Hope For Today – Help Me Be Brave!

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

brave-image

Photo Credit: sarahkocischeilz.wordpress.com

Fear is insidious, isn’t it? It scares us right down to the lint between our toes. It stops us in our tracks and derails our life in an instant!

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today for those of you who are praying, Lord, Help me be brave!

Azariah the prophet told Asa the king one day, “But as for you, be brave and don’t lose heart, because your work will be rewarded!” (2 Chronicles 15:7, Common English Bible)

Fear is a constant problem in our lives, and it was no different in the life of King Asa of Judah. Surrounded by enemies and world powers that were collapsing, global instability was in the air.

Internally, people were choosing lawlessness and taking liberties God never intended. An invasion of foreign faiths threatened to tear the shrunken state of Judah into shreds. Does any of this sound familiar?

Into this mess, God sends a message to the king and says, I know what everyone else is doing. “But as for you, be brave and don’t lose heart, because your work will be rewarded!”

Today, with political instability, terrorism, rampant immorality, financial roller coasters, and a growing unease globally, many people are looking for peace and pleasure anywhere they can find it. Despite all this, God is saying to you today: “But as for you, be brave and don’t lose heart, because your work will be rewarded!”

 

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 #283: Modeling Our Sunday School After New Testament Health and Growth!

Posted on February 7, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

healthinsurance1

Sometimes we make the simple way too complicated. This is especially true when it comes to our discipleship using Sunday School or small groups.

As we continue our New Year series, “When Sunday School Works Well!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith refocuses us on the purpose of discipleship through our Sunday School and then opens up the New Testament genius of health and growth.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Smith brings hope and help to leaders like yourself at a recent conference in Northern California on the subject, “Modeling Our Sunday School After New Testament Health and Growth!

 

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 5:17!

Posted on February 4, 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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Hard Heartedness Refuses to Acknowledge God’s Supernatural Activities!

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

hard-heart1

Some thoughts from Exodus 7:20-25 (ESV)

The hard-heartedness of Pharaoh refused to take the supernatural actions of the Lord to heart.

We begin to understand Pharaoh better as we explore his stubborn refusal to accommodate the Lord’s command. Despite the miracle of turning water into blood, this emperor is unphased. He watched his magicians do the same “trick” and walked away without another thought. While this was a “first salvo” across the bow of the nation of Egypt, Pharaoh finds nothing of interest or intimidation in it. This is often the case of power and pride.

When one thinks they are invincible, they usually ignore the gracious attempts of the Lord to bring them to Himself.

 

What do you think? I’d love to hear!

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Hope For Today – Favor Me With Your Power, Lord!

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

Power fist

Photo Credit: www.ubcieee.org

Are you working on a new life or a new project and need God’s help? Most of us, if we are honest, would admit we could use God’s intervention in our situation right now!

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about crying out to God so that He favors us with His power!

Ezra reminds us today that, “The power of God favors all who seek him, but his fierce wrath is against all who abandon him.” (Ezra 8:22, Common English Bible)

In the Old Testament God’s man, Erza, chose not to take a guard on a dangerous mission because he bragged on the Lord’s power. In effect, He put God’s reputation on the line before his boss, the king.

God wants to show Himself strong on our behalf. Ezra believed that … not in his head, but in the DNA of his soul. After years of studying the Bible, he had come to a simple conviction: “The power of God favors all who seek him, but his fierce wrath is against all who abandon him.”

Did you hear that? “The power of God favors all who seek him!” Are you seeking God with all your heart, soul, mind and spirit? Then He will favor you! The reverse is a great diagnostic as well: Is the favor of God missing from my life? Then I need to seek God with ALL my heart, soul, mind and spirit!

“The power of God favors all who seek him!” You know you believe it when you start bragging on God BEFORE you start that next project!

 

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 #282: Winning Depends on These Strategies!

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Dark chalkboard with a Strategy diagram illustration.

 

Paul was clear that we were to run the spiritual race to win! But how? How to do run to win?

In our New Year series, “When Sunday School Works Well!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith explains both the principle and four key strategies form the Apostle Paul’s own words to make that happen in the lives of the men and women you disciple.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Smith trains key leaders, like yourself, at a recent conference in Northern California on the subject, “Winning Depends on These Strategies.

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 5:16!

Posted on January 28, 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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Hope For Today – The Danger of Drift!

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

hope changes everything 2

It’s so easy to get caught up in life. We’ve talked about it before, but it bears repeating often: Life has a tendency to drag us away without our even noticing. And all too often, it’s to the detriment of our priorities.

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about the danger of drift!

Peter tells us in Hebrews 2.1 (Modern English Version): “We should be more attentive to what we have heard, lest we drift away.”

Why is it that we seem to have spiritual ADD? We want to walk with God. We desire to be in His presence. We long for the abundant life He promises. And we know that, like in ANY relationship, we will need to put in OUR part if we are going to see any of that happen. Remember, James (4.8) said we need to draw near to God first, and then He WOULD draw near to us. In other words, the next step to a close relationship with God is ours!

But then … life happens! Kid’s games, the husband’s work schedule, your boss wants you to stay later for this “special project.” Days slip into weeks of an “out of control” lifestyle – pulled and banged around by the streams of others needs.

And then, like right now, someone reminds us to be more attentive to what we have heard – the Word of God – lest we drift away from Him! Isn’t it time you put God and His Word back on your calendar and your Day-Timer? Why not do it right now – God first – just write Him into your life schedule!

 

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 Podcast #281: Strategies for a Winning Sunday School!

Posted on January 24, 2016 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

sunday-school Growing together in Christ

If we are to truly disciple the men and women who attend our Sunday School or small groups, we will need to seek to help them “win” at the spiritual life.

In our New Year series, “When Sunday School Works Well!” Dr. Matthew Lee Smith turns our attention to four Biblical targets of discipleship and training reminds us that there are many who would “drown our dreams” of spiritual growth and advancement.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Smith shares seven key strategies to excel in one’s spiritual life as he recently spoke on the subject, “Strategies For a Winning Sunday School” in Northern California.

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!

 

Posted in Small Groups, Sunday School, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Studying James 5:15!

Posted on January 21, 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.

Posted in James Study, Transformed | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment