New Canvas 2026 - A Fresh Year Begins With A Fresh Work Of God Part 2, Pastor Marcus Avalos

TITLE: RENEWING THE MIND

THE BATTLE BEFORE THE BATTLE

👉 God can speak clearly with fresh, life-giving promises in 2026—but if we interpret those promises through a 2020 mindset, nothing changes. Why? Because the mind interprets before the heart obeys.

THE BATTLE BEFORE THE BEHAVIOR You don’t choose your first thought— but you do choose whether it becomes your final belief.

OUR STORY — THE PROBLEM (Personal story / filter / lens moment)

THE BIG IDEA Transformation doesn’t start with behavior. It starts with renewing the mind.

SCRIPTURE FOUNDATION Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed (normalized) to this world (the spirit of the age, the cultural narrative), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.” 👉 Romans 12:2 is a call to live with a renewed lens in a culture that constantly pressures you to see life its way.

THE QUESTION 👉 Who gets to shape the way you think?

WHAT’S FEEDING YOUR THOUGHTS? “What if” thinking – rehearsing worst-case scenarios Trauma – living from wounds instead of promises The inner critic – healing can’t happen where accusation dominates Regret loops – feeding moments that are already over

THE CHALLENGE What if God answered as quickly as you obeyed? What if heaven moved at the speed of your obedience? Key Truth: 👉 When the Holy Spirit speaks, obedience isn’t lost in rebellion— it’s lost in the pause (hesitation). Why? The mind’s job is risk management The Spirit’s work is faith formation

THE TWO WOLVES “Inside every person there are two wolves fighting…” The one that wins is the one you feed. 👉 Your mind will always side with what you feed it most.

HOW IS THE MIND RENEWED?

1. IDENTIFY THE OLD PICTURE You cannot renew what you refuse to name. Ask yourself: What thought do I always return to when I’m tired? What story do I tell myself when things go wrong? What assumption about God doesn’t line up with Scripture?

2. REPLACE THE IMAGE—DON’T JUST REMOVE IT If you don’t take old pictures down, they’ll keep telling old stories. God removes old images by replacing them with promises. “I’m not enough” → “My grace is sufficient.” “I’m stuck” → “If anyone is in Christ, new creation.” 👉 Renewal happens when truth becomes the loudest voice in the room.

CLOSING DECLARATION Change the picture. Change the path. New lens. New life. New year.