Overcoming Small Thinking
This month marks the 25th anniversary of my television ministry, and I can hardly believe all that’s been accomplished during that time. It’s not just about the years, but about the miracles I’ve witnessed that have shaped everything we’re doing today—broadcasting the truth of the Gospel to a potential 6.5 billion people worldwide. And I can tell you with complete certainty, I know better than anyone how miraculous this is.
Looking back, it’s incredible how God has opened doors and expanded the vision. But that growth didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t come without challenges—especially when it came to my own thinking. So, I want to share the key lessons God taught me, things that reshaped how I saw my future and opened my heart to a bigger vision. I want to show you how God can take your small thinking and turn it into something much bigger than you.
The Turning Point
Let me start by giving you some context. I began broadcasting on television on January 3, 2000. By January 2002, in just two short years, our ministry had doubled. Now, you have to understand, I had already been in ministry for over thirty years by then, and I’d been on the radio for twenty-four of those years. I’d been reaching people. But when we switched to television, the growth accelerated. We went from 120 radio stations to touching millions of lives through TV.
Even then, most people would have been thrilled with that kind of growth. But for me, something wasn’t quite right.
The Vision I Wasn’t Sharing
The biggest hurdle I faced wasn’t the growth itself, but something far more subtle: my thinking. You see, in the early days, I had a vision for something much bigger than what I was living. And I didn’t share that vision—at all. I didn’t even share it with my wife, Jamie.
In fact, I remember when we started looking for a bigger building to accommodate our growing needs. At that time, we were in a 14,600-square-foot building, and we had outgrown it. Jamie was looking at a 30,000-square-foot building, thinking it would be more than enough for us—plenty of space for the rest of our lives. But I knew in my heart that this was nowhere near what God had in mind for us.
I hadn’t shared my full vision with her because I was afraid. Afraid of the criticism. Afraid of what others might think. So, I kept it to myself, even though I knew I was meant to reach people all over the world.
Have you ever been in that place, knowing deep down that God is calling you to something bigger, but the fear of what others might think or say keeps you from stepping out?
A Moment of Clarity
It wasn’t until a conversation with friends that I realized how limiting my thinking had become. I was on a radio program with Len and Cathy Mink, who at the time had a large following in the ministry world. As they introduced me on air, they spoke about how my teachings had profoundly impacted their lives. I was stunned. Here were people I had looked up to for years, and they were telling me that I had played a key role in their spiritual transformation.
I was truly shocked. I didn’t realize the impact I was having on people’s lives, and I told them how amazed I was that God had used me in such a way. Len just looked at me with concern and said, “What’s wrong with you? You’ve been on radio for decades. Don’t you think anyone is listening?”
His words hit me hard. In fact, they cut straight to the heart of what was going on inside me. I had never allowed myself to believe that what I was doing truly mattered. Why? Because I was afraid it would come across as prideful. I didn’t want to be someone who boasted about their success.
But here’s the thing: I was limiting myself and I was limiting God. I had allowed fear to stop me from seeing the full potential of what God was doing in and through me. I had never allowed myself to think that I was really impacting people.
The Heart of the Issue: Pride vs. Purpose
That may sound weird to you, but let me take you back to the moment that changed everything for me. I was born again when I was eight years old, but my early Christian life was filled with striving. I became what I now refer to as a religious Pharisee. I was so focused on living perfectly and getting everything right that I began to look down on others. I thought I was better than everyone because I was doing everything “right.”
But everything changed on March 23, 1968, during a prayer meeting. God’s presence came in a powerful way, and for the first time, I saw just how holy and perfect God is—and how far I fell short. In that moment, I realized that without God, I am nothing. That humbling experience radically shifted my perspective.
Fast forward to 2002, when I was reading Psalm 78:41. I had preached on this verse before, but this time, it hit me differently. The verse says, “Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.”
That day, God spoke to my heart and said, “The reason you’re struggling is because you’re limiting Me with your small thinking.”
And man, that was the wake-up call I needed.
Thinking Too Small: A Danger We All Face
I had always thought that staying humble meant thinking small. I never allowed myself to believe that I could have a global impact, or that God could use me in ways beyond what I had already experienced. But God showed me that small thinking isn’t humility—it’s a form of limiting His power and potential.
God’s plan for me—and for you—isn’t about playing it safe. It’s about trusting that He has the ability to do far more than we could ever imagine.
Ephesians 3:20 says that God is “able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.” That means no matter how big we think, God is always bigger. He will always outdo our biggest dreams.
What Does This Mean for You?
Take a moment to reflect on your own life. Do you find yourself limiting what God can do through you because of fear, doubt, or past disappointments? Do you keep your dreams small to avoid criticism or failure?
I want you to know that God has bigger plans for you than what you’ve ever experienced. There is no one who has fully tapped into the greatness God has for them. You can’t max out God. If you could, He would just get bigger to meet your need.
What is it that God is calling you to do that seems too big? Maybe it’s a dream you’ve buried because you’ve been afraid to think too big. Well, I want to encourage you today: Don’t limit God.
God Can Do the Impossible
This message isn’t just for me—it’s for you too. God is challenging all of us to stretch our faith, to expand our thinking, and to trust Him for more.
Remember, God has never created anyone to just “fill space.” He has a unique and incredible plan for each of us. And you are part of that plan. So, what is holding you back? Are you limiting God because of your thinking?
I’m living proof that when you let go of small thinking and embrace the bigness of God’s plan, He will do the impossible. He will open doors you never imagined and take you further than you ever thought possible.
Dream Bigger
So, my challenge to you is simple: Dream bigger. Think bigger. And trust God to show you the limitless possibilities He has for you.
As I stand here today, in the midst of a $1 billion building expansion program and a vision that’s still growing, I can tell you that God’s plans for us never stop expanding. And I know this is just the beginning.
God’s dreams for you are bigger than anything you could ever imagine. Don’t let fear or doubt limit what God wants to do in your life. Embrace His vision for you, and watch as He transforms your life in ways you never thought possible.
You are meant for more—much more. And it starts with believing that God can do anything, anywhere, anytime. So, stop limiting Him, and start believing big! I go into so much more detail in my Don’t Limit God teaching. I encourage you to take advantage of the materials we’re offering and watch this special week of programs.
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