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 Luke 22:32, quoting from the NASB:
“But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
When all seems against you and you are hard pressed to get others to perform at a higher standard, what do you do?
The cross looming large before Him, Jesus, perhaps, had a similar concern. What was His approach to changing complacency, shallow commitment, and naïve vulnerability? Prayer!
Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus’ path will be a clear and discernible target of Satan. Simon did not realize the target he had become. He also could not imagine that he would abandon Jesus out of fear for his personal comfort or loss of life. When pushed to hold to the integrity he professed, Peter would cave. Jesus prayed that on the other side of his failure Peter would turn towards the lessons he learned and be an encouragement to his brothers.
Often in difficulties, it is hard to believe that anything worthwhile lies on the other side of disobedience, dereliction, self-satisfaction, or marginal commitment. Jesus desired that passion for service be ignited in His followers. So how does one stimulate fervor for service in a person who is oblivious to the greater good or bigger picture? Within ourselves, we cannot.
I consider inspiration to be a “God breathed” phenomena. However, we can intercede for others and credit God for answering our prayer on another’s behalf. Peter did not understand failure until he publicly denied Jesus. He would only become an encouraging example for his brothers because of Jesus’ prayers for him.
For many, the backside of disobedience, waywardness, and complacency is ruin and disappointment. Sometimes, no words or warnings will deter a person from doing the wrong thing. Jesus did not attempt to dissuade Simon from his approaching denial.
Consider that our leadership role is not always one of preventing another from his determined path. In some cases, the correction or consequence that follows will have the greater impact on a person’s decision to walk with integrity. Jesus modeled the classic response to develop passion in others. Pray.
// 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, desire for greatness or prominence must be tempered with a servant’s heart.
- Second, prayer should be the foundation of our concern for others.
- Third, failure need not equate to disqualification from the cause nor interpreted as an inability to help and encourage others.
// About the Narrator
An Army ROTC grad from Tennessee Tech University, serving both on active duty and in the reserves, Lucy is a retired U.S. Army Reserve LTC and works for the Army's 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY. She and her husband, Greg, are OCF Associate Field Staff for ROTC and are involved with local OCF Bible Studies on the local college campus and at Fort Campbell. Lucy accepted Christ as Savior in high school and is growing to let Him be Lord in every area of life.
// 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.