Doyle Smith Daily

 Daniel 1:8 (God's Word) Originally published 05/24/2013 Daniel was a prisoner in a foreign culture and ordered by the king to live like the Babylonians. He was convinced that disobeying God would bring harm to him. God told his people to not eat meat that was not properly prepared. "Daniel made up his mind not to harm himself by eating the king's rich food and drinking the king's wine. So he asked the chief-of-staff for permission not to harm himself in this way" Daniel 1:8 (God's Word). Daniel chose to obey God at great risk to himself. Lord, when I read what you say I should do, remind me that it is always for my good, no matter how risky it might seem to me

Ezekiel 43:25 (God's Word) Originally published 05/23/2013 Disobeying God and ignoring him are critical things for him who is ruler of the universe. He cannot overlook it. This is what God required of Israel: "Every day for seven days you must sacrifice a goat, a young bull, and a ram from the flock as an offering for sin" Ezekiel 43:25 (God's Word). But because Christ died to provide forgiveness of sin for those pledged to serve God, this is what he says: "But if we live in the light in the same way that God is in the light, we have a relationship with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from every sin. If we say, 'We aren't sinful' we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we've done wrong" I John 1:7-9 (God's Word).  Lord, remind me every time I offend you, and I will admit it and ask for forgiveness a...

Ezekiel 39:27-29 Originally published 05/22/2013 God had to discipline his people because they rebelled against him, but what he had in mind by his discipline was bringing them closer to him. "Then my people will know that I am the LORD their God. I sent them into captivity among the nations, and I brought them back again to their land. I left none of them behind. I will no longer hide my face from them, because I will pour out my Spirit on the nation of Israel, declares the Almighty LORD" Ezekiel 39:27-29 (God's Word) Lord, remind me when things are bad that you are always working to bring me closer to you

Ezekiel 37:3-6 (God's Word) Originally published 05/21/2013 God took Ezekiel to a valley filled with dry bones and asked: "Son of man, can these bones live? I answered, ' Only you know, Almighty LORD.' Then he said to me, 'Prophesy to these bones. Tell them, 'Dry bones, listen to the word of the LORD. This is what the Almighty LORD says to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you, you will live. I will put ligaments on you, place muscles on you, and cover you with skin. I will put breath in you, and you will live. Then you will know that I am the LORD" Ezekiel 37:3-6 (God's Word). God wants to do in and though us things that are impossible for people to do to show the world who he is. Lord, help me to live trusting in your mighty power for all you ask me to do.

Ezekiel 35:9 (God's Word) Originally published 05/20/2013 God's judgment is designed to help us by correcting our behavior. "I will turn you into a permanent wasteland. Your cities will not be lived in. Then you will know that I am the Lord" Ezekiel 35:9 (God's Word). When things are really bad for you, the first thing you should do is to ask God if he wants any change in your behavior. Lord, it is a great comfort to know that you are watching and guiding me every day.

Ezekiel 33:30-32 (God's Word) Originally published 05/18/2013 Why would God be upset when people go to Bible study? "Son of man, your people are talking about you by the walls and in the doorways of their homes. They are saying to each other, 'Let's go and hear the word that has come from the LORD.' Then they come to you, as if they are still my people, and they sit down in front of you. They listen to what you say, but they don't do it. They say that they love me, but in their hearts they chase dishonest profits. To them you are nothing more than a singer with a beautiful voice who sings love songs or a musician who plays an instrument… They listen to your words, but they don't do them" Ezekiel 33:30-32 (God's Word). Lord, make obedience to you my greatest passion.

Ezekiel 33:7-9 (God's Word) Originally published 05/16/2013 "Son of man, I have appointed you as a watchman for the people of Israel. Listen to what I say and warn them for me. Suppose I say to a wicked person, 'You wicked person, you will certainly die,' and you say nothing to warn him to change his ways. That wicked person will die because of his sin, and I will hold you responsible for his death. But if you warn a wicked person to turn from his ways and he doesn't turn from them, then he will die because of his sin. However, you will save yourself" Ezekiel 33:7-9 (God's Word). Lord, when I see someone doing things that I can see will bring them disaster, give me the courage to tell them what I have learned from you.

Ezekiel 30:7-8 (God's Word) Originally published 05/15/2013 Because Egypt was trying to destroy God's people he said: “Egypt will become the most desolate country in the world, and Egypt's cities will lie in ruins. They will be ruined more than other cities. Then they will know that I am the LORD,..." Ezekiel 30:7-8 (God's Word). In the 50's-70's the world feared the U.S.S.R. who outlawed Christianity, confiscating church buildings in their land, and it seemed as if they might take over the world. People in the U.S. were building home shelters for fear of atomic attacks and schools held practice as what to do in case of atomic attack from the U.S.S.R. Today U.S.S.R. does not exist and in Russia churches are open and thriving. God rules the world!   Lord, how amazing and powerful you are! Without any army or war you control the world.

Ezekiel 29:4-7 (God's Word) Originally published 05/14/2013 In the Old Testament time Egypt was one the most powerful nations in the world, but they failed to help God's people. God said to them: “I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish from the Nile. You will fall in an open field. No one will pick you up or bury you. I will feed you to wild animals and birds. Then all those living in Egypt will know that I am the LORD. Egypt, you have become like a broken walking stick to the nation of Israel. When Israel grabbed you, you splintered and tore up their shoulders. When they leaned on you, you broke, and they wrenched their backs" Ezekiel 29:4-7 (God's Word). You won't see this in the news, but God is at work destroying the nations that hurt his people. Lord, sometimes I forget that you are the ruler of all nations; forgive me. Help me to live with confidence that history is under your control.

 Ezekiel 27:34-36 (God's Word) Originally published 05/13/2013 Tyre was a city on an island with walls built around it that were 150 feet high. It was the commercial center of the world in Ezekiel's day. It was an arrogant and greedy city. It's wickedness offended God. It was economically powerful and militarily safe. The world at that time saw this city as beyond destruction. God told them what was going to happen to them. "Now you are wrecked in the sea, at the bottom of the sea. Your goods and your whole crew sank with you. All those who live on the coasts are horrified because of you. Their kings are terribly afraid. Their faces show their fear. The merchants among the nations laugh at you. You have come to a terrible end, and you will never exist again" Ezekiel 27:34-36 (God's Word). No nation can stand against God, no matter how great it may seem to us. Lord, help me to never forget your power or be afraid of anything in this world

Ezekiel 25:6-7 (God's Word) Originally published 05/11/2013 Sometimes we feel that people take advantage of us, and we can't defend ourselves. This is the way God responds for those who trust and obey him. "This is what the Almighty LORD says: You clapped your hands and stomped your feet. You rejoiced and felt contempt for the land of Israel. That is why I will use my power against you and hand you over to the nations as loot. I will wipe you out from among the nations, make you disappear, and destroy you. Then you will know that I am the LORD" Ezekiel 25:6-7 (God's Word). Lord, remind me every time I am afraid or worried that you are my defender and protector.

Ezekiel 24:25 (God's Word) Originally published 05/10/2013 God gave his people the Temple to symbolize his presence with them and they loved it. They substituted religion and church attendance for obedience. They thought God wanted them to be happy in their religion when he really wanted love for him and their obedience. He said: "Son of man, on that day I will take their stronghold away from them. It makes them happy and proud. It is their hearts' desire and the thing they love the most" Ezekiel 24:25 (God's Word) Lord, please warn me if there is anything that I love more than you, and give me discipline to obey you completely.

Ezekiel 22:30-31 (God's Word) Originally published 05/09/2013 Ezekiel 22 has a long list of the terrible wickedness of the people of Jerusalem. God announces to them that he is going to destroy the city completely, but it was not his first choice. He said: "'I looked for someone among you who could build walls or stand in front of me by the gaps in the walls to defend the land and keep it from being destroyed. But I couldn't find anyone. So, I will pour out my anger on you and with my fiery anger I will consume you. This is because of all the things you have done,' declares the Almighty LORD" Ezekiel 22:30-31 (God's Word) Lord, I know that you are constantly trying to bring this nation to faithfully serve you. I want to be one of those people who stand in the gaps with you.

Ezekiel 21:31 (God's Word) Originally published 05/08/2013 Some of the things that God does in the Old Testament are very drastic. God had plans to send Jesus into our world and he had to prepare the Jewish community to receive him, but they refuse God's direction. He warns them for decades to obey him, but they ignore his plans and all his plans for salvation of the world are being destroyed. Finally, he gives up hope for a change. He has to get rid of those who are destroying his whole plan for the world and its salvation. It is like your beloved dog has attacked your child and you have to choose to save one and destroy the other. So, God said to Israel: "I will pour out my fury on you and breathe on you with my fiery anger. I will hand you over to cruel people who are skilled in destruction. You will be fuel for the fire. You will die in the land. You will no longer be remembered. I, the LORD, have spoken'" Ezekiel 21:31 (God’s Word). In his grief he did this t...

Ezekiel 20:20 (God's Word) Originally published 05/07/2013 Worship is acknowledging the greatness of God. It is done alone and with others who agree with you. God demands that his people set aside time to do this. It matters to God if you set aside time daily and weekly to acknowledge his rule over your life. It is an indication that you recognize who he really is. "Set apart certain holy days to worship me. This will be a sign between me and you so that you will know that I am the LORD your God" Ezekiel 20:20 (God's Word). Lord, I give this time to you because I want you to know that I want you to rule all of my life.

 Ezekiel 18:2-4 (God's Word) Originally published 05/06/2013 Sin is ignoring the fact that God rules the world and ignoring his rules for living. This is what he says: "What do you mean when you use this proverb about the land of Israel: 'Fathers have eaten sour grapes, and their children's teeth are set on edge?' As I live, declares the Almighty LORD, you will no longer use this proverb in Israel. The life of every person belongs to me. Fathers and their children belong to me. The person who sins will die" Ezekiel 18:2-4 (God's Word). Lord, I am so grateful that because I have trusted you instead of myself you forgive all my sins.

Ezekiel 15:8 (God's Word) Originally published 05/02/2013 Love requires discipline. When you love your children, you make sure they learn how to behave. God loves us and he is determined to teach his children how to live correctly. After every failure of his people to live as they should God increased the punishment. He loved them so much that he was not afraid to do whatever it took to teach them how to live, even to destroying their whole country. "’I will turn the country into a wasteland because they have been unfaithful,’ declares the Almighty LORD" Ezekiel 15:8 (God's Word). Lord, help me not to ignore your correction, but to welcome it that I might become the person you want me to be.

Ezekiel 14:5-8 (God's Word) Originally published 05/01/2013 In the Bible idols are people or things that control people's choices and behavior instead of God controlling their choices and actions. God does not always help people. "So, tell the nation of Israel, 'This is what the Almighty LORD says: Change the way you think and act! Turn away from your idols, and don't return to any of your disgusting things. Suppose an Israelite or a foreigner who lives in Israel deserts me by devoting himself to idols and by allowing himself to fall into sin. If he goes to a prophet to ask for my help, I, the LORD, will give him an answer. I will reject him and will make an example of him. I will exclude him from my people. Then you will know that I am the LORD” Ezekiel 14:6-8 (God's Word). Lord, I want you alone to guide my choices and behavior. Please show me when I am not following you.

Ezekiel 12:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 04/30/2013 God sees things differently from the way we see them. He made the world and everything in it. He gave people rules by which they are to live. Every single person has ignored these rules and made choices based on what they want to do. We don't pay attention to God, and he sees this as rebellion against him. "The LORD spoke his word to me. He said, 'Son of man, you are living among rebellious people. They have eyes, but they can't see. They have ears, but they can't hear because they are rebellious people” Ezekiel 12:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, help me focus on you and not myself. Give me ears to hear what you are saying to me and to see how you want me to live.

Ezekiel 11:12 (God's Word) Originally published 04/29/2013 We have become increasingly aware that to have a healthy body we must control our eating and exercise. The same is true for our character and lifestyle. God made clear the basis of his judgment. "You haven't lived by my laws, and you haven't obeyed my rules. You have followed the standards set by the nations around you" Ezekiel 11:12 (God's Word). Lord, please give me the power to think, talk, and act like Jesus, not the culture of this world.

Ezekiel 9:19 (God's Word) Originally published 04/27/2013 Matthew 7:12 is a great guide for relationships: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (NIV). But I never before noticed that how we treat people will also be the basis of our judgment from God. God told Ezekiel that the land of Israel was filled with murder and wrongdoing. Then he said: "But I will not have compassion or feel sorry. I will do to them what they have done to others" Ezekiel 9:10 (God's Word). This could explain some of the stuff that happens to us. Lord, help me to treat people the way you have treated me.

 Ezekiel 7:27 (God's Word) Originally published 04/26/2013 God made the world and everything in it, including people. He expected all his creation to live the way he directed, but people are the only part of his creation that refused to do so. Israel was willing to obey their human rules, but they ignored God as if he were not in charge. He was determined to bring punishment to them: "Kings will mourn, and princes will give up hope. The common people will lose their courage. I will give them what they deserve and judge them as they have judged others. Then they will know that I am the LORD" Ezekiel 7:27 (God's Word). In chapters 6 & 7 he used that last phrase 7 times. It means that he wants everyone to recognize he is in charge of the world and will do whatever it takes to prove it. His last resort is punishment. Ask God if your trouble could be because you ignore his plan for your life. Lord, I want to live as if you were my father, and I was your child.