Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

4/30/2019

Let God Use You
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 2:1-10
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Scripture Quote: The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire." When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. (Nehemiah 1:3b-4 NIV)

When God puts a burden on our hearts, He usually provides a way for us to deal positively with it. Nehemiah was grieved about the Israelites, his ancestors, whose city was in ruins. God used Nehemiah's sad countenance to cause the king to question him, which then gave Nehemiah the chance to ask the king to let him go to help his people. Although he was afraid that the king might get very angry, God provided Nehemiah with courage to ask and also the king's agreeable response.

We always have the option of whether or not to listen to and follow God's directives. God does not need us to bring His Will about. He can use someone else who is not afraid to step out in faith. God does not call us into action without providing what we will need to accomplish His plan. God knows us, including our self-doubt, which is irrelevant. Obedience to God's direction usually increases our faith and diminishes our personal feelings of inadequacy. We don't need to be special, because He is! Christ is our Rock and our Redeemer!

Today’s meditation: Let God enable you to fulfill His purposes.

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)

Daily devotion

4/29/2019

Leave No One Out
Toni Smothers

"See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called "Today," so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end." (Hebrews 3:12-14 NIV)

Believers are called to speak encouraging words to one another, building up hope so we'll all be together in Christ, with no one left out. It's true that we are already doing this sometimes, but keep on doing it. Make a choice to always be an encourager, especially when it's encouraging someone we deem unworthy of our blessing. In honesty, we are all equally unworthy and it is inappropriate for us to make that kind of judgment - God is the only just judge. We think of ourselves much more highly that we should when we feel superior to anyone. How different would life be if we all decided, without exception, to hold each other up in love?

Also, pray for and honor those Pastors, teachers and leaders who work so hard for us, who have been given the responsibility of guiding us along the path of obedience and commitment. We ought to be generous with our appreciation and support. They need to be encouraged by the people they bless with their dedication and hard work. Reach out to them in love and help keep them consistent through their exhaustive efforts to reach the stragglers and the discouraged souls in need of our Savior. Encouragement is to the spirit what food is to the body - We thrive and flourish when we offer or receive a gracious word. Leave no behind as we all reverently continue to serve and worship our God.

Daily devotion

4/26/2019

Learn the Word to discern His Voice
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 14:25-31
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Scripture Quote: “In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out, "Stand up on your feet!" At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.” Acts 14:8-10 (NIV)

Have you ever been led by the Lord to do what you considered impossible? Peter stepped out onto the water immediately after Christ’s command. The lame man stood up and then walked the minute he was told by Paul that by faith he could.

Yet we struggle with issues that aren’t nearly as dramatic. Say you've been verbally mistreated behind your back, by a close friend, for example. You are deeply hurt by the lies told about you. Impossible as it may seem, you know the Lord is guiding you toward reconciliation. He’s telling you to overcome the temptation to retaliate. He wants you to make the first step, offering genuine forgiveness for this offense. You are full of righteous indignation, so Christ’s command to restore peace seems truly unfair, yet the Lord wants you to show His love in the face of the other's meanness. Even though a command from Jesus may seem impossible, it is certain that He will give us the power to accomplish it as we receive His Word by faith and obey it.

Today’s meditation: Increase your faith through reading His Word.

Memory Verse: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Daily devotion

4/25/2019

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)

Daily devotion

4/24/2019

Know Who Jesus Is
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:15-2
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Scripture Quote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” John 1:1-4 (NIV)

Since the bible says that Jesus existed before all other things existed and that Jesus made all things, we understand Jesus to be Eternal Creator. Jesus Christ holds the universe together and manages everything needed to keep things moving along and working properly. He literally sustains all life. Christ was crucified and died so that by His death, He became our resurrected Savior and He is in charge of His church. He gives His people direction and power so that we all work together and love one another. His church exists to glorify and worship Him.

Christ was the very first to be resurrected from the dead. He will judge all of mankind. Jesus has sovereign power and divinity to know each person's heart. People are wicked and want to do evil things that separate them from their God. Jesus paid the price for sin when He died in place of all sinful mankind. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and went to stay in heaven. He continues to forgive and save all those who turned from their evil ways and believe in Him.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is our sovereign Lord.

Memory Verse: "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,” Philipians 2:9 (NIV)

Daily devotion

4/23/2019

Know What God Hates
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 6:1-35
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Scripture Quote: The Lord puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but he has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts. Psalms 11:5 (BBE)

Christians who decide to get serious about self-discipline concerning God’s law can offer that effort as a sacrificial act of obedience. God tells us plainly that He hates certain behaviors, like prideful condescension and a “holier-than-thou” attitude. Almighty God is truth and cannot tolerate anyone who neither loves nor tells the truth. We are to be honest before Him and one another. God also hates murder or violence against an innocent. He abhors a heart that deliberately devises evil plots, as well as one with an appetite for sinful things.

Finally, God says it is an evil abomination to be a person who causes discord among any group of people. We are to love our neighbor as ourselves and be peace makers among men. Our god is holy. His perfection of heart and His disposition of purity makes it impossible for Him to associate with those whose lives are not regulated by His divine precepts. He tells us in His Word what is abhorrent to Him. He knew we were sinful and needed Christ to cleanse us. It is amazing that our awesome God has supplied everything that we need to know His heart. Realize that it is our good intent and deliberate effort that God values - He deserves nothing less.

Today’s meditation: The Bible tells us how to live – Read it.

Memory Verse: The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. Psalms 11:5 (BBE)

Daily devotion

4/22/2019

Know That God Hears You
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 11:1-11
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Scripture Quote: Then Jesus said to them clearly, “Lazarus is dead. And because of you I am glad I was not there, so that you may have faith; but let us go to him.” John 11:14-15 (BBE)

Jesus was summoned in plenty of time to get to Lazarus and heal him before he died - His sisters thought that Jesus was too late. It's just like us to think that if we don' t have an immediate response, or don't see the outcome we were anticipating, that God is not going to answer us. But when we pray expectantly, we can start to look for the person or situation that God will send to offer the exact help that we need. He often answers us with a long silence. He may very well be working on stretching our faith or trust in Him.

When we can accept silence from God, even as we are sure He is working in our behalf, we will have moved closer to the level of maturity He wants for His followers. Through patience, we can grow into the knowledge that once we have left a problem with God, He sets into motion a series of events that makes its way through to the solution or answer. Time doesn't mean the same thing to God as it does to us. We are always thinking that we need our solution or answer now, but our Father knows what will be the best time and the best help.

Today’s meditation: Trust that God's silences can be His best answers.

Memory Verse: The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)

Daily devotion

4/19/2019

Know God’s Word

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16
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Scripture Quote: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Our bibles can lay around our homes collecting dust or be worn out from dispensing life lessons and wisdom. Some of us profess faith in God but barely read His Word. Others can spout verse after verse from memory, but they are unkind and judgmental once they leave the church. True believers will cherish the Word as if it were spun out of pure gold because it is the most valuable resource for an abundant life.

The words in the bible are inspired by God and lay open the true nature and feelings of the soul. His truth is dispersed by means of parables and prophesies - There are true, often breathtaking stories, as well as straight forward commands. Nothing common to man is omitted from its pages. Real people, who have made terrible mistakes, are generously featured within the bible – They are there to show us that they struggled and stumbled just like we do. Its truth has answers for each of us, if only we would diligently seek them out. Its power will awaken our consciences and lay bare the secret feelings of our hearts. Great changes for the better in the moral world have been caused by the power of truth found in Almighty God’s Word.

Today’s meditation: Make a serious study of the Bible a priority.

Memory Verse: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

Daily devotion

4/18/2019

Justified by Faith

Scripture Reading: Mathew 5:3-11
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Scripture Quote: "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:13-14 (NIV)

Are we Christians, (myself included), vain, empty people with shallow brains and hearts? Whenever the Bible points us inward, it is a very touchy, scary place to venture. Who among us can visit the Beatitudes, for example, without experiencing sharp conviction of our brokenness? Yet we are called blessed. Christ in us is what reconciles us to God, but by ourselves, well, it's not pretty, is it? We are guilty of committing outrages against each other as a result of pride and indignation. Who among us consistently loves the Lord above all else – And our brother as ourselves? I submit that there is not one among us. Let’s face it, we are utterly unworthy to appear before God.

We must continually implore God's grace, which alone can redeem us from our sins, and then give thanks for the mercies we receive. As repentant worshippers, Jesus condescends to inhabit our very soul with His protection, as He holds us up for the Father's favor. We are so unworthy and so very blessed!

Today’s meditation: We can only be justified by faith in Christ.

Memory Verse: Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Gal 2:16a (NIV)

Daily devotion

4/17/2019

Judging Others
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-6
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Scripture Quote: You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (Romans 14:10 NIV)

The Word directs us how to behave in reference to the wrong doing of others. We are not to act like the Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe - They condemned others and were proud and conceited. We should judge ourselves and our own acts, but we are not entitled to judge anyone else. Our judgment is usually uncharitable, unmerciful, with a spirit of revenge and a desire to retaliate. We so often justify our anger towards our brother and lack the grace to forgive. Do remember that plank in your own eye.

Wisdom and love prevent discord among people, which should be a believer’s goal. Not every Christian is at the same place spiritually. Some are not easily weaned from the sinful behavior that had once dominated their lives. How can we judge them when we also struggle with our own sinful nature? We are all broken people and should not let hurt feelings or pride make us judge others harshly. We can choose to develop a difference among ourselves that emulates Christ's goodness and mercy towards our neighbor.

Today’s meditation: Leave judgment to God – Show mercy instead.

Memory Verse: There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12 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

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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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