Acts 1

Luke realized that even while Jesus did immaculate, miraculous things while He was embodied as God on earth, He was not yet finished with His work. Acts 1:1

We can do nothing of ourselves. We are completely powerless until the Holy Spirit comes upon us. If we speak, write, or act upon our own initiative, our efforts will be fruitless and meaningless; however, when we speak, write, and act in obedience out of a surrendered spirit, the Holy Spirit does these things THROUGH us. A vessel's purpose is to be used as it was made for. It is only then that we'll be able to do just as Jesus called us to do. He has called us according to HIS purpose that we might glorify HIM, however, we are able to walk His calling by the Holy Spirit in us. Acts 1:8

Were Jesus's followers still upset that He was leaving? Did they not believe Him when He said there was One coming who was better than Jesus? If we truly believe what God says (ie. Cast your cares on Him), would we have still have human-like emotions? Yes? When Jesus was preparing to die on the cross, He believed that God wasn't messing around when He sent Him to die. But Jesus still showed human emotions. Is unwavering obedience what truly matters then? One can only obey in such circumstances when God is reigning in his or her spirit. Acts 1:11

How can 11 men have one mind (1:14)? How is that possible, and what would that look like? There had to ahve been a lot of sacrifice, compromise, and prayer. They must have denied what they wanted and sought to let God rein in their mortal bodies. What did they have "one mind" in? Did they have to struggle to get there or was it natural because the Holy Spirit was their unification?(VERY INTERSTING:http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3661&cscs=Rom)

These 11 men, along with women as well, CONTINUALLY DEVOTED themselves to prayer. (Devote:http://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G4342&t=KJV)The word usage is interesting here, because it says, "Continually devoting." The word continually implies the present tense into the futre tense. The word devoting is entirely a present tense word. So, with those combined, it is as if they were constantly making the choice to be devoted to prayer and they knew this was not a phase of any sort. They were committed to being always devoted to prayer.

When people are brought together by the Holy Spirit unification, they can do things they never thought possible. Peter, who couldn't stand up for Jesus Christ to a little girl, spoke boldly before a group of one hundred and twenty people.

Their method of choosing one for service is very interesting. They saw a need (1:22), picked out a few who they thought could do well to meet that need (1:23), prayed that God would show them which one He chose to take on the ministry (1:24), drew lots to see which one, and then filled the position! They didn't mess around, really. They trusted that God knew the hearts of these men and that in that, He'd pick the right one. Why don't we draw lots anymore? When did that change? We are always praying for God's will but these men simply prayed, trusted God, and let Him answer them through lots.