Not only do we have contention with our own flesh when it comes to prayer, but we can also be sure that as sure as we have been made to be children of God through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must also contend with wrestling's not of flesh and blood, but against the schemes of the devil, taking upon us the whole armor of God whereby we are enabled to stand against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.(Ephesians 6:10-12)
In every thing I will give You thanks,
For You are my God, and The Rock of my soul.
Though arrows may fly, and tempests may rise,
Your Word gives me life, for You made me whole.
More abundant than all the good things of this life,
Sweet peace You speak to me and bring to me rest,
And draw me yet closer as none other can do,
Partake of Your joy, with my head on Your breast.
Oh send out Your light and Your truth let them lead me,
Let them bring me to dwell on Your holy hill.
For Christ Is the Altar of which I rejoice in,
Conformed to His image by Your Sovereign will.
Though satan may tempt me in my inmost thoughts,
To doubt You; by this You will surely perform
By the light of Your glory, the strength of Your arm,
More like Jesus I will be as my mind You transform.
So praise You we will, for You are our boast,
And give thanks to Your Name forever and ever.
For You have redeemed us for the sake of Your love,
By the blood of our Savior we'll never be severed.
Michael E. Wood
July 9, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Sweet Communion (Part Two)
When encouragement, by the Word of God and the example of others, commends us to pray; especially when it comes to that of interceding for others, we can be sure of obstacles which include the arguments which stem from our own fleshly nature. No doubt, some members of the body of Christ are gifted more than others in this area, but all are called thereunto and thus we must contend in faith, believing that the God of all perfection hears us who are imperfect, through the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the power of His Holy Spirit, and Is pleased to answer, as He will, when He will, for His Own glory.
Oh you man of flesh in me,
You throw now such a fit.
For when it comes now time to pray,
You are the hypocrite.
You say that God can hear me not,
When He is yet so near.
For He through Christ, my tender Father,
Holds my every tear.
You say that He'll not answer,
But you know that cannot be.
For He has condescended and
To Him I now will flee.
You say that I am yet a child,
And know not how to speak.
Yet in my mouth He puts His words,
As to Him I will seek.
You come to me with fear in vain,
You worthless enemy.
For you my flesh are not my friend,
Tis Christ Who sets me free,
And bids me to approach the throne,
By mercy and with boldness.
For by His blood He cleanses me
And overcomes my coldness.
Oh Father help me to delight
In all my wrestling's,
As for the glory of Your Name,
I raise my offerings,
And praise You as You hear the names
You've placed upon my heart,
And by Your Mighty Spirit
Give the grace that You impart.
Oh give to those Your bride elect
The sweetness of devotion,
That we may honor You our King
In every thought and motion.
Oh help us to endure the tests
As fruit to You we bring,
Your offspring, Oh our Blessed One,
Your praise forever sing!
Oh help us to reflect upon
The good You choose to give
Beyond the vision of our flesh
And for Your glory live,
And trust to us that You will give
In truth our hearts desire
To make You known in all our ways
Til with You we retire.
Oh then we'll see the answers
To our every single prayer,
Of which displays the great array
Of all Your glory there.
And all the struggles of this life
Will vanish at the sight
Of You our Savior overall,
Who Is our soul's delight!
Michael E. Wood
July 8, 2010
Oh you man of flesh in me,
You throw now such a fit.
For when it comes now time to pray,
You are the hypocrite.
You say that God can hear me not,
When He is yet so near.
For He through Christ, my tender Father,
Holds my every tear.
You say that He'll not answer,
But you know that cannot be.
For He has condescended and
To Him I now will flee.
You say that I am yet a child,
And know not how to speak.
Yet in my mouth He puts His words,
As to Him I will seek.
You come to me with fear in vain,
You worthless enemy.
For you my flesh are not my friend,
Tis Christ Who sets me free,
And bids me to approach the throne,
By mercy and with boldness.
For by His blood He cleanses me
And overcomes my coldness.
Oh Father help me to delight
In all my wrestling's,
As for the glory of Your Name,
I raise my offerings,
And praise You as You hear the names
You've placed upon my heart,
And by Your Mighty Spirit
Give the grace that You impart.
Oh give to those Your bride elect
The sweetness of devotion,
That we may honor You our King
In every thought and motion.
Oh help us to endure the tests
As fruit to You we bring,
Your offspring, Oh our Blessed One,
Your praise forever sing!
Oh help us to reflect upon
The good You choose to give
Beyond the vision of our flesh
And for Your glory live,
And trust to us that You will give
In truth our hearts desire
To make You known in all our ways
Til with You we retire.
Oh then we'll see the answers
To our every single prayer,
Of which displays the great array
Of all Your glory there.
And all the struggles of this life
Will vanish at the sight
Of You our Savior overall,
Who Is our soul's delight!
Michael E. Wood
July 8, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The Lost Little Poem
Michael sent the following email to me on March 31, 2010. This is one of those things that, regretfully, fell through the cracks during the month leading up to our wedding. I had every intention of saving it and posting it from North Carolina on the morning after our wedding day.
As things would have it, the computer was packed up and we headed out bright and early that morning for our road-trip honeymoon across the United States. The last thing on either one of our minds that morning was a blog post. In fact, we had both completely forgot about this little poem that Michael wrote on March 31st until I came across it while cleaning up my hard drive just yesterday.
What a delight it was to find it! How sweet are those memories of our courtship. Here is the email he sent:
As today is the 31st of March, and according to the pattern of reading the chapter of Proverbs which aligns itself with each day of the month, I rejoiced in the preciousness of the gift you are to me by His amazing grace.
(Smiling -It just occurred to me that perhaps this would be a good poem to post on the day of our wedding)
My Sweet, Sweet wife, I love your dear life,
For you are far more precious than jewels.
My heart in you trusts, we run with august*
To Christ, our Head; as He, our life rules!
I have no doubt, and I just want to shout
To God Who works all for our good.
Let's give Him the praise, for all of His ways,
As our end is His glory, understood!
Oh Father in heaven, remove all the leaven
That remains in our heart of all pride,
And by Your Sweet Grace, give strength for the race
And Your mercy to miss not a stride.
Oh what a Gift, of Your Spirit to lift
Our voices as one to Your Praise!
And help us as one, to honor Your Son,
More like His image become all our days!
(*august: (1) of befitting a lord; "heir to a lordly fortune", "of august lineage"; (2)profoundly honored; "reverend holy men")
Oh what a fortune in Christ we have been made heirs to by His own blood, and how profoundly He has made us to be of the lineage to bring honor to His Holy Name!
Michael E. Wood
Written March 31, 2010 for posting May 18, 2010
As things would have it, the computer was packed up and we headed out bright and early that morning for our road-trip honeymoon across the United States. The last thing on either one of our minds that morning was a blog post. In fact, we had both completely forgot about this little poem that Michael wrote on March 31st until I came across it while cleaning up my hard drive just yesterday.
What a delight it was to find it! How sweet are those memories of our courtship. Here is the email he sent:
As today is the 31st of March, and according to the pattern of reading the chapter of Proverbs which aligns itself with each day of the month, I rejoiced in the preciousness of the gift you are to me by His amazing grace.
(Smiling -It just occurred to me that perhaps this would be a good poem to post on the day of our wedding)
My Sweet, Sweet wife, I love your dear life,
For you are far more precious than jewels.
My heart in you trusts, we run with august*
To Christ, our Head; as He, our life rules!
I have no doubt, and I just want to shout
To God Who works all for our good.
Let's give Him the praise, for all of His ways,
As our end is His glory, understood!
Oh Father in heaven, remove all the leaven
That remains in our heart of all pride,
And by Your Sweet Grace, give strength for the race
And Your mercy to miss not a stride.
Oh what a Gift, of Your Spirit to lift
Our voices as one to Your Praise!
And help us as one, to honor Your Son,
More like His image become all our days!
(*august: (1) of befitting a lord; "heir to a lordly fortune", "of august lineage"; (2)profoundly honored; "reverend holy men")
Oh what a fortune in Christ we have been made heirs to by His own blood, and how profoundly He has made us to be of the lineage to bring honor to His Holy Name!
Michael E. Wood
Written March 31, 2010 for posting May 18, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Sweet Communion (Part One)
While reading through the book of Colossians conjoined with the completion of "The Privy Key to Heaven" by Thomas Brooks, I came to chapter one verses 12-14 and contemplated writing some lines of poetry but was distracted by wrestling's within my own soul concerning my own faulty attitudes and my need to grow in the grace and endurance of prayer and supplication for others and thus the following lines came to mind as an open confession and trust the Lord will be pleased to use this for the exaltation of His abounding grace to lead us into the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake, and most especially in the matter of personal private prayer.
This is the place of which I need
To grow and yea, mature.
The place of prayer and see the face
Of Christ Who made me pure.
For prayer is that which draws us near
Our Father to confide in
And secrets of our heart confess,
As Jesus now we hide in.
For He will not withhold from us
In things that we have need,
But will through Christ give richly all
As He doth intercede.
Oh Father now be glorified,
Attend to one so weak,
And hear my prayer, I know You care,
As to Your face I seek.
Oh help me to display Your love
And intercede for others
Especially those now hid in You,
My sisters and my brothers.
It matters not this part of life
To others is not seen.
But is the sweet communion
Of a heart of which You cleaned.
Oh help me to be bearing fruit
In this good work You've given.
And help me fully please You
In this life that I'm now living.
Oh strengthen with all power
According to Your glorious might,
For all endurance, patience, joy,
The inheritance of the saints in light.
We thank You Father, Who qualified us
To share in this with them,
Delivered us from darkness and
Transferred to the kingdom with Him,
Who is Your Beloved Son in Whom
We have redemption, and come,
Forgiven of our sins, by His blood
And in Him we are made one.
He Is Your very image, O our God,
Who art invisible.
The Firstborn of all creation,
Both the unseen and the visible.
For by Him all created things
Both in heaven and on earth
Will wondrously show the great display
Of His Eternal Worth!
Michael E. Wood
July 4, 2010 6:38-10:30 pm
This is the place of which I need
To grow and yea, mature.
The place of prayer and see the face
Of Christ Who made me pure.
For prayer is that which draws us near
Our Father to confide in
And secrets of our heart confess,
As Jesus now we hide in.
For He will not withhold from us
In things that we have need,
But will through Christ give richly all
As He doth intercede.
Oh Father now be glorified,
Attend to one so weak,
And hear my prayer, I know You care,
As to Your face I seek.
Oh help me to display Your love
And intercede for others
Especially those now hid in You,
My sisters and my brothers.
It matters not this part of life
To others is not seen.
But is the sweet communion
Of a heart of which You cleaned.
Oh help me to be bearing fruit
In this good work You've given.
And help me fully please You
In this life that I'm now living.
Oh strengthen with all power
According to Your glorious might,
For all endurance, patience, joy,
The inheritance of the saints in light.
We thank You Father, Who qualified us
To share in this with them,
Delivered us from darkness and
Transferred to the kingdom with Him,
Who is Your Beloved Son in Whom
We have redemption, and come,
Forgiven of our sins, by His blood
And in Him we are made one.
He Is Your very image, O our God,
Who art invisible.
The Firstborn of all creation,
Both the unseen and the visible.
For by Him all created things
Both in heaven and on earth
Will wondrously show the great display
Of His Eternal Worth!
Michael E. Wood
July 4, 2010 6:38-10:30 pm
Sunday, July 4, 2010
How Precious are Your Thoughts
While in the enjoyment of God and pondering the fact that God speaks to us through His Word, and that it is through His Word by the power of His Spirit that He brings us into a relationship with Himself because of the finished work of Christ on the cross, and that He reveals His thoughts to us by the voice of His Word once He has made us His Own. And, taking into account the fact that we are not promised another day, and that our faith transcends time and this temporal world, we being dead yet speak through our faith; the following came to mind:
How precious are Your thoughts to me
Your Word gives peace of mind,
For in Your thoughts You speak to me
To know that I am Thine.
What more could I then ask You for,
In You I now rejoice.
For You have saved me from my sin
Through Christ, You fixed my choice.
For I would not have chosen You
Had You not chosen me,
And now the cross is all I boast,
Your Glory set me free.
And though through lines I replicate
With such simplicity,
I trust You will be pleased to show
Your will and Sovereignty.
For there are yet so many more
Who spurn You like I had,
And yet You will bring to Yourself,
Through Christ to make them glad.
Good News You will send from afar,
As I am in Your hand.
Oh use me to convey Your Truth
Though I in glory stand.
Michael E. Wood
July 2, 2010
How precious are Your thoughts to me
Your Word gives peace of mind,
For in Your thoughts You speak to me
To know that I am Thine.
What more could I then ask You for,
In You I now rejoice.
For You have saved me from my sin
Through Christ, You fixed my choice.
For I would not have chosen You
Had You not chosen me,
And now the cross is all I boast,
Your Glory set me free.
And though through lines I replicate
With such simplicity,
I trust You will be pleased to show
Your will and Sovereignty.
For there are yet so many more
Who spurn You like I had,
And yet You will bring to Yourself,
Through Christ to make them glad.
Good News You will send from afar,
As I am in Your hand.
Oh use me to convey Your Truth
Though I in glory stand.
Michael E. Wood
July 2, 2010
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Rejoice in His Love
"Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance." Proverbs 1:5
All true wisdom from an eternal perspective comes as a gift from God having the promise of blessing on and in the life which we have now and in the one to come. "If any of you lack wisdom", and we all do in proportion to our understanding of the Great Glory and Majesty of our Omniscient God, for the more we see that His understanding is unsearchable, the more humble we become, and yea, the more broken and contrite, as we are enabled by Him through confession of our own incapacity's because of sins, pride, and afflictions of heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and thereby being enabled to see our infinite need of God Himself to give us wisdom as seems best to Him for His Own Glory and Praise.
It is then and only then that we have any grounds whereby we can have any expectation or confidence that He will give to us out of the abundance of His ways which are past finding out, for He not only knows and has all wisdom, but through the person of Jesus Christ, Who Is our wisdom and upholds us through His mediation, that we may obtain all things that pertain to life and godliness.
Therefore ask of Him Who gives to all His children liberally, lavishly, and more than we can perceive or contain, for we are finite, and shall never completely comprehend the infinite, and He is pleased to grant to us that which we have need of as He sees us, and loves us through the person and work of Christ alone, for His Own Glory.
Oh Father in wisdom, You've given us ears
Whereby to hear You in meekness and fears.
The times of our trials we know You're commanding
To grant to us wisdom and great understanding.
For guidance You give, to meet every task
Unto which You call, as humbly we ask.
And thus for the testing of faith to produce
Steadfastness for fullest effect in it's use.
Though we see not yet fully Your purpose and will,
You grant to us calm and the storms You will still.
By Your Word You remind us to not hesitate,
And generously wisdom You give to partake.
All joy we will count as we meet all our trials
For through them we see our Great God as He smiles.
All comes from His hand as good perfect gifts.
Oh rejoice in His love as our soul He uplifts.
Oh Father please help us and make our ears quick
To hear all You're saying though healthy or sick.
For all of our need and for us to enjoy,
Is to praise You in all things and give You the glory.
(James 1:2-5,12,17)
Michael E. Wood
July 1, 2010
"...whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread or disaster." Proverbs 1:33
All true wisdom from an eternal perspective comes as a gift from God having the promise of blessing on and in the life which we have now and in the one to come. "If any of you lack wisdom", and we all do in proportion to our understanding of the Great Glory and Majesty of our Omniscient God, for the more we see that His understanding is unsearchable, the more humble we become, and yea, the more broken and contrite, as we are enabled by Him through confession of our own incapacity's because of sins, pride, and afflictions of heart, mind, soul, and spirit, and thereby being enabled to see our infinite need of God Himself to give us wisdom as seems best to Him for His Own Glory and Praise.
It is then and only then that we have any grounds whereby we can have any expectation or confidence that He will give to us out of the abundance of His ways which are past finding out, for He not only knows and has all wisdom, but through the person of Jesus Christ, Who Is our wisdom and upholds us through His mediation, that we may obtain all things that pertain to life and godliness.
Therefore ask of Him Who gives to all His children liberally, lavishly, and more than we can perceive or contain, for we are finite, and shall never completely comprehend the infinite, and He is pleased to grant to us that which we have need of as He sees us, and loves us through the person and work of Christ alone, for His Own Glory.
Oh Father in wisdom, You've given us ears
Whereby to hear You in meekness and fears.
The times of our trials we know You're commanding
To grant to us wisdom and great understanding.
For guidance You give, to meet every task
Unto which You call, as humbly we ask.
And thus for the testing of faith to produce
Steadfastness for fullest effect in it's use.
Though we see not yet fully Your purpose and will,
You grant to us calm and the storms You will still.
By Your Word You remind us to not hesitate,
And generously wisdom You give to partake.
All joy we will count as we meet all our trials
For through them we see our Great God as He smiles.
All comes from His hand as good perfect gifts.
Oh rejoice in His love as our soul He uplifts.
Oh Father please help us and make our ears quick
To hear all You're saying though healthy or sick.
For all of our need and for us to enjoy,
Is to praise You in all things and give You the glory.
(James 1:2-5,12,17)
Michael E. Wood
July 1, 2010
"...whoever listens to Me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread or disaster." Proverbs 1:33
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Father of Mercies
While reading Psalm 149, I came to verse 6 which says, "Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands." Through this I was directed to Hebrews 4:12 which tells us, "For the word of God is living and active, SHARPER THAN A TWO-EDGED SWORD, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thought and intentions of the heart". The following poem came to mind and as I looked again to Psalm 149 verse 1, which says, "Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song, His praise in the assembly of the godly!", a tune came to mind to go with the poem, and thus the poem became a new song unto the praise and the glory of God!
(Chorus)
O Father of mercies, O please meet with me,
That more like You Jesus I shall now be.
Please Holy Spirit, speak that I might see,
More clearly O God, Your Great Majesty!
For now in Creation I see Your great wonders
And know of Your judgments in sounds of the thunders,
But nothing compares as Your Word cuts asunder
My soul and my spirit as I now am under
Your watch-care and love through which You now diffuse,
The light of the glory of Christ and to use
As a vessel of mercy to the blind and confused,
A servant of Jesus of which You did choose.
(Chorus)
Not for my merit, for that could not be,
For I too was lost, through the cross I am free.
For grace You have given through faith now to see
All glory and praise belongs only to Thee.
So now if it pleaseth, I know that it will.
For this is the promise of which You instill.
By the word of Your grace, as Your captive fulfill,
Your pleasure to make me like Jesus more still.
(Chorus)
Michael E. Wood
June 30, 2010
(Chorus)
O Father of mercies, O please meet with me,
That more like You Jesus I shall now be.
Please Holy Spirit, speak that I might see,
More clearly O God, Your Great Majesty!
For now in Creation I see Your great wonders
And know of Your judgments in sounds of the thunders,
But nothing compares as Your Word cuts asunder
My soul and my spirit as I now am under
Your watch-care and love through which You now diffuse,
The light of the glory of Christ and to use
As a vessel of mercy to the blind and confused,
A servant of Jesus of which You did choose.
(Chorus)
Not for my merit, for that could not be,
For I too was lost, through the cross I am free.
For grace You have given through faith now to see
All glory and praise belongs only to Thee.
So now if it pleaseth, I know that it will.
For this is the promise of which You instill.
By the word of Your grace, as Your captive fulfill,
Your pleasure to make me like Jesus more still.
(Chorus)
Michael E. Wood
June 30, 2010
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