Michael E. Wood
March 1, 2012
Psalm 5:1-4
To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
This Psalm of which David offered up and presented to the choirmaster to be accompanied by the playing of flutes begins with prayer. It has served to remind me that one of the greatest areas of which I have need to grow in, is in that of becoming a man of prayer. Though I am somewhat encouraged by finding that some of the greatest men of God have struggled in this area, and have felt inadequate, I am likewise reminded that this is an area of priority of which the apostle Paul was and is used by the Holy Spirit to reprove, rebuke, and exhort us to action. It is not that we are to make use of vain repetitions but are admonished by the voice of our Almighty and Infinite God as a Father through the person and finished work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to make our requests known to Him. Oh how wonderful is His promised Holy Spirit who groans within us through words that are unutterable, transcending all we can think or ask in perfect unity with the mind of Christ, and causes us to likewise groan in harmony with the perfect will of God. “In prayer it is better to have a heart without words than words without a heart.” John Bunyan
O LORD, make me a man of prayer
To bring my every burden there
And lay them all before Your feet
While knowing with You I shall meet.
My Father, You are now to me
Through Christ alone to hear my plea
For mercy as I groan within
And make confession of my sin.
For nothing shall be hid from You
As You bring all things into view
To know the wonders of Your grace
While looking on my Savior’s face.
Oh help me see the things You see
In such a way that I might plea
For others through the sacrifice
Of Christ alone who shall suffice
To make Your promise firmly fixed
Within our hearts and intermixed
With faith and patience as we wait
And watch for You our Potentate.
Your steadfast love doth make us strong
And we shall bow with all the throng
And glory in the treasure of
Our Lord and Savior when above
And see how You kept every tear
And led us forth through every fear
And answered all by Your perfection,
Our God and King, and Resurrection!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Happy Birthday Deni!
Michael E. Wood
March 20, 2012
While most of the poetry we post on this blog has more to do with insights and blessings received through the actual words of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ as revealed by His Spirit, it is likewise refreshing to see His power working in and through the life of our brothers or sisters in Christ in the every day affairs of life. Denise (Deni) McCool is one of those such persons of whom we have not only witnessed His transforming power, but delight in the mutual working together for the blessed glory of our God and Savior! Today is her birthday.
Another year older and deeper in debt,
But not to the flesh as the Spirit has yet
Much more to offer and will’s to diffuse
The light of the glory of God and to use
You my dear sister, called Deni by name,
That you by His power will show forth His fame,
By deeds that you do and the words that you say
Showing forth Christ as the Truth and the Way.
So hold your head high as a child of the light,
A daughter in whom is the Father’s delight,
For as you look back over time that is spent
You’ll see that His goodness and mercy was sent
To follow you all of the days that are past
In the light of the glory of Christ that will last
Through ages eternal to the praise of His grace
While seeing the smile of His Glorious Face!
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| Deni after picking wild berries in The Wood's Secret Garden |
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Consigned to Him
Michael E. Wood
February 28, 2012
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Decisions, decisions, decisions; we make them every day! The more we understand that our decisions need to be made in the light of eternity and for the glory of God, the more we understand our need for the wisdom that can be found in Christ alone. Thankfully all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, and He is the "Yeah and Amen" which enables us to ask of God with the assurance that He will not only give that which we have need of, but gives abundantly above all we can think or ask.
Consigned to Him now daily
For the things we would secure
And patiently awaiting all
The answers that are sure
To draw us ever nearer
By His comforts from above
As God Himself so freely
Gives all things to us in love.
And more than this, He gives
Much more than we can think or ask,
For He in wisdom gave His Son
For each eternal task
Of which we now endeavor
To pursue; His purpose filling,
As He has given us a heart
Made by His Spirit willing
To submit and offer up
All things with confidence
That with patience He will make
Us know His very presence
In the answers that He gives
While we in Christ abide
To know Him and be known by Him
In Whom we may confide
Our inmost thoughts as He alone
Has all our burdens borne
To prepare us as His bride
And will Himself adorn
Our every feature to reflect
The glory of His grace
Where with a smile we’ll look
Upon the beauty of His face.
February 28, 2012
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Decisions, decisions, decisions; we make them every day! The more we understand that our decisions need to be made in the light of eternity and for the glory of God, the more we understand our need for the wisdom that can be found in Christ alone. Thankfully all of God’s promises are fulfilled in Christ, and He is the "Yeah and Amen" which enables us to ask of God with the assurance that He will not only give that which we have need of, but gives abundantly above all we can think or ask.
Consigned to Him now daily
For the things we would secure
And patiently awaiting all
The answers that are sure
To draw us ever nearer
By His comforts from above
As God Himself so freely
Gives all things to us in love.
And more than this, He gives
Much more than we can think or ask,
For He in wisdom gave His Son
For each eternal task
Of which we now endeavor
To pursue; His purpose filling,
As He has given us a heart
Made by His Spirit willing
To submit and offer up
All things with confidence
That with patience He will make
Us know His very presence
In the answers that He gives
While we in Christ abide
To know Him and be known by Him
In Whom we may confide
Our inmost thoughts as He alone
Has all our burdens borne
To prepare us as His bride
And will Himself adorn
Our every feature to reflect
The glory of His grace
Where with a smile we’ll look
Upon the beauty of His face.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Help Me Father Stay Alert
Michael E. Wood
February 25, 2012
Ephesians 6:10-18
" Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.."
We often have need to be reminded that we are in a battle not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. And it should come as no surprise that we should come under the devils assaults not only against our standing in Christ but our progress in the advancement of the gospel. Thanks be to God who has given us the Holy Spirit through the merit of Christ to not only teach us but to bring all these things to mind as we have need of them.
The protection of my heart and mind
Are always in Your hands
As You teach me how to wrestle
In Your strength which stands
Against all schemes and powers
Of this present darkened world,
As the devil with his wiles
Has at me darts now hurled.
And yet You cause me to delight
In knowing overall
You control by sovereign grace
The power of them all,
So that I might learn by faith
To use each piece supplied
Of armor that You’ve given
Through the death that Jesus died.
The belt of truth now fastened on
And righteousness as my breastplate
Is given through the blood of Christ
Who for my sin did compensate
And clothed me with the best of shoes
For feet prepared to spread good news
Of peace and over all the rest,
The shield of faith to stand each test.
And as a helmet for my head,
Salvation: risen from the dead,
To take the flaming Spirit’s sword,
The Word of God in one accord,
To know the wisdom and the mind
Of Christ, transformed in Him to find
Acceptance at the throne of grace
To plea for mercy in the place
Where every prayer is clearly heard
As promised by the Spirit’s Word.
So help me Father Stay alert
And persevere through all the hurt
That I might feel by sins remains
And trust alone in Christ, who reigns!
February 25, 2012
Ephesians 6:10-18
" Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.."
We often have need to be reminded that we are in a battle not with flesh and blood but against principalities and powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. And it should come as no surprise that we should come under the devils assaults not only against our standing in Christ but our progress in the advancement of the gospel. Thanks be to God who has given us the Holy Spirit through the merit of Christ to not only teach us but to bring all these things to mind as we have need of them.
The protection of my heart and mind
Are always in Your hands
As You teach me how to wrestle
In Your strength which stands
Against all schemes and powers
Of this present darkened world,
As the devil with his wiles
Has at me darts now hurled.
And yet You cause me to delight
In knowing overall
You control by sovereign grace
The power of them all,
So that I might learn by faith
To use each piece supplied
Of armor that You’ve given
Through the death that Jesus died.
The belt of truth now fastened on
And righteousness as my breastplate
Is given through the blood of Christ
Who for my sin did compensate
And clothed me with the best of shoes
For feet prepared to spread good news
Of peace and over all the rest,
The shield of faith to stand each test.
And as a helmet for my head,
Salvation: risen from the dead,
To take the flaming Spirit’s sword,
The Word of God in one accord,
To know the wisdom and the mind
Of Christ, transformed in Him to find
Acceptance at the throne of grace
To plea for mercy in the place
Where every prayer is clearly heard
As promised by the Spirit’s Word.
So help me Father Stay alert
And persevere through all the hurt
That I might feel by sins remains
And trust alone in Christ, who reigns!
Thursday, March 8, 2012
That Christ Alone be Glorified
Michael E. Wood
February 14, 2012
Psalm 3:1-4
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
How often do we tend to bypass the introductory remarks of a particular Psalm and go directly into reading the verses which are numbered? It is good to be reminded that in the original manuscripts, there were no chapter or verse divisions, but they were added much later on. Thus in the case of the Psalms, the introductory remarks are just as much the inspired Word of God as the verses which follow.
When reading the first verse of this Psalm in the context of the introductory remarks we find that one of the greatest foes David faced in his later years was his own son. (See 2nd Samuel 13-15:17) That which was born of his own body and coddled throughout his life time rose up against him. Remaining sin can work that way as well if we coddle it and protect it, rather than confess it and forsake it. Thus it behooves us to not only to be hearers of the whole counsel of God but to be doers of it as well. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22).
Let us persevere in our battle against remaining sin for the glory of God
Oh permeate our heart and mind with all You have to say
That we may with all diligence live for Your praise each day!
Not simply with a knowledge that will only puff us up,
But that inflamed with love for You as we together sup.
Oh help us not be self-deceived by that which lies within
But only for Your glory, give us grace to deal with sin.
For that which we now coddle, only seeks to bring us ruin,
Though now it may seem innocent, destructive ways are brewin’;
And when inflamed by pride, from feelings of entitlement,
Our sin stirs to defy the only One of whom You sent,
In whom we could be justified and in Your presence stand,
When this brief life is over and we’re in the Promised Land.
February 14, 2012
Psalm 3:1-4
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
O LORD, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me;
many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. Selah
But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
How often do we tend to bypass the introductory remarks of a particular Psalm and go directly into reading the verses which are numbered? It is good to be reminded that in the original manuscripts, there were no chapter or verse divisions, but they were added much later on. Thus in the case of the Psalms, the introductory remarks are just as much the inspired Word of God as the verses which follow.
When reading the first verse of this Psalm in the context of the introductory remarks we find that one of the greatest foes David faced in his later years was his own son. (See 2nd Samuel 13-15:17) That which was born of his own body and coddled throughout his life time rose up against him. Remaining sin can work that way as well if we coddle it and protect it, rather than confess it and forsake it. Thus it behooves us to not only to be hearers of the whole counsel of God but to be doers of it as well. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22).
Let us persevere in our battle against remaining sin for the glory of God
Oh permeate our heart and mind with all You have to say
That we may with all diligence live for Your praise each day!
Not simply with a knowledge that will only puff us up,
But that inflamed with love for You as we together sup.
Oh help us not be self-deceived by that which lies within
But only for Your glory, give us grace to deal with sin.
For that which we now coddle, only seeks to bring us ruin,
Though now it may seem innocent, destructive ways are brewin’;
And when inflamed by pride, from feelings of entitlement,
Our sin stirs to defy the only One of whom You sent,
In whom we could be justified and in Your presence stand,
When this brief life is over and we’re in the Promised Land.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Do You see the Celestial Choir
Michael E. Wood
February 5-6, 2012
Revelation 15:2-4
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
While it was the Apostle John which was given this heavenly vision of the celestial choir made up of the redeemed of all of time, it is likewise a pleasure given to us by the sure mercies of God to see ourselves there by faith in the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And one of the most wonderful things about the redemption of which we already enjoy, is that we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to join our voices in praise to Him who alone is worthy of all praise. Thus as we assemble as a body of believers, let us ever be conscious of the privilege we have been afforded to join our ChoirMaster, who leads from heaven above.
Do you see the celestial choir and you with voice therein,
By faith, in Him, who once was slain to save us from our sin?
Both old and new from all of time as one with hearts made pure,
To glorify Almighty God, whose faithfulness is sure.*
As we sing the song of Moses and of Christ, the Lamb
We shall proclaim the Greatness of the LORD our God; “I AM”!
Just and true are all Your ways, O KING of all the nations,
For You alone are Holy and appoint to all their stations,
That we may come and worship You for righteous acts revealed,
To glorify Your Precious Name by all that You have sealed.
“Faith occupies the mind with the glory of the world to come…Diversion is the cure of the soul…The world will not be cast out of our affections but by the real sight of something better than itself. Till faith hath opened heaven to you, and evidenced things invisible and showed you that they are not shadows but substance, which the promise revealeth and believers expect, you will still be catching at present things [of this present time] as your portion. No eye can pierce so far as heaven, but only faith:’ Faith is the evidence of things not seen’ (Heb. 11:1)” Thomas Manton, “The Life of Faith”, Christian Heritage books.
*The first four lines of the poem above came to mind while listening to Pastor Robert Briggs preach from Revelation 15:2-4, Sunday morning, February 5, 2012.
February 5-6, 2012
Revelation 15:2-4
And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”
While it was the Apostle John which was given this heavenly vision of the celestial choir made up of the redeemed of all of time, it is likewise a pleasure given to us by the sure mercies of God to see ourselves there by faith in the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And one of the most wonderful things about the redemption of which we already enjoy, is that we don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to join our voices in praise to Him who alone is worthy of all praise. Thus as we assemble as a body of believers, let us ever be conscious of the privilege we have been afforded to join our ChoirMaster, who leads from heaven above.
Do you see the celestial choir and you with voice therein,
By faith, in Him, who once was slain to save us from our sin?
Both old and new from all of time as one with hearts made pure,
To glorify Almighty God, whose faithfulness is sure.*
As we sing the song of Moses and of Christ, the Lamb
We shall proclaim the Greatness of the LORD our God; “I AM”!
Just and true are all Your ways, O KING of all the nations,
For You alone are Holy and appoint to all their stations,
That we may come and worship You for righteous acts revealed,
To glorify Your Precious Name by all that You have sealed.
“Faith occupies the mind with the glory of the world to come…Diversion is the cure of the soul…The world will not be cast out of our affections but by the real sight of something better than itself. Till faith hath opened heaven to you, and evidenced things invisible and showed you that they are not shadows but substance, which the promise revealeth and believers expect, you will still be catching at present things [of this present time] as your portion. No eye can pierce so far as heaven, but only faith:’ Faith is the evidence of things not seen’ (Heb. 11:1)” Thomas Manton, “The Life of Faith”, Christian Heritage books.
*The first four lines of the poem above came to mind while listening to Pastor Robert Briggs preach from Revelation 15:2-4, Sunday morning, February 5, 2012.
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