Podcast appearances and mentions of paul phil

Epistle of Paul to Philemon in French

9 How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. 10 With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! 11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You! 12 Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes! 13 With my lips I have declared All the judgments of Your mouth. 14 I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, As much as in all riches. 15 I will meditate on Your precepts, And contemplate Your ways. 16 I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word. Psalm 119:9-16 is the second stanza in this longest chapter in the Bible. In the Hebrew Bible every line or verse in it begins with the second letter in the Hebrew alphabet as an aid to memorizing it. This anonymous psalmist was determined with his whole heart to be holy and fulfill the commandment in the law that he must have read repeatedly in Leviticus 11:44, 45; 19:2; 20:7, 26; 21:8. “You shall therefore be holy, for I Am holy”. The writer closed the first section determined to keep the law of the Lord (v. 8), a promise he repeated in verse 145. He began this section like a true Jewish teacher by asking a question of the young men he was instructing: "How can we fulfill this promise?" He also promised to meditate on the Word (vv. 15, 48, 78), to delight in the Word and not forget it (vv. 16, 47, 93), and to run in the way of the Lord (v. 32). But he knew that it is easier to make promises than to keep them, a lesson Paul learned when he tried in his own strength to obey God's law (Rom. 7:14-25). Paul learned, as we must also learn, that the indwelling Holy Spirit enables the child of God to fulfill God's righteousness in daily life (Rom. 8:1-11). We must live according to God's Word, which means cultivating a heart for God. Paul called this "seeking the things that are above" (Col. 3:1). We need a heart that seeks God, for if our heart is seeking God, our feet will not stray from God (v. 10; Prov. 4:23). Such a heart will see Him in all of life, learn more about Him, fellowship with Him, and glorify Him in all that is said and done. Again, the Holy Spirit enables us to do this as we yield to Him. But we must also spend time in the Word and treasure it in our hearts (v. 11; Job 23:12; Prov. 2:1; 7:1). It is not our promises to the Lord but His promises to us that will give us victory over sin. We also need a thankful heart and a teachable spirit that will enable us to learn from the Lord (vv. 12, 108, 171). A. W. Tozer used to warn against being "man taught" instead of "God taught" (v. 102). The Lord has given teachers to His church, and we should heed them. But unless the truth we hear moves from the head (and the notebook) into the heart, written there by the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:1-3), and then to the will, we have not really learned the Word or been blessed by it. The blessing comes, not in hearing the Word but in doing it (James 1:22-25). We should also speak with others about the Word (v. 13) and seek to enrich them with spiritual treasures. The heart is a treasury from which we draw spiritual wealth to encourage and help ourselves and others (Matt. 12:35; 13:51-52). The Scriptures as riches is a repeated theme in 119 (vv. 14, 72, 127, 162; see 19:10). To treasure any possession above the Word of God is idolatry and leads to trouble. Consider Lot (Gen. 13, 18-19), Achan (Josh. 6-7), King Saul (1 Sam. 15), and Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5). On the positive side, consider Abraham (Gen. 14:18-24), Moses (Heb. 11:24-27), Mary of Bethany (Mark 14:3-9), and Paul (Phil. 3:1-11). Whatever delights us will capture our attention and we will think about it and meditate on it. This is true of God's Word. In this psalm, delighting in the Word, loving the Word, and meditating on the Word are found together (vv. 15-16, 23-24, 47-48, 77-78, 97-99), and they should be found together in our hearts and lives. We must take time to be holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16) God bless!

Gospel partners pray because they care about the progress of others

Here's a thought experiment: if you had come to the Lord through the preaching of the Apostle Paul, and later learned that he was praying for you, what would you hope that he was praying? In other words, what is your greatest concern? What do you hope others are asking the Lord for on your behalf? One more question: looking back over the things you've prayed for in the last week, what were at the top of your prayer lists? In today's study, we will see what topped Paul's prayer list for the Philippians. Compare his list with yours.

Are we willing to see Jesus for who he is? Matthew 20 is about blind people and people who see, but they are not who you expect. From the beginning of Chapter 20 no one understands Jesus. People don't see Jesus for who he is. The parable about God's kingdom is misunderstood. The prediction about the death of the messiah goes in one ear and out the other. The request from James and John misplaced. Luke 18:34 tells us "the disciples understood none of these things..." In other words: they were blind What then is so special about Bartimaeus?  He is blind man who hears that Jesus was on His way and he could see Jesus for who He was even before his sight was restored  Mark 10:46–52 (Luke 18:35-43 Matthew 20) What is it then that allows Bartimaeus to see Jesus when everyone else was blind?  Even when he doesn't look like we want? When life is not what we would expect?  -Beggar - outcast from society, living on the fringes, not welcome in -Blind - thought to be under a curse.  John. 9:2-3 (this statement is loaded with theological weight, but tuck it away for now).  -Unnamed - Mark and Luke tell us one of the blind men is Bartimaeus (Matthew does not) either his parents or society did not see fit to name this person. His name is “Son of Timaeus”  Bartimaeus is desperate and he see's Jesus for who He is (even though he is blind)   Job 42:1-5 1 John 3:2 seeing Jesus is transformational  there is a reason the invitation to become a disciple is “come and see” John 1:39, 45 Paul: Phil 3:10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory If you hear this message, if you can see what Jesus is up to then you will be unique in this world, where everyone is seeking happiness but no one finds it apart from Jesus  Matthew 5:3 Back to Bartimaeus  What was it that allows him to see Jesus? He was a desperate person, he was desperate to see Jesus Not as a philosopher, a holy man, a religious figure, but at the Messiah of God the deliverer  What is it that you want? I want to see 

What does it mean to “conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27)? The expression is striking. It is also adverbial—that is, it describes the manner of our conduct, not us. Paul does not say that we ourselves are worthy of the Gospel, for that would be a contradiction in terms: the Gospel, by definition, is good news to people who are not worthy of it. But once we have received the Gospel, however unworthy we may be, we are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of it.The way Christians are to do this (Philippians 1:27–30) is by standing firm together (“in one spirit,” Phil. 1:27), “contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose [them]” (Phil. 1:27–28). People who have benefited from the Gospel are certainly not conducting themselves in a way worthy of the Gospel if they are ashamed of it (Rom. 1:16). Of course, in a time when the surrounding culture ridicules Christians or even persecutes them, it takes courage to stand together in bold and transparent witness to the power of the Gospel. But there, too, another element of what it means to conduct oneself in a manner worthy of the Gospel comes into play. “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him” (Phil. 1:29).What a remarkable notion! Paul does not say that these Christians have been called to suffer as well as to believe, but that it has been granted to them to suffer as well as to believe—as if both suffering for Christ and believing in Christ were blessed privileges that have been graciously granted. That, of course, is precisely what he means. We often think of faith as a gracious gift of God (Eph. 2:8–9), but suffering?Yet that is what Paul says. On reflection, it is easy to see why. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is that in God’s good purposes Jesus suffered on our behalf, bearing our guilt and shame and atoning for our sin. Surely it should be no surprise, then, that conduct that is worthy of such a Gospel includes suffering for Jesus. In fact, that theme is part of what makes this paragraph transitional. For on the one hand, it looks back to the example of the apostle Paul (Phil. 1:12–26). He ends the paragraph by referring to his own “struggle” (Phil. 1:30), of which his Philippian readers have just read—a “struggle” so severe he was not certain he would survive. And on the other hand, the chapter ahead is one of the most powerful New Testament descriptions of Jesus’ humiliation and death. We are to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of that kind of good news. This podcast is designed to be used alongside TGC's Read The Bible initiative (TGC.org/readthebible). The podcast features devotional commentaries from D.A. Carson’s book For the Love of God (vol. 2) that follow the M’Cheyne Bible reading plan.

"A Model of Humble Obedience for the Church: The Apostle Paul"-Phil 2:17-18/"Un Modelo de Humilde Obediencia para la Iglesia: El Apostol Pablo"-Fil2:17-18Rev. Pablo Martinez

Life in this fallen world is filled with discouragement. In this passage, Paul seeks to encourage us by reminding us…

"Psalms of Ascent Series", Quiet Time Coaching: Episode 173, Psalm 126v5  You have found a daily podcast based on the Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134).  They are designed to help our hearts and minds being a healthy place while the Covid 19 virus does its worst.  “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1–4 NIV11)  Each day we will meditate on a verse or two from these wonderful Psalms as we make our pilgrimage from confusion to hope, pain to peace, anxiety to joy.  But we do not stay in sorrow, we are a people of joy too - like Jesus (Heb 12.2), and Paul (Phil 4.4-5) - written when he was in prison.   Joy does not come from feeling good about yourself, but from feeling good about God.  Stop trying to make yourself feel good about yourself. Instead allow God to tell you how good he feels about you!  That will change your day!  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 PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

“Kingdom Come” Sermon on the Mount Series  Class 12: Matthew 6.25-34 QUESTION: What impact is the series having on your faith so far? ‘Therefore’  Because material treasures unsatisfactory and temporary (Matthew 6:19-21)  Because focus on wrong things (Matthew 6:22)  Because must choose master (Matthew 6:24) Because kingdom loyalty must be total (Matthew 6:19-24)  1. Worry QUESTION: When is worry helpful? QUESTION: When is worry unhelpful? Merimna, ‘over-concerned’ Paul: Phil 2.27-28. The worriers: Philippians 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6. The lazy: 1 Thessalonians 5:14; 2 Thessalonians 3:11.  The burdened: Gal 6.2 QUESTION: How can we recognise when we are worrying in a way that breaks this command? 2. Solutions to worry More, v25 - Jn 10.10, the ‘good life’ - the ‘more’ life needs air to breath. What we ‘look at’  Birds and Flowers  “orni-theology”  500 million Survival katamanthano  Splendour: Solomon - 1 Kings 10:5; 1 Kgs 4:32–33 How much happier we would be if we could give up trying to achieve something we cannot achieve by a method that will not produce what we hope for.  What we think of the Father He knows and cares. Matt 6.6-8 Trusting God for daily needs cf. Phil 4:6–7; Heb 13:5; 1 Pet 5:7. Conclusion: Seek first the kingdom ‘But’: decisive action needed  The antidote to anxiety is not so much not being anxious as pursuing the right things - the kingdom and God’s righteousness. seek: present imperative - ongoing  Not so much bringing the kingdom into being in an eschatological manner, but living under God’s rule, revealing the kingdom. “make it your priority to find” kingdom:  Seek God’s kingship - "resolving to live under God’s direction and control” righteousness  Emphasis: Matt 5:6, 10, 20,  Discipleship “God’s righteousness is not a focus that brings condemnation, but rather a reminder that it is his righteousness that sees us to heaven and not our own.”  given to you  Solomon. Asked for wisdom and got everything else thrown in.  Trust the nature of the one making the promise. tomorrow: v33 about today, v34 about the future.  A very pragmatic observation. We cannot predict tomorrow.  Today’s bread - Matt 6.11. QUESTION: What does this look like today? What is the right response to worry? QUESTION for prayer and reflection: How will this passage affect the way you live this week? “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” (Matthew 6:34 MESSAGE) 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 PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, coaching, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6 NIV11) What does it mean that hungry people will be filled? And how is this connected to the kingdom of heaven? In this series we are immersing ourselves in the beatitudes - Matthew 5:5:3-12.  We're trying to figure out what each beatitude means for us practically and how that affects our relationship with God, and in particular, our times of quiet with God. The reason this is on my mind is because I am preparing a teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley churches of Christ (http://www.tvcoc.org/) , and a teaching day for the Watford Church of Christ (http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org/) based on the sermon on the mount. Join me today as I examine what it means to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness. This beatitude aims at the heart of the Sermon on the Mount. Righteousness (and the kingdom, which is what the SOM is about) is the priority: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33 NIV11)  We’re on to something big here. Let’s dive in deeper. Hungry and thirsty What does it mean to hunger and thirst, biblically? Do we seek experience and personal fulfilment or righteousness?  The former are not wrong, but righteousness is more fundamental and foundational.  If we do not desire this more than anything then pursuing the former will lead to shallowness and an addiction to ever-increasing emotional highs.  We will not achieve happiness by pursuing it. If we are in pain we want to relieve it – fine.  But a doctor will have a deeper duty to discover the cause of the pain.  If he only treats the pain he may miss something far more important and deadly.  Similarly we have a hunger and thirst provided by God – if we meet that hunger in the wrong way we run the risk of spiritual death. “According to the Scriptures happiness is never something that should be sought directly; it is always something that results from seeking something else.” Food and drink are essential to life – so is righteousness for a Christian.  There is a painful hunger that only righteousness can satisfy.  It should be consistent. Psalm 42 sums this up.  “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1–2 NIV11)  Righteousness If more and more people pursued righteousness the world would be a much better place. Why? Because a community expressing a pattern of life lived in conformity to God's will cannot help but influence this world for the better.  Let’s have a deeper look at the issue of righteousness. Three aspects to ‘righteousness’ dominate the Bible: i) Legal – i.e. right relationship with God – not the point here since Jesus is addressing people who are already in a right relationship with him.  Remember, he is talking about the characteristics of his Kingdom people – not those who want to know how to enter the Kingdom.  He talks about that elsewhere (see the parables in Matthew 13).  In many Old Testament passages ‘righteousness’ is synonymous with ‘salvation’ …”  – Is 45:8, 46:12-13, 51:5, 56:1, 61:10.  However, it should also be noted that the concept of ‘salvation’ in the Old Testament included more than simply being in a right relationship with God. ii) Moral – i.e. right character and conduct that pleases God – contained in this verse and subsequent parts of the SOM (v20).  It contains the idea of sanctification.  A desire to be free from sin’s power and right with God in ongoing relationship.  A desire to be free from the desire of sin. A desire to walk with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the light of fellowship (1 John 1:5).  A desire for holiness - effectively, Christlikeness. Growing in the fruit of the Spirit is a sign of being filled, which in turn is a sign of hungering and thirsting after righteousness.  It’s a comfort that Jesus indicates that the ‘blessed’ are not those full of righteousness, but those who ‘hunger and thirst’ after it. iii) Social – i.e. a concern with seeking to liberate the oppressed, promote civil rights, justice, integrity in business and honour in the family.  Luther said that we need a, “hunger and thirst for righteousness that can never be stopped or sated, one that looks for nothing and cares for nothing except the accomplishment and maintenance of the right, despising everything that hinders this end.  If you cannot make the world completely pious, then do what you can.” We know when we’ve grasped this when we have no smug sense of self-satisfaction about our own ‘righteousness’.  We need the attitude of Paul (Phil 3:7-11, Rom 7:18). The call to righteousness is not passive.  Although we can do nothing to ‘increase’ our own righteousness in God’s eyes, we are still responsible for hungering and thirsting after the right things.  We are capable of being proactive in seeking righteousness.  But it takes concentration and effort – it is not automatic or a default setting we don’t need to maintain. Some things that encourage the right appetite: • The company of godly men and women • Time in the Bible • Time in Prayer • Reading godly books Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied, but in an on-going fashion. It’s good to stay hungry and thirsty and keep finding food and drink by going to the same place – our God.  A Christian does not need to be hungry for salvation, but he or she should be hungry for growth, for sanctification, for the work of the Spirit in our lives.  We desire ‘perfection’ and must press on.  Not until the next life will we know no hunger or thirst – Rev 7.16-17. “Never again will they hunger;          never again will they thirst.      The sun will not beat down on them,’          nor any scorching heat.       For the Lamb at the centre of the throne          will be their shepherd;      ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’          ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”” (Revelation 7:16–17 NIV11)  These first four beatitudes have a logical progression and are primarily about our attitude towards God and his priorities.  The next four beatitudes are more about our attitude towards our fellow human beings. We’ll move on to the next beatitude in the following podcast. RETREAT UPDATE I’m delighted with the take-up for the “Wait for the LORD” retreat so far. There are a few places left. Email me if you would like to attend - malcolmcox@malcolmcox.org. All the details can be found on the dedicated page (https://www.malcolmcox.org/wait-for-the-lord-retreat-march-2019/) of my website. 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 PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4 NIV11) What does it mean that mourners will be comforted? And how is this connected to the kingdom of heaven? In this series we are immersing ourselves in the beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-12.  We're trying to figure out what each beatitude means for us practically and how that affects our relationship with God, and in particular, our times of quiet with God. The reason this is on my mind is because I am preparing a teaching and preaching series for the Thames Valley churches of Christ (http://www.tvcoc.org/) , and a teaching day for the Watford Church of Christ (http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org/) based on the sermon on the mount. Join me today as I examine what it means to mourn and to be comforted. 1. Overview This second beatitude follows naturally from the previous one. When we recognise our poverty, and the poverty of the world, it will cause us to mourn.  Is mourning appropriate for a Christian? Shouldn’t we be people characterised by joy? Certainly, we are offered the joy of Jesus (John 15:11). However, Christians are not called to a kind of perpetual, glib smile. Jesus shed tears, and plenty of experiences in our lives make tears appropriate. We are promised joy, yes, but a joy (blessedness) that comes from the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).  Let’s take a deeper look at the issues of mourning and comfort. 2. Mourn The first question to answer is, “What kind of mourning is envisaged here by Jesus?”  Let’s first consider what it may not be. a. It’s not about grovelling self-pity. Nothing in the Scriptures indicates that Jesus thought this was a healthy state. What God made is “good”. Damaged, certainly, but not irredeemable.  b. It’s not about a ‘religiousness' that moans about the state of the world. In other words, we are not those who point at the world with an attitude of condemnation. For, if we condemn the world, surely we condemn ourselves. We are no less worthy of condemnation than any at whom we might point.  So, what kind of mourning might Jesus have in mind? a. On a personal level it’s healthy to mourn our sin - Isaiah 6:5, Rom 7:24, Ezra 10:1, Acts 2:36, 1 Cor 5:2, 2 Cor 7:10, 12:21.  Our sin hurts God, ourselves, and other people. There are times when it is appropriate not only to acknowledge our sin, but to mourn over it and its consequences.  This is the mourning which accompanies repentance. b. Join Jesus in mourning over the consequences of sin for other people (Luke 19:41). Old Testament people also wept in this way – Ps 119:136, Ezek 9:4, as did Paul – Phil 3:18 & Romans 7.  Now, let’s think about what it means to be comforted. 3. Comforted Only when we truly mourn our sin can we be truly comforted by God’s forgiveness.  Mourning leads to and is a sign of repentance which leads to rejoicing (Acts 3:19). If we understand sin properly and understand grace properly we will mourn deeply and rejoice greatly. One of the Messiah’s jobs was to be ‘the Comforter’ who would ‘bind up the brokenhearted’ – Is 61:1, 40:1. Some of the promised comfort is now and some comes later.  a. Now. The shepherds are told by the angel: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 NIV11), and Jesus tells his followers: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32 NIV11) These are words of comfort connected to the promise of the one who would bring what Simeon was waiting for, “the consolation of Israel” (Luke 2:25 NIV11). b. Later. There is a gap between a measure of comfort we receive now, and the ultimate fulfilment of comfort which comes in the next life. “For the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’” (Revelation 7:17 NIV11).  The tension between the two is expressed well by what Paul writes to the Romans: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18 NIV11) The Word Biblical Commentary sums up Matthew 5:4 well: "Those who mourn do so because of the seeming slowness of God’s justice. But they are now to rejoice, even in their troubled circumstances, because their salvation has found its beginning. The time draws near when they shall be comforted (cf Rev. 7:17; 21:4), but they are already to be happy in the knowledge that the kingdom has arrived. Their salvation is at hand." Hagner, Donald A. Matthew 1–13. WBC 33A. Accordance electronic edition, version 1.5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2000. 4. Application How can this beatitude find its appropriate application to our times of quiet with God? Four possible applications occur to me for our times of prayer: a. Connect with the consequences of sin in your life. Talk to God about any recent sin that’s on your heart and conscience. Not to dwell on it, not to wallow in self-pity, not to enjoy some perverse and inappropriate enduring guilt, but to create soberness, a reminder of the need for God’s grace, resulting in a thankfulness and gratitude for the kindness, patience and mercy of our Abba Father through Jesus his Son, our redeemer-King. b. Connect with the consequences of sin in this world. Not to condemn the world, but to stimulate urgency in your prayers for God’s intervention. Check the news at least often enough to know what’s going on and what to pray about. Pray for “kings and all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2 NIV11) as well as situations in your own town, country or the world where we find significant tension, disharmony or pain. c. Connect with the promise of comfort provided in the here and now by the Holy Spirit (John 16:7). Rejoice in prayer, thanking God that the Spirit of Jesus is with you today and that you can trust in his comforting promise: ““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”” (Matthew 11:28–30 NIV11) d. Connect with the promise of comfort still to come. “‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”” (Revelation 21:4 NIV11) Pray with joyful anticipation looking forward to the fulfilment of that promise.  Mourning and comfort go together. There are spiritually compatible and healthy. Do we try to create her own comfort instead of allowing God to be our comforter on the basis of our own commitment to mourning? What difference might it make to your times of quiet with God to incorporate some regular mourning? Perhaps it would bring you a greater, fuller more powerful experience of God's comfort.   Let me know what you learn from incorporating some mourning into your devotional times with your heavenly Father.  “Wait for the LORD" retreat update Registration is open to all for the, “Wait for the LORD” retreat, 27 - 29 March 2020.  You can find details on the dedicated retreat page on my website (https://www.malcolmcox.org/wait-for-the-lord-retreat-march-2019/) and in previous podcasts.  Six of the 17 available places have gone. Eleven remain. If you'd like to come, drop me a line via email (mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org) and I will tell you how you can make payment.   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 PS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool" (https://dqzrr9k4bjpzk.cloudfront.net/images/9167082/379662794.jpg) , a devotional look at the Gospel of John mccx, Malcolm Cox, Watford, Croxley Green, teaching, preaching, spiritual disciplines, public speaking, corporate worship, Sunday Sample, Corporate Worship Matters, Tuesday Teaching Tips, Quiet Time Coaching, Coach.me, coaching,  coach me, coaching near me, coach, online coaching, savior, quiet time, devotion, God, Jesus, Pray, prayer, malcolm’s, cox, 

Take a look at 3 examples of devoted followers: Abraham  (Gen. 22:1-14), Mary (John 12:1-8) & Paul (Phil. 3:7-14)What does it take to ve completely devoted? Where can I grow in the area of my devotion? How can I demonstrate my devotion? 

Farmstead Baptist

Farmstead Baptist

Phil Potts is an author, podcaster, marriage coach and men's ministry director. Paul & Phil discuss the great content in his book Habits for Heroic Husbands and on his The Heroic Husband Show podcast and through his work in Renegade Gentlemen Men's Ministry Phil's passion is to help you break through frustration, establish healthy relationship habits, and rocket your marriage to a 10 out of 10 rating and beyond.  Visit GodZoneShow.com for show notes and to ask a question or leave a comment and answer the engagement question. http://godzoneshow.com/ Subscribe to The God Zone Show so you don't miss any episodes. Please Rate & Review the show on iTunes. Leave a Message for Paul or Ask Paul a Question GodZoneShow.com/contact/  

Fr. Riccardo discusses today's second reading from St. Paul (PHIL 4:12-14, 19-20) in this homily from Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. Fr. John focuses on Pauls's words, "In every and all circumstances I have learned the secret...I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." Fr. John reminds the congregation that, "God gives peace in the middle of conflict, a peace that the world cannot comprehend."

This week Paul & Phil return to series 3 to look at The Sound of Drums in what is probably the longest series review ever.  Yes, they look back at the Master's plan to take over the world (again) and take a look at John Simm's portryal of the character. Was or is it as bad people think?  Is this story as bad as Phil & Paul remember?  Listen to find out whether either of them have softened their opinion of this very divisive story. And in the news this week, BBC3 that stalwart of Doctor Who repeats is to close down, another writer for series 8 is announced which probably doesn't get the reaction the BBC was hoping for and in Omega's Tat Corner it's time for some more quality mintage!!

This week Paul & Phil continue with their look at this series of Doctor Who by discussing the creepy and spooky Hide written by Neil Cross whilst cowering behind their cushions.  Was this an improvement on his previous script or was it a bit of a clunker?  Will the lads give another unanimous thumbs up to an episode of Doctor Who two weeks on the bounce or will they revert to type and give it the thumbs down?  Also listen to Paul & Phil travel back to the 1960's where a man could "provide" for a lady whilst wearing his finest tweed. And in the news this week, they catch up on viewing stats (the most popular part of the show), DVD news on The Ice Warriors and a brief discussion on the release of the posters for the upcoming episodes of this series, including the title of the last episode which has made fandom explode.  Again.

This week, Paul & Phil review the latest in the Destiny of The Doctor audio stories, Vengeance Of The Stones featuring the 3rd Doctor.  Does this story follow up on the brilliance of Shadow of Death or does it cause Phil and Paul to disagree for the first time in ages?  Listen to find out but be warned: Scottish stereotypes are discussed and the word "stones" is used with wanton abandon! And in the news this week, the air time and a prologue (I refuse to call it a prequel!) for The Bells of Saint John is revealed to waiting fans, filming for the 50th Anniversary special has been pushed back, the tabloids start their typical rumours that Matt Smith is leaving, Peter Jackson will direct an episode of Doctor Who if Steven Moffat gives him a Dalek and in Omega's Tat Corner they return to a piece of tat that they discussed a few episodes back.  Blimey, that could've been explained better.  Why didn't I put "previously on Omega's Tat Corner" instead?  Really need to get a proof reader for this rubbish.

In this weeks episode, the reviewing partnership of Phil & Paul take a look back at the....ahem...well regarded series 4 story The Doctors Daughter. Ok, I can't keep up the pretence any longer, it's probably one of the least well regarded stories in this series and Paul & Phil do little to change anyones opinion. But they go through the motions and try as they might, they can't be help but be nothing but critical of this story, so don't expect many laughs this week!! However, after much analysis, they reach the conclusion that the only thing that could have saved this story is....WILLIAM SHATNER!! And in this weeks news, the first group of guests has been announced for Gallifrey 2013, series 7 production news and air date rumours and in what has become a regular feature, Phil & Paul promise to listen to some Big Finish audios!!

Paul & Phil local radio jocks talk about their split. Former KDVS GM Steven Valentino reminisces about the last 2 years.