Righteousness; Not of my Own

Michael E. Wood

October 27, 2012

...filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:11

 It seems that I often have need to be reminded that as I come before the Father to receive from Him that which is needed in the ministry of the Word to others, that acceptance before Him is not found in anything that I might do. Though I am instructed to preach the Word, and to study to show myself approved of God; all of these things are provided as a free gift of His grace by the Spirit, which is given through the righteousness of Christ alone; to the glory and praise of our God.

Thank You for the quiet, wherein I may more comprehend

The wonder of Your presence, with Your glory as my end.

For in the moments when it seems I don’t accomplish much,

You use them to remind me, Tis not I but Christ and such

As comes by Your Sweet Spirit to behold with faith-filled eyes,

You are my All in all, Oh God, and Christ my treasured Prize!

So as it now may pleaseth You, I ask my heart You fill

With more of Your transcendent love to know and do Your will.

And as I now reflect upon what You may do or say,

Be pleased Oh Father to rejoice to prove through Christ: the Way,

That by his resurrection satisfaction is supplied

To show Your glory by Your righteousness, as not denied.

The righteousness; not of my own produces fruit that brings

All praise and glory to my God, through Christ; the King of kings.

For he has by himself fulfilled Your just and holy law

That we may by the grace he gives behold in humble awe,

The fact that You have saved us for the sake of Your own Name

And will present us faultless in Your glory without shame!

Oh Where Are Thy Tears

Michael E. Wood

October 18, 2012

Oh where are thy tears, oh preacher, oh man,

As you preach of Gods glory and His saving plan,

Amidst stone cold hearts now steeped dead in sin

Which cannot nor will not let Jesus Christ in?

And though by thy tears they shall never be moved,

Can it be that thy also need somewhat reproved?

For how can thy Savior’s true beauty be seen?

But by thy humility through which we glean

Those handfuls on purpose of which God has left

By our kinsman redeemer which pour from the cleft

Of his side which was riven to show forth the fruit

That we are his offspring, as he is the root

From which we draw courage and strength to abide

By his Spirit effectual in whom we confide

To teach us more clearly and further the cause

Of His transient glory by which he now draws

A remnant so great to the end of the age;

Oh glory to Christ, who for us did engage

The wrath which was due as we sunk in our sin,

But took on himself in exchange there to win

On the cross by his blood as he poured out his soul,

As the offering up of the sacrifice whole,

Which not only purchased forgiveness complete

But the righteousness whereby we come now to meet

With God in communion to know Him so great

Who fashioned us for the eternal estate

To show forth His glory in kindness to man

In spite of ourselves by His own loving hand.

Sunday Night Sparks of Prayer and Praise

Michael E. Wood

Some times while listening to a message being preached thoughts of prayer or praise in the form of poetry come to mind. 

November 25, 2012

 We desperately need the help of the Holy Spirit to make application to our hearts when hearing the Word preached, for often we can find ourselves distracted in a multiplicity of ways.

Oh help me to hear and to understand more

Of how to repent and to you then adore,

Not just from sin in, which I’ve been wrong

But much more toward You unto whom I belong!

December 16, 2012

 Partially inspired from watching” Chariots of Fire”. The more we are enabled to comprehend the way in which our Father has wired us by His Spirit for His glory through the finished work of Christ, the more we are enabled to enjoy Him in the doing of His good pleasure.

I feel Your pleasure when I write

As from Your presence flows Your might

By which my spirit now takes wings

And soars by faith to You and sings

With so simple strains as they may be

To the praise of the glory we find in Thee!

Christ Our Strength Is Present

Michael E. Wood

December 5, 12, 2012

 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. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2^nd Corinthians 12:9-10

While each of us, as children of God, is called to face various trials in this life for the glory of God, it is not always easy. The pain is real, whether it is physical, emotional, spiritual, or all of the above. Thanks be to God as our Father, whose grace is sufficient to meet our every need in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

How good it is to be reminded of our weakness here

That we might see that Christ our strength is present, which is clear

To all that He draws near in truth, though humbled we may be

For through the path of suffering, His glory we shall see.

So take good courage by His Spirit, sent from heavens throne

And glory in the glory He will share with all His own.

For nothing on this earth compares with what our eyes shall see

When for His Name we’re raised to know His awesome majesty!

Press on then toward the goal while stretching forward to the prize,

The upward call of God in Christ Jesus as you rise

Above these troubles you now face as nothing separates

Us from His love and surely comes for all who on Him waits.

I Am the Same Forever

Michael E. Wood

November 30, 2012

To the choirmaster.  A Psalm of David.   In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name's sake you lead me and guide me; Psalm 31:1-3

Though my thoughts can be so puny and my grasp of understanding so slight, I give thanks to God through my Lord Jesus Christ that He does not change. We were made for His glory and through the redemption that comes through Christ alone, He has promised to guide those who are His for His Name's sake.

The following came as a result of contemplating the words that God has given to us through the Psalms and through the enjoyment of reading, “Knowing God”, by J. I. Packer

I Am the LORD; I do not change

I Am the same to day

As yesterday and will my friend

Guide you to know the way

By which you may be pleasing

By the Holy Spirits might

Now given by the grace of Christ

To stand by faith and fight

Against the foes that lie within

And those reproaching shouts

Which come from those encroaching

On My glory with their doubts.

For I have now redeemed you

Through my Son who bore your shame,

And raised you up to be like Him

To glorify My Name!

And though the way may seem unclear

At times: Remember this,

I will not hold to anger

When you seek my Son to kiss.

So seek His face by My own Word

From which I will not sever.

I Am the LORD; I do not change;

I Am the same forever!