Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

8/31/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Doing Good
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:13-16
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Scripture Quote: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV)

We were created by God as a living human being and were therefore the creatures of God at our birth. Again, by His incredible power we were recreated by faith in Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection. He has saved us and given us the Holy Spirit so that we can demonstrate to the world God's truth and love. We weren't saved to simply sit around and bask in His great love for us. We are not saved by our goodness or good works, but we are saved by God's free mercy - As a consequence of that, we are now called to do good works to glorify God and show kindness to one another.

God treats us much better than we deserve. In ourselves we have nothing to brag about. That's why God sent Jesus to save us. He has set us apart to abide in us through His Holy Spirit. Every day, every minute, we need to lean on Him. From the first inspiration of God upon our souls, we began to love goodness and holiness and have since yearned to walk in them to glorify God. Obedience to the will of God means doing whatever good we can, whenever we can.

Today’s meditation: We were created for good works.

Memory Verse: For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

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Today's devotion

8/30/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Come Home Subborn Sinner
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 15:11-32
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Scripture Quote: They will be paid back with harm for the harm they have done. Their idea of pleasure is to carouse in broad daylight. They are blots and blemishes, reveling in their pleasures while they feast with you.
(2 Pet 2:13 NIV)

The prodigal son is a picture of a sinner who won't depend on or be obedient to the Lord. It is foolish and dangerous for those who desire to be at their own disposal, to live independent of God and be their own boss. God can't give greater proof of his wrath to a subborn sinner than to abandon him to the corruption of his own heart. We are lost in dreadful affliction of our own design when we demand our independence from God's precepts. Without God's truth to live by, we debase ourselves in unending self-gratification that can ruin our souls. We become broken, miserable people without standards or morals to guide us.

Just as the prodical's father showed his son great tenderness and affection, our Heavenly Father welcomes the repentant heart that returns to Him. God can wash away the filth of our sin and restore us to His truth and justice if only we realize the folly of our independence and empty achievements. It doesn’t matter what happened to bring us to our knees. We must empty ourselves of pride and lay our shame at His feet. God's peace is the answer to a roaming spirit who has lost his way. There is no love like that of our gracious and forgiving Father.

Today’s meditation: Find your joy in God’s love and truth.

Memory Verse: A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. (Prov 28:7 NIV)

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Today's devotion

8/29/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Be Reborn and Live
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Psalms 139:12-17
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Scripture Quote: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53:3,5 NIV)

Jesus was despised by many of the religious Jewish scribes who desperately feared His radical teachings - They felt threatened by Christ's profession of love for one’s enemies. They were angered when Jesus spoke boldly about repentance and forgiveness of sins, which were things only animal sacrifice and the involvement of the scribes could accomplish. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry and performed miracles that proved His divinity, but the Jewish leaders were more interested in preserving their own status.

Jesus spoke of a loving God who wanted to heal and restore humanity to fellowship with Him. Because the people flocked to Jesus, the scribes became violently adamant about plotting His demise. Jesus knew that His life’s purpose was to become a sacrificial offering for the sins of His people. His message was repentance, forgiveness of sins for all who would believe in Him and His great love for them. His resurrection was proof of His divinity and is our hope that we will one day be with Him in paradise.

Today’s meditation: We must be reborn into God’s forgiving grace.

Memory Verse: Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. (John 12:24 NIV)

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Daily devotion

8/28/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
We Are Truly His
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 1:1-6
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Scripture Quote: Our LORD, you bless everyone who lives right and obeys your Law. You bless all of those who follow your commands from deep in their hearts and who never do wrong or turn from you.
Psalms 119:1-3 (All verses - CEV)

As Christians, we are to sincerely believe the words that God has inspired men to write in the Bible. Our lives and hearts are ruled by the spirit of love and obedience. We avoid idolatry of things in this world, injustice in all of its many forms, and sinful behaviors that try to linger from our previous way of thinking. As we walk in God's ways, we are eager to attempt to emulate Christ. Though the enemy will often tempt us to change our course, we must hold firm to our God and His precepts. God does not ask us to achieve the impossible, but to follow His commandments with an obedient heart, being assured that His Grace is sufficient for us.

God's children live for the accomplishment of the joy for which God created us. At times we foolishly seek happiness from the world, but we always return to God's path with sincerely repentant hearts. We must never withhold our complete loyalty, which belongs only to God. Choose to often contemplate and be grateful for the dire end from which we have been delivered. We have been so richly blessed with the certainty of the glorious immortality of our souls and have been given complete access to the invisible world of spirit and love.

Today’s meditation: Our immortal souls have been rescued by Christ.

Memory Verse: I don't ever want to stray from your laws. Psalms 119:5

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Today's devotion

8/26/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Struggles with Unforgiveness
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-27
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Scripture Quote: Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV)

The Word of God tells us to forgive. How are we different than nonbelievers when we will not forgive? What kind of testimony to the world is one of unforgiveness? If Christian people can't forgive others, we show little regard for our salvation. God freely gave His forgiveness of our sins. This is a no-brainer - Any brooding feelings, or tinges of resentment qualify as unforgiveness. Outright anger that rises up in us against someone, insults the constant stream of forgiveness Christ's sacrificial death has provided us. We must always be willing to forgive one another, without exception.

Believers have put off the fallen, sinful state and have been regenerated into fellowship with Jesus - We have been given access to our Heavenly Father's merciful forgiveness. The Bible tells us, and experience confirms, that the old self is not yet dead, but slowly dying. The flesh continues to try to dominate, so although in our renewed hearts we agree with the Law of God, we have a war within us. We must beg Jesus for deliverance. His Holy Spirit that abides in us is powerful and He can win each of our battles with unforgiveness.

Today’s meditation: Forgive others because we are also forgiven.

Memory Verse: Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:32 CEV)

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Today's devotion

8/25/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Spend Life Wisely
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 33:9-12
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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)

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Today's devotion

8/25/2016

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

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
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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)

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

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Daily devotion

8/23/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Precious Promises
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 8:6-12
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Scripture Quote: Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 2 Peter 1:4 (NIV)

God has made great and precious promises to His children - Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and us, to name a few. God promises to be our God, to protect, support and save us. He has sent Jesus to spring from humanity as our redemption through His blood on the cross. He promised and delivered, to all who would receive, the indwelling influence of the Holy Spirit. There is no longer distinction between Jews and Gentiles as far as His promises are concerned. We can walk each day in the assurance that we are His and He is ours.

God’s great and precious promises have given us everything we need to live godly lives. God desires to bring fallen man back to Himself. We are sometimes still prone to sin because our fleshly desires can be deceived by Satan’s enticements. The design of God, by Christ's death and resurrection, is to gradually remove the sin nature from us and to make us partakers of the Divine nature, which will teach our inner man to resist the corruption of sin in this world. God’s promise protects us from what He has prohibited and what would be destructive to us. Let God mold you into all that He has meant you to become.

Today’s meditation: God’s promises are all we need to live for Him.

Memory Verse: And this is what he promised us—eternal life.
1 John 2:25 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/22/2016

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

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-10
click here to read scripture
Scripture Quote: Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:16-17 (NIV)

Many brilliant nonbelievers have become harsh and wounded people because they have always relied only on their abilities over God's. We Christians have, on occasion, mistakenly listened to our own counsel too, leaving God's instruction behind. Following what our spirits know to be instruction from God can seem terrifying or even foolish at times. It always comes down to either stepping out in faithful obedience to God, or trusting in our willful pride.

Don't you wonder what God must think when He sees us waver in our faith, as so many before us have also done? God has to be saddened by our stubborn unfaithfulness, but His love and patience are boundless - He knows the consequences we will reap upon ourselves. Like our children who have refused our guidance and find themselves in trouble, God watches us with disciplined inaction, so that the bitter lesson is learned. Sacred knowledge and devotion to God are the only means by which we will find true joy in our lives. We can learn to suppress worldly ambition and choose to partake of His Devine Nature instead. God wants us to grow and become what we have not yet been: at peace!

Today’s meditation: God’s laws reap joyous and peaceful lives.

Memory Verse: The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. Matthew 10-24 (NIV)

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August 22nd, 2016

8/22/2016

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

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:1-10
click here to read the scripture
Scripture Quote: Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
John 13:16-17 (NIV)

Many brilliant nonbelievers have become harsh and wounded people because they have always relied only on their abilities over God's. We Christians have, on occasion, mistakenly listened to our own counsel too, leaving God's instruction behind. Following what our spirits know to be instruction from God can seem terrifying or even foolish at times. It always comes down to either stepping out in faithful obedience to God, or trusting in our willful pride.

Don't you wonder what God must think when He sees us waver in our faith, as so many before us have also done? God has to be saddened by our stubborn unfaithfulness, but His love and patience are boundless - He knows the consequences we will reap upon ourselves. Like our children who have refused our guidance and find themselves in trouble, God watches us with disciplined inaction, so that the bitter lesson is learned. Sacred knowledge and devotion to God are the only means by which we will find true joy in our lives. We can learn to suppress worldly ambition and choose to partake of His Devine Nature instead. God wants us to grow and become what we have not yet been: at peace!

Today’s meditation: God’s laws reap joyous and peaceful lives.

Memory Verse: The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master. Matthew 10-24 (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

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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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