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“Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:27-30

The early disciples should have been scared. They were preaching what Jesus preached, then taking it a step further and regularly declaring his resurrection. They were doing this in the very cities that housed those who sentenced Jesus to death. Surely they could have expected the same fate!

Yet, the disciples did not run away from such conflict. They took it head on, knowing that the powers of the land were nothing compared to the power of God. Things only happen that God decides, so they had nothing to fear. On this mission from God, like Christ before them, there is nothing to fear.

We, too, can go boldly into the world fulfilling the mission God has given us. With his guiding hand over what will happen, we can have no fear.

Be God’s — every day.

“Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. 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.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:21-26

Imagine what kind of event this was for Justus and Matthias! After Judas’ betrayal and death, he needed be to be replaced, as foretold in prophecy.

After they prayed about the decision, they voted. Matthias won. Justus lost. To my knowledge Justus doesn’t appear in the rest of the writings about the Apostles. He wasn’t chosen. Done.

We’ve all been Justus at one point in our lives — not getting an opportunity we hoped for, or being left out of the group. How we handle those moments says a lot about who we are and how we proceed in life. Those moments aren’t easy, but they are part of life.

We should remember this: God loved Justus no less than Matthias. He just wasn’t the bet person for the role. I am certain that Justus was blessed as well in his life, and God used him in other ways. That is true in our moments of loss, too. God loves us no less!

Be God’s — every day.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
Acts 4:32

Could this be the perfect world? Everyone agrees, and shares everything with one another?

Of course, one could also argue that the same description could be used for some less perfect socialist regimes. At least on the surface, everyone agrees (or is forced to) and everyone shares (or is forced to, to the benefit of the regime).

I prefer to think of it as perfection. A world with diversity, but at the core people share a common purpose and vision. Material possessions don’t run the world, they are a part of life that everyone recognizes is fleeting and minimal. The poor are cared for. There is peace.

What does the “perfect world” look like to you?

What can you do to make the world a little more perfect?

Be God’s — every day.

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
Acts 14:17

The evidence (or “testimony”) for God’s love is everywhere. From the most beautiful landscape to finding love to the promise of a rainbow to the joy of morning coffee… We can see signs all around us that we have a God who wants us to be happy.

Look around (literally and figuratively). What do you see that is a gift from God?

Be God’s — every day.

When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
Acts 16:7

We often picture the Holy Spirit opening doors for us or making things happen. We pray for new direction or new opportunity. We hope for that shining light to show us the way.

Sometimes, that “way” can be a big old stop sign. And in many of those cases, we are surprised by that.

I am quite curious what this looked like for Paul. Did he get a revelation “don’t go there” during the night? Did a glowing white Jesus appear and block the road? Or maybe something crazy happened — road construction or his horse broke down — that just made it impossible? Given that Paul planned to go there, I wonder how readily he accepted redirection.

The Spirit works in many ways. Sometimes the message is “do this” or “here, this is for you.” Other times the message is “uh, no” or “don’t go there girlfriend.” May we all have the wisdom to accept the negative message just the same as a positive one.

How might the Spirit be redirecting you?

Be God’s — every day.

After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.
Acts 1:3

I’m not a person who naturally believes what I hear. You can ask my wife — if I have any reason to question a statement, I am quick to consult the gospel of Google to search for the truth.

You might even go so far as to say I’m a “doubter.” The University of Chicago tends to mold these types… Ask lots of questions, seek the truth, require proof.

Passages like this one help me remember that I’m not alone.

Jesus appeared and gave “many convincing proofs that he was alive.” I can’t help but wonder what he was doing to prove, over and over, that he was alive. I can understand, though, why there was disbelief — because it is pretty unbelievable.

If you are facing doubt, know that you are not alone. Even those close to Jesus — around when it happened and close by — asked for proof. Also know that many became so convinced that they would commit their lives to telling the story, even to the point of being killed for telling it. That degree of passion suggests that the unbelievable is indeed the truth.

He is risen! Know the truth, that Christ is Lord of all!

Be God’s — every day.

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
Acts 16:26

This raises a lot of questions for me…

Why did God choose to put me where he put me? Why did he give me to a young couple who would later divorce? Why am I in the world now, as opposed to 150 years ago? Why in the United States?

I can certainly say that with few exceptions, the circumstances highlighted above have created a blessed life for me. Before I could choose to accept or deny God, I was tremendously blessed.

Not everyone gets those blessings.

Why are so many children born in countries in Africa, where they have little chance to survive and thrive to even my age? Why did God choose to put Jewish people in Germany during the Third Reich? What is so different about me, that I am so blessed while others are born into a life of hardship?

I’ve heard one person say that some are blessed because God knew they would choose to follow. I find that difficult to follow, since there are millions of Americans who are tremendously blessed and who are the same (or worse) spiritual place as an impoverished person in Sudan.

Some look at these questions as a reason to turn away from God. “A loving God wouldn’t do this to people.” Instead, I see these questions as part of the great mystery that God is revealing over time. Some day, we will all know why.

Be God’s — every day.