Devotion's by Deborah

Devotion 3-6-24, Acts 5:29- "But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men." Jesus was crucified and 3 days later arose from the dead. He lingered for 40 days, appearing in various places, encouraging and instructing His disciples. He ascended into heaven where He sat down at the right hand of God forever.(Hebrews 10:12) On Pentecost, as we may see in Acts 2, Jesus sent His promised Holy Spirit to empower the believers to preach, teach and display the power of God to the world. This was the source of great rejoicing and persecution. The "authorities" of their time told the disciples to cease doing what God said to do. Peter explained, "We must obey God rather than men." Colossians 1:15-16-"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him." If we are created "for Him," should we not also say with Peter, "We must obey God, rather than men?" Jesus is the Head. Jesus is the Sacrifice. Jesus is the Reconciler. Jesus is Peace and the Peacegiver. Jesus is our Hope and Redeemer. Colossians 1:17-18- "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything." We are required to make a choice. Will we obey the Creator or the created? Will we look up and obey God; or, will we follow the easier path and go with the crowd? He has offered you life in Him. Colossians 1:22-23- "yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard,..." Whom will you obey?