Michael E. Wood
January 10, 2011
On December 28th, I was given a new Christmas song (after a thief had stolen my car) but as it was recovered four days later without damage, a new song came out of the new song. I know that may sound a little ridiculous, but upon doing a little research with regard to the original music and words from which the previous song sprang forth I found the following background.
The song “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” first appeared on a 1760 circa broadsheet with the author unknown. From the same article, of which can be found on the cyber hymnal, we are told that the melody is in Aeolian mode and is common time or cut time. The word "Christmas" did not appear in the original song but was added many years later. The following can be sung to the same tune which is considered public domain, and thus this song is an expression of the grace of God freely given and freely received.
It is a call to worship THE ONE TRUE GOD! For though sin abounds, His grace much more abounds for the furtherance of the gospel unto the praise of His glorious grace.
We thank you for Your providence
You brought this glorious 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 sins and scorn.
(Chorus)
Oh Praise Him, Who is our strength and song.
Strength and Song!
Oh Praise Him, for Whom our glad hearts long!
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)
Oh Spirit of the Living God
We humbly ask of You,
To meet with us; convict of sins,
Give grace then to subdue
All things that Christ alone
Be magnified by all You do.
(Chorus)
Oh Spirit of the Living God,
O fall afresh we plead.
You know our every weakness
And for us You intercede.
And He Who searches all our hearts
Will answer to our need.
(Chorus)
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Romans Project (Part Nine)
Michael E. Wood
January 8, 2011
Chapter 5:18-21 (1/8/11)
The initial stanzas of this poem came somewhat easily upon reading portions of the Exposition of Romans by Martin Lloyd-Jones at the unwitting recommendation of Gregory N. Barkman through a message preached from the letter to the Galatians years ago and archived through sermonaudio.com found through the Beacon Baptist web sight.
With that said, I found it a challenge to continue as other writing projects took precedence. The meter is not consistent throughout, due partially to the fact that it was written over about a three month period of time, in three different sittings. The first sitting encompassed more of an instructional attitude, with the last being more personal and experiential. Knowledge can tend to puff us up even when the knowledge is true. Apart from the application of the truth of God by the Spirit of God our knowledge is vain. To experience the true grace of God unto the glory of God is worth all other heartaches, struggles, and losses we may encounter in this life.
Above all, it is not the pursuit of knowledge that saves us, but Christ ! Only Christ!
Let us cut to the chase of the actual facts;
Lay hold of the root and cut with the axe.
Condemnation came upon us by the offense of one man
And all we like him receive judgment for sin.
By one act of righteousness, is the Good News.
Justification and life came to all God did choose.
Disobedience made sinners, and that of one man.
By the obedience of One, made righteous, we stand.
Now the law entered to increase;
Expose the degradation
Which magnifies the grace of Christ
In His humiliation.
And thus by Him we’re given to know
With the Holy Spirit’s unction
The particular purpose the law was given
By Moses and its function.
Through it we see the depths
Of our own hearts depravity.
The very core of our own
Nature’s devastated gravity.
The more I know; the more I see
This wretchedness in me
Which defies Almighty God
And His great Majesty.
Once bound by the law, my heart shall rehearse
That all I found in it, was in me a curse;
But where sin had increased, Christ much more resounds
That all I have in Him by grace more abounds.
What a glorious sight, as sin reigned in death--
His grace now abides in me with every breath
I take for His glory, through His righteousness,
Christ Jesus my Lord, Whom I humbly confess.
And now by His promise, forever supernal,
He leads by His grace into life that’s eternal.
And as we pass through our sins final effect,
We’ll stand as one with Him, Whom He did perfect.
January 8, 2011
Chapter 5:18-21 (1/8/11)
The initial stanzas of this poem came somewhat easily upon reading portions of the Exposition of Romans by Martin Lloyd-Jones at the unwitting recommendation of Gregory N. Barkman through a message preached from the letter to the Galatians years ago and archived through sermonaudio.com found through the Beacon Baptist web sight.
With that said, I found it a challenge to continue as other writing projects took precedence. The meter is not consistent throughout, due partially to the fact that it was written over about a three month period of time, in three different sittings. The first sitting encompassed more of an instructional attitude, with the last being more personal and experiential. Knowledge can tend to puff us up even when the knowledge is true. Apart from the application of the truth of God by the Spirit of God our knowledge is vain. To experience the true grace of God unto the glory of God is worth all other heartaches, struggles, and losses we may encounter in this life.
Above all, it is not the pursuit of knowledge that saves us, but Christ ! Only Christ!
Let us cut to the chase of the actual facts;
Lay hold of the root and cut with the axe.
Condemnation came upon us by the offense of one man
And all we like him receive judgment for sin.
By one act of righteousness, is the Good News.
Justification and life came to all God did choose.
Disobedience made sinners, and that of one man.
By the obedience of One, made righteous, we stand.
Now the law entered to increase;
Expose the degradation
Which magnifies the grace of Christ
In His humiliation.
And thus by Him we’re given to know
With the Holy Spirit’s unction
The particular purpose the law was given
By Moses and its function.
Through it we see the depths
Of our own hearts depravity.
The very core of our own
Nature’s devastated gravity.
The more I know; the more I see
This wretchedness in me
Which defies Almighty God
And His great Majesty.
Once bound by the law, my heart shall rehearse
That all I found in it, was in me a curse;
But where sin had increased, Christ much more resounds
That all I have in Him by grace more abounds.
What a glorious sight, as sin reigned in death--
His grace now abides in me with every breath
I take for His glory, through His righteousness,
Christ Jesus my Lord, Whom I humbly confess.
And now by His promise, forever supernal,
He leads by His grace into life that’s eternal.
And as we pass through our sins final effect,
We’ll stand as one with Him, Whom He did perfect.
Monday, January 31, 2011
The Sweetest Sound from God the Son!
From it’s inception in 1973, Beacon Baptist Church has demonstrated a heart for missions. One of the long extended partnerships has been with Tim and Kathy Easley; International Intercession, in India. Though I have never met either of them in a personal, face-to-face way, here on earth; there remains a certainty of union in the bonds of Christ and the gospel of the glory of our blessed God with which we have been entrusted. Thus upon Kathleen’s departure to be with the Lord, Monday, January 24, 2011, the following was written in thankfulness for the grace that has been shown to us and the faithfulness of Christ displayed through a life time of service to His glory.
January 26, 2011
Dear Tim,
As a member of Beacon Baptist Church who moved to California in May, I continue to receive prayer requests. Although to my knowledge we have never met face to face here on earth, but as members of the body of Christ we are indeed blessed to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. What a wonderful Savior we have that knows the feeling of our infirmities and causes us to rejoice in Him always.
While in the body, Jesus felt
The pangs of death as there he knelt
And "Abba" Father there he cried,
"Thy will be done"; then crucified.
He is the rock on which we're built,
Who overcame our sin and guilt.
The gates of hell shall not prevail,
Not one in Him shall ever fail
To see our blessed Potentate,
Who for his glory doth create
One holy temple to His praise
To be with Him through endless days.
And so rejoice, though now in time
We feel the loss of one divine
Whose likeness, not one can replace
Now called home to see the face
Of Christ himself and hear, "Well Done",
The sweetest sound from God the Son,
And God the Father glorified
As death itself in Christ has died!
For those of us on earth a while,
Oh Father help us by Your smile
Of grace til with You then complete
With mercies crowns laid at the feet
Of Jesus with our praise perfected,
Whose countenance in all elected
Will give You all the glory there
As one with him, Your faithful Heir!
Michael & Dianna Wood,
Sacramento, California
January 26, 2011
Dear Tim,
As a member of Beacon Baptist Church who moved to California in May, I continue to receive prayer requests. Although to my knowledge we have never met face to face here on earth, but as members of the body of Christ we are indeed blessed to weep with those that weep and rejoice with those that rejoice. What a wonderful Savior we have that knows the feeling of our infirmities and causes us to rejoice in Him always.
While in the body, Jesus felt
The pangs of death as there he knelt
And "Abba" Father there he cried,
"Thy will be done"; then crucified.
He is the rock on which we're built,
Who overcame our sin and guilt.
The gates of hell shall not prevail,
Not one in Him shall ever fail
To see our blessed Potentate,
Who for his glory doth create
One holy temple to His praise
To be with Him through endless days.
And so rejoice, though now in time
We feel the loss of one divine
Whose likeness, not one can replace
Now called home to see the face
Of Christ himself and hear, "Well Done",
The sweetest sound from God the Son,
And God the Father glorified
As death itself in Christ has died!
For those of us on earth a while,
Oh Father help us by Your smile
Of grace til with You then complete
With mercies crowns laid at the feet
Of Jesus with our praise perfected,
Whose countenance in all elected
Will give You all the glory there
As one with him, Your faithful Heir!
Michael & Dianna Wood,
Sacramento, California
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Do You Know Whom You Greatly Offend?
Michael E. Wood
January 2, 2011
Upon reading a little book by Walter J. Chantry, describing the difference between the authentic gospel as opposed to a synthetic gospel, the following words came to mind, of which we might develop into a poetic gospel tract.
Oh, do you know Whom you greatly offend?
That tragic loss will be your sure end?
For salvation is not all about you,
Or what you think that you ought to do.
Yea, God Is Holy, and we are not!
And nothing you do shall remove the blot.
Though try you may, with all kinds of good,
The glory of God, you’ve not understood!
He Is Just, and by no means will clear,
The guilty soul that knows not His fear.
And though you hear of a wonderful plan,
You must fulfill God’s righteous demand.
He Is our God; a consuming fire,
And only those clothed in white attire
Will stand before Him on judgment day,
Made righteous, by Christ alone, Who did pay
For sins so infinite, all would be lost
Had He not alone paid the ultimate cost.
As all the law He did completely fulfill,
And nailed to the cross, by His Father’s will.
For love Christ came, and for love He died
As the only acceptable way satisfied,
That God could look upon such wretched men,
And be glorified by atonement for sin.
But what do you think, when it comes to this matter?
Do you need not repent, and yourself you do flatter?
Do you think your Creator will overlook all,
If you bow not before Him, and by mercy call,
On God Who see’s through to the sins of your heart
And apart from His grace, you will never depart?
The gift of true faith intermixed with repentance
Comes only by Christ, Who has paid the due sentence.
As He suffered God’s wrath, for His children who call,
Giving glory to God, Who Is LORD over all!
So it’s not by our power and not by our might,
But only God’s Spirit by which we’re made right
To stand with a conscience made pure to endure
In His presence til with Him in heaven made pure.
And Jesus will be our most beautiful sight,
As grace turns to glory, in Whom we delight!
January 2, 2011
Upon reading a little book by Walter J. Chantry, describing the difference between the authentic gospel as opposed to a synthetic gospel, the following words came to mind, of which we might develop into a poetic gospel tract.
Oh, do you know Whom you greatly offend?
That tragic loss will be your sure end?
For salvation is not all about you,
Or what you think that you ought to do.
Yea, God Is Holy, and we are not!
And nothing you do shall remove the blot.
Though try you may, with all kinds of good,
The glory of God, you’ve not understood!
He Is Just, and by no means will clear,
The guilty soul that knows not His fear.
And though you hear of a wonderful plan,
You must fulfill God’s righteous demand.
He Is our God; a consuming fire,
And only those clothed in white attire
Will stand before Him on judgment day,
Made righteous, by Christ alone, Who did pay
For sins so infinite, all would be lost
Had He not alone paid the ultimate cost.
As all the law He did completely fulfill,
And nailed to the cross, by His Father’s will.
For love Christ came, and for love He died
As the only acceptable way satisfied,
That God could look upon such wretched men,
And be glorified by atonement for sin.
But what do you think, when it comes to this matter?
Do you need not repent, and yourself you do flatter?
Do you think your Creator will overlook all,
If you bow not before Him, and by mercy call,
On God Who see’s through to the sins of your heart
And apart from His grace, you will never depart?
The gift of true faith intermixed with repentance
Comes only by Christ, Who has paid the due sentence.
As He suffered God’s wrath, for His children who call,
Giving glory to God, Who Is LORD over all!
So it’s not by our power and not by our might,
But only God’s Spirit by which we’re made right
To stand with a conscience made pure to endure
In His presence til with Him in heaven made pure.
And Jesus will be our most beautiful sight,
As grace turns to glory, in Whom we delight!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Christ Rule Our Symphony!
Michael E. Wood
December 29, 2010
“The best, most beautiful and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other, is by music. When I would form in my mind an idea society in the highest degree happy, I think of them as expressing their love, their joy, and the inward concord and harmony and spiritual beauty of their souls by sweetly singing to each other.”
From the Miscellanies of Jonathan Edwards # 188
“The kingdom of heaven excels in unity. All the inhabitants agree together in love. Love will be the perfume and music of heaven; as love to God will be intense, so to the saints. As perfect love casts out fear, so it casts out envy and discord. …there shall be no vilifying, or censoring one another, or raking into one another’s sores, but all shall be tied together with the heart strings of love. There Luther and Zwingli are agreed.” Thomas Watson, “The LORD’S PRAYER”
While pondering these thoughts by Jonathan Edwards, along with the writings of Thomas Watson concerning the kingdom of heaven, the following came to mind.
Not out of envy, and not out of strife,
But pleasure You’ve given us, here in this life,
That for Your glory with hearts made to sing,
You bind us together in every thing.
With great love to You, above all we put on
With thankful hearts, O God on the throne.
For You, our Father have given the songs
To teach of Christ Jesus, for Whom our heart longs.
In sweetest accord, perfect harmony,
Let the peace of Christ rule our symphony.
As a body of one, to which we were called,
As You by Your grace remove all that’s flawed.
So help us more heartily do every thing,
And give You the glory, through our offering.
To show forth Christ Jesus beyond all our measure,
Our Lord and our Savior, our One greatest Treasure.
A taste of heaven; Oh help us display,
With hearts made pure by Christ, til the day
When all of the earth shall tremble and see,
The King of all Glory in His Majesty.
Help us know more, our great privilege,
With hearts set ablaze, through mercy to pledge,
A greater degree of allegiance alone
To You our King, Jesus, Who sits on the throne.
December 29, 2010
“The best, most beautiful and most perfect way that we have of expressing a sweet concord of mind to each other, is by music. When I would form in my mind an idea society in the highest degree happy, I think of them as expressing their love, their joy, and the inward concord and harmony and spiritual beauty of their souls by sweetly singing to each other.”
From the Miscellanies of Jonathan Edwards # 188
“The kingdom of heaven excels in unity. All the inhabitants agree together in love. Love will be the perfume and music of heaven; as love to God will be intense, so to the saints. As perfect love casts out fear, so it casts out envy and discord. …there shall be no vilifying, or censoring one another, or raking into one another’s sores, but all shall be tied together with the heart strings of love. There Luther and Zwingli are agreed.” Thomas Watson, “The LORD’S PRAYER”
While pondering these thoughts by Jonathan Edwards, along with the writings of Thomas Watson concerning the kingdom of heaven, the following came to mind.
Not out of envy, and not out of strife,
But pleasure You’ve given us, here in this life,
That for Your glory with hearts made to sing,
You bind us together in every thing.
With great love to You, above all we put on
With thankful hearts, O God on the throne.
For You, our Father have given the songs
To teach of Christ Jesus, for Whom our heart longs.
In sweetest accord, perfect harmony,
Let the peace of Christ rule our symphony.
As a body of one, to which we were called,
As You by Your grace remove all that’s flawed.
So help us more heartily do every thing,
And give You the glory, through our offering.
To show forth Christ Jesus beyond all our measure,
Our Lord and our Savior, our One greatest Treasure.
A taste of heaven; Oh help us display,
With hearts made pure by Christ, til the day
When all of the earth shall tremble and see,
The King of all Glory in His Majesty.
Help us know more, our great privilege,
With hearts set ablaze, through mercy to pledge,
A greater degree of allegiance alone
To You our King, Jesus, Who sits on the throne.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
For Your Good Pleasure
Michael E. Wood
December 27, 2010
Philippians 2:13 "for it is God Who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
As we meditate upon the Word of God, dependant upon His Spirit to renew our minds, working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure, He continually gives to us an understanding of those things that are so freely given.
He is also desirous that we ask of Him, as the regular means by which we receive from Him, all things that pertain to life and godliness whereby we are enabled to serve Him in meekness and godly fear, entrusting into His care to bring forth the fruit which will not only be the evidence of the gift of faith we have received through the finished work of Christ but will also be the means through which He will bring forth great glory unto Himself as we are conformed throughout our lifetime here on earth to the image of Christ, as vessels of mercy through which He will declare the glory of His grace unto others, that they may know that He Is God, and God alone!
Oh Father help us for Your good pleasure,
To will and to work unto the measure
Of which You have so lavishly poured
Into us by Christ Jesus adored.
As lights in the world, O make us to shine
More bright, holding fast to the Word that is Thine,
Of life everlasting in the midst of this twisted
And crooked generation, by Your Spirit assisted.
Oh help us to run, not to labor in vain,
That all may rejoice in Your will that’s made plain.
So that You in the day of Christ will subdue
All things to the praise of Your glory that’s due
December 27, 2010
Philippians 2:13 "for it is God Who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."
As we meditate upon the Word of God, dependant upon His Spirit to renew our minds, working in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure, He continually gives to us an understanding of those things that are so freely given.
He is also desirous that we ask of Him, as the regular means by which we receive from Him, all things that pertain to life and godliness whereby we are enabled to serve Him in meekness and godly fear, entrusting into His care to bring forth the fruit which will not only be the evidence of the gift of faith we have received through the finished work of Christ but will also be the means through which He will bring forth great glory unto Himself as we are conformed throughout our lifetime here on earth to the image of Christ, as vessels of mercy through which He will declare the glory of His grace unto others, that they may know that He Is God, and God alone!
Oh Father help us for Your good pleasure,
To will and to work unto the measure
Of which You have so lavishly poured
Into us by Christ Jesus adored.
As lights in the world, O make us to shine
More bright, holding fast to the Word that is Thine,
Of life everlasting in the midst of this twisted
And crooked generation, by Your Spirit assisted.
Oh help us to run, not to labor in vain,
That all may rejoice in Your will that’s made plain.
So that You in the day of Christ will subdue
All things to the praise of Your glory that’s due
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Set Your Mind On Things Above
Michael E. Wood
January 18, 2011
In preparation for heaven, through the disappointments and distractions of this life which come from within and without, we are reminded in Colossians chapter 3 to set our minds on things above and not on the things of earth for we are dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God. As we seek to be pleasing to our Father who is Sovereign over all the affairs of time and creation we can rejoice with thankful hearts and rest in the assurance that He knows exactly what we have need of as it pertains to both the temporal things of this life and for our growth in Christ-likeness.
The following song was written over a period of six days in which numerous attempts were made to find temporal employment. Priorities having already been established, preferences were refined; and thus, we continue to be led forth with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.
Set your minds on things above
Where Christ with God now sits.
If you have been raised with Him
And for His praise befits
You with life now hid in Him
Though now on earth with tears
You cry out to Him alone
Who conquered all our fears.
Put to death the things of earth
No longer idols make.
For your old self was put off
By God for Jesus sake.
And the new is now put on,
By day to day renewed
In the knowledge of the One
By Whom we were pursued.
For His image we shall bear
As chosen ones of God.
Holy and beloved then
All virtues as you trod
Put on with compassion and
Humility of heart,
By the Spirit of the Son
Who did to you impart.
Bear with one another and
Forgive each other too,
As the LORD has by Himself
Also forgiven you.
And above all these put on
The love of God which binds
Everything together in
His harmony of minds.
Let the peace of Christ rule in
Your hearts to which He called
You into one body and be
Thankful as you’re awed
By His Word which dwells within
So richly taught to sing
To our Father and our God,
Lord Jesus Christ the King!
January 18, 2011
In preparation for heaven, through the disappointments and distractions of this life which come from within and without, we are reminded in Colossians chapter 3 to set our minds on things above and not on the things of earth for we are dead and our lives are hid with Christ in God. As we seek to be pleasing to our Father who is Sovereign over all the affairs of time and creation we can rejoice with thankful hearts and rest in the assurance that He knows exactly what we have need of as it pertains to both the temporal things of this life and for our growth in Christ-likeness.
The following song was written over a period of six days in which numerous attempts were made to find temporal employment. Priorities having already been established, preferences were refined; and thus, we continue to be led forth with the peace of Christ ruling in our hearts.
Set your minds on things above
Where Christ with God now sits.
If you have been raised with Him
And for His praise befits
You with life now hid in Him
Though now on earth with tears
You cry out to Him alone
Who conquered all our fears.
Put to death the things of earth
No longer idols make.
For your old self was put off
By God for Jesus sake.
And the new is now put on,
By day to day renewed
In the knowledge of the One
By Whom we were pursued.
For His image we shall bear
As chosen ones of God.
Holy and beloved then
All virtues as you trod
Put on with compassion and
Humility of heart,
By the Spirit of the Son
Who did to you impart.
Bear with one another and
Forgive each other too,
As the LORD has by Himself
Also forgiven you.
And above all these put on
The love of God which binds
Everything together in
His harmony of minds.
Let the peace of Christ rule in
Your hearts to which He called
You into one body and be
Thankful as you’re awed
By His Word which dwells within
So richly taught to sing
To our Father and our God,
Lord Jesus Christ the King!
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