Good morning!  Last week we read that all the apostles were arrested, released by an angel of the Lord, and continued to teach in the name of Jesus. Today we will continue our reading in Acts chapter five verses 26-32.

BIBLE VERSE – Acts 5:26-32 NLT
“²⁶ The captain went with his Temple guards and arrested the apostles, but without violence, for they were afraid the people would stone them. ²⁷ Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. ²⁸ “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. ³⁰ The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. ³¹ Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. ³² We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.””

REFLECTION
The verse I want to focus on today is, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”  The apostles had a choice, to deny the truth of this new life in Christ Jesus or speak truth and share the entire story which speaks life, truth (including the act of the high priest and Jewish leaders act in killing Jesus), and calls for repentance and the following of Christ.

The apostles made the right choice, they decided to follow the Holy Spirit’s prompting and continued to teach in the name of Jesus. Sisters and brothers we are in a place in society where believers are being called to be obedient to God, to love they neighbor, to love one another, to seek thy justice, to love mercy, and one of my favorite verses Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV):“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

Today if you find yourself in conflict on what to do, choose God he will always lead you. He is our firm foundation.

PRAYER
Father God thank you for another day. Thank you for your mercy and grace. Thank you for the protection you continue to provide to your children. Father we come to you with humble hearts, with our face and knees bowed down before you in reverence of who you are and how great you are. Father we grieve over the loss of life due to senseless acts of violence, we grieve over the loss of lives of our loved ones due to sickness, disease and natural causes. Lord, touch and comfort the families and all those who grieve. Lord, give them peace in their spirit. Lord give us wisdom and discernment on the best course of action to move forward- with the things that concern you. Lord unite us in heart and passion to change our nation, world, jobs, churches, institutions, and even in our homes. Lord, wake us up. Humble our hearts and help us to remain focused on the things that concern you. Teach us and equip us on how to change systems. Teach us how to be seen, heard and doing the work that needs to be done to change the status quo. Lord may everything we do or say bring you glory. Lord help those who are struggling with depression and with anxiety. Lord calm their fears, steady their thoughts and remind them that they are loved and to put their hope in You. Lord, be with those without a home. Lord, keep them warm, safe, and fed. Lord, be with the children as they go to school today. Keep them safe, protect them from harm, and disrupt any plan of a predator. Lord, be with those who are married and strengthen their marriages. Be with those who are single (e.g., never married, separated, divorced, widowed) and help them to see you and what you have created them to be. In Jesus name, amen.

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