Getting a Fresh Start

In 1 Peter 1:3-4 I read, “Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven.” (The Message)

If I was to google the phrase “fresh start,” I’d get more than 2 billion results. Evidently, a lot of people would like to have a fresh start in life. Most think, “they’ve blown it. Or really made a mess of things in life and would like a fresh start.”

There are times in my life I feel like one of those. I feel hopeless or helpless. I think I’m unworthy. I think I’m too old. I think I’ve done too many bad things.

I think even God can’t help. Perhaps he doesn’t want me. But Word says he does. I may think you’ve committed an unpardonable sin, but I haven’t.

What I’m learning is that, no matter what’s happened in my life, God wants a relationship with me.

Jesus is in the business of giving people a fresh start. The apostle Peter said, “Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3-4 The Message).

The apostle Paul said it a different way: “Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:30 The Message).

When I gave my life to Christ, several things happened:

. I opened up my life to God and began to get to know him.

. I was given a brand new life, which gives me everything to live for.

. I get a future in heaven.

My past is forgiven, I get a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven. What a deal! My past, present, and future are taken care of as I put my trust in Jesus.

In summary, because Jesus was raised from the dead, I’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven. A lot of people would like to have a fresh start in life, including myself at times. There are times in my life when I feel hopeless, helpless, unworthy, or too old. I begin to think even God can’t help or perhaps he doesn’t want me. But Word says he does. What I’m learning is that, no matter what’s happened in my life, God wants a relationship with me. Jesus is in the business of giving people including myself a fresh start. When I gave my life to Christ, several things happened: I opened up my life to God and began to get to know him. I was given a brand new life, which gives me everything to live for. I get a future in heaven. My past is forgiven, I get a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven. What a deal! My past, present, and future are taken care of as I put my trust in Jesus.

Father thank you for the fresh beginning based on the salvation Christ brought me. I ask for your help through the Holy Spirit that I’m reminded of this frequently.  Lord, I need you today. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can trust you in everything including my self-worth and a future job role. You have my best interests in mind. I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, my training for a future job role and learning a small group. I pray these things through you Son Jesus’ name, amen.