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Daily devotion

11/8/2019

Walk Circumspectly
Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:8-16
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Scripture Quote: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

Christians are very watchful and cautious because we are essentially the receivers and defenders of truth, love, and knowledge of the living God. It is so important to be careful of our conduct in big, as well as small things, since the eye of the unbeliever is evaluating our sincerity. To live a holy and pure lifestyle we must keep Christ as the primary focus of our thoughts, thereby avoiding unwise actions. Harsh words that are thrown out in frustration to an argumentative, intellectual atheist, will only serve to repel that individual further. We will never persuade anyone to accept the doctrines of Christianity with any other approach than prayer for spiritual guidance, the love of Christ in our hearts and humility in our words.

Although we live in the world, we don't argue as the world does. We rely on God's power to give us the exact words that will be effective. We only need to live in accordance with our faith - We don't need to be scholars, or experts on any subject, because we have the absolute guidance of the Creator of the universe and His instruction manual, the Bible, as our qualifications. We only need to Walk with Him, trust in Him and allow God to use us for His purposes.

Today’s meditation: Walk in wisdom and grace before the world.

Memory Verse: Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Psalms 119:73 (NIV)

Daily devotion

11/7/2019

Using God’s Armor
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Ephesians 6:10-18
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Scripture Quote: “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:11-12 (NIV)

God tells us in His Word exactly how to defeat Satan. He offers us His protection when we take the time to arm ourselves with each component. We must know and accept His truth so that Christ’s righteousness shines through us. God’s Word is the gospel of peace and the sword with which we conquer Satan’s tricks. It prepares us to stand against the enemy’s lies so we must know and cherish it. Also, keep your faith strong, Christ’s sacrifice, which is your salvation, should be firmly uppermost in your mind. And always pray in the Spirit for God’s help and for His Will to be done.

All of God’s tools are given to His children and they are our strength. He is with us through our struggles with the enemy and He will give us the courage and competence to withstand whatever Satan throws at us. We only need to believe in and implement God’s powerful armor so we can stand firm in His shelter.

Today’s meditation: Satan yearns to deceive and destroy the Christian - With God’s help, we can always be prepared.

Memory Verse: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Daily devotion

11/6/2019

Upheld by His Power
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6
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Scripture Quote: But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

God causes us to triumph through Christ in everything we do. Our conversion leaves no doubt that God is with us and that we have been changed into something new. Our complete dependence on His strength and purposes proves our personal insufficiency and need of Him. We don't possess any power to enlighten another's mind or change a heart. We are only instruments in the hand of God. God alone can fulfill the promise of salvation as a result of belief in Christ. We are God's neon signs and it is only by God's sufficiency that we have been able to do anything to advance His Kingdom here on earth.

The more we experience trials, the more we are upheld by His power. When we prosper in our labors, Christ's help is seen and acknowledged. He says that the weaker we are, the greater His grace is manifested. The power of Christ affords us shelter, protection, safety and rest - There is no greater source of strength. The promise of grace cannot fail. We need only keep our focus on Jesus and be continually watchful and prayerful, depending on the all-sufficient grace of Christ.

Today’s meditation: Our confidence is in God.

Memory Verse: Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (NIV)

Daily devotion

11/5/2019

Unsaved Spouses
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 17:19-26
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Scripture Quote: For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 1 Corinthians 7:14 (NIV)

There are many Christians who are married to nonbelieving spouses. We are all sad for our friends whose spouses have no patience for our beliefs. It is hard to understand what God's plan is in this spiritually unequal kind of marriage. Christian friends pray for those spouses regularly, always hoping God would send someone or something to jolt them into the reality of Christ’s salvation.

Those Christians who have nonbelieving spouses, shouldn’t give up on them. Living the life of faith in God may just become the means of saving those spouses into eternal life. Bear your cross and look to God for perseverance. We know that God honors a believer's prayers. Keep praying for your spouse until your last breath, if necessary. God's Word gives us hope that our sanctification will cover our spouse like a blanket of divine loving forgiveness. Never give up hope. Christ was sanctified for death so that He might purchase eternal salvation for us. Surely we can claim our spouses for eternity and believe that God's grace is sufficient to accomplish their salvation.

Today’s meditation: Trust in God’s saving grace.

Memory Verse: "Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for.” Job 6:8 (NIV)

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Daily devotion

11/4/2019

Unkind Judgements
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Mathew 7:1-5
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Scripture Quote: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sin.” Mathew 6:14-15 (NIV)

It’s hard to look honestly into our own darkness. We must admit our ugly judgements of others - It’s crazy, because we often are ourselves guilty of the thing we criticize. We are foolish to think that our nasty judgmentalism goes undetected. God hears those mumbled snide remarks. Our heavenly Father knows who we are under the surface of who we project ourselves to be. If we will face our sinfulness, we can ask God's forgiveness. With His help, we can gradually choke out that mean, hypocritical disposition so that we can dispose of any harsh, uncharitable judgements against others.

We can shed the evil within our secret selves, just as a chubby, squirmy caterpillar is transformed into something so much more beautiful and free. To begin, we can refuse to endeavor to elevate ourselves above others. As believers, its just awful to cling to a deluded perspective of ourselves and think that there should be no good quality found anywhere other than ourselves. Do you realize that the other guy is struggling with illusions of grandeur too? God sees it all, yet He will forgive us. He will always guide a yielded, repentant heart to embrace justice and mercy.

Today’s meditation: Be kind to one another.

Memory Verse: “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Mathew 7:12 (NIV)

Daily devotion

11/1/2019

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)

Daily devotion

10/31/2019

Understanding Our Role
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (All scripture is from MSG)
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Scripture Quote: Planting and watering are menial servant jobs at minimum wages. What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working. Or, to put it another way, you are God's house. (1 Corinthians 3:8-9)

Paul was a joint worker with Christ in seeking the salvation of people. He begged those he ministered to not to neglect or slight God's offer of pardon. There have always been those who have been told of the plan of salvation and about God's abundant mercy who still rejected God's plan of reconciliation. Then, as now, those people are lost to the joy, inner peace and eternal life available to them through Christ. We sometimes get caught up in fear of rejection, not accepting that it is the message that is rejected, not the messenger.

We are under the misguided impression that we can control how others receive our message of hope, but that is not our role. God's people have the privilege of offering Christ's message without being obligated to do anything more than explain it. Once a person knows the terms on which God is willing to be reconciled to them, that person makes his choice. It is Jesus that they accept or reject, not us. Rather than being embarrassed by rejection, we can choose to fervently pray for the foolish soul that choses to forfeit his own redemption - Use God's grace to continue with His message for the next person.

Today’s meditation: God’s Saints serve Him.

Memory Verse: Remember, there is only one foundation, the one already laid: Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:1)

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Daily devotion

10/30/2019

Unconditional Love
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:17-21
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Scripture Quote: But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Matthew 5:44 (CEV)

It's almost an automatic response for us to avenge ourselves and to push back those who exert force on us. It seems that, left to our corrupt character, we are naturally hostile and violent people. There is nothing nobler than to imitate Christ in doing good to those who have hurt us in some way. We can see that all the beauty in nature that God created and continues to sustain, is given to both good and bad people to enjoy. Also, God loved us while we were lost sinners and He still made us His children. Since we are partakers of His Divine nature through Christ, we do have the ability to bless those who treat us badly and to forgive, as God has forgiven us.

Okay, so we know that God wants us to always be forgiving, but it isn't a simple matter because it is contrary to self-love - Our narcissistic tendencies strain hard against such selflessness. The only way we can ever hope to forgive everyone is to stay connected to the mind of Christ. Nothing but His great love, shared with us through the Holy Spirit, can enable us to practice forgiving grace. Christ’s anointing is key to loving deeply and forgiving freely.

Today’s meditation: Love others, even if they are unkind to you.

Memory Verse: Don't be hateful to people, just because they are hateful to you. Rather, be good to each other and to everyone else.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 (CEV)

Daily devotion

10/29/2019

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)

Daily devotion

10/28/2019

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)

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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