Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

Daily devotion

8/17/2018

Blessings And Peace Be With You
Scripture Reading for the day: John 20: 19-23
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Scripture Quote: “Jesus said to him, because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29 (NASB)
            How many times has fear turned into delight when we recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives? When Jesus miraculously came through locked doors and blessed His followers with peace, fear was completely negated. The nail prints in His hands, and the spear scar in His side, proved to them that Jesus had defeated death and had risen once again. What a sight that must have been!
            Jesus’ transferred the job of proclaiming peace and blessings to His disciples, then and now. His peace is now our peace, and it’s ours to share with those we come in contact with in our everyday experience. Christ’s teachings were meant to continue through each believer.
            It’s sometimes scary to step out in faith and talk about the gospel to nonbelievers. Some of us are not very brave when it comes to the possibility of confronting rejection from others. But we have been given a job that will enrich those we approach. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to turn a heart toward Christ, but it is our job to offer the suggestion and extend the invitation because God’s blessings and peace are too wonderful to be stingily hoarded for ourselves simply because we may feel a little awkward.
Today’s meditation: Risk sharing the blessings and peace you have been given with someone new.
Memory Verse: “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”         Psalms 34:14 (NASB)

Daily devotion

8/16/2018

Blessings And Peace Be With You
Scripture Reading for the day: John 20: 19-23
Click here to read the scripture

Scripture Quote: “Jesus said to him, because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.” John 20:29 (NASB)
            How many times has fear turned into delight when we recognize the presence of Jesus Christ in our lives? When Jesus miraculously came through locked doors and blessed His followers with peace, fear was completely negated. The nail prints in His hands, and the spear scar in His side, proved to them that Jesus had defeated death and had risen once again. What a sight that must have been!
            Jesus’ transferred the job of proclaiming peace and blessings to His disciples, then and now. His peace is now our peace, and it’s ours to share with those we come in contact with in our everyday experience. Christ’s teachings were meant to continue through each believer.
            It’s sometimes scary to step out in faith and talk about the gospel to nonbelievers. Some of us are not very brave when it comes to the possibility of confronting rejection from others. But we have been given a job that will enrich those we approach. It’s the Holy Spirit’s job to turn a heart toward Christ, but it is our job to offer the suggestion and extend the invitation because God’s blessings and peace are too wonderful to be stingily hoarded for ourselves simply because we may feel a little awkward.
Today’s meditation: Risk sharing the blessings and peace you have been given with someone new.
Memory Verse: “Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”         Psalms 34:14 (NASB)

Daily devotion

8/15/2018

Blessed Wealth

Scripture Reading for the day:  Ruth 2
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Scripture Quote: “Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.” I Corinthians 1:26 (NLT)

            No amount of money can replace, purchase or bypass Christ’s work on the cross. If it could, only the wealthy could buy their way into eternity – God forbid! No, those who cling tightly to their acquired wealth, store it up in vain.

            In Ruth’s story, we see a wealthy man, Boaz, who understands his responsibility to the poor. Ruth humbled herself by following the harvesters and picking up any left over grain she could find. This act of Ruth’s, called gleaning, was set up by Israelite law as a means of providing for the poor who were willing to humble themselves and also willing to work. The rich owners of the field were grateful for all the wealth they had accumulated from their grain and rather than hoard it all, they shared with those less fortunate. Their ability to share made them blessed.

Meditation for today: It is always wonderful to see people with a good deal of money spread it around by giving to others in need. Their wealth is truly blessed when they know its source and they have a joyful heart full of gratitude that is demonstrated in generosity.

Memory Verse: “And so God can always point to us as examples of the incredible wealth of his favor and kindness toward us, as shown in all He has done for us through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7 (NLT)

Daily devotion

8/14/2018

Being Your Best

Scripture Reading for the day: Galatians 1:11-17
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Scripture Quote: “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another.” Galatians 6:4 (NKJV)

            Paul warned the people not to compare themselves to any one else. Each of us is a unique person because God made us this way. He didn’t want everyone to be alike. God is the author of variety and his creation abounds with numerous breeds of animals, types of plants as well as types of people. We need to be responsible for our own actions and follow the path that God has specifically planned for us.

            When you came to the Lord, Jesus with confession and repentance in your heart, and believed that he could cleanse you of your sin, you became a new creature – Now you must live like it. Don’t worry about what your neighbor has or does, but look to the Lord for your lead. He will always take you into joy and fulfillment and stay continually by your side wherever you are in your life right now, just yield yourself unconditionally to God and He can make your life a thing of beauty and a demonstration of His glory to all.

Meditation for the day: If you want the perfect plan that God has for your life, you will have to go by way of Calvary to get it.” Billy Graham

Memory Verse:  “So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1

Daily devotion

8/13/2018

Becoming Christ-like

Scripture Reading for the day: Colossians 1:13-22
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Scripture Quote: “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

As people filled with light, our actions and attitudes should reflect our faith. We are called to live above reproach morally so that we will reflect God’s goodness to others. Jesus stressed this truth in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:15-16).

We discard our old lives and take on Christ’s mind when we first receive our salvation. Christians evolve daily into better and more Christ-like people. We can not achieve perfection in this lifetime, but we are supposed to seek God’s wisdom and use it to become the person that God planned us to be from the beginning of time. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill according to the Word of God. It is our job to constantly seek to walk into deeper and deeper levels of faith as we try to become more like Christ.

How many of us will fulfill the purpose God has for us? Will we let countless opportunities for growth pass us by because it looks too hard or comes at an inconvenient time, or will we obey our creator and continually seek His ways for our life? We still have free choice. We can just mark time here in this lifetime, or we can become something beautiful that the Father always intended.

Today’s meditation: The more we focus on Jesus, the closer we will be to understanding His will for our lives.

Memory Verse: “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” Colossians 1:12

Daily devotion

8/10/2018

Be An Overcomer

Scripture Reading for the day:  I Corinthians 16:15-18

Scripture Quote: “for there is a wide open door for a great work here, and many people are responding. But there are many who oppose me.” I Corinthians 16:9 (NASB)
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            God constantly gives us opportunities to move ahead in life. He is always with us, patiently waiting for us to grow closer and learn more. But whenever we move closer to God, there is always increased opposition from the enemy. God longs for us to reach our full potential and overcome the many temptations and obstacles Satan slams us with. He wants us to be overcomers.

            When you step out in faith and the opposition comes, stand firm – Then, as you can, press on toward the goal. We must remember that Jesus is with us and that He is our source of strength. The price we pay now is nothing compared to the treasures that await us in heaven. Trust what God has promised all who love Him and obey His commandments.

Meditation for the day: “I learned that life is not just a destination but a journey. While the expedition can be long and arduous, it can be full of beauty and pleasure as well.” Wayne Holmes in, ‘The Heart of a Father’

Memory Verse: “but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.” I Thessalonians 2:2 (NASB)

Daily devotion

8/9/2018

Adultery & Lust

Scripture Reading for the day: Proverbs 7:1-27

Scripture Quote: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery”, but I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew 5:27-28 (NKJ)

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            We must not let ourselves be ruled by lust which can only bring us moral ruin. We can choose to avoid those situations we know to be tempting and don’t allow sexual thoughts to occupy our attention. Married Christians must decide to avoid everything that might cause them to desire anyone besides their spouse. We can lavish our partner with all of our affections and desires and enjoy the love shared by both.

            God’s commandments are a lamp to enlighten us. His reproof should prove to us that nothing good can come of sexual involvement outside of marriage. We are called to a higher standard of living than those who are lost to the world and all its perversity.

            Single Christians can pray for God to send them a godly mate as a suitable marriage partner. Love and sexual intimacy, in the proper context of marriage, are blessings from God to help us get through this mortal life. In all things, glorify God and follow His wise direction.

Meditation for today: Sin takes many forms and what starts out as harmless flirtation can easily delude a person until a more serious intimacy is created and ungodly entanglements evolve. When do you struggle with lust? How can you avoid these situations?

Memory Verse: Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your nearest kin. Proverbs 7:4 (NKJ)

Daily devotion

8/8/2018

Designed to Help Each Other
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 17:21-26
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Scripture Quote: So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (NIV)

Christians can be funny people - We reach out and want to help others in their time of need, but recoil when others wish to help us when the tables are turned. We always think that we can handle trouble on our own. But God did not design us to be autonomous. Think of the paralyzed man who had four friends dig through a roof to lower his mat down to where Jesus was healing. And there was also Johnathan who came to his friend, David's, aid by helping him run to safety from King Saul who wanted to kill him. Abram helped his nephew, Lot, escape when he had been taken in battle. In short, many people helped each other in the stories of the Bible.

Friends and family want to minister to us during our rough times. We should allow them to help us in practical ways like picking up groceries, straightening up our house, or by fixing a meal for us. These small gestures are acts of love and compassion that, as fellow members of our church body, they have the right to offer and the need to be accepted. We must know how to give, but also how to receive the emotional support and practical acts of love from our church body.

Today’s meditation: If we can’t receive, we steal the giver’s joy.

Memory Verse: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 (NIV)

Daily devotion

8/7/2018

Debt
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:9-17
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Scripture Quote: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Do you, Christian, live under the heavy burden of debt? Do you have a heavily mortgaged home that you fill with things purchased on credit? It sneaks up on a lot of us and before we know it the credit monster keeps adding to our minimum payments until we are scrambling to make ends meet. We don't need to partake of this world's products to the point of overwhelming debt. Is there time left in such a Christian's life to honor God with tithes of service to the body, not to mention his ability to give a tenth of his seriously depleted funds?

If the Holy Spirit dwells in the souls of Christians, then we are called away from common and profane uses. We can become more dedicated to the service of God. We know that God provides. We have had many of our prayers answered as proof of His faithfulness. There is only momentary joy in a new car or other costly toy for our entertainment. Time spent with God's own children in His House of Worship, strengthening and encouraging one another is what we are meant for - God's Word says we are not our own, but we are bought with Christ's blood - Paid for free and clear!

Today’s meditation: Cease the practice of endless self-satisfaction.

Memory Verse: “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)

Daily devotion

8/6/2018

Culpability
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 3:16-21
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Scripture Quote: Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV)

Christians who profess to love God, also love, comfort and support each other, so that we can feel confident to share our troubles and mistakes without fear of gossip or betrayal of personal issues. But, this is an accountability that is not often pursued because our secrets can shame us. Where we might reveal an illness in a prayer request, that seems to be where our willingness to be vulnerable can often end. The idea of confessing our sins to one another makes some faint-hearted. God's Word instructs us to be accountable, humble our souls and openly seek another to pray for our specific sins, as we pray for theirs, which helps both to be more watchful of our slips.

We naturally want our friends to think well of us. When we admit to them offenses they would otherwise never have known, it humbles our pride and makes us deny rationalizations. We face ourselves in an amazingly fresh way - We definitely learn to desert self-applause. This confession is not meant for the Pastors or Elders of the church, but for other members of the church body. We can improve our faith walk when we share sin and prayer with a trustworthy Christian friend. Try it, you may not like it, but you will grow as a result of it.

Today’s meditation: Answerability improves sin-self-awareness.

Memory Verse: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 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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