THE BEST IS YET TO COME!
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus." – Philippians 1:6 (NASB)
TODAY IS: A DECLARATION OF HOPE
Say to yourself, “The best is yet to come!”
Say out loud, “The best is yet to come!”
Say it boldly and with CONVICTION, “The best is yet to come!”
Turn to your neighbor and say, “The best is yet to come!”
We all love new beginnings—a new year, new opportunities, a fresh start. But let's be honest: sometimes, life doesn't feel like it's getting better. Sometimes, it feels like we’ve missed our moment, or we missed the point. Let’s face it: some of us couldn’t even say out loud, “The best is yet to come!”
Maybe you’ve been praying for breakthrough, but it hasn't come yet. Maybe you’ve been waiting for God to open a door, but every door seems to be locked. Maybe you look at your life and think, “Is this really it? Is God even listening? Why does it feel like I’m stuck? Why do others seem blessed while I’m still suffering? Will things ever get better? Can God really turn things around?”
But today, I want to say a word of life over you: Your story is not over. God is still moving. Your best days are not behind you; they are ahead of you!
- STOP LOOKING BACK – GOD IS DOING SOMETHING NEW
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NASB) – “Do not call to mind the former things, or consider things of the past. Behold, I am going to do something new, now it will spring up; will you not be aware of it?
- Forget the past
The verse instructs people to forget the past and not dwell on the troubles of the past.
- Embrace the new
The verse encourages people to look forward to the new things God is doing and to be aware of His power and grace.
- Trust in God
The verse encourages people to trust in God's perfect timing and to believe that He has amazing things in store.
- God's new things
The verse promises that God will do new things that are impossible for humans, but possible for God.
- God's guidance
The verse promises that God will make a way in the wilderness and provide rivers in the desert, which symbolizes guidance, provision, and refreshment.
One of the biggest reasons we fail to move forward is that we are too busy looking backward.
We keep replaying past mistakes, past failures, past disappointments.
1 Dwelling on Past Mistakes & Failures
- “I messed up too badly—God can’t use me now.”
- “If only I had made a different choice back then…”
- “I should have taken that opportunity—I missed my chance.”
Truth: God doesn’t consult your past to determine your future! (Isaiah 43:18-19 – "Do not call to mind the former things… Behold, I am doing something new!")
2 Holding Onto Past Hurts & Offenses
- “I can’t forgive them for what they did.”
- “They ruined my life—I’ll never get over it.”
- “I trusted them, and they betrayed me—I can’t move forward.”
Truth: Unforgiveness chains you to the past, but forgiveness frees you to step into the future. (Ephesians 4:31-32 – "Let all bitterness… be removed from you… and forgive one another, just as God forgave you.")
3 Living in Past Successes
- “I used to be on fire for God, but now…”
- “Back in the day, I was really making a difference.”
- “Things were so much better before—why can’t they be like that again?”
Truth: Past victories are great, but God has new victories ahead! (Philippians 3:13 – "Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead.")
4 Comparing Today to the Past
- “Things will never be as good as they were before.”
- “I used to be so much stronger, smarter, happier…”
- “The good old days were better—now everything is just different.”
Truth: The best is not behind you—God is leading you into something greater! (Haggai 2:9 – "The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former.")
5 Stuck in Regret & "What Ifs"
- “What if I had taken that job? My life would be so different.”
- “What if I had married someone else?”
- “What if I had been a better parent, spouse, or friend?”
Truth: Regret keeps you looking back, but faith moves you forward! (Romans 8:28 – "God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him.")
6 Refusing to Let Go of Old Mindsets & Habits
- “This is just how I’ve always been.”
- “I’ll never change—it’s too late for me.”
- “I’ve always struggled with this, and I always will.”
Truth: God is in the business of transformation! (2 Corinthians 5:17 – "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away, behold, the new has come!")
Bottom Line:
You can’t step into your future while holding onto your past. God is saying:
Let go of the door behind you so I can open the one in front of you!
In Fact; God says, “STOP dwelling on the past—I’m doing something new!”
ILLUSTRATION: The Windshield vs. the Rearview Mirror
- Have you ever noticed that the windshield is big, but the rearview mirror is small?
- Because where you are going is more important than where you’ve been!
- If you keep looking in the rearview mirror of your life, you will crash instead of moving forward.
Somebody needs to stop looking back and start looking ahead—because the best is yet to come!
- BREAKING THE LIES OF THE ENEMY
Many of us feel like we’ve messed up too much for God to use us.
- Moses thought his past murder disqualified him. Ex 2:11-15; Ex 3:11
- This passage shows Moses' fear, shame, and belief that his past mistake disqualified him from leadership. He fled, believing his calling was over.
- Even when God called him at the burning bush, Moses still doubted himself because of his past failures.
- But God didn’t see a murderer—He saw a deliverer!
Powerful Takeaway:
"Your past doesn’t disqualify you—God’s calling overrides your mistakes!"
- Joseph was thrown into a pit by his own family. Gen 37:18-24
Key Points:
- Joseph’s own brothers betrayed him and threw him into a pit because of jealousy.
- They wanted to destroy him because of his God-given dreams.
- But God had a greater plan! Even though his brothers betrayed him, Joseph still fulfilled his purpose.
Powerful Takeaway:
"Even if people throw you into a pit, God can still raise you to the palace!" (Genesis 50:20)
- Peter denied Jesus three times. Lk 22:54-62
Key Points:
- Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, denied even knowing Him three times.
- When Jesus looked at Peter after the third denial, Peter realized what he had done and wept bitterly.
- Even though Peter failed, Jesus restored him and used him powerfully in ministry!
Powerful Takeaway:
"Your worst failure is not final—God’s grace can restore you just like He did for Peter!"
But here’s the truth: God doesn’t cancel His calling over your life because of your past.
The enemy will try to convince you that you are too broken for God to use. But God specializes in taking broken people and making them whole!
- SHATTERED MIRROR ILLUSTRATION – THIS IS NOT WHO YOU ARE!
(Bring out a broken mirror on stage.)
“Some of you are looking at your life like this broken mirror. All you see are the cracks, the failures, the disappointments. The enemy has convinced you that this is all you will ever be. That your past defines you. That your brokenness is permanent.”
Show how a shattered mirror distorts the reflection.
- "When you look in a broken mirror, it doesn’t even give you an accurate reflection of who you are. It’s warped, it’s twisted, it’s not the truth!"
- “But this is how the enemy wants you to see yourself—through the lens of brokenness.”
The Shift – God’s Perspective
- “But God doesn’t see you like this! He sees a masterpiece in progress.”
- “The enemy says ‘You are broken,’ but God says, ‘I am making all things new.’” (Revelation 21:5)
The Grand Reveal – The Whole Mirror
(Uncover the new, flawless mirror with “The Best Is Yet to Come” written on it.)
"THIS is how God sees you! He doesn’t see your cracks—He sees your future. He’s not done with you yet!"
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”
- FAITH FOR THE FUTURE – STEP INTO WHAT’S NEXT
God has already gone before you and prepared the way.
When Israel was trapped at the Red Sea, they thought it was over—but God parted the waters.
- God parts the waters – it is up to you to “walk through”.
When Lazarus was in the tomb for four days, they thought it was too late—but Jesus called him out.
- Jesus calls – it is up to you to “walk out”.
When Jesus was buried in the grave, the enemy thought he had won—but on the third day, He rose!
- God moves the stone – it is up to you to “get up and walk”.
If God can do all that, what makes you think He’s done with you?
Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you… plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
If you’re still breathing, God is still working! Your best days are ahead of you, not behind you!
- ACTIVATION – DECLARE IT OVER YOUR LIFE!
CALL TO ACTION
- “Some of you have been seeing yourself through the wrong mirror. Today, I want you to make a decision to stop looking at what’s broken and start looking at what God is doing.”
- Invite people to come forward and look into the new mirror.
- Have them declare over themselves:
“I am not broken. I am not my past. I am a new creation. The best is yet to come!”
Closing Worship Song Suggestion:
- “Way Maker” (Sinach)
CONCLUSION – WALK IN CONFIDENCE!
“You are not who you used to be. You are not stuck in the past. You are walking into the future God has for you. And I declare today—the best is yet to come!”
Final Charge: Leave here today knowing that God has MORE for you. Lift your head, lift your faith, and get ready—your story is still being written!
Today's Explanation of Isaiah 43 (NASB)
Isaiah 43 is a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God's faithfulness to His people. In today's terms, here's how we can understand this chapter:
Verses 1-2: "I Have Redeemed You"
Today's Explanation:
God is saying:
- "I made you. You belong to Me. Stop being afraid—I've already paid the price to redeem you!"
- No matter what floods (overwhelming problems) or fires (painful trials) you go through, God is with you and will bring you through.
Verses 3-4: "You Are Valuable to Me"
Today's Explanation:
- God is reminding His people: "You are valuable to Me. I love you so much that I would trade anything to rescue you."
- Today, this means you are not forgotten or insignificant—God sees you as precious, honored, and loved.
Verses 5-7: "I Will Bring You Back"
Today's Explanation:
- God is saying: "Even if you feel scattered, lost, or far from Me, I will bring you back. I have a purpose for you."
- This applies today to people who feel far from God, broken, or hopeless—He is calling you back to Him.
Verses 8-13: "I Am God, and There Is No Other"
Today's Explanation:
- God is saying: "I am God, and there is no one else like Me. I have always been in control, and I always will be."
- This reminds us today that God alone is our Savior and deliverer—not money, success, people, or anything else.
Verses 14-21: "I Am Doing Something New"
Today's Explanation:
- God is telling us: "Stop looking back. Stop dwelling on past mistakes, failures, and hurts. I am doing something NEW in your life!"
- Even if you feel like you're in a wilderness (lost, dry, struggling), God is making a new way forward—even in impossible situations.
Verses 22-28: "You Have Forgotten Me, But I Haven't Forgotten You"
Today's Explanation:
- Even when we get tired, distracted, or stop seeking God, He never stops loving us.
- God forgives completely—He isn’t holding your past mistakes against you.
Final Takeaway:
Isaiah 43 is God’s love letter to His people! It’s a message of:
Redemption – "I’ve called you by name. You are Mine!"
Protection – "When you go through deep waters, I will be with you."
Purpose – "I made you for My glory."
New Beginnings – "I am doing something new—don’t miss it!"
Modern Application:
If you're feeling stuck, unworthy, or unsure about the future, Isaiah 43 is God’s way of saying:
"I haven’t forgotten you. Your past doesn’t define you. I’m doing something new in your life—trust Me!"
