Our Direction Is True North

Michael E. Wood
February 13, 2013
John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:26-29

The primary purpose for which John the Baptist was brought into this world as the last of the Old Testament prophets was to point others to the Lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world. Is that not likewise the primary purpose for which we were born again?

Behold; Behold the Lamb of God who walked upon this earth.
Because He bled and died; through Him, we’re given second birth.
His Spirit teaches us to die to self and vanity
And through His blood we’re given strength to look to Him and flee.

Behold; Behold the Lamb of God who walks amidst His people
As in them He is dwelling, needing not an earthly steeple
To know He’s present in the church for which He came to die
And rose to prove that God is Just alone, to justify.

Behold; Behold the Lamb of God before creation slain,
Who gives instruction through His word to make His paths so plain
That we as little children may with hand in His go forth
Assured by His own compass our direction is true north!

A Sacrifice

Michael E. Wood

February 7, 2013

While heading toward Atria El Camino Gardens to preach in the Life Guidance unit according to my usual schedule, some of the following words began to come to mind. Noticing that I had a few minutes before needing to go, I hurriedly began to write on the back of a piece of paper which had a new song that I had been given to sing but had not yet memorized. Having written the first verse and in the process of writing the second, I realized that the rest would have to wait, as I needed to go inside for the service. Later that afternoon, while heading for John Adams Manor, for a Bible Study with Eric Davis, the thought continued and when I arrived, I wrote the remainder of this short prayer poem. Upon sharing the poem with Eric, he said, “You ought to read that in church”. Though short in length and simple in thought, it is my prayer to the glory of God.

Oh, You who raised me

Through the cross of Christ

Unto Yourself,

And breathed in me the breath of life

To give Your peace

And health.

Oh, help me to now

Contemplate Your mercy

And Your call,

And yield my life

A sacrifice

To You, Oh LORD of all!

Like An Arrow

Michael E. Wood

January 24-25, 2013

Teach me your way, O Lord, Psalm 27:11a

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:9-11

For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. John 17:8

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. Hebrews 1:1-2

What began as a research project to more fully comprehend the meaning of the word “teach” in the context of the passage from Psalm 27 developed into a new song with a new melody.

Holy Father speak through Jesus
By Your Spirit as You teach,
Making us much more receptive
That Your church may others reach
For Your glory build the body
As the temple of Your praise
Knowing You are ever present
In the Son whom You did raise.

May Your teaching flow as water
Cleansing me from all my sin
Purifying and refreshing,
Words of grace to glory in.
Like an arrow, aim Your finger
At the things which You know best
In my heart which needs Your teaching
To bear fruit by Him who’s blest.

Give the seed then to the sower
And the bread to them that eat,
That Your name as everlasting
May be praised at Jesus feet.
Speak from heaven and accomplish
All Your will just as You please,
Till the time that You appointed
All confess and bow their knees.

Then in heaven we shall glory
In Your praise forevermore
In the likeness of our Savior
As the Son whom You adore.
In His fullness, all partaking
Of Your love in purest light
Never ending, ever flowing;
Fulfill thoughts of Your delight.

“You Follow Me!”

Michael E. Wood

January 23, 2013

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him. Matthew 2:13

“God has more than one way of preserving his people. This wonderful method of preserving the Son of God in the flight to Egypt teaches us it is improper to prescribe to God a fixed plan of action. Let us permit him to advance our salvation by a diversity of methods and not refuse to be humbled, so that he may more abundantly display his glory. Above all, let us not avoid the cross of suffering, by which the Son of God himself was trained from his earliest infancy.” John Calvin*

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” John 21:22

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Romans 11:33

There are times that God may lead
In ways that do not seem
To be the path that others walk
For souls of men to glean.

But when the time for choosing comes
Tis best you hear the voice
Of Him who said, ‘You Follow Me!”
Make me your one true choice.

For other sheep I have which will
Be part of one true fold,
With every joint essential
In the body that I mold.

* Quote from, 365 days with Calvin, Selected and Edited by Dr. Joel Beeke-(June 7- Obeying Unexpected Orders)

You Cover Me

Michael E. Wood
January 23, 2013

Do you preach the gospel to yourself every day? There are times of which I feel pummeled by the thoughts which arise from remaining sin; but God, in mercy, by His Spirit, reminds me of that which Christ has accomplished at Calvary.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Ephesians 6: 13-14

You cover me and help me see
Corruptions yet remain in me
And bid me draw near to Your breast
And claim the armor for my chest
Of which by blood You now provide
That I, in You alone, may hide.

This heart would sure fell every test
Had You not purchased peace and rest
Upon the cross of Calvary
That we by faith may follow Thee!