Don’t Fool Yourself!

Posted on October 12, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

It happens every day … mostly because we are so generous and loving. We choose to believe someone because of what they say. Then, a few days, weeks, or months later we are bitten by that same person. Their lifestyle didn’t match up to their profession. Or, as I say, “Their possession wasn’t their profession.”

Jesus made it clear that we are supposed to verify one’s profession by their practices before we place our faith and trust in them …

“The good person brings forth good things from his store of good, and the evil person brings forth evil things from his store of evil.” (Matthew 12:35, CJB)

Such a simple diagnostic allows us to step back, pay close attention to the actual person being demonstrated by their words and works, and then set a course appropriate to the reality within them.

Imagine how many church ministries would avoid disaster by this simple evaluation? How many couples would avoid divorce? How many relationships wouldn’t crash and burn? All because of an easy “evaluation period” of a few months of close and constant contact.

What say you? What’s your experience been? Please, share!

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Will We Ever Learn?

Posted on October 10, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

Have you noticed how many times you have witnessed a divided church, a divided family, a divided workplace?

Jesus tells us that there are only TWO bleak futures for such a group …

“However, knowing what they were thinking, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not survive.” (Matthew 12:25, CJB)

1) Divided peoples will be RUINED!

Simply stated, the end of a divided group is a massive wasteland of death and disintegration. What’s even more tragic is that these people can’t control the result without repentance and unity. Their divisiveness acts upon them, making them desolate, laying waste to their group like a plague or conquering army.

2) Divided people groups will NOT SURVIVE!

Jesus also tells us that these divided groups simply will not continue to exist. They will pull themselves apart and dissolve from the fractures they create due to their selfishness and argumentation.

Unfortunately, as we see in context with Jesus’ words here, it is often the “know it all” leadership of the local community that has been in place for decades that tear the people of faith apart.

What’s been your experience? Please share below!

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1 Vital Necessity to a Receiving Faith!

Posted on August 30, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Faith Receives After Faith Obeys

“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. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him.” (Genesis 12:4–7, ESV)

How many times have we wanted to know what’s in it for us if we choose to obey God by faith? Have you ever thought, “Yes, I know God wants me to do this; BUT, what will happen if I do it? I mean, what’s in it for me? I’d be glad to do it if God would just first tell me what He’s going to give me if I obey Him!”

Unfortunately, that is NOT how faith works. That is called, “sight.” Faith chooses to obey and then allows God to do what’s on His mind. For Abram, the directions were clear: “Go and I will show you where to live.” (See Genesis 12:1.) Now, 400 plus miles later, the rest of the story unfolds. God tells Abram, “To your offspring I will give this land.” (Genesis 12:7, ESV) What changed?

  • The character of God did not change! God always knew He was going to give Abram the land.
  • The plan of God did not change! There was never a doubt in God’s mind that this was His will for Abram and his family. The only thing that changed was …
  • The location of the man of God! Abram had to take ALL of his family and ALL of his possessions and ALL of his livestock … ALL that he owned and step out by faith and walk the 400 some miles to get to where God could reveal His will!

The one vital necessity to a receiving faith is a willingness to obey!

If we want to receive we have to believe enough to go ALL in … to choose to obey with everything we have, then God will give us exceedingly and abundantly above all that we could ask or think!

Where do you need to go “ALL-IN” and choose to obey with everything you have?

 

Photo Credit: http://www.untilthedaybreak.com/2015/07/03/i-surrender/

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5 Character Traits Building A Confident Faith!

Posted on August 29, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Trusting the God Who Promises the Practical

“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)

Stepping out into a new adventure is often scary for most of us. What will it be like? Who will like us? Who won’t? Will we succeed? Will we … fail? Questions abound when we choose to do something new.

Abram, at the age of 75 (don’t miss that!), chose to trust God and step out by faith, leaving all he knew for the One who knew all of him. In the directions of God, we discover confidence from the five truths that reveal the character of the One who calls us to greater things!

  • God knows where He is calling us to – He is our Guide and He promises to show us where He longs for us to go!

He promised to show Abram where he was to go and He will for us!

  • God knows why He is calling us – He has a purpose for risking our comfortable situation!

Like Abram, God has a purpose to the changes He is bringing to our lives!

  • God knows how to provide for us – He has already “crossed over” and set up all we need to accomplish all He desires (and more)!

There are no failures among those who do what the Almighty asks!

  • God knows whom He has appointed as our benefactors – He has already placed our benefit upon the hearts of those there!

Generosity multiplies when people see God’s hand upon us!

  • God knows what to do to those who don’t like His plans – He is active in our journey and our Defense against all adversaries!

Despite those who oppose us, God will make sure we achieve His plan!

Will we choose to say, “Yes!” to God’s call? He is backing a sure thing!

What do you say?

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Hope For Today – So That It Will Go Well For You!

Posted on August 27, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Stubbornness. You might not be, but you can see the face of someone in your family that is, right? And what happens when we are stubborn? That’s right … we often hit one of life’s immovable barriers … causing us a boatload of pain and problems. This is Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and, if you’re aching from your own contrariness, I want to share some Hope For Today so that life will go well for you! In (Jeremiah 38.20, MEV) the prophet gives us Hope For Today when he says, “Please obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you, so it will be well with you and your soul will live.” Often we grow obstinate when we don’t like the choices we have to select from. This was the situation as Jeremiah told King Zedekiah that, if he wanted to bless his people, he would have to surrender to the invading King. Who wants to surrender? I know I sure don’t! In fact, surrender isn’t even in the vocabulary of most people. Yet, when it comes to living a life that goes well for us, we all have to surrender to the will and whim of the God who is smarter and stronger than we are. Is there a place where you have chose not to surrender to God? Has He been gently asking you to do it His way? Can I echo the words of Jeremiah in your hearing today? “Please obey the voice of the Lord which I speak to you, so it will be well with you and your soul will live.”   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 Eagles In Leadership.org; that’s Eagles In Leadership . org.

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Join Us In Praying for Texas and the Gulf Coast!

Posted on August 24, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Please join the Eagles In Leadership staff as we pray for Texas and the Gulf Coast in anticipation of Hurricane Harvey’s imminent arrival.

Thank you!

For more information check here.

 

 

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3 Results When We Live By Faith!

Posted on August 22, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Faith Receives After Faith Obeys

“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)

So many of us are waiting for God to act! We look high and low, day after day, seeking some sign or indication that He is on the move. However, a cursory read of the Bible shows us that faith doesn’t work that way. Take a good look at Noah, for example.

Before the animals came onto the ark, there had a BE an ark! Noah had to obey God and respond to His BIG ask – to build something no one had ever heard or conceived of before – and then God would bring to pass His supernatural plan.

And that’s the way it always works. We respond to God’s BIG ask and THEN we receive the blessings of obedience to Him.

And what did Noah receive?

  • Noah enjoyed a supernatural response to his labors – the animals came into the boat he built in response to God’s BIG ask!

Throughout our lives, God wants to demonstrate His power in miraculous ways. Obedience by faith unlocks the revealing of His might and ability in our daily lives.

  • Noah enjoyed witnessing the supernatural power of God’s Word – the animals went into the ark as a result of God’s command!

Faith is enlivened when the impossible becomes possible. God longs to show us great and mighty things that we could never imagine! When it happens, our faith takes on greater courage and hope!

  • Noah enjoyed the personal and supernatural protection of God – God, Himself, shut the huge door of the ark making it seaworthy!

In everything God does, our best is at His consideration. His great love seeks to protect and surround us, no matter the storms we enter.

What are we waiting for from God? Have we chosen to fulfill His BIG ask in our lives? Before we can see the harvest, we will have to do the huge thing He has asked of us! Are you willing to take the next step?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and what “next steps” you are taking as a result of God’s “BIG ask” in your life! Please, share below!

 

  • Art credit: https://knoxannarbor.org/faith-obeys/
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Hope For Today – God Wants to Show You Amazing Things!

Posted on August 20, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

 

There are times when we feel like we are at the end of our rope! Nothing seems to be working and everything seems to be going wrong. Do you know what I mean? Maybe you are there right now.

This is Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and, if that’s your situation right now, I want to share some Hope For Today about the fact that God wants to show you amazing things!

In (Jeremiah 33.3, MEV) the LORD Himself gives us Hope For Today when HE says, “Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things which you know not.”

When God’s man, Jerry, heard those words, he was hated and despised, and incarcerated for having done nothing wrong except sharing God’s heart and His hope.

Maybe you have been following God for some time now and … as a result … nothing is going right. I mean, you thought that Jesus was supposed to conquer every enemy and give victory over every obstacle. And yet, here you are … broken, bruised and beaten.

Don’t give up! Your God says to you today … Get alone, get vocal and “Call to Me, and I will answer you!” Trust God today as you draw near to Him … He will draw near to you; He WILL answer you! And that answer will be amazing! Remarkable things come from God when we cry out in faith to Him! Do it today! Do it now! And watch God respond!

 

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 Eagles In Leadership.org; that’s Eagles In Leadership.org.

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2 Different Directions That Reveal Our Faith, Or the Lack Of It!

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Faith Doesn’t Use Age As An Excuse

“After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.” (Genesis 5:32, ESV)

“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.” (Genesis 7:11, ESV)

All too often we seem to think that faith is the stuff of youth.

  • Follow the Lord when you are young!
  • Go on a mission trip!
  • Accept the offer in far away, it’s the Lord’s leading!

Yet, as we grow older, we seem to get locked into our home, our address, and our community. We even try to keep our family close to us. Then, our words make a subtle change …

  • Why not go to school here?
  • How about taking the job in town?
  • You know the church is looking for someone to serve on campus?

How does our faith shrink from exploring the world and serving without fear to doing what is comfortable?

Noah reminds us that God often makes the BIG ask when we grow older, though many not hear it or, if they do, they choose to deny or ignore it.

And what about you?

  • Has God been asking you to take the step of faith into the unknown?

 

  • Are you tuned in to the heart of God through His Word on a daily basis?

 

  • Would you be ready to go if God called you today?

Why not stop and talk to Jesus about His call in your life right now?

And then, feel free to share your thoughts below!

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When Our Stubbornness Requires a Price!

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

Being independent is an American attribute. However, when God calls us to depend upon Him, many of us move into “refusal mode.”  We think we have a better plan, a better idea, a better way.  And that is where things take a supernatural turn … listen to Asaph explain:

“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans.” (Psalm 81:11–12, CSB)

We all have an area right now where God has been speaking to us (If you don’t, you should consider your connection to Christ.) God is constantly moving us into the image of His Son (Ephesians 4).

When we choose to listen to His voice (which is found through the Holy Spirit’s work through the Word of God), God works for us. We call that favor.

When we choose to ignore God’s Word and the promptings of His Holy Spirit, God’s supernatural power isn’t stopped. According to Asaph (who has several writings in the Scriptures), God acts – He gives us over to our “stubborn hearts” with a specific goal in mind … so we can follow our own plans! Yikes!

That American independence is not such a great thing when it’s formed against or without the counsel and leading of God! Repeatedly in this psalm, Asaph reminds Israel that He is THEIR God – personal, present, passionate about them. He loves them and longs for them to follow Him so He can bless and provide the abundant life He wants all His children to enjoy.

Today, I wonder. Is there something you are planning on your own, without God’s help or input? If so, what should you do right now to remedy that account before you receive the harvest that comes from planting a crop of self-centered seeds?

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