Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

today's devotion

8/31/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Let Prayer Life Come Alive
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:2-8
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Scripture Quote: "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NIV)

Christians can confuse having faith in Christ's sacrificial death and supernatural resurrection, with having a relationship with Him. But believing in the One who cleanses us, isn’t the same as knowing Him. Our relationship is based on our study of the Bible and our prayer life. Without those, we will miss out on the abundant life in the here and now. We know that there is more to prayer than requests. When we pause from our petitions and redirect our thoughts, we can allow the love and gratitude we feel for our Savior to rise up in us - There is such a flow of peace in those moments. To be quiet before the Lord, seeking the intimate communion of His Loving Spirit is so sweet.

Just as our blood flows through our bodies effortlessly, so our breath is a constant that we do not dictate. Prayer can be like that too - Just an ever flowing consciousness of His presence within every aspect of our being. And since we actually control nothing, we ask of God and He supplies because He loves us and He wants to be our provision. When we read in the Word to pray without ceasing, we can finally comprehend that we have the incredible privilege to be in constant communion (prayer) with our Creator.

Today’s meditation: Jesus wants us to know Him.

Memory Verse: "pray continually," 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/30/2017

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

Scripture Reading: Revelations 7:14-17
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Scripture Quote: “Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?” Romans 8:35 (CEV)

Sometimes leaning into God's love is the only thing we have the strength to do - That communion and support will never desert us. Real love isn't our love for Him, but it is His great love for us. Before the earth was created, God chose us to be His own - We have such an advantage dealing with trouble. Life is full of trials, there's some for you, some for me, some for everyone, even the spiritually indifferent. Hardship and sorrow abound for every person that lives and breathes. But it is the response to our difficulties that testifies to our deep conviction in the love of God.

Consider the persecutions and tribulations that befell Christ's followers during the time Jesus lived and even more so after His death. A follower's faith was grounds for brutal punishment, imprisonment and even death. Today we have radical Muslims beheading those Christians that will not deny who they are and what they believe. We may face that kind of tyranny some day too, but even fear of death won’t steal our relationship to God through Christ. We are His and He is ours; nothing, especially not death, can take that away.

Today’s meditation: Even life’s worst cannot steal God’s love from us.

Memory Verse: "I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love--not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future," Romans 8:38 (CEV)

Today's devotion

8/29/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Hospitality & Harmony
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:4-13
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Scripture Quote: “Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear--hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:21-23 (NIV)

Christians are the church and the body of our Lord, Jesus. We need the church to keep us fully in the love of God. We stray when we devalue the importance of continued fellowship in worship with each other. The world is very hospitable to the floundering Christian. We need to be all the more hospitable with each other and with that stranger or struggling Christian. Support, earnestness and encouragement all create a peaceful, harmonious group. We need to be conscientious about building each other up with prayer and with hospitable, welcoming attitudes. We need to also be completely rooted in God's Word.

We are judged by the world around us who are hopeful that they can find some condemnation of us that supports their distrust and disbelief. We are known by the fruit of our lives. Harmony stems from our relationship to Jesus acted out. The discord of sin can destroy harmony and must be avoided. When the church displays hospitality and harmony she is a powerful witness to the world.

Today’s meditation: Be welcoming and generous to everyone.

Memory Verse: “I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another.” Romans 15:14 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/28/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Holy Spirit
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 24:46-53
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Scripture Quote: "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever-- the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you." John 14:16-17 (NIV)

Jesus died and became the mediator between God and man, which is how we have received God's mercy and forgiveness. Along with this precious gift of grace, Jesus also sent us a comforter, a counsellor and proof positive that Jesus is our risen Savior. He has sent The Holy Spirit to reach within our consciousness, to fill us with light and comprehension. He tells us to receive all that God has for us and shows us gradually how to attain it. He instructs us as we are able to receive and claim the wonders of God's will for our lives.

Receiving the influx of The Holy Spirit for the first time is usually a memorable experience. Once we have experienced His love and guidance, He is always with us. There are some Christians yet to yield themselves to Him, but we know that God's timing is always perfect. It is plain that God sent Christ, let Him die on the cross to cleanse us from our sins and then also sent us The Holy Spirit to keep us close. Can there be any doubt about the extent God will go to redeem us?

Today’s meditation: What great love our Father lavishes on us.

Memory Verse: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/25/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

God Determines Our Service
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:29-34
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Scripture Quote: “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26 (NIV)

In our busyness, our noble occupation for the Lord, we accomplish little more than an exhausted, ungodly attitude, which we dutifully attempt to stifle. Consider the sea or the galaxy - We can see a tiny portion of either, yet their grandeur exists without our input and even without our observation. God is in control of all things. If our acts of service are done in love for another's benefit, they are rarely exhausting or frustrating. Any negativity we experience comes from within us.

God doesn't want futile, frustrating effort from us. He wants to love us and be the center of our lives. Communion with our heavenly Father is where we find the peace and joy He’s meant us to have. When we are attentive to Him, our complete source, He knows everything that is happening in our lives. The challenge is to keep our eyes focused on God, no matter our circumstances. If you want to be of use to God, exhibit a steady life from which your peace and assurance flow naturally. You will then be providentially positioned for God inspired service for the Kingdom.

Today’s meditation: Focus on your source, which is God, and be led solely by Him.

Memory Verse: "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.” Matthew 6:28 (NIV)

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Blessings & Love, Toni
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Today's devotion

8/24/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Elected Child of God
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-8
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Scripture Quote: “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people.” Ephesians 1:18 (NIV)

While it’s true that if we use all our mental ability to realize our election as a child of God, it still boggles the mind, as well as the heart. Unless we do accept that we are His own, however, bought by the blood of the Lamb, we are still navigating on a slippery slope of religion-eez. An irritable person, still set on having his own way, doesn’t yet have the joy of adoption in his heart, which makes for a fence sitting Christian at best. God shouldn’t have to tolerate the hesitance in us, but find us full of spiritual vigor and joy. Our Father will allow us to refuse His grace, though that would never be His choice.

God will stand back, allowing the natural consequences of our actions, and the actions of others in our life, to play out - So free will can be a curse, as well as a blessing. We are not robots automatically following God's dictates. We may, and often have, chosen to make our own way, without the Holy Spirit's council. It is much better to seek first, and always, God's wisdom and purpose for our lives - Not as robots, but as His precious children.

Today’s meditation: The joy of the Lord is as real as we are.

Memory Verse: “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

TODAY'S DEVOTION

8/23/2017

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

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:5-10
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Scripture Quote: “My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.” Proverbs 3:11-12 (NIV)

Discipline may not be popular, but it is necessary. If it is not delved out in anger, or meant to punish oppressively, discipline is useful to teach or restrain. Correction is never designed to cause harm. Parents want to help their children to become Christ followers. Discipline motivated by love produces positive change. It is tempting and truly easier to let poor behavior slide so confrontation is avoided. The Bible tells us, however, in Proverbs 13:24 “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them."

Current culture deems parents abusive if they physically discipline their children. One parent can actually call Family Services on another parent if any kind of force is observed - God doesn't care about Family Services or new and compliant parenting. Just as He disciplines us, we also need to correct our children. If spanking will bring a rebellious child to submit to parental authority, then we are obliged not to spare the rod. Strict discipline does yield respect for authority and improved behavior. Our children need to learn submission so that they will also submit to their Heavenly Father.

Today’s meditation: We all need to submit to God’s authority.

Memory Verse: "Each of you must respect your mother and father, and you must observe my Sabbaths. I am the LORD your God." Lev 19:3 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/22/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

We Have Constant Access to God

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 10:19-22
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Scripture Quote: “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

We had nothing within us that was good enough to enable us to become children of God, yet we are. The extraordinary love that stole us from Satan's grip has no limits and we can never, in this lifetime, truly grasp its scope. We are pilgrims daily discovering the privilege of access to the throne of grace. We call on Christ's saving sacrifice, a perfect image of righteousness, as opposed to our faint representation that attempts to mimic Him. We enter into God’s great presence, imperfect and obscure, and withdraw cleansed and renewed. We are fed by His Spirit and embraced by His love.

When God is received and acknowledged as our completion, He becomes the object of our devotion and faith. His Holy Spirit fills us with His holiness and for those moments of complete communion we partake of His Divine nature. We can do nothing without Him and everything within Him. Our privilege and access to God is the greatest gift imaginable. Love Him back, believers - Magnify His name and obey His command to love others. Worship and praise Him - He is undoubtedly worthy.

Today’s meditation: Stay connected to God all through the day.

Memory Verse: Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.
1 John 3:7 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/21/2017

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

Scripture Reading: John 17:19-26
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Scripture Quote: For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14 (NIV)

There are many Christians who are married to nonbelieving spouses. We are all sad for our friends whose spouses have no patience for our beliefs. It is hard to understand what God's plan is in this spiritually unequal kind of marriage. Christian friends pray for those spouses regularly, always hoping God would send someone or something to jolt them into the reality of Christ’s salvation.

Those Christians who have nonbelieving spouses, shouldn’t give up on them. Living the life of faith in God may just become the means of saving those spouses into eternal life. Bear your cross and look to God for perseverance. We know that God honors a believer's prayers. Keep praying for your spouse until your last breath, if necessary. God's Word gives us hope that our sanctification will cover our spouse like a blanket of divine loving forgiveness. Never give up hope. Christ was sanctified for death so that He might purchase eternal salvation for us. Surely we can claim our spouses for eternity and believe that God's grace is sufficient to accomplish their salvation.

Today’s meditation: Trust in God’s saving grace.

Memory Verse: "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for.” Job 6:8 (NIV)

Today's devotion

8/18/2017

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Recognizing Godly Leaders
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 1:5-8
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Scripture Quote: James 3:17-18 (NIV) But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

There are many preachers who want to draw disciples to themselves for their own glory. Christians should be cautioned against such persons; who God has never called or qualified for the work of teaching the Gospel. They profess to show the way of salvation, who know nothing of that way and are themselves unsaved. Through their insufficiency those who follow them perish for lack of wisdom and truth. They also do damage and bring contempt to the true leaders of the ministry.

The pure Gospel of the Lord Jesus, bought by his blood and infused by his Spirit, is what someone proclaims that is called of God. He is wise with understanding, who leads a godly life of humility. He seeks to serve others without selfish ambition and brings all in his charge to a deeper walk with the Lord Jesus. He quotes God's own Word, continually sowing heavenly seed, which brings about Divine fruit. He teaches others to live peaceably and is rewarded with a peaceful soul and the blessed privilege of bringing many to Christ.

Today’s meditation: A godly man’s life is his calling and his testimony.

Memory Verse: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” Ephesians 4:25 (NIV)

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 5 pound, furry, Chihuahua muse, “Princess 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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