Take a Daily Inventory

Acts 2:37-41 (NIV)  When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."  With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."  Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

We all have those things we don't want to think about. We have memories of days when our behavior left something to be desired. In fact we may even recall things we would rather forget about completely. I think it is just such a moment the people Peter was addressing were feeling. Peter reminded them they had just crucified Jesus, their LORD and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

The reality of their deeds was sinking in and they were feeling guilt and fear wash over them. Their response was, "Brothers, what shall we do?" How can we make this wrong, right? Have you ever been there? Did you ever wake up one morning with a conscience so covered with guilt you just wanted to dig a hole and crawl in?

What a freeing moment it is when we learn God can make it right. How light our spirits can be once we hear the words, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." These words must have made an impact on the crowd that day for about three thousand accepted the message and were baptized. Can I hear an AMEN?

Each one of us has the same opportunity. Each of us can hand over all our guilt and shame; we can turn from our sins and repent, knowing there is forgiveness. Imagine how good we will sleep when we regularly take an inventory of the day just lived, determine where mistakes were made and confess to God. Then when we wake in the morning we will awaken to a new day.

Acts 2:37-41