Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

5/18/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
A Servant is Not a Slave
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

click to read scripture

Scripture Quote: The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

While Jesus walked with humans on earth, He didn't lobby for special interests, He loved every person equally. He wanted salvation for humanity and His ministry was all about obtaining forgiveness for our sins. He was humble, loving and patient. He was constantly engrossed with doing the will of His Father. So then, when Believers are told that this is the type of conduct that should characterize our Christian walk, to say, "no small task" is quite an understatement. Actually, it may seem a bit impossible for sinners like us to even come close - And that's probably the point.

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and always was and always will be superior to us - Believers understand that He is our Lord and Savior. So when we are told to emulate Christ, we can be confident that it is our hearts and intent that matter most. Jesus made himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant. We are no longer slaves to sin and we are free to pursue a life that serves others as we show the love of Jesus to a wounded world without hope.

Today’s meditation: Glorify God with your thoughts and actions.

Memory Verse: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had... Romans 15:5 (NIV)
if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/17/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Faith is the Main Ingredient
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-34

Click here to read scripture

Scripture Quote: But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." Luke 8:46-48 (NIV)

Power to heal didn't always emanate from Christ so that it could be stolen at a touch. If miraculous power just flowed out of Jesus, then all who touched him must have been blessed partakers of His power. Out of all the people that touched Jesus in the crowd that encircled Him as He spoke, only this one woman was the beneficiary of His great healing power. Ever wonder why?

Faith alone attracts God's attention. The woman was completely confident that if she could just reach out in faith and touch Jesus' robe, His Divine Power would heal her illness - She had no doubt. But Jesus wanted to give her more than healing of her illness. He wanted her to admit her action and be granted His full attention. When she fell to his feet in total submission, He granted her His verbal affirmation that her faith had healed her. He also wanted faith in the hearts of others around them to be increased as a result of her healing.

Today’s meditation: Faith attracts God into relationship with us.

Memory Verse: Jeremiah 33:6b (NIV) "I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security."

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/16/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
A Servant is Not a Slave
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11

click to read scripture

Scripture Quote: The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Hebrews 1:3 (NIV)

While Jesus walked with humans on earth, He didn't lobby for special interests, He loved every person equally. He wanted salvation for humanity and His ministry was all about obtaining forgiveness for our sins. He was humble, loving and patient. He was constantly engrossed with doing the will of His Father. So then, when Believers are told that this is the type of conduct that should characterize our Christian walk, to say, "no small task" is quite an understatement. Actually, it may seem a bit impossible for sinners like us to even come close - And that's probably the point.

Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and always was and always will be superior to us - Believers understand that He is our Lord and Savior. So when we are told to emulate Christ, we can be confident that it is our hearts and intent that matter most. Jesus made himself nothing by taking on the very nature of a servant. We are no longer slaves to sin and we are free to pursue a life that serves others as we show the love of Jesus to a wounded world without hope.

Today’s meditation: Glorify God with your thoughts and actions.

Memory Verse: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had... Romans 15:5 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/13/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Mercies Are New Everyday
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 103:2-13

Click here to read scripture

Scripture Quote: “But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children.” Psa 103:17 (NIV)

Ignorant pagens hunted David as if he were a dangerous animal, trying to pierce him with their spears or capture him in the snares they had set. They wanted to sacrifice David before the poeple as an enemy of the state, but they were never successful. Joseph was hated by his brothers, sold into slavery and even imprisioned unjustly. No matter how dire his circumstances were, God managed to turn it around for Joeseph’s good.

God rescued David and Joseph back then those many years ago and He does the same for us now. From the beginning of our history God has been our protector and defense. God will always help His own. So, as we study the bible and reflect back on the numerous acts done by God in behalf of His children, we will discover that there were many instances of His mercy and goodness. We can trust in God for help when we need it.

Luckily, God has never punished us in proportion to our sins or shown His mercy based on our worthiness. We have done unmentionable things, but His mercies are so great that they overshadow everything else.

Today’s meditation: God has forgiven us, He loves us and He is always available to help us.

Memory Verse: “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” Psa 86:15 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/12/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

God Waits For You
By,, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: James 4:1-6

Click here to read scripture

Scripture Quote: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:10 (NIV)

If you don’t spend time in prayer daily, should you expect God to bless your life? With your mind constantly engaged on things that concern the world, you might go along for a while before your independence comes up empty. Is it when all else fails, that you remember your need of God? We are so lucky that God forgives us for our arrogant pride and slight of Him. Instead of turning His back and ignoring our frantic pleas, which He would certainly be justified in doing, He pours out His mercy and grace because He loves us.

Or maybe you pray for things that are not consistent with God's will for your life. Let's face it, we can be wickedly self-centered in our requests of God. We ask for worldly prosperity, only to spend it on selfish indulgences. We pray for healing when we are sick, while we continue to put unhealthy food and drink into our bodies.

Knowing God's will is not mysterious as some protest. All you need to do to know God more intimately is to pray with sincere humility and read the bible so that His Holy Spirit can speak to your heart. He lays his requirements and expectations out very clearly in His Word.

Today’s meditation: Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Memory Verse: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/11/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Giving
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Malachi 3:9-12

Click here to read scripture

Scripture Quote: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mat 6:19-21(NIV)

The bible says that we are under God's displeasure if we neglect His church by being stingy with our time and/or finances. Has God been stingy with His blessings and provision to you? What you give to God will not lessen your security. When you give as you should, see if God doesn't increase His provision to you. His rewards may not be in cash directly, but new opportunities will be presented to you. In God's economy, when one door closes, another becomes available. Your efforts will bear fruit as you learn to be a joyful giver.

A heart designed for God and eternity is degraded when focused on material possessions. When we look for the needy, rather than looking away from obvious poverty, the compassion meant to guide the Christian's heart will strengthen. Jesus said that when we do good to the poor, it is the same as doing good to Him.

Today’s meditation: Give back generously from God's provision.

Memory Verse: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/10/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Forgiveness And Renewal
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 51:10-17

Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1–2 (NIV)

To create means to start from sratch were there is nothing, and from that nothing, bring something into being. Our hearts are sometimes very black and void of goodness. We loose sight of the things we believe. We act out of anger, or fear, or pride. We need God's touch as we plead to be something better than we are. Only God's devine power can restore love in a fearful or angry heart.

Some versions of the bible say, "renew a right spirit within me." Others say, "a steadfast spirit." They both mean the kind of sprit that is upright, sincere and constant. We all want to be the child of God who has a willingness to yeild to that which is good. But, we also all share that inherant bent toward disobedience. We want to do things our way. So, again and again, we yeild to temptation and find ourselves begging for forgiveness and cleansing. In His mercy, he allows us to repent. We start fresh, with God's blessing. No matter what we've done, His faithfulness to us never wavers.

Today’s meditation: We serve an awesome God who is always willing to forgive.

Memory Verse: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:2 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/10/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Drunkenness
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,
1 Corinthians: 6:9-11

click to read scripture

Scripture Quote: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” 1Peter 4:1-3 (NIV)

Those who drink alcohol, pouring it repeatedly until they are drunk, will be filled with shame in the end, instead of the great immediate fun they anticipate. The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to them, and disgrace will follow. Drunkenness and excess lead to corruptible desire. Such indulgence has a tendency to excite lust by removing the barriers of God's standard of moral behavior.

God wants us to retain His truth and live according to its dictates, especially if it seems difficult to our flesh to do so. We are His children and answerable to His vision for our lives. We are all guardians of the talents entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father. So, if we who are called Christians are guilty of drunkenness, there could be no difference except in profession, between us and the most abominable of the nonbelievers.

Today’s meditation: God's grace is sufficient to enable the casting aside of ungodly desires.

Memory Verse: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
Romans 13:13 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

May 09th, 2016

5/9/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Forgiveness And Renewal
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 51:10-17

Click to read scripture

Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1–2 (NIV)

To create means to start from sratch were there is nothing, and from that nothing, bring something into being. Our hearts are sometimes very black and void of goodness. We loose sight of the things we believe. We act out of anger, or fear, or pride. We need God's touch as we plead to be something better than we are. Only God's devine power can restore love in a fearful or angry heart.

Some versions of the bible say, "renew a right spirit within me." Others say, "a steadfast spirit." They both mean the kind of sprit that is upright, sincere and constant. We all want to be the child of God who has a willingness to yeild to that which is good. But, we also all share that inherant bent toward disobedience. We want to do things our way. So, again and again, we yeild to temptation and find ourselves begging for forgiveness and cleansing. In His mercy, he allows us to repent. We start fresh, with God's blessing. No matter what we've done, His faithfulness to us never wavers.

Today’s meditation: We serve an awesome God who is always willing to forgive.

Memory Verse: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:2 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

Today's devotion

5/7/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Avoid Immorality
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

click to read scripture

Scripture Quote: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

Christians have a perfect example of holy living in Jesus. He led a pure life even though he was tempted as we are. Granted, it is difficult to keep oneself in check all the time, but striving to imitate Jesus will make the matter a lot less difficult. We can invite the Holy Spirit to control our thinking and refresh our commitment to the ways of the Lord, which will increase our knowledge of what does and what does not please God.

Devotion to Jesus enables us to be free from inappropriate appetites and passions connected with self-gratification. We can choose not to allow anything into our lives that might lead us away from purity of mind and soul. When we consider the Gospel to be the light in our lives, we invite truth to shine its spotlight on our thoughts and actions. Walking in the light of truth will enrich our lives far better than walking in the darkness of sin.

Today’s meditation: Study the Bible and let its truth be your guide.

Memory Verse: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:14 (NIV)

if you wish to receive this daily devotion In your email go to http://www.writingforthemaster.com/contact-me.html fill out the contact form with your email and the word Devotion

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

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Share your Faith

Plant based food restaurant

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 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.

Archives

February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
June 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
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