Who Will Be in Heaven Because of You?

“‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’” Matthew 4:19 (CEB)

Have you heard and accepted the Good News of Jesus? Tell somebody else about it!

In Matthew 4:20, Jesus called out to some fisherman: “‘Come, follow me,’ he said, ‘and I’ll show you how to fish for people.’ Right away, they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:19-20 CEB).

What did he mean by that? He was basically telling the men, “I’ll show you how to change lives. I’ll show you how to get people into heaven. I’ll show you how to bring people to me. I’ll show you how to share the Good News.”

What about me? Is anybody going to be in heaven because of me? If I'm not fishing, I'm not following. In other words, if I'm not telling the Good News to somebody else, I'm not being a disciple. God expects me to share his Good News.

Think of it this way: If I knew the cure for cancer and kept it a secret, that would be unthinkably wrong! But the truth is that I know something better than that. I know how you can have your past forgiven, a purpose for living, and a home in heaven. And God calls me to share that Good News.

I'm going to heaven because somebody told me about Jesus. And somebody told that person about Jesus and so on. I don’t want that chain to break with me.

Jesus told his followers, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20 NLT).

I know the Good News. Now it’s time to go tell someone else about it!

In summary:

Jesus calls every believer to follow Him by sharing the Good News with others. When He said, “Come, follow me, and I’ll show you how to fish for people,” He was inviting His followers to help change lives and lead others to God’s love and salvation. True disciples don’t just receive the message—they pass it on. Just as someone once shared Jesus with me, I’m now called to continue that chain by telling others how they can find forgiveness, purpose, and eternal life. Sharing the Good News isn’t optional—it’s part of what it means to follow Jesus.

Bottom line:

Following Jesus means sharing the Good News and helping others find the same hope and salvation I’ve received.

Next Step:

Intentionally share my faith story with someone this week—whether through a personal conversation, encouragement, or example—so that my life points them toward Jesus. Start with prayer: ask God to show me one person who needs hope, then trust Him to give me the words and opportunity to speak.

Where Real Significance Is Found

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28 (NLT)

The happiest people are those who give their lives away.

That’s because the values of God’s kingdom are opposite of the world’s values. In God’s kingdom, the most important person takes last place and serves everyone else. The Bible says it like this: “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26 NLT).

That’s why, to grow spiritually as a disciple of Jesus, I've got to learn to serve others. Life isn’t about taking; it’s about giving back.

The key to happiness is to find significance.

But the problem is, we look for significance in all the wrong places. Success doesn’t give significance because I can always find somebody who is more successful than myself. Salary doesn’t give me significance, and neither does status or sex.

So where can I find real significance? Through service.

God wants me to learn to serve so I can be like him. The most miserable people are self-centered—living for their own pleasures, needs, and comfort. The happiest people, whether they are rich or poor, are those who give their lives away in service to others.

In summary:

True happiness and significance come not from success, status, or possessions but from serving others, just as Jesus did. In God’s kingdom, greatness is defined by humility and service, not by power or position. Jesus modeled this perfectly, saying He came “not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Serving others is spiritual exercise—it strengthens my faith, deepens my character, and aligns my heart with God’s. When I choose to give rather than take, I grow to be more like Jesus and discover the lasting joy that comes from a life of selfless service.

Our model for this is Jesus. He said, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28 NLT). He came to “serve” and to “give.” That defines the Christian life. The more I learn to serve and give, the happier I'm going to be. 

In a way, service is like spiritual exercise. Just like physical exercise helps me grow strong physically, serving others helps me grow spiritually. I can’t spend all my time studying the Bible and listening to sermons. I have to put what I'm learning into practice by serving others.

Jesus said it like this: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 NIV). 

When I follow that command, I'll find happiness and significance. And, most importantly, I'll become more like Jesus.

Bottom Line:

Lasting happiness and true significance come from serving others, just as Jesus did.

Next Steps:

Look for a specific, meaningful way to serve someone this week—especially in an area aligned with my purpose and calling. Don’t wait for a big platform or perfect timing; start where I am. Service, even in small acts, shapes character, deepens joy, and moves me closer to the impact I'm meant to make.

He’s Always Thinking of Me

“The LORD, who is always thinking about us, will bless us.” Psalm 115:12 (GW)

No one cares about my life more than God does. In fact, he cares about my life more than I do.

There’s an old Willie Nelson song, “You Were Always on My Mind.” But the idea behind that song just isn’t true. No matter how much I love someone, they can’t be on my mind all the time.

However, I'm always on God’s mind. He is never not thinking about me. He’s thinking about me right now.

The Bible teaches this over and over. Psalm 115:12 says, “The LORD, who is always thinking about us, will bless us” (GW). And the Living Bible paraphrase of 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Let him have all your worries and cares, for he is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”

Whatever concerns me concerns God—all the things I'm worried about or afraid about. There is nothing in my life I'm concerned about that God isn’t concerned about, because I'm always on his mind.

Because I'm always on God’s mind, he’s always looking out for me. And that means I can always trust his plan for my life.

Before that first Christmas so many years ago, Mary accepted God’s destiny for her life because she knew God was always looking out for her. After the angel told her that God had chosen her as the mother of his Son, she said, “For he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke 1:48 NIV).

What does “mindful” mean? That means God is alert. He’s attentive. He’s aware. He’s focused. He’s paying attention. When nobody else is paying attention to me, God’s paying attention to me. He notices everything. In fact, Jesus said this about my life: “What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (Matthew 10:29-30 NLT).

I don’t know the number of hairs on my head—but God does. That’s how much attention he pays to my life!

God’s mindfulness—his attention, his concern—made Mary trust God with her destiny. So will I trust him with my destiny too?

In summary:

God’s care for me is constant and personal—He is always thinking about me, aware of every detail of my life, and attentive to everything that concerns me. Unlike human love, which can be distracted or limited, God’s love never stops watching over me. The Bible reminds me that the Lord continually blesses and cares for those who belong to Him (Psalm 115:12, 1 Peter 5:7). Just as Mary trusted God with her destiny because she knew He was mindful of her, I too can trust His plan for my life, knowing that He sees, knows, and cares for me more deeply than anyone else ever could.

Bottom line:

God is constantly mindful of me, so I can fully trust His care and plan for my life.

Next steps:

I need to practice trusting God’s mindfulness in a specific area of my life that’s causing worry or uncertainty. Pause, name that concern, and consciously hand it over to Him—reminding myself that He’s already aware, already caring, and already working on my behalf.

Passing Through with Purpose

“If you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth.” 1 Peter 1:17 (GW)

This world isn’t my home. I've heard that idea before, but have I really thought about it? As a follower of Jesus, my home is not on earth. My homeland is in heaven, and my identity is rooted in eternity.

Most people will only be spending 70, 80, maybe 100 years here on earth—but I'll be in eternity for the rest of time. While I'm on earth, I'm simply an ambassador on a short-term assignment. 

Consider political ambassadors. They live in a foreign country as a representative of their home country. But that foreign country isn’t their home. So they don’t settle in there. They live as temporary residents, focused on their mission.

The same is true for myself. Here on earth, I'm living as an ambassador for Jesus. But I'm just passing through this world; I was made for eternity in heaven.

The Bible says it this way: “If you call God your Father, live your time as temporary residents on earth” (1 Peter 1:17 GW). Here, the Bible is basically saying, “Don’t get too comfortable living in this world. You’re just an ambassador here. Your role is to represent Jesus and to share the Good News with everyone around me.”

In Philippians 3, the Bible compares unbelievers to believers: “They think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives” (Philippians 3:19-20 NLT).  

It’s easy to get caught up in the here and now—to work to accumulate wealth or power or prestige. But Jesus’ followers should have a different priority, an eternal priority.

That priority is to tell unbelievers the Good News about Jesus.

Second Corinthians 5:20 says it clearly: “So we have been sent to speak for Christ. It is as if God is calling to you through us. We speak for Christ when we beg you to be at peace with God” (NCV).

God has left me here on earth to be his ambassador. Go tell someone else about him today!

In summary:

As a follower of Jesus, I’m reminded that this world is not my true home—heaven is. My time on earth is temporary, and I’m here on assignment as Christ’s ambassador, representing Him and sharing His message of hope. Just as a political ambassador lives in a foreign country without settling in, I’m called to live with an eternal perspective—focused not on earthly success, comfort, or possessions, but on fulfilling God’s purpose. The Bible reminds me that while unbelievers focus on this life, my citizenship is in heaven, and my mission is clear: to share the Good News and help others find peace with God.

Bottom line:

This world is not my home—I'm a temporary resident and Christ’s ambassador, called to live with an eternal mindset and share God’s message of hope with others while I'm here.

Next Step:

Intentionally live and lead with eternity in view—to let my daily actions, words, and influence reflect my true identity as a representative of God’s Kingdom.

Practically, that means:

Begin each day asking, “Lord, how can I represent You well today—in my work, my words, and my relationships?”

Looking for opportunities to mentor, encourage, or spiritually influence someone in my circle—modeling leadership that lifts others toward purpose.

Reassess my current commitments and goals: do they align with my eternal mission or only short-term comfort?

By leading with an eternal mindset, I'll not only stay grounded in who I am, but also multiply my impact in helping others discover why they’re here too.

You are Jesus’ Ambassador

“We are Christ’s ambassadors.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 (NLT)

As a follower of Jesus, I'm an ambassador for him. The Bible says it very clearly: “We are Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).

What is an ambassador? Simply put, an ambassador is a representative sent out on a mission to build relationships. There are all kinds of ambassadors—political, economic, cultural, business, and goodwill ambassadors. And the Bible says there are spiritual ambassadors—that’s me!

As an ambassador of Jesus, I have three roles.

First, I represent Jesus in the world. That should affect everything about how I live. Philippians 1:27 says, “Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ” (NCV).

As I go about my day, it’s a good phrase to keep in mind: Remember who you represent. When I'm at work, playing a sport, or stuck in traffic—remember who I represent. And, as Ephesians 4:1 says, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

Second, I've been given a mission. In the Message paraphrase, Jesus prays, “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (John 17:18).

When I'm on a mission, that’s all that matters. I'm there to get the job done—not to take a vacation. I have a mission to accomplish. And of all the missions in the world, the most important mission of all is helping people get to know God and settle their eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul said this, “I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me— to tell people the Good News about God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NCV).

Third, I have been given authority to speak. Sometimes I may not feel confident talking about God to other people. But Jesus has authorized me to speak about him: “Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 GNT).

Remember: If I'm a follower of Jesus, I'm his ambassador. That means I represent him, I have a mission from him, and I'm authorized to tell the Good News about him!

In summary:

As a follower of Jesus, I am called to be His ambassador—His representative in the world. That means my life should reflect His character and values in everything I do, remembering who I represent wherever I go. As Christ’s ambassador, I also have a mission: to help others know God and experience His grace, the most important assignment anyone could receive. And I don’t go in my own strength—I’ve been given the authority and responsibility to speak on His behalf, sharing the Good News with confidence. Being an ambassador for Christ means living with purpose, representing Him with integrity, and faithfully carrying out His mission in my everyday life.

Bottom Line:

As Christ’s ambassador, I’m called to represent Him in everything I do, fulfill my mission of sharing His message with others, and speak with the authority He’s given me—living each day as His living example to the world.

Next Step:

Live with daily ambassador awareness—start each day by intentionally asking, “How can I represent Christ well today?” Let His character shape my words, actions, and leadership influence. Look for one meaningful opportunity each day to reflect His love—whether through encouragement, integrity, forgiveness, or service—and be ready to share my faith naturally when doors open. Over time, this consistent representation will deepen my impact and align my leadership with my divine mission.

Finding Purpose Begins with Wanting God

“You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him.” Deuteronomy 4:29 (NLT)

The first step to hearing from God is really wanting it. I don’t see it as optional or just a nice idea—rather I see it as a necessity!

God doesn’t want to tell me his dream and vision for my life so I can debate and discuss it. He doesn’t want to tell me what he put me on earth to do just so I can say, “Let me think about it.”

I need to see it as a necessity. I have to say, “I’ve got to know why I’m here. I’ve got to know what you want me to do with my life. I’ve got to hear your voice. I’ve got to have your vision.”

King David wrote in the book of Psalms, “My God, I want to do what you want” (Psalm 40:8 NCV), and “What I want most and at all times is to honor your laws” (Psalm 119:20 CEV). 

David passionately declared that what he wanted most of all was to honor God. Being obedient and following God were not options for him. In other parts of the Bible, David used phrases like, “I long for it,” “I crave it,” “I hunger for it,” and “I’m like a deer panting for water.”

When I get that desperate, I'm going to hear from God.

A lot of people talk to God but never hear from God. For them, prayer is a monologue. But no healthy relationship is a monologue—I need a dialogue. What if I always talked to my wife, but she never talked to me? That’s not a relationship. I’ve got to have a conversation.

Talking to God in prayer is important but so is listening to him and letting him talk to me. How does that happen? First, I’ve got to want it more than anything else.

Deuteronomy 4:29 says, “You will search again for the Lord your God. And if you search for him with all your heart and soul, you will find him” (NLT). That’s a promise from God, so it’s guaranteed! 

In summary:

The first step to truly hearing from God is to deeply desire it—to see His voice and vision not as optional but essential. God reveals His purpose to those who earnestly seek Him, not for debate but for obedience. Like King David, whose heart longed and hungered to honor God above all else, we must reach a point of spiritual desperation where knowing God’s will becomes our greatest pursuit. Prayer isn’t meant to be a one-sided conversation; real relationship with God involves listening as much as speaking. When we seek Him wholeheartedly—with all our heart and soul—He promises we will find Him.

Bottom line:

If I truly want to hear from God, I must seek Him with my whole heart—desperately, obediently, and relationally—because when I do, He promises I will find Him.

Next Step:

My next wisest step is to intentionally create space to listen to God before moving forward in your plans.

Built for Connection: God’s Design for Growth Together

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . Love your neighbor as yourself.” Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

Small groups aren’t just beneficial—they’re biblical!

Jesus started his public ministry when he was 30 years old. The first thing he did was get baptized. And the second thing he did was start a small group; he went out and gathered 12 guys to be his small group. For the next three years, he traveled and ate and ministered with them.

Even Jesus needed a small group—and he was perfect! I need one even more than he did to make it in life.

Why? I need a small group because they’re relational.

That’s important because life is all about learning how to love. And I can’t love unless I build relationships. Small groups are the laboratory for learning relational skills. They’re a laboratory for learning how to love.

I can’t have a conversation with a crowd. But in a small group I can ask questions and share wisdom. In a small group I can pray in specific ways for others, get support, and share the ups and downs of life.

One of the problems in our culture today is that we live among strangers. People aren’t learning relational skills anymore. We don’t know how to make conversation—and worse, we sometimes don’t even try. Electric garage doors have made us all strangers! We don’t ever have to engage with or even meet our neighbors.

I'm not very good at relational skills because I don’t put myself in situations where I learn them.

Jesus said the most important thing in life is learning how to love, and it’s called the Great Commandment: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart . . . Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31 NIV). That means the most important thing for me to do on earth is to learn relational skills—loving God and loving other people. And to do that, I must get to know people personally. 

I don’t have to know everybody in the church for it to be my church. But I do have to know somebody.

I need a few people who know when I get sick or when I leave the hospital, when I get a raise or when I get laid off, when I can’t pay a bill or when I need a ride to the airport. They know me. They celebrate with me. And they show up when I need them.

I learn to love others like that—like Jesus loves me—through a small group.

In summary:

Jesus modeled the importance of community by forming a small group of 12 disciples, showing that even He valued close, relational connections. Small groups aren’t just helpful—they’re essential for spiritual and personal growth because they provide the space to build genuine relationships, develop relational skills, and learn how to love others well. In a world where people often live in isolation, small groups give us a place to share life’s ups and downs, pray for one another, and practice the Great Commandment: loving God and loving others. True Christian maturity happens not in crowds, but in close connection with others who know, support, and walk beside me in life.

Bottom line:

To grow in faith and become the leader God designed me to be, I need to intentionally invest in authentic relationships—because true spiritual and personal growth happens in community, not isolation.

Next Steps:

I need to start or join a small, growth-centered group where authentic relationships, accountability, and shared learning can flourish. Whether it’s a leadership circle, faith-based mastermind, or coaching group, I need to surround myself with people who challenge, encourage, and walk with me as I live out my purpose and strengthen both my faith and leadership impact.