Lord, You know everyone’s heart, choose us for what You know we can do for You.

Today’s Scripture: Acts 1:24-25, NIV- “Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.”

Sometimes it takes our brains a moment to catch up to what is going on. I am sure it was the same with the apostles. They had just witnessed a resurrected Jesus Christ promise them that the power of the Holy Spirit would be coming upon them, and they did not even know what that meant. Then while they were still standing there looking up into the sky after Jesus ascended out of their sight, two angels dressed all in white, appeared and assured them Jesus would return just as He had ascended. They did not understand that either.

We do not hear the name Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) very often. In fact, we do not hear the name of Mattias that much either. I am no biblical scholar nor theologian. My memory is very suspect, and this causes my bible reading to be revelational to me. I am often surprised and amazed that I come upon scriptures where I did not even realize where I was in the Word.

Justus and Mattias were the two who were considered as being selected as the apostle who would take Judas Iscariot’s place of leadership. We all remember Judas for him completing the work God had for him. After Judas’ betrayal and death, the apostles, and other disciples gathered. Acts 1:15 states the number to be about 120 believers. They gathered to pray and select the new leader.

Mattias “won” and was selected. Acts 1:24 shared their prayer with us, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen…” Justus, although not chosen, it is believed, continued to serve the early church until he died a martyr like most of the other apostles. Although we do not know the names of the one hundred and twenty early believers, Peter told us they shared in the ministry with the apostles. We still share in this ministry as disciples today. Our names will not be remembered either but that makes us no less vital for the ministry of Jesus Christ.

The Lord knows our hearts and knows what we can manage and complete. We must only be faithful to use our gifts and raise the voices we have. On the day of Pentecost, as the Apostles in Acts 2 the people from every nation under heaven were amazed. Wait a second, are not all these which speak Galileans? How are we hearing about the wonderful works of God in our own languages? You and I speak different languages and have lived different lives. We still have a vital purpose and place because others can hear about the wonderful works of God in the languages we speak.

When we follow the Holy Spirit, we are filled with stories of the amazing and wonderful works of God. We can pray together and trust God’s will to be done through us. Are you willing to be used by God today?

Today’s Prayer: Almighty God, fill us with Your Spirit so we share Your amazing and wonderful works. Use us LORD as Your disciples so that all others may hear of You in their own languages. Speak through us LORD so that Your body of believers will share the good news of Jesus Christ so all will hear and accept Your promise of salvation. Help us to remember our callings and to be faithful to complete the race You have given each of us. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we do pray in Your Holy Spirit. Amen.