Accepting Correction

Michael E. Wood

June 23, 2016

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O LORD, and whom you teach out of your law, to give him rest from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage; for justice will return to the righteous, and all the upright in heart will follow it.     Psalm 94:12-15

There is a brand of so called Christianity in our current culture which promotes everything as positive and encouraging rather than Biblical and balanced. The writer to the Hebrews tells us not to regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives. He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. While in the process of being disciplined it seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

The psalmist being carried along by the same Holy Spirit records for our learning, the blessedness of the one whom the LORD disciplines. Though He has various means by which He can bring about discipline in our lives the context of the passage seems to point to God’s use of the wicked to bring about this discipline, and thus displays His Sovereign power and providential use of all things for the good of His people and the praise of His glory.

Let us continually be learning and putting into practice the habit of giving Him thanks in all things while trusting Him with all our hearts, and not leaning on our own understanding.

Do we now build our lives on our comfort and ease

Imagining somehow that God is well pleased?

But then in a moment when things are all changed

Through circumstance, turmoil, and lives rearranged;

We question His goodness, and kindness, and love,

Not seeing that all things are sent from above

To mold us and make us like a Potter the clay.

Are we hardened or nimble for shaping that day?

For He in His mercy sees better than we,

Designing each detail to drive to the knee,

*Accepting correction to know and commune

With Him in His sweetness like finest perfume

Perfecting His praise in a life offered up

Through Jesus who drank of the bitterest cup.

Oh, none can imagine the extent of His pain

That He bore to remove our gross sin and our shame,

But not only that, to present without fault

The church as His bride, one with Him to exalt

The glory and praise God alone has, as due.

Oh, Help us, Dear Father, to magnify You!

*Footnote: In printing this out for a hard copy distribution, Dianna pointed out to me that I had originally used EXCEPTING ( a preposition - used in the sense of apart from or excluding, also used as a conjunction at times) instead of ACCEPTING ( a verb - used in the sense of agree to or receiving something without saying no). The two words sound similar and can be easily confused, but my, what a difference a single word can make. Thus, it seems appropriate to receive correction even in the writing of this poem.

Though Storm Clouds Arise

Michael E. Wood

March 15, 2016

 A few years back I began to notice signs on our highways here in California which read, “Severe Drought, Conserve Water”. This actually opened Gospel opportunities as I would ask individuals, why the signs don’t say “Severe Drought, Pray for Rain”. With the recent El Nino effect in our region we have had a recent abundance of rain, which led to posting the following excerpt.

“Drenched by 'March Miracle,' Northern California reservoirs inch toward capacity

Los Angeles Times Joseph Serna Contact Reporter March 14, 2016 6:38 PM

A series of storms pushed California’s biggest reservoir past its historical average for mid-March this weekend and put the second largest one on track for doing the same by Monday afternoon, officials said.

Together the Lake Shasta and Lake Oroville reservoirs have the capacity to hold more than 8 million acre feet of water and after a wet weekend in Northern California, they were 79% and 70% full, respectively, by Monday morning, according to the state Department of Water Resources.

Some people have referred to the recent series of powerful storms that have dumped rain and snow on the Sierra as the “March Miracle.”

The storms filled Lake Shasta above its average for this time of year and by 4 p.m. Monday; Lake Oroville surpassed its historic average, said DWR spokesman Doug Carlson. Lake Shasta is the state's largest reservoir.

“It’s happened a little quicker than I personally thought,” Carlson said. “It would appear the [seasonal storms] have really achieved what they historically do, which is deliver a lot of rainfall to the mountains.”

Neither reservoir has reached its historical average in nearly three years, data show.

“I don’t know if people here will be dancing in their cubicles when [Oroville] hits the historic average, but it will be the first time it’s done that for the duration of the drought. That is reason to be joyous,” Carlson said.”

Though the outcome in general is an occasion for celebration, there have likewise been a number of ill effects upon some due to mudslides, downed trees, etc. The day in and day out downpours have also had an impact on schedules for some and simple necessities of others. Some also have difficulty in comprehending the fact that the sun is still shining above the clouds.

These are reminders for us as followers of Christ that when we undergo personal storms in our journey through this life, God is always working all things for our good and His infinite glory.

Though storm clouds arise

And veils from our eyes

The beauty that shines from Your face,

Your witness within

Though we feel a chagrin*,

Gives promise; the reign of Your grace,

With abundant supplies

As Your Spirit applies

Beyond all we think or expect.

For more than we hope

With Your glory the scope,

In holiness, work to perfect

Your image in all,

As prostrate we fall;

Your church, to the praise of Your Name.

You are our strength

Oh, show in the length

Your love for the spread of Your Fame!

*chagrin: a feeling of vexation, marked by disappointment or humiliation (or rejection)

That Which Toucheth You

Michael E. Wood

December 30, 2013

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:29-31

For the holidays the city had given Dianna six days off, so she decided to take an additional four days which would give her two full weeks before returning to work. This would allow her to come with me to the various facilities of which the Lord has opened opportunities for ministering the Word and allow her to help finish a number of projects that have been on the back burner for some time.

Shortly into this time she developed severe back pains. By doing a little research she determined that it was sciatica. Providentially she had also decided to go on a new diet, of which during her research found to be helpful for treatment for the sciatic condition. Her pain subsided over the course of the two weeks, but she felt discouraged over not being able to do all the things she had planned.

In many ways I felt helpless to be much comfort and sometimes selfish for my own perceived loses during this time and yet these are the thoughts which came to mind to bring some level of comfort to my beloved wife.

Upon reading this to her, I said, “You can always tell when I have been hanging out with the Puritans by the way I write can’t you?”

Perhaps thy God will come

And take the burden from thy breast

Or stoke the fires, refining faith

Like gold to stand the test

To prove by His own presence

He indeed knew what was best

To make thee like Himself in

Thine own heart’s true treasure chest.

For that which trills the soul

Amidst a bitter providence

Is the sweetness God brings forth

To show His love and faithfulness

In all He has appointed

To produce the fruit remaining

When the winter turns to spring

And we with Him rejoice in gleaning

From the benefits received

Which He alone could e’er produce

Through this trial He brought us through

To make us meet for His own use.

For you see now that which toucheth you

Now also toucheth me.

So together let us bold approach

God’s only mercy tree.

Which provideth all the healing

For the nations from its leaves

And has given us true shelter

By His righteousness which cleaves

To each soul of which He’s humbled

By His grace to thus proclaim

He alone is God eternal

And His glory is our aim!

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!

Through Sufferings

Michael E. Wood

April 15, 2013

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Through various kinds of sufferings and afflictions our merciful Father moves us into a place of greater intimacy with Himself. Through Christ we are made partakers of His holiness so that others may become more bold for the furtherance of the gospel.

For Him who bore our shame

We are to bear the same

Through sufferings and thus display

His mercies for His Name.

Shall we thus now refuse

To Him who did us choose

To be the vessels of His choice

To others to diffuse

The radiance of His smile

To every one His child

Who needs to know what it does mean

To go the extra mile?

Nay! We can not refuse

The One who did us choose

To melt our hearts by His own love

To move our wills to lose

The remnants of our sin

As He has entered in

To give us strength to bear the cross

Of sufferings to win

The crown unto His praise

Who came to show us ways

That He in us is glorified

Through transformation days.

Then in heaven above

We’ll see the fullness of

His glory in the body that

He raised to show His love!

On Mercies Errand

Michael E. Wood

January 11, 2013

“Art thou at peace with God? O then show no discontent at any affliction that God visiteth then withal! If he hath visited thee first with His mercy, thou hast reason to bid Him kindly welcome when He comes to visit thee with His rod. Thou hast sugar by thee now to sweeten thy bitter cup. When the prophet Samuel came to Bethlehem, it is said, ‘The elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably!’ 1^st Sam.16:4-5 Thus when God comes with some heavy affliction to us, it may make us tremble till we know what it comes for, whether peaceably or no. Now, if thou beest at peace with God the fear is over, it cannot but come peaceably; thou mayst conclude it comes on mercy’s ground.” William Gurnall, The Christian in Complete Armour.

Whereas the vast majority of our prayers are directed through the Son, by the Spirit to the Father, there are occasions in which we may find ourselves communing with praise directly with the second or third person of the God-head. As a part of our purpose as members of the body of Christ is to suffer for His sake, we ‘fill up His afflictions’ as the apostle Paul has stated and rejoice in the knowledge that our labor is not in vain in the Lord Jesus Christ! To Him be the glory both now and forevermore. Amen!

On mercies errand affliction comes

To draw more sweetness from the tree

Acquainting us with suffering, 

Thou didst endure that we might flee

Into Thy arms of faithfulness

As shown by Thy unfailing love

Which bears us up amidst our weakness

With Your grace sent from above.

For as You teach us by Your Spirit,

Who intercedes for us within,

With groans which only You decipher,

Producing fruit, You glory in,

As more our transformation likens us

Unto Your image there

In light which none on earth can fathom

And with God the Father share.

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.

Suffering What You Deem Best

Michael E. Wood

September 27, 2012

 ... and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. Romans 8:17

While listening online to Pastor Michael Karns from Beacon Baptist Church preach on the subject of “Suffering: The Pathway to Glory”, some of those from our congregation at Immanuel Baptist came to mind as they are undergoing a season of suffering.

Having undergone certain seasons of suffering in my own life, at the age of fifty-six, I have no expectations that they will be the last. So as much as I trust the Lord may use the following to be an encouragement to others, I likewise commit all into our Fathers hands to uphold me by His steadfast love and faithfulness when called upon to look to Him with joy while enduring that which He deems best for His infinite glory.

Oh Father help me see this as a gift from Your sure hands

Which draws me close to comprehend Your presence by the bands

Of love beyond all measure and affixed by Your design

To know that I am Yours and through Christ Jesus, You are mine!

Oh help me then embrace that, which You’ve chosen for my good,

In suffering what You deem best and by You understood

To be that which will make me more like Jesus in this time;

To taste and see that You are good till with You then sublime,

Exulting in Your glory when all truth will then unfold

The wonders of Your grace which were much greater than were told.

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part 7

Michael E. Wood

July 13, 2011

While the present series does not encompass all of the blessings received to my heart from the Lord during recent days while waiting for what I trust will be full temporary recovery from my back injury, my desire is that He will use the things He has given me to be an encouragement to others and most of all that He will be glorified therein. Thus with prayer and praise we look to Him who was, and Is, and is to come! To Whom be glory both now and forevermore. Amen!

Closing Prayer and Praise!

The glories of Your grace,
Enlightened by the knowledge

That we soon will see Your face;

Oh help us to be bold

And speak the truth in love,

Dependant on Your Holy Spirit’s

Power to unfold

The mystery of the cross

Of which You bore alone,

O Christ, redeeming all You chose

From great eternal loss.

For in Your train we follow now,

As justified, forgiven,

Till all the earth shall know

And every knee before You bow.

After reading the following to my beloved Dianna, she said, "That sounds like a song". I smiled and said, “We’ll see.”

Oh when we fail to notice

As our mem’ry is so weak,

We trust in You that every step

From slipping You will keep.

As all for Your great honor,

Oh help us to be true

And by Your Holy Spirit’s power;

Christ give glory to

Your precious Name, as it alone

Is worthy of all praise

And by the power of Your blood,

We stand, forgiven, raised,

Rejoicing in the privilege;

The called and justified,

As grace through faith You gave to live

Till with You glorified!

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part 6

Michael E. Wood
July 13, 2011

Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.


How oft do we think of afflictions as being those things which we suffer physically in the body or emotionally in our minds?

While having not the slightest intention of belittling those things, and am becoming all the more familiar with bodily afflictions as I grow older, the things that bother me most are those things I find remaining in me revealed by the Holy Spirit through the scriptures and the holiness of God Himself in the person of Christ.

The slowness and deception of my own heart and mind to grasp and to speak the realities of the One true God by the power of His Spirit unto His glory would be disheartening at times to the point of exasperation apart from His free grace. But God in His infinite wisdom gives peace through the blood of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ and causes us to rejoice in every tribulation with hope and assurance that in all things He will be glorified. In steadfast love and faithfulness, He walks with us and He talks with us, reminding us that we are His to do with as He will. And He who has begun a good work in us will continue to do so till the day of Christ. He is our life; we are hidden in Him, and all for the purpose of His infinite glory. Amen!

Heaven We Foretaste

Afflictions of the heart
And afflictions of the mind
Are places all God’s children
Will in Him true comfort find.


For as we drink the cup
In earnest looking up
To Him Who Is our peace
And bids us to Him come and sup


Of resurrection power,
He is each passing hour
And gives the fruit of joy
Which comes from each new budding flower.


And in them we do taste
That nothing is a waste
He uses as in sweet communion
Heaven we foretaste

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part Five

Michael E. Wood
July 8, 2011

Often when I am given a new poem, my immediate desire is to share what I have been given with my beloved Dianna as soon as possible. Upon calling her and reading to her the poem from the previous post, I said, “Why is God so good to me?”, and then, “I know the answer to that!” Upon hanging up the phone the following came to mind.

The Smile of God and Not a Frown

Why is God so good to me
Is what I ask in part,
When I know the dark recesses
Of my stubborn heart?


Then in mercy, He doth speak
By Holy Spirit groan,
“In Christ alone, You are mine,
Whose blood did full atone
For every action, every thought
Of sin with great offense.
I Am your One Great Treasure,
And I Am your Recompense!
For My glory, I have raised you
From eternal loss.
For My praise you may forever
Glory in the cross!”


And thus His exaltation
Is forever now my aim.
His steadfast love and faithfulness
Forevermore proclaim.


For He is all my hope
And all my joy,
And all my crown;
For in Him
I receive
The smile of God and not a frown!

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part Four

Michael E. Wood
July 8, 2011


Another benefit of being immobilized for a few days was the opportunity to begin to read the book entitled “Revival”, by Martyn Lloyd Jones.

It is quite obvious that in the day we live there are multitudes upon multitudes of people oblivious to the Presence of the Living God.  Oh that He might send revival in our day that Christ would be exalted, and that His Name would be praised to the glory of God the Father! The following are a few excerpts from the aforementioned book which stimulated both the prayer of my heart expressed through poetry.

“The basis of everything is the sovereign, transcendent, living God, who in His eternal, glorious freedom acts, intervenes, and interferes with the life of the whole church and of individuals.”


“And in revival men and women feel as Paul did. They see their own sinfulness; they are horrified and cry out for deliverance.”


“That is what happens in every period of revival and of re-awakening. Men and women quake in the presence of the living, and the holy God.”

The Awareness of Your Presence

The awareness of Your presence
Is that which we beseech,
Not aught of self but all of You,
O Holy Spirit reach
Into the hearts of mortal men
That they may know Your hand,
O Father how You condescend,
Give grace to understand;
The wickedness with which we’re born,
Our hopelessness and loss,
Then fill their eyes with faith to know
The wonders of the cross.


For powerless are we to gain
One soul by what we speak
But You our Mighty Savior
Are the Shepherd that doth seek
The lost of which You purchased
By Your blood and when You cried,
“It Is Finished!” bowed Your head
And on the cross You died.


Buried in a borrowed tomb
And three days later rose;
Our Father’s satisfaction
Was accomplished to expose
Your glory which will never end,
But in it stand amazed
The remnant by the mercies
Of our God Whose Name be praised!

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part Three

Michael E. Wood
July 7, 2011

The Temple He Hath Built!

Haggai 2:5-9 according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the LORD of hosts: “Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.  And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.

While continuing to be laid up in the bed with back pain, I was given the pleasure of reading through some of the Minor Prophets. What a delight it is to be enabled by His Spirit to see the God-centeredness of God through the scriptures; the proclamations of prophesy concerning the sacrifice of His Son, a glimpse into the glory of the finished temple in heaven built by Himself, and the benefit of peace we have received through the covenant of grace between God the Father and God the Son.

Thus we will boast more gladly of our weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon us, having all confidence that He will build His church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Do you stand before God’s people
And in awe you speak
Of Him Who has all power
And from heaven still’s His sheep?


To know that as His voice is heard
With all of heaven shaken,
Those remaining will delight
In Him who was forsaken.
For us it was upon the cross,
Communion with the Father
Was broken momentarily
For every son and daughter,
That in Him God was pleased to give
This Holy benefit
By Jesus Who gave up Himself
For sin so infinite.


And thus with joy we shall delight
In all He brings our way
And glorify for mercy
Till with Him at perfect day.
For God the searcher of all hearts,
Remover of our guilt,
Will glorify Himself that day;
The temple He hath built!

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part Two

Michael E. Wood

July 6, 2011

While being the tenth consecutive day with back pain, one might ask, “Why do you address this as very light afflictions?”

In comparison with things many of our brethren undergo daily throughout the world, mine is indeed a very, very, very light affliction. I heard a missionary quote a believer from another country as saying, “You Americans pray that God will remove the burden from your back. We pray that God will strengthen our backs to bear the burden.”

In Romans 5:1-5 We are instructed, and learn by experience, that not only do we have peace with God judiciously through the merit of our Lord Jesus Christ; but, we also enjoy peace with God as a benefit of our justification while He leads us through the various trials of this life, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God!

Our Great Physician

Oh far beyond our intellect

Our Mighty God, He doth select

Our tribulations whereby we

May know and love His Majesty!

He does not need our earthly things

But takes great pleasure in the wings

Of faith He gives for us to fly

Into His arms of love on high.

In our patience we possess,

Experience whereby we bless

His Name in hope and without shame

All glory will go to His Name!

And thus through time we shall reflect

His knowledge, Who without respect

Of persons but by our position

In Christ alone, our Great Physician!

Blessings From Very Light Afflictions - Part One

Michael E. Wood
July 5, 2011


While pretty much confined to being on my back in bed for four consecutive days, Dianna printed out a number of pages from an eBook we had purchased through http://www.monergism.com/.

The make up of the book is a collection of articles by different authors on the subject of Justification by faith alone through Christ alone, to the glory of God alone. One of the articles is entitled, Free Justification by Octavius Winslow. The following poem was written upon the completion of that article along with other various readings.

Do You Trust Morality

Do you trust morality and living life much better
Than so many others by the law, Yeah even to the letter?
Do you seek as for yourself the good of every neighbor,
And is the goal of heaven what you seek in all your labor?

Do you trust religious forms and closely to them cling?
Perhaps you as a member of a church have joined and sing,
“Amazing grace how sweet the sound”, and yet the truth be known,
You do not trust in Jesus Christ, by grace through faith alone!

Perhaps you live above reproach compared to other men
And yet you’re blinded to the fact, in Adam you have sinned.
So driven by desire to prove that you know what is best
You do not trust in Christ alone and enter in His rest!

Oh when this life is over and much sooner than you think,
God as Judge o’er pride and ignorance will not then wink.
For if you trust in anything of self you’ll be denied
As only through the blood of Christ can you be justified.

And through the cross this was accomplished for all those who look
And live by faith in Christ alone, as God who undertook
The only way by which the Father’s justice vindicated
Could display the glory of Almighty God as stated.

For in His written Word He has declared for His Own sake
To redeem a remnant of all peoples to partake
Of holiness of without which no man could ever see,
God alone through Jesus Christ to Whom all glory be.

Oh Holy Spirit come and speak these truths into effect
In hardened hearts and blinded minds who will no way subject
Themselves unto the One True God, except by grace You give,
The light of glory in the face of Jesus Christ to live!