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Humility
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Ruth 1:1-16 
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Scripture Quote: "The LORD bless you, my daughter," he replied. "This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.” Ruth 3:10-11 (NIV)
 
When Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, lost their husbands, Naomi tried to send Ruth back to her Moabite people, but Ruth would not leave Naomi. Ruth was a humble woman who always trusted God, which is portrayed throughout the book of Ruth. She had a relative on her husband's side named Boaz. Ruth went out into Boaz's cornfields, following after the reapers. In humility and gratitude Ruth collected the left over ears and pieces of corn that the reapers had left behind. And later, her humble spirit shows up again when Ruth spoke to Boaz in total subservience to him - So they were married and became part of the royal lineage of Jesus.
 
Christians are so blessed, yet completely unworthy, and that should be humbling. Knowing our true nature, the way we tend to leave God back in our prayer rooms during our busy day, is good reason to consider humility towards others. If we all came to this conclusion, then we would all think better of others than ourselves which might mean that we would all become humble servants to each other.  
 
Today’s meditation: Daily serve yourself some humble-pie.
 
Memory Verse: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," Philippians 2:3 

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Endless Sacrifices
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10
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Scripture Quote: “And since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 
Hebrews.” 10:21-22 (NIV)
 
The legal sacrifices that were performed endlessly by the ancient priests, were insufficient to permanently remove the people's sin - If this were untrue, there would have been no need to repeat the sacrifices because the people would have been changed and would have stopped sinning. That's why God sent Jesus, who offered for all time, one sacrifice for sins. So, Jesus made perfect forever those of us who believe in Him. What an incredible phenomenon for us to get our finite brains around. The old sacrifices were imperfect but, Jesus ransom paid once for all, proves that His was perfect and complete.
 
God has always sent a message of immense concern for the welfare of His people through His very presence and through His many prophets. He has shown the world manifestations of His great love since the beginning of humanity. Jesus was God's greatest gift to His people. Jesus poured out salvation and grace in such a way as to make it so obvious to believers how holy and pure is God's love for us. Strive, Christian, to return that love to your God.
 
Today’s meditation: We are the blessed chosen.
 
Memory Verse: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

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​Boldness in The Spirit

By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
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Scripture Quote: "I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love," Ephesians 4:1-2 (NRSV)
 
The apostle Paul did not seek his own glory, but God’s glory, through the preaching of salvation through Christ's Gospel. Paul knew how precious each soul was that was won for God’s glory. The day is coming, the Bible says when the Lord will come like a thief. Everything on earth will be disclosed. Man's judgment is coming and it will be swift. It will be too late for us to influence anyone for Christ. Believers should feel an urgency for our lost family and friends and a boldness to find ways to talk about the gospel now, while we still have the chance.
 
We that are found with the testimony of Christ in our hearts, conscientiously believing and obeying, God will confirm as His very own. We can speak to others by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, praying for courage and confidence. We who have received the Spirit should have faith that the Spirit will speak through us to reach another’s, heart. In the day that He comes to judge the world, may we have done everything conceivable to speak God's truth into those we know to be without it.
 
Today’s meditation: Be worthy of your privilege in Christ, Jesus.
 
Memory Verse: “He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Cor. 1:8 (NIV)

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Anger
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: John 3:13-16
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Scripture Quote: "Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it." Genesis 4:6-7 (ESV)
 
Jesus’ anger with the money changers was justified. What about the kind of anger you and I deal with? God told Cain that he could make a better offering, which would be accepted. There wasn't any just reason for Cain's anger. It was simply a matter of his own pride that made Cain mad and jealous that his brother, Abel, did bring an offering that pleased God more than his.
 
Injured pride and jealousy frequently hold hands with anger. As always, we can decide between hostility and calm reasoning. Will we do our worst, murder our brother, like Cain, or will we accept rebuff, stop a minute to retrace our steps and see why we started to lose our temper? Most of us have faced this dilemma. As long as we coddle our hurt feelings, enjoying indignation in preference to grace, we lose.  We can, however, push on past that dark and stubborn passion to a changed heart? We can decide to reject our own base instincts and endure whatever sting that may bring, so that we may remain safely in the harmony of God's peace and love. Just ask yourself, "What could possibly be worth giving up the unfathomable peace of God?
 
Today’s meditation: Let the joy of the Lord reign in your heart.
 
Memory Verse: “Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” Psalms 37:8 (ESV)

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Acting Any Way We Want
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Psalms 101:1-4
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Scripture Quote: “Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.” Romans 6:13 (NIV)
 
Prosperous providence is great and we are certainly grateful for God's provision when our cookie jars are full. Adverse circumstances, however, often bring very different reactions from us. Our praise and worship might not be quite as loud or joyful in tough times. It takes discipline and maturity to have faith that difficult circumstances are in some way beneficial to our walk with God. So, once we have salvation as our reality, how can we deviate from that joy, regardless of our circumstances? Don't we still need to model the conduct of Jesus?
 
God's law illustrates a joyous, perfect lifestyle - We need the wisdom to desire to walk in it, to feel and know the indwelling Spirit of God who is with us to guide us. God does favor those who choose His will over their own. How closely does your will align with God's? Do your family and friends see that your life is centered around God's example, which is Jesus? Believers don't get to act any way we want because we are saved. We are saved to act any way God wants.
 
Today’s meditation: Cherish God’s gift of salvation and walk in it.
 
Memory Verse: “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.” Romans 6:6 (NIV)

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Write His Word On Your Heart
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: James 1:21-25
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Scripture Quote: “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-- whatever they do prospers.” Psalms 1:1-3 (NIV)
 
Sin can begin as a small, almost imperceptible thing. Then we focus a bit more attention toward it. We slip into mental indulgence, which further develops into stronger desire. Losing our footing from God's Way, we begin to delight in this desire and inevitably this ungodly thought process leads to sinful action. Does that sound kind of like over the top drama? But, it’s not. That's just what Satan wants us to think – That we are reasoning like religious fanatics, spewing that fire and brimstone. He says there's no harm in wondering about things in the world - After all, we can't hide away like scared rabbits. Right? Well, we really can't do the rabbit thing, because as cozy-easy as that may sound, we do need to function and live in this world.
 
So, deny seductive whispers and remember that we are no longer slaves to sin. We can always still choose it, but luckily we have one terrific guide book to teach us how to avoid sin and its consequences. Our help comes from the Lord and He always shows us the right path.
 
Today’s meditation: God’s ways lead to truth and joy.
 
Memory Verse: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  Psalms 119:105 (NIV)

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​                                                                 Believe God’s Word
 Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: James 1:1-8 (NIV)
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Scripture Quote:  "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.  Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-24 (NIV)
 
In order for us to obtain wisdom that contains a practical knowledge of God, of our salvation and even a more intimate understanding of ourselves, we must study God's Word - We can only find this deep kind of truth when we spend time studying and seeking God as our teacher. We need to ask for Divine teaching. God is actually willing to give generously to those who understand their lack and desire His teaching above all else.
 
It's the asking and not doubting part that messes us up. Unwavering faith is a rare commodity, yet that is exactly the currency God demands. We have to first understand our need, then realize that God is good and desires good for His children. If He tells us in His Word, which He does, (James1:5),that we can ask for wisdom, then that should be good enough for us. We must trust God's infallible Word. But He does qualify our requests - We must absolutely believe that He is ready to impart to His children whatever they need.
 
Today’s meditation: Ask in faith, believing God's Word.
 
Memory Verse: And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)


​Creer en la Palabra de Dios
 Toni Smothers
 
Lectura bíblica: Santiago 1: 1-8 (NVI)
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Cita de las Escrituras: "De cierto os digo que si alguien dice a esta montaña: 'Vete, échate al mar', y no dudes en su corazón, sino cree que lo que dicen sucederá, se hará por ellos. Yo les digo, todo lo que pidan en la oración, crean que lo han recibido, y será suyo. "Marcos 11: 23-24 (NVI)
 
Para que obtengamos la sabiduría que contiene un conocimiento práctico de Dios, de nuestra salvación e incluso una comprensión más íntima de nosotros mismos, debemos estudiar la Palabra de Dios. Sólo podemos encontrar este tipo profundo de verdad cuando pasamos tiempo estudiando y buscando a Dios como nuestro maestro. Necesitamos pedir la enseñanza Divina. Dios está realmente dispuesto a dar generosamente a aquellos que entienden su falta y desean Su enseñanza sobre todo lo demás.
 
Es la parte que pide y no duda que nos ensucia. La fe inquebrantable es una mercancía rara, pero eso es exactamente la moneda que Dios exige. Primero tenemos que entender nuestra necesidad, luego darnos cuenta de que Dios es bueno y desea bien a Sus hijos. Si Él nos dice en Su Palabra, lo que Él hace, (Santiago 1: 5), que podemos pedir sabiduría, entonces eso debería ser lo suficientemente bueno para nosotros. Debemos confiar en la Palabra infalible de Dios. Pero Él califica nuestras peticiones - Debemos absolutamente creer que Él está listo para impartir a Sus hijos lo que necesiten.
 
La meditación de hoy: Pida con fe, creyendo en la Palabra de Dios.
 
Versículo para memorizar: Y sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios, porque cualquiera que viene a él debe creer que existe y que recompensa a los que lo buscan. Hebreos 11: 6 (NVI)

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The Beautiful Path
By, Toni Smothers
 
Scripture Reading: Galatians 5:19-21
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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)
 
It's so easy to slip into conformity of this world. We work, shop, and interact with the lost daily. We must constantly draw on the power of the Holy Spirit to navigate. Without Him, we will fail to live up to the standard we know to be right. In Romans we are told to hate what is evil and cling to what is good, which is a simple thing when we are in the presence of God's people in the house of the Lord. Not so easy, however, out in the world where we must still participate.
 
But consider: Can we talk in an ungodly choice of words to blend in with man, then address our heavenly Father with praise and adoration on our stained lips? We do recognize and abhor blaspheming the name of God, but foolish talk and coarse joking abound in secular society till they almost seem normal to our ears. Are we children of the highest God, or fence sitters, taking part in the good along with the questionable? We can choose to jump off that fence where temptation hovers and fall into the arms of our loving Father, where purity and faithfulness guide and protect our minds and hearts from evil.
 
Today’s meditation: You are called to be like Jesus.
 
Memory Verse: “I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.” Psalms 101:3 (NIV)