Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

2/28/2020

Tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

Being Your Best
By Toni Smothers

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

2/27/2020

  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

2/26/2020

Be An Overcomer
Toni Smothers

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

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

2/25/2020

Be An Overcomer

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

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

2/24/2020

Adultery & Lust

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

            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

2/19/2020

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

2/17/2020

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)

Daily devotion

2/17/2020

Criticism
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 28:24-29
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Scripture Quote: Whoever heeds life-giving correction will be at home among the wise. Proverbs 15:31(NIV)

How well do you receive criticism? When we think about the times that we learned or grew the most, it usually involved some trial and error. When criticism was meant to instruct it should have been welcome, but when anyone else offers a remark that points out our error, well, we just don’t like it much. The simple truth is that, Christians or not, we are vain humans. Our pride is always trying to control our thinking and behavior. Criticism offered in love, or by a more capable person that is trying to help, still seems to sting.

True wisdom takes a lifetime to acquire and then only when we seek it from the Lord's vast resources. God gives wisdom, understanding and knowledge in all kinds of skills. Each new thing has to be learned gradually with mistakes that are inevitable before a thing can be mastered. If there are others along the way who can actually offer advice or show us a better or more efficient way of doing a thing, it is pretty foolish to take offense. Even in the most common and less difficult skills in life there is room for error. If we can accept criticism as a learning tool rather than a person attack, we will be that much closer to becoming the wise Christian people we actually want to be when we grow up.

Today’s meditation: Choose to embrace criticism and learn from it.

Memory Verse: Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/13/2020

Converted Sinners
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Titus 3:1-7
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Scripture Quote: And such were some of you; but you have been washed, you have been made holy, you have been given righteousness in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Cor 6:11(NIV)

Jesus preached the gospel so that sinners would be converted and join together as one church body. It doesn't matter who we have been or what we have done. When followers accept Christ's offer of salvation, we are washed by His blood. We promise to follow Jesus and to make Him the Lord of our lives. We publicly demonstrate the purification of our bodies in baptism and our spirits declare an inward connection to God and His empowerment to achieve His purposes. We understand that His Holy Spirit now dwells within us.

We return to life as we have known it - The only difference is our deepened certainty of God’s profound love for us. We can still sometimes fail as we seek to emulate Jesus, but we are stronger and better able to deal with life’s challenges. When fleshly desire creeps in, we are able to denounce its power over us because our conscience has been tweaked by the Holy Spirit - It nudges us into good moral choices. And God who made the Lord Jesus come back from the dead, assures us that He will do the same for us. God’s desire is to love us and enable us for good - Be grateful and worship Him!

Today’s meditation: We are care-takers and sharers of God’s mercy.

Memory Verse: I am free to do all things; but not all things are wise. I am free to do all things; but I will not let myself come under the power of any. 1 Cor 6:12 (NIV)

Daily devotion

2/13/2020

Contentment
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 4:11-13
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Scripture Quote: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:10 (NIV)

If we have the Spirit of God within and the necessities to preserve life available to us, we have what God calls great gain or an abundant portion. It doesn't actually require much of this world's goods to satisfy those of us who feel we are citizens of another, better place and who know that now is not the time of our true rest. Our ultimate contentment will only be attained when we reach our final destination with the Lord. But, what we need and want aren't always congruent.

Christians, like any other group of people, have fallen victim to appetites that grow with nourishment. We step further away from simplicity each time a desire is seen as basically harmless. It's not the thing desired that is hurtful so much as the gusto with which we pursue that desire. Just like it isn't money alone that is evil, but the love for it and the lust with which it is sought that causes trouble. We are all to some degree entrapped by subtle, secular seductions because we live and function in today's society. But, it is always wise to be aware of our tendencies to wander and be deliberate in our desire to seek first, with great fervor, God's ways, leaving little else of ourselves to stray.

Today’s meditation: Stand fast in simplicity.

Memory Verse: But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6 (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 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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