Malcolm Cox

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 499 | New Thing Series — Part 54 | “Peter’s Vulnerability - Part 3” | Malcolm Cox


Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'


We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s vulnerability. 


“…early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”” (Matthew 14:25-33 NRSV)


Peter’s Vulnerability

For Reflection

Peter displays great faith by getting out of the boat, and then displays great humanness by sinking. However, he still had enough faith to ask the right person for help.  He was humbled by the experience, but humble enough to ask for help.  Peter had enough faith to get a prayer through, even though his faith must have been shaken by the experience. Jesus believes Peter capable of greater faith than he did of himself. Peter’s actions inspire the rest of the people in the boat - they worship.  We do not need perfect faith to see Jesus work powerfully in our lives. And even an imperfect faith is enough to inspire people to worship God. 


Why not take some time today to ask God to reveal to you the level of faith he believes you're capable of?


Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 


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.


"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

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

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 498 | New Thing Series — Part 53 | “Peter’s Vulnerability - Part 2” | Malcolm Cox


Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'


We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s vulnerability. 


“Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.” (Matthew 16:13-20 NRSV)


Peter’s Vulnerability

For Reflection

Peter often functions as a spokesperson for the rest of the apostles. For example: 


“Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”” (Matthew 15:15 NIV11)

“Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”” (Matthew 19:27 NIV11)


There is something about verbalising our convictions which strengthens them. Jesus responds: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah!” (Matthew 16:17 NRSV). Why is he blessed? Because his heart is in line with God’s, and thereby God is able to reveal things to him that are hidden from most people. God is able to reveal things to Peter, and use him as one of his key agents because he is willing to be vulnerable.


Why not take some time today to ask God to speak your convictions out loud - whether to fellow believers, or to those who do not yet know God?


Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 


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.


"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 

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

Introduction

A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'


We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s vulnerability.


“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.” (Luke 5:3-7 NRSV)

For Reflection

When we talk about trust, we are really talking about faith. And in this context as we talk about faith, we are talking about vulnerability. Jesus is testing Peter's willingness to be vulnerable. Will he do something that makes no sense to him? Will he do something that makes no sense to any sensible person? Will he do something that will make him look foolish to his colleagues, his friends, his family and the crowd? What's really going on here? I suggest it's not about the concept of faith, but love. Consider this quote:


“True vulnerability is too tender to trust with any except those who love us most.” Prayer in the Night, Tish Warren


In asking Peter to do this act, it looks to me as if Jesus is asking him the question “Do you love me?" — the key question we see at the end of John’s Gospel which we will come to in a future podcast. What difference would it make if you saw living by faith as a call to live out your love for Jesus, especially when it causes you to become vulnerable? When we confess our sins, talk to people about Jesus, tell friends our deepest fears and feelings, or offer help to the needy out of obedience to Jesus, we are making ourselves vulnerable, expressing trust and love for Jesus.


Why not take some time today to ask God to strengthen your willingness to be vulnerably obedient to Jesus?

Conclusion

I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.


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.


"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License

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

Teaching Tip 350 | “Plain Speaking - Having a goal” | Malcolm Cox


Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on chapter 2 of the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 

Let me illustrate with a personal example. At the time of recording I am preparing a lesson on Abraham. It is part of the “A New Thing” series (Isaiah 43). The topic is “A New Thing”, the character used to illustrate God doing a new thing is Abraham, the goal is to help my listeners learn from the faith of Abraham as he embraced God doing a new thing in him with the hope that they will embrace whatever new thing God has in mind for them. The lesson content will be shaped by the theme, therefore I will be focussed on the instances of ‘new things’ in Abraham’s life, such as his departure from Harran (Genesis 12:5).


Conclusion

How do you feel about discerning a goal for your lesson?

What helps you to discover a goal for a lesson?


Has today’s tip been worth two minutes of your time? I hope so.


Next week: building your sermon 


Consider joining AIM UK&Ireland to develop your understanding of Scripture: https://aimukandireland.com/. Our next module is Spiritual Life.


Contact us here with enquiries: [email protected]  


The website can be found here: https://aimukandireland.com  


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? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here's the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[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](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). 


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


Remember to keep calm, and carry on teaching.


God bless, Malcolm

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 496 | New Thing Series — Part 51 | “Peter’s Inadequacy” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s inadequacy. 

“…they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signalled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:6-11 NRSV)

Peter’s Inadequacy
- Peter the career fisherman has been upstaged by a carpenter
- Experiencing the miracle reveals the limitations of his humanity
- What is Peter sees sends him to his knees
- Peter connects the presence of Jesus with his own sinfulness
- An awareness of his unrighteousness leads to a desire for alone-ness

For Reflection
Think of something you are really good at. Now imagine someone who knows nothing about your area of expertise telling you how to do it. How would you feel? Jesus was no fisherman, and Peter was an expert. Fish in that part of the world were not caught in the daytime or in deep water. Jesus asked Peter to do something ridiculous.

Why do you think Peter did what Jesus asked? Do you think it might have had something to do with him sitting in the boat as Jesus taught (v3)? The nets began to break, and then Peter’s heart reached breaking-point (v8). What might be the connection between these two incidents? Once Jesus has reassured Peter he gives him a calling that Peter immediately takes up. Why do you think Peter did so without hesitation?

Peter and his companions “left everything” to follow Jesus. So did you when you made the decision to be a disciple. Do you still remember what you gave up? Why not write down the things you left behind? And why? 

Why not take some time today to pray about what you've given up, including your own sense of inadequacy?

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

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.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 495 | New Thing Series — Part 50 | “Peter’s Reward” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of the Apostle Peter. Today we explore Peter’s reward. 

“He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we have worked all night long but have caught nothing. Yet if you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught so many fish that their nets were beginning to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink.” (Luke 5:3-7 NRSV)

Peter’s Reward
- Peter welcomes Jesus into his boat and hears him teach
- Peter is reluctant to take fishing lessons from a carpenter
- Peter is tired and frustrated
- Nonetheless, Peter senses something different about Jesus and does what he suggests even though it makes no sense.
- Peter experiences an extraordinary miracle. One which affected not only him, but his business partners.
- Peter’s encounter with Jesus is visceral and memorable.

For Reflection
Peter already knows something about Jesus. They met because of his brother Andrew (John 1:35-42). However, as far as we know, this is the first time he has come face-to-face with the miraculous attributes of Jesus. Tomorrow we will talk about more of its effect on him, but today we reflect on Peter’s reward. What is the reward in this situation? Is it the promise of a bumper payday? I suggest not. More likely we are seeing a vision of Peter’s purpose. As the Word Biblical Commentary puts it:

“The miraculous catch…acts out in prophetic symbolism Simon’s call to catch people.” 

Of course, Peter doesn't get all this yet, but he soon will. For many of us, the calling to make disciples of all nations is perceived as a task, or perhaps a duty. A good task and duty, but nonetheless something like that. However, what if we view it as a reward? Somebody said to me years ago that the great commission, as it is called, might be better framed as the great permission. In other words, it's not so much that we have to go and make disciples, as that we have the immense privilege of participating with God in the making of disciples. He invites us into his joyful work — that of saving as many as possible.

“Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.”” (Luke 5:10 NRSV)

Why not take some time today to pray and ask God to create in you a sense of the way in which sharing our faith with those who are lost is a privilege, a joy and a reward?

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

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.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 494 | New Thing Series — Part 49 | “Nehemiah’s Vision” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Nehemiah. Today we explore Nehemiah’s vision. 

“Remember the word that you commanded your servant Moses, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples; but if you return to me and keep my commandments and do them, though your outcasts are under the farthest skies, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place at which I have chosen to establish my name.’” (Nehemiah 1:8-9 NRSV)
“Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.”” (Nehemiah 2:17 NRSV)
“And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God; do not mourn or weep.” For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our LORD; and do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, “Be quiet, for this day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them.” (Nehemiah 8:9-12 NRSV)
“We will not neglect the house of our God.” (Nehemiah 10:39 NRSV)
“They offered great sacrifices that day and rejoiced, for God had made them rejoice with great joy; the women and children also rejoiced. The joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” (Nehemiah 12:43 NRSV)

Nehemiah’s Vision
- Nehemiah’s vision was founded on the promises of God
- Nehemiah’s vision was that God would be honoured through removing the disgrace of his people
- Nehemiah’s vision was that God's word be understood
- Nehemiah’s vision was that God's word, when understood, would lead to conviction followed by great joy.
- Nehemiah’s vision was for appropriate, devoted ongoing worship of God
- Nehemiah’s vision was that God's name would be honoured amongst people who did not know him

For Reflection
To quote again from Fabian’s notes on Nehemiah, “He understood that the rebuilding of the wall wasn’t the ultimate goal in itself, but a means to bring spiritual restoration to the people and protect it.

Nehemiah saw things that no one else saw. He saw with the eyes of God. One of the reasons we pray is to develop a ‘divine vision’.  A ‘divine vision’ is about learning to see with our hearts, not our physical eyes. But it is important to remember the vision is not simply a dream. It is faith enacted. As Dallas Willard writes: “faith has two main parts: one is vision and one is desire, or will.” Life without lack. What Nehemiah saw prompted him to pray and to act. 

What kind of version of God's glory might prompt you to act with courageous faith? Why not ask God today to give you a compelling vision of his glory in your life, your church group and your community, then requesting him to fill you with a Nehemiah-type faith to act boldly?

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

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.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

'A New Thing' Class -- Peter, Thames Valley churches of Christ, February 2024

Apostle of hope - there is always hope for a new 'new thing'

Introduction
* Peter's life is an inspiring example of how God does not lose hope in us, and we do not need to lose hope in God
* Whatever happens on our discipleship journey, God is always ready to grant us a new 'new thing'.

1. Peter's start
- ““Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish that they had taken; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people.” When they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him.” (Luke 5:8-11 NRSV)
- ““Who do people say that I am?” And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.”” (Mark 8:27-29 NRSV)

2. Peter's fall
- ““Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:59-62 NRSV) 

3. Peter's restoration
- “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”” (Mark 16:7 NRSV)
- “Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go.” (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, “Follow me.”” (John 21:18-19 NRSV)

4. Peter's mission
- “In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said,” (Acts 1:15 NRSV)
- “But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them,” (Acts 2:14 NRSV)
- “when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticised him, saying, “Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?” Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying,” (Acts 11:2-4 NRSV)
- “The apostles and the elders met together to consider this matter. After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them,” (Acts 15:6-7 NRSV)

What does the story of Peter teach us?
1. Imperfect disciples are accepted: “the other Jews joined him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.” (Galatians 2:13 NRSV)
2. Imperfect disciples grow: Only perfect disciples do not need to grow!
3. Imperfect disciples do 'new things'
4. Imperfect disciples are used by God
5. Imperfect disciples get to heaven

Conclusion
"Peter is preeminently the apostle of hope, as Paul is the apostle of faith and John of love." Weirsbe, Warren, Be Hopeful - commentary on 1 Peter
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed.
Through him you have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God.
It was in this way long ago that the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves by accepting the authority of their husbands.
but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you;” (1 Peter 1:3, 13, 21; 3:5, 15 NRSV)
* Hope does not disappoint (Rom 5.5)
* Our hope is in God and Christ, not ourselves"It is not the fact of life that determines hope, but the faith of life." Weirsbe, Warren, Be Hopeful - commentary on 1 Peter
* Therefore we have the courage to embrace new things sent from God
* We become people who 'stand up', ready to be counted"This confident hope gives us the encouragement and enablement we need for daily living. It does not put us in a rocking chair where we complacently await the return of Jesus Christ. Instead it puts us in the marketplace, on the battlefield, where we keep on going when the burdens are heavy and the battles are hard. Hope is not a sedative; it is a shot of adrenaline, a blood transfusion. Like an anchor, our hope in Christ stabilises us in the storms of life (Heb 6.18-19), but unlike an anchor, our hope moves us forward, it does not hold us back." Weirsbe, Warren, Be Hopeful - commentary on 1 Peter


Questions
* What stands out to you from Peter's story?
* How would you assess the quality of your hope at the moment?
* How would you assess the quality of hope within your local group at the moment?
* What would help you to develop a stronger hope?
* How would a stronger hope help you to embrace the 'new thing' that God is revealing to you and your church?

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

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 493 | New Thing Series — Part 48 | “Nehemiah’s Focus” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Nehemiah. Today we explore Nehemiah’s focus. 

“Now when it was reported to…our enemies that I had built the wall and that there was no gap left in it…Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come and let us meet together in one of the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they intended to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it to come down to you?” They sent to me four times in this way, and I answered them in the same manner. 
In the same way Sanballat for the fifth time sent his servant to me with an open letter in his hand. In it was written, “It is reported among the nations—and Geshem also says it—that you and the Jews intend to rebel; that is why you are building the wall; and according to this report you wish to become their king. You have also set up prophets to proclaim in Jerusalem concerning you, ‘There is a king in Judah!’ And now it will be reported to the king according to these words. So come, therefore, and let us confer together.” Then I sent to him, saying, “No such things as you say have been done; you are inventing them out of your own mind” —for they all wanted to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will drop from the work, and it will not be done.” But now, O God, strengthen my hands.
One day when I went into the house of Shemaiah son of Delaiah son of Mehetabel…he said, “Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us close the doors of the temple, for they are coming to kill you; indeed, tonight they are coming to kill you.” But I said, “Should a man like me run away? Would a man like me go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in!” Then I perceived and saw that God had not sent him at all, but he had pronounced the prophecy against me because Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him. He was hired for this purpose, to intimidate me and make me sin by acting in this way, and so they could give me a bad name, in order to taunt me. Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also the prophetess Noadiah and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid. So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty-two days. And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem; for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God. (Selections from Nehemiah 6:1-19 NRSV)

To quote from Fabian’s notes on Nehemiah, “He stayed focused on the goal during times of opposition and distractions, while adapting his approach to the environment and circumstances.”

Nehemiah’s Focus
- Nehemiah encountered opposition who aimed to distract him from the work God had given him
- Their attempts were persistent
- They attempted to sow fear in his heart about what other people might be thinking about him
- They made up stories about him
- He prayed to be strong
- He refused to be distracted or to weaken in his purpose

For Reflection
“Jesus was constantly criticised by others, but he never criticised in return. He didn’t get angry or discouraged because of what the Pharisees, scribes, or nonbelievers said about him. Jesus did what we’re taught as children to do—treat others the way you want to be treated. Negative criticism is a distraction from God’s purpose for your life.” Lucado, Max; Gets Us, He. He Gets Us: Experiencing the confounding love, forgiveness, and relevance of Jesus (p. 90). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

Discussing the challenge of distractions, J. Tyrone Marcus writes, “It could be a desire for excess rest, relaxation, and leisure. It could be saying yes to good things when you should have been saying no in order to invest in the best things. It could be the emotional hills and valleys that inevitably present themselves as life progresses. It may even be the occasional allure of returning to the company of people from your past, because you miss the “fun,” dangerous as it was to your well-being. The issue, though, is not the distractions. It’s our response to them.” Marcus, J. Tyrone. Unbeatable: Seven Pillars of Personal Excellence (p. 45). N/A. Kindle Edition. 

Why not ask God today to make you aware of distractions drawing you away from your best efforts to honour God and build his kingdom?

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

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.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Quiet Time Coaching Episode 492 | New Thing Series — Part 47 | “Nehemiah’s Arrow” | Malcolm Cox

Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'

We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Nehemiah. Today we explore Nehemiah’s ‘arrow prayer’. 

“…the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, since you are not sick? This can only be sadness of the heart.” Then I was very much afraid. I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not be sad, when the city, the place of my ancestors’ graves, lies waste, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” Then the king said to me, “What do you request?” So I prayed to the God of heaven. Then I said to the king…” (Nehemiah 2:2-5 NRSV)

Nehemiah has been praying for months. Now the moment has arrived. The king asks him what he wants, and Nehemiah takes a moment to pray — presumably in his head. Then he speaks with great discernment, wisdom and courage. This brief in-his-head prayer is sometimes called an ‘arrow prayer’. 

Nehemiah’s Arrow
- He waits for the right time to make his request to the King
- He is consistent in prayer between the time when he heard the bad news and when he has an opportunity to do something about it. The time between his first prayer and this prayer is about four months.
- When given the opportunity to speak, he first pauses to pray. It is his habit to pray.
- He trusts in the power of prayer even if it is only a few seconds long
- His prayers have put him in a position of readiness to seize the opportunity when it comes to act boldly — almost without forethought.

For Reflection
Much of our impact for God and his kingdom depends on courage. Think of the bravery of the early disciples who were routinely scattered, attacked and imprisoned. Consider the courage of the people who reached out to you, those who planted the church in which you now worship, and those who serve at great cost to their comfort. And then, of course, contemplate our Lord Jesus whose courage led him to empty himself, take on our flesh, suffer with us and die for us. How do we find the courage we need? We find it in the presence of Jesus who we can approach with confidence because we know that he wants us in his company, and to hear our prayers.

“In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” (Ephesians 3:12 NIV11)

Why not determined to approach God confidently in prayer and ask him to supply you with the awareness to offer arrow prayers at appropriate moments in your day?

Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless. 

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.

"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License 
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/