New Songs in Your Glory (New Song, first since moving back to N.C.)

Michael E. Wood

April 28, 2017

Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!  His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.  Psalm 98:1

 To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.  Colossians 1:2

“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! Oh that with an iron pen and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!  Job 19:23-27

What began with simple meditation from Colossians 1:2 on the grace and peace which comes from God our Father began to develop into a new song interwoven with the prophetic words of the Psalmist from chapter 98 and later confirmed with the opening words of congregational prayer by Bobby LaTour and a message preached by Pastor Michael Karns at Beacon Baptist Church which included the passage from Job.

You are holy, You are righteous, You are just, and You are good.

You are gracious, and compassionate, these things are understood.

Not because of what is found in us but all because of You,

Christ redeemed us from our dead estate, gave hearts made all anew.

You have opened by Your Spirit our blind eyes that we might see

And our ears to hear the voice of Christ that to Him we would flee

And You welcomed us as children to be part of one true fold.

Holy Father help us now approach in fear and yet as bold.

May Your kingdom come and thus fulfill Your purpose and decrees

Where all peoples of all time will find ourselves on bended knees.

Every tongue confessing truly, Jesus Christ is Lord of all,

To Your Glory Holy Father, blessed Savior from the fall.

Oh, Lord Jesus, when we see You then unhindered by Your grace,

No more sin and no more sorrow as we look into Your face;

For You made us to be like You and forever then we’ll be

Singing new songs in Your glory then through all eternity.

Singing praises with the new songs that You give eternally.

He Poured out His Life (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

January 24-25, 2014; February 10, 2015

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.  Isaiah 53:10-12

With so many changes and challenges over the past year, writing poetry and songs have taken a back seat to other more pressing issues.  Having written several verses but never feeling quite comfortable with the results over a year ago, I was given some time to rehearse, to edit and to add anew verse resulting in the following.

He poured out His life that we might have entry.

The veil of His flesh was broken and torn.

He offered His blood which speaks as the sentry

And He is the door, through which we’re reborn:

Forgiven, restored to enter the presence

Of God as the Father, majestic, with awe!

In Christ we are welcomed, boldly approach Him

And praise the Almighty, who saves from the fall.

He is our peace, our shield, and defender,

Exhausting the wrath, which would have been due.

And none would approach, but grace overcoming

Our sin and our death brought His glory in view.

The eyes of our hearts were opened to see Him,

Who was and He is, and still is to come.

His glory and might revealed in ascending

Up back to the place of which He was from.

He is our wisdom and purifier.

The Father through Him did words to us give.

His promises great, have made us partake of

The nature divine, so through Him we live.

Oh, Father we praise You, rich in the mercies

By which You have loved and made us alive,

Together with Christ and raised to the places

Whereby we may You, alone glorify!

Your Spirit of grace and all supplications,

We ask of You, Father now to supply

Afresh to partake in boldness proclaiming

The blood of the cross through which we draw nigh.

Oh, help us to seek Your prize set before us,

Though weakened by flesh, Your glory pursue,

And trust in the strength that comes in beholding

Your beauty which stirs our affections for You.

And then on that day, when like Christ we will be

Admiring in awe, His glory as seen.

With ears hearing praise beyond that imagined

And hearts made to feel what we never had dreamed.

Forever with angel voices, we’ll praise You.

A new song we’ll sing, Father, Son, Holy Ghost,

Empowered by love that grows, never ending,

Enraptured with Christ, as the Head of the host!

Remembering All You Are (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

July 26, 2014

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. Luke 22:19-20

Partaking of the Lord’s Table is not only a command given by Christ to the church until He comes, it is likewise a privilege. On an individual basis, we are admonished that if we would draw close to God then He will draw close to us. How much more true, as we gather together as a body of believers to proclaim our Lord’s death until He comes.

On that day when you had borne

Our sins amidst those shouts of scorn

The wrath of God came crashing down upon You.

And yet in anguish bearing pain,

You looked beyond that cross of shame;

For judgment brought forth peace there. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Bless, Lord Jesus, as we feast

Upon the bread, both great and least,

Remembering all You are and honor due You.

For what we need, You did provide,

The righteousness in which we hide,

Til all we are is like You. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Your blood now cleanses every stain.

Your Spirit sent, brings every gain

To grow in grace and humbly bow before You.

Receiving all through what You teach,

The words You gave until we reach

That place prepared to see You. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

On that day we’re glorified

With every nation, tongue, and tribe

Our praise perfected will bring honor through You

Unto the Father of the host,

Empowered by the Holy Ghost,

Eternal for all time then. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

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!

Nothing to Glory in, Save but the Cross

Michael E. Wood

January 22-March 7, 2013

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Psalm 27:11 (ESV)

But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. Galatians 6:14 (KJV)

This song was written as a plethora of scripture passages came together over a period of a month and a half. Numerous poems had poured forth from meditations from Psalm 27, and from one written on January 22^nd, Dianna said, “that sounds like a song”. Jokingly I asked her, “Well, can you tell me what it sounds like?” I printed out a copy and reviewed it occasionally as the days went by.

On March 1^st, while being reminded by the Word of God that all that we have which is of any eternal value comes as a free gift of the grace of God, and as the result of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, the words to a short chorus expressing those facts came to mind.

In the mean time, Dianna had gotten one of the various flu bugs that had been going around this time of year which lasted for several days. As a result, she got sicker than she had ever been and spent most of her time for the week in the bed. Thus, I resigned myself to not going out from the house as much on my normal schedule so that I might be there to help with whatever needs she might have.

On Thursday night she was feeling somewhat better, but I found myself struggling to focus on continuing to study in sermon preparation for Sunday, and began to read through some of the poems I had written, when suddenly I noticed that the meter for the poem of which Dianna said sounded like a song and the chorus written on another occasion was the same. In the matter of about an hour the rest came together and the following is the result.

We thank You, Oh Father, as perfect You send

All things in our lives and control to this end

With grace more abundant and love to us show

That Jesus our Lord and our Savior we’ll know-

With nothing to glory in, save but the cross

The blood of our Savior redeemed us from loss,

When crushed for our sin He fulfilled all the law,

Restoring our souls for Your worship in awe.

As vessels of mercy and channels of grace,

Reflections of glory which stream from the face

Of Christ our dear Savior, who rules from above,

Transforming our minds and our lives by His love-

With nothing to glory in, save but the cross,

Our faith You refine as the gold from the dross

To make us the means by Your Spirit to share

Some glimpses of glory while burdens we bear.

You teach us dear Jesus to stay in the way,

Though narrow, yet level, the path till the Day

Our pilgrimage comes to a close in the house,

With God as our Father and we as Your spouse-

With nothing to glory in, save but the cross,

With no more remembrance of anything lost,

With every thing perfectly brought into view

With You as the center of everything new.

All enemies vanquished, with death as the last,

So help us more boldly on You our cares cast,

While knowing all things will then prove in the end

That You, our Lord Jesus, our Father did send-

To show us the glory of God on the cross,

The Lamb that was slain to redeem us from loss,

And then in perfection, Your beauty we’ll see,

In radiant awe of Your Great Majesty!

Stay in the Way

Michael E. Wood
January 22, 2013

Once we are brought by the Spirit of God to the place of repentance from sin and of faith toward God through the person and work of Jesus Christ, we are enabled to see Him in every book of the Bible. We are thus directed to follow Him and moved to praise Him not only for what He has done, but what He will do to the end.

Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. Psalm 27:11

We are:

Vessels of mercy and channels of grace

Reflections of glory which stream from the face

Of Christ our dear Savior, who rules from above

Transforming our minds and our lives by His love.

You teach us dear Jesus to stay in the way

Though narrow, yet level, the path till the Day

Our pilgrimage comes to a close in the house,

With God as our Father and we as your spouse-

All enemies vanquished with death as the last,

So help us more boldly, on you our cares cast,

While knowing all things will then prove in the end

That you; The Almighty, our Father did send!

Now to the Lord married

Michael E. Wood
January 11, 2012

Romans 7:4-6

Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.


Romans 8:1-4

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Over the last couple of weeks I have found my self immersed in the exposition of Romans chapter 7 and the beginning of chapter 8 through the commentary given by D.M. Lloyd-Jones. As I awoke around four-thirty this morning, the following words with music came to mind. (I smile as I think of how Dianna said, “You’re making butterflies this morning.”)   As we danced to the melody in the privacy of our home, our minds were enraptured by the beauty of the Lord and the freedom that we have in Him through the blood of His cross.

What an amazing thing, that He can take us from our worm-like state, conceal us in His death and raise us up together with Him, to be transformed by the power of His resurrection; to behold His glory, and to be made like Him in that glorious estate which surpasses knowledge!

My soul lie despondent and with every breath
A slave to my sin I pursued in my death
Then Jesus said, “Come, I have carried them all
Into the sea to redeem from the fall.”


Into the sea to redeem from the fall,
The blood of my Savior has covered them all.
My ears He did open to answer His call
To rest now assured He is Lord overall.


Not bound by the law, but now to my Lord married.
Rejoicing in Jesus, who has my soul carried
From death unto life by His transcendent love
Into His kingdom, who reigns from above.


Into His kingdom, who reigns from above,
Translated from darkness to light now in love,
Led by His Spirit who came like a dove,
Till with Him in glory, this world then free of.


Now no condemnation and never shall be,
The law of the Spirit has set my soul free.
For God has now done what the law could not do
By sending His own Son to give life anew.


By sending His own Son to give life anew,
The righteous requirement fulfilled all for you
Who live by the Spirit who raised us up to
Be free to give glory to God that is due.

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!

The Word of God Now in You

Michael E. Wood
June 7, 2011

Hebrews 4:10-12 "...for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. Let us labor therefore to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

While pondering thoughts of heaven over the last few days, I opened my Bible and my eyes came to rest upon the preceding verses. As the Word of God is living and active in the lives of those whom God has appointed unto salvation, the natural overflowing effect is a life of joy committed to holiness unto the LORD. Though the life giving stream from the fountain-head may seem to trickle at times, He is ever present working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure and for His glory. The following was written initially as a poem but while reading through, music from another song came to mind of which it can easily be sung to. Initially I could not recall or find the tune but when I asked Paul Vossen before the main corporate prayer meeting of Immanuel Baptist on Wednesday night, he immediately recognized it to be “Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken”, written by John Newton in 1779.

Is the Word of God now in you,
Sweetly saying, “You are Mine”?
Holy, sanctifying, Savior
By His Spirit to define
To a dark and dying world He
Did His Image resurrect
In your heart and ever growing
Till with Him you are perfect.


Look then to yon heaven’s gates and
Strive till death with all thy might,
With all power He has given
And His promise as you fight
For the prize now present with us,
Love of God now manifest,
As He by the Holy Spirit
Draws us ever near His breast.


For the glory He possessed
With the Father before time,
As the Lamb slain for our purchase
Paid for every sin and crime
That we have and ever shall commit
With every thankless breath,
Yet our warfare was accomplished,
Hallelujah, through His death!


As the justice of the Father
Was by Christ full satisfied,
We then by His resurrection
Are made one and unified
For the purpose that His glory
Shall be one day fully shown,
As all things for Him created
Will be new and in Him known.

Closing Out 2010

Michael E. Wood
December 27-28, 2010

Four days after my Honda Accord was stolen, we received a call from the CHP that it had been located and we could pick it up at a tow station. Dianna wrote a poem concerning the recovery, which can be found on “The Wood’s Secret Garden” blog, dated 12/30/10, entitled, “The Rest of the Story”.

In the days between, and having no assurance that the car would be recovered, I received much comfort from the LORD through His Word, and the following poem and song was written. Many of the thoughts for the poem are derived from John chapter 10, and the song can be sung to the tune of, “God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman”, using the same chorus.

THE POEM

O Shepherd, of the one true flock,
How sweet Your voice we hear.
For when the thief comes forth to steal,
Tis only You we fear.

As life abundant now You give
And lead us by Your hand,
That murderer can only do
Exactly what You planned.

For You have called us all by name,
And lead us forth with joy,
And though the devil take all things,
Our soul he’ll not destroy.

With pastures rich You now provide
For us with nothing lost.
For all we need, we find in You,
Who paid with blood, the cost!

O Shepherd, You laid down Your life
For all Your Own, Your sheep,
That we may know, we are Your Own,
And all Your Own, You keep!

And thus our Father’s providence
In love for us ordained,
All things in life that He may bring
Forth faith, that is unfeigned.

And for His glory we shall proclaim,
As those who once were superfluous*
All things that happen only serve
To further the gospel through us.

O Shepherd make us much more bold
To speak the Word without fear,
With love to You, O Christ our King,
By Your Spirit, to all You endear.

For other sheep You have yet to call
Into our Father’s one fold,
Which spans all nation’s, tribes, and tongues,
Where Your glory forever unfolds.

THE CHRISTMAS SONG

We thank You for Your providence,
You brought on Christmas morn.
For by it, You remind us that
Our grief’s by Christ was borne.
When He for us upon the tree,
Paid for our sin and scorn.

(Chorus)

O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy.
O tidings of comfort and joy!

O may we be such vessels
That to others they may see,
That to You God our Savior
May all glory ever be...
And may You use us to set forth
The truth with clarity.

(Chorus)

The Good News is our focus
And no matter what the cost,
Oh use us by Your Spirit
To convey to all the lost,
That all in You shall see
Your glory, we shall not exhaust!

(Chorus)

Through the Cross, our lips He's kissed

As I was in the midst of reading Psalm 132, and came to verses 13-18: "For the LORD has chosen Zion; he has desired it for his dwelling place: "This is my resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy. There I will make a horn to sprout for David; I have prepared a lamp for my anointed. His enemies I will clothe with shame, but on him his crown will shine." my mind thought of the sweetness of which I have been made to partake in Christ as a member of the local body of Christ here in North Carolina which is now known by the earthly name of Beacon Baptist Church.

There are no words to express the privilege that has been afforded me, but as I also thought of how quickly the time seems to have gone by, my eyes filled with tears of sorrow intermixed with joy, as I began to write, and happily was led to Zephaniah 3:17, of which we hear the voice of His Word speak to our hearts; "The LORD is in your midst, a Mighty One to save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with singing.", and thus I began to write;

How short the time seems we have had
By which our Lord has made us glad,
As He has tightened up the strings
Of our heart chords, as He now sings--

Rejoicing o'er His bride with joy
That we might all, of Him enjoy
His mighty presence in our midst
As through the cross, our lips He's kissed.

Oh, how sweet, is His rest in love
As He prepares our place above.
And though for now we're afflicted and poor,
We feast on all He holds in store.

For He Who makes our speech so pure,
That we may call on Him secure,
And serve Him with our hearts ablaze,
As we lie down and on Him we graze.

Sing aloud, O Zion's daughter
And worship Him with all we offer!
For He has changed our shame to praise!
Redeemed for Himself, now all our days.

Before our eyes He will restore
Our fortunes by our King, we adore.
Oh, so much more than I can tell,
When we at last in glory dwell!

Michael E. Wood
May 8, 2010

I am also so very thankful for the platform that I was given at Cracker Barrel to sing His praise and rejoice in Him with many of those He has chosen and called to Himself though not members of Beacon, I trust to see in heaven one day, to the praise of the glory of God's amazing, overwhelming grace. Amen!

Can You Hear the Distant Sound (Part Two)

After reflecting and writing the previous poem/song, these words came to mind and are a continuation of the pondering and mediation from my time with the Lord on the morning of May 2, 2010:

Though eye has not seen; nor ear ever heard,
God reveals to His own by His Spirit and Word.
Though bodies give way, and our thoughts may take wings,
We're blessed by our God with all spiritual things.


Though words express not, but only in parts,
Nor yet God reveals to mere human hearts,
But kept now in store for those who adore,
And love Him, and Jesus we'll meet on that shore.



Michael E. Wood
May 2, 2010

Can You Hear the Distant Sound? (Part One)

As I was awakened this glorious Lord's day before 6:00a.m. with my head still groggy from sleep, the words of a song by "Mercy Me" came to mind, "And all creation sing with me now". This conjoined with the sounds of praise sung by various birds of the morning here in North Carolina, along with the sounds of the frogs chirping in the background as I spoke with my beloved Dianna last night, nearly three thousand miles away in our new temporal place of abode, and closing with the passage found in Revelation 22:12-21, brought the following words to mind;

Oh, can you hear that distant sound
With the angels gathered round
Bending now before the throne
Expressing all the glory shown?

Of the Father, and the Son,
And Holy Spirit, three in One!

All of grace and mercy hear it
Empowered by God's Word and Spirit.
The blood of Christ has bought us,
Redemption, Oh so glorious!

Praise the Father, and the Son,
The Holy Spirit, three in One!

By faith we walk in weakness now
But then in power we shall bow.
A mighty voice we'll lift as one,
All praise to Christ, by Him we come.

To glorify the Father, Son,
And Holy Spirit, three in One!

Though all creation speaks of this,
And groan we now, but then all bliss.
We walk in love and faithfulness,
Until as one our Saviour kiss.

God's glory will be all the sum,
The Spirit and the Bride say, come!

Michael E. Wood
May 2, 2010 - (Part One)

"Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay everyone for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."

The Spirit and the Bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.

He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

Rev 22:12-21

The Greatest Truth (continued)

While contemplating the things already given to me on the preceding day, this also being intermixed with the fact that my beloved Dianna had sent an email containing the offering of praise to our Lord from the previous day to Pastor Redditt Andrews; his response in desire to preserve the text in song; and the glowing Truth of the gospel of Christ in accordance with the scriptures, as spoken in 1st Corinthians 15:3-4; and, of the glory which is yet to come, the following words came to mind as a continuation of the preceding thoughts:

Through Christ in which we first received
The Truth of First Importance.
His death and resurrection speaks
With the scriptures full accordance.

Though in the tomb He lay three days
Corruption could not come.
The gates of hell could not contain
The glory of The Son!

Oh, shout the mighty anthem of
Our Saviour's gospel song,
Til in His glory we stand anew
With heaven's mighty throng.

Oh, come Lord Jesus, come restore
Your glory in all creation,
As all the groans of time give way
In glorious jubilation!*

We thank You Father for the Spirit
By which we now perceive,
But then more glorious than all Your praise
Will be Your Majesty!

*could also be rendered; jubilant adoration

Michael E. Wood
2:44 - 4:35p.m. April 4, 2010

How wonderful, How marvelous!

In the midst of praying and contemplating on Psalms 147; which begins with the words, "Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; for it is pleasant, and a song of praise is fitting." And thus the following words ensued based on that Psalm. And, yes, there is music formulating in my mind, for this one.

How wonderful, How marvelous, is our eternal LORD.
He heals the broken hearted, and in Him they are restored.
He gives to them new names through His abundant mighty Power
He covers all the heavens and prepares for earth the shower.

He makes the grass to grow and gives to all the beasts their food,
And comforts all He has reclaimed and by His Spirit wooed.
He takes delight and pleasure in all those who fear His Name,
Who hope in His sure mercies, and His glories now proclaim.

Oh, Praise His Name Jerusalem, Oh Praise Your God O Zion.
The One Who Is The Lord of all, of Judah's tribe, the Lion.
For in Him is the blessing and the strength for all your children
And peace He gives to all who were before then, O so barren.

For now He fills with finest wheat, and sends out His command,
As all the elements are His and bow at His demand.
He sends His mighty Word and all before Him melts like snow,
His Spirit like the wind blows strong and makes the waters flow.

None other know the blessedness but those He chose to give
Salvation by the Word, His Son, by Jesus Christ, we live.
So come and sing His praises now, for pleasant now it is
And give to Him the glory due, for all of it is HIS!

Michael E. Wood
March 29, 2010 - Evening

Every Little Poem and Song

Before going to sleep last night (March 5, 2010) I clicked on to The Gospel Coalition Blog and there was an article written about a book by Maurice Roberts entitled, "The Happiness of Heaven". Upon further investigation of Reformation Heritage Books website, I found another book entitled, "True Happiness: An Exposition of Psalm 1", by Martyn Lloyd Jones, and thus I went to sleep while meditating on Psalm 1; Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.....

I was awakened at 3:25 a.m. with these words in mind:

Every little poem and song,
Oh, give to make Your people long
To know You more and honor You
With thoughts of praise and glory too.

I felt like I had to either get up and write these words down or else I would lose them. I thought that I would lay back down and go to sleep, but the words kept coming and by 7:06a.m. this little poem and this little love song to my LORD, my Saviour, and my God was written.

Little Poem

Every little poem and song
Oh, give to make Your people long
To know You more and honor You
With thoughts of praise and glory too.

This bread You gave and sent from heaven
To feed poor souls like unto leaven
Hid in three measures of flour 'til done
To praise the glory of Your Son.

Oh, in the early morning hours
Your grace doth flow and bring the showers
Refreshing souls with thirsty hearts
Who in this world remain with parts

In need of You to take from us
All things that mar Your holiness.
Oh, make us more like Jesus be
Until our all we give to Thee

With thankful hearts full in Your presence
New names and bodies in all the sense
Of which You speak now through Your Word
And by Your Spirit confirm what's heard

By those You filled with all Your mind
To give us sight who once were blind
Though veiled in flesh we now can sing
YOU ARE OUR TREASURE, YOU ARE OUR KING!

Little Song

You are our Treasure and You are our God.
You lead us to heaven with staff and a rod.
Your Word we delight in because it is true
Because of Your pleasure, our hearts are made new.

(Chorus)
Oh, help us to praise You Who hallowed our days
Receive of Your mercy to teach of Your ways
That others may know the sweet pleasure You give
By grace and for glory to You we now live.

You are our Saviour and You are the Son.
The blood of Your cross has made us now one.
What cause of rejoicing, Oh endless delight
We are now favored to show forth Your light.

(Chorus)

All hidden in Jesus with hearts set ablaze
Til with You in heaven we stand there amazed
Beholding Your Beauty with all of the love
You gave by Your Spirit now sent from above.

(Chorus)

So little we know of all that You Are
And yet by Your grace You've led us so far.
You are our Hope and You are our Prize.
Oh what a love we''ll see in Your eyes.

(Chorus)

And once these were all written down, the following came to mind;

Oh, help us not an idol make
Of all You give for glory's sake
For all we have comes all from You
To give You praise and glory due.

Our praise is but a shadow yet
Of all we have in You to get
And all our loss we felt in pain
Will in that day be glory's gain. (8:20a.m.)

For HIS Beauty We Are Made To Behold

As we are made to fear the Name of the LORD, and His glory, there are times and seasons of which He comes like a rushing stream, which the wind of the LORD drives, and we can do nothing but be humbled in the midst of His glory, bow at His feet, and magnify the precious Name of Jesus for His beauty we are made to behold.

While in the enjoyment of God on such a wonderful and peculiar day, I was given the following poem and song. The song may be sung to the tune of "Lamb of God", by Twila Paris, with slight variations, as the music of that song came to my mind and the words of this song rendered itself to that music.

POEM:
"To Walk with Him, our Promised Land"

Oh, who am I to stop the flow
Of all the gifts He doth bestow,
Of all the benefits of bliss
Would we by sin His offer miss?

Would we by all our earthly toys
Refuse Him Who gives eternal joys?
Of all we hold in earthly hands
Relinquish now to Him Who stands

Amidst the blaze of refining fires
To yield to Him our chief desires.
We will not miss on all the glee
That comes from His eternal plea,

Upheld by Him Who makes us stand,
To walk with Him, our Promised Land.

Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010

SONG:
"OUR LOFTY PRAISE"

Our lofty praise we'll give some day
As we look on Your smiling gaze.
Til then we'll come without delay
And offer you with hearts amazed,

By grace through faith in You alone
Who overcame our sins to come
And offer us before the throne,
Our tongues You loose, now no more dumb.

(Chorus)

O, LORD above, Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One.
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.

Our praise is what we now can give,
As to Your glory we shall live.
Oh, purge from us all selfish thought,
And show the grace that You have wrought.

Your steadfast love and faithfulness,
Our all in all, our holiness,
Our hearts desire we ask You fill.
Oh, give us grace to do Your will.

(Chorus)

Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You.

Oh, wondrous thoughts of Thee with bliss
O kiss me now with tender lips
With all Thy heart and passion too
There is no one I love like You.

O Lord above, Almighty Son,
We'll wait for You until You come
To take us home to be with You
There is no one we love like You
(Added March 1)

While typing this out additional words came to mind as I realized this song could be also sung to the tune of "Before the Throne of God Above" by (1)changing the word 'on' in the line (As we look on Your smiling gaze) to 'upon' (We look upon Your smiling gaze) (2)repeating the last line in each of the second stanzas, and (3) with the inclusion of the following (Chorus)

Oh LORD above Almighty Son,
We bow before You Three in One
Oh, fill us with Your grace this hour.
Oh, fill us with Your Spirit's power.
Oh, help our worship to be true
In all our ways submit to You
Until the day You do subdue
All things to honor only You,
All things to honor only You.

Michael E. Wood
02-23-2010

The Great Exchange

Note: This started out as a poem and has now become a song. The last three versus where added and it is sung to the same tune as "Building up by Breaking Down".

The day of Your eternal praise
Now fixed upon my eyes;
My flesh now trembles in Your sight
Until I seize the prize.

You need not anything from me
That I might think to offer.
No merit of my own have I
From which that You might proffer.

No words can tell the privilege
Of which I now receive,
Through mercy and the blood of Christ—
Forgiveness to believe.

O’ matchless wonder of my heart,
Concealed before Thy Throne;
The great exchange of all my sins,
By Christ, and Christ alone.

O’ help me to proclaim Your grace;
Your spirit now empowers—
Your Word to sow within all hearts
Until You bring the showers.

Your bud bring forth and cause to bloom;
Your fruit to bless Your name—
The joyful sound of thankful hearts
Forever will proclaim.

All glory, laud and praise to You—
In matchless, splendor, wonder;
O’ for Thyself, we ask of You,
As sons beyond the thunder.

Conform us to Thy Image
For Thy Own Name sake alone.
That all may come to know that You
Are God, and God alone!

You build us up by breaking down
Both pride and sin within.
Our faith refined to make You known
It's Christ we are to win.

And worship You in holiness,
Give glory to Your Name.
Your voice will speak majestically,
In Christ we are to win!

Michael E. Wood
November 20, 2009

Now Captives of Jesus, Who Reigns From Above

After spending several weeks reading, "Spiritual Affections" by Jonathan Edwards with Dianna, and interspersed with the writings of other men; after hearing the passionate exhortations of John Piper, Paul Washer, Conrad Mbewe, and Michael Karns; along with the persistent, consistent exposition of the scriptures of Gregory N. Barkman; and then, culminating with the reading of the last chapter of John Flavel's, "God Willing", and our daily passages from the MacArthur Daily Bible,with my beloved Dianna, and she asking the question, "What were those books that Paul asked for (2nd Tim 4:13)"; I went to sleep and awoke with these thoughts which began to stream forth at 5:32 a.m. 11/02/09 and by 1:09 p.m., this poem and this song came about as the result.

It is our desire that God would use these offerings of praise to move men and women to avail themselves of these gifts of His grace FOR HIS GLORY, (the members of our body that has gone before us, AS THEY BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH and have left us the heritage of the things of which they left in writing), just AS HE HAS, and we know HE WILL!

This is the Poem

Words of expression and chords of strong love,
That knit us together with those gone above.
Oh, what a vision our eyes do behold,
Reflections of mercy--Yea, treasures of gold.

O' Wondrous condescension, that God would use men,
That once were so haughty, in pride and in sin.
Works of our LORD, coruscations delight,
Given by grace, through faith in His sight.

Arrows of silver which strike to our hearts,
To make us like Jesus, in our hidden parts.
Shafts that were polished, made straight and made true,
Directed by Sovereignty, our wills to subdue.

Gifts of His glory with which we're made sure,
And quickens devotion with souls that are pure.
The voice as of one, who fled and escaped,
Declares now in Zion, our minds to reshape.

Rise up, O' remnant, and partake of His joy,
This honey from Jesus, our songs to employ,
And praise Him amidst your present estate,
And give Him the glory, all else now forsake.

What were those books that Paul did ask for,
To bring with the parchments, was Timothy's chore.
Were they that he wrote or books he was given,
By men like himself, who now are in heaven?

These secrets, we know not, and yet we know this,
That God uses men to inculcate with bliss.
The mind of our Saviour, is what we should know,
And trust in His Word, and His Spirit to grow.

Thank You Oh Father, for Flavel and Baxter,
Winslow and Bonar, and Boston and Luther,
Calvin, and Owen, and Augustine too,
Whitfield, Bunyan, Spurgeon, all now with You.

For Jones and for Edwards and all I've left out,
Who surely will rise when You call with a shout!
And all will be glory when we see Your face,
All hidden in Jesus, the new Adam's race.

A multitude so numerous You use to effect,
The grace of our Saviour, in us to perfect.
And Jesus we'll be like because of the cross,
And through sovereign mercy we'll count all else loss.

O' Father of mercies, our time is so short,
O' help us to use it, and to men exhort,
To look to the great men, made faithful in You,
And strengthen to give You the praise that is due.

Oh, wonder of wonders, we're made to behold,
With joy that's unspeakable, and glory untold.
You transcend our minds, and You cause us to see,
Partakers of holiness, and grace us to be,

Transformed to the fullness of Your sovereign Love,
Now, captives of Jesus, Who reigns from above.
Oh, one day He's coming, on this you can count.
All faith will be sight, when we're taken out.


Footnotes:
· Jones refers to D. Martin Lloyd-Jones;
· cor·us·cate: Latin coruscatus, past participle of coruscare to flash Date: 1705 1 : to give off or reflect light in bright beams or flashes : sparkle 2 : to be brilliant
· in·cul·cate Latin inculcatus, past participle of inculcare, literally, to tread on, from in- + calcare to trample, from calc-, calx heel Date: 1539 : to teach and impress by frequent repetitions or admonitions.
************

Personal Note: In the song, all of those who are named specifically in the poem are left out for two purposes: 1) To make the song more conducive for public praise because of its length; and, 2) Most importantly, there are so many more that are not named specifically, who undoubtedly are noteworthy and praise worthy for the work of grace that was wrought in their hearts unto the glory of God, which have had, or shall have either a direct or indirect bearing upon that which has been wrought in our hearts as well, of which the writers of the scriptures themselves are not even mentioned in the poem. I have considered a title of which I think would be fitting.

Now Captives of Jesus, Who Reigns From Above

Words of expression, and chords of strong love,
That knit us together with those gone above.
Oh, what a vision, our eyes do behold,
Reflections of mercy--yea, treasures of gold.
O' wondrous condescension, that God would use men,
That once were so haughty, in pride and in sin.
Works of our Lord, coruscations delight,
Given by grace, through faith and His sight.

(Chorus)
Oh, wonder of wonders, we're made to behold,
With joy that's unspeakable, glory untold.
You transcend our minds, and You cause us to see,
Partakers of holiness, grace us to be,
Transported to the fullness of Your sovereign love,
Now captives of Jesus, Who reigns from above.

Arrows of silver which strike to our hearts,
To make us like Jesus, in our hidden parts.
Shafts that were polished, made straight, and made true,
Directed by sovereignty, wills to subdue.
Gifts of His glory with which we're made sure,
And quickens devotion with souls that are pure.
The voice as of one who has fled and escaped,
Declares now in Zion, our minds to reshape.

(Chorus)

A multitude so numerous You use to effect,
The grace of our Saviour, in us to perfect.
And Jesus we’ll be like because of the cross,
And through sovereign mercy we'll count all else loss.
Rise up, O' remnant, partake of His joy,
This honey from Jesus, our songs to employ,
And praise Him amidst your now present estate,
And give Him the glory, all else now forsake.

(Chorus)

Though secrets we know not, and yet we know this,
That God uses men to inculcate with bliss.
The mind of our Saviour, is what we should know,
And trust in His Word, and His Spirit to grow.
Oh Father of mercies our time is so short,
O' help us to use it, and to men exhort,
To look to the great men made faithful in You,
And strengthen to give You the praise that is due.

(Chorus)

Oh, wonder of wonders, we're made to behold,
With joy that's unspeakable, glory untold.
You transcend our minds, and You cause us to see,
Partakers of holiness, grace us to be,
Transported to the fullness of Your sovereign love,
Now captives of Jesus, Who reigns from above.


Note: You may notice that a few of the words were changed, and verses rearranged for the purpose of flow with the music, and because of the aforementioned proceedings. Praise be to our Father, that we are engraved on the palm of His hand, and our names are written in heaven unto His glory!!!!!