Doyle Smith Daily

11 Peter 1:5-8 (God's Word) Originally published 07/05/2014 "Because of this (the power of God in me), make every effort to add integrity to your faith, and to integrity add knowledge; to knowledge add self-control; to self-control add endurance; to endurance add godliness; to godliness add Christian affection; and to Christian affections add love. If you have these qualities and they are increasing, it demonstrates that your knowledge about our Lord Jesus Christ is living and productive" II Peter 1:5-8 (God's Word). Lord, my constant failure is self-control and endurance. Show me what is wrong. Is it power from you, or lack of knowledge of you?

11 Peter 1:3 (God's Word) Originally published 07/04/2014 Discontent and frustration come when things are not the way we want them, and we do not have what we want. But, "God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity" II Peter 1:3 (God's Word). Knowing Christ teaches us to value what we need instead of being controlled by our "wants." Lord, teach me to be driven by what I need and not my fleshly desires.

11 Peter 1:2 (God's Word) Originally published 07/03/2014 This is what God wants for us: "May good will and peace fill your lives through your knowledge about Jesus, our God and Lord!" II Peter 1:2 (God's Word). This prayer was that we might be able to experience all that God wanted to give us, and the result would be that our lives would be all that God planned them to be. That will happen when we know how Jesus lived and imitate his life. Lord, in every situation I face today remind me of how you responded to these situations in your own life, and give me the ability to follow your example.

1 Peter 5:12 (God's Word) Originally published 07/02/2014 God knew that some of his followers were getting discouraged, and this is what he did. "I've written this short letter to you and I'm sending it by Silvanus, whom I regard as a faithful brother. I've written to encourage you and to testify that this is God's genuine good will. Remain firmly established in it!" I Peter 5:12 (God's Word). Lord, alert me to anyone I meet today who is discouraged. Then give me a message of encouragement. Then give me the faithfulness to deliver it so that they might be encouraged by your message. 

1 Peter 5:7-11 (God's Word) Originally published 07/01/2014 Anxiety comes when we have trouble, but don't have the wisdom or ability to resolve our problems. This is God's answer. "Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you. Keep your mind clear, and be alert. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion as he looks for someone to devour. Be firm in the faith and resist him, know that other believers throughout the world are going through the same kind of suffering. God who shows you his kindness and who has called you through Christ Jesus to his eternal glory, will restore you, strengthen you, make you strong, and support you as you suffer for a little while. Power belongs to him forever. Amen" I Peter 5:7-11 (God's Word). Lord, you know the pressure I feel today about an issue I can't resolve. Help me, every time I think of this, to remind myself that you can fix this. 

1 Peter 5:5-6 (God's Word) Originally published 06/30/2014 Pride, arrogance, and independence make us at odds with God. "Young people, in a similar way, place yourselves under the authority of spiritual leaders. Furthermore, all of you must serve each other with humility, because God opposes the arrogant but favors the humble. Be humbled by God's power so that when the right time comes he will honor you" I Peter 5:5-6 (God's Word). Lord, remind me in every situation I face today that it is by your wisdom and power that I can handle anything. Remind me to give thanks for you enabling me to do what I need to do. 

1 Peter 5: 2-4 (God's Word) Originally published 06.28/2014 This is what God expects church leaders to do. "Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to .you. Watch over it as God does: Don't do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don't do it out of greed, but out of desire to serve. Don't be rulers over the people entrusted you, but be examples for the flock to follow. Then, when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." I Peter 5:2-4 (God's Word). Lord, search my heart and give me proper motives in serving you, and teach me to care for people as you care for me. Forgive me for my failures to obey you.

1 Peter 4:19 (God's Word) Originally published 06/27/2014 Every person who follows Christ is promised blessings and suffering. It is easy to obey God when the blessings come, but the test of our trust in God is to obey when it brings suffering. "Those who suffer because that is God's will for them must entrust themselves to a faithful creator and continue to do what is good" I Peter 4:19 (God's Word). Lord, when I suffer because I am not doing your will, please tell me so that I can change my behavior, but when I am suffering for obeying you, give me trust in you and joy in obedience. 

1 Peter 4:12-14 (God's Word) Originally published 06/26/2014 "Don't feel as though something strange is happening to you but be happy as you share Christ's sufferings. Then you will also be full of joy when he appears again in his glory. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed because the Spirit of glory---the Spirit of God---is resting on you" I Peter 4:12-14 (God's Word). Lord, it is hard to see any suffering that comes to me because I am serving you. I want to share Christ's obedience to your Spirit, even if people would insult me as they did him.

1 Peter 4:7-10 (God's Word) Originally published 06/25/2014 Following Christ means focusing on how we treat others, not how we are treated. "The end of everything is near. Therefore, practice self-control, and keep your minds clear so that you can pray. Above all, love each other warmly because love covers many sins. Welcome each other as guests without complaining. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others" I Peter 4:7 –10 (God’s Word). Lord, give me self-control so I don't think about how I am treated, but how I am loving and serving others.

1 Peter 4: 1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 06/24/2014 Jesus’ invitation to discipleship was to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow him, which requires suffering. "Since Christ suffered physically, take the same attitude that he had. (A person who has suffered physically no longer sins). That way you won't be guided by sinful human desires as you live the rest of your lives on earth. Instead, you will be guided by what God wants you to do" I Peter 4:1-2 (God's Word). Lord, my great sin is to say I will do what I know you want me to do, but then to put it off. So, I need you to give me a sense of urgency about everything that you bring to my mind.

1 Peter 3: 13-15 (God's Word) Originally published 06/23/2014 We can't avoid criticism, but we can control how we react to it. "Who will harm you if you are devoted to doing what is good? But even if you suffer for doing what God approves, you are blessed. Don't be afraid of those who want to harm you. Don't get upset. But dedicate your lives to Christ as Lord" I Peter 3:13-15 (God's Word). Lord, show me how I can do good today, and I dedicate my life today to you. Help me make the right choices and live in obedience to you this day.

1 Peter 3: 10-12 (God's Word) Originally published 06/21/2014 The secret to the good life and answered prayer: "People who want to live a full life and enjoy good days must keep their tongues from saying evil things, and their lips from speaking deceitful things. They must turn away from evil and do good. They must seek peace and pursue it. The Lord's eyes are on those who do what he approves. His ears hear their prayer. The Lord confronts those who do evil" I Peter 3:10-12 (God's Word). Lord, may I say and do what brings your approval and pursue peace with everyone. Confront me when I think or do what is evil so that I might have a full life and good days.

1 Peter 3:8-9 (God's Word) Originally published 6/20/2014 How we treat people who offend us shows whether Christ or self is in control. "Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble. Don't pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you, or ridicule those who ridicule you. Instead, bless them, because you were called to inherit a blessing" I Peter 3:8-9 (God's Word). Lord, when people hurt me, show me how to respond in a way that would bless them. 

1 Peter 3:4-7 (God's Word) Originally published 06/19/2014 How husbands and wives who are following Christ treat each other affects their relationship with God. "Beauty expresses itself in a gentle and quiet attitude which God considers precious. After all, this is how holy women who had confidence in God expressed their beauty in the past. They placed themselves under their husbands' authority as Sarah did. Sarah obeyed Abraham and spoke to him respectfully. You became Sarah's daughters by not letting anything make you afraid to do good. Husbands, in a similar way, live with your wives with understanding since they are weaker than you are. Honor your wives as those who share God's life-giving kindness so that nothing will interfere with your prayers" I Peter 3:4-7 (God's Word). Lord, guide me to honor my wife that she might feel honored, and you will not be upset with me.

1 Peter 2:21-23 (God's Word) Originally published 06/18/2014 Our culture says to avoid suffering. Not so for the follower of Christ. "God called you to endure suffering because Christ suffered for you. He left you an example so that you could follow in his footsteps. Christ never committed any sin. He never spoke deceitfully. Christ never verbally abused those who verbally abused him. When he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly“ I Peter 2:21-23 (God's Word). Lord, when people are not kind or fair to me, remind me that this is what you are asking me to endure without getting even or avoiding them. Teach me to do something good for them and trust you to take care of me.

1 Peter 2:18-20 (God's Word) Originally published 06/17/2014 Unfair treatment is an opportunity. "Slaves, place yourselves under the authority of your owners and show them complete respect. Obey not only those owners who are good and kind but also those who are unfair. God is pleased if a person is aware of him while enduring the pains of unjust suffering. What credit do you deserve if you endure a beating for doing something wrong? But if you endure suffering for doing something good, God is pleased with you" I Peter 2:18-20 (God's Word). When I expect to be treated fairly, I set myself up for constant disappointment and anger. Lord, when I am treated unfairly, remind me of what you want me to do about it and not what I want to do. I want to please you, not myself

1 Peter 2:13-14. 17 (God's Word) Originally published 06/16/2014 The government he is talking about is pagan and hostile to Jews and followers of Christ. "Place yourselves under the authority of human governments to please the Lord. Obey the emperor. He holds the highest position of authority. Also obey governors. They are the people the emperor has sent to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right... Honor everyone. Love your brothers and sisters in the faith. Fear God. Honor the emperor" I Peter 2:13-4,17 (God's Word). Lord, help me to give honor and respect for government leaders with whom I disagree politically. 

1 Peter 2:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 06/14/2014 "Dear friends, since you are foreigners and temporary residents in this world, I'm encouraging you to keep away from the desires of your corrupt nature. These desires constantly attack you. Live decent lives among unbelievers. Then, although they ridicule you as if you were doing wrong while they are watching you do good things, they will praise God on the day he comes to help you" I Peter 2:11-12 (God's Word). Lord, it is true that I am never free from these corrupt desires, so I need your power to live obediently to you, regardless of what others think. I want my life to bring praise to you.

1 Peter 2:1-2 (God's Word) Originally published 06/13/2014 Do I really want to grow spiritually? "So get rid of every kind of evil, every kind of deception, hypocrisy, jealousy, and every kind of slander. Desire God's pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation" I Peter 2:1-2 (God's Word). I think you are telling me what needs to be removed from my life, but if I am wrong, show me. You alone can give me the ability to rid those things from my life and give me a desire for your word. Lord, purify my thinking and desires, and give me the hunger for your word a baby has for its milk so I can be more like you.

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 would 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 a passion to obey you completely. 

James 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.

James 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.