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 1 Kings 20:22, quoting from the NASB:
“Then the prophet came near to the king of Israel and said to him, ‘Go strengthen yourself and observe and see what you have to do; for at the turn of the year the king of Aram will come up against you.’”
There is much to be said for taking advantage of the right time to rest and gain perspective in anticipation of what might lie ahead. With a certainty, we can be assured troubles will come, sooner or later. As seasons change, so do the realities of daily living. A consideration of how the Lord provided in the past provides fuel to go the distance when the unexpected occurs.
King Ahab’s wars with the Aramean King Ben-hadad are described in 1 Kings 20. Israel’s small army was not allied with other nations as was the Aramean army. In fact, King Ben-hadad had pushed Israel around, requiring Israel’s silver, gold, women and children. Not until the Lord put an end to Israel’s acquiescence did Ahab stand up to Ben-hadad. By a surprise attack, Ben-hadad found himself in retreat with plans to attack Israel again in the spring.
Intimidation, threats, and the unknown have a way of manufacturing fear and anxiety. However, God’s wisdom is available to us. God’s prophet gave Ahab answers, the way ahead, and confidence. Today—God’s Word and His abiding presence steady us when we are facing great and small obstacles. As with Ahab, the very things that are not obvious to us, the Lord uses as His tool to deliver us.
At the corner of triumph is not the place to pull back and declare, “game over, problem solved.” It is time to do as the prophet told King Ahab: “strengthen yourself,” recoup, and be ready for what lies ahead. Rest in the Lord and reflect on His presence—even when His presence may seem less apparent. Know that conditions will change, but the Lord’s presence never does.
The unexpected need not derail us as we lean on Him, for it is God who guides and helps. The one whose confidence is in the Lord has no weakness a foe can take advantage of. May the Lord be our guide in all circumstances, and may He daily strengthen us to be suited for whatever comes our way.
// 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, how are you resting in God? Is He your very present help in times of trouble?
- Second, what do you need to do to be ready for unexpected troubles?
- Third, have you resolved not to allow evil to rule or dictate your behavior? Are you likely to retaliate with an eye for an eye, or do grace and compassion dictate your reaction to evil?
// About the Narrator
Dean Lee retired from the US Coast Guard in 2016 after serving 36 years on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf Coasts. He now works in prison ministry, focusing almost exclusively on heroin addicts in Richmond, VA. Vice Admiral Lee is a senior fellow at the Joint Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA, and also is a motivational speaker for government and private industry.
// 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.