Do You Need a Fresh Start?

by Rick Warren — April 2, 2021
From Expecting a Resurrection When Life Falls Apart

“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)

If you google the phrase “fresh start,” you’ll get more than 2 billion results! Evidently, a lot of people would like to have a fresh start in life. They think, “I’ve blown it. I’ve really made a mess of things in my life. I’d like a fresh start.”

Perhaps you are one of those people. You may feel hopeless or helpless. You may think you’re unworthy. You may think you’re too old or too young. You may think you’ve done too many bad things.

You may think you don’t need God—you do. Or maybe you think God doesn’t want you—he does. You may think you’ve committed the unpardonable sin—you haven’t.

No matter what’s happened in your life, God wants a relationship with you.

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 you give your life to Christ, several things happen:

  • You open up your life to God and get to know him.
  • You’re given a brand new life, which gives you everything to live for.
  • You get a future in heaven.

I like to say it this way: You get your past forgiven, a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven. What a deal! Your past, present, and future are taken care of as you put your trust in Jesus.

Talk It Over

  • What has a fresh start with Jesus looked like in your life?
  • When you know you have “your past forgiven, a purpose for livin’, and a home in heaven,” how does that change the way you live?
  • Who in your life needs to hear the Good News that Jesus gives a fresh start? How can you reach out to that person?

Have a fresh start with Jesus.

Have you realized during this Easter season that you’re ready for a fresh start with Jesus? If you are, pray this prayer and receive his salvation today:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, I will have a fresh start. Everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin and ask for your forgiveness. I believe you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning every part of my life over to you. I want to follow you and do what you tell me to do.

“Jesus, I am grateful for your love and your sacrifice that makes it possible for me to join you in heaven. I know I don’t deserve it. And I thank you that I don’t have to earn or work for my salvation, because I know that is impossible. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at [email protected] and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.


Give hope, prayer, and encouragement below. Post a comment & talk about it.