As we walked the streets of our community this weekend giving away small bags of Valentine’s candy, my heart almost broke as I thought about all the people near our worship facility.

Who are they? What’s their story? Do they know Christ? What aches and pains do they carry?

“Hi, we’re your neighbor and wanted to give you this bag of Valentine’s candy and say, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’” The reactions were positive and several remarked how no one had ever done this before that they could remember.

Just a few candies and a flier for the upcoming month’s small group and worship schedule; No hard sell. We just wanted to let the people around us know that we were their neighbors and that we cared.

“No one has ever done this before,” keeps ringing in my heart and head. How can we live near people and not “see” them, get to know them and connect with them?

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)

By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

As the Christmas season came to a close, I can remember how the focus for many was on themselves. They were interested in what THEY were going to get, what parties THEY were going to and what things THEY were going to be doing.

In contrast to this was Christmas morning as we bundled out of the car to head for the restaurant for breakfast … a Christmas tradition in our family. As we stepped onto the sidewalk a homeless man with a shopping cart and a little dog asked if we could spare any change. Since I don’t carry any, I politely told him I had nothing on me.

Sitting at the booth, my wife Melodee ordered him a “to go” breakfast, and when it arrived, she immediately took it to him. The jumbo coffee and hot breakfast were gratefully received. When she came back to the table I sat there in awe of my wife who was more interested in being of service to this one man in a difficult situation than she was about how well we were served our traditional Christmas breakfast – her breakfast was cold.

This year, we can all remember that there are two motivations in life – one selfish, the other selfless. Do we see the needs all around us? Do we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? As we ate our breakfast Christmas morning, I was sure that one person did, and she was sitting right across from me.

And that brought a question to my mind as I sat there: Will I be more interested in my service of others or how others serve me in 2012? What about you?

We are so pleased you have returned to the Transformed podcast.

In today’s episode, we explore how we can recover the message and mission of Jesus, and thus, Change the World.

Matt’s guest today is Mike Slaughter, lead pastor at Ginghamsburg Church, is the three-decade dreamer of Ginghamsburg and the spiritual entrepreneur of ministry marketplace innovations.

When Mike arrived at Ginghamsburg Church in 1979, worship attendance hovered at 90 with 118 members and an annual budget of $27,000. Now, 4000 attendees on average worship weekly at Ginghamsburg and the multi-million dollar budget helps resource a faith community committed to serving the poor, lost and disenfranchised.

Today Matt and Mike talk about the church becoming a mission outpost, living out Christ’s ideals in today’s world. As they do, they will explore Mike’s book, Change the World.

You can also learn more about Mike by clicking this link.

You can also learn more about Mike’s ministry by clicking this link.

Matt wants you to pick up a copy of Mike’s book, Change the World. This resource will rock your world and help you rethink the message and mission of Jesus as it related to reaching your community in your generation.

Photo Credit: elca.org

Editor’s Note: We continue our series of blogs for those who are reading the Bible with us cover-to-cover this year. Interspersed with our thoughts on our daily reading, we want to provide some tips about reading the Bible in general.

Job: God Is Always Just (Job 32-37)

Job has been through the meat-grinder of tragedy, losing his family, his prosperity and his health in one day. Then, his “so-called” good friends attack and condemn him, accusing Job of sin and selfishness.

When ten rounds of accusation and defense play out Elihu, a young friend, steps up seeking to justify Job (Job 33:32) and explore the character and purposes of God. As he speaks, with Job’s apparent interest and permission (Job 33:32 – 34:1), pay close attention to …

• Elihu’s condemnation of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar’s caricature that “suffering is for sinners.” (Job 32)
• Elihu’s contradiction by Job’s complaints of the “injustice of God’s actions.” (Job 33)
• Elihu’s confirmation by God’s character of the “justice of His motives.” (Job 34)
• Elihu’s conviction of God’s condemnation of the “pride of evil hearts.” (Job 35)
• Elihu’s communication of God’s charity through the “goodness of God’s methods.” (Job 36:1-23)
• Elihu’s confidence in God’s compassion because of the “majesty of God’s being.” (Job 36:24 – 37:24)

As you read through this section of Job, keep one thought in mind: No matter the mess you are in, you may not know the why, but you will always know the character of God; he cares for you.

It is our hope that this background information helps a bit as you read on in the Bible.

For daily insights into the passage we are reading together each day, you can follow Dr. Smith on Twitter and on Facebook.

You can obtain more help from the FREE Bible reading schedule on our resource page. In His Image is a daily devotional that also follows our reading schedule and expresses the Biblical truth: “God Created You to Love You.” You can find this resource on the side bar of our website.

Join Dr. Smith in Bell Gardens, CA This Month!

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After four members of my family turned 40, we found out how much the kids had picked up on their trepidation. The day before my niece’s ninth birthday, she observed, “Tomorrow I’ll be nine and next year it the big one-oh.”

~ Deborah Shapiro

Fear spreads like a cancer. All too often the fear is, as Zig Ziglar often says, “F – E – A – R” for “False Evidence Appearing Real.” You know that many things in this life scare us. And the reason, we know, is that we are powerless to control the things that bring us apprehension.

Just because you are an Eagle Leader doesn’t mean you are immune to fear. We all know the feelings when someone says, ‘I need to talk to you later’ … in that tone. Who hasn’t experienced the trepidation of being called to the office without any explanation? And there is the less subtle, more overt hair-raising situations … people yelling at you, being lost in unfamiliar territory or the medical report that’s coming on Monday, and it’s only Thursday.

Walking out the mission of Jesus Christ brings a whole new set of evidences that justify a ‘fight or flight’ response in us. Jesus tells us of an incredible source of peace that every Eagle Leader can access in times of fear …

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:27-31 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We remember how valued we are to God – in the midst of an attack!

No one ever said the Christ-life would be easy … after all, they crucified Jesus! Every Eagle Leader knows that attempting to take new terrain for the King of kings almost inevitably means a fight by the lord of darkness. For most of us, fighting = fear.

Yet Jesus calls us to stand our ground, assured of His Father’s love for us. We need not fear for we are watched, protected and sent by the Lord of love. Just because they fight back is no reason to be afraid of them. After all, your Father is able to take on all the opposition!

Do not fear … you are surrounded by His love!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Declare your mission – and then live it!

~ Tom Welch

This morning I visited our health care provider because Melodee, the joy of my eyes for these past 30 years, was sick. As we went to the lab to get her blood tests done I noticed this sign, “Our Mission: healthy patients.” How simple, how measurable, how clear!

What are we living for? Jesus-followers have a completely different set of values and purposes than a world-follower. We, as Eagle Leaders, step it up one more notch. Our mission, our life purpose, is to fulfill the command of Jesus … ‘As the father has sent me, so I send you.’ In the face of opposition and hostility, the mission remains the same.

God has called us to a simple mission as well: “Make Disciples!” When we choose to move people into a personal, disciplined relationship with Jesus Christ as King of their lives you can be sure there will opposition. Jesus encourages us to keep our eyes on the prize and not be pulled away by our adversaries …

“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes. A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Matthew 10:16-26 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We endure until the end!

Eagle leaders understand there is a simple mission … make disciples. We pour our lives into this process and, when confronted by those who would object, subject, disagree and detain us from our mission, we simple leave that place, move on and keep focused on the mission.

Such is the persistence of the Eagle Leader … the mission of Jesus! Day in and day out, whether applauded or attacked, the next generation will never advance for Christ without our singleness of mind. Churches are built upon disciples, not attendees. Families are stable and strong because of Godly disciples as parents, not politically correct socialites.

The mission … make disciples! Be an Eagle Leader this week.

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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The Sort of Men and Women the Institute Aims to Send Out:

“Those having these characteristics: Thorough consecration; Intense love for souls; A good knowledge of God’s Word, and especially how to use it in leading men to Christ; Willingness to endure hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ; The baptism of the Holy Spirit.”

~ Mission Statement of the Moody Institute, March 1, 1892

My Alma Mater recently selected a new president. His name is Dr. Paul Nyquist and he will become the 9^th president of the Moody Bible Institute (http://www.moodyministries.net/) since its creation. As long as Moody stays with its mission, God will continue to bless them. The same is true for all Eagle Leaders … as long as we stay with the mission of Jesus Christ, God will continue to bless us! Listen to how Jesus focuses his first Eagle Leadership team as he commissions them …

And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease … These twelve [apostles] Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food. Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! Matthew 10:1-15 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We prioritize the mission and let God deal with the unreceptive!

Focus is essential to Biblical success. In fact, often we miss the point of the mission, namely, that if we don’t reach more people they will spend a Christless eternity in Hell. How would our Adversary choose to dilute our focus? By having us spend time with “whoever will not receive nor hear your words.”

Eagle leaders understand the foolishness of such a strategy … attempting to convert the resistant. Jesus not only tells us to avoid this strategy, he also gives us a responsibility when confronted by the resistant: “When you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”

Where are you right now? Are you in the city of acceptance or the city of resistance? Once you know where you are, you will know exactly what you are supposed to do: Prioritize the mission!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“I pray you may have it too. It is a heart that is broken over teenage lostness. You know you have it if something happens in your heat when you see kids wandering a mall, hoping that something or someone will happen to them. Or when you see all those teenagers pouring our of the local school, looking like “sheep without a shepherd.” Maybe you feel it when you read in your local newspaper about teenage pregnancy or a teenage suicide. Or when you see kids hitchhiking or just hanging out. If you have Jesus-eyes, you see lostness … loneliness… pain. You see dying people. And your heart aches. Surely the Jesus who wept over His generation must weep over these kids. He wants to place His heart in yours. That broken heart drives you to keep pursuing more lost young people … keeps you going when everyone else is giving up … makes you leave your comfort zone and take risks to save lives.” ~ Ron Hutchcraft

Do you ache for those who do not yet know Christ in a vibrant and personal way? If so, you understand the heart of Jesus and have to do something about it … just like he did …

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Matthew 9:35-38 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We agonize with compassion for hurting, lost people!

A broken heart is manifested by (1) Going into their world, telling them the Good News, and healing the broken (9.35).That broken heart aches because we see how and remember life is without Jesus in their every day existence: “weary and scattered.” And what breaks our heart more is that there is so much to do and so few doing it.

Eagle leaders go, tell, care and pray! “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” Do you need help with the work? Are you praying for help, sent from God?

As you work with a compassionate heart, remember God cares too! He is waiting for a ‘personnel requisition’ from you. How about sending him one right now?

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“The proud have me in great derision, Yet I do not turn aside from Your law.”

~ David, Psalm 119:51

I remember going home to speak one Sunday, many years ago. I had come to faith in Christ in high school – actually led to Jesus by a wonderful teacher. God had used me as he brought about the beginnings of a 20-year revival in our little town. I was known to all because my father was the local publisher of the weekly newspaper. Yet, after I spoke that morning, several people asked me where I got my sermon from (Like I had stolen it!) I wish that would have been the end of the derision that morning, but it was not. It was obvious to me that, in my hometown, I would always be ‘Louie’s little boy.’ However, I learned early on that Jesus shows us that insolent people are not to be the target of our lives and ministry …

Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Mark 6:1-6 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We refuse to waste time on skeptical and critical people!

“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” God will use you! There is no question of that fact. What bedevils us is the chiding and superiority of some who would ‘put us in our place.’ Such insolence is to be expected in ministry … however, it is not to be catered to.

Eagle leaders follow their Lord’s example as their guide to ministry methodology. They refuse to waste time with people who scoff and criticize them and their ministry. Eagle leaders simply move on … “And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching” … knowing there are plenty of other people in need of the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.

Today, ask yourself a simple question: Am I following the pattern and method of the Master, or am I spending too much time on the insolent? As you reflect on this, starting today, take the time to make the changes necessary in your ministry!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Compassion is … the force that makes a bridge from the island of one individuality to the island of the other. ~ John O’Donohue

‘Life’s interruptions are God’s appointments.’ I remember the first time I heard this and wondered about it. Today’s passage reveals the truth of this old adage. Look at how Jesus responds to interruptions in this lesson from God’s Word …

While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:18-26 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We take the time to meet the needs of those who ask for our time and help.

Whether the person is of means (the ruler) or is just another face in the crowd (the woman), Jesus shows us that compassion comes when called. As a leader, meeting needs is part and parcel of the territory. Taking from our resources and meeting the urgencies of others often happens when we would rather be ‘off the clock.’

Some find people to be annoyances – since they have some ‘real work’ to get done. But for the Eagle leader, the person is always more important than the project or the paper we are working on.

Jesus shows us that every person – no matter their standing in our eyes – is important enough to stop what we are doing and minister to them. Looking at people with compassion means we let ourselves be ‘put out’ so that love can be ‘poured in!’

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Parking spaces near our seaside cottage are at a premium, and the street is often crowded with cars. One day our neighbor put up a sign: “No Parking Here.” Later he added another: “No Turning in Driveway.” Finally he added a third: “No Cutting through the Yard.” That’s when the neighbor across the street put up his own sign: “And Don’t Come Over Here Either!”

~ Richard Lindgren

No matter how effective and compassionate you are in ministry, some people have no desire for the things of Christ! Such is the lesson today. Having taught from this area in Israel on this very passage, I still am amazed at the rejection of Jesus by these people. Listen as as our passage clarifies the lesson …

When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?” Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.” And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region. Matthew 8:28-34 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We honor the wishes of others, even when it means they have no desire for our ministry!

Rejection is simply hard to get used to! But we must not be confused – unreceptive people will not become more receptive simply because we stick around. Your life is too short … and Jesus models the importance of finding those who are receptive.

Life is simply too short and there are too many people who need your Eagle leadership to waste your time on rejectors! While this may sound callous, it is, in fact, gracious. We do not force the gospel or its lifestyle on those who simply have no interest in it.

Jesus teaches Eagle leaders to move on … reach out and pour ourselves into those who are interested. This week, why not take a moment and do some evaluation about your ministry. Are you forcing yourself into situations that are clearly not places God has opened?

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“We can either be driven by fears or governed by fear. Fear-driven lives are out of control. Fear-governed lives are surrendered to the everpresent supervision and companionship of the Lord of all.”  ~ Jan David Hettinga

Fear can destroy our leadership! Whether it is the fear of another or the fear of the unknown, fear paralyzes one’s faith.

But there is another possibility. It is possible that fear is just an external symptom of a lack of faith! Listen as Jesus explains …

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We trust God in the midst of any storm!

Imagine being in the midst of the Sea of Galilee and the storm is so fierce that you are fearing for your life … it seems imminent that you will die! Wow! Now, consider that Jesus is asleep in your boat … and you are still that fearful! These are the conditions surrounding Jesus’ rebuke of his followers in this passage.

It is pretty obvious that the men had not yet grasped the concept of exactly who Jesus really was … their words after the event betray this: “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

We may sit back and laugh at the foolishness of these men … but many of us would have to admit that we still do the same thing. Although Jesus isn’t physically present with us, he is with us, nonetheless. And although these men didn’t grasp the enormity of Jesus’ persona, we have the benefit of the whole revelation of God to demonstrate His position inside the Godhead.

Now, we come to the point of this lesson: Do I trust Jesus enough in the storm to swallow my fear, draw on my faith and move forward without anxiety? If not, perhaps internalizing Romans 10.17 will recharge our faith-batteries before the next storm approaches? And believe me, it will come! There is always another storm approaching!

Trust Jesus! He is able to deliver you from all that comes at you!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Don’t let your learning lead to knowledge, let your learning lead to action.”

~ Jim Rohn

The bottom line of being a leader is using what you know. Many times leaders rest on the ‘old ways’ and, as it has been said far too many times, the last words of the church are: “But we have always done it that way.” Yet, that doesn’t mean everything we have learned in the past is without merit!

Jesus wants us to utilize our learning … both the old things that we know are true and the new things we are learning. Why? So that we accomplish the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. Listen as he explains …

Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” Matthew 13:51-52 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We utilize our learning to accomplish God’s heart and mission!

Eagle Leaders … by definition … seek to move people to greater heights and higher accomplishments. This is a noble goal. Some have complained using the old adage: “How can I soar with the eagles when I am surrounded by these turkeys?!” And this can be a fair complaint … as long as we are not the ‘head turkey!’

Eagle Leaders understand that, just as Jesus did, we must call people to count the cost and follow Him. This is essential to motivation. Those who pay the price should be mentored. How we do that may be found in the many examples from God’s Word. Using the tools you have from both the Old Testament and New Testament, “like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old,” can provide the necessary methods to develop action in your team. That is why Eagle Leaders are constant students of the Word of God … seeking methods as well as truth!

If you would like a plan to follow so that you can squeeze every possible idea from God, download the PDF Bible Reading Schedule file from the side bar at http://EaglesInLeadership.org today! I invite you to join me in deepening your adventure by discovering new and old methods for leadership development from God’s Word!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Our contemplation and evaluation should lead naturally to calculation – how much will it cost me to change? What things must be different? Are certain friends or acquaintances a roadblock on my journey of glorifying God? Are any of my activities or habits wrong? Do they hinder my pursuit of God’s glory? Am I feeding any unhealthy appetites that have become taskmasters? What must I do to overcome these? Where can I get help? (Again, a trusted friend can be of enormous value.)” ~ Skip Hertzog

As Jesus wraps up his answers concerning who we should be developing as future leaders, he tells three specific, short stories that all point to the same truth: Teach people who are willing to pay the price of leadership. Listen as he explains …

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 13:44-50 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We carefully identify the sacrificial within the crowd!

Paying the price is what leadership is all about. Over the course of your life, leadership will be one sacrifice after another. Every day there is an exchange for the Eagle Leader. Why? Because you are willing ‘to give up to go up.’ Such a life of release is only possible because we have the ultimate reward waiting for us as Christ’s followers … His approval.

In these turbulent times choosing protégés wisely is of ultimate importance. We have little time and few resources to restart with. Too much depends upon the willingness of those we mentor – they must be sacrificial and committed. Jesus longed for each Eagle Leader to reproduce themselves in the lives of others. He also wanted to prevent the wasting of our time in the process!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Remind me each day that the race is not always to the swift; that there is more to life than increasing speed. Let me look upward into the branches of the towering oak and know that it grew slowly and well.” ~ Wilfred Peterson

Growth always brings challenges! Jesus is telling his listeners that God’s work will grow … but it will also attract those who are less than desirable. Stepping off from the message of the tares (last lesson), Jesus now expresses the frustration leaders feel by those who ‘nest’ in their work for their own advantage.

Building leaders who will transform their world is what these words are all about. We continue to listen to Jesus share with us the secrets to developing those who will truly expand God’s Kingdom. Listen as he explains …

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We carefully identify the self-serving from the servants!

Jesus identifies those who serve themselves as the ‘birds’ that nest in our work. Birds are used to portray those who are not of God in the Bible. Think for a minute about the growth of the Kingdom of God here… from something small to something large enough to become ‘tree-like.’ Then the birds move in … they provide nothing to the advancement of the Kingdom, represented by the mustard plant. They simply enjoy the benefits without bringing aid and assistance.

Leaders are supposed to note them. Not that we can do much about them. Yet, the one thing Jesus is trying to teach us through these parables is this: ‘there are some to be taught and some that we should not.’ Just because someone ‘attends’ your ministry work is not a sign that they should be given leadership. Check out what they are returning first.

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Life is not easy for any of us. But it is a continual challenge, and it is up to us to be cheerful and to be strong, so that those who depend on us may draw strength from our example.”

~ Rose Kennedy (1890-1995), Kennedy family matriarch

To add to every spiritual leader’s problems, Jesus informs us that while we are sleeping, our Adversary is busy infiltrating our ranks with sleeper cells! These people lie low, look like they belong and play along with the plan … until they are ‘activated’ by their handler and are put into action to blow up some vital part of our infrastructure, causing the death and dismemberment of the body of Christ in our neighborhood.

How do we discern and separate the sincere from the insincere in our midst? In these days of global spiritual battle, Jesus tells us of a major mind shift: we are to be aware of the potential infiltration by our enemy. Listen as he explains …

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ‘ ” Matthew 13:24-30 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We carefully identify the infiltrators and seek to minimize their damage to our ministry.

Note the wisdom of Jesus! I would have done this totally different. Like the servant, my natural inclination is to rip the imposter out of the situation. However, Jesus makes it clear that such a decision would be disastrous to the genuine leaders and followers within our ministry.

Since we can’t ‘take them out’ we must be proactive to mitigate their effectiveness to damage our work for the Kingdom. Jesus tells us that, in the end, they will get their proper punishment. Our task, as Eagle Leaders, is to minimize their network, influence and subversion. Developing a strategy to accomplish this will be different in each location, but making sure the destructiveness of the enemy is kept to its absolute minimum is what the ‘shepherding’ aspect of leadership is all about!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.”

~ Karen Clark

When you and I desire to develop Eagle Leaders, we discover that we must separate the sincere from the insincere. That is a challenge on the best of days. We have chosen to go to the Master leader-developer, Jesus, and watch him work through this process.

Listen to Jesus now, as He lays out the trap to catch the sincere …

And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” Mark 4:26-29 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We watch for the natural process of spiritual growth to occur so we can determine those who are eligible for leadership development.

Before we can develop a leader, we need to weed the field of people before us to determine who is spiritually alive and growing deeply with Christ. Although this is a Spirit-based work, we can see the evidence of God’s hand at work in the life of anyone who claims His name. Our task is to determine who we will invest our time with for the Kingdom of God and His glory. Jesus tells us that he looks for the evidences of spiritual growth first.

Are the men and women you are seeking to develop showing the evidence of spiritual growth in their lives? Is this growth consistent – for one evidence of eternal life is that it grows, corporately and individually (see Ephesians 4.16)!

Looking before we leap is a great way to prevent wasted time and produce Eagle Leaders. Jesus, the Master leader-developer, has modeled for us a way to take the initiative and separate the sincere from the insincere.

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Actions are fruits; words are but leaves.”

~ English Proverb

We are continuing to watch Jesus answer an important question: “How do we, as Eagle Leaders, separate the sincere from the insincere?” Teaching those who have shown the initiative to pursue the trainer is what we are learning. One of Jesus’ key strategies was to speak in stories with deeper meanings (called parables in the Bible). When He spoke, He was actually looking for those who wanted to know more about what He was saying.

Listen to Jesus now, as He lays out the trap to catch the sincere …

“Therefore hear the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:18-23 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We provide opportunities to sift the ‘lookie-lous’ from the serious!

Think about how you teach and train. Are there ways you can incorporate this valuable principle into your leadership style? When Jesus completes this exercise, he finds himself with a handful of men who truly sought after the Kingdom of God and not just the benefits of being close to Jesus.

Moving followers into leaders is a process of using their natural curiosity and the Spirit’s guidance. Jesus teaches us one of the ways he built leaders. I encourage you to think about ways to make this strategy a part of your spiritual tool box.

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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“Don’t be afraid to take advice. There’s always something new to learn.”

~ Babe Ruth

We are asking Jesus to answer an important question: “How do we, as Eagle Leaders, separate the sincere from the insincere?” Last time Jesus demonstrated that we must call people to pay attention to what we are saying … even when we are being purposefully oblique.

We now watch how the curious rise to the top of the crowd. It is at this point that Jesus is able to show us the ‘why’ of His strategy …

And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.

Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says: ‘Hearing you will hear and shall not understand, And seeing you will see and not perceive; For the hearts of this people have grown dull. Their ears are hard of hearing, And their eyes they have closed, Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn, So that I should heal them.’

“But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; for assuredly, I say to you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it. Matthew 13:10-17 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We teach the curious whom we have drawn away from the crowds all around us!

Jesus tells us that His methodology is meant to reward the Eagle Leader’s curiosity. In fact He shows us that, for those who are content with the indirect, there is nothing more – and perhaps even less – in life.

Jesus then shows that His methodology is purposeful – to sift the leaders from the lazy! Wow! This is clearly a plan you and I can use. He wraps us this lesson by showing us the rewards of curiosity to the Eagle lLeader. The point: Eagles Leaders need to ‘go and do likewise.’ I am ‘all-in’ … how about you?

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Feel free to forward this to a friend!

“The man who is too old to learn was probably always too old to learn.”

~ Caryl Haskins

How do we, as Eagle Leaders, separate the sincere from the insincere? Leadership is all about forward progress! The problem is often discovering who wants to move forward and who is ‘pretending’ to want to move forward. What secret can we learn from the master mentor when it comes to this all-too common dilemma?

Watching Jesus operate helps us understand His strategy and His words! In one of His many ‘sifting’ events, we discover a key method (which we will spend a couple of lessons on) …

On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Matthew 13:1-9 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We call people to pay attention to what we are saying … even when we are being purposefully oblique.

If you read down the chapter here (and get ahead of us a bit), you will discover Jesus is purposefully looking for the leaders in the crowd. His ploy is to whet their appetite enough to get them to come to him for more. And thus, excellent teaching / training / coaching seeks after the curious in the crowd (note his last sentence above: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”).

Curious people make better leaders because they are self-motivated. Self-motivation is one of the essential qualities of leadership because it is the engine by which all accomplishment is driven. Any leader, with any experience, knows the impossibility of accomplishing anything of significance with people who need constant motivation!

Today, separate the ‘go-ers’ from the ‘no-ers’ in leadership by using curiosity as your bait. Catch a boatload of quality with this vital hook! (More on this next time.)

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith