delivers from strife.
Oh, let us praise Him in all that we bring,
To honor our God, and honor our King,
With hearts that He fills with His marvelous grace,
To bring us to glory, and see His dear face!
Michael E. Wood
Morning of February 23, 2010
Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer's soul and they promote sanctification. We were not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration, and the Christian who goes for a long time without the experience of heart-warming will soon find himself tempted to have his emotions satisfied from earthly things and not, as he ought, from the Spirit of God.
The soul is so constituted that it craves fulfillment from things outside itself and will embrace earthly joys for satisfaction when it cannot reach spiritual ones. The believer is in spiritual danger if he allows himself to go for any length of time without tasting the love of Christ and savoring the felt comforts of a Savior's presence.
When Christ ceases to fill the heart with satisfaction, our souls will go in silent search of other lovers.
By the enjoyment of the love of Christ in the heart of a believer, we mean an experience of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us (Rom. 5:5) because the Lord has made himself accessible to us in the means of grace, it is our duty and privilege to seek this experience from Him in these means till we are made the joyful partakers of it.
John Flavel (1630-1691)
He is our Fount and He is our Spring,
Because of His cross, to Him we now cling!
Oh, what a Love He has for His wife,
Made up of all He delivers from strife.
Oh, let us praise Him in all that we bring,
To honor our God, and honor our King,
With hearts that He fills with His marvelous grace,
To bring us to glory, and see His dear face!
Michael E. Wood
Morning of February 23, 2010
Ecstasy and delight are essential to the believer's soul and they promote sanctification. We were not meant to live without spiritual exhilaration, and the Christian who goes for a long time without the experience of heart-warming will soon find himself tempted to have his emotions satisfied from earthly things and not, as he ought, from the Spirit of God.
The soul is so constituted that it craves fulfillment from things outside itself and will embrace earthly joys for satisfaction when it cannot reach spiritual ones. The believer is in spiritual danger if he allows himself to go for any length of time without tasting the love of Christ and savoring the felt comforts of a Savior's presence.
When Christ ceases to fill the heart with satisfaction, our souls will go in silent search of other lovers.
By the enjoyment of the love of Christ in the heart of a believer, we mean an experience of the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given to us (Rom. 5:5) because the Lord has made himself accessible to us in the means of grace, it is our duty and privilege to seek this experience from Him in these means till we are made the joyful partakers of it.
John Flavel (1630-1691)
Monday, February 22, 2010
"Through Christ my Sacrifice, Who is my Own"
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. R0mans 5:1-5
Upon being lifted up through the mediation of Christ and meditation of Romans 1-4; 1st John 2:1,2; and Romans 5:1-5, intermingled with thoughts which streamed from the Tenth Argument for Closet Prayer by Thomas Brooks in his book, "The Privy Key to Heaven", of which my beloved Dianna and I have begun to read together, this song came to mind. Though this song was given to me as an expression of the unfathomable work of grace HE HAS DONE IN ME, it is my hope that He will use it as a testimony of the glory of His grace in congregational singing, as we, with one heart, one mind, and one mouth glorify our God for His unspeakable Gift!
"Through Christ my Sacrifice, Who is my Own"
The Father willed to give,
His Son that I might live.
For wrath and sin atoned,
Through Him, I now am owned.
Though wretched vile within,
His blood now covers sin,
And all I am is His,
Through Christ Alone!
(Chorus)
In Christ I'm justified,
My soul is free.
In Christ I'm satisfied,
God's pleased with me.
Before my Father's throne,
My glory will be shown,
Through Christ my sacrifice,
Who is my own!
My secret sins He sees,
And brings me to my knees.
His Spirit intercedes,
Supplies for all my needs.
To Him I now will cling,
And all my days I'll sing.
Give glory to my God,
Through Christ alone!
(Chorus)
His presence now with me,
To Him, all glory be.
His grace now makes me stand,
He leads me by His hand.
His holiness in me,
Perfected I will be.
My Hope, no shame I'll have,
Through Christ alone!
(Chorus)
Michael E. Wood
February 21-22, 2010
Upon being lifted up through the mediation of Christ and meditation of Romans 1-4; 1st John 2:1,2; and Romans 5:1-5, intermingled with thoughts which streamed from the Tenth Argument for Closet Prayer by Thomas Brooks in his book, "The Privy Key to Heaven", of which my beloved Dianna and I have begun to read together, this song came to mind. Though this song was given to me as an expression of the unfathomable work of grace HE HAS DONE IN ME, it is my hope that He will use it as a testimony of the glory of His grace in congregational singing, as we, with one heart, one mind, and one mouth glorify our God for His unspeakable Gift!
"Through Christ my Sacrifice, Who is my Own"
The Father willed to give,
His Son that I might live.
For wrath and sin atoned,
Through Him, I now am owned.
Though wretched vile within,
His blood now covers sin,
And all I am is His,
Through Christ Alone!
(Chorus)
In Christ I'm justified,
My soul is free.
In Christ I'm satisfied,
God's pleased with me.
Before my Father's throne,
My glory will be shown,
Through Christ my sacrifice,
Who is my own!
My secret sins He sees,
And brings me to my knees.
His Spirit intercedes,
Supplies for all my needs.
To Him I now will cling,
And all my days I'll sing.
Give glory to my God,
Through Christ alone!
(Chorus)
His presence now with me,
To Him, all glory be.
His grace now makes me stand,
He leads me by His hand.
His holiness in me,
Perfected I will be.
My Hope, no shame I'll have,
Through Christ alone!
(Chorus)
Michael E. Wood
February 21-22, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Weak Feeble Hands
While meditating on Psalm 95:1-7, "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God,and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth;the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it,and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! For he is our God,and we are the people of his pasture,and the sheep of his hand."
Weak Feeble Hands
Oh, Father of mercy and Father of lights,
We thank You for faith, to come in Your sight.
You are our ROCK and You are our SHIELD,
You are our SOVEREIGN to Whom we now yield,
And though our minds flitter from this and from that,
You draw us now closer for more than a chat.
The depths of our heart You do search with Your Word,
And conform us to Christ through the Word we have heard.
From the heights of Your mountains and all of Your sea,
You give us the pleasure to now bow the knee.
We are Your people and the sheep of Your Hand,
Oh, bring us to Jesus all over this land.
Not ought do You need from our weak feeble hands,
And yet You delight in our most simple strands.
Proclaiming Your praises as onward we go,
As vessels of mercy, through whom You do sow,
The gospel of Christ by Your Spirit and blood,
And raise up the dead, by Your glory to bud,
Reflecting the power of Your Great Sovereign Love,
Redeeming Your chosen by Your grace from above.
Michael E. Wood
February 19, 2010
What True Prayer Is
"Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to His Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God." John Bunyon
Weak Feeble Hands
Oh, Father of mercy and Father of lights,
We thank You for faith, to come in Your sight.
You are our ROCK and You are our SHIELD,
You are our SOVEREIGN to Whom we now yield,
And though our minds flitter from this and from that,
You draw us now closer for more than a chat.
The depths of our heart You do search with Your Word,
And conform us to Christ through the Word we have heard.
From the heights of Your mountains and all of Your sea,
You give us the pleasure to now bow the knee.
We are Your people and the sheep of Your Hand,
Oh, bring us to Jesus all over this land.
Not ought do You need from our weak feeble hands,
And yet You delight in our most simple strands.
Proclaiming Your praises as onward we go,
As vessels of mercy, through whom You do sow,
The gospel of Christ by Your Spirit and blood,
And raise up the dead, by Your glory to bud,
Reflecting the power of Your Great Sovereign Love,
Redeeming Your chosen by Your grace from above.
Michael E. Wood
February 19, 2010
What True Prayer Is
"Prayer is a sincere, sensible, affectionate pouring out of the heart or the soul to God, through Christ, in the strength and assistance of the Holy Spirit, for such things as God has promised, or according to His Word, for the good of the church, with submission in faith to the will of God." John Bunyon
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Helpless, Hopeless Child of Man
Having finished the book by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, "God's Way Not Ours", and upon remembering my own once helpless and hopeless estate apart from the grace of God, these words came to mind. Though they may be somewhat simple in thought, my hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me, that He will use them to bring glory to Himself, and to provoke the thoughts of others as they consider our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory both now and forevermore. Amen!
Oh, helpless, hopeless child of man,
You cannot stand the laws demand.
Though gifted by a common grace,
With it you cannot sin erase.
Your speech is but a noisy gong,
Your praise is but an empty song.
Though faith you have and mountains move,
Not ought but love will ever prove,
The glories of our God and King,
Who came to earth, Whose praise we sing.
Oh, what love You showed to man,
To condescend, fulfill the plan,
Set forth by our eternal God,
Yet to this world You seem so odd,
That to a cross You then did go,
Provide the way that we may know,
Forgiveness and the joy You bring,
As nothing else of which we cling.
Your blood has freed us from our plight,
And raised us from our nature's night.
To honor You in all we do,
And give to You the glory due!
Michael E. Wood
February 17, 2010
Oh, helpless, hopeless child of man,
You cannot stand the laws demand.
Though gifted by a common grace,
With it you cannot sin erase.
Your speech is but a noisy gong,
Your praise is but an empty song.
Though faith you have and mountains move,
Not ought but love will ever prove,
The glories of our God and King,
Who came to earth, Whose praise we sing.
Oh, what love You showed to man,
To condescend, fulfill the plan,
Set forth by our eternal God,
Yet to this world You seem so odd,
That to a cross You then did go,
Provide the way that we may know,
Forgiveness and the joy You bring,
As nothing else of which we cling.
Your blood has freed us from our plight,
And raised us from our nature's night.
To honor You in all we do,
And give to You the glory due!
Michael E. Wood
February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A Thrice Holy God
Upon reading yet another chapter in, "God's Way Not Ours", by D. Martyn Lloyd Jones and thinking upon my own former thoughts intermixed with things I have heard from others; along with a burden for those with whom I am presently employed, these words came to mind.
Have we language, that we did learn,
And yet have hearts one day will burn,
All full of pride and sin within,
Without, our works are seen to men?
Have we thoughts to fool you God,
With ignorance with which we're shod,
And walk on paths so broad and wide,
And think to You our sin we hide?
Confess our need? Why, we know best,
And in the end we'll stand the test.
Just look at us, for after all,
We've come so far since Adam's fall.
For surely God now understands,
As we now follow His Ten Commands.
And though He sees our imperfection,
Does He not know our good direction?
Friend, if you have any thought that there is any thing good within yourself at all apart from the grace of God which comes by faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, then you are a Fool! For the only thing that will satisfy the Thrice Holy God, before Whom you will stand one day is JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED!
Michael E. Wood 02-16-2010
Have we language, that we did learn,
And yet have hearts one day will burn,
All full of pride and sin within,
Without, our works are seen to men?
Have we thoughts to fool you God,
With ignorance with which we're shod,
And walk on paths so broad and wide,
And think to You our sin we hide?
Confess our need? Why, we know best,
And in the end we'll stand the test.
Just look at us, for after all,
We've come so far since Adam's fall.
For surely God now understands,
As we now follow His Ten Commands.
And though He sees our imperfection,
Does He not know our good direction?
Friend, if you have any thought that there is any thing good within yourself at all apart from the grace of God which comes by faith alone, in Christ alone, to the glory of God alone, then you are a Fool! For the only thing that will satisfy the Thrice Holy God, before Whom you will stand one day is JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED!
Michael E. Wood 02-16-2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
A Tribute to Beacon Baptist Church
As I was awakened around 5:00 a.m. this morning, after about four and a half hours sleep, and as I read a little and began to contemplate the gracious words of Pastor Barkman and the time I have been given here as a part of the Beacon Baptist Church, these words came to my mind, and as tears filled my eyes, I still find it hard to comprehend His goodness and mercy toward me:
What We Could Never Do
The privilege afforded me,
With words I cannot tell—
Engaged with those born from above;
Full hearts that now doth swell—
To magnify the Precious Name,
Which conquered death and hell,
Delighting in the One we know,
Who has done all things well.
Emmanuel came down to us
And through the veil of tears;
Received the cup, and bore the wrath,
And overcame our fears—
Which would have been because of sin
The loss of all our years,
And yet for joy, He cried forgive
Into the Father's ears.
No further explanation give
For why He'd choose to favor
Such wretched ones as we, But LOVE,
As now we're made the savor—
Of life to life to all He chose,
Our God, the great Engraver
Upon our hearts and minds to make
His heritage the braver—
To ask of Him great things, that He
Alone may gain the glory,
To tell more fully still the grace
Of all redemption's story.
And if through years He's carried us
‘Til we have heads so hoary;
We'll show the wisdom of His Word
Far more than allegory.
For He Himself has done for us,
What we could never do,
Empower us with steadfast love,
And faithful hearts made new.
We'll glory in the Righteous One,
Who is our Love so True,
Exalt the Name of Christ our King,
And give Him glory too.
Michael E. Wood - February 10, 2010
What We Could Never Do
The privilege afforded me,
With words I cannot tell—
Engaged with those born from above;
Full hearts that now doth swell—
To magnify the Precious Name,
Which conquered death and hell,
Delighting in the One we know,
Who has done all things well.
Emmanuel came down to us
And through the veil of tears;
Received the cup, and bore the wrath,
And overcame our fears—
Which would have been because of sin
The loss of all our years,
And yet for joy, He cried forgive
Into the Father's ears.
No further explanation give
For why He'd choose to favor
Such wretched ones as we, But LOVE,
As now we're made the savor—
Of life to life to all He chose,
Our God, the great Engraver
Upon our hearts and minds to make
His heritage the braver—
To ask of Him great things, that He
Alone may gain the glory,
To tell more fully still the grace
Of all redemption's story.
And if through years He's carried us
‘Til we have heads so hoary;
We'll show the wisdom of His Word
Far more than allegory.
For He Himself has done for us,
What we could never do,
Empower us with steadfast love,
And faithful hearts made new.
We'll glory in the Righteous One,
Who is our Love so True,
Exalt the Name of Christ our King,
And give Him glory too.
Michael E. Wood - February 10, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
True Revival Send
Oh, desire, you great deceiver
Of this dark vain world's lust,
Hid within the hearts of men,
Who know not One Who's Just.
Oh, what a picture you paint for them
Of peace which is not peace,
Disguising hell so brilliantly
With lights which are on lease.
How blind they are in pride and sin
To think they will escape,
By trusting in themselves to know
The truth though masked with cape.*
No moral change or outer veils
Will keep them from destruction,
Though wise they think themselves to be
By reason and deduction.
They see Your work of common grace
And know not they are falling,
And think at last they will be safe,
And know not they're appalling.
They know not their lives to be
The stench of death to One so Holy,
The god of self, they're given to
And worship now so lowly.
The Christ they know is but a figment
Of their imagination,
And know not Him Who is the One,
The Light of all creation.
No love for You , or for Your Word,
You are the hidden Treasure.
No comprehension of the One
Who's Value's beyond measure.
Oh, Breathe, O' Breath of Life to them,
Who from this world are chosen,
Melt through the frigid hearts of all
Your own that are now frozen.
Oh, Holy Spirit as a Fire
Burn brightly now from Glory,
Reveal to them the Truth of Christ,
Who IS Redemption's Story.
He gave Himself for all our sin
And God is satisfied,
And those who come through Him alone,
They will not be denied.
Oh, God we ask that You be pleased,
And True revival send,
And separate Your wheat from chaff,
This for Your Glory's end.
More brokenness we ask of You,
Oh, Father of our God,
Your Son, our Christ, be Magnified,
As homeward we shall trod.
*(Cape: to head or point; to keep a course; as the ship capes southwest by south. In other words, though they may express one thing by what they say, they express another by how they continue to live.)
Michael E. Wood 02-08-2010
Of this dark vain world's lust,
Hid within the hearts of men,
Who know not One Who's Just.
Oh, what a picture you paint for them
Of peace which is not peace,
Disguising hell so brilliantly
With lights which are on lease.
How blind they are in pride and sin
To think they will escape,
By trusting in themselves to know
The truth though masked with cape.*
No moral change or outer veils
Will keep them from destruction,
Though wise they think themselves to be
By reason and deduction.
They see Your work of common grace
And know not they are falling,
And think at last they will be safe,
And know not they're appalling.
They know not their lives to be
The stench of death to One so Holy,
The god of self, they're given to
And worship now so lowly.
The Christ they know is but a figment
Of their imagination,
And know not Him Who is the One,
The Light of all creation.
No love for You , or for Your Word,
You are the hidden Treasure.
No comprehension of the One
Who's Value's beyond measure.
Oh, Breathe, O' Breath of Life to them,
Who from this world are chosen,
Melt through the frigid hearts of all
Your own that are now frozen.
Oh, Holy Spirit as a Fire
Burn brightly now from Glory,
Reveal to them the Truth of Christ,
Who IS Redemption's Story.
He gave Himself for all our sin
And God is satisfied,
And those who come through Him alone,
They will not be denied.
Oh, God we ask that You be pleased,
And True revival send,
And separate Your wheat from chaff,
This for Your Glory's end.
More brokenness we ask of You,
Oh, Father of our God,
Your Son, our Christ, be Magnified,
As homeward we shall trod.
*(Cape: to head or point; to keep a course; as the ship capes southwest by south. In other words, though they may express one thing by what they say, they express another by how they continue to live.)
Michael E. Wood 02-08-2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
My Hope is in the Lord (New Edition)
(4:13p.m.-2/14/10)
Oh, never underestimate the beauty and the wonder of the grace of God by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, even when we are asleep. Ps. 127:2b: "... for So He giveth His beloved sleep."
I had laid down to take a nap on this Lord's day and awoke with this tune and these words which came forth in my waking moments which easily adapt to that which was given to Norman J. Clayton (1903-1992) "My Hope is in the Lord" (original song)
My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
(Chorus)
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
No merit of my own His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.
(Chorus)
And now for me He stands before the Father's throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.
(Chorus)
His grace has planned it all, Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.
(Chorus)
(The words that came to me as I awoke – New Lyrics)
His steadfast love alone, conveys us to the throne,
And there we make our wants and wishes to Him known.
(New Chorus)
In Him, we hide, In Him abide,
As from the cross His church spills from
His bleeding side.
His glory our desire, His praise is now our hire*,
As clothed in white will one day be our full attire.
(New Chorus)
* Hire; (a) the state of being hired, or having a job; employment (b) to obtain the services of in return for fixed payment; to employ. And thus we are bought with the price of His own blood, as the payment for our sin has been made in full, through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as our hope is fixed in Him, we are thus employed to joyfully sing His praise through all eternity unto His glory! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
And if this be but a minute picture of how we are blessed by Him in our temporal sleep of this life to receive good things from Him; How much more will be the case when we awake with Him in glory to be brought back with Him to reign with Him forever and ever. Amen!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Psalm 127:1-5
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
Oh, never underestimate the beauty and the wonder of the grace of God by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, even when we are asleep. Ps. 127:2b: "... for So He giveth His beloved sleep."
I had laid down to take a nap on this Lord's day and awoke with this tune and these words which came forth in my waking moments which easily adapt to that which was given to Norman J. Clayton (1903-1992) "My Hope is in the Lord" (original song)
My hope is in the Lord, Who gave Himself for me,
And paid the price of all my sin at Calvary.
(Chorus)
For me He died, For me He lives,
And everlasting life and light He freely gives.
No merit of my own His anger to suppress.
My only hope is found in Jesus' righteousness.
(Chorus)
And now for me He stands before the Father's throne.
He shows His wounded hands and names me as His own.
(Chorus)
His grace has planned it all, Tis mine but to believe,
And recognize His work of love and Christ receive.
(Chorus)
(The words that came to me as I awoke – New Lyrics)
His steadfast love alone, conveys us to the throne,
And there we make our wants and wishes to Him known.
(New Chorus)
In Him, we hide, In Him abide,
As from the cross His church spills from
His bleeding side.
His glory our desire, His praise is now our hire*,
As clothed in white will one day be our full attire.
(New Chorus)
* Hire; (a) the state of being hired, or having a job; employment (b) to obtain the services of in return for fixed payment; to employ. And thus we are bought with the price of His own blood, as the payment for our sin has been made in full, through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as our hope is fixed in Him, we are thus employed to joyfully sing His praise through all eternity unto His glory! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
And if this be but a minute picture of how we are blessed by Him in our temporal sleep of this life to receive good things from Him; How much more will be the case when we awake with Him in glory to be brought back with Him to reign with Him forever and ever. Amen!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Psalm 127:1-5
Unless the LORD builds the house,
those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
for he gives to his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
A Spark
Our time is in His hands,
To do as He commands.
Our times are in His hand.
Our joy is His demand,
As Christ fulfills,
The Father's will,
To give Him glory still!
Note: This came to Michael this morning and I am posting it here, as I sense a "song" may be in the works.
To do as He commands.
Our times are in His hand.
Our joy is His demand,
As Christ fulfills,
The Father's will,
To give Him glory still!
Note: This came to Michael this morning and I am posting it here, as I sense a "song" may be in the works.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Embraced by His Love
Embraced by His love; we find ourselves now.
Prepared for His harvest; our hands to the plough.
We knew from the first, His blessing of grace;
To strengthen and guide, to behold His dear face.
With hearts set ablaze, becoming as one;
Desiring the glory of God’s Holy Son.
We look not to men for wisdom above;
But, look to His Word, who answers in love.
With righteous integrity; Spirit filled too—
Emboldened by mercy; all things are made new.
His blood ever cleansing, to walk in the Light;
Forgiveness providing both vision and sight.
So let us move forward; awaiting the shout,
“Your race is now finished; it’s time to come out.”
We’ll stand in His presence with no more lament;
And praise Him forever for faith that he sent.
Michael E. Wood
February 19, 2009 (12.10a.m. - 12:57a.m.)
Note: This was actually written a year ago February and is just now being posted.
Prepared for His harvest; our hands to the plough.
We knew from the first, His blessing of grace;
To strengthen and guide, to behold His dear face.
With hearts set ablaze, becoming as one;
Desiring the glory of God’s Holy Son.
We look not to men for wisdom above;
But, look to His Word, who answers in love.
With righteous integrity; Spirit filled too—
Emboldened by mercy; all things are made new.
His blood ever cleansing, to walk in the Light;
Forgiveness providing both vision and sight.
So let us move forward; awaiting the shout,
“Your race is now finished; it’s time to come out.”
We’ll stand in His presence with no more lament;
And praise Him forever for faith that he sent.
Michael E. Wood
February 19, 2009 (12.10a.m. - 12:57a.m.)
Note: This was actually written a year ago February and is just now being posted.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
The Beauty of the Morning Frost
The beauty of the morning frost
Shows forth His glorious praise.
The One Who bought us with His blood,
To hallow all our days.
Oh, help us now to worship You,
Oh Spirit now provide,
With all we need,
As we now trust Your Word, Who is our Guide.
Oh, teach us how to flesh before
The eyes of mortal men;
The freedom You have bought for all Your own, redeemed from sin.
Oh, give us grace to honor You
In all we say and do--
That when we stand before Your face
We give the glory due.
In Progress - Morning of February 4, 2010
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