What Will Be Your Response? By Ed McDowell

The Response to the Call to Repent

Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts of the Apostles 2:38 NLT

Have you ever been in a situation where you were not sure how to respond? 

I can think of several experiences where I did not know what to do with what I was hearing, seeing, or experiencing. In those moments, it is wise to ask for help in knowing how to respond.

On one occasion, I was in a community of Haitians in the Dominican Republic.  We were building a church there.  A few houses down, a young girl was electrocuted from bad wiring. People came running to us, and she was put in the car and rushed to the hospital.  I was preaching in that community the next day.  I had prepared to preach on a story in the bible where a daughter of a respected citizen is healed by Jesus.  With the girl’s electrocution and the outcome of her life unknown, I was questioning what God had prepared for me to share. 

That evening, I shared my concern with other team members.  I wasn’t sure how to respond.  I was reminded that God prepared me with this message, knowing full well that this little girl’s life was hanging in the balance.  I now knew how to respond.  Preach the message God gave to me. I did.  Following the message, I received word that the little girl was going to make a full recovery!  My faith in God grew that day.

Reflection

Peter has just shared the story of Jesus.  People have heard the story in their own language through the power of the Holy Spirit. The truth is amazing, and the people are not sure how to respond.  They ask Peter this question: 

“Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 

Acts of the Apostles 2:37 NLT

Just as my friends gave me good guidance when I didn’t know how to respond, Peter gives everyone very clear guidance.  

“Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ‘ “

~ Act 2:38, NT

On that day, thousands responded to Peter’s guidance. 

Encouragement

Ask God what He wants your response to Him to be today?  Ask someone for guidance in this.  Also, be ready to give a response to someone who asks you on how they are to respond to God. It might end up being the story of a little girl healed by God or the beginning of thousands responding to Jesus.  Your response matters.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, Thank You for giving Peter such a clear response to those asking what to do in response to You.  Thank You for friends who gave me such a clear response to trust You in telling of You through the healing of a little girl.  Thank You for the change that comes to all of us who respond to You.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit.

In Your name, Jesus, we pray, Amen

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Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp. He has extensive experience in overseeing and directing ministry organizations, including stewardship development, personnel and organizational management.

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