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 Isaiah 6:3, quoting from the NASB:
“And one called out to another and said, ‘Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.’”
Have you considered holiness as an essential leadership quality? I have to admit, when I think of leadership essentials, “holy” does not immediately surface as a necessary trait.
What comes to mind when you hear the word “holy?” “Holy roller” and “holier than thou” are cultural expressions we hear. Sadly, the tendency is to use “holy” in a derogatory sense.
In his book Leadership Essentials, Greg Ogden makes the point, “The Bible is much more concerned about who a leader is than what a leader does.” That is similar to his thought, “Developing character is more important than polishing skills.” Performance is the usual bottom line indicator and bread and butter for leaders. However, how are Christ’s followers to be as servant leaders?
What does it mean to be holy? Jesus is the perfect model of holiness. Based on His life, holiness would include the absence of sin and the presence of fruit of the Spirit. Jesus knew no sin.
However, because we are sinful, yet chosen to carry out God’s work on earth, it is useful to recount Isaiah’s entry into the service of God. Read Isaiah 6:1-8. Isaiah decried his sin before a holy God, saying: “I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips.” With a “live coal” Isaiah’s lips were touched, his guilt was taken away, and his sin atoned for. We, as Isaiah, have not lived sinless lives, but through forgiveness of sin, the Lord used Isaiah and uses us in spiritual service. Holiness is purity. Though sinful, the one who confesses his sin is purified for service.
Finally, as disciples of Christ we should follow His example and exhibit the Spirit’s fruit. What good news! When the Spirit of God leads our hearts, good fruit is the result, and the sin nature is quelled. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities abounded in Jesus. As disciples called to lead, we are made to have His nature.
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.
// 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. Think of these as ways to cultivate greater abundance of the Spirit’s fruit:
- First, offer a prayer to God to help your weakness become your strength.
- Second, following periods of Bible reading, journal over the next seven days. What applications are the Holy Spirit revealing concerning the fruit you desire in greater.
- Third, what God has given in abundance, use to His glory. Let our strengths honor Him.
// Monthly Evaluation
It’s time for a quick monthly evaluation. Click here 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
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.