Malcolm Cox

“How to begin a tough new journey with God”, Psalm 120

Psa. 120:0    A song of ascents.

Psa. 120:1    I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

2 Save me, LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

3 What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?

4 He will punish you with a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom bush.

5 Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6 Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.

7 I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war. 

A. With honesty

“my distress”

tsarah - first child; terror of approaching rapacious army

Specific about the need - slander

B. With faith

“He answers me” implies past answers

Reflect on past answered prayer and God coming through for you

answer may also be one another - 

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17 NIV11)

C. With relationship

From “the LORD”, to, “save me” - personal address

From propositional to personal

For wisdom

Satan is the liar

“If we are to know the abundant provision of God’s unlimited resources, we must also understand how Satan works to rob us of that experience. He does so by deceit. You may have heard the saying that the way to know if certain people are lying is if their lips are moving. This is absolutely true of Satan. Jesus referred to him as “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NRSV). Indeed, his whole kingdom is based on lies; he works by deceiving. Why? Because he does not have direct power over our will. Therefore, if he is to get us to do his bidding, he has to fool us. He cannot make us do anything we do not want to do. If it is true that a person can be the devil’s puppet, the strings are Satan’s lies.” Willard, Dallas. Life Without Lack (p. 75). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

Be careful what you believe from the media

Be careful what you believe form your own mind!

B. For strength

tongue - sharp arrows

lies - burning coals

Sin & death - empty grave; risen living Jesus

Meshek/Kedar - far north, far east - far from God

Wants to move closer to God

Homesick

Fed up of being around the pagans!

Times like this help us reassess our loyalty (Matt 5) to king Jesus

Opportunity to grow closer

But must move

Repentance!

B. Peace available 

Shalom

Peace, prosperity, well, health, completeness, safety.

In Christ

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27 NIV11)

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7 NIV11)

“….remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:12–18 NIV11)

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Meshech (far north), Gen 10:2, Ezk 39:1f.  Kedar (Syro-Arabian desert, to the East), Jer 2:10.

Chorus

O Lord You know

I have no friend like You

If heaven's not my home

O Lord what will I do

The angels beckon me

From heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home

In this world anymore

Verse 1

This world is not my home

I'm only passing through

My treasures are laid up

Somewhere beyond the blue

The angels beckon me

From heaven's open door

And I can't feel at home

In this world anymore

Verse 2

They're all expecting me

And that's one thing I know

'Cause I made it right with Jesus

So many years ago

The songs of sweetest praise

Are drifting back from heaven's door

And I can't feel at home

In this world anymore

CCLI Song # 857238

Michael Sykes | Tanya Sykes

© 1983 Universal Music - Brentwood Benson Publishing 

“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:14–19 NIV11)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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

The Psalmist is distressed by his enemies, and wants salvation/justice.  However he finds peace in leaving such actions in the hands of God, Prov 20:22, Rom 12:19.  

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

I share some quick and dirty tips on how to speak to a live online audience.  

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

“If we are to know the abundant provision of God’s unlimited resources, we must also understand how Satan works to rob us of that experience. He does so by deceit. You may have heard the saying that the way to know if certain people are lying is if their lips are moving. This is absolutely true of Satan. Jesus referred to him as “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44 NRSV). Indeed, his whole kingdom is based on lies; he works by deceiving. Why? Because he does not have direct power over our will. Therefore, if he is to get us to do his bidding, he has to fool us. He cannot make us do anything we do not want to do. If it is true that a person can be the devil’s puppet, the strings are Satan’s lies.” Willard, Dallas. Life Without Lack (p. 75). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) 

Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

The Psalm is very personal.  It is interesting that such a corporate activity as a group pilgrimage begins with a Psalm spoken as by an individual.  

Even in his darkness the Psalmist turns in the right direction and looks to the right person for help. 

tsarah - straits, distress. It indicates intense inner turmoil (Ps 25:17). It describes the anguish of a people besieged by an enemy. It is comparable to the pain of a woman bearing her first child (Jer 4:31). It refers to terror at the approach of a raping army (Jer 6:24). It defines the quality of time when Judah suffers her severest punishment for violating the covenant (Jer 30:7; cf. Ps 78:49). The land of a people that reject the Lord’s word is described as full of distress, darkness, and the gloom of anguish (Isa 8:22; cf. Is 30:6). Into such darkness Yahweh will bring the light of his salvation (Is 9:1–2).

A brother provides help in adversity (Prov 17:17). 

Give your distress to God, and look to provide help to others in their distress.

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

I’ve been dipping in and out of a book called “One heart, One voice” by Andrew Maries. Last time we explored worship in the Old Testament. This week we will focus on the New Testament.

One significant difference between the New and Old Testament is is the lack of musical references in general in the early church. We see many more complete songs in the Old Testament (the songs of Moses, Exodus 15, Deuteronomy 32; Hannah’s song 1 Samuel 2:2-20; David's laments; the whole of the Psalms; the Song of Songs; the song of Hezekiah, Isaiah 38:10-11; the Lamentations of Jeremiah).

Why might this be? It is unlikely to be a symptom of a lack of significance attributed to corporate worship in the new covenant. We will see evidence for this in a moment. It is likely to do with at least these two factors:

These differences had some disadvantages, but they also allow for greater creativity and, one would hope, focus on the heart of Jesus-worship rather than the form.

Having said that, we do have enough teaching and examples of corporate worship to learn something about how the early church viewed their corporate worship gatherings.

What might be some lessons for us today?  I suggest the following, and look forward to your thoughts:

Which of the above points speak to you?  Pray through them asking God to reveal to you which one might be most relevant in your context. Whatever the detail, God will help you to see what it is he would like you to learn from this brief survey of music in the New Testament.

Question for today: “What aspect of collective musical worship in the New Testament is most helpful for you in leading corporate worship today?"

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134). 

They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst. 

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11) Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy. 

Today - an introduction to the series.

“A long obedience in the same direction” Eugene Peterson. 

"Lord, minister to me by your Spirit. Come into my heart and mind, and release me from all inward tension and anxiety. Hold before my mind the truth that I have nothing to fear from Satan for you have defeated him; all I must do is fill my life and my mind with you. Remind me often, especially in the midst of difficulty, that you, who are in me, are greater than he who is in the world. Help me to carry this truth with me as I contemplate the awesome reality of the spiritual battle taking place, a battle that, perhaps in our time, is moving perceptively closer to its climax. Give me the vision of you who are: our Father who art in heaven, the Shepherd in whose presence there is no lack, so I may have the confidence and power to love and to live as Jesus lived. In his name, amen." ― from "Life Without Lack: Living in the Fullness of Psalm 23”, by Dallas Willard 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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

A Christian Response 

We are called to:

Prayer in place of anxiety (James 5:13-15; Philippians 4:6).

Empathy and compassion for those suffering (Matthew 9:36; Mark 5:34).

Action to comfort where we can (2 Corinthians 1:4; Matthew 14:14).

Making the most of every opportunity - sharing about the comfort Jesus can bring for those who don't yet know him (Acts 16:22-36).

What we don't know about the virus is not as important as what we do know about Jesus.

We know that the ultimate victory is his:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

We also know that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of Christ:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35 NIV)

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

We are called to:

What we don't know about the virus is not as important as what we do know about Jesus.

We know that the ultimate victory is his:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33 NIV11)

We also know that nothing in this world can separate us from the love of Christ:

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” (Romans 8:35 NIV11)

It is sobering to see what is going on around the world as a reaction to the virus.

Not only the deaths, illnesses and physical pain, but also the emotional anxiety and even panic.

Let's do our best to be people who are alert to the realities of the consequences of the virus, and connected with people in their pain. Yet, also, to be those people who have a genuine hope and do not live in fear.

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, practical? 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, leave a review.

“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)

God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox,