Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

DAILY DEVOTION

4/29/2022

Redemption
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-21 (All scripture quotes are BBE)

Scripture Quote: But now, being free from sin, and having been made servants to God, you have your fruit in that which is holy, and the end is eternal life. For the reward of sin is death; but what God freely gives is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.(Rom 6:22-23)

Adam bore the resemblance of Christ, the Messiah, who was to come, because of his actions which effected all of humanity. Through Adam, sin became dispersed through the world and every person who comes into this world already possesses sinful propensities - Also, we have inherited the punishment of death as a result of Adam’s sin. However, through Christ, righteousness was dispersed through the world so that any man may be made a partaker of His grace and truth. Jesus is the light that shines on the narrow path through life and he is the conqueror of death for every Believer.

As Adam brought death and guilt to every person, through Jesus each of us may choose to receive His free gifts of justification, righteousness and redemption. Our hearts become full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is freely given to all who would seek Him. Our hope is then founded on the goodness and truth of God. His love is our motivation for all of our actions, our obedience and our love for Him and for each other. Though we each must die for sin, we will also be raised from death to live again with the Lord.

Today’s meditation: Praise God, we are redeemed!

Memory Verse: For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/28/2022

Recognizing Godly Leaders
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Scripture Quote: James 3:17-18 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

There are many preachers who want to draw disciples to themselves for their own glory. Christians should be cautioned against such persons; who God has never called or qualified for the work of teaching the Gospel. They profess to show the way of salvation, who know nothing of that way and are themselves unsaved. Through their insufficiency those who follow them perish for lack of wisdom and truth. They also do damage and bring contempt to the true leaders of the ministry.

The pure Gospel of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood and infused by his Spirit, is what someone proclaims that is called of God. He is wise with understanding, who leads a godly life of humility. He seeks to serve others without selfish ambition and brings all in his charge to a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus. He quotes God's own Word, continually sowing heavenly seed, which brings about Divine fruit. He teaches others to live peaceably and is rewarded with a peaceful soul and the blessed privilege of bringing many to Christ.

Today’s meditation: A godly man’s life is his calling and his testimony.

Memory Verse: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/27/2022

Realize Your Election As A Child Of God

Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 1: 1-23

Scripture Quote: “My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God's people.” Ephesians 1:18 (CEV)

   God does not promise us a peaceful and uncomplicated life. He has stood back and allowed the natural consequences of our actions and the actions of others in our life to play out as they will. Free will can be just as much a curse as it can be a blessing. We are not robots automatically following God's dictates. We may and often have chosen to make our own way, without the Holy Spirit's council. We are held accountable in the end.

   The same power that rose Jesus from the dead demands our faithful submission and obedience. We have been given everything – even the choice to turn away from our election. God forbid!

Meditation for the day: It is much better to seek first, (and always), God's wisdom and purpose for our lives – not as robots, but as children of the most high God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ.

Memory Verse: “ Before the world was created, God had Christ choose us to live with him and to be his holy and innocent and loving people. Ephesians 1:4 (CEV)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/26/2022

Rationalizing Sin
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-7

Scripture Quote: I worship you with all my heart. Don't let me walk away from your commands. I treasure your word above all else; it keeps me from sinning against you. Psalms 119:10-12 CEV)

There are different levels of obedience, as any parent can attest. Take the child who knows he has had the allowed number of cookies. When you walk in on him munching all available bits and pieces, he says, "These weren't whole cookies." So technically, he only had a pile of pieces! Is that really obedience? Adults are often not much more obedient to God's Law. A man may consider himself an honest person, even as he takes office supplies from work. He says, "Hey, I put in a lot of extra effort around here. This company owes me." We rationalize our sinfulness and legitimize our behavior until we convince ourselves that, although we are not "perfect," we love God and "try" to do our best.

Obedient Christians do follow the laws of justice, mercy, and truth – We treasure them because God has written them on our hearts. Others understand intellectually, but choose to do what seems expedient to them, rather than taking God’s narrow path. We disobey and think that He will understand our vulnerability. However, our Heavenly Father has already sent Jesus to redeem us. So, he who has the Word of God in his heart, controls his behavior as a dutiful child obeys a loving parent.

Today’s meditation: God sees ALL your sin – Pray for His help.

Memory Verse: With wisdom you will learn what is right and honest and fair. (Proverbs 2:9 CEV)

DAILY DVOTION

4/25/2022

Quiet Time with God
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: James 1:2-6

Scripture Quote: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (NIV)

Are we steering our life according to God's ground rules and throwing aside everything that might lead us off course? It's not always easy to stay in God's will, unless we keep Him uppermost in our minds. There is plenty in this crazy world to steer us in the wrong direction. The key is to spend quiet time with God and ask Him what areas we are weakest in, so we can be ready when the busyness part of life tries to lure us away. Recognize the many little things that really aren't all that necessary, but seem to devour large chunks of your day and begin to delete them.

We don't ever deliberately want to move away from our heavenly Father. However, slowly, almost unperceptively, we can drift away from God's perfect plan for our lives. The Bible warns us that sin is always there to tempt us at every turn. Whether it is just being too busy to spend time with God or some equally compelling draw, we must break from it and seek God's use for that time reclaimed. If we can slow down long enough to look back over the course God has taken us on in the past, we may recognize what God is wanting us to do today.

Today’s meditation: We need quiet time together with God.

Memory Verse: “Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” Proverbs 4:27 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/22/2022

Putting Others First
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 8:9-14

Scripture Quote: Acts 20:35 (NIV) “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'"

A generous person, who has plenty, finds joy in opportunities to help another who may have a need. The person with little, however, isn't always joyous over being obliged to live off the bounty of another - It may pain him to receive what the other offers. That might seem strange, but in many cases it is true. So it seems that joy, respect and compassion need to be extended along with the gift, because it really is the pleasure of the giver to help another.

If God has granted you abundance, it seems only natural to use affluence for less than selfish purposes, especially for the benefit of fellow believers and those actively working in the ministry. Being hospitable is a virtue very similar to generosity - Both really means providing for another in distress or need of some kind. The gospel promotes generosity as synonymous with the Christian lifestyle. Remember also that the day may come that your circumstance can change. You might need the charitable help from another. Imagine the humiliation of accepting help from a begrudged donor. Don’t give with a closed fist, but with an open hand of grace.

Today’s meditation: Wrap your gifts joyfully, in kindness and love.

Memory Verse: “Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:13 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/21/2022

Promises for all Generations
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 9:14-24

Scripture Quote: Happy is he whose resting-place is in the secret of the Lord, and under the shade of the wings of the Most High; Psalms 91:1 (NIV)

Christians know that all that is written under God's holy inspiration will most certainly come to pass. God's truth and promise is to the soul what the strongest armor is to the body. We are protected by His Word because there is no stronger power. Evil cannot compete with God's dominion in our hearts and souls. Believers literally belong to the all sufficient God. We have been granted access that only the high priest was granted under the law, but under the new covenant, all believers in Christ are welcome to enter before God's throne.

God promises perfect companionship if we keep Him uppermost in our heart. He will be with us in trouble and will empower our spirits with courage and love. The Bible presents God’s precepts on a level with the human intellect - His Word is within reach of every human spirit. He has shown us how to live and how to do what is right and pleasing in His sight. Some choose to ignore their need for His book, but why? The Bible enables us to believe, hope and endure all the trials of this life. It helps us to understand obedience and the value of sound judgment. God’s Word teaches us how to live – If we want to know God, we need to learn what is in His Word.

Today’s meditation: The Bible is God’s revelation to you – Read it!

Memory Verse: Who says of the Lord, He is my safe place and my tower of strength: he is my God, in whom is my hope. Psalms 91:2 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/20/2022

Pride Comes Before a Fall
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 26:69-75 (All Scripture quoted is CEV)

Scripture Quote: "Would you really die for me?" Jesus asked. "I tell you for certain that before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't even know me." (John 13:38)

Believers wonder how Peter could have denied that he knew Jesus. He had traveled alongside Jesus and the other disciples for a few years, believed His gospel message and loved Him dearly. We have also spent a lot of time with our church family and studying Scripture. It's easy to condemn what Peter did, but are we so very different from him? We know that Believers all around the world suffer fear of persecution and death - It's one thing to say that we would never deny Christ, but very different to accept death rather than deny our love of the Lord.

It might be pride more than faithfulness that makes us sure we would never deny Jesus - We puff up our spiritual chests, professing immoveable faith. However, we might want to choose a humble heart and the wisdom to realize that we are all just a part of our broken humanity, capable of detestable behavior. We are weak and dependent believers, and often our own worst enemy. We need to be humble and prayerfully seek the Lord's strengthening power to sustain our faith. Jesus is our Rock and our Redeemer. He forgives us of our weaknesses and wants to be invited to walk with us each day - His strength never waivers. We can lean on Jesus and be glad that we do know Him.

Today’s meditation: Pray God strengthens our faith daily.

Memory Verse: Too much pride brings disgrace; humility leads to honor. (Proverbs 29:23)

DAILY DEVOTION

4/19/2022

Prayer and the Holy Spirit
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 14:15-26

Scripture Quote: The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15-16 (NIV)

Eloquence and fluency in prayer are not essential to effective results. We can pray aloud powerfully, or not utter a single word. We may have a desire that is so overwhelming that we can’t find adequate words, or even thoughts, to express them. All our prayers are interpreted and expedited by the Holy Spirit within each of us. The support He gives is like that of a friend who is like-minded and works with us to accomplish the relief of a mutual burden. This assistance is there especially when we feel that we can’t find the words to properly express the depth of our need.

The Holy Spirit that we received from Christ brought about our adoption as God's beloved children. What parent among us would refuse our child's plea for help? It wouldn't matter if our child asked us with flowery or awkward words. The urgency and depth of need would be the main criteria. God also cares about our urgency of need and our total dependence on Him. God calls us His children and joint heirs with Jesus. He loves us more than we can possibly imagine. God accepts all of our prayers and responds to us with Fatherly Love.

Today’s meditation: The Holy Spirit intercedes for us with the Father.

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

DAILY DEVOTION

4/18/2022

Pray God's Promises
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 34:6-10

Scripture Quote: “Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalms 37:3-4 (NIV)

When you pray God's promises, He will fulfill them and confirm His goodness to you. Decide and affirm that the bible is God's Inspired Word and worthy of your trust - Then study it to learn that the Lord wants good for those who pursue its promises. If we lack anything and we present our need with repentant, faith filled hearts, we can plead the promises that are suited to our problems. We can see that the Lord is good, and that we are truly blessed because we trust in Him.

We will experience trouble in our lives because we live in a world that is full of trouble. Fear, love and obey God, and there won’t be any scarcity of the things that are essential to your happiness, whether spiritual or material. Be careful to pray for those things that are in alignment with God's word. Commit your requests to God, wait patiently for Him and trust that your Creator will move obstacles out of your way and send solutions to your difficulties. Trust solely in God because He truly does want you to enjoy peace and prosperity.

Today’s meditation: God loves you so much more than you can comprehend.

Memory Verse: “I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.” Psalms 37:25 (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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