Friday, August 25, 2017

No Other Place

Michael E. Wood
August 20, 2017



May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 2 Peter 1:2-7


“… the transcendent excellency of this life of communion with God: it is the life of our life, the joy of our hearts; a heaven upon earth,”


“It is the instrument of mortification, and the most excellent and successful instrument for that purpose in all the world.”


“A temptation overcome this way is more effectually subdued than by all the vows, resolutions, and external means in the world.” John Flavel, The Works of John Flavel, Volume 4, pages 250, 253, 254


Lay hold of Him through promises made
Which do not change nor do they fade.
And more secure we cannot be
Than when we first by grace believe.

Oh, venture then in every place
To please Him who has shown His face
Of glory in the Christ, the Lord,
Jesus, who thus wields the sword
Of truth which renders such effect
To slay remaining sin subject
To death and must be laid to rest
As we draw near our Savior’s breast.

Commune with Him as He with you
Will show transforming power to,
And demonstrate to those around
No other place can grace be found.

Saturday, August 19, 2017

With Me



Michael E. Wood
August 18, 2017

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.” John 15:1

As children of the living God all His promises are Yeah and Amen through the finished work of Christ. Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is with us always and yet we may find ourselves struggling with the conscience awareness of His presence at times. While sitting in Sunday school at Beacon Baptist Church these words began to roll and then came to an abrupt stop and thus I sit this little poem to the side for nearly two weeks. Knowing I had a little extra time after some time in the Word and prayer I decided to pick it back up and here is the result.


You are with me in my studies as my mind I must submit
To the wisdom You alone can give to know that which is fit
To transform me as a vessel through which You alone may speak
By the power of Your Spirit to bring forth some who will seek-
To know You as the Father as the One who qualified
Every member of the body through the Son who for us died.

And You sent the Holy Spirit both to birth and then to teach
Every part for Your own glory, till the day we all shall reach
The apex of maturity which only shall be seen
In its, fullness as the ages show the fruit that You did glean
Through the Vine of Your own planting, that great Truth through which You shine
Forth the Light that’s everlasting in the midst of all of Thine.