Expand Your World: Part 1

Your World is Too Small. Here’s Why!

I once knew a woman who struggled to believe and fully receive God’s promises in her life. Although she accepted Jesus as her Savior, her faith stopped there, and she resisted the idea that God wanted to bless her beyond just her salvation. One day, after a teaching on God’s blessings, she voiced her disbelief again—particularly around the idea that God would open doors to places and experiences beyond her financial reach. My wife encouraged her, saying, “You need to expand your world, girl!” That moment sparked something in her, and it taught me the importance of helping others see beyond their current limitations, embracing the possibilities God offers.

Expanding Your Vision with God’s Word

Isaiah 54:2-3 speaks of enlarging our capacity to receive God’s blessings:
“Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes; For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.”
To “enlarge the place of your tent” means to open your mind to God’s possibilities. To “break forth” means to press forward in growth and increase. God does not intend for us to live confined by past disappointments, but rather to trust Him for more.

Isaiah 54:17 encourages us further, saying, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper.” No matter the obstacles, God’s promise is for victory, and He equips us to overcome through His strength.

Trusting Beyond Your Senses

When pursuing your God-given vision, you may find yourself in unfamiliar territory—places where faith is essential. Mark 9:19 refers to a “faithless” generation, meaning those who rely only on what they see or feel. But when we bring our challenges to Jesus, He meets us there with His supernatural power.

Zechariah 8:11-13 promises prosperity and blessing to His people, saying, “As ye were a curse among the heathen… so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing.” With faith in God’s guidance, we become not only blessed but a source of blessing for others.

Recognizing Your Journey: The Three Lands

In our walk with God, there are typically three stages or “lands” we journey through:

1. The Land of “Not Enough”
   • This is a place of limitation and control, where provision is rationed. Like the Israelites in Egypt, to exit this place, you must believe in God’s deliverance and exercise faith. God has already made a way, but you need to press in prayer and move forward.
2. The Land of “Just Enough”
   • This is a season of transition, like Israel’s wilderness journey, where resources meet basic needs without overflow. To move beyond this stage, let the Holy Spirit lead you into new directions, even if they feel unfamiliar. Just as my wife and I once needed directions in a new city, God may lead you down a path you don’t recognize, but He always brings you where you need to be.
3. The Land of “More Than Enough”
   • This is Canaan, where God’s best is available, and you are walking in His promises. To reach this land, walk boldly by faith, applying God’s principles with patience and consistency. Don’t allow fear or others’ opinions to discourage you. As Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil… walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” Stay focused, knowing that God has called you to abundant life (John 10:10).

Overcoming Spiritual Obstacles

Hebrews 2:14 assures us that Jesus has destroyed the power of death and freed us from fear’s bondage. The enemy may attempt to hold us back, but he cannot claim our lives or destiny. 1 John 3:8 reminds us that Jesus came to “destroy the works of the devil,” setting us free from all hindrances.

Living in God’s Abundance

There are many ways life’s struggles can try to steal our joy and future, whether through past mistakes or present doubts. But God’s power is greater than any obstacle. By standing on His Word and expanding our vision, we can step into the fullness of what He has prepared for us.

Prayer of Faith:
Lord, we thank You for Your promise to bless and increase us. Help us to expand our vision and trust You fully, moving beyond the limitations of our past into Your abundance. May we become symbols and sources of blessing, living by faith in Your supernatural provision, Amen.