Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

11/14/2016

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

God’s Own

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 3:1-11 (All Scripture is from NIV)

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Scripture Quote: I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me. (Galatians 2:20)

We are children of the most High God - We are joint heirs with Jesus! God has always known who his chosen ones would be. He had decided to let us become like his own Son, so that his Son would be the first of many children - We are His sons and daughters! God planned for us to do good things and to live as he has always wanted us to live. That's why he sent Christ to make us what we are. We can follow Him toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us to Himself through Christ, our Savior.

Understand that we do participate in our journey to be ever closer to God - We are responsible to study and be obedient to God's Law, which is the narrow path He has provided for His Children. Everything we need to follow Christ, God has provided. We are so blessed and so loved that it's hard to express the depth of that - But even if it can't be expressed in words, it can definitely be felt and experienced through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Through Christ’s blood we receive justification, sanctification by his Spirit, and eternal glory through his merits and intercession. These are the blessings held out to us by our Heavenly Father!

Today’s meditation: Revere God’s Law and rest in His great love.

Memory Verse: Only let us live up to what we have already attained. (Philippians 3:16)

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Today's devotion

11/11/2016

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

God Provides Everything

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 1:18-22

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Scripture Quote: He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.

There is a tender attention of the shepherd to his flock which enables them to survive – some of the young don’t have strength enough to follow. We are the Lord’s sheep who He guides and protects during our earthly existence. How safe, how eternally safe and secure our redeemed souls are, however poor or insignificant, because we truly belong to Jesus. Every promise of God is as reliable as His Plan of Salvation – Within Christ are hidden all the treasures of God and we can choose to receive all He has for each of us.

God is true, so every promise of God is true – Each will be fulfilled according to His plans and purposes. He has chosen us to be His children and anointed us with His Holy Spirit. He has set His Holy seal on us and blessed our hearts with an indwelling of His Love and a desire to know Him more intimately. His Word explains His Gospel message of salvation and teaches us truth to live by. Our shepherd will always protect His Own until He ushers us home to be with Him forever.

Today’s meditation: Every promise in God’s Word will come to pass.

Memory Verse: Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Cor. 7:1)

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Today's devotion

11/10/2016

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

Find Your Treasure

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:16-21 (All Scripture is quoted from NIV)

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Scripture Quote: No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)

We must be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Our lives are about so much more than self-gratification and an abundance of possessions. Our worldly comfort level should come in a poor last, below a list of other life goals and priorities. If knowing God is the treasure we seek in our hearts, than our desires will be placed on God's promises and a growing relationship with Him. An earthly minded person desires things that satisfy desires of the flesh and offers immediate gratification, but a heavenly minded person knows that the only truly lasting treasure is from God, our Father.

The master of our heart may be fitly termed the love that reigns within it. Duality of passion is a rarity that confuses the heart. We are built to exist on one side or the other of a fence - Straddlers tend to self-destruct. As Christ followers, we are destined to place life with Jesus above any other inferior substitute. We are not foolish enough to fall for this world’s lure, when we know that in the end we are heaven bound. There is no possession that exists, no deep seated greed that must be satisfied, absolutely nothing that can replace the love and protection found in our perfect Savior.

Today’s meditation: We are destined for eternity with Jesus!

Memory Verse: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)

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Today's devotion

11/9/2016

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

Don’t Stand Next to Sin

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 2:1-5 (All Scripture Quotes are CEV)

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Scripture Quote: You have been trusted with a wonderful treasure. Guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit, who lives within you.
(2 Timothy 3:12)

It’s easy to sometimes feel tempted to compromise with those in the world we care for - We make excuses for them, coming alongside them with the hope of showing them our love for Jesus and the truth in His Gospel. The only trouble is that we can lose our way, if we get our own focus mixed up. We make a huge mistake if we rationalize ungodly behavior because we want to be helpful to someone. We make a huge mistake if we rationalize ungodly behavior because we want to be helpful to someone.

Loving others is certainly a very high priority for a Christian, but following the mandates of the Lord is always the absolute priority - We do well to never forget that because Christians have no immunity to the propensity to fall into sin. We can’t be helpful to others without the constant rejuvination by the Holy Spirit within our hearts and minds. So, we must first point our intent in God’s direction to be the beneficiary of His strength and truth. Compromise is too dangerous for any of us. Showing Christ like behavior will keep us safely within God's circle of blessing, so that we may be in a proper position to reach out and invite others to join us.

Today’s meditation: Sharing the Gospel takes deliberate preparation.

Memory Verse: He wanted us to be his own special people, and so he sent the true message to give us new birth. (James 1:18)

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Today's devotion

11/8/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
We Are Never Alone
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 14:19-27
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Scripture Quote: Then I will ask the Father to send you the Holy Spirit who will help you and always be with you. (John 14:16 CEV)

Most people suffer periods of feeling isolated, even within their family or in a group of friends. Humanity is wired to need companionship that is unique only to the Holy Spirit – That’s the way God made us and that need for a missing something can't be satisfied by the company of others. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles just as Jesus promised. Jesus told them that after His death and resurrection He would send them a Comforter. His disciples, even his future followers, are beloved children of God and are never fatherless and are never alone in this world. Our comforter, God's precious Spirit, is our advocate, teacher and beloved guide for all of our lives.

In addition to His presence, the influence of the Holy Spirit enables us to give an accurate depiction of Christ's life and death and a recollection of the particular verses in His Word that help us express His Gospel message to those who haven't heard about the precious gift of salvation. We are Christ's ambassadors, well equipped by His Spirit to offer His great redemption and love to a lost and dying world. The Holy Spirit is our constant companion, forever indwelling, equipping, and enabling us to be bold for Jesus. Believers are never alone!

Today’s meditation: We can allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us.

Memory Verse: (John 14:18 CEV) I won't leave you like orphans. I will come back to you.

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Today's devotion

11/7/2016

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

Undeserved Grace

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 7:7-11

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Scripture Quote: So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help. (Hebrews 4:16 NIV)

We don't turn everything over to God until we actually know that we are in trouble and definitely need His help - We are always thinking that we can handle things ourselves, that we are capable. When we ask for mercy and grace at the moment we need it, however, we can expect to receive them from our Father God. This is the liberty we have through Christ, that we can approach the throne and call out for mercy - God hears us and bestows upon us the blessing we need. Why then would we constantly try to depend on ourselves?

And if our waiting for God's mercy is necessary on occasion, for the more important fulfillment of His purposes, we are called to persevere – We are not at our best when instant gratification is denied us. But our predicament may affect others and God might begin working on His time table, not ours, for the good of all concerned. Think of God's intervention on your behalf as a heavenly seed that, if continually watered by interaction with God through prayer, will increase and multiply itself. As we continue to rely on, believe in and obey God, we will increase in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Today’s meditation: Spend all of your days in close council with God.

Memory Verse: All creation will thank you, and your loyal people will praise you. (Psalms 145:10 NIV)

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Today's devotion

11/4/2016

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

Redemption

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:12-21 (All scripture quotes are BBE)

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Scripture Quote: But now, being free from sin, and having been made servants to God, you have your fruit in that which is holy, and the end is eternal life. For the reward of sin is death; but what God freely gives is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.(Rom 6:22-23)

Adam bore the resemblance of Christ, the Messiah, who was to come, because of his actions which effected all of humanity. Through Adam, sin became dispersed through the world and every person who comes into this world already possesses sinful propensities - Also, we have inherited the punishment of death as a result of Adam’s sin. However, through Christ, righteousness was dispersed through the world so that any man may be made a partaker of His grace and truth. Jesus is the light that shines on the narrow path through life and he is the conqueror of death for every Believer.

As Adam brought death and guilt to every person, through Jesus each of us may choose to receive His free gifts of justification, righteousness and redemption. Our hearts become full of the love of God through the Holy Spirit which is freely given to all who would seek Him. Our hope is then founded on the goodness and truth of God. His love is our motivation for all of our actions, our obedience and our love for Him and for each other. Though we each must die for sin, we will also be raised from death to live again with the Lord.

Today’s meditation: Praise God, we are redeemed!

Memory Verse: For as in Adam death comes to all, so in Christ will all come back to life. (1 Corinthians 15:22)

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Today' devotion

11/3/2016

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

God’s Special People
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Deuteronomy 26:15-18

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Scripture Quote: In this agreement, the LORD promised that you would be his people and that he would be your God. He first made this promise to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and today the LORD is making this same promise to you. But it isn't just for you; it is also for your descendants. (Deuteronomy 29:13 CEV)

God hasn't explained or revealed His Full Glory to His children. We can’t know things that he has preordained for the future, or all the intricacies of His work in each of our lives. However, God has commanded us to obey the laws in His Word that he gave to us and our descendants. Those commands we can understand - Disobedience results in consequences, the worst of which is estrangement in our relationship with God. Believers don't want to miss out on God's kindness and protection. There is nothing that this world has to offer that can supply the enormous joy of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

The purposes of God on behalf of His people are too difficult for humanity to comprehend, but He has deliberately made certain concepts within our grasp. We are His children and God The Father loves us dearly and completely. His Word abounds with instruction, warnings, and Divine Providence. God wants us to be successful in our lives. We can choose to learn His Laws and honor them so that in everything we do we will have His blessing.

Today’s meditation: Follow God’s Word and be blessed.

Memory Verse: If you follow and obey the LORD, he will make you his own special people, just as he promised. (Deuteronomy 28:9 CEV)

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Today's devotion

11/2/2016

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

Content With God’s Provision

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 37:1-13

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Scripture Quote: If you do what the LORD wants, he will make certain each step you take is sure. The LORD will hold your hand, and if you stumble, you still won't fall. (Psalms 37:23-24 NIV)

Have you ever wondered about a blatant sinner who is financially prosperous, that seems to have a lovely family and life, but who has no respect for the God who created him? Then there's the ease with which everything seems to fall into this guy's lap. Well, Christians can certainly have moments of jealousy when we take our eyes off of Jesus and gaze into the lives of seemingly successful people. But it is God who allows all they enjoy, none of which includes the joy of the Lord, or eternity spent in His glorious kingdom.

They have their riches now, but that fails drastically in comparison to our salvation and the hope of heaven that Christians have. God will provide the necessities of life, according to His purpose. Maybe too much wealth could cause some to discount God's spiritual blessings - We could become idle and yield to temptations of the flesh. God knows each of us and He provides what is best for us. Long to be close to the Lord and walk in obedience as you grow in the knowledge of His Word. You can only claim God's promises if He is number one in your life. Nothing from this world can match God’s protection and love.

Today’s meditation: Envy no man, but crave communion with God.

Memory Verse: It is better to live right and be poor than to be sinful and rich. (Psalms 37:16 NIV)

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Daily devotion

11/1/2016

Toni Smothers tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Warning Against Apostasy
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:11-14
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Scripture Quote: My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. (1 Corinthians 3:1 NIV)

Pew warmers make the preaching of the gospel a difficult thing - Attendees have some faith, but the constant worldly influence in their lives make them out of touch with their spirituality and the message their pastor labors over. It is a shame that some of our brethren forget to continue learning about God and instead of being leaders to others, remain only able to understand the plainest truths. It is a good thing to become a babe in Christ, but not always to continue in that childish state.

Through prayer and study, each of us can grow up to become mature in understanding the Gospel message. The deeper mysteries of our faith belong to those who have studied God's truth and who are open to continually learn more. It is by accepting Christ’s salvation that we begin to develop a sensitivity to the sweetness of spiritual awareness - Then through the Holy Spirit, we begin to recognize that which is pleasing to our Lord. Choose to become fit before your God, an instrument prepared and capable for His divine use.

Today’s meditation: Pursue growth in godliness and then share it.

Memory Verse: Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ help you to keep on growing. Praise Jesus now and forever! Amen. (2 Peter 3:18 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 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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