Train Them Thursday – Tuned In To God’s Heart!

Posted on January 24, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city of Nazareth.” (Luke 2:39, NASB95) 

When they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord. Disciples are focused on pleasing God. They listen to His voice, as expressed in His words, as recorded in the Word of God, the Bible and follow them to the best of their ability. 

They do so out of love. Like a man who loves his wife and listens to her attentively, we listen to God because we love Him. The husband who seeks to bring joy to his wife knows that the secret is in the listening, the paying attention.

When a man loves a woman, he listens to her and, thus, he is able to do things for her that will bring her joy. He is tuned in to the wavelength of her heart. Then, when it comes to buying her a gift or selecting a place to take her, his selfless heart of love is able to know what things she will enjoy.

So it was with Joseph and Mary. This new couple was focused on pleasing God in everything they possibly could do. Joseph knew the words of God, having been trained as all boys were in his day. Mary obviously knew the words of God as her praise shows (Luke 1:46-56). Love for God is seen in their attention to His words.

Now, here they were, in the Temple attending to every detail of God’s heart for their child. They came to dedicate Jesus to the Lord because he was their first-born and he belonged to the Lord. With a sacrificial offering they ransomed their boy as commanded by the Lord to show their honor of the God they loved.

This was their sign to the world that they loved God, rejoiced that He rescued Israel so long ago from the slavery of Egypt, and exercised their faith in this symbolic act of hope for the day when they would be free again from the slavery of Rome. (See Exodus 13 for details of God’s commands.) Their obedience reflected the love of their hearts.

Shouldn’t you ask yourself, “Is there anything I have left undone that God has commanded me?” If you aren’t sure, today is a great day to start scouring His words to discover His heart’s desire for you! 

Train Them Thursdays seeks to wed the Great Commission directive of Jesus with the practice He employed while on Earth. Each nugget is meant to encourage the reader with a “can-do” spirit to realize that discipleship is something each person is both capable of and empowered to accomplish. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each thought and they flow out of decades of his tried and true field-testing in multiple settings from rural to inner city. He welcomes your comments below.

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Willing Worker Wednesday – Delay Can Be Deadly!

Posted on January 23, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“After they were gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. For Herod is about to search for the child to destroy Him.” So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt. He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: Out of Egypt I called My Son.” (Matthew 2:13–15, HCSB) 

So he got up, took the child and His mother during the night, and escaped to Egypt.To delay is to disobey … and would have been deadly had Joseph not responded immediately. How often do we hear the words of God and think about them, ignore them, consider them … do almost everything else except obey them?

Maybe it’s a part of our culture or how we were raised. Many of us have taken procrastination to an art form. We learn it as a child, that’s for sure. Consider the child that is being called by their parent. You see it all the time at the store or at family gatherings. They know they can get away with a little rebellion and so they shout, “NO!” and run the other way. 

Alas, such behavior is first considered cute in little ones. Later it gets annoying as they grow, but still its tolerated. And then, as adults it becomes a handicap. Crippled from the life they could have lived, blame asserts itself that “the system is rigged against them.” And, it is! Success comes more readily to those who act immediately. Promptness breeds prosperity, all things being equal. 

And so, one of the first lessons a servant leader of King Jesus should learn is that we serve at the pleasure of our Lord and Master, Jesus. When He speaks, it is a command to be completed immediately. That’s what a friend does, right. When a friend is in need, we respond immediately. We don’t let them sit by the road for a day or two! We come to their rescue. We respond quickly out of care and concern.

And, perhaps, that’s it. The core of immediacy in responding has more to do with our care and concern for God than anything else. We know God doesn’t ask without a reason, He doesn’t command without a purpose. So get up! Get going! Something important is happening!

Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realities of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.

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Turn-Around Tuesday – When Prosperity Brings Tension!

Posted on January 22, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land.” (Genesis 13:5–7, ESV) 

And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.With God’s blessings come unique difficulties. Sometimes, it’s jealousy from others. At other times, we have to deal with the rigors of our excess and a shallow personal character, which often manifests in selfishness. 

And then there are those times when there’s just not enough room for you anymore. God can, and does, use our prosperity to both stretch and move us. While this success was at the cost of Sarai’s dignity, the fact was that, “for her sake [Pharaoh] dealt well with Abram; and he had sheep, oxen, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels.” (Genesis 12:16, ESV) 

Once Abram had returned to Bethel with Lot, their enormous wealth began to wear through the family bonds quickly. Each one’s herds were suffering and the limited resources were being depleted quickly. This natural recipe for animosity brought the two together. And Abram, the patriarch of the family, made a most unique choice. 

In his generosity, Abram said,“Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”(Genesis 13:8–9, ESV)

When tensions come into our lives, the way to turn them around is to extend a gracious generosity to others first. Faith understands that God will watch over His child when we imitate His merciful and gracious heart. All we have to do is trust and give. God will do the rest.

So today, as you listen to the still, small voice of the Spirit of the indwelling God, ask yourself two simple questions: Whom am I struggling with? How can I be graciously generous to them today?

Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.

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Magnificent Marriage Monday – Time to Repent and Return!

Posted on January 21, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev—he, his wife, and all he had, and Lot with him. Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold. He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been, to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of the Lordthere.” (Genesis 13:1–4) 

Abram went up from Egypt to … to the site where he had built the altar. And Abram called on the name of the Lord there. Once we feel the bite of God’s discipline, especially when we have misused our wives, there is only one place to go again, back to the Lord. 

It is there, as we fall on our knees, confess our failures, plead for His forgiveness, and trust in God’s restoration that we find new life. Remember what we are taught by brother John, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 

Note the first word there, “If.”A major portion of our lives hinges on the word, “If.”“IfI had just stepped forward in faith instead …” “If I hadn’t said (or done) that …” And here, “If we confess our sins.” 

As Abram returns to the Promised Land, he comes to the realization that though he has greater wealth than ever before in His life, he really has been making the choices that were creating distance between him and others. 

He’d just been kicked out of Egypt as persona non grata for his deceit, and it takes little imagination to guess how Sarai felt about being sold out as a prostitute every time her husband feared for his life. I mean, really, who in their God-fearing mind does that!

And so, the long trek back to God. “He went by stages from the Negev to Bethel.”Now, we know the distance made this necessary, but that’s how God works in our hearts as well. If you will, “Draw near to God … he will draw near to you.” (James 4:8) Each day Abram thought and each night he pondered his failures … like we do. 

Today would be a great day to return to God. You’ve been thinking about it for a while. And afterwards, return to your wife in confession and ask for forgiveness for the way you’ve misused her as well. 

Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.

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Hope For Today – Serious Matters Require Fasting

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today regarding Serious Matters Require Fasting!

Check it out at the link below. Click the link below to listen. Hope For Today is a part of the ministry of Eagles In Leadership. If you would like to know more about the hope God gives and His abundant life through Jesus Christ, I would invite you to check out our website: EaglesInLeadership.org.

Just push the media button below to hear this encouraging message

And, if you are so inclined, sign up for more encouragement through notifications (UPPER RIGHT CORNER OF THE WEBSITE) of other blogs and podcasts while you are at the Eagles in Leadership​ website.

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Faith Filled Friday – When God Tests Us to Our Limit!

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” (Genesis 22:1–3, ESV) 

After these things God tested Abraham. One of the things we learn at some point in our lives with our Master, King Jesus, is that He test our loyalty from time to time. Perhaps a bit more often than we would desire, for sure, but it’s always with our best in mind. 

Whether the tests of God are for our personal strengthening, or to promote us once we succeed, it is sure that no one really likes them! God seems to desire to reveal – both to us and to the world – the stuff we are made of. And in discovering that “stuff” we also seem to grow stronger and bolder after the process. 

Yet, some tests are just too much. Consider this one. God called Abraham to, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”Yes, you read that right. 

Now, on this side of the test, we know God had a ram in the bush and everything worked out fine. God wanted to see if Abraham could trust God enough with his last son, his only son now that Ishmael was gone into the wilderness. 

Later, to the people of Abraham, God would explain such a test in these words, “I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” (Exodus 20:5–6, ESV) 

You too will endure tests of your faith. God wants us to demonstrate our loyalty to Him and Him alone – even above our precious children. The question today is simple, Will we choose God’s will and way over our most precious loves?If the answer is, “Yes!”then God’s blessing lies just around the corner, as Abraham discovered. 

Faith Filled Fridays hope to boost your trust in God and accelerate your daring and courage in everyday life. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each encouragement out of a heart that has known both great joy and great loss – his wife of 38 years, 5 months and 2 days was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. Through every experience, God has proven Himself more than faithful and trustworthy. He welcomes your comments below.

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Train Them Thursday – Focused On Faith!

Posted on January 17, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” (Luke 2:36–38, NASB95)

 

She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. Being a disciple is about being focused on the One who loved us even while we were still sinners (See Romans 5:8). And that focus flows into our daily choices and activities.

Much like the sports enthusiast who buys the gear, watches the games, talks about the plays and knows the statistics, so, too, the disciple of Jesus is immersed in the life of God in similar ways.

So when Anna comes on the scene of Simeon’s praise and blessing of Jesus, as one who has been enthralled with the Lord God Almighty her entire adult life, it comes as no wonder that Luke, the Gospel writer, speaks of her dedication in terms of her activities.

Anna never left the Temple. She was devoted to God and to serving the servants of God. Her life was His life. Her activity was His ministry. That’s what the trained do … they focus on the dynamics of serving God and His people just as much – perhaps more so – than any sports lover does. We can easily see how Anna’s life was the people of God and the God of her people just as fans love their team and their other fans as well.

How she served reveals two key elements of an effective disciple: fastings and prayers. God answers our prayers of faith. And when we are so entwined in Him or overwhelmed in difficulty, getting more serious about being alone with God is natural. Seeking His face, grabbing His attention, calling on His heart to move for us is what Anna demonstrated through her persistent actions.

Are you focused on God? Have you set aside the distractions, including food, to get alone and unburden your soul to Him?

 

Train Them Thursdays seeks to wed the Great Commission directive of Jesus with the practice He employed while on Earth. Each nugget is meant to encourage the reader with a “can-do” spirit to realize that discipleship is something each person is both capable of and empowered to accomplish. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each thought and they flow out of decades of his tried and true field-testing in multiple settings from rural to inner city. He welcomes your comments below.

 

 

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Willing Worker Wednesday – Servant Leaders Are Sold Our Leaders!

Posted on January 16, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:11, HCSB)

 

Falling to their knees, they worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts. It is so easy to tell when a person is truly God’s leader … they are fully sold out to Jesus! What do I mean by that?

Just look for a couple traits. They are so easy to spot. The first trait is the easiest to see: They are surrendered. Did you see what the wise men did first when they found Jesus? They fell to their knees.

Surrender is such a difficult concept in our 21stCentury world. Everyone wants to be a victor, a winner. No one wants to be the conquered, the loser. And so, in our “me-only” society, we shun the concept of bowing before anyone. Ego is too great to allow us the possibility that this is the place of refuge, provision, and happiness.

For the wise men– I hope you didn’t miss their title, wise men – surrender is the most important character trait for blessing and honor. In their yielding to Jesus as King, there is a faith that He will be their Protector. This is the tradeoff. Either we are able to defend ourselves from all attackers or we trust another King, more powerful, to do so. For the Magi, Jesus was the King who was worthy of that role.

Worship, the second trait, is foreign today among the people of God because most associate it with singing. And, while singing is a small part of worship, the core of this concept is to declare that another is worthy of all of our praise and adoration. It is a very me-emptying event.

And how does one show they have emptied themselves of themselves? The easiest way is to sacrifice what they value most to the One they believe is worthy of their worship. For the wise men, they brought expensive gifts, treasures. It cost them greatly as they worshiped Him briefly!

What are you willing to do to show that you are a sold-out servant of the King of kings? How does that reflect the sacrifice of your heart?

 

Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realities of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.

 

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Turn-Around Tuesday – Trust God in the Big Problems!

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“But the Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. So Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this you have done to me? Why did you not tell me that she was your wife? Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her for my wife? Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go.” And Pharaoh gave men orders concerning him, and they sent him away with his wife and all that he had.” (Genesis 12:17–20, ESV)

 

Now then, here is your wife; take her, and go. When our failures are exposed, embarrassment is often the least of the prices we have to pay! Abram’s lies to the King of Egypt about Sarai being his sister – which was a half-truth since she was his half-sister – came back to injure him in the long run in several ways. So do ours!

Abram was climbing the social ladder quickly because Pharaoh had opened the doors of power for him. People liked Abram because Pharaoh liked Abram. That swinging door came back to hit Abram when the King discovered his new bride was an old bride already!

When we choose to lie, God gets involved. Troubles multiply supernaturally when we claim to have Christ and yet act like the devil. Abram’s host felt the judgment of God for adultery as severe plagues fell upon the Egyptians and the King found Abram to be at fault.

As his story unraveled, Abram’s host turned against him and trashed his reputation quickly. As word spread throughout the inner circles of power, there was nowhere to go to receive help. Pharaoh’s displeasure was enough to end Abram’s connections … thus jeopardizing his newfound wealth bought at the price of the sanctity of his marriage bed. (Imagine how Sarai felt about all of this!)

Then the King went one step further. He kicked Abram and all he had out of Egypt, sending them back into the famine-ridden Promised Land. And, in reading ahead in this story, we discover God could and would protect him there, as He would have in the first place, had Abram simply trusted God enough in the first place.

Today, we can avert a whole pile of problems by simply trusting God, especially in the difficult times! God hasn’t forsaken you. He won’t leave you. If He has led you, He will make sure you’re fed!

 

Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.

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Magnificent Marriage Monday – Dealing With The Consequences of Selfishness!

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“He treated Abram well because of her, and Abram acquired flocks and herds, male and female donkeys, male and female slaves, and camels. But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai.” (Genesis 12:16–17, CSB)

 

But the Lord struck Pharaoh and his household with severe plagues because of Abram’s wife Sarai. No matter how well things go with our schemes men, there is a God in Heaven who balances the scales and brings justice to our wives when we mistreat them.

Abram’s little scheme goes so well in the beginning. Pharaoh is so excited with Sarai as his new wife that he not only showers Abram with gifts but opens the financial and social doors of Egypt to him.

Soon, Abram is rolling in wealth. He’s becoming a “who’s who” in the political and social world there. Things seem to be going well and even God seems to be blessing his little secret. And then it happened. God stepped in and made a judgment … a severe judgment!

And this is the way God protects our wives. He will allow our selfish little schemes to run for a little while, but hear me men: There is a day of reckoning coming. God doesn’t tolerate selfishness in the man who is supposed to imitate His Son, Jesus, and His love! (See Ephesians 5:25)

While Sarai did what Abram asked of her, we can be sure she wasn’t pleased with it or him. Did she cry out in prayer or did she just cry before the God who sees every tear and hears every sob?

Abram’s short-term gain cost him in long-term pain. First, God struck his host (Pharaoh and Egypt) with severe plagues. Second, Abram’s reputation was trashed all over Egypt – no one would believe Him because he had lied about something so sacred. And finally, the king himself, Pharaoh, expelled Abram from Egypt as persona non grata. His livelihood and his reputation were in ruins.

Today is a good day to stop and ask yourself if the way you are dealing with your wife sets well at God’s Throne in Heaven. Is He pleased with the way you treat her, His beloved gift to you? Anything less than a whole-hearted, “Yes!” will require some life changes.

 

Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.

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