Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

DAILY DEVOTION

1/5/2021

Contentment

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:11-13

Scripture Quote: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

If we have the Spirit of God within and the necessities to preserve life available to us, we have what God calls great gain or an abundant portion. It doesn't actually require much of this world's goods to satisfy those of us who feel we are citizens of another, better place and who know that now is not the time of our true rest. Our ultimate contentment will only be attained when we reach our final destination with the Lord. But, what we need and want aren't always congruent.

Christians, like any other group of people, have fallen victim to appetites that grow with nourishment. We step further away from simplicity each time a desire is seen as basically harmless. It's not the thing desired that is hurtful so much as the gusto with which we pursue that desire. Just like it isn't money alone that is evil, but the love for it and the lust with which it is sought that causes trouble. We are all to some degree entrapped by subtle, secular seductions because we live and function in today's society. But, it is always wise to be aware of our tendencies to wander and be deliberate in our desire to seek first, with great fervor, God's ways, leaving little else of ourselves to stray.

Today’s meditation: Stand fast in simplicity.

Memory Verse: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV)

Daily Devotion

12/17/2020

Content With God’s Provision

Scripture Reading: Psalms 37:1-13

Scripture Quote: If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall. (Psalms 37:23-24 NIV)

Have you ever wondered about a blatant sinner who is financially prosperous, that seems to have a lovely family and life, but who has no respect for the God who created him? Then there's the ease with which everything seems to fall into this guy's lap. Well, Christians can certainly have moments of jealousy when we take our eyes off of Jesus and gaze into the lives of seemingly successful people. But it is God who allows all they enjoy, none of which includes the joy of the Lord, or eternity spent in His glorious kingdom.

They have their riches now, but that fails drastically in comparison to our salvation and the hope of heaven that Christians have. God will provide the necessities of life, according to His purpose. Maybe too much wealth could cause some to discount God's spiritual blessings - We could become idle and yield to temptations of the flesh. God knows each of us and He provides what is best for us. Long to be close to the Lord and walk in obedience as you grow in the knowledge of His Word. You can only claim God's promises if He is number one in your life. Nothing from this world can match God’s protection and love.

Today’s meditation: Envy no man, but crave communion with God.

Memory Verse: It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. (Psalms 37:16 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/16/2020

Contemplate God’s Attributes

Scripture Reading: Job 11:7-18

Scripture Quote: (Ecclesiastes 8:17 NIV) then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it.

Our most inspired thought cannot grasp the concept of divinity or even eternity. We can define those words to human satisfaction, yet verbal explanations are shallow at best. Those realities are so beyond our perception that we haven't the ability to adequately express them to each other. Our human denial of the spiritual dimension in which Christ is King is only altered as far as our willingness to believe. We cannot see Christ who is spirit.

We can feel and be led by the Holy Spirit to read God’s Word and experience a small measure of His Divinity, but without any prior experience or source of reference, we simply cannot conceive of an eternal dimension in which total purity and holiness exists. Only our faith can venture into those realms and take the smallest taste of what we believe to be our eventual destiny. This much we do know: Power belongs to God, and with Him is unfailing love. How glorious that day will be for us when we finally go home to witness and exist in His glory for all eternity.

Today’s meditation: Contemplate Almighty God in awestruck wonder!

Memory Verse: Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! (Romans 11:33 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/15/2020

Confession

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:6-10

Scripture Quote: Proverbs 28:13-14 (NIV) Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Do you ever get kind of comfortable with a particular sin and make up rationalizations to keep from calling it what it really is? We can be tricked by the enemy into thinking that what we are doing isn’t so bad. We still love God and claim to be His child. We are just fooling ourselves because when we are guilty of sin, it can pollute us and drag our spirits down. If we refuse to acknowledge that we are in a state of sin, things definitely get worse. If we try to cover or excuse our sin and discount the light of God's Word, we will find no mercy from our LORD. God would never bless a sinful, unhumbled soul - We will reap the consequence of our sin.

In order to get a clean heart we must know and feel the corruption our sin is causing. When we turn to God, we must deplore our sinfulness and know in our heart that we are truly nothing but a sinner. To be forgiven, sin must be confessed in good conscience. We must turn away from whatever has corrupted us and turn to our loving God for pardon and cleansing. God is merciful to an honest and repentant heart.

Today’s meditation: Be sincere with God and confess your sins often.

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)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/14/2020

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)

December 11th, 2020

12/11/2020

Come , Lord Jesus - As We Wait
Scripture: Psalm 27:14, Psalm 37:7a, Lamentations 3:24-26, Colossians 1:11, John11:5-7
David knew from experience what it meant to wait for the Lord. He had been anointed King at age 16 but he didn’t actually become King until he was 30. During those 14 years of waiting, David was chased through the wilderness by jealous King Saul. David had to wait on God for the fulfillment of His promise that David would reign.
Remember also that Jesus did not respond immediately to His beloved friends Martha, Mary and Lazarus. He had a reason and His own special timing so that He could take that opportunity to use it for good and to demonstrate His power and mercy by rising Lazarus from the dead.
Prayer:
Waiting is so hard for us Lord. In our impatience, we sometimes feel as if You aren't listening. Thank you for forgiving us and understanding the urgency we feel over our need for You. Please answer us, Lord Jesus. Embrace us with your presence and your love. It's in your name we pray, Amen.
Putting it into action:
God calls us to hope in and wait for Him. There is always a reason that we are just exactly where we are in our lives. We can choose to use this time to strengthen, refresh, renew and teach us. Patiently await His timing. Waiting for God is not easy, but God is always worth waiting for.

DAILY DEVOTION

12/9/2020

Come Home Subborn Sinner

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Scripture Quote: They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
(2 Pet 2:13 NIV)

The prodigal son is a picture of a sinner who won't depend on or be obedient to the Lord. It is foolish and dangerous for those who desire to be at their own disposal, to live independent of God and be their own boss. God can't give greater proof of his wrath to a subborn sinner than to abandon him to the corruption of his own heart. We are lost in dreadful affliction of our own design when we demand our independence from God's precepts. Without God's truth to live by, we debase ourselves in unending self-gratification that can ruin our souls. We become broken, miserable people without standards or morals to guide us.

Just as the prodical's father showed his son great tenderness and affection, our Heavenly Father welcomes the repentant heart that returns to Him. God can wash away the filth of our sin and restore us to His truth and justice if only we realize the folly of our independence and empty achievements. It doesn’t matter what happened to bring us to our knees. We must empty ourselves of pride and lay our shame at His feet. God's peace is the answer to a roaming spirit who has lost his way. There is no love like that of our gracious and forgiving Father.

Today’s meditation: Find your joy in God’s love and truth.

Memory Verse: A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. (Prov 28:7 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/8/2020

Cling to Jesus


Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:2-6

Scripture Quote:  As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28-29 (NIV)

Friends are so welcoming and generous. We lavish our friends with our affection, our time and our possessions. Just as we respond to friends, Jesus amply provides for those of us who have received His Gospel, with the necessities of life. We have a true friend in Jesus. In response to His wonderful friendship and provision, we ask that our ever blessed Savior will dwell in our hearts and stay with us always as we endeavor to learn and mature in our faith.

Ruth's profession of loyalty demonstrated that she was committed to her friendship with Naomi. She had a most extraordinary attachment with no apparent motive other than loyalty and love. Shouldn't every true believer in Jesus feel the same firmness of attachment to Him? Where Jesus goes we want to go and His people are our church body. His God and Father, is ours – So, in life and death we want to be with Him. Pray that we can hold him as close to us as our own breath, because He is so much more than our friend.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is our life - We need to cling only to Him.

Memory Verse: Ruth answered, "Please don't tell me to leave you and return home! I will go where you go, I will live where you live; your people will be my people, your God will be my God." Ruth 1:16 (CEV)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/7/2020

Church Unity

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Scripture Quote: If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching,
they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.(1 Timothy 6:3-4 NIV)

It's all the nit-picking Christians do among themselves that causes all the denominations and denomination splits - One allows wine, one meat, one no wine or meat, or whatever. There are all kinds of various items of division that Believers cling to with fervor. But, these things are so less important than unity in the church body. It's because we think we know better than the "weaker brother." As Solomon said, "All is vanity." The preference to be charitable over being conceited with knowledge will bear the most fruit for the Kingdom. The church is the bride of Christ, not the dictators of each other.

The moment any of us really takes it for granted that we already know all that there is to be known about God's Word, we at once cuts ourselves off from any further enlightenment. What we need to better understand Divine things is not a brilliant intellect, but a truly humble heart and a teachable spirit. Since we are not that way by nature, we can pray that God would help us to develop and maintain that humble, teachable spirit.

Today’s meditation: Make seeking unity in the church body a priority.

Memory Verse: Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:2 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

12/4/2020

Christ’s Return

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1-13 (All Scripture quoted is CEV)

Scripture Quote: So be alert! You don't know when the master of the house will come back. It could be in the evening or at midnight or before dawn or in the morning. (Mark 13:35)

Christians can choose to keep watch for the Lord's return - If we slumber, or fall asleep, if we become lethargic, we may not be ready. No one knows the day or hour. The angels in heaven don't know and the Son Himself doesn't know. Only the Father knows. We will be extremely fortunate if Jesus comes and finds us about or Father's business because we will be blessed by our Savior's approval. We will be His chosen Followers, always mindful of our need to stay vigilant and rooted in His Word.

When Jesus appears again, things will be just like they were in Noah's day. People were eating, dinking and living their lives right up until the time that the flood washed them all away. They were unprepared
and even hostile to the idea that Noah was building an ark because God told him to - Noah knew that the world was to be flooded, so he and his family were the only ones prepared. It's clear that we should take God at His Word. Will we be the faithful ones that God calls His own wise servants? Pray that we will be ready for His return.

Today’s meditation: Be ready for your Savior’s return.

Memory Verse: Remember that Christ says, "When I come, it will surprise you like a thief! But God will bless you, if you are awake and ready. Then you won't have to walk around naked and be ashamed." (Revelation 16:15)

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 5 pound, furry, Chihuahua muse, “Princess 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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