Know God’s Timing!

Posted on April 4, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Timing - GodsPerfectPhoto Credit: jamesmcgahey.blogspot.com

The secret lies in how we handle today, not yesterday or tomorrow.  Today … that special block of time holding the key that locks out yesterday’s nightmares and unlocks tomorrow’s dreams. ~ Charles Swindoll

Do you suffer from impulsiveness? Wikipedia defines it as “a tendency to act on a whim, displaying behavior characterized by little or no forethought, reflection, or consideration of consequences. Impulsive actions typically are poorly conceived, prematurely expressed, unduly risky, or inappropriate to the situation that often result in undesirable consequences, which imperil long-term goals and strategies for success. A functional variety of impulsivity has also been suggested, which involves action without much forethought in appropriate situations that can and does result in desirable consequences.”

When Jesus fed the 5,000, those very people decided that they liked the free food and wanted to make Him King! However, Jesus knew that their own selfishness and not godly timing drove them, so He rejected the plans of those people for the timing of God.

“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” (John 6:14–15, NKJV)

We imitate Jesus when …

  • We sense the will of God more than the accolades and popularity of the crowd!

Such wisdom requires a sensitive spirit that knows the voice of God and the Word of God well. Being able to sift the plans of the people from the plans of God is one of the telltale signatures of a godly man or woman. This is only accomplished by a life lived in the Spirit, alone from the distractions of the world.

When we choose to listen to God instead of the majority around us, we know we have come to godliness. God will lift up the humble and submissive in His time for His purposes.

Pastor Matt

 

 

© 2013 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved. Not for resale.

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Episode 151 – What’s the Big Deal About Debt?

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Welcome to the Transformed podcast.

Details matter! This is the whole point of the Biblical principle of “managing,” which is According to a USA Today article about debt, 78% of Baby Boomers have mortgage debt, 59% have credit card debt, and 56% have car payments. It takes a lot of will, discipline, courage and help to slay the debt monster. But it can be done.

In this study, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Lead Pastor at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, California shows us that those who desire to be entrusted with the true riches of Heaven understand at least 5 consequences to borrowing.

Let’s open our Bibles and join Pastor Smith as he answers the question, What’s the Big Deal about Debt?

 

 

In that prayer of repentance, Dr. Smith was including you as well. It is our deepest desire that you will become free from the enslavement of debt so you can do the ministry God desires of you!

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

If you would like to explore how to enjoy a deeper life with God, one that God is pleased with, Dr. Smith has written a daily devotional book that will help you do just that!

In His Presence is a detailed look at walking with God through life’s ups and downs. Built around the premise that God welcomes you into His presence with joy and pleasure, In His Presence helps you see that the life of abundance can only be enjoyed when we take everything to the Lord and walk every day at His right hand.

You can order a copy of In His Presence from Amazon by clicking the link on the side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

Today’s episode was recorded live in El Segundo, California and edited by Ryan Longsworth in Los Angeles, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying that 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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Not My Will, But Yours Be Done!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

will_walking-in-his

Integrity is not what we do so much as who we are.  And who we are, in turn, determines what we do.  Our system of values is so much a part of us we cannot separate it from ourselves.  It becomes the navigating system that guides us.  It establishes priorities in our lives and judges what we will accept or reject.

~ John Maxwell

Wanting to do your own will is easy, and often wrong. Jesus called us to “deny ourselves.” (Matthew 16-24) In this call is the constant denial of the expedient to achieve the eternal. Jesus knew that the Father’s will was of highest importance. He also understood that the Father’s timing was vital to the accomplishment of that will.

When men came to make Him King, Jesus knew this was God’s will, but it was not God’s timing or God’s way. Discernment is a huge aspect of understanding and living the will of God. Note Jesus reaction to this “vote of confidence” by the crowd:

“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” (John 6:14–15, NKJV)

We imitate Jesus when …

  • We choose to do the will of God, especially when it involves the denial of our own desires!

As Jesus walked away from this “coronation,” He knew He was headed to the cross. Trusting the Father over the will of the majority isn’t easy. Often it involves such emotional agony that one must get away, alone with God. This is exactly what Jesus did. And there on the mountain, alone, Jesus affirmed His desire – to do the Father’s will.

Imitating Jesus is what the Christian life is all about. We become more like Him when we choose the path of God and deny our own. This requires a constant, vibrant walk with God, an ability to listen to His voice in the Bible and hear His voice through the indwelling Spirit. May God grant you the strength and courage to repeatedly say, “Not my will but yours be done!”

Pastor Matt

 

 

© 2013 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved. Not for resale.

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Give What You Have to Meet the Need!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

give_you_my_heart

 

“The loving person is a generous person. Generosity is giving your attention, time, abilities, and money freely to others.”  ~ Gary Chapman

How many times have you felt like the little you have isn’t worth contributing to the enormous need before you? You see a family that has nothing, and you think, “But my few dollars won’t make a difference.” You see so many people who are hungry and all you have is your lunch with you. “How could this help?” you ask yourself. We learn from the feeding of the 5,000 a simple truth: Jesus says that we should share what we have – He will do the rest.

“But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.” Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.” (Mark 6:37–39, NKJV)

We imitate Jesus when …

  • We give all we have to meet the need before us, trusting God to do the supernatural in making up the difference!

Jesus took those five small barley loaves and two fish and fed 5,000 men and their families! The size of your gift isn’t important. Giving your all is. When this young boy (John 6.9) gave his entire lunch, everyone was satisfied.

Generosity in one becomes the means through which God blesses the many. Where do you need to “let go” of your provisions so that others may enjoy the blessing of being filled by Jesus?

 

 

© 2013 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved. Not for resale.

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Episode 149 – Can Anyone Ever Be Financially Free?

Posted on March 17, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

How Money Works slider

Welcome to the Transformed podcast.

In order to be financially free, we will need to know and practice all three factors that are involved in financial freedom. Unsurprisingly, the first one corresponds directly to the three “love commands” of the New Testament – love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; love your neighbor as yourself; and love one another just as I have loved you.

In this study, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Lead Pastor at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, California answers the questions, “What Is Financial Freedom?” “What Does It Mean to Be Financially Free?” and, “What are the Basic Factors of Financial Freedom?”

As we open our Bibles to Luke 16, let’s join Pastor Smith as he answers the question, Can Anyone Ever Be Financially Free?

 

 

Know that you are included in that prayer today for courage, strength and favor from God!

If you would like to explore how to enjoy a deeper life with God, one that God is pleased with, Dr. Smith has written a daily devotional book that will help you do just that!

In His Presence is a detailed look at walking with God through life’s ups and downs. Built around the premise that God welcomes you into His presence with joy and pleasure, In His Presence helps you see that the life of abundance can only be enjoyed when we take everything to the Lord and walk every day at His right hand.

You can order a copy of In His Presence from Amazon by clicking the link on the side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

Today’s episode was recorded live in El Segundo, California and edited by Ryan Longsworth in Los Angeles, California.

And now, until next time, I’m your host Mike Powers, praying that 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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Mourning Will Have to Wait, There’s Ministry To Do!

Posted on March 14, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

matthew-16_24

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NKJV)

 

Personal needs often take a back seat to the disciple of Jesus. No matter the situation we are in, often the needs of others crowd ours out. And this is the way Jesus taught would be normal.  

With the murder of John the Baptist, Jesus calls the twelve to retreat and rest, recover and regroup in a deserted, quiet place. However, when people saw that Jesus was available, they swarmed Him. As they surrounded Him, the plans for grieving the loss of His cousin would have to wait. We read …

“And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:31–34, NKJV)

We imitate Jesus when …

  • We choose to put the needs of others ahead of our needs, despite the seriousness of our situation!

God gave His Son to be murdered because He loved us so much! (John 3:16) That model alone should reflect to us the importance of this life we follow, this King we call, “Lord.” While we would like to get away and grieve, God would call us to go along and give. How much more could we become Jesus to those around us?

 

 

© 2013 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved. Not for resale.

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Episode 148 – Why Did God Make Money Anyway?

Posted on March 10, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

How Money Works slider

Welcome to the Transformed podcast. I’m your host Mike Powers.

Money. Just the word incites a flurry of emotions. People long for it, work hard to get it, will do many things in order to have more of it and wonder why it never satisfies their deepest needs.

In this first study, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Lead Pastor at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, California begins a truly life-changing study on, How Money Works … According to God.  Today we look at 4 of God’s purposes for money so that we might find the satisfaction we long for in this life. We will look into the life of Elijah and see how his situation is mirrored in the commands of the New Covenant over and over again.

As we open our Bibles one more time to 1 Kings 17, let’s join Pastor Smith as he answers the question, Why Did God Make Money Anyway?

 

 

With that prayer of repentance, Pastor Matt launches this series, How Money Works … According to God!

If you would like to explore how to enjoy a deeper life with God, one that God is pleased with, Dr. Smith has written a daily devotional book that will help you do just that!

In His Presence is a detailed look at walking with God through life’s ups and downs. Built around the premise that God welcomes you into His presence with joy and pleasure, In His Presence helps you see that the life of abundance can only be enjoyed when we take everything to the Lord and walk every day at His right hand.

You can order a copy of In His Presence from Amazon by clicking the link on the side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

Today’s episode was recorded live in El Segundo, California and edited by Ryan Longsworth in Los Angeles, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying that 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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It Doesn’t Always End Well!

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Truth Is Always Right

Truth is not always popular, but it is always right.

 

There is a pernicious lie in the religion of Churchianity: If you do well, life will be incredible! Unfortunately, this is a truth from a different faith. One need only go back to the Gospels to discover that the Master of our lives was murdered, as was 10 of his closest followers. Even the “disciple whom Jesus loved” was exiled to a Roman rock quarry as an old man, conscripted to break big rocks into gravel. (John 13:23; Revelation 1)

In reality, when we stand for what is right and true, God often allows His children to suffer and, yes, even die for their faith. Why does He allow this? Some things are always right, no matter who thinks otherwise. Despite the shallowness of the faith of some or the carnality of the souls of others, God’s Word and God’s Will are always true and they are worth living … and dying for.

Your adversaries are waiting to pounce on you. When the time is right, they will take advantage of any situation to remove your convicting comments from their lives. Such was the case of John the Baptizer …

“Immediately [the daughter of Herodias] came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” And [Herod] was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.” (Mark 6:25–29, NKJV)

We imitate Jesus when …

  • We refuse to recant the express will and word of God, no matter the personal cost or sacrifice!

The adulterer gets her way and John’s life is forfeit. Yet, Jesus will call John, “the greatest in the Kingdom.” (Matthew 11:11) Compromise is a dirty word when it comes to the revealed will and word of God, for it is not within our prerogative to change it. “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18–19, NKJV)

 

 

© 2013 Dr. Matthew Lee Smith. All rights reserved. Not for resale.

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Episode 147 – Going After the Life of God!

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Going After God - web slider

Welcome to the Transformed podcast.

It’s easier to do what you know and get what you’ve gotten than to do what God says and get what He promises.

But we don’t want 2013 to be a rerun of 2012 for any of us. We long for a year of amazing grace, incredible blessing and the presence of God in our lives … don’t you?

In today’s episode, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Lead Pastor at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, California wraps up his series on the rewards of God by talking to us about the three promises God makes to anyone who gives to the poor.

As we open our Bibles one more time to Matthew 6, let’s join Pastor Smith as he shows us how to Go after the life of God!

 

With that prayer of faith, Pastor Matt concludes this series, Going After God with All We’ve Got! May 2013 be the year of your incredible breakthrough as you obey these three areas of reward … giving to the poor, prayer targeting, and fasting.

If you would like to explore how to enjoy a deeper life with God, one that God is pleased with, Dr. Smith has written a daily devotional book that will help you do just that!

In His Presence is a detailed look at walking with God through life’s ups and downs. Built around the premise that God welcomes you into His presence with joy and pleasure, In His Presence helps you see that the life of abundance can only be enjoyed when we take everything to the Lord and walk every day at His right hand.

You can order a copy of In His Presence from Amazon by clicking the link on the side panel of the Eagles In Leadership website.

Today’s episode was recorded live in El Segundo, California and edited by Ryan Longsworth in Los Angeles, California.

And now, until next time, we are praying that 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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