About the Narrator

Chris Blake is a retired Captain in the United States Navy and serves as OCF Chief of Staff. In his role, Chris is responsible for the daily management, supervision, and oversight of all organizational wide activities. 

This episode narrated by CAPT Chris Blake, USN (Ret.)

How does the leader practice the presence of God in response to His Word?

Today’s Scripture reading comes from Hebrews 4:12, quoting from the NASB:

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

When I am suddenly arrested by God’s word, it becomes immediately apparent that God is commanding my attention. He is redirecting my swayed focus to sharpen or to compel me to obedience. God sometimes invades my private world because I have lost sight of Him. In all my doing and achieving, I have somehow blundered off the course charted for me by Christ, my Captain. Secular directives and instructions compel compliance. The Word of the Lord, however, has another effect. It penetrates the heart and compels an obedient response—it is life changing and course changing. His penetrating Word exposes and lays bare all to God.

So how does the leader practice the presence of God in response to His Word? God gives us every measure of guidance we need: “Your ears will hear a word behind you, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right or to the left.” Ours is to listen, respond and dutifully obey. Some respond to the Word of God with “So what next?” or “Why now?”

The sudden squall of God to return to shore is an inconvenience or even a challenge to their plans. Others incorporate His direction and make it an active part of their daily activities. The intentional spiritual leader strives daily to integrate God’s directives into his/her thoughts, conversations, and actions. Believing that the greatest impact will come from yielding to the preeminent Word, that leader strives to glorify God through the influence he has in service to others.

The Lord’s living and active Word inspires completeness and excellence in each task. It also confirms. Often the Lord says, “Stay the course.” Finally, the Word judges and discerns our thoughts. This knowing encourages us to cast every care upon Him, who alone can handle the full range of human emotion and hurt. We can trust Him with our heart and with our deepest concerns.

Points to Ponder

Over the next week, here are 4 points to ponder during your personal time of reflection or with a small group or mentor.

God’s Word changes us! A disciplined regimen of practiced behavior perfects an obedient response to God.

  1. First, Pray. Disclose all to the one who knows the intentions of our heart.
  2. Second, Listen. Be open to confirmation or a change of course.
  3. Third, Dine wisely. No diet is as effective as daily, full helpings of His Word.
  4. Fourth, Share the Lord’s guidance. It is effective and beneficial and can produce unimaginable favor in your sphere of influence.