fredag 29. april 2016

A dynamic combination

NORSK
In the account following Christ's ascension, I notice several important factors that are important for the fulfillment of the promise. Individually they are strong, but the combination of them is of dynamic importance:
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem …. they went upstairs to the room where they were staying…. They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
Acts 1:13-14
Firstly, that the disciples returned to Jerusalem is an act of obedience in relation to Jesus' clear instructions not to leave the city. It is not certain that they believed in what was about to happen, but they believed in him who gave the command. Therefore obedience is also an expression of faith. I've touched on this theme many times in my ministry, and here I see it clearly again. It is not certain that they had understood a fraction of what the promise meant.

They certainly had no idea of the impact it was going to bring. If it had been a requirement to believe all this, I think the apostles would have remained on the Mount of Olives and under the leadership of Peter built "cottages" or waiting rooms with skylights where they could continued to watch the sky in wait for his return. But the first step in obedience was to move back to Jerusalem. The simple act of obedience is also an act of faith.


Secondly, they went the place they used to go to. Unless the Holy Spirit says otherwise, this is a good rule and habit. Often we think that we have to go to special places, events or conferences to experience the Holy Spirit. I think it is a "fraudulent idea". If we do not have expectations that it can happen where we normally go, we will remain poor in our spiritual life. It can be good to attend a conference or congress, but it should never be the most important factor in our spiritual life. Once in a while it is nice to go out to eat at a good restaurant, but I am so thankful for the good food I can eat everyday at home. I think it was good for the team from the Mount of Olives to come "home"!

This combination is dynamite:

  •  obedience – they did what Jesus told them
  •  good habits – they gathered where they used to
  •  fellowship – they joined together
  •  consistency – they were faithful in:
  • prayer – moves mountains – and God!
 'Manna' for today:
The dymamic* combination obedience and good habits are dynamite* in God's Kingdom!
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 * both words come from the Greek dynamis
 This reflection is part of 'Who acts throug Acts?' 

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