Faith Reset

Scriptures: Isaiah 43:18-19, Lamentations 3:22-23, Philippians 3:13-14

Starting something new can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Whether it’s a new year, a new school, a new friendship, or trying to leave behind old habits, we often struggle to move forward because we keep looking back. We feel stuck in the past looking at our mistakes, regrets, or even memories of better times. Maybe you wish you could have a fresh start. The great thing is that God specializes in new beginnings.

Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”

This is reminding us that we aren’t bound by our past. Too often we dwell in the past and in things that we can’t change, but God wants to do a new thing in your life! This isn’t us ignoring the past, but trusting God has something better ahead. Over the next two weeks, we want to challenge you to let go of the past and focus on what God has in front of you now! Surrender your past and watch how God transforms your life!

As we start this journey, think about what’s keeping you from stepping into the new things that God has for you and ask God to help you surrender that to Him.

Each week will end with a prayer that you can declare over your life. Here is today’s: “God, thank you for who you are, and all that you have done for me. Help me not to dwell on the past and surrender my future to you. Amen”

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34

You’ve probably heard it asked, or maybe you’ve asked it yourself, “what is the secret to life?” In other words, how do you live a life of value? How do you succeed at life? It’s the million dollar question. But what if I told you that the secret to life isn’t all that secret? In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us the secret to life.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

In the verses before this one, it talks all about how God values us. It tells us to look around, look at the birds and flowers, that God takes care of them and their needs, and if God takes care of them He will absolutely take care of us when we put Him first. And so the secret to receiving what we need in life is this… follow God and be obedient to what he commands. If we are faithful to God, we never have to worry about not having what we need, we can be confident that God will give us exactly what we need in each season of life.

Prayer: God let me be committed to your ways and not my own. Give me the wisdom to know what to do and the boldness to do it. God you are all good & I know you will take care of my needs as I follow after you.

Scripture: Romans 12:2

Wouldn’t we all love to know God’s will for our lives? His good, pleasing, and perfect will? When we think about our future, it’s so easy for us to get caught up in “what ifs” and patterns of worry or doubt, but doesn’t this scripture tell us that it is, in fact, possible to put those worries and doubts aside and know God’s will for our lives?

What does it take? What’s our part?

Well, let’s read backwards. In order to learn God’s will for our lives, we must first be transformed into a new person. How do we do this? Through a different way of thinking, through a change in behavior… through a renewal of our minds.

The process of renewing our minds first begins with realizing that we must change; we must turn away from the world, the things we once thought were right or fulfilling, and turn to the only one who knows what is truly good and pleasing and perfect… Jesus!

Like water washes away dirt and changes your clothing into something like new, Jesus washes away the sins of those who wish to be transformed, and he starts with the renewal of your mind.

Prayer: Ask God to transform your thinking through the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and to reveal to you His will for your life

Scriptures: Psalms 37:5, Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever set a big goal? Maybe that’s to make a sports team, get into a dream college, or find your first job — only to feel stuck or unsure of what’s next? Goals are important, but as followers of Christ, we’re called to approach them differently than the world. Instead of just chasing our own desires, we’re called to align our plans with God’s purpose.

But what does this mean and how can we do that?

Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” This highlights the importance of setting goals ourselves while also relying on God to lead us in the right direction. When we trust and commit our goals to God, it doesn’t mean they’ll automatically happen the way you imagine. Rather it involves placing our faith in His guidance to shape and develop us along the way.

When you align your goals with God’s will, they go beyond just personal success. They become opportunities to grow in faith, serve others, and glorify Him. So, before you take your next step, ask yourself: “How can this goal bring me closer to Jesus?”

Prayer: “Lord, I dedicate my goals to You. Help me to trust Your plans, seek Your guidance, and honor You in all I do. Shape my desires to align with Your will. Amen.”

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Change can be hard. We often face moments where we feel weak, vulnerable, or unprepared for the challenges ahead. It’s easy to believe we need to have everything together to succeed, but the truth is, it’s in our weakness that God’s power can shine the brightest.

The apostle Paul experienced his own struggles and weaknesses. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, God reassures him, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” This is a reminder that God’s grace—His unmerited favor—is enough to get us through. When we feel weak, it’s actually an opportunity for God’s power to be revealed in us.

As you navigate change in your life, remember that it’s okay to lean into God’s grace. He

doesn’t expect you to be perfect. He simply asks you to trust Him in your vulnerability. In your moments of weakness, He is there to give you strength.

Prayer: Lord, help me to lean on Your grace during times when I feel weak. Give me the strength to trust that your power is at work in me, even when I don’t feel strong. Amen.

Scriptures: Matthew 6:33, Romans 12:1-2, Galatians 6:9

Have you ever had the intention to do one thing, but then the thing you didn’t want to do or hoped to avoid was the very thing you ended up doing? Maybe you were hoping to eat a full meal but instead were rushing out the door with nothing but stress and empty stomach on your way to school. Maybe you were intending to read your Bible as soon as you woke up, but instead you ended up scrolling on Instagram through the time that was intended to be your quiet time.

We all have the best intentions, but when life happens, we all have a choice. The choices that we make dictate the trajectory of our lives. We have to decide if we want to coast through life or to take control by the Power of the Holy Spirit. Our life moves in the direction of the choices that we make each day and the difference is this: Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.

If you want to grow as a follower of Jesus the flow of our day starts with making it a habit to be with God before we can do anything for God. Each day you can choose to let your feelings dictate your choices or let the Holy Spirit lead you to the life that God has called you. A life of God’s presence and purpose or to coast through life without choosing HIM. What will you choose?

Prayer: “God, help me choose you and your purpose for my life. As I build new habits, give me the strength and self control to follow through. Lead me to make choices that honor you. Amen.”

Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Hebrews 12:11

I’ve heard people say, “Anything worth having doesn’t come easy or fast. If it did, we wouldn’t grow.” That’s so true, especially when it comes to understanding discipline. Discipline often feels like a negative thing, but if we could see how it helps us in the long run, we’d actually want it more.

Think about it like this: if you were planning to run a marathon, you wouldn’t just show up on race day and expect to finish without any training. You’d need a plan—figuring out how far you’ll run each week, when to take rest days, and what to eat to fuel your body. All that preparation is necessary to reach your goal: crossing the finish line. And when you do, you’ll know all the hard work was totally worth it.

Now let’s apply that same idea to our spiritual lives. Life isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. To run it well, we need to build habits—or spiritual disciplines—that align with our ultimate goal: to love God and love others while living like Jesus. Things like praying, reading the Bible, worshiping, going to church, building community, serving, and giving might not feel natural at first. But over time, as we stick with them, they become part of who we are and help us reflect God’s love in everything we do.

So, what’s one discipline you can start today to prepare for the race God has called you to run?

Prayer: “Help me to be disciplined. Help me enjoy being in your presence. Let me fall deeper in love with you. Amen.”

Scriptures: 2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 8:28

Failure can feel like a roadblock, stopping you from moving forward. It is easy to let fear convince you to give up before you even try. But God sees failure differently. He uses it to grow you and strengthen your faith.

2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” This verse is a reminder that God’s Spirit gives you the courage to face challenges head-on. Fear does not come from Him, but boldness and strength do.

Think about people like David or Peter in the Bible. David faced giants in battle, but he did not always make the right choices. Peter walked on water, but sank when he started to doubt. Even so, God used their failures to refine them and fulfill His purpose through their lives.

When you feel afraid to try because you might fail, trust that God is working in every moment. He is not focused on whether you succeed or fail but on the steps of faith you take. Each step draws you closer to Him and His plans for your life.

What is one thing you have been avoiding out of fear? Step into it with confidence, knowing that God’s Spirit is with you, empowering you with love and self-discipline. Failure is never the end of the story when you are walking with Him.

Prayer: “God, thank you for never giving up on me. When I’m afraid, remind me what You say about growing and grant me the boldness to take my next step with you. I trust that you’re working my story together for good! Amen.”

Scriptures: Psalms 118:24, 1 Thessalonians 5:18

When was the last time you felt truly grateful?

Maybe it was during the holiday season receiving gifts, or a birthday. Maybe it was someone holding the door for you, or hearing a Chick-Fil-A worker saying “my pleasure”.

First, let’s define gratitude. Gratitude is the act of being thankful for the good things in your life.

Psalm 118:24 says “This is the day the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

But, how many of you know sometimes this verse, or gratefulness, is easier said than done. This scripture is written by King David, who experienced a lot of really high highs and really low lows, yet still found a way to be grateful. So how can we change our perspective on gratitude today?

One of the best ways is to write it down. Keeping a gratitude journal and writing one thing we’re thankful for a day can help us look back on God’s faithfulness and count our blessings.

Here are some ways you can practice being grateful: Write something your grateful for in a Gratitude Journal and listen to the song Gratitude by Brandon Lake

Prayer: “God, help me be grateful for the things you’ve given me and for the things you’ve done for me! Help me rejoice in the day you have made and be thankful everyday. I love you. Amen.”

Scripture: Isaiah 40:28-31

In the world there are 2 types of animals, there are animals like hyenas that have to fight to survive the moment they are born. And then there are animals like the hippopotamus who are born helpless in water and can’t swim or breathe and must rely on their mothers for their survival. You’re probably thinking, what does this have to do with me? And the truth is that we are all one or the other. We are either fighters or reliers. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:28-31

28″Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

We were not created to fight battles alone. When we fight alone we allow the enemy to trap and single us out. Struggles are inevitable as verse 30 says we will be attacked because the enemy views you as a threat. But your response to struggle and pain is what will truly take your faith to the next level. We have access to a God that is so gracious, He is everlasting, eternal, all knowing and all powerful and is not surprised when trials come your way, and by trusting in God you are letting go of the steering wheel of life and allowing God to guide and direct you. There is such a peace that comes when you remove the weight of life’s trials and allow God to do His thing. Hippos live up to 60 years old because they depend on something bigger, better and stronger. While the hyenas only live up to a max of 12 years because they rely on their own strength to survive. Do you want to be a hyena or do you want to be in it for the long haul and trust that God will renew your strength in moments of weakness.

Prayer: “Lord, I thank you that you love me so much that you don’t make me do life alone. I pray that in moments of weakness I won’t rely on my own strength but your eternal strength and that I would throw my pride aside and allow you to lead my every step. In Jesus name amen.”

Scriptures: Galatians 5:22-23, Galatians 5:16-18, Romans 8:14

What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? Galatians 5:22 tells us the result (or fruit) of walking in the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we follow the Spirit, our lives produce fruit that reflects Godly characteristics. Our thoughts, words, and actions are guided by the Spirit so that we become more loving, kind, and patient. This is the evidence of a life in step with the Spirit.

Walking in the Spirit takes practice. Our default is to control and take matters into our own hands. But there is a better way. Walking in the Spirit starts with surrender, flows from inviting, and comes to life by following. First, we surrender our lives to the Spirit, acknowledging that our lives are better in His hands. From this place, we humbly invite Him into our daily lives, giving Him permission to guide our thoughts, words, and actions. Then, we follow where He leads—whether it’s sitting with someone who’s alone at the lunch table or speaking kindly to a sibling.

Walking in the Spirit is the only way to produce healthy fruit in our lives. We just need to surrender to Him, invite Him into our lives, and follow where He leads.

Prayer: “Holy Spirit, I surrender my life to You. Please guide my thoughts, words, and actions. Help me to walk with You so that I may produce good fruit in my life.”

Scriptures: Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17

We live in a world where anxiety is at an all time high. Social media, news stories, and the internet all contribute to our anxious feelings as we are constantly bombarded with messages of hopelessness and fear. BUT, we have a God who is above it all and wants us to come to Him with all of our worries, fears, and anxieties. When we pray, God wants to hear what is exciting us as well as our worries. Throughout the day, talk to him like a friend- share with him everything that’s on your mind. It could be 10 seconds or 10 minutes! We should pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

When praying, try to first thank God for all that He is doing in your life. Praise Him for the good (and the bad) and express your gratitude to Him. Then, talk to Him about what is causing you anxiety and worry or what is exciting you! Presenting these things to God allows you to surrender the situations and those feelings as well as gives Him the space to meet you where you are at.

Prayer: ”Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day and that your mercies are new every day. I praise you and thank you for everything you have done for me. Lord, today I am surrendering my day to you. Anything that causes me anxiety or joy, I will bring to you. Thank you for being a father and a friend. Amen.”

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Challenges are everywhere: Maybe you’re feeling overwhelmed with school, struggling with a difficult relationship, or dealing with pain that nobody else sees.

Imagine struggling to prepare for a big test or working through a tough argument with a close friend. It can feel exhausting and discouraging. But pushing through those moments with patience and trust builds perseverance, just like God uses these moments to shape you into someone who’s stronger, more patient, and resilient.

Let’s be real—when life gets messy, “joy” is probably not what you’re feeling. Who feels joyful when they’re struggling? But James, in this passage, challenges us to see our trials differently. He isn’t saying we have to love what we are experiencing, but he is saying we can have joy because God is in it with us. And God can do great things through us.

Next time things get tough, remember: God never asks us to face challenges alone. He walks with us and gives us the strength to keep going. This is why we can have joy in all moments of life – God is with us.

Prayer: “God, I’m facing challenges that feel overwhelming. Help me find joy in trusting You through it all. Strengthen my faith and give me endurance when I feel like giving up. Remind me that You’re working in me, even when it’s hard to see. Thank You for never wasting my struggles. Amen.”

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever felt like just one small person on this massive planet? Maybe you’ve wrestled with doubts, wondering if your life truly matters. What do you really have to offer? The truth is, your life does matter. Ephesians 2:10 gives an encouraging perspective on how God sees us. He identifies us as His “handiwork,” uniquely designed by Him.

Think about that for a moment. The same God who created the universe created YOU with intentionality and purpose. You aren’t random. God made you to make a difference in the world through a real relationship with Him. Ephesians 2:10 also says God prepared “good works” for you. These good works aren’t about earning His love—Jesus already secured that for you. Instead, they’re about responding to His love by living with purpose.

God designed you with unique talents, passions, and opportunities to use them to impact others for the better. These “good works” could include playing sports, writing, baking, caring for animals, creating, public speaking, studying, or playing an instrument.

Making a difference could look like showing kindness when it’s hard, helping someone in need, or standing up for your faith. It might also mean making changes in your life, like the music you listen to, the words you use, or how you view yourself and others.

Living with purpose, like how the scripture today talks about, starts by recognizing your life belongs to God. Don’t settle for just existing or chasing temporary things. Instead, embrace the eternal purpose He has for you.

Prayer: “God, thank You for creating me with a purpose. Help me recognize ways I can commit to walking in my purpose and give me the courage to walk in it every day. Amen.”