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DAILY DEVOTION

5/23/2022

Simple Ambassadors
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Acts 4:1-13

Scripture Quote: But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. (Matthew 10:19-20 NIV)

Peter and John were on trial for preaching a sermon about Jesus and for performing miracles in His name - This was considered a crime. Faced with the hatred of the powerful elders and the knowledgeable scribes, these simple men were emboldened with incredible courage. Peter and John were simple fisherman. The rulers and elders came with their knowledge and power expecting to confuse and intimidate the apostles. However, Peter courageously told them that it was by the name of Jesus, whom they had crucified, that they preached and healed.

Jesus used simple people with no outstanding accomplishments to be his ambassadors of instruction and spokesmen of His Gospel. He used a poor widow's meager offering of two small coins as a model of a sacrificial gift. Christ said that she had given more than most others. She gave all that she had out of devotion to God. We are also meant to speak up for the truth of His Gospel. Some of us are highly educated, some not so much, but our position in this world is irrelevant - Christians are not eloquent speakers or heroes, but simply saved sinners meant to spread His truth in love.

Today’s meditation: Tell God’s truth to whoever will listen.

Memory Verse: For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. (Luke 21:15 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/20/2022

Share the Message
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 5:16-19

Scripture Quote: God has done it all! He sent Christ to make peace between himself and us, and he has given us the work of making peace between himself and others. (2 Corinthians 5:18 CEV)

It's awesome that Christ was able to reconcile the whole of humanity to God, by making atonement for our sins. Jesus was the Temple of Eeternal Divinity, because even as a man, the triune God dwelt within Him at all times. Jesus made peace for us with God by the shedding of His own blood for the forgiveness of our sins, in our place. It really is a mystery how by Christ's offering upon the cross He made atonement for every Believer, taking upon Himself all God's wrath and penalty.

Christians should never take this tremendous sacrifice by our perfect, sinless Lord for granted - There is no amount of gratitude that could cover the debt we owe Jesus. All He ever asked of His followers, was to pass His message of salvation on to others. We are called to share the awesome love our triune God has for each of His own. The only way a blinded, hardened heart can accept Christ's free gift of salvation is to become aware of it and it’s up to us to tell them about it. Our personal testimony can be short, simple and gentle. Nothing but His truth will set the captives free.

Today’s meditation: Share Christ’s message with someone today.

Memory Verse: (Romans 3:24 CEV) But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins.

DAILY DEVOTION

5/19/2022

Sexual Purity

Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8

Scripture Quote: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)

Paul considered the subject of sexual immorality of great importance. He repeatedly instructed the believers to live holy lives because that was their duty as Christians. In the bible we read that by our profession of faith made at our baptism, we became dead to sin, like Christ was dead to the living world when He was buried - As He was raised up to life, so we should also rise to a new life that consistently seeks to imitate our holy Savior. Being dead to sin doesn't mean that we will never sin again, but rather we now have a fighting chance to resist it. Christ's resurrection was a glorious display of God's omnipotence. This is the incredible power we as believers can depend on to help us in times of temptation.

Our society is in a drastic state of sexual immorality. We must not participate with their "tolerance" of all things. We are Christians with an obligation to take profoundly opposing views of the secular lifestyles we see today. We know our Father's standards as plainly spelled out for us in His Word and we must walk in His ways.

Today’s meditation: Cherish your body and keep it holy for God.

Memory Verse: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. James 4:17 NIV

DAILY DEVOTION

5/17/2022

Service to Others
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:3-15 (Scripture quoted is from MSG)

Scripture Quote: For I'm no longer going to be visible in the world; They'll continue in the world While I return to you. Holy Father, guard them as they pursue this life that you conferred as a gift through me, So they can be one heart and mind. (John 17:11)

Washing His disciple’s feet was about Christ's attitude, not the act of foot washing. Jesus knew that He would soon be betrayed, so He humbled himself to show His disciples what kind of attitude and behavior they should emulate in His absence. Even the most menial task God gives us is important to His Kingdom. God wants us to humble ourselves for service to others.

Jesus sent His disciples the Holy Spirit after his return to the Father. He has provided that same indwelling for all His Believers today. We do have ready guidance for every aspect of our lives once we take the time to study and listen to what God wants to say to us. In the presence of our holy, perfect God, how can we think or act any other way than with humility? Though He has given us purpose and peace in this life, we should not think too highly of ourselves. Since Christ, our Lord and Savior, willingly served humanity it seems appropriate that we would desire to humbly serve Him by serving others as well.

Today’s meditation: Serve others because Christ served us first.

Memory Verse: In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world. (John 17:18)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/16/2022

Service in Marriage
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 13:1-13

Scripture Quote: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, (Romans 15:5)

When our spouse helps out around the house, jobs are quickly whittled away. Whether she sweeps up the sawdust from his project in the garage, or he vacuums the floor without hesitation when necessary, those acts of service bring with them feelings of love and caring for each other. Sometimes, if we forget to pay attention, we can get too involved with our own agendas and miss those opportunities to serve our spouses. Humility and service can always help reconcile a disgruntled partner and stand as a perfect examples of our love.

We should be ready, after Christ's example, to condescend to all of our spouses weaknesses and perform whatever act of service seems necessary to restore. Marriage is not an equal give and take, as so many newlyweds anticipate - It is a constant giving on both the partners part. In disputes, the one who needs the victory most should be the winner, which in no way negates the importance of the other. If both partners are intent on serving and giving to their spouse, both are also receiving and being cherished - It's a win, win relationship when we emulate Jesus and His love for us.

Today’s meditation: Serve your spouse, even as Christ served.

Memory Verse: Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. (John 13:14 NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/13/2022

Serve with a Joyful Heart
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Philippians 2:5-11 (All verses quoted are MSG)

Scripture Quote: That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage." (Mar 10:45)

The Bible tells us, in the book of John, all about our Savior. Jesus is The Good Shepherd (10:11), He is The Vine (15:1-10), The Door (7:9), and The Bread of Life (6:25-35). Christ lights the world (9:5), shows The Way (14:6) and He is The Truth (14:6). Jesus is the Christian’s whole life (14:6). This is the same man who came to earth to serve humanity - The greatest man to ever live, came to make himself the least among men! He was pure, holy and dedicated to the benefit and service of mankind.

Along with Jesus' self-inflicted, lowly state, the Father further extended to Him the cup of deep sufferings (18:11), as payment for, and restoration of man's broken state. Jesus was the Royal Servant, deserving of honor and glory, yet He was beaten, humiliated and murdered because of man's evil heart and lust for blood. But Christ’s divine innocence and purity was the ultimate sacrifice to God and finalized man's redemption from sin's dominion forever. And so it stands: whoever believes in Jesus will not be condemned by the Father and will have everlasting life (5:24).

Today’s meditation: Serve your brothers and sisters with a pure heart.

Memory Verse: It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant. (Matthew 20:26)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/12/2022

Self-Worth
By, Toni Smothers
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Scripture Quote: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will -- to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6 (NIV)

All believers are loved by God and called to be His holy people, recipients of his incredibly excellent blessings. We can ask for wisdom and revelation so we can understand Him better. Our privileged position allows us to call the Great Creator of the universe, our loving Father. He gives us enlightenment to know, without doubt, the hope He has placed within each of our hearts – That, and His promise of a glorious inheritance. It is incredible, yet true, that we have great worth to our Father, God.

He has made us joint heirs with Jesus, our Savior. What greater gift could exist? John 3:16 tells us that God loves us, but can we possibly comprehend to what extent? Who among us could ever sacrifice our own child’s life in trade for anyone else? Yet God, through the impulse of His eternal love for us, provided for our rescue with the suffering and death of His Precious Son. How could we ever suffer from low self-esteem?

Today’s meditation: Be still and spend time quietly basking in God’s enormous love for you.

Memory Verse: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/11/2022

Seek God’s Presence
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 8:22-31

Scripture Quote: Since ancient times no one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him. (Isaiah 64:4 - all verses NIV)

Jesus performed many miracles demonstrating His divinity, salvation being His most glorious of miracles. Some Christians today think that believing in Jesus back when people saw Him first hand and heard Him teach, should have been a slam-dunk. In retrospect, Jews in Christ's day were rigid and reluctant to believe, but are we any different? Miracles still occur today, many for our personal benefit, yet some still say that these occurrences are coincidence or wishful thinking.

Jesus was from the beginning with the Father and has since been seen with human eyes as a man that was touchable and accessible. The Word of Life, our Lord, came to show us the way to God. We could well be like the blind man, afflicted with a different kind of blindness, but still unable to recognize current miraculous works. Believing in Jesus and His miracles, both then and now, has required the same leap of faith for all generations. So let us all leap together into the knowledge that Jesus Christ's divine power delivered to His people in the form of miracles has not diminished with time and it never will.

Today’s meditation: God’s presence is real - Today and always.

Memory Verse: See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world doesn’t know us is that it didn’t know him.(1Joh 3:1)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/10/2022

Satan’s Ultimate Defeat
By, Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Act 2:31-39

Scripture Quote: “This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” Acts 2:23-24 (NIV)

Jesus shared in our humanity, suffered a brutal death, and broke Satan's power over death. Jesus showed himself to His disciples after His death and gave them convincing proof that he was really alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. Jesus told them that they would receive power through the Holy Spirit, which Jesus would send them, so that they would be His witnesses to people everywhere.

It is with our hearts that we believe and are saved and it is with our mouths that we profess oour faith. Faith seems to put the almighty power of God into our hearts and hands, whereas wavering belief and contempt seems to drive Christ out of even a Christian’s heart. That’s why faith is the power behind Satan's defeat. Death was intended by Satan to be the final ruin of mankind - But it has become the instrument of our journey into endless glory. So, the death brought in by Satan has been flip-flopped on him because it was rendered ineffectual by Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection.

Today’s meditation: Ponder your glorious resurrection into Heaven.

Memory Verse: “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith,” Galatians 3:26 (NIV)

DAILY DEVOTION

5/9/2022

Safety in Jesus
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: John 15:4-12

Scripture Quote: Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword. Romans 8:34-35 (NIV)

There is incredible safety for those who believe the Gospel spelled out in the Word of God. Our Savior is constantly interceding for His elect. We are the ransomed, protected from our flaws because God has chosen us. Are we so special that we avoid all idolatry, injustice and wrong? Or can we honestly say that we do not have ruined morals or shameless moments of pure selfishness? We wish! The only reason we have been chosen children of God is for His good pleasure and not our perfection. Let's face it, left to our own devices, we are a mess.

Our hearts are purified by faith and we struggle and wrestle with our old selves once we are born again followers of Jesus. But if we hold fast to our faith and resist the temptation to turn away when we go through the various trials in our lives, Jesus said that He will abide in us - And that is the promise we can hold on to when we feel like we fall so short of the goal. Christ literally lives in us and helps us to evolve into fruitful branches.

Today’s meditation: Thank you, Jesus, that you are our protection.

Memory Verse: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 1Corinthians 12:27 (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 10 pound, furry, Morky muse, '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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