Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

Daily devotion

7/18/2018

Confession
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:6-10
Click here to read the scripture
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

7/17/2018

Commit Your Way to the LORD
Scripture Reading for the day:  Matthew 11:20-30
Click here to read the scripture
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)

Daily devotion

7/16/2018

Come Home Subborn Sinner
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
Click here to read the scripture
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

7/13/2018

Cling to Jesus
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:2-6
Click here to read the scripture
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

7/11/2018

Church Unity
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Click here to read the scriptures
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

7/10/2018

Christ’s Power
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 40:9-14
Click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. (Colossians 1:15-16 NIV)

Jesus is said to be the image of God, and we are said to be made in the image of God. Since God is invisible, it is reasonable to conclude that nothing of God that appeared in Jesus, or that appears in us, could be a visible image. If it could be visible in Jesus, it could also be visible in the Father. Consequently, God's image in the Son must be invisible. This is that form of unutterable glory, that inaccessible essence, which none of us created humans can possibly comprehend - That divine nature which dwells in Jesus.

It is almost inconceivable to grasp that by His torture and humiliation, Jesus obtained pardon and salvation for us. The all-powerful Jesus accepted the brutal punishment for our sins upon Himself on the cross. Our Lord should be praised above all human and all created beings for His incredible sacrifice. Jesus Christ is the Creator of all things visible and invisible; of all things, whether they exist in time or in eternity - Yet, He suffered and died for us. Despite our sinfulness, Jesus loves us with a pure Savior's heart!

Today’s meditation: Christ's power and love are infinite and eternal.

Memory Verse: (Philipians 2:9 NIV) Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,

Daily drvotion

7/4/2018

Daily devotion

7/4/2018

Christ’s Indwelling Spirit
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Revelations 2:9-11
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Life certainly has its ups and downs. Some of us know what it is like to be ill and seek healing, or maybe we are broke and the mortgage is due. Many of the hardships in life have taught us valuable lessons - Others still confuse us. Whatever the circumstance was, however, we can recall how powerfully the grace of Jesus supported us through it. By His mercy we are enabled to face down all our trials. By the power of the indwelling Spirit of Christ, we are strengthened.

God knows everything that we have ever suffered. There are times when we intimately know and feel His help. Other times, we may have Lost sight of the depth of His love and support for us. When we allow the obstacle we face to overwhelm us, stealing our certainty in Christ's mercy, we flounder and fall, receiving the full force of the trial’s consequence. So, it comes down to one unwavering truth: God is our rock and our shield and a very present companion who extends His great arm of mercy as needed in the lives of His followers. We can stand steadfast on our Heavenly Father's promise to never leave us or forsake us.

Today’s meditation: Contentment survives any circumstance.

Memory Verse: “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8 (NIV)

July 02nd, 2018

7/3/2018

Choose the Lowly Place
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:7-14
Click here to read the scripture
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)

Daily devotion

7/2/2018

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

Learn how to share your FAITH

Share your Faith

Bible Sprout study guide

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 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.

Archives

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