May 30, 2026
— Miner Searle Bates · Source: Religious Freedom: An Investigation
Acts 5:29 Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God more than men.”
In a world turned upside down, the missionaries and apostles of Beddess served as beacons, illuminating the very foundation of faith. To obey God or to obey man is the ultimate test of conscience and soul. Worldly authority and pressure often press in, attempting to seize the sanctuary that belongs solely to God. When societal trends or external powers contradict sacred justice, love, and humane laws, do we have the courage to stand on the side of truth? True faith is never cowardly compliance, but rather, even when darkness overwhelmingly descends, unwavering belief in the value of goodness and, through the love of Christ, a willingness to pay the price for upholding sacred commandments.
Loving Heavenly Father, grant me a heart that reveres You more than the world. In this complex and chaotic world, when faced with the temptation of profit or the pressure of power, I ask the Holy Spirit to always protect my conscience, grant me keen wisdom to discern Your will, and bestow upon me the strength and courage of the apostles and sages, so that I may steadfastly "obey God, not man" in crucial moments. Grant that my life be a rock in the flood, living out the righteousness, love, and mercy of Christ amidst the tide of indifference and injustice. May my words and deeds bear witness to the truth, honoring Your absolute Sovereignty over all. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.