06 17 08 Now What?

“These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.
(Acts 1:14 NKJV)

So what do we do in this challenging time? We go to church and hear wonderful sermons. We listen to encouraging messages on Christian radio. We sing along with inspiring songs. Perhaps we witnessed a play or maybe even accepted Christ for the first time as Lord and Savior. Maybe we, for the first time, really understand what it means to be a believer, a follower of Jesus Christ, a real DISCIPLE. We’ve been moved to change things in our lives and truly be on fire for Christ. NOW WHAT???

I think we can learn something from the early followers of Christ. They must have been devastated by the things they saw and heard during the first Holy Week! Their promised Messiah had been turned in by a friend, arrested, beaten, spat upon, drug through the streets, humiliated publicly, and finally crucified and put into a grave. As sad and defeated as they must have felt, now they have seen Him alive, they’ve touched Him, and been told to wait…NOW WHAT???

Sound familiar? Have we not been torn apart and dejected…defeated by the sin we lived in…dejected by circumstances…saddened by others’ choices? Then the Savior touches us and renews our hearts and we were so excited! Jesus is here, yet really not here. He is with us, yet so is the temptation we face every day. We talk about His peace, His love, and His grace, yet we are bombarded with hatred, racism, violence, pornography, cursing, provocative and indecent situations, and so much more every day. Though we know the Lord, we still find ourselves waiting for His return…yearning. Do we think the early followers of Christ had it easier than we do? Let’s remember, they faced jail, murder, boiling oil, beatings, crucifixions, and more! How did they do it? They were prepared and obedient to the Lord’s instructions:

“He said to them: ‘It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’.”
(Acts 1:7-8 NIrV)

The early followers of Christ remained prepared, obedient, and on one accord! Oh if we all could just be one! If we were only prepared to face each day, studying His Word, and allowing it to rule us. If we only obedient to His directions and commands. Imagine if the Body of Christ, the entire Body, could be on one accord! Even if we could just have that small cluster of close friends we could trust for encouragement, challenge, accountability, and fellowship in Christ.

There they were; a small group of fairly new believers (some for two to three years, some just for a week or so), gathered in a small building, holding a prayer meeting, waiting for further direction from the Lord. Then they experienced the power of the Holy Spirit! They boldly carried out the work…continuing the work day by day, and people were getting saved each day, sometimes by the thousands! (Acts 2:5-47) NOW WHAT? Do we need another event to excite us? Do we need the Lord to personally give us a jump start again? Isn’t the fire of the Holy Spirit enough to keep us prepared, obedient and on one accord? Be encouraged today! There is power in the blood of the living Savior and there is power in the unity of His people. He dwells within each believer. Let’s draw upon His strength and unity.