Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

11/30/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Finding Happiness

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 3:13-18 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)

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Scripture Quote: After all, to the person who is good in God's sight, he gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to the sinner he gives the troublesome task of acquiring and accumulating in order to leave it to someone who is good in the sight of God. This also is pointless and chasing after the wind. (Ecclesiastes 2:26)

Although people think happiness can be found in our fleshly desires, we find the eventual achievement of those yearnings to be destructive and unfulfilling. Since we are surrounded by evil, Believers must deliberately decide not to walk in the counsel of ungodliness. The world defends self-gratification and competitive aggression as acceptable common practice - Getting out ahead of the next guy rules, so that achievement and prosperity have become the gods of this world.

Redeemed Christians are aware of the existence of an invisible world where we can draw our strength and purpose from an unseen God who guides us on the path to righteousness. Believers have the joy of the Lord and the wisdom in His Word to sustain us throughout our lives. Our inner man is blessed with a sacred indwelling of God's Holy Spirit. Although difficulties and disappointments are part of life, Christians know that life on earth is temporary. We are destined for great joy when our Lord and Savior comes again. Jesus will take us with Him into glory and show us what real happiness is.

Today’s meditation: Happy is the heart that belongs to the Lord.

Memory Verse: But the righteous rejoice and exult before God; they are overwhelmed with joy. (Psalms 68:3)

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Today's devotion

11/29/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Discernment

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11-14 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)

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Scripture Quote: But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. (John 14:26)

As we deliberately study God's Word, the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Counselor, will increase our understanding. He brings certain instruction to our remembrance as we live out a godly lifestyle. Christians lean heavily on inspiration so that we can understand and follow God's precepts. As we pray and study, we develop discernment to help us avoid Satan’s snares and all the world's influences. Christ told His apostles that when He died, He would bequeath to them and to all His followers, tranquility and happiness in the form of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised us everlasting friendship with Him.

If we dig into Scripture daily, we develop the ability to apply the truth within to our lives. When difficulties arise or decisions must be made that are important or life changing, we will be fully prepared to follow God's path. Though at times our specific circumstances may not be directly addressed in the Bible, we still will have the principles and direction of all that we have learned from our study. The Holy Spirit will bring to our minds exactly what we need to make good, godly decisions - That, and the constant desire to emulate Christ, gives us all that we need to live a peaceful and blessed life.

Today’s meditation: Study and let the Holy Spirit guide your life.

Memory Verse: But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. (1 Jonn 2:20)

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Today's devotion

11/28/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Wear God’s Armor
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:10-18 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)

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Scripture Quote: Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58)

Satan wants nothing more than to destroy your faith and lead you away from God. It is necessary that we realize that Satan is real and he is our lifelong enemy. His fallen angels are powerful opponents desiring to weaken and defeat us. We need spiritual strength to enable us to fight back when we are under Satan's attack. We have the power of the Holy Spirit working in us and the armor of God, described in detail in His Word, to keep us safe. Our faith in God must be unwavering because Satan will jump on our momentary weaknesses.

We cannot be as infants who are ill-prepared, who don't think for themselves, but follow after every popular teaching. Our wisdom is gleaned from God's Word alone - God's armor can stand against the schemes of the devil. Satan uses part truths to confuse and deceive. He wants to ruin our lives and can disguise himself quite effectively. We must know God's Word and remain firmly in the protection He provides, always prepared to repel each new attack. The day will come when Satan loses the ultimate battle and we will be free of him – We will live unhindered in great joy with our Savior for all eternity.

Today’s meditation: Be aware that the devil seeks to destroy us.

Memory Verse: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. (1 John 5:4)

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Today's devotion

11/25/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

To Follow, or Not to Follow

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 15:1-23 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)

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Scripture Quote: Remember what the Amalekites did to you along the way when you came out of Egypt. When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18)

Amalek was a nation that was doomed by God because they attacked the weakest of the Israelites as they journeyed out of Egypt. God used Samuel to instruct Saul, the king of Israel, to attack and destroy the Amalekites and all that belonged to them. Saul followed only some of God's instructions - He spared Agag, the king of Amalek, along with the best of his sheep and cattle. God regretted that he had ever anointed Saul to be king of the Israelites because He did not do what God wanted.

God has not made people to be automated to do whatever He wants. Our Sovern Father shows us the best choices for our lives, but He leaves it up to us to do what He decrees in His Word. We can choose not to follow any of God's best plan for our lives. He will not force us to obey. However, we have no right to expect God's blessings on our lives while we are disobeying Him. Either we know that God's Ways are truly the best possible path for us, or we don't. Follow the Lord your God with reverence and total obedience - Experience the abundantly joyful life He has planned for you.

Today’s meditation: Choose to keep an obedient heart.

Memory Verse: If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; (Isaiah 1:19)

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Today's devotion

11/23/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Never Separated From His Love

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:32-39 (All Scripture quotes are NIV)

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Scripture Quote: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

Jesus stands in front of us to ever intercede with God Almighty. We know this certainty through the indwelling Holy Spirit that teaches us. Because God loves us so intensely, He delivered His Own Son up to death for our sakes. Would He withhold any good thing that we need? Abraham was also prepared to offer up his son Isaac to God, but God did not require that sacrifice from him. But because Abraham was so faithful and obedient, God blessed Him and multiplied his seed, even up to us in this current generation. God still honors all that was intended by God's promises to His people.

God gives His Believers every blessing that they need. There is nothing in this world that can separate us from the blessing and love of God. Is there a more powerful, wonderful, awe inspiring fact than that? And the Church, which is founded on the Gospel and the Rock, can never be destroyed by persecution. And what God does for the Church He does for every individual in the body. With the love of God in our hearts, we know that we know that we are His Own forever!

Today’s meditation: Our God is always with us and He is all we need.

Memory Verse: (Hebrews 13:5b) God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

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Today's devotion

11/22/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Members of God’s Family
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:34-40 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25%3A34-40&version=NIV
Scripture Quote: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." (John 14:21)

All of Christ's faithful followers feel His power and goodness within our hearts. We are righteous through Him, blessed children because we have received the benediction of our heavenly Father. We have become, and continue to be, His Church body, members of the heavenly family. The inheritance of eternal life is only for the children of the family of God. We who have received the blessing of our Father, are made holy, undefiled and separated from sinners, in His sight.

Believers can make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to study God’s Word - Everything we need to know to lead a godly life has been written down in Scripture for us to learn. We have been given so much as joint heirs with Jesus. Repentance and obedience are the least we can offer in return to show our gratitude and love for our Savior. We have been elevated to brothers and sisters in Christ. The most solid proof of a Christian's love and affection for Christ is if we continually strive to keep His commandments, patiently waiting to someday see his majesty face to face. In the meantime, we can live our lives as if we actually realize that we are children of the Most High God, who have been blessed beyond measure.

Today’s meditation: We owe Christ everything.

Memory Verse: "If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)

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Today's devotion

11/18/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Be Humble in Spirit

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 66:1-6 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)

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Scripture Quote: You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise. (Psalms 51:16-17)

The battles we fight and the quarrels we participate in come from our inner struggles with our flesh. When we take our attention away from living for the Lord, we covet things others have, but we can't get what we want, so we quarrel and fight. However, we do not have what we want because we don't submit our desires to God and accept His decision whether or not what we ask for fits into the plan He has for our lives. If in our disappointment with God's decision, we turn to the world, we are actually joining with the enemies of God.

Finding our way back to the Father requires a humble and contrite heart and a sovereign act of His mercy. Our loving Father is always there to heal our broken spirits and renew our distracted heart. It is true that there is nothing similar to what we find in the love and peace of God - His love is greater than anything this world could possibly offer because He gives us genuine happiness, which will always allude the flesh. Believers belong to God Almighty and He alone can fulfill the desires of our hearts.

Today’s meditation: Rest and peace are found only in our Father God.

Memory Verse: But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." (James 4:6)

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Today's devotion

11/17/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

No Sin Is Too Great

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Act 5:27-32 (All scripture quotes are NIV)

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Scripture Quote: Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:72)

Peter's sin was tremendous - He denied Christ at a time when he should have confessed and said that He was a follower. He should have been a witness for Jesus. Peter was one of the twelve and should have had Jesus' back. But instead of devotion to Christ, he chose to allow fear of condemnation and ridicule rule in his heart and mind. It is understandable that he would weep when he finally conforts himself with the shame of deserting His Lord.

Peter also remembered Jesus’ prediction. Jesus knew that Peter was weak and would deny Him - Yet Jesus had already forgiven Peter for his actions. How incredible is that? Peter's sorrow, as he wept, brought him ever closer to the Savior's heart. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to forgivness and salvation, which further leads to no regret. If Peter can be forgiven for turning his back on Jesus and King David could be forgiven of murder and adultry, we can be certain that our sins are also forgiven. If we confess our sin, He is gracious to forgive us. Our past can be released because God has forgiven us our sins and purified us from all unrighteousness.

Today’s meditation: Praise God! Oh, how He lavishes His love on us!

Memory Verse: (Acts 2:28) You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

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Today's devotion

11/16/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Never Forget You Are Blessed

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-4

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Scripture Quote: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." (Romans 4:7-8)

Believers can sometimes forget the blessing that they have received from Christ. Life happens, our sinful actions drag us down, with Satan having a field day bashing our sense of worth. We begin to believe the lie that we are not any good at all and we have disappointed God. We think that God will not want us to come again asking forgiveness and mercy. This is the same God, however, that sent His Son to be a sin offering for us - He did that because He dearly loves us. He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us, who always leads us back to our Father, no matter what our transgressions.

There is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There may be natural consequences of our sin, but we are never abandoned and we cannot lose our Father's love. That's because God sees Christ's purity within us - He sees the Holy Spirit who preserves us from all the remains of indwelling corruption. The blessedness of freedom from the condemning power of sin is our prize now and hereafter. There is no power on earth that can prevent a child of God from going home to his Father's house – We are saved!

Today’s meditation: Guilt is for the condemned, not for Believers.

Memory Verse: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

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Today's devotion

11/15/2016

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Help Each Other

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 16:19-31 (All Scripture quotes are NIV)

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Scripture Quote: But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”(Luke 12:20)

It matters little if the rich man was born into a wealthy family and received an inheritance, or if he obtained his wealth through immoral methods. We don't know if the rich man was obnoxious to others, flaunting his wealth. He could have been a quiet man who simply spent all of his time in the pursuit of greater wealth. He was clothed in magnificence in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury. The attribute that stands out most about the rich man is his inattention and lack of compassion for another man's dire need.

The rich man sought and had everything he wanted in this life and he was not at all worried about an after life. He did not receive the wonderful salvation God wanted to provide for him. He didn't belong to the family of God on earth, so he couldn't be part of us in eternity with Jesus. Rich or poor, followers of Jesus are required to conform in our hearts to the Spirit and Mind of Christ. The Lord always helped those who sought Him – In fact, Jesus said that when we do something to help someone in need, it is as if we are doing that thing for Jesus. What have you done for Jesus lately?

Today’s meditation: Share your blessings with your neighbor.

Memory Verse: For what hope have the godless when they are cut off, when God takes away their life? (Job 27:8)

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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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