Time to Turn Your Horse Around

Scripture Focus: Acts 2:38 "Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Cowboy Wisdom:
When you're riding the wrong trail, the smartest thing you can do is turn your horse around. That's what repentance is—realizing you're headed the wrong direction and making a U-turn back toward God.

Some folks think repentance is just feeling sorry about your sin. But a cowboy who feels bad about riding toward the canyon but keeps on riding is still gonna fall off the cliff. Real repentance means you stop, turn around, and head back the other way.

Peter gave them two clear instructions: repent and be baptized. Repentance isn't just confession—it's transformation. It's not enough to say "I'm sorry" while you keep doing the same thing. You've got to change direction.

Baptism is that public declaration. It's like branding yourself with the mark of Jesus Christ. You're saying to the world, "I died to my old life, and I've been raised to walk in newness of life with Jesus."

Questions for Reflection:

1. Is there an area of your life where you've confessed sin but haven't actually turned away from it?
2. What does true repentance look like practically in your situation?
3. If you've been baptized, are you living out what that baptism symbolizes—dead to sin, alive in Christ?

Prayer Focus:
Father, I don't want to just feel bad about my sin—I want to turn away from it completely. Give me the strength to make a real change. Help me walk in newness of life, leaving my old ways behind. Amen.