Doyle Smith Daily

Acts 8:15-17 (God's Word) Originally published 12/27/2013 The apostles realized the Holy Spirit was essential for the Samaritans to live in obedience to Christ. "Peter and John went to Samaria and prayed that the Samaritans would receive the Holy Spirit. (Before this the Holy Spirit had not come to any of the Samaritans. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus). Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit" Acts 8:15-7 (God's Word). Lord, I ask that your Holy Spirit guide me in all that I think and do.

Acts 7:57-58 (God's Word) Originally published 12/26/2013 Stephan was a leader in the church of Jerusalem, and his life was controlled by the Holy Spirit of God. He was arrested for his faithfulness to Jesus, and his defense was to tell the religious leaders that they were in great danger because they were doing what their forefathers had done in rejecting the prophets by rejecting Jesus. "But the council members shouted and refused to listen. They rushed at Stephen with one purpose in mind, and after   they had him thrown out of the city, they began to stone him to death" Acts 7:57-8 (God's Word). It is always hard to accept someone telling you that you are wrong, even if it is from God. Lord, give me such an openness to you that I might recognize correction from you and accept it.

Acts 6:3 (God's Word) Originally published 12/25/2013 There was racial conflict in the church. Greek speaking widows thought Hebrew speaking widows were treated better than they. If this happened in an Anglo/Spanish church, it would split the church. The apostles said, "So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise. We will put them in charge of the problem" Acts 6:3 (God's Word). This issue is never mentioned again in Acts. Lord, teach me to be controlled by your spirit in all that I do.

Acts 2:38 (God's Word) Originally published 12/20/2013 Peter announced to the crowd that they had killed the Lord and Messiah, and they asked what they should do. "Peter answered them, 'All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of the Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift’" Acts 2:38 (God's Word). The miraculous history of God's work is built on people who have done this. Lord, continue to change the way I think and act by the power that you alone have to change people.

John 21:17 (God's Word) Originally published 12/18 2013 A lot of people are confused about how to show their love for God. "Jesus asked him a third time, 'Simon, son of John, do you love me?' Peter felt sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, 'Do you love me?' So Peter said to him, 'Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.’ Jesus told him, 'Feed my sheep’" John 21:17(God's Word).   Many people think they show love to God by singing, going to church, praying, or reading the Bible, but Jesus looks to see if we are helping others grow in their lives. Lord, I try to help the people you put in my mind, and this is my worship to you. Remind me constantly who you want me to help.

John 20:13-16 (God's Word) Originally published 12/17/2013 Mary went to the tomb and it was empty. "The angels asked her why she was crying. Mary told them, 'They have removed my Lord, and I don't know where they've put him.' After she said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there. However, she didn't know that it was Jesus. Jesus asked her, 'Why are you crying? Who are you looking for?' Mary thought it was the gardener speaking to her. So she said to him. 'Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I'll remove him.' Jesus said to her, 'Mary!' Mary turned around and said to him in Hebrew, 'Rabboni!'" John 20:13-16 (God’s Word). God has the power to turn disasters into miracles. Lord, teach me to look at every disaster as a potential miracle.

John 19:1 (God's Word) Originally published 12/16/2013 The soldiers wanted to make fun of Jesus by saying one thing and doing another. "The soldiers twisted some thorny branches into a crown, placed it on his head, and put a purple cape on him. They went up to him and said, 'Long live the king of the Jews!' and slapped his face" John 19:1 (God’s Word). This is a season when people say "Jesus is Lord" when he does not really control their behavior. I wonder how Jesus feels about our Christmas celebration?  Lord, show me the parts of my character and lifestyle that are not completely under your control. I want you to be King of all my life.

  John 8:28-29 (God's Word) Originally published 12/14/2013 The Jews were trying to get Pilate to kill Jesus. "The Jews wouldn't go into the palace. They didn't want to become unclean, since they wanted to eat the Passover. So Pilate came out to them and asked, 'What accusation are you making against this man?’” John 18:28-9 (God's Word). The Jews believed that going into the house of an unbeliever would make them unacceptable to God but killing his son would make them acceptable to God. Lord, we are so easily deceived by our own values - doing what we think is good, when you are offended by what we do.   Help me to see good and evil as You do.

John 17:20-23 (God's Word) Originally published 12/13/2013 Jesus knew what it was to have conflict and be betrayed by one of his own, but this was what he prayed for us. “I’m not praying only for them. I’m also praying for those who will believe in me through their message. I pray that all of these people continue to have unity in the way that you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they may be united with us so that the world will believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me. I did this so that they are united in the same way we are. I am in them, and you are in me. So they are completely united. In this way the world knows that you have sent me and that you have loved them in the same way you have loved me” John 17:20-23 (God’s Word). Lord, remind me of your prayer for me when one of your followers offends me that I would be one with all your followers through forgiveness. 

John 16:8-11 (God's Word) Originally published 12/12/2013 Don’t try to be God: the job is too big for humans. This is what God alone does as the Holy Spirit. “He will convict the world of sin, to show the world what has God’s approval, and to convince the world that God judges it. He will convict the world of sin, because people don’t believe in me. He will show the world what has God’s approval, because I’m going to the Father and you won’t see me anymore. He will convince the world that God judges it, because the ruler of this world has been judged” John 16:8-11 (God’s Word). Our job is to live in obedience to God. Lord, help me to remember that it is your job to change people and mine to help them know that.

John 15:16-17 (God's Word) Originally published 12/11/2013 “You didn't choose me, but I chose you. I have appointed you to go, to produce fruit that will last, and to ask the Father in my name to give you whatever you ask for. Love each other. This is what I'm commanding you to do" John 15: 16-7 (God’s Word). Jesus tells us that he has chosen us to do something that will produce lasting results, and it is not winning the lost or church work. It is to treat other followers of Christ with self-denying, sacrificial service which is called "love." He promised that God would give us anything we needed to do this. It is a command. Lord, help me to have the same expectations of my life that you do: to serve your children. 

John 13:34 (God's Word) Originally published 12/09/2013 “I’m giving you a new commandment: Love each other in the same way that I have loved you. Everyone will know that you are my disciples because of your love for each other” John 13:34 (God’s Word). So, what was the “way” that Jesus loved his disciples? Lord, show me who I can serve and help them to grow to be more like you. 

John 12:27-28 (God's Word) Originally published 12/07/2013 Sometimes we don't see Jesus as a real human being. But he lived with the same limitations that we have and more trouble than we will ever face. Sometimes it got to him. "I am too deeply troubled now to know how to express my feelings. Should I say, 'Father, save me from this time of suffering'? No! I came for this time of suffering. Father, give glory to your name’" John 12:27-28 (God's Word). Jesus’ remedy for troubled times: admit your limitations, don't ask the suffering to be removed, ask God to show his greatness by leading you through it. Lord, help me not to focus on the problems, but on obedience to you.

John 11:14-15 (God's Word) Originally published 12/06/2013 "Then Jesus told them plainly, 'Lazarus has died, but I'm glad that I wasn't there so that you can grow in faith. Let's go to Lazarus’” John 11:14-5 (God's Word). Jesus implies that if he had gone to see Lazarus, that he would have kept Lazarus from dying. God allowed this death not only to "bring glory to God" (vs 5) but to help his followers grow in their trust in him. Lord, help me to see in every disaster that you allow, or Satan brings, the opportunity to grow in my trust in you  

John 10:27-28 (God's Word) Originally published 12/05/2013 Many people have a false security about their lives, but Jesus defines what a Christian is. "My sheep respond to my voice, and I know who they are. They follow me, and I give them eternal, life. They will never be lost, and no one will tear them away from me" John 10:27-8 (God's Word). People want the "eternal life" part but not the "follow me" part. Lord, give me ears to hear your every word and a passion to obey every word you say. 

John 9:10-11 (God's Word) Originally published 12/04/2013 “So they asked him, 'How did you receive your sight? He replied, 'The man people call Jesus mixed some spit with dirt, smeared it on my eyes, and told me, 'Go to Siloam, and wash it off.' So I went there, washed it off, and received my sigh'" John 9:10-1 (God's Word). Jesus could have spoken and healed him. God's help for this man required obedience. Lord, are there times you want to help me, but I don't do what you tell me to do?

John 8: 45-46 (God's Word) Originally published 12/03/2013 It is frustrating trying to help people who seem to be stuck making the same mistakes over and over again. Even Jesus got frustrated with people. "So you don't believe me because I tell the truth. Can any of you convict me of committing a sin? If I'm telling the truth, why don't you believe me?" John 8:45-6 (God's Word). Lord, I believe you and desire to obey you completely. Show me how you want me to think and what you want me to do.

John 6:26-27 (God's Word) Originally published 11/30/2013 Our motive for coming to Jesus matters to him. "Jesus replied to them, 'I can guarantee this truth: You're not looking for me because you saw miracles. You are looking for me because you ate as much of those loaves as you wanted. Don't work for food that spoils. Instead work for the food that lasts into eternal life. This is the food the Son of Man will give you. After all, the Father has placed his seal of approval on him'" John 6:26-27 (God's Word). WE are to follow Jesus because he shapes our character which will last forever. Lord, make me to think and act like you.

John 4:32-34 (God's Word) Originally published 11/28/2013 Jesus was tired and hungry, but he met a woman who needed to be changed. When his disciples came back with food: "Jesus told them, 'I have food to eat that you don't know about.’ The disciples asked each other, 'Did someone bring him something to eat?' Jesus told them, 'My food is to do what the one who sent me wants me to do and to finish the work he has given me'" John 4:32-34 (God's Word). All across our country today eating will be a big deal. Lord, I want the same priority that you had on this earth. Is there anything in my life more important to me than doing and finishing what you called me to do?

John 3: 18-19 (God's Word) Originally published 11/27/1213 Jesus told us: "Those who believe in him won't be condemned. But those who don't believe are already condemned because they don't believe in God's only Son. This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil" John 3:18-9 (God's Word). We live in a world surrounded by condemned people who don't realize they are condemned, but they see no need to change or measure their behavior against that of Jesus. Lord, help me submit every thought and action to you, and show me one condemned person so that I can help them find freedom from condemnation.

John 2:23-25 (God's Word) Originally published 11/26/2013 “While Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover festival, many people believed in him because they saw the miracles that he performed. Jesus, however, was wary of these believers. He understood people and didn't need anyone to tell him about human nature. He knew what people were really like" John 2:23-25 (God's Word). We often don't understand our own motives. Is God wary of my devotion to him? Lord, search my heart and mind to expose to me all areas of my life not controlled by you. 

John 1:12 (God's Word) Originally published 11/25/2013 “However, he gave the right to become God's children to everyone who believed in him" John 1:12 (God's Word). The wonder of becoming a child of God by accepting the authority of Jesus to direct our lives. This is the best news that the human race will ever hear. Lord, please never let me take this "spiritual right" of being a child of God for granted. What a gift!   

Luke 24:48-49 (God's Word) Originally published 11/23/2013 Jesus told them that he had taught them all the Scriptures had to say about him, and people would be told of this and would turn to him, be forgiven of sins and change the way they thought and acted. "You are my witnesses to these things. I'm sending you what my Father promised. Wait here in the city until you receive power from heaven" Luke 24:48-49 (God's Word). We can never do what God tells us to do with knowledge and effort alone. We must have the power of God to do his work. Lord, may I think, plan, and say what you want so that your power might cause what I do to achieve what you have planned. 

 Luke 23:34 (God's Word) Originally published 11/22/2013 Jesus was betrayed and abandoned by his friends and was being killed in unbearable pain. He had done nothing wrong. If you have ever been hurt, you know how much you want to get even and pay people back. In the middle of the pain and ridicule Jesus shows us what he demands us to do. "Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them. They don't know what they're doing'" Luke 23:34 (God's Word). Lord, you never had to be forgiven, but I have had so much forgiven; yet, it is hard to forgive. Teach me and enable me to forgive completely as you have done.  

Luke 22:2 (God's Word) Originally published 11/21/2013 “The chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way to kill Jesus. However, they were afraid of the people" Luke 22:2 (God's Word). Here were two great but common tragedies. They could not tell the difference between what they wanted and what God wanted. Even though they thought it was the will of God to kill Jesus, they were more afraid of what people thought than what God thought. Lord, please don't let me confuse my will for yours, and when I know what I am to do, give me strength to do it, no matter what people think. Save me from myself.