Transformed Archives - Eagles In Leadership

Each day, as I open God’s Word, He brings so much CHANGE and BLESSING into my life!

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about how God gives us SO MANY OF HIS BLESSINGS!

If we want to change our confusion into understanding and our feelings of condemnation into actual blessings from God, then we need to

Repeatedly LOOK DEEPLY into God’s Word (3.18)

This is why I encourage you read God’s Word cover-to-cover with me each year! I have experienced SO MANY blessings – financial, emotional, social, spiritual, physical – 53 pounds lost since August 2015, vocational and the list goes on and on!

You can jump in with us tomorrow by downloading the reading schedule today from our website and start reading with people all over the world … why would we read the Bible every day?

Paul says …

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV)

Of course, the image he speaks of here is the Image of our Lord, Jesus Christ! You see, as we pick up our Bible each day, having left the old life where OUR desires were first, God sends us …

His mercy – to help in our times of need; He is our rescuer!

His light – in the midst of the darkness we find ourselves trapped in; He is our deliverer!

His knowledge – of His will and whim for our lives today; He is our guide and companion!

Perhaps today you realize you want to follow Jesus and enjoy the blessings He gives to those who look deeply into His words daily … you can get that freedom by saying these words to Jesus Christ …

“Forgive me for my for not following You and applying Your words to my life and purpose. Forgive me for living my own life. Free me from the slavery of my sin. I am choosing to be totally committed to following You. Lead me as I listen to You.”

If you said those words and meant them, Jesus has forgiven you. Now comes the proof of what you said … following Him! Just like you would never want your loved one to betray you, so Jesus never wants you to betray him for another. So, get in a good, Bible-teaching church this week. And check out our resources to help you grow found on our website!

 

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

 

Photo credit: http://link2power.org/wordpress/2015/03/the-deuteronomy-28-blessings/

Is your daily life chaotic or calm; are you being beaten up by life, or are you enjoying a blessed life?

These are two of the most important questions you can ask yourself on a daily basis. Our answer to these two questions reflects a lot about how we think! Why? Because the way we think …

Builds our beliefs!

Establishes our expectations!

Amps up our attitudes!

Molds our moods!

Predicts our performance!

Determines our destiny!

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about how to enjoy a blessed life!

I’ve taught people for years this little saying to help them understand this Biblical truth …

Sow a thought; reap an act.

Sow an act; reap a habit.

Sow a habit; reap a character.

Sow a character; reap a destiny.

The Bible says:

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7, KJV 1900)

What we think determines our destiny. If we want a blessed life, we will have to think the thoughts of the One who blesses us. God has a plan of blessing and life for you. Are you listening to His ideas and directions?

It might be that today you realize it’s time to follow Jesus and enjoy the blessings He gives to those who change the way they think – to seek God’s understanding in your thoughts and life. You can get that new life by saying these words to Jesus Christ …

“Forgive me for my for not following You and applying Your words to my life and purpose. Forgive me for living my own life. Free me from the slavery of my sin. I am choosing to be totally committed to following You. Lead me as I listen to You.”

If you said those words and meant them, Jesus has forgiven you. Now comes the proof of what you said … following Him! Just like you would never want your loved one to betray you, so Jesus never wants you to betray him for another. So, get in a good, Bible-teaching church this week. Open your Bible and explore God’s thoughts and directions for your life. And check out our resources to help you grow found on our website!

 

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

 

Photo Credit: https://www.pinterest.com/explore/the-calm/

Are you in the midst of tough times right now? Seems like most of the people I know are. Whether it’s finances, work issues, relationship issues at home or your car isn’t running well, it seems like most everyone is struggling with something these days.

With all the other problems you are having right now, the last thing you need to worry about is whether God is interested in you and your problems.

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today about the fact that God Is Waiting to Be Gracious to You!

In (Isaiah 30:18–19, ESV) the LORD Himself gives us Hope For Today as HE says, “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him … He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you.”

Did you hear that? “Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you.” Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve! We saw grace when He sent His Son to be our Savior. Grace is often costly … and usually changes things we cannot change ourselves. And God is waiting RIGHT NOW to be gracious to you!

A little skeptical? Then hear this again, “he exalts himself to show mercy to you.” God is waiting to SHOW OFF by giving us mercy! What’s the difference between grace and mercy you ask? Mercy WITHHOLDS what we deserve. I make enough mistakes over the course of a month that most of my relationships would end if it wasn’t for the mercy of others … do you know what I mean? A harsh tone, a critical look … BUT mercy … and God wants to shower you in grace and show off His abundant mercy to you … RIGHT NOW!

Are you thinking, “How do I sign up?” God says, blessed are all those who wait for him … He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. God tells us that we have to get vocal. We will have to be transparent. We will need to get alone and cry out to Jesus! As we unload the pain and the pressures, as our tears flow down out faces and our cries fall from our lips, God hears and brings grace!

Do you remember God’s promise? As soon as he hears it, he answers you.” These aren’t silent prayers … they are vocal, vibrant and voluntary. There is hope For Today in your life … get alone with Jesus, unload the emotions verbally, vocally. Cry out to Jesus! He WILL hear you! He WILL answer you!

 

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.

Peace – we are all looking for it! The reality is, as we have learned from this past election cycle, peace is FAR from the hearts of Americans these days. And while the pointy finger of blame is flying, the Bible tells us why there is no peace: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14, ESV)

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today to remind us that God gives peace to anyone and everyone with whom He is pleased!

But peace is a “heart thing,” not a head thing. So many of us are looking for solutions to bring peace to our lives … on Amazon.com I can buy:

Books on peace

Peace pendants

Peace sign vinyl decals for my car

Peace flag to display

Mugs with peace quotes on them

Peace jewelry

Peace and Harmony calming scent

Sterling silver stud peace earrings

Peace locking pencil box

And that was just the first two pages of 20 pages of products. However, I was UNABLE to buy what we all really want: Peace itself!

Hear me now: Only God Gives True Peace. If we learn nothing else this Christmas, let us understand that

Peace is found only through God’s Son, who came to Earth to gift us with the one thing we do desperately need and want!

So, how does God give us this peace?

God points us to HIS SON (2.11)

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Whatever else you hear today, please hear this: God sent His Son for you!

God knows you have a need, and He knew the only solution to your need was His Son!

Peace isn’t a formula; It’s a person!

11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

God is asking you to invite Him in to take charge of your life and BE YOUR GOD!

You can ask Him to do that today, right now.

God will hear your heart as you ask Him to take charge of your life and BE YOUR GOD.

 

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

Wisdom, long life, riches … what’s your life goal? For Solomon of old, he just needed to get through each day without messing everything up in his job! How about you?

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today to remind us that We need to walk in God’s Ways!

 Waking up the morning after his dad died, Solomon must have felt the entire weight of the Kingdom of Israel on the shoulders of this new king. He prays, after a generous offering to the Lord, asking for wisdom to do his job well, to not mess it all up! And God responds,

“I give you a wise and discerning mind, so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honor, so that no other king shall compare with you, all your days. And if you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.” (1 Kings 3:12–14, ESV)

Talk about winning the Trifecta! In God’s answer to Solomon, we discover Hope For Today for our lives!

God longs to give us what we need to do our jobs well. Our job is our mission field. When we focus on the needs of those around us – physical and spiritual – and ask God to supply us with the wisdom to do our work well, God’s heart is happy and, just maybe, he will give us more than we asked for. God provides for those who choose to serve the least and the lost in their workplace, neighborhood or classroom.

 

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

It’s Easter and, if we were honest, had it not been for the resurrection of Jesus, we would most likely have never met like this.

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today announcing The Tomb of Jesus is Empty!

In fact, without the resurrection of Jesus, I would most likely be a retired computer programmer, having never answered the call of Jesus to full-time ministry in that critical year when I was seeking WHICH college to go to back in the early 1970s. You see …

Jesus Christ changes lives:

Some people are transformed with hope.

Others are revulsed by their shame.

No one encounters Jesus and walks away indifferent forever!

Yet, some say His claims …

Are too bizarre – He can forgive sin and give us eternal life

Are too demanding – He calls us to follow Him as King of our lives and leader of our hearts and dreams

Are too supernatural – He is the All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Present One who is fully God and fully human

Yet, when the honest, open-minded person looks into the historical evidence within and outside the New Testament, they discover it …

It screams a risen Jesus!

Listen as I read the earliest Creed of the Church. Paul reminds the Corinthian Church …

“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me.

Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.

He was buried,

And he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve.

After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died.

Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.” (1 Corinthians 15:3–8, NLT)

ANYONE could have tracked these people Paul talks about down and verified if these claims were true … I mean, it had been less than 20 years! Today, we celebrate again an event that has been …

Recorded in history

Reinforced by investigation

Revered by nations

And rebelled against by many

However, if you are honest and open-minded, you will look into the historical evidence within and outside the New Testament and discover:

It establishes Jesus’ claims of being God!

You see, as fully devoted followers of Jesus, we believe that it was the death of Jesus that paid the penalty of our numerous errors, failures, and rebellions – both in our past, in our present, and into our futures.

We trust that Jesus’ death was the substitution for our own penalty for all those failures and that by admitting to God our specific failures and asking Him to remove the stain of our insolence and the weight of our guilt, He will do so because of the death of Jesus outside of Jerusalem almost 2,000 years ago.

 

 

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

In today’s world, there are few things that are totally secure.

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today with you about making your eternity secure!

Jesus, in the last hour of His freedom, declared the security seal of His new covenant with us. The Bible records His words in Mark 14:22-26 (NLT) … As they were eating [the Passover Meal], Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, poured out for many, sealing the covenant between God and his people. I solemnly declare that I will not drink wine again until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” Mark 14:22-26 (NLT)

In the eating of this final meal, Jesus assures us that we can depend upon Him for our eternal life. As the final Lamb, Jesus secures our place in His presence for all eternity.

As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His body in our place. In these last minutes, as the clock ticked down to His betrayal and arrest, Jesus provides the ultimate assurance for His friends. Jesus was saying in effect, “This is the night of the sacrificial lamb. It dies in your place. However, tonight I will die in your place.” This sacrifice reminds us of John’s words when he first laid eyes upon Jesus: “Look! There is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His blood for our sin. Just as the High Priest would take the blood of the sacrificial lamb and sprinkle it upon the mercy seat in the Temple that night, so Jesus would take His own blood as the Great High Priest and sprinkle it upon the Mercy Seat in heaven the next day. By doing so He offered a final sacrifice for sins for all who submit to His leadership and accept His forgiveness for their sins (Romans 10:9-10).

As the Lamb of God, Jesus offers us His promise for our future. In these final words to His followers, Jesus drops a great and powerful hint of hope. He says, “I solemnly declare that I will not drink wine again until that day when I drink it new in the Kingdom of God.” In the midst of this night of sorrow, there is the joy of the morning! Tonight He must pay the awesome price for our sin alone, but one day soon He will reap the joys of being reunited with His own. We will be with Him forever in Heaven!

If you have submitted to His leadership and accepted His forgiveness, His sacrifice made your eternity sure. Although painful and difficult, Jesus was returning to Heaven to prepare a place for us. When our place is ready, he will usher us into His joyful presence!

Giant problems require a team of warriors around us, especially as we grow older! David’s enemies were many – and, several of them were real, bona fide, terrifying giants! Knowing how to conquer them because a vital issue as David stepped into the last half of his life!

I’m Dr. Matthew Lee Smith and I want to share some Hope For Today to remind us that God’s Way Is God’s Word!

Rejoicing after his adversaries were pushing up daisies, and his son was about to move his kingdom into overdrive, the King of Israel writes a song for lasting impact. One of the lyrics says, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.” (2 Samuel 22:31, ESV)

Trouble abounds for the child of God who seeks the welfare of God’s people. If you are trying to bring help and hope to the discouraged and distressed, you can be sure Satan will send some BIG bullies to slow you down. How do you handle them?

Do what David did! He went to the Lord, listened to His Words, made those instructions His strategy and defeated the huge, insurmountable problems of his day.

David knew that God works for those who team up to conquer evil and bring freedom to those enslaved in life. Whether you are working to free addicts of alcohol, drugs, sex, sugar or power … when you seek God’s direction from God’s Word and connect with God’s warriors, victory is imminent. Step forward in the faith of God’s Way: His Word!

 

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

Welcome back! We return to our study of what it means to walk in the faith by walking with Jesus today here on the Transformed Podcast!

We are here to guide you through this intensive, verse – by – verse study of one of the Christ-follower’s most life-changing Biblical journeys!

As we open the first chapter of 1 John, remember that this small letter was written as a discipleship manual for those in the Apostle John’s home church while he was away. While we don’t know for sure, it is possible that it was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos for his bold and daring faith. As John writes, he calls his flock, and every one of us, to live boldy and unashamedly for Jesus in these last days.

In this first chapter of our study, we come to see that fellowship with the Father, has been made possible through the incarnation of Christ, the eternal Word. It can only be maintained by walking in the light, which means recognizing our daily sins, honestly confessing them quickly and forsaking them as they are revealed to us. This is faith in Christ who was crucified as the remedy for our sin.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith teaches his seminary students what it means to truly walk in the faith by walking with Jesus.

Welcome back! We return to our study of what it means to walk in the faith by walking with Jesus today here on the Transformed Podcast!

We are here to guide you through this intensive, verse – by – verse study of one of the Christ-follower’s most life-changing Biblical journeys!

As we open the first chapter of 1 John, remember that this small letter was written as a discipleship manual for those in the Apostle John’s home church while he was away. While we don’t know for sure, it is possible that it was written while he was in exile on the island of Patmos for his bold and daring faith. As John writes, he calls his flock, and every one of us, to live boldy and unashamedly for Jesus in these last days.

In this first chapter of our study, we come to see that fellowship with the Father, has been made possible through the incarnation of Christ, the eternal Word. It can only be maintained by walking in the light, which means recognizing our daily sins, honestly confessing them quickly and forsaking them as they are revealed to us. This is faith in Christ who was crucified as the remedy for our sin.

Let’s listen in as Dr. Matthew Lee Smith teaches his seminary students what it means to truly walk in the faith by walking with Jesus.