Doyle Smith Daily

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 their 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 stands 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 refused 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 thi...

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 so that I might become the person you want me to be.

Ezekiel 14:6-8 (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 9:10 (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 were your child.

Ezekiel 6:8-10 (God's Word) Originally published 04/25/2013 God was telling about the judgment that he was going to bring on his people; then he said this: "But I will let some people live. Some people will escape the battle among the nations and be scattered throughout the countries. Then those who escape will remember me among the nations where they are taken captive. I was hurt by their adulterous hearts, which turned away from me, and by their eyes, which lusted after idols. They will hate themselves for the evil and disgusting things that they have done. Then you will know that I am the LORD..." Ezekiel 6:8-10 (God's Word). What caught my attention was that God said their disobedience hurt him. God takes my disobedience personally. Like I would take it personally if I asked a friend not to tell or do something, and they just did it anyway. Lord, don't let me forget that our relationship is not just about rules, but is personal, and all that I do affects you a...

Ezekiel 4:14 (God's Word) Originally published 04/24/2013 God was going to punish Israel for 390 years and Judah for 40 years. He told Ezekiel to deliver this message by laying on his left side for 390 days and then on his right side for 40 days. All the while he was to maintain a very strict diet. He was to cook using human excrement as fuel. "I answered, 'Almighty LORD, I have never dishonored myself. From the time I was young until now, I have never eaten an animal that died by itself or was killed by other wild animals. No unclean meat has ever entered my mouth'" Ezekiel 4:14 (God's Word). Ezekiel did what God asked even, though it was entirely opposite of what he had done all his life. Lord, I want a passion to obey you whatever you ask of me.

Ezekiel 3:17-18 (God's Word) Originally published 04/23/2013 This is what God said to Ezekiel: "Son of man, I have made you a watchman over the people of Israel. Listen to what I say, and warn them for me. Suppose I tell you that wicked people will surely die, but you don't warn them or speak out so that they can change their wicked ways in order to save their lives. Then the wicked people will die because of their sin, but I will hold you responsible for their deaths" Ezekiel 3:17-18 (God's Word). Then Jesus said to his followers: "So wherever you go, make disciples of all nations" Matthew 28:19 (God's Word). Lord, I want making disciples to be the most important thing in my life.

Ezekiel 2:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 04/22/2013 The God of the Bible communicates with people. Ezekiel the prophet reported this: "He said to me, 'Son of man, stand up and I will speak to you. As he spoke to me, the Spirit entered me, stood me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me" Ezekiel 2:1-2 (God's Word). While I have never heard God speak with my ears, I have recognized his "speaking" by the thoughts that come to my mind. I have learned that thoughts about what I have done wrong and how I should think and act are sometimes communication from God. I check on these thoughts by asking in my mind if God wants me to do something about what has come to my mind. If thoughts, consistent with the Bible, then come to me, I understand that God is talking with me. Lord, thank you for your eagerness to communicate with me. Help me to always act on what you tell me.

Lamentations 5:11-16 (God's Word) Originally published 04/20/2013 Most of the trouble that comes in our lives is the result of disobeying God, and it is always devastating. I don't think anyone in our country would believe that the Marathon bombers were acting in obedience to the God of the Bible. Jeremiah saw it centuries ago. "Women of Zion are raped, so are the girls in the cities of Judah. Our leaders are hung by their hands. Our older leaders are shown no respect. Our young men work at the mill, and our young men no longer play their music. There is no joy left in our hearts. Our dancing has turned into mourning. The crown has fallen from our head. Because we have sinned, it has been disastrous for us" Lamentations 5:11-16 (God's Word). Lord, please give me discipline and complete obedience to you so that my life would be a force for holiness in this world and not for devastation.

Lamentations 3:17-23 (God's Word) Originally published 04/19/2013 Jeremiah saw terrible things in the war that destroyed his home city. People starving and even mothers eating their own children. His whole country was taken over by the enemy. He said, "’My soul has been kept from enjoying peace. I have forgotten what happiness is. I said, 'I've lost my strength to live and my hope in the LORD.’ Remember my suffering and my aimless wandering, the wormwood and poison. My soul continues to remember these things and is so discouraged. The reason I can still find hope is that I keep this one thing in mind: the LORD's mercy. We were not completely wiped out. His compassion is never limited. It is new every morning. His faithfulness is great” Lamentations 3:17-23 (God's Word). Lord, please give hope to those injured and grieving from what is happening in Boston and West, Texas. Keep the officers safe as they find the bombing suspect.

Lamentations 1:2 (God's Word) Originally published 04/18/2013 For forty years Jeremiah warned the people of Judah that God would destroy their nation because of their failure to obey him. They did not believe him. Then the Babylonians conquered the city of Jerusalem and destroyed it and the Temple. Jeremiah took no pleasure in being right. His pain at losing the city he loved is evident. "Jerusalem cries bitterly at night with tears running down its cheeks. Out of all those who love the city, no one offers it comfort. All of Jerusalem's friends have betrayed it and become its enemies" Lamentations 1:2 (God's Word). It is wonderful to see the outpouring that people give in times of tragedy and disaster, but everyone knows what it is like to be in pain and despair, and it seems that no one cares. Lord, open my eyes to those around me in despair and trouble so they would know that they are not alone.

Jeremiah 51:24 (God's Word) Originally published 04/17/2013 God brings justice to his people. The Babylonian government abused God's followers who were unable to defend themselves. God took their cause as his own without any help from his people. He said: "In your presence I will pay back Babylon and all the people who live in Babylon for the evil things that they did in Zion" Jeremiah 51:24 (God's Word). So, every government that abuses the people of God will face God's judgment. It's a battle God fights. Lord, remind me constantly to be obedient and faithful and to trust to your hand those who would hurt me.

Jeremiah 49:16b-17a (God's Word) Originally published 04/26/2013 If one thinks that the world is controlled by people who commit random acts of violence, then they should be terrified. But if one believes that everyone is accountable to God for what they do, then they can have peace in the middle of chaos. The Boston bomber may think that he is safe, but God knows where he is and will bring justice. We have history to see what can happen. Edom was a nation that did horrible things and lived in the mountains where armies could not attack. They thought they were safe. God said to them: "Even though you build your nest as high as an eagle, I will bring you down from there,' declares the Lord. Then Edom will become something horrible" Jeremiah 49:16b-17a (God's Word). Today there is no Edom. Lord, never let me be deceived into thinking that evil will win.

Jeremiah 48:38 (God's Word) Originally published 04/15/2013 There are spiritual forces at work in this world, and to ignore this is like ignoring gravity. Sometimes disaster comes because Satan is trying to disrupt our lives, and sometimes it is because God is bringing consequences from our choices. When God brings judgment. it is inescapable. An example is what he did to Moab. God warns us, and when we do not obey, the judgment comes. "People in Moab will mourn on every rooftop and in every street. There will be mourning everywhere, because I will break Moab like a jar that no one wants,' declares the LORD" Jeremiah 48:38 (God's Word). Lord, help me to remember that I am accountable to you for every choice I make.

Jeremiah 47:4 (God's Word) Originally published 04/13/2013 God has been working ever since people first rejected his plan for the world to restore that plan. His plan is for a world of peace and harmony lived by his original instructions. God is kind, loving, forgiving and patient, but when a person or group is a threat to destroy his plan, he must remove them for the good of all other people. The future of the world depends on his plan succeeding, so he will do what it takes. He said: "The time has come to destroy all the Philistines, to cut off from Tyre and Sidon any Philistine who might have escaped to get help. The LORD will destroy the Philistines and anyone who is left from the Island of Crete" Jeremiah 47:4 (God's Word). Lord, I do not want to stand in your way of achieving your purpose, but to give my life to serve you.

Jeremiah 45:2-5 (God's Word) Originally published 04/12/2013 Sometimes following God is difficult and trying. Baruch was Jeremiah's writer, and "Jeremiah said, 'This is what the LORD God of Israel says to you, Baruch: You said, 'I'm so miserable! The LORD has added grief to my pain. I am worn out from groaning. I can't find any rest.' Say this to Baruch, ‘This is what the LORD says: ' I will tear down what I have built. I will uproot what I have planted throughout the earth. Are you looking for great things for yourself? Don't look for them, because I'm going to bring disaster on all people, declares the LORD. But wherever you go I will let you escape with your life’" Jeremiah 45:2-5 (God's Word). Lord, may my only goal be to be faithful and obedient to you and trust you for all the rest.