Your Glory and Power and Worth!

Michael E. Wood

December 29, 2013

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Luke 12:32-34 (ESV)

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

1 Peter 1:17-19 (KJV)

While in the process of preparing for ministry at Atria I had stopped to read a portion of scripture from Luke 9-12 to Dianna. A few moments later while pondering the passages for the upcoming message about “Making the Best Use of Your Time”; these words came to mind as a prayer in the preparation.

Oh LORD, You have saved me

And made me Your own.

Oh, send the supply

Of Your grace from the throne

Of mercy, refreshing

And waking my heart

Through which You may use

For Your truth to impart

To those You prepare

As the ground for the seed

And water them often

As You see each need.

And lead in the way

As You deem for each best

To strengthen by faith

Till we enter the rest

Which comes at the end

Of our sojourn on earth

To show forth Your glory

And power and worth!

The One who Reconciled

Michael E. Wood

December 27, 2013

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:17-19

John Newton said it well when he penned the words, “Tis grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. “

The more we are given the privilege of seeing through the scriptures the condition of the heart and mind with which we were born into this world the more amazed we become that God would have looked upon any of us with pleasure. Sin permeated every aspect of our being and we were blinded to that fact by the god of this world. We followed the spirit of this fallen world without a thought of our lost condition, thinking only of things in light of our personal advantage.

Having been born of the Spirit and made new creations in Christ we have been given a new principle of life effectually working in us whereby we are enabled to glory in the cross of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Likewise we are enabled by the Spirit to glory in God as our Father, who has reconciled us to Himself through God the Son.

Though unworthy, yet we glory

In the One who reconciled

We the people of His pleasure

When through Christ He on us smiled.

As His blood upon the alter

Through His veil of flesh was laid

In the presence of the Father

Justice for our sins displayed

Such an awesome show of mercy

None can fully fathom here

Yet through faith we live to honor

Him who died and shall appear

To bring forth the full redemption

Raising from the dust of earth

Bodies new then in the likeness

Of the One who gave new birth.

By the Spirit, let us praise Him

Till the final hour come

When in fullness we adore Him,

Christ, our God and Father’s Son.

This Prayer (Christmas Card)

Michael E. Wood
September 26, 2013

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23

As you might have noticed by the date of writing, contemplation's of the eternal Son of God incarnate is a privilege we have as His followers to think of at anytime of the year. In fact we are encouraged to have this mind in ourselves which is ours in Christ Jesus, who though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in the human form, he humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death upon a cross. And yet it seemed appropriate to wait to share these thoughts at such a time as this.

This prayer I pray for you today 

And trust throughout the year 

That God Himself will draw you close 

And make Himself more dear, 

Than anything that you may grasp 

With hands or thoughts of mind. 

As He, Himself surpasses all 

We think or feel, or find 

In fleeting pleasures of this world 

Though good, they won’t transcend 

The greatest Treasure given 

With His glory as our end. 

For when He sent His Son, as babe, 

In lowly manger’s hay, 

The promise of eternal life 

Came down to earth that day. 

And though so many see Him not 

By grace through faith alone;

He did indeed, go to the cross 

And with His blood atone 

For all who would believe and turn 

From sin, with this in mind, 

Into our hearts the glory of 

Our God, in Christ has shined.

With One Voice Then Everywhere

Michael E. Wood

December 10, 2013

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me? I must perform my vows to you, O God; I will render thank offerings to you.

Psalm 56:10-12

With so many “designer churches”, with varying degrees of emphasis on secondary issues, it brings great comfort to know that God has not left us to ourselves but has provided us through the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ with the word of His grace and the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us and to guide us into all truth. Likewise, it is such a wonderful thing to know that regardless of how adamant we may be when it comes to some of these issues, all who are truly born of the Holy Spirit, washed in the blood the Lamb may look with great expectation to the day that we with one voice praise Him for His perfections everywhere!

Oh, Praise God for His virtues

And in them His Beauty see,

As He, Himself reveals them

By His Word with clarity.

And though He is much greater

Than we’ll ever know in time,

He delights in all who take delight

In Him who is sublime!

Oh, Praise God for His Word

Through which He richly now reveals

The light of His own presence

By His Spirit as He seals

Our hearts of which He has shut up

To show His glory there

In transformation power

Making new our every care.

For the things of first importance

Are the things in which we boast

Through the cross which Christ has suffered

And has sent the Holy Ghost

To protect us and to guide us

Through this life until we share

In the praise of His perfections

With one voice then everywhere!

All of Grace

Michael E. Wood

November 23, 2013

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

Though the following does not come close to encompassing every aspect featured in the text above, it is an example in simplicity of how theology leads to doxology.

All of grace and all of You,

And all for Thine own glory too.

You bid us come; and make alive,

And by Your Spirit make us thrive

With energy proceeding from

Thy throne until Thy kingdom come.

We thus rejoice in thinking of

Your mercies through redemption's love

Which captivates and stirs anew

Our thoughts to know, there’s none like You

Which could have made so high a plan

And condescend to sinful man.

Deliver us from lowly thought

To praise the grace by which You brought

Us to Yourself at Calvary

In Christ alone upon the tree

To make us Holy, blameless there

In heavenly places where we share

The hope and richest inheritance

In Him who gave us penitence

By which we sing the sweetest frame

And worship You in Jesus name!

Your Light Shines Through

Michael E. Wood

November 21-24, 2013

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. John 6:63

 I was pondering over John chapter 6 and landed squarely on verse 63 when the first part of this poem was written.

The sun was beginning to rise over the hill next to our apartment casting its first rays through the shadows. It occurred to me, that there are times when we are distracted from acknowledging the presence of God by virtue of the cares we have in this life. Through Christ the Son, He continues to shine forth His glory through His written word by the power of the Holy Spirit opening our eyes afresh to the fact the He never leaves us or forsakes us. He uses the darkness of the shadows in which we live to see our need to cast all our cares upon Him and to realize that the darkness and the light are both alike to Him and that He is ever present.

Though this poem is imperfect with meter changes etc.; it is a heart cry given to me to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.

Oh, by Thy words we live and breathe

And bow to Thee on bended knee.

And by the Father’s first decree

We cast our burdens all on Thee.

I love the way Your light shines through

The darkness that we see

And causes us to yet rejoice

In shadows as we flee

Into Your waiting arms of love

So gentle and so strong

And there You give assurance

You were with us all along.

And though we’re made to feel at times

We may be too subjective.

Our one desire is You are known

And that is our objective.

So judge we not by feeble sense

But trust alone in You,

That by Your word You will transform

Our all to honor You.

And though our flesh may feel the cold

By winds You send our way,

Your Spirit warms our hearts

To live for You another day.

So help us feast upon You

And rejoice in Your pure light,

By the knowledge of Your presence

As Your sons now in Your sight.

Our Father, Ever Dear!

Michael E. Wood

November 15, 2013

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
2 Corinthians 2:14-17

Quite often, my precious wife Dianna will ask me if I am ready to preach just prior to the time I am scheduled to preach. More often than not my answer is, “I never feel ready.” Now while that statement may not be altogether true, I do find that with my current schedule in teaching and preaching several times a week I feel so very inadequate and ill-prepared when I think of the incomprehensible responsibility of proclaiming the Excellencies of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. And yet I am encouraged by the promises God has given through the written word that it is indeed He who makes those whom He has called to this task sufficient as ministers of the good news of the grace He gives from day to day and enables us by His Spirit to be the conduits through which He speaks.

While in the process of preparation for a Bible study at the Terraces in Roseville, California, a flood of passages came to mind to bring emphasis and weight to the particular text we would be looking at for the day. In this process I was given the confidence that these passages came to mind as a free gift of the grace of God and that He would use them to magnify Himself during our time for the day, and then the following words came to mind.

I often marvel at the grace

You give to seek You in the face

Of Christ whose glory we behold

By faith in scripture You unfold

Because He came and bled and died

As You in Him are glorified

While by the Spirit we are changed

Fulfilling all You have arranged

Till all shall see Him then on high

And bow the knee to glorify

Your matchless Name by which You own

All praise and glory on the throne

From which You rule o’er every thing

And shall forever as we sing

New songs of praise with all who fear

You, as our Father, ever dear!

In the Beauty of Your Reign.

Michael E. Wood

November 5, 2013

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

While moving from the great doctrinal statements of the preceding eleven chapters of Romans the apostle Paul appeals to the practical aspects of living out the gospel of which we have received by faith in the finished work of Christ alone. By the grace of God we are what we are, children of God. Though it does not yet appear what we shall be, we are to be continually being transformed from one degree of glory to another through the renewing of our minds by the power of the Spirit and effectually showing forth the excellencies of Him who died that we might live to the praise of His glory.

Oh purify my motives!

May they all come forth from Thee

To magnify by life and word

Thy grace which set me free

From sin and self and captivates

My heart and mind to show

No other one or thing

Comes even close to Thee to know.

For knowing You exceeds

All earthly pleasures or their gain,

As all else pales completely

In the beauty of  Your Reign.

So guide us by Your pleasure

And Your faithfulness in love

To live the words You've spoken

For Your glory shown above.

More of You (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

October 2, 8-9, 2013

He must increase, but I must decrease. John 3:30

While this verse speaks particularly of the relationship of John the Baptist with Jesus the Messiah in salvation history, the thought occurred to me that the principle of our ongoing sanctification could also be observed.

As we consider how we might become more usable to God in the advancement of His Kingdom, our focus should be continually brought to the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.  For we are the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.  So then as we proceed to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, it should likewise become more and more evident that it is Christ in us, the hope of glory, who will bring about His purposes by the power of His Spirit to praise of His glorious grace.

Contemplation's never cease

Of how Your kingdom may increase.

But I find so oft, I fall so short

Through life You give on lease.

And what I need in all I say,

And what I need in all I do

Is so much less of what’s of me

And so much more of what’s of You.

More of You to cheer the heart

Which feels the pains of searing loss.

More of You to give the strength

To bear the burdens of the cross.

For the joy You set before all those

Who look to You and live,

You have promised to bring forth

That we may You the glory give.

---------

Father, help me by Your Spirit

In the cross of Christ to hide,

Knowing You are ever present

As the blood spilled from the side

Of my Savior who has given words

To know Him as my guide,

And to slay my pride remaining

And in Him alone abide.

More of You to give the grace

I need to honor You each day.

More of You to shine the light

Of life to others on the way

To the house You have prepared

For those who look to You and live,

As our Father through the Son

That we may You the glory give.

-----------

So then all You have appointed,

Help us see by Your own hand,

You have brought to know the truth,

By Christ alone we’re made to stand.

May Your faithfulness and love

Give strength in weakness that we feel

As the treasure in these jars of clay

Show others, He is Real!

More of You to give the grace

To walk in true humility.

More of You to change our thoughts

To live a life of purity.

For the glory we behold

As those who look to You and live

Shall be fully consummated

In Your presence then to give.

His Name Is Jesus! (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

October 8, 2013

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

While contemplating the fact, that it is God which gives a new heart through the sacrifice of Christ which brings about brokenness over sin, this new song was written.

Only God can make a heart

That’s truly broken over sin.

A Holy God has made the way

To make us pure and clean within.

And only God could offer up

Himself to make the covering;

Sufficient purchase by His blood

Upon His cross of suffering.

His Name is Jesus!

He is the Christ; the crucified!

And only Jesus

By His own death with which He died

Could ever take the guilt and shame

And for our sake take all the blame.

His Name is Jesus!

His Name is Jesus!

Only God can justify

Ungodly souls before the throne.

A Holy God is satisfied

By only One who did atone.

And only God could give us

Access by true faith into this grace.

And we rejoice in hope to see

The glory of our Savior’s face.

His Name is Jesus!

He was condemned to set us free.

And only Jesus,

Both God and man upon the tree,

Could as the Just One, justify.

And it was “finished” when He cried!

His Name is Jesus!

His Name is Jesus!

Only God can take the mess

We made and work it for our good.

A Holy God, who is Omniscient,

Planned before Creation stood.

And only God can make anew

All things, who reigns above as King,

And see’s the smile upon our Father’s face

As we to Him now sing.

His Name is Jesus!

He will return in victory!

And only Jesus

Has conquered every enemy.

With all the angels shout His praise,

As all His children, He will raise.

His Name is Jesus!

His Name is Jesus!

Spark - All These Things

Michael E. Wood
October 7, 2013

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 

2 Peter 1: 5-7

Since the passage from 2 Peter speaks of the process of our ongoing sanctification while we remain on earth, which is the effect of the gospel to the glory of God, I thought it would be appropriate to also include the following quote with the little spark of poetry that came to mind while reading the scripture passage.

“… we think of holiness in terms of deliverance from particular sins, but that is not its object. The object of holiness is to bring us into fellowship with God, that we may enjoy this fellowship; it is to prepare us for heaven. It must all be thought of always in terms of this fundamental relationship to God and not some feeling you are going to get. No, no; but to give you this deep knowledge, and to lead to a communion that goes on ever deepening so that eventually you shall have a vision of God: ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.’ That is the object of holiness.” *

All these things we’re called unto
Reflect the glory found in You.
So help us show the full effect
Of grace You give to make perfect
The fruit that others may partake
Of Christ who suffered for our sake
The wrath of justice that was due
To show, O God, Your mercy too.

*From An Exposition of Romans 9, page 130, D. Martyn Lloyd Jones

Forgive Me Father

Michael E. Wood
September 2013

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

While many accountability groups require confession of wrongs done toward mankind as a part of their "program", many or most are actually designed simply to make the individual feel better about themselves. And though outward sin against an individual should be confessed and appropriate restitution should be made when possible, it should likewise be understood that all sin is an infinite offense against an infinite Almighty God, to whom we shall give an account.

Thus a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, are the only sacrifices that God accepts. These can not be conjured up through the imagination of the mind but come as a free gift of the grace of God through the one sacrifice acceptable to Him. The sacrifice, He provided by sending His own Son to bear the iniquity of many, that He might redeem us from all unrighteousness.


Oh, not the guilt and shame I feel
But knowing my offense is real
Toward You, my God, and Father’s Son
That nailed You to the cross as one
Of all of Adam’s race that day
Is why I look through You and pray,
Forgive me Father, I have sinned.
In brokenness, I comprehend
The truth of what I’ve really done
And what You did that I be won,
As a captive of the war
From all my pride, to love You more!

This Wonder I See

Michael E. Wood
September 17, 2013

For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 
2 Corinthians 5:4

As children of the living God, we groan, being burdened. We groan through the process of aging. Bodies which were once vibrant, seemingly without care, are outwardly deteriorating. Minds which seemed to grasp and retain things with very little effort, struggle to be disciplined and to focus on the One who set us apart from our mother’s womb and called us by His grace to be conformed to the image of His Son, to the praise of His glory.

We groan, being burdened with the remnants of our old Adamic nature, which is continually rising up fighting against the Spirit. But thanks be to God which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, and has given us of His Spirit, continually working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure.

And we groan, being burdened for those which are lost, both from within our earthly families and those with whom we encounter on a day to day basis.

Yes, we groan being burdened, and yet we rejoice in our Sovereign God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who will change our vile bodies to be like His glorious body and will perfect the deficiencies of our minds. He is ever present, just as He promised, and He will leave none of His behind at His return.


Where ever I am, this wonder I see,
God ever present and made known to me.
And this for His glory, His captive to be,
With God ever present and made known through me.

Each circumstance guided, controlled from above
To shape me within and without by His love.
To be like my Jesus: no shame will I see
When all that is mortal, no longer shall be.

Sing to Him a New Song

Michael E. Wood
September 30, 2013

Shout for joy in the Lord, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings! Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. Psalm 33:1-3

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16

addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:19

In an earlier post we shared a link from which our dear sister in Christ, India Curry had put together a video from two concerts Celeste Chen preformed at two of the Assisted Living facilities at which we have an opportunity to minister the gospel on a regular basis.

In the link enclosed you will find the segment from the concerts which are specifically aimed at sharing three songs of which I had the privilege to write. The titles include: We Look to You, Oh LORD Teach us Your Rules, and Set Your Minds on Things Above. Celeste wrote the sheet music based on an acapella CD of the songs. And India put it all together so we could share it here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9JzfwJpYmA

You may follow the adventures of Michael & Celeste Chen at http://kenyachens.wordpress.com/

Thank you India and Celeste for sharing your gifts with the body,
To the praise of His glory!

The True Glory of God’s Face - Part 2

Michael E. Wood

September 11-12,26, 2013

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

While contemplating passages from 2 Corinthians, the following question came to mind. What is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ?

So this is the continuation of an attempt to answer that question with part two of the preceding poem.

Jesus is the express image
Of the Father, and His eyes
Pierce the darkness of the human
Heart, exposing all the lies
That holds captive every single one
Unless we’re made to face
Our condition by His Spirit
As a gift to Adam’s race.

Thus in fear we’re made to see
Him, in our hopeless, lost estate.
And cry out in faith, believing,
He alone, and for our sake,
Took on flesh, as man fulfilling
All the perfect law required.
And as God, the reconciling
Of the image, man had mired.

So we glory in the glory,
He alone deserves to share
With the Father, in His likeness,
As He’s interceding there
At His right hand on the throne
From whence proceeds so great a grace
That in glory we shall see Him,
The true glory of God’s face.

Let us praise Him then for mercy
With true hearts in whom He’s shown
Such resplendent light of glory
In the face of Christ to own
His own presence while we wait the day
When all will bow the knee
And then see Him in His glory,
Our King Jesus, Majesty!

The True Glory of God’s Face - Part 1

Michael E. Wood

September 11-12, 2013

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

While contemplating passages from 2 Corinthians, the following question came to mind. What is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ?

So this is an attempt to answer that question in a two part poem.

Now I know I cannot answer
With my small capacity,
But in part. I hope to share
A glimpse that you, His beauty see.
For this gift is so unspeakable,
No words will fully be
Comprehensible enough to tell
Of God so perfectly.

His features are the kindness
And the mercy shown to me.
In His face I see the glory
Of His sovereign majesty.
He has shown His love to thousands
Through the cross of Calvary.
And a myriad of angels
Wonder at His grace so free.

His compassion never faltered
When He hung there on the tree.
And He cried out to the Father
To forgive the likes of me.
And He suffered all the wrath
That would have been my destiny,
As He offered up His life blood
Through His death to set me free.

He is risen, demonstrating
That our Father’s satisfied.
Making godly, the ungodly,
As the Just One’s justified.
All appointed to His service
Thus, will dwell with Him on high
When we see Him in His glory,
And in Him we’re glorified.

He has given us His Spirit.
In our hearts He has outpoured,
His abiding, loving presence.
And He can not be ignored,
As we’re humbled by His holiness,
Partaking of His light,
We are filled with awe and wonder
By the power of His might.

With His mission then accomplished
We thus grow into the frame
Of the house He has established
To the glory of His name.
As each living stone is favored
To be like Him as the aim,
And we’ll praise Him as the Lamb
For us, before the world was slain.

Celeste

A sweet sister in Christ, India Curry, merged the video from the concert at Atria with the video from the concert at The Terraces into one wonderful production and has posted it on Youtube.  She did an outstanding job!   You can enjoy both concerts in one here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrmnb1ehYbY

He Lifts Us in His Bosom

Michael E. Wood

September 10, 2013

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

 It seems that for some of us, as we grow older, our bodies change in various ways that are difficult to describe. Muscles don’t work as they once did, which is discouraging in relation to obtaining proper exercise. Our digestive tract doesn't respond to certain foods in the same way without the aid of medications such as Prilosec, which doesn't help in every situation. With the depletion of energy levels during the course of a day, we may find that our minds become cloudy and have difficulty focusing on what we are reading or attempting to study. And then on some occasions we are temporarily incapacitated by just feeling sickly, which may encompass all of the above.

About 6:30, Tuesday morning I had the opportunity to attend a Bible study with some of the guys from Providence Bible Church. We had a wonderful time of fellowship around the Word of God, as we have been looking not only into how the grace of God was working in the life of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but the manner in which Christ is the fulfillment of the promises of God. 

Upon returning to our apartment, I had a bite to eat, took a short nap, and intended on spending the rest of the day studying in preparation for a message to be preached the following Sunday. But when I awoke, I just felt sickly in my stomach, and had a difficult time focusing my mind on the things of which I needed to study. So, I just sat down and began to write…..

Sometimes I just feel sickly

And I don’t know even why.

Could it be my allergy to work,

Or just an alibi?

Could it be that I am given this

To now identify

With so many who now suffer

So much more than you or I?

For in weakness we are taught

To boast of Him, who is our strength,

As He gives to us sufficient grace

To know the breadth and length,

Of the love He has and demonstrates

While pouring in our hearts

That great peace that passes understanding

Far beyond our smarts.

And He lifts us in His bosom,

Holding us so ever close,

And He whispers, “Child, I have you,

And prescribe the proper dose,

From my own apothecary,

Just exactly as I planned,

And to use you for my glory

More than you now understand.”

And in time we shall proceed

To see beyond our earthly cares

That our Father surely gave His best

To all, who are joint-heirs.

For our treasure is laid up,

Where nothing ever more will test,

As we pass by grace to glory

In His everlasting rest.

The next day, I began by having a good morning leading a Bible study in a home for the elderly, I also visited with a friend at another facility, who’s health has declined to the point that they have accepted the fact that death is imminent. Upon reading some scripture, singing a hymn, and having prayer with this dear saint, she responded to the encouragement received by saying, “I’m going to die soon, and that’s O.K.” I smiled and said, ‘It’s more than O.K., it’s going to be beyond what any of us could ever imagine.”

Hidden in the Beauty

Michael E. Wood

September 9, 2013

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:9-12

With the busyness of life we often fail to contemplate the glory of God as He continually speaks through Creation. Yes, the scriptures are the primary means through which He reveals Himself by His Spirit, and yet the heavens declare the glory of God and day by day He speaks through His creation.

While driving down the street a few days ago, I noticed the subtle change which has begun to take place in the coloring of the leaves on some of the trees here in northern California. Though the temperatures continue to push toward the century mark, Fall is encroaching upon us.

As the words of the first stanza of this poem began to flow out of the enjoyment of the glory of God in creation, I came to a stopping place and wrote the thoughts which had immediately come to mind. Several days passed before I had time to contemplate what I had written in light of what the scripture has to say.

The breath of God begins to blow

And gently kiss the trees

In demonstration of His glory,

Beautifying leaves;

Which soon will fall and manifest

In part the promise made,

That He alone provides for all the life

Which soon will fade.

So hidden in the beauty is a

Warning to be heard.

Oh, let the rich think not that certain

Judgment is deterred.

For once the Fall is past then Winter

Surely will then come,

And only those prepared by grace

From God will know the sum

Of the fullness, of the glory, of

The ones who yet remain

Steadfast under trial to the end

And then shall claim

The crown of life which God has promised

To all those who love

Him, who loved us first and sealed us,

By His Holy Dove.

Hidden in the beauty, and remembrance

Of the Fall

Is the glory of our God; Lord Jesus,

Over all.

And He alone gives power to transfer

A soul from death

Into everlasting life, in Him,

Who gave us our first breath.

Our Eternal End (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

July 16- August 27, 2013

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11

this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Acts 2:23

“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32

After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaac his son. And Isaac settled at Beer-lahai-roi.

Genesis 25:11

Just as David had commanded the chiefs of the Levites to appoint their brothers as the singers who should play loudly on musical instruments and that thanksgiving be sung to the LORD by Asaph and his brothers; likewise Christ has appointed that psalms and hymns and spiritual songs be sung to the LORD in our day as well.

This may seem to be a strange array of scripture passages from which to write a new song, and yet these were the passages through which I was taken to write the following. I have a tune in mind, but my precious wife, Dianna said though it may be the best lyrics I have ever written, it hurts to hear it. So, if you’re reading this and can come up with a tune better suited than the one I have in mind; please HELP!

Your presence to seek continually

Is that of which You taught

In days of old, Oh Lord, our God,

Through Him by whom You brought

Salvation to all peoples

And the hope in which we stand,

Secured by Christ, the sacrifice,

Whose blood spilled by Your plan.

Your pleasure to give the kingdom to all

Is that, which You now teach,

Your children, in Christ, Oh Father above,

With none beyond Your reach,

Whose hearts You make to open,

Like the flowers by Your grace

To drink the sunshine of Your love,

Which beams from Jesus face.

Our treasure, Our God, You are to us all,

Who live now in the realm

Of power supplied to sanctify

By which You overwhelm

All thieves and moths which vanish

By the grace You wrought within:

Sweet mystery of Christ alone,

Whose blood now covers sin.

Oh, settle us now, receiving all things,

To live out in Your sight

The life that You gave, which conquers the grave

And manifests the might

Of Christ with whom we’re risen

By the Spirit, You did send,

To glorify Your precious name

As our eternal end.

You Own Them as Your Own!

Michael E. Wood

August 20, 2013

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. Philippians 1: 12-14

As the apostle Paul has finished with his introductory remarks and his prayer of rejoicing with the encouragement to grow in love to the glory and praise of God, there are a number of things which stand out as he begins the body of his letter to the saints at Philippi.

May we learn the appropriate applications by the Spirit to live out the truths which apply to the circumstance we find ourselves in.

1- Personal circumstance is no hindrance to the advancement of the gospel.

a) The apostle Paul was not focused on what he could not do, but focused on what he could do.

b) Though he was not in front of large crowds or churches, he focused on witnessing to those who were immediately around him (i.e., the Roman guards he was chained to for two years).

2- Jesus reigns over all circumstances of life and is seen by faith by those who are His.

3- Never underestimate the testimony of the power of Christ working through you as you patiently endure suffering.

4- The courage of one believer begets courage in other believers. It is the fruit of the saints suffering.

a) The witness of the apostle was an encouragement for others to witness.

5-Rejoicing in the power of Christ  is an evidence and manifestation of the work He accomplished on the cross.

Forgive me when my love

Does not excel and intercede

With prayer for other saints

Who suffer far and greater needs

Than I can now imagine with

My comforts and my pride

Which yet distract in moments

When I hear not what they cried.

Show mercy and love loyalty

To all You have in view,

For You alone are Judge of all

The hearts You have made new.

And give to them the measure of

Your grace that You know best,

Fits for each occasion of

Your children seeking rest.

In Christ alone give comfort

And the strength to burdens bear

Exactly as You measured

To display Your glory there,

In the midst of trials as

You make Your presence known

To show them that You love them

And You own them as Your own!

Proclaiming Freedom

Michael E. Wood

August 20-21, 2013

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, Philippians 1:12

Though we in America for the most part know very little about being literally in bonds or chains for the sake of the gospel, we can learn from the experience of the apostle Paul that God continues to be Sovereign over our own opportunities and experience.

My normal Wednesday morning schedule includes a Bible study-worship time at a small assisted living facility called Abiding Care which houses six residents. What had begun with visiting with one resident, a former resident of Atria-El Camino Gardens whose name is Anne, developed into a regular time with as many as four of them meeting with me on a somewhat regular basis.

Today was different. As I entered the dining area where we meet, they had just finished breakfast, which was normal. One of the ladies moved to a nearby couch which is more comfortable for her and listens from there; still normal. But everyone else left. So there I am with the one at the table with which this study began with an employee within ear shot doing some cleaning in the kitchen. Not totally disheartened, we began by singing Amazing Grace, read from Philippians 1: 1-12, had a time of prayer and then entered the study focusing on verse 12. After about fifty minutes I noticed my one faithful lady, Anne, had dropped her head and fallen asleep. Upon looking back at the lady on the couch, she too had fallen asleep.

Though there have been times when we have continued for an hour and a half, I realized it was time to come to a close for the day. Upon touching Anne on the arm, she was very apologetic of which I assured her that she was fine. I closed by reading a couple of quotes  I found written by commentator B. C. Caffin concerning the text, the poem recited below, and prayer.

“Example is better than precept. The sight of a suffering saint, patient, contented, happy, does more to win souls than hundreds of sermons. It is the visible proof of the power of Christ.”

“The gift of preaching is far inferior to the grace of charity. The eloquent preacher may be ambitious, worldly, actuated by party spirit, not by love of Christ.”

Nothing quite like this had ever happened in the year and a half that I have been going to this facility and it resulted in me leaving earlier than normal. While being a little baffled at what had taken place I continued to my next stop.

The Eskaton in Carmichael houses another former resident of Atria named Lucy of which we have had the pleasure of meeting with for nearly two years. She was one of the first people we met and the Lord has used her to open a number of gospel opportunities over the years and today was just one example. As I walked down the hall toward her room she was sitting outside in her wheel chair. Another lady named Doris was near by and asked who I was. Upon introducing myself and telling her about our relationship with Lucy and that I would be sharing some scripture and singing she accepted the invitation to join us. As I began to sing Amazing Grace, Doris joined in. Another lady named Lou who was sitting in her wheel chair not too far away joined in as well and rolled herself closer to us. While opening the scriptures and singing another song we found ourselves being joined by two men. So there we were in the hallway with an opportunity to share the gospel of Christ with five of the residents which may not have happened in the way that it did had I not been there at that exact time. Yes, God is still Sovereign over our opportunities and experiences when we trust and obey.

While driving back to our apartment I came to a stop at a light behind a truck with a decal on the back window which said “Going Fishing”. Jesus said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

He takes those things which seem distressing

To bring forth a richer blessing,

Turning all out for our good

Though far from us yet understood.

For though we may seem now deterred

By circumstance; His voice is heard

Proclaiming freedom through our bonds

To hearts He opens and responds

Unto the faithful gospel call

That Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

How to Love You

Michael E. Wood

July 8-13, 2013

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

For those who are more logical than feeling oriented, this particular poem may come as a bit of a personal confession. Please pray for me that the realities spoken of in the preceding verses taken from the apostle’s letter to the Philippians will grow to be more and more prevalent over the course of the years that I am given while here on earth.

For those who tend to be more feeling oriented, I would encourage you to join me not only in prayer, but in the pursuit of the knowledge of God. For God is love!

Having demonstrated the greatness of His love toward us through the sacrifice of His Son, He has also given to us great and precious promises. He opens our understanding to what the practical application of love looks like through the scriptures and then enables us by His Spirit to live out these truths as members of the body of Christ, both in the knowledge of His presence and for the benefit of men.

Remove from me temptation

To interpret by my feelings

Your grace which flows so freely

Through the gospel, of Your dealings;

With my soul which stands in need,

Yeah, constant all the time,

To know that You are with me

And that I am wholly Thine.

Through the channel of Your word

By Your Spirit in my heart,

Write afresh those things in secret

You implanted from the start,

That I may grow to love You

More and more each passing day;

With true knowledge and discernment,

Giving light along the way.

Oh show us how to love You

As we've never known before,

And grow in likeness to You

So that others may adore

Our Father who first loved us

Long before He gave the keys

To unlock the hearts of all;

        Who come, 

And humbly bow their knees.

The Treasure Others See

Michael E. Wood

August 5, 2013

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

Are there passages of scripture that seem to captivate you, filled with depths which cannot be plumbed? Well, this has been one for me.

Commentators tell me within these three verses lie every aspect of insight of which the Apostle Paul will unfold through the course of the rest of the letter to the Philippians. While I believe that to be true, without going into too much detail, there are a number of things which have become obvious already.

This model of prayer is for all saints, regardless of what their position or giftedness may be in the church. Our love should be excessive in quantity, quality, or both; ever increasing without end, both for God and man. Through knowledge and discernment by the scriptures we learn to approve what is excellent. As we learn to test and appropriate what is excellent we become more Christ like in character, working out with fear and trembling what He has worked in by His Spirit with the assurance that our Father will bring His work to completion at the day of Christ.

“There are three faculties in our souls which are capable of receiving spiritual strength. They are the understanding, the desires and the will. So any spiritual ability we have must be because it has been imparted to these faculties.”

“We are utterly dependent on him for all our good actions and for that root and spring of holiness in us from which all spiritually good actions arise.”

“We are to behold Christ. We should be stirred by Christ's example to be like him. Since all he did was out of love for us.  All he did was for our good; imitating him will be the best thing we could do for our good.”  John Owen, "The Holy Spirit”, Puritan Paperbacks, The Banner of Truth Trust

Help me seek You as I serve You

In this course of study here,

So that I may live to please You

As I walk within Your fear,

And then prove that which is excellent

As now judged by Your light

Which gives weight to what You’re speaking

As we stand now in Your sight.

Oh permeate our hearts and minds

With Your unchanging Word,

Oh Father, to live out in truth

The things of which we've heard.

For nothing so compels us as

The love by which we’re bound,

Transforming every thought and deed

Till Christ alone is found,

To be the treasure others see

When come we face to face

And show the matchless wonder

Of Your own redeeming grace.

The Beauty of Late Bloomers

Michael E. Wood

July 29, 2013

I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ.   Philippians 1:12-13

The righteous flourish like the palm tree and grow like a cedar in Lebanon. They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God. They still bear fruit in old age; they are ever full of sap and green, to declare that the Lord is upright; he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.  Psalms 92: 12-15 (Emphasis mine)

In September 2011, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for the gospel at Atria El Camino Gardens in Carmichael, California.  During that first month, Dianna and I sat in to observe a Thursday night Bible study being conducted by a former member of a church which had been meeting at the facility.  The number of residents faithfully attending the meeting had dwindled to two.

Lucy, while suffering with Parkinson’s disease, attended our Sunday afternoon worship services regularly while at Atria until her condition debilitated to the point in which she had to move to another facility. Though her body was withering away, her mind was still sharp and we had developed a close relationship in the Lord.  When she moved to the Terraces in Roseville we began to visit her there and the Lord opened another opportunity for the gospel among the residents.

With her condition continuing to worsen, Lucy had to be moved once again to an Eskaton facility in Carmichael which provides a greater degree of personal care.  As you can imagine, if you would put yourself in her place, she was not always happy about these moves as she was having a difficult time understanding why these things were happening to her.

Out of the numerous hymns, songs and scriptures we have had the privilege of sharing with her, we found ourselves focusing on what God has provided for us through the Psalms and the letter to the Philippians. One of the things the apostle Paul wrote nearly two thousand years ago became very evident to Lucy.  The things which happen to us during our sojourn here on earth, our Sovereign God and Savior has designed to serve for the advancement of the gospel.

While visiting with Lucy on July 24th, she began to share with me how she had witnessed to another lady concerning Christ the day before. She said, “I’m afraid I did poor job of it.” And then with tears welling up in her eyes, she said. “That’s the first time I have ever told anyone about Christ.  I’m not sure why I am even telling you this.” I smiled and said, “I do! Because it is a great encouragement to me to know that our labor is not in vain, in the Lord.” She then continued by saying, “I was thinking about when I see Him I don’t want to go without bringing someone with me.”

I assured her that she had been a part of all the opportunities that had already taken place but am rejoicing in her outspokenness at this time in her life. We are told by the scriptures that one plants, another waters, but God gives the increase. While others around her are perishing with no hope of eternal life, at nearly ninety-one, Lucy is still bearing fruit for the glory of God.

There’s another part to this story which may seem strange to some. A few weeks ago, we in the Sacramento area endured a record breaking heat wave.  In the intense heat, the flowers in our little garden at the foot of the stairs didn’t stand a chance and began to wither away rapidly.

While it seemed that this would be the end of our enjoyment of the hydrangeas for this season, one little bud began to blossom not long before this recent visit with Lucy and the following came to mind.

The beauty of late bloomers

Is how awesome they appear

Amidst the withered flowers

Drying as they disappear.

Though some may focus only

On what they no longer see,

The eyes of our Beholder

Guides to see His majesty

Displayed in every aspect

Of this world of His creation

But more so by His Son

He gave to bring regeneration

To know Him and to love Him

In the beauty of His Light

And smell the sweetest fragrance

As He puts an end to night!