Doyle Smith Daily

Genesis 12: 11-13 (ESV) Originally published 10/20/2014 Abram was a man of faith, but even he found himself in situations where his trust in God failed. "When he (Abram) was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, 'I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say. 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake'" Genesis 12:11-13 (ESV). Abram trusted God to guide him, but he did not trust God to protect him. Lord, show me my own weakness in trusting you. Help my trust in you grow to every part of my life.  

Genesis 12: 4 (ESV) Originally published 10/18/2014 This is what a person of faith does. "So Abram went, as the LORD had told him,..." Genesis 12:4 (ESV). Life is not that complicated if we just do what God tells us. It is only complicated when what God tells us to do we don't think is a good idea, or we don't want to do it. Sometimes I know what God wants me to do, and I intend to do it, but I put it off and actually never do it. Lord, help me today to do exactly what you tell me, even if it is costly in time or effort, or if it does not seem urgent to me. Help me to put what I know you want me to do as my top priority so that I will be a person of faith.

Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV) Originally published 10/17/2014 Those who trust God impact those around them. To Abraham God said: follow my guidance: "And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" Genesis 12:2-3 (ESV). Those who trust God and obey him will bring blessings on those around them. It is dangerous for people to hurt God's children because they bring God's curse on themselves. Lord, show me how to live with the confidence that you will take care of me, and guide me to be a blessing to someone today. 

Genesis 7:5 ESV) Originally published 10/16/2014 God gave Noah instructions to build a boat and told him exactly how to do it, and he told him the animals that were to be put in it. Then Genesis 7:5 (ESV) says: "And Noah did all that the LORD had commanded him." What a wonderful thing for God to say about a person. No greater observation could God make on anyone than this. It seems that every day there is more that I see that needs to be done for God than I can ever do. Lord, show me this day all of  the things that you have assigned me to do, and give me the wisdom, skill, discipline to do them. I know that you never ask me to do more than I can do, so help me to resist wasting my time and effort so that you can say of me this day, "Doyle did all that I commanded him." 

Genesis 7: 1-3 (ESV) Originally published 10/15/2014 God does not need us to do what he wants, but he chooses to use us as a part of his plan and work. "Then the LORD said to Noah, 'Go into the ark, you and all your household, for I have seen that you are righteous before me in this generation. Take with you seven pairs of all clean animals, the male and his mate, and a pair of the animals that are not clean, the male and its mate. and seven pairs of the birds of the heavens also, male and female, to keep their offspring alive on the face of the earth'" Genesis 7:1-3 (ESV). The things God does are purposeful. He could have recreated all the animals and birds as he did at first. He chose instead to have an ark built and include humans in his work. God does not need us to do anything, but he chooses to allow us to participate in what he is doing. What an astonishing thing that God wants me to assist him! Lord, is there something that you want to do today that I can help...

Genesis 6: 11-13 (ESV) Originally published 10/13/2014 There is a limit to God's patience. "Now the earth was corrupt in God's sight, and the earth was filled with violence. And God saw the earth, and behold it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth. And God said to Noah, 'I have determined to make an end of all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold I will destroy them with the earth'" Genesis 6:11-13 (ESV). We know of God's great love for people in that he sent his son into the world to die for people. Destroying these people had to be very painful for God. But he did not give up on people; he just started over. Lord, I am so thankful that you are patient with me. Help me not to take your forgiveness for granted, but to be passionate about obedience.

Genesis 6:9 (ESV) Originally published 10/11/2014 "These are the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation, Noah walked with God" Genesis 6:9 (ESV). I wonder about these ancient followers of God. They had no Bible, church, or Holy Spirit to guide them. God must have placed in every person some sense of what is right and what is wrong. Noah lived in a culture so wicked that God destroyed it. Without any support he lived a life that pleased God. I have the Bible, church, books, and the Holy Spirit, and I can't live without disobedience. Noah was righteous, blameless, and walked with God. Lord, be patient and continue to forgive and transform me so you can say that I walked with you.

Genesis 6:5-6 (ESV) Originally published 10/10/2014 My sin has an impact on God. "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart'" Genesis 6:5-6 (ESV). God takes my sin personally, and it grieves him. Lord, I don't want to do anything contrary to your will today, but if I do, I want you to know that my greatest desire is to please you.

Genesis 4:8-9 (ESV) Originally published 10/09/2014 We are held accountable by God for how we treat each other. “Cain spoke to Abel his brother. And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Able and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is Able your brother?’ He said, ‘I do not know; am I my brother’s keeper?’” Genesis 4: 8-9 (ESV). Lord, show me today those people for whom you hold me accountable so that I might care for them as you have cared for me

Genesis 4:5-7 (ESV) Originally published 10/08/2014 We are always faced with this issue. "...but for Cain and his offering he (God) had not regard. So Cain was very angry, and his face fell. The LORD said to Cain, 'Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it'" Genesis 4:5-7 (ESV). We use the term "out of control" to describe our bad behavior, but in reality either we are in control, or sin is in control. When we think or do things that are displeasing to God, we have given control of our minds and behavior to sin. Lord, give me your power to control what I think today and what I do that you would have regard for me and accept me.

Genesis 3:17 (ESV) Originally published 10/06/2014 There is not any substitute for the wisdom of God. "And to Adam he said, 'Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you 'You shall not eat of it,' cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life.'" Genesis 3:17 (ESV). There are a lot of wise people in our lives, but we must check all advice against the words of God himself. Lord, help me to live what I know to be true, and may your words alone guide all of my behavior.

Genesis 3:3-4 (ESV) Originally published 10/04/2014 The Devil's most powerful weapon to hurt us is to get us to ignore God's warnings. "...but God said, ' You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.' But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die'" Genesis 3:3-4 (ESV). It is easy to think it doesn't matter if I skip reading the Bible today or if I skip my prayer time today. I know God says I should make disciples, but I am so busy. Satan asks us to do what is easy and comfortable, but God asks us to do what is right. Lord, give me determination to obey and not to do what is just comfortable.

Genesis 3:1-4 (ESV) Originally published 10/03/2014 The beginning of all rebellion against God is when we doubt what he says is true. "He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say,' 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it least you die'" But the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die'" Genesis 3:1-4 (ESV). Satan controls our lives when he can get us to ignore or doubt that what God says is true and applies to us. Lord, reveal the Devil's deceptions to me, and give me the faith to obey you no matter how difficult it might be. 

Genesis 2:15-17 (ESV) Originally published 10/02/2014 "The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die'" Genesis 2:15-17 ((ESV). God didn't have to put the tree in the Garden, and he could have made people so they could not eat any of its fruit. He obviously made us to be able to choose to obey or disobey him, and only people have that ability. God wants us to want a relationship of love and respect with him. Lord, I can't imagine why it would matter to you, but I do want to honor, respect, obey and love you.

Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV) Originally published 10/01/2014 Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" Genesis 1:26-7 (ESV). Imagine! In some way I am like God! Everyone who sees me sees something that is like God. This is not something that I achieve, but something given to me. Even the most wicked person there is has this image. Lord, show me how to use what you have placed in me to reflect you to the world around me.

Genesis 1:24-25 (ESV) Originally published 09/30/2014   "And God said, 'Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds---livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good" Genesis 1:24-25 (ESV). God made so many creatures that we are still discovering creatures we have never found before. Why did he make all these things? God must enjoy what he made because he is the only one who ever sees or knows about it. Then when I bow before him and say, "My Father" he listens to me! Lord, your love for me is overwhelming.

Genesis 1:11-12 (ESV) Originally published 09/29/2014  "And God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind, on the earth.' And it was so. The earth brought forth vegetation, plants yielding seed according to their kinds, and trees bearing fruit in which is their seed, each according to its kind. And God saw that it was good'" Genesis 1:11-12 (ESV). What kind of mind can think of all the different kinds of plants from giant Red Woods to Bermuda grass? Each of these plants in the climate in which it can thrive and none of them having ever existed before. Lord, what a wonderful thing that I can go to someone like you with every problem I face. When I worry, remind me of who you are and what you can do. What seems overwhelming to me is so simple to you.

Genesis 1:10 (English Standard Version) Originally published 09/27/2014 "God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered he called Seas. And God saw that it was good" Genesis 1:10 (ESV). No matter how I try, not all the things that I do are good. What would it be like to have everything that I do to be "good”? There is one certainty in this world, and it is that everything God does is good, and all that is not good is not from him. Lord, help me to yield more and more of my thinking and choices to you so that the things I do would be "good."

Genesis 1:3-6 (English Standard Version) Originally published 09/25/2014 "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night" Genesis 1:3-6 (ESV). Sometimes it seems to me that God should act, but he doesn't. God knows what he is doing, and he plans before he acts. He made light before he made anyone with eyes to see the light. Lord, remind me of your wisdom and planning when things don't happen as I think they should.

Genesis 1:1 (English Standard Version) Originally published 09/24/2014 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1 (ESV). I can't imagine the mind that could plan this universe and the beings in it. It is beyond anything that I can think of as to how this could be done. This is intelligence and power beyond my imagination. Lord, forgive me for being anxious and worried about anything when you are my master. Thanks for reminding me that nothing is beyond your wisdom or your power to do.

Genesis 1:1 (English Standard Version) Originally published 09/24/2014 "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" Genesis 1:1 (ESV). I can't imagine the mind that could plan this universe and the beings in it. It is beyond anything that I can think of as to how this could be done. This is intelligence and power beyond my imagination. Lord, forgive me for being anxious and worried about anything when you are my master. Thanks for reminding me that nothing is beyond your wisdom or your power to do.

Revelation 20:1-3 (God's Word) Originally published 09/18/2014 In the end God will win, and the Devil will not win. "I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key to the bottomless pit and a large chain in his hand. He overpowered the serpent, that ancient snake, named Devil and Satan. The angel chained up the serpent for 1,000 years and threw it into the bottomless pit" Revelation 20:1-3 (God's Word). Lord, sometimes I am tempted to think that Satan is unstoppable and is in control of the world. Thank you for reminding me that he is no match for you. Control every part of me so that I will be safe from his power.

Revelation 14:9-11 (God's Word) Originally published 09/17/2014 Worship is an attitude we have about someone or something that controls the way we think and the things we do. "Another angel, a third one, followed them, and said in a loud voice, 'Whoever worships the beast or its statue, whoever is branded on his forehead or hand, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured unmixed into the cup of God's anger. Then he will be tortured by fiery sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb. The smoke of their torture will go up forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast or its statue, or for anyone brand, but thinking and acting as he wants us to think and act. Do more people worship Satan on Sunday than worship God? Lord, when my thoughts and actions reflect Satan, confront me. I want to worship you alone.

Revelation 13:11-12 (God's Word) Originally published 09/16/2014 Satan's work is to get us to reject God's authority. Sometimes he is brutal like ISIS. At other times he is subtle like a lamb. "I saw another beast come from the earth, and it had two horns like a lamb. It talked like a serpent. The second beast uses all the authority of the first beast in its presence. The second beast makes the earth and those living on it worship the first beast, whose fatal wound was healed" Revelation 13:11-12 (God's Word). Most people that I see, who are headed for Hell, are not murderers or wicked. They just ignore the ruler of the world and what he demands that we do. Lord, show me how my busy life can be a deceit of Satan to keep me from obeying you. 

Revelation 13:6-8 (God's Word) Originally published 09/15/2014 This is a description of much of our world. The beast..."It opened its mouth to insult God, to insult his name and his tent---those who are living in heaven. It was allowed to wage war against God's holy people and to conquer them. It was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. Everyone living on the earth will worship it, everyone whose name is not written in the Book of Life. That book belongs to the lamb who was slaughtered before the creation of the world" Revelation 13:6-8 (God's Word). We should not be surprised how many people's choices and lifestyles are controlled by Satan, but he does not control those who belong to Christ. Lord, give me determination to refuse Satan's temptations in my choices and thoughts today.

Revelation 13:9-11 (God's Word) Originally published 09/13/2014 This is one reason we must be passionate witnesses. "Another angel, a third one, followed them, and said in a loud voice, 'Whoever worships the beast or its statue, whoever is branded on his forehead or his hand, will drink the wine of God's fury, which has been poured unmixed into the cup of God's anger. Then he will be tortured by fiery sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and the lamb. The smoke from their torture will go up forever and ever. There will be no rest day or night for those who worship the beast or its statue, or for anyone branded with its name." Revelation 13:9-11 (God's Word). Eternity without Christ is hell. Lord, open my eyes to everyone you want me to warn.