Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

1/31/2017

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God’s Favor

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Genesis 39:1-6 (All scripture is from MSG)
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Scripture Quote: GOD was still with Joseph: He reached out in kindness to him; he put him on good terms with the head jailer. The head jailer put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners—he ended up managing the whole operation. The head jailer gave Joseph free rein, never even checked on him, because GOD was with him; whatever he did GOD made sure it worked out for the best. (Genesis 39:21-23)

The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Even though Joseph was hated by his brothers and sold as a slave, God cared and worked for his good. We can also find favor in God's care.

After Potiphar's wife falsely accused Joseph of inappropriate advances, sending him to jail, God still gave Joseph favor while imprisoned. God was always with Joseph and He directed every seemingly bad turn of events into something positive for Joseph. God's kindness and mercy caused the prison warden to put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in everything he did. God will do the same for every faithful believer who trusts Him and who waits expectantly for His goodness and mercy.

Today’s meditation: God’s favor can change any circumstance.

Memory Verse: His master recognized that GOD was with him, saw that GOD was working for good in everything he did. (Genesis 39:3)

Today's devotion

1/30/2017

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God Consoles and Renews
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 16:19-22 (All scripture quoted is MSG)
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Scripture Quote: Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I'll help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. (Isaiah 41:10)

This verse is pretty plain in its meaning. It is full of consolation for the Believer - It was addressed primarily to the exiled Jews during their long and painful captivity in Babylon. The idea is that they who had been selected by God to be his special people had nothing to fear. But the promise is one that may be understood as addressed to all God's people in similar circumstances - It is as true now as it was then. Those followers whom God has chosen have nothing to fear. God is our protector, so nothing can ultimately take us from our eternal destiny with Him.

What greater assurance could we possibly desire than the knowledge that our Heavenly Father will protect us as we live out His ultimate purposes, which are always for our eventual good? We can rest so comfortably in this truth, if we will. So often we forget to simply disown worry and rely on God's promises. The creator of the cosmos has claimed to always protect and be with us. We may all believe in God, but do we also believe what God has promised His people? God doesn't lie. Choose truth and rest in the comfort of God's Word.

Today’s meditation: When we are fearful, we forget God’s promise.

Memory Verse: That's right. Because I, your GOD, have a firm grip on you and I'm not letting go. I'm telling you, 'Don't panic. I'm right here to help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13)

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Today's devotion

1/27/2017

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Knowing God More Each Day

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19
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Scripture Quote: "My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5 (NIV)

Everything that God gives us is meant to bring us closer to Him. When we settle in our minds that God is our source, we can stop deceiving ourselves about any strength in our own abilities. It is growing in the knowledge of God's will for our lives that matters most in life. Gratitude for the source of all our blessings is a natural response, so we worship Him. But even more than praise, our Lord wants us to know Him. Our own acquired wisdom is just foolishness compared to the truth He offers through His Word to all who would seek it.

We are justified through His blood, sanctified by His Spirit and through His death and resurrection, we also will be raised incorruptible and immortal. Can any possession in this life compare to the gift of salvation into eternity? Make each day an opportunity to be ever more intimate with God.

Today’s meditation: Knowing God is what makes life meaningful.

Memory Verse: "but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD." Jeremiah 9:24 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

1/26/2017

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Stay True

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 3:1-6
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Scripture Quote: “In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance. I myself said, "'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me," declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:18-20 (NIV)

The Bible teaches that if a woman were divorced and remarried, the first husband could never take her back as his own. Israel had been married to the Lord, joined in solemn covenant to him to worship and serve him only, but she became idolatrous. She committed idolatry in the form of spiritual abandonment. But even though the law taught that Israel would be lost to Christ, her first husband, there is no law that could ever control Him. Jesus chose to show His mercy. He was willing to receive this adulterous spouse once again. She needed only to abandon her other idols and return her heart to Him.

We can see ourselves in these sinful people’s behavior. Do you have anything tempting you away from worshipping God? His tender mercy is offering to receive you again into favor. Our Father loves us more than we understand. We need only let Him be the center of our life.

Today’s meditation: Return all your affection to our Almighty God.

Memory Verse: "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband…” Jeremiah 3:14a

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Today's devotion

1/25/2017

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The Struggle Within

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:18-25
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Scripture Quote: “In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the LORD, all his faithful people! The LORD preserves those who are true to him, but the proud he pays back in full." Psalms 31:22-23 (NIV)

How often do we glory in our own achievements, thinking that we have struggled with a thing and won? Hopefully, at some point after the gloating, we repent in our hearts and give the glory to God. In Romans, our scripture reading for today, Paul confessed a similar struggle between his devotion to God that contrasted dramatically with his inner struggle with sin. So even those we esteem as great leaders and evangelists, are still sinners.

It’s difficult to face our inherently tenacious tendency to stray from what we know is right. We love God and want to spread His Gospel. But often we come across as imperfect people with no business telling others how to live. So, even our efforts at evangelism are tainted and limited. We can see Paul's struggle and understand his feelings of being so much less than he wanted to be. Yet he trusted that God knew the depth of his heart's commitment to Him and how he loathed the sin that clung to him like a ball and chain – We can do the same.

Today’s meditation: God promises to forgive and forget.

Memory Verse: Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." Hebrews 10:17 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

1/24/2017

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God’s Purpose for Us
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:6-9
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Scripture Quote: " May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged." 1 Chronicles 22:12-13 (NIV)

Disappointment can make us feel vulnerable and indecisive about what steps we should take to turn bad circumstances around. All believers who follow God’s commands can have boldness to approach God, by the blood of Jesus, to ask for His counsel. God’s children are enlightened by His strength and grace. Our heavenly Father is our rock and our source. We can rely on Him spiritually, no matter our physical circumstances.

Often our disappointment is about plans not working out in the way we wanted. We have hopes of a new direction or a new something else we are sure will make everything better. When our plans don’t happen, we get worried and might even doubt that God has a good purpose for us. But, God’s Word says that He knows everything there is to know about us and His plans for us are always better than our own. We can change nothing - Remember, it’s not ours, but His Will be done. Amen!

Today’s meditation: Trust in God’s good plan for our lives.

Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV

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Today's devotion

1/23/2017

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God’s Favor On Us
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Genesis 37:17-35
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+37%3A17-35&version=DRA
Scripture Quote: "Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatever they do prospers." Psalms 1:1-3 (NIV)

Daniel was a teenager when he was taken captive, along with the rest of Judah, but Daniel obeyed God, so God blessed everything that Daniel did. God gave him favor with King Nebuchadnezzar and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs about what food he could choose not to eat. Daniel would eventually rise to counsel to the King because God blessed him for his desire to obey Him.

Joseph was almost killed in a well, sold into slavery to Potiphar and was eventually falsely imprisoned. However, He eventually became the most powerful man next to Pharaoh. His story proves that when God has plans for you, no misfortune can change God’s will. Even though Joseph had many disappointments and could easily have lost hope, He was always saved from a dire fate and elevated in position even after repeated hardship. Believers sometimes expect life to be easy because we love God, but He doesn’t promise us that - His Word says that He won’t leave us, or forsake us, but His will for our lives is supreme.

Today’s meditation: God’s provision and providence will sustain us.

Memory Verse: “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” Psalms 34:8 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

1/20/2017

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Effects of Sin

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Genesis 37 & 39
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Scripture Quote: "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.” Genesis 45:8 (NIV)

Temptation and sinful choices draw people into trouble and can damage relationships, even ruin lives. In Joseph’s story God didn’t let other people’s sin destroy Joseph - God made sure he prospered. But, that doesn’t always happen. We can’t always expect God to bail us out. Joseph did have to go through many trails until, through God’s help, he came out of them victorious. He was a treasured son, a hated brother, a slave, manager of Potiphar’s affairs, a prisoner, and eventually, a great leader.

Joseph first suffered from being tactless with his brothers,(sin)and his father’s favoritism,(sin), which caused his brother’s murderous jealousy,(sin). His servitude as a captured slave was exemplary so God blessed him with a great position. But then Potiphar’s wife, Zuleika, lusted after Joseph,(sin). He refused her and ended up unjustly imprisioned because of her lies,(sin). Except for bragging as a young man, all of Joseph’s perdicaments where the result of other people’s sinfulness. It’s like the ramifications of the sinfulness of Adam and Eve. Sin stains everything around it. As Christians, we must avoid temptations, of course, but we also need to avoid others that are living in sin.

Today’s meditation: Sin builds like a snowball – Stay out of it’s way.
Memory Verse: “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you.” Genesis 41:39 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

1/19/2017

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Debt
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:9-17
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Scripture Quote: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Do you, Christian, live under the heavy burden of debt? Do you have a heavily mortgaged home that you fill with things purchased on credit? It sneaks up on a lot of us and before we know it the credit monster keeps adding to our minimum payments until we are scrambling to make ends meet. We don't need to partake of this world's products to the point of overwhelming debt. Is there time left in such a Christian's life to honor God with tithes of service to the body, not to mention his ability to give a tenth of his seriously depleted funds?

If the Holy Spirit dwells in the souls of Christians, then we are called away from common and profane uses. We can become more dedicated to the service of God. We know that God provides. We have had many of our prayers answered as proof of His faithfulness. There is only momentary joy in a new car or other costly toy for our entertainment. Time spent with God's own children in His House of Worship, strengthening and encouraging one another is what we are meant for - God's Word says we are not our own, but we are bought with Christ's blood - Paid for free and clear!

Today’s meditation: Cease the practice of endless self-satisfaction.

Memory Verse: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

1/18/2017

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Choose Love Over Anger
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:27-37
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Scripture Quote: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:44-45 (NIV)

We can mull over and over an offense that provoked our anger, or we can suffer that offense quietly, leaving ourselves in the hand of God. Anger is totally opposite to the spirit and letter of the Gospel. When we indulge wrong tempers, we wound the spirit of love and mercy within us. When we stand steadfast in our good will, however, an enemy or hurtful situation is weakened. There is no strength in anger because it robs us of our power to choose loving hearts and minds. When a thief steals from us, he obtains our goods, which are here today and gone tomorrow anyway - But if we raise up in righteous indignation, we have then given the thief our peace and joy as well.

When we rise above our fury, or seething resentments, we move closer to God and His grace purifies and renews our hearts. We more closely resemble our Savior who has also given us the most profound grace in human history. He died under the ignorant, brutally cruel hand of man, yet he used His last dying words to pray forgiveness over all of us.

Today’s meditation: Love can overwhelm anger.

Memory Verse: "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” Luke 6:32 (NIV)

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2 Timothy 3:16-17New International Version (NIV) 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work

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Bio: Toni Smothers has written articles for “Total Health”, “Let’s Live”, “People In Action” and “The North American Mentor” magazines. She is a member of the Faithwriters.com writing community and was previously the editor for the teen section of their on-line magazine. She has written many programs, sermons, and skits and has edited several websites. Additionally, she has answered hundreds of questions for GotQuestions.org, a biblical resource site. Here is just one of their many testimonials: "Thank you for this insightful website! I was able to look up many questions I have asked over the years since becoming saved. The site is easy to navigate and gave me so much biblical background for answers that I feel my armor has been strengthened. You and your staff be encouraged to continue to speak the truth for God's glory." When Toni is not writing, she can usually be found cuddling with her 10 pound, furry, Morky muse, 'Sweet Pea.' Toni Smothers studied homeopathy extensively and became a proficient layman. She wrote about homeopathy for “Total Health” and “Let’s Live” magazines. Smothers describes her experience befriending a refugee family from Laos in her article published in the travel magazine, “People in Action.” Additionally, “American Mentor” magazine has published some of her poetry. Smothers drew upon her fun experiences as a youth pastor to provide the needed insight to function as the editor of the teen section of “Faithwriters” magazine and she is a member of the Faithwriters.com writer’s community.

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