The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
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Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Tuesday Jan 23, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 468 | New Thing Series — Part 23 | “Rahab’s Request” | 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 Rahab. Today we explore Rahab’s request.
““Now then, please swear to me by the LORD that you will show kindness to my family, because I have shown kindness to you. Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them—and that you will save us from death.”
“Our lives for your lives!” the men assured her. “If you don’t tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the LORD gives us the land.”
So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”” (Joshua 2:12-16 NIV11)
Rahab requests a new thing
No Gentiles have been ‘saved’ so far
She has no precedent for her request
She has no guarantee her request will be accepted or honoured
Her request is based on a ‘new’ God she has heard about but does not yet know
For Reflection
Rahab is bold in her request. She is shooting for the moon. The request is not only for her. It is for “my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them”. There is something inspiring about her faith. It is limited — shaky even — but bold. She cannot see the whole picture, and she has limited evidence that the outcome will be as she desires. Yet that does not stop her asking. We do not need full faith the make requests in prayer that God will hear, honour and answer. We need to ask with the faith we have.
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Monday Jan 22, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 467 | New Thing Series — Part 22 | “Rahab Knows” | 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 Rahab. Today we explore what Rahab knows.
“Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you. We have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:8-11 NIV11)
Rahab knows that God is at work
Many have heard of what God is doing (parting the Red Sea)
Many have experienced what God is doing (destruction of Sihon & Og)
Many are worried about what is going to happen (hearts melted in fear)
But only Rahab ‘knows’ what God is doing (“I know that…”)
Rahab ‘knows’ God is doing a new thing (“…the LORD has given you this land…”)
For Reflection
It is one thing to hear about God, but an entirely different thing to recognising the relevance for our own lives. Have you heard about God moving in someone else’s life, or in a different church? Could this be a faith-inspiration for you? What is the relevance of other people’s good news for you?
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Elijah, 1 Kings 19
Introduction““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.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)Elijah - insight from God doing new things
BackgroundElijah the miracle-worker (rare)God’s people in a bad way - Ahab/JezebelOn the run
1. Elijah’s Past
A. CourageTo confront: Scary situation“While Jezebel was killing off the LORD’S prophets,” (1 Kings 18:4 NIV11)“Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’S commands and have followed the Baals. Now summon the people from all over Israel to meet me on Mount Carmel. And bring the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”” (1 Kings 18:16-19 NIV11-)“Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. (1 Kings 18:38 NIV1)Confrontation on Carmel To obey — when looked humanly impossibleNo rain When alone - no churchWhat gives us the courage to act when ‘alone’?We are never ‘alone’ - Jesus is with us“remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”” (Matthew 28:20 NRSV)
B. ConfirmationGod with him People repent - revival -“The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!””(1 Kings 18:39 NIV11-GK)
2. Elijah’s Present
A. Fearful (Anxious)Jezebel’s threat““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.” Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.” (1 Kings 19:2-3 NIV11-GK)
B. ForgetfulWilderness and Cave - reference“I have had enough, LORD….Take my life…” (1 Ki 19:4)“I have been…the Israelites…I am the only one…” 1 King 19.10, 14
What can we do when paralysed by fear, regret, blame, shame, recrimination?Go back to God and his promises
C. Perfect placeFor God to do his work
3. Elijah’s FutureGod’s tenderness, patience, kindness - vv5-8God asking questions, listening, creating experiences of his power for Elijah, speaking to Elijah, directing him - vv9-15“Work with my people”
A. FocusWhen our eyes are on anything other than Jesus we damage our focusWhat shifts your focus from Jesus?We become more like whatever has our attentionFocus is how we engage with God
B. OpennessOpenness is the way we open the door to God transforming usFaith is staying open to GodTaking time to listenCreate marginWhat is God up to?In life, family, etc.Keep asking the questionOpenness is how God engages with usFocus on Jesus and all your fears melt away
Discipleship ‘A disciple is a person who has decided that the most important thing in her life is to learn how to do what Jesus said to do. . . . Disciples simply are people who are constantly revising their affairs to carry through on their decision to follow Jesus.’ DALLAS WILLARD
Conclusion“Embrace the stillness of January; find peace in the calm before the storm of the year unfolds.”Stay focussed on Jesus - no matter what happens this yearSay open to God doing something new in your life and in this 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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
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
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Sunday Jan 21, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 466 | New Thing Series — Part 21 | “Rahab - an overview ” | 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 Rahab. Today we conduct an overview of Rahab’s situation.
“Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.
The king of Jericho was told, “Look, some of the Israelites have come here tonight to spy out the land.” So the king of Jericho sent this message to Rahab: “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, because they have come to spy out the whole land.”
But the woman had taken the two men and hidden them. She said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they had come from. At dusk, when it was time to close the city gate, they left. I don’t know which way they went. Go after them quickly. You may catch up with them.” (But she had taken them up to the roof and hidden them under the stalks of flax she had laid out on the roof.) So the men set out in pursuit of the spies on the road that leads to the fords of the Jordan, and as soon as the pursuers had gone out, the gate was shut.” (Joshua 2:1-7 NIV11)
Rahab is a fascinating character
She does almost all the talking.
She is shown as, in some ways, out-smarting the spies and the King.
She is outside society yet has inside knowledge of God’s plans
She is on the edge of town (inside the city wall) and closer to the purposes of God.
She has an immoral trade going on under her roof, but is open to the moving of God in her life.
She has control over the spies’ lives and yet recognises that they have power over her destiny.
She saves the spies, but is saved by them.
She is in Jesus’s genealogy (Matthew 1:5)
She is an inspiration of faith (Hebrews 11:31)
She is considered righteous (James 2:25
For Reflection
What do you hope to learn from Rahab? What ‘new thing’ is God doing in her life? What parallels can you see between her and your own situation?
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 465 | New Thing Series — Part 20 | “Abraham’s sacrifice - 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 Abraham. Today we continue to explore Abraham’s sacrifice.
“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”” (Genesis 22:9-18 NIV11)
Abraham learns a lesson
God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. “God was never going to allow Abraham to kill his son. The command and following episode were not intended to culminate in a murder, but in a repudiation of human sacrifice. In dramatic fashion, God deafeningly proclaims "No!—I do not want this, I will not accept this, this is wrong!" To put it another way, "Abraham, I want you to sacrifice your son—not!" Douglas Jacoby
Abraham learns that human sacrifice is not permitted.
Abraham learns that holding nothing back from God leads to blessings
Abraham learns what it means to love God more than anything else in this world
For Reflection
Abraham is a great man of faith. “Abraham’s agonizing walk into the mountains was therefore the final stage of a long journey in which God was turning him from an average man into one of the greatest figures in history.” Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. God works the same way today. Our spiritual ‘greatness’ is developed through God continuing to call us into new things. We will never know our potential to be a blessing to others — “all nations on earth will be blessed” — if we resist God’s call on us to do new, painful things!
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 464 | New Thing Series — Part 19 | “Abraham’s sacrifice - Part 1” | 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 Abraham. Today and tomorrow we explore Abraham’s sacrifice.
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:1-8 NIV11)
Abraham trusts God to provide
Abraham is called to make the ultimate, and unreasonable, sacrifice.
God acknowledges how hard it is for Abraham, “your son, your only son, whom you love”
Abraham is swift to obey, and trusting regarding the outcome — “God himself will provide…”
Abraham understands the purpose of the command, “We will worship…”
For Reflection
Worship is sacrifice and sacrifice is worship. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1 NIV11). To do a new thing is to offer a new sacrifice. Is there a sacrifice necessary in order for God to do a new thing in your life or your group?
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 463 | New Thing Series — Part 18 | “Abraham’s circumcision” | 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 Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s circumcision.
God promises nations, kings and the land of Canaan to Abraham. But, most significantly, he offers him an everlasting covenant. The price? Circumcision.
“When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.” (Genesis 17:22-27 NIV11)
Abraham takes God at his word
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. Healing takes longer at that age.
He persuaded all the other people in his ‘household’ to be circumcised. That’s a lot of men. In Genesis 14:14 he had 318 trained men born in his household. How many did he have by the times we get to Genesis 17? Then add on all the non-trained men and boys. Whoever did the circumcising was busy that day!
God’s command to do the ‘new thing’ of circumcision was unpleasant, embarrassing, painful, time-consuming.
For Reflection
Circumcision was not necessarily a new concept to Abraham. “…circumcision was a widespread custom in the ancient world, [but] the richness of its theological meaning in the Pentateuch (and beyond) invested the Israelite practice with a significance that distinguished it entirely from contemporary rites in the ancient world.” IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. However, even though it was so costly, Abraham took God at his word. Why? Because he understood the significance of what was being promised and who was promising it. Are you in a place where God is calling you to a new thing that has a significant cost? Can you pray to find the confidence that God has your best interests at heart even if the cost is higher than you think you can stand?
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 462 | New Thing Series — Part 17 | “Abraham’s laughter” | 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 Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s laughter.
“God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?””
(Genesis 17:15-17 NIV11)
Why is he laughing? Was it a nervous laugh? Did he think God was joking? Was the laughter derisory? How did God feel about Abraham’s laughter? We will never know the details, but we can be inspired by two things:
God didn’t take it personally
Abraham was obedient despite his scepticism
The numbers do not matter
Abraham was 99 years old
The promises are, on the face of it, ridiculous - nations and kings will come from Abraham
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” (Romans 4:19 NIV11)
“And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12 NIV11)
For Reflection
Abraham struggled to accept God’s promise to of an unprecedented new thing — fathering a son at such an advanced age. Yet, he overcame his scepticism to trust God for something he could barely imagine, let alone see. Sometimes God does a new thing we can see coming. But sometimes he takes us on a bizarre adventure that, at the time, makes no sense. Is there something like that in your life right now? Something so odd, you cannot possibly see how God could bring good out of it? If so, you are in good company — Abraham’s.
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: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
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/
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Abraham’s New Thing relationship with God, Thames Valley churches of Christ, January 2024, Genesis 18‘A New Thing’ Series Class 2 — AbrahamIntroduction* When studying Abraham we often focus on the promises, the blessings and the sacrifice of Isaac* This class will focus on the newness within Abraham’s relationship with God* Genesis 18.16-33
1. God Trusts Abraham* He reveals himself* He accepts hospitality* He reveals his plans* He practices ‘vulnerability’* Leads to a ‘partnership’ with Abraham - a new thing * ‘he was no yes-man but a true partner.’ Tyndale* Jesus treats us as ‘friends’: John 15.15* Do you sense God trusts you?* What helps you believe Jesus sees you as his friend?* He made himself vulnerable to draw us to him -Philippians 2:5-8 NRSV* - ’Vulnerability begets vulnerability; courage is contagious.’ Daring Greatly, Brene Brown* * ‘Point of Grace’ song, ‘He believes in you’ — , * The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/fh_tdLFe67k?si=8TxCF76pHKe_fv1l * YouTube version of the song: https://youtu.be/ZA3jPIHnsIc?si=bjgbvRbybPm2orEW * Song lyrics below
2. Abraham Trust God* He trusts God will listen* He trusts he can reason with God - respectfully- Contrast with Job: Job 38:1-5 NIV11* Genesis 18:23-26 NIV11* This is not haggling, but exploring* Parallels with Jesus and the Greek woman Mark 7:26-30 NIV11
ConclusionWhat does Abraham learn?* God cares about people* God wants to include him in his plans* God listens to himWhat do we learn?* The importance of trusting that God wants to hear from us“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 NIV11)* “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8 NIV11)
* The value in taking issues to God in prayer and exploring them with him
Questions for reflection and discussion* What does it mean to you to talk to your Heavenly Father like a friend?* What barriers exist to prevent that, and what can you do about it?* What inspires your trust in God that he loves to be with you in your prayers?* What is your main take-away from reflecting on Abraham’s ‘new thing’ relationship with God, and how will you make it part of your relationship with God?
He Believes in YouSong by Point of GraceYou're not hearing the answers you've been praying forYou try and try, can't find an open doorYou're not seeing the miracles not a one in sightAnd the way you feel you sure need one tonight
Your faith is crumbling, your feet are stumblingIt's so hard to believe in HimBut He believes in you when you're at your weakestAnd hope's still burning through the night but you can't see itYou know in your heart He loves youBut in those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in you
Chin deep in the water you tried walking onAnd you reach for Him and you think He's goneHe's still there beside you with His stubborn loveNo, He never left and He won't give upHe will protect you until you're rescuedOh, there's nothing that He can't do
'Cause He believes in you when you're at your weakestAnd hope's still burning through the night but you can't see itYou know in your heart He loves youBut in those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in you
You know in your heart He loves youBut at those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in youHe believes in you, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in you
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: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
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.
God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 461 | New Thing Series — Part 16 | “Abraham’s Blessings” | 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 Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s blessings.
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”” (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV11)
The words ‘bless’ and ‘blessing’ come up repeatedly here. I doubt Abraham was in any doubt about God’s desire to bless him and others through him.
Abraham’s Blessings Carry a Cost
God promises him a nation, a name and an impact. But, doesn't he already have all of those?
He has a nation, he has a people and he has a household where his name is known.
Yet, God’s vision is bigger. How will Abraham discover that vision? By willingly incurring a cost.
He is called to leave. To leave his country, people and extended family. Was this easy?
While we do not know how he felt, it is hard to imagine it was easy. He was stepping away from the familiar and into the unknown.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
For Reflection
Abraham accepted God’s call to a new thing. It involved leaving the comfortable and familiar. Why was he able to do this? The writer to the Hebrews puts it all down to Abraham’s confidence in God. What is the state of your confidence in God? Has anything knocked it off balance? Perhaps it is worth remembering promises like this one:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV11)
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.
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"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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