As my mind was again distracted by things of this world, which were not bad in and of themselves; but, pertain to earthly responsibilities, I looked to the Word of God, and my attention was arrested by Proverbs 13:25:
THE RIGHTEOUS HAS ENOUGH TO SATISFY HIS APPETITE, but the belly of the wicked suffers want.
I was then taken back by the Spirit to Psalm 63:1-8:
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
and these words came to mind:
Christ is my food now and He is my drink;
Fulfilling my soul, so that I do not sink
Into the quagmire of all my vain lusts.
He is The Righteous One, my soul in Him trusts.
His Word is so rich as He fills with delight
And opens my vision to see by His sight.
His grace so sufficient as He fills up my hand--
Partake of His joy as He makes me to stand,
Under the shadow of Almighty wings;
And sing now for joy as my soul to Him clings.
Oh, Beautiful Saviour, Who now upholds me.
In You is all power, in You I will glory.
You take all distress and You fill up the soul
Of all of Your body, in whom You've made whole.
Day now by day for as long as we live--
Your praise will crescendo by the grace that You give.
Michael E. Wood
March 13, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
God our Righteousness
While contemplating the events of the day and the frailties of my flesh and while looking to Psalm 57, the following excerpts stood out.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, til the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to GOD Who FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME. He will send from heaven and save me. God will send out His steadfast love and faithfulness! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!
Music had come to my heart and my mind earlier in the day, and I could not remember the title of the song or find it, so He gave me these words to go with the music:
Oh, Father in heaven, there's no one like You
Oh which I can go to when my heart is blue.
What cause for rejoicing, for in You I find
Your love all sufficient for Jesus is mine.
Your Word is the means my poor soul is refined
And through which You help me to know of Your mind.
The blood of my Saviour now cleanses from sin
And by Your Sweet Spirit I'm made new within.
Oh, Father we ask You attend to the needs
Of all Your dear children You bring to their knees.
And cause them to see now the smile of Your face,
The presence of Jesus Who saves by His grace.
Oh, help them to look above all temporal loss
And give them the courage to bare up the cross,
Of which in Your pleasure You've given to share
That you may in all things Your glory be there.
Oh, help us to praise You as on You we call
And lay all our burdens on You as we fall
Now prostrate before You and trust in Your Name
Jehovah Tisidkenu, forever the same.
The LORD is our Righteousness now and always.
He'll guard us and guide us in all of our days.
Til with Him in glory we're made just like Him,
And praise Him forever in song and in hymn.
Michael E. Wood
March 12, 2010
On Sunday evening after a most wonderful service at Beacon Baptist Church, which included partaking of the Lord's table, I went to the Minister of music, Greg Phillips, to ask if he recognized the music for this particular song. A smile comes to my face as I think of the delight it was to play Name That Tune to the glory of God! The song of which the music with slight variance originated from was, "Chosen of God", by Septimus Sears (1820-1877), and the music by Joan J. Pinkston (b. 1947).
On a more serious note, this song also came about as a result of the passing of a dear saint into glory. Michael Herron was born with an inherited disease which the Lord used to take him into glory at the age of 47. He lived the last years of his life with the knowledge that God could take His life for His Own glory if He so chose. In his last days in the hospital, after bearing a faithful testimony for Him, he was heard saying, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10), and " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15)
Proverbs 10:7 says, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing", and thus with permission granted by his wife after having read the words of this song, I would like to dedicate this song to the memory of Michael Herron for the glory of God.
Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge, til the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to GOD Who FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME. He will send from heaven and save me. God will send out His steadfast love and faithfulness! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth! My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let Your glory be over all the earth!
Music had come to my heart and my mind earlier in the day, and I could not remember the title of the song or find it, so He gave me these words to go with the music:
Oh, Father in heaven, there's no one like You
Oh which I can go to when my heart is blue.
What cause for rejoicing, for in You I find
Your love all sufficient for Jesus is mine.
Your Word is the means my poor soul is refined
And through which You help me to know of Your mind.
The blood of my Saviour now cleanses from sin
And by Your Sweet Spirit I'm made new within.
Oh, Father we ask You attend to the needs
Of all Your dear children You bring to their knees.
And cause them to see now the smile of Your face,
The presence of Jesus Who saves by His grace.
Oh, help them to look above all temporal loss
And give them the courage to bare up the cross,
Of which in Your pleasure You've given to share
That you may in all things Your glory be there.
Oh, help us to praise You as on You we call
And lay all our burdens on You as we fall
Now prostrate before You and trust in Your Name
Jehovah Tisidkenu, forever the same.
The LORD is our Righteousness now and always.
He'll guard us and guide us in all of our days.
Til with Him in glory we're made just like Him,
And praise Him forever in song and in hymn.
Michael E. Wood
March 12, 2010
On Sunday evening after a most wonderful service at Beacon Baptist Church, which included partaking of the Lord's table, I went to the Minister of music, Greg Phillips, to ask if he recognized the music for this particular song. A smile comes to my face as I think of the delight it was to play Name That Tune to the glory of God! The song of which the music with slight variance originated from was, "Chosen of God", by Septimus Sears (1820-1877), and the music by Joan J. Pinkston (b. 1947).
On a more serious note, this song also came about as a result of the passing of a dear saint into glory. Michael Herron was born with an inherited disease which the Lord used to take him into glory at the age of 47. He lived the last years of his life with the knowledge that God could take His life for His Own glory if He so chose. In his last days in the hospital, after bearing a faithful testimony for Him, he was heard saying, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10), and " Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15)
Proverbs 10:7 says, "The memory of the righteous is a blessing", and thus with permission granted by his wife after having read the words of this song, I would like to dedicate this song to the memory of Michael Herron for the glory of God.
Friday, March 12, 2010
The Great Value of Prayer
I was awakened around 5:00a.m. and after having read some passages from Hebrews, and then while accomplishing some menial tasks, my mind was taken to the model prayer left for us by our Savior, (Matthew 6:7-12).
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
I went back to sleep for a time and awoke with these words which began to come forth at 8:23a.m. No doubt, the time spent with my beloved Dianna in reading a few pages of Thomas Brooks' Privy Key to Heaven last night has also had an influence in the words given to me this morning.
Oh, estimate now the great value of prayer
As through Christ we come to our Father with care.
Sometimes with words, and sometimes without,
Sometimes with groans, and sometimes with a shout.
The form less important, but come now we must
And call through The Name of The One Who Is Just.
He knows all our needs, and before we can ask
His pleasure sends often to meet all the task,
Of which He doth call us to be for His Name
In weakness, our Strength Is, Jesus the same!
Though often we know not exactly His will
He delights as we come and spend time with Him still.
Now with all confidence, Oh, let us draw nigh
To our Father in heaven, Who hears every sigh.
And though we be not what we ought to be yet
Bring by His promise, He will never forget,
But answer in love and fulfill all His Word
And fill us with joy, as His child He has heard.
Oh, let us then praise Him for all that He gives
Through Jesus Who's risen, and now with Him lives
To make intercession for all of His own
Til with Him in glory we're all safely home.
Michael E. Wood
March 12, 2010
"And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors."
I went back to sleep for a time and awoke with these words which began to come forth at 8:23a.m. No doubt, the time spent with my beloved Dianna in reading a few pages of Thomas Brooks' Privy Key to Heaven last night has also had an influence in the words given to me this morning.
Oh, estimate now the great value of prayer
As through Christ we come to our Father with care.
Sometimes with words, and sometimes without,
Sometimes with groans, and sometimes with a shout.
The form less important, but come now we must
And call through The Name of The One Who Is Just.
He knows all our needs, and before we can ask
His pleasure sends often to meet all the task,
Of which He doth call us to be for His Name
In weakness, our Strength Is, Jesus the same!
Though often we know not exactly His will
He delights as we come and spend time with Him still.
Now with all confidence, Oh, let us draw nigh
To our Father in heaven, Who hears every sigh.
And though we be not what we ought to be yet
Bring by His promise, He will never forget,
But answer in love and fulfill all His Word
And fill us with joy, as His child He has heard.
Oh, let us then praise Him for all that He gives
Through Jesus Who's risen, and now with Him lives
To make intercession for all of His own
Til with Him in glory we're all safely home.
Michael E. Wood
March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
A Morning "Spark"
Proverbs 11:1b "A just weight is the delight of the LORD."
We thank You for the Gift You gave,
Your Word. Oh, search our hearts.
As we approach before Your throne
You cleanse our hidden parts.
By mercy and the blood of Christ
Our way is now made straight
That we may follow Him through life
And enter heavens gate.
And blameless then we shall be seen
For He's the blameless One.
His glory then we'll fully know
Shines brighter than the sun.
Michael E. Wood
March 11, 2010
We thank You for the Gift You gave,
Your Word. Oh, search our hearts.
As we approach before Your throne
You cleanse our hidden parts.
By mercy and the blood of Christ
Our way is now made straight
That we may follow Him through life
And enter heavens gate.
And blameless then we shall be seen
For He's the blameless One.
His glory then we'll fully know
Shines brighter than the sun.
Michael E. Wood
March 11, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
You are my Wisdom!
While contemplating Proverbs 10:23b in the ESV: "wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding", and that while knowing that CHRIST IS my WISDOM, by the testimony of the Spirit of God, as it is written not only in the Bible (1st Cor. 1:23-24 ... we preach Christ crucified... to those that are called... Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.), but in my heart and in my mind as a gift to show forth the steadfast love and faithfulness of The Almighty God through the cross of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, these words came to mind:
You are my wisdom and I am Your pen.
Oh, use me to write on the hearts of all men,
Such as You choose by Your grace and Your power
To show forth the gospel of Christ in this hour.
Though marred now with sin, it's Your glory within
With which You speak peace to those captive in sin.
You are my Treasure Who spoke forth the Light
Into the darkness which once was my plight.
Now by Your Spirit, Oh show forth the face
Of Jesus my Lord Who has saved from disgrace.
Oh, join us as one by the hope of Your sight
Through the blood of Your Son in Whom You delight.
For though now we groan and You hear our heart cry
Your glory is sure in our home now on high.
For now in good courage by faith we will walk
Til You are The Subject of all of our talk.
One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Oh, that you may be of the number which delight in the God of all glory, through the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and that He will be the main Subject of all of your talk. (7:22a.m.-9:27a.m.)
Michael E. Wood
March 10, 2010
You are my wisdom and I am Your pen.
Oh, use me to write on the hearts of all men,
Such as You choose by Your grace and Your power
To show forth the gospel of Christ in this hour.
Though marred now with sin, it's Your glory within
With which You speak peace to those captive in sin.
You are my Treasure Who spoke forth the Light
Into the darkness which once was my plight.
Now by Your Spirit, Oh show forth the face
Of Jesus my Lord Who has saved from disgrace.
Oh, join us as one by the hope of Your sight
Through the blood of Your Son in Whom You delight.
For though now we groan and You hear our heart cry
Your glory is sure in our home now on high.
For now in good courage by faith we will walk
Til You are The Subject of all of our talk.
One day, every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father.
Oh, that you may be of the number which delight in the God of all glory, through the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and that He will be the main Subject of all of your talk. (7:22a.m.-9:27a.m.)
Michael E. Wood
March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
"Walk in the Way of Understanding"
Proverbs 9:1-6, 9-11 reads:
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
As I looked to the LORD this morning through the book of Proverbs chapter 9 verses 1-12a and a number of cross reference texts, I found myself also contemplating the responsibility that I am being called to as a husband, of which I trust by His good pleasure I will have the joy and privilege of entering into in 70 days , these words came to mind.
Oh how can I be such a man in this life,
For You are my husband, and we are Your wife.
All that's significant we find now in You
And look to Your mercy and YOUR WORD which IS TRUE
For though I'm yet simple and know nothing yet
As I ought til I see You as You come and You get
Your body, Your Bride, and Your church of all time
And fill all the vision we yet lack in our rhyme.
Oh, help us to see past our own tiny thought
And love now Your church by Your blood You have bought.
Your love is so pure and Your care is so kind
And all of our life is now hid in Your mind.
So help us each day by Your Spirit to guide,
Abide in Your Word, in the cross we will hide.
Til with You in glory Your beauty we''ll see
And praise You forever for all You decree.
Michael E. Wood
March 9, 2010
Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city. "Let all who are simple come in here!" she says to those who lack judgment. "Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
As I looked to the LORD this morning through the book of Proverbs chapter 9 verses 1-12a and a number of cross reference texts, I found myself also contemplating the responsibility that I am being called to as a husband, of which I trust by His good pleasure I will have the joy and privilege of entering into in 70 days , these words came to mind.
Oh how can I be such a man in this life,
For You are my husband, and we are Your wife.
All that's significant we find now in You
And look to Your mercy and YOUR WORD which IS TRUE
For though I'm yet simple and know nothing yet
As I ought til I see You as You come and You get
Your body, Your Bride, and Your church of all time
And fill all the vision we yet lack in our rhyme.
Oh, help us to see past our own tiny thought
And love now Your church by Your blood You have bought.
Your love is so pure and Your care is so kind
And all of our life is now hid in Your mind.
So help us each day by Your Spirit to guide,
Abide in Your Word, in the cross we will hide.
Til with You in glory Your beauty we''ll see
And praise You forever for all You decree.
Michael E. Wood
March 9, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
This is the day that YOU have made...
As I was awakened this morning and opened my Bible to Proverbs chapter 8, I found my mind was distracted from the Word by the many thoughts of the things that needed to be done, and this gift of praise in writing He has given me for His glory gave me the means to focus my attention on Christ and the precious gift of who He is and what He has done; not only for me but for all His own, in a most intimate and personal way.
And now, O sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 8:32-35
And thus at 8:16a.m. I began to write:
This is the day that you have made
The voice of Your wisdom doth call,
And we Your people hear noble things
As prostrate before You we fall.
Your lips speak right, Your mouth utters truth,
And righteous are all of Your words
Through which You provide by Your Spirit divine
More than for all of the birds.
For though You feed them and all that breathe
Sing Your most glorious praise,
Not one can speak the truth of Your grace
As a son of whom You did raise.
Through Christ alone because of Your love,
The Son in Whom You're well pleased.
As by the cross and shedding His blood,
From sin, death and hell He has seized--
The inheritance that You promised Him
Before all creation began.
And purposed to give such delight in Yourself
And the praise of Your glory our end.
Oh, what joy that You have given
In the depths of Your Own written Word,
As for Your glory You called us to hear
And experience the Word we have heard.
Not unto us but unto Christ
Oh help us exalt His dear Name,
As we in all the days that You give
Take pleasure in spreading His fame.
Not all He gives is for the moment
Of which He now gives unto us,
But will through all eternity
Show Him so Oh, glorious.
O Christ, You are the very center
Of all to us is made known.
By faith imparted into our hearts
To make Your Own glory shown!
After listening to some excerpts of messages by R.C. Sproul, John Piper, and C. J. Mahaney, sent to me by my beloved Dianna, the following words came to mind of which also had great influence in the closing of this little poem. Faith is the means by which we give glory to God, therefore He is delighted to strengthen us and encourage us by the faith that has been delivered to us by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 4:20)
And now, O sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the LORD. Proverbs 8:32-35
And thus at 8:16a.m. I began to write:
This is the day that you have made
The voice of Your wisdom doth call,
And we Your people hear noble things
As prostrate before You we fall.
Your lips speak right, Your mouth utters truth,
And righteous are all of Your words
Through which You provide by Your Spirit divine
More than for all of the birds.
For though You feed them and all that breathe
Sing Your most glorious praise,
Not one can speak the truth of Your grace
As a son of whom You did raise.
Through Christ alone because of Your love,
The Son in Whom You're well pleased.
As by the cross and shedding His blood,
From sin, death and hell He has seized--
The inheritance that You promised Him
Before all creation began.
And purposed to give such delight in Yourself
And the praise of Your glory our end.
Oh, what joy that You have given
In the depths of Your Own written Word,
As for Your glory You called us to hear
And experience the Word we have heard.
Not unto us but unto Christ
Oh help us exalt His dear Name,
As we in all the days that You give
Take pleasure in spreading His fame.
Not all He gives is for the moment
Of which He now gives unto us,
But will through all eternity
Show Him so Oh, glorious.
O Christ, You are the very center
Of all to us is made known.
By faith imparted into our hearts
To make Your Own glory shown!
After listening to some excerpts of messages by R.C. Sproul, John Piper, and C. J. Mahaney, sent to me by my beloved Dianna, the following words came to mind of which also had great influence in the closing of this little poem. Faith is the means by which we give glory to God, therefore He is delighted to strengthen us and encourage us by the faith that has been delivered to us by the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 4:20)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)