Doyle Smith Daily

Isaiah 24:21-22 (God's Word) Originally published 02/01/2013 It does seem that things are out of control in this world, but God told Isaiah long ago that no one and nothing in the whole universe will escape his judgment. "On that day the Lord will punish heaven's armies in heaven and earth's kings on earth. They'll be gathered like prisoners in a jail and locked in prison. After a long time they'll be punished" Isaiah 24:21-22 (God's Word). Lord, constantly remind me that nothing in the universe is out of your control.

Isaiah 21:25 (God's Word) Originally published 01/31 2013 I counted 13 nations on which Isaiah was told to pronounce judgment. These were powerful countries, but only Damascus and Egypt are names that people would recognize today. Who of us could believe that the U. S., Russia, England, China or other world powers would disappear from world history in a thousand years? I am sure these people did not believe what Isaiah said either. "The Lord of Armies declares, 'On that day the peg which I firmly fastened in place will be removed. It will be cut off and will fall, and everything hanging on it will be destroyed.' The LORD has spoken" Isaiah 21:25 (God's Word). Lord, help me to believe that your words are more real than what I can touch and see.

Isaiah 19:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 01/30/2013 When I look at the news, the world seems in chaos and turmoil. I read today from Isaiah 15-20 how the ‘Lord of Armies’ was going to punish Moab, Damascus, Sudan, and Egypt. His way of ‘fighting’ would be different. "The leaders of Zoan are nothing but fools. The wisest of Pharaoh's counselors gives stupid advice. Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you. Let them explain what the Lord of Armies is planning against Egypt" Isaiah 19:11-12 (God's Word). Lord, forgive me for forgetting you are at work in world history just because I cannot see it in the news. I know that your plan will be accomplished.

Isaiah 16: 4 (God's Word) Originally published 01/29/2013 Sometimes it seems like the powerful and evil people get away with whatever they want. But unseen by us or the media, God is at work. "Ruthless people will come to an end. The destruction will end. The one who tramples others will be gone” Isaiah 16:4 (God's Word). Lord, help me not to get upset or want revenge when I see evil and injustice, but to trust you to do what you promised.

Isaiah 12:2 (God's Word) Originally published 01/28/2013 I was thinking of some very big and important things that I face, and I have no idea what to do. Today I read this. "Look! God is my Savior. I am confident and unafraid, because the Lord is my strength and my song. He is my Savior" Isaiah 12:2 (God's Word). Lord, thank you for reminding me that you have promised to provide what I cannot provide. Just show me the first thing to do, and I will do that.

 Isaiah 11:6-9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/26/2013  In a world where our human nature fuels constant conflict this is what God plans for those who follow him. "Wolves will live with lambs. Leopards will lie down with goats. Calves, young lions, and year-old lambs will be together, and little children will lead them. Cows and bears will eat together. Their young will lie down together. Lions will eat straw like oxen. Infants will play near cobras' holes. Toddlers will put their hands into vipers' nests. They will not hurt or destroy anyone anywhere on my holy mountain. The world will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord like water covering the sea" Isaiah 11:6-9 (God's Word). Lord, make me an agent of peace.

Isaiah 8:12b-14a (God's Word) Originally published 01/25/2013 God saves and destroys. ". . . ‘Don't fear what they fear. Don't let it terrify you.’ Remember that the Lord of Armies is holy. He is the one you should fear and the one you should be terrified of. He will be a place of safety for you. But he will be a rock that makes people trip..." Isaiah 8:12b-14a (God’s Word). Lord, help me to do what you show me is right so that you will be my safety.

Isaiah 7:7 (God's Word) Originally published 01/24/2013 King Ahaz, King David's grandson, was being attacked by the kings of Aram and Samaria. They intended to divide the nation of Judah between themselves so the nation of Judah would be no more. But God had plans for Judah and sent Isaiah the prophet to say, "This is what the Almighty Lord says: 'It won't take place; it won't happen'" Isaiah 7:7 (God's Word).   And it didn't happen! Lord, what a wonderful comfort to know that when I am faithful and obedient, your plans for my life will be accomplished.

Isaiah 6:8-9 (God's Word) Originally published 01/23/2013 Isaiah was in the Temple, and supreme majesty and greatness of God overwhelmed him. "Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, 'Whom will I send? Who will go for us?’ I said, 'Here I am. Send me!' And he said, 'Go and tell these people, , , ," Isaiah 6:8-9 (God's Word). Something similar happened to me. God said, "I do not want you to be a farmer or lawyer, but to tell people who I am and how to live for me." I said, "I will go." Every day I say, "Lord, who can I tell today?"

Isaiah 5:20 (God's Word) Originally published 01/22/2013 People haven't changed. Isaiah, the prophet, wrote this 2700 years ago: "How horrible it will be for those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness into light and light into darkness, who turn what is bitter into something sweet and what is sweet into something bitter" Isaiah 5:20 (God's Word). God has not changed either. It will still be destructive to those who ignore what God says is right and wrong. Lord, protect me from living by the standards of our culture, and help me live by what you say is true.

Isaiah 2:12 (God's Word) Originally published 01/21/2013 Every one of us will answer to God for the way we live. "The Lord of Armies will have his day against all who are arrogant and conceited and all who are proud of themselves (they will be humbled), . . ." Isaiah 2:12 (God's Word). Lord, give me a humble spirit of obedience to you and service to others.

Isaiah 1:3 (God's Word) Originally published 01/19/2013 "Oxen know their owners, and donkeys know where their masters feed them. But Israel doesn't know its owner. My people don't understand who feeds them” Isaiah 1:3 (God’s Word). Lord, don't let me forget that you have bought me at a great cost, and all that I have comes from you.

Song of Songs 8:6-7 (God's Word) Originally published 01/18/2013 This is the powerful love that God gives to those who obey him. "Wear me as a signet ring on your heart, as a ring on your hand. Love is as overpowering as death. Devotion is as unyielding as the grave. Love's flames are flames of fire, flames that come from the Lord. Raging water cannot extinguish love, and rivers will never wash it away. If a man exchanged all his family's wealth for love people would utterly despise him” Song of Songs 8: 6-7 (God’s Word). Lord, give me your kind of love for my wife.

Song of Songs 5:16 (God's Word) Originally published 01/17/2013 Song of Songs is a love story. The bride says of her beloved, “Everything about him is desirable!” Song of Songs 5:16 (God’s Word). We know that is only the way she sees him since all people have flaws.  Lord thank you for helping us see past the flaws in each other and to see the good and the value, enabling us to cherish each other.

Song of Songs 2:16 (God's Word) Originally published 01/16/2013 "My beloved is mine, and I am his" Song of Songs 2:16 (God's Word). This is God's description of a marriage relationship. Lord, let nothing or no one but you be more important to me than my wife.

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (God's Word) Originally published 01/15/2013 "After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad" Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (God's Word). Lord, keep reminding me that I am accountable to you as the one who made me. . . for not only what I do, but also what I think.

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 published 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.

Ecclesiastes1:13-14 (God's Word) Originally published 01/0/2013 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.