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.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, October 24, 2011
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!
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!
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, October 17, 2011
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!
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!
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
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!
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!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Our Feet in Glory Stands
Michael E. Wood
September 12, 2011
O LORD our God, you answered them; you were a forgiving God to them, but an avenger of their wrong doings. Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain; for the LORD our God is holy! Psalm 99:8, 9
While knowledge tends to puff us up, the pursuit thereof for the glory of God in Christ should never be abandoned. To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him, even in the midst of bearing the consequences of former sins. Thanks be to God for those whom He has given to His body on earth to aid in our growth and understanding of the grace that has been brought to us through our Lord Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit unto the praise of His glory. One such man is Ralph Venning (1621-74). The following is an excerpt from his book, “Learning in Christ’s School”.*
“Remember that though God has taken vengeance on some men’s sins, he has forgiven them (Psalm 99:8). And he may deal so with you, and not turn you into hell nor deal with you as your iniquity deserves, though he causes you to know so much sorrow and pain. Consider, too, that perhaps your humiliation has until now been only legal and selfish, that you have been more concerned that God was displeased with you than that he was displeased by you; that your tears have been more for your own shame and pain than for sin against God. If so be humbled for this also, and in due time he will exalt you to a better condition, or save you at last in spite of it.”
Is our concern for sins effect or how it makes us feel,
Or do we know in truth that our offense toward God is real?
Be careful how you answer this, for God sees through the mind
Into the heart, revealing darkest secrets to refine,
A people for Himself who will be humble and confess
Their sins against His character; against His holiness.
While some by nature shrink away with faith-like shifting sand,
Our Father in His faithfulness through Christ makes us to stand
Upon the promises conferred through Jesus Christ alone.
For all of whom He purchased when for sin He did atone.
And thus by Him, we’re raised in Him to face the mighty conflict
And bear the cross of sins remains which yet doth us afflict,
And though we be yet grieved at times, we must remember this;
True confession is the fruit of Christ our Righteousness.
In this we will now honor Him and trust His cleansing blood,
Rejoicing in the mercies of our Father like a flood
Which washes us continually by Christ our Intercessor;
Our Advocate in Whom we’re known, to God our Great Possessor!
We thank You, Father that Your glory is the one desire
That You place within each child through Christ to look much higher
Than any earthly gains that we may feel or hold in hands,
Till with Christ with bodies new, our feet in glory stands.
___________________
*This book is one of many Puritan Paperbacks which can be purchased through
THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST
Saturday, October 1, 2011
God Is Light! (A New Song)
Michael E. Wood
August 31-September 9, 2011
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1st John 1:5
Having been blessed with the opportunity to teach through a portion of 1st John over a period of several months with a gentleman named Eric Davis, the following came to mind with music over a ten day period of time.
God is light,
And In Him there is no darkness at all.
By His might,
We have been ransomed by Christ from the fall,
So that with joy,
By faith we sit now with Him at His feet.
For by His cross
His Holy Spirit will make us complete.
God is light,
And in Him there is no darkness at all.
God is here,
And He has spoken to us by His Son.
In the fear,
Of our great LORD we are now made to come
Unto His throne
From which flows freely His mercy and grace,
And we delight
In the glory of our Saviors face.
God is here,
And He has spoken to us through His Son.
God is just!
His vindication in Jesus is found.
And we trust
By grace through faith in Him we shall abound.
He overcame
All of our sins to His glorious praise.
His blood atoned,
And by His power alone we are raised.
God is just!
His vindication in Jesus is found.
God is love,
And He transcends every thought we can think.
From above
Christ will return faster than eye can blink.
We shall be changed
And in His likeness we ever shall be.
And we shall see
The awesome glory of His majesty.
God is love,
And He transcends every thought we can think.
August 31-September 9, 2011
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. 1st John 1:5
Having been blessed with the opportunity to teach through a portion of 1st John over a period of several months with a gentleman named Eric Davis, the following came to mind with music over a ten day period of time.
God is light,
And In Him there is no darkness at all.
By His might,
We have been ransomed by Christ from the fall,
So that with joy,
By faith we sit now with Him at His feet.
For by His cross
His Holy Spirit will make us complete.
God is light,
And in Him there is no darkness at all.
God is here,
And He has spoken to us by His Son.
In the fear,
Of our great LORD we are now made to come
Unto His throne
From which flows freely His mercy and grace,
And we delight
In the glory of our Saviors face.
God is here,
And He has spoken to us through His Son.
God is just!
His vindication in Jesus is found.
And we trust
By grace through faith in Him we shall abound.
He overcame
All of our sins to His glorious praise.
His blood atoned,
And by His power alone we are raised.
God is just!
His vindication in Jesus is found.
God is love,
And He transcends every thought we can think.
From above
Christ will return faster than eye can blink.
We shall be changed
And in His likeness we ever shall be.
And we shall see
The awesome glory of His majesty.
God is love,
And He transcends every thought we can think.
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