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Daily devotion

9/17/2019

Tell Others
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8
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Scripture Quote: My Father has given me everything, and he is the only one who knows the Son. The only one who truly knows the Father is the Son. But the Son wants to tell others about the Father, so that they can know him too. Matthew 11:27 (CEV)

Just as the Word tells us that faith is dead without works, knowledge is dead without practice. It is not enough that we have faith in the Word, because we also must bring that faith to life. It's not just about persevering until the end. We must also grow better and walk more closely with God in the now. Our knowledge of the Word needs to be practiced with accompanying actions that live it out in our day to day existence. To talk about our faith but not to live it out will never get us into heaven or help anyone else. The aim and ambition of every Christian should be to please God by our actions and to be accepted by Him as we share what we learn with others.

Let the wonderful kindness and the understanding that come from our Lord help us to keep on growing and actively contributing. This is the blessing held out to us in the Gospel. We are given justification through His blood, sanctification by His Spirit, and eternal glory because of His intercession. His Word breathes life into all who receive it and its up to us to keep it alive for the generations to come - Pass your faith on.

Today’s meditation: Share the Word by living it.

Memory Verse: You protect ordinary people, and when I was helpless, you saved me. Psalms 116:6 (CEV)

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Daily devotion

9/16/2019

Take Heed
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Peter 3:10-18
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Scripture Quote: "But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly." 2 Peter 3:5-7 (NIV)

The ancient Bible’s sense of urgency about sinfulness was the same urgency we feel today. We suffer from war, disinterest in community, narcissism and immorality. God's Word helps us understand the pressing failures of a previous generation that so closely resembles our own.

The Gospel of Jesus is pure and holy and requires a holy heart and holy life. Many people wish to follow their own desires and want nothing to do with the restraints of the Gospel, so they insist that the Bible is simply untrue. Maybe they are trying to convince themselves that it’s a forgery, which then gives them free reign to ignore God's truth. They shut their eyes against the light and refuse all evidence of eventual consequence for a stiff necked people who have ignored God's warnings. God destroyed all but Noah's family once, whether nonbelievers get that or not. Our God is mighty to save, but also mighty to destroy - Make sure you are on the right side.

Today’s meditation: Believe all of God’s Word.

Memory Verse: “Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” Psalms 86:11 (NIV)

Daily devotion

9/6/2019

Struggles with Unforgiveness
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:17-27
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Scripture Quote: Stop being bitter and angry and mad at others. Don't yell at one another or curse each other or ever be rude. Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:31-32 CEV)

The Word of God tells us to forgive. How are we different than nonbelievers when we will not forgive? What kind of testimony to the world is one of unforgiveness? If Christian people can't forgive others, we show little regard for our salvation. God freely gave His forgiveness of our sins. This is a no-brainer - Any brooding feelings or tinges of resentment qualify as unforgiveness. Outright anger that rises up in us against someone, insults the constant stream of forgiveness Christ's sacrificial death has provided us. We must always be willing to forgive one another, without exception.

Believers have put off the fallen, sinful state and have been regenerated into fellowship with Jesus - We have been given access to our Heavenly Father's merciful forgiveness. The Bible tells us, and experience confirms, that the old self is not yet dead, but slowly dying. The flesh continues to try to dominate, so although in our renewed hearts we agree with the Law of God, we have a war within us. We must beg Jesus for deliverance. His Holy Spirit that abides in us is powerful and He can win each of our battles with unforgiveness.

Today’s meditation: Forgive others because we are also forgiven.

Memory Verse: Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ. (Ephesians 4:32 CEV)

Daily devotion

9/5/2019

Staying Free of Sin
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 32:1-5
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Scripture Quote: “Your wickedness will punish you; your backsliding will rebuke you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you when you forsake the LORD your God and have no awe of me," declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty.: Jeremiah 2:19 (NIV)

It is a futile effort to look for or expect happiness while the power of sin is carelessly integrated into our daily lives, with its guilt unpardoned and its impurity not purged away. Sin can creep into our lives because it is so easy to forget the need for diligence. If sin is left unchecked for too long, we can become hardened and unwilling to humble ourselves by confessing our sinfulness to our God. Our souls can become despondent under bondage to all the wrong things. Before we know it, we have allowed the world’s overwhelmingly evil power to entrench itself within, causing only unhappiness. We are then not much different from the lost.

However, it is never too late for a repentant heart to confess sin thoroughly and sincerely. When we cease any attempt to cover-up or make excuse for our offenses, our heavenly Father forgives. God wants to melt any hardness of heart and free us from the burden sin brings. Confession causes us to move closer to God as we experience his forgiveness. We can always be confident in the mercy of the Lord.

Today’s meditation: Recognize those things that tempt you and confess them immediately to God.

Memory Verse: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7 (NIV)

daily devotion

9/4/2019

Stay True
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 3:1-6
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Scripture Quote: “In those days the people of Judah will join the people of Israel, and together they will come from a northern land to the land I gave your ancestors as an inheritance. I myself said, "'How gladly would I treat you like my children and give you a pleasant land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation.' I thought you would call me 'Father' and not turn away from following me. But like a woman unfaithful to her husband, so you, Israel, have been unfaithful to me," declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 3:18-20 (NIV)

The Bible teaches that if a woman were divorced and remarried, the first husband could never take her back as his own. Israel had been married to the Lord, joined in solemn covenant to him to worship and serve him only, but she became idolatrous. She committed idolatry in the form of spiritual abandonment. But even though the law taught that Israel would be lost to Christ, her first husband, there is no law that could ever control Him. Jesus chose to show His mercy. He was willing to receive this adulterous spouse once again. She needed only to abandon her other idols and return her heart to Him.

We can see ourselves in these sinful people’s behavior. Do you have anything tempting you away from worshipping God? His tender mercy is offering to receive you again into favor. Our Father loves us more than we understand. We need only let Him be the center of our life.

Today’s meditation: Return all your affection to our Almighty God.

Memory Verse: "Return, faithless people," declares the LORD, "for I am your husband…” Jeremiah 3:14a

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Daily devotion

9/3/2019

Standing Firm in Our Faith
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Psalms 15:1-5

Scripture Quote: I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
Psalms 101:2 (NIV)
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Christians are called to a very high standard of thoughts and actions. We are to have nothing to do with anything that is evil, which seems a pretty straight forward directive. But in this world colored in nothing but shades of gray, it can be difficult to steer clear of wrong choices. Our "tolerant" culture would have us accept all manner of perversion as acceptable simply because they insist on it. When we dare to quote the Bible's instruction, we are mocked as foolish and biased. It can be very difficult to stand firm in our faith in the face of hostile criticism.

Who then can be considered a fit member of Christ's body of believers? Who will be made God’s heirs? We make a choice at every turn. We are either Christians who live out God's precepts against all resistance, or we are not. It isn't always easy to be the odd man out - That's exactly why we need the fellowship of like-minded believers who stand with us. We congregate in worship and praise and come back refreshed and equipped to be "intolerant" of anything that separates us from the love and laws of our God and Father. Together, we are stronger.

Today’s meditation: Christian fellowship helps strengthen our faith.

Memory Verse: I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws. Psalms 119:30 (NIV)

Daily devotion

8/30/2019

Spread God’s Love
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:8-13 (All scripture is from MSG)
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Scripture Quote: Everyone who confesses that Jesus is God's Son participates continuously in an intimate relationship with God. We know it so well, we've embraced it heart and soul, this love that comes from God. God is love. When we take up permanent residence in a life of love, we live in God and God lives in us. (1John 4:15-16)

There are many promises in God's Word that make us joyful, but the love that comes from God, we embrace with sheer delight. It is a love that gently guides us to strive towards holiness, while also supplying sustenance through life's sorrows and trials. God is love and He loves us. We are to love God and one another. We are to love the whole world, including those who have offended or angered us. We are being prepared for heaven where perfect love prevails.

If everyone would accept the love of God through Christ, love would remove sin's corrupt passions, the wars on earth, the crimes and jealousies – Humanity’s fallen state would be relieved as love flowed and spread the bliss of heaven around the globe. But, realistically, the world as we know it now will never comply and accept God's great love. Fortunately, Believers have the spirit of the heavenly world reigning in our souls, so that even in this broken world, we can live in an atmosphere of love, if we so choose. God is love and we are privileged to be His ambassadors to those around us.

Today’s meditation: Let God’s love rule your mind and heart.

Memory Verse: Anyone who claims to live in God's light and hates a brother or sister is still in the dark. (1John 2:9)

Daily devotion

8/29/2019

Spiritual Warfare
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:11-20
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Scripture Quote: Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Ephesians 4:14 (NIV)

Every Christian is under attack from Satan's deceptions, so we must remain steadfast in our faith. We can choose to begin each day with the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit. With spiritual protection, we can wear our faith like a shield that circles around and enfolds us. Praying God's Word back to Him, can slice through any of Satan's schemes and temporarily expose him to the light, which he hates. Satan knows God's Word too, and he fears it's truth.

Our enemy is cunning - He waits for us to be caught off-guard. Remember though, God will not allow the enemy’s attack to overcome the strength he gives you. As the trial comes, he will provide you with His sufficient grace. If we are praying in the Spirit, we will be given wisdom to discern his deceptions.

Pray for strength for yourself and for other believers you may know. Be especially diligent in praying for your leaders, so that they may continue to teach truth as they guide all of the Lord's people. Above all, stand firm against the different plans, schemes and lies of the devil. Stand firm in your salvation, using the full armor of God, and the forces of evil will flee from you.

Today’s meditation: God’s protection is invincible.

Memory Verse: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.” Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)

Daily devotion

8/28/2019

Spiritual Gifts
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
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Scripture quote: Ephesians 4:7-11 (NIV) But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took many captives and gave gifts to his people." does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers.

Doesn't it seem amazing to think that God has given each of His children at least one spiritual gift? That is exactly what He says in His Word. We, believers, need to know what our spiritual gift is so that we can claim it and refine it and have it at the ready should it be required to serve the body of Christ. We should use our gift to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace.

Since modesty and subservience are prerequisites to service for God, we all must deliberately own and improve our ability to handle our gift with a pure heart in His sight. In proportion to the grace and the light that we have received from God, let us exercise our ability to encourage and build others up, reminding them to find grace and light they have also received from our Father, God.

Today’s meditation: Thank God for your gift and use it for His glory.

Memory Verse: “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” Romans 12:6a (NIV)

Daily devotion

8/27/2019

Spiritual Circumcision
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:11-22
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Scripture Quote: In whom you had a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; having been put to death with him in baptism, by which you came to life again with him, through faith in the working of God, who made him come back from the dead. (Colossians 2:11-12 BBE)

We are circumcised of the sins of the flesh through the Spirit and power of Jesus who became our mediator with God the Father. Every act of Christ, before and after His resurrection, contributed to the salvation of all His Believers. The Law required a cutting off of the flesh, but the Gospel of our Lord circumcised sin from the heart. Baptism by immersion into water is symbolic of Christ's burial - The resurrection of His body illustrates total renewal of life for the Believer. We are saved by faith in Jesus, which is a gift from God.

It was God's free mercy to us, manifested through Christ's circumcision of our hearts, that enabled us to believe and also receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Our salvation is not manifested because of who we are, or what good we may have done, but rather because of who Christ is and His sacrificial death for us. Besides acknowledging our need, we contributed nothing towards the circumcision of our hearts or our redemption. It is God's Divine Grace that gives us the power to believe and to be saved.

Today’s meditation: Christ has cut off sin’s dominion over us.

Memory Verse: So that you may give the rest of your lives in the flesh not to the desires of men, but to the purpose of God. (1Peter 4:2 BBE)

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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