Leader, Draw Near podcast
Can You Spare 4 Minutes?
That’s the average length of OCF’s new weekly devotional podcast for leaders. Who is a leader? You are—the one who turns to God for wisdom and direction in leading others.
Leader, Draw Near is based on the book written by Col Larry Simpson, USAF (Ret.). The podcast features 12 narrators from a variety of ranks, branches of service, and walks of life.
Each 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.
The leader who intentionally integrates the teachings of Scripture into daily decision making will have lasting influence and will lead with integrity, humility, and a servant’s heart.
Take 4 minutes and integrate this devotional into your week!
Weekly Episodes
53. He Will Be With You
Do you sense God calling you out, asking you to do something that is outside your comfort zone? In your intimidating assignment look for encouragement through a prayer partner, a mentoring relationship, or participation in a workplace Bible study.
52. Rest Interrupted
Interruptions can be opportunities to demonstrate compassion. How we respond when our plans get changed can add to or take away from our resilience.
51. Where Now is the Lord?
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.
50. Discouragement—I Have Had Enough!
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.
49. Character of a Leader—Holy?
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.
48. Daniel’s Wise Alternative
Discerning wisdom is not an overnight process. Spiritual wisdom accompanies the practice of spiritual disciplines, particularly when prayer and Bible study are hallmarks.
47. The Right Heart
Being an effective leader is as much about having the right heart as following proven leadership practices.
46. Transformation: Clean the Root and Reinsert It
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?
45. Did You Ask?
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?
44. 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?
43. Seeing The Other Side
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.
42. The Preeminent God
What gives you greater delight—loyalty to a program, an institution, a promotion, or obedience to God? God wants the acknowledged, preeminent position in each of our lives.
41. Unintended Consequences
Have you made an error in judgment by insisting things go your way? Perhaps you are presently in the midst of unintended consequences from a rash decision. If so, follow David’s example.
40. The Way Ahead—Choose to Forgive
Whether in a personal relationship or in the workplace, Jesus’ admonition to forgive remains. As servant leaders, how we forgive and restore is a mark of obedience to Christ’s commands.
39. In His Time
Little by little, in God’s time He performs His purposes. Some leaders, thrust into positions of greater responsibility as a reward for a job well done, fizzle in their performance because they lack the wisdom that seasoning and time bring.
38. Distractions
How does one keep focus when distractions and discouragement come? Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Keep focus on the big picture and ask His help. Remind yourself that what you do is for His glory.
37. Nagging Circumstances
God does not abandon us in the face of weighty circumstances and pressures. Consider God’s prevailing truth and rely on His presence during your times of need for deliverance from nagging circumstances.
36. Ready or Not
Paul’s admonition to “show tolerance for one another in love” is not a call to disregard others’ immoral practices, but to be ready to show compassion and to sow seeds of right thinking and being.
35. Desired End State
Are you seeking clarity from God on a matter but are uncertain that you are hearing correctly? Do not ask for something for yourself but ask that His will in that situation be done and earnestly desire to be part of the answer.
34. Justice, Mercy & Humility
What is God speaking to your heart regarding the application of justice, loving kindness, and humility? God’s preferred sacrifice is a “broken spirit and a contrite heart.” He rejects self-justification but embraces compassion.
33. Himself For Me
Paul yielded to Jesus’ “all in” commitment. What about you? In your work, marriage, parenting…how are you responding to the one who was crucified so that you could live?
32. Restoration
Cleansing and restoration has everything to do with the integrity of who God is. As God completes His refining process, we must be mindful that if we want God to forgive us, we must be willing to forgive and help restore others.
31. Condition of Service
As God calls us into service, He does not call us because of our unique skill set or qualifications; rather, He deems us faithful and trustworthy as a condition for service.
30. Strengthen Yourself
The unexpected need not derail us as we lean on Him, for it is God who guides and helps. The one whose confidence is in the Lord has no weakness a foe can take advantage of. May the Lord be our guide in all circumstances, and may He daily strengthen us to be suited for whatever comes our way.
29. A Soldier’s Memorial
Cornelius seamlessly integrated his faith with his profession and availed himself for God’s use. This “devout man” pleased the Lord and received His commendation. What about you? How are you consistently availing yourself for Christ’s service?
About ‘Leader, Draw Near’
'Leader, Draw Near' is a 53-week podcast devotional for your pursuit of God. Each weekly episode is fashioned to prompt reflection on a specific topic and 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.
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Copy/paste the following link into your favorite podcast app:https://ldnpodcast.libsyn.com/rss
Monthly Reflection Sheet
Download the monthly reflection sheet here.
Purchase A Copy
Call the OCF Home Office at 303-761-1984 to purchase a paperback copy of the book, or buy a Kindle version at Amazon.
