He Poured out His Life (New Song)

Michael E. Wood

January 24-25, 2014; February 10, 2015

Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.  Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.  Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.  Isaiah 53:10-12

With so many changes and challenges over the past year, writing poetry and songs have taken a back seat to other more pressing issues.  Having written several verses but never feeling quite comfortable with the results over a year ago, I was given some time to rehearse, to edit and to add anew verse resulting in the following.

He poured out His life that we might have entry.

The veil of His flesh was broken and torn.

He offered His blood which speaks as the sentry

And He is the door, through which we’re reborn:

Forgiven, restored to enter the presence

Of God as the Father, majestic, with awe!

In Christ we are welcomed, boldly approach Him

And praise the Almighty, who saves from the fall.

He is our peace, our shield, and defender,

Exhausting the wrath, which would have been due.

And none would approach, but grace overcoming

Our sin and our death brought His glory in view.

The eyes of our hearts were opened to see Him,

Who was and He is, and still is to come.

His glory and might revealed in ascending

Up back to the place of which He was from.

He is our wisdom and purifier.

The Father through Him did words to us give.

His promises great, have made us partake of

The nature divine, so through Him we live.

Oh, Father we praise You, rich in the mercies

By which You have loved and made us alive,

Together with Christ and raised to the places

Whereby we may You, alone glorify!

Your Spirit of grace and all supplications,

We ask of You, Father now to supply

Afresh to partake in boldness proclaiming

The blood of the cross through which we draw nigh.

Oh, help us to seek Your prize set before us,

Though weakened by flesh, Your glory pursue,

And trust in the strength that comes in beholding

Your beauty which stirs our affections for You.

And then on that day, when like Christ we will be

Admiring in awe, His glory as seen.

With ears hearing praise beyond that imagined

And hearts made to feel what we never had dreamed.

Forever with angel voices, we’ll praise You.

A new song we’ll sing, Father, Son, Holy Ghost,

Empowered by love that grows, never ending,

Enraptured with Christ, as the Head of the host!

Things Which Seem Distressing

Michael E. Wood

August 20, 2013

 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, Philippians 1:12

How often do many of us as followers of Christ in America lose our focus in the midst of what seemed at the time to be very distressing circumstances only to be rebuked in our spirit when we consider what others are called to endure?

When the apostle Paul was carried along by the Spirit to write to the church at Philippi, he was in prison awaiting trial. In the midst of not knowing with absolute certainty whether the ensuing days would bring about his demise, he used every opportunity for the advancement of the gospel.                             

 How are you doing out there?

He takes those things which seem distressing

To bring forth a richer blessing,

Turning all out for our good

Though far from us yet understood.

For though we may seem now deterred

By circumstance: His voice is heard,

Proclaiming freedom through our bonds

To hearts He opens and responds

Unto the faithful gospel call

That Jesus Christ is Lord of all!

Forgive me when my love does not

Excel and intercede

With prayers for other saints

Who suffer far and greater needs

Than I can now imagine with

My comforts and my pride

Which yet distract in moments

When I hear not what they cried.

Show mercy and love loyalty

To all you have in view.

For You alone are Judge of all

The hearts You have made new.

And give to them that measure

Of Your grace that You know best

Fits for each occasion

Of Your children seeking rest.

In Christ alone give comfort

And the strength to burdens bear

Exactly as You portioned

To display Your glory there

In the midst of trials

As You make Your presence known

To show them that You love them

And You own them as Your own.

I’m Thankful for My Wife

Michael E. Wood

November 26, 2014

“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.  Proverbs 31:29-31

Any true minister of the gospel desires above all else to see God glorified through the transformation of souls to the praise of His glory. We long to see Christ formed by the power of the Spirit in the hearts of those whom we have the privilege to preach to on a regular basis. Over the course of time we find that we rejoice when we see what appears to be fruit formed from the Vine and yet we grieve when we see what appears to be something less than good fruit.

In recent days Dianna and I have had the opportunity to rejoice in some situations while becoming very concerned about another. While praying and searching the scriptures as how to respond to this particular circumstance, Dianna was able to give insight into an area which had not come to my mind and thus provided wisdom with which to go forward in a manner we believe to be pleasing to the Lord. With all the things I have to be thankful for during this season of life the Lord has given me, I am so very thankful for my wife.

I’m thankful for the wisdom

God has given you, my wife,

Which helps to keep me humble

As we journey through this life,

Together for the cause of Christ

That we might make Him known,

With steadfast love and faithfulness

That He to us has shown.

Oh, help us love with patience,

Holy Father, God, and Friend

In such a way that Christ may be

Exalted to this end

That others come to know You

By the Spirit which You gave

To birth them into life as

Christ’s own blood for us was paid

To save us from our sin that

Your own glory may be known

Which raised us to behold

All of Your beauty as Your own. 

Gifts to His Eternal Praise

Michael E. Wood

November 3, 2014

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:5-8

While some may judge the contemplation of the incarnation of Christ to be observed only at certain seasons, methinks that those who think that way may not truly contemplate the incarnation at all but rather have a view likened unto, “What’s in it for me?” As we search the scriptures we find that our salvation is NOT primarily about us. Yes, God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Likewise, all that the Father gave to the Son shall come to Him, and He shall in nowise cast us out. Therefore, as believers and followers of Christ, we are gifts from the Father, to the Son, by the Spirit, to the praise of His glory.

This lowly babe though born a King

Did live His life; an offering.

The spotless Son of God and man

Was given by the Father’s plan

To show such love amidst the tide

Of human sin and fallen pride

And none could fathom on their own

But God the Spirit, He has shone

Into the hearts of those prepared

By grace to see the glory shared

Through death with Him; the crucified

And live with Him as justified

As sons and daughters He did raise,

As gifts to His eternal praise.

Holiness in Which to View

Michael E. Wood

October 10, 2014

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

“Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God’s judgment – hating what He hates – loving what He loves – and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.” (p. 64, Holiness, J.C. Ryle)

“… true holiness is a great reality. It is something in a man that can be seen, and known, and marked, and felt by all around him. It is light: if it exists, it will show itself. It is salt: if it exists, its savour will be perceived. It is precious ointment: if it exists, its presence can not be hid.” (p. 69, Holiness, J.C. Ryle)

“Habitual lively faith in Christ’s presence and readiness to help is the secret of the Christian soldier fighting successfully.

  It must never be forgotten that faith admits of degrees. All men do not believe alike, and even the same person has his ebbs and flows of faith, and believes more heartily at one time than another.” (p. 91, Holiness, J.C. Ryle)

I am often amazed at the provision of God in meeting us as His children right in the place of our need. Recently I had the privilege of attending one session of a men’s conference focusing on “godliness” at Grace Bible Church in Fair Oaks, California. I was given the choice of four books to take with me. If you have never read “Holiness” by J.C. Ryle, I would highly recommend it. You can find it here http://www.epbooks.org/index.php?app=gbu0&ns=prodshow&ref=9781783970162

Oh, help me now, as I pursue

The holiness in which to view

The face of Him who took my place

And died to save me by Your grace.

So freely now I come to You

Who raised me up to walk anew

And ask that You would make me know

Each step that You would have me go.

For as I think and contemplate

Of all You’ve spoken here of late,

It seems I have so far to go

To honor You by how I grow.

And though I know it makes You smile

When I just sit with You awhile

And listen to all You have said.

Oh, Christ, my living, worthy head

Help me show forth by righteous deeds

That others see that grace proceeds

To change us for Your glory now

By each degree until we bow

Before Your throne and give the praise

For all You’ve done through all our days

And see in perfect love, Your face,

Oh God of glory; God of grace.

Jesus Only, Be My Portion

Michael E. Wood

February 20, 2014

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant;
I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.  Psalm 73:23-26

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God.   Ezekiel 11:19-20

Thankfully God does not save us through the sacrifice of Christ and then leave us to our own devices. He has given to us a new heart by the work of His Spirit and leads us into all truth as revealed through the scriptures. A part of the truth that He teaches us is that though our objective position before Him is secure in Christ, the struggle with remaining sin is a reality we must take responsibility for. We are freely given all things that pertain to life and godliness both for our own personal sanctification and for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Not the heart that You have given

But the flesh that yet remains

Gives me fits and blinds my vision

To the truth that Jesus reigns.

Help me walk then circumspectly

With discernment knowing then

You uphold me by the power

Of Your loving own right hand.

Jesus only, be my portion

Who sustains with confidence

To draw near You, God our Father

And to rest in His defense.

For all judgment You committed

Unto Him, who is my peace

And gives guidance by the Spirit

That Your kingdom may increase.

So with joy we sing Your praises

As we sojourn in the way

Which is best and to You pleasing

Till with You at end of day.

Eye to Eye

Michael E. Wood

January 21, 2014

  For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.  Romans 2:28-29

As the great apostle Paul was carried along by the Spirit to pen these words, a number of principles were set forth. It is not enough to say a prayer, profess Christianity and live according to the dictates of scripture in an outward display for the praise of men: i.e., baptism, church membership, attendance, etc. There must be the work of the Spirit, translating us out of the kingdom of darkness and into the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy, He has saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, to the praise of His glory!

Because of the redemption that is found through the sacrifice of Christ alone we are made to be the children of God, and though it does not yet appear what we shall be, we know that when we see Him; that is Jesus, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. Thus we give up ourselves in total dependence upon God’s free grace to empower us to continue in the work of sanctification that we might hear from Him, “Well done, though good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!”

Oh to hear, “Well done” from You

That day you bring all things to view,

As by Your Spirit, made anew

We bow in awe and reverence to

The One through whom You did supply

The energy to thus rely

On all He is to draw us nigh,

Till then we see Him, eye to eye.