Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotional Weakness

11/25/2014

Toni Smothers             tsmothers@gmail.com    www.writingforthemaster.com

Weakness

Scripture Reading for the day: John 21:1-25

Scripture Quote: “After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes Lord, Peter replied, you know I love you. Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him.” John 21:15 (NLT)

            Would you pick a person that doubted you and betrayed you to be one of your best friends - Probably not? Jesus did and, no matter how often they disappointed Him, He always forgave them. In the end, He placed them in charge of His church. Seems hard to believe that Jesus couldn’t find more suitable or reliable people to represent him - But that’s really the point, we are all unsuitable and unreliable. We just fool ourselves into thinking that we aren’t that bad, that our walk with the Lord isn’t often shaky at best.

            But Jesus loves us just as much at He did Peter. He sticks with us as we stumble along so that it doesn’t matter how many times we lose in life, he has already won our final victory. Jesus was raised from death’s grip and He is alive today and forever more. That is what gives our broken hearts the hope we can confidently cling to.

Meditation for today: The fact that God’s power is displayed in our weaknesses should encourage us. We all fall short of His glory, yet we are still His beloved children.

Memory Verse: “Each time He said, My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Today's Devotional

11/24/2014

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

Worship

Scripture Reading for the day: Isaiah 2:1-22

Scripture Quote: “And after his care, he uses part of the wood to make a fire to warm himself and bake his bread. Then – yes, it’s true – he takes the rest of it and makes himself a god for people to worship! He makes and idol and bows down and praises it! Then he takes what is left and makes his god: a carved idol! He say, you are my god!”” Isaiah 44:15 (NLT)

Imagine how sad our heavenly Father must be as he watches us worship all kinds of things other than Him. God is the one who created us, who we ultimately trust and who we look to for security and happiness. We know that He is in charge of our future, yet, knowing all this, we still worship our jobs, our salaries, other people, or whatever, and think more often of them than our Almighty God. Who but a fool would make his own god who can’t possible help with real life issues?

We should be proud of belonging to God. He deserves all honor and glory and praise. God sent His only son and sacrificed His life, so that we might have life. He has loved us with an insurmountable love. False gods can’t love us and redeem us from our sins. God is the one and only true God and He deserves all of our love and reverence.

Meditation for today: You can stand in the approval of God again - Admit to God that you have made a mistake and tell Him how much you love Him.

Today's Devotion

11/23/2014

oni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

God’s Great Love

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalm 103:6-14

Scripture Quote: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

As we try to imitate Christ and become more and more like Him, we begin to discover the person God meant us to be. God works in everything involved in our lives, down to the smallest detail. This doesn’t mean that nothing bad will ever happen to us, but God can change things around for our eventual good. He is not necessarily concerned with our happiness, but mostly His purpose and plan for us. This promise is only for His children – Those who love God and are called by Him to receive Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Ask God to allow you to understand the fullness and beauty of all your life experiences, even the painful and challenging experiences. Think of areas of your life that are still not fully submitted and released to God’s total scrutiny. Understand that we so often unwittingly cling to our familiar abilities and resources, rather than believe that God wants to be your only resource and can handle any situation much better than we ever could. Just ask God’s favor in all areas of your life and then turn everything over to Him.

Meditation for today: Jesus didn’t come looking for us to help Him, but he did come to help us.

Memory Verse: “My future is in your hands.” Psalm 31:14a (NLT)

Today's Devotional

11/22/2014

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writing forthemaster.com

Charity Instead of Vengeance

Scripture Reading for the day: Genesis 26

Scripture Quote: “So Isaac prepared a great feast for them, and they ate and drank in preparation for the treaty ceremony.” Genesis 26:30 (NLT)

Isn’t it sad that the most common response to poor treatment from others is to plot something bad to befall them? We automatically seek vengeance to sooth our inevitable pride. We seek public sympathy and privately think hateful things. This kind of behavior really has no place in the life of a follower of Christ.

Actually, if we are honest, we can think of as many wrongs that we have dealt others as have been dealt to us. We like to rationalize these facts away in the mist of our indignant tempest. Isaac, who had good reason to be bitter, didn’t respond with anger. Instead he showed mercy and charity to King Abimelech who had previously been jealous of Isaac’s wealth. He had Isaac’s wells filled with dirt and drove Isaac away. Still, Isaac chose Christ’s peaceful way to treat King Abimelech.

We can be just as receptive to those who want to make peace with us. Often, God’s influence in our lives draws others to us, even enemies - We can take those opportunities to reach out to them with God’s love.

Isaac compromised for the sake of peace. Would you be willing to forsake your pride to keep peace? Is it hard for you to humble yourself in front of others?

Meditation for the day: The trouble with taking revenge when we are mistreated is that none of us can claim complete innocence.

Memory Verse: “We can plainly see that the LORD is with you. So we decided we should have a treaty, a covenant between us.” Genesis 26:28

Todays Devotional

11/21/2014

Toni Smothers tsmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

Weakness

Scripture Reading for the day: John 21:1-25

Scripture Quote: “After breakfast Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon son of John, do you love me more than these? Yes Lord, Peter replied, you know I love you. Then feed my lambs, Jesus told him.” John 21:15 (NLT)

Would you pick a person that doubted you and betrayed you to be one of your best friends - Probably not? Jesus did and, no matter how often they disappointed Him, He always forgave them. In the end, He placed them in charge of His church. Seems hard to believe that Jesus couldn’t find more suitable or reliable people to represent him - But that’s really the point, we are all unsuitable and unreliable. We just fool ourselves into thinking that we aren’t that bad, that our walk with the Lord isn’t often shaky at best.

But Jesus loves us just as much at He did Peter. He sticks with us as we stumble along so that it doesn’t matter how many times we lose in life, he has already won our final victory. Jesus was raised from death’s grip and He is alive today and forever more. That is what gives our broken hearts the hope we can confidently cling to.

meditation for today: The fact that God’s power is displayed in our weaknesses should encourage us. We all fall short of His glory, yet we are still His beloved children.

Memory Verse: “Each time He said, My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Daily Devotional

11/20/2014

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

Being Your Best

Scripture Reading for the day: Galatians 1:11-17

Scripture Quote: “But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another.” Galatians 6:4 (NKJV)

            Paul warned the people not to compare themselves to any one else. Each of us is a unique person because God made us this way. He didn’t want everyone to be alike. God is the author of variety and his creation abounds with numerous breeds of animals, types of plants as well as types of people. We need to be responsible for our own actions and follow the path that God has specifically planned for us.

            When you came to the Lord, Jesus with confession and repentance in your heart, and believed that he could cleanse you of your sin, you became a new creature – Now you must live like it. Don’t worry about what your neighbor has or does, but look to the Lord for your lead. He will always take you into joy and fulfillment and stay continually by your side wherever you are in your life right now, just yield yourself unconditionally to God and He can make your life a thing of beauty and a demonstration of His glory to all.

Meditation for the day: If you want the perfect plan that God has for your life, you will have to go by way of Calvary to get it.” Billy Graham

Memory Verse: “So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” Galatians 5:1

November 19th, 2014

11/19/2014

Becoming Christ-like

11/18/2014

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

Becoming Christ-like

Scripture Reading for the day: Colossians 1:13-22

Scripture Quote: “For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

            As people filled with light, our actions and attitudes should reflect our faith. We are called to live above reproach morally so that we will reflect God’s goodness to others. Jesus stressed this truth in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:15-16).

We discard our old lives and take on Christ’s mind when we first receive our salvation. Christians evolve daily into better and more Christ-like people. We can not achieve perfection in this lifetime, but we are supposed to seek God’s wisdom and use it to become the person that God planned us to be from the beginning of time. Each of us has a purpose to fulfill according to the Word of God. It is our job to constantly seek to walk into deeper and deeper levels of faith as we try to become more like Christ.

            How many of us will fulfill the purpose God has for us? Will we let countless opportunities for growth pass us by because it looks too hard or comes at an inconvenient time, or will we obey our creator and continually seek His ways for our life? We still have free choice. We can just mark time here in this lifetime, or we can become something beautiful that the Father always intended.

Today’s meditation: The more we focus on Jesus, the closer we will be to understanding His will for our lives.

Memory Verse: “giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.” Colossians 1:12

Daily devotional

11/16/2014

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

Be An Overcomer

Scripture Reading for the day: I Corinthians 16:15-18

Scripture Quote: “for there is a wide open door for a great work here, and many people are responding. But there are many who oppose me.” I Corinthians 16:9 (NASB)

God constantly gives us opportunities to move ahead in life. He is always with us, patiently waiting for us to grow closer and learn more. But whenever we move closer to God, there is always increased opposition from the enemy. God longs for us to reach our full potential and overcome the many temptations and obstacles Satan slams us with. He wants us to be overcomers.

When you step out in faith and the opposition comes, stand firm – Then, as you can, press on toward the goal. We must remember that Jesus is with us and that He is our source of strength. The price we pay now is nothing compared to the treasures that await us in heaven. Trust what God has promised all who love Him and obey His commandments.

Meditation for the day: “I learned that life is not just a destination but a journey. While the expedition can be long and arduous, it can be full of beauty and pleasure as well.” Wayne Holmes in, ‘The Heart of a Father’

Memory Verse: “but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition.” I Thessalonians 2:2 (NASB)

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

BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

Share your Faith

Plant based food restaurant

Author

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.

Archives

February 2023
January 2023
December 2022
November 2022
October 2022
September 2022
August 2022
July 2022
June 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
August 2021
July 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
December 2020
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
June 2020
March 2020
February 2020
January 2020
December 2019
November 2019
October 2019
September 2019
August 2019
July 2019
June 2019
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
August 2018
July 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
December 2017
November 2017
October 2017
September 2017
August 2017
July 2017
June 2017
May 2017
April 2017
March 2017
February 2017
January 2017
December 2016
November 2016
October 2016
September 2016
August 2016
July 2016
June 2016
May 2016
April 2016
March 2016
February 2016
January 2016
December 2015
November 2015
October 2015
September 2015
August 2015
July 2015
June 2015
March 2015
February 2015
January 2015
December 2014
November 2014

Categories