In Acts chapter one we find the disciples following the command of Jesus to wait. What were they waiting for? 

God sent the Holy Spirit as Jesus promised and it changed everything!  Praise God! 

There is no shortage of business models aimed at acquiring the funds of everyone from birth to the grave.  I think of the father who has to register his newborn in the basement offices of the hospital so they can get their social security number issued.  That same number follows them through every official document trace that leads all the way to the funeral home 90 years into the future.  It's useful for settling accounts and verifying identity.  The word of God has a different plan and it requires no paperwork or signatures.  It's paid in full.  Here is what Jesus said about it:

Luke 12:27        “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
I have plans today to decide not to be anxious.  Praise God! 

When the disciples asked Jesus how to pray, He answered them specifically!  The Lord's prayer has made it into our traditions, lessons and music.  What Jesus gave was an outline of how to do it! 

Because He told us how, we can have a lifetime of communication with Him and participate in His high purposes! Praise God! 

The only one of the four gospels to write the history of the explosive growth of the church is Luke!  

We can know the certainty of what we have been taught!  Praise God! 

The Pharisees were enamored with Jesus.  According to Nehemiah's own testimony (John 3:12-17) we know that His miracles and teaching were astonishing.  The reason they asked Him so much was so they could learn from His divine insight.  On one occasion, Jesus's answer must have left them thinking. Some would walk away and refuse to believe, but others were drawn in closer.

Luke 6:3        Jesus answered them, “Haven’t you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry-- 4 how he entered the house of God and took and ate the bread of the Presence, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat? He even gave some to those who were with him.” 5 Then he told them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
Jesus was extra special.  He was not just a man, but Lord of the Sabbath!   Praise God! 

One of the best parts of Christianity is that is welcoming to sinners.  Romans 3:23 makes that clear along with Romans 6:23.  Often, we focus so much on the "sin" that we forget about the mercy!  Romans 3:24 (which follows right after Romans 3:23 is a good example of how crucial the grace message is).  I'm thinking today of a different verse, however.  It's found in 1 Timothy where Paul is instructing his disciple on practical ways the Gospel takes hold on a day to day basis.  I call this one "A verse for sinners" but it could be argued that all 31112 verses in the Bible are "a verse for sinners".  
1 Timothy 2:13   
if we are faithless, he remains faithful,
    for he cannot deny himself.
God's unchanging nature is a powerful comfort for us all!  Praise God! 

The text of Scripture is so comprehensive it can serve as a detailed study over 10 years, or to see the big picture in 5 minutes.  Either way, God's revelation to us is good news!  Praise God! 

Commentaries on the Bible have existed for over 150 years.  They look impressive on the bookshelf and are loaded with valuable information about the Bible.  In the past 30 years, digital printing has revolutionized our access to information.  One of the blessings of that is Study Bibles.  Today you can buy 1 or 2 study Bibles that have the best of the latest scholarship on Scripture and have almost everything you need. These are amazing days.  There is one thing that is as sure as the sunrise.  The word of God.  Jesus made it clear to us:

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
The word of God will always bring truth.  Praise God! 

The year was 2008.  Crossway produced an amazing new Study Bible.  These publishers of the English Standard Version wanted a one stop shop to the background, geographical and timeline information. They produced the ESV Study Bible. 

One of the things that make the Bible unique is its interface with the history of the world. Think about it.  The Sumerians.  The Babylonians.  The Egyptians. The Persians.  Amorites, Hivites, Jebusites, Philistines, Phoenicians.  These are not fictional people groups but they interface with the Bible throughout the Old Testament. Then you come to the New Testament and you find a Graeco-Roman world.  The Romans live on the the pages of the New Testament.  What world religious text do you know that integrates so much of historical information on its pages.  If the Bible is telling me the truth about its historical setting.  Perhaps I can trust what it tells me about God and His nature.  Praise God! ​

One of the best kept secrets in effective Bible study is located on a globe and the back of most Bibles!  

The truth in maps leads to the truth of Scripture!  Praise God! 

Most hymns and Christian songs start as poems.  The Bible has poetical books that hold the soul of the Old Testament.  This video is an overview of the Poetical Books! 

Giving Praise makes sense! Wisdom comes with understanding!  Praise God! 

Jehosophat had prayed and the Lord had answered.  2 Chronicles 20:1-30 tells about it all. What they did after the Lord promised victory was a tactical maneuver for the ages.  Jehosophat placed the singers in FRONT of the columns.   What do you sing when you go out in battle?  

When they went out in front of the armed forces, they kept singing:

     Give thanks to the LORD,
    for his faithful love endures forever.
What battle do you face today?  Consider the example of ancient believers! Praise God! 

There is nothing like the Grace of God!  You'll find it often referenced in hymns and choruses going back 1000 years.  It also abounds in Scripture.  The book of Hebrews is one example:

The best news of Scripture is the best news for us and for the world!  Praise God! 

 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 is an amazing story of God's high provision, protection, and faithfulness.  The central character is Jehosophat, the king of Judah who discovers that trusting God in everything is the key to civil, military an personal success.  He leads his people in worship and commitment before the battle.  He integrates worship with his battle plan.  He discovers the wonder of how different the results are when God fights for you.  One of my favorite parts of this story is the last verse.  
30 So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.
2 Chronicles 20:30. Praise God! 

The Zondervan Biblical Theology Study Bible is the best of both worlds.  High class scholarship and the award-winning NIV Bible text loaded with charts and helps to take your Bible learning to the next level.  Here is a review of it! 

The Zondervan Biblical Theology Study Bible refers to 2 Chronicles as the most under-read book in the Bible.  That's unfortunate because its full of great stories of worship, dedication, as well as God's faithfulness.  One of these stories is in 2 Chronicles 20:1-30. Here are some cues to encourage you to read it.  In 2 Chronicles 20:6, Jehosophat prays.  In 2 Chronicles 20:15, Jahziel says "the battle is not yours, but God's" in verse 21, Jehosophat's singers are told to walk ahead of the army.  In verse 30 it says "God had given him rest on every side".  Hopefully that's enough to encourage you to read the whole story and get to know the wonder of 2 Chronicles!  Praise God! 

There's hope throughout the New Testament, but it's especially meaningful in Hebrews. 

Praise God! 

The Good News brought by Jesus is woven throughout the New Testament.  It even shows up in their greetings!  It's a familiar but powerful phrase loaded in two words.  The words are Grace and Peace.  Theologically speaking, the grace comes first!  Jesus loves us just as we are.  The hymn writer said it so well "Just as I am thou wilt receive, will welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve, because thy promise, I believe..." The wonder of God's grace is hard to understand by human concept alone.  It comes freely and first from God to the believer.  The RESULT of that grace is the wonderful PEACE provided by that grand relief.  Hover over these references as you'll see mostly greetings, but the Gospel in each phrase.
​Rom. 1:7; 1 Cor. 1:3; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phil. 1:2; Col. 1:2; 1 Th. 1:1; 2 Th. 1:2; Philem. 1:3; 1 Pet. 1:2; 2 Pet. 1:2; Rev. 1:4. Praise God! 

Sameness may be underrated.  We love creativity and innovation.  Our culture thrives on the new and the latest.  Just yesterday I saw a big development site where the dirt had been leveled and the project ready for the next stage. There is truly something exciting about building and innovation.  There is however a tremendous assurance for believers.  It’s probably why the word “comfort” is the main part of “comfortable”.  The writer of Hebrews was enthusiastic about the Gospel and all that Jesus had done in His redemptive mission. After detailing the intention of God to settle His salvific mission “once for all” he begins to conclude with this powerful verse:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8 ESV) https://accordance.bible/link/read/ESV#Heb._13:8

Jesus taught many things during His ministry on earth. John even says there are not enough books to contain all that He did in terms of miracles and ministry. (John 20:30-31).  One thing Jesus did teach about was the Holy Spirit! (John 14, John 7:37-39) 

Understanding Scripture affirms what we have been taught through our tradition!  Praise God! 

The New Testament is not shy when talking about the resurrection of Christ.  1 Corinthians 15:50-58 nails it down and honestly the whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 addresses its impact on not just what we believe about God, but how we live as believers. The writers of the New Testament go even further.  They promise Christian resurrection.  Every believer who confesses Christ has the instant promise of a personal, physical and eternal resurrection. I refer to it as the best kept secret in Christianity.  He has indeed forgiven us our sins.  That forgiveness has a reach and it reaches for into the eons of eternity.  
Jesus said it clearly as described in John 14:19

John 14:19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Because I live, you will live too.
The promise of Jesus is a promise for every believer for all of time.  Praise God! 

The Bible takes the long view.  It's about the big picture.  Specifically it is speaking to families.  This one word is a guarantee.  It's a promise about the future.

God's love has no expiration!  It follows for individuals and families from generation to generation!  Praise God! 

One of the most common tasks for the military is to setup or monitor communications.  The delivery system of networks is crucial to the efficient tasks of every organization, large or small.  Families and individuals negotiate and communicate to strengthen relationships and manage the challenges of life.  The absence of communication in any of these contexts can bring dysfunction, conflict, and even disaster.  God clearly communicated by His Spirit to any who would hear.  I'm thinking today of one conditional statement made by the apostle John.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

The invitation is wide open.  The promise is certain.  The condition is exact and clear.  ANYONE who receives Him has the promise of life in His name. 

​That's CLEAR COMMUNICATON. Praise God!