Blog Archives - Toni Writing for The Master

Today's devotion

12/30/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Holy Spirit
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:11-16
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Scripture Quote: “Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:3 (NIV)

We all possess a running liturgy of thoughts and feelings that are secret. It is only the Spirit of God that knows these personal things. But, we do not know those private thoughts within the Holy Spirit, which is to say that we cannot know the mind of God like He knows ours. We love God and that which we do know about Him causes us to want to worship Him. It is the Holy Spirit, working within our yielded spirits that allows us to enter into His presence with thanksgiving in our hearts and praise on our lips.

Without receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior we cannot receive the Holy Spirit. We must choose to worship God with an undivided heart. We also repent of our sins on a daily basis because there is no other way to feel the Spirit's cleansing, rejuvenation and all-encompassing love. It is from this kind of steadfast heart that genuine praise is released by our spirit and received by God's Spirit, which in turn blesses our spirit over and over until we are filled up to the point that we can hold no more.

Today’s meditation: Give God's Spirit full access as you continually repent, worship and seek His face.

Memory Verse: My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music. Psalms 57:7 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

12/29/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
God’s Glory
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:15-23
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Scripture Quote: “Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you.” Exo 34:10 (NIV)

The Israelites, who were rescued from Egypt by God, traveled with God for 40 years. In all that time, they saw only a tiny portion of God’s glory. God showed Himself as a pillar of smoke by day and fire at night. He sent them manna to eat that fell out of the sky. Those were pretty awesome displays of God's power. Still, if you consider all of creation, it is obvious that we can't come close to knowing the fullness of God's tremendous glory.

Even Moses, who asked God to see His glory, didn't realize the impossibility of his request. Because God wanted to bless Moses, He shielded Moses in the crevice of a rock, while God covered Moses with His hand until He passed by. Then, God removed His hand and Moses saw only His back. If Moses had seen more of God's glory, it would have killed him. Moses loved God and wanted more of Him, as we all do, but we will never be able to see all of God's glory until we are changed and ascend into heaven.

Today’s meditation: We are small, but God is so large.

Memory Verse: “The LORD replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exo 33:14 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

12/28/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Faithfulness
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Daniel 2:16-24
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Scripture Quote: “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty's hand.”
Daniel 3:17 (NIV)

Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had a disturbing dream that caused him to seek council. His magicians, sorcerers and the like, could not give the king adequate answers. This led the king to order the execution of all the wise men in Babylon. However, there were a few truly wise men, especially one named, Daniel, who were followers of God.

God was merciful to Daniel and his friends who prayed with him by revealing the king's dream and it's interpretation. Daniel confessed to the king that he had no such wonderous powers by himself, but the highest praise was due his God for revealing these things to Daniel. So, as a result, the king spared the lives of Daniel and his praying friends. The king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him.

Further into the story we learn that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up an image of gold for all the people to fall down before and worship. Daniel’s three friends were not rebels, but they could only give their worship to their God. When faced with their disobedience, the king ordered them thrown into a blazing furnice. However, even the threat of death by fire did not move their steadfast faith in God. They were miraculously spared by God because of their faithfulness.

Today’s meditation: God rewards faith that is resolute.

Memory Verse: “Open the gates that the righteous nation may enter, the nation that keeps faith.” Isaiah 26:2 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

12/27/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Choose the Lowly Place
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 14:7-14
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Scripture Quote: “So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, "This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.” Exodus 10:3 (NIV)

Proud people think too highly of themselves. Even if awards are given, or accolades proclaimed, humility is the only appropriate response to success because everything that we can accomplish in this life is through God's power and grace. To place oneself in the position of honor is to take honor from God in the sight of men. There is no way that a person with an attitude like that could also place God first in his life. Vanity is a creeping thing that can worm its way in, all the while zapping and depleting our desire to serve our Creator.

The humble and modest, as opposed to the proud, realize the true source of all that is good within themselves. Our abilities and strengths come from the Lord, our God, and we must know it. The Holy Spirit teaches us wonderful things as we yield control to Him. Being full of the Holy Spirit and being led by His directives creates for us a consistently precious lifestyle. If we truly desire a closer walk with Jesus, we need only to repent of our pride and stubborn self-reliance. So, choose to lean totally on God and be humble in His sight.

Today’s meditation: Pride and humility cannot coexist.

Memory Verse: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

12/26/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
Ask As A Child
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Luke 11: 9-13

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Scripture Quote: "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Mat 7:7-8 (NIV)

When children pray, they never hesitate to ask God for whatever they want. They are too young to filter their requests as adults often do. They are not concerned with asking within reasonable limits, nor do they try to appear unselfish in their requests. Children are open and honest when they pray. Maybe that is why the bible tells us to come to God as little children.

So when you pray, reveal your heart, realizing your own inability to provide what it is that you need. Ask with humble confidence because God is ever disposed to give mercy to His children. And when you sometimes must wait on God, persist relentlessly as a child would do, until God grants you answers. Remember, though, that His answer is not necessarily always going to be the one you were hoping for. But be assured that He will always do what is best for you.

Jesus said that if you remain in Him and His words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. Give it a try and see if the Father isn’t happy to be that involved with your true heart’s desires.

Today’s meditation: Ask, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Memory Verse: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13 (NIV)

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Christmas day devotion

12/25/2016

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

Scripture Reading: Matthew 1:20-23 (All quoted Scripture is CEV)
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Scripture Quote: The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. (John 1:14)

When we accepted Jesus as our Savior and invited the Holy Spirit into our lives, did we also receive all the kindness and all the truth of God? Now that's a good question. We acknowledge that God didn't send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent Jesus to save us by teaching us to revere God and to love people and truth. People can be difficult to love sometimes and unless we are actively seeking God's truth for our lives by learning what His Word teaches, we are not living out God's best for us.

Christ was truly God. But he didn't try to remain equal with God. Instead he gave up everything and became a man, when he became like one of us. Christ was humble and good. He obeyed God and even died on a cross as a living sacrifice for our sins. Jesus is everything to the Christian. His birth is celebrated because His life was full of kindness and truth. Our faith in Jesus, along with our study of the behavior He wants to impart to us, makes us so very glad that we have been chosen to follow Him. Christians can choose kindness and truth this Christmas and for the rests of our lives.

Today’s meditation: Celebrate the birth of kindness and truth!

Memory Verse: Jesus replied, "Didn't I tell you that if you had faith, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40)

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Today's devotion

12/24/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com
A Child Is Born
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:10-21
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Scripture Quote: She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. (Luke 2:7 MSG)

What an awesome plan God devised to bring our lost and broken world back to Himself. He used an innocent young girl to produce the Messiah, Jesus, who was born in a stable with the animals. There were so many extraordinary circumstances that surrounded the conception and the birth of Mary’s son. Mary must have wondered about each circumstance and its importance as she loved and anxiously protected the welfare of her miracle child. What an incredible woman Mary must have been to find such favor with God that He selected her to give birth to the world's Savior.

Jesus lived an exemplary life, teaching God’s peace to everyone, and commissioning a dozen or so simple men to spread His message of love. Eventually Jesus consented to die as a sacrifice for our sins. Those first shepherds verified what the angels told them by traveling to Bethlehem and seeing for themselves the child asleep in a manager. They had evidence that would satisfy others, so they became the first to spread the Good News - Today, though some will still reject Him, Jesus is still waiting to be born again in some new believer's heart.

Today’s meditation: Tell everyone the Savior's story!

Memory Verse: When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come. (Matthew 24:14 CEV)

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Today's devotion

12/23/2016

tasmothers@gmail.com www.writingforthemaster.com

Life’s Trials
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:5-11
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Scripture Quote: “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfected of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Hebrews 12:2-4

It is only an ever growing trust in and love for God that can enable a person to endure the temptations of life and remain content without complaint. Every one of us experiences various types of trials, and because of that, we are all candidates to either stand or fall.

The prize for enduring and overcoming our temptations will be the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to us. Our holy God desires to build our character and strength against evil temptations. However, He will always deliver us from the punishment of hell. We are to trust God for all our provision and remain steadfast in our love for Him. Our heavenly Father has sent us trials so that we may grow. He has used seemingly harsh trials to teach us to abandon the easy path and cling to truth, wisdom and justice. He is constantly refining those traits in us.

Today’s meditation: Our trials are temporary and endurable.

Memory Verse: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 (NIV)

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Today's devotion

12/22/2016

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

Scripture Reading: Psalms 36:1-7 (All Scripture quoted is CEV)
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Scripture Quote: Turn to the LORD! He can still be found. Call out to God! He is near. Give up your crooked ways and your evil thoughts. Return to the LORD our God. He will be merciful and forgive your sins. (Psalms 55:6-7)

Even those who continually pursue mischief and follow the wrong path, who refuse to turn from their sinfulness, can be restored by God's infinite mercy. Rather than cutting off those who are lost, His long suffering is intended to lead them to repentance. Because God is so faithful, He fulfills His promises and covenants made by His mercy. All those who turn to God find forgiveness and grace. He delivers all the mercies and blessings He has promised.

Everyone who honors God's name, can trust Him because He is faithful to all who put their faith in Him. From heaven the Lord looks down to see if anyone is wise enough to search for Him. No one becomes Christ's follower without desiring it and seeking it with their whole heart - A Believer must earnestly seek Him. The invitation to believe in Christ's salvation is for everyone. His forgiveness is for all sinners, but we must first accept Christ's sacrifice and His Lordship. The knowledge of God is of inestimable value. His love is now given freely and completely. However, the time will eventually come when it will be impossible to obtain His favor.

Today’s meditation: Seek the Lord while He can still be found.

Memory Verse: The LORD is good! His love and faithfulness will last forever. (Psalms 100:5)

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Today's devotion

12/21/2016

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

Scripture Reading: John 4:9-14 (All Scripture quoted is CEV)
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Scripture Quote: Jesus replied: I am the bread that gives life! No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who has faith in me will ever be thirsty. (John 6:35)

We, who have received the gift of salvation from Christ, have within us the living, Holy Spirit, who is our eternal spring of life. Believers have the Lord's doctrine, explaining and promising the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit, which proceed from Jesus our fountain, dwelling in our believing hearts. Christians who receive Christ's doctrine and believe in Him, will be perfectly satisfied. All the guilt of our sins have been blotted out and our souls have been purified before God. Since we are able to love Christ with all our hearts, we are also able to rest fully and happily in our God.

Like a spring that is continually supplied with water from the great deep, with which it has interaction, so will the soul of the genuine Believer be supplied with love and life - And all the other graces of the indwelling Holy Spirit, from our indwelling Lord Jesus. Like the heart distributes blood to every part of the human body, so God, by Jesus Christ, conveys the life giving streams of His providential goodness to all who believe and trust fully in Him.

Today’s meditation: Believers are supplied with Christ’s thirst quenching springs of life.

Memory Verse: “Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say." (John 7:38)

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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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