January 31, 2020
Acts 1:22-23
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.
New International Version (NIV)
How do we know Jesus is alive?  He gave many convincing proofs over a period of forty days.  Jesus taught his disciples so much in those weeks.  He promised the Holy Spirit would come and make them witnesses.  They stood and stared at the sky as he ascended until angels asked them why.  This same Jesus “will come back,” they promised. 

They still had work to do.  Peter said that Judas had to be replaced.  How do you choose a new leader?  Replacing Judas after his failure was important.  They needed to choose well. 

It is even harder to replace a successful leader who finishes well.  I sat in the pastor’s office at Jerusalem Baptist in Galveston discussing this with two good friends recently.  Pastor Colbert who once prayed and taught me, “God, you can do anything but fail,” said the first person to try to replace a legend will have a difficult time.  In my experience that is true. 

First, we notice that the whole group of apostles joined together constantly in prayer.  In other words, prayer was not tacked on to the work of the church.  It was integrated with everything they did, as the true work of the church.  Fortified by prayer with the eleven and the women and Jesus’ mother and brothers, Peter stood to encourage them to find someone to replace Judas.  What were the qualifications?  He must have been with Jesus, living in community with the believers starting with John’s baptism until the very moment Jesus ascended.  They wanted a witness to the resurrection.

The eye-witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection have long since gone on to glory.  But we have their accounts.  Now our church and others must find leaders to join us to bear witness to all that God has done in Jesus Christ.  The story still needs to be told.  Let’s covenant together to pray for God to show us the right leaders to join us in the work as fellow witnesses of the risen Lord.  
Pray with me:       
Father, make prayer more than a perfunctory practice among your people.  Give us hearts that will wait before you in prayer.  Make prayer more than a form and certainly not a formality.  Make prayer a force again among your people.  Give us confidence that when we ask you for what we need, you will guide and provide.  We trust you God.  We are “all in.”  You alone are our hope for today and all the future.  In Jesus’ name.  Amen.  
Join us in memorizing the Word.  Scripture for this week:    
Matthew 5:9-10
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Our 2020 Every Day with Jesus readings will follow the Foundations New Testament reading plan.  Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy at REPLICATE.ORG 
We would love for you to join us as we read the New Testament through this year, five chapters a week.  In addition I will continue my long-standing practice of reading one Psalm a day through the year.  Use Robby Gallaty’s H. E. A. R. plan to study each chapter (also found at REPLICATE.ORG). Highlight verses which speak to you, explain what they mean in your own words in a journal, apply them to your own life, then respond by doing what God tells you to do.  
Joyfully, 
Duane 
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