Toni Writing for The Master - Daily Devotional

DAILY DEVOTION

1/20/2022

Know God’s Word

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:12-16

Scripture Quote: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV)

Our bibles can lay around our homes collecting dust, or be worn out from dispensing life lessons and wisdom. Some of us profess faith in God but barely read His Word. Others can spout verse after verse from memory, but they are unkind and judgmental once they leave church. True believers will cherish the Word as if it were spun out of pure gold because it is the most valuable resource for abundant life.

The words in the bible are inspired by God and lay open the true nature and feelings of the soul. His truth is dispersed by means of parables and prophesies - There are true, often breath taking stories, as well as straight forward commands. Nothing common to man is omitted from its pages. Real people, who have made terrible mistakes, are generously featured within the bible – They are there to show us that they struggled and stumbled just like we do. Its truth has answers for each of us, if only we would diligently seek them out. Its power will awaken our consciences and lay bare the secret feelings of our hearts. Great changes for the better in the moral world have been caused by the power of truth found in Almighty God’s Word.

Today’s meditation: Make serious study of the bible a priority.

Memory Verse: “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

DAILY DEVOTION

1/19/2022

Keeping Our Spirits Yielded
Toni Smothers

When we quietly seek God, He'll be there in no time, His Spirit prodding us to quit dabbling in sin and to purify our inner lives. He wants us to choose to finally get off the fence and keep our decision to follow Him firm. Anytime, we can chose to humble ourselves and get serious about following Christ's example. We can seek His guidance and He will always help - Sometimes by miracles, sometimes by ordinary people or events that bless us in unexpected ways and bring us just what we need. (James 4:8-9) In retrospect, we can often see how God was working in our lives while we were clueless and discouraged at the time. We all struggle, fall and can feel defeated. It's the hope we have in Christ that sustains us. There is not one of us better than the other because we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)

Believers must not bad-mouth each other. We are all in the same world, struggling to lead godly lives. It's God's Word and crucial Gospel Message that takes a beating in that kind of talk. We are called to honor the Message, not write graffiti all over it. God is in charge of deciding human destiny. Who do we think we are to meddle in the destiny of others? (James 4:11-12) It would be good to admit our fault-finding and judgements of others as the sin it is so that we can ask for God's mercy to help us stop it. We have to deliberately choose God's Law over man's. Since God selected us to live on His terms and no longer on the world's terms, we can expect to find difficulty on our paths. But as we lean into the truth, we are refreshed in our spirits. It is imperative that we remember to always seek God's help in all things.

DAILY DEVOTION

1/18/2022

Justified by Faith
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Mathew 5:3-11

Scripture Quote: "But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 18:13-14 (NIV)

Are we Christians, (myself included), vain, empty people with shallow brains and hearts? Whenever the Bible points us inward, it is a very touchy, scary place to venture. Who among us can visit the Beatitudes, for example, without experiencing sharp conviction of our brokenness? Yet we are called blessed. Christ in us is what reconciles us to God, but by ourselves, well, it's not pretty, is it? We are guilty of committing outrages against each other as a result of pride and indignation. Who among us consistently loves the Lord above all else – And our brother as ourselves? I submit that there is not one among us. Let’s face it, we are utterly unworthy to appear before God.

We must continually implore God's grace, which alone can redeem us from our sins, and then give thanks for the mercies we receive. As repentant worshippers, Jesus condescends to inhabit our very soul with His protection, as He holds us up for the Father's favor. We are so unworthy and so very blessed!

Today’s meditation: We can only be justified by faith in Christ.

Memory Verse: Know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. Gal 2:16a (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

1/18/2022

DAILY DEVOTION

1/17/2022

DAILY DEVOTION

1/17/2022

DAILY DEVOTION

1/17/2022

Judging Others
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:1-6

Scripture Quote: You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. (Romans 14:10 NIV)

The Word directs us how to behave in reference to the wrong doing of others. We are not to act like the Pharisees, who were very rigid and severe - They condemned others and were proud and conceited. We should judge ourselves and our own acts, but we are not entitled to judge anyone else. Our judgement is usually uncharitable, unmerciful, with a spirit of revenge and a desire to retaliate. We so often justify our anger towards our brother and lack the grace to forgive. Do remember that plank in your own eye.

Wisdom and love prevent discord among people, which should be a believer’s goal. Not every Christian is at the same place spiritually. Some are not easily weaned from the sinful behavior that had once dominated their lives. How can we judge them when we also struggle with our own sinful nature? We are all broken people and should not let hurt feelings or pride make us judge others harshly. We can choose to develop a difference among ourselves that emulates Christ's goodness and mercy towards our neighbor.

Today’s meditation: Leave judgement to God – Show mercy instead.

Memory Verse: There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:12 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

1/14/2022

Joint Heirs With Jesus

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:28-32

Scripture Quote: “Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:17 (NIV)

All believers that make up the body of the Church and profess true faith in the Gospel, are counted among the called or God's chosen children. We are bestowed with the favor and privilege of being God's people and He designed us to be conformed to the image of His Son. It is remarkable, but true, that God has predestined us to this very high honor and happiness without any input from us. Whatever troubles, or illness, or unfair trials we may need to endure in this world, God uses and arranges them into service - They are made to contribute to the eventual good for us who love God, who are living by faith and love under the guidance of His Holy Spirit.

There is no greater proof of our adoption than the blending of our spirit with the Holy Spirit of our heavenly Father. This is an inexplicable communion with our soul and His Grace. There is no doubt that God has purpose for our lives, now and in the life to come. In those moments of clarity, we understand our destiny as joint heirs with Jesus for all eternity with Him. As we continue to grow toward this destiny, we must share His love with everyone along the way.

Today’s meditation: To commune with God’s Word and Spirit is to understand our purpose in this life.

Memory Verse: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” Romans 8:16 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

1/13/2022

Jesus Manifest in Us

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:17-23

Scripture Quote: “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:5-6 9 (NIV)

It's easy to proclaim Christ when things are going smoothly. The challenge is in hiding solely in His arms and finding the pure joy of that, even as life turns bitter or infuriating. To lay down and disown our defeats, disappointments, anger, resentments and even envy, placing them all at Christ's feet, while we take up His calm, peaceful comfort, is to truly know the intimacy with which we can have with our loving and forgiving Savior. It is during adversity, in particular, that we become completely dependent on Christ for strength and it is during that adversity that we see Him all the more clearly.

Because we firmly believe God’s Word, we can enthusiastically repent of our sins and live according to God's will, having the life of the Son of God manifested within us and His Holy Spirit as close as our own breath - His indwelling is so very extraordinary! His light shines through us, deepening our "knowing" that He lives, even in sinners like us.

Today’s meditation: Keep your soul vigorous to receive God’s best.

Memory Verse: “We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 2 Corinthians 4:10 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

1/12/2022

Jealousy & Pride

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 3:13-16

Scripture Quote: "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:6-7 (ESV)

Jesus’ anger with the money changers was justified. What about the kind of anger you and I deal with? God told Cain that he could make a better offering, which would be accepted. There wasn't any just reason for Cain's anger. It was simply a matter of his own pride that made Cain mad and jealous that his brother, Abel, did bring an offering that pleased God more than his.

Injured pride and jealousy frequently hold hands with anger. As always, we can decide between hostility and calm reasoning. Will we do our worst, murder our brother, like Cain, or will we accept rebuff, stop a minute to retrace our steps and see why we started to lose our temper? Most of us have faced this dilemma. As long as we coddle our hurt feelings, enjoying indignation in preference to grace, we lose. We can, however, push on past that dark and stubborn passion to a changed heart? We can decide to reject our own base instincts and endure whatever sting that may bring, so that we may remain safely in the harmony of God's peace and love. Just ask yourself, "What could possibly be worth giving up the unfathomable peace of God?

Today’s meditation: Let the joy of the Lord reign in your heart.

Memory Verse: “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Psalms 37:8 (ESV)

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 10 pound, furry, Morky muse, '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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