Blog Posts - Toni Writing for The Master

Daily devotion

6/3/2019

No Sin Is Too Great
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Act 5:27-32 (All scripture quotes are NIV)
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Scripture Quote: Immediately the a rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:72)

Peter's sin was tremendous - He denied Christ at a time when he should have confessed and said that He was a follower. He should have been a witness for Jesus. Peter was one of the twelve and should have had Jesus' back. But instead of devotion to Christ, he chose to allow fear of condemnation and ridicule rule in his heart and mind. It is understandable that he would weep when he finally comforts himself with the shame of deserting His Lord.

Peter also remembered Jesus’ prediction. Jesus knew that Peter was weak and would deny Him - Yet Jesus had already forgiven Peter for his actions. How incredible is that? Peter's sorrow, as he wept, brought him ever closer to the Savior's heart. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to forgiveness and salvation, which further leads to no regret. If Peter can be forgiven for turning his back on Jesus and King David could be forgiven of murder and adultery, we can be certain that our sins are also forgiven. If we confess our sin, He is gracious to forgive us. Our past can be released because God has forgiven us our sins and purified us from all unrighteousness.

Today’s meditation: Praise God! Oh, how He lavishes His love on us!

Memory Verse: (Acts 2:28) You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Daily devotion

5/31/2019

Never Stop Praying
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:18-21 (Quoted scripture is from MSG)
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Scripture Quote: And all this because they traded the true God for a fake god, and worshiped the god they made instead of the God who made them—the God we bless, the God who blesses us. (Romans 1:24-25)

We all know people who are hard and indifferent to God's sovereignty - Sometimes those people are loved ones and family members. They are living busy lives, running this way and that, never taking God's rule to heart. They worship money, or possessions and work tirelessly to accumulate more and more. Even if their wealth and status are great in this life, they don't recognize their inner poverty without God's indwelling Spirit to lead them. Left to their own humanity, they are susceptible to all manner of depravity. But, even if they lead exemplary lives, whatever they have accumulated or achieved, will all be gone at the end of their lives, along with any chance of redemption.

So, what can Believers do to change these hard facts? Are our loved ones doomed to an eternity separated from their benevolent Creator? The Bible teaches that we are to believe only in God and to pray for our friends and loved ones who do not yet understand their need for a Savior. The Word also teaches that the prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail. Never give up praying for the salvation of your loved ones. God hears and He cares. So, pray, expecting miracles!

Today’s meditation: If we are breathing, we can continue to pray.

Memory Verse: Listen to the prayers that I pray at this place. Listen from your home in heaven and when you hear, forgive. (1Kings 8:30)

Daily devotion

5/30/2019

Never Separated From His Love
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:32-39 (All Scripture quotes are NIV)
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Scripture Quote: And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. John 14:16-17

Jesus stands in front of us to ever intercede with God Almighty. We know this certainty through the indwelling Holy Spirit that teaches us. Because God loves us so intensely, He delivered His Own Son up to death for our sakes. Would He withhold any good thing that we need? Abraham was also prepared to offer up his son Isaac to God, but God did not require that sacrifice from him. But because Abraham was so faithful and obedient, God blessed Him and multiplied his seed, even up to us in this current generation. God still honors all that was intended by God's promises to His people.

God gives His Believers every blessing that they need. There is nothing in this world that can separate us from the blessing and love of God. Is there a more powerful, wonderful, awe-inspiring fact than that? And the Church, which is founded on the Gospel and the Rock, can never be destroyed by persecution. And what God does for the Church He does for every individual in the body. With the love of God in our hearts, we know that we know that we are His Own forever!

Today’s meditation: Our God is always with us and He is all we need.

Memory Verse: (Hebrews 13:5b) God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."

Daily devotion

5/29/2019

Never Impede Another
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-13
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Scripture Quote: Romans 14:20-21 (NIV) Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.

The self-denying principles of the Gospel teaches us that we should avoid everything which may be an occasion of offense to another believer or that might cause dissension. Jesus told his disciples that things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. We all travel a path to gradual, varying levels of maturity. It is unloving to impede another's journey by causing them indecision or confusion in their faith.

We can refrain from questionable behaviors when in their presence. We do this out of love and respect for their journey. Doubts about what should or should not be consumed as food or drink can cause self-condemnation by disregarding those doubts. There is never a good reason to cause another undue stress. Jesus didn't teach his disciples to make legalistic arguments within the church body, but to spread the good news of salvation. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be accommodating peacemakers, encouragers and dedicated to helping others grow in their faith.

Today’s meditation: Never be a stumbling block to another’s faith.

Memory Verse: Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters. Romans 14:1 (NIV)

Daily devotion

5/28/2019

Never Forget You Are Blessed
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-4
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Scripture Quote: "Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." (Romans 4:7-8)

Believers can sometimes forget the blessing that they have received from Christ. Life happens, our sinful actions drag us down, with Satan having a field day bashing our sense of worth. We begin to believe the lie that we are not any good at all and we have disappointed God. We think that God will not want us to come again asking forgiveness and mercy. This is the same God, however, that sent His Son to be a sin offering for us - He did that because He dearly loves us. He gave us His Holy Spirit to live within us, who always leads us back to our Father, no matter what our transgressions.

There is no condemnation for those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. There may be natural consequences of our sin, but we are never abandoned and we cannot lose our Father's love. That's because God sees Christ's purity within us - He sees the Holy Spirit who preserves us from all the remains of indwelling corruption. The blessedness of freedom from the condemning power of sin is our prize now and hereafter. There is no power on earth that can prevent a child of God from going home to his Father's house – We are saved!

Today’s meditation: Guilt is for the condemned, not for Believers.

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

5/24/2019

Mustard Seed Faith
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:37-43
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Scripture Quote: He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." (Matthew 17:20 NIV)

There was a possessed child who the disciples were unable to heal. The father of this child begged Jesus to do the healing just after He returned from the mountain where he had been transfigured and conversed with Moses and Elias. Even after experiencing that state of glory, Jesus was still able to condescend to the father's plea to heal his son. He is always mindful and compassionate to His people. He was frustrated by the little bit of faith His people displayed, including His disciples, but He still wants to heal and bless all His followers.

Christians today are no different than those who lived while Jesus walked the earth. We think that we would have believed so completely if we had actually seen and spoken with Christ. We say that those Christians should have had tremendous faith, having seen Christ’s ministry first hand. However, people are weak and distrustful no matter what generation we belong to. We must always remain humble and remember that without Jesus, we are powerless. We are fortunate in that our weakness never hinders the mercy of His Grace.

Today’s meditation: Let your faith grow daily as you study His Word.

Memory Verse: He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40 NIV)

Daily devotion

5/23/2019

Motivation is Everything
Toni Smothers

Scripture Reading: Luke 12:15-22
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Scripture Quote: Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8 NIV)

Christians called to live by faith in the unseen God face a world fearfully ruled by the opinions of imperfect people. Public opinion will do nothing to improve God's righteous judgment of the life lived outside of His Law. Most of us are protected from committing horrendous sin by loss of liberty, loss of reputation, or some other form of consequence for unacceptable behavior. But for the Christian, even if there is no human law enforcement, God’s reign must truly be supreme in the individual's heart?

Believers tithe out of gratitude for God's provision, not so others will think us generous - Our motivation is everything. We can fast, letting our hunger keep us focused on God, or we can make sure other people know how "religious" we are, as we make a big demonstration of our deprivation. God knows if our hearts are humble and obedient or if we are just acting like it. If we place a higher value on what others think, or our material possessions, than on our eternal destination, we will surely pay a dire consequence for those foolish decisions. Make faith in God your life’s priority and rest confidently in Him.

Today’s meditation: Make God’s Ways your heart’s desire.

Memory Verse: For we live by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7 NIV)

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)

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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