Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotional

12/21/2015

[email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com

Self-Worth

By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Scripture Quote: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)

All believers are loved by God and called to be His holy people, recipients of his incredibly excellent blessings. We can ask for wisdom and revelation so we can understand Him better. Our privileged position allows us to call the Great Creator of the universe, our loving Father. He gives us enlightenment to know, without doubt, the hope He has placed within each of our hearts – That, and His promise of a glorious inheritance. It is incredible, yet true, that we have great worth to our Father, God.

He has made us joint heirs with Jesus, our Savior. What greater gift could exist? John 3:16 tells us that God loves us, but can we possibly comprehend to what extent? Who among us could ever sacrifice our own child’s life in trade for anyone else? Yet God, through the impulse of His eternal love for us, provided for our rescue with the suffering and death of His Precious Son. How could we ever suffer from low self-esteem?

Today’s meditation: Be still and spend time quietly basking in God’s enormous love for you.

Memory Verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)

Today's devotion

12/19/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Lion’s Den Kind of Faith
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:1-9

Scripture Quote: “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:22 (NIV)

The incident with Daniel and the lions makes us see, in living color, how mighty was Daniel’s faith in God. He knew that the goodness, provision, grace and mercy of God, would all work for his protection because he believed with a steadfast faith. There was no circumstance that could place doubt in Daniel's heart. It is that kind of pure faith, which believes that God will reward those who diligently seek him, that always finds favor and the willing shelter of our Sovern God.

Our generation has the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as our faith foundation. It was for us less than brilliant ones, God made Himself totally visible, this time in the living color of His Son’s blood. There can be no doubt about how incredibly deep God’s love for us is and no doubt about how much He deserves our complete faith.

Today’s meditation: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

Memory Verse: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)

Friday's devotional

12/17/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Life Lesson
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 9:9-12

Scripture Quote: “All share a common destiny--the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good, so with the sinful; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them.” Ecclesiastes 9:2 (NIV)

Each day we face challenges, whether it be traffic jams, rebellious children, a seemingly endless pile up of work at the office, or illness, or any myriad of things that tax our ability to cope. We can sometimes feel like we are falling behind, like we are just not fast enough, or good enough, or smart enough. It would be prudent then, to stop and see a different, more joyfull perspective on our lives.

Instead of wondering how you will catch up with the specific demands on your life, slow down and realize that getting every last thing done doesn't make your heart any lighter. Thinking about the blessings surrounding your day can begin to show you what is and what just isn't that important.

The love of your heavenly Father, your cherished family, friends, and the simple fun you find in each day – all conspire to make life great. These are the truly important things. And while its true that we will all die some day, as beleivers, we are also destined for the throne - joint heirs with Jesus Christ, our Savior and friend. So, try spending much more time resting in simple gratitude.

Today’s meditation: Calmness flows from God.

Memory Verse: “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalms 90:12 (NIV)

Today's devotional

12/17/2015

Toni Smothers                 [email protected]        www.writingforthemaster.com
                  God's Love & Forgiveness
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 1 John 3:1-9

Scripture Quote: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”    2Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)

Believers have no claim of goodness, nor of earnestness, yet God's love is lavished on us. It is precisely that incomprehensible love of the Father that has brought us from being and having nothing of lasting value, to making us joint heirs with Jesus, our Savior. Alone, we are prisoners of pride, rationalizing our sinful behaviors, convinced that, by comparison, we are "good" people. We puff up about our good deeds and feel satisfaction in our kindness to others, even though we are inconsistent at best in those attitudes and behaviors. If we are truthful, our pretense of goodness must seem very hollow in God’s sight.

Only when we recognize and feel genuine remorse for our sins, can we be freed from them. “If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word is not in us.” (2Ch 7:14) We have to face the fact that we all sin and fall short of the glory ransomed for us by Jesus. We need to approach our sinfulness truthfully and humbly before our gracious Father. God's ears are always attentive to the sincere, repentant confession of His children.

Today’s meditation: We can trust God to forgive us.

Memory Verse: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NIV)

Today's devotional

12/15/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Holy Spirit
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:11-16

Scripture Quote: “Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)

We all possess a running liturgy of thoughts and feelings that are secret. It is only the Spirit of God that knows these personal things. But, we do not know those private thoughts within the Holy Spirit, which is to say that we cannot know the mind of God like He knows ours. We love God and that which we do know about Him causes us to want to worship Him. It is the Holy Spirit, working within our yielded spirits that allows us to enter into His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips.

Without receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior we cannot receive the Holy Spirit. We must choose to worship God with an undivided heart. We also repent of our sins on a daily basis because there is no other way to feel the Spirit's cleansing, rejuvenation and all-encompassing love. It is from this kind of steadfast heart that genuine praise is released by our spirit and received by God's Spirit, which in turn blesses our spirit over and over until we are filled up to the point that we can hold no more.

Today’s meditation: Give God's Spirit full access as you continually repent, worship and seek His face.

Memory Verse: My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 57:7 (NIV)

Today's devotional

12/15/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Glory
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:15-23

Scripture Quote: “Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.” Exo 34:10 (NIV)

The Israelites, who were rescued from Egypt by God, traveled with God for 40 years. In all that time, they saw only a tiny portion of God’s glory. God showed Himself as a pillar of smoke by day and fire at night. He sent them manna to eat that fell out of the sky. Those were pretty awesome displays of God's power. Still, if you consider all of creation, it is obvious that we can't come close to knowing the fullness of God's tremendous glory.

Even Moses, who asked God to see His glory, didn't realize the impossibility of his request. Because God wanted to bless Moses, He shielded Moses in the crevice of a rock, while God covered Moses with His hand until He passed by. Then, God removed His hand and Moses saw only His back. If Moses had seen more of God's glory, it would have killed him. Moses loved God and wanted more of Him, as we all do, but we will never be able to see all of God's glory until we are changed and ascend into heaven.

Today’s meditation: We are small, but God is so large.

Memory Verse: “The LORD replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exo 33:14 (NIV)

Today's devotion

12/14/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Faithfulness
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Daniel 2:16-24

Scripture Quote: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand.”
Daniel 3:17 (NIV)

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a disturbing dream that caused him to seek council. His magicians, sorcerers and the like, could not give the king adequate answers. This led the king to order the execution of all the wise men in Babylon. However, there were a few truly wise men, especially one named, Daniel, who were followers of God.

God was merciful to Daniel and his friends who prayed with him by revealing the king's dream and it's interpretation. Daniel confessed to the king that he had no such wonderous powers by himself, but the highest praise was due his God for revealing these things to Daniel. So, as a result, the king spared the lives of Daniel and his praying friends. The king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him.

Further into the story we learn that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image of gold for all the people to fall down before and worship. Daniel’s three friends were not rebels, but they could only give their worship to their God. When faced with their disobedience, the king ordered them thrown into a blazing furnice. However, even the threat of death by fire did not move their steadfast faith in God. They were miraculously spared by God because of their faithfulness.

Today’s meditation: God rewards faith that is resolute.

Memory Verse: “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.” Isaiah 26:2 (NIV)

Today's devotion

12/12/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Choose the Lowly Place
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:7-14

Scripture Quote: “So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” Exodus 10:3 (NIV)

Proud people think too highly of themselves. Even if awards are given, or accolades proclaimed, humility is the only appropriate response to success because everything that we can accomplish in this life is through God's power and grace. To place oneself in the position of honor is to take honor from God in the sight of men. There is no way that a person with an attitude like that could also place God first in his life. Vanity is a creeping thing that can worm its way in, all the while zapping and depleting our desire to serve our Creator.

The humble and modest, as opposed to the proud, realize the true source of all that is good within themselves. Our abilities and strengths come from the Lord, our God, and we must know it. The Holy Spirit teaches us wonderful things as we yield control to Him. Being full of the Holy Spirit and being led by His directives creates for us a consistently precious lifestyle. If we truly desire a closer walk with Jesus, we need only to repent of our pride and stubborn self-reliance. So, choose to lean totally on God and be humble in His sight.

Today’s meditation: Pride and humility cannot coexist.

Memory Verse: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

Todays devotional

12/11/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Ask As A Child
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 11: 9-13

Scripture Quote: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Mat 7:7-8 (NIV)

When children pray, they never hesitate to ask God for whatever they want. They are too young to filter their requests as adults often do. They are not concerned with asking within reasonable limits, nor do they try to appear unselfish in their requests. Children are open and honest when they pray. Maybe that is why the bible tells us to come to God as little children.

So when you pray, reveal your heart, realizing your own inability to provide what it is that you need. Ask with humble confidence because God is ever disposed to give mercy to His children. And when you sometimes must wait on God, persist relentlessly as a child would do, until God grants you answers. Remember, though, that His answer is not necessarily always going to be the one you were hoping for. But be assured that He will always do what is best for you.

Jesus said that if you remain in Him and His words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Give it a try and see if the Father isn’t happy to be that involved with your true heart’s desires.

Today’s meditation: Ask, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Memory Verse: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 (NIV)

Today's devotion

12/10/2015

Toni Smothers [email protected] www.writingforthemaster.com
Refuge in Prayer
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 142:1-7

Scripture Quote: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Mat 6:6 (NIV)

When we face frequent troubles and difficult circumstances, it is important to know where we can seek the help we need. God is our refuge and strength and a very present help when we are facing our worst problems.

We can begin our personal conversation with our Creator by expecting that He will listen. The use of impressive language is not what reaches God's heart. He looks for reverence and faith. Total dependence on His goodness is key. God will provide what is needed. He is faithful to strengthen us and help us to get through whatever rough times we are in. He is always with those who abide in Christ because we are God's temple and His spirit dwells in our midst.

God grants us not only what we ask, but even more than we ask. He rewards prayer itself by granting so much more than we can ever ask or think. His ways are just naturally higher than ours and He is the giver of wonderful gifts to those who love Him. Your Father in heaven knows what you need, even before you ask Him, but He does wait for you to ask.

Todays Meditation: Go to God first because He hears and answers prayers.

Memory Verse: “I call to you, LORD, come quickly to me; hear me when I call to you.” Psalms 141:1 (NIV)

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

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Share your Faith

Plant based food restaurant

Author

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
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
June 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014

Categories