CHAPTER 1

ACTS 1DAY ONE

CHOSEN

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eklegomai
ek-leg'-om-ahee

to select;pick one out of many

If you are holding this book in your hands, you have beeninvited to go deeper in your relationship with God. You havean opportunity to discover and affirm your identity in Him ina greater way. What exactly does it mean to be chosen by God?Why does the God of the universe, the Father of creation, theall-knowing Being who dwells in eternal glory call you and I"chosen?"

First and foremost, you are chosen to be in a real, lovingrelationship with your Father in heaven. You are chosen towalk with Him and enjoy Him. You are chosen to worshipHim and live out His will. You are chosen for a purpose, notto promote self, but to link arms with other purpose-filledbelievers and bring God's kingdom to earth in every sphereof society. It is only from the place of intimacy with God thatyou can accomplish all that He has created and chosen you todo. Everything you are purposed to be should flow from lovingcommunion with your Creator.

Matthew 22:14 says, "For many are called, but few arechosen." Many are called to salvation. However, few acceptthis invitation to intimacy with God and live accordingly. Fewtruly understand the imputed righteousness of Christ and thesanctification of the Spirit that lead to real encounter andrelationship with God. The chosen child of God is one whomakes a decision to live obediently and intimately with Himmoment by moment, surrendering and forsaking all for Him,and opting to pursue a holy life for His glory. This is evidentin the lives of many of the men and women in the book ofActs.

The word chosen is used twicein the first chapter of Acts, and bothtimes it refers to being selected byGod for a purpose. Acts 1:2 says thatJesus "... through the Holy Spirithad given commandments to theapostles whom He had chosen...."Have you ever paused to considerwhy He chose those particulartwelve men to establish His kingdomon earth? What was so special about them? Regardless of theiroccupation, education, or experience, I believe Jesus chosethem because He knew that they would say yes to His call. Heknew that they would be willing to walk with Him daily. Thebeauty of saying yes to Jesus is that He knows of what you arefully capable. There should be no hesitation when you hear Hisinvitation to "Follow Me." Your Creator knows you better thanyou know yourself, and His plans for you are good.

In Acts 1:24-25, the disciples were gathered together inprayer in the upper room to choose a replacement for Judas.They prayed, "You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, showwhich of these two You have chosen to take part in this ministryand apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that hemight go to his own place." God reveals throughout His wordthat He has chosen certain people for specific purposes. Oncethat purpose is identified, however, it is up to us to lean intoHim and fulfill it. The disciples, for example, were chosen totake the gospel to the nations. They were used by God to leadothers into His presence. They consistently kindled fires in cold,wounded, captive hearts. They healed bodies and performedmiracles by the Spirit and power of God. They truly set theworld on fire after spending three years establishing a close,personal relationship with Jesus. You and I are no different. Godhas chosen us and called us His own. He wants to use us tobring heaven to earth, but everything we do must be done fromthe place of intimacy with Him. John 15:5 says, "I am the vine,you are the branches. He whoabides in Me, and I in him, bearsmuch fruit; for without Me you cando...