Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

1/31/2023

God’s Love Is Everlasting

By Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Exodus 33:18-23

Scripture Quote: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:37-39 (NASB)
Doesn’t it sometimes surprise you how much God loves us? Spend any time thinking about it and His amazing grace can do no less than astonish us. God sought us out first while we were totally oblivious to our need for Him. Then, all we had to do was just go to Jesus in prayer and confess our sinfulness, ask Him to save us from ourselves and as we came in faith, believing that He truly is God in the flesh, He accepted us into His great and merciful love and guaranteed us that we will be with Him forever. There is nothing that will ever change that.
God loved Moses so much that He let him see His Glory! God IS love. We do not deserve it, but God wants us to have life and to have it abundantly (full of His love). We are fortunate indeed. All we need do is believe and receive.

Today’s meditation: Let your heart be filled with joy and gratitude for what God has done in you.
Memory Verse: “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by
it you may grow in respect to salvation”. 1 Peter 2:2 (NASB)

Daily devotion

1/30/2023

God’s Justice

By Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 4:20-32

Scripture Quote: “You are perfectly just in this, but will you, who cannot allow sin in any form, stand idly by while they swallow us up? Should you be silent while the wicked destroy people who are more righteous then they?” Habakkuk 1:13

            When our circumstances become almost unbearable, we can wonder if God has forgotten us. We need to remember that God is always in control. God will judge the wicked according to his will and timing. Do we dare presume to tell God what he is to do on our behalf? If we are truly humble, we will train ourselves to wait on God’s timing and simply believe His protection is always present even when we don’t see it with our limited capacity.

            Additionally, evil is self-destructive so that God can still choose to use if for His purposes because absolutely everything is under His dominion. His choices do not need our approval or understanding.

            If you live by faith, you don’t always get what you want, but you will get what God thinks you need and you will get God’s presence in your daily life. Being able to walk with God now and into all of eternity is the blessing we can focus on rather than our temporary troubles or our misgivings about God’s response time.

Meditation for the day: “I made no resolutions to be a better man – I simply cast myself on the Lord to do with me whatever He wanted.” John Newton (We can do the same.)

Memory Verse: “Be just and fair to all, says the LORD. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you.” Isaiah 56:1

Daily devotion

1/27/2023

Daily devotion

1/26/2023

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: 2 Corinthians 7:1-7

Scripture Quote: “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.” Acts 9:31 (NASB)
The comfort we have available to us as Christians, both in the Holy Spirit and the body of Christ, is tremendously supportive when troubles come into our lives. We have an entire network of people who genuinely care about our welfare. Our fellow Christians will pray for us, physically help us when necessary and always be ready to share with us.
Some people look for relief from life’s pain by abusing substances that are ultimately destructive, just for a few moments of relief. We can show non-believers who struggle alone how to grasp on to what we have that makes us joyful people. The Holy Spirit turns hearts to God and gives comfort to the afflicted. Christians need only be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to know when to pray or when it is appropriate to offer the tenderness and consolation we have through Christ to someone in need. Sometimes we plant seeds with prayer alone and others reap the harvest - It makes no difference as long as lives are changed, our number grows and God is glorified.

Today’s meditation: Always be ready to offer God’s comfort and give a testimony of God’s saving grace so that you might help someone come to the throne for salvation.

Memory Verse: “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Mathew 24:14 (NASB

Daily devotion

1/25/2023

God Welcomes All Who Would Come
By Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Acts 11: 1-18
Scripture Quote: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” Acts 10:34-35 (NASB)
God is so good, but Satan is definitely working against anyone who comes to God for eternal salvation. He tries to make us believe that we couldn’t possibly be good enough to approach a holy God, whispering in our ears how wicked and rebellious we have been.
The assurance of God’s saving grace is not the absence of turmoil and attacks by the enemy. The spiritual warfare around us is constant. Sometimes the feelings of peace that believers have are very fragile and vanish all too quickly by these spiritual attacks - They seem to bombard us on a fairly regular basis. Only through an intimate relationship with God can we have the strength to know true peace and find victory against the enemy.
But that’s the great part about being a child of God. He welcomes us with unconditional acceptance and offers us refuge in all the storms of life. He doesn’t make unpleasant circumstances leave us because we belong to Him. He holds us up, close to His heart as we experience what we must. There is no other fortress of strength we can rely on but the love and provision of our Heavenly Father. Come to Him and find everything you need to live a purposeful, adventuresome life.
Today’s meditation: Place your life in God’s hands and find peace.
Memory Verse: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NASB)

Daily devotion

1/24/2023

God Is Unchangeable

By Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: 2 Chronicles 33:7-13

Scripture Quote: “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high.” Leviticus 26:13(NLT)

We can sometimes feel that God is angry with us. We fear the lose of His love. On some subconscious level, we fear a whip behind His back or a fury that would forsake us if our sinfulness is too great. This is a perverse cartoon that is entirely untrue. God forgives as many times as you confess your sin and He forgets them forever. He loves us and that will never change.

Would our lives be different if we could really accept and experience total forgiveness? We seem to hold on to our guilt even after we have confessed to our Father, God. Wouldn’t we love to stand innocent before our God? The thing is, we really can because of what Jesus has done for us. By confession and repentance that is genuine, God’s love for us, which is greater than our sin, blots it out. He is so fond of us that He is eager to forgive and restore communion with His children. God’s love is greater than any sin there is.

Meditation for Today: Are you willing to leave your sin at the feet of the throne of God?

Memory Verse: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.” Psalms 9:10 (NLT)

Daily devotion

1/24/2023

God Is Unchangeable
By Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: 2 Chronicles 33:7-13

Scripture Quote: “I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you from the land of Egypt so you would no longer be slaves. I have lifted the yoke of slavery from your neck so you can walk free with your heads held high.” Leviticus 26:13(NLT)

We can sometimes feel that God is angry with us. We fear the lose of His love. On some subconscious level, we fear a whip behind His back or a fury that would forsake us if our sinfulness is too great. This is a perverse cartoon that is entirely untrue. God forgives as many times as you confess your sin and He forgets them forever. He loves us and that will never change.

Would our lives be different if we could really accept and experience total forgiveness? We seem to hold on to our guilt even after we have confessed to our Father, God. Wouldn’t we love to stand innocent before our God? The thing is, we really can because of what Jesus has done for us. By confession and repentance that is genuine, God’s love for us, which is greater than our sin, blots it out. He is so fond of us that He is eager to forgive and restore communion with His children. God’s love is greater than any sin there is.

Meditation for Today: Are you willing to leave your sin at the feet of the throne of God?

Memory Verse: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.” Psalms 9:10 (NLT)

Daily devotion

1/23/2023

God Is In Control

By Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 37

Scripture Quote: “A man’s steps are of the Lord: How then can a man understand his own way?” Proverbs 20:24 (NLT)

We are often confused by the events around us. Some things we will never understand until years later when we look back and see how God was working. Other things we may never understand until we are with God in heaven. But God has a special plan and purpose for our lives. Trusting that God’s direction for us is far better than we would choose for ourselves, we can try to live a life that models Christ – Cultivate justice, wisdom and integrity. As believers we must learn to trust God with everything, which requires strong commitment, obedience and patience.

God’s mercy and faithfulness are unsurpassed. His love endures forever. He will preserve and strengthen us as our trust in Him increases. We are safe to put our trust under the shadow of His wings. God is the fountain of life, giving us living water to drink so that we may know and understand His truth. God takes great pleasure in the prosperity of His children. Shout with joy and be glad and magnify the Lord.

Meditation for the day: Faith in Jesus is knowing Him personally and entrusting our eternal life into His hands.

Memory Verse: “the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23 (NLT)

Daily devotion

1/20/2023

Free To Be Slaves

Scripture Reading for the day: Matthew 10:28-39

Scripture Quote: “You are not slaves; you are free. But your freedom is not an excuse to do evil. You are free to live as God’s slaves.” I Peter 2:16 (NLT)

Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. We are free, but we are mainly free to learn and grow in the Spirit so that we may serve others and share the precious truth of the Gospels with others who may not know Christ. We should give as freely as we have received.

It is impossible to be neutral. Every person has a master – Either God or sin. A Christian is not someone who is no longer a slave to sin. We belong to God. Give yourself fully to God, to love Him with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, (Matthew 22:37) so that your sins will be forgiven. And yet we are so often half-hearted in our efforts to know and obey God. How is your heart’s obedience? God wants to give you the freedom to obey Him with all your heart. Be free and serve.

Meditation of the day: All people have a master and pattern themselves after Him. Without Jesus, we would have no choice; we would be enslaved to sin. Thanks be to God.

Memory Verse: For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.” Romans 6:4 (NLT)

Daily Devotion

1/19/2023

Forgiveness

By Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Matthew 18:23-35
Scripture Quote: “Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22 (NASB)
There are Scripture verses like these that many of us would often like to overlook. We can be mean or dishonest and find a rationalization for our behavior, but let a brother act the same way and we become angry with him. Anger loves to get a foothold in the Christian’s heart because it is from the evil one and God does not like it. What better way to get a believer to become alienated to both his brother and his God?
God wants us to be forgiving and it is often very hard for us to truly forgive. We get so puffed up with ourselves and choke on words of apology or forgiveness. But forgiveness is mandatory in the Christian’s life, there is no denying that. God forgives us everything. How can we possibly think we have the right to hold a grudge against anyone after we have been forgiven for every sin in our life? We must change our selfish perspective and submit to God’s decree to forgive because he demands that we do.
Today’s meditation: Pray that God softens your hard heart and gives you the compassion you will need to forgive others their sins against you.
Memory Verse: “ If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.” John 15:7 (NASB)

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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