Transformed Episode #091 – What If God Told You What He Was Going to Do With You In the Coming Year?

Posted on March 31, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

What would you do if God revealed his will for your life in the next 12 months? As Pastor Matt shares God’s Word from the Book of Daniel, chapter 4, with the men and women at Beacon Light Mission (Wilmington CA) in September of 2009, we find help and hope, conviction and compassion in this message. This lively message from God’s Word will reveal His constant communication and desire to guide and direct us with His wisdom.

Putting God first in your life in 2010 means spending time alone with Him every day. Let me suggest that you get a copy of Pastor Matt’s book, In His Image where’s today’s message is originally found. We are sure this book will show you both how to love like God loves and enjoy his direction on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the http://EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

· Commenting on this post at https://www.eaglesinleadership.org
· or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
· or you can call our new voicemail line number at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode … If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast was recorded in Wilmington, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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The Dark Times

Posted on March 29, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As I move into the third week of my unemployment from my 4-year ‘intentional interim’ pastorate, I have been blessed by many who have written messages of encouragement and prayer.

Having been unemployed once before for 13 months, Melodee and I know how hard it can become. After months of no replies to resumes, or the repeated ‘thank you for your response … You are very gifted, however …” letters and emails, it is easy to begin to see the darker lining in the clouds and think of storms instead of the safety of God.

While unemployed last time for that year plus, I actually gained about 20 pounds! God provided so bountifully, even though we were homeless for a year. People welcomed us into their homes and others sent money and gave gifts of food, etc.

During that time, I began to understand the quiet and solitude of prayer in a much deeper manner. Through it all, I came to listen for God’s voice more carefully and ask him four specific questions. Perhaps they will help you if you are traveling through ‘the dark times’ right now …

  • What would bring YOU joy right now, Lord?
  • What is YOUR heart’s desire for me at this time?
  • What are YOU planning for me in the near future?
  • How can I be the most helpful to YOU and YOUR plans right now?

Depression seems to be the repetitious review of ‘why I am so unfortunate.’ Once I move my focus away from me and back onto the Lord, his will and plans, life turns into an adventure and a journey with the One who knows exactly what he is doing and how he is going to accomplish it.

Looks like its about time to head to the beach, enjoy God’s creation here in L.A. and ask him what he’s up to with us at this time!

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Transformed Episode #090 – Fun: Deliberate Distribution Will Awaken Jubilant Joy!

Posted on March 24, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

When the fruit of your faithfulness begins to come in, sharing is the key to greatest enjoyment. As we will discover, the more you give the more you get in return!

We are grateful that you have returned to another episode of the Transformed podcast. Our series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times! concludes today with the episode, Fun – Deliberate Distribution Will Awaken Jubilant Joy!

Enjoying life with God is what Dr. Smith’s new book, In His Presence, is all about. If you long for an intimate walk with God that is marked by joy and pleasure, we know you will want to pick up a copy. Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode …If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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Human Beings or Human Doings?

Posted on March 22, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

What’s life all about? Think about it for a minute … as you start answering, be sure to write your ideas on paper. As you scribble some thoughts down, take a look at them more diligently. How do these descriptors look to you? What do they tell you?

As I looked at my list the first time, I realized that most of my list reflected what I did. When I did a quick summary of my responses, I realized my life would be more descriptive if we, as a race, we called …

  • Human doings – in other words, my life was summarized by the tasks that I did. When I would go to an event, I noticed people would ask, “So, what do you do?” We seem to identify people by their careers or hobbies. Looking over my list, I could see that my life was controlled by my checklist and day-timer. By the time I was done with my little exercise, I concluded that my life was reflected by the things I could get done. Perhaps I had fallen into the trap of the world? Was my life only about the things I was doing?

Since I didn’t like what I saw, I began to reflect on the life I would like to have. God jogged my memory of the Biblical accounts I have become familiar with. Starting in the Garden of Eden with God calling, “Adam, where are you?” and culminating in the New Jerusalem with Jesus’ appeal to all of humanity to “Come,” I realized afresh that life with God was more about relationships than tasks. Perhaps that is why we, as a race, are called …

  • Human beings – in other words, God wants our life to be about relationships, not so much about our accomplishments. Sure, we are supposed to have tasks to do, but the main focus of life is to live in community with others, just as the Godhead models. Relationship happens when we are drawn to one another. People are attracted to us because of our character, something we gain as we spend time alone with God and in His Word, understanding and imitating the One we are in ultimate relationship with. This Christ-likeness is reflected in our love for God (Great Commandment) as well as our passion to share that love with others (Great Commission).

Tasks or relationships; what is my life all about? Will I choose to live my days in community more than in activity? Will I choose to draw others into my life as a result of my imitation of the God who always reaches out to me and asks, “Matthew, where are you?”

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Transformed Episode #089 – Fruitfulness: Persistent Planting Always Yields God’s Generosity!

Posted on March 17, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

What is more than amazing is that God’s principles work all the time – in times of abundance and in turbulent financial times! Learning how to exercise faith and do the things that yield God’s abundance will transform your financial – and personal – life.

Welcome again to the Transformed podcast. As we continue our series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times!, we hope you will discover the fruitfulness and fun that comes when we obey God’s heart when it comes to our finances as you study with us. In today’s episode, Fruitfulness – Persistent Planting Always Yields God’s Abundance!, we learn how to Become Financially Fruitful Through Persistent Planting!

Expressing and receiving God’s love and forgiveness is what Dr. Smith’s book, In His Image, is all about. As you respond to God’s Word and wisdom today, we are sure this book will show you both how to trust God’s love and share it with others on a daily basis. Copies are available on the side bar at the website. We encourage you to order yours today.

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode …If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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Hope Enabler Is Now Available!

Posted on March 16, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Product Description

Hope Enabler is the real life story of one Christian parent’s struggle with a runaway child and the hope that God enabled her to have during the darkest moments of that struggle. Through God’s word and her own personal testimony Melodee Smith shows how her relationship with God was strengthened despite the perils she faced.

About the Author

Melodee Joy Smith is a pastor’s wife ministering in Southern California. Alongside her husband, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith she’s counseled families, spoke at conferences and trained Christian leaders. She hopes this book can be a comfort to other Christian parents.

To order your copy today: Simply click this link!

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What Does Your Life Calendar Say?

Posted on March 15, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As I grow older, I have noticed that time seems to move faster. Yes, there are still 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour. With seven days in the week and 52 weeks a year still standard, I am often perplexed as to how time goes by so quickly.

With such reflections, it struck me the other day that our lives – in their entirety – could be compared to the twelve months on the calendar. If we lived to 84 years of age, and compare our life to one year on a calendar, each month on the calendar would represent seven years.

With these thoughts floating around, I began to grow sober-minded. By the end of January on the calendar of my life, I was in second grade; a freshman as February came to a close. Melodee and I were married by the end of March. Each month of the calendar moves me closer to the end of my life and my divine appointment with the Lord.

Now, in the midst of August on the calendar of my life, I am refocusing my priorities and asking the Lord, “What would you have me to do with the final three months – the final quarter – of my life?” As I pray, wait and listen for the answers from the Lord, I am centering my thoughts on these key points …

  • When God called me into His ministry, it was for life.
  • As God trained me for ministry, what did he gift me to do?
  • In the years I have been in ministry, what has God blessed?
  • When I dream big dreams, what do they entail?
  • At my funeral, how would I want this question completed? “Matthew was best know for … “

As you think about your life calendar, what does it tell you? Which season are you in? And what would God have you to do with the next month of your life?

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Becoming the Leader God Wants Us to Be – An Interview with Byron Paulus

Posted on March 13, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Transformed is excited to connect you with Byron Paulus today. Byron Paulus is president of Life Action Ministries, a multi-faceted organization with the goal of seeing God send a revival and spiritual awakening to North America. He directs the publishing of several revival-oriented resources and oversees numerous local church and campus outreaches.

Life Action Ministries is on a mission! They have a single-minded focus to see God glorified through a revival among His people. This purpose has carried them for over three decades of work alongside the churches of our nation.

Life Action Ministries is the largest revival ministry in North America. The staff has grown from 1 to over 200 dedicated workers in 25 different departments.

We encourage you to check out the ministry if Life Action Revival Ministries at (www.LifeAction.org).  Byron is also on Twitter (@ByronPaulus).

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post at eaglesinleadership.org
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com
• or you can call our new voicemail line number at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode … If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast interview was recorded in San Pedro, CA. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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Transformed #088 – Faith: Financial Faith Will Shred Our Frightening Fears!

Posted on March 12, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Despite the ever-increasing bad news of the economy and the rising prices of goods and services, faith stands in contradiction to the current torrent of bad news. Discover how you can choose ‘not to participate’ in the present recession and how these lessons can change your whole outlook on life itself.

Welcome back to the Transformed podcast. Today we continue our new series entitled, Your Finances in Turbulent Times! We hope you will discover the fruitfulness and fun that comes when we obey God’s heart when it comes to our finances as you study through this series. In today’s episode, Faith – Financial Faith Will Shred Our Frightening Fears, we discover God’s Top Ten Ways to Restore Your Financial Hope!

Enjoying life with God is what Dr. Smith’s new book, In His Presence, is all about. If you long for an intimate walk with God that is marked by joy and pleasure, we know you will want to pick up a copy. Copies are available on the side bar at the http://EaglesInLeadership.org website. We encourage you to order yours today.

You can also contact Dr. Smith in one of three ways:

• Commenting on this post.
• or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com.
• or you can call our voicemail line at 206-309-9277. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes or Podcast Pickle. Feel free to pass this episode on to a friend.

This podcast was recorded in Palos Verdes, CA by Tabitha Grace Smith. All material contained therein is copyrighted under the Creative Commons License, please do not rebroadcast without permission.

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Crock Pot vs. Microwave Leaders

Posted on March 8, 2010 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As I walk down the aisle at the grocery store each month I become more and more amazed at the way the ‘heat and serve’ section grows. Just a few moments in the microwave and ‘presto’ your ‘meal’ is ready. Yummy! Or at least that is what the company wants you to believe.

As almost anyone who knows me will tell you, I am the king of the crock-pot! Before I leave for the office in the morning, I put the roast, a sliced yellow onion, secret herbs and spices and some whole potatoes into the crock-pot on low for 8-9 hours. When I serve my slow-cooked, signature mouth-watering roast beef there are always calls for seconds.

If you know good food, you quickly taste the difference between something that has been ‘nuked’ and something that has been slow-cooked. While the ‘3-minute wonder’ has an exterior taste, time-roasted food always tastes better, right down to the last morsel.

Leaders come in two different flavors: ‘microwave’ or ‘crock-pot.’ What are the differences?

• Microwave leaders have been ‘hurried up’ to lead. Without taking the time to do the deep training and not allowing them to ‘come up through the ranks,’ microwave leaders are surface only. They can look good on the outside and work well under normal situations. They are good for the hurried or harried ministry or organization in the short term. However, for the long haul or in difficult situations, they simply fall short of the spiritual nutrition they need to deliver the leadership necessary at a time when it is most needed.

• Crock-pot leaders have been ‘slowly seasoned’ to lead. Leadership takes time, plain and simple. Good leadership takes mentored training and experience (think of Jesus and the disciples). You can’t rush effective, deep, prepared leadership. When things grow rough – and this is what leadership is designed for – good leaders have the seasoning necessary to draw from their previous training and experience to say like David of old, “I’ve killed a lion and a bear and I will kill this uncircumcised Philistine as well.” Confidence and effectiveness come over time.

As you consider your leadership development strategy, ask yourself these three questions …

1. Do I promote people into leadership positions too quickly?

2. What training and experiences do I expect future leaders to possess?

3. How can I help these future leaders by designing a strategic plan for the training and experiences necessary for their preparation and growth?

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