Willing Worker Wednesday – God Is On The Case!

Posted on October 24, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“He has done a mighty deed with His arm; He has scattered the proud because of the thoughts of their hearts; He has toppled the mighty from their thrones and exalted the lowly. He has satisfied the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, just as He spoke to our ancestors, to Abraham and his descendants forever.” (Luke 1:51–55, HCSB)

 

He has helped His servant Israel, mindful of His mercy, just as He spoke to our ancestors. Sometimes we forget God is on the case! While we struggle and the battle we wage against the world, the flesh, and the devil feels like it will never end, God is working on our behalf.

While I don’t pretend to understand the complexities of the mind of God I do know that trials and troubles are for our spiritual maturity and growth (James 1). As we work for Him, He develops our leadership skills, if we willingly follow and trust Him.

Nowhere is that more encouraged in the New Testament than in the Holy Spirit’s words to Mary, the mother of Jesus, through Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptizer. As we listen to what is said, I want to focus your attention on the verbs in this passage. Notice how this text starts off: “He has done a mighty deed with His arm.” But what has God done? Again, notice the verbs.

“He has scattered the proud.” “He has toppled the mighty.” “He has satisfied the hungry.” “He has helped His servant.” All of these acts reveal the intricacy of God’s activities behind the scenes. As He commissions you and I to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20), He is busy setting countless things in motion. He thwarts those who work against Him (and us), and He promotes the activities that will bring about His will as we work on His agenda.

Pondering these words should enliven our souls with the energy we need to press on toward to goal when we’d rather chuck in the towel, sit on the couch and eat till we explode! But, God is at work! He’s at work all around us! He’s doing the “heavy lifting” that we cannot do so that when we proclaim the Good News of His love and leadership, people are more willing and ready to receive it. Isn’t it great that God does so much so that we can be successful on His mission?

 

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.

 

Posted in Leadership Blog, Willing Worker Wednesdays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turn-Around Tuesday – When God Remembers Us!

Posted on October 23, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind blow over the earth, and the waters subsided. The fountains of the deep and the windows of the heavens were closed, the rain from the heavens was restrained, and the waters receded from the earth continually. At the end of 150 days the waters had abated,” (Genesis 8:1–3, ESV)

 

But God remembered Noah and all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark. So many times we feel like God has forgotten us. It seems like forever for many of us since God spoke and our lives were changed. Our memories of the day of our transformation through salvation are faint in the fog of today’s troubles, aren’t they?

And yet, you’ve done what God has called you to do. You have kept the faith. While you have stumbled from time to time, you have stayed the course. In your faithfulness, the struggle has been so difficult. Yet, God has chosen this moment to stop and attend to your need, to answer your prayer, to remove the obstacle, and bring about your victory!

God remembers … God looks down … God chooses to intervene at the exact moment we need Him most. For the faithful, for those who have chosen not to give up, God’s timing will be perfect.

When He shows up, He shows off! For Noah, God changed the weather. He stopped the flow of subterranean rivers. God allowed the floodwaters to subside.

Today, be assured that your storm is beginning to pass. God is working on the solution and the perfect timing of its execution. God knows the when and God knows the how of your rescue. Trust Him to come upon your nightmare and turn it into a distant memory.

Your faithfulness will be rewarded. Your fortitude will be applauded. God loves how you are remaining true to His words. He brags about your willingness to endure hardship for His name and His fame. He tells of your exploits to the angels in Heaven.

Be assured He will soon move the heavens and earth for you!

 

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.

Posted in 2 - Turn-Around Tuesdays (trials and troubles), Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magnificent Marriage Monday – Growing Into All God Intends You To Become!

Posted on October 22, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“The man was intimate with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain. She said, “I have had a male child with the Lord’s help.” She also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground.” (Genesis 4:1–2, CSB)

 

Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. Unless you marry in your later years, God’s design and desire is for you to have children. Note, I didn’t say, “a child.” The command of God was, “God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth.” (Genesis 1:28, CSB)  Last time I checked, and correct me if I’m wrong, multiples of two (Adam and Eve) would be four, six, eight, etc.

Now, when God gives you children, the first thing you will notice, as Adam and Eve did, was that a magnificent marriage is designed by God to be enlivened by multiple children who have different personalities! In other words, our children aren’t alike, don’t think alike and, most likely, don’t agree or act like either of their parents.

This is all part of God’s design and desire to bring depth and meaning into our marriage. It allows us to be stretched and to develop our leadership skills. Differing styles of people (your kids) brings out new managerial and leadership needs which you, as a couple, must seek to engage in and become proficient in mastering.

God designed these unique children to develop you into godliness and spiritual maturity. In fact, as a husband, your success in managing and leading your children is a public mark that you may be ready for spiritual leadership in your local church. Speaking to the position of an elder of the local church, Paul puts this as one of the requirements for consideration: “He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?)” (1 Timothy 3:4–5, CSB)

Thus, today, rejoice in God’s amazing creativity and His direct intervention in your lives. He greatly desires your growth and, as such, He gave you the children you need to become all that He longs you to become. Pray for wisdom, lead with love, and become amazing!

 

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.

Posted in Magnificent Marriage Mondays, Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hope For Today – Finding God When We’re Lost!

Posted on October 21, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Todaya bout Finding God When We’re Lost from 2 Chronicles 15.4, (CSB) …

… but when they turned to the Lord God of Israel in their distress and sought him, he was found by them.

 

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!

Posted in Hope For Today, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Faith Filled Friday – Faith Stretches Reality!

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“And God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. I will bless her, and moreover, I will give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she shall become nations; kings of peoples shall come from her.” Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?”” (Genesis 17:15–17, ESV)

Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed and said to himself, “Shall a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child? If you haven’t figured it out yet, faith operates in the realm of the ridiculous, humanly speaking.

Take the centenarian, Abraham, and his much younger wife, 90-year-old Sarah. After twenty-five years of waiting, and 13 years after Abraham and Sarah’s surrogate parenting fiasco, God shows up to show off!

Now He announces the long-awaited fulfillment of His promise. There are only two small problems. As Paul eloquently and delicately puts it, “In hope [Abraham] believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb.” (Romans 4:18–19, ESV) In 21stCentury medical terms, Abraham was impotent and Sarah was post-menopausal.

And this is the moment God shows up to show off! Long after the dream has died. Long after they “helped” God achieve His promise, only to experience the pain of their doubt-filled choice resulting in the birth of Ishmael.

You see, God works in the world of the impossible. As Jesus so succinctly and clearly put it to the man with the demon-possessed boy: “All things are possible for one who believes.”(Mark 9:23, ESV)

If your vision or dream has died, perhaps today is the day to pick it back up, dust it off and remember that couple who nursed their baby and changed his diapers at an age most people are already dead!

 

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.

Posted in faith, Faith-Filled Fridays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Train Them Thursday – Perplexed When Favored By God!

Posted on October 18, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And coming in, he said to her, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was.” (Luke 1:26–29, NASB95)

 

But she was very perplexed at this statement, and kept pondering what kind of salutation this was. In a cooking show, I recently watched there was a contestant who, to say it mildly, thought he was the best in the room. To be honest, he was full of himself. His technique was amazing but his concept was lacking.

Before he met the judges he was brimming with assurance. The only problem was that, to his total dismay and confusion, the judges were underwhelmed. The tastes didn’t make it and the technique was too complicated. In short, he banked on the fact that he was amazing and, well, he wasn’t and, thus, neither was his creation.

In living the fully devoted life of Jesus as His disciple, one of the most incredible realities is that He commends humility and service. People of no reputation, in places of no repute, seem to be those whom God has His eyes on most often … when they are simply seeking to honor Him with their whole life and heart.

Enter Mary, engaged to Joseph the Carpenter, in Nazareth, Galilee, in occupied “Israel,” then known as Palestine. At the end of the road that led to their dismal little hamlet, the minor players on the stage of humanity were, in reality, the major characters in God’s eternal, unfolding drama of redemption. God loves humanity and these two are key to fleshing out that love – literally!

Yet, Mary knows nothing of God’s favor. She’s not experienced anything that would have given her even the slightest inkling that God was about to shove her front and center, for eternity, into His plan to redeem humanity and fulfill His promises from millennia past!

And, there it is. Do what God calls you to do. Serve with joy and humility. God is watching our every move and motive. One day, perhaps soon, should He desire, He will pour out His favor upon 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.

 

 

Posted in Discipleship, Train Them Thursdays (discipleship) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Willing Worker Wednesday – Exploding in Praise!

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior, because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy. His mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear Him.” (Luke 1:46–50, HCSB)

 

Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, because the Mighty One has done great things for me. Leaders of Jesus intuitively know that God’s mercy flows through the callings He gives. Mary reveals that attitude that bubbles forth when the call of God comes … submission and surrender explode into praise of God!

Just in these short verses above the casual reader will notice Mary’s focus: God and His character. What does the willing worker of Jesus know about their God?

God is great! At the center of our lives comes the reality that we serve the One who alone is worthy of all we have. No other god comes close to the character of the Lord who loves us with infinite care.

God is our rescuer! In every bleak moment of life, God is near. Thus, there is no reason to fear. While His timing isn’t ours, it is always right. When God acts, it is at the best time each time.

God is our master! Because he is all knowing and all wise, He is the One in charge. We can trust His timing, His work, and the intricacy of His plan. So many moving parts are controlled by the One who knows!

God is our blesser! God gives. It’s His nature. And with every call and mission comes the reality that God will reward His faithful ones.

God is mighty! All the resources of eternity are stacked up at our disposal. God wants us to succeed and will ensure His will is done.

God is holy! He is unique. Therefore, all He does and all He chooses – including us – are special. God chose us. That’s our significance.

God is merciful! He doesn’t give us what we deserve. Mary understood He chooses us to be a blessing and to be blessed!

Today, explode in praise, knowing God is worthy of your words!

 

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.

 

Posted in Leadership Blog, Willing Worker Wednesdays | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Turn-Around Tuesday – Enjoying the Incredible Benefits of Obedience!

Posted on October 16, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“And Noah did all that the Lord had commanded him … Everything on the dry land in whose nostrils was the breath of life died. He blotted out every living thing that was on the face of the ground, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens. They were blotted out from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark.” (Genesis 7:5, 22–23, ESV)

 

Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ark. Whenever we obey God over time, incredible things happen. Suffering happens when we choose our way, the shortcut, the easy way. God’s path is difficult, Jesus was clear about that …

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:13–14, ESV)

Noah’s path was hard, filled with ridicule, ridiculous commands, and wretched working conditions. However, from the very first day, Noah obeyed. Now, the day God had warned him about had come to pass. Destruction fell on those who chose the wide gate, the easy way. Noah was secure in the results of his obedience.

History is littered with the bodies of those who thought they were smarter than God. In their battle of wits, God won every time. For you and I, despite the turns and rebellions, we have chosen, God always wants us to return. And, when we return, our obedience to God’s expressed directions will turn around our situation, fill us with hope, and assure us that “God is near and there is NOTHING to fear!”

When God warns us to turn, He means to enact His plan whether we choose to follow His will or not. The joyful thing about God’s love is that He always welcomes us back. The sad thing about God’s character is that He can’t be manipulated. We have to come on His terms.

So today, no matter where you are at or what you have done, turn your situation around by doing exactly what you know you must. Ask for God’s forgiveness if you need to. Confess where you failed him. And, simply, obey. There’s life in obedience. Choose life 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.

Posted in 2 - Turn-Around Tuesdays (trials and troubles), Suffering | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Magnificent Marriage Monday – Guarding God’s Gifts!

Posted on October 15, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“The Lord God made clothing from skins for the man and his wife, and he clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21, CSB)

 

The Lord God made clothing … and he clothed them. We live in corrupt times. So many people have accepted the cultural norms around us and have jettisoned God’s standards – His desires and declarations. One of those areas that can erode the magnificence of our marriage is in the area of physical exposure.

To be sure, the Bible tells us that before Adam’s disobedience to God’s direct command not to eat from the Tree of Good and Evil, the couple was naked and not ashamed. However, with their rejection of God’s directive, everything changed. And, as it changed, God made the necessary adjustments to Adam and Eve’s lifestyle choices.

You will remember that after their choice to eat the forbidden fruit, we are told, “Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7, CSB)

Now we read that God changed their clothing selection and went for a more covering style. It takes little imagination to “see” the difference between the fig leaf bikini and trunks that Adam and Eve created and the more modest leather clothing God made.

What was He doing? In essence, God was saying, “Cover what is special, what belongs just for the two of you.” Holding the gift of our bodies in high esteem for our mate is the essence of honor and holiness. God has given us each other. We are promising our lives to only one person, that one whom we believe God has chosen for us for the rest of our lives.

Our physical bodies are the ultimate and complete offering to our spouses. Sacred is an appropriate term for such a gift. Not to be shared, not to be viewed by another is God’s implicit statement here in His simple act of tailoring.

As you embrace all the abundance God has given you with your life-partner today, remember: You are the gift God has given them. They are the gift God has given you. Share yourself with them alone.

 

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.

Posted in Magnificent Marriage Mondays, Marriage | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hope For Today – Grief Is a Vampire!

Posted on October 14, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about the reality that Grief is a Vampire by reminding us that the Bible says in Proverbs 17.22 (CSB) …

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

 

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!

Posted in Hope For Today, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment