Luke 6:13 (NIV) When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles: Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Jesus, You picked twelve apostles to be Your closes friends and trainees. Show me the progressive spiritual journey of two of these twelve men, Peter and Judas, so I can learn from their lives. Show me that Peter was a very special person who wanted to excel in all You were training him to do and be. Help me see that he put his best efforts into trying to be one of Your top disciples. Help me see his spiritual weaknesses and shortcomings. And, help me be able to see down in his heart that he really loved You.

Jesus, help me understand that Judas was also picked by You so he could be close to You. Help me see that Judas had a lot of spiritual problems. Teach me that the main reason You made him a part of this group of twelve disciples was, this special relationship was his only hope of making it into eternity with God. Judas needed intensive care if he was going to head in the right direction. So, You pulled him into Your top twelve so he would be in on everything You said and did. Help me see that Judas got in on most of the special meeting of just the twelve. And, he got to spend a lot of time with You so he could see Who You really are.

Mat 10:1-8 (NIV) He (Jesus) called His twelve disciples to Him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him. Jesus, help me consider what these men’s motives were for using this power. Was it to heal or to be powerful?

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” Jesus, help me realize that Peter got to experience this incredible opportunity to do these things and so did Judas. You didn’t hold anything back from them seeing what love was all about.

Jesus, You let Peter and Judas both be exposed to all the wonderful power of God. They were given a chance to experience God's love for diseased and hurting people. As God actually flowed through them and set people free from all kinds of sins, diseases, death, and demon possession, there was a purpose. Show me that it was a glorious time where they were helping hurting people. This was an opportunity for them to see what could happen if they completely turned their life over to God. Let me see these hurting people and open my heart to true love.

Mat 16:15-19 (NIV) “But what about you?” He asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Jesus, show me what an opportunity we have to be mightily used to advance the Kingdom of God! Show me that Peter and Judas both heard what was possible for those who gave themselves over to You. Peter loved You enough to be willing to hear Your encouragement and Your citiquing. He was motivated to try to resist anything that might separate him from You. Show me that Judas wanted to stay in the background; he didn’t want to be noticed because he was doing things that You wouldn’t like.

John 12:3-6 (NIV) Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

Jesus, make it clear to me that You taught Peter and Judas the principles in Luke 16:13 (NIV): “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Jesus, when I resist the pressure to do something wrong that causes me to lose a friend, a job, a deal, a relationship, or a promotion, help me understand that I love You more than money. Teach me that, that love empowers me to resist allowing something wrong, bad, or evil to come into my life.