What should we do?
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
In the world we live in today, we have an unlimited selection of activities, pastimes, and hobbies to occupy the time we’ve been given. From crafting to sports, reading to videos, TV to going to the movies, and cooking to dining out, not to mention school, work, and community events. We have become a society consumed with busyness and entertainment. Many people are caught up in the pursuit of success, wealth, and comfort, believing that the ultimate goal in life is to achieve financial stability that will produce personal happiness.
But in today’s reading, the Apostle Peter is faced with a question that cuts through all the distractions: “What should we do?”
Peter had just delivered a powerful message about Jesus, the Messiah who was crucified and raised from the dead. The crowd, deeply convicted, recognized their need for direction. But notice that Peter’s response wasn’t about personal achievement, financial security, or worldly success. He didn’t tell them to seek higher education, climb the corporate ladder, or even just attend religious services. His response was simple yet life-changing:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” ~ Acts 2:38
Peter’s answer remains just as relevant today. Our ultimate purpose in life is not to accumulate wealth or seek temporary comforts but to turn to God, receive His forgiveness, and be filled with His Spirit so that we can enter into a personal relationship with Him and live out His mission.
It’s easy to become distracted by the demands of life. We pursue success, entertainment, and possessions, often without realizing how much time and energy we devote to things that won’t last. But Peter reminds us that life is not about what we accumulate, it’s about who we follow.
God’s desire is that we repent, which means turning away from sin and self-reliance, and commit fully to Him. When we do, He not only forgives us but also fills us with His Spirit, giving us the power, wisdom, and boldness to live for Him. This isn’t just for us but it’s for the generations that follow.
Here are some way that we can respond to this direction starting right now:
- Evaluate Your Priorities – Ask yourself: What am I truly pursuing? Am I running after God’s purpose for my life, or am I consumed by temporary things? Take time to reflect and focus your heart on God and His plan.
- Repent and Surrender – If you recognize that you’ve been focused on the wrong things, turn back to God today. Repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry, it’s about making a decision to live differently.
- Be Baptized (or Renew Your Commitment) – If you’ve never taken this step, consider baptism as a public declaration of your faith. If you’ve already been baptized, reflect on what it means to walk daily in that commitment by trusting Him every step of the way.
- Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance – You were never meant to navigate life alone. Invite the Holy Spirit to lead, strengthen, and equip you to live out God’s purpose.
- Use What You Have for God’s Glory – Instead of seeing your career, home, or resources as your ultimate goals, ask God how He wants you to use them to impact others for His Kingdom.
Today I want to encourage you to consider what you are pursuing? Are you building a life that will fade away, or are you investing in eternity? Make the decision today to repent, receive God’s Spirit, and live with purpose. When you do, you’ll not only experience true fulfillment, but you’ll also become a light to those around you, leading them to the hope found in Jesus. Let today be a turning point. Choose to pursue God over temporary gain and watch as He transforms your life from the inside out.
Prayer:
Lord, I recognize that I’ve been distracted by the temporary things of this world. Forgive me for pursuing comfort and success over Your presence. I turn my heart back to You today. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and lead me in Your purpose. Use my life for Your glory and help me to reach others with Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s scripture reading: Acts 2:22-39
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know
23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it.
25 For David says concerning Him: ‘I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad; Moreover, my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’
29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 He, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.
32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses.
33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’
36 “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”
The Daily Dose 