ACTS of the Apostles

Tuesday, April 19

ACTS of the Apostles

Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic

Read Acts 1:12-26

Focus Verses: Acts 1:24-26

And they prayed and said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.” And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

Have you ever thought about what went on in the “upper room” after the Ascension? First, picture the disciples as they returned from the Mount of Olives to Jerusalem after witnessing the Ascension of Jesus. They went “upstairs where they were staying,” (Acts 1:13) indicating that the group had already made this location a designated meeting place. Important things happen in an upper room. This room may have even been the same room where the Last Supper was held. Chapter one (of Acts) records what was happening behind those closed doors after Jesus went to up to heaven.

It was now time for a tough decision to be made. The believers joined together and devoted themselves to prayer as they united to make a decision of who would replace Judas as the twelfth apostle. Since they no longer had their Lord with them for personal direction, they knew they needed to pray before the vote/casting of the lots because they wanted to select the man that God had already chosen. Warren Wiersbe states, “Their exalted Lord was working in them and through them from heaven.” With that, the prayer was answered, and the decision was made. Mathias was chosen.

Oh, the power of prayer! All throughout Acts we find reference to prayer. The writings make it clear that something happens when God’s people pray. We also learn about how powerful prayer and unity with other Christians can be. The phrase, “with one accord” or “joining together” in prayer is actually found 6 times in Acts. Prayer is a must! When we pray together as a group, we are essentially asking God to show up. We may need Him to affect some situation we are facing, or we may simply hunger for more of Him. But when we pray, incredible things happen.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for teaching us about the importance of prayer. Help us to remember that you will reveal your will to us. Our job is to be unified in purpose, seek wisdom and pray. We ask that when we come together you will send us out in the world in peace and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with singleness of heart. May we be daring in dynamic for you!

Amen