Doyle Smith Daily

1 Peter 1:22 (God's Word) Originally published 06/12/2014 In the Bible love is not an emotion. It is self-denying sacrificial service to others. "Love each other with a warm love that comes from the heart. After all, you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth. As a result you have a sincere love for each other" I Peter 1:22 (God's Word). When we reject our self-directed life and submit to God's control of our lives, then we are cleansed of all unrighteousness. Christ now controls us, and we can love others as he has loved us. Lord, guide me to obey you so that I will be a servant to everyone that I interact with today. By meeting me might they know a little bit of what you are like.

1 Peter 1:14-16 (God's Word) Originally published 06/11/2014 This is what a Christian is. "Because you are children who obey God, don't live the kind of lives you once lived. Once you lived to satisfy your desires because you didn't know any better. But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life. Scripture says, 'Be holy, because I am holy" I Peter 1:14-6 (God's Word). Lord, to be holy is to think and act like you would think and act. Please make it clear when I am not thinking like you today. Guide me in all I have to do that it would be the way you would do it. Show me when my desires, not yours, are driving my thinking and choices.

1 Peter 1:7 (God's Word) Originally published 06/10/2014 God has a purpose in everything that happens to his children. "The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God. This will happen when Jesus Christ appears again" I Peter 1:7 (God's Word). Lord, I realize that I have some tests today, and unless you tell me what to do and give me guidance, I will fail. In dealing with these things. I want to demonstrate your wisdom and power.

1 Peter 1:2 (God's Word) Originally published 06/09/2014 God reveals his plan for me. "God the Father knew you long ago and chose you to live holy lives with the Spirit's help so that you are obedient to Jesus Christ and are sprinkled with his blood" I Peter 1:2 (God's Word). Jesus’ blood has removed my sin, and the Spirit gives me wisdom to know what to do and the ability to do it. Lord, remind me every day what you have done for me and to live a life submissive to your Spirit. Show me what you want me to stop doing and what you want me to begin doing, but most of all, give me a passion to obey you completely.

John 5:13-16 (God's Word) Originally published 06/07/2014 The promises of prayer are astonishing. "If any of you are having trouble, pray. If you are happy, sing psalms. If you are sick, call for the church leaders. Have them pray for you and anoint you with olive oil in the name of the lord. (Prayer offered in faith will save those who are sick, and the Lord will cure them.) If you have sinned, you will be forgiven. So admit your sins to each other, and pray for each other so that you will be healed. Prayers offered by those who have God's approval are effective" James 5:13-16 (God's Word). I think that when I pray I am more interested in answers to my prayer than whether or not I have God's approval, and that stands in the way of  God's answer. Lord, when I pray, remind me to start by asking you if I have your approval of my life and to ask for your approval for what I am asking.

John 5:12 (God's Word) Originally published 06/06/2014 God's words can be trusted, and it must be so for his followers. "Above all things, my brothers and sisters, do not take an oath on anything in heaven or on earth. Do not take an oath. If you mean yes, say yes. If you mean no, say no. Do this so that you won't be condemned" James 5:12 (God's Word). The person controlled by Christ needs no oath to assure someone that they are telling the truth. Lord, help me not to promise anything that I do not do, and when I promise something, remind me that keeping that promise is a reflection of your reliability. Remind me how serious it is to promise to pray for someone.

James 5:9 (God's Word) Originally published 06/05/2014 Everyone we know does things that are wrong, and some of those things cause us trouble and hurt our feelings. "Brothers and sisters, stop complaining about each other or you will be condemned. Realize that the judge is standing at the door" James 5:9 (God's Word). Lord, every time someone annoys me or does something of which I don't approve, remind me of what I do that does not please you, and as I want forgiveness, I must give it to others

James 5:3-4 (God's Word) Originally published 06/04/2014 Being blessed by God carries responsibilities. "You have stored up riches in these last days. The wages you refused to pay the people who harvested your fields shout to God against you. The Lord of Armies has heard the cries of those who gather the crops" James 5:3-4 (God's Word). It is very important to God what we pay people who work for us. It is not a matter of economics to God, but a spiritual and moral issue. Lord, give me a spirit of generosity to all the people who serve me or work for me just as you have been generous with me.

James 4:14-17 (God's Word) Originally published 06/03/2014 It is frustrating when I make plans for the day and things come up and I can't complete my plans. "You don't know what will happen tomorrow. What is life? You are a mist that is seen for a moment and then disappears. Instead, you should say, 'If the Lord wants us to, we will live and carry out our plans.' However, you brag because you're arrogant. All such bragging is evil. Whoever knows what is right but doesn't do it is sinning" James 4:14-7 (God's Word). I know that you are in control of the world. Lord, forgive me for thinking and acting like I am in control of my life, and help me to see all the "unplanned" things that happen as your plan for me.

James 4:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 06/02/2014 Passing judgment on the motives of others is acting like we are God. "Brothers and sisters, stop slandering each other. Those who slander and judge other believers slander and judge God's teachings. If you judge God’s teachings, you are no longer following them. Instead, you are judging them. There is only one teacher and judge. He who is able to save or destroy you. So who are you to judge your neighbor" James 4:11-12 (God's Word). Lord, help me understand the people I interact with today, and show me how to help them.

James 4:1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 05/31/2014 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Aren't they caused by the selfish desires that fight to control you? You want what you don't have, so you commit murder. You're determined to have things, but you can't get what you want. You quarrel and fight. You don't have the things you want, because you don't pray for them. When you pray for things, you don't get them because you want them for the wrong reason--for your own pleasure"  James 4:1-3 (God's Word). The conflicts I have come because I don't get my way. Lord, don't let my desire for pleasure be a substitute for obedience to you.

James 3:17-18 (God's Word) Originally published 05/30/2014 There is a wisdom that people who do not obey Christ have, and it belongs to the world and is self-centered and demonic (James 3:15). "However, the wisdom that comes from above is first of all pure. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere. A harvest that has God's approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers" James 3:17-18 (God's Word). Lord, give me your wisdom that plants peace in every situation I face today.

James 3:9-12 (God's Word) Originally published 05/29/2014 "With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. Yet, with the same tongue we curse people, who were created in God's likeness. Praise and curses come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen. Do clean and polluted water flow out of the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? In the same way, a pool of salt water can't produce fresh water" James 3:9-12 (God's Word). The thoughtless, hurtful, mean, and bad things that I say are not accidents; they reflect my heart. Lord, transform me that I would never be ashamed of my words.

James 2:26 (God's Word) Originally published 05/28/2014 The Bible is clear that there is a great difference between someone who has faith in God and someone who does not. "A body that doesn't breathe is dead. In the same way faith that does nothing is dead" James 2:26 (God's Word). When we trust God and do what he tells us, that shows our faith. When people say they have faith, but do not do the things God says his followers should do, it is clear they have no faith. Lord, I know some things you want me to do today; give me determination to do those and whatever else you present to me. I want to obey and please you.

James 2:8-10 (God's Word) Originally published 05/27/2014 Our culture and human nature make some of God's laws more important than others. "You are doing right if you obey this law from the highest authority: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself.' If you favor one person over another, you're sinning, and this law convicts you of being disobedient. If someone obeys all of God's laws except one, that person is guilty of breaking all of them" James 2:8-10 (God's Word). Everyone is condemned as law breakers. Lord, forgive me for taking obedience to you lightly. Forgive me, for without your forgiveness I am doomed.

James 1:25-26 (God's Word) Originally published 05/26/2014 Going to church and Bible studies can be just social or recreational activities. "However, the person who continues to study God's perfect teachings that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don't merely listen and forget; they actually do what God's teachings say. If a person thinks that he is religious but can't control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person's religion is worthless" James 1:25-6 (God's Word). Lord, give me your spirit to control my speech and not my emotions today.

James 1:19-21 (God's Word) Originally published 05/24/2014 Anger is our emotional response to people or situations that we cannot control. "Remember this, my dear brothers and sisters: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and should not get angry easily. An angry person doesn't do what God approves of. So get rid of all immoral behavior and all wicked things you do. Humbly accept the word that God has placed in you. This word can save you" James 1:19-21 (God's Word). Lord, remind me that you control the world when computers, stop lights or machines don't work as I think they should. Remind me that people are accountable to you for their behavior and not to me. Deliver me from anger.

James 1:16 (God's Word) Originally published 05/23/2014 Sometimes I hear people who have tragic things happen to them say it is the will of God. "My dear brothers and sisters, don’t be fooled. Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon, and stars. The Father doesn't change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon" James 1:16 (God's Word). Sin brings destruction, but God brings life. Remind me that every good thing that happens to me is a gift from you, and every terrible thing is the consequence of sin.

James 1:13-15 (God's Word) Originally published 05/22/2014 "When someone is tempted, he shouldn't say that God is tempting him. God can't be tempted by evil, and God doesn't tempt anyone. Everyone is tempted by his own desires as they lure him away and trap him. Then desire becomes pregnant and gives birth to sin. When sin grows up, it gives birth to death" James 1:13-15 (God's Word). Our desires can start us down a deadly road. Lord, help me to see when my desires are contrary to your will, and give me the strength to say no to myself.

James 1:12 (God's Word) Originally published 05/21/2014 A spiritual test comes when we are obeying God and something happens that is terrible. We have to decide whether to keep on obeying God or change our behavior. “Blessed are those who endure when they are tested. When they pass the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him" James 1:12 (God's Word.) Loving God and obeying God are the same thing in the Bible. ("If you love me you will keep my commandments" John 15:14.) Trusting God enough to continue to obey him when it looks disastrous leads to life. Lord, help me to be obedient regardless of the apparent consequences.

James 1 5-8 (God's Word) Originally published 05/20/2014 The follower of Christ has a great promise. "If any of you needs wisdom to know what you should do, you should ask God, and he will give it to you. God is generous to everyone and doesn't find fault with them. When you ask for something, don't have any doubts. A person who has doubts is like a wave that is blown by the wind and tossed by the sea. A person who has doubts shouldn't expect to receive anything from the Lord. A person who has doubts is thinking about two different things at the same time and can't make up his mind about anything" James 1:5-8 (God's Word). Lord, help me to know the difference between your voice and Satan's doubts and the passion to obey you.

James 1:2-4 (God's Word) Originally published 05/17/2014 Most of the time when we have trouble we are upset. "Brothers and sisters, be very happy when you are tested in different ways. You know that such testing of your faith produces endurance. Endure until your testing is over. Then you will be mature and complete, and you won't need anything" James 1:2-4 (God's Word). If we want to grow up spiritually, trouble and conflict are opportunities to be more like Christ. Lord, help me to see trouble as an opportunity to experience you teaching me your wisdom and power.

Hebrews 13:15-16 (God's Word) Originally published 05/16/2014 In the Bible the "sacrifice of praise" is not singing. "Through Jesus we should always bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, words that acknowledge him. Don't forget to do good things for others and to share what you have with them. These are the kinds of sacrifices that please God" Hebrews 13:15-6 (God’s Word).  Living, acting, and speaking as Jesus did, , instead of the way we feel or the way others around us do those things, is our sacrifice that puts Jesus in control of our lives, and that is our sacrifice of praise. Lord, guard my tongue, mind, and actions that I will live like Jesus lived, and this is my praise to you today.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 05/15/2014 "Since we are surrounded by so many examples of faith, we must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially sin that distracts us. We must run the race that lies ahead of us and never give up. We must focus on Jesus, the source and goal of our faith. He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him. Then he received the highest position in heaven, the one next to the throne of God. Think about Jesus, who endured opposition from sinners, so that you don't become tired and give up" Hebrews 12:1-3 (God's Word). Lord, I do fail you and get discouraged, so I need you to remind me of the sacrifice of you and others who have died in obedience. Help me never to give up or lose confidence that you will give me the victory if I am faithful. The follower of Christ has a great promise.

Hebrews 11:1 (God's Word) Originally published 05/14/2014 There are a lot of reasons to be afraid and worried in this world. This is God's remedy for his followers. "Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see" Hebrews 11:1 (God's Word). Our trust in God gives us assurance and confidence that what God promised us would actually happen. Lord, some of the things you promise are impossible for humans to achieve, so I ask that you help me see your promises as reality.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (God's Word) Originally published 05/13/2014 I sometimes hear people evaluate their church attendance by what they get out of it. “We must also consider how to encourage each other to show love and to do good things. We should not stop gathering together with other believers, as some of you are doing. Instead, we must continue to encourage each other even more as we see the day of the Lord coming" Hebrews 10:24-5 (God's Word). On days of good weather and the crowd at church is small, there is a spirit of discouragement that makes it hard to preach or sing. Our presence makes a difference to others, and to choose not to go hinders the work of God. Lord help me to remember that my faithfulness to you impacts others, but also help me not to let the behavior of others discourage me.