According to Our Faith!

Posted on May 19, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“The state of faith allows no mention of the word impossibility.”

~ Tertullian, Theologian (c. 160 – 230 A.D.)

Faith seems to be a vital commodity these days! With the state of the global economy and the first generation since World War 2 to really understand scarcity, truth faith seems to be at a premium. When people go through hard times, those situations often reveal the veracity of their belief system. Jesus confronts this truth in the life of two blind men and teaches us a valuable principle …

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” Matthew 9:27-34 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We encourage people to trust God for their critical needs!

“According to your faith let it be to you.” If you spend any time meditating on this statement, it can be exhilarating or torturous! If we take Jesus at His word, and there are many theologians today who would like to put a host of disclaimers on this sentence (like lawyers on TV commercials do), this really sets the quantity of the results squarely on our shoulders … No, I did not say we are the ones who make it happen. What Jesus says is that we RECEIVE what we BELIEVE we will! Yikes!

As an Eagle leader, let me encourage you to ask yourself to ponder this statement this week! Doesn’t it seem to connect with this power source … “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us …” (Ephesians 3:20) In other words, there is no problem with the power of God. Often, however, the blockage of the blessing is in our delivery system … our unbelief!

Contemplate your ‘reception contraption’ today … is it working up to spec? God wants you to enjoy amazing blessing … is your own disbelief standing in the way of His goodness?

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Interrupted by God!

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Compassion is … the force that makes a bridge from the island of one individuality to the island of the other. ~ John O’Donohue

‘Life’s interruptions are God’s appointments.’ I remember the first time I heard this and wondered about it. Today’s passage reveals the truth of this old adage. Look at how Jesus responds to interruptions in this lesson from God’s Word …

While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We take the time to meet the needs of those who ask for our time and help.

Whether the person is of means (the ruler) or is just another face in the crowd (the woman), Jesus shows us that compassion comes when called. As a leader, meeting needs is part and parcel of the territory. Taking from our resources and meeting the urgencies of others often happens when we would rather be ‘off the clock.’

Some find people to be annoyances – since they have some ‘real work’ to get done. But for the Eagle leader, the person is always more important than the project or the paper we are working on.

Jesus shows us that every person – no matter their standing in our eyes – is important enough to stop what we are doing and minister to them. Looking at people with compassion means we let ourselves be ‘put out’ so that love can be ‘poured in!’

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Eagles in Leadership Interviews Eric Michael Bryant Part 2

Posted on May 7, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Dr. Matthew Lee Smith interviews Eric Michael Bryant who serves as an elder, speaker, and navigator overseeing the leadership team at Mosaic in Los Angeles. This interview explores what makes this church, which is 70-75% are single, average age is 28 years of age, made up of hundreds of people in seven locations, six in the greater Los Angeles area. Discover the transferable concepts that Mosaic uses to reach this younger generation. Listen to this interview for your opportunity to win a free gift courtesy of Eric!

Starting as a volunteer in the parking lot at Mosaic, Eric later worked with students and then helped catalyze new venues across Los Angeles. He also teaches at the Southern California campus of Golden Gate Seminary and is working on his Doctorate of Ministry with Bethel Seminary. A sought-after speaker, Eric is one of the co-authors of The Uprising Experience, a workbook developed for Promise Keepers based on Erwin McManus’ book Uprising: A Revolution of the Soul, and has written several articles for Group and Relevant Leader magazines. His book, Peppermint-Filled Piñatas: Breaking Through Tolerance and Embracing Love, was published with Zondervan in June 2007. Eric lives with his wife, Debbie, and two children, Caleb and Trevi in the middle of Los Angeles County.

You can check out more about Eric at these great sites …

http://www.Mosaic.org
http://ericbryant.org

If you missed our first interview with Eric where he talks about his book, Peppermint-Filled Pinatas, click here.

Posted in Book Reviews, Interviews | 1 Comment

Don’t Stay Where You Aren’t Wanted!

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Parking spaces near our seaside cottage are at a premium, and the street is often crowded with cars. One day our neighbor put up a sign: “No Parking Here.” Later he added another: “No Turning in Driveway.” Finally he added a third: “No Cutting through the Yard.” That’s when the neighbor across the street put up his own sign: “And Don’t Come Over Here Either!”

~ Richard Lindgren

No matter how effective and compassionate you are in ministry, some people have no desire for the things of Christ! Such is the lesson today. Having taught from this area in Israel on this very passage, I still am amazed at the rejection of Jesus by these people. Listen as as our passage clarifies the lesson …

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. Matthew 8:28-34 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We honor the wishes of others, even when it means they have no desire for our ministry!

Rejection is simply hard to get used to! But we must not be confused – unreceptive people will not become more receptive simply because we stick around. Your life is too short … and Jesus models the importance of finding those who are receptive.

Life is simply too short and there are too many people who need your Eagle leadership to waste your time on rejectors! While this may sound callous, it is, in fact, gracious. We do not force the gospel or its lifestyle on those who simply have no interest in it.

Jesus teaches Eagle leaders to move on … reach out and pour ourselves into those who are interested. This week, why not take a moment and do some evaluation about your ministry. Are you forcing yourself into situations that are clearly not places God has opened?

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Transformed Episode #060 Wisdom – Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

We are here to tell you today that your Father in Heaven is with you (remember that Jesus’ name Emmanuel means ‘God with Us’)! He wants to make so much more out of our lives than any of us are currently enjoying!

That is exactly what He says in this book of Ephesians! The Bible says,

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly / abundantly / above / all / that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)

God clearly states that whatever our wildest dreams are AS A CHURCH, He can do and is willing to do FAR MORE than we can imagine!

As we continue this study with Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, we will learn that God wants you all to show off that abundant life to everyone on Earth! Why? So the world will know that there is a God in your community, and that they too can enjoy Him forever!

Let’s explore how you can possess the five dimensions of wisdom God wants to give to His people!

If you would like to start reading God’s Word so that you can capture all that God has for you, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the Word In Worship Daily Devotional Journal and get started the exciting journey of Wisdom, Beyond Your Wildest Dreams! Copies are available on the side bar at the EaglesInLeadership.org website.

If you’d like to comment on this episode or contact Dr. Smith you can do so in one of three ways:

If you enjoyed this podcast, please leave a review at iTunes!

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WNWC Celebrates 50 Years

Posted on April 30, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith
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Mike Powers (photo courtesy of JOHN MANIACI - Wisconsin State Journal)

Mike Powers, Executive Vice President of Media here at Eagles in Leadership, was featured in the Wisconsin State Journal for the 50th anniversary of WNWC. Mike has been a faithful member of WNWC radio staff since 1987, reaching and touching people with the positive message of hope in turbulent times.

To read the article in the Wisconsin State Journal please click here.

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Fear or Faith?

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“We can either be driven by fears or governed by fear. Fear-driven lives are out of control. Fear-governed lives are surrendered to the everpresent supervision and companionship of the Lord of all.”  ~ Jan David Hettinga

Fear can destroy our leadership! Whether it is the fear of another or the fear of the unknown, fear paralyzes one’s faith.

But there is another possibility. It is possible that fear is just an external symptom of a lack of faith! Listen as Jesus explains …

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We trust God in the midst of any storm!

Imagine being in the midst of the Sea of Galilee and the storm is so fierce that you are fearing for your life … it seems imminent that you will die! Wow! Now, consider that Jesus is asleep in your boat … and you are still that fearful! These are the conditions surrounding Jesus’ rebuke of his followers in this passage.

It is pretty obvious that the men had not yet grasped the concept of exactly who Jesus really was … their words after the event betray this: “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

We may sit back and laugh at the foolishness of these men … but many of us would have to admit that we still do the same thing. Although Jesus isn’t physically present with us, he is with us, nonetheless. And although these men didn’t grasp the enormity of Jesus’ persona, we have the benefit of the whole revelation of God to demonstrate His position inside the Godhead.

Now, we come to the point of this lesson: Do I trust Jesus enough in the storm to swallow my fear, draw on my faith and move forward without anxiety? If not, perhaps internalizing Romans 10.17 will recharge our faith-batteries before the next storm approaches? And believe me, it will come! There is always another storm approaching!

Trust Jesus! He is able to deliver you from all that comes at you!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Transformed Episode #059 – Benefits – Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Jesus did not die on the cross, and rise the third day so that we could “cope.” He sits at the right hand of the Father on his glorious Throne so that we can OVERCOME! He is accompanying you throughout your life, and he wants to make so much more out of our lives than any of us are currently enjoying!

We begin a new series of messages today entitled Living Beyond Your Wildest Dreams. It is a study through the book of Ephesians, capturing the core of God’s heart for your life on Earth!

As we begin this study today with Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Senior Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Palos Verdes, we discover how we can enjoy the seven supernatural benefits God has given to His people! Let’s listen in now as we discover how we can access God’s Benefits Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!

If you would like to become a part of God’s family and experience His never-ending love, please contact our friends at 1-800-NEED-HIM.

If you’d like to comment on this episode or contact Dr. Smith you can do so in one of three ways:

  • leave a comment on this post,

  • or by emailing us at transformedpodcast@gmail.com

  • or you can call our voicemail line at 206-350-0019. Leave a comment that we can play on a future episode …

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

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Coming Sunday! New Series: “Life! Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!”

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Listen as Mike Powers interviews Dr. Matthew Lee Smith about the upcoming podcast series which starts April 26!

While the world struggles with global recession and terrorism, there is a people group who are Experiencing incredible benefits in all aspects of their lives! You are invited to come and discover the keys to ‘abundant living’ that are driving the lives of these people.

Once you apply these life-changing guides to your life, you, too, will experience Life! Beyond Your Wildest Dreams!

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Leaders Are Learners!

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge, let your learning lead to action.”

~ Jim Rohn

The bottom line of being a leader is using what you know. Many times leaders rest on the ‘old ways’ and, as it has been said far too many times, the last words of the church are: “But we have always done it that way.” Yet, that doesn’t mean everything we have learned in the past is without merit!

Jesus wants us to utilize our learning … both the old things that we know are true and the new things we are learning. Why? So that we accomplish the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Listen as he explains …

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:51-52 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We utilize our learning to accomplish God’s heart and mission!

Eagle Leaders … by definition … seek to move people to greater heights and higher accomplishments. This is a noble goal. Some have complained using the old adage: “How can I soar with the eagles when I am surrounded by these turkeys?!” And this can be a fair complaint … as long as we are not the ‘head turkey!’

Eagle Leaders understand that, just as Jesus did, we must call people to count the cost and follow Him. This is essential to motivation. Those who pay the price should be mentored. How we do that may be found in the many examples from God’s Word. Using the tools you have from both the Old Testament and New Testament, “like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old,” can provide the necessary methods to develop action in your team. That is why Eagle Leaders are constant students of the Word of God … seeking methods as well as truth!

If you would like a plan to follow so that you can squeeze every possible idea from God, download the PDF Bible Reading Schedule file from the side bar at http://EaglesInLeadership.org today! I invite you to join me in deepening your adventure by discovering new and old methods for leadership development from God’s Word!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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