Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Devotion by Toni Smothers

10/30/2015

Toni Smothers                 [email protected]        www.writingforthemaster.com

Does Prayer Have Real Power?
Scripture Reading for the day: 1 Corinthians 1:17-18

Scripture Quote: For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:4
     The bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. All through the word we read that prayer is the way to communicate with our Heavenly Father. Unbelievers think that prayer is ineffective and silly, but I believe God’s word, not the opinion of the unsaved sinner. Actually, those are people that need you to pray for them.

     You may be like me, with less than super credentials. No matter how much or little we know, as believers in Jesus’ ministry, death and resurrection, we have been given the gift of prayer. Use it and seek the power of God in your life for yourself and for those you love.

     Do we really believe that our prayers are powerful? Well, modesty aside, “the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but they have divine power to destroy strong holds.” (2 Corinthians 10:4)We have a mighty God who gives us all the power we need to fight the enemy and cover those we pray for, if we will only believe.

Today’s meditation: When we connect with God through prayer, His power is given to us. Have faith in your prayers and watch God move mountains.
Memory Verse: The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

Devotion by Toni Smothers

10/29/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Do You Know About Jesus’ Grace?
Scripture Reading for the day: John 1:10-14

Jesus didn’t care about riches, that’s for sure. I sometimes wonder if He came to bring his message of salvation today, just how he would be received. Would he come as a homeless man, seeking a dozen men to follow Him and learn about God’s grace, like he did with His disciples long ago? Would His poverty and disregard for money or status be accepted by any group living in this present age? Or would we look down on Jesus, even call him a bum? You know what, He would still love all of us anyway, because that is who He is!

Jesus knew His fate from the beginning. He gave up His spiritual riches for the sake of our spiritual ignorance. He willingly became poor and humble, living as a man, alongside humanity’s sinfulness. He was the creator of all things, yet He was rejected, beaten, tortured and ultimately murdered because His message of grace usurped the authenticity and authority of the Pharisees and Sadducees - Are we sometimes as clueless as them?

Scripture Quote: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, for your sakes He became poor, in order that you might be made rich through His poverty.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 (MKJV)

Today’s meditation: Are our independent, success oriented goals a major stumbling block to our pursuit of a true, deep relationship with our Savior?

Memory Verse: For He has made Him who knew no sin, to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2Co 5:21 (MKJV)

Devotion by Toni Smothers

10/28/2015

[email protected]          www.writingforthemaster.com

Do You Accept God's Best?
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: John 15:1-11
Scripture Quote: “God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.”          2 Peter 1:4 (CEV)
     Wouldn't you love to suddenly be changed and be totally infused with Christ's nature? I know I would. To be unmistakably stamped with God's nature is the ultimate reward for total obedience and submission to the will of God.
     From a human or worldly perspective, obedience and submission are associated with weakness and dull wittedness. Pride is the reason for such an incorrect appraisal, because in reality, obedience and submission are the ultimate goals of the wise child of God. Only the truly informed could understand the strength and sustenance in a life turned over completely to His loving hand.
Today’s meditation: Hardships and loss can become much weaker influences on us, if we take God at His Word.
Memory Verse: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.” John 10:9 NIV

Devotion by Toni Smothers

10/27/2015

Toni Smothers                 [email protected]        www.writingforthemaster.com

Commit Your Way to the LORD
Scripture Reading for the day: Matthew 11:20-30

Scripture Quote: Delight yourself also in the LORD and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit you way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. Psalms 37:4-5 (NKJV)

            When we see the beauty of this planet, the lush environment that God created for us to live in, we find it easy to admire God’s majesty and creativity. We are surrounded by God’s glory and feel blessed to be included. But our lives are more than beauty and pleasure. We are meant to overcome trials as God refines and reinforces our faith.

            Realistically, we must expect challenges and difficulties along our paths, but we can also find great comfort and courage in knowing that God has given us His Son Jesus, who saves and befriends us. So, no matter what life throws at us, we can be certain that God will never withhold anything that we need to get through it.

            We who follow God’s decrees will have the kind of faith that pleases God. Our faith also proves His grace within our hearts and lives. When we honor Christ with our faithful thoughts and deeds, we receive God’s provision now, along with His promise of eternity. How overwhelming and wonderful is God’s great love for us!

Today’s meditation: “Always live as God’s holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (CEV)

Memory Verse: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (ASV)

Devotion by Toni Smothers

10/26/2015

Toni Smothers                [email protected]    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 26:28

Today's devotion by Toni Smothers

10/24/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
An Attitude of Gratitude
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Micah 7:13-20
Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1b-2 (NIV)
Since the day we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we no longer fear eternal separation from God. He lives inside us now through His indwelling Spirit. It was for our benefit that Jesus suffered tremendous anguish, so that when we call to God for help, He hears and He cares. We are miraculously transformed by the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins.
Are we now able to purposely sin and still be covered by Christ’s blood? Absolutely not! This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Jesus is an atoning sacrifice for all the sins of those who believe in Him, but we now must deliberately turn from all evil.
God’s love for us compels us to a higher standard of living. Gratitude is the appropriate response to what He has accomplished in our lives, despite our prideful wills. Thankfulness fills our days with His peace and joy.

Today’s meditation: Be appreciative for God’s precious gift of eternal life.

Memory Verse: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1John 4:10 (NIV)

Today's devotional by Toni Smothers

10/23/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Realize Your Election As A Child Of God

Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 1: 1-23

Scripture Quote: “My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people.” Ephesians 1:18 (CEV)

God does not promise us a peaceful and uncomplicated life. He has stood back and allowed the natural consequences of our actions and the actions of others in our life to play out as they will. Free will can be just as much a curse as it can be 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. We are held accountable in the end.

The same power that rose Jesus from the dead demands our faithful submission and obedience. We have been given everything – even the choice to turn away from our election. God forbid!

Meditation for the day: It is much better to seek first, (and always), God's wisdom and purpose for our lives – not as robots, but as children of the most high God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse: “ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. Ephesians 1:4 (CEV)

Today's devotional be Toni Smothers

10/22/2015

Toni Smothers                              [email protected]                             www.writingforthemaster.com

Let the Life of Jesus Be Manifest

Scripture Reading for the day: 2 Corinthians 4:6-14

Scripture Quote: “ We face death every day because of Jesus. Our bodies show what his death was like, so that his life can also be seen in us.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 (CEV)

      It's easy to proclaim Christ when things are going smoothly. The challenge is in hiding solely in His arms and finding the pure joy of that even as life turns bitter or infuriating. To lay disappointments, defeats, anger and resentments, and even envy, at Christ's feet while picking up His calm, peaceful acceptance of all things, is to truly know the intimacy with which we can come to have with our loving and forgiving Savior.

      It is during adversity, in particular, that we see Him all the more clearly as we deepen our “knowing” that He lives, even in us. Trials put us and all we profess to believe to the test. When we can stand in our trials, we prove that Jesus is manifest in us. We can take courage, bear patiently, and persevere.

Meditation for the day: We can choose not to pray for “things” anymore, but to seek to know God Himself. The life of the Son of God has been reborn in us and we have the privilege to nourish that life and value it more than we value anything.

Memory Verse:   “You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested.” James 1:3(CEV)

Today's Devotional by Toni Smothers

10/21/2015

Toni Smothers    [email protected]    www.writingforthemaster.com

His Excellency
Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 95
Scripture Quote:“for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture,the flock under his care.” Psalm 95:6(NIV)

     In Psalm 95:6, we read that the LORD is the greatest God and King over everything. His excellency as Creator is unmatched throughout the universe. Yet He would call us His own. In the Old Testament times, when idol worship and blatant disobedience prevailed, He still loved us. He wanted His people to come to Him with joy and gratitude. And even today, we also may approach our Heavenly Father with an indescribable gladness - Even though we fail Him repeatably, He has chosen us to follow Him and through Christ we are redeemed.
     We are His sheep and He supplies our green pasture. God goes before us to set up the best possibilities despite Satan's efforts to the contrary. We stubbornly refuse His guidance so we can ignorantly, “do it our way,” only to find that we end up in more trouble than we can eradicate ourselves. Jesus has already experienced everything that we have. He is always close and willing to answer our call for help. We need only remember that our hope lies in His hands, not ours - And, that's pretty excellent!

Meditation for the day: “Hope springs eternal...” Alexander Pope   . Where does your hope come from?

Memory Verse: ”Come, let us bow down in worship,let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.” Psalm 95:6(NIV)

Today's devotion by Toni Smothers

10/20/2015

Toni Smothers
Worship

Scripture Reading for the day: Isaiah 2:1-22

Scripture Quote: “And after his care, he uses part of the wood to make a fire to warm himself and bake his bread. Then – yes, it’s true – he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god for people to worship! He makes and idol and bows down and praises it! Then he takes what is left and makes his god: a carved idol! He say, you are my god!”” Isaiah 44:15 (NLT)

            Imagine how sad our heavenly Father must be as he watches us worship all kinds of things other than Him. God is the one who created us, who we ultimately trust and who we look to for security and happiness. We know that He is in charge of our future, yet, knowing all this, we still worship our jobs, our salaries, other people, or whatever, and think more often of them than our Almighty God. Who but a fool would make his own god who can’t possible help with real life issues?

            We should be proud of belonging to God. He deserves all honor and glory and praise. God sent His only son and sacrificed His life, so that we might have life. He has loved us with an insurmountable love. False gods can’t love us and redeem us from our sins. God is the one and only true God and He deserves all of our love and reverence.

Meditation for today: You can stand in the approval of God again - Admit to God that you have made a mistake and tell Him how much you love Him.

Memory Verse: “Jesus replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (NLT)

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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