Take a look at Proverbs 4:23.

Keep your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life

You may think all kinds of things have accumulated to make your life what it is. However this verse is clear. Your heart is what effects the issues of your life.

When I first studied out this verse I saw that one Hebrew word for issues was “borders” or “boundaries” and that opened up a whole new thought related to this verse.

I realised this verse is saying that there are always things that happen in your life as a result of what you have seen, or done or what you choose to believe, that hold you back and create false boundaries in your life.

Some things may be subtle but others could be obvious. Nevertheless they can form a boundary to your life.

In 2007 I went to Lagos in Nigeria and saw this very starkly. I was preaching on the subject and therefore I was preparing my heart. One day we were travelling by car and passed a man who was laid out on a bench at the side of the road with a bottle in one hand. He was completely out drunk. The Lord showed me immediately that he had the same potential in life as any other person but drink had become a boundary that limited him. It was such an extreme example but it helped me to see that there are so many other things that also limit our life.
God planned for us to have released hearts to do amazing things for Him So the question this year is what is the boundary of my heart? Is it holding me back from achieving what God wants for me?

For example as a leader are there unseen boundaries such as not wanting to hurt or offend anyone? Do you prefer to be non confrontational and get easily intimidated? Is there a reluctance to be bold for fear of losing people?

The reason could be a combination of character and what has happened in your ministry. Have you placed a boundary on your church or ministry for whatever reason? Maybe it is so you don’t rock the boat and just want to stay comfortable with where you are.

If you are not a leader is there a reluctance to let go and lead a radical Christian life? Do you fail to see that serving in church is a God given gift of ministry and not just a job? It is not what you hear on Sunday that matters it is what you do with what you hear.

We all have to change. There is a kingdom to be won for Christ. There are hurting people out there who need to know the love of Christ. We have to incubate our dreams and release what is in our heart. We have enormous potential and most often the only one who is limiting that is us.

There are 2 key things we can do to change.

The first is to change our confession. Is your confession (or what you say about yourself) promoting your call, destiny and dreams or is it majoring on your problems, failures, lack and unbelief?
Do a check of what you have been saying. It is a boundary for your heart, You can change it.

Second, take corresponding actions that begin to fulfil what is in your heart. Start preparing now if you want to start a church or ministry. It is not just about prayer and hoping God will move. You have to take action.
Do you want to do something for God but never go to bible school or volunteer for something?

Someone once said if people spent more time preparing and putting thought into their destiny than they do their next summer holiday then most would be in a different place. We gain strength from what attention we pay to something.

Isaiah 54: 2-4 tells us to not spare but stretch out for more. Not to hold back and not to fear. You will not expand and do more if you allow false boundaries to limit your life.

This year there is an opportunity for all of us to move forward.
Do not be held back by thoughts of what might happen if it goes wrong. Step beyond your boundary.

How much do you want it? That desire and passion will overcome so much of your past.

The famous basketball player Michael Jordan who played for the Chicago Bulls was well known. However many said that the secret to his fame was because whenever there was a tight game situation and only seconds to go between win or lose he was the one who always wanted the ball. He was always prepared to take the risk and go for it. Very often he broke through and the game was won.

What about you. Do you want the ball?