4 Questions To Clarify Our Financial Issues

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
Money Falling on Happy Businessman — Image by JLP/Jose L. Pelaez/Corbis

Men, a blunt truth hits hard from Ecclesiastes 10:19 (NIV): “A feast is made for laughter, wine makes life merry, andmoney is the answer for everything.” Every day bills pile up, status symbols tempt, and “more” feels like the fix. But as disciples of King Jesus, we know better. Money answers nothing eternal. It tests our loyalty, exposes our idols, and either serves our King or enslaves us like the rich young ruler in Matthew 19.

Your financial issues aren’t just numbers-they’re a battlefield for your house, your legacy, your obedience. Levi (Matthew) would tell us straight: economic health isn’t accidental. It’s disciplined. To stay locked on God’s vision – not convenience or culture – a sk these 4 questions weekly. Write them down. Track the answers. Watch your “House” thrive under Kingdom authority.

1. What Am I Tithing? (Honoring God First)

Priority one: “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops” (Proverbs 3:9, NIV). Tithing isn’t optional-it’s the Expander’s first move. Before bills, before savings, before that new gadget, give God His 10%. Why? It declares: Jesus, not money, is my King. (Colossians 1:18) If you are resisting this 1st step, and you think you have a theo-philosophical reason for it, ask yourself: How much do I really give to God? As our King Jesus said, Our treasure is where our heart is!

Practical Step: Automate your tithe off the top of every paycheck. Track it in an app like Givelify.com Last month, I skipped it once – bills still came, but peace fled. Men, start today: Calculate 10% of your income. Send it to your church. Feel the freedom of firstfruits. Your house honors God first, and He multiplies the rest (Malachi 3:10).

2. What Am I Investing? (Things That Grow)

Jesus taught: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who invested his money… and doubled it” (Matthew 25:16, paraphrase from talents parable). Hoarding is for Gatherers (Church People who Come and Attend but don’t Go and Tell). Expanders invest in what multiplies – assets like real estate, businesses, precious metals, retirement accounts, skills training, your kids’ future, or eternal Kingdom work.

Practical Step: List assets: Roth IRA? Index funds? Real Estate? A side hustle teaching Bible at the gym? Aim for 15-20% of income into growth. I shifted $300/month from eating out to an S&P 500 fund-it’s up 12% already. Men, audit your statements. Cut distractions. Invest where eternal ROI soars: family discipleship, debt-free education, missions giving. Grow or stagnate-your call.

3. What Am I Deleting? (Things That Drain)

“No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24, NIV). Drains are idols disguised as “needs” – subscriptions you forget, impulse Amazon buys, that truck payment eating your soul. Delete them ruthlessly.

Practical Step: Run a 30-day “drain hunt.” Review bank statements: Cancel Netflix if it’s stealing family time. Sell the boat gathering dust. I axed $150/month in unused subscriptions and fees – freed cash for giving. Men, be brutal: If it doesn’t build your House or God’s Kingdom, delete it. Watch peace and provision flood in.

4. What Am I Paying? (Things That Are Recurring)

Paul warned Timothy: “People who want to get rich fall into temptation… For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:9-10, NIV). Recurring debts enslave you – credit cards, loans, leases. Pay them down aggressively to own your future.

Practical Step: Debt snowball: List smallest to largest. Attack the smallest first while minimum-paying others. Add every extra dollar-bonuses, cuts from deletions. One friend crushed a $5K card in 6 months by skipping lattes. Men, refinance high-interest debt. Live on 50-60% of income. Freedom isn’t “later” – it’s your next payment.

Brothers, these 4 questions aren’t theory-they’re your weekly war plan. Tithing declares loyalty. Investing builds legacy. Deleting kills idols. Paying secures freedom. Like Peter leaving nets for thrones (Matthew 19:27-29), surrender money to Jesus. He rewards hundredfold.

Before you click away: Grab your phone. Right now, answer 1: What’s your tithe this week? Text it to an accountable brother. Then download a free budget template (link in comments). Share one win below-let’s build Kingdom houses together. Who’s with me?

Two excellent Christian budget templates that align with biblical stewardship (like tithing first from Proverbs 3:9) are:

1. Crown Ministries Estimated Budget Worksheet (from Crown.org)


This free, printable PDF organizes monthly expenses by category – starting with giving/tithing at the top – while helping you track actual vs. planned spending. It’s simple for men building a zero-based budget, emphasizing God-honoring priorities like generosity before needs/wants. Download it directly and use it weekly with your 4 questions.

2. Faithworks Financial Christian Budget Template (from Faithworksfinancial.org)


A practical Excel/Google Sheets option using the 10/45/25/20 framework: 10% tithe, 45% needs, 25% wants, 20% savings/debt. It keeps Jesus first (Colossians 1:18) and includes tips for debt snowballing. Perfect for your blog readers – adapt it as your “house” grows.

What are your thoughts on this strategy? Comment below please.

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Caesarea By the Sea: Where Faith Rose from the Waves – Join Us This December!

Posted on April 7, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

It’s time to stop letting the noise of today’s headlines tell the final story of Israel. The war is nearing its end, and the Lord is opening the door for us to return—not in fear, but in faith, in hope, in worship, and in wonder. I’m writing with a heart full of expectation: Israel ‘26 is not just a tour; it’s a pilgrimage. And I would love for you to be there with me.

We’re gathering just 50 believers, and the clock is ticking. Only 35 seats remain. A $500 deposit holds your seat, and if you place it by May 15, 2026, you’ll also receive a $100 Early Bird Discount—a small investment now for an unforgettable journey in December. You can read the full itinerary and register online here.

Let me begin where we’ll begin on the trip: Caesarea By the Sea.

What Caesarea By the Sea Is Famous For

Caesarea was once the Roman capital of Judea, a magnificent city built by Herod the Great on the Mediterranean coast. It was a place of politics, power, and engineered beauty—a Greco‑Roman jewel by the sea. But biblically, it’s even more famous as the place where the Spirit of God burst through barriers of culture, nationality, and fear.

This is where the story of the Gentile‑believer Cornelius unfolds (Acts 10). The message of the Messiah was no longer for Jews alone. The gospel crossed the sea, the scroll, and the social wall. In Caesarea, the Church of the Gentiles officially began—a moment so powerful that the early believers back in Jerusalem could hardly believe it. Today, the waves still lap against the ancient harbor, and the ruins remind us that the Spirit of God is not confined by borders, factions, or fear.

What You Will See

When we walk the stones of Caesarea By the Sea, you’ll see the evidence of an empire that once believed it could build a kingdom on sand, stone, and strategy. The amphitheater still rises out of the land, the Herodian palace overlooking the sea, the ancient harbor carved from the shoreline. You’ll touch columns that were once lined with traders, soldiers, and religious leaders—people who didn’t know they were living in the same hour as the early Church, the same hour as the risen Christ.

You’ll see the ruins of the synagogue, the city walls, and the steps down to the sea—where thousands of years ago, the Mediterranean witnessed the ebb and flow of human ambition and heavenly intervention. You’ll stand near the spot where Peter stepped ashore into a world that would never be the same again.

What You Will Relive from the Bible Text

This is where the story of Cornelius and Peter comes alive (Acts 10). You’ll picture Peter on the rooftop, wrestling with God’s call to welcome the unclean. You’ll see the Roman centurion, a man of power who kneels before the living God. You’ll feel the shock of the Jewish believers when the Holy Spirit pours out on Gentiles just as freely as on them.

At Caesarea, the Word isn’t just read—it’s resonated. You’ll stand near the sea and hear the echoes of Peter’s declaration: 

I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism… anyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:34–43, paraphrased).

This is the moment when the Church began to expand beyond ethnic, cultural, and national boundaries—the same expansion God is calling us to live out today. You’ll relive the birth of the global Church, and you’ll realize: the story written in Caesarea By the Sea is still being written in your life.

You Will FEEL While You Are There

When you stand by the sea, you’ll feel the tension between the past and the present—between a world that tried to build a kingdom on stone and one that God is building on the Spirit. The cool breeze from the Mediterranean will whisper words of history, while the Spirit will speak words of destiny. You’ll feel the weight of centuries, the power of the gospel, and the comfort of the One who has brought you there.

You’ll feel gratitude for the courage of those first believers who stepped into uncertain territory to share the message. You’ll feel hope for the future of the Church, as the gospel continues to cross borders and bridge divides. You’ll feel peace that God is not surprised by the news cycle, that He is not deterred by conflict, and that He is preparing something beautiful on the far side of November.

This is more than a vacation. It’s a moment of confirmation. You’ll return to the sea, and the Spirit will say, as He did to the early believers, Peace be with you.

Faith, Not Fear, Will Guide Our Journey

Israel ‘26 is not a denial of the past year’s pain, but a declaration of our faith. The war is nearing its end, and the Lord is opening the door for us to celebrate our faith in the very places where it was forged in Scripture. Caesarea By the Sea is just the first of many stops on this journey through the Word made visible.

Spaces are limited, and only 35 seats remain. A $500 deposit holds your seat, and by placing it before May 15, 2026, you’ll also receive a $100 Early Bird Discount. You can read the full itinerary and register here.

If you’re drawn to the shores of Caesarea, to the stories of the Bible, and to the Spirit‑filled fellowship of those who love Israel, then come with us. Let’s walk where the Spirit first poured out on the Gentiles, and let’s bring our hearts back to the sea of the Living God.

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7 Complexities of Expanding the Kingdom of God

Posted on April 6, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

The Urgent Call to Stop Being Gatherers and Start Being Expanders

The statistics are sobering: 40 churches a day are closing in America. This is not just a crisis—it’s a spiritual emergency. The church is being outmaneuvered, outflanked, and outlasted by the Kingdom of Darkness. The “Gatherer” church—comfortable, inward‑facing, defensive—is being pushed into retirement. The “Expander” church—outward‑facing, mission‑driven, kingdom‑pushing—is the only one with a future.

In Judges 8, Gideon’s journey from fear to faith, from division to leadership, and from defense to offense offers a powerful blueprint for expanding the Kingdom of God today. Let’s walk through 7 complexities of kingdom expansion, using Gideon’s story as our guide, and apply them to the 2026 church and beyond.

1. Internal Strife (Judges 8:1–3)

Gatherer: Divided by fear, gossip, and self‑interest. 

Expander: Unified by faith, vision, and God’s call.

Judges 8:1–3: *“The Ephraimites said to him, ‘Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you invite us when you went to fight against the Midianites?’ And they criticized him harshly. But he answered them, ‘What have I accomplished compared to you? Isn’t the fruit of Ephraim’s grape collection better than the grape of Abiezer’s harvest? Hasn’t God delivered the Midianite leaders Oreb and Zeeb to you? What was I able to do compared to that?’ His words softened their anger.”*

Application: 

Internal strife is the enemy of expansion. When leaders bicker, defenses rise, and the mission stalls. The Gatherer church blames others, complains, and retreats into factions. The Expander church listens, acknowledges others’ roles, and unifies around the shared mission. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Listen First: Invite criticism, acknowledge it, and respond with humility. 

2. Celebrate Others: Highlight the contributions of every team, every ministry, every person. 

3. Unify the Vision: Clearly restate the shared mission at every gathering.

2. Team Needs (Judges 8:4–5)

Gatherer: Stuck in solo heroism, burnout, and isolation. 

Expander: Empowered by a team, equipped, and multiplied.

Judges 8:4–5: *“Gideon came to the people of Sukkoth and said, ‘Give my troops something to eat, for they are exhausted. I’m going in pursuit of Zebah and Zalmunna, the kings of Midian.’ But the people of Sukkoth said, ‘Do you already have the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna in your possession? Why should we give bread to your men?’”*

Application: 

Gideon needed a team to feed, equip, and sustain his mission. The Gatherer church relies on a few over‑worked leaders, while the Expander church builds a robust, engaged team. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Identify Needs: Audit your church’s needs—communication, logistics, discipleship, outreach. 

2. Recruit and Equip: Invite volunteers, train them, and empower them. 

3. Create a Culture of Care: Ensure your team is fed, encouraged, and celebrated.

3. Uncooperative “Allies” (Judges 8:6–9)

Gatherer: Complains about resistance, whines, and blames. 

Expander: Adapts, perseveres, and finds alternative paths.

Judges 8:6–9: *“Gideon then went up to the people of Penuel and asked them the same thing, and they answered him the same way as the people of Sukkoth had answered. So he said, ‘When I come back victorious, I will tear down this tower.’ The elders of Sukkoth said, ‘Zebah and Zalmunna are in your hands, aren’t they? Why give bread to your men now?’ But Gideon replied, ‘Very well, when the Lord has given Zebah and Zalmunna into my hands, I will tear down this tower.’”*

Application: 

Even “allies” can be uncooperative. The Gatherer church waits for permission, while the Expander church moves forward anyway. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Don’t Wait for Perfect Support: Act decisively, even without full endorsement. 

2. Build Alternative Alliances: Find new partners, volunteers, and resources. 

3. Stay Faithful to the Mission: The Kingdom of Darkness cannot be stopped by critics.

4. Fleeing Adversaries (Judges 8:10)

Gatherer: Chases shadows, wastes energy, and misses the main battle. 

Expander: Focuses on the primary enemy, pursues them relentlessly, and wins.

Judges 8:10: *“Now Zebah and Zalmunna were with about fifteen thousand men, all that were left of the armies of the people of the east; a hundred and twenty thousand sword‑armed men had fallen.* 

Application: 

The enemy is fleeing, but the church is often distracted. The Gatherer church fights symptoms, while the Expander church attacks the root cause. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Identify the Root Adversary: The real enemy isn’t the critic, but the spiritual darkness behind the critic. 

2. Pursue the Main Enemy: Focus your energy on the primary spiritual battle. 

3. Stay on Mission: Don’t get sidetracked by minor distractions.

5. Ultimate Victory, Through Dogged Pursuit (Judges 8:11–12)

Gatherer: Celebrates early victories, rests, and forgets the mission. 

Expander: Pursues the enemy to the end, wins, and celebrates the victory.

Judges 8:11–12: *“Gideon went up by the route of the nomads east of Nobah and Jogbehah and attacked the camp when the army was unsuspecting. He routed the people of Midian, and the two kings, Zebah and Zalmunna, fled. But Gideon pursued them and captured the two kings, and routed the whole army.*”

Application: 

The final victory comes through persistence. The Gatherer church stops at the first victory, while the Expander church presses on. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Stay on the Pursuit: Don’t stop when the first enemy falls. 

2. Celebrate Every Victory: But don’t let celebration derail the mission. 

3. Press On to the End: Finish the race, win the battle, and claim the promised land.

6. Lesson Teaching (Judges 8:13–17)

Gatherer: Teaches theory, but not practice. 

Expander: Teaches through example, equips, and multiplies.

Judges 8:13–17: *“Gideon, the son of Joash, returned from the battle by the pass of Heres. He caught a young man of Shechem and questioned him, and the young man showed him the way to the city. The people of the city opened the gates to Gideon, and he captured the city. He took the seventy‑seven men, the elders of the city, and put them to death by the sword. Then he tore down the tower of Shechem and destroyed the city, for the people of the city had supported the Midianites.”*

Application: 

Gideon didn’t just win battles; he taught lessons. The Gatherer church teaches doctrine, but the Expander church teaches discipleship. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Teach Through Example: Model the life you want to see. 

2. Equip for Battle: Train disciples to fight the same battles. 

3. Multiply Leaders: Build a team that can lead after you.

7. Removal of Adversaries (Judges 8:18–21)

Gatherer: Fears confrontation, appeases, and compromises. 

Expander: Confronts, removes, and establishes the Kingdom.

Judges 8:18–21: *“Gideon asked Zebah and Zalmunna, ‘What kind of men were they you killed at Tabor?’ ‘They were like you,’ they answered, ‘each one with the bearing of a prince.’ Gideon replied, ‘They were my brothers, the sons of my own mother. As surely as the Lord lives, if you had spared their lives, I would not kill you.’”*

Application: 

The enemy must be removed, not appeased. The Gatherer church fears confrontation, while the Expander church confronts and wins. 

Starter Moves: 

1. Confront the Real Enemy: Don’t shy away from spiritual warfare. 

2. Remove the Adversary: Take decisive action to remove the spiritual stronghold. 

3. Establish the Kingdom: Build a church that is strong, united, and victorious.

Action Roadmap for Expanding Churches (2026 and Beyond)

1. Unify Your Vision: Gather your leaders, celebrate past victories, and restate the shared mission. 

2. Build a Team: Recruit, equip, and empower volunteers to lead every ministry. 

3. Pursue the Enemy: Identify the primary spiritual battle and focus your energy on it. 

4. Stay on Mission: Don’t let minor distractions derail your main goal. 

5. Teach and Multiply: Model the life you want to see, train disciples, and build a team. 

6. Confront and Win: Don’t fear confrontation; confront the enemy and win the victory. 

7. Celebrate and Multiply: Celebrate every victory, but don’t let celebration derail the mission.

Conclusion: The Call to Expansion

The Gatherer church is dying. The Expander church is the future. The 40 churches per day closing are a wake‑up call. The Kingdom of Darkness cannot be stopped by complacency, fear, or division. The Expander church must rise, led by pastors, leaders, and disciples who are willing to press the battle, pursue the enemy, and claim the promised land.

Judges 8 is not just a story of Gideon; it’s a blueprint for the 2026 church. The question is not *if* the church will expand, but *when* you will start. Will you be a Gatherer, or an Expander? 

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Choose Life: Why Churches Die (and How They Don’t Have To)

Posted on March 30, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19, NIV)

Moses’ words were not spoken to individuals alone—they were spoken to a Local Faith Community standing on the edge of its future. Israel was about to enter the land, and the direction they chose would determine whether they flourished or faded.

That same spiritual principle still operates today. Churches do not drift into life. They drift into decline. Life must be chosen—intentionally, repeatedly, and often painfully.

When we look at the landscape of American churches, especially those in decline, we’re not looking at random outcomes. We’re seeing the results of choices—some made long ago, others being made right now.

If we’re honest, most churches are living somewhere inside one of these four paths.

1. Don’t Change = Die Certainly

This is the most dangerous posture, though it often feels the safest.

It sounds like:

  • “We’ve always done it this way.”
  • “This worked for us before.”
  • “Why fix what isn’t broken?”

But beneath that language is a quiet assumption: that what once brought life will always bring life.

The problem is that ministry methods are not eternal—only the message is. When a church refuses to adapt how it ministers, it slowly disconnects from the people it is called to reach.

The timeline here is longer than people expect, which is why it’s so deceptive.

  • Year 1–3: Stability. Attendance holds. Confidence remains.
  • Year 3–7: Gradual decline. Fewer new families. Aging congregation.
  • Year 7–15: Noticeable loss. Ministries shrink. Energy fades.
  • Year 15+: Closure or irrelevance.

No one decides to close a church in Year 1. But the decision was often made 15 years earlier when the church chose comfort over mission.

In Deuteronomy, “death” didn’t always mean immediate destruction—it meant a trajectory away from God’s blessing. The same is true here. Refusing to change doesn’t feel like death at first. It feels like preservation.

But it is, in fact, the slowest form of surrender.

2. Don’t Change Enough = Die Slowly

This is where many churches sit—and where many leaders feel stuck.

They recognize something is wrong. They even attempt adjustments. But the changes are partial, cautious, and often cosmetic.

It looks like:

  • Updating a service time, but not the ministry philosophy.
  • Adding a program, but not making disciples.
  • Tweaking the music, but not addressing mission drift.

There is movement, but not transformation.

The timeline here is more subtle:

  • Year 1–3: Small improvements. A sense of hope.
  • Year 3–8: Plateau. Initial gains fade.
  • Year 8–15: Quiet decline resumes.
  • Year 15+: Discouragement sets in; leaders burn out or settle.

This is particularly frustrating because effort is present, but fruit is limited.

Jesus’ words in Revelation to the churches come to mind—not outright rejection, but a call to deeper repentance and realignment. Partial obedience does not produce lasting life.

A church in this category often says, “We tried that.” But what they tried was not deep enough, sustained enough, or aligned enough with the mission of Christ.

This is not rebellion—it’s hesitation. But hesitation, over time, produces the same result as resistance.

3. Change = Live (But With Difficulty)

This is where things begin to turn—but it’s not easy.

When a church truly begins to change, it enters a season that feels more like survival than success.

It looks like:

  • Hard conversations about what must end.
  • Letting go of cherished traditions that no longer serve the mission.
  • Resistance from members who feel displaced or unheard.
  • Leaders carrying emotional and spiritual weight.

This is the valley between death and life.

The timeline often unfolds like this:

  • Year 1–2: Disruption. Attendance may drop. Tension rises.
  • Year 2–5: Rebuilding. New people begin to come. Culture shifts.
  • Year 5–10: Stability returns—but with a different identity.

This stage is where many churches turn back.

Why? Because it feels like things are getting worse, not better.

But this is where Deuteronomy 30 becomes so powerful. Choosing life does not mean immediate ease. It means choosing the path that leads to life—even if the first steps are costly.

In pastoral terms, this is pruning (John 15). It looks like loss before it looks like fruit.

A church in this phase is alive—but it feels fragile. There is hope, but it requires endurance.

4. Change Enough = Thrive Incredibly

This is not about chasing trends—it’s about full alignment with God’s mission.

When a church changes enough, it doesn’t just adjust methods—it reorients its heart, structure, and priorities around making disciples and reaching people.

It looks like:

  • Clarity of mission driving every decision.
  • Leadership development becoming a priority, not an afterthought.
  • Willingness to release what no longer bears fruit.
  • A culture that expects growth, not just maintenance.

The timeline here is different:

  • Year 1–3: Intentional restructuring and vision casting.
  • Year 3–7: Visible growth—both spiritual and numerical.
  • Year 7+: Multiplication mindset—raising leaders, planting, sending.

This is where a church begins to experience something beyond survival—what Deuteronomy calls “life… so that you and your children may live.”

It becomes generational.

An example: imagine two churches in the same city.

One refuses to change. Twenty years later, its building is sold and repurposed.

The other embraces deep change. Twenty years later, it has planted two churches, developed multiple leaders, and is reaching people the original congregation could never have imagined.

Same starting point. Different choices. Completely different futures.

The Real Issue: Choosing Life Is Not Passive

Moses did not say, “Life will come.” He said, “Choose life.”

That implies:

  • Intention.
  • Sacrifice.
  • Courage.

For pastors, this means leading people where they may not initially want to go.

For congregations, it means trusting that faithfulness sometimes requires letting go of what feels familiar.

And for those who resist change, this is where the tension must be faced honestly:

Holding onto what once worked can actually prevent what God wants to do next.

That doesn’t mean everything old is bad. It means nothing should be untouchable except the truth of the gospel.

A Gentle but Serious Question

If nothing changes in your church over the next five years… which of these four paths are you currently on?

Not the one you hope for.
Not the one you talk about.
The one your current trajectory actually reveals.

Because the future is not accidental. It is the result of present choices.

“I have set before you life and death…”

That is not just a theological statement. It is a leadership reality.

And the invitation still stands:

“Now choose life.”

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5 Types of People in Every Bullied Church (And How David Shows Us the Way Out)

Posted on March 23, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Doc Smith, Eagles In Leadership
March 23, 2026

Every pastor has walked into that church—a spiritual hostage crisis. Worship feels obligatory, decisions flow from one domineering voice, and fear hangs thicker than incense. I’ve consulted thriving American and global churches reduced to whispers by a local Faith Community Bully. Often a loud, weaponized woman. Sometimes a grumpy, controlling man. Always a Goliath.

Remember Israel’s army in the Valley of Elah? King Saul’s soldiers trembled before Goliath and his four brothers (1 Samuel 17:1-11). Paralyzed. The people of God, held captive. This drama repeats in pews today. Through decades of church consulting, I’ve identified five groups in every bullied faith community. Spot them. Understand them. And watch God raise a David to deliver.

1. The Conqueror (Goliath Himself)

The self-crowned tyrant who seized control through manipulation, tenure, or unchecked influence. They rule with an iron fist—barking orders, hoarding decisions, crushing dissent. Like Diotrephes, who “loved to have preeminence” and maliciously gossiped about apostolic brothers (3 John 1:9-10).

Tactic: Intimidation. They turn God’s house into their fiefdom. Growth stalls. Joy dies. Goliath defied Israel’s armies 40 days (1 Samuel 17:16). Conquerors defy God’s purposes just as long.

2. The Captives (Saul’s Trembling Army)

The silent majority—good sheep frozen in fear. They “keep heads down,” gripe in parking lots, but never confront. Like Saul’s 30,000 soldiers quaking before the giant (1 Samuel 17:11). They love Jesus but dread the bully’s backlash.

Motive: Survival. “Don’t rock the boat.” They stay, but the church starves.

3. The Collaborators (Saul’s Inner Circle)

Opportunists cozying up to the Conqueror for safety or scraps. They nod in meetings, amplify the bully’s agenda, rat out dissenters. Think Saul’s servants who enabled his paranoia (1 Samuel 18:6-9) or Ahithophel advising Absalom’s coup (2 Samuel 15-17). Covert or overt, they enable tyranny.

Reward: Protection. Cost: Compromise. Their enabling extends the siege.

4. The Critics (Muttering Soldiers)

Brave souls who dislike the bully and voice it—but cautiously. They’re Saul’s men grumbling against Goliath without slinging stones (1 Samuel 17:24-25). Like Korah’s faction, who murmured against Moses but stopped short of full rebellion (Numbers 16:1-3). Right instinct, incomplete action.

Limit: Fear of fallout. They expose wounds but can’t heal them.

5. The Challenger (David, the Deliverer)

God’s outsider—often young, fresh-eyed, zero tolerance for sacred cows. David’s brothers sneered, “Why have you come down?” (1 Samuel 17:28). He saw Goliath defying the armies of the living God. The true Challenger arrives with faith, strategy, and a slingshot.

Two paths:

  • Wise David: Prays, gathers intel, builds quiet allies, confronts biblically, restores peace + growth (1 Samuel 17:32-51).
  • Foolish Challenger: Charges hot-headed, loses, leaves chaos.

Jesus was the ultimate Challenger, flipping temple tables on religious bullies (John 2:13-16). Churches explode post-deliverance.

Check out Bryson Gray’s new video if you want some encouragement!

Your Church in the Valley of Elah

Inventory your people:

  • Pastors: Call Captives to courage. Expose Collaborators. Empower Critics. Pray for your David.
  • Challengers: Fast. Study 1 Samuel 17. Get counsel (Proverbs 15:22). Confront with grace + truth—not just skirmish, but victory.
  • All: Goliath mocked and his four brothers stood behind him. Bullies rarely stand alone. Dismantle the network.

The Conqueror isn’t invincible. One smooth stone of obedience, and the giant falls (1 Samuel 17:49-50). Who’s your David? God delights in raising them.

Which of the 5 are you? Comment below. Subscribe for leadership tools at EaglesInLeadership.org. Share if you’ve seen freedom after a bully fell.

Doc’s newest book: 

Your Travel Guide To The New Testament

(Understanding the Story Lines In Each Book)

What People Are Saying: 

Mike Jimenez, MDiv. Dr. Smith has crafted a masterpiece that brings the New Testament to life. A must-read for anyone seeking to unlock the Word of God. A true game-changer for Bible study, providing a clear and engaging guide to the New Testament.

Pastor Ronnie Abubakkar How I wish I had this in my hands during my seminary days. Well written and theologically sound. This book is not only for pastors and seminary students but to all who are a serious student of the Word of God.  It is clear, concise and easy to understand truth with practical application for everyday life. I’m very honored to be asked by my good friend Dr. Matthew Lee Smith in endorsing his work of love. Pick a copy and be blessed and encouraged!

You can get your copy at: 

Get your copy here: https://books.by/doc-smith

(Also available on Amazon) https://amzn.to/4nULk3i

It sure would would make a great gift!

(Sure you can share this and help me get the word out!)

You can find Doc on: 

* Facebook: Eagles In Leadership or Matthew Lee Smith

* X: @drmattphd

* LinkedIn: Eagles In Leadership

* Instagram: : EaglesInLeadership

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ELDERS INCEPTION AND PURPOSE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD

Posted on March 9, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

There is a fractured faith foolishness many of us see on a weekly basis. And like any glass bowl that cracks, the results splinter into many different paths. Let’s look at this for just a minute:

In American Theo-philosophy the egalitarian mindset has torn away thousands of years of truth and experience for the simple fact people don’t want to follow before they lead.

In our social media mindset of “My opinion is right though I have no experience and I am not willing to follow the current leadership,” (whatever venue we are talking about from space exploration to health to so much more), we have come to an insidious and destructive attitude that “everyone should “Get a vote.”

However, looking across time and seeing how God and His People (Our cousins in faith) handled life in general teaches a much different lesson. In one specific and instructive moment, Moses explains the purpose of elders (leaders of larger family clans).

In that moment we discover the bold truth: Someone has to be in charge of the clans or chaos ensues. And so, with so many immature and greedy people in the Wandering People of God: Israel, conflict resolution became a FULL TIME requirement.

In order to alleviate the situation (Exodus 18) Moses delegated key men to handle smaller matters and clear his daytime of the incessant arguments of the crying children of God so that He could stand before God and teach the the people of God: Israel what God wanted.

However, as time passed, those same men – the Designated Conflict Resolution Agents – began to think that they were AS IMPORTANT OR MORE SO than Moses, the Shepherd of the Flock, appointed by God. So they worked against him and even at one point, staged a revolt!

The Point Is Clear: STAY IN YOUR LANE!

Stop trying to run things.

– God appoints a shepherd over the flock.

– That shepherd hires others (hirelines, John 10, KJV) to assist.

– According to our King Jesus, assistants (hirelings) work for (μισθός / misthos, G3408, wages), not love and they flee at the sign of the wolf. A true shepherd earns the ultimate *misthos* by laying down life (v. 11, 17-18).

– Assistants don’t have the vision from God, the mission of God, the burdens of the people, and the hope of the Holy Spirit to drive them

– These assistants often and mistakenly think that the will of the majority – or the noisy – is the will of God. NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH!

In Moses’ situation and day the elders arrogance led to the deaths of AN ENTIRE GENERATION!

In our situation and day it is a hugely contributing factor to the deaths of 40 Local Congregations a day in the USA!

The Point Is Clear: STAY IN YOUR LANE!

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Dangers To Our Spiritual Life

Posted on February 19, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Have you ever been on a roller coaster and were afraid you were going to fly out? 

That’s the point here.

There are dangers to our spiritual life. There are:

  • The Deluded – Those who think they know about Jesus but simply are wrong – Church People who don’t read their Bibles
  • The Deranged – These people have all sorts of fantasies about the spiritual life, but again, they won’t read God’s word except to pick happy verses for themselves
  • The Diseased – Some people come to us with bitterness, a spirit of greed, or demonic influence to divide because they have to be right all the time
  • The Demonic – It’s just a fact that almost every Church has a demon possessed person in it, and no one knows. (Like in Capernaum when Jesus come there such demons wait into they can wreak the most havoc with a nasty, destructive outburst.)
  • The Destroyers – Many people are not interested in your faith and walk with King Jesus. Whether friends or family, they seek to pull you back into the old ways you are leaving for the new, abundant, promised life!
  • The Disastrous – And then there are people who simply are a car wreck wherever they go and with whomever they ride with. 

And we have to pay attention and protect the faith we have been given from Jesus! The New Testament is filled with Church People to avoid!

What do you say?

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Come, Join Doc and Kate as we follow The Life of our King Jesus in Israel ’26!

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Be a part of this incredible, emotional tour as we walk where Jesus walked!

Kate and I would like to invite you to join us in Israel this December. I was there with my daughter, Hannah, and a small group in December “24 and it was INCREDIBLE! In fact, that trip spurred me to create this new itinerary – The Biblical Life of Jesus in Israel With Doc and Kate Smith!

This 10-Day trip, which will be my 11th time in Israel, departing November 30 and returning December 9 wil explode your love for Jesus and intensify your faith in God in ways YEARS of Church attendance will never do!

Every few days I talk with friends there and things are great, the lines for the locations are short and the weather is great! And YES, IT IS SAFE! (I wouldn’t take you there if it wasn”t!) 

We will tour throughout Galilee – where Jesus spent over 75% of His earthly life teaching, preaching, and doing miracles. We will go to many of those places! Imagine sailing on the Sea of Galilee, standing in the Synagogue of Capernaum, and walking in Cana! 

In Jerusalem we will trace the last week of Jesus on Earth through HIs crucifixion and resurrection. I have to tell you, this is a VERY emotional part of our journey. When we are in Caiphas’ house and in the dungeon where Jesus was held until His trial before Pilate … wow, I was overcome with so many different feelings. And, of course being at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb, where we will have Communion, is life-changing! 

We wil invest a whole day in Bethlehem, which few groups ever do. There are three reasons for this, on top of seeing where Jesus was born and the Shepherd’s field, etc. First, we will lunch with Bethlehem Christians and we will be able to make new friends there. Second, in the afternoon we will have a MEET & GREET with the Mayor of Bethlehem! What an incredible opportunity almost NO ONE experiences. Then third, in the evening we will be his guests at the annual Bethlehem Christmas Tree lighting – a regional and global event! Oh my! 

And then a day in the desert to see Masada, Ein Gedhi, Qumran and float in the Dead Sea! There is SO MUCH MORE to tell you so we invite you to look over the trip here: https://www.eaglesinleadership.org/israel-26-tour/

You can see the ENTIRE itinerary and even put your $500 deposit to reserve your seat at this link: https://tinyurl.com/Israel26-DocSmith

Of course, if you would like more information, ask questions, etc. all you have to do is reply and ask away! I’m here to answer ALL your questions. 

Blessings and let me know if you are ready to see your faith MULTIPLY EXPONENTIALLY while walking in the steps of our King Jesus! 

Much love, 

Doc and Kate

If you wish to have more information just REPLY to this post and we will send you everything you need to start your journey in the steps of our King Jesus in Israel!

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21 DAYS OF PRAYER AND FASTING! (An Update)

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith


Welcome to “Discipling With Doc!”

Please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this!

“You can never harvest what you don’t plant!”


Disciples fast! 

“Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! 

Let it be done just as you believed it would.”

And his servant was healed at that moment.” 

(Matthew 8:13, NIV)

Fasting is a good thing to get rid fo some of the distractions that pull us away from the heart of our King, Jesus of Nazareth!

“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5, NIV)

Pray like you have never prayed before!

Stand in the gap between God’s good and Satan’s evil! 

About now, if you are struggling, it is because Satan is pushing back! That’s good! Suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. This is a testimony that The Slanderer is scared of you! Keep praying!

Don’t quit! God is on our side! 

Press the Battle!

God is working with you!

Download your FREE 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting Booklet: https://www.eaglesinleadership.org/resources/

For the Glocal glory of our King Jesus,

Doc and Kate and the entire EIL Team!

Check us out on our website: EaglesInLeadership.org 

You can find Doc on: 

* Facebook: Eagles In Leadership and Matthew Lee Smith

* X: @drmattphd

* LinkedIn:: Eagles In Leadership

* Instagram: : EaglesInLeadership

And pick up your copy of Doc’s newest book – 

Your Travel Guide to the New Testament! 

Get your copy here:

https://books.by/doc-smith

(Also available on Amazon)

https://amzn.to/4nULk3i

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Join Us In Israel, Caesarea Maritima!

Posted on January 8, 2026 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IN YOU WHEN YOU WALK WHERE PAUL DEFENDED HIMSELF BEFORE KING AGRIPPA?

Welcome to “Discipling With Doc!”

Please LIKE, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed this!

We are headed to Israel this year – and YOU can be a part of this amazing trip! 

Walk where Paul once stood before kings and the gospel echoed over the Mediterranean waves in Caesarea Maritima. On December 2, during our Israel tour, you will feel Scripture move from the page into your heartbeat—tangible, alive, unforgettable. Let God rekindle your first love, deepen your courage, and renew your calling. Don’t ignore this holy tug on your soul. Spots are limited—say yes now, and step into the story God is still writing in Israel today.

Here’s the link to discover more and sign up: https://tinyurl.com/Israel26-DocSmith

If you have questions, comment below. 

See you soon in Israel!

For the Glocal glory of our King Jesus,

Doc and Kate and the entire EIL Team!

Check us out on our website: EaglesInLeadership.org 

You can find Doc on: 

* Facebook: Eagles In Leadership and Matthew Lee Smith

* X: @drmattphd

* LinkedIn:: Eagles In Leadership

* Instagram: : EaglesInLeadership

And pick up your copy of Doc’s newest book – Your Travel Guide tot he New Tstament – here: 

Get your copy here:

https://books.by/doc-smith

(Also available on Amazon)

https://amzn.to/4nULk3i

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