Leader, Draw Near

How far am I willing to go with God?

Our Scripture reading comes from 2 Kings 2:9, quoting from the New King James Version: "And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, 'Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?' Elisha said, 'Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.' "

Great leaders are not satisfied with the status quo or content with mediocre gains. As a leader in the home and workplace, how comfortable are you in asking God for big things?

Elisha's request prompts me to ask myself: How far am I willing to go with God? Elijah's successor was willing to go all the way and beyond. As it relates to Christian leadership, much can be gleaned from Elisha's request for "a double portion."

First, Elisha's bold request reminds me that God always has a plan for the continuance of His divine mission. Elisha asked for what the successor or inheritor was due. In asking and receiving, Elisha's legitimate claim was established. With his master's cloak, he immediately performed miracles in keeping with the authority of one who would speak for God.

The need for convincing, authentic leadership is as important today as it was in Elisha's day (2 Chronicles 16:9a). Through leaders like Elisha, Asa, and Jeremiah, leaders are challenged to call on God who will reveal His plan (Jeremiah 33:3) and His way.

Second, God's work does not cease with key personnel turnover. Moses led Israel out of captivity, but it was Joshua who led them into the Promised Land. Likewise, David had a desire for a temple dedicated to God, but it was Solomon who built it. Also, various kings before Asa did not remove idols from the land, but Asa, king of Judah "took courage and removed the abominable idols" (2 Chronicles 15:8).

We cannot put God in a box regarding the who, when, or where of His unchanging plan. As you consider Elisha's request, does it rise up in you, as it does in me, to avoid using expressions such as "indispensable and irreplaceable" when it comes to turnover in personnel or volunteers? Completion of God's mission is not up for grabs nor is it personality dependent. God's mission is enduring.

We, as leaders, might consider asking Him to provide replacements that possess a "double portion" to help carry out the mission He has given us to do.

// 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, What ministry, project, or relationship will you trust God to take to the next level? (Psalm 90:17; Proverbs 19:21).
• Second, What steps are you taking to equip another for the important work you are currently doing? (2 Timothy 2:2-4, 15-16).
• Third, If someone asked for a double portion of your spirit, what would they be asking for? (Ephesians 4:20-24; 5:1).

// About the Narrator

Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, USAF (Ret.), and his wife, Lori, are the Executive Director couple of Officers' Christian Fellowship. They assumed the position in August 2010, after retiring a month earlier from the United States Air Force out of Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He is currently serving on the board of the Christian Service Charities, and as an advisory council mentor for Faith Comes By Hearing.

// 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.

What masters us?

Our Scripture reading comes from Romans 6:18, quoting from the NASB: "And having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness."

By what do we choose to be mastered? Men and women who have committed to serve in the military might easily, if jokingly, identify the military as their master. Do Christian military personnel see this in a different light?

The entire discourse of Romans 6 is a liberating reminder that righteous living is part and parcel of salvation. Christian leaders cannot pursue both sin and righteous living. We must choose our master. Honestly, who would willingly be enslaved to anything? Yet, slaves we are to the voice we heed and the conduct we perform. A well-known scholar quipped, "People must be charmed into righteousness."

Was Job charmed into righteousness? Satan mistakenly believed that God had allured Job into faithful obedience and blameless integrity. Even Job's wife believed that God's failure to protect his family and possessions were grounds for Job to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9). Job's intimate friendship with God had made a new man of Job. He cared for widows, the blind and lame, the needy, the stranger, even the dying. Righteousness and justice were his clothing. Even in testing and loss, Job worshipped God (Job 1:20-21) and spoke the truth about God (Job 42:8).

Righteous living is the compelling response to fellowship with God. This brings me to my second thought. How do we as "righteous" leaders live out righteousness in the workplace? Thinking rightly about God puts leaders in a better position to do right. Job had shut the door on thinking or doing evil and had become a slave to righteousness (Job 2:3). He was free to live a noteworthy life free of compromise, even in devastating circumstances. His testimony to us is one of perseverance in the things of God in every situation.

As we practice righteousness, righteousness will become our nature, just as Christ is righteous (1 John 3:7). Leaders, may others follow your lead as you are mastered by right living.

// 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, Are we tempted to compromise our Christian ethic and do what's expedient (even if it's wrong) to benefit from a deal that is too good to pass up? (see Nehemiah 5:15).
• Second, Are we careful to maintain godly righteousness in the face of shifting priorities and requirements? (see 1 Samuel 13:11-12).
• Third, Are we measuring ourselves according to the standards of Christian righteousness and Romans 6:18?

// About the Narrator

Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, USAF (Ret.), and his wife, Lori, are the Executive Director couple of Officers' Christian Fellowship. They assumed the position in August 2010, after retiring a month earlier from the United States Air Force out of Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He is currently serving on the board of the Christian Service Charities, and as an advisory council mentor for Faith Comes By Hearing.

// 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.

Our Scripture reading comes from Matthew 18:33, quoting from the NIV: "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?"

Yes—but what about the consequences? As Christ followers one of the questions we must consider is "Do we find it hard to show mercy?" In striving to live out one's faith in one's profession, Christian leaders must rightly handle this issue.

In Matthew 18:21-35 the apostle Peter asked Jesus for clarification as to how often he must forgive a fellow believer who sins against him. In leadership this is not a rhetorical question. Apparently, Peter's personal or leadership experience had presented him with the brother who made a habit of offending others, taking advantage them, or evading responsibility.

Understandably, hypocrisy is a label believers deserve if we display the response of the merciless servant referred to in Matthew 18:33, but what about consequences for certain actions and our requirement to hold others accountable? With authority comes responsibility to maintain standards and acceptable levels of performance.

The leader basically bears the responsibility to correct, discipline and keep communication channels open. He or she is also accountable to foster goodwill and to forgive. Though not exclusively a leadership problem, Christ demonstrates the correct response to be the practice of mercy, compassion, or forgiveness. Christ does not limit the number of times one is to forgive because His action on the cross would provide the most lavish, inclusive display the world would ever witness.

So great and undeserved would be the forgiveness He grants that through Peter we are warned of the severe consequences of refusing to forgive. If you find it hard to forgive, remember that we were all once in need of undeserved grace and were shown mercy (1 Peter 2:25).

Over the next week, here are 3 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor.

• First, In the home or at work, would our response to offenders be different if we asked ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" (see Matthew 18:33).
• Second, The king in the account had an expectation of the servant he forgave. In our deliberations will we consider the positive change forgiveness can bring about in an offender's life? (see 2 Corinthians 2:7).
• Third, Regardless of another's response to our leniency, what effect will our willingness to be merciful have on our own character and quality of life? (see Matthew 18:35).

// About the Narrator

Brig. Gen. David B. Warner, USAF (Ret.), and his wife, Lori, are the Executive Director couple of Officers' Christian Fellowship. They assumed the position in August 2010, after retiring a month earlier from the United States Air Force out of Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado. He is currently serving on the board of the Christian Service Charities, and as an advisory council mentor for Faith Comes By Hearing.

// 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.

COMING JANUARY 2020!

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Welcome to Leader Draw Near, a weekly podcast devotional for your pursuit of God. I'm Colonel Larry Simpson, US Air Force, retired. My wife, Bobbie, and I are the field staff reps for OCF Puget Sound and Family Outreach, and I'm author of the book, "Leader, Draw Near."

Each weekly podcast devotional is fashioned to prompt reflection on a specific topic. Listeners are encouraged to search out each Scripture reference and to lean into God for more light as He meets you where you are. Each episode ends with a few Points to Ponder, which are perfect for personal reflection, or for use with a mentor or in a small group setting.

Every 4 to 5 weeks, you're encouraged to work through the questions on our monthly reflection sheet, which you can download from the OCF website by pointing your browser to ocfusa.org/LDNpodcast. The reflection sheets are designed to help you gauge your habit of integrating faith and profession, and they will also help get you into the habit of keeping a written record of those times when the Holy Spirit speaks to you. I encourage you to engage each topic throughout the week and to list personal reflections and applications as God touches your heart.

Over the next 53 weeks, you'll hear a variety of speakers from many different ranks, branches of service, and walks of life.

Many of the devotions were crafted from weekly devotional interaction with active duty military officers and NCOs. Some of the comments and Points to Ponder reflect the hearts and daily efforts of military leaders (both officers and enlisted) who strive to live out their faith in the military and in all they do.

My hope and prayer is that these devotionals will help you enter into a time of self reflection, encouragement, and spiritual transformation as you draw near to God. May He grant that these devotional thoughts fill you with the love and mind of Christ in your pursuit of God.