Deepen Before You Develop - Why Following Jesus Is the Foundation of Real Leadership

“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” John 12:26 (NLT)

Jesus talked a lot about being a “disciple.” As a believer, this is a word I hear a lot too.

But what did Jesus mean when he used the word disciple? To be a disciple, I must spend time with Jesus.

In any relationship, the more time I invest, the more I'm going to get out of it. It’s true in my relationship with Jesus too. I can’t be a part-time disciple; it’s a full-time responsibility.

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 NLT).

This verse teaches three things about spiritual growth.

First, spiritual growth is a choice. The verse starts off, “Anyone who wants to serve me. . .” God won’t force growth on me, and it won’t come automatically. I have to want and choose to serve him—to be his disciple.

If I feel distant from God, it’s not because he’s moved away. He’s always right there, inviting me to draw near to him. I have the choice to draw closer to him or to move away. 

Second, spiritual growth is a commitment. Jesus said that his disciples “must follow” him. After I've made the choice to grow, I “must” follow through with commitment!

I grow by making commitments. Getting married is a commitment that made me grow up. So is having kids, or taking on a new job, or pursuing an education. Anytime I make a commitment, I grow. That includes when I commit to being Jesus’ disciple.

Third, spiritual growth is a relationship. Jesus said, “My servants must be where I am.” It’s not about rules. It’s not about rituals. It’s not about a formula. It’s not about a bunch of expectations. It’s about being with Jesus. 

Obviously, Jesus isn’t here physically today. So how can I be with him? A great way is by having an ongoing conversation with him. Those can be quick prayers as I'm talking to someone at work, cleaning the house, or driving a car. As I do this over time, I will hear God speaking back to me, by filling my mind with truth and putting impressions in my heart.

Are you ready to start growing as a disciple of Jesus? It’s simple to get started: Just spend time with him.

In summary:

John 12:26 teaches that true discipleship means choosing to follow Jesus, committing fully to Him, and cultivating an ongoing relationship with Him. Spiritual growth begins with a personal decision—God does not force it—but requires consistent commitment, just like any meaningful life commitment that produces maturity. Being a disciple is not about rules or rituals; it is about being where Jesus is, spending intentional time with Him, and developing closeness through continual conversation and prayer. Growth happens as we prioritize His presence daily, recognizing that discipleship is a full-time relationship rooted in following, serving, and walking closely with Christ.

Bottom line:

Spiritual growth happens when I intentionally choose to follow Jesus, commit to Him fully, and consistently spend time in a relationship with Him.

Next step:

Deepen before I develop others.

If discipleship is about being with Jesus before doing for Jesus, then the greatest leverage point in my leadership is my proximity to Him. My influence will only be as deep as my intimacy.

Here’s what that means practically:

1. Protect unhurried time with Jesus

Not sermon prep. Not content creation. Not leadership development.

Just presence. Listening. Alignment. Conversation.

If I want to equip others at a high level, I must lead from overflow, not output.

2. Integrate “followership” into my coaching framework

I help people grow. What if I intentionally build this principle into my process?

Growth is a choice.

Growth requires commitment.

Growth is relational, not transactional.

That applies spiritually and professionally.

3. Model what full-time discipleship looks like in leadership

Let people see that my clarity, calm, courage, and conviction come from somewhere deeper than strategy.

I'm not just building leaders.

I'm forming people.

My next wisest move:

Align your 2026 focus (Alignment + Equipping) by anchoring my leadership development work in deep personal followership. Stay close. Then equip from that place.

Finding Freedom through Jesus

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV)

The world defines freedom as a life without any restraint. It’s an attitude that says, "I can do anything I want to do and say anything I want to say, without anybody telling me what to do."

With that kind of mindset, others get burned while I insist on doing things my way. That’s the world’s version of freedom—freedom that’s really just selfishness.

But the Bible says the only way to true freedom is through Jesus: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36 NIV).

God sent Jesus to proclaim and deliver freedom from the sin that keeps me trapped in a cycle of anger, envy, greed, sexual immorality, broken relationships, unforgiveness, and selfishness.

With true freedom, I'm set free from fear, guilt, worry, bitterness, and death. I'm free to quit pretending, because I'm free to be myself.

How do you get rid of fear and find real freedom in Jesus? By letting God love me! The apostle John taught this: “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18 NIV).

When I realize how much God loves me, I'll begin to live and rest in that love. And when I live in God’s love, I'm free—free to see life from his point of view and live the way he meant me to live. I learn that freedom isn’t something I demand or earn; it’s a gift from God.

In fact, living in God’s love is an act of worship. When I agree that God is loving, caring, and generous, and begin to trust in that love, I worship him. As 1 John 4:16 says, “We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love” (NLT).

Freedom starts here—when I choose to trust that God loves me and let it fill every part of my life.

In summary:

John 8:36 teaches that true freedom is not the world’s version of doing whatever we want without restraint, which often leads to selfishness and brokenness, but the freedom that comes through Jesus. Christ sets us free from the sin and destructive patterns that trap us—anger, guilt, fear, bitterness, and shame—and releases us to live authentically and without pretense. This freedom flows from experiencing and trusting God’s perfect love, which drives out fear and transforms how we see ourselves and the world. Real freedom is not something we demand or earn; it is a gift received by trusting in God’s love, resting in it, and allowing it to shape our lives in worship and obedience.

Bottom Line:

True freedom isn’t doing whatever I want—it’s being set free by Jesus from sin, fear, and guilt so I can live fully in God’s love and become who I was created to be.

Next Steps:

Model and teach freedom from identity, not performance. If true freedom comes from being secure in God’s love (not striving, control, or self-definition), then the people I lead need more than strategy—they need liberation from fear, guilt, comparison, and pressure. So:

1. Anchor my leadership in secure identity - Before helping others improve results, reinforce who they are. Freedom fuels growth. When people lead from security instead of fear, performance becomes sustainable.

Ask in your next coaching conversation:

What fear is driving this decision?

What would they do if they were completely secure?

Are they leading from pressure or from peace?

2. Create environments where people can stop pretending - True freedom includes authenticity. As a leader, model transparency, humility, and trust. When I go first, others follow.

3. Help people redefine success - Shift the focus from “doing more” to “becoming whole.”

From control → to surrender.

From striving → to trust.

From image → to integrity.

This aligns perfectly with my calling:

I don’t just help people achieve more—I help them become free enough to grow into who they were designed to be.

My 2026 alignment move:

Ensure that everything I teach about leadership and growth flows from this foundation—freedom in identity, grounded in truth, expressed through intentional living. This is how I multiply impact without multiplying pressure.

God Loved You Enough to Send His Best

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) Some people believe that calling someone spiritually lost is a put-down. But it’s not. It’s actually a great compliment to be called spiritually lost. There’s a difference between losing something and misplacing something. If I misplace something, it means it wasn’t important to me. But if I lose it, it’s valuable enough for me to try to find it. I misplace my pen; I lose my glasses. People are only lost if they’re worth finding. Think of it this way: The value of a masterpiece doesn’t go down when it’s lost; it goes up. Human beings lose a lot when they aren’t connected to God. When I'm disconnected from God, I lose my direction, potential, joy, and future home in heaven—just to name a few. But there’s one thing I don’t lose: my value. God loved me enough to send his very best: Jesus. The most famous verse in the Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). I matter so much to God that he underwent a rescue mission to come get me. He came to earth as a little baby so that one day he could die on a wooden cross for my sin. Jesus came to earth because I needed him. God sent his Son to do something I could never do on my own: pay for my sins. If I didn’t need it, God wouldn’t have done it. My sins have made having a relationship with God impossible on my own. That’s why Jesus came to earth—to save me from everything I’ve done wrong, so that I could be forgiven and restored into a right relationship with God. Why would God give up his divine privileges, his glory and honor, to come for my rescue? Because he loves me. He loves me more than I will ever understand. Trying to understand God’s love is like an ant trying to understand the internet—ants just don’t have the capacity. And I don’t have the capacity to fully grasp God’s love. But I don’t have to understand God’s love. I just have to accept it and believe that I'm infinitely valued by the God of the universe, who gave his very best for me. In summary: John 3:16 reveals that being spiritually “lost” is not an insult but a declaration of value, because only what is precious is worth searching for and rescuing. When we are disconnected from God, we lose direction, joy, purpose, and hope—but we never lose our worth. Like a masterpiece whose value increases when it is lost, humanity’s value is proven by the extraordinary lengths God went to in order to save us. God loved the world so deeply that He sent His Son, Jesus, to do what we could never do for ourselves—pay for our sin, restore our relationship with Him, and offer eternal life. Jesus’ life, death, and sacrifice are the ultimate rescue mission, demonstrating a love beyond human understanding. We don’t have to fully comprehend that love; we are simply invited to accept it and believe that we are infinitely valued by the God who gave His very best for us. Bottom Line: I am never worthless—even when I'm lost—because my value is proven by God’s love and His willingness to give Jesus to rescue and restore me. Next Steps: Intentionally help others re-frame their worth before I try to help them change their behavior. Value comes before performance. When people grasp that they are deeply valued—even when they’re lost—they become open to growth, surrender, and transformation. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in.Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. Practically, that means this week: Anchor your own leadership and coaching conversations in identity, not achievement. Ask people, “What do you believe about your worth right now?” before asking what they want to improve. Teach and model that growth flows from being loved, not from trying to earn love. As you do this, you’ll help people move from shame to clarity, from striving to surrender, and from potential to purpose—which is exactly the space you’re called to lead in. value comes before performance. When people grasp that they are deeply valued—even when they’re lost—they become open to growth, surrender, and transformation. value comes before performance. When people grasp that they are deeply valued—even when they’re lost—they become open to growth, surrender, and transformation. value comes before performance. When people grasp that they are deeply valued—even when they’re lost—they become open to growth, surrender, and transformation.value comes before performance. When people grasp that they are deeply valued—even when they’re lost—they become open to growth, surrender, and transformation.

Serving With Purpose

“All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it.” 1 Corinthians 12:27 (NLT)

Being connected to a church family helps me fulfill my calling by serving others in meaningful and practical ways. The Bible says, “All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27 NLT).

My service is desperately needed in the body of Christ—just ask any local church! Each believer has a role to play, and every role is important. There is no small service to God; it all matters.

Likewise, there are no insignificant ministries in the church. Some are visible and some are behind the scenes, but all are valuable. Small or hidden ministries often make the biggest difference.

There is no correlation between size and significance when it comes to service in the body of Christ. Every ministry matters, because we are all dependent on each other to function.

What happens when one part of your body fails to function? You get sick. The rest of your body suffers. Imagine if your liver decided to start living for itself: “I’m tired! I don’t want to serve the body anymore! I want a year off just to be fed. I’ve got to do what’s best for me! Let some other part take over.”

What would happen? Your body would die. Today thousands of local churches are dying because of Christians who are unwilling to serve. They sit on the sidelines as spectators, and the body suffers.

God has called me to a service far beyond anything I could ever imagine. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “He has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” (GNT).

Whenever I serve others in any way, I am actually serving God.

In summary:

1 Corinthians 12:27 reminds me that believers together form the body of Christ, with each person playing an essential role in serving others and fulfilling God’s calling. Connection to a church family matters because every act of service—visible or unseen—has significance, and there are no small or insignificant ministries in God’s design. Just as a body suffers when one part refuses to function, the church is weakened when believers choose not to serve, becoming spectators instead of participants. God has intentionally created each person for good works prepared in advance, and when we serve others in practical, faithful ways, we are ultimately serving God himself, contributing to the health and mission of the whole body.

Bottom line:

God designed every believer to belong, to serve, and to be essential—when each person faithfully serves, the whole body of Christ thrives, but when we don’t, the church suffers.

Next Steps:

Intentionally move from belief to participation. This means prayerfully identifying where God has already gifted me and then committing to serve—consistently and humbly. As I step in, trust that God will grow me, clarify my calling, and use my service to strengthen the whole body.

The Knock That Changes Everything

“If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

No matter what I’ve done, Jesus wants me!

Zacchaeus’ appearance made him feel insecure and lonely and inferior. Zacchaeus’ accusers made him feel bitter and resentful. But Zacchaeus’ sins made him feel guilty and ashamed.

After stopping and noticing Zacchaeus and calling him by name, Jesus did the most shocking thing of all: He invited himself to the home of the worst guy in the city of Jericho.

Jesus knew that Zacchaeus would be filled with guilt and shame and would never think himself worthy enough to have Jesus in his home.

And still, the Bible says, “When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today’” (Luke 19:5 NCV).

Because I'm a human being, I've done things that I'm ashamed of. The Bible says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23 NIV).

But Jesus is more interested in changing me than condemning me. He said he didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17).

No matter what I've done, who I’ve done it with, or how long I’ve done it, it matters more what direction my feet are headed today.

In going to Zacchaeus’ home, Jesus was essentially telling him, “No matter what you’ve done, Zacchaeus, I want you. I want to go to your house and have dinner. I want to fellowship with you. I want to have a relationship with you.”

God is saying that to me as well. No matter how much I've blown it, the starting point of salvation is when I swallow my pride and admit I need God’s help.

Sure, I've made mistakes along the way. But I haven’t lost one cent of my value to my Creator.

Jesus wants a relationship with me. He wants to come to my house and have dinner. He’s standing at the door of my life and knocking. He says, “If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me” (Revelation 3:20 NIV). 

In summary:

Regardless of past mistakes or feelings of shame, Jesus actively seeks a personal relationship with every individual, just as He did by inviting Himself to the home of the outcast Zacchaeus. It illustrates that while human nature is prone to sin and insecurity, God’s priority is transformation and fellowship rather than condemnation, as our inherent value to the Creator remains unchanged. Ultimately, the starting point of spiritual renewal is found in swallowing one's pride to open the door to Jesus, who stands ready to offer grace and connection to anyone who welcomes Him.

Bottom Line:

This is unconditional belonging. My past actions or personal insecurities do not diminish my value to God. He isn't waiting for me to get my life in order before He approaches me; instead, He is already "knocking," actively seeking a personal relationship and offering a fresh start based on grace rather than judgment.

Next step:

Instead of over-analyzing my past mistakes or trying to "fix" myself to be worthy, set aside 10–15 minutes of quiet time  to simply acknowledge my need.

Be Honest: Like Zacchaeus coming down from the tree, acknowledge the areas where you feel "guilty, ashamed, or inferior."

The "Dinner" Mindset: Imagine the invitation mentioned in Revelation 3:20. If Jesus were sitting across the table from you right now, what is the one thing I’ve been hesitant to tell Him?

Release the Pride: The passage notes that the starting point is swallowing pride. Admit that I don't have all the answers—whether that’s regarding my spiritual life, my business, or my personal peace.

Living Beyond Self-Directed Faith - Made by God, For God

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’” Luke 1:46-47 (NIV)

When it comes to planning their lives, many Christians act like atheists. They know Jesus saved them, but they don’t really trust him with their future. They think they can make plans any way they want to. But the reality is, God created every person for a unique purpose, with a specific plan and destiny in mind.

About two thousand years ago, God had a plan for a young woman named Mary. He created and chose her to be the mother of his Son.

What was Mary’s response when an angel told her about God’s plan? She didn’t say, “I’ve got my own plans for my life. I’m too busy. I have to do what’s best for me.” No, she realized God had a purpose for her life, and she was willing to do whatever he wanted.

Her response was a song of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47 NIV). Mary recognized that God was her Lord and Savior, and she was eager to do his will. She trusted him with her life, even though she knew no one would believe her when she told them what the angel had said.

Am I trusting that God has made me for a specific destiny? The Bible says, “Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends” (Psalm 100:3 NCV).

Many people will miss God’s plan for their lives by about 18 inches—the distance between their head and their heart. They intellectually believe the gospel, but they don’t let it change their hearts.

The truth is that I was not made for my own sake. I was made by God, and I was made for God.

I may know many things, but if I don’t know God, I've missed the purpose of life.

At the end of my life, God won’t care how well I did in my career or ask to see my bank account balance. Instead, he’ll ask me this: “Did you get to know me? Did you build a relationship with my Son, whom I sent to earth to die on the cross for you?”

The most important thing in life is to know God—not to know about him, but to truly know
him personally. So I ask myself, am I getting to know God better—and letting him change my heart—today?

In summary:

While many believers trust God for salvation, they often fail to trust Him with their future, forgetting that God created each of us for a unique purpose and destiny. Mary’s response to God’s plan—humble surrender, praise, and trust despite uncertainty—models what wholehearted faith looks like when belief moves from the head to the heart. The message emphasizes that life is not about self-directed success, careers, or achievements, but about belonging to God and living for Him. Ultimately, the true measure of a life well lived is not what we accomplish, but whether we genuinely know God, build a relationship with Jesus, and allow that relationship to transform our hearts and daily choices.

Bottom Line:

I was made by God and for God, and the purpose of my life is not self-directed success but a surrendered, growing relationship with Him that shapes my heart and my future.

Next steps:

I need to intentionally surrender control of my plans to God by seeking to know Him more deeply each day and letting that relationship shape my decisions. Practically, that means setting aside regular, unhurried time to listen to God—through prayer, Scripture, and reflection—and asking not “What do I want?” but “What do You want to form in me?” The wisdom move is shifting from managing my life for God to walking with God, trusting Him enough to let Him change my heart and direction.

The Responsibility of a Life Well Lived

“Each of us will give a personal account to God.” Romans 14:12 (NLT)

At the end of my life on earth, I’ll stand before God and he’ll evaluate how well I served others. The Bible says, “Each of us will give a personal account to God” (Romans 14:12 NLT).

Think about the implications of that. One day God will compare how much time and energy I spent on myself compared with what I invested in serving others.

At that point, all my excuses for self-centeredness will sound hollow: “I was too busy,” or “I had my own goals,” or “I was preoccupied with working, having fun, and preparing for retirement.”

To all excuses, God will respond with something like, “I created, saved, and called you. Then I commanded you to live a life of service. What part did you not understand?”

The Bible warns unbelievers, “He will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves” (Romans 2:8 NLT). And Christians who live for themselves will lose eternal rewards.

The Bible says that I'm only fully alive when I'm helping others. Jesus said it like this: “If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live” (Mark 8:35 TLB).

Then he repeats a similar truth twice in the book of Matthew and twice in Luke:

• “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will save it” (Matthew 10:39 TLB).

• “For anyone who keeps his life for himself shall lose it; and anyone who loses his life for me shall find it again” (Matthew 16:25 TLB).

• “Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it” (Luke 9:24 TLB).

• “Whoever clings to his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life shall save it” (Luke 17:33 TLB).

I need to catch this. This truth is so important that it is repeated five times in the Gospels. It reminds me that If I am not serving, I'm just existing—because life is meant for ministry.

What does God expect from me? He wants me to learn to love and serve others unselfishly.

In summary:

This passage emphasizes that every person will one day give a personal account to God, who will evaluate how faithfully they lived a life of service rather than self-interest. It challenges the tendency to justify self-centered living with excuses like busyness or personal goals, reminding us that God created, saved, and called us to serve others. Scripture warns that living for oneself leads to loss—of meaning for unbelievers and of eternal rewards for believers—while true life is found in self-giving service. Jesus reinforces this truth repeatedly in the Gospels, teaching that clinging to one’s own life leads to loss, but giving it up for His sake leads to real life. Ultimately, the message is clear: life finds its fullest purpose in loving and serving others unselfishly, because without service, we are merely existing rather than truly living.

Bottom Line:

I was created to serve, and I will be accountable to God for how I used your life—because real life is found not in living for yourself, but in loving and serving others.

Next steps:

Intentionally move from awareness to action by choosing one concrete way to serve others—starting now, not someday. That means honestly examining where your time, energy, and priorities are self-focused, then deliberately reallocating at least one of them toward loving, unselfish service (at work, at home, in your community, or through your gifts). In short: stop postponing service and practice it—because obedience clarifies purpose.