Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/29/2015

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

God Waits For You

By,, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-6

Scripture Quote: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:10 (NIV)

If you don’t spend time in prayer daily, should you expect God to bless your life? With your mind constantly engaged on things that concern the world, you might go along for a while before your independence comes up empty. Is it when all else fails, that you remember your need of God? We are so lucky that God forgives us for our arrogant pride and slight of Him. Instead of turning His back and ignoring our frantic pleas, which He would certainly be justified in doing, He pours out His mercy and grace because He loves us.

Or maybe you pray for things that are not consistent with God's will for your life. Let's face it, we can be wickedly self-centered in our requests of God. We ask for worldly prosperity, only to spend it on selfish indulgences. We pray for healing when we are sick, while we continue to put unhealthy food and drink into our bodies.

Knowing God's will is not mysterious as some protest. All you need to do to know God more intimately is to pray with sincere humility and read the bible so that His Holy Spirit can speak to your heart. He lays his requirements and expectations out very clearly in His Word.

Today’s meditation: Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Memory Verse: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/27/2015

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

Giving

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Malachi 3:9-12

Scripture Quote: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mat 6:19-21(NIV)

The bible says that we are under God's displeasure if we neglect His church by being stingy with our time and/or finances. Has God been stingy with His blessings and provision to you? What you give to God will not lessen your security. When you give as you should, see if God doesn't increase His provision to you. His rewards may not be in cash directly, but new opportunities will be presented to you. In God's economy, when one door closes, another becomes available. Your efforts will bear fruit as you learn to be a joyful giver.

A heart designed for God and eternity is degraded when focused on material possessions. When we look for the needy, rather than looking away from obvious poverty, the compassion meant to guide the Christian's heart will strengthen. Jesus said that when we do good to the poor, it is the same as doing good to Him.

Today’s meditation: Give back generously from God's provision.

Memory Verse: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Toni's Thanksgiving devotion

11/26/2015

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

An Attitude of Gratitude

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Micah 7:13-20

Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1b-2 (NIV)

Since the day we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we no longer fear eternal separation from God. He lives inside us now through His indwelling Spirit. It was for our benefit that Jesus suffered tremendous anguish, so that when we call to God for help, He hears and He cares. We are miraculously transformed by the sacrifice Jesus made to save us from our sins.
Are we now able to purposely sin and still be covered by Christ’s blood? Absolutely not! This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. Jesus is an atoning sacrifice for all the sins of those who believe in Him, but we now must deliberately turn from all evil.
God’s love for us compels us to a higher standard of living. Gratitude is the appropriate response to what He has accomplished in our lives, despite our prideful wills. Thankfulness fills our days with His peace and joy.

Today’s meditation: Be appreciative for God’s precious gift of eternal life.

Memory Verse: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1John 4:10 (NIV)

Daily devotion

11/25/2015

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/24/2015

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

God Waits For You

By,, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: James 4:1-6

Scripture Quote: “For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." Luke 11:10 (NIV)

If you don’t spend time in prayer daily, should you expect God to bless your life? With your mind constantly engaged on things that concern the world, you might go along for a while before your independence comes up empty. Is it when all else fails, that you remember your need of God? We are so lucky that God forgives us for our arrogant pride and slight of Him. Instead of turning His back and ignoring our frantic pleas, which He would certainly be justified in doing, He pours out His mercy and grace because He loves us.

Or maybe you pray for things that are not consistent with God's will for your life. Let's face it, we can be wickedly self-centered in our requests of God. We ask for worldly prosperity, only to spend it on selfish indulgences. We pray for healing when we are sick, while we continue to put unhealthy food and drink into our bodies.

Knowing God's will is not mysterious as some protest. All you need to do to know God more intimately is to pray with sincere humility and read the bible so that His Holy Spirit can speak to your heart. He lays his requirements and expectations out very clearly in His Word.

Today’s meditation: Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Memory Verse: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17

Devotion be Toni Smothers

11/23/2015

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Giving
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Malachi 3:9-12

Scripture Quote: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Mat 6:19-21(NIV)

The bible says that we are under God's displeasure if we neglect His church by being stingy with our time and/or finances. Has God been stingy with His blessings and provision to you? What you give to God will not lessen your security. When you give as you should, see if God doesn't increase His provision to you. His rewards may not be in cash directly, but new opportunities will be presented to you. In God's economy, when one door closes, another becomes available. Your efforts will bear fruit as you learn to be a joyful giver.

A heart designed for God and eternity is degraded when focused on material possessions. When we look for the needy, rather than looking away from obvious poverty, the compassion meant to guide the Christian's heart will strengthen. Jesus said that when we do good to the poor, it is the same as doing good to Him.

Today’s meditation: Give back generously from God's provision.

Memory Verse: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/22/2015

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

Forgiveness And Renewal

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading for the day: Psalms 51:10-17

Scripture Quote: “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalms 40:1–2 (NIV)

To create means to start from sratch were there is nothing, and from that nothing, bring something into being. Our hearts are sometimes very black and void of goodness. We loose sight of the things we believe. We act out of anger, or fear, or pride. We need God's touch as we plead to be something better than we are. Only God's devine power can restore love in a fearful or angry heart.

Some versions of the bible say, "renew a right spirit within me." Others say, "a steadfast spirit." They both mean the kind of sprit that is upright, sincere and constant. We all want to be the child of God who has a willingness to yeild to that which is good. But, we also all share that inherant bent toward disobedience. We want to do things our way. So, again and again, we yeild to temptation and find ourselves begging for forgiveness and cleansing. In His mercy, he allows us to repent. We start fresh, with God's blessing. No matter what we've done, His faithfulness to us never wavers.

Today’s meditation: We serve an awesome God who is always willing to forgive.

Memory Verse: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Psalms 18:2 (NIV)

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/21/2015

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Drunkenness
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11,
1 Corinthians: 6:9-11

Scripture Quote: “Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.” 1Peter 4:1-3 (NIV)

Those who drink alcohol, pouring it repeatedly until they are drunk, will be filled with shame in the end, instead of the great immediate fun they anticipate. The cup from the LORD's right hand is coming around to them, and disgrace will follow. Drunkenness and excess lead to corruptible desire. Such indulgence has a tendency to excite lust by removing the barriers of God's standard of moral behavior.

God wants us to retain His truth and live according to its dictates, especially if it seems difficult to our flesh to do so. We are His children and answerable to His vision for our lives. We are all guardians of the talents entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father. So, if we who are called Christians are guilty of drunkenness, there could be no difference except in profession, between us and the most abominable of the nonbelievers.

Today’s meditation: God's grace is sufficient to enable the casting aside of ungodly desires.

Memory Verse: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.”
Romans 13:13 (NIV)

Devotional by Toni Smothers

11/20/2015

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Anger
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Galatians 5:14-21

Scripture Quote: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

When we allow anger to control our thoughts and actions, we are no longer under the guidance of God's Spirit. This sinful state of being leads people into all kinds of trouble. We conveniently forget God's commandment about expressing ourselves in love through Christ Jesus. We rail with self-righteous indignation and feed our sinful, animal passions. So commanding is this fleshly nature that we lose sight of anything good. Anger diminishes us until we lose our better selves in it's ranting rage. So, in place of a worshipful, grateful heart, we surrender to behavior and attitudes that are not pleasing to God.

Obviously, we need to repent of this sin and find a better way to relate to others. Avoiding anger can be achieved by proceeding slowly and by deliberately not reacting hastily. James, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles, told a group of believers long ago that everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Because anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires for us, we must be careful to lean on His Holy Spirit for help.

Today’s meditation: A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Memory Verse: “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

Devotion by Toni Smothers

11/19/2015

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

Abide in Him

By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 91:1-16

Scripture Quote: “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Psalms 27:5 (NIV)

God is our refuge and our security. There are tremendous blessings awaiting our faithfulness. If we put all our trust and love in Him, there is no limit to His protection and affection. Believers are privileged to enter the very Spirit of God, where by the blood of Jesus, we are safe from the evil one. Deeply rooted faith shows us how important it is to abide in Him. There can be no fence-sitting when it comes to our allegiance to our God. We must be all-out-crazy-in-love with Jesus.

Satan can only prey on the vulnerable. Since we are bound to live in this decadent world, we need a reliable plan to keep us free from worldly temptation’s influence. Yet, we are called to be salt and light to the world and to reach out to the unsaved with the good news of the gospel. Knowing God's Word is imperative to our success. His truth teaches His directives and promises that cover solutions for all circumstances. God's Word will be invariably fulfilled to those who trust in Him. To quote my pastor, “Read the book!”

Today’s meditation: He who lives nearest to God suffers least from temptation.

Memory Verse: “The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalms 27:1 (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 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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