Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

8/19/2016

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

Scripture Reading: Matthew 3:6-10
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Scripture Quote: Proverbs 28:13-14 (NIV) Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.

Do you ever get kind of comfortable with a particular sin and make up rationalizations to keep from calling it what it really is? We can be tricked by the enemy into thinking that what we are doing isn’t so bad. We still love God and claim to be His child. We are just fooling ourselves because when we are guilty of sin, it can pollute us and drag our spirits down. If we refuse to acknowledge that we are in a state of sin, things definitely get worse. If we try to cover or excuse our sin and discount the light of God's Word, we will find no mercy from our LORD. God would never bless a sinful, unhumbled soul - We will reap the consequence of our sin.

In order to get a clean heart we must know and feel the corruption our sin is causing. When we turn to God, we must deplore our sinfulness and know in our heart that we are truly nothing but a sinner. To be forgiven, sin must be confessed in good conscience. We must turn away from whatever has corrupted us and turn to our loving God for pardon and cleansing. God is merciful to an honest and repentant heart.

Today’s meditation: Be sincere with God and confess your sins often.

Memory Verse: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

8/16/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
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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Today's devotion

8/16/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Cling to Jesus
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2:2-6
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Scripture Quote: As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. Luke 24:28-29 (NIV)

Friends are so welcoming and generous. We lavish our friends with our affection, our time and our possessions. Just as we respond to friends, Jesus amply provides for those of us who have received His Gospel, with the necessities of life. We have a true friend in Jesus. In response to His wonderful friendship and provision, we ask that our ever blessed Savior will dwell in our hearts and stay with us always as we endeavor to learn and mature in our faith.

Ruth's profession of loyalty demonstrated that she was committed to her friendship with Naomi. She had a most extraordinary attachment with no apparent motive other than loyalty and love. Shouldn't every true believer in Jesus feel the same firmness of attachment to Him? Where Jesus goes we want to go and His people are our church body. His God and Father, is ours – So, in life and death we want to be with Him. Pray that we can hold him as close to us as our own breath, because He is so much more than our friend.

Today’s meditation: Jesus is our life - We need to cling only to Him.

Memory Verse: Ruth answered, "Please don't tell me to leave you and return home! I will go where you go, I will live where you live; your people will be my people, your God will be my God." Ruth 1:16 (CEV)

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Today's devotion

8/16/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
A Divided House
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 12:22-30
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Scripture Quote: Mar 3:23-24 Jesus told the people to gather around him. Then he spoke to them in riddles and said: How can Satan force himself out? A nation whose people fight each other won't last very long.

Jesus was accused by the scribes to be using power from the prince of devils to heal a man who had been possessed by demons. Jesus stated the obvious in His reply to them. The welfare of any kingdom, group or family, depends on its agreement. Satan would naturally want his followers not to fight among themselves, thereby securing his uncontested dominion over them. So Satan would not deliberately allow his kingdom to be divided against itself. Jesus further pointed out that He could not be in league with Satan, who's kingdom Jesus constantly opposes and whose destruction is His ultimate goal.

It’s amazing to think that all of the kind and merciful things that Jesus did could not dissuade those obstinately determined to disbelieve. Jesus gave everyone ample proof of His omniscience and performed many miracles to demonstrate His great power. Jesus told the Pharisees that when He forced out demons by the power of God's Spirit, it proved that God's kingdom had already come to them. God forbid that when He comes to His own today, that His own still won't receive Him! Wake up - He was, His is, and He will always be, ALMIGHTY GOD!

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Today's devotion

8/14/2016

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

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
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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)

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Today's devotion

8/11/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Turn from Foolishness
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 49:7-14
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Scripture Quote: Wisdom shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather. She shouts in the marketplaces and near the city gates as she says to the people, "How much longer will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won't you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge? Proverbs 1:20-22 CEV

Christians can sometimes feel aimless and uncommitted, making many mistakes, or be frozen, afraid to make any mistakes - Either way, we can be unsure of ourselves. Maybe we have been followers of the crowd, timidly accepting the prevailing opinion. Conversely, when we are fixed in our opinions and want nothing new in our lives to change us, we are foolish and unteachable. We might hold a certain belief that has become comfortable and we'd rather no one challenges it. At times we may have all been there - Able to relate to human foolishness.

There comes a time in life when we have to evaluate our beliefs. Christian faith demands that we believe every word that God has inspired. Maturity does come with a cost. We do have to be willing to confess our weak thinking and ask God to renew us with His Word. Of course that is supposing that we read His Word and know where we need to make changes and ask for help. We can take a serious look at each thing in our life that hinders our spiritual growth. One at a time, we can unload our foolish beliefs at Jesus’ feet. He will help us become Believers who increase in wisdom as we grow closer to His heart.

Today’s meditation: Protect your spiritual life from growing stagnant.

Memory Verse: Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along. Proverbs 3:17 CEV

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Today's devotion

8/10/2016

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

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
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Scripture Quote: My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too. Matthew 11:27 (CEV)

Just as the Word tells us that faith is dead without works, knowledge is dead without practice. It is not enough that we have faith in the Word, because we also must bring that faith to life. It's not just about persevering until the end. We must also grow better and walk more closely with God in the now. Our knowledge of the Word needs to be practiced with accompanying actions that live it out in our day to day existence. To talk about our faith but not to live it out will never get us into heaven or help anyone else. The aim and ambition of every Christian should be to please God by our actions and to be accepted by Him as we share what we learn with others.

Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord help us to keep on growing and actively contributing. This is the blessing held out to us in the Gospel. We are given justification through His blood, sanctification by His Spirit, and eternal glory because of His intercession. His Word breathes life into all who receive it and its up to us to keep it alive for the generations to come - Pass your faith on.

Today’s meditation: Share the Word by living it.

Memory Verse: You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me. Psalms 116:6 (CEV)

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Today's devotion

8/9/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Reward and Punishment
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 12:14-24

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs+12%3A14-24&version=TLB
Scripture Quote: Since the time of creation, everyone has known that sinful people are happy for only a while. Though their pride and power may reach to the sky, they will disappear like dust, and those who knew them will wonder what happened. They will be forgotten like a dream. Job 20:4-8 (CEV)

A nonbeliever who is weak and lacks self-disciple is foolish and easily angered - He speaks whatever comes into his mind, and is not concerned with the pain he inflicts with his injurious speech. Conversely, this person is easily offended, with little turning into his good. Those who honor evil and cruelty act without judgement and listen to no one. All people are rewarded or punished for what we say and do. The wicked are defeated in death and gone forever into a disastrous eternity, but no one who obeys God will be separated from Him by death or any other evil scheme.

God makes those who study His Word to be gradually changed by it. As we walk in the path of obedience we increase in goodness, and consequently in the favor of the Lord. Christians know that all things work together for good to those who love God and live according to His purposes. Whatever happens in the lives of believers, whether good or bad, God turns it to our advantage and His glory at some point. God's Plan makes His children as secure as a tree with very deep roots.

Today’s meditation: God’s grace gives our lives purpose and security.

Memory Verse: Losing your temper is foolish; ignoring an insult is smart. Proverbs 12:16(CEV)

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Today's devotion

8/8/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Rejoicing with the Prodigal
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 15:14-28
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Scripture Quote: But he answered his father, “Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” Luke 15:29 (NIV)

The prodigal son's brother was envious and void of affection for him. Rather than share in his father's joy, the older brother reacted with anger. He had always been an obedient son who worked his father's fields. He neither requested his inheritance early, nor recklessly squandered it away, so he felt slighted by the exuberant attention bestowed on his delinquent brother. He reminds us of the Pharisees who claimed to be righteous, religious experts. But, they were also filled with jealousy over Jesus’ tremendous popularity with the people.

The father's property had been divided. What remained belonged to the older son. He was heir to it all and had a right to use it any way he chose. Therefore, the older brother had no right to complain. And though we may understand that he was jealous, it was the father's affection and forgiveness that the older brother craved. Christians are all prodigal children who have returned repeatedly to the mercy and forgiveness of our heavenly Father. We are so privileged to be able to repent of our sins and run to Him as often as we fail, with the full assurance that He will receive us.

Today’s meditation: There is always hope for the prodigals among us.

Memory Verse: "'My son,” the father said, “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” Luke 15:31 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

8/7/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Prayer and the Holy Spirit
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 14:15-26
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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)

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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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