​                                                                   Forgiveness Isn’t Always Easy
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:8-12
Click here to read the scripture.
Scripture Quote: Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
 
Christians are told to forgive an offense, even if we need to forgive it seventy times seven times. Yet, we often seem to have trouble forgiving a single offense. It's easier to forgive if our offender apologizes and asks us to forgive him. But, if our offender does not ask forgiveness, we are still to be kind to that person and not harbor malice toward him - On top of that, we are not to speak ill of him and continue to be helpful to him.
 
God's Truth instructs us to be forgiving without exception, if we want Him to do the same for us. (We may be in trouble here!) Our pride, the bane of our destruction, rears up and claims rightful indignation when someone is offensive to us. God's Word says to offer a gentle spirit of forgiveness as soon as the sting of being wronged is felt. Christian or not, our broken humanity screams out for revenge. Jesus is our only solution to this conundrum – we must cry out to Him for a forgiving heart. When we humbly repent, lean totally on Jesus for the attitude of love that fosters forgiveness, He will provide it. We can forgive, but only if we lay down our brokenness at the feet of Jesus.
 
Today’s meditation: Truly desire to be forgiving.
 
Memory Verse: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12 (NIV)

​                                                  Forgiveness Isn’t Always Easy
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Colossians 1:8-12
.Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Mat 6:14-15 (NIV) For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
 
Christians are told to forgive an offense, even if we need to forgive it seventy times seven times. Yet, we often seem to have trouble forgiving a single offense. It's easier to forgive if our offender apologizes and asks us to forgive him. But, if our offender does not ask forgiveness, we are still to be kind to that person and not harbor malice toward him - On top of that, we are not to speak ill of him and continue to be helpful to him.
 
God's Truth instructs us to be forgiving without exception, if we want Him to do the same for us. (We may be in trouble here!) Our pride, the bane of our destruction, rears up and claims rightful indignation when someone is offensive to us. God's Word says to offer a gentle spirit of forgiveness as soon as the sting of being wronged is felt. Christian or not, our broken humanity screams out for revenge. Jesus is our only solution to this conundrum – we must cry out to Him for a forgiving heart. When we humbly repent, lean totally on Jesus for the attitude of love that fosters forgiveness, He will provide it. We can forgive, but only if we lay down our brokenness at the feet of Jesus.
 
Today’s meditation: Truly desire to be forgiving.
 
Memory Verse: And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12(NIV)

alao en español​

                                                                                   A Divided House
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:22-30
 click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Mar 3:23-24 Jesus told the people to gather around him. Then he spoke to them in riddles and said: How can Satan force himself out? A nation whose people fight each other won't last very long.
 
Jesus was accused by the scribes to be using power from the prince of devils to heal a man who had been possessed by demons. Jesus stated the obvious in His reply to them. The welfare of any kingdom, group or family, depends on its agreement. Satan would naturally want his followers not to fight among themselves, thereby securing his uncontested dominion over them. So Satan would not deliberately allow his kingdom to be divided against itself. Jesus further pointed out that He could not be in league with Satan, who's kingdom Jesus constantly opposes and whose destruction is His ultimate goal.
 
It’s amazing to think that all of the kind and merciful things that Jesus did could not dissuade those obstinately determined to disbelieve. Jesus gave everyone ample proof or His omniscience and performed many miracles to demonstrate His great power. Jesus told the Pharisees that when He forced out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proved that God's kingdom had already come to them. God forbid that coming to His own today, His own will still not receive Him - He was, His is, and He ever will always be, Almighty God!
 
Today’s meditation: Agree with your brother and believe God’s truth.
 
Memory Verse: So if Satan fights against himself, that will be the end of him. Mark 3:26 (CEV)

Una Casa Dividida
 Toni Smothers
 
Lectura bíblica: Mateo 12: 22-30
 haga clic aquí para leer la escritura
Cita de la Escritura: Mar 3: 23-24 Jesús le dijo al pueblo que se reuniera alrededor de él. Entonces les habló en enigmas y les dijo: ¿Cómo Satanás puede forzarse a salir? Una nación cuyo pueblo lucha entre sí no durará mucho tiempo.
 
Jesús fue acusado por los escribas de usar el poder del príncipe de los demonios para sanar a un hombre que había sido poseído por demonios. Jesús dijo lo obvio en su respuesta a ellos. El bienestar de cualquier reino, grupo o familia depende de su acuerdo. Satanás, naturalmente, querría que sus seguidores no pelearan entre sí, asegurando así su dominio incontestable sobre ellos. Así que Satanás no permitiría deliberadamente que su reino fuera dividido contra sí mismo. Jesús también señaló que Él no podía estar en alianza con Satanás, a quien Jesús constantemente se opone y cuya destrucción es Su meta final.
 
Es increíble pensar que todas las cosas bondadosas y misericordiosas que Jesús hizo no pudieron disuadir a aquellos obstinadamente determinados a no creer. Jesús dio a todos una amplia prueba o Su omnisciencia y realizó muchos milagros para demostrar Su gran poder. Jesús dijo a los fariseos que cuando expulsó a los demonios por el poder del Espíritu de Dios, demostró que el reino de Dios ya había llegado a ellos. Dios no quiera que viniendo a los Suyos hoy, su propia voluntad aún no lo reciba - Él era, Suyo, y Él siempre será, Dios Todopoderoso!
 
La meditación de hoy: De acuerdo con su hermano y creer la verdad de Dios.
 
Versículo para memorizar: Así que si Satanás lucha contra sí mismo, ese será su fin. Marcos 3:26 (CEV)

                                                                      Forever Illuminated
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Click here to read the scripture
 
Scripture Quote:  The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar. You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalms 118:27-29 (NIV)
 
When we call out to our Savior, in faith, a great flood of light is released by Him, through Him and for Him. Jesus' lustrous splendor shines out His divine glory into the heart of each Believer and we are forever illuminated - We make God known by His light. Darkness may envelope much of the earth, but the glory of God shines upon His people. Like solar panels, we must be in the right position to receive the energy that turns into power. To absorb the energy and light of our Redeemer, being in an attitude of prayer allows His glory to shine within, as well as through us.
 
Prayer can sometimes be a list of requests, but prayer can also include no words at all. It is our state of mind that matters - Are we focused on deep gratitude for Jesus and all He has done for us? We assume an attitude of humility, "Your Will be done," and it is in these moments that we experience Christ's presence, which illuminates our spirit. Once we receive the light of Christ, it is our delight to glorify and praise the Lord in our worship and in our witness. 
 
Today’s meditation: Light conquers darkness every time!
 
Memory Verse:  You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)

​                                                                      Fill Your Heart With God
 Toni Smothers

​Scripture Reading: Luke 12:22-31
Click here to read the scripture 
Scripture Quote: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:19-20 (NIV)
 
Our salvation, worship of God, study of His Word, and Christian fellowship, could engross our minds and hearts entirely – But, in reality we waste precious time on our own gratifications and our need to compete for first place. We harshly judge other's mistakes, yet we make so many of our own. We are just not thinking of our Lord when we are being competitive or unkind. Also, it’s total foolishness for Christians to spend energy on acquiring more toys that we know must eventually perish, yet we do.
 
Seeking God's kingdom is so much more than following a particular formula or list of restrictive rules and it is literally intended to keep us busy about our Father's business. Hearts designed for God and eternity are those that stay fixed on another's needs above our own. There are sick friends to visit or take a meal, or lonely soldiers who could use an encouraging note, and there are always various chances to speak His truth to people who have never heard about Jesus. When we fill our thoughts with God and His purposes, He continues to show us all kinds of things we can do to use our time for His glory.
 
Today’s meditation: Use your spare time to bless someone else.
 
Memory Verse: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 (NIV)

                                                                               Enter Boldly
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:1-10
 Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." Then he adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." Hebrews 10:15-16 (NIV)
 
In order for us to be God's people, our iniquity must be pardoned, because God is pure and He hates sin. We call a Believer holy when his heart is conformed, as much as it is possible, to the image of God. And even in that state, man can only hope to have God's forgiveness if he has accepted Christ's sacrificial death as the singular means to his salvation. Christ died once for all and that is the only way by which we are able to approach our perfect Heavenly Father as His own.
 
Since sin has been pardoned by Christ's blood, there is no need of any more sacrifice for sin, which was previously always to be repeated by the high priests, along with a long list of human requirements that needed to be met in order to temporarily obtain God's forgiveness. By Jesus offering himself once for the forgiveness of all humanity’s sinfulness, he has perfected forever those set aside for God through faith. By the blood of Jesus, Christians can now boldly enter the Most Holy Place and being justified by His blood, we have a right to all the blessings of the eternal kingdom. Oh, how He loves us!
 
Today’s meditation: God is personally accessible to us.
 
Memory Verse: For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14 (NIV)

​                                                                   Right Relationship
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: John 1:11-18
 Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) 
 
Since we have an inadequate or imperfect idea of God, of His holiness, justice and truth, we are constantly yearning for a closer rapport with Him. We also want to be able to give an intelligent explanation to others of our faith in God. Christianity may seem a difficult concept for some because the non-believer looks at our lives with all its inconsistencies and wonders how to make sense of us. We declare our faith in the abiding consciousness of God, but we stumble with worries and failures associated with worldly issues.
 
The whole of our lives are meant to be absolutely filled by the presence of God. How then can we worry and fret over anything? How do Believers realize that worry is sinful and still remain so controlled by it? When we are able to leave all our concerns at God's feet, we spend our days gratefully oblivious to any worries - That is God's peace that passes our understanding. When we are in right relationship, putting God's Will and plans before our own, it is obvious to observers that an abiding companionship with God means everything to us and though we may be inconsistent, He never is - Simple joy is what our skeptics will observe.
 
Today’s meditation: Enjoy a worry free, God filled life.
 
Memory Verse: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” Psalms 32:8 (NIV)

​                                                              Our Gradual Transformation
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:3-10
 Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1 -2 (NIV)
 
When God needs to illuminate some aspect of human nature apart from Himself, He'll show it to us in ourselves - Once God does that, we know there is no immoral criminal who is anywhere near as bad as we know ourselves to be. While the Word and God's Holy Spirit promise to enlighten us with truth, He doesn't say it will always be pleasant. Helping us to face the rough truth about ourselves is one way God helps us to grow. He will always offer to change us, usually through some difficult act of obedience.
 
Jesus has prepared a place in heaven and offers Believers abundant life now, even though we so often fail to live up to His example. We need to stay the course, not give up on ourselves, and believe in His transforming power. When we turn from Him and seek our own will, we inevitably find discontentment and disappointment. Jesus is the only way to peace and joy. His power
 
Today’s meditation: Rest in the knowledge that we belong to Jesus.
 
Memory Verse: “They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 37:23 (NIV)

                                                                        Highway to Heaven

​Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Isaiah 35:1-10
 Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: "The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." Psalms 145:14-16 (NIV)
 
Isaiah's poem in today’s scripture reading pictures the desert blossoming into glorious life. He could easily be describing the effect on God's people who receive a total change through His touch. Where the favor of God rests, hearts are blessed beyond expectations - Our dreariest dry spell will become like spring-fed lakes.  God will never disappoint. Hearts that have been touched by God's Spirit will lose all fear. If we find ourselves going through some dessert experience like sickness, loneliness, poverty or a wavering faith, etc., we must trust that our God will provide a way out.
 
There’s nothing that can ultimately hurt us once we are walking with God. Our Father frees us from all deceit and oppression of this world. He takes the darkness from our lives and gives us redemption and a great hope for the future - Believers are redeemed and all the rest just doesn’t matter. Whether we suffer through a thing for a short or even a long time, our destiny is set. We will be with Jesus and there will be no more trials, only joy. Christ is the "Highway to Heaven."
 
Today’s meditation:
 
Memory Verse: "Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does." Psalms 145:13 (NIV)

​                                                                                 Excuses
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-9
Click here to read the scripture 
Scripture Quote: “When the LORD your God gives you rest from all the enemies around you in the land he is giving you to possess as an inheritance, you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven. Do not forget!” Deuteronomy 25:19 (NIV)
 
God entrusted Saul, by way of Samuel, with the fulfillment of God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything that belonged to them because of the sneaky attack they made on the Israelite stragglers coming out of Egypt. But Saul’s men desired to keep the best of the livestock, so Saul did not follow God's instructions entirely. Later, when he was trying to make an acceptable excuse for his disobedience, Saul told Samuel that they would sacrifice the animals to God at Gilgal. But which can we expect that God would prefer, burnt offerings or obedience?
 
Instead of confessing our sin, don't we also try to make an excuse for them sometimes? It is disobedient to rationalize sinful actions. Saul wasn’t truly repentant, so he was deprived of his reign as king. There are always consequences for sin - Making excuses to God, who knows all our true motives already, is pretty ridiculous. Repentance and obedience are required behaviors for followers of Jesus and gain us tremendous peace and joy. God always forgives a repentant sinner.
 
Today’s meditation: Walk the narrow path without any need for excuses.
 
Memory Verse: “The LORD will establish you as his holy people, as he promised you on oath, if you keep the commands of the LORD your God and walk in obedience to him.” Deuteronomy 28:9 (NIV)