53. He Will Be With You
Leader, Draw Near
Do you sense God calling you out, asking you to do something that is outside your comfort zone? What is your source of strength?
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52. Rest Interrupted
Leader, Draw Near
Interruptions can be opportunities to demonstrate compassion. Jesus’ compassion included serving the crowd a meal. How we respond when our plans get changed can add to or take away from our resilience.
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51. Where Now is the Lord?
Leader, Draw Near
When circumstances turn from desirable to undesirable or when the task ahead is greater than one’s resources, it is common to want to know our importance to God and whether He is with us in our labors.
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50. Discouragement—I Have Had Enough!
Leader, Draw Near
Discouragement can place us at opposite ends of God’s intention requiring Him to correct us, turn us around, and put us back on His course. Don’t allow threats or the appearance of being the only one interested in what God is working halt your forward momentum and progress.
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49. Character of a Leader—Holy?
Leader, Draw Near
Take a minute and evaluate the presence of the fruit of the Spirit in your life. Which fruit is most abundant in your life right now? After reflecting on the abundance, think on the fruit you sense needs to be growing in you.
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48. Daniel’s Wise Alternative
Leader, Draw Near
Discerning wisdom is not an overnight process. Spiritual wisdom accompanies the practice of spiritual disciplines, particularly when prayer and Bible study are hallmarks.
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47. The Right Heart
Leader, Draw Near
What is the condition of your heart? Being an effective leader is as much about having the right heart as following proven leadership practices.
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46. Transformation: Clean the Root and Reinsert It
Leader, Draw Near
How do we overcome the dueling natures, the struggle of the flesh to do evil and of the mind that knows to obey the commands of God? We clear away the debris and cultivate in our heart the mind of Christ.
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45. Did You Ask?
Leader, Draw Near
From whom do you seek advice and in whom do you place your trust when it seems you are not receiving discernable direction from God? Asking counsel of wise people is a Scriptural response, and so is asking God to keep you from presumption.
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44. Compassion
Leader, Draw Near
What might cause you to be stingy with empathy or sympathy? Are you tempted to make your compassion for others conditional? Let us strive to find the right blend of Christ-filled compassion and Spirit-guided correction.
info_outlineToday’s Scripture reading comes from Mark 14:18, quoting from the ESV:
“As they were reclining at the table and eating, Jesus said, ‘Truly I say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.’”
Why do you think Jesus raised the subject of his betrayal? Why did He tell the disciples someone would betray Him? Perhaps He simply needed to tell someone who cared. Jesus told his disciples. He said it not once but, according to Mark, approached the matter five times. The fifth time He poured His heart out to His Father. At Jesus’ comment, the disciples questioned their loyalty.
To be loyal is to show allegiance and to demonstrate constant support. This fidelity defines the leader/follower relationship. Disloyalty hurts. At the Passover meal the disciples had the opportunity to examine their own constancy to Christ. As followers of Christ, it is prudent to examine our trustworthiness and to monitor that which could allure, even lull us into thoughtless words and deeds. Jesus’ loyalty was without question. He said, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Loyalty is demonstrated in the workplace for many noble reasons: belief in the cause or product or allegiance to the institution. The follower of Christ must understand his or her own motives for following and serving. Rightly motivated, believers respond to God’s demonstrated love for us.
Did you notice that the one who betrayed Him reclined at the table and was eating with Him? Judas was a recipient of fellowship, inclusion, identity, and belonging without comprehending that loyalty is a two-way street. Jesus paid the price of his commitment to us on the cross. Are we willing to pay the price of loyalty to Him? More aptly, why am I willing to pay the price of constancy to Christ?
// Points to Ponder
Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor.
- First, when you are tested, tempted, worn out, and perhaps overcommitted, how might your loyalty to Christ waver?
- Second, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.” How is your love relationship with Jesus?
- Third, what motivates your loyalty to Christ—the love relationship, the reward, or both?
// About the Narrator
Lt Col Kate Toms is a C-17 Instructor Pilot currently assigned to doctoral study in philosophy. She and her husband enjoy hospitality, outdoor adventure, and delighting in the cute antics of their young children.
// Purchase a Copy
Call the OCF Home Office at 800-424-1984 to purchase a paperback copy of the book, or buy a Kindle version at Amazon.