Eagles In Leadership

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Who hasn’t felt the stabbing pain of doubting God? When things go well, we seem to have no reason to question God, His goodness and His provision for our lives. When things turn sour and our health is shattered, or our spouse walks out or one of our children rebel … then we ask God, “What’s up God?” And in those moments we allow doubt to affix itself to our soul, draining our hope and joy like some vampire bat.

During such times we feel waves of guilt and shame. After all, aren’t we the one who has told others to ‘trust God’ when they have felt the pain of tragedy and trials? From our warm and happy place, the words seem to flow freely. Now, when the roles are reversed, our hypocrisy stabs us deep within.

It may surprise you to know that someone as bold and fierce in his faith as John the Baptist had real doubts in just such a time. Facing death, John began to question whether Jesus was truly the Son of God! His agony is recorded with these words …

Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things. And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” When the men had come to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, saying, ‘Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?’ ” And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil spirits; and to many blind He gave sight. Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” Luke 7:18-23

We become like Jesus when …

o We give our doubts to Jesus, knowing He can and will provide the proof we need to handle the doubts we have!

John wasn’t about to stay in his dilemma. After tossing the dark clouds around in his prison cell, he decided to act. This is what faith does – it acts! He doesn’t mess around with ‘self-help’ books or the latest ‘fad theology’, he goes straight to Jesus Himself. And what does Jesus do? He demonstrates his awesome power to the very people John sends with his questions and doubts.

When we ask Jesus to dispel our doubts, He does so by showing us how He is working all around us in incredible ways – doing ‘God-things’ for those in need! Today, if you are fighting doubts and depression about your faith, cry out to Jesus. Ask Him to show you His power and the truth of His existence and authority, just like John did. He will answer you in wonderful ways!

© 2009 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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With all of the troubles and turmoil in our world today, many have wondered where God has gone. They see the pain and suffering and question God’s compassion. When tough times come, many consider that God may have abandoned them.

The truth is that God sent His Son, Jesus, and named Him ‘Immanuel’ (Matthew 1.23), meaning ‘God is with us!’ You and I have an amazing reality as followers of Jesus Christ. Jesus promises, “I will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5).”

Evidences of His presence happen all throughout the days of our lives. Jesus’ compassion for those who ache and hurt, are dazed and wounded is abundant, as this passage shows us …

Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region. Luke 7:11-17 (NKJ)

We become like Jesus when …

o We give the bountiful compassion of Jesus to someone who is in the midst of their darkest hours!

Just like Jesus, we can come along side and offer the broken help. While we may not be able to raise the dead, we can offer all we have to care for and cover another person with the love of God.

As you walk through your day today, I encourage you to look for the hurting. Then, come to them and offer whatever is within your means to give. As you do, you will become more like Jesus than ever before!

© 2008 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Faith – we all need it in difficult times! Some have faith in people, others in politicians and still others in their family. However, in these uncertain times, we all would agree that only God knows what is best and only God can provide what is best.

But how does faith in God work? Jesus explains this through an interruption to his schedule …

Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum. And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die. So when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, “for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.” Then Jesus went with them.

And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick. Luke 7:1-10 (NKJ)

We become like Jesus when …

o We demonstrate our faith by simply trusting Jesus to do what He says He will do.

Think about your faith today. What have you asked Jesus for lately? Simply trusting Him to act is what faith is all about. Jesus responds to our faith. We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11.6).

The action of faith is in the trust. By telling Jesus that you trust Him, that you are under His authority and know that He is good, you show your faith in Him. Jesus responds to our faith.

Today, take a moment to express your faith and trust to Jesus for the thing(s) you have asked of Him. And remember, Jesus responds to our faith!

© 2008 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

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Over the past few months we have seen people, companies, banks, and even governments crumble under the global economic troubles we have experienced. Wisdom is always seen in the storm. When the storm sweeps in, those who have planned ahead are those who are safe.

Jesus talks about the storms of life and their spiritual implications …

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Matthew 7:24-29 (NKJ)

We become like Jesus when …

o We practice the sayings of Jesus in our everyday life.

In stark contrast, Jesus identifies the key components of wisdom and folly …

1. Violent storms come in life, whether you are wise or foolish.
2. What you build your life on (the choices you make) will determine whether you will survive the storm or not.
3. In this life, and the next, the advantage goes to the person who does the things Jesus tells us to do.

Perhaps you can relate to the crowd as Jesus finishes his first long lecture from the mountain. Is it possible that you have a Christian ‘spirituality’ but you do not have a Christ-like life?

Today, as you complete this reading, could I ask you to stop? Take a few moments and ask yourself if you are ‘walking the talk’ of Jesus? In the long-run, you will be far better off!

Remember Jesus’ words of hope … “whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”

© 2008 By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith