Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Covenant Truth Scripture Reading for the day: Jeremiah 33:1-11 Scripture Quote: And He said to them, “This is my blood, poured out for many, sealing the covenant between God and His people.” Mark 14:24 (NLT) Trust doesn’t come easy. It isn’t easy for us to believe that God can fulfill all His impossible promises either, yet we must trust Him. The same God who worked in the lives of all the biblical prophets and heroes, will work in our lives too, if we will let Him. The Bible tells us about an old covenant and a new covenant which is a binding, the solemn agreement between two parties carrying obligations for both sides and enforced by an oath. In the bible covenants God makes with man, they are all initiated by Him. He sets the terms. The old covenant was not accompanied by spiritual transformation, so it was impossible for man to obey. The new covenant is very different than the old one. It was originated at Jesus’ suffering and death and left behind the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Meditation for the day: Remember that though you know Christ, rules and rituals and good works have never cleansed people’s hearts - Only the hope and love we have in Him can accomplish that. Memory Verse: “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me.” Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Communion Scripture Reading for the day: I Corinthians 11:23-34 Scripture Quote: “As they were eating, Jesus took a loaf of bread and asked God’s blessing on it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, Take it and eat it, for this is my body. And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which seals the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out to forgive the sins of many. Matthew 26:26-28 (NLT) As Jesus’ time on earth was nearing an end, He instituted the Lord’s Supper on the night of the Passover meal. Just as Passover celebrates deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so the Lord’s Supper celebrates deliverance from sin by Christ’s death and resurrection. All Christians basically believe that partaking of Communion is an important element in the Christian faith and that however we understand it, Christ’s presence in us strengthens us spiritually. So it is important that we partake as often as possible. It is also meant to remind us of our Savior and what He gave for our freedom from sin. Meditation for today: “There existed from all eternity a perfect love between the Father and the Son and between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. All that God created is an extension of that love.” Jonathan Edwards Memory Verse: “Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized Him as He was breaking the bread. Luke 24:35 Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Charity Instead of Vengeance Scripture Reading for the day: Genesis 26 Scripture Quote: “So Isaac prepared a great feast for them, and they ate and drank in preparation for the treaty ceremony.” Genesis 26:30 (NLT) Isn’t it sad that the most common response to poor treatment from others is to plot something bad to befall them? We automatically seek vengeance to sooth our inevitable pride. We seek public sympathy and privately think hateful things. This kind of behavior really has no place in the life of a follower of Christ. Actually, if we are honest, we can think of as many wrongs that we have dealt others as have been dealt to us. We like to rationalize these facts away in the mist of our indignant tempest. Isaac, who had good reason to be bitter, didn’t respond with anger. Instead he showed mercy and charity to King Abimelech who had previously been jealous of Isaac’s wealth. He had Isaac’s wells filled with dirt and drove Isaac away. Still, Isaac chose Christ’s peaceful way to treat King Abimelech. We can be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. Often, God’s influence in our lives draws others to us, even enemies - We can take those opportunities to reach out to them with God’s love. Isaac compromised for the sake of peace. Would you be willing to forsake your pride to keep peace? Is it hard for you to humble yourself in front of others? Meditation for the day: The trouble with taking revenge when we are mistreated is that none of us can claim complete innocence. Memory Verse: “We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we decided we should have a treaty, a covenant between us.” Genesis 26:2 |
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
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