365 daily devotions by Toni Smothers
1
A Divided House
Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:22-30
Matthew 12:22-30 New King James Version (NKJV)
A House Divided Cannot Stand
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the [a]blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by [b]Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
A House Divided Cannot Stand
22 Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the [a]blind and mute man both spoke and saw. 23 And all the multitudes were amazed and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”
24 Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, “This fellow does not cast out demons except by [b]Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.”
25 But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.
Scripture Quote: Mar 3:23-24 Jesus told the people to gather around him. Then he spoke to them in riddles and said: How can Satan force himself out? A nation whose people fight each other won't last very long.
Jesus was accused by the scribes to be using power from the prince of devils to heal a man who had been possessed by demons. Jesus stated the obvious in His reply to them. The welfare of any kingdom, group or family, depends on its agreement. Satan would naturally want his followers not to fight among themselves, thereby securing his uncontested dominion over them. So Satan would not deliberately allow his kingdom to be divided against itself. Jesus further pointed out that He could not be in league with Satan, who's kingdom Jesus constantly opposes and whose destruction is His ultimate goal.
It’s amazing to think that all of the kind and merciful things that Jesus did could not dissuade those obstinately determined to disbelieve. Jesus gave everyone ample proof or His omniscience and performed many miracles to demonstrate His great power. Jesus told the Pharisees that when He forced out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proved that God's kingdom had already come to them. God forbid that coming to His own today, His own will still not receive Him - He was, His is, and He ever will always be, Almighty God!
Today’s meditation: Agree with your brother and believe God’s truth.
Memory Verse: So if Satan fights against himself, that will be the end of him. Mark 3:26 (CEV)
Jesus was accused by the scribes to be using power from the prince of devils to heal a man who had been possessed by demons. Jesus stated the obvious in His reply to them. The welfare of any kingdom, group or family, depends on its agreement. Satan would naturally want his followers not to fight among themselves, thereby securing his uncontested dominion over them. So Satan would not deliberately allow his kingdom to be divided against itself. Jesus further pointed out that He could not be in league with Satan, who's kingdom Jesus constantly opposes and whose destruction is His ultimate goal.
It’s amazing to think that all of the kind and merciful things that Jesus did could not dissuade those obstinately determined to disbelieve. Jesus gave everyone ample proof or His omniscience and performed many miracles to demonstrate His great power. Jesus told the Pharisees that when He forced out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proved that God's kingdom had already come to them. God forbid that coming to His own today, His own will still not receive Him - He was, His is, and He ever will always be, Almighty God!
Today’s meditation: Agree with your brother and believe God’s truth.
Memory Verse: So if Satan fights against himself, that will be the end of him. Mark 3:26 (CEV)
Have a blessed day
|
2
|
A Kingdom of Children
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Scripture Reading: Matthew 11:25-30
Matthew 11:25-30 New International Version (NIV)
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Scripture Quote: Whoever, then, will make himself as low as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 (BBE)
What parents most want from their children, besides their love, is their obedience, so that we can teach them how to be safe and content. Though discipline may be in order sometimes when they do naughty things, our hearts forgive them just as soon as they say, "sorry." If obedience is important to us as parents, how much more so is it important for us to learn to be obedient to God in preparation for eternity? For us to live in relationship with God, we must be obedient and dependent, both of which goes against our prideful egos.
Only God can forgive us of pride and cleanse us - Only Jesus' sacrificial death is what makes it possible. If we take our focus off Jesus, sin in the form of disobedience is always standing by to claim us. We can study the bible every day, and that's certainly a good thing, but just facing one act of obedience that God wants us to take in a certain situation can bring instantaneous enlightenment and spiritual growth. The key to relationship with God is incremental obedience, until His ways permeate our spirits and we can draw ever closer to His love. Humble obedience is what God wants and deserves.
Today’s meditation: Obey God in the thing He shows you.
Memory Verse: Truly I say to you, whoever does not put himself under the kingdom of God like a little child, will not come into it at all. Mark 10:15 (BBE)
What parents most want from their children, besides their love, is their obedience, so that we can teach them how to be safe and content. Though discipline may be in order sometimes when they do naughty things, our hearts forgive them just as soon as they say, "sorry." If obedience is important to us as parents, how much more so is it important for us to learn to be obedient to God in preparation for eternity? For us to live in relationship with God, we must be obedient and dependent, both of which goes against our prideful egos.
Only God can forgive us of pride and cleanse us - Only Jesus' sacrificial death is what makes it possible. If we take our focus off Jesus, sin in the form of disobedience is always standing by to claim us. We can study the bible every day, and that's certainly a good thing, but just facing one act of obedience that God wants us to take in a certain situation can bring instantaneous enlightenment and spiritual growth. The key to relationship with God is incremental obedience, until His ways permeate our spirits and we can draw ever closer to His love. Humble obedience is what God wants and deserves.
Today’s meditation: Obey God in the thing He shows you.
Memory Verse: Truly I say to you, whoever does not put himself under the kingdom of God like a little child, will not come into it at all. Mark 10:15 (BBE)
Have a blessed day
3
Abide in Him
Scripture Reading: Psalms 91:1-16
Scripture Reading: Psalms 91:1-16
Psalm 91
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]
2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you
from the fowler’s snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation.”
Scripture Quote: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms 27:5 (NIV)
God is our refuge and our security. There are tremendous blessings awaiting our faithfulness. If we put all our trust and love in Him, there is no limit to His protection and affection. Believers are privileged to enter the very Spirit of God, where by the blood of Jesus, we are safe from the evil one. Deeply rooted faith shows us how important it is to abide in Him. There can be no fence-sitting when it comes to our allegiance to our God. We must be all-out-crazy-in-love with Jesus.
Satan can only prey on the vulnerable. Since we are bound to live in this decadent world, we need a reliable plan to keep us free from worldly temptation’s influence. Yet, we are called to be salt and light to the world and to reach out to the unsaved with the good news of the gospel. Knowing God's Word is imperative to our success. His truth teaches His directives and promises that cover solutions for all circumstances. God's Word will be invariably fulfilled to those who trust in Him. To quote my pastor, “Read the book!”
Today’s meditation: He who lives nearest to God suffers least from temptation.
Memory Verse: “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 (NIV)
Scripture Quote: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms 27:5 (NIV)
God is our refuge and our security. There are tremendous blessings awaiting our faithfulness. If we put all our trust and love in Him, there is no limit to His protection and affection. Believers are privileged to enter the very Spirit of God, where by the blood of Jesus, we are safe from the evil one. Deeply rooted faith shows us how important it is to abide in Him. There can be no fence-sitting when it comes to our allegiance to our God. We must be all-out-crazy-in-love with Jesus.
Satan can only prey on the vulnerable. Since we are bound to live in this decadent world, we need a reliable plan to keep us free from worldly temptation’s influence. Yet, we are called to be salt and light to the world and to reach out to the unsaved with the good news of the gospel. Knowing God's Word is imperative to our success. His truth teaches His directives and promises that cover solutions for all circumstances. God's Word will be invariably fulfilled to those who trust in Him. To quote my pastor, “Read the book!”
Today’s meditation: He who lives nearest to God suffers least from temptation.
Memory Verse: “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 (NIV)
Have a blessed day
4
Acceptance and Obedience
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:1-9
1 Peter 1:1-9 New International Version (NIV)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:
Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Praise to God for a Living Hope
3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Scripture Quote: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:29 (NIV)
All Believers are called to be the visible Church and are entitled to all the privileges of the children of God, once we believe the Gospel. Believers of Christ are blessed with the continual watchful care of God and the salvation and inheritance promised by the Father that He guards for us. We are kept in fortified places within the Holy Spirit, who comforts us and helps us endure our hardships until we are united with Christ forever in our resurrected bodies. All that is involved with being called by God is a gift, but it does also rely on our acceptance of it and our obedience to it.
Think of Christ's obedience to His calling as Messiah - Through beatings, shameful jeers, rocks thrown, yet willingly He was nailed to a cross. Imagine the torturous pain he endured out of obedience to the Will of God. He could have silenced that crowd and refused those nails. He could have turned that vicious group on themselves, if He had just let his situation prevail over obedience - He had the power to stop His abuse, but He also had the power to choose the greatest love this world has ever known. He chose to be the very intentional Savior of all who would understand His sacrifice and believe.
Today’s meditation: Because He lives, we also live – Forever!
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV) “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,”
All Believers are called to be the visible Church and are entitled to all the privileges of the children of God, once we believe the Gospel. Believers of Christ are blessed with the continual watchful care of God and the salvation and inheritance promised by the Father that He guards for us. We are kept in fortified places within the Holy Spirit, who comforts us and helps us endure our hardships until we are united with Christ forever in our resurrected bodies. All that is involved with being called by God is a gift, but it does also rely on our acceptance of it and our obedience to it.
Think of Christ's obedience to His calling as Messiah - Through beatings, shameful jeers, rocks thrown, yet willingly He was nailed to a cross. Imagine the torturous pain he endured out of obedience to the Will of God. He could have silenced that crowd and refused those nails. He could have turned that vicious group on themselves, if He had just let his situation prevail over obedience - He had the power to stop His abuse, but He also had the power to choose the greatest love this world has ever known. He chose to be the very intentional Savior of all who would understand His sacrifice and believe.
Today’s meditation: Because He lives, we also live – Forever!
Memory Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:4 (NIV) “For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,”