FWD: Morning Manna (May 27); BP: Acts 1:12-14; RBTTY: Jn. 10:1-23; II

Thanks to all of you for your military service AND/OR many years serving and praying for veterans and families.  God Bless 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Mon, 26 May 2008 04:32:11 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (May 27); BP: Acts 1:12-14; RBTTY: Jn. 10:1-23; II
 

May 27                                                                                                                               “In One Accord”

 

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the Mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a Sabbath day’s journey.  And, when they were come in, they went up into an upper room. . .These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.”

                                                                                                                                            Acts 1:12-13a, 14

     When there’s unity of purpose, priority and passion, we’ll see God move.

     “In one accord.”

     Seven times in the book of Acts this phrase is used to describe the “oneness” the followers of Christ had in those early days of the emerging Church.  Could it be that this spiritual “ingredient” is still needed if we are to see God move in power today?

 

     The phrase is taken from the Greek word “homothumadon,” which is a compound word from “homos”—which means “same or together”—and “thumos,” which means “passion, anger, fierceness, wrath, indignation, heat, glow, etc.”  Thus, it’s the picture of “the same burning of heart or same heart passion.”  It’s used in Acts 1:14; 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; 8:26; 15:25 and is implied in 2:46 where the disciples “did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart.”

 

     This “togetherness” or “unity” is not uniformity or a clone, cookie-cutter mentality; instead, it is a Spirit-inspired unanimity in the midst of diversity where everyone has but one desire:  To know Him and to do His will.

 

     Does this mean we cannot see God move in our midst until everyone is “on the same page?”

     No, for it only takes a core group of “hungering and thirsting after Him” believers to catch the Father’s ear and touch His heart.  Therefore, we should ask the Lord to use us individually to be spiritual “catalysts” or “change-agents” in our local congregations to not rest until “His Kingdom comes” in our midst.

 

     When the disciples first entered the upper room after Jesus’ ascension, they had but one purpose:  To “wait for the promise of the Father” (1:4).  Then, when the Holy Spirit fell in power on them on the Day of Pentecost (2:1-4), they all “continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine, fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers—and fear came upon every one of them” (2:42-43a).  And, after Peter and John were released from custody and reported to the members what had happened (4:1-23), the entire group “lifted up their voices to God with one accord” (v.24) and asked Him to “grant unto them that they might speak His Word with all boldness” (v.29).

 

     Is it any wonder, then, that “the place was shaken and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” after praying that way (v.31)?  No, it’s no wonder—for the Heavenly Father loves it when “brethren dwell together in unity” (Ps. 133).  Hallelujah!!

 

     Oh, dear Pilgrim, will you commit yourself anew today to be a “peacemaker” in your congregation and pray for those who refuse to be?  May you help lead your fellow believers to not rest until you’re all “in one accord” and Jesus is Lord.