Obey God (Acts 5:29) by Kevin McNicholas

01 May Obey God (Acts 5:29) by Kevin McNicholas

“But Peter and the Apostles said in reply, ‘We must obey God rather than men.'” ~ Acts 5:29 (full readings)
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Kevin’s Reflection:  I think that verse alone should serve as today’s devotion!  Our society says that we need to follow anything and everything besides God.  By refusing the temptations of society and choosing to obey Him, we will be counter-cultural, we will be different, and we will be despised in the world’s eyes.  These are all good things!  Jesus never said that we were going to have an easy stroll through life by following Him; our lives are going to be harder as a result of our Faith in Him.  The end result, eternity in Heaven, is worth far more than fleeting pleasures here on earth.  What the world and popular culture have to offer may make us happy temporarily, but will not lead us to Heaven permanently.  St. Peter was probably not happy when he was led away to be crucified, but his Faith in Christ gave him the courage to look past his human suffering.  In fact, Peter had grown in his Faith to the point that he asked courageously to be crucified upside down, as he felt unworthy even to die the same way Jesus did.  This is a testament to the Faith lived by the first Pope, who on the first Good Friday three times denied even knowing Jesus.  Today I am going to pray that my life does not deny Jesus, and that I will obey God especially today, even if what He asks is not convenient for me!
* Kevin works for a Special Education Cooperative in Southern Illinois.  He and his wife Laura have a 19 month old miracle named Elliana (“the Lord Answers”) to love, and a son on the way!  They have been blessed during the 8 years of their marriage to travel to Catholic pilgrimage sites worldwide.
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Faith Challenge:  How can I obey God even more today than I already do?
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Counter-Culture News:  LifeSiteNews, LifeNews, American Family, Vatican, Project Rachel.
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Our Prayers:  Pray LIFE Runners Creed to end abortion.  Add Prayers. Pray with meals, bedtime, wake up, unceasingly. Consider mid-week Family Rosary (17 min). Let’s pray now.
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Feast Day:  Saint Joseph the Worker.
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Faith Quote:  “Be not afraid!” ~ SAINT John Paul II
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Through Christ Our Lord,
Kevin
Luke 1:37