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 Timothy 1:12, quoting from the NASB:
“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.”
Do you have the reputation of being the “go-to guy?” Weighty responsibility and promise can accompany this reputation. What qualified you for such acclaim? What achievement or characteristic elevates someone over another? If you have started formulating a mental checklist of “go-to guy” virtues, stop right here and consider the qualifications Paul designates believers should strive for as they advance the kingdom of God: Love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.
One complication with being the reputed point man can be our temptation to take credit for what God enables us to do. In other words, our good reputation could serve as a thief of the Lord’s glory. How God has gifted us as administrators, leaders, or teachers are gifts that can be mishandled in that we use them to divert exaltation from the Gifter.
Faithfulness to Christ Jesus is the desired end state. What Christ has entrusted to us, He wants us to offer back to Him in faithful service to others. In the Old Testament, the Lord gifted certain people with skills and technical knowledge to build artifacts for the temple. God led them to construct things for His own glory, not for the builders’ glory. In that sense, God’s calling us into service can be a fragile honor, something to be handled with great care. It has been said, “a little knowledge can puff one up.” Paul observed that some strayed and ended in fruitlessness. The goal and privilege of believers is to serve Christ again, and again, and again. The applause we want to hear comes from the Lord saying, “Well done good and faithful servant.” I am keeping you in service.
It is a privilege to be called into service and to be given skills by Him to shape programs that will draw people to Him. Our goal is not to amass a personal reputation as the qualified “go-to person,” but rather to point others to Him for the glory He is due. As God calls us into service, He does not call us because of our unique skill set or qualifications; rather, He deems us faithful and trustworthy as a condition for service.
// Points to Ponder
Over the next week, here are 2 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor.
- First, are your acts of service done with a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith?
- Second, having performed a job “well done,” would your closest associates, if asked, cite your skills or both your skills and faith in God for the work you do?
// Monthly Evaluation
It’s time for a quick monthly evaluation. Point your browser to ocfusa.org/LDNpodcast or check out the show notes for a link to download the monthly reflection sheet. Use the reflection sheet to help gauge your habit of integrating faith and profession, and to help get you into the habit of keeping a written record of those times when the Holy Spirit speaks to you.
// 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.