Studying 1 John 1:2!

Posted on March 10, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Unshakable-Sermon-Slides1-840x385

Welcome back! We return to our study of what it means to walk in the faith by walking with Jesus today here on the Transformed Podcast!

We are here to guide you through this intensive, verse – by – verse study of one of the Christ-follower’s most life-changing Biblical journeys!

As we open the first chapter of 1 John, remember that this small letter was written as a discipleship manual for those in the Apostle John’s home church while he was away. While we don’t know for sure, it is possible that it was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos for his bold and daring faith. As John writes, he calls his flock, and every one of us, to live boldy and unashamedly for Jesus in these last days.

In this first chapter of our study, we come to see that fellowship with the Father, has been made possible through the incarnation of Christ, the eternal Word. It can only be maintained by walking in the light, which means recognizing our daily sins, honestly confessing them quickly and forsaking them as they are revealed to us. This is faith in Christ who was crucified as the remedy for our sin.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith teaches his seminary students what it means to truly walk in the faith by walking with Jesus.

 

We know you will benefit from every episode and hope you will subscribe to the the Eagles In Leadership blog notifications so you do not miss a single episode. It is so easy to subscribe on our webpage.

Please tell a friend how much you are enjoying these teachings and encourage them to subscribe as well.

And now, until our next episode from 1 John, we are praying that the confidence that comes from a close relationship with Jesus will be yours as you apply His word to your lives today!

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The Hard Hearted Don’t Care When Their Actions Injure Others!

Posted on March 8, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

care - I-dont

Some thoughts from Exodus 9:8-12 (ESV)

The hard-heartedness of Pharaoh refused to obey the Lord despite the severe injury to the health of all of his citizens.

With everyone in the country affected, and the magicians unable to stand in the court of the king because of having succumbed to the plague from the God of Heaven, the Lord was tired of the games this small man was playing with Him. The text tells us that the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh. While many theologians debate the morality of this act, their discussions are meaningless. Whether one likes the reality of this action or not, there should be a warning here to all who choose to stand in God’s way: Submit or be decimated and destroyed! God is god. Theologians are not god. And the Lord isn’t moved by the ramblings and judgments of humanity. He does what He pleases, when He pleases to whom He pleases, without impunity. That’s the lesson one should take from this statement and from this series of encounters between God and Moses.

When God wants to rescue His children, He will go to any lengths to make it happen and the person who stands in the way of the Almighty will be shredded.

 

Have you experienced this kind of love from God?

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Transformed #287: Focusing on Heaven by Focusing on Tomorrow!

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Heaven - stairs to

People lean in the direction of the affection! This truth is the core of today’s episode of the Transformed Podcast.

While every church in America is under change right now, many are not doing well as a result of that change.

In this powerful call to the American Church, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith reminds us that we, as the people of God, should be “Focusing on Heaven by Focusing on Tomorrow!”

Walking through 8 focusing actions, Dr. Smith seeks to help you and your church gain God’s attention afresh and end our self-serving ways that are crippling and killing the local churches we attend.

His brought this message to the people who are First Baptist Church in Highland Springs, California last fall.

Now, let’s open our Bibles to Isaiah 58 and prepare to encounter God through His Word …

 

 

Would You Like to Help Spread the Word?

Perhaps you would you consider sharing this message with a friend? God longs to release the captives of our culture into the freedom of faith. Thank you!

 

If you would like to explore how you can be a more effective disciple of Jesus Christ, Dr. Smith has written a book to take you to the next level!

Growing Missional Leaders is a practical passionate, Biblical mentoring journey for individuals, small groups, leadership teams and congregations who desire to win their world for Christ.

Readers will appreciate the enthusiastic and Spirit-filled hope God provides as Matthew …

* Tells stories – of lost opportunities and successes with friends – that give powerful, encouragement of personal and corporate outreach

* Opens Bible passages – again and again – showing God’s heart is to bring his lost children home

* Provides stimulating discussion questions – at the end of each chapter -providing the stepping stones to launching fresh ministry into your community Believers hungering to reach their world for Christ will be energized by this passionate call to fulfill Christ’s Gospel and the invigorating manner in which their thought processes will be stretched to God-sized proportions.

You can order your copy Growing Missional Leaders at the Eagles In Leadership website by clicking the appropriate link on the right hand side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

 

Today’s episode was edited by Melodee Smith in La Puente, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying you would be filled with the love of God so that you can demonstrate His love to the lost and dying in your city! God bless!

 

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Studying 1 John 1:1

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Unshakable-Sermon-Slides1-840x385

 

Welcome to a brand new study of the Word of God on the Transformed Podcast!

Welcome to this intensive, verse – by – verse study of one of the Christ-follower’s most life-changing Biblical journeys!

1 John is a small letter, written as a discipleship manual for those in the Apostle John’s home church while he was away. Perhaps written while in exile on the island of Patmos for his bold and daring faith, John writes to call his flock, and every one of us, to live boldy and unashamedly for Jesus in these last days.  

Here with the first episode of our study, we delve into chapter one and seek to understand the components of a real, vibrant and cleansing relationship with Jesus our Lord and Savior.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith teaches his seminary students what it means to truly walk in the faith by walking with Jesus.

Don’t Miss A Single Episode!

We know you will benefit from every episode and hope you will subscribe to the the Eagles In Leadership blog notifications so you do not miss a single episode. It is so easy to subscribe on our webpage.

Please tell a friend how much you are enjoying these teachings and encourage them to subscribe as well.

And now, until our next episode from 1 John, we are praying that the confidence that comes from a close relationship with Jesus will be yours as you apply His word to your lives today!

 

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The Hard Hearted Care More About Their Reputation Than Other People’s Lives!

Posted on March 1, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

care-i-dont-wallpaper

 

Some thoughts from Exodus 9:1-7 (ESV)

The hard-heartedness of Pharaoh refused to acquiesce to the Lord’s request despite the destruction of the nation’s food supply.

With all of the livestock in the nation dead, except for those under the control of the Israelites, and a verified accounting given to Pharaoh, he still chooses to follow his foolishness and not submit to God’s request. The impending disaster of the nation seems to not even cross his mind. Where will the nation get the food to survive? Most of the grain crops are destroyed. Now, there will be no meat to eat. Without a care, the pride of this self-appointed “god” of the Egypt has doomed his people to a famine.

When pride overcomes common sense, death follows: Either the death of the proud or those who are dependent upon their care, or both.

 

Do you have an experience that mirrors this?

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Transformed #286: What Makes a Great Coach?

Posted on February 28, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Coach Help

Craig Groeschel reminds us that, “successful people do consistently what normal people do occasionally.” When it comes to Sunday School, nothing could be closer to the truth!

As we wrap up our New Year series, “When Sunday School Works Well!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith reminds us that great disciplers, great Sunday School teachers, great small group leaders like you have made 5 core commitments that transform everything they do.

As you listen to this training, remember Dr. Smith is speaking to you – believing YOU can make a difference and that God has placed YOU where you are to change lives. His taught this lesson at a recent conference in Northern California on the subject, “What Makes a Great Coach?

Would You Like to Help Spread the Word?

Perhaps you would you consider sharing this message with a friend? God longs to release the captives of our culture into the freedom of faith. Thank you!

 

If you would like to explore how you can be a more effective disciple of Jesus Christ, Dr. Smith has written a book to take you to the next level!

Growing Missional Leaders is a practical passionate, Biblical mentoring journey for individuals, small groups, leadership teams and congregations who desire to win their world for Christ.

Readers will appreciate the enthusiastic and Spirit-filled hope God provides as Matthew …

* Tells stories – of lost opportunities and successes with friends – that give powerful, encouragement of personal and corporate outreach

* Opens Bible passages – again and again – showing God’s heart is to bring his lost children home

* Provides stimulating discussion questions – at the end of each chapter -providing the stepping stones to launching fresh ministry into your community Believers hungering to reach their world for Christ will be energized by this passionate call to fulfill Christ’s Gospel and the invigorating manner in which their thought processes will be stretched to God-sized proportions.

You can order your copy Growing Missional Leaders at the Eagles In Leadership website by clicking the appropriate link on the right hand side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

 

Today’s episode was recorded live in Orangevale, California and edited by Melodee Smith in La Puente, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying you would be filled with the love of God so that you can demonstrate His love to the lost and dying in your city! God bless!

 

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Studying James 5:20!

Posted on February 25, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

James web slider

Welcome to the Transformed Podcast!

Dr. Matthew Smith, director of Eagles In Leadership, continues to teach verse by verse through the book of James, one verse per podcast. These studies were recorded live in his class at Bible Believers Christian College and Seminary in Hawthorne, California.

The book of James has been called, “the faith explained” and that is the purpose of these teachings. These short studies are designed to help you grow your faith.

Now, let’s open our Bibles to the book of James as Dr. Smith, Director of Eagles In Leadership, discusses our faith from the words of the step-brother of Jesus, the head of the Jerusalem Church …

 

This podcast was recorded in Hawthorne, California and edited by Melodee Smith.

 

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The Hard Hearted Refuse to Honor Their Commitments!

Posted on February 23, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

manipulative-behavior

Some thoughts from Exodus 8:28-32 (ESV)

The hard-heartedness of Pharaoh refused to honor His own agreements despite the Lord’s follow through in keeping His side of the agreement.

Pharaoh calls for prayer, saying plead for me as he verbally gives in to the Lord’s demand to, “Let my people go, that they may serve me.” So Moses asked God to remove the swarms of flies and He complies. But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and did not let the people go.

Amazing, isn’t it? In crisis, the proud may plead for help. But once it is averted, the pride reasserts itself. Such are the orchestrations of manipulators. They choose to do what is necessary to get what they want, all the while never intending to allow anyone – even the Master of the Universe – to dictate the ultimate terms of their lives.

What’s your experience been concerning manipulators?

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Hope For Today – Only You Can Help Us Lord!

Posted on February 22, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

help-sign-above-water

Photo Credit: www.clearlakechurch.com

What do you do when your enemies surround you on every side and defeat looks imminent? Cry? Give up? Quit?

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today to remind us that only the Lord can help us!

Attacked by an army of over a million men, the king of Judah, “cried out to the Lord his God, “Lord, only you can help the weak against the powerful. Help us, Lord our God, because we rely on you and we have marched against this multitude in your name. You are the Lord our God. Don’t let a mere human stand against you!” (2 Chronicles 14:11, Common English Bible)

In many ways, these are dark days for Christians. If we believe the Bible and take the God of the Bible at His word, then much of our culture is in juxtaposition with us. Name a subject; God is probably on the other side of our “do whatever you want to feel good” culture.

Legal assaults against businesses, colleges, and Biblical imagery across our land are hardly news anymore. It seems like millions have chosen to eradicate the name of Jesus and his followers voices as well.

To our present reality, the king of Judah reminds us to act in faith and pray with passion, “Lord, only you can help the weak against the powerful. Help us, Lord our God, because we rely on you and we have marched against this multitude in your name. You are the Lord our God. Don’t let a mere human stand against you!”

 

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: Eagles In Leadership . org; that’s Eagles In Leadership .org.

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Transformed #285: Coaching Our Class to Christlikeness!

Posted on February 21, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Coaching-iStock-pic-medium

Losing is no fun! And yet, to be honest, Sunday Schools and Churches are losing people all across this nation.

As we continue our New Year series, “When Sunday School Works Well!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith speaks plainly about why we are losing and the desperate need for our some great coaching to turn things around.

While listening to this training, you will see how Dr. Smith exposes some real and painful truths about our churches when he spoke at a recent conference in Northern California on the subject, “Coaching Our Class to Christlikeness!

Would You Like to Help Spread the Word?

Perhaps you would you consider sharing this message with a friend? God longs to release the captives of our culture into the freedom of faith. Thank you!

 

If you would like to explore how you can be a more effective disciple of Jesus Christ, Dr. Smith has written a book to take you to the next level!

Growing Missional Leaders is a practical passionate, Biblical mentoring journey for individuals, small groups, leadership teams and congregations who desire to win their world for Christ.

Readers will appreciate the enthusiastic and Spirit-filled hope God provides as Matthew …

* Tells stories – of lost opportunities and successes with friends – that give powerful, encouragement of personal and corporate outreach

* Opens Bible passages – again and again – showing God’s heart is to bring his lost children home

* Provides stimulating discussion questions – at the end of each chapter -providing the stepping stones to launching fresh ministry into your community Believers hungering to reach their world for Christ will be energized by this passionate call to fulfill Christ’s Gospel and the invigorating manner in which their thought processes will be stretched to God-sized proportions.

You can order your copy Growing Missional Leaders at the Eagles In Leadership website by clicking the appropriate link on the right hand side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

 

Today’s episode was recorded live in Orangevale, California and edited by Melodee Smith in La Puente, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying you would be filled with the love of God so that you can demonstrate His love to the lost and dying in your city! God bless!

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