Commanded to Wait Scripture Reading – Acts 1:4b- 5 (NLT)

"Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 

Imagine with me just for a moment, that you were one of the 12 disciples that Christ Jesus called. For over three years, you had the privilege of watching Jesus teach and testify to the Kingdom of God in a way in which no person had ever done before. You were awe struck as by His voice the storm on the sea immediately stopped, asking one another who this man could possibly be? You were amazed as He healed all manner of sickness with a touch or simply a command, even raising back the dead to life.

But then everything changed - Jesus died. And not any death, but crucifixion, that reserved for the worst of the worst type of criminal, even accursed by God. At this point in your minds - it was all over. He was gone. No kingdom had come, and none would be coming, so you all (eleven) go into hiding.

But then again, three days later - and over a period of forty days, Jesus Christ appeared to you, eating and drinking with you. Showing His hands and His side - proving that truly as He had said, although none of you understood it - He was alive!

What do you imagine the first thing is that you all would want to do? Go and tell the people that Jesus was alive just as He had promised. But Jesus spoke to all of you to be, 'Commanded to Wait'. To wait for the promise of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit to fill you with power from on high.

The word baptize means to completely fill, to overwhelm, be made fully wet. Jesus spoke of this filling as a gift that the Father would send to each one who would ask and wait. And so the apostles did stay, and wait praying for the gift of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, along with about 120 in an upper room.

If those first apostles were commanded to wait to receive this power from on high before they went out to testify, how much more must you and I? 

Prayer Father I thank-You for the gift of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. I want to receive everything that You have for me. I will make time to wait, ask and pray for Jesus to fill me, and use me for His glory and in His name. 

Memory Verse:  Zechariah 4:6b NLT “It is not by _______ nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies."