A Time of Waiting
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
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My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I confess to You that waiting is not easy for me. I would rather have You answer all my prayers right now! I would rather know what to do at every moment, instead of waiting to hear Your voice, waiting to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. I know that the apostles weren’t filled only once with Your Holy Spirit, but that they regularly received the Spirit’s anointing and filling. I pray that You will fill me anew today with the Holy Spirit that I may have the boldness to be Your witness wherever I may be today. Give me discernment to know when to speak up for You, when to rely on quiet, servant action, and when I simply need to continue to wait in prayer. Use me today to advance Your Kingdom! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Acts 1:12-14
12The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem. 13Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here is the list of those who were present:
Peter,
John,
James,
Andrew,
Philip,
Thomas,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Simon (the Zealot),
and Judas (son of James).
14They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
Reflecting on God's Word
What do you think it would have been like to watch Jesus ascend into heaven and then just go back to Jerusalem and wait until the Holy Spirit came?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What did the apostles do after Jesus ascended into heaven? (1:12-13)
Who all was present at this time of waiting? (1:13-14)
What did they do as they waited? (1:14)
Understanding God's Purpose
What do we learn about God’s purpose through reading today’s Scripture?
Why do you suppose we are given a specific list of who was present at this time of waiting?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What “action point” is there for you in today’s reading?
Thoughts...Continuous Prayer...
After Jesus ascended into heaven, there was nothing left to do back go back to Jerusalem and wait. After all, that is what Jesus told them to do. So the apostles and some of Jesus’ other followers made their way the ½ mile from the Mount of Olives back to Jerusalem to wait. Luke gives us a specific list of those who waited: the eleven remaining apostles—Judas Iscariot had hanged himself after betraying Jesus; Mary the mother of Jesus and several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Jesus’ brothers hadn’t believed in Him during His lifetime. Apparently the resurrection had made believers of them! That women are mentioned is significant given the subservient role of women in that day. Their activity is even more important—they met together CONTINUALLY for prayer. When we are waiting—for anything—prayer is the best activity for waiting! It would be ten days before the Holy Spirit came. That is a long wait—but they prepared themselves by praying continually. Are you waiting for anything? Are you praying?