“They all continued praying together with some women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and Jesus’ brothers [James, Joseph, Jude, and Simon],” Acts 1:14.
This is the gathering together as one in dedication to prayer after the ascension of Jesus Christ. We unify in prayer as we desire the inward filling of the Holy Spirit of God, so we will unify ourselves and focus on the ministry of Christ. This involves fervent prayer—a deep, sincere, and passionate form of prayer. It is characterized by strong emotional engagement and an intense desire to connect with God as one. It goes beyond just mental focus. It’s a physical and spiritual expression to God, like crying out, kneeling, or just lying down, just to be in His presence. The disciples are seeking a deep, sincere expression that is heartfelt, genuine, and true as they engage with God. This is personal, I need something from the Lord, and whatever I have to do to get it, I will do it. I will be intimate with God, for He is my divine Father and Creator. This was not a time of warfare, only a time for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. We have a promise, so we will seek God, because we will not quit. We are purposefully spending sufficient time in intercession. Come, Holy Spirit, we seek you. Come, Holy Spirit, we need you; come, Holy Spirit, we are ready to do the great commission and be a witness. The disciples’ persistence in prayer demonstrated their readiness to receive the promise to God, the Holy Spirit, so we can do His will. We are involved in prayer, and God is involved in filling us.
“During this time there was a meeting of the believers, about 120 of them,” Acts 1:15.
Look at the wisdom of the believers. Look at the example that Jesus left for us to follow. It is not good for you to be spiritually numb and societally unhealthy. Your soul needs to know that God is requiring of you to be a spiritual people. You cannot lack faith or just come together as a people for socializing or just to say ‘I was there.’ No, your appearance before God must have a purpose not just for personal gain. You cannot seek external validation, move with hypocrisy, follow the crowd, or lack spiritual experiences. This is the time for a personal relationship with God, spiritual growth, Bible teaching, true obligation to God, and inner faith—which is a personal, deeply felt conviction within you. We are all here because we need what God has promised us at the right time. But we must have the right mindset. We need a new mind. You to have a new mind, a new way of thinking. It’s important that you think right so you will not run from challenges or resist the right way to new life. If 120 of us have a strong mind, we will not be limited in our thoughts and feelings. A weak mind will defend its limitations with people who are always trying to prove a point with no validity (no ‘soundness,’ no logic, no power, weight, strength, foundation, or authority) we are not weak in the mind. We are here for a move from God in our minds. You have potential because potential is determined by the capacity of your mind to conceive a different future. It makes your spiritual life even stronger. We are the ones God can count on to change all mankind. We must receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, for we are to inform the world of Christ’s resurrection to give full proof that He is the Messiah. The foundation of our hope is in Him. We must preach Christ and the power of His resurrection. Let’s get this now!
