Mark 7:7

They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 30th & 31st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Jesus says that some worship is “vain” — it is vain because it draws considerable attention to the worshipper and pays no attention to the sinner.

James 1:25

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 30th & 31st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Freedom comes from this Word which guides our steps: freedom to face squarely the deep issues inside our hearts, and honestly begin working on each one with the Wisdom that the Father gives us.

Psalm 15:1-2

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 30th & 31st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

As the Psalmist tells us this week, speaking the truth in our hearts helps us to walk well. It’s all about the word on our lips and where those words come from.

Deuteronomy 4:9

Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 30th & 31st written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The Word of God guides our steps, it doesn’t weigh us down or bind us up or push us out. The Word of God guides our steps by teaching us how to walk. That’s right, how to walk.

2 Samuel 18:27

The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.”  “He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.”

From Move the Stone [MtS] written by Pastor Brian Wangler:

May the same be said of me someday. May I be remembered for my love of my King, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and by my commitment to running into His plan for my life, head on! 

1 Corinthians 9:27

No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

From Move the Stone [MtS] written by Pastor Brian Wangler:

The Apostle Paul understood the struggle between body and spirit.  He recognized that if he was ever to find joy and success in life, he couldn’t be controlled by the flesh. 

2 Kings 4:29

Elisha said to Gehazi, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take my staff in your hand and run. Don’t greet anyone you meet, and if anyone greets you, do not answer. Lay my staff on the boy’s face.”

From Move the Stone [MtS] written by Pastor Brian Wangler:

The difference between good athletes and great athletes; between good athletic teams and great athletic teams is often found, not in the talent they have, but in their focus. 

1 Kings 20:1

Now Ben-Hadad king of Aram mustered his entire army. Accompanied by thirty-two kings with their horses and chariots, he went up and besieged Samaria and attacked it.

From Move the Stone [MtS] written by Pastor Brian Wangler:

The king of Israel tried to negotiate. Ben-Hadad never stopped talking, all the time wanting more and more.  The King of Israel finally had enough. He resisted and won the battle in the end.

Ephesians 6:19

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 16th & 17th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

A certain swallowing of pride precedes our request for prayer from each other. Even soldiers need prayer, mighty and strong, equipped and ready though they be. A well-armed and fit soldier, sleeping at night, is at the mercy of the watchman.

 

Ephesians 6:14-15

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 16th & 17th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

What we must not lose sight of is that this passage is not about one solitary soldier, but rather about the equipping of a whole army: the army of God, the people of God.

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 16th & 17th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

What makes a day "evil"? Since Paul uses the same word for "evil" to describe the spiritual powers in the heavenlies, he likely intends his readers to understand that it is these powers which hurl a world of woe on God's people, troubling their lives and their days.

 

Ephesians 6:12

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 16th & 17th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Since most of the devil's stratagems enter the battlefield of the mind, it is on that "ground" that we must take our "stand.”

Ephesians 6:10-11

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

From Background Notes [BN] for Aug 16th & 17th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

The point is obviously not a slavish prosaic use of some table of equivalence for the armor of God. Instead, the same qualities which Paul urges his readers to embody elsewhere in his writings, he now incorporates into the equipment of the soldier. That is why he can offer a similar conclusion in this passage: "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith...

Isaiah 33:22

For the LORD is our judge,
    the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king;
    it is he who will save us.

Psalm 119:160

All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.

Psalm 119:130

The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.

Jeremiah 33:2-3

“This is what the Lord says, he who made the earth, the Lord who formed it and established it—the Lord is his name: ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’