Doyle Smith Daily

Revelation 12: 10-12 (God's Word) Originally published 09/12/2014 Satan's back is against the wall. "Now the salvation, power, kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah have come. The one accusing our brothers and sisters, the one accusing them day and night in the presence of our God, has been thrown out. They won the victory over him because of the blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony. They didn't love their life so much that they refused to give it up. Be glad for this reason, heavens and those who live in them. How horrible it is for the earth and the sea because the Devil has come down to them with fierce anger, knowing that he has little time left" Revelation 12:10-12 (God's Word). This spiritual war is played out in our lives and in world news. Lord, help me to recognize the victories that Satan wins in my choices and thinking. Give me the humility to admit this and obey you

Revelation 11:17-18 (God's Word) Originally published 09/11/2014 Terrible things happen in Syria and Iraq, and no one can stop these things, but we have the promise that God will bring justice. "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun ruling as king. The nations were angry, but your anger has come. The time has come for the dead to be judged: to reward your servants, the prophets, your holy people, and those who fear your name no matter if they are important or unimportant, and to destroy those who destroy the earth" Revelation 11:17-18 (God's Word). God knows every face under those hoods and every person who ordered the beheadings. Lord, every time I see injustice, remind me that you will bring justice in every situation, and no evil in the world will go unpunished.

Revelation 10:10-11 (God's Word) Originally published 09/10/2019 Obedience to God is sometimes painful. "I took the small scroll from the angel's hand and ate it. It was sweet as honey in my mouth, but when I had eaten it, it was bitter in my stomach. The seven thunders told me, 'Again you must speak what God has revealed in front of many people, nations, languages, and kings" Revelation 10:10-11 (God's Word). Ezekiel was given a scroll with the message of God and told to eat it, and it was sweet to the taste. It was a pleasant message to give. John is told to eat the scroll to make it a part of himself, and it was sweet to the mouth. It was a message of salvation but bitter to the stomach or to his life. Those who believed his message and followed Jesus would suffer and die. Lord, not only do I ask you to give me your message, but help me to live by it, regardless of the cost to me.

Revelation 9:20-21 (God's Word) Originally published 09/08/2014 Rebellion against God has a powerful hold on us. "The people who survived these plagues still did not turn to me and change the way they were thinking and acting. If they had, they would have stopped worshiping demons and idols made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. They did not turn away from committing murder, practicing witchcraft, sinning sexually, or stealing" Revelation 9:20-21 (God's Word). A lot of people have the same problems over and over, and they try to solve their problems without being willing to change. Lord, I want to change things in my life; give me the ability to think and act differently because I can't change my nature myself. 

Revelation 9:7 (God's Word) Originally published 09/06/2014 The power of God is beyond my comprehension. "When the first angel blew his trumpet, hail, and fire were mixed with blood, and were thrown on the earth. One-third of the earth was burned up, one-third of the trees were burned up, and all the green grass was burned up" Revelation 9:7 (God's Word). God made the universe and he has the power to destroy it. Lord, because I have trusted my life to you and am trying to live in obedience to you, why would I ever be afraid of anything or person that would be a threat to me? Teach me to live fearlessly, trusting in you alone.

Revelation 7:14b-17 (God's Word) Originally published 09/04/2014 We want to avoid suffering, but there is a special reward for those who suffer for their obedience to Christ. "These are the people who are coming out of the terrible suffering. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb. That is why they are in front of the throne of God. They serve him day and night in his temple. The one who sits on the throne will spread his tent over them. They will never be hungry or thirsty again. Neither the sun nor any burning heat will ever overcome them. The lamb in the center near the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs filled with the water of life, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes" Revelation 7:14b-17. (God's Word). Lord, give me the passion to be faithful, and please give protection, strength and comfort to those facing death for their obedience to you.

Revelation 6:15-17 (God's Word) Originally published 09/03/2014 No one will escape being accountable to God. "Then the kings of the earth, the important people, the generals, the rich, the powerful, and all the slaves and free people hid themselves in caves and among the rocks in the mountains. They said to the mountains and rocks, 'Fall on us, and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the anger of the lamb, because the frightening day of their anger has come, and who is able to endure it?'" Revelation 6:15-17 (God's Word). There are people in this world who seem to escape accountability, but the story is not over yet. God holds all people accountable to him. Lord, remind me constantly that nothing in my life is a secret to you. Show me my rebellion and sin, and help me to hate this as you do. Forgive me for forgetting that you know the secrets of my heart.

Revelation 4: 10b-11 (God's Word) Originally published 09/02/2014 If we want to do something that we will do in heaven, we can do this: "They place their crowns in front of the throne and say, 'Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything. Everything came into existence and was created because of your will'" Revelation 4:10b-11. In heaven we will fully recognize the greatness of God and realize how much greater he is than we ourselves. We can begin to do that here. Lord, remind me of how dependent I am on you for everything, and help me to recognize that all things are under your authority. Nothing I face is greater than you.

Revelation 4:11 (God's Word) Originally published 08/29/2014 Sometimes people get mad at God because he does not do what they want him to do. They would worship God if he did what they wanted him to do. But the real reason for worshiping God is because of who he is. "Our Lord and God, you deserve to receive glory, honor, and power because you created everything. Everything came into existence and was created because of your will" Revelation 4:11 (God's Word). Lord, keep reminding me that you are the creator, owner, and ruler of the whole universe and that you own everything in creation, including me.  

 Revelation 3:21-22 (God's Word) Originally published 08/28/2014 Paul wrote: "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this not from yourselves. It is the gift of God--not by works so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV). But here John says: "I will allow everyone who wins the victory to sit with me on my throne, as I have won the victory and have sat down with my Father on his throne. Let the person who has ears listen to what the Spirit says to the churches" Revelation 3:21-22 (God's Word). Our victory is not doing good deeds but trusting in God in every situation that we face, even when it seems wrong to our human nature and is dangerous. Jesus trusted the father in every situation, shown in the Garden of Gethsemane and his death. Lord, give me faith that my trust in you would control the way I think and the choices I make. Give me the victory of faith.

Revelation 3: 19-20 (God's Word) Originally published 08/25/2014  "Remember this! ‘I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. Look, I am standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I will come in and we'll eat together’ Revelation 3:19-20 (God's Word). When we are in need of correction and discipline, God is actively asking to help us. He wants to tell us what needs to be changed. He speaks through the Bible, Bible teaching, prayer, friends, and even enemies. Lord, help me to recognize when you are asking to help me, and give me a desire to please you, regardless of the price.

Revelation 3:17 (God's Word) Originally published 08/23/2014 God knows our motives, and it is sobering. "You say, 'I'm rich. I'm wealthy. I don't need anything. Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked" Revelation 3:17 (God's Word). Lord, however painful it might be, show me if your view of me is different from mine. I know that you can make me the person that you want me to be, and I ask you to continue to transform me to be like you.

Revelation 3:15-16 (God's Word) Originally published 08/02/2014 God is the creator and ruler of the world and he wants to be taken seriously. It is an insult for him to be ignored. "I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my mouth" Revelation 3:15-16 (God's Word). The worst thing for a friend or family member is for them to ignore you like you do not exist. You would prefer that they either be mad at you or love you. Lord, remind me every minute of my life of who you are, and don't let me get so focused on the insignificant things around me that I forget you. Fuel the passion I have to serve you because you are my life.

Revelation 3:10 (God's Word) Originally published 08/21/2014 This is God's preparation for times of disaster. "Because you have obeyed my command to endure, I will keep you safe during the time of testing which is coming to the whole world to test those living on earth" Revelation 3:10 (God's Word). Since we don't know the problems we are going to face or when the world will end, we cannot plan for these things. If we obey God faithfully day by day, it does not matter what happens to us or when the world ends. God will keep us safe. Lord, guide me in what you want me to do today, and make obedience a passion for me. Keep me from being distracted by things that are not important, so I don't get done what matters to you.

Revelation 3: 1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 08/20/2014 God sees us differently from other people. "The one who has God's seven spirits and the seven stars says: I know what you have done. You are known for being alive, but you are dead. Be alert, and strengthen the things that are left which are about to die. I have found that what you are doing has not been completed in the sight of my God. So remember what you received and heard. Obey, and change the way you think and act" Revelation 3:1-3 (God's Word). Lord, reveal to me how you see my behavior and my character. What do you want to see changed about me? 

Revelation 2:23 (God/s Word) Originally published 08/19/2014 There was a woman who was teaching things contrary to the truth of God, and God said he would stop her and her followers. ""Then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches hearts and minds. I will reward each of you for what you have done" Revelation 2:23 (God's Word). Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Reveal to me my motives, and help me to reject the false motives and thoughts that Satan puts in my mind. I can't stop Satan's thoughts from entering my mind, but with your help I can recognize them and reject them.

Revelation 2:19 (God's Word) Originally published 08/18/2014 This is a description of a healthy follower of Christ. "I know what you do. I know your love, faith, service, and endurance. I also know that what you are doing now is greater than what you did at first" Revelation 2:19 (God's Word). Lord, I don't want to just be busy, but I want what I do to be more and more valuable to you. Give me wisdom in the choices I make with my time.

Revelation 2: 2-3 (God's Word) Originally published 08/15/2014      Some things God admires in his followers. "I know what you have done--how hard you have worked and how you have endured. I also know that you cannot tolerate wicked people. You have tested those who call themselves apostles but are not apostles. You have discovered that they are liars. You have endured, suffered trouble because of my name, and have not grown weary" Revelation 2:2-3 (God's Word). Lord, your approval is more important to me than anything in all the world. What do I need to change to please you more?                 

Revelation 1:4-5a (God's Word) Originally published 08/14/2014 Sometimes life and the world seem to be out of control, but that is not the whole picture. "From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia. Good will and peace to you from the one who is, the one who was, and the one who is coming, from the seven spirits who are in front of his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the witness, the trustworthy one, the first to come back to life, and the ruler over the kings of the earth" Revelation 1:4-5a (God's Word). God has seen it all from the beginning. He has power over Putin, ISIS, and every government in the world. Lord, remind me that when things seem out of control to me, they are not out of your control. Most of all, I want you to control my thoughts, choices and actions.

Jude 4 (God's Word) Originally published 08/13/2014 Moral compromise is not unique to our time. "Some people have slipped in among you unnoticed. Not long ago they were condemned in writing for the following reason: They are people to whom God means nothing. They use God's kindness as an excuse for sexual freedom and deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ" Jude 4 (God’s Word). Failure to obey the teachings of the Bible about sexual behavior is to tell God that he is not the ruler of the world. Because God is slow to anger does not mean he approves of our choices. Lord, let every choice I make be consistent with your will so that everyone who sees me will know I accept you as my ruler.  

111 John 11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 08/12/2014 We are influenced by the people around us, but we have a choice as to how we act. "Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God. Everyone, including the truth itself, says good things about Demetrius. We also say good things about him, and you know that what we say is true" III John 11-12 (God's Word). What would Demetrius think to know thousands of years after his death we are learning he was used as an example of how to imitate Christ. We don't know what this unknown man did, but God honored him. Lord, help me to know you well enough to know how to imitate you in every situation I face today so that you might call me good.

111 John 9-10 (God's Word) Originally published 08/11/2014 Every church worker will have critics. Even John had them. "I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won't accept us. For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he's doing. He's not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation" III John 9-10 (God's Word). Lord, it is disturbing to see someone who thinks they are serving you but are really standing in your way. Please don't ever let that happen to me. Show me how to serve others and not pass judgment on them. 

11 John 9-11 (God's Word) Originally published 08/09/2014 Ideas of morality change in cultures.  Things that used to be unacceptable are now acceptable, even demanded. "Everyone who doesn't continue to teach what Christ taught doesn't have God. The person who continues to teach what Christ taught has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and doesn't bring these teachings, don't take him into your home or even greet him. Whoever greets him shares the evil things he's doing" II John 9-11 (God's Word). Lord, help me to hold on passionately to what you have taught and not just what my culture has taught.

1 John 5:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 08/08/2014 The person who has Christ guiding and controlling their thinking and choices will find life in all its fulness. "This is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is found in his Son. The person who has the Son has this life. The person who doesn't have the Son of God doesn't have life" I John 5:11-12 (God's Word). Lord, guide my thoughts and my choices today, and point out to me the times I fail to listen to you and obey you. Without your help I won’t be able to do this.

1 John 5:14-15 (God's Word) Originally published 08/07/2014 Prayer must be guided by God and not our human desires. "We are confident that God listens to us if we ask for anything that has his approval. We know that he listens to our requests. So we know that we already have what we ask him for” I John 5:14-15 (God's Word). If our minds are directed by the Holy Spirit. then our desires and requests will be what God wants for us and he will provide that. Lord, help me this day to be directed by your Spirit and see what is important to you and what is useless to you.

1 John 5:3-5 (God's Word) Originally published 08/06/2014 “To love God means that we obey his commandments. Obeying his commandments isn't  difficult because everyone who has been born from God has won the victory over the world. Our faith is what wins the victory over the world. Who wins the victory over the world? Isn't it the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" I John 5:3-5 (God's Word).   Obeying God is difficult when we do not really believe that obedience is the best course of action. When we choose to trust God with our lives, we have won the victory over the world. This trust in God allows us to obey even when in our human judgment his plan does not seem workable. It is the faith that is hard, not the obedience.

1 John 5:1-2 (God's Word)  Originally published 08/05/2014 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah has been born from God. Everyone who loves the Father also loves his children. We know that we love God's children when we love God by obeying his commandments" I John 5:1-2 (God's Word). When we believe that someone is in charge of a situation, we respect their authority and do what they tell us. Some people say they believe in Jesus, but they don't try to do what he tells us we should do. If we really think that Jesus was God's Son, we will find out what he has told us to do and do it. Lord, I know a lot about what you have told us to do, so guide me this day to do what I know you want.