Doyle Smith Daily

11 Corinthians 3:18-19 (God's Word) Originally published 02/27/2014 We are deceived into thinking that ignoring God's commands sets us free, when it really enslaves us. "This Lord is the Spirit. Wherever the Lord's Spirit is, there is freedom. As all of us reflect the Lord's glory with faces that are not covered with veils, we are being changed into his image with ever-increasing glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit" II Corinthians 3:17-8 (God's Word). The more the Spirit of God controls our thinking and choices, the more freedom we have from rebellion, and the more we show the greatness of God. Lord, only you can change my patterns of thinking and choices that control me. Please make me to be more like you this day.

11 Corinthians 2:4 (God's Word) Originally published 02/26/2014 Some of the Corinthians were mad at Paul because he told them some things that they needed to change. They accused Paul of wanting to control them. The tension was so great he thought he should not even go see them. He explains how hard it was for him to tell them what God wanted them to know. "I was deeply troubled and anguished. In fact, I had tears in my eyes when I wrote to you. I didn't write to make you uncomfortable but to let you know how much I love you" II Corinthians 2:4 (God's Word). Lord, give me such love for your people that I would tell them what you want me to say to them, even if they get mad at me. Help me to listen to every criticism of me to see if you are giving me guidance through others and to accept your guidance with humility, however you want to give it.

11 Corinthians 1:8-9 (God's Word) Originally published 02/25/2014 When we trust our lives to God, he is always working for our good. Paul faced great suffering: "...It was so extreme that it was beyond our ability to endure. We even wondered if we could go on living. In fact, we still feel as if we're under a death sentence. But we suffered so that we would stop trusting ourselves and learn to trust God, who brings the dead back to life" II Corinthians 1:8-9 (God's Word). Paul saw God's work in his suffering. Paul experienced the power of God to help him. Lord, help me this day to look at everything that happens to see your purpose in every part of my life.

1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (God's Word) Originally published 02/24/2014 It always startles me to be reminded that there was opposition to Paul, whose words are Scripture to me. "I will be staying here in Ephesus until Pentecost. I have a great opportunity to do effective work here, although there are many people who oppose me" I Corinthians 16:8-9 (God's Word). It gives me great comfort to realize that in all the trouble Paul had God worked his will to make sure that the truth won. Paul's opponents are gone and forgotten, but the work of Paul stands. Lord, in all the uncertainty and confusion give me wisdom to obey you, knowing that nothing or no one can stop you.

1 Corinthians 15:2 (God's Word) Originally published 02/22/2014 Paul gives an expanded view of “believing.” “In addition, you are saved by this Good News if you hold on to the doctrine I taught you, unless you believed it without thinking it over” I Corinthians 15:2 (God's Word). Paul is telling us that saving faith expects that God will change the way we think and act. Lord, show me the changes you are trying to make in my thinking and choices, and give me a passion to accept those changes. 

1 Corinthians 14:26 (God's Word) Originally published 02/20/2014 Paul's direction for worship services: "So what does this mean, brothers and sisters? When you gather, each person has a psalm, doctrine, revelation, another language, or an interpretation. Everything must be done to help each other grow" I Corinthians 14:26 (God's Word). God's goal for our worship is not pleasure or enjoyment, but to change us. Spiritual growth is changing the way we think and act. Lord, in worship keep reminding me to compare how I think and act to how you think and act so that I might realize how you are trying to change me and yield my life to your transformation.

1 Corinthians 13:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 02/19/2014 God evaluates our lives differently than people do.  "I may speak in the languages of humans and of angels. But if I don't have love, I am a loud gong or a clashing cymbal. I may have the gift to speak what God has revealed, and I may understand all mysteries and have all knowledge. I may even have enough faith to move mountains. But if I don't have love, I am nothing" I Corinthians 13:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, remind me that I could be the greatest preacher in the world and even work miracles, and the world would see me as great, but you count me as nothing if I do not serve my enemies. Help me to live by your priorities, not the world's values.

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (God's Word) Originally published 02/18/2014 One of the signs of human nature controlling us is conflict and division, which God hates. Being controlled by the Holy Spirit brings unity, which is the purpose of the gifts. “God's purpose was that the body should not be divided but rather that all of its parts should feel the same concern for each other. If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts share its suffering. If one part is praised, all the others share in its happiness” I Corinthians 12:25-6 (God's Word). Lord, control my mind, will, and emotions so that I might fulfill your purpose for my life. \

1 Corinthians 11:17-18 (God's Word) Originally published 02/17/2014 Paul was convinced that if every follower of Christ allowed Christ to control their attitudes and behavior, there would be unity. "I have no praise for you as I instruct you in the following matter: When you gather, it results in more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you gather as a church you split up into opposing groups" I Corinthians 11:17-8 (God's Word). Though we are different, God loves each of his children and finds value in them. Lord, teach me to see in every one of your children the value you see in them so that I would feel at one with them.

1 Corinthians 10:32 - 11:1 (God's Word) Originally published 02/15/2024 Paul had a lot of critics. Here is how he responded to these situations.  "Don't cause others to stumble, whether they are Jewish, Greek, or members of God's church. I try to please everyone in every way. I don't think about what would be good for me but about what would be good for many people so that they might be saved. Imitate me as I imitate Christ" I Corinthians 10:32-11:1 (God's Word). Lord, reveal my motives to me so that I would not do what is good for me, but genuinely try to imitate you and try to please everyone in every way

1 Corinthians 9:19 (God's Word) Originally published 02/14/2014 When we try to please everyone, we become a slave of everyone. This was Paul's way of dealing with this. "Although I'm free from all people, I have made myself a slave for all people to win more of them" 1 Corinthians 9:19 (God's Word). Paul had only one boss, who told him to serve all the people around him. Lord, when I am torn by all the things that people expect of me, remind me that you are my boss, and I only have to please you.

1 Corinthians 8:13 (God's Word) Originally published 02/13/2014 When we accept God's authority over our lives, he causes us to care for others as he has cared for us. Paul was anxious to make sure that he did nothing that would stand in the way of another follower of Jesus. "Therefore, if eating food offered to false gods causes other believers to lose their faith, I will never eat that kind of food so that I won't make other believers lose their faith" I Corinthians 8:13 (God's Word). Lord, what changes in my life would I be willing to make to encourage others to follow you?

1 Corinthians 7:3-5 (God's Word) Originally published 02/12/2014 In the Bible "love" means putting the interest and needs of others ahead of your own interests and needs. For the followers of Christ this principle is to control every area of life, even sex for married couples. "Husbands and wives should satisfy each other's sexual needs. A wife doesn't have authority over her own body, but her husband does. In the same way a husband doesn't have authority over his own body, but his wife does. Don't withhold yourselves from each other unless you agree to do so for a set time to devote yourselves to prayer" I Corinthians 7:3-5 (God's Word). Lord, help me always to put the needs and interests of my wife above my own needs and interests. 

1 Corinthians 6: 9-10 (God's Word) Originally published 02/11/2014  The Corinthian church lived in a society that didn't see getting all the money and sex they wanted as bad; rather, it was acceptable. Paul reminded them that the rules of people are not God's rules. "Stop deceiving yourselves! People who continue to commit sexual sins, who worship false gods, those who commit adultery, homosexuals, or thieves, those who are greedy or drunk, who use abusive language, or who rob people will not inherit the kingdom of God" I Corinthians 6:9-10 (God's Word). People may change their minds as to what is right and wrong, but it does not change God's standards. Lord, don't let me get accustomed to the evil around me; keep reminding me how offensive it is to you, and make it offensive to me.

1 Corinthians 4: 9-13 (God's Word) Originally published 02/10/2014 The Corinthian church would not have existed if it were not for Paul's work, but this is how they treated him. "As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless. We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people" I Corinthians 4:9-13 (God's Word). Lord, help me return good for evil, and may it only matter to me what you think of me. 

1 Corinthians 3:3 (God's Word) Originally published 02/08/2014 This is Paul's test as to whether God or our corrupt human nature is in control of our lives: "When you are jealous and quarrel among yourselves, aren't you influenced by your corrupt nature and living by human standards?" I Corinthians 3:3 (God's Word). It does not matter who is right or wrong: when we are at odds with each other, Satan is controlling our behavior. Lord, no matter what people say or do to me, help me to respond as you would to bring peace, not hard feelings.

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (God's Word) Originally published 02/07/2014 When we give control of our thinking and choices to God, something miraculous happens: Holy Spirit enters our lives and changes us. "A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. Spiritual people evaluate everything but are subject to no one's evaluation. 'Who has known the mind of the Lord so that he can teach him?' However, we have the mind of Christ" I Corinthians 2:14-16 (God's Word). Lord, it is overwhelming to think that the same Spirit that guided all your thoughts and choices is in my mind guiding me.

1 Corinthians 1:10 (God's Word) Originally published 02/06/2014 The church at Corinth had a lot of problems, but before Paul addressed those problems, he addressed the cause of the differences. “Brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to agree with each other and not to split into opposing groups. I want you to be united in your understanding and opinion” I Corinthians 1:10 (God's Word).   In all matters of importance God has one opinion, and if all of his followers listen to him, they will have the same opinion, whether among friends, marriage, or church. Lord, help me to listen to you, not myself, about those things that matter to you.

Romans 16: 17-18 (God's Word) Originally published 02/05/2014 Paul gives two tests for false religious leaders. "Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away from the Christian faith by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people” Romans 16:17-18 (God's Word). Beware of teaching that does not fit what is in the Bible and focuses on the person teaching and causes division. Lord, give me a servant spirit, and teach me what is true.

Romans 15:7-8 (God's Word) Originally published 02/04/2014 One of the purposes of church is to teach us about love. God has accepted and loved each of us as we are, and he wants us to learn his kind of love. "Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God" Romans 15:7-8 (God's Word).   People often look for a church that has people like themselves, but God wants us to learn to accept those we do not like or are not like us to demonstrate his love to those around us. When someone not like us comes to church, it is a test for us. Does God's love live in me? Lord, help me to see the flaws in others as a reminder of my own and to care for them as you have cared for me

Roman 14:22-23 (God's Word) Originally published 02/03/2014 The debate in this church was whether or not it was proper for a follower of Christ to eat meat sacrificed to pagan gods. Paul tells them to ask God what he wanted them to do. "The person who does what he knows is right shouldn't feel guilty. He is blessed. But if a person has doubts and still eats, he is condemned because he didn't act in faith. Anything that is not done in faith is sin” Romans 14:22-23 (God's Word). Never act on issues you ask God about when you are not sure. If you do what you sincerely believe God has told you, then you are acting in faith and God will honor that. If you were right it will be right, but if you were wrong, he will show you, and you will learn from it. Lord, remind me to bring all issues to you when faced with decisions

Romans 13:13-14 (God's Word) Originally published 02/01/2014 God controls the lifestyle of his people. "We should live decently, as people who live in the light of day. Wild parties, drunkenness, sexual immorality, promiscuity, rivalry, and jealousy cannot be part of our lives. Instead, live like the Lord Jesus Christ did, and forget about satisfying the desires of your sinful nature" Romans 13:13-4 (God's Word). I wonder how Jesus would spend Super Bowl weekend. Lord, show me how my "sinful nature” controls my thinking and behavior.

Romans 12:2 (God's Word) Originally published 01/31/2014 A follower of Christ will never "fit in." "Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants--what is good, pleasing, and perfect" Romans 12:2 (God's Word). So, if I see politics, money, marriage, raising children, and my work like most of the people around me, I am probably not thinking like God does. I wonder what he thinks about all the attention and time given to the Super Bowl. Lord, show me how your thinking is different from mine in every part of my life, and give me a passion to think like you think.

Romans 11:33-36 (God's Word) Originally published 01/30/2014 This is why we can trust God! "God's riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways. Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?' Who gave the Lord something which the Lord must pay back? Everything is from him and by him and for him. Glory belongs to him forever! Amen!" Romans 11:33-36 (God’s Word). Lord, it is so overwhelming to think that you care about me and that my choices matter to you. I want pleasing you to be my greatest priority today and the rest of my life. 

Romans 10: 1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 01/28/2014 Paul says something disturbing: “‘Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God on behalf of the Jewish people is that they would be saved. I can assure you that they are people devoted to God, but they are misguided. They don't understand how to receive God's approval. So they try to set up their own way to get it, and they have not accepted God's way for receiving his approval’” Romans 10:1-3 (God's Word). There are people who are devoted to God but who will spend eternity in Hell, and that is disturbing to me. When you talk to people, you find that some do not let God control their thinking or actions but expect to be in heaven. Lord, what in my life needs to change, and who can I help find and live the truth?