Doyle Smith Daily

 Genesis 39:3-5 (ESV) Originally published 12/22/2014 This is what God wants for all his followers. "His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake;" Genesis 39:3-5 (ESV). God wants to bless his followers that others will see his character, and he also wants to bless those for whom we work so he can  reveal himself. Lord, I ask you to direct me today that you might be able to bless others through my choices and actions and that they would see you because of my obedience to you.

 Genesis 39:1-2 (ESV) Originally posted 12/20/2014 God does what appears to be little things, but they turn out to be big. "Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master" Genesis 39:1-2 (ESV). God was with Joseph, and the result was he was placed in the home of a very influential man, and God made him a successful slave. Neither of these would seem particularly important, but it was the beginning of a great life. Lord, there are many things I have no control over, but if you are with me, my life will achieve your purpose. When things are not working as I think they should, remind me that I have given you my life and you are with me too.

 Genesis 37:17-22 (ESV) Originally posted 12/19/2014  Israel sent his son Joseph to find his brothers who were caring for the sheep. "So Joseph went after his brothers and found them at Dothan. They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, 'Here comes this dreamer. Come now let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.'...But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, 'Let us not take his life.' And Reuben said to them, 'Shed no blood; throw him intro this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him'--that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father" Genesis 37:17-22 (ESV). This was a messed up family, but even though none of them recognized it, God was working out his purpose, in spite of them. Lord, remind me when things seem impossible that you will accomplish what you have planned to do. There is no one like yo...

 Genesis 37:8 (ESV) Originally published 12/18/2014 Joseph told his father bad things about his brothers (Genesis 37:2). Jacob gave Joseph, his favorite son, special gifts (Genesis 37:3). Joseph had a dream that indicated that all his older brothers would recognize him as greater than they, and he told them the dream. "His brothers said to him, 'Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?' So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words" Genesis 37:8 (ESV). We would call Joseph a spoiled brat in our language and Jacob and Joseph both contributed to the hostility between Joseph and his brothers. Lord, give me a spirit of humility in my relationships with everyone I meet today.

 Genesis 37:3-4 (ESV) Originally published 12/17/2014  We don't always learn from our past. Jacob knew firsthand the trouble that came from his parents having favorites. He repeats the parenting pattern of his own parents, which will lead to another disaster. "Now Israel loved Joseph more than any other of his sons, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors. But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him" Genesis 37:3-4 (ESV). Sometimes our behavior is more shaped by our family than by God. Lord, alert me when I am acting more like my human parents than like my heavenly father. Teach me to be a father like you are my father.

 Genesis 33:3-4 (ESV) Originally published 12/16/2014 God told Jacob to go back to his homeland even though he left to keep his brother, Esau, from killing him. In fear he sent droves of cattle ahead of him when he heard Esau was coming. He arranged his wives and children so that his most loved would be last if Esau were to want to kill everyone. "He (Jacob) himself went on before them, bowing himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother. But Esau ran to meet him and embraced him and fell on his neck and kissed him and they wept" Genesis 33:3-4 (ESV). God does not tell us to do something that he has not already prepared the way for us to accomplish what he wants us to do. Lord, help me to trust you today by doing what you tell me to do without any concern for the consequences.

 Genesis 33:1-2 (ESV) Originally published 12/15/2014  Jacob was going back to his home country, but when he left home his brother was planning to kill him. Now he was afraid Esau would kill him when he returned. He sent hundreds of animals in droves as gifts to his brother in hopes that the gifts would change his brother's mind. "And Jacob lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, Esau was coming, and four hundred men with him. So he divided the children among Leah and Rachel and the two female servants. And he put the servants with their children in front, then Leah with her children, and Rachel and Joseph last of all" Genesis 33:1-2 (ESV). What would it be like to realize that your father would prefer you to die over one of your siblings? Jacob was planting seeds of resentment that would later cost him separation from his most loved son. Lord, help me to treat everyone around me in a way that they will feel valued and important

 Genesis 32:11-12 (ESV) Originally published 12/13/2014 God told Jacob to return to his home, but now he finds that the brother who wanted to kill him is coming to meet him with 400 men. Jacob prays: "Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, 'I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude'" Genesis 32:11-12 (ESV). When we are obeying God and face fears and dangers, we follow Jacob's example and ask God for his help. Then we remind ourselves of the promises that God has made to those who obey him. If we believe God will answer the prayers of his followers and keep his promises, then we will have peace even in the face of danger. Lord, give me the peace that comes from trust in your faithfulness, not my circumstances.

 Genesis 31:24 (ESV) Originally published 12/12/2014   God has ways to protect his followers beyond anything they could ever do. Laban was angry at Jacob for taking his cattle and daughters and leaving the country. Laban had been chasing Jacob (who was obeying God) for three days and Jacob thought his family and assets were in great danger. "But God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream by night and said to him 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad'" Genesis 31:24 (ESV). God sometimes protects us in ways we cannot even imagine; he has the ability to enter the mind of our most determined enemy and change what they think and what they want to do. Lord, in times of conflict remind me that if I act as you direct me that you will take care of me in ways I cannot imagine.

 Genesis 31:14-16 (ESV) Originally published 12/14/2014 God uses even the bad things that people do to further his work. God had told Jacob that he wanted him to return, to go back to his home, but it would mean asking his wives to leave the only family and place they ever lived. When Jacob told them what God wanted him to do: "Then Rachel and Leah answered and said to him, 'Is there any portion or inheritance left to us in our father's house? Are we not regarded by him as foreigners? For he has sold us, and he has indeed devoured our money. All the wealth that God has taken away from our father belongs to us and to our children. Now then, whatever God has said to you, do'" Genesis 31:14-16 (ESV). When God told Jacob to go back home, he may have thought, “My wives will not want to leave family,” but God knew that they were ready. Laban's treatment of his daughters prepared them to be ready to obey God. Lord, when you tell me to do something that looks impossib...

 Genesis 31:9-12 (ESV) Originally published 12/10/2014 Jacob was being cheated by his father-in-law, but Jacob explains to his wives how God has taken care of him. "Thus God has taken away the livestock of your father and given them to me. In the breeding season of the flock I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream that the goats that mated with the flock were striped, spotted, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, 'Jacob,' and I said, 'Here I am!' And he said, 'Lift up your eyes and see, all the goats that mate with the flock are striped, spotted, and mottled, for I have seen all that Laban is doing to you'" Genesis 31:9-12 (ESV). In times of conflict we get afraid because we don't know what those around us are thinking or trying to do to us. Our comfort is that God does, so we don't have to figure that out. We only have to serve God and do what he tells us to do. Lord, don't let my behavior be controlled by what others...

 Genesis 31:6-8 (ESV) Originally published 12/09/2014  Sometimes when we are living in obedience to God bad things happen to us and we wonder why God doesn't protect us. Jacob's experiences help us to see how God works. "You know that I have served your father with all my strength, yet your father has cheated me and changed my wages ten times. But God did not permit him to harm me. If he said, 'The spotted shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore spotted; and if he said, 'The striped shall be your wages,' then all the flock bore striped" Genesis 31:6-8 (ESV). Sometimes God does not stop people  from trying to hurt his children, but he blesses them in spite of what people try to do to them. God does it this way to show us that he is greater than all our enemies. Lord, remind me not to worry when things go wrong, but to have confidence that you will bring victory to me if I am faithful to serve you.

 Genesis 31:1-3 (ESV) Originally published 12/08/2014   When we serve and listen to God, he guides us through times of conflict.   "Now Jacob heard that the sons of Laban were saying, 'Jacob has taken all that was our father's, and from what was our father's he has gained all this wealth.' And Jacob saw that Laban did not regard him with favor as before. The LORD said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your kindred, and I will be with you" Genesis 31:1-3 (ESV).     When Jacob left home his brother wanted to kill him and now his in-laws have turned against him. God tells him which choice to make and promises that he will be with Jacob if he obeys God. Lord, remind me to ask your guidance in all the decisions I need to make today that I will know what to do and help me to obey what you tell me to do.

 Genesis 30:40 (ESV) Originally published 12/06/2014 Laban and Jacob made a deal that all the white sheep and goats would belong to Laban and the black and spotted sheep and goats would belong to Jacob. Laban secretly removed the black and spotted sheep and goats three days away from the white flocks so there would be no spotted ones born. Jacob was going to trick Laban by putting sticks in the water to make the white sheep have spotted lambs, but we know that would not work. Both were trying to cheat each other, but God was keeping his promise to Jacob. "Thus, the man (Jacob) increased greatly and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys" Genesis 30:43 (ESV). When we commit to live in submission, service and obedience to God, we sometimes think that our success is the result of good planning, hard work, and skill, when, in reality it is God who makes our planning work and our work productive. Lord, remind me that every good and prefect thin...

 Genesis 30:25-27 (ESV) Originally published 12/05/2014  God shows his nature and character through those who serve him. "As soon as Rachel had borne Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, 'Send me away, that I may go to my own home and country. Give me my wives and my children for whom I have served you, that I may go, for you know the service that I have given you.' But Laban said to him, 'If I have found favor in your sight, I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you'" Genesis 30:25-27 (ESV). When we submit to God to serve him and obey him, not only does he bless us, but he blesses the people around us. In this way the people around us can see what God is like. Lord, guide me today that I might be a blessing to everyone I interact with that they might want to serve and obey you too.

 Genesis 30: 14-16 (ESV) Originally published 12/04/2014 · Rachel and Leah were jealous, competitive, and manipulative, while Jacob was not providing much leadership to the home. "In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes (perhaps considered a fertility aid) in the field and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, 'Please give me some of your son's mandrakes,' But she said to her, 'Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?' Rachel said, 'Then he may lie with you tonight in exchange for your son's mandrakes.' When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, 'You must come in to me, for I have hired you with my son's mandrakes.' So he lay with her that night. And God listened to Leah and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son" Genesis 30:14-16 (ESV). This is so messy that it is embarrassing but the...

 Genesis 29:31-32 (ESV) Originally posted 12/03/2014 This was a dysfunctional family. Jacob was married to sisters, one of whom he did not want. Leah was not attractive to Jacob, and he was tricked into marrying her; she was not wanted as a wife, while Rachel was desired and attractive to her husband. "When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. Leah conceived and bore a son and she called his name Reuben, for she said, 'Because the LORD has looked upon my affliction; for now my husband will love me'" Genesis 29:31-32 (ESV). God is aware of the troubles of f ollowers, even our emotional needs, and he responds to them. Lord, when I get discouraged and things don't go well, remind me that you are aware of my problems and are at work to help me.

 Genesis 28:20-21 (ESV) Originally published 12/02/2014   Jacob had not yet come to understand how a person relates to God. "Then Jacob made a vow, saying, 'If God will be with me and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat and clothing to wear, so that I come again to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God,..."' Genesis 28:20-21 (ESV). Jacob made his commitment to God conditioned on God doing what Jacob wanted him to do. God demands our surrender to him with no conditions because he is God, not us. LORD, you have shown me areas of my life that are not surrendered to you, and I ask for strength to submit these to you today.

 Genesis 28:15 (ESV) Originally published 12/01/2014 Jacob was leaving the family and the home he grew up in and running from his brother who pledged to kill him. He was going to a place he had never been to live with people he had never met and marry someone he did not know. He was leaving security and living in insecurity. His first night on the road he slept and in a dream God Came to him saying: "Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised" Genesis 28:15 (ESV). Lord, when I face problems and uncertainty remind me of your promises to those who obey you that I would have peace. Confront me with my disobedience and give me a passion to be obedient that I would fulfill your purpose for my life and experience the peace that comes from you alone.

 Genesis 27:42-46 (ESV) Originally published 11/282014   God works even in the most dysfunctional family. Rebekah said to Jacob: "Behold, your brother Esau comforts himself about you by planning to kill you. Now therefore, my son, obey my voice. Arise, flee to Laban my brother in Haran and stay with him a while, until your brother's fury turns away---until your brother's anger turns away from you, and he forgets what you have done to him. Then I will send and bring you from there. Why should I be bereft of you both in one day/" Then Rebekah said to Isaac, 'I loathe my life because of the Hittite women. If Jacob marries one of the Hittite women like these, one of the women of the land, what good will my life be to me?"' Genesis 27:42-46 (ESV). The wife conspires with one son against another, brother determined to kill his brother, mom against dad, lying, stealing, and deceit, but in all this God was at work to accomplish his plan. Lord, help me never to th...

 Genesis 27:41 Originally published 11/27/2014 When their twins were born, Isaac loved Esau and Rebekah loved Jacob (Genesis 25:28), and this conflict between parents contributed to conflict between sons, which resulted in disaster. "Now Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father had blessed him, and Esau said to himself, 'The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob'" Genesis 27:41(ESV). God promises that if we submit to his authority, he will make a man and woman one in marriage. Lord, teach me to conform to your will that you would continue to make Carol and myself one, bringing honor to you.  

 Genesis 26:26-28 (ESV) Originally published 11/26/2014 Isaac prospered. and Abimelech (the ruler) told him to leave because Isaac was getting too powerful. "When Abimelech went to him from Gerar with Ahuzzath his adviser and Phicol the commander of his army, Isaac said to them, 'Why have you come to me, seeing that you hate me and have sent me away from you?' They said, 'We see plainly that the LORD has been with you'" Genesis 26:26-28 (ESV). God's plan is for us to live in submission and obedience to him so that he might bless us and so that others will see his greatness. Lord, guide me to think and act exactly as you want me to think and act so that everyone around me would see you."

 Genesis 25:27-28 (ESV) Originally published 11/25/2014 Isaac and Rebekah were not perfect parents and their parenting and relationships with each other and their sons made for domestic trouble. "When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, dwelling in tents. Isaac loved Esau because he ate his game, but Rebekah loved Jacob" Genesis 25:27-28 (ESV). While our sin might create a lot of problems for us and those around us, if we are trying to obey God, he will still use us for his purpose. Lord, I know I fail you many times and I try to confess these sins to  you. I ask you to help me to grow to be more faithful and that you would use my life to benefit your Kingdom and the lives of others.

 Genesis 24:50-51 (ESV) Originally published 11/24/2014 When Abraham's servant told Rebekah's family how God had guided him to her as a wife for Isaac they responded: "Then Laban (her father) and Bethuel (brother) answered: '...The thing has come from the LORD; we cannot speak to you bad or good. Behold, Rebekah is before you; take her and go, and let her be the wife of your master's son, as the LORD has spoken'" Genesis 24:50-51 (ESV). Everyone, including Isaac and Rebekah, were willing to base the marriage on God's direction - not looks, compatibility, or human attraction. Lord, you know so much more about what is best for me than I do. Show me what you want me to do, and give me a spirit of submission to you.

 Genesis 22:15-17 (ESV) Originally published 11/22/2014 This is the secret to God's blessings. "And the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven and said, 'By myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore'" Genesis 22:15-17 (ESV). When we withhold from God what he asks from us for fear of losing it, we do lose it. What we freely give to God when he asks for it, he multiplies it for us. Lord, give me the trust in you to give generously of whatever you ask from me, be it time, attention, listening to you, material things or submission.

 Genesis 22:13-14 (ESV) Originally published 11/21/1014 The Lord asked Abraham to offer his only son as a sacrifice to him. He lived several days thinking that the Lord was taking away his only son, but at the last minute God stopped Abraham and provided a ram for the sacrifice. "And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So, Abraham called the name of the place, 'The LORD will provide'" Genesis 22:13-14 (ESV). Lord, sometimes it looks like disaster is coming to me or the work you have given me to do, and I see no way to succeed. Help me to remember what you did for Abraham and believe that you are a God who provides everything I need. Help me to live believing that when I obey you that you will provide all that I need