Spiritual Discipline is Relational Discipline!

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith 

 Image Credit: mimosaspirit.com


Have you ever struggled with a “spiritual discipline” because you think the very nature of the phrase conjures up forced obedience? If you have, let me turn your thinking on the matter. I believe …

  • Discipleship (Spiritual Disciplines) is just a means to falling in love with Jesus more than with anything or anyone else.

Discipleship is about getting to know the other person in this relationship – Jesus – so that you understand, enjoy and want to be with him, more than anyone or anything else, to the exclusion of anyone or anything else in life! And that is what the spiritual life is really all about. Consider how the Lord looks at the depth of our relationship and what it should become …

Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:23–24)

Now get this” If you are unwilling to do the hard work of relationship, you are not in love.

  • Spiritual disciplines = Relational disciplines!

It’s either relational discipline or relational disaster! I have seen it too many times, in my ministry as a pastor, the downward staircase of relational disaster, committed by someone who simply doesn’t love enough. (The same can be true of a marriage or of our walk with God)

–       Drift – the heart begins to grow lax on the disciplines of love

–       Dangers – others are more than willing to throw themselves at you

–       Drunkenness (lust) – accepting the offers of other lovers becomes intoxicating and soon, we are addicted to false love (lust)

–       Desertion – then we simply choose to feed our addiction to our false love and abandon our first love for the pleasures of sin for a season

–       Divorce – soon we simply jettison the other person in the relationship, for we have no room for them.

But Jesus clarifies what true love for another is all about …

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ”

(John 15:13)

Because we love, we sacrifice! If we don’t love, we don’t sacrifice. It takes discipline to maintain a relationship … with God or with another. Melodee and I have practiced the relational disciplines in our marriage. When we let them go, the relationship suffers. When we practiced them, the relationship grows. The same is true when it comes to our relationship with the Lord.

Have you noticed your love grow stronger as you discipline yourself to focus on the other person in the relationship? How does this apply to your love for Jesus? I’d love to hear!

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

You can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

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Israel Rejects God's Reign, Establishing Saul as King of Israel (1 Samuel 8-15)

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Image Credit: joannemattera.blogspot.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.

Israel Rejects God’s Reign, Establishing Saul as King of Israel (1 Samuel 8-15)

As the nation prepares for the death of Samuel, we notice that Samuel has failed to prepare for the future leadership of the nation after he passes from the scene. His failure to provide the next generation with leadership leads them to make a horrible mistake. Follow along as we see that …

  • Although Samuel was a great judge, he was also a bad father, not inspiring confidence in the abilities of his children to lead Israel after his death. (8)
  • Although the nation of Israel had followed judges for over 400 years, they had done little to accomplish the mission of God, so the elders requested a King. (8)
  • Although the nation requested a King from Samuel, in reality they had rejected the Lord as the King of their lives. (8)
  • Although Samuel warns the nation of the consequences of a King, the nation is persistent and God chooses Saul as the first anointed King of Israel. (9-10)
  • Although Saul is effective at first, and the nation follows him, he quickly disobeys God and is rejected by the Lord. (11-13)
  • Although Saul remains King in position and title, he continues to lead poorly and disobediently to the point that the Lord promises his kingdom will be torn away from Him. (14-15)

We learn from this section of 1 Samuel that it is essential to think of the future every day of your present. Providing for the leadership of the next generation is essential to being a great leader.

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.

Check out the latest review of Growing Missional Leaders by Dr. Tom Cocklereece!

BOOK REVIEW: GROWING MISSIONAL LEADERS

Imagine how fast God’s kingdom would grow if people in every church, regardless of denomination, determined to accomplish the Great Commission in their community in their lifetime. This is not a proposal to take away from missionary endeavors around the world but it is a plan to increase local missional ministry understanding that it is an investment into the overall missionary effort. In other words, by being missional locally churches will become more evangelistic and soon able to do more in missions further away. The purpose of Dr. Matthew Lee Smith’s book is to motivate leaders to do just that.

Dr. Smith and this author agree that … READ MORE

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Judge Samuel's Sensitivity To God Exalts Him In Israel (1 Samuel 5-7)

Posted on April 3, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith 

 Photo Credit: daytonopenbible.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.

Judge Samuel’s Sensitivity To God Exalts Him In Israel (1 Samuel 5-7)

In this section we see the “cause and effect” principle at work in both Israel, and among their enemies. Pay close attention to …

  • Because of the failure of the judge Eli in parenting his adult sons, the Philistines capture the Ark of God, which contains the ten commandments. (5)
  • Because the Philistines keep the ark of God, the Lord brings a plague upon every city the ark resides in. (5)
  • Because of the plague, the Philistines return the ark of God to Israel, offering a trespass offering to acknowledge that they had trespassed across the command of God by taking the ark. (6)
  • Because of the call of Samuel, the Israelites returned to the Lord, albeit twenty years later, and Samuel became the judge of Israel all the days of his life. (7)

It is important to watch for the cause and effect principle as we study. One of the things we realize is this: God is in charge – period. Whether one is a follower of His or not, God is still all-powerful and has His way, no matter your belief or lack of it. 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. Check out the latest review of Growing Missional Leaders by Dr. Tom Cocklereece!

BOOK REVIEW: GROWING MISSIONAL LEADERS

Imagine how fast God’s kingdom would grow if people in every church, regardless of denomination, determined to accomplish the Great Commission in their community in their lifetime. This is not a proposal to take away from missionary endeavors around the world but it is a plan to increase local missional ministry understanding that it is an investment into the overall missionary effort. In other words, by being missional locally churches will become more evangelistic and soon able to do more in missions further away. The purpose of Dr. Matthew Lee Smith’s book is to motivate leaders to do just that. Dr. Smith and this author agree that … READ MORE

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1 Samuel – The Beginnings of the Monarchy

Posted on April 1, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith 


 
Hannah With Samuel
Photo Credit: jesusfootprints.wordpress.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.

Major Old Testament Route No. 2:
Taking A Walk Through The History Of Israel

A key to understanding any place you visit, is having a general grasp of its history. When Melodee and I traveled to Hawaii, although we were going for romance and leisure, a general understanding of this tropical paradise was helpful.

So it is with our journey through the Bible. On our second major route through the history of the Old Testament, we will see how Israel rose to power, and how it was erased from power. We also see the tender compassion of the God of the Universe through the return to their homeland of a remnant of Israel.

On this route we will explore approximately 1,000 years of the definition history for the nation of Israel. In other words, this section of the history will define the national identity of Israel in significant ways.

Our second route was written as a diary or journal of the actual travels of the people of God in the Old Testament. It will include the glory days of David and Solomon, and the disaster days of Civil War and captivity. It will end with a broken and weak Israeli remnant that is allowed to return as guests to their own country. When we complete this route, [Joshua – Esther] we will have read the entire history of the Old Testament.

As We Review: We have already seen …

• Joshua: The Invasion of the Land for Israel (about 25 years)

• Judges: The Cycles of Compromise (about 350 years)

• Ruth: The Loyalty of one Woman (about 30 years)
We now look at:

1 Samuel: The Beginnings of the Monarchy (about 95 years)

1 Samuel could actually be called the book of rejection. First, we see Eli, the judge of Israel, as he rejects God’s commandments in favor of spoiling his sons. Then, we see the nation of Israel reject God’s leadership in favor of an earthly king. And finally, we see King Saul rejecting God’s guidance in favor of following his fears. Watch as we begin this book with …

Judge Eli’s Parenting Failure Removes His From Office (1-4)

Notice that when the leader fails in his own home, the results become tragic for his house, his future and the future of the people he leads.

• Samuel, the future judge of Israel, is born in answer to the prayer promise of a faithful woman, and dedicated in faithful obedience to that vow. (1-2)

• Eli, the present judge of Israel, is failing as a result of honoring his sons by refusing to discipline them instead of being willing to honor the Lord over them. (2)

• Eli, the present judge of Israel, is removed from the service of the Lord for his failures in fathering, thus bringing God’s judgment upon him, his sons, and his nation. (2-4)

• Eli, the present judge of Israel, dies as a result of the judgment of the Lord upon his family and nation, in fulfillment of the prophecies to both him and Samuel. (4)

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.

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

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Ruth – The Loyalty of One Woman

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith 

 
Naomi and Ruth
Photo Credit: captainhastings.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.

Ruth: The Loyalty of one Woman (about 30 years)

During this time of trouble in the book of Judges, one very personal story is told. It is about a woman who was not of the nation of Israel by blood, but by marriage. The importance of this story cannot be minimized, for Ruth becomes the great grandmother of David, future King of Israel! As we see her story, we are confronted with the agony of a foreign woman in a strange land.  But she is also a woman of great integrity, and one whom God chooses to use for this very reason! Notice Ruth’s story …

  • Ruth’s husband dies, and she chooses to return with her mother-in law to Israel. (1)
  • Ruth cares for her mother-in-law Naomi, despite the enormous sacrifices it costs her as a young woman. (2)
  • Boaz takes notice of Ruth ands cares for her through special provisions. (3)
  • Boaz and Ruth begin the family of David, revealing the importance of the Kinsman – Redeemer provision within the Law of God, which was given to Moses. (4)

In our next study, we will see the Rise and Fall of the Nation of Israel as a super power. The reasons will not change from those given to Joshua and renewed at Shechem. So far, we have provided you with the basis of your understanding of how God operates in time. Perhaps it is time for you to make the covenant promise with the God of the Universe as well.

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.

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

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Falling in Love With Jesus!

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Have you ever wanted your love for Jesus to grow deeper? How does that happen? In this exciting episode, Falling in Love with Jesus, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith shares the actions we need to incorporate into our life with Jesus.


Matt uses his humorous experience of pursuing Melodee before they were married to illustrate this process. We know you will benefit greatly from this personal and passionate episode of Transformed!

So, grab your Bible and open it to Luke 11 as we listen to Falling in Love with Jesus with Pastor Matt.

You can learn more about this subject in two of his daily devotionals.

  • In His Image explores the idea “God Created You to Love You!”

Both books can be found on our website, using the links provided in the show notes, as well as on Amazon or BarnesandNoble.com

Until next time, thank you for listening to the Transformed podcast.

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7 Actions of Valor in a Leader

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

A Study of Gideon

Judges 8

 

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.

 

Once God has removed fear from the leader, the mission can be accomplished with haste. Fear holds us back. Valor moves us forward. Valor can be defined as: “strength of mind or spirit that enables a person to encounter danger with firmness; personal bravery.” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/valor)

 

Gideon’s fear has been removed (Judges 7-8) and now he lives out the title the Angel of the Lord had given him, “mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6:12, ESV) When Gideon embraced his valor, he changed significantly. In his transformation, we can see seven actions in the new leader that instruct us in becoming “mighty leaders of valor.” How do I flesh these out …

  • Valor Calms Disputes By Praising Others Accomplishments. Judges 8.1-3

If I am to be a mighty man of valor, I must recognize and applaud the efforts and contributions of others on my team to them publicly.

  • Valor Remembers the Uncooperative, But Remains “On Mission” Until The Victory Is Won. Judges 8.4-9

It is all right to remember when groups of people don’t want to help me, because of fear, mistrust, or orneriness. However, I can’t let that distract me from the urgency of the mission God has sent me on.

  • Valor Attacks a Secure Enemy, Throwing Them Into a Panic. Judges 8.10-12

One of the best strategies I can use, when God has given me a mission, is to go to the stronghold and take it out first. Victory is won when the giant falls!

  • Valor Removes the Uncooperative After the Victory Is Won. Judges 8.13-17

After the victory is won and the celebration is about to commence, it is appropriate to assess who helped and who did not. Those who didn’t help need to be removed for a lack of loyalty and cooperation.

  • Valor Exacts Consequences From Unrepentant Enemies. Judges 8.18-21

When victory comes, the resistant to change need to be removed permanently from the scene. This allows for the mission to proceed and the momentum to continue without fear of reprisal or insurrection by the naysayers.

  • Valor Requests Compensation From a Great Victory’s Abundance. Judges 8.22-28

While the leader is never “on mission” for the spoils, it is appropriate od me to ask for a portion (here a small one – “the earrings”) of the spoils from the victory’s abundance.

  • Valor Is Forgotten Quickly Once the Mighty Leader Dies. Judges 8.33-35

I should not think that the people who joined the battle and enjoyed the spoils with me would remember or even follow my leadership lessons once I am off the scene.

 

That’s my take on valor. Did you see any other lessons in the account of Gideon from Judges 8? I’d love to hear about them!

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.

 

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

 

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

 

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

 

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

 

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Israel Follows The Corruption of the Surrounding Culture (Judges)

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


 
Baal
Photo Credit: itwasjohnson.impiousdigest.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.

Israel Follows the Corruption of the Canaanite Lifestyle (Judges 17-21)

The conditions of the nation, as the people of God, during the times of the judges are deplorable! While calling themselves, “the children of God,” they behaved more like “the children of the devil!” In this section we see the roots of their failures during these long 350 years of oppression. Discover as you read …

  • The roots of the failure in idolatry. (Judges 17-18)
  • The roots of the failure in immorality. (Judges 19)
  • The roots of the failure in instability. (Judges 20-21)

Closing the book of Judges is like closing a sad and disastrous novel with a poor ending – an ending of hopelessness. Such a people, trapped in these recurring cycles of captivity, can leave one wondering, “What’s the point?” In the midst of this hardship and endless futility, we will come to the next book, one that ends with hope and encouragement!

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.

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

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7 Lessons on How God Removes A Leader’s Fear

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


A Study of Gideon, “Mighty Man of Valor”

Judges 6-7

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.

We all know what fear in leadership is all about. One of the classic examples of fear trapping a leader is found in the book of Judges. When we come on the scene, Gideon is hiding while processing wheat for fear the Midianites would see the harvest and pounce on it and him.

In the midst of this stealth operation, God shows up and says, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” (Judges 6:12, ESV) Gideon isn’t buying the line and counters the angel …

“Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian.” (Judges 6:13, ESV)

At this point, you can see Gideon’s point: God forsook us, that’s why I’m in hiding here! Now note the strange response of the Lord: “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” (Judges 6:14, ESV)

Lesson 1: When God calls us, he sees us as we will be, not as we are!

When Gideon objects, the Lord tells him: “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” (Judges 6:16, ESV)

Lesson 2: When God calls us, he goes with us!

In order to conquer his fear, Gideon asks for a sign of assurance. God prescribes an offering on a rock. Gideon complies and the Lord touches the offering with his staff and it is consumed with fire. “Then Gideon perceived that he was the angel of the Lord. And Gideon said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” But the Lord said to him, “Peace be to you. Do not fear; you shall not die.” ” (Judges 6:22–23, ESV)

Lesson 3: When God calls us, he is willing to relieve our fears by granting us a sign!

With such a powerful sign, you would think Gideon’s fears would be relieved, but, when God gives him his first mission, Gideon complies by destroying his own father’s idol of Baal at night with ten friends. Amazingly, Gideon’s father defends him for his action and tells them that Baal should be able to defend himself.

Lesson 4: When God calls us, he provides surprising support from important people!

From that day forward, Gideon’s new nickname was, “Let Baal contend against him.” (Judges 6:33, ESV)

Lesson 5: When God calls us, he provides a name and the fame for the mission!

Soon the enemies of the Israelites come in droves and Gideon, knowing what he must do, is scared stiff. He asks for a sign, and then another one. BOTH of these signs are GRANTED by the gracious and merciful God, because God longs to pull out the valor He sees in Gideon.

Lesson 6: When God calls us, he will do what it takes to assure the leader of His presence and power!

Ultimately, Gideon is told to whittle down the massive troops of Israel to 300, so that God will get the glory when the victory comes. Gideon’s fear level rises again and God proposes a quiet trip to the camp of the enemy.

“When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.” As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” ” (Judges 7:13–15, ESV)

Gideon is victorious and destroys the armies of the enemies of Israel as a result, commanding his troops to shout out these words as they attacked: “For the Lord and for Gideon.” (Judges 7:18, ESV)

Lesson 7: When God calls us, he will do what it takes for us to become what He has seen in us all the time!

Gideon finally saw what God saw in him: He WAS a mighty man of valor.

What does God see in you and what has he been doing in your to confirm what he sees?

I’d love to hear about it!

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.

You Can Book Dr. Smith For Your Meeting or Event!

“Dr. Matthew Smith has a passion and love for God’s Word and for God’s people. He lives to equip God’s church and He uses many of his God-given talents to galvanize, energize and equip the body of Christ. Dr. Smith not only has the brilliant mind but also a humble heart. The best sermon I heave heard him preach is the life he lives. He is a loving father, family leader and a leader in the faith community. I recommend him without hesitation.”

By Daniel Mehrabian, researcher at Araratministries, (Greater Los Angeles Area)

Biblical leadership, passionate evangelism and discipleship, a missional heart and lifestyle, authentic personal relationship with God – Dr. Smith will come to your church or organization and speak on any of these areas. We have open dates in April, May and June and would love to talk with you about making your meeting, event or worship service a special time of growth, joy and inspiration. For more information, contact us at admin[at]EaglesInLeadership.org (of course, remove the [at] and replace it with @). We look forward to your email!

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Living Healthy, Losing Weight, Leading Energetically

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

It was 12 weeks ago when I started the Daniel Plan – January 1st, 2011. 6 months earlier, on June 1st, 2010, I had made a commitment to lose 50 pounds in 52 weeks. By November, I realized I had been struggling a lot, and the holidays coming wouldn’t help. I had lost less than 16 points in 5 months and was way behind to reaching my goal by June 1st.

All this started when I realized that my health was deteriorating. A call from the doctor while in Chicago telling me about some tests I needed to take to find the cause of some abnormal blood panel numbers got me thinking. (It turned out I had a fatty liver – not a good thing!)

I knew I needed to lose the 85 pounds I had put on, but willpower alone, even with the weekly weigh-in chart on the bathroom mirror, hadn’t been enough. I needed help and I knew it.

That’s when my pastor, Rick Warren, shared the Decade of Destiny vision he had for our church, the plans for the New Year, and the Daniel Plan. I was a part of the Daniel Plan from the first moment! With each week of the Daniel Plan, I have learned so much about health, weight, processed foods, disease and imminent premature death from my lifestyle choices.

So, I decided to share a bit from time to time in this blog, and encourage you to consider what you could do for the Kingdom of God with more energy. Today I want to start talking about how I’ve lost 29+ pounds since January 1st, 2011 on the Daniel Plan (making my total weight loss since June 1st, 2010 over 47 pounds).

Just Don’t Put It In My Mouth!

One of the first things I learned was, if you don’t eat it, it won’t hurt you! (Duh!) But what shouldn’t I eat? Let’s start with the whites …

  • White sugar – instead, use Stevia products
  • White flour – instead, use whole wheat flour sparingly
  • White rice – instead, use brown rice

Each of these white products adds to your weight and metabolizes into sugars – which are sources of diabetes, and a host of other diseases. These simple changes were the first to cause my weight to come off!

As the weight dropped, I found that I have more energy, sleep better and my moods are sweeter. (Who would have known food could make you cranky?)

I’ll share more about these things in other posts. And, oh yeah, total strangers stop me on the street – two today alone – and comment on my weight loss and how good I look. That’s a nice side benefit!

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