Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

3/31/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected]        www.writingforthemaster.com
Sacrificial Love
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:44-51

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Scripture Quote: Jesus said, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" John 20:17 (NIV)

Jesus showed humanity a perfect life as a man. He suffered Gethsemane with the sole purpose of opening heaven's door to us. His Resurrection gave our Savior the right to give eternal life to any person. His cross is the door by which all believers may enter into the life of God. He came back to His disciples and the marks of the nails and the spear were still apparent on His body so that there could be no doubt in their assignment to preach His message of hope for eternal life to mankind. His Ascension proves His entrance into heaven as He continues to hold the door open for us.

Jesus went back into His original glory, but not just as the Son of God - Jesus was also then the Son of Man. He provides freedom of access for all Believers directly to the Throne of God. Christ's omnipotence, omnipresence and omniscience were all deliberately limited as man, but has been completely restored to Him in full power. Jesus came to obtain salvation for fallen humanity and is now Lord of lords and King of kings. Praise God!

Today’s meditation: Oh, how He loves us.

Memory Verse: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!...”
1 John 3:1a (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/30/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Our Relationship With God
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-9

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Scripture Quote: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

Though Christians understand this bible text and also agree with it, it's often very difficult to arrange priorities in line with this teaching. As children of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, we should naturally seek God above all else. However, in reality, we often find that concerns for employment, income, lifestyle, etc., trap us into feeling that we are solely responsible for our progress in life. But what we progress in is really futile, fleeting, worldly success, which will always leave us wanting in the end.

Jesus tells us to get in right relationship with God first and focus our continued attention on Him. As much as is feasible, we can’t put our concerns on success as measured by the secular world. We must work, supply the basic needs for our families, but consistent concentration on our relationship with God and spending time in His Word, are what matters most. In Him we live and breathe and have our being. Trust in the teaching of these verses because we are all God's children and our Father always speaks truth through His Word.

Today’s meditation: Keep consciousness of God dominant.

Memory Verse: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/29/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Let Prayer Life Come Alive
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:2-8

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Scripture Quote: "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

Christians can confuse having faith in Christ's sacrificial death and supernatural resurrection, with having a relationship with Him. But believing in the One who cleanses us, isn’t the same as knowing Him. Our relationship is based on our study of the Bible and our prayer life. Without those, we will miss out on the abundant life in the here and now. We know that there is more to prayer than requests. When we pause from our petitions and redirect our thoughts, we can allow the love and gratitude we feel for our Savior to rise up in us - There is such a flow of peace in those moments. To be quiet before the Lord, seeking the intimate communion of His Loving Spirit is so sweet.

Just as our blood flows through our bodies effortlessly, so our breath is a constant that we do not dictate. Prayer can be like that too - Just an ever flowing consciousness of His presence within every aspect of our being. And since we actually control nothing, we ask of God and He supplies because He loves us and He wants to be our provision. When we read in the Word to pray without ceasing, we can finally comprehend that we have the incredible privilege to be in constant communion (prayer) with our Creator.

Today’s meditation: Jesus wants us to know Him.

Memory Verse: "pray continually," 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

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Today's devotion Monday March 28 2016

3/28/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Inseparable Love

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Revelations 7:14-17

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Scripture Quote: “Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?” Romans 8:35 (CEV)

Sometimes leaning into God's love is the only thing we have the strength to do - That communion and support will never desert us. Real love isn't our love for Him, but it is His great love for us. Before the earth was created, God chose us to be His own - We have such an advantage dealing with trouble. Life is full of trials, there's some for you, some for me, some for everyone, even the spiritually indifferent. Hardship and sorrow abound for every person that lives and breathes. But it is the response to our difficulties that testifies to our deep conviction in the love of God.

Consider the persecutions and tribulations that befell Christ's followers during the time Jesus lived and even more so after His death. A follower's faith was grounds for brutal punishment, imprisonment and even death. Today we have radical Muslims beheading those Christians that will not deny who they are and what they believe. We may face that kind of tyranny some day too, but even fear of death won’t steal our relationship to God through Christ. We are His and He is ours; nothing, especially not death, can take that away.

Today’s meditation: Even life’s worst cannot steal God’s love from us.

Memory Verse: "I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future," Romans 8:38 (CEV)

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Today's devotion for Easter Sunday

3/26/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
The Resurrection of Our Lord (Easter)
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 20:1-18

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Scripture Quote: “When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.” Mark 16:9-10 (NIV)

The love of God through healing filled Mary Magdalen with gratitude and a tremendous love for Jesus. She stayed close to Him and she witnessed His crucifixion. She must have been devastated when His body was not in the tomb. Then, miraculously, He called her name. God's love had reached out from the grave. What a wonderful surprise for those who currently inhabit a grave of sickness, hopelessness, failures or dead dreams. It is Christ's grave and our graves that God raises up to newness of life.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the expectations of the prophets - Any who believe in Him receive the forgiveness of sins. Peter told Cornelius of the wonders and miracles Jesus performed during His ministry. Cornelius' acceptance of Peter's message was an additional miracle since he was a Roman officer – His acceptance was what affirmed to Peter the incredible realization that the Gentiles would also be heirs to salvation. We are those Gentiles and the receivers of the promise of forgiveness of sins and eternal reunion with Christ. It seems like a gross understatement to simply say, "Happy Easter!"

Today’s meditation: Celebrate Christ’s victory over death.

Memory Verse: “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” Psalms 118:17 (NIV)

TODAY'S DEVOTION GOOD FRIDAY!

3/25/2016

[email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
The Rock Proclaims The Resurrection
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Acts 10:34-43

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Scripture Quote: “When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.” Acts 13:29-31 (NIV)

Peter, the one Jesus named the Rock, crumbled into a shattered traitor during the brutal death of our Lord. But the resurrection of Jesus was the cement that solidified Peter's faith again. Would we have denied even knowing Jesus because of the threat of persecution or death? There are people all over the world today who actually do face that kind of terrible persecution. It's easy to judge Peter and call him weak or faithless, but what would we have done?

Once Peter became an eye witness, who ate and drank with Christ after he rose from the dead, He would be loyal to Jesus until his last dying breath - His faith became unstoppable. Peter boldly proclaimed to Cornelius, a Roman officer, that Jesus was truly raised from the dead, that He was ordained by God and was the fulfillment of the expectations of the prophets and that Jesus could forgive sins. Peter was forever changed by Christ’s resurrection. Are you?

Today’s meditation: Imagine being an eyewitness to the risen Christ!

Memory Verse: “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:3 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/24/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Hospitality & Harmony
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13

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Scripture Quote: “Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:21-23 (NIV)

Christians are the church and the body of our Lord, Jesus. We need the church to keep us fully in the love of God. We stray when we devalue the importance of continued fellowship in worship with each other. The world is very hospitable to the floundering Christian. We need to be all the more hospitable with each other and with that stranger or struggling Christian. Support, earnestness and encouragement all create a peaceful, harmonious group. We need to be conscientious about building each other up with prayer and with hospitable, welcoming attitudes. We need to also be completely rooted in God's Word.

We are judged by the world around us who are hopeful that they can find some condemnation of us that supports their distrust and disbelief. We are known by the fruit of our lives. Harmony stems from our relationship to Jesus acted out. The discord of sin can destroy harmony and must be avoided. When the church displays hospitality and harmony she is a powerful witness to the world.

Today’s meditation: Be welcoming and generous to everyone.

Memory Verse: “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/23/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] ww.writingforthemaster.com

God’s Holy Spirit

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:46-53

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Scripture Quote: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 (NIV)

Jesus died and became the mediator between God and man, which is how we have received God's mercy and forgiveness. Along with this precious gift of grace, Jesus also sent us a comforter, a counsellor and proof positive that Jesus is our risen Savior. He has sent The Holy Spirit to reach within our consciousness, to fill us with light and comprehension. He tells us to receive all that God has for us and shows us gradually how to attain it. He instructs us as we are able to receive and claim the wonders of God's will for our lives.

Receiving the influx of The Holy Spirit for the first time is usually a memorable experience. Once we have experienced His love and guidance, He is always with us. There are some Christians yet to yield themselves to Him, but we know that God's timing is always perfect. It is plain that God sent Christ, let Him die on the cross to cleanse us from our sins and then also sent us The Holy Spirit to keep us close. Can there be any doubt about the extent God will go to redeem us?

Today’s meditation: What great love our Father lavishes on us.

Memory Verse: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/22/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

God Determines Our Service

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:29-34

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Scripture Quote: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

In our busyness, our noble occupation for the Lord, we accomplish little more than an exhausted, ungodly attitude, which we dutifully attempt to stifle. Consider the sea or the galaxy - We can see a tiny portion of either, yet their grandeur exists without our input and even without our observation. God is in control of all things. If our acts of service are done in love for another's benefit, they are rarely exhausting or frustrating. Any negativity we experience comes from within us.

God doesn't want futile, frustrating effort from us. He wants to love us and be the center of our lives. Communion with our heavenly Father is where we find the peace and joy He’s meant us to have. When we are attentive to Him, our complete source, He knows everything that is happening in our lives. The challenge is to keep our eyes focused on God, no matter our circumstances. If you want to be of use to God, exhibit a steady life from which your peace and assurance flow naturally. You will then be providentially positioned for God inspired service for the Kingdom.

Today’s meditation: Focus on your source, which is God, and be led solely by Him.

Memory Verse: "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.” Matthew 6:28 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

3/21/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Elected Child of God
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-8

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Scripture Quote: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

While it’s true that if we use all our mental ability to realize our election as a child of God, it still boggles the mind, as well as the heart. Unless we do accept that we are His own, however, bought by the blood of the Lamb, we are still navigating on a slippery slope of religion-eez. An irritable person, still set on having his own way, doesn’t yet have the joy of adoption in his heart, which makes for a fence sitting Christian at best. God shouldn’t have to tolerate the hesitance in us, but find us full of spiritual vigor and joy. Our Father will allow us to refuse His grace, though that would never be His choice.

God will stand back, allowing the natural consequences of our actions, and the actions of others in our life, to play out - So free will can be a curse, as well as a blessing. We are not robots automatically following God's dictates. We may, and often have, chosen to make our own way, without the Holy Spirit's council. It is much better to seek first, and always, God's wisdom and purpose for our lives - Not as robots, but as His precious children.

Today’s meditation: The joy of the Lord is as real as we are.

Memory Verse: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 (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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