Oh Help Us to Measure

Michael E. Wood

October 19, 2011

… comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18, 19

To truly know the love of Christ we must know ourselves, and the more we know of ourselves the more we may know the immeasurable love of Christ.

“Know thy self, what a vile, horrible, abominable sinner thou art: For thou canst not know the love of Christ, before thou knowest the badness of thy nature. ‘O wretched man that I am’ (Rom. 7:24), must be, before a man can perceive the nature of the love of Christ. He that sees himself but little, will hardly know much of the love of Christ: he that sees himself nothing at all, will hardly ever see anything of the love of Christ. But he that sees most of what an abominable wretch he is, he is like to see most of what is the love of Christ.” John Bunyan*

Sometimes I’m amazed by that which remains

Of sin in it’s most wicked form,

But God tests our hearts to know every part

For which Christ came and was borne

By Him on the tree to know we must flee

Continually counting the cost;

For in Him alone, God’s glory is shown

To reconcile that which was lost.

With mercy so great, let’s not hesitate

To boldly approach to His throne,

For He is the first and He is the last,

And none of His own He’ll disown.

His covenant’s great by which we forsake

Our sins as He makes them so clear

In love to conform: for which we were born

By His blood and His Spirit so dear;

To His visage above, who answers in love

To all accusations now found,

As to His cross nailed, He justly prevailed,

That grace upon grace may abound.

For that which He finished

Shall not be diminished

By this world, or the flesh, or the devil.

His infinite story;

The light of His glory

Forever we shall in then revel.

Oh then in pleasure,

Oh help us to measure;

Though infinite and without end--

The breadth and the length,

And the depth and the height

That God in love through Christ did send.

For His infinite features

Beyond all His creatures;

Creation together combined

Cannot be proclaimed,

Though infinitely aimed,

Though in Him, who in us has shined.

*Excerpt from, “All Loves Excelling”, by John Bunyan

Puritan Paperbacks

My Sin Which Keeps Me Humble

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

“When the godly man beholds his fate in the glass of scripture, and sees the spots of infidelity and hypocrisy, this makes the plumes of pride fall; they are humbling spots. It is good use that may be even of our sins when they occasion low thoughts of ourselves. Better is that sin which humbles me, than that duty which makes me proud.”  Thomas Watson, “All Things For Good”


Help me focus on the glory
That is found in You
And my sin which keeps me humble
In Your presence too.
For I know that Christ accomplished
All by Your design
That the praises of Your glory
Would be wholly Thine.


By Your mercy, there’s forgiveness
And true faith is found
In the grace You freely give
Wherein we may abound,
For the purpose You created
That all men may know
You our Father are the God
In Christ through whom You show
Your majesty and excellence
To cause men to repent
By the power of Your Spirit
And to earth was sent
To comfort all You have appointed
Through expanse of time
Till in resurrection You will show
That we are Thine!

Written by The Great I Am!

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

Revelation 1:9 begins with the words, “I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus”. In these words we are given some of the characteristics that are common among all of those included among those who will be found to have conquered the devil by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.

There is a brotherhood and partnership among all of God’s children through the blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of our relationship with and in Jesus we are given strength as each day requires to patiently endure tribulation as subjects of His kingdom which shall be revealed in heaven.

This salvation that was sealed
With the blood of Christ the Lamb
Will in heaven be revealed,
Written by the Great I AM-
And His promise is not altered
By the things not understood
But will fully show the glory
Of our God in brotherhood-
As His patience in the kingdom
Will endure eternity
Showing forth the love of Jesus
For the Father from the tree.

Your Presence Ever Dwelling

Michael E. Wood
October 17, 2011

Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; tell of all His wondrous works! Glory in His Holy Name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually! Psalm 105:1-4

While being awakened a little after midnight on my 56th birthday, I found myself meditating on Psalm 105:1-4,  of which I trust to commit to memory and the following words came to mind.

In the stillness of the night
It is You for whom we fight,
But this honor none shall take
Save those alone You show the light
Of Your Presence ever dwelling
By the strength of Your Dear Son.
In His Name we’ll ever glory,
Jesus Christ all Glorious One!

Love Him with a Faithful Heart

Michael E. Wood
October 13, 2011

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world- the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions- is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. 1st John 2:15-17

The things of this world are not of necessity, things we can hold in our hands. Though the things we can hold in our hands is understood we must also include the things we hold in our hearts or our minds, which in and of themselves can become idols when held above the pursuit, the excellence, and the surpassing worth which is found in knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. Let us therefore count all things as rubbish, in order that we may gain Christ and be found in Him; not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. Philippians 3:8, 9 (emphasis mine)

Approbation, affirmation,
These are things we need not of
From the world, as they are fleeting
And will hinder works of love,
If we take the time to revel
And in them to take delight,
But their passing fancy fadeth
When exposed by God’s pure light.
And from them we are delivered
By the merit of God’s Son
Who our victory obtaineth
As the risen living One
Who forever intercedeth
Till in full we shall obtain,
He the prize for which we striveth
As His truth is not in vain.
For it is the means by which
He sanctifieth every part
That we may in full assurance
Love Him with a faithful heart.

His Work in Our Home

Michael E. Wood
October 11, 2011

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:10, 11

Of the gifts that God has given me the greatest of these is Himself by the power of His Spirit through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Second only to Him is the wife, He has been pleased to fitly give to me; my helpmate, my lover, and best friend, Dianna Lynne Wood. Her wisdom and understanding in some things which exceeds my own capacity causes me not only to delight in her, but much more in God who gave her to me, that as one, we might more accurately reflect the glory of His grace and proceed therein. Thus, in times that we may not have an equal or exact understanding in decisions to be made, it behooves me to listen and consider well her council before a final decision is made. God has promised by His Word that He will lead us forth in peace, and thus we look to Him as our loving Father to fulfill all He has planned unto His Most Excellent Glory! Amen!

My first obligation is to my Dear Lord
Who delivers me from sin and strife.
My second is to the woman He gave
In wisdom to be my dear wife.


Though we at times may not understand
All things that our God has in view,
As one we will look continually up
To Him as He makes all things new.


In peace He doth lead, as on Him we feed
And joyfully gives us the cup
Of His intercession, our One great possession;
His fullness of which we will sup.


Though now our service may not be apparent
And obvious for men to see,
We’ll cling to the cross of our Savior alone,
Whose blood cleansed and made us both free.


For He changes not and His work in our home
Doth guide us in love by the aim,
With pureness of heart and a conscience that’s good,
True faith will show forth all His fame!

All Things For Good

Michael E. Wood
October 10, 2011

And we know that for those that love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

One of the great promises of God of which His people cling to is found in this verse of Holy Scripture. We love Him because He first loved us and manifests His love to us by the power of the Holy Spirit through the merit of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As He continually works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure to purify unto Himself a people for the praise of His glorious grace, we as finite creatures find ourselves without perfect understanding concerning some of the particulars that He has designed for our good and for His glory.

“To know that nothing hurts the godly, is a matter of comfort; but to be assured that ALL things which fall out shall co-operate for their good, that their crosses shall be turned into blessings, that showers of affliction water the withering root of their grace and make it flourish more; this may fill their hearts with joy till they run over.” Thomas Watson, “All Things For Good”*

All things for good and not disillusion
Our God works together and brings to conclusion
For all He has called and with love that’s sincere
For Him as He is as He holds us so dear
That even our sins and afflictions will prove
That He is our Sovereign and Savior to move
In the midst of our struggles; through Christ He will raise
The infinite glory of His wondrous praise!


Our thanks and our praise will continue to grow
As the fire of His love ever draws us to know
More of His nature by utter dependence
On Him who alone is beyond all transcendence;
Of minds He has gifted beyond all our thought
To show us more clearly by Whom we were bought.


O teach us dear Father what we should then tell
That the praise of Your glory in Jesus may swell
Beyond mortal thoughts and imaginative minds
As the love of Your Spirit continually binds
Our hearts ever near You to leave in the dust
All things that offend and remain of our lust
For earthly attainments; Oh help us eschew,
And discern only that which brings glory to You.

*An extract from the preface of the Puritan Paperback, The Banner Of Truth Trust.