Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

DAILY DEVOTION

5/27/2022

Spiritual Gifts
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

Scripture quote: Ephesians 4:7-11 (NIV) But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people." does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers.

Doesn't it seem amazing to think that God has given each of His children at least one spiritual gift? That is exactly what He says in His Word. We believers need to know what our spiritual gift is so that we can claim it and refine it and have it at the ready should it be required to serve the body of Christ. We should use our gift to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace.

Since modesty and subservience are prerequisites to service for God, we all must deliberately own and improve our ability to handle our gift with a pure heart in His sight. In proportion to the grace and light that we have received from God, let us exercise our ability to encourage and build others up, reminding them to find grace and light they have also received from our Father, God.

Today’s meditation: Thank God for your gift and use it for His glory.

Memory Verse: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6a (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/26/2022

Spiritual Circumcision
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22

Scripture Quote: In whom you had a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; Having been put to death with him in baptism, by which you came to life again with him, through faith in the working of God, who made him come back from the dead. (Colossians 2:11-12 BBE)

We are circumcised of the sins of the flesh through the Spirit and power of Jesus who became our mediator with God the Father. Every act of Christ, before and after His resurrection, contributed to the salvation of all His Believers. The Law required a cutting off of flesh, but the Gospel of our Lord circumcised sin from the heart. Baptism by immersion into water is symbolic of Christ's burial - The resurrection of His body, illustrates total renewal of life for the Believer. We are saved by faith in Jesus, which is a gift from God.

It was God's free mercy to us, manifested through Christ's circumcision of our hearts, that enabled us to believe and also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Our salvation is not manifested because of who we are, or what good we may have done, but rather because of who Christ is and His sacrificial death for us. Besides acknowledging our need, we contributed nothing towards the circumcision of our hearts or our redemption. It is God's Divine Grace that gives us the power to believe and to be saved.

Today’s meditation: Christ has cut off sin’s dominion over us.

Memory Verse: So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God. (1Peter 4:2 BBE)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/25/2022

Spend Life Wisely
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 33:9-12

Scripture Quote: Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14 (NIV)

We plan our future as if we know that life will accommodate our wishes. We are naïve in thinking we can know ahead of time what will occur in our lives. We can’t actually predict whether we will prosper or be overwhelmed with adversity. We cannot forecast the future, or this day, or even a single hour. Still, we always make our plans as if we can see with certainty all that will happen. The truth is that the future is a frail and uncertain thing, unknown to us all.

Rather than obsess about future plans that may or may not occur, being overly confident in our own abilities, we could be realistic about how little is really in our control. Also, seriously consider the possibility that our lives might be cut short at any time - All our big plans would certainly fail then. Preferably, we could use all that ill spent energy to be living out God’s will in preparation for our higher world to come in Paradise with our Lord. We could surrender each day to God and trust in His good guidance and plans for us. We are children of the Highest God and joint heirs with Jesus, who have already been given a place in eternity - Believers can plan on that!

Today’s meditation: Like a dissipated vapor, so life on earth ends.

Memory Verse: He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return. Psalms 78:39 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/24/2022

Simple Yet Difficult
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 18:24-35

Scripture Quote: For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)

How is the disposition of your heart? Does another's misery bring you to tears, or can you objectively discern the pattern they took to reach their misery and deem it duly earned? The first reaction is predisposed to mercy and the other is more closely attuned to judgement. If we were all judged as cruelly as we can sometimes judge each other, there would be no one saved or forgiven of sins. After all, what mercy can a vindictive heart hope for himself? We must earnestly seek to forgive one another.

If we show mercy by forgiving a person who has wronged us, God will show us mercy and forgive us. It does sound simple, but just because a thing is simple, doesn't make it any less difficult to achieve. Nevertheless, if we have any regard for our own salvation, we must reconcile this matter. We could reflect on our many secret sins that Jesus redeemed us from and get a softer view of our brother's offenses by comparison. It is in our own best interest to forgive, so love your neighbor at least as much as you love yourself.

Today’s meditation: We are forgiven – We need also to forgive.

Memory Verse: So watch yourselves. "If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them." Luke 17:3 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/23/2022

Simple Ambassadors
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-13

Scripture Quote: But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20 NIV)

Peter and John were on trial for preaching a sermon about Jesus and for performing miracles in His name - This was considered a crime. Faced with the hatred of the powerful elders and the knowledgeable scribes, these simple men were emboldened with incredible courage. Peter and John were simple fisherman. The rulers and elders came with their knowledge and power expecting to confuse and intimidate the apostles. However, Peter courageously told them that it was by the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified, that they preached and healed.

Jesus used simple people with no outstanding accomplishments to be his ambassadors of instruction and spokesmen of His Gospel. He used a poor widow's meager offering of two small coins as a model of a sacrificial gift. Christ said that she had given more than most others. She gave all that she had out of devotion to God. We are also meant to speak up for the truth of His Gospel. Some of us are highly educated, some not so much, but our position in this world is irrelevant - Christians are not eloquent speakers or heroes, but simply saved sinners meant to spread His truth in love.

Today’s meditation: Tell God’s truth to whoever will listen.

Memory Verse: For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (Luke 21:15 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/20/2022

Share the Message
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:16-19

Scripture Quote: God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. (2 Corinthians 5:18 CEV)

It's awesome that Christ was able to reconcile the whole of humanity to God, by making atonement for our sins. Jesus was the Temple of Eeternal Divinity, because even as a man, the triune God dwelt within Him at all times. Jesus made peace for us with God by the shedding of His own blood for the forgiveness of our sins, in our place. It really is a mystery how by Christ's offering upon the cross He made atonement for every Believer, taking upon Himself all God's wrath and penalty.

Christians should never take this tremendous sacrifice by our perfect, sinless Lord for granted - There is no amount of gratitude that could cover the debt we owe Jesus. All He ever asked of His followers, was to pass His message of salvation on to others. We are called to share the awesome love our triune God has for each of His own. The only way a blinded, hardened heart can accept Christ's free gift of salvation is to become aware of it and it’s up to us to tell them about it. Our personal testimony can be short, simple and gentle. Nothing but His truth will set the captives free.

Today’s meditation: Share Christ’s message with someone today.

Memory Verse: (Romans 3:24 CEV) But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

DAILY DEVOTION

5/19/2022

Sexual Purity

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Scripture Quote: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Paul considered the subject of sexual immorality of great importance. He repeatedly instructed the believers to live holy lives because that was their duty as Christians. In the bible we read that by our profession of faith made at our baptism, we became dead to sin, like Christ was dead to the living world when He was buried - As He was raised up to life, so we should also rise to a new life that consistently seeks to imitate our holy Savior. Being dead to sin doesn't mean that we will never sin again, but rather we now have a fighting chance to resist it. Christ's resurrection was a glorious display of God's omnipotence. This is the incredible power we as believers can depend on to help us in times of temptation.

Our society is in a drastic state of sexual immorality. We must not participate with their "tolerance" of all things. We are Christians with an obligation to take profoundly opposing views of the secular lifestyles we see today. We know our Father's standards as plainly spelled out for us in His Word and we must walk in His ways.

Today’s meditation: Cherish your body and keep it holy for God.

Memory Verse: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. James 4:17 NIV

DAILY DEVOTION

5/17/2022

Service to Others
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:3-15 (Scripture quoted is from MSG)

Scripture Quote: For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; They'll continue in the world While I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life that you conferred as a gift through me, So they can be one heart and mind. (John 17:11)

Washing His disciple’s feet was about Christ's attitude, not the act of foot washing. Jesus knew that He would soon be betrayed, so He humbled himself to show His disciples what kind of attitude and behavior they should emulate in His absence. Even the most menial task God gives us is important to His Kingdom. God wants us to humble ourselves for service to others.

Jesus sent His disciples the Holy Spirit after his return to the Father. He has provided that same indwelling for all His Believers today. We do have ready guidance for every aspect of our lives once we take the time to study and listen to what God wants to say to us. In the presence of our holy, perfect God, how can we think or act any other way than with humility? Though He has given us purpose and peace in this life, we should not think too highly of ourselves. Since Christ, our Lord and Savior, willingly served humanity it seems appropriate that we would desire to humbly serve Him by serving others as well.

Today’s meditation: Serve others because Christ served us first.

Memory Verse: In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. (John 17:18)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/16/2022

Service in Marriage
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-13

Scripture Quote: 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)

When our spouse helps out around the house, jobs are quickly whittled away. Whether she sweeps up the sawdust from his project in the garage, or he vacuums the floor without hesitation when necessary, those acts of service bring with them feelings of love and caring for each other. Sometimes, if we forget to pay attention, we can get too involved with our own agendas and miss those opportunities to serve our spouses. Humility and service can always help reconcile a disgruntled partner and stand as a perfect examples of our love.

We should be ready, after Christ's example, to condescend to all of our spouses weaknesses and perform whatever act of service seems necessary to restore. Marriage is not an equal give and take, as so many newlyweds anticipate - It is a constant giving on both the partners part. In disputes, the one who needs the victory most should be the winner, which in no way negates the importance of the other. If both partners are intent on serving and giving to their spouse, both are also receiving and being cherished - It's a win, win relationship when we emulate Jesus and His love for us.

Today’s meditation: Serve your spouse, even as Christ served.

Memory Verse: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. (John 13:14 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/13/2022

Serve with a Joyful Heart
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 (All verses quoted are MSG)

Scripture Quote: That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage." (Mar 10:45)

The Bible tells us, in the book of John, all about our Savior. Jesus is The Good Shepherd (10:11), He is The Vine (15:1-10), The Door (7:9), and The Bread of Life (6:25-35). Christ lights the world (9:5), shows The Way (14:6) and He is The Truth (14:6). Jesus is the Christian’s whole life (14:6). This is the same man who came to earth to serve humanity - The greatest man to ever live, came to make himself the least among men! He was pure, holy and dedicated to the benefit and service of mankind.

Along with Jesus' self-inflicted, lowly state, the Father further extended to Him the cup of deep sufferings (18:11), as payment for, and restoration of man's broken state. Jesus was the Royal Servant, deserving of honor and glory, yet He was beaten, humiliated and murdered because of man's evil heart and lust for blood. But Christ’s divine innocence and purity was the ultimate sacrifice to God and finalized man's redemption from sin's dominion forever. And so it stands: whoever believes in Jesus will not be condemned by the Father and will have everlasting life (5:24).

Today’s meditation: Serve your brothers and sisters with a pure heart.

Memory Verse: It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. (Matthew 20:26)

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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