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.

Choosing God’s Way in a Self-Driven World

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble.” Luke 1:52 (NCV)

God always gives me a choice, and one of the most important choices I’ll make is whether to take his path for my life or to make my own way. And the truth is, following God’s plan for life takes humility.

It takes humility to say, “God, I’m going to go with your plan, not my plan; I’m going your way, not my way.”

Pride says, “Forget you, God. I have my plans, dreams, and ambitions. I’m going to do what I want to do.”

But the Bible urges us over and over again to choose humility over pride. James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (GNT). And Proverbs 18:12 says, “Before honor is humility” (NKJV). Then James 4:10 promises, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor” (NLT).  

His Word tells me that all things start with humility on my part.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew this was true. She said, “He has done mighty deeds by his power. He has scattered the people who are proud and think great things about themselves. He has brought down rulers from their thrones and raised up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with nothing” (Luke 1:51-53 NCV).

This is an amazing piece of poetry—and it paints the picture of how God works in ways that are opposite to my natural human instincts.

Mary wasn’t educated, but she knew God and knew his Word. And she knew that she wanted his blessings. So she humbled herself and chose to take his path for her life.

So am I proudly following my own path? Or have I humbled myself and committed myself to following God’s path instead?

In summary:

One of the most important choices in life is whether to follow God’s path or my own—and that choice requires humility. Pride insists on control, pursuing personal plans and ambitions, but humility says, “God, your way is better than mine.” Scripture makes it clear that God opposes the proud but gives grace and honor to the humble. Mary modeled this truth beautifully when she praised God for lifting up the humble and bringing down the proud, showing how He works in ways that reverse human expectations. Like Mary, I’m called to trust God’s wisdom over my own and walk His path with a humble heart, knowing that true blessing and purpose begin there.

Bottom line:

When I humbly surrender my plans and choose God’s path over my own, He will guide, strengthen, and ultimately lift me to the place He’s prepared for me—one far greater than anything I could achieve on my own.

Next Step:

My next wisest step is to practice daily surrender with intentional humility—begin each day by asking, “Lord, what do You want me to do today?” and aligning my plans, decisions, and leadership influence with that guidance. This also means modeling humility as strength: being transparent about learning, inviting God’s direction in my leadership moments, and helping others see that true success comes not from control, but from trust and obedience.

Purpose Begins with Yes

“I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants.” Luke 1:38 (TLB)

My destiny is largely determined by the questions I ask. The braver and more honest my questions, the further in life I'm going to go.

Just before the very first Christmas, Mary—who would become the mother of Jesus—had to ask herself a very brave, important question: Will I accept God’s destiny for me?

There are a lot of misconceptions about Mary. But what made Mary very special is that she was willing to accept her destiny. She was willing to trust God in the things he was calling her to do.

The Bible tells us Mary’s story: “God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you!’ Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be” (Luke 1:26-29 NIV).

Mary was young—probably no older than 15. And an angel showed up and basically told her, “God’s about to send a Savior into the world, to be born just like everyone else. And you’re going to be that baby’s mom, even though you’re still a virgin.”

And Mary’s response? “Mary was greatly troubled . . .” Mary was terrified. She didn’t know what to do, what to say, or who to tell. She probably thought, “No one’s going to believe me. Not my mom, my friends, or even Joseph.” She was afraid.

The story continues: “The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33 NIV).

This would be no ordinary birth because this was no ordinary baby. This child was going to be the Son of God—the Messiah, the Savior.

And how did Mary eventually respond? The Living Bible paraphrase records her response: “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants. May everything you said come true!” (Luke 1:38).

Why did God choose Mary over all the other women on the planet to be the Messiah’s mother?

It wasn’t because of her education. She had none. It wasn’t because of her wealth. She was a poor peasant girl. It wasn’t because of her maturity. She was barely a teenager. Why did God choose Mary?

Because she trusted God completely and she was willing to accept God’s destiny for her, even though it meant hardship, misunderstanding, and criticism.

What about me? Am I willing to say yes to God’s destiny for myself—even if I'm afraid or doubting or know the road will be tough? I can trust that God’s destiny for my life is best for my life, far better than anything I can think up for myself.

In summary:

Mary’s story in Luke 1:38 shows the power of trusting God’s plan, even when it’s unclear or frightening. Though young and unprepared for the extraordinary call placed on her life, Mary chose faith over fear, saying, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to do whatever he wants.” Her willingness to accept God’s destiny—despite uncertainty, potential judgment, and hardship—reveals that what qualifies us for God’s purposes is not status, education, or experience, but wholehearted trust and obedience. Like Mary, I must ask myself: am I willing to say yes to God’s direction for my life, believing that His destiny is far greater than any I could design for myself?

Bottom line:

Trust God’s direction—even when it feels uncertain or uncomfortable—because saying “yes” to His plan positions me to fulfill the greater purpose He designed specifically for my life.

Next step:

Pause and reaffirm my willingness to say “yes” to God’s direction in this season of my life—then take one concrete action that reflects that trust. In short: Say yes, write it down, and move forward in faith.

Lead with Reflection: The Habit of Writing What I Learn

“The Lord gave me this answer: ‘Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance.’” Habakkuk 2:2 (GNT)

Part of learning to hear God speak—and remembering what he says—is writing it down. This is the spiritual habit of journaling, and it’s a great one for followers of Jesus to understand and practice.

A journal is not a diary. A diary is about the things I did. But a journal contains my prayers to God and the lessons I’ve learned—the mistakes I’ve made and what he has taught me through them. It’s a written record of my journey with God.

One way to journal is to write God’s responses to my questions. As I read the Bible, write down the questions that come to mind. Then record the things God reveals.

Habakkuk did that when he wanted to hear God speak. In the book of Habakkuk, the Lord said, “Write down clearly on tablets what I reveal to you, so that it can be read at a glance” (Habakkuk 2:2 GNT). That’s how we got the book of Habakkuk. In chapter one, Habakkuk wrote down what he said to God. And in chapter two, he wrote down what God said back to him.

That’s also how we got the book of Psalms. Many of the psalms were written by David during his quiet moments with God. In some, he begins with what he’s feeling and ends with what God says.

Another way to journal is to write down my prayers. When I write them down, it preserves a spiritual legacy for my children and grandchildren. Imagine the influence I can have for generations to come if I keep a spiritual journal. The Bible says, “Write these things for the future so that people who are not yet born will praise the LORD” (Psalm 102:18 NCV).

Writing down my prayers also gives me the opportunity to record God’s answers when they come. I can remember how God had taken care of me. I could see how he had led me through.” 

If I don’t write down what I'm learning, I'm going to forget. The shortest pencil is longer than the longest memory—so write it down! And build a record of God’s care that I can return to again and again.

In Summary:

Habakkuk and David modeled the power of writing down their conversations with God—capturing both their prayers and God’s responses. Habakkuk recorded his dialogue with God, which became the book bearing his name, and David’s heartfelt reflections became the Psalms. Likewise, journaling my prayers allows me to preserve a record of God’s guidance, care, and faithfulness, creating a spiritual legacy for future generations. Writing down what I’m learning helps me remember how God has led me through challenges and answered prayers, serving as a continual reminder of His presence and direction. The act of journaling transforms fleeting moments of insight into lasting evidence of God’s hand in my life.

Bottom Line:

Write down what God reveals to me. Journaling turns fleeting moments of insight into lasting guidance—helping me remember His faithfulness, deepen my relationship with Him, and leave a spiritual legacy for those who follow.

My next wisest step is to begin a consistent habit of spiritual journaling—setting aside regular time to write down what God is teaching me, the prayers I'm praying, and the insights I gain through Scripture and reflection. By recording these moments, I'll not only strengthen my personal connection with God but also gain clarity and perspective for my leadership and coaching work. Over time, my journal will become a well of wisdom and encouragement—both for me and for those I mentor—helping me stay aligned with my purpose and create a lasting spiritual legacy.

Leading from What Lasts

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Luke 21:33 (NIV)

Sometimes it’s hard to know if an idea is an instruction from God, a deception from Satan, or just something I want to do. I need to learn to recognize the difference and know how to discern God’s voice—because it can have eternal consequences.

A lot of evil gets blamed on God. People will even do bad things and then say, “God told me to do it!” The Living Bible paraphrase says, “Don’t always believe every message you hear just because someone says it is a message from God: test it first to see if it really is” (1 John 4:1).                                                             

God’s will will never contradict his Word. So I can ask myself, “Does this idea in my mind agree with the Bible?” God doesn’t say one thing and then change his mind and say another thing. If he said it, it’s true, and it will always be true.

Truth doesn’t change. Opinions, scientific discoveries, and technology all change. But God’s Word doesn’t change. Truth never changes. In fact, if it’s new, it’s not true. What do I mean by that? If it’s true, it’s been around forever. It’s just that sometimes our discoveries catch up with something that’s always been true.

God is consistent. He isn’t moody. He doesn’t change his mind. He will never tell me to violate a principle that he’s already given in his Word.

So the first question I need to ask is, “Does this thought line up with what God has already said?” If what’s in my mind contradicts something he has already said in the Bible, then I know it’s wrong.

For instance, the Bible tells me to pay our taxes. Jesus said in Luke 20:25, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar, and give to God what belongs to God” (NLT). If all of a sudden I get an idea that God is telling me to not pay my taxes, that idea isn’t from God. Since God has already said to pay your taxes, he’s not going to contradict it.

The Bible says that even if an angel shows up and says something like, “By the way, I’ve got some stuff to add to the Bible. The Bible is good, but this is new and revised information.” God says don’t believe it! In fact, Paul said it like this in The Living Bible paraphrase: “Let God’s curses fall on anyone, including myself, who preaches any other way to be saved than the one we told you about; yes, if an angel comes from heaven and preaches any other message, let him be forever cursed” (Galatians 1:8).

Jesus said in Luke 21:33, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (NIV). God’s Word is eternal, because truth never changes. If something was true 5,000 years ago, it was true 1,000 years ago, it is true today, and it will be true 5,000 years from today.

People might say, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.” No! God said it, and that settles it—whether I believe it or not!

So if I wonder if an idea is from God, the first question to answer is this: “Is this idea in line with the truth of God’s Word?”

In summary:

God’s Word is the ultimate and unchanging standard for truth, and it never contradicts itself. While it can be difficult to discern whether an idea comes from God, personal desire, or deception, the Bible provides the test: if a thought or instruction aligns with Scripture, it can be trusted; if it doesn’t, it must be rejected. God’s will never violates His Word, and truth never changes—what was true thousands of years ago remains true today and will be forever. Unlike shifting opinions or trends, God is consistent, steady, and faithful. Jesus affirmed this when He said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Luke 21:33). Therefore, discerning God’s voice begins with knowing and measuring everything against His eternal Word.

Bottom Line:

I need to anchor every decision, idea, and direction in God’s unchanging Word. His truth is steady when everything else shifts—and by testing what I hear and think against Scripture, I'll stay aligned with His will and avoid deception or distraction.

Next steps:

To deepen my discernment through daily Scripture reflection and prayerful listening. Make it a consistent rhythm to pause, read, and ask, “Lord, what truth here applies to my next step today?” Then act on that truth with confidence. This anchors my leadership, coaching, and decision-making in what never changes: God’s Word, not opinions or emotions. Over time, this will strengthen my clarity, credibility, and spiritual authority as I guide myself and others.