Jesus said “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). He is saying that following His success will make you someone that others want to follow. Men will be caught by your posture, words, peace, and authority in the midst of challenges. That is true leadership!

If you make a habit of focusing on the physical evidence in your body or the appearance of the circumstances around you, more than on what the Word of God says, your life will reflect the reality and the results of that pattern of believing!

Jeremiah said to God, “I can’t because I’m too young.”  Isaiah said, “I can’t because I am a man of unclean lips.”  David said, “I can’t because what are humans before you?”  Jesus was different. He said, I am and I can.  “I am from my Father and as my Father works so I work” (John 5:17). He has given us a new way of thinking about ourselves!

You are destined for success! But to get there, you have to transition out of your normal, common thinking into an uncommon thought life. Normal thinking is the rut your brain shifts into when you continually think on what you’re accustomed to—“This is the way it is, therefore this is the way it will always be.” No! Those are common thoughts. That’s how the world thinks!

Jesus prayed: “Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy Kingdom come; on earth as it is in heaven.” No sickness in heaven!  No poverty in heaven! No weakness in heaven! No tears in heaven!  If it doesn’t look like heaven, we are commissioned and empowered to change it!

The three wise men set their focus on following the star all the way to Bethlehem. Likewise, in the midst of the thousands of bits of information that come at us each day, we must keep our focus on Jesus, the only light that will truly transform us.

Changing location has nothing to do with prosperity. It is possible to be poor in a wealthy society; just as it is possible to prosper in a poor society, and even during a crisis where others are in want all around you. Isaac obeyed the Lord, and he prospered! “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the Lord blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous” (Genesis 26:12-13).

Make this a daily affirmation: “Thank you Lord that greatness lives in me because YOU are great! I choose to seek after greatness in life, and I can do it because You are in me, we are partners, and we will do it together!”

You are not a “sinful worm” saved by grace. Stop seeing yourself as a beggar! You are not a moocher, but a producer! You have been given power to become a child of God! You have been given power to produce wealth! You are an heir of God and a joint heir with Christ! YOU HAVE A DESTINY!

Christ followers should be the top politicians, administrators, educators, doctors—the top in every area there is. Why? Because our teacher reveals things to us that the average person can’t receive. It is vitally important for us to learn to be sensitive to His voice and expect His guidance!