Revelation 5:12

In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!”

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

The move to celebration frequently passes through periods of trial and lament.

1 Samuel 1:7

This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

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

Hannah no doubt lived with all the social shame of barrenness. The historian lets us think about that reality for at least a few more verses...

1 Samuel 1:3

Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh, where Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were priests of the Lord.

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

In previous studies we have noted that the Bible tells the story of Israel, God’s ancient people, in terms of a long journey.

Genesis 22:13-14

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.”

From Background Notes [BN] for July 23rd & 24th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

When God fulfilled His promise and gave a son to Abraham and Sarah under the most unbelievable circumstances, He set in motion a flow of events...

Genesis 18:13

Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’

From Background Notes [BN] for July 23rd & 24th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Such laughter flows from one who delights in the prospect that his wife will be able to share in the promised blessing of a child.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 23rd & 24th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Faith in the ancestral sense means “to make oneself secure in Yahweh.”

Ephesians 1:13-14

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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

The phrase “a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” refers back to the “seal of the promise Holy Spirit.” God’s new covenant with us, certified by Him when He justified us through the work of Jesus, directs us to the future by the hope that is anchored to God’s promise.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

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

Why do we know that our labor is not in vain? Because a day is coming when it will be incorporated into the restored creation where Christ is the center and resurrection is the source of new life. And how will that restored creation at last unfold?

John 8:28

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.

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

The future of our voyage all depends on the Captain of our salvation, Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord. His death and resurrection create the shape of our lives now and in the future.

1 Kings 19:19

Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his mantle around him

From Background Notes [BN] for July 9th & 10th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Whose mantle falls on us? On whom does our mantle fall? These are helpful questions to consider in this week’s study. Generations of faithful Christians preceded us, and...

John 1:1

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 9th & 10th written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Throughout the story in the Bible, God regularly chooses more human beings to perform His work in the world. Creation endowed persons with the image of God, and image bearers represent the nature of God as His authorized representatives.

 

Matthew 3:11

I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

From Background Notes [BN] for July 2nd & 3rd written by Pastor Bob Brown:

Through baptism, we declare public allegiance to our covenant Lord in whose service we gladly find ourselves.