Turn-Around Tuesday – Choosing Who We’re Going To Follow!

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

 

“But for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.”” (Genesis 4:5–7, ESV)

 

If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. How many times have we wanted life – and God – to grade us on a “curve?” We want God, and those around us, to let us do whatever we desire and then, pronounce that as acceptable. The trouble is, almost always our choices are unacceptable, especially to a God who has made much of His will and whim known in the pages of the Bible.

Cain knew what God wanted for an offering in the passage above. How do we know that? Abel brought the acceptable one and God chided Cain to do the same so he, too, could be accepted.

All too often in life, as most toddlers will demonstrate for us, what is required isn’t that hard. The problem is that is required just isn’t what we want to do. “Pick up your toy,” the mother will say. “No!” the toddler will snipe back. This is an age-old problem that we don’t grow out of as children, unfortunately.

When sin – which simply means, “missing what is acceptable to God” – takes control of our thoughts and our will, we are destined to be ruled by and ruined by our decisions. As we discovered here, God doesn’t change His mind just because it hurt Cain’s feelings. He is not a God who can be manipulated. He does, however, long for us to be accepted so we can be blessed by Him as a result of our obedience.

Turning around our trials and troubles requires we master our rebellion and our selfishness. It means we will need to surrender to God’s wisdom and plan. For that to happen, we will have to come to the realization that God loves us and has a much better plan for us that we have for ourselves.

Amazing things can happen in a short period of time when we choose to do what God says. Our lives literally turn on our choices. Ruling our emotions and our will are the first steps to a happy life, one that enjoys the path of God and seeks His direction.

 

Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.

 

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Magnificent Marriage Monday – Our Amazing Wives!

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

 

“And the man said: This one, at last, is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh; this one will be called “woman,” for she was taken from man.” (Genesis 2:23, CSB)

 

This one will be called “woman.”Can you see this happening? Adam looks at Eve and is stunned by God’s care and craftsmanship. As He looks at her, he realizes that Eve was taken from him and calls her, “woman,” a term that compliments her incredible abilities.

While so many husbands denigrate their life partners, Adam focuses on the realities. She’s Adam’s equal because she is made of the same “stuff” – his stuff to be exact. Thus, she is designed by God to be Adam’s, “helper corresponding to him.” (Genesis 2.18)

So, God’s intention from the beginning has always been for husbands to understand that their wives are so much an integral part of their lives that they cannot do life without them. Our life mates are essential to our very existence.

From the very bone structure of a woman to the soft flesh God wraps each one with, men know deep in their souls that these incredible machines called women are every bit their compliment. Since both of us have distinct roles and, therefore, are not identical in the sense of those roles, we come to understand that our unity and compatibility are essential to becoming the total person God has designed us to be.

Men find a new level of life when they embrace – enjoy the pun – all that their wives are. When husbands appreciate, listen to, work with, seek advice from, ask for their help and work together, both God’s design and His blessing falls upon that home.

Stepping back for a moment, the wise husband will take a long and deeper look at the woman God has given him. Choosing to appreciate the person she is and all that God has brought to the table through her should cause him to pause in awe, wonder and gratitude.

Why would God care so about that man? The answer is simple. God desires to extend His love and leadership planet-wide, through viable, visible, and vital marriages because they reflect His wisdom!

 

Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.

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Hope For Today – Forgiven!

Posted on August 26, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today to remind you that God says, “I am forgiven!”

Hope For Today is a part of the ministry of Eagles In Leadership. If you would like to know more about the hope God gives and His abundant life through Jesus Christ, I would invite you to check out our website: EaglesInLeadership.org.

Just push the media button below to hear this encouraging message!

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Faith Filled Friday – Faith Receives What Faith Believes!

Posted on August 24, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.” (Genesis 12:1–4, ESV)

 

I will show you … I will bless you … I will bless those who bless you. So often we hear people say things like, “God never does anything for me. God doesn’t answer my prayers. God seems to ignore me when I pray.” Have you ever wondered why? Have you taken the time to read God’s Word and ponder the people that walk across its pages in front of you?

Today, as Abram walks across in front of us, let’s stop him and find out what’s happening here. Abram, the triplet, has just buried his father, Terah. He’s sad and grieving. God enters the scene and gives him a mission. While it is a simple mission, it is not an easy one. God calls Abram to take all he has and leave all he knows to accomplish only God knows what in a place only God knows where.

Why did he go? Why wouldn’t he go? Look at the promises of God!  “I will show you” the land I want you to go to. You see, Abram understood that the journey would include the greatest Guide in the universe … the Lord God, designer of Planet Earth! How could he go wrong or be led astray? Despite his not knowing where He was going, he surely knew and trusted the One that was leading him.

Second, notice God promised, “I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” When Abram left Haran, he and Lot, his nephew, had inherited Terah’s estate. By the time he arrives back in Canaan, where God leads him to, he is so wealthy the two of them can’t reside close at all. Their ranch estates are huge! Truly God kept His promise to Abram, just as He keeps them to us.

God truly wants us to step out by faith, to trust Him no matter what else we do with our lives. Will you receive blessing by obeying?

 

Faith Filled Fridays hopes to boost your trust in God and accelerate your daring and courage in everyday life. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each encouragement out of a heart that has known both great joy and great loss – his wife of 38 years, 5 months and 2 days was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. Through every experience, God has proven Himself more than faithful and trustworthy. He welcomes your comments below.

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Train Them Thursday – Follow Our Model!

Posted on August 23, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NASB95)

 

And dwelt among us. Camping has never been one of my favorite things. Before my wife was promoted to Heaven, she used to say that her idea of camping was a lower-end motel! I heartily concur with her idea! One of the worst weeks of our lives together was camping in the Central Valley of California. Rainy and cold, we simply were uncomfortable most of the time.

I imagine that’s how Jesus felt when He came to earth. Compared to the Throne Room of God, ancient Israel must have felt similar to our camping experience. Primitive would be an understatement as Jesus grew up without technology, without indoor plumbing, without air conditioning and central heating. There were no “hot and cold” running servants for Him to command at a moment’s notice as with the angels in Heaven.

Yet, because of His great love for us, He not only became human, he chose to live among us, as primitive as we were, and remain gracious! His character stuck out in the crowd, around the table, or in a personal conversation.

Being a disciple of Jesus is all about those very things. We are called, not to grow big churches but to live life with others. Be about in their ups and downs, their celebrations and calamities, and the every-day-ness of their lives. We are called to dwell among them, to enjoy them, to encourage them and to point them to God’s path for their lives.

Dwelling with others is what discipleship – being a willing worker of and for Jesus – is all about. Life-on-life is what the Godhead is all about. Community. A simple word that seems so complex in today’s world. We choose to involve others in our lives and get involved in the lives of others. That’s our call. That’s Jesus Great Commission to us.

And, as we do, we give them grace. We don’t give them what they may deserve. We love them. All the while we are truthful, we never seek to be hurtful, always a loyal friend. Always caring. Gracious.

 

Train Them Thursdays seeks to wed the Great Commission directive of Jesus with the practice He employed while on Earth. Each nugget is meant to encourage the reader with a “can-do” spirit to realize that discipleship is something each person is both capable of and empowered to accomplish. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each thought and they flow out of decades of his tried and true field-testing in multiple settings from rural to inner city. He welcomes your comments below.

 

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Willing Worker Wednesday – Who Does God Use?

Posted on August 22, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

 

“In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest of Abijah’s division named Zechariah. His wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. Both were righteous in God’s sight, living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.” (Luke 1:5–6, HCSB)

 

Both were righteous in God’s sight. Have you ever wondered why God uses some people and not others? I mean, we watch it happen all the time. Out of a crowd of people, God seems to often pick the person whom we wouldn’t give the time of day to. Why does that happen? Why does God do that?

Repeatedly throughout the pages of the Holy Word of God, we see this happen. Time and again, God chooses to tap the shoulder of a person that has no power, no influence, and no reason to be used. And while God uses some people of power and influence, for He can use anyone, over and again we see a simple theme running through most of God’s first line choices.

Just as with Zechariah and his wife, more often than not, God chooses those who are right in His sight. But what does that mean? If we want to be used of God, we will need to be right in His sight. Being right isn’t as complicated as preachers and theologians make it to be.

Any parent knows what this means. And, for that matter, anyone who has ever been a child knows, too! When we are right with a parent, like God is our Father, it means our actions and attitudes, especially our attitudes, are right. We listen and follow because we want to, not because we have to.

It’s all about lifestyle. Note that Zech and his wife were, “living without blame according to all the commands and requirements of the Lord.”Choices reveal our true heart. Those who are used by God choose daily, to do the right thing, to obey God when no one seems to be watching. But God is watching. He watches our every move. He knows our every motive. He delights in our every moment.

Choosing today to the right thing according to God will set us up for that moment when God wants to use us to display His plan and glory in our story … and what could be better than that?

 

Willing Worker Wednesdays are dedicated to explaining the core realties of servant leadership – the Biblical principles and methods used by God’s faithful people throughout time. They further reflect the lifestyle of Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords as He walked on this earth announcing the Kingdom of God had arrived. These brief lessons are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his extensive ministry within the local church, in higher education, in church consulting and as a Biblical author and leader. He welcomes your comments below.

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Turn-Around Tuesday – When God Takes It Away!

Posted on August 21, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

 

“Therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden he placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:23–24, ESV)

 

He drove out the man. Perhaps one of the more painful lessons of life is this: God-sent consequences come to each choice we make. Our problem seems to be that we do not sit down first and “count the cost,” as Jesus told us to. And, all too often, when the harsh winds of reality begin to blow, we resort to our emotions … to no avail.

Understanding God means that we have to deal with the eternal law of harvesting what we plant into our lives. Save money and put it into a good interest-bearing account for many, many years and you will eventually have a large sum for retirement. But, the reverse is also true. If we don’t save money, we won’t have retirement money.

While this seems so simple, it is a hard concept to put into practice, if the lives of most of the people we know are any example. Family, friends, and even our foes seem not to grasp the New Testament concept: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7, ESV)

Nowhere is this truth more painful than when it comes to the realm of the spiritual. “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8, ESV)

Our choices breed much larger consequences than our initial actions. Today, if you are struggling under a storm of your own making, it’s time to stop. Stop making the choices that brought the rain and the wind. Stop choosing with your emotions.

Start making better choices. Start thinking before you spend, before you get involved in that relationship, before you quit that job, or before you say those words. Turning around our troubles can be as simple as making better choices. I said, “as simple as.” I didn’t say it would be easy. But, I can guarantee it will be worth it.

 

Turn-Around Tuesdays are designed to bring hope and help, insight and encouragement to those of us who are simply overwhelmed by the flood of problems life throws at us. No one is immune to trials and troubles, but God has a way of lifting us from life’s torrents. Each short thought is written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and comes from his life-journey with the God who never leaves us or forsakes us. He welcomes your comments below.

 

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Magnificent Marriage Monday – God Handcrafted Our Spouse!

Posted on August 20, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

“So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to come over the man, and he slept. God took one of his ribs and closed the flesh at that place. Then the Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman and brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21–22, CSB)

 

The Lord God made the rib he had taken from the man into a woman. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of a magnificent marriage is the fact that God handcrafts our mates! He intricately, intimately, intensely works to bring the right qualities to bear in the person who will walk life’s journey with us.

Consider the process for a moment. I hope you will be as overwhelmed as I am after pondering it. Each one of us is so different, so unique. And, as each week passes, we change, adapt, rethink, reevaluate, reconsider, reform, and redefine who we are.

Yet, despite all of this, God has been working for generations to craft the person we need for the rest of our days by adding the afflictions, celebrations, traditions, upheavals, turmoil, blessing, and prosperity to our family lines.

He has moved our families, used their jobs, unseen economic forces, climate issues, and so much more to bring you and that special person together. Friends, situations, even what seems to be happenstance circumstances have combined to draw the two of you together. All of this was God working behind the scenes for you two!

Then, we look inside and consider our personalities – and, boy, do many of us have personalities! – our abilities, our passions, our spiritual and personal experiences. God somehow combines all of these into the pot called our lives and makes the stew that we are.

Simmering along the way, He also had our spouses on another burner and He was making another dish that, when combined, created the amazing tastes and nourishment called the two of you. You may be spicy and he may be sweet. She might be cool and creamy and you might be hot and chunky. Whatever it is, God made you to be amazing!

Your magnificent marriage is something to thank God for with all your praise. The things that define you make you better together.

 

Magnificent Marriage Mondays are helpful hints, clues, ideas, and solutions for the child of God who is looking for a spouse, in a relationship with someone, or are already married. Each post seeks to bring help, hope, and honesty to your life and make the rest of your life, the best of your life. They are written by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, and come from his 38 years, 5 months and 2 days experience with his wife, Melodee, who was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. He is currently seeking God’s will for his new life partner. He welcomes your comments below.

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Hope For Today – Don’t Be Afraid, Only Believe!

Posted on August 19, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Todayto encourage you to choose faith not fear, no matter what your situation looks like!

Hope For Today is a part of the ministry of Eagles In Leadership. If you would like to know more about the hope God gives and His abundant life through Jesus Christ, I would invite you to check out our website: EaglesInLeadership.org.

Just push the media button below to hear this encouraging message!

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Faith Filled Friday – Faith Watches God Act!

Posted on August 17, 2018 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

“They went into the ark with Noah, two and two of all flesh in which there was the breath of life. And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.” (Genesis 7:15–16, ESV)

 

And the Lord shut him in. Often we pray and pray and nothing happens. On our knees, we weep and cry out to God and … in the silence we discover … more silence. We complain to God and tell Him we believe, we trust, we are claiming Bible verses. We may even be making bold declarations, but still, nothing is happening.

Have you been there? Are you there? What is happening? The Bible tells us, “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”(Matthew 21:22, ESV) So, why am I not receiving it?

Perhaps God is waiting for what we’ve left undone! Notice the cause and effect in the Biblical record. “And those that entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God had commanded him. And the Lord shut him in.” (Genesis 7:16, ESV) First, they went in, “as God had commanded” Noah. Then, “the Lord shut him in.”

Check your heart right now. If God has told you to do something and you really want God to act on your behalf, do the undone. Once that is done, God will do His part. God is never late. He’s never in a hurry. He’s always on time. However we, on the other hand, are often delaying the obedience column.

It is quite possible that right now, while you pray and plead God is saying to you, “Get up! Get that thing I asked you to do done. THEN, I will act on your behalf!”

For Noah and the family, their last obedience was a simple one. They were told to enter the ark. Perhaps today you are wondering what you are missing? Have you “entered the ark?” Have you chosen to make God your sole Rescuer. He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for our failures. On the cross, Jesus was our substitute.

Maybe the thing that God is waiting for is your willingness to accept that Jesus paid for your failures, to accept His love and leadership over every area of your life. Then, He will rescue you!

 

Faith Filled Fridays hopes to boost your trust in God and accelerate your daring and courage in everyday life. Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Executive Director of Eagles In Leadership, writes each encouragement out of a heart that has known both great joy and great loss – his wife of 38 years, 5 months and 2 days was promoted to Heaven on November 11, 2017. Through every experience, God has proven Himself more than faithful and trustworthy. He welcomes your comments below.

 

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