Today, we look at verses seventeen and eighteen of the Psalm. 

“How weighty to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

I try to count them—they are more than the sand; I come to the end—I am still with you.”

Notes can be found here:

Try using these prayers as starters for your own:

 - "Lord, Your thoughts toward me are more than I can comprehend. I stand in awe of Your greatness and the depth of Your love for me. Thank You for always being with me, knowing me, and guiding me."

 - "Thank You, Lord, for Your constant presence and the assurance that You are always with me. I commit myself to walking with You today, trusting Your wisdom and knowing that I am never alone."

 

---

Conclusion

Next time, we will move on to verses nineteen to twenty-two.

I am planning a spiritual experience day based on Psalm 139 in the spring of 2025. If you'd be interested, please email me at [email protected].

Your brother, Malcolm

---

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Please send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.

Consider joining us at [AIM](https://aim.moodlecloud.com/) UK & Ireland for stimulating and faith-building teaching: https://aim.moodlecloud.com/.

---

Music used in this recording: "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.  [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Images from Stencil: https://getstencil.com/ 

If you are an inexperienced preacher or teacher of Scripture, what is your biggest need? What barriers do you need to overcome? What help would be useful so that you could be the best you can be? Also, if you listen to inexperienced speakers, what would be your top tip to them?

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/teaching-tip-393-your-voice-matters-tips-for-new-inexperienced-speakers-barriers-and-needs/ 

Send questions and comments here ➡️ [email protected]

Subscribe to my Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4909728.rss

Get a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Connect with me!

Instagram: (https://instagram.com/malcolmcoxteachingtips)

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/malcolmccox/)

Website: (https://www.malcolmcox.org)

Question - If you are an inexperienced preacher or teacher of Scripture, what is your biggest need?

I am a qualified solutions focused coach. You can book a session with me either via the email above, or at the website: https://malcolmcoxcoaching.com/

God bless, Malcolm

Psalm 139.15-16

“My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

Your eyes beheld my unformed substance. In your book were written all the days that were formed for me, when none of them as yet existed.”

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/you-are-a-wonder-psalm-139-series-part-15-malcolm-cox-quiet-time-coaching-episode-549/

Next time, we will continue our exploration of Psalm 139.

I am planning a spiritual experience day based on Psalm 139 in the spring of 2025. If you'd be interested, please drop me a line: [email protected].

Your brother, Malcolm

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The story of the birth of Jesus is well-known. How do we keep it fresh when we preach and teach about it? That's what this series is all about. Last week, we discussed engaging the imagination. This week, in our final recording on this topic, we discuss balancing tradition while at the same time being innovative.

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/teaching-tip-392-how-to-prepare-christmas-lessons-part-4-balance-tradition-and-innovation-malcolm-cox/

Send questions and comments here ➡️ [email protected]

Video version: https://youtu.be/RRpA1WSLUjY

Subscribe to my Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4909728.rss

Get a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Connect with me!

Instagram: (https://instagram.com/malcolmcoxteachingtips)

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/malcolmccox/)

Website: (https://www.malcolmcox.org)

Question - What is your best tip for helping speakers prepare inspiring lessons around the Christmas story? Please let me know.

I am a qualified solutions focused coach. You can book a session with me either via the email above, or at the website: https://malcolmcoxcoaching.com/

God bless, Malcolm

Today, we look at verse fourteen of the Psalm. 

“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”

Notes: https://www.malcolmcox.org/you-are-a-wonder-psalm-139-series-part-14-malcolm-cox-quiet-time-coaching-episode-548/

ext time, we will continue our exploration of Psalm 139.

I am planning a spiritual experience day based on Psalm 139 in the spring of 2025. If you'd be interested, please drop me a line: [email protected].

Your brother, Malcolm

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Could you send me your questions or suggestions? Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

The story of the birth of Jesus is well-known. How do we keep it fresh when we preach and teach about it? That's what this series is all about. Last week, we discussed finding fresh angles. This week we discuss using our imagination to make the familiar story come alive.

Let me offer you three ideas.

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/teaching-tip-391-how-to-prepare-christmas-lessons-part-3-engage-the-imagination-malcolm-cox/ 

Send questions and comments here ➡️ [email protected]

Subscribe to my Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4909728.rss.

Get a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Connect with me!

Instagram: (https://instagram.com/malcolmcoxteachingtips)

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/malcolmccox/)

Website: (https://www.malcolmcox.org)

Question - What is your best tip for helping speakers prepare inspiring lessons around the Christmas story? Please let me know.

I am a qualified solutions focused coach. You can book a session with me either via the email above, or at the website: https://malcolmcoxcoaching.com/

God bless, Malcolm

Today, we look at verse thirteen of the Psalm.

“For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139.13

---

We are entering the third section of the Psalm. Verses 13-18 declare that God made us; therefore, we are secure and in awe of him.

‘Formed’: “Among the many ways the word is used, one is in connection with God’s creation: His creation of heaven and earth (Genesis 14.19, Genesis 14.22), His creation of Israel (Deuteronomy 32.6), and, here.” POSB

God is not only everywhere and knows everything (and everyone), but he is also purposeful. He makes, forms, and weaves.

God creates our spiritual *and* physical parts. The God who creates galaxies is just as involved in the intricacies of individual life creation. We matter, and our bodies matter. Our 'inward parts' matter. What are the 'inward parts'? Literally, they are the kidneys. In contemporary thought, it was the seat of conscience.

“All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being” John 1.3

“And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1.31

All things are made through Christ. That means we were made with his full knowledge. We're talking unimaginable wisdom, power and creativity. But there is more.

The declaration from the Angel to Mary reminds us that Jesus Himself was "knit together" in Mary’s womb. This points to the mystery of the incarnation—Jesus, fully God, became fully human, experiencing the same divine care and design in His physical formation as we do.

Jesus made us, and he was made into us. If anyone knows us, it's him.

---

Do you feel truly known by God? Truly understood by Jesus? Truly inhabited by the Spirit? What will help you to develop a lived experience of the closeness of God?

---

1. Read the passage from Luke and meditate on it.

2. Imagine yourself as Mary receiving this news.

3. What is God saying to you through this extraordinary declaration?

---

Next time, we will move on to verse fourteen.

I am planning a spiritual experience day based on Psalm 139 in the spring of 2025. If you'd be interested, please email me at [email protected].

Your brother, Malcolm

---

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, or practical? Please send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [email protected].

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God Grows His People”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

Please pass the link on, subscribe, and leave a review.

Consider joining us at [AIM](https://aim.moodlecloud.com/) UK & Ireland for stimulating and faith-building teaching: https://aim.moodlecloud.com/.

---

Music used in this recording: "Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License.  [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Images from Stencil: https://getstencil.com/ 

The story of the birth of Jesus is well-known. How do we keep it fresh when we preach and teach about it? That's what this series is all about. Last week, we discussed our starting point. We begin by finding our personal conviction and inspiration through reflection on scripture and prayer. Once we have done that, we are ready to consider our approach to what we want to say.

Let me offer you three ideas.

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/teaching-tip-390-how-to-prepare-christmas-lessons-part-2-explore-fresh-angles-malcolm-cox/ 

Send questions and comments here ➡️ [email protected]

Subscribe to my Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4909728.rss

Get a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Connect with me!

Instagram: (https://instagram.com/malcolmcoxteachingtips)

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/malcolmccox/)

Website: (https://www.malcolmcox.org)

What is your best tip for helping speakers prepare inspiring lessons around the Christmas story? Please let me know.

I am a qualified solutions focused coach. You can book a session with me either via the email above, or at the website: https://malcolmcoxcoaching.com/

God bless, Malcolm

Today, we look at verses eleven and twelve of the Psalm.

“If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me, and the light around me become night,”

 even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.” (Psalm 139:11-12)

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/you-are-a-wonder-psalm-139-series-part-12-malcolm-cox-quiet-time-coaching-episode-546/

Next time, we will continue our exploration of Psalm 139.

I am planning a spiritual experience day based on Psalm 139 in the spring of 2025. If you'd be interested, please drop me a line: [email protected].

Your brother, Malcolm

How do we keep things fresh when we're discussing something for the hundredth time? It can be challenging to speak about the Christmas story while keeping your audience's attention. I hope these recordings will inspire you to think fresh thoughts that will benefit your lessons and your congregations.

Send questions and comments here ➡️ [email protected]

Notes here: https://www.malcolmcox.org/teaching-tip-389-how-to-prepare-christmas-lessons-part-1-start-with-yourself-malcolm-cox/ 

Subscribe to my Podcast: https://audioboom.com/channels/4909728.rss

Get a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 

Connect with me!

Instagram: (https://instagram.com/malcolmcoxteachingtips)

Facebook: (https://www.facebook.com/malcolmccox/)

Website: (https://www.malcolmcox.org)

What is your best tip for helping speakers prepare inspiring lessons around the Christmas story? Please let me know.

I am a qualified solutions focused coach. You can book a session with me either via the email above, or at the website: https://malcolmcoxcoaching.com/

God bless, Malcolm