Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

Daily devotion

6/17/2019

Our Relationship With God
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-9
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Scripture Quote: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:33-34 (NIV)

Though Christians understand this Bible text and also agree with it, it's often very difficult to arrange priorities in line with this teaching. As children of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, we should naturally seek God above all else. However, in reality, we often find that concerns for employment, income, lifestyle, etc., trap us into feeling that we are solely responsible for our progress in life. But what we progress in is really futile, fleeting, worldly success, which will always leave us wanting in the end.

Jesus tells us to get in right relationship with God first and focus our continued attention on Him. As much as is feasible, we can’t put our concerns on success as measured by the secular world. We must work, supply the basic needs for our families, but consistent concentration on our relationship with God and spending time in His Word, are what matters most. In Him, we live and breathe and have our being. Trust in the teaching of these verses because we are all God's children and our Father always speaks truth through His Word.

Today’s meditation: Keep consciousness of God dominant.

Memory Verse: “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” Romans 14:17 (NIV)

Daily devtion

6/14/2019

Our Purpose Is Certain
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:105-112
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Scripture Quote: Lev 18:3-5 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them, will live by them. I am the LORD.

Under God's provision, we can discover what God's will is for our lives, by first reading His Word. We must understand His previous actions and statues through many of the Spirit inspired stories that have been recorded in the Bible. But we’d rather have God miraculously inform us of His purpose for us now, without having to first study His Word. While miraculous insights have probably occurred in the lives of some believers, it’s doubtful that it will happen to the rest of us.

Before He will illuminate His direction for us, we need to know Him more intimately. There are statutes from God that is part of our heritage and knowing that He has left this information readily accessible, should be the joy of our hearts. None of God's own want to rebel against Him or to turn away from Him. But we sometimes forget that we really can't do anything good in our own strength because we must depend on God for the strength that enables us to abstain from evil, or from being lazy in His sight.

Today’s meditation: Study His Book

Memory Verse: Plasms 119:91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Daily devotion

6/13/2019

Our Purpose Is Certain
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 119:105-112
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Lev 18:3-5 You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws and be careful to follow my decrees. I am the LORD your God. Keep my decrees and laws, for the person who obeys them, will live by them. I am the LORD.

Under God's provision, we can discover what God's will is for our lives, by first reading His Word. We must understand His previous actions and statues through many of the Spirit inspired stories that have been recorded in the Bible. But we’d rather have God miraculously inform us of His purpose for us now, without having to first study His Word. While miraculous insights have probably occurred in the lives of some believers, it’s doubtful that it will happen to the rest of us.

Before He will illuminate His direction for us, we need to know Him more intimately. There are statutes from God that is part of our heritage and knowing that He has left this information readily accessible, should be the joy of our hearts. None of God's own want to rebel against Him or to turn away from Him. But we sometimes forget that we really can't do anything good in our own strength because we must depend on God for the strength that enables us to abstain from evil, or from being lazy in His sight.

Today’s meditation: Study His Book

Memory Verse: Plasms 119:91 Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you.

Daily devotion

6/12/2019

Our Loving Advocate

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
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Scripture Quote: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 (ESV)

Holiness and happiness are inseparable, just as sin and misery go together. Of course, that's easy enough to understand intellectually, yet our lives sweep past all manner of sin and immoral secular standards. It takes deliberate prayer and hunger for the things that the bible tells us matter most. We all mess up. God says, "sin not," and we say, "sure thing," and then slip right on that same old banana. Whether through ignorance or inexperience or when temptation grabs us off guard, we all fall down. While the whole Scripture tells us not to live so as to promote our own misery, we step off the inevitable plank and suddenly know that we need someone to throw us the lifesaver before we drown in the swelling waves of our own sinfulness.

We have Jesus, our advocate with the Father, who is seated before the throne and who died for our offenses and rose for our justification. He is there for us interceding. He suffered, though He was innocent so that he could bring us to God's merciful forgiveness. So even if you sometimes think yourself deplorable and hopeless, remember how wonderful and protective your Savior is and never despair.

Today’s meditation: We always have hope in Jesus.

Memory Verse: “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV)

Daily devotion

6/11/2019

Our Loving Advocate

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 John 2:12-17
click to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1 (ESV)

Holiness and happiness are inseparable, just as sin and misery go together. Of course that's easy enough to understand intellectually, yet our lives sweep past all manner of sin and immoral secular standards. It takes deliberate prayer and hunger for the things that the bible tells us matter most. We all mess up. God says, "sin not," and we say, "sure thing," and then slip right on that same old banana. Whether through ignorance or inexperience or when temptation grabs us off guard, we all fall down. While the whole Scripture tells us not to live so as to promote our own misery, we step off the inevitable plank and suddenly know that we need someone to throw us the lifesaver before we drown in the swelling waves of our own sinfulness.

We have Jesus, our advocate with the Father, who is seated before the throne and who died for our offenses and rose for our justification. He is there for us interceding. He suffered, though He was innocent, so that he could bring us to God's merciful forgiveness. So even if you sometimes think yourself deplorable and hopeless, remember how wonderful and protective your Savior is and never despair.

Today’s meditation: We always have hope in Jesus.

Memory Verse: “Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV)

daily devotion

6/10/2019

Our Great Counselor
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Judges 4:1-9
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Scripture Quote: “Then Deborah said to Barak, "Go! This is the day the LORD has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the LORD gone ahead of you?" So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him.” Judges 4:14 (NIV)

Deborah was a prophetess who conveyed to the Israelites knowledge of God's Will. Her’s was the first instance of female government in the society of Deborah’s time. She was a capable leader and held court under a certain tree in the hill country of Ephraim. The Israelites went there to have their disputes settled.

During that time, Deborah appointed Barak, from Kedesh, to be the General over the armies, further proving that she wielded great power. Barak insisted that Deborah accompany him so success would be certain. He so firmly depended on her Divine call that he was certain only she would know from God the advantageous time to make his assault.

While Barak's attack was eventually successful, I wonder how different his confidence level would have been if God’s Holy Spirit were Barak’s personal counsel, as He is ours. We must never take God’s favor for granted. He has blessed us with perfect comfort and guidance whenever we need help. We have Jesus as our intercessor and we are equipped with the armor of faith and prayer. God is always with us.

Today’s meditation: We have a direct connection to God.

Memory Verse: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Daily devotion

6/7/2019

Our Gradual Transformation
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 John 1:3-10
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Scripture Quote: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1 -2 (NIV)

When God needs to illuminate some aspect of human nature apart from Himself, He'll show it to us in ourselves - Once God does that, we know there is no immoral criminal who is anywhere near as bad as we know ourselves to be. While the Word and God's Holy Spirit promise to enlighten us with truth, He doesn't say it will always be pleasant. Helping us to face the rough truth about ourselves is one way God helps us to grow. He will always offer to change us, usually through some difficult act of obedience.

Jesus has prepared a place in heaven and offers Believers abundant life now, even though we so often fail to live up to His example. We need to stay the course, not give up on ourselves and believe in His transforming power. When we turn from Him and seek our own will, we inevitably find discontentment and disappointment. Jesus is the only way to peace and joy. His power

Today’s meditation: Rest in the knowledge that we belong to Jesus.

Memory Verse: “They will no longer defile themselves with their idols and vile images or with any of their offenses, for I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.” Ezekiel 37:23 (NIV)

Daily devotion

6/6/2019

Our God Reigns
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Luke 7:11-16
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   Scripture Quote: Mark 5:28-29, “She said, if I may but touch only His clothes, I will be cured. And instantly the fountain of her blood dried up. And she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

   In each instance of healing or raising the dead you can read about in the Bible, Jesus invoked the power of the supreme God. Jesus did that so the unbelievers could see that it was by His power, and by His only, that these miracles were done.

In John 5:25, Jesus said that the time was coming, in which the dead should hear the voice of the Son of God, and live. He fulfills that prediction, while purposely crying out, so the people around him would hear him and understand: They could see that even death is subject to the sovereign command of Christ. There is no power greater than God’s awesome power - He sent Jesus to teach us that. Over and over, Jesus walked the earth healing people, but more than that, Jesus showed us how to love.

Do you love other people as much as Jesus does? Do you love them as much as you do yourself? Before Jesus was crucified, during his ministry here with us, he taught that the greatest power of all was the power of love.

Today’s meditation: Our sovereign God still reigns - He loves, saves and raises the dead; now and forever.

Memory Verse:  John 11:40, “Jesus answered her, Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?”

Daily devotion

6/5/2019

One in Christ
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1`4-22

Scripture Quote: Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)— (Ephesians 2:11 NIV)

Between the Jews and the Gentiles there had been a great enmity, as there is between God and Nonbelievers. Jesus brought peace to all the groups by His sacrificial death and encouragement to unify. He removed the previously binding power of ceremonial law, which was the cause of the prevailing enmity between them. By removing ceremonies and rites, and the separation between the two groups in the temple, they were no longer acceptable for demonstrating faithfulness to God - Separation and contention by outward demonstrations were no longer an issue.

Christ formed one church of Believers, whether they had been Jews or Gentiles. He united all Believers to himself as they were renewed into faith in His Gospel message. So Christ not only destroyed the enmity between Gentile and Jew, but also between man and God. Jesus made peace for each of us by the sacrifice of Himself. We have been given free access to the Father, through Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit. By virtue of Christ's mediation, we can confidently approach the very presence of the Creator of the universe - No greater love has any man ever shown!

Today’s meditation: Christ has made us one.

Memory Verse: Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! (Romans 5:9 NIV)

Daily devotiom

6/4/2019

Obtain God’s Promises
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:1-9
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Scripture Quote: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (NIV)

Accepting Jesus into our hearts and lives gives us the privilege and responsibility to share the transformation we have undergone as reborn children of God. We are all basically employed in the Master's work. Having discovered faith in Christ's resurrection and salvation, we stand in possession of God's Holy Spirit, which is virtually inexpressible, but which possesses infinite value.

When we acknowledge God, He pulls us progressively closer to His power and promises. God offers us intimate insight. We gain wisdom from His Word so that we can defend and profess it. Eternal life is the prize. Godly living, taught to us from God’s Word and Spirit, is the way we please our Heavenly Father. So, we can come to God with confidence and appeal to Him for mercy, grace and everything He has prepared for us ahead of time.

Today’s meditation: God did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us - He graciously gives us all good things.

Memory Verse: “The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.” 1 John 3:24 (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

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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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