Unstoppable! 'Someone Who Has Been with Jesus!' — Acts 1:21-22

Saturday, January 17, 2026

[Peter said,] "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."
— Acts 1:21-22 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus chose the Twelve so that they could be with him. We shouldn't be surprised that the disciples of Jesus wanted to select a replacement for Judas. Notice the requirement for a replacement. This person had to have been with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry through his ascension. The apostles were examples for other disciples as they lived out their mission to be witnesses to the world about what they had seen and heard. While we cannot go back in time and be with Jesus as the apostles were, we can focus our attention on the four gospel stories of his life, his words, and his ministry. We can commit to living for him and like him. As we do, we, too, can be witnesses to the world for Jesus!

Today's Prayer

O Father, I want to know Jesus. I want to experience his presence in my life. I want to live for him and be like him. I trust that the Spirit is at work to transform me to be more like him as I focus on him, learn about him, and live for him. When people are around me, may they know that I have been with Jesus! May they realize by the way that I treat them that Jesus' righteous character, gracious compassion, and enduring faithfulness have rubbed off on me. But, dear Lord, may this be true for his glory and their benefit, not mine. In the name of Christ Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

More than Filling the Gap
Devo: Unstoppable!
"Peter continued [about the need to replace Judas], "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one...."
Better Broken: 11!
Article by Phil Ware
What do you do with the one who is missing? Phil Ware continues his series, Better Broken, focusing on the problem of there being 11 apostles and how people fail us and what are we doing to do to go on after we've been betrayed.

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 1:21-22 NLT — [Peter said,] "So now we must choose a replacement for Judas from among the men who were with us the entire time we were traveling with the Lord Jesus — from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, January 17, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ, the All-sufficient Sacrifice'
"Dear Father, holy God, Write the requirements of your will upon my heart. May I live in such a way that my conscience will bear witness that I have....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Pointing Others to Jesus' (Jn. 1:15)
"John testified about [the Word, Jesus] when he shouted to the crowds, "This is the one I was talking about when I said, 'Someone is coming after me..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'The Promised Gift' (Ac. 2:38-39)
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Your Best Is Not Good Enough'
"Dear Beloved, What do you do when you recognize that your best isn't good enough to get you to God? That's the essential question that every..."

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!