Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

2/28/2019

He Never Leaves Us

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 43:2-5
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of a good heart and do your work; have no fear and do not be troubled, for the Lord God, my God, is with you; he will not give you up, and his face will not be turned away from you, till all the work necessary for the house of the Lord is complete.” 1 Chronicles 28:20 (NIV)

Christians turn to God when we have a large problem, or a great joy, but often go without His council in the ordinary things we struggle with. There have even been times when, in our brokenness, we thought that God had turned His back on us, only to discover that it was actually us who had turned from Him. We can let anger or frustration snowball until they are all we see or feel - At that time, we are turned completely away from God and then ask Him where He has gone!

God’s promise to never leave us is made to those of us who are patiently trusting in His help, while bearing whatever we are struggling with - And may be applied to any faithful believer in affliction, temptation, or adversity of any kind. We are told in His Word to trust in the Lord with our whole hearts and to never lean on our own understanding. If we would just take God at His Word, we would find that He is always there and no matter how many times our ignorance causes us to turn from God, His love and Word are steadfast.

Today’s meditation: God cares about every aspect of our lives.

Memory Verse: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/27/2019

Have No Fear

Scripture Reading: Psalms 27:1-6
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 1Peter 3:12-14 (NIV)

God may permit us to be tried once in a while, or many times in our lives, for reasons we don’t fully understand – But, these trials cannot essentially harm us. Often He will eventually change even these hard times into opportunity and make them work for our good. If we are faithful in our prayer life, God listens and cares for us. God continually watches over us, and we are under His constant shelter.

The Lord is our salvation, our safeguard, our shield, and our defense. His light can never be extinguished, so who then should we fear? Even our death would bless us by escorting us into eternity with God. Be confident in the Almighty’s protection. His children are in His hand and while in that hand, we are safe. The child of God who hears the voice of wisdom in preference to the enticements of the wicked will dwell in full consciousness of God’s protection.

Today’s meditation: God’s got your back.

Memory Verse: “But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/26/2019

Have No Fear

Scripture Reading: Psalms 27:1-6
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened." 1Peter 3:12-14 (NIV)

God may permit us to be tried once in awhile, or many times in our lives, for reasons we don’t fully understand – But, these trials cannot essentially harm us. Often He will eventually change even these hard times into opportunity and make them work for our good. If we are faithful in our prayer life, God listens and cares for us. God continually watches over us, and we are under His constant shelter.

The Lord is our salvation, our safeguard, our shield, and our defense. His light can never be extinguished, so who then should we fear? Even our death would bless us by escorting us into eternity with God. Be confident in the Almighty’s protection. His children are in His hand and while in that hand, we are safe. The child of God who hears the voice of wisdom in preference to the enticements of the wicked will dwell in full consciousness of God’s protection.

Today’s meditation: God’s got your back.

Memory Verse: “But whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." Proverbs 1:33 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/25/2019

Handling Stress

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 55:16-22
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)

Whatever burdens you suffer or fears you imagine, God will carry both you and your load. If you are righteous under the blood of Jesus and if you trust in God, He will strengthen you so you can walk with assurance of His presence. The peace of Christ is within reach of everyone who accepts Him as Savior and Lord. God has given His people a spirit of power to witness miracles, to confuse our enemies and to give us tangible support in all of our trials.

Anxiety is one of Satan's ploys in an attempt to steal our courage and lead us to fabricate a litany of imagined terrors. If our enemy can get us to focus on the possibility of calamity, we will lose sight of our connection to the peace of the Lord. We will become frantic without awareness of the Holy Spirit abiding within us.

There are a myriad of reasons we might find ourselves in anxious circumstances - That’s pretty much a given in this evil world. We always have the weapons of prayer and faith as long as we refuse to be moved by Satan’s deceptions. We can choose to trust God always, no matter how things seem. Do that and Satan and his concocted drama will have to flee from you.

Today’s meditation: Peace and fear cannot coexist.

Memory Verse: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Daily devotion

2/22/2019

Handling Stress

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 55:16-22
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 (NIV)

Whatever burdens you suffer or fears you imagine, God will carry both you and your load. If you are righteous under the blood of Jesus and if you trust in God, He will strengthen you so you can walk with the assurance of His presence. The peace of Christ is within reach of everyone who accepts Him as Savior and Lord. God has given His people a spirit of power to witness miracles, to confuse our enemies and to give us tangible support in all of our trials.

Anxiety is one of Satan's ploys in an attempt to steal our courage and lead us to fabricate a litany of imagined terrors. If our enemy can get us to focus on the possibility of calamity, we will lose sight of our connection to the peace of the Lord. We will become frantic without awareness of the Holy Spirit abiding within us.

There are a myriad of reasons we might find ourselves in anxious circumstances - That’s pretty much a given in this evil world. We always have the weapons of prayer and faith as long as we refuse to be moved by Satan’s deceptions. We can choose to trust God always, no matter how things seem. Do that and Satan and his concocted drama will have to flee from you.

Today’s meditation: Peace and fear cannot coexist.

Memory Verse: “Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

daily devotion

2/21/2019

Guard The Purity of Your Mind

Scripture Reading: Colossians 3:5-10
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6 (NIV)

When we came to Christ for salvation, we were given the gift of the Holy Spirit who set us free from sin and death. God sent Jesus to be our sin offering and to free us from our sinful nature. We must not continue to relish the things of the flesh that desires possessions pertaining to this present life. That is the mystery and the chore. We are able to seek the things of the Spirit since we have been redeemed from the influence of the carnal mind, but we still have to choose to do so, every minute of every day. Our free choice still exists to lead us to prioritize good or evil. And so the temptations to revert back to our former self will exist in our nature until we die.

We can avert regression, however, when we plant ourselves before the Lord through studying His Word and through continual prayer. His guidance in every circumstance will nurture our spiritual strength, which will enable us to discern His direction for us. If we cherish our relationship with Jesus, He will teach us how to deprive any evil desire of its power.

Today’s meditation: Communication with Christ is a lifestyle choice.

Memory Verse: “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2 (NIV)

ReplyForward

daily devotion

2/20/2019

Growing Nearer to Our God

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:5-8
click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "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 inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." 1 Peter 1:8-9(NIV)

There’s an incremental renovation of the innermost soul that gradually begins to take place when a person receives Jesus - The gospel of salvation and the very Spirit of God began to indwell us. It wasn't so much a degree of moral good that we received, but an awakening of the likeness of God's Devine Being, which is now forever engraved into our souls. We were invited to put on a different identity and to embrace holiness and love.

Of course, this was all a process, which is still ongoing - We didn't put on a pair of wings and become angels. We aspired to great heights, but, again and again, we found ourselves nowhere close. This renovation is an arduous process, yet, it is one full of hope! God's promises encourage us and carry us forward. Sometimes we get too caught up with trying to do or be better. We forget to reflect on and enjoy all of the change we have already experienced as a result of the grace and love of our heavenly Father. So, wherever we are in our walk today, we can be sure that it's one step closer to our Glorious God!

Today’s meditation: Relish your journey toward God.

Memory Verse: "As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance." 1 Peter 1:14 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/19/2019

Gossip

Scripture Reading: James 3:2-10
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Without wood, a fire goes out; without a gossip, a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Prov. 26:20-22 (NIV)

We may be well spoken and able to communicate with a brilliant choice of words, but to know when and where to speak and to be silent, is better than the most eloquent education. Gossip and idle criticism can be very hurtful to others and ourselves. Even those taught from the school of experience only, when they keep quiet as others prattle on, are taken to be wise - When our lips are shut we are credited with better sense than most. The receiver of gossip is also an agent of discord. If we refuse to receive the slander in the first place, it can't be propagated.

So the government of our tongues is paramount to the Christian life. God has given us two eyes, so we can see much and two ears, so we can hear much. But he gave us only one tongue and fenced it in with teeth, to clearly illustrate that although we hear and see much, we should speak only a little. Christians can choose not to let any gossip or slander come out of our mouths. When we do speak, let our words be encouraging, kind and pregnant with the love of Christ.

Today’s meditation: Speak of honorable, praise worthy things.

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:10 (NIV) For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.

Daily devotion

2/18/2019

God's Wrath on Unrighteousness

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:18-25
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on them. (John 3:36)

A Christian's soul pants for immortality and the full and perfect bliss of heaven. We envision life there as expanded, matured, purified and made more glorious. It is difficult to comprehend the nonbeliever who neither enjoy true life or happiness here, nor in the world to come - They will never see heaven. God's wrath against sin is not vindictive as human wrath is, but it is the normal consequence of any opposition to God's Law. Blatant resistance to God will incur terrible effects in this world and the next. Those who refuse to bend their knee will be doomed to a disastrous fate.

Those under the wrath of God are under condemnation. No one can escape God's condemnation unless they have received salvation through Christ's sacrificial death. Those who will not believe and repent of their sinfulness, will remain in that miserable condition even after death. They will encounter, with no one to help them, all that is terrible in the wrath of Almighty God. Rather than come to Jesus, who died once for all and who would gladly receive them, they will forever remain condemned in their pride. How unbelievably sad the arrogant, foolish sinner is.

Today’s meditation: Rejoice and give thanks for your salvation!

Memory Verse: Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. (Ephesians 5:6)

--
David Smothers

Mark 16:15 ESV And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.

Daily devotion

2/15/2019

God’s Precious Promises

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:6-12
click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

God has made great and precious promises to His children - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and us, to name a few. God promises to be our God, to protect, support and save us. He has sent Jesus to spring from humanity as our redemption through His blood on the cross. He promised and delivered, to all who would receive, the indwelling influence of the Holy Spirit. There is no longer distinction between Jews and Gentiles as far as His promises are concerned. We can walk each day in the assurance that we are His and He is ours.

God’s great and precious promises have given us everything we need to live godly lives. God desires to bring fallen man back to Himself. We are sometimes still prone to sin because our fleshly desires can be deceived by Satan’s enticements. The design of God, by Christ's death and resurrection, is to gradually remove the sin nature from us and to make us partakers of the Divine nature, which will teach our inner man to resistthe corruption of sin in this world. God’s promise protects us from what He has prohibited and what would be destructive to us. Let God mold you into all that He has meant you to become.

Today’s meditation: God’s promises are all we need to live for Him.

Memory Verse: And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
1 John 2:25 (NIV)

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

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Share your Faith

Plant based food restaurant

Author

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.

Archives

February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
June 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014

Categories