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 Galatians 2:20, quoting from the NASB:
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
What does total commitment look like or mean to the one who has given full allegiance to God? It means much, however shifting resolve is not part of the description.
Paul uttered this exceptional declaration and made it clear that obedience to Christ could reflect disloyalty to some of the practices of man, especially if they are at odds with what God is asking us to do. Paul’s commitment to Christ meant he would not fluctuate between possibilities, nor flicker when faced with adversity; he would not grow weary and lose heart in the face of opposition.
The committed, dutiful follower does not surrender when he draws fire for his faith. Frankly, Paul is expressing gratitude and trust in the One who first demonstrated His commitment for him. Christ’s resolve and love are exhibited in Jesus giving “Himself up for me.”
A desire to trade places with a sick loved one shows a compelling display of total commitment. However, loyalty to others should pale in comparison to what we offer the One who gave Himself up for us.
“I have been crucified with Christ.” In his statement Paul recognizes that his sinful nature had been set aside or done away with. He embraced the fact that sin had lost its grip on him. He was a changed man. The soldier lives by the written and spoken orders of his superiors. Paul affirms, “The life I now live… I live by faith in the Son of God.” In loyalty, Paul looked to Christ for courage to live by faith and to trust Him with life’s difficulties.
In a practical sense, Paul yielded to Jesus’ “all in” commitment and gave up attempts to be to people what God never intended him to be. He surrendered himself to Christ’s love and determined to lead a life of faith. Christ was and is “all in.” What about you? In your work, marriage, parenting…how are you responding to the one who was crucified so that you could live?
// 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 living out your commitment to faith?
- Second, in Romans 6:6, Paul writes, “I have been crucified with Christ.” How does this verse express your new spiritual direction or motivation in light of Jesus’ substitution for your sins?
- Third, to what degree is the “life you now live” a reflection of the immensity of Christ’s generous exchange (in other words, that He gave Himself up for me)?
// About the Narrator
COL Laurence Mixon, USA, a 1986 graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, retired in June 2016 after a 30-year career with the Army and transitioned to an Army Senior Executive assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. He served on the OCF Council from 2011-2019 and has also been active as a local leader in OCF. He and his wife, Tracey, have 8 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.