Malcolm Cox

TJ and myself explored the way in which God did a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha.

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]](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, leave a review. 

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

God bless, Malcolm

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.'


For the next few days we are focussed on God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore how Elijah’s present circumstances prepared him for a new thing. 


We find Elijah on the run. Jezebel has threatened to kill him. The wilderness is his first stop, and a mountain cave his next temporary shelter. Not exactly the best Airbnb. He is hungry, thirsty, physically exhausted and emotionally drained. Nothing to be envied. Yet, he is in the perfect position for God to do a new thing. How is that?


God provides refreshment

The angel touches him (twice) - tenderness 

The angel waits while he sleeps - patience

The angel provides food and drink - kindness

In other words, Elijah did none of this for himself. He had run to the end of his strength, now he was in a position to receive the strength that mattered - God’s strength.


God provides perspective

God asks questions

God listens - to Elijah’s inaccurate ramblings

God manifests - experiences of his power (wind, earthquake, fire)

God speaks - in a whisper (directs)


Consider the Apostle Paul

“…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:11-13 NIV11)


How did he learn to be content in his present difficult situation? By going through many other previous difficult situations that prepared him for the challenges of his present scenario. 


For Reflection

Sometimes, before God can do a new thing in us, we need to allow God to work on us in our present circumstances. What would it mean for you to live within God’s strength? What is God doing that could help you find a healthy perspective on your present circumstances, and who God is?


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’ Series Class 1 — Elijah


Introduction

Theme Scripture: “Do not remember the former things, or consider the things of old. I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 NRSV)


Elijah was a man of God with a hugely impressive spiritual CV. For example, he prays and changes the weather, he miraculously supplies the widow with food and raises her son back to life, he confronted hundreds of sword-wielding false prophets and sees fire rain down from heaven as an answered prayer. Why would he need to do anything ‘new’? He’s seen it and done it all. 


Elijah is a case-study in how God prepares us for something new.


At the end of his false prophet slaughtering conference at Carmel he receives the equivalent of hate mail. “Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”” (1 Kings 19:2 NIV11)


His response? He ran for his life. Is this the end? The once-faithful prophet now turned tail? Not at all. God is not done with him yet.

Conclusion

Finding Elisha, anointing him, and engaging with him as an apprentice were all ‘new things’ for Elijah. Before he could do these ‘new things’ God had to restore his faith, and focus. Elijah responded by recovering his openness to God’s agenda.

Next week we will look at the new thing God called Abraham into. 


God bless, Malcolm

Introduction

Here is your 2-minute tip based on chapter 1 of the book, “Plain speaking: How to preach and teach effectively" by David Bercot. 

Three necessary things according to Bercot:

The anointing of the Holy Spirit. More on this next week, but what does it mean to you to rely on the Spirit in your speaking?

The desire to learn to preach. Note, desire is not the same as confidence. It is an inner motivation, not about presentation skill or experience. 

Some basic training on how to prepare an effective message. Note, it is important to avoid the extremes. God can use the untrained, but why would you want to ignore the resources available to you. Training is hugely valuable, but your confidence should be in God and his word, not your training. 

“What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.” (Matthew 10:27 NIV11)


Jesus would not command them to do that which he was not prepared to equip them for.


Conclusion

Do you believe God will equip you?

Do you a real desire to speak God to people?

Are you willing to be trained?


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


Next week: Don’t settle for mediocrity


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

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.'


For the next few days we are focussed on God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elijah’s past. 


Before God could do a new thing in Elijah, he had to reckon with his past. How does Elijah view his history?


“I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:10 NIV11)


Note the phrase - ‘I have been’. Elijah’s previous faith-exploits are the stuff of legend. He

predicted a drought that lasted three and a half years, he helped a widow whose oil didn't run out despite her poverty, he brought a widow's dead son back to life, he called down fire from heaven proving God's power. He has been courageous, faithful and obedient. 


Note also - ‘The Israelites have rejected…’. While this had been the case, it was not true any longer. “Then Elijah commanded them, “Seize the prophets of Baal. Don’t let anyone get away!” They seized them, and Elijah had them brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there.” (1 Kings 18:40 NIV11)


Finally note - ‘I am the only one…’. It turns out this was not true either: “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.””, 1 Kings 19:18.) He is lonely.


If Elijah is so zealous, why was he running for life after Jezebel’s threat, and why did he pray, “I have had enough, LORD….Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”” (1 Kings 19:4 NIV11)


For Reflection

Sometimes, before God can do a new thing in us, we need to reflect honestly and courageously on our past defeats. Bear this in mind - there is no faultless Biblical hero (other than Jesus). All have sinned, yet all can learn from sin and move on to a new thing. Could you take some time today to bring your faith failures to God and ask him to forgive, grant you a new perspective, and renew your faith for the future?


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! 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.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 22-28.

““Yet you have not called on me, Jacob, you have not wearied yourselves for me, Israel.
 You have not brought me sheep for burnt offerings, nor honoured me with your sacrifices. I have not burdened you with grain offerings nor wearied you with demands for incense.
 You have not bought any fragrant calamus for me, or lavished on me the fat of your sacrifices. But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offences.
 “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
 Review the past for me, let us argue the matter together; state the case for your innocence.
 Your first father sinned; those I sent to teach you rebelled against me.
 So I disgraced the dignitaries of your temple; I consigned Jacob to destruction and Israel to scorn.”
(Isaiah 43:22-28 NIV11)

- The failure of God’s people to live like the redeemed
- The charge
    - You have not prayed to, worshipped, or approached God as He prescribed
        - Not sought Him with a pure, righteous heart
        - Not sought to be cleansed by the blood of the sacrifice
    - You have not faithfully brought your special offerings to the Lord
    - You have burdened the Lord with your sins
- The appeal of the Lord: He alone blots out your transgressions
    - “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17 NIV11)
    - “He will not always accuse, nor will he harbour his anger forever;
    -  he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.
    -  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;
    -  as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:9-12 NIV11)
- The trial of hypocrites
    - God’s demand: Prove your case, your innocence
    - God’s charge: Your ancestors— even leaders— have always sinned
    - God’s judgment: The religious leaders will be disgraced & the people destroyed

For Reflection
- What keeps your gratitude refreshed?

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.

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. 

God bless, Malcolm

"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! 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.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 18-21.

““Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
 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.
 The wild animals honour me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen,
 the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.”
(Isaiah 43:18-21 NIV11)

- He will do great things, even a new thing: Will guide & provide for you as never before
    - “For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15 NIV11)
- His guidance: Will make a way to return to the promised land
    - “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV11)
- His provision: Water & all other necessities of life
    - The wild animals will drink & be glad
    - The returning exiles will have their thirst quenched
- His purpose: To stir you to proclaim His praise
    - “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV11)

For Reflection
- What inspires you to proclaim God’s praise?

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.

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. 

God bless, Malcolm

"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! 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.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 14-17.

“This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “For your sake I will send to Babylon and bring down as fugitives all the Babylonians, in the ships in which they took pride.
 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator, your King.”
 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters,
 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:”
(Isaiah 43:14-17 NIV11)

- He will defeat all the enemies who oppress you
- He guarantees deliverance: Because He is your Redeemer, the Holy One
- He guarantees the defeat of Babylon
    - The reason: He is the Lord, your Holy One, Creator, King
    - The surety of judgment: He will utterly destroy the enemy— just as surely as He destroyed the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Ex. 14:26–28

““The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,
 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.”” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV11)

For Reflection
- What has God delivered you from, and what further deliverance do you hope for? 

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.

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. 

God bless, Malcolm

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

Tabernacle Building Sunday

Exodus 40

Introduction
Why are we doing this - ““Set up the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, on the first day of the first month.” (Exodus 40:2) - first day of the Hebrew calendar month of Nisan. 
Nisan: First month of religious year; March-April; Passover falls in this period - celebration of exodus 

When was this done - “So the tabernacle was set up on the first day of the first month in the second year.” (Exodus 40:17) - 1 year after exodus; 9 months after arrival at Sinai

1. “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34)
God shows approval by being ‘present’ with them

2. “In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted.”
(Exodus 40:36-37)
God guides them on their faith journey
Final recorded act in Exodus - ready to move on with God to destination

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]](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, leave a review. 

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

God bless, Malcolm

Introduction

A new thing! 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.' I'm Malcolm Cox. Join me in January and February for a daily devotional podcast aimed at inspiring your personal times of quiet with God. 

In the first few podcast episodes we will set the scene by looking at the entirety of Isaiah chapter 43. Today it is verses 10-13.

““You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.
 I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no Saviour.
 I have revealed and saved and proclaimed— I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses,” declares the LORD, “that I am God.
 Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?””
(Isaiah 43:10-13 NIV11)

He has saved you 

He alone is God 

For Reflection

• How do you feel about being God’s witness? 

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.

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. 

God bless, Malcolm

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