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 Romans 7:21, quoting from the NASB:
“I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good.”
Dig through the dirt, go deep, clear everything out of the way, find the root, grab it, clean it, and, with great care, replant the root. Transformation starts when we, in cooperation with God, strip away veneer and fully expose to God a heart in need of His cultivation. Having entrusted to God areas of vulnerabilities, put into place spiritual practices that will resist re introduction of the old nature.
How different are we from the writer of Romans? Paul stated so eloquently the dual nature of the fleshly struggle: But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. Transformation starts with God, and with no less power will the influence of the flesh be defeated.
Recently, a guy shared with me that he and his wife experienced spiritual milestones on the same day. He rededicated his life to Christ, and she participated in believer’s baptism. What a delight it was for the two of them!
He said that now people ask, “Why do you attend two Bible studies during the week, in addition to attending worship services on Sunday?” His response displays credit to the work of transformation taking place in his life. He states earnestly, “I need to. It keeps me from returning to bad habits, and besides,” he added, “all I would otherwise be doing is watching TV.”
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.
// 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. Consider these leadership challenges as indications that transformation is occurring:
- First, tightness in the chest is replaced by soft responses. “A gentle answer turns away wrath…”
- Second, disagreements are toned down and extending grace becomes an easier alternative. “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
- Third, blaming others for our personal shortcomings is replaced with ownership and responsibility for personal spiritual growth. “First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”
// About the Narrator
MAJ Marissa Dey serves in the United States Army.
// 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.