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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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“The state of faith allows no mention of the word impossibility.”

~ Tertullian, Theologian (c. 160 – 230 A.D.)

Faith seems to be a vital commodity these days! With the state of the global economy and the first generation since World War 2 to really understand scarcity, truth faith seems to be at a premium. When people go through hard times, those situations often reveal the veracity of their belief system. Jesus confronts this truth in the life of two blind men and teaches us a valuable principle …

When Jesus departed from there, two blind men followed Him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.” And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, saying, “See that no one knows it.” But when they had departed, they spread the news about Him in all that country. As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “It was never seen like this in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.” Matthew 9:27-34 (NKJV)

We become like Jesus when …

o We encourage people to trust God for their critical needs!

“According to your faith let it be to you.” If you spend any time meditating on this statement, it can be exhilarating or torturous! If we take Jesus at His word, and there are many theologians today who would like to put a host of disclaimers on this sentence (like lawyers on TV commercials do), this really sets the quantity of the results squarely on our shoulders … No, I did not say we are the ones who make it happen. What Jesus says is that we RECEIVE what we BELIEVE we will! Yikes!

As an Eagle leader, let me encourage you to ask yourself to ponder this statement this week! Doesn’t it seem to connect with this power source … “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us …” (Ephesians 3:20) In other words, there is no problem with the power of God. Often, however, the blockage of the blessing is in our delivery system … our unbelief!

Contemplate your ‘reception contraption’ today … is it working up to spec? God wants you to enjoy amazing blessing … is your own disbelief standing in the way of His goodness?

© 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