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 Jonah 4:11, quoting from the NASB:
“Should I not have compassion on Nineveh, the great city in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know the difference between their right and left hand, as well as many animals?”
Compassion, a selfless concern or kind regard for the welfare of another, is a much-needed grace in short supply in our world. Something that should be freely given, compassion is often wielded as a weapon withheld to control others or as a reward for good behavior. A compassionate person is authentically encouraging. Jonah interpreted the mercy and compassion of God as weakness toward sinful Nineveh.
Jonah was called by God to encourage the people of Nineveh to turn from their sins. He was to preach against Nineveh, so they would turn to God and away from the destruction they deserved. After a false start in the wrong direction, Jonah did encourage the people by stating, “Yet forty days and Nineveh will be overthrown.”
How is that for encouragement? Nonetheless, the people and the king repented in response to Jonah’s compassionless proclamation. Jonah was displeased and angry. Where was his compassion for the people?
It is hard to read the story of Jonah and not examine my own feelings or actions of bigotry. God showed compassion to the ignorant Ninevites in their repentant state. I have to admit that, like Jonah, I don’t always want to show compassion. I would rather make another’s good behavior a precondition for my compassion. God also had a precondition for Nineveh, but His motives were far more pure than mine would ever be. God took note of the number of people in that city, and He pointed out their ignorance—they do not know the difference between their right and left hand.
What might have caused Jonah to withhold compassion? What might cause you to be stingy with empathy or sympathy? Few things are worse than arrogance. Are you tempted to make your compassion for others conditional? Jonah mishandled conditional compassion and revealed his own judgmental and prideful arrogance. Let us strive to find the right blend of Christ filled compassion and Spirit guided correction.
// 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, is the salvation of others, regardless of their sin, a priority to you?
- Second, would your family or coworkers characterize you as a compassionate person?
- Third, what does your compassion look like in the home? At work?
// 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.