So how did you do on your Lenten Fast? Did you experience the fullness of God's Spirit active in your life as you fasted (gave up something) for Lent? I know for some, Easter Sunday looked a little like Fat Tuesday, as you splurged on that thing you gave up. You may have found yourself a little "hung over" on Monday morning because of the influx of caffeine, sugar, red meat, etc. As we were sitting around with family on Easter Sunday, I asked, "So what are you doing for the 50-days leading to Pentecost?

Have you ever thought about the days following Easter leading up to the Ascension (40-days after Resurrection Sunday) and Pentecost (50-days after Resurrection Sunday)? As we read through Jesus' post-resurrection appearances, we are drawn to a few key points about those days between Easter and Pentecost.

1. The disciples and others stayed together. The eleven disciples who had followed Jesus receive the Great Commission together (Matthew 28:16-20); 2 of the disciples are walking together to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35); they are together when Jesus appears to them (Luke 24:36-49; John 20:19-31); they were fishing together (John 21:1-14); they stayed together in Jerusalem (Acts 1:13)
2. They shared their memories of their experiences with Jesus (Luke 24:13-25)
3. They prayed together (Acts 1:14)
4. They followed Jesus' instruction to return to Jerusalem and wait for the coming gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12)

If we were to read ahead to the day of Pentecost, we know that the disciples were together in one place when the Spirit came upon them, and we know that the result of the preaching and the ministry done that day is that 3,000 were added to their number that day. As they continued in the ministry following the day of Pentecost, we see...

1. The believers devoted themselves to:
   1. The Apostle's teaching
   2. Fellowship
   3. Breaking of Bread
2. They were together and had all things in common
3. Daily met together at the temple
4. Met in their homes for fellowship

In this occasion we see that the Lord added to their number daily those being saved.

What can we do to prepare ourselves and our churches for the day of Pentecost? How do we need to be in prayer and fellowship with one another to wait with expectation for the coming days of blessing and power from on high?

Leonard Ravenhill writes, "No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying. The pulpit can be a shopwindow to display one's talents; the prayer closet allows no showing off." I want to encourage us to look toward these next 50-days (or so) as opportunities to focus on praying for our churches, our communities, and our world. The disciples received the Holy Spirit as a direct response to the risen Christ, an obedience to his word, and many hours of fellowship and prayer. Let's see what will happen if we live out 2 Chronicles 7:14, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins and will heal their land."