Forget the Past: Take Your Next Step in Faith

Opening with gratitude for God’s unchanging faithfulness, this New Year exhortation frames 2026 as a canvas for the glory of God. Drawing from Romans 8:28–29 and 1 Corinthians 10:31, it insists that while not everything is good, God works in everything to conform believers to Christ for His glory. With a simple planner-in-hand image, it models dedicating the year to the Lord with Ephesians 3:20 expectation—asking God to fill hearts with vision and faith, then trusting Him to do “exceedingly, abundantly above” what can be planned or imagined.

Across the varied seasons of the church family—baptisms, missions, healings, new births, and bittersweet farewells—the call is to hold Scripture as final authority, not feelings or shifting culture. Faith comes by hearing the Word, so believers are urged to ask: What does the Bible say, in context—and what obedience does that require? Everyone has a next step. Paralysis by perfection is exposed as a lie; God does not demand flawless execution, only faithful obedience. Isaiah 43:18–19 sets the tone: “Forget the former things… See, I am doing a new thing.” The task is to recognize His work, release yesterday’s wins and wounds, and step forward—God makes the way as His people take the step.

Lamentations 3 anchors weary hearts: God’s steadfast love never ends, and His mercies are new every morning. Philippians 3 calls believers to forget what lies behind and press on toward the prize. Identity is reframed in Ephesians 2:10: in Christ, believers are God’s one-of-a-kind, though “messy,” masterpieces—saved on purpose for a purpose. That purpose includes serving, giving, and stewarding gifts for Kingdom impact; obedience is the believer’s part, “making the way” is God’s. Like puzzle pieces, each faithful step fits into a larger picture that will one day yield the “Well done.”

John 15 closes the charge: abiding in Jesus is non-negotiable—apart from Him nothing of spiritual significance can be done. Enter 2026 with grace and peace, close to Christ, trusting His promises. Finally, the gospel is clarified: salvation is not found in religion but in Jesus—crucified, buried, and risen. The call is to respond by faith, receiving forgiveness and new life as sons and daughters of God.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s faithfulness redeems every season His presence doesn’t erase the storm, but it refuses to waste it. He meets people in the waves and works even the unwelcome into their Christlikeness and witness. Trust grows where control dies, and gratitude often follows hindsight. Faith learns to say, “He was there all along.” [27:14]
• 2. Release the past; perceive the new God commands both memory and movement—thank Him for yesterday, but don’t camp there. Clinging to old wins or wounds blinds the heart to fresh mercies and open doors. Recognition is a spiritual discipline; faith learns to spot holy beginnings in ordinary moments. Letting go creates space to receive. [42:43]
• 3. Take your next step by faith Obedience rarely comes with full blueprints; it comes with a Person who is trustworthy. Faith moves with enough light for the next step, not the next mile. Perfectionism masquerades as prudence but often delays transformation. God honors motion toward Him. [38:23]
• 4. A messy masterpiece, made to serve In Christ, identity is gift, not grind—masterpiece before ministry. That identity then fuels assignment: saved to do the good works God prepared. Gifts are for God’s glory and others’ good, not personal validation. Don’t sit on what grace has entrusted. [51:11]
• 5. New mercies for a new day Grace resets the table every morning, regardless of yesterday’s failures or successes. Shame is an unfaithful narrator; Scripture says His compassion renews daily. Start where your feet are, not where your regrets live. Faithfulness today is the path to fruitfulness tomorrow. [48:42]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:14] - Faithful in every storm
• [30:14] - Dedicating the year to God
• [33:11] - Wins, wounds, and hope
• [36:11] - The Bible as final authority
• [38:23] - Take your next step by faith
• [40:09] - Forget the former things
• [42:18] - Behold, I’m doing a new thing
• [44:16] - Step out; God makes the way
• [47:11] - New mercies, great faithfulness
• [49:32] - Press on toward the prize
• [51:11] - You are God’s masterpiece
• [53:15] - Saved to serve, not sit
• [57:45] - Abide in the Vine
• [59:57] - Responding to Jesus by faith

1. In Isaiah 43:18–19, what are the two clear commands and the one big promise? Where do you see the shift from looking back to looking for what God is doing now?
2. In Ephesians 2:10, what comes first—identity or assignment? How does the order shape how we think about serving and good works?
3. In John 15:5, what is the condition for bearing “much fruit,” and what does Jesus say we can do apart from Him?
4. What simple New Year practice was modeled with the planner-in-hand prayer, and what Scripture did it lean on when asking God to do “exceedingly, abundantly above”? “Unto him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above…” [31:27]

1. If God says, “Forget the former things… see, I am doing a new thing,” what does it mean to obey both “forget” and “perceive” at the same time? How might clinging to last year’s wins or wounds keep someone from recognizing new mercies and open doors? “Do you not see it?” [42:43]
2. How does being God’s “masterpiece” in Christ (Ephesians 2:10) challenge the lie of perfectionism? In what ways can perfectionism actually keep a believer from obedience? “Don’t allow perfection to paralyze you…” [39:42]
3. What does Jesus mean by “apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)? How should that truth shape goals, rhythms, and expectations for a new year? “Apart from me… you can do nothing of spiritual significance.” [57:45]
4. What is the relationship between obedience and God “making the way”? Where in Scripture or life have you seen the pattern: take the step, then see the way open? “You take your step, I make the way.” [44:16]

1. Release the past: What specific “win” or “wound” from 2025 do you sense God asking you to stop dwelling on so you can make space for the “new thing”? What practical act will help you “forget about it” this week? [40:23]
2. Next step faith: Where do you need to move without a full blueprint—serving, reconciling, giving, joining a group, baptism? What is one concrete action you will take in the next 48 hours to walk by faith, not by sight? [38:23]
3. Masterpiece on mission: Where do you feel most “messy” right now? How will you preach Ephesians 2:10 to that place and put one gift to work for someone else’s good this month? “Saved to serve, not sit.” [53:15]
4. Abide first: What daily rhythm will help you remain in the Vine—time, place, and plan? How will you guard that space so your week bears fruit that actually lasts? “Apart from me… you can do nothing.” [57:45]
5. Dedicate the calendar: Before you load up your schedule, will you pray Ephesians 3:20 over it? Name one area (family, work, ministry) where you’re asking God to do “exceedingly, abundantly above” what you can plan. [31:27]
6. Trust God with provision: If generosity is your next step, what would obedience look like this pay period? What fear do you need to surrender so you can honor the Lord first? “The tithe is the Lord’s… Honor me and I’ll take care of everything else.” [56:27]
7. New mercies today: What shame-script or self-talk needs to be replaced with Lamentations truth tonight before bed? What one small reset (prayer, gratitude list, Scripture card) will help you start fresh tomorrow? “His mercies begin afresh each morning.” [48:42]