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Daily devotion

5/22/2019

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)

Daily devotion

5/21/2019

Members of God’s Family
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:34-40 (All Scripture quoted is NIV)
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Scripture Quote: “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." (John 14:21)

All of Christ's faithful followers feel His power and goodness within our hearts. We are righteous through Him, blessed children because we have received the benediction of our heavenly Father. We have become, and continue to be, His Church body, members of the heavenly family. The inheritance of eternal life is only for the children of the family of God. We who have received the blessing of our Father, are made holy, undefiled and separated from sinners, in His sight.

Believers can make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to study God’s Word - Everything we need to know to lead a godly life has been written down in Scripture for us to learn. We have been given so much as joint heirs with Jesus. Repentance and obedience are the least we can offer in return to show our gratitude and love for our Savior. We have been elevated to brothers and sisters in Christ. The most solid proof of a Christian's love and affection for Christ is if we continually strive to keep His commandments, patiently waiting to someday see his majesty face to face. In the meantime, we can live our lives as if we actually realize that we are children of the Most High God, who have been blessed beyond measure.

Today’s meditation: We owe Christ everything.

Memory Verse: "If you love me, keep my commands. (John 14:15)

Daily devotion

5/20/2019

Mature and Serve

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-14
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Scripture Quote: This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 (NIV)

Far from being sage evangelists, Christians, whether laymen or leaders, begin as infants in Christ. We do progress, but actually remain inferior followers, employed under our superior Savior, Jesus Christ - He alone is our Messiah, from whom we receive our calling. All the mysteries, illumination, and purification of our souls is by His Holy Spirit. He has entrusted us with Divine Truth and expects that we will be faithful with the management of His requirements, as we live in the great expectation of His return. We must be ready, because Jesus will come at an hour when we do not expect Him, (Mat. 24:44).

We are Christ's joyful servants who delight in increasing wisdom and prudence, sharing our nourishment with others. So in a certain way, we are all ministers of the Gospel, who depend on the providence of our Heavenly Father, as we proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God. When our Savior returns, all false doctrine will pass away. God will show the world that His Word, and that alone, will stand.

Today’s meditation: We are servants called to proclaim God’s truth.

Memory Verse: Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? Matthew 24:45 (NIV)

Daily devotion

5/17/2019

Loving the Unlovable

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21
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Scripture Quote: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28 NIV)

God loves His children and can use any circumstance, whether we believe it to be evil or good, to our betterment or advantage. It's a hard truth to swallow, but we are not to respond with anger to anyone, even someone who is obviously worldly with evil intent. We can choose to be more concerned with the salvation of an evil doer, rather than to dwell on contempt for the person. It isn’t easy to be of the same spirit as Jesus, but that is what we are called to be. It takes a faithful heart and a noble mind to respond to unmerited abuse with peaceful resolve.

Quarrelsome retaliation is not appropriate behavior for the Christian. We are to leave each matter of unjust treatment to our Father God, who is the righteous judge. We can reprove with mildness whatever our enemy’s fault, but we must ultimately trust in God's willingness to use evil for our eventual good. God's children think that using something bad for good would be plain and simple. However, sometimes God's manipulation serves purposes that we are not privy to - We may never know the chain of events that God orchestrates for His purposes. Simply trust and obey, knowing that God’s way is always best for us.

Today’s meditation: Christians are supposed to be the peacemakers.

Memory Verse: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 NIV)

Daily devotion

5/16/2019

Loving the Unlovable

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-21
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Scripture Quote: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28 NIV)

God loves His children and can use any circumstance, whether we believe it to be evil or good, to our betterment or advantage. It's a hard truth to swallow, but we are not to respond with anger to anyone, even someone who is obviously worldly with evil intent. We can choose to be more concerned with the salvation of an evil doer, rather than to dwell on contempt for the person. It isn’t easy to be of the same spirit as Jesus, but that is what we are called to be. It takes a faithful heart and a noble mind to respond to unmerited abuse with peaceful resolve.

Quarrelsome retaliation is not appropriate behavior for the Christian. We are to leave each matter of unjust treatment to our Father God, who is the righteous judge. We can reprove with mildness whatever our enemy’s fault, but we must ultimately trust in God's willingness to use evil for our eventual good. God's children think that using something bad for good would be plain and simple. However, sometimes God's manipulation serves purposes that we are not privy to - We may never know the chain of events that God orchestrates for His purposes. Simply trust and obey, knowing that God’s way is always best for us.

Today’s meditation: Christians are supposed to be the peacemakers.

Memory Verse: But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (Matthew 5:44 NIV)

Daily devotion

5/15/2019

Love
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:36-40
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Scripture Quote: (NIV) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. . . 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)

God commands that we love Him and one another in all circumstances. So, do you wake up shinning with love, or are you a bit groggy and grumpy? Maybe you are a “morning person.” So you hug your spouse and kids, maybe pet your dog. It’s easy to love your family. Still, have you never spoken a rude or cruel word to any of them?

Love satisfies us and can make us feel supremely complete. But speeding through our day, we can often throw love in the back seat while charging through the list of things we must do before we can stop long enough to realize that love is missing. That's why we were short with the lady at the cleaners. We saw some friends on the street but were too rushed to pause for any interaction, other than a smile and quick wave. "Love your neighbor as yourself." Hmmm - And where was God in your hectic day? Just saying, maybe we need to give this love thing some serious thought.

Today’s meditation: To love is a decision to obey God.

Memory Verse: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Daily devotion

5/14/2019

Love the Unlovely

By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Luke 6:27-38
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Scripture Quote: “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?” Luke 6:45-46 (NIV)

Obeying Jesus’ command to love those who behave in a less than desirable way, can often be difficult. Our friends are usually like-minded Christians who don’t often challenge our ability to be gracious. It’s easy to be kind to those who appreciate our efforts done for their benefit.

But consider how well you shine in comparison to our Lord, Jesus – Now, that may just change your perspective on the subject. Jesus loved His accosters, despite their brutal actions. While he was being tortured and mocked, He prayed for those responsible, asking God to forgive them.

Jesus told His disciples, and anyone who would listen, to do good even to those who hate you. And if someone mistreats you, pray for them. So, even if it is the hardest thing you’ve ever done, do it anyway because God is pleased with those who obey God’s Word. The Christian life is all about change and loving every person is part of the deal.

Today’s meditation: If our heart’s desire is to know Jesus
and emulate Him, pray for His help loving even your enemy.

Memory Verse: “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Mat 5:44 (NIV)

Daily devotion

5/13/2019

Love and Service

By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading for the day: Acts 20:18-38
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Scripture Quote: For by the grace was given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. Rom 12:3 (NIV)

The apostle Paul served his fellow believers with joy and purpose. I’m sure the various, newly forming churches that he visited and wrote to from prison, all looked up to him as an exemplary leader. Paul could have thought himself to be special, more knowledgeable and important than those he taught, but he didn’t.

The temptation to feel superior to any other person comes directly from Satan. Such a ploy could easily steer a Christian off course. No matter how much of God’s Word we can quote, or how long we have studied it, we are not better than anyone else.

We are servants of our Lord Jesus, who loved us and lived a life of service. He died serving humanity through great pain and suffering.

We can be grateful for our redemption and respond to it by spreading His gospel and helping one another whenever possible. Our purpose is to live out the love and humility Jesus taught.

Today’s meditation: Our purpose in this world is to serve one another with love and grace, just as Jesus did.

Daily devotion

5/10/2019

Living Victoriously
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 2 Timothy 4:3-8
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Scripture Quote: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 NIV)

We are truly blessed whenever we are able to stand against temptations and trials. The Bible tells us that we will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. All worldly glory will only wither and perish. Also, there is a crown of righteousness for those who live the Christian life with dignity and humility, serving and loving others as Christ has taught us.

The crown of exultation is offered to us for the people we have encountered during our lives that we have influenced in some way for Christ. They truly are "our hope and our joy." When there is good purpose in our hearts, Christ uses that to welcome others into the fold. Just by opening ourselves up to be used, God blesses others with the Gospel message and draws them to the cross. To be a miniscule part of the glorious transformation of a newly saved soul has got to be better than great fame or fortune. And then, when our time here is done and we go to our true forever home, we will be privileged to lay our crowns at the foot of our Lord and our joy will truly be complete.

Today’s meditation: In everything you do, glorify Jesus.

Memory Verse: You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Revelation 4:11 NIV)

Daily devotion

5/9/2019

Lion’s Den Kind of Faith
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Daniel 6:1-9
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Scripture Quote: “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty. The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Daniel 6:22 (NIV)

The incident with Daniel and the lions makes us see, in living color, how mighty was Daniel’s faith in God. He knew that the goodness, provision, grace, and mercy of God, would all work for his protection because he believed with steadfast faith. There was no circumstance that could place doubt in Daniel's heart. It is that kind of pure faith, which believes that God will reward those who diligently seek him, that always finds favor and the willing shelter of our Sovern God.

Our generation has the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as our faith foundation. It was for us less than brilliant ones, God made Himself totally visible, this time in the living color of His Son’s blood. There can be no doubt about how incredibly deep God’s love for us is and no doubt about how much He deserves our complete faith.

Today’s meditation: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)

Memory Verse: And without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (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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Author

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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