"Good News About Grace" in American Sign LanguageSample

Do You Need A Fresh Start?
By Rick Warren

“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 MSG)

Once I typed the phrase “fresh start” into Google, and it brought up 485,000 links! Evidently, a lot of people would like to have a fresh start in life. They think, “I’ve blown it, I’ve messed up, I’ve really made a mess of things in my life. I’d like a fresh start.”

Jesus is in the business of giving people a fresh start. The apostle Peter says, “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 MSG).

Several things happen once you give your life to Christ:

• 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.

You can 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.

“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).

Talk It Over

How does your life differ from what it was like before you became a Christian?

What should a fresh start with Jesus look like in your life?

Who in your life needs to hear the Good News that Jesus gives a fresh start? How can you reach out to that person?