Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

Daily devotion

1/17/2020

Charity Instead of Vengeance

Scripture Reading for the day: Genesis 26
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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 with others as have been dealt with us. We like to rationalize these facts away in the midst 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 the 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

Daily devotion

1/16/2020

Can We Decide to Love?
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:36-40
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Scripture Quote: “To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." Mark 12:33 (NIV)

When Jesus explained the Father’s greatest command, He told His truth plainly. As Christians, we know what sinful behavior looks and feels like. We try to live within limits that sometimes don't translate into success, but we press on. We take special care to stay on the narrow path, as we struggle internally with all kinds of flaws. We are weak and vulnerable believers, all the while trying to emulate Jesus - That would be great, if it weren't so laughable.

Does all that struggle have value when we so often seem to skip over God's most imperative dictate to love Him and other people as our primary goal? Jesus wasn’t referring to romantic love, which comes easily to us. Instead, God wants us to make love a decision, without payback and without reservation. His people, who are selfish, independent, judgmental, carnivores by nature, have been given this mandate to simply love - We are to love God above all else and one another as much as we do ourselves. We can choose to love even the unlovable, because God first loved us. Thank God His mercies are new every morning!

Today’s meditation: Press forward emulating Jesus’ love for everyone.

Memory Verse: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14 (NIV)

Daily devotion

1/15/2020

Can I Get a Witness?
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:20-33

Scripture Quote: At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people--everyone whose name is found written in the book--will be delivered. Daniel 12:1 (NIV)

There are many people who aren’t named in the book of life, who will be condemned to an endless lost and brutal fate. Believers know that our eternal destiny is thoroughly dependent on Christ's sacrificial death for our salvation. We can choose to become luminaries in the kingdom of Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel message with skeptics. Sometimes we are even blessed by witnessing a sinner’s conversion from condemnation to the love of Christ - Or not.

We can claim an inability with words, or fear of a hostile response, if we were to explain the Gospel uninvited. But if fear for another's eternal damnation does not motivate us, we might want to reconsider our commitment to loving our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations and to be salt and light - Salt that loses it saltiness is no longer good for anything and light that is hidden illuminates nothing. Let’s keep the rich flavor of our faith, while shining brightly for Christ. We all have a testimony worth sharing.

Today’s meditation: Lead another to Christ before it’s too late.

Memory Verse: Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20 (NIV)

Daily devotion

1/14/2020

Daily devotion

1/10/2020

Believe In Miracles
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31
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Scripture Quote: Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4 NIV)

The act of restoring sight to the blind, turning water into wine, or any of the many other miracles that Jesus performed, all demonstrated His power and divinity. Christ himself was of course the most glorious of God's miracles. Some Christians today think believing in Jesus back when they saw firsthand how Jesus behaved and heard what He taught, that acceptance of His message should have been a slam-dunk. We can say that Jews in Christ's day were extremely rigid and reluctant to believe, but are we any different? Miracles still occur all around us and many for our personal benefit, yet some still say that these occurrences are either coincidence or wishful thinking.

Jesus was from the beginning with the Father and has since been seen with human eyes as a man that was touchable and accessible. The Word of Life, our Lord, came to show us the way to the Father, God. We could well be like the blind man, afflicted with a different kind of blindness, but still unable to see what God has for His children. Believing in Jesus and His miracles both then and now, has required the same leap of faith. Jesus Christ's divine power has not diminished with time and it never will.

Today’s meditation: Miracles are still happening all the time.

Memory Verse: He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17 NIV)

Daily devotion

1/9/2020

Daily devotion

1/8/2020

Be Reborn and Live

By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Psalms 139:12-17
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Scripture Quote: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53:3,5 NIV)

Jesus was despised by many of the religious Jewish scribes who desperately feared His radical teachings - They felt threatened by Christ's profession of love for one’s enemies. They were angered when Jesus spoke boldly about repentance and forgiveness of sins, which were things only animal sacrifice and the involvement of the scribes could accomplish. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry and performed miracles that proved His divinity, but the Jewish leaders were more interested in preserving their own status.

Jesus spoke of a loving God who wanted to heal and restore humanity to fellowship with Him. Because the people flocked to Jesus, the scribes became violently adamant about plotting His demise. Jesus knew that His life’s purpose was to become a sacrificial offering for the sins of His people. His message was repentance, forgiveness of sins for all who would believe in Him and His great love for them. His resurrection was proof of His divinity and is our hope that we will one day be with Him in paradise.

Today’s meditation: We must be reborn into God’s forgiving grace.

Memory Verse: Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24 NIV)

Daily devotion

1/7/2020

  Be Proud of Christ
  Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Chronicles 26:16-23
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Scripture Quote:  Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. (2 Cor 12:7a MSG)

Paul's life prior to his conversion would have been one of power and self-sufficiency. If anyone would have been prone toward pride, it would have been a man like Paul. God used Paul mightily for the Gospel message. Because God knew Paul's character, He used some sort of physical handicap to balance Paul's abilities, so that he would spread Christ's teaching as a humble man. God kept Paul humble so he would be an example to those who sat under his teaching.

The sin of pride, with its subtle pull, lurks constantly around every Christian's heart. If a person was characterized by pride before his salvation, he will be in special danger of it afterward. Almost anyone that is gifted in some way, will tend toward pride over his ability. Satan might captivate him through the innocent flattery of friends, or some other form of affirmation. The only real way we can keep from the danger of this sin is to be constantly aware of the presence of God's Holy Spirit within us, who is the source of our every attribute. If we must be proud of anything, let it be pride in our Savior and all that He has accomplished for us on the cross.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is the only one with bragging rights.

Memory Verse: First pride, then the crash— the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. (Proverbs 16:18 MSG)

Daily devotion

1/6/2020

  Be Prepared


What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just think about it - We're called children of God! That's who we really are. But that's also why the world doesn't recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who God is or what He's about. But, that's exactly who we are - Children of God. And that's only the beginning. Who knows how we'll end up. What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we'll see him, and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus' life as a model for our own. (1 John 3:1-3)

There are many false teachers who want to confuse us by their smooth and plausible arguments. We must beware of their clever knowledge of the Bible, which they subtlitly pervert to suit their deceptions. That’s why Believers need to study and know God’s Word. We can only stand firm against the enemy if we know what the armor of God is and what is and isn’t true according to God’s standards for our lives. Knowledge is the perfect weapon against sinful temptations. God’s Word makes all things clear to those who truly seek it’s truth. You can be sure that the opposition will know how to trip you up if at all possible.

Co 15:33  But don't fool yourselves. Don't let yourselves be poisoned by this anti-resurrection loose talk. "Bad company ruins good manners."
1Co 15:34  Think straight. Awaken to the holiness of life. No more playing fast and loose with resurrection facts. Ignorance of God is a luxury you can't afford in times like these. Aren't you embarrassed that you've let this kind of thing go on as long as you have?

Daily devotion

1/3/2020

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)

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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