Doyle Smith Daily

 Ecclesiastes 10:1 (God's Word) Originally published 01/14/2013 "Dead flies will make a bottle of perfume stink, and then it is spoiled. A little foolishness outweighs wisdom and honor” Ecclesiastes 10:1 (God's Word). Lord, guide every word I say and everything I do today that my life would show your wisdom and be honorable.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (God's Word) Originally published 01/12/2013 "Whatever presents itself for you to do, do it with all your might, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or skill in the grave where you are going" Ecclesiastes 9:10 (God's Word). Lord, the problem is that there are many things that "present themselves" for me to do. Please, show me the things that matter from the things that are destructive or worthless. Remind me that I will die, and give me a passion to do what you show me matters with all my might.

 Ecclesiastes 8:6-8 (God's Word) Originally published 01/11/2013 "There is a right time and a right way to act in every situation. Yet, a terrible human tragedy hangs over people. They don't know what the future will bring. So who can tell them how things will turn out? No one has the power to prevent the spirit of life from leaving. No one has control over the day of his own death. There is no way to avoid the war against death" Ecclesiastes 8:6-8 (God's Word). Lord, give me determination to do what is right in every situation so at the moment of death I will have no unfinished business and no regrets.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/10/2013 “When times are good, be happy. But when times are bad, consider that God has made the one time as well as the other so that mortals cannot predict their future" Ecclesiastes 7:9 (God’s Word).  Lord, you are right. I do not know what will happen today even though I have plans. Since I have placed my life under your control, I will see the good things as a gift, and when things don't go well, I will know that you are teaching me very important things about myself and how to treat others. 

 Ecclesiastes 6:9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/09/2013 "It is better to look at what is in front of you than to go looking for what you want. Even this is pointless. It is like trying to catch the wind” Ecclesiastes 6:9 (God's Word). Lord, help me not to be so focused on what I want to have take place that I do not value what I already have.

 Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (God's Word) Originally posted 01/08/2013 “When you make a promise to God, don't be slow to keep it because God doesn't like fools. Keep your promise. It is better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it. Don't let your mouth talk you into committing a sin" Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 (God's Word). Lord, I want to help others and please you, so I promise sometimes without thinking what it takes to do what I promised. Remind me to ask you if this is a promise I should and can make so I do not sin trying to do good.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-10 (God's Word) Originally published 01/07/2013 "Two people are better than one because together they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is all alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up" Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (God's Word). Lord, I want to be a friend. Open my eyes to those around me who have fallen.

 Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 (God's Word) Originally published 01/05/2013 When we look at life through human eyes, this is what life looks like. "Mortals are weighted down with a terrible burden that God has placed on them. I have seen everything that is done under the sun. Look at it! It's all pointless. It's like trying to catch the wind" Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 (God's Word). Finding God's purpose for me has given my life meaning.

 Proverbs 31:10-12 (God's Word) Originally published 01/04/2013 "Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels. Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good. She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life" Proverbs 31:10-12 (God's Word).  I did not "find" Carol, but God led us together. I waited, following God until he led me to her. I was 29 years old. When I read this, I could see this fits her. Lord, help me be the husband to Carol that fits this description.

 Proverbs 30:32-33 (God's Word) Originally published 01/03/2013 "If you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth. As churning milk produces butter and punching a nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces a fight" Proverbs 30:32-33 (God's Word). Lord, when conflict comes, give me the self-control not to lash out but to humble myself and trust you to show me how to react to bring peace instead of pain.

Proverbs 29:1 (God's Word) Originally published 01/02/2013 "A person who will not bend after many warnings will suddenly be broken beyond repair" Proverbs 29:1 (God’s Word).  Lord, you are telling me that you are speaking to me in the criticisms and advice that I get and that I must learn, grow, and change. Show me which of these comes from you and which from the Devil, because they often feel the same. Help me to grow and learn.

Proverbs 28:9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/01/2013 "Surely the prayer of someone who refuses to listen to God's teachings is disgusting" Proverbs 28:9 (God's Word). Lord, this is really disturbing to think that when I pray it might disgust you. If I refuse to listen to your teachings, please make it clear to me, and if my prayer disgusts you, please tell me.

 Proverbs 27:1 (God's Word) Originally published 12/31/2012 “Do not brag about tomorrow, because you do not know what another day may bring” Proverbs 27:1 (God's Word). Lord, help me to focus on this day and not to waste it doing ‘good’ things, but to do ‘good’ things that are important to you.

 Proverbs 26:11 (God's Word) Originally published 12/29/2012 Why do the same bad things keep happening to me? “As a dog goes back to his vomit, so a fool repeats his stupidity" Proverbs 26:11 (God's Word). The Bible describes a ‘fool’ as someone who does what they think is right instead of doing what God thinks is right. Lord, please reveal my stupidity to me and show me your way to think and live.

 Proverbs 25:28 (God's Word) Originally published 12/28/2012 “Like a city broken into and left without a wall, so is a person who lacks self-control" Proverbs 25:28 (God's Word). Lord, I cannot control myself. I ask you to direct my life and help me obey your Spirit, which you promised would teach me self-control. 

 Proverbs 24:3-4 (God's Word) Originally published 12/27/2012 How to build a home: "With wisdom a house is built. With understanding it is established. With knowledge its rooms are filled with every kind of riches, both precious and pleasant" Proverbs 24:3-4 (God's Word). Lord, I often do not understand, and I don't know what to do, and the choices I make are certainly not wise. Without you building a home is impossible. Give me what I do not have. 

 Proverbs 23:12-14 (God's Word) Originally published 12/26/2012  God wants everyone to control their mind, will, emotions, and body. “Live a more disciplined life, and listen carefully to words of knowledge. Do not hesitate to discipline a child. If your spank him, he will not die. Spank him yourself and you will save his soul from hell” Proverbs 23:12-14 (God's Word). I have always been thankful that my parents taught me self-control. Lord, help me to do what I need to do today in the way it should be done.

 Proverbs 22:1 (God's Word) Originally published 12/25/2012 When Jesus was growing up, what things shaped his life? I think this was a principle that really was evident in his living. "A good name is more desirable than great wealth. Respect is better than silver or gold" Proverbs 22:1 (God's Word). Lord, may my character be the most valued thing in my life. 

 Proverbs 21:31 (God's Word) Originally published 12/24/2012  "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord” Proverbs 21:31 (God's Word). Lord, help me to plan and do the very best I can, but when the result and success come, help me to give you the credit. 

 Proverbs 20:24 (God's Word) Originally published 12/22/2012 It is hard for me to remember this: “The Lord is the one who directs a person's steps. How then can anyone understand his own way?" Proverbs 20:24 (God' Word). I still sometimes get upset and agitated when something or someone interrupts my plans, only to discover that it was the hand of God directing my life. Lord, when something happens that I have not planned, help me to ask first if this is you at work. 

 Proverbs 19:11 (God's Word) Originally published 12/21/2012 The holiday season brings stress because it brings people into my life. This is a good reminder to me: "A person with good sense is patient, and it is to his credit that he overlooks an offense" Proverbs 19:11 (God's Word). Lord, give me patience with everyone; help me ignore anything that might offend me.  

Proverbs 18:24 (God's Word) Originally published 12/20/2012) "Friends can destroy one another, but a loving friend can stick closer than family” Proverbs 18:24 (God’s Word). I was thinking about people who have done things that hurt me and those that had believed in me more than I did myself. But then I wondered if anyone would see me as that person who stuck closer than family. Lord, make me a "loving friend."

 Proverbs 17:1, 14 (God's Word) Originally published 12/19/2012 God's direction for the Christmas holiday season: "Better a bite of dry bread eaten in peace than a family feast filled with strife" Proverbs 17:1 (God's Word). Then: "Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate so stop before the argument gets out of control" Proverbs 17:14 (God's Word).

 Proverbs 16:20 (God's Word) Originally published 12/18/2912 God makes life simple, "Whoever gives attention to the LORD'S word prospers, and blessed is the person who trusts the LORD" Proverbs 16:20 (God's Word). Learn what God says to do, and do it, and he takes care of all the rest.

Proverbs 14:34 (God's Word) Originally published 12/17/2012   “Righteousness lifts up a nation, but sin is a disgrace in any society” Proverbs 14:34 (God’s Word). It is easy to see how Mr. Lanza's behavior has impacted our nation, but God says that everyone of us has an impact. A big glob of dirt is composed of many small particles. We all contribute to the moral climate of our homes, communities, and nation. We have to ask God, "Does my behavior lift or disgrace my world?" Lord, give me the wisdom and ability to make choices of which you approve.

Proverbs 14:12 (God's Word) Originally published 12/15/2012 “There is a way that seems right to a person, but eventually it leads to death” Proverbs 14:12 (God's Word). I have never met a person who was in deep trouble because of their choices who would not say they tried to make the very best choices at the time. We all think the choices we make are good ones even though they sometimes prove to be destructive. We can see the error in the shooter's thinking because it does not match what we see as "right." I wonder how many times God shakes his head at our choices and says, "What in the world were they thinking?" Our only safety in decision making is to check our choices against the clear instructions of God. Our wisdom is not reliable.

Proverbs 13:21(God's Word Translation) Originally published 12/14/2012 Why do I have so many problems? Why me? "Disaster hunts down sinners, but righteous people are rewarded with good" Proverbs 13:21 (God's Word). Obedience to God brings good to your life.