Crooked-hearted people never recognize anything good, and those who distort the truth court disaster. Proverbs 17:20 (VOICE) Many believers mistake their own limiting beliefs for God’s guidance. Whether it’s a misguided understanding of humility or a foreboding feeling that things won’t work out, they superimpose these beliefs on the future. This causes them to shrink back from opportunities—and they miss out on new seasons of growth, victory and purpose. That’s how powerful your heart is.   Think about it this way. Your eyes don’t technically “see” anything. They simply absorb light, which your brain interprets as images. Eyes are vessels of perception—and so is your heart. How you interpret what you see creates an experience, and your experience becomes your sense of reality.   Proverbs 17:20 says …

Be careful what you think [Above all that you guard, protect your heart], because your thoughts run your life [life flows from it]. Proverbs 4:23 (EXB) Yesterday I shared about the early days of our church. As it began to experience explosive growth, there were times I didn’t feel good about where I was going. On the outside, I was handling my increased responsibilities as a leader. But on the inside, I was in turmoil.   You see, religion had taught me that I should stay humble. Every compliment or opportunity for growth made me uneasy. But eventually I realized those feelings weren’t from having pride or sin in my life. My real issue was the difference between my behaviour as a leader and the …

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.” Joshua 1:6 (NLT) I used to struggle with change. With every new season or added responsibility, I found myself in a state of angst, trying to become something I wasn’t.   In fact, as the church I pastored began to experience explosive growth and pressure mounted, I wound up in the hospital twice. You could say it was due to stress, but really, I was fighting against myself. It wasn’t my physical output that was hurting me. It was the gap between how I was forced to act and what I really believed.   I had to …

“Then, after doing all those things, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28 (NLT) When you’re facing a new challenge, it’s tempting to rely on logic and reasoning to make your way through. Although those are important, they don’t impact your heart the way dreams and visions do.   Jesus understood how to speak the language of the heart. That’s why He often communicated through stories. Take the parable of the prodigal son, for instance. Jesus could have taught a sermon on ten principles of forgiveness. But instead, He shared one story that’s packed with enough powerful truths for dozens—if not hundreds—of sermons! …

For this reason we… do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:9–10 (NKJV)   Over the years of pastoring a growing church and leading a television ministry, I’ve had many people ask me how I manage it all. They’re interested in learning about my systems and strategies. But what got me through seasons of intense growth wasn’t management skills. It was my heart beliefs.   At one point when my personal capacity was stretched to the limits, I began to focus only …