Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotional by Toni Smothers

9/30/2015

Toni Smothers

Sacrificial Love

Scripture Reading for the day: Matthew 18:21-35

Scripture Quote: “But I say love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and on the unjust too. If you love only those who love you, what good is that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much.” John 3:16-21 (NLT)

            Yes, even the most corrupt of individuals loves someone else. Love is not achieved in its truest sense, though, until it is given in the face of rejection or bitterness. To find compassion and to offer prayers for an abuser’s soul takes the kind of love obtained only from a perfect God. We are incapable of that depth of love on our own. We must decide to try to love the offensive person and then let God’s love strengthen ours and filter through us.

            There are so many times in life that we are hurt by others, either intentionally or inadvertently. God really does want us to cherish love so much that we are willing to sacrifice anything, including our hurt feelings or pride in order to hold love up as the ultimate demonstration of a life changed by Christ’s sacrifice.

Meditation for today: “The master magnet of the gospel is not fear, but love. Penitents are drawn to Christ rather than driven.” Charles Surgeon

Memory Verse: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.” Psalm 42:1(NLT)

Today's devotional by Toni Smothers

9/29/2015

Toni Smothers

Repentance

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 20

Scripture Quote: “Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in afflictions and irons – Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.” Psalm 107:10-14 (NKJV)

   We need only turn from our self-reliance and ask God for help in all areas of our lives – God provides wonderfully, if only we will let Him. He knows our weaknesses and can step in at any time to rescue us from our inevitable mistakes. But then we would be little more than robots. No, we will always have free will and it is up to us to repent of our sins, ask God’s forgiveness and embrace His help with loving gratitude.

   God is faithful and will never let us go. We may suffer from our sin’s consequence, but He will remain in our hearts and help us through. To be intimate with Jesus, we must stay in a perpetual state of repentance so that we may lead the abundant life He has for each of us today.

Meditation for today: “Wanderers, prisoners, sick and storm-tossed people all suffered but were saved when they called upon God.” Max Lucado

Memory Verse: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NKJV)

Today's devotional by Toni Smothers

9/28/2015

Toni Smothers

Religiosity

Scripture Reading for the day: John 18:19-24

Scripture Quote: “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.” John 18:28 (NASB)

The hypocrites, who condemned Jesus’ to die, refused to enter into the pagan headquarters of the Roman Governor. Religious dictates would not permit a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile - Doing so would defile the Jew, which also meant that he could not partake of the upcoming Passover feast. Keeping the ceremonial requirements of their religion was everything to them. Meanwhile, murdering an innocent man was irrelevant. Ironically, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover the hypocrites desired to celebrate so much. The religion of the hypocrites was heartless and had nothing to do with God or truth.

As Christians, we can sometimes fall into thinking that a bunch of rules is the basis for our own religious “correctness.” It is all too easy to become ritualistic in our prayer life or in our worship. Anything that we honor other than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will lead us astray. A personal relationship with Christ which demonstrates itself in love, liberty and the practice of imitating Him, will glorify God.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

Memory Verse: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” John18:36 (NASB)

Today's devotional be Toni Smothers

9/25/2015

Toni Smothers

Praise God’s Love for Us

Scripture Reading for the day: Deuteronomy 30:1-10

Scripture Quote: “Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise!” His greatness is beyond discovery!” Psalm 145:3 (NLT)

            Think of all the Lord has done to and through us. Be happy that you are God’s chosen one who is given the mission to serve God, to be custodian of His Word and to be a light to all His people. If you ever stray from His fold, He is always willing to receive you again and again. His love endures forever.

            God wants what all parents do; a happy household of children who are obedient and content. He seeks a truly intimate relationship with each of us and He takes personal pleasure in us. We need only trust and obey and look forward to the time when Jesus brings justice and peace to the entire world. There’s no greater joy than ours as adopted children and heirs of the Almighty. How can we even contain our praises and worship of our Father? And like children, how can we help wanting to please Him.

Meditation for the day: We can only trust God when our focus is on Him and not on our circumstances. He is always with us, helping us to endure all things. There is never a time we are alone once we are adopted into God’s family of believers. What a safe feeling that brings to our hearts.

Memory Verse: “How amazing are the deeds of the LORD! All who delight in him should ponder them.” Psalm111:2 (NLT)

Today's devotion by Toni Smothers

9/24/2015

Toni Smothers

Power and Glory

Scripture Reading for the day: I Corinthians 15:45-54

Scripture Quote: “It is the same way for the resurrection of the dead. Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will be full of glory. They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.” I Corinthians 15:42-43 (NLT)

            David said, “I will bless the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” We can do no less. Our lives have been planned by God for a special purpose. He decided our salvation even before we were born. He loves us more than anyone ever has. We can do none other than praise Him in awe and reverence.

            Once we are united with Christ in heaven, we will no longer be weak, or sick, or hurting. Because Christ rose from the dead, he is a life giving spirit. He became a new form of existence. He is the source of the spiritual life and He creates our own resurrection where we will be given transformed, eternal bodies suited to our new eternal life. It’s so cool to know that we are winners in the end, no matter what happens in between.

Meditation for today: “It is not our strength of faith that saves us, but the truth of our faith – not the weakness of our faith that condemns, but the lack of faith in the One who died.” Jim Rogers

Memory Verse: “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting?”            I Corinthians 15:55 (NLT)

September 23rd, 2015

9/23/2015

Toni Smothers

Adultery & Lust

Scripture Reading for the day: Proverbs 7:1-27

Scripture Quote: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery”, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJ)

            We must not let ourselves be ruled by lust which can only bring us moral ruin. We can choose to avoid those situations we know to be tempting and don’t allow sexual thoughts to occupy our attention. Married Christians must decide to avoid everything that might cause them to desire anyone besides their spouse. We can lavish our partner with all of our affections and desires and enjoy the love shared by both.

            God’s commandments are a lamp to enlighten us. His reproof should prove to us that nothing good can come of sexual involvement outside of marriage. We are called to a higher standard of living than those who are lost to the world and all its perversity.

            Single Christians can pray for God to send them a godly mate as a suitable marriage partner. Love and sexual intimacy, in the proper context of marriage, are blessings from God to help us get through this mortal life. In all things, glorify God and follow His wise direction.

Meditation for today: Sin takes many forms and what starts out as harmless flirtation can easily delude a person until a more serious intimacy is created and ungodly entanglements evolve. When do you struggle with lust? How can you avoid these situations?

Memory Verse: Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your nearest kin. Proverbs 7:4 (NKJ)

Devotional by Toni Smothers

9/22/2015

Toni Smothers

Repentance

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 20

Scripture Quote: “Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in afflictions and irons – Because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down and there was none to help. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distress. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.” Psalm 107:10-14 (NKJV)

            We need only turn from our self-reliance and ask God for help in all areas of our lives – God provides wonderfully, if only we will let Him. He knows our weaknesses and can step in at any time to rescue us from our inevitable mistakes. But then we would be little more than robots. No, we will always have free will and it is up to us to repent of our sins, ask God’s forgiveness and embrace His help with loving gratitude.

            God is faithful and will never let us go. We may suffer from our sin’s consequence, but He will remain in our hearts and help us through. To be intimate with Jesus, we must stay in a perpetual state of repentance so that we may lead the abundant life He has for each of us today.

Meditation for today: “Wanderers, prisoners, sick and storm-tossed people all suffered but were saved when they called upon God.” Max Lucado

Memory Verse: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NKJV)

Today's devotional by Toni Smothers

9/21/2015

Toni Smothers

Religiosity

Scripture Reading for the day: John 18:19-24

Scripture Quote: “Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.” John 18:28 (NASB)

The hypocrites, who condemned Jesus’ to die, refused to enter into the pagan headquarters of the Roman Governor. Religious dictates would not permit a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile - Doing so would defile the Jew, which also meant that he could not partake of the upcoming Passover feast. Keeping the ceremonial requirements of their religion was everything to them. Meanwhile, murdering an innocent man was irrelevant. Ironically, Jesus is the fulfillment of the Passover the hypocrites desired to celebrate so much. The religion of the hypocrites was heartless and had nothing to do with God or truth.

As Christians, we can sometimes fall into thinking that a bunch of rules is the basis for our own religious “correctness.” It is all too easy to become ritualistic in our prayer life or in our worship. Anything that we honor other than the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will lead us astray. A personal relationship with Christ which demonstrates itself in love, liberty and the practice of imitating Him, will glorify God.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is the only way to eternal life.

Memory Verse: “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” John18:36 (NASB)

Today's devotion be TAS (toni smothers)

9/18/2015

Toni Smothers

Pride

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 51:1-17

Scripture Quote: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. Point out anything that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

Rather than approaching God to forgive us for a particular sin, it is better to live in a continual state of repentance so that your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s conviction becomes very intense. Also, living in a state of constant repentance just naturally turns us away from the world toward God. We must continually remind ourselves that although we live in the world, our home is not here - We are just passing through.

Being repentant is more than just knowing you have a problem of being sinful. It also humbles us so that we can see our inability to do anything about our sin without God’s help. We can pray that God will show us His favor and grant us a pure heart, but He must do the work in our hearts.

Pride so often is the root cause of our sinfulness. We all are full of pride and constantly struggle to find any true humility within ourselves. We must develop an attitude that is willing to look at our blackest thoughts and desires and hand them over to God so that he can cleanse us. It is foolish to think that we can hide our cold heart’s wickedness from our heavenly Father.

Meditation for the day: “Pride is the cancer and ego its seed.” Glenn Phillips

Memory Verse: “I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride.” Psalm 101:5

Today's devotion by Toni Smothers

9/17/2015

Toni Smothers

Predestined for Glory

Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 1:1-8

Scripture Quote: “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will…Ephesians 1:11a (NASB)

Before we first heard of Christ, He had his eye on us, had designs for our glorious living. We have always been a part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Isn’t that an unbeatable wonder?

Many people go through life lost in the maze of busyness and frustration, taking comfort in bigger salaries, houses, or cars, none of which fulfills them. Jesus patiently waits at the door of our hearts. We need only seek Him out and we can find true comfort. His abundant grace is sufficient for every need.

Daily seek to understand the dimensions of God’s eternal purpose and grace and come to appreciate the high goals God has for the church. As believers, we can see how imperative it is to trust in Christ and help whoever else we can to come to His saving grace. We have been predestined for glory – Share your faith with someone today so God’s plan and purpose for your life continues perfectly through your obedience. Pray that you might be used by God to expedite the coming of His Kingdom here on earth.

Today’s meditation: It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. “The number one thing that keeps you from becoming what God wants you to be is your past.” – Rick Warren

Memory Verse: “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.” Ephesians 1:17 (NASB)

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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