Doyle Smith Daily

Jeremiah 23:3-4 (God's Word) Originally published 03/27/2013 To those who have given God authority over their lives, he says; "I will bring them back to their pasture, and they will be fertile and increase in number. I will put my shepherds over them. Those shepherds will take care of them. My sheep will no longer be afraid or terrified, and not a one of them will be missing,' declares the Lord" Jeremiah 23:3-4 (God's Word). Lord, remind me of your promise when I face disasters.

 Jeremiah 21:8-10 (God's Word) Originally published 03/21/2013 God chose Israel as his people and spent centuries caring for them, but they chose to do what they wanted instead of what he told them to do. From the beginning he warned them he would not tolerate this behavior and finally the judgment came. “Say to these people, 'This is what the LORD says: I am going to give you a choice of life or death. Those who live in this city will die in the war, famine, or plague. Those of you who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will live. You will escape with your lives. I've decided to harm this city, not to do good to it, declares the LORD. It will be handed over to the king of Babylon, and he will burn it down’’’ Jeremiah 21:8-10 (God's Word). Lord, your judgment is beyond imagination. Give me a submissive attitude that I may never face your anger.

Jeremiah 20:7-8 (God's Word) Originally published 03/20/2013 God wants us to be honest with him when we talk to him. Jeremiah was upset because he had been put in prison for telling people what God told him to say. Jeremiah prayed: "O LORD, you have deceived me, and I was deceived. You overpowered me and won. I've been made fun of all day long. Everyone mocks me. Each time I speak, I have to cry out and shout, 'Violence and destruction!' The word of the LORD has made me the object of insults and contempt all day long" Jeremiah 20:7-8 (God's Word). Even though things did not go the way Jeremiah wanted, he never stopped obeying God. Lord, help me to be honest and faithful to you no matter how difficult things are for me.

 Jeremiah 18:5-9 (God's Word) Originally published 03/19/2013 God is watching us all the time and responding to what we say and do. “The LORD spoke his word to me. 'Nation of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel you are like the clay in the potter's hands. At one time I may threaten to tear up, break down, and destroy a nation or a kingdom. But suppose the nation that I threatened turns away from doing wrong. Then I will change my plans about the disaster I planned to do to it. At another time I may promise to build and plant a nation or a kingdom. But suppose that nation does what I consider evil and doesn't obey me. Then I will change my plans about the good that I promised to do to it’ Jeremiah 18:5-9 (God's Word).” Lord, remind me that you are with me, reacting to every choice that I make to guide me. I want to do what you tell me.

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (God's Word) Originally published 03/18/2013 "The human mind is the most deceitful of all things. It is incurable. No one can understand how deceitful it is. I, The LORD, search minds and test hearts. I will reward each person for what he has done. I will reward him for the results of his actions" Jeremiah 17:9-10 (God's Word). Lord, please show me when my thinking is wrong, and guide me to think like you do that my behavior would please you.

Jeremiah 16:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 03/16/2013 The prophets were so devoted to God that he could give them his messages. He could trust them to do whatever he asked. This is an example: "The LORD spoke his word to me. He said 'Don't marry! Don't have any sons or daughters in this place!" Jeremiah 16:1-2 (God's Word). So, Jeremiah never married. Lord, give me the faith to do whatever you ask of me.

Jeremiah 11:21-22 Originally published 03/14/2013 Jeremiah was doing what God told him to do. "This is what the LORD says: The people of Anathoth want to kill you. They say, 'Don't prophesy in the name of the LORD, or we'll kill you.' This is what the LORD of Armies says: I'm going to punish them’ Jeremiah 11: 21-22 (God’s Word). Lord, it is a great comfort to know when I am living in obedience to you that you have my back.

Galatians 2:20 (God's Word) Originally published 03/13/2013 . Becoming a follower of Christ is a life changing event. “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live I live by believing in God's Son, who loved me and took the punishment for my sins” Galatians 2:20 (God's Word). The human concerns that used to drive Paul's life are gone as if they died; now his life is totally controlled by what Jesus said he should do. Lord, guide me to think and act as you would in every situation I face today.

Jeremiah 9:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 03/12/2013 Some days things are heartbreaking, and we seem surrounded by evil. Jeremiah said. "I wish my head were filled with water and my eyes were a fountain of tears so that I could cry day and night for my dear people who have been killed. I wish I had a place to stay in the desert. I would abandon my people and go away from them. They are all adulterers, a mob of traitors" Jeremiah 9:1-2 (God's word). Lord, help me remember that you have led your people successfully through the most impossible of situations.

Jeremiah 8:9 (God's Word) Originally published 03/11/2013 We see all the time smart, rich, talented, and successful people destroy their lives. God explains why that happens. "Wise people are put to shame, confused, and trapped. They rejected the word of the LORD. They don't really have any wisdom" Jeremiah 8:9 (God's Word). We reject the word of God when we refuse to read or obey what it tells us. Lord, as I read your message daily, help me to put it into practice.

II Corinthians 12:7-9 (God's Word) Originally published 03/10/2013 Following Jesus does not always mean comfort. "Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I am forced to deal with a recurring problem. That problem, Satan's messenger, torments me to keep me from being conceited. I begged the Lord three times to take it away from me. But he told me: 'My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak'" II Corinthians 12:7-9 (God's Word). God is more interested in shaping our character than in our happiness or comfort. Lord, show me in the trouble that comes to me what you want to teach me and how you are trying to help me grow.

Jeremiah 7:5-7 (God's Word) Originally published 03/08/2013 The people of Israel thought that going to "church" was enough, but God said, "Suppose you really change the way you live and act and you really treat each other fairly. Suppose you do not oppress foreigners, orphans, and widows, or kill anyone in this place. And suppose you do not follow other gods that lead to your own destruction. Then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave permanently to your ancestors long ago” Jeremiah 7:5-7 (God's Word). Lord, help me to live a life that pleases you and treat people as you want me to treat them.

Jeremiah 6:13-14;19 (God's Word) Originally published 03/08/2013 God is loving and kind, but he is also holy and just. He will only take so much. "All of them, from the least important to the most important, are eager to make money dishonestly. All of them, from Prophets to priests, act deceitfully. They treat my people's wounds as though they were not serious, saying, 'Everything is alright! 'But it's not alright. Are they ashamed when they do disgusting things? No, they're not ashamed. They don't even know how to blush. So they will die with those who die. They will be brought down when I punish them' says the LORD.... Listen, earth! I'm going to bring disaster in these people. It is the result of their own plots, because they won't pay attention to my words. They reject my teachings" Jeremiah 6:13-14,19 (God's Word). Lord, may your words be more important to me than even my life.

Jeremiah 4:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 03/07.2013 "The LORD declares, 'If you come back, Israel, if you come back to me, if you take your disgusting idols out of my sight and you don't wander away from me, if you take the oath, 'as the LORD lives...' in an honest, fair, and right way, then the nations will be blessed and they will be honored by me” Jeremiah 4:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, it is such a comfort to me to know that when I fail you and am heartbroken over it, you are always ready to forgive me.

Jeremiah 2:16-18 (God's Word) Originally published 03/05/2013 ” People from Noph and Tahpanhes have cracked your skulls, Israel. You have brought this on yourself by abandoning the LORD your God when he led you on his way" Jeremiah 2:16-17 (God's Word). Lord, I can see that many of the problems that I have are the result of choices that I have made. Please help me to recognize how you are trying to lead me and not to abandon you by my choices.

Jeremiah 1:6-8 (God's Word) Originally published 03/04/2013 Jeremiah was told to give God's message to his people. "I, Jeremiah, said, 'Almighty LORD, I do not know how to speak. I am only a boy!' But the LORD said to me, 'Don't say that you are only a boy. You will go wherever I send you. You will say whatever I command you to say. Don't be afraid of people. I am with you, and I will rescue you,' declares the LORD" Jeremiah 1:6-8 (God's Word). Lord, teach me your promises so that I will act on them and not my fears.

Isaiah 64:12 - 65:2 (God's Word) Originally published 02/28/2013 Isaiah and the people admitted that they were not living as they should but were complaining that God was not speaking or helping them. "Despite these things, LORD, will you hold back? Will you be silent and make us suffer more than we can bear? I was ready to answer those who didn't ask. I was found by those who weren't looking for me. I said, 'Here I am! Here I am!' to a nation that didn't worship me. I stretched out my hands all day long to stubborn people. They chose to go the wrong direction. They followed their own plans" Isaiah 64:12 - 65:2 (God's Word). God wants to speak to us and help us more than we want it. Lord, please open my eyes and ears to you so I will never ignore you.

Isaiah 63:1-5 (God's Word) Originally published 02/27/2013 I read this, and I was uncomfortable with this bloody picture of God. Then God gave me this thought, "You see Bruce Willis as a hero when he kills the bad guys in those “Die Hard” movies. This is what I have done for my people and you." "Who is this coming from Bozrah in Edom with his clothes stained bright red? Who is this dressed in splendor going forward with great strength? 'It is I, the LORD. I am coming to announce my victory. I am powerful enough to save you.' Why are your clothes red and your garments like those who trample grapes in a winepress? 'I have trampled alone in the winepress. No one was with me. In my anger I trampled on people. In my wrath I stomped on them. Their blood splattered my clothes so all my clothing has been stained. I planned the day of vengeance. The year for my reclaiming you has come. I looked, but there was no help. I was astounded that there was no outside supp...

Isaiah 61:1-3b (God's Word) Originally published 02/06/2013 It is easy to see the greatness of God in the beauty of nature, even snow and wind. The news and internet are filled with the beautiful and powerful, but God told Isaiah that he was going to show his greatness in a different way. "The Spirit of the Almighty LORD is with me because the LORD has anointed me to deliver good news to humble people. He has sent me to heal those who are brokenhearted, to announce that captives will be set free and prisoners will be released. ...They will be called Oaks of Righteousness and the Plantings of the LORD, so that he might display his glory" Isaiah 61:1-3b (God's Word). Lord, give me a submissive life so that you can show your greatness through my life. Isaiah 61:1-3b (God's Word) Originally published 02/26/2013 It is easy to see the greatness of God in the beauty of nature, even snow and wind. The news and internet are filled with the beautiful and powerful, but God t...

 Isaiah 59:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 02/25/1013 Sometimes people blame God when things don't go as they would like. God wants us to remember, "The LORD is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear. But your wrongs have separated you from your God, and your sins have made him hide his face so that he doesn't hear you” Isaiah 59:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, please make it clear to me when my behavior stands in the way of our relationship.

Isaiah 55:11 (God's Word) Originally published 02/20/2013 God makes a tremendous promise that listening to his word will change us. If you want someone to be better, make sure they listen to the Bible as much as possible. God says, "My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do" Isaiah 55:11 (God's Word). Lord, as I listen to you, make me more like you. Help me never to get discouraged teaching or proclaiming your word, remembering this promise.

Isaiah 52:12 (God's Word) Originally published 02/19/2013 The people of Israel were captives without hope, but their God told them to be patient. "You will not go away in a hurry, nor will you go away quickly. The LORD will go ahead of you. The God of Israel will guard you from behind” Isaiah 52:12 (God's Word). Lord, we often want people to "have our back" to protect us from the things we cannot see. But you have promised not only to do that, but to prepare our future. This was a great comfort to me today.

 Isaiah 51:12-13 (God's Word) Originally published 02/18/2013 I was talking with God about some things that I have to deal with that seem impossible and devastating. I have no idea what to do. I opened the Bible for today and this jumped out at me: "I alone am the true one who comforts you. Why, then are you afraid of mortals, who must die, of humans, who are like grass? Why have you forgotten the LORD, your Creator? He stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth” Isaiah 51:12-13 (God's Word). Lord, thank you for reminding me that I live and serve you by your power and not mine.

Isaiah 49:14-16 (God's Word) Originally published 02/16/2013 God's people were in captivity and had lost their land. "But Zion said, 'The LORD has abandoned me. My LORD has forgotten me.' Can a woman forget her nursing child? Will she have no compassion on the child from her womb? Although mothers may forget, I will not forget you. I have engraved you on the palms of my hands. Your walls are always in my presence" Isaiah 49:14-16 (God's Word). Lord, I don't think that you have abandoned me, but sometimes I feel that I have abandoned you. Keep reminding me of the promise that you will never forget me.

Isaiah 48:17-19 (God's Word) Originally published 02/15/2013 "This is what the LORD, your Defender, the Holy One of Israel says: ‘I am the LORD your God. I teach you what is best for you. I lead you where you should go. If only you had listened to my commands! Your peace would be like a river that never runs dry. Your righteousness would be like waves on the sea. Your descendants would be like sand. Your children would be like its grains. Their names would not be cut off or wiped out in my presence’" Isaiah 48:17-19 (God's Word). Lord, help me to learn, follow, and obey what you say so that you can give me the life you want to give me.

Isaiah 46:1b-3 (God's Word) Originally published 02/14/2013 When the Bible talks about "gods," it is referring to things or people who control our lives or give meaning or value to us so we say we can't live without them. God said through Isaiah, "The gods you carry are burdens, a load for weary people.... Listen to me, descendants of Jacob, the few people left of the nation of Israel. I've carried you since your birth. I've taken care of you from the time you were born.  Even when you're old, I'll take care of you. Even when your hair turns to gray, I'll support you. I made you and will continue to care for you. I'll support you and save you" Isaiah 46:1b -3 (God's Word). Our “gods" are burdens we have to carry while the true God carries us. Lord, teach me how to give you my burdens so that you will control both me and my burdens.

Isaiah 44:28 (God's Word) Originally published 02/13/2012 God's people were captive in exile, but God promised to restore them to their home after 70 years; but, they had no money and no army. He told his impossible plan years before he did it. Cyrus, king of Persia, was not a believer in the God of the Bible, but Isaiah said, "He says about Cyrus, 'He is my shepherd. He will do everything I want him to do.' He says about Jerusalem, ' It will be rebuilt.' He says about the Temple, 'Your foundation will be laid”' Isaiah 44:28 (God’s Word).  It happened exactly as God said it would. Lord, when your promises seem impossible to me, help me to remember that you have all power and can even use your enemies to accomplish your goals.