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Scripture for the day: Acts 2:1-4 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Thought for the day: Think again with me of that scene in the upper room as Jesus suddenly surprised His disciples by standing in their midst and speaking peace into their souls. He spoke words of comfort, of assurance, of insight, of understanding, and of instruction. Then He promised them the presence of the Holy Spirit to provide all the assistance they would need. Finally, He told them to wait for that promised presence; the presence described in today’s verses. But what are we waiting for?
 When the Lord said that we are to wait, He knew they would need His strength to carry on His mission. Isaiah said, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, 31 but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Is. 40:29-31). The disciples were worn out, tired beyond measure and frightened. They had stumbled and fallen; they could not even stand on their own two feet at this point. 
 Then Jesus made His appearance once more. Later, He would say to them, “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
 And so we wait. “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. 26 It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:25-26). We wait because He has promised us mercy.
 “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me” (Micah 7:7). 
 We can wait with confidence. “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the Lord; be of good courage,
and He shall strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14)!
 We can wait with patience. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass” (Psalm 37:7).
 We can wait with anticipation. “Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance” (Romans 8:23-25).
 So, when the world is crushing in from every side, when you feel helpless, powerless, lost and alone; when you feel like crying out in desperation, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” remember, “The Lord is not slow, as some count slowness. He is patient, not willing that any should perish.”
 Our wait may be short or long; the length of time is not for us to determine. Ten days, ten weeks, ten months; it’s all the same to Him. Our part is to wait, even as we go about the business of the Kingdom. As they waited for the promise, the disciples sought and gave forgiveness, prayed and searched their own hearts and did what business as was necessary. Go and do likewise.
Now go take on your world  -  Bill