Those Who Follow in His Train

Michael E. Wood
December 13, 2011

While serving as Pastoral Care Provider at Atria El Camino Gardens, and having a desire to know the spiritual pulse as it were of those with whom I have been given the responsibility to lead in corporate worship, I have had the privilege of passing on a short devotional of which I receive weekly from one of my former Pastors via internet called IMPACT (I Must Persistently Acknowledge Christ Today). The following is a brief conversation that took place and contains the poetic thoughts of my heart both during the dialogue and afterwards. Click HERE for the link by which you may read the devotionals for yourself.
Hey Pastor Latour,


Just thought you might be encouraged to know that we have been taking the liberty of making copies of the IMPACT series over the last few weeks and handing them out to those that attend the services with us at Atria El Camino Gardens. Usually I ask someone else to hand them out as the residents are leaving, but took the opportunity to do it myself this past week as our attendance was down, and was blessed by the fact that several of them were truly delighted to receive them.


Thank you for your faithfulness in persistently acknowledging Christ today!
Rejoicing with you in Jesus,
Michael


Amen, Michael! I am so thankful that these devotionals have blessed some of the folks that you serve. It is one of those ministries to which we just try to stay faithful and ask God to use them as He wishes. Please pray that He will graciously use them in the lives of my unsaved relatives and students.

To Pastor LaTour:
While pondering your request for prayer the following came to mind, and while wrestling with my own pride on whether to send this or not, I trust that our God is pleased to hear and to perfect that which pertains to our unbelief, as He is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all that we can think or ask.


Rejoicing with you in Jesus,
Michael

Oh Thou that hearest prayer, unto Thee shall all flesh come
Committing all into Thy care, while here the race we run.
Oh hear the cry of faithful hearts committed to Thy cause,
Through Christ, Your Spirit thus imparts beyond our mortal flaws,
The truth of who You Are, to those we know; are made to feel
That none that breathe have gone too far, to know that You Are Real.
Be pleased O LORD to give new life to members that are dead,
Deliver them from sin and strife through our Anointed Head.
Oh show that You are Just and justified through Christ alone.
That believing is a must and crucified He did atone
For transgressions from the fall and require repentance,
Given as a gift to all who bow in their submissions
By the faith of grace extended from Your throne above
Be pleased to show Your face; transcended mercy now in love.
And as we stand before You, all the praise be Yours alone
Oh Shepherd of the sheep who gave His life for all His own.

Father we thank You that it is of Your mercies that we are not consumed, and that You are well pleased with the sacrifice of Your Son, by which we boldly come to lay our requests before You. We ask that You would be pleased to hear the cries of your humble servants who are in absolute dependence upon You for the deliverance of our family members and students that You have been pleased to open an opportunity to faithfully proclaim by life and by word the gospel of Your glorious grace. As we commit all into Your Sovereign care, we trust that You will be glorified in the salvation of souls and the edification of the body of Christ unto the praise of Your glory. In the matchless Name of Jesus we ask. Amen!

From Pastor LaTour:
Amen. Thank you brother Michael.

The following was written in response to Pastor Latour's reply; but, never sent:

Our efforts here are never in vain as we for glory press
To make the Name of Christ be known who is our righteousness.
For as our thoughts are purged and we before Him bold approach,
We trust God’s mercy that He hears and gives without reproach
The wisdom that in Him alone we shall not be denied,
That He will give what He deems best to show He’s glorified
By redemption freely given to those who will believe,
As mercy flows to melt our hearts; to Him alone to cleave.

Oh not to us but You alone, may all the glory be
O Christ who died for sinful men, our curse upon the tree.
And though You need not anything of which that we might offer
We thank You that You’re pleased to hear, and we by You now proffer,
As kings and priests rejoicing in the offering up of prayer
While resting in the promise You receive the glory there.
Oh help us walk with diligence while clad with glories light,
The sweet perfume of which You give to show Your glorious might.

And with our battles over when in heaven You will prove
That before we called, it was our hearts that You did move
To before You bring that which Your Spirit would address
To show You are our God who answers all in holiness
Which was given from the cross and to our hearts applied
By the Lamb who led us forth, as death He has denied
By His blood presented on the altar not of hands
Perfecting those who follow in His train and glory stands.

Forget the Benefits?

Michael E. Wood
November 26, 2011

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases... Psalm 103:1-3

How amazing is our God and Father! The Lord Jesus Christ has provided for us the written words wherein He speaks to us as the Living Word by His mighty Spirit to remind us of those things that we possess in Him. As He calls us to responsibility, He also enables us to live by faith in the midst of the infirmities and corruptions of our flesh which includes the weakness of our mortal minds to grasp instantaneously with our redeemed imagination glimpses of His glory and beyond the present realities of the not yet.

I must confess that there are times
My grasp may often fail
To hold on to the words You speak
And show within the veil
Of Your very presence
As my soul clings to the dust
And often I forget the benefits
You now entrust,


To every single child of which
You purchased as Your own,
As through the blood of Christ
You grant forgiveness and atone
For every imperfection
By Your mercy and Your grace,
That we may look to You alone
And see Your smiling face;


Not only in the providence
Of which You send our way,
But more within the very words
You speak through lips of clay.
For as Your Mighty Spirit
Stirs our souls to see the good
By which You satisfy our need
Far more than understood.


We thus with thankful hearts
Will look to praise You more and more
For steadfast love and faithfulness
You give from heavens shore.

In Quiet Contemplation

Michael E. Wood
November 22, 2011


A Prayer


In quiet contemplations
You now speak unto my soul
Reminding me tis grace by
Which You came and made me whole.


This grace is but a foretaste
Of the fullness You impart
With every step of faith we take
With courage and true heart
Of which You gave: The Precious Gift
To worship only You,
Transfixed upon Your glory
Unto which You called us to.


Oh, be to us the wisdom
That You promised by Your blood,
You shed at Calvary to
Overcome the coming flood
Of wrath with which this world
Shall be consumed with Holy fire,
Displaying the great truth of which
You speak, and will transpire,
At the time appointed and
Have spoken by Your Word,
As God incarnate, You shall come,
Your voice be clearly heard.


And none with disappointment
Will then meet You on that day
That You have washed and clothed
With righteousness to then display,
The awesome majesty of
Who You Are in holiness,
That we may in perfection
Worship You; all glorious!

The Gift of God Receive

Michael E. Wood

Original Writing was on 7/12/11

with Christmas in Mind

 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. Colossians 1:15, 16

While listening to a message being preached by Gregory N. Barkman entitled, “Why Jesus is the firstborn”, the quaint little saying that is used around the time of year that we celebrate His birth came to mind. “Jesus is the reason for the season.”

While I am thankful this phrase is used to draw attention to the fact of our Savior’s birth, it bothers me tremendously that in many ways I fear this phrase is actually used to reduce the significance of who Jesus Is! The Son of God in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily is the reason all created things have their existence including time itself.

Sam Storms in his Commentary on the book of Colossians put it this way, “He that is Jesus is the reason, the goal, the aim, the intent, the point, the purpose, the end, the terminus, the consummation, and culmination of every molecule that moves.”

The reason, more majestic

Spans beyond imaginations.

The Alpha and Omega, Yeah

The purpose of creations

Beginning and its end

Has only one just thing in view,

That all things will reflect

And give the glory that is due

To Him who was before all time

And spoke into existence

This season which is now called time

And proves His pre-existence

And in the end it will not matter

What we accumulate

But only that we’re known and know

The blessed Potentate,

Who as a babe in Bethlehem

And of a virgin born

Was also Him who all creation,

His glory did adorn.

And as He did not come as one

Of whom we would desire,

He yet in His humility

Took on the sin entire

Of all who by His grace through faith

Would trust Him and believe,

Borne of the Holy Spirit

And the gift of God receive.

Much more than just the reason

For the season; Jesus Is,

God incarnate glorified

And everything is His!

The Lamb whose blood, Your work has done!

Michael E. Wood
December 7, 2011

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.  Hebrews 12:22-25

Having been blessed of the Lord to read a number of messages concerning the precious blood of Christ preached by C. H. Spurgeon from the late 1800’s over the last several days, a number joyous thoughts stand out in my mind conveyed from our mighty God through that man.

One thing in particular was this, “Preach the atoning sacrifice of the Lamb of God and then sing of it.” C. H. Spurgeon February 28, 1886

Though the following can in no way convey the breadth, the length, the depth and the height of the communion of the eternal Spirit of Christ as He has offered His precious blood as an atonement for our sins, may the words of our mouth and the meditations of our heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD our strength and our Redeemer!

Preach the atoning sacrifice
Of Jesus Christ the Lamb
And sing of it ye children
Of our God, The Great “I Am”.


The sprinkling of His blood that day
Is that which keeps me in the way
Of righteousness and peace within
By Christ’s atonement for my sin.


Oh, when we see our self as weak
The precious blood of Christ doth speak
And answers to the Father’s throne,
“These children I have made my own.
For when I drank the bitter cup
Of wrath in full when lifted up
Upon the cross on Calvary’s hill
It was for them, my blood did spill.
For You were just and justified
When My eternal Spirit cried
Out ‘Forgive’; and godly made
Sinners by My blood and bade
Them bold approach as satisfied
And You My Father glorified
Discharged the dept as fully paid
As I my blood before You laid
The only sacrifice accepted
With every member thus connected
In My body, Your blessed Son,
The Lamb whose blood, Your work has done!"

Remember He Remembers

Michael E. Wood
December 2, 2011

Psalm 104:33-34
I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being. May my meditation be pleasing to him, for I rejoice in the LORD.

Psalm 105:1-11
Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples! Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones! He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, to Israel as an everlasting covenant, saying,” To you I will give the land of Canaan as your portion for an inheritance.

While meditating on the passages above, these words came in a joyous frame to mind.

Remember all the wondrous works the LORD our God has done.
Remember, He remembers what He spoke unto His Son.
The everlasting covenant, He made with Abraham
Was promised first before the world in Him, Who Is, I Am!
Oh praise Him all ye chosen ones, as long as you shall live,
Delighting in His mercy, and to Him the glory give!

For as you view with eyes made new our God in history,
The Holy Spirit will in truth unfold the mystery
Unto all those of which He bids to seek with joyful hearts
The Lord who is our strength and by His pleasure He imparts
The knowledge of His presence, loosing lips to make them sing,
All glory, praise, and honor to our Lord, and God, and King!

For Jesus has indeed fulfilled the promised covenant,
And sealed it by His blood and speaks as heaven’s supplicant
For all the Father gave Him, He secured with not one lost.
He lived and died for sinful men, and paid the awful cost.
Oh praise Him all ye chosen ones, as long as you shall live,
Delighting in His mercy, and to Him the glory give!

While reading back through this poem the following day, which was a Saturday morning, a Celtic type tune came to mind and thus the original poem took on a slight alteration and became a new song which was recorded and sung prior to preaching the following day at Atria El Camino Gardens.

Supplies From Heaven’s Throne

Michael E. Wood

December 1, 2011

I must confess that I grow weary

In this world of sin,

But Praise His Name, God uses this

To help me and depend

On Him alone, who Is my strength

And bids me seek His face

To know Him better by the power

Of  His Spirit’s grace,

Of which He promised and provides

Through Christ who did atone

For all my sins by precious blood

To make me all His own.

What more then could I ask for

But to make His glory known

And trust Him for the grace that He

Supplies from heaven’s throne.

For though I witness daily the

Great darkness of the lost,

Oh help me Father to uphold

The matchless, glorious cost

Of which You did determine

By the counsel of Your will

To redeem a remnant for

Your praise and shall fulfill.

And though You need not anything

Of which we can supply,

It is of Your good pleasure while

We breathe, that we might cry

Out as trumpets, as Your voice

Is heard in every land,

Rejoicing in the victory

You have wrought by Your right hand.

And when the day is ended

All the ransomed will then bless

Our God and Father, Jesus Christ

Who is our righteousness!

Our Great Shalom

Michael E. Wood
November 28, 2011

But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

So often we are tempted to
Now trust in things we know,
When in truth, tis only Christ
By which we learn and grow.

The turning by God’s pleasure
Of our hearts which once were veiled
Continues to bring great delight
In Christ who has prevailed
O’er hardened hearts and minds
Which could not see beyond the law
And worship Him in truth,
As He indeed is LORD of all.

For by His Holy Spirit
We can look now to His face
In every word transcribed
To see the glory of His grace.

And thus the more we see Him,
More like Him we want to be,
Who called us and transforms us;
For this freedom, we’re made free!

And more abundance He shall give
As in Him we delight,
From glory unto glory
Till we stand in perfect light,
Rejoicing in His presence
As in awe, we’ll be at home,
To glorify the One who was
And is our Great Shalom!

In Solitude God Doth Provide

Michael E. Wood
November 10, 2011

In solitude God doth provide
The things that we have need of
And teaches us to look to Him
Whose bounty from above
Doth feed our souls with fatness
Which is found in Christ alone;
The marrow of His gladness
Which doth strengthen every bone
Of which cannot be broken
As we reap the benefit
Of the death that Jesus died
To make us every wit,
The children of His promise
As He guards each step toward home
Though now on earth we find within
Our spirit that we groan
To be swallowed up of life;
The burden of this tent,
Secured and guaranteed to us;
His Spirit He has sent
To take good courage as we walk
By faith and not by sight.
We make our aim to please Him
By the power of His might!

Christ Doth Reign From Heaven Above

Michael Wood
November 7, 2011

Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, O offspring of Abraham, his servant, children of Jacob, his chosen ones!
Psalms 105:5, 6

As God is gracious as a Father and knows what things we have need of, He may at times choose to withdraw a portion of His sensible presence to prove His faithfulness amidst the infirmities of our flesh. Oh how easily we are distracted at times by the things we hear, the things we see, and the things we feel, not to mention the fact that when we are called to take a new step of faith in the declaration of His Word by the life we live and the words we say, you can absolutely count on the fact that we will draw enemy fire both from within and without. Some times we may even draw what could be called friendly fire from those who judge according to fleshly observations based on preconceived ideology taught by the traditions of men rather than after the working of the manifold grace of God; Who gives to each of us according to the good pleasure of His will. Well did the song writer say, “Oh to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be, Let Thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to Thee!”

Thus it behooves us to take Him at His Word, and remember the wondrous works that He has done. For He that hath begun a good work in you shall perform it till the day of Christ! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

In times when You withdraw from me,
I feel my need more keen
To look into Your Holy Book
To see what I have seen
Of all the goodness You have shown
Throughout the course of time,
By miracles and wondrous works
Confirming all of Thine.


For You have uttered judgments
For the offspring and the seed
Of Abraham, Your chosen ones
In whom You are well pleased;
As only in the righteousness
Of Christ are we adorned
To come before the throne of grace
For mercy as those born
To proclaim Your glory
As Your praises we shall sing
Throughout eternity by Him
Who Is our Offering!


So in the early morning
And throughout the passing day
Oh strengthen us to see Your hand
At work in every way
Of which You choose to show
Through us the miracle of love,
That all may see that You, O Christ
Doth reign from heaven above.

Your Covenant Secures

Michael E. Wood
November 1, 2011

He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations the covenant that he made with Abraham, his sworn promise to Isaac, Psalm 105:8, 9

While God as a Father calls us to be responsible and to remember the mighty works that He has done throughout human history as well as within our hearts by His Spirit, He likewise knows the infirmity of our flesh which often includes a short memory span. I am so thankful that we live in a day in which we are privileged to have the written Word of God in its entirety at our disposal here in America, whereby we are enabled to stir up the gift of God that is within us by way of remembrance. But even more thankful am I that He is not dependant upon our memory to fulfill His covenant promises through the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I thank You that Your memory
Is better than my own
And that Your covenant secures
Sure mercies from Your throne
For when my heart condemns me
For the sins that I have sinned,
My confidence comes from Your Word
And Spirit now within.


And You are so much greater
Than my heart or anything
That would seek to separate me
From the loving Spring
Of which You are and showed to us
When Christ; His life laid down
That we may stand alone in Him
Who Is the solid ground,
And stabilizes every step
As we follow in His train,
By grace through faith as He
Our Master over us doth reign.

To Serve Before Your Throne

Michael E. Wood
November 1, 2011

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:9-13.

When the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ shines within our hearts, the true grace that is given is not perceived by those which are in the world and the depths of that work is not always discerned immediately by others whom God has called unto Himself. Thus a part of the working out of our salvation may often mean undergoing a type of rejection or “waiting period” from God’s own people. Even the apostle Paul as noted in the scriptures was given the task to defend the authority that had been given him by God to the saints as well as the other apostles. To be well known and yet unknown for the glory of God is the task we are often called to, and thus in humble submission to the will of Him that does all things well, “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the LORD!

He came unto His own and His own received Him not.
They did not know the work of God that by Him would wrought.
And blind as they are we, until we humbly bow the knee,
And subject ourselves unto the King at Calvary.

And this we could not do apart from sovereign grace
Which shined within our hearts to see the light of Jesus face.

Should we then be surprised, if against us should then rise
The same contending spirits who did witness with their eyes
That God as One had come to us. The person of His Son,
Incarnate in the flesh, and on the cross our vict’ry won.

He sent to us His Holy Spirit and though the battle rage,
The Captain of our souls doth by His Word teach us to wage
The warfare here on earth that will render honor due
To God alone and glorify our Savior Jesus too!

Oh help us then to know the things You teach about our self,
That we may know the healing balm and glory of Thy wealth,
Of which You freely give, as we to You, our Father cry
For grace with full assurance of Your mercies as we fly
With wings like eagles as we mount upon Your strength alone,
Renewed in faith as those who wait to serve before Your throne.

The Man You’d Have Me Be

Michael E. Wood

October 30, 2011

A Prayer

Oh by Thy grace help me to be

The man You’d have me be

And live by faith through Your pure Word

To honor only Thee.

For it is You, O Christ my King

Who captivates our hearts

And changes them to build Your church

With all its body parts

Set in order by Your Holy Spirit pleasing You

Unto Your praise through endless day

And for Your glory too!

Most of My Heroes are Eighty Years Old

Michael E. Wood
October 24, 2011

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts. Psalm 145:3, 4

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1st Peter 2:9

(See also the parable of the wheat and the tares in Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43)

In the place that God has designed for my personal growth in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I am often afforded some time each week to listen to sermons online as I go about the doing of chores around the house. On one of these occasions I was blessed in the message received through the voice of one who is a godly example of that which he preaches. While in the process of preaching from 2nd Chronicles 34 on the subject of, “Excellence: The Pursuit that Honors God”, Pastor Bob Latour used the word “heroes” in reference to many of the members of Beacon Baptist Church in Burlington, North Carolina. With great affection my mind was stirred with appreciation for many of these faithful members of the body of Christ, whom God has used as expressions of His love loyalty and faithfulness through the years. And thus the word hero is defined by the context in which it is used.

Likewise, Dianna and I have been given the privilege to minister the word of His grace to a number of God’s people at Atria El Camino Gardens, of which some of them are eighty years old and more. While not only having the opportunity to preach the gospel of the kingdom of our Lord we also are in the beginning stages of seeing the blessings of the relationships He is building through this ministry to the praise of His glory.

Over the first few weeks of preaching we have found ourselves focusing on the texts from Revelation 12:11 and Revelation 1:9. From these texts we can easily see the relationship which is formed in the body of Christ both locally and universally throughout all of time as those who were written in the Lambs book of life before the foundation of the world. In the Lamb who was slain we are united as one unto the praise of His glorious grace and are sown by Him in this world to proclaim the excellencies of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Thus, most of my heroes are eighty years old and more.

Most of my heroes are eighty years old
Or more if you count from the grave,
For though days on earth may have ended in time
They speak of One mighty to save.
With lives full of faithfulness as the great mark
Of grace which was on them outpoured
They shine as the stars from the heavens above
And shout things which can’t be ignored.


They tell of the Savior of which they had met
Whose mercy and power subdued
All of their sins by the blood of His cross
And even through death He has proved
The life that He gives is eternal in value
And kept now in store by His Name
Till all who believe shall be gathered as one
Forever proclaiming His fame.


For this is the purpose for which we were born;
As seeds sown in each generation
Will show forth the glory of Jesus our Lord,
The Lamb slain before the foundation
Of this present world before it was formed
Or spoken by Him to existence,
As He The Almighty with one single word
Will overcome all the resistance
Now present as vanities of nations rage
Continually sinking in mire.
This age will then end by His Word as decreed:
Our God; a consuming fire.


Oh, where will you be, and what will you see
And feel at the end of your course?
Will you enter with joy the presence of God
And know Him through Jesus the source
Of life from the dead, our covenant head,
Rejoice in the great consummation,
Or forever be doomed as the flames will consume
All hope, in eternal damnation?
Now is the time and today is the day
If you by His grace hear His voice
And answer the call as before Him you fall,
Rejoice that He made you His choice.


Oh Spirit of God, please come and breathe through
The words of Your infinite heart,
And help us more clearly, the love of our Savior
To see, though now but in part.
And know the assurance that like Him we’ll be,
Beholding His glorious face,
Fulfilled by the promise You speak by Your Word
To enter Your glory by grace.

Upon completion of this poem, the thought came to mind that this might make for a good Southern Gospel song, and thus music came to mind and it has been recorded as such.

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Michael E. Wood
11/18/11

Have you ever gone out to find a birthday card for a loved one which simply resulted in frustration? The world offers everything from twisted perversions, unrealistic ideologies, or the thoughts which sprang forth from another heart which doesn’t quite meet the criteria you have in mind. And then of course there are those cards of which you think in your own mind, that if you were on the receiving end, you would rather that they would have sent the money in a plain envelope rather than to have spent it on a card. Alas many will settle for something close to what they have in mind or on an unusual occasion may actually find something befitting. I could not, and thus with the help of my beloved wife the following was enclosed in an artistically appealing home made card for my mom.

I looked and looked
And looked and looked
And looked to find a card.
You’d think that
Something simple
Wouldn’t be so very hard.
But when I read
The words that
Others wrote by their design,
I could not
Find a single one
Expressing every line,
Of which I knew
In truth would be
Exactly from my heart
And so I wrote
This simple rhyme
By which I could impart
The knowledge of
My love and
Happy Birthday wishes too,
For there is
Not another
Single one on earth like you.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Hear My Cry, O God

Michael E. Wood
October 12, 2011


The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. Revelation 3:5

While undergoing a recent time of testing, I came to Psalm 61 which is the basis for the bulk of the new song that was given during that time. Intermixed with the theme of that Psalm is New Testament understanding of that which we have been granted by the grace of God as those whose names were written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. Revelation 13:8

Thus with music, the following was recorded.

Hear my cry, O God,
Listen to my prayer;
From the end of the earth I call to Thee.
When my heart is faint
To the rock lead me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
For when arrows fly
I will run to You
And I’ll stand by faith
For Your glory too.
You alone are God
And my refuge been
And through Christ You covered all my sin.


You have given me
The heritage
Of all those who fear Your Name.
For the blood of Christ
Removes my shame
That Your glory may be all my aim.
For the King enthroned
Now before Your face
Has redeemed by
Such amazing grace
That my heart cannot
Help but sing to You
And forever give all the praises due.


All Your promises
Are fulfilled O God,
In Christ. We now can freely worship Thee.
He, the curse for us
When upon the tree
As He paid sins debt to set the captives free
That were written in
Your eternal book
As the Lamb was slain;
You forever look
With a smile upon
All in Him as one
Who will reign forever in the kingdom come.

Oh Help Us to Measure

Michael E. Wood

October 19, 2011

… comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18, 19

To truly know the love of Christ we must know ourselves, and the more we know of ourselves the more we may know the immeasurable love of Christ.

“Know thy self, what a vile, horrible, abominable sinner thou art: For thou canst not know the love of Christ, before thou knowest the badness of thy nature. ‘O wretched man that I am’ (Rom. 7:24), must be, before a man can perceive the nature of the love of Christ. He that sees himself but little, will hardly know much of the love of Christ: he that sees himself nothing at all, will hardly ever see anything of the love of Christ. But he that sees most of what an abominable wretch he is, he is like to see most of what is the love of Christ.” John Bunyan*

Sometimes I’m amazed by that which remains

Of sin in it’s most wicked form,

But God tests our hearts to know every part

For which Christ came and was borne

By Him on the tree to know we must flee

Continually counting the cost;

For in Him alone, God’s glory is shown

To reconcile that which was lost.

With mercy so great, let’s not hesitate

To boldly approach to His throne,

For He is the first and He is the last,

And none of His own He’ll disown.

His covenant’s great by which we forsake

Our sins as He makes them so clear

In love to conform: for which we were born

By His blood and His Spirit so dear;

To His visage above, who answers in love

To all accusations now found,

As to His cross nailed, He justly prevailed,

That grace upon grace may abound.

For that which He finished

Shall not be diminished

By this world, or the flesh, or the devil.

His infinite story;

The light of His glory

Forever we shall in then revel.

Oh then in pleasure,

Oh help us to measure;

Though infinite and without end--

The breadth and the length,

And the depth and the height

That God in love through Christ did send.

For His infinite features

Beyond all His creatures;

Creation together combined

Cannot be proclaimed,

Though infinitely aimed,

Though in Him, who in us has shined.

*Excerpt from, “All Loves Excelling”, by John Bunyan

Puritan Paperbacks

My Sin Which Keeps Me Humble

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

“When the godly man beholds his fate in the glass of scripture, and sees the spots of infidelity and hypocrisy, this makes the plumes of pride fall; they are humbling spots. It is good use that may be even of our sins when they occasion low thoughts of ourselves. Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.”  Thomas Watson, “All Things For Good”


Help me focus on the glory
That is found in You
And my sin which keeps me humble
In Your presence too.
For I know that Christ accomplished
All by Your design
That the praises of Your glory
Would be wholly Thine.


By Your mercy, there’s forgiveness
And true faith is found
In the grace You freely give
Wherein we may abound,
For the purpose You created
That all men may know
You our Father are the God
In Christ through whom You show
Your majesty and excellence
To cause men to repent
By the power of Your Spirit
And to earth was sent
To comfort all You have appointed
Through expanse of time
Till in resurrection You will show
That we are Thine!

Written by The Great I Am!

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

Revelation 1:9 begins with the words, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus”. In these words we are given some of the characteristics that are common among all of those included among those who will be found to have conquered the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

There is a brotherhood and partnership among all of God’s children through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of our relationship with and in Jesus we are given strength as each day requires to patiently endure tribulation as subjects of His kingdom which shall be revealed in heaven.

This salvation that was sealed
With the blood of Christ the Lamb
Will in heaven be revealed,
Written by the Great I AM-
And His promise is not altered
By the things not understood
But will fully show the glory
Of our God in brotherhood-
As His patience in the kingdom
Will endure eternity
Showing forth the love of Jesus
For the Father from the tree.

Your Presence Ever Dwelling

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Psalm 105:1-4

While being awakened a little after midnight on my 56th birthday, I found myself meditating on Psalm 105:1-4,  of which I trust to commit to memory and the following words came to mind.

In the stillness of the night
It is You for whom we fight,
But this honor none shall take
Save those alone You show the light
Of Your Presence ever dwelling
By the strength of Your Dear Son.
In His Name we’ll ever glory,
Jesus Christ all Glorious One!

Love Him with a Faithful Heart

Michael E. Wood
October 13, 2011

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1st John 2:15-17

The things of this world are not of necessity, things we can hold in our hands. Though the things we can hold in our hands is understood we must also include the things we hold in our hearts or our minds, which in and of themselves can become idols when held above the pursuit, the excellence, and the surpassing worth which is found in knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us therefore count all things as rubbish, in order that we may gain Christ and be found in Him; not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. Philippians 3:8, 9 (emphasis mine)

Approbation, affirmation,
These are things we need not of
From the world, as they are fleeting
And will hinder works of love,
If we take the time to revel
And in them to take delight,
But their passing fancy fadeth
When exposed by God’s pure light.
And from them we are delivered
By the merit of God’s Son
Who our victory obtaineth
As the risen living One
Who forever intercedeth
Till in full we shall obtain,
He the prize for which we striveth
As His truth is not in vain.
For it is the means by which
He sanctifieth every part
That we may in full assurance
Love Him with a faithful heart.

His Work in Our Home

Michael E. Wood
October 11, 2011

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:10, 11

Of the gifts that God has given me the greatest of these is Himself by the power of His Spirit through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Second only to Him is the wife, He has been pleased to fitly give to me; my helpmate, my lover, and best friend, Dianna Lynne Wood. Her wisdom and understanding in some things which exceeds my own capacity causes me not only to delight in her, but much more in God who gave her to me, that as one, we might more accurately reflect the glory of His grace and proceed therein. Thus, in times that we may not have an equal or exact understanding in decisions to be made, it behooves me to listen and consider well her council before a final decision is made. God has promised by His Word that He will lead us forth in peace, and thus we look to Him as our loving Father to fulfill all He has planned unto His Most Excellent Glory! Amen!

My first obligation is to my Dear Lord
Who delivers me from sin and strife.
My second is to the woman He gave
In wisdom to be my dear wife.


Though we at times may not understand
All things that our God has in view,
As one we will look continually up
To Him as He makes all things new.


In peace He doth lead, as on Him we feed
And joyfully gives us the cup
Of His intercession, our One great possession;
His fullness of which we will sup.


Though now our service may not be apparent
And obvious for men to see,
We’ll cling to the cross of our Savior alone,
Whose blood cleansed and made us both free.


For He changes not and His work in our home
Doth guide us in love by the aim,
With pureness of heart and a conscience that’s good,
True faith will show forth all His fame!

All Things For Good

Michael E. Wood
October 10, 2011

And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

One of the great promises of God of which His people cling to is found in this verse of Holy Scripture. We love Him because He first loved us and manifests His love to us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the merit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As He continually works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure to purify unto Himself a people for the praise of His glorious grace, we as finite creatures find ourselves without perfect understanding concerning some of the particulars that He has designed for our good and for His glory.

“To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that ALL things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.” Thomas Watson, “All Things For Good”*

All things for good and not disillusion
Our God works together and brings to conclusion
For all He has called and with love that’s sincere
For Him as He is as He holds us so dear
That even our sins and afflictions will prove
That He is our Sovereign and Savior to move
In the midst of our struggles; through Christ He will raise
The infinite glory of His wondrous praise!


Our thanks and our praise will continue to grow
As the fire of His love ever draws us to know
More of His nature by utter dependence
On Him who alone is beyond all transcendence;
Of minds He has gifted beyond all our thought
To show us more clearly by Whom we were bought.


O teach us dear Father what we should then tell
That the praise of Your glory in Jesus may swell
Beyond mortal thoughts and imaginative minds
As the love of Your Spirit continually binds
Our hearts ever near You to leave in the dust
All things that offend and remain of our lust
For earthly attainments; Oh help us eschew,
And discern only that which brings glory to You.

*An extract from the preface of the Puritan Paperback, The Banner Of Truth Trust.

The Message that I Preach (A Prayer)

Michael E. Wood
October 7, 2011

The Lord having opened a door for the Word at Atria El Camino Gardens!  The privilege of preaching the glories of His grace on a regular basis has been established. While in preparation for the second Sunday service, the following thoughts came to my heart and mind.

O may the message that I preach
Come straight Lord, from Your heart
As You reveal Your presence
By Your Spirit to impart
The truth of who You Are
In all Your holiness and awe
As You delight in mercy
And through Christ to us You call.


O may Your words like arrows
Pierce the darkness of the minds
Of those You have appointed
To the Shepherd who still finds
The sheep of Your true pasture
That has wandered from the fold
And gathers them rejoicing
As Your glory You unfold
To all that You have chosen
As You cause us to delight
In Jesus Christ our Advocate
Who dwells in Your pure light.


And for the children gathered
May You feed us with the bread
Of Him who overcame our sin
And raised us from the dead.
O help us by the power
Of the blood that washed us clean
And by Your Holy Spirit
Praise Your Name in every scene
Of life through which we pass
From day to day You have in store
Until we see You face-to-face
On Heaven’s golden shore.

How Beautiful You Are

Michael E. Wood
September 25, 2011

The following came to mind as my beloved Dianna read to me the introduction to “The Art of Prophesying” by William Perkins

How beautiful You are
In all Your attributes to me
Though now I view You
Through the lens of my impurity.


Oh open wider now my eyes
More clearly as I view
All the wonders of Your grace
And mysteries anew.


Not for myself alone but
All of whom You did appoint
To know You through this vessel
Whom Your Spirit did anoint


To proclaim the excellencies
Of Yourself, my King;
Lord Jesus as You are The Christ
To Whom my heart shall sing


With joy though now imperfectly
And yet with holy awe,
Awaiting that pure perfect day
As You are Lord of all!

When I Forget

Michael E. Wood
September 29, 2011

When I forget that You alone
Are my satisfaction
It grieves me then to know
That I have yielded to distraction
Of this world, or of my flesh
Or even Satan’s schemes
Which veils Your lovely face, O Christ
And all Your radiant beams
Of glory which continually
Is shining forth within
For You have purchased me with blood
And cleanse me from my sin.


Forgive me for my thoughtlessness
And failure in Your sight
And cause me to rejoice in this;
The power of Your might!
For as You in Your faithfulness
Give strength to pray and toil
I shall rejoice in You alone
As one that found great spoil.
And though You have now blessed
On earth with more than I imagined
These pale in their comparison
Of all that You have fashioned
By Your Spirit and the promise
Of Your Word You give
That we by faith may love You more
And to Your glory give.

What Have I Now Obtained

Michael E. Wood
September 25, 2011

Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ 2nd Peter 1:1

Oh what elevation we have received as a gift of the grace of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the righteousness of Christ that has set us apart by the power of His Spirit to be made partakers of the divine nature. This faith we have received is of equal standing with all that have gone before us, and now dwell in the presence of Him that dwells in inapproachable light.

What have I now obtained,
But that which I received
When God in mercy changed my heart
And by Him I believed.


The truth of Christ prevailed;
His righteousness alone
Has lifted me by grace through faith
To own me as His Own.


Tis faith of equal standing
With all now gone before
And built upon the truth of Him
Of Whom we now adore.


Not just a lovely song
But more than life to me
And He to whom my soul shall look
And cast my every plea


For mercy new each day
And grace for every need
Of which I trust He will supply
As He my soul doth feed


With more of His abundance
Which spans eternity
And causes me to hold to Him
Who held me on the tree.

Christ Jesus Alone!

Michael E. Wood
September 16, 2011

Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. Proverbs 16:3

The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand. Proverbs 19:21

During the month of August, having fully recovered from my back injury, I sat out to once again seek some type of part time employment. By virtue of searching via internet various possibilities, I came across a position posted by the Sunrise Assisted Living Facility just a few miles down the road from us. Thus with the thought that I might not only land a job but find an open door for the gospel and the ministry of the Word, I went there. To make a long story short, this was not what my Father had in mind, but I being in the way He led me.

While heading back toward our little apartment I noticed the Atria El Camino Gardens Assisted Living Facility to my right and kept on driving. After a few blocks I turned around without any expectation but to be faithful to honor the Lord in seeking every opportunity to make Him known. Upon entering the facility I met the young receptionist whose name is Joy, and I said, “I love that name.” With a smile on her face she asked how she might be of assistance to me, and I said something to the effect, that “I am a songwriter, singer, a poet, a preacher, and I am looking to see if this is a place I might be used.” She said, ‘It may be that your timing is perfect, as the man who was the Pastor here recently passed away. Staci Weisz, our Engage Life Director was very close to him and has not yet found a replacement.” I left a couple of my poetry gospel tracts and continued to our apartment. Over the course of the next few days I called back twice, without receiving any inclination of interest, and had just about determined that this situation would be like so many I had looked into before.

On August 31, Dianna was working on one of her theology art projects in the “control room” as we call it while I was reading at the dining room table enabling us to converse with each other face to face from time to time. About an hour before time to leave for Wednesday night prayer meeting the phone rang and we let it go to the answering machine. Upon hearing that it was Mrs.Weisz from Atria, I picked up the phone and she began to do a quick interview over the phone. During the process of the interview, she let it be known that they were looking for someone who would be preaching the Word in an expository manner, not what people wanted to hear but what they needed to hear. She asked if Dianna and I would be able to meet her for breakfast at Atria the next morning, of which we did. That night I mentioned this opportunity to the body of believers gathered for prayer, and to our amazement a wonderful door has been opened to proclaim the glories of the grace of our God in Christ.

The following was written in light of that first introduction at Atria and of that which we trust our gracious Father will do for His glory.

I am,
A songwriter, singer, a poet, a preacher,
A tool in the hand of my Father the Teacher.
This grace He did give in Christ Jesus the man
Who came down from heaven, revealing God’s plan
To save of all people a remnant from loss
As He paid for our sins by the blood of His cross.


He calls from the dead giving life; a new race
Is formed for His glory to look on His face.
The gift of His Spirit He gave us to raise
Through infinite mercy His glorious praise.
Tis Jesus we follow, embraced by His love;
The light and the way to our Father above.


So with me now come if by faith you have seen
That He is our treasure on Whom we can lean,
And trust in Him wholly Who’s kingdom has come
Till with Him in glory, fulfilled as the sum
Of infinite wisdom and power is shown
By the grace of our Savior, Christ Jesus alone!

Your Face in Every Book

Michael E. Wood
September 22, 2011

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare you mighty acts. Psalm 145:3, 4

One of the seasonal features of the local body of which Dianna and I have become members of is to be partakers of a nurture group on Wednesday nights in addition to the regular prayer meeting. The format includes making a choice of one of three classes offered and requires reading an extra biblical book for discussion. With all the books we already have at our disposal, knowing that our time is limited and that we will probably not be able to read them all in what remains of our life time, we were not overly excited about purchasing one that we didn’t already have.

I must confess that while reveling in the weightiness of the glory of God as presented by so many writers from the past, I can find myself being overly critical of our modern day writers, and on some occasions I find myself humbled in the dust by the beauty of Christ proclaimed in simplicity by His people in our generation. This was one of those occasions. As I read, “God’s Big Picture – Tracing the storyline of the Bible”, by Vaughn Roberts, I not only grew in appreciation of this dear brother as I was nearly brought to tears by the end of the book, but grew in appreciation of our God and Father through our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be all the glory and praise and honor. Amen!

Your face in every book and
Letter You now grant to see
By faith and love which flows
Within because of Calvary.
Your Holy Spirit gives delight
And lightens every part
Of Your eternal Word
Which is the joy of every heart
Oh which You have transported
And in mercy You have changed
To be made like Your Own
As by Your grace You rearranged
Our minds that we may be renewed
Though plagued by sin on earth,
Transcending every thought to know
Your majesty and worth!


We thank You that in every
Generation You have kept
A remnant that Your glory
In perfection may project
Your steadfast love and faithfulness
Through all expanse of time
Till with You all Your saints
Are in Your presence then sublime.
Lord Jesus come! Oh come
As all creation sings Your praise,
Eternal Hallelujahs,
Without end, forever raised!