A Gift of His Most Excellent Nature

This poem came on the morning of December 30; as a result of pondering 1st John 2:1-14 and listening to a John Piper message on the previous evening. I awoke with the beginning verse in mind and as I continued to meditate with John, the writer of this epistle, the rest followed:

With tongue and with song we're called to employ,
The glorious beauty of our new nature's joy.
The old man is dead, the new man now reigns
And we offer our praise to the Great KING of kings.

Though deaf others be, and our song they not hear—
Oh, let us draw near Him in meekness and fear.
His commandments we'll keep and abide in His Light,
And though others not see Him, we're known in His sight;

In Jesus, our Advocate at our Father's throne,
Who ever intercedes 'til the day we're called home.
With our sins now forgiven, and with grace from above,
Made victors o're the evil one, as we abide in His Love.

His Word is the means by which we have heard.
His Spirit our guide into all that occurred,
In Christ, we're made children to our Father's delight,
Who strengthens our hands to continue to fight.

Oh, what a Gift of His most excellent Nature,
To love not the world, and be clothed in His vesture.
Our garments of praise, Oh, help us keep clean,
‘Til with You in glory, You're fullness is seen.

Michael E. Wood
December 30, 2009

No Longer Standing in the Middle

Michael E. Wood – December 23, 2009

(Chorus 1)
Will you stand in the middle
Or call on His Name?
Will you stand in His Glory
Or stand in your shame?
Do you live for the purpose
That all may proclaim
The matchless Glory of Jesus
Who still is the same.

When Korah stood in the middle
While wearing His name
The Lord God of Heaven
Through Moses proclaimed
A new work would take place
The earth opened wide
Consumed all of Korah’s
Rebellion and pride

Chorus 1

When neither voice or an answer
Was spoken from Baal
Elijah called on the Lord God
Whose fire then there fell
The people knew that the Lord God
Was Lord God alone
And they fell on their faces
As His glory was shown

Chorus 1

For years I walked in indecision
Based in my thoughts
I thought that I knew Him
And yet I was lost
My hope rest in the good works
I thought I had done
But when it came to give Him glory
I found I had none.

Now I know, there's no middle,
Except in the mind.
You can think you are righteous,
And yet be so blind.
Apart from Christ you'll remain there,
Deceived you will be.
Unless the grace of the LORD GOD,
Doth shine down in thee.

(Optional verse)
Now I know, there's no middle,
Except in the mind.
You can think you are righteous,
And yet be so blind.
Apart from grace you'll remain there,
Deceived you will be.
You must repent, and believe that,
Christ's death made you free.

In peace and glory in Jesus
The Rock I now stand
By grace, He pulled me from the pit of
The deep sinking sand
From all the lies I was buying
When I thought I was saved
He raised me up to now walk on
The great Kings Highway

(Chorus 2)
No longer standing in the middle
Because of His Cross
His blood’s interceding
To count all things loss
In sweet assurance
He guides us to know who He is
By grace we stand in the truth
Of the Word He has giv’n

Chorus 1

(Closing)
The matchless glory of Jesus
Who still is the same
Do you bow at His feet
And His mercy proclaim
Do you live for the purpose
That all may proclaim
The matchless glory of Jesus
Who still is the same?

"FOR MY BELOVED DIANNA - SCRAMBLED EGGS AT 4:00 A.M."

Upon awaking around 3:30 a.m—knowing that I had the day off—I fixed myself some scrambled eggs and read a message by Martyn Lloyd-Jones sent to me by my beloved Dianna, entitled, "A Superabundance of Blessing". I began to write out a few words and then went back to bed. When I awoke, around 8:00a.m., the words to this poem continued to come to mind and thus I wrote:

Scrambled eggs at 4:00a.m.,
Lloyd-Jones and me,
We reveled in the glories of
The Christ who set us free.

Thank you my dove for all the love
Showed forth from thee this hour.
His visitation to my heart,
His Spirit came with power.

As confirmations of His love
Rejoiced my heart to see,
The greater fullness of His Gift
He gave to you and me.

Drink deep, He says, unto our souls,
There is no limit here.
Rejoice in our Eternal God,
His absolutes are dear.

Of all we share, not ought compares
To His o'er flowing Spring.
He is our Life! He is our Joy!
He is our Everything!

Oh, Jesus, Lover of our souls,
You cause our hearts to sing.
We thank You for the glories of
The Life that You now bring.

Until we see You face to face,
We ask You for Your power,
To glorify Your Precious Name
With each new passing hour!

Michael E. Wood
December 28, 2009

Who Loved Us More!

Oh Father, God; we ask You now,
Help us to look to Your Word and plow
Into the depths of Your Love's Strong Cord
In Christ alone, and mercy stored;

For those You’ve called unto Yourself,
Released from sin and brought to health,
And for Your glory, You've made us free,
To live a life of purity.

O, Spirit come; help us partake,
Of grace anew, and sin forsake
With sharp rebukes, if need might call,
If we but at Your feet might fall.

Rejoicing in Your righteousness,
Partakers of Your holiness.
Our eyes affixed on Heaven's shore,
In Christ alone, WHO LOVED US MORE!

Michael E. Wood
December 26, 2009

Merry Christmas To All

Do You Know this Christmas Child?

God incarnate has come to earth,
To save mankind from wrath and dearth.
Oh, do you know this Christmas Child;
Born of the virgin, so meek and mild?

Of all the gifts come down to man,
None other could breach the broken span—
Made by our sin in which we're born;
Nailed to the cross all stripped and torn.

For love He came, for love He died—
To save us from our sin and pride.
The Son of God, Yeah, Son of man;
Fulfilled the law, fulfilled God's plan.

And all of life is but a waste,
Apart from Christ's redeeming grace.
Most wondrous gift sent from above;
Come down to man, Redeeming love!

Oh, that you may truly know the personal
intimacy of His love toward you this Christmas.

Michael E. Wood
December 19, 2009

No Room in the Inn

Having been “religious” yet lost and a hypocrite of the most degrading and rank order; this song is a declaration of the love of God to my soul and to all who call upon Him in truth and especially as we are mindful of that which took place in Bethlehem.

No room in the Inn and no room in your heart;
The darkness you see is all on your part.
This Jesus you see is a stranger to you—
Only Christ, for His Glory, can make all things new.

CHORUS
Oh, wonder of wonders, we're made to behold,
With joy that's unspeakable, glory untold.
You transcend our minds, and You cause us to see,
Partakers of holiness, grace us to be,
Transported to the fullness of Your sovereign love,
Now captives of Jesus, Who reigns from above.

No wrappings, or tinsel, or lights all aglow;
Nor presents, or gifts, or friends you may know
Can give you the joy that God only gives
To those, in submission, repent from their sins.

(Chorus)

Your vileness and pride, it will keep you from this
And apart from free grace you will never know bliss
You say, I’m not loving, you say I’m not kind
Yet apart from His mercy, I too would be blind

(Chorus)

In darkness I wandered apart from His grace;
Until He, in love, revealed me His face.
Not ought could I give Him, Not ought could I bring,
And yet through His Cross His glory I sing.

Oh, wonder of wonders, we're made to behold,
With joy that's unspeakable, glory untold.
You transcend our minds, and You cause us to see,
Partakers of holiness, grace us to be,
Transported to the fullness of Your sovereign love,
Now captives of Jesus, Who reigns from above.

Michael E. Wood
December 8, 2009