On a Mission

Acts 1
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon
you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all
Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8


Background:
Luke writes this letter to Theophilus, a high government official, or maybe
the one who writes and copies for Luke. This book  is called "The Acts of the
Apostles."
I. The Jerusalem Church in Acts 1:6-6:7, is the early Christian church.
    At first the church contained only Jewish believers who worshiped at the
    Jerusalem temple and lived according to the OT law. They were distinct
    because they worshiped Jesus as God and recognized Him as the Messiah.
    They were unique because of their love for one another and sharing of their
    lives. This supportive community, with evangelistic preaching and
    miraculous healings performed by the disciples, stimulated a great turning
    to Jesus there.
(Information from Nelson's Illustrated Bible Handbook.)


LET IT GLOW

"And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was
surnamed Justus, and Matthias. And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord,
which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast
chosen."   Acts 1:23-24

The 11 disciples were in the process of choosing a man to take Judas
Iscariot's place as a disciple. They prayed, seeking the Lord's direction as
they cast lots to determine which man would be the right one.

What caught my attention was "Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all
men." This is a truth about the Lord. He does know and see everyone's heart.
There are two other scriptures referring to this ability of God:

I Samuel 16:7 says, "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his
countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:
for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."

The priest Samuel went to the house of Jesse to pick a new king for Israel as
the Lord directed him. God told Samuel to not look at the outward
appearance, because God looked at the man's heart. David was chosen by
God because he was a man after His own heart.

I Kings 8:39 says, "Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive,
and  do and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou
knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of
men;)

Solomon was praying the above during the new temple dedication.

What should my heart be like since God knows it?

• praising (Ps.70:8)
• pure (Matt.5:8)
• forgiving (Matt.18:35)
• trusting (Prov.3:5)
• faith (Eph.3:17)
• singing with grace (Col.3:16)
• fearful  (Col. 3:22)
• standing steadfast (2Cor.7:37)
• clean (Ps.51:10)
• upright (Ps. 64:10) 
• serving (Josh.22:5)

Wow! That's a long list. I'm sure there must be more adjectives which could
be added. Change my heart, O God.


LET IT GROW

I have been on two foreign mission trips. Our purpose was to share the
gospel, teach the gospel, and love through the gospel. Inspite of obstacles,
people came to know Jesus as their Savior. Our group was on a mission. So
were the apostles.

Jesus spoke to and appeared to many people during the 40 days following
His resurrection. Back in Matthew 28, it is recorded what He said to His
eleven disciples, in verses 18-20, which is called "The Great Commission."
It is repeated in Acts 1:8 in different words. Jesus was sending His disciples
on a mission. Disciple means learner and apostle means one sent on a
mission.

How was this to happen, witnessing in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the
uttermost part of the earth? The Holy Spirit would empower the apostles,
which is seen in chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost.

Do I allow the Holy Spirit to live through me? Would I see a difference
around me because of it? Am I a witness in my town, state, nation, and
world?


LET IT GO

Since You know my heart, Lord, make it like You want it to be, which is
more like You.

I want to be the Lord's witness whereever I am and wherever He sends me.