Today you should read: Acts 1:12-26
Recently I’ve been reading through the book of Acts with someone I’m discipling and they mentioned how they never ever noticed that Judas was replaced as a disciple. I told him I remembered this but not in such a crazy way. We see how the disciples sought God’s guidance and will for such an important decision, just like we are supposed to do when we are seeking God’s will and making big decisions in life with marriage, church, careers, etc.
They prayed to God and they trusted God as the only one who can know the hearts of the two candidates for such an important role in the early church. How did they end up making the final decision? The same way the Roman soldiers decided who would be able to keep Jesus’ clothes at the foot of a cross. A game that many in that culture and time used to gamble and make wagers on things. I guess the early church wasn’t Southern Baptist. But in all seriousness, they casted lots when they still couldn’t figure out who was the more qualified candidate of the two and this was not looked upon as a “sinful” thing. Why? Well like the other almost 70 times “casting lots” is mentioned in the Scriptures, it was a way of showing that they needed to take a step of faith, knowing that God is in control and they can trust Him. They didn’t just jump to this method but instead spent time praying, discussing, and seeking God. And when it still wasn’t clear they took a step of faith.
Sometimes we need to do the same in our important decisions. Sometimes God doesn’t make it crystal clear or write it out in the sky with clouds for you. Sometimes we must move forward with where it seems like God is leaning toward, trusting He will shut the door if it’s not what He wants and using it in His sovereignty if it doesn’t turn out how He wished or wanted. After all, God knows best, and sometimes what’s best for an important decision is a simple casting of lots after praying and going to Him first.
What important decision do you need to trust God with?
By: Erik Koliser — West Campus Pastor
JumpstartCPC.com 
I’ve often wondered how Joseph called Barsabbas must have felt when he wasn’t chosen.
Lindsay, I’ve also wondered this. I also hadn’t realized Judas’ money was used to buy a field. I read it to mean that Judas bought the field but my husband explained that Judas threw the money back into the temple but they money couldn’t be used in the temple because it would have been considered blood money. He says that they used the mo way to buy a field for burial of those who couldn’t afford burial in a tomb. Is this correct?
I don’t think anyone knows for sure. Acts 1:18 says that Judas bought the field.