Do You Have a Dream for Your Church?

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: facebook.com

Within the heart of most of the leaders of your church is a dream they long to see God fulfill in their midst. In reality, those dreams can fall into one of three categories.

3 Types of Dreams …

  • Selfish dreams – I want something to happen in my church for my own benefit, to please and thrill me.
  • Worldly dreams – I want something to happen in my church to make me look good in the eyes of the people around me.
  • Spiritual dreams – I want something that will please and glorify God through my life.

As a leader of leaders, it is your responsibility to draw the spiritual dreams out of your people and help them “dream the dream of the Lord” for your ministry. When that happens, dangerous things begin to brew!

All people dream, but not equally.  Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their mind wake in the day to find that it was vanity.

But the dreamers of the day are dangerous people, for they may act their dream with open eyes to make it possible.

T. E. Lawrence (1888-1935)

Explorer and writer

That’s my take. I’d love to hear yours! Take a moment and comment below.

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Psalms: Worship Manual for Life!

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Psalms: Worship Manual for Life!

Psalms are, in reality, the words to the praise and worship songs of the nation of Israel long ago. Imagine these as the power point slides or the song sheets handed out to those who come to sing praise to God.

Like what the Spirit of God is doing today, fresh music and songs from the past were interwoven to express the heart and desire appropriate to the times God’s people lived in.

The book of psalms consists of 150 psalms or “songs” written by many different worship artists and authors. Some date from the time of Moses, others are written by King David. You will find written by a team (like the sons of Korah) and still others that drifted onto the scene without anyone remembering who wrote the song. (Obviously there were no copyright or royalty issues back then!)

Psalms is broken into 5 volumes, sometimes called books. In each section, we notice certain features that help us understand their grouping better. As we read through these worship songs, we will note …

Book 1 – Psalms 1-41 are predominately written by David, king of Israel. You will note in many of David’s songs his characteristic complaints about his situation followed by his assurance of God’s watch care and provision.

Book 2 – Psalms 42-72 include a mixture of several authors including David, Asaph and even Solomon. As the reader journies along with Israel we gain a deeper appreciation for the intense personal intimacy the psalm writer feels with God. Truly one can share everything with God through a range of emotions and feel that the Great Creator is listening and somehow suffering with His child.

Book 3 – Psalms 73-89 take us into the dark recesses of real life and the injustice so many of God’s people face on a daily basis. In these gritty expressions of agony and woe, men like Asaph and the sons of Korah reveal the pain and hope one must express when life grows dark and grim.

Book 4 – Psalms 90-106 scream our the truth, “God has always been on the throne and He still reigns!” Hope begins to break forth into a blazing sunrise as the worshipper responds to this age-old truth: God is King – period.

Book 5 – Psalms 107-150 wrap this collection of worship songs up with the strong vocalization of God’s worth. From a several more songs from King David(Psalm 108-110; 138-145), to a series of songs pilgrims would sing on the way up the mountain road to Jerusalem to the longest psalm about the glories of the words of the King of kings (Psalm 119), to five “Hallelujah” (Literally: Praise God!) psalms (Psalm 146-150), Book 5 leaves the reader / worshipper with little doubt that God is the center of life and the central joy of life as well.

When we drink deeply from the 5-volume set of worship songs, we are left to admit: God welcomes us into His presence with joy and pleasure (Psalm 16.11), no matter our present situation or how frazzled our nerves. He simply wishes us to run to our Father in Heaven and trust in His unfailing love.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

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Read more here.


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Job: God Does What He Does (Job 38-42)

Posted on June 24, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: cwlinc.com

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Job: God Does What He Does (Job 38-42)

As Elihu wraps up his explanation of Job’s pain and suffering, God steps in and speaks directly to Job. Reading the exchange between God and Job, note that …

  • God doesn’t explain the reasons for Job’s difficulties.
  • God does explain that he is beyond comprehension. (Job 38-39)
  • God does call Job’s complaints into question. (Job 40-41)
  • Job acknowledges God’s ability to do anything he wants to. (Job 42.1-6)
  • God rebukes Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar calling them to repent and request Job’s prayers on their behalf. (Job 42.7-9)
  • God restores all of Job’s losses two-fold and blesses him with long life. (Job 42.10-17)

Wrapping up the ordeal in Job’s life, we should keep in mind a couple of realities: First, God does what he wants to do without explaining himself. Second, while we may not specifically know why God allows suffering in our lives, we do know that God has a purpose – even if that purpose is to silence the ranting of Satan!

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Join Dr. Smith in Bell Gardens, CA Tomorrow!


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How Do You Develop Church Leadership Talent?

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Artwork Credit: insights-poweroflove.blogspot.com

Many churches today suffer from a leadership need – whether that is at the ministry level or at the board level. Often the question is, “How do you develop church leadership talent.” I like to develop church leaders using many different ways, levels and methods throughout the month. Perhaps some of these will be helpful to you …

  • Creating a ‘pathway to leadership’ for the local church that shows someone the steps and processes for spiritual leadership growth from conversion through our highest level of leadership. Once these steps are in place, we create and implement the various elements necessary to make this path available for all of our potential future leadership.
  • Leadership E-letter – I encourage all leaders and potential leaders to sign up for my weekly leadership e-letter. This brings Biblical truths to the present day situations.
  • Roadmap to Discipleship – Throughout the years we have planned and trained, as well as trained others to teach separate, 4-hour trainings for membership, basic discipleship principles, basic ministry leadership principles, principles of being missional (being ‘on mission’ to personally accomplish the Great Commission) and basic worship principles. These are scheduled and advertized throughout the year.
  • Discipleship mentoring – One of the most foundational steps of the ‘pathway to leadership’ involves getting people into a discipleship mentoring relationship soon after they have come to faith in Christ. This involves getting all current leaders trained to disciple new Christians as well as discipling new Christians to disciple future Christians.
  • Small Group leadership – Creating an environment of training inside the small groups of our church is one of the greatest ways to identify the future leaders of the church. Providing them with a clear training plan and a mentored approach to servant leadership makes this possible.
  • Outreach events – Bringing new, potential leaders into the planning and work of our outreach events throughout the year develops them. These events bring out the mission of Jesus and fan the energy and creativity of all of our leadership.
  • Monthly Training – Leaders need regular feeding. They give and give and give. Each year I like to do a thematic training on a specific aspect of leadership; i.e., Teamwork, Servanthood, etc. Meeting once a month each month for ten of twelve months, we make each of these meetings a time of training, planning, sharing, prayer and praise. As we let one another know what is happening, we can praise God for his increase and pray for more of the same. We are also able to pray for those situations that still need resolution and salvation.
  • ‘Come-along’ mentoring – Throughout the year, as leaders do ministry and life, they should take along a future / potential leader so they can learn ‘along the way’ as Jesus taught his disciples. Some of these times include conferences, ministry times, daily events day trips, etc.

These are some of the ways in which I develop church leaders, current and future. What are some of the ways you develop your church’s leadership talent? I’d love to hear. Take a moment and leave a comment below please.

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Job: God Is Always Just (Job 32-37)

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: elca.org

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Job: God Is Always Just (Job 32-37)

Job has been through the meat-grinder of tragedy, losing his family, his prosperity and his health in one day. Then, his “so-called” good friends attack and condemn him, accusing Job of sin and selfishness.

When ten rounds of accusation and defense play out Elihu, a young friend, steps up seeking to justify Job (Job 33:32) and explore the character and purposes of God. As he speaks, with Job’s apparent interest and permission (Job 33:32 – 34:1), pay close attention to …

  • Elihu’s condemnation of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar’s caricature that “suffering is for sinners.” (Job 32)
  • Elihu’s contradiction by Job’s complaints of the “injustice of God’s actions.” (Job 33)
  • Elihu’s confirmation by God’s character of the “justice of His motives.” (Job 34)
  • Elihu’s conviction of God’s condemnation of the “pride of evil hearts.” (Job 35)
  • Elihu’s communication of God’s charity through the “goodness of God’s methods.” (Job 36:1-23)
  • Elihu’s confidence in God’s compassion because of the “majesty of God’s being.” (Job 36:24 – 37:24)

As you read through this section of Job, keep one thought in mind: No matter the mess you are in, you may not know the why, but you will always know the character of God; he cares for you.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Join Dr. Smith in Bell Gardens, CA This Month!

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2 Conditions of the Happy Man in Times of Distress

Posted on June 21, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: danlew.com

In difficult times, many “Christians” display less than the fruit of the Spirit, especially the fruit of joy. Strain can do awful things to the child of God when they are living their daily lives at a distance from God.

However, when we are in close relationship with the Lord, the fruit of the Spirit flows through our soul. Time alone with God allows him to express and explain his care for us. Job discusses why we can have joy in the midst of tough times …

““Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. He shall deliver you in six troubles, Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine He shall redeem you from death, And in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, And you shall not be afraid of destruction when it comes. You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth. ” (Job 5:17–22, NKJV)

We can be happy in distressful times …

  • Because God corrects us.

God loves us. In the midst of daily life God is an active participant in our lives. God longs for our lives to bring glory to him, to fulfill his purposes. Those purposes include living a life of joy (John 15.11).  As God corrects us, he longs for our lives to be lived in a pathway that will bring this about.

God’s activities include wounding our hearts and bodies and sometimes shattering our plans and dreams. While this may seem harsh, God knows our stubbornness. (As do we, if we are honest.) In many of those times God uses stronger methods to get our attention. Note that though God intervenes in painful ways to return us to his life of love, he also remains with us until our hearts and souls are healed with happiness.

We can also be happy in distressful times …

  • Because God delivers us.

While things may look bleak at the moment, you can trust that God will deliver you! In fact, despite your situation, Job reminds us that God has your situation covered. He speaks of how God’s presence and power brings joy and happiness in many different difficulties: famine, war, the “scourge of the tongue,” and in destruction.

While these are usually times of great negative emotions, Job tells us that we will “not be afraid” and even “laugh” when these seasons come!

Because of God’s unending love, he not only works in our daily life – which we know by his correction – but God also rescues us in the midst of difficult times. Job not only knew this intellectually, he trusted God in the midst of his situation, waiting for God’s rescue, which eventually came.

Just as Job knew God would rescue him, you can be sure God will rescue you!

<<<>>>

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Join Dr. Smith in Bell Gardens, CA This Month!

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7 Reasons to Hope In God

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: itswonderfulgood.blogspot.com

For so many, fulltime employment seems to be an elusive dream. Unemployment rates are high, and the gap between jobs can be paralyzing for many. I know because it has been 15 months since I’ve had a fulltime position.

When time drags on and you have done everything you can possibly think of to find that position, it is natural to ask God, “Where are you? What have I done? When will you answer my prayers?”

The only hope for the child of God in these dark times is an intimate, vibrant walk with God. In those quiet times of listening to the Spirit of God, reading his word and praying for direction, we discover the same seven reasons to hope in God that Job knew.

“As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night. But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.” (Job 5:8–16, ESV)

  1. God does great things – whenever my heart begins to question God’s ability to help me, I return to this truth.
  2. God gives rain to the earth – abundance is God’s heart and this passage reminds me that God is always preparing for the season of harvest – including mine.
  3. God raises the lowly – perhaps one of the more encouraging aspects of God’s character is that he promotes those who are low, in his time and for his purposes.
  4. God lifts those who mourn – repeatedly we discover from God’s Word that God is touched by the cry of his children. This promise encourages me because God knows our hearts and hears our cries for help.
  5. God frustrates the crafty – some people are out to get us, and God knows who they are. If you are a victim of such treatment, God knows what’s happening and will put an end to their devices.
  6. God catches the wily – again, if you are suffering from the schemes of people who are purposely injuring you or your career, God has amazing ways to expose them and dispose of them.
  7. God saves the needy from the mighty – note the phrase, “from the sword of their mouth.” In times of great distress, there seems to be no end to the number of comments and people who would like to condemn us, to make some snide remark or pass judgment. God saves us from these – whether we listen to them or they are intimated.

Over the past 15 months there have been many times when I’ve felt down. Each time I return to one of these great truths.

God cares and God is working on my behalf because he loves his children. The same is true for you.

Trust God and stay close to him. He is working on your behalf and will answer soon!

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Join Dr. Smith in Bell Gardens, CA This Month!

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Genuine Friends for Grieving Times

Posted on June 19, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Photo Credit: babyloncounseling.com

I have been at the side of a loved one’s coffin too many times for my age. In a period of three years our family buried my great-aunt, grandmother, an uncle and aunt through cancer, my grandfather and a cousin by suicide. Since I am a vocational pastor, I have done the services for my grandmother, father and mother. Needless to say, I am well acquainted with grief.

In Job 2, we discover the characteristics of a good friend in times of grief. Perhaps through this blog, you will find help for friends who are walking through the valley of the shadow of death.

“Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place—Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.

And when they raised their eyes from afar, and did not recognize him, they lifted their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. So they sat down with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief was very great. ” (Job 2:11–13, NKJV)

Good friends …

  • Stay in communication with their friends before death approaches – when Job’s friends heard about his situation they came running!
  • Care for their friend when death visits – when Job’s friends heard the news, they came to him. This is how we spell care: C-O-M-E.
  • Are considerate of their friend – notice that they “made an appointment to come.” In other words, they didn’t barge in on Job’s grief.
  • Show compassion for their friend – they came to “mourn with him.” Empathy is the best gift you can ever give someone in the darkness of grief.
  • Come to comfort their friend in the dark hours – again, they came “to comfort him.” This is the prime purpose of the visit. You don’t come to check off a duty, you come to give comfort. Your presence is about them, not you.
  • Show a connectedness when they arrive – Job’s friends broke down in sorrow and despair at the condition of their friend. Unlike Hollywood’s version of the bedside, people in pain are comforted when you ache with them, for it shows that you understand and love them.
  • Demonstrate their contrition for their friend – in this passage we see Job’s friends tear their clothes and sprinkle dust on their heads – both are signs of sorrow, fasting and calling out to God for someone who is in a deep, catastrophic condition needing God’s rescue.
  • Are committed to their friend, not a personal agenda – each of the friends saw the horrific condition of their friend and cleared their calendar for the coming week, so as to help Job. This reflects a true friend – do they have time for you when you are in your deepest need?
  • Are considerate of his or her friend’s fragile condition – this is perhaps the greatest gift – NO ONE SPOKE! When I went to the bedside of a friend who’s teenage daughter was dying, I had no words; so I said nothing. I just wept with the sorrow I felt. Years later that dear friend told all who would listen that my gift was the greatest she had as her daughter died. Rule of thumb: Say little of nothing – just give the gift of your presence.

Grief – we all experience it. In bigger webs of relationships we know it’s cold hand more often. Our task, as lovers of God is to share that love. Being a genuine friend in grieving times is one of the greatest ways to show God’s love!

That’s my thoughts, I’d love to hear yours! Feel free to comment below.

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Can God Brag On Me?

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

God Enjoys Our Purity and Obedience

“Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” ” (Job 1:8, NKJV)

Does God enjoy your practice of personal purity and your obedience to him? As I was reading Job 1, I was enthralled by several things …

  1. That God pays attention to his children so closely – which cause me to pray: “Thank you for being a God who is attentive and personal with your kids!”
  2. That God delights in our lifestyle choices when they follow his instructions – which prompted me to pray, “Thank you for being a God of wisdom and goodness!”
  3. That God blesses us when we follow his directions (note Job 1.1-3) – which led me to pray: “Thank you for being a God who wisely desires our best and pours out your hand of blessing when we follow you!”

As I looked at these descriptions of Job that God himself refers to, I am also touched by what he specifically notices – what I will call, “the character of those God commends.” Note that he points out specifically that Job was …

  1. Blameless – God finds those who live their lives without injuring others to be models of his heart!
  2. Upright – God loves to brag about those children who choose the path of right, spiritually, socially (note Job 4.2-3), etc.!
  3. Fears God – God applauds the child that understands their place and who longs for his favor upon their lives!
  4. Shuns evil – God rejoices over the children that depart from the road of short-term self-serving which leads to destruction, either in this life, the next or both!

As I meditated on these things, I confessed my need to be more like Job and less like me. (Perhaps you can identify with some of these thoughts. Maybe my thoughts will bring others in your life to mind.) “I so long to be …

  1. “Blameless in your sight – forgive me for injuring people with words and attitudes. Forgive me for thinking more of myself than of others.
  2. “Upright in my dealings with others – forgive me for shading the truth or hiding the truth to get my way. Help me to make choices that honor your name, for in each of these examples I have given, I have dirtied your name and fouled your fame.
  3. “One who fears God – forgive me for doubting you, your power, ability, wisdom, love. So many times I worry, my signature that you are not who you say you are. My situation is so simple for you to solve. How I long to trust in such a way that demonstrates that I understand my place and who you are. I long for your favor upon my life!
  4. “One who shuns evil – forgive me for even entertaining evil in my mind. You have been so gracious to help me avoid evil with my actions – though I am far from perfect, I am much better than I have been. I despise the evil, it’s consequences and the injury it does to your heart. Please help me to depart from the road of short-term self-serving that leads to destruction, either in this life, the next or both! I long to be one whom you rejoice in b/c I shun evil from thought to action!

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth, in my life and in my family’s life, as it is in Heaven.”

Such a passage has incredible implications as to who God is, what he delights in and where I need to lead my life. Perhaps you have seen others? I would love to hear about them! Use the comment form below.

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Urban Praise Interviews Dr. Matthew Smith

Posted on June 16, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Erick David Townsend of Moody Bible Institute’s radio ministry Urban Praise, interviewed Matt about his passion of Reaching Your Community in Your Generation in late May. They also talked about Matt’s involvement in the Moody Pastors Conference.

Urban Praise reaches out to anyone who enjoys the urban flava’ and doesn’t mind hearing a biblical perspective on world events.

They feature artists like Israel Houghton, Salvador, Kirk Franklin, Natalie Grant, Lecrae and more. We not only bring great music, but they have candid interviews with authors, financial experts, doctors and music artists. Whether it’s a simple contest with great prizes or odd stories with big laughs, our format is designed to edify. Urban Praise feels called to take the gospel to every “ethnos” (ethic group).

You can learn more about Urban Praise by clicking here.

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