Upon listening to a heart piercing, soul searching, message by Reddit Andrews from Isaiah 22 which was concluded with three questions:
(1) How seriously do I seek God's plan before I seek my own?
(2) Do we pay more attention to our relationship with God than our plans and preparations?
(3) Is my service to God more like Shebna's or Eliakim's?
I must confess that my desire has not always been, and continues to fall short at times, for the purpose of the glory of God alone. Oh how easy it is to fall into complacency and to have desires for things, which may not be bad in themselves--such as having a good name, but when the motivation comes from selfish pursuits rather than the glory of God alone then they are a stench in the nostrils of our Blessed and Holy Potentate--the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
When God in mercy doth search our hearts
And pierces through to our hidden parts
Our flesh then trembles in His sight,
Condemned to death by His Spirit's light.
Oh shall we by our pride suffocate,
And think of ourselves to pontificate,
And glory in what we think is our own--
When none but God yet sits on the throne.
O please have mercy O God of renown,
And grant us grace, restore then the crown
To cast at your feet, as we are still
And know You are God, embraced by Your will.
O help us reflect, before You be real,
Confess now our sins, give grace then to kill
All things that seek not Your glory alone,
And give You the praise, for all is Your Own!
O Father in whom my soul delights
Make all my motivations right.
Give grace to stand within your plan
Proclaim your glory throughout the Land.
Michael E. Wood
June 24, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
His Praise Endures Forever!
Psalm 111 begins with, "Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation." and ends with, "His praise endures forever!"
Does this not speak of both present and future glory? The great manifestation of the glory of God in heaven, as every member of the body of Christ will be perfectly formed, united as one: with one heart, one mind, and one mouth to praise our Eternal, Omnipotent, Thrice Holy God! And yet we have the good pleasure to taste of His goodness now by the assembly of the saints, as we gather together to humbly worship, praise and adore our Holy, Majestic, Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
While contemplating the fullness of that which has begun and shall continue throughout eternity the following verses were written:
His praise endures forever!
The glory and honor of Christ is now told,
As the mystery of godliness in us He unfolds.
His praise endures forever!
For we are His workmanship created in Him,
Good works, God ordained, that we walk in them.
His praise endures forever!
Prepared in His glory, He speaks through His Son,
By the word of His grace, and His Spirit as One.
His praise endures forever!
O fix now your eyes on His cross and hold dear
The Name of our God, in both meekness and fear.
His praise endures forever!
For His Name is Holy and Awesome to all,
The ransomed, His chosen, as on Him we call.
His praise endures forever!
Oh guard this Gift by His Spirit in us
And know full well what His hands did entrust.
His praise endures forever!
For He is faithful and just in His call,
His righteousness endures and delights overall.
His praise endures forever!
His precepts are trustworthy, established forever,
Only dross as of gold, has God chosen to sever.
His praise endures forever!
With His glory in mind and our faith so refined,
We'll see the great splendor of all He designed.
His praise endures forever!
With thankful whole heart in the great congregation,
The company of the upright, from the dawn of creation.
His praise endures forever!
Oh fan into flames all the grace you've been shown,
That others in Jesus, His glory be known!
His praise endures forever!
Michael E. Wood
June 23, 20101
Does this not speak of both present and future glory? The great manifestation of the glory of God in heaven, as every member of the body of Christ will be perfectly formed, united as one: with one heart, one mind, and one mouth to praise our Eternal, Omnipotent, Thrice Holy God! And yet we have the good pleasure to taste of His goodness now by the assembly of the saints, as we gather together to humbly worship, praise and adore our Holy, Majestic, Triune God; Father, Son and Holy Spirit!
While contemplating the fullness of that which has begun and shall continue throughout eternity the following verses were written:
His praise endures forever!
The glory and honor of Christ is now told,
As the mystery of godliness in us He unfolds.
His praise endures forever!
For we are His workmanship created in Him,
Good works, God ordained, that we walk in them.
His praise endures forever!
Prepared in His glory, He speaks through His Son,
By the word of His grace, and His Spirit as One.
His praise endures forever!
O fix now your eyes on His cross and hold dear
The Name of our God, in both meekness and fear.
His praise endures forever!
For His Name is Holy and Awesome to all,
The ransomed, His chosen, as on Him we call.
His praise endures forever!
Oh guard this Gift by His Spirit in us
And know full well what His hands did entrust.
His praise endures forever!
For He is faithful and just in His call,
His righteousness endures and delights overall.
His praise endures forever!
His precepts are trustworthy, established forever,
Only dross as of gold, has God chosen to sever.
His praise endures forever!
With His glory in mind and our faith so refined,
We'll see the great splendor of all He designed.
His praise endures forever!
With thankful whole heart in the great congregation,
The company of the upright, from the dawn of creation.
His praise endures forever!
Oh fan into flames all the grace you've been shown,
That others in Jesus, His glory be known!
His praise endures forever!
Michael E. Wood
June 23, 20101
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
The Romans Project (Part Five)
While contemplating Romans 5:6-11:
Almighty God we did not revere.
Our helpless estate was Oh, so severe,
That God could not look on even one sin,
Yet in the due time, Christ entered in.
He died for us while we were yet enemies,
To deliver us from sin's captivities.
Perhaps for a good man some would dare die,
Or scarcely for the righteous who cry,
But God commendeth His love toward us,
That through the blood of Christ we're made just
As if we had never, ever once sinned,
To make us pure and holy within.
And all the wrath of God He consumed,
While enemies: in Christ we assumed
Reconciliation to God through His loss,
The death of His Son, who paid through the cross.
Much more, much more, being now reconciled,
We shall be saved by His life, as His child.
Not only so, but in God we rejoice
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who made us His choice.
All glorious praise to our God who had promised
By His word and His Spirit, He showered upon us
Such wonderful love through the life and bestowment
By Christ Jesus our Lord we received the atonement!
Oh what price could we then but fathom
Of all sins accrued beginning with Adam.
But had it been one, Christ still need have come.
Our thrice Holy God Is comparative to none!
For GOD IN HOLINESS IS SO INFINITE,
That Just He would be if to hell we were sent,
And yet through Christ, His justice was served,
And bore all the wrath of which we deserved.
Oh will you not repent then from sin
And be embraced by His Gift now within,
And know the love of God without measure?
The Just for the unjust, Christ Jesus, our TREASURE!
Michael E. Wood
June 22, 2010 3:31 pm
To be continued...
Almighty God we did not revere.
Our helpless estate was Oh, so severe,
That God could not look on even one sin,
Yet in the due time, Christ entered in.
He died for us while we were yet enemies,
To deliver us from sin's captivities.
Perhaps for a good man some would dare die,
Or scarcely for the righteous who cry,
But God commendeth His love toward us,
That through the blood of Christ we're made just
As if we had never, ever once sinned,
To make us pure and holy within.
And all the wrath of God He consumed,
While enemies: in Christ we assumed
Reconciliation to God through His loss,
The death of His Son, who paid through the cross.
Much more, much more, being now reconciled,
We shall be saved by His life, as His child.
Not only so, but in God we rejoice
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who made us His choice.
All glorious praise to our God who had promised
By His word and His Spirit, He showered upon us
Such wonderful love through the life and bestowment
By Christ Jesus our Lord we received the atonement!
Oh what price could we then but fathom
Of all sins accrued beginning with Adam.
But had it been one, Christ still need have come.
Our thrice Holy God Is comparative to none!
For GOD IN HOLINESS IS SO INFINITE,
That Just He would be if to hell we were sent,
And yet through Christ, His justice was served,
And bore all the wrath of which we deserved.
Oh will you not repent then from sin
And be embraced by His Gift now within,
And know the love of God without measure?
The Just for the unjust, Christ Jesus, our TREASURE!
Michael E. Wood
June 22, 2010 3:31 pm
To be continued...
Monday, June 21, 2010
Oh Death, Where is Thy Sting?
While listening to an expository message by Redditt Andrews on Romans 6:1-4, and coming to verse 4 which states, "Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father", the words, "O death, where is thy sting?", came to mind. The first verse of the following came immediately to mind, and the remainder came while contemplating the text last night and this morning:
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you I will sing!
Because of the wonder and glory of grace,
Unto my Lord Jesus when I see His face.
Because of Christ I will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Into the death of Christ Jesus our Lord
We died then to sin, and no more now adored.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Baptized in Jesus, in newness we walk.
His life now within us, by Him we are taught.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Christ rose from the dead, by it, no more we're awed.
The glory of the Father, by Him we're enthralled.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death where is thy sting?
Oh death. where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Forever delivered from death and its claim.
We live by His Spirit, His glory our aim.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Michael E. Wood
June 21, 2010
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you I will sing!
Because of the wonder and glory of grace,
Unto my Lord Jesus when I see His face.
Because of Christ I will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Into the death of Christ Jesus our Lord
We died then to sin, and no more now adored.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Baptized in Jesus, in newness we walk.
His life now within us, by Him we are taught.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Christ rose from the dead, by it, no more we're awed.
The glory of the Father, by Him we're enthralled.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death where is thy sting?
Oh death. where is thy sting?
Oh death, through you we will sing!
Forever delivered from death and its claim.
We live by His Spirit, His glory our aim.
Because of Christ we will sing!
Oh death, where is thy sting?
Michael E. Wood
June 21, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Romans Project (Part Four)
While meditating on Romans 5:1-5, the following came to mind:
"Therefore" is a word by which we implore
The mercies of God by which we endure
Those things in ourselves, not perfect as yet
And fight now the sin which doth so easily beset.
Justified by our faith, God's Unspeakable Gift!
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, no longer adrift.
By Him we have peace with our Almighty God,
As upward, yea, homeward by faith we now trod.
Through Christ we have access by which we now enter
And stand in this grace, made worthy, a sinner.
And in hope of the glory of God we rejoice,
By His pleasure we're made now to hear His Sweet Voice.
The Just for the unjust, God's love did impart
Through the Holy Spirit, given, poured into our hearts.
Because of this hope we are put not to shame,
The evidence of character to honor God's Name.
And more like His nature, produced by endurance,
To know Christ through suffering, Oh what sweet assurance.
For as we rejoice in our present sufferings,
The greater the glory of the Great King of kings!
Michael E. Wood
June 17, 2010
to be continued...
"Therefore" is a word by which we implore
The mercies of God by which we endure
Those things in ourselves, not perfect as yet
And fight now the sin which doth so easily beset.
Justified by our faith, God's Unspeakable Gift!
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, no longer adrift.
By Him we have peace with our Almighty God,
As upward, yea, homeward by faith we now trod.
Through Christ we have access by which we now enter
And stand in this grace, made worthy, a sinner.
And in hope of the glory of God we rejoice,
By His pleasure we're made now to hear His Sweet Voice.
The Just for the unjust, God's love did impart
Through the Holy Spirit, given, poured into our hearts.
Because of this hope we are put not to shame,
The evidence of character to honor God's Name.
And more like His nature, produced by endurance,
To know Christ through suffering, Oh what sweet assurance.
For as we rejoice in our present sufferings,
The greater the glory of the Great King of kings!
Michael E. Wood
June 17, 2010
to be continued...
Saturday, June 19, 2010
He is the Christ!
As I began to read a message by C. H. Spurgeon entitled, "Testimony and Experience", which began with the passage of scripture found in John 4:39-42, the first chorus with a tune then came to mind. Four days later with the completion of reading that message along with hearing a message by John Piper, entitled, "Build Your Life on the Mercies of God" (Rom.12:1,2), the following was the result:
Many from our town believed
Because of words you brought,
"He told me all I ever did",
For Jesus knew your thoughts.
But many others came to Him
With doubt and fears to seek,
Believing not until they heard
The precious Saviour speak.
(Chorus)
Now we believe,
but not for thy saying.
For we have heard
Him for ourselves.
And now we know
that He has now spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
I once thought that I knew Him too
For others taught me well.
I did not know the knowledge then
Would take me straight to hell.
And all my works were blinded
By my passions and my pride,
Then crushed in spirit, Jesus came,
Revealed His bleeding side.
(Chorus-2)
Now I believe,
but not by thy saying.
For I have heard
His Word for myself,
And now I know
by His Spirit He's spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
So if you have all knowledge,
but your love for God's amiss.
And faith to move all mountains
but you know not mercies kiss.
Repent then from your pride and sin,
your shame and hopelessness.
For Christ alone, for atoned,
your only hope for bliss.
(Chorus 3)
Sing with me then,
if you have heard Him.
For He has raised
us up from the pit.
And for His glory,
He has now spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
Michael E. Wood
June 15, 2010
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42
Many from our town believed
Because of words you brought,
"He told me all I ever did",
For Jesus knew your thoughts.
But many others came to Him
With doubt and fears to seek,
Believing not until they heard
The precious Saviour speak.
(Chorus)
Now we believe,
but not for thy saying.
For we have heard
Him for ourselves.
And now we know
that He has now spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
I once thought that I knew Him too
For others taught me well.
I did not know the knowledge then
Would take me straight to hell.
And all my works were blinded
By my passions and my pride,
Then crushed in spirit, Jesus came,
Revealed His bleeding side.
(Chorus-2)
Now I believe,
but not by thy saying.
For I have heard
His Word for myself,
And now I know
by His Spirit He's spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
So if you have all knowledge,
but your love for God's amiss.
And faith to move all mountains
but you know not mercies kiss.
Repent then from your pride and sin,
your shame and hopelessness.
For Christ alone, for atoned,
your only hope for bliss.
(Chorus 3)
Sing with me then,
if you have heard Him.
For He has raised
us up from the pit.
And for His glory,
He has now spoken.
The Saviour of the world,
for He indeed is the Christ!
Michael E. Wood
June 15, 2010
Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world." John 4:39-42
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The Mighty will fall!
While sitting at the table having lunch with Dianna and Deni, we heard a great cracking noise and looked out the patio door to see a great oak tree fall to the ground just a few feet away from the apartment. We spoke of the timing and the Sovereignty of God over all things. I looked again at that great tree lying there this morning and the following came to mind:
A great oak tree came crashing down yesterday.
It fell without warning, there was no delay.
A hundred years plus, it stood from it's birth.
You could tell by it's height, and tell by it's girth.
No wind from without or quake from beneath,
The problem we saw was all underneath,
It's beauty and glory of which we beheld,
Had covered disease by which it had fell.
Many years it provided both shelter and food
For so many creatures of which we conclude,
Yet all in it's path was crushed when it fell.
The mighty has fallen is what we now tell.
What a sobering thought, all men are like trees,
No matter how glorious with all their degrees.
Though nations they make up and stand in their prime,
All this world will fall at the end of all time.
For sin is a reproach to the most glorious nation,
Falling short of the glory of the God of creation.
Though He dwells now on high and He rules overall,
He delighteth in mercy, showing compassion to all,
Of which in His pleasure, He's chosen to give,
Through Christ for His glory, by the cross to forgive sin.
Not all will now heed Him, deceived by their sight,
To do what they feel, that to them seemeth right.
Their end is destruction, and OH SUCH MISERY!
The tree lies where it falls is God's Sovereign decree!
Oh today is the day of salvation to all,
Who bow at the feet of King Jesus and call,
And trust in the blood of our Covenant Son,
And rest in the justice of which He has won,
By giving Himself, The Atonement for sin,
And sent His Sweet Spirit, our peace now within.
The sun is now shining, the soft wind now blows.
The glorious grace of our God He bestows.
All knees will bow surely, all tongues will confess,
ALL GLORY AND PRAISE TO THE LAMB'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Michael E. Wood
June 16, 2010 - (8:09 - 10:48 am)
Upon finishing this poem I looked to my Bible and it was open to Psalms 75:2,3, which says,
"At the set time I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all it's inhabitants, it is I who keep steady it's pillars."
A great oak tree came crashing down yesterday.
It fell without warning, there was no delay.
A hundred years plus, it stood from it's birth.
You could tell by it's height, and tell by it's girth.
No wind from without or quake from beneath,
The problem we saw was all underneath,
It's beauty and glory of which we beheld,
Had covered disease by which it had fell.
Many years it provided both shelter and food
For so many creatures of which we conclude,
Yet all in it's path was crushed when it fell.
The mighty has fallen is what we now tell.
What a sobering thought, all men are like trees,
No matter how glorious with all their degrees.
Though nations they make up and stand in their prime,
All this world will fall at the end of all time.
For sin is a reproach to the most glorious nation,
Falling short of the glory of the God of creation.
Though He dwells now on high and He rules overall,
He delighteth in mercy, showing compassion to all,
Of which in His pleasure, He's chosen to give,
Through Christ for His glory, by the cross to forgive sin.
Not all will now heed Him, deceived by their sight,
To do what they feel, that to them seemeth right.
Their end is destruction, and OH SUCH MISERY!
The tree lies where it falls is God's Sovereign decree!
Oh today is the day of salvation to all,
Who bow at the feet of King Jesus and call,
And trust in the blood of our Covenant Son,
And rest in the justice of which He has won,
By giving Himself, The Atonement for sin,
And sent His Sweet Spirit, our peace now within.
The sun is now shining, the soft wind now blows.
The glorious grace of our God He bestows.
All knees will bow surely, all tongues will confess,
ALL GLORY AND PRAISE TO THE LAMB'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Michael E. Wood
June 16, 2010 - (8:09 - 10:48 am)
Upon finishing this poem I looked to my Bible and it was open to Psalms 75:2,3, which says,
"At the set time I appoint I will judge with equity. When the earth totters, and all it's inhabitants, it is I who keep steady it's pillars."
Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift, who takes His own, causes them to overcome, and makes them pillars in the temple of God. (see Psalm 75 in it's entirety, along with Revelation 3:7-13)
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