Acts 1:12-14\u00a0<\/b>\u2013\u00a0\u201cThen the apostles returned to Jerusalem\u00a0from the hill called the Mount of Olives,\u00a0a Sabbath day\u2019s walk\u00a0from the city.\u00a013\u00a0When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room\u00a0where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.\u00a014\u00a0They all joined together constantly in prayer,\u00a0along with the women\u00a0and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
\u201cThen the apostles returned to Jerusalem\u00a0from the hill called the Mount of Olives,\u00a0a Sabbath day\u2019s walk\u00a0from the city.\u00a0 13\u00a0When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room\u00a0where they were staying.\u201d<\/i>\u00a0 At the time Jesus ascended to Heaven from the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50<\/b>) He told the Apostles to return to Jerusalem.\u00a0 They did just that.\u00a0 They obeyed the Lord.<\/p>\n
A Sabbath day\u2019s walk is the allowable distance that a Jew was allowed to walk on a Sabbath day.\u00a0 That distance varies a little, usually from about three quarters of a mile to about one and three quarters of a mile.\u00a0 We must remember that the goal of the Sabbath was to spend time relaxing in the blessings of God and considering who He is and what He wants from His people.\u00a0 They were to rest, not work.\u00a0 Though Christians do not have a set \u201cSabbath\u201d day to worship on, remember that the principle is still there.\u00a0 Jesus Himself said that He did not come to destroy the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17-18<\/b>) and keeping the Sabbath was one of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:8<\/b>)\u00a0 The Sabbath day is a day of rest, a day to consider God and His Word to us. We are to remember that He Himself rested and so are we told to do.<\/p>\n
We notice the difference between the defeated disciples who fled and denied Jesus as He was being unfairly tried, tortured and murdered and who they were after Jesus was resurrected.\u00a0 They had scattered as they had ran to hide, just as was prophesied (Zechariah 13:7<\/b>).\u00a0 Now, after seeing the resurrected Jesus, they have gained peace and confidence and were not now focusing on the fears that had previously overtaken them (Luke 24:37-39<\/b>).\u00a0 They were again confident in the Lord and obedient to His instruction to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promised Holy Spirit to ascend upon them (Luke 24:49<\/b>).\u00a0 Jesus told them that they would be \u201cendued\u201d or \u201cclothed\u201d by power on high, and that is by the Holy Spirit.\u00a0 He does not tell them that the Holy Spirit will enter them and then they will receive the power.\u00a0 As we have seen that the Holy Spirit had previously entered them as told in\u00a0John 20:22<\/b>.\u00a0 No the word translated here as endued or clothed means that they will be covered with, that they will wear the empowering as clothes of power from on high.\u00a0 The Holy Spirit will lay a mantle of power on them.\u00a0 He will lay on them the power to accomplish the mission of Jesus to reach the world.\u00a0 They are gifts of the Holy Spirit to be used as He enables and directs for the purpose of glorifying Jesus.\u00a0 Though the disciples, after the death of Jesus, had been dejected, weak and confused, after the resurrection they were convinced beyond doubt that Jesus is the Messiah and then they were again obedient to Him (those who love God obey Him \u2013\u00a0John 15:14<\/b>).\u00a0 They did as Jesus said, they waited for what Jesus had promised.\u00a0 They waited to be empowered by the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
The room that they were staying and praying at is thought by some to be the same room that they had communion with Jesus before His unjust trial, torture and death.<\/p>\n
The disciples, who no longer doubted, were waiting on God and as we shall see they received the power of God that was given to them to do the will of God.\u00a0 How about us?\u00a0 Do we start every day by seeking strength and direction from God for the day before us (Isaiah 40:31<\/b>)?\u00a0 Family, we\u00a0must<\/i>\u00a0start every day with the Lord.\u00a0 It is only as we wait on the Lord, in full expectation of receiving, are we empowered to do all the works that He has prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10<\/b>).\u00a0 Let us not cheat ourselves of the rich reward of satisfaction that comes from witnessing the power of God moving through us throughout the day, every day.\u00a0 What a wonder to watch God work!\u00a0 If we believe in God, let us call to God and yield to Him every day.\u00a0 Family, really, we truly don\u2019t know what is best.\u00a0 Truly, Father knows best!\u00a0 Praise God!<\/p>\n
Psalm 150:6<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.\u00a0 Praise the Lord!<\/p>\n
Micah 7:7<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0But as for me, I watch\u00a0in hope\u00a0for the\u00a0Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear\u00a0me.<\/p>\n
Micah 6:8<\/b>\u00a0–\u00a0He has shown You, O man, what\u00a0is\u00a0good; And what does the\u00a0Lord\u00a0require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.<\/p>\n
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